Portable Incubator Integrated with Mobile Phone Camera

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cell tracking and incubation systems are costly, bulky, and require sophisticated infrastructure, limiting their portability and widespread use in cell-based studies.

Innovation Solution

A portable incubator platform integrated into a mobile phone, utilizing a mobile phone camera with an optical focusing apparatus and a positioning stage, along with sensors and heat pads for temperature, humidity, and CO2 control, to provide real-time cell tracking and data flow without the need for expensive computer-aided systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If commercial microscopes and incubation systems are used for real-time cell imaging, then imaging capability is improved, but cost and device size increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging capabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the incubator and microscope into a single integrated device, merging previously separate functions into one compact unit. This integration eliminates the need for separate incubation and imaging equipment, directly reducing device size and complexity while maintaining real-time imaging capability within the incubation environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The incubator is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as an incubation chamber and an imaging platform. The device performs multiple functions (temperature control, humidity control, CO2 regulation, and real-time imaging) within a single system, reducing the need for multiple separate devices and thereby decreasing overall device complexity and size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If commercial microscopes and incubation systems are used for real-time cell imaging, then imaging capability is improved, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging capabilityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the incubator and microscope into a single integrated device, merging previously separate functions into one compact unit. This integration eliminates the need for separate incubation and imaging equipment, directly reducing device size and complexity while maintaining real-time imaging capability within the incubation environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The incubator is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as an incubation chamber and an imaging platform. The device performs multiple functions (temperature control, humidity control, CO2 regulation, and real-time imaging) within a single system, reducing the need for multiple separate devices and thereby decreasing overall device complexity and size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If cells are removed from incubator for examination, then imaging is possible, but cell viability and result reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging accessibilityVSAvoidcell viability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the incubator and microscope into a single integrated device, merging previously separate functions into one compact unit. This integration eliminates the need for separate incubation and imaging equipment, directly reducing device size and complexity while maintaining real-time imaging capability within the incubation environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated design acts as an intermediary that allows imaging to occur within the incubation environment itself, rather than requiring cell removal. The microscope is positioned to image cells through the incubator chamber, serving as a mediator that enables observation without disrupting the controlled environment, thus maintaining cell viability while providing imaging capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution enables cost-effective, portable, and reliable real-time monitoring of cells, maintaining optimal growth conditions and reducing the impact of external environmental changes, thus enhancing the reliability and practicality of cell-based studies.

Implementation Method 1

an optical focusing apparatus (6), which is positioned in front of a mobile phone lens, and enables high resolution images to be taken

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical focusing: Focusing

Implementation Method 2

heat pads for temperature, humidity, and CO2 control

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

sensors and heat pads for temperature, humidity, and CO2 control

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Data Source

PatentUS12286613B2Portable incubator platform integrated into a portable imaging device

Publication Date: 2025.04.29 IZMIR BIYOTIP & GENOM MERKEZI

AI summary

A portable incubator system integrated to a mobile phone providing a real-time tracking of samples and data flow is provided. The portable incubator system allowing cells to be cultured, reproduced and characterized in real-time without a need for a commercial incubator and a microscope-camera system installed within the portable incubator system.