System for assisting positioning of an embryo

Abstract

Provided is a system for assisting in positioning embryos, comprising an embryo culture dish containing a plurality of transparent embryo culture medium droplets arranged at intervals; a transparent oil sealing layer contained in the embryo culture dish and covering the transparent embryo culture medium droplets; a ring-shaped light source for sequentially irradiating light to the transparent oil sealing layer and the transparent embryo culture medium droplets at a first predetermined angle with a first plane on which the embryo culture dish is placed; an imaging unit for receiving light reflected from the transparent embryo culture medium droplets and imaging the transparent embryo culture medium droplets; and an assisting positioning unit for determining the position of the transparent embryo culture medium droplets according to the imaging and taking the position as the area where the embryo is located. The transparent embryo culture medium can be accurately and quickly imaged and positioned, and the embryo in the embryo culture medium can be quickly positioned and observed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of assisted reproduction, and more particularly to a system and method for assisting in the localization of embryos. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, the number of people using assisted reproduction has been increasing, and assisted reproductive technology has been developing and being applied more and more rapidly.

[0003] For assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinics, the daily workload involves dealing with a large number of diverse patients and providing multiple embryos for doctors and patients to cultivate and select, in order to choose the best embryos for further development. For tiny embryos invisible to the naked eye, typically stored in petri dishes containing multiple droplets of embryo culture medium, the urgent problem to be solved is how to quickly and accurately locate a specific embryo under a microscope and observe its developmental status.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to study a system and method for assisting in the localization of embryos to address one or more of the aforementioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To solve at least one of the above-mentioned technical problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, a system for assisting in the localization of an embryo is provided, characterized by comprising:

[0006] An embryo culture dish containing multiple transparent embryo culture medium droplets spaced apart;

[0007] A transparent oil seal layer is contained in the embryo culture dish and covers the transparent embryo culture medium droplets;

[0008] A ring light source sequentially incidents light onto the transparent oil seal layer and the transparent embryo culture medium droplet at a first predetermined angle to the first plane on which the embryo culture dish is placed.

[0009] An imaging unit receives light reflected from the transparent embryo culture medium droplet and images the transparent embryo culture medium droplet; and

[0010] An auxiliary positioning unit is used to determine the position of the transparent embryo culture medium droplet based on the imaging and to designate that position as the region where the embryo is located.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, the first predetermined angle is an acute angle.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, the transparent oil seal layer is formed as an integral structure and is housed in the upper part of the embryo culture dish.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, the top surface of the transparent oil seal layer is formed as a plane.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, the annular light source is positioned above the embryo culture dish.

[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, the imaging unit includes a camera and a lens.

[0016] According to another aspect of the invention, the top of the transparent embryo culture medium droplet is arc-shaped.

[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, the imaging unit is disposed directly above the embryo culture dish.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, the transparent oil seal is paraffin oil.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for assisted embryo localization using the aforementioned system for assisted embryo localization is also provided, characterized by comprising the following steps:

[0020] Multiple transparent embryo culture medium droplets are arranged at intervals in an embryo culture dish, and at most one embryo is placed in each transparent embryo culture medium droplet;

[0021] An oil seal is injected into the embryo culture dish to cover the transparent embryo culture medium droplets;

[0022] A ring light source sequentially incidents light onto a transparent oil seal layer and a transparent embryo culture medium droplet at a first predetermined angle to the first plane on which the embryo culture dish is placed.

[0023] The imaging unit receives light reflected from the transparent embryo culture medium droplet and images the transparent embryo culture medium droplet;

[0024] The location of one or more transparent embryo culture medium droplets is determined based on the imaging, and this location is taken as the region where the corresponding embryo is located.

[0025] According to another aspect of the invention, a higher-magnification imaging unit is used to continue scanning and imaging the embryo in the area and determining the accurate location of the embryo.

[0026] This invention can achieve one or more of the following technical effects:

[0027] Using a ring light source, it is possible to accurately and quickly image and locate droplets of transparent embryo culture medium covered by an oil seal layer, which solves the problem of imaging difficulties of covered transparent embryo culture medium droplets, and can thus assist in the rapid location and observation of embryos in embryo culture medium.

[0028] It can be used to accurately and efficiently observe multiple embryos used in assisted reproduction, greatly improving efficiency and saving costs;

[0029] Compared to directly scanning the embryo position across the entire field of view using a higher magnification microscope, this invention can significantly reduce the subsequent scanning area and improve positioning efficiency by first rapidly locating the transparent embryo culture medium droplet area.

[0030] Upgrading to a higher magnification microscope is beneficial for observing the details and status of embryonic development, while combining it with a relatively low magnification microscope can quickly locate the transparent embryo culture medium droplet area where the target embryo is located. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a system for assisting in the localization of an embryo according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a ring light source according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 3 An example of the result captured by the imaging unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. These specific embodiments are intended to illustrate the present invention in detail, but should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all of these should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0036] Example 1

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, see Figure 1-3 A system for assisting in the localization of an embryo is provided, characterized by comprising:

[0038] Embryo culture dish 3 contains multiple transparent embryo culture medium droplets 4 arranged at intervals;

[0039] A transparent oil seal layer 5 is contained in an embryo culture dish 3 and covers the transparent embryo culture medium droplets 4;

[0040] The ring light source 2, in a manner that forms a first predetermined angle with the first plane on which the embryo culture dish 3 is placed, sequentially incident light onto the transparent oil seal layer 5 and the transparent embryo culture medium droplet 4;

[0041] The imaging unit receives light reflected from the transparent embryo culture medium droplet 4 and images the transparent embryo culture medium droplet 4; and

[0042] An auxiliary positioning unit is used to determine the position of the transparent embryo culture medium droplet 4 based on the imaging and to take that position as the region where the embryo is located.

[0043] Preferably, such as Figure 1 As shown, the first plane is a horizontal plane. It can be understood that light rays form refracted light rays 21 when passing through the transparent oil seal layer 5 and the transparent embryo culture medium droplet 4.

[0044] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first predetermined angle is an acute angle.

[0045] Preferably, see Figure 2 The ring light source 2 includes a ring body 12 with a central through hole and LED beads 11 arranged at a certain emission angle. Multiple LED beads 11 are arranged at intervals around the inner circumference of the ring body 12.

[0046] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transparent oil seal layer is formed as an integral structure and is housed in the upper part of the embryo culture dish 3.

[0047] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the top surface of the transparent oil seal layer is formed as a plane.

[0048] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ring light source 2 is disposed above the embryo culture dish 3.

[0049] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the imaging unit includes a camera 1 and a lens 6.

[0050] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, see Figure 1 The top of the transparent embryo culture medium droplet is arc-shaped.

[0051] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the imaging unit is disposed directly above the embryo culture dish 3.

[0052] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transparent oil seal layer 5 is paraffin oil. Alternatively, the annular light source can be replaced with a single-sided oblique light source.

[0053] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for assisted embryo localization using the aforementioned system for assisted embryo localization is also provided, characterized by comprising the following steps:

[0054] Multiple transparent embryo culture medium droplets 4 are arranged at intervals in the embryo culture dish 3, and at most one embryo is placed in each transparent embryo culture medium droplet 4;

[0055] An oil seal layer is injected into the embryo culture dish 3 to cover the transparent embryo culture medium droplets 4;

[0056] The ring light source 2 shines light sequentially onto the transparent oil seal layer 5 and the transparent embryo culture medium droplet 4 at a first predetermined angle to the first plane on which the embryo culture dish 3 is placed;

[0057] The imaging unit receives light reflected from the transparent embryo culture medium droplet 4 and images the transparent embryo culture medium droplet 4, such as... Figure 3 As shown;

[0058] The location of one or more transparent embryo culture medium droplets 4 is determined based on the imaging, and this location is taken as the region where the corresponding embryo is located.

[0059] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a higher-magnification imaging unit is used to continue scanning and imaging the embryo in the area and determine the accurate location of the embryo.

[0060] Preferably, a conical array of LEDs is used to form a ring light source, which provides direct and diffuse illumination to the transparent object to be observed. Utilizing the principle of light refraction at the interface between different media and the principle of approximately spherical droplets, some light rays are incident at a small angle, causing optical phenomena at the interface between the culture medium and mineral oil. Only the light rays that penetrate the paraffin oil are emitted in parallel, while the light rays that pass through the paraffin oil → culture medium → paraffin oil are deflected, thus leaving bright and dark shadows in the imaging system to achieve the observation and positioning of the outline of the transparent material.

[0061] This invention can achieve one or more of the following technical effects:

[0062] Using a ring light source, it is possible to accurately and quickly image and locate droplets of transparent embryo culture medium covered by an oil seal layer, which solves the problem of imaging difficulties of covered transparent embryo culture medium droplets, and can thus assist in the rapid location and observation of embryos in embryo culture medium.

[0063] It can be used to accurately and efficiently observe multiple embryos used in assisted reproduction, greatly improving efficiency and saving costs;

[0064] Compared to directly scanning the embryo position across the entire field of view using a higher magnification microscope, this invention can significantly reduce the subsequent scanning area and improve positioning efficiency by first rapidly locating the transparent embryo culture medium droplet area.

[0065] Upgrading to a higher magnification microscope is beneficial for observing the details and status of embryonic development, while combining it with a relatively low magnification microscope can quickly locate the transparent embryo culture medium droplet area where the target embryo is located.

[0066] Those skilled in the art should understand that this invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to this invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the invention as claimed. The scope of protection of this invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for assisting in embryo localization and observing embryonic development using a system for assisting in embryo localization and observing embryonic development, characterized in that... Includes the following steps: Multiple transparent embryo culture medium droplets are arranged at intervals in an embryo culture dish, and at most one embryo is placed in each transparent embryo culture medium droplet; An oil seal is injected into the embryo culture dish to cover the transparent embryo culture medium droplets; A ring light source sequentially incidents light onto a transparent oil seal layer and a transparent embryo culture medium droplet at a first predetermined angle to the first plane on which the embryo culture dish is placed. The imaging unit receives light reflected from the transparent embryo culture medium droplet and images the transparent embryo culture medium droplet; The location of one or more transparent embryo culture medium droplets is determined based on the imaging, and this location is taken as the region where the corresponding embryo is located. Further, a higher-magnification imaging unit was used to continue scanning and imaging the embryo in the area and to determine the precise location of the embryo and observe its developmental status. The system for assisting in locating the embryo and observing its developmental status includes: An embryo culture dish containing multiple transparent embryo culture medium droplets spaced apart; A transparent oil seal layer is contained in the embryo culture dish and covers the transparent embryo culture medium droplets; A ring light source is used for rapid imaging and positioning of a transparent embryo culture medium droplet covered by a transparent oil seal layer, and the light is incident sequentially onto the transparent oil seal layer and the transparent embryo culture medium droplet at a first predetermined angle to the first plane on which the embryo culture dish is placed. An imaging unit receives light reflected from the transparent embryo culture medium droplet and images the transparent embryo culture medium droplet; and An auxiliary positioning unit is used to determine the position of the transparent embryo culture medium droplet based on the imaging and to designate that position as the region where the embryo is located.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that... The first predetermined angle is an acute angle.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that... The transparent oil seal layer is formed as an integral structure and is housed in the upper part of the embryo culture dish.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that... The top surface of the transparent oil seal layer is formed as a plane.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that... The ring light source is positioned above the embryo culture dish.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that... The imaging unit includes a camera and a lens.

7. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that... The top of the transparent embryo culture medium droplet is arc-shaped.

8. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The imaging unit is positioned directly above the embryo culture dish.

9. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that... The transparent oil seal is paraffin oil, and the ring light source is replaced with a single-sided oblique light source.

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