JP2001275652A - Shaking incubator and method for measuring or controlling culture liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a shaking incubator which can transmit the state of a culture liquid on a shaking table to a fixed portion without connecting a cable and supply an electric power to the shaking table without connecting a cable to the shaking table. SOLUTION: A means for measuring or controlling the state of a culture liquid is disposed on a shaking table, and the measured values are wirelessly transmitted from the measuring means to a fixed portion. Control setting values are transmitted from a control means disposed on the fixed portion to the shaking table, and an electric power is supplied from the fixed portion to the shaking table through a brush.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a shaking incubator used for cell culture.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a shaking incubator, a flask containing a culture medium and cells to be cultured is fixed on a shaking table with a spring-like fixture, and the shaking culture is performed with an amplitude set by a shaking table driving unit. Used for The above-mentioned flask is usually installed in a constant temperature room maintained at a desired temperature, and all the flasks on a shaking table are cultured at the same temperature.

[0003] Temperature is a very important factor in culturing conditions, and finding an optimum temperature for culturing target cells is an important task. However, in a conventional shaking incubator, all flasks in a thermostatic chamber are at the same temperature,
In order to perform the experiment in which the temperature conditions were changed, the experiment had to be repeated as many times as the number of the temperature conditions.

[0004] As a method for solving this problem, an apparatus has been proposed which can culture at different temperatures for each flask. In Japanese Patent Application No. 59-272124 "Temperature gradient shaking culture tank", a heater and a temperature sensor are attached to the flask holder. The inside of the tank is set to the minimum temperature among the desired set temperatures, and each flask is heated to the desired temperature by the heater. It is described that it is used at elevated temperature. In addition, public utility sho 5
0-58099 "Shaking incubator" describes the concept of individual temperature control using thermoelements.

In the above-mentioned two patents, a cable is used for power supply and temperature data transmission. However, since one end of the cable is fixed to a shaking table and the other end is fixed to a fixed portion, the cable is used. Since the bending force acts repeatedly on the wire, the wire is easily broken, and the power supply and the transmission of the temperature data cannot be performed stably for a long time. In addition, there is a method in which a sensor for pH or dissolved oxygen is attached to the flask and these signals are transmitted to a fixed base using a cable. However, the cable is easily broken by shaking in the same manner.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the conventional disadvantages, the present invention provides a method for transmitting a measured value to a fixed part without connecting a measuring means provided on a shaking table and a fixed part with a cable, And power can be supplied from the fixed part to the shaking table without using a cable.

[0007]

In order to solve these problems, the inventor of the present invention has conducted intensive studies to transmit measured values wirelessly from a shaking table to a fixed unit, and to provide control means on the shaking table. The inventors have found that the above-mentioned problems can be solved by wirelessly transmitting a set value from the fixed section to the control means, and by wirelessly supplying power to the shaking table from the fixed section, and have completed the present invention.

That is, the present invention provides a shaking culture machine, wherein means for measuring the state of the culture solution and means for wirelessly transmitting the obtained measured values are provided on the shaking table, and the receiving means is provided on the fixed part. It is characterized by. Further, the preferable means is characterized in that means for controlling the state of the culture solution is provided on a shaking table. Still further, the preferable means is characterized in that the fixed portion is provided with control set value setting means, and the shaking table is provided with means for receiving the set value.

Further, the preferable means is characterized in that a means for wirelessly supplying power from the fixed portion to the shaking table is provided. Further, a preferable means for supplying the electric power includes a conductive brush and a conductive material sliding on the conductive brush.

[0010] Further, the preferred means is to provide a rotary shaking incubator in which a shaking table makes a horizontal rotary motion, having a conductive crank having two vertical shafts which rotate synchronously and have the same radius, and which have a rotary shaft. One of the vertical axes is rotatably fixed to the fixed part and the other vertical axis is rotatably fixed to the shaking table, and has a power supply mechanism for sliding the brushes on those vertical axes and supplying power to the brushes of the fixed part. It is characterized by.

Further, the preferable means is provided with a temperature measuring means which comes into contact with the culture vessel.

The present invention also relates to a method for measuring or controlling the state of a liquid in a culture vessel, wherein at least one of temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen in the culture vessel is measured by the above-mentioned shaking incubator of the present invention. It is a method of measuring or controlling.

[0013]

According to the present invention, the measured value of the state in the culture vessel can be transmitted to the fixed table without using a cable. The fixed table can display the data and use it for calculations. A control set value or a control signal set by a setting device provided on the fixed table is transmitted to the shaking table, and the state in the culture vessel can be controlled by the control means provided on the shaking table.

By providing a means for wirelessly supplying power from the fixed portion to the shaking table, power can be continuously transmitted, and measurement or control can be performed continuously and stably over a long period of time. As a means for wirelessly supplying power, a conductive brush or a conductive material that slides on the shaking table or the fixed portion is provided, and power can be easily supplied by bringing the two into contact.

In the rotary shaking incubator, there is provided a crank made of a conductive material which rotates synchronously with the same radius as a so-called crank for changing the rotary motion to the rotary motion, and one of the vertical shafts is mounted on a shaking table with the other. The vertical axis is rotatably fixed to the fixed part, power is supplied from the fixed part via a brush, and power is received from the brush attached to the shaking table to supply power to the heater, controller, etc. provided on the shaking table. Can be supplied.

By providing the temperature measuring means for contacting the culture vessel, the temperature of the culture solution can be measured or controlled without directly contacting the temperature sensor with the culture solution. As a result, the handling of the sensor is facilitated, the labor for attaching the temperature sensor to the culture vessel is omitted, and there is an advantage that the sensor need not be attached when sterilizing the culture vessel.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In the present invention, wireless is a concept that does not use a continuous conductor made of a flexible electric conductive material such as a wire, a lead wire, or a cable. By radio transmission, troubles such as poor conduction caused by disconnection of the continuous conductor can be avoided.

Signals such as temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen of the culture solution measured by a sensor attached to a flask fixed on a shaking table are converted into signals by respective amplifiers fixed on the shaking table, and further A / D converted. The signal is converted into a digital signal by a transmitter, and is transmitted using radio waves or light waves in a band approved for consumer use according to a predetermined protocol by a transmitter / receiver installed on a shaking table.

Radio waves or light transmitted from the transmitter on the shaking table enter the transmitter / receiver installed on the fixed part,
The signal is converted and displayed on a display device such as the temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen of the fixed portion, and the data is sent to a personal computer or the like as needed to create a data file.

The set temperature data input to the temperature setting device of the fixed portion enters a transmitter / receiver and is transmitted to a shaking table by radio waves or light according to a protocol. The temperature is adjusted for each flask based on the data received by the transmitter / receiver provided on the shaking table.

Two plates made of a conductive material such as copper are fixed to the fixed portion in a state in which they are electrically insulated from the fixed portion, and a shaking table is provided with a brush made of conductive graphite or the like put in a holder. When the brush tip is pressed against the copper plate by a spring or the like, power is supplied to the shaking table during operation by applying voltage to the two plates attached to the fixed part. Become like As the conductive material to be attached to the fixing part, besides copper, brass cast, aluminum, graphite, copper or a powder molded body of silver and graphite can be used. Further, the material of the brush is not limited to graphite, and a powder molded body of copper or silver and graphite can be used.

A brush made of conductive graphite or the like is put in a holder and fixed to the fixing portion, and two plates made of a conductive material such as copper are mounted on a shaking table. In this case as well, power can be supplied to the shaking table during operation in the same manner as described above.

In a rotary shaker, the rotary motion of the motor is transmitted to the shaker via a crank, so that the shaker performs a rotary motion. The crank consists of a plate parallel to the shaking table and a shaft mounted vertically one at a time on the front and back of the plate.
A conductive crank made of a conductive material such as copper or brass cast having the same shape as the crank is provided. One shaft of the conductive crank has reached the shaking table surface, the other shaft has reached the upper surface of the fixed part,
Each is fixed to a shaking table and a fixed part via a bearing. At least two such conductive cranks
There is a book provided. These conductive cranks are also positioned so as to rotate smoothly when the shaking table is rotated by a drive crank provided on the motor rotation shaft. Insulation is interposed between the shaft and the bearing of the conductive crank or between the bearing and the fixed base for electrical insulation.

A conductive brush holder is attached to the shaking table, and is pressed against a vertical portion of the conductive crank on the shaking table side. Similarly, a holder for the conductive brush is attached to the fixed portion, and is pressed against a vertical portion on the fixed portion side of the conductive crank. The brush holder is electrically insulated when it is mounted on the shaking table or fixed part.

When a DC or AC voltage is applied between the two conductive brushes on the fixed part side, the shaking table is made up of the conductive brush and the conductive crank when the shaking table is performing a shaking motion. Power is supplied on top.

The conductive brush and the conductive brush can be brought into contact with each other by pressing the conductive brush perpendicularly to the curved surface of the shaft perpendicular to the shaking base of the conductive crank. There is a method of pressing a brush. Further, the number of conductive brushes is not limited to one, and may be plural.

Another method of wireless power transmission is as follows. A coil with an iron core is fixed to a shaking table, and the coil is set so as to be located in a magnetic field of a magnet fixed to a fixing portion. Along with the operation of the shaking table, a voltage is generated at both ends of the coil containing the iron core, and power can be supplied to devices on the shaking table.

Alternatively, an iron core-fixed coil is fixed to a shaking table, this is opposed to an iron core-containing electromagnet fixed to a fixing portion, and AC power is supplied to the core-containing electromagnet to fix the iron core fixed to the shaking table. Electric power can be supplied to the heater and the like on the shaking table by the electric power generated in the coil.

[0029]

Next, a shaking incubator and a method for measuring or controlling a culture solution according to the present invention will be specifically described. (Example 1) FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a flask holder on a shaking table according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram of a sensor signal transmission system. A temperature sensor 5 such as a platinum resistance temperature sensor is embedded in a part of a silicon rubber heater 4 in contact with a bottom surface of a flask 3 fixed to a flask holder 2 on a shaking table 1. Dissolved oxygen sensor, pH sensor, etc. for measuring the state of the culture solution in the flask 50
Is attached to a branch 51 of a flask with a branch as shown in FIG.
The heater and the temperature sensor are connected to respective ports of a temperature controller 6 installed on a shaking table, and sensors other than temperature measurement are connected to a sensor amplifier 7.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a sensor signal transmission system, showing the relationship between the data measuring section of each flask on the shaking table and the control / display provided on the fixed section. The temperature of each flask on the shaking table and other sensor data are converted by a temperature controller and a sensor amplifier 7 installed on the shaking table, and are fixed by a radio wave or light by a sensor signal transmitter 8 by a radio wave or light. Is sent to the sensor signal receiver 9 attached to. The received wireless signal is sent to the sensor measurement value display 10 via the converter, and the sensor measurement value of each flask is displayed. The data is sent to a computer as necessary, and various sensor data is recorded. The temperature data set by the temperature setting device 11 attached to the fixed part of the shaker is transmitted by the set temperature transmitter 12 to the set temperature receiver 13 installed on the shaking table. The received set temperature is sent to the temperature controller 6, and the heater 4 is controlled based on the calculation result.

(Example 2) FIG. 3 is a side view of a power supply unit of a rotary shaking incubator. FIG. 3 shows a structure for supplying power to the shaking rack. Two conductive material plates 14 larger than the rotary driving diameter are separately mounted on the fixing portion 15 via an electric insulator 16 and connect an AC power supply or a DC power supply line to the two copper plates. On the other hand, a brush holder 17 is attached to the lower surface of the shaking table 1 at a distance between the centers of the copper plates, and is attached to a place where the tip of the conductive brush 18 is always kept in contact during the operation of the shaking machine. The brush and the terminal 19 penetrating the shaking table attached to the shaking table are connected by a lead wire 20, so that AC or DC power is supplied to the shaking table.

(Embodiment 3) In the case of a reciprocating shaking incubator, a plate having good conductivity, such as copper or brass, whose length is longer than the amplitude distance, is attached to the fixed portion via an electrical insulator. AC or DC power line
Connected to a single plate. On the other hand, a conductive brush holder is mounted on the lower surface of the shaking table at a position where the tip of the brush always contacts the two plates during the operation of the shaking machine. The brush and the insulating terminal attached to the shaking table are connected by a lead wire, and AC or DC power is supplied to the shaking table.

(Example 4) FIG. 4 is a side view of a power supply unit of another example of the rotary shaking incubator. In the case of the rotary drive shaking incubator, two conductive cranks 23 having the same rotation center distance as the shaking crank 22 driven by the motor 21 are provided, and all the conductive shafts 24 are perpendicular to the shaking table. It is attached to a fixed part and a shaking table via a bearing 25. The holder 27 of the conductive brush 26 is fixed to the fixed portion and the shaking table so that the tip of the conductive brush 26 is pressed at right angles to the shaft 24 of the conductive crank 23. 2 on fixed part
A conductive brush in contact with the conductive crank of the book is connected to an AC or DC power supply, so that the shaking table is supplied with AC or DC power. In this embodiment, the shaft 24 of the conductive crank is rotating with respect to the fixed part or the shaking table. Accordingly, the moving distance of the brush is shorter than that of the method described in the second embodiment, and the life of the brush and its sliding portion can be extended.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 5 shows a system diagram of power supply to a shaking table using power transmission by magnetic coupling in another embodiment. The cored electromagnet 29 is fixed to a shaking table so as to be positioned in the magnetic field of the electromagnet 28 fixed to the fixing portion. Both ends of the coil of the cored electromagnet 29 are connected to a terminal block 30 on a shaking table. When a direct current is passed through the coil of the electromagnet 28 and the shaker is operated, an AC voltage having a frequency equal to the number of rotations of the shaker is generated at both ends of the coil of the electromagnet 29 containing the iron core. Is supplied with power.

(Embodiment 6) FIG. 6 is a system diagram of a power supply in which another electromagnet 31 is fixed on a fixed portion at a position facing a cored electromagnet 29 fixed on a shaking table 1 in another embodiment. Is shown. When an alternating current is applied to the cored electromagnet 31 fixed to the fixed portion, an alternating voltage of the same frequency is generated in the coil 29 fixed to the shaking table facing the coil. Both ends of this coil are wired to a terminal block installed on the shaking table, and AC power is supplied to the shaking table.

The AC power supplied by the method described in the fifth or sixth embodiment has a large voltage fluctuation and is difficult to use as it is. To remedy this, the battery is rectified, charged to a storage battery, converted by a DC / DC converter, and used. In this manner, the power supply can be used as a favorable power supply with stable voltage.

[0037]

Since the present invention has been described above, it has the following effects. According to the shaking incubator according to the present invention, it is possible to stably supply power to the shaking table over a long period of time, so that the temperature of each flask on the shaking table can be set freely, and a single culture experiment can be performed. It will be possible to precisely verify the effect of temperature on culture performance. Further, a culture experiment of bacteria or microorganisms having different suitable temperatures can be performed for a long time by one shaking incubator. It is also possible to change the set temperature from the fixed part during the culture. Further, since the temperature data of each flask during the culture can be reliably sent to the data recording section for a long time, accurate data analysis becomes possible. Of course, the same applies to pH and dissolved oxygen concentration.

In general, since the temperature of the thermostatic chamber in which the shaking flask is stored is controlled by air, the temperature distribution in the thermostatic chamber is large, and the temperature of the culture solution in the flask is also large. Conventionally, individual flask temperatures could not be controlled,
The present invention also has the advantage that the temperature can be measured accurately.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a shake flask holder of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sensor signal transmission system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a power supply unit of the rotary shaker of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a power supply unit of another example of the rotary shaker of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a power supply system diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a system diagram of a power supply method according to another example of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1. Shaking table 2. Flask holder 3. Flask 4. Silicon rubber heater 5. Temperature sensor 6. Temperature controller 7. 7. Sensor amplifier 8. Sensor signal transmitter Sensor signal receiver 10. Sensor measurement value display 11. Temperature setting device 12. Set temperature transmitter 13. Set temperature receiver 14. Conductive material plate 15. Fixing part 16. Electrical insulator 17. Brush holder 18. Conductive brush 19. Insulated through terminal 20. Lead wire 21. Drive motor 22. Shaking crank 23. Conductive crank 24. Shaft 25. Bearing 26. Conductive brush 27. Holder 28. Electromagnet fixed to fixed base 29. Electromagnet fixed to shaking table 30. Terminal block 50. Sensor 51. Branch of a flask with a branch 52. Silicone stopper

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) C12N 1/00 C12N 1/00 BD G08C 17/00 G08C 17/00 Z 23/04 23/00 AF Terms (reference) 2F073 AA16 AA19 AB01 BB01 BC02 BC04 CC01 CC07 CD00 DD01 EE12 FG01 FG02 FG04 GG04 4B029 AA02 AA08 AA11 AA12 BB01 CC01 DA10 DB19 DD04 DF01 DF02 DF04 GA02 GA06 4B065 AA87XA BCA

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A shaking culture machine wherein a means for measuring the state of a culture solution and a means for wirelessly transmitting the obtained measured value are provided on a shaking table, and the receiving means is provided on a fixed part. 2. A shaking culture machine according to claim 1, wherein means for controlling the state of the culture solution is provided on the shaking table. 3. The shaking culture machine according to claim 2, wherein the fixed section is provided with control set value setting means, and the shaking table is provided with means for receiving the set values. 4. The shaking incubator according to claim 1, further comprising means for wirelessly supplying power from the fixed portion to the shaking table. 5. A shaking incubator according to claim 1, wherein said means for supplying electric power comprises a conductive brush and a conductive material sliding on said conductive brush. 6. A rotary shaking incubator in which a shaking table makes a rotary motion horizontally, comprising a conductive crank having two vertical axes which rotate synchronously and with the same radius, wherein one of the vertical shafts is used. 6. The power supply mechanism according to claim 5, further comprising a power supply mechanism configured to rotatably fix the other vertical axis to the fixed portion to the shaking table, to slide the brush on the vertical axis, and to supply power to the brush of the fixed portion. Shake culture machine 7. The shaking culture machine according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature measuring means for contacting the culture vessel. 8. A method for measuring or controlling at least one of temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen in a culture vessel by using the shaking culture machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7.