1. A high-throughput micropropagation chamber comprising: a. a modular culture unit configured to support a plurality of plant explants simultaneously; b. an automated nutrient delivery system adapted to supply liquid or semi-solid media, including programmable temporary immersion cycles; c. an environment control module configured to regulate light intensity and spectrum, temperature, humidity, and CO₂ concentration; d. a real-time monitoring system comprising sensors and imaging units for detecting plantlet growth, media conditions, and microbial contamination; and e. a digital interface for acquisition, storage, and reporting of growth parameters and environmental conditions.

2. The chamber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nutrient delivery system comprises a programmable pump and valve assembly configured to deliver precise volumes of media at species-specific intervals.

3. The chamber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the environment control module comprises adjustable LED lighting arrays capable of emitting red, blue, and white light spectra for optimized photosynthesis.

4. The chamber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the monitoring system comprises AI-based algorithms for predictive growth analysis, contamination detection, and optimization of culture conditions.

5. The chamber as claimed in claim 1, wherein contamination detection is performed using image analysis, spectral detection, or sensor-based monitoring of media and environmental conditions.

6. The chamber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modular design is scalable to accommodate different plant species, explant types, and commercial or research applications.

7. The chamber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the monitoring system integrates hyperspectral, thermal, or 3D imaging for advanced growth assessment.

8. The chamber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chamber further comprises a cloud-connected data management system for remote monitoring, analytics, and predictive yield estimation.

9. The chamber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the environment control module is self-optimizing and automatically adjusts light, temperature, humidity, CO₂, and immersion cycles based on real-time sensor feedback.

10. The chamber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chamber is configured with filtration and sterilization protocols to minimize microbial contamination and enhance survival rates.

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a high-throughput micropropagation chamber.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Accurate, large-scale production of plantlets is indispensable in plant breeding, germplasm conservation, commercial propagation, and research programs. However, the existing techniques for micropropagation have been done mostly manually or semi-automatically, relying on human labour in culture handling, subculturing, and monitoring. Such limitations create a few challenges:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention.
This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
1. High-Throughput Propagation: The chamber is designed to hold a large quantity of explants at one time, with the aid of modular trays or racks. This significantly improves plantlet production when compared to standard tissue culture vessels and now allows for mass propagation to be undertaken commercially and for research purposes.
2. Automated Media Delivery System: A programmable system delivers liquid or semi-solid nutrient media homogeneously to the explants. It reduces manual handling, provides no disparity in nutrient availability, and allows for very precise control of the volume and timing of media.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
The present invention provides a high-throughput micropropagation chamber designed to enable large-scale, efficient, and standardized plant tissue culture. The chamber integrates modular culture units that can support a large number of explants simultaneously, thereby improving productivity compared to conventional tissue culture vessels. An automated nutrient delivery system, including programmable temporary immersion cycles, ensures uniform distribution of liquid or semi-solid media and reduces manual intervention.
The chamber further incorporates an environment control module that regulates light intensity and spectrum, temperature, humidity, and CO₂ concentration to maintain optimal growth conditions. Real-time monitoring is achieved through sensors and imaging devices that continuously assess plantlet growth, contamination, and media status. These monitoring systems are coupled with AI-enabled analytics that process sensor data to predict growth trends, optimize culture conditions, and guide automated interventions, thereby ensuring consistent plantlet quality.
A semi-closed sterile design with HEPA filtration and sterilization protocols minimizes microbial contamination and enhances survival rates. The modular and scalable architecture allows the chamber to be adapted for different plant species, explant types, and applications in commercial nurseries, research laboratories, and breeding programs. By integrating automation, environmental control, and AI-driven optimization, the invention provides a reliable, efficient, and innovative solution for large-scale plant propagation with improved reproducibility and reduced labor requirements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
FIGURE 1: SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a",” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", “third”, and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
The present invention relates to a high-throughput micropropagation chamber designed to enable large-scale plant tissue culture with improved efficiency, reproducibility, and reduced manual intervention. The chamber integrates multiple subsystems into a single platform, combining automated nutrient delivery, controlled environmental regulation, real-time monitoring, and AI-driven analytics.
The chamber comprises modular culture units arranged in trays or racks, each capable of supporting a large number of explants simultaneously. This modular architecture allows scalability, enabling expansion for commercial nurseries, research laboratories, and breeding programs, while also permitting adaptation to different plant species and explant types.
The nutrient delivery system is automated and programmable, employing pumps and valves to supply liquid or semi-solid media directly to the explants. Temporary immersion cycles are incorporated to enhance nutrient uptake, accelerate growth, and reduce physiological disorders such as hyperhydricity.
(4) These immersion cycles are adjustable to species-specific requirements, thereby ensuring optimal growth across a wide range of plant types. The automation reduces manual handling, minimizes variability in nutrient availability, and ensures precise control of media volume and timing.
Environmental regulation is achieved through an integrated control module that maintains precise conditions of light, temperature, humidity, and CO₂ concentration. Adjustable LED arrays provide tunable light spectra, including red, blue, and white wavelengths, to optimize photosynthesis and plantlet development.
Sensors continuously monitor environmental parameters, while actuators dynamically adjust conditions to sustain a stable microenvironment. This ensures uniform growth and reduces stress on plantlets, thereby enhancing survival rates compared to conventional culture systems.
The chamber’s semi-closed or closed sterile design, equipped with HEPA filtration and sterilization protocols, minimizes microbial contamination and enhances survival rates. This contamination control feature is critical for maintaining high-quality plantlet production.
Real-time monitoring is facilitated by embedded cameras and sensors that capture continuous data on plantlet growth, contamination, and media conditions. Advanced imaging modalities such as hyperspectral, thermal, and 3D imaging may be integrated for detailed assessment of explant health.
The monitoring system is coupled with AI-enabled analytics that process sensor and imaging data to predict growth trends, detect anomalies, and optimize culture conditions. Automated interventions are triggered when deviations are detected, reducing manual supervision and ensuring consistent plantlet quality.
Data acquisition and management are supported by a digital interface that records growth parameters and environmental conditions. The interface provides real-time visualization of culture performance and generates standardized reports for research or commercial use.
Cloud connectivity may be incorporated to enable remote monitoring, predictive analytics, and integration with broader agricultural management systems. This digital backbone ensures reproducibility, traceability, and scalability of plantlet production.
The chamber is versatile and can be configured for species-specific models, with adjustable parameters tailored to cereals, pulses, oilseeds, horticultural crops, medicinal plants, and diverse explant types. This adaptability makes it suitable for a wide range of applications.
Advanced monitoring modules may integrate RGB, thermal/IR, hyperspectral, or 3D imaging for real-time assessment of growth and contamination. These modules enhance the precision of monitoring and provide deeper insights into plantlet health.
Portable and lab-scale units may be developed, ranging from compact research devices to larger benchtop or industrial chambers for commercial propagation. This scalability ensures that the invention can be deployed across different operational scales.
In operation, the HTMC functions as a fully integrated system where nutrient delivery, environmental regulation, monitoring, and analytics work in harmony to provide reproducible, high-quality plantlet production. Its modular and scalable design allows expansion for commercial nurseries, research laboratories, and breeding programs, while its intelligent optimization capabilities ensure standardized, efficient, and innovative plantlet propagation compared to conventional tissue culture systems.
The high-throughput micropropagation chamber is designed as a modular system capable of supporting large-scale plant tissue culture operations. Each chamber unit is constructed to accommodate numerous explants simultaneously, arranged on trays or racks that maximize space utilization while maintaining uniform exposure to growth conditions. The modular architecture allows scalability, enabling the system to be expanded for commercial nurseries, research laboratories, or breeding programs, while also permitting adaptation to different plant species and explant types.
An automated nutrient delivery system forms the core of the chamber’s operation. This system employs programmable pumps and valves to supply liquid or semi-solid media directly to the explants. Temporary immersion cycles are incorporated to enhance nutrient uptake and reduce physiological disorders such as hyperhydricity. The delivery system ensures precise control of media volume and timing, thereby reducing manual handling and minimizing variability in nutrient availability across cultures.
Environmental regulation within the chamber is achieved through an integrated control module. Adjustable LED lighting arrays provide tunable intensity and spectrum, including red, blue, and white wavelengths, to optimize photosynthesis and plantlet development. Temperature and humidity are maintained at precise levels using sensor-driven actuators, while CO₂ concentration and gas composition are continuously monitored to sustain optimal conditions for growth. The chamber’s semi-closed or closed sterile design, equipped with HEPA filtration and sterilization protocols, further ensures contamination control and enhances survival rates.
Real-time monitoring is facilitated by a network of sensors and imaging units embedded within the chamber. These devices capture data on plantlet growth, media conditions, and microbial contamination. Advanced imaging modalities such as hyperspectral, thermal, and 3D imaging may be integrated for detailed assessment of explant health. The monitoring system is coupled with AI-based analytics that process sensor and imaging data to predict growth trends, detect anomalies, and optimize culture conditions. This intelligent feedback loop enables automated intervention, reducing the need for manual supervision and ensuring consistent plantlet quality.
Data acquisition and management are supported by a digital interface that records growth parameters and environmental conditions. The interface provides real-time visualization of culture performance and generates standardized reports for research or commercial use. Cloud connectivity may be incorporated to allow remote monitoring, predictive analytics, and integration with broader agricultural management systems. This digital backbone ensures reproducibility, traceability, and scalability of plantlet production.
In summary, the high-throughput micropropagation chamber integrates automated nutrient delivery, precise environmental control, real-time monitoring, AI-driven analytics, and contamination management into a single platform. Its modular and scalable design makes it versatile across species and applications, while its intelligent optimization capabilities ensure high-quality, reproducible, and efficient plantlet propagation compared to conventional tissue culture systems.
Best Method of working
The high-throughput micropropagation chamber is designed to hold a large quantity of explants simultaneously through the use of modular trays or racks. This arrangement significantly enhances plantlet production compared to standard tissue culture vessels, enabling mass propagation for both commercial and research purposes. The chamber incorporates an automated media delivery system in which a programmable mechanism supplies liquid or semi-solid nutrient media uniformly to the explants. This reduces manual handling, eliminates disparities in nutrient availability, and ensures precise control over the volume and timing of media delivery. In addition, the chamber is equipped with a temporary immersion capability, allowing explants to be periodically immersed in nutrient media. These immersion cycles, which are programmable to match species-specific requirements, improve nutrient uptake, accelerate growth rates, and reduce physiological disorders such as hyperhydricity.
The chamber further provides a controlled lighting environment through integrated adjustable lighting systems. These systems deliver variable intensity and spectrum, including red, blue, and white LEDs, to optimize photosynthesis and plantlet development. Depending on the species and growth stage, different light regimes can be employed to ensure uniform growth. Temperature and humidity are precisely regulated within the chamber to maintain optimal microenvironmental conditions for in vitro growth. Such control reduces stress on plantlets and enhances survival rates. Sensors continuously monitor CO₂ levels and other gas compositions, thereby maintaining conditions that maximize photosynthetic efficiency and promote vigorous plantlet development compared to static culture systems.
Real-time monitoring of growth and health is achieved through cameras and sensors that observe plantlets for growth, contamination, and media conditions. The continuous data generated enables early detection of abnormalities and facilitates corrective measures. These monitoring systems are integrated with AI-enabled analytics, which process sensor and imaging data to predict growth trends, optimize culture conditions, and provide automated guidance for interventions. This ensures consistent plantlet quality while reducing the need for manual supervision. Contamination control is achieved through a semi-closed or closed sterile design incorporating HEPA filtration and sterilization protocols, which minimize microbial contamination, increase survival rates, and improve overall propagation efficiency. The chamber’s modular, scalable, and versatile design allows easy expansion in commercial nurseries, research laboratories, and breeding programs. It can accommodate different types of explants, including shoots, nodal segments, and somatic embryos, and can be adapted for a wide range of species, making it a valuable tool for large-scale tissue culture operations.
The integrated system combines automated nutrient delivery, temporary immersion, and controlled environmental regulation with AI-enabled real-time monitoring of growth, contamination, and media conditions. Its self-optimizing culture module automatically adjusts light, temperature, humidity, CO₂, and immersion cycles according to plant species, explant type, and growth stage. Furthermore, the chamber automates data analytics and reporting, ensuring standardized, high-quality production of plantlets. Potential embodiments include species- or explant-specific models with configurable settings for cereals, pulses, oilseeds, horticultural crops, medicinal plants, and diverse explant types. Advanced monitoring modules may integrate RGB, thermal/IR, hyperspectral, or 3D imaging for real-time assessment of growth and contamination. The chamber may also be developed in portable or lab-scale units ranging from compact research devices to larger benchtop or industrial chambers for commercial propagation. Growth parameters such as light, temperature, humidity, CO₂, and immersion cycles are customizable depending on species, explant type, and growth stage. Its scalable modular design supports expansion with AI-driven analytics for standardized, high-throughput propagation and digital recordkeeping.
In conclusion, the high-throughput micropropagation chamber represents an advanced system that integrates automated nutrient delivery, temporary immersion, controlled environmental parameters, and AI-powered real-time monitoring. It enables mass propagation of diverse explants with uniform growth, reduced labor, and minimized contamination. The modular and scalable design allows adaptation to different plant species, explant types, and applications across commercial nurseries, research institutions, and breeding programs. AI-powered analytics ensure optimized growth conditions, anomaly detection, and standardized quality. Compared to conventional systems, the chamber provides higher throughput, precise control, digital data management, and reproducibility of plantlet production. It is a reliable, efficient, and innovative solution for large-scale plant propagation. 
, Claims:1. A high-throughput micropropagation chamber comprising:
a. a modular culture unit configured to support a plurality of plant explants simultaneously;
b. an automated nutrient delivery system adapted to supply liquid or semi-solid media, including programmable temporary immersion cycles;
c. an environment control module configured to regulate light intensity and spectrum, temperature, humidity, and CO₂ concentration;
d. a real-time monitoring system comprising sensors and imaging units for detecting plantlet growth, media conditions, and microbial contamination; and
e. a digital interface for acquisition, storage, and reporting of growth parameters and environmental conditions.
2. The chamber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nutrient delivery system comprises a programmable pump and valve assembly configured to deliver precise volumes of media at species-specific intervals.
3. The chamber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the environment control module comprises adjustable LED lighting arrays capable of emitting red, blue, and white light spectra for optimized photosynthesis.
4. The chamber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the monitoring system comprises AI-based algorithms for predictive growth analysis, contamination detection, and optimization of culture conditions.
5. The chamber as claimed in claim 1, wherein contamination detection is performed using image analysis, spectral detection, or sensor-based monitoring of media and environmental conditions.
6. The chamber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modular design is scalable to accommodate different plant species, explant types, and commercial or research applications.
7. The chamber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the monitoring system integrates hyperspectral, thermal, or 3D imaging for advanced growth assessment.
8. The chamber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chamber further comprises a cloud-connected data management system for remote monitoring, analytics, and predictive yield estimation.
9. The chamber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the environment control module is self-optimizing and automatically adjusts light, temperature, humidity, CO₂, and immersion cycles based on real-time sensor feedback.
10. The chamber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chamber is configured with filtration and sterilization protocols to minimize microbial contamination and enhance survival rates.