Automated sperm sorting device and sperm sorting method

Abstract

An automated sperm sorting device, comprising an original semen tray, a chip tray, a heat insulation block, two horizontal slide rails, two longitudinal slide rails, a connecting rod, a plurality of suction devices, and a controller. The original semen tray comprises a first tray body and a first temperature controller. The first temperature controller is controlled by the controller to provide a first temperature to a first upper surface of the first tray body. The chip tray is provided on one side of the original semen tray, and comprises a second tray body, a sorting set, and a second temperature controller. The sorting set is provided in a chip slot of the second tray body. The second temperature controller is controlled by the controller to provide a second temperature to a second upper surface of the second tray body. The heat insulation block is provided between the first tray body and the second tray body. By means of the two horizontal slide rails and the two longitudinal slide rails, the controller controls the connecting rod so as to move the plurality of suction devices arranged on the connecting rod to different positions.

Description

An automated sperm sorting device and method TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a sperm sorting technique, in particular, an automated sperm sorting device and method controllable by a controller. BACKGROUND

[0002] Since economic animals (e.g. pigs, cows, sheep) provide products such as meat, milk, or fur, the economic animal industry has different requirements for economic animals of different genders. The prior art can sort the motility of sperm of economic animals by chip, or sperm carrying X chromosomes or Y chromosomes, to improve the success rate of fertilization of sperm and oocytes, and maintain the number of economic animals of a specific gender. However, current chip sorting is mainly operated manually, but manual operation of chip sorting is difficult to meet the huge demand of the market. Therefore, the present invention provides an automated sperm sorting device and method to achieve the purpose of sorting a large number of sperm.

[0003] SUMMARY

[0004] The present invention provides an automated sperm sorting device and method, wherein the automated sperm sorting device can be operated automatically and continuously to achieve the purpose of sorting a large number of sperm. In addition, the automated sperm sorting device can also maintain the optimal state of sperm during the sorting process by providing different temperature environments.

[0005] The automatic sperm sorting device comprises a stock solution holding tray, a chip holding tray, a heat insulation block, two horizontal sliding rails, two longitudinal sliding rails, a connecting rod, a plurality of suction devices and a controller. The stock solution holding tray comprises a first tray body and a first temperature controller. The first tray body has a first upper surface. The first upper surface is formed with a stock solution groove and a storage groove arranged at intervals. The first temperature controller is arranged on the first tray body to provide a first temperature to the first upper surface. The chip holding tray is arranged on one side of the stock solution holding tray. The chip holding tray comprises a second tray body, a sorting group and a second temperature controller. The second tray body has a second upper surface. The second upper surface is formed with a culture solution groove and a chip groove arranged at intervals. The sorting group is arranged in the chip groove and comprises a plurality of chip sorters. The plurality of chip sorters are arranged along the Y direction. The second temperature controller is arranged on the second tray body to provide a second temperature to the second upper surface. The heat insulation block is arranged between the first tray body and the second tray body. The first tray body, the heat insulation block and the second tray body are sequentially arranged along the X direction. The two horizontal sliding rails are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the first tray body. The two horizontal sliding rails extend to opposite sides of the second tray body. The two longitudinal sliding rails are respectively and slidably connected with the two horizontal sliding rails and are adapted to synchronously slide along the two horizontal sliding rails in the X direction. The connecting rod has opposite ends which are respectively and slidably connected with the two longitudinal sliding rails and are adapted to synchronously slide along the two longitudinal sliding rails in the Z direction. The plurality of suction devices correspond to the arrangement intervals of the plurality of chip sorters along the Y direction and are arranged on the connecting rod. The controller is electrically connected with the two longitudinal sliding rails, the connecting rod, the plurality of suction devices, the first temperature controller and the second temperature controller to control the two longitudinal sliding rails to slide on the two horizontal sliding rails, the connecting rod to slide on the two longitudinal sliding rails, the plurality of suction devices to suck or release, the first temperature controller to provide the first temperature and the second temperature controller to provide the second temperature.

[0006] In an embodiment of the present application, the first upper surface is further formed with an antibody groove and a magnetic bead groove. The stock solution groove, the storage groove, the antibody groove and the magnetic bead groove are arranged at intervals along the X direction. The antibody groove is adapted to store an antibody mixture. The antibody mixture comprises a plurality of antibodies. The magnetic bead groove is adapted to place a magnetic bead mixture. The magnetic bead mixture comprises a plurality of magnetic beads.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present application, the stock solution groove, the storage groove, the antibody groove and the magnetic bead groove have a horizontal groove bottom, a V-shaped groove bottom, a U-shaped groove bottom or an inclined groove bottom.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present application, the second upper surface is further formed with a mixing groove. The culture solution groove, the chip groove and the mixing groove are arranged at intervals along the X direction.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present application, the culture solution groove and the mixing groove have a horizontal groove bottom, a V-shaped groove bottom, a U-shaped groove bottom or an inclined groove bottom.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present application, the automated sperm sorting device further comprises a plurality of magnets, the chip slot has a bottom surface, and a portion of the bottom surface is formed with a plurality of recesses, and the plurality of magnets are respectively disposed in the plurality of recesses, and the arrangement of the plurality of magnets corresponds to the arrangement of the plurality of chip sorters.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present application, the number of the sorting groups is plural, and the plurality of sorting groups are arranged along the X direction in the chip slot.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present application, each of the chip sorters has a collection groove, a sorting groove, and a waste liquid groove, and the sorting groove is disposed between the collection groove and the waste liquid groove.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present application, the chip slot has a bottom surface, and a portion of the bottom surface is formed with a flow guide channel, and the flow guide channel corresponds to the waste liquid groove.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present application, at least one of the opposite sides of the second disc body is provided with a flow guide hole, and the flow guide hole is communicated with the flow guide channel.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present application, the automated sperm sorting device further comprises a plurality of suction tubes, the first upper surface of the first disc body or / and the second upper surface of the second disc body is further formed with a plurality of standby holes, the plurality of standby holes are arranged along the X direction and the Y direction, and the plurality of standby holes correspond to the plurality of chip sorters along the Y direction, the plurality of suction tubes are adapted to be inserted into the plurality of standby holes, and the plurality of suction devices are adapted to be actuated above the plurality of standby holes and combined with the plurality of suction tubes respectively.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present application, the first upper surface or / and the second upper surface is further formed with a discard groove, and the plurality of suction devices are adapted to be actuated above the discard groove and exclude the combined plurality of suction tubes and store them in the discard groove.

[0017] The present application provides a sperm sorting method, comprising: providing the automated sperm sorting device; using the controller to control the first temperature controller to provide the first temperature to the first upper surface and control the second temperature controller to provide the second temperature to the second upper surface; using the controller to control the actuation of the two longitudinal sliding rails, the connecting rod, and the plurality of suction devices to make the plurality of suction devices suck the raw liquid from the raw liquid tank; using the controller to control the actuation of the two longitudinal sliding rails, the connecting rod, and the plurality of suction devices to make the plurality of suction devices release the raw liquid to the collection groove or the sorting groove of the plurality of chip sorters; using the controller to control the actuation of the two longitudinal sliding rails, the connecting rod, and the plurality of suction devices to make the plurality of suction devices suck the culture liquid from the culture liquid tank and release the culture liquid to the sorting groove or the collection groove respectively; waiting for the plurality of sperm to be sorted, wherein part of the plurality of sperm will swim to the collection groove; and using the controller to control the actuation of the two longitudinal sliding rails, the connecting rod, and the plurality of suction devices to collect the sorted plurality of sperm located in the collection groove.

[0018] In an embodiment of the present application, the spermatozoa are mammalian spermatozoa, such as pig, cow, sheep, deer, or chimpanzee spermatozoa.

[0019] In an embodiment of the present application, the spermatozoa sorting method further comprises, before the aspirators aspirate the original solution, using the controller to control the operation of the two longitudinal slides, the connecting rod, and the aspirators, so that the aspirators aspirate the culture solution from the culture solution tank and release the culture solution into the collection tank and the waste solution tank of the chip sorter, respectively.

[0020] In an embodiment of the present application, the spermatozoa sorting method further comprises, when the culture solution is released into the sorting tank or the collection tank, releasing the culture solution into the waste solution tank.

[0021] In an embodiment of the present application, the sorted spermatozoa are spermatozoa with high motility, spermatozoa with Y chromosomes, spermatozoa with X chromosomes, or spermatozoa without X-linked recessive genetic disease genes.

[0022] In an embodiment of the present application, the controller has a storage module and an execution module, the storage module stores at least a motility sorting mode and a gender sorting mode, the motility sorting mode is used to sort spermatozoa with high motility from the plurality of spermatozoa, and the gender sorting mode is used to sort spermatozoa with Y chromosomes or X chromosomes from the plurality of spermatozoa, and the execution module reads the storage module and controls the two longitudinal slides to slide on the two horizontal slides, the connecting rod to slide on the two longitudinal slides, the plurality of aspirators to aspirate or release, the first temperature controller to provide the first temperature, and the second temperature controller to provide the second temperature.

[0023] In an embodiment of the present application, the first upper surface further forms an antibody tank and a magnetic bead tank, the antibody tank is adapted to store an antibody mixture, the antibody mixture includes a plurality of antibodies, and the plurality of antibodies are used to bind to the plurality of spermatozoa, the magnetic bead tank is adapted to store a magnetic bead mixture, the magnetic bead mixture includes a plurality of magnetic beads, and the plurality of magnetic beads are used to bind to the plurality of antibodies.

[0024] In an embodiment of the present application, the antibodies are selected from H-Y antibodies.

[0025] In an embodiment of the present application, before the aspirators aspirate the original solution from the original solution tank, the aspirators first aspirate the antibody mixture from the antibody tank to release into the original solution tank, and aspirate the magnetic bead mixture from the magnetic bead tank to release into the original solution tank.

[0026] In an embodiment of the present application, the second upper surface further forms a mixing tank, before the aspirators release the original solution into the sorting tanks of the plurality of chip sorters, the aspirators first release the original solution into the mixing tank, then the aspirators aspirate the antibody mixture from the antibody tank to release into the mixing tank, and aspirate the magnetic bead mixture from the magnetic bead tank to release into the mixing tank.

[0027] In an embodiment of the present application, the first temperature is lower than the second temperature.

[0028] The automatic sperm sorting device and the sperm sorting method of the present application adopt a controller to control two longitudinal sliding rails, a connecting rod, a plurality of suction devices, a first temperature controller and a second temperature controller, so as to realize automatic and continuous operation, reduce the demand for manpower, avoid time-consuming and laborious operation, complete the overall experimental process through the automatic sperm sorting device of the present application, and achieve the purpose of sorting a large number of sperm.

[0029] The above description is only a summary of the technical solutions of the present application. In order to more clearly understand the technical means of the present application, the content of the specification can be implemented, and in order to make the above and other purposes, characteristics and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the following preferred embodiments are described in detail below, and the accompanying drawings are described as follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of an automatic sperm sorting device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a structural cross-sectional schematic diagram of an automatic sperm sorting device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0032] FIG. 3 is an exploded schematic diagram of a chip support tray of an automatic sperm sorting device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a structural schematic diagram of an automatic sperm sorting device according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a controller of an automatic sperm sorting device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a sperm sorting method according to an embodiment of the present application in a motility sorting mode.

[0036] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a sperm sorting method according to an embodiment of the present application in a gender sorting mode.

[0037] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a sperm sorting method according to another embodiment of the present application in a gender sorting mode.

[0038] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a sperm sorting method according to another embodiment of the present application in a gender sorting mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an automated sperm sorting device according to an embodiment of the present application, and Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a cross section of the automated sperm sorting device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the automated sperm sorting device 1 includes a stock solution tray 10, a chip tray 20, a heat insulation block 30, two horizontal sliding rails 34, two vertical sliding rails 36, a connecting rod 38, a plurality of pipettors 40, and a controller 32. The stock solution tray 10 includes a first tray body 12 and a first temperature controller 14. The chip tray 20 is disposed on one side of the stock solution tray 10, and the chip tray 20 includes a second tray body 22, a sorting group 100, and a second temperature controller 24. The heat insulation block 30 is disposed between the first tray body 12 and the second tray body 22, and the first tray body 12, the heat insulation block 30, and the second tray body 22 are sequentially arranged along an X direction. The two horizontal sliding rails 34 are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the first tray body 12, and the two horizontal sliding rails 34 extend to opposite sides of the second tray body 22. The two vertical sliding rails 36 are respectively slidably connected to the two horizontal sliding rails 34, and are adapted to synchronously slide along the two horizontal sliding rails 34 in the X direction. The connecting rod 38 has opposite ends, and the opposite ends are respectively slidably connected to the two vertical sliding rails 36, and are adapted to synchronously slide along the two vertical sliding rails 36 in a Z direction. In an embodiment, the number of pipettors 40 is, for example, five, but is not limited thereto, and the pipettors 40 are arranged at intervals on the connecting rod 38. The controller 32 is electrically connected to the two vertical sliding rails 36, the connecting rod 38, the plurality of pipettors 40, the first temperature controller 14, and the second temperature controller 24, to control the two vertical sliding rails 36 to slide on the two horizontal sliding rails 34, the connecting rod 38 to slide on the two vertical sliding rails 36, the pipettors 40 to suck or release, the first temperature controller 14 to provide a first temperature, and the second temperature controller 24 to provide a second temperature.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 1, the first tray body 12 of the stock solution tray 10 has a first upper surface 121, and the first upper surface 121 is formed with a stock solution groove 50 and a storage groove 52. The stock solution groove 50 is adapted to store a stock solution, and the storage groove 52 is adapted to store sperm collected after sorting. The second tray body 22 of the chip tray 20 has a second upper surface 221, and the second upper surface 221 is formed with culture solution grooves 54 and chip grooves 56 arranged at intervals. The culture solution grooves 54 are adapted to store culture solutions. The number of sorting groups 100 of the chip tray 20 is, for example, two, but is not limited thereto. The sorting groups 100 are disposed in the chip grooves 56, and each sorting group 100 includes a plurality of chip sorters 110. The number of chip sorters 110 is, for example, five, but is not limited thereto. The chip sorters 110 of each sorting group 100 are arranged adjacent to each other along a Y direction, and different sorting groups 100 are arranged along an X direction. That is, the two sorting groups 100 together have a total of 10 chip sorters 110. These chip sorters 110 form a 2x5 array along the X direction and the Y direction, but are not limited thereto.

[0041] In addition, the arrangement interval of the suction device 40 corresponding to the chip sorter 110 and along the Y direction, in an embodiment, the suction device 40 is arranged on the lower surface of the connecting rod 38, when the connecting rod 38 is controlled by the controller 32 to slide on the two horizontal sliding rails 34 through the two longitudinal sliding rails 36, the suction device 40 moves above the stock solution tray 10, the chip tray 20 and the heat insulation block 30 along the X direction. In an embodiment, each chip sorter 110 has a collection groove 111, a sorting groove 112 and a waste liquid groove 113, and the sorting groove 112 is arranged between the collection groove 111 and the waste liquid groove 113.

[0042] When the sperm is prepared in the stock solution, in order to avoid the sperm consuming too much energy before sorting, and also to require the sperm to show better performance during sorting, the automatic sperm sorting device 1 needs to provide different temperature environments to maintain the sperm in the best state. Please refer to FIG. 2, the first temperature controller 14 is arranged on the first disc body 12 to provide the first temperature to the first upper surface 121; the second temperature controller 24 is arranged on the second disc body 22 to provide the second temperature to the second upper surface 221, that is, the environmental temperature of the stock solution tank 50 and the storage tank 52 is maintained at the first temperature, and the environmental temperature of the culture solution tank 54 and the chip tank 56 is maintained at the second temperature. In an embodiment, the first temperature is lower than the second temperature, and the heat insulation block 30 is used to isolate the first temperature and the second temperature to avoid the environmental temperature of the first upper surface 121 and the second upper surface 221 interfering with each other.

[0043] Please continue to refer to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first upper surface 121 can further have an antibody tank 60 and a magnetic bead tank 64, in an embodiment, the stock solution tank 50, the storage tank 52, the antibody tank 60 and the magnetic bead tank 64 are arranged separately along the X direction. Among them, the antibody tank 60 is suitable for storing an antibody mixture, the antibody mixture includes a plurality of antibodies, and the antibodies are used to combine with the sperm to be sorted. The magnetic bead tank 64 is suitable for storing a magnetic bead mixture, the magnetic bead mixture includes a plurality of magnetic beads, and the magnetic beads are used to combine with the antibodies. In an embodiment, the antibodies are selected from H-Y antibodies or other antibodies.

[0044] Among them, the second upper surface 221 can further have a mixing tank 62, and the culture solution tank 54, the chip tank 56 and the mixing tank 62 are arranged separately along the X direction. The mixing tank 62 is used to provide space for uniformly mixing the stock solution sucked from the stock solution tank 50, the antibody mixture sucked from the antibody tank 60 and the magnetic bead mixture sucked from the magnetic bead tank 64. Among them, as shown in FIG. 2, the stock solution tank 50, the storage tank 52, the antibody tank 60, the magnetic bead tank 64, the culture solution tank 54 and the mixing tank 62 can have a horizontal tank bottom or a V-shaped tank bottom, but are not limited to this, the stock solution tank 50, the storage tank 52, the antibody tank 60, the magnetic bead tank 64, the culture solution tank 54 and the mixing tank 62 can also have a U-shaped tank bottom or an inclined tank bottom. In an embodiment not shown in the figure, the first upper surface 121 can also have a mixing tank 62.

[0045] Figure 3 is an exploded view of a chip holder of an automated sperm sorter according to an embodiment of the present application. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the chip slot 56 has a bottom surface 564, and a portion of the bottom surface 564 is formed with a plurality of grooves 561 corresponding to the arrangement of the chip sorters 110 in the X direction and the Y direction. In one embodiment, the automated sperm sorter 1 further comprises a plurality of magnets 42, each of which is disposed in a groove 561. The arrangement of the magnets 42 corresponds to the arrangement of the chip sorters 110, i.e., the number of the grooves 561 and the magnets 42 is consistent with the number of the chip sorters 110 placed in the chip slot 56. In one embodiment, each chip sorter 110 has a collection slot 111, a sorting slot 112, and a waste slot 113, and the sorting slot 112 is disposed between the collection slot 111 and the waste slot 113. The magnet 42 in each groove 561 corresponds to the sorting slot 112 of each chip sorter 110.

[0046] As described above, in one embodiment, a portion of the bottom surface 564 of the chip slot 56 is formed with a drainage channel 562, and the number of the drainage channels 562 is, for example, one, but is not limited thereto. The drainage channel 562 corresponds to the waste slot 113 of the chip sorter 110 and is used to collect the waste liquid discharged from the waste slot 113. In one embodiment, at least one of the opposite sides of the second disc body 22 is provided with a drainage hole 563, and the drainage hole 563 is connected to the drainage channel 562 and is used to drain the waste liquid in the drainage channel 562 through an external pipeline (not shown), which is advantageous to avoid the interruption of the sperm sorting process due to the excessive waste liquid in the drainage channel 562 during the sperm sorting process.

[0047] When the number of the sorting groups 100 is two or more (two sorting groups 100 are shown in Figure 3 as an example), the adjacent two grooves 561 arranged in the X direction have a drainage channel 562 therebetween. In one embodiment, in order to cooperate with the arrangement of the drainage channel 562, the waste slot 113A of the chip sorter 110A and the waste slot 113B of the chip sorter 110B are opposite to each other among the two adjacent chip sorters 110 (chip sorter 110A and chip sorter 110B are shown in Figure 3 as an example) arranged in the X direction, so that the waste liquid discharged from the waste slot 113A and the waste slot 113B flows into the same drainage channel 562. In one embodiment, according to the number of the sorting groups 100, the preferred arrangement of the chip sorters 110A / 110B is that the collection slot 111A corresponds to the collection slot 111B or the waste slot 113A corresponds to the waste slot 113B, but is not limited thereto. According to the number of the sorting groups 100, other arrangements that save space can also be used.

[0048] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the automated sperm sorting device 1 further comprises a plurality of pipettes 44, and the first upper surface 121 further forms a plurality of standby holes 46 corresponding to the pipettes 40 along the Y direction. The standby holes 46 are not limited to a single row, nor are they limited to being disposed on the first upper surface 121. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the automated sperm sorting device of the present application. As shown in FIG. 4, the main difference between the automated sperm sorting device 1A and the automated sperm sorting device 1 of FIG. 1 is that in the automated sperm sorting device 1A, the first upper surface 121 and the second upper surface 221 both form a plurality of standby holes 46, and the standby holes 46 form an array along the X direction and the Y direction, wherein the standby holes 46 correspond to the pipettes 40 along the Y direction. In one embodiment, the pipettes 44 are adapted to be inserted into the standby holes 46, and the controller 32 slides the two longitudinal rails 36 on the two horizontal rails 34 to drive the connecting rods 38 and the pipettes 40 to actuate above the standby holes 46, and the pipettes 40 are combined with the pipettes 44, respectively. In addition, the standby holes 46 can be disposed on the first upper surface 121, the second upper surface 221, or both the first upper surface 121 and the second upper surface 221, according to the convenience of use of the pipettes 40. In one embodiment not shown, the standby holes 46 can be replaced by pipette slots, and the pipette slots can be placed in a pipette rack with a plurality of standby holes 46 or an inner rack of a micro pipette tip box on the market, to facilitate batch replacement of the pipettes 44.

[0049] According to the above description, in one embodiment, the first upper surface 121 and the second upper surface 221 further form a discard slot 58, and the plurality of pipettes 40 are adapted to actuate above the discard slot 58 to exclude and store the combined pipettes 44 in the discard slot 58. In one embodiment not shown, the discard slot 58 has no slot bottom and is externally connected to a waste bag, to directly exclude the combined pipettes 44 from the discard slot 58 to the waste bag. According to the convenience of use, the discard slot 58 can be formed only on the first upper surface 121 or the second upper surface 221.

[0050] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a controller of the automated sperm sorting device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 5, the controller 32 comprises a storage module 321 and an execution module 322. In one embodiment, the storage module 321 stores at least a motility sorting mode Ml for sorting sperm with high motility and a gender sorting mode M2 / M3 / M4 for sorting sperm with Y chromosome or X chromosome or without X-linked recessive genetic disease gene. The execution module 322 reads the storage module 321 and controls the actuation of the two longitudinal slides 36, the connecting rod 38 and the aspirator 40, and controls the first temperature controller 14 and the second temperature controller 24 to provide the first temperature and the second temperature. In one embodiment, the first temperature and the second temperature are 34-45 degrees Celsius; in another embodiment, the first temperature is less than the second temperature, for example, the first temperature is 15-20 degrees Celsius and the second temperature is 34-45 degrees Celsius, but not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the controller 32 has a control interface through which a user can select the motility sorting mode Ml or the gender sorting mode M2 / M3 / M4.

[0051] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a sperm sorting method in a motility sorting mode according to an embodiment of the present application. The sperm sorting method is used in conjunction with the automated sperm sorting device 1 / 1A (as shown in Figures 1 and 4) according to an embodiment of the present application. The structure and configuration of the automated sperm sorting device 1 / 1A have been disclosed above and will not be repeated here. As shown in Figure 6, the sperm sorting method in the motility sorting mode M1 includes the following steps: step S2, providing the automated sperm sorting device 1 as described above; step S4, using the controller 32 to control the first temperature controller 14 and the second temperature controller 24 to provide the first temperature to the first upper surface 121 and to provide the second temperature to the second upper surface 221; step S6, using the controller 32 to control the two longitudinal rails 36, the connecting rod 38 and the plurality of pipettes 40 to actuate the pipettes 40 to aspirate the culture solution from the culture solution tank 54 and to release the culture solution into the sorting tank 112; step S8, using the controller 32 to control the two longitudinal rails 36, the connecting rod 38 and the pipettes 40 to actuate the pipettes 40 to aspirate the seminal fluid from the seminal fluid tank 50; step S10, using the controller 32 to control the two longitudinal rails 36, the connecting rod 38 and the plurality of pipettes 40 to actuate the pipettes 40 to release the seminal fluid into the collection tank 111 of the chip sorter 110; step S14, waiting for the sperm to be sorted, wherein part of the sperm will swim into the sorting tank 112 and the other part of the sperm will remain in the collection tank 111, and the impurities in the seminal fluid will flow into the waste solution tank 113 due to the pressure difference between the waste solution tank 113 and the sorting tank 112 and the collection tank 111; and step S16, using the controller 32 to control the two longitudinal rails 36, the connecting rod 38 and the pipettes 40 to actuate the pipettes 40 to collect the sorted sperm in the collection tank 111 and to store the sorted sperm into the storage tank 52 formed on the first upper surface 121 or the second upper surface 221. The sperm sorted by the motility sorting mode M1 are the sperm with higher motility in the batch of sperm.

[0052] Figure 7 is a flowchart of the sperm sorting method of an embodiment of the present application in a gender sorting mode. As shown in Figure 7, the sperm sorting method in the gender sorting mode M2 takes the sorting of Y sperm as an example. The flow of the gender sorting mode M2 includes: step S2, providing the automated sperm sorting device 1 described above; step S4, using the controller 32 to control the first temperature controller 14 and the second temperature controller 24 to provide the first temperature to the first upper surface 121 and the second temperature to the second upper surface 221; step S6', using the controller 32 to control the actuation of the two longitudinal rails 36, the connecting rod 38, and the plurality of pipettes 40, so that the pipettes 40 absorb the culture solution from the culture solution tank 54 and release the culture solution into the collection tank 111 and the waste liquid tank 113, respectively; step S8, using the controller 32 to control the actuation of the two longitudinal rails 36, the connecting rod 38, and the pipettes 40, so that the pipettes 40 absorb the stock solution from the stock solution tank 50; step S10', using the controller 32 to control the actuation of the two longitudinal rails 36, the connecting rod 38, and the plurality of pipettes 40, so that the pipettes 40 release the stock solution into the sorting tank 112 of the chip sorter 110; step S12, using the controller 32 to control the actuation of the two longitudinal rails 36, the connecting rod 38, and the pipettes 40, so that the pipettes 40 absorb the culture solution from the culture solution tank 54 and release the culture solution into the collection tank 111, and this step S12 is repeated according to the settings in the gender sorting mode M2, for example, at a frequency of 1 time per minute and for 30 times, but not limited thereto; step S14, waiting for the sperm to be sorted, wherein the collection tank 111 and the sorting tank 112 have a pressure difference, and part of the sperm will move to the collection tank 111 according to the settings of the chip sorter 110, and another part of the sperm will remain in the sorting tank 112; step S16, using the controller 32 to control the actuation of the two longitudinal rails 36, the connecting rod 38, and the pipettes 40 to collect the sorted sperm in the collection tank 111 and store the sorted sperm in the storage tank 52 formed in the first upper surface 121 or the second upper surface 221. The sperm sorted by the gender sorting mode M2 has a higher proportion of sperm carrying Y chromosomes.

[0053] Figure 8 is a flowchart of the sperm sorting method of another embodiment of the present application in the gender sorting mode. As shown in Figure 8, the sperm sorting method in the gender sorting mode M3 takes the X sperm sorting as an example, and the gender sorting mode M3 needs to sort the sperm with X chromosome from the original solution by using the antibody and the magnetic beads. The flow of the gender sorting mode M3 includes: step S2, providing the automatic sperm sorting device 1 described above; step S4, using the controller 32 to control the first temperature controller 14 and the second temperature controller 24 to provide the first temperature to the first upper surface 121 and the second temperature to the second upper surface 221; step S5, using the controller 32 to control the actuation of the two longitudinal sliding rails 36, the connecting rod 38 and the suction device 40, so that the suction device 40 sucks the antibody mixed solution from the antibody tank 60 to release it into the original solution tank 50, and sucks the magnetic bead mixed solution from the magnetic bead tank 64 to release it into the original solution tank 50, so that the antibodies in the antibody mixed solution are combined with the sperm, and the magnetic beads in the magnetic bead mixed solution are combined with the antibodies; step S6', using the controller 32 to control the actuation of the two longitudinal sliding rails 36, the connecting rod 38 and the plurality of suction devices 40, so that the suction device 40 sucks the culture solution from the culture solution tank 54 and releases the culture solution into the collection tank 111 and the waste liquid tank 113, respectively; step S8, using the controller 32 to control the actuation of the two longitudinal sliding rails 36, the connecting rod 38 and the suction device 40, so that the suction device 40 sucks the original solution (which has been uniformly mixed with the antibody mixed solution and the magnetic bead mixed solution) from the original solution tank 50; step S10', using the controller 32 to control the actuation of the two longitudinal sliding rails 36, the connecting rod 38 and the plurality of suction devices 40, so that the suction device 40 releases the original solution (which has been uniformly mixed with the antibody mixed solution and the magnetic bead mixed solution) into the sorting tank 112; step S12, using the controller 32 to control the actuation of the two longitudinal sliding rails 36, the connecting rod 38 and the suction device 40, so that the suction device 40 sucks the culture solution from the culture solution tank 54 and releases the culture solution into the collection tank 111, and this step S12 is repeated according to the settings in the gender sorting mode M2, for example, 1 time per minute, and 30 times, but not limited thereto; step S14, waiting for the sperm to be sorted, wherein part of the sperm will swim to the collection tank 111, and another part of the sperm will remain in the sorting tank 112; and step S16, using the controller 32 to control the actuation of the two longitudinal sliding rails 36, the connecting rod 38 and the suction device 40 to collect the sorted sperm in the collection tank 111, and store the sorted sperm in the storage tank 52 formed in the first upper surface 121 or the second upper surface 221. The sperm sorted by the gender sorting mode M3 is the sperm with X chromosome in the batch of sperm.

[0054] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the process of sperm sorting according to another embodiment of the present application in a gender sorting mode. As shown in Figure 9, the gender sorting mode M4 is exemplified by sorting X sperm. The difference between the gender sorting mode M4 and the gender sorting mode M3 is that, in the gender sorting mode M4, the antibody mixture, the magnetic bead mixture and the stock solution are first mixed uniformly in the mixing tank 62, and then the mixed stock solution is released into the sorting tank 112. The process of the gender sorting mode M4 includes the steps S2, S4, S8, S9-1, S9-2, S9-3, S10', S11, S12, S14 and S16. The steps S2, S4 and S8 are as described above. In step S9-1, the controller 32 is used to control the operation of the two longitudinal slides 36, the connecting rod 38 and the suction device 40, so that the suction device 40 releases the stock solution into the mixing tank 62. In step S9-2, the controller 32 is used to control the operation of the two longitudinal slides 36, the connecting rod 38 and the suction device 40, so that the suction device 40 sucks the antibody mixture from the antibody tank 60 and the magnetic bead mixture from the magnetic bead tank 64, and releases the antibody mixture and the magnetic bead mixture into the mixing tank 62, so that the antibodies in the antibody mixture bind to the sperm and the magnetic beads in the magnetic bead mixture bind to the antibodies. In step S9-3, the controller 32 is used to control the operation of the two longitudinal slides 36, the connecting rod 38 and the suction device 40, so that the suction device 40 sucks the stock solution (which has been mixed uniformly with the antibody mixture and the magnetic bead mixture) from the mixing tank 62. Then, in step S10', the controller 32 is used to control the operation of the two longitudinal slides 36, the connecting rod 38 and the plurality of suction devices 40, so that the suction devices 40 release the stock solution (which has been mixed uniformly with the antibody mixture and the magnetic bead mixture) into the sorting tank 112. In step S11, the controller 32 is used to control the operation of the two longitudinal slides 36, the connecting rod 38 and the suction device 40, so that the suction device 40 sucks the culture solution from the culture solution tank 54 and releases the culture solution into the collection tank 111 and the waste liquid tank 113. In step S12, the controller 32 is used to control the operation of the two longitudinal slides 36, the connecting rod 38 and the suction device 40, so that the suction device 40 sucks the culture solution from the culture solution tank 54 and releases the culture solution into the collection tank 111, and the process is repeated 30 times at a frequency of, for example, once per minute. In step S14, the sperm are allowed to be sorted, wherein there is a pressure difference between the collection tank 111 and the sorting tank 112, part of the sperm swim to the collection tank 111, and the other part of the sperm remain in the sorting tank 112. Finally, in step S16, the sorted sperm located in the collection tank 111 are collected and stored in the storage tank 52 formed in the first upper surface 121. The sperm sorted by the gender sorting mode M4 are the sperm having X chromosomes in the batch of sperm.

[0055] In one embodiment, to cooperate with the use of magnetic beads, the automated sperm sorting device 1 / 1A further comprises a plurality of magnets 42 arranged corresponding to the arrangement of the chip sorter 110, the magnets 42 are adapted to attract the magnetic beads so that the sperm with the magnetic beads and the antibodies are retained in the sorting slots 112.

[0056] In addition, to ensure that the solutions in different slots do not contaminate each other during operation, the aspirator 40 is replaced after each time the solution is released or before the solution is aspirated. The controller 32 controls the operation of the two longitudinal rails 36, the connecting rod 38, and the aspirator 40, so that the aspirator 40 is operated above the discard slot 58, the combined aspirator 44 is discarded and stored in the discard slot 58, and then operated above the standby hole 46 into which the unused aspirator 44 is inserted, so as to combine the aspirator 44 again.

[0057] During the sorting process, the user can set the repeated execution of the motility sorting mode M1 or the gender sorting mode M2 / M3 / M4 through the control interface of the controller 32 according to the needs.

[0058] According to the above, the automated sperm sorting device of one embodiment of the present application stores the solutions required for operation through the plurality of slots of the stock solution holder and the chip holder, separates the first temperature and the second temperature of the stock solution holder and the chip holder by the heat insulation block, and controls the two longitudinal rails, the connecting rod, the plurality of aspirators, the first temperature controller, and the second temperature controller by the controller to realize automatic and continuous operation, reduce the demand for manpower, and be conducive to reducing the time of the sperm sorting process and avoiding time-consuming and laborious operation. In addition, the automated sperm sorting device of the present application stores a plurality of sorting modes in the storage module of the controller, and completes the overall experimental process by the execution module to achieve the purpose of sorting a large number of sperm.

[0059] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present application, and does not limit the present application in any form. Although the present application has been disclosed as above with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the present application. Any person skilled in the art can make some changes or modifications to the above disclosed methods and technical contents to make equivalent embodiments with equivalent changes, but as long as the changes do not deviate from the technical solution of the present application, any simple modification, equivalent change, and modification of the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present application are still within the scope of the technical solution of the present application.

Claims

1. An automated sperm sorting device, characterized by, The application relates to an automatic sperm sorting device, comprising: a stock solution receiving tray, comprising a first tray body and a first temperature controller, the first tray body has a first upper surface, the first upper surface is formed with a stock solution groove and a storage groove arranged at intervals, and the first temperature controller is arranged on the first tray body to provide a first temperature to the first upper surface; a chip receiving tray arranged on one side of the stock solution receiving tray, the chip receiving tray comprises a second tray body, at least one sorting group and a second temperature controller, the second tray body has a second upper surface, the second upper surface is formed with a culture solution groove and a chip groove arranged at intervals, the at least one sorting group is arranged in the chip groove and comprises a plurality of chip sorters arranged along a Y direction, and the second temperature controller is arranged on the second tray body to provide a second temperature to the second upper surface; a heat insulation block arranged between the first tray body and the second tray body, the first tray body, the heat insulation block and the second tray body are sequentially arranged along an X direction; two horizontal slide rails arranged on opposite sides of the first tray body respectively, and the two horizontal slide rails extend to opposite sides of the second tray body; two vertical slide rails slidably connected with the two horizontal slide rails respectively and adapted to slide along the two horizontal slide rails in the X direction synchronously; a connecting rod having opposite ends slidably connected with the two vertical slide rails respectively and adapted to slide along the two vertical slide rails in a Z direction synchronously; a plurality of suction devices corresponding to the arrangement intervals of the plurality of chip sorters along the Y direction and arranged on the connecting rod; and a controller electrically connected with the two vertical slide rails, the connecting rod, the plurality of suction devices, the first temperature controller and the second temperature controller to control the two vertical slide rails to slide on the two horizontal slide rails, the connecting rod to slide on the two vertical slide rails, the plurality of suction devices to suck or release, the first temperature controller to provide the first temperature and the second temperature controller to provide the second temperature.

2. The automated sperm sorting device of claim 1, wherein, The first upper surface is further formed with an antibody groove and a magnetic bead groove, the stock solution groove, the storage groove, the antibody groove and the magnetic bead groove are arranged at intervals along the X direction, wherein the antibody groove is adapted to store an antibody mixture, the antibody mixture comprises a plurality of antibodies, and the magnetic bead groove is adapted to place a magnetic bead mixture, the magnetic bead mixture comprises a plurality of magnetic beads.

3. The automated sperm sorting device of claim 2, wherein, The stock solution groove, the storage groove, the antibody groove and the magnetic bead groove have a horizontal groove bottom, a V-shaped groove bottom, a U-shaped groove bottom or an inclined groove bottom.

4. The automated sperm sorting device of claim 1, wherein, The second upper surface is further formed with a mixing groove, the culture solution groove, the chip groove and the mixing groove are arranged at intervals along the X direction.

5. The automated sperm sorting device of claim 4, wherein, The culture solution groove and the mixing groove have a horizontal groove bottom, a V-shaped groove bottom, a U-shaped groove bottom or an inclined groove bottom.

6. The automated sperm sorting device of claim 1, wherein, The automatic sperm sorting device further comprises a plurality of magnets, the chip groove has a bottom surface, part of the bottom surface is formed with a plurality of grooves, the plurality of magnets are arranged in the plurality of grooves respectively, and the arrangement of the plurality of magnets corresponds to the arrangement of the plurality of chip sorters.

7. The automated sperm sorting device of claim 1, wherein, The number of the at least one sorting group is a plurality, and the plurality of sorting groups are arranged along the X direction in the chip groove.

8. The automated sperm sorting device of claim 1, wherein, Each of the plurality of chip sorters has a collection groove, a sorting groove and a waste liquid groove, and the sorting groove is arranged between the collection groove and the waste liquid groove.

9. The automated sperm sorting device of claim 8, wherein, The chip groove has a bottom surface, part of the bottom surface is formed with at least one drainage channel, and the at least one drainage channel corresponds to the waste liquid groove.

10. The automated sperm sorting device of claim 9, wherein, At least one of the opposite sides of the second disc body is provided with at least one drainage hole, which is communicated with the at least one drainage channel.

11. The automated sperm sorting device of claim 1, wherein, The automatic sperm sorting device further comprises a plurality of suction tubes, the first upper surface of the first disc body or / and the second upper surface of the second disc body further forms a plurality of standby holes, the plurality of standby holes form an array along the X direction and the Y direction, and the plurality of standby holes correspond to the plurality of chip sorters along the Y direction, the plurality of suction tubes are adapted to be inserted into the plurality of standby holes, the plurality of suction tubes are adapted to be actuated above the plurality of standby holes and combined with the plurality of suction tubes respectively.

12. The automated sperm sorting device of claim 11, wherein, The first upper surface or / and the second upper surface further forms a discard groove, the plurality of suction tubes are adapted to be actuated above the discard groove and excluded and stored in the discard groove.

13. A method of sperm sorting, characterized by, Comprise: Provided is an automatic sperm sorting device, comprising: A stock solution holding disc comprises a first disc body and a first temperature controller, the first disc body has a first upper surface, the first upper surface is formed with a stock solution groove and a storage groove, the stock solution groove is adapted to store a stock solution, the stock solution comprises a plurality of sperm, and the first temperature controller is arranged on the first disc body to provide a first temperature to the first upper surface; A chip holding disc is arranged on one side of the stock solution holding disc, the chip holding disc comprises a second disc body, at least one sorting group and a second temperature controller, the second disc body has a second upper surface, the second upper surface is formed with a culture solution groove and a chip groove arranged at intervals, the culture solution groove is adapted to store a culture solution, the at least one sorting group is arranged in the chip groove, the at least one sorting group comprises a plurality of chip sorters, the plurality of chip sorters are arranged along a Y direction, each of the plurality of chip sorters has a collection groove, a sorting groove and a waste solution groove, and the second temperature controller is arranged on the second disc body to provide a second temperature to the second upper surface; A heat insulation block is arranged between the first disc body and the second disc body, the first disc body, the heat insulation block and the second disc body are sequentially arranged along an X direction; Two horizontal slide rails are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the first disc body, and the two horizontal slide rails extend to opposite sides of the second disc body; Two longitudinal slide rails are respectively and slidably connected with the two horizontal slide rails, and are adapted to synchronously slide along the two horizontal slide rails in the X direction; A connecting rod has opposite ends which are respectively and slidably connected with the two longitudinal slide rails, and are adapted to synchronously slide along the two longitudinal slide rails in a Z direction; A plurality of suction devices correspond to the arrangement intervals of the plurality of chip sorters along the Y direction, and are arranged on the connecting rod; and A controller is electrically connected with the two longitudinal slide rails, the connecting rod, the plurality of suction devices, the first temperature controller and the second temperature controller; The controller is used to control the first temperature controller to provide the first temperature to the first upper surface, and control the second temperature controller to provide the second temperature to the second upper surface; The controller is used to control the two longitudinal slide rails, the connecting rod and the plurality of suction devices to actuate, so that the plurality of suction devices suck the culture solution from the culture solution groove and release the culture solution into the sorting groove; The controller is used to control the two longitudinal slide rails, the connecting rod and the plurality of suction devices to actuate, so that the plurality of suction devices suck the stock solution. ​ The controller is used to control the operation of the two longitudinal slides, the connecting rod and the plurality of pipettes, so that the plurality of pipettes releases the raw liquid to the collection groove of the plurality of chip sorters; waiting for the plurality of sperm to be sorted; and The controller is used to control the operation of the two longitudinal slides, the connecting rod and the plurality of pipettes, so that the plurality of pipettes releases the raw liquid to the collection groove of the plurality of chip sorters.

14. The method of sperm sorting of claim 13 wherein, The first temperature is lower than the second temperature.

15. A method of sperm sorting, characterized by, comprising: Providing an automatic sperm sorting device, comprising: a raw liquid receiving tray, comprising a first tray body and a first temperature controller, the first tray body having a first upper surface, the first upper surface being formed with a raw liquid groove and a storage groove, the raw liquid groove being adapted to store raw liquid, the raw liquid comprising a plurality of sperm, the first temperature controller being arranged on the first tray body to provide a first temperature to the first upper surface; a chip receiving tray arranged on one side of the raw liquid receiving tray, the chip receiving tray comprising a second tray body, at least one sorting group and a second temperature controller, the second tray body having a second upper surface, the second upper surface being formed with a culture liquid groove and a chip groove arranged at intervals, the culture liquid groove being adapted to store culture liquid, the at least one sorting group being arranged in the chip groove, the at least one sorting group comprising a plurality of chip sorters, the plurality of chip sorters being arranged along a Y direction, each of the plurality of chip sorters having a collection groove, a sorting groove and a waste liquid groove, the second temperature controller being arranged on the second tray body to provide a second temperature to the second upper surface; a heat insulation block arranged between the first tray body and the second tray body, the first tray body, the heat insulation block and the second tray body being sequentially arranged along an X direction; two horizontal slides respectively arranged on opposite sides of the first tray body, and the two horizontal slides extending to opposite sides of the second tray body; two longitudinal slides respectively slidably connected with the two horizontal slides, and adapted to synchronously slide along the two horizontal slides in the X direction; a connecting rod having opposite ends, the two ends respectively slidably connected with the two longitudinal slides, and adapted to synchronously slide along the two longitudinal slides in a Z direction; a plurality of pipettes corresponding to the arrangement interval of the plurality of chip sorters along the Y direction, and arranged on the connecting rod; and a controller electrically connected with the two longitudinal slides, the connecting rod, the plurality of pipettes, the first temperature controller and the second temperature controller; the controller is used to control the first temperature controller to provide the first temperature to the first upper surface, and control the second temperature controller to provide the second temperature to the second upper surface; the controller is used to control the operation of the two longitudinal slides, the connecting rod and the plurality of pipettes, so that the plurality of pipettes sucks the raw liquid; the controller is used to control the operation of the two longitudinal slides, the connecting rod and the plurality of pipettes, so that the plurality of pipettes releases the raw liquid to the sorting groove of the plurality of chip sorters; the controller is used to control the operation of the two longitudinal slides, the connecting rod and the plurality of pipettes, so that the plurality of pipettes sucks the culture liquid from the culture liquid groove, and releases the culture liquid to the collection groove or / the waste liquid groove; waiting for the plurality of sperm to be sorted; and The controller is used to control the operation of the two longitudinal slides, the connecting rod and the plurality of pipettes, so that the plurality of pipettes releases the raw liquid to the collection groove of the plurality of chip sorters.

16. The method of sperm sorting of claim 15, wherein, The sperm sorting method further comprises, before the plurality of pipettes pipettes the raw liquid, using the controller to control the two longitudinal slides, the connecting rod and the plurality of pipettes to pipette the culture liquid from the culture liquid tank and release the culture liquid to the collection tank and the waste liquid tank of the plurality of chip sorters.

17. The method of sperm sorting of claim 15 wherein, The controller has a storage module and an execution module, the storage module stores at least a motility sorting mode and a gender sorting mode, the motility sorting mode is used to sort the sperm with high activity from the plurality of sperm, the gender sorting mode is used to sort the sperm with Y chromosome, with X chromosome or without X sex-linked recessive genetic disease gene from the plurality of sperm, the execution module reads the storage module and controls the two longitudinal slides to slide on the two horizontal slides, the connecting rod to slide on the two longitudinal slides, the plurality of pipettes to pipette or release, the first temperature controller to provide the first temperature and the second temperature controller to provide the second temperature.

18. The method of sperm sorting of claim 15, wherein, The first upper surface further forms an antibody tank and a magnetic bead tank, the antibody tank is suitable for storing an antibody mixture, the antibody mixture includes a plurality of antibodies, the plurality of antibodies are used to combine with the plurality of sperm, the magnetic bead tank is suitable for placing a magnetic bead mixture, the magnetic bead mixture includes a plurality of magnetic beads, the plurality of magnetic beads are used to combine with the plurality of antibodies.

19. The method of sperm sorting of claim 18, wherein, The plurality of antibodies are selected from H-Y antibodies.

20. The method of sperm sorting of claim 18, wherein, Before the plurality of pipettes pipettes the raw liquid from the raw liquid tank, the plurality of pipettes first pipettes the antibody mixture from the antibody tank to release to the raw liquid tank, and pipettes the magnetic bead mixture from the magnetic bead tank to release to the raw liquid tank.

21. The method of sperm sorting of claim 18, wherein, The second upper surface further forms a mixing tank, before the plurality of pipettes releases the raw liquid to the sorting tank, the plurality of pipettes first releases the raw liquid to the mixing tank, and then pipettes the antibody mixture from the antibody tank to release to the mixing tank, and pipettes the magnetic bead mixture from the magnetic bead tank to release to the mixing tank.

22. The method of sperm sorting of claim 15 wherein, The first temperature is lower than the second temperature.

Images