JP2021094218A - Auxiliary cooler and auxiliary cooling system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an auxiliary cooler and an auxiliary cooling system which save energy consumption and are capable of speedily providing a low temperature atmosphere in a predetermined area.SOLUTION: An auxiliary cooler 1 comprises one or more containers 1A which are arranged in proximity to or in contact with the periphery of a cooling target M and in which liquid nitrogen flows. An auxiliary cooling system 11 comprises a conveyance table 105 to place the cooling target M thereon and the auxiliary cooler 1 positioned on the conveyance table 105.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

The present invention relates to an auxiliary cooler and an auxiliary cooling system.

Biological samples such as blood, sperm of laboratory animals, fertilized eggs, and cells (sometimes referred to simply as "biological samples" or "samples") are used in the development of new drugs and basic medical research. Since biological samples deteriorate at room temperature due to biological action, they are generally cryopreserved by a cryopreservation device or the like. As the cryopreservation device, a cryopreservation device using liquid nitrogen is widely used because it can be stably stored for a long period of time.

Patent Document 1 discloses a cryopreservation device including a large cryopreservation container and an automatic elevating device that takes out a storage case for a biological sample from the cryopreservation container and moves it to a predetermined height and position. As a result, when the biological sample is taken in and out of the cryopreservation container, the biological sample can be safely and quickly taken out without the operator touching the storage case or the like.

Japanese Patent No. 6368032

By the way, when the sample stored in the low temperature area in the cryopreservation device is to be delivered, the operator pulls up the rack, takes out the box contained in the rack, and then takes out the vial containing the target sample from the box. Here, when removing the box from the rack, it is necessary to prevent the temperature of the sample taken out from the low temperature atmosphere from rising. Therefore, the worker prepares a container (such as Styrofoam or a vacuum double container) containing liquid nitrogen or dry ice in advance, puts the box in the container, and then takes out the vial.

Further, in the cryopreservation device of Patent Document 1, when the sample is delivered, the rack is automatically pulled up from the cryopreservation container, but the upper area for transporting the low temperature sample is at room temperature. Therefore, if the sample in the cryopreservation container is operated in a room temperature area, the temperature of the frozen sample may rise and be damaged.

As described above, in the conventional cryopreservation device, it is necessary to prepare liquefied nitrogen and dry ice every time the sample is delivered, which is complicated. On the other hand, when the entire area where the sample is operated is kept at a low temperature at all times, there is a problem that energy consumption such as electricity and liquefied nitrogen increases. It is also conceivable to keep the area to be operated in advance at a low temperature when the sample is delivered, but the timing of delivery is irregular, and it is necessary to cool the sample from room temperature to a low temperature (for example, -100 ° C) each time it is delivered. There was a problem that it took an enormous amount of time.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary cooler and an auxiliary cooling system that consume less energy and can provide a low-temperature atmosphere to a predetermined region in a short time. To do.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configurations.
[1] An auxiliary cooler arranged so as to be close to or in contact with the periphery of the cooling target.
An auxiliary cooler provided with one or more containers through which liquid nitrogen flows.
[2] The auxiliary cooler according to the preceding item [1], comprising one container that covers all four sides of the cooling target.
[3] The auxiliary cooler according to the preceding item [1], comprising one container that covers three sides of the side surface of the cooling target.
[4] The auxiliary cooler according to the preceding item [1], comprising two or more of the containers facing the side surface of the cooling target.
[5] Any of the above items [2] to [4], wherein the height of the first side surface of the container facing the cooling target is lower than the height of the second side surface opposite to the first side surface. Auxiliary cooler as described in.
[6] The auxiliary cooler according to any one of the preceding items [2] to [4], which has one or more openings above the first side surface of the container on the side facing the cooling target.
[7] The auxiliary cooler according to the preceding item [1], comprising one container that covers the upper surface of the cooling target.
[8] A transport table on which the cooling target is placed and
An auxiliary cooling system including the auxiliary cooler according to any one of the preceding items [1] to [7], which is located on the transfer table.
[9] The transport table has an opening penetrating from the top surface to the bottom surface of the transport table.
The auxiliary cooling system according to the preceding item [8], wherein the auxiliary cooler is located around the opening.
[10] A cold air blocking plate extending along the moving direction of the transport table is further provided.
The auxiliary cooling system according to the preceding item [9], wherein the cold air blocking plate is located below the opening.
[11] The auxiliary cooling system according to the preceding item [10], wherein the cold air blocking plate has an opening penetrating from the upper surface to the bottom surface of the cold air blocking plate.

The auxiliary cooler and the auxiliary cooling system of the present invention consume less energy and can provide a low temperature atmosphere in a predetermined region in a short time. Therefore, according to the auxiliary cooler and the auxiliary cooling system of the present invention, the temperature rise of the sample can be suppressed.

It is a side sectional view which shows an example of the structure of the auxiliary cooler which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows an example of the structure of the auxiliary cooler which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the structure of the modification of the auxiliary cooler of this invention. It is a top view which shows the structure of the modification of the auxiliary cooler of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the modification of the auxiliary cooler of this invention. It is a side sectional view which shows the structure of the auxiliary cooling system which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the auxiliary cooling system configuration which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged plan view of the component part of the auxiliary cooling system 11 of this embodiment. It is sectional drawing along the AA' line shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB'shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating operation of the auxiliary cooling system 11 of this embodiment. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating operation of the auxiliary cooling system 11 of this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the auxiliary cooler which comprises the auxiliary cooling system.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the auxiliary cooler according to the embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings together with the auxiliary cooling system including the auxiliary cooler. In the drawings used in the following description, in order to make the features easier to understand, the featured parts may be enlarged for convenience, and the dimensional ratios of each component may not be the same as the actual ones. Absent.

<Auxiliary cooler>
First, a configuration of an auxiliary cooler according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described.
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing an example of the configuration of an auxiliary cooler according to an embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of the auxiliary cooler according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the auxiliary cooler 1 of the present embodiment is arranged so as to be close to or in contact with the periphery of the cooling target M, and includes a container 1A through which liquid nitrogen L flows.

The cooling target M is not particularly limited as long as it is stored in a low temperature area. In the present embodiment, the storage box 112 in which a plurality of vials 111 are arranged will be described as an example as the cooling target M.

The vial 111 is a cylindrical container for directly accommodating a sample such as a biological sample. As long as the vial 111 can directly contain a sample such as a biological sample and can withstand a low temperature in the cryopreservation container 102, a container made of various materials such as resin and glass can be used, in particular. Not limited.

The storage box 112 is a rectangular parallelepiped box that stores the vials 111 in an arranged state. The storage box 112 is not particularly limited, but for example, a plurality of 48 or 96 vials 111 can be stored side by side in two dimensions, and a barcode attached to the bottom surface of the vial 111 while being stored in the storage box 112 can be used. The bottom surface of the storage box 112 may be open so that it can be read by a barcode reader described later.

The storage boxes 112 are stored side by side in the storage case 113 in the vertical direction (hereinafter, may be referred to as “Z-axis direction”).

The storage case 113 is a shelf for storing a plurality of storage boxes 112 side by side in the Z-axis direction. The storage case 113 can grip the handle 113a provided on the upper part by a manual or automatic device and raise and lower it in the Z-axis direction. The storage cases 113 are stored side by side in the cryopreservation container 102.

The cryopreservation container 102 is a container for accommodating a plurality of storage cases 113 inside and cryopreserving them. As the cryopreservation container 102, for example, a vacuum double heat insulating container made of stainless steel or the like can be used. By filling the inside of the cryopreservation container 102 with a low-temperature liquefied gas such as liquid nitrogen, the inside can be kept in a low temperature state. For example, by filling liquid nitrogen up to the vicinity of the bottom of the cryopreservation container 102, specifically under the rotary table 124 on which the storage case 113 is placed, the gas phase portion inside the cryopreservation container 102 is kept at −150 ° C. or lower. Can be held in.

An opening 123 is provided on the upper surface of the cryopreservation container 102. The internal space of the cryopreservation container 102 and the work space 103 are communicated with each other through the opening 123. Further, a cap (not shown) for closing the opening can be installed in the opening 123.

As shown in FIG. 1, the work space 103 is provided above the cryopreservation container 102 and communicates with the cryopreservation container 102 through the opening 123. The work space 103 may be a closed space surrounded by a housing (not shown). According to the work space 103, which is a closed space, the dew point is -40 ° C or lower, preferably -50 ° C or lower, due to nitrogen gas evaporated from the cryopreservation container 2, dry air or nitrogen gas separately supplied, or the like. Can be maintained in a dry environment. Further, by maintaining the work space 103 in a dry environment, it is possible to prevent dew condensation and the like in the work space 103.

The mounting table P is located in the work space 103. The mounting table P is a place for mounting the cooling target M (that is, the storage box 112) taken out from the cryopreservation container 102 into the work space 103. In the present embodiment, a mode in which the mounting table P is supported by the cryopreservation container 102 will be described as an example, but the present embodiment is not limited to this.

The auxiliary cooler 1 is arranged on the mounting surface of the mounting table P on which the cooling target M is mounted. Specifically, the auxiliary cooler 1 is arranged so as to be close to or in contact with the periphery of the cooling target M (or the periphery of the place where the cooling target M is to be placed). Here, "to be close to or in contact with each other" means a positional relationship in which the cold heat of the auxiliary cooler 1 is directly or indirectly transmitted to the cooling target M. Therefore, the auxiliary cooler 1 and the cooling target M may be in contact with each other (entire surface), partially in contact with each other, and the rest may be non-contact, or the whole may be non-contact. May be good.

The auxiliary cooler 1 includes a container 1A through which liquid nitrogen L flows.
The shape of the container 1A is preferably a frame shape that covers all four sides of the cooling target M when viewed in a plan view as shown in FIG. 2, and it is preferable that a rectangular region surrounded by the container 1A is formed. In other words, the cooling target M can be placed in the area surrounded by the container 1A.

Further, the shape of the container 1A is a tubular shape (also referred to as a skein shape) whose upper surface is not open when viewed in cross section as shown in FIG. The shape (form) of the container 1A is not limited to the tubular container, and if the liquid nitrogen L flowing inside can be stored for a required time, a part or all of the upper surface of the gutter can be opened. It may be in the shape of a container. Further, from the viewpoint of preventing the liquid nitrogen L in the container 1A from overflowing when the auxiliary cooler 1 vibrates, it is preferable that the parts other than the liquid nitrogen L supply port described later are closed. Further, an opening for discharging cold nitrogen gas in which liquid nitrogen L has evaporated may be provided on the upper surface of the inner peripheral wall of the container 1A facing the cooling target M.

The height (depth) of the container 1A is not particularly limited as long as the liquid nitrogen L can be stored to the extent that cold air can be transmitted to the cooling target M, but the liquid level of the liquid nitrogen L stored in the container 1A is the cooling target M. It is preferably higher than the height of. The height of the container 1A can be 40 to 60 mm.

The container 1A is provided with a supply port (not shown) for liquid nitrogen L. Thereby, a required amount of liquid nitrogen L can be supplied into the container 1A from the supply source of liquid nitrogen L (not shown).
Further, the container 1A is provided with a discharge port for vaporized liquid nitrogen (nitrogen gas). If the upper surface of the container 1A is open, it is not necessary to provide a separate discharge port.
Further, the container 1A may be provided with a liquid level gauge for measuring the liquid level of the liquid nitrogen L stored in the container 1A.

The material of the container 1A is not particularly limited, but a metal having high thermal conductivity (copper, aluminum, stainless steel, etc.) is preferable from the viewpoint of transferring the cold heat of liquid nitrogen L to the cooling target M.
The auxiliary cooler 1 may have a heat insulating material that covers the outside of the container 1A (that is, the side surface that does not come into contact with or is close to the cooling target M). As a result, it is possible to prevent cold heat from escaping from the auxiliary cooler 1 to the work space 103.

Next, an example of how to use the auxiliary cooler 1 of the present embodiment will be described.
When any sample is discharged from the cryopreservation container 102, first, it is stored in the container 1A in the container 1A of the auxiliary cooler 1 arranged on the mounting surface of the mounting table P on which the cooling target M is placed. Liquid nitrogen L is supplied until the liquid level of the liquid nitrogen L to be formed reaches the required height. After the liquid level of the liquid nitrogen L stored in the container 1A reaches the required height, the supply of the liquid nitrogen L to the container 1A may be stopped, or continuously or continuously while adjusting the flow rate. The supply may be continued intermittently.

Next, the target storage case 113 is manually pulled up into the work space 103 from the opening 123 of the cryopreservation container 102, and the target storage box 112 is taken out from the storage case 113. Next, the removed storage box 112 is placed so as to be inside the auxiliary cooler 1 arranged on the mounting surface of the mounting table P. On the other hand, the storage case 113 after taking out the target storage box 112 is stored in the cryopreservation container 102 through the opening 123.

Next, the vial 111 containing the target sample is taken out from the storage box 112.
As described above, according to the auxiliary cooler 1 of the present embodiment, since the liquid nitrogen L is stored in the container 1A that covers only the periphery of the storage box 112 that is the cooling target M, the liquid nitrogen L is stored only around the cooling target M in a short time. A low temperature atmosphere can be formed. As a result, the temperature rise of the removed storage box 112 and the vial 111 containing the target sample can be suppressed.

As described above, the auxiliary cooler 1 of the present embodiment consumes less energy and can provide a low temperature atmosphere to a predetermined region in a short time. Therefore, according to the auxiliary cooler 1 of the present embodiment, the temperature rise of the sample in the vial 111 can be suppressed.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the auxiliary cooler 1 of the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the container 1A is one container covering all four sides of the cooling target M has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the auxiliary cooler 21 may be configured to include one container 21A that covers three sides of the side surface of the cooling target M when viewed in a plan view. According to the auxiliary cooler 21, it is easy to insert the cooling target M into the inner region of the container 21A from the open side surface side.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the auxiliary cooler 31 may be provided with two containers 31A and 31B facing the side surface of the cooling target M when viewed in a plan view. According to the auxiliary cooler 31, it is easy to insert the cooling target M into the inner region of the containers 31A and 31B from the open side surface side.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, auxiliary cooling is provided with one container 41A supported so as to cover the upper surface of the cooling target M (facing the mounting surface of the mounting table P) when viewed in cross section. It may be a container 41. According to the auxiliary cooler 41, similarly to the auxiliary coolers 21 and 31 described above, there is an effect that the cooling target M can be easily inserted into the region below the container 41A from the open side surface side. Further, according to the auxiliary cooler 41, since the cold air of the container 41A easily moves downward, the cooling target M can be cooled more effectively.

In the auxiliary coolers 1, 21, 41 described above, a configuration including one container has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration including two or more containers may be provided. Similarly, in the auxiliary cooler 31, the configuration including two containers 31A and 31B has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration including three or more containers may be provided.

<Auxiliary cooling system>
Next, the configuration of the auxiliary cooling system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the auxiliary cooling system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an auxiliary cooling system configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the auxiliary cooling system 11 of the present embodiment includes at least a transfer table 105 on which the cooling target M is placed and an auxiliary cooler 1 located on the transfer table 105. , It is roughly configured. Further, the auxiliary cooling system 11 may be further provided with a cold air blocking plate 109.

Specifically, the auxiliary cooling system 11 of the present embodiment can be used in combination with the existing cryopreservation device 101 provided with the automatic transfer system and the auxiliary cooler 1 described above. That is, the auxiliary cooling system 11 of the present embodiment includes an auxiliary cooler 1, a transfer table 105 and a cold air blocking plate 109, which are a part of the configuration of the cryopreservation device 101.

The cryopreservation device 101 is not particularly limited as long as it includes an automatic transport system that automatically transports the target sample from the low temperature region to the take-out port. As the cryopreservation device 101 provided with the automatic transfer system, for example, the cryopreservation device described in Japanese Patent No. 6368032 can be used.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cryopreservation device 101 includes a cryopreservation container 102, a first elevating device 104, a transport table 105, a pressing device 107, a second elevating device 108, and a cold air blocking plate 109. , The identification device 162, the push-up unit 163, the control device (control unit) (not shown) that controls them, and the warehousing / delivery information of the sample (vial 111 or storage case 113) to the control device are input / output. It is roughly configured with an input / output device (not shown) for the purpose.

The cryopreservation device 101 automatically takes out the target biological sample stored in the cryopreservation container 102 by independently driving the first elevating device 104 and the pressing device 107 by a control device (not shown). , It is intended to reduce the temperature rise of a biological sample other than the intended purpose.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the cryopreservation device 101, a plurality of vials 111 are arranged and stored in the storage box 112, and the storage box 112 is further stored in the storage case 113 in the vertical direction (hereinafter, “Z-axis direction”). It may be described as). As the vial 111, the storage box 112, and the storage case 113, those described above can be used.

The cryopreservation container 102 is provided below the cryopreservation device 101. As the cryopreservation container 102, the above-mentioned one can be used. An opening 123 is provided on the upper surface of the cryopreservation container 102. The internal space of the cryopreservation container 102 and the work space 103 are communicated with each other through the opening 123.

As shown in FIG. 7, a cap 125 for closing the opening can be installed in the opening 123. By providing the cap 125 in the opening 123, the opening is closed, so that the temperature rise in the cryopreservation container 102 can be suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 6, a rotary table 124 on which the storage case 113 is placed is provided at the bottom of the cryopreservation container 102. As a result, when the storage case 113 is taken out, the rotary table 124 can be rotated so that any storage case 113 can be moved so as to be located directly below the opening 123.

A grip portion 133 is provided on the upper surface of the storage case 113. The shape of the grip portion 133 is not particularly limited as long as the storage case 113 can be raised and lowered in the Z-axis direction, but can be gripped by the first elevating device 104 described later. The shape is preferable. If it is possible to grip the grip portion 133 by the first elevating device 104, the storage case 113 is automatically moved in and out of the opening 123 by raising and lowering the first elevating device 104 in the Z-axis direction. Can be done.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the work space 103 is provided above the cryopreservation container 102 and communicates with the cryopreservation container 102 through the opening 123.

The cryopreservation device 101 is surrounded by a housing F, and the work space 103 has a dew point of −40 ° C. or lower due to nitrogen gas evaporated from the cryopreservation container 102, dry air or nitrogen gas separately supplied, or the like. It is preferably maintained in a dry environment with a dew point of −50 ° C. or lower. By covering the work space 103 including the opening 123 of the cryopreservation container 102 with the housing F, frostbite caused by the worker's direct contact with the storage case 113 or liquid nitrogen, or acid due to nitrogen gas evaporating from the opening 123 The risk of deficiency has been eliminated. Further, by maintaining the inside of the housing F in a dry environment, dew condensation and the like in the work space 103 are prevented.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first elevating device 104 is a member for raising and lowering the storage case 113 in the Z-axis direction through the opening 123 while holding the storage case 113 by gripping or the like. , Is provided in the work space 103. The configuration of the first elevating device 104 is not particularly limited. For example, the first elevating device 104 has a hook 144 that grips the grip portion 133 of the storage case 113. The shape of the hook 144 may be, for example, a hook shape.

According to the first elevating device 104, the storage case 113 can be raised and lowered in the Z-axis direction through the opening 123 while holding the storage case 113. As a result, the storage case 113 can be taken in and out of the cryopreservation container 102. Further, by stopping the driving of the first elevating device 104, the hook 144 can be maintained at an arbitrary height in the Z-axis direction. That is, the storage case 113 can be maintained at an arbitrary height while holding the storage case 113.

As shown in FIG. 7, an X-axis rail 151 is provided below the work space 103 along the X-axis direction. The moving direction of the transport table 105 is described as "X-axis direction". The transport table 105 is attached to the X-axis rail 151 and is movable in the X-axis direction. Therefore, the transport table 105 can be moved to a position adjacent to the opening 123 when viewed in a plan view.

When the transport table 105 is adjacent to the opening 123 when viewed in a plan view, the entire storage case 113 is cryopreserved when the desired storage box 112 stored at an arbitrary height is taken out from the storage case 113. There is no need to leave the container 102. As a result, by raising the storage case 113 until the bottom surface of the storage space in which the desired storage box 112 is stored and the transport table 105 are at the same height, only the desired storage box 112 can be obtained by the pressing device 107 described later. Can be taken out on the transport table 105.

The fixed stage 106 is located below the work space 103 and on the opposite side of the transport table 105 with the opening 123 in between. As a result, when the storage case 113 is discharged from the opening 123, the transport table 105, the opening 123, and the fixed stage 106 can be arranged adjacent to each other in this order. Here, the direction in which the transport table 105, the opening 123, and the fixed stage 106 are arranged adjacent to each other is referred to as "Y-axis direction".

The pressing device 107 is a member that pushes the storage box 112 maintained at a height adjacent to the transport table 105 by the first elevating device 104 toward the transport table 105 and moves the storage box 112 onto the transport table 105. is there. The pressing device 107 is provided on the fixed stage 106.

As the pressing device 107, a configuration including a support portion 158 attached to the fixed stage 106 and having a tip movable in the Y-axis direction and a pressing portion 159 provided at the tip of the support portion 158 can be exemplified. Not limited.

In this way, by operating the first elevating device 104, the transport table 105, and the pressing device 107 in cooperation with each other, the target storage box 112 can be moved from the storage case 113 delivered from the cryopreservation container 102 by the first elevating device 104. It can be placed on the transport table 105.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of the components of the auxiliary cooling system 11 of the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA'shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB'shown in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the transport table 105 has a mounting surface 105A on which the storage box 112 is mounted, and penetrates a part of the mounting surface 105A from the upper surface to the bottom surface of the transport table. It has an opening 152. As a result, each vial 111 can be pushed up from below the transfer table 105 through the opening 152. Further, the barcode provided on the bottom of each vial 111 can be identified from below the transfer table 105 through the opening 152.

The shape of the opening 152 is not particularly limited as long as the vial 111 can be pushed up and the barcode can be read. For example, the opening may be one size smaller than the storage box 112, or a plurality of openings may be formed in a slit shape or a grid shape.

The above-mentioned auxiliary cooler 1 is located on the mounting surface 105A of the transport table 105, around the opening 152 and outside the area where the storage box 112 (cooling target M) is mounted. As a result, when the storage box 112 is placed on the mounting surface 105A of the transport table 105, a low temperature atmosphere can be formed around the storage box 112.

The container 1A of the auxiliary cooler 1 is provided with a supply port (not shown) for liquid nitrogen L. Further, it is preferable that the supply port of the liquid nitrogen L of the container 1A is connected to the supply source of the liquid nitrogen L that supplies the liquid nitrogen L into the cryopreservation container 102. As a result, liquid nitrogen L can be automatically supplied to the container 1A in conjunction with the operation of the cryopreservation device 101.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the auxiliary cooler 1 has one or more slit openings 110 above the first side surface 1a on the side of the container 1A facing the cooling target M. By providing the slit opening 110 on the first side surface 1a inside the container 1A in which the cooling target M is arranged, the cold nitrogen gas evaporated in the container 1A is discharged from the slit opening 110 and blown to the storage box 112. The storage box 112 can be cooled.

Further, the mounting surface 105A of the transport table 105 is provided with a second lifting device 108 capable of raising and lowering in the Z-axis direction while holding or mounting the storage box 112 to be cooled. As the second elevating device 108, a configuration including a support column 153 erected in the Z-axis direction and an elevating stage 154 attached to the support column 153 and movable in the Z-axis direction along the support column 153 can be exemplified. Not limited to.

The second elevating device 108 raises and lowers the storage box 12 pressed by the second pressing device 8 described later at a position higher than the container 1A of the auxiliary cooler 1 arranged on the mounting surface 105A of the transport table 105. After receiving it on the stage 154, the storage box 112 can be placed in a predetermined position on the mounting surface 105A.

The elevating stage 154 is not particularly limited as long as the storage box 112 can be received. The elevating stage 154 may have, for example, a mechanism for gripping the storage box 112 (not shown), or a mounting surface having an opening at a position corresponding to the opening 152 of the transport table 105 (not shown). May have.

The storage box 112 taken out on the conveying table 105 moves in the X-axis direction in the work space 103, and is conveyed to the vicinity of the taking-out port (not shown) of the housing F.
Here, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the moving path of the transport table 105 is provided with an identification device 162 and a push-up portion 163.

The identification device 162 identifies the vial 111 arranged in the storage box 112. The identification device 162 is not particularly limited as long as it can identify the vial 111. Examples of such an identification device 162 include a camera capable of recognizing image information attached to the vial 111, a barcode reader, and the like.

When the identification device 162 is a barcode reader, the identification code is provided on the bottom of the vial 111, and the opening 152 is provided on the mounting surface 105A of the transfer table 105, the identification device 162 is provided below the transfer table 105. It is preferable to have. Thereby, the vial 111 housed in the storage box 112 can be easily identified. When the identification device 162 is a bar code reader, it may be either a one-dimensional bar code readable reader or a two-dimensional bar code readable reader.

By providing the identification device 162, it is possible to automatically record information such as inventory information such as the storage location of the vial 111 and the date and time of entry / exit and operation history. In addition, since recording can be performed automatically, even when handling a large amount of samples, mistakes such as forgetting to read can be reduced, and accidents such as sample mistaking can be prevented.

The push-up portion 163 opens an opening of the target vial 111 housed in the storage box 112 mounted on the mounting surface 105A of the transport table 105 from below the transport table 105. A device for pushing up the bottom of a target vial 111 via a portion 152. Thereby, the target vial 111 can be easily taken out.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, a cold air blocking plate 109 is provided in the moving path of the transport table 105.
The cold air blocking plate 109 is a plate-shaped heat insulating member, is located below the opening 152 of the transport table 105, and extends along the moving direction (X-axis direction) of the transport table 105. The cold air blocking plate 109 shields the opening 152 when the transport table 105 moves in the X-axis direction. As a result, the cooling target M mounted on the mounting surface 105A is not exposed from the opening 152 to the work space 103, so that it is difficult for the cooling target M and the auxiliary cooler 1 itself to escape the cold heat, and the low temperature around the cooling target M is low. The atmosphere can be maintained and the temperature rise of the cooling target M can be suppressed.

The cold air blocking plate 109 has openings 109A and 109B penetrating from the upper surface to the bottom surface of the cold air blocking plate 109. According to the cold air blocking plate 109 configured in this way, as shown in FIG. 11, when the transport table 105 on which the storage box 112 is placed moves to the opening 109A, the position of the desired vial 111 is determined by the identification device 162. It is confirmed. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, when the transport table 105 moves to the opening 109B, the push-up portion 163 is raised based on the position information obtained by the identification device 162, so that the desired vial 111 is pushed upward. .. This allows the operator to easily remove the desired vial 111.

As shown in FIG. 9, the gap (clearance) between the cold air blocking plate 109 and the bottom surface 105B of the transport table 105 is as small as possible from the viewpoint of making it difficult for cold air to escape and maintaining a low temperature atmosphere around the cooling target M. Small is preferable.

Further, the bottom surface 105B of the transport table 105 is provided with a seal member 164 that covers a part of the side surface and the bottom surface of the cold air blocking plate 109 along the X-axis direction. By providing the seal member 164, it is possible to prevent cold air from escaping and maintain a low temperature atmosphere around the cooling target M even when the transport table 105 is in operation.

As the input / output device (not shown), for example, a personal computer having a display unit and an input unit provided outside the housing F can be used. By operating the input / output device and giving an instruction to a control device (not shown) built in the cryopreservation device 101, the operator can perform various operations for taking out and storing the vial 111 or the storage box 112. it can.

Further, the control device (not shown) in the cryopreservation device 101 is instructed to operate the first elevating device 104, the transport table 105, the pressing device 107, the identification device 162, the push-up unit 163, the auxiliary cooler 1, and the like. A control program is built in. Thereby, for example, by instructing the control device to take out the vial 111 or the storage box 112, the supply of liquid nitrogen L to the container 1A of the auxiliary cooler 1 can be controlled in advance.

Next, a method of using the auxiliary cooling system 11 of the present embodiment, that is, a method of taking out a desired storage box 112 stored in the cryopreservation container 102 in conjunction with the above-mentioned cryopreservation device 101 will be described.

First, the input / output device (not shown) of the cryopreservation device 101 is operated to instruct the control device (not shown) to take out the desired storage box 112. As a result, the supply of liquid nitrogen L to the container 1A of the auxiliary cooler 1 is started. Further, the rotary table 124 in the cryopreservation container 102 rotates, and the storage case 113 containing the desired storage box 112 moves directly below the opening 123 (see FIG. 6).

Next, the transport table 105 moves in the X-axis direction and stops at a position adjacent to the opening 123 when viewed in a plan view. As a result, the transport table 105 and the fixed stage 106 are in a positional relationship facing each other with the opening 123 interposed therebetween (see FIG. 7).

Next, the hook 144 of the first elevating device 104 is lowered downward in the Z-axis direction to grip the grip portion 133 of the storage case 113. Next, the hook 144 is raised upward in the Z-axis direction to eject the storage case 113 from the cryopreservation container 102 via the opening 123, and the bottom surface of the storage space in which the desired storage box 112 is stored and the transport table. The first elevating device 104 is raised until the elevating stage 154 of the second elevating device 108 that has risen from the mounting surface 105A of 105 in the Z-axis direction is at the same height.

Next, the desired storage box 112 is pressed in the Y-axis direction by the pressing device 107 to move the desired storage box 112 from the storage case 113 to the elevating stage 154. Next, the elevating stage 154 is moved downward in the Z-axis direction, and the desired storage box 112 is placed in the area surrounded by the auxiliary cooler 1 on the mounting surface 105A of the transport table 105 (FIGS. 8 to 8). See 10). At this time, the auxiliary cooler 1 has already been sufficiently cooled, and a desired low temperature atmosphere can be provided on the mounting surface 105A of the transport table 105.

In order to prevent the remaining storage box 112 from rising in temperature, the first elevating device 104 is lowered to store the storage case 113 in the cryopreservation container 102. After that, the opening 123 is closed by the cap 125.

Next, the transport table 105 on which the storage box 112 is placed moves in the X-axis direction, so that the storage box 112 is carried out to the take-out port (not shown). After that, the operator can take out the target storage box 112 from the take-out port (not shown). By the above operation, the taking-out operation of the storage box 112 is completed.

Next, a method of taking out the desired storage box 112 stored in the cryopreservation container 102 and taking out the desired vial 111 will be described in conjunction with the above-mentioned cryopreservation device 101.

First, in the same manner as described above, the storage box 112 delivered from the cryopreservation container 102 is placed in the area surrounded by the auxiliary cooler 1 on the mounting surface 105A of the transport table 105 (FIGS. 8 to 8 to 8). See FIG. 10).

Next, the transport table 105 on which the storage box 112 is placed is moved in the X-axis direction to the position of the opening 109A of the cold air blocking plate 109. When the transport table 105 on which the storage box 112 is placed moves to the opening 109A, the identification device 162 confirms the position of the desired vial 111 (see FIG. 11).

Next, the transport table 105 on which the storage box 112 is placed is moved in the X-axis direction to the position of the opening 109B of the cold air blocking plate 109. When the transfer table 105 moves to the opening 109B, the push-up portion 163 is raised based on the position information obtained by the identification device 162, so that the desired vial 111 is pushed upward (see FIG. 12). After that, the operator can take out the target vial 111 manually or by automatic transfer from the take-out port (not shown). By the above operation, the removal operation of the vial 111 is completed.

As described above, according to the auxiliary cooling system 11 of the present embodiment, by combining the cryopreservation device 101 provided with the automatic transfer system and the auxiliary cooler 1, the energy consumption is small and the transfer table 105 can be performed in a short time. A low temperature atmosphere can be provided on the mounting surface 105A. Therefore, according to the auxiliary cooling system 11 of the present embodiment, when the target sample is automatically transported, the temperature rise of the sample can be suppressed.

That is, by arranging the auxiliary cooler 1 only in the minimum area around the area where the cooling target M is placed, the amount of liquid nitrogen L used can be suppressed. Further, by linking the start of operation of the cryopreservation device 101 with the start of supply of liquid nitrogen L, the time required to complete the cooling preparation of the auxiliary cooler 1 can be significantly shortened.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the auxiliary cooling system 11 of the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, one or more above the first side surface 1a on the side of the container 1A of the auxiliary cooler 1 facing the cooling target M. The configuration having the slit opening 110 of the above has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, when viewed in cross section, the upper surface of the container 201A is open, and the height of the first side surface 201a of the container 201A facing the cooling target M is opposite to that of the first side surface 201a. The auxiliary cooling system 211 may be configured to include an auxiliary cooler 201 that is lower than the height of the second side surface 201b on the side. According to the auxiliary cooler 201 having such a configuration, since the inner first side surface 201a facing the cooling target M is low, the cold nitrogen gas evaporated in the container 201A exceeds the first side surface 201a and enters the storage box 112. The storage box 112 can be cooled by being blown.

The auxiliary cooler and auxiliary cooling system of the present invention are housed inside in a cryopreservation container for cryopreserving biological samples such as biomedical basic research, medical care, pharmaceuticals, and livestock (sperm, fertilized egg storage). It can be used as an auxiliary cooler for taking out biological samples (vials, straws, etc.) and as an auxiliary cooling system.

1,21,31,41,201 ... Auxiliary coolers 1A, 21A, 31A, 31B, 41A, 201A ... Containers 1a, 201a ... First side surface 201b ... Second side surface 11,211 ... Auxiliary cooling system 101 ... Freezing storage device 102 ... Freezing storage container 103 ... Working space 104 ... First elevating device 105 ... Transfer table 105A ... Mounting surface 105B ... Bottom surface 106 ... Fixed stage 107 ... Pressing device 108 ... Second elevating device 109 ... Cold air blocking plate 109A, 109B ... Opening 110 ... Slit opening 111 ... Vial 112 ...・ Storage box 113 ・ ・ ・ Storage case 123 ・ ・ ・ Opening 124 ・ ・ ・ Rotating table 125 ・ ・ ・ Cap 133 ・ ・ ・ Grip part 144 ・ ・ ・ Hook 151 ・ ・ ・ X-axis rail 152 ・ ・ ・ Opening 153 ... Support 154 ... Elevating stage 158 ... Support part 159 ... Pressing part 162 ... Identification device 163 ... Pushing part 164 ... Seal member F ... Housing L ...・ Liquid nitrogen M ・ ・ ・ Cooling target P ・ ・ ・ Mounting stand

Claims (11)

An auxiliary cooler that is placed in close proximity to or in contact with the periphery of the object to be cooled.
An auxiliary cooler provided with one or more containers through which liquid nitrogen flows. The auxiliary cooler according to claim 1, further comprising one container covering all four sides of the object to be cooled. The auxiliary cooler according to claim 1, further comprising one said container that covers three sides of the side surface to be cooled. The auxiliary cooler according to claim 1, further comprising two or more of the containers facing the side surface of the object to be cooled. The auxiliary according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the height of the first side surface of the container facing the cooling target is lower than the height of the second side surface opposite to the first side surface. Cooler. The auxiliary cooler according to any one of claims 2 to 4, which has one or more openings above the first side surface of the container facing the cooling target. The auxiliary cooler according to claim 1, further comprising one container that covers the upper surface of the object to be cooled. A transport table on which the object to be cooled is placed and
An auxiliary cooling system comprising the auxiliary cooler according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which is located on the transfer table. The transport table has an opening that penetrates from the top surface to the bottom surface of the transport table.
The auxiliary cooling system according to claim 8, wherein the auxiliary cooler is located around the opening. Further provided with a cold air blocking plate extending along the moving direction of the transport table.
The auxiliary cooling system according to claim 9, wherein the cold air blocking plate is located below the opening. The auxiliary cooling system according to claim 10, wherein the cold air blocking plate has an opening penetrating from the upper surface to the bottom surface of the cold air blocking plate.

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