Multi-Compartment Biological Incubator with Segmented Environmental Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current incubator systems for monitoring biological material development, such as embryos, face challenges with temperature and gas atmosphere deviations when accessing individual culture dishes, leading to suboptimal conditions for remaining samples and limiting the ability to conduct optimization experiments for optimal growth conditions.
Innovation Solution
A device with multiple separate culture dish compartments, each with independent temperature and gas control, and a movable camera system allowing for precise imaging without disrupting the environment, along with an image processing unit for sorting and presenting time-lapse images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed camera system with culture dishes on a movable arm is used, then image capture capability is provided, but temperature and gas atmosphere deviations occur when accessing culture dishes
Solution Approach 1:
The incubator is divided into multiple separate compartments (first compartment and second compartment), each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows the camera to remain fixed in one compartment while culture dishes can be accessed in another compartment without disrupting the environmental conditions in the camera compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
A movable partition or door system acts as an intermediary between compartments, allowing selective access to culture dishes in one compartment while maintaining sealed isolation in the camera compartment. This intermediary mechanism enables image capture and dish access to occur simultaneously without mutual interference.
2Ease of operation
If culture dishes are accessed individually in a single compartment, then monitoring of specific samples is enabled, but temperature and gas atmosphere deviations affect remaining samples
Solution Approach 1:
The incubator is divided into multiple separate compartments (first compartment and second compartment), each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows the camera to remain fixed in one compartment while culture dishes can be accessed in another compartment without disrupting the environmental conditions in the camera compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
Each compartment is equipped with independent temperature and gas atmosphere control systems, allowing local environmental optimization. The first compartment can be accessed for dish manipulation while the second compartment maintains stable conditions for ongoing imaging, and vice versa.
3Productivity
If a movable camera system is used to capture images of culture dishes, then comprehensive imaging coverage is achieved, but environmental disruptions occur during camera movement
Solution Approach 1:
The incubator is divided into multiple separate compartments (first compartment and second compartment), each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows the camera to remain fixed in one compartment while culture dishes can be accessed in another compartment without disrupting the environmental conditions in the camera compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed camera in the first compartment can continuously capture images without interruption, while simultaneously the second compartment allows for culture dish access and manipulation. This continuous imaging capability eliminates the need to move the camera or interrupt imaging for dish access.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This setup allows for precise monitoring and optimization of growth conditions for each biological sample, minimizing disruptions and enabling comprehensive analysis of development stages.
Implementation Method 1
a camera (20) for capturing images of a biological material in a culture dish
Implementation Method 2
each said culture dish compartment comprising heating means for heating the interior of said culture dish compartment
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (100) for monitoring the development of a biological material, said device in the orientation intended for use comprising: a housing (2) having an extension in a longitudinal direction (X) and an extension in a transversal direction (Y), said housing comprises: two or more culture dish compartments (4), each adapted to accommodate a culture dish (6) comprising a biological material (8) to be monitored, each said compartment being separated from each of said other compartments, said two or more compartments being arranged along the longitudinal direction; each said culture dish compartment (4) comprising a lid (10) adapted to be able to be shifted between an open configuration in which access to the interior (12) of said culture dish compartment is provided, and a closed configuration sealing off the interior of said culture dish compartment from its surroundings; wherein each said culture dish compartment comprises an inlet (14) for supplying gas to and an outlet (16) for removing gas from said culture dish compartment; wherein each said culture dish compartment comprising heating means (18) for heating the interior of said culture dish compartment; wherein said housing comprises one or more cameras (20) for capturing images of a biological material in a culture dish.