Sperm optimization device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a sperm optimization device, belongs to the technical field of assisted reproduction, and solves the problems that the sperm quality is reduced and the sperm optimization efficiency and the assisted reproduction success rate are influenced due to the fact that the micro-fluidic channels are too few and the high-quality sperm enrichment time is too long in the prior art. The device comprises a lower plate body and an upper plate body, the upper plate body is fixed on the upper surface of the lower plate body, and the upper surface of the lower plate body is provided with an inlet pool, an annular groove, a screening channel and an outlet pool; the two symmetrical annular grooves are formed in the two sides of the lower plate body, the inlet pool is communicated with the annular grooves, the outlet pool is arranged in the circular center of the annular grooves, and the outlet pool is communicated with the annular grooves through the screening channel. According to the sperm screening device, high-quality sperms are screened by utilizing the sperm activity and the boundary navigation function, the speed of a buffer solution does not need to be controlled, the screening success rate is ensured, the operation is simple, and the learning cost is low.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of assisted reproduction, and in particular relates to a sperm optimization device. Background Art

[0002] Assisted reproductive technology refers to a variety of technologies that assist reproduction for couples with reproductive dysfunction, and the sorting of high-quality sperm is a key step in determining the success of in vitro fertilization.

[0003] Fertilization in humans is a process of natural selection. Sperm swims a long distance, passing through the cervix, uterus and fallopian tube. When the sperm swims to the fallopian tube, due to the temperature gradient in the lumen, the thermotactic capacitated sperm swims to the ampulla and combines with the egg cell.

[0004] In recent years, microfluidic chip technology has been increasingly used in sperm sorting research due to its advantages in terms of small sample requirements, precise microenvironment control, and automation potential. However, the existing sperm sorting microfluidic chips use the countercurrent characteristics of sperm to screen sperm. This method has strict requirements on the flow rate of the buffer. If the flow rate is too fast or too slow, it will not be able to achieve the purpose of screening high-quality sperm. Too few microfluidic channels will also lead to a long time to enrich high-quality sperm, resulting in a decrease in the quality of sorted sperm, affecting the efficiency of sperm selection and the success rate of assisted reproduction. In addition, the learning cost of medical staff is high, so there is a need for an efficient sperm selection device that is simple to operate and has low learning costs. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the above analysis, the utility model aims to provide a sperm optimization device to solve the problems in the prior art, such as high learning cost for medical staff, too few microfluidic channels, too long time to enrich high-quality sperm, resulting in reduced sperm quality, affecting sperm optimization efficiency and assisted reproduction success rate.

[0006] The purpose of this utility model is mainly achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0007] The utility model provides a sperm selection device, comprising a lower plate body and an upper plate body, wherein the upper plate body is fixed on the upper surface of the lower plate body, and the upper surface of the lower plate body is provided with an inlet pool, an annular groove, a screening channel and an outlet pool; the inlet pool is arranged in the middle of the lower plate body, and two symmetrical annular grooves are arranged on both sides of the lower plate body, the inlet pool is communicated with the annular groove, the outlet pool is arranged at the center of the ring of the annular groove, and the outlet pool and the annular groove are communicated through the screening channel.

[0008] Furthermore, the surface of the upper plate body is covered with a cover sheet.

[0009] Further, a sample injection hole and a sample outlet hole are formed in the upper plate body. The position of the sample injection hole corresponds to the inlet pool, and the position of the sample outlet hole corresponds to the outlet pool.

[0010] Further, the number of the screening channels on one side of the lower plate body is 500.

[0011] Further, the number of the inlet pools is 2.

[0012] Further, the depth of the screening channel is 75 μm.

[0013] Further, the screening channel includes a first channel and a second channel; two parallel first channels are connected to the second channel through a Y-shaped channel. The first channel is connected to the annular groove, and the second channel is connected to the outlet pool.

[0014] Further, the widths of the first channel and the second channel are both 50 μm.

[0015] Further, the total length of the first channel, the Y-shaped channel and the second channel is 10 mm.

[0016] Further, both the lower plate body and the upper plate body are transparent plates.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the utility model can at least achieve one of the following beneficial effects:

[0018] 1. The sperm selection device provided by the utility model realizes the structure for selecting sperm by arranging an inlet pool, an annular groove, a screening channel and an outlet pool on the lower plate body and then covering with the upper plate body to form a microchannel. The sperm selection device of the present application can inject a buffer solution into the inlet pool to make the buffer solution cover the inlet pool, the annular groove, the screening channel and the outlet pool; then inject sperm into the inlet pool to make the sperm fill the annular groove. By using the self-activity and boundary navigation function of the sperm, the sperm enters the outlet pool through the screening channel by its own activity, so as to achieve the purpose of screening high-quality sperm.

[0019] 2. The sperm selection device provided by the utility model screens high-quality sperm by using the self-activity and boundary navigation function of the sperm, without controlling the speed of the buffer solution, which ensures the screening success rate while having simple operation and low learning cost.

[0020] 3. The sperm selection device provided by the utility model is designed with two inlet pools, and the number of microfluidic channels is increased to 500, which expands the swimming channels of high-quality sperm, shortens the sperm selection time, greatly improves the screening efficiency of high-quality sperm, and ensures the screening success rate.

[0021] Other features and advantages of the present utility model will be described in the subsequent description, and some of them will become obvious from the description, or can be understood by implementing the present utility model. The objectives and other advantages of the present utility model can be achieved and obtained through the structures specifically pointed out in the written description and the accompanying drawings. Description of the Drawings

[0022] The drawings are only for the purpose of showing specific embodiments and are not considered as a limitation to the present utility model. Throughout the drawings, the same reference signs denote the same components.

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the sperm selection device of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the lower plate body of the sperm selection device of the present utility model;

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the upper plate body of the sperm selection device of the present utility model;

[0026] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of the sperm selection device of the present utility model when installing a cover slip;

[0027] Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of the screening channel of the sperm selection device of the present utility model;

[0028] Figure 6 is a state diagram of the screening channel of the sperm selection device of the present utility model when sorting sperm.

[0029] Reference Signs:

[0030] 1. Lower plate body, 2. Upper plate body, 3. Cover slip;

[0031] 101. Inlet pool, 102. Annular groove, 103. Screening channel, 104. Outlet pool;

[0032] 201. Sampling hole, 202. Sampling outlet hole;

[0033] 1031. First channel, 1032. Second channel. Detailed Embodiments

[0034] The following will specifically describe the preferred embodiments of the present utility model in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where the drawings form a part of the present utility model and are used together with the embodiments of the present utility model to explain the principle of the present utility model.

[0035] Embodiment

[0036] This embodiment provides a sperm selection device, as Figure 1 andFigure 2 As shown in the figure, it includes a lower plate body 1 and an upper plate body 2. The upper plate body 2 is fixed on the upper surface of the lower plate body 1, and the upper surface of the lower plate body 1 is provided with an inlet pool 101, an annular groove 102, a screening channel 103 and an outlet pool 104. The inlet pool 101 is arranged in the middle of the lower plate body 1, and two symmetric annular grooves 102 are arranged on both sides of the lower plate body 1. The inlet pool 101 is communicated with the annular groove 102. The outlet pool 104 is arranged at the center of the circle of the annular groove 102, and the outlet pool 104 and the annular groove 102 are communicated through the screening channel 103.

[0037] By arranging the inlet pool 101, the annular groove 102, the screening channel 103 and the outlet pool 104 on the lower plate body 1, and then covering them with the upper plate body 2 to form a microchannel, a structure for optimizing sperm is realized. The sperm optimization device of the present application can inject a buffer solution into the inlet pool 101 to make the buffer solution cover the inlet pool 101, the annular groove 102, the screening channel 103 and the outlet pool 104. Then, by injecting sperm into the inlet pool 101, the annular groove 102 is filled with sperm, and the vitality and boundary-following navigation function of the sperm itself are utilized. As Figure 6 shown, the sperm enters the outlet pool 104 through the screening channel 103 by its own vitality to achieve the purpose of screening high-quality sperm.

[0038] Preferably, as Figure 4 shown, a cover sheet 3 is covered on the surface of the upper plate body 2.

[0039] When using the sperm optimization device of this embodiment, after the annular groove 102 is filled with sperm, cover the cover sheet 3 on the surface of the upper plate body 2 and place it on the platform and let it stand for 20 - 30 minutes, then the screening of high-quality sperm is completed.

[0040] Preferably, as Figure 3 shown, a sample injection hole 201 and a sample extraction hole 202 are opened in the upper plate body 2. The position of the sample injection hole 201 corresponds to the inlet pool 101, and the position of the sample extraction hole 202 corresponds to the outlet pool 104.

[0041] The sample injection hole 201 is used to inject buffer solution and semen into the inlet pool 101. The sample extraction hole 202 is used to discharge the air in the channels of the inlet pool 101, the annular groove 102, the screening channel 103 and the outlet pool 104, and a pipette can suck the optimized semen in the outlet pool 104 through the sample extraction hole 202.

[0042] After the screening, the high-quality sperm is in the outlet pool 104. Just insert the head of the pipette through the sample injection hole 201 to extract the semen in the outlet pool 104.

[0043] Preferably, the number of the screening channels 103 on one side of the lower plate body 1 is 500.

[0044] Preferably, the number of the inlet pools 101 is 2.

[0045] Preferably, the depth of the screening channel 103 is 75 μm.

[0046] Preferably, as Figure 5 shown, the screening channel 103 includes a first channel 1031 and a second channel 1032; two parallel first channels 1031 are communicated with the second channel 1032 through a Y-shaped channel, the first channel 1031 is communicated with the annular groove 102, and the second channel 1032 is communicated with the outlet pool 104.

[0047] Preferably, the widths of both the first channel 1031 and the second channel 1032 are 50 μm.

[0048] Preferably, the total lengths of the first channel 1031, the Y-shaped channel and the second channel 1032 are 10 mm.

[0049] Preferably, both the lower plate body 1 and the upper plate body 2 are transparent plates.

[0050] The transparent material can be observed when adding buffer solution and semen.

[0051] The material of the transparent plate can be polydimethylsiloxane or other biocompatible materials, such as glass, etc.

[0052] The above is only the preferred specific embodiment of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily thought of by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sperm selection device, characterized in that, It includes a lower plate body (1) and an upper plate body (2). The upper plate body (2) is fixed on the upper surface of the lower plate body (1), and an inlet pool (101), an annular groove (102), a screening channel (103) and an outlet pool (104) are provided on the upper surface of the lower plate body (1); the inlet pool (101) is arranged in the middle of the lower plate body (1), two symmetrical annular grooves (102) are arranged on both sides of the lower plate body (1), the inlet pool (101) is communicated with the annular groove (102), the outlet pool (104) is arranged at the center of the circle of the annular groove (102), and the outlet pool (104) and the annular groove (102) are communicated through the screening channel (103).

2. The sperm selection device according to claim 1, wherein A cover sheet (3) is covered on the surface of the upper plate body (2).

3. The sperm selection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A sample injection hole (201) and a sample outlet hole (202) are formed in the upper plate body (2). The position of the sample injection hole (201) corresponds to the inlet pool (101), and the position of the sample outlet hole (202) corresponds to the outlet pool (104).

4. The sperm selection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of the screening channels (103) on one side of the lower plate body (1) is 500.

5. The sperm selection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of the inlet pools (101) is 2.

6. The sperm selection device according to claim 1, wherein, The depth of the screening channel (103) is 75 μm.

7. The sperm selection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The screening channel (103) includes a first channel (1031) and a second channel (1032); two parallel first channels (1031) are communicated with the second channel (1032) through a Y-shaped channel. The first channel (1031) is communicated with the annular groove (102), and the second channel (1032) is communicated with the outlet pool (104).

8. The sperm selection device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The widths of both the first channel (1031) and the second channel (1032) are 50 μm.

9. The sperm selection device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The total length of the first channel (1031), the Y-shaped channel and the second channel (1032) is 10 mm.

10. The sperm selection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the lower plate body (1) and the upper plate body (2) are transparent plates.

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