Patent Description:
A full-automatic sample analysis device is applied to the technical field of sample analysis such as biochemical analysis, immunoassay, and fluorescence immunoassay and the like to detect substance contents in samples such as whole blood, plasma, serum or urine. In order to ensure accurate measurement results during the test, temperature control is required at each stage of the reaction to maintain a constant temperature reaction environment. For example, in a washing and separation stage of magnetic beads, when the magnetic beads are washed by wash buffer, if the temperature of the wash buffer is low, the constant temperature environment is damaged. Therefore, the wash buffer needs to be heated before the washing. At a reactant test stage, it is also necessary to heat the starter reagent to maintain the constant temperature reaction environment.

The prior art discloses an immunoassay device, including a magnetic bead washing and separation unit, a wash buffer heater and a starter reagent heater. When the immunoassay device washes the magnetic beads, the wash buffer and the starter reagent are respectively heated in advance, the heated wash buffer and the starter reagent are transported to a reaction cuvette through a pipeline, and temperature control is performed on the reaction cuvette in the magnetic bead washing process to reduce the influence of the environment temperature on the reaction. Although the above device heats the wash buffer and the starter reagent, there is a certain distance between the heater tube and the reaction cuvette, the tubes are exposed to the air, the wash buffer or the starter reagent exchanges heat with the air during the transportation, resulting in heat loss, so that the wash buffer or the starter reagent deviates from the preset temperature when being injected into the reaction cuvette, which affects the washing and separation effects of the magnetic beads, and ultimately affects the accuracy of sample component analysis. If the environment temperature changes greatly, such as the temperature difference between the morning and the evening, the temperature difference between the winter and the summer affect the temperature of the liquid transport pipeline, thus affecting the accuracy of test.

On the other hand, the wash buffer and the starter reagent in the prior art are respectively heated by two heaters, which not only occupies the space, but also increases the cost, thereby being disadvantageous for the miniaturization and the cost reduction of the device. Furthermore, the starter reagent for washing analysis of the magnetic beads is generally corrosive and has a corrosion resistance requirement for the heater for heating the starter reagent. However, the heating element of the heater is generally made of a metal material, and such a heating element is highly susceptible to corrosion in the space of corrosive liquid for a long time, thereby shortening the service life of the heater.

<CIT> discloses a mechanism to control heat of reaction by automatically regulating heat exchange area in a chemical reaction apparatus.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a liquid heater for an analyzer in view of the problems of large heat loss and difficult control of reaction temperature during the transport of heating liquid in a liquid injection process of the analyzer in the prior art.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention includes a liquid heating transport device for an analyzer according to claim <NUM> is provided.

The liquid passage may be a linear passage between the inlet and the outlet.

The liquid heater may be provided with a liquid inlet tube and a liquid outlet tube, wherein the liquid outlet tube is installed inside the heat preservation shell.

Preferably, the liquid heater may include a heater for heating wash buffer and a heater for heating starter reagent.

Preferably, the analyzer may be a full-automatic chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer.

The liquid heating transport device for an analyzer according to the present invention may be used for washing and separation of magnetic beads.

Further disclosed herein is a heat preservation shell for an analyzer, wherein at least one liquid passage for conveying liquid is embedded in a shell wall of the heat preservation shell.

The heat preservation shell is provided with a liquid chamber, and the liquid chamber communicates the inlet of the liquid passage.

The liquid chamber is arranged in the heat preservation shell. Preferably, the liquid chamber takes the shape of a dome, the liquid outlet of the liquid chamber is connected to the highest location of the liquid level in the chamber, and the liquid outlet communicates with the inlet of the liquid passage.

The liquid chamber at least accommodates another liquid chamber, which communicates with the inlet of at least one liquid passage.

The liquid passage is embedded in a cover plate of the heat preservation shell. Preferably, the liquid passage is a linear passage between the inlet and the outlet.

The liquid passage at least includes a first liquid passage for conveying a liquid and a second liquid passage for conveying another liquid.

Preferably, there are three first liquid passages, and the lengths and apertures of the three first liquid passages are the same.

Preferably, the liquid passage is provided with a valve, and the valve is installed on the heat preservation shell.

The liquid heating transport device for an analyzer according to the present invention may be further configured as follows.

The second liquid chamber may be accommodated in the first liquid chamber, and the heating element is installed in the first liquid chamber.

The second liquid chamber may be made of a corrosion-resistant material.

The volume of the second liquid chamber may be smaller than that of the first liquid chamber. The first liquid chamber may be accommodated in the second liquid chamber, and the heating element is installed in the first liquid chamber.

The accommodated liquid chamber may be of an annular tubular structure.

The accommodated liquid chamber may be installed and fixed by a bracket.

The bracket may be hollow cylindrical, and the bracket may be coaxially installed on the heating element.

One liquid chamber may be used for storing wash buffer, and the other liquid chamber may be used for storing starter reagent.

The upper part of one liquid chamber may take the shape of a dome, and the liquid outlet of the liquid chamber may be connected to the highest location of the liquid level in the liquid chamber.

The heat preservation shell may be connected to the liquid heater.

Further disclosed herein is a liquid heating device including a heating element, a liquid chamber, and a liquid outlet formed in the liquid chamber, the upper part of one liquid chamber takes the shape of a dome, and the liquid outlet of the liquid chamber is connected to the highest location of the liquid level in the liquid chamber.

Preferably, the dome is selected from a hemisphere, a semi-ellipsoid, a circular cone or a truncated cone.

Preferably, a protrusion is arranged on the inner surface of the top of the liquid chamber, and the liquid outlet is installed at a joint of the protrusion and the liquid chamber.

Preferably, the protrusion is a conical protrusion.

Preferably, there are three liquid outlets.

The heating element is installed in the liquid chamber.

Preferably, a plurality of protrusions for heat dissipation are arranged on the outer surface of the heating element.

Preferably, the protrusion is selected from a spiral protrusion, an annular protrusion or a strip-shaped protrusion.

Preferably, the heating element is columnar shape, and the heating element is installed in the middle of the liquid chamber.

Preferably, the lower part of the liquid chamber is cylindrical.

Further disclosed herein is a magnetic bead adsorption device including a heat preservation shell, and a plurality of magnetic adsorption units are embedded on a sidewall of the heat preservation shell.

Preferably, a plurality of magnetic adsorption units are distributed on the side wall of the heat preservation shell at intervals.

Preferably, the magnetic adsorption unit is a magnet.

Preferably, the magnet is in interference fit with the side wall of the heat preservation shell. Preferably, the heat preservation shell includes a cover plate and an enclosure, and a plurality of through holes are formed in the cover plate.

Preferably, a shaft sleeve sleeves on the through hole, and the friction resistance of the shaft sleeve is smaller than that of the cover plate.

Preferably, the shaft sleeve includes an upper shaft sleeve and a lower shaft sleeve, which are distributed at intervals, and the upper shaft sleeve and the lower shaft sleeve are respectively sleeved at the upper end and the lower end of the through hole.

Preferably, the shaft sleeve is in interference fit with the through hole.

Preferably, there are four through holes, and the four through holes are evenly distributed on the cover plate.

Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:
The liquid heating transport device keeps the heat radiated by the liquid heater in the heat preservation shell through the heat preservation shell, thereby slowing down the heat dissipation and conduction speed, reducing the heat loss, making the environment in the heat preservation shell within a preset temperature range, avoiding the influence of the external environment temperature on the internal temperature of the heat preservation shell, ensuring the reaction stability and the test result accuracy of the analyzer during the liquid injection.

The liquid passage is embedded in the shell wall of the heat preservation shell, on one hand, the liquid transported or preserved in the liquid passage is subjected to the heat preservation function of the heat preservation shell, so that the liquid transported or preserved in the liquid passage maintains the preset temperature, thereby avoiding the influence of the external environment temperature on the transported liquid; and on the other hand, the space of the shell wall of the heat preservation shell is effectively utilized, the situation that various liquid pipelines are intricately distributed inside or outside the heat preservation shell is avoided, thereby increasing the space utilization rate.

The liquid chamber is arranged on the heat preservation shell, thus greatly shortening the liquid transport path, maximizing the heat of the heated liquid, and avoiding the heat loss of the liquid due to the too large distance between the liquid chamber and the inlet of the liquid passage to reduce the temperature of the liquid. On the other hand, the liquid chamber is used as a part of the heat preservation shell, so that the liquid chamber accommodates the heated liquid and preheats the heat preservation shell, thereby improving the heat preservation effect of the heat preservation shell on the liquid passage and the inner space of the heat preservation shell.

The heat preservation shell not only can realize the heat preservation function, but also can provide support for the magnetic adsorption unit, thereby improving the space utilization rate. As the shaft sleeve is connected to the through hole of the cover plate, on the one hand, guidance is provided for the penetration of an aspirating needle, and on the other hand, the friction resistance of the shaft sleeve is smaller than that of the cover plate, so that the aspirating needle penetrates through the through hole more smoothly, the degree of lubrication is increased, and the resistance during the penetration of the aspirating needle is smaller.

The liquid heater simultaneously heats at least two kinds of liquids which are not mixed in the heater through the heating element, so that the liquid in the at least one liquid chamber is not directly in contact with the heating element, and is indirectly heated by the heat conduction of the heated liquid, especially when the corrosive liquid is heated, the corrosive liquid is contained in the liquid chamber which is not in direct contact with the heating element, thereby avoiding the problem that the corrosive liquid corrodes the heating element, and the service life of the heating element is prolonged. On the other hand, the problems of large installation volume and high cost caused by separate heating by using two heaters are avoided, the volume of the liquid heater is reduced, and the cost is reduced. The liquid heater is not limited to use in the full-automatic chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer.

Due to the dome-shaped structure of the liquid chamber, during exhaust, air bubbles cannot attach to and retain on the smooth wall of the liquid chamber when venting. During the initialization process of the liquid heater, the air or air bubbles in the liquid chamber are squeezed to the top, and then are discharged from the liquid outlet smoothly, thereby preventing a liquid hanging phenomenon when the heater discharges liquid to the outside through the pipeline as the air bubbles are preserved in the liquid chamber, and that the liquid discharge volume is inaccurate.

The present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the drawings and embodiments.

A full-automatic chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, includes a sample carousel <NUM>, a reagent carousel <NUM>, a reaction cuvette rack <NUM>, an incubation carousel <NUM>, a wash station <NUM> and a reader module <NUM>. When a sample to be tested is subjected to component analysis, the sample and the reagent are respectively placed in the sample carousel and the reagent carousel, and the full-automatic chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer takes out a reaction cuvette from a reaction cuvette rack <NUM> and places the same in the incubation carousel. Then, the sample and the reagent are added to the reaction cuvette according to a predetermined procedure, an incubation procedure is started, and after the incubation is completed, the reaction cuvette is placed in the wash station, wash buffer is added to the reaction cuvette for washing according to a predetermined procedure, starter reagent is added after the washing is completed, and finally the reaction cuvette is placed in the reader module to accomplish the sample composition analysis. The wash station <NUM> includes a liquid heating transport device.

As shown in <FIG>, the liquid heating transport device includes a heat preservation shell <NUM>, a liquid heater <NUM> and a test tube seat <NUM>, and the liquid heater <NUM> and the test tube seat <NUM> are both installed in the heat preservation shell <NUM>. The heat preservation shell <NUM> is used for providing a heat preservation environment for the liquid heater <NUM> and the test tube seat <NUM>, and the liquid heater <NUM> is used for heating liquid needing to be injected into the analyzer. When the liquid heater heats the liquid, the heat emitted by the liquid heater is blocked by the heat preservation shell, so that the heat is maximally kept in the heat preservation shell, the heat preservation shell is arranged to slow down the heat dissipation and transport speed, prevent heat loss and locate the environment in the heat preservation shell within a preset temperature range, especially when the temperature difference between the morning and the evening and between the winter and the summer is large, the heat preservation shell can keep the temperature in the shell and prevent the heat loss at a low temperature, and block the external heat insulation at a high temperature to maintain the temperature in the heat preservation shell within a stable range and ensure the reaction stability and the test result accuracy during the liquid injection of the analyzer. The liquid heating transport device in the present embodiment is not limited to be applied to the full-automatic chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer.

As shown in <FIG>, at least one liquid passage <NUM> for conveying liquid is embedded in a shell wall of the heat preservation shell <NUM>. The heat preservation shell <NUM> is used for preventing the heat loss in the shell and keeping the temperature stability, and the liquid passage is used for conveying the heated liquid into the reaction cuvette and maintaining the stability of the temperature of the liquid during the conveying. As shown in <FIG>, the embedding means that the liquid passage <NUM> is a hollow passage in the shell wall, that is, the tube wall of the liquid passage <NUM> is a part of the shell wall. In another embodiment, a space for paving the liquid passage can also be reserved in the shell wall, and the liquid passage is paved in the shell wall in the form of an independent pipeline, the independent pipeline means that the pipeline and the shell wall of the heat preservation shell are independent, that is, the tube wall of the independent pipeline is not a part of the shell wall. The liquid passage is embedded in the shell wall of the heat preservation shell, on one hand, the liquid transported or preserved in the liquid passage is subjected to the heat preservation function of the heat preservation shell, the heat of the liquid in the liquid passage is blocked by the heat preservation shell, the heat dissipation speed is slowed, in this way, the liquid transported or preserved in the liquid passage maintains the preset temperature; and on the other hand, the space of the shell wall of the heat preservation shell is effectively utilized, the situation that various liquid pipelines are intricately distributed inside or outside the heat preservation shell is avoided, thereby increasing the space utilization rate. In the immunoassay analyzer, particularly during the washing and separation of magnetic beads, the wash buffer or the starter reagent needs to be added for multiple times at intervals, the wash buffer or the starter reagent preserved in the liquid passage is subjected to the heat preservation function of the heat preservation shell, therefore the heat loss of the liquid is small, and accurate temperature control of the wash buffer and the starter reagent is achieved, thereby effectively controlling the accuracy of the reaction temperature.

In order to increase the installation flexibility of the liquid passage, the liquid passage <NUM> is embedded at any position in the shell wall of the heat preservation shell <NUM>. The liquid passage <NUM> can be embedded in an intermediate layer of the shell wall to form a sandwich structure; can also be embedded in the outermost layer of the shell wall, that is, the liquid passage is distributed along the surface layer of the shell wall. As an embodiment, the liquid passage can also be replaced by an independent pipeline attaching to the surface layer of the shell wall.

As shown in <FIG>, the heat preservation shell <NUM> includes an enclosure <NUM> and a cover plate <NUM>, and the enclosure <NUM> is formed by surrounding side walls. The liquid passage <NUM> can be embedded in the shell wall at any position of the heat preservation shell <NUM>, so that the heat preservation shell not only can achieve the heat preservation of the space in the shell, but also can achieve the heat preservation of the liquid passage. As shown in <FIG>, the liquid passage <NUM> is embedded in the cover plate <NUM> of the heat preservation shell <NUM>. In another embodiment, the liquid passage <NUM> can also be embedded in the enclosure <NUM> of the heat preservation shell <NUM>. There are multiple liquid passages <NUM>, and the liquid passage <NUM> includes an inlet and an outlet. The heat preservation shell <NUM> takes the shape of an enclosure, and in one embodiment, the heat preservation shell <NUM> is columnar. As shown in <FIG>, in another embodiment, the heat preservation shell <NUM> can also specifically refer to the cover plate <NUM>, and the cover plate is used for performing heat preservation on the liquid passage.

The liquid passage <NUM> is a linear passage between the inlet and the outlet. In the liquid passage with the same diameter, the shorter the distance of the liquid passage is, the smaller the liquid capacity stored in the liquid passage is, therefore, the shortest liquid transport path between the two points from the inlet to the outlet is used, and the heat loss during the transport is relatively smaller. In another embodiment, the liquid passage can also be a curved passage.

As shown in <FIG>, the liquid passage <NUM> at least includes a first liquid passage <NUM> for conveying a liquid and a second liquid passage <NUM> for conveying another liquid. The second liquid passage <NUM> is used for conveying heated liquid such as the starter reagent, and the first liquid passage <NUM> used is for conveying another heated liquid such as the wash buffer. Further preferably, there are three first liquid passages <NUM>, and the lengths and apertures of the three first liquid passages are the same. Due to the equal length and equal aperture settings of the liquid passage, namely, the capacity of each liquid passage is the same, the heat loss of each liquid passage during the liquid transport is the same, that is, the heat loss of the heated liquid from the inlet of each liquid passage to the outlet is all the same, in this way, the temperature of the heated liquid conveyed by each liquid passage is nearly the same when being injected to the reaction cuvette, and the accurate temperature control of the reaction liquid is achieved.

The inlet and outlet of the liquid passage are respectively arranged on two circumferences with different diameters. As shown in <FIG>, the inlet of the first liquid passage <NUM> is arranged on an inner circle <NUM>, and the outlet of the liquid passage <NUM> is arranged on an outer circle <NUM>, and the length of the liquid passage is the shortest distance between the inlet and the outlet. The inner circle <NUM> and the outer circle <NUM> are virtual circumferences used for specifying the installation positions of the inlet and outlet of the liquid passage. Preferably, there are three first liquid passages <NUM> and one second liquid passage, and the three first liquid passages <NUM> have the same length. Further preferably, as shown in <FIG>, the inlet of the second liquid passage <NUM> is arranged between the inner circle <NUM> and the outer circle <NUM> and slightly closer to the inner circle <NUM>, the outlet is arranged on the outer circle <NUM>, and the length of the second liquid passage <NUM> is a linear passage between the inlet and the outlet. The length of the liquid passage in <FIG> is greater than the length of the liquid passage in <FIG>, and the length of the liquid passage can be set according to design requirements. Further preferably, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the three first liquid passages <NUM> are distributed on the same plane, and the second liquid passage <NUM> and the first liquid passage <NUM> are not on the same plane. The transport paths of the two liquids are not on the same plane, that is, the three liquid passages <NUM> are on the same horizontal plane, and the other liquid passage <NUM> is on the other horizontal surface, so that the positions of the inlet and outlet of the liquid passage <NUM> are staggered with the positions of the inlets and the outlets of the other three liquid passages, and the connection between the inlet and the outlet of the liquid passage with different liquid chambers is facilitated.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the liquid passage <NUM> is provided with a valve <NUM>, and the valve <NUM> is installed on the heat preservation shell <NUM>. The valve <NUM> is controlled by a control system in the analyzer, and the opening and closing of the valve control the fluid passage of the liquid passage <NUM>. Further preferably, the valve <NUM> is installed on the cover plate <NUM>.

The cover plate <NUM> is provided with a plurality of notches <NUM> at the edges thereof, the notches <NUM> are the installation positions of the valve <NUM>, the valve <NUM> is connected to the outlet of the liquid passage <NUM>, that is, the outlet of the liquid passage <NUM> is connected with the inlet of the valve <NUM>. Further preferably, as shown in <FIG>, an outlet pipeline <NUM> is connected to the outlet of the valve <NUM>. The outlet pipeline <NUM> is a vertical pipeline, and the vertical pipeline <NUM> is connected to the inside of the heat preservation shell <NUM> by the outlet of the valve <NUM>. Preferably, as shown in <FIG>, an opening <NUM> for placing the reaction cuvette <NUM> from the outside to the test tube seat in the heat preservation shell is formed in the heat preservation shell <NUM>. Preferably, an upper cover for closing the opening <NUM> is arranged on the opening <NUM>. When the reaction cuvette <NUM> is placed or taken out, the upper cover is opened, and during the washing, the upper cover is closed to achieve further heat preservation.

As another embodiment of the liquid passage, the liquid heater <NUM> is provided with a liquid inlet tube and a liquid outlet tube, and the liquid outlet tube is installed in the heat preservation shell <NUM>. The liquid outlet tube of the liquid heater <NUM> is installed in the heat preservation shell <NUM>, so that the liquid transported or preserved in the liquid outlet tube is subjected to the heat preservation function of the heat preservation shell, which is conducive to blocking the heat exchange between the liquid outlet tube and the outside of the heat preservation shell <NUM> and slowing down the heat dissipation speed of the liquid in the liquid outlet tube. During the installation, the liquid outlet tube can be suspended in the inner space of the heat preservation shell; or the liquid outlet tube can be attached to the inner surface of the heat preservation shell <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the heat preservation shell <NUM> is provided with a liquid chamber <NUM>, and the liquid chamber <NUM> communicates with the inlet of the liquid passage <NUM>. That is, at least a part of the chamber wall of the liquid chamber <NUM> is composed of the heat preservation shell <NUM>, in other words, the liquid chamber <NUM> is a part of the heat preservation shell <NUM>. The liquid chamber <NUM> is used for accommodating the heated liquid or to serving as a heating chamber of the heater, the liquid chamber <NUM> communicates with the inlet of the liquid passage <NUM>, so that the heated liquid is heated and insulated by the liquid chamber, the heat preservation is achieved by the liquid passage during the transportation and preservation to maximally keep the heat of the heated liquid while shortening the transport path, and avoid the reduction of the temperature of the liquid due to the heat loss of the liquid caused by the large distance between the liquid chamber and the inlet of the liquid passage. On the other hand, the liquid chamber is used as a part of the heat preservation shell, so that the liquid chamber accommodates the heated liquid and preheats the heat preservation shell, thereby improving the heat preservation effect of the heat preservation shell on the liquid passage and the inner space of the heat preservation shell. In another embodiment, the liquid chamber can also be installed separately from the heat preservation shell, that is, the liquid chamber and the heat preservation shell are two independent individuals.

As shown in <FIG>, the liquid chamber <NUM> is arranged in the heat preservation shell <NUM>. The heat emitted by the heated liquid in the liquid chamber is blocked by the heat preservation shell, so that the heat is maximally kept in the heat preservation shell, which is favorable for maintaining the internal temperature stability of the heat preservation shell. According to the design requirements, the liquid chamber can be arranged in the heat preservation shell or outside the heat preservation shell, and meanwhile, the liquid chamber can directly communicate with the inlet of the liquid passage, that is, the liquid chamber is provided with a liquid outlet, the liquid outlet is the inlet of the liquid passage, namely, seamless connection, or communicates with the inlet of the liquid passage through a small section of pipeline.

As shown in <FIG>, as an embodiment, the liquid chamber <NUM> is arranged outside the heat preservation shell <NUM>, the liquid chamber <NUM> is installed on the side wall of the heat preservation shell <NUM>, multiple liquid outlets are formed in the liquid chamber <NUM>, the liquid outlets communicates with the liquid passage <NUM>, the liquid passage <NUM> is radiated toward the cover plate <NUM> with the position of the liquid chamber <NUM> as the center. The liquid chamber <NUM> can be used as a part of the side wall of the heat preservation shell and can also be installed as an independent component separately from the heat preservation shell, and during the separate installation, in order to shorten the transport pipeline, the liquid chamber can be installed next to the heat preservation shell.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the liquid outlet on the liquid chamber <NUM> is arranged on a circumference, the circumference is the inner circle <NUM>, and the liquid chamber <NUM> communicates with the liquid passage <NUM> through the liquid outlet. As an embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the liquid outlet on the liquid chamber <NUM> and the inlet of the liquid passage <NUM> are both arranged on the inner circle <NUM>, the liquid outlet of the liquid chamber <NUM> is used as the inlet of the liquid passage <NUM>, the heated liquid in the liquid chamber <NUM> can be directly input into the liquid passage <NUM> without additional bare pipeline drainage, in other words, the liquid chamber <NUM> is seamlessly connected with the liquid passage <NUM>, and the bare pipeline refers to a pipeline directly exposed in the air; the inlet <NUM> of the liquid passage <NUM> communicates with the liquid chamber <NUM> through an auxiliary pipeline <NUM>, the auxiliary pipeline <NUM> is embedded in the cover plate <NUM>, the auxiliary pipeline <NUM> extends into the liquid chamber <NUM>, or the liquid passage <NUM> is directly connected to the liquid chamber <NUM> and directly communicates with the liquid chamber <NUM>. The liquid chamber is seamlessly connected with the liquid passage, so that the heated liquid is heated and insulated by the liquid chamber, and is kept warm by the liquid passage during transportation and preservation, thereby maximally maintaining the heat of the heated liquid and avoiding the great reduction of the temperature of the liquid due to the heat loss of the liquid caused by the transport of the partially exposed pipeline.

As shown in <FIG>, the liquid chamber <NUM> takes the shape of a dome, the liquid outlet of the liquid chamber <NUM> is connected at the highest position of the liquid level in the liquid chamber, and the liquid outlet communicates with the inlet of the liquid passage. The dome-shaped liquid chamber facilitates the rapid and complete elimination of air bubbles in the liquid chamber, and prevents the air bubbles from affecting the metering of the volume of the liquid to be filled. Further preferably, at least another liquid chamber is accommodated in the liquid chamber <NUM>, the other liquid chamber communicates with the inlet of the at least one liquid passage. Another liquid chamber is accommodated in the liquid chamber <NUM>, so that two kinds of liquid can be transported in different liquid passages.

As shown in <FIG>, in one embodiment, a plurality of magnetic adsorption units <NUM> are embedded in the side wall of the heat preservation shell <NUM>. The heat preservation shell <NUM> not only can realize the heat preservation function, but also can provide support for the magnetic adsorption unit <NUM>, thereby improving the space utilization rate. The magnetic adsorption unit <NUM> is used for adsorbing magnetic particles in the reaction cuvette. Preferably, the plurality of magnetic adsorption units <NUM> are distributed on the side wall of the heat preservation shell at intervals. The magnetic adsorption units <NUM> can be distributed at intervals or distributed continuously depending on the design requirements. Preferably, the magnetic adsorption unit <NUM> is a magnet. Preferably, the magnet is in interference fit with the side wall of the heat preservation shell <NUM>. Due to the interference fit, the gap between the magnet and the heat preservation shell is small, thus avoiding the heat loss due to the gap between the magnet and the heat preservation shell. The heat preservation shell <NUM> in the present embodiment can be applied to a magnetic bead washing and separation reaction.

As shown in <FIG>, in one embodiment, the cover plate <NUM> is provided with a plurality of through holes <NUM>. The through hole <NUM> is used for providing a passage for an aspirating needle. Further preferably, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a shaft sleeve <NUM> sleeves on the through hole <NUM>, and the frictional resistance of the shaft sleeve <NUM> is smaller than that of the cover plate <NUM>. The shaft sleeve <NUM> is connected to the through hole <NUM>, on one hand, the penetration of the aspirating needle is guided, on the other hand, the frictional resistance of the shaft sleeve <NUM> is smaller than that of the cover plate <NUM>, so that the aspirating needle can smoothly penetrate through the through hole, the degree of lubrication is improved, and the penetration resistance of the aspirating needle is smaller.

The shaft sleeve <NUM> includes an upper shaft sleeve <NUM> and a lower shaft sleeve <NUM>, which are distributed at intervals, the upper shaft sleeve <NUM> and the lower shaft sleeve <NUM> are respectively sleeved at the upper end and the lower end of the through hole <NUM>. The total height of the upper shaft sleeve and the lower shaft sleeve is smaller than the thickness of the through hole, as the upper shaft sleeve and the lower shaft sleeve are distributed at intervals, the function of guiding and lubricating the aspirating needle is achieved, the material of the shaft sleeve can be maximally save to reduce the cost. Further preferably, there are four through holes, and the four through holes are evenly distributed on the cover plate. A shaft sleeve is arranged on each through hole. Further preferably, the shaft sleeve <NUM> is in interference fit with the through hole <NUM>. The cover plate in the embodiment is not limited to the cover plate of the heat preservation shell of the present invention, and the cover plate can also be a common cover plate having no heat preservation function, and the cover plate can be applied to various analyzers.

The liquid heater includes a heating element, and at least a first liquid chamber and a second liquid chamber, which do not communicate with each other in the heater, wherein at least one liquid chamber is accommodated in another liquid chamber, the heating element heats the liquid in one liquid chamber, and the heated liquid heats the liquid in the other liquid chamber. The situation that the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber do not communicate with each other in the heater means that the liquid in the first liquid chamber and the liquid in the second liquid chamber do not generate liquid convection in the heater, in other words, the two liquid chambers do not have a connecting line in the heater to connect the two liquid chambers to each other. The at least one liquid chamber is accommodated in another liquid chamber means that the liquid chamber is surrounded by the other liquid chamber, and the accommodated liquid chamber occupies a part of space of the other liquid chamber.

The liquid heater simultaneously heats at least two kinds of liquid that are not mixed in the heater through the heating element, so that the liquid in the at least one liquid chamber is not directly in contact with the heating element, but is indirectly heated through the heat conduction of the heated liquid, especially when corrosive liquid is heated, the corrosive liquid is accommodated in the liquid chamber which is not in direct contact with the heating element, thereby avoiding the problem that the corrosive liquid corrodes the heating element and prolonging the service life of the heating element. On the other hand, the problems of large installation volume and high cost caused by separate heating by using two heaters are avoided, the volume of the liquid heater is reduced, and the cost is reduced. The liquid heater is not limited to be applied to the full-automatic chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first liquid chamber <NUM> and the second liquid chamber <NUM> are both closed chambers, and the first liquid chamber <NUM> and the second liquid chamber <NUM> communicate with the outside through the respective outlets and inlets. That is, the first liquid chamber <NUM> and the second liquid chamber <NUM> respectively convey the liquid through independent liquid passages, the first liquid chamber <NUM> is provided with a liquid inlet <NUM> and a liquid outlet <NUM>, and the second liquid chamber <NUM> is provided with a liquid inlet <NUM> and a liquid outlet <NUM>. The closed chamber allows the heater to lose little heat during the heating. As an embodiment, the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are respectively arranged at the bottom and the top of the heater, and the bottom and the top are the lowest and highest positions of the liquid level when the heater is filled with liquid.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the heating element <NUM> is installed in one liquid chamber. The heating element is a component for heating the liquid, and the heating element is installed in the liquid chamber, so that the structure of the liquid heater is more compact and smaller, and the contact area of the heating element and the liquid is increased, and the heat dissipation rate of the heating element is increased. As shown in <FIG>, as an embodiment, the heating element <NUM> can also be installed at the outside of the liquid chamber, and the technical effect of the present invention can also be achieved. The liquid heater includes a heating element <NUM> placed at the bottom and a liquid chamber <NUM> placed on the heating element, the liquid chamber <NUM> is accommodated in the liquid chamber <NUM>, that is, the liquid chamber <NUM> encloses the liquid chamber <NUM>, and the liquid chamber <NUM> is indirectly heated by the heated liquid. The liquid chamber <NUM> is provided with a liquid inlet <NUM> and a liquid outlet <NUM>, the liquid chamber <NUM> is provided with a liquid inlet <NUM> and a liquid outlet <NUM>, and the liquid in the two liquid chambers is transported through independent pipelines. Further preferably, the liquid heater <NUM> is columnar.

As shown in <FIG>, the second liquid chamber <NUM> is accommodated in the first liquid chamber <NUM>, and the heating element <NUM> is installed in the first liquid chamber <NUM>. The heating element <NUM> heats the liquid in the first liquid chamber <NUM>, and the heated liquid surrounds the second liquid chamber <NUM> and exchanges heat with the liquid in the second liquid chamber <NUM> so that the liquid in the chamber <NUM> is heated. Further preferably, the heating element <NUM> is installed in the middle of the first liquid chamber <NUM>. The heating element <NUM> is installed in the middle of the chamber, which facilitates uniform heat dissipation of the heating element <NUM> in the first liquid chamber. As an embodiment, the first liquid chamber <NUM> is a space between the heating element <NUM> and the heater shell, that is, a space filled with liquid in the first liquid chamber <NUM>, and a part of the space in the first liquid chamber <NUM> is occupied by the second liquid chamber <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the first liquid chamber <NUM> is accommodated in the second liquid chamber <NUM>, and the heating element <NUM> is installed in the first liquid chamber <NUM>. The heating element <NUM> directly heats the liquid in the first liquid chamber <NUM>, and the heated liquid exchanges heat with the liquid in the second liquid chamber <NUM> to heat the liquid in the second liquid chamber <NUM>. The first liquid chamber <NUM> is provided with a liquid inlet <NUM> and a liquid outlet <NUM>, the second liquid chamber <NUM> is provided with a liquid inlet <NUM> and a liquid outlet <NUM>, and the liquid in the two liquid chambers are conveyed by independent pipelines.

As shown in <FIG>, the accommodated liquid chamber is of an annular tubular structure. The liquid chamber <NUM> of the annular tubular structure can surround the outer circumference of the heating element <NUM> so that the liquid in the accommodated liquid chamber is more uniformly heated. More preferably, as shown in <FIG>, the accommodated liquid chamber is installed and fixed by a bracket <NUM>. More preferably, the bracket <NUM> has a hollow cylindrical shape, and the bracket <NUM> is coaxially installed with the heating element <NUM>. The hollow cylindrical bracket makes the liquid convection in the liquid chamber more smooth, and the heating is more uniform. Further preferably, the accommodated liquid chamber <NUM> is wound around the bracket. The liquid chamber <NUM> is formed into a tubular coiled structure to increase the surface area of the liquid chamber <NUM> in contact with the liquid surrounding it, which is conductive to quickly heating the liquid in the liquid chamber <NUM>. As another embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, there are two accommodated liquid chambers, which are respectively the second liquid chamber <NUM> and the third liquid chamber <NUM>. The first liquid chamber <NUM> is a space between the heating element <NUM> and the heater housing, the second liquid chamber <NUM> and the third liquid chamber <NUM> are both annular structures, and are hollowly sleeved at the outside of the heating element <NUM>. The liquid in the first liquid chamber <NUM>, the second liquid chamber <NUM> and the third liquid chamber <NUM> are respectively transported through independent liquid path systems.

Preferably, the second liquid chamber is made of a corrosion resistant material. Preferably, the volume of the second liquid chamber is smaller than the volume of the first liquid chamber. In one embodiment, one liquid chamber is used for storing the wash buffer, and the other liquid chamber is used for storing the starter reagent. Further preferably, the accommodated liquid chamber is used for storing the starter reagent. Further preferably, the volume of the liquid chamber for storing the starter reagent is smaller than the volume of the liquid chamber for storing the wash bufffer, to meet the needs of the analyzer for different liquid volumes when the liquid is involved in the reaction. When the magnetic beads are washed and separated, the wash buffer and the starter reagent need to be preheated, and the starter reagent is corrosive liquid. Therefore, the starter reagent is stored in the accommodated liquid chamber so as to avoid the direct contact between the starter reagent and the heating element and to prolong the service life of the heating element. Furthermore, the volume of the accommodated liquid chamber is small, and can be quickly heated by the peripheral liquid by heat transfer.

For the liquid heater in the liquid heating transport device, two kinds of liquid can be heated simultaneously by one heater, or can be separately heated by two independent heaters. The liquid heater includes a heater for heating the wash buffer and a heater for heating the starter reagent. The liquid heater heats the wash buffer and the starter reagent respectively through two heaters, and then respectively transports the heated wash buffer and the starter reagent to the reaction cuvette through respective pipelines.

As shown in <FIG>, in one embodiment, the liquid heater <NUM> includes a heating element <NUM>, a liquid chamber <NUM>, and a liquid outlet <NUM> and a liquid inlet <NUM> arranged on the liquid chamber, the upper part of the liquid chamber <NUM> takes the shape of a dome, and the liquid outlet <NUM> is connected at the highest position of the liquid level in the liquid chamber <NUM>. The liquid heater injects liquid from the starter reagent inlet <NUM> under the control of the liquid path system, and after being heated by the heating element <NUM>, the heated liquid is discharged from the liquid outlet <NUM> at the top of the liquid surface, and the liquid chamber <NUM> of the liquid heater is filled with liquid under normal operating conditions. The dome shape means narrowing from bottom to top of the upper part of the liquid chamber <NUM>, in other words, a transitional curved surface from a larger cross-sectional area of the bottom to a smaller cross-sectional area of the top. The highest position of the liquid level in the liquid chamber <NUM> is the highest level of the liquid level when the heater is filled with liquid. The liquid outlet <NUM> is arranged at the highest position of the liquid level, which is advantageous for preferentially discharging the liquid having a higher temperature in the heater. The dome shape of the liquid chamber, that is, the curved surface shape, prevents the air bubbles from adhering to and staying on the wall of the liquid chamber during the venting, which facilitates the smooth discharge of the air bubbles in the heater. During the initialization process of the liquid heater, it is favorable for squeezing the air or the air bubbles in the liquid chamber to the top, and then the air or the air bubbles are smoothly discharged from the liquid outlet <NUM>, thereby preventing a liquid hanging phenomenon when the heater discharges liquid to the outside through the pipeline as the air bubbles are preserved in the liquid chamber, and that the liquid discharge volume is inaccurate.

As shown in <FIG>, a protrusion <NUM> is arranged on the inner surface of the top of the liquid chamber <NUM>, the liquid outlet <NUM> is installed at a joint of the protrusion <NUM> and the liquid chamber <NUM>. The liquid outlet <NUM> can be installed around a circle of the joint of the protrusion <NUM> and the liquid chamber <NUM>, the circle of the joint is the highest position of the liquid level in the liquid chamber <NUM>, and after the protrusion <NUM> is installed, the area at the highest position of the liquid level in the liquid chamber <NUM> is reduced, the air bubbles are concentrated in a small volume range at the liquid outlet <NUM>, which facilitates the rapid discharge of the air bubbles. Further preferably, the protrusion <NUM> is a conical protrusion. Further preferably, there are three liquid outlets. Preferably, the heating element <NUM> is installed in the liquid chamber <NUM>. Preferably, the lower part of the liquid chamber <NUM> is cylindrical. That is, the liquid chamber <NUM> includes a dome shape at the upper part and a column at the lower part. Preferably, the dome shape is selected from one of a hemisphere, a semi-ellipsoid, a cone or a truncated cone.

As shown in <FIG>, a plurality of protrusions <NUM> for heat dissipation are installed on the outer surface of the heating element <NUM>. The heat dissipation protrusion is used for increasing the contact area between the heating element and the liquid, so that the heating element accelerates the heat dissipation to achieve rapid heating. Further preferably, the protrusion <NUM> is selected from a spiral protrusion, an annular protrusion or a strip-shaped protrusion. More preferably, the heating element <NUM> is columnar, and the heating element <NUM> is installed in the middle of the liquid chamber <NUM>.

In an embodiment, a heat preservation shell is connected to the liquid heater.

When the liquid chamber <NUM> as shown in <FIG> is applied to the liquid heating transport device, the liquid chamber <NUM> has the same concept as the first liquid chamber <NUM> except for the embodiment shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the test tube seat <NUM> is used for placing the reaction cuvette <NUM>, and a heating unit for heating the reaction cuvette <NUM> is further arranged in the liquid heating transport device. Preferably, the test tube seat <NUM> takes the shape of a circular ring. The circular ring-shaped test tube seat <NUM> is rotated by a driving structure. Preferably, the heating unit is used for heating the test tube seat <NUM>, and the heated test tube seat <NUM> reheats the reaction cuvette <NUM>. The heating unit heats the reaction cuvette in a direct or indirect manner to maintain the reaction cuvette at a preset temperature. The heating unit directly heats the reaction cuvette by using other methods such as hot air heating or water bath heating, or heats the reaction cuvette in an indirect manner, such as heating the test tube seat by the heating element, and then the heat is transferred to the reaction cuvette through the test tube seat. Regardless of the manner in which the reaction cuvette is heated, the heat dissipated by the reaction cuvette is retained by the heat perseveration shell and remains in the heat perseveration shell just like the heat emitted by the liquid heater. Therefore, the liquid heater and the test tube seat are installed in the heat preservation shell, the heat of the heat source in the heat preservation shell is maintained to the greatest extent, and the influence of the external environmental temperature change on the temperature in the heat preservation shell is avoided, which is conductive to performing accurate temperature control of the reaction process of the magnetic bead separation device and ensuring the accuracy of the reaction temperature.

As shown in <FIG>, the liquid heating transport device further includes a needle lifting frame <NUM>, and a plurality of aspirating needles <NUM> are installed on the needle lifting frame <NUM>. The needle lifting frame <NUM> includes a platform <NUM> used for installing the aspirating needles <NUM>, and four aspirating needles <NUM> are respectively installed on four corners of the platform <NUM>. The needle lifting frame <NUM> drives the platform <NUM> and the aspirating needles <NUM> to move up and down by a lifting actuator to realize the action of aspirating or injecting liquid into the reaction cuvette <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in the application of the liquid heating transport device is used in the washing and separation of the magnetic beads, the liquid heating transport device includes a heat preservation shell <NUM>, a liquid heater <NUM>, a test tube seat <NUM> and a needle lifting frame <NUM>, the liquid heater <NUM> and the test tube seat <NUM> are both installed in the heat preservation shell <NUM>, the needle lifting frame is installed at the outside of the heat preservation shell, and a magnetic adsorption unit is arranged on the heat preservation shell <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, three first liquid passages <NUM> for conveying the wash buffer and a second liquid passage <NUM> for conveying the starter reagent are embedded in the shell wall of the cover plate of the heat preservation shell <NUM>, the four liquid passages are all connected with the liquid outlet of the heater <NUM>, and the first liquid passage <NUM> and the second liquid passage <NUM> are arranged on different planes. A liquid chamber <NUM> is concavely arranged on the cover plate of the heat preservation shell <NUM>, the upper part of the liquid chamber <NUM> takes the shape of a dome, a protrusion <NUM> is arranged on the inner surface of the top of the liquid chamber <NUM>, the liquid outlet <NUM> is installed at the joint of the protrusion <NUM> and the liquid chamber <NUM>, that is, the inlet <NUM> of the first liquid passage <NUM> is directly connected with the liquid outlet <NUM>, and the inlet <NUM> of the second liquid passage <NUM> extends into the liquid chamber <NUM> through the auxiliary pipeline <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a <NUM> is connected to the outlet of the liquid passage, and an outlet pipeline <NUM> is connected to the valve <NUM>.

The liquid chamber <NUM> is the chamber wall of the liquid heater <NUM>, the chamber wall includes a dome shape at the upper part and a column at the lower part, a heating element <NUM> is installed in the middle of the liquid chamber <NUM>, that is, the middle of the first liquid chamber <NUM>, a second liquid chamber <NUM> is accommodated in the liquid chamber <NUM>, the first liquid chamber <NUM> is provided with a liquid inlet <NUM> and a liquid outlet <NUM>, the second liquid chamber <NUM> is provided with a liquid inlet <NUM> and a liquid outlet <NUM>, and the liquid outlet <NUM> of the first liquid chamber <NUM> is connected with the inlet <NUM> of the first liquid passage <NUM>, the liquid outlet <NUM> of the second liquid chamber <NUM> is connected with the inlet <NUM> of the second liquid passage <NUM> to realize simultaneous heating and separate heat preservation transport of two kinds of liquid. The second liquid chamber <NUM> is of an annular coiled tubular structure, and the annular coiled tubular structure is fixedly installed in the first liquid chamber <NUM> through a hollow bracket <NUM>, and the hollow bracket <NUM> is coaxially installed with the heating element <NUM>.

When the liquid heating transport device performs the washing and separation of magnetic beads, firstly, the liquid heater <NUM> heats the wash buffer in the first liquid chamber <NUM> through the heating element <NUM>, and heats the acid in the second liquid chamber <NUM> through the heated wash buffer. Then, the analyzer places the reaction cuvette <NUM> with the reaction liquid and the magnetic beads into a magnetic bead washing and separation device. Then, the position of the reaction cuvette is switched according to a predetermined program, and the reaction cuvette is intermittently moved on a reaction position with a magnet and a reaction position without a magnet; on the reaction position without a magnet, the liquid path system controls the wash buffer in the first liquid chamber <NUM> to be injected into the reaction cuvette through the first liquid passage <NUM>, and on the reaction position with the magnet, controls the needle lifting frame to drive the aspirating needle to aspirate the wash buffer in the reaction cuvette. After multiple turns of washing, the fluid control system injects the acid in the second liquid lifting <NUM> to be injected into the reaction cuvette through the second liquid passage <NUM>. Finally, the analyzer transfers the reaction cuvette subjected to the magnetic bead separation and washing to the reader module to accomplish the sample component analysis.

In the test of the thermal energy loss of the liquid heating transport device, the test is carried out according to two groups of temperatures. In the experimental group <NUM>, the liquid in the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber is heated to <NUM>, and the liquid in the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber in the experimental group <NUM> is heated to <NUM>, and continuous heating is kept in the test process. The liquid heater transports liquid to the reaction cuvette through the liquid passage after every <NUM>, and measures the temperature of the liquid in the reaction cuvette. Each group of experiments is repeated for <NUM> groups, and the experimental results are shown in Table <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A liquid heating transport device for an analyzer, comprising a heat preservation shell (<NUM>) having a cover plate (<NUM>), a liquid heater (<NUM>), and a test tube seat (<NUM>), wherein the latter two are installed in the heat preservation shell (<NUM>); wherein the liquid heater (<NUM>) comprises a heating element (<NUM>), and at least a first liquid chamber (<NUM>) for heating a first liquid and a second liquid chamber (<NUM>) for heating a second liquid, which are not in fluid communication with each other in the heater (<NUM>), wherein at least one liquid chamber (<NUM>, <NUM>) is accommodated in another liquid chamber (<NUM>, <NUM>), the heating element (<NUM>) is installed in one liquid chamber (<NUM>, <NUM>) and heats the liquid in that liquid chamber (<NUM>, <NUM>), and the heated liquid heats the liquid in the other liquid chamber (<NUM>, <NUM>);
wherein both of the first liquid chamber (<NUM>) and the second liquid chamber (<NUM>) are closed chambers such that the first liquid chamber (<NUM>) and the second liquid chamber (<NUM>) respectively communicate with the outside through respective liquid outlets (<NUM>, <NUM>) and liquid inlets (<NUM>, <NUM>); wherein at least a first liquid passage (<NUM>) for conveying the first liquid into a reaction cuvette in the test tube seat (<NUM>) and a second liquid passage (<NUM>) for conveying the second liquid into a reaction cuvette in the test tube seat (<NUM>) are embedded in the cover plate (<NUM>).