Natural humidifying device for incubator
By designing a natural humidification device in the incubator and using a breathable membrane to isolate water vapor and microorganisms, the problems of inconstant humidity and easy contamination of existing humidification devices are solved, and the humidification effect of constant humidity and the prevention of microbial contamination are achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202421804346.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-29
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-24
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-07-29
AI Technical Summary
The existing incubator humidification device cannot ensure constant humidity, is susceptible to microbial contamination, and has a complex structure and high energy consumption.
A natural humidification device is designed, including a disk body and a disk cover, with a cavity in the disk body for sterile water, and a breathable membrane isolates water vapor and microorganisms, keeps humidity constant and prevents contamination.
The humidity in the incubator is constant, microbial contamination is avoided, structure is simplified, energy consumption is reduced, and it is suitable for one-time or multiple uses.
Smart Images
Figure CN223016792U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model relates to a humidifying device, and more specifically, to a natural humidifying device for an incubator. Background Art
[0002] Incubators are widely used instrument and equipment in industries such as biology, pharmacy, medicine, agriculture, and environmental protection. For some culture experiments such as cell culture, a high-humidity environment needs to be provided. Usually, an open water tray is added in the incubator. For some incubators with grooves designed on the bottom plate, water is directly added to the grooves, and natural evaporation is used to achieve a high-humidity environment in the relatively airtight incubator. However, for industries with high requirements for preventing microbial contamination such as pharmacy, the open water tray is one of the biggest reasons for cell contamination (microorganisms are easily bred in the open water tray). To solve the problem of water tray contamination, devices such as injecting water or water vapor into the incubator externally in a quantitative manner have also emerged on the market.
[0003] For example: Chinese Patent Publication No. CN211497577U, Publication Date September 15, 2020, the name of the utility model is a novel microbial culture humidifying device. This application discloses a humidifying device for an incubator, including a base, support legs are fixed on the bottom surface of the base, and an incubator is arranged on the upper surface of the base. In this solution, water in the water tank is pumped out by a water pump, flows through the water inlet pipe to the water outlet pipe, and then flows through the water distribution pipe, and finally, through the cooperation between the spray seats at both ends of the water distribution pipe and the spray heads, the water is sprayed out in a mist form to humidify the culture dishes in the incubator, effectively improving the environment in the microbial incubator and increasing the survival rate of microorganisms. However, this solution cannot ensure that the humidity in the incubator is relatively constant. Only when the incubator is working and the water spraying operation is carried out, the humidity in the incubator will be relatively high. After spraying water, as time goes by, the humidity gradually decreases, resulting in non-constant humidity. In addition, the amount of water sprayed is difficult to control, easily causing the phenomenon of too high or too low humidity. Moreover, the structure of its humidifying device is complex and the energy consumption is high. Content of the Utility Model
[0004] The utility model overcomes the problems of non-constant humidification and easy contamination of existing incubators, and provides a natural humidifying device for an incubator. This solution can keep the humidity in the incubator relatively constant and can prevent microbial contamination.
[0005] To solve the above technical problems, the present utility model adopts the following technical solutions: a natural humidification device for an incubator, including an incubator, wherein a humidification device is provided inside the incubator. The humidification device includes a tray body and a tray cover. The tray body includes a tray opening and a cavity inside the tray body. The tray cover is detachably connected to the tray opening, and a breathable membrane is provided between the tray cover and the tray opening. In this solution, the incubator is used for culturing microbial cells, the humidification device is used to provide a constant humidity for the incubator, the cavity of the tray body is used to hold sterile water, the cavity is communicated with the tray opening, and the tray opening can communicate the cavity with the incubator. After the water in the cavity evaporates, it can enter the incubator, thereby increasing the humidity of the incubator; the breathable membrane is arranged between the tray opening and the tray body, and the breathable membrane can allow water vapor to pass through but not microbial cells. Therefore, the breathable membrane can prevent the sterile water in the humidification device from being contaminated and can also ensure a constant humidity in the incubator. Among them, the tray opening and the tray cover are detachably connected, and the humidification device is convenient to install and disassemble, and it is easy to replace or add sterile water.
[0006] Preferably, the connection between the tray opening and the tray cover is a threaded connection. The threaded connection between the tray opening and the tray cover is convenient for the installation and disassembly between the tray opening and the tray cover. On the other hand, the outer thread of the tray opening and the inner thread of the tray cover can also play a good labyrinth sealing role to prevent the sterile water in the tray body from being contaminated.
[0007] Preferably, a first sealing ring is provided between the tray opening and the tray cover, and the first sealing ring is arranged between the end face of the tray opening and the inner surface of the tray cover. The first sealing ring can further improve the sealing effect between the tray opening and the tray body. The first sealing ring is arranged between the end face of the tray opening and the inner surface of the tray cover. After the tray cover and the tray opening are tightened, the inner surface of the tray cover and the end face of the tray opening can press the first sealing ring tightly, thereby achieving the sealing effect.
[0008] Preferably, the first sealing ring and the tray cover are of an integral structure. In order to make the assembly of the tray opening and the tray cover more convenient, the first sealing ring can be fixed on the tray cover, so that the first sealing ring and the tray cover are designed as an integral structure.
[0009] Preferably, an airtight sheet for blocking the breathable membrane is provided on the outer surface of the tray cover. The airtight sheet is provided on the outer surface or the outer end face of the tray cover. The airtight sheet can block all substances from entering and leaving the tray opening of the tray body. Before the humidification device is used, the airtight sheet is always in a closed state to ensure that the humidification device is not contaminated before use. The airtight sheet is only torn off when in use. This solution is applicable to a disposable humidification device.
[0010] Preferably, the airtight sheet is hermetically connected to the tray cover. The airtight sheet and the tray cover are hermetically connected by means of hot melt welding or gluing to prevent internal contamination of the tray body.
[0011] Preferably, an airtight cover for blocking the breathable membrane is provided on the outer surface of the disc cover. The airtight cover is provided on the outer surface or the outer end face of the disc cover. The airtight cover can block all substances from entering and leaving the mouth of the disc body. Before the humidifying device is used, the airtight cover is always in a closed state to ensure that the humidifying device is not contaminated before use. Only when in use, the entire airtight cover is opened. The airtight cover can be opened and closed multiple times. Therefore, the humidifying device of this solution can be reused.
[0012] Preferably, the airtight cover and the disc cover are connected in a snap-fit manner. A snap connection is formed between the airtight cover and the disc cover, which facilitates the opening and closing of the airtight cover and convenient for repeated use.
[0013] Preferably, a second sealing ring is provided between the airtight cover and the disc cover. The second sealing ring can play a sealing role between the airtight cover and the disc cover to prevent the humidifying device from being contaminated.
[0014] Preferably, the disc body is flat, and the bottom of the disc body is a heat conducting block. The disc body is arranged to be flat, maximizing the contact area between the sterile water in the cavity and the air, which is conducive to natural evaporation; the heat conducting block facilitates the water in the container to exchange heat with the inner cavity bottom wall of the incubator more quickly to achieve the purpose of rapid humidification.
[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present utility model are as follows: (1) It can keep the humidity in the incubator constant and improve the efficiency of cell culture experiments; (2) Natural evaporation humidification can be applied to existing conventional incubators without modifying the design of the incubators on the market; (3) It effectively avoids the growth of microorganisms in the water tray, resulting in contamination of the incubator; (4) The structure is simple, and it can be used as a disposable consumable or can be reused; (5) The device can be surface sterilized (such as hydrogen peroxide sterilization). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the present utility model.
[0017] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of Embodiment 2 of the present utility model.
[0018] In the figure: 1. Disc body, 2. Disc cover, 3. Breathable membrane, 4.1. Airtight sheet, 4.2. Airtight cover, 5.1. First sealing ring, 5.2. Second sealing ring, 6. Disc mouth, 7. Heat conducting block, 8. Cavity, 9. Ring platform. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be further specifically described below through specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0020] Embodiment 1: As Figure 1The natural humidification device for an incubator shown in the figure includes an incubator (not shown in the figure) and a humidification device arranged in the incubator, the humidification device includes a tray 1 and a tray cover 2, a cavity 8 is arranged inside the tray 1, the tray 1 and the cavity 8 are flat cylindrical, the cavity 8 of the tray 1 is used to hold sterile water, and the flat cavity 8 can maximize the evaporation area of the sterile water and improve the evaporation efficiency of the sterile water. The tray 1 is made of a transparent non-metallic material as a whole, so that the experimenter can observe the water level in the cavity 8 of the tray 1.
[0021] The upper part of the dish body 1 is a dish opening 6, and a dish cover 2 is arranged on the dish opening 6. The dish cover 2 is in the shape of a through-hole, and the size of the through-hole is close to that of the dish opening 6. A groove is arranged on the outer end surface of the through-hole of the dish cover 2, and a breathable membrane 3 is arranged in the groove. The breathable membrane 3 and the groove are sealed. Specifically, they can be sealed by hot-melt welding or gluing. The breathable membrane 3 can pass through smaller molecules such as water vapor, but cannot pass through objects such as microorganisms, so that only water vapor in the cavity 8 can enter the incubator, increase the humidity in the incubator, and the microorganisms in the incubator cannot enter the humidification device, preventing the humidification device from being contaminated. Among them, the breathable membrane 3 can specifically be made of commonly used materials such as Tyvek or special silicone membrane. And because the inside of the incubator and the cavity 8 of the dish body 1 are always in a connected state, the humidity in the incubator can also be kept relatively constant.
[0022] On the outer end surface of the disc cover 2 and on the outer side of the groove, an airtight sheet 4.1 is sealed and connected. The airtight sheet 4.1 is a dense material that is impermeable to liquid water and water vapor. Specifically, it can be made of materials such as PVC or PE. The airtight sheet 4.1 fits the outermost end surface of the disc cover 2 and can cover the entire groove, thereby covering the entire breathable membrane 3. The airtight sheet 4.1 and the disc cover 2 can be sealed by hot-melt welding or gluing. The above-mentioned sealing measures can not only play a good sealing role, but also make the airtight sheet 4.1 easy to be uncovered. After uncovering, the breathable membrane 3 can be completely exposed. When the humidifier needs to be used, the airtight sheet 4.1 can be uncovered. Before the humidifier is used, the airtight sheet 4.1 is always in a closed state to ensure that the humidifier is not contaminated before use. The airtight sheet 4.1 is only torn open when it is used. This solution is suitable for a disposable humidifier.
[0023] The dish mouth 6 and the dish cover 2 are detachably connected. Specifically, an external thread is provided on the outer side of the dish mouth 6, and an internal thread is provided on the inner side of the dish cover 2. A threaded connection is achieved between the dish cover 2 and the dish mouth 6. The threaded connection not only facilitates the disassembly and assembly between the dish cover 2 and the dish body 1, but also plays a good labyrinth sealing role to prevent the sterile water in the dish body 1 from being contaminated.
[0024] A first sealing ring 5.1 is also provided between the disc cover 2 and the disc opening 6. The first sealing ring 5.1 is arranged between the end face of the disc opening 6 and the inner surface of the disc cover 2. When the disc cover 2 and the disc opening 6 are tightened, the inner surface of the disc cover 2 and the end face of the disc opening 6 can compress the first sealing ring 5.1, thereby achieving a sealing effect. In this embodiment, the first sealing ring 5.1 and the disc cover 2 can also be made into an integral structure. Specifically, the first sealing ring 5.1 is fixed or embedded on the inner wall of the disc opening 6 to ensure that the first sealing ring 5.1 will not fall off. Thus, the entire humidifying device only has two parts, namely the cover structure (the disc cover 2, the first sealing ring 5.1, the breathable film 3, and the airtight sheet 4.1 are an integral whole) and the disc body 1 structure, greatly simplifying the structure of the device and making it more convenient to use.
[0025] A heat-conducting block 7 is arranged at the bottom of the disc body 1. The bottom of the disc body 1 can be made of a heat-conducting material to form the heat-conducting block 7. Specifically, the heat-conducting block 7 can be made of a metal material such as stainless steel, so as to enable the water in the container to exchange heat with the bottom wall of the inner cavity of the incubator more quickly, for the purpose of achieving rapid humidification.
[0026] In this embodiment, the humidifying device is a disposable item, and the specific usage method of this humidifying device is as follows.
[0027] The experimenter unpacks the disc body 1 with a sterile package (sterilized in advance by gas, radiation, etc.) and the cover structure (the disc cover 2, the first sealing ring 5.1, the breathable film 3, and the airtight sheet 4.1 are an integral whole) in a GMP Class A environment, adds sterile water to the disc body 1 in the GMP Class A environment, and then seals the cover structure and the disc body 1 well. The assembled humidifying device filled with sterile water is placed in a sterilization device for cross-cleanliness-level transfer (such as the transfer chamber of an isolator), and is transferred from a lower-level environment (such as GMP Class D) to a higher-level environment (such as GMP Class A). During this process, hydrogen peroxide sterilization needs to be carried out on the outer surface of the disc body 1 filled with sterile water and the cover structure. Since there is an airtight sheet 4.1 on the upper part of the breathable film 3, the sterilization gas cannot enter the sterile water in the disc body 1, and safe sterilization treatment can be carried out. After the humidifying device filled with sterile water is transferred to the higher-level area, the airtight sheet 4.1 is removed, and then it is placed in the incubator in the higher-level area for use. This process meets the aseptic treatment requirements of GMP, can ensure the sterility of the water, and the water and the environment exchange gases through the breathable film 3, which is not easy to pollute the environment, and the pollutants in the environment are not easy to enter the disc body 1 either.
[0028] Example 2: As Figure 2A natural humidification device for an incubator, as shown, includes an incubator (not shown in the figure) and a humidification device disposed inside the incubator. The humidification device includes a tray body 1 and a tray cover 2. An inner cavity 8 is provided inside the tray body 1. The tray body 1 and the cavity 8 are in the shape of a flat cylinder. The inner cavity 8 of the tray body 1 is used to hold sterile water. The flat cavity 8 can maximize the evaporation area of the sterile water and improve the evaporation efficiency of the sterile water. Among them, the entire tray body 1 is made of a transparent non-metallic material to facilitate the experimenter to observe the water level in the cavity 8 of the tray body 1.
[0029] At the upper part of the tray body 1 is a tray opening 6. A tray cover 2 is provided on the tray opening 6. The tray cover 2 is in the shape of a through-opening, and the size of the through-opening is close to the size of the tray opening 6. A groove is provided on the outer end face of the through-opening of the tray cover 2, and a breathable membrane 3 is provided in the groove. The breathable membrane 3 is hermetically connected to the groove. Specifically, it can be sealed by hot melt welding or gluing. The breathable membrane 3 can allow smaller molecules such as water vapor to pass through, but cannot pass through objects such as microorganisms. Thus, only the water vapor in the cavity 8 can enter the incubator, increasing the humidity in the incubator, while microorganisms in the incubator cannot enter the humidification device, preventing the humidification device from being contaminated. Among them, the breathable membrane 3 can specifically adopt commonly used materials such as Tyvek or special silicone membranes. And since the inside of the incubator and the cavity 8 of the tray body 1 are always in a communicating state, the humidity in the incubator can also be kept relatively constant.
[0030] On the outer end face of the tray cover 2, a ring platform 9 is further provided. The ring platform 9 is arranged along the edge of the tray cover, and an airtight cover 4.2 is provided on the outside of the ring platform 9. The airtight cover 4.2 is made of a dense material that cannot pass through liquid water or water vapor. Specifically, it can be made of materials such as PVC or PE. The airtight cover 4.2 is buckled with the outermost end face of the ring platform of the tray cover 2 and can cover the entire groove, thus covering the entire breathable membrane 3. The airtight cover 4.2 and the tray cover 2 are connected in a snap-fit form, enabling the airtight cover 4.2 and the tray cover 2 to be opened and closed repeatedly for multiple uses. Specifically, a buckle groove is provided on the outer periphery of the tray cover 2, and a buckle tooth matching the buckle groove is provided on the inner side of the airtight cover 4.2. Moreover, a second sealing ring 5.2 is provided on the end faces of the airtight cover 4.2 and the ring platform 9. The second sealing ring 5.2 can improve the sealing effect between the airtight cover 4.2 and the tray cover 2 and ensure that the breathable membrane 3 is not contaminated.
[0031] By adopting the above-mentioned sealing measures and connection methods, not only can a good sealing effect be achieved, but also the airtight cover 4.2 can be easily opened. After being opened, the breathable membrane 3 can be completely exposed. When the humidifying device needs to be used, just open the airtight cover 4.2. Before the humidifying device is used, the airtight cover 4.2 is always in a closed state to ensure that the humidifying device is not contaminated before use, and the airtight cover 4.2 is only opened when in use. This solution is applicable to disposable humidifying devices.
[0032] The connection between the tray opening 6 and the tray cover 2 is detachable. Specifically, an external thread is provided on the outer side of the tray opening 6, and an internal thread is provided on the inner side of the tray cover 2. A threaded connection is achieved between the tray cover 2 and the tray opening 6. The threaded connection can not only facilitate the disassembly and assembly between the tray cover 2 and the tray body 1, but also play a good labyrinth sealing role to prevent the sterile water in the tray body 1 from being contaminated.
[0033] A first sealing ring 5.1 is also provided between the tray cover 2 and the tray opening 6. The first sealing ring 5.1 is arranged between the end face of the tray opening 6 and the inner surface of the tray cover 2. When the tray cover 2 and the tray opening 6 are tightened, the inner surface of the tray cover 2 and the end face of the tray opening 6 can press the first sealing ring 5.1 tightly, so as to achieve the sealing effect. In this embodiment, the first sealing ring 5.1 and the tray cover 2 can also be made into an integral structure. Specifically, the first sealing ring 5.1 is fixed or embedded on the inner wall of the tray opening 6 to ensure that the first sealing ring 5.1 will not fall off. Thus, the entire humidifying device only has three parts: the cover body structure (the tray cover 2, the first sealing ring 5.1, and the breathable membrane 3 are an integral whole), the tray body 1 structure, and the airtight cover 4.2 (the airtight cover 4.2 and the second sealing ring 5.2 can form an integral whole), which greatly simplifies the structure of the device and makes it more convenient to use.
[0034] A heat conduction block 7 is arranged at the bottom of the tray body 1. The bottom of the tray body 1 can be made of heat-conducting material to form the heat conduction block 7. Specifically, the heat conduction block 7 can be made of metal materials such as stainless steel, so as to facilitate the water in the container to exchange heat with the bottom wall of the inner cavity of the incubator more quickly, so as to achieve the purpose of rapid humidification.
[0035] In this embodiment, the humidifying device is an item for disposable use. The specific usage method of this humidifying device is as follows.
[0036] The experimenter unpacked the tray body 1 with a sterile package (previously sterilized by gas, radiation, etc.), the cover structure (the tray cover 2, the first sealing ring 5.1, and the breathable membrane 3 are an integral whole), and the airtight cover 4.2 (including the second sealing ring 5.2) in a GMP Class A environment. The experimenter packaged the three parts with a bacteria-blocking and breathable package and put them into a steam sterilizer for sterilization treatment. Then, sterile water was added to the tray body 1 in a GMP Class A environment, and then the cover structure was sealed with the tray body 1. The humidifying device filled with sterile water and assembled was placed into a sterilization device for cross-cleanliness-level transfer (such as the transfer chamber of an isolator) and transferred from a lower-level environment (such as GMP Class D) to a higher-level environment (such as GMP Class A). During this process, hydrogen peroxide sterilization was required for the outer surface of the tray body 1 filled with sterile water and the cover structure. Since there is an airtight cover 4.2 above the breathable membrane 3, the sterilization gas cannot enter the sterile water inside the tray body 1, and safe sterilization treatment can be carried out. After the humidifying device filled with sterile water was transferred into the higher-level area, the airtight cover 4.2 was removed, and then it was placed in an incubator in the higher-level area for use. This process meets the aseptic treatment requirements of GMP, can ensure the sterility of the water, and the water and the environment exchange gases through the breathable membrane 3, making it not easy to pollute the environment, and it is also not easy for pollutants in the environment to enter the tray body 1. When the humidifying device has been used, take out the humidifying device, sterilize the humidifying device, and then it can still be used continuously.
Claims
1. A natural humidification device for an incubator, characterized in that: The invention comprises an incubator, wherein a humidifying device is arranged in the incubator, wherein the humidifying device comprises a dish body and a dish cover, wherein the dish body comprises a dish opening and a cavity located inside the dish body, the dish opening is detachably connected to the dish cover, and a breathable membrane is arranged between the dish cover and the dish opening.
2. A natural humidification device for an incubator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dish opening and the dish cover are connected by threads.
3. A natural humidification device for an incubator according to claim 2, characterized in that: A first sealing ring is provided between the disk opening and the disk cover, and the first sealing ring is provided between the end surface of the disk opening and the inner surface of the disk cover.
4. A natural humidification device for an incubator according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first sealing ring and the disk cover are an integral structure.
5. A natural humidification device for an incubator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The outer surface of the plate cover is provided with an airtight sheet for shielding the air-permeable membrane.
6. A natural humidification device for an incubator according to claim 5, characterized in that: The airtight sheet is sealed with the dish cover.
7. A natural humidification device for an incubator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The outer surface of the disc cover is provided with an airtight cover for shielding the air-permeable membrane.
8. The natural humidification device for an incubator according to claim 7, characterized in that: The airtight cover is connected to the pan cover in a snap-fit manner.
9. A natural humidification device for an incubator according to claim 8, characterized in that: A second sealing ring is provided between the airtight cover and the disk cover.
10. A natural humidification device for an incubator according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or 6 or 8 or 9, characterized in that: The disk body is flat, and the bottom of the disk body is a heat conduction block.