Laboratory workstation

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an in vitro fertilization workstation that includes a control system, a worktable communicatively coupled to the control system and comprising a work surface with a first heating zone and a second heating zone. The first and second heating zones are independently controllable. The workstation includes an incubator mounted to the work surface and communicatively coupled to the control system. The work surface has a seamless interface between the first heating zone and the second heating zone.

Description

LABORATORY WORKSTATIONTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This disclosure relates to a workstation, such as a workstation that is configured for use in a laboratory for carrying out biological protocols.BACKGROUND

[0002] During an in vitro fertilization (IVF) process, various procedures are conducted within an IVF workstation to provide sample and / or operator protection from contamination and to provide environmental conditions required to maintain sample viability. IVF workstations are generally configured to provide a flow of clean air, sample heating, and incubation. A built-in or tabletop incubator of an IVF workstation typically includes two chambers and is recessed in the workstation surface, thereby requiring an operator to lift dishes in / out of the chambers.Optionally, IVF workstations can provide Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tracking of samples to detect and monitor all activity within the IVF workstation.

[0003] IVF workstations generally have a heated surface area to maintain ideal temperatures for the sample while viewing and processing the sample under a microscope of the workstation. An electrically heated, metallic work surface often provides approximately 690 cm2sample heating area to workstations. However, metallic work surfaces are not compatible with RFID tracking of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) samples because the metallic work surface does not permit magnetic field required for RFID operation to pass through. Typical solutions for combine RFID tracking with metallic work surfaces involve utilizing a standalone RFID reader either by placing onto the surface, or by cutting an aperture within the metallic work surface and flush mounting.SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure relates to a smooth, tabletop work surface and integrated incubator that provides sample heating and RFID tracking capabilities on the work surface, while minimizing risk of sample spillage.

[0005] In accordance with a first aspect, an in vitro fertilization workstation may include a control system, a worktable communicatively coupled to the control system, and an incubator. The worktable may include a work surface. The work surface may include a first heating zoneand a second heating zone. The first and second heating zones may be independently controllable. The incubator may be mounted to the work surface and may be communicatively coupled to the control system. The work surface may have a seamless interface between the first heating zone and the second heating zone.

[0006] In accordance with a second aspect, a work surface of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) workstation may include a non-metallic outer layer, a layer of thermal gap filler or adhesive, a printer circuit board (PCB) layer, an insulation material layer, a heater plate, a heater foil, and an insulation layer.

[0007] In accordance with a third aspect, a work surface of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) workstation may include a smooth outer layer configured to receive a table-top incubator. A heater foil may be disposed beneath the smooth outer layer. A heater plate may be disposed between the heater foil and the smooth outer layer. A printed circuit board (PCB) layer may include a plurality of antennas. The PCB layer may be disposed between the outer layer and the heater plate.

[0008] In further accordance with any one or more of the foregoing first, second, third, and fourth aspects, an IVF workstation and a worksurface of an IVF workstation may include any one or more of the following aspects.

[0009] In one example, the first heating zone and the second heating zone may define a heated surface area in a range of 700 cm2to 1700 cm2.

[0010] In another example, the first heating zone and the second heating zone may be radiofrequency identification (RFID) compatible.

[0011] In some examples, the work surface may include a non-metallic outer layer.

[0012] In some examples, the work surface may include a layer of thermal gap filler or adhesive.

[0013] In some examples, the work surface may include a printer circuit board (PCB) layer.

[0014] In some examples, the work surface may include an insulation material layer.

[0015] In some examples, the work surface may include a heater plate.

[0016] In some examples, the work surface may include a heater foil.

[0017] In some examples, the work surface may include an insulation layer.

[0018] In other examples, the glass outer layer may have a thickness in a range of 8.5 mm to 10.5 mm.

[0019] In yet another example, the layer of thermal gap filler may have a thickness in a range of 1 mm to 3 mm.

[0020] In one aspect, the PCB layer may have a thickness in a range of 1 mm to 2 mm.

[0021] In another aspect, the PCB layer may include a plurality of overlapping loop antennas.

[0022] In some aspects, the heater plate may have a thickness in a range of 7 mm to 9 mm.

[0023] In other aspects, the insulation material layer may have a thickness in a range of 1 mm to 2.4 mm.

[0024] In yet another aspect, the heater foil may have an intensity range of 50 mW / cm2to 200 mW / cm2.

[0025] In one form, the incubator may include a thermal stack mounted to an incubator lid.

[0026] In another form, the work surface may include an ITO window and a levelling system coupled to the ITO window.

[0027] In some forms, the levelling system may be configured to adjust a height of the ITO window relative to the non-metallic outer layer.

[0028] In some forms, the heater foil may include a first heating zone and a second heating zone.

[0029] In some forms, the first heating zone and the second heating zone may be independently controllable.

[0030] In other forms, the non-metallic outer layer may have a seamless transition between the first heating zone and the second heating zone.

[0031] In yet another form, the heater foil may include a third heating zone and a fourth heating zone.

[0032] In some examples, the third heating zone and the fourth heating zone may be independent controllable.

[0033] In one example, the PCB layer may include a plurality of overlapping loop antennas.

[0034] In another example, the heater foil may be configured to be communicatively coupled to a control system of the workstation.

[0035] Systems and methods described in the present disclosure can include one or more of the following advantages.

[0036] In accordance with certain methods of the present disclosure, the work surface includes a flush, seam-free path to the incubator chamber between the work surface and the incubator chamber.

[0037] In accordance with certain methods of the present disclosure, work surface features may prevent a sample dish from being positioned underneath the walls of the incubator lid as it closes.

[0038] In accordance with some methods of the present disclosure, the heated glass-top work surface offers a smooth, uninterrupted surface ideal for effortlessly sliding dishes across.

[0039] In accordance with some methods of the present disclosure, the work surface can have one or more separate microscope work areas, where each work area features four heating zones that can be controlled independently.

[0040] In accordance with some methods of the present disclosure, the numbers of seams in the work surface are minimized. Additionally, where seams are present within the work area may be levelled using an adjustment mechanism.

[0041] In accordance with some methods of the present disclosure, the heated glass-top work surface offers a smooth, uninterrupted surface ideal for effortlessly sliding dishes across.

[0042] As used herein, the terms “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” and “below” are used to provide a relative relationship between structures. The use of these terms does not indicate or require that a particular structure must be located at a particular location in the apparatus.

[0043] Some examples may be described using the expression “coupled” and “connected” along with their derivatives. For example, some arrangements may be described using the term “coupled” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term “coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, yet still co-operate or interact with each other. The examples described herein are not limited in this context.

[0044] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description, figures, and claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] Fig. l is a front perspective view of a workstation in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

[0046] Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of a workbench, work surface, and cabinet assembly of a workstation in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

[0047] Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the work surface of Fig. 2 without microscope pillars and showing a left-side work area with an incubator and a right-side work area;

[0048] Fig. 4 is a top view of the work surface of Fig. 3, showing the various zones of the work surface;

[0049] Fig. 5 is an exploded top perspective view of a thermal layer stack of the work surface of Fig. 3;

[0050] Fig. 6 is a top layout view of a heater foil layer of the right-side work area of Fig. 3;

[0051] Fig. 7 is a bottom perspective view of a layout of disc mounts on a glass layer of the right-side work area of Fig. 3;

[0052] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of an assembled thermal stack of Fig. 5 of the work surface of Fig. 3;

[0053] Fig. 9 is a partial bottom perspective view of the assembled thermal stack of Fig. 5;

[0054] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of a levelling system for an ITO glass window of the work surface of Fig. 3;

[0055] Fig. 11 is an exploded bottom perspective view of a thermal layer stack of an incubator lid of the incubator of Fig. 3;

[0056] Fig. 12A is the incubator of Fig. 3 in a fully open position;

[0057] Fig. 12B is the incubator of Fig. 3 in a partially open position; and

[0058] Fig. 12C is the incubator of Fig. 3 in a closed position;

[0059] Fig. 13 is a partially transparent, back perspective view of the incubator of Fig. 3;

[0060] Fig. 14 is a partially transparent, cross-sectional front view of the incubator of Fig. 3;

[0061] Fig. 15 is a top, perspective view of the work surface beneath the incubator of Fig. 3, showing the incubator lid in a fully open position and dish positioning guide pegs;

[0062] Fig. 16 is the work surface of Fig. 15 showing the dish positioning guides attached over the guide pegs;

[0063] Fig. 17 is a partial view of the workbench, work surface, and cabinet assembly of Fig. 2, showing an embedded connector for mounting a tube reader;

[0064] Fig. 18 is magnified view of the tube reader of Fig. 2;

[0065] Fig. 19 is a schematic illustration of a control module of the workstation of Fig. 1 in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

[0066] Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram of a network communication architecture on which the configurable workstation of Fig. 1 operates in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

[0067] Fig. 21 is a display screen of a graphical user interface for operating the workstation of Fig. 1 in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

[0068] Fig. 22 is a different display screen of a graphical user interface for operating the workstation of Fig. 1 in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

[0069] Fig. 23 is an alternative layout of a work surface for use with the workstation of Fig.1 in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

[0070] Fig. 24 is an alternative layout of a work surface for use with the workstation of Fig.1 in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

[0071] Fig. 25 is an alternative layout of a work surface for use with the workstation of Fig.1;

[0072] Fig. 26 is an alternative tube reader mounting for use with the workstation of Fig. 1 in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

[0073] Fig. 27 is an alternative tube reader mounting for use with the workstation of Fig. 1 in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

[0074] Fig. 28 is an alternative tube reader mounting for use with the workstation of Fig. 1 in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

[0075] Fig. 29 is a perspective front view of alternative tube reader for use with the workstation of Fig. 1 in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

[0076] Fig. 30 is a perspective view of an alternative incubator for use with the workstation of Fig. 1 in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

[0077] Fig. 31 is a top view of the incubator of Fig. 30 in an open position;

[0078] Fig. 32 is a front, perspective view the incubator of Fig. 30, showing an illuminated light indicator on a lid of the incubator; and

[0079] Fig. 33 is a front, perspective view of another incubator for use with the workstation of Fig. 1 in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0080] Fig. 1 illustrates a workstation 100 (e.g., a biosafety cabinet) that provides a workspace 102 for carrying out biological protocols in a laboratory environment. Various biological protocols may be carried out in the workspace 102, such as those related to in vitro fertilization (IVF), cell examination, cell selection, and cell manipulation in the field of assisted reproductive technology (ART). For example, procedures involving one or more of vitrification of specimens, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IC SI), embryo biopsy, insemination, sperm preparation, and egg selection are typically performed within the workspace 102. Example specimens that are typically handled in the workspace 102 during such procedures include oocytes, blastocysts, embryos, and other animal cells.

[0081] The workstation 100 provides a flow of clean air to provide sample and / or operator protection, wireless connectivity, sample heating provided by a heated work surface, tracking of samples, including the use of radiofrequency identification (RFID) and / or machine readable codes, and incubation. The workstation 100 includes a cabinet 200, a worktable 300, an air duct system within a hood 400, and a server computer 500. The worktable 300 integrates (RFID) tracking, heating, and incubation capabilities over a length of the workstation 100. The embedded server computer 500 includes a network processor and is programmed to implement a central user interface 600 for controlling and monitoring the workstation 100 functions, the embedded server computer 500 enables secure network connectivity to provide remote data access and software updates to the workstation 100. The worktable 300 has a built-in local microcontroller system communication board to allow communication to the embedded server computer 500 to receive user inputs. This allows the embedded server computer 500 to receive and control sensor data from the worktable 300. The sensor data is displayed to the user by the central user interface 600.

[0082] The worktable 300 may be configured to provide one work area or two work areas. In the example of Figs. 1 and 2, the worktable 300 includes a first work area 300A and a second work area 300B adjacent to the first work area 300 A. Each of the first and second work areas 300A, 300B includes an incubator 302, a movable (e.g., height-adjustable) heated, indium tin oxide (ITO) glass window 304, a microscope pillar 305 and mount 306 (Fig. 2) for a microscope 311 (Fig. 1), a tube reader assembly 308 (Fig. 2), and a work surface 310.

[0083] In Fig. 2, a length L of the worktable 300 may be in a range of approximately 1700 mm to approximately 1900 mm, and a width W of the worktable may be in a range of approximately 450 mm or more (e.g., about 460 mm or more, about 470 mm or more, about 480 mm or more, about 490 mm or more, about 500 mm or more, about 510 mm or more, about 520 mm or more, about 530 mm or more, about 540 mm or more, about 550 mm) to approximately 650 mm or less (e.g., about 640 mm or less, about 630 mm or less, about 620 mm or less, about 610 mm or less, about 600 mm or less, about 590 mm or less, about 580 mm or less, about 570 mm or less, about 560 mm or less, about 550 mm). In a worktable configuration with two work areas or just one work area, a length LA of each work area 300A, 300B may be a in a range of approximately 900 mm or more (e.g., about 925 mm or more, about 950 mm or more, about 975 mm or more, about 1000 mm or more, about 1025 mm or more, about 1050 mm or more, about 1075 mm) to approximately 1250 mm or less (e.g., about 1225 mm or less, about 1200 mm or less, about 1175 mm or less, about 1150 mm or less, about 1125 mm or less, about 1100 mm or less, about 1075 mm). The thermal configuration may be consistent across 3-foot, 4-foot, and 6- foot work surfaces. However, the 6-foot variant comprises two thermal configurations that are symmetrical mirror images of each other.

[0084] Turning to Figs. 3 and 4, the work surface 310 has both heated and non-heated areas or zones. For example, each work area 300 A, 300B includes a first zone 314, a second zone 318, a third zone 322, and an incubator zone 326. The first zone 314 is L-shaped, the second zone 318 is adjacent to the first zone 314 and the incubation zone 326, and the third zone 322 is part of the heated, ITO window 304. The first, second, and third zones 318, 322, 326 together create a heated and RFID area in a range of approximately 1500 cm2or more (e.g., about 1505 cm2or more, about 1510 cm2or more, about 1515 cm2or more, about 1520 cm2or more, about 1525 cm2or more, about 1530 cm2or more, about 1535 cm2or more, about 1540 cm2or more, about 1545 cm2or more, about 1550 cm2or more, about 1555 cm2or more, about 1560 cm2or more, about 1565 cm2or more, 1570 cm2or more, about 1575 cm2or more, about 1580 cm2or more, about 1585 cm2or more, about 1590 cm2or more, about 1595 cm2or more, about 1600 cm2or more, about 1605 cm2or more, about 1610 cm2or more, about 1615 cm2or more, about 1620 cm2or more, about 1625 cm2or more, about 1630 cm2or more, about 1635 cm2or more, about 1640 cm2or more, about 1645 cm2or more, about 1650 cm2) to 1750 cm2or less (e.g., about 1745 cm2or less, about 1740 cm2or less, about 1735 cm2or less, about 1730 cm2or less, about1725 cm2or less, about 1720 cm2or less, about 1715 cm2or less, about 1710 cm2or less, about1705 cm2or less, about 1700 cm2or less, about 1695 cm2or less, about 1690 cm2or less, about1685 cm2or less, about 1680 cm2or less, about 1675 cm2or less, about 1670 cm2or less, about1665 cm2or less, about 1660 cm2or less, about 1655 cm2or less, about 1650 cm2). The incubation zone 326 has a heated and RFID area in a range of approximately 300 cm2or more (e.g., about 310 cm2or more, about 320 cm2or more, about 330 cm2or more, about 340 cm2or more, about 350 cm2) to approximately 400 cm2or less (e.g., about 390 cm2or less, about 380 cm2or less, about 370 cm2or less, about 360 cm2or less, about 350 cm2).

[0085] Each heated zone 314, 318, 322, 326 is independently controllable, and can provide the same or different temperature across the different heating zones. The heated zones 314, 318, 322, and 326 are also RFID compatible. Unheated areas are used for processing of samples either at, or near room temperature (e.g., during vitrification procedures).

[0086] While the work surface 310 of the work area 300A is a mirror-image of the work surface 310 of the second work area 300B in Figs. 1-4, in other examples described below and with reference to Figs. 23-25, the work surface 310 may be constructed with a different layout and a different heating zone arrangement for each work area 300 A, 300B.

[0087] The work surface 310 includes a layer stack 330 of a plurality of layers of different materials, stacked together to achieve a seamless table-top surface 310, independently controlled heated zones, and RFID tracking technology. Thermal performance of the work surface 310 may be optimized by controlling a thickness of each of the layers in the layer stack 330.

[0088] In Fig. 5, each layer of the thermal stack 330 has a cut-out for the ITO window 304 and for the microscope mount 306. An outer, first layer 334 (e.g., the outermost working surface 310) is one or more layers of glass, such as, for example, tempered and laminated glass. The first layer 334 has a thickness in a range of approximately 9 mm or more (e.g., about 9.1 mm or more, about 9.2 mm or more, about 9.3 mm or more, about 9.4 mm or more, about 9.5 mm) to approximately 10 mm or less (e.g., about 9.9 mm or less, about 9.8 mm or less, about 9.7 mm or less, about 9.6 mm or less, about 9.5 mm). The first layer 334 may be a double layer toughened laminated glass with white color ceramic. The first layer 334 is a non-metallic material, such as glass, plastic, or a composite (e.g., Corian®) and can transmit an RF field. In one example, the first layer 334 includes a heat-strengthened flat glass of approximately 4 mm thickness (e.g., with a white color ceramic on one side), a clear Poly Vinyl Butyral (PVB) layer ofapproximately 1 .52 mm thickness, and a heat-strengthened flat glass of approximately 4 mm thickness.

[0089] Referring briefly to Fig. 4, local status indicators 336 (as shown in the corners of the first heated zone 314 and the third heated zone 322 of the first work area 300A, for example) are incorporated into the first layer 334 to facilitate a user determining an overall status, status of each heated area, or status of the incubator 302. The glass surface layer 334 can transmit light, either in localized areas or to indicate larger areas, to seamlessly illuminate portions, boundaries (e.g., heating zone boundaries), shapes, and / or symbols visible by the user.

[0090] Turning back to Fig. 5, a second layer 338 of the layer stack 330 includes a thermal gap filler. The second layer 338 has a thickness in a range of approximately 1.5 mm or more (e.g., about 1.6 mm or more, about 1.7 mm or more, about 1.8 mm or more, about 1.9 mm or more, about 2.0 mm) to approximately 2.5 mm or less (e.g., about 2.4 mm or less, about 2.3 mm or less, about 2.2 mm or less, about 2.1 mm or less, about 2.0 mm). The thermal gap filler may be a silicon pad of approximately 2 mm thickness. The second layer 338 of thermal gap filler is used to fill gaps between a printed circuit board (PCB) layer 342 and the first layer 334 to improve heat transfer.

[0091] In some examples, the second layer 338 of Fig. 5 is an adhesive, such as polyurethane or other material, having a thickness in a range of approximately 0.05 mm or more (e.g., about 0.1 mm or more, about 0.15 mm or more, about 0.2 mm or more, about 0.25 mm or more, about 0.3 mm or more, about 0.35 mm or more, about 0.4 mm or more, about 0.45 mm or more, about 0.5 mm or more, about 0.5 mm) to approximately 1.00 mm or less (e.g., about 0.95 mm or less, about 0.9 mm or less, about 0.85 mm or less, about 0.8 mm or less, about 0.75 mm or less, about 0.7 mm or less, about 0.65 mm or less, about 0.6 mm). The second layer 338 is configured to hold the layers together.

[0092] The third layer 342 includes a PCB, and specifically, an RFID Antenna PCB. The third layer 342 is configured to receive and / or transmit RFID signals 343 through second and first layers 338, 334. The third layer 342 has a thickness in a range of approximately 1.0 mm or more (e.g, about 1.1 mm or more, about 1.2 mm or more, about 1.3 mm or more, about 1.4 mm or more, about 1.5 mm or more, about 1.6 mm) to approximately 2.0 mm or less (e.g., about 1.9 mm or less, about 1.8 mm or less, about 1.7 mm or less, about 1.6 mm). The third layer 342 includes six loop antennas that overlap each other to cover the work areas 300A, 300B on thesurface 310. The third layer 342 is configured for detecting RFID tags that identify a specimen for patient sample tracking.

[0093] A fourth layer 346 is radiofrequency insulation material, such as a ferrite pad. The fourth layer 346 has a thickness in a range of approximately 1.0 mm or more (e.g. , about 1.1 mm or more, about 1.2 mm or more, about 1.3 mm or more, about 1.4 mm or more, about 1.5 mm or more, about 1.6 mm or more, about 1.7 mm) to approximately 2.4 mm or less (e.g., about 2.3 mm or less, about 2.2 mm or less, about 2.1 mm or less, about 2.0 mm or less about 1.9 mm or less, about 1.8 mm or less, about 1.7 mm). The fourth layer 346 may be configured to prevent the RF field coupling with an aluminum heater plate 350.

[0094] A fifth layer 350 is a heater plate to provide uniform heat distribution. The heater plate 350 may be an aluminum heater plate. The fifth layer 350 has a thickness in a range of approximately 7.5 mm or more (e.g., about 7.6 mm or more, about 7.7 mm or more, about 7.8 mm or more, about 7.9 mm or more, about 8.0 mm) to approximately 8.5 mm or less (e.g., about 8.4 mm or less, about 8.3 mm or less, about 8.2 mm or less, about 8.1 mm or less, about 8.0 mm). Thermal isolation 352 (e.g., Figs. 6 and 9) between heating zones (e.g., between the first and second heat zones 314, 318, and between the second heating zone 318 and the incubation zone 326) is provided by an air gap in the heater plate 350, enabling adjacent heated areas to be heated to a setpoint temperature (e.g., 37°C), or remain at ambient temperature.

[0095] A sixth layer 354 is a heater foil that is engineered to deliver optimal thermal performance and address factors such as temperature gradient, stability, and ramp-up / down time. The heater foil 354 is constructed with one or more non-metallic layers, with a resistive element between the layers. The heater foil 354 is applied to the heater plate 350 using a self-adhesive layer, which may be part of the heater foil 354. The heater foil 354 is configured to deliver heat 355 through the fifth, fourth, third, second, and first layers 350, 346, 342, 338, 334. The heater foil has an intensity in a range of approximately 50 mW / cm2or more (e.g., about 55 mW / cm2or more, about 60 mW / cm2or more, about 65 mW / cm2or more, about 70 mW / cm2or more, about 75 mW / cm2or more, about 80 mW / cm2or more, about 85 mW / cm2or more, about 90 mW / cm2or more, about 95 mW / cm2or more, about 100 mW / cm2) to 200 mW / cm2or less (e.g., about 195 mW / cm2or less, about 190 mW / cm2or less, about 185 mW / cm2or less, about 180 mW / cm2or less, about 175 mW / cm2or less, about 170 mW / cm2or less, about 165 mW / cm2or less, about 160 mW / cm2or less, about 155 mW / cm2or less, about 150 mW / cm2or less, about 145 mW / cm2or less, about 140 mW / cm2or less, about 135 mW / cm2or less, about 130 mW / cm2or less, about 125 mW / cm2or less, about 120 mW / cm2or less, about 115 mW / cm2or less, about 110 mW / cm2or less, about 105 mW / cm2or less, about 100 mW / cm2). Heating elements may be etched in the metallic film of the foil 354, and are attachable to cables. In Fig. 6, a layout of the heater foil 354 of the second work area 300B is illustrated. The first heating zone 314 is split into Zone A, Zone B, and Zone C. The third heating area 322 is depicted as a cut-out in the foil layer 354. Thermal isolation 352 is shown between the first and second heat zones 314, 318, and between the second heating zone 318 and the incubation zone 326. The heater foil layer 352 may have a different power density at the edges. For example, to improve temperature gradient the front and back edges of the work surface may have an increased power density to account for the increased cooling effect of the air flow. The power density in at the edges may either be fixed, and the edges may be a separate zone driven as a separate heating channel so that the controller can adjust the power to improve the temperature gradient.

[0096] Turning back to Fig. 5, a seventh layer 358 of the thermal stack 330 is a layer of insulation. The seventh layer 358 has a thickness in a range of approximately 5 mm or more (e. ., about 5.2 mm or more, about 5.4 mm or more, about 5.6 mm or more, about 5.8 mm or more, about 6.0 mm) to approximately 7 mm or less (e.g., about 6.8 mm or less, about 6.6 mm or less, about 6.4 mm or less, about 6.2 mm or less, about 6.0 mm). For example, the seventh layer 358 may be a polyethylene foam of 6.0 mm thickness. The seventh layer 358 is chemically formulated to dissipate electro-static charges emitted by components or people. Additionally, the closed-cell foam protects against mold, mildew, grease, and stains.

[0097] As shown in Figs. 6 through 8, the thermal layer stack-up 330 is mounted underneath the glass surface layer 334 using a plurality of aluminum adapter discs 362. In Figs. 7 and 8, the discs 362 are bonded to a bottom surface of the glass layer 334 using adhesive 366 to ensure debonding does not occur due to thermal stress. As shown in Fig. 6 of the heater foil layer 354, cut-outs 364 for the discs 362 are located outside the RFID areas (as indicated by the heating zones, for example, 314, 318, 326). Adhesive 366 is configured to withstand the weight of the thermal layer stack-up 330 in worst-case temperature conditions (30°C to 100°C) without degradation over the life of the product. In Fig. 8, a shoulder screw 370 with a spring 374 is used to fasten the thermal layers 330 to aluminum adapter disc 362. The clamping force is determined by the spring force of the spring 374. The layer of thermal gap filler 338 is disposedbetween the heater plate 350 and the aluminum disc 362. A cover layer 360 is coupled to an outer surface of the seventh layer 358 of insulation.

[0098] In some examples, the thermal layer stack-up 330 is mounted without the aluminum adapter discs. For example, the thermal layer stack-up 330 may be mounted underneath the glass surface layer 334 using an adhesive, (e. ., when the second layer 338 is an adhesive layer) or other mounting mechanism.

[0099] In Fig. 9, thermal isolation 352 between heating zones 314, 318, 326 is provided by an air gap in the heater plate 350 and heater foil 354, enabling adjacent heated areas to be heated to the setpoint temperature (e.g., 37°C), or remain at ambient temperature. The thermal break is a gap in the heater plate 350. However, in some examples, there may be a corresponding gap in one or more of the ferrite layer 346, Antenna PCB layer 342, and thermal gap filler layer 338. Thermal bridging between the heating zones 314, 318, 326 is minimized by minimizing the contact area between the heater plate 350 and a washer 382 (Fig. 9) that is used to attach the heater plate 350.

[0100] The layer stack 330 provides a relatively seamless work surface 310 by providing the heating and RFID capabilities within the layer stack 330. To create a smooth transition between the ITO glass window 304 and the rest of the work surface 310, the worktable 300 includes a levelling system 390 operably coupled to the ITO glass window 304. By adjusting the ITO glass window 304 using the levelling system 390, specimens, tools, equipment, and procedures are not damaged, obstructed, or otherwise flawed due to unexpected variability in height of the work surface 310 across the worktable 300.

[0101] Turning now to Fig. 10, the levelling system 390 enables adjustment of the ITO glass window 304 with respect to the surrounding glass work surface 310. By levelling the ITO glass window 304 with the work surface 310, a user can minimize any disruptions (e.g., spilling contents) while moving a dish between the ITO glass window 304 / heating zone 322 and the other heating zones 314, 318, 326. The levelling system 390 includes the heated ITO glass window 304 (which defines the third heating zone 322), a movable adjustment frame 394 bonded to the ITO glass window 304, a fixed adjustment frame 398 bonded to an interior edge of the first glass layer 334, and an adjustment screw assembly 408 connected to the movable frame 394. The adjustment screw assembly 408 includes a screw 414, a spacer 412, and a nut 416.The ITO glass window 304 rests on a spacer 418 of the movable frame 394 between the window304 and the screw 414. To move the ITO glass window 304 relative to the work surface 310, a user may reach underneath the worktable 300 and rotate the screw 414. As the screw 414 rotates within a threaded interface of the movable and fixed frames 394, 398, the screw 414 moves up or down in the axial direction, thereby raising or lowering the movable frame 394 relative to the fixed frame 398. For example, as the screw 414 rotates in a clockwise direction, the screw 414 translates in an upward, axial direction, and pushes the movable frame 394 upwards and away from the fixed frame 398. As the screw 414 rotates in a counterclockwise direction, the screw 414 translates in a downward, axial direction, and lowers the movable frame 394 towards the fixed frame 398. A flange on the screw 414 limits the axial adjustment of the ITO glass window 304 relative to the work surface 310.

[0102] In particular, the levelling system 390 may adjust the ITO glass window 304 above or below the surrounding surface in a range of approximately 0.01 mm or more e.g., about 0.02 mm or more, about 0.03 mm or more, about 0.04 mm or more, about 0.05mm) to 0.1 mm or less (e.g., about 0.09 mm or less, about 0.08 mm or less, about 0.07 mm or less, about 0.06 mm or less, about 0.05 mm). In one example, the levelling system 390 enables adjustment of the ITO glass window 304 above the surrounding surface by less than 0.058 mm and below the surrounding surface by less than 0.072 mm. Joints (e.g., gaps between the work surface 310 and the window 304) are sealed with silicon.

[0103] Turning now to Figs. 11-16, the work surface incubator 302 is designed to allow a user to slide a specimen container or dish over the tabletop surface 310 of the workstation 100 onto the incubation zone 326 without mechanically disturbing the sample and the surrounding interior environment within the container. The incubator 302 is mounted to the work surface 310, with both an incubator lid assembly 410 and the incubation heating zone 326 of the work surface 310 being heated for temperature recovery. The incubator 302, which may be a shortterm incubator, includes the lid assembly 410, a hinge 424 coupling the lid assembly 410 to the work surface 310, and a dish guide assembly 430 coupled to the work surface 310. The incubator 302 attaches directly to the work surface 310 at the incubation zone 326, and the lid assembly 410 is rotatable relative to the incubation zone to provide access to a designated sample surface area. When the lid assembly 410 is closed against the work surface 310, the work surface 310 and the lid assembly 410 define a sample incubation chamber 434 (Fig. 14).

[0104] In Fig. 11, the lid assembly 410 is configured to evenly heat the sample chamber 434 to a desired physiological temperature via a thermal layer stack 440. Heating and RFID controls are also activated during an initial heating period or during a subsequent recovery period after the lid assembly 410 has been closed against the work surface 310 from an open position. The lid assembly 410 includes a lid 438 and the thermal layer stack 440 mounted to an interior surface of the lid 438. The thermal layer stack 440 includes an insulation layer 444, a heater foil 448, a heater plate 452, an insulation layer 456, and a cover 460. The thermal layer stack 440 is in electrical communication with the electronics for heating the sample chamber 434 to a desired temperature, such as a physiological temperature in a range of about 0°C to about 50°C.

[0105] The insulation layer 444 of the thermal stack 440 is a layer of insulation. The insulation layer 444 has a thickness in a range of approximately 5 mm or more (e.g., about 5.2 mm or more, about 5.4 mm or more, about 5.6 mm or more, about 5.8 mm or more, about 6.0 mm) to approximately 7 mm or less (e. ., about 6.8 mm or less, about 6.6 mm or less, about 6.4 mm or less, about 6.2 mm or less, about 6.0 mm). For example, the insulation layer 444 may be a polyethylene foam of 6.0 mm thickness. The insulation layer 444 is chemically formulated to dissipate electro-static charges emitted by components or people. Additionally, the closed-cell foam protects against mold, mildew, grease, and stains.

[0106] The heater foil 448 is engineered to deliver optimal thermal performance and address factors such as temperature gradient, stability, and ramp-up / down time. The heater foil 448 includes one or more non-metallic layers, with a resistive element between the layers. The heater foil 448 is applied to the heater plate 452 using a self-adhesive layer, which may be part of the heater foil 448. The heater foil 448 has an intensity in a range of approximately 140 mW / cm2(e.g., about 141 mW / cm2or more, about 142 mW / cm2or more, about 143 mW / cm2or more, about 144 mW / cm2or more, about 145 mW / cm2) or more to 150 mW / cm2or less e.g., about 149 mW / cm2or less, about 148 mW / cm2or less, about 147 mW / cm2or less, about 146 mW / cm2or less, about 145 mW / cm2). Heating elements may be etched in the metallic film of the foil 448, and are attachable to cables. A thermocouple is disposed between the heater plate 452 and the heater foil 448 for temperature reading.

[0107] The heater plate 452 provides uniform heat distribution. The heater plate 452 may be an aluminum heater plate. The heater plate 452 has a thickness in a range of approximately 7.5 mm or more e.g., about 7.6 mm or more, about 7.7 mm or more, about 7.8 mm or more, about7.9 mm or more, about 8.0 mm) to approximately 8.5 mm or less (e.g, about 8.4 mm or less, about 8.3 mm or less, about 8.2 mm or less, about 8.1 mm or less, about 8.0 mm).

[0108] The insulation layer 456 is a radiofrequency insulation material, such as a ferrite pad. The fourth layer 456 has a thickness in a range of approximately 1.0 mm or more (e.g., about 1.1 mm or more, about 1.2 mm or more, about 1.3 mm or more, about 1.4 mm or more, about 1.5 mm or more, about 1.6 mm or more, about 1.7 mm) to approximately 2.4 mm or less (e.g, about 2.3 mm or less, about 2.2 mm or less, about 2.1 mm or less, about 2.0 mm or less about 1.9 mm or less, about 1.8 mm or less, about 1.7 mm). The insulation layer 456 may be configured to prevent the RF field coupling with the aluminum heater plate 452. Finally, the plastic cover 460 encloses and mounts the thermal stack 440 to the lid 438.

[0109] The incubator zone 326 of the work surface 310 includes one or more RFID sensors (e.g., RFID antennas or readers). In some examples, the RFID sensors in the incubator zone 326 form respective outlines around positional regions of the incubation zone 326. The RFID sensors can read respective RFID tags that are attached to the sample containers positioned within positional regions to identify the samples within the containers. In some embodiments, the sample surface area has a total length of about 8.5 cm to about 16 cm and a total width of about 26 cm to about 48 cm. Example materials from which the enclosure may be made include a combination of acrylic polymer and alumina trihydrate, or any non-porous ceramic, metal, or plastic.

[0110] The incubator 302 incorporates a hall sensor 464 in communication with the microcontroller to indicate when the lid assembly 410 is in open and partially open positions. In the open and partially open positions, as shown in Figs. 12A and 12B, respectively, the hall sensor 464 identifies the open state of the incubator 302, and communicates the open status to the microcontroller. When the microcontroller receives the open status signal from the hall sensor 464, the microcontroller can enable RFID reading at the incubator 302 and turn off a gas flow into the incubation chamber 434. In a closed position, as shown in Fig. 12C, the hall sensor identifies the closed state of the incubator 302, and communicates the closed status to the microcontroller. When the microcontroller receives the closed status signal from the hall sensor 464, the microcontroller can disable RFID reading at the incubator 302 and increase gas flow to purge the incubation chamber 434. In another example, the RFID system can determine the open or closed status of the incubator.

[0111] As shown in Fig. 11, the hall sensor 464 is disposed at a front edge 466 of the lid 438 and is configured to detect a magnetic field of a magnet disposed in the work surface 310. In some examples, the hall sensor 464 may be disposed on, between, or embedded within one or more layers of the incubator thermal layer stack 440. In another example, the hall sensor 464 may be disposed at peripheral front edge of the incubator zone 326 and on, between, or embedded within one or more layers of the work surface thermal layer stack 330, and is configured to detect a magnetic field of a magnet coupled to the lid assembly 410.

[0112] As shown in Figs. 12A through 14, the lid of the incubator 302 cooperates with the work surface 310 to define the sample chamber 434 when the lid 438 rests against the work surface 310. The lid 438 includes a generally rectangular, chamber wall 468. The chamber wall 468 defines a lip 470 (e.g., a handling structure) along a front edge 466 that can be grasped or otherwise moved by a user to open and close the lid assembly 410. The chamber wall 468 is typically made of aluminum and serves as an insulator that maintains heat within the sample chamber 434. The sample chamber 434 is formed as an inverted pocket or recess within the chamber wall 468. That is, the chamber wall 468 defines sidewalls of the sample chamber 434.

[0113] In Fig. 13, the lid assembly 410 is coupled to the work surface 310 via the hinge 424 such that the lid assembly 410 is pivotable (e.g., rotatable) between a closed position (Fig. 12C) against the work surface 310 and an open position (Fig. 12A). The incubator hinge 424 includes two rotary dampers 472 to provide a soft closing feature under the weight of the lid assembly 410. The rotary damper 472 provides a torque force to slow the rate of lid closure. In this or other examples, the hinge 424 may be embodied as a torque hinge that provides resistance to pivotal motion such that the lid assembly 410 can remain stationary in an open position even after a user releases a hand grip from the lid. That is, the lid assembly 410 can remain in an open position, such as a partially open position of Fig. 12B, until the user manually closes the lid assembly 410. The lid assembly 410 is sufficiently weighted and equipped along a lower surface of the chamber wall 468 with a lip seal 480 to securely seal the lid assembly 410 against the work surface 310 to form the sample chamber 434 in the closed position, as shown in Figs. 12C, 13, and 14. The lip seal 480 seals the chamber 434 to maintain gas concentration within the chamber 434. In other examples, the hinge 424 may be motorized.

[0114] The incubator 302 may provide one or more features including pH monitoring, programmable heat and gas cycles, controlled heating, and CO2, O2, and N2 gas mixtures suitablefor long-term embryo incubation and development. In Fig. 13, the lid 438 includes a gas port 476 adjacent the hinge 424. A mixed gas source can be coupled to the gas port 476 to supply gas to the incubation chamber 434 to control CO2 concentrations inside the incubation chamber 434 to maintain the pH level of culture media contained within sample dishes disposed inside the incubator 302. The gas may be supplied from pre-mixed cylinders, or mixed within a gas mixer contained within the workstation 100. The gas and temperature conditions of the incubator 302 may be controlled via the control system of the workstation 100.

[0115] Figs. 15 and 16 show components of the dish guide assembly 430 with the incubator lid 438 in an open position. The dish guide assembly 430 provides a physical barrier to safely guide the dish into the incubator 302, reducing the chance of accidentally closing the lid 438 on the dish. The dish guide assembly 430 includes a dish locator bracket 484 (as shown in Figs. 13 and 16) and two ferromagnetic posts 488 (as shown in Figs. 1 and 14). The dish locator bracket 484 includes one or more magnets that aid in both locating and securing the bracket 484 to the ferromagnetic posts 488 on the work surface 310. The posts 488 are bonded to the glass work surface 310 at the incubator zone 326 and are configured to attract the one or more magnets housed within the dish locator bracket 484. The dish locator bracket 484 is designed to be removable for easy surface cleaning and can be placed back onto the work surface 310 afterward.

[0116] In Fig. 16, when the lid assembly 410 is in an open position, a user can advantageously slide a sample container across the work surface 310 of the workstation 100 to the incubator zone 326 without having to lift the sample container from the work surface 310 and subsequently place the sample container on the incubator zone 326, thereby avoiding a potentially detrimental disturbance of the sample that could otherwise occur during such movements and handling.

[0117] An electronics housing that houses various electronics (e. ., such as internal electronics, which may include control circuitry, like hardware, firmware, and a serial bus communication board for communicating with an embedded server computing device, as well as other electrical components) of the incubator 302 is externally located relative to the lid assembly 410, and may be stored underneath the worktable 300 (e.g., underneath the desk). The electronics include capabilities to allow the incubator 302 to operate in concert with other processes being carried out at the workstation 100.

[0118] The internal electronics within an electronics housing may also be configured to adjust one or more operational parameters automatically to maintain user-set conditions within the sample chamber 434 based on an open or closed state of the lid 438 and a duration of an open or closed state, as detected by a sensor mechanism (e.g., the hall sensor 464) located at the lid 438 and the incubation zone 326 of the work surface 310. In some examples, the sensor mechanism may be embodied as a contact sensor with a magnet. For example, upon closure of the lid from an open state, the internal electronics may operate to cause a humidified gas flow to be delivered to the sample chamber at a relatively fast rate to restore the sample chamber to desired conditions as soon as possible. In some examples, user-set conditions (e.g., including temperature, gas concentrations, and humidity) may be reestablished during a recovery period in as fast as ten seconds.

[0119] The internal electronics of the incubator 302 is communicatively coupled to the control system of the workstation 100 and is coupled to the user interface 600 (or a user interface on the incubator lid 438, for example, in Fig. 33) at which a user can view displayed information (e.g., a sample identity determined by RFID detection, or other information) and at which the user can set, input, or otherwise control desired conditions (e.g., a gas flow rate, a temperature, a humidity level, or a power state) at the incubator 302.

[0120] The tube reader assembly 308 of the first work area 300A of Fig. 1 is shown in more detail in Figs. 17 and 18. The tube reader assembly 308, which is part of the RFID tracking system and capabilities of the workstation 100, is mounted to the work surface 310 outside the heated work zones 318, 322, 326, as shown in Fig. 4. The tube reader assembly 308 is configured to read sample tubes containing biological material (e.g., sperm). In Figs. 17 and 18, the tube reader assembly 308 includes a magnetic insert 492, a mount 494 coupled to the insert 492, and two readers 496 arranged on the mount 494. The magnetic insert 492 is disposed in, or embedded into, the work surface 310, and provides electrical connection of the RFID antennas in the PCB antenna layer 342 of the work surface 310. The readers 496 are arranged to form a right angle to best capture a tag (e.g., barcode, RFID tag, etc.) when a user brings a tube between the readers 496. In other examples, as described below with reference to Figs. 26-28, the tube reader assembly 308 may have a variety of different mounting and location options on the worktable 300.

[0121] Fig. 19 illustrates a schematic diagram of a control module 236 (e. ., control system or microcontroller) of the workstation 100. The control module 236 includes built-in hardware 293, built-in firmware 291, and a built-in user interface 289 (e.g., 600 of Fig. 1) to carry out its functionality (e.g., control the temperature and gas flow of the incubator chamber, temperature of the work surface, and RFID capabilities). The control module 236 also includes the PCB 238 (e.g., a local serial bus-network communication board), which implements the embedded server computer 500.

[0122] Referring to Fig. 20, the embedded server computer 500 provides a central user interface 600 between a user (e.g., an embryologist or another clinician) and the workstation 100 for monitoring statuses of the work surface 310 and incubators 302, and for inputting parameters (e.g., set points) that govern operations of the work surface 310. The embedded server computer 500 hosts connectivity software that can be accessed via a local Ethernet line or via WiFi connection to allow the user to control all functions of the work surface 310 (and, optionally, the workstation 100) from a single location. The central user interface application, itself, does not perform any clinical functions. Rather, the central user interface application conveys and communicates information gathered and handled by the work surface 310 and users. The embedded server computer 500 can establish connections to transfer data from the Ethernet line or WiFi connection to a local serial bus network to which the work surface 310 is connected.

[0123] For example, the workstation 100 and / or work surface 310 operate on a network communication architecture 502 for the electronically enabled devices 504 (e.g., the incubators 302 and heat controlled work surface 310) of the workstation 100. The network communication architecture 502 alleviates privacy and performance concerns related to handling and storing medical data by supporting the devices 504 (e.g., devices 504a-504e) on a local network to reduce a chance of unauthorized access to the devices 504 and data stored on or transferred by the devices 504.

[0124] The architecture 502 includes three communication layers 506, 508, and 510. The layer 506 includes a local serial bus network 512 (e.g., a private network) that provides communication connections between the devices 504. The layer 508 (e.g., a private network) provides connections between the devices 504 of layer 506 and the embedded server computer 500. The layer 510 provides connections to remote servers or databases, such as a remote server on a cloud 514. The devices 504 and the embedded server computer 500 provided by theworkstation 100 are in a laboratory of a medical facility (e.g., a hospital or a medical clinic), while the cloud 514 is located outside of the medical facility.

[0125] None of the devices 504 in the layer 506 is in direct communication with the cloud 514. Rather, all communications between the local serial bus network 512 and the outside world are handled through the embedded server computer 500. The embedded server computer 500 verifies security criteria of data before allowing the data to be transferred to or from the outside world to the devices 504 in the local serial bus network 512. This communication configuration protects security of data on the devices 504 and prevents unauthorized access from the outside world to the devices 504. In addition, even if connection between the embedded server computer 500 and the cloud 514 is lost, the devices 504 can continue operating and communicating with each other through the local serial bus network 512 and with the embedded server computer 500.

[0126] The devices 504 (e.g., the devices 504a-504e) can communicate with each other through the local serial bus network 512 in a wired manner. Additionally, each of the devices 504 can communicate with the embedded server computer 500 independently of the other devices 504 such that if one device 504 malfunctions, the operation (e.g., functionalities and communications) of the remaining devices 504 will not be hindered or affected. In this manner, the network communication architecture 502 ensures device independence. Not only is independence of the devices 504 important for customer needs and technically robust, but such independence advantageously allows independent handling (e.g., access and control) of devices 504 in distinct regulatory classes. Accordingly, a regulatory approval status for one device 504 will not affect a regulatory approval status of another device 504.

[0127] Since a device 504 may have a processor with limited functionalities, the device 504 may need to communicate its data to a more powerful processor to further analyze, transform, or present the data to a user or to another computing device. For example, a device 504a may communicate its data to the server computer 500. The server computer 500 receives the data from the device 504a, analyzes the data, and provides an output based on the analysis. In some implementations, the output may be displayed to a user (e.g., at the interface 600). The user can also interact with the application running on the embedded server computer 500 to send data to individual devices 504 via the local serial bus network 512.

[0128] In some implementations, the output may be communicated to other computing devices. For example, the embedded server computer 500 may send the output to a device 504bon the local serial bus network 512, to a client device 516 (e.g, the tablet, a mobile phone, a laptop computer, or a desktop computer, etc.) to a local database or a local server 518, or to a remote server on the cloud 514. The embedded server computer 500 can communicate with the local server 518 or with the client device 516 through a local area network (LAN) of the medical facility. The local server 518 can be in the same medical facility as where the embedded server computer 500 (e.g., on the workstation 100) is located. Applications with the required credentials can access the server computer 500 to access data from the devices 504 such that the medical facility need only provision the embedded server computer 500 on its LAN and not each device 504 individually. The embedded server computer 500 can communicate with the cloud 514 through an external network, such as the internet.

[0129] A user can interact with the server 500 to study the data received from a device 504, to review the analysis provided by the server 500, or to control the server’s communication with local databases or local servers 518 or with the remote cloud 514. The user can interact with the server computer 500 directly or through the client device 516.

[0130] Turning now to Fig. 21, an example graphical user interface 700 of the central user interface 600 is illustrated. The interface 700 is configured to display the status of various components of the workstation 100 and to receive input from a user to control or monitor the various components of the workstation 100. For example, the interface 700 includes a graphical window to display information related to, and / or control, the date and time 704, the lights of the cabinet 200 or the lighting features of the glass work surface 708, ventilation system 712, surface temperature of the various heating zones of the first work area (e.g., “Temp Left”) 716, chamber temperature and gas flow of the incubator 302 of the first work area (e.g., “Incubator Left”) 720, chamber temperature and gas flow of the incubator 302 of the second work area e.g., “Incubator Right”) 724, and surface temperature of the various heating zones of the second work area (e.g., “Temp Right”) 728. The various settings of the workstation 100 can be set by selecting various input graphics on the interface 700. For example, to turn on the lights in the workspace 102 or turn on illumination in the work surface 310, a user may select the “power” icon in the top right corner of the “Lights” graphical window. The user may then select “full” or “half’ to control the power of emitted light in the workspace 102 or on the work surface 310. Similarly, to turn on the ventilation system of the workstation 100, a user may select the “power “power” icon in thetop right corner of the “Fans” graphical window. The user may then select “low” or “high” to control the air flow in the workspace 102.

[0131] At the top right corner of the interface 700, one of four preset icons 732 (e.g., “Preset 1,” etc.) can be programmed to set the various components of the workstation 100 in different operation modes based on an IVF stage or based on a user’s personal settings. For example, when selected, a preset may be programmed to operate one of the incubators at temperature and gas concentration settings suitable for a particular embryonic stage of a sample embryo. In another example, one of the presets may control the height of the worktable 300 and can adjust to a certain height based on the user’s height and comfort level. Various layouts of the interface 700 are possible and may be designed in accordance with the configuration of the work areas, for example, like the interface 750 in Fig. 22.

[0132] While the above-discussed workstation 100 has been described and illustrated as including components with certain dimensions, sizes, shapes, materials, and configurations, and as being operated according to certain methods, in some embodiments a workstation that is otherwise substantially similar in structure and function to the above-discussed workstation 100 may include one or more components with different dimensions, sizes, shapes, materials, and configurations or may be operated according to methods that include one or more different process flow steps. Additionally, in some embodiments, a workstation that is otherwise similar in construction and function to the above-discussed workstation 100 may not include one or more of the above-discussed system components.

[0133] While the layout of the work areas 300A, 300B of the worktable 300 of Fig. 4 has been described as having a mirror-image arrangement, in other examples, the worktable may have a different configuration. For example, each of the worktables 800, 900, and 1000, respectively, in Figs. 23-25, has a different layout and component arrangement. For ease of reference, and to the extent possible, the same or similar components of the worktables 800, 900, 1000 will retain the same reference numbers as outlined above with respect to the worktable 300, although the reference numbers will be increased by 500, 600, and 700, respectively.

[0134] The worktable can have a variety of heating area layout options and the number of incubators and their locations. For example, in Fig. 23, a worktable 800 includes two work areas 800A, 800B, where each work area 800A, 800B includes two incubators 802, one located on each side of a microscope 811. Each work area 800A, 800B also features five independentlyoperated heating zones 814, 818, 822, 826, and 829. In this arrangement, the thermal stack of the work surface 810 may have thermal breaks between each heating zone 814, 818, 822, 826, and 829.

[0135] In Fig. 24, a worktable 900 includes two identical work areas 900A, 900B, where each work area 900A, 900B includes one incubator 902 on the right side of a microscope 911. Each work area 900 A, 900B features an L-shaped heating zone 914, a side heating zone 918, and a heated ITO window (hidden from view). In this arrangement, the work surface 910 does not include a separate heating zone for the incubator 901.

[0136] In Fig. 25, a worktable 1000 includes two mirror-image work areas 1000A, 1000B, where each work area 1000A, 1000B includes one incubator 1002 and six independently operated heating zones 1014, 1018, 1022, 1026, 1028. In this arrangement, the thermal stack of the work surface 1010 may have thermal breaks between each heating zone.

[0137] While the tube reader assembly 308 of each of the work areas 300A, 300B of the worktable 300 of Fig. 4 is mounted to the work surface 310, in other examples, each tube reader assembly 1208, 1308, and 1408 in Figs. 26-28 is mounted in a different location to the workstation 100. For ease of reference, and to the extent possible, the same or similar components of the worktables tube reader assemblies 1208, 1308, 1408 will retain the same reference numbers as outlined above with respect to the tube reader assembly 308, although the reference numbers will be increased by 900, 1000, and 1100, respectively.

[0138] For example, in Fig. 26, the tube reader assembly 1208 includes a horizontal mount 1294, an insert 1292 disposed in the work surface 310, and tube readers 1296. The horizontal mount 1294 extends from a back wall of the workspace 102 and suspends the readers 1296 over the insert 1292. In Fig. 27, the readers 1396 are coupled to a horizontal mount 1394 extending from a pillar of the microscope mount 306, and suspending the readers 1396 over the insert 1392. In Fig. 28, the readers 1496 are coupled to a horizontal mount 1494 extending from a window of the cabinet 200 and suspending the readers 1496 over the insert 1492.

[0139] While the tube reader assembly 308 of Fig. 18 includes a mount 494 that couples the tube reader windows 496 to the insert 492 in the work surface 310, in other examples, the tube reader assembly integrally joins the mount and the reader windows in a unitary structure. For example, in Fig. 29, a tube reader assembly 1508 includes two tube reader windows 1596 embedded in (or integrated with) with a support structure 1594 that mounts the assembly 1508directly to the insert 492 in the work surface 310. The structure 1594 provides a stable, integrated structure that is easy to clean. An indicator 1599 (e. ., a status light) is disposed in a comer of the structure 1594 and is configured to illuminate or flash to indicate a status of the tube reader assembly 1508. For example, when the tube reader assembly 1508 is connected to the RFID system, the indicator 1599 illuminates to a “connected status” color, signaling to the user that the tube reader assembly 1508 is connected. In another example, when the tube reader assembly 1508 scans and registers an RFID tag on a tube sample, the indicator 1599 flashes for a certain period and then returns to the “connected status” illumination. In another example, when the tube reader assembly 1508 is malfunctioning, the indicator 1599 continuously blinks or illuminates in a different color.

[0140] While the lid 438 of the incubator 302 of Figs. 11-16 has a lip 470 that extends along a width of the front edge 466, in other examples, the incubator lid has a different handle configuration for opening the incubator. For example, in Figs. 30-32, an incubator 1602 includes a handle 1770 centrally located at a front edge 1766 of a lid 1738 to facilitate opening and closing the incubator 1602. For ease of reference, and to the extent possible, the same or similar components of the incubator 1602 will retain the same reference numbers as outlined above with respect to the incubator 302, although the reference numbers will be increased by 1300.

[0141] While the work surface 310 identifies a dish drop zone by the dish guide assembly 430, in other examples, the work surface 310 includes a visual indication defining the incubation zone or dish drop zone. For example, in Fig. 31, the incubator 1602 is coupled to the work surface 310 at an incubation zone 1626 that is visually defined on the work surface 310 by a dividing line 1672. Specifically, a dish guide assembly 1730 aligns with the dividing line 1627 provided on the work surface 310 so that a user can easily identify where to place a sample dish when the incubator 1602 is open. The dividing line 1627 may be an illumination, graphic, or other visual indicator that is integrated within the layer stack 330 of the work surface 310. The dividing line 1672 may be disposed beneath the top layer of the work surface 310 to maintain a seamless and smooth surface.

[0142] While information related to the incubator 302 is displayed on the user interface 600 of the hood 400, in other examples, the incubator may have a status indicator and / or a user interface on the incubator lid. For example, in Fig. 32, an indicator 1782 (e.g., a light bar) on the incubator lid 1738 illuminates to indicate a status of the incubator 1602. For example, when theincubator 1602 is ready for use, the indicator 1782 illuminates a first color (e.g., green), signaling to a user that the incubator 1602 is on and at the predetermined incubator settings. In another example, when the incubator 1602 malfunctions, the indicator 1782 illuminates a second color (e.g., red) or blinks. The indicator 1782 may include one or more a light emitters (e.g., light emitting diode (LED) light source, fiber optic, electroluminescent tape, fiberglass tubing, etc.) that displays through a cut-out in an outer layer of the lid 1738. The light emitter(s) is embedded in one or more layers of the lid assembly 1710.

[0143] In another example, an incubator 1802 in Fig. 33 includes a display screen 1982 that is integrated with a lid assembly 1910. The user interface 1982 may display incubator-related information (e.g., ON / OFF, heated / not heated, functioning / malfunctioning, temperature value, gas flow ON / OFF) and sample or patient-related information (e.g., RFID tag, identifiers, etc.). The display screen 1982 of the incubator 1802 displays information that is also displayed at the user interface 600 on the workstation hood 400. In some examples, the display screen may be a user interface 1982 of the incubator 1802 that is configured to receive inputs from a user to control the environmental settings of the incubator 1802.

[0144] While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any disclosure or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to examples of disclosures. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate examples can also be implemented in combination in a single example. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single example can also be implemented in multiple examples separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described herein as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

[0145] Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system modules and components in the examples described herein should not be understood as requiring such separation in all examples, and the described programcomponents and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products.

[0146] Examples of the subject matter have been described. Other examples are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. As one example, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In certain implementations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An in vitro fertilization workstation comprising: a control system; a worktable communicatively coupled to the control system and comprising a work surface comprising a first heating zone and a second heating zone, the first and second heating zones being independently controllable; an incubator mounted to the work surface and communicatively coupled to the control system; wherein the work surface has a seamless interface between the first heating zone and the second heating zone.

2. The workstation of claim 1, wherein the first heating zone and the second heating zone defines a heated surface area in a range of 700 cm2to 1700 cm2.

3. The workstation of claim 2, wherein the first heating zone and the second heating zone are radiofrequency identification (RFID) compatible.

4. The workstation of claim 1, wherein the work surface comprises a non-metallic outer layer, a layer of thermal gap filler or adhesive, a printer circuit board (PCB) layer, an insulation material layer, a heater plate, a heater foil, and an insulation layer.

5. The workstation of claim 4, wherein the glass outer layer has a thickness in a range of 8.5 mm to 10.5 mm.

6. The workstation of claim 4, wherein the layer of thermal gap filler has a thickness in a range of 1 mm to 3 mm.

7. The workstation of claim 4, wherein the PCB layer has a thickness in a range of 1 mm to 2 mm.

8. The workstation of claim 7, wherein the PCB layer comprises a plurality of overlapping loop antennas.

9. The workstation of claim 4, wherein the heater plate has a thickness in a range of 7 mm to 9 mm.

10. The workstation of claim 4, wherein the insulation material layer has a thickness in a range of 1 mm to 2.4 mm.

11. The workstation of claim 4, wherein the heater foil has an intensity range of 50mW7cm2to 200 mW / cm2.

12. The workstation of claim 1, wherein the incubator comprises a thermal stack mounted to an incubator lid.

13. A work surface of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) workstation, the work surface comprising: a non-metallic outer layer; a layer of thermal gap filler or adhesive; a printer circuit board (PCB) layer; an insulation material layer; a heater plate; a heater foil; and an insulation layer.

14. The work surface of claim 12, comprising an ITO window and a levelling system coupled to the ITO window, the levelling system is configured to adjust a height of the ITO window relative to the non-metallic outer layer.

15. The work surface of claim 12, wherein the heater foil comprises a first heating zone and a second heating zone, the first heating zone and the second heating zone are independently controllable.

16. The work surface of claim 15, wherein the non-metallic outer layer has a seamless transition between the first heating zone and the second heating zone.

17. The work surface of claim 15, wherein the heater foil comprises a third heating zone and a fourth heating zone, the third heating zone and the fourth heating zone are independent controllable.

18. The work surface of claim 15, wherein the PCB layer comprises a plurality of overlapping loop antennas.

19. The work surface of claim 15, wherein the heater foil is configured to be communicatively coupled to a control system of the workstation.

20. A work surface of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) workstation, the work surface comprising: a smooth outer layer configured to receive a table-top incubator; a heater foil disposed beneath the smooth outer layer; a heater plate disposed between the heater foil and the smooth outer layer; and a printed circuit board (PCB) layer comprising a plurality of antennas, the PCB layer disposed between the outer layer and the heater plate.

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