An embryo culture imaging device for reproductive embryos

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of embryo culture and discloses an embryo culture imaging device for reproductive embryos, comprising: a mounting frame fixedly installed on the inner wall of an embryo culture chamber by bolts, wherein an embryo culture imaging mechanism is provided on the mounting frame; the embryo culture imaging mechanism includes a T-shaped block, a connecting block, a servo motor, a rotating shaft, a CCD camera, a vertical frame, a rotating plate, and a spotlight; the T-shaped block is engaged with the mounting frame, the side of the T-shaped block is fixedly connected to the connecting block, the servo motor is fixedly installed at the bottom of the connecting block, the output end of the servo motor is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft, the CCD camera is fixedly installed on the rotating shaft, the vertical frame is fixedly installed at the top of the rotating shaft, and the rotating plate is rotatably installed on the vertical frame. This utility model has the following advantages and effects: it facilitates rapid and synchronous imaging and observation of embryos in the embryo culture chamber, and allows for quick and easy removal from the embryo culture chamber during subsequent maintenance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of embryo culture technology, and in particular to an embryo culture imaging device for reproductive embryos. Background Technology

[0002] When embryos are cultured in an incubator, staff need to take images of the embryos at regular intervals to comprehensively record their developmental status at each stage. Image algorithms are then used to identify morphological parameters, enabling assessment, analysis, and screening of the embryos. Each time staff observe an embryo, they must remove the culture dish containing the fertilized egg or embryo from the incubator and place it under an inverted microscope for manual observation. During this observation process, the fertilized egg or embryo is removed from the stable incubator environment and is subject to drastic changes in temperature and gas concentration. Furthermore, recording images using an inverted microscope is cumbersome, increasing the in vitro observation time and potentially impacting the embryo's developmental potential.

[0003] Therefore, the prior art disclosed in CN110129201B is an embryo time difference culture device. The light-emitting element and the imaging device of the device are located in the upper and lower parts of the culture module, respectively. Both the light-emitting element and the imaging device have independent motion structures to move in the incubator, so as to observe the embryos in each culture chamber in the incubator in real time without having to remove the embryo culture chamber.

[0004] However, the light-emitting element and the imaging device of this device each have independent moving mechanisms, which requires additional control structures and methods to align the upper light-emitting element and the lower imaging device vertically when observing embryos in the culture chamber. This makes the operation inconvenient, and it is also inconvenient to quickly remove the device from the embryo culture chamber for maintenance. Therefore, it is necessary to design an embryo culture imaging device for reproductive embryos to solve the above problems.

[0005] The information disclosed in this background section is intended only to enhance the understanding of the overall background of this utility model and should not be construed as an admission or in any way implying that the information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an embryo culture imaging device for reproductive embryos to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0007] The above-mentioned technical objective of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution: an embryo culture imaging device for reproductive embryos, comprising: An embryo culture imaging mechanism is provided on a mounting frame that is fixedly installed on the inner wall of the embryo culture chamber by bolts. The embryo culture imaging mechanism includes a T-block, a connecting block, a servo motor, a rotating shaft, a CCD camera, a vertical frame, a rotating plate, and a spotlight; The T-shaped block is snapped into the mounting bracket, the side of the T-shaped block is fixedly connected to the connecting block, the servo motor is fixedly installed at the bottom of the connecting block, the output end of the servo motor is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft, the CCD camera is fixedly installed on the rotating shaft, the vertical frame is fixedly installed at the top of the rotating shaft, the rotating plate is rotatably installed on the vertical frame, and the spotlight is fixedly installed on the rotating plate.

[0008] A further feature of this invention is that the embryo culture imaging mechanism includes a support plate, a positioning plate, a gear, a toothed plate, and a steel limiting member. The support plate is fixedly installed on the top of the connecting block, the positioning plate is slidably installed on the support plate, the positioning plate is engaged with the mounting frame, the gear is fixedly sleeved on the outside of the rotating shaft, the toothed plate is fixedly installed on the positioning plate, the gear meshes with the toothed plate, and the steel limiting member is engaged with the rotating plate.

[0009] A further feature of this invention is that the mounting bracket has a T-shaped groove, and the T-shaped block is engaged with the T-shaped groove.

[0010] By adopting the above technical solution, it is convenient to splice the connecting blocks.

[0011] A further feature of this invention is that the mounting bracket has a positioning hole on its side, and the positioning plate is engaged with the positioning hole.

[0012] A further feature of this invention is that the top of the rotating plate has two limiting holes, and the steel limiting component is engaged with the limiting holes.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, the rotating plate can be limited.

[0014] A further feature of this invention is that a movable plate is fixedly installed at the bottom of the steel limiting member, and the movable plate is vertically slidably mounted on the vertical frame.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, the steel limiting component can move stably in the vertical direction.

[0016] A further feature of this invention is that the spotlight is located directly above the CCD camera.

[0017] A further feature of this invention is that the steel limiting member contacts the top of the vertical frame.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this utility model are: This invention features an integrated rotating shaft design for its embryo culture imaging mechanism. The CCD camera and spotlight are fixed on the same rotating shaft and driven synchronously by a servo motor. No additional control structure is needed to adjust their positions, ensuring they remain coaxially aligned at all times. The external control panel can preset the servo motor rotation angle, enabling automatic switching observation of embryos in multiple culture dishes, significantly improving observation efficiency and adapting to the needs of batch embryo culture monitoring. Disassembly only requires unlocking the positioning plate via the control panel, rotating the spotlight to avoid obstruction, and pulling the T-block to remove the entire imaging mechanism, eliminating the need for complex tools and greatly shortening maintenance time. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embryo culture imaging device for reproductive embryos proposed in this utility model. Figure 1 .

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embryo culture imaging device for reproductive embryos proposed in this utility model. Figure 2 .

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embryo culture imaging device for reproductive embryos proposed in this utility model. Figure 3 .

[0023] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of part A in the diagram.

[0024] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of part B in the diagram.

[0025] In the diagram, 1. Mounting bracket; 2. T-block; 3. Connecting block; 4. Servo motor; 5. Rotating shaft; 6. Support plate; 7. Positioning plate; 8. Gear; 9. Tooth plate; 10. CCD camera; 11. Vertical frame; 12. Rotating plate; 13. Spotlight; 14. Steel limiting component; 15. Moving plate. Detailed Implementation

[0026] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection" and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; 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 connection of two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model can be understood through the specific circumstances.

[0027] The technical solution of this utility model will now be clearly and completely described with reference to specific embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this utility model, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0028] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 This utility model provides an embryo culture imaging device for reproductive embryos, comprising: Mounting bracket 1 is fixed to the inner wall of the embryo culture chamber by bolts. Mounting bracket 1 is equipped with an embryo culture imaging mechanism. It should be noted that this facilitates rapid and synchronous imaging observation and processing of embryos in the embryo culture chamber, and allows for quick and easy removal from the inside of the embryo culture chamber during later maintenance. The embryo culture imaging mechanism includes a T-shaped block 2, a connecting block 3, a servo motor 4, a rotating shaft 5, a CCD camera 10, a vertical frame 11, a rotating plate 12, and a spotlight 13; T-block 2 is snapped into the mounting bracket 1. The side of T-block 2 is fixedly connected to the connecting block 3. Servo motor 4 is fixedly installed at the bottom of the connecting block 3. The output end of servo motor 4 is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 5. CCD camera 10 is fixedly installed on the rotating shaft 5. Vertical frame 11 is fixedly installed on the top of the rotating shaft 5. Rotating plate 12 is rotatably installed on vertical frame 11. Spotlight 13 is fixedly installed on rotating plate 12.

[0029] With the above structure, the embryo culture chamber is equipped with a circular placement seat. The top of the circular placement seat has equally spaced grooves for placing culture dishes. Culture dishes are placed in the grooves. Both the circular placement seat and the culture dishes are made of transparent material. The CCD camera 10 is located directly below a culture dish, and the spotlight 13 is located directly above a culture dish. The spotlight 13 illuminates the culture dish, and the CCD camera 10 can acquire embryo observation images with a bright field of view. Subsequently, the rotation of the servo motor 4 is controlled so that the CCD camera 10 and the spotlight 13 can rotate synchronously. Only the servo motor 4 needs to be started to ensure synchronous rotation. Because the CCD camera 10 and the spotlight 13 can move as a unit, no additional control structure is required, making the operation relatively convenient.

[0030] It should be added that the external control panel of the embryo incubator is connected to the CCD camera 10, spotlight 13 and servo motor 4 via a reserved wire. The angle of rotation of the servo motor 4 is set in advance, so as to ensure that the CCD camera 10 and spotlight 13 can move to the position of the adjacent culture dish after rotation.

[0031] Specifically, the embryo culture imaging mechanism also includes a support plate 6, a positioning plate 7, a gear 8, a toothed plate 9, and a steel limiting member 14. The support plate 6 is fixedly installed on the top of the connecting block 3. The positioning plate 7 is slidably installed on the support plate 6 and is engaged with the mounting frame 1. The gear 8 is fixedly sleeved on the outside of the rotating shaft 5. The toothed plate 9 is fixedly installed on the positioning plate 7 and meshes with the toothed plate 9. The steel limiting member 14 is engaged with the rotating plate 12.

[0032] With the above structure, each time it is used, the output end of the servo motor 4 is controlled to rotate one revolution and then reverse, and so on, so that the positioning plate 7 is always stuck on the mounting frame 1. When it is necessary to remove it, first pull the steel limiting piece 14 to separate the steel limiting piece 14 from the rotating plate 12, rotate the rotating plate 12 to move the spotlight 13 away from the top of the culture dish, and then control the output end of the servo motor 4 to rotate counterclockwise several times until the positioning plate 7 is separated from the mounting frame 1. Then pull the T-shaped block 2 forward to remove the T-shaped block 2 from the mounting frame 1, and then move the connecting block 3 down to remove the vertical frame 11 from the circular placement seat. At this time, the embryo culture imaging mechanism can be removed for maintenance, which is relatively convenient.

[0033] Specifically, the mounting bracket 1 has a T-slot, the T-block 2 is engaged with the T-slot, the mounting bracket 1 has a positioning hole on the side, and the positioning plate 7 is engaged with the positioning hole. It should be noted that this facilitates the limiting of the connecting block 3.

[0034] Specifically, the top of the rotating plate 12 has two limiting holes, and the steel limiting member 14 is engaged with the limiting holes. The bottom of the steel limiting member 14 is fixedly provided with a movable plate 15, which is vertically slidably installed on the vertical frame 11. The steel limiting member 14 is in contact with the top of the vertical frame 11. It should be noted that the steel limiting member 14 has a certain weight and high strength, which can stably support the rotating plate 12.

[0035] Specifically, the spotlight 13 is located directly above the CCD camera 10. It should be noted that, to facilitate imaging of the embryo, the CCD camera 10 features high resolution, low noise, and high dynamic range. Its pixel count can easily reach over 20 million, enabling it to clearly capture minute features such as cell morphology and division details of the embryo, meeting the accuracy requirements for embryo development monitoring.

[0036] Working principle: S1: The inner wall of the embryo culture chamber is fixed with the mounting frame 1 by bolts. An annular transparent placement seat is set inside the chamber, with culture dish placement slots opened at equal intervals on it. The culture dish of the embryo to be observed is placed in the slot. When the device is assembled, the embryo culture imaging mechanism is positioned by engaging with the T-slot of the mounting frame 1 through the T-block 2. In the initial state, the CCD camera 10 is fixed at the bottom of the rotating shaft 5 and directly below one of the culture dishes. The vertical frame 11 is fixed at the top of the rotating shaft 5. The rotating plate 12 is engaged and limited by the steel limiting piece 14. The steel limiting piece 14 is embedded into the limiting hole of the rotating plate 12 under its own weight. The bottom moving plate 15 is vertically limited along the vertical frame 11, so that the spotlight 13 is precisely aligned with the top of the CCD camera 10, forming a coaxial observation structure. At the same time, the servo motor 4 drives the rotating shaft 5 to drive the gear 8 to mesh with the toothed plate 9, so that the positioning plate 7 slides laterally along the support plate 6 and is engaged with the positioning hole of the mounting frame 1. At the same time, it rotates several times to ensure that the positioning plate 7 does not fall off laterally, thus completing the lateral fixation of the entire mechanism and ensuring the stability of the structure during the observation process. S2: During imaging observation, the spotlight 13 and CCD camera 10 are activated via the external control panel. The light emitted by the spotlight 13 penetrates the transparent culture dish and the placement base, providing uniform illumination for the embryo. The high-resolution CCD camera 10 captures minute features such as embryonic cell morphology and division details. The image data is transmitted to the control panel in real time via a reserved line, realizing contactless recording of the embryonic development status. When it is necessary to switch to the next culture dish, the control panel controls the servo motor 4 to rotate at a preset angle. The rotating shaft 5 synchronously drives the CCD camera 10, the vertical frame 11, the rotating plate 12, and the spotlight 13 to rotate. Since all components are fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 5, the spotlight 13 is always kept directly above the CCD camera 10, and can be accurately aligned with the next culture dish without additional calibration. The servo motor 4 automatically stops after rotating to the correct position, and the spotlight 13 and CCD camera 10 start imaging again. This cycle is repeated to complete the continuous observation of all embryos in the culture dishes. The incubator does not need to be turned on throughout the process, avoiding the influence of changes in external temperature and gas concentration on the embryo. S3: When maintenance is required, the operator first pulls the steel limiting piece 14 upward to disengage it from the limiting hole of the rotating plate 12, thereby releasing the rotation restriction of the rotating plate 12. Then, the rotating plate 12 is rotated to move the spotlight 13 away from the top of the culture dish to a safe position to prevent collision during disassembly. Next, the servo motor 4 is controlled to rotate counterclockwise through the control panel. The rotating shaft 5 drives the gear 8 to mesh with the toothed plate 9 in the opposite direction, driving the positioning plate 7 to slide laterally along the support plate 6 until it is completely disengaged from the positioning hole of the mounting bracket 1, thus releasing the lateral fixation of the mechanism. Then, the connecting block 3 is pulled forward to allow the T-block 2 to slide off along the T-slot of the mounting bracket 1. The entire mechanism is then moved downward to allow the vertical frame 11 to move out of the central area of ​​the annular placement seat. The entire embryo culture imaging mechanism can then be removed from the incubator for cleaning, repair, or replacement of components. After maintenance, the assembly can be performed in reverse order.

[0037] The above provides a detailed description of the embryo culture imaging device for reproductive embryos provided by this utility model. Specific embodiments have been used to illustrate the principle and implementation of this utility model. The descriptions of the embodiments above are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core idea of ​​this utility model. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications to this utility model without departing from the principle of this utility model, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. An embryo culture imaging device for reproductive embryos, characterized in that, include: The mounting frame (1) is fixed to the inner wall of the embryo culture chamber by bolts, and the mounting frame (1) is provided with an embryo culture imaging mechanism; The embryo culture imaging mechanism includes a T-shaped block (2), a connecting block (3), a servo motor (4), a rotating shaft (5), a CCD camera (10), a vertical frame (11), a rotating plate (12), and a spotlight (13). The T-shaped block (2) is engaged with the mounting bracket (1), the side of the T-shaped block (2) is fixedly connected to the connecting block (3), the servo motor (4) is fixedly installed at the bottom of the connecting block (3), the output end of the servo motor (4) is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft (5), the CCD camera (10) is fixedly installed on the rotating shaft (5), the vertical frame (11) is fixedly installed on the top of the rotating shaft (5), the rotating plate (12) is rotatably installed on the vertical frame (11), and the spotlight (13) is fixedly installed on the rotating plate (12).

2. The embryo culture imaging device for reproductive embryos according to claim 1, characterized in that, The embryo culture imaging mechanism also includes a support plate (6), a positioning plate (7), a gear (8), a toothed plate (9), and a steel limiting member (14). The support plate (6) is fixedly installed on the top of the connecting block (3). The positioning plate (7) is slidably installed on the support plate (6). The positioning plate (7) is engaged with the mounting frame (1). The gear (8) is fixedly sleeved on the outside of the rotating shaft (5). The toothed plate (9) is fixedly installed on the positioning plate (7). The gear (8) meshes with the toothed plate (9). The steel limiting member (14) is engaged with the rotating plate (12).

3. The embryo culture imaging device for reproductive embryos according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting bracket (1) has a T-shaped groove, and the T-shaped block (2) is engaged with the T-shaped groove.

4. The embryo culture imaging device for reproductive embryos according to claim 2, characterized in that, The mounting bracket (1) has a positioning hole on its side, and the positioning plate (7) is engaged with the positioning hole.

5. The embryo culture imaging device for reproductive embryos according to claim 2, characterized in that, The top of the rotating plate (12) has two limiting holes, and the steel limiting piece (14) is engaged with the limiting holes.

6. The embryo culture imaging device for reproductive embryos according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bottom of the steel limiting member (14) is fixedly provided with a movable plate (15), which is vertically slidably installed on the vertical frame (11).

7. The embryo culture imaging device for reproductive embryos according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spotlight (13) is located directly above the CCD camera (10).

8. The embryo culture imaging device for reproductive embryos according to claim 2, characterized in that, The steel limiting member (14) is in contact with the top of the vertical frame (11).

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