Sperm freezing carrier and sperm preservation device

Abstract

The utility model relates to a sperm freezing carrier and a sperm preservation device, the sperm freezing carrier comprises a slide glass body, the surface of the slide glass body is divided into a hydrophobic area and a screening area, the hydrophobic area surrounds the screening area, a hydrophobic layer is arranged on the hydrophobic area, and a hyaluronic acid layer is arranged in the screening area. By means of the hydrophobic effect of the hydrophobic layer on the hydrophobic area and the tension of the cryoprotectant, the cryoprotectant cannot leak out from the hydrophobic area, the cryoprotectant is effectively prevented from splashing out in the operation process, and the probability of sperm loss is reduced. The mature sperms can be adhered to the hyaluronic acid layer of the screening area, so that the recovery rate of the frozen sperms is improved, the purpose of screening high-quality sperms can be achieved, and meanwhile, the time for searching the sperms in the cryoprotectant liquid drops subsequently can be shortened.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of sperm cryopreservation, and particularly to a sperm cryopreservation carrier and a sperm preservation device. Background Art

[0002] Frozen sperm means that a man, considering his future fertility plan, freezes his own sperm in a medical institution with corresponding qualifications to prevent future fertility risks. Sperm cryopreservation technology has been relatively mature. Sperm cryopreservation can be used as an assisted reproductive method for infertile couples. Some patients with very severe oligospermia can freeze and preserve their precious sperm during the treatment process for intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment to prevent the development of azoospermia in the future and thus completely lose the ability to be a father.

[0003] Among them, the sperm count of men with severe oligospermia and non-obstructive azoospermia is very limited. Conventional sperm cryopreservation technology cannot achieve the cryopreservation of individual sperm. Therefore, these patients usually choose single sperm cryopreservation technology. Through research on cryopreservation carriers and cryopreservation methods, single sperm cryopreservation technology has improved the recovery rate and motility rate of sperm after cryopreservation.

[0004] Currently, the single sperm cryopreservation technology mostly adopts the microdroplet cryopreservation method. The cryopreservation carriers of this method include different types of carriers such as Cryoloops, Cellsleeper, Cryotop, Cryoleaf, and Cryopiece. The microscopic operation process of single sperm cryopreservation technology is convenient, with high sperm recovery rate and fertilization rate. The cryopreservation carrier is safe and simple to manufacture. Healthy babies have been born through this single sperm cryopreservation technology.

[0005] Currently, the single sperm cryopreservation technology mostly adopts the microdroplet cryopreservation method. First, 1 ul of cryoprotectant is dropped on the cryopreservation slide of the cryopiece, then a sperm is grasped by a micromanipulator and placed on the slide containing the cryoprotectant, and finally the cryopiece containing a small amount of sperm is cryopreserved by liquid nitrogen fumigation method. However, in the actual operation process, there are the following disadvantages: ① During the single sperm cryopreservation operation, 1 ul of sperm cryoprotectant is very easy to splash out from the slide; ② Due to the layering of the cryoprotectant droplets during the operation and the sperm swimming in the droplets, it is difficult to find sperm during microscopic operation, increasing the time of microscopic operation; ③ The existing single sperm cryopreservation technology cannot screen out sperm with good quality. Summary of the Utility Model

[0006] Based on this, in view of the disadvantages in the current single sperm cryopreservation technology, it is necessary to provide a sperm cryopreservation carrier and a sperm preservation device.

[0007] A sperm cryopreservation carrier, the sperm cryopreservation carrier includes:

[0008] A carrier body, on the surface of which a hydrophobic region and a screening region are defined, the hydrophobic region surrounding the screening region, a hydrophobic layer being provided on the hydrophobic region, and a hyaluronic acid layer being provided on the screening region.

[0009] In one embodiment, the thickness of the hyaluronic acid layer is less than the thickness of the hydrophobic layer.

[0010] In one embodiment, the thickness of the hyaluronic acid layer is 0.1 mm - 0.5 mm, and the thickness of the hydrophobic layer is 0.2 mm - 0.6 mm.

[0011] In one embodiment, a plurality of the screening regions are provided on the carrier body, and the screening regions are spaced apart and independently arranged.

[0012] In one embodiment, the sperm freezing carrier further includes a clamping member, one end of the clamping member being connected to the carrier body, and the other end extending longitudinally in a direction away from the carrier body.

[0013] In one embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the clamping member is arranged at an angle with the surface of the carrier body provided with the hydrophobic region and the screening region, and the end of the clamping member away from the carrier body is located on the side of the carrier body provided with the hydrophobic region and the screening region.

[0014] In one embodiment, the angle formed by the longitudinal direction of the clamping member and the surface of the carrier body provided with the hydrophobic region and the screening region is 90° - 170°.

[0015] In one embodiment, the carrier body and the clamping member have different colors.

[0016] A sperm preservation device, comprising a sperm freezing sleeve and the sperm freezing carrier as described in any one of the above, the sperm freezing sleeve having a closed cavity, and the sperm freezing carrier being capable of being placed in the closed cavity.

[0017] In one embodiment, the sperm freezing sleeve includes a tube body and a tube cap, the tube body being provided with the closed cavity and an opening communicating with the closed cavity, and the tube cap being screwable onto the tube body to close the opening.

[0018] When the above sperm freezing carrier is used for single sperm freezing, a cryoprotectant is dropped onto the carrier body of the sperm freezing carrier, and the cryoprotectant diffuses on the surface of the carrier body and enters the hydrophobic region and the screening region. By virtue of the hydrophobic effect of the hydrophobic layer on the hydrophobic region and the self-tension of the cryoprotectant, the cryoprotectant can be prevented from leaking out of the hydrophobic region, effectively preventing the cryoprotectant from splashing out during the operation and reducing the probability of sperm loss.

[0019] After that, the sperm is grasped on the micromanipulator and placed into the cryoprotectant on the slide body. During the process of the sperm swimming in the cryoprotectant, the mature sperm will adhere to the hyaluronic acid layer in the screening area, which improves the recovery rate of cryopreserved sperm and can also achieve the purpose of screening high-quality sperm. At the same time, it can also shorten the time for finding sperm in the cryoprotectant droplet later. The whole sperm cryopreservation and thawing operation is very simple. As long as microinsemination can be carried out, the above sperm cryopreservation carrier can be used to freeze a single sperm, which is convenient for wide promotion in the clinical practice of assisted reproduction. Description of the Drawings

[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the sperm cryopreservation carrier in some embodiments of the present application.

[0021] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of the sperm cryopreservation sleeve in some embodiments of the present application.

[0022] Reference Numerals:

[0023] Slide body 10; Hydrophobic area 11; Screening area 12; Hydrophobic layer 13; Hyaluronic acid layer 14;

[0024] Clamping member 20;

[0025] Sperm cryopreservation sleeve 30; Tube body 31; Tube cap 32. Detailed Embodiments

[0026] To make the above objects, features, and advantages of the present application more obvious and understandable, the following will describe the detailed embodiments of the present application with reference to the drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to facilitate a full understanding of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein. Those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without departing from the connotation of the present application. Therefore, the present application is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0027] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that if there are terms such as "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., the orientation or positional relationship indicated by these terms is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying 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 construed as a limitation of the present application.

[0028] In addition, if the terms "first" and "second" appear, these terms are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In the description of this application, if the term "plurality" appears, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0029] In this application, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, if terms such as "installed", "connected", "linked", "fixed", etc. appear, these terms should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly limited. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0030] In this application, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, if there is a description such as a first feature being "on" or "under" a second feature, the meaning can be that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are indirectly in contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over", and "on top of" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature has a higher horizontal height than the second feature. The first feature being "under", "beneath", and "underneath" the second feature can be that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature has a lower horizontal height than the second feature.

[0031] It should be noted that if an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there can also be an intermediate element. If an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element at the same time. If so, the terms "vertical", "horizontal", "up", "down", "left", "right" and similar expressions used in this application are only for illustrative purposes and do not represent the only implementation.

[0032] For this purpose, refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 shows a schematic structural diagram of a sperm cryopreservation carrier in an embodiment of this application. The sperm cryopreservation carrier provided in an embodiment of this application includes a slide body 10, on the surface of which a hydrophobic region 11 and a screening region 12 are demarcated. The hydrophobic region 11 is arranged around the screening region 12, a hydrophobic layer 13 is arranged on the hydrophobic region 11, and a hyaluronic acid layer 14 is arranged on the screening region 12.

[0033] Since the hydrophobic region 11 is arranged around the screening region 12, the hydrophobic layer 13 on the hydrophobic region 11 also surrounds the screening region 12, so that the hydrophobic layer 13 can be arranged around the hyaluronic acid layer 14. According to the hydrophobic effect of the hydrophobic layer 13 and the surface tension of the liquid, the liquid on the hydrophobic layer 13 can be prevented from leaking out of the hydrophobic region 11. Hyaluronic acid ester is also known as hyaluronic acid, and mature sperm can adhere to the hyaluronic acid ester layer, so as to achieve the purpose of sperm selection.

[0034] Specifically, when the above sperm freezing carrier performs single sperm freezing, the cryoprotectant is dropped onto the slide body 10 of the sperm freezing carrier. The cryoprotectant diffuses on the surface of the slide body 10 and enters the hydrophobic region 11 and the screening region 12. By using the hydrophobic effect of the hydrophobic layer 13 on the hydrophobic region 11 and the self-tension of the cryoprotectant, the cryoprotectant can be prevented from leaking out of the hydrophobic region 11, effectively preventing the cryoprotectant from splashing out during the operation and reducing the probability of sperm loss.

[0035] After that, the sperm is grasped on the micromanipulator and placed into the cryoprotectant on the slide body 10. During the process of the sperm swimming in the cryoprotectant, the mature sperm will adhere to the hyaluronic acid layer 14 in the screening region 12, improving the recovery rate of the frozen sperm, and also being able to achieve the purpose of screening high-quality sperm. At the same time, it can also shorten the time for finding sperm in the cryoprotectant droplet subsequently. The whole sperm freezing and thawing operation is very simple. As long as microinsemination can be carried out, the above sperm freezing carrier can be used to freeze a single sperm, which is convenient for wide promotion in the clinical practice of assisted reproduction.

[0036] In some embodiments of the present application, the thickness of the hyaluronic acid layer 14 is less than the thickness of the hydrophobic layer 13, so that a slightly sunken pit can be formed at the place where the slide body 10 is located in the screening region 12. During the process of the sperm swimming on the slide body 10, it is easier to enter the pit and thus adhere to the hyaluronic acid layer 14, improving the efficiency of sperm screening.

[0037] In some embodiments, the thickness of the hyaluronic acid layer 14 is 0.1 mm - 0.5 mm, the thickness of the hydrophobic layer 13 is 0.2 mm - 0.6 mm, and the screening region 12 is circular or square. When the screening region 12 is circular, the diameter of the screening region 12 is 13 mm, and when the screening region 12 is square, the side length of the square is 12 mm.

[0038] In some embodiments of the present application, a plurality of screening regions 12 are provided on the carrier body 10. Each screening region 12 is spaced apart and independently provided, that is, the screening regions 12 do not communicate with each other, so that each screening region 12 can be used to pick up sperm separately. Specifically, in one embodiment, two screening regions 12 are provided on the carrier body 10, and a hyaluronic acid layer 14 is provided on each screening region 12.

[0039] In some embodiments of the present application, the sperm freezing carrier further includes a clamping member 20. One end of the clamping member 20 is connected to the carrier body 10, and the other end extends longitudinally away from the carrier body 10, that is, the clamping member 20 will not be located above or below the hydrophobic region 11 or the screening region 12. In this way, when the operator picks up the clamping member 20 with tweezers, the tweezers are not likely to touch the cryoprotectant on the carrier body 10, avoiding the contamination of the cryoprotectant by the tweezers.

[0040] In some embodiments, the longitudinal direction of the clamping member 20 is arranged at an angle with the surface of the carrier body 10 provided with the hydrophobic region 11 and the screening region 12. The end of the clamping member 20 away from the carrier body 10 is located on the side of the carrier body 10 provided with the hydrophobic region 11 and the screening region 12. That is to say, the whole sperm freezing carrier is L-shaped or approximately L-shaped. After the tweezers clamp the clamping member 20, during the process of the tweezers driving the sperm freezing carrier to move, the carrier body 10 can be controlled to be horizontal, reducing the probability of leakage of the cryoprotectant on the carrier body 10 and reducing the probability of sperm loss.

[0041] Specifically, in one embodiment, the angle formed by the longitudinal direction of the clamping member 20 and the surface of the carrier body 10 provided with the hydrophobic region 11 and the screening region 12 is 90°-170°. Specifically, the clamping member 20 is also sheet-shaped, and the angle formed by the surface of the clamping member 20 and the surface of the carrier body 10 is 90°-170°.

[0042] In some embodiments, in order to prevent the operator's tweezers from clamping the carrier body 10 and causing operation errors, the carrier body 10 and the clamping member 20 have different colors. The operator can distinguish the carrier body 10 from the clamping member 20 according to the color, avoiding the operator clamping the wrong place. Optionally, the clamping member 20 is yellow, and the carrier body 10 is made of a transparent plastic material or a glass material.

[0043] The present application also provides a sperm preservation device, as shown in combination with Figure 2 It includes a sperm freezing sleeve 30 and the sperm freezing carrier in any of the above embodiments. The sperm freezing sleeve 30 has a closed cavity, and the sperm freezing carrier can be placed in the closed cavity. Finally, the sperm freezing sleeve 30 and the sperm freezing carrier instrument are placed in liquid nitrogen for freezing and preservation.

[0044] In some specific embodiments, the sperm freezing sleeve 30 includes a tube body 31 and a tube cap 32. The tube body 31 is provided with a closed cavity and an opening communicating with the closed cavity. The tube body 31 has an external thread, and the tube cap 32 has an internal thread. Through the cooperation of the external thread and the internal thread, the tube cap 32 can be tightened on the tube body 31 and the opening can be closed, thereby closing the closed cavity. It can be understood that in other embodiments, the tube cap 32 and the tube body 31 can also be in interference fit so that the tube cap 32 is tightened on the tube body 31.

[0045] When it is necessary to thaw the sperm, the tube cap 32 can be separated from the tube body 31, and the sperm freezing slide can be clamped out of the sperm freezing sleeve 30 with forceps and inserted into the ICSI dish with covering oil for thawing. Without centrifugal washing, it can be directly used for micro-insemination of eggs, and the sperm will not be lost. Optionally, both the tube body 31 and the tube cap 32 are plastics of biosafety level, such as polypropylene, polystyrene or polycarbonate, and polypropylene is preferred.

[0046] The above sperm freezing carrier has at least the following advantages:

[0047] When the sperm freezing carrier performs single sperm freezing, a cryoprotectant is dropped onto the slide body 10 of the sperm freezing carrier. The cryoprotectant diffuses on the surface of the slide body 10 and enters the hydrophobic region 11 and the screening region 12. By using the hydrophobic effect of the hydrophobic layer 13 on the hydrophobic region 11 and the self-tension of the cryoprotectant, the cryoprotectant can be prevented from leaking out of the hydrophobic region 11, effectively preventing the cryoprotectant from splashing out during the operation and reducing the probability of sperm loss.

[0048] After that, the sperm is grasped on the micromanipulator and placed into the cryoprotectant on the slide body 10. During the process of the sperm swimming in the cryoprotectant, the mature sperm will adhere to the hyaluronic acid layer 14 in the screening region 12, improving the recovery rate of the frozen sperm, and also being able to achieve the purpose of screening high-quality sperm. At the same time, it can also shorten the time for finding sperm in the cryoprotectant droplet subsequently. The whole sperm freezing and thawing operation is very simple. As long as micro-insemination can be carried out, the above sperm freezing carrier can be used to freeze a single sperm, which is convenient for wide promotion in the clinic of assisted reproduction.

[0049] The technical features of the above-described embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. For the sake of brevity of description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, it should be considered as the scope recorded in this specification.

[0050] The above-described embodiments merely represent several implementation manners of the present application. The description thereof is relatively specific and detailed, but it should not be construed as a limitation to the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of the present application, several modifications and improvements can still be made, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present application shall be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sperm cryopreservation carrier, characterized in that, The sperm cryopreservation carrier includes: A slide body (10) with a hydrophobic region (11) and a screening region (12) defined on its surface. The hydrophobic region (11) surrounds the screening region (12), and a hydrophobic layer (13) is provided on the hydrophobic region (11), and a hyaluronic acid layer (14) is provided on the screening region (12).

2. The sperm freezing carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that The thickness of the hyaluronic acid layer (14) is less than the thickness of the hydrophobic layer (13).

3. The sperm cryopreservation carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the hyaluronic acid layer (14) is 0.1 mm - 0.5 mm, and the thickness of the hydrophobic layer (13) is 0.2 mm - 0.6 mm.

4. The sperm cryopreservation carrier according to claim 1, wherein, A plurality of the screening regions (12) are provided on the slide body (10), and each of the screening regions (12) is spaced and independently arranged.

5. The sperm cryopreservation carrier according to claim 1, wherein, The sperm cryopreservation carrier further includes a clamping member (20). One end of the clamping member (20) is connected to the slide body (10), and the other end extends longitudinally in a direction away from the slide body (10).

6. The sperm cryopreservation carrier according to claim 5, characterized in that, The longitudinal direction of the clamping member (20) is arranged at an angle with the surface of the slide body (10) provided with the hydrophobic region (11) and the screening region (12), and the end of the clamping member (20) away from the slide body (10) is located on the side of the slide body (10) provided with the hydrophobic region (11) and the screening region (12).

7. The sperm freezing carrier according to claim 5, wherein, The angle formed by the longitudinal direction of the clamping member (20) and the surface of the slide body (10) provided with the hydrophobic region (11) and the screening region (12) is 90° - 170°.

8. The sperm freezing carrier according to claim 5, characterized in that, The slide body (10) and the clamping member (20) have different colors.

9. A sperm preservation device, characterized in that, It includes a sperm cryopreservation sleeve (30) and the sperm cryopreservation carrier according to any one of claims 1 - 8. The sperm cryopreservation sleeve (30) has a closed cavity, and the sperm cryopreservation carrier can be placed in the closed cavity.

10. The sperm preservation device according to claim 9, wherein, The sperm cryopreservation sleeve (30) includes a tube body (31) and a tube cap (32). The tube body (31) is provided with the closed cavity and an opening communicating with the closed cavity. The tube cap (32) can be screwed onto the tube body (31) to close the opening.

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