US 12,233,539 B2
Systems and methods for plant embryo orientation and replating
Ross Megargel, Denver, CO (US); Christopher Reppe, Waukee, IA (US); Jacob Patrick Suther, Waukee, IA (US); and Jeffrey Dale Wille, Ankeny, IA (US)
Assigned to PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC., Johnston, IA (US)
Filed by CORTEVA AGRISCIENCE LLC, Indianapolis, IN (US); and PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC., Johnston, IA (US)
Filed on Dec. 11, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/534,902.
Application 18/534,902 is a continuation of application No. 16/092,619, granted, now 11,890,750, previously published as PCT/US2017/027924, filed on Apr. 17, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/332,646, filed on May 6, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2024/0109204 A1, Apr. 4, 2024
Int. Cl. B25J 15/06 (2006.01); A01H 4/00 (2006.01); H04N 7/18 (2006.01)
CPC B25J 15/0616 (2013.01) [A01H 4/00 (2013.01); A01H 4/001 (2013.01); H04N 7/181 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A plant embryo orientation apparatus capable of placing a plant embryo in a desired orientation on a surface comprising:
first and second vacuum nozzle assemblies, wherein each of the first and second nozzle assemblies comprises a respective first and second vacuum nozzle, each of the vacuum nozzles having respective distal ends, wherein each vacuum nozzle is configured to apply suction to retain a plant embryo against the distal end of the vacuum nozzle, and each vacuum nozzle is selectively rotatable between a release/retrieval position and an embryo transfer position in which the distal end of the first vacuum nozzle is positioned proximate the distal end of the second vacuum nozzle,
at least one controller that is communicatively coupled to the first and second vacuum nozzles to control rotation of the vacuum nozzles of the first and second nozzle assemblies between the release/retrieval position and the embryo transfer position,
at least one visualization system operably linked to the at least one controller, wherein the controller is configured to determine if the orientation of an embryo selected and retained by the first vacuum nozzle corresponds to a desired orientation, and
wherein in response to determining the orientation of the embryo selected and retained by the first vacuum nozzle does not correspond to a desired orientation, activates an assembly to position the first and second vacuum nozzle in the embryo transfer position, transfers the embryo from the first vacuum nozzle to the second vacuum nozzle, and directs the second vacuum nozzle to place and release the embryo on a desired surface, and wherein in response to determining the orientation of the embryo selected and retained by the first vacuum nozzle corresponds to a desired orientation, directs the first vacuum nozzle to place and release the embryo on a desired surface without transferring the embryo from the first vacuum nozzle to the second vacuum nozzle.