JP2004351283A - Safety cabinet and aftertreatment method after exchange of air cleaning means - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a safety cabinet like a cabinet for bio-hazard measures minimizing infection when exchanging an HEPA filter using a bag without sterilizing, and an aftertreatment method after exchange of an air cleaning means. <P>SOLUTION: This safety cabinet 1 is provided with an air feeding system feeding clean air to a work space 3 by an air blowing means 6 via an air cleaning means 5; an exhaust system discharging air to the outside of an apparatus via an air cleaning means 4 by an air discharging means from a circulation passage connected to the work space 3; a front face shutter 9 formed at the front face of the work space 3; taking-out ports of air cleaning devices 4, 5 to the outside; a cover 7 blocking the taking-out ports, a connection port 17 connecting the exhaust system to the outside; and a cap 18 blocking the connection port 17. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a post-treatment method for replacing a safety cabinet and a filter. Particularly, in the medical, pharmaceutical and other industrial fields of gene manipulation, a clean workbench for preventing disasters caused by handling of microorganisms and pathogens, a so-called biohazard countermeasure. For cabinets.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a biohazard countermeasure class II cabinet that conforms to or conforms to JIS K3800 has been used as a primary barrier that physically separates humans and the environment from biological materials and pathogens for biohazard countermeasures. A safety cabinet according to the prior art is shown in Patent Document 1. In the safety cabinet, the HEPA filter placed in the device filters the dust-containing air to which bacteria and viruses are attached, supplies clean air in the work space of the safety cabinet, and filters the filtered and purified air. It is discharged outside the equipment. Since dust accumulates in the HEPA filter and the pressure loss of the filter increases, the phenomenon of a decrease in wind speed in the working space occurs, so that the HEPA filter needs to be replaced periodically. Normally, bacteria and viruses used in the safety cabinet are killed by high concentration of formaldehyde. Therefore, when replacing the HEPA filter, seal the safety cabinet and fumigate the enclosed space with formaldehyde, including the HEPA filter. Sterilize inside the safety cabinet. After this sterilization operation, the HEPA filter exchange cover of the safety cabinet is opened, and the HEPA filter exchange operation is performed. In this way, the filter replacement operator is prevented from infecting the experimental material.
[0003]
When the bacteria and viruses to be handled are sterilized by formaldehyde, use the above method. However, when the substance to be handled is prion (one of which is BSE) or in the case of an experiment targeting a chemical hazard, the sample was collected with a HEPA filter. In some cases, the substance cannot be killed with a sterile material such as formaldehyde. In such a case, a HEPA filter collection bag is pre-installed in the safety cabinet, and the used HEPA filter is taken out of the bag in the safety cabinet, and then sterilized by incineration with the bag. Take.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-7-83477
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
FIG. 6 shows a structural diagram of the safety cabinet of the prior art. On the back of the safety cabinet 1, a filter replacement cover 7 is provided. The bag 8 is mounted inside the filter replacement cover 7. The inside of the bag 8 serves as a negative pressure contamination plenum 14, which serves as an air flow path in which bacteria and viruses 15 are present.
[0006]
FIG. 7 shows a HEPA filter replacement method for a safety cabinet according to the prior art. When replacing the HEPA filter, the operation of the safety cabinet 1 is stopped, and the filter replacement cover 7 is taken out. A hand is inserted into the safety cabinet 1 from gloves provided on a bag 8 attached to the safety cabinet 1 and the used HEPA filter 5 is removed. At this time, since the inside of the safety cabinet 1 is not sterilized, contact infection with the bacteria / virus 15 in the safety cabinet 1 can be prevented by working from the gloves provided in the bag 8. After inserting the used HEPA filter into the bag 8, the bag 8 is separated from the safety cabinet 1 at an appropriate part. On the safety cabinet 1 side, a new HEPA filter 5 is mounted, a time-replacement HEPA filter 5 replacement bag 8 is mounted, and a filter replacement cover 7 is mounted on the safety cabinet 1.
[0007]
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a used HEPA filter replacement process of FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 7, after the used HEPA filter 5 is put in the bag 8, the mouth of the bag 8 is closed with a tape or the like, and sterilization disposal is performed. After the air inside is pushed out, it is necessary to close the air in the bag 8. In this case, the bacteria and virus 15 collected in the bag 8 together with the HEPA filter 5 are also pushed out of the bag 8 and may infect humans depending on the condition of the pushed-out room and the type of bacteria and virus 15. There is.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to provide a safety cabinet such as a biohazard countermeasure cabinet or the like and a post-filter replacement method for minimizing infection when replacing a HEPA filter using a bag without sterilization when replacing the HEPA filter. To provide.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an air supply system for supplying clean air to a working space through a first air purifying means by a blowing means, and a second air supply means for discharging air from a circulation flow path connected to the working space. An exhaust system that discharges air out of the apparatus via the air purifying means, a front shutter formed in the front of the working space, an outlet for the first or second air purifying means, and an outlet for the air purifying means. A safety cabinet including a cover for closing, wherein the safety cabinet includes a connection port for connecting the exhaust system to the outside and a cap for closing the connection port.
[0010]
Further, the present invention provides an air supply system for supplying clean air to the working space through the first air purifying means by the blowing means, and a second air purifying means by the exhaust means from a circulation flow path connected to the working space. A safety system comprising: an exhaust system for exhausting air outside the apparatus, a front shutter formed in the front of the work space, an outlet for taking out the first or second air purifying means, and a cover for closing the outlet. The cabinet is a safety cabinet having a shutter that can be opened and closed at the outlet.
[0011]
And this invention is a safety cabinet which has a shutter which can be opened and closed in the said taking-out opening.
[0012]
Further, the present invention provides a method for replacing and post-treating the air purifying means of the safety cabinet as described above, wherein the air purifying means removed from the safety cabinet is housed in a bag and sealed, and then the connection port of the bag is closed. This is a post-treatment method for replacing air purifying means, which is connected to a connection port of a safety cabinet and operates the safety cabinet to reduce the volume in the bag.
[0013]
The present invention also provides a method for replacing and purifying air purifying means of a safety cabinet, wherein the air purifying means removed from the safety cabinet is housed in a bag and sealed, and then the connection port of the bag is exhausted. Means connected to a connection port of a simple exhaust device having an exhaust system for discharging air to the outside of the device through the air cleaning means and a connection port connecting the exhaust system to the outside, and operating the simple exhaust device to operate the bag. This is a post-replacement method for replacing the air purifying means for reducing the volume inside.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Embodiments of a safety cabinet and a post-filter replacement post-processing method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a structural diagram showing the safety cabinet of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a HEPA filter replacement procedure diagram of the safety cabinet of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a HEPA filter replacement bag processing procedure of the safety cabinet according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of the safety cabinet of the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is an HEPA filter replacement procedure diagram of the safety cabinet of the second embodiment.
[0015]
A first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a structural diagram showing a safety cabinet according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Inside the safety cabinet 1, an upper portion is used as an air outlet, a front portion is used as a front shutter 9, a bottom is provided with a work space 3 including a work table 2, and a front opening 10 is formed below the front shutter 9. The experiment operator performs an experiment by inserting his / her hand through the front opening 10 into the work space 3. The air curtain 11 sucked from the front opening 10 passes through the lower part of the work table 2, passes through the negative pressure pollution plenum 14 behind the work space 3, and a part of the air is sucked into the blower 6. During the experiment, bacteria and viruses 15 are present in the negative pressure contaminated plenum 14. Part of the air in the negative pressure-contaminated plenum 14 is sucked in by the blower 6, the dust is filtered by the air supply HEPA filter (air cleaning means) 5, and is supplied into the work space 3 as the blown airflow 12. Since the bacteria and viruses 15 adhere to the dust, they are removed at the same time as they pass through the air supply HEPA filter 5. The remaining air in the negative pressure pollution plenum 14 is filtered by the exhaust HEPA filter 4 and discharged out of the safety cabinet 1. The air blowing means for discharging air from the safety cabinet 1 outside the device may be provided inside the safety cabinet 1 or outside the device, and may suck the exhaust of the safety cabinet 1 from outside.
[0016]
As described above, dust containing bacteria and viruses 15 accumulates on the HEPA filter 5 for air supply and the HEPA filter 4 for exhaustion. For the purpose of replacing the HEPA filter in which the bacteria and viruses 15 have accumulated, a filter replacement cover 7 is provided on the main body case 1a and is removable. A bag 8 is mounted inside the body of the filter replacement cover 7. When replacing the HEPA filter, the HEPA filter is taken out while putting the used HEPA filter in the bag 8. Further, a connection port 17 is provided on an outer wall in contact with the negative pressure contamination plenum 14, and the exhaust system can be connected to the outside by the connection port 17. The connection port 17 is provided with a removable cap 18.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a HEPA filter replacement procedure diagram of the safety cabinet of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a diagram in which the air supply HEPA filter 5 is replaced. The same replacement method is applied to the exhaust HEPA filter 4. The HEPA filter needs to be replaced for both exhaust and air supply. When replacing the HEPA filter, the operation of the apparatus is stopped, and the filter replacement cover 7 is removed. A bag 8 is provided on the side of the main body case 1a from which the filter replacement cover 7 is removed. The bag 8 is provided with a connection port 8a, and the connection port 8a is sealed with a cap 8b. The HEPA filter is removed by gloves provided on the bag 8 and inserted into the bag 8. The tools for removing the HEPA filter are put in the main body case 1a in advance. After removing the HEPA filter, the bag 8 is removed, a new HEPA filter is attached, the bag 8 for the next HEPA filter exchange is attached to the flange portion 21, and the filter exchange cover 7 is attached.
[0018]
FIG. 3 is a HEPA filter replacement bag processing procedure diagram of the safety cabinet showing the first embodiment. The safety cabinet 1 replaced with a new HEPA filter can operate normally. The exchanged bag 8 contains the exchanged HEPA filter 5. The opening on the body case 1a side of the bag 8 is closed with a tape 8c. At this time, there is a possibility that bacteria / virus 15 may be contained inside the bag 8 at the same time as the used HEPA filter while the bag 8 is sealed. When air in the bag 8 is evacuated for the purpose of reducing the volume, the connection port 17 on the safety cabinet 1 side and the connection port 8a on the bag 8 side are connected by a tube 20. When the safety cabinet 1 is operated after the connection, the air in the bag 8 is sucked into the negative pressure contamination plenum 14 side of the safety cabinet 1. At this time, the bacteria / virus 15 in the bag 8 also moves to the safety cabinet 1 side. The used HEPA filter-containing bag 8 evacuated and reduced in volume can be discarded by closing the connection port 8a with the cap 8b.
[0019]
Instead of the safety cabinet 1, a simple exhaust device having an exhaust system for exhausting air to the outside of the device through the air purifying device by the exhaust device and a connection port for connecting the exhaust system to the outside is used. It is also possible to reduce the volume in the bag by operating the simple exhaust device by connecting to the connection port of the device.
[0020]
FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of a safety cabinet showing a second embodiment of the present invention. A bag 8 is provided inside the main body of the filter replacement cover 7. Behind the shutter 19, a shutter 19 is provided, and the opening of the filter replacement cover 7 is closed by closing the shutter 19. Further, the main body case 1a includes a shutter storage section 22, and stores the shutter 19 in a state where the shutter 19 is opened. FIG. 4 shows a state during the operation of the safety cabinet 1, in which the shutter 19 is open. Even if the shutter 19 is closed, there is no problem in the operation of the safety cabinet. However, when the HEPA filter is replaced, it is more convenient to operate the safety cabinet when the shutter 19 is opened.
[0021]
FIG. 5 is a HEPA filter replacement procedure diagram of the safety cabinet according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As in the first embodiment, the used HEPA filter 5 is taken out of the main body case 1a using the bag 8. The taken-out HEPA filter 5 can temporarily prevent the scattering of the bacteria and viruses 15 by closing the mouth of the bag 8 with tape. On the safety cabinet 1 side from which the HEPA filter 5 has been removed, the flange portion 21 is open until a new HEPA filter 5 is mounted. If the user touches the inside of the safety cabinet 1 by mistake in this state, there is a risk of causing contact infection. In the second embodiment, the opening of the flange portion 21 is closed by the shutter 19 in order to prevent infection until the replacement HEPA filter 5 is inserted into the main body of the safety cabinet 1. After the replacement HEPA filter is prepared and the replacement HEPA filter is mounted, the shutter 19 is closed when the bag 8 required for removing the HEPA filter next time is mounted on the flange portion 21, thereby working with the inside of the safety cabinet 1. Can be isolated.
[0022]
FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which the safety cabinet 1 has the connection port 17. However, if the shutter 19 is provided without the connection port 17, the opening of the flange portion 21 will be in an open state. It is possible to prevent infection inside and outside the safety cabinet 1.
[0023]
As described in the above embodiment, according to the present invention, in an experiment in which a substance that is not effectively sterilized in the field is used, it is possible to obtain a safety cabinet such as a biohazard countermeasure safety cabinet that prevents infection during HEPA filter replacement work. Can be.
[0024]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when replacing | exchanging a HEPA filter using a bag, without sterilizing at the time of HEPA filter replacement | exchange, the safety cabinets, such as a biohazard countermeasure cabinet etc. which minimized infection, and a post-filter replacement post-processing method. Can be obtained [Brief description of drawings]
FIG. 1 is a structural diagram showing a safety cabinet of a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an HEPA filter replacement procedure diagram of the safety cabinet of the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an HEPA filter replacement bag processing procedure diagram of the safety cabinet of the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of a safety cabinet according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an HEPA filter replacement procedure diagram of the safety cabinet of the second embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a structural view of a conventional safety cabinet.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a procedure for replacing a HEPA filter of a safety cabinet according to the related art.
FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a process of replacing a used HEPA filter of a safety cabinet according to the related art.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Safety cabinet 1a Main body case 2 Work table 3 Work space 4 HEPA filter for exhaust 5 HEPA filter for air supply 6 Blower 7 Filter replacement cover 8 Bag 8a Connecting port 8b Tape 9 Front shutter 10 Front opening 11 Air curtain 12 Air flow 13 Inflow Air Flow 14 Negative Pressure Contaminated Plenum 15 Bacteria / Virus 17 Connection Port 18 Cap 19 Shutter 20 Tube 21 Flange 22 Shutter Storage

Claims (5)

An air supply system for supplying clean air to the working space through the first air purifying means by the blowing means, and air from the circulation flow path connected to the working space to the outside of the apparatus via the second air purifying means by the exhaust means. An exhaust system for discharging, a front shutter formed in the front of the work space, an outlet to the outside of the first or second air cleaning means, and a safety cabinet including a cover closing the outlet,
A safety cabinet comprising: a connection port for connecting the exhaust system to the outside; and a cap for closing the connection port. An air supply system for supplying clean air to the working space through the first air purifying means by the blowing means, and air from the circulation flow path connected to the working space to the outside of the apparatus via the second air purifying means by the exhaust means. An exhaust system for discharging, a front shutter formed in the front of the work space, an outlet to the outside of the first or second air cleaning means, and a safety cabinet including a cover closing the outlet,
A safety cabinet having an openable and closable shutter at the outlet. The safety cabinet according to claim 1,
A safety cabinet having a shutter that can be opened and closed at the outlet. The method of claim 1, wherein the air purifying means of the safety cabinet is replaced and post-processed.
The air purifying means removed from the safety cabinet is stored and sealed in a bag, and then the connection port of the bag is connected to the connection port of the safety cabinet, and the safety cabinet is operated to reduce the volume in the bag. A method for processing after replacement of air cleaning means. In a method of replacing and purifying air purifying means of a safety cabinet,
The air purifying means removed from the safety cabinet is housed in a bag and hermetically sealed, and then the connecting port of the bag is exhausted to the outside of the apparatus through the air purifying means by the exhaust means and the exhaust system. A method of connecting a simple exhaust device having a connection port for connecting an air purifier with the outside, and operating the simple exhaust device to reduce the volume in the bag.

Images