Human embryo storage device

Abstract

The invention discloses a human embryo storage device, which relates to the technical field of medical instruments and comprises a storage tank, a storage rack, a manipulator and a control panel, the storage tank is used for containing liquid nitrogen to freeze embryos; the storage rack is arranged at the bottom in the storage tank and used for storing the freezing carrying rods; the manipulator is arranged in the storage tank and comprises a chuck used for clamping, taking and placing the frozen carrying rod; the control panel is arranged outside the storage tank and connected with the mechanical arm through a signal line. The human embryo storage device is beneficial to preventing hands from being frostbitten by liquid nitrogen, meanwhile, the frozen carrying rods can be quickly stored and taken, and embryo storage and taking are more accurate.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of medical devices, in particular to a human embryo storage device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Human embryo storage mainly involves embryo cryopreservation technology, which allows embryos to be stored at ultra-low temperature (usually -196℃) for future use. The methods of embryo cryopreservation mainly include slow freezing method and rapid freezing method (vitrification). Slow freezing method is to slowly cool to-120℃, and then store in liquid nitrogen at-196℃ for a long time; while the rapid freezing method is to use high concentration antifreeze to make the embryo form a glassy solid and then directly into liquid nitrogen for storage. Vitrification technology significantly improves the recovery rate and pregnancy rate of embryos by avoiding the formation of ice crystals.

[0003] Liquid nitrogen tank is a key equipment for storing vitrified embryos. At present, a storage bucket is arranged in the liquid nitrogen tank, the embryo carrier freezing carrier is stored in the bucket, the bucket is connected with a lifting rod, and the lifting rod is suspended at the upper end of the liquid nitrogen tank. When taking and placing the freezing carrier, the hand is close to the tank opening, which is easy to be frozen by the vaporized liquid nitrogen; and the white fog generated by the vaporization of liquid nitrogen affects the operator's vision, the time for taking and placing the carrier is long, the loss of liquid nitrogen is increased, which further leads to the decrease of liquid level and affects the freezing effect of the remaining embryos in the tank. At the same time, due to the affected vision, there may be confusion in embryo storage and access, which affects the implementation of reproductive medical safety. SUMMARY

[0004] The purpose of the present application is to provide a human embryo storage device, which can avoid frostbite and quickly access the freezing carrier to make the embryo access more accurate.

[0005] In order to achieve the purpose of the application, the following technical solutions are adopted:

[0006] A human embryo storage device, comprising a storage tank, a storage rack, a mechanical hand and a control panel; the storage tank is used for containing liquid nitrogen to freeze embryos; the storage rack is arranged at the bottom of the storage tank and used for storing freezing carriers; the mechanical hand is arranged in the interior of the storage tank, and the mechanical hand comprises a chuck used for clamping and taking and placing the freezing carrier; the control panel is arranged outside the storage tank, and the control panel is connected with the mechanical hand through a signal line.

[0007] Furthermore, the storage rack includes support rods and storage baskets. The support rods consist of several rods, the lower ends of which are fixedly connected to the bottom of the storage tank. The storage baskets are connected to the upper ends of the support rods. The storage baskets have several compartments, each compartment of which is equipped with a rod holder. The rod holders have arrayed storage slots for holding frozen rods. A lifting ring is located at the upper center of the rod holder. The robotic arm also includes a telescopic rod, the end of which is equipped with a hook for connecting to the lifting ring. A rotary motor is located at the end of the telescopic rod, and the hook is rotatably connected to the rotary motor.

[0008] Furthermore, it also includes a sensing sleeve, which is used to cover the outside of the refrigeration carrier rod. The sensing sleeve is equipped with circuitry for recording information and communication, and the control panel and the circuitry inside the sensing sleeve are connected in communication.

[0009] Furthermore, a float-type liquid nitrogen level sensor is installed inside the storage tank to measure the liquid nitrogen level.

[0010] Furthermore, the storage tank is equipped with a thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of the storage tank.

[0011] Furthermore, the storage tank has a vacuum zone on its wall for insulation.

[0012] Furthermore, a lid is provided at the top of the storage tank, and the lid is sealed to the storage tank.

[0013] Furthermore, the tank lid is provided with a vent for depressurization and an injection hole for injecting liquid nitrogen, both of which extend through the upper and lower ends of the tank lid.

[0014] Furthermore, it also includes a nitrogen tank, a foot pump, and a valve. The foot pump and the nitrogen tank are connected by a conduit, the nitrogen tank and the injection port are connected by a conduit, and the valve is connected to the conduit between the nitrogen tank and the injection port.

[0015] Furthermore, a camera is installed at the lower end of the can lid, and a spotlight for illuminating the storage rack is installed next to the camera.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0017] 1. This invention provides a robotic arm inside a storage tank and a storage rack at the bottom of the tank for storing frozen rods. When it is necessary to retrieve or place frozen rods, the robotic arm can grip and retrieve them. The robotic arm can extend outside the opening of the storage tank, which helps to prevent the operator's hands from being frostbitten.

[0018] 2. This invention reduces the impact of white fog and improves storage and retrieval efficiency by installing a robotic arm inside the storage tank and setting a control panel on the storage tank to operate the robotic arm to grip and store the cryogenic carrier rod. This avoids the evaporation of liquid nitrogen due to excessively long opening time and helps reduce liquid nitrogen loss. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present application.

[0020] Figure 2 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Figure 3 is a structural schematic diagram of a mechanical hand in the present application. Figure 2

[0022] Figure 4 is a structural schematic diagram of a storage basket and a carrier rod holder in the present application. Figure 2

[0023] Figure 5 is a structural schematic diagram of an inner side of a can cover in the present application. Figure 1

[0024] is a schematic diagram of an induction sleeve in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 6

[0025] In the figure, 1 is a storage tank, 2 is a can cover, 3 is a control panel, 4 is a float ball type liquid level sensor, 5 is a thermometer, 6 is an air hole, 7 is an injection hole, 8 is a mechanical hand, 9 is a chuck, 10 is a storage basket, 11 is a support rod, 12 is a vacuum area, 13 is an extension rod, 14 is a rotary motor, 15 is a lifting hook, 16 is a carrier rod holder, 17 is a storage groove, 18 is a lifting ring, 19 is a camera, 20 is a spotlight, 21 is a nitrogen filling tank, 22 is a foot pedal air cylinder, 23 is a valve, and 24 is an induction sleeve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The specific embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely intended to illustrate and explain the present application, and are not intended to limit the present application.

[0027] In the description in the present application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "inner", "outer", and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are merely for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present application.

[0028] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 ​​​As shown, the human embryo storage device of the present embodiment comprises a storage tank 1, a storage rack, a mechanical hand 8 and a control panel 3; wherein the storage tank 1 is used for containing liquid nitrogen to freeze embryos, and a float ball type liquid level sensor 4 is arranged inside the storage tank 1 to measure the liquid level of the liquid nitrogen, so as to remind the addition of liquid nitrogen to maintain the temperature when the liquid level is too low. In order to facilitate the acquisition of internal temperature information, a thermometer 5 is arranged on the storage tank 1 to monitor the internal temperature in real time.

[0029] A vacuum area 12 for temperature insulation is arranged on the tank wall of the storage tank 1 to reduce heat transfer and maintain a low-temperature environment inside the storage tank 1. An opening for taking and placing frozen embryos is arranged at the upper end of the storage tank 1, and therefore a tank cover 2 is arranged at the upper end of the storage tank 1, which is sealingly connected with the storage tank 1, thereby facilitating the reduction of evaporation of liquid nitrogen and the maintenance of the liquid level.

[0030] The storage rack is arranged at the bottom of the storage tank 1 and is used for storing frozen carrier rods. The storage rack comprises support rods 11 and storage baskets 10. The support rods 11 comprise a plurality of support rods 11, the lower ends of which are fixedly connected with the bottom of the storage tank 1, and the storage baskets 10 are connected with the upper ends of the support rods 11. The support rods 11 support the storage baskets 10, which is conducive to lifting the bottom of the storage baskets 10, thereby increasing the contact area of the liquid nitrogen with the bottom and the inside of the storage baskets 10 and facilitating the reduction of temperature. The upper end of the support rod 11 is provided with a screw hole, and the storage basket 10 is fixed on the support rod 11 by a screw, so as to fix the storage basket 10.

[0031] The mechanical hand 8 is arranged inside the storage tank 1, and the mechanical hand 8 comprises a chuck 9 for clamping and taking frozen carrier rods. The control panel 3 is arranged outside the storage tank 1, and the control panel 3 is connected with the mechanical hand 8 through a signal line, so as to control the mechanical hand 8 and facilitate the control of the frozen carrier rods in a specific position. Specifically, the mechanical hand 8 has a plurality of mechanical arms connected in sequence, and the chuck 9 is arranged on the mechanical arm at the end. The chuck 9 can clamp the frozen carrier rod and send it out of the storage tank 1, so as to quickly obtain the frozen carrier rod and avoid frostbite.

[0032] As shown, Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, in order to facilitate the orderly storage of frozen carrier, so that the robot 8 can take and place the frozen carrier in order, the storage basket 10 is provided with a plurality of compartments, each compartment of the storage basket 10 is provided with a carrier rack 16, the carrier rack 16 is provided with an array of storage slots 17, the storage slots 17 are used to store the frozen carrier, so as to facilitate the numbering of the storage slots 17, and the robot 8 can be clamped according to the number when clamping, which is beneficial to improve the efficiency. In addition, the robot 8 can clamp one frozen carrier in the storage slot 17, or extract one carrier rack 16, so as to take out the corresponding required frozen carrier at one time. For this purpose, a lifting ring 18 is arranged at the upper middle part of the carrier rack 16, and the robot 8 further comprises a telescopic rod 13, one end of the telescopic rod 13 is rotatably connected with the robot 8, and the end of the telescopic rod 13 is provided with a lifting hook 15 for connecting the lifting ring 18, so that one carrier rack 16 can be lifted, and the frozen carriers in the carrier rack 16 can be taken out at one time, which is beneficial to improve the efficiency, and the lifting hook 15 is more stable and safe than the chuck 9 for holding the lifting ring 18. More preferably, a rotary motor 14 is arranged at the end of the telescopic rod 13, and the lifting hook 15 is rotatably connected with the rotary motor 14, which is beneficial to keep the balance of the carrier rack 16 and is not easy to fall.

[0033] When lifting the carrier rack 16, the lifting hook 15 is close to the lifting ring 18 by rotating the robot 8 and telescoping the telescopic rod 13, and then the lifting hook 15 is rotated by the rotary motor 14 to hook into the lifting ring 18, and then the telescopic rod 13 is retracted to lift the carrier rack 16, and then the robot 8 is rotated to take out the storage tank 1.

[0034] As shown in Figure 6 In order to facilitate the storage of frozen carrier information, so that the robot 8 can quickly access the frozen carrier, the device further comprises a sensing sleeve 24, the sensing sleeve 24 is used to cover the outside of the frozen carrier, and the sensing sleeve 24 is provided with a circuit for recording information and communication, and the control panel 3 and the circuit in the sensing sleeve 24 are in communication connection. Specifically, a storage module for storing the position information of the frozen carrier and the embryo information is arranged on the circuit, and a sensing antenna is arranged, so that the sensing sleeve 24 can be in communication connection with the control panel 3 through electromagnetic induction.

[0035] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 5As shown, the canister lid 2 is provided with a vent 6 for depressurization and an injection hole 7 for injecting liquid nitrogen. Both the vent 6 and the injection hole 7 extend through the upper and lower ends of the canister lid 2. Generally, when not in use, the vent 6 and the injection hole 7 are sealed with a sealing plug. When the pressure in the canister lid 2 is too high, the air can be released through the vent 6. When the liquid level in the canister drops, liquid nitrogen can be injected through the injection hole 7. To facilitate the addition of liquid nitrogen, a nitrogen filling tank 21, a foot pump 22, and a valve 23 are also included. The foot pump 22 and the nitrogen filling tank 21 are connected by a conduit, and the nitrogen filling tank 21 and the injection hole 7 are connected by a conduit. The valve 23 is connected to the conduit between the nitrogen filling tank 21 and the injection hole 7. The nitrogen filling tank 21 stores spare liquid nitrogen. When liquid nitrogen needs to be added to the storage tank 1, the foot pump 22 can be stepped on and the valve 23 can be opened to pressurize the nitrogen filling tank 21, causing a small amount of liquid nitrogen to vaporize and flow into the storage tank 1.

[0036] like Figure 5 As shown, to facilitate observation of the refrigerated storage racks inside storage tank 1, a camera 19 is installed at the lower end of the tank lid 2. A spotlight 20 is installed beside the camera 19 to illuminate the storage racks. The spotlight 20 can penetrate the white mist and illuminate the storage racks below, allowing the camera 19 to capture images of that area. The camera 19 is connected to the control panel 3, transmitting the captured images to the control panel 3 for display.

[0037] During the operation, the operator inputs patient information into the sensor sleeve 24 on the control panel 3, and simultaneously records the storage location information. Before storing the embryos in the storage tank 1, the sensor sleeve 24 must be scanned at the control panel to accurately, promptly, and correctly register the embryo information. When retrieving frozen embryos, the robotic arm 8 is operated via the control panel 3 to retrieve the corresponding numbered cryogenic carrier, and the sensor sleeve 24 is brought close to the camera 19 for scanning and registration of the retrieved embryo information. Furthermore, the operator's hand vein plexus scan is set on the control panel 3 for personnel monitoring. This ensures that no information is missed, which is beneficial for ensuring the safe implementation of assisted reproductive technology.

[0038] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific details of the above embodiments. Within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention, various simple modifications can be made to the technical solution of the present invention, and these simple modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A human embryo storage device, characterized in that, The device comprises: a storage tank for containing liquid nitrogen to freeze embryos; a storage rack arranged at the bottom of the storage tank for storing frozen carrier rods; a mechanical arm arranged inside the storage tank, the mechanical arm comprising a gripper for gripping and picking up the frozen carrier rods; a control panel arranged outside the storage tank, the control panel being connected with the mechanical arm through signal lines.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: the storage rack comprises support rods and a storage basket, the support rods are connected with the bottom of the storage tank at their lower ends, and the storage basket is connected with the upper ends of the support rods; the storage basket is provided with a plurality of compartments, each of which is provided with a carrier rod holder, the carrier rod holder is provided with a plurality of storage slots arranged in an array for storing the frozen carrier rods, and a hanger is arranged at the upper middle part of the carrier rod holder; the mechanical arm further comprises an extension rod, the end of the extension rod is provided with a hook for connecting the hanger; the end of the extension rod is provided with a rotary motor, and the hook is rotatably connected with the rotary motor.

3. The device according to claim 2, further comprising a sensing sleeve for sleeving the frozen carrier rod, the sensing sleeve is provided with a circuit for recording information and communication, and the control panel is in communication connection with the circuit in the sensing sleeve.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein: a float type liquid level sensor is arranged in the storage tank to measure the liquid level of the liquid nitrogen.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein: a thermometer is arranged in the storage tank to monitor the temperature inside the storage tank.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein: a vacuum area is arranged on the tank wall of the storage tank for temperature insulation.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein: a tank cover is arranged at the upper end of the storage tank, and the tank cover is sealingly connected with the storage tank.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein: a gas hole for pressure relief and an injection hole for injecting liquid nitrogen are arranged on the tank cover, and the gas hole and the injection hole penetrate through the upper and lower ends of the tank cover.

9. The device according to claim 8, further comprising a nitrogen filling tank, a foot-operated air cylinder and a valve, the foot-operated air cylinder and the nitrogen filling tank are connected through a conduit, the nitrogen filling tank and the injection hole are connected through a conduit, and the valve is connected to the conduit between the nitrogen filling tank and the injection hole.

10. The device according to claim 7, wherein: a camera is arranged at the lower end of the tank cover, and a spotlight for illuminating the storage rack is arranged beside the camera. ​ ​

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