IP Library Granted Patent US 12,371,649
Granted Patent B2
US 12,371,649 · App. 17/471,831 · Granted Jul 29, 2025

Biological sample imaging device

Inventor: Yusi Ji (Beijing, CN)
Assignees: Microlens Technologies Co., Ltd., Beijing; Yusi Ji
C12M41/14C12M41/46G01N21/6452G01N21/6486G01N2021/8466
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,371,649
App. No.
17/471,831
Granted
Jul 29, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a biological sample imaging device, including an incubator with an observation window provided on one side; a biological sample cultivation module provided inside the incubator; an imaging module provided outside the incubator for collecting images of a biological sample cultured in the biological sample cultivation module through the observation window, so that the growth process can be dynamically captured, and the environment in the incubator can be conveniently controlled to adapt to various scientific research scenarios. In addition, the isolation inside and outside the incubator can reduce the interference of the imaging module on the biological sample.

Claims (66)

1. A biological sample imaging device, comprising:

an incubator with an observation window provided on one side;

a biological sample cultivation module provided inside the incubator;

an imaging module provided outside the incubator and arranged on a three-dimensional displacement control device through an adapter assembly, for collecting images of a biological sample cultured in the biological sample cultivation module through the observation window,

wherein the biological sample cultivation module comprises:

a rotating frame comprising a rotating platform and a frame body, wherein the frame body is fixed to the rotating platform, and a plurality of mounting positions for petri dish racks are arranged on the frame body; and

one or more petri dish racks detachably mounted on the mounting positions and configured for fixing one or more petri dishes,

wherein the frame body comprises first brackets and second brackets, wherein the first brackets are distributed radially, each second bracket is fixed to an end of a first bracket extending out of the rotating platform in an axial direction, and a mounting position is formed in a space between two adjacent second brackets,

wherein at least two mounting fixtures are fixed on two adjacent second brackets arranged at different heights, and the mounting position is formed between mounting fixtures of the two adjacent second brackets

wherein the plurality of mounting positions are arranged radially around the rotating frame and stacked axially along an axis of rotation of the rotating frame at different heights whereby a petri dish is positioned adjacent the observation window by rotating the rotating frame and the imaging module is moved in three-dimensions such that the petri dish is in view of the imaging module.

2. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising an optical vibration isolation platform, wherein an opening is provided on bottom of the incubator, and the biological sample cultivation module is fixed to the optical vibration isolation platform through the opening.

3. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a housing, which is provided outside the incubator and the imaging module and forms a dark room for shielding light.

4. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a computer for controlling operation of the incubator, the biological sample cultivation module and the imaging module, and receiving biological sample images.

5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein:

a heating element is mounted around the observation window; and/or

both sides of the observation window are covered with coatings to increase light transmittance of the observation window in visible light and/or infrared light waveband.

6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein:

the incubator comprises a box, a temperature control system and a gas control system;

the temperature control system includes at least one temperature sensor, a control circuit, a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and a circulating fan, wherein the compressor is arranged outside the box; and

the gas control system includes a gas source, a gas mixing device and a gas sensor.

7. The device according to claim 6 , wherein the gas mixing device comprises:

a plurality of gas paths corresponding to the gas source;

a controller configured to control gas flow of the plurality of gas paths by controlling stop valves and flow controllers of the plurality of gas paths; and

a gas mixing tank, which is connected to the plurality of gas paths and a gas inlet of the incubator and configured for mixing gas,

wherein, the gas source includes one or more of a nitrogen gas source, an ethylene gas source, a carbon dioxide gas source and an air source.

8. The device according to claim 1 , wherein:

the mounting fixtures are fixed at different heights of the same second bracket.

9. The device according to claim 1 , wherein:

the mounting fixtures comprises at least two mounting holes for mounting a small petri dish rack on one side of each mounting fixture; and/or

the mounting fixtures comprises at least four mounting holes for mounting two or more small petri dish racks or at least one large petri dish rack on one side of each mounting fixture,

wherein the small petri dish rack comprises any one of a small vertical petri dish rack, an airtight petri dish rack, and a gravity petri dish rack, and the large petri dish rack includes a large horizontal petri dish rack.

10. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the rotating frame further comprises:

a distributor plate fixed above the rotating platform;

a conductive slip ring arranged inside the rotating platform;

a plurality of electrical socket interfaces provided on the second brackets;

a plurality of cables connected with the conductive slip ring and connected to the electrical socket interfaces via the distributor plate.

11. The device according to claim 10 , wherein:

a top of the rotating platform is provided with a plurality of mounting holes for fixing the first brackets and the distributor plate; and

the first brackets are fixed between the distributor plate and the rotating platform.

12. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the rotating platform comprises:

a base,

a flange fixed to the base;

a baffle fixed to the flange and provided with a notch;

a photoelectric limit switch fixed on the base and having a height adapted to the baffle.

13. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the rotating frame further comprises:

a gas pump fixing plate;

a plurality of gas pump damping sleeves fixed to the gas pump fixing plate; and

a gas pump arranged inside the gas pump damping sleeves,

wherein the second brackets are provided with a pneumatic connector, which is connected to the gas pump through a gas pipeline.

14. The device according to claim 1 , wherein:

the rotating frame further comprises a liquid pump, which is arranged on the rotating platform;

a liquid delivery connector is provided on at least one second bracket; and the liquid pump is connected to the liquid delivery connector through a liquid pipeline.

15. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the frame body further comprises a corner reinforcement block, which is arranged at a connection between a first bracket and a second bracket.

16. The device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the petri dish racks comprises:

a first lighting component arranged inside a frame of the at least one petri dish rack; and/or

a second lighting component arranged on a top of the at least one petri dish rack.

17. The device according to claim 1 , wherein:

the adapter assembly has a horizontal platform surface which is provided with a guide rail and a positioning pin hole;

the guide rail is configured to provide a sliding path of the imaging module;

the positioning pin hole is configured to position the imaging module,

wherein the imaging module comprises any one of a microscopic phenotype detection module, a macroscopic phenotype detection module, a luminescence detection module, and a fluorescence detection module.

18. The device according to claim 17 , further comprising:

a front imaging lighting module mounted on an end of the three-dimensional displacement control device close to the incubator and configured to provide a front light source for the biological sample cultivation module through the observation window; and/or

a back imaging lighting module mounted inside the incubator and configured to provide a back light source for the biological sample cultivation module.

19. The device according to claim 1 , wherein:

some of the mounting fixtures are fixed at a same height of a plurality of second brackets.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2021
From: JI, YUSI
To: MICROLENS TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD., BEIJING; YUSI JI
Reel/Frame 057446/0926 →
Priority Claims (1)
CN 202011308956.X · Nov 19, 2020 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220154129A1 · May 19, 2022
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