JP4457331B2 - Shaking incubator and method for measuring or controlling culture medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a shaker used for cell culture.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The shaker is used to fix the flask containing the culture medium and cells to be cultured on the shaking table with a spring-like fixture, and to culture with shaking at the amplitude set by the shaking table drive unit. Yes. The flasks are usually installed in a temperature-controlled room maintained at a desired temperature, and all the flasks on the shaking table are cultured at the same temperature.
[0003]
Temperature is a very important factor in the culture conditions, and finding the optimal culture temperature for the target cells is an important task. However, in a conventional shaker, all flasks in the temperature-controlled room are at the same temperature. Therefore, in order to conduct an experiment with different temperature conditions, the experiment had to be repeated by the number of temperature conditions.
[0004]
As a method for solving this, an apparatus capable of culturing at different temperatures for each flask has already been proposed. In Japanese Patent Application No. 59-272124, "Temperature shaker culture tank" is equipped with a heater and temperature sensor in the flask holder, the inside of the tank is set to the minimum temperature of the desired set temperature, and each flask is heated to the desired temperature with the heater. It is described that it is used at an elevated temperature. In addition, in the published practical use Sho 50-58099 “Shaking Incubator”, the idea of individual temperature control by a thermo element is mentioned.
[0005]
In the two previously filed applications, a cable is used for power supply and temperature data transmission. However, one end of the cable is fixed to a shaking table and the other end is fixed to a fixed part, so that it is repeatedly bent to the cable. Therefore, there is a drawback that power supply and temperature data cannot be stably transmitted over a long period of time. In addition, there is a method in which a pH or dissolved oxygen sensor is attached to the flask and these signals are transmitted to the fixed base using a cable. Similarly, the cable is easily broken by shaking.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In view of the conventional drawbacks , the present invention transmits the measurement value to the fixed part without connecting the measuring means provided on the shaker and the fixed part with the cable, and from the fixed part to the shaker without using the cable. it supplies power to permit such a child control the state of the culture.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present inventors, as a result of intensive studies to solve these problems, and transmits by radio to the fixed part of the measurement values from shaking rack, radio by supplying power to the shaking rack from the fixed portion, shaking providing the control means to the base, by該制transmission child the set value from the fixed portion to the control means wirelessly or the like and found out like the above problems can be solved, and completed the present invention.
[0008]
That is, the present invention is a shaker, a means and the resulting measured values for measuring the state of the culture in shaking rack means for transmitting by radio, Rutotomoni provided the receiving means in the fixed part, A conductive brush and a conductive material that slides on the conductive brush are provided as means for supplying electric power wirelessly from the fixed portion to the shaking table .
Further, the preferred embodiment is characterized in that means for controlling the state of the culture solution is provided on the shaking table.
Still further, the preferred embodiment is characterized in that the fixed part is provided with a control set value setting means, and the shaking table is provided with means for receiving the set value.
[0010]
Furthermore the preferred embodiment is a rotary shaker for shaking table is a rotary movement horizontally, only setting the conductive crank having two axes perpendicular to rotary motion in the same radius in synchronization, their vertical axis One of them is equipped with a power supply mechanism that is fixed to the fixed part and the other vertical axis is rotatably fixed to the shaking table, the brush is slid on those vertical axes , and power is supplied to the brush of the fixed part. Features.
[0011]
Furthermore the preferred embodiment is characterized in that it comprises temperature measurement means for contact with the culture vessel.
[0012]
The present invention also relates to a method for measuring or controlling the state of the liquid in the culture vessel, and measuring or controlling any one or more of the temperature, pH, or dissolved oxygen in the culture vessel by the shake incubator of the present invention. It is a method to do.
[0013]
[Action]
According to the present invention , the measurement value of the state in the culture vessel can be transmitted to the fixed part without using a cable, and the power can be continuously supplied by providing means for supplying power wirelessly from the fixed part to the shaking table. The measurement or control can be performed continuously and stably over a long period of time. The fixed part can display the data and use it for calculations. Control set values and control signals set by a setting device provided in the fixed part are transmitted to the shaking table, and the state in the culture vessel can be controlled by the control means provided on the shaking table.
[0014]
The means for supplying electric power with no line comprises a conductive material shaking table or a conductive brush or sliding and it fixed portion vibration, can be easily supply power be contacted with each other.
[0015]
In addition, a rotary shaker incubator is provided with a crank made of a conductive material that rotates in synchronism with the same radius as a so-called crank that changes the rotary motion to rotary motion, with one vertical axis serving as a shaking table and the other vertical axis serving as the other Power is supplied to the heater, controller, etc. provided on the shaking table by receiving power from the brush attached to the shaking table by supplying electric power from the fixing unit via the brush and rotating to the fixing unit. I can do it.
[0016]
By providing a temperature measurement means that contacts the culture vessel, the temperature of the culture solution can be measured or controlled without directly contacting the culture solution with a temperature sensor. This facilitates handling of the sensor and saves the trouble of attaching the temperature sensor to the culture vessel, and also has the advantage that the sensor need not be attached when sterilizing the culture vessel.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be exemplified. In the present invention, wireless is a concept that a continuous conductor made of a flexible electric conductive material such as a wire, a lead wire, or a cable is not used. Troubles such as poor conduction caused by cutting of continuous conductors can be avoided by wireless transmission.
[0018]
Signals such as the temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen of the culture medium measured by the sensor attached to the flask fixed on the shaking table are converted by the respective amplifiers fixed on the shaking table, and further digitalized by the A / D converter. It is converted into a signal and transmitted using radio waves or light waves in a band approved for consumer use in accordance with a predetermined protocol by a transmitter / receiver installed on a shaking table.
[0019]
Radio waves or light transmitted from the transmitter on the shaking table enters the transmitter / receiver installed in the fixed part, and is signal-converted and displayed on the indicator for temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, etc. Furthermore, these data are sent to a personal computer etc. for data file creation as needed.
[0020]
The set temperature data input to the temperature setter of the fixed part enters the transmitter / receiver and is transmitted to the shaking table by radio waves or light according to the protocol. The temperature is adjusted for each flask based on the data received by the transmitter / receiver provided on the shaking table.
[0021]
Two plates of conductive material such as copper are fixed to the fixed part in a state of being electrically insulated from the fixed part, and two items of a brush made of conductive graphite or the like in the holder are fixed to the shaking table. When the tip of the brush is pressed against the copper plate by a spring or the like, power is supplied to the shaking table during operation by applying a voltage to the two plates attached to the fixed part. . As the conductive material to be attached to the fixed portion, in addition to copper, a true casting, aluminum, graphite, copper, or a powder molding of silver and graphite can be used. The material of the brush is not limited to graphite, and a powder molded body of copper or silver and graphite can be used.
[0022]
A brush made of conductive graphite or the like is put into a holder and fixed to the fixed portion, and two plates of conductive material such as copper are attached to the shaking table. In this case as well, electric power can be supplied to the shaking rack in operation as described above.
[0023]
In the rotary shaker, the shaking table is rotated by transmitting the rotational movement of the motor to the shaking table via the crank. The crank is composed of a plate parallel to the shaking table and a shaft that is vertically attached to the front and back of the plate at a distance from each other. A conductive crank made of a conductive material such as copper or true casting having the same shape as the crank is provided. One shaft of the conductive crank reaches the shaking table surface, and the other shaft reaches the upper surface of the fixing unit, and is fixed to the shaking table and the fixing unit via bearings, respectively. At least two such conductive cranks are provided. These conductive cranks are positioned so as to rotate smoothly when the shaking table is rotated by the drive crank attached to the motor rotation shaft. In order to provide electrical insulation, an insulator is interposed between the shaft of the conductive crank and the bearing, or between the base fixed to the bearing.
[0024]
A conductive brush holder is attached to the shaking table, and is pressed against the vertical part of the conductive crank on the shaking table side. Similarly, a holder of a conductive brush is attached to the fixed part, and is pressed against the vertical part on the fixed part side of the conductive crank. The brush holder is electrically insulated when it is attached to a shaking table or fixed part.
[0025]
When a DC or AC voltage is applied between the two conductive brushes on the fixed part side, electric power is applied to the shaking table by the conductive brush and the conductive crank when the shaking table is shaking. Is supplied.
[0026]
To contact the conductive crank and the conductive brush, press the conductive brush perpendicularly to the curved surface of the shaft perpendicular to the shaking base of the conductive crank, or press the conductive brush against the end surface of the shaft perpendicular to the shaking base of the conductive crank. There are methods. Further, the number of conductive brushes is not limited to one and may be plural.
[0027]
As another method of wireless power transmission, a coil with an iron core is fixed to a shaking table and set so that it is positioned in the magnetic field of a magnet fixed to a fixed part. Along with the operation of the table, a voltage is generated at both ends of the coil containing the iron core, and power can be supplied to the equipment on the shaking table.
[0028]
Alternatively, an iron core-containing coil is fixed to a shaking table by fixing the coil containing the iron core to the shaking table, facing this to the electromagnet containing the iron core fixed to the fixed part, and supplying AC power to the electromagnet containing the iron core. Electric power can be supplied to the heater on the shaking table by the generated electric power.
[0029]
【Example】
Next, a shake incubator and a culture solution measurement or control method according to the present invention will be described in detail.
Example 1
A cross-sectional view of a flask holder on a shaking table according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1, and a sensor signal transmission system diagram is shown in FIG. A temperature sensor 5 such as a platinum resistance thermometer is embedded in a part of a silicon rubber heater 4 in contact with the bottom surface of the flask 3 fixed to the flask holder 2 on the shake table 1. A dissolved oxygen sensor, a pH sensor, and the like 50 for measuring the state of the culture solution in the flask are attached to the branch 51 portion of the branch flask as shown in FIG. The heater and the temperature sensor are connected to the respective ports of the temperature controller 6 installed on the shaking table, and sensors other than the temperature measurement are connected to the sensor amplifier 7.
[0030]
FIG. 2 shows a sensor signal transmission system diagram, and shows the relationship between the data measuring unit of each flask on the shaking table and the control / display installed in the fixed unit.
The temperature of each flask on the shaking table and other sensor data are converted by the temperature controller and sensor amplifier 7 installed on the shaking table, and the sensor signal transmitter 8 uses radio waves or light to fix the shaking unit. Is sent to a sensor signal receiver 9 attached. The received wireless signal is sent to the sensor measurement value display 10 via the converter, and the sensor measurement value of each flask is displayed. In addition, it is sent to a computer as needed to record various sensor data. The temperature data set by the temperature setter 11 attached to the fixed part of the shaker is transmitted by the set temperature transmitter 12 to the set temperature receiver 13 installed on the shaker. The received set temperature is sent to the temperature controller 6 and the heater 4 is controlled based on the calculation result.
[0031]
(Example 2)
FIG. 3 shows a side view of the power supply unit of the rotary shaker.
A structure for supplying power to the shaking rack is shown in FIG.
The two conductive material plates 14 larger than the rotary drive diameter are mounted on the fixed portion 15 with an electrical insulator 16 therebetween, and an AC power source or a DC power source line is connected to the two copper plates. On the other hand, the brush holder 17 is separated from the lower surface of the shaking table 1 by a distance between the centers of the copper plates, and the tip of the conductive brush 18 is attached at a place where contact is always maintained during the shaker operation. The brush 19 is connected to the terminal 19 penetrating the shaking table attached to the shaking table by a lead wire 20 so that AC or DC power is supplied onto the shaking table.
[0032]
(Example 3)
In the case of a reciprocating drive incubator, a plate with good conductivity such as copper or brass whose length is longer than the amplitude distance is attached to the fixed part via an electrical insulator, and an AC or DC power line is connected. Connected to these two plates. On the other hand, a conductive brush holder is attached to the lower surface of the shaking table at such a position that the tip of the brush always contacts the two plates during the operation of the shaking machine. The brush and the insulated terminal attached to the shaking table are connected by a lead wire, and AC or DC power is supplied onto the shaking table.
[0033]
Example 4
FIG. 4 shows a side view of the power supply unit of another example of the rotary shaker.
In the case of a rotary drive shaker, two conductive cranks 23 having the same rotational center distance as the shaking crank 22 driven by the motor 21 are provided, and the conductive shafts 24 are all perpendicular to the shaking table. It is attached to a fixed part and a shaking table via a bearing 25. The holder 27 of the conductive brush 26 is fixed to the fixed portion and the shaking stand so that the tip of the conductive brush 26 is pressed against the shaft 24 of the conductive crank 23 at a right angle. The conductive brushes in contact with the two conductive cranks on the fixed part are connected to an AC or DC power source, and AC or DC power is supplied to the shaking table. In this embodiment, the shaft 24 of the conductive crank rotates with respect to the fixed part or the shaking table. Therefore, the moving distance of the brush is less than the method shown in the second embodiment, and the life of the brush and its sliding portion can be extended.
[0034]
(Reference Example 1) as a reference example in FIG. 5 shows a system diagram of a power supply to the shaking table with power transfer by magnetic coupling.
The electromagnet 29 with iron core is fixed to the shaking table so that the electromagnet 29 with iron core is positioned in the magnetic field of the electromagnet 28 fixed to the fixing portion. Both ends of the coil of the iron core-containing electromagnet 29 are connected to a terminal block 30 on a shaking table. When a direct current is passed through the coil of the electromagnet 28 and the shaker is in an operating state, an alternating voltage having a frequency equal to the number of rotations of the shaker is generated at both ends of the coil of the iron core-containing electromagnet 29. Is supplied with power.
[0035]
( Reference Example 2 ) FIG. 6 shows a system diagram of power supply in which another electromagnet 31 is fixed on a fixed portion at a position facing the cored electromagnet 29 fixed on the shake table 1 as another reference example . .
When an alternating current to the core containing the electromagnet 31 which is fixed to the fixing portion is marked pressurized, the AC voltage of the same frequency to the coil 29 fixed to the shaking table which is opposed to the coil occurs. Both ends of the coil are wired to a terminal block installed on the shaking table, and AC power is supplied to the shaking table.
[0036]
AC power supplied by the method described in Reference Example 1 or Reference Example 2, large voltage fluctuations, this remains in hard to use. To improve this, rectified to a direct current to charge the battery, further, converted by DC / DC converter. By doing in this way, it can be used as a good power source with a stable voltage.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
Since the present invention is as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
According to the shaking incubator according to the present invention, stable power supply over a long period of time can be performed on the shaking table, so that the temperature of each flask on the shaking table can be freely set, and a single culture experiment can be performed. It becomes possible to precisely verify the influence of temperature on culture results. In addition, it is possible to carry out a culture experiment of bacteria or microorganisms having different suitable temperatures over a long period of time by using one shaking culture machine. It is also possible to change the set temperature from the fixed part during the culture. In addition, since temperature data of each flask during culture can be reliably sent to the data recording unit for a long time, accurate data analysis becomes possible. Of course, the same applies to pH and dissolved oxygen concentration.
[0038]
In general, the temperature of the temperature-controlled room in which the shake flask is stored is controlled by air, so that the temperature distribution in the temperature-controlled room is large, and thus the temperature of the culture solution in the flask is also large. Conventionally, it has not been possible to control the temperature of individual flasks, but there is also an advantage that the temperature can be accurately measured by the present invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a shake flask holder of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sensor signal transmission system of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a side view of a power supply unit of the rotary shaker of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a side view of a power supply unit of another example of the rotary shaker of the present invention.
5 is a system diagram of a power supply of the reference example.
FIG. 6 is a system diagram of power supply of another reference example .
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Shaking table2. 2. Flask holder Flask 4. 4. Silicon rubber heater 5. Temperature sensor 6. Temperature controller Sensor amplifier 8. 8. Sensor signal transmitter Sensor signal receiver 10. 10. Sensor measurement value display Temperature setting device 12. Set temperature transmitter 13. Set temperature receiver 14. Conductive plate 15. Fixing part 16. Electrical insulator 17. Brush holder 18. Conductive brush 19. Insulated through terminal 20. Lead wire 21. Drive motor 22. Shaking crank 23. Conductive crank 24. Shaft 25. Bearing 26. Conductive brush 27. Holder 28. Electromagnet fixed to fixed base 29. 30. Electromagnet fixed to a shaking table Terminal block 50. Sensor 51. Branch of branch flask 52. Silicon stopper

Claims (6)

A means and the resulting measured values for measuring the state of the culture in shaking means stand wirelessly transmitting, Rutotomoni provided the receiving means in the fixed part, wirelessly powering a shaking rack from the fixed portion A shaking incubator comprising a conductive brush and a conductive material sliding on the conductive brush as means for performing the above operation . 2. The shaker incubator according to claim 1, wherein means for controlling the state of the culture solution is provided on the shaker . The shake incubator according to claim 2, wherein the fixed part is provided with control set value setting means, and the shake table is provided with means for receiving the set value . A rotary shaker for shaking table is a rotary movement horizontally, has conductivity crank having two axes perpendicular to rotary motion in the same radius in synchronization, the fixing portion is in one of the previous SL vertical axis other vertical axis is rotatably fixed to the shaking rack, according to claim 1, characterized in that with these sliding the brush in a vertical axis, and the power supply mechanism for supplying power to the brush fixing portion 4. The shaking incubator according to any one of 3 . The shake incubator according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , further comprising a temperature measuring unit that contacts the culture vessel . Temperature of claim 1 culture vessel by shaking culture machine as claimed in any one of 5, pH, a method of measuring or controlling any one or more items of the dissolved oxygen.

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