Integrated Microscope Incubation Chamber With Dual-Mode Atmosphere Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscopy systems require separate stage top and cage incubators, leading to high costs, complexity, and limited usability due to the need for two discrete systems with their own control units and software, while stage top incubators restrict access to the sample and cage incubators consume high energy and gas.
Innovation Solution
A combined system with a microscope and integrated incubation environment conditioning unit that offers two modes: a sample chamber incubation mode with reduced volume for efficient energy use and a stage top chamber incubation mode for easy access, sharing common components and control units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cage incubator is used, then access to the sample is improved, but energy consumption and gas consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The incubation system is divided into two separate chambers: a large outer chamber for general incubation and a smaller inner stage-top chamber for sample access. This segmentation allows the system to provide easy sample access through the stage-top chamber while reducing the overall volume requiring incubation atmosphere maintenance, thereby lowering energy and gas consumption compared to using a full cage incubator.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a stage top incubator is used, then energy consumption is reduced, but access to the sample is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The stage-top incubation chamber is nested within the larger cage incubation chamber. This nested configuration allows the system to maintain a small incubated volume for efficient energy use while still providing sample access capabilities through the inner chamber, effectively combining the advantages of both stage-top and cage incubators.
3Reliability
If a stage top incubator is used, then incubation atmosphere control is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a single dual-chamber incubator design that can operate in multiple modes: the outer chamber for general incubation, the inner stage-top chamber for sample-specific incubation, or both chambers simultaneously. This multi-functional approach provides precise incubation atmosphere control for different samples while avoiding the need for separate stage-top and cage incubators, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost.
4Adaptability or versatility
If two discrete systems are used, then flexibility for different incubation environments is improved, but costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functionality of separate stage-top and cage incubators into a single integrated dual-chamber system. The outer chamber provides cage-style incubation while the inner stage-top chamber provides focused sample incubation. Both chambers share common control systems and can be independently configured, providing flexibility for different incubation environments while reducing costs and complexity compared to maintaining two discrete systems.
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 system provides flexible incubation options with reduced energy consumption, simplified operation, and cost-effective setup by integrating both modes in a single system, allowing easy access and efficient control of incubation atmospheres.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature control apparatus can be used to provide a warm air flow in the first chamber
Implementation Method 2
specific humidity and carbon dioxide concentration in the second chamber
Implementation Method 3
Via a connector, culture gas can be supplied to the incubator box. While carbon dioxide concentration in incubator box is controlled via this culture gas
Implementation Method 4
The a heat-insulating box can be set to a predetermined temperature by means of a heater
Implementation Method 5
An incubator box is placed within a heat-insulating box
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system (130) for microscopic examination of a sample (120) comprising a microscope (100) and an incubation environment conditioning unit (110) connected to said microscope (100), said microscope (100) comprising: a microscope housing (102) enclosing an illumination optics (118), a microscope stage (116) and an imaging optics (124), an integrated sample chamber (106) located within the microscope housing (102) and formed by a separated housing section (104) within said microscope housing (102), wherein said housing section (104) comprises a microscope interface (108) configured for connection of the incubation environment conditioning unit (110) to the sample chamber (106) and/or to a stage top chamber (230) to be placed within said sample chamber (106) and configured to receive the sample (120), and wherein the system provides a first incubation mode and a second incubation mode, wherein, in the first incubation mode, the sample chamber (106) is incubated by supply of a first incubation atmosphere by said incubation environment conditioning unit (110), and, in the second incubation mode, the stage top chamber (230) is incubated by supply of a second incubation atmosphere by said incubation environment conditioning unit (110).