TW201930877A - Microscale sampling device - Google Patents

Abstract

A microscale sampling device including a frame is provided in the present invention, a sample container, a communicating channel and a resistance channel are defined in the frame. At least one sampling chamber is defined in the communicating channel. An end of the communicating channel is communicated with the sample container and the communicating channel is arranged below the sample container. An end of the resistance channel is communicated with the sampling chamber, and the other end of the resistance channel is communicated to an output joint. The resistance channel is shaped with at least one discontinuous shape change.

Description

Microsampling device

The present invention relates to sampling devices, and more particularly to a microsampling device.

Today's automated bioassay devices are capable of taking a quantitative target reagent from a specific reagent reservoir and transferring it to another reaction chamber, which is the most important procedure in the overall biochemical reaction. Conventional large equipment typically employs a three-axis robotic arm with a precision pipettor to perform the aforementioned sampling procedure. However, large equipment is too large to be used for on-site inspection (or POCT/Point of Care Testing), and its reagent tank and moving liquid process are open, samples may be contaminated, and the test results are false. Positive or false negative.

The existing micro-channel sampling device can accurately take quantitative sampling for dispensing, and can be mainly divided into electric manipulation and physical manipulation.

The electrically operated sampling device is suitable for detecting the liquid in the sample or detecting that the particles can be polarized, detecting that the sample is polarized to generate electrophoresis or dielectrophoretic force, and accurately taking quantitative samples. Electro-controlled sampling devices are mainly used for electrophoretic analysis of DNA/RNA. However, the sample needs to be able to withstand high electric field changes and must be polarized, so only specific specimens are available. Furthermore, the electrical control program requires precise control of the sample components, but the composition ratio of the clinical samples is difficult to control accurately and therefore less suitable.

Physically controlled sampling devices utilize mechanical structures (pipes) and physical controls (gas or mechanical push) to accurately capture quantitative samples. Physical manipulation sampling devices are also currently more common devices. However, the physical manipulation type sampling device can only perform single sampling and sample feeding procedures at the same time, so that it is less applicable to a large number of sampling.

In view of the above, the inventors of the present invention have made great efforts to solve the above problems in view of the above-mentioned prior art, and have made great efforts to solve the above problems, which has become the object of improvement of the present inventors.

The present invention relates to a self-driven microsampling device.

The invention provides a micro-sampling device, comprising a frame, a sample cavity, a connecting channel and a resistance channel are formed in the frame, the connecting channel is formed with at least one sampling cavity, and one end of the connecting channel is connected to the sample cavity and the channel configuration is low. In the sample chamber, one end of the resistance channel communicates with the sampling chamber, and the other end of the resistance channel communicates with an output joint, and at least one of the resistance channels forms a discontinuous shape change.

In the microsampling device of the present invention, the resistance channel forms at least one discontinuous depth change, width change or transition. The resistance channel configuration is higher than the connecting channel.

In the microsampling device of the present invention, the other end of the connecting channel is connected to a recovery chamber, and the recovery chamber is connected to a negative pressure source. The sample chamber is configured to accommodate the same liquid to a predetermined liquid level, and the recovery chamber has an inlet connected to the communication passage, and the inlet is higher than the predetermined liquid level.

In the microsampling device of the present invention, the output connector is connected to a test tube which is connected to a negative pressure source or an external environment.

In the microsampling device of the present invention, the output joint is formed with a bypass passage. The output connector is connected to a test tube, and the test tube communicates with the external environment through the bypass channel, and the connection channel is connected to a positive pressure source. An adapter plate is embedded on the frame, and an adapter pipe is disposed in the adapter plate, and the adapter pipe is connected between the external environment and the bypass channel. The output connector is connected to a test tube, and the test tube is connected to a negative pressure source through a bypass channel. An adapter plate is embedded in the frame, and an adapter pipe is disposed in the adapter plate, and the adapter pipe is connected between the negative pressure source and the bypass channel.

In the microsampling device of the present invention, the adapter plate covers the closed resistance channel. The microsampling device of the present invention has a plurality of sampling cavities arranged along the connecting channel, and a plurality of resistance channels respectively communicating with the sampling cavities are formed on the frame, and the resistance channels connected by the sampling cavities are not longer than the closer. Another resistance channel that is connected to another sampling chamber of the sample chamber.

The microsampling device of the present invention flows into the sampling chamber by disposing a height difference between the sample chamber and the sampling chamber so that the sample liquid in the sample chamber can be driven by its own gravity. Furthermore, by providing a resistance groove that communicates with the sampling chamber to provide resistance against the gravity of the sample liquid, it is possible to retain a predetermined amount of sample liquid in the sampling chamber. Therefore, the microsampling device of the present invention does not require a separate pressure source to drive the sample liquid from the sample chamber into the sampling chamber.

Referring to Figures 1 through 3, a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a microsampling device comprising a frame 100 and an adapter plate 200.

Referring to FIG. 4 to FIG. 8 , in the embodiment, the frame 100 is preferably formed with a horizontal beam 110 disposed horizontally and two vertical columns 120 a / 120 b extending upward from the two ends of the horizontal beam 110 . One of the columns 120a of the frame 100 is hollow to form a sample chamber 121a for injecting the sample liquid 10, and the sample liquid 10 disposed therein is not higher than a predetermined liquid level 122a. The other column 120b of the frame 100 is hollow to form a recovery chamber 121b, and the recovery chamber 121b is preferably connectable to a negative pressure source 20a.

The connecting passage 111 is formed within the horizontal beam 110, thus causing the connecting passage 111 to be disposed lower than the sample chamber 121a. The connecting passage 111 extends in the longitudinal direction of the horizontal beam 110, and one end of the connecting passage 111 communicates with the lower end of the sample chamber 121a, and the connecting passage 111 may extend horizontally or may extend downward from the sample chamber 121a toward the other end of the horizontal beam 110, and The other end of the passage 111 communicates with the upper end of the recovery chamber 121b. The upper end of the recovery chamber 121b has an inlet 122b, and the inlet 122b is disposed at a predetermined liquid level 122a higher than the sample chamber 121a. The inlet 120b of the recovery chamber 121b is further provided with an approach channel 123b, and the approach channel 123b is connected to the connection channel 111 and Between the inlets 122b of the recovery chamber 121b. Therefore, when the negative pressure source 20a is not activated, the sample liquid 10 in the sample chamber 121a cannot flow into the recovery chamber 121b only by its own gravity.

At least one of the branches 111 extends to form at least one sampling cavity 112. In this embodiment, the connecting channel 111 is formed with a plurality of sampling chambers 112 having the same basic structure and function, and the sampling chamber 112 is connected along the connecting channel. 111 arranged. Moreover, the sampling chamber 112 is disposed lower than the connecting passage 111, so that the sample liquid 10 in the sample chamber 121a can be driven by its own gravity to fill the sampling chambers 112 through the connecting passage 111. The size of each sampling chamber 112 is configured according to the amount of sampling required.

The frame 100 is formed with at least one resistance channel 130. In this embodiment, the top surface of the horizontal beam 110 is concavely formed to form a plurality of resistance channels 130 corresponding to the sampling chambers 112, and the resistance channels 130 are separated from each other. Not connected. One end of each resistance channel 130 is respectively connected to the corresponding sampling cavity 112, and the resistance channels 130 are arranged along the connecting channel 111 of the horizontal beam 110 corresponding to the sampling chambers 112. Each of the resistance channels 130 may preferably be disposed higher than the connecting channel 111, but is not limited thereto. The other ends of the resistance channels 130 are respectively connected to corresponding output connectors 140. In this embodiment, the output connectors 140 are preferably convexly disposed downward on the bottom surface of the horizontal beam 110. Moreover, the resistance channel 130 through which each sampling chamber 112 communicates is not longer than another resistance channel 130 that is in communication with another sampling chamber 112 that is closer to the sample chamber 121a. Since the flow resistance generated by the connecting channel 111 and the resistance channels 130 is gradually depleted due to the driving force of the sample liquid 10 passing through the connecting passage 111, the arrangement of the shorter resistance channel 130 at the end of the connecting passage 111 can be made smaller. The flow resistance is such that the sample solution 10 can fill the sampling chamber 112 at the end of the connecting channel 111.

In each of the resistance channels 130, at least one of them forms a discontinuous shape change. In the present embodiment, the aforementioned discontinuous shape change may be a discontinuous depth change, a discontinuous width change or a discontinuity. The transition, by the discontinuous shape change of the resistance channel 130, creates a flow resistance to the sample liquid 10 in the sampling chamber 112 to resist the gravity generated by the sample liquid 10 contained in the sample chamber 121a.

Each of the output connectors 140 is respectively connected to a test tube 300. Each of the test tubes 300 is connected to a negative pressure source 20b to capture the sample liquid 10 in each sampling chamber 112. In this embodiment, a bypass channel 141 is formed on each of the outer sides of the output connectors 140. The bypass channel 141 may be a pipe or a channel. In the present embodiment, it is preferably a channel. When the test tube 300 is sleeved, the output connector 140 is sleeved. At the time, the inner wall of the test tube 300 can close the bypass passage 141 to become a pipe, and the test tube 300 communicates with the negative pressure source 20b through the bypass passage 141.

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the adapter plate 200 is provided with an adapter pipe 210, and the adapter pipe 210 is connected between the negative pressure source 20b and the bypass channel 141. In the present embodiment, the adapter plate 200 is embedded between the two columns 120a/120b and attached to the horizontal beam 110 to cover and close the resistance channels 130.

Referring to FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, when the microsampling device of the present invention is used, the sample liquid 10 is first injected into the sample chamber 121a, and the liquid level of the sample liquid 10 is not higher than the predetermined liquid level 122a of the sample chamber 121a. Next, the height difference between the sample chamber 121a and the connecting passage 111 allows the sample liquid 10 in the sample chamber 121a to be driven by its own gravity to flow into the connecting passage 111 and to flow along the connecting passage 111 to the recovery chamber 121b.

Referring to FIGS. 9-10, the height difference between the connecting passage 111 and the sampling chamber 112 allows the sample liquid 10 in the connecting passage 111 to be driven by its own gravity to flow into the sampling chambers 112. Moreover, the flow resistance generated by each of the resistance channels 130 is applied to the sample liquid 10 in the corresponding sampling chambers 112 to resist the gravity of the sample liquid 10, so that the predetermined amount of the sample liquid 10 can be retained in the sampling chamber 112.

Referring to FIGS. 10 to 11, a pressure difference is generated between the two ends of the connecting passage 111 by the negative pressure source 20a that communicates with the recovery chamber 121b to drive the sample liquid 10 in the connecting passage 111 into the recovery chamber 121b.

Referring to Fig. 12, sampling is completed by driving the sample solution 10 in each sampling chamber 112 into each of the test tubes 300 by the negative pressure source 20b of the communication tube 300. Referring to FIG. 13, another embodiment of the output sample solution 10 is to connect the connecting passage 111 to a positive pressure source 30a through the sample chamber 121a, and the bypass passage 141 of each output joint 140 is connected to the external environment, and the test tube 300 is preferably It can be connected to the external environment through the bypass channel 141 and the transfer conduit 210 in the adapter plate 200. The sampling is completed by the positive pressure source 30a driving the sample liquid 10 in each sampling chamber 112 into each of the test tubes 300.

Referring to FIG. 14, another embodiment of the output sample liquid 10 is to connect the connecting passage 111 to a positive pressure source 30a through the recovery chamber 121b, and the bypass passage 141 of each output joint 140 is connected to the external environment, and the test tube 300 is preferably It can be connected to the external environment through the bypass channel 141 and the transfer conduit 210 in the adapter plate 200. The sampling is completed by the positive pressure source 30a driving the sample liquid 10 in each sampling chamber 112 into each of the test tubes 300.

The microsampling device of the present invention flows into the sampling chamber 112 by the gravity difference between the sample chamber 121a and the sampling chamber 112 so that the sample liquid 10 in the sample chamber 121a can be driven by its own gravity. Furthermore, by providing resistance to the gravity of the sample liquid 10 by the resistance channel 130 connecting the sampling chambers 112, it is possible to accurately retain the predetermined amount of the sample liquid 10 in the sampling chamber 112. Therefore, the microsampling device of the present invention does not require a separate pressure source to drive the sample liquid 10 to flow into the sampling chamber 112 from the sample chamber 121a. The micro sampling device of the present invention uses only the pressure source as the sample for recovering the remaining sample liquid 10 and the output sample. The liquid 10 is not used for sampling, so the pressure source does not need to be precisely controlled, and the structure of the micro-sampling device can be simplified.

The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and other equivalent variations of the patent spirit of the present invention are all within the scope of the invention.

10‧‧‧ sample liquid

20a/20b‧‧‧ Negative pressure source

30a/30b‧‧‧ positive pressure source

100‧‧‧Frame

110‧‧‧Horizontal beams

111‧‧‧Connected channel

112‧‧‧Sampling chamber

120a/120b‧‧‧ column

121a‧‧‧sample cavity

122a‧‧‧Predetermined liquid level

121b‧‧‧Recycling chamber

122b‧‧‧ entrance

123b‧‧‧ Approach

130‧‧‧ resistance channel

140‧‧‧Output connector

141‧‧‧bypass

200‧‧‧Adapter plate

210‧‧‧Transfer pipe

300‧‧‧test tube

1 to 3 are schematic perspective views of the microsampling device of the present invention.

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the area A in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the microsampling device of the present invention.

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of a region B in Figure 5.

7 to 12 are schematic views showing the respective use states of the microsampling device of the present invention.

13 and FIG. 14 are schematic views showing other various use states of the microsampling device of the present invention.

Claims (17)

A micro-sampling device comprises a frame, a sample cavity, a connecting channel and a resistance channel are formed in the frame, the connecting channel forms at least one sampling cavity, one end of the connecting channel communicates with the sample cavity and the connecting channel has a low configuration In the sample chamber, one end of the resistance channel communicates with the sampling chamber, and the other end of the resistance channel communicates with an output joint, and at least one of the resistance channels forms a discontinuous shape change. The microsampling device of claim 1, wherein the resistance channel forms at least one discontinuous depth change. The microsampling device of claim 1, wherein the resistance channel forms at least one discontinuous width change. The microsampling device of claim 1, wherein the resistance channel forms at least one discontinuous transition. The microsampling device of claim 1, wherein the resistance channel configuration is higher than the connecting channel. The microsampling device of claim 1, wherein the other end of the connecting channel is connected to a recovery chamber. The microsampling device of claim 6, wherein the recovery chamber is connected to a negative pressure source external environment. The microsampling device of claim 6, wherein the sample chamber is configured to hold the same liquid to a predetermined liquid level, the recovery chamber has an inlet connected to the connecting passage, and the inlet is higher than the predetermined Liquid level. The microsampling device of claim 1, wherein the output connector is threaded through a test tube. The microsampling device of claim 9, wherein the test tube is connected to a source of negative pressure or an external environment. The microsampling device of claim 1, wherein the output connector forms a bypass channel The microsampling device of claim 11, wherein the output connector is connected to a test tube, the test tube is connected to the external environment through the bypass passage, and the connecting passage is connected to a positive pressure source. The microsampling device of claim 12, wherein the frame is fitted with an adapter plate, the adapter plate is provided with an adapter pipe, and the adapter pipe is connected between the external environment and the bypass channel. The microsampling device of claim 11, wherein the output connector is connected to a test tube, and the test tube is connected to a negative pressure source through the bypass channel. The microsampling device of claim 14, wherein the frame is fitted with an adapter plate, the adapter plate is provided with a transfer pipe, and the transfer pipe is connected between the negative pressure source and the bypass channel. . The microsampling device of claim 13 or 15, wherein the adapter plate covers the closure of the resistance channel. The microsampling device of claim 1, wherein the connecting channel is formed with a plurality of sampling cavities arranged along the connecting channel, and the frame is formed with a plurality of resistance channels respectively connecting the sampling cavities, each of the sampling cavities The connected resistance channel is no longer than another of the resistance channels that are in communication with another sampling chamber of the sample chamber.