Embryo bucket structure, embryo storage device having the same, and storage method

Abstract

The application discloses an embryo lifting bucket structure, an embryo storage device and a storage method with the same. The embryo lifting bucket structure comprises an embryo carrier rod storage bucket and a lifting rod connected to one side of the embryo carrier rod storage bucket. The bucket body of the embryo carrier rod storage bucket is configured as a circular arc section, and the lifting rod is connected to the outer wall of the embryo carrier rod storage bucket near the center. The interior of the embryo carrier rod storage bucket is divided into multiple storage slots for accommodating embryo carrier rods by a partition plate. The embryo carrier rods are embedded into the corresponding storage slots along the axial direction of the storage slots. The embryo lifting bucket structure, the embryo storage device and the storage method with the same can fully utilize the space inside the liquid nitrogen tank, and greatly improve the number of embryo carrier rods stored and transported at a time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of embryo storage and transportation technology, and in particular to an embryo carrying bucket structure, an embryo storage device having the same structure, and a storage method thereof. Background Technology

[0002] The static storage and transport storage of embryos have always been key research areas, with liquid nitrogen tanks being the primary equipment for embryo storage. Currently, to achieve embryo storage, multiple embryo containers need to be placed inside the liquid nitrogen tank. Typically, each embryo container can hold multiple carrier rods for frozen embryos. The carrier rods are placed inside the container, and finally, the containers are all placed inside the liquid nitrogen tank for cryopreservation.

[0003] At present, if liquid nitrogen tanks are used to store embryo containers in a static storage manner, the structure is easier to design; however, more often, liquid nitrogen tanks are needed for the transportation of embryos. Therefore, the stability of the embryo containers when placed in liquid nitrogen tanks also determines whether the embryos can be transported intact to the designated location.

[0004] In the prior art, a patent application titled "A Novel Liquid Nitrogen Tank Lifting Bucket and Embryo Storage Device," with patent number CN215684468U and application date of August 6, 2021, discloses a common bucket structure in the prior art. This bucket is cylindrical and divided into multiple storage slots for frozen embryo carrier rods by partitions. Multiple buckets are suspended inside the liquid nitrogen tank. However, the existing storage devices can only accommodate a limited number of carrier rods per unit, thus increasing transportation costs. Furthermore, the cylindrical buckets placed inside the liquid nitrogen tank are unstable and prone to shaking during transportation, affecting embryo storage. Therefore, the existing embryo storage devices are not suitable for transport and storage, and are designed only for static storage.

[0005] Therefore, based on the above-mentioned technical problems, those skilled in the art urgently need to develop an embryo carrying bucket structure, an embryo storage device with it, and a storage method. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an embryo carrying bucket structure, an embryo storage device and storage method thereof. The embryo carrying bucket structure adopts an arc-shaped cylindrical structure and a liquid nitrogen tank to form a circular arrangement structure, which can make full use of the internal space of the liquid nitrogen tank, thereby greatly increasing the number of embryo carrier rods that can be stored and transported at one time.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0008] The embryo lifting bucket structure of the present invention includes:

[0009] Embryo carrier rod storage bucket; and

[0010] A lifting rod connected to one side of the embryo carrier rod storage bucket and extending upward in a vertical direction;

[0011] The embryo carrier rod storage bucket is configured with a circular arc cross-section, and the lifting rod is connected to the outer wall of the embryo carrier rod storage bucket near the center.

[0012] The interior of the embryo carrier rod storage bucket is divided into multiple storage slots by partitions to accommodate the embryo carrier rods. The embryo carrier rods are embedded into the corresponding storage slots along the axial direction of the storage slots.

[0013] Furthermore, the embryo carrier rod storage bucket has a first arc surface and a second arc surface, wherein the arc length of the first arc surface is greater than the arc length of the second arc surface;

[0014] The first and second arc surfaces of the embryo carrier rod storage bucket are connected by an end plate.

[0015] The lower end of the lifting rod is fixed to the outer wall of the second arc surface.

[0016] Furthermore, the lifting rod includes:

[0017] Two first rods fixed to the outer wall of the second arc surface, the two first rods being arranged symmetrically; and

[0018] A second rod is connected to the upper end of the two first rods.

[0019] Furthermore, the end plates of adjacent embryo carrier rod storage containers are brought close together to form mating ends.

[0020] This invention discloses an embryo storage device, which includes:

[0021] Liquid nitrogen tank; and

[0022] Multiple embryo bucket structures as described above.

[0023] Furthermore, the interior of the liquid nitrogen tank is hollow, forming a storage cavity;

[0024] The upper end of the liquid nitrogen tank is the tank opening, and an overlapping ring that cooperates with the lifting rod is formed along the circumference of the tank opening. The overlapping ring has an overlapping groove that cooperates with the second rod.

[0025] The embryo carrier rod storage bucket is suspended inside the liquid nitrogen tank by the cooperation of the lifting rod and the overlapping groove.

[0026] Furthermore, a support ring is fixed to the inner wall of the liquid nitrogen tank;

[0027] The support ring engages with the first arc surface of the embryo carrier rod storage bucket to support the embryo carrier rod storage bucket.

[0028] Multiple embryo carrier rod storage buckets are arranged circumferentially along the support ring, and a certain gap is reserved between the end plates of adjacent embryo carrier rod storage buckets. The end plates of the embryo carrier rod storage buckets have outward protruding abutment portions, and the abutment portions of adjacent embryo carrier rod storage buckets abut against each other at the corresponding gaps to maintain the position of adjacent embryo carrier rod storage buckets.

[0029] Furthermore, the support ring is provided with multiple insertion holes at intervals;

[0030] The embryo carrier rod storage bucket has a rod that can be inserted into the insertion hole at the middle of the first arc surface;

[0031] The embryo carrier rod storage bucket is connected to the liquid nitrogen tank at two points via the insertion rod and the lifting rod.

[0032] The present invention also discloses a method for storing frozen embryo carrier rods based on the above-mentioned embryo storage device. This storage method, based on the above-mentioned embryo storage device, mainly includes the following steps:

[0033] S101. Select an appropriate number of embryo carrier rods according to the required number of embryos to be stored;

[0034] S102. Place the embryo carrier rods into the storage slots of the embryo carrier rod storage bucket.

[0035] S103. Place an embryo carrier rod storage bucket at the opening of the liquid nitrogen tank, and then place other embryo carrier rod storage buckets in sequence along the circumference of the support ring according to the position of the insertion hole opened on the support ring.

[0036] S104. Multiple embryo carrier rod storage buckets are arranged circumferentially along the support ring, and the abutting parts of adjacent embryo carrier rod storage buckets abut against each other to support the circumferential direction inside the liquid nitrogen tank, and keep the lifting rod facing the center of the liquid nitrogen tank.

[0037] S105. Seal the liquid nitrogen tank containing multiple embryo carrier rod storage containers.

[0038] The embryo carrying bucket structure and storage device provided by the present invention, as described above, have the following beneficial effects:

[0039] The present invention relates to an embryo carrying bucket structure, an embryo storage device and a storage method thereof. The embryo carrying bucket structure adopts an arc-shaped cylindrical structure and a circular arrangement structure with a liquid nitrogen tank, which can make full use of the internal space of the liquid nitrogen tank, thereby greatly increasing the number of embryo carrier rods that can be stored and transported at one time.

[0040] Based on the structural features of the embryo carrying bucket structure, the embryo storage device of the present invention is designed with a double-rod lifting rod structure and a rod insertion hole structure that matches the first arc surface of the embryo carrying bucket structure, forming a two-point connection structure with the liquid nitrogen tank. This facilitates disassembly and assembly, and combined with the lateral limiting of the abutment part between adjacent embryo carrier rod storage buckets, it can further ensure the stability during transportation and storage, and prevent the carrying bucket from shaking during transportation. Attached Figure Description

[0041] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0042] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the embryo lifting bucket structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 2 A diagram showing the arrangement of the embryo carrying bucket structure in use according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cooperation state between the embryo storage device and the embryo carrying bucket structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of the image.

[0046] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0047] 10. Embryo lifting container structure; 11. Liquid nitrogen tank;

[0048] 1. Embryo carrier rod storage bucket; 2. Lifting rod; 3. Abutment part; 4. Support ring;

[0049] 101. First arc surface; 102. Second arc surface; 103. End plate; 104. Storage slot; 105. Gap; 106. Insert rod;

[0050] 201, First shot; 202, Second shot;

[0051] 401. Socket. Detailed Implementation

[0052] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] See Figures 1 to 2 As shown;

[0054] An embryo carrying bucket structure 10 according to this embodiment includes:

[0055] Embryo carrier rod storage bucket 1; and

[0056] A lifting rod 2 is connected to one side of the embryo carrier rod storage bucket 1 and extends vertically upward;

[0057] The embryo carrier rod storage bucket 1 is configured with a barrel body with an arc-shaped cross section, and the lifting rod 2 is connected to the outer wall of the embryo carrier rod storage bucket 1 near the center.

[0058] The interior of the embryo carrier rod storage bucket 1 is divided into multiple storage slots 104 for accommodating embryo carrier rods by a partition. The embryo carrier rods are embedded into the corresponding storage slots 104 along the axial direction of the storage slots 1.

[0059] Specifically, this embodiment first discloses an irregularly shaped embryo carrying bucket structure. In order to increase the storage capacity of embryo carrier rods and thus increase the number of embryo carrier rods stored and transported at one time, the embryo carrying bucket structure 10 of this embodiment is designed with an arc-shaped cross-section based on the structure of the liquid nitrogen tank 11. Its size is designed to be based on the inner wall size of the liquid nitrogen tank 11, which is divided into 10 equal parts along the circumference, which is the size of each embryo carrier rod storage bucket 1. A carrying rod 2 is designed on one side of the embryo carrier rod storage bucket 1.

[0060] Preferably, the embryo carrier rod storage bucket 1 in this embodiment has a first arc surface 101 and a second arc surface 102, and the arc length of the first arc surface 101 is greater than the arc length of the second arc surface 102.

[0061] The first arc surface 101 and the second arc surface 102 of the embryo carrier rod storage bucket 1 are connected by an end plate 103;

[0062] The lower end of the lifting rod 2 is fixed to the outer wall of the second arc surface 102.

[0063] In this embodiment, the lifting rod 2 includes:

[0064] Two first rods 201 are fixed to the outer wall of the second arc surface 102, and the two first rods 201 are arranged symmetrically; and

[0065] A second rod 202 is connected to the upper end of the two first rods 201.

[0066] Since the embryo carrier rod storage bucket 1 in this embodiment adopts an arc-shaped bucket structure, and the current lifting rods are all single-rod structures, while the embryo carrier rod storage bucket 1 in this embodiment has increased the lateral dimension, the single-rod structure has poor stability. Therefore, based on this problem, the lifting rod 2 in this embodiment has also been improved by adopting a double-rod structure, that is, two first rods 201 are fixed to the outer wall of the second arc surface 102, and a second rod 202 is connected to the upper end of the two first rods 201. The second rod 202 first extends outward for a certain length and then extends laterally to form a bent rod body so that it can be connected and fixed with the liquid nitrogen tank 11.

[0067] In order to maintain the position of adjacent embryo carrier rod storage containers 1 in the circumferential direction, that is, in the lateral direction, during use, the end plates of adjacent embryo carrier rod storage containers 1 in this embodiment are brought close to each other to form mating ends. The mating and limiting of the ends of adjacent embryo carrier rod storage containers 1 are formed by the mating of the ends of the adjacent embryo carrier rod storage containers 1.

[0068] See Figures 1 to 4 As shown; furthermore, based on the above-described embryo carrying bucket structure 10, this embodiment discloses an embryo storage device, which includes:

[0069] Liquid nitrogen tank 11; and

[0070] Multiple embryo bucket structures 10 as described above.

[0071] In this embodiment, the liquid nitrogen tank 11 has a hollow interior forming a storage cavity;

[0072] The upper end of the liquid nitrogen tank 11 is the tank opening, and an overlapping ring that cooperates with the lifting rod 2 is formed around the tank opening. The overlapping ring has an overlapping groove that cooperates with the second rod 202.

[0073] The embryo carrier rod storage bucket 1 is suspended inside the liquid nitrogen tank 11 by the cooperation of the lifting rod 2 and the overlapping groove.

[0074] Based on the structure of the embryo carrier rod storage bucket 1, especially in order to suspend the embryo carrier rod storage bucket 1 in the liquid nitrogen tank 11, the opening of the liquid nitrogen tank 11 in this embodiment needs to be designed with an overlap groove that can cooperate with the second rod 202 of the lifting rod 2, and the second rod 202 is embedded in the corresponding overlap groove when suspended, so as to complete the fixation of the first point of the embryo carrier rod storage bucket 1.

[0075] To further ensure the stability of the embryo carrier rod storage container 1 within the liquid nitrogen tank 11 and meet the requirements for transportation and storage, a support ring 4 is fixed to the inner wall of the liquid nitrogen tank 11 in this embodiment. The support ring 4 cooperates with the first arc surface 101 of the embryo carrier rod storage container 1 to support the embryo carrier rod storage container 1. Specifically, in this embodiment, multiple embryo carrier rod storage containers 1 are arranged circumferentially along the support ring 4, and a certain gap 105 is reserved between the end plates 103 of adjacent embryo carrier rod storage containers 1. The end plates 103 of the embryo carrier rod storage container 1 protrude outward with an abutment portion 3. The abutment portions 3 of adjacent embryo carrier rod storage containers 1 abut against each other at the corresponding gap 105 to maintain the position of adjacent embryo carrier rod storage containers 1.

[0076] The second fixing method in this embodiment is as follows: the support ring 4 is provided with a plurality of insertion holes 401 at intervals; the first arc surface 101 of the embryo carrier rod storage bucket 1 has an insertion rod 106 that can be inserted into the insertion hole 401 at the middle position; the embryo carrier rod storage bucket 1 forms a two-point connection structure with the liquid nitrogen tank 11 through the insertion rod 106 and the lifting rod 2.

[0077] The present invention also discloses a method for storing frozen embryo carrier rods based on the above-mentioned embryo storage device. This storage method, based on the above-mentioned embryo storage device, mainly includes the following steps:

[0078] S101. Select an appropriate number of embryo carrier rods according to the required number of embryos to be stored;

[0079] S102. Place the embryo carrier rods into the storage slots 104 of the embryo carrier rod storage bucket 1.

[0080] S103. Place an embryo carrier rod storage bucket 1 at the opening of the liquid nitrogen tank 11, and then place other embryo carrier rod storage buckets 1 in sequence along the circumference of the support ring 4 according to the position of the insertion hole 401 opened on the support ring 4.

[0081] S104. Multiple embryo carrier rod storage buckets 1 are arranged circumferentially along the support ring 4, and the abutting parts 3 of adjacent embryo carrier rod storage buckets 1 abut against each other to support the circumferential direction inside the liquid nitrogen tank 11, and keep the lifting rod 2 facing the center side of the liquid nitrogen tank 11.

[0082] S105. Seal the liquid nitrogen tank 11 that stores multiple embryo carrier rods 1.

[0083] The embryo carrying bucket structure and storage device provided by the present invention, as described above, have the following beneficial effects:

[0084] The embryo carrying bucket structure, embryo storage device and storage method of the present invention, wherein the embryo carrying bucket structure 10 adopts an arc-shaped cylindrical structure and forms a circular arrangement with the liquid nitrogen tank 11, which can make full use of the internal space of the liquid nitrogen tank 11, thereby greatly increasing the number of embryo carrier rods that can be stored and transported at one time.

[0085] Based on the structural features of the embryo carrying bucket structure 10, the embryo storage device of the present invention is designed with a double-rod lifting structure and a rod insertion hole structure that cooperates with the first arc surface 101 of the embryo carrying bucket structure 10, forming a two-point connection structure with the liquid nitrogen tank 11. This facilitates disassembly and assembly, and combined with the lateral limiting of the abutment part 3 between adjacent embryo carrier rod storage buckets 1, it can further ensure the stability during transportation and storage, and prevent the bucket from shaking during transportation.

[0086] The foregoing has only described certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention by way of illustration. Undoubtedly, those skilled in the art can modify the described embodiments in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing drawings and descriptions are illustrative in nature and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An embryo storage device, characterized in that, The device includes: The liquid nitrogen tank (11) and the embryo carrying bucket structure (10) include: An embryo carrier rod storage container (1); and a lifting rod (2) connected to one side of the embryo carrier rod storage container (1) and extending upward in a vertical direction; the embryo carrier rod storage container (1) is configured as a container with an arc-shaped cross-section, and the lifting rod (2) is connected to the outer wall of the embryo carrier rod storage container (1) near the center; the embryo carrier rod storage container (1) has a first arc surface (101) and a second arc surface (102), the arc length of the first arc surface (101) is greater than the arc length of the second arc surface (102); the first arc surface (101) and the second arc surface (102) of the embryo carrier rod storage container (1) are connected by an end plate (103); the lower end of the lifting rod (2) is fixed to the outer wall of the second arc surface (102); the end plates of adjacent embryo carrier rod storage containers (1) are close to each other to form a mating end; The lifting rod (2) includes two first rods (201) fixed to the outer wall of the second arc surface (102), the two first rods (201) being arranged symmetrically; and a second rod (202) connected to the upper end of the two first rods (201). The interior of the liquid nitrogen tank (11) is hollow, forming a storage cavity; The upper end of the liquid nitrogen tank (11) is the tank opening, and the tank opening has an overlapping ring that cooperates with the lifting rod (2) along its circumference. The overlapping ring has an overlapping groove that cooperates with the second rod (202). The embryo carrier rod storage bucket (1) is suspended inside the liquid nitrogen tank (11) by the cooperation of the lifting rod (2) and the overlapping groove; The inner wall of the liquid nitrogen tank (11) is fixed with a support ring (4); the support ring (4) cooperates with the first arc surface (101) of the embryo carrier rod storage bucket (1) to support the embryo carrier rod storage bucket (1). Multiple embryo carrier rod storage buckets (1) are arranged circumferentially along the support ring (4), and a certain gap is reserved between the end plates (103) of adjacent embryo carrier rod storage buckets (1). The end plates (103) of the embryo carrier rod storage buckets (1) protrude outward with abutting parts (3). The abutting parts (3) of adjacent embryo carrier rod storage buckets (1) abut against each other at the corresponding gaps to maintain the position of adjacent embryo carrier rod storage buckets (1). The support ring (4) is provided with a plurality of insertion holes (401) at intervals. The embryo carrier rod storage bucket (1) has a rod (106) at the middle of the first arc surface (101) that can be inserted into the insertion hole (401). The embryo carrier rod storage bucket (1) is connected to the liquid nitrogen tank (11) at two points via the insertion rod (106) and the lifting rod (2).

2. The embryo storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The embryo carrier rod storage bucket (1) is divided into multiple storage slots (104) for accommodating embryo carrier rods by a partition. The embryo carrier rods are embedded into the corresponding storage slots (104) along the axial direction of the storage slots (104).

3. A method for storing frozen embryo carrier rods, characterized in that, This storage method is based on the embryo storage device as described in claim 2, and the storage method mainly includes the following steps: S101. Select an appropriate number of embryo carrier rods according to the required number of embryos to be stored; S102. Place the embryo carrier rods into the storage slots (104) of the embryo carrier rod storage bucket (1); S103. Place an embryo carrier rod storage bucket (1) at the opening of the liquid nitrogen tank (11), and then place other embryo carrier rod storage buckets (1) in sequence along the circumference of the support ring (4) according to the position of the insertion hole (401) opened on the support ring (4). S104. Multiple embryo carrier rod storage buckets (1) are arranged circumferentially along the support ring (4), and the abutting parts (3) of adjacent embryo carrier rod storage buckets (1) abut against each other to support the circumferential direction inside the liquid nitrogen tank (11), and keep the lifting rod (2) facing the center side of the liquid nitrogen tank (11). S105. Seal the liquid nitrogen tank (11) that stores multiple embryo carrier rod storage containers (1).

Images