Disclosure of Invention
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a fluorescence detection device and a microfluidic chip detection system, which are used for alleviating the problem of complex operation of multichannel fluorescence detection.
In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluorescence detection apparatus including:
a light source providing device configured to provide a full spectrum light source;
at least two optical channel boxes configured to alternatively receive the full spectrum light source provided by the light source providing device and generate and emit an excitation light source, the optical channel boxes further configured to receive fluorescence generated by excitation of the excitation light source and complete fluorescence detection, and
A switching mechanism configured to move the at least two optical channel boxes such that one of the at least two optical channel boxes receives the full spectrum light source provided by the light source providing device.
In some embodiments, the fluorescence detection device further comprises:
a temperature control device including a receiving portion for mounting a chip, the temperature control device being configured to control a temperature in a reaction chamber on the chip, and
And the light transmission pipeline is connected with the optical channel box and the temperature control equipment, and is configured to transmit the excitation light source to the reaction cavity and transmit fluorescence generated by the excitation of the reaction cavity by the excitation light source to the optical channel box.
In some embodiments, the temperature control apparatus includes:
a first heating member configured to heat the reaction chamber of the chip, and
The first heat conduction piece is arranged between the first heating piece and the accommodating part, and comprises a side surface which is opposite to the port of the light transmission pipeline, wherein a reflecting curved surface is arranged on the side surface and is configured to reflect the excitation light source penetrating through the reaction cavity to the reaction cavity.
In some embodiments, the temperature control apparatus further comprises:
A second heating member provided at a side of the receiving part opposite to the first heat conductive member, the second heating member configured to heat the reaction chamber of the chip, the second heating member being provided with a through hole allowing the light transmission line to pass therethrough, and
And the second heat conduction piece is arranged between the accommodating part and the second heating piece and is provided with a through hole allowing the light transmission pipeline to pass through.
In some embodiments, the light source providing apparatus includes:
A first light-passing aperture configured to transmit a full spectrum light source, and
At least two light source providing members configured to provide at least one full spectrum light source to the first light passing hole.
In some embodiments, the at least two light source providing members include a first light source providing member and a second light source providing member, the first light source providing member emits a full spectrum light source having a transmission direction that is consistent with an extension direction of the first light-passing hole, the second light source providing member emits a full spectrum light source having an included angle greater than zero between the transmission direction and the extension direction of the first light-passing hole, and the light source providing apparatus further includes a first beam splitter obliquely disposed within the first light-passing hole, the first beam splitter being configured to allow the full spectrum light source provided by the first light source providing member to pass therethrough and to reflect the full spectrum light source provided by the second light source providing member so that the transmission direction thereof is consistent with the extension direction of the first light-passing hole.
In some embodiments, the light source providing apparatus further includes at least two first converging lenses, where the at least two first converging lenses are respectively disposed at the emitting ends of the at least two light source providing members in a one-to-one correspondence, and the first converging lenses are configured to converge the full spectrum light source provided by the light source providing member and then transmit the converged full spectrum light source to the first light through hole.
In some embodiments, the optical channel box comprises:
A fluorescence detection member configured to perform fluorescence detection;
a second light-passing hole configured to communicate with the first light-passing hole;
A third light passing hole communicating with the second light passing hole, the third light passing hole configured to transmit an excitation light source to the outside of the optical channel box and receive fluorescence generated by excitation of the excitation light source returned from the outside of the optical channel box, and
And a fourth light passing hole in communication with the third light passing hole, the fourth light passing hole configured to direct fluorescence to the fluorescence detection member.
In some embodiments, the communicating portion of the third light passing hole communicates with the second light passing hole and the fourth light passing hole, respectively, and the optical channel box further includes a second beam splitter, the second beam splitter being obliquely disposed on the communicating portion, the second beam splitter being configured to cause the excitation light source transmitted by the second light passing hole to enter the third light passing hole and the fluorescence transmitted by the third light passing hole to enter the fourth light passing hole.
In some embodiments, the third light through hole and the fourth light through hole are located in the same extending direction, and an included angle greater than zero is formed between the extending direction of the second light through hole and the extending direction of the third light through hole.
In some embodiments, the optical channel box further comprises:
a first filter arranged in the second light-passing hole, and
The second optical filter is arranged in the fourth light through hole.
In some embodiments, the optical channel box further comprises:
A second converging lens arranged in the third light-passing hole and/or
And the third converging lens is arranged in the fourth light-passing hole.
In some embodiments, the number of the second filters is two, and the third converging lens is disposed between the two second filters.
In some embodiments, the fluorescence detection device further comprises a light delivery conduit configured to communicate with the third light aperture to transmit excitation light provided by the optical channel cassette or to transmit fluorescence into the optical channel cassette.
In some embodiments, the at least two optical channel cassettes are arranged about an axis of rotation.
In some embodiments, the light source providing apparatus includes a first light passing hole that transmits a full spectrum light source, the optical channel box includes a second light passing hole and a third light passing hole, the second light passing hole is provided at a side of the optical channel box, the second light passing hole is configured to communicate with the first light passing hole, the third light passing hole is provided at a top of the optical channel box, and the third light passing hole is configured to transmit an excitation light source outwards or to transmit fluorescence generated by excitation of the excitation light source inwards.
In some embodiments, the switching mechanism includes a carrier and a rotating shaft, where the rotating shaft penetrates through the carrier and is configured to drive the carrier to rotate, and the at least two optical channel boxes are disposed on the carrier and around the rotating shaft.
In some embodiments, the switching mechanism further comprises:
a power member;
The power piece and the bearing piece are arranged above the underframe at intervals;
a first wheel and a second wheel arranged below the underframe, the first wheel is connected with the power piece, the second wheel is connected with the rotating shaft, and
And the belt is connected with the first wheel and the second wheel.
In another aspect of the present invention, a microfluidic chip detection system is provided, including a chip and the fluorescence detection device described above.
Based on the technical scheme, the invention has at least the following beneficial effects:
In some embodiments, the light source providing device provides a full spectrum excitation light source to enable the full spectrum excitation light source to be collimated and parallelly incident into the optical channel box, the optical channel box comprises corresponding optical elements for realizing accurate control of the excitation light source and emitted fluorescence, and the switching mechanism enables at least two optical channel boxes to move, so that one of the at least two optical channel boxes receives the full spectrum light source provided by the light source providing device, the operation is convenient, the switching of a plurality of fluorescence detection channels can be realized, the fluorescence detection of the plurality of fluorescence detection channels is completed, and the requirements of the detection target quantity required by different diseases are met.
Detailed Description
Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description of the exemplary embodiments is merely illustrative, and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. The present invention may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that the relative arrangement of parts and steps, the composition of materials, numerical expressions and numerical values set forth in these embodiments should be construed as exemplary only and not limiting unless otherwise specifically stated.
The terms "first," "second," and the like, as used herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The word "comprising" or "comprises" and the like means that elements preceding the word encompass the elements recited after the word, and not exclude the possibility of also encompassing other elements. "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc. are used merely to indicate relative positional relationships, which may also be changed when the absolute position of the object to be described is changed.
In the present invention, when it is described that a specific device is located between a first device and a second device, an intervening device may or may not be present between the specific device and the first device or the second device. When it is described that a particular device is connected to other devices, the particular device may be directly connected to the other devices without intervening devices, or may be directly connected to the other devices without intervening devices.
All terms (including technical or scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs, unless specifically defined otherwise. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
Techniques, methods, and apparatus known to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but are intended to be part of the specification where appropriate.
Fig. 1 to 3 are schematic structural views of some embodiments of a fluorescence detection device according to the present invention. Referring to fig. 1 to 3, in some embodiments, the fluorescence detection apparatus includes a light source providing device 1, at least two optical channel cartridges 2, and a switching mechanism 3.
The light source providing device 1 is configured to provide a full spectrum light source.
The at least two optical channel boxes 2 are configured to alternatively receive the full spectrum light source provided by the light source providing device 1 and generate and emit excitation light sources, and the optical channel boxes 2 are further configured to receive fluorescence generated by excitation of the excitation light sources and complete fluorescence detection.
The switching mechanism 3 is configured to move at least two optical channel boxes 2 such that one of the at least two optical channel boxes 2 receives the full spectrum light source provided by the light source providing device 1.
The light source providing apparatus 1 may provide an excitation light source of a full spectrum, which is made incident on the optical channel box 2 in parallel in collimation. The optical channel box 2 comprises corresponding optical elements for achieving a precise control of the excitation light source and the emitted fluorescence. The switching mechanism 3 enables at least two optical channel boxes 2 to move, so that one optical channel box 2 in the at least two optical channel boxes 2 receives the full-spectrum light source provided by the light source providing device 1, the operation is convenient, the switching of at least two fluorescence detection channels can be completed, the fluorescence detection of a plurality of fluorescence detection channels is completed, and the requirements of the number of detection targets required by different diseases are met.
In some embodiments, the at least two optical channel boxes 2 may include two optical channel boxes 2, three optical channel boxes 2, four optical channel boxes 2, five optical channel boxes 2, six optical channel boxes 2 or more than six optical channel boxes 2, and may complete multi-channel fluorescence detection, with great detection potential.
Referring to fig. 1-4, in some embodiments, the fluorescence detection apparatus further comprises a temperature control device 4. The temperature control device 4 includes a housing for mounting the microfluidic chip 6, and the temperature control device 4 is configured to control the temperature within the reaction chamber 61 on the chip 6. Alternatively, the reaction chamber 61 includes an amplification chamber for performing a nucleic acid amplification reaction for nucleic acid detection.
Referring to fig. 1-4, in some embodiments, the fluorescence detection device further includes a light delivery conduit 5. The light transmission line 5 connects the optical channel box 2 and the temperature control device 4, and the light transmission line 5 is configured to transmit the excitation light source to the reaction chamber 61, and transmit fluorescence generated by the reaction chamber 61 excited by the excitation light source to the optical channel box 2.
In the above embodiment, the temperature control device 4 is configured to perform multichannel real-time fluorescence detection under the limitation of the ultra-rapid temperature rise and drop condition on the optical detection.
In some embodiments, the light transmission line 5 comprises an optical fiber.
Referring to fig. 5, in some embodiments, the temperature control apparatus 4 includes a first heating member 41 and a first heat conductive member 43.
The first heating member 41 is configured to heat the reaction chamber 61 of the chip 6.
The first heat conductive member 43 is provided between the first heating member 41 and the accommodating portion.
Referring to fig. 6, the first heat conductive member 43 includes a side surface 431 disposed opposite to a port of the light transmission line 5 toward the reaction chamber 61, and a reflective curved surface 4311 is disposed on the side surface 431, the reflective curved surface 4311 being configured to reflect the excitation light source passing through the reaction chamber 61 to the reaction chamber 61.
The optical transmission pipeline 5 is connected with the optical channel box 2 and the temperature control equipment 4, the optical transmission pipeline 5 transmits the excitation light source to the reaction cavity 61, part of the excitation light source penetrates through the reaction cavity 61 and is incident to the first heat conduction member 43, the reflection curved surface 4311 on the first heat conduction member 43 reflects the excitation light source back to the reaction cavity 61, the excitation light source can be uniformly reflected to the reaction solution in the reaction cavity 61 under the condition that the temperature is not lost, fluorescent substances in the reaction cavity 61 are secondarily excited, and the fluorescence excitation efficiency and the signal to noise ratio are improved.
In some embodiments, by precisely controlling the optical path and combining the special optical reflection curved surface 4311 arranged on the first heat conducting member 43, efficient and sensitive multichannel real-time fluorescence detection can be realized, higher-efficiency fluorescence excitation and real-time fluorescence collection can be realized, and the detection performance of the system is greatly improved.
In the embodiment of the invention, the fluorescence acquisition part is integrated into the temperature control part for optical design, and the first heat conduction piece 43 is provided with the optical reflection curved surface, so that the integral performance of optical detection is improved under the condition of not affecting the rapid temperature change.
In some embodiments, the temperature control apparatus 4 further includes a second heating member 42 and a second thermally conductive member 44.
The second heating member 42 is provided at a side of the receiving portion opposite to the first heat conducting member 43, the second heating member 42 being configured to heat the reaction chamber 61 of the chip 6, the second heating member 42 being provided with a through hole allowing the light transmission line 5 to pass therethrough.
The second heat conductive member 44 is provided between the accommodating portion and the second heating member 42, and the second heat conductive member 44 is provided with a through hole allowing the light transmission line 5 to pass therethrough.
In the above embodiment, the temperature control device 4 integrally presents a sandwich heating structure for clamping the chip 6 up and down, and the optical reflection curved surface 4311 is arranged on the first heat conducting member 43, so that the excitation light source uniformly irradiates the reaction solution in the reaction cavity 61 under the condition of no temperature loss, and the fluorescent material in the reaction cavity 61 is excited for the second time, so that the fluorescence excitation efficiency and the signal to noise ratio are improved.
In some embodiments, the chip 6 is in the form of a flat sheet.
In some embodiments, the first heat conducting member 43 and the second heat conducting member 44 are both flat, the first heat conducting member 43 includes a side surface 431 abutting against the chip 6, the second heat conducting member 44 includes a side surface abutting against the chip 6, a reflective curved surface 4311 is provided on the side surface 431 abutting against the chip 6 of the first heat conducting member 43, and the position of the reflective curved surface 4311 corresponds to the position of the reaction chamber 61 on the chip 6.
In some embodiments, the side of the first heat-conducting element 43 facing away from the chip 6 is provided with a receiving groove for receiving the first heating element 41. The side of the second heat-conducting element 44 facing away from the chip 6 is provided with a receiving groove for receiving the second heating element 42.
In some embodiments, the temperature control device 4 further comprises a first heat insulating member 45, the first heat insulating member 45 being provided on a side of the first heating member 41 facing away from the first heat conducting member 43. The temperature control device 4 further comprises a second heat insulating member 46, the second heat insulating member 46 being arranged at a side of the second heating member 42 facing away from the second heat conducting member 44.
In some embodiments, the first heating element 41 is located between the first heat insulating element 45 and the first heat conducting element 43, the second heating element 42 is located between the second heat insulating element 47 and the second heat conducting element 44, and a receiving portion for receiving the chip 6 is located between the first heat conducting element 43 and the second heat conducting element 44. The chip 6 is provided in the accommodation portion between the first heat conductive member 43 and the second heat conductive member 44.
Since the chip 6 is flat sheet-like, the first heating member 41 and the second heating member 42 are configured in sheet-like, and the first heat conductive member 43 and the second heat conductive member 44 are each configured in flat-like, the reaction chamber 61 of the chip 6 can be caused to perform temperature change ultra-rapidly.
In some embodiments, the first and second insulation members 45, 46 are also configured to be flat.
In some embodiments, the temperature control apparatus 4 further comprises a fixing member 47, the fixing member 47 being configured to fix the light transmission line 5, the light transmission line 5 being aligned with the reaction chamber 61 on the chip 6 first through the fixing member 47 and then sequentially through the second heat insulating member 46, the second heating member 42 and the second heat conducting member 44.
In some embodiments, the first heat conductive member 43 is made of an aluminum material. The second heat conductive member 44 is made of an aluminum material.
Referring to fig. 7, in some embodiments, the light source providing apparatus 1 includes a first light passing hole 11 and at least two light source providing members 12.
The first light-passing aperture 11 is configured to transmit a full spectrum light source.
The at least two light source providing members 12 are configured to provide at least one full spectrum light source to the first light passing hole 11.
During the detection, at least one of the at least two light source providing members 12 provides a full spectrum light source. The at least two light source providing members 12 are capable of providing full spectrum light sources of at least two colors.
The light source providing apparatus 1 integrally provides at least two light source providing members 12, and can reduce the volume of the whole system.
The light source provider 12 is used to provide a full spectrum excitation light source. In some embodiments, the light source provider 12 includes an LED lamp, an LD lamp, a halogen lamp, or the like.
In some embodiments, the at least two light source providing members 12 include a first light source providing member 121 and a second light source providing member 122, the transmission direction of the full spectrum light source emitted by the first light source providing member 121 is consistent with the extending direction of the first light through hole 11, the transmission direction of the full spectrum light source emitted by the second light source providing member 122 has an included angle greater than zero with the extending direction of the first light through hole 11, the light source providing apparatus 1 further includes a first beam splitter 13, the first beam splitter 13 is obliquely arranged in the first light through hole 11, the first beam splitter 13 is configured to allow the full spectrum light source provided by the first light source providing member 121 to pass through, and the first beam splitter 13 is configured to reflect the full spectrum light source provided by the second light source providing member 122, so that the transmission direction of the full spectrum light source provided by the second light source providing member 122 is consistent with the extending direction of the first light through hole 11.
In some embodiments, the at least two light source providing members 12 further include a third light source providing member 123 and a third beam splitter 15, the third beam splitter 15 being disposed obliquely within the first light-passing aperture 11. The third beam splitter 15 is located downstream of the first beam splitter 13 in the transmission direction of the light source within the first light-passing hole 11, the third beam splitter 15 is configured to allow the full-spectrum light source provided by the first light source providing member 121 and the third light source providing member 123 to pass therethrough, and the third beam splitter 15 is configured to reflect the full-spectrum light source provided by the third light source providing member 123 such that the transmission direction of the full-spectrum light source provided by the third light source providing member 123 coincides with the extension direction of the first light-passing hole 11.
Alternatively, the light source providing apparatus 1 includes three light source providing members 12, which are a white LED or the like, a blue LED or the like, and a red LED, respectively.
Alternatively, both the first beam splitter 13 and the third beam splitter 15 may employ dichroic mirrors.
In some embodiments, the first light-passing holes 11 are arranged in parallel, and the light source emitted by the first light source providing member 121 is transmitted into the first light-passing holes 11 in parallel. The light source emitted by the second light source providing member 122 is reflected by the first beam splitter 13 and then is transmitted into the first light-transmitting hole 11 in parallel, and the light source emitted by the third light source providing member 123 is reflected by the third beam splitter 15 and then is transmitted into the first light-transmitting hole 11 in parallel.
The main function of the light source providing device 1 is to accomplish parallel emission of a specific excitation light band.
In some embodiments, the light source providing apparatus 1 further includes at least two first focusing lenses 14, where the at least two first focusing lenses 14 are respectively disposed at the emitting ends of the at least two light source providing members 12 in a one-to-one correspondence manner, and the first focusing lenses 14 are configured to focus the full spectrum light source provided by the light source providing members 12 and transmit the focused light source to the first light through holes 11.
In some embodiments, the first converging lens 14 comprises a plano-convex lens.
In some embodiments, a first focusing lens 14 is disposed between the first light source providing member 121 and the first beam splitter 13, another first focusing lens 14 is disposed between the second light source providing member 122 and the first beam splitter 13, and a first focusing lens 14 is disposed between the third light source providing member 123 and the third beam splitter 15. In the embodiment of the light source providing device 1 shown in fig. 7, three first focusing lenses 14 are provided, i.e. the emitting end of each light source providing member 12 is provided with a corresponding first focusing lens 14.
In some embodiments, the light source providing device 1 in combination with the beam splitter and the converging lens enables the excitation light sources of different wavelength bands to be controllable, ultimately emitting collimated parallel excitation light.
Referring to fig. 8a and 8b, in some embodiments, the optical channel box 2 includes a fluorescence detector 21, a second light passing hole 22, a third light passing hole 23, and a fourth light passing hole 24.
The fluorescence detection member 21 is configured to perform fluorescence detection.
The second light passing hole 22 is configured to communicate with the first light passing hole 11.
The third light passing hole 23 communicates with the second light passing hole 22, and the third light passing hole 23 is configured to transmit the excitation light source to the outside of the optical channel box 2 and to receive fluorescence generated by excitation of the excitation light source returned from the outside of the optical channel box 2.
The fourth light passing hole 24 communicates with the third light passing hole 23, and the fourth light passing hole 24 is configured to guide fluorescence to the fluorescence detection member 21.
The optical channel box 2 is mainly used for realizing accurate control of excitation light and emitted fluorescence, specifically, the excitation light of a corresponding channel is converged at the end part of the light transmission pipeline 5, and the fluorescence collected by the light transmission pipeline 5 finally enters the fluorescence detection piece 21 through filtering treatment, and is detected by the fluorescence detection piece 21.
In some embodiments, fluorescence detector 21 includes a photodetector element. Alternatively, the photodetecting element includes PMT (photomultiplier tube), PD (photodiode), APD (avalanche photodiode), or the like.
In some embodiments, the communicating portion of the third light passing hole 23 communicates with the second light passing hole 22 and the fourth light passing hole 24, respectively, and the optical channel box 2 further includes a second beam splitter 25, where the second beam splitter 25 is obliquely disposed on the communicating portion, and the second beam splitter 25 is configured to enable the excitation light source transmitted by the second light passing hole 22 to enter the third light passing hole 23, and enable the fluorescence transmitted by the third light passing hole 23 to enter the fourth light passing hole 24.
The second beam splitter 25 comprises a dichroic mirror.
In some embodiments, the third light through hole 23 and the fourth light through hole 24 are located in the same extending direction, and an included angle greater than zero is formed between the extending direction of the second light through hole 22 and the extending direction of the third light through hole 23. Optionally, an angle of 90 degrees is formed between the extending direction of the second light through hole 22 and the extending direction of the third light through hole 23.
The second beam splitter 25 can reflect the excitation light source transmitted through the second light passing hole 22, so that the transmission direction of the excitation light source transmitted through the second light passing hole 22 coincides with the extension direction of the third light passing hole 23.
In some embodiments, the optical channel box 2 further includes a first filter 26 and a second filter 27.
The first filter 26 is disposed in the second light-passing hole 22.
The second filter 27 is disposed in the fourth light passing hole 24.
In some embodiments, the optical channel box 2 further comprises a second converging lens 28. The second converging lens 28 is provided in the third aperture 23. Optionally, the second converging lens 28 comprises a planar convex mirror.
The second converging lens 28 is used to converge the excitation light source out through the third light exit aperture 23. The second condensing lens 28 is also used to condense the reflected fluorescence light, which is transmitted to the fourth light-passing hole 24 through the third light-passing hole 23.
In some embodiments, the optical channel box 2 further comprises a third converging lens 29. The third converging lens 29 is disposed in the fourth light passing hole 24. Optionally, the third converging lens 29 comprises a planar convex mirror.
The third condensing lens 29 condenses the reflected fluorescent light to the fluorescent light detecting element 21.
In some embodiments, the number of second filters 27 is two, and the third converging lens 29 is disposed between the two second filters 27.
In some embodiments, the fluorescence detection device further comprises a light transfer line 5, the light transfer line 5 being configured to communicate with the third light aperture 23 to either transmit the excitation light source provided by the optical channel box 2 or transmit fluorescence into the optical channel box 2.
In some embodiments, at least two optical channel boxes 2 are arranged around the rotation axis.
In some embodiments, referring to fig. 7, the light source providing apparatus 1 includes a first light passing hole 11 that transmits a full spectrum light source. Referring to fig. 2 to 4, the optical channel box 2 includes a second light passing hole 22 and a third light passing hole 23, the second light passing hole 22 is provided at a side portion of the optical channel box 2, the second light passing hole 22 is configured to communicate with the first light passing hole 11, the third light passing hole 23 is provided at a top portion of the optical channel box 2, and the third light passing hole 23 is configured to communicate with the light transmitting pipe 5 to transmit the excitation light source to an outside of the optical channel box 2 or transmit fluorescence generated by the excitation light source to an inside of the optical channel box 2.
Referring to fig. 2, in some embodiments, the switching mechanism 3 includes a carrier 31 and a rotating shaft 32, the rotating shaft 32 is disposed through the carrier 31, the rotating shaft 32 is configured to rotate the carrier 31, and at least two optical channel boxes 2 are disposed on the carrier 31 and around the rotating shaft 32.
Referring to fig. 2, in some embodiments, the switching mechanism 3 further comprises a power member 33, the power member 33 being configured to power the rotation of at least two optical channel cassettes 2. Alternatively, the power member 33 includes a motor.
Referring to fig. 2, in some embodiments, the switching mechanism 3 further includes a chassis 34, and a power member 33 and a carrier member 31 are disposed above the chassis 34 at a distance. The power member 33 and the bearing member 31 are arranged above the underframe 34 at intervals, so that the overall axial height of the device can be reduced, and the space on the underframe 34 is reasonably utilized.
Referring to fig. 2, in some embodiments, the switching mechanism 3 further includes a belt 37, a first wheel 35, and a second wheel 36, the first wheel 35 and the second wheel 36 being disposed below the chassis 34, the first wheel 35 being connected to the power member 33, and the second wheel 36 being connected to the rotating shaft 32. A belt 37 connects the first wheel 35 and the second wheel 36.
In some embodiments, the switching mechanism 3 further comprises a top plate 38, at least two optical channel boxes 2 are arranged between the top plate 38 and the carrier 31, and the top plate 38 and the carrier 31 are connected by a connecting piece. The top plate 38 is provided with a number of through holes equal to the number of the optical channel boxes 2, and the third through holes 23 of each optical channel box 2 are aligned with a corresponding through hole in the top plate 38. The top plate 38, the carrier 31, and at least two optical channel boxes 2 between the top plate 38 and the carrier 31 are synchronously rotatable as a whole.
Referring to fig. 3, in some embodiments, the switching mechanism 3 further includes a housing 39, the housing 39 including an outer shell 391 and a bottom shell 392. The bottom shell 392 is disposed on the bottom frame 34, and the outer shell 391 is connected to the bottom shell 392 for covering the top plate 38, the carrier 31 and the set assembly of at least two optical channel boxes 2.
The top of the housing 391 is provided with a top through hole 393 allowing the light transmission pipe 5 to be inserted, and the side of the housing 39 is provided with a relief groove 394 allowing the first light passing hole 11 and the second light passing hole 22 to communicate. The nested assembly of top plate 38, carrier 31 and at least two optical channel boxes 2 is rotated such that the second light passing aperture 22 of one of the optical channel boxes 2 communicates with the first light passing aperture 11 through the relief slot 394 in the side of the housing 39 while the third light passing aperture 23 of that optical channel box 2 communicates with the light transmitting conduit 5 passing through the top through hole 393 of the housing 39.
Optionally, the housing 39 is a cylindrical housing.
Some specific embodiments of the fluorescence detection device provided by the present invention are described in detail below with reference to fig. 1 to 12.
Referring to fig. 1 to 4, the fluorescence detection apparatus includes a light source providing device 1, an optical channel box 2, a switching mechanism 3, a temperature control device 4, and a light transmitting line 5.
Referring to fig. 7, the light source providing apparatus 1 includes a first light passing hole 11, a first light source providing member 121, a second light source providing member 122, a third light source providing member 123, a first beam splitter 13, a third beam splitter 15, and three first condensing lenses 14.
The first light source providing member 121 is disposed at a first end of the first light hole 11, the direction of the light source emitted by the first light source providing member 121 is consistent with the extending direction of the first light hole 11, and the first light source providing member 121 emits parallel light sources into the first light hole 11. The second light source providing member 122 is located between the first end and the second end of the first light hole 11, and the direction of the light source emitted by the second light source providing member 122 is perpendicular to the extending direction of the first light hole 11. The first beam splitter 13 is obliquely disposed in the first light hole 11, and allows the full spectrum light source provided by the first light source providing member 121 to pass through, and reflects the full spectrum light source provided by the second light source providing member 122 into the first light hole 11, so that the transmission direction of the full spectrum light source provided by the second light source providing member 122 is consistent with the extension direction of the first light hole 11. The third light source providing member 123 is located between the first end and the second end of the first light-passing hole 11, and the third light source providing member 123 is close to the second end of the first light-passing hole 11 with respect to the second light source providing member 122. The direction of the light source emitted from the third light source providing member 123 is perpendicular to the extending direction of the first light passing hole 11. The third beam splitter 15 is obliquely disposed in the first light-passing hole 11, and allows the light sources provided by the first light source providing member 121 and the second light source providing member 122 to pass therethrough, and reflects the light source provided by the third light source providing member 123 into the first light-passing hole 11, so that the transmission direction of the light source provided by the third light source providing member 123 coincides with the extension direction of the first light-passing hole 11. The second end of the first light-transmitting hole 11 is the light source outgoing end. The first light source providing member 121, one first condensing lens 14, the first beam splitter 13, and the third beam splitter 15 are sequentially disposed in a direction from the first end to the second end in the first light passing hole 11. A first converging lens 14 is arranged between the second light source providing member 122 and the first beam splitter 13. A first converging lens 14 is arranged between the third light source provider 123 and the third beam splitter 15.
Alternatively, the first light source providing member 121 employs a blue LED lamp, the second light source providing member 122 employs a white LED lamp, and the third light source providing member 123 employs a red LED lamp. The first converging lens 14 is a plano-convex lens. The first beam splitter 13 and the third beam splitter 15 each employ a dichroic mirror.
At least one of the first, second, and third light source providing members 121, 122, and 123 provides a full spectrum light source. The light source providing device 1 may provide excitation light of a full spectrum to be incident in parallel to the optical channel box 2. Referring to fig. 10, a schematic diagram of an analog simulation of providing a light source to the light source providing apparatus 1.
Referring to fig. 8a and 8b, the optical channel box 2 includes a second light passing hole 22, a third light passing hole 23, a fourth light passing hole 24, a fluorescence detection member 21, a first filter 26, a second beam splitter 25, a second condensing lens 28, a third condensing lens 29, and two second filters 27.
The first ends of the third through-holes 23 are respectively communicated with the second through-holes 22 and the fourth through-holes 24. The first end of the third through-hole 23 is a communication portion. The second end of the third through-hole 23 is adapted to communicate with the light transmission line 5. The third through-hole 23 and the fourth through-hole 24 are located in the same extending direction, and the extending direction of the second through-hole 22 is perpendicular to the extending direction of the third through-hole 23. The second beam splitter 25 is provided obliquely to the communicating portion. The second beam splitter 25 is used to make the excitation light source transmitted by the second light through hole 22 enter the third light through hole 23, and the second beam splitter 25 makes the fluorescence transmitted by the third light through hole 23 enter the fourth light through hole 24. The first filter 26 is disposed in the second light-passing hole 22. The second converging lens 28 is provided in the third aperture 23. Two second filters 27 and a third converging lens 29 are provided in the fourth light passing hole 24, and the third converging lens 29 is provided between the two second filters 27. The fluorescence detection member 21 is disposed at the fourth through-hole 23, and is located at an end of the fourth through-hole 24 away from the third through-hole 23.
After the parallel light emitted by the light source providing device 1 enters the optical channel box 2, the parallel light enters the second light through hole 22, stray light is filtered through the first optical filter 26, then reflected at the second beam splitter 25 to enter the third light through hole 23, and converged through the second converging lens 28, finally, the parallel light is transmitted into the light transmission pipeline 5, after the excitation light is transmitted to the micro-fluidic chip 6 through the light transmission pipeline 5, substances in the reaction cavity 61 are excited to generate fluorescence, the fluorescence is transmitted again through the light transmission pipeline 5 to enter the third light through hole 23 of the optical channel box 2, the fluorescence is shaped through the second converging lens 28, vertically enters the second beam splitter 25 and passes through a specific wave band, then the stray light is filtered for the first time through one second optical filter 27, and converged through the third converging lens 29, so that light spots with the size consistent with the size of the light window of the fluorescence detection piece 21 are obtained, and the stray light is filtered through the other second optical filter 27 for the second time, and detected through the fluorescence detection piece 21. Referring to fig. 11, a schematic diagram of a simulation of light source transmission by the optical channel box 2 is shown.
Referring to fig. 5, the temperature control apparatus 4 includes a first heating member 41, a second heating member 42, a first heat conductive member 43, a second heat conductive member 44, a first heat insulating member 45, a second heat insulating member 46, and a fixing member 47.
The first heating element 41 is located between the first heat insulating element 45 and the first heat conducting element 43, the second heating element 42 is located between the second heat insulating element 46 and the second heat conducting element 44, and a receiving portion for receiving the chip 6 is provided between the first heat conducting element 43 and the second heat conducting element 44. The fixing member 47 is used to fix the light transmission line 5. The light transmission line 5 passes through the fixing member 47 first, and then passes through the second heat insulating member 46, the second heating member 42, and the second heat conducting member 44 in order, to be aligned with the reaction chamber 61 on the chip 6. The first heat conductive member 43 includes a side surface 431 disposed opposite to the port of the light transmission line 5, and a reflective curved surface 4311 is disposed on the side surface 431, and the reflective curved surface 4311 is configured to reflect the excitation light source passing through the reaction chamber 61 to the reaction chamber 61.
The excitation light source in the light transmission pipeline 5 sequentially passes through the fixing piece 47, the second heat insulation piece 46, the second heating piece 42 and the second heat conduction piece 44, and irradiates to the reaction cavity 61 on the chip 6, part of the excitation light source passes through the reaction cavity 61 and enters the first heat conduction piece 43, the reflection curved surface 4311 on the first heat conduction piece 43 reflects the excitation light source back to the reaction cavity 61, and the excitation light is secondarily irradiated in the reaction cavity 61 through the reflection of the reflection curved surface 4311 of the first heat conduction piece 43, so that fluorescent substances in the reaction cavity 61 are secondarily excited, and the fluorescence excitation efficiency and the signal to noise ratio are improved.
The optical channel box 2 and the temperature control device 4 are communicated through a light transmission pipeline 5, and the light transmission pipeline 5 is responsible for the conduction of an excitation light source and the conduction of fluorescence excited by substances in the microfluidic chip. Optionally, in the temperature control device 4, through holes with a diameter of 1.4mm are punched on the second heat insulating member 46, the second heat conducting member 44 and the second heating member 42 where the 55 ° temperature zone is located, and are used for inserting the light transmission pipeline 5, and the excitation light source emitted by the light transmission pipeline 5 enters the reaction cavity 61 of the chip 6 through direct incidence and reflection through the upper first heat conducting member 43, and the generated fluorescence is collected by the light transmission pipeline 5.
Since the size difference between the light transmission pipeline 5 and the reaction cavity 61 is too large, only a small part of the fluorescence excited by direct incidence is excited, so that more fluorescence is excited, and the method has great significance in improving the collection of useful signals and the improvement of signal-to-noise ratio.
Therefore, a reflective curved surface processing (accuracy ±0.01 mm) is performed on the surface of the first heat conductive member 43, and the curved surface is polished or coated to obtain a final product. Wherein, the coating film can be a high-reflectivity film with more than 95 percent of reflectivity, and the material can be aluminum or silver. And a layer of SiO 2 can be added on the surface of the coating film, so that the coating film has an antioxidation effect. The back of the first heat conducting piece 43 is provided with a temperature sensor, and the temperature area is monitored and the temperature curve is regulated in real time through a computer so as to compensate the heat loss caused by the structural deficiency of the first heat conducting piece 43, thereby avoiding the reduction of the amplification speed. The problems of slower temperature rise and the like caused by the irradiation uniformity of excitation light and the heat dissipation are effectively solved.
The reflective curved surface 4311 of the first heat conductive member 43 may have various forms, including a circular concave surface, an elliptical concave surface, a bar-shaped concave surface, etc., and as shown in fig. 12a to 12d, a simulated simulation of reflection is performed by four reflective curved surfaces 4311 disposed on the side surface of the first heat conductive member 43.
Referring to fig. 9, the microfluidic chip 6 includes a substrate 62, a cover plate 63, a sample inlet 64, an exhaust port 65, a liquid inlet channel 66, an exhaust channel 67, a first plug 68, and a second plug 69.
The base plate 62 and the cover plate 63 are connected into a whole through ultrasonic bonding, a reaction cavity 61, a liquid inlet channel 66 and an exhaust channel 67 are formed between the base plate 62 and the cover plate 63, the liquid inlet channel 66 and the exhaust channel 67 are respectively communicated with the reaction cavity 61, the sample adding port 64 is communicated with the liquid inlet channel 66, and the exhaust port 65 is communicated with the exhaust channel 67. The first stopper 68 is for closing the loading port 64. The second plug 69 is used to plug the exhaust port 65.
The microfluidic chip 6 is made of transparent material such as polycarbonate.
The reaction chamber 61 may be an amplification chamber. Alternatively, the reaction chamber 61 is a square chamber of 4.5mm by 4.5 mm.
In order to fully utilize the excitation light and avoid excessive heat loss to influence the overall heating speed, the side surface 31 of the first heat conducting member 43 is provided with a reflective curved surface 4311, the excitation light is emitted out through the light transmission pipeline 5, and after being reflected by the reflective curved surface 4311 on the first heat conducting member 43, the reaction solution in the reaction cavity 61 is uniformly irradiated to fill the whole reaction cavity 61, so that the excitation total amount of fluorescence is greatly increased. The excited fluorescence is a lambertian light source, so that more fluorescence is reflected back into the light transmission pipeline 5, the collection total amount of the fluorescence is increased, and the overall signal-to-noise ratio is improved.
Referring to fig. 1 to 4, the switching mechanism 3 includes a carrier 31, a rotating shaft 32, a power member 33, a chassis 34, a first wheel 35, a second wheel 36, a belt 37, a top plate 38, and a housing 39. Wherein the housing 39 comprises an outer shell 391 and a chassis 392.
The switching mechanism 3 has the functions of firstly assembling all the components, namely a framework of the whole system, secondly realizing the switching of the optical channel box 2 to finish multi-channel detection, and thirdly, also playing roles of shading light, avoiding optical crosstalk and the like.
In the embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 4, six optical channel boxes 2 are respectively inserted into corresponding channel slots on the carrier 31, and the top of the optical channel box 2 is covered with a top plate 38, and six holes on the outer ring in the top plate 38 are used for being connected and locked with six holes on the outer ring on the carrier 31 through threaded connectors to form fixation. The six holes of the inner ring in the top plate 38 are used for matching with the third light through holes 23 of the six optical channel boxes 2 one by one, and play a role in light transmission. Six holes of the inner ring of the bearing piece 31 are matched with the fourth light through holes 24 of the six optical channel boxes 2 one by one, so that a light through effect is achieved. The six optical channel cartridges 2, the top plate 38, and the carrier 31, which are fixed, are integrally plugged into the chassis 392 together, and the light source providing apparatus 1 is also put into the chassis 392 together to be fixed, and is locked by the bottom screw. The rotating shaft 32 is inserted into the middle of the six optical channel boxes 2, and two bearings are arranged on the rotating shaft 32, so that the rotation is convenient. The housing 391 for shading is then covered from outside to the whole, and three screw holes are provided at the periphery of the housing 391 to lock the housing 391 and the chassis 392. And the upper part of the outer shell 391 has a small cylindrical protrusion with an inner hole for inserting and fixing the light transmission pipe 5. The rotating shaft 32 sequentially extends out of the bearing piece 31, the chassis 392 and the underframe 34 to be connected with the second wheel 36, the power piece 33 and the underframe 34 are locked through threads, a driving shaft of the power piece 33 penetrates out of the underframe 34 to be connected with the first wheel 35, and the first wheel 35 and the second wheel 36 are connected through a belt 37. The power part 33 comprises a motor, and the rotation of the motor can drive the first wheel 35, the second wheel 36 and the rotating shaft 32 to rotate, so as to drive the six optical channel boxes 2, the top plate 38 and the bearing part 31 to rotate, thereby completing fluorescence detection of different channels.
Some embodiments also provide a microfluidic chip detection system comprising a chip 6 and the fluorescence detection device described above.
The fluorescence detection device provided by the embodiment of the invention is a real-time fluorescence detection device under the severe condition of ultra-fast PCR, excitation light is collimated and emitted in parallel through the light source providing equipment 1, and then excitation light transmission and reflection fluorescence detection of corresponding channels are completed through the at least two optical channel boxes 2. The excitation light is transmitted into the temperature control equipment 4 through the light transmission pipe 5, the optical system is combined with the thermal system, the excitation light is reflected uniformly for the second time through the reflecting curved surface, the excitation total amount of fluorescent substances is increased, and the signal-to-noise ratio and the detection lower limit of the system are improved. And the switching mechanism 3 is used for completing the switching of the optical channel box 2, so that the real-time fluorescence detection of a plurality of channels can be realized.
In some embodiments, the microfluidic chip detection system operates as follows:
The operator injects the reaction solution into the microfluidic chip 6 and plugs the sample inlet 64 and the exhaust port 65 with a first plug 68 and a second plug 69, respectively;
the light source providing device 1 starts the light source providing piece 12 of the corresponding channel to emit collimated parallel excitation light;
The parallel excitation light enters the optical channel box 2, the excitation light is converged on the light transmission pipeline 5 through the channel box, and the excitation light is transmitted to the temperature control equipment 4 through the light transmission pipeline 5;
the excitation light passes through the reaction cavity 61 of the microfluidic chip 6 to complete the first excitation, and then passes through the reflection cambered surface 4311 to complete the second excitation of the solution in the reaction cavity 61;
The fluorescence emitted by the solution is collected by the light transmission pipeline 5 and transmitted back to the optical channel box 2, and after shaping, the fluorescence enters the fluorescence detection piece 21 to complete the channel detection;
The switching mechanism 3 rotates at least two optical channel cassettes 2, switches the next optical channel cassette 2, and starts the next round of detection cycle.
After the end of the respective sequential detection of the plurality of optical channel cassettes 2, the operator removes the chip 6.
Based on the embodiments of the invention described above, features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in one or more other embodiments without explicit negation or conflict.
While certain specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail by way of example, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above examples are for illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing embodiments may be modified and equivalents substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.