Sperm analysis system
First Claim
1. A sperm analysis system comprising:
- (a) a sperm sample carrier including;
(1) a shank defining a chamber and an opening into the chamber for ingress and egress of a sperm sample, (2) manually operated means for aspirating a sample of sperm into the chamber, and (3) a plurality of distinct photon paths intersecting and passing through the chamber;
(b) a processor responsive to an actuation signal from an operator;
(c) photon source means, energized by the processor in response to the actuation signal, for sending respective beams of photons through each of the photon paths;
(d) a plurality of photosensing means, one for each photon path, each for producing a signal indicative of the occurrence and frequency of perturbations in the beam of photons passing through said each'"'"'s respective photon path and communicating the signal to the processor;
(e) an algorithm run by the processor for processing the plurality of photosensing means'"'"' signals to produce a quantified figure of merit indicative of the motility of sperm within the chamber; and
(f) means for communicating to an operator the figure of merit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sperm analysis system has a sperm sample carrier (20) and “reader” module. The sperm sample carrier includes: 1) a shank (24) defining a chamber (26) with an opening for ingress and egress of a sperm sample; a manually operated pump (28) for aspirating a sample of sperm into the chamber (26), and a plurality of distinct photon paths (34) intersecting and passing through the chamber (26). The module includes: a processor responsive to an actuation signal from an operator, a photon source, e.g. a light source, energized by the processor in response to the actuation signal, for sending respective beams of photons through each of the photon paths, a plurality of photosensors, one for each photon path, each for producing a signal indicative of the occurrence and frequency of perturbations in the beam of photons passing through said each'"'"'s respective photon path and communicating the signal to the processor, and an algorithm run by the processor for processing the plurality of photosensors signals to produce a quantified figure of merit indicative of the motility of sperm within the chamber.
39 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A sperm analysis system comprising:
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(a) a sperm sample carrier including;
(1) a shank defining a chamber and an opening into the chamber for ingress and egress of a sperm sample, (2) manually operated means for aspirating a sample of sperm into the chamber, and (3) a plurality of distinct photon paths intersecting and passing through the chamber;
(b) a processor responsive to an actuation signal from an operator;
(c) photon source means, energized by the processor in response to the actuation signal, for sending respective beams of photons through each of the photon paths;
(d) a plurality of photosensing means, one for each photon path, each for producing a signal indicative of the occurrence and frequency of perturbations in the beam of photons passing through said each'"'"'s respective photon path and communicating the signal to the processor;
(e) an algorithm run by the processor for processing the plurality of photosensing means'"'"' signals to produce a quantified figure of merit indicative of the motility of sperm within the chamber; and
(f) means for communicating to an operator the figure of merit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
(a) a tray defining a plurality of uniform, closed cavities;
(b) each cavity containing a precise amount of semen diluent; and
(c) each cavity including means for inserting the shank of a carrier into the cavity to expel a semen sample from the carrier into the diluent and to stir them together, the mixture then being aspirated in the carrier for testing.
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12. The system according to claim 11 wherein the cavities are closed by a frangible seal which can be breached by a shank of a carrier.
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13. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a portable module in which the processor, the photon source means, and the plurality of photosensing means are incorporated, the module further comprising:
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(a) a base including means for locating and seating a carrier, and (b) a wall closeable upon the base to sandwich a seated carrier therebetween, the base and wall being separable for cleaning, (c) the photon paths of a seated carrier being aligned between, and in communication with, the photon source means and respective photosensing means.
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14. The system according to claim 13 wherein the base and wall open and close like a clamshell.
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15. The system according to claim 13 wherein the photon source means is incorporated in the base, and wherein the photosensing means are incorporated in the wall.
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16. The system according to claim 13 wherein the module is battery powered, and further comprising memory in which the processor can store the results of a plurality of analyses and other related information.
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17. The system according to claim 13 a portable case for storing and carrying a plurality of modules.
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18. The system according to claim 17 further comprising:
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(a) for each module, a rechargeable battery for energizing the module, and (b) means, incorporated in the case, for recharging modules, (c) case processor means for downloading and storing information from modules'"'"' memories for further processing.
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19. The system according to ,claims 1, wherein one of the plurality of photon paths is disposed at a point which contains no semen, and further comprising a second algorithm run by the processor which recognizes this photon path as a reference path and which uses the photosensing signal from the reference path and one of the other photon path signals to quantify the sperm density of a sample.
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20. The system according to claim 1 wherein the shank is transparent, including a plurality of optically clear orifices, each photon path being defined by a pair of aligned orifices on opposite sides of the chamber.
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21. A semen sample carrier comprising:
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(a) a shank defining a chamber and an opening into the chamber for ingress and egress of a sperm sample, (b) manually operated means for aspirating a sample of sperm into the chamber, and (c) a plurality of distinct photon paths intersecting and passing through the chamber for photodetection of sperm characteristics.
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Specification