A cell observation module and a cell culture apparatus

Abstract

The utility model discloses a cell observation module and cell culture equipment, cell observation module includes cell observation platform, elevating system and bearing mechanism, and the upper surface of cell observation platform has an observation area, elevating system fixedly arranged on the upper surface of cell observation platform one side, bearing mechanism is connected on elevating system, and can move up and down relative to cell observation platform, and the bottom of bearing mechanism is equipped with the opening, and when the culture bottle of observation is placed in bearing mechanism, the bottom of culture bottle is protruding the bottom of bearing mechanism from the opening, and is suitable for following bearing mechanism's up and down movement and observation area contact or separate. The technical scheme of the utility model can ensure that the culture bottle is accurately placed in the observation area of cell observation platform, and ensures that the bottom of culture bottle and the glass surface of cell observation area completely match.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of cell culture technology, and in particular to a cell observation module and cell culture equipment. Background Technology

[0002] During cell culture, it is necessary to observe the growth status of cells. Due to the optical characteristics of the cell observation platform, it is necessary to ensure that the culture flask is accurately placed in the observation area of ​​the cell observation platform and that the bottom of the culture flask is completely in contact with the glass surface of the cell observation platform.

[0003] To automate cell culture, it is necessary to ensure that the automated cell culture equipment meets both of the above requirements while transferring the culture flask from the previous working point to the cell observation platform. Therefore, it is necessary to propose a new cell observation module and cell culture equipment.

[0004] The statements herein provide only background information relating to this invention and do not necessarily constitute prior art. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a cell observation module and cell culture equipment to ensure that the culture flask is accurately placed in the observation area of ​​the cell observation platform and that the bottom of the culture flask is completely in contact with the glass surface of the cell observation area.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model is implemented through the following technical solution:

[0007] In a first aspect, this utility model provides a cell observation module, comprising: a cell observation platform having an observation area on its upper surface; a lifting mechanism fixedly disposed on one side of the upper surface of the cell observation platform; and a support mechanism connected to the lifting mechanism and capable of moving up and down relative to the cell observation platform; wherein, the bottom of the support mechanism has an opening, and when a culture flask to be observed is placed on the support mechanism, the bottom of the culture flask protrudes from the opening from the bottom of the support mechanism, and is adapted to contact or separate from the observation area as the support mechanism moves up and down.

[0008] Compared with existing technologies, the cell observation module provided by this utility model includes a cell observation platform, a lifting mechanism, and a supporting mechanism. The lifting mechanism is used to move the supporting mechanism up and down. The supporting mechanism is used to place the culture flask to be observed, and the bottom of the supporting mechanism has an opening. When the culture flask is placed on the supporting mechanism, the bottom of the culture flask protrudes from the opening from the bottom of the supporting mechanism. During the downward movement of the supporting mechanism by the lifting mechanism, since the bottom of the culture flask is lower than the bottom of the supporting mechanism, the bottom of the culture flask will first contact the observation area of ​​the cell observation platform. As the lifting mechanism continues to move the supporting mechanism downward, the lifting mechanism and the culture flask automatically separate, and the bottom of the culture flask will completely fit against the observation area of ​​the cell observation platform. Furthermore, the lifting mechanism can move the supporting mechanism up and down along a fixed path, ensuring that the bottom of the culture flask is accurately placed in the observation area of ​​the cell observation platform.

[0009] In some embodiments, the upper edge of the opening is chamfered.

[0010] In some embodiments, the top of the culture flask has a first width, the bottom of the culture flask has a second width that is smaller than the first width, and the width of the opening is smaller than the first width and larger than the second width.

[0011] In some embodiments, the top of the culture flask extends outward in a horizontal direction to form a flange, which engages with the opening when the culture flask is placed on the support mechanism.

[0012] In some embodiments, the supporting mechanism includes: a connecting plate connected to the lifting mechanism; two side walls connected to and opposite to the connecting plate; and a base plate located between the two side walls, wherein the opening is provided on the base plate.

[0013] In some embodiments, the side of the support mechanism opposite to the connecting plate is open to allow the culture flask to enter the support mechanism horizontally.

[0014] In some embodiments, the cell observation module further includes a mechanical gripper, which includes an upper gripper and a lower gripper for gripping the upper and lower surfaces of the culture flask, respectively. The mechanical gripper is used to transport the culture flask to the carrying mechanism in a horizontal direction. A notch communicating with the opening is provided on the side of the base plate away from the connecting plate, and the width of the notch is greater than the lateral width of the mechanical gripper.

[0015] In some embodiments, the load-bearing mechanism further includes a reinforcing rib connecting the upper ends of the two sidewalls away from the connecting plate.

[0016] In some embodiments, the lifting mechanism includes: a guide rail extending in a vertical direction and disposed on the cell observation platform; a slider disposed on the guide rail, the slider being able to move up and down along the guide rail, and a support mechanism being fixedly connected to the slider.

[0017] Secondly, the present invention provides a cell culture device, including the cell observation module described in any one of the first aspects of the present invention.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the cell culture equipment provided by this utility model, including the above-mentioned cell observation module, can ensure that the culture flask to be observed is accurately placed in the observation area of ​​the cell observation platform, and ensure that the bottom of the culture flask is completely in contact with the glass surface of the cell observation area, while realizing the automation of cell culture. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a cell observation module provided in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a support mechanism provided in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a support mechanism for placing a culture bottle, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0023] 100-Cell observation platform; 110-Observation area; 200-Lifting mechanism; 300-Bearing mechanism; 310-Connecting plate; 320-Side wall; 330-Base plate; 340-Opening; 350-Reinforcing rib; 400-Mechanical gripper; 10-Cultivation flask. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, provides a further detailed explanation of the cell observation module and cell culture device proposed in this utility model. The advantages and features of this utility model will become clearer from the following description. It should be noted that the accompanying drawings are in a very simplified form and use non-precise proportions, used only to facilitate and clearly illustrate the embodiments of this utility model. Please refer to the accompanying drawings to make the objectives, features, and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable. It should be understood that the structures, proportions, sizes, etc., depicted in the accompanying drawings are only used to complement the content disclosed in the specification, for those skilled in the art to understand and read, and are not intended to limit the implementation conditions of this utility model. Therefore, they have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in proportions, or adjustments to the size, without affecting the effects and objectives achieved by this utility model, should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed in this utility model.

[0025] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the cell observation module provided in this embodiment. Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the support mechanism provided in this embodiment. The cell observation module includes a cell observation platform 100, a lifting mechanism 200, and a support mechanism 300.

[0026] The upper surface of the cell observation platform 100 has an observation area 110. The culture flask 10 to be observed needs to be precisely transferred to the observation area 110, ensuring that the bottom of the culture flask 10 is completely in contact with the glass surface of the observation area 110 for effective observation. In this embodiment, the observation area 110 is rectangular. In other embodiments, the shape of the observation area 110 may also be other shapes; this embodiment does not impose specific limitations.

[0027] The lifting mechanism 200 is located on one side of the upper surface of the cell observation platform 100, and the supporting mechanism 300 is connected to the lifting mechanism 200, which can move up and down relative to the cell observation platform 100 under the drive of the lifting mechanism 200.

[0028] The support mechanism 300 is used to support the culture flask 10 and smoothly transfer it to the observation area 110 of the cell observation platform 100, avoiding any vibration to the cells inside the culture flask 10. The support mechanism 300 has an opening 340 at its bottom (see...). Figure 2When the culture flask 10 is placed on the support mechanism 300, the bottom of the culture flask 10 protrudes from the opening 340 of the support mechanism 300 and contacts and separates from the observation area 110 as the support mechanism 300 moves up and down. Specifically, when the culture flask 10 is placed on the support mechanism 300, the bottom of the culture flask 10 is lower than the bottom of the support mechanism 300. During the descent of the support mechanism 300, the bottom of the culture flask 10 will first contact the observation area 110. At this time, as the support mechanism 300 continues to descend, it will separate from the culture flask 10, and the support mechanism 300 will no longer provide support for the culture flask 10. The bottom of the culture flask 10 can fully contact the observation area 110 of the cell observation platform 100, ensuring complete contact. During the ascent of the support mechanism 300, the culture flask 10 will be lifted by the support mechanism 300, causing the culture flask 10 to separate from the observation area 110.

[0029] Specifically, the support mechanism 300 is positioned directly above the cell observation platform 100, and the opening 340 is directly opposite the observation area 110, so that when the culture bottle 10 is placed on the support mechanism 300, the culture bottle 10 can be accurately transferred to the observation area 110 by the up and down movement of the support mechanism 300.

[0030] This embodiment provides a cell observation module. By providing an opening 340 at the bottom of the support mechanism 300, the bottom of the culture flask 10 to be observed protrudes from the opening 340 from the bottom of the support mechanism 300 when it is placed in the support mechanism 300. That is, when the culture flask 10 is placed in the support mechanism 300, the bottom of the culture flask 10 is lower than the bottom of the support mechanism 300. Therefore, during the downward movement of the support mechanism 300, the bottom of the culture flask 10 contacts the observation area 110 before the support mechanism 300. When the support mechanism 300 reaches its lowest point, it separates from the culture flask 10 and no longer provides support, ensuring that the bottom of the culture flask 10 is completely in contact with the glass surface of the observation area 110, achieving effective observation. Furthermore, the opening 340 of the support mechanism 300 is vertically opposite to the observation area 110, allowing the support mechanism 300 to accurately transfer the culture flask 10 to the observation area 110.

[0031] Specifically, to achieve this effect, in one embodiment of this invention, the top of the culture flask 10 has a first width, and the bottom of the culture flask 10 has a second width, with the second width being smaller than the first width. The width of the opening 340 is smaller than the first width but larger than the second width. In other words, the bottom of the culture flask 10 is narrower than the opening 340, and the top of the culture flask 10 is wider than the opening 340. This design allows the bottom of the culture flask 10 to protrude downwards from the opening 340 during placement in the supporting mechanism 300, while simultaneously being received by the opening 340, preventing it from falling directly.

[0032] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the support mechanism 300 that holds the culture bottle 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the top of the culture bottle 10 has a horizontally extending flange that can engage with the opening 340. It should be noted that in some other embodiments of the present invention, the engagement position between the opening 340 and the culture bottle 10 can also be located in the middle of the culture bottle 10, and this application does not impose specific limitations here.

[0033] Furthermore, to avoid shaking that could cause oscillation of the cells within the culture flask 10, the transfer of the culture flask 10 to the support mechanism 300 should also be automated mechanically. For example, a robotic arm with a suction cup at its front end could be used to adhere to the upper surface of the culture flask 10 and transfer it to the support mechanism 300. However, since the observation position, i.e., the placement of the culture flask 10, significantly affects the observation results, high precision is required for the robotic arm's movement. To achieve more accurate placement of the culture flask 10, such as... Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the opening 340 has a shape that matches the culture flask 10. This design can further simplify the positioning of the culture flask 10 and prevent the culture flask 10 from shifting in the depth direction of the support mechanism 300. It should be noted that in other embodiments of this utility model, the opening 10 can also be designed with other shapes, or it can be limited by setting vertical partitions, etc. This application does not make specific limitations here.

[0034] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the upper edge of the opening 340 of the support mechanism 300 is chamfered; see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the support mechanism 300 according to an embodiment of the present utility model. The upper edge of the opening 340 is chamfered, which has a certain guiding function and can reduce the precision requirements for transporting the culture bottle 10 to the support mechanism 300 to a certain extent.

[0035] Specifically, please refer to Figure 2 In some embodiments, the supporting mechanism 300 includes a connecting plate 310, two side walls 320, and a bottom plate 330. The connecting plate 310 is used to connect to the lifting mechanism 200. The two side walls 320 are connected to the connecting plate 310 and are disposed opposite to each other. The bottom plate 330 is disposed between the two side walls 320. In this embodiment, the supporting mechanism 300 is connected to the lifting mechanism 200 through the connecting plate 310. An opening 340 is disposed on the bottom plate 330 so that when the supporting mechanism 300 carries the culture bottle 10, the bottom of the culture bottle 10 is lower than the bottom plate 330. Both side walls 320 are connected to the connecting plate 310 and the bottom plate 330 to enhance the structural strength of the supporting mechanism 300.

[0036] Specifically, the side of the support mechanism 300 opposite to the connecting plate 310 is open to allow the culture bottle 10 to enter the support mechanism 300 from the horizontal direction. The culture bottle 10 can enter the support mechanism 300 not only from above in the vertical direction, but also from the side of the support mechanism 300 opposite to the connecting plate in the horizontal direction.

[0037] Mechanical grippers 400 (see [link to equipment]) are commonly used in cell culture equipment. Figure 1 The mechanical gripper 400, comprising an upper gripper and a lower gripper, is used to hold the upper and lower surfaces of the culture flask 10 between various working points. To ensure the cell observation module is compatible with the handling method of the mechanical gripper 400, eliminating the need to develop new handling structures, saving costs, and avoiding unnecessary waste of space within the cell culture equipment, the cell observation module provided in this embodiment has a notch on the side of the base plate 330 away from the connecting plate 310, communicating with the opening 340. The width of the notch is greater than the lateral width of the mechanical gripper 400, so that the mechanical gripper 400 can place the culture flask 10 downwards within the support mechanism 300 without colliding with it.

[0038] Specifically, firstly, the upper and lower jaws of the mechanical gripper 400 clamp the upper and lower surfaces of the culture flask 10, respectively. Then, the mechanical gripper 400 enters the support mechanism 300 in a horizontal direction. Next, the mechanical gripper 400 moves downward. Since the bottom width of the culture flask 10 is smaller than the opening 340, the bottom of the culture flask 10 protrudes from the bottom of the support mechanism 300 under the action of the mechanical gripper 400. The mechanical gripper 400 continues to move downward. Since the top width of the culture flask 10 is larger than the width of the opening 340, the culture flask 10 can be engaged by the opening 340. For example, the top of the culture flask 10 extends outward in a horizontal direction to form a flange with a width greater than the width of the opening 340. The flange contacts the bottom plate 330 around the opening 340 to engage the culture flask 10. At this time, the mechanical gripper 400 releases the culture flask 10 and exits the support mechanism 300 in a horizontal direction, completing the transfer of the culture flask 10 to the support mechanism 300.

[0039] In some embodiments, in order to enhance the structural strength of the support mechanism 300, the support mechanism 300 further includes a reinforcing rib 350, which connects the upper ends of the two side walls 320 away from the connecting plate 310.

[0040] Specifically, in some embodiments, the lifting mechanism 200 includes a guide rail extending in a vertical direction and a slider disposed on the guide rail. The guide rail is disposed on the cell observation platform 100, and the slider can move up and down along the guide rail. The supporting mechanism 300 is fixedly connected to the slider. Specifically, the connecting plate 310 in the supporting mechanism 300 is fixedly connected to the slider to realize the up and down movement of the supporting mechanism 300.

[0041] In summary, this embodiment provides a cell observation module, including a cell observation platform 100, a lifting mechanism 200, and a support mechanism 300. The cell observation platform 100 has an observation area 110 on its upper surface. The lifting mechanism 200 is fixedly disposed on one side of the upper surface of the cell observation platform 100. The support mechanism 300 is connected to the lifting mechanism 200 and can move up and down relative to the cell observation platform 100. The bottom of the support mechanism 300 has an opening 340. When the culture flask 10 to be observed is placed on the support mechanism 300, the bottom of the culture flask 10 protrudes from the opening 340 from the bottom of the support mechanism 300 and is adapted to contact or separate from the observation area 110 as the support mechanism 300 moves up and down. The cell observation module of this embodiment can ensure that the culture flask 10 is accurately placed in the observation area 110 of the cell observation platform 100 and ensure that the bottom of the culture flask 10 is completely in contact with the glass surface of the cell observation area 110.

[0042] Based on the same inventive concept, this embodiment also provides a cell culture device, including the cell observation module provided in this embodiment.

[0043] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0044] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center," "height," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings and 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0045] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing" 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. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0046] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0047] Although the present invention has been described in detail through the above preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the above description should not be considered as a limitation of the present invention. Various modifications and substitutions to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the above content. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cell observation module, characterized in that, include: A cell observation platform, wherein the upper surface of the cell observation platform has an observation area; A lifting mechanism is fixedly installed on one side of the upper surface of the cell observation platform; A support mechanism, which is connected to the lifting mechanism and is capable of moving up and down relative to the cell observation platform; The support mechanism has an opening at its bottom. When the culture bottle to be observed is placed on the support mechanism, the bottom of the culture bottle protrudes from the opening and is adapted to contact or separate from the observation area as the support mechanism moves up and down.

2. The cell observation module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The upper edge of the opening is chamfered.

3. The cell observation module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the culture flask has a first width, the bottom of the culture flask has a second width that is smaller than the first width, and the width of the opening is smaller than the first width and larger than the second width.

4. The cell observation module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the culture bottle extends outward in a horizontal direction to form a flange, and when the culture bottle is placed on the support mechanism, the flange engages with the opening.

5. The cell observation module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The bearing mechanism includes: The connecting plate is connected to the lifting mechanism; Two sidewalls connected to and opposite to the connecting plate; A base plate is located between the two side walls, and the opening is provided on the base plate.

6. The cell observation module as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The support mechanism has an open side opposite to the connecting plate, allowing the culture flask to enter the support mechanism horizontally.

7. The cell observation module as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The cell observation module also includes a mechanical gripper, which includes an upper gripper and a lower gripper, used to grip the upper and lower surfaces of the culture flask, respectively. The mechanical gripper is used to transport the culture flask to the support mechanism in the horizontal direction. A notch communicating with the opening is provided on the side of the base plate away from the connecting plate, and the width of the notch is greater than the lateral width of the mechanical gripper.

8. The cell observation module as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The supporting mechanism also includes: A reinforcing rib connects the upper ends of the two sidewalls away from the connecting plate.

9. The cell observation module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The lifting mechanism includes: A guide rail extending vertically is installed on the cell observation platform; A slider is mounted on the guide rail and can move up and down along the guide rail. The supporting mechanism is fixedly connected to the slider.

10. A cell culture device, characterized in that, Includes the cell observation module as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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