Cooling assembly for living cell imager

Abstract

The utility model relates to a cooling assembly for a living cell imager, which comprises a base and a water storage tank, the base is provided with a cooling water inlet and a cooling water return port, a water flow channel is formed between the cooling water inlet and the cooling water return port, the water storage tank is arranged below the water flow channel, and the water storage tank is arranged below the cooling water inlet and the cooling water return port. And the water storage tank is provided with a condensate water outflow channel. The water storage tank is additionally arranged in the water cooling system of the living cell imager, so that condensed water generated in the water cooling process can be stored, and then the condensed water with the temperature consistent with that in the incubator is discharged into the incubator. The cooling requirement of the living cell imager is met, and the temperature in the incubator is not changed. The problem of how to enable the living cell imager to normally work in the incubator for a long time is effectively solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of experimental instruments, specifically a cooling component for a live cell imaging instrument. Background Technology

[0002] A live-cell imager is a precision instrument used for real-time observation and analysis of the dynamic life activities of living cells. Combined with multimodal imaging technology, it provides high-resolution, non-invasive observation methods for cell biology and medical research.

[0003] Because real-time online observation of cells within the incubator is required, live-cell imaging instruments, as mentioned in CN118838041A and CN118603889A, must be able to withstand the constant temperature and humidity environment of the incubator to function properly. However, live-cell imaging instruments generate heat during operation. If this heat is not dissipated in a timely manner, heat accumulation can damage the electronic components of the imaging instrument, causing it to malfunction. Conversely, directly transferring the heat from the live-cell imaging instrument into the incubator would raise the incubator temperature, affecting cell growth and failing to meet experimental requirements.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to develop a cooling method that can dissipate heat from the live cell imager without affecting the growth of cultured cells to cope with the working environment of the live cell imager. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a cooling component for a live cell imaging system to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0007] A cooling assembly for a live cell imaging system includes a base and a water tank. The base has a cooling water inlet and a cooling water return outlet, and a water flow channel is formed between the cooling water inlet and the cooling water return outlet. The water tank is located below the water flow channel and has a condensate outflow channel.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the bottom of the water storage tank is an inclined surface, and the condensate outflow channel is located near the lowest point of the inclined surface.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the bottom of the water storage tank is stepped, and the bottom includes a first step, a second step and a third step, with the condensate outflow channel located on the third step.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the condensate outflow channel includes a condensate inlet and a first condensate outlet, the condensate inlet being located on the inner surface of the bottom of the water storage tank, and the first condensate outlet being located on the outer surface of the water storage tank.

[0011] In one possible implementation, a guide member is connected to the outside of the water storage tank. The guide member and the opposite surface of the first condensate outlet are arc-shaped, and a second condensate outlet is provided on the opposite surface.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the base, water tank, and flow guide are integrally formed.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the base is provided with mounting holes, through which the base is mounted into the interior of a live-cell imager.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the cooling water inlet is located below the cooling water return outlet.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0016] By adding a water storage tank to the water cooling system of the live cell imager, the condensate generated during the water cooling process can be collected and then discharged into the incubator at the same temperature as the incubator. This satisfies the cooling requirements of the live cell imager without altering the temperature inside the incubator, effectively solving the problem of how to ensure the live cell imager can operate normally within the incubator for extended periods. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment of the present utility model;

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Side view;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a structural schematic diagram of yet another embodiment of the present utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by this utility model in order to achieve the intended utility model purpose, the following detailed description of the specific implementation methods, structure, features and effects of this utility model is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments.

[0021] like Figure 1 and 2As shown, a cooling assembly for a live-cell imaging system includes a base 1 and a water storage tank 2. The base 1 has a cooling water inlet 11 and a cooling water return outlet 12, forming a water flow channel 13 between the cooling water inlet 11 and the cooling water return outlet 12. The water storage tank 2 is located below the water flow channel 13 and has a condensate outlet channel. The base 1 has mounting holes through which it is installed into the interior of the live-cell imaging system. The condensate outlet channel includes a condensate inlet 24 and a first condensate outlet 25. The condensate inlet 24 is located on the inner surface of the bottom of the water storage tank 2, and the first condensate outlet 25 is located on the outer surface of the water storage tank 2.

[0022] In this invention, a water storage tank 2 is provided below the cooling water flow channel 13 to collect the condensate formed by air condensation during the cooling process. This condensate can be kept at a temperature consistent with the temperature inside the incubator by controlling the cooling water system. Since the incubator itself is a humid environment, the condensate at the same temperature as the incubator can be directly discharged into the incubator without adversely affecting cell growth. The condensate outlet is located on the side wall, rather than at the bottom of the water storage tank, which buffers the condensate and prevents excessive outflow. Furthermore, since the condensate flows out from the side wall, cooling fins can be added to the outside of the water storage tank to regulate the temperature of the condensate, ensuring that the temperature of the condensate flowing out of the tank is consistent with the temperature of the incubator.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the bottom of the water storage tank 2 is stepped, and the water storage tank 2 includes a first stepped section 21, a second stepped section 22, and a third stepped section 23. The condensate outflow channel is located on the third stepped section 23. Making the water storage tank 2 stepped allows the condensate to flow quickly to the third stepped section (the lowest point), facilitating the timely removal of condensate from the inside of the live cell imaging instrument and maintaining a relatively dry working environment. In this invention, the bottom of the water storage tank can also adopt an inclined slope structure, facilitating the flow of condensate towards the condensate outflow channel within the water storage tank.

[0024] In another implementation, such as Figure 3 As shown, the bottom of the water storage tank 2 is sloped, and the condensate outflow channel is located near the lowest point of the slope. Similar to the stepped bottom of the tank, the sloped bottom of the water storage tank is also designed to facilitate the timely removal of condensate from the cooling components.

[0025] Furthermore, a guide member 3 is connected to the outside of the water storage tank 2. The surface of the guide member 3 opposite to the first condensate outlet 25 is arc-shaped, and a second condensate outlet 31 is provided on the opposite surface. The guide member 3 can buffer and guide the condensate flowing out of the water storage tank 2. The arc-shaped outflow surface allows the condensate to flow out of the imaging device more evenly and quickly into the incubator.

[0026] In this invention, the cooling water inlet 11 is located below the cooling water return outlet 12. The base 1, water storage tank 2, and guide member 3 are preferably integrally formed to make the structure more robust. The cooling water can flow in a bottom-in, top-out manner to increase cooling time.

[0027] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "coaxial", "bottom", "one end", "top", "middle", "other end", "upper", "side", "top", "inner", "front", "center", "both ends", "left and right", "front and back", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0028] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "setting," "connection," "fixing," "screw connection," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Unless otherwise explicitly limited, those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0029] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model in any way. Although the present utility model has been disclosed above with reference to a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present utility model. Any indirect modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present utility model without departing from the scope of the present utility model shall still fall within the scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A cooling assembly for a live cell imager, comprising: The base (1) is provided with a cooling water inlet (11) and a cooling water outlet (12), and a water flow channel (13) is formed between the cooling water inlet (11) and the cooling water outlet (12); the water storage tank (2) is arranged below the water flow channel (13), and the water storage tank (2) is provided with a condensed water outlet channel.

2. The cooling assembly for a live cell imager of claim 1, wherein, The bottom of the water storage tank (2) is a slope, and the condensed water outlet channel is arranged near the low point of the slope.

3. The cooling assembly for a live cell imager of claim 1, wherein, The bottom of the water storage tank (2) is in a stepped shape, and the bottom includes a first stepped portion (21), a second stepped portion (22), and a third stepped portion (23); the condensed water outlet channel is arranged on the third stepped portion (23).

4. The cooling assembly for a live cell imager of claim 1, wherein, The condensed water outlet channel includes a condensed water inlet (24) and a first condensed water outlet (25); the condensed water inlet (24) is arranged on the inner surface of the bottom of the water storage tank (2); and the first condensed water outlet (25) is arranged on the outer surface of the water storage tank (2).

5. The cooling assembly for a live cell imager of claim 4, wherein, The water storage tank (2) is provided with a flow guide member (3); the flow guide member (3) is arc-shaped relative to the opposite surface of the first condensed water outlet (25); and the opposite surface is provided with a second condensed water outlet (31).

6. The cooling assembly for a live cell imager of claim 1, wherein, The base (1), the water storage tank (2), and the flow guide member (3) are integrally formed.

7. The cooling assembly for a live cell imager of claim 1, wherein, The base (1) is provided with a mounting hole, and the base (1) is mounted to the inside of a live cell imaging instrument through the mounting hole.

8. The cooling assembly for a live cell imager of claim 1, wherein, The cooling water inlet (11) is located below the cooling water outlet (12).

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