An automated cell counter

Abstract

The application discloses an automatic cell counter and belongs to the technical field of cell counters. The automatic cell counter comprises a cell counter body, a lifting assembly, an assembly plate and a transverse position adjusting assembly. The bottom of the cell counter body is provided with an assembly groove. The lifting assembly is installed in the assembly groove and drives the assembly plate to move up and down. The automatic cell counter drives two middle plates to linearly move in opposite directions along guide frames through the transverse position adjusting assembly, so that the distance between the two middle plates is adjusted to adapt to cell culture dishes with different diameters. The first tooth plate is driven to move along the first guide rod through power. When the first tooth plate moves, the first tooth plate is engaged with the gear, and then the second tooth plate is synchronously driven to move, so that the two clamping rollers are synchronously moved to the cell culture dish, the clamping of the cell culture dishes with different diameters is completed, the clamping components need not be replaced, and the operation complexity and the workload of users are reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of cell counter technology, specifically an automated cell counter. Background Technology

[0002] In cell biology research and medical testing, cell counting is a fundamental and important operation. As a key device for cell counting, the performance of a cell counter directly affects the accuracy of the counting results and the ease of operation.

[0003] Most existing cell counters use fixed-size arc-shaped clamping plates and arc-shaped rubber pads for their clamping mechanisms. This clamping structure makes the device suitable only for cell culture dishes of specific sizes. When different sizes of cell culture dishes (such as 35mm, 60mm, and 90mm in diameter) are needed, operators often need to change the corresponding clamping parts, which increases the complexity of operation and the workload of users. Therefore, it is necessary to design an automated cell counter to solve the above problems.

[0004] It should be noted that the information disclosed in this background section is only for understanding the background technology of this application concept, and therefore may include information that does not constitute prior art. Utility Model Content

[0005] Based on the aforementioned problems in the existing technology, the problem to be solved by this application is to provide an automated cell counter that solves the problem that some existing cell counters use fixed-size arc-shaped clamping plates and rubber pads, which require frequent replacement of clamping components to adapt to culture dishes of different diameters, thereby increasing the complexity of operation and workload.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by this application to solve its technical problem is: an automated cell counter, including a cell counter body, a lifting component, an assembly plate and a lateral position adjustment component. The bottom of the cell counter body is provided with an assembly groove. The lifting component is installed in the assembly groove and drives the assembly plate to move up and down. A storage plate is installed on the assembly plate. A cell culture dish is placed on the storage plate and the cell culture dish is located in the microscopic observation area of ​​the cell counter body.

[0007] A guide frame is fixed on one side of the assembly plate, and two intermediate plates slide on the guide frame. The lateral position adjustment component is installed on the other side of the assembly plate and is adapted to drive the two intermediate plates to move linearly in opposite directions along the guide frame.

[0008] Each of the intermediate plates is fixed with an adjustment plate, and a gear is rotatably connected to the adjustment plate. Two first guide rods are fixed on the other side of the intermediate plate. A first toothed plate that can mesh with the gear slides on the first guide rod. The first toothed plate can move axially along the shaft of the first guide rod by power drive. Two second guide rods are fixed on one side of the intermediate plate. A second toothed plate that can mesh with the gear slides on the second guide rod. A bracket is fixed on both the first toothed plate and the second toothed plate. A clamping roller suitable for clamping the cell culture dish is installed on the bracket.

[0009] Furthermore, the lifting assembly includes a large electric push rod and guide columns. The large electric push rod is installed in the assembly slot, and multiple guide columns are fixed in the assembly slot. The output end of the large electric push rod is connected to the assembly plate and is adapted to drive the assembly plate to move along the axial direction of the guide column.

[0010] Furthermore, the lateral position adjustment assembly includes a mounting base and a drive motor. The mounting base is fixed to the assembly plate, and the drive motor is mounted on one end of the mounting base. The output end of the drive motor passes through the mounting base and is equipped with a bidirectional lead screw. Two sliders are threaded onto the bidirectional lead screw, and the sliders are fixedly connected to the intermediate plate.

[0011] The bottom of each slider is fixed with a limiting plate that slides within the mounting base.

[0012] Furthermore, the other end of the bidirectional lead screw is connected to the mounting base via a bearing.

[0013] Furthermore, small electric push rods are respectively installed on the intermediate plate, and the output end of the small electric push rods is connected to the first toothed plate.

[0014] Furthermore, the adjustment plate is provided with multiple sliding grooves, and the bracket slides within the sliding grooves.

[0015] Furthermore, the cell counter body is equipped with a display screen and an objective lens, the display screen being electrically connected to the objective lens and adapted to display the microscopic image data acquired by the objective lens.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows: The automated cell counter provided by this application drives two intermediate plates to move linearly in opposite directions along the guide frame through a lateral position adjustment component, thereby adjusting the distance between the two intermediate plates to accommodate cell culture dishes of different diameters; then, the first toothed plate is driven to move along the first guide rod by a power source. When the first toothed plate moves, it meshes with a gear, thereby driving the second toothed plate to move synchronously, realizing that the two clamping rollers move synchronously towards the cell culture dish, completing the clamping of cell culture dishes of different diameters without the need to replace the clamping components, reducing the complexity of operation and the workload of the user. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of this application. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this application are used to explain this application and do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0018] Figure 1 This is a first three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an automated cell counter according to an embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the lifting component according to an embodiment of this application;

[0020] Figure 3 This is an assembly drawing of the assembly plate and upper parts according to an embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a clamping roller holding a cell culture dish according to an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a second three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an automated cell counter according to an embodiment of this application.

[0023] The following are the labeling elements in the figure:

[0024] 1. Cell counter body; 2. Display screen; 3. Objective lens; 4. Assembly slot; 5. Large electric push rod; 6. Assembly plate; 7. Guide column; 8. Storage plate; 9. Cell culture dish; 10. Mounting base; 11. Drive motor; 12. Bidirectional lead screw; 13. Slider; 14. Limiting plate; 15. Guide frame; 16. Intermediate plate; 17. Adjustment plate; 18. Gear; 19. First guide rod; 20. First toothed plate; 21. Second guide rod; 22. Second toothed plate; 23. Small electric push rod; 24. Support; 25. Clamping roller; 26. Slide groove. Detailed Implementation

[0025] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. This application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0026] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0027] like Figures 1-5 As shown, this application provides an automated cell counter, including a cell counter body 1, a lifting assembly, an assembly plate 6, and a lateral position adjustment assembly. The cell counter body 1 adopts a composite structure of ABS engineering plastic and aluminum alloy frame, with an assembly groove 4 at the bottom for housing the lifting assembly. A display screen 2 with a resolution of 1920×1080 is embedded in the front of the cell counter body 1, and an objective lens 3 is mounted on the side, supporting 10×, 20×, and 40× magnification switching. It has a built-in LED light source module with a color temperature of 5500K±500K.

[0028] The lifting assembly includes a large electric push rod 5 and guide columns 7. The large electric push rod 5, model DG-100, has a stroke of 100mm and a thrust of 50N. It is fixed to the bottom of the assembly slot 4, and its output end is connected to the assembly plate 6 via bolts. There are four guide columns 7, each 10mm in diameter, fixed at the four corners of the assembly slot 4. Guide holes are provided at corresponding positions on the assembly plate 6, with tolerance H7 / g6 to ensure a lifting accuracy ≤0.1mm. A storage plate 8, made of 304 stainless steel, is bolted to the upper surface of the assembly plate 6. The surface is engraved with positioning rings of diameters 35mm, 60mm, and 90mm to accommodate different sized petri dishes.

[0029] The lateral position adjustment assembly includes a mounting base 10 and a drive motor 11. The mounting base 10 is made of aluminum alloy profile and is welded and fixed to the other side of the assembly plate 6. The drive motor 11 is a stepper motor, model 42BYGH, with a step angle of 1.8°. It is connected to a double-acting lead screw 12 via a coupling. The lead screw has a pitch of 5mm and is fixed to the mounting base 10 at both ends by deep groove ball bearings. Two sliders 13 are threaded onto the double-acting lead screw 12. A limiting plate 14 is fixed to the bottom of the sliders 13, which slides in a limiting groove at the bottom of the mounting base 10 to prevent the sliders 13 from rotating. Specifically, since the double-acting lead screw 12 has two sections of threads with opposite directions, the two sliders 13 will slide along the mounting base 10 under the drive of the double-acting lead screw 12.

[0030] A guide frame 15, an aluminum alloy frame, is welded and fixed to one side of the assembly plate 6. Two intermediate plates 16 are slidably connected internally. The end of the intermediate plate 16 furthest from the guide frame 15 is welded and fixed to the slider 13. As the slider 13 moves, it moves the intermediate plate 16 along the guide frame 15, adjusting the distance between the two intermediate plates 16. An adjusting plate 17 is welded and fixed to the intermediate plate 16, and a gear 18 is rotatably connected to it via a bearing. Two first guide rods 19 are welded and fixed to the other side of the intermediate plate 16. The rods of the first guide rods 19 are slidably connected to a first toothed plate 20 and mesh with the gear 18. Two second guide rods 21 are welded and fixed to one side of the intermediate plate 16. The rods of the second guide rods 21 are slidably connected to a second toothed plate 22 and mesh with the other side of the gear 18. A small electric push rod 23 (model DG-30) is bolted to the intermediate plate 16, and the output end of the small electric push rod 23 is bolted to the first toothed plate 20. The first toothed plate 20 and the second toothed plate 22 are fixed to the clamping roller 25 by the bracket 24. The clamping roller 25 is a silicone-coated aluminum alloy roller with an anti-slip texture on the surface. A groove 26 is opened on the adjusting plate 17, and the bracket 24 slides in the groove 26. Specifically, when the small electric push rod 23 is activated, the output end of the small electric push rod 23 pushes the first toothed plate 20 to move along the first guide rod 19. Since the first toothed plate 20 meshes with the gear 18, the movement of the first toothed plate 20 will drive the gear 18 to rotate. The rotation of the gear 18 will drive the second toothed plate 22, which meshes with it, to move along the second guide rod 21, so that the two brackets 24 and the clamping roller 25 move synchronously toward the cell culture dish 9 until the clamping roller 25 clamps the cell culture dish 9. During the clamping process, the bracket 24 slides in the groove 26 of the adjusting plate 17, ensuring the stability of the movement of the bracket 24.

[0031] Working principle: First, when it is necessary to place the cell culture dish 9, the operator places the cell culture dish 9 on the storage plate 8. Then, according to the diameter of the cell culture dish 9, the drive motor 11 of the lateral position adjustment component is started. The drive motor 11 drives the bidirectional lead screw 12 to rotate. Since there are two sections of threads with opposite directions on the bidirectional lead screw 12, the two sliders 13 will slide along the mounting base 10 under the drive of the bidirectional lead screw 12, thereby driving the intermediate plate 16 to move along the guide frame 15, adjusting the distance between the two intermediate plates 16, so that the clamping roller 25 is in the appropriate position.

[0032] Next, the small electric push rod 23 is activated. The output end of the small electric push rod 23 pushes the first toothed plate 20 to move along the first guide rod 19. Since the first toothed plate 20 meshes with the gear 18, the movement of the first toothed plate 20 will drive the gear 18 to rotate. The rotation of the gear 18 will drive the second toothed plate 22, which meshes with it, to move along the second guide rod 21, so that the two supports 24 and the clamping roller 25 move synchronously toward the cell culture dish 9 until the clamping roller 25 clamps the cell culture dish 9. During the clamping process, the support 24 slides in the groove 26 of the adjusting plate 17 to ensure the stability of the movement of the support 24.

[0033] After clamping, the large electric push rod 5 of the lifting assembly is activated. The output end of the large electric push rod 5 pushes the assembly plate 6 upward along the guide column 7, so that the cell culture dish 9 enters the microscopic observation area of ​​the cell counter body 1. The guide column 7 ensures the stability of the assembly plate 6 during the lifting process and reduces the shaking of the cell culture dish 9;

[0034] At this time, the objective lens 3 acquires microscopic image data in the cell culture dish 9 and transmits the data to the display screen 2. The operator observes the cell image and counts the cells through the display screen 2. The cell counter body 1 integrates a high-resolution optical lens group. The objective lens 3 is a plan achromatic objective lens with switchable magnification of 10×, 20×, and 40×. It works with an LED light source module to achieve uniform illumination. The color temperature of the light source is controlled at 5500K±500K to ensure that the cell image is clear and free of color distortion.

[0035] When it is necessary to change to a cell culture dish 9 of a different diameter, simply repeat the above steps and adjust the position of the intermediate plate 16 and the clamping force of the clamping roller 25. There is no need to replace the clamping parts, which greatly improves the convenience of operation.

[0036] After counting is completed, first start the large electric push rod 5 to lower the assembly plate 6 and move the cell culture dish 9 out of the microscopic observation area. Then start the small electric push rod 23 to release the cell culture dish 9 from the clamping roller 25. Finally, remove the cell culture dish 9 from the storage plate 8.

[0037] Finally, during use, the large electric push rod 5, the small electric push rod 23, the drive motor 11, and the cell counter body 1 are all connected to an external power source via wires. At the same time, the large electric push rod 5, the small electric push rod 23, and the drive motor 11 are each equipped with a corresponding start button.

[0038] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An automated cell counter, comprising a cell counter body (1), a lifting assembly, an assembly plate (6), and a lateral position adjustment assembly, characterized in that: The bottom of the cell counter body (1) is provided with an assembly slot (4). The lifting component is installed in the assembly slot (4) and drives the assembly plate (6) to move up and down. A storage plate (8) is installed on the assembly plate (6). A cell culture dish (9) is placed on the storage plate (8), and the cell culture dish (9) is located in the microscopic observation area of ​​the cell counter body (1). A guide frame (15) is fixed on one side of the assembly plate (6), and two intermediate plates (16) slide on the guide frame (15). The lateral position adjustment component is installed on the other side of the assembly plate (6) and is suitable for driving the two intermediate plates (16) to move linearly in opposite directions along the guide frame (15). An adjusting plate (17) is fixed on each of the intermediate plates (16). A gear (18) is rotatably connected to the adjusting plate (17). Two first guide rods (19) are fixed on the other side of the intermediate plate (16). A first toothed plate (20) that can mesh with the gear (18) slides on the first guide rod (19). The first toothed plate (20) can move along the shaft axis of the first guide rod (19) by power drive. Two second guide rods (21) are fixed on one side of the intermediate plate (16). A second toothed plate (22) that can mesh with the gear (18) slides on the second guide rod (21). A bracket (24) is fixed on both the first toothed plate (20) and the second toothed plate (22). A clamping roller (25) suitable for clamping the cell culture dish (9) is installed on the bracket (24).

2. The automated cell counter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting assembly includes a large electric push rod (5) and guide columns (7). The large electric push rod (5) is installed in the assembly slot (4), and multiple guide columns (7) are fixed in the assembly slot (4). The output end of the large electric push rod (5) is connected to the assembly plate (6) and is suitable for driving the assembly plate (6) to move along the column axis of the guide column (7).

3. An automated cell counter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lateral position adjustment assembly includes a mounting base (10) and a drive motor (11). The mounting base (10) is fixed on the assembly plate (6). The drive motor (11) is installed at one end of the mounting base (10). The output end of the drive motor (11) passes through the mounting base (10) and is equipped with a bidirectional lead screw (12). Two sliders (13) are threaded onto the bidirectional lead screw (12). The sliders (13) are fixedly connected to the intermediate plate (16). The bottom of each slider (13) is fixed with a limiting plate (14) that slides within the mounting base (10).

4. An automated cell counter according to claim 3, characterized in that: The other end of the bidirectional lead screw (12) is connected to the mounting base (10) via a bearing.

5. An automated cell counter according to claim 1, characterized in that: Small electric push rods (23) are respectively installed on the intermediate plate (16), and the output end of the small electric push rods (23) is connected to the first toothed plate (20).

6. An automated cell counter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adjusting plate (17) is provided with multiple sliding grooves (26), and the bracket (24) slides within the sliding grooves (26).

7. An automated cell counter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cell counter body (1) is equipped with a display screen (2) and an objective lens (3). The display screen (2) is electrically connected to the objective lens (3) and is suitable for displaying the microscopic image data collected by the objective lens (3).

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