Live-Cell Incubator Object Tracking to Reduce Door Exposure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing incubators face challenges in minimizing the time the door is open and reducing the frequency of opening, which can lead to disturbances in the controlled atmosphere and increase the risk of contamination.

Innovation Solution

An incubator equipped with an image-based object tracking system that uses cameras and data processing devices to track the position changes of objects within the incubator, allowing for efficient storage and retrieval of objects while minimizing exposure to the environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple users share a single incubator chamber, then cost efficiency is improved, but the frequency of opening the chamber door increases, disturbing the controlled atmosphere

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-user accessibilityVSAvoidatmosphere control stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The incubator chamber is divided into multiple independently accessible compartments or storage areas, each with its own door. This allows different users to access specific sections without opening the main chamber door, thereby maintaining the controlled atmosphere while enabling multi-user functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary access system is introduced between users and the incubator chamber. This may include a key card access system, robotic arm, or automated retrieval mechanism that allows users to obtain samples or place objects without physically opening the chamber door, thus preserving atmosphere control while providing user access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If users spend more time searching for and accessing objects in the incubator, then ease of operation is improved, but the door opening duration increases, increasing contamination risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject location accessibilityVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The incubator is equipped with a real-time location tracking system that provides feedback to users about the positions of objects within the chamber. This may include visual indicators, LED lights, or digital displays showing where samples are located, enabling users to quickly navigate to the correct objects without unnecessarily opening the door or moving items around.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Objects are pre-positioned in designated locations within the incubator chamber, and their positions are pre-mapped in the tracking system. Users receive advance information about object locations before accessing the chamber, allowing them to prepare mentally and physically to retrieve items efficiently without causing disturbances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the incubator door is opened frequently for inventory management, then ease of operation is improved, but the controlled atmosphere is disturbed, affecting cell growth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory monitoring accessibilityVSAvoidatmospheric condition constancy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Physical inventory monitoring through manual door opening is replaced with an automated optical or sensor-based tracking system. Cameras, RFID readers, or other non-intrusive sensors detect and record object positions and movements within the chamber, allowing users to monitor inventory status remotely without mechanically opening the door and disturbing the atmosphere.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12344831B2Incubator, system, and method

Publication Date: 2025.07.01 EPPENDORF AG

AI summary

The invention relates to a live cell culture incubator, a method of working with an incubator, and a system comprising an incubator in which an object tracking system is implemented.