Pressing module and cell culture equipment

Abstract

The utility model provides a pressing module and cell culture equipment, the pressing module comprises a second pressing piece, a third pressing piece and a first mounting seat, the second pressing piece is used for pressing a cell culture box on a carrying table, and the third pressing piece is located on one side, deviating from the cell culture box, of the second pressing piece; the third pressing piece comprises a main shaft and a protruding part protruding out of the side face of the main shaft, the main shaft can rotate around the axis of the main shaft to drive the protruding part to get close to and press the second pressing piece, then the second pressing piece presses the cell culture box, the two first installation bases are arranged in a spaced mode, and the main shaft is erected between the two first installation bases. The pressing module can facilitate loading and unloading of the cell culture box.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of organ chips, and in particular to a compression module and a cell culture device. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, microfabrication and microfluidics have developed rapidly. Microfluidic chip technology can well simulate the microenvironment of cell culture, so using microfluidic chips to establish cell culture systems has gradually become a trend in the field. During the cell culture process, the microfluidic chip is generally installed in a culture box so that the culture fluid or other substances required for the experiment can be injected into the microfluidic chip through the pipes connected to the culture box.

[0003] In order to ensure the stability of the pipeline connection, the culture box needs to be fixed. In some related technologies, a pressing plate is installed by a fastener, and the pressing plate is used to press the culture box tightly, which makes the clamping and disassembly of the culture box inconvenient and has the risk of leakage.

[0004] During the cultivation, the condition of the microfluidic chip (such as the growth condition of cells) needs to be monitored regularly. In the related art, the microfluidic chip is generally removed periodically and placed under a microscope for observation. At this time, in addition to disassembling the culture box, it is often necessary to disconnect the connection between the microfluidic chip and the pipeline, which makes the observation of the microfluidic chip cumbersome, and disconnecting the pipeline will also interfere with the growth environment of the cells, and there is a risk of cell contamination, which affects both the accuracy of observation and the cell culture effect. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present application aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present application proposes a compression module and a cell culture device, wherein the compression module can facilitate the loading and unloading of a cell culture box.

[0006] The clamping module provided in the present application includes a second clamping member, a third clamping member and a first mounting seat, wherein the second clamping member is used to clamp the cell culture box onto the carrier, and the third clamping member is located on the side of the second clamping member away from the cell culture box, and the third clamping member includes a main shaft and a protrusion protruding from the side of the main shaft, and the main shaft can rotate around its own axis to drive the protrusion to approach and clamp the second clamping member, thereby making the second clamping member clamp the cell culture box, and the two first mounting seats are arranged at intervals, and the main shaft is mounted between the two first mounting seats.

[0007] The clamping module provided in the present application has at least the following technical effects: the first mounting seat is fixedly arranged, and the main shaft mounted on the first mounting seat rotates along its own axis, thereby causing the protrusion to revolve around the axis of the main shaft, and the protrusion moves in the direction of the second clamping member, thereby pushing the second clamping member to clamp and fix the cell culture box. By changing the rotation direction of the main shaft, the protrusion can be moved in the direction away from the second clamping member, thereby releasing the second clamping member from fixing the cell culture box. The clamping module can facilitate the loading and unloading of the cell culture box.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present application, the clamping module includes a third driver, which is connected to the main shaft and is used to drive the main shaft to rotate.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present application, the raised portion includes a third fixed seat and a rolling body, the third fixed seat is mounted on the main shaft, the rolling body is mounted on the third fixed seat, and the rolling body is in contact with the second pressing member.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present application, the compression module includes an elastic member, the elastic member is connected to the second compression member, and the elastic member can drive the second compression member away from the cell culture box.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present application, the elastic member includes a compression spring, and two ends of the compression spring apply thrust to the second clamping member and the carrier respectively.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present application, the clamping module includes a guide shaft and a guide sleeve, the guide sleeve is installed on the second clamping member, one end of the guide shaft is installed on the carrier, the other end of the guide shaft is inserted into the guide sleeve, and the elastic member is sleeved on the guide shaft.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present application, the second pressing member is formed with a medium hole, and the medium hole is used to connect the flow channel of the cell culture box and an external supply pipeline.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present application, the compression module includes a second sealing member, the second sealing member is located between the second compression member and the cell culture box, and the second sealing member is used to seal the joint between the medium hole and the cavity.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present application, the second pressing member is provided with an installation groove for installing the second sealing member.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present application, the second sealing member is a sealing ring, the mounting grooves are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the medium holes, each mounting groove surrounds the outer circumference of the corresponding medium hole, and the second sealing member is embedded in the mounting groove.

[0017] The cell culture device provided in the present application includes a carrier, a cell culture box and a pressing module provided in the present application, wherein the cell culture box is used to install a microfluidic chip, and the second pressing member presses the cell culture box onto the carrier.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present application, the cell culture device further includes a fluid supply module, which provides fluid medium to the microfluidic chip through a supply pipeline.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the present application, the fluid medium is a pressure medium, and the fluid supply module includes an air pump that provides the pressure medium.

[0020] According to some embodiments of the present application, the cell culture box includes a cavity, the air pump is connected to the cavity through the supply pipeline, and the cavity is connected to the microfluidic chip.

[0021] According to some embodiments of the present application, the fluid supply module includes a backup gas cylinder, which is connected to the microfluidic chip through the supply pipeline, and the fluid supply module can switch between using the air pump or the backup gas cylinder to provide the pressure medium.

[0022] According to some embodiments of the present application, the fluid supply module includes a pressure regulator, which is located in the supply pipeline and is used to adjust the pressure of the pressure medium.

[0023] According to some embodiments of the present application, the fluid supply module includes a filter, which is located in the supply pipeline and is used to filter the pressure medium.

[0024] According to some embodiments of the present application, the containing cavity includes at least a liquid injection cavity, which is used to store culture fluid, and the liquid injection cavity is connected to a liquid inlet channel of the microfluidic chip.

[0025] According to some embodiments of the present application, the containing cavity includes a recovery cavity, and the recovery cavity is connected to a liquid outlet channel of the microfluidic chip.

[0026] According to some embodiments of the present application, the microfluidic chip is a lung organ chip, the microfluidic chip includes a culture chamber, the microfluidic chip also includes a culture membrane, the culture membrane separates the culture chamber into a first culture chamber and a second culture chamber, one group of the injection chamber and the recovery chamber is used to connect the first culture chamber, and another group of the injection chamber and the recovery chamber is used to connect the second culture chamber.

[0027] According to some embodiments of the present application, the microfluidic chip includes an actuation chamber, and the microfluidic chip also includes an actuation membrane, the actuation membrane separates the second culture chamber and the actuation chamber, and the actuation chamber defines a deformable area of ​​the actuation membrane.

[0028] According to some embodiments of the present application, the housing cavity includes a pressure chamber, which is used to connect to the actuation chamber. The fluid supply module can introduce and discharge pressure medium into the pressure chamber to adjust the pressure of the actuation chamber, thereby actuating the culture membrane through the actuation membrane.

[0029] According to some embodiments of the present application, at least two actuation chambers are equidistantly arranged along a circumference around the axis of the second culture chamber.

[0030] According to some embodiments of the present application, the cell culture device includes a tray, the cell culture box is placed on the tray, and the tray is detachably mounted on the carrier.

[0031] According to some embodiments of the present application, the carrier includes a rail groove, and the tray is inserted into the rail groove.

[0032] According to some embodiments of the present application, the carrier includes a first snap-fit ​​structure, and the tray includes a second snap-fit ​​structure paired with the first snap-fit ​​structure, and the first snap-fit ​​structure and the second snap-fit ​​structure can snap-fit ​​with each other to position and lock the tray.

[0033] According to some embodiments of the present application, the first buckle structure includes a lock buckle, and the second buckle structure includes a lock tongue. The lock buckle and the lock tongue constitute a ball lock that can be quickly assembled and disassembled.

[0034] According to some embodiments of the present application, the tray includes a second receiving groove that matches the bottom shape of the cell culture box, and the cell culture box is embedded in the second receiving groove.

[0035] According to some embodiments of the present application, a raised second positioning portion is formed on the inner side wall of the second receiving groove, and the second positioning portion is used to contact and position the cell culture box.

[0036] According to some embodiments of the present application, the cell culture box includes a first observation window, which is used to expose the observation area of ​​the microfluidic chip. The cell culture equipment includes a monitoring module, which includes an imaging component, and the imaging component is used to collect the image of the microfluidic chip from the first observation window.

[0037] According to some embodiments of the present application, the imaging component is located below the carrier, the first observation window is located at the bottom of the cell culture box, the tray includes a second observation window, the carrier includes a third observation window, and the first observation window, the second observation window and the third observation window are at least partially aligned to allow the imaging component to capture images of the cells through the first observation window, the second observation window and the third observation window.

[0038] According to some embodiments of the present application, the monitoring module includes a first driver, which can drive the imaging component to move on a set trajectory so that the imaging component can be switched and paired with different cell culture boxes.

[0039] According to some embodiments of the present application, the monitoring module includes a slide rail extending in a first direction, the imaging assembly is mounted on the slide rail, and the first driver is capable of driving the imaging assembly to move along the slide rail.

[0040] According to some embodiments of the present application, the monitoring module also includes a second driver, which is used to drive the imaging component to move in a second direction, and the first direction and the second direction are both perpendicular to the optical axis of the imaging component and have an angle between them.

[0041] According to some embodiments of the present application, the imaging component includes an objective lens, a light source and an image sensor, the objective lens and the light source are facing the direction of the first observation window, the light from the microfluidic chip enters the objective lens, and is irradiated onto the image sensor through an imaging light path.

[0042] According to some embodiments of the present application, the imaging component includes an autofocus device, and the autofocus device is used to adjust the focal length of the imaging component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present application will become apparent and easily understood from the description of the embodiments in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0044] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a compression module according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a cell culture device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a cell culture device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a cell culture device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure in which a cell culture box according to an embodiment of the present application is placed on a tray;

[0049] Figure 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a second pressing member in an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the cell culture box of an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the cell culture box of an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Fig. 9 This is the actuation principle diagram of the present application when used to cultivate the lung gas organ chip;

[0053] Fig.10 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the monitoring module of an embodiment of the present application.

[0054] Reference numerals:

[0055] Cell culture box 1000, box body 1100, injection chamber 1110, recovery chamber 1120, pressure chamber 1130, first flow hole 1140, shaft hole 1150, second buckling part 1160, first pressing member 1200, first observation window 1210, bottom plate 1220, first positioning part 1230, shaft part 1240, first buckling part 1250, box cover 1300, second flow hole 1310, first sealing member 1400,

[0056] Fluid supply module 2000, air pump 2210, pressure regulator 2220, spare gas cylinder 2240,

[0057] Monitoring module 3000, imaging assembly 3100, objective lens 3110, light source 3120, image sensor 3130, autofocus device 3140, first driver 3210, slide rail 3220, first fixing seat 3230, second fixing seat 3240, second driver 3250,

[0058] The carrier 4100, the track groove 4110, the lock 4120, the third observation window 4130, the tray 4200, the lock tongue 4210, the second positioning portion 4220, the second observation window 4230, the second receiving groove 4240,

[0059] The clamping module 5000, the second clamping member 5100, the medium hole 5110, the second sealing member 5120, the photoelectric sensor 5130, the pressure sensor 5140, the third clamping member 5200, the main shaft 5210, the third fixing seat 5220, the rolling body 5230, the third driver 5300, the guide shaft 5410, the guide sleeve 5420, the first mounting seat 5510, the second mounting seat 5520,

[0060] Microfluidic chip 9000 , first culture chamber 9100 , second culture chamber 9200 , culture membrane 9300 , actuation chamber 9400 , actuation membrane 9500 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below, and examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present application, and cannot be understood as limiting the present application.

[0062] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that descriptions involving orientation, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0063] In the description of this application, "several" means one or more, "more" means more than two, "greater than", "less than", "exceed", etc. are understood to exclude the number itself, and "above", "below", "within", etc. are understood to include the number itself. If there is a description of "first" or "second", it is only used for the purpose of distinguishing technical features, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0064] In the description of this application, unless otherwise clearly defined, terms such as setting, installing, connecting, etc. should be understood in a broad sense, and technicians in the relevant technical field can reasonably determine the specific meanings of the above terms in this application based on the specific content of the technical solution.

[0065] Microfluidic chips can effectively simulate the microenvironment of cell growth. On the one hand, thanks to the microfluidic system, the specific surface area ratio will increase significantly. When the specific surface area is larger, oxygen diffuses faster, thus providing more efficient gas supply to cells. On the other hand, due to the small size of the microfluidic chip, the amount of drugs and culture necessities consumed by its cell culture system is also less than that of traditional cell culture methods.

[0066] Limited by the size of the microfluidic chip, it is generally necessary to install the microfluidic chip in a cell culture box and then fix it with a tool during automated culture. Some related technologies use a pressure plate as a fixed tool and fix it with fasteners, which makes the tooling inconvenient to operate and is not conducive to the large-scale, automated culture of microfluidic chips.

[0067] Reference Figure 1 The clamping module provided by the embodiment of the first aspect of the present application includes a second clamping member 5100 and a third clamping member 5200. The second clamping member 5100 is used to clamp the cell culture box 1000 onto the carrier 4100. The third clamping member 5200 is located on the side of the second clamping member 5100 away from the cell culture box 1000. The third clamping member 5200 includes a main shaft 5210 and a protrusion protruding from the side of the main shaft 5210. The main shaft 5210 can rotate around its own axis to drive the protrusion to approach and clamp the second clamping member 5100, thereby causing the second clamping member 5100 to clamp the cell culture box 1000.

[0068] According to the clamping module provided in the present application, the main shaft 5210 rotates along its own axis, so that the protrusion revolves around the axis of the main shaft 5210, and the protrusion moves in the direction of the second clamping member 5100, thereby pushing the second clamping member 5100 to clamp and fix the cell culture box 1000. By changing the rotation direction of the main shaft 5210, the protrusion can be moved in the direction away from the second clamping member 5100, thereby releasing the fixation of the second clamping member 5100 to the cell culture box 1000. The clamping module can facilitate the loading and unloading of the cell culture box 1000.

[0069] Furthermore, the pressing module can be electrically driven, and the pressing module includes a third driver 5300 , which is connected to the main shaft 5210 , and the third driver 5300 is used to drive the main shaft 5210 to rotate, thereby improving the automation level of cell culture.

[0070] In the present application, the third driver 5300 may adopt a rotary motor, and the spindle 5210 is directly installed at the output end of the third driver 5300. The third driver 5300 may also adopt a linear motor, and convert the linear motion into the rotation of the third clamping member 5200 through a transmission mechanism.

[0071] In order to reduce the contact friction between the protrusion and the second pressing member 5100, the protrusion may further include a third fixing seat 5220 and a rolling body 5230, wherein the third fixing seat 5220 is mounted on the main shaft 5210, and the rolling body 5230 is mounted on the third fixing seat 5220, and the rolling body 5230 contacts the second pressing member 5100. The rolling body 5230 may be a roller (such as a bearing) or a ball, etc. The rolling body 5230 forms rolling friction between the protrusion and the second pressing member 5100, thereby making the movement of the third pressing member 5200 smoother.

[0072] In the embodiment of the first aspect, the third pressing member 5200 is only in contact with the second pressing member 5100, and the two are not connected together, so the third pressing member 5200 can only drive the second pressing member 5100 to approach the cell culture box 1000. In order to enable the second pressing member 5100 to automatically move away from the cell culture box 1000, the pressing module 5000 further includes an elastic member, which is connected to the second pressing member 5100 and can drive the second pressing member 5100 to move away from the cell culture box 1000.

[0073] When the third driver 5300 actuates the third clamping member 5200, the force of the third clamping member 5200 causes the second clamping member 5100 to overcome the elastic force of the elastic member and press the cell culture box 1000. When the third driver 5300 runs in the reverse direction, the force of the third clamping member 5200 disappears, and the elastic force of the elastic member causes the second clamping member 5100 to move away from the cell culture box 1000.

[0074] The elastic member may be a compression spring, a tension spring, a torsion spring, a gas spring or other structure that can exert a force on the second pressing member 5100 in a direction away from the cell culture box 1000. For example, referring to Figure 1 The clamping module 5000 further includes a guide shaft 5410 and a guide sleeve 5420. The guide shaft 5410 is mounted on the carrier 4100, and the guide sleeve 5420 is mounted on the second clamping member 5100. The guide shaft 5410 is inserted into the guide sleeve 5420. The elastic member is a compression spring (not shown in the figure). The compression spring is sleeved on the guide shaft 5410. The two ends of the compression spring are respectively against the carrier 4100 and the second clamping member 5100. The elastic force of the compression spring pushes the second clamping member 5100 away from the cell culture box 1000. The guide sleeve 5420 can use a linear bearing to further reduce the friction resistance of the second clamping member 5100 when it moves.

[0075] For example, in the embodiment of the first aspect, the compression module 5000 may further include a first mounting seat 5510, two first mounting seats 5510 are arranged at intervals, and the main shaft 5210 is mounted between the two first mounting seats 5510. Figure 1The first mounting base 5510 can be designed as a gantry, that is, composed of two legs and a main beam, so that the structure is reliable and occupies a small space. The third driver 5300 can also be installed on the first mounting base 5510, or as Figure 1 As shown, the clamping module 5000 may further include a second mounting seat 5520, and a third driver 5300 (here, a rotating motor) is mounted on the second mounting seat 5520, and the third driver 5300 is connected to the main shaft 5210 via a coupling.

[0076] It is understandable that the microfluidic chip 9000 is placed in the cell culture box 1000, and the compression module can be used for automated cell culture of the microfluidic chip 9000, so the present application also provides a cell culture device using the compression module.

[0077] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 According to the cell culture device provided in the present application, it includes a carrier 4100, a cell culture box 1000 and a pressing module 5000 provided in the present application. The cell culture box 1000 is used to install the microfluidic chip 9000, and the second pressing member 5100 presses the cell culture box 1000 onto the carrier 4100.

[0078] The cell culture device includes the compacting module 5000 provided in the present application, and therefore has the corresponding beneficial effects provided by the compacting module 5000, which will not be described in detail here.

[0079] The size of a single microfluidic chip 9000 is relatively small. In order to make full use of the cell culture equipment and improve the experimental efficiency of the microfluidic chip 9000, the cell culture equipment can be designed to culture multiple microfluidic chips 9000 at the same time. Specifically, a cell culture box 1000 can be used to place multiple microfluidic chips 9000 and / or the cell culture equipment can include multiple cell culture boxes 1000.

[0080] For example, the cell culture device may include a plurality of cell culture boxes 1000, each of which houses a microfluidic chip 9000. Figure 4 In an embodiment of the first aspect, in order to facilitate batch handling and transfer of the cell culture boxes 1000, the cell culture equipment includes a tray 4200, and a plurality of cell culture boxes 1000 are placed on the tray 4200, and the tray 4200 is detachably mounted on the carrier 4100.

[0081] Specifically, the stage 4100 may further include a track groove 4110, in which the tray 4200 is inserted. The track groove 4110 guides and preliminarily positions the tray 4200, thereby improving the accuracy of the installation of the tray 4200, so that the imaging assembly 3100 can observe.

[0082] However, the position of the cell culture box 1000 cannot be completely positioned using only the track groove 4110, and it is easy to be unable to align. Therefore, it is also necessary to position between the carrier 4100 and the tray 4200 and between the tray 4200 and the cell culture box 1000.

[0083] The carrier 4100 and the tray 4200 and / or the tray 4200 and the cell culture box 1000 can be positioned by mutually engaging buckles.

[0084] For example, the carrier 4100 may include a first buckling structure, and the tray 4200 may include a second buckling structure matched with the first buckling structure, and the first buckling structure and the second buckling structure can buckle with each other to position and lock the tray 4200. Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 In the embodiment of the first aspect, the first buckle structure includes a lock buckle 4120, and the second buckle structure includes a lock tongue 4210. The lock buckle 4120 and the lock tongue 4210 constitute a ball lock that can be quickly assembled and disassembled. This facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the tray 4200 on the carrier 4100.

[0085] Positioning between the carrier 4100 and the tray 4200 and / or between the tray 4200 and the cell culture box 1000 can also be achieved through the interlocking slots and posts.

[0086] For example, continue to refer to Figure 5 The tray 4200 includes a second receiving groove 4240 that matches the bottom shape of the cell culture box 1000. The cell culture box 1000 is embedded in the second receiving groove 4240 to achieve the positioning and installation of the cell culture box 1000 on the tray 4200. The inner side wall of the second receiving groove 4220 is also formed with a raised second positioning portion 4220, which is used to contact and position the cell culture box 1000, and the second positioning portion 4220 can improve the positioning accuracy.

[0087] Alternatively, the tray 4200 may be provided with raised positioning pins, and the cell culture box 1000 may be provided with positioning holes matching the positioning pins to achieve positioning installation.

[0088] Of course, in other embodiments, positioning between the carrier 4100 and the tray 4200 and between the tray 4200 and the cell culture box 1000 may also be achieved through other types of designs. For feasible positioning methods, reference may be made to relevant prior arts and will not be repeated here.

[0089] It should be noted that, since the first buckling structure and the second buckling structure can already realize accurate positioning of the tray 4200 on the carrier 4100 , the carrier 4100 may also include only the first buckling structure without including the track groove 4110 .

[0090] It is understandable that in the related art, the cell culture box 1000 is generally used to provide the microfluidic chip 9000 with culture fluid or other substances required during the culture process. Accordingly, the cell culture box 1000 needs to be connected to a supply pipeline.

[0091] In order to further enhance the function of the compression module 5000, the second compression member 5100 may be formed with a medium hole 5110, and the medium hole 5110 is used to connect the flow channel of the cell culture box 1000 and the external supply pipeline. The design that the supply pipeline is connected to the flow channel of the cell culture box 1000 through the medium hole 5110 can facilitate the loading and unloading of the cell culture box 1000.

[0092] Specifically, when the cell culture box 1000 needs to be removed, the second clamping member 5100 is controlled to release the cell culture box 1000, and the connection between the supply pipeline and the flow channel is also released. When the new cell culture box 1000 is put in place, the second clamping member 5100 is controlled to press the cell culture box 1000, and the supply pipeline is restored to be connected with the flow channel through the medium hole 5110, making the use and operation of the cell culture equipment easier.

[0093] At the same time, when one end of the medium hole 5110 communicating with the flow channel is located at the point where the second pressing member 5100 presses one side of the cell culture box 1000 , the second pressing member 5100 can also press and seal the joint between the medium hole 5110 and the flow channel.

[0094] In order to improve the sealing effect, the second pressing member 5100 may further include a second sealing member 5120. The second sealing member 5120 is located between the second pressing member 5100 and the cell culture box 1000. The second sealing member 5120 is used to seal the joint between the medium hole 5110 and the flow channel.

[0095] For example, refer to Figure 6 In the embodiment of the first aspect, the second pressing member 5100 is provided with an installation groove for installing the second sealing member 5120. The second sealing member 5120 is a sealing ring, and the installation grooves are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the medium holes 5110, and each installation groove surrounds the outer circumference of the corresponding medium hole 5110, and the second sealing member 5120 is embedded in the installation groove. When the second pressing member 5100 is pressed against the cell culture box 1000, the sealing between the medium hole 5110 and the flow channel is achieved by the extrusion deformation of the second sealing member 5120.

[0096] In order to control the clamping force of the second clamping member 5100, the second clamping member 5100 may also include a pressure sensor 5140. The fluid supply module 2000 performs feedback adjustment based on the clamping force value detected by the pressure sensor 5140 to avoid poor sealing effect due to too small a clamping force, or damage to the cell culture box 1000 due to too large a clamping force.

[0097] In addition, the second clamping member 5100 may also include a photoelectric sensor 5130, which faces the direction of the cell culture box 1000. One photoelectric sensor 5130 corresponds to one cell culture box 1000. The photoelectric sensor 5130 can detect whether there is a cell culture box 1000 on the tray 4200, thereby controlling the opening and closing of the medium hole 5110.

[0098] The supply pipeline can be independent of the cell culture device, or can also be integrated into the cell culture device to enrich the functions of the cell culture device. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The cell culture device further includes a fluid supply module 2000, which provides fluid medium to the microfluidic chip 9000 through a supply pipeline (not shown in the figure).

[0099] The fluid supply module 2000 is connected to the microfluidic chip 9000 through the medium hole 5110 and the cell culture box 1000. The fluid supply module 2000 can be designed to directly deliver culture fluid to the microfluidic chip 9000, in which case the fluid medium provided by the fluid supply module 2000 is the culture fluid, or the fluid supply module 2000 can also be designed to indirectly deliver culture fluid to the microfluidic chip 9000. In the embodiment of indirectly delivering culture fluid, the fluid medium provided by the fluid supply module 2000 can be a pressure medium, the cell culture box 1000 includes a cavity, the cavity is connected to the microfluidic chip 9000, and some of the cavities store culture fluid required by the microfluidic chip 9000. The fluid supply module 2000 increases the pressure in the cavity storing the culture fluid through the pressure medium so that the culture fluid is input into the microfluidic chip 9000.

[0100] Correspondingly, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The fluid supply module 2000 generally further includes an air pump 2210 for providing a pressure medium, and the air pump 2210 is connected to the chamber through a supply pipeline. Of course, the fluid supply module 2000 may also be connected to an air source outside the cell culture device without the air pump 2210.

[0101] In the cell culture box 1000, the chamber can be used for different purposes. First, in order to provide culture fluid, the chamber includes at least a liquid injection chamber 1110, which is used to store the culture fluid and is connected to the liquid inlet channel of the microfluidic chip 9000. The fluid supply module 2000 increases the pressure in the liquid injection chamber 1110 through a pressure medium so that the culture fluid is input into the microfluidic chip 9000.

[0102] Generally speaking, the container cavity also includes a recovery cavity 1120, which is used to connect to the outlet channel of the microfluidic chip 9000, so as to collect the waste liquid flowing out of the microfluidic chip 9000. Of course, it is not excluded that in some embodiments, the recovery cavity is designed to be independent of the cell culture box 1000.

[0103] The number of the injection chambers 1110 and the recovery chamber 1120 and the connection method between them and the microfluidic chip 9000 depend on the specifications and uses of the microfluidic chip 9000.

[0104] Illustratively, in an embodiment of the first aspect, the microfluidic chip 9000 is a lung organ chip. Figure 7 and Figure 8 The structure of the cell culture box 1000 in the embodiment of the first aspect is further shown. Fig. 9 The microfluidic chip 9000, which is a lung organ chip, is shown in Figure 1. Figure 7 , Figure 8 as well as Fig. 9 The microfluidic chip 9000 is formed with a culture chamber, and the microfluidic chip 9000 also includes a culture membrane 9300 , and the culture membrane 9300 separates the culture chamber into a first culture chamber 9100 and a second culture chamber 9200 .

[0105] Correspondingly, one group of the injection chamber 1110 and the recovery chamber 1120 of the cell culture box 1000 is used to connect to the first culture chamber 9100, and the other group of the injection chamber 1110 and the recovery chamber 1120 is used to connect to the second culture chamber 9200. Therefore, the cell culture box 1000 can adjust the first culture chamber 9100 and the second culture chamber 9200 respectively to meet the different needs of the cells on both sides (epithelial cells and endothelial cells in the lung organ chip).

[0106] Further, refer to Fig. 9When the microfluidic chip 9000 is used as a lung organ chip, an actuation chamber 9400 is also formed. The microfluidic chip 9000 also includes an actuation membrane 9500. The actuation membrane 9500 separates the second culture chamber 9200 and the actuation chamber 9400. The actuation chamber 9400 defines a deformable area of ​​the actuation membrane 9500. The microfluidic chip 9000 can cause pressure changes in the second culture chamber 9200 through deformation of the actuation membrane 9500, thereby causing deformation of the culture membrane 9300, so that the culture membrane 9300 simulates the expansion and contraction of the alveoli during breathing.

[0107] Correspondingly, the cavity also includes a pressure chamber 1130, which is used to connect to the actuation chamber 9400. The fluid supply module 2000 can introduce and discharge pressure medium into the pressure chamber 1130 to adjust the pressure of the actuation chamber 9400, thereby actuating the culture membrane 9300 through the actuation membrane 9500.

[0108] It is understandable that the alveoli are always cycling between expansion and contraction. In order to more realistically simulate the dynamic environment of cell and tissue growth, the pressure of the actuation chamber 9400 also needs to change back and forth according to the set conditions. The reciprocating pressure change will affect the flow field in the second culture chamber 9200. If there is only one actuation chamber 9400 that is not coaxial with the culture membrane 9300, when the culture membrane 9300 expands, it is easy to cause uneven force in different areas under the influence of the flow field.

[0109] To this end, the microfluidic chip 9000 can be further designed such that at least two actuation chambers 9400 are arranged equidistantly along the circumference around the axis of the second culture chamber 9200. When simulating the reciprocating expansion and contraction of the alveolar wall, the forces generated by the multiple actuation chambers 9400 can balance each other, so that the traction force on the culture membrane 9300 is more uniform, reducing or even eliminating the uneven force phenomenon when the culture membrane 9300 expands, and the lung organ chip can more realistically simulate the physiological changes of the alveoli during the breathing process.

[0110] It is understandable that the cell culture box 1000 also needs to form a first flow hole 1140 and a second flow hole 1310, and the cavity is connected to the first flow hole 1140 and the second flow hole 1310 respectively. The cavity is connected to the microfluidic chip 9000 through the first flow hole 1140, and the cavity is connected to the supply pipeline of the fluid supply module 2000 through the second flow hole 1310. In other words, the cavity, the first flow hole 1140 and the second flow hole 1310 together constitute the flow channel of the cell culture box, and the second flow hole 1310 is connected to the supply pipeline through the medium hole 5110.

[0111] exist Figure 7 and Figure 8In the embodiment, the second flow hole 1310 and the first flow hole 1140 are respectively located on two opposite surfaces of the cell culture box 1000, that is, the top surface and the bottom surface. In other embodiments, the second flow hole 1310 and the first flow hole 1140 may also be respectively located on two adjacent surfaces or the same surface. The present application does not impose any limitation on this, as long as the positions of the second flow hole 1310 and the first flow hole 1140 do not cause interference between the structures.

[0112] The cell culture box 1000 can be designed in different ways to locate the microfluidic chip 9000 and the required cavities. Figure 7 and Figure 8 In an embodiment of the first aspect, a cell culture box 1000 includes a box body 1100 and a first pressing piece 1200, the containing cavity and the first flow hole 1140 are located in the box body 1100, the first observation window 1210 is located in the first pressing piece 1200, and the first pressing piece 1200 can approach or move away from the box body 1100 to compress or release the microfluidic chip 9000 located between the box body 1100 and the first pressing piece 1200.

[0113] The first pressing member 1200 can be installed detachably and / or movably to achieve the function of pressing or releasing the microfluidic chip 9000. Figure 7 and Figure 8 In the embodiment, the first clamping member 1200 includes a shaft portion 1240, and the box body 1100 includes a shaft hole 1150, the shaft portion 1240 is inserted into the shaft hole 1150, and the first clamping member 1200 is installed on the box body 1100 through the shaft portion 1240. The first clamping member 1200 can be flipped with the shaft portion 1240 as the rotation axis.

[0114] Furthermore, the shaft hole 1150 can also be configured to be open on the side away from the first clamping piece 1200, so that the shaft portion 1240 can be detachably connected to the shaft hole 1150, thereby facilitating the removal of the microfluidic chip 9000 together with the first clamping piece 1200 from the box body 1100 and facilitating the transportation of the microfluidic chip 9000.

[0115] The first pressing member 1200 can also play the role of supporting the microfluidic chip 9000. In other words, the first pressing member 1200 is located below the box body 1100. The first pressing member 1200 contacts and supports the lower surface of the microfluidic chip 9000, and the box body 1100 presses the upper surface of the microfluidic chip 9000. Figure 7 As shown, at this time, the first clamping member 1200 can be designed to include a base plate 1220 and a wall plate, wherein the wall plate protrudes from the base plate 1220, and the wall plate encloses to form a first receiving groove matching the shape of the microfluidic chip 9000, and the microfluidic chip 9000 is embedded in the first receiving groove to better support the microfluidic chip 9000.

[0116] In order to accurately locate the position of the microfluidic chip 9000, the inner side of the wall plate may further include a raised first positioning portion 1230, which is used to contact and position the microfluidic chip 9000. The first positioning portion 1230 reduces the contact area between the wall plate and the microfluidic chip 9000, changing the surface contact to an approximate point contact, thereby improving the positioning accuracy of the microfluidic chip 9000 and reducing the risk of leakage between the cell culture box 1000 and the microfluidic chip 9000.

[0117] Of course, in addition to the flipping method to achieve rotatable installation, in other embodiments, the first clamping member 1200 can also adopt the sliding groove method to achieve movable installation, or adopt the pin hole matching method to achieve detachable installation. The above and other feasible installation methods can refer to the relevant existing technologies and will not be repeated here.

[0118] In addition to the box body 1100 and the first pressing member 1200, the cell culture box 1000 also includes a box cover 1300, which can close or open the cavity, and the second flow hole 1310 can be located on the box cover 1300. When the cavity is opened, it is convenient to add or remove culture fluid or other substances into or out of the cavity, and when the cavity is closed, it is convenient for the fluid supply module 2000 to control the pressure in the cavity.

[0119] In order to avoid pressure leakage, a first seal 1400 may be further provided between the box cover 1300 and the box body 1100. The box cover 1300 presses the first seal 1400 against the box body 1100. The first seal 1400 prevents leakage between the cavities and between the cavities and the external environment. Figure 7 , Figure 8 The sealing gasket is shown, or a sealing ring or other designs that can achieve a sealing effect may also be used.

[0120] Next, let's go back to the fluid supply module 2000. In addition to providing a gas source (such as an air pump 2210) for the pressure medium, the fluid supply module 2000 also needs to include a pressure regulator 2220. The pressure regulator 2220 is located in the supply pipeline and is used to adjust the pressure of the pressure medium. Figure 2 and Figure 3 In an embodiment of the first aspect, a cell culture box 1000 has five chambers, namely two injection chambers 1110, two recovery chambers 1120 and one pressure chamber 1130. The cell culture equipment is correspondingly equipped with a group of five pressure regulators 2220, and each pressure regulator 2220 corresponds to regulating the pressure of a chamber, thereby achieving precise regulation.

[0121] The pressure regulator 2220 can be an existing standard product. For example, in the embodiment of the first aspect, the pressure regulator 2220 needs to meet the positive pressure and negative pressure requirements of the pressure chamber 1130, so a proportional valve can be selected. The selection of the pressure regulator 2220 can refer to the relevant existing technology and will not be repeated here.

[0122] Cells are highly sensitive to the culture environment. If impurities (e.g., bacteria) in the pressure medium are mixed into the culture solution, they will easily enter the microfluidic chip 9000 with the culture solution, affecting the normal growth of cells and even causing cell death. To this end, the fluid supply module 2000 may include a filter (not shown in the figure), which is located in the supply pipeline. The filter can be a filter membrane or other existing products that can meet the requirements of the filtration scale, which will not be repeated here.

[0123] In some related technologies, the microfluidic chip 9000 needs to be removed from the culture tooling and transferred to a microscope before the cells in the microfluidic chip 9000 can be observed. This makes the observation operation of the microfluidic chip 9000 cumbersome, and removing the microfluidic chip 9000 will also interfere with the growth process of the cells, affecting both the accuracy of the observation and the culture effect of the cells.

[0124] In order to enrich the functions of the cell culture device, the cell culture device of the present application may further include a monitoring module 3000 , wherein the monitoring module 3000 includes an imaging component 3100 , and the imaging component 3100 is used to collect images of the microfluidic chip 9000 from the first observation window 1210 .

[0125] Correspondingly, the cell culture box 1000 includes a first observation window 1210 , and the first observation window 1210 is used to expose the observation area of ​​the microfluidic chip 9000 .

[0126] During the culture period, the monitoring module 3000 can monitor the growth status of the cells through the first observation window 1210, without removing the microfluidic chip 9000 from the cell culture box 1000 or moving the cell culture box 1000 together with the microfluidic chip 9000 out of the cell culture device. In other words, the fluid supply module 2000 can always maintain connection and control over the cell culture box 1000, thereby avoiding interference with the cell growth process. The cell culture device can realize real-time, online monitoring of the cell growth process.

[0127] “Exposure” means that the first observation window 1210 allows light to pass through, so that the monitoring module 3000 can receive reflected light from the microfluidic chip 9000. In the present application, the first observation window 1210 can be made of a transparent material or designed as an open hole.

[0128] In the cell culture device, the position and observation direction of the imaging component 3100 depend on the placement position of the microfluidic chip 9000 on the cell culture box 1000 and the orientation of the first observation window 1210 .

[0129] For example, refer to Figure 4 In an embodiment of the first aspect, the first observation window 1210 is located at the bottom of the cell culture box 1000 , the microfluidic chip 9000 is located above the first observation window 1210 , and correspondingly, the imaging component 3100 is arranged below the first observation window 1210 .

[0130] Furthermore, since the cell culture box 1000 is placed on the tray 4200, and the tray 4200 is placed on the carrier 4100, the imaging component 3100 should be located below the carrier 4100, the tray 4200 includes a second observation window 4230, and the carrier 4100 includes a third observation window 4130, and the first observation window 1210, the second observation window 4230 and the third observation window 4130 are at least partially aligned to allow the imaging component to capture images of cells through the first observation window 1210, the second observation window 4230 and the third observation window 4130.

[0131] Similarly, the third observation window 4130 and the second observation window 4230 can be made of transparent materials or designed as holes.

[0132] It is understandable that in other embodiments, the third observation window 4130 and the second observation window 4230 may not be designed. For example, the microfluidic chip 9000 may be placed on the side of the cell culture box 1000 so that the observation area of ​​the microfluidic chip 9000 faces the side. At this time, the imaging component 3100 is aligned with the microfluidic chip 9000 from one side of the cell culture box 1000, and the tray 4200 and the carrier 4100 will not block the observation area, so there is no need to design the third observation window 4130 and the second observation window 4230.

[0133] Since there are generally multiple microfluidic chips 9000 in the cell culture device at the same time, the imaging component 3100 can be designed to be switchable and paired with different cell culture boxes 1000. Specifically, the imaging component 3100 can be stationary and the pairing can be switched by the movement of the cell culture box 1000, or the cell culture box 1000 can be stationary and the pairing can be switched by the movement of the imaging component 3100. However, considering that a relatively stable external environment is required during the cell culture process, it is preferred to switch the pairing by the movement of the imaging component 3100.

[0134] That is to say, the monitoring module 3000 also needs to include a first driver 3210 , which can drive the imaging component 3100 to move on a set trajectory, so that the set trajectory of the imaging component 3100 corresponds to the placement of the microfluidic chip 9000 .

[0135] For example, refer to Figure 4 In the embodiment of the first aspect, the cell culture device is equipped with two rows of microfluidic chips 9000, and the two imaging components 3100 are responsible for monitoring the two rows of microfluidic chips 9000 respectively, so the set trajectory of the imaging component 3100 is a straight line trajectory. Fig.10 The monitoring module 3000 may include a slide rail 3220, which extends in a first direction (i.e., a direction parallel to the arrangement direction of the microfluidic chip 9000), and the imaging component 3100 is installed on the slide rail 3220. The first driver 3210 (here is a rotating motor) can drive the imaging component 3100 to move along the slide rail 3220.

[0136] In other embodiments, the imaging assembly 3100 may also adopt different set trajectories, depending on the specific placement of the cell culture boxes 1000. For example, the cell culture boxes 1000 may be arranged at intervals on a set circumference, the monitoring module 3000 may include a turntable, the imaging assembly 3100 is mounted on the turntable, and switches to pair with different cell culture boxes 1000 as the turntable rotates. Other possible set trajectories and corresponding driving methods can refer to the relevant prior art, which will not be described in detail here.

[0137] On the one hand, using one imaging component 3100 to pair multiple microfluidic chips 9000 can reduce the number of imaging components 3100, effectively reducing the cost of the cell culture equipment; on the other hand, considering that the size of the imaging component 3100 is generally much larger than the microfluidic chip 9000, reducing the number of imaging components 3100 can also make the structural design of the cell culture equipment more compact, thereby facilitating the miniaturization of the cell culture equipment.

[0138] Due to the positioning error of the microfluidic chip 9000, the installation error of the imaging component 3100, etc., the microfluidic chip 9000 may not be in the center of the field of view of the image sensor 3130, affecting the imaging effect. To this end, the monitoring module 3000 may also include a second driver 3250, which is used to drive the imaging component 3100 to move in the second direction. The first direction and the second direction are both perpendicular to the optical axis of the imaging component 3100 (in this embodiment, the objective lens 3110 in the imaging component 3100) and have an angle between each other. The combination of the first driver 3210 and the second driver 3250 allows the imaging component 3100 to have a planar motion degree of freedom, so that the imaging component 3100 can be more accurately aligned with the microfluidic chip 9000.

[0139] For example, refer to Fig.10 In the embodiment of the first aspect, the monitoring module 3000 also includes a first fixed seat 3230 and a second fixed seat 3240, the first fixed seat 3230 is installed on the slide rail 3220, the second fixed seat 3240 and the second driver 3250 are installed on the first fixed seat 3230, the driving direction of the second driver 3250 is perpendicular to the extension direction of the slide rail 3220, the second driver 3250 (here is a linear motor or an electric cylinder) can drive the second fixed seat 3240 to approach or move away from the first fixed seat 3230, and the imaging component 3100 is installed on the second fixed seat 3240.

[0140] In order to observe the microfluidic chip 9000, the imaging component 3100 needs to include at least an objective lens 3110, a light source 3120 and an image sensor 3130. The objective lens 3110 and the light source 3120 face the direction of the first observation window 1210. The light source 3120 illuminates the microfluidic chip 9000. The reflected light from the microfluidic chip 9000 enters the objective lens 3110 and is irradiated on the image sensor 3130 through the imaging light path. The image sensor 3130 receives the incident light, thereby generating a corresponding image signal, and then sends the image signal to a host terminal (such as a mobile phone, a computer and other smart devices) and displays it graphically.

[0141] Reference Fig.10 In order to improve the lighting effect, the light source 3120 can be a coaxial light source, which makes the light irradiated to the microfluidic chip 9000 parallel to the optical path of the imaging component 3100, thereby avoiding the interference of diffuse reflection and specular reflection on the imaging. In addition, the imaging component 3100 can also include an autofocus 3140, which is used to adjust the focal length of the imaging component 3100.

[0142] The objective lens 3110 can be installed in a detachable manner, so that objective lenses 3110 of different specifications can be replaced according to the magnification requirements; the coaxial light source and the autofocus device 3140 can use standard parts, and the specific specifications and models can refer to the relevant existing technology, which will not be repeated here.

[0143] It is worth noting that when both the monitoring module 3000 and the fluid supply module 2000 are present, and the fluid supply module 2000 provides pressure medium through the air pump 2210, the air pump 2210 will generate certain vibrations during operation. If the vibration isolation effect is not good, the vibration may be transmitted to the monitoring module 3000, resulting in blurred and jittery imaging of the microfluidic chip 9000.

[0144] For this purpose, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 In an embodiment of the first aspect, the fluid supply module 2000 particularly includes a spare gas cylinder 2240, which is connected to the microfluidic chip 9000 through a supply pipeline, and the fluid supply module 2000 can switch to use the air pump 2210 or the spare gas cylinder 2240 to provide the pressure medium. When the monitoring module 3000 is imaging, the air pump 2210 is turned off and the spare gas cylinder 2240 is switched to supply gas to the supply pipeline, thereby eliminating the negative interference of the vibration of the air pump 2210 on the imaging.

[0145] That is, in the use of the cell culture device, the first state and the second state are set for the fluid supply module 2000. In the first state, the fluid supply module 2000 turns on the air pump 2210 to supply gas; in the second state, the fluid supply module 2000 turns off the air pump 2210 and switches to the backup gas cylinder 2240 for gas supply. When the monitoring module 3000 monitors cells, the fluid supply module 2000 is switched to the second state, and after the monitoring is completed, the fluid supply module 2000 is switched to the first state.

[0146] In addition, the spare gas cylinder 2240 can also serve as a redundant backup, that is, as an emergency backup gas source when the air pump 2210 fails, thereby improving the operational reliability of the cell culture equipment.

[0147] Exemplarily, the cell culture monitoring device can be used in the following manner. First, the desired cells are introduced into the microfluidic chip 9000, and the microfluidic chip 9000 is installed in the cell culture box 1000. Then, the cell culture box 1000 is placed on the tray 4200, and then the tray 4200 is placed on the carrier 4100, and the cell culture box 1000 is fixed by the clamping module 5000. After that, the fluid supply module 2000 is used to supply the fluid medium to the microfluidic chip 9000 to culture the cells. When it is necessary to observe the culture state of the cells, the fluid supply module 2000 is first switched to the spare gas cylinder 2240 for gas supply, and then the imaging component 3100 moves and reaches the position corresponding to the microfluidic chip 9000 to be observed, and the cells are observed.

[0148] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "illustrative embodiments", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner.

[0149] In some optional embodiments, the function / operation mentioned in the block diagram may not occur in the order mentioned in the operation diagram. For example, depending on the function / operation involved, the two boxes shown in succession can actually be executed substantially simultaneously or the boxes can sometimes be executed in reverse order. In addition, the embodiment presented and described in the flow chart of the application is provided by way of example, for the purpose of providing a more comprehensive understanding of technology. The disclosed method is not limited to the operation and logic flow presented herein. The optional embodiment is expected, wherein the order of various operations is changed and the sub-operation described as a part of a larger operation is performed independently.

[0150] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present application, and that the scope of the present application is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A compression module, characterized in that: include: a second pressing member, the second pressing member being used to press the cell culture box onto the carrier; a third pressing member, the third pressing member being located at a side of the second pressing member away from the cell culture box, the third pressing member comprising a main shaft and a protrusion protruding from a side of the main shaft, the main shaft being capable of rotating around its own axis to drive the protrusion to approach and press the second pressing member, thereby causing the second pressing member to press the cell culture box; A first mounting seat, two of the first mounting seats are arranged at an interval, and the main shaft is mounted between the two first mounting seats.

2. The compression module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamping module includes a third driver, which is connected to the main shaft and is used to drive the main shaft to rotate.

3. The compression module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protrusion includes a third fixing seat and a rolling body, the third fixing seat is installed on the main shaft, the rolling body is installed on the third fixing seat, and the rolling body is in contact with the second pressing member.

4. The compression module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressing module comprises an elastic member, the elastic member is connected to the second pressing member, and the elastic member can drive the second pressing member away from the cell culture box.

5. The compression module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The elastic member includes a compression spring, and two ends of the compression spring apply thrust to the second pressing member and the carrier respectively.

6. The compression module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The clamping module includes a guide shaft and a guide sleeve. The guide sleeve is installed on the second clamping member. One end of the guide shaft is installed on the carrier. The other end of the guide shaft is inserted into the guide sleeve. The elastic member is sleeved on the guide shaft.

7. The compression module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second pressing member is formed with a medium hole, and the medium hole is used to connect the flow channel of the cell culture box and the external supply pipeline.

8. The compression module according to claim 7, characterized in that: The compression module comprises a second sealing member, the second sealing member is located between the second compression member and the cell culture box, and the second sealing member is used for sealing a joint portion between the medium hole and the flow channel.

9. The compression module according to claim 8, characterized in that: The second pressing member is provided with a mounting groove for mounting the second sealing member.

10. The compression module according to claim 9, characterized in that: The second sealing member is a sealing ring, the installation grooves are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the medium holes, each of the installation grooves surrounds the outer circumference of the corresponding medium hole, and the second sealing member is embedded in the installation groove.

11. A cell culture device, characterized in that: The cell culture device comprises a carrier, a cell culture box and the pressing module according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the cell culture box is used to install a microfluidic chip, and the second pressing member presses the cell culture box onto the carrier.

12. The cell culture device according to claim 11, characterized in that: The cell culture device further comprises a fluid supply module, which provides fluid medium to the microfluidic chip through a supply pipeline.

13. The cell culture device according to claim 12, characterized in that: The fluid medium is a pressure medium, and the fluid supply module includes an air pump for providing the pressure medium.

14. The cell culture device according to claim 13, characterized in that: The cell culture box comprises a cavity, the air pump is connected to the cavity through the supply pipeline, and the cavity is connected to the microfluidic chip.

15. The cell culture device according to claim 14, characterized in that: The fluid supply module includes a backup gas cylinder, which is connected to the microfluidic chip through the supply pipeline. The fluid supply module can switch between using the air pump or the backup gas cylinder to provide the pressure medium.

16. The cell culture device according to claim 14, characterized in that: The fluid supply module comprises a pressure regulator, which is located in the supply pipeline and is used to adjust the pressure of the pressure medium.

17. The cell culture device according to claim 14, characterized in that: The fluid supply module comprises a filter, which is located in the supply pipeline and is used for filtering the pressure medium.

18. The cell culture device according to claim 14, characterized in that: The containing cavity at least comprises a liquid injection cavity, the liquid injection cavity is used to store culture fluid, and the liquid injection cavity is connected to the liquid inlet channel of the microfluidic chip.

19. The cell culture device according to claim 18, characterized in that: The containing cavity comprises a recovery cavity, and the recovery cavity is connected to the liquid outlet channel of the microfluidic chip.

20. The cell culture device according to claim 19, characterized in that The microfluidic chip is a lung organ chip, which includes a culture chamber. The microfluidic chip also includes a culture membrane, which separates the culture chamber into a first culture chamber and a second culture chamber, wherein one group of the injection chamber and the recovery chamber are used to connect the first culture chamber, and another group of the injection chamber and the recovery chamber are used to connect the second culture chamber.

21. The cell culture device according to claim 20, characterized in that: The microfluidic chip includes an actuation chamber, and the microfluidic chip also includes an actuation membrane, wherein the actuation membrane separates the second culture chamber and the actuation chamber, and the actuation chamber defines a deformable region of the actuation membrane.

22. The cell culture device according to claim 21, characterized in that The housing cavity comprises a pressure chamber, and the pressure chamber is used to communicate with the actuation chamber. The fluid supply module can introduce and discharge pressure medium into the pressure chamber to adjust the pressure of the actuation chamber, thereby actuating the culture membrane through the actuation membrane.

23. The cell culture device according to claim 21, characterized in that At least two of the actuation chambers are equidistantly arranged around the axis of the second culture chamber along a circumference.

24. The cell culture device according to claim 11, characterized in that The cell culture device comprises a tray, the cell culture box is placed on the tray, and the tray is detachably mounted on the carrier.

25. The cell culture device according to claim 24, characterized in that The carrier comprises a track groove, and the tray is inserted into the track groove.

26. The cell culture device according to claim 25, characterized in that The carrier includes a first buckling structure, and the tray includes a second buckling structure matched with the first buckling structure. The first buckling structure and the second buckling structure can buckle with each other to position and lock the tray.

27. The cell culture device according to claim 26, characterized in that The first buckling structure includes a lock buckle, and the second buckling structure includes a lock tongue. The lock buckle and the lock tongue constitute a ball-bump lock that can be quickly assembled and disassembled.

28. The cell culture device according to claim 24, characterized in that The tray comprises a second containing groove matching the bottom shape of the cell culture box, and the cell culture box is embedded in the second containing groove.

29. The cell culture device according to claim 28, characterized in that A protruding second positioning portion is formed on the inner side wall of the second containing groove, and the second positioning portion is used to contact and position the cell culture box.

30. The cell culture device according to claim 24, characterized in that The cell culture box comprises a first observation window, which is used to expose the observation area of ​​the microfluidic chip. The cell culture device comprises a monitoring module, which comprises an imaging component, and the imaging component is used to collect the image of the microfluidic chip from the first observation window.

31. The cell culture device according to claim 30, characterized in that The imaging component is located below the carrier, the first observation window is located at the bottom of the cell culture box, the tray includes a second observation window, and the carrier includes a third observation window. The first observation window, the second observation window, and the third observation window are at least partially aligned to allow the imaging component to capture images of the cells through the first observation window, the second observation window, and the third observation window.

32. The cell culture device according to claim 30 or 31, characterized in that: The monitoring module includes a first driver, which can drive the imaging component to move on a set trajectory so that the imaging component can be switched and paired with different cell culture boxes.

33. The cell culture device according to claim 32, characterized in that The monitoring module includes a slide rail extending in a first direction, the imaging assembly is mounted on the slide rail, and the first driver can drive the imaging assembly to move along the slide rail.

34. The cell culture device according to claim 33, characterized in that The monitoring module also includes a second driver, which is used to drive the imaging component to move in a second direction. The first direction and the second direction are both perpendicular to the optical axis of the imaging component and have an angle between them.

35. The cell culture device according to claim 30, characterized in that The imaging assembly includes an objective lens, a light source and an image sensor. The objective lens and the light source face the first observation window. Light from the microfluidic chip enters the objective lens and is irradiated onto the image sensor via an imaging light path.

36. The cell culture device according to claim 35, characterized in that The imaging component comprises an autofocus device, and the autofocus device is used to adjust the focal length of the imaging component.

Images