Valve Systems for Modular Incubator Systems

Abstract

A valve system for a modular incubator system is disclosed. The valve system includes a first valve and a second valve. Each of the first and second valves includes a valve body and a valve element. Each valve body has a front end and a rear end, and a through channel extending between the front and rear ends. Each valve element is disposed within the through channel of the valve body such that the valve element is displaceable in a displacement direction D between first and second extreme positions within the through channel, where in the first extreme position, the valve element is displaced toward the front end of the valve body, and in the second extreme position, the valve element is displaced toward the rear end of the valve body. With respect to the first and second valves, the dimensions and shapes of the valve body and the valve element are adapted to one another such that, when positioned in the first extreme position, the valve element blocks passage of the through channel between the front and rear ends of the valve body, and such that, when displaced toward the second extreme position, the first valve element provides passage of the through channel between the front and rear ends of the valve body. The valve system is used in IVF procedures in a modular incubator system that includes a combination of multiple modular incubator chambers and a docking station having multiple docking ports for receiving the modular incubator chambers. In various aspects, the present invention reduces deviations from an optimal gas composition for the gas supplied to the modular incubator chambers.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of incubation of viable biological material, and in particular to incubators for in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures.

[0002] More particularly, in a first aspect, the present invention relates to a valve system for a modular incubator system.

[0003] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a modular incubator system for incubating viable biological material.

[0004] In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a modular incubator chamber for incubating viable biological material.

[0005] In a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a docking station for docking modular incubator chambers.

[0006] In a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a valve system according to the first aspect in a modular incubator system.

[0007] In a sixth aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a modular incubator system according to the second aspect for incubating viable biological material.

[0008] In a seventh aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a modular incubator chamber according to the third aspect for incubating viable biological material.

[0009] In an eighth aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a docking station according to the fourth aspect for incubating viable biological material.

[0010] In a ninth aspect, the present invention relates to a method for incubating viable biological material. [Background technology]

[0011] Advances in in vitro fertilization (IVF) have resulted in significant improvements in methods and techniques over the past few decades, increasing the success rate of IVF pregnancy and birth.

[0012] In vitro fertilization involves retrieving mature eggs from a woman's ovaries, fertilizing the ovaries with sperm, incubating the fertilized eggs in a controlled environment, and then inserting the fertilized and incubated eggs into the woman's uterus.

[0013] As it is well known, since IVF is most commonly used by women or couples who are having problems conceiving by natural means and therefore have problems that suggest some degree of reduced fertility for the man or woman or both of the couple, and since IVF techniques involve very expensive procedures, these IVF techniques are usually carried out in a way that aims to optimize efficiency, especially taking into account that successful conception often requires the insertion of a fertilized egg into the woman's uterus more than once.

[0014] Additionally, for couples in which individuals suffer from or are suspected of having common illnesses, conception through IVF may offer advantages over natural methods of conception.

[0015] Therefore, to make IVF techniques effective, women typically undergo hormone treatment before eggs are harvested from their ovaries, which causes the woman's ovaries to release not just one egg but many eggs simultaneously.

[0016] To increase the chances of a viable and successful pregnancy, two or more eggs from the same woman are fertilized and incubated simultaneously in an incubator.

[0017] Prior art incubators include compartments that allow for the accommodation of two or more culture dishes containing fertilized eggs.

[0018] Successful in vitro fertilization and embryo incubation is not easy, and one of the main reasons for the relatively low success rate of in vitro fertilization is the lack of a reliable method for providing and maintaining optimal incubation conditions for the embryos.

[0019] Some improved prior art incubators include a housing with one or more doors for providing access to the interior of the incubator. The interior of the incubator holds one or more culture dishes containing embryos to be cultured. Such incubators may be provided with various adjustment means for controlling the humidity, temperature, and gas composition within the incubator interior.

[0020] Recently, smaller modular incubators have been introduced to the market. These modular incubators are configured to fit within the docking ports of docking stations, which can provide control over the physical and chemical parameters generated by the embryos housed within. When any manual manipulation steps involving the embryos, such as manual inspection or the addition, removal, or replacement of growth medium, become necessary, the modular incubator can be removed from the docking station and placed on the laboratory bench for easy access to the embryos.

[0021] The modular incubators and the corresponding docking station docking ports may further be provided with gas connectors, such that when the modular incubators are docked to the docking station docking ports, the gas connectors of the modular incubators and the corresponding gas connectors of the docking ports engage such that gas having a desired gas composition can be delivered from the docking station to each modular incubator via these gas connectors. In this way, a desired gas composition can be maintained within the modular incubators while the modular incubators are docked to the docking station docking ports.

[0022] Gas composition is typically controlled through the use of a gas mixing box, which allows for the addition of CO2 and N2. The outlet of the gas mixing box is fluidly connected to the inlet gas connector of each modular incubator, and the return inlet of the gas mixing box is fluidly connected to the outlet gas connector of each modular incubator. Thus, gas is circulated through the modular incubators and the gas mixing box. To control the gas composition supplied to the incubator, CO2 is added to the gas mixing box to achieve the desired CO2 concentration, and N2 is added to the gas mixing box to reduce the O2 level to the desired concentration. Because leaks are inevitable in gas supply systems, a small amount of atmospheric air will enter the system, thus preventing oxygen depletion below the desired oxygen concentration.

[0023] By constantly monitoring the CO2 and O2 concentrations of the gas circulating within the system, and by constantly adjusting the gas composition exiting the gas mixing box in response to any deviation from the desired predetermined gas composition, it is possible to ensure that the gas exiting the gas mixing box and supplied to the modular incubator has the desired predetermined optimal composition.

[0024] However, when the modular incubator is removed from the docking station for manual inspection or to perform other processing steps, a supply of gas having the desired composition into the modular incubator is not provided. Moreover, in such a situation, ambient air may mix with the desired gas composition inside the modular incubator, ultimately causing the gas composition inside the incubator chamber to deviate significantly from the optimal composition defined by the preferred predetermined incubation protocol.

[0025] Additionally, when a modular incubator is removed from a docking station, ambient air can enter the docking station's gas distribution system, which circulates gas from the gas source to the docking port, into the modular incubator docked in the docking station, through the modular incubator, and finally back to the gas source.

[0026] Thus, the entry of ambient air into the interior of the modular incubator and / or into the gas distribution system when the modular incubator is removed from its docking port may imply contamination by such ambient air not only within the removed modular incubator, but also within the gas distribution system that supplies gas to the remaining modular incubators, resulting in gas having a suboptimal gas composition circulating within the gas distribution system and being supplied to the modular incubator.

[0027] It has been shown that even small deviations from the optimal gas composition inside the incubator chamber can adversely affect the quality of the biological material being incubated therein.

[0028] Such adverse effects may therefore represent an increased risk of the IVF procedure ending in pregnancy failure once the embryo is inserted into the woman's uterus.

[0029] Therefore, a need remains for improved modular incubators. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0030] The object of the present invention is to meet such needs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0031] These objectives are achieved in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

[0032] Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention relates to a valve system for a modular incubator system, said valve system comprising a first valve and a second valve; The first valve is a first valve body; a first valve element; Equipped with the first valve body having a front end and a rear end; the first valve body includes a first through channel extending between the front end and the rear end of the first valve body; the first valve element is disposed within the first through channel of the first valve body such that the first valve element is displaceable in a displacement direction D between a first extreme position and a second extreme position within the first through channel, wherein in the first extreme position the first valve element is displaced in a direction toward the front end of the first valve body and in the second extreme position the first valve element is displaced in a direction toward the rear end of the first valve body; the first valve body and the first valve element are sized and shaped to match one another such that, when positioned in the first extreme position, the first valve element blocks passage of the first through channel between the front end and the rear end of the first valve body, and when displaced toward the second extreme position, the first valve element provides passage of the first through channel between the front end and the rear end of the first valve body; The second valve is a second valve body; a second valve element; Equipped with the second valve body having a front end and a rear end; the second valve body includes a second through channel extending between the front end and the rear end of the second valve body; the second valve element is disposed within the second through channel of the second valve body such that the second valve element is displaceable in a displacement direction D between first and second extreme positions within the second through channel, wherein in the first extreme position the second valve element is displaced in a direction toward the front end of the second valve body and in the second extreme position the second valve element is displaced in a direction toward the rear end of the second valve body; The second valve body and the second valve element are sized and shaped to match one another such that when positioned in the first extreme position, the second valve element blocks passage of the second through channel between the front and rear ends of the second valve body, and when displaced toward the second extreme position, the second valve element provides passage of the second through channel between the front and rear ends of the second valve body.

[0033] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a modular incubator system for incubating viable biological material M, said modular incubator system comprising: One or more modular incubator chambers combined with a docking station Equipped with For one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers, the modular incubator chamber comprises a housing having a first end and a second end, thereby defining a longitudinal direction X between the first end and the second end; the housing includes a lid, the lid configured to be transitionable between an open configuration that allows access to an interior of the modular incubator chamber and a closed configuration that blocks access to the interior of the modular incubator chamber; the modular incubator chamber comprises a culture dish support for placing a culture dish within the interior of the modular incubator chamber for the purpose of containing one or more biological materials M within the housing of the modular incubator chamber; for one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers, the housing of the modular incubator chamber comprises a chamber gas inlet opening, the chamber gas inlet opening being in fluid communication with the interior of the modular incubator chamber; the housing of the modular incubator chamber further comprising a chamber gas outlet opening, the chamber gas outlet opening being in fluid communication with the interior of the modular incubator chamber; the docking station comprising one or more docking ports for receiving modular incubator chambers; for one or more docking ports of the docking station, the docking port comprising a docking port gas outlet opening, thereby enabling gas transfer from the docking port of the docking station to the interior of the modular incubator chamber via the docking port gas outlet opening and the chamber gas inlet opening; the docking port further comprising a docking port gas inlet opening, thereby allowing gas to be transferred from an interior of the modular incubator chamber to the docking port of the docking station; one valve of the valve system of the first aspect of the present invention is disposed at the chamber gas inlet opening, and another valve of the valve system of the first aspect of the present invention is disposed at the docking port gas outlet opening; One valve of the valve system of the first aspect of the present invention is disposed at the chamber gas outlet opening, and another valve of the valve system of the first aspect of the present invention is disposed at the docking port gas inlet opening.

[0034] A third aspect of the present invention relates to a modular incubator chamber, the modular incubator chamber comprising a housing having a first end and a second end, thereby defining a longitudinal direction X between the first end and the second end; the housing includes a lid, the lid configured to be transitionable between an open configuration that allows access to an interior of the modular incubator chamber and a closed configuration that blocks access to the interior of the modular incubator chamber; the modular incubator chamber comprises a culture dish support for placing a culture dish within the interior of the modular incubator chamber for the purpose of containing one or more biological materials M within the housing of the modular incubator chamber; the housing of the modular incubator chamber comprises a chamber gas inlet opening, the chamber gas inlet opening being in fluid communication with the interior of the modular incubator chamber, and a valve of the valve system according to the first aspect of the present invention is disposed at the chamber gas inlet opening; The housing of the modular incubator chamber further comprises a chamber gas outlet opening, the chamber gas outlet opening being in fluid communication with the interior of the modular incubator chamber, and one valve of the valve system according to the first aspect of the present invention being disposed at the chamber gas outlet opening.

[0035] A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a docking station, said docking station comprising one or more docking ports for receiving modular incubator chambers; with respect to one or more docking ports of the docking station, the docking ports comprise docking port gas outlet openings, thereby enabling gas transfer from the docking port of the docking station to the interior of the modular incubator chamber via the docking port gas outlet openings, and one valve of the valve system according to the first aspect of the present invention is disposed at the docking port gas outlet openings; The docking port further comprises a docking port gas inlet opening, thereby allowing gas transfer from the interior of the modular incubator chamber to the docking port of the docking station, and one valve of the valve system according to the first aspect of the present invention is disposed in the docking port gas inlet opening.

[0036] In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides the use of a valve system according to the first aspect of the invention in a modular incubator system.

[0037] In a sixth aspect, the present invention provides the use of a modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the invention for incubating viable biological material.

[0038] In a seventh aspect, the present invention provides the use of a modular incubator chamber according to the third aspect of the invention for incubating viable biological material.

[0039] In an eighth aspect, the present invention provides the use of a docking station according to the fourth aspect of the invention for incubating viable biological material.

[0040] In a ninth aspect, the present invention provides a method of incubating viable biological material.

[0041] The present invention, in its various aspects, enables maintaining an optimal gas composition within a modular incubator chamber configured to be docked to a docking port of a docking station, even in situations where such modular incubator chamber is detached from its associated docking port of the docking station.

[0042] Furthermore, the present invention, in its various aspects, ensures that gas does not leak from the inlet and outlet openings of the docking port of the docking station of the modular incubator system when the modular incubator chamber is not docked to that docking port. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0043] [Figure 1] 1 is a cutaway cross-sectional view of a valve system according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which the two valves are spaced apart from one another. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cutaway cross-sectional view of the valve system of FIG. 1, showing two valves in close proximity to each other. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cutaway cross-sectional view of the valve system of FIG. 1 showing two valves close enough together that they begin to open. [Figure 4] 2 is a cutaway cross-sectional view of the valve system of FIG. 1 with the two valves fully engaged and both open. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a modular incubator system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modular incubator chamber of the docking system of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 6: Top view of the modular incubator chamber shown. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan rear view of the modular incubator chamber shown in Figures 6 and 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the modular incubator chamber shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 illustrates an example design of a gas supply system including a gas source and a gas distribution system for use in a docking station of the modular incubator system of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the concept of a gas supply system incorporated into the docking station of the modular incubator system of the present invention. [Figure 12] 1 illustrates the operating modes of the control of the modular incubator system according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] First aspect of the present invention In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a valve system 100 for a modular incubator system 500, said valve system comprising a first valve 2 and a second valve 4, The first valve 2 is a first valve body 6; First valve element 8 and Equipped with the first valve body 6 has a front end 10 and a rear end 12; the first valve body (6) includes a first through channel (14) extending between the front end (10) and the rear end (12) of the first valve body (6); the first valve element 8 is disposed within the first through channel 14 of the first valve body 6 such that the first valve element 8 is displaceable in a displacement direction D between first and second extreme positions within the first through channel 14, wherein in the first extreme position the first valve element 8 is displaced in a direction toward the front end 10 of the first valve body 6, and in the second extreme position the first valve element 8 is displaced in a direction toward the rear end 12 of the first valve body 6; the first valve body 6 and the first valve element 8 are adapted in size and shape to one another such that, when located in the first extreme position, the first valve element 8 blocks passage of the first through channel 14 between the front end 10 and the rear end 12 of the first valve body 6, and when displaced toward the second extreme position, the first valve element 8 provides passage of the first through channel 14 between the front end 10 and the rear end 12 of the first valve body 6; The second valve 4 is a second valve body 16; a second valve element 18; Equipped with the second valve body 16 having a forward end 20 and a rearward end 22; the second valve body (16) includes a second through channel (24) extending between the forward end (20) and the rearward end (22) of the second valve body (16); the second valve element (18) is disposed within the second through channel (24) of the second valve body (16) such that the second valve element (18) is displaceable in a displacement direction (D) within the second through channel (24) between first and second extreme positions, wherein in the first extreme position the second valve element (18) is displaced in a direction toward the forward end (20) of the second valve body (16), and in the second extreme position the second valve element (18) is displaced in a direction toward the rearward end (22) of the second valve body (16); The dimensions and shapes of the second valve body 16 and the second valve element 18 are adapted to one another such that when positioned in the first extreme position, the second valve element 18 blocks passage of the second through channel 24 between the front end 20 and the rear end 22 of the second valve body 16, and when displaced toward the second extreme position, the second valve element 18 provides passage of the second through channel 24 between the front end 20 and the rear end 22 of the second valve body 16.

[0045] The valve system 100 of the first aspect of the present invention is intended to be used in combination with a plurality of modular incubator chambers 300 in a modular incubator system 500, as further described below. The modular incubator system 500 comprises a docking station 400 having a plurality of docking ports 402, and the modular incubator chambers 300 are configured to be docked to the docking ports 402 of the docking station 402.

[0046] By providing inlet and outlet valves 4, 2 at the docking port 402 and inlet and outlet valves 2, 4 at each modular incubator chamber 300, gas having a predetermined desired gas composition can be provided to and from the modular incubator chamber 300 and can pass through the valves 2, 4 of the valve system of the modular incubator system 500 only when the modular incubator chamber 300 is docked to the docking port 402 of the docking station 400 of the modular incubator system 500. In this way, the desired gas composition can be maintained inside the modular incubator chamber 300 regardless of whether the modular incubator chamber 300 is docked to the docking port. Furthermore, the valves 4, 2 in the docking port prevent, or at least significantly reduce, the amount of atmospheric air that can enter the gas distribution system 204, which provides gas by circulation to the docking ports 402 of the docking system of the modular incubator system 500.

[0047] This reduces the magnitude of deviation of the gas flowing through the gas distribution system 204 from the optimal desired predetermined gas composition, ultimately contributing to enabling incubation of viable biological material under optimal incubation conditions.

[0048] In one embodiment of the valve system according to the first aspect of the invention, the first valve element 8 and the second valve element 18 are adapted to one another in size and shape such that when the first valve 2 is brought into contact with the second valve 4 by bringing their respective front ends 10, 20 closer together, the second valve element 18 of the second valve 4 displaces the first valve element 8 of the first valve 2 towards its second extreme position, thereby opening the first valve 2, and further the first valve element 8 of the first valve 2 displaces the second valve element 18 of the second valve 4 towards its second extreme position, thereby opening the second valve 4.

[0049] Thus, in this manner, each of the two valves 2, 4 of the valve system 100, when brought into contact, forces the other valve into an open configuration.

[0050] In one embodiment of the valve system according to the first aspect of the invention, the first valve 2 comprises a first spring 26 adapted to interact with the first valve element 8 relative to the first valve body 6 to displace the first valve element 8 towards the first extreme position when the first spring 26 is not otherwise actuated, thereby closing the first valve 2; and / or the second valve 4 comprises a second spring 28 adapted to interact with the second valve element 18 relative to the second valve body 16 to displace the second valve element 18 towards the first extreme position when the second spring 28 is not otherwise actuated, thereby closing the second valve 4.

[0051] When not in contact, the springs 26, 28 force the two valves 2, 4 of the valve system 100 into a closed configuration.

[0052] In one embodiment of the valve system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the first valve 2 comprises the first spring 26 having a first spring constant and the second valve 4 comprises the second spring 28 having a second spring constant, wherein the first spring constant is equal to the second spring constant, thereby causing the first valve 2 and the second valve 4 to open substantially simultaneously when they contact each other, or the first spring constant is smaller than the second spring constant, thereby causing the first valve 2 to open before the second valve 4 when they contact each other, or the first spring constant is greater than the second spring constant, thereby causing the second valve 4 to open before the first valve 2 when they contact each other.

[0053] In one embodiment of the valve system according to the first aspect of the invention, the first through channel 14 of the first valve 2 has a widened portion having a first wall segment 32 defining a first inclined surface portion 34 that is inclined with respect to the displacement direction D of the first valve element 8. a first valve element (8) including a widened portion (36) having a first contact surface (38) that is received within the widened portion (30) of the first through channel (14) such that, when the first valve element (8) is in its first extreme position, the first contact surface (38) of the first valve element (8) is in contact with the first inclined surface portion (34) of the first through channel (14), thereby blocking passage through the first through channel (14) and thereby closing the first valve (2); and when the first valve element (8) is in its second extreme position, the first contact surface (38) of the first valve element (8) is away from the first inclined surface portion (34) of the first through channel (14), thereby providing passage through the first through channel (14) and thereby opening the first valve (2).

[0054] In one embodiment of the valve system according to the first aspect of the invention, the first contact surface 38 of the first valve element 8 is inclined with respect to the displacement direction D of the first valve element 8 .

[0055] Thus, in this manner, the distance between the first contact surface 38 of the valve element 6 and the first inclined surface portion 34 of the through channel 14 determines whether the valve 2 is open or closed.

[0056] In one embodiment of the valve system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the first inclined surface portion 34 of the first through channel 14 and / or the first contact surface 38 of the first valve element 8 has an inclination of 5 to 90° with respect to the displacement direction D of the first valve element 8, for example an inclination of 10 to 85°, 15 to 80°, 20 to 75°, 25 to 70°, 30 to 65°, 35 to 60°, 40 to 55°, or 45 to 50°.

[0057] The magnitude of these slopes enables the opening / closing function of the valve 2 .

[0058] In one embodiment of the valve system according to the first aspect of the invention, the first valve element 8 is provided with a first valve gasket 40 in the region of the first contact surface 38 .

[0059] In one embodiment, the first valve gasket 40 is part of the first inclined surface portion 34 of the first through channel 14 and / or the first valve gasket 40 is part of the first contact surface 38 of the first valve element 8.

[0060] The gasket 26 improves the airtightness of the valve 2 in its closed configuration.

[0061] In one embodiment of the valve system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the second through channel 24 of the second valve 4 includes a widened portion 42 having a second wall segment 44 defining a second inclined surface portion 46 that is inclined with respect to the displacement direction D of the second valve element 18, the second valve element 18 including a widened portion 48 having a second contact surface 50, the second contact surface 50 of the second valve element 18 contacting the second through channel 24 when the second valve element 18 is in its first extreme position. The widened portion 48 of the second valve element 18 is received within the widened portion 42 of the second through channel 24 so as to contact the second inclined surface portion 46 of the second through channel 24, thereby closing the second valve 4, and when the second valve element 18 is in its second extreme position, the second contact surface 50 of the second valve element 18 is away from the second inclined surface portion 46 of the second through channel 24, thereby opening the first valve 4.

[0062] Thus, the distance between the second contact surface 50 of the valve element 16 and the second inclined surface portion 46 of the through channel 24 determines whether the valve 4 is open or closed.

[0063] In one embodiment of the valve system according to the first aspect of the invention, the second contact surface 50 of the second valve element 18 is inclined with respect to the displacement direction D of the second valve element 18 .

[0064] In one embodiment, the second inclined surface portion 46 of the second through channel 24 and / or the second contact surface 50 of the second valve element 18 has an inclination of 5 to 90° relative to the displacement direction of the second valve element 18, for example, an inclination of 10 to 85°, 15 to 80°, 20 to 75°, 25 to 70°, 30 to 65°, 35 to 60°, 40 to 55°, or 45 to 50°.

[0065] The magnitude of these slopes enables the opening / closing function of the valve 4 .

[0066] In one embodiment of the valve system according to the first aspect of the invention, a second valve gasket 52 is provided in the region of the second inclined surface portion 46 of the second through channel 24 .

[0067] In one embodiment, the second valve gasket 52 is part of the second inclined surface portion 46 of the second through channel 24 and / or the second valve gasket 52 is part of the second contact surface 50 of the second valve element 18.

[0068] The gasket 28 improves the airtightness of the valve 4 in its closed configuration.

[0069] In one embodiment, the second valve gasket 52 includes one or more lips 54, such as one or more tapered lips; the second valve gasket 52 is part of the second beveled surface portion 46 of the second through channel 24, and the one or more lips 54 face toward the second contact surface 50 of the second valve element 18; or The second valve gasket 52 is part of the second contact surface 50 of the second valve element 18, and the one or more lip portions 54 face toward the second angled surface portion 46 of the second through channel 24.

[0070] Such a lip improves the airtightness of the valve 4 in its closed configuration because of its resilience and because a relatively high pressure on the outside of the lip will force the lip against the opposite surface of either the valve element 16 or the second ramp portion 46 depending on the position of the second valve gasket 52, thereby forming a tighter seal.

[0071] In one embodiment of the valve system according to the first aspect of the invention, the valve body 6 of the first valve 2 comprises a recess 56 at its front end 10 and the valve body 16 of the second valve 4 comprises a hollow protrusion 58 at its front end 20 surrounding at least a part of the second valve element 18 of the second valve 4, the dimensions and shapes of the recess 56 and the protrusion 58 being adapted to each other so that the protrusion 58 of the second valve body 16 fits within the recess 56 of the first valve body 6.

[0072] This reduces atmospheric leakage into the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber 300 and / or the inlet opening 404 or outlet opening 406 of the docking port 402. Such atmospheric leakage into the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber 306 and / or the inlet opening 404 or outlet opening 406 of the docking port 402 may indicate a deviation from the predetermined desired gas composition to be supplied to the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber 300.

[0073] In one embodiment of the valve system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the first valve body 6 is provided with an end gasket 60 at its front end 10 and at the inner end of the recess, the end gasket 60 surrounding the first valve element 8 of the first valve 2 and / or at least a part of the first through-channel 14, thereby allowing the protrusion 58 of the second valve body 16 of the second valve 4 to abut against the end gasket 60 when the protrusion 58 of the second valve body 16 of the second valve 4 is inserted into the recess 56 of the first valve body 6 of the first valve 2 to avoid gas leakage.

[0074] This further reduces the leakage.

[0075] In one embodiment of the valve system according to the first aspect of the present invention, a first valve element 8 includes a first portion 8a and a second portion 8b, the first portion 8a of the first valve element 8 being positioned proximate the forward end 10 of the first valve body 6 and the second portion 8b of the first valve element 8 being positioned distal to the forward end 10 of the first valve body 6, and the first portion 8a and the second portion 8b of the first valve element 8 being connected to each other via a threaded tap / threaded hole arrangement 62.

[0076] This allows the adjustment of the overall length of the first valve element 8 in a direction parallel to the displacement direction D of the first valve element 8, thereby adjusting the degree of opening of the first valve 2 when it is brought close to other valves 4 of the valve system 100.

[0077] In one embodiment of the valve system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the first valve element 8 comprises one or more through holes 64 at an end proximate the forward end 10 of the first valve body 6, the one or more through holes 64 being for allowing gas to be conveyed through the holes to the first through channel 14 of the first valve body 6.

[0078] In one embodiment of the valve system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the first gasket, the second gasket and the end gasket are independently made of an elastomeric polymer such as rubber or silicone.

[0079] Second Aspect of the Invention In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a modular incubator system 500 for incubating viable biological material M, said modular incubator system comprising: One or more modular incubator chambers 300 in combination with a docking station 400 Equipped with For one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers 300, the modular incubator chamber 300 comprises a housing 302 having a first end 340 and a second end 342, thereby defining a longitudinal direction X between the first end and the second end; the housing includes a lid 304, the lid configured to be transitionable between an open configuration that allows access to an interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber and a closed configuration that blocks access to the interior of the modular incubator chamber; the modular incubator chamber 300 comprises a culture dish support 308 for placing a culture dish 310 in the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber 300 for the purpose of containing one or more biological materials M within the housing 302 of the modular incubator chamber 300; for one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers 300, the housing of the modular incubator chamber 300 comprises a chamber gas inlet opening 312, the chamber gas inlet opening 312 being in fluid communication with the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber; the housing 302 of the modular incubator chamber further comprising a chamber gas outlet opening 314, the chamber gas outlet opening 314 being in fluid communication with the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber; the docking station 400 includes one or more docking ports 402 for receiving modular incubator chambers; With respect to one or more docking ports 402 of the docking station 400, the docking ports 402 comprise docking port gas outlet openings 404, thereby enabling gas transfer from the docking ports 402 of the docking station 400 to the interior 302 of the modular incubator chamber 300 via the docking port gas outlet openings 404 and the chamber gas inlet openings 312; the docking port 402 further comprises a docking port gas inlet opening 406, thereby allowing gas to be transferred from the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber 300 to the docking port 402 of the docking station 400; one valve 2, 4 of the valve system 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention is located at the chamber gas inlet opening 312, and another valve 4, 2 of the valve system 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention is located at the docking port gas outlet opening 404; One valve 2, 4 of the valve system 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention is located at the chamber gas outlet opening 314, and another valve 4, 2 of the valve system 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention is located at the docking port gas inlet opening 406.

[0080] In the present invention, the term "modular incubator system" is understood to mean a system comprising a docking station in combination with one or more incubator chambers, the one or more incubator chambers being configured to be docked to respective docking ports of the docking station. The modular incubator system is intended for the incubation or cultivation of viable biological material.

[0081] Incubator systems comprising a docking station and one or more incubator chambers are generally configured to provide some interaction between the docking station and the incubator chambers docked to the docking station.

[0082] Such interaction may be one or more of providing a gas having a desired composition to the incubator chamber, providing electricity to the incubator chamber to power a heating element in the incubator chamber and / or to power a light source within the incubator chamber, enabling monitoring of viable biological material present within the incubator chamber by using an image capture device located within the docking station, etc.

[0083] It should be understood that within the meaning of this application, the term "modular incubator system" is to be construed as meaning that the incubator chambers are configured to be used for the incubation of viable biological material, regardless of whether the individual incubator chambers are docked to a docking port of a docking station or whether the incubator chambers are detached from a docking port of a docking station.

[0084] Thus, it should be understood that culturing or incubation of viable biological material in an individual incubator chamber may be performed and / or continued even after the incubator chamber has been removed from its docking station and placed, for example, on a laboratory bench. This may allow for manual operations such as transfer or control of culture or growth medium, manual inspection using a laboratory microscope, etc. Such operations are preferably performed under a hood providing the desired gas atmosphere.

[0085] In a preferred embodiment, to make such manual operation practical and conceivable, the incubation chambers are configured to allow support on a planar, horizontal support surface when the individual incubation chambers are removed from the docking ports. This may be achieved by providing one or more supports at the bottom of the incubator chamber, or simply by constructing the bottom of the incubator chamber as a flat surface.

[0086] In a preferred embodiment, the incubation chamber has its largest dimension horizontally in its intended orientation for use in incubation.

[0087] Thus, the horizontal dimension of the incubation chamber is larger than the vertical dimension, which ensures sufficient stability when the incubator chamber is used for incubation in locations outside the docking port of the docking station.

[0088] In embodiments, each incubator chamber may be equipped with a display, such as an electronic display, for providing information regarding the identity of the viable biological material contained in the incubator chamber.

[0089] It should be understood that in some embodiments the present invention does not relate to methods or uses involving treatment of the human or animal body by surgical or diagnostic procedures performed on the human or animal body.

[0090] It should also be understood that in other embodiments the present invention may relate to methods or uses involving treatment of the human or animal body by surgical or diagnostic procedures performed on the human or animal body.

[0091] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, with respect to one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers 300 and one or more of the one or more docking ports 402 of the docking station 400, the chambers of the modular incubator chambers 300 are configured such that when the modular incubator chambers 300 are docked to the docking ports 402, the valves 2, 4 of the chamber gas inlet opening 312 of the housing 302 of the modular incubator chamber 300 and the valves 4, 2 of the docking port gas outlet opening 404 of the docking port 402 are in fluid connection and in an open configuration. The positions of the valves 4,2 at the chamber gas outlet opening 314 of the modular incubator chamber 300 and the valves 4,2 at the docking port gas inlet opening 406 of the docking port 402 are matched to each other so that when the modular incubator chamber 300 is docked to the docking port 402, the chamber gas outlet opening 314 of the housing 302 of the modular incubator chamber 300 and the docking port gas inlet opening 406 of the docking port 402 are fluidly connected and in an open configuration.

[0092] Thus, simply docking the modular incubator chamber 300 into the docking port 402 of the docking station 400 of the modular incubator system 500 will automatically open valves 2 and 4 of the valve system to supply gas into and out of the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber 300. Similarly, when the modular incubator chamber 300 is removed from the docking port 402, valves 2 and 4 of the modular incubator chamber 300 and docking port 402 will automatically stop the passage of gas therethrough.

[0093] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, with respect to one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers 300, the housing 302 of the modular incubator chamber 300 comprises a transparent window 316, and with respect to one or more docking ports 402 of the docking station 400, the docking port comprises an image capture device 408, thereby enabling the capture of images of biological material M contained in the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber 300 when docked to the docking port 402.

[0094] This allows for capturing images of biological material M contained within the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber 300 when docked to the docking port 402 .

[0095] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, with respect to one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers 300 and one or more of the one or more docking ports 402 of the docking station 400, the position of the transparent window 316 of the modular incubator chamber 300 is adapted to the position of the image capture device 408 within the docking port 402 such that images can be captured through the transparent window 316 of the modular incubator chamber 300 by the image capture device 408 when the modular incubator chamber 300 is docked to the docking port 402.

[0096] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, for one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers 300, the transparent window 316 of the modular incubator chamber 300 is located on the bottom 357 of the housing 302.

[0097] Thus, in this embodiment, image capture device 408 is positioned at the bottom of docking port 402 with its focus directed upward.

[0098] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, for one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers 300, the transparent window 316 of the housing 302 of the modular incubator chamber has an elongated shape, such as an elongated linear extension extending in a direction Y transverse to the longitudinal direction X of the housing of the modular incubation chamber 300.

[0099] This allows the image capture device to capture images of multiple viable biological materials contained in the same culture dish and arranged in a line having a direction Y transverse to the longitudinal direction X of the housing of the modular incubation chamber 300.

[0100] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, for one or more specific docking ports 402 of the docking station 400, the specific docking ports are provided with a dedicated image capture device 408 configured to capture only images related to the modular incubator chambers 300 docked to the specific docking ports 402.

[0101] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the N adjacently arranged docking ports 402 of the docking station 400 share a common image capturing device 408 in the sense that only one image capturing device is responsible for capturing images relating to a modular incubator chamber 300 docked to one of the N adjacently arranged docking ports 402, and the docking station comprises a displacement device 482, such as an electrically driven remotely controlled displacement device 482, for enabling displacement of the common image capturing device 408 relative to the N adjacently arranged docking ports 402 of the docking station 400.

[0102] This allows one image capture device to be responsible for capturing images of biological material housed in different modular incubator chambers that are docked to different docking ports 402 of docking station 400.

[0103] In one embodiment, N is an integer selected from the range of 2 to 25 or more, for example, the range of 4 to 22, 6 to 20, 8 to 18, 10 to 16, or 12 to 14.

[0104] Individually, one or more, and preferably all, image capture devices 408 of the docking station 400 may comprise or be coupled to a displacement device 482, such as an electrically driven, remotely controlled displacement device 482, for enabling displacement of the common image capture device 408 transverse to the longitudinal direction X of the modular incubator chamber 300 docked within the docking port 402, so as to enable the capture device 408 to focus on two or more culture wells in the culture dish 310 housed within the modular incubator chamber 300, the culture wells being oriented transverse to the longitudinal direction X.

[0105] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, with respect to one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers 300 and one or more of the one or more docking ports 402 of the docking station 400, the modular incubator chamber 300 is configured to be docked to the docking port 402 with its first end 340 facing the docking port 402.

[0106] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, for one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers 300, the modular incubator chamber 300 comprises a light source 372 in its interior 306 for directing light towards a region of a culture dish support 308 of the modular incubator chamber 300, thereby enabling illumination of the viable biological material in the context of capturing an image of the viable biological material.

[0107] In one embodiment, the light source 372 is mounted inside the lid 304 of the housing 302 of the modular incubator chamber 300 .

[0108] This allows light to be easily directed onto viable biological material located at the bottom of the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber 300.

[0109] In one embodiment, the light source 372 is selected from the group consisting of one or more LEDs, one or more laser diodes, and one or more incandescent bulbs.

[0110] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, for one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers 300, the culture dish support 308 defines a planar support surface for supporting the culture dish 310.

[0111] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, for one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers 300, an electrical connector 322 is provided, such as on an outer portion of the housing 302 of the modular incubator chamber 300, for providing power and / or electrical signals to the modular incubator chamber, and for one or more docking ports 402 of the docking station 400, an electrical connector 410 is provided at the docking port.

[0112] This allows power or electrical signals to be transferred between the docking port 402 and the modular incubator chamber 300 .

[0113] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, for one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers 300, the lid 304 is a hinged lid connected to the housing of the modular incubator chamber via a hinge.

[0114] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, for one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers 300, the housing 302 of the modular incubator chamber 300 comprises a display 324 configured to display information regarding the operating status of the incubation taking place within the modular incubator chamber.

[0115] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the docking station 400 comprises one or more shelves of adjacently positioned docking ports 402, and if the docking station comprises two or more shelves, the shelves are arranged one above the other.

[0116] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, with respect to one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers 300, the modular incubator chamber comprises an incubation chamber engagement means 326, and with respect to one or more docking ports 402 of the docking station 400, the docking port comprises a docking port engagement means 414, the incubation chamber engagement means 326 being configured to engage with the docking port engagement means 414.

[0117] This allows for easy and proper positioning and optionally fixing of the modular incubator chamber 300 within the docking port 402, as well as easy and proper removal of the modular incubator chamber 300 from the docking port 402 of the docking station 400.

[0118] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the modular incubator system 500 comprises an image processing unit 660 for image processing of images captured by the image capture device 408, and the modular incubator system 400 further comprises a data storage 658 for storing images captured by the image capture unit 408 and / or for storing images processed by the image processing unit.

[0119] An image processing unit is useful for manipulating the captured images, such as adjusting contrast, filtering, and generating a series of time-lapse images.

[0120] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, one or more of the image capture devices 408 of the docking ports 402 of the docking station are coupled to the image processing unit 660.

[0121] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, with respect to one or more of the modular incubator chambers 300, the valves 2, 4 are arranged with their front ends 10, 20 facing outward, and with respect to one or more of the docking ports 402, the valves 4, 2 are arranged with their front ends 20, 10 facing outward.

[0122] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, for one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers 300, a first valve 2 of the valve system 100 is arranged at the chamber gas inlet opening 312 and the chamber gas outlet opening 314, and for one or more of the one or more docking stations 402 of the docking station 400, a second valve 4 of the valve system 100 is arranged at the docking port gas outlet opening 404 and the docking port gas inlet opening 406; or For one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers 300, a second valve 4 of the valve system 100 is disposed at the chamber gas inlet opening 312 and the chamber gas outlet opening 314, and for one or more of the one or more docking stations 402 of the docking station 400, a first valve 2 of the valve system 100 is disposed at the docking port gas outlet opening 404 and the docking port gas inlet opening 406.

[0123] Thus, two valves 2 of valve system 100 may be disposed in modular incubator chamber 300 and two valves 4 of valve system 100 may be disposed in one or more of the docking ports 402 of docking station 400 of modular incubator system 500, or alternatively, two valves 4 of valve system 100 may be disposed in modular incubator chamber 300 and two valves 2 of valve system 100 may be disposed in one or more of the docking ports 402 of docking station 400 of modular incubator system 500.

[0124] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the image capture device 408 comprises microscope optics to enable capture of microscopic images.

[0125] This allows magnified images to be captured, improving the study of the morphological properties of the incubated biological material.

[0126] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, for one or more of the modular incubator chambers 300, the modular incubator chamber comprises an electric heating element 318 in an interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber for heating the interior of the modular incubator chamber, the modular incubator chamber comprises a power supply 320 for providing power to the heating element 318, and the electric heating element 318 is electrically connected to the power supply 320.

[0127] In one embodiment, the power supply 320 is a power source such as a battery, for example a rechargeable battery.

[0128] In one embodiment, the heating element 318 is thermally connected to a heat distribution element for distributing heat dissipated by the heating element, the heat distribution element being at least partially disposed within the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber 300.

[0129] In one embodiment, the chamber includes a thermostat 374 and an electrical thermostat circuit 376, wherein the electric heating element 318, the power supply 320, and the thermostat 374 are electrically connected within the electrical thermostat circuit 376 to enable thermostatic control of the temperature within the modular incubator chamber 300.

[0130] The above embodiments provide for maintaining a desired predetermined temperature, and optionally an optimum temperature, within the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber 300 in situations where the modular incubator chamber is removed from its associated docking port 402 for purposes of visual inspection and manual replenishment, removal, or replacement of growth medium for the incubated biological material.

[0131] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the number of modular incubator chambers 300 of the modular incubator system 500 is selected from the range of 1 to 100, such as 2 to 95, 5 to 90, 10 to 85, 15 to 80, 20 to 75, 25 to 70, 30 to 65, 35 to 60, 40 to 55, or 45 to 50.

[0132] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the number of docking ports 402 in the docking station 400 of the modular incubator system 500 is selected from the range of 1 to 100, for example 2 to 95, 5 to 90, 10 to 85, 15 to 80, 20 to 75, 25 to 70, 30 to 65, 35 to 60, 40 to 55, or 45 to 50.

[0133] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system 500 according to the second aspect of the present invention, for one or more of the docking ports 402 of the docking station 400 of the modular incubator system 500, preferably for all of the docking ports 402, the docking port gas outlet opening 404 is provided with a flow restrictor for restricting the magnitude of the flow rate of gas entering the docking port 402.

[0134] In one embodiment, a flow restrictor may comprise a tube through which gas is delivered to the docking port 402, the tube optionally having a diameter between 0.2 and 8 mm. 2 range, e.g., 0.5 to 7 mm 2 , 1 to 6 mm 2 , 2~5mm 2 , or 3 to 4 mm 2 and / or the length of the tube is optionally selected from the range of 5 to 30 mm, for example, 8 to 25 mm, 10 to 22 mm, or 15 to 20 mm.

[0135] Such a flow restrictor helps to balance the gas flow rates through the docking ports 402 with the modular incubator chamber 300 with the capacity of the gas supply system 200, thereby also helping to equalize the gas flow rates through the different docking ports 402 with respect to each other.

[0136] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the docking station 400 comprises a gas distribution system 204 for supplying gas to and from one or more of the one or more docking ports 402, the gas distribution system 204 comprising a main gas supply line 210 and a main gas return line 212, and for one or more of the docking ports 402, the docking port gas inlet opening 404 is fluidly connected to the main gas supply line 210 and the docking port gas outlet opening 406 is fluidly connected to the main gas return line 212.

[0137] In one embodiment, the gas distribution system 204 comprises several manifold pairs 214, each manifold pair including an inlet manifold 216 and an outlet manifold 218, the inlet manifold 216 being fluidly connected to the main gas supply line 210 and the outlet manifold 218 being fluidly connected to the main gas return line 212, and each manifold pair 214 being connected to one or more docking ports 402 of the docking station 400 such that, for a particular manifold pair 214 and its connected one or more docking ports 402, the docking port gas outlet opening 404 of the docking port 402 is fluidly connected to the inlet manifold 216 and the docking port gas inlet opening 406 of the docking port 402 is fluidly connected to the outlet manifold 218.

[0138] In one embodiment, the docking station 400 comprises a gas supply system 200 comprising a gas source 202 and the gas distribution system 204, the gas source comprising a supply gas outlet 206 and a return gas inlet 208, the supply gas outlet 206 of the gas source 202 fluidly connected to the main gas supply line 210 of the gas distribution system 204, and the return gas inlet 208 of the gas source 202 fluidly connected to the main gas return line 212 of the gas distribution system 204.

[0139] In those embodiments including a gas distribution system 204, gas can be supplied from the gas source 202 to the docking port 402 via a main gas supply line 210 and returned from the docking port to the gas source 202 via a main gas return line 212.

[0140] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the gas source 202 of the gas supply system 200 comprises a gas mixing box 242 having the supply gas outlet 206 and the return gas inlet 208 of the gas source, the main gas supply line 210 of the gas distribution system 204 is fluidly connected to the supply gas outlet 206, and the main gas return line 212 of the gas distribution system 204 is fluidly connected to the return gas inlet 208 of the gas source 202, thereby forming a flow loop 244 including the gas distribution system 204 and the gas mixing box 242, and the flow loop includes a pump 246.

[0141] This allows gas to circulate within the loop and through the docking station's gas distribution system.

[0142] The purpose of the gas source is to provide and deliver a desired gas composition to the gas distribution system 204 that includes the various docking ports 402 of the docking station 400 .

[0143] In one implementation of this embodiment, pump 246 is located downstream relative to the main gas return line 212 .

[0144] In one embodiment, flow loop 244 includes a pump vibration damper 247 , which is optionally located immediately downstream from pump 246 .

[0145] Pump vibration dampers equalize the minute, rapid pressure fluctuations caused by each pump stroke of the pump.

[0146] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, flow loop 244 includes a pressure sensor, such as a differential pressure sensor 248, for sensing the pressure of gas supplied to the main gas supply line 210 of the gas distribution system 204, optionally positioned immediately upstream of the main gas supply line 210 of the gas distribution system 204.

[0147] The pressure sensor 248 allows the pump 246 to be adjusted to maintain a desired pressure in the flow loop 244 .

[0148] In one embodiment, the pressure sensor 249 is a differential pressure sensor that senses the pressure relative to the pressure at the return gas inlet 208 .

[0149] In one embodiment, flow loop 244 includes a discharge valve 249 to allow pressure relief within the flow loop, the discharge valve optionally being positioned immediately downstream of the gas distribution system 402 relative to the main gas return line 212.

[0150] The pressure relief valve 249 allows for improved control of the pressure within the flow loop 344 .

[0151] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the gas mixing box 242 comprises an N2 gas inlet 250 and a CO2 gas inlet 251, the N2 gas inlet 250 is fluidly connected to an N2 valve 252 for regulating the inflow of N2 and an N2 mass flow sensor 253 located downstream of the N2 valve 252 for detecting the amount of N2 flowing into the gas mixing box 242, and the CO2 gas inlet 251 is fluidly connected to a CO2 valve 254 for regulating the inflow of CO2 and a CO2 mass flow sensor 255 located downstream of the CO2 valve 254 for detecting the amount of CO2 flowing into the gas mixing box 242.

[0152] This allows for the control of the N 2 gas inlet and CO 2 gas inlet to the gas mixing box 242 in order to obtain a desired predetermined optimum gas composition within the gas mixing box 242 .

[0153] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the flow loop 244 includes a mass flow sensor 256 positioned upstream relative to the gas mixing box 242 for detecting the amount of return gas entering the gas mixing box.

[0154] Information regarding the amount of return gas entering the gas mixing box is used to determine the total amount of N 2 and CO 2 gas that needs to be introduced into the gas mixing box 242 .

[0155] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the gas source 202 comprises an O2 sensor 258 for detecting the concentration of O2 exiting the gas distribution system 204, and the gas source 202 comprises a CO2 sensor 260 for detecting the concentration of CO2 exiting the gas distribution system 204, the O2 sensor and / or the CO2 sensor being optionally located downstream from the pump 246.

[0156] Information about the O2 and CO2 concentrations exiting the gas distribution system 204 is used to determine the specific amounts of N2 gas and CO2 gas that need to be introduced into the gas mixing box 242.

[0157] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the gas source 202 comprises a temperature sensor 262 for detecting the temperature of the gas circulating in the flow loop 244, the temperature sensor optionally being located downstream relative to the pump 246, preferably at a position corresponding to the position of the O2 sensor 258.

[0158] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the gas source 202 comprises a pressure sensor 264 for sensing the absolute pressure in the flow loop 244, the pressure sensor optionally being located downstream relative to the pump 246, preferably at a position corresponding to the position of the CO2 sensor 260.

[0159] The temperature sensor 262 and the pressure sensor 264 are useful for performing corrections of the readings of the O2 sensor 258 due to the temperature sensitivity of the O2 sensor 258 and the CO2 sensor 260 due to the pressure sensitivity of the CO2 sensor 260.

[0160] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the flow loop 244 includes a UV sterilizer 266 for sterilizing gas flowing within the flow loop 244 with electromagnetic radiation in the UV range, the UV sterilizer optionally being positioned immediately downstream from the main gas return line 212.

[0161] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the gas source 202 comprises one or more filters 268, such as HEPA and / or VOC filters, located immediately upstream of the main gas supply line 210, and / or located immediately upstream of the N2 gas inlet 250 to the gas mixing box 242, and / or located immediately upstream of the CO2 gas inlet 251 to the gas mixing box 242.

[0162] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the gas source 202 comprises a gas mixing control system 270, including the N mass flow sensor 253 for detecting the amount of N entering the gas mixing box, the CO mass flow sensor 255 for detecting the amount of CO entering the gas mixing box, the mass flow sensor 256 for detecting the amount of return gas entering the gas mixing box, and the O sensor 258 for detecting the concentration of O exiting the main gas return line 212 of the gas distribution system 204. The gas mixing control system is electrically connected to one or more of these sensors to receive detection signals from the CO2 sensor 260 for detecting the concentration of CO2 exiting the main gas return line 212 of the gas distribution system 204, the temperature sensor 262 for detecting the temperature circulating in the flow loop 244, the pressure sensor 264 for detecting the absolute pressure in the flow loop 244, and the pressure sensor 248 for detecting the pressure of gas supplied to the main gas supply line 210 of the distribution system 204.

[0163] This embodiment allows for obtaining information on various parameters that are used in providing feedback when controlling the operation of the gas source 202 .

[0164] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, a gas mixing control system 270 is electrically connected to one or more of the following elements to control the N2 valve 252 for regulating the inflow of N2 into the gas mixing box 242, the CO2 valve 254 for regulating the inflow of CO2 into the gas mixing box 242, the pump 246 for circulating gas in the flow loop 244, and the discharge valve 249.

[0165] This embodiment allows for providing feedback when controlling the operation of the gas source 202 .

[0166] In one embodiment, gas mixing control system 270 is configured to receive input from the pressure sensor 248 and, based on the input, control the pump 246 and, optionally, actuate the discharge valve 249 to maintain a desired predetermined pressure of gas supplied to the main gas supply line 210 of the gas distribution system 204.

[0167] This allows the pressure within the flow loop 244 to be controlled.

[0168] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the gas mixing control system 270 is configured to receive input from the mass flow sensor 256 and, based on the input, determine the total amounts of CO2 gas and N2 gas that need to be supplied via the CO2 gas inlet 251 and the N2 gas inlet 250 according to desired predetermined criteria.

[0169] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, a gas mixing control system 270 is configured to receive inputs from the CO2 sensor 260 and the O2 sensor 258, and is configured to control the CO2 valve 254 by sending a control signal to the CO2 valve 254 based on the detected CO2 concentration, thereby regulating the inflow of CO2 gas to reach a desired predetermined CO2 concentration, and subsequently, the gas mixing control system 270 is configured to control the N2 valve 252 by sending a control signal to the N2 valve 252 based on the detected O2 concentration, thereby regulating the inflow of N2 gas to reach a desired predetermined O2 concentration.

[0170] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the gas mixing control system 270 is configured to compensate for the temperature sensitivity of the O2 sensor 258 using input from the temperature sensor 262.

[0171] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the gas mixing control system 270 is configured to compensate for the pressure sensitivity of the CO2 sensor 260 using input from the pressure sensor 264.

[0172] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the gas mixing control system 270 is configured to maintain the pressure of the gas supplied to the main gas supply line 210 of the gas distribution system 204 at a pressure between 3 and 20 mbar, for example between 5 and 18 mbar or between 10 and 15 mbar, above ambient atmospheric pressure.

[0173] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the gas mixing control system 270 is configured to maintain the CO2 concentration of the gas entering the main gas supply line 210 of the gas distribution system 204 in the range of 5-10%, for example 6-9% or 7-8%, and / or to maintain the O2 concentration of the gas entering the main gas supply line 210 of the gas distribution system 204 in the range of 5-10%, for example 6-9% or 7-8%.

[0174] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, said modular incubator system comprises a control unit 650 for controlling its operation.

[0175] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the control unit 650 is coupled to an input device 652, such as an alphanumeric input device, for enabling a user to provide configuration input regarding a desired operating protocol for the modular incubator system.

[0176] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the control unit 650 is coupled to a display unit 654 for displaying information to a user regarding the configuration and / or operating status of the modular incubator system 500.

[0177] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, with respect to one or more docking ports 402 of the docking station 400 and / or with respect to modular incubator chambers 300 docked to the one or more docking ports 402, the control unit 650 is configured to independently control one or more of: setting the thermostat 374 of the docked modular incubator chamber 300; switching on and off and / or adjusting the intensity of light emitted from the active light source 372 of the docked modular incubator chamber 300; the gas mixing control system 270; the image capture unit 408 and / or the associated displacement device 482 of the one or more docking ports 402 of the docking station 400 of the modular incubator system 500; and the image processing unit 660.

[0178] This allows the operation of the modular docking system 500 to be easily controlled centrally.

[0179] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the invention, the control unit 650 is coupled to a data processing unit 656 and optionally also to a data storage 658 that aids in handling information during control of the modular incubator system.

[0180] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the control unit 650 is configured to perform automated operation of the modular incubator system 500 by independently controlling one or more of: setting the thermostat 374 of a modular incubator chamber 300 docked at a docking port 402; switching on and off an active light source 372 of a modular incubator chamber 300 docked at a docking port 402 and / or adjusting the intensity of light emitted from the active light source 372 of a modular incubator chamber docked at a docking port 402; the gas mixing control system 270; the image capture unit 408 and / or the associated displacement device 482 of the one or more docking ports 402 of a docking station 400 of the modular incubator system 500; the gas mixing control system 270 of the docking station 400 according to provided predefined control instructions; and the image processing unit 660.

[0181] In one embodiment of the modular incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the control unit 650 is configured to generate a time lapse capture of images by the image capture device 408 .

[0182] Third aspect of the present invention In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a modular incubator chamber 300, said modular incubator chamber 300 comprising a housing 302 having a first end 340 and a second end 342, thereby defining a longitudinal direction X between said first end and said second end; the housing includes a lid 304, the lid configured to be transitionable between an open configuration that allows access to an interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber and a closed configuration that blocks access to the interior of the modular incubator chamber; the modular incubator chamber 300 comprises a culture dish support 308 for placing a culture dish 310 in the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber 300 for the purpose of containing one or more biological materials M within the housing 302 of the modular incubator chamber 300; the housing of the modular incubator chamber 300 comprises a chamber gas inlet opening 312, the chamber gas inlet opening 312 being in fluid communication with the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber, and one valve 2, 4 of the valve system 100 according to the first aspect of the present invention being arranged at the chamber gas inlet opening 312; The housing 302 of the modular incubator chamber further comprises a chamber gas outlet opening 314, the chamber gas outlet opening 314 being in fluid connection with the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber, and one valve 2, 4 of the valve system 100 according to the first aspect of the present invention being arranged at the chamber gas outlet opening 314.

[0183] In one embodiment of the modular incubator chamber according to the third aspect of the present invention, said modular incubator chamber 300 comprises the features defined for the modular incubator chamber 300 of the modular incubator system 500 according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0184] Fourth aspect of the present invention In a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a docking station 400, said docking station comprising one or more docking ports 402 for receiving modular incubator chambers 300; With respect to one or more docking ports 402 of the docking station 400, the docking ports 402 comprise docking port gas outlet openings 404, thereby allowing gas transfer from the docking ports 402 of the docking station 400 to the interior 302 of the modular incubator chamber 300 via the docking port gas outlet openings 404, and one valve 4, 2 of the valve system 100 according to the first aspect of the present invention is arranged at the docking port gas outlet openings 404; The docking port 402 further comprises a docking port gas inlet opening 406, thereby allowing gas transfer from the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber 300 to the docking port 402 of the docking station 400, and one valve 4, 2 of the valve system 100 according to the first aspect of the present invention is arranged at the docking port gas inlet opening 406.

[0185] In one embodiment of the docking station according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, said docking station comprises the features defined for the docking station of the modular incubator system 500 according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0186] Fifth aspect of the present invention In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides the use of a valve system 100 according to the first aspect of the present invention in a modular incubator system 500.

[0187] Sixth aspect of the present invention In a sixth aspect, the present invention provides the use of the modular incubator system 500 according to the second aspect of the invention for incubating viable biological material.

[0188] In one embodiment, the biological material is an oocyte or an embryo, such as a human oocyte or a human embryo.

[0189] Seventh aspect of the present invention In a seventh aspect, the present invention provides the use of the modular incubator chamber 300 according to the third aspect of the invention for incubating viable biological material.

[0190] In one embodiment, the biological material is an oocyte or an embryo, such as a human oocyte or a human embryo.

[0191] Eighth aspect of the present invention In an eighth aspect, the present invention provides the use of a docking station 400 according to the fourth aspect of the invention for incubating viable biological material.

[0192] In one embodiment, the biological material is an oocyte or an embryo, such as a human oocyte or a human embryo.

[0193] Ninth aspect of the present invention In a ninth aspect, the method of the present invention relates to a method of incubating viable biological material, said method comprising: i) providing a modular incubator system 500 according to a first aspect of the present invention; ii) providing viable biological material; iii) placing the viable biological material in a culture dish 310 and subsequently placing the culture dish within the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber 300 of the modular incubator system 500; iv) docking the modular incubator chamber 300 into the docking port 402 of the docking station 400 of the modular incubator system 500; v) allowing the viable biological material to be incubated within the modular incubator chamber 300; vi) supplying gas into and out of the interior 306 of the chamber via the valve system 100 of the modular incubator system 500; Includes.

[0194] In one embodiment, the method comprises: viii) further comprising the step of removing the incubator chamber 300 from the docking port 402 of the docking station 400 as needed to manually inspect for viable biological material and optionally remove, add, or replace growth medium in the culture dish 310.

[0195] It is noted that in the amended claims relating to the third aspect of the invention, i.e., the modular incubator chamber, it is stated that the features of this modular incubator chamber may be as defined in relation to the claims relating to the second aspect of the invention, i.e., the modular incubator system.

[0196] This should be interpreted to mean that embodiments of the modular incubator chamber itself may be as defined in the claims relating to embodiments of the modular incubator system.

[0197] This should also be construed to mean that, to the extent that an interrelationship between a modular incubator chamber and a docking station or its docking port is defined in such an embodiment of the modular incubator system, the corresponding embodiment of the modular incubator chamber claimed with reference to the modular incubator system is deemed suitable for such interrelationship.

[0198] Similarly, it is noted that in the amended claims relating to the fourth aspect of the invention, i.e., the docking station, it is stated that the features of this docking station may be as defined in relation to the claims relating to the second aspect of the invention, i.e., the modular incubator system.

[0199] This should be interpreted to mean that embodiments of the docking station itself may be as defined in the claims relating to embodiments of the modular incubator system.

[0200] This should also be construed to mean that to the extent that an interrelationship between a modular incubator chamber and a docking station or its docking port is defined in such an embodiment with respect to a modular incubator system, the corresponding embodiment of a docking station claimed with reference to the modular incubator system is deemed suitable for such interrelationship.

[0201] Referring now to the drawings to better illustrate the present invention, Figure 1 is a cutaway cross-sectional view of a valve system of a first embodiment of the present invention showing the two valves separated from each other.

[0202] FIG. 1 shows a valve system 100 comprising a first valve 2 and a second valve 4 .

[0203] The first valve 2 comprises a first valve body 6 and a first valve element 8. The first valve body 6 comprises a front end 10 and a rear end 12, and the first valve body 6 comprises a first through channel 14 extending between the front end 10 and the rear end 12 of the first valve body 6.

[0204] The first valve element 8 is arranged in the first through channel 14 of the first valve body 6 so as to be displaceable in a displacement direction D between a first extreme position and a second extreme position in said first through channel 14.

[0205] In the first extreme position, the first valve element 8 is displaced in a direction toward the front end 10 of the first valve body 6 (i.e., to the right in FIG. 1), and in the second extreme position, the first valve element 8 is displaced in a direction toward the rear end 12 of the first valve body 6 (i.e., to the left in FIG. 1).

[0206] In the valves 2 of FIG. 1, the valve element 8 of the first valve 2 is in its first extreme position.

[0207] The dimensions and shapes of the first valve body 6 and the first valve element 8 are adapted to one another so that when located in a first extreme position, the first valve element 8 blocks passage of the first through channel 14 between the front end 10 and the rear end 12 of the first valve body 6, and when displaced towards a second extreme position, the first valve element 8 provides passage of the first through channel 14 between the front end 10 and the rear end 12 of the first valve body 6.

[0208] It can be seen that the first valve 2 comprises a first spring 26. The first spring is adapted to interact with the first valve element 8 relative to the first valve body 6 so as to displace the first valve element 8 towards its first extreme position (to the right) when the first spring 26 is not otherwise acted upon, thereby closing the first valve 2. Thus, the first valve 2 will be closed when not engaged by any external force.

[0209] 1, it can be seen that in the first extreme position, the first contact surface 38 of the widened portion 36 of the first valve element 8 comes into intimate contact with the first angled surface portion 34 of the first wall segment 32 of the widened portion 30 of the first through channel 14, thereby blocking passage between the front end 10 and the rear end 12 of the first through channel 14.

[0210] Furthermore, as described below, upon displacement toward the second extreme position, the first contact surface 38 of the widened portion 36 of the first valve element 8 loses contact with the first angled surface portion 34 of the first wall segment 32 of the widened portion 30 of the first through channel 14, thereby allowing passage between the front end 10 and the rear end 12 of the first through channel 14.

[0211] The first inclined surface portion 34 of the first wall segment 32 of the widened portion 30 of the first through channel 14 is inclined with respect to the displacement direction D of the first valve element 8 in the first through channel 14 .

[0212] A first valve gasket 40 in the form of an O-ring provides a seal between the valve element 8 and the first beveled surface portion 34 of the first wall segment 32 of the first valve body of the first valve 2 .

[0213] The second valve 4 of the valve system 100 includes a second valve body 16 and a second valve element 18. The second valve body 16 includes a front end 20 and a rear end 22, and the second valve body 16 includes a second through channel 24 extending between the front end 20 and the rear end 22 of the second valve body 16.

[0214] The second valve element 18 is arranged in the second through channel 24 of the second valve body 16 such that the second valve element 18 is displaceable in the second through channel 24 in a displacement direction D between first and second extreme positions.

[0215] In a first extreme position, the second valve element 18 is displaced in a direction toward the forward end 20 of the second valve body (i.e., to the left in FIG. 1), and in the second extreme position, the second valve element 18 is displaced in a direction toward the rear end 22 of the second valve body 16 (i.e., to the right in FIG. 1).

[0216] The dimensions and shapes of the second valve body 16 and the second valve element 18 are adapted to one another so that when located in a first extreme position, the second valve element 18 blocks passage of the second through channel 24 between the front end 20 and the rear end 22 of the second valve body 16, and when displaced toward the second extreme position, the second valve element 18 provides passage of the second through channel 24 between the front end 20 and the rear end 22 of the second valve body 16.

[0217] In the valve 4 of FIG. 1, the valve element 18 of the second valve 4 is in its first extreme position.

[0218] It can be seen that the second valve 4 includes a second spring 28. The second spring is adapted to interact with the second valve element 18 relative to the second valve body 16 so as to displace the first valve element 18 toward its first extreme position (to the left) when the second spring 28 is not otherwise acted upon, thereby closing the second valve 4. Thus, the second valve 4 is closed when not engaged by an external force.

[0219] 1 shows that in the first extreme position, the second contact surface 50 of the widened portion 48 of the second valve element 18 comes into intimate contact with the second angled surface portion 46 of the wall segment 44 of the widened portion 42 of the second through channel 24, thereby blocking passage between the front end 20 and the rear end 22 of the second through channel 24.

[0220] Furthermore, as described below, upon displacement toward the second extreme position, the second contact surface 50 of the widened portion 48 of the second valve element 18 loses contact with the second angled surface portion 46 of the wall segment 44 of the widened portion 42 of the second through channel 24, thereby allowing passage between the front end 20 and the rear end 22 of said second through channel 24.

[0221] The second inclined surface portion 46 of the wall segment 44 of the widened portion 42 of the second through channel 24 is inclined with respect to the displacement direction D of said second valve element 24 .

[0222] The second valve gasket 52 provides a tight seal between the valve element 18 and the second beveled surface portion 46 of the wall segment 44 of the through channel 24 of the second valve body 16 of the second valve 4 .

[0223] The second valve gasket 52 includes a lip portion 54 in the form of a tapered lip portion facing the second contact surface 50 of the widened portion 48 of the second valve element 18 .

[0224] The lip portion 52 provides a better seal between the valve element 18 and the second angled surface portion 46 of the wall segment 44 of the second through channel 24 .

[0225] The first valve element 8 and the second valve element 18 are adapted in size and shape to one another such that when the first valve 2 is brought into contact with the second valve 4 by bringing their respective front ends 10, 20 closer together, the second valve element 18 of the second valve 4 is configured to displace the first valve element 8 of the first valve 2 towards its second extreme position, thereby opening the first valve 2, and the first valve element 8 of the first valve 2 is configured to displace the second valve element 18 of the second valve 4 towards its second extreme position, thereby opening the second valve 4.

[0226] This is explained further below.

[0227] FIG. 1 also shows that the valve body 6 of the first valve 2 is provided with a recess 56 at its front end 10, and the valve body 16 of the second valve 4 is provided with a hollow protrusion 58 at its front end 20 that surrounds at least a portion of the second valve element 18 of the second valve 4.

[0228] The size and shape of the recess 56 and the protrusion 58 are matched to each other so that the protrusion 58 of the second valve body 16 fits within the recess 56 of the first valve body 6. This is shown in FIG.

[0229] 1 also shows that the valve body 6 is provided with an end gasket 60 at its front end 10 and at the end of the recess 46, which surrounds the first valve element 8 of the first valve 2 and at least a portion of the first through-channel 14, thereby allowing the protrusion 58 of the second valve body 16 of the second valve 4 to abut against the end gasket 60 when the protrusion 58 of the second valve body 16 of the second valve 4 is inserted into the recess 56 of the first valve body 6 of the first valve 2. This can avoid or at least significantly reduce gas leakage.

[0230] Finally, FIG. 1 shows that first valve element 8 comprises a first portion 8a and a second portion 8b, with first portion 8a of first valve element 8 being located proximate to forward end 10 of first valve body 6 and second portion 8b of first valve element 8 being located distal to forward end 10 of said valve body 6.

[0231] The first and second portions 8 a , 8 b of the first valve element 8 are connected to one another via a threaded tap / threaded hole arrangement 62 .

[0232] This allows for adjustment of the overall length of the first valve element 8 in a direction parallel to the displacement direction D of the first valve element 8. This feature allows for adjustment of the extent to which the first valve element 8 extends at the front end 10 of the body 6 of the first valve 2.

[0233] The first valve element 8 has a through hole 64 at its end adjacent the forward end 10 of the first valve body 6 for allowing gas to be conveyed therethrough to the first through channel 15 of said first valve body 6.

[0234] FIG. 2 is a cutaway cross-sectional view of the valve system of FIG. 1, showing two valves touching.

[0235] FIG. 2 shows the first valve 2 and second valve 4 being brought closer together by drawing their respective front ends 10, 20 together so that the first valve element 8 of the first valve 2 touches the second valve element 18 of the second valve 4.

[0236] As can be seen, the hollow projection 58 of the second valve body 16 is thus partially inserted into the recess 56 of the first valve body 6 of the first valve. In Figure 2, the two valves 2 and 4 are still in the closed configuration.

[0237] FIG. 3 is a cutaway cross-sectional view of the valve system of FIG. 1, showing two valves close enough together that they begin to open.

[0238] In FIG. 3, the first valve body 6 of the first valve 2 and the second valve body 16 of the second valve 4 are brought closer together so that the hollow projection 48 of the second valve body 16 is now touching the end gasket 60.

[0239] This extension of the insertion of the hollow protrusion 58 causes the second valve element 18 of the second valve 4 to displace the first valve element 8 of the first valve 2 towards the second extreme position (i.e., to the left in Figure 3).

[0240] The first contact surface 38 of the widened portion 36 of the first valve element 8 thereby loses contact with the first angled surface portion 34 of the first wall segment 32 of the widened portion 30 of the first through channel 14. This, in turn, allows the passage of gas through the first through channel 14 between the front end 10 and the rear end 12 of the first valve body 6.

[0241] Since the spring constant of the second spring 28 is greater than the spring constant of the first spring 26, the second valve element 18 of the second valve 4 is not yet displaced.

[0242] FIG. 4 is a cutaway cross-sectional view of the valve system of FIG. 1 with the two valves fully engaged and both open.

[0243] FIG. 4 shows the first valve body 6 of the first valve 2 and the second valve body 16 of the second valve 4 fully engaged, so that the hollow projection 58 of the second valve body 16 is now pressed into the end gasket 60.

[0244] This causes the first valve element 8 of the first valve 2 to displace the second valve element 18 of the second valve 4 towards its second extreme position (ie to the right in Figure 4).

[0245] Additionally, the second contact surface 50 of the widened portion 48 of the second valve element 18 loses contact with the second angled surface portion 46 of the second wall segment 44 of the widened portion 42 of the second through channel 24. This allows the passage of gas through the second through channel 24 between the forward end 20 and the rearward end 22 of the second valve body 16.

[0246] Thus, in FIG. 4, both the first valve 2 and the second valve 4 are open, which means that in the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the valve system 100 can transport gas through the through channels 14, 24 of the two valve bodies 6, 16, respectively, from the rear end 22 of the second valve body 16 to the rear end 12 of the first valve body 6, or in the opposite direction.

[0247] The valve system 100 shown in Figures 1-4 is for use in a modular incubator system, which is further illustrated in Figure 5.

[0248] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a modular incubator system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0249] The modular incubator system 500 of FIG. 5 comprises a plurality of modular incubator chambers 300 in combination with docking stations 400 .

[0250] 5 includes three shelves each with six docking ports 402. Each docking port includes a second engaging means 414 for engaging with a corresponding first engaging means 326 of a modular incubator chamber 300 docked to the docking port 402.

[0251] 5 shows that each docking port 402 comprises a docking port gas outlet opening 404 and a docking port gas inlet opening 406. Openings 404 and 406 each comprise a valve 4 of valve system 100 according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0252] This allows gas to be supplied from the docking port 402 to the modular incubator chamber 300 docked to the docking port, and gas to be returned from the modular incubator chamber to the docking port.

[0253] 5 also shows that the docking port 402 includes an electrical connector 410 for supplying power from the docking port to the modular incubator chamber 300 docked thereto. Alternatively or additionally, the electrical connector 410 may carry electrical signals between the docking port 402 and the modular incubator chamber 300.

[0254] FIG. 5 also shows that an image capture device 408 is positioned below the shelf with the docking port so as to be configured to capture images of biological material contained in a culture dish 310 resting on a culture dish support 308 in the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber 300 that is docked above the image capture unit 408.

[0255] This allows morphological changes in viable biological material to be monitored while the viable biological material is being incubated within the modular incubator chamber 300 docked to the docking port 402 of the docking station 400 of the modular incubator system 500 and while a desired gas atmosphere is maintained within the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber.

[0256] The image capture device includes microscope optics for capturing close-up images.

[0257] The image capture device 408 may be configured to automatically capture images of the biological material being incubated within the modular incubator chamber 300 .

[0258] 6 is a perspective view of a modular incubator chamber of the docking system of the second embodiment of the present invention, which is also the subject of the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0259] 6 illustrates a modular incubator chamber 300 for incubating viable biological material. The modular incubator chamber includes a housing 302 having a lid 304 configured to be transitionable between an open configuration that allows access to an interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber and a closed configuration that seals off access to the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber.

[0260] The modular incubator chamber housing 302 comprises a chamber gas inlet opening 312 in fluid communication with the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber, thereby allowing gas to be supplied into the chamber via the chamber gas inlet opening 312. The chamber gas inlet opening comprises a first valve 2 having the features disclosed above with respect to the valve system 100 of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0261] The housing 302 of the modular incubator chamber 300 further comprises a chamber gas outlet opening 314 in fluid communication with the interior of the modular incubator chamber, thereby allowing gas to be delivered out of the chamber 300 via the chamber gas outlet opening 314. The chamber gas outlet opening comprises a first valve 2 having the features disclosed above with respect to the valve system 100 of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0262] By providing a chamber gas inlet opening 312 and an associated first valve 2 in the housing 302 of the modular incubator chamber 300, and a chamber gas outlet opening 314 and an associated first valve 2 in the modular incubator chamber 300, it is possible to deliver gas having an appropriate and desired gas composition from the docking port 402 of the docking station 400 to the interior of the modular incubator chamber 300, as will be further described below, and further, it is possible to allow gas within the modular incubator chamber to leave the interior of the chamber through the chamber gas outlet opening 314 and its associated first valve 2 and return to the docking station 402.

[0263] This allows a constant supply of gas with an optimal chemical composition to be delivered to the interior 306 of the chamber 300. This ensures optimal incubation conditions in terms of gas composition in the environment of the interior 306 of the chamber 300 when incubating biological material.

[0264] Furthermore, with the incubator system according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to carry out a relatively large number of incubations carried out in parallel under similar conditions in individual modular incubator chambers, with only one parameter being changed from one modular incubator chamber to another, and differences in the development of viable biological material being incubated in the various modular incubator chambers can be assigned to one incubation parameter being changed from one modular chamber to another.

[0265] This allows for the determination of optimal incubation conditions for the embryos or oocytes being incubated.

[0266] FIG. 6 also shows that the housing 302 of the modular incubator chamber 300 includes a display 324 configured to display information regarding details of the incubation taking place within the modular incubator chamber, and that the housing 302 is provided with an electrical connector 322 at a first end 340 thereof for providing power to the modular incubator chamber or for carrying electrical signals between the modular incubator chamber 300 and a docking port 402 of a docking station 400.

[0267] FIG. 7 is a plan top view of the modular incubator chamber 300 shown in FIG.

[0268] FIG. 8 is a top rear view of the modular incubator chamber 300 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, viewed from its first end.

[0269] 8 shows that the modular incubator chamber 300 includes chamber engagement means 326. These first engagement means 326 are configured to engage with docking port engagement means 414 in the docking port 402 of the docking station 400.

[0270] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the modular incubator chamber 300 shown in FIGS.

[0271] 9 shows that the housing 302 of the modular incubator chamber 300 includes a transparent window 316 for allowing an image of the biological material contained within the modular incubator chamber 300 to be captured therethrough. As can be seen, the window is located on the bottom 357 of the housing 302 of the modular incubator chamber 300.

[0272] The modular incubator chamber 300 also includes an electric heating element 318 in its interior 306 for heating the interior of the modular incubator chamber. The modular incubator chamber also includes a power supply 320 in the form of a rechargeable battery for providing power to the heating element 318, which is electrically connected to a power source 320. A light source 372 is mounted inside the lid 304 of the modular incubator chamber 300.

[0273] 9, the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber 300 includes a culture dish support 308 for placing a culture dish 310 thereon, thereby allowing one or more biological materials to be contained and incubated within the housing 302 of the modular incubator chamber 300.

[0274] Also visible in FIG. 9 is chamber engagement means 326 adapted to engage with docking port engagement means 414 of the docking port 402 to which the modular incubator chamber 300 is docked.

[0275] When such proper positioning of the modular incubator chamber 300 within the docking port 402 via the chamber engagement means 326 of the chamber 300 and the docking port engagement means 414 of the docking port 402 is achieved, the relative positions of the two electrical connectors 410 and 322 of the docking port and the modular incubator chamber, as well as the two inlet openings 312 and 406 with respective valves 2 and 4, and the two outlet openings 314, 404 with respective valves 2 and 4, respectively, match in pairs to enable electrical connection between the connectors 410 and 322. Similarly, gas openings 312 and 404 and 314 and 406 are matched in pairs to allow gas to pass from docking port gas outlet opening 404 to interior 306 of modular incubator chamber 300 via modular incubator chamber gas inlet opening 312 and valves 2 and 4 of valve system 100, and to allow gas to pass from interior 306 of modular incubator chamber 300 to docking port gas inlet opening 406 via modular incubator chamber gas outlet opening 314 and valves 2 and 4 of valve system 100.

[0276] Thus, the modular docking system 500 of the present invention allows for the continuous provision of gas from the gas source 412 to the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber.

[0277] This is further illustrated in FIG.

[0278] Figure 10 is a diagram showing the concept of a gas supply system incorporated into the docking station of the modular incubator system of the present invention.

[0279] 10 shows a gas supply system 200 for use in a docking station 400 of a modular incubator system 500 according to the present invention. The gas supply system 200 comprises a gas source 202 and a gas distribution system 204.

[0280] The gas distribution system 204 includes a plurality of docking ports 402 each having a docking port gas outlet opening 404 and a docking port gas inlet opening 406 .

[0281] For all docking ports, the docking port gas outlet opening 404 is in fluid communication with the inlet manifold 216 and the docking port gas inlet opening 406 is in fluid communication with the outlet manifold 218 .

[0282] A main gas supply line 210 supplies gas from a supply gas outlet 206 of the gas source 202 to an inlet manifold 216 , and a main gas return line 212 returns gas from an outlet manifold 218 to a return gas inlet 208 of the gas source 202 .

[0283] Gas can thereby be circulated from the gas source 202 via the gas supply system 204 to the docking port 402 and back to the gas source 202 .

[0284] To ensure the desired predetermined optimum gas composition of the gas supplied to the docking station, the gas source is provided with certain features as disclosed with reference to FIG.

[0285] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a design for a gas supply system including a gas source for use in a docking station of the present invention.

[0286] In FIG. 11, solid lines represent gas flow lines, and dashed lines represent signal lines for transmitting electrical signals or power.

[0287] FIG. 11 shows the gas distribution system 204 with its main gas supply line 210 and its main gas return line 212 (indicated by the rectangle in the upper left corner).

[0288] A main gas supply line 210 and a main gas return line 212 of the gas distribution system 204 are fluidly connected to the gas source 202, as described below.

[0289] The gas source 202 of the gas supply system 200 includes a gas mixing box 242 connected to a supply gas outlet 206 and a return gas inlet 208 of the gas source.

[0290] A main gas supply line 210 of the gas distribution system 204 is fluidly connected to the supply gas outlet 206 , and a main gas return line 212 of the gas distribution system 204 is fluidly connected to the return gas inlet 208 of the gas source 202 .

[0291] This forms a flow loop 244 that includes the gas distribution system 204 and the gas mixing box 242. The flow loop 244 includes a pump 246 for circulating the gas within the loop.

[0292] It can be seen that pump 246 is located downstream relative to main gas return line 212. It can also be seen in Figure 11 that flow loop 244 includes pump vibration damper 247 located immediately downstream relative to pump 246.

[0293] Additionally, flow loop 244 includes a pressure sensor in the form of a differential pressure sensor 248 for sensing the pressure of the gas supplied to main gas supply line 210 relative to the pressure in return gas inlet line 208 of gas distribution system 204. Pressure sensor 248 is located immediately upstream of gas distribution system 204 relative to main gas supply line 210.

[0294] The flow loop 244 further includes a discharge valve 249 to allow pressure relief within the flow loop. The discharge valve is located immediately downstream relative to the main gas return line 212 of the gas distribution system 402.

[0295] 11, it can also be seen that the gas mixing box 242 includes an N2 gas inlet 250 and a CO2 gas inlet 251.

[0296] The N2 gas inlet 250 is fluidly connected to an N2 valve 252 for regulating the inflow of N2 and an N2 mass flow sensor 253 located downstream of the N2 valve 252 for detecting the amount of N2 flowing into the gas mixing box 242.

[0297] The CO2 gas inlet 251 is fluidly connected to a CO2 valve 254 for regulating the inflow of CO2 and a CO2 mass flow sensor 255 located downstream of the CO2 valve 254 for detecting the amount of CO2 flowing into the gas mixing box 242.

[0298] The flow loop 244 also includes a mass flow sensor 256 located upstream relative to the gas mixing box 242 for sensing the amount of return gas entering the gas mixing box.

[0299] It can be seen that the gas source 202 includes an O2 sensor 258 for detecting the concentration of O2 exiting the gas distribution system 204, and that the gas source 202 includes a CO2 sensor 260 for detecting the concentration of CO2 exiting the gas distribution system 204.

[0300] The O2 and CO2 sensors are located downstream relative to the pump 246.

[0301] The gas source 202 includes a temperature sensor 262 for sensing the temperature of the gas circulating in the flow loop 244. The temperature sensor is located downstream relative to the pump 246 at a location corresponding to the location of the O2 sensor 258.

[0302] The gas source 202 includes a pressure sensor 264 for sensing the absolute pressure within the flow loop 244. The pressure sensor is located downstream relative to the pump 246 at a position corresponding to the position of the CO2 sensor 260.

[0303] 11, it can also be seen that flow loop 244 includes a UV sterilizer 266 for sterilizing gas flowing within flow loop 244 with electromagnetic radiation in the UV range. The UV sterilizer is located immediately downstream relative to main gas return line 212.

[0304] 11, it can be seen that the gas source 202 is equipped with filters 268 in the form of HEPA / VOC filters. One such filter is located immediately upstream from the main gas supply line 210. Another such filter is located immediately upstream from the N gas inlet 250 to the gas mixing box 242, and a third such filter is located immediately upstream from the CO gas inlet 251 to the gas mixing box 242.

[0305] Finally, in FIG. 11, it can be seen that the gas source 202 includes a gas mixture control system 270 .

[0306] It can be seen that the gas mixing control system 270 is electrically connected to one or more of these sensors to receive detection signals from an N mass flow sensor 253 for detecting the amount of N entering the gas mixing box, a CO mass flow sensor 255 for detecting the amount of CO entering the gas mixing box, a mass flow sensor 256 for detecting the amount of return gas entering the gas mixing box, an O sensor 258 for detecting the concentration of O exiting the main gas return line 212 of the gas distribution system 204, a CO sensor 260 for detecting the concentration of CO exiting the main gas return line 212 of the gas distribution system 204, a temperature sensor 262 for detecting the temperature circulating in the flow loop 244, a pressure sensor 264 for detecting the absolute pressure in the flow loop 244, and a pressure sensor 248 for detecting the pressure of the gas supplied to the main gas supply line 210 of the gas distribution system 204.

[0307] It can also be seen in FIG. 11 that a gas mixing control system 270 is electrically connected to one or more of the following elements to control the N2 valve 252 for regulating the inflow of N2 into the gas mixing box 242, the CO2 valve 254 for regulating the inflow of CO2 into the gas mixing box 242, the pump 246 for circulating the gases in the flow loop 244, and the discharge valve 249.

[0308] The control of the gas sources by the gas mixture control system 270 is carried out according to two control strategies. The first control strategy is directed to controlling the pressure of the gas exiting the supply gas outlet 206, and the second control strategy is directed to controlling the CO and O concentrations of the gas exiting the supply gas outlet 206. The two control strategies are carried out simultaneously, as will be further described below.

[0309] The gas mixing control system 270 is configured to receive input from the pressure sensor 248 and, based on the input, control the pump 246 and, optionally, actuate the discharge valve 249 to maintain a desired predetermined pressure of the gas supplied to the main gas supply line 210 of the gas distribution system 204.

[0310] The gas mixture control system 270 is further configured to receive input from the mass flow sensor 256 and, based on this input, determine the total amount of CO2 gas and N2 gas that needs to be supplied through the CO2 gas inlet 251 and the N2 gas inlet 250 according to desired predetermined criteria.

[0311] The gas mixing control system 270 can determine the relative proportions of CO2 gas and N2 gas to be supplied to the gas mixing box 242 based on information regarding the total amounts of CO2 gas and N2 gas that need to be supplied, as described above.

[0312] This is done by receiving inputs from a CO2 sensor 260 and an O2 sensor 258.

[0313] Based on the sensed CO2 concentration, the gas mixture control system 270 controls the CO2 valve 254 by sending a control signal to the CO2 valve 254, thereby adjusting the inflow of CO2 gas to reach the desired predetermined CO2 concentration.

[0314] The gas mixture control system 270 then controls the N2 valve 252 by sending a control signal to the N2 valve 252 based on the sensed O2 concentration, thereby adjusting the inflow of N2 gas to reach the desired predetermined O2 concentration.

[0315] By using the gas sources disclosed above, a constant gas circulation is provided to one or more modular incubator chambers 300 docked to respective docking ports 402 of the docking station 400. By constantly adjusting the inflow of CO and N gases based on the sensed CO and O concentrations in the return gas from the gas distribution system 204, an optimal and predetermined gas composition can be maintained.

[0316] The design of the gas distribution system 204 maintains equal flow rates through each modular incubator chamber 300, thereby minimizing chamber-to-chamber variations in gas composition within the modular incubator chambers 300, even when the modular incubator chamber 300 is removed from its docking port 402.

[0317] It should be noted that when referring to an upstream location relative to another location, the upstream location is still interpreted to mean a location within the gas source 202, preferably not so far upstream as to pass through the gas mixing box 242 or the gas distribution system 204.

[0318] Similarly, when referring to a downstream location relative to another location, the downstream location is understood to mean a location still within the gas source 202, preferably not downstream enough to pass through the gas mixing box 242 or the gas distribution system 204.

[0319] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the control operation mode of the modular incubator system according to the present invention.

[0320] 12 shows a control unit 650 for controlling the operation of the modular incubator system 500. The control unit is coupled to an input device 652 in the form of an alphanumeric input device for allowing a user to provide configuration input regarding a desired operating protocol for said modular incubator system.

[0321] A display unit 654 is coupled to the control unit 650 via the docking port 402 for displaying information to a user regarding the settings and / or operating status of one or more of the modular incubator chambers 300 .

[0322] It can be seen that the control unit 650 is coupled to the electrical connector 410 of the docking port 402 of the docking station 400 so that power and electrical signals can be provided to one or more modular incubator chambers 300 docked to the docking port 402 of the docking station 400 of the modular incubator system 500 via the associated connector 322 of the modular incubator chamber 300.

[0323] By being connected to the docking ports 402 of the docking station 400, when one or more modular incubator chambers 300 are docked to the docking ports 402 of the docking station 400, the control unit 650 can be used to independently control one or more of the following: the setting of the thermostat 374 of the docked modular incubator chamber 300; switching on and off and / or adjusting the intensity of the light emitted from the active light source 372 of the docked modular incubator chamber 300; the gas mixing control system 270; the image capture units 408 and / or associated displacement devices 482 of one or more docking ports 402 of the docking stations 400 of the modular incubator system 500; and the image processing unit 660.

[0324] The control unit 650 may include a CPU or other data processor 656 for processing information involved in controlling the operation of the modular incubator system 500, for example by including a computer program for handling the information involved in controlling the operation, and the control unit 650 may also include data storage 658.

[0325] This may allow for automated operation of the modular incubator system 500 in the sense that the control unit 650 may independently control, among other things, the temperature, gas composition, on / off switching of the light source 372, and the image capture unit 408 in one or more of the modular incubator chambers.

[0326] Thus, by using the modular incubator system 500 of the present invention, viable biological material can be incubated in one or more modular incubators 300 docked to the docking ports 402 of the docking station 400, while simultaneously visually monitoring the biological material via the image capture device 408.

[0327] Furthermore, simultaneously, a desired gas composition can be maintained in the interior 306 of each modular incubator chamber 300. Because the modular incubator chambers are equipped with valves 2, 4 at their respective gas inlet openings 312 and gas outlet openings 314, the gas atmosphere is maintained and not disturbed by the outside atmosphere (relative to the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber 300) even when the modular incubator chambers are removed from their respective docking ports 402 of the docking stations 400 of the modular incubator system 500. During such removal of the modular incubator chambers 300 from the docking ports 402 of the docking stations 400, the power supply 320 and electric heating element 318 enable the temperature of the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber 300 to be maintained.

[0328] The present invention thereby allows for the incubation of biological material within the modular incubator chamber 300 while minimizing the deleterious effects associated with deviations from the optimized desired gas atmosphere inside the modular incubator chamber, while simultaneously allowing for visual monitoring of the morphological development of the biological material.

[0329] It should be noted that, with respect to N adjacently arranged docking ports 402 of a docking station 400, these adjacently arranged docking ports 402 may share a common image capture device 408 in the sense that only one image capture device is responsible for capturing images associated with a modular incubator chamber 300 docked to one of these N adjacently arranged docking ports 402.

[0330] In such circumstances, a displacement device 482 in the form of a motorized suspension of the image capture device 408 is configured to displace along a displacement track extending beneath the N adjacent docking ports 402 upon receiving a signal to the displacement device 482 to enable displacement of the common image capture device 408 relative to the N adjacently disposed docking ports 402 of the docking station 400. This enables the common image capture device 408 to capture images of biological material contained in the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber 300 docked to any of the N docking ports 402 of the docking station 400.

[0331] Although the above embodiment is disclosed as having the first valve 2 of the valve system 100 located within the modular incubator chamber 300 and the second valve 4 of the valve system 100 located within the docking port 402, the reverse arrangement may also be possible. Valves 2 and 4 may allow gas to flow into the chamber 300, valves 2 and 4 may allow gas to flow out of the chamber, or both.

[0332] It is to be understood that all features and achievements described above and in the appended claims and clauses in relation to one aspect and embodiment of the invention apply equally to other aspects and embodiments of the invention.

[0333] The present invention can be defined according to the following clauses. Clause 1. A valve system (100) for a modular incubator system (500), said valve system comprising a first valve (2) and a second valve (4); The first valve (2) a first valve body (6); a first valve element (8) and Equipped with the first valve body (6) having a front end (10) and a rear end (12); the first valve body (6) includes a first through channel (14) extending between the front end (10) and the rear end (12) of the first valve body (6); the first valve element (8) is disposed within the first through channel (14) of the first valve body (6) such that the first valve element (8) is displaceable in a displacement direction D between a first extreme position and a second extreme position within the first through channel (14), wherein in the first extreme position the first valve element (8) is displaced in a direction toward the front end (10) of the first valve body (6), and in the second extreme position the first valve element (8) is displaced in a direction toward the rear end (12) of the first valve body (6); the first valve body (6) and the first valve element (8) are adapted in size and shape to one another such that, when positioned in the first extreme position, the first valve element (8) blocks passage of the first through channel (14) between the front end (10) and the rear end (12) of the first valve body (6), and when displaced toward the second extreme position, the first valve element (8) provides passage of the first through channel (14) between the front end (10) and the rear end (12) of the first valve body (6); The second valve (4) a second valve body (16); a second valve element (18); Equipped with the second valve body (16) having a front end (20) and a rear end (22); the second valve body (16) includes a second through channel (24) extending between the front end (20) and the rear end (22) of the second valve body (16); the second valve element (18) is disposed within the second through channel (24) of the second valve body (16) such that the second valve element (18) is displaceable in a displacement direction D between first and second extreme positions within the second through channel (24), wherein in the first extreme position, the second valve element (18) is displaced toward the front end (20) of the second valve body (16), and in the second extreme position, the second valve element (18) is displaced toward the rear end (22) of the second valve body (16); The second valve body (16) and the second valve element (18) are sized and shaped to be adapted to one another such that, when positioned in the first extreme position, the second valve element (18) blocks passage of the second through channel (24) between the front end (20) and the rear end (22) of the second valve body (16), and when displaced toward the second extreme position, the second valve element (18) provides passage of the second through channel (24) between the front end (20) and the rear end (22) of the second valve body (16). Clause 2. The valve system (100) of clause 1, wherein the dimensions and shapes of the first valve element (8) and the second valve element (18) are adapted to each other such that when the first valve (2) is brought into contact with the second valve (4) by bringing the respective front ends (10, 20) of the first valve (2) and the second valve (4) closer together, the second valve element (18) of the second valve (4) displaces the first valve element (8) of the first valve (2) towards its second extreme position, thereby opening the first valve (2), and the first valve element (8) of the first valve (2) displaces the second valve element (18) of the second valve (4) towards its second extreme position, thereby opening the second valve (4). Clause 3. The first valve (2) comprises a first spring (26), the first spring adapted to interact with the first valve element (8) relative to the first valve body (6) so as to displace the first valve element (8) towards the first extreme position when not otherwise acted upon, thereby closing the first valve (2); and / or 3. The valve system (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the second valve (4) comprises a second spring (28) adapted to interact with the second valve element (18) relative to the second valve body (16) so as to displace the second valve element (18) toward the first extreme position when not otherwise acted upon, thereby closing the second valve (4). Clause 4. The valve system (100) of clause 3, wherein the first valve (2) comprises the first spring (26) having a first spring constant and the second valve (4) comprises the second spring (28) having a second spring constant, wherein the first spring constant is equal to the second spring constant, thereby causing the first valve (2) and the second valve (4) to open substantially simultaneously when they contact each other, or the first spring constant is smaller than the second spring constant, thereby causing the first valve (2) to open before the second valve (4) when they contact each other, or the first spring constant is greater than the second spring constant, thereby causing the second valve (4) to open before the first valve (2) when they contact each other. Clause 5. The first through channel (14) of the first valve (2) includes a widened portion (30) having a first wall segment (32) defining a first inclined surface portion (34) inclined with respect to the displacement direction D of the first valve element (8), the first valve element (8) includes a widened portion (36) having a first contact surface (38), and when the first valve element (8) is in its first extreme position, the first contact surface (38) of the first valve element (8) is in contact with the first inclined surface portion (34) of the first through channel (14), thereby blocking passage of the first through channel (14). 5. The valve system (100) according to any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the widened portion (36) of the first valve element (8) is received within the widened portion (30) of the first through channel (14) so ​​that when the first valve element (8) is in its second extreme position, the widened portion (36) of the first valve element (8) is separated from the first inclined surface portion (34) of the first through channel (14), thereby opening the first valve (2) by providing passage through the first through channel (14). Clause 6. A valve system (100) according to clause 5, wherein the first contact surface (38) of the first valve element (8) is inclined with respect to the displacement direction D of the first valve element (8). Clause 7. A valve system (100) according to clause 5 or 6, wherein the first inclined surface portion (34) of the first through channel (14) and / or the first contact surface (38) of the first valve element (8) has an inclination of 5 to 90°, for example 10 to 85°, 15 to 80°, 20 to 75°, 25 to 70°, 30 to 65°, 35 to 60°, 40 to 55°, or 45 to 50°, relative to the displacement direction D of the first valve element (8). Clause 8. A valve system (100) according to any one of clauses 5 to 7, wherein a first valve gasket (40) is provided in the region of the first contact surface (38) of the first valve element (8). Clause 9. A valve system (100) as described in Clause 8, wherein the first valve gasket (40) is part of the first inclined surface portion (34) of the first through channel (14) and / or the first valve gasket (40) is part of the first contact surface (38) of the first valve element (8). Clause 10. The second through channel (24) of the second valve (4) includes a widened portion (42) having a second wall segment (44) defining a second inclined surface portion (46) inclined with respect to the displacement direction D of the second valve element (18), and the second valve element (18) includes a widened portion (48) having a second contact surface (50), and when the second valve element (18) is in its first extreme position, the second contact surface (50) of the second valve element (18) contacts the second inclined surface portion (46) of the second through channel (24) to thereby 10. The valve system (100) of any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the widened portion (48) of the second valve element (18) is received within the widened portion (42) of the second through channel (24) so ​​that when the second valve element (18) is in its second extreme position, the second contact surface (50) of the second valve element (18) is away from the second inclined surface portion (46) of the second through channel (24), thereby opening the first valve (4). Clause 11. A valve system (100) according to clause 10, wherein the second contact surface (50) of the second valve element (18) is inclined with respect to the displacement direction D of the second valve element (18). Clause 12. A valve system (100) according to clause 10 or 11, wherein the second inclined surface portion (46) of the second through channel (24) and / or the second contact surface (50) of the second valve element (18) has an inclination of 5 to 90°, for example 10 to 85°, 15 to 80°, 20 to 75°, 25 to 70°, 30 to 65°, 35 to 60°, 40 to 55°, or 45 to 50°, relative to the displacement direction of the second valve element (18). Clause 13. A valve system (100) according to any one of clauses 10 to 12, wherein a second valve gasket (52) is provided in the region of the second inclined surface portion (46) of the second through channel (24). Clause 14. A valve system (100) as described in Clause 13, wherein the second valve gasket (52) is part of the second inclined surface portion (46) of the second through channel (24) and / or the second valve gasket (52) is part of the second contact surface (50) of the second valve element (18). Clause 15. The second valve gasket (52) comprises one or more lip portions (54), such as one or more tapered lip portions; the second valve gasket (52) is part of the second beveled surface portion (46) of the second through channel (24), and the one or more lip portions (54) face toward the second contact surface (50) of the second valve element (18); or A valve system (100) as described in clause 14, wherein the second valve gasket (52) is part of the second contact surface (50) of the second valve element (18) and the one or more lip portions (54) face toward the second inclined surface portion (46) of the second through channel (24). Clause 16. A valve system (100) according to any one of clauses 1 to 15, wherein the valve body (6) of the first valve (2) comprises a recess (56) at the front end (10) of the valve body (6), and the valve body (16) of the second valve (4) comprises a hollow protrusion (58) at the front end (20) of the valve body (16) that surrounds at least a portion of the second valve element (18) of the second valve (4), and the dimensions and shapes of the recess (56) and the protrusion (58) are adapted to each other so that the protrusion (58) of the second valve body (16) fits within the recess (56) of the first valve body (6). Clause 17. The valve system (100) according to clause 16, wherein the first valve body (6) comprises an end gasket (60) at the front end (10) of the first valve body (6) and at the inner end of the recess, the end gasket (60) surrounding at least a portion of the first valve element (8) and / or the first through-channel (14) of the first valve (2), thereby allowing the protrusion (58) of the second valve body (16) of the second valve (4) to abut against the end gasket (60) when the protrusion (58) of the second valve body (16) of the second valve (4) is inserted into the recess (56) of the first valve body (6) of the first valve (2) to avoid gas leakage. Clause 18. The valve system (100) according to any one of clauses 1 to 17, wherein the first valve element (8) comprises a first portion (8a) and a second portion (8b), the first portion (8a) of the first valve element (8) being disposed proximate the forward end (10) of the first valve body (6), and the second portion (8b) of the first valve element (8) being disposed distal to the forward end (10) of the first valve body (6), and the first portion (8a) and the second portion (8b) of the first valve element (8) being connected to each other via a threaded tap / threaded hole arrangement (62), thereby enabling adjustment of the overall length of the first valve element (8) in a direction parallel to the displacement direction D of the first valve element (8). Clause 19. A valve system (100) according to any of clauses 1 to 18, wherein the first valve element (8) has one or more through holes (64) at an end proximate to the forward end (10) of the first valve body (6), the one or more through holes (64) being for enabling gas to be conveyed through the holes to the first through channel (14) of the first valve body (6). Clause 20. The valve system (100) of any of clauses 8, 9, 13 to 15, and 17, wherein the gaskets (40, 52, 60) are independently made of an elastomeric polymer such as rubber or silicone. Clause 1. A modular incubator system (500) for incubating viable biological material M, said modular incubator system comprising: One or more modular incubator chambers (300) in combination with a docking station (400) Equipped with For one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers (300), the modular incubator chamber (300) comprises a housing (302) having a first end (340) and a second end (342), thereby defining a longitudinal direction X between the first end and the second end; the housing includes a lid (304), the lid configured to be movable between an open configuration that allows access to an interior (306) of the modular incubator chamber and a closed configuration that blocks access to the interior of the modular incubator chamber; the modular incubator chamber (300) comprises a culture dish support (308) for placing a culture dish (310) in the interior (306) of the modular incubator chamber (300) for the purpose of containing one or more biological materials M within the housing (302) of the modular incubator chamber (300); for one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers (300), the housing of the modular incubator chamber (300) comprises a chamber gas inlet opening (312), the chamber gas inlet opening (312) being in fluid communication with the interior (306) of the modular incubator chamber; the housing (302) of the modular incubator chamber further comprises a chamber gas outlet opening (314), the chamber gas outlet opening (314) being in fluid communication with the interior (306) of the modular incubator chamber; the docking station (400) comprises one or more docking ports (402) for receiving modular incubator chambers; For one or more docking ports (402) of the docking station (400), the docking ports (402) comprise docking port gas outlet openings (404), thereby enabling gas transfer from the docking port (402) of the docking station (400) to the interior (302) of the modular incubator chamber (300) via the docking port gas outlet openings (404) and the chamber gas inlet openings (312); the docking port (402) further comprises a docking port gas inlet opening (406) thereby allowing gas transfer from the interior (306) of the modular incubator chamber (300) to the docking port (402) of the docking station (400); one valve (2, 4) of the valve system (100) of any one of clauses 1 to 20 is disposed at the chamber gas inlet opening (312) and another valve (4, 2) of the valve system (100) of any one of clauses 1 to 20 is disposed at the docking port gas outlet opening (404); A modular incubator system (500) wherein one valve (2, 4) of the valve system (100) described in any of clauses 1 to 20 is disposed at the chamber gas outlet opening (314) and another valve (4, 2) of the valve system (100) described in any of clauses 1 to 20 is disposed at the docking port gas inlet opening (406). Clause 22. With respect to one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers (300) and one or more of the one or more docking ports (402) of the docking station (400), the positions of the chamber gas inlet openings (312) of the modular incubator chambers (300) and the docking ports (402) are related to each other such that, upon docking of the modular incubator chambers (300) to the docking ports (402), the valves (2, 4) of the chamber gas inlet openings (312) of the housing (302) of the modular incubator chambers (300) and the valves (4, 2) of the docking port gas outlet openings (404) of the docking ports (402) are in fluid connection and in an open configuration. 22. The modular incubator system (500) of claim 21, wherein the positions of the valve (4,2) at the chamber gas outlet opening (314) of the modular incubator chamber (300) and the valve (4,2) at the docking port gas inlet opening (406) of the docking port (402) are adapted to each other so that, when the modular incubator chamber (300) is docked to the docking port (402), the chamber gas outlet opening (314) of the housing (302) of the modular incubator chamber (300) and the docking port gas inlet opening (406) of the docking port (402) are in fluid connection and an open configuration. Clause 23. A modular incubator system (500) as described in either clause 20 or 21, wherein, with respect to one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers (300), the housing (302) of the modular incubator chamber (300) comprises a transparent window (316), and with respect to one or more docking ports (402) of the docking station (400), the docking port comprises an image capture device (408), thereby enabling the capture of images of biological material M contained in the interior (306) of the modular incubator chamber (300) when docked to the docking port (402). Clause 24. A modular incubator system (500) as described in Clause 23, wherein, with respect to one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers (300) and one or more of the one or more docking ports (402) of the docking station (400), the position of the transparent window (316) of the modular incubator chamber (300) is adapted to the position of the image capture device (408) within the docking port (402) so that when the modular incubator chamber (300) is docked to the docking port (402), the image capture device (408) can capture an image through the transparent window (316) of the modular incubator chamber (300). Clause 25. A modular incubator system (500) as described in clause 23 or 24, wherein, for one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers (300), the transparent window (316) of the modular incubator chamber (300) is positioned on the bottom (357) of the housing (302). Clause 26. A modular incubator system (500) as described in any of clauses 23 to 25, wherein, for one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers (300), the transparent window (316) of the housing (302) of the modular incubator chamber has an elongated shape, such as an elongated linear extension extending in a direction Y transverse to the longitudinal direction X of the housing of the modular incubation chamber (300). Clause 27. A modular incubator system (500) described in any of clauses 23 to 26, wherein, for one or more specific docking ports (402) of the docking station (400), the specific docking ports are provided with dedicated image capture devices (408) configured to capture only images related to the modular incubator chambers (300) docked to the specific docking ports (402). Clause 28. A modular incubator system (500) described in any of clauses 23 to 27, wherein the adjacently arranged docking ports (402) of the docking station (400) share a common image capturing device (408) in the sense that, for N adjacently arranged docking ports (402), only one image capturing device is responsible for capturing images relating to a modular incubator chamber (300) docked to one of the N adjacently arranged docking ports (402), and the docking station is provided with a displacement device (482), such as an electrically driven remotely controlled displacement device (482), for enabling displacement of the common image capturing device (408) relative to the N adjacently arranged docking ports (402) of the docking station (400). Clause 29. The modular incubator system (500) of clause 28, wherein N is an integer selected from the range of 2 to 25 or more, for example, 4 to 22, 6 to 20, 8 to 18, 10 to 16, or 12 to 14. Clause 30. A modular incubator system (500) described in any of clauses 21 to 29, wherein, with respect to one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers (300) and one or more of the one or more docking ports (402) of the docking station (400), the modular incubator chambers (300) are configured to be docked to the docking ports (402) with a first end (340) of the modular incubator chambers (300) facing the docking ports (402). Clause 31. A modular incubator system (500) as described in any of clauses 21 to 30, wherein, for one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers (300), the modular incubator chamber (300) is provided with a light source (372) in the interior 306 of the modular incubator chamber (300) for directing light toward an area of ​​the culture dish support (308) of the modular incubator chamber (300), thereby enabling illumination of the viable biological material in situations where an image of the viable biological material is captured. Clause 32. A modular incubator system (500) as described in clause 31, wherein the light source (372) is mounted inside the lid (304) of the housing (302) of the modular incubator chamber (300). Clause 33. A modular incubator system (500) according to clause 31 or 32, wherein the light source (372) is selected from the group consisting of one or more LEDs, one or more laser diodes, and one or more incandescent bulbs. Clause 34. A modular incubator system (500) described in any of clauses 21 to 33, wherein, for one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers (300), the culture dish support (308) defines a planar support surface for supporting the culture dish (310). Clause 35. A modular incubator system (500) as described in any of clauses 21 to 33, wherein, for one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers (300), an electrical connector (322) is provided, such as on an outer portion of the housing (302) of the modular incubator chamber (300), for providing power and / or electrical signals to the modular incubator chamber, and, for one or more docking ports (402) of the docking station (400), an electrical connector (410) is provided at the docking port, thereby enabling power and / or electrical signals to be provided from the docking port (402) of the docking station (400) to the modular incubator chamber (300) docked to the docking port (402). Clause 36. A modular incubator system (500) described in any of clauses 21 to 35, wherein, for one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers (300), the lid (304) is a hinged lid connected to the housing of the modular incubator chamber via a hinge. Clause 37. A modular incubator system (500) as described in any of clauses 21 to 36, wherein, for one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers (300), the housing (302) of the modular incubator chamber (300) is provided with a display (324) configured to display information regarding the operating status of the incubation taking place within the modular incubator chamber. Clause 38. A modular incubator system (500) as described in any of clauses 21 to 37, wherein the docking station (400) comprises one or more shelves of adjacently positioned docking ports (402), and when the docking station comprises two or more shelves, the shelves are arranged one above the other. Clause 39. A modular incubator system (500) according to any of clauses 21 to 38, wherein, with respect to one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers (300), the modular incubator chamber comprises an incubation chamber engagement means (326), and with respect to one or more docking ports (402) of the docking station (400), the docking port comprises a docking port engagement means (414), the incubation chamber engagement means (326) being configured to engage with the docking port engagement means (414) so ​​as to enable easy and proper positioning, and optionally fixing, of the modular incubator chamber (300) within the docking port (402), as well as easy and proper removal of the modular incubator chamber (300) from the docking port (402) of the docking station (400). Clause 40. A modular incubator system (500) according to any of clauses 21 to 39, wherein the modular incubator system (500) comprises an image processing unit (660) for image processing of images captured by the image capture device (408), and the modular incubator system (400) further comprises a data storage (658) for storing images captured by the image capture unit (408) and / or for storing images processed by the image processing unit. Clause 41. A modular incubator system (500) as described in Clause 40, wherein one or more of the image capture devices 408 of the docking ports 402 of the docking station are coupled to the image processing unit 660. Clause 42. A modular incubator system (500) described in any of clauses 21 to 41, wherein, with respect to one or more of the modular incubator chambers (300), the valves (2, 4) are arranged with their front ends (10, 20) facing outward, and with respect to one or more of the docking ports (402), the valves (4, 2) are arranged with their front ends (20, 10) facing outward. Clause 43. For one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers (300), a first valve (2) of the valve system (100) is arranged at the chamber gas inlet opening (312) and the chamber gas outlet opening (314), and for one or more of the one or more docking stations (402) of the docking station (400), a second valve (4) of the valve system (100) is arranged at the docking port gas outlet opening (404) and the docking port gas inlet opening (406); or A modular incubator system (500) as described in any of clauses 21 to 42, wherein for one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers (300), a second valve (4) of the valve system (100) is arranged at the chamber gas inlet opening (312) and the chamber gas outlet opening (314), and for one or more of the one or more docking stations (402) of the docking station (400), a first valve (2) of the valve system (100) is arranged at the docking port gas outlet opening (404) and the docking port gas inlet opening (406). Clause 44. A modular incubator system (500) according to any of clauses 21 to 43, wherein the image capture device (408) comprises microscopic optics to enable capture of microscopic images. Clause 45. A modular incubator system (500) as described in any of clauses 21 to 44, wherein, for one or more of the modular incubator chambers (300), the modular incubator chamber comprises, in its interior (306), an electric heating element (318) for heating the interior of the modular incubator chamber, the modular incubator chamber comprises a power supply (320) for providing power to the heating element (318), and the electric heating element (318) is electrically connected to the power supply (320). Clause 46. The modular incubator system (500) according to clause 45, wherein the power source (320) is a power source such as a battery, e.g. a rechargeable battery. Clause 47. A modular incubator system (500) described in either clause 45 or 46, wherein the heating element (318) is thermally connected to a heat distribution element for distributing heat dissipated by the heating element, and the heat distribution element is at least partially positioned within the interior (306) of the modular incubator chamber (300). Clause 45. A modular incubator system (500) as described in any of clauses 45 to 47, wherein the chamber comprises a thermostat (374) and an electrical thermostat circuit (376), and the electric heating element (318), the power source (320), and the thermostat (374) are electrically connected within the electrical thermostat circuit (376) to enable thermostatic control of the temperature within the modular incubator chamber (300). Clause 49. A modular incubator system (500) according to any of clauses 21 to 48, wherein the number of modular incubator chambers (300) of said modular incubator system (500) is selected from the range of 1 to 100, for example, from 2 to 95, from 5 to 90, from 10 to 85, from 15 to 80, from 20 to 75, from 25 to 70, from 30 to 65, from 35 to 60, from 40 to 55, or from 45 to 50. Clause 50. A modular incubator system (500) according to any of clauses 21 to 49, wherein the number of docking ports (402) in the docking station (400) of the modular incubator system 500 is selected from the range of 1 to 100, for example, 2 to 95, 5 to 90, 10 to 85, 15 to 80, 20 to 75, 25 to 70, 30 to 65, 35 to 60, 40 to 55, or 45 to 50. Clause 51. A modular incubator system (500) described in any of clauses 21 to 50, wherein for one or more of the docking ports (402) of the docking station (400) of the modular incubator system (500), preferably for all of the docking ports (402), the docking port gas outlet opening (404) is provided with a flow restrictor for limiting the magnitude of the flow rate of gas entering the docking port (402). Clause 52. The flow restrictor comprises a tube through which gas is delivered to the docking port (402), the tube optionally having a diameter of 0.2 to 8 mm. 2 range, e.g., 0.5 to 7 mm 2 , 1 to 6 mm 2 , 2~5mm 2 , or 3 to 4 mm 2 and / or the length of the tubes is optionally selected from the range of 5 to 30 mm, for example 8 to 25 mm, 10 to 22 mm, or 15 to 20 mm. Clause 21 to 52 of the modular incubator system (500), wherein the docking station (400) comprises a gas distribution system (204) for supplying gas to and from one or more of the one or more docking ports (402), the gas distribution system (204) comprising a main gas supply line (210) and a main gas return line (212), and wherein, for one or more of the docking ports (402), the docking port gas inlet opening (404) is fluidly connected to the main gas supply line (210) and the docking port gas outlet opening (406) is fluidly connected to the main gas return line (212). Clause 54. The gas distribution system (204) comprises several manifold pairs (214), each manifold pair including an inlet manifold (216) and an outlet manifold (218), the inlet manifold (216) being fluidly connected to the main gas supply line (210), the outlet manifold (218) being fluidly connected to the main gas return line (212), and each manifold pair (214) being fluidly connected to the particular manifold pair (214) and one or more docking ports connected thereto. 54. A modular incubator system (500) as described in clause 53, wherein the docking port (402) is connected to the one or more docking ports (402) of the docking station (400) such that the docking port gas outlet opening (404) of the docking port (402) is fluidly connected to the inlet manifold (216) and the docking port gas inlet opening (406) of the docking port (402) is fluidly connected to the outlet manifold (218). Clause 55. A modular incubator system (500) as described in clause 53 or 54, wherein the docking station (400) comprises a gas supply system (200), the gas supply system (200) comprising a gas source (202) and the gas distribution system (204), the gas source comprising a supply gas outlet (206) and a return gas inlet (208), the supply gas outlet (206) of the gas source 202 being fluidly connected to the main gas supply line (210) of the gas distribution system (204), and the return gas inlet (208) of the gas source (202) being fluidly connected to the main gas return line (212) of the gas distribution system (204). Clause 56. A modular incubator system (500) according to any one of clauses 53 to 55, wherein the gas source (202) of the gas supply system (200) comprises a gas mixing box (242) having the supply gas outlet (206) and the return gas inlet (208) of the gas source, the main gas supply line (210) of the gas distribution system (204) being fluidly connected to the supply gas outlet (206), and the main gas return line (212) of the gas distribution system (204) being fluidly connected to the return gas inlet (208) of the gas source (202), thereby forming a flow loop (244) comprising the gas distribution system (204) and the gas mixing box (242), and the flow loop comprising a pump (246) for circulating gas within the loop. Clause 57. The modular incubator system (500) according to clause 56, wherein the pump (246) is disposed downstream relative to the main gas return line (212). Clause 58. A modular incubator system (500) as described in clause 56 or 57, wherein the flow loop (244) includes a pump vibration damper (247), which is optionally positioned immediately downstream of the pump (246). Clause 59. A modular incubator system (500) described in any of clauses 56 to 58, wherein the flow loop (244) includes a pressure sensor, such as a differential pressure sensor (248), for detecting the pressure of gas supplied to the main gas supply line (210) of the gas distribution system (204), the pressure sensor (248) optionally being positioned immediately upstream of the main gas supply line (210) of the gas distribution system (204). Clause 60. The modular incubator system (500) of clause 59, wherein the pressure sensor (249) is a differential pressure sensor that detects pressure relative to the pressure at the return gas inlet (208). Clause 61. A modular incubator system (500) described in any of clauses 56 to 60, wherein the flow loop (244) includes a discharge valve (249) for allowing pressure relief within the flow loop, the discharge valve optionally being positioned immediately downstream of the main gas return line (212) of the gas distribution system (402). Clause 62. A modular incubator system (500) described in any of clauses 56 to 61, wherein the gas mixing box 242 comprises an N2 gas inlet (250) and a CO2 gas inlet (251), the N2 gas inlet (250) being fluidly connected to an N2 valve (252) for regulating the inflow of N2 and an N2 mass flow sensor (253) arranged downstream of the N2 valve (252) for detecting the amount of N2 flowing into the gas mixing box (242), and the CO2 gas inlet (251) being fluidly connected to a CO2 valve (254) for regulating the inflow of CO2 and a CO2 mass flow sensor (255) arranged downstream of the CO2 valve (254) for detecting the amount of CO2 flowing into the gas mixing box (242). Clause 63. A modular incubator system (500) described in any of clauses 56 to 62, wherein the flow loop (244) includes a mass flow sensor (256) positioned upstream relative to the gas mixing box (242) for detecting the amount of return gas entering the gas mixing box. Clause 64. A modular incubator system (500) described in any of clauses 56 to 63, wherein the gas source (202) is provided with an O2 sensor 258 for detecting the concentration of O2 exiting the gas distribution system (204), and the gas source (202) is provided with a CO2 sensor (260) for detecting the concentration of CO2 exiting the gas distribution system (204), and the O2 sensor and / or the CO2 sensor are optionally positioned downstream of the pump (246). Clause 65. A modular incubator system (500) described in any of clauses 56 to 64, wherein the gas source (202) is provided with a temperature sensor (262) for detecting the temperature of the gas circulating in the flow loop (244), the temperature sensor optionally being positioned downstream of the pump (246), preferably at a position corresponding to the position of the O2 sensor (258). Clause 66. A modular incubator system (500) according to any of clauses 56 to 65, wherein the gas source (202) is provided with a pressure sensor (264) for detecting the absolute pressure in the flow loop (244), the pressure sensor being optionally positioned downstream of the pump (246), preferably at a position corresponding to the position of the CO2 sensor (260). Clause 67. A modular incubator system (500) described in any of clauses 56 to 66, wherein the flow loop (244) includes a UV sterilizer (266) for sterilizing gas flowing within the flow loop (244) by electromagnetic radiation in the UV range, the UV sterilizer optionally being positioned immediately downstream of the main gas return line (212). Clause 68. A modular incubator system (500) according to any of clauses 56 to 67, wherein the gas source (202) is provided with one or more filters (268), such as HEPA and / or VOC filters, the filters being positioned immediately upstream of the main gas supply line (210), and / or the filters being positioned immediately upstream of the N2 gas inlet (250) to the gas mixing box (242), and / or the filters being positioned immediately upstream of the CO2 gas inlet (251) to the gas mixing box (242). Clause 69. The gas source (202) comprises a gas mixing control system (270), including the N2 mass flow sensor (253) for detecting the amount of N2 entering the gas mixing box, the CO2 mass flow sensor (255) for detecting the amount of CO2 entering the gas mixing box, the mass flow sensor (256) for detecting the amount of return gas entering the gas mixing box, the O2 sensor (258) for detecting the concentration of O2 exiting the main gas return line (212) of the gas distribution system (204), and the CO2 mass flow sensor (256) for detecting the amount of return gas entering the gas mixing box. 69. The modular incubator system (500) of any of clauses 56 to 68, wherein the gas mixing control system is electrically connected to one or more of the sensors to receive detection signals from the CO2 sensor (260) for detecting the concentration of CO2, the temperature sensor (262) for detecting the temperature circulating in the flow loop (244), the pressure sensor (264) for detecting the absolute pressure in the flow loop (244), and the pressure sensor (248) for detecting the pressure of gas supplied to the main gas supply line (210) of the distribution system (204). Clause 70. The modular incubator system (500) of clause 69, wherein the gas mixing control system (270) is electrically connected to one or more of the following elements to control the N2 valve (252) for regulating the inflow of N2 into the gas mixing box (242), the CO2 valve (254) for regulating the inflow of CO2 into the gas mixing box (242), the pump (246) for circulating gas within the flow loop (244), and the release valve (249). Clause 71. A modular incubator system (500) as described in clause 69 or 70, wherein the gas mixing control system (270) is configured to receive input from the pressure sensor (248), control the pump (246) based on the input, and optionally actuate the discharge valve (249) to maintain a desired predetermined pressure of the gas supplied to the main gas supply line (210) of the gas distribution system (204). Clause 72. A modular incubator system (500) according to any of clauses 69 to 71, wherein the gas mixing control system (270) is configured to receive input from the mass flow sensor (256) and, based on the input, determine the total amount of CO2 gas and N2 gas that needs to be supplied through the CO2 gas inlet (251) and the N2 gas inlet (250) according to desired predetermined criteria. Clause 73. A modular incubator system (500) according to any of clauses 69 to 72, wherein the gas mixing control system (270) is configured to receive inputs from the CO2 sensor (260) and the O2 sensor (258), and is configured to control the CO2 valve (254) by sending a control signal to the CO2 valve (254) based on the detected CO2 concentration, thereby adjusting the inflow of CO2 gas to reach a desired predetermined CO2 concentration, and subsequently, the gas mixing control system (270) is configured to control the N2 valve (252) by sending a control signal to the N2 valve (252) based on the detected O2 concentration, thereby adjusting the inflow of N2 gas to reach a desired predetermined O2 concentration. Clause 74. A modular incubator system (500) described in any of clauses 69 to 73, wherein the gas mixing control system (270) is configured to compensate for the temperature sensitivity of the O2 sensor (258) using input from the temperature sensor (262). Clause 75. A modular incubator system (500) described in any of clauses 69 to 74, wherein the gas mixing control system (270) is configured to compensate for the pressure sensitivity of the CO2 sensor (260) using input from the pressure sensor (264). Clause 76. A modular incubator system (500) according to any of clauses 69 to 75, wherein the gas mixing control system (270) is configured to maintain the pressure of the gas supplied to the main gas supply line (210) of the gas distribution system (204) at a pressure higher than ambient atmospheric pressure by 3 to 20 mbar, for example 5 to 18 mbar or 10 to 15 mbar. Clause 77. A modular incubator system (500) according to any of clauses 21 to 76, wherein the modular incubator system comprises a control unit (650) for controlling the operation of the modular incubator system. Clause 78. A modular incubator system (500) as described in clause 77, wherein the control unit (650) is coupled to an input device (652), such as an alphanumeric input device, for enabling a user to provide configuration input regarding a desired operating protocol for the modular incubator system. Clause 79. A modular incubator system (500) as described in any of clauses 77 or 78, wherein the control unit (650) is coupled to a display unit (654) for displaying information to a user regarding the settings and / or operating status of the modular incubator system (500). Clause 80. With respect to one or more docking ports (402) of said docking station (400) and / or with respect to modular incubator chambers (300) docked to said one or more docking ports (402), said control unit (650) controls the setting of said thermostats (374) of said docked modular incubator chambers (300), the switching on and off of active light sources (372) of said docked modular incubator chambers (300), and / or or adjusting the intensity of light emitted from an active light source (372), the gas mixing control system (270), the image capture unit (408) and / or the associated displacement device (482) of one or more docking ports (402) of the docking station (400) of the modular incubator system (500), the modular incubator system (500) according to any of clauses 77 to 79, configured to independently control one or more of the image processing unit (660). Clause 81. A modular incubator system (500) according to any of clauses 77 to 80, wherein the control unit (650) is coupled to a data processing unit (656) and optionally also to a data storage (658) useful in handling information during the control of the modular incubator system. Clause 82. The control unit (650) controls the setting of the thermostat (374) of the modular incubator chamber (300) docked to the docking port (402), the switching on and off of the active light source (372) of the modular incubator chamber (300) docked to the docking port (402) and / or adjusting the intensity of the light emitted from the active light source (372) of the modular incubator chamber docked to the docking port (402), the gas mixture control system (270), the modular incubator system (500). 82. The modular incubator system (500) according to any of clauses 77 to 81, configured to perform automatic operation of the modular incubator system (500) by independently controlling one or more of the image capture units (408) and / or the associated displacement devices (482) of the one or more docking ports (402) of the docking station (400), the gas mixing control system (270) of the docking station (400) in accordance with predefined control instructions provided therein, and the image processing unit (660). Clause 83. A modular incubator system (500) described in any of clauses 77 to 82, wherein the control unit (650) is configured to perform time lapse capture of images by the image capture device (408). Clause 84. A modular incubator chamber (300), said modular incubator chamber (300) comprising a housing (302) having a first end (340) and a second end (342), thereby defining a longitudinal direction X between said first end and said second end; the housing includes a lid (304), the lid configured to be transitionable between an open configuration that allows access to the interior (306) of the modular incubator chamber and a closed configuration that blocks access to the interior of the modular incubator chamber; the modular incubator chamber (300) comprises a culture dish support (308) for placing a culture dish (310) in the interior (306) thereof for the purpose of containing one or more biological materials M within the housing (302) of the modular incubator chamber (300); the housing of the modular incubator chamber (300) comprises a chamber gas inlet opening (312), the chamber gas inlet opening (312) is in fluid communication with the interior (306) of the modular incubator chamber, and one valve (2, 4) of the valve system (100) according to any one of clauses 1 to 20 is disposed at the chamber gas inlet opening (312); A modular incubator chamber (300), wherein the housing (302) of the modular incubator chamber further comprises a chamber gas outlet opening (314), the chamber gas outlet opening (314) being in fluid connection with the interior (306) of the modular incubator chamber, and one valve (2, 4) of a valve system (100) described in any of clauses 1 to 20 is disposed in the chamber gas outlet opening (314). Clause 85. A modular incubator chamber (300) as described in clause 84, wherein the modular incubator chamber (300) has the features defined for the modular incubator chamber (300) of the modular incubator system (500) as described in any of clauses 21 to 83. Clause 86. A docking station (400), said docking station comprising one or more docking ports 402 for receiving modular incubator chambers (300); For one or more docking ports (402) of the docking station (400), the docking ports (402) comprise a docking port gas outlet opening (404), thereby allowing gas transfer from the docking port (402) of the docking station (400) to the interior (302) of the modular incubator chamber (300) via the docking port gas outlet opening (404), and one valve (4, 2) of the valve system (100) according to any one of clauses 1 to 20 is disposed in the docking port gas outlet opening (404); The docking station (400), wherein the docking port (402) further comprises a docking port gas inlet opening (406), thereby allowing gas to be transferred from the interior (306) of the modular incubator chamber (300) to the docking port (402) of the docking station (400), and wherein one valve (4, 2) of the valve system (100) described in any of clauses 1 to 20 is disposed in the docking port gas inlet opening (406). Clause 87. A docking station (400) according to clause 86, wherein said docking station has the features defined for the docking station of the modular incubator system (500) according to any of clauses 21 to 83. Clause 88. Use of a valve system (100) according to any of clauses 1 to 20 in a modular incubator system (500). Clause 89. Use of a modular incubator system (500) according to any of clauses 21 to 83 for incubating viable biological material. Clause 90. Use of the modular incubator chamber (300) according to any of clauses 84 to 85 for incubating viable biological material. Clause 91. Use of a docking station (400) according to any of clauses 86-87 for incubating viable biological material. Clause 92. Use according to any of clauses 88 to 91, wherein said biological material is an oocyte or an embryo, such as a human oocyte or a human embryo. Article 93. A method for incubating viable biological material, comprising: i) providing a modular incubator system (500) according to any of clauses 21 to 83; ii) providing viable biological material; iii) placing the viable biological material in a culture dish (310) and subsequently placing the culture dish inside (306) a modular incubator chamber (300) of the modular incubator system (500); iv) docking the modular incubator chamber (300) into the docking port (402) of the docking station (400) of the modular incubator system (500); v) allowing the viable biological material to be incubated in the modular incubator chamber (300); vi) supplying gas into and out of the interior (306) of the chamber through the valve system (100) of the modular incubator system (500); A method comprising: Clause 94.viii) The method described in Clause 93, further comprising the step of removing the incubator chamber (300) from the docking port (402) of the docking station (400) as needed to manually inspect the viable biological material and optionally remove, add or replace growth medium in the culture dish (310). [Explanation of symbols]

[0334] First valve of a two-valve system Second valve in a 4-valve system 6 First valve body of the first valve 8 First valve element of first valve 8a First portion of first valve element 8b second portion of first valve element 10 Front end of first valve body 12 Rear end of first valve body 14 First through-channel of first valve 16 Second valve second valve body 18 Second valve element of second valve 20 Front end of second valve 22 Rear end of second valve 24 Second through-channel of the second valve 26 First valve first spring 28 Second valve second spring 30 Widened portion of first through channel 32 first wall segment of the widened portion of the first through-channel 34 first inclined surface portion of wall segment of widened portion of first through channel 36 widened portion of first valve element 38 first contact surface of widened portion of first valve element 40 First Valve Gasket 42 widened portion of second through-channel 44 second wall segment of the widened portion of the second through-channel 46 second inclined surface portion of wall segment of widened portion of second through-channel 48 Second valve element widening 50 second contact surface of widened portion of second valve element 52 Second valve gasket 54 Lip of second valve gasket 56 Recess at front end of first valve body 58 Hollow protrusion of second valve body 60 First valve end gasket 62 threaded tap / hole arrangement 64 through hole in first valve element 100 Valve System 200 Gas Supply System 202 Gas Sources in Gas Supply Systems 204 Gas distribution system for gas supply systems 206 Gas source supply gas outlet 208 Return gas inlet of gas source 210 Main gas supply line of gas distribution system 212 Main gas return line of gas distribution system 214 Manifold Pair 216 Inlet manifold of manifold pair 218 Manifold pair outlet manifold 228 Docking Port Groups 242 Gas Mixing Box 244 Gas Supply System Flow Loop 246 Gas Source Pump 247 Pump vibration damper 248 Pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of gas supplied to the main gas supply line 249 Release Valve 250 N2 gas inlet 251 CO2 gas inlet 252 N2 valve 253 N2 Mass Flow Sensor 254 CO2 valve 255 CO2 mass flow sensor 256 Mass flow sensor for detecting the amount of return gas entering the gas mixing box 258 O2 sensor 260 CO2 sensor 262 Temperature Sensor 264 Pressure Sensor 266 UV sterilizer 268 filters 270 Gas Mixing Control System 300 Modular Incubator Chambers 302 Modular Incubator Chamber Housing 304 Modular Incubator Chamber Lid Inside the 306 modular incubator chamber 308 Culture dish support part 310 Culture dish 312 Modular Incubator Chamber Gas Inlet Opening 314 Modular Incubator Chamber Gas Outlet Opening 316 Modular incubator chamber housing transparent window 318 Electric Heating Elements 320 Power Source 322 Modular Incubator Chamber Electrical Connector 324 Modular Incubator Chamber Housing Display 326 Chamber engagement means of modular incubator chamber 340 First end of modular incubator chamber 342 Second end of modular incubator chamber 357 Modular Incubator Chamber Housing Bottom 372 light source 374 Thermostat 376 Thermostat Circuit 400 Docking Station 402 Docking Station Docking Port 404 Docking port gas outlet opening 406 Docking port gas inlet opening 408 Docking Station Docking Port Image Capture Device 410 Docking Port Electrical Connector 414 docking port engagement means for a docking port of a docking station 482 Displacement device for displacing an image capture unit 500 Modular Incubator System 650 Control Unit 652 Input Devices 654 Display Unit 656 Data Processing Unit 658 Data Storage 660 Image Processing Unit D Displacement direction of valve element of valve X Longitudinal direction of modular incubator chamber Y: Transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction

Claims

1. A modular incubator system (500) for incubating a viable biological material M, wherein the modular incubator system is One or more modular incubator chambers (300) combined with a docking station (400) Equipped with, With respect to one or more of the modular incubator chambers (300), the modular incubator chamber (300) comprises a housing (302) having a first end (340) and a second end (342), thereby defining a longitudinal direction X between the first end and the second end. The housing (302) is equipped with a lid (304), and the lid (304) is configured to be transitionable between an open configuration that allows access to the interior (306) of the modular incubator chamber (300) and a closed configuration that seals off access to the interior (306) of the modular incubator chamber (300). The modular incubator chamber (300) is provided with a culture dish support section (308) for placing a culture dish (310) inside the housing (302) of the modular incubator chamber (300) for the purpose of housing one or more biological materials M within the housing (302) of the modular incubator chamber (300), With respect to one or more of the modular incubator chambers (300), the housing (302) of the modular incubator chamber (300) is provided with a chamber gas inlet opening (312), and the chamber gas inlet opening (312) is in fluid connection with the interior (306) of the modular incubator chamber. The housing (302) of the modular incubator chamber further comprises a chamber gas outlet opening (314), and the chamber gas outlet opening (314) is in fluid connection with the interior (306) of the modular incubator chamber. The docking station (400) comprises one or more docking ports (402) for receiving a modular incubator chamber. With respect to one or more of the docking ports (402) of the docking station (400), the docking port (402) is provided with a docking port gas outlet opening (404), thereby enabling the transfer of gas from the docking port (402) of the docking station (400) to the interior (302) of the modular incubator chamber (300) via the docking port gas outlet opening (404) and the chamber gas inlet opening (312). The docking port (402) further comprises a docking port gas inlet opening (406), thereby enabling the transfer of gas from the interior (306) of the modular incubator chamber (300) to the docking port (402) of the docking station (400). The modular incubator system (500) comprises a valve system (100), and the valve system (100) comprises a first valve (2) and a second valve (4). The first valve (2) The first valve body (6) and The first valve element (8) and Equipped with, The first valve body (6) comprises a front end (10) and a rear end (12), The first valve body (6) includes a first through channel (14) extending between the front end (10) and the rear end (12) of the first valve body (6), The first valve element (8) is positioned within the first through channel (14) of the first valve body (6) such that the first valve element (8) is displaceable in the displacement direction D between a first extreme position and a second extreme position within the first through channel (14), wherein at the first extreme position, the first valve element (8) is displaced toward the front end (10) of the first valve body (6), and at the second extreme position, the first valve element (8) is displaced toward the rear end (12) of the first valve body (6). The dimensions and shapes of the first valve body (6) and the first valve element (8) are adapted to each other such that when positioned at the first extreme position, the first valve element (8) blocks the passage of the first through channel (14) between the front end (10) and the rear end (12) of the first valve body (6), and when displaced toward the second extreme position, the first valve element (8) allows the passage of the first through channel (14) between the front end (10) and the rear end (12) of the first valve body (6). The second valve (4) The second valve body (16) and The second valve element (18) and Equipped with, The second valve body (16) comprises a front end (20) and a rear end (22), The second valve body (16) includes a second through channel (24) extending between the front end (20) and the rear end (22) of the second valve body (16), The second valve element (18) is positioned within the second through channel (24) of the second valve body (16) such that the second valve element (18) is displaceable in the displacement direction D between a first limit position and a second limit position within the second through channel (24), wherein at the first limit position, the second valve element (18) is displaced toward the front end (20) of the second valve body (16), and at the second limit position, the second valve element (18) is displaced toward the rear end (22) of the second valve body (16). The dimensions and shapes of the second valve body (16) and the second valve element (18) are adapted to each other such that when positioned at the first extreme position, the second valve element (18) blocks the passage of the second through channel (24) between the front end (20) and the rear end (22) of the second valve body (16), and when displaced toward the second extreme position, the second valve element (18) allows the passage of the second through channel (24) between the front end (20) and the rear end (22) of the second valve body (16). One of the first valve (2) and the second valve (4) of the valve system (100) is located at the chamber gas inlet opening (312), and the other of the first valve (2) and the second valve (4) of the valve system (100) is located at the docking port gas outlet opening (404). One of the valves (2, 4) of the valve system (100) is located at the chamber gas outlet opening (314), and the other valve (4, 2) of the valve system (100) is located at the docking port gas inlet opening (406), A modular incubator system (500) in which the incubation chambers are configured to allow support on a planar, horizontal support surface, so that the incubation chambers can be used for incubation of viable biological material regardless of whether an individual incubation chamber is docked to a docking port of the docking station or whether an incubation chamber is detached from a docking port of the docking station.

2. The dimensions and shapes of the first valve element (8) and the second valve element (18) are matched to each other such that when the front ends (10, 20) of the first valve (2) and the second valve (4) are brought closer together, the first valve element (18) of the second valve (4) displaces the first valve element (8) of the first valve (2) toward its second limit position, thereby opening the first valve (2); and furthermore, the dimensions and shapes of the first valve element (8) and the second valve element (18) are matched to each other such that the first valve element (8) of the first valve (2) displaces the second valve element (18) of the second valve (4) toward its second limit position, thereby opening the second valve (4). and / or The first valve (2) is equipped with a first spring (26) and is adapted to interact with the first valve body (6) such that when the first spring (26) is not being acted upon separately, it displaces the first valve element (8) toward the first limit position, thereby closing the first valve (2). and / or The modular incubator system (500) according to claim 1, wherein the second valve (4) comprises a second spring (28) and is adapted to interact with the second valve body (16) such that the second valve element (18) displaces the second valve element (18) toward the first extreme position when the second spring is not acting otherwise, thereby closing the second valve (4).

3. With respect to one or more of the modular incubator chambers (300) and one or more of the docking ports (402) of the docking station (400), when the modular incubator chamber (300) is docked to the docking port (402), the position of the chamber gas inlet opening (312) of the modular incubator chamber (300) and the other valve (4, 2) of the docking port gas outlet opening (404) of the docking port (402) are configured to be in a fluid connection state and an open state, such that when the modular incubator chamber (300) is docked to the docking port (402), the position of the chamber gas inlet opening (312) of the modular incubator chamber (300) and the The positions of the docking port gas outlet opening (404) of the docking port (402) and the docking port gas outlet opening (404) of the docking port (402) are matched to each other, and when the modular incubator chamber (300) is docked to the docking port (402), the positions of the one valve (2, 4) of the chamber gas outlet opening (314) of the housing (302) of the modular incubator chamber (300) and the docking port gas inlet opening (406) of the docking port (402) are matched to each other, so that the chamber gas outlet opening (314) of the housing (302) of the modular incubator chamber (300) and the docking port gas inlet opening (406) of the docking port (402) are in a fluid connection state and an open configuration. Optionally, with respect to one or more of the modular incubator chambers (300), the housing (302) of the modular incubator chamber (300) is provided with a transparent window (316), and with respect to one or more of the docking ports (402) of the docking station (400), the docking port (402) is provided with an image acquisition device (408), thereby enabling the acquisition of an image of the biological material M housed inside (306) of the modular incubator chamber (300) when docked to the docking port (402). A modular incubator system (500) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, optionally, with respect to one or more of the modular incubator chambers (300) and one or more of the docking ports (402) of the docking station (400), the position of the transparent window (316) of the modular incubator chamber (300) is adapted to the position of the image acquisition device (408) in the docking port (402) so that when the modular incubator chamber (300) is docked to the docking port (402), the image acquisition device (408) can acquire an image through the transparent window (316) of the modular incubator chamber (300).

4. With respect to one or more specific docking ports (402) of the docking station (400), the specific docking port (402) is provided with a dedicated image acquisition device (408) configured to capture only images related to the modular incubator chamber (300) docked to the specific docking port (402), and / or The modular incubator system (500) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, with respect to N adjacent docking ports (402) of the docking station (400), only one image acquisition device is responsible for acquiring images related to the modular incubator chamber (300) docked to one of the N adjacent docking ports (402), the adjacent docking ports (402) share a common image acquisition device (408), and the docking station (400) is provided with a displacement device (482), such as an electrically driven remotely controlled displacement device (482), to enable displacement of the common image acquisition device (408) relative to the N adjacent docking ports (402) of the docking station (400).

5. The modular incubator system (500) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein with respect to one or more of the one or more of the modular incubator chambers (300), the modular incubator chamber (300) is equipped with a light source (372) located inside (306) of the modular incubator chamber (300) for directing light to the area of ​​the culture dish support portion (308) of the modular incubator chamber (300), thereby enabling illumination of the viable biological material in a situation in which an image of the viable biological material is to be captured.

6. The modular incubator system (500) comprises an image processing unit (660) for image processing of images captured by an image capture device (408), and the modular incubator system (500) further comprises a data storage (658) for storing images captured by the image capture unit (408) and / or for storing images processed by the image processing unit. The modular incubator system (500) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, optionally, one or more of the image acquisition devices (408) of the docking port (402) of the docking station are coupled to the image processing unit (660).

7. With respect to one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers (300), a first valve (2) of the valve system (100) is located at the chamber gas inlet opening (312) and the chamber gas outlet opening (314), and with respect to one or more of the one or more docking ports (402) of the docking station (400), a second valve (4) of the valve system (100) is located at the docking port gas outlet opening (404) and the docking port gas inlet opening (406), or A modular incubator system (500) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, with respect to one or more of the one or more modular incubator chambers (300), a second valve (4) of the valve system (100) is located at the chamber gas inlet opening (312) and the chamber gas outlet opening (314), and with respect to one or more of the one or more docking ports (402) of the docking station (400), a first valve (2) of the valve system (100) is located at the docking port gas outlet opening (404) and the docking port gas inlet opening (406).

8. The docking station (400) comprises a gas distribution system (204) for supplying gas to one or more of the one or more docking ports (402), the gas distribution system (204) comprising a main gas supply line (210) and a main gas return line (212), and with respect to one or more of the docking ports (402), the docking port gas inlet opening (404) is fluidly connected to the main gas supply line (210), and the docking port gas outlet opening (406) is fluidly connected to the main gas return line (212), Optionally, the gas distribution system (204) comprises several manifold pairs (214), each manifold pair including an inlet manifold (216) and an outlet manifold (218), the inlet manifold (216) being fluidly connected to the main gas supply line (210), the outlet manifold (218) being fluidly connected to the main gas return line (212), and each manifold pair (214) being a specific manifold pair (214) and connected thereto With respect to one or more of the docking ports (402), the docking port gas outlet opening (404) of the docking port (402) is fluidly connected to the inlet manifold (216), and the docking port gas inlet opening (406) of the docking port (402) is fluidly connected to the outlet manifold (218), the docking port (402) is connected to one or more of the docking ports (402) of the docking station (400), and / or The modular incubator system (500) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein optionally the docking station (400) comprises a gas supply system (200), the gas supply system 200 comprises a gas source (202) and a gas distribution system (204), the gas source comprises a supply gas outlet (206) and a return gas inlet (208), the supply gas outlet (206) of the gas source (202) is fluidly connected to the main gas supply line (210) of the gas distribution system (204), and the return gas inlet (208) of the gas source (202) is fluidly connected to the main gas return line (212) of the gas distribution system (204).

9. The modular incubator system includes a control unit (650) for controlling the operation of the modular incubator system. Optionally, the control unit (650) is coupled to a data processing unit (656), and optionally, it is also coupled to a data storage (658) that is useful for handling information during the control of the modular incubator system. and / or The modular incubator system (500) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit (650) is optionally configured to perform time-lapse image acquisition by an image acquisition device (408).

10. A modular incubator chamber (300), wherein the modular incubator chamber (300) comprises a housing (302) having a first end (340) and a second end (342), thereby defining a longitudinal direction X between the first end and the second end. The housing (302) is provided with a lid (304), and the lid (304) is configured to be transitionable between an open configuration that allows access to the interior (306) of the modular incubator chamber (300) and a closed configuration that seals off access to the interior (306) of the modular incubator chamber (300). The modular incubator chamber (300) is provided with a culture dish support section (308) inside (306) for placing a culture dish (310) for the purpose of housing one or more biological materials M within the housing (302) of the modular incubator chamber (300), The housing (302) of the modular incubator chamber (300) is provided with a chamber gas inlet opening (312), the chamber gas inlet opening (312) is in fluid connection with the interior (306) of the modular incubator chamber (300), and one of the valves (2, 4) of the first valve (2) and the second valve (4) of the valve system (100) according to claim 1 or 2 is located at the chamber gas inlet opening (312), A modular incubator chamber (300) wherein the housing (302) of the modular incubator chamber (300) further comprises a chamber gas outlet opening (314), the chamber gas outlet opening (314) is in fluid connection with the interior (306) of the modular incubator chamber (300), and one of the valves (2, 4) of the valve system (100) is positioned at the chamber gas outlet opening (314).

11. The modular incubator chamber (300) according to claim 10, wherein the modular incubator chamber (300) has the features defined with respect to the modular incubator chamber (300) of the modular incubator system (500) according to claim 1.

12. A docking station (400) comprising one or more docking ports (402) for receiving a modular incubator chamber (300), With respect to one or more of the docking ports (402) of the docking station (400), the docking port (402) is provided with a docking port gas outlet opening (404) that allows the transfer of gas from the docking port (402) of the docking station (400) to the interior (302) of the modular incubator chamber (300) via the docking port gas outlet opening (404), and one of the valves (2, 4) of the valve system (100) according to claim 1 or 2 is positioned at the docking port gas outlet opening (404), The docking station (400) further comprises a docking port gas inlet opening (406) which enables the transfer of gas from the inside (306) of the modular incubator chamber (300) to the docking port (402) of the docking station (400), and the other valve (4, 2) of the valve system (100) is positioned at the docking port gas inlet opening (406).

13. The docking station (400) according to claim 12, wherein the docking station (400) has the features defined with respect to the docking station (400) of the modular incubator system (500) according to claim 1.

14. Use of the valve system (100) as defined in claim 1 or 2 in a modular incubator system (500).

15. Use of a modular incubator system (500) as defined in claim 1 or 2 for optionally incubating viable biological material, such as human oocytes or human embryos, which are oocytes or embryos.

16. Use of the modular incubator chamber (300) according to claim 10 for optionally incubating viable biological material, such as human oocytes or human embryos.

17. Use of the docking station (400) according to claim 12 for optionally incubating viable biological material, such as human oocytes or human embryos.

18. A method for incubating viable biological materials, i) Providing a modular incubator system (500) according to claim 1 or 2, ii) A step of providing viable biological material, iii) The steps of placing the viable biological material in a culture dish (310), and then placing the culture dish inside (306) the modular incubator chamber (300) of the modular incubator system (500), iv) The step of docking the modular incubator chamber (300) to the docking port (402) of the docking station (400) of the modular incubator system (500), v) The step of incubating the viable biological material in the modular incubator chamber (300), vi) The step of supplying gas to the inside and outside of the chamber (306) via the valve system (100) of the modular incubator system (500) A method that includes this.

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