Patent Application
20220081670
The present invention generally relates to incubators for growing cells and more specifically to an incubator having a shelf with an integrated microscope and a wireless transmitter.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) incubators are used in various forms of research for growing cells. It is common practice to remove the cells from the incubator periodically, perhaps daily, to place them under a microscope for viewing. This requires removing the cells from their optimal growth environment (the incubator with controlled temperature and CO2 percentage) risking damage to the cells. This also requires opening the incubator door, and exposing the cells and incubator chamber to potential contaminants
It would be desirable to have an incubator and a shelf for incubators with an integrated microscope, with a wireless transmitter so that the object of the microscope can be viewed without opening the door to the incubator.
In one aspect of the present invention, a device comprises a shelf adapted for use inside an incubator; a microscope integrated into the shelf; and a wireless transmitter that wirelessly transmits an image produced by the microscope.
In another aspect of the present invention, a device for use with an incubator and a display outside the incubator, comprises a shelf adapted for use inside the incubator and adapted to receive power from the incubator; a microscope integrated into the shelf that produces a magnified image of an object inside the incubataor; and a wireless transmitter that wirelessly transmits the magnified image to the display.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a device comprises an incubator; a display outside the incubator; a shelf adapted for use inside the incubator and adapted to receive power from the incubator; a microscope integrated into the shelf that produces a magnified image of an object inside the incubataor; and a wireless transmitter that wirelessly transmits the magnified image to the display.
The preferred embodiment and other embodiments, which can be used in industry and include the best mode now known of carrying out the invention, are hereby described in detail with reference to the drawings. Further embodiments, features and advantages will become apparent from the ensuing description, or may be learned without undue experimentation. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, except where otherwise indicated. The following description of embodiments, even if phrased in terms of “the invention” or what the embodiment “is,” is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but describes the manner and process of making and using the invention. The coverage of this patent will be described in the claims. The order in which steps are listed in the claims does not necessarily indicate that the steps must be performed in that order.
An embodiment of the present invention generally provides an incubator and a shelf for an incubator that has an integrated and mounted microscope. Embodiments of the microscope may use wireless transmission, such as a Wi-Fi, to project the signal to the display on the front door. Embodiments may allow the user to project to a smart phone or Wi-Fi device.
Embodiments of a microscope may be integrated into the shelf of an incubator and powered from the incubator. The incubator may include a display that allows viewing of the cells. The display may be integrated with, and powered by, the incubator.
Embodiments of an incubator may have controls on the outside to operate the microscope. This could include fine focus, with a gross focus control such as a dial on the microscope itself. Embodiments of a microscope may use Wi-Fi to project the signal wirelessly. That way, a user can view the object of the microscope, such as a cell culture dish, flask, well plates, etc., without needing to open the door to the incubator oven.
Embodiments of a microscope may include a light holder attached to a top mast, which raises and lowers the light holder relative to a stage plate. The light holder and stage plate may be made of white acrylic. A light mask slider may slide onto the light holder in either of two orientations, which allows for a different illumination conditions. The top mast and lower mast may be made of grey anodized aluminum.
Embodiments of an inverted microscope may have a window in a stage plate that allows a microscope lens below the object to view the object.
Embodiments may include a printed circuit board (PCB) and a battery in a housing. The PCB housing may be grey anodized aluminum. A space between the PCB housing and the stage plate may allow for heat from the shelf to dissipate.
In embodiments, a light mask slider may be installed in a first orientation (upside down), with a window to let light through, down to the object and the microscope lens. A light mask slider may be installed in a second orientation which has a deflector, which only lets light out the sides.
In embodiments, a Wi-Fi or other wireless transmitter with PCBs or other chips generate heat, which may warm the microscope. To help maintain constant temperatures inside the incubator, the microscope and other components may be thermally protected or separated by a distance from the object to be microscopically viewed. This may include a plate of cell samples, resting on the stage plate of the microscope.
Embodiments may include a coarse adjustment control, such as a knob, on the microscope. An objective lens or lenses may produce an image on a photo sensor, which is wirelessly, digitally transmitted outside of the incubator to a display.
Embodiments of an incubator have interior shelves that are thermally controlled, and outside surfaces, such as the front of the door.
In embodiments, indicator LEDs on the stage plate may indicate the status of the microscope (e.g. on or off).
An embodiment of a microscope may have an upper object area 30, a microscope chamber 32, and a PCB chamber 34. A viewing object may be placed in the upper object area 30, beneath light holder 12 and stage plate 14. Light holder 12 and stage plate 14 may be made of white acrylic. Microscope chamber 32 may have side made of white acrylic, and may have a chamber to hold optical components, and a space 24 to allow heat to dissipate. PCB chamber 34 may include a printed circuit board (PCB), a battery, and other electronic components which may become warm. PCB chamber 34 may have a grey, anodized aluminum PCB cover 36, sides, and base plate 38, which may help with thermal isolation.
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