JP2019154760A - Thawing device and thawing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a thawing device and a thawing method which, when thawing a frozen matter of biological-origin contained in a container, is capable of preventing the content from being heated excessively.SOLUTION: A thawing device 10 comprises: a placing part for placing a freezing bag 15 such that the thickness direction of the freezing bag 15 being a container 12 containing a frozen matter of biological origin 14 is along a vertical direction; a warming mechanism 22 which warms the frozen matter of biological origin 14 contained in the container 12; a measuring unit 24 which measures thickness-related information with respect to plural places of the freezing bag 15; and an estimation unit 40 for estimating the thawing state of the frozen matter of biological origin 14 contained in the container 12 on the basis of a result of the measurement by the measuring unit 24.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a thawing apparatus and a thawing method for thawing a frozen substance derived from a living body stored in a container.

  Conventionally, a thawing apparatus used for thawing (thawing) a frozen substance derived from a living body such as a frozen cell stored in a container such as a bag is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

European Patent No. 0318924

  By the way, at the time of thawing the living body-derived frozen material, the living body-derived frozen material in the container is heated by a heating unit such as a heater. In this case, if heating is continued more than necessary even after thawing of the biologically derived frozen material, it is considered that the cells or the like that are the contents are damaged.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a melting apparatus and a melting method that can prevent overheating of the contents when a frozen living body-derived frozen material in a container is thawed.

  In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is a thawing apparatus for thawing a biological frozen material stored in a container having a flat soft bag shape, in which the biological frozen material is stored. A mounting portion for placing the freezing bag so that a thickness direction of the freezing bag as the container is in the vertical direction, a heating mechanism for heating the living body-derived frozen matter in the container, A measurement unit that measures a parameter that correlates with thickness at a plurality of locations of the frozen bag placed on the unit, and an estimation that estimates a melting state of the frozen substance in the container based on the measurement result of the measurement unit A melting device.

  According to this melting apparatus, the parameter correlated with the thickness is measured at a plurality of locations by the measurement unit while heating the biological frozen substance with the heating mechanism. Since the parameter correlated with the thickness at a plurality of locations changes depending on the melting state of the frozen substance derived from the living body, the melting state of the frozen substance derived from the living body (whether or not thawing has been completed) is detected based on the parameter. Can do. Thereby, the overheating with respect to the contents of the container (the living body-derived liquid material in which the frozen body-derived material is melted) can be prevented.

  The estimation unit acquires measurement results at the plurality of locations by the measurement unit, calculates a standard deviation of the measurement results other than zero, and when the standard deviation is equal to or less than a predetermined value, It may be determined that is completed.

  With this configuration, it is possible to easily and accurately estimate the thawed state of the biologically derived frozen material.

  The parameter may be a transmittance of light passing through the freezing bag.

  As the frozen biological material is thawed, the thickness deviation of the biologically-derived frozen material is reduced, and the distance through which light passes through the biologically-derived frozen material is changed, so that the light transmittance changes. Therefore, by detecting the change in permeability, it is possible to more accurately estimate the thawed state of the biologically derived frozen material.

  The parameter may be the thickness of the freezing bag.

  Along with the thawing of the living body-derived frozen material, the uneven thickness of the living body-derived frozen material decreases, and the thickness of the frozen bag changes. Therefore, by detecting a change in the thickness of the frozen bag, it is possible to more accurately estimate the thawed state of the biologically derived frozen material.

  The measurement unit may include a plurality of optical units that irradiate the plurality of places with measurement light and receive transmitted light transmitted through the freezing bag.

  With this configuration, it is possible to easily and accurately estimate the thawed state of the biologically derived frozen material.

  The measurement unit may include a plurality of clamping units that sandwich the plurality of portions of the freezing bag from a thickness direction.

  With this configuration, it is possible to easily and accurately estimate the thawed state of the biologically derived frozen material.

  A heating control unit that controls a heating mechanism may be provided, and the heating control unit may turn off the heating mechanism when the estimation unit determines that the thawing of the living body-derived frozen material has been completed. .

  With this configuration, since the heating mechanism is automatically turned off, overheating of the contents of the container can be reliably prevented.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a thawing method for thawing a frozen substance derived from a living body contained in a container having a flat soft bag form, wherein the frozen bag is the container containing the frozen substance derived from the living body. Placing the frozen bag so that the thickness direction of the container is along the vertical direction, heating the biological frozen material in the container, and measuring a parameter correlated with the thickness at a plurality of locations of the frozen bag And estimating a melting state of the frozen substance derived from the living body in the container based on the measurement result of the parameter.

  According to the melting device and the melting method of the present invention, overheating of the contents can be prevented when the biologically-derived frozen material in the container is melted.

It is a perspective view of the melting device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram (before melting) of the melting apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram (after melting | dissolving) of the melting | dissolving apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the estimation algorithm used with the melting apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram (before melting) of the melting apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the estimation algorithm used with the melting apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the melting apparatus and the melting method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  A thawing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is used for thawing a biologically-derived frozen material 14 accommodated in a container 12.

  The container 12 has a form of a bag-like flat soft bag formed of a resin film. The container 12 is formed in a quadrangular shape in plan view. The container 12 may be formed in a shape other than a quadrangular shape in plan view, for example, a circular shape or an elliptical shape. Specifically, the container 12 includes a bag-shaped storage chamber forming portion 12a that forms a storage chamber 12r therein, and a plate-shaped peripheral portion 12b that surrounds the outer periphery of the storage chamber forming portion 12a. A port 13 communicating with the storage chamber 12r is provided in the peripheral edge portion 12b.

  The biologically-derived frozen material 14 accommodated in the container 12 is obtained by freezing a liquid containing a biologically-derived material (biologically-derived liquid material 14L). Examples of the biological liquid 14L include cell suspension, blood, plasma, and the like. Examples of the cell suspension include hematopoietic stem cells (umbilical cord blood, bone marrow fluid, peripheral blood stem cells, etc.) used for stem cell transplantation. The cells of the cell suspension are not limited to this, but myoblasts, cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, synovial cells, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, hepatocytes, pancreatic cells, kidney cells, adrenal cells, Periodontal ligament cells, gingival cells, periosteum cells, skin cells, chondrocytes and other adherent cells, whole blood, red blood cells, white blood cells, lymphocytes (T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes), dendritic cells, plasma, platelets and platelets Blood cells such as plasma and blood components, bone skeleton mononuclear cells, hematopoietic stem cells, ES cells, pluripotent stem cells, iPS cell-derived cells (for example, iPS cell-derived cardiomyocytes), mesenchymal stem cells (for example, bone marrow, Adipose tissue, peripheral blood, skin, hair root, muscle tissue, endometrium, placenta, umbilical cord blood, etc.), sperm cells and egg cells. These cells may be cells into which genes used for gene therapy or the like have been introduced. Hereinafter, the container 12 and the living body-derived frozen material 14 that is the contents thereof are collectively referred to as a frozen bag 15.

  The melting apparatus 10 includes a housing 20 having a main body portion 16 and a lid portion 18. The main body 16 of the housing 20 includes an operation unit 16a including operation buttons for operating start and operation stop, setting buttons for performing various settings, and various information (setting time, remaining time, A display 16b for displaying a set temperature or the like) is provided.

  The lid portion 18 is pivotally connected to the main body portion 16 via the hinge portion 19 and can be opened and closed with respect to the main body portion 16. In addition, when the cover part 18 is closed, it is good to provide the locking mechanism (for example, hook etc.) for maintaining a closed state.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 16 is provided with an accommodation recess 16 c for placing the freezing bag 15. By storing the freezing bag 15 in the receiving recess 16 c, the freezing bag 15 is disposed at a desired position of the main body 16.

  The thawing apparatus 10 further measures a parameter that correlates with the thickness at a plurality of locations of the freezing bag 15 mounted on the mounting portion, and a heating mechanism 22 that heats the frozen bag 15 (the living body-derived frozen material 14). The unit 24 and a control unit 26 that performs predetermined calculation and control are provided.

  The warming mechanism 22 warms the living body-derived frozen material 14 in the container 12. The heating mechanism 22 is provided in the housing recess 16c of the main body portion 16, and also serves as a placement portion on which the frozen bag 15 is placed horizontally (supports the frozen bag 15 horizontally). A plurality of (three in the illustrated example) holes 23a penetrating in the vertical direction are formed in the heating member 23 constituting the heating mechanism 22 at intervals in the horizontal direction.

  The support member 28 that supports the heating mechanism 22 has a plurality of (three in the illustrated example) hole portions 28a that communicate with the plurality of hole portions 23a of the heating member 23 and penetrate in the vertical direction. It is formed at intervals. In addition, the heating mechanism 22 may be configured by a plurality of heating members arranged at intervals in the horizontal direction so that a gap is formed at a position corresponding to the hole 23a.

  The heating member 23 constituting the heating mechanism 22 is controlled on / off, temperature, and the like by a control unit 26 provided in the main body 16. The heating member 23 is, for example, an electric heater (such as a sheathed heater, a cartridge heater, or a flat heater) that generates heat when energized. The heating member 23 may be a heating bag filled with a heating fluid (for example, water heated to a predetermined temperature). The heating mechanism 22 has another heating member that heats the freezing bag 15 from above in addition to or instead of the heating member 23 that heats the freezing bag 15 from below. It may be.

  The measurement unit 24 includes a plurality of optical units 30 in order to measure the light transmittance as a parameter correlated with the thickness at a plurality of locations of the freezing bag 15. Each optical unit 30 includes a light emitting unit 32 that irradiates light L (measurement light) to a plurality of portions of the freezing bag 15 and a light receiving unit 34 that receives the light L that has passed through the freezing bag 15. The plurality of optical units 30 are arranged at intervals in the horizontal direction.

  Specifically, the plurality of optical units 30 are configured to detect the light L transmitted through the central portion (including the vicinity of the central portion) of the freezing bag 15 (optical unit 30a) and one end portion of the freezing bag 15 (illustrated example). Then, one that detects the light L that has passed through one end of the freezing bag 15 (the optical unit 30b) and the other end of the freezing bag 15 (in the illustrated example, the other end of the freezing bag 15 in the longitudinal direction). ) (Optical unit 30c) for detecting the light L that has passed through.

  The measurement unit 24 may include four or more optical units 30. The measurement unit 24 may include a plurality of optical units 30 in each of two horizontal directions orthogonal to each other. The measurement unit 24 only needs to be able to detect the light L transmitted through the central portion of the freezing bag 15 and the light L transmitted through at least one of the one end and the other end of the freezing bag 15. Therefore, one of the optical unit 30b and the optical unit 30c may be omitted.

  The light emitting unit 32 includes a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode. The light emitting unit 32 may have a lens. The light receiving unit 34 includes a light receiving element such as a photodiode. The light receiving unit 34 may have a lens. In the first embodiment, the light emitting unit 32 is disposed on the main body 16, and the light receiving unit 34 is disposed on the lid 18. The light emitting part 32 and the light receiving part 34 in each optical unit 30 are arranged so that they face each other when the lid 18 is closed, and the freezing bag 15 is located between the light emitting part 32 and the light receiving part 34. The light emitting part 32 is disposed so as to face the hole parts 23a and 28a. The light emitting unit 32 may be disposed on the lid 18 and the light receiving unit 34 may be disposed on the main body 16.

  The control unit 26 includes an estimation unit 40 that estimates the melting state of the living body-derived frozen material 14 in the container 12 and a heating control unit 46 that controls the heating mechanism 22.

  The estimation unit 40 performs a predetermined calculation based on the measurement result of the measurement unit 24, and determines whether the thawing of the frozen biological material 14 has been completed based on the calculation result of the calculation unit 42. Part 44.

  When the heating member 23 is a heater that generates heat by energization, for example, the heating control unit 46 controls the energization state of the heating member 23 to turn on / off the operation state of the heating member 23 and output ( Control exothermic temperature). The warming control unit 46 turns off the operating state of the warming member 23 when the estimation unit 40 determines that thawing of the living body-derived frozen material 14 has been completed.

  Next, the operation of the melting device 10 configured as described above will be described.

  When thawing the biologically-derived frozen material 14 accommodated in the container 12 using the thawing device 10, as shown in FIG. 2, the freezing bag 15 (the container 12 in which the biologically-derived frozen material 14 is accommodated) is used. It puts on the heating mechanism 22 which is a mounting part, and the cover part 18 is closed. Thereby, the freezing bag 15 is accommodated in the melting device 10.

  When the start button of the operation unit 16a (FIG. 1) provided in the main body unit 16 is operated, the melting apparatus 10 starts operation. Specifically, the heating member 23 constituting the heating mechanism 22 is heated, and the living body-derived frozen material 14 in the container 12 is heated. Thus, the living body-derived frozen material 14 in the container 12 is heated, and the living material-derived frozen material 14 is melted by maintaining the heating for a certain period of time.

  During the heating of the freezing bag 15 by the heating mechanism 22, the plurality of optical units 30 constituting the measuring unit 24 irradiate the freezing bag 15 with the light L by the light emitting unit 32. The light L emitted from the light emitting unit 32 passes through the hole 23a of the heating member 23 and passes through the freezing bag 15 in the thickness direction. The light receiving unit 34 detects the light L transmitted through the freezing bag 15. The calculation unit 42 of the estimation unit 40 calculates the transmittance of light detected by each optical unit 30 (the ratio of the intensity of the light L detected by the light receiving unit 34 to the intensity of the light L emitted by the light receiving unit 34). calculate.

  In general, since the frozen freezing bag 15 is solid and non-uniform, the thickness of the central portion is relatively thick and the end portion (peripheral portion) is relatively thin as shown in FIG. The bias is relatively large). Therefore, the transmittance calculated based on the light measured by the plurality of optical units 30 has a certain degree of variation. On the other hand, if the living body-derived frozen material 14 is melted and changed to a liquid (biologically-derived liquid material 14L) as shown in FIG. 3, the thickness of the frozen bag 15 is not uneven (at least reduced). Accordingly, there is no variation in transmittance calculated based on the light L measured by the plurality of optical units 30 (at least decreases). Therefore, the determination unit 44 of the estimation unit 40 estimates the melting state of the frozen biological substance 14 in the container 12 based on the light transmittances calculated by the calculation unit 42.

  When the estimation unit 40 determines that the living body-derived frozen material 14 has been thawed, the heating control unit 46 turns off the operation state of the heating member 23. When the heating member 23 is, for example, a heater that generates heat when energized, the heating control unit 46 stops the operation of the heating member 23 by stopping the energization of the heating member 23. In this case, the thawing device 10 may display information that informs the user that the thawing of the living body-derived frozen material 14 has been completed on the display 16b (FIG. 1). When the melting device 10 is provided with a speaker, a sound may be output from the speaker informing the user that the melting of the living body-derived frozen material 14 has been completed.

  One aspect of the algorithm for estimating the melting state of the living body-derived frozen material 14 in the thawing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the transmittance of the light L is acquired by the light receiving unit 34 while heating the freezing bag 15 (step S101). In this case, the transmittance is calculated by the calculation unit 42 for the light L detected by all the light receiving units 34.

  Next, the calculation unit 42 calculates a standard deviation (SD1) of non-zero transmittance (step S102). In calculating the standard deviation (SD1), by removing data with zero transmittance, it is possible to appropriately estimate the melted state even when there is light L that does not pass through the freezing bag 15.

  Next, the estimating unit 40 determines whether or not the calculated standard deviation (SD1) is equal to or less than a predetermined value (X) (step S103). As described above, when the frozen bag 15 in a frozen state is left in a horizontal state, a thickness deviation occurs, so that the standard deviation (SD1) of the light transmittance in the frozen state is relatively large. As the living body-derived frozen material 14 is melted, it changes to a liquid and the thickness unevenness is eliminated (at least reduced). Therefore, the standard deviation (SD1) calculated in a state where the living body-derived frozen material 14 is not thawed is relatively small.

  Therefore, when the calculated standard deviation (SD1) is not less than or equal to the predetermined value (X) (“NO” in step S103), the determination unit 44 is in the process of thawing the biologically-derived frozen material 14 (thaw is not yet completed). It determines with there (step S104), and returns to the process of step S101. On the other hand, when the standard deviation (SD1) is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value (X) (“YES” in step S103), the estimation unit 40 determines that the thawing of the biologically-derived frozen material 14 has been completed (step S105).

  The melting device 10 according to the first embodiment has the following effects.

  According to the melting device 10, while the living body-derived frozen material 14 is heated by the heating mechanism 22, the parameter correlated with the thickness is measured at a plurality of locations by the measuring unit 24. Since the parameter at a plurality of locations changes according to the melting state of the living body-derived frozen material 14, it is possible to detect the melting state of the living body-derived frozen material 14 (whether or not thawing has been completed) based on the parameter. it can. Thereby, the overheating with respect to the contents of the container (the living body-derived liquid material 14 </ b> L in which the living body-derived frozen material 14 is melted) can be prevented.

  The estimation unit 40 acquires the measurement results at a plurality of locations by the measurement unit 24, calculates the standard deviation of the measurement results other than zero, and when the standard deviation is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the lyophilized biological material 14 is completely thawed. It is determined that With this configuration, it is possible to easily and accurately estimate the melting state of the living body-derived frozen material 14.

  The parameter correlated with the thickness of the freezing bag 15 is the transmittance of the light L that passes through the freezing bag 15. By detecting a change in the transmittance of the light L, it is possible to estimate the melting state of the living body-derived frozen material 14 more accurately.

  The measurement unit 24 includes a plurality of optical units 30 that irradiate a plurality of places with measurement light and receive transmitted light that has passed through the freezing bag 15. With this configuration, it is possible to easily and accurately estimate the melting state of the living body-derived frozen material 14.

  The warming control unit 46 turns off the operation of the warming mechanism 22 when the estimation unit 40 determines that thawing of the living body-derived frozen material 14 has been completed. With this configuration, since the heating mechanism 22 is automatically turned off, overheating of the contents of the container 12 can be reliably prevented.

  A melting apparatus 50 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is different from the melting apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment (FIG. 2 and the like) in the configuration of the measurement unit 52 and the control unit 54.

  The measuring unit 52 of the melting device 50 includes a plurality of clamping units 56 that sandwich the frozen bag 15 in the thickness direction in order to measure the thickness of the frozen bag 15 as a parameter correlated with the thickness at a plurality of locations of the frozen bag 15. Each clamping unit 56 includes a lower unit 56 </ b> A disposed in the main body portion 16 and an upper unit 56 </ b> B disposed in the lid portion 18.

  The lower unit 56A includes a first clamping member 60 that is movable in the vertical direction, and a first drive unit 62 that drives the first clamping member 60 in the vertical direction. The upper unit 56B includes a second clamping member 64 that is movable in the vertical direction, and a second drive unit 66 that drives the second clamping member 64 in the vertical direction. The 1st clamping member 60 and the 2nd clamping member 64 are mutually opposingly arranged. The first clamping member 60 can abut on the lower surface of the freezing bag 15 through a hole 23 a formed in the heating member 23. The second clamping member 64 can contact the upper surface of the freezing bag 15.

  Although not shown in detail, the first drive unit 62 and the second drive unit 66 are configured by combining a drive source such as a motor and an appropriate power transmission mechanism. The first drive unit 62 and the second drive unit 66 are controlled by the drive control unit 76 of the control unit 54.

  The plurality of sandwiching units 56 sandwich the center portion (including the vicinity of the center portion) of the freezing bag 15 (the sandwiching unit 56a) and one end portion of the freezing bag 15 (in the illustrated example, one end in the longitudinal direction of the freezing bag 15). Part) (holding unit 56b) and the other end of the freezing bag 15 (the other end in the longitudinal direction of the freezing bag 15 in the illustrated example) (holding unit 56c).

  The measurement unit 52 may include four or more clamping units 56. The measuring unit 52 may include a plurality of clamping units 56 in each of two horizontal directions orthogonal to each other. The measurement part 52 should just be able to measure the thickness of the center part of the freezing bag 15, and the thickness of at least one of the one end part and the other end part of the freezing bag 15. Accordingly, one of the sandwiching unit 56b and the sandwiching unit 56c may be omitted.

  The control unit 54 includes an estimation unit 70 that estimates the melting state of the living body-derived frozen material 14 in the container 12 based on the measurement result of the measurement unit 52, a heating control unit 46 that controls the heating mechanism 22, and a plurality of And a drive control unit 76 that controls the clamping unit 56 (the first drive unit 62 and the second drive unit 66).

  The estimation unit 70 determines whether a calculation unit 72 that performs a predetermined calculation based on the measurement result of the measurement unit 52 and whether the thawing of the frozen biological material 14 has been completed based on the calculation result of the calculation unit 72. Part 74. The warming control unit 46 turns off the operating state of the warming mechanism 22 when the estimating unit 70 determines that thawing of the living body-derived frozen material 14 has been completed.

  Next, the operation of the melting device 50 configured as described above will be described.

  When thawing the biologically-derived frozen material 14 accommodated in the container 12 using the thawing device 50, as shown in FIG. 5, the frozen bag 15 (the container 12 in which the biologically-derived frozen material 14 is accommodated) is used. It puts on the heating mechanism 22 which is a mounting part, and the cover part 18 is closed. Thereby, the freezing bag 15 is accommodated in the melting device 50.

  When the start button of the operation unit 16a (FIG. 1) provided in the main body unit 16 is operated, the melting device 50 starts operation. Specifically, the heating member 23 constituting the heating mechanism 22 is heated, and the living body-derived frozen material 14 in the container 12 is heated. Thus, the living body-derived frozen material 14 in the container 12 is heated, and the living material-derived frozen material 14 is melted by maintaining the heating for a certain period of time.

  During heating of the freezing bag 15 by the heating mechanism 22, the plurality of holding units 56 constituting the measuring unit 52 are arranged so that the tips of the first holding member 60 and the second holding member 64 are arranged as indicated by phantom lines in FIG. 5. The freezing bag 15 is brought into contact with the freezing bag 15 and sandwiched in the thickness direction. The calculation part 72 of the estimation part 70 acquires measurement data from each clamping unit 56, and calculates the thickness of the frozen bag 15 in each clamped position. The determination unit 74 of the estimation unit 70 estimates the melting state of the frozen living body 14 in the container 12 based on the thickness at a plurality of locations calculated by the calculation unit 72.

  When the estimation unit 70 determines that the frozen living body-derived frozen material 14 has been thawed, the heating control unit 46 turns off the operation state of the heating member 23.

  One aspect of the algorithm for estimating the melting state of the biological frozen substance 14 in the thawing apparatus 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 as appropriate. First, thickness is acquired about several places of the freezing bag 15 using the clamping unit 56, heating the freezing bag 15 (step S201). In this case, the thickness is calculated by the calculation unit 72 using the measurement data of all the clamping units 56.

  Next, the calculation unit 72 calculates a standard deviation (SD2) of a thickness other than zero (step S202). When the standard deviation (SD2) is calculated, the melted state can be appropriately estimated even when there is a holding unit 56 that does not hold the frozen bag 15 by removing data with a thickness of zero.

  Next, the estimation unit 70 determines whether or not the calculated standard deviation (SD2) is equal to or less than a predetermined value (Y) (step S203). As described above, when the frozen bag 15 in a frozen state is left in a horizontal state, a thickness deviation occurs, so the standard deviation (SD2) of the thickness in the frozen state is relatively large. As the living body-derived frozen material 14 is melted, it changes to a liquid and the thickness unevenness is eliminated (at least reduced). Therefore, the standard deviation (SD2) calculated in a state where the biologically derived frozen material 14 is not thawed is relatively small.

  Therefore, when the calculated standard deviation (SD2) is not less than or equal to the predetermined value (Y) (“NO” in step S203), the determination unit 74 is in the middle of thawing of the biologically-derived frozen material 14 (thaw has not been completed). It determines with there (step S204), and returns to the process of step S201. On the other hand, when the standard deviation (SD2) is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value (Y) (“YES” in step S203), the estimation unit 70 determines that the thawing of the biologically-derived frozen material 14 has been completed (step S205).

  Similarly to the melting device 10 according to the first embodiment, the melting device 50 according to the second embodiment also performs excessive processing on the contents of the container 12 (the biologically-derived liquid material 14L in a state where the biologically-derived frozen material 14 is melted). Heating can be prevented.

  In the case of the second embodiment, the parameter correlated with the thickness of the frozen bag 15 is the thickness of the frozen bag 15. By detecting a change in the thickness of the frozen bag 15, the melting state of the living body-derived frozen material 14 can be estimated more accurately.

  The measurement unit 52 includes a plurality of clamping units 56 that sandwich a plurality of portions of the freezing bag 15 from the thickness direction. With this configuration, it is possible to easily and accurately estimate the melting state of the living body-derived frozen material 14.

  In addition, about the part which is common in 1st Embodiment among 2nd Embodiment, the same or similar operation | movement and effect as 1st Embodiment are acquired.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 50 ... Melting | fusing apparatus 12 ... Container 14 ... Living body origin frozen material 15 ... Freezing bag 22 ... Heating mechanism 24, 52 ... Measuring part 30 ... Optical unit 40, 70 ... Estimating part
56 ... Clamping unit

Claims (8)

A melting apparatus for thawing a frozen substance derived from a living body contained in a container having a flat soft bag form,
A placement unit for placing the freezing bag such that the thickness direction of the freezing bag, which is the container in which the living body-derived frozen material is accommodated, extends in the vertical direction;
A heating mechanism for heating the living body-derived frozen material in the container;
A measurement unit that measures a parameter that correlates with thickness for a plurality of locations of the frozen bag placed on the placement unit;
An estimation unit that estimates a melting state of the biological frozen substance in the container based on the measurement result of the measurement unit;
A melting apparatus. The melting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The estimation unit acquires measurement results at the plurality of locations by the measurement unit, calculates a standard deviation of the measurement results other than zero, and when the standard deviation is equal to or less than a predetermined value, A melting device that determines that the process is complete. The melting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The melting apparatus, wherein the parameter is a transmittance of light passing through the freezing bag. The melting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The melting device, wherein the parameter is a thickness of the freezing bag. The melting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The measurement unit includes a plurality of optical units that irradiate the plurality of places with measurement light and receive transmitted light that has passed through the freezing bag. The melting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The measuring unit includes a plurality of clamping units that sandwich the plurality of portions of the freezing bag from a thickness direction. In the melting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A heating control unit for controlling the heating mechanism;
The said heating control part is a melting | dissolving apparatus which turns off the said heating mechanism, when the said estimation part determines that the melting | fusing of the biological body origin frozen material was completed. A thawing method for thawing a biological frozen material contained in a container having a flat soft bag shape,
Placing the freezing bag so that the thickness direction of the freezing bag, which is the container in which the living body-derived frozen material is stored, is along the vertical direction;
Heating the living body-derived frozen material in the container;
Measuring a parameter that correlates with thickness for a plurality of locations of the frozen bag, and estimating a melting state of the biologically-derived frozen material in the container based on a measurement result of the parameter,
A melting method.

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