Satellite-borne microscopic observation equipment

Abstract

The utility model provides satellite-borne microscopic observation equipment, which comprises a shell and a microscopic observation unit arranged in the shell, the microscopic observation unit comprises a microscope, the microscope is vertically arranged and comprises a sight glass, a lens cone and an objective lens, a sample objective table is arranged below the objective lens, a microfluidic biochip is arranged on the sample objective table, and a micro-fluidic chip is arranged on the micro-fluidic biochip. The system is characterized in that the lens of the objective lens is made of toughened glass; the microscopic observation unit further comprises a refrigerating device which is arranged on the side, facing the microfluidic biochip, of the objective lens and used for preventing the biological sample from deteriorating before emission, and further comprises an electric heating piece which is arranged between the microfluidic biochip and the sample objective table and used for heating the biological sample after reaching a space orbit. And the biological sample is at a normal growth environment temperature. According to the utility model, after the biological sample is fixed on the observation platform of the microscope, the biological sample can still be refrigerated before arriving at the space station, and the biological sample can be heated after arriving at the space station, so that the microgravity observation of the biological sample is realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of experimental equipment for satellites and space stations, specifically to a satellite-borne microscopic observation device. Background Technology

[0002] One of the primary functions of satellites and space stations is as research laboratories in microgravity environments. Scientists utilize this unique environment to study organisms. They will strive to understand the mechanisms by which microgravity affects organisms (plants and animals) that live or grow in space for extended periods, and to discover ways to protect these organisms from the negative effects of microgravity.

[0003] To observe changes in biological samples in the microgravity environment of space, two main challenges exist: 1. An observation device, typically a microscopic observation instrument, is required, capable of accurately mounting the biological sample onto the instrument to ensure accurate observation. 2. The biological sample must be able to survive and remain unchanged before arriving in space, and after arriving at the space station, it must be able to maintain normal environmental temperatures and reproduce and grow.

[0004] Regarding question 1, the microscopic observation equipment, i.e., the microscope, must be able to withstand the large overload vibration and impact during rocket launch; at the same time, in order to accurately mount the biological sample onto the microscopic observation equipment and ensure accurate observation, the biological sample needs to be fixed on the microscope's observation stage in advance and the focus needs to be pre-adjusted.

[0005] Regarding question 2, the biological samples can take up to 15 days from satellite loading to rocket launch before arriving at the space station. During this time, refrigeration equipment is needed to control the temperature of the biological samples to prevent them from deteriorating at room temperature before launch. After the biological samples arrive at the space station, the temperature on the shaded side of space is tens of degrees below zero. At this time, heating equipment is needed to control the temperature of the biological samples to maintain at 37 degrees Celsius, so that the biological samples are in a normal growth environment.

[0006] Combining questions 1 and 2, it is clear that a key technical challenge in achieving microgravity observation of biological samples is how to cool them before they arrive at the space station and heat them after they arrive at the space station, after they have been fixed to the microscope's observation stage. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a satellite-borne microscopic observation device that allows for the cooling of biological samples before arrival at the space station and the heating of biological samples after arrival, enabling microgravity observation of the biological samples, after they have been fixed to the microscope's observation stage. The device includes a housing and a microscopic observation unit disposed within the housing. The microscopic observation unit includes a microscope, which is vertically positioned and comprises an upper viewing mirror, a middle microscope tube, and a lower objective lens. A sample stage is disposed below the objective lens, on which a microfluidic biochip is fixedly placed. The objective lens is made of tempered glass to withstand the high-load vibrations and impacts during rocket launch. The microscopic observation unit also includes a cooling device disposed on the side of the objective lens facing the microfluidic biochip. This cooling device prevents the biological samples within the microfluidic biochip from deteriorating before launch, ensuring that the biological samples do not become invalid. The microscopic observation unit also includes an electric heating element disposed between the microfluidic biochip and the sample stage. The electric heating element is used to heat the biological sample in the microfluidic biochip after arriving at the space station, so that the biological sample is at a normal growth environment temperature.

[0008] The refrigeration device is a semiconductor refrigeration chip with a refrigeration range of 0°C to -20°C.

[0009] The electric heating element adopts a redundant backup design, including a main heating element and a backup heating element. The operating temperature range of the main heating element and the backup heating element is from -40°C to 300°C, and the actual temperature is maintained at 30°C to 40°C.

[0010] The microscopic observation unit also includes a focusing adjustment device disposed on the side of the microscope tube. The focusing adjustment device is used to manually adjust the focus of the microscope on the ground to adjust the distance between the objective lens and the observation target. The adjustment is completed before launch.

[0011] The microscopic observation unit also includes a camera mounted on top of the viewing mirror, which is used to capture observation results and store them in one or a combination of images and videos.

[0012] The microscopic observation unit also includes an illumination lamp disposed at the bottom of the sample stage, which is used to provide a light source during microscopic observation.

[0013] The microscopic observation unit employs a redundant backup design, with a total of 6 sets. This redundant backup design avoids the risk of "unable to observe due to the failure of a single microscope".

[0014] The cooling device is fixed to the side of the housing, with its cooling plate facing the microfluidic biochip.

[0015] Both the electric heating element and the camera are electrically connected to the computer inside the satellite and can transmit data with the computer. The computer turns the electric heating element on and off by controlling a switch. The camera is directly connected to the computer on the satellite via an RS422 interface.

[0016] This utility model has the following advantages:

[0017] 1. The lens of the microscope, a microscopic observation device, is made of tempered glass, which can withstand the large overload vibration and impact during rocket launch.

[0018] 2. Cooling equipment and electric heating elements were installed on the microscopic observation equipment. After the biological samples were fixed on the microscopic observation equipment and the focus was adjusted, they could still be kept in a cooled state before launch to prevent deterioration, and could be heated to a normal growth environment temperature after arriving at the space station.

[0019] 3. It adopts a 6-microscope side-by-side design, allowing observation of 6 biological samples in a single flight mission. This redundant backup design avoids the risk of "unable to observe due to the failure of a single microscope".

[0020] 4. The electric heating element adopts a redundant backup design, with two sets of heating elements: a primary set and a backup set. If the primary heating element fails, the backup heating element will be activated to address the issue of not being able to perform manual maintenance in the event of a heating element failure in space. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a left-side view of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a top view of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a front view schematic diagram of the present utility model.

[0025] Attached image labels:

[0026] 1. Shell 2. Microscopic observation unit 3. Microscope 4. Cooling device 5. Electric heating element

[0027] 6. Focus adjustment device 7. Camera 8. Lighting

[0028] 31. Sight lens; 32. Lens tube; 33. Objective lens; 34. Sample stage; 35. Microfluidic biochip

[0029] 51. Main heating element; 52. Backup heating element Detailed Implementation

[0030] like Figure 1-4 As shown, this utility model provides a satellite-borne microscopic observation device, including a housing 1 and a microscopic observation unit 2 disposed inside the housing 1. The microscopic observation unit 2 includes a microscope 3, which is vertically arranged and includes an upper viewing mirror 31, a middle microscope tube 32, and a lower objective lens 33. A sample stage 34 is disposed below the objective lens 33, and a microfluidic biochip 35 is fixedly placed on the sample stage 34. The objective lens 33 is characterized by being made of tempered glass to withstand the large overload vibrations and impacts during rocket launch. The microscopic observation unit 2 also includes a cooling device 4 disposed on the side of the objective lens 33 facing the microfluidic biochip 35. The cooling device 4 is used to prevent the biological sample inside the microfluidic biochip 35 from deteriorating before launch. The microscopic observation unit 2 also includes an electric heating element 5 disposed between the microfluidic biochip 35 and the sample stage 34. The electric heating element 5 is used to heat the biological sample in the microfluidic biochip 35 after arriving at the space station, so that the biological sample is at a normal growth environment temperature.

[0031] The refrigeration device 4 is a semiconductor refrigeration chip with a refrigeration range of 0°C to -20°C.

[0032] The electric heating element 5 adopts a redundant backup design, including a main heating element 51 and a backup heating element 52. The operating temperature range of the main heating element 51 and the backup heating element 52 is from -40°C to 300°C, and the actual temperature is maintained at 30°C to 40°C.

[0033] The electric heating element 5 uses heating elements that conform to the national military standard GJB 249A-2021 and adopts a redundant backup design. There are two sets of heating elements: a primary set and a backup set. If the primary set of heating elements fails, the backup set of heating elements will be activated to address the problem of not being able to perform manual maintenance in the event of a heating element failure in space.

[0034] The microscopic observation unit 2 also includes a focusing adjustment device 6 disposed on the side of the microscope tube 32. The focusing adjustment device 6 is used to manually adjust the focal length of the microscope 3 on the ground to adjust the distance between the objective lens 33 and the observation target. The adjustment is completed before launch.

[0035] The microscopic observation unit 2 also includes a camera 7 disposed on top of the viewing mirror 31. The camera 7 is used to capture the observation results and store them in one or a combination of image and video formats.

[0036] The microscopic observation unit 2 also includes an illumination lamp 8 disposed at the bottom of the sample stage 34, which is used to provide a light source during the microscopic observation process.

[0037] The microscopic observation unit 2 adopts a redundant backup design, with a quantity of 6 sets. This redundant backup design avoids the risk of "unable to observe due to the failure of a single microscope".

[0038] The refrigeration device 4 is fixed to the side of the housing 1, with its refrigeration plate facing the microfluidic biochip 35.

[0039] Both the electric heating element 5 and the camera 7 are electrically connected to the computer inside the satellite and can transmit data with the computer. The computer turns the electric heating element 5 on and off by controlling a switch. The camera 7 is directly connected to the computer on the satellite via an RS422 interface.

[0040] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model shall be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A satellite-borne microscopic observation device, comprising a housing (1) and a microscopic observation unit (2) disposed inside the housing (1), wherein the microscopic observation unit (2) includes a microscope (3), the microscope being vertically arranged and including an upper viewing mirror (31), a middle microscope tube (32) and a lower objective lens (33), wherein a sample stage (34) is disposed at the lower part of the objective lens (33), and a microfluidic biochip (35) is fixedly placed on the sample stage (34), characterized in that: The objective lens (33) is made of tempered glass to withstand the large overload vibration and impact during rocket launch; The microscopic observation unit (2) also includes a cooling device (4) disposed on the side of the objective lens (33) facing the microfluidic biochip (35), the cooling device (4) being used to prevent the biological sample in the microfluidic biochip (35) from deteriorating before launch; The microscopic observation unit (2) also includes an electric heating element (5) disposed between the microfluidic biochip (35) and the sample stage (34). The electric heating element (5) is used to heat the biological sample in the microfluidic biochip (35) after arriving at the space station, so that the biological sample is at a normal growth environment temperature.

2. The satellite-borne microscopic observation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The refrigeration device (4) is a semiconductor refrigeration chip with a refrigeration range of 0°C to -20°C.

3. The satellite-borne microscopic observation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electric heating element (5) adopts a redundant backup design, including a main heating element (51) and a backup heating element (52). The operating temperature range of the main heating element (51) and the backup heating element (52) is from -40°C to 300°C, and the actual temperature is maintained at 30°C to 40°C.

4. The satellite-borne microscopic observation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The microscopic observation unit (2) also includes a focusing adjustment device (6) disposed on the side of the microscope tube (32). The focusing adjustment device (6) is used to manually adjust the focal length of the microscope (3) on the ground to adjust the distance between the objective lens (33) and the observation target.

5. The satellite-borne microscopic observation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The microscopic observation unit (2) also includes a camera (7) mounted on top of the viewing mirror (31), which is used to capture the observation results and store them in one or a combination of images and videos.

6. The satellite-borne microscopic observation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The microscopic observation unit (2) also includes an illumination lamp (8) disposed at the bottom of the sample stage (34), which is used to provide a light source during microscopic observation.

7. The satellite-borne microscopic observation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The microscopic observation unit (2) adopts a redundant backup design, and its quantity is 6 sets.

8. The satellite-borne microscopic observation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The refrigeration device (4) is fixed to the side of the housing (1), with its refrigeration plate facing the microfluidic biochip (35).

9. The satellite-borne microscopic observation device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The electric heating element (5) and the camera (7) are both electrically connected to the computer inside the satellite and can transmit data with the computer.

Images