JP2009118862A - Incubator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an incubator equipped with a microscopic observation device wherein the optical system such as camera, lenses or the like constituting the microscopic observation device are kept free from humid. <P>SOLUTION: The incubator according to the invention is equipped, inside the chamber, with a rack for receiving a plurality of incubating vessels, an incubating vessel-conveyer that conveys the incubating vessels and can pick up from or return back to optional incubating vessels on the rack and a microscopic observation means in which a microscopic observation device for observing specimens on the incubating vessel is received inside a sealed structured case, and also an observation window for observing the specimens is attached to the shielded case. The incubating vessel-conveyer allows desired incubating vessels on the receiving rack to move on the position opposing to the observation window in the microscopic observation means thereby the specimens on incubating vessels can microscopically be observed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an incubator for culturing a sample in a culture container such as a microplate inside a chamber adjusted to a predetermined environmental condition.

Conventionally, an incubator (9) as shown in FIG. 29 is used for culturing various microorganisms and cells. The incubator (9) is provided with a plurality of shelves (93) in a chamber (91) capable of opening and closing an opening (90) by an open / close door (92), and each shelf (93) has a plurality of shelves. The microplate (31) can be accommodated. The chamber (91) is equipped with an environmental adjustment device (not shown) for adjusting environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and CO ₂ concentration in the chamber (91), and set appropriate environmental conditions. By this, the sample on the microplate (31) is cultured.

  In such an incubator (9), the microplate (31) is taken out from the chamber (91) and the sample is observed and analyzed by a microscope or the like in order to confirm the state of the sample in culture. In this case, since the opening / closing door (92) of the chamber (91) needs to be opened, there is a problem that the environmental conditions in the chamber (11) greatly change.

  Therefore, an incubator has been proposed in which the microplate can be transported between the microplate insertion opening established in the chamber and each microplate housing in the chamber, and the microplate is automatically inserted into and removed from each microplate housing. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  According to the incubator, since a small microplate insertion port may be opened in the chamber, the environmental conditions in the chamber do not change greatly when the microplate is inserted and removed.

  Further, an incubator has been proposed in which a microscopic observation apparatus including a camera and an optical system is provided inside the chamber, and the microplate can be observed in the chamber by the microscopic observation apparatus (see Patent Documents 2 to 4). .

According to the incubator, since the microplate in the chamber can be observed without opening the opening / closing door of the chamber, the environmental conditions in the chamber do not change.
JP-A-11-89559 Special table 2002-538477 gazette JP 2003-93041 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-21628

  However, in a conventional incubator that automatically transports the microplate in the chamber, in order to observe the sample in culture, the microplate into which the sample has been injected is removed from the microplate storage shelf and inserted into the microplate. It is necessary to carry it out to the mouth, and then discharge it to the outside from the microplate insertion opening. After the observation is finished, carry the microplate into the chamber, carry it through the chamber, and store the microplate in the original microplate. Since it is necessary to return to the chamber, not only does it take time to observe the sample, but the microplate insertion opening is opened each time, so that there is a problem that the environment in the chamber changes.

  On the other hand, in an incubator in which a microplate microscopic observation apparatus is provided in the chamber, the environment in the chamber does not change, but the inside of the chamber is highly humid, so that the camera, lens, etc. constituting the microscopic observation apparatus There was a problem that the optical system was damaged by moisture.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an incubator in which a microscopic observation device for a culture container is provided in a chamber, in which an optical system such as a camera and a lens constituting the microscopic observation device is not damaged by moisture. .

  The present invention provides an incubator for culturing a sample on a culture container in a chamber adjusted to a predetermined environmental condition. In this chamber, a culture container storage shelf for storing a plurality of culture containers, and a culture container are provided. A culture container transport means capable of transporting and taking in and out an arbitrary culture container stored in the culture container storage shelf, and a microscopic observation apparatus for microscopic observation of a sample on the culture container are sealed shield A microscopic observation means provided with an observation window for allowing the microscopic observation apparatus to microscopically observe the sample on the culture container in the shield case, and the culture container transporting means comprises: The desired culture container accommodated in the culture container storage shelf is moved to the position opposite to the observation window of the microscopic observation means, and the sample on the culture container is microscopically observed. Characterized in that was.

  There are a plurality of the culture vessel storage shelves, and there are provided storage shelf holders for horizontally arranging and holding these culture vessel storage shelves, and the microscopic observation means replaces one or a plurality of culture vessel storage shelves with the storage shelves. You may have the external shape which can be installed in a holder.

  A culture vessel insertion port for inserting a culture vessel into the chamber may be provided, and the culture vessel transfer means may transfer the culture vessel between the culture vessel insertion port and the culture vessel storage shelf. .

  In the incubator according to the present invention, since the microscope observation device is accommodated in the shield case, the optical system such as a camera and a lens constituting the microscope observation device is not damaged by moisture.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the incubator which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which pulled out the stacker from the chamber. It is a perspective view of a chamber. It is a perspective view of an incubator unit. It is a perspective view showing two kinds of microplates with different heights and two kinds of stackers with different numbers of stages. It is a perspective view of a microplate conveyance apparatus. It is a side view of a microplate conveyance apparatus. It is a top view which shows the position of three motors arrange | positioned at a microplate conveying apparatus. It is a side view of a X-axis conveyance part. It is a perspective view showing operation | movement of an X-axis conveyance part. It is a perspective view showing the power transmission path of a Y-axis conveyance part, a Z-axis conveyance part, and an X-axis conveyance part. It is a perspective view of a microplate carrying-in mechanism. It is a side view of a microplate carrying-in mechanism. It is a perspective view showing operation | movement of a microplate carrying-in mechanism. It is a disassembled perspective view of a Y-axis motor unit. It is a figure showing the structure by which the camera is arrange | positioned at the chamber. It is a figure showing the control block of the incubator which concerns on this invention. It is a front view showing the operation | movement direction of the microplate conveying apparatus in the incubator which concerns on this invention. It is a side view same as the above. It is a front view explaining the flow of the gas blown out from a blower outlet. It is a side view same as the above. It is a flowchart showing the sample analysis procedure of the incubator which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the drive direction of the camera by a camera drive mechanism. It is a figure explaining the process of image processing. It is a perspective view which shows the state which incorporated the microscope observation unit in the incubator unit. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a microscope observation unit. It is a perspective view which shows the state which connected the microscope observation unit to the analyzer. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of another incubator. It is a perspective view of the conventional incubator.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
Overall Configuration As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the incubator (1) according to the present invention has an opening (10) formed on the front surface and can be opened and closed by an opening / closing door (12). An incubator unit (2) is accommodated in the chamber (11), and a microplate insertion port (13) opened on the side wall of the chamber (11) has a microplate. A carry-in mechanism (4) is connected.

As shown in FIG. 3, the chamber (11) is provided with an environmental adjustment device (6) for adjusting the temperature, humidity and CO ₂ concentration in the chamber at the back, and is located at the back of the chamber (11). A blowout port (62) having a fan for blowing out the gas for environmental adjustment obtained from the environmental adjustment device (6) toward the central space in the chamber is provided on the wall surface.

A thermometer (63), a CO ₂ meter (64), and a hygrometer (65) that constitute a sensor unit of the environmental adjustment device (6) are attached to the inner wall of the chamber (11). A camera (7) is installed on the ceiling wall of the chamber (11).

  A shutter mechanism (14) for opening and closing the microplate insertion opening (13) is provided on the side wall of the chamber (11), and air for forming a curtain of airflow at the microplate insertion opening (13). A curtain mechanism (16) is provided.

  Also, the chamber (11) has a barcode sensor (151) for reading a barcode attached to the microplate passing through the microplate insertion opening (13) toward the microplate insertion opening (13). It is attached.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the incubator unit (2) has a microplate transport device (5) provided with a microplate transport table (50) on a base (21), and the microplate transport device (5). ) Is provided with a pair of left and right stacker holders (23) and (23). Each stacker holder (23) has a plurality of stackers (3) for accommodating microplates in the front-rear direction. Are held in an array.

  As shown in FIG. 2, by pulling out the drawer base (22) from the opening (10) with the open / close door (12) open, a plurality of stackers (3) on the drawer base (22) are opened (10). The stacker (3) can be pulled out from the stacker holder (23).

  Thereby, the stacker (3) can be easily replaced, and the used stacker (3) can be washed.

  The stacker (3) accommodates a plurality of microplates (31) in which a plurality of sample injection recesses (31a) are formed as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b). A pair of receiving pieces (32) and (32) are provided in a plurality of levels so as to protrude in a horizontal posture.

  Since there are a plurality of types of microplates (31) having different heights as shown in the figure, a plurality of types of stackers (3) having different arrangement pitches of the receiving pieces (32) are prepared.

  As shown in FIG. 1, with the incubator unit (2) housed in the chamber (11), the microplate transport device (5) is located at the center of the space in the chamber (11), A plurality of stackers (3) are arranged in the space.

  A water storage pan (60) for applying moisture to the air in the chamber (11) is disposed below the incubator unit (2).

  In the incubator (1) of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of stackers (3) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the microplate transfer device (5) in the chamber (11). Compared with the conventional incubator in which the microplate storage shelf is installed only on one side of the microplate transport device, a larger number of stackers (3) can be installed in the chamber (11) and can be accommodated thereby. The number of microplates (31) increases.

Microplate transfer device (5)
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the microplate transport device (5) has a frame body that supports an upper plate (53) on a base (51) via four support columns (52) to (52). The frame body includes an X-axis transport unit (54) for driving the transport table (50) in the left-right direction, that is, the X-axis direction, and the transport table (50) in the front-rear direction, that is, the Y-axis direction. A Y-axis transport unit (55) for driving and a Z-axis transport unit (56) for driving the transport table (50) in the vertical direction, that is, the Z-axis direction, are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the base (51) includes an X-axis motor unit (57) for driving the X-axis transport unit (54) and a Y-axis motor unit (58 for driving the Y-axis transport unit (55)). ) And a Z-axis motor unit (59) for driving the Z-axis transport unit (56). The X-axis motor unit (57) is configured by accommodating an X-axis motor (571) in a motor case (572), and the Y-axis motor unit (58) is configured in a Y-axis motor (581) in the motor case (582). The Z-axis motor unit (59) is configured to accommodate the Z-axis motor (591) in the motor case (592).

  The X-axis motor (571), the Y-axis motor (581), and the Z-axis motor (591) are each constituted by a stepping motor.

Y-axis transport section (55)
As shown in FIG. 6, two lower guide rails (554) and (554) extending in the Y-axis direction are installed on the base (51), and both lower guide rails (554) and (554) have a lower slide. A plate (556) is slidably engaged. On the upper plate (53), one upper guide rail (555) extending in the Y-axis direction is installed, and the upper slide plate (557) is slidable on the upper guide rail (555). Is engaged. The lower slide plate (556) and the upper slide plate (557) are connected to each other by a vertical rod (558) to constitute a reciprocating body that can reciprocate in the Y-axis direction.

  A stainless steel Y-axis drive ladder chain (552) is stretched along the lower guide rail (554) on the base (51), and the upper guide rail (555) is placed on the upper plate (53). ), A stainless steel Y-axis drive ladder chain (553) is stretched. A lower slide plate (556) is connected to one end of the lower Y-axis drive ladder chain (552), and an upper slide plate (557) is connected to one end of the upper Y-axis drive ladder chain (553). Yes.

  A Y-axis drive shaft (551) driven by a Y-axis motor unit (58) is vertically installed on the base (51) and the upper plate (53), and the Y-axis drive shaft (551) The rotation drives the Y-axis drive ladder chain (552) and the Y-axis drive ladder chain (553).

  As a result, the lower slide plate (556) and the upper slide plate (557) reciprocate in the Y-axis direction along the lower guide rails (554) (554) and the upper guide rail (555). (558) reciprocates in the Y-axis direction.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a guide rail (563) extending in the Z-axis direction is attached to the vertical rod (558), and a Z-axis slider (564) is slidably engaged with the guide rail (563). is doing. The elevating plate (542) is supported by the Z-axis slider (564), and the transfer table (50) is installed on the elevating plate (542).

  Thus, the Y-axis transport unit (55) that drives the transport table (50) in the Y-axis direction is configured. FIG. 11 (a) shows the power transmission path of the Y-axis transport unit (55). The rotation of the Y-axis motor (581) is transmitted to the Y-axis drive ladder chain (552) (553), and The lower slide plate (556) and the upper slide plate (557) reciprocate in the Y-axis direction, and the lift plate (542) reciprocates in the Y-axis direction accordingly. As a result, the transfer table (50) reciprocates in the Y-axis direction.

  In the Y-axis transport unit (55), the reciprocating body composed of the lower slide plate (556), the upper slide plate (557), and the vertical rod (558) includes the lower slide plate (556) and the upper slide plate (557). Is guided by the lower guide rails (554) and (554) and the upper guide rail (555), the transport table (50) can be moved in the Y-axis direction in a stable posture.

Z-axis transport section (56)
As shown in FIG. 8, a Z-axis drive shaft (561) driven by a Z-axis motor unit (59) is installed in the base (51) in the Y-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 6, a Z-axis drive ladder chain (562) made of stainless steel is stretched between the lower slide plate (556) and the upper slide plate (557). A lifting plate (542) is connected to one end of (562). The rotation of the Z-axis drive shaft (561) is transmitted to the Z-axis drive ladder chain (562).

  Thus, the Z-axis transport unit (56) that drives the transport table (50) in the Z-axis direction is configured. FIG. 11 (b) shows the power transmission path of the Z-axis transport unit (56), and the Z-axis drive shaft (561) is driven by the Z-axis motor (591), thereby the Z-axis drive ladder. When the chain (562) is driven, the elevating plate (542) reciprocates in the Z-axis direction. As a result, the transfer table (50) reciprocates in the Z-axis direction.

X-axis transport section (54)
As shown in FIG. 9, a lower slider (549a) is installed on an elevating plate (542) projecting from a Z-axis slider (564) so as to be able to reciprocate in the X-axis direction. The intermediate slide plate (543) is fixed to the upper surface of the). On the intermediate slide plate (543), an upper slider (549b) is installed so as to be able to reciprocate in the X-axis direction, and a transport table (50) is fixed to the upper surface of the upper slider (549b).

  As shown in FIG. 8, the base (51) is provided with a horizontal X-axis drive shaft (541) extending in the Y-axis direction, and an X-axis motor unit is disposed at the end of the horizontal X-axis drive shaft (541). The rotation of (57) is transmitted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a vertical X-axis drive shaft (540) extending in the Z-axis direction is installed between the lower slide plate (556) and the upper slide plate (557). The rotation of the horizontal X-axis drive shaft (541) is transmitted to the lower end portion of the shaft (540).

  As shown in FIG. 9, the first pinion (544) is engaged with the vertical X-axis drive shaft (540) so as not to be relatively rotatable and slidable in the axial direction, and on the intermediate slide plate (543). Is provided with a first rack (545), and the first pinion (544) and the first rack (545) mesh with each other.

  A second pinion (546) is provided on the intermediate slide plate (543), while a second rack (547) is provided on the lift plate (542), and the second pinion (546) is provided. And the second rack (547) mesh with each other.

  Thus, an X-axis transport unit (54) that drives the transport table (50) in the X-axis direction is configured. FIG. 11C shows the power transmission path of the X-axis transport unit (54), and the rotation of the X-axis motor (571) is caused by the horizontal X-axis drive shaft (541) and the vertical X-axis drive shaft. (540) is transmitted to the pinion (544), and the conveyance table (50) is driven in the X-axis direction by the rotation of the pinion (544).

  In the X-axis transport section (54), as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b), the transport table (50) on the lift plate (542) is rotated by forward and reverse rotation of the vertical X-axis drive shaft (540). However, using the position overlapping the lift plate (542) as the reference position, it moves to the left moving end as shown in FIG. 10 (a) and enters the left stacker, or FIG. 10 (a) ( As shown in b), it moves to the right moving end and enters the inside of the right stacker.

Microplate loading mechanism (4)
As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the microplate loading mechanism (4) includes a reciprocating conveyance unit (41) and a motor unit (42) that drives the reciprocating conveyance unit (41).

  In the reciprocating conveyance part (41), a guide rail (44a) extending in the X-axis direction is formed on the base (43), and the upper slider (40a) is slidably engaged with the guide rail (44a). An intermediate slide plate (48) is fixed to the upper surface of the upper slider (40a). A guide rail (44b) extending in the X-axis direction is formed on the intermediate slide plate (48), and a lower slider (40b) is slidably engaged with the guide rail (44b). A microplate mounting base (410) is fixed to the upper surface of (40b).

  A carry-in motor unit (42) having a stepping motor built in a motor case is attached to the base (43).

  The base (43) is attached with first and second pinions (45) and (47) which are simultaneously driven by the motor unit (42), while the intermediate slide plate (48) has a first rack ( 49) is mounted, the first pinion (45) and the first rack (49) face each other so that they can mesh with each other, and the second pinion (47) and the first rack (49) mesh with each other. is doing. A third pinion (412) is attached to the intermediate slide plate (48), while a second rack (411) is attached to the base (43) to connect the third pinion (412) and the second pinion (412). Two racks (411) mesh with each other. Further, a fourth pinion (413) is attached to the intermediate slide plate (48), while a third rack (414) is attached to the back surface of the microplate mounting base (410), and the fourth pinion (413) is attached. ) And the third rack (414) mesh with each other.

  Therefore, from the state shown in FIG. 12, when the first and second pinions (45) and (47) are rotated clockwise by the carry-in motor unit (42), the intermediate slide plate (48) is moved in the X-axis direction. At the same time, the microplate mounting table (410) on the intermediate slide plate (48) is driven in the X-axis direction, so that the microplate mounting table (410) has a base (43) as shown in FIG. Will protrude greatly.

  Further, from the state shown in FIG. 14, when the first and second pinions (45) and (47) are rotated counterclockwise by the carry-in motor unit (42), the microplate mounting base (410) is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the original position is returned.

  In the incubator (1) of the present invention, as described above, a stainless steel ladder chain is employed as the power transmission mechanism of the microplate carry-in mechanism (4) and the microplate transport device (5). The power transmission mechanism is not oxidatively corroded by the moisture inside.

Motor unit structure As described above, the X-axis motor unit (57), the Y-axis motor unit (58), the Z-axis motor unit (59) and the loading motor unit (42) each have a motor built in the motor case. More specifically, as shown in the structural example of the Y-axis motor unit (58) in FIG. 15, a configuration for preventing motor condensation is employed.

  That is, in the Y-axis motor unit (58), as shown in FIG. 15, the case body (583) and the lid body (584) constitute a motor case (582), and the interior of the motor case (582) is hermetically sealed. It has become. A Y-axis motor (581) is accommodated in the motor case (582), and the output shaft (586) of the motor penetrates a sliding bearing (585) attached to the motor case (582) in an airtight state. The tip of the output shaft (586) protrudes from the motor case (582).

  The lid (584) of the motor case (582) includes an air introduction hose (588) for introducing air into the motor case (582), and an air discharge for discharging the air inside the motor case (582). A hose (589) is connected to circulate air in the motor case (582). Further, a cable (587) for supplying electric power and a control signal to the Y-axis motor (581) is connected to the lid (584) of the motor case (582).

  According to the motor unit structure described above, the inside of the motor case (582) is hermetically sealed and the air in the motor case (582) is circulated. Therefore, even if the temperature around the motor unit (58) decreases. Condensation does not occur in the motor case (582).

  The X-axis motor unit (57), the Z-axis motor unit (59), and the carry-in motor unit (42) also employ the same structure as the Y-axis motor unit (58) to prevent condensation.

Microscopic observation system further, in the incubator (1) according to the present invention, is installed camera (7) in the ceiling wall of the chamber (11) as shown in FIG. 16, the camera (7) a predetermined stacker (3) The microplate housed in the photographing microplate housing part can be photographed so as to be directed to the photographing microplate housing part provided in the uppermost stage.

  The camera (7) can be driven in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction by the camera drive mechanism (71). The camera (7) and the camera drive mechanism (71) are connected to the analysis device (72), and the movement of the camera (7) is controlled by the analysis device (72) and is obtained from the camera (7). Image processing and calculation processing for sample analysis are performed on the image data.

  When photographing the microplate (31) by the camera (7), the microplate (31) to be photographed is transported to the microplate container for photographing by the microplate transport device (5).

  Then, while driving the camera (7) in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction by the camera drive mechanism (71), the sample on the microplate (31) is photographed, and the image is supplied to the analyzer (72).

Control system Figure 17 shows a configuration of a control system in the incubator (1) of the present invention.

  The microplate carry-in mechanism (4) and the microplate transport device (5) are connected to a drive control device (18) including a motor control unit (181), a transport mechanism control unit (182), and a table storage unit (183). In addition, the loading / unloading of the microplate and the conveyance in the chamber are controlled.

The environment adjustment device (6) includes a thermometer (63), a CO ₂ meter (64) and a hygrometer (65) as sensor units, and a temperature control unit (6) to be operated based on the detection value by the sensor unit 66) and a CO ₂ adjustment section (67), and the operation is controlled by an environment adjustment circuit (61) comprising a data processing section (68) and an environment control section (69).

  The camera (7) and the camera drive mechanism (71) are connected to an analyzer (72) composed of a camera drive control unit (73), an image processing unit (74), and a cell count unit (75) for camera drive control. The drive of the camera (7) is controlled by the unit (73), the image processing unit (74) performs necessary image processing on the image data obtained from the camera (7), and the cell count unit (75). To count the number of cells in the sample on the microplate.

  An operation panel (17) including a display unit (171) and an operation unit (172) is connected to the drive control device (18), the environment adjustment circuit (61), and the camera drive control unit (73). Various operation commands can be given by the operation of (172), and the operation state can be monitored by the display unit (171).

  Further, a first bar code reader (15) for reading a bar code attached to each microplate (31) is connected to the drive control device (18), and a bar code attached to each stacker. A second bar code reader (19) for reading is connected. The first barcode reader (15) is configured by connecting the barcode processing unit (152) to the barcode sensor (151) attached to the microplate insertion slot (13) as described above. The second barcode reader (19) is a unit composed of a barcode sensor (191) and a barcode processing unit (192), and is held by the hand to read the barcode of the stacker (3). I can do it.

Operation of the Incubator (1) In the incubator (1) of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the microplate conveying device (5) is installed with a plurality of stackers (3) installed in the chamber (11). ) To move the transfer table (50) in the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction, so that the microplate can be taken in and out of any microplate container in any stacker (3). Done.

  For example, when a microplate is accommodated in a certain microplate accommodating portion, the microplate is first loaded into the chamber (11) by the microplate loading mechanism (4). At this time, as shown in FIG. 14, the microplate loading mechanism (4) is operated to cause the microplate mounting base (410) to protrude outward from the microplate insertion opening (13) of the chamber (11) (FIG. 1). reference).

  Then, after placing the microplate (31) on the microplate mounting base (410), the microplate loading mechanism (4) is operated as shown in FIG. Move into the chamber (11).

  Also, the Y-axis transport unit (55) and the Z-axis transport unit (56) of the microplate transport device (5) are operated to move the transport table (50) to a position facing the microplate insertion port (13). Further, the X-axis transport section (54) is moved to the microplate insertion port (13) side, and the transport table (50) at the reference position is moved to the microplate installation table (410) of the microplate loading mechanism (4). Move between plates (31).

  Thereafter, the transport table (50) is slightly lifted by the operation of the Z-axis transport unit (56), and after mounting the microplate (31) on the transport table (50), the operation of the X-axis transport unit (54) Then, the transfer table (50) is returned to the reference position.

  Subsequently, the Y-axis transport section (55) and the Z-axis transport section (56) of the microplate transport apparatus (5) are operated, and the transport table (50) is moved to a predetermined microplate housing section of a predetermined stacker (3). Then, the X-axis transport section (54) is operated to move the transport table (50) from the reference position to the inside of the microplate housing section. After that, the transport table (50) is slightly lowered by the operation of the Z-axis transport section (56), and the microplate (31) on the transport table (50) is transferred to the microplate housing section, and then the X-axis transport section By the operation (54), the transfer table (50) is returned to the reference position.

  When discharging the microplate (31) accommodated in one microplate housing part of one stacker (3) in the chamber (11) to the outside of the chamber (11), An operation opposite to the conveying operation is performed.

  That is, the operation of the Y-axis transport unit (55) and the Z-axis transport unit (56) of the microplate transport device (5) moves the transport table (50) to a position facing the predetermined microplate container, and then Depending on whether the predetermined microplate container is located on the left side or on the right side, the X-axis transport unit (54) is operated leftward or rightward to move the transport table (50). The microplate (31) is mounted on the transfer table (50) by moving to the inside of the microplate container.

  Then, after the microplate (31) on the transport table (50) is transported to the microplate insertion port (13) of the chamber (11) by the operation of the microplate transport device (5), The microplate (31) is transferred to the microplate installation table (410) of the microplate loading mechanism (4), and the microplate (31) on the microplate installation table (410) is moved by the operation of the microplate loading mechanism (4). Is discharged from the chamber (11).

  In the above incubator (1) of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the back wall of the chamber (11) is provided with a gas outlet (62) from the environmental control device (6), and the Since it is directed to the installation space of the plate transport device (5) and the stackers (3) and (3) are arranged on the left and right with the blowing port (62) as the center, it is blown out from the blowing port (62). As indicated by the arrows in the figure, the gas is uniformly dispersed from the central portion in the chamber (11) toward the periphery, and flows in the chamber (11) without a large deviation.

  As a result, the inside of the chamber (11) is maintained at an equal environmental condition with no significant difference depending on the position, and the sample on each microplate (31) accommodated in the stacker (3) is cultured under the predetermined environmental condition. Will be.

  The microplate insertion port (13) of the chamber (11) is opened only when the microplate (31) is loaded and unloaded by the shutter mechanism (14), and the microplate insertion port (13) has an air curtain mechanism. Since the air curtain is formed by the air flow blown from (16), the environmental conditions in the chamber (11) are kept constant.

Observation and analysis of the sample on the microplate When the sample on the microplate (31) is observed by the camera (7) shown in FIG. 16 and the growth state is analyzed, it is shown in FIG. 22 by the analyzer (72). The procedure is executed.

  First, in step S1, the microplate (31) to be imaged is instructed, and in step S2, the sample to be imaged on the microplate (31) is instructed. (5) conveys the microplate (31) to the microplate housing for photographing.

  Subsequently, in step S4, the camera (7) is moved in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction by driving the camera driving mechanism (71) as shown in FIG. 23, and the optical axis of the camera (7) is moved onto the microplate (31). In accordance with a predetermined sample injection recess (31a).

  Thereafter, in step S5 of FIG. 22, the sample on the microplate (31) is photographed by the camera (7), and in step S6, the image data obtained by photographing is transferred to the analyzer (72).

  Subsequently, in step S7, the analyzer (72) performs predetermined image processing on the image data, and in step S8, the number of cells of the sample is counted. In step S9, the culture rate is calculated by comparison with the number of cells before the culture. In step S10, the calculated culture rate is displayed on the display unit and stored in the memory.

  FIG. 24 shows a series of image processing processes for image data obtained from the camera (7). First, the outline of each cell is extracted in the process P1, each cell is sorted based on the outline in the process P2, and the number of cells is counted based on the sorting result in the process P3. Finally, the culture rate is calculated by dividing the cell count value by the count value before the start of culture.

Other Configuration Examples of Microscopic Observation System In the incubator (1) according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 25, instead of the two stackers (3) (3) constituting the incubator unit (2), a microscopic observation unit ( 8) can be detachably attached to the stacker holder (23).

  As shown in FIG. 26, the microscopic observation unit (8) is provided with a microscopic observation device (8a) and a drive device (8b) in a stainless steel shield case (80), and at the top of the shield case (80). An observation window (88) made of a glass plate is provided on the wall. In addition, a microplate housing part (89) for housing the microplate (31) is provided above the shield case (80) so as to face the observation window (88).

  The microscopic observation device (8a) includes a camera (81) and an optical system (82), and the optical system (82) includes a long focus lens.

  The drive device (8b) includes a Y-axis drive mechanism (85) having a Y-axis motor (851), an X-axis drive mechanism (86) having an X-axis motor (861), and a Z-axis motor (871). It comprises a provided Z-axis drive mechanism (87) and moves the microscopic observation device (8a) in the three-axis directions of XYZ.

  A signal cable (83) composed of a power line and a signal line extending from the microscopic observation device (8a) and the drive device (8b) is connected to a waterproof connector (84) attached to a shield case (80), and the waterproof connector (84 ) And connected to the analyzer 72 as shown in FIG.

  In the incubator (1), when microscopic observation of the microplate (31) accommodated in the stacker (3) is performed as shown in FIG. 27, the microplate (31) is placed on the stacker by the microplate transport device (5). Take out from (3), transport to the microplate housing part (89) of the microscopic observation unit (8), and place it at a predetermined position. In this state, the drive device (8b) is moved in the Z-axis direction to perform focusing. Thereafter, the driving device (8b) is moved in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction to perform microscopic observation of the microplate (31).

  An image photographed by the camera (81) is transmitted to the analyzer (72), and various analyzes are performed by the analyzer (72).

  According to the incubator (1) of the present invention, the microplate (31) can be automatically transferred as described above, and a large number of microplates (31) can be accommodated in the chamber (11). It is possible, and the inside of the chamber (11) can be kept in a uniform environmental condition.

  In the incubator (1) according to the present invention, all the motors (571) (581) (591) (421) constituting the drive mechanism of the incubator unit (2) are accommodated in the chamber (11). Therefore, compared with the configuration in which these motors are arranged outside the chamber (11), the configuration of the chamber (11) can be simplified and the airtightness of the chamber (11) can be kept high. However, since the chamber (11) and the incubator unit (2) are configured independently, it can be easily removed from the chamber (11) without disassembling the microplate transport device (5) for maintenance, for example. In this way, work efficiency can be improved and the configuration of the incubator unit (2) can be highly versatile.

  Furthermore, in the incubator (1) according to the present invention, the camera (7) for photographing the sample on the microplate (31) is installed in the chamber (11). The sample can be observed and analyzed without taking it out of the chamber (11).

  Accordingly, the environmental conditions in the chamber (11) can be kept constant, and at the same time, the efficiency of the analysis work can be improved.

  Furthermore, according to the incubator (1) shown in FIGS. 25 to 27, the microscopic observation device (8a) is installed in the shield case (80), and the inside of the shield case (80) is a microplate ( 31) is isolated from the high-humidity environment of the space in which it is housed, so that the lenses constituting the microscopic observation device (8a) are not damaged by moisture.

  However, since the driving device (8b) is accommodated in the shield case (80), fine dust emitted from the driving device (8b) does not adversely affect the microplate (31).

  In addition, each part structure of this invention is not restricted to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible within the technical scope as described in a claim. For example, as shown in FIG. 28, only the shelf plate (94) is installed in the chamber (11), and the above-described microscopic observation unit (8) is also used in an incubator (1 ′) that does not include a microplate transport device. ) On the shelf plate (94), the microplate (31) can be microscopically observed and the microscopic observation device (8a) constituting the microscopic observation unit (8) can be protected from moisture. I can do it. In addition, the culture container is not limited to a microplate, and may be a container such as a petri dish.

(1) Incubator
(11) Chamber
(10) Opening
(12) Open / close door
(13) Microplate insertion slot
(14) Shutter mechanism
(15) Bar code reader
(16) Air curtain mechanism
(2) Incubator unit
(22) Drawer stand
(23) Stacker holder
(3) Stacker
(31) Microplate
(4) Microplate loading mechanism
(41) Reciprocating transfer unit
(42) Carry-in motor unit
(5) Microplate transport device
(50) Transfer table
(54) X-axis transport unit
(55) Y-axis transport section
(56) Z-axis transport unit
(57) X-axis motor unit
(58) Y-axis motor unit
(59) Z-axis motor unit
(6) Environmental control device
(62) Outlet
(7) Camera
(71) Camera drive mechanism
(72) Analyzer
(8) Microscopic observation unit
(8a) Microscopic observation equipment
(8b) Drive unit
(81) Camera
(82) Optical system

Claims (3)

In an incubator for culturing a sample on a culture vessel inside a chamber adjusted to a predetermined environmental condition,
Inside this chamber,
A culture container storage shelf for storing a plurality of culture containers;
A culture container transporting means capable of transporting the culture container and taking in and out any culture container stored in the culture container storage shelf;
A microscopic observation device for microscopic observation of the sample on the culture vessel is housed inside a sealed case with a sealed structure, and an observation window for allowing the microscopic observation device to microscopically observe the sample on the culture vessel in this shield case A microscopic observation means provided with,
The culture container transport means moves a desired culture container stored in the culture container storage shelf to a position opposite to the observation window of the microscopic observation means, and microscopically observes the sample on the culture container. An incubator characterized by There are a plurality of the culture vessel storage shelves, including a storage shelf holder that holds the culture vessel storage shelves horizontally arranged,
2. The incubator according to claim 1, wherein the microscopic observation means has an outer shape that can be installed on the storage shelf holder in place of one or a plurality of culture vessel storage shelves. A culture vessel insertion port for inserting the culture vessel into the chamber;
The incubator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the culture container transport means transports the culture container between the culture container insertion port and the culture container storage shelf.

Images