Claims:I Claim:
1. An IVF workstation 100 comprising a table top 101 that extends to the rear
face 102 of the workstation 100 forming an L shape with no joints therein.
2. An IVF workstation 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear face 102 of
the workstation has a cubicle 105a or an inbuilt incubator 105b.
3. An IVF workstation 100 as claimed in claim 2 wherein the cubicle 105a or
the inbuilt incubator 105b is supplied with a standby power source.
4. An IVF workstation 100 as claimed in claim 2 wherein the cubicle 105a or
the inbuilt incubator 105b have at least two opening means that can be
operated independent to each other.
5. An IVF workstation 100 as claimed in claim 4 wherein opening means are
door or drawer.
6. An IVF workstation 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the table top 101
further comprises a heated glass assembly 104 integrated in it characterised
that the heated glass assembly 104 can accommodate at least two culture
dishes at a time.
7. An IVF workstation 100 as claimed in claim 6, wherein the glass in the
heated glass assembly 104 is rectangular or circular in shape.
8. An IVF workstation as claimed in claim 1 wherein the table top 101 is made
of material comprising an acrylic polymer and Alumina Trihydrate (ATH).
9. An IVF workstation as claimed in claim 1 wherein one or more digital
display means 111 are provided on the rear face 102 of the workstation 100.
15
10. An IVF workstation as claimed in claim 1 wherein series of air outlets 106
are integrated on the rear face 102 of the workstation 100. , Description:1
FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)
Title of invention:
IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION (IVF) WORKSTATION
APPLICANT:
Shivani Scientific Industries Private Limited
A company Incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 1956
Having address:
26 A, Raju Industrial Estate,
Penkar Pada Road, Near Dahisar Checknaka, Mira,
Mumbai 401104, Maharashtra, India
The following specification describes the invention and the manner in which it is to
be performed.
2
TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present disclosure described herein, in general, relates to a clinical
laboratory workstation, and more particularly to a workstation that is
suitable for but not limited to use in, In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
procedures.
BACKGROUND
[002] Today IVF treatment has become an effective alternative to overcome
infertility. IVF procedure requires gentle handling, observation and
treatment of embryo under controlled conditions and aseptic
environment for development of healthy embryo. IVF procedures such
as embryo and gamete manipulation and preparation of culture dishes
are carried out inside an IVF workstation.
[003] The main functions of the IVF workstation are to prevent microbial
contamination of IVF culture and maintain desired physiological
conditions for embryo(s) and gamete(s) during manipulation
procedures, especially when embryo culture is kept outside the
incubator. The workstation provides a sealed atmosphere for conducting
the biological procedures remotely from the outside of the cabinet. This
is achieved by providing controlled flow of filtered air and gas through
workstation as well as maintaining an optimum humidity level and use
of heated glass stage assembly to maintain the stable temperature of the
culture dishes during IVF procedures.
[004] It is known in the art that Air filtration in the workstation is achieved
through a pre-filter to remove larger particles followed by Secondary
3
High Efficiency Particulate Air filter (HEPA) or Ultra Low Penetration
Air (ULPA) filters.
[005] In order to prevent microbial contamination and maintain desired
physiological conditions, the IVF cabinet needs assistance of several
independent and interdependent apparatuses and components. Such
apparatuses and components are often not in harmony with each other
resulting in an IVF cabinet that fails to fulfil its purpose. Some of the
limitations of the existing IVF cabinets available in the market are as
follows:
[006] Minimizing temperature changes: Embryos placed in a culture dish
are extremely sensitive to variation in temperature. Many IVF
workstations available in the market have heated stage to maintain the
stable temperature of the culture dish during IVF procedures. Such a
heated stage is usually integrated in the table top within the workstation
to maintain the temperature of embryo culture dish at 37
0
C. Though the
size of heated stage area may vary as per requirement it is often
encountered that it is not possible to achieve a uniform heating across
the heated stage due to the varying thermal conductivity and thickness
of the material from which the stage is made of. Such heated stage are
usually made of metal or glass.
[007] Limited Surface Area of Heated Glass Assembly: It is also known to
have a provision for a glass plate within the table top of the IVF
workstation, in order to have a heated and optically transparent surface
for use as a microscope stage. One such version of glass assembly is
supplied by Okolab
TM
. It employs Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) coating to
obtain uniform heating throughout the glass surface and a surface sensor
to ensure the highest accuracy on temperature reading. The limitation
with such heated glass assemblies is that they usually can hold only one
4
culture dish and if the user wishes to observe two or more dishes at a
stretch, the displacement of the first culture dish (to heated stage or
elsewhere) is required, which leads to loss of temperature of culture dish
leading to other complexities in the embryo.
[008] Incompatible Incubators: Generally Incubators are independent
apparatuses and are fixed outside the IVF workstation. Irrespective of
their position the incubators form a very important component for IVF
procedure since they house the embryo culture dishes, and the dishes are
transferred from incubator to the workstation for observation and
treatment. In an external Incubator the movement of the culture dish
outside the zone of controlled environment affects the temperature and
carbon dioxide level of culture. The limitation with an incubator that is
placed inside the IVF workstation is that, since it is an independent
equipment in itself, it requires a provision for wiring and power supply
and its outer surface and edges are not in harmony with the contact
surface of the IVF workstation. This leads to issues including that of
difficulty in cleaning, repair as well as stability.
[009] Sudden power failure: Incubators store the embryo culture dishes, and
the dishes are transferred from incubator to the workstation for
observation and treatment. In a scenario that involves power breakdown
in the incubator, the embryo culture dishes need to be shifted from one
incubator to another. This exposes the embryo culture dishes to
contamination, disturbance in the culture as well disturbs the
temperature and carbon dioxide level maintained in the culture dishes.
[0010] Minimizing Recovery Time: Irrespective of whether the incubator is
fixed outside or inside the IVF workstation, the CO2 recovery time is
another major technical problem. Every time the door of the incubator
is opened the loss of CO2 happens which is recovered in certain amount
5
of time referred as ‘Recovery Time’. Thus there is a long felt need of
incubators that are not only compatible with the IVF workstation but
also have a solution to minimize the recovery time.
[0011] The invention described herein below attempts to address the technical
problems identified in the preceding paragraphs.
SUMMARY
[0012] Before the IVF workstation and its components, are described, it is to be
understood that this application is not limited to the particular
components described, as there can be multiple possible embodiments
which are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosure. It is also to
be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the
purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and
is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. This
summary is provided to introduce concepts related to IVF workstation
designed in a way the table top of the workstation is extended to the rear
face of the workstation and the other concepts are further described
below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to
identify essential features of the disclosure nor is it intended for use in
determining or limiting the scope of the disclosure.
[0013] In one aspect, the invention discloses an IVF workstation that comprises
a table top extending to the rear face of the workstation, forming an Lshape, with no joints therein.
[0014] In one implementation, a workstation for carrying out IVF procedures
by maintaining the controlled and aseptic environment is disclosed. In
order to maintain the aseptic environment a workstation is designed in a
6
way the table top of the workstation is extended to the rear face with no
joint therein. It may be understood that as there is smooth curve at
angular position of the table top, it reduces the possibility for collection
of contaminants as there aren’t any crevices and the area can easily be
approached for cleaning.
[0015] In another aspect the invention discloses an IVF workstation comprising
an inbuilt incubator, wherein the inbuilt incubator is supplied with a
standby power source and two opening means operating independent to
each other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The foregoing detailed description of embodiments is better understood
when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose
of illustrating the disclosure, there is shown in the present document
example constructions of the disclosure; however, the disclosure is not
limited to the specific design disclosed in the document and the
drawings.
[0017] The detailed description is described with reference to the
accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference
number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears.
The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer like
features and components.
[0018] Figure 1 Illustrate an L-shaped table top 101 of the cabinet in accordance
to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0019] Figure 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of a table top 101 provided in
the IVF workstation 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
7
[0020] The figures depict the embodiments of the present disclosure for
purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize
from the following description that alternative embodiments of the IVF
workstation 100 and its components illustrated herein may be employed
without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will
now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising," "having,"
"containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to
be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items
following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing
of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or
items. It must also be noted that, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the"
include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Although any IVF workstation or components thereof similar or
equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing
of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary designs are
now described. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the
disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms.
[0022] Referring to Figure 1, in one implementation, the present disclosure
discloses a workstation 100 with a table top 101 with a heating platform
103 integrated in it wherein such table top extends to the rear face 102
of the workstation forming an L shape with no joints therein.
[0023] The workstation 100 as illustrated, comprises a table top 101 having one
or more heated glass assemblies 104 integrated in it in order to provide
8
stable temperature conditions of embryo culture dish while observation
and operation is carried out.
[0024] In one embodiment the L-shape of the table top 101 extending to the
rear face 102 of the IVF workstation is not confined to have shape
wherein vertical and horizontal table top panels are placed
perpendicularly to each other. It has to be understood that it may also be
an arrangement with a curve or irregular bend. All these modifications
and are within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
[0025] In one embodiment of the invention the panel has a curve at the section
wherein the rear face meets the table top. The curve in L-shape of the
table top101 extending to the rear face 102 of the IVF workstation 100
of the present invention provides for easy cleaning as there are no
crevices that can collect dirt or other contaminants. The said curve
provides easy approach for the cleaning means and exposes itself to the
cleaning agents.
[0026] In one implementation the table top of IVF workstation is made up an
acrylic polymer and Alumina Trihydrate (ATH), a material which is
derived from bauxite ore. This material is commercially called as
Corian
®
and it gives consistent colour and particulate patterning that is
evenly distributed throughout the material. The other advantages of this
material are that it has Non-toxic, Non-porous durable surfaces as well
as Stain resistant and heat resistant characteristics. Further the Cuts and
scratches on the table top surface are repairable and after repairing it
gives homogenised and seamless appearance. These characteristics of
the material make it more suitable for use in Tabletop 101 of an IVF
workstation 100.
9
[0027] Further a Non porous texture of table top made of Corian
®
provides easy
cleaning and smooth surface. The table top 101 is stain resistant and has
seamless appearance that helps in maintaining aseptic environment. Non
porous table top extended to the rear face avoids friction with air coming
out from laminar flow thereby reducing the noise and turbulent air inside
the IVF cabinet. This further reduces vibration in embryo culture dish
and protects the embryo from damage.
[0028] The homogenous heat transfer rate characteristics of the table top 101
made of Corian
®
may help in providing proper and stable heating during
IVF procedure without disturbing the balance in the temperature of the
culture dish and the table top surface. Homogenous property of
Corian
®
material allows continuous and stable heating. The thermal
expansion of Corian
®
is less than 1 mm per meter for a change of 30°C
in temperature. Though, the Corian
®
material takes time to heat initially
but once heated to desired temperature it provides stable heat throughout
the procedure and surface.
[0029] In another embodiment a provision for large surface area for observation
of culture dish is disclosed. Heating glass assembly 104 is provided that
is embedded within the table top 101 of the IVF workstation 100, in
order to have a heated and optically transparent surface for use as a
microscope stage. The heating glass assembly 104 provided in the
invention is of a rectangular shape which provides additional peripheral
area for accommodation of at least 2 culture dishes in between
manipulation stage. If the user wishes to observe two or more dishes at
a stretch, this arrangement avoids the displacement of the first culture
dish (to heated stage or elsewhere) which leads to loss of temperature of
culture dish leading to other complexities. One such version of glass
assembly is supplied by OKOLAB
®.
It employs Indium Tin Oxide (ITO)
10
coating to obtain uniform heating throughout the glass surface and a
surface sensor to ensure the highest accuracy on temperature reading.
[0030] In another embodiment beneath the Corian
®
table top, there is an
integrated heating assembly which maintains constant temperature of
the heating plate at 37°C (98.6°F).
[0031] In another embodiment one or more microscopes may be mounted on a
table top 101. An integrated UV light source is mounted below the
heated glass assembly to illuminate the sample from underneath.
[0032] In another embodiment an inbuilt cubicle 105a is provided in the rear
face of the workstation for providing a controlled temperature to the
culture dishes. It stores the embryo culture dishes, and the dishes may
be further transferred from the cubicle to the workstation for observation
and treatment.
[0033] Yet another embodiment discloses the opening means of the inbuilt
cubicle 105a to work independent to each other, which prevents the drop
in temperature when such doors are opened, and helps faster regaining
of the desired temperature.
[0034] Yet another embodiment discloses an inbuilt CO2 incubator 105b in
place of an inbuilt cubicle 105a. A CO2 incubator maintains desired
percentage of CO2 and temperature inside its chamber for growth of the
cell, embryo or culture.
[0035] Yet another embodiment discloses an inbuilt Cubicle 105a or CO2
incubator 105b with a mains and standby power source. In a scenario
involving power breakdown, since the incubator placed inside the
11
workstation has a standby power, there is no need to shift the culture
dish from one incubator to another. This keeps the culture dish having
embryo undisturbed and avoids further complexities.
[0036] The incubators are not known to be integrated within the IVF cabinets.
The incorporation of an incubator within the IVF cabinet back-panel as
shown in Figure 1 solves the technical problems of Incompatibility and
recovery time as explained earlier in this patent specification associated
with an external incubator.
[0037] In another embodiment the inbuilt incubator 105b has at least two
opening means. The two opening means provided in the inbuilt CO2
incubator 105b may have an air lock system that maintains sterile air
inside the incubator 105b. The two opening means of the CO2 incubator
105b operate independent to each other, this helps to avoid sudden drop
in Carbon Dioxide and temperature levels, as opening means from only
one side of incubator is used for taking out one culture dish. Since the
exposure of the Incubator with the outside environment is limited, it
enables a faster recovery of CO2 level inside the incubator.
[0038] In one embodiment a CO2 flow meter with regulator valve 110 is
provided to regulate and check the flow of Carbon Dioxide.
[0039] In one embodiment the rear face 102 of workstation 100 has series of air
outlets 106 for air circulation and maintaining the laminar flow of sterile
air over the table top 101. The air is supplied by an integrated unit or
external air supply source connected to the workstation.
[0040] In one embodiment humidifier 107 is provided as shown in Figure 1, to
maintain a stable osmolality within the culture.
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[0041] In one embodiment Electrical universal outlets 113 are provided as
shown in Figure 1, inside the workstation 100.
[0042] In one embodiment one or more display means 111 may be mounted on
the rear face 102 of the workstation 100. The display means 111 may be
connected to a microscope and may be configured to display the images
of the embryo culture viewed through the microscope. The display
means enables easy viewing of embryo culture without disturbing it.
[0043] In one embodiment a digital display 108 is provided on the rear face 102
of the workstation 100 to display the values of CO2 level and
temperature of the heating glass assembly 104.
[0044] Referring to figure 2 and 3, the components already disclosed in the
figure 1 are not shown in the figure 3 and 4 for avoiding the repetition.
[0045] Referring to Figure 2, in one implementation, the present disclosure
discloses a workstation 100 with a one microscope is mounted on a table
top 101.
[0046] In one embodiment the workstation 100 has a microprocessor based
control and display system 109 provided on the front panel. This system
supervises the operation of workstation 100. Temperature of heating
glass assembly 104, humidifier 107 and heating platform 103 is
constantly monitored and controlled by microprocessor based control
and display system 109. Facility for alarm acknowledgement is also
provided in the same system. The controls provided in this system are
easily configurable to meet user requirements and are equipped with a
number of superior features.
[0047] In one embodiment a workstation 100 has a transparent shield 112
covering table top and extended to rear face for providing sealing to the
13
working area. The transparent shield 112 (not shown in figure) is
preferably made up of toughened glass. The system has slots with air
tight provision made in the shield for carrying out the operation
externally without disturbing the internal environment of the
workstation.
[0048] Referring to Figure 3 in one implementation, the present disclosure
discloses a workstation 100, with two microscopes are mounted on a
table top 101.
[0049] The present invention is thus described, it will be obvious that the same
may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as
a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all
such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are
intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
[0050] Referring to Figure 4 wherein a cross sectional view of a table top 101
is illustrated. As perhaps best seen in Figure 2 the rear face 102 of the
table top 101 extends almost perpendicular to the table top 101 forming
a smooth curve in between. In another embodiment of the invention the
rear face 102 may have be at an angle that is not 90° to the table top 101.