High-purity stem cell culture automation device

Abstract

The invention discloses a high-purity stem cell culture automation device, and belongs to the technical field of cell culture, the high-purity stem cell culture automation device comprises a base, the top end of the base is provided with a placing mechanism, the placing mechanism comprises a plurality of culture tanks arranged at the top end of the base, one side of the base is provided with a liquid filling mechanism, and the liquid filling mechanism comprises a water pump mounted on one side of the base; a liquid collecting column is installed on the side wall of the base, the input end of the water pump and the bottom end of the liquid collecting column are communicated and provided with a liquid inlet pipe, and the output end of the water pump and the top end of the liquid collecting column are communicated and provided with a liquid outlet pipe. Meanwhile, the air cylinder is matched with the negative pressure spring, so that the exhaust effect is enhanced, the liquid can be stably output, the problem that the flow of the culture solution is unstable due to air resistance is solved, a stable culture environment is provided for stem cells, and the culture effect is guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of cell culture, and in particular to an automated device for culturing high-purity stem cells. Background Art

[0002] In the biomedical field, stem cell culture technology is of great significance for disease treatment, tissue engineering, and drug development. The cultivation of high-purity stem cells is a key link. The stability and quality of the culture process directly affect the results of subsequent research and applications.

[0003] Traditional stem cell culture methods typically use a simple piping system to deliver culture fluid into culture tanks. However, this delivery method inevitably accumulates gas in the pipeline. The presence of gas can cause air blockage, making the culture fluid flow unstable and unable to accurately control the flow and pressure of the culture fluid, which in turn affects the culture effect. For stem cell culture, a process with extremely demanding environmental requirements, unstable flow may lead to uneven distribution of culture fluid concentration in the culture tank. Some stem cells may not receive sufficient nutrients, while some areas may be affected by overnutrition or untimely culture fluid renewal, affecting the normal growth and metabolism of cells, ultimately reducing the quality and success rate of stem cell culture. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a high-purity stem cell culture automated device to solve the problem mentioned in the above background technology that gas will inevitably accumulate in the pipeline. The presence of gas will cause air blockage, making the culture fluid flow unstable and unable to accurately control the flow and pressure of the culture fluid, thereby affecting the culture effect.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: an automated device for culturing high-purity stem cells, comprising a base, a placement mechanism provided at the top of the base, the placement mechanism comprising a plurality of culture tanks provided at the top of the base, a liquid filling mechanism provided on one side of the base, the liquid filling mechanism comprising a water pump installed on one side of the base, a liquid collecting column installed on the side wall of the base, the input end of the water pump being connected to the bottom end of the liquid collecting column and being provided with a liquid inlet pipe, the output end of the water pump being connected to the top end of the liquid collecting column and being provided with a liquid outlet pipe, the liquid collecting column and the culture tank being connected and installed via a connecting pipe, an air pipe being connected and installed on the outer surface of the connecting pipe, an exhaust assembly being connected and provided on the air pipe, the exhaust assembly comprising a breathable film provided on the air pipe, an air cylinder being connected and being provided on the free end of the connecting pipe, a piston being provided inside the air cylinder, a negative pressure spring for pulling the piston being fixedly installed between the piston and the air cylinder.

[0006] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, a clamping plate is installed on the outer surface of the breathable film through two circular plates, a filter box is installed on the air pipe, and a sliding rod is fixedly installed on the top of the piston.

[0007] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, a plurality of grids are provided at the top of the base, a plurality of placement tubes are provided at the top of the grids, a plurality of culture tanks are clamped inside the placement tubes, a baffle for sealing protection is installed at the top of the grids, and a limit plate for limiting the placement tubes is installed on the inner wall of the baffle.

[0008] As an optimal technical solution of the present invention, the bottom end of the placement cylinder is connected to and installed with multiple shunt tubes for changing the liquid inside the culture tank, and the bottom end of the grid is fixedly installed with an annular tube, the shunt tube is connected to the annular tube, and the annular tube is connected to the connecting tube.

[0009] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, an annular frame is rotatably mounted inside the annular tube, and a plurality of guide vanes for conveying and mixing liquids are fixedly mounted on the outer surface of the annular frame.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, a liquid outlet component is provided between the shunt pipe and the bottom of the culture tank, and the liquid outlet component includes a main tube installed between the shunt pipe and the culture tank, a nozzle is installed inside the main tube, and a plurality of liquid spray holes are opened inside the nozzle.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, a pressure plate is provided at the top of the nozzle, a damping spring is fixedly installed between the pressure plate and the nozzle, a limiting rod is fixedly installed at the bottom end of the pressure plate, and the limiting rod is slidably inserted inside the nozzle.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, a cover plate for aseptically sealing the culture tank is provided at the top of the baffle, and a stirring mechanism is provided inside the baffle. The stirring mechanism includes a motor fixedly mounted on the top of the cover plate, and a spiral impeller for stirring the airflow around the culture tank is fixedly mounted at the output end of the motor.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, a plurality of arc-shaped airflow plates are fixedly mounted on the top of the base, a support tube is fixedly mounted on the top of the airflow plates, and the spiral impeller is arranged in the middle of the plurality of airflow plates.

[0014] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, a plurality of annular heating rings are installed on the top of the base through an external heater, and a plurality of heat flow output holes are opened on the top of the heating rings.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0016] 1. The present invention installs an air pipe at the output end of the water pump and provides an exhaust assembly with a breathable film. This can timely discharge the gas in the pipeline, avoid gas accumulation and air blockage, and ensure the stability of the culture liquid flow and pressure. At the same time, the cooperation between the air cylinder and the negative pressure spring further enhances the exhaust effect, allowing the liquid to be output stably. This effectively solves the problem of unstable culture liquid flow caused by air blockage in traditional culture devices, provides a stable culture environment for stem cells, ensures the culture effect, and improves the success rate and quality of stem cell culture.

[0017] 2. The present invention provides an annular tube and a shunt tube structure. After the culture medium enters the annular tube through the connecting tube, it is evenly distributed to each culture tank through multiple shunt tubes. This design allows the culture medium to be evenly dispersed in the culture tank, ensuring that the stem cells in each area can obtain sufficient nutrition, avoiding the differences in cell growth rate caused by uneven distribution of culture medium. The uniform nutrient supply helps to cultivate a high-purity stem cell population with consistent growth status, meeting the needs of biomedical research and clinical applications.

[0018] 3. The nozzle provided in the present invention is provided with multiple spray holes inside, and a pressure plate is provided at the top of the nozzle. A damping spring is installed between the pressure plate and the nozzle. When the nozzle sprays liquid, the pressure plate can play a buffering role, reducing the pressure of the spray, thereby reducing the possibility of liquid splashing. The stable liquid output enables the culture fluid to contact the cells more gently and stably, avoiding mechanical damage to the cells caused by splashing, providing a gentle and stable growth environment for stem cells, and is conducive to the normal growth and metabolism of cells.

[0019] 4. An annular frame is rotatably installed inside the annular tube of the present invention, and a plurality of guide vanes are fixedly installed on the outer surface of the annular frame. When the liquid is discharged, the liquid flow pushes the annular frame to move, and the guide vanes fully mix and stir the culture medium. This design can prevent the culture medium from sedimentation and separation during the transportation process, ensuring that the tissue components of the culture medium remain stable. Stable culture medium components are crucial for the long-term culture of stem cells, and can provide continuous and balanced nutritional support for the cells, which is beneficial to the long-term growth and reproduction of the cells.

[0020] 5. The present invention provides a stirring mechanism with a spiral impeller. The motor drives the spiral impeller to rotate, and cooperates with the arc-shaped air flow plate installed on the top of the base to effectively stir the air flow around the culture tank. This design promotes the uniform distribution and rapid exchange of gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, ensuring that the cells obtain sufficient oxygen supply and timely discharge of carbon dioxide generated by metabolism. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the internal structure of the baffle of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the placement tube structure of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the limiting plate structure of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the airflow plate structure of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the internal structure of the gas cylinder of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the annular tube structure of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the internal structure of the annular tube of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 9 For the present invention Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the structure at A in FIG;

[0030] Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the main tube of the present invention.

[0031] In the figure: 1, base; 2, placement mechanism; 21, baffle; 22, grid; 23, placement tube; 24, culture tank; 25, limit plate; 3, cover; 4, filling mechanism; 41, water pump; 42, liquid inlet pipe; 43, liquid collecting column; 44, liquid outlet pipe; 45, connecting pipe; 46, annular pipe; 47, diverter pipe; 48, liquid outlet assembly; 481, main tube; 482, nozzle; 483, liquid spray hole; 48 4. Damping spring; 485. Pressure plate; 49. Exhaust assembly; 491. Breathable film; 492. Clamp; 493. Air pipe; 494. Filter box; 495. Piston; 496. Air cylinder; 497. Negative pressure spring; 498. Slide rod; 410. Ring frame; 411. Guide vane; 5. Agitation mechanism; 51. Motor; 52. Support tube; 53. Air flow plate; 54. Heating ring; 55. Spiral impeller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] See also Figure 1-10 The present invention provides a high-purity stem cell culture automation device, comprising a base 1, a placement mechanism 2 is provided at the top of the base 1, the placement mechanism 2 includes a plurality of culture tanks 24 provided at the top of the base 1, a liquid filling mechanism 4 is provided on one side of the base 1, the liquid filling mechanism 4 includes a water pump 41 installed on one side of the base 1, a liquid collecting column 43 is installed on the side wall of the base 1, the input end of the water pump 41 is connected to the bottom end of the liquid collecting column 43 and a liquid inlet pipe 42 is installed, and the output end of the water pump 41 is connected to the top end of the liquid collecting column 43 and a liquid collecting pipe 42 is installed. The liquid outlet pipe 44, the liquid collecting column 43 and the culture tank 24 are connected and installed through a connecting pipe 45. The outer surface of the connecting pipe 45 is connected and installed with an air pipe 493. The air pipe 493 is connected and installed with an exhaust component 49. The exhaust component 49 includes a breathable film 491 arranged on the air pipe 493. The free end of the connecting pipe 45 is connected and installed with an air cylinder 496. A piston 495 is arranged inside the air cylinder 496. A negative pressure spring 497 for pulling the piston 495 is fixedly installed between the piston 495 and the air cylinder 496.

[0034] Among them, when the water pump 41 is working, the culture liquid is discharged through the liquid outlet pipe 44, and then passes through the connecting pipe 45, the annular pipe 46, and the diversion pipe 47 in sequence until the culture liquid is introduced into the culture tank 24, so that the liquid can be evenly dispersed in the culture tank 24, so that the cells can absorb and grow evenly. When the culture liquid flows in the pipeline, a small amount of gas will be generated, and the gas will accumulate in the pipeline. By installing a breathable film 491 to allow the gas to pass through, the negative pressure spring 497 pulls the piston 495 to move in the air cylinder 496 to assist in discharging excess gas in the pipeline, thereby discharging the gas in the pipeline in time, avoiding gas accumulation and air blockage, ensuring that the culture liquid can flow smoothly to each culture tank 24, and ensuring the stability of the culture liquid flow and pressure. This is crucial for systems that require precise control of the culture liquid flow and pressure, and helps to improve the success rate and quality of stem cell culture.

[0035] In some embodiments, a clamping plate 492 is installed on the outer surface of the breathable film 491 through two circular plates, a filter box 494 is installed on the air pipe 493, and a sliding rod 498 is fixedly installed on the top of the piston 495.

[0036] Among them, the splint 492 serves to fix the breathable film 491, making its installation more stable; the filter box 494 can prevent impurities from entering the pipeline, ensuring the sterility of the culture environment; the negative pressure spring 497 and the sliding rod 498 limit the exhaust effect, which helps the piston 495 to move stably, improve the working efficiency and reliability of the exhaust component 49, and further ensure the stability and safety of the stem cell culture process.

[0037] In some embodiments, a plurality of grids 22 are provided at the top of the base 1, a plurality of placement cylinders 23 are provided at the top of the grids 22, a plurality of culture tanks 24 are clamped inside the placement cylinders 23, and a baffle 21 for sealing protection is installed at the top of the grids 22, and a limiting plate 25 for limiting the placement cylinders 23 is installed on the inner wall of the baffle 21.

[0038] Among them, the grid 22 provides support for the placement tube 23, the placement tube 23 is used to place the culture tank 24, the limiting plate 25 limits the placement tube 23 to prevent it from shaking, and the baffle 21 plays a sealing and protective role, providing a relatively independent culture space for the culture tank 24. This structure makes the placement of the culture tank 24 more stable, reduces the interference of external factors on the culture tank 24, and allows the culture tank 24 to be stacked for culture, increasing the effect of multiple cell culture in the same sealed space, and the multi-layer sealing and protective effect can maintain the stability of the environment around the culture tank 24, creating a good external environment for stem cell culture, which is conducive to the normal growth and reproduction of cells.

[0039] In some embodiments, the bottom end of the placement tube 23 is connected to and installed with multiple shunt tubes 47 for replacing the liquid inside the culture tank 24, and the bottom end of the grid 22 is fixedly installed with an annular tube 46. The shunt tube 47 is connected to the annular tube 46 and the annular tube 46 is connected to the connecting tube 45.

[0040] Among them, after the culture medium enters the annular tube 46 from the connecting tube 45, it is evenly distributed to each culture tank 24 through the diversion tube 47, realizing the diversion and discharge of the culture medium, so that the culture medium can be evenly dispersed in the culture tank 24, ensuring that the stem cells in each area can obtain sufficient nutrition, avoiding the difference in cell growth rate caused by uneven distribution of culture medium, and helping to cultivate a high-purity stem cell population with consistent growth status.

[0041] In some embodiments, an annular frame 410 is rotatably mounted inside the annular tube 46 , and a plurality of guide vanes 411 for conveying and mixing liquids are fixedly mounted on the outer surface of the annular frame 410 .

[0042] Among them, when the culture medium flows in the annular tube 46, the liquid flow pushes the guide blades 411, which in turn drives the annular frame 410 to rotate. The annular frame 410 and the guide blades 411 transport and mix the culture medium, and fully mix and stir the culture medium to prevent the culture medium from precipitation, separation, etc. during the transportation process, ensure that the tissue components of the culture medium remain stable, and provide continuous and balanced nutritional support for the long-term culture of stem cells.

[0043] In some embodiments, a liquid outlet assembly 48 is provided between the shunt pipe 47 and the bottom of the culture tank 24. The liquid outlet assembly 48 includes a main tube 481 installed between the shunt pipe 47 and the culture tank 24. A nozzle 482 is installed inside the main tube 481. A plurality of liquid spray holes 483 are provided inside the nozzle 482. A pressure plate 485 is provided at the top of the nozzle 482. A damping spring 484 is fixedly installed between the pressure plate 485 and the nozzle 482. A limiting rod is fixedly installed at the bottom end of the pressure plate 485, and the limiting rod is slidably inserted inside the nozzle 482.

[0044] Among them, the culture fluid enters the main tube 481 through the shunt pipe 47, and is then sprayed out from the spray hole 483 of the nozzle 482. The design of multiple spray holes 483 enables the culture fluid to be sprayed more evenly in the culture tank 24, increasing the contact area between the culture fluid and the cells, improving the culture efficiency, and helping the cells to better absorb nutrients. When the nozzle 482 sprays liquid, the liquid generates pressure on the pressure plate 485, and the pressure plate 485 moves downward under the action of the damping spring 484, thereby reducing the pressure of the spray liquid and reducing liquid splashing, so that the liquid can stably contact with the cells for culture, avoiding mechanical damage to the cells caused by splashing, and providing a gentle and stable growth environment for stem cells.

[0045] In some embodiments, a cover plate 3 for aseptically sealing the culture tank 24 is provided at the top of the baffle 21, and a stirring mechanism 5 is provided inside the baffle 21. The stirring mechanism 5 includes a motor 51 fixedly mounted on the top of the cover plate 3, and a spiral impeller 55 for stirring the airflow around the culture tank 24 is fixedly mounted at the output end of the motor 51.

[0046] The motor 51 drives the spiral impeller 55 to rotate, stirring the airflow around the culture tank 24, which is beneficial to gas exchange and provides a more suitable growth environment for the stem cells.

[0047] In some embodiments, a plurality of arc-shaped airflow plates 53 are fixedly mounted on the top of the base 1 , a support tube 52 is fixedly mounted on the top of the airflow plates 53 , and a spiral impeller 55 is disposed between the plurality of airflow plates 53 .

[0048] Among them, the air flow plate 53 plays the role of guiding the air flow, and the support tube 52 may play a supporting role for the air flow plate 53 or other components. When the spiral impeller 55 rotates, the air flow forms a more effective air flow circulation under the guidance of the air flow plate 53, and effectively stirs the air flow in the incubator, promoting the uniform distribution and rapid exchange of gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, ensuring that the cells obtain sufficient oxygen supply, and at the same time promptly discharge the carbon dioxide generated by metabolism to maintain the stability of the culture environment.

[0049] In some embodiments, a plurality of annular heating rings 54 are installed on the top of the base 1 through an external heater, and a plurality of heat flow output holes are opened on the top of the heating ring 54 .

[0050] Among them, the heating ring 54 dissipates heat into the incubator through the heat flow output hole, heating the air and culture in the incubator, which can transfer heat to the air and culture in the incubator more directly and quickly, improve heating efficiency, help shorten the time required for the incubator to reach the set temperature, reduce energy consumption, and provide a stable temperature environment for stem cell culture.

[0051] Working principle: When culturing stem cells, first place the stem cells in the culture tank 24 and seal them, then start the water pump 41, and the culture fluid is discharged through the liquid outlet pipe 44, and then passes through the connecting pipe 45, the annular pipe 46, and the shunt pipe 47 in turn until the culture fluid is introduced into the culture tank 24, so that the liquid can be evenly dispersed in the culture tank 24, so that the cells can absorb and grow evenly. When the culture fluid flows in the pipeline, a small amount of gas will be generated, and the gas will accumulate in the pipeline. The gas is allowed to pass through by installing a breathable film 491. At the same time, the negative pressure spring 497 pulls the piston 495 to move in the gas cylinder 496 to assist in discharging excess gas in the pipeline, thereby timely discharging the gas in the pipeline, avoiding gas accumulation and air blockage, ensuring that the culture fluid can flow smoothly to each culture tank 24, and ensuring the stability of the culture fluid flow and pressure. This is crucial for systems that require precise control of the culture fluid flow and pressure, and helps to improve the success rate and quality of stem cell culture.

[0052] The above are only specific embodiments of the present invention, but the technical features of the present invention are not limited thereto. Any simple changes, equivalent substitutions, or modifications based on the present invention to solve substantially the same technical problems and achieve substantially the same technical effects are all included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A high-purity stem cell culture automated device, comprising a base (1), characterized in that: The top of the base (1) is provided with a placement mechanism (2), the placement mechanism (2) includes a plurality of culture tanks (24) provided at the top of the base (1), a liquid filling mechanism (4) is provided on one side of the base (1), the liquid filling mechanism (4) includes a water pump (41) installed on one side of the base (1), a liquid collecting column (43) is installed on the side wall of the base (1), the input end of the water pump (41) is connected to the bottom end of the liquid collecting column (43) and is provided with a liquid inlet pipe (42), the output end of the water pump (41) is connected to the top end of the liquid collecting column (43) and is provided with a liquid outlet pipe (44), the liquid collecting column (43) is provided with a liquid outlet pipe (44), and the liquid collecting column (43) is provided with a liquid outlet pipe (44). It is connected to the culture tank (24) through a connecting pipe (45), the outer surface of the connecting pipe (45) is connected to an air pipe (493), the air pipe (493) is connected to an exhaust assembly (49), the exhaust assembly (49) includes a breathable film (491) arranged on the air pipe (493), the free end of the connecting pipe (45) is connected to an air cylinder (496), the interior of the air cylinder (496) is provided with a piston (495), and a negative pressure spring (497) for pulling the piston (495) is fixedly installed between the piston (495) and the air cylinder (496).

2. The automated high-purity stem cell culture device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer surface of the breathable film (491) is mounted with a clamping plate (492) via two circular plates. The air pipe (493) is connected to a filter box (494) and a sliding rod (498) is fixedly mounted on the top of the piston (495).

3. The high-purity stem cell culture automated device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The top of the base (1) is provided with a plurality of grids (22), the top of the grids (22) is provided with a plurality of placement cylinders (23), the plurality of culture tanks (24) are clamped inside the placement cylinders (23), the top of each grid (22) is provided with a baffle (21) for sealing and protection, and the inner wall of the baffle (21) is provided with a limiting plate (25) for limiting the placement cylinders (23).

4. The automated high-purity stem cell culture device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The bottom end of the placement cylinder (23) is connected to and installed with a plurality of shunt tubes (47) for replacing the liquid inside the culture tank (24), and the bottom end of the grid frame (22) is fixedly installed with an annular tube (46), the shunt tube (47) is connected to the annular tube (46), and the annular tube (46) is connected to the connecting tube (45).

5. The high-purity stem cell culture automated device according to claim 4, characterized in that: An annular frame (410) is rotatably mounted inside the annular tube (46), and a plurality of guide vanes (411) for conveying and mixing liquids are fixedly mounted on the outer surface of the annular frame (410).

6. The high-purity stem cell culture automated device according to claim 4, characterized in that: A liquid outlet assembly (48) is provided between the shunt pipe (47) and the bottom of the culture tank (24). The liquid outlet assembly (48) includes a main pipe (481) installed between the shunt pipe (47) and the culture tank (24). A nozzle (482) is installed inside the main pipe (481). A plurality of liquid spray holes (483) are provided inside the nozzle (482).

7. The automated high-purity stem cell culture device according to claim 6, characterized in that: A pressure plate (485) is provided at the top of the nozzle (482), a damping spring (484) is fixedly installed between the pressure plate (485) and the nozzle (482), a limiting rod is fixedly installed at the bottom end of the pressure plate (485), and the limiting rod is slidably inserted inside the nozzle (482).

8. The automated high-purity stem cell culture device according to claim 3, characterized in that: A cover plate (3) for aseptically sealing the culture tank (24) is provided at the top of the baffle (21), and a stirring mechanism (5) is provided inside the baffle (21). The stirring mechanism (5) includes a motor (51) fixedly mounted on the top of the cover plate (3), and a spiral impeller (55) for stirring the airflow around the culture tank (24) is fixedly mounted at the output end of the motor (51).

9. The automated high-purity stem cell culture device according to claim 8, characterized in that: A plurality of arc-shaped airflow plates (53) are fixedly mounted on the top of the base (1), a support tube (52) is fixedly mounted on the top of the airflow plates (53), and the spiral impeller (55) is arranged in the middle of the plurality of airflow plates (53).

10. The automated high-purity stem cell culture device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the base (1) is provided with a plurality of annular heating rings (54) via an external heater, and the top of the heating rings (54) is provided with a plurality of heat flow output holes.

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