KR20230145718A - Nucleic acid amplification device for molecular diagnosis - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a nucleic acid amplification device for molecular diagnosis. This includes a case provided with a user interface; a support structure built into the case and providing support; A heating block assembly mounted on the support structure, which detachably accommodates a plurality of specimen tubes containing specimens, and transmits heat and cold from the outside to the specimen tubes; a temperature controller that is in contact with the heating block assembly and heats or cools the heating block assembly; fixing means for tightly fixing the heating block assembly to the temperature controller; It is located on the side of the heating block assembly and includes a fluorescence measurement module that performs fluorescence measurement on the sample in each sample tube.
The nucleic acid amplification device for molecular diagnosis of the present invention, which is constructed as described above, does not have a phenomenon of lifting of the sample tube support with respect to the thermoelectric element, and the heat and cold of the thermoelectric element can be transmitted quickly and at an even density to the sample tube support, thereby producing efficient nucleic acid. Allows amplification. In addition, the sample tube support can be pressed and adhered to the surface of the thermoelectric element using a pressure screw, so even if the surface of the thermoelectric element is not smooth, the sample tube support can be fixed so that it does not lift, thereby enabling stable heat transfer.

Description

Nucleic acid amplification device for molecular diagnosis}

The present invention relates to a nucleic acid amplification device that amplifies nucleic acids contained in an extracted sample. More specifically, the present invention relates to a nucleic acid amplification device that can shorten the amplification time through rapid heating and cooling without loss of heat or cold transmitted to the sample. , relates to a nucleic acid amplification device for molecular diagnosis.

Among the various cutting-edge technologies for diagnosing diseases, molecular diagnosis is one of the in vitro diagnosis methods, which detects changes at the molecular level that occur in DNA or RNA containing genetic information, and determines the cause of the disease or infection based on the detection data. This is a diagnostic method to find out.

The process of molecular diagnosis usually includes a preprocessing process, a gene amplification process, and an analysis process. The pretreatment process is a process of extracting nucleic acids containing the target gene from cells, and the gene amplification process is a process of amplifying genes through polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Additionally, the analysis process is a process of identifying the cause or condition of the disease using amplified result information.

Meanwhile, in order to perform molecular diagnosis, DNA and RNA are extracted from a small amount of sample, for example, body fluid, blood, or body cells, and genetic testing is performed on the extract. The amount of extracted genetic material is small. It is bound to be of low purity. Accordingly, in order to increase test accuracy, it is necessary to amplify the amount of extracted DNA or RNA or to amplify only specific fragments of the base sequence.

The polymerase chain reaction described above is a representative technology for amplifying genetic material having a specific base sequence by repeatedly heating and cooling the genetic material to replicate the region having a specific base sequence of nucleic acid.

As mentioned above, in order to amplify nucleic acids, a specific temperature environment must be provided for each reaction process through repeated heating and cooling. If temperature control is not smooth, rapid and efficient nucleic acid amplification results cannot be obtained.

For this repetitive heating and cooling, various types of temperature control means are used, the most common of which is using a thermoelectric element. A nucleic acid amplification device employing a thermoelectric element has the basic structure of placing a thermoelectric element at the bottom of a metal block into which a specimen tube is inserted, and driving the thermoelectric element to heat or cool the block.

However, in conventional amplification devices, the surface of the thermoelectric element is not in close contact with the metal block and is often slightly open. If the thermoelectric element and the metal block are separated, heat or cold cannot be transmitted properly, and of course, the nucleic acid amplification efficiency is greatly reduced.

Domestic Patent Publication No. 10-2081480 (High-speed nucleic acid amplification device) Domestic Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0097336 (Container for nucleic acid amplification reaction and nucleic acid amplification reaction device using the same)

The present invention was created to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a nucleic acid amplification device for molecular diagnosis that enables efficient nucleic acid amplification by allowing the heat and cold of the thermoelectric element to be transmitted quickly and at an even density to the specimen tube support. there is.

The nucleic acid amplification device for molecular diagnosis of the present invention as a means of solving the problem for achieving the above object includes a case provided with a user interface; a support structure built into the case and providing support; A heating block assembly mounted on the support structure, which detachably accommodates a plurality of specimen tubes containing specimens, and transmits heat and cold from the outside to the specimen tubes; a temperature controller that is in contact with the heating block assembly and heats or cools the heating block assembly; fixing means for tightly fixing the heating block assembly to the temperature controller; It is located on the side of the heating block assembly and includes a fluorescence measurement module that performs fluorescence measurement on the sample in each sample tube.

In addition, the heating block assembly; A conductive heat transfer plate that is attached to the temperature controller, takes the shape of a flat plate and is deformable by external force, is integrated with the upper part of the heat transfer plate, opens upward, accommodates and supports the sample tube, and has a side hole that exposes the sample tube to the fluorescence measurement module. A sample tube support provided with a plurality of tube holders; Covering the sample tube support, the cover housing is characterized in that it includes a cover housing that accommodates each tube holder and has a vertical hole that opens upward and a measurement hole that opens the side hole laterally.

Additionally, the temperature controller is; It includes a plate-shaped thermoelectric element in close contact with the bottom of the heat transfer plate, and a heat sink is installed at the bottom of the thermoelectric element.

And, in the cover housing; It is characterized in that it is further provided with an adhesion maintenance means that is coupled to the heat sink and maintains the thermoelectric element in close contact with the heat transfer plate.

In addition, the cover housing is provided with a plurality of female threaded holes that are formed through the vertical direction and have female threads formed on the inner peripheral surface, and the fixing means includes; It is screwed into each female screw hole and is characterized by including a pressurizing screw at the lower end that presses the heat transfer plate toward the thermoelectric element, thereby bringing the heat transfer plate into close contact with the surface of the thermoelectric element.

In addition, the vertical holes are spaced apart at regular intervals, and the female screw holes include a first female screw hole located between adjacent vertical holes and a second female screw hole located between adjacent first female screw holes. do.

In addition, the second female screw hole is characterized by having a relatively larger inner diameter than the first female screw hole.

In addition, the heat transfer plate is characterized in that a bending allowance groove is formed in which bending stress is concentrated when bending force is applied to the heat transfer plate with a pressure screw.

Additionally, the bending allowance groove is a groove extending in a straight line and is formed on the upper or lower surface of the heat transfer plate.

Additionally, the bending allowance groove is a groove extending in a straight line and is formed in the same pattern on the upper and lower surfaces of the heat transfer plate.

In addition, a heat transfer bridge is further formed between the tube holders as a thermal bridge to maintain thermal balance between the tube holders.

In addition, the heat transfer bridge is integrated with the upper surface of the heat transfer plate and is characterized in that it is provided with a bending allowance slit that opens or narrows when the heat transfer plate is deformed.

The nucleic acid amplification device for molecular diagnosis of the present invention, constructed as described above, does not have the phenomenon of lifting of the specimen tube support with respect to the thermoelectric element, and the heat and cold of the thermoelectric element can be transmitted quickly and at an even density to the specimen tube support, thereby producing efficient nucleic acid. Allows for amplification.

In addition, the sample tube support can be pressed and adhered to the surface of the thermoelectric element using a pressure screw, so even if the surface of the thermoelectric element is not smooth, the sample tube support can be fixed so that it does not lift, thereby enabling stable heat transfer.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a nucleic acid amplification device for molecular diagnosis according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 2 to 4 are perspective views partially showing the internal structure of the nucleic acid amplification device for molecular diagnosis shown in Figure 1.
FIG. 5A is a diagram separately illustrating the heating block assembly, first heat sink, and heat pipe of FIG. 1.
Figure 5b is a plan view of the heating block assembly shown in Figure 5a.
Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the heating block assembly shown in Figure 5 disassembled from the first heat sink.
FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining the coupling structure of the cover housing and tube holder of FIG. 6.
Figures 9a and 9b are cross-sectional views for explaining the pressurization method of the sample tube support for the thermoelectric element.
Figure 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of a specimen tube support that can be applied to a nucleic acid amplification device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 11a and 11b are diagrams for explaining the operating characteristics of the specimen tube support of Figure 10.
Figures 12a to 12c are side views showing another modified example of a specimen tube support applicable to a nucleic acid amplification device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 13 is a perspective view of another sample tube support applicable to the nucleic acid amplification device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, one embodiment according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.

The nucleic acid amplification device for molecular diagnosis of the present invention does not cause lifting of the heating block assembly relative to the thermoelectric element, so there is no loss of heat or cold transmitted to the specimen, and rapid heating and cooling of the specimen is possible. These features shorten the amplification time and improve the accuracy of the test.

The nucleic acid amplification device for molecular diagnosis of the present invention includes a case provided with a user interface; a support structure built into the case and providing support; A heating block assembly mounted on the support structure, which detachably accommodates a plurality of specimen tubes containing specimens, and transmits heat and cold from the outside to the specimen tubes; a temperature controller that is in contact with the heating block assembly and heats or cools the heating block assembly; fixing means for tightly fixing the heating block assembly to the temperature controller; It is located on the side of the heating block assembly and includes a fluorescence measurement module that performs fluorescence measurement on the sample in each sample tube.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a nucleic acid amplification device for molecular diagnosis according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figures 2 to 4 are perspective views partially showing the internal structure of the nucleic acid amplification device shown in Figure 1.

As shown, the nucleic acid amplification device 10 according to this embodiment includes a case 11, a support structure 14, a heating block assembly 50, a temperature controller, a fixation means, and a fluorescence measurement module 40. do.

The case 11 has a design that takes ease of use into consideration and is provided with an interface 12 on the front side. The interface 12 is a touch panel operated by the user. Through the interface 12, necessary conditions related to nucleic acid amplification (such as temperature range and heating and cooling times, etc.) can be entered. In addition, the status of the nucleic acid amplification device can be checked through the screen of the interface 12.

A cover 15 is provided on the top of the case 11 to be openable and closed. The cover 15 protects the heating block assembly 50. When the heating block assembly (50) is not in use, cover it with the cover (15) to protect it. When the cover 15 is opened, the heating block assembly 50 opens upward and the sample tube 100 can be inserted. That is, nucleic acid amplification can be performed by inserting the sample tube 100 into the vertical hole 51b of the heating block assembly 50. The sample tube 100 is a transparent tube containing nucleic acid to be amplified. Since the specimen tube is general, its description is omitted.

Meanwhile, the support structure 14 is fixed on the horizontal bottom plate 11a and has a fan installation portion 14a to provide support. The fan installation portion 14a is a portion where a cooling fan (not shown) is mounted. The fan cools the first heat sink (57). The fan itself is generic.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, two guide rails 33 are arranged in parallel on the upper part of the support structure 14. The guide rail 33 supports the carriage 34 so that it can slide. The carriage 34 consists of saddles 34a installed on each guide rail 33 and a connecting rod 34b connecting the saddles 34a. The two saddles (34a) are connected by a connecting rod (34b) and simultaneously move in translation as one body.

One side saddle 34a is linked to the belt 32c through a belt connector 34c. The belt 32c rotates in the direction of arrow a and the opposite direction by the motor 31 to move the carriage 34. The motor 31 is a motor that outputs a two-way rotational force based on information input through the interface 12, and is vertically fixed by the motor bracket 31a.

In addition, a drive pulley (32a) is installed on the drive shaft of the motor 31, and a driven pulley (32b) is installed on the support structure 14, and the drive pulley (32a) and driven pulley (32b) are connected by a belt (32c). The rotational force of the motor 31 is transmitted to the carriage 34 through the belt 32c.

A fluorescence measurement module 40 is mounted on each saddle 34a. As shown in FIG. 9, the fluorescence measurement module 40 measures the sample inside the sample tube 100 (in a state inserted into the vertical hole 51b) through the measurement hole 51d and the side hole 57c. Measures and determines matters related to nucleic acid amplification. The operating principle of the fluorescence measurement module 40 itself is general and its description will be omitted.

The heating block assembly 50 is mounted on the support structure 14 through a fixing arm 14c and detachably accommodates the sample tube 100 containing the sample. The sample tube 100 is inserted into the vertical hole 51b of the heating block assembly 50. Additionally, the heating block assembly 50 moves heat or cold air transferred from the temperature controller to the sample tube 100. Of course, the heating block assembly 50 itself is made of thermally conductive metal. The reason for heating and cooling the sample tube is, of course, for amplification of nucleic acids. The configuration of the heating block assembly 50 is as follows.

FIG. 5A is a diagram separately illustrating the heating block assembly, first heat sink, and heat pipe of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5B is a plan view of the heating block assembly shown in FIG. 5A. In addition, Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the heating block assembly shown in Figure 5 disassembled from the first heat sink, and Figures 7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining the coupling structure of the cover housing and tube holder of Figure 6. And, Figures 9a and 9b are cross-sectional views for explaining the pressurizing method of the sample tube support for the thermoelectric element.

As shown, the heating block assembly 50 is composed of a cover housing 51 and a sample tube support 55. The cover housing 51 and the sample tube support 55 are detachably coupled, and the cover housing 51 is coupled to the first heat sink 63 through a fixing screw (51m in FIG. 9).

The specimen tube support 55 is composed of a conductive heat transfer plate 56 and a plurality of tube holders 57. The heat transfer plate 56 is a square plate of a certain thickness made of copper or aluminum, and is in contact with the upper surface of the thermoelectric element 61, which is a temperature controller. The heat or cold generated from the thermoelectric element 61 is transferred to the heat transfer plate 56 to heat or cool the heat transfer plate 56 as a whole. In some cases, a carbon sheet with excellent thermal conductivity can be used as a heat transfer plate.

In particular, the heat transfer plate 56 can be deformed by external force. In other words, the heat transfer plate 56 can be deformed to some extent within the limit where the tube holder 57 can be fitted into the vertical hole 51b, corresponding to the shape of the upper surface of the thermoelectric element 61. The reason why the heat transfer plate 56 is deformable is to maximize the contact area of the heat transfer plate 56 with the thermoelectric element 61. The thickness of the heat transfer plate varies depending on need and may be approximately 1mm.

The heat transfer plate 56 is pressed downward by fixing means to be described later. The fixing means in this embodiment are the first and second pressure screws 52 and 53. The first and second pressure screws 52 and 53 press down on the heat transfer plate 56 to attach the heat transfer plate to the surface of the thermoelectric element 61. (56) is subjected to a strongly pressurized interview.

The tube holder 57 is a cylindrical member that is integrated with the upper surface of the heat transfer plate 56 and is open at the top and provides a tube receiving space 57a. The outer diameter of the tube holder 57 is constant. However, the inner diameter of the tube receiving space 57a becomes smaller toward the bottom, as shown in FIG. 9. This shape is intended to interview the lower end of the specimen tube 100 and the inner surface of the tube holder 57.

Additionally, each tube holder 57 is formed with a side hole 57c. The side hole 57c is a through hole through which the sample tube accommodated in the tube holder 57 is exposed to the fluorescence measurement module 40.

The cover housing 51 covers the sample tube support 55 and is in close contact with the thermoelectric element 61 (as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10), and has a plurality of vertical holes 51b and measurement holes. (51d), a fastening leg (51f), a first female screw hole (51p), and a second female screw hole (51q). The cover housing 51 can be made of a material with low thermal conductivity, such as ABS.

The vertical hole (51b) is a passage that has a certain inner diameter and penetrates in the vertical direction, and accommodates the tube holder (57). Each tube holder 57 is inserted and fixed into a vertical hole 51b, as shown in FIG. 9.

The inner peripheral surfaces of the tube holder 57 and the vertical hole 51b are spaced apart to some extent. The reason for spacing them apart is to enable movement of the tube holder 57 when the heat transfer plate 56 is bent. The tube receiving space (57a) opens to the upper part of the vertical hole (51b) and receives a portion of the sample tube (100). When the sample tube 100 is inserted into the vertical hole, the lower end of the sample tube 100 reaches the bottom of the tube receiving space 57a and enters a flat state.

The measurement hole 51d is a through hole corresponding one-to-one to the side hole 57c. When the sample tube support 55 is coupled to the cover housing 51, the side hole 57c is opened laterally through the measurement hole 51d, as shown in FIG. 9.

The fixing legs 51h are plate-shaped members formed three times on both sides of the cover housing 51 and extending downward. They are in close contact with both sides of the first heat sink 63 and are fixed with fixing screws 51m. do. For this purpose, a through hole 51k is formed in the fixing leg 51h, and a screw hole 63c is formed on the side of the first heat sink 63.

With the through hole (51k) of the fixing leg (51h) aligned with the screw hole (63c), the fixing screw (51m) is inserted into the through hole (51k) and coupled to the screw hole (63c), thereby forming the first heat sink (63). ) is combined with the heating block assembly 50 to form one assembly. The coupling method of the heating block assembly 50 to the first heat sink 63 can be implemented in various ways. The fixing screw 51m is an adhesion maintenance means that connects the first heat sink 63 and the heating block assembly 50 and maintains the thermoelectric element in close contact with the heat transfer plate.

Meanwhile, a plurality of female screw holes are formed in the cover housing 51. A female threaded hole is a hole that penetrates in the vertical direction and has a female thread formed on the inner circumferential surface. The female screw hole includes a first female screw hole (51p) and a second female screw hole (51q).

The first female screw hole (51p) is located between adjacent vertical holes, and the second female screw hole (51q) is located between adjacent first female screw holes (51p). That is, based on FIG. 5b, the four vertical holes 51b located at both ends of the cover housing 51 are connected to the two first female threaded holes 51p, and the remaining vertical holes 51b are connected to the three first female threaded holes (51b). 51p) is surrounded by Additionally, neighboring vertical holes (51b) share the first female screw hole (51p). In addition, the second female screw hole (51q) is located in the center of the four vertical holes (51b).

In particular, the inner diameter of the second female screw hole (51q) is relatively larger than the inner diameter of the first female screw hole (51p). The second pressure screw 53 fitted into the second female screw hole 51q has a larger diameter than the first pressure screw 52 fitted into the first female screw hole 51p. The reason that the sizes of the first and second pressure screws 52 and 53 are different in this way is to press more strongly the portion located in the vertical lower part of the second female screw hole (51q). An explanation for this will be provided later.

Meanwhile, a thermoelectric element 61 as a temperature controller and a first heat sink 63 are disposed at the lower part of the heat transfer plate 56. The heating block assembly 50, the thermoelectric element 61, and the first heat sink 63 are maintained in close contact with each other by the fixing screw 51m described above.

The thermoelectric element 61 takes the form of a plate and is mounted on the bottom of the heat transfer plate 56 of the sample tube support 55. The thermoelectric element 61 itself is a general one and emits heat and cold by power applied from the outside. The thermoelectric element 61 may be implemented as one as shown in FIG. 6, may be composed of two as shown in FIG. 11a, or three or more may be installed and operated in parallel as needed.

Heat or cold generated from the thermoelectric element 61 is conducted to the heat transfer plate 56. The heat or cold delivered to the heat transfer plate spreads horizontally and moves to each tube holder (57). Since the sample tube 100 is inserted into the tube holder 57, it is possible to repeatedly heat and cool the sample by driving the thermoelectric element 61.

The first heat sink 63 serves to radiate heat and cold generated from the thermoelectric element to the outside. As is known, when one side of a thermoelectric element generates heat, the other side radiates cold air, and when one side generates cold air, the other side radiates heat. The performance of the thermoelectric element 61 is maintained by quickly releasing cold and heat.

Three screw holes 63c are formed on both sides of the first heat sink 63. The screw hole (63c) is a female thread hole into which the fixing screw (51m) is screwed. (See FIG. 9A) In addition, a plurality of heat pipes 65 are fixed to the first heat sink 63. The heat pipe 65 moves heat from the first heat sink 63 in the longitudinal direction and transfers it to the second heat sink 67. The second heat sink 67 is cooled by a cooling fan (not shown).

Meanwhile, the fixing means for tightly fixing the heating block assembly 50 to the thermoelectric element 61, which is a temperature controller, includes a first pressure screw 52 and a second pressure screw 53.

The first pressure screw 52 is a headless bolt screwed to each first female screw hole 51p. The first pressure screw 52 is screwed into the first female screw hole 51p, and presses the heat transfer plate 56 downward toward the thermoelectric element 61 with its lower end. Since the cover housing 51 is coupled to the first heat sink 63, the downward pressing force of the heat transfer plate 56 can be accurately adjusted through the first pressing screw 52. As the first pressing screw 52 is rotated and inserted deeper into the first female screw hole 51p, the pressing force of the heat transfer plate 56 with respect to the thermoelectric element 61 increases.

Like the first pressure screw 52, the second pressure screw 53 is also screwed into each second female screw hole 51q as a headless bolt, and presses the heat transfer plate 56 downward with its lower end. That is, the heat transfer plate 56 is pressed toward the thermoelectric element 61 so that the heat transfer plate 56 is brought into close contact with the surface of the thermoelectric element. The operating principle of the second pressure screw (53) is the same as that of the first pressure screw (52). As the second pressure screw 53 is tightened more tightly, the pressure in the direction indicated by arrow P in FIG. 9B increases.

Ultimately, by adjusting the degree of tightening of the plurality of first pressure screws 52 and second pressure screws 53, the degree of adhesion of the heat transfer plate 56 to the thermoelectric element 61 can be set uniformly. For example, when the right end of the heat transfer plate 56 is slightly separated from the thermoelectric element 61, tighten the first pressure screw 52 or the second pressure screw 53 located at the right end to press the heat transfer plate 56. is pressed downward and pressed into close contact with the thermoelectric element 61. Which part is open can be measured using a sensor when assembling the heating block assembly 50. In this way, by applying the first and second pressurizing screws 52 and 53, the hot air or cold air output from the thermoelectric element 61 can be transmitted to the heat transfer plate 56 at a uniform density.

Figure 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the specimen tube support 55 that can be applied to the nucleic acid amplification device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figures 11a and 11b show the operation of the specimen tube support of Figure 10. This is a drawing to explain the characteristics.

Hereinafter, the same reference numbers as the above reference numbers indicate the same members with the same function.

As shown, bending allowance grooves 56a are formed in a mutually orthogonal pattern on the bottom of the heat transfer plate 56. The bending allowance groove 56a is a portion where bending stress is concentrated when bending force is applied to the heat transfer plate 56. Concentrated bending stress means that it bends more easily than other parts.

By applying the bending allowance groove 56a in this way, even if the upper surfaces of the two thermoelectric elements 61 are not located on the same horizontal plane, as shown in FIG. 11b, the heat transfer plate 56 is bent and the heat transfer plate 56 is bent. It is possible to prevent excitation from the thermoelectric element (61). If the heat transfer plate 56 is excited from the thermoelectric element 61, heat transfer does not occur properly, making nucleic acid amplification impossible.

FIG. 11A is a diagram for reference to explain the problem when the upper surfaces of the two thermoelectric elements 61 are not located on the same horizontal plane and the heat transfer plate 56 is not plastically deformed.

Referring to FIG. 11A, it can be seen that the left half of the heat transfer plate 56 in the drawing is in close contact with the thermoelectric element 61, but the right half is physically separated from the thermoelectric element 61. Since the heat transfer plate 56 is spaced apart from the thermoelectric element, the supply of heat or cold air is blocked, and the tube holder 57 disposed in the open portion cannot perform its original function.

In contrast, the heat transfer plate 56 of the specimen tube support shown in FIG. 11B is in close contact with the thermoelectric elements 61 on both sides, even though the thermoelectric elements 61 are not horizontal. This close contact structure is possible because the heat transfer plate 56 can be plastically deformed and the bending allowance groove 56a is located at the boundary between the two thermoelectric elements 61.

Figures 12a to 12c are side views showing another modified example of the sample tube support 55 applicable to the nucleic acid amplification device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The bending allowance groove 56a shown in FIG. 12A has a curved bottom surface rather than a right angle. The internal shape or overall pattern shape of the bending allowance groove 56a may vary.

The heat transfer plate 56 of the sample tube support 55 shown in FIG. 12B has a bending allowance groove 56a on its upper surface. A bending allowance groove (56a) is formed on the upper surface of the heat transfer plate (56). In addition, in the case of the heat transfer plate 56 of FIG. 12C, bending allowance grooves 56a are formed in the same pattern on the top and bottom surfaces of the heat transfer plate 56.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of another sample tube support 55 applicable to the nucleic acid amplification device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, it can be seen that the heat transfer bridge 57k is formed integrally between each tube holder 57. The heat bridge 57k serves as a heat bridge for thermal uniformity between the tube holders 57, so to speak. The heat transfer bridge (57k) is a plate-shaped member of a certain thickness, and the lower part is integrated with the heat transfer plate (56).

In addition, a bending allowance slit (57m) is formed in each heat transfer bridge (57k). The bending allowance slit (57m) is a space that opens or narrows when the heat transfer plate 56 is bent and is open at the top. The bending allowance slit (57m) opens when the specimen tube support 55 is bent convexly upward, and narrows when it is bent concavely downward.

Above, the present invention has been described in detail through specific embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

10: Nucleic acid amplification device 11: Case 11a: Bottom plate
12: Interface 14: Support structure 14a: Fan installation part
14c: Fixed arm 15: Cover 31: Motor
31a: Motor bracket 32a: Driving pulley 32b: Driven pulley
32c: belt 33: guide rail 34: shuttle
34a: Saddle 34b: Connecting rod 34c: Belt connector
40: Fluorescence measurement module 50: Heating block assembly 51: Cover housing
51b: Vertical hole 51d: Measuring hole 51h: Fixing leg
51k: Through hole 51m: Fixing screw 51p: 1st female screw hole
51q: Second female screw hole 52: First pressure screw 53: Second pressure screw
55: Sample tube support 56: Heat transfer plate 56a: Bending allowance groove
57: Tube holder 57a: Tube receiving space 57c: Side hole
57k: Electric heat bridge 57m: Bending allowance slit 61: Thermoelectric element
63: First heat sink 63c: Screw hole 65: Heat pipe
67: Second heat sink 100: Sample tube

Claims (12)

A case provided with a user interface;
a support structure built into the case and providing support;
A heating block assembly mounted on the support structure, which detachably accommodates a plurality of specimen tubes containing specimens, and transmits heat and cold from the outside to the specimen tubes;
a temperature controller that is in contact with the heating block assembly and heats or cools the heating block assembly;
fixing means for tightly fixing the heating block assembly to the temperature controller;
A nucleic acid amplification device for molecular diagnosis, characterized in that it is located on the side of the heating block assembly and includes a fluorescence measurement module that performs fluorescence measurement on the specimen in each specimen tube. According to paragraph 1,
The heating block assembly;
A conductive heat transfer plate that is attached to the temperature controller, takes the shape of a flat plate and is deformable by external force, is integrated with the upper part of the heat transfer plate, opens upward, accommodates and supports the sample tube, and has a side hole that exposes the sample tube to the fluorescence measurement module. A sample tube support provided with a plurality of tube holders;
A nucleic acid amplification device for molecular diagnosis, which covers the sample tube support and includes a cover housing that accommodates each tube holder and has a vertical hole that opens upward and a measurement hole that opens the side hole laterally. According to paragraph 2,
The temperature controller is;
A nucleic acid amplification device for molecular diagnosis, comprising a plate-shaped thermoelectric element in close contact with the bottom of a heat transfer plate, and a heat sink installed at the bottom of the thermoelectric element. According to paragraph 3,
In the cover housing;
A nucleic acid amplification device for molecular diagnosis, characterized in that it is further provided with adhesion maintenance means that is coupled to the heat sink to maintain the thermoelectric element in close contact with the heat transfer plate. According to paragraph 4,
The cover housing is provided with a plurality of female threaded holes that are formed through the vertical direction and have female threads formed on the inner peripheral surface,
The fixing means is;
A nucleic acid amplification device for molecular diagnosis, comprising a pressure screw that is screwed into each female screw hole and presses the heat transfer plate toward the thermoelectric element at the lower end, thereby bringing the heat transfer plate into close contact with the surface of the thermoelectric element. According to clause 5,
The vertical holes are spaced apart at regular intervals,
The female screw hole is a nucleic acid amplification device for molecular diagnosis, characterized in that it has a first female screw hole located between adjacent vertical holes, and a second female screw hole located between adjacent first female screw holes. According to clause 6,
A nucleic acid amplification device for molecular diagnosis, wherein the second female screw hole has a relatively larger inner diameter than the first female screw hole. In paragraph 5.
A nucleic acid amplification device for molecular diagnosis, characterized in that the heat transfer plate is formed with a bending allowance groove in which bending stress is concentrated when bending force is applied to the heat transfer plate with a pressure screw. According to clause 8,
The bending allowance groove is a groove extending in a straight line and is formed on the upper or lower surface of the heat transfer plate. A nucleic acid amplification device for molecular diagnosis. According to clause 8,
The bending allowance groove is a groove extending in a straight line, and is formed in the same pattern on the upper and lower surfaces of the heat transfer plate. A nucleic acid amplification device for molecular diagnosis. According to paragraph 2,
A nucleic acid amplification device for molecular diagnosis, characterized in that a thermal bridge is further formed between the tube holders as a thermal bridge to maintain thermal equilibrium between the tube holders. According to clause 11,
The electric heat bridge,
A nucleic acid amplification device for molecular diagnosis, which is integrated with the upper surface of the heat transfer plate and is provided with a bending-allowing slit that opens or narrows when the heat transfer plate is deformed.

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