Automatic nitrogen adding equipment and system for reproductive embryo cryopreservation

Abstract

The invention designs automatic nitrogen adding equipment for cryopreservation of reproductive embryos. The automatic nitrogen adding equipment comprises a supporting cylinder, a pressing assembly, a pressing rod and an extraction assembly, liquid nitrogen can be extracted through the arranged extraction assembly, and meanwhile, branch barrels in the extraction assembly are detachably designed and can adapt to liquid nitrogen tanks with different depths and different extraction amounts through detachable splicing; meanwhile, through the arranged pressing assembly, fixation can be achieved while extraction is conducted; specifically, when the pressing assembly is pressed, the pressing rod is warped up to clamp a handle of the liquid nitrogen tank, and the extraction assembly is controlled to perform extraction. A plurality of clamping grooves are formed in the lower end of the supporting cylinder at intervals and can adapt to openings of liquid nitrogen tanks with different calibers, and compared with a traditional device, the liquid nitrogen extraction device can adapt to the openings of different liquid nitrogen storage tanks and can be fixed to two handles of the liquid nitrogen tanks when liquid nitrogen is extracted; inclination and even toppling in the extraction process are prevented, and use safety is guaranteed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of medical devices, in particular to an automatic nitrogen adding device and system for cryopreservation of reproductive embryos. BACKGROUND

[0002] Reproductive embryos are early life structures formed by the combination of sperm and egg, which play an important role in natural reproduction and assisted reproductive technology. Cryopreservation of reproductive embryos in liquid nitrogen (-196℃) is mainly based on the following needs: storage of extra embryos in assisted reproduction to avoid repeated ovulation stimulation and improve pregnancy success rate; preservation of reproductive opportunities for people who may lose their fertility due to diseases or medical interventions such as cancer; and meeting the planning needs of people who delay childbirth due to education, career, etc. or have problems with their partner's fertility. Liquid nitrogen ultra-low temperature can put embryos into "dormancy", and vitrification freezing technology can prevent ice crystal damage to cells, with a survival rate of over 90%.

[0003] However, at present, liquid nitrogen and reproductive embryos are often placed in two different containers, so it is necessary to add liquid nitrogen. At present, embryo laboratories manually pour liquid nitrogen from a liquid nitrogen tank into a foam box, and then into a liquid nitrogen tank containing embryos. When the number of liquid nitrogen tanks is too large, it becomes time-consuming and laborious to add liquid nitrogen. There are also automatic liquid nitrogen adding devices that can add liquid nitrogen, but existing devices are either too large or require special liquid nitrogen tanks and matching interfaces. They cannot adapt to most tank openings and are difficult to apply to most small and medium-sized reproductive centers. To some extent, there are still defects.

[0004] Therefore, an automatic nitrogen adding device and system for cryopreservation of reproductive embryos are needed to solve the above technical problems. SUMMARY

[0005] To solve the above technical problems, the present application discloses an automatic nitrogen adding device and system for cryopreservation of reproductive embryos, which can adapt to different liquid nitrogen storage tank openings and be fixed on the two handles of the liquid nitrogen tank during liquid nitrogen extraction, preventing tilting or even overturning during extraction and ensuring safety. At the same time, the device is small in size and can be used by hand, which can quickly change and add liquid nitrogen by hand compared with traditional large automatic liquid nitrogen adding equipment.

[0006] In order to achieve the above technical effects, the application designs a reproductive embryo cryopreservation automatic nitrogen adding equipment, which comprises a supporting cylinder, a pressing assembly, a pressing rod, and a pumping assembly; the pressing assembly is fixedly installed in the inside of the supporting cylinder, a through slot is formed in the side wall of the supporting cylinder, the pressing rod is movably installed on the through slot, the pumping assembly is fixedly installed at the lower end of the supporting cylinder, and a pressing switch is further fixedly installed at the upper end of the pumping assembly in the inside of the supporting cylinder; the pressing rod is lifted to clamp the handle of the liquid nitrogen tank and the pumping assembly is controlled to pump when the pressing assembly is pressed.

[0007] Further, the pressing assembly comprises a pressing head, a fixed cylinder, a connecting rod, a movable cylinder, a tooth-shaped assembly, a transmission rod, a spring, and a contact head; a ring-shaped slot is formed in the upper end of the supporting cylinder, the movable cylinder is movably installed on the ring-shaped slot, the movable cylinder is received at the lower end of the fixed cylinder, the side wall of the fixed cylinder is fixedly connected to the side wall of the supporting cylinder through the symmetrically arranged connecting rods, the upper end of the fixed cylinder movably installs the pressing head, the lower end of the pressing head movably connects the tooth-shaped assembly, the lower end of the tooth-shaped assembly installs the transmission rod, the terminal end of the transmission rod is fixedly connected to the movable cylinder, a spring is sleeved on the outer end of the transmission rod, and the two ends of the spring are limited between the transmission rod and the supporting cylinder; the contact head is further fixedly installed in the inside center of the movable cylinder; the up-and-down movement of the movable cylinder is controlled by pressing the fixed pressing head;

[0008] Further, one end of the pressing rod extends to the lower end of the movable cylinder, the other end extends outward, and a plurality of extension plates are linearly arranged at the upper end of the pressing rod;

[0009] Further, the extension plates are inclined in the counterclockwise direction, and the angle of inclination is between 0° and 60°;

[0010] Further, the pumping assembly comprises a pumping pump, a pumping cylinder, and a separation cylinder; the pumping pump is fixedly installed at the lower end of the supporting cylinder, the pumping end of the pumping pump is fixedly connected to the pumping cylinder, and the terminal end of the pumping cylinder is detachably installed to the separation cylinder;

[0011] Further, a plurality of clamping grooves are formed at the lower end of the supporting cylinder, and a rubber layer is fixedly installed on the inner edge of the clamping groove;

[0012] Further, a handle is further fixedly installed on the outer side wall of the supporting cylinder perpendicular to the connecting rod;

[0013] On the other hand, the application discloses a system of the reproductive embryo cryopreservation automatic nitrogen adding equipment, which comprises a control module fixedly installed on the upper end of the supporting cylinder and a power supply fixedly installed on the side wall of the supporting cylinder; the control module comprises a microprocessor, a signal receiving and converting module, and a control panel;

[0014] Microprocessor: used for processing signals and controlling the work of components;

[0015] Signal receiving and converting module: used for receiving signals and converting them into signals that can be processed by the microprocessor;

[0016] Control panel: used for selecting different modes and the amount of extraction;

[0017] Power supply: used for supplying energy to each electrical component;

[0018] Specifically, the control process of the above system is as follows:

[0019] S1: When using the device to extract liquid nitrogen, first, according to the size of the liquid nitrogen tank or the amount of extraction required, then select the amount required through the control panel (at the same time, connect different numbers of sub-tanks as needed);

[0020] S2: Then put the entire device into the liquid nitrogen tank, press the press head to press the press switch, the press switch will transmit the signal to the microprocessor after conversion through the signal receiving and converting module, and the microprocessor will control the extraction pump to work for a corresponding time to achieve the pre-set amount of extraction required;

[0021] S3: When the extraction is completed, the control panel displays the completion effect, and then it can be transferred, after the transfer, the extraction pump is controlled in reverse through the control panel to release the liquid nitrogen.

[0022] The beneficial effects of the present application are:

[0023] The present application designs a reproductive embryo cryopreservation automatic nitrogen adding equipment, which comprises a supporting cylinder, a pressing assembly, a pressing rod, and an extraction assembly. The extraction assembly can extract liquid nitrogen, and the sub-barrels in the extraction assembly are designed to be detachable, which can adapt to liquid nitrogen tanks of different depths and different extraction amounts through detachable splicing. The pressing assembly can be fixed during extraction. Specifically, the pressing rod is lifted to clamp the handle of the liquid nitrogen tank and control the extraction assembly to extract by pressing the pressing assembly.

[0024] In addition, a plurality of clamping grooves are arranged at the lower end of the supporting cylinder, which can adapt to the ports of liquid nitrogen tanks of different diameters. Compared with traditional devices, the device can adapt to the ports of different liquid nitrogen storage tanks and can be fixed on the two handles of the liquid nitrogen tank during liquid nitrogen extraction, preventing tilting or even overturning during extraction and ensuring safety. At the same time, the device has a small size and can be used by hand, which can quickly change and add through handheld mode compared with traditional large automatic liquid nitrogen adding equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required to be used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced.

[0026] Figure 1 is the overall structure schematic diagram of the automatic nitrogen adding equipment for reproductive embryo cryopreservation;

[0027] Figure 2 is the front view of the automatic nitrogen adding equipment for reproductive embryo cryopreservation;

[0028] Figure 3 is the top view of the automatic nitrogen adding equipment for reproductive embryo cryopreservation;

[0029] Figure 4 is the exploded view of the automatic nitrogen adding equipment for reproductive embryo cryopreservation;

[0030] Figure 5 is the cross-sectional view of embodiment 1 of the automatic nitrogen adding equipment for reproductive embryo cryopreservation;

[0031] Figure 6 is the relative structure diagram of the existing liquid nitrogen tank and handle.

[0032] In the drawings, the component list represented by each mark is as follows:

[0033] 1-supporting cylinder, 11-through slot, 12-annular groove, 13-clamping slot, 2-pressing assembly, 21-pressing head, 22-fixing cylinder, 23-connecting rod, 24-handle, 25-moving cylinder, 26-toothed assembly, 27-transmission rod, 28-spring, 29-abutting head, 3-pressing rod, 31-extension plate, 4-withdrawing assembly, 41-withdrawing cylinder, 42-separating cylinder, 43-withdrawing pump, 431-pressing switch, 5-control module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Embodiment 1

[0035] The automatic nitrogen adding equipment and system for reproductive embryo cryopreservation disclosed by the present application, through modular structure design and intelligent control, effectively solve the problems of poor adaptability, low operation efficiency and insufficient safety in the existing liquid nitrogen adding technology; Specifically, the following technical means are used:

[0036] The application discloses an automatic nitrogen adding equipment for freezing and preserving reproductive embryos, which comprises a supporting cylinder 1, a pressing assembly 2, a pressing rod 3 and a pumping assembly 4. The pressing assembly 2 is fixedly arranged in the supporting cylinder 1, a through groove 11 is formed in the lateral wall of the supporting cylinder 1, the pressing rod 3 is movably arranged in the through groove 11, the pumping assembly 4 is fixedly arranged at the lower end of the supporting cylinder 1, and a pressing switch 431 is further fixedly arranged at the upper end of the pumping assembly 4 and located in the supporting cylinder 1. The pressing rod 3 is lifted to clamp the handle 24 of the liquid nitrogen tank and the pumping assembly 4 is controlled to pump by pressing the pressing assembly 2.

[0037] The linkage mechanism of the pressing assembly 2 and the pressing rod 3 can realize stable fixing during the pumping process. When the pressing head 21 is pressed, the tooth-shaped assembly 26 drives the transmission rod 27 to press the movable cylinder 25, so that the outer end of the pressing rod 3 is lifted, the extension plate 31 at the upper end of the pressing rod 3 is inclined counterclockwise and clamped into the gap between the two handles 24 of the liquid nitrogen tank, and a wedge-shaped fixing structure is formed. Compared with the traditional manual pouring, the freezing risk caused by splashing of the liquid nitrogen can be effectively avoided. Meanwhile, the ergonomic handle 24 on the outer side of the supporting cylinder 1 is matched with the anti-skid design of the rubber layer of the clamping groove 13, so that the fatigue degree and the slipping probability during the handheld operation are further reduced.

[0038] Specifically, the pressing assembly 2 comprises a pressing head 21, a fixed cylinder 22, a connecting rod 23, a movable cylinder 25, a tooth-shaped assembly 26, a transmission rod 27, a spring 28 and a contact head 29. An annular groove 12 is formed in the upper end of the supporting cylinder 1, the movable cylinder 25 is movably arranged in the annular groove 12, the movable cylinder 25 is received at the lower end of the fixed cylinder 22, the lateral wall of the fixed cylinder 22 is fixedly connected to the lateral wall of the supporting cylinder 1 through the symmetrically arranged connecting rods 23, the upper end of the fixed cylinder 22 is movably arranged with the pressing head 21, the lower end of the pressing head 21 is movably connected with the tooth-shaped assembly 26, the lower end of the tooth-shaped assembly 26 is arranged with the transmission rod 27, the terminal end of the transmission rod 27 is fixedly connected with the movable cylinder 25, the spring 28 is sleeved at the outer end of the transmission rod 27, and the two ends of the spring 28 are limited between the transmission rod 27 and the supporting cylinder 1. Meanwhile, the contact head 29 is further fixedly arranged in the central part of the movable cylinder 25. The up-down movement of the movable cylinder 25 is controlled by pressing the fixed pressing head 21. When the pressing head 21 is pressed, the tooth-shaped assembly 26 will rotate relatively and press the transmission rod 27, meanwhile, the spring 28 is compressed, and the movable cylinder 25 will move downward. The movement of the movable cylinder 25 will press the pressing rod 3, so that the pressing rod 3 is lifted and fixedly connected to the handle 24 of the liquid nitrogen tank. After the collection is completed, the pressing head 21 is pressed again to release. In the embodiment, the principle of the pressing assembly 2 is the principle of a pressing pen. The tooth-shaped assembly 26 is the principle of the tooth-shaped structure in the head of the pressing pen. The specific principle can be referred to in the following document:

[0039] https: / / www.bilibili.com / video / BV1j54y1y7zS / ?spm_id_from=333.337.search-card.all.click&vd_source=7c09788d7db8642b93cb8324381e2dd2.

[0040] Meanwhile, in the embodiment, one end of the pressing rod 3 extends inwardly to the lower end of the movable cylinder 25, the other end extends outwardly, and a plurality of extension plates 31 are linearly arranged at the upper end of the pressing rod 3; the extension plates 31 are inclined toward the counterclockwise direction, and the inclination angle is between 0°-60°; through the inclined arrangement, a fixed effect can be formed after the pressing rod 3 is raised, and the linearly arranged multiple extension plates 31 can ensure that different diameters of liquid nitrogen tanks can be adapted during use, and the handle 24 of the specific liquid nitrogen tank is as shown in Figure 6 .

[0041] Embodiment 2

[0042] In the embodiment, based on the extraction assembly 4 described in embodiment 1, the extraction assembly 4 can extract liquid nitrogen, and the bucket of the extraction assembly 4 is designed to be detachable, so that different depths of liquid nitrogen tanks and different extraction amounts can be adapted through detachable splicing; the extraction assembly 4 comprises an extraction pump 43, an extraction cylinder 41, and a bucket 42; the extraction pump 43 is fixedly installed at the lower end of the support cylinder 1, the extraction end of the extraction pump 43 is fixedly connected with the extraction cylinder 41, the distal end of the extraction cylinder 41 is detachably installed with the bucket 42, and a plurality of clamping grooves 13 are arranged at the lower end of the support cylinder 1, and a rubber layer is fixedly installed at the inner edge of the clamping groove 13; through the combination design of the detachable bucket 42 and the rubber layer of the clamping groove 13, the equipment can flexibly adapt to different specifications of the liquid nitrogen tank. Among them, the bucket 42 of the extraction assembly 4 adopts a multi-section threaded splicing structure, and the length can be freely combined according to the depth of the liquid nitrogen tank, so as to solve the problem of "not reaching deep tank, wasting space of shallow tank" caused by fixed depth of traditional equipment; the inner edge of the clamping groove 13 at the lower end of the support cylinder 1 is covered with a 2mm thick rubber layer, which is adapted to the tank opening through elastic deformation.

[0043] Embodiment 3

[0044] On the other hand, the application discloses a system of automatic nitrogen adding equipment for reproductive embryo cryopreservation, which comprises a control module fixedly arranged at the upper end of a support cylinder 1 and a power supply fixedly arranged on the side wall of the support cylinder 1; the control module comprises a microprocessor, a signal receiving and converting module, and a control panel 5;

[0045] Microprocessor: used for processing signals and controlling the work of components;

[0046] Signal receiving and transforming module: for receiving signal and transforming it into signal that microprocessor can process;

[0047] Control panel 5: for selecting different modes and the amount of extraction;

[0048] Power supply: for supplying energy to each electrical component;

[0049] Specifically, the control process of the above system is as follows:

[0050] S1: when using the device to extract liquid nitrogen, first, according to the size of the liquid nitrogen tank or the amount of extraction needed, then select the amount of extraction needed through the control panel 5 (at the same time, connect different numbers of sub-cylinders 42 according to needs);

[0051] S2: then put the whole device into the liquid nitrogen tank, press the press head 21 to press the press switch 431, the press switch 431 transmits the signal to the microprocessor after transformation through the signal receiving and transforming module, and the microprocessor controls the extraction pump 43 to work for a corresponding time to achieve the pre-set amount of extraction needed;

[0052] S3: when the extraction is completed, the control panel 5 displays the completion effect, then it can be transferred, after the transfer, the extraction pump 43 is controlled to work in reverse through the control panel 5 to release the liquid nitrogen.

[0053] The control module integrates microprocessor and touch screen control panel 5, which can pre-set the extraction amount (5L / 10L gear), and the microprocessor controls the working time of the extraction pump 43 (1L / min precision) through precise control; significantly reducing the labor input and time consumption of the embryo laboratory. The application combines mechanical fixing structure (pressing assembly 2), fluid extraction module (detachable sub-cylinder 42) and intelligent control system, realizes the miniaturization and convenient addition of liquid nitrogen through the integrated process of "pressing fixation-quantitative extraction-reverse release", and ensures the safety of embryo cryopreservation.

[0054] The preferred embodiments disclosed above are only used to help illustrate the application, and the preferred embodiments do not describe all the details and do not limit the application to the specific embodiments described.

Claims

1. An automated nitrogen-gassing apparatus for cryopreservation of reproductive embryos, characterized in that, The utility model provides a liquid nitrogen extraction device, including support cylinder, press assembly, press bar, extraction assembly, the inside fixed mounting press assembly of support cylinder, the lateral wall of support cylinder is equipped with through slot, through slot active press installs press bar, the lower end fixed mounting extraction assembly of support cylinder, still fixed mounting press switch in the inside of extraction assembly's upper end in support cylinder, through press press assembly, press bar is lifted and is stuck to the handle of liquid nitrogen tank and controls extraction assembly to extract.

2. The apparatus for automated nitrogen addition for cryopreservation of reproductive embryos according to claim 1, wherein The press assembly includes a press head, a fixed cylinder, a connecting rod, a movable cylinder, a toothed assembly, a transmission rod, a spring, and a contact head. An annular groove is formed in the upper end of the support cylinder, and the movable cylinder is movably installed in the annular groove. The movable cylinder is received in the lower end of the fixed cylinder. The connecting rod is symmetrically arranged on the lateral wall of the fixed cylinder and fixedly connected to the lateral wall of the support cylinder. The upper end of the fixed cylinder movably installs the press head. The lower end of the press head movably connects the toothed assembly. The lower end of the toothed assembly installs the transmission rod. The end of the transmission rod is fixedly connected to the movable cylinder. A spring is sleeved on the outer end of the transmission rod. The two ends of the spring are limited between the transmission rod and the support cylinder. A contact head is fixedly installed in the center of the movable cylinder. The upward and downward movement of the press head is controlled by pressing the press head.

3. The apparatus for automated nitrogen addition for cryopreservation of reproductive embryos according to claim 1, wherein One end of the press bar extends inward to the lower end of the movable cylinder, and the other end extends outward. A plurality of extension plates are linearly arranged on the upper end of the press bar.

4. The apparatus for automated nitrogen addition for cryopreservation of reproductive embryos according to claim 3, wherein The extension plates are inclined in the counterclockwise direction, and the angle of inclination is between 0° and 60°.

5. The apparatus for automated nitrogen addition for cryopreservation of reproductive embryos according to claim 1, wherein, The extraction assembly includes an extraction pump, an extraction cylinder, and a separation cylinder. The extraction pump is fixedly installed in the lower end of the support cylinder. The extraction end of the extraction pump is fixedly connected to the extraction cylinder. The end of the extraction cylinder is detachably installed with the separation cylinder.

6. The apparatus for automated nitrogen addition for cryopreservation of reproductive embryos according to claim 1, wherein, A plurality of clamping grooves are formed in the lower end of the support cylinder. A rubber layer is fixedly installed on the inner edge of the clamping groove.

7. The apparatus for automated nitrogen addition for cryopreservation of reproductive embryos according to claim 1, wherein A handle is fixedly arranged on the outer lateral wall of the support cylinder perpendicular to the connecting rod.

8. System for the automatic nitrogen addition for the cryopreservation of reproductive embryos according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The control module is fixedly arranged on the upper end of the support cylinder. The power supply is fixedly arranged on the lateral wall of the support cylinder. The control module includes a microprocessor, a signal receiving and converting module, and a control panel. The microprocessor is used to process signals and control the operation of components. The signal receiving and converting module is used to receive signals and convert them into signals that can be processed by the microprocessor. The control panel is used to select different modes and extraction amounts. The power supply is used to supply energy to each electrical component. Specifically, the control process of the system is as follows: S1: When using the device to extract liquid nitrogen, first select the amount of liquid nitrogen to be extracted according to the size of the liquid nitrogen tank or the amount of liquid nitrogen to be extracted. S2: Then place the entire device into the liquid nitrogen tank and press the press head to press the switch. The switch transmits the signal to the microprocessor after conversion by the signal receiving and converting module. The microprocessor controls the operation of the extraction pump for a corresponding time to achieve the pre-set extraction amount. S3: When the extraction is complete, the control panel displays the completion effect. Then move the device. After moving, control the extraction pump to work in reverse to release the liquid nitrogen.

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