Cytogenetic chromosome spreading device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device that provides automatic humidification, fixation and programming of the optimum humidity and temperature conditions required to obtain the ideal chromosome spreading during the preparation of spreading preparations in cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic studies, instead of humidification by breathing on the slide, values of whcih can be easily entered within the operational temperature (20°C - 37°C, ± 0.5°C) and humidity (25% - 70% ± 2%) ranges, has a cover, in which 10 preparations can be placed at a time and from which the preparations can be easily removed, thus enables ideal chromosome spreading in in situ and non-in situ cultures, including lymphocyte, bone marrow, amniocyte and fibroblast cultures by creating a controlled temperature and humidity environment that is immediately ready to spread a new patient sample, enables moistening the slide while spreading the chromosomes onto the slide in cytogenetic spreadings, and placing the slide in the cabinet and drying it at optimum humidity and temperature after spreading the pellet on the slide, the outer body of which is made of stainless steel, the heating and cooling of which is Peltier, that can filter the odour of unwanted chemicals, and is large enough to be placed on the countertop.

Description

[0001] CYTOGENETIC CHROMOSOME SPREADING DEVICE

[0002] Technical field of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to a device that provides automatic humidification, fixation and programming of the optimum humidity and temperature conditions required to obtain the ideal chromosome spreading during the preparation of spreading preparations in cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic studies, instead of humidification by breathing on the slide, values of whcih can be easily entered within the operational temperature (20°C - 37°C, ± 0.5°C) and humidity (25% - 70% ± 2%) ranges, has a cover, in which 10 preparations can be placed at a time and from which the preparations can be easily removed, thus enables ideal chromosome spreading in in situ and non-in situ cultures, including lymphocyte, bone marrow, amniocyte and fibroblast cultures by creating a controlled temperature and humidity environment that is immediately ready to spread a new patient sample, enables moistening the slide while spreading the chromosomes onto the slide in cytogenetic spreadings, and placing the slide in the cabinet and drying it at optimum humidity and temperature after spreading the pellet on the slide, the outer body of which is made of stainless steel, the heating and cooling of which is Peltier, that can filter the odour of unwanted chemicals, and is large enough to be placed on the countertop.

[0004] State of the Art

[0005] Known devices are used for humidity and heat optimisation designed in accordance with their own forms. The user steams the slide by breathing on it (with the breath coming out of the human mouth) to spread the chromosomes, and pulls the drawer of the device and puts it inside to dry the dropped pellet. A new preparation cannot be placed in that drawer until the preparation dries, which causes loss of time. Known devices either have drawers or the operator has to work in the same position for a long time by putting both hands inside the device. It also constantly uses the operator's breath to steam the slide, causing drying at different times among preparations. Another known device takes up a lot of space in the laboratory due to its size and does not provide the operator with a comfortable working opportunity ergonomically.

[0006] Technical problems that the invention aims to solve

[0007] The device can be used either on a countertop or mobile within the laboratory and provides appropriate humidity and temperature for cytogenetic chromosome spreading. The slide is steamed with the 35°C I 37°C steam in the device and the sample is spread without the operator having to breathe in to steam the slide.

[0008] Description of Drawings

[0009] Figure 1 : External View of the Device

[0010] Figure 2: Internal View of the Device

[0011] Description of References in Drawings

[0012] The parts in the figure are numbered and their descriptions are given below.

[0013] 10: Reserve Air Tank

[0014] 20: Outer Body Left Cover

[0015] 30: Outer Body Right Cover

[0016] 31 : Control Panel Display Screen

[0017] 40: Steam Generation Unit Water Tank

[0018] 41 : Steam Heating Apparatus

[0019] 42: Steam Outlet Hose

[0020] 43: Air Flow Fan

[0021] 50: First Peltier Block Capable of Generating Hot or Cold Air

[0022] 51 : Second Peltier Block Capable of Generating Hot or Cold Air

[0023] 60: Filter Cassette

[0024] 61 : Filter Cassette Air Flow Fans

[0025] 70: Working Volume Chamber Humidification Unit Water Tank

[0026] 71 : Working Volume Humidification Unit Water Heater 72: Working Volume Humidification Unit Water Supplement Lid

[0027] 73: Working Volume Humidification Unit Fog Generator Piezo Module

[0028] 74: Working Volume Humidification Unit Water Level Sensor

[0029] 80: Internal and External Environment Temperature, Humidity, Pressure, and Gas Sensor Module

[0030] 90: Air Passage Control Unit Between Reserve Air Tank and Working Volume Compartment

[0031] 100: Working Volume Holder Body

[0032] 101 : Working Volume Body Front Upper Panel

[0033] 1 10: Working Volume Heating Plates

[0034] 1 1 1 : Working Volume Sliding Holder Linear Slides 1 12: Working Volume Sliding Holder Rail Cars 120: Electric Power Unit

[0035] 130: Electronic Control Motherboard

[0036] 140: Working Volume Hinged Front Panel

[0037] 150: Slide Holder Body and Front Panel Front Cover

[0038] 151 : Slide Holder Rear Panel and Front Panel Back Cover 152: Slide Holder Sliding Panel

[0039] 153: Slide Holder Sliding Rear Panel and Cover Holder

[0040] Description of the invention

[0041] The invention relates to a device that provides automatic humidification, fixation and programming of the optimum humidity and temperature conditions required to obtain the ideal chromosome spreading during the preparation of spreading preparations in cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic studies, instead of humidification by breathing on the slide, values of whcih can be easily entered within the operational temperature (20°C - 37°C, ± 0.5°C) and humidity (25% - 70% ± 2%) ranges, has a cover, in which 10 preparations can be placed at a time and from which the preparations can be easily removed, thus enables ideal chromosome spreading in in situ and non-in situ cultures, including lymphocyte, bone marrow, amniocyte and fibroblast cultures by creating a controlled temperature and humidity environment that is immediately ready to spread a new patient sample, enables moistening the slide while spreading the chromosomes onto the slide in cytogenetic spreadings, and placing the slide in the cabinet and drying it at optimum humidity and temperature after spreading the pellet on the slide, the outer body of which is made of stainless steel, the heating and cooling of which is Peltier, that can filter the odour of unwanted chemicals, and is large enough to be placed on the countertop.

[0042] The cytogenetic chromosome spreading device, which is the subject of the invention, consists of two main parts: reserve volume and working chamber (working area). The outer body consists of the outer body left cover (20) and the outer body right cover (30) in order to hold the reserve air tank (10), which is the outer body, together and to place the necessary apparatus in it. The control panel display screen (31 ) as the user interface display screen for monitoring the operation of the device and making operating settings can be located on the outer body left cover (20) or the outer body right cover (30) of the device. The control panel display screen (31 ) can be attached to any part of the device when necessary, or an external handheld device can be used wirelessly by the user from the device. The device comprises a steam generating unit water tank (40) so that the user can apply steam on the slide. The steam generation unit water tank (40), consists of steam heating apparatus (41 ), steam outlet hose (42) and air flow fan (43). The method of steam generation by the steam generation unit water tank (40) can be achieved by water heating, ultrasonic piezo or air compression methods. The steam generated by the steam generating unit water tank (40) is subjected to the slide. After the slide is steamed, 10ul of the patient's cells are dropped onto the steamed slide. It is dried and fixed in the slide container under optimum humidity and temperature conditions in 35-60 seconds. In this way, instead of creating steam by humidifying the slide with human breath, the slide is automatically humidified and human-induced quality differences are eliminated. In the humidification process of the slide, the steam generation unit water tank (40) provides steam equivalent to the breath temperature coming out of the human mouth in the range of 34 °C - 37 °C.

[0043] As the cooling and heating method of the reserve air tank (10), the first peltier block capable of generating hot or cold air (50) and the second peltier block capable of generating hot or cold air (51 ) are used. By means of the first peltier block capable of generating hot or cold air (50) and the second peltier block capable of generating hot or cold air (51 ), the temperature value of the working environment always reaches the desired set value and provides ease of operation. By heating and cooling (20°C - 37°C ± 0.5°C) the volume where working volume holder body (100) is located, the working area is optimized according to the value entered on the control panel display screen (31 ).

[0044] Filter cassette air flow fans (61 ) and filter cassette (60) block are used to remove the chemicals used in the Working Volume from the environment.. With the data received from the internal and external environment temperature, humidity, pressure, and gas sensor module (80), chemicals in the environment are removed by being activated automatically or at times requested by the user. Air passage control unit between reserve air tank and working volume compartment (90) was used to transfer the desired amount of heated or cooled air in the reserve volume to the working area in a measured manner. Air passage control unit between reserve air tank and working volume compartment (90) is used to adjust the humidity and temperature optimisation of the working area. The opening or closing ratio of the air passage control unit between reserve air tank and working volume compartment (90) is adjusted when necessary by stepper motor or servo motor and electronic control motherboard (130). The rates of air passage are determined according to the information received from the internal and external environment temperature, humidity, pressure, and gas sensor module (80). Humidification requirements arising between the reserve volume (outside) and the working volume (working area) or arising from seasonal conditions, is applied to the working volume by heating the water in working volume chamber humidification unit water tank (70) to the required temperature value with working volume humidification unit water heater (71 ) and turning it into water vapour with working volume humidification unit fog generator piezo module (73). The water level in the Working Volume chamber humidification unit water tank (70) is determined by the Working Volume humidification unit water level sensor (74) and shown on the control panel display screen (31 ). Water supplementation is made by the user by opening the Working Volume humidification unit water supplement lid (72) located on the Working Volume chamber humidification unit water tank (70). In order to reach the Working Volume holder body (100), the opening and closing cover of the working volume body front upper panel (101 ) is used. The hinges or channel structure cover can be easily removed and installed and can be used as partial I full opening. For cleaning, maintenance, etc. operations, the material of the working volume body front upper panel (101 ) is selected from plexiglass, acrylic or glass that is resistant to various chemicals. The heating value of the Working Volume is provided by silicone or copper working volume heating plates (1 10) placed on the floor. Working Volume heating plates (1 10) are automatically adjusted to the level determined by the user by the electronic control motherboard (130) in the electrical power unit (120). The temperature level of the working volume heating plates (1 10) can be adjusted in real time by measuring the ambient temperature via the internal and external environment temperature, humidity, pressure, and gas sensor module (80). The slides to be dried in the working volume, the humidity and temperature values of which have been adjusted, will be placed from the working volume hinged front panel (140) with the slide holder sliding panel (152) inclined at a maximum of 45 degrees. Placing it inclined in this way allows the cells to spread better on the surface of the slide and the chromosomes to be opened better. It also ensures that excess chemicals flow down from the surface of the slide, ensuring even drying. Preventing heat and moisture loss in the environment with adjusted humidity and temperature values in the Working Volume and prepared for drying during or after placing the slides is ensured using slide holder body and front panel front cover (150), slide holder rear panel and front panel back cover (151 ), and slide holder sliding rear panel and cover holder (153). Working volume sliding holder linear slides (1 1 1 ) and working volume sliding holder rail cars (1 12) are used to ensure smooth and stable placement of the slides. The slide holders connected to the working volume sliding holder rail cars (1 12) placed on working volume sliding holder linear slides (1 1 1 ) are made stably with a linear movement while moving in and out of the working volume with a back and forth movement.

[0045] When turned on by pressing the start button connected to the electronic control motherboard (130), the control panel display screen (31 ) of the device starts to show the temperature, humidity, pressure and gas values for the reserve volume, working volume (working area) and external environment (outside the device). At the same time, the steam generation unit water tank (40) starts to heat up. According to the values it detects from the internal and external environment temperature, humidity, pressure, and gas sensor module (80), the device automatically starts to optimise itself according to the heat, pressure, gas and humidity values entered on the control panel display screen (31 ). If the temperature is low, the internal and external environment temperature, humidity, pressure, and gas sensor module (80) is activated. In the case that the value between the measured temperature and the set temperature is greater than the reference ranges entered on the control panel display screen (31 ), the first peltier block capable of generating hot or cold air (50) and the second peltier block capable of generating hot or cold air (51 ) enter the heating mode and contribute to the heating process. The Working Volume (working area) reaches the appropriate temperature level. The working area, that is, the working volume, continues to heat up until it detects the determined temperature value. If the heat detected by the internal and external environment temperature, humidity, pressure, and gas sensor module (80) is higher than the value entered as data, the first peltier block capable of generating hot or cold air (50) and the second peltier block capable of generating hot or cold air (51 ) in the reserve volume operate and cool the reserve volume. After the cooled air reaches the appropriate temperature value, it is transferred to the working volume with the help of a fan at certain rates by the air passage control unit between reserve air tank and working volume compartment (90). The working volume holder body (100) continues to cool the working area and transfer air until it detects the temperature value entered on the display screen. In order to ensure humidity optimisation, if the humidity value detected by the internal and external environment temperature, humidity, pressure, and gas sensor module (80) is low to reach the humidity value entered on the device's control panel display screen (31 ), working volume chamber humidification unit water tank (70) increases the humidity of the working volume holder body (100) by giving moisture. The humidification process continues until it reaches the value entered on the control panel display screen (31 ). Meanwhile, if the temperature drops, the working volume heating plates (1 10) are activated and heat begins to be given to the working volume holder body (100) part. The internal and external environment temperature, humidity, pressure, and gas sensor module (80) optimises the temperature by comparing it with the measured values. If humidity is high in the working area, to reduce humidity, the first peltier block capable of generating hot or cold air (50) and the second peltier block capable of generating hot or cold air (51 ) in the reserve volume blow cold air from the reserve air tank (10) of the device to the working volume holder body (100) in the working volume by the air passage control unit between reserve air tank and working volume compartment (90) and reduce the humidity. At the same time, if the temperature drops, the working volume heating plates (1 10) are activated. The working area, that is, the working volume holding body (100) in the working volume, continues to heat up until the internal and external environment temperature, humidity, pressure, and gas sensor module (80) detects the temperature value entered on the control panel display screen (31 ). All of these processes continue automatically until the chromosome spreading process is completed. The device optimises itself to whatever value is entered on the control panel display screen. The water placed in the Working Volume chamber humidification unit water tank (70) and steam generation unit water tank (40) apparatus placed inside the device is transferred from Working Volume humidification unit water supplement lid (72) to Working Volume chamber humidification unit water tank (70). After the water is filled, the water level is monitored by the Working Volume humidification unit water level sensor (74) on the front of the lower working unit of the device.

[0046] Applicability to the Industry

[0047] The cytogenetic chromosome spreading device, which successfully solves the technical problem mentioned above, is a product that can be produced like other devices.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A cytogenetic chromosome spreading device, comprising:- reserve air tank (10) consisting of the outer body left cover (20) and the outer body right cover (30),- control panel display screen (31 ) as the user interface display screen to observe the operation of the device and make working settings- steam generation unit water tank (40) comprising the steam heating apparatus (41 ), the steam outlet hose (42) and air flow fan (43) to enable the user to steam the slide,- the first peltier block capable of generating hot or cold air (50) and the second peltier block capable of generating hot or cold air (51 ) as the cooling and heating method of the reserve air tank (10),- filter cassette air flow fans (61 ) and filter cassette (60) block to remove the chemicals used in the Working Volume from the environment,- internal and external environment temperature, humidity, pressure and gas sensor module (80), which enables the removal of chemicals in the environment by being activated automatically or at times requested by the user,- air passage control unit between reserve air tank and working volume compartment (90) to transfer the desired amount of heated or cooled air in the reserve volume to the working area in a measured manner,- electronic control motherboard (130) that enables adjusting the opening or closing ratio of the air passage control unit between reserve air tank and working volume compartment (90) when necessary,- working volume humidification unit water heater (71 ) and working volume humidification unit fog generator piezo module (73) that enable that the humidification requirements arising between the reserve volume and the working volume or arising from seasonal conditions are met and enable the water in the Working Volume chamber humidification unit water tank (70) to be converted into water vapour and applied to the working volume,- Working Volume humidification unit water level sensor (74), which enables determining the water level in the Working Volume chamber humidification unit water tank (70) and displaying it on the user screen,- working volume body front upper panel (101 ) in the form of a collapsible cover in order to reach into the working volume holder body (100),- working volume heating plates (1 10) placed on the floor to warm up the working volume,- slide holder sliding panel (152), where the slides to be dried will be placed in the working volume with adjusted humidity and temperature values, and- Working volume sliding holder linear slides (1 1 1 ) and working volume sliding holder rail cars (112) to ensure smooth and stable placement of the slides.

2. The cytogenetic chromosome spreading device of Claim 1 , comprising the Working Volume humidification unit water supplement lid (72) located on the Working Volume chamber humidification unit water tank (70) for water supplementation in case the water level decreases.

3. The cytogenetic chromosome spreading device of Claim 1 , comprising the hinges or channels that enable the working volume body front upper panel (101 ), which is in the form of a collapsible cover to reach into the working volume holder body (100), to be used in a partial I full opening way that can be easily removed and installed.

4. The cytogenetic chromosome spreading device of Claim 1 , wherein working volume body front upper panel (101 ), which is in the form of a collapsible cover to reach into the working volume holder body (100), is made of plexi or acrylic or glass resistant to various chemicals.

5. The cytogenetic chromosome spreading device of Claim 1 , wherein the slide holder sliding panel (152) has the slide holder body and front panel front cover (150), the slide holder rear panel and front panel back cover (151 ), and the slide holder sliding rear panel and cover holder (153) to prevent heat and moisture loss in the environment with adjusted humidity and temperature values in the Working Volume and prepared for drying during or after placing the slides.

6. The working method of the cytogenetic chromosome spreading device, comprising the following process steps:- the control panel display screen (31 ) of the device starts to show the temperature, humidity, pressure and gas values for the reserve volume, working volume (working area) and external environment (outside the device) when turned on by pressing the start button connected to the electronic control motherboard (130),- the steam generating unit water tank (40) starts to heat up when it is turned on by pressing the start button connected to the electronic control motherboard (130),- the device automatically starts to optimise itself according to the heat, pressure, gas and humidity values entered on the control panel display screen (31 ) according to the values it detects from the internal and external environment temperature, humidity, pressure, and gas sensor module (80),- the internal and external environment temperature, humidity, pressure, and gas sensor module (80) is activated if the temperature is low,- In the case that the value between the measured temperature and the set temperature is greater than the reference ranges entered on the control panel display screen (31 ), the first peltier block capable of generating hot or cold air (50) and the second peltier block capable of generating hot or cold air (51 ) start heating by entering the heating mode and the working volume reaches the appropriate set temperature level,- If the heat detected by the internal and external environment temperature, humidity, pressure, and gas sensor module (80) is higher than the value entered as data, the first peltier block capable of generating hot or cold air (50) and the second peltier block capable of generating hot or cold air (51 ) in the reserve volume operate and cool the reserve volume,- After the cooled air reaches the appropriate temperature value, it is transferred to the working volume with the help of a fan at certain rates by the air passage control unit between reserve air tank and working volume compartment (90),- In order to ensure humidity optimisation, if the humidity value detected by the internal and external environment temperature, humidity, pressure, and gas sensor module (80) is low to reach the humidity value entered on the device's control panel display screen (31 ), working volume chamber humidification unitwater tank (70) increases the humidity of the working volume holder body (100) by giving moisture,- If the temperature drops, the working volume heating plates (1 10) optimise the heat by giving heat through small inlets on the working volume holder body (100) and the internal and external environment temperature, humidity, pressure, and gas sensor module (80),- If humidity is high, to reduce humidity, the first peltier block capable of generating hot or cold air (50) and the second peltier block capable of generating hot or cold air (51 ) blow cold air from the reserve air tank (10) of the device to the working volume holder body (100) in the working volume by the air passage control unit between reserve air tank and working volume compartment (90) and reduce the humidity,- If the temperature drops, the working volume heating plates (110) are activated and the working area, that is, the working volume holding body (100) in the working volume, continues to heat up until the internal and external environment temperature, humidity, pressure, and gas sensor module (80) detects the temperature value entered on the control panel display screen (31 ),- The water placed in the Working Volume chamber humidification unit water tank (70) and steam generation unit water tank (40) apparatus placed inside the device is transferred from Working Volume humidification unit water supplement lid (72) to Working Volume chamber humidification unit water tank (70),- After the water is filled, the water level is monitored by the Working Volume humidification unit water level sensor (74) on the front of the lower working unit of the device.

7. Working method of cytogenetic chromosome spreading device of Claim 6, wherein Working Volume heating plates (110) are automatically adjusted to the level determined by the user by the electronic control motherboard (130) in the electrical power unit (120).

8. Working method of cytogenetic chromosome spreading device of Claim 6, wherein the temperature level of the working volume heating plates (1 10) can be adjusted in real time by measuring the ambient temperature via the internal and external environment temperature, humidity, pressure, and gas sensor module (80).

9. Working method of cytogenetic chromosome spreading device of Claim 6, wherein the slides to be dried in the working volume, the humidity and temperature values of which have been adjusted, will be placed from the working volume hinged front panel (140) with the slide holder sliding panel (152) inclined at a maximum of 45 degrees.

10. Working method of cytogenetic chromosome spreading device of Claim 6, wherein the steam created at Working Volume chamber humidification unit water tank (70) produces steam equivalent to human breath in the range of 34°C - 37°C.11.Working method of cytogenetic chromosome spreading device of Claim 6, wherein the steam generation unit water tank (40) that enables applying the produced steam to the slide, dropping 10ul of cell-steamed slide onto the slide after the slide is steamed, drying the slide in 35-60 seconds under optimum humidity and temperature conditions in the cabinet and fixing it is used.

12. Working method of cytogenetic chromosome spreading device of Claim 6, wherein the first peltier block capable of generating hot or cold air (50) and the second peltier block capable of generating hot or cold air (51 ) that enable optimizing the working volume holder body (100) in which the slide will be dried according to the value entered on the control panel display screen (31 ) by providing heating and cooling (20°C - 37°C ± 0.5°C).

13. Work! ng method of cytogenetic chromosome spreading device of Claim 6, wherein, in the humidification process step, the operational temperature is 20°C - 37°C, ± 0.5°C and the humidity value is 25% - 70% ± 2%.

14. Working method of cytogenetic chromosome spreading device of Claim 6, wherein the working area is optimized according to the value entered on the control panel display screen (31 ), by ensuring that the working volume holder body (100) is heated and cooled at a temperature of 20°C - 37°C ± 0.5°C.

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