RU212095U9 - Laboratory centrifuge - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of laboratory equipment, namely to a laboratory centrifuge, which can be used in research laboratories. The laboratory centrifuge includes a housing, a motor located inside the housing, a motor shaft extended outside the motor housing and adapted for a multi-tiered rotor. The rotor includes removable plates with nests for test tubes. The plates are made with a hole in the center to be able to fix them on the motor shaft and on the adapter, perpendicular to the motor shaft and the adapter one above the other with the help of an adapter installed between said plates and a plug fixing the top plate. The technical solution increases the number of samples and types of test tubes that the centrifuge allows to work with simultaneously without the need to replace the rotor plates. 9 w.p. f-ly, 10 ill.

Description

Technical field

The utility model relates to the field of laboratory equipment, namely to a centrifuge, which can be used for a wide range of tasks in research laboratories.

State of the art

A centrifuge is known from the prior art (Latvian patent No. 12536; IPC: B01L 11/00, B01L 9/00; publ. 01/20/2001), on the motor shaft of which a rotor plate with test tube seats and an eccentric nozzle are fixed. This allows you to simultaneously centrifuge the contents of the tubes installed in the plate and vortex (mix) the contents of an additional tube by pressing it against the eccentric nozzle.

The rotor plates are flat, while the edges of the plate are made at a certain angle to the central part, i.e. edges are curved upwards. These plates are removable and have a hole in the center for installation on the motor shaft. The rotor plate can be round or rectangular. For example, round plates designed for the Microspin FV-2400 vortex centrifuge can be made in several versions: with 12 cavities for 1.5/2 ml tubes or with 16 cavities for two types of test tubes: with 8 cavities for test tubes 1.5/2 ml and 8 wells for 0.5 ml tubes, or with 24 wells: 12 wells for 0.5 ml tubes and 12 wells for 0.2 ml tubes, or simultaneously include 6 wells for tubes 1.5/2 ml, 6 slots for 0.5 ml tubes and 6 slots for 0.2 ml tubes, for a total of 18 slots. Also for the centrifuge-vortex "Microspin" FV-2400 there are rectangular plates for strips (8 interconnected PCR tubes) in two versions: with a capacity of 2 strips and 8 strips.

If it is necessary to work with test tubes of different volumes and shapes, it is necessary to replace one rotor plate with another. This creates inconvenience in conditions of active use of the centrifuge and requires a lot of time.

In the prior art, only technical solutions have been found relating to individual elements of the centrifuge, for example, adapters for test tubes. These adapters make it possible to use a plate originally intended for test tubes of one volume, and for test tubes of another volume, they are cylindrical inserts in the slots of the rotor plates. In particular, a plate designed to work with 0.5 ml tubes, when using the mentioned adapters, can accommodate 0.2 ml tubes. The disadvantage of this solution is that instead of spending time on changing plates, it is necessary to spend time installing adapters in plates, while the problem of the number of samples that can be processed simultaneously remains unresolved.

A universal rotor is also known from the prior art (application US 20060198759 A1; IPC: B01L 9/00; publ. 09/07/2006). In one version, it includes a plate for test tubes and a special holder. The plate for test tubes is fixed on the specified holder. The holders are made with the possibility of installation on each other. To do this, a rod is made on the upper end of the holder, and a recess is made on the lower end. Moreover, the rod and the recess have a reverse shape, thus, the rod of one holder reliably enters the recess of the other holder. After fixing the plate on one holder, another holder can be installed on top with the plate fixed on it, and so on.

The objective of this utility model is to eliminate the disadvantages of the above centrifuge by improving its design.

Disclosure of the essence of the utility model

This utility model solves some of the above problems in the prior art, providing technical solutions that solve one of the above problems in whole or in part, providing a corresponding technical result.

The ability to simultaneously work with test tubes of different sizes, as well as test tubes in strips, without the need to constantly change one rotor plate for another, greatly increases the convenience of working with the centrifuge and saves time.

The technical result can also be an increase in the number of samples and types of tubes that can be simultaneously subjected to centrifugation.

These improvements in the prior art are achieved by the fact that the claimed centrifuge includes a multi-tiered rotor located on the motor shaft, that is, a rotor in which at least two removable plates with test tube seats are installed using a plug and one or more adapters.

The claimed centrifuge can be used in research laboratories for a wide range of tasks, in particular, for the centrifugation of biological objects.

The novelty and advantage of the claimed utility model over analogues lies in the fact that, depending on the specific conditions and tasks, the centrifuge provides the ability to simultaneously work with several identical or different rotor plates. This greatly improves the efficiency and functionality of the centrifuge.

In one embodiment of the present utility model, the laboratory centrifuge includes the following elements. The housing of the centrifuge may be of any shape, and is intended in particular to accommodate a motor. The traditional case material is metal, but this does not limit the use of other suitable materials for these purposes, such as fiberglass, polymers, etc. The laboratory centrifuge also includes a control element. Under the control of the centrifuge in the context of the present description means any element, such as a button, toggle switch, regulator, etc., which is used to turn on / off and / or control the operating modes of the centrifuge. The centrifuge can be powered directly via a mains cable plug or via a power supply unit, which can be external or internal. The engine is located inside the case. As the engine in the claimed centrifuge, any electric motor of suitable power and dimensions can be used. The motor shaft is brought out of the body of the centrifuge motor, adapted for a multi-tiered rotor and transmits torque from the motor to the multi-tiered rotor. The centrifuge rotor is a set of elements located outside the centrifuge body, and is mounted on the motor shaft, due to which it is set in motion to rotate. The multi-tiered rotor includes an adapter(s) mounted on the motor shaft, a plug and at least two removable plates with test tube slots. Under the rotor plate in the context of the present description is meant a special plate, round, rectangular or more complex in shape, with a hole in the center, the edges of which can be made both in the same plane with the central part, and at a certain angle to it, i.e. edges may be curved upwards. The plates are fixed on the motor shaft and on the adapters due to the hole in the center, perpendicular to the motor shaft and adapters one above the other. To fix the plates, at least one adapter is used, which is installed between the said plates, as well as a plug that fixes the top plate. The plate has holes (nests) for placing test tubes with samples (objects of study) in it. The shape of the hole depends on the angle to which the tube must be deflected.

If the profile of the plate is made flat, then the sockets in the preferred embodiment may have an elongated shape, including, but not limited to, oval and rectangular, which provides a more horizontal position of the tube during centrifugation, i. deviation of the test tube at a certain angle relative to the initial position.

In the case where the plate is made with upturned edges, the test tube pockets can be of any shape, such as round, square, etc.

The use of a flat plate makes it possible to reduce the distance between the plates of the rotors, as well as the height of the adapters, since in this case the tubes are inserted and removed from the sockets from above or from the outside, and not from the side of the central axis. All this provides sufficient convenience for working with samples even with a relatively small distance between the rotor plates.

The centrifuge kit may include several rotor plates at once, differing in shape, as well as in the number and shape and size of the test tube nests.

The adapter is a piece of solid material and is designed to install and fix the rotor plates on the centrifuge. In this case, the height of the adapter may vary, and is selected depending on the type of rotor plates used and the size of the sample tubes. The minimum height of the adapter must not be less than the height of the tube used. Said adapter may have a different shape, such as a polygonal prism shape or a cylindrical shape. The adapter can be made of materials such as metal, metal alloy, such as duralumin, fiberglass, polymer, etc. Several adapters may be included in a centrifuge kit, depending on the needs of researchers.

The plug can be made of a polymeric material, such as PTFE, silicone or rubber.

In one embodiment, the plug may only secure the top plate of the rotor.

In another embodiment, the plug can be an eccentric nozzle, allowing not only to fix the upper plate of the rotor, but also to vortex (mix) the contents of the test tube, due to the presence of a recess on the upper end, displaced relative to the central axis.

The motor shaft is adapted for a multi-tiered rotor. Adapted means that the motor shaft is adapted to fix the specified rotor on it. Fixation can be carried out by means of a thread or a collet.

In one embodiment, the fixation may be by means of a thread. The thread can be left or right. Also, the thread may coincide with the direction of rotation of the motor shaft or be opposite to the direction of rotation of the motor shaft.

In another embodiment, a collet may be used for fixation. A collet gripper is a device for fixing parts of cylindrical, prismatic and other shapes. The collet is a springy split sleeve with a truncated cone and a hole of the required diameter. The collet body has special cuts that allow the locking tabs to move when the rotor is installed or removed. The compressive force may cause rotation of the nut. The main advantage of this type of fixation is the high speed of insertion or removal of the tool .

In one embodiment, the rotor elements - plug and adapters - can be fixed between themselves and the motor shaft by means of a threaded connection. The adapter and plug are installed motionless relative to the motor shaft. At least two rotor plates are mounted on the motor shaft using one or more adapters. The plug secures the top plate of the rotor. For these purposes, a cylindrical recess with a thread can be made on the lower end of the plug and the lower end of the adapter, and a protruding rod with an external thread can be made on the motor shaft and on the upper end of the adapter.

In another embodiment of the utility model, a protruding rod with an external thread can be made on the lower end of the plug and the lower end of the adapter, and a threaded recess can be made on the motor shaft and on the upper end of the adapter.

In yet another embodiment, the centrifuge comprises three rotor plates.

In another embodiment, at least one rotor plate is made of a material including: metal, polymeric material, high pressure polyethylene, polypropylene, carbon fiber and other materials, or combinations thereof.

In another embodiment, at least one of the rotor plates is a flat plate if the tube openings therein are oval.

In another embodiment, at least one rotor plate is configured to lock the strips.

In another embodiment, the adapters are cylindrical.

In another embodiment, the adapters are made of duralumin.

In another embodiment, at least one adapter and a plug are mounted fixedly relative to the motor shaft by means of a threaded connection.

In another embodiment, the motor shaft is adapted to the stacked rotor by threading.

In another embodiment, the plug is an eccentric nozzle.

In another embodiment, the eccentric nozzle is made of a material including rubber or silicone.

In another embodiment, when a multi-tiered rotor contains three plates, one of the plates is flat with elongated pockets, the second is for strips, the third plate has curved edges and round-shaped seats.

Brief description of the drawings

The claimed utility model is illustrated in Fig. 1-10.

In FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an assembled double rotor centrifuge according to one of the embodiments of the claimed centrifuge.

In FIG. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the rotor of the claimed centrifuge in the embodiment with two plates and an eccentric nozzle in disassembled form, which shows one version of the threaded connection of the motor shaft, adapters and plugs.

In FIG. 3 shows the eccentric nozzle, side view.

In FIG. 4 shows the eccentric nozzle, top view.

In FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of the rotor of the claimed centrifuge in the embodiment with two plates in disassembled form, which shows another version of the threaded connection of the motor shaft, adapters and plugs.

In FIG. 6 shows the rotor plate with round test tube seats, top view.

In FIG. 7 shows the rotor plate with round test tube seats, side view.

In FIG. 8 shows a flat rotor plate with oval test-tube seats, viewed from above.

In FIG. 9 shows a flat rotor plate with oval test tube seats, side view.

In FIG. 10 shows the strip rotor plate, top view.

Implementation of the utility model

In the following description and drawings, like parts and components are described with the same reference numerals to avoid repetition. The above description is one example of the implementation of the claimed utility model, but is not limited to it.

In FIG. 1 schematically shows a centrifuge 1 with two plates 5 of the rotor 2 assembled in section. For ease of understanding, inside the housing 3 of the centrifuge 1, only the motor 4 is shown, which generates the torque transmitted through the motor shaft 6 to the plates 5 of the rotor 2 with test tubes 9 installed in the slots 15 of the plates with samples (samples are not shown). The plates 5 of the rotor 2 are fixedly fixed on the motor shaft 6 either with the help of an adapter 7 or with the help of a plug 8. The plug 8 is fixedly fixed on the upper end of the adapter 7.

In FIG. 2 shows a diagram which may help to understand how to install the plates 5 of the rotor 2 of the vortex centrifuge according to the present solution. The bottom plate 5 of the rotor 2, shown for ease of understanding in the cut, is mounted on the motor shaft 6 and is fixed by screwing the protruding rod 11 with the external thread of the adapter 7 through the central hole 10 of the platinum into the cylindrical recess 12 with the thread of the motor shaft 6. The arrow 13 shows the direction of twisting elements of the rotor 2. The next plate 5 is installed on the upper end of the adapter 7, made in the form of a cylindrical recess 12 with a thread, and is fixed by screwing into it a protruding rod 11 with an external thread of the eccentric nozzle 16 (one of the types of plug 8) in the direction shown arrow 13. After the completion of the assembly of the rotor 2, test tubes 9 are installed in the slots 15 of the plates. The direction of rotation of the motor shaft 6 can be clockwise, the adapter 7 has a right-hand thread, that is, it is screwed in clockwise. In this case, the direction of the thread of the rod 11 of the eccentric nozzle 16 can be opposite to the direction of rotation of the motor shaft 6 to prevent unwinding as a result of vortexing of the tube (tube not shown in the figures) with the sample (sample not shown in the figures).

In FIG. 3 shows one of the types of plug 8. Plug 8 is an eccentric nozzle 16 with a protruding rod 11 with an external thread, in the upper part of which a special recess 14 is made.

In FIG. 4 shows a top view of the eccentric nozzle 16, which is one of the types of plug 8. A special recess 14 is made in the upper part of the eccentric nozzle 16, offset from the center of the eccentric nozzle 16.

In FIG. 5 shows a diagram that may help to understand how to install the plates 5 of the rotor 2 of the claimed centrifuge in accordance with the present solution. The bottom plate 5 of the rotor 2, shown for ease of understanding in the cut, is mounted on the protruding rod 11 with external thread on the motor shaft 6 due to the central hole 10 of the plate 5 and is fixed by screwing the cylindrical recess 12 with the thread of the adapter 7 onto the protruding rod 11 with external thread of the motor shaft 6. The arrow 13 shows the direction of twisting of the elements of the rotor 2. The next plate 5 is installed on the upper end of the adapter 7, made in the form of a protruding rod 11 with an external thread, and is fixed by screwing the plug 8 onto it in the direction shown by the arrow 13. After finishing assembly of the rotor 2, test tubes 9 are installed in the slots 15 of the plates.

In FIG. 6 shows a top view of a round plate 5 with twelve round sockets 15 for test tubes. The edges 17 of the plate 5 are bent upwards relative to the central part 18. There is a hole 10 in the center of the plate, it is necessary for reliable fixation of the plate 5.

In FIG. 7 is a side view of the circular plate 5 shown in FIG. 6. The edges 17 of the plate 5 are bent upwards relative to the central part 18. There is a hole 10 in the center of the plate, it is necessary for reliable fixation of the plate 5. For clarity, test tubes 9 are shown installed in the slots 15 of the plate 5

In FIG. 8 shows a top view of a round plate 5 with twelve oval sockets 15. Plate 5 is flat, that is, the edges 17 of the plate are in the same plane with the central part 18. There is a hole 10 in the center of the plate 5, it is necessary for reliable fixation of the plate 5.

In FIG. 9 is a side view of the circular plate 5 shown in FIG. 8, with 15 oval-shaped nests for test tubes 9. Plate 5 is flat, that is, the edges 17 of the plate are in the same plane with the central part 18. There is a hole 10 in the center of plate 5, it is necessary for reliable fixation of plate 5.

In FIG. 10 shows a top view of a strip plate 5 (strips are not shown in the figure). The edges 17 of the plate 5 are bent relative to the central part 18 and have eight sockets 15 arranged in one line for strips (the strips are not shown in the figure). There is a hole 10 in the center of plate 5, it is necessary for reliable fixation of plate 5.

The centrifugation process is carried out as follows. The assembly of the declared laboratory centrifuge 1 is being carried out. In this case, the type and number of plates 5 are selected individually for the tasks of researchers and the volume of samples being processed. The installation of the plates 5 is carried out according to the above description (see Fig. 1-10). After fixing the plates 5 on the motor shaft 6 of the centrifuge 1 directly and with the help of adapters 7, test tubes 9 with samples (not shown in the figures) are placed in the sockets 15 of the plates 5. The samples are then centrifuged for the required amount of time. After centrifugation, test tubes 9 with samples are removed from slots 15 of plates 5 and subjected to further manipulations. For example, as one of the plates 5, you can use a plate for test tubes 9 with a volume of 1.5 / 2 ml, as the other - a plate for test tubes 9 with a volume of 0.5 and 0.2 ml, and as the third plate 5 - a plate for strips (strips not shown). To assemble centrifuge 1 in this version, it is necessary to use two adapters 7. To fix the top plate 5, you can use an eccentric attachment 16, which will allow you to vortex the contents of an additional tube (not shown in the figures) during centrifugation of the remaining tubes 9.

Claims (10)

1. Laboratory centrifuge, which includes a housing, a motor located inside the housing, a motor shaft extended outside the housing part of the motor and adapted for a multi-tiered rotor, including removable plates with slots for test tubes, the plates are made with a hole in the center to be able to fix them on motor shaft and adapter, perpendicular to the motor shaft and adapter, one above the other with the help of an adapter installed between the said plates, and a plug fixing the top plate. 2. A laboratory centrifuge according to claim 1, comprising at least two rotor plates. 3. The laboratory centrifuge of claim 1, wherein at least one rotor plate is made of a material including metal, polymeric material, high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, carbon fiber, or combinations thereof. 4. A laboratory centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the rotor plates is a flat plate with oval-shaped tube holes. 5. Laboratory centrifuge according to claim 1, in which at least one rotor plate is configured to fix the strips. 6. Laboratory centrifuge according to claim 1, containing an adapter having a cylindrical shape. 7. Laboratory centrifuge according to claim 1, in which the adapter and the plug are fixed relative to the motor shaft by means of a threaded connection. 8. Laboratory centrifuge according to claim 2, containing three rotor plates, one of the plates is flat and has slots for elongated test tubes, the second is designed for strips, the third plate has upward-curved edges and slots for round test tubes. 9. The laboratory centrifuge of claim 1, wherein the plug is an eccentric nozzle. 10. A laboratory centrifuge according to claim 9, wherein the eccentric nozzle is made of a material including rubber or silicone.

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