NZ625564B2 - Embryo insertion system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed generally towards to embryo insertion systems and methods for use with manufactured seeds. In some embodiments, embryo insertion systems according to the disclosure include an embryo delivery assembly and a fill material deposit assembly. The embryo delivery assembly may include an insertion member, a release assistance member, and a fill material deposit assembly. The fill material deposit assembly may include a fill material containment device, a fill material conveyance device, and optionally, a fill material separation device. Further aspects of the disclosure relate to methods for operating embryo insertion systems according to embodiments of the disclosure to enable simultaneous embryo insertion and fill material delivery. ly may include an insertion member, a release assistance member, and a fill material deposit assembly. The fill material deposit assembly may include a fill material containment device, a fill material conveyance device, and optionally, a fill material separation device. Further aspects of the disclosure relate to methods for operating embryo insertion systems according to embodiments of the disclosure to enable simultaneous embryo insertion and fill material delivery.

Description

EMBRYO INSERTION SYSTEM AND METHOD CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is entitled to and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional ation Ser. No. 61/581,832 filed December 30, 2011 Patent, and titled “EMBRYO ION SYSTEM AND METHOD,” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure is directed generally to al handling systems, and particularly to embryo ion s and methods for use with manufactured seeds.

BACKGROUND Modern agriculture, including silviculture, often requires planting of large numbers of substantially identical plants that are genetically tailored to grow optimally in a particular locale or to possess certain other desirable traits. Production of new plants by sexual reproduction can be slow and is often subject to genetic events resulting in variable traits in its y. As a result, asexual propagation has been shown to yield large numbers of genetically identical embryos for some species. Such embryos are typically further cultured under laboratory conditions until they mature into an autotrophic “seedling” state characterized by an ability to produce their own food via photosynthesis, to resist desiccation, to produce roots able to penetrate soil, and to fend off soil rganisms. chers have experimented in asexual propagation with the production of artificial seeds known as “manufactured seeds." Manufactured seeds lly include the following components: a seed shell, a synthetic gametophyte, and a plant embryo. A manufactured seed that does not contain a plant embryo is known in the industry as a “seed blank.” The seed blank is lly a cylindrical capsule made from biodegradable plastic having an open end and a closed end. ctured seeds are produced by placing the synthetic gametophyte within the seed shell such that it ntially fills the interior of the seed shell. A longitudinally extending hard porous insert, known in the industry as a "cotyledon restraint,” may be centrally located within the synthetic phyte. The cotyledon int includes a centrally located cavity extending partially through its length and is sized to receive the plant embryo. The plant embryo is approximately 4 to 7 millimeters in length and roughly 0.5 millimeters in diameter. The shape of the plant embryo is somewhat cylindrical, but is also irregular in section and varies in diameter along its length. The plant embryo may contain both a e (or root) end and a cotyledon end. The plant embryo is deposited into cavity of the don restraint oriented so that the cotyledon end is inserted first. Subsequently, the plant embryo is typically sealed within the seed shell using at least one end seal.

Numerous types of plant embryo delivery systems have been used to transfer the plant embryo through the manufactured seed production line. Examples of such systems include US. Patent No, 6,684,564, U.S. Patent No. 7,207,139, and U.S. Patent No. 7,603,807, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Although known systems have been effective in transporting plant embryos, problems are often encountered. For example, in some applications, s are hydrated to prevent damage from desiccation. These moist and sticky embryos often remain ed to plant embryo delivery s and may be damaged during removal attempts. Even if the embryo is not damaged, sticking can also cause improper orientation or placement in the seed shell. Either scenario results in the possibility of wasting viable embryos, which is costly in commercial applications.

Accordingly, there is a need in the industry to develop new systems and methods for embryo insertion into manufactured seeds. [0004a] The discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in this specification solely for the purpose of ing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common l knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

SUMMARY The following summary is provided for the benefit of the reader only and is not intended to limit in any way the invention as set forth by the claims. The present disclosure is directed generally towards to embryo insertion systems and methods for use with ctured seeds.

In some embodiments, embryo insertion systems ing to the disclosure include an embryo delivery assembly and a fill material deposit assembly.

The embryo delivery assembly may include an insertion member, a release assistance member, and a fill material deposit assembly. The fill material deposit assembly may include a fill material containment device, a fill material conveyance device, and optionally, a fill material separation device. Further s of the disclosure relate to methods for operating embryo insertion systems ing to embodiments of the disclosure to enable simultaneous embryo insertion and fill al delivery. [0006a] ingly, in one aspect the t invention provides an embryo insertion system comprising: an embryo delivery assembly comprising: an insertion member; and a release ance member arranged inside the insertion member; and a fill material deposit assembly operably connected to the embryo delivery assembly, the fill material deposit assembly comprising: a fill material containment device; and a fill material ance device in operable connection with the fill material containment device and the insertion member. [0006b] In another , the present invention provides an embryo insertion system comprising: an embryo ry assembly comprising an insertion member having a side port; and a fill material deposit assembly operably connected to the side port of the embryo insertion assembly, the fill material deposit assembly being configured to deposit fill material into the embryo insertion ly during operation. [0006c] In a further aspect, the present ion provides an embryo insertion method comprising: (a) providing a manufactured seed having: (i) a seed shell; (ii) a restraint disposed within the seed shell, the restraint having a cavity; (b) inserting a plant embryo into the cavity by an embryo insertion member; and (c) depositing a fill material into the cavity by a fill material conveyance device; wherein steps (b) and (c) are performed simultaneously.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE GS The present disclosure is better understood by reading the following description of non-limitative embodiments with reference to the attached drawings wherein like parts of each of the figures are fied by the same reference characters, and are briefly described as follows: Figure 1 is side cross-sectional planar view of a manufactured seed having a g material in accordance with certain s of the present disclosure; Figure 2 is a side view of a plant embryo suitable for use with embodiments according to the disclosure; Figure 3 is a front isometric view of an embryo insertion system according to embodiments of the disclosure; Figure 4 is a back ric view of an embryo insertion system according to embodiments of the disclosure; Figure 5 is an isometric view of an embryo delivery assembly according to embodiments of the disclosure; Figures 6 and 7 are side views of an embryo insertion system according to embodiments of the disclosure; Figure 8 is an isometric view of an embryo insertion system according to embodiments of the disclosure; Figure 9 is an isometric view of a portion of a fill material deposit assembly according to ments of the disclosure; W0 2013/101486 s 10 and 11 are isometric views of conveyor devices according to embodiments of the disclosure; and Figures 12-14 are side views of embryo insertion systems ing to embodiments of the disclosure in various stages of operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The t disclosure describes to embryo insertion systems and methods for use with manufactured seeds. Certain specific details are set forth in the ing ption and Figures 1-14 to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure. Well-known structures, systems, and methods often associated with such systems have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of s embodiments of the disclosure. in addition, those of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that additional embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced without l of the details described below.

In this disclosure, the term “plant embryo" is used to describe part of a seed consisting of precursor tissues for the leaves, stem, and root, as well as one or more cotyledons. The disclosure is not intended to be d to any particular type of seed. For example, embodiments according to the disclosure are le for use with plant embryos related to agricultural seeds, seeds for producing trees, or any other type of seed.

Figure 1 is a manufactured seed 10 arranged on a coordinate system comprising an x-axis (X), a y-axis (Y), and a z-axis (Z). ctured seeds 10 according to embodiments of the disclosure generally include the following components: a seed shell 12, a shoot restraint 14 disposed within the seed shell 12, and a seal assembly 16 (e.g., a live end seal). The shoot restraint 14 includes a longitudinally extending cavity 18 that extends at least partially through the length of the shoot restraint 14. A plant embryo 20 may be disposed in the cavity 18.

As shown in Figure 1, the seed shell 12 has an open end 22 (e.g., a live end) and a closed end 24 (e.g., a dead end seal). The closed end 24 may be sealed using an end seal 28 or any other means known to a person of ordinary skill in the PCT/U52012/069532 art. The seed shell 12 may be ured to house a nutritive medium 26 that is in functional contact with the embryo 20. Nutritive media 26 ing to the disclosure may include a nce that causes the media to be a semi-solid or have a congealed consistency under normal environmental conditions. Suitable nutritive media 26 are described, for example, in US. Patent No. 699 and U.S. Patent ation Ser. No. 61/387244, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Further, other types of nutritive media 26 that would be le to a person of ordinary skill in the art are foreseen to be within the scope of this sure.

A fill material 30 may be disposed in the cavity 18 of the shoot restraint 14. In some embodiments the fill material 30 is a powder. In some embodiments, the fill material 30 is an adsorbent, such as charcoal, resins, zeolites, alumina, clay, diatomaceous earth, talcum powder, and silica gel. Examples of suitable fill materials are described, for example, in US. Published Patent Application No. 20090090050A1, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Fill materials 30 according to the disclosure may be nutritive or non-nutritive (e.g., release agents). Further, other types of fill materials 30 that would be suitable to a person of ordinary skill in the art are foreseen to be within the scope of this disclosure.

Figure 2 is a more detailed view of the plant embryo 20 shown in Figure 1. The plant embryo 20 is shown having a radicle (or root) end 32 and a cotyledon end 34. Referring back to Figure 1, during conventional assembly of the manufactured seed 10, the plant embryo 20 is first inserted into the cavity before the fill material 30 is deposited. The fill material 30 is preferably, but not necessarily, deposited within the cavity 18 such that it substantially centers the plant embryo 20 within the cavity 18. in embodiments according to the disclosure, the plant embryo 20 and fill material 30 may be inserted in a single step. Figures 3 and 4 are isometric views of an embryo insertion system 50 according to embodiments of the sure. Figure 3 is a front view and Figure 4 is a back view. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the embryo insertion system 50 comprises an embryo delivery assembly 100 and a fill material PCT/U32012/069532 t assembly 200. In embodiments according to the disclosure, the embryo delivery assembly 100 and the fill deposit assembly 200 simultaneously insert a plant embryo 20 (as shown in Figure 2) and fill material 30 (as shown in Figure 1) into a cavity 18 of a ctured seed 10 (as shown in Figure 1).

The embryo insertion system 50 may be mounted on a frame (not shown) as part of a manufacturing system. In some embodiments, the embryo delivery ly 100 may be arranged side-by-side with the fill material deposit assembly 200. The embryo delivery assembly may be housed in a first housing 102 that is operably connected to a second housing 202 for the fill al deposit assembly 200. In some embodiments the first housing 102 and the second g 202 may be te structures, which are attached in any manner known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. In other embodiments, the first housing 102 and the second housing 202 may be integrally manufactured as a single structure.

Figure 5 is a detailed illustration of an embryo delivery assembly 100 ing to embodiments of the sure. Embodiments of the embryo delivery assembly 100 include an insertion member 104 and a release ance member 106. The insertion member 104 is shown arranged in the first housing 102. In some embodiments, the ion member 104 and the release assistance member 106 may have a substantially cylindrical or tubular shape. In other embodiments, other shapes that would be suitable to a person of ordinary skill in the art may be used.

The release assistance member 106 is moveable between an extended position (shown in Figures 5, 12, and 13), a retracted position (shown in Figure 14), and various ediate positions by an actuation assembly. The actuation assembly may include one or more air cylinders 114, an arm mechanism 118, and a shoulder screw 120. Other types of actuation assemblies that are known to a person of ordinary skill in the art may be substituted for the actuation assembly explicitly described. Further details about embryo delivery assemblies 100 suitable for use with systems and methods according to the disclosure are described, for example, in US Patent Application Ser. No. 61/359930 and US Patent Application Ser. No. 61/359917, the contents of which are hereby orated by reference.

PCT/U52012/069532 Figures 6-9 are ed views of components of the fill material deposit ly 200 in operable tion with a portion of the embryo insertion assembly 100 described above. Figures 6 and 7 are side views and Figures 8 and 9 are ric views. Referring to all four figures, fill material deposit assemblies 200 according to embodiments of the disclosure include a fill al conveyance device 204 arranged to deliver fill material in a substantially perpendicular direction with t to the insertion member 104. Referring to Figure 7, the fill material conveyance device 204 may be connected to the insertion member via a port 116 located on the insertion 's side wall.

In some embodiments, the fill material ance device 204 includes a tubing 206 and a conveyor device 208 configured to push fill material 30 into the port 116. Some examples of le conveyor devices 208 are shown in Figures 10 and 11. As shown in Figure 10, conveyor devices 208 according to embodiments of the disclosure may include a helically rotating auger 302. In other embodiments, a rotating drill bit 304 may be used as a conveyor device 208. Further, other types of conveyor devices 208 that would be suitable to a person having ordinary skill in the art may be used. Referring back to Figure 3, the fill material conveyance device 204 is connected to a drive ism 402 through a belt 404 or another connection mechanism. Accordingly, when the drive mechanism 402 is activated, the conveyor device 208 rotates.

Referring back to s 3, 6, and 8, the fill material deposit assembly 200 further includes a fill material containment device 210. The fill material containment device 210 may be any suitable container that is able to hold fill material . For example, in some embodiments the fill material containment device 210 may be rectangular shaped container manufactured to fit in the second housing 202. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the particular shapes and uration of the fill material containment device 210 is one illustration and that other shapes and configurations may be possible The fill material containment device 210 may be detatchable from the first housing 102 and/or pivotable about a point 228 (see Figure 6) to enable filling and/or emptying. 2012/069532 As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the fill al nment device 210 may have a reservoir portion 212 configured to store fill material 30 and a solid portion 214 positioned below the reservoir portion 212. In some embodiments, the solid portion 214 may be substantially rounded or othenivise shaped for easy removal from the second housing 202. The solid portion 214 may also have a l 216 extending therein in a configuration that is substantially perpendicular to the ion member 104. The channel 216 is sized to accommodate the fill material conveyance device 204. Referring to Figure 9, the tubing 206 may have an opening 230 configured to permit the fill material 30 to fall from the fill material containment device 210 into the fill material conveyance device 204. In some embodiments, the solid portion 214 of fill material containment device 210 is integrally formed to define the opening 230.

In some ations, it may be useful to aerate, fluff, or otherwise separate the fill material 30 prior to insertion into the manufactured seed 10.

Referring to Figures 6, 8, and 9, the fill material deposit assembly 200 may further include a fill material separation device 218 positioned above the fill material conveyance device 204. In some embodiments, the fill material separation device 218 may be positioned inside the reservoir portion 212 of the fill material containment device 210. As shown most clearly in Figure 9, the fill material separation device 218 may e a central body 220 and one or more protruding elements 222. The central body 220 may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The elements 222 may have any shape suitable for separating fill material and may be arranged in any configuration on the l body 220 (e.g., fins, small cylinders).

The fill material separation device 218 may be connected to a first gear 224 in operable connection with a second gear 226. The second gear 226 may be connected to the fill material conveyance device 204. Accordingly, when the drive mechanism 402 powers rotation of the second gear 226, the first gear 224 is engaged, thereby rotating the fill material separation assembly 218. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments, the specific configuration of this gear ism could be ent. Further, the fill material tion device 218 may have a drive mechanism that is separate from the fill material ance device's drive mechanism.

PCT/U52012/069532 Methods for using systems according to the disclosure for embryo insertion will now be described with reference to Figures 12-14. In an exemplary embodiment, the plant embryo 20 (e.g., a shown in Figure 2) is transferred from a pick-up device 500 to the embryo ry assembly 100. Pick-up devices 500 are generally known in the art and are typically used to pick up and orient s prior to insertion. Accordingly, the disclosure is not limited to use with a particular type of pick-up device. Although the Figures show the plant embryo 20 oriented with the cotyledon end 34 down with respect to the manufactured seed 10, other types of orientations may be used with systems and methods according to the disclosure.

Examples of pick-up devices 500 that are suitable for use with embodiments of the disclosure are described, for e, in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/359930 and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/359917.

One problem encountered during handoff from the pick-up device 500 is that the plant s 20 often become stuck on the pick-up device 500 or damaged during transfer. Even if a plant embryo 20 is successfully transferred from the pick-up device 500, it may be damaged during insertion into the ctured seed 10.

Because plant embryos 20 are dissimilar in shape and size, it is difficult to design a single on for delivering all types of embryos without damage.

Referring to Figure 12, fill material 30 may be loaded into the reservoir portion 212 of the fill al containment device 210 as shown by arrow 502. As the fill material 30 falls, the fill material separation device 218 may be activated, thereby rotating the fill material separation device 218 as shown by arrow 504 and the fill material ance device 204 as shown by arrow 506 (see Figure 13). As a result, the fill material 30 is aerated, fluffed, or otherwise separated before it reaches the fill material conveyance device 204. According to embodiments of the disclosure, while the plant embryo 20 is connected to the pick-up device 500, the embryo insertion system 50 is lowered (as shown by arrow 506) so that the insertion member 104 surrounds the plant embryo 20. Because the ion member 104 may have a notch (not shown) the pick-up device 500 can grasp the plant embryo 20 while the ion member 104 nds it. During this stage, the release assistance PCT/U52012/069532 member 106 is in the retracted position as shown in Figure 12, the end 108 being located above the port 116.

After the plant embryo 20 is properly surrounded, the pick-up device 500 releases the plant embryo 20 so that it may fall into the cavity 18. Referring to Figure 13, the fill material conveyance device 204 simultaneously rs fill al 30 to the insertion member 104 via the port 116 so that it rains down on the plant embryo . In some ations, these steps alone may be sufficient to successfully place the plant embryo 20 into the cavity 18 of the manufactured seed 10. Additionally, a portion of the fill material 30 may also be deposited into the cavity 18 with the embryo. The pick-up device 500 may then be retracted.

In other applications, the plant embryo 20 may remain stuck on the pick- up device 500 or ise require additional assistance. In these cases, after the pick-up device 500 has been retracted, the release ance member 106 may be transitioned from the retracted position shown in Figures 12 and 13 to an extended position as shown in Figure 14. Even if the plant embryo 20 has been successfully ted, movement of the e assistance member 106 may also be effective to ensure that the fill material 30 has been removed and is not clogging the insertion member 104.

Embodiments according to the disclosure are ed to aid in embryo insertion and delivery of fill material. Referring to Figure 1, in some embodiments, the cavity 18 may be filled with enough fill material 30 so that the plant embryo 20 and the fill material 30 fill 100% of the cavity. In other embodiments, the cavity 18 may be lly filled so that additional fill material 30 may be added during a later step in the manufacturing process. Although not necessary, in some embodiments, additional fill material 30 may be added to the cavity as part of the manufacturing process.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the disclosure. For example, the specific configuration and geometry of the fill material containment device 204 may be modified based on the knowledge of a person having ordinary skill in the art. Aspects of the disclosure bed in the context of particular embodiments may be combined or eliminated in other embodiments. For example, fill material deposit assemblies 200 according to the disclosure may include a fill material conveyance device 204 and a fill material containment device 210. In some embodiments, a fill material separation device 218 may or may not be included.

Additionally, the specific uration of the afore-mentioned components may be adjusted according to the practices of a person having ordinary skill in the art. r, while ages associated with certain embodiments of the disclosure may have been described in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also t such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the disclosure.

Accordingly, the ion is not limited except as by the appended claims.

Throughout the ption and claims of this specification, the word “comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and “comprises”, is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims (21)

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. An embryo insertion system comprising: an embryo delivery assembly comprising: an insertion member; and a release assistance member arranged inside the insertion member; and a fill material deposit assembly operably connected to the embryo delivery assembly, the fill material deposit ly comprising: a fill material containment device; and a fill material ance device in operable connection with the fill material containment device and the insertion member.

2. The embryo insertion system of claim 1, r comprising a fill material separation device operably connected to the fill material containment device.

3. The embryo insertion system of claim 2, wherein the fill material conveyance device and the fill material tion device are positioned inside the fill material containment device.

4. The embryo ion system of claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising a drive ism operably connected to the fill material conveyance device.

5. The embryo insertion system of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fill material nment device comprises a reservoir portion and a solid portion, a channel being positioned in the solid n to accommodate the fill material conveyance .

6. The embryo insertion system of claim 5, wherein the fill material separation device is located inside the reservoir portion of the fill material containment device.

7. The embryo insertion system of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the fill material separation device comprises a central body having one or more protruding elements ing from the central body.

8. The embryo insertion system of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the fill material conveyance device comprises a tubing and a ng auger.

9. An embryo insertion system comprising: an embryo delivery assembly comprising an insertion member having a side port; and a fill material deposit assembly operably ted to the side port of the embryo ion assembly, the fill material deposit assembly being configured to deposit fill material into the embryo insertion ly during ion.

10. An embryo insertion system of claim 9, wherein the fill material deposit assembly further comprises: a fill material containment device having a reservoir portion and a sold portion, the solid portion having a channel; a fill material ance device arranged in the channel in a configuration substantially perpendicular to the insertion member; and a fill material separation device positioned inside the reservoir portion.

11. The embryo insertion system of claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the embryo insertion member further comprises a release assistance member arranged inside the insertion member, the release assistance member being moveable between a retracted position, an extended on, and one or more intermediate positions.

12. The embryo insertion system of claim 10 or claim 11, further comprising a drive mechanism operably connected to the fill material conveyance device and the fill material separation device.

13. An embryo insertion method comprising: (a) providing a ctured seed having: (i) a seed shell; (ii) a restraint ed within the seed shell, the restraint having a cavity; (b) inserting a plant embryo into the cavity by an embryo insertion member; and (c) depositing a fill material into the cavity by a fill material conveyance device; wherein steps (b) and (c) are performed simultaneously.

14. The embryo insertion method of claim 13, wherein step (b) comprises: lowering an embryo insertion system, the embryo insertion system comprising the embryo insertion member, around the plant embryo so that the insertion member surrounds the plant embryo positioned above the manufactured seed with a p device; releasing the plant embryo with the pick-up device.

15. The embryo insertion method of claim 14, wherein step (c) comprises: providing a fill material containment device as part of the embryo ion system; depositing fill material into the fill material containment device; providing a fill material conveyance device in connection with the embryo insertion, the fill material conveyance device being in operable tion with the ion member; and rotating the fill material conveyance device, y ring the fill material to a port located on the insertion member.

16. The embryo insertion method of claim 15, further comprising the step of separating the fill material before the step of rotating the fill material conveyance device.

17. The embryo insertion method of claim 16, wherein the step of separating the fill material is performed by a fill material tion device arranged inside the fill material containment device, the fill material separation device sing a central rotating body having one or more protruding elements.

18. The embryo insertion method of any one of claims 13 to 17, n the fill material ance device comprises a tubing and a rotating auger.

19. The embryo insertion method of any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the fill material is a powder.

20. The embryo insertion method of any one of claim 13 to 18, wherein the fill material is charcoal, resins, zeolites, alumina, clay, diatomaceous earth, or silica gel.

21. An embryo insertion system of claim 1 or claim 9, or an embryo insertion method of claim 13, substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the