A flexible and stable laboratory device for long-term hypoxic cell culture
By designing a flexible laboratory device that utilizes gas cylinders and cell hypoxia incubation chambers, the problem of expensive and short-duration existing hypoxia culture equipment is solved, enabling low-cost, flexible, long-term hypoxia cell culture, suitable for use in laboratories with limited space.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- THE FIFTH MEDICAL CENT OF CHINESE PLA GENERAL HOSPITAL
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-09
AI Technical Summary
Existing hypoxic culture equipment is expensive, occupies a large area, has expensive consumables, and can only maintain a hypoxic environment for a short time, which cannot meet the laboratory's need for long-term hypoxic cell culture.
A laboratory device comprising a gas cylinder, a bacterial filter, and a cell hypoxia incubation chamber was designed. By controlling the gas flow and maintaining a constant temperature in a heated water bath, a stable flow rate of hypoxia gas and a sterile environment are achieved. The device adopts a detachable modular structure to reduce costs and improve flexibility.
It enables low-cost, flexible, long-term hypoxic cell culture while maintaining a sterile environment and humidity during the culture process, making it suitable for use in laboratories with limited space.
Smart Images
Figure CN224337578U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of biomedical equipment, and in particular to a flexible and stable laboratory device for long-term low-oxygen cell culture. Background Technology
[0002] In current biomedical research, the demand for cell culture under hypoxic conditions is increasing daily. However, the high price of equipment such as hypoxic incubators is often a major reason limiting the widespread adoption of hypoxic cell culture technology in laboratories. A survey of existing hypoxic culture equipment on the market reveals that: hypoxic incubators / workstations are expensive, space-consuming, and power-intensive; while compact anaerobic culture containers maintain a hypoxic environment for short periods, have expensive consumables, and require integration with other equipment to achieve the desired hypoxic cell culture environment. Given this background, designing a cost-effective device capable of supporting long-term laboratory culture of hypoxic cells is essential. Summary of the Invention
[0003] To overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a flexible and stable laboratory device for long-term hypoxic cell culture. It has a high cost performance, a relatively simple assembly structure, and each component can be flexibly disassembled during use. It can meet the requirements of long-term hypoxic cell culture. During the culture process, the flow rate of hypoxic gas in the device is relatively stable, which can maintain a sterile environment and sufficient humidity, enabling stable long-term cell culture in a hypoxic environment.
[0004] The technical solution of this utility model is as follows: This flexible and stable laboratory device for long-term low-oxygen cell culture includes a gas cylinder, a bacterial filter, and a cell low-oxygen incubation chamber; the cell low-oxygen incubation chamber includes a water tank, a metal bucket, a glass lid, and a sealing ring; the water tank is equipped with an electric plug, and the water in the water tank is heated to a predetermined temperature by electric heating, and the water tank has a perforated heat-insulating lid; the metal bucket includes a first one-way gas throttle valve, a second one-way gas throttle valve, a check valve, and a metal bucket body, the metal bucket, the glass lid, and the sealing ring forming a sealed structure, the lower part of the metal bucket body is immersed in the water in the water tank, and the upper part of the metal bucket body passes through the hole in the heat-insulating lid and protrudes from the water tank;
[0005] Gas flows out of the gas cylinder, enters the cell filter through the hose, flows through the hose to the first one-way gas throttle valve of the cell hypoxia incubation chamber, enters the sealed structure, and flows out through the second one-way gas throttle valve and the check valve into the water in the water tank.
[0006] This invention offers high cost-effectiveness and a relatively simple assembly structure. Each component can be flexibly disassembled during use, enabling the device to meet the requirements for long-term hypoxic cell culture. During culture, the flow rate of hypoxic gas within the device remains relatively stable, maintaining a sterile environment with sufficient humidity, thus allowing for stable long-term cell culture in a hypoxic environment. Attached Figure Description
[0007] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a flexible and stable laboratory apparatus for long-term hypoxic cell culture according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation
[0008] like Figure 1 As shown, this flexible and stable laboratory device for long-term hypoxic cell culture includes a gas cylinder 1, a bacterial filter 3, and a cell hypoxic incubation chamber 5. The cell hypoxic incubation chamber includes a water tank 51, a metal bucket 52, a glass cover 53, and a sealing ring 54. The water tank is equipped with an electric plug 514, which heats the water in the tank to a predetermined temperature by electric heating. The water tank has a perforated heat-insulating cover. The metal bucket includes a first one-way gas throttle valve 521, a second one-way gas throttle valve 522, a check valve 523, and a metal bucket body 524. The metal bucket, glass cover, and sealing ring form a sealed structure. The lower part of the metal bucket body is immersed in the water in the water tank, and the upper part of the metal bucket body passes through the hole in the heat-insulating cover and protrudes from the water tank.
[0009] Gas flows out of the gas cylinder, enters the cell filter through the hose, flows through the hose to the first one-way gas throttle valve of the cell hypoxia incubation chamber, enters the sealed structure, and flows out through the second one-way gas throttle valve and the check valve into the water in the water tank.
[0010] This invention offers high cost-effectiveness and a relatively simple assembly structure. Each component can be flexibly disassembled during use, enabling the device to meet the requirements for long-term hypoxic cell culture. During culture, the flow rate of hypoxic gas within the device remains relatively stable, maintaining a sterile environment with sufficient humidity, thus allowing for stable long-term cell culture in a hypoxic environment.
[0011] Preferably, the device further includes a float flow meter 2, through which the gas flow rate is adjusted by a knob on the float flow meter. This allows for precise control of the gas flow rate.
[0012] Preferably, the device further includes a wide-mouth bottle 4 containing sterile water to increase gas humidity.
[0013] Preferably, a water inlet valve 511 is provided at the upper part of the water tank, and a water outlet valve 512 is provided at the lower part of the water tank. Water is introduced into the water tank through the water inlet valve and the water inlet pipe, and the stored water is discharged through the water outlet valve.
[0014] Preferably, an air vent 513 is provided on the heat preservation cover to better expel gas and prevent the water tank from exploding due to excessive gas.
[0015] Preferably, the glass lid has a handle, which facilitates opening the metal container for cleaning and sterilization.
[0016] Preferably, the water tank and metal bucket are both cylindrical in shape, and the glass lid is hemispherical. Of course, other structures can also be used.
[0017] The working principle of this utility model will be explained in more detail below.
[0018] Gas flows from the gas cylinder, through a gas hose to a float flow meter, where the gas flow rate can be precisely controlled by a knob. It then passes through the gas hose into a cell filter to remove bacteria. The gas then flows through the hose into a wide-mouth bottle containing sterile water to increase humidity. The gas continues through the hose to the cell hypoxia incubation chamber, then through a first one-way gas throttle valve into a sealed structure formed by a cylindrical hollow metal barrel, a ball-shaped semi-circular glass lid with a handle, and a sealing ring. Finally, it flows out through a second one-way gas throttle valve on the cylindrical hollow metal barrel, passing through a check valve to prevent backflow. The check valve prevents water from flowing backwards.
[0019] Preferably, the cell hypoxia incubation chamber has the function of maintaining a constant temperature of 37°C, which is mainly achieved by a cylindrical hollow water tank. The water in the tank can be heated to maintain a temperature of 37°C. The metal tank body has good thermal conductivity, which keeps the upper sealed structure at a constant temperature of 37°C. Water is introduced into the cylindrical hollow water tank through a water inlet valve and a water outlet pipe, and the stored water is discharged through a drain valve.
[0020] The present invention is compared with the prior art as follows:
[0021] ① Currently available hypoxic incubators are complex in structure and expensive. Anaerobic culture containers and other equipment require matching gas-generating bags and oxygen indicators, making them not cost-effective. Our equipment only requires the purchase of matching hypoxic oxygen cylinders, without any other additional consumables, and can maintain a hypoxic environment for a long time. It also does not need to be used with other laboratory equipment (such as anaerobic culture containers, which need to be placed in a cell culture incubator to function properly), thus meeting the needs of researchers for long-term hypoxic culture. ② Although anaerobic culture containers and other equipment are relatively inexpensive, the gas storage bags need to be placed in the culture chamber, and the storage capacity of the bags is limited, making it impossible for the equipment to maintain a stable flow rate and maintain a hypoxic environment for a long time. Our equipment can be connected to an external gas cylinder, providing sufficient gas pressure. Under the adjustment of the float flow meter, it can maintain a relatively constant gas flow rate, ensuring a stable low-oxygen environment for a long time during the culture process. ③ Low-oxygen incubators and other low-oxygen culture equipment occupy a large space and are not suitable for laboratories with limited space. The equipment of this utility model is compact, occupies little space, and each component module is flexibly detachable. The cell low-oxygen incubation chamber can be detached separately and placed in a clean bench. After researchers have finished processing the cells, they can immediately place them in the chamber, which also ensures aseptic operation.
[0022] 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. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present utility model shall still fall within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A flexible and stable laboratory apparatus for long-term hypoxic cell culture, characterized in that: It includes a gas cylinder (1), a bacterial filter (3), and a cell hypoxia incubation chamber (5); the cell hypoxia incubation chamber includes a water tank (51), a metal bucket (52), a glass cover (53), and a sealing ring (54); the water tank is equipped with an electric plug (514), which heats the water in the water tank to a predetermined temperature by passing electricity, and the water tank has a perforated heat-insulating cover; the metal bucket includes a first one-way gas throttle valve (521), a second one-way gas throttle valve (522), a check valve (523), and a metal bucket body (524). The metal bucket, the glass cover, and the sealing ring form a sealed structure. The lower part of the metal bucket body is immersed in the water in the water tank, and the upper part of the metal bucket body passes through the hole in the heat-insulating cover and protrudes from the water tank; Gas flows out of the gas cylinder, enters the cell filter through the hose, flows through the hose to the first one-way gas throttle valve of the cell hypoxia incubation chamber, enters the sealed structure, and flows out through the second one-way gas throttle valve and the check valve into the water in the water tank.
2. The flexible and stable laboratory apparatus for long-term hypoxic cell culture according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device also includes a float flow meter (2), through which the gas flow rate is adjusted by a knob on the float flow meter.
3. The flexible and stable laboratory apparatus for long-term hypoxic cell culture according to claim 2, characterized in that: The device also includes a wide-mouth bottle (4) containing sterile water.
4. The flexible and stable laboratory apparatus for long-term hypoxic cell culture according to claim 1, characterized in that: A water inlet valve (511) is installed at the top of the water tank, and a drain valve (512) is installed at the bottom of the water tank.
5. The flexible and stable laboratory apparatus for long-term hypoxic cell culture according to claim 4, characterized in that: Vent holes (513) are provided on the heat preservation cover.
6. The flexible and stable laboratory apparatus for long-term hypoxic cell culture according to claim 1, characterized in that: The glass cover has a handle.
7. The flexible and stable laboratory apparatus for long-term hypoxic cell culture according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water tank and metal bucket are both cylindrical in shape, and the glass cover is hemispherical.