Embryo transfer tube suitable for porous culture plate

Abstract

The invention discloses an embryo transfer tube suitable for a porous culture plate, and relates to the technical field of embryo biology. The multi-hole culture plate comprises a grip and a multi-hole culture plate body, a limiting cylinder is fixed to the upper end of the grip, a round block is sleeved with the limiting cylinder, the two ends of the interior of the round block are sleeved with embryo transfer pipe bodies located above the multi-hole culture plate body, and each embryo transfer pipe body comprises a pipe fixedly sleeved with the interior of the round block; a first channel is formed in the pipe, a rubber air bag communicated with the first channel is arranged at a suction opening of the pipe, a suction assembly is connected into the pipe in a sleeved mode and comprises an air suction pipe communicated with the pipe, and a first piston, a drawing rod and a second piston are movably connected into the air suction pipe in a sleeved mode. The embryo transfer tube body can be sealed in a delayed manner, and the embryo transfer tube body can be quickly replaced and cleaned.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of embryo biotechnology, and more specifically to an embryo transfer tube suitable for multi-well culture plates. Background Technology

[0002] Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) refers to the biopsy and genetic testing of embryos from patients with genetic risks during in-vitro fertilization (IVF) to select genetically normal embryos for implantation into the uterine cavity, thereby preventing the transmission of genetic diseases to offspring. It mainly includes three steps: embryo biopsy, biopsy cell loading, and genetic testing, with biopsy cell loading being a crucial step. Chinese patent (application number: CN201922212218.4) discloses an embryo transfer tube suitable for multi-well culture plates, including a transfer tube and a negative pressure device. The suction end of the negative pressure device is connected to the transfer tube. A clamping mechanism is provided at one end of the transfer tube near the negative pressure device to clamp the connection between the transfer tube and the negative pressure device. The transfer tube is Z-shaped, and its end is used to aspirate embryos from the culture device. The clamping mechanism includes an annular tube, a movable compression sleeve, and a mounting sleeve. The annular tube is sleeved on the end of the transfer tube near the tubular tube. An annular block-shaped mounting sleeve is fixed on the side of the annular tube near the suction end of the negative pressure device. The mounting sleeve has circumferentially oriented mounting grooves, and each mounting groove is rotatably connected to a pressure plate via a pin. One end of the pressure plate is pressed against the outer surface of the suction end of the negative pressure device. This utility model has a simple structure, is easy to operate, facilitates control of suction force, is not easily damaged during use, and is convenient for embryo transfer. The patent and existing technologies have the following technical problems in practical use: 1. Existing embryo transfer tubes are prone to leakage of embryo samples from multi-well culture plates during transport due to external vibrations or other reasons, thus requiring improvement.

[0003] 2. Since the existing embryo transfer tubes need to be inserted into multiple wells of a multi-well culture plate to aspirate embryo samples, the embryo samples inside the multi-well culture plate are easily cross-contaminated by the embryo samples remaining on the embryo transfer tubes. Therefore, improvements are needed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an embryo transfer tube suitable for multi-well culture plates in order to solve the above problems.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention specifically adopts the following technical solution: An embryo transfer tube suitable for a multi-well culture plate includes a handle and a multi-well culture plate body. The upper end of the handle is fixed with a limiting cylinder. A circular block is sleeved inside the limiting cylinder. The two ends inside the circular block are sleeved with the embryo transfer tube body located above the multi-well culture plate body. The embryo transfer tube body includes a tube fixedly fitted inside the round block, the tube having a first channel inside, a rubber airbag connected to the first channel at the suction port of the tube, and a suction component fitted inside the tube. The suction assembly includes an air intake tube connected to a pipe. Inside the air intake tube, a first piston, a pull rod, and a second piston are movably sleeved. One end of the pull rod passes through the second piston and is fixedly connected to the first piston. The other end of the pull rod is located outside the air intake tube. Inside the air intake tube, there is a top opening located between the first and second pistons. A flexible spring is fixedly connected to the side of the second piston. The other end of the flexible spring is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the air intake tube. Inside the air intake tube, there is a second channel communicating with the first channel.

[0006] Furthermore, there are two embryo transfer tube bodies, both of which are the same size. A limiting ring is fitted inside the handle, and the inner wall of the limiting ring is fixedly fitted to the outer surface of the circular block.

[0007] Furthermore, a movable block is fixedly sleeved on the outer surface of the suction tube, and the outer surface of the movable block is movably sleeved with the inner wall of the limiting cylinder. A water supply pipe is fixedly sleeved inside the upper end of the movable block, one end of the water supply pipe is connected to an external water supply hose, and the other end of the water supply pipe extends into the interior of the upper embryo transfer tube body.

[0008] Furthermore, the handle has an internal cavity, the lower end of the limiting cylinder has a connecting port, and a lifting block is movably sleeved inside the cavity.

[0009] Furthermore, a rigid spring is fixedly connected to the bottom of the lifting block, and the lower end of the rigid spring is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the cavity. The inner diameter of the connecting opening is smaller than the inner diameter of the cavity.

[0010] Furthermore, a connecting frame is fixedly connected to the top of the lifting block, and the upper end of the connecting frame passes through the connecting port and the limiting cylinder in sequence and is fixedly connected to a round tube.

[0011] Furthermore, a drain pipe is fixedly sleeved inside the lower end of the circular tube, and the other end of the drain pipe is connected to an external drainage hose. The body of the embryo transfer tube is a conical tube.

[0012] Furthermore, an inner conical groove cylinder is fixedly sleeved at the upper end of the circular tube, and the opening at the lower end of the inner conical groove cylinder is inclined toward the outer wall of the embryo transfer tube body.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: 1. This invention involves pulling a lever, which causes the first piston to compress the gas inside the suction tube and discharge it through the top opening. This allows the embryo transfer tube to draw in embryo samples from the porous culture plate. When the first piston moves past the top opening, it compresses the second piston, which in turn compresses the flexible spring. This causes the moving second piston to expel the gas from the suction tube into the second channel. The gas in the second channel then compresses the rubber bladder through the first channel, causing it to expand and seal the suction port of the tube. This achieves a delayed sealing of the embryo transfer tube, preventing leakage of embryo samples during the movement of the embryo transfer tube.

[0014] 2. This invention uses a moving block to detach the aspiration assembly and water delivery tube from the interior of the embryo transfer tube body. Then, by rotating the circular block, the vertical positions of the two embryo transfer tube bodies are switched. At the same time, the limiting ring rotates along the inner wall of the limiting cylinder to limit the circular block. After adjustment, by squeezing the moving block, the aspiration assembly and water delivery tube are inserted into the interior of the embryo transfer tube body to fix the embryo transfer tube body. This achieves the purpose of quickly replacing the embryo transfer tube body and avoids cross-infection caused by inserting the same embryo transfer tube body into different embryo samples inside the multi-well culture plate body.

[0015] 3. The external water delivery hose of this invention introduces water into the interior of the used embryo transfer tube body through the water delivery pipe to rinse the embryo sample remaining inside the embryo transfer tube body. At this time, the water discharged from the embryo transfer tube body will be diverted to all sides due to the conical protrusion inside the inner conical groove. The diverted water is guided by the arc groove inside the inner conical groove and the lower end inclined towards the outer wall of the embryo transfer tube body to rinse the outer wall of the embryo transfer tube body suction port. After rinsing, it is discharged to another place through the drain pipe and the external hose, further cleaning the embryo transfer tube body and avoiding infection of the embryo sample when using the embryo transfer tube body in the future. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a side cross-sectional view of the embryo transfer tube body of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a front cross-sectional view of the grip and limiting cylinder of the present invention; Figure 4 This is the present invention. Figure 2 Enlarged view of a portion of point A in the middle; Figure 5This is the present invention. Figure 2 Enlarged view of a portion of point B in the middle; Figure 6 This is the present invention. Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of point C in the middle.

[0017] Reference numerals: 1. Handle; 2. Limiting cylinder; 3. Circular block; 4. Embryo transfer tube body; 401. Tube; 402. First channel; 403. Rubber balloon; 5. Limiting ring; 6. Moving block; 7. Water supply pipe; 8. Suction assembly; 801. Suction pipe; 802. First piston; 803. Pull rod; 804. Flexible spring; 805. Top opening; 806. Second channel; 807. Second piston; 9. Circular tube; 10. Inner conical groove cylinder; 11. Drainage pipe; 12. Cavity; 13. Rigid spring; 14. Lifting block; 15. Connecting frame; 16. Connecting port; 17. Multi-well culture plate body. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] Example 1, as Figures 1-6 As shown, an embryo transfer tube suitable for a multi-well culture plate includes a handle 1 and a multi-well culture plate body 17. A limiting cylinder 2 is fixed at the upper end of the handle 1. A circular block 3 is sleeved inside the limiting cylinder 2. The two ends inside the circular block 3 are sleeved with an embryo transfer tube body 4 located above the multi-well culture plate body 17. The embryo transfer tube body 4 includes a tube 401 fixedly sleeved inside the round block 3. A first channel 402 is opened inside the tube 401. A rubber airbag 403 communicating with the first channel 402 is provided at the suction port of the tube 401. A suction component 8 is sleeved inside the tube 401. The suction assembly 8 includes a suction pipe 801 that communicates with the tube 401. A first piston 802 and a pull rod 803 are movably sleeved inside the suction pipe 801, along with a second piston 807. One end of the pull rod 803 passes through the second piston 807 and is fixedly connected to the first piston 802. The other end of the pull rod 803 is located outside the suction pipe 801. A top opening 805 is provided inside the suction pipe 801, located between the first piston 802 and the second piston 807. A flexible spring 804 is fixedly connected to the side of the second piston 807. The other end of the flexible spring 804 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the suction pipe 801. A second channel 806 is provided inside the suction pipe 801 that communicates with the first channel 402.

[0020] When it is necessary to test the embryo samples inside the porous culture plate body 17, the embryo transfer tube body 4 is first placed inside the porous culture plate body 17. Then, by pulling the pull rod 803, the pull rod 803 moves the first piston 802 along the inner wall of the suction tube 801. This causes the moving first piston 802 to draw the embryo samples inside the porous culture plate body 17 through the embryo transfer tube body 4. At this time, the moving first piston 802 compresses the gas inside the suction tube 801 and discharges it through the top opening 805. This prevents the first piston 802 from directly squeezing the second piston 807 through the gas inside the suction tube 801. When the first piston 802 moves past the top opening 805, it will squeeze the second piston 807 along the suction tube 801. The inner wall of the tube moves, causing the second piston 807 to compress the flexible spring 804. This causes the moving second piston 807 to squeeze the gas in the suction tube 801 and discharge it into the second channel 806. The gas in the second channel 806 then compresses the rubber balloon 403 through the first channel 402 and expands. Since the embryo transfer tube body 4 has already sucked the embryo sample from the porous culture plate body 17 into the tube 401, the rubber balloon 403 can expand and seal the suction port of the tube 401. Then, when the embryo transfer tube body 4 moves with the embryo sample, the embryo sample in the embryo transfer tube body 4 will not leak due to external vibration or other reasons. This achieves delayed sealing of the embryo transfer tube body 4 to prevent the embryo sample from leaking when the embryo transfer tube body 4 moves.

[0021] Example 2, as Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, there are two embryo transfer tube bodies 4, both of the same size. A limiting ring 5 is fitted inside the handle 1, and the inner wall of the limiting ring 5 is fixedly fitted to the outer surface of the circular block 3. The outer surface of the movable block 6 is movably fitted to the inner wall of the limiting cylinder 2. A water supply pipe 7 is fixedly fitted inside the upper end of the movable block 6. One end of the water supply pipe 7 is connected to an external water supply hose, and the other end of the water supply pipe 7 extends into the upper embryo transfer tube body 4. When it is necessary to aspirate and test different embryo samples inside the multi-well culture plate body 17, the aspiration component 8 pulls the moving block 6 along the inner wall of the limiting cylinder 2, thereby causing the moving block 6 to disengage the aspiration component 8 and the water inlet tube 7 from the inside of the embryo transfer tube body 4, thus releasing the fixation effect on the embryo transfer tube body 4. Then, by rotating the circular block 3, the vertical positions of the two embryo transfer tube bodies 4 are switched. At the same time, the limiting ring 5 rotates along the inner wall of the limiting cylinder 2 to limit the circular block 3. After adjustment, by squeezing the moving block 6, the moving block 6 drives the aspiration component 8 and the water inlet tube 7 to be inserted into the inside of the embryo transfer tube body 4 to fix the embryo transfer tube body 4. Then, the unused embryo transfer tube body 4 can be inserted into the multi-well culture plate body 17 to aspirate and test embryo samples. This achieves the purpose of quickly replacing the embryo transfer tube body 4 and avoids cross-infection caused by inserting different embryo samples into the same embryo transfer tube body 4 inside the multi-well culture plate body 17.

[0022] Example 3, as Figures 2-5 As shown, the handle 1 has a cavity 12 inside, the lower end of the limiting cylinder 2 has a connecting port 16 inside, the cavity 12 is movably fitted with a lifting block 14, the bottom of the lifting block 14 is fixedly connected with a rigid spring 13, the lower end of the rigid spring 13 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the cavity 12, the inner diameter of the connecting port 16 is smaller than the inner diameter of the cavity 12, the top of the lifting block 14 is fixedly connected with a connecting frame 15, the upper end of the connecting frame 15 passes through the connecting port 16 and the limiting cylinder 2 in sequence and is fixedly connected with a round tube 9, the lower end of the round tube 9 is fixedly fitted with a drain pipe 11, the other end of the drain pipe 11 is connected to an external drain hose, and the embryo transfer tube body 4 is a conical tube.

[0023] When the used embryo transfer tube body 4 needs to be cleaned, the suction component 8 pulls the moving block 6 along the inner wall of the limiting cylinder 2, causing the moving block 6 to disengage the suction component 8 and the water inlet tube 7 from the interior of the embryo transfer tube body 4. Then, the rigid spring 13 presses the lifting block 14 upwards against the connecting port 16, causing the lifting block 14 to move upwards through the connecting frame 15, disengaging the inner conical groove cylinder 10 from the outer wall of the embryo transfer tube body 4. Then, by rotating the circular block 3, the positions of the two embryo transfer tube bodies 4 are swapped. This swapping, by pressing the moving block 6, causes the moving block 6 to insert the suction component 8 and the water inlet tube 7 into the interior of the embryo transfer tube body 4, causing the moving block 6 to compress the gas inside the limiting cylinder 2 into the cavity 12. This airflow then compresses the lifting block 14, causing it to move downwards along the inner wall of the cavity 12, compressing the rigid spring 13. The lifting block 14 drives the inner conical groove cylinder 10 to be sleeved on the embryo transfer tube body 4 through the connecting frame 15. At this time, since the embryo transfer tube body 4 is a conical tube, the inner conical groove cylinder 10 will not directly contact the suction port of the embryo transfer tube body 4 where the embryo sample is inserted during the downward movement. Instead, the inner conical groove cylinder 10 will contact the upper end of the suction port of the embryo transfer tube body 4. Thus, the inner conical groove cylinder 10 will not scrape the embryo sample adhering to the outer wall of the embryo transfer tube body 4 away from the suction port of the embryo transfer tube body 4. Then, the suction component 8 is inserted into the unused embryo transfer tube body 4, and the water supply pipe 7 is inserted into the used embryo transfer tube body 4. Then, the external water supply hose introduces water into the used embryo transfer tube body 4 through the water supply pipe 7 to rinse the embryo sample remaining in the embryo transfer tube body 4. After rinsing, the water enters the round pipe 9 and is discharged from the drain pipe 11. Thus, the water discharged from the drain pipe 11 will be discharged to another place through the external drain hose.

[0024] Example 4, as Figure 5 As shown, the upper end of the round tube 9 is fixedly sleeved with an inner conical groove cylinder 10, and the lower end of the inner conical groove cylinder 10 is inclined toward the outer wall of the embryo transfer tube body 4.

[0025] When the inner conical groove cylinder 10 is designed so that when water is drained from the embryo transfer tube body 4 after rinsing, the water drained from the embryo transfer tube body 4 will be diverted to the surrounding area due to the conical protrusion inside the inner conical groove cylinder 10. The diverted water is guided by the arc groove inside the inner conical groove cylinder 10 and the lower end inclined towards the outer wall of the embryo transfer tube body 4 to rinse the outer wall of the suction port of the embryo transfer tube body 4. After rinsing, it is discharged to another place through the drain pipe 11 and the external hose, further cleaning the embryo transfer tube body 4 and avoiding infection of the embryo sample when using the embryo transfer tube body 4 in the future.

[0026] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An embryo transfer tube suitable for multi-well culture plates, comprising a handle (1) and a multi-well culture plate body (17), characterized in that, The upper end of the handle (1) is fixed with a limiting cylinder (2), and a round block (3) is sleeved inside the limiting cylinder (2). The two ends of the round block (3) are sleeved with an embryo transfer tube body (4) located above the porous culture plate body (17). The embryo transfer tube body (4) includes a tube (401) fixedly sleeved inside the round block (3), the tube (401) has a first channel (402) inside, the tube (401) has a rubber air bag (403) communicating with the first channel (402) at the suction port, and the tube (401) has a suction component (8) sleeved inside. The suction assembly (8) includes a suction tube (801) connected to the tube (401). A first piston (802) and a pull rod (803) and a second piston (807) are movably sleeved inside the suction tube (801). One end of the pull rod (803) passes through the second piston (807) and is fixedly connected to the first piston (802). The other end of the pull rod (803) is located outside the suction tube (801). The suction tube (801) has a top opening (805) located between the first piston (802) and the second piston (807). A flexible spring (804) is fixedly connected to the side of the second piston (807). The other end of the flexible spring (804) is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the suction tube (801). The suction tube (801) has a second channel (806) connected to the first channel (402).

2. The embryo transfer tube suitable for multi-well culture plates according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of embryo transfer tube bodies (4) is two, and the two embryo transfer tube bodies (4) are the same size. The inner limit of the handle (1) is fitted with a limit ring (5), and the inner wall of the limit ring (5) is fixedly fitted with the outer surface of the round block (3).

3. The embryo transfer tube suitable for multi-well culture plates according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer surface of the suction tube (801) is fixedly fitted with a movable block (6), the outer surface of the movable block (6) is movably fitted with the inner wall of the limiting cylinder (2), the upper end of the movable block (6) is fixedly fitted with a water supply pipe (7), one end of the water supply pipe (7) is connected to the outside water supply hose, and the other end of the water supply pipe (7) extends into the upper embryo transfer tube body (4).

4. The embryo transfer tube suitable for multi-well culture plates according to claim 1, characterized in that, The handle (1) has a cavity (12) inside, the lower end of the limiting cylinder (2) has a connecting port (16) inside, and a lifting block (14) is movably sleeved inside the cavity (12).

5. An embryo transfer tube suitable for multi-well culture plates according to claim 4, characterized in that, The bottom of the lifting block (14) is fixedly connected to a rigid spring (13), the lower end of the rigid spring (13) is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the cavity (12), and the inner diameter of the connecting port (16) is smaller than the inner diameter of the cavity (12).

6. An embryo transfer tube suitable for multi-well culture plates according to claim 5, characterized in that, The top of the lifting block (14) is fixedly connected to a connecting frame (15), and the upper end of the connecting frame (15) passes through the connecting port (16) and the limiting cylinder (2) in sequence and is fixedly connected to a round tube (9).

7. An embryo transfer tube suitable for multi-well culture plates according to claim 6, characterized in that, The lower end of the round tube (9) is fixedly fitted with a drain pipe (11), and the other end of the drain pipe (11) is connected to a drain hose to the outside. The embryo transfer tube body (4) is a conical tube.

8. An embryo transfer tube suitable for multi-well culture plates according to claim 7, characterized in that, The upper end of the round tube (9) is fixedly sleeved with an inner conical groove cylinder (10), and the lower end of the inner conical groove cylinder (10) is inclined toward the outer wall of the embryo transfer tube body (4).

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