JP5555655B2 - Gas generator, isolator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas generator and an isolator.

  In a sterilization gas generator or a drug inhaler equipped with a double chamber type atomizer, the energy of ultrasonic vibration is transmitted through the propagation water and the diaphragm on the bottom of the cup that stores the liquid to be atomized. Since the liquid is transmitted to the liquid, the liquid in the cup is atomized (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-172692 A

  Since the diaphragm is generally thin, if the atomizer is used for a long period of time, the diaphragm may crack and open a hole. In such a case, the liquid to be atomized leaks to the container side storing the propagation water. Therefore, for example, an operator has to regularly observe the surface of the diaphragm and check whether there is a hole in the diaphragm.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gas generator that can detect whether or not there is a hole in the diaphragm without observing the surface of the diaphragm. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, a gas generator according to one aspect of the present invention has a diaphragm attached to close a first opening provided on a bottom surface, stores liquid, and pressurizes. Alternatively, the first reservoir having a first space that is sealed when the pressure is reduced, the vaporizer that vaporizes the liquid atomized in the first reservoir, and the propagation water that propagates ultrasonic vibrations are stored. And an ultrasonic transducer attached to the bottom surface that seals the second space together with the first reservoir when the second opening is closed. And a pressure adjusting device that pressurizes or depressurizes the first space, and a pressure measuring device that measures the pressure of the second space through the second opening.

  It is possible to provide a gas generator that can detect whether or not a hole is formed in the diaphragm without observing the surface of the diaphragm.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the isolator 10 which is one Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a side view of a sterilization gas generator 33. FIG. It is a figure which shows the functional block implement | achieved by the microcomputer 73. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which the microcomputer 73 implements. It is a figure which shows an example of pressure P1, P2 measured when the diaphragm 116 does not have a hole. It is a figure which shows an example of pressure P1, P2 measured when the diaphragm has a hole. It is a figure which shows the structural example in the case of directly pressurizing the space A of the sterilization gas generator.

  At least the following matters will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an isolator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The isolator 10 is a device for an operator to perform cell operations in a sterilized environment, and includes a sterilization gas generation unit 20, a supply device 21, a work chamber 22, a discharge device 23, and a control device 24. Is done. Note that sterilization is to kill microorganisms and make them as close to aseptic as possible, but in this specification, so-called decontamination, sterilization, sterilization, and the like are also included. In addition, an aseptic environment is an environment that is almost aseptic, and the decontamination process is a process for realizing the aseptic environment, and a substance used for the decontamination process is called a decontamination substance.

The sterilization gas generation unit 20 includes a tank 30, a pump 31, a pipe 32, a sterilization gas generation device 33, and a pressure gauge 34.
The tank 30 stores a hydrogen peroxide solution (an aqueous solution in which hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ) is dissolved).
The pump 31 pumps up the hydrogen peroxide solution from the tank 30 and supplies it to the sterilization gas generator 33 through the pipe 32.

  The sterilization gas generator 33 generates hydrogen peroxide gas, which is a sterilization gas, from the supplied hydrogen peroxide solution, and supplies the hydrogen peroxide gas to the supply device 21 together with the carrier gas. Although details of the sterilization gas generator 33 will be described later, in the space A in the sterilization gas generator 33, hydrogen peroxide water and a carrier gas are supplied to generate hydrogen peroxide gas. On the other hand, the space B is a sealed space in which propagation water for atomizing the hydrogen peroxide solution is stored. The pressure gauge 34 (pressure measuring device) measures the pressure P1 in the space B.

  The supply device 21 is a device that supplies the supplied hydrogen peroxide gas or air outside the isolator 10 to the work chamber 22, and includes an electromagnetic valve 40 and a fan 41.

  The electromagnetic valve 40 supplies hydrogen peroxide gas or external air to the fan 41 based on the control of the control device 24. The fan 41 supplies hydrogen peroxide gas or air supplied from the electromagnetic valve 40 to the work chamber 22.

  The work chamber 22 is a space for performing work on biological materials such as cells, for example. The work chamber 22 includes air filters 50 and 51, a door 52, a work glove 53, a compressor 54, and a pressure gauge 55. Is provided.

  The air filter 50 is a filter for removing hydrogen peroxide gas supplied from the fan 41 or dust contained in the air. The air filter 51 is a filter for removing dust or the like contained in gas or the like discharged from the work chamber 22. For example, HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are used for the air filters 50 and 51.

The door 52 is provided to be openable and closable on the front surface of the work chamber 10 in order to carry cells or the like into the work chamber 10.
The work glove 53 is attached to an opening (not shown) provided in the door 52 so that an operator can work on cells and the like in the work chamber 22 with the door 52 closed.

The compressor 54 (pressure adjusting device) compresses the air outside the isolator 10 and supplies the compressed air to the working chamber 22 through the opening 80 (third opening) provided in the working chamber 22. The opening 80 is provided with an air filter (not shown) similar to the air filter 50.
The pressure gauge 55 measures the pressure P <b> 2 in the space inside the work chamber 22 through the opening 81 (fourth opening) provided in the work chamber 22.

  The discharge device 23 is a device for discharging a gas such as hydrogen peroxide gas or air from the work chamber 22, and includes an electromagnetic valve 60 and a sterilization apparatus 61.

The electromagnetic valve 60 supplies the gas output from the air filter 51 to either the sterilization processing device 61 or the sterilization gas generation device 33 based on the control from the control device 24. In addition, when the output from the electromagnetic valve 60 is supplied to the sterilization gas generator 33, the gas in the working chamber 22 is circulated.
The sterilization apparatus 61 includes a catalyst, renders the gas output from the electromagnetic valve 60 harmless and sterilizes, and outputs the gas to the outside of the isolator 10.

  The control device 24 (determination device) is a device that controls each block of the isolator 10, and includes an operation unit 70, a display unit 71, a storage device 72, and a microcomputer 73.

The operation unit 70 is an operation panel or the like for the user to set the operation of the isolator 10. The operation result of the operation unit 70 is transmitted to the microcomputer 73.
The display unit 71 is a display panel that displays an operation result of the operation unit 70, a state of each block of the isolator 10, and the like.
The storage device 72 stores program data executed by the microcomputer 73 and various data.

  The microcomputer 73 implements various functions by executing the program data stored in the storage device 72. For example, when an instruction for executing a leak check or an instruction for generating sterilization gas is output from the operation unit 70, the microcomputer 73 executes a predetermined program according to the instruction to control the pump 31 and the like. To do. Details of the microcomputer 73 will be described later.

== Details of Sterilization Gas Generator 33 ==
FIG. 2 is a side view of the sterilization gas generator 33. In FIG. 2, some of the blocks are drawn in a cross-sectional view. The sterilization gas generator 33 includes an atomization device 100 that atomizes hydrogen peroxide water (liquid). The atomizer 100 also includes a cup 110 that stores hydrogen peroxide water, a storage container 111 that stores propagation water, and a lid member 112.

  The cup 110 (first reservoir) is provided with openings on the upper side (+ Z direction) and the lower side (−Z direction). In the lower opening 200 (first opening) of the cup 110, a diaphragm 116 is watertightly fixed with bolts or the like so as to close the opening 200. The diaphragm 116 is attached to the cup 110 so that the bottom surface (surface in the −Z direction) is horizontal. Further, by attaching the diaphragm 116 to the cup 110, a space A (first space) for storing the hydrogen peroxide solution is formed in the cup 110.

  On the bottom surface of the storage container 111, an ultrasonic vibrator 120 for applying ultrasonic vibration to the propagation water is provided so that the radiation direction is inclined at a predetermined angle (for example, 7 degrees) from the vertical upward direction. ing. The propagation water propagates ultrasonic vibrations to the hydrogen peroxide solution in the cup 110.

  The lid member 112 is provided with an opening 210 into which the cup 110 is inserted, an inlet 220 into which propagation water is injected, and an opening 230 to which the pressure gauge 34 is attached.

  The cup 110 is inserted into the opening 210 from above so as to close the opening 210. The cup 110 is inserted into the opening 210 and then attached to the lid member with a bolt (not shown) or the like. A plug member 113 that opens or closes the inlet 220 is inserted into the inlet 220. In the opening 230 (second opening), the pressure gauge 34 is connected via the flange 114 and the pipe 115 so that the pressure gauge 34 can measure the pressure P1 of the space B (second space) in which the propagation water is stored. It is attached. Therefore, the opening 220 is closed and the space B is sealed. Here, the storage container 111 and the lid member 112 correspond to a second storage part. The storage container 111 and the lid member 112 may be integrally formed.

  On the upper side of the lid member 112, a supply pipe 140 for supplying hydrogen peroxide gas to the outside and a support member 150 for supporting the supply pipe 140 are provided. The support member 150 includes a cylindrical member 151 installed on the upper surface of the lid member 112 and a flange 152 provided on the upper surface of the cylindrical member 151.

  The diameter of the cylindrical member 151 is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical supply pipe 140, and a port 153 through which carrier gas (air circulating in the working chamber 22) is supplied to the −X side side surface of the cylindrical member 151. Is provided. The supply pipe 140 is penetrated in the center of the flange 152 while closing the opening on the upper surface of the cylindrical member 151. A port 154 is provided on the upper surface of the flange 152 for passing the pipe 32 supplied with hydrogen peroxide. The pipe 32 is fixed to the side surface of the supply pipe 140 so that hydrogen peroxide or the like can be supplied to the cup 110 via the port 154 and an opening provided on the side surface of the supply pipe 140.

  A heater 130 for heating and vaporizing the atomized hydrogen peroxide solution is provided on the upper side of the cup 110. The hydrogen peroxide gas heated and gasified by the heater 130 is output from a port 141 provided in the supply pipe 140 together with the supplied carrier gas. The port 141 is connected to the electromagnetic valve 40 of the supply device 21 described above via a pipe. Thus, the hydrogen peroxide solution atomized by the cup 110 is supplied from the port 141 to the supply device 21 as hydrogen peroxide gas. The heater 130 and the supply pipe 140 correspond to a vaporization unit. In the space A in which the hydrogen peroxide solution is stored, vaporized hydrogen peroxide gas is generated.

== About the channel ==
Here, for example, FIG. 1 shows a flow path through which hydrogen peroxide gas or the like flows when a leak check process for confirming that the gas inside the isolator 10 does not leak to the outside is executed. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the leak check process, the electromagnetic valve 40 supplies the hydrogen peroxide gas to the fan 41, and the electromagnetic valve 60 supplies the gas output from the air filter 51 to the sterilization gas generator 33. For this reason, the gas in the working chamber 22 circulates in the flow path A, for example, the space A → the electromagnetic valve 40 → the fan 41 → the working chamber 22 → the electromagnetic valve 60 → the space A of the sterilizing gas generator 33. When there is no leak in the flow path A, the space inside the flow path A, that is, the space A and the space inside the work chamber 22 are sealed. Therefore, for example, when the space inside the working chamber 22 is pressurized in the leak check process, the space A is also pressurized. Thus, the flow path A for pressurizing the space A is formed in the leak check process.

== Details of the microcomputer 73 ==
A functional block realized by the microcomputer 73 will be described. The microcomputer 73 executes a predetermined program when an instruction to start the leak check process is input from the operation unit 70, and the control unit 300, the measurement unit 301, and the determination units 302 and 303 as shown in FIG. Realize the function.

When the start instruction is input, the control unit 300 controls the electromagnetic valves 40 and 60 so that the flow path through which gas or the like flows in the isolator 10 becomes the flow path A. Further, the controller 300 controls the compressor 54 to pressurize the space inside the flow path A.
The measurement unit 301 controls the pressure gauge 34 to measure the pressure P1 in the space B. Further, the measurement unit 301 controls the pressure gauge 55 to measure the pressure P2 in the space A.
The determination unit 302 determines whether or not a predetermined time (for example, time TA) has elapsed since the compressor 54 supplied compressed air to the inside of the work chamber 22.
The determination unit 303 determines whether or not there is a leak in the flow path A and whether or not there is a hole in the diaphragm 116 provided between the space A and the space B based on the measurement results of the pressures P1 and P2. judge.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of processing performed by the microcomputer 73 when the leak check process is executed. Note that when the leak check process is executed, the level of the propagation water stored in the storage container 111 is lower than the bottom surface of the diaphragm 116, for example, as shown in FIG.

  First, the control unit 300 controls the electromagnetic valve 40 so that the hydrogen peroxide gas is output to the fan 41, and controls the electromagnetic valve 60 so that the gas from the work chamber 22 is supplied to the sterilization gas generator 33. (S100). As a result, the flow path A is formed in the isolator 10.

  Then, the measurement unit 301 measures the pressures P1 and P2 before pressurization (S101), and controls the compressor 54 to pressurize the space inside the flow path A (S102). The determination unit 302 determines whether or not a predetermined time TA has elapsed since the compressor 54 began to supply compressed air (S103). When the predetermined time TA has elapsed (S103: YES), the measurement unit 301 measures the pressures P1 and P2 after pressurization (S104).

  The determination unit 303 determines whether or not the change in the pressure P2 before and after pressurization is greater than or equal to a predetermined value PA (S105). The predetermined value PA is, for example, a value of 60% of the difference between the pressure P2 before and after pressurization measured in a state where there is no leak in the flow path A. Then, the determination unit 303 determines that there is a leak in the flow path A when the change in the pressure P2, that is, the difference between the pressure P2 before and after pressurization is smaller than the predetermined value PA, and displays the determination result on the display unit 71. (S106). On the other hand, when the change in the pressure P2 is greater than the predetermined value PA, the determination unit 303 determines that there is no leak in the flow path A, and displays the determination result on the display unit 71 (S107).

  In addition, when the difference between the pressure P1 before and after pressurization is smaller than the predetermined value PA, that is, when the change in the pressure of the sealed space B is small, the determination unit 303 determines that the diaphragm 116 has no abnormality. The result is displayed on the display unit 71 (S109). On the other hand, when the change in the pressure P1 of the space B is larger than the predetermined value PA, that is, when the change in the pressure of the space B that should be sealed is large, the determination unit 303 determines that the diaphragm 116 has an abnormality. The determination result is displayed on the display unit 71 (S110).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of pressures P1 and P2 measured when the diaphragm 116 has no hole, that is, in a state where the space B is sealed when the leak check process is performed. Here, the flow path A is formed at a timing before time t0.

  First, at time t0, the pressures P1 and P2 are measured (S101). Then, the compressor 54 supplies the compressed air to the inside of the working chamber 22 for a predetermined period from time t2 (S102). For this reason, the pressure P2 rises and gradually decreases after the operation of the compressor 54 is stopped. Further, since the diaphragm 116 has no holes, the space B is sealed and the pressure P1 does not change.

  At time t2 when a predetermined time TA has elapsed from time t1, the difference between before and after the pressure P2 is applied is greater than the predetermined value PA (S105: YES). For this reason, it is determined that there is no leak in the channel A, and a display indicating no leak is displayed on the display unit 71 (S107). At time t2, the difference between before and after the pressure P1 is increased is smaller than the predetermined value PA (S108: NO). Therefore, it is determined that there is no abnormality in the diaphragm 116, and that effect is displayed on the display unit 71 (S109). At time t3, for example, a valve (not shown) provided in the work chamber 22 is opened to reduce the pressurized pressure.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the pressures P1 and P2 measured when the diaphragm 116 has a hole when the leak check process is performed. Note that the timings of the times t0 to t3 are the same as the timings described in FIG.

  First, at time t0, the pressures P1 and P2 are measured (S101). Then, the compressor 54 supplies the compressed air to the inside of the working chamber 22 for a predetermined period from time t2 (S102). For this reason, the pressure P2 rises and gradually decreases after the operation of the compressor 54 is stopped. Here, since the diaphragm 116 has a hole, the sealed state of the space B is not maintained, and the pressure P1 of the space B changes similarly to the pressure P2.

  Then, at the time t2 when the predetermined time TA has elapsed from the time t1, the difference between the pressure P2 before and after the pressurization is larger than the predetermined value PA (S105: YES). For this reason, it is determined that there is no leak in the channel A, and a display indicating no leak is displayed on the display unit 71 (S107). At time t2, the difference between before and after the pressure P1 is increased is larger than the predetermined value PA (S108: YES). Therefore, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the diaphragm 116, and that effect is displayed on the display unit 71 (S110).

  The isolator 10 of this embodiment has been described above. Even when the space A of the sterilization gas generator 33 included in the isolator 10 is directly pressurized, the same effect as in the present embodiment can be obtained. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the opening of the port 141 is closed with a flange 400, and the compressor 54 is attached to the port 153 via the flange 401 and the pipe 402 so that the space A can be pressurized. When the compressor 54 is operated to pressurize the space A, the pressure P1 in the space B changes depending on whether or not the diaphragm 116 has a hole. Therefore, in the sterilizing gas generator 33, it is possible to detect whether or not the diaphragm 116 has a hole without directly observing the diaphragm 116.

  In the isolator 10, the space inside the flow path A is pressurized via the opening 80 of the work chamber 22. In such a case, since the space A of the sterilization gas generator 33 is also pressurized, it is detected whether the diaphragm 116 has a hole by measuring the pressure P1 of the space B. Can do.

  For example, when the diaphragm 116 has a hole, the pressure P1 increases when the flow path A is pressurized. Therefore, for example, whether or not there is a hole in the diaphragm 116 may be determined based only on the pressure P1 measured at time t2. However, since the determination unit 303 of the present embodiment determines based on the difference between the pressure P1 before and after pressurization, even if there is an offset in the pressure gauge 34, the presence / absence of a hole is accurately determined. it can.

  When the difference between the pressure P1 before and after pressurization is larger than the predetermined value PA, the display unit 71 displays that the diaphragm 116 is abnormal. For this reason, the operator can immediately grasp that the diaphragm 116 has a hole.

  In general, the sterilization process in which the hydrogen peroxide solution is vaporized after being atomized is performed after the leak check process. In this embodiment, the presence or absence of a hole in the diaphragm 116 is determined before the sterilization process in which the hydrogen peroxide solution is atomized is executed. For this reason, a sterilization process can be performed more safely.

  In the isolator 10, the pressure gauges 34 and 55 are provided. For example, the pressure is obtained by using an electromagnetic valve or the like that can switch between the opening 81 of the work chamber 22 and the opening 230 of the space B. The pressures P1 and P2 may be measured only by the total 34. In such a case, the number of pressure gauges used in the isolator 10 can be reduced.

  In addition, the said Example is for making an understanding of this invention easy, and is not for limiting and interpreting this invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

  For example, even if the propagation water is not stored in the storage container 111, the presence or absence of a hole in the diaphragm 116 can be detected as in the present embodiment.

  Further, instead of the pressure gauge 55, for example, even if a differential pressure gauge that measures the difference between the atmospheric pressure and the pressure in the space B is used, the same effect as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

  Even when a pump (pressure adjusting device) that decompresses the space inside the flow path A is used instead of the compressor 54, the presence or absence of a hole in the diaphragm 116 can be detected.

  In this embodiment, the compressor 54 is used as the pressure adjusting device. However, the fan 41 may be used as the pressure adjusting device instead of the compressor 54. In this case, the space inside the channel A can be pressurized.

  Further, instead of the pressure gauge 34, for example, a hygrometer for measuring the humidity of the space B is provided, and in the leak check process, if the humidity measured by the hygrometer is reduced, it is determined that the diaphragm 116 has a hole. Also good.

  Further, the compressor 54 may pressurize the flow path A through an opening (not shown) provided in the sterilization gas generator 33.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Isolator 20 Sterilization gas generation unit 21 Supply apparatus 22 Work room 23 Discharge apparatus 24 Control apparatus 30 Tank 31 Pump 32,115,402 Pipe 33 Sterilization gas generation apparatus 40,60 Electromagnetic valve 41 Fan 50,51 Air filter 52 Door 53 Globe 61 Sterilization processing device 70 Operation unit 71 Display unit 72 Storage device 73 Microcomputer 100 Atomization device 110 Cup 111 Storage container 112 Cover member 113 Plug member 114, 152, 400, 401 Flange 116 Vibration plate 120 Ultrasonic vibrator 130 Heater 140 Supply Pipe 141, 153, 154 Port 150 Support member 151 Cylindrical member 200, 210, 230 Opening 220 Inlet 300 Control unit 301 Measuring unit 302, 303 Determination unit

Claims (6)

A first storage section having a diaphragm attached to close the first opening provided on the bottom surface, storing liquid and having a first space sealed when pressurized or depressurized; ,
A vaporization unit that vaporizes the liquid atomized in the first storage unit;
Having a second space for storing propagation water that propagates ultrasonic vibrations, and a second opening, and sealing the second space together with the first storage when the second opening is closed; A second storage part having an ultrasonic transducer attached to the bottom surface;
A pressure adjusting device for pressurizing or depressurizing the first space;
A pressure measuring device that measures the pressure of the second space through the second opening;
A gas generator characterized by comprising: A first storage portion having a diaphragm attached to close the first opening provided on the bottom surface and having a first space for storing hydrogen peroxide solution, and atomized by the first storage portion A vaporization section that vaporizes the hydrogen peroxide solution; a second space that stores propagation water that propagates ultrasonic vibration; and a second opening. The first storage when the second opening is closed. A second storage unit that seals the second space together with the unit, and an ultrasonic transducer is attached to the bottom surface;
A flow path for pressurizing or depressurizing the first space;
A third opening that is provided in either the sterilizing substance generator or the flow path and seals the first space when closed;
A pressure adjusting device that pressurizes or depressurizes the first space through the third opening;
A pressure measuring device that measures the pressure of the second space through the second opening;
An isolator comprising: The isolator according to claim 2,
The pressure of the second space measured before the pressure of the first space is changed by the pressure adjusting device, and the second of the pressure measured after the pressure of the first space is changed by the pressure adjusting device. A determination device for determining whether or not a difference from the pressure in the space is greater than a predetermined pressure;
An isolator characterized by. The isolator according to claim 3,
When the determination device determines that the difference is greater than the predetermined pressure, the display device further includes a display unit that displays information indicating that the diaphragm has a hole;
An isolator characterized by. The isolator according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The pressure regulator is
Pressurizing or depressurizing the first space before the hydrogen peroxide solution is atomized;
An isolator characterized by. The isolator according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
Provided in either the sterilizing substance generator or the flow path, and further provided with a fourth opening for sealing the first space when closed when the third opening is closed;
The pressure measuring device includes:
Measuring the pressure in the first space through the fourth opening;
An isolator characterized by.

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