Automatic incubator microscopic observation device and use method

Abstract

An automatic incubator microscopic observation device is characterized by comprising an incubator, an objective table and a microscope set, the incubator is provided with an operation window capable of being opened and closed, the outer side of the incubator is provided with a support adjacent to the operation window, the support is provided with an electric adjusting piece, and the electric adjusting piece is connected with the objective table. The objective table is connected to the electric adjusting part and is driven by the electric adjusting part to move in the horizontal direction, a transfer part used for moving a sample vessel in the incubator to the objective table is arranged in the incubator, and the microscope set is installed below the support and faces the objective table. The objective table is provided with an observation channel penetrating in the vertical direction, and the axis of the microscope set is located in the observation channel, so that the microscope set observes a sample on the objective table through the observation channel. The invention further provides an automatic incubator microscopic observation device and a using method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of biological culture equipment, and particularly relates to an automatic incubator microscopic observation device and a method for using the automatic incubator microscopic observation device. Background Art

[0002] In the current general trend of the booming development of automatic equipment, as a basic observation device, the microscope has an indispensable application in many industries.

[0003] In the field of biological cell culture, during the process of culturing cells in a cell incubator, it is often necessary to observe the cell state in a sample dish. To achieve the observation requirement, currently, an independent microscope is often configured outside the cell incubator. When the corresponding sample dish in the cell incubator needs to be observed, it is taken out and placed under the microscope manually or by corresponding equipment. In this way, not only is the efficiency low, but it is also easy for manual adjustment to contaminate the sample dish, and the degree of automation is low, which urgently needs to be improved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to solve the problem in the prior art that when the corresponding sample dish in the cell incubator needs to be observed, it is mostly taken out and placed under the microscope manually or by corresponding equipment. This method not only has low efficiency, but also is easy for manual adjustment to contaminate the sample dish, and the degree of automation is low, which urgently needs to be improved.

[0005] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides an automatic incubator microscopic observation device, including an incubator, a stage, and a microscope group. The incubator is provided with an operable window that can be opened and closed. A bracket is provided outside the incubator adjacent to the operable window. The bracket is provided with an electric adjustment member. The stage is connected to the electric adjustment member and is driven by the electric adjustment member to move in the horizontal direction. Inside the incubator, there is a transfer member for moving the sample dish in the incubator towards the stage. The microscope group is installed below the bracket and is oriented towards the stage. The stage is provided with an observation channel that penetrates vertically. The axis of the microscope group is located in the observation channel, so that the microscope group can observe the sample on the stage through the observation channel.

[0006] Compared with the prior art, in the above solution, the bracket is arranged adjacent to the operation window, the transfer member automatically transfers the sample dish in the incubator to the stage, and the electric adjustment member automatically adjusts the position of the stage in the horizontal direction. After the sample dish on the stage is moved to a suitable position, the microscope group observes the sample dish on the stage through the observation channel, effectively improving the efficiency, avoiding manual participation, and reducing the probability of contamination. At the same time, since the microscope group is located below the stage, it can avoid interference with the transfer member and is also beneficial for subsequent manual operations on the sample dish on the stage, optimizing the layout.

[0007] In an improved solution, the electric adjustment member includes: A first motor arranged along the Z-axis on the bracket, a receiving bracket slidably connected to the bracket along the Y-axis, and a first rack arranged along the Y-axis on the receiving bracket. A first gear meshing with the first rack is provided at the output end of the first motor; A second motor arranged along the Z-axis on the receiving bracket and a second rack arranged along the X-axis on the stage. The stage is slidably connected to the receiving bracket along the X-axis, and a second gear meshing with the second rack is provided at the output end of the second motor. In the above solution, the Y-axis, which has a greater impact on space occupation, uses the first motor combined with the first rack to realize the Y-axis movement of the receiving bracket, and at the same time, the X-axis uses the second motor combined with the second rack to realize the X-axis movement of the stage, so that the structure is more compact on the basis of realizing the position adjustment of the stage, effectively reducing the overall space occupation.

[0008] In an improved solution, at least two pads are provided on the upper side of the stage and arranged around the observation channel. The pads are used to support the sample dish, so that a certain height difference can be formed between the sample dish and the stage through the arrangement of the pads, which is convenient for manual or robotic arm to access the sample dish on the stage.

[0009] In an improved solution, the planar shape of the observation channel is rectangular, and the pads are four and located at the four corners of the observation channel respectively, so as to position the four corners of the rectangular sample dish through the four pads.

[0010] In an improved solution, a slope is provided between the upper side of the pad and the side of the pad facing the observation channel, so that the pad can realize the position guiding function for the sample dish through the arrangement of the slope, and can also adapt to sample dishes of different sizes.

[0011] In an improved solution, a light source is provided outside the incubator and above the stage. The light source is arranged facing the stage, and the brightness of the light source is adjustable, so that the illumination intensity of the light source can be intelligently adjusted according to factors such as sample observation requirements and ambient light intensity to ensure clear imaging and appropriate contrast.

[0012] In an improved solution, the bracket is further provided with a lifting driving member, and the microscope group is connected to the lifting driving member and driven by the lifting driving member to achieve lifting, so as to adjust the distance between the microscope group and the stage through the lifting driving member, achieving the purpose of optical focusing imaging; Of course, if there is no lifting driving member, the microscope group itself can also be equipped with optical devices with a focusing function, so as to achieve the purpose of optical imaging.

[0013] The present invention also provides a method for using an automated incubator microscopic observation device, which is applied to the automated incubator microscopic observation device as described above and further includes a host computer system. The specific steps include: S1. The host computer system starts the task process and sends a task instruction to the automated incubator microscopic observation device; S2. The transfer member moves and places the sample dish in the incubator on the stage; S3. According to the task instruction, the first motor and the second motor are started. The first motor adjusts the Y-axis displacement of the receiving rack through the first gear and the first rack, and the second motor adjusts the X-axis displacement of the stage through the second gear and the second rack, so as to quickly position the microscope group to the area where the sample dish needs to be observed; S4. According to the task instruction, the lifting driving member drives the microscope group to lift and lower. The host computer system receives the image of the microscope group and controls the microscope group to finely focus until the sample on the sample dish is clearly imaged; S5. The microscope group captures the sample image, and the data is immediately transmitted to the host computer system; the host computer system performs operations such as algorithmic noise reduction, contrast enhancement, measurement analysis, calculation of the cell viability rate by artificial intelligence, calculation of the cell number, recognition of the cell morphology, and discrimination of whether there is a contaminant, outputs accurate observation results, and generates a report document; if multi-region observation is required, repeat steps S3 - S4; S6. After the observation is completed, the receiving rack, the stage, and the microscope group return to their initial positions, and the transfer member moves the sample dish on the spacer back to the incubator.

[0014] In the above solution, the host computer system is a device in the prior art that allows users to interact, such as a smart panel; the user sends a task instruction to the automated incubator microscopic observation device through the host computer system, the transfer member moves the sample dish between the incubator and the stage according to the task instruction, and the electric adjustment member adjusts the position of the stage according to the task instruction to ensure that the area to be observed of the sample dish is aligned with the axis of the microscope group. The microscope group captures the image of the area to be observed of the sample dish on the stage after finely focusing through the lifting driving member, so as to automatically obtain accurate observation results, facilitating subsequent operations such as cultivation and subculture. The whole process does not require manual participation, has high efficiency, and effectively avoids the pollution problem. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] Figure 1 It is an overall schematic diagram of a microscopic observation device for an automated incubator; Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of a microscopic observation device for an automated incubator with the incubator hidden; Figure 1 ; Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a microscopic observation device for an automated incubator with the incubator hidden; Figure 2 .

[0016] Description of the Reference Numerals in the Drawings: 1. Incubator; 11. Operation Window; 2. Support; 21. First Motor; 22. First Gear; 3. Carrier; 31. First Rack; 32. Second Motor; 33. Second Gear; 4. Stage; 41. Second Rack; 42. Pad; 421. Ramp; 5. Observation Channel; 6. Microscope Group; 7. Lifting Driving Member; 8. Light Source. Detailed Embodiments

[0017] Those skilled in the art should understand that the following embodiments are only used to explain the technical principles of the embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can make adjustments according to needs to adapt to specific application scenarios.

[0018] In the description of the following embodiments, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application can be understood according to specific situations.

[0019] In the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the first feature being "on" or "under" the second feature can be that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are indirectly in contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over" and "on" the second feature can be that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or only indicates that the first feature has a higher horizontal height than the second feature. The first feature being "under", "below" and "beneath" the second feature can be that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or only indicates that the first feature has a lower horizontal height than the second feature.

[0020] The present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings and specific embodiments.

[0021] Embodiment 1: Please refer toFigures 1 to 3 , an automated incubator microscopic observation device provided by an embodiment of the present invention includes an incubator 1, a stage 4, and a microscope group 6. The incubator 1 is provided with an operable window 11 that can be opened and closed. A bracket 2 is provided outside the incubator 1 adjacent to the operable window 11. The bracket 2 is provided with an electric adjustment member. The stage 4 is connected to the electric adjustment member and is driven by the electric adjustment member to move in the horizontal direction. Inside the incubator 1, there is a transfer member for moving the sample dish in the incubator 1 towards the stage 4. The microscope group 6 is installed below the bracket 2 and is oriented towards the stage 4. The stage 4 is provided with an observation channel 5 that penetrates vertically. The axis of the microscope group 6 is located within the observation channel 5, so that the microscope group 6 can observe the sample on the stage 4 through the observation channel 5.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, in the above solution, by arranging the bracket 2 adjacent to the operable window 11, automatically transferring the sample dish in the incubator 1 to the stage 4 through the transfer member, and automatically adjusting the horizontal position of the stage 4 through the electric adjustment member, after the sample dish on the stage 4 is moved to a suitable position, the microscope group 6 then observes the sample dish on the stage 4 through the observation channel 5, effectively improving the efficiency, avoiding manual participation, and reducing the probability of contamination; at the same time, since the microscope group 6 is located below the stage 4, it can avoid interference with the transfer member and is also conducive to subsequent manual operations on the sample dish on the stage 4, optimizing the layout.

[0023] The transfer member (not shown in the figure) can be a robotic arm or other tooling in the prior art that can move the sample dish, such as a three-axis moving platform, etc. This design does not make a limitation on this.

[0024] In this embodiment, the bracket 2 is fixedly connected to the lower position of the operable window 11. The electric adjustment member on the bracket 2 includes: A first motor 21 arranged along the Z-axis on the bracket 2, a receiving frame 3 slidably connected to the bracket 2 along the Y-axis, and a first rack 31 arranged along the Y-axis on one side of the receiving frame 3. The output end of the first motor 21 is provided with a first gear 22 meshing with the first rack 31; A second motor 32 arranged along the Z-axis on the receiving frame 3 and a second rack 41 arranged along the X-axis on one side of the stage 4. The stage 4 is slidably connected to the receiving frame 3 along the X-axis. The output end of the second motor 32 is provided with a second gear 33 meshing with the second rack 41; Through the optimization design of the layout, the above solution uses the first motor 21 combined with the first rack 31 to achieve the Y-axis movement of the carrier 3 in the Y-axis direction that has a greater impact on space occupation. At the same time, in the X-axis direction, the second motor 32 combined with the second rack 41 is used to achieve the X-axis movement of the stage 4, so that the structure is more compact on the basis of realizing the position adjustment of the stage 4, effectively reducing the overall space occupation. As Figure 2 shown, the X-axis direction refers to the left-right direction, the Y-axis direction refers to the front-back direction, and the Z-axis direction refers to the up-down direction.

[0025] Furthermore, the bracket 2 is also provided with a lifting drive member 7. The microscope group 6 is connected to the lifting drive member 7 and is driven by the lifting drive member 7 to achieve lifting, so as to adjust the distance between the microscope group 6 and the stage 4 through the lifting drive member 7 to achieve the purpose of optical focusing imaging; more specifically, the lifting drive member 7 is preferably a lead screw motor pair. The motor end of the lead screw motor pair is fixed to the bracket 2, and the microscope group 6 is provided with a screw platform screwed to the lead screw end of the lead screw motor pair, so as to realize the lifting drive of the microscope group 6 through the lead screw motor pair.

[0026] Of course, if there is no lifting drive member 7, the microscope group 6 itself can also be equipped with optical devices with a focusing function to achieve the purpose of optical imaging.

[0027] As an optimization of the above embodiment, at least two pads 42 are provided on the upper side of the stage 4 around the observation channel 5. The pads 42 are used to support the sample dish, so that a certain height difference can be formed between the sample dish and the stage 4 through the arrangement of the pads 42, which is convenient for manual or robotic arm to access the sample dish on the stage 4.

[0028] More specifically, the planar shape of the observation channel 5 is rectangular, and the pads 42 are four and are respectively located at the four corners of the observation channel 5, so as to position the four corners of the rectangular sample dish through the four pads 42.

[0029] Furthermore, a slope 421 is provided between the upper side of the pad 42 and the side of the pad 42 facing the observation channel 5. Thus, the pad 42 realizes the position guiding function for the sample dish through the arrangement of the slope 421, and can also adapt to sample dishes of different sizes.

[0030] As an expansion of this embodiment, a light source 8 is also provided above the stage 4, so as to provide an illumination function for the stage 4. Furthermore, the brightness of the light source 8 is adjustable, so that the illumination intensity of the light source 8 can be intelligently controlled according to factors such as sample observation requirements and ambient light intensity to ensure clear imaging and appropriate contrast.

[0031] Embodiment 2: Embodiment 2 of the present invention provides a method for using an automated incubator microscopic observation device, which is applied to the automated incubator microscopic observation device as in Embodiment 1 and further includes a host computer system. The specific steps are as follows: S1. The host computer system starts the task process and sends a task instruction to the automated incubator microscopic observation device. S2. The transfer member moves the sample dish to be observed in the incubator 1 and places it on the cushion block 42 of the stage 4; the transfer member is preferably a robotic arm or any device capable of moving the sample dish. S3. According to the task instruction, the first motor 21 and the second motor 32 are started. The first motor 21 adjusts the Y-axis displacement of the carrier 3 through the first gear 22 and the first rack 31, and the second motor 32 adjusts the X-axis displacement of the stage 4 through the second gear 33 and the second rack 41, so that the microscope group 6 quickly locates the sample dish to the area to be observed. S4. According to the task instruction, the lifting drive member 7 drives the microscope group 6 to lift and lower. The host computer system receives the image of the microscope group 6 and controls the microscope group 6 to fine-tune the focus until the sample on the sample dish is clearly imaged. S5. The microscope group 6 captures the sample image, and the data is immediately transmitted to the host computer system; the host computer system performs operations such as algorithmic noise reduction, contrast enhancement, measurement analysis, calculation of cell viability by artificial intelligence, calculation of cell number, recognition of cell morphology, and discrimination of the presence of contaminants, outputs accurate observation results, and generates a report document; if multi-region observation is required, repeat steps S3 to S4. S6. After the observation is completed, the carrier 3, the stage 4, and the microscope group 6 return to their initial positions, and the transfer member moves the sample dish on the cushion block 42 back to the incubator 1.

[0032] In the above solution, the host computer system is a device in the prior art that allows users to interact, such as a smart panel; the user sends a task instruction to the automated incubator microscopic observation device through the host computer system. The transfer member moves the sample dish between the incubator 1 and the stage 4 according to the task instruction, and the electric adjustment member adjusts the position of the stage 4 according to the task instruction to ensure that the area to be observed of the sample dish is aligned with the axis of the microscope group 6. The microscope group 6 captures the image of the area to be observed of the sample dish on the stage 4 after fine-tuning the focus through the lifting drive member 7, so as to automatically obtain accurate observation results, which is convenient for subsequent operations such as cultivation and passage. The whole process does not require manual participation, has high efficiency and effectively avoids the pollution problem.

[0033] In addition, before the microscope group 6 captures the sample image in step S5, the host computer system can also control the brightness of the light source 8 according to the ambient light amount to supplement the light of the sample dish, making the observed image clearer and more accurate.

[0034] It should be noted that in the description of the present application, the terms indicating the direction or positional relationship such as "inside", "outside", etc. are based on the direction or positional relationship shown in the drawings. This is only for the convenience of description and does not indicate or imply that the device or component must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation to the present application; all directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, inside, outside) are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement situation between components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, then the directional indication also changes accordingly.

[0035] In the description of the present application, the description referring to terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "in this embodiment", "specific example", or "some examples", etc. means that the specific features, mechanisms, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, mechanisms, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0036] As described above, it is only the specific implementation manner of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily thought of by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be covered by the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An automated incubator microscopic observation device, characterized in that: The invention comprises an incubator (1), a stage (4) and a microscope group (6), wherein the incubator (1) is provided with an operating window (11) which can be opened and closed, a bracket (2) arranged adjacent to the operating window (11) is arranged on the outer side of the incubator (1), the bracket (2) is provided with an electric adjustment member, the stage (4) is connected to the electric adjustment member and driven by the electric adjustment member to achieve horizontal movement, a transfer member for moving a sample dish in the incubator (1) toward the stage (4) is arranged inside the incubator (1), the microscope group (6) is installed below the bracket (2) and arranged toward the stage (4), the stage (4) is provided with an observation channel (5) which penetrates vertically, and the axis of the microscope group (6) is located in the observation channel (5), so that the microscope group (6) can observe the sample on the stage (4) through the observation channel (5).

2. The automated incubator microscopic observation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electric adjustment member comprises: A first motor (21) is arranged on the bracket (2) along the Z-axis direction, a receiving frame (3) is slidably connected to the bracket (2) along the Y-axis direction, and a first rack (31) is arranged on the receiving frame (3) along the Y-axis direction, wherein the output end of the first motor (21) is provided with a first gear (22) meshed with the first rack (31); A second motor (32) is arranged on the receiving frame (3) along the Z-axis direction, and a second rack (41) is arranged on the loading platform (4) along the X-axis direction. The loading platform (4) is slidably connected to the receiving frame (3) along the X-axis direction. The output end of the second motor (32) is provided with a second gear (33) meshed with the second rack (41).

3. The automated incubator microscopic observation device according to claim 2, characterized in that: At least two cushion blocks (42) arranged around the observation channel (5) are provided on the upper side of the object carrier (4), and the cushion blocks (42) are used to support the sample dish.

4. The automated incubator microscopic observation device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The plane shape of the observation channel (5) is rectangular, and the cushion blocks (42) are four and are respectively located at the four corners of the observation channel (5).

5. The automated incubator microscopic observation device according to claim 4, characterized in that: A slope (421) is provided between the upper side of the cushion block (42) and a side of the cushion block (42) facing the observation channel (5).

6. The automated incubator microscopic observation device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A light source (8) located above the object carrier (4) is provided on the outside of the incubator (1); the light source (8) is arranged toward the object carrier (4); and the brightness of the light source (8) is adjustable.

7. The automated incubator microscopic observation device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The support (2) is further provided with a lifting drive member (7), and the microscope group (6) is connected to the lifting drive member (7) and is driven by the lifting drive member (7) to achieve lifting.

8. The automated incubator microscopic observation device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The microscope group (6) is equipped with an optical device with a focusing function.

9. A method for using an automated incubator microscopic observation device, applied to the automated incubator microscopic observation device according to claim 7, characterized in that: It also includes a host computer system, and the specific steps include: S1. The host computer system starts the task process and sends a task instruction to the automated incubator microscopic observation device; S2. The sample dish to be observed in the incubator (1) is moved by the transport member and placed on the stage (4); S3. According to the task instruction, the first motor (21) and the second motor (32) are started, the first motor (21) realizes the Y-axis displacement adjustment of the receiving frame (3) through the first gear (22) and the first rack (31), and the second motor (32) realizes the X-axis displacement adjustment of the stage (4) through the second gear (33) and the second rack (41), so that the microscope group (6) can quickly position the sample dish to the area to be observed; S4. According to the task instruction, the lifting drive member (7) drives the microscope group (6) to rise and fall, and the upper computer system receives the image of the microscope group (6) and controls the microscope group (6) to fine-tune the focus until the sample on the sample dish is clearly imaged; S5. The microscope group (6) captures the sample image and transmits the data to the host computer system in real time; the host computer system performs algorithm noise reduction, contrast enhancement, measurement analysis, artificial intelligence cell viability calculation, cell number calculation, cell morphology recognition, and contaminant determination operations, outputs accurate observation results, and generates a report document; if multiple areas are required for observation, repeat steps S3 to S4; S6. After the observation is completed, the receiving frame (3), the stage (4), and the microscope assembly (6) return to their initial positions, and the transport unit moves the sample dish on the cushion block (42) back to the incubator (1).

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