JP2005083944A - Humidifier for test tube - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problems, wherein a test tube cannot be viewed entirely from the outside since the test tube is loaded into a block hole in a conventional humidifier for test tubes, so that the test tube must be taken out of the humidifier for test tubes for observation, and a temperature condition is varied. <P>SOLUTION: Since heat generation glass plates 31, 33 are transparent, the test tube A accommodated in a case 91 is seen through. Therefore, while the test tube in which there are a culture solution E and a cell S is being maintained at desired temperature conditions, observation and photographing can be made. Additionally, the need for troublesome work for taking out the test tube A from the humidifier 1 for test tubes at each observation is eliminated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a test tube heating device, and more particularly to a test tube warming device capable of observing a heated test tube.

When culturing cells using a test tube, a culture solution and cells as a sample are placed in the test tube, which is stored in an incubator and kept at a desired temperature. In order to observe cells, the test tube must be taken out of the incubator, but if the test tube is taken out of the incubator, the temperature condition will be lost. In addition, it is quite troublesome to take out the test tube from the test tube heating device every time it is observed, which causes troubles in performing observation over time.

  Therefore, a test tube heating apparatus is commercially available for maintaining the temperature of the test tube taken out from the incubator. This test tube heating apparatus inserts and holds a test tube in a hole formed in the upper surface of a metal block, and heats the test tube with a nichrome wire embedded in the block.

However, in this conventional test tube heating apparatus, since the test tube is inserted into the hole of the block, the test tube cannot be seen from the outside at all. Therefore, in order to perform observation, the test tube must be taken out of the test tube heating device, and the temperature condition will be lost.
In addition, if a transparent part for visually recognizing the test tube is formed on the block, heat will escape from that part, and the test tube cannot be maintained at the desired temperature, making it difficult to escape heat. If the part is made small, it becomes impossible to observe the cells in the test tube.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and provides a test tube heating apparatus capable of performing observation while maintaining a test tube containing a sample such as a cell at a desired temperature condition. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve this object, the invention of claim 1 is a test tube heating device comprising a case for storing a test tube containing a sample and a heating means for heating the test tube stored in the case. In the temperature device, the case has a transparent part through which the test tube accommodated in the case can be seen, and the heating means includes a transparent conductive film formed in the transparent part and a current supply means for energizing the transparent conductive film. It is the heating apparatus for test tubes characterized by comprising.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the test tube warming device according to the first aspect, the control means includes a detecting means for detecting the temperature of the transparent portion, and controls energization by the energizing means based on the detection result of the detecting means. A heating apparatus for a test tube characterized by comprising means.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the test tube heating apparatus according to the first or second aspect, further comprising case tilting means for tilting the case.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the test tube heating apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising stirring means for stirring the air in the case.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the test tube heating apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the case is provided with display means for visually recognizing the temperature in the case from the outside of the case. It is a heating device.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is the test tube heating apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising test tube support means for supporting the test tube accommodated in the case in a standing state. This is a heating device for a test tube.

  The invention of claim 7 is the heating apparatus for a test tube according to claim 6, wherein the test tube support means includes an upper end support member that supports the upper end of the test tube and a bottom support member that supports the bottom of the test tube. The heating device for a test tube, characterized in that the upper end support member can be replaced according to the diameter of the test tube, and the position of the bottom support member can be changed according to the length of the test tube. It is.

In the test tube heating device of the present invention, a transparent conductive film is formed in the transparent part of the case, and heat is generated by energizing the transparent conductive film. That is, the transparent part generates heat. In addition, the inside of the case can be maintained at a desired temperature, and the sample in the test tube can be visually recognized through the transparent portion having a size sufficient for observation. Therefore, the sample in the test tube can be observed in a state where the test tube accommodated in the case is kept at a desired temperature.
Further, the troublesome work of taking out the test tube from the test tube heating device each time it is observed is unnecessary, and it is extremely convenient for performing observation and photographing over time.

1 to 4 illustrate a test tube heating apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment. The test tube heating apparatus 1 accommodates test tubes A, B, C, and D.
The test tube A is a type having a large diameter dimension and a small length dimension. The test tube B is a type having a small diameter and a small length. The test tube C is a type having a large diameter dimension and a large length dimension. The test tube D is a type having a small diameter dimension and a large length dimension.
The length of the test tube A is the same as that of the test tube B, and the length of the test tube C is the same as that of the test tube D. The test tube A has the same diameter as the test tube C, and the test tube B has the same diameter as the test tube D. Further, the bottoms of the test tube A and the test tube C are formed flat, but the lower ends of the test tube B and the test tube D are reduced in diameter.

  Reference numeral 3 denotes a base. A rectangular recess 5 is formed on the upper surface of the base 3, and four protrusions 7 facing outward are provided at four corners of the base 3. The four projecting portions 7 are respectively formed with screw holes 9 penetrating vertically, and leg portions 11 are respectively attached from below the screw holes 9. The leg portion 11 includes a shaft 13 on which a male screw that is screwed into the screw hole 9 is formed, and a substantially disk-shaped knob portion 15 that is fixed to the lower end of the shaft 13.

The detailed structure of the case body 17 will be described.
Reference numerals 19 and 21 denote left and right side plates, and the left side plate 19 and the right side plate 21 are attached to both ends of the frame bodies 23 and 25. Relatively large rectangular openings 27 and 29 are formed in the frame bodies 23 and 25, respectively. Heat generating glass plates 31 and 33 are attached to the openings 27 and 29, respectively, and the openings 27 and 29 are closed by these heat generating glass plates 31 and 33.

Since the heat generating glass plates 31 and 33 have the same structure, the heat generating glass plate 31 will be described as a representative example.
As shown in FIG. 3, the heat generating glass plate 31 is configured by superposing a transparent glass plate 35 and a transparent glass plate 36 on which a transparent conductive film 37 is formed and bonding them with silicone. The transparent conductive film 37 of the transparent glass plate 35 is formed on a surface overlapping the transparent glass plate 36, and the transparent conductive film 37 is covered with the transparent glass plate 36.
A pair of electrodes (not shown) are provided on the transparent conductive film 37, and the pair of electrodes are formed in a strip shape and are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction ends of the transparent conductive film 37.

One end of a lead wire (not shown) is connected to each of the pair of electrodes. The lead wire is covered with a covering material, and is drawn out from a notch 47 formed in the right side plate 21 as a single cord 43, and is controlled. Is connected to the controller 51. The controller 51 is connected to a power source (not shown).
A temperature display label 39 as a display unit is attached to the surface of the heat generating glass plate 31. The temperature display label 39 detects the temperature of the heat generating glass plate 31, and a number corresponding to the detected temperature is colored.
A temperature sensor 41 made of a thermocouple as a detection means is attached to the surface of the heat generating glass plate 33, and the temperature sensor 41 is covered with an insulating tape 42. One end of a lead wire (not shown) is connected to the temperature sensor 41.
The lead wire connected to the temperature sensor 41 and the lead wire connected to the pair of electrodes described above are collected by the cord 45 and pulled out from the notch 49 formed in the right side plate 21 and connected to the controller 51. Has been.
Reference numeral 53 denotes a fan as a stirring means. The fan 53 is attached to the right side plate 21 and is driven by a motor (not shown).

  Concave portions 55, 57, 59, and 61 are formed on the opposing surfaces of the pair of left side plate 19 and right side plate 21. Concave portions 55 and 57 are formed in the left side plate 19 at intervals in the vertical direction, and concave portions 59 and 61 are formed in the right side plate 21 at positions facing the concave portions 55 and 57 of the left side plate 19.

Reference numeral 63 denotes a support plate, and a notch 65 is formed at one end of the support plate 63 in the width direction. A plurality of large holes 69 and small holes 71 are formed in the support plate 63, and the large holes 69 and the small holes 71 are alternately arranged.
Both ends of the support plate 63 are supported by being fitted into the recesses 55 and 59. If the support plate 63 is fitted into the recesses 57 and 61 as will be described later, the test tubes C and D having a large length can be handled.

As shown in FIG. 2, an opening 72 is provided on the upper surface of the case body 17. A stepped portion 74 is formed at the edge of the opening 72, and upper lids 73 and 81 described later are supported on the stepped portion 74 to close the opening 72.
Reference numeral 73 denotes an upper lid for the test tube A and the test tube C, and a support hole 77 is formed in the upper lid 73. Further, the upper lid 73 is provided with a fitting lid 75 that closes the support hole 77.
Reference numeral 81 denotes an upper lid for the test tube B and the test tube D, which is used in place of the upper lid 73. The upper lid 81 is provided with a support hole 83 having a size smaller than that of the support hole 77 of the upper lid 73 and a fitting lid 85 that closes the support hole 83.
The upper lids 73 and 81 as upper end support members and the support plate 63 as a lower end support member constitute a test tube support means.
The case body 17 is fitted in the recess 5 of the base 3 and is fixed by screws (not shown). The case 91 includes the case body 17, the base 3 that forms the bottom surface of the case body 17, and the upper lid 73 or the upper lid 81.

A method of observing a sample put in the test tube A using the test tube heating apparatus 1 will be described.
When the controller 51 is turned on and the controller 51 is operated to set a desired temperature, the electrodes of the transparent conductive film 37 of the heat generating glass plates 31 and 33 are energized through the lead wires, and the transparent conductive film 37 generates heat. The inside of the case 91 is heated by the heat generated by the transparent conductive film 37. The temperature sensor 41 detects the temperature of the heat generating glass plate 33, and energization is controlled based on the detection result. Thereby, the temperature in the case 91 is kept at a desired value.
When the number of test tubes A accommodated in the case 91 is smaller than the support holes 77, the fitting lids 75 are attached to the support holes 77 into which the test tubes A are not inserted and closed. Thereby, the heated air in the case 91 can be prevented from leaking from the support hole 77.
Further, the fan 53 is driven, the air in the case 91 is agitated, and the temperature in the case 91 becomes uniform. Since air flows through the notch 65, the large hole 69, and the small hole 71 of the support plate 63, the temperature of the region including the lower space of the support plate 63 becomes uniform.

When the temperature of the case 91 reaches a desired value, the test tube A is taken out from the incubator. The fitting lid 75 is removed from the upper lid 73, and the test tube A containing the culture medium E and the cells S is inserted into the support hole 77 and accommodated in the case 91. The upper end portion of the test tube A is supported by the support hole 77 and the bottom portion is supported by the support plate 63 so as to be supported in a standing state.
Since the heat generating glass plates 31 and 33 generate heat, the temperature inside the case 91 can be maintained at a desired temperature even if it is quite large. The heat generating glass plates 31 and 33 having a size sufficient for this observation are transparent. Therefore, the test tube A accommodated in the case 91 can be seen through. Therefore, observation and photographing can be performed in a state where the test tube containing the culture medium E and the cells S is maintained at a desired temperature condition. Therefore, it is possible to observe the change with time without breaking the temperature condition.

Furthermore, the troublesome work of taking out the test tube A from the test tube warming device 1 every time it is observed is unnecessary, and it is extremely convenient especially for performing observation and photographing over time.
In addition, since the temperature display label 39 displays the color corresponding to the temperature of the heat generating glass 31 in color, the temperature can be visually recognized from the outside of the case 91. Therefore, the temperature can be confirmed without shifting the line of sight to the display unit 52 of the controller 51. Therefore, the temperature can be confirmed while observing the cells S in the test tube A.

When the test tube B is accommodated in the case 91, the upper lid 73 is replaced with the upper lid 81. Since the upper end portion of the test tube B is supported by the support hole 83 and the bottom portion enters and is supported by the small hole 71, the test tube B is stably supported in a standing state.
When accommodating the test tube C in the case 91, the upper lid 73 is used and the support position of the support plate 63 is changed downward. That is, the support plate 63 is supported by the concave portion 57 of the left side plate 19 and the concave portion 61 of the right side plate 21 to correspond to the length dimension of the test tube C.
When accommodating the test tube D in the case 91, the upper lid 81 is used, and the position of the support plate 63 is changed downward as in the case of the test tube C. Since the bottom of the test tube D enters the small hole 71 and is supported, the test tube D is stably supported in a standing state.
As with the test tube A, the test tubes B, C, and D accommodated in the case 91 can be seen through. Accordingly, it is possible to observe and photograph changes over time without breaking the temperature condition while maintaining the test tube containing the sample at a desired temperature condition.

5 to 7 show a test tube heating apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment. Since the test tube warming device 101 has the same components as those of the test tube warmer 1 of the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. Only explained.
Reference numeral 103 denotes a base, and the protruding portion 107 of the base 103 is formed thicker than the protruding portion 7 of the base 3. Legs 111a, 111b, 111c, 111d are screwed into the screw holes 109 formed in the four projecting parts 107, and the shaft 113 on which the male threads of the leg parts 111a, 111b, 111c, 111d are formed This is longer than the shaft 13 of the first embodiment.

When the knob portion 15 of the leg portions 111a and 111b is turned to project the leg portions 111a and 111b, the case 191 is inclined rightward in FIG. As a result, the test tube A is tilted, and observation is possible in this state.
When the test tube A is tilted, the range exposed to the line of sight of the cells S in the test tube A increases, and observation becomes easier.
When the legs 111c and 111d are projected without protruding the legs 111a and 111b, the case 191 is inclined to the left in FIG.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the specific configuration of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and even if there is a design change or the like without departing from the gist of the present invention. Included in the invention.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the transparent portions through which the test tubes accommodated in the case can be seen through are provided in the frame bodies 23 and 25, but may be provided only in the frame body 23 or the frame body 25. Moreover, as long as it is possible to see through the test tube accommodated in the case, a transparent portion may be formed in a portion other than the frame.

  Moreover, in the said Example, although only the exothermic glass which uses a transparent conductive film as a heat generating source was used as a heating means, you may use together exothermic glass and a nichrome wire heater. For example, the entire case is made of an aluminum alloy, an opening is formed only on the front surface, and the same heat-generating glass as in the above embodiment is attached to the opening and closed, and the back side is closed without an opening. Further, a nichrome wire heater may be embedded in the closed portion on the back side. Thus, if the nichrome wire heater with a large calorific value is used in combination, the temperature in the case can be maintained more stably.

It is a perspective view of the heating apparatus for test tubes which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining the structure of the upper part of the heating apparatus for test tubes which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the heating apparatus for test tubes which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the heating apparatus for test tubes which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view of the heating apparatus for test tubes which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the heating apparatus for test tubes which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the heating apparatus for test tubes which concerns on Example 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Heating apparatus for test tubes 3 Base 5 Recessed part 7 Protruding part 9 Screw hole 11 Leg part 13 Shaft 15 Knob part 17 Case main body 19 Left side plate 21 Right side plate 23 Frame body 25 Frame body 27 Opening part 29 Opening part 31 Heating glass plate 33 Exothermic glass plate 35 Transparent glass plate 36 Transparent glass plate 37 Transparent conductive film 39 Temperature display label
41 Temperature Sensor 42 Insulating Tape 43 Code 45 Code 47 Notch 49 Notch 51 Controller 52 Insulating Tape 53 Fan 55 Recess 57 Recess 59 Recess 61 Recess 63 Support Plate 65 Notch 69 Large Hole 71 Small Hole 72 Opening 73 Top Cover 74 Step 75 Fitting lid 77 Support hole 81 Upper lid 83 Support hole 85 Fitting lid 91 Case 101 Heating device for test tube 103 Base 107 Protruding portion 109 Screw hole 111a, 111b, 111c, 111d Leg portion 113 Shaft 191 Case A Test tube B Test tube C test tube D test tube E medium S cell

Claims (7)

  In a test tube heating apparatus comprising a case for storing a test tube containing a sample and a heating means for heating the test tube stored in the case, the case includes a test tube stored in the case. A heating apparatus for a test tube, comprising: a transparent portion that can be seen through, wherein the heating means includes a transparent conductive film formed in the transparent part and a current-carrying means for energizing the transparent conductive film.   The test tube heating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a detection unit that detects the temperature of the transparent portion, and a control unit that controls energization by the energization unit based on a detection result of the detection unit. Heating device for test tubes.   3. The test tube heating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising case tilting means for tilting the case. 4. The test tube heating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a stirring means for stirring the air in the case.   5. The test tube warming device according to claim 1, wherein the case is provided with display means for visually checking the temperature inside the case from the outside of the case.   6. The test tube heating device according to claim 1, further comprising test tube support means for supporting the test tube accommodated in the case in a standing state.   7. The test tube heating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the test tube support means includes an upper end support member that supports an upper end portion of the test tube and a bottom support member that supports the bottom portion of the test tube, and the upper end support. The member can be exchanged according to the diameter of the test tube, and the position of the bottom support member can be changed according to the length of the test tube.

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