LED array for illuminating cell well plates and automated rack system for handling the same

Abstract

A combined system (10) for promoting growth of plant tissue includes a plurality of petri dishes (12) each defining an array of wells (13), wherein each well (13) contains a tissue sample. A shelf (20) having a plurality of vertically stacked shelves (23) provides support for the Petri dishes, and the shelves may include one or more aligned recessed areas ( 26). A plurality of LED arrays (30) mounted on a circuit board (31) provide light for the tissue sample. Each circuit board (31) is supported by a corresponding snap-in edge connector (24) of the shelf (20) in order to enable the light-emitting diode (30) to be adjacent to the Petri dish (12) supported on the shelf (23) below it. ). The LED array (30) preferably corresponds to the array of wells supported in aligned positions on the shelf (23) below it so that the LEDs (30) can be centered over a corresponding one of the wells (13).

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to the use of artificial lighting systems for promoting plant growth, and more particularly to the use of lighting systems for promoting the growth of plant tissue in cell culture dishes. Background technique [0002] In biological and biochemical screening systems using plant tissue, it is important to promote the growth of plant tissue. There are many factors that affect the growth of plant tissue, including the amount and type of nutrients provided to the tissue, the physical support provided to the tissue, the temperature of the tissue's environment, and the amount of light delivered to the plant tissue. Regarding available light, most screening systems use artificial light that can be controlled and is not affected by weather changes. Furthermore, screening systems typically use Petri dishes with multiple wells defined in each Petri dish. Each well holds and isolates an independent tissue sample to avoid contaminati...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, because the light must be kept a safe distance from plant tissue to avoid excessive heat buildup, and because incandescent and fluorescent lights are relatively large, shelves have limited vertical stacking capacity

Each shelf and light combination requires approximately 1 foot of vertical spacing, limiting an average room with 8 feet height to seven or eight shelves

Also, incandescent or fluorescent lights are not very energy efficient, requiring approximately 4.4 watts of power per multiwell dish

This large spacing and power requirements, along with cost constraints, limit the density of racks and the throughput of plant tissue screening systems

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