An automated system for vitrification freezing of cells

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of cell vitrification freezing automatic systems, including workbench;Including several injection pumps, the injection pump is installed on workbench, movable piston rod is provided in the injection pump, and the piston rod upper end is connected with driving assembly;Including fluid collecting valve, the fluid collecting valve is installed on workbench, and the fluid collecting valve is connected with the liquid outlet end of injection pump;Including frozen macaroni, the frozen macaroni and fluid collecting valve are connected;Including temperature control board, the temperature control board is installed on workbench, the utility model is advantageous in that system automatically controls the loading and unloading of cryoprotectant, to controllable mode adjustment exchange in oocyte water and cryoprotectant, reduce the pressure or organelle and intracellular membrane system damage of cell structure of osmotic pressure shock to cell, improve the survival rate of cell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of cell preservation, and in particular to an automated system for cell vitrification and freezing. Background Technology

[0002] Cell cryopreservation is a crucial step in assisted reproductive technology. Currently, cell cryopreservation heavily relies on skilled technicians. Technicians first prepare an appropriate amount of culture medium, gently agitate the cells with a pipette to ensure uniformity, then prepare pipettes by cauterizing glass tubes and manually stretching them. Using a pipette with a manual, flexible tip, they manually aspirate the liquid containing live cells from the cryoprotectant solution through a thin tube, coat it onto a sheet-like cryopreservation carrier, identify the target cells under a microscope, remove excess liquid, and then quickly and manually immerse the carrier in liquid nitrogen to complete the freezing process. The cryopreservation process requires rapid and precise operations, making it susceptible to errors that can lead to excessive osmotic pressure and negatively impact cell viability.

[0003] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the background section above is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of this disclosure, and therefore may include information that does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model discloses an automated cell vitrification and freezing system.

[0005] An automated cell vitrification and cryopreservation system includes a worktable; several injection pumps mounted on the worktable, each injection pump having a movable piston rod connected to a drive assembly at its upper end; a fluid manifold valve mounted on the worktable and connected to the outlet of the injection pumps; a cryopreservation straw connected to the fluid manifold valves; and a temperature control board mounted on the worktable.

[0006] Furthermore, the drive assembly includes a lead screw, a fixed frame, and a lead screw nut. The fixed frame is mounted on the worktable, the lead screw is rotatably connected to the fixed frame, and the lead screw nut is mounted on the lead screw, with the lead screw nut and the lead screw being threadedly engaged.

[0007] Furthermore, a stepper motor is connected to the tail end of the lead screw.

[0008] Furthermore, the temperature control board includes a TCM temperature control module, which has a sensor interface for connecting an external temperature sensor.

[0009] Furthermore, the TCM temperature control module is provided with an input terminal, which includes a VIN+ interface and a GND interface.

[0010] Furthermore, the TCM temperature control module is provided with an output terminal, which is provided with a TEC+ interface and a TEC- interface.

[0011] Furthermore, the TCM temperature control module is equipped with a PC interface and a UIM control interface.

[0012] Furthermore, an osmotic pressure detector is installed on the workbench, and the osmotic pressure detector is located at the frozen wheat tube.

[0013] Furthermore, the injection pump is replaced with a micro gear pump.

[0014] Furthermore, the injection pump is replaced with a miniature peristaltic pump.

[0015] Advantages of this utility model:

[0016] 1. No manual operation by technicians is required, greatly reducing the risk of misoperation. The system automatically controls the loading and unloading of cryoprotectants, and regulates the exchange of water and cryoprotectants in oocytes in a controllable manner, reducing the pressure of osmotic shock on cell structures or damage to organelles and intracellular membrane systems, and improving cell survival rate.

[0017] 2. The stepper motor controls the lead screw to rotate, which in turn causes the lead screw seat to reciprocate along the lead screw, driving the piston rod to perform synchronous extension and retraction. The cryoprotectant in the injection pump completes the loading and unloading action. Furthermore, multiple injection pumps can be used to carry cryoprotectants with different osmotic pressures and compositions to meet different requirements for cell survival.

[0018] 3. The TCM temperature control module monitors the temperature of the cryoprotectant in real time, and the osmotic pressure detector tracks the entire osmotic pressure change process as water and cryoprotectant cross the cell membrane to complete the exchange. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an automated cell vitrification and freezing system.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a frontal view structural diagram of an automated cell vitrification and freezing system.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the drive component.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the TCM temperature control module.

[0023] In the diagram: 1. Workbench; 2. Control screen; 3. Injection pump; 31. Piston rod; 4. Drive assembly; 41. Lead screw; 42. Fixing frame; 43. Lead screw nut; 44. Stepper motor; 5. Fluid manifold valve; 6. Frozen wheat straw; 7. Temperature control board; 71. TCM temperature control module; 711. Sensor interface; 712. Input terminal; 713. Output terminal; 714. PC interface; 715. UIM control interface; 8. Osmotic pressure detector. Detailed Implementation

[0024] 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.

[0025] Example 1:

[0026] An automated cell vitrification and cryopreservation system, such as Figure 1 As shown, the equipment includes a workbench 1, on which a control screen 2 is installed. The control screen 2 is a touch screen, which is used by technicians to adjust the motion parameters of the equipment during use.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, the automated cell vitrification and cryopreservation system includes several injection pumps 3, which are installed on the worktable 1. Each injection pump 3 has a movable piston rod 31. During operation, the piston rod 31 extends and retracts to control the movement of the cryoprotectant in the injection pump 3, thereby loading and unloading the cryoprotectant.

[0028] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a drive assembly 4 is connected to the upper end of the piston rod 31, providing power. The drive assembly 4 includes a lead screw 41, a fixed frame 42, and a lead screw nut 43. The fixed frame 42 is mounted on the worktable 1, and the lead screw 41 is rotatably connected to the fixed frame 42. The lead screw nut 43 is mounted on the lead screw 41, and the lead screw 41 is threadedly engaged with the lead screw nut 43. The tail end of the piston rod 31 is fixed to the lead screw nut 43. A stepper motor 44 is connected to the tail end of the lead screw 41, and the stepper motor 44 drives the lead screw 41 to rotate.

[0029] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the automated cell vitrification and cryopreservation system includes a fluid manifold 5, which is mounted on the worktable 1 and connected to the outlet of the syringe pump 3. The cryoprotectant discharged by the syringe pump 3 flows into the fluid manifold 5.

[0030] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the automated cell vitrification and freezing system includes a temperature control board 7, which is mounted on the workbench 1 and located at the fluid manifold valve 5.

[0031] like Figure 4 As shown, the temperature control board 7 includes a TCM temperature control module 71. The TCM temperature control module 71 has a sensor interface 711, which is connected to an external temperature sensor. The temperature sensor detects the temperature and transmits the data to the TCM temperature control module 71 to calculate the temperature difference. The TCM temperature control module 71 has an input terminal 712 with VIN+ and GND interfaces, through which a DC power supply is connected. The TCM temperature control module 71 also has an output terminal 713 with TEC+ and TEC- interfaces, through which a thermoelectric cooler (ETC) is connected. The DC input voltage is converted into the required DC output voltage to drive the ETC. The TCM temperature control module 71 also has a PC interface 714 and a UIM control interface 715. The PC interface 714 is a PC-RS232, and the UIM control interface 715 is a UI-RS232. An external control computer is connected via the PC interface 714, and the UIM control interface is connected to a UIM control server.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the automated cell vitrification and freezing system includes a freezing straw 6 and an osmotic pressure detector 8. The freezing straw 6 is connected to a fluid manifold valve 5. The osmotic pressure detector 8 is installed at the freezing straw 6 to detect in real time the entire osmotic pressure change process of water and cryoprotectant in the freezing straw 6 as they pass through the cell membrane to complete the exchange.

[0033] Specific work process:

[0034] Technicians adjust and edit motion parameters via touch control screen 2. Depending on the needs of cell preservation, they select and start the injection pump 3 containing the most suitable cryoprotectant. The computer controls the loading speed and volume of injection pump 3 in real time. The cryoprotectant flows into the fluid manifold valve 5 and then enters the cryopreservation tube 6. In the cryopreservation tube 6, water and cryoprotectant exchange through the cell membrane. At the same time, the TCM temperature control module 71 records the temperature data of the above process in real time, and the osmotic pressure detector 8 records the osmotic pressure data of the above process in real time.

[0035] Example 2:

[0036] The difference from Example 1 is that the syringe pump 3 is replaced with a micro gear pump.

[0037] Example 3:

[0038] The difference from Example 1 is that the syringe pump 3 is replaced with a micro peristaltic pump.

[0039] 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 simple 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. An automated cell vitrification and cryopreservation system, characterized in that, Including the workbench; It includes several injection pumps, which are mounted on a workbench. Each injection pump has a movable piston rod, and the upper end of the piston rod is connected to a drive assembly. Includes a fluid manifold valve, which is mounted on a workbench and connected to the outlet of an injection pump; Includes frozen wheat straw, which is connected to a fluid manifold valve; It includes a temperature control board, which is mounted on the workbench.

2. The automated cell vitrification and cryopreservation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drive assembly includes a lead screw, a fixed frame, and a lead screw nut. The fixed frame is mounted on the worktable, the lead screw is rotatably connected to the fixed frame, and the lead screw nut is mounted on the lead screw. The lead screw nut and the lead screw are threaded together.

3. The automated cell vitrification and cryopreservation system according to claim 2, characterized in that: A stepper motor is connected to the tail end of the lead screw.

4. The automated cell vitrification and cryopreservation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature control board includes a TCM temperature control module, which has a sensor interface for connecting an external temperature sensor.

5. The automated cell vitrification and cryopreservation system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The TCM temperature control module is equipped with an input terminal, which includes a VIN+ interface and a GND interface.

6. The automated cell vitrification and cryopreservation system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The TCM temperature control module is provided with an output terminal, which has a TEC+ interface and a TEC- interface.

7. The automated cell vitrification and cryopreservation system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The TCM temperature control module is equipped with a PC interface and a UIM control interface.

8. The automated cell vitrification and cryopreservation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: An osmotic pressure analyzer is installed on the workbench, and the osmotic pressure analyzer is located at the frozen wheat tube.

9. The automated cell vitrification and cryopreservation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The syringe pump was replaced with a miniature gear pump.

10. The automated cell vitrification and cryopreservation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The syringe pump was replaced with a miniature peristaltic pump.

Images