JP5362542B2 - Sterile liquid atomization generator and sterilization method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sterilization liquid atomization generator and a sterilization method used in a sterilization process in which a space such as a work room is an aseptic environment, and is particularly used for a sterilization process in a work room where operations such as cell culture are performed. The present invention relates to a sterilization liquid atomization generator and a sterilization method.

  Conventionally, when sterilizing a working room or the like where such an aseptic environment is required, a sterilizing liquid spraying apparatus that sprays a sterilizing liquid and discharges the sterilized mist into the working room is used. As such a sterilizing liquid spraying device, for example, a spray type or ultrasonic vibration type device is known.

  Depending on the type of bacteria, cells, and viruses, the resistance to the sterilization solution varies, so in such a sterilization process of the work room, data such as the concentration of sterilization gas in the work room, temperature, humidity, and input of the sterilization liquid Measurement and management are important. In these data measurements, in particular, it is necessary to accurately grasp the amount (input amount) of the sterilizing liquid that is actually sprayed from the sterilizing liquid spraying device and manage it so that an appropriate spray amount is sprayed. Furthermore, more accurate data measurement and management are required from the viewpoint of validation.

  For example, in the sterilizing water spray device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the sterilizing water stored in the sterilizing water tank built in the device body is supplied to the spray nozzle by a pump, and the sterilizing water is sprayed. Is disclosed. In order to perform the data measurement of the spray amount of the sterilizing water, the remaining amount of the sterilizing water is managed by detecting the remaining amount of the sterilizing water in the sterilizing water tank with a sensor.

JP 2009-34361 A

  In the conventional spraying apparatus including the apparatus of Patent Document 1, the sprayed sterilizing liquid is not 100% vaporized, and a part of the sterilizing liquid adheres as droplets to the inside of the apparatus main body or the air supply duct. In addition, a part of the sterilizing solution remains in a place other than the tank in the apparatus main body (in the tube of the spray nozzle or in the pump). Therefore, in particular, as in Patent Document 1, the method of managing the amount of sterilizing liquid used (input amount) by measuring the amount of sterilizing liquid remaining in the sterilizing liquid tank is charged into the working chamber for sterilization. It is not possible to accurately grasp the amount of the sterilized liquid charged.

  In recent years, an apparatus for automating cell culture by arranging a robot arm or the like in a work chamber has been proposed. Such automatic cell culture is required to provide a higher level of sterile environment while reducing the burden on the operator. In addition, more accurate validation is required from the viewpoint of cell culture.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problem, and to more accurately grasp the actual amount of sterilization solution used in a sterilization process in which a space such as a work room is a sterile environment. It is an object to provide a sterilization liquid atomization generating apparatus and a sterilization processing method that can perform the above.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a sterilization liquid tank that contains a sterilization liquid, an atomization device that atomizes the sterilization liquid supplied from the sterilization liquid tank, and a sterilization liquid atomized from the atomization apparatus, A sterilization mist discharge unit that mixes with the gas supplied into the apparatus main body and discharges the sterilization mist to the outside of the apparatus main body, and a weight measurement unit that measures the weight of the sterilization liquid tank, the atomization device, and the sterilization mist discharge unit A sterilizing liquid atomization generating device is provided.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first weight data of the sterilization liquid tank, the atomization device, and the sterilization mist discharge unit measured by the weight measurement unit before the start of the sterilization process, and during or during the sterilization process A control device that calculates a difference between the second weight data of the sterilization liquid tank, the atomization device, and the sterilization mist discharge unit measured by the weight measurement unit after the completion, as a use amount of the sterilization liquid in the sterilization process; The sterilization liquid atomization generator as described in 1 aspect is provided.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the control device, the set usage amount data of the sterilizing liquid used for the sterilization process is preset, and the calculated usage amount data of the sterilizing liquid in the sterilization processing is the set usage amount data. The sterilization liquid atomization generating device according to the second aspect, which controls the supply amount of the sterilization liquid supplied into the gas by the atomization device so as to be data, is provided.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the control device, the set usage amount data of the sterilizing liquid used for the sterilization process is preset, and the calculated usage amount data of the sterilizing liquid in the sterilization processing is set as the set usage amount. The sterilization liquid atomization generating apparatus according to the second aspect is provided that controls the timing of stopping the discharge of the sterilization mist by stopping the operation of the atomization apparatus when the data becomes more than the above data.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the atomization device imparts ultrasonic vibration to the atomization tank that stores the sterilization liquid supplied from the sterilization liquid tank, and the sterilization liquid stored in the atomization tank. The ultrasonic generator that atomizes the sterilization liquid and the sterilization liquid supplied from the sterilization liquid tank to the atomization tank and sterilization of the sterilization liquid remaining in the atomization tank when the operation of the atomizer is stopped A sterilizing liquid atomization generator according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, comprising: a sterilizing liquid supply / discharge means for returning to the liquid tank.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a sterilizing liquid main tank for storing the sterilizing liquid, and a sterilizing liquid supply means for supplying the sterilizing liquid stored in the sterilizing liquid main tank to the sterilizing liquid tank, The sterilization liquid supply means supplies the sterilization liquid from the sterilization liquid tank to the atomization tank and returns the sterilization liquid remaining in the atomization tank to the sterilization liquid tank only when the operation of the atomization apparatus is stopped. The sterilization liquid atomization generator as described in 1. is provided.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the ultrasonic generator is immersed in an ultrasonic transducer that is fixed to the bottom of the atomization tank and generates ultrasonic vibrations, and a sterilizing liquid stored in the atomization tank. The guide is connected to the ultrasonic vibrator and amplifies the amplitude of the ultrasonic vibration generated from the ultrasonic vibrator, and fills the space between the guide and the side wall of the atomization tank. A sterilizing liquid atomization generator according to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, comprising: a block for reducing the volume of the atomization tank.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, atomization of the sterilizing liquid atomized using the atomizing device for atomizing the sterilizing liquid supplied from the sterilizing liquid tank that contains the sterilizing liquid occurs in the sterilizing mist discharge unit. Acquires weight data of the sterilization liquid tank, atomization device, and sterilization mist discharge unit in a method of sterilization by mixing with gas supplied from outside the device and discharging the sterilization mist outside the atomization generator. The present invention also provides a sterilization method that calculates sterilization solution usage data in sterilization processing based on the acquired weight data, and manages the sterilization processing based on the calculated usage data.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the first weight data of the sterilization liquid tank, the atomizing device, and the sterilization mist discharge unit is acquired before the start of the sterilization process, and the sterilization liquid tank is obtained during the sterilization process or after the sterilization process is completed. The second weight data of the atomizing device and the sterilization mist discharging unit is acquired, and the difference between the first weight data and the second weight data is calculated as the sterilization liquid usage data, and the calculated sterilization The sterilization processing method according to the eighth aspect is provided, in which the supply amount of the sterilizing liquid into the gas is controlled so that the liquid usage amount data becomes the preset usage amount data of the sterilizing liquid.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the first weight data of the sterilization liquid tank, the atomizing device, and the sterilization mist discharge unit is acquired before the start of the sterilization process, and the sterilization liquid tank is obtained during the sterilization process or after the sterilization process is completed. The second weight data of the atomizing device and the sterilization mist discharging unit is acquired, and the difference between the first weight data and the second weight data is calculated as the sterilization liquid usage data, and the calculated sterilization The sterilization processing method according to the eighth aspect is provided, in which the discharge of the sterilization mist is stopped when the liquid usage amount data is equal to or more than the preset usage amount data of the sterilizing liquid.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, by operating the blower fan, the gas in the work chamber is supplied into the atomization generator and the sterilization mist is discharged from the atomization generator into the work chamber. And a method of performing a sterilization process in the working chamber by circulating the gas, and after the discharge of the sterilization mist is stopped, the operation of the blower fan is continued and the gas circulation is continued. The sterilization method described in 1. is provided.

  According to the present invention, the sterilization liquid supplied from the sterilization liquid tank is atomized by the atomization device, and the atomized sterilization liquid is mixed with the gas supplied to the inside of the apparatus main body in the sterilization mist discharge unit. In the sterilization liquid atomization generating apparatus for discharging the sterilization mist to the outside of the apparatus main body, a sterilization liquid tank, an atomization apparatus, and a weight measuring unit for measuring the weight of the sterilization mist discharge unit are provided. As a result, based on the weight data measured by the weight measuring unit, the amount of the sterilization solution that is actually used can be grasped more accurately, and a sterilization process for providing a reliable and higher level aseptic environment Can be realized.

The schematic block diagram of the sterilization liquid atomization generator concerning one Embodiment of this invention Schematic diagram of the main configuration of the main part of the sterilization liquid atomization generator of FIG. Flow chart showing sterilization procedure

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  The schematic block diagram of the sterilization liquid atomization generator 10 concerning one Embodiment of this invention is shown in FIG. Moreover, the main structure of the apparatus main body part of the sterilization liquid atomization generator 10 is shown in FIG. The sterilization liquid atomization generator 10 according to the first embodiment is used, for example, for sterilizing a working chamber in which a cell culture operation is performed.

  The sterilization liquid atomization generator 10 supplies a mist-like sterilization liquid as a sterilization liquid by applying ultrasonic vibration to, for example, a hydrogen peroxide solution. It is a device that discharges sterilized mist by mixing with the indoor atmosphere. In addition, such a sterilization mist is vaporized by being discharged | emitted outside the sterilization liquid atomization generator 10, and turns into a sterilization gas. However, the sterilization gas may include a sterilization mist that is not vaporized.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sterilizing liquid atomization generator 10 includes an auxiliary tank (sterilizing liquid tank) 20 for storing a sterilizing liquid, and a mist-shaped mist by atomizing the sterilizing liquid supplied from the auxiliary tank 20. An atomizing unit (atomizing device) 30 for supplying a sterilizing liquid and a mist-like sterilizing liquid atomized by the atomizing unit 30 are brought into contact with the gas supplied into the apparatus body and mixed, and the sterilized mist is mixed. A sterilization mist discharge part (mist chamber) 40 for discharging the apparatus main body to the outside and a main body casing 50 for supporting the respective constituent parts inside the apparatus main body are provided. In the sterilization liquid atomization generator 10, the main body casing 50 and the respective components built in the main body casing 50, that is, the auxiliary tank 20, the atomization unit 30, and the sterilization mist discharge unit 40 are the apparatus. It is a main body 11.

  The main casing 50 is largely divided into an upper casing 51 and a lower casing 52. The upper casing 51 is provided with a sterilization mist discharge section 40, and the lower casing 52 is provided with an auxiliary tank 20, which is atomized. The unit (atomization device) 30 is disposed across the upper casing 51 and the lower casing 52.

  The atomization unit 30 is a liquid tank having an open upper surface arranged in the upper casing 51, and is stored in the atomization tank 31 in which the sterilizing liquid supplied from the auxiliary tank 20 is stored, and in the atomization tank 31. By applying ultrasonic vibration to the sterilized liquid, the ultrasonic generator 32 that atomizes the sterilized liquid to form a mist and the sterilized liquid stored in the auxiliary tank 20 are supplied to the atomizing tank 31. And a supply pump 33. Further, the auxiliary tank 20 and the supply pump 33 are connected so as to be able to supply a sterilizing liquid through a tube 34, and the supply pump 33 and the atomizing tank 31 are connected so as to be able to supply a sterilizing liquid through a tube 35, An automatic valve 36 that can be opened and closed is provided in the middle of the tube 35. The bottom of the atomization tank 31 and the auxiliary tank 20 are connected by a tube 37, and an automatic valve 38 that can be opened and closed is provided in the middle of the tube 37. The tip of the tube 35 on the side of the atomizing tank 31 is connected to a sterilizing liquid supply nozzle 28 installed in the upper casing 51, and the sterilizing liquid is supplied into the atomizing tank 31 through the sterilizing liquid supply nozzle 28. . In the present embodiment, the supply pump 33, the tube 34, the tube 35, the automatic valve 36, the tube 37, and the automatic valve 38 are used to supply the sterilizing liquid from the auxiliary tank 20 to the atomization tank 31 and to assist from the atomization tank 31. A sterilizing liquid supply / discharge means for discharging (returning) the sterilizing liquid to the tank 20 is configured.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ultrasonic generator 32 is installed on the lower side of the bottom of the atomization tank, and is stored in the atomization tank 31 and a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 25 that generate ultrasonic vibrations. It is arranged in the atomization tank 31 so as to be immersed in the sterilized liquid to be immersed, and connected to each ultrasonic transducer 25 to amplify the amplitude of the ultrasonic vibration generated from the ultrasonic transducer 25. And a plurality of guides 26 to be operated. The ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic transducer 25 is amplified by the guide 26 and applied to the sterilizing liquid stored in the atomizing tank 31, and the liquid level of the sterilizing liquid is resonated. The sterilized liquid atomized in the form of mist is supplied from the liquid surface.

  Further, particularly, as shown in FIG. 2, a block 29 (see FIG. 2, FIG. 1) that fills the space between the plurality of guides 26 in the atomization tank 31 to reduce the volume of the atomization tank 31. (Not shown) is arranged. The block 29 has, for example, the same height as the upper surface of each guide 26 and is formed so as to cover the entire periphery of the guide 26 and the bottom of the atomization tank 31 in a wider range. The atomization tank 31 is formed of, for example, a stainless material in consideration of corrosion resistance and the like, and the block 29 is formed of a resin material, for example, in a block shape. In this embodiment, the case where a plurality of sets of ultrasonic transducers 25 and guides 26 are installed in the ultrasonic generator 32 will be described as an example. However, only one set of ultrasonic transducers 25 and guides 26 is provided. It may be the case where it is installed. In this case, the block 29 is disposed so as to fill and reduce the space between the guide 26 and the side wall of the atomization tank 31.

  Further, a float switch (liquid level gauge) 27 for detecting the liquid level of the sterilizing liquid stored in the atomization tank 31 is provided in the atomization tank 31. For example, the float switch 27 can detect the highest level and the lowest level of the sterilizing liquid stored in the atomization tank 31.

  A space above the atomization tank 31 in the upper casing 51 is a sterilization mist discharge unit 40. The sterilization mist discharging unit 40 includes a gas inlet 41 outside the apparatus provided on the side surface of the upper casing 51, a sterilizing mist outlet 42 provided outside the apparatus provided on the upper surface of the upper casing 51, and an inlet 41. And a discharge plate 42 are provided with a partition plate 43 disposed between them so as not to shortcut.

  In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the gas supplied from the intake 41 into the sterilization mist discharge unit 40 flows into the space above the atomization tank 31 toward the left in the figure, and from the liquid level of the atomization tank 31. Mix in contact with the supplied mist-like sterilizing solution. The mixed mist-like sterilizing solution is discharged from the discharge port 42 to the outside of the apparatus main body along the partition plate 43. The sterilized mist discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body is then vaporized.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the partition plate 43 is installed so as to be inclined downward from the discharge port 42 side toward the atomization tank 31 side. Thereby, for example, in the sterilization mist discharging unit 40, even when the sterilization liquid droplets are attached to the inner surface of the top plate and the side plate of the upper casing 51 or the upper surface of the partition plate 43, the attached sterilization is performed. The liquid can be returned into the atomization tank 31 by the action of gravity.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an exhaust duct 61 is connected to the discharge port 42 of the upper casing 51, and the sterilized mist can be discharged into the working chamber 60 through the exhaust duct 61. An air supply duct 62 is connected to the intake port 41 of the upper casing 51, and a blower fan 63 is installed in the middle of the air supply duct 62, and the gas in the work chamber 60 is supplied by the blower fan 63. The gas is introduced into the sterilized mist discharge unit 40 through the air duct 62 and the intake port 41. A flexible duct 64 is installed in the middle of the exhaust duct 61 and the air supply duct 62 to mechanically separate the work chamber 60 and the atomization generator 10.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the sterilizing liquid has a larger capacity than the auxiliary tank 20, and a sterilizing liquid main tank 70 for storing a sterilizing liquid that is not used (not used) for sterilization, and the main tank 70. A main supply pump 71 that supplies the sterilizing liquid contained in the auxiliary tank 20, a tube 72 that connects the main tank 70 and the main supply pump 71 so that the sterilizing liquid can pass, and the main supply pump 71 and the auxiliary tank 20. And a tube 73 that connects the sterilizing solution so as to pass therethrough. This main tank 70 is used as a tank for replenishing sterilizing liquid to the auxiliary tank 20. In the present embodiment, the main supply pump 71 and the tubes 72 and 73 constitute a sterilizing liquid supply means.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, in the sterilization liquid atomization generator 10, the electronic balance 12 (weight measuring unit) for the apparatus main body for measuring the weight of the entire apparatus main body 11 and the weight of the entire main tank 70 are obtained. An electronic balance 13 (weight measuring unit) for main tank to be measured is provided.

  The electronic balance 12 for the apparatus main body only needs to have at least a function of measuring the total weight of the auxiliary tank 20, the atomization unit 30, and the sterilized mist discharge unit 40, and considers the structure of the apparatus main body 11. And has a function of measuring the entire weight of the apparatus main body 11 including the casing 50. Therefore, in the apparatus main body 11, the weight of the sterilizing liquid stored in the auxiliary tank 20, the weight of the sterilizing liquid remaining in the atomizing tank 31 and each tube of the atomizing unit 30, and the sterilizing mist discharging unit 40. The total weight including the weight of the sterilizing liquid droplets adhering to the partition plate 43 and the top plate and the side plate of the upper casing 51 can be measured by the electronic balance 12 for the apparatus main body. Similarly, the total weight of the main tank 70 alone and the sterilizing liquid stored in the main tank 70 can be measured by the electronic balance 13 for the main tank. In addition, as such electronic balances 12 and 13, the thing of the specification of about resolution 0.1g is employable, for example. In addition to the electronic balance, a load cell or the like can be adopted as the weight measuring unit.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the sterilization liquid atomization generator 10 is provided with the control apparatus 14 which controls operation | movement of each structure part. The control device 14 controls the operation of each component of the atomization unit 30, the operation of the blower fan 63, the operation of the main supply pump 71, and the like. Furthermore, the weight data measured by the electronic balance 12 for the main body of the apparatus and the electronic balance 13 for the main tank can be input to the control device 14, and using this weight data, as described later, the sterilizing liquid The amount of usage is managed.

  Next, a procedure for performing the sterilization process of the working chamber 60 and managing the amount of the sterilizing liquid to be used is illustrated using the sterilizing liquid atomization generator 10 of the present embodiment having such a configuration. A sterilization procedure shown in FIG. This sterilization process is performed by controlling each component of the sterilization liquid atomization generator 10 by the control device 14 included in the sterilization liquid atomization generator 10.

  First, in step S <b> 1 of the flowchart of FIG. 3, the main supply pump 71 is driven, and the sterilizing liquid stored in the main tank 70 is supplied to the auxiliary tank 20 through the tubes 72 and 73. The supply of the sterilizing liquid to the auxiliary tank 20 reaches, for example, a liquid level at which the sterilizing liquid is set in advance in the auxiliary tank 20 by a float switch (not shown) provided in the auxiliary tank 20. To be done. When the auxiliary tank 20 already contains a predetermined amount of sterilizing liquid, the operation of supplying the sterilizing liquid is not performed. Further, by measuring the total weight of the apparatus main body 11 with the electronic balance 12 for the apparatus main body, the sterilizing liquid is supplied to the auxiliary tank 20 so that the weight of the apparatus main body 11 becomes a preset weight. Also good.

  Next, the entire weight of the apparatus main body 11 is measured by the electronic balance 12 for the apparatus main body, and is stored in the control device 14 as this weight data initial weight data (first weight data) (step S2). At this time, it is desirable to measure the weight of the main tank 70 with the electronic balance 13 for the main tank and store the weight data in the control device 14 together.

  Thereafter, in the apparatus main body 11, the sterilization accommodated in the auxiliary tank 20 through the tubes 34 and 35 is driven by driving the supply pump 33 with the automatic valve 36 opened and the automatic valve 38 closed. A liquid is supplied into the atomization tank 31 (step S3).

  When the float switch 27 confirms that the sterilizing liquid has reached the liquid level set in advance in the atomizing tank 31, the operation of the atomizing unit 30 is started (step S4). Specifically, the operation of the blower fan 63 is started, and the circulation of the gas in the work chamber 60 through the exhaust duct 61 and the air supply duct 62 is started. At the same time, ultrasonic vibration is applied to the sterilizing liquid stored in the atomization tank 31 by the ultrasonic wave generation unit 32, so that a mist-like sterilizing liquid is discharged from the surface of the sterilizing liquid. To be supplied. In the sterilizing mist discharging unit 40, the gas introduced from the inlet 41 and the mist-like sterilizing liquid come into contact with each other and are mixed and discharged from the outlet 42. At this time, in the sterilization mist discharging unit 40, the sterilizing liquid droplets adhering to the top plate, the side plate, the partition plate 43, and the like are returned to the atomization tank 31 by the gravitational action. As a result, the sterilization mist is discharged into the working chamber 60 and is then vaporized to become a sterilization gas to start the sterilization process.

  While the sterilization mist is being discharged into the working chamber 60, the weight data of the entire apparatus body 11 is acquired by the electronic balance 12 for the apparatus body in real time and is input to the control device 14. In the control device 14, the difference between the previously stored initial weight data and the currently acquired weight data (second weight data) is calculated as sterilization solution usage data from the start of the sterilization process to the present. Further, in the control device 14, the setting usage amount data of the sterilizing liquid necessary for the sterilization processing of the work chamber 60 is stored in advance, and the usage amount data of the sterilizing liquid from the start of the sterilization processing to the present is the setting of the sterilizing liquid. It is determined whether or not the amount of usage data is exceeded (step S5). If the control device 14 determines that the sterilization solution usage data from the start of the sterilization process to the present time has not yet reached the sterilization solution set usage data, the operation of the atomization generator in step S4 continues. Then, the discharge of the sterilization mist into the working chamber 60 is continued. During the operation, the sterilizing liquid is replenished from the auxiliary tank 20 into the atomizing tank 31 so as to compensate for the liquid level decreased in the atomizing tank 31.

  If the controller 14 determines that the sterilization solution usage data from the start of the sterilization process to the present is greater than or equal to the sterilization solution set usage data, the operation of the atomization unit 30 is stopped, that is, The discharge of the mist-like sterilizing solution by applying the ultrasonic vibration is stopped (step S6). On the other hand, the operation of the blower fan 63 is continued, and the circulation of the gas including the sterilization mist through the exhaust duct 61 and the air supply duct 62 is performed. The sterilized mist or the sterilized gas in which the sterilized mist is vaporized spreads to every corner of the 60.

  Further, the operation of the supply pump 33 is stopped, the automatic valve 36 is closed, the automatic valve 38 is opened, and the sterilizing liquid remaining in the atomization tank 31 is returned to the auxiliary tank 20 through the tube 37. (Step S7). As described above, when the sterilization liquid does not remain in the atomization tank 31, the sterilization liquid is further evaporated from the atomization tank 31, and the concentration of the sterilization gas in the working chamber 60 (that is, in the gas) The concentration of the sterilizing component (hydrogen peroxide) can be prevented from increasing. Moreover, the sterilization liquid adhering to the inner wall of the atomization tank 31 and the sterilization mist discharge | emission part 40 by continuing the driving | operation of the ventilation fan 63 in the state in which the sterilization liquid does not remain in the atomization tank 31 Can be completely dried (evaporated) and removed. By performing such a drying process, for example, when a cell culture operation or the like is subsequently performed in the work chamber 60, the sterilizing liquid remaining on the atomization tank 31 or the like evaporates, and the cell culture is performed. It can be surely prevented from affecting the operation.

  Further, since the amount of the sterilizing liquid stored in the block 29 is the minimum necessary amount in the atomizing tank 31, the amount of the sterilizing liquid returned from the atomizing tank 31 to the auxiliary tank 20 is also large. Less. Hydrogen peroxide solution, which is a sterilizing solution once subjected to ultrasonic vibration or touching metal, has a characteristic that it is easily decomposed. Therefore, by using the block 29 and reducing the amount of the sterilizing liquid returned from the atomization tank 31 to the auxiliary tank 20, the amount of the sterilizing liquid in such a state that is easily decomposed is minimized. be able to. Further, such an effect can be further enhanced by forming the block 29 with a material other than metal, for example, a resin material.

  Further, the sterilization liquid atomization generator 10 employs a configuration in which the sterilization liquid is stored separately in the auxiliary tank 20 and the main tank 70 and the sterilization liquid once used for atomization is returned to the auxiliary tank 20 only. As a result, the main tank 70 can be in a state where only unused sterilizing liquid is accommodated.

  In such a state, the sterilization state in the work chamber 60 is maintained for a preset time (step S8). The information on the time for holding the sterilized state is input to the control device 14 in advance, and the timing of completion of holding the sterilized state is managed (controlled) by the control device 14.

  When the holding of the sterilized state is completed, in order to reduce the concentration of the sterilizing gas filled in the work chamber 60, for example, aeration for introducing clean or sterilized outside air into the work chamber 60 is performed (step S9). ). In this aeration, the concentration of the sterilizing gas in the working chamber 60 is detected by, for example, a concentration detector (not shown), and the detected concentration is equal to or lower than a preset reference concentration of the sterilizing gas. This is continued until determined by the control device 14 (step S10).

  Thereafter, when the control device 14 determines that the detected concentration is equal to or lower than a preset reference concentration of sterilization gas, the aeration is ended and the operation of the blower fan 63 is also stopped. Thus, the sterilization process is completed. Thereby, the working chamber 60 becomes an aseptic environment.

  Thus, according to the sterilization liquid atomization generator 10 of the present embodiment, the amount of sterilization liquid used for the sterilization process is determined by the difference between the initial weight data of the entire apparatus main body 11 and the current weight data. It can be calculated. Therefore, it is possible to grasp the amount of the sterilizing solution used while considering the sterilizing solution remaining on the top plate or the side plate in the apparatus main body 11. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately grasp the amount of the sterilizing solution that is closer to the actual use, and to realize a higher level of aseptic environment.

  Moreover, the sterilization process of this embodiment can be automatically performed by the control apparatus 14 by setting various setting conditions (processing time, concentration conditions, etc.) in the control apparatus 14 in advance. Therefore, the present invention can be effectively utilized when the sterilization process is automatically performed on the work chamber 60 in which a robot arm or the like is arranged in the work chamber 60 to perform an automatic cell culture operation or the like.

  Moreover, although the case where the atomization unit 30 is provided with the ultrasonic wave generation part 32 was demonstrated as an example in the above-mentioned description, a spray-type apparatus can also be employ | adopted as an atomization unit.

  In addition, a plurality of apparatus main body portions 11 may be installed in the work chamber 60 and sterilization may be performed. In this case, one main tank 70 may be provided for the plurality of apparatus main body portions 11.

  It is to be noted that, by appropriately combining arbitrary embodiments of the various embodiments described above, the effects possessed by them can be produced.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Sterilization liquid atomization generator 11 Apparatus main body part 12 Electronic balance for apparatus main body 13 Electronic balance for main tank 14 Control apparatus 20 Auxiliary tank 30 Atomization unit 31 Atomization tank 32 Ultrasonic wave generation part 33 Supply pump 40 Sterilization mist Discharge unit 50 Main body casing 60 Work chamber 63 Blower fan 70 Main tank

Claims (11)

A sterilizing liquid tank for storing the sterilizing liquid;
An atomizing device for atomizing the sterilizing liquid supplied from the sterilizing liquid tank;
A sterilization mist discharge unit that mixes the sterilization liquid atomized from the atomization apparatus with the gas supplied into the apparatus main body, and discharges the sterilization mist outside the apparatus main body,
A sterilization liquid atomization generator comprising a sterilization liquid tank, an atomization device, and a weight measurement unit that measures the weight of the sterilization mist discharge unit.   First weight data of the sterilization liquid tank, the atomizer, and the sterilization mist discharge unit measured by the weight measurement unit before the start of the sterilization process, and sterilization measured by the weight measurement unit during or after the sterilization process is completed The sterilization liquid atomization generation | occurrence | production of Claim 1 provided with the control apparatus which calculates the difference with the 2nd weight data of a liquid tank, an atomization apparatus, and a sterilization mist discharge | emission part as the usage-amount of the sterilization liquid in a sterilization process. apparatus.   The controller uses the atomizer so that the set usage data for the sterilization liquid used for the sterilization process is preset, and the calculated use data for the sterilization liquid in the sterilization process becomes the set usage data. The sterilization liquid atomization generator according to claim 2, which controls the supply amount of the sterilization liquid supplied into the gas.   In the control device, the data on the set usage amount of the sterilizing liquid used for the sterilization process is set in advance. The sterilization liquid atomization generator according to claim 2, wherein the operation of the sterilization device is stopped to control the timing of stopping the discharge of the sterilization mist. Atomizer
An atomization tank for storing a sterilizing liquid supplied from the sterilizing liquid tank;
An ultrasonic generator for atomizing the sterilization liquid by applying ultrasonic vibration to the sterilization liquid stored in the atomization tank;
A sterilizing liquid supply unit for supplying the sterilizing liquid from the sterilizing liquid tank to the atomizing tank and returning the sterilizing liquid remaining in the atomizing tank to the sterilizing liquid tank when the operation of the atomizing apparatus is stopped. Item 5. The sterilization liquid atomization generator according to any one of Items 1 to 4. A sterilizing liquid main tank for storing the sterilizing liquid;
A sterilization liquid supply means for supplying the sterilization liquid stored in the sterilization liquid main tank to the sterilization liquid tank;
The sterilizing liquid supply means supplies the sterilizing liquid from the sterilizing liquid tank to the atomizing tank and returns the sterilizing liquid remaining in the atomizing tank to the sterilizing liquid tank only when the operation of the atomizing apparatus is stopped. The sterilization liquid atomization generator described in 1. The ultrasonic generator
An ultrasonic transducer that is fixed to the bottom of the atomization tank and generates ultrasonic vibrations;
A guide that is disposed so as to be immersed in a sterilizing liquid stored in an atomization tank, is connected to an ultrasonic vibrator, and amplifies the amplitude of ultrasonic vibration generated from the ultrasonic vibrator;
The sterilization liquid atomization generator of Claim 5 or 6 provided with the block which fills the space between a guide and the side wall of an atomization tank, and reduces the volume of an atomization tank. Mix the sterilized liquid atomized using an atomizer that atomizes the sterilizing liquid supplied from the sterilizing liquid tank containing the sterilizing liquid with the gas supplied from outside the atomizing generator at the sterilizing mist discharge unit. In the method of discharging sterilization mist out of the atomization generator and performing sterilization,
Acquire weight data of sterilization liquid tank, atomizer, and sterilization mist discharge unit,
A sterilization method that calculates sterilization liquid usage data in sterilization processing based on acquired weight data and manages the sterilization processing based on the calculated usage data. Before starting the sterilization process, acquire the first weight data of the sterilization liquid tank, the atomizer, and the sterilization mist discharge unit,
Acquire second weight data of the sterilization liquid tank, the atomizer, and the sterilization mist discharge unit during or after the sterilization process,
The difference between the first weight data and the second weight data is calculated as the sterilizing liquid usage data, and the calculated sterilizing liquid usage data becomes the preset sterilizing liquid usage data. The sterilization method according to claim 8, wherein the supply amount of the sterilizing liquid into the gas is controlled. Before starting the sterilization process, acquire the first weight data of the sterilization liquid tank, the atomizer, and the sterilization mist discharge unit,
Acquire second weight data of the sterilization liquid tank, the atomizer, and the sterilization mist discharge unit during or after the sterilization process,
The difference between the first weight data and the second weight data is calculated as the sterilizing liquid usage data, and the calculated sterilizing liquid usage data is equal to or higher than the preset sterilizing liquid usage data. The sterilization method according to claim 8, wherein the discharge of the sterilization mist is stopped when it becomes. By operating the blower fan, the sterilization mist and the gas are circulated so that the gas in the work chamber is supplied into the atomization generator and the sterilization mist is discharged from the atomization generator into the work chamber. A method of performing a sterilization treatment of
The sterilization processing method according to claim 10, wherein after the sterilization mist discharge is stopped, the operation of the blower fan is continued to circulate the gas.

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