Carbon dioxide mixing and humidifying device for cell culture

Abstract

The invention discloses a carbon dioxide uniform mixing and humidifying device for cell culture. The carbon dioxide uniform mixing and humidifying device comprises a gas path supply module, a gas uniform mixing module and a humidifying temperature control module. The gas path supply module is provided with parallel carbon dioxide and air paths, each gas path is sequentially provided with a gas source interface, a pump, a pneumatic switch, a pressure reducing valve, a filter and a mass flow controller, and the gas flow can be accurately controlled; the gas mixing module is provided with a detection unit capable of monitoring the carbon dioxide component proportion in real time; the humidification temperature control module comprises a humidifier and a gas scattering device and can conduct humidification temperature control treatment on the evenly-mixed gas. According to the device, accurate adjustment of components is achieved through closed-loop control of the mass flow controller and the detection unit, gas is cut into micron-sized bubbles through the gas scattering device, the humidification efficiency and the uniformity of gas components are remarkably improved, meanwhile, the device has the functions of backflow prevention and dry burning prevention, and the stability and safety of a cell culture environment are ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of cell culture experimental equipment technology, specifically to a carbon dioxide mixing and humidifying device for cell culture. Background Technology

[0002] In many fields such as biological culture, biomedical research and development, and tissue engineering, it is crucial to create a stable and controllable living environment for cells, tissues or microorganisms, among which carbon dioxide concentration, temperature and humidity are key environmental parameters.

[0003] Existing technology CN210193893U discloses an incubator for easy adjustment of carbon dioxide concentration. It achieves concentration and humidity monitoring through the cooperation of a concentration adjustment box, a humidity sensor, and a carbon dioxide concentration sensor. Combined with a movable U-shaped jet pipe, it improves the uniformity of gas distribution, thus mitigating to some extent the problems of large gas concentration fluctuations and poor humidification in traditional incubators. However, this technology still has significant limitations: First, the gas mixing accuracy is limited; relying on valve switching and simple water tank humidification makes it difficult to achieve high-precision, stable control of carbon dioxide concentration, failing to meet the needs of high-precision cell culture. Second, the humidification efficiency is low; natural humidification through the water tank only achieves surface gas humidification, resulting in poor gas humidity uniformity and the potential for localized excessive or insufficient humidity. Third, it lacks adaptability to different culture scenarios; this technology is only suitable for overall environmental control in large incubators and cannot meet the gas environment requirements of delicate culture scenarios such as small culture containers. Fourth, a comprehensive safety protection mechanism is not established, and risks such as gas backflow and equipment dry burning are not effectively controlled.

[0004] Furthermore, existing gas mixing devices generally suffer from poor mixing efficiency, leading to gas stratification and uneven gas composition delivered to the culture area, further exacerbating the instability of the culture environment. These problems severely restrict the reliability and reproducibility of cell culture experimental results. In summary, existing systems involving cell and microbial culture have many shortcomings in providing suitable carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, and humidity environments for cell screening and culture. There is an urgent need for a device that can precisely control carbon dioxide concentration, effectively humidify, ensure suitable gas temperature, and achieve good mixing. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a carbon dioxide mixing and humidifying device for cell culture, which can precisely adjust the mixing ratio of carbon dioxide and air to achieve uniform mixing, and stably humidify and precisely control the temperature of the mixed gas to provide suitable environmental conditions for cell culture.

[0006] A carbon dioxide mixing and humidifying device for cell culture includes: a gas supply module with parallel carbon dioxide and air gas paths; a gas mixing module with a detection unit for real-time monitoring of the carbon dioxide component ratio, the inlet of which is connected to the outlet of the carbon dioxide and air gas paths for mixing the two gases; and a humidification and temperature control module connected downstream of the gas mixing module, including a humidifier and a gas dispersing device, the gas dispersing device being submerged below the liquid surface of the humidifier.

[0007] Furthermore, the carbon dioxide gas path and the air gas path are each provided with a gas source interface, a pump, a pneumatic switch, a pressure reducing valve, a filter, and the mass flow controller in sequence according to the airflow direction.

[0008] Furthermore, the gas mixing module is also provided with a mixing cavity, which is a spherical or cylindrical structure with a smooth inner wall surface.

[0009] Furthermore, the first and second connectors of the Y-type three-way connector are respectively connected to the mass flow controllers of the carbon dioxide gas path and the air gas path through the delivery pipes, and the third connector is connected to the first air inlet, which is used to perform preliminary collision and mixing of the two gas paths before delivering them to the mixing chamber.

[0010] Furthermore, the mixing chamber is also equipped with a power unit or a turbulence-disrupting component for fully mixing carbon dioxide and air.

[0011] In some embodiments, the detection unit is an integrated sensor, located in the internal central region of the gas mixing module or at the gas outlet; the signal output terminal of the integrated sensor is connected to the control terminal of the mass flow controller to form a closed-loop feedback regulation loop for carbon dioxide concentration.

[0012] Furthermore, the gas mixing module and the humidification and temperature control module are connected by a delivery pipe. A one-way valve is installed on the delivery pipe, and the one-way valve is directed towards the humidifier to prevent water vapor from diffusing back into the gas mixing module.

[0013] Preferably, the humidifier is equipped with a heating element and a temperature detector; the temperature detector is used to control the working state of the heating element so as to adjust the liquid in the humidifier and the gas phase space above it to a preset temperature.

[0014] Furthermore, the gas dispersing device is connected to the end of the air inlet pipe of the humidifier, and the gas dispersing device has a porous gas diffuser; the porous gas diffuser has micron-sized diffusion pores for cutting the mixed gas into tiny bubbles.

[0015] Preferably, the humidification and temperature control module further includes a liquid level sensor, which is used to collect water level information and trigger a water shortage alarm mechanism based on the water level information.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution disclosed in this invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. Through parallel gas paths and mass flow controllers, the flow rates of carbon dioxide and air can be precisely adjusted. Combined with the turbulence-inducing components or mesh mixing units in the gas mixing module, uniform mixing of carbon dioxide and air can be achieved. Furthermore, by utilizing the closed-loop feedback control circuit formed by the detection unit, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the mixed gas can be precisely controlled, meeting the stringent requirements of cell culture for carbon dioxide concentration, and improving the stability of cell culture and the reliability of experimental results.

[0017] 2. The gas dispersing device breaks the mixed gas into tiny bubbles, increasing the contact area with the liquid inside the humidifier and improving humidification efficiency. Simultaneously, the temperature sensor inside the humidifier precisely controls the temperature, ensuring stable humidification and providing a suitable humidity environment for cell culture, reducing the risk of abnormal cell growth and contamination caused by humidity issues.

[0018] 3. From pressure reducing valves and filters in the gas circuit to ensure a safe and stable gas supply, to one-way valves to prevent water vapor from diffusing back and affecting gas mixing, to water shortage alarms from liquid level sensors and dry-burn protection operations, the system comprehensively ensures the safe and reliable operation of the device under various conditions, reduces the risk of equipment failure, and extends its service life.

[0019] 4. Employing a three-stage progressive mixing mechanism, through the synergistic effects of collision, swirling flow, and mechanical shearing, the gas stratification effect is completely eliminated, ensuring extremely high spatial uniformity of carbon dioxide concentration under various flow conditions. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be more fully understood by referring to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are provided to further illustrate the embodiments of this application and form part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of this application to explain the present invention and do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings, the same reference numerals generally represent the same components or steps.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the gas supply module in the carbon dioxide mixing and humidification device of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the gas mixing module and the humidification and temperature control module in the carbon dioxide mixing and humidification device of the present invention. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the gas mixing module in the carbon dioxide mixing and humidification device of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the humidification and temperature control module in the carbon dioxide mixing and humidification device of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the humidifier in the carbon dioxide mixing and humidification device of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the gas dispersion device in the carbon dioxide mixing and humidification device of the present invention; Figure Labels

[0022] Gas supply module 1; Gas mixing module 2; Humidification and temperature control module 3; Y-type tee connector 21; first air inlet 22; mixing chamber 23; detection unit 24; first air outlet 25; Liquid level sensor 30; humidifier 31; second air inlet 311; second air outlet 312; air inlet pipe 313; gas dispersing device 314; temperature detector 315; heating component 316; air outlet pipe 317; porous diffuser head 320. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the invention may be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0024] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0025] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0026] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the gas dispersing device refers to a mechanical structure installed at the air inlet end for dividing and breaking a concentrated large flow of air into fine bubbles or diffused airflow, with the aim of increasing the contact area between the gas phase and the liquid phase.

[0027] Heat and mass exchange refers to the physical process of heat transfer (heating) and mass transfer (water evaporation) occurring simultaneously between gas and water in a humidification chamber.

[0028] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0029] refer to Figures 1-6 As shown, the present invention provides a carbon dioxide mixing and humidification device for cell culture, including a gas supply module 1, a gas mixing module 2, and a humidification and temperature control module 3.

[0030] The gas supply module 1 is equipped with parallel carbon dioxide and air gas paths, which are connected in parallel to the subsequent gas mixing module 2. Both the carbon dioxide and air gas paths are sequentially equipped with a gas source interface, a pump, a pneumatic switch, a pressure reducing valve, a filter, and a mass flow controller, arranged according to the airflow direction. These components are fluidly connected through delivery pipelines to precisely regulate the initial pressure and flow rate of each gas component. In some embodiments, the delivery pipeline is a pressure-resistant vent pipe.

[0031] The carbon dioxide gas source interface uses a quick-connect connector made of corrosion-resistant nickel alloy.

[0032] The air supply interface of the air circuit also adopts a quick-connect connector. At the same time, considering that there may be moisture, dust and other impurities in the air, the interface material is made of high-strength stainless steel, and a multi-layer sealing structure is set at the interface, including rubber sealing rings and sealing gaskets, to prevent external moisture and impurities from entering the air circuit.

[0033] The joints of the two air lines are also designed with automatic dust covers. When no air source is connected, the dust covers will automatically close, which can effectively prevent dust from entering.

[0034] The pump used in the carbon dioxide gas circuit is a plunger pump. During operation, the plunger pump reciprocates under the drive of the motor. When the plunger moves backward, the pump chamber volume increases, the pressure decreases, the inlet check valve opens, and carbon dioxide gas enters the pump chamber due to the pressure difference. When the plunger moves forward, the pump chamber volume decreases, the pressure increases, the outlet check valve opens, and the gas is squeezed out, realizing continuous delivery with a flow rate range of 0-5L / min.

[0035] The pump in the air circuit is a centrifugal fan, which utilizes the high-speed rotation of the impeller to generate centrifugal force, allowing the air to gain kinetic energy and thus achieve rapid air delivery. The fan is equipped with an adjustable-speed motor, and the motor speed is controlled by a frequency converter to achieve a wide range of airflow adjustment, with a flow rate adjustment range of 0-30L / min.

[0036] Both pneumatic switches for the two gas circuits employ electromagnetically controlled pneumatic ball valves. Special sealing materials and processes are used between the ball valve core and the valve seat to ensure complete blockage of the gas circuit and prevent gas leakage when closed. Additionally, the carbon dioxide gas circuit switch is equipped with an external status indicator light, allowing operators to visually understand the switch's operating status.

[0037] The control circuit of the pneumatic switch is also equipped with a misoperation protection function to prevent the air circuit from being opened or closed abnormally due to misoperation.

[0038] The carbon dioxide gas circuit's pressure reducing valve is a pilot-operated type. By adjusting the pressure of the pilot valve, the opening of the main valve is precisely controlled, thereby stably reducing the high pressure from the carbon dioxide source to a pressure range suitable for the cell culture device's operation. The pressure reducing valve is equipped with a pressure display gauge, which uses a digital display to show the output pressure value in real time and accurately. Furthermore, the pressure reducing valve is also equipped with an overload protection device. When the output pressure exceeds a safe threshold, it automatically cuts off the gas circuit to prevent damage to downstream equipment due to excessive pressure.

[0039] The pressure reducing valve in the air circuit is a direct-acting type. It controls the valve core opening by adjusting the spring pressure, thereby reducing the air source pressure to a working pressure range compatible with the carbon dioxide circuit. The valve's adjustment knob has clear pressure markings, allowing operators to intuitively understand the current pressure value. Simultaneously, the pressure reducing valve is equipped with a pressure feedback device, which can feed the output pressure signal back to the control system in real time for precise pressure control.

[0040] In some embodiments, a pressure sensor is provided at the outlet of the pressure reducing valve to feed back the pressure signal to the control center to adjust the output power of the pump.

[0041] The carbon dioxide gas filter employs a multi-layer composite filtration structure, consisting of a coarse filter layer, a medium filter layer, and a fine filter layer from the outside in. The coarse filter layer is composed of a wire mesh with carefully designed pore sizes to intercept larger particles (greater than 100 μm), such as rust and dust, providing preliminary filtration and protecting subsequent filter layers. The medium filter layer uses fiber filter media, effectively filtering out most microorganisms and smaller solid particles with diameters between 0.1 and 100 μm. The fine filter layer uses activated carbon adsorption material. The activated carbon undergoes special activation treatment, resulting in a rich microporous structure and a large specific surface area, capable of adsorbing odors, residual chemical pollutants, and some moisture from the carbon dioxide gas, further improving the purity of the carbon dioxide gas. Simultaneously, the filter housing is made of high-strength engineering plastic, possessing excellent pressure resistance and corrosion resistance. The housing also features a convenient filter cartridge replacement device for easy replacement when the cartridge becomes clogged or saturated.

[0042] Considering the complexity of air composition, the air filter employs a multi-layer filtration design. The pre-filter layer is a coarse-pore sponge with a large pore structure, capable of initially filtering out large dust particles larger than 1mm in diameter, reducing the burden on subsequent filter layers. The middle filter layer is glass fiber filter paper, which has extremely high filtration precision, effectively intercepting microorganisms and tiny dust particles with diameters between 0.3-1mm, filtering bacteria and viruses. The final filter layer is activated carbon fiber, which has a rich microporous structure and a large specific surface area, capable of adsorbing harmful gases in the air, such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, as well as odors and some moisture. The filter housing is equipped with a drain outlet, which features an automatic drain valve. When moisture accumulates inside the filter to a certain level, the automatic drain valve opens to drain the water, ensuring the normal operation of the filter.

[0043] Both gas flow paths utilize thermal mass flow controllers, which operate based on the principle of heat conduction. These controllers incorporate heating elements and temperature sensors. As carbon dioxide gas flows through, it carries away heat from the heating element. The temperature sensor detects temperature changes, allowing for precise calculation of the gas mass flow rate. The mass flow controllers are equipped with a high-precision valve control system. The valve opening is precisely controlled by a microprocessor, enabling accurate regulation of the carbon dioxide flow rate. The flow control accuracy reaches ±1%, allowing for precise adjustment of the carbon dioxide flow rate based on the required carbon dioxide concentration for cell culture, combined with real-time airflow data.

[0044] The mass flow controller is connected to the gas mixing module 2 at its end. The gas mixing module 2 includes a Y-type tee connector 21, a first air inlet 22, a mixing chamber 23, a detection unit 24, and a first air outlet 25. One end of the mixing chamber 23 is connected to the first air inlet 22, and the other end is connected to the detection unit 24. To ensure thorough mixing of carbon dioxide and air, the gases can be preliminarily mixed before entering the mixing chamber 23. This preliminary mixing is achieved using the Y-type tee connector 21. The first and second connectors of the Y-type tee connector 21 are respectively connected to a carbon dioxide gas path mass flow controller and an air gas path mass flow controller. The two gases undergo preliminary collision at the confluence of the Y-type tee connector 21 to form a preliminary mixture.

[0045] The initially mixed gas enters the mixing chamber 23 through the first air inlet 22. Considering the need to avoid right angles or acute angles in the cubic structure during gas flow, the mixing chamber 23 is a spherical or cylindrical structure with a relatively smooth inner wall surface. When a spherical structure is used, the output end of the Y-type tee connector 21 is connected to the horizontal plane of the mixing chamber 23 in a tangential direction, so that the gas forms a centripetal cyclone in the chamber, and the momentum exchange of different component molecules is enhanced by the difference in centrifugal force. When a cylindrical structure is used, the longitudinal cross-sectional inner diameter of the mixing chamber 23 remains consistent to avoid local laminar flow caused by abrupt changes in cross-section.

[0046] The research of this invention shows that, under low flow rate conditions, although carbon dioxide and air can form laminar flow within a pipe or cavity, the mixing speed is extremely slow due to the stratified flow of the two gases, relying solely on natural molecular diffusion. Preferably, the mixing cavity 23 is also equipped with a power device (not shown). This power device generates mechanical shearing force through the rotation of the blades, forcibly cutting the airflow into tiny turbulent micro-clusters, allowing carbon dioxide molecules to rapidly penetrate the air layer and achieve macroscopically uniform distribution in a very short time.

[0047] Meanwhile, considering that although spherical or cylindrical structures can reduce dead zones, a velocity gradient may still exist between the center of the cavity and the near-wall surface under conditions of high viscosity or large flow rate differences. The power unit can actively perform work to establish a forced circulation flow field inside the cavity. This forced circulation ensures that the gas in every space within the cavity can participate in the exchange, avoiding the short-term residence or accumulation of components in local spaces, thereby improving the dynamic response speed of the mixing device.

[0048] In another embodiment, the mixing chamber 23 is provided with only a flow-disrupting component instead of a power unit. The flow-disrupting component is installed on the internal flow channel of the mixing chamber 23.

[0049] The flow disturbance component includes multiple sets of asymmetrically arranged baffles or spiral static mixing cores. When the initially mixed gas enters the mixing chamber 23 from the premixing module, the flow disturbance component generates continuous shearing, segmentation, and reversing effects on the airflow.

[0050] If the mixing cavity 23 is a cylindrical structure, the turbulence component is a longitudinally staggered crescent-shaped baffle, which forces the airflow to advance in an "S" shaped path, increasing the local velocity gradient of the flow stream.

[0051] If the mixing cavity 23 is a spherical structure, the turbulence component is a swirling blade arranged along the inner wall to guide the airflow to generate a strong vortex.

[0052] Meanwhile, since the power unit has been replaced, in order to compensate for the mixing intensity caused by the lack of an active power unit, in this embodiment, the inner diameter of the inlet end of the Y-type tee connector 21 is smaller than the inner diameter of the outlet end. By reducing the cross-section, the initial jet velocity of the airflow when entering the mixing chamber 23 is increased, thereby providing sufficient kinetic energy reserves for the turbulence component and ensuring that sufficient mixing can still be achieved under low total flow conditions.

[0053] It is worth noting that, in order to achieve better gas mixing, the implementation in which the inner diameter of the inlet end of the Y-type tee connector 21 is smaller than the inner diameter of the outlet end can also be applied to other embodiments. These applications do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and they should all be covered within the scope of the claims and specification of this application.

[0054] The detection unit 24 is located at the middle or downstream outlet of the mixing chamber 23. The detection unit 24 integrates multiple sensors, which can detect carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, and humidity. This arrangement ensures that the gas to be tested has undergone homogenization within the core mixing module before contacting the detection unit 24, so that the detection data acquired by the sensors represents the final component parameters after homogenization.

[0055] Continue to refer to Figure 2 The mixed gas is delivered partly to the culture medium through the first gas outlet 25, and the other part is delivered to the humidification and temperature control module 3 through the solenoid valve.

[0056] The humidification and temperature control module 3 utilizes an effective combination of gas dispersion technology and heating temperature control technology to design an integrated gas circulation and heat and mass exchange area, achieving high gas humidification efficiency, fast temperature control response, good gas mixing effect, and a compact structure for easy integration and installation.

[0057] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5The humidification and temperature control module 3 includes a liquid level sensor 30 and a humidifier 31. The humidifier 31 is a closed cavity structure filled with liquid water and includes: a second air inlet 311, a second air outlet 312, an air inlet pipe 313, a gas dispersing device 314, a temperature detector 315, a heating element 316, and an air outlet pipe 317. The liquid level sensor 30 is located on the outside of the humidifier and is used to monitor the liquid level. It can also issue early warning information based on the liquid level.

[0058] The second air inlet 311 and the second air outlet 312 are symmetrically or side by side arranged on the base at the bottom of the humidifier 31. The second air inlet 311 is used to connect to an external air source (such as air, carbon dioxide or a mixture thereof), and the second air outlet 312 is used to output the processed target gas.

[0059] The air intake pipe 313 extends upward from the base. One end of the air intake pipe 313 is connected to the output pipe of the gas mixing module 2 through a sealing joint. The sealing joint is made of high-strength metal and has multiple layers of rubber sealing rings inside to ensure no leakage during gas transportation. The air intake pipe 313 is made of high-pressure resistant and corrosion-resistant rubber tubing. Its inner diameter is selected according to the gas flow rate and the air intake requirements of the gas dispersing device 314, generally between 10-20mm. Its shape adopts a U-shaped fold or a specific bending structure. The other end points downward below the water level in the chamber and is connected to the multi-hole diffuser of the gas dispersing device 314 to introduce the mixed gas into the humidifier 31.

[0060] In some embodiments, the outer surface of the air intake pipe 313 is also wrapped with a layer of reinforcing fiber to increase its compressive and tensile strength and prevent damage from external forces during use.

[0061] Continue to refer to Figure 6 The gas dispersing device 314 is equipped with a porous gas diffuser head 320, which allows the introduced gas to escape in the form of tiny bubbles, ensuring that the gas has an extremely long travel length and contact area in the liquid, thereby achieving efficient humidification.

[0062] The porous diffuser head 320 is made of sintered stainless steel microporous material with an average pore size of 20μm-40μm. This specific pore size can overcome the surface tension of the liquid under micro-airflow conditions, forming a diffuse bubble flow with a diameter of about 200μm, increasing the effective surface area of ​​gas-liquid heat and mass exchange to more than 20 times that of traditional submerged pipelines.

[0063] In some embodiments, the porous diffuser head 320 can also be made of porous ceramic material. The ceramic raw material is manufactured through processes such as molding and sintering. Porous ceramics have good chemical stability and high temperature resistance, and can operate stably for a long time in the working environment of the humidifier. Its pore structure is also carefully designed to ensure gas dispersion and humidification efficiency, and its size is approximately the same as that of the stainless steel porous diffuser head.

[0064] The heating element 316 and temperature detector 315 are integrated and disposed in the functional area inside the humidifier 31. The heating element 316 is used to provide heat energy to the liquid and gas in the chamber, so that they reach the preset operating temperature. The temperature detector 315 is disposed close to the heating element 316 and is used to monitor the changes in the thermal field inside the chamber in real time.

[0065] The heating element 316 uses a stainless steel heating tube. To ensure safety and stability during long-term use in water, the surface of the heating tube is coated with a high-temperature resistant, insulating, and corrosion-resistant ceramic coating. The ceramic coating undergoes a special sintering process, resulting in a tight bond with the stainless steel substrate, effectively preventing corrosion and leakage in humid environments. The power of the heating tube is selected based on the humidifier's volume and the required heating speed. The heating tube is connected to the power supply via a high-temperature resistant insulated wire, and the circuit includes overcurrent protection and leakage protection devices. The overcurrent protection device quickly cuts off the circuit when the current exceeds the rated value, preventing damage to the heating tube due to overload; the leakage protection device immediately cuts off the power supply upon detecting leakage, ensuring operator safety.

[0066] The air outlet pipe 317 is located in the upper space inside the humidifier 31. Since the humidified and heated gas gathers at the top of the chamber, the inlet end of the air outlet pipe 317 is placed in the gas collection area above the liquid surface, and its end passes through the base and is finally connected to the second air outlet 312.

[0067] The air inlet pipe 313, air outlet pipe 317, heating element 316, and temperature detector 315 are all integrated on the same base and extend upwards, forming a compact columnar structure. This structure can be inserted entirely into the humidification chamber and sealed via threads or flanges. This design makes the device simple in structure and extremely convenient for disassembly, cleaning, and maintenance.

[0068] Continue to refer to Figure 2The gas mixing module 2 and the humidification and temperature control module 3 are connected via a delivery pipeline. A one-way valve is also installed on the delivery pipeline. This one-way valve is a spring-loaded check valve, whose internal structure mainly consists of a valve body, a valve core, and a spring. When gas flows from the gas mixing module to the humidifier, the gas pressure overcomes the spring force, pushing open the valve core and allowing the gas to pass smoothly. Conversely, when water vapor in the humidifier may diffuse backwards, the water vapor pressure pushes the valve core closed, relying on the spring's elasticity to tightly adhere to the valve seat, effectively preventing water vapor from re-entering the gas mixing module and avoiding affecting the stability of the gas mixing and the accuracy of the carbon dioxide concentration.

[0069] In use, all electrical components mentioned in this application are externally connected to a power supply and control switch. When the carbon dioxide concentration detected by the detection unit 24 is lower than the set target value, the microcontroller calculates the deviation according to a preset algorithm and sends an adjustment command to the mass flow controller of the carbon dioxide gas path to increase its valve opening and improve the instantaneous flow rate of carbon dioxide. At the same time, if the pipeline pressure fluctuates due to the flow rate change, the system adjusts the output power of the pump in the carbon dioxide gas path to maintain a constant pressure at the downstream end of the pressure reducing valve. Through the real-time interaction between the detection unit, the microcontroller, and the mass flow controller, a closed-loop feedback loop with a response frequency of not less than 10Hz is formed to ensure that the concentration fluctuation range is controlled within ±0.1%.

[0070] The mixed dry gas is forced into the humidifier through a one-way valve and then atomized into fine bubbles through the porous diffuser head 320 to absorb moisture from the warm water. A temperature detector 315 monitors the water temperature in real time and maintains a constant temperature by adjusting the duty cycle of the heating element. The liquid level sensor 30 includes a low liquid level warning line and a dry-burning safety line. When the liquid level falls below the dry-burning safety line, the control system forcibly cuts off the power supply circuit of the heating element 316 via a relay. This process is a hardware-level interlock and does not rely on software operation, thus eliminating the risk of dry burning at the physical level. This ensures that the entire mixing and humidification process is accurate, stable, and safe.

[0071] In summary, through the coordinated operation of various modules and components, this invention can achieve precise gas mixing, stable and efficient humidification, and precise temperature control required for cell culture.

[0072] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and they should all be covered within the scope of the claims and specification of this application.

Claims

1. A carbon dioxide homogenizing humidifying device for cell culture, characterized by, The utility model relates to a carbon dioxide and air mixing device, comprising: a gas circuit supply module configured with a carbon dioxide gas circuit and an air gas circuit arranged in parallel; a gas mixing module, which is internally provided with a detection unit for real-time monitoring of the proportion of carbon dioxide components, has an air inlet end communicated with the outlet of the carbon dioxide gas circuit and the air gas circuit, and is used for mixing and homogenizing the two kinds of gases; a humidification and temperature control module connected downstream of the gas mixing module, comprising a humidifier and a gas dispersing device, wherein the gas dispersing device is immersed below the liquid level of the humidifier.

2. The carbon dioxide homogenizing humidifying device for cell culture according to claim 1, wherein, The carbon dioxide gas circuit and the air gas circuit are sequentially provided with a gas source interface, a pump, a pneumatic switch, a pressure reducing valve, a filter and a mass flow controller in the gas flow direction.

3. The carbon dioxide homogenizing humidifying device for cell culture according to claim 1, wherein, The gas mixing module is further provided with a mixing cavity, which has a spherical structure or a cylindrical structure with a smooth inner wall surface.

4. The carbon dioxide homogenizing humidifying device for cell culture according to claim 1, wherein, The gas mixing module further comprises a Y-shaped tee joint, wherein the first joint and the second joint of the Y-shaped tee joint are connected with the mass flow controllers of the carbon dioxide gas circuit and the air gas circuit through conveying pipelines respectively, and the third joint is connected with a first air inlet for conveying the two kinds of gases after preliminary collision and mixing to the mixing cavity.

5. The carbon dioxide homogenizing humidifying device for cell culture according to claim 1, wherein, The mixing cavity is further provided with a power device or a turbulence component for fully mixing the carbon dioxide and air.

6. The carbon dioxide homogenizing humidifying device for cell culture according to claim 1, wherein, The detection unit is an integrated sensor arranged in the internal central region or the gas flow outlet of the gas mixing module; the signal output end of the integrated sensor is connected with the control end of the mass flow controllers of the two kinds of gas circuits to form a closed-loop feedback regulation loop of carbon dioxide concentration.

7. The carbon dioxide homogenizing humidifying device for cell culture according to claim 1, wherein, The gas mixing module and the humidification and temperature control module are connected through a conveying pipeline, wherein a one-way valve is arranged on the conveying pipeline, and the conduction direction of the one-way valve points to the humidifier to prevent the backward diffusion of water vapor to the gas mixing module.

8. The carbon dioxide homogenizing humidifying device for cell culture according to claim 1, wherein, The humidifier is provided with a heating component and a temperature detector; the temperature detector is used to control the working state of the heating component to adjust the liquid in the humidifier and the gas phase space above to a preset temperature.

9. The carbon dioxide homogenizing humidifying device for cell culture according to claim 1, wherein, The gas dispersing device is connected with the end of the air inlet pipe of the humidifier, and has a porous gas dispersing head; the porous gas dispersing head has micron-level diffusion pores for cutting the mixed gas into small bubbles.

10. The carbon dioxide homogenizing humidifying device for cell culture according to claim 1, wherein, The humidification and temperature control module further comprises a liquid level sensor, which is used to collect water level information and trigger a water shortage alarm mechanism according to the water level information.

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