# US 11,440,057 B2 · Pupae singulator and sex sorter

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- Number: US 11,440,057 B2
- Document ID: US11440057B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/924,885
- Filed: 2020-07-09
- Published: 2021-01-14
- Granted: 2022-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 2019-07-11
- Assignees: Verily Life Sciences LLC
- Applicants: Verily Life Sciences LLC
- Inventors: Daniel Greeley
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11440057B2

## CPC

- B07C 5/36: Sorting apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution {(sorting according to destination B07C3/003, B07C3/02)}
- A01K 29/00: Other apparatus for animal husbandry
- A01K 67/366: Insect counting or dosing systems
- B07C 1/04: Forming a stream from a bulk; Controlling the stream, e.g. spacing the articles
- B07C 5/342: according to optical properties, e.g. colour {(according to radiation transmittivity B07C5/3416)}
- B07C: POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING (specially adapted for a specific purpose covered by another class, see the relevant place, e.g. A43D33/06, B23Q7/12)
- A01K: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS

## Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for isolating an insect pupa from an aqueous solution including a plurality of insect pupae. An isolation device may include a primary channel through which the aqueous solution and insect pupae travel, an outlet, and a secondary channel that intersects the primary channel. The secondary channel may transport a fluid to add it to the primary channel between an inlet and the outlet. When the sealable outlet is closed, an insect pupa located downstream of the intersection of the primary and secondary channels remains stationary while any insect pupae upstream of the intersection are pushed towards the inlet. The systems and methods described herein may also provide for identifying and sorting insect pupae.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An insect pupae sorting system, comprising:
an isolation device comprising:
a primary channel to deliver a first flow of liquid including insect pupae, the primary channel comprising an inlet and an outlet; and
a first secondary channel that intersects the primary channel at a first intersection between the inlet and the outlet to deliver a second flow of liquid into the primary channel to generate a third flow of liquid and to separate adjacent insect pupae being transported through the primary channel;
an optical sensor positioned proximate the outlet of the isolation device to capture images of pupae from the third flow of liquid, wherein the optical sensor is positioned between the first intersection and the outlet; and
a storage unit system coupled to the outlet that includes a container into which insect pupae of a first type are directed based at least in part on the captured images.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The insect pupae sorting system of claim 1, wherein the storage unit system comprises:
at least one container to support a volume of liquid and insect pupae; and
a valve positioned on a conduit between the isolation device and the at least one container, wherein a single insect pupa that is separated from the adjacent insect pupae is directed into the at least one container by opening the valve.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The insect pupae sorting system of claim 1, wherein:
the primary channel has a first cross-sectional dimension corresponding to a size of the insect pupae; and
the first secondary channel has a second cross-sectional dimension smaller than a dimension of the insect pupae.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The insect pupae sorting system of claim 1, further comprising a pupa detection system for detecting when a single insect pupa passes the first intersection of the primary channel and the first secondary channel.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The insect pupae sorting system of claim 4, wherein the outlet comprises a closing device for shutting the outlet when the single insect pupa passes the first secondary channel.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The insect pupae sorting system of claim 4, wherein the optical sensor is configured to capture the image when the single insect pupa passes the first secondary channel.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The insect pupae sorting system of claim 1, wherein the isolation device further comprises a second secondary channel that intersects the primary channel between the first intersection and the outlet at a second intersection to selectively deliver a fourth flow of liquid into the primary channel to augment the third flow of liquid and to further separate the adjacent insect pupae being transported through the primary channel, wherein the second flow of liquid and the fourth flow of liquid are independently and selectively deliverable into the primary channel.

### Claim 8

A method of sorting insect pupae, comprising:
providing, at an inlet of a primary channel of an insect isolation device, a flow of fluid comprising pupae in a first direction toward an outlet of the primary channel, the first primary channel having a dimension corresponding to a size of a representative pupa of the pupae;
providing, at a first intersection with the primary channel, a second flow of fluid through a first secondary channel into the primary channel;
determining that an individual pupa has passed the first secondary channel; and
after the individual pupa has passed the first secondary channel:
capturing an image of the individual pupa using an optical sensor positioned between the first intersection and the outlet;
determining a pupa type of the individual pupa based on the image; and
sorting the individual pupa based on the pupa type.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, further comprising closing the outlet of the primary channel after the individual pupa has passed the first secondary channel, and wherein closing the outlet causes the flow of fluid to advance through the primary channel in a second direction, different from the first direction.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein sorting the individual pupa based on the pupa type comprises opening a valve downstream of the outlet of the primary channel to direct the individual pupa to a container system based on the pupa type.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, further comprising determining a number of pupae sorted to each pupa type.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, further comprising providing a third flow of fluid, through a second secondary channel, into the primary channel.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein determining that the individual pupa has passed the first secondary channel comprises using a laser gate across the primary channel adjacent to the first secondary channel.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the pupa type is at least one of:
a male pupa;
a female pupa;
a larvae; or
debris.

### Claim 15

An insect pupae sorting system, comprising:
an isolation device comprising:
a primary channel having an inlet and an outlet;
a first secondary channel intersecting the primary channel between the inlet and the outlet at a first intersection; and
a cover that encloses the primary channel and the first secondary channel into fully-enclosed passages;
an optical sensor positioned between the first intersection and the outlet to capture an image of an insect pupa in the isolation device;
a storage system including at least one holding tank in fluid communication with the isolation device; and
a processor configured to execute processor executable instructions stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to cause the processor to:
determine the insect pupa has passed the first secondary channel;
receive an image of the insect pupa from the optical sensor;
determine a pupa characteristic based on the image; and
cause the insect pupa to travel into holding tank of the storage system based at least in part on the pupa characteristic.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The insect pupae sorting system of claim 15, wherein the processor executable instructions are further configured to receive the image of the insect pupa when the insect pupa passes the first secondary channel.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The insect pupae sorting system of claim 16, wherein the processor executable instructions are further configured to cause the processor to cause the outlet to close after determining the insect pupa has passed the first secondary channel.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The insect pupae sorting system of claim 17, wherein the processor executable instructions are further configured to cause the processor to cause the outlet to open after capturing the image of the insect pupa.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The insect pupae sorting system of claim 15, wherein the pupa characteristic comprises at least one of:
male;
female;
larva; and
waste.

### Claim 20 (depends on 15)

The insect pupae sorting system of claim 15, wherein the processor executable instructions are further configured to cause the processor to cause a fluid inlet to add fluid at the outlet when more than one insect pupa passes the first secondary channel.

### Claim 21 (depends on 15)

The insect pupae sorting system of claim 15, wherein the processor executable instructions are further configured to cause the processor to cause selective closure of the outlet to position the insect pupa for imaging.

### Claim 22

An insect pupae sorting system, comprising:
a body;
a first channel formed in the body to transport a first flow of fluid comprising insect pupae, the first channel having a first dimension corresponding to a size of the insect pupae and comprising:
a pupae inlet at a first end of the first channel;
a first liquid inlet at a second end of the first channel, the first liquid inlet configured to introduce a first liquid flow into the first channel to change a flow direction in the first channel; and
a first liquid outlet at the second end of the first channel, the first liquid outlet configured to remove liquid from the first channel;
a second channel formed in the body that intersects the first channel between the pupae inlet and the first liquid inlet and provides a conduit between the first channel and a third channel, wherein the third channel is formed in the body and provides a conduit between a first pupae outlet and a second pupae outlet, the third channel intersected by the second channel between the first pupae outlet and the second pupae outlet;
a second liquid inlet adjacent the first pupae outlet; and
a third liquid inlet adjacent the second pupae outlet, the second liquid inlet and third liquid inlet configured to selectively deliver a second and third liquid flow into the third channel.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The insect pupae sorting system of claim 22, further comprising a fourth channel that intersects the first channel between the pupae inlet and the second channel, the fourth channel to deliver a fourth flow of liquid into the first channel to generate a fifth flow of liquid directable to the first liquid outlet, the first pupae outlet, or the second pupae outlet.

### Claim 24 (depends on 22)

The insect pupae sorting system of claim 22, wherein the first channel comprises a tapered funnel section to guide insect pupae from the pupae inlet into the first channel.

### Claim 25 (depends on 22)

The insect pupae sorting system of claim 22, wherein the first channel comprises:
a first portion having a first cross-sectional dimension; and
a second portion having a second cross-sectional dimension, wherein:
the second cross-sectional dimension is smaller than the first cross-sectional dimension; and
the first cross-sectional dimension enables the pupae to change direction within the first channel.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The insect pupae sorting system of claim 25, wherein the first portion has a first width and the first channel comprises a third portion having a second width, the second width smaller than the first width.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The insect pupae sorting system of claim 26, wherein the second portion is adjacent and in between each of the first portion and the third portion.

### Claim 28

A method of imaging and sorting insect pupae, comprising:
providing a first flow of liquid comprising pupae into a first channel of an insect isolation device and through the first channel in a first direction, the first channel having a dimension corresponding to a size of a representative pupa of the pupae;
adjusting the first flow of liquid by introducing a second flow of liquid via a second channel to position an individual pupa in an imaging portion of the first channel;
capturing an image of the individual pupa using an optical sensor positioned between the second channel and a first and second pupae outlet;
determining a pupa type of the individual pupa based on the image; and
providing a third flow of liquid to sort the individual pupa into the first pupae outlet or the second pupae outlet based on the pupa type.

### Claim 29 (depends on 28)

The method of claim 28, further comprising determining a number of pupae sorted into the first pupae outlet or the second pupae outlet.

### Claim 30 (depends on 29)

The method of claim 29, wherein the optical sensor is positioned adjacent the first pupae outlet or the second pupae outlet, and wherein determining the number of pupae comprises receiving data from the optical sensor.

### Claim 31 (depends on 28)

The method of claim 28, wherein adjusting the first flow of liquid comprises introducing the second flow of liquid in a second direction opposite the first direction.

### Claim 32 (depends on 28)

The method of claim 28, wherein providing the second flow of liquid comprises opening the first pupae outlet or the second pupae outlet based on the pupa type.

### Claim 33 (depends on 1)

The insect pupae sorting system of claim 1, wherein substantially all of the first flow of liquid, the second flow of liquid, and the third flow of liquid that enters the primary channel exits the primary channel at the outlet.

### Claim 34 (depends on 1)

The insect pupae sorting system of claim 1, wherein the inlet of the primary channel is the only inlet of the primary channel and the outlet of the primary channel is the only outlet of the primary channel.

### Claim 35 (depends on 1)

The insect pupae sorting system of claim 1, wherein the outlet is selectively operable between an open position and a closed position such that, when the outlet is in the closed position, a first insect pupae of the adjacent insect pupae is separated from other insect pupae of the adjacent insect pupae by remaining stagnant in the third flow of liquid while the other insect pupae are carried by the third flow towards the inlet of the primary channel.