CN108290086B

CN108290086B - Blood separator extraction device for extracting platelet-rich growth factors

Info

Publication number: CN108290086B
Application number: CN201680000764.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 宋东范
Original assignee: Guangzhou Paili Biotechnology Co ltd
Current assignee: GUANGZHOU PAILI BIOTECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD.
Priority date: 2015-06-01
Filing date: 2016-06-17
Publication date: 2021-06-08
Anticipated expiration: 2036-06-17
Also published as: WO2016192502A1; WO2016195126A1; CN108290086A

Abstract

A blood separation and extraction device for extracting a platelet-rich growth factor, wherein centrifugation is performed in a state where blood is contained in a containing space section (102) formed in the lower part of a main tube (100), white blood cells as a separation layer of the centrifuged blood are injected into a separation space section (104) of the main tube (100), and then an upper cap (300) is coupled so as to communicate with a passage section (105) of the main tube (100) so that only concentrated platelets can be collected and extracted, whereby separation of blood and extraction of concentrated platelets can be performed simultaneously by one centrifugation and one container.

Description

Blood separator extraction device for extracting platelet-rich growth factors

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a blood separation and extraction device for extracting a platelet-rich growth factor, and more particularly, to a blood separation and extraction device for extracting a platelet-rich growth factor, which is configured to perform separation and concentration operations simultaneously using one container and to improve the separation and extraction operations even by only one centrifugal separation.

In addition, the present invention relates to a blood separation and extraction device for extracting a platelet-rich growth factor, which is improved in a structure in which most of leukocytes extracted in a container can be collected and extracted using a syringe.

Background

Blood circulating in blood vessels in the human or animal body performs a variety of functions such as: oxygen inhaled from the lung is transported to tissue cells, carbon dioxide is transported from the tissue to the lung and released to the outside, nutrients absorbed by the digestive tract are transported to organs or tissue cells, unnecessary substances to the living body are transported to the kidney and discharged to the outside as decomposition products of the tissue, hormones (hormones) secreted from endocrine glands are transported to acting organs or tissues, body heat is uniformly dispersed, and body temperature is constantly maintained.

Although such blood is also used as a main index for judging various diseases or health conditions, platelets and leukocytes rich in Growth factors (Growth factors) in blood are used for therapeutic purposes.

Blood includes red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and the like, wherein platelets are mainly present in Plasma, and the Plasma is divided into a Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) layer and a Platelet Poor Plasma (PPP) layer.

Platelet-Rich Plasma called PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma: Platelet-concentrated Plasma) is located at a relatively lower part of Plasma and contains Growth factors such as cytokine (cytokine), Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF), Transforming Growth Factor-BETA 1(Transforming Growth Factor-BETA1, TGF-BETA1), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGP), etc., and it has been clarified in papers and the like that it is particularly effective for skin diseases and wound healing.

In addition, Plasma which is almost free of platelets, called PPP (Platelet Poor Plasma: Platelet Poor Plasma), is used as an autologous blood filler, or an autologous Plasma cosmetic.

Among them, the layer of concentrated platelets (PRP) is only about 1% of the collected blood, and is difficult to collect because it has high viscosity and adheres to red blood cells. The concentrated platelet (PRP) has been used for therapeutic purposes because it stimulates surrounding stem cells and contributes to cell generation when transplanted to an affected part, particularly, the inner side of the knee, ligaments, muscles, etc., but is difficult to collect because of its small amount and adhesion to red blood cells, and the red blood cells, if entered into the human body, cause a great deal of pain and cause inflammation, and therefore, the technology of collecting the concentrated platelet (PRP) from which red blood cells are removed has been focused.

However, conventionally, in order to extract a concentrated platelet layer, there is a process of concentrating blood by a primary centrifugation process and a secondary centrifugation process, in which after blood is injected into a lower liquid chamber of a primary separation container having upper and lower liquid chambers, the primary separation container into which the blood is injected is subjected to primary centrifugation, and white blood cells and a Buffy coat layer separated in the primary centrifugation process are pushed and moved to the upper liquid chamber.

Thereafter, there is the following procedure: the white blood cells and the buffy coat layer in the upper liquid chamber are transferred to the secondary separation container side, and the secondary centrifugal separation is performed again to concentrate the white blood cells and the buffy coat layer, thereby extracting the concentrated platelets.

In this case, the following problems arise: not only is there a loss in the process of moving the separation layer of the blood subjected to the primary centrifugal separation to the secondary separation container side, but also the primary centrifugal separation operation and the secondary centrifugal separation operation are complicated and the operation time is long.

Disclosure of Invention

[ problems to be solved by the invention ]

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned various problems, and an object thereof is to provide a blood separation and extraction device for extracting a platelet-rich growth factor, which is improved in the following manner: the process for extracting and collecting the concentrated platelets can be performed using one container, and the centrifugation process can be simplified, and the separation and extraction of the concentrated platelets can be achieved even by one centrifugation process.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a blood separation and extraction device for extracting a platelet-rich growth factor, which has an improved structure so as to easily realize separation and extraction of platelets in a separation layer of separated blood.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a blood separation and extraction device for extracting platelet-rich growth factors that is constructed in an improved manner in which most of the leukocytes extracted in a container can be recovered using a syringe.

[ means for solving problems ]

The present invention for achieving the above object comprises: a main tube having a lower portion formed with a housing space portion for housing blood, an upper portion formed with a passage portion having an inclined portion with an inner diameter narrower than the lower portion and an upper end opened, and a separation space portion for housing a part of a separation layer of blood separated by centrifugal separation of the blood via the passage portion;

a slider (slider) slidably coupled to the accommodation space portion, and configured to push the separation layer of the blood separated by the centrifugal separation toward the separation space portion via the passage portion; and

an upper cap (cap) which is detachably coupled to an upper end portion of the main tube, which has a central lower portion formed with a coupling portion that is coupled to an upper end of the passage portion when the cap is coupled to the main tube, and which has a reservoir portion formed so as to extend toward a lower portion on one side of the coupling portion, and which allows the concentrated platelets in the separation layer of blood to flow into the reservoir portion when the slider is raised; and is

The upper cover has an inlet port into which a first syringe for injecting the blood through the passage portion can be inserted, a first outlet port into which a second syringe for extracting the concentrated platelets contained in the reservoir portion to the outside can be inserted, and a second outlet port into which a third syringe for extracting the leukocytes contained in the separation space portion to the outside can be inserted,

and a guide tube coupled to the second outlet port side, extending to a lower portion of the separation space, and guiding a needle (needle) of the third syringe.

In addition, the apparatus of the present invention: the injection port, the first outflow port and the second outflow port are combined with a first rubber plug, a second rubber plug and a third rubber plug which are elastic and can be used for the needle of each of the first syringe, the second syringe and the third syringe to enter.

In addition, the apparatus of the present invention: the guide tube includes a large diameter portion coupled to the third rubber stopper, a small diameter portion elongated in an eccentric manner with the large diameter portion, and an inclined portion connecting the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion,

a notch portion through which an end portion of the needle of the third syringe passes is formed at a lower end portion of the small diameter portion.

The apparatus of the present invention further includes a lower cover coupled to a lower portion of the main tube to prevent the slider from falling off, and a through hole is formed at a center thereof to allow the elevating mechanism to move in and out by pushing the slider upward to ascend.

In addition, the apparatus of the present invention: the upper cover further includes a separation plate formed on a bottom surface of the storage part so as to vertically protrude.

[ Effect of the invention ]

The present invention has the following effects.

First, a separation space portion and a receiving space portion are formed in the main tube and partitioned by a middle passage portion, and a storage portion communicating with the passage portion is disposed at a lower portion of the upper cover when the upper cover is coupled, thereby providing the following effects: the separation layer for separating and extracting blood can be separated by one container, thereby preventing loss during transportation and greatly shortening operation time.

Second, the present invention is to realize separation and extraction of blood in one container through one centrifugal separation process, thereby having advantages of improving convenience of work and improving efficiency of work.

Thirdly, although the depth of the separation space 104 in which the white blood cells are accommodated is large, the needle 31 of the third syringe 30 is guided to the guide tube 400, and thus stable collection can be achieved.

Fourth, the accommodation space 102 and the separation space 104 are partitioned by the inclined portion 105a, and the lower portion of the separation space 104 becomes narrower toward the inner wall surface side of the main tube 100. In this case, the end of the needle 31 guided in the guide tube 400 is located at a position corresponding to the middle portion of the inclined portion 105a, and therefore it is difficult to extract the white blood cells remaining in the lowermost portion of the gradually narrowing separation space portion 104, but the end of the guide needle 31 is bent by the small diameter portion 402 and the notch portion 402a eccentrically located on the lower portion side of the guide tube 400, and the white blood cells remaining in the lowermost portion of the separation space portion 104 can be extracted.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a blood separation and extraction device for extracting a platelet-rich growth factor according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing fig. 1 in a bottom view.

Fig. 3 is a combination state diagram of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a coupling part and a storage part of the present invention.

Fig. 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, and 5g are usage state diagrams sequentially showing usage states of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a partially cut-away perspective view showing another embodiment of the storage part of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a state diagram for use of fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the device of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the guide tube of fig. 8.

[ description of symbols ]

10: first syringe

20: second syringe

30: third syringe

31: needle

100: main body pipe

102: accommodating space part

104: separation space section

105: passage part

105a, 403: inclined part

200: sliding block

210: first plug part

220: second plug part

250: lower cover

255: through hole

300: upper cover

300 a: a first outflow port

300 b: a second outflow opening

300 c: injection port

302: second rubber plug

303: third rubber plug

304: first rubber plug

310: joining part

312: combining hole

320: storage part

330: separating plate

400: guiding tube

401: major diameter portion

402: small diameter part

402 a: cut-out part

P: concentration of platelets

R: red blood cell

W: white blood cell

Detailed Description

The present invention is to perform a separation of blood and an extraction operation of concentrated platelets and white blood cells by performing a centrifugal separation in a state where blood is contained in a containing space portion formed in a lower portion of a main tube, separating white blood cells as a separation layer of the centrifugally separated blood into the separation space portion of the main tube, and then coupling an upper cap so as to communicate with a passage portion of the main tube so that only the concentrated platelets can be collected and extracted, thereby performing a separation of blood and an extraction operation of the concentrated platelets and white blood cells by one centrifugal separation and one container.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As described with reference to fig. 1 to 5, the blood separation and extraction device for extracting a platelet-rich growth factor according to the present invention includes: a main tube 100 having a receiving space 102 formed at a lower portion thereof for receiving blood, a passage 105 formed at an upper portion of the receiving space 102 and having an inclined portion 105a with an inner diameter narrower than the lower portion thereof, and an open upper end, and a separation space 104 formed therein, the separation space 104 receiving a part of a separation layer of blood separated by centrifugal separation of the blood via the passage 105; a slider 200 slidably coupled to the housing space 102, and configured to push the separation layer of the blood separated by the centrifugal separation toward the separation space 104 via the passage 105; and an upper cap 300 detachably coupled to an upper end portion of the main tube 100, having a coupling portion 310 formed at a central lower portion thereof to be coupled to an upper end of the passage portion 105 when coupled to the main tube 100, and having a reservoir portion 320, wherein the reservoir portion 320 is formed to extend toward a lower portion of one side of the coupling portion 310, and when the slider 200 is lifted, the concentrated platelets P in the separation layer for supplying blood flow into the reservoir portion and are accommodated therein.

An injection port 300c into which a first syringe 10 for injecting the blood through the passage portion 105 is allowed to enter, a first outlet 300a into which a second syringe 20 for extracting the concentrated platelets P contained in the reservoir portion 320 to the outside is allowed to enter, and a second outlet 300b into which a third syringe 30 for extracting the white blood cells W contained in the separation space portion 104 to the outside are allowed to enter are formed in the upper surface of the upper cover 300.

A guide tube 400 is connected to the second outlet 300b, and the guide tube 400 extends to the lower portion of the separation space 104 to guide the needle 31 of the third syringe 30.

The injection port 300c, the first outflow port 300a and the second outflow port 300b are combined with a first rubber plug, a second rubber plug and a

third rubber plug

304, 302 and 303, which are elastic and allow the needle (needle) of each of the first syringe, the second syringe and the

third syringe

10, 20 and 30 to enter.

To explain in more detail, the separation space 104 is divided from the housing space 102 by the passage 105 on the upper side of the main tube 100, and has the following structure: when the slider 200 is raised, a part of the separation layer into which the blood separated by the centrifugal separation of the blood flows through the passage portion 105 and is accommodated.

A lower cover 250 is detachably coupled to a lower portion of the main body pipe 100, and the lower cover 250 prevents the slider 200 from falling off and has a through hole 255 through which an elevator (not shown) for pushing the slider 200 upward can be moved.

The passage portion 105 is formed vertically on the upper side of the housing space portion 102, and has an inclined portion 105a with an inner diameter smaller than that of the housing space portion 102.

Thus, the accommodating space portion 102 and the separation space portion 104 are partitioned by the inclined portion 105a, and the space for accommodating the white blood cells W becomes narrower as the lower portion of the separation space portion 104 faces the inner wall surface side of the main tube 100.

The coupling portion 310 of the upper cover 300 is formed with a coupling hole 312 opened at a lower portion so as to be engaged with an upper end outer circumferential surface of the passage portion 105.

The storage part 320 has a structure formed such that the lower bottom surface is located lower than the lower end of the coupling part 310.

That is, the reservoir 320 has a structure for storing the concentrated platelets P flowing in through the passage 105.

The slider 200 includes first and

second plug members

210, 220.

The first plug member 210 is coupled to a plurality of sealing members in a ring shape at the peripheral edge of the outer peripheral surface so that the volume of the housing space 102 can be reduced at a uniform pressure during the rising operation while maintaining airtightness.

The second plug member 220 is made of silicon (silicon) and is coupled to a lower portion of the first plug member 210 to protect the first plug member 210 when the first plug member 210 is moved upward by an elevating tool.

The first plug member 210 has the following configuration: the lifting operation is performed by a lifting force transmitted by an actuator (such as a cylinder) or a human finger, and the lifting force is lifted along the inner circumferential surface of the housing space portion 102 of the main body pipe 100.

At this time, the lifting tool can enter the inside of the accommodation space 102 through the through hole 255 of the lower cover 250, and apply a lifting pressure to the slider 200.

When the slider 200 is moved upward, the amount of the concentrated platelets P extracted (for example, 1.0 to 2.5cc) changes according to the change in the height.

After the concentrated platelets P having the set volume are collected, the concentrated platelets P extracted from the reservoir 320 may be extracted to the outside by the second syringe 20.

On the other hand, the storage portion 320 and the coupling portion 310 may be integrally formed in one body on the lower surface of the upper cover 300, or may be detachably coupled to the lower portion of the upper cover 300.

Fig. 8 and 9 show another embodiment of the device of the present invention.

This embodiment shows a modification of the guide tube 400, and the guide tube 400 has the following structure: includes a large diameter portion 401 joined to the third rubber stopper 303, a small diameter portion 402 elongated eccentrically from the large diameter portion 401, and an inclined portion 403 connecting the large diameter portion 401 and the small diameter portion 402, and a notch portion 402a through which an end portion of the needle 31 of the third syringe 30 passes is formed at a lower end portion of the small diameter portion 402.

The operation of the present invention having such a configuration will be described below.

First, referring to fig. 5a, the blood separation and extraction device for extracting a platelet-rich growth factor according to the present invention is configured such that the first syringe 10 filled with blood is passed through the first rubber stopper 304, then the blood is injected into the accommodation space 102 of the main tube 100 through the passage 105, and the blood injected into the accommodation space 102 is centrifuged by a centrifuge as shown in fig. 5 b.

The amount of blood injected can be about 30-50 cc.

At this time, the upper cover 300 is kept coupled to the upper portion of the main body tube 100 to seal the separation space portion 104 during the centrifugal separation.

When the centrifugal separation is completed, the coupling portion 310 and the passage portion 105 are moved upward to be spaced apart from each other before the slider 200 is moved up and down as shown in fig. 5 c.

When the centrifugation is completed, the blood is separated into red blood cells R, white blood cells W, and concentrated platelets P, and the blood is separated into white blood cells W, concentrated platelets P, and red blood cells R in this order from the upper side according to the difference in specific gravity.

Next, if the up-and-down tool is inserted into the through hole 255 of the lower cover 250 and pushes the slider 200 upward, the slider 200 moves upward inside the accommodation space 102 to reduce the volume inside the accommodation space 102 accommodating the blood separation layer.

When the slider 200 is raised, the leukocyte W layer in the separation layer of blood stored in the storage space portion 102 is injected into the separation space portion 104 of the main tube 100 through the passage portion 105.

The slide 200 is raised until the injection of the white blood cells W into the separation space 104 is completed.

At this time, the concentrated platelets P are positioned inside the passage portion 105, and the red blood cells R are held in the lower portion of the storage space portion 102.

Thereafter, as shown in fig. 5d, if the upper cover 300 is lowered again and the coupling portion 310 is coupled to the end of the passage portion 105, the interior of the housing space portion 102 and the storage portion 320 of the upper cover 300 are coupled to communicate with each other.

As shown in fig. 5e, if the worker again raises the slider 200 by the raising and lowering tool after the coupling portion 310 of the upper cap 300 is engaged with the passage portion 105, the volume of the storage space portion 102 in which a part of the separation layer filled with blood is partially reduced, and the concentrated platelets P flow into the storage portion 320 of the upper cap 300 through the upper end portion of the passage portion 105.

The second raising operation of the slider 200 is performed until the inflow of the concentrated platelets P into the reservoir 320 is completed.

The volume of the concentrated platelets P stored in the reservoir 320 is variable depending on the amount of blood to be injected and the shape and quality of the blood, and is approximately 1.5 to 3.0 cc.

When the inflow of the concentrated platelets P into the reservoir 320 is completed, the operator performs the following operations as shown in fig. 5 f: the second syringe 20 is allowed to extract the concentrated platelets (PRP) stored in the storage unit 320 to the outside through the second rubber stopper 302 of the upper cap 300.

Next, as shown in fig. 5g, the following operations are performed: the white blood cells W stored in the separation space 104 are extracted to the outside by the third syringe 30 through the third rubber stopper 303 of the upper cover 300. At this time, the needle 31 of the third syringe 30 is guided to the guide tube 400 and can be stably guided to the deep separation space 104.

On the other hand, fig. 6 and 7 are views showing another embodiment of the storage unit according to the present invention.

Another embodiment of the storage part of the present invention is the same as the previously described previous embodiments in terms of the constituent elements, but further includes a separation plate 330, and the separation plate 330 is formed on the bottom surface of the storage part 320 in such a manner as to protrude vertically upward, so as to divide the interior of the storage part 320 into the left and right sides in the drawing.

The separation plate 330 performs the following functions: even if the concentrated platelets P and the red blood cells R are mixed into the reservoir 320 in an unseparated state due to an erroneous operation caused by an excessive lifting operation of the slider 200, the separated layers of the mixed blood can be separated from each other in the partitioned reservoir 320 by the difference in specific gravity.

When the slider 200 rises excessively, there is a concern that: the concentrated platelets P and red blood cells R filled in the accommodation space portion 102 flow into the reservoir portion 320 through the passage portion 105.

In this case, even if the concentrated platelets P and the red blood cells R are mixed into the reservoir 320 partitioned into the left and right spaces by the separation plate 33, the concentrated platelets P and the red blood cells R can be separated in the left and right reservoir 320 by the difference in specific gravity therebetween.

That is, if the red blood cells R are caused to flow into the right reservoir 320 of the separation plate 330 after the concentrated platelets P, which are relatively lighter than the red blood cells R, flow into the space of the left reservoir 320 over the upper portion of the separation plate 330.

The concentrated platelets P are separated into the left reservoir 320 based on the separation plate 330, and the red blood cells R are kept separated into the right reservoir 320.

Thereafter, the procedure of extracting the separated concentrated platelets P with an extraction tool such as a syringe is the same as the procedure described above.

On the other hand, referring to fig. 5g, the accommodation space 102 and the separation space 104 are partitioned by the inclined portion 105a, and the lower portion of the separation space 104 is narrower toward the inner wall surface side of the main body pipe 100.

In this case, as shown in fig. 5g, the end of the needle 31 guided to the guide tube 400 is positioned at a position corresponding to the middle portion of the inclined portion 105a, and therefore it is difficult to extract white blood cells remaining in the lowermost portion of the gradually narrowed separation space portion 104.

Referring to fig. 8 and 9 showing another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus of the present embodiment bends the end of the guide needle 31 toward the inner wall surface of the main tube 100 by the small diameter portion 402 and the notch portion 402a eccentrically located on the lower side of the guide tube 400, so that white blood cells remaining in the lowermost portion of the separation space 104 can be extracted.

Therefore, the blood separation and extraction device for extracting a platelet-rich growth factor according to the present invention can perform separation and concentration by centrifugation of blood in one container and one centrifugation process, thereby preventing loss in the conventional transfer process and improving convenience of the process.

Claims

1. A blood separation and extraction device for extracting a platelet-rich growth factor, comprising:

a main tube (100) having a receiving space (102) formed at a lower portion thereof for receiving blood, a passage portion (105) formed at an upper portion of the receiving space (102) and having an inclined portion (105a) with an upper end opened so as to be narrower in inner diameter than the lower portion, and a separation space (104) formed therein, the separation space (104) receiving a part of a separation layer of blood separated by centrifugal separation of the blood via the passage portion (105);

a slider (200) which is slidably coupled to the housing space (102) and pushes a separation layer of blood separated by the centrifugal separation toward the separation space (104) via the passage (105); and an upper cap (300) which is detachably coupled to the upper end of the main tube (100), which has a coupling portion (310) formed at the center lower portion thereof and coupled to the upper end of the passage portion (105) when coupled to the main tube (100), and which has a reservoir portion (320), wherein the reservoir portion (320) is formed so as to extend toward the lower portion on one side of the coupling portion (310), and wherein when the slider (200) is raised, the concentrated platelets (P) in the separation layer for blood flow into and are contained in the concentrated platelets (P) in the separation layer for blood; and the upper cover (300) has an inlet (300c), a first outlet (300a) and a second outlet (300b) formed on the upper surface, the inlet (300c) being accessible to a first syringe (10) for injecting the blood through the passage portion (105), the first outlet (300a) being accessible to a second syringe (20) for extracting the concentrated platelets (P) contained in the reservoir portion (320) to the outside, the second outlet (300b) being accessible to a third syringe (30) for extracting the leukocytes (W) contained in the separation space portion (104) to the outside, and the blood separation and extraction device for extracting a platelet-rich growth factor including a guide tube (400), the guide tube (400) being coupled to the second outlet (300b) side and extending to the lower portion of the separation space portion (104), and guiding a needle (31) of the third syringe (30); the guide tube (400) includes a large diameter portion (401) coupled to the third rubber stopper (303), a small diameter portion (402) extended in such a manner as to be eccentric from the large diameter portion (401), and an inclined portion (403) connecting the large diameter portion (401) and the small diameter portion (402), and at a lower end portion of the small diameter portion (402), a notch portion (402a) through which an end portion of a needle (31) of the third syringe (30) passes is formed.

2. The blood separation and extraction device for extracting platelet-rich growth factor according to claim 1, wherein: the injection port (300c), the first outflow port (300a) and the second outflow port (300b) are combined with a first rubber plug (304), a second rubber plug (302) and a third rubber plug (303) which are elastic and can be used for the needle of each first syringe (10), second syringe (20) and third syringe (30) to enter.

3. The blood separating and extracting apparatus for extracting a platelet-rich growth factor according to claim 1, further comprising a lower cover (250), wherein the lower cover (250) is coupled to a lower portion of the main tube (100) to prevent the slider (200) from falling off, and a through hole (255) is formed at a center thereof to allow an elevating mechanism for pushing the slider (200) upward to ascend to enter and exit.

4. The blood separation and extraction device for extracting platelet-rich growth factor according to claim 1, wherein: the upper cover (300) further includes a separation plate (330), and the separation plate (330) is formed on the bottom surface of the storage unit (320) so as to vertically protrude.