Automatic embryo vitrification freezing workstation

Abstract

The invention discloses an automatic embryo vitrification freezing workstation, relates to the technical field of embryo freezing, and aims to solve the technical problem that in the prior art, a carrying rod is in direct contact with liquid nitrogen, so that the liquid nitrogen generates bubbles, and the success rate of embryo freezing is affected. Comprising a cabinet body, an automatic production line installed on the cabinet body, a carrying rod located on the automatic production line and a freezing assembly arranged on the cabinet body. Through the design of the freezing assembly, the heat conduction protection rod serves as an intermediate conduction medium of liquid nitrogen, the carrying rod is completely separated from direct contact with the liquid nitrogen, cooling capacity is transmitted through the efficient heat conduction characteristic of the protection rod, boiling bubbles caused by direct contact with the liquid nitrogen are avoided, bubble interference is eliminated, and the precision of subsequent embryo freezing state detection is improved. Through the design of the freezing assembly, direct contact between liquid nitrogen and the carrying rod is avoided, so that the freezing and detection process of the carrying rod is optimized, the success rate of embryo vitrification is increased, and the cell viability retention rate after resuscitation is increased.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of embryo freezing, and more particularly to an automated embryo vitrification freezing workstation. Background Art

[0002] In the fields of assisted reproduction and embryo engineering, embryo cryopreservation technology is a key step in ensuring the effective utilization of embryo resources. Vitrification has become a mainstream technique because it can rapidly place embryos in an ultra-low temperature environment, minimizing damage to cellular structures caused by ice crystal formation. With growing clinical demand, automated embryo vitrification workstations have emerged, aiming to replace manual operations with machinery, reducing human error and contamination risks, and improving freezing efficiency and stability.

[0003] However, in existing technologies, embryo freezing involves direct contact between the straws and liquid nitrogen. The large number of bubbles generated by the boiling liquid nitrogen can cause drastic local temperature fluctuations. The impact of these bubbles can also cause the straws to shake, disrupting the stable vitrification process and affecting the detection of embryo freezing temperatures. This can also reduce embryo freezing success rates and significantly decrease cell viability after thawing. To address this issue, we propose an automated embryo vitrification workstation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology, meet actual needs, and provide an automated embryo vitrification workstation to solve the technical problem in the current technology that the carrier straw is in direct contact with liquid nitrogen, resulting in bubbles in the liquid nitrogen, which affects the success rate of embryo freezing and the detection accuracy.

[0005] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: an automated embryo vitrification workstation, comprising a cabinet, an automated production line mounted on the cabinet, a carrier rod located on the automated production line, and a freezing assembly provided on the cabinet; The automated production line is used to drive the carrier rods through the freezing assembly; The carrier straw is used to transport embryos; The freezing assembly includes a liquid nitrogen tank, a liquid nitrogen circulation device, a heat-conducting protective rod, heat-conducting ribs, a flow-guiding spiral blade, and a temperature sensor; The liquid nitrogen circulation equipment is connected to the liquid nitrogen pool. Several heat-conducting guard rods are equidistantly installed in the liquid nitrogen pool, and the ports of the heat-conducting guard rods are higher than the liquid level of the liquid nitrogen in the liquid nitrogen pool. The bottom end of the heat-conducting guard rod is stepped and tapered to form a two-stage structure with different diameters. The groove provided inside the heat-conducting guard rod is adapted to the carrier rod, and a number of heat-conducting ribs are equidistantly provided in an annular manner on the inner wall of the bottom end of the groove. The heat-conducting ribs extend in an arc shape, and the front end adopts a smooth transition treatment to form a circular arc end edge without sharp corners. The guide spiral blade is installed at the bottom end of the heat-conducting guard rod, and the temperature sensor is installed at the end of the groove of the heat-conducting guard rod.

[0006] Preferably, the cabinet includes three working chambers and an outwardly extending platform, and the freezing assembly is arranged in the central working chamber.

[0007] Preferably, the automated production line includes feeding equipment, handling equipment, bundling equipment, unloading equipment, liquid nitrogen barrels, and transport vehicles; The feeding device is arranged in a working chamber on one side, and is used to transport the carrier rod into the working chamber; The transport equipment is provided in the three working rooms and is used to transport the carrier rods to move within the three working rooms; The bundling equipment is located in the working room on the other side and is used to bundle the carrier rods into carrier rod groups. The discharging device is provided on the platform and is used to place the carrier rod group into the liquid nitrogen barrel; The liquid nitrogen tank is located below the platform and is used to store carrier straws and preserve embryos. The transport vehicle is arranged below the liquid nitrogen barrel, and is used for replacing the liquid nitrogen barrel.

[0008] Preferably, a sleeve rod assembly is provided in the working room in the middle of the cabinet, and the sleeve rod assembly includes a linear drive and a placement plate. The linear drive is installed on the side wall of the working room, and the placement plate is installed at the output end of the linear drive. The placement plate is provided with a plurality of sets of sleeve structures along the longitudinal direction, and the lateral distribution of each set of sleeve structures is adapted to the distribution of a plurality of heat-conducting protective rods. The sleeve structure is used to be sleeved on the front end of the carrier rod after freezing, so as to prevent the carrier rod from contacting the liquid nitrogen in the liquid nitrogen barrel, thereby avoiding damage to the embryos in the carrier rod caused by secondary contact with the liquid nitrogen.

[0009] Preferably, the sleeve rod assembly further comprises a hook drive structure and a sleeve body expansion structure, wherein the hook drive structure comprises a telescopic drive and a mounting frame; The telescopic drive is installed in the working room in the middle of the cabinet, the mounting frame is installed at the output end of the telescopic drive, and several sleeve expansion structures are arranged on the mounting frame, and the distribution of the several sleeve expansion structures is adapted to the lateral distribution of each group of sleeve structures.

[0010] Preferably, the sleeve expansion structure includes an annular frame, a micro rotary drive, a gear, a gear rod, and an expansion hook; Several of the annular frames are installed on the mounting frame, several of the micro rotary drives are installed in equidistant rings on one annular frame, the gear is installed at the output end of the micro rotary drive, the gear rod is meshed and connected to the gear, and the gear rod is slidably connected to the annular frame, and the opening hook is installed at the end of the gear rod.

[0011] Preferably, the sleeve structure includes a protective sleeve, an elastic sleeve, a pulling rope, and an elastic ring; The elastic sleeve is connected to the bottom end of the protective sleeve, and the sleeve body formed by the protective sleeve and the elastic sleeve is arranged on the outside of the carrier rod. Several pulling ropes are equidistantly annularly installed on the outside of the elastic sleeve. The elastic ring is connected to the middle of several pulling ropes, and the elastic ring is sleeved on several open hooks.

[0012] Preferably, an elastic ring is provided at the top of the protective sleeve, and the protective sleeve is suspended and connected to a placement plate through the elastic ring. Shrinkage grooves are equidistantly annularly provided on the elastic ring, and the shrinkage grooves are V-shaped grooves, and the top of the V-shaped grooves is an open surface.

[0013] Preferably, an airbag cover is installed on the inner wall of the protective cover, and a protective rib is provided on the inner wall of the airbag cover, and the front end of the protective rib is a curved surface structure.

[0014] Preferably, the interior of the airbag sleeve is filled with an inert gas, and the inert gas is selected from either nitrogen or argon.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. The present invention adopts the design of the cooling assembly. The heat-conducting guard rod serves as the intermediate conduction medium of liquid nitrogen. The internal groove of the heat-conducting guard rod fits tightly with the carrier rod, so that the carrier rod is completely separated from direct contact with liquid nitrogen. The cold energy is transferred through the high-efficiency heat-conducting property of the guard rod itself, avoiding boiling bubbles caused by direct contact with liquid nitrogen, eliminating bubble interference, and improving the accuracy of the temperature sensor in detecting the frozen state of the embryo. Vitrification requires that the sample cross the ice crystal formation temperature zone in a very short time. The stepped contraction structure of the heat-conducting guard rod works in synergy with the heat-conducting ribs and the guide spiral blades to form a linear cooling gradient from top to bottom. The cooling rate is precisely controlled within the ideal range. When the carrier rod is inserted into the guard rod groove, the arc-shaped heat-conducting rib fits with the surface of the carrier rod with its smooth arc end edge, and cooperates with the guide spiral blades to transfer the cold energy evenly and quickly through the guard rod to the carrier rod, promoting the rapid vitrification of the cryoprotectant around the embryo and avoiding the formation of ice crystals. The present invention avoids direct contact between liquid nitrogen and the carrier straw through the design of the cooling component, thereby optimizing the freezing and detection process of the carrier straw, improving the success rate of embryo vitrification, and enhancing the cell activity retention rate after recovery.

[0016] 2. The present invention sets a sleeve rod assembly, and the linear drive device accurately controls the displacement of the placement plate, so that it drives the five sets of sleeve structures to form a one-to-one corresponding positioning relationship with the heat-conducting protective rod. When the carrier rod is frozen and removed from the heat-conducting protective rod, the linear drive quickly pushes the placement plate forward, so that each set of sleeve structures is accurately sleeved on the front end of the carrier rod. The sleeve structure is made of polytetrafluoroethylene with a low thermal conductivity coefficient. Its inner wall forms a tight fit with the front end of the carrier rod. It will not cause the embryo position to shift due to excessive squeezing of the carrier rod, and it can effectively block the intrusion path of liquid nitrogen, minimize the time the carrier rod is exposed to the air, and avoid the impact of temperature rise on the vitrification state. When the carrier rod is taken out of the heat-conducting protective rod, the front sleeve can prevent the low-temperature vapor volatilized in the liquid nitrogen barrel from directly contacting the embryo storage area, so that the temperature change rate of the carrier rod surface is controlled. The present invention uses the sleeve rod assembly to prevent the embryo from directly contacting the liquid nitrogen for a second time, avoiding the reduction in the recovery rate caused by secondary contact, and improving the overall embryo preservation quality stability.

[0017] 3. The present invention utilizes a hook drive structure and a sleeve expansion structure in the sleeve rod assembly. After the sleeve structure is sleeved on the front end of the carrier rod, the twelve micro-rotary drives on the annular frame are synchronously activated, driving the gear to rotate. The gear rod meshing with the gear slides along the annular frame, pushing the expansion hook to retract toward the center. The telescopic drive in the hook drive structure then drives the mounting frame to move, so that the expansion hooks of the five sleeve expansion structures are located within the elastic ring. The expansion hooks then expand outward and hook onto the elastic ring, thereby pulling the elastic sleeve apart through the elastic ring and the pulling rope, allowing the head end of the carrier rod to pass smoothly. After the carrier rod freezes, the mounting frame resets, the expansion hooks detach from the elastic ring, and the elastic ring secures the elastic sleeve to the carrier rod. The present invention utilizes the hook drive structure and the sleeve expansion structure to enable the carrier rod to pass smoothly through the sleeve structure, preventing damage to the fragile front end of the carrier rod during insertion.

[0018] 4. The present invention provides an elastic ring at the top of the protective sleeve. The elastic ring is made of highly elastic silicone rubber and uses its own elastic tension to suspend and connect the protective sleeve to the placement plate, avoiding the vibration transmission that may be caused by a rigid connection. It can automatically calibrate the alignment deviation through slight deformation when the carrier rod is inserted. The V-shaped shrinkage grooves equidistantly distributed in an annular pattern on the elastic ring can produce directional shrinkage when the sleeve is subjected to force. When the protective sleeve is driven to shrink by the elastic sleeve, the top opening surface of the V-shaped groove is rounded, which not only ensures smooth contraction but also avoids aging and cracking of the elastic ring caused by stress concentration. The structural design of the elastic ring in the present invention forms a suspension buffer and a fitting seal during the fixing process of the sleeve structure, making it easier to fix the sleeve structure on the carrier rod.

[0019] 5. The present invention adds an airbag sleeve and protective ribs to the inner wall of the protective sleeve. The airbag sleeve is made of a low-temperature resistant elastic film material and filled with an inert gas such as nitrogen or argon. The compressibility of the gas is used to form a flexible buffer layer. When vibration or impact occurs in the outside world, the airbag sleeve can absorb the impact force through volume deformation to avoid mechanical damage to the embryo caused by rigid collision. The protective ribs are evenly distributed on the inner wall of the airbag sleeve. The front end of its arc structure forms a point contact with the surface of the carrier rod, which not only increases the fitting stability of the two, but also does not cause excessive extrusion due to surface contact, so that the carrier rod is in a suspended fixed state in the sleeve, reducing the direct friction area and cooperating with the gas buffering effect of the airbag sleeve. The present invention uses the airbag sleeve and protective ribs to keep the carrier rod stable during movement, avoid the displacement of the embryo position due to shaking, and effectively protect the embryo in the carrier rod. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cabinet of the present invention when the middle part is unfolded; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the middle part of the cabinet of the present invention; Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of the freezing assembly of the present invention; Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the heat-conducting protective rod of the present invention; Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the heat-conducting protective rod of the present invention; Figure 7 It is a structural schematic diagram of the sleeve rod assembly and the sleeve body structure of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic structural diagram of the sleeve support structure of the present invention; Figure 9 It is a structural schematic diagram of the sleeve structure of the present invention; Figure 10 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sleeve structure of the present invention.

[0021] Description of the numbers in the figure: 1. Cabinet; 2. Automated production line; 3. Carrier rod; 4. Refrigeration assembly; 5. Rod sleeve assembly; 6. Sleeve structure; 201. Feeding equipment; 202. Handling equipment; 203. Strapping equipment; 204. Unloading equipment; 205. Liquid nitrogen barrel; 206. Transport vehicle; 401. Liquid nitrogen tank; 402. Liquid nitrogen circulation equipment; 403. Heat-conducting guard rod; 404. Heat-conducting ribs; 405. Guide spiral blades; 406. Temperature sensor; 501, linear drive; 502, placement plate; 503, hook drive structure; 504, sleeve expansion structure; 5031, telescopic drive; 5032, mounting frame; 5041, annular frame; 5042, micro rotary drive; 5043, gear; 5044, gear rod; 5045, opening hook; 601, protective sleeve; 602, elastic sleeve; 603, pulling rope; 604, elastic ring; 605, elastic ring; 6011, airbag cover; 6012, protective ribs; 6051, shrinkage groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Example 1, as Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the present invention relates to an automated embryo vitrification workstation, comprising a cabinet 1, an automated production line 2 installed on the cabinet 1, a carrier rod 3 located on the automated production line 2, and a freezing assembly 4 provided on the cabinet 1; The automated production line 2 is used to drive the carrier rods 3 through the freezing assembly 4; the carrier rods 3 are used to transport embryos; the freezing assembly 4 includes a liquid nitrogen pool 401, a liquid nitrogen circulation device 402, a heat-conducting guard rod 403, heat-conducting ribs 404, a guide spiral blade 405, and a temperature sensor 406; the liquid nitrogen circulation device 402 is connected to the liquid nitrogen pool 401, and five heat-conducting guard rods 403 are installed at equal distances in the liquid nitrogen pool 401, and the ends of the heat-conducting guard rods 403 are higher than the liquid level of the liquid nitrogen in the liquid nitrogen pool 401. The bottom end of the heat-conducting guard rod 403 tapers in a stepped manner to form a two-section structure with different diameters. The groove opened inside the heat-conducting guard rod 403 is adapted to the carrier rod 3, and fifty heat-conducting ribs 404 are equidistantly arranged in a ring shape on the inner wall of the bottom end of the groove. The heat-conducting ribs 404 extend in an arc shape, and the front end adopts a smooth transition treatment to form a circular arc end edge without sharp corners. The guide spiral blade 405 is installed at the bottom end of the heat-conducting guard rod 403, and the temperature sensor 406 is installed at the end of the groove of the heat-conducting guard rod 403.

[0023] The present invention utilizes a cooling assembly designed with a heat-conducting guard rod 403 serving as an intermediate conduction medium for liquid nitrogen. Its internal groove fits tightly against the carrier rod 3, completely isolating the carrier rod 3 from direct contact with liquid nitrogen. The guard rod's own efficient heat conduction properties transfer cold energy, avoiding boiling bubbles caused by direct contact with liquid nitrogen, eliminating bubble interference, and improving the accuracy of the temperature sensor 406 in detecting the frozen state of the embryo. Vitrification requires that the sample cross the ice crystal formation temperature zone within a very short period of time. The stepped contraction structure of the heat-conducting guard rod 403, in synergy with the heat-conducting ribs 404 and the guide spiral blades 405, can form a linear cooling gradient from top to bottom, precisely controlling the cooling rate within an ideal range. When the carrier rod 3 is inserted into the guard rod groove, the arc-shaped heat-conducting ribs 404, with their smooth, rounded edges, fit against the surface of the carrier rod 3. Together with the guide spiral blades 405, the cold energy is evenly and quickly transferred through the guard rod to the carrier rod 3, prompting rapid vitrification of the cryoprotectant surrounding the embryo and preventing ice crystal formation. The present invention avoids direct contact between liquid nitrogen and the carrier straw 3 through the design of the cooling component, thereby optimizing the freezing and detection process of the carrier straw 3, improving the success rate of embryo vitrification, and enhancing the cell activity retention rate after recovery.

[0024] Specifically, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the cabinet 1 of the present invention includes three working rooms and a platform extending outward, and the freezing component 4 is arranged in the working room in the middle.

[0025] The automated production line 2 includes a feeding device 201, a handling device 202, a bundling device 203, a discharge device 204, a liquid nitrogen barrel 205, and a transport vehicle 206; the feeding device 201 is located in a working room on one side, and the feeding device 201 is used to transport the carrier rods 3 into the working room; the transport device 202 is located in the three working rooms, and the transport device 202 is used to move the carrier rods 3 in the three working rooms; the bundling device 203 is located in the working room on the other side, and the bundling device 203 is used to pack and integrate the carrier rods 3 into 3 groups of carrier rods; the discharge device 204 is located at the platform, and the discharge device 204 is used to place the 3 groups of carrier rods into the liquid nitrogen barrel 205; the liquid nitrogen barrel 205 is located under the platform, and the liquid nitrogen barrel 205 is used to store the carrier rods 3 and preserve embryos; the transport vehicle 206 is located under the liquid nitrogen barrel 205, and the transport vehicle 206 is used to replace the liquid nitrogen barrel 205.

[0026] In the present invention, the feeding device 201 conveys the carrier rods 3 into a working chamber on one side, the transporting device 202 clamps the carrier rods 3 and transports the carrier rods 3 into the working chamber in the middle, and then the transporting device 202 allows the carrier rods 3 to pass through the sleeve rod assembly 5 and enter the heat-conducting protective rod 403. After vitrification and freezing, the transporting device 202 transports the carrier rods 3 and the sleeve structure 6 to the bundling device 203. The bundling device 203 bundles the carrier rods 3 into 3 groups of carrier rods and transports them to the unloading device 204. The unloading device 204 transports the 3 groups of carrier rods into a liquid nitrogen barrel 205, and then the liquid nitrogen barrel 205 is moved away by the transport vehicle 206, completing the work.

[0027] It is worth noting that if Figures 1 to 7 As shown, a sleeve rod assembly 5 is provided in the working room in the middle of the cabinet 1 involved in the present invention, and the sleeve rod assembly 5 includes a linear drive 501 and a placement plate 502. The linear drive 501 is installed on the side wall of the working room, and the placement plate 502 is installed at the output end of the linear drive 501. The placement plate 502 is longitudinally inserted with five groups of sleeve structures 6, and the lateral distribution of each group of sleeve structures 6 is adapted to the distribution of the five heat-conducting protective rods 403. The sleeve structure 6 is used to be sleeved on the front end of the carrier rod 3 after freezing, so as to prevent the carrier rod 3 from contacting the liquid nitrogen in the liquid nitrogen barrel 205, thereby avoiding damage to the embryos in the carrier rod 3 caused by secondary contact with the liquid nitrogen.

[0028] The present invention provides a sleeve rod assembly 5, and the linear drive 501 device accurately controls the displacement of the placement plate 502, so that it drives the five sets of sleeve structures 6 to form a one-to-one corresponding alignment relationship with the heat-conducting protective rod 403. When the carrier rod 3 is frozen and removed from the heat-conducting protective rod 403, the linear drive 501 quickly pushes the placement plate 502 forward, so that each set of sleeve structures 6 is accurately sleeved on the front end of the carrier rod 3. The sleeve structure 6 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene with low thermal conductivity. Its inner wall forms a tight fit with the front end of the carrier rod 3. It will not cause the embryo position to shift due to excessive squeezing of the carrier rod 3, and can effectively block the intrusion path of liquid nitrogen, minimize the time the carrier rod 3 is exposed to the air, and prevent the temperature from rising and affecting the vitrification state. When the carrier rod 3 is removed from the heat-conducting protective rod 403, the front sleeve can prevent the low-temperature vapor volatilized in the liquid nitrogen barrel 205 from directly contacting the embryo storage area, so that the temperature change rate of the surface of the carrier rod 3 is controlled. The present invention uses the sleeve rod assembly 5 to prevent the embryo from directly contacting liquid nitrogen for a second time, thereby avoiding a decrease in the recovery rate caused by the second contact and improving the overall embryo preservation quality stability.

[0029] Further, such as Figures 7 to 9As shown, the sleeve rod assembly 5 involved in the present invention also includes a hook drive structure 503 and a sleeve body expansion structure 504, the hook drive structure 503 includes a telescopic drive 5031 and a mounting frame 5032; the telescopic drive 5031 is installed in the working room in the middle of the cabinet 1, and the mounting frame 5032 is installed at the output end of the telescopic drive 5031, and the five sleeve body expansion structures 504 are arranged on the mounting frame 5032, and the distribution of the five sleeve body expansion structures 504 is adapted to the lateral distribution of each group of sleeve structures 6.

[0030] The sleeve expansion structure 504 includes an annular frame 5041, a micro-rotary drive 5042, a gear 5043, a gear rod 5044, and an expansion hook 5045; five annular frames 5041 are installed on the mounting frame 5032, twelve micro-rotary drives 5042 are installed in an equidistant ring on one annular frame 5041, the gear 5043 is installed at the output end of the micro-rotary drive 5042, the gear rod 5044 is meshed and connected to the gear 5043, and the gear rod 5044 is slidably connected to the annular frame 5041, and the expansion hook 5045 is installed at the end of the gear rod 5044.

[0031] The sleeve structure 6 includes a protective sleeve 601, an elastic sleeve 602, a pulling rope 603, and an elastic ring 604; the elastic sleeve 602 is connected to the bottom end of the protective sleeve 601, and the sleeve body formed by the protective sleeve 601 and the elastic sleeve 602 is arranged on the outside of the carrier rod 3, and the twelve pulling ropes 603 are equidistantly installed in a ring shape on the outside of the elastic sleeve 602, and the elastic ring 604 is connected to the middle of the twelve pulling ropes 603, and the elastic ring 604 is sleeved on the twelve opening hooks 5045.

[0032] The present invention uses the hook drive structure 503 and the sleeve expansion structure 504 in the sleeve rod assembly 5. After the sleeve structure 6 is sleeved on the front end of the carrier rod 3, the twelve micro-rotary drives 5042 on the annular frame 5041 are synchronously started, driving the gear 5043 to rotate. The gear rod 5044 engaged with the gear 5043 slides along the annular frame 5041, pushing the expansion hook 5045 to retract toward the center, and then the telescopic drive 5031 in the hook drive structure 503 drives the mounting frame 5 032 moves, causing the five expansion hooks 5045 of the sleeve expansion structure 504 to be located within the elastic ring 604. The expansion hooks 5045 then expand outward and hook onto the elastic ring 604, thereby pulling the elastic sleeve 602 apart through the elastic ring 604 and the pulling rope 603, allowing the head end of the carrying rod 3 to pass through smoothly. After the carrying rod 3 freezes, the mounting frame 5032 returns to its original position, disengaging the expansion hooks 5045 from the elastic ring 604, and the elastic ring 604 secures the elastic sleeve 602 to the carrying rod 3. The present invention, through the hook driving structure 503 and the sleeve expansion structure 504, allows the carrying rod 3 to pass smoothly through the sleeve structure 6, preventing damage to the fragile front end of the carrying rod 3 during insertion.

[0033] Further, if Figures 9 and 10As shown, the top of the protective sleeve 601 involved in the present invention is provided with an elastic ring 605, and the protective sleeve 601 is suspended and connected to the placement plate 502 through the elastic ring 605, and the elastic ring 605 is equidistantly provided with shrinkage grooves 6051 in an annular shape, and the shrinkage grooves 6051 are V-shaped grooves, and the top of the V-shaped groove is an open surface.

[0034] The present invention employs an elastic ring 605 disposed at the top of the protective sleeve 601. Made of highly elastic silicone rubber, the elastic ring 605 suspends the protective sleeve 601 from the placement plate 502 through its own elastic tension, thus avoiding the potential vibration transmission associated with a rigid connection. This allows for automatic alignment correction through slight deformation when the carrier rod 3 is inserted. The equidistantly spaced V-shaped contraction grooves 6051 on the elastic ring 605 produce directional contraction when the sleeve is subjected to stress. When the protective sleeve 601 is driven to contract by the elastic ring, the top opening of the V-shaped groove is rounded, ensuring smooth contraction while preventing stress concentration-induced cracking of the elastic ring 605 due to aging. The structural design of the elastic ring 605 provides a suspension buffer and a close-fitting seal during the securing of the sleeve structure 6, making it easier to secure the sleeve structure 6 to the carrier rod 3.

[0035] Furthermore, Figures 9 and 10 As shown, the inner wall of the protective cover 601 of the present invention is installed with an airbag cover 6011, and the inner wall of the airbag cover 6011 is provided with a protective rib 6012, and the front end of the protective rib 6012 is a curved surface structure. The interior of the airbag cover 6011 is filled with an inert gas, which can be either nitrogen or argon.

[0036] The present invention adds an airbag sleeve 6011 and protective ribs 6012 to the inner wall of protective sleeve 601. Airbag sleeve 6011 is made of a low-temperature-resistant elastic film and filled with an inert gas such as nitrogen or argon. The compressibility of the gas forms a flexible buffer layer. When subjected to external vibrations or shocks, airbag sleeve 6011 absorbs the impact force through volume deformation, preventing mechanical damage to the embryo caused by rigid collisions. The protective ribs 6012 are evenly distributed along the inner wall of airbag sleeve 6011. Their curved front ends form point contact with the surface of carrier rod 3, enhancing the stability of the fit while preventing excessive compression due to surface contact. This maintains the carrier rod 3 in a suspended, fixed state within the sleeve, reducing the area of ​​direct friction. This, combined with the gas cushioning effect of airbag sleeve 6011, ensures that carrier rod 3 remains stable during movement, preventing embryo displacement caused by shaking and effectively protecting the embryo within.

[0037] The embodiments disclosed in the present invention are preferred embodiments, but are not limited to them. Ordinary technicians in this field can easily understand the spirit of the present invention based on the above embodiments and make different extensions and changes. As long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the present invention, they are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automated embryo vitrification workstation, characterized in that: It comprises a cabinet (1), an automated production line (2) installed on the cabinet (1), a carrier rod (3) located on the automated production line (2), and a freezing assembly (4) provided on the cabinet (1); The automated production line (2) is used to drive the carrier rod (3) through the freezing assembly (4); The carrier rod (3) is used to transport embryos; The freezing assembly (4) includes a liquid nitrogen pool (401), a liquid nitrogen circulation device (402), a heat-conducting protective rod (403), heat-conducting ribs (404), a flow-guiding spiral blade (405), and a temperature sensor (406); The liquid nitrogen circulation device (402) is connected to the liquid nitrogen pool (401), and a plurality of heat-conducting guard rods (403) are equidistantly installed in the liquid nitrogen pool (401), and the ports of the heat-conducting guard rods (403) are higher than the liquid level of the liquid nitrogen in the liquid nitrogen pool (401). The bottom end of the heat-conducting guard rod (403) is stepped and narrowed to form a two-stage structure with different diameters. The groove provided inside the heat-conducting guard rod (403) is adapted to the carrier rod (3), and a plurality of heat-conducting ribs (404) are equidistantly provided in an annular manner on the inner wall of the bottom end of the groove. The heat-conducting ribs (404) extend in an arc shape, and the front end is subjected to a smooth transition treatment to form a circular arc end edge without sharp corners. The guide spiral blade (405) is installed at the bottom end of the heat-conducting guard rod (403), and the temperature sensor (406) is installed at the end of the groove of the heat-conducting guard rod (403).

2. An automated embryo vitrification workstation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cabinet (1) comprises three working rooms and a platform extending outward, and the freezing assembly (4) is arranged in the central working room.

3. An automated embryo vitrification workstation according to claim 2, characterized in that: The automated production line (2) includes a feeding device (201), a handling device (202), a bundling device (203), a discharging device (204), a liquid nitrogen barrel (205), and a transport vehicle (206); The feeding device (201) is arranged in a working chamber on one side, and the feeding device (201) is used to transport the carrier rod (3) into the working chamber; The transporting device (202) is provided in the three working rooms, and the transporting device (202) is used to transport the carrier rod (3) to move within the three working rooms; The bundling device (203) is arranged in the working room on the other side, and the bundling device (203) is used to bundle and integrate the carrier rods (3) into a carrier rod (3) group; The discharging device (204) is provided on the platform, and the discharging device (204) is used to place the group of carrier rods (3) into the liquid nitrogen barrel (205); The liquid nitrogen barrel (205) is provided below the platform, and the liquid nitrogen barrel (205) is used to store the carrier rod (3) and preserve the embryos; The transport vehicle (206) is located below the liquid nitrogen barrel (205), and the transport vehicle (206) is used to replace the liquid nitrogen barrel (205).

4. The automated embryo vitrification workstation according to claim 2, characterized in that: A sleeve rod assembly (5) is provided in the working room in the middle of the cabinet (1), and the sleeve rod assembly (5) includes a linear drive (501) and a placement plate (502). The linear drive (501) is installed on the side wall of the working room, and the placement plate (502) is installed at the output end of the linear drive (501). The placement plate (502) is longitudinally inserted with a plurality of sets of sleeve structures (6), and the lateral distribution of each set of sleeve structures (6) is adapted to the distribution of a plurality of heat-conducting protective rods (403). The sleeve structure (6) is used to be sleeved on the front end of the frozen carrier rod (3), so as to prevent the carrier rod (3) from contacting the liquid nitrogen in the liquid nitrogen barrel (205), thereby preventing the embryo in the carrier rod (3) from being damaged by secondary contact with the liquid nitrogen.

5. The automated embryo vitrification workstation according to claim 4, characterized in that: The sleeve rod assembly (5) further comprises a hook drive structure (503) and a sleeve body expansion structure (504); the hook drive structure (503) comprises a telescopic drive (5031) and a mounting frame (5032); The telescopic drive (5031) is installed in a working chamber in the middle of the cabinet (1), the mounting frame (5032) is installed at the output end of the telescopic drive (5031), and a plurality of the sleeve support structures (504) are provided on the mounting frame (5032), and the distribution of the plurality of sleeve support structures (504) is adapted to the lateral distribution of each group of sleeve structures (6).

6. The automated embryo vitrification workstation according to claim 5, characterized in that: The sleeve expansion structure (504) comprises an annular frame (5041), a micro-rotation drive (5042), a gear (5043), a gear rod (5044), and an expansion hook (5045); A plurality of the annular frames (5041) are mounted on a mounting frame (5032); a plurality of the micro-rotary drives (5042) are mounted in an equidistant annular arrangement on one annular frame (5041); the gear (5043) is mounted on an output end of the micro-rotary drive (5042); the gear rod (5044) is meshedly connected to the gear (5043); and the gear rod (5044) is slidably connected to the annular frame (5041); and the opening hook (5045) is mounted on the end of the gear rod (5044).

7. The automated embryo vitrification workstation according to claim 4, characterized in that: The sleeve structure (6) includes a protective sleeve (601), an elastic sleeve (602), a pulling rope (603), and an elastic ring (604); The elastic sleeve (602) is connected to the bottom end of the protective sleeve (601), and the sleeve body formed by the protective sleeve (601) and the elastic sleeve (602) is arranged on the outside of the carrier rod (3). A plurality of pulling ropes (603) are equidistantly annularly installed on the outside of the elastic sleeve (602). The elastic ring (604) is connected to the middle of the plurality of pulling ropes (603), and the elastic ring (604) is sleeved on the plurality of opening hooks (5045).

8. The automated embryo vitrification workstation according to claim 7, characterized in that: The top of the protective sleeve (601) is provided with an elastic ring (605), and the protective sleeve (601) is suspended and connected to the placement plate (502) through the elastic ring (605). The elastic ring (605) is provided with shrinkage grooves (6051) in an equidistant annular shape, and the shrinkage grooves (6051) are V-shaped grooves, and the top of the V-shaped grooves is an open surface.

9. The automated embryo vitrification workstation according to claim 8, characterized in that: An airbag cover (6011) is installed on the inner wall of the protective cover (601), and a protective rib (6012) is provided on the inner wall of the airbag cover (6011), and the front end of the protective rib (6012) is a curved surface structure.

10. The automated embryo vitrification workstation according to claim 9, characterized in that: The interior of the airbag sleeve (6011) is filled with an inert gas, and the inert gas is selected from either nitrogen or argon.

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