A micro-sperm cryopreservation carrier

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of sperm storage technology, and in particular to a micro-sperm cryopreservation carrier. The device includes a supporting mechanism; the supporting mechanism includes a slender carrier rod; one end of the carrier rod has at least one reservoir for containing a semen suspension, the reservoir being a concave cavity extending from the bottom to the opening. When used at room temperature, the micro-sperm cryopreservation carrier provided by this utility model, by setting the extension direction of the reservoir inclined relative to the axis of the carrier rod, allows the inner wall of the opening side of the reservoir to limit and block the portion of the semen suspension that tends to detach. Combined with the tension and adhesion of the semen suspension, the semen suspension is retained within the reservoir, thus solving the problem that due to the high fluidity of the semen suspension and the tendency of the slender cryopreservation carrier to shake during transfer or operation, the semen suspension in the adsorption area is prone to slippage or dripping.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of sperm storage technology, and in particular to a micro-sperm cryopreservation carrier. Background Technology

[0002] A sperm cryopreservation carrier is a device used to carry a small amount of semen for vitrification. It is widely used in the field of sperm storage technology. The sperm cryopreservation carrier is usually designed as a slender rod or strip structure, with an adsorption area at one end for fixing the semen suspension, such as microgrooves or micropores. This structure helps to achieve rapid and uniform cooling of the semen suspension, promotes the vitrification transition of the semen suspension in a very short time, and avoids damage to the structure and function of sperm cells caused by ice crystal formation.

[0003] In actual operation, due to the high fluidity of semen suspension and the slender structure of the cryogenic carrier rod, it is easily affected by slight vibration or airflow disturbance during transfer or operation, which can cause the semen suspension in the adsorption area to slip or drip. Utility Model Content

[0004] This invention provides a micro-sperm cryopreservation carrier to solve the problem that the semen suspension is prone to slippage or dripping in the adsorption area due to the high fluidity of semen suspension and the fact that the slender cryopreservation carrier is easily affected by slight vibration or airflow disturbance during transfer or operation.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution provided by this utility model is as follows:

[0006] A micro-sperm cryopreservation carrier:

[0007] The device includes a support mechanism; the support mechanism includes an elongated support rod; one end of the support rod has at least one reservoir for accommodating a semen suspension, the reservoir being a concave cavity extending from the bottom to the opening; the extending direction of the reservoir is inclined relative to the axis of the support rod, so that the inner wall of the reservoir can limit the semen suspension that has a tendency to detach.

[0008] Furthermore, a cooling groove is formed on the outer surface of the carrier rod; the cooling groove is located on the lower side of the bottom of the liquid storage cavity to reduce the wall thickness of the bottom area of ​​the liquid storage cavity.

[0009] Furthermore, the supporting mechanism also includes a sealing plug and a sleeve; one end of the carrier rod with the liquid storage groove is slidably inserted into the sleeve, and the other end is connected to the sealing plug; the sealing plug is slidably inserted into the sleeve, and the end of it connected to the carrier rod abuts against the inner wall of the sleeve to seal, so as to cooperate with the sleeve to form a closed cavity for separating the carrier rod from the outside.

[0010] Furthermore, one end of the sealing plug is provided with an outward tilting compensation surface, and the other end is provided with an inward tilting sealing surface; the sleeve includes a cylindrical body and multiple elastic claws; the multiple elastic claws are all connected to the cylindrical body and are arranged in a circumferential array around the axis of the cylindrical body; the protrusions on the inner side of the multiple elastic claws abut against the outward tilting compensation surface to apply a radial preload to the sealing plug, so as to make the inward tilting sealing surface abut against the inner wall of the sleeve for sealing under different temperature environments.

[0011] Furthermore, the sleeve also includes an identification ring; the identification ring is fitted onto the cylinder body, and its outer surface is provided with an identification code for identifying information about the semen suspension contained in the liquid storage groove; the identification code is composed of multiple arrayed identification grooves.

[0012] Furthermore, the carrier rod is provided with an operating plane; the opening of the liquid storage groove is located on the operating plane to facilitate the placement and removal of semen suspension in the liquid storage groove.

[0013] Furthermore, the supporting mechanism also includes a handle; the handle is provided with a guide plane; the guide plane is parallel to the operating plane and faces the same direction, and is used to control the direction of the liquid storage slot opening.

[0014] Furthermore, the support mechanism also includes a protective sleeve; the protective sleeve is fitted onto the grip to reduce the rate of heat exchange between the grip and the outside environment.

[0015] Furthermore, it also includes a temporary storage mechanism; the temporary storage mechanism includes an overhead support and a refrigeration structure; the overhead support is connected to the refrigeration structure and is used to tilt and suspend the refrigeration structure; the refrigeration structure is used to temporarily store the supporting mechanism at low temperature to maintain the activity of the semen in the liquid storage tank.

[0016] Furthermore, the refrigeration structure includes a temporary storage tray and multiple series pipes; the temporary storage tray has multiple support slots and multiple cooling guide holes; the support mechanism is slidably inserted into the support slots, and the identification ring abuts against the support slots to restrict the movement of the support mechanism within the support slots; adjacent cooling guide holes are connected in series through the series pipes to form a channel for the flow of cooling medium, which is used to reduce the temperature of the support mechanism through the circulation of cooling medium during temporary storage.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this novel micro-sperm cryopreservation carrier are analyzed as follows:

[0018] The device includes a support mechanism; the support mechanism includes an elongated support rod; one end of the support rod has at least one reservoir for containing a semen suspension, the reservoir being a concave cavity extending from the bottom to the opening; the extending direction of the reservoir is inclined relative to the axis of the support rod, so that the inner wall of the reservoir limits the semen suspension that has a tendency to detach.

[0019] When the micro-sperm cryopreservation carrier provided by this utility model is used in a normal temperature environment, the extension direction of the liquid storage tank is set at an angle relative to the axis of the carrier, so that the inner wall of the opening side of the liquid storage tank limits and blocks the part of the semen suspension that has a tendency to detach. Combined with the tension and adhesion of the semen suspension, the semen suspension is retained in the liquid storage tank, thereby avoiding the phenomenon of semen suspension slipping or dripping in the adsorption area.

[0020] In addition, when the micro-sperm cryopreservation carrier is used in a cryogenic environment, the vitrified semen suspension after freezing adheres to the inner wall of the reservoir. Combined with the inclined structure of the reservoir, the vitrified semen suspension is still blocked by the inner wall of the reservoir under the buoyancy of liquid nitrogen or external vibration, thereby preventing the vitrified semen suspension in the adsorption area from detaching. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the specific embodiments or related technologies of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the micro-sperm cryopreservation carrier provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0023] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the supporting mechanism provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0024] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the bearing mechanism provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0025] Figure 4 This utility model provides a schematic diagram of the bearing mechanism excluding the sleeve;

[0026] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the temporary storage mechanism provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0027] Figure 6 This utility model provides a schematic diagram of the refrigeration structure.

[0028] icon:

[0029] 100-Bearing mechanism; 110-Carrying rod; 111-Liquid storage groove; 112-Cooling groove; 113-Operating plane; 120-Sealing plug; 121-Outward tilting compensation surface; 122-Inward tilting sealing surface; 130-Sleeve; 131-Cylinder body; 132-Elastic gripper; 133-Identifying ring; 140-Handle; 141-Guiding plane; 150-Protective sleeve; 200-Temporary storage mechanism; 210-Overhead support; 220-Refrigeration structure; 221-Temporary storage tray; 222-Series pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Because semen suspensions have high fluidity, and the slender cryogenic carrier rods are easily affected by slight vibrations or airflow disturbances during transfer or operation, the semen suspensions in the adsorption area are prone to slippage or dripping.

[0031] In view of this, this solution provides a micro-sperm cryopreservation carrier, including a support mechanism 100.

[0032] The following combination Figures 1-6 A detailed description of the structure and shape of the micro-sperm cryopreservation carrier is provided:

[0033] The support mechanism 100 includes an elongated support rod 110; one end of the support rod 110 is provided with at least one reservoir 111 for accommodating a semen suspension, the reservoir 111 being a concave cavity extending from the bottom of the cavity to the opening; the extending direction of the reservoir 111 is inclined relative to the axis of the support rod 110, so that the inner wall of the reservoir 111 provides a limiting effect on the semen suspension that has a tendency to detach.

[0034] In this embodiment, when used in a normal temperature environment, the extension direction of the liquid storage groove 111 is inclined relative to the axis of the carrier rod 110 so that the inner wall of the opening side of the liquid storage groove 111 limits and blocks the part of the semen suspension that has a tendency to detach. Combined with the tension and adhesion of the semen suspension, the semen suspension is retained in the liquid storage groove 111.

[0035] When used in a frozen environment, the vitrified semen suspension adheres to the inner wall of the reservoir 111 after freezing. Combined with the inclined structure of the reservoir 111, the vitrified semen suspension is still blocked by the inner wall of the reservoir 111 under the buoyancy of liquid nitrogen or external vibration, thereby preventing the vitrified semen suspension in the reservoir 111 from detaching.

[0036] To ensure the freezing rate of the semen suspension in the liquid storage tank 111:

[0037] like Figures 3-4 As shown, a cooling groove 112 is provided on the outer surface of the carrier rod 110; the cooling groove 112 is located on the lower side of the bottom of the liquid storage groove 111 cavity to reduce the wall thickness of the bottom area of ​​the liquid storage groove 111 cavity.

[0038] In this embodiment, by placing the cooling groove 112 on the lower side of the bottom of the liquid storage groove 111, the wall thickness of the bottom area of ​​the liquid storage groove 111 is reduced, thereby accelerating the heat exchange rate of the semen suspension in the bottom area of ​​the liquid storage groove 111 during the vitrification freezing process, thus ensuring the freezing rate of the semen suspension in the liquid storage groove 111.

[0039] To reduce the likelihood of contamination of the semen suspension in the reservoir 111:

[0040] like Figures 2-4 As shown, the supporting mechanism 100 also includes a sealing plug 120 and a sleeve 130; one end of the carrying rod 110 with a liquid storage groove 111 is slidably inserted into the sleeve 130, and the other end is connected to the sealing plug 120; the sealing plug 120 is slidably inserted into the sleeve 130, and the end of it connected to the carrying rod 110 abuts against the inner wall of the sleeve 130 to form a closed cavity with the sleeve 130, which is used to separate the carrying rod 110 from the outside.

[0041] In this embodiment, by driving the sealing plug 120 to be inserted into the sleeve 130, the end of the sealing plug 120 connected to the carrier rod 110 abuts against the inner wall of the sleeve 130 to seal it. Thus, the sealing plug 120 and the sleeve 130 form a closed cavity, which separates the carrier rod 110 located in the closed cavity from the external environment, thereby reducing the probability of the semen suspension in the liquid storage tank 111 being contaminated.

[0042] To ensure a proper seal between the sealing plug 120 and the sleeve 130 at different temperatures:

[0043] like Figures 2-4 As shown, one end of the sealing plug 120 is provided with an outward tilting compensation surface 121, and the other end is provided with an inward tilting sealing surface 122; the sleeve 130 includes a cylinder 131 and a plurality of elastic grippers 132; the plurality of elastic grippers 132 are all connected to the cylinder 131 and are arranged in a circumferential array around the axis of the cylinder 131; the protrusions on the inner side of the plurality of elastic grippers 132 abut against the outward tilting compensation surface 121 to apply radial preload to the sealing plug 120, so as to make the inward tilting sealing surface 122 abut against the inner wall of the sleeve 130 for sealing under different temperature conditions.

[0044] In this embodiment, due to the difference in shape and material between the sealing plug 120 and the sleeve 130, the thermal expansion coefficients of the sealing plug 120 and the sleeve 130 are different, which makes the sealing contact surface of the sealing plug 120 and the sleeve 130 prone to gaps as the temperature changes.

[0045] Therefore, by means of elastic deformation of multiple elastic grippers 132, the protrusions on the inner side of the elastic grippers 132 abut against the outward-curving compensation surface 121, thereby applying radial preload to the sealing plug 120, and thus sealing the inward-curving sealing surface 122 of the sealing plug 120 against the inner wall of the sleeve 130; during the vitrification freezing process of the semen suspension, the elastic grippers 132 in the elastic deformation state change their deformation to maintain abutment against the outward-curving compensation surface 121, so that the sealing plug 120 moves towards the cylinder 131 under the action of radial preload, so that the inward-curving sealing surface 122 remains in abutment against the inner wall of the sleeve 130, thereby achieving adaptive abutment sealing between the sealing plug 120 and the sleeve 130 at different temperatures.

[0046] In order to identify information about the semen suspension within the carrier 100:

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, the sleeve 130 also includes an identification ring 133; the identification ring 133 is fitted onto the cylinder 131, and its outer surface is provided with an identification code for identifying information about the semen suspension contained in the liquid storage groove 111; the identification code is composed of multiple arrayed identification grooves.

[0048] In this embodiment, by fitting the identification ring 133 onto the cylinder 131 and providing an identification code on its outer surface, the operator can identify the information of the semen suspension in the carrier mechanism 100 according to the identification code; at the same time, by setting the identification code to be composed of multiple arrayed identification grooves, the influence of temperature changes on the adhesion of the identification code is avoided, thus ensuring the firmness and recognizability of the identification code.

[0049] To facilitate the placement and removal of semen suspension within the liquid storage tank 111:

[0050] like Figure 4 As shown, the carrier rod 110 is provided with an operating plane 113; the opening of the liquid storage tank 111 is located on the operating plane 113, so as to facilitate the removal and placement of semen suspension in the liquid storage tank 111.

[0051] In this embodiment, by setting an operating plane 113 on the carrier rod 110 and placing the opening of the liquid storage tank 111 on the operating plane 113, the operator can easily pick up and put down the semen suspension in the liquid storage tank 111 under a microscope, which effectively improves the accuracy and repeatability of picking up and putting down the semen suspension.

[0052] To prevent the semen suspension in the reservoir 111 from being poured out during operation:

[0053] like Figure 2 As shown, the support mechanism 100 also includes a handle 140; the handle 140 is provided with a guide plane 141; the guide plane 141 is parallel to the operating plane 113 and faces the same direction, and is used to control the direction of the opening of the liquid storage groove 111.

[0054] In this embodiment, by setting the guide plane 141 and the operating plane 113 to be parallel to each other and facing the same direction, the operator can determine the opening direction of the liquid storage tank 111 according to the guide plane 141 on the handle 140, thereby always keeping the opening of the liquid storage tank 111 facing upward, thus avoiding pouring out the semen suspension in the liquid storage tank 111 during operation.

[0055] To avoid the influence of operator's hand heat on the semen suspension, and to reduce the chance of operator's hands getting frostbite during the procedure:

[0056] like Figure 2 As shown, the load-bearing mechanism 100 also includes a protective sleeve 150; the protective sleeve 150 is fitted onto the grip 140 to reduce the heat exchange rate between the grip 140 and the outside environment.

[0057] In this embodiment, by fitting the protective cover 150 onto the handle 140, the rate of heat exchange between the handle 140 and the outside environment is reduced. During normal temperature operation, the protective cover 150 slows down the transfer of heat from the operator's hands to the handle 140, thereby avoiding the influence of the operator's hand heat on the semen suspension. During vitrification and cryopreservation, the protective cover 150 reduces the rate of temperature decrease at the contact surface between the handle 140 and the operator's hands, thereby reducing the probability of frostbite on the operator's hands during the operation.

[0058] To reduce the mortality rate of semen during bulk freezing:

[0059] like Figure 1 As shown, it also includes a temporary storage mechanism 200; the temporary storage mechanism 200 includes an overhead support 210 and a refrigeration structure 220; the overhead support 210 is connected to the refrigeration structure 220 and is used to tilt and suspend the refrigeration structure 220; the refrigeration structure 220 is used to temporarily store the support mechanism 100 at low temperature to maintain the activity of the semen in the liquid storage tank 111.

[0060] To enable the refrigeration structure 220 to temporarily store the supporting mechanism 100 at low temperatures:

[0061] like Figures 5-6As shown, the refrigeration structure 220 includes a temporary storage tray 221 and multiple series pipes 222; the temporary storage tray 221 has multiple support slots and multiple cooling guide holes; the support mechanism 100 is slidably inserted into the support slot, and the identification ring 133 abuts against the support slot to limit the movement of the support mechanism 100 in the support slot; adjacent cooling guide holes are connected in series through series pipes 222 to form a channel for the flow of cooling medium, which is used to reduce the temperature of the support mechanism 100 through the circulation of cooling medium during temporary storage.

[0062] In this embodiment, a cooling medium is introduced into the channel formed by the cooling guide hole and the series pipe 222. During the flow of the cooling medium in the channel, heat exchange occurs between the cooling medium and the temporary storage tray 221, so that the temperature of the temporary storage tray 221 reaches the preset range. After the heat exchange, the cooling medium leaves the channel and flows back into the refrigeration equipment. Then, the support mechanism 100 is inserted into the support slot on the temporary storage tray 221. During this process, the sleeve 130 is inserted into the slot at an angle along the axis of the support slot. After the marking ring 133 on the sleeve 130 abuts against the support slot, the support mechanism 100 is fixed to the temporary storage tray 221. The temporary storage tray 221 maintains the activity of the semen in the liquid storage tank 111 by exchanging heat with the sleeve 130.

[0063] In addition, by tilting and suspending the refrigeration structure 220, the support mechanism 100 temporarily stored in the support slot is in an inclined state, which further increases the tilt angle of the liquid storage groove 111 and reduces the thickness of the semen suspension in the liquid storage groove 111, thereby reducing the pressure on the sperm in the semen suspension.

[0064] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and not to limit it. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. A micro-sperm cryopreservation carrier, characterized in that: Including the load-bearing mechanism (100); The bearing mechanism (100) includes an elongated support rod (110); One end of the carrier rod (110) is provided with at least one liquid storage groove (111) for accommodating semen suspension, and the liquid storage groove (111) is a concave cavity extending from the bottom of the cavity to the opening; The extension direction of the liquid storage groove (111) is inclined relative to the axis of the carrier rod (110) so that the inner wall of the liquid storage groove (111) can limit the semen suspension that has a tendency to detach.

2. The micro-sperm cryopreservation carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer surface of the support rod (110) is provided with a cooling groove (112); The cooling groove (112) is located on the lower side of the bottom of the liquid storage groove (111) cavity to reduce the wall thickness of the bottom area of ​​the liquid storage groove (111) cavity.

3. The micro-sperm cryopreservation carrier according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bearing mechanism (100) further includes a sealing plug (120) and a sleeve (130); The carrier rod (110) with the liquid storage groove (111) is slidably inserted into the sleeve (130) at one end, and connected to the sealing plug (120) at the other end; The sealing plug (120) is slidably inserted into the sleeve (130), and one end of it connected to the carrier rod (110) abuts against the inner wall of the sleeve (130) to seal, so as to cooperate with the sleeve (130) to form a closed cavity for separating the carrier rod (110) from the outside.

4. The micro-sperm cryopreservation carrier according to claim 3, characterized in that: One end of the sealing plug (120) is provided with an outwardly inclined compensating surface (121), and the other end is provided with an inwardly inclined sealing surface (122); The sleeve (130) includes a cylindrical body (131) and a plurality of elastic grippers (132); Multiple elastic grippers (132) are connected to the cylinder (131) and are arranged in a circumferential array around the axis of the cylinder (131); The protrusions on the inner side of the multiple elastic grippers (132) abut against the outward tilting compensation surface (121) to apply radial preload to the sealing plug (120) so that the inward tilting sealing surface (122) abuts against the inner wall of the sleeve (130) to seal under different temperature conditions.

5. The micro-sperm cryopreservation carrier according to claim 4, characterized in that: The sleeve (130) also includes an identification ring (133); The identification ring (133) is fitted onto the cylinder (131), and its outer surface is provided with an identification code for identifying the information of the semen suspension contained in the liquid storage groove (111); The identification code consists of multiple identification grooves arranged in an array.

6. The micro-sperm cryopreservation carrier according to claim 5, characterized in that: The carrier rod (110) is provided with an operating plane (113); The opening of the liquid storage tank (111) is located on the operating plane (113) to facilitate the placement and removal of semen suspension in the liquid storage tank (111).

7. The micro-sperm cryopreservation carrier according to claim 6, characterized in that: The load-bearing mechanism (100) also includes a handle (140); The grip (140) is provided with a guide plane (141); The guiding plane (141) is parallel to the operating plane (113) and faces the same direction, and is used to control the direction of the opening of the liquid storage groove (111).

8. The micro-sperm cryopreservation carrier according to claim 7, characterized in that: The load-bearing mechanism (100) also includes a protective sleeve (150); The protective cover (150) is fitted onto the grip (140) to reduce the rate of heat exchange between the grip (140) and the outside environment.

9. The micro-sperm cryopreservation carrier according to claim 8, characterized in that: It also includes temporary storage facilities (200); The temporary storage mechanism (200) includes an overhead support (210) and a refrigeration structure (220); The overhead support (210) is connected to the refrigeration structure (220) and is used to tilt and suspend the refrigeration structure (220) in the air. The refrigeration structure (220) is used to temporarily store the carrier mechanism (100) at low temperature to maintain the activity of the semen in the liquid storage tank (111).

10. The micro-sperm cryopreservation carrier according to claim 9, characterized in that: The refrigeration structure (220) includes a temporary storage tray (221) and multiple series pipes (222); The temporary storage tray (221) is provided with multiple bearing slots and multiple cooling guide holes; The support mechanism (100) is slidably inserted into the support slot, and the marking ring (133) abuts against the support slot to restrict the movement of the support mechanism (100) within the support slot; The adjacent cooling guide holes are connected in series by the series pipe (222) to form a channel for the flow of cooling medium, which is used to reduce the temperature of the bearing mechanism (100) by circulating the cooling medium during the temporary storage process.

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