Shaking table for organ chip
By introducing limiting components and driving mechanisms into the organ-on-a-chip shaker, the problems of organ-on-a-chip falling off and culture medium overflow are solved, achieving more efficient and stable dynamic culture, which is suitable for the large-scale application of organ-on-a-chip.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SUZHOU JIABEIQI TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
Existing organ-on-a-chip shakers are prone to organ-on-a-chip falling off or culture medium overflowing when malfunctioning or setting parameters incorrectly, making them complex to operate and difficult to scale up.
A shaker with limiting components was designed. By setting multiple sets of limiting components under the tray, the rotation angle of the tray is limited to avoid excessive rotation angle. Combined with the drive mechanism, the culture medium is allowed to flow, which simplifies the operation and improves the stability.
It improves the stability and efficiency of the shaker, reduces the difficulty of operation, and reduces the risk of culture medium spillage and organ-on-a-chip falling off, making it suitable for large-scale applications.
Smart Images
Figure CN224236640U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of organ-on-a-chip technology, and in particular to a shaker for organ-on-a-chip. Background Technology
[0002] The emergence of organ-on-a-chip technology has provided a new strategy for constructing human-derived biomimetic in vitro models. These models offer advantages such as precise fluid control, multi-cell co-culture, and tissue barrier simulation, enabling highly controllable reproduction of complex dynamic culture microenvironments and simulating the interactions between multiple organs, thus establishing a reliable platform for life science and medical research.
[0003] Dynamic culture devices are crucial tools for realizing organ-on-a-chip functionality. Existing organ-on-a-chip culture devices are generally complex in structure, requiring external pumps and various tubing connections, making them difficult to operate and resulting in poor reproducibility. This often limits their use to laboratory settings, hindering large-scale fabrication or meeting high-throughput application requirements. Therefore, from an application perspective, there is a need to develop simpler and more convenient organ-on-a-chip culture devices to reduce operational and usage difficulties, increase culture throughput, and better meet application demands.
[0004] Currently, there are shaker devices for organ-on-a-chip systems that drive a tray to rotate to allow the culture medium to flow inside the organ-on-a-chip. However, if the shaker device malfunctions or the parameters are set incorrectly, the tray may move too much, causing the organ-on-a-chip to fall or the culture medium to spill out. Utility Model Content
[0005] One objective of this invention is to provide a shaker for organ-on-a-chip, which solves the technical problem in the prior art where organ-on-a-chip falls off or culture medium overflows due to shaker malfunctions or incorrect parameter settings.
[0006] Another objective of this invention is to improve the efficiency of the shaker.
[0007] Specifically, this invention provides a shaker for organ-on-a-chip microarrays, comprising:
[0008] A tray having at least one placement area for placing an organ-on-a-chip, the organ-on-a-chip having a reservoir and an internal channel communicating with the reservoir, the reservoir storing culture medium;
[0009] A base is located below the tray;
[0010] A drive mechanism is disposed inside the base and connected to the tray. The drive mechanism is configured to controllably drive the tray to rotate relative to the base, thereby causing the culture medium to flow within the internal channel.
[0011] Multiple sets of limiting components are installed on the base and located below the tray. The multiple sets of limiting components are located on opposite sides of the rotation axis of the tray. The limiting components are configured to abut against the bottom of the tray when the rotation angle of the tray exceeds a preset angle range, thereby limiting the tray.
[0012] Optionally, each set of the limiting components includes at least one first limiting rod arranged vertically, the first limiting rod being cylindrical.
[0013] Optionally, each set of limiting components further includes a second limiting rod, which extends horizontally and is mounted on top of the first limiting rod;
[0014] The second limiting rod is cylindrical.
[0015] Optionally, there may be multiple first limiting rods, which are arranged at intervals along the extension direction of the base and are all connected to the second limiting rod.
[0016] Optionally, the extension length of the second limiting rod is less than the length of the tray.
[0017] Optionally, there are multiple placement areas, which are arranged side by side.
[0018] Optionally, the drive mechanism includes:
[0019] The bracket is installed inside the base;
[0020] A drive motor is connected to the bracket and has an output shaft;
[0021] Driven shaft, connected to the tray;
[0022] The driven wheel is sleeved on the driven shaft and connected to the driven shaft;
[0023] The drive shaft is coaxially connected to the output shaft;
[0024] A drive wheel is sleeved on the drive shaft and connected to the drive shaft;
[0025] A timing belt is fitted onto the driving pulley and the driven pulley;
[0026] Driven by the drive motor, the output shaft drives the drive shaft and the drive wheel to rotate, and transmits power to the driven wheel through the synchronous belt, thereby driving the driven shaft to rotate and driving the tray to rotate.
[0027] Optionally, the drive mechanism further includes:
[0028] The tensioning assembly includes a tensioning wheel and a tensioning arm. The tensioning wheel is connected to the tensioning arm and abuts against the timing belt. The tensioning arm is rotatably connected to the bracket.
[0029] Optionally, it also includes:
[0030] A grating baffle is mounted on the end of the driven shaft and configured to rotate with the driven shaft;
[0031] A grating switch is installed on the side of the bracket, and the grating switch and the grating baffle are configured to detect the rotation information of the driven shaft.
[0032] In this invention, the drive mechanism is connected to the tray and is configured to controllably rotate the tray relative to the base, allowing the culture medium to flow within the internal channels of the organ-on-a-chip. Multiple sets of limiting components are mounted on the base, located below the tray. These components are positioned on opposite sides of the tray's rotation axis and are configured to abut against the bottom of the tray when the tray's rotation angle exceeds a preset range, thereby limiting the tray's position. This technical solution, by adding limiting components to restrict the tray's movement, prevents the organ-on-a-chip from falling or the culture medium from overflowing, thus improving the stability of the shaker operation.
[0033] Furthermore, in this invention, there are multiple placement areas arranged side by side, which can enable the simultaneous dynamic culture of multiple organ chips, thereby improving the efficiency of the shaker.
[0034] The above and other objects, advantages and features of this utility model will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of specific embodiments of this utility model in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description
[0035] The following sections will describe some specific embodiments of the present invention in a detailed manner by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar parts or components. Those skilled in the art should understand that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:
[0036] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a shaker according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of a drive mechanism according to an embodiment of the present utility model;
[0038] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the shaker, omitting the base and tray.
[0039] Figure 4This is a schematic structural diagram of an organ-on-a-chip placed on a tray according to an embodiment of the utility model.
[0040] Figure label:
[0041] 100-Shaker, 200-Organ-on-a-chip, 210-Body, 220-Internal channel, 230-Cultivation medium, 240-Reservoir, 10-Base, 20-Tray, 21-Placement area, 30-Limiting component, 31-First limiting rod, 32-Second limiting rod, 40-Drive mechanism, 41-Drive motor, 411-Output shaft, 42-Drive shaft, 43-Drive wheel, 44-Driven wheel, 45-Synchronous belt, 46-Tensioning component, 462-Tensioning arm, 461-Tensioning wheel, 47-Driven shaft, 48-Support, 491-Grate baffle, 492-Grate switch, 50-Battery. Detailed Implementation
[0042] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.
[0043] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "upper" and "lower" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying 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.
[0044] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature, that is, include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified. When a feature "includes or contains" one or more of the features it encompasses, unless otherwise specifically described, this indicates that other features are not excluded and may be further included.
[0045] Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "connection," "installation," 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 expressly limited. Those skilled in the art should be able to understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.
[0046] Unless otherwise specified, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the description of this embodiment have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains.
[0047] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a shaker 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of the drive mechanism 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The schematic structural diagram of the shaker 100 shown has the base 10 and tray 20 hidden. Figure 4 This is a schematic structural diagram of an organ-on-a-chip 200 placed on a tray 20 according to an embodiment of the utility model. Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in one specific embodiment, the shaker 100 for the organ-on-a-chip 200 includes a tray 20, a base 10, a drive mechanism 40, and multiple sets of limiting components 30. The tray 20 has at least one placement area 21 for placing the organ-on-a-chip 200. The organ-on-a-chip 200 has a reservoir 240 and an internal channel 220 communicating with the reservoir 240, the reservoir 240 storing culture medium 230. The base 10 is disposed below the tray 20. The drive mechanism 40 is disposed inside the base 10 and connected to the tray 20. The drive mechanism 40 is configured to controllably rotate the tray 20 relative to the base 10, causing the culture medium 230 to flow within the internal channel 220 of the organ-on-a-chip 200. Multiple sets of limiting components 30 are mounted on the base 10 and located below the tray 20. The multiple sets of limiting components 30 are located on opposite sides of the rotation axis of the tray 20. The limiting components 30 are configured to abut against the bottom of the tray 20 when the rotation angle of the tray 20 exceeds a preset angle range, thereby limiting the tray 20. Here, the organ-on-a-chip 200 also includes a body 210.
[0048] This embodiment uses a new limiting component 30 to limit the tray 20, preventing the tray 20 from rotating too much, which could cause the organ-on-a-chip 200 to fall or the culture medium 230 to overflow, thus improving the stability of the shaker 100.
[0049] It should be noted that the top of the storage tank 240 is generally covered with a cover to prevent dust accumulation. This cover is not connected to the storage tank 240; it is simply placed on top of it. If the tray 20 rotates too much, the culture medium 230 may overflow from the top of the storage tank 240.
[0050] This embodiment employs a shaker 100 structure to repeatedly change the relative height of the culture medium 230 at both ends of the organ-on-a-chip 200, thereby achieving reciprocating flow of the culture medium 230 within the internal channels 220 of the organ-on-a-chip 200. This structure eliminates the need for additional pumping devices and reduces the design and fabrication complexity of the organ-on-a-chip 200 itself, thus lowering the overall cost of the dynamic culture process. This embodiment drives the organ-on-a-chip 200 as a whole, eliminating the need for external tubing, thereby reducing the complexity and operational difficulty of the dynamic culture system and minimizing the possibility of cell contamination within the organ-on-a-chip 200.
[0051] In some embodiments, the preset angle range can be determined according to specific design requirements, for example, it can be set to ±60°, that is, when the rotation to the left or right exceeds 60°, the corresponding limiting component 30 will abut against the tray 20, thereby limiting the tray 20 and preventing the tray 20 from continuing to rotate. There are two sets of limiting components 30, which are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the rotation axis of the tray 20, so that the left and right sides of the tray 20 can be limited respectively.
[0052] In some embodiments, the storage tank 240 has two parts, left and right, both of which are connected to the internal channel 220. Different culture media 230 are stored in the left and right parts, and the culture media 230 in the two parts flow back and forth in the internal channel 220 when the tray 20 rotates.
[0053] In some embodiments, each set of limiting components 30 includes at least one first limiting rod 31 arranged vertically, the first limiting rod 31 being cylindrical. In other embodiments, the shape of the first limiting rod 31 can also be determined according to specific design requirements, for example, it can be designed as square.
[0054] In some embodiments, the maximum rotation amplitude of the shaker 100 can be determined while avoiding spillage of the culture medium 230 and drop of the organ-on-a-chip 200, and then the extension length of the first limiting rod 31 can be determined based on the maximum rotation amplitude. For example, the larger the maximum rotation amplitude of the shaker 100, the shorter the extension length of the first limiting rod 31; the smaller the maximum rotation amplitude of the shaker 100, the longer the extension length of the first limiting rod 31. The specific extension length can be determined according to design requirements.
[0055] In some embodiments, each set of limiting components 30 further includes a second limiting rod 32, which extends horizontally and is mounted on top of the first limiting rod 31. The second limiting rod 32 is cylindrical. This embodiment can better limit the tray 20 by designing the second limiting rod 32. In addition, the shape of the second limiting rod 32 can also be determined according to specific design requirements, for example, it can be designed as a square.
[0056] In some embodiments, there are multiple first limiting rods 31, which are arranged at intervals along the extension direction of the base 10 and are all connected to the second limiting rods 32. This embodiment designs multiple first limiting rods 31 to improve the stability of the second limiting rods 32 during installation.
[0057] In some embodiments, the extension length of the second limiting rod 32 is less than the length of the tray 20. In other embodiments, the extension length of the second limiting rod 32 may also be designed to be equal to or greater than the length of the tray 20, which can be determined according to design requirements.
[0058] In some embodiments, the diameter of the first limiting rod 31 is the same as the diameter of the second limiting rod 32. In other embodiments, the diameter of the first limiting rod 31 may also be designed to be different from the diameter of the second limiting rod 32.
[0059] In some embodiments, there are multiple placement areas 21, arranged side by side. Multiple placement areas 21 enable simultaneous dynamic culture of multiple organ-on-a-chip devices 200, improving the efficiency of the shaker 100. Here, there are three placement areas 21. In other embodiments, the number of placement areas 21 can be four, five, or six, depending on design requirements.
[0060] In some embodiments, the drive mechanism 40 includes a bracket 48, a drive motor 41, a driven shaft 47, a driven wheel 44, a drive shaft 42, a drive wheel 43, and a timing belt 45. The bracket 48 is mounted inside the base 10. The drive motor 41 is connected to the bracket 48 and has an output shaft 411. The driven shaft 47 is connected to the tray 20. The driven wheel 44 is sleeved on the driven shaft 47 and connected to it. The drive shaft 42 is coaxially connected to the output shaft 411, specifically via a coupling. The drive wheel 43 is sleeved on the drive shaft 42 and connected to it. The timing belt 45 is sleeved on the drive wheel 43 and the driven wheel 44. Driven by the drive motor 41, the output shaft 411 drives the drive shaft 42 and the drive wheel 43 to rotate, and transmits power to the driven wheel 44 via the timing belt 45, thereby driving the driven shaft 47 to rotate, thus driving the tray 20 to rotate.
[0061] In some embodiments, the drive mechanism 40 further includes a tensioning assembly 46, which includes a tensioning wheel 461 and a tensioning arm 462. The tensioning wheel 461 is connected to the tensioning arm 462 and abuts against the timing belt 45. The tensioning arm 462 is rotatably connected to the bracket 48.
[0062] In this embodiment, the tension of the timing belt 45 can be adjusted by the tensioning component 46 to prevent the timing belt 45 from being too tight or too loose, thereby avoiding slippage, skipping teeth, vibration or abnormal noise.
[0063] In some embodiments, the shaker 100 further includes a grating baffle 491 and a grating switch 492. The grating baffle 491 is mounted on the end of the driven shaft 47 and configured to rotate with the driven shaft 47. The grating switch 492 is mounted on the side of the bracket 48, and the grating switch 492 and the grating baffle 491 are configured to detect rotation information of the driven shaft 47.
[0064] In some embodiments, the shaker 100 further includes a battery 50, which is installed inside the base 10 and is used to power the drive motor 41.
[0065] In some embodiments, the shaker 100 also has a display screen for displaying the working status of the shaker 100.
[0066] This embodiment uses a rotating shaker 100 to dynamically culture the organ-on-a-chip 200, simplifying the culture apparatus and providing a simpler and more stable shaker 100 to achieve the flow of culture medium 230 within the internal channels 220 of the organ-on-a-chip 200. Furthermore, this embodiment reduces the use of external tubing and increases the number of organ-on-a-chips 200 that can be cultured in a single run, ultimately realizing the transformation and application of the organ-on-a-chip 200 from the laboratory to the market.
[0067] Therefore, those skilled in the art should recognize that although many exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications conforming to the principles of the present invention can be directly determined or derived from the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be understood and recognized as covering all such other variations or modifications.
Claims
1. A shaker for organ-on-a-chip microarrays, characterized in that, include: A tray having at least one placement area for placing an organ-on-a-chip, the organ-on-a-chip having a reservoir and an internal channel communicating with the reservoir, the reservoir storing culture medium; A base is located below the tray; A drive mechanism is disposed inside the base and connected to the tray. The drive mechanism is configured to controllably drive the tray to rotate relative to the base, thereby causing the culture medium to flow within the internal channel. Multiple sets of limiting components are installed on the base and located below the tray. The multiple sets of limiting components are located on opposite sides of the rotation axis of the tray. The limiting components are configured to abut against the bottom of the tray when the rotation angle of the tray exceeds a preset angle range, thereby limiting the tray.
2. The shaking table according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the limiting components includes at least one first limiting rod arranged vertically, the first limiting rod being cylindrical.
3. The shaking table according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each of the limiting components further includes a second limiting rod, which extends horizontally and is mounted on top of the first limiting rod; The second limiting rod is cylindrical.
4. The shaking table according to claim 3, characterized in that, There are multiple first limiting rods, which are arranged at intervals along the extension direction of the base and are all connected to the second limiting rods.
5. The shaking table according to claim 4, characterized in that, The extension length of the second limiting rod is less than the length of the tray.
6. The shaker according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, There are multiple placement areas, and the multiple placement areas are arranged side by side.
7. The shaker according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The drive mechanism includes: The bracket is installed inside the base; A drive motor is connected to the bracket and has an output shaft; Driven shaft, connected to the tray; The driven wheel is sleeved on the driven shaft and connected to the driven shaft; The drive shaft is coaxially connected to the output shaft; A drive wheel is sleeved on the drive shaft and connected to the drive shaft; A timing belt is fitted onto the driving pulley and the driven pulley; Driven by the drive motor, the output shaft drives the drive shaft and the drive wheel to rotate, and transmits power to the driven wheel through the synchronous belt, thereby driving the driven shaft to rotate and driving the tray to rotate.
8. The shaking table according to claim 7, characterized in that, The drive mechanism also includes: The tensioning assembly includes a tensioning wheel and a tensioning arm. The tensioning wheel is connected to the tensioning arm and abuts against the timing belt. The tensioning arm is rotatably connected to the bracket.
9. The shaking table according to claim 8, characterized in that, Also includes: A grating baffle is mounted on the end of the driven shaft and configured to rotate with the driven shaft; A grating switch is installed on the side of the bracket, and the grating switch and the grating baffle are configured to detect the rotation information of the driven shaft.