A cell culture device with real-time monitoring of culture environment

Abstract

The application provides a cell culture device with real-time monitoring of a culture environment, comprising a culture box, a bearing plate, a culture dish, a master control unit and a culture medium management mechanism, wherein the culture medium management mechanism comprises a horizontal electric sliding table, a vertical electric sliding table, an electric push rod, a moving plate, a first electric rotating table, a rotating plate, a mounting cylinder, a detection probe, a double-suction pump and a conveying pipe; the culture dish can be placed on the bearing plate in the culture box for cell culture; during the culture process, the mounting cylinder can be moved above any culture dish, the detection probe arranged on the outer wall of the mounting cylinder can detect the use condition of the culture medium in the culture dish, according to the different use conditions, the double-suction pump can suck part of the culture medium in several culture dishes into the mounting cylinder through the conveying pipe, after uniform mixing, the culture medium is conveyed back to the culture dish according to the proportion, the use conditions of the culture medium are unified, the opening frequency of the culture box is reduced, the waste of culture medium resources is avoided, and the culture cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of cell culture technology, and in particular to a cell culture device with real-time monitoring of the culture environment. Background Technology

[0002] In cell biology, modern medicine, life sciences, and drug development, in vitro cell culture technology has become an important research tool due to its advantages such as ease of operation and ability to maintain long-term stable passage of live cells. Currently, cell culture generally involves pouring culture medium into a culture dish, seeding cells onto the medium, and then placing the entire culture dish in a cell culture incubator for centralized and unified culture. The cell culture incubator can provide cells with a suitable temperature and sterile environment. However, during cell growth, the state of the culture medium in the culture dish will vary due to differences in cell density, metabolic activity, and culture time. When changing the culture medium, if only a portion of the medium is replaced, it will lead to an increase in the number of times the incubator is opened and closed, increasing the risk of cross-infection. On the other hand, if all the culture medium is replaced, it will result in the waste of some culture medium, leading to increased culture costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the present invention proposes a cell culture device with real-time monitoring of the culture environment, which can monitor the usage status of the cell culture medium and adjust the usage status of the medium by mixing to make the usage status of the medium more consistent, so as to facilitate uniform replacement and reduce culture costs.

[0004] The technical solution of this invention is implemented as follows:

[0005] A cell culture device with real-time monitoring of the culture environment includes an incubator, a support plate, culture dishes, a main control unit, and a culture medium management mechanism. The support plate is arranged parallel to each other inside the incubator, with its two sides forming passageways with the inner wall of the incubator. The culture dishes are arrayed on the upper surface of the support plate. The culture medium management mechanism includes a horizontal electric slide, a vertical electric slide, an electric actuator, a moving plate, a first electric turntable, a rotating plate, a mounting cylinder, a detection probe, a dual-suction pump, and a delivery pipe. The horizontal electric slides are symmetrically embedded in the inner wall of the incubator, and their actuators are connected to the side walls of the vertical electric slides. The vertical electric slides are located in the passageways. The electric push rod is mounted on the moving side wall of the vertical electric slide, and its output shaft is connected to the side wall of the moving plate. The first electric turntable is mounted on the side wall of the moving plate away from the electric push rod, and its rotation surface is connected to the side wall of the rotating plate. The mounting cylinder is mounted on the side wall of the rotating plate away from the first electric turntable. The detection probe is mounted on the top surface of the mounting cylinder. The double suction pump is mounted inside the mounting cylinder. The delivery pipe is mounted on the bottom surface of the mounting cylinder, and its top end extends into the mounting cylinder and is connected to the double suction pump. The main control unit is mounted on the top surface inside the incubator and is electrically connected to the horizontal electric slide, the vertical electric slide, the electric push rod, the first electric turntable, the detection probe, and the double suction pump, respectively.

[0006] Preferably, the culture medium management mechanism further includes a partition and an injection head. The partition is disposed inside the mounting cylinder and divides the mounting cylinder into a mixing chamber and a storage chamber. The dual-suction pump is located in the mixing chamber. The storage chamber stores nutrient solution. The injection head is disposed on the outer wall of the mounting cylinder and communicates with the storage chamber. The main control unit is electrically connected to the injection head.

[0007] Preferably, the culture medium management mechanism further includes a connecting pipe, the mixing chamber is provided with a slope, the double-suction pump is provided on the slope, one end of the connecting pipe is connected to the double-suction pump, and the other end is located on the side of the slope with a lower height.

[0008] Preferably, the culture medium management mechanism further includes a rotary motor, a stirring shaft, and fan blades. The rotary motor is disposed on the top surface of the mixing chamber, and its output shaft is connected to the top of the stirring shaft. The fan blades are disposed on the outer wall of the stirring shaft. The main control unit is electrically connected to the rotary motor.

[0009] Preferably, the culture medium management mechanism further includes a second electric turntable, a U-shaped frame, and a clamping mechanism. The second electric turntable is disposed on the outer wall of the mounting cylinder, and its rotation surface is connected to the side wall of the U-shaped frame. The clamping mechanism is disposed inside the U-shaped frame and is used to clamp and fix the culture dish. The main control unit is electrically connected to the second electric turntable and the clamping mechanism.

[0010] Preferably, the clamping mechanism includes an electromagnet, an arc-shaped metal plate, and a clamping spring. The arc-shaped metal plate is arranged opposite to each other inside the U-shaped frame, with its concave surfaces facing each other. The clamping spring connects the convex surface of the arc-shaped metal plate to the inner wall of the U-shaped frame. The electromagnet is arranged on the outer wall of the U-shaped frame and located on one side of the arc-shaped metal plate. The main control unit is electrically connected to the electromagnet.

[0011] Preferably, it also includes a support rod, with one end of the support plate connected to the inner side wall of the incubator and the other end connected to the bottom surface of the support plate.

[0012] Preferably, the detection probe integrates a pH sensor, a dissolved oxygen sensor, a conductivity sensor, and an osmotic pressure sensor, and the main control unit is electrically connected to the pH sensor, dissolved oxygen sensor, conductivity sensor, and osmotic pressure sensor, respectively.

[0013] Preferably, it also includes a sealing door, with one side of the incubator open, and the sealing door is connected to the open side of the incubator.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0015] This invention discloses a cell culture device with real-time monitoring of the culture environment. A horizontal and vertical electric slide are provided on both sides of a support plate. These slides drive a mounting cylinder to move vertically up and down and left and right, allowing it to be positioned above different culture dishes. Detection probes on the mounting cylinder can monitor the usage status of the culture medium, thus assessing the cell culture status. When the mounting cylinder rotates, the delivery tube is rotated above the culture dish and then lowered into it. A dual-suction pump draws some culture medium into the mounting cylinder, allowing for mixing of culture media in different usage states. After mixing, the culture medium can be returned to the culture dish in a specific ratio, ensuring consistent usage of the culture medium across different dishes. This facilitates uniform replacement, reduces the frequency of culture medium changes, avoids waste, and lowers culture costs. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only preferred embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a cell culture device with real-time monitoring of the culture environment according to the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the electric push rod and the mounting cylinder of a cell culture device with real-time monitoring of the culture environment according to the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the mounting cylinder of a cell culture device with real-time monitoring of the culture environment according to the present invention;

[0020] In the diagram, 1. Incubator; 2. Support plate; 3. Petri dish; 4. Main control unit; 5. Passageway; 6. Horizontal electric slide; 7. Vertical electric slide; 8. Electric push rod; 9. Moving plate; 10. First electric turntable; 11. Rotating plate; 12. Mounting cylinder; 13. Detection probe; 14. Double suction pump; 15. Delivery pipe; 16. Partition; 17. Injection head; 18. Mixing chamber; 19. Storage chamber; 20. Connecting pipe; 21. Inclined ramp; 22. Rotary motor; 23. Stirring shaft; 24. Fan blade; 25. Second electric turntable; 26. U-shaped frame; 27. Electromagnet; 28. Arc-shaped metal plate; 29. ​​Clamping spring; 30. Support rod; 31. pH sensor; 32. Dissolved oxygen sensor; 33. Conductivity sensor; 34. Osmotic pressure sensor; 35. Sealing door. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To better understand the technical content of this invention, a specific embodiment is provided below, and the invention will be further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0022] See Figures 1 to 3This invention provides a cell culture device with real-time monitoring of the culture environment, comprising an incubator 1, a support plate 2, culture dishes 3, a main control unit 4, and a culture medium management mechanism. The support plate 2 is arranged parallel to the inside of the incubator 1, with its two sides forming passageways 5 with the inner wall of the incubator 1. The culture dishes 3 are arrayed on the upper surface of the support plate 2. The culture medium management mechanism includes a horizontal electric slide 6, a vertical electric slide 7, an electric push rod 8, a moving plate 9, a first electric turntable 10, a rotating plate 11, a mounting cylinder 12, a detection probe 13, a double-suction pump 14, and a delivery pipe 15. The horizontal electric slide 6 is symmetrically embedded in the inner wall of the incubator 1, and its actuator is connected to the side wall of the vertical electric slide 7. The vertical electric slide 7 is located in the passageway 5. The moving push rod 8 is disposed on the moving side wall of the vertical electric slide 7, and its output shaft is connected to the side wall of the moving plate 9. The first electric turntable 10 is disposed on the side wall of the moving plate 9 away from the electric push rod 8, and its rotating surface is connected to the side wall of the rotating plate 11. The mounting cylinder 12 is disposed on the side wall of the rotating plate 11 away from the first electric turntable 10. The detection probe 13 is disposed on the top surface of the mounting cylinder 12. The double suction pump 14 is disposed inside the mounting cylinder 12. The delivery pipe 15 is disposed on the bottom surface of the mounting cylinder 12, and its top end extends into the mounting cylinder 12 and is connected to the double suction pump 14. The main control unit 4 is disposed on the top surface inside the incubator 1 and is electrically connected to the horizontal electric slide 6, the vertical electric slide 7, the electric push rod 8, the first electric turntable 10, the detection probe 13, and the double suction pump 14, respectively.

[0023] This invention discloses a cell culture device with real-time monitoring of the culture environment. The device uses an incubator 1 to culture cells. The incubator 1 is located in a sterile laboratory. Several support plates 2 are set inside the incubator 1. One side of the support plate 2 is fixed to the inner wall of the incubator 1 to fix the support plate 2. Several culture dishes 3 can be placed on top of the support plates 2. After the culture medium is poured into the culture dishes 3, cells can be seeded in the culture medium. The temperature and humidity inside the incubator 1 are controlled to regulate the external environment of cell culture and ensure that the cells are in a suitable culture environment.

[0024] Due to differences in cell density, metabolic activity, and culture time, the consumption of culture medium varies, as does the amount of metabolic waste. In this invention, a passageway 5 is formed between the two sides of the support plate 2 and the incubator 1. A culture medium management mechanism is installed within this passageway 5. A horizontal electric slide 6 can drive a vertical electric slide 7 to move back and forth, and the vertical electric slide 7 can drive an electric push rod 8 to move up and down. The electric push rod 8 is connected to an installation cylinder 12 via a moving plate 9, a first electric turntable 10, and a rotating plate 11. Therefore, driven by the horizontal electric slide 6, the vertical electric slide 7, and the electric push rod 8, the installation cylinder 12 can move above any culture dish 3. A detection probe 13 is installed on the outer wall of the installation cylinder 12. When the detection probe 13 is facing downwards, it can be lowered by the vertical electric slide 7, thus extending into the culture dish 3 to detect the culture medium. Since the installation cylinder 12 can move to different positions, the usage status of the culture medium at different locations can be detected.

[0025] After obtaining the usage status of all culture media, the media can be mixed and redistributed as needed. With the mounting cylinder 12 positioned above the petri dishes 3, an electric turntable drives the rotating plate 11 and mounting cylinder 12 to rotate, causing the delivery pipe 15 to face downwards. Then, a vertical electric slide 7 lowers the mounting cylinder 12, allowing the delivery pipe 15 to extend into the culture media. After activating the double-suction pump 14, a portion of the culture media can be drawn into the mounting cylinder 12. After extracting culture media from multiple petri dishes 3, the rotation of the mounting cylinder 12 ensures uniform mixing. After mixing, the double-suction pump 14 can return the mixed culture media to the petri dishes 3 one by one according to a set ratio. This ensures that the usage status of the culture media in all petri dishes 3 is consistent, facilitating the uniform replacement of all culture media after a period of cultivation. This avoids resource waste caused by multiple replacement processes or premature replacement, reducing cultivation costs.

[0026] Preferably, the culture medium management mechanism further includes a partition 16 and an injection head 17. The partition 16 is disposed inside the mounting cylinder 12 and divides the mounting cylinder 12 into a mixing chamber 18 and a storage chamber 19. The dual-suction pump 14 is located in the mixing chamber 18. The storage chamber 19 stores nutrient solution. The injection head 17 is disposed on the outer wall of the mounting cylinder 12 and communicates with the storage chamber 19. The main control unit 4 is electrically connected to the injection head 17.

[0027] For the mounting cylinder 12, it is divided into two chambers by the partition 16. The culture medium is drawn into the mixing chamber 18 by the double suction pump 14, mixed in the mixing chamber 18, and then drawn out by the double suction pump 14 and returned to the culture medium. The storage chamber 19 contains nutrient solution, which can be added to part of the culture dish 3 through the injection head 17 to ensure the normal culture of cells.

[0028] Preferably, the culture medium management mechanism further includes a connecting pipe 20, a ramp 21 is provided in the mixing chamber 18, the double suction pump 14 is provided on the ramp 21, one end of the connecting pipe 20 is connected to the double suction pump 14, and the other end is located on the side of the ramp 21 with a lower height.

[0029] A ramp 21 is provided inside the mounting cylinder 12 to create a height difference in the mixing chamber 18. After the double suction pump 14 draws the culture medium into the mixing chamber 18, the culture medium will accumulate in the mixing chamber 18. After mixing is completed, the double suction pump 14 can extract the culture medium to the outside. Due to the setting of the ramp 21, the culture medium can gather on the side with the lower height of the ramp 21. The connecting pipe 20 is located on the side with the lower height of the ramp 21. The double suction pump 14 can extract all the culture medium and transport it back to the culture dish 3.

[0030] Preferably, the culture medium management mechanism further includes a rotary motor 22, a stirring shaft 23, and a fan blade 24. The rotary motor 22 is disposed on the top surface of the mixing chamber 18, and its output shaft is connected to the top of the stirring shaft 23. The fan blade 24 is disposed on the outer wall of the stirring shaft 23. The main control unit 4 is electrically connected to the rotary motor 22.

[0031] Once the culture medium enters the mixing chamber 18, the rotary motor 22 can be turned on. The rotary motor 22 drives the fan blade 24 to rotate via the stirring shaft 23. The fan blade 24 can stir the culture medium in the mixing chamber 18, making the culture medium evenly mixed.

[0032] Preferably, the culture medium management mechanism further includes a second electric turntable 25, a U-shaped frame 26, and a clamping mechanism. The second electric turntable 25 is disposed on the outer wall of the mounting cylinder 12, and its rotation surface is connected to the side wall of the U-shaped frame 26. The clamping mechanism is disposed inside the U-shaped frame 26 and is used to clamp and fix the culture dish 3. The main control unit 4 is electrically connected to the second electric turntable 25 and the clamping mechanism.

[0033] Cell culture is divided into adherent culture and suspension culture, with most cell cultures being suspension cultures. To prevent the delivery tube 15 from aspirating suspended cells, a low-speed centrifugation mechanism is installed on the outer wall of the mounting cylinder 12. After confirming the culture dish 3 that needs to be mixed with culture medium, the mounting cylinder 12 is moved above the culture dish 3. Then, the first electric turntable 10 drives the mounting cylinder 12 to rotate, so that the second electric turntable 25 and the U-shaped frame 26 are positioned downwards. At this time, the opening of the U-shaped frame 26 faces downwards. The vertical electric slide 7 drives the mounting cylinder 12 to descend, and after the clamping mechanism clamps and fixes the outer wall of the culture dish 3, the second electric turntable 25 can be started. The second electric turntable 25 can drive the U-shaped frame 26 to rotate, and through the clamping mechanism, it drives the culture dish 3 to rotate, realizing low-speed centrifugation of the culture dish 3. After the cells are effectively precipitated, the delivery tube 15 can aspirate the supernatant of the culture medium, thereby avoiding the aspiration of cells.

[0034] Preferably, the clamping mechanism includes an electromagnet 27, an arc-shaped metal plate 28, and a clamping spring 29. The arc-shaped metal plate 28 is disposed opposite to each other inside the U-shaped frame 26, with its concave surfaces facing each other. The clamping spring 29 connects the convex surface of the arc-shaped metal plate 28 and the inner wall of the U-shaped frame 26. The electromagnet 27 is disposed on the outer wall of the U-shaped frame 26 and located on one side of the arc-shaped metal plate 28. The main control unit 4 is electrically connected to the electromagnet 27.

[0035] When the electromagnet 27 is energized, it can magnetically attract the arc-shaped metal plates 28. At this time, the space between the arc-shaped metal plates 28 is relatively large. When the vertical electric slide 7 drives the mounting cylinder 12 to descend, the arc-shaped metal plates 28 can be lowered to both sides of the culture dish 3. Then, the main control unit 4 slowly reduces the current supplied to the electromagnet 27. As the magnetic force on the arc-shaped metal plates 28 decreases, the clamping spring 29 will push the arc-shaped metal plates 28 to move towards the middle, and finally achieve clamping and fixing of the culture dish 3. Thus, under the drive of the second electric turntable 25, the culture dish 3 can be centrifuged at low speed.

[0036] Preferably, it also includes a support rod 30, one end of the support plate 2 is connected to the inner wall of the incubator 1, and the other end is connected to the bottom surface of the support plate 2.

[0037] The support rod 30 can support the support plate 2 and ensure the stability of the support plate 2 so that the petri dish 3 can be stably placed on the support plate 2.

[0038] Preferably, the detection probe 13 integrates a pH sensor 31, a dissolved oxygen sensor 32, a conductivity sensor 33, and an osmotic pressure sensor 34, and the main control unit 4 is electrically connected to the pH sensor 31, the dissolved oxygen sensor 32, the conductivity sensor 33, and the osmotic pressure sensor 34, respectively.

[0039] When the detection probe 13 is inserted into the culture dish 3, it can collect pH value, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and osmotic pressure. The main control unit 4 can evaluate the usage status of the culture medium based on pH value, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and osmotic pressure, so as to facilitate the mixing of different culture media.

[0040] Preferably, it also includes a sealing door 35, with one side of the incubator 1 open, and the sealing door 35 is connected to the open side of the incubator 1.

[0041] The sealing door 35 is used to seal the incubator 1, achieving internal and external isolation and providing a stable and suitable environment for cell culture.

[0042] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cell culture device with real-time monitoring of the culture environment, characterized in that, The system includes an incubator, a support plate, petri dishes, a main control unit, and a culture medium management mechanism. The support plate is arranged parallel to each other inside the incubator, with its two sides forming passageways with the inner wall of the incubator. The petri dishes are arranged in an array on the upper surface of the support plate. The culture medium management mechanism includes a horizontal electric slide, a vertical electric slide, an electric push rod, a moving plate, a first electric turntable, a rotating plate, a mounting cylinder, a detection probe, a dual-suction pump, and a delivery pipe. The horizontal electric slide is symmetrically embedded in the inner wall of the incubator, and its mover is connected to the side wall of the vertical electric slide. The vertical electric slide is located in the passageway, and the electric push rod is located in the vertical... The output shaft of the electric slide is connected to the side wall of the moving plate. The first electric turntable is set on the side wall of the moving plate away from the electric push rod, and its rotation surface is connected to the side wall of the rotating plate. The mounting cylinder is set on the side wall of the rotating plate away from the first electric turntable. The detection probe is set on the top surface of the mounting cylinder. The double suction pump is set inside the mounting cylinder. The delivery pipe is set on the bottom surface of the mounting cylinder, and its top end extends into the mounting cylinder and is connected to the double suction pump. The main control unit is set on the top surface inside the incubator and is electrically connected to the horizontal electric slide, the vertical electric slide, the electric push rod, the first electric turntable, the detection probe, and the double suction pump, respectively.

2. The cell culture device with real-time monitoring of the culture environment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The culture medium management mechanism also includes a partition and an injection head. The partition is disposed inside the mounting cylinder and divides the mounting cylinder into a mixing chamber and a storage chamber. The dual-suction pump is located in the mixing chamber. The storage chamber stores nutrient solution. The injection head is disposed on the outer wall of the mounting cylinder and communicates with the storage chamber. The main control unit is electrically connected to the injection head.

3. The cell culture device with real-time monitoring of the culture environment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The culture medium management mechanism also includes a connecting pipe. The mixing chamber is provided with a slope. The double-suction pump is installed on the slope. One end of the connecting pipe is connected to the double-suction pump, and the other end is located on the side of the slope with a lower height.

4. The cell culture device with real-time monitoring of the culture environment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The culture medium management mechanism also includes a rotary motor, a stirring shaft, and fan blades. The rotary motor is located on the top surface of the mixing chamber, and its output shaft is connected to the top of the stirring shaft. The fan blades are located on the outer wall of the stirring shaft. The main control unit is electrically connected to the rotary motor.

5. The cell culture device with real-time monitoring of the culture environment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The culture medium management mechanism also includes a second electric turntable, a U-shaped frame, and a clamping mechanism. The second electric turntable is located on the outer wall of the mounting cylinder, and its rotation surface is connected to the side wall of the U-shaped frame. The clamping mechanism is located inside the U-shaped frame and is used to clamp and fix the culture dish. The main control unit is electrically connected to the second electric turntable and the clamping mechanism.

6. A cell culture device with real-time monitoring of the culture environment according to claim 5, characterized in that, The clamping mechanism includes an electromagnet, an arc-shaped metal plate, and a clamping spring. The arc-shaped metal plate is arranged opposite to each other inside the U-shaped frame with its concave surfaces facing each other. The clamping spring connects the convex surface of the arc-shaped metal plate to the inner wall of the U-shaped frame. The electromagnet is arranged on the outer wall of the U-shaped frame and located on one side of the arc-shaped metal plate. The main control unit is electrically connected to the electromagnet.

7. The cell culture device with real-time monitoring of the culture environment according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a support rod, with one end of the support plate connected to the inner side wall of the incubator and the other end connected to the bottom surface of the support plate.

8. The cell culture device with real-time monitoring of the culture environment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection probe integrates a pH sensor, a dissolved oxygen sensor, a conductivity sensor, and an osmotic pressure sensor. The main control unit is electrically connected to the pH sensor, the dissolved oxygen sensor, the conductivity sensor, and the osmotic pressure sensor, respectively.

9. A cell culture device with real-time monitoring of the culture environment according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a sealed door, with one side of the incubator open, and the sealed door is connected to the open side of the incubator.

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