Cell culture device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a cell culture device. The cell culture device comprises a tank body mounting structure, a stirring assembly, a controller and a cell culture tank, the tank body mounting structure comprises a supporting frame, a weighing module and a tank body mounting frame; the support frame is provided with a bearing end surface and a mounting part; the weighing module is arranged on the bearing end surface; the tank body mounting frame is arranged on the weighing module, the cell culture tank is mounted on the tank body mounting frame, and the cell culture tank is connected with a first pipeline and a second pipeline; the stirring assembly comprises stirring blades, a stirring shaft and a driving mechanism, the stirring blades are arranged in the cell culture tank, one end of the stirring shaft is connected with the stirring blades, and the other end of the stirring shaft is connected with the driving mechanism; and the controller is connected with the driving mechanism, the weighing module and the control valves on the first pipeline and the second pipeline. Through the arrangement, a stable vortex shear force is formed in the cell culture tank, natural flow of blood in a human body is simulated, and a proper mechanical environment is provided for megakaryocyte culture and platelet production.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of cell culture, and in particular to a cell culture device. Background Technology

[0002] Existing megakaryocyte culture and platelet production equipment faces numerous technical challenges. Firstly, it's difficult to generate suitable and stable turbulence and shear force within the tank. The shear force not only struggles to rise smoothly but also changes direction unevenly, which is extremely detrimental to cell culture, easily leading to cell damage and affecting megakaryocyte maturation as well as platelet production efficiency and quality. Secondly, the equipment lacks flexibility and convenience in practical use. Installation of different models of cell culture tanks is difficult, and real-time and accurate weighing of tanks with varying culture volumes is impossible, making it difficult for operators to precisely control the cell culture process and conditions. Furthermore, it's difficult to simultaneously adapt the required peristaltic pump flow rate and precision to different tank volumes, causing significant inconvenience for users and severely limiting the equipment's application range and production efficiency, failing to meet the demands for efficient and precise megakaryocyte culture and platelet production.

[0003] Therefore, a cell culture device is needed to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a cell culture device that enables the formation of stable eddy shear force in the cell culture tank to simulate the natural flow of blood in the human body, thereby providing a suitable mechanical environment for megakaryocyte culture and platelet production.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides a cell culture device, including a tank mounting structure, a stirring assembly, a controller, and a cell culture tank;

[0006] The tank mounting structure includes a support frame, a weighing module, and a tank mounting frame;

[0007] The support frame has a bearing end face and a mounting part disposed opposite to the bearing end face;

[0008] The weighing module is disposed on the bearing end face;

[0009] The tank mounting bracket is mounted on the weighing module, the cell culture tank is mounted on the tank mounting bracket, and the cell culture tank is connected to multiple first pipelines for gas input and output and second pipelines for culture medium input and output;

[0010] The stirring assembly includes stirring blades, stirring shaft, and driving mechanism. The driving mechanism is built into the mounting part of the support frame. The stirring blades are disposed inside the cell culture tank. One end of the stirring shaft is fixedly connected to the stirring blades, and the other end of the stirring shaft is connected to the driving mechanism. The driving mechanism is used to drive the stirring blades to move reciprocally in the vertical direction inside the cell culture tank.

[0011] The controller is connected to the drive mechanism, the weighing module, and the control valves on the first and second pipelines.

[0012] Furthermore, the drive mechanism includes a motor, a linear module, a linear guide rail, and a connecting rod;

[0013] The output end of the motor is connected to the linear module, and the linear module is slidably connected to the linear guide rail through a connecting plate, so that when the motor is running, the linear module drives the connecting plate to move back and forth along the linear guide rail;

[0014] One end of the connecting rod is fixedly connected to the connecting plate, and the other end is connected to the stirring shaft;

[0015] The end of the connecting rod away from the connecting plate is provided with a quick-release connector.

[0016] Furthermore, the linear module includes a reciprocating lead screw and a threaded ring;

[0017] The reciprocating lead screw is connected to the output end of the motor;

[0018] The threaded ring is threaded onto the outer wall of the reciprocating lead screw and is fixedly connected to the connecting plate.

[0019] Furthermore, the tank mounting bracket includes a retaining ring, a supporting flange, and a support rod;

[0020] The supporting flange is disposed above the fixing ring and is connected to the fixing ring via the support rod. The supporting flange is used to abut against the outer wall of the cell culture tank or the mounting flange disposed on the outer wall.

[0021] Furthermore, the flange hole size of the supporting flange is adjustable to accommodate cell culture tanks of different sizes.

[0022] Furthermore, the upper surface of the support flange is provided with a plurality of deflection blocks that are deflected toward or hidden inside the support flange in a ring-shaped equidistant manner.

[0023] The lower surface of the support flange is provided with a control element for controlling the synchronous deflection of the multiple deflection blocks.

[0024] Furthermore, the control element includes a rotating gear ring and a gear;

[0025] The gear is fixedly connected to the rotation shaft of the deflection block;

[0026] The rotating gear ring is rotatably mounted on the lower surface of the support flange and meshes with a plurality of the gears.

[0027] Furthermore, the weighing module is fixedly connected to the bearing end face, and the upper surface of the weighing module is provided with a limiting structure for limiting the fixed ring.

[0028] Furthermore, the limiting structure is configured as a plurality of limiting blocks arranged in a ring shape and fitting against the fixed ring.

[0029] Furthermore, the controller includes a housing with a built-in control module;

[0030] The housing is equipped with an operation panel, a control switch, and multiple peristaltic pump interfaces connected to the second pipeline.

[0031] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0032] By setting up a tank mounting structure including a support frame, a weighing module, and a tank mounting bracket, and by incorporating a drive mechanism within the support frame, the drive mechanism includes a connecting rod that is detachably connected to the stirring blades of the cell culture tank. When the drive mechanism is running, it can drive the stirring blades to move reciprocally in the vertical direction, thereby creating a stable eddy shear force inside the cell culture tank to simulate the natural flow of blood in the human body and provide a suitable mechanical environment for megakaryocyte culture and platelet production.

[0033] Furthermore, by setting up a weighing module and a controller, and with the controller also connected to the control valves on the first and second pipelines connected to the cell culture tank, the controller can remind the staff to control the amount of gas in the first pipeline and the amount of culture medium in the second pipeline based on the data (such as specifications and dimensions) of the cell culture tank obtained by the weighing module. This allows culture tanks of different specifications to adaptively match the corresponding peristaltic pumps and gas mass flow meters, thereby achieving precise control of fluid transport and gas supply during the culture process, ensuring the efficiency and stability of the cell culture and platelet production process.

[0034] Furthermore, by setting up a tank mounting bracket including a fixing ring, a supporting flange, and a support frame, and making the annular gap formed in the middle of the supporting flange adjustable, the support requirements of cell culture tanks of different sizes can be met, thereby achieving greater applicability. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the cell culture device in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the drive mechanism of a cell culture device in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 3 This is a partial structural diagram of the connection between the drive mechanism and the cell culture tank of the cell culture device in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 4 This is a top view of the tank mounting bracket of the cell culture device in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 5 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the tank mounting bracket of the cell culture device in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Reference numerals: 1. Tank mounting structure; 11. Support frame; 12. Weighing module; 13. Tank mounting bracket; 131. Fixing ring; 132. Support flange; 133. Support rod; 2. Controller; 21. Shell; 22. Operation panel; 23. Control switch; 24. Peristaltic pump interface; 3. Cell culture tank; 4. Drive mechanism; 41. Connecting rod; 411. Quick-release connector; 42. Motor; 43. Linear module; 44. Linear guide rail; 45. Connecting plate; 5. Deflection block; 6. Control components; 61. Rotary gear ring; 62. Gear. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The cell culture apparatus of this invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the schematic diagrams, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can modify the invention described herein while still achieving its advantageous effects. Therefore, the following description should be understood as being of general knowledge to those skilled in the art and is not intended to limit the invention.

[0042] The present invention will be described in more detail below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. The advantages and features of the present invention will become clearer from the following description. It should be noted that the drawings are in a very simplified form and use non-precise proportions, and are only used to facilitate and clarify the illustration of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0043] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown in the figure, this utility model embodiment proposes a cell culture device, including a tank mounting structure 1, a stirring assembly, a controller 2, and a cell culture tank 3.

[0044] The tank mounting structure 1 includes a support frame 11, a weighing module 12, and a tank mounting frame 13.

[0045] The support frame 11 has a bearing end face and an mounting part disposed opposite to the bearing end face. The weighing module 12 is disposed on the bearing end face and is used to measure the weight of the cell culture tank 3, thereby obtaining information about the cell culture tank 3, such as cell culture tanks 3 of different specifications such as 0.5L, 3L, and 5L, so as to facilitate the subsequent adaptation of the required peristaltic pump flow rate and accuracy according to the different specifications of the cell culture tank 3.

[0046] Specifically, the tank mounting bracket 13 is mounted on the weighing module 12, the cell culture tank 3 is mounted on the tank mounting bracket 13, and the cell culture tank 3 is connected to multiple first pipelines for gas input and output and second pipelines for culture medium input and output.

[0047] The stirring assembly includes stirring blades, stirring shaft, and drive mechanism 4.

[0048] The drive mechanism 4 is built into the mounting part of the support frame 11, and the stirring blade is disposed inside the cell culture tank 3.

[0049] One end of the stirring shaft is fixedly connected to the stirring blade, and the other end of the stirring shaft is connected to the drive mechanism 4.

[0050] It should be noted that the drive mechanism 4 is used to drive the stirring blades to move reciprocally in the vertical direction within the cell culture tank 3. That is, through the operation of the drive mechanism 4, the stirring blades can be pulled to move reciprocally in the vertical direction within the cell culture tank 3, thereby forming a stable eddy shear force to simulate the natural flow of blood in the human body and provide a suitable mechanical environment for megakaryocyte culture and platelet production.

[0051] In this embodiment, the stirring blade and the drive mechanism 4 are detachably connected. Specifically, the stirring blade and the drive mechanism 4 are detachably connected by a connecting rod 41 to facilitate the quick separation of the components, such as the separation and replacement of the cell culture tank 3 with the tank mounting bracket 13 and the support frame 11.

[0052] Furthermore, the controller 2 is connected to the drive mechanism 4, the weighing module 12, and the control valves on the first and second pipelines, enabling the controller 2 to acquire parameter data from the weighing module 12 to obtain the specifications of the corresponding cell culture tank 3. This allows the operator to control the input volume of gas in the first pipeline and culture medium in the second pipeline, ensuring that different specifications of culture tanks can adaptively match the corresponding peristaltic pumps and gas mass flow meters. This achieves precise control of fluid transport and gas supply during the culture process, ensuring the efficiency and stability of cell culture and platelet production processes.

[0053] In this embodiment, a specific drive mechanism 4 is also proposed to better control the reciprocating movement of the connecting rod 41 in the vertical direction.

[0054] Specifically, the drive mechanism 4 includes a motor 42, a linear module 43, and a linear guide rail 44.

[0055] The output end of the motor 42 is connected to the linear module 43, and the linear module 43 is slidably connected to the linear guide rail 44 through the connecting plate 45, so that when the motor 42 is running, the linear module 43 drives the connecting plate 45 to move back and forth along the linear guide rail 44.

[0056] Furthermore, one end of the connecting rod 41 is fixedly connected to the connecting plate 45, and the other end is connected to the stirring shaft. Therefore, when the connecting plate 45 moves vertically under the driving action of the linear module 43 and the motor 42, it can synchronously drive the connecting rod 41 to move back and forth, thereby driving the stirring blades fixedly connected to the stirring shaft to move accordingly.

[0057] The vertical direction refers to the length direction of the linear guide rail 44.

[0058] It should be noted that the end of the connecting rod 41 away from the connecting plate 45 is provided with a quick-release connector 411, which facilitates connection and disassembly.

[0059] In a further embodiment, a specific linear module 43 is proposed to convert the rotational power of the motor 42 into the power for vertical movement.

[0060] Specifically, the linear module 43 includes a reciprocating lead screw and a threaded ring. The reciprocating lead screw is connected to the output end of the motor 42, and the threaded ring is threaded onto the outer wall of the reciprocating lead screw and fixedly connected to the connecting plate 45. Therefore, when the motor 42 drives the reciprocating lead screw to rotate, the threaded ring will move along the length direction of the linear guide 44 under the limiting action of the connecting plate 45 and the linear guide 44. Correspondingly, it can drive the connecting plate 45 and the connecting rod 41 to move synchronously, thereby enabling the stirring blades to form a stable eddy shear force in the cell culture tank 3, providing a suitable mechanical environment for megakaryocyte culture and platelet production.

[0061] It should be noted that the drive mechanism 4 is also equipped with a sound insulation cotton cover and a shock-absorbing pad to reduce the noise generated by the equipment itself during high-speed movement.

[0062] In other embodiments, a specific tank mounting bracket 13 is proposed to support cell culture tanks 3 of different sizes, thereby achieving greater applicability.

[0063] Specifically, the tank mounting bracket 13 includes a fixing ring 131, a supporting flange 132, and a support rod 133.

[0064] The supporting flange 132 is disposed above the fixing ring 131 and is connected to the fixing ring 131 by a support rod 133. The supporting flange 132 is used to abut against the outer wall of the cell culture tank 3 or the mounting flange disposed on the outer wall.

[0065] Furthermore, the flange hole size of the supporting flange 132 is adjustable to accommodate cell culture tanks 3 of different sizes.

[0066] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, specifically, the upper surface of the support flange 132 is provided with a plurality of deflection blocks 5 arranged in a ring at equal intervals, deflecting towards or hidden inside the support flange 132 along the axis of the support flange 132. The lower surface of the support flange 132 is provided with a control element 6 for controlling the synchronous deflection of the plurality of deflection blocks 5. That is, under the control of the control element 6, the plurality of deflection blocks 5 can retract to the slot of the support flange 132 or move closer along the axis of the support flange 132. When the plurality of deflection blocks 5 move closer together synchronously along the axis of the support flange 132, the clamping gap can be changed, thereby adapting to the installation of cell culture tanks 3 of different specifications and achieving a greater applicability.

[0067] The control component 6 includes a rotating gear ring 61 and gears 62. The gears 62 are fixedly connected to the rotation shaft of the deflection block 5. The rotating gear ring 61 is rotatably mounted on the lower surface of the support flange 132 and meshes with multiple gears 62. When the rotating gear ring 61 rotates, the meshing action drives the gears 62 to rotate around the rotation shaft, thereby achieving synchronous deflection control of multiple deflection blocks 5 connected to the gears 62, achieving simple operation and convenient use.

[0068] In other embodiments, the weighing module 12 is fixedly connected to the bearing end face, and the upper surface of the weighing module 12 is provided with a limiting structure (not shown in the figure) for limiting the fixed ring 131.

[0069] Specifically, the limiting structure is configured with multiple ring-shaped limiting blocks that fit against the fixing ring 131 to ensure that the cell culture tank 3 installed on the tank mounting bracket 13 is located directly below the drive mechanism 4, facilitating the connection between the stirring blades of the cell culture tank 3 and the connecting rod 41.

[0070] In one example, the limiting structure can also be set as an annular groove, that is, an annular groove matching the fixing ring 131 is provided on the weighing module 12, so that the weighing module 12 and the tank mounting bracket 13 can be detached at the same time, and can also play a positioning role.

[0071] In a further embodiment, the controller 2 is further defined. Specifically, the controller 2 includes a housing 21 with a built-in control module. The housing 21 is provided with an operation screen 22, a control switch 23, and multiple peristaltic pump interfaces 24 connected to the second pipeline, for the operator to control the delivery of the culture medium required by the cell culture tank 3.

[0072] The housing 21 is also equipped with a gas mass flow meter and a solenoid valve, which are used by the staff to control the input of the gas (such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and oxygen) required by the cell culture tank 3.

[0073] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, if these modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this utility model and their equivalents, this utility model also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A cell culture device, characterized by, The cell culture tank comprises a tank mounting structure, a stirring assembly, a controller and a cell culture tank. The tank mounting structure comprises a support frame, a weighing module and a tank mounting frame. The support frame has a bearing end face and a mounting portion arranged opposite to the bearing end face. The weighing module is arranged on the bearing end face. The tank mounting frame is arranged on the weighing module, and the cell culture tank is mounted on the tank mounting frame. The cell culture tank is connected with a plurality of first pipelines for gas input and output and a plurality of second pipelines for culture solution input and output. The stirring assembly comprises stirring blades, a stirring shaft and a driving mechanism.

2. The cell culture device of claim 1, wherein, The driving mechanism is built in the mounting portion of the support frame. The stirring blades are arranged in the cell culture tank. One end of the stirring shaft is fixedly connected with the stirring blades, and the other end of the stirring shaft is connected with the driving mechanism. The driving mechanism is used to drive the stirring blades to reciprocally move in the cell culture tank along a vertical direction.

3. The cell culture device of claim 2, wherein, The controller is connected with the driving mechanism, the weighing module and control valves on the first pipelines and the second pipelines. The driving mechanism comprises a motor, a linear module, a linear guide rail and a connecting rod. The output end of the motor is connected with the linear module.

4. The cell culture device of claim 1, wherein, The linear module is slidably connected with the linear guide rail through a connecting plate. When the motor operates, the linear module drives the connecting plate to reciprocally move along the linear guide rail.

5. The cell culture device of claim 4, wherein the cell culture device is a cell culture flask. One end of the connecting rod is fixedly connected with the connecting plate, and the other end of the connecting rod is connected with the stirring shaft.

6. The cell culture device of claim 5, wherein, The end of the connecting rod away from the connecting plate is provided with a quick-release joint. The linear module comprises a reciprocating screw rod and a threaded ring.

7. The cell culture device of claim 6, wherein the cell culture device is a cell culture flask. The reciprocating screw rod is connected with the output end of the motor. The threaded ring is threadedly mounted on the outer wall of the reciprocating screw rod and is fixedly connected with the connecting plate. The tank mounting frame comprises a fixing ring, a support flange and a support rod.

8. The cell culture device of claim 4, wherein, The support flange is arranged above the fixing ring and is connected with the fixing ring through the support rod.

9. The cell culture device of claim 8, wherein, The support flange is used to abut against the outer wall of the cell culture tank or a mounting flange arranged on the outer wall.

10. The cell culture device of claim 1, wherein, The flange hole of the support flange is adjustable in size to bear the cell culture tanks of different sizes. The upper surface of the support flange is annularly and equidistantly provided with a plurality of deflection blocks which are deflected towards the axial line of the support flange or hidden inside the support flange. The lower surface of the support flange is provided with a control member for controlling the synchronous deflection of the plurality of deflection blocks. The control member comprises a rotating tooth ring and a gear. The rotating shaft of the gear is fixedly connected with the deflection blocks. The rotating tooth ring is rotatably mounted on the lower surface of the support flange and is engaged with the plurality of gears. The weighing module is fixedly connected with the bearing end face, and the upper surface of the weighing module is provided with a limiting structure for limiting the fixing ring. The limiting structure is arranged as a plurality of limiting blocks which are annularly arranged and abut against the fixing ring. The controller comprises a housing in which a control module is built. The housing is provided with an operation screen, a control switch and a plurality of peristaltic pump interfaces connected with the second pipelines.

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