JP2006166747A - Culture apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a culture apparatus useful in culturing bacteria, cells, etc., by constantly keeping temperature, humidity and atmosphere of a culture environment and pH of culture solution, etc., with which invasion of various germs from the outside during door opening is prevented and the variation of culture environment is controlled. <P>SOLUTION: The culture apparatus is equipped with a vent hole 13 arranged on an arbitrary one side at the opening part side of a box body 3 and an air stream generation part 14 for generating an air stream from the vent hole 13 toward the opposed face. The vent hole 13 is installed between a first door 4 and a second door 10 and an air stream is generated by the air stream generation part 14 so that an air curtain is formed at the opening part side of the box body 3 during the door opening of the culture apparatus 1, invasion of various germs from the outside is prevented, simultaneously the abrupt variation of an environment in a culture space is controlled, contamination is prevented and the abrupt change of an internal environment is suppressed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a culture apparatus used for culturing bacteria, cells and the like while maintaining the temperature, humidity, and atmosphere of the culture environment and the pH of the culture solution at a constant level.

  With the recent development of fields related to biotechnology and regenerative medicine, the work of culturing cells using a culture device is increasing. In order to promote cell culture, it is necessary to prepare a culture space environment suitable for each cell, and a culture apparatus that controls temperature, humidity, and atmosphere in the culture space has been developed.

In particular, when performing cell culture that requires strict conditions of CO ₂ (carbon dioxide / carbon dioxide) gas concentration as culture conditions, in addition to temperature control and humidity control, the CO ₂ gas concentration in the culture space is A CO ₂ incubator is used for the control (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

However, in the conventional culture apparatus, when the door is opened or closed automatically or manually, CO ₂ leaks out from the culture space of the culture apparatus, the CO ₂ gas concentration in the culture space fluctuates, and the culture is caused by mixing of outside air. The space temperature fluctuates. In addition to the instability of the culture environment due to external air contamination and the like, there is a problem in that germs invade and propagate to adversely affect cell growth.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-23877

  However, the conventional culture apparatus has been devised such as adopting a double door in order to suppress the intrusion of the outside air, but no measures are taken for preventing the outside air from being mixed when the inner door is opened. For this reason, dust and germs attached to the dust may enter the culture space, resulting in a risk of contamination.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems by generating an air curtain at the opening of the culture space when the inner door is opened, thereby suppressing invasion of germs from the outside and at the same time suppressing sudden fluctuations in the environment of the culture space. Therefore, an object is to provide a highly reliable culture apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the present invention provides a vent on at least one edge of the culture space opening of the casing constituting the culture apparatus, generates an air flow from the vent, and cultures when the door is opened. An air flow is interposed between the space and the outside.

  Therefore, since the air curtain is generated on the opening side of the housing when the door of the culture device is opened, it is possible to suppress the invasion of germs from the outside, and at the same time, to suppress sudden fluctuations in the environment of the culture space, preventing contamination and the internal environment. Can be suppressed.

  In addition, the culture space opening is provided with a double door of an inner door and an outer door, and in the closed state of both doors, by allowing an air flow to pass through the space formed between the doors, The culture space environment after opening and closing can be quickly returned to a steady state.

The culture apparatus of the present invention prevents intrusion of mold, mold spores, airborne bacteria, and the like caused by opening and closing the door, prevents contamination of the culture space as much as possible, and stabilizes the temperature in the culture space or the CO ₂ gas concentration. Can be promoted.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a substantially box-shaped casing having heat insulation properties, a culture space formed inside the casing, an opening portion opened in the casing, and opening and closing the opening portion. An inner door that is freely closed and is provided in a closed state so that the inside of the casing can be visually recognized, an outer door that is located outside the inner door and that opens and closes the opening of the casing, and the casing A ventilation port provided on an arbitrary surface on the opening side of the air flow, and an air flow generation unit that generates an air flow from the ventilation port toward the opposing surface, and the ventilation port is opened between the inner door and the outer door. And the said air flow generation part is driven by the opening operation | movement of the said inner door, and an air flow is generated from the said vent.

  By adopting such a configuration, when the door of the culture apparatus is opened, an air curtain is generated on the opening side of the housing to suppress the invasion of germs from the outside, and at the same time, the rapid change in the environment of the culture space can be suppressed. Nation prevention and rapid changes in the internal environment can be suppressed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, door opening / closing detection means for detecting opening / closing of the inner door is provided on the casing or door side, and the air flow generation unit is driven by the door opening / closing detection means.

  With this configuration, an air curtain is efficiently generated on the opening side of the casing in conjunction with the door opening operation of the culture apparatus, and operability is improved.

  The invention according to claim 3 is provided with a filter in the air flow generation unit, and generates an air flow in a state in which the outside air generating the air curtain is sterilized. Intrusion can be prevented.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the airflow generation unit is provided with a device for generating a sterilizing component.

  By setting it as this structure, putting in and out of the culture dish in the said culture | cultivation space, an operator's hand, or disinfection of the germs adhering to other apparatuses can be performed with an air curtain.

  The invention according to claim 5 is provided with a positive pressure means for keeping the inside of the culture space in a positive pressure state, and the inside opening / closing door is opened by keeping the inside of the culture space in a positive pressure state. Occasionally, air can enter from the outside, and further, intrusion of germs from the outside can be suppressed, and at the same time, rapid fluctuations in the environment of the culture space can be suppressed, preventing contamination and rapid changes in the internal environment.

Invention according to claim 6, provided with a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the culture space, at least one of the CO ₂ sensing means for detecting the CO ₂ gas concentration, temperature or, CO ₂ concentration in the culture space The air volume of the air flow from the air flow generation unit is adjusted according to the difference between the detected value and the set value.

  By adopting such a configuration, environmental changes in the culture space can be detected, so that an air curtain can be efficiently generated, and invasion of germs and molds into the culture space can be prevented, and the air volume can be adjusted. There is an energy saving effect by doing.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the inner door and the outer door are both closed, and an air flow is passed through a space formed between the inner door and the outer door.

  By adopting such a configuration, when the change of the culture space environment after the opening and closing of the door is restored to the steady state, the stabilization of the environment is promoted by the passage of the outside air, and the stabilization of the environment is promptly achieved. .

  The invention according to claim 8 is provided with a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature in the culture space, and the air flow from the air flow generation unit according to the difference between the detected value of the temperature in the culture space and a set value. And adjusting the air volume to control the temperature in the culture space to a set value.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to return the fluctuation of the culture space environment after opening and closing the door to the steady state more efficiently.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the present embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a culture apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a culture space 2 of the culture apparatus 1 includes a heat-insulating housing 3 and a space surrounded by an inner door 4 that is provided in an opening of the housing 3 and opens and closes the opening. ing. The inner door 4 is made of a transparent material (for example, tempered glass or transparent resin) so that the inside of the culture space 2 is visible.

  In the culture space 2, a tray 6 on which a culture container 5 such as a petri dish for culturing cells and the like and a basin 7 containing sterilized water for preventing drying of the culture environment are installed. . The water pumped into the basin 7 is naturally vaporized, and the inside of the culture space 2 is always kept at high humidity.

Further, an air path cover 8 that divides the culture space 2 and the air path 2a is provided on the inner surface of the culture space 2, and the air path 2a has an inside for storing the air in the culture space 2. A fan 9 is provided, and the environment in the culture space 2 is made uniform by the stirring action of the internal fan 9. Usually, the internal fan 9 is driven by a rotationally driven fan motor (not shown), but in the present embodiment, the fan motor is provided outside the culture space 2 via a rotating shaft. It has been. Further, in the culture space 2, as a culture environment, a temperature sensor 16 that detects the temperature in the space and a CO that detects the CO ₂ gas concentration from the relationship of the temperature, CO ₂ gas concentration, and humidity management in the culture space 2. _Two sensors 17 are arranged.

In controlling the temperature in the culture space 2, the temperature in the culture space 2 can be maintained at a set value by appropriately operating, for example, a heater as a heating unit and a Peltier unit as a cooling unit. Further, in order to supply CO ₂ gas into the culture space 2, a gas cylinder (not shown) filled with CO ₂ gas is passed through a gas supply path provided in the housing 3 and an electromagnetic valve (both not shown). In communication with the culture space 2.

  Moreover, the outer door 10 which has heat insulation is provided in the outer side of the inner door 4 so that opening and closing is possible. Further, a vent 13 that opens between the inner door 4 and the outer door 10 is provided in the upper portion of the housing 3. An air curtain is generated between the inner door 4 and the outer door 10 by the air flow from the vent 13. Further, an airflow generation unit 14 for generating the airflow is installed at the upper part of the vent hole 13. The air flow generation unit 14 includes a fan 11 that generates an air flow for sucking outside air and generating an air curtain, and a filter 12 that purifies the outside air and generates a clean air flow. For example, a sterilization filter such as a HEPA filter is used as the filter 12.

  Here, the outer door 10 can be opened and closed with the lower end as an axis, and the inner door 4 is configured to be opened and closed with the upper end as an axis. The position is arbitrary, and is not limited to the above-described position as long as the open / close state without impairing the function of the air curtain can be maintained.

  In addition, a positive pressure circuit 19 having one end opened to the vent hole 13 and the other end opened into the culture space 2 is provided at the top of the housing 3. A part of the air flow from the vent hole 13 is supplied into the culture space 2 through the positive pressure circuit 19 to positively pressure the inside of the culture space 2. If necessary, a blowing means may be provided in the positive pressure circuit 19 to always positively pressure the inside of the culture space 2.

  The operation and action of the culture apparatus configured as described above will be described below.

  First, in the case where a culture vessel 5 containing bacteria or tissues intended for culture is installed in the culture space 2 of the culture apparatus 1, the pH in the culture vessel 5 is adjusted during the culture of bacteria or cells. There is a need to. Therefore, the operation of taking out the culture vessel 5 from the culture space 2 is performed when the culture solution in the culture vessel 5 is replaced. When the culture vessel 5 is taken out, the culture space 2 can be visually recognized through the transparent inner door 4 by opening the outer door 10.

  Further, when the inner door 4 is opened for taking out the culture vessel 5, the door opening / closing switch 15 detects the opening, and the air flow generation unit 14 operates. As a result, the airflow passes through the vent hole 13, and an air curtain is generated between the inner door 4 and the outer door 10. The air curtain airflow is adjusted to a clean state by the filter 12.

  Therefore, the generated air curtain shields the front surface of the culture space 2 from the outside air by an air flow from the upper side to the lower side, and plays a role of a defense wall such as bacteria adhering to the dust and dust from the upper side. At the same time, since a part of the air curtain airflow is taken into the positive pressure circuit 19 and the culture space 2 is appropriately positively pressurized, an airflow is generated in the observation work in the vicinity of the culture apparatus 1, and the airflow is caused by the airflow. The air curtain can also be prevented from entering the culture space 2.

  Furthermore, since the temperature in the culture space 2 is detected by the temperature sensor 16 provided in the culture space 2 and the set temperature environment based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 16 is maintained by the control means, the culture space environmental conditions are stabilized. Can be realized.

Further, the CO ₂ gas concentration in the culture space 2 is detected by the CO ₂ sensor 17 provided in the culture space 2, the electromagnetic switching valve is operated by the control means, and the set concentration based on the detected gas concentration of the CO ₂ sensor 17. In order to maintain the environment, the culture space environmental conditions can be further stabilized.

  Furthermore, since the inside of the culture space 2 is always kept in a positive pressure state by the fan 11 or an appropriately provided air blowing means, it is possible to prevent air from entering from the outside when the inner door 4 is opened. Moreover, the invasion prevention effect of various germs is further improved by the combined use with the air curtain by the generation of the air flow from above.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, when the inner door 4 is opened, the intrusion of air from the outside is prevented. However, depending on the frequency of the door opening / closing operation, the opening time, and the like, The culture environment changes slightly.

  In this case, in order to reduce the influence on the culture in the culture space 2, it is necessary to quickly return the culture space 2 to normal environmental conditions. In the present embodiment, it can be realized by operation control of the fan 11 that generates the air curtain.

For example, the fan 11 is operated at the maximum number of rotations for several minutes after opening the door, and the number of rotations is gradually reduced. Specifically, by controlling the rotation speed of the fan 11 for generating the air curtain based on the difference between the detected temperature or the detected CO ₂ concentration and the change speed with respect to the set temperature or the set value of the CO ₂ set concentration, The rate of change can be suppressed. Thereby, the returnability of the environment in the culture space 2 after the inner door 4 is closed can be improved.

  That is, both the inner door 4 and the outer door 10 are in a closed state, and an air flow is passed through the space formed between the inner door 4 and the outer door 10, so that the environment in the culture space 2 after the door is opened and closed. It is possible to control to return the fluctuations to the steady state. In this case, overshoot occurs with respect to the set value. However, by controlling the flow rate of the air flow that passes through the space formed between the inner door 4 and the outer door 10 in accordance with the overshoot ratio, the environment is further stabilized. It is possible to improve the returnability of the environment by contributing to the realization.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, an air curtain is generated on the opening side of the housing 3 when the outer door 10 of the culture apparatus 1 is opened. Sudden fluctuations in the environment can be suppressed, contamination can be prevented, and sudden changes in the internal environment can be suppressed.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, since the air flow generation part 14 is operated by the opening / closing operation | movement of the inner door 4 by the door opening / closing detection means 15, and an air curtain is produced | generated, an air curtain is produced | generated efficiently when the door of the culture apparatus 1 opens. In addition, it is possible to suppress the invasion of germs from the outside, and to suppress sudden fluctuations in the environment of the culture space, to prevent contamination and to suppress sudden changes in the internal environment.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the airflow generation unit 14 includes the sterilization filter 12 such as a HEPA filter, the airflow can be generated in a state in which the outside air that generates the air curtain is sterilized. Invasion of germs from the air curtain can be prevented.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, since the inside of culture | cultivation space 2 is always maintained in the positive pressure state, when the 1st door 4 is opened, since air can penetrate | invade from the outside, further from the outside At the same time as suppressing the invasion of various bacteria, it is possible to suppress sudden fluctuations in the environment of the culture space, to prevent contamination and to suppress sudden changes in the internal environment.

Further, in the present embodiment, a temperature detection means 16 for detecting the temperature in the culture space 2 and a CO ₂ concentration detection means 17 are provided, and the temperature in the culture space 2 or the detected value and set value of the CO ₂ concentration are provided. By adjusting the air volume of the air flow from the air flow generation unit 14 according to the difference between the two, the environmental change in the culture space 2 can be detected, so that an air curtain is efficiently generated and invasion of germs into the culture space is prevented. In addition to being able to do so, it also has an energy saving effect because the air volume is adjusted.

  Further, in the present embodiment, both the inner door 4 and the outer door 10 are in a closed state, and an air flow is passed through a space formed between the inner door 4 and the outer door 10 to open and close the door. When returning the fluctuation of the environment in the culture space 2 to the steady state, the outside air can contribute to the stabilization of the environment and promote the stabilization of the environment.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, the temperature detection means 16 which detects the temperature in culture | cultivation space 2 is further provided, and from the airflow generation part 14 according to the difference between the value which detected the temperature in culture | cultivation space 2, and a setting value, By controlling the temperature in the culture space 2 to the set value by generating an air flow and adjusting the air volume, the fluctuation of the environment in the culture space 2 after opening and closing the door can be controlled to a steady state more efficiently. The environmental stabilization can be promoted by contributing to the environmental stabilization by the outside air.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the heater is exemplified as the heating unit, but it is also possible to use a heat release side of Peltier, a heat pump, or the like. The cooling means can be a cooling means such as a compressor.

  In this embodiment, the air curtain is generated in the direction from the top to the bottom. However, the air curtain may be generated in the horizontal direction or from the bottom to the top.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the culture apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Here, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted, and descriptions of the same functional parts are also omitted.

  In FIG. 2, the difference from the first embodiment is that the airflow generation unit 14 includes a device 18 that generates a sterilizing component.

  With this configuration, the culture container 5 in the culture space 2 can be taken in and out, and the sterilization of germs and the like attached to the operator's hand or other devices can be performed more strongly with an air curtain. Examples of the sterilizing component here include hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite.

  As described above, the culture apparatus according to the present invention can be used for basic experiments such as physics and chemistry experiments such as living organisms and chemistry, regenerative medicine, and clinical experiments, and also for fermentation of fermented foods for home use. can do.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a culture device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Longitudinal sectional view of a culture device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Culture apparatus 2 Culture space 3 Housing | casing 4 Inner door 10 Outer door 12 Filter 13 Ventilation hole 14 Air flow generation part 15 Open / close switch 16 Temperature sensor 17 CO ₂ sensor 18 Sterilization component generator 19 Positive pressure circuit

Claims (8)

  A substantially box-shaped housing having heat insulation properties, a culture space formed inside the housing, an opening portion opened in the housing, the opening portion being freely opened and closed, and the closed state in the closed state An inner door provided inside the housing so as to be visible, an outer door located outside the inner door and closing the opening of the housing so that it can be opened and closed, and an arbitrary surface on the opening side of the housing Provided with an air vent and an airflow generating section for generating an air flow from the vent toward the opposite surface, the vent opening being opened between the inner door and the outer door, and opening the inner door A culture apparatus that drives the air flow generation unit to generate an air flow from the vent.   The culture apparatus according to claim 1, wherein door opening / closing detection means for detecting opening / closing of the inner door is provided on the housing or door side, and the air flow generation unit is driven by the door opening / closing detection means.   The culture apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the airflow generation unit includes a filter.   The culture apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a device that generates a sterilizing component in the airflow generation unit.   The culture apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a positive pressure means for maintaining the culture space in a positive pressure state. Setting a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the culture space, at least one of the CO ₂ sensing means for detecting the CO ₂ gas concentration provided, the temperature of the culture space, or, at least one of the detected value of CO ₂ concentration The culture apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an air volume of an air flow from the air flow generation unit is adjusted according to a difference from the value.   The culture apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein both the inner door and the outer door are in a closed state, and an air flow is passed through a space formed between the inner door and the outer door.   Provide temperature detection means for detecting the temperature in the culture space, adjust the air volume and generate an air flow from the air flow generation unit according to the difference between the value detected the temperature in the culture space and the set value, The culture apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the temperature in the culture space is controlled to a set value.

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