A pollen automatic collection, identification and analysis system and method

Abstract

The application provides a pollen automatic collection, identification and analysis system and method, relates to the technical field of pollen detection, and comprises a rack, a servo turntable and a controller. A droplet device, a feeding pipe, a transfer device and a microscope are sequentially arranged on the rack along the circumference of the servo turntable. A plurality of placing grooves one and placing grooves two are arranged on the servo turntable along the circumference. The placing grooves one are used for placing cover glasses, and the placing grooves two are used for placing cover slips. The movable end of the transfer device is fixedly connected with a suction tube, the lower end of the suction tube is fixedly connected with a suction disc, and the suction disc is used for transferring the cover slip in the placing groove two to the placing groove one. The application integrates pollen collection, slide preparation and packaging, microscope observation and other steps through the servo turntable, and can complete the whole process on one device, so that the pollen sample does not need to be repeatedly transferred manually, and the application is more convenient. The application is suitable for long-time atmospheric pollen collection, a plurality of stations are arranged on the servo turntable, and the requirement for multi-day collection is met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of pollen detection technology, and in particular to an automatic pollen collection, identification and analysis system and method. Background Technology

[0002] Pollen sampling, detection, and analysis play a crucial role in multiple fields. For example, in medicine and public health, its core function is to facilitate the precise prevention and control of pollen allergies, identifying the specific pollen species that trigger allergies. In agriculture, pollen testing can assess pollen pollination potential, directly ensuring the efficiency of artificial pollination and hybridization breeding of crops. It can also evaluate the reproductive status and population expansion trends of local plants.

[0003] Patent application CN121409687A discloses a pollen sampling device and a pollen detection method. The pollen sampling device includes a support structure, a sampling component, and an optical detection component. The pollen detection method includes the following steps: S1: Air sampling; S2: Fixing the sampled particles onto the sampling component, activating the spray device, spraying the dye from the pigment bottle onto the glass slide to maximize coverage of the collected pollen particles, then turning off the spray device; turning on the heater, the high temperature melts the adhesive surface on the glass slide, causing the particles to sink into the medium, and the pollen particles originally adhered to glycerol sink into the gelatin; after a period of cooling, the pollen is permanently fixed in the gelatin; S3: Imaging the sampled particles using the optical detection component; S4: Image analysis; S5: Storing the processed glass slide.

[0004] Regarding the aforementioned technologies, the collection, preparation, and packaging of pollen samples are mostly done manually. Even if some steps are completed by mechanical devices, personnel still need to manually transfer pollen samples frequently between different devices, which is inconvenient. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides an automatic pollen collection, identification and analysis system and method, which integrates multiple steps such as pollen collection, slide preparation and packaging, and microscopic observation through a servo turntable. The entire process can be completed on one device, eliminating the need for manual and repeated transfer of pollen samples, making it more convenient.

[0006] This application provides an automatic pollen collection, identification, and analysis system, which adopts the following technical solution: An automatic pollen collection, identification, and analysis system includes a frame, a servo turntable, and a controller. The frame is provided with a dripping device, a feed pipe, a transfer device, and a microscope in sequence along the circumference of the servo turntable. The servo turntable is provided with multiple placement slots 1 and 2 along the circumference. The center of the placement slot 1 extends downward through the servo turntable. The placement slot 1 is used to place a glass slide, and the placement slot 2 is used to place a cover slide. The feed pipe is equipped with a fan, and the frame is fixed with an air extraction pipe. The top end of the air extraction pipe is close to the bottom surface of the servo turntable, and the other end of the air extraction pipe is connected to an air extraction device. The air extraction pipe is located directly below the feed pipe. The movable end of the transfer device is fixed with a suction tube, and the lower end of the suction tube is fixed with a suction cup. The suction cup is used to transfer the cover glass in the second placement slot to the first placement slot.

[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, a dispensing device, a feed tube, a transfer device, and a microscope are sequentially arranged along the circumference of the servo turntable. Pollen is fed onto a glass slide through the feed tube, and the suction cup of the transfer device is used to transfer the coverslip from the second placement slot to the first placement slot. The servo turntable integrates multiple steps such as pollen collection, slide preparation and packaging, and microscope observation, allowing the entire process to be completed on a single device. This eliminates the need for repeated manual transfer of pollen samples, making it more convenient.

[0008] Optionally, a platform is placed in the placement slot, the platform is provided with a positioning slot for placing glass slides, and the surface of the platform is provided with a number of ventilation holes.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, a platform is used to place the glass slide, which makes it easy for people to hold the platform and move the glass slide. The ventilation holes facilitate the vertical airflow.

[0010] Optionally, the dripping device includes a dripping tube and a storage tank connected to the top of the dripping tube. The dripping tube is equipped with a solenoid valve, and the storage tank contains dyeing solution.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, the solenoid valve is controlled by the controller to open and close, thereby realizing the automatic dripping of dyeing solution, which is dripped onto the center of the top surface of the carrier plate.

[0012] Optionally, the transfer device includes a base, a slide block one slidably connected to the base in the horizontal direction, a slide block two slidably connected to the slide block one in the vertical direction, and the slide block two being the movable end of the transfer device; the base is provided with a motor one and a lead screw one driven by the motor one to rotate, the lead screw one being threadedly connected to the slide block one, and the slide block one is provided with a motor two and a lead screw two driven by the motor two to rotate, the lead screw two being threadedly connected to the slide block two.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, the operation of motor one controls the sliding block one to slide in the horizontal direction, and the operation of motor two controls the sliding block two to slide in the vertical direction, thereby realizing the automatic movement of the suction tube. The suction cup moves the cover glass in the placement slot two to the placement slot one, and presses the cover glass onto the center of the slide on the platform to achieve sealing.

[0014] Optionally, the frame is fixed with an electric heater, which is located below the servo turntable at a position corresponding to the placement slot one.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, the electric heater heats the glass slide, softens the outer wall of the pollen, and accelerates the penetration of the staining solution.

[0016] Optionally, an inner frame is fixed to the inner wall of the feed pipe, and a drip pipe and a humidity sensor are fixed to the inner frame. The outer end of the drip pipe is connected to a water storage tank through a solenoid valve.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the staining solution on the glass slide is easy to lose water and dry. Water is added to the staining solution through a dropper to make up for the water loss, so that the staining solution can retain moisture for a long time and thus adhere to the pollen for a long time.

[0018] Optionally, the inner frame is fixed with a camera and a light, with the camera positioned facing the center of the glass slide.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, personnel can intuitively observe the state of the staining solution, manually control the addition of water, and adjust the dripping frequency of the solenoid valve two through the controller to adjust the dripping frequency to a suitable level.

[0020] Optionally, an XYZ three-axis moving platform is installed between the microscope and the frame.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, the microscope serves as the observation end for pollen identification, making it convenient to adjust the position of the lens to find and photograph pollen at different locations.

[0022] Secondly, this application provides an automatic pollen collection, identification, and analysis method, which adopts the following technical solution: An automatic pollen collection, identification, and analysis method, using the aforementioned automatic pollen collection, identification, and analysis system, includes the following steps: Step S1: Place a glass slide in the empty placement slot one of the servo turntable and a cover glass slide in the placement slot two. The servo turntable rotates one station angle each time and then brakes to stop. Step S2: The staining solution is added to the center of the glass slide using the dispensing device; Step S3: The fan and exhaust equipment work to draw pollen from the atmosphere into the feed pipe. The pollen sticks to the staining solution on the glass slide, and the drawn-in air is discharged from the exhaust pipe. Step S4: The transfer device transfers the cover glass slide placed in slot two to the glass slide and presses it together to complete the slide preparation and encapsulation. Step S5: Observe the pollen sample using a microscope.

[0023] By adopting the above technical solution, the entire process of pollen collection, slide preparation and packaging, and microscopic observation can be completed on a single device, eliminating the need for repeated manual transfer of pollen samples, making it more convenient.

[0024] Optionally, while the suction tube is continuously evacuating air, water is added to the staining solution on the slide.

[0025] By adopting the above technical solution, the staining solution on the glass slide can maintain a basically unchanged moisture content during the long-term adsorption of pollen, thus enabling continuous adsorption of pollen.

[0026] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: 1. The servo turntable integrates multiple steps such as pollen collection, slide preparation and packaging, and microscope observation, allowing the entire process to be completed on a single device, eliminating the need for manual and repeated transfer of pollen samples, making it more convenient; 2. Suitable for long-term atmospheric pollen collection, with multiple workstations on the servo turntable to meet the needs of multi-day collection; 3. It can automatically replenish water to the glass slide, so that the staining solution can continuously absorb pollen. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional view of an automatic pollen collection, identification, and analysis system according to Embodiment 1; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the feed pipe in Example 1; Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the transfer device in Embodiment 1.

[0028] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Frame; 10. Servo turntable; 2. Drip device; 3. Feed pipe; 4. Transfer device; 5. Pipe; 51. Suction cup; 6. Microscope; 11. Placement slot one; 12. Placement slot two; 13. Platform; 14. Positioning slot; 15. Vent hole; 16. Electric heater; 21. Drip pipe; 22. Storage tank; 23. Solenoid valve one; 31. Fan; 32. Suction pipe; 33. Inner frame; 34. Drip pipe; 35. Solenoid valve two; 36. Water storage tank; 37. Humidity sensor; 38. Camera; 41. Base; 42. Slide one; 43. Slide two; 44. Motor one; 45. Lead screw one; 46. Motor two; 47. Lead screw two; 61. XYZ three-axis moving platform. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Example 1: Reference Figure 1 This embodiment discloses an automatic pollen collection, identification and analysis system, including a frame 1, a servo turntable 10 and a controller. Along the circumference of the servo turntable 10, the frame 1 is provided with a dripping device 2, a feed pipe 3, a transfer device 4 and a microscope 6. Pollen is fed onto the glass slide at the feed pipe 3.

[0031] The servo turntable 10 has multiple placement slots 11 and 12 along its circumferential direction. The center of placement slot 11 extends downward through the servo turntable 10. Placement slot 11 is used to place glass slides, and placement slot 12 is used to place cover slips. Placement slots 11 and 12 correspond one-to-one. Specifically, a platform 13 is placed in placement slot 11. In this embodiment, the platform 13 is used to place the glass slides, making it easy for personnel to hold the platform 13 and move the glass slides. The platform 13 has positioning slots 14 for placing glass slides, and several ventilation holes 15 are provided through the surface of the platform 13. Following the rotation direction of the servo turntable 10, the platform 13 and the glass slides pass sequentially through the dripping device 2, the feed tube 3, the transfer device 4, and the microscope 6.

[0032] The dripping device 2 includes a dripping tube 21 and a storage tank 22 connected to the top of the dripping tube 21. A solenoid valve 23 is installed on the dripping tube 21, and the storage tank 22 contains dyeing solution. The dripping tube 21 is fixed to the equipment base by a bracket. The dripping tube 21 is a rigid tube to ensure that the dyeing solution is dripped to the center of the top surface of the carrier plate. The solenoid valve 23 is controlled by a controller to open and close, thereby achieving automatic dripping.

[0033] Reference Figure 2 The upper end of the feed pipe 3 is open to the atmosphere to absorb pollen from the local area, while the lower end of the feed pipe 3 is close to the glass slide. The feed pipe 3 is equipped with a fan 31, which causes air to flow downwards. An extraction pipe 32 is fixed to the frame 1, with its top end close to the bottom surface of the servo turntable 10 and its other end connected to an extraction device. The extraction pipe 32 is located directly below the feed pipe 3. When the extraction device is activated, the air entering through the feed pipe 3 passes over the top surface of the glass slide. Some pollen is adhered to by the staining solution, and the air passes through the vent hole 15 on the platform 13 and the bottom opening of the placement slot 11 into the extraction pipe 32, where it is then extracted and discharged outdoors. The combination of the fan 31 and the extraction device creates an unobstructed gas path, preventing excess pollen from spreading into the room.

[0034] An inner frame 33 is fixed to the inner wall of the feed pipe 3. The inner frame 33 is fitted with a drip pipe 34 and a humidity sensor 37. The outer end of the drip pipe 34 is connected to a water storage tank 36 via a second solenoid valve 35. The second solenoid valve 35 is controlled by a controller to open and close, thus achieving automatic water dripping. The humidity sensor 37 monitors the humidity inside the feed pipe 3 and sends feedback to the controller. Since air circulation accelerates water evaporation, the staining solution on the slide easily loses water and dries. Water is added to the staining solution through the drip pipe 34 to compensate for the water loss, allowing the staining solution to retain moisture for a longer period, thus enabling long-term pollen adhesion. This is suitable for long-term pollen collection (several hours to a day). Because lower air humidity leads to faster water evaporation, to balance the evaporation rate, the higher the humidity, the lower the frequency of water dripping, and vice versa. The control system adjusts these settings to achieve automatic water dripping.

[0035] In addition, the inner frame 33 is equipped with a camera 38 and a light source. The camera 38 is positioned facing the center of the glass slide, and the light source provides illumination. In this embodiment, the light source is located on the camera 38 and is a built-in function of the camera 38. Through the camera 38, after connecting to an external display, personnel can visually observe the state of the staining solution, manually control the addition of water, and adjust the dripping frequency of the solenoid valve 35 via the controller to adjust the dripping frequency to a suitable level.

[0036] It should be noted that the drip tube 21 and the drip tube 34 are also equipped with manual regulating valves to adjust the flow rate and control the amount of liquid dripped each time.

[0037] Reference Figure 3 The transfer device 4 includes a base 41, which is fixed to the frame 1. A first slide 42 is slidably connected to the base 41 in the horizontal direction, and a second slide 43 is slidably connected to the first slide 42 in the vertical direction. The second slide 43 is the movable end of the transfer device 4. The base 41 is equipped with a first motor 44 and a first lead screw 45 driven by the first motor 44. The first lead screw 45 is threadedly connected to the first slide 42. The first slide 42 is equipped with a second motor 46 and a second lead screw 47 driven by the second motor 46. The second lead screw 47 is threadedly connected to the second slide 43. A suction tube 5 is fixed to the movable end of the transfer device 4, i.e., the suction tube 5 is fixed to the second slide 43. A suction cup 51 is fixed to the lower end of the suction tube 5, and a small suction device is connected to the upper end of the suction tube 5. The suction cup 51 is used to transfer the coverslip in the second placement slot 12 to the first placement slot 11.

[0038] The operation of motor 44 controls the sliding of slide 42 in the horizontal direction, and the operation of motor 46 controls the sliding of slide 43 in the vertical direction, thereby realizing the automatic movement of the suction tube 5. The suction cup 51 transfers the cover glass in the placement slot 12 to the placement slot 11 and presses the cover glass onto the center of the slide on the platform 13, thus achieving sealing. When the vacuum device is evacuating, the suction cup 51 generates suction force; when the vacuum device is depressurized, the suction cup 51 can lower the cover glass. The operation of the vacuum device is controlled by the controller.

[0039] To accelerate the penetration of the staining solution, an electric heater 16 is fixed to the frame 1. The electric heater 16 is located below the servo turntable 10, corresponding to the position of the placement tank 11. Hot air can be applied to the glass slide through the bottom opening of the placement tank 11 and the vent hole 15 on the platform 13. In this embodiment, the electric heater 16 is located at the transfer device 4, and heats the glass slide during the waiting time to soften the outer wall of the pollen and accelerate the penetration of the staining solution.

[0040] Reference Figure 1The microscope 6 serves as the pollen identification and observation end. An XYZ three-axis moving platform 61 is installed between the microscope 6 and the frame 1 to facilitate the adjustment of the lens position and to locate and photograph pollen at different locations. The XYZ three-axis moving platform 61 can be manually adjustable or electrically operated.

[0041] In this embodiment, each electrical component is electrically connected to the controller, and the controller sends commands to perform actions.

[0042] Example 2: An automatic pollen collection, identification, and analysis method, using an automatic pollen collection, identification, and analysis system as described in Example 1, includes the following steps: Step S1: Place a glass slide in the empty placement slot 11 of the servo turntable 10. Gelatin can be pre-dropped onto the glass slide as a pollen fixing substrate. Place a cover glass in the placement slot 12. The servo turntable 10 rotates one station angle at a time and then brakes to stop.

[0043] Step S2: The dispensing device 2 adds the staining solution to the center of the glass slide.

[0044] Step S3: The fan 31 and the air extraction device work to draw pollen from the atmosphere into the feed pipe 3. The pollen sticks to the staining solution on the glass slide, and the drawn-in air is discharged from the air extraction pipe 32.

[0045] During continuous air extraction, the suction tube 32 adds water droplets to the staining solution on the slide. Automatic water dripping mode: Because the feed tube 3 has a built-in humidity sensor 37, a curve showing the relationship between humidity and water dripping frequency is preset in the control system (higher humidity, lower dripping frequency). The controller automatically adjusts the dripping frequency to keep the staining solution on the slide at a relatively constant moisture level. Manual intervention mode: Because the feed tube 3 has a built-in camera 38 and a light, personnel can visually observe the state of the staining solution on a display and manually control the water dripping. The dripping frequency can also be adjusted to a suitable level using the solenoid valve 35 via the controller.

[0046] Step S4: The transfer device 4 transfers the coverslip from the placement tank 12 to the slide and presses it together, completing the slide preparation and sealing. The electric heater 16 heats the slide, softening the outer wall of the pollen, accelerating the penetration of the staining solution, evaporating the moisture and melting the gelatin, allowing the pollen to enter the gelatin. After the pollen sample leaves the electric heater 16, it cools over time, and the gelatin re-solidifies, fixing the pollen.

[0047] Step S5: Observe the pollen sample using microscope 6. By using the XYZ three-axis moving platform 61, the position of the lens can be easily adjusted to find and photograph pollen at different locations.

[0048] In summary, this application integrates multiple steps, including pollen collection, slide preparation and packaging, and microscopic observation, through the servo turntable 10. The entire process can be completed on a single device, eliminating the need for repeated manual transfer of pollen samples, thus making it more convenient. This system and method are designed for long-term atmospheric pollen collection. If the amount of pollen collected per day is equivalent to that of one slide, and the servo turntable 10 has more than seven stations, it can meet the pollen collection and identification needs for a week. This provides personnel with ample time for placing slides and coverslips, as well as for sample identification, analysis, and removal.

[0049] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. An automatic pollen collection, identification, and analysis system, characterized in that: The device includes a frame (1), a servo turntable (10), and a controller. The frame (1) is provided with a dripping device (2), a feed pipe (3), a transfer device (4), and a microscope (6) in sequence along the circumference of the servo turntable (10). The servo turntable (10) is provided with a plurality of placement slots 1 (11) and 2 (12) along the circumference. The middle part of the placement slot 1 (11) penetrates the servo turntable (10) downward. The placement slot 1 (11) is used to place glass slides, and the placement slot 2 (12) is used to place cover slides. The feed pipe (3) is equipped with a fan (31), and the frame (1) is fixed with an air extraction pipe (32). The top end of the air extraction pipe (32) is close to the bottom surface of the servo turntable (10), and the other end of the air extraction pipe (32) is connected to an air extraction device. The air extraction pipe (32) is located directly below the feed pipe (3). The movable end of the transfer device (4) is fixed with a suction tube (5), and the lower end of the suction tube (5) is fixed with a suction cup (51). The suction cup (51) is used to transfer the cover glass in the second placement slot (12) to the first placement slot (11).

2. The automatic pollen collection, identification, and analysis system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A platform (13) is placed in the placement slot (11). The platform (13) is provided with a positioning slot (14) for placing glass slides. Several ventilation holes (15) are provided through the surface of the platform (13).

3. The automatic pollen collection, identification, and analysis system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dripping device (2) includes a dripping tube (21) and a storage tank (22) connected to the top of the dripping tube (21). The dripping tube (21) is equipped with a solenoid valve (23), and the storage tank (22) contains dyeing solution.

4. The automatic pollen collection, identification, and analysis system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transfer device (4) includes a base (41), a slide block (42) is slidably connected to the base (41) in the horizontal direction, a slide block (43) is slidably connected to the slide block (42) in the vertical direction, and the slide block (43) is the movable end of the transfer device (4); the base (41) is provided with a motor (44) and a lead screw (45) driven by the motor (44) to rotate, the lead screw (45) is threadedly connected to the slide block (42), the slide block (42) is provided with a motor (46) and a lead screw (47) driven by the motor (46) to rotate, the lead screw (47) is threadedly connected to the slide block (43).

5. The automatic pollen collection, identification, and analysis system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frame (1) is fixed with an electric heater (16), which is located below the servo turntable (10) and corresponds to the position of the placement slot (11).

6. The automatic pollen collection, identification, and analysis system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner wall of the feed pipe (3) is fixed with an inner frame (33), and the inner frame (33) is fixed with a drip pipe (34) and a humidity sensor (37). The outer end of the drip pipe (34) is connected to a water storage tank (36) through a solenoid valve (35).

7. The automatic pollen collection, identification, and analysis system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The inner frame (33) is fixed with a camera (38) and a lamp, and the camera (38) is positioned facing the center of the glass slide.

8. The automatic pollen collection, identification, and analysis system according to claim 1, characterized in that: An XYZ three-axis moving platform (61) is installed between the microscope (6) and the frame (1).

9. A method for automatic pollen collection, identification, and analysis, using the automatic pollen collection, identification, and analysis system described in any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: Step S1: Place a glass slide in the empty placement slot 1 (11) of the servo turntable (10) and a cover glass in the placement slot 2 (12). The servo turntable (10) rotates by one station angle each time and then brakes to stop. Step S2: The dispensing device (2) adds the staining solution to the center of the glass slide; Step S3: The fan (31) and the air extraction device work to draw pollen from the atmosphere into the feed pipe (3). The pollen sticks to the staining solution on the glass slide, and the drawn-in air is discharged from the air extraction pipe (32). Step S4: The transfer device (4) transfers the cover glass in the placement slot 2 (12) to the glass slide and presses it together to complete the slide preparation and sealing. Step S5: Observe the pollen sample using a microscope (6).

10. The method for automatic pollen collection, identification, and analysis according to claim 9, characterized in that: During the continuous evacuation process, the evacuation tube (32) adds water to the staining solution on the slide.

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