JP5626507B2 - Connected device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connection device, and more particularly, to an internal space of a first sealed box including a first opening and a first lid for opening and closing the first opening, and a second opening and the second opening. The internal space of the second sealed box provided with the second lid that communicates with each other through the first opening and the second opening while maintaining a sealed state with respect to the external atmosphere of the two, or mutually It is related with the connection apparatus of the sealing box which cancels | releases communication, maintaining the sealing state with respect to the external atmosphere of both from the state made to communicate with.

Conventionally, an internal space of a first sealed box having a first opening and a first lid that opens and closes the first opening, and a second opening and a second lid that opens and closes the second opening are provided. In addition, there is known a connecting device that allows the internal space of the second sealed box to communicate with each other via the first opening and the second opening while maintaining a sealed state with respect to the external atmosphere of both.
As such a connection device, one using a so-called RTP (Rapid Transfer Port) is known (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 3445813

However, the connection device using RTP according to Patent Document 1 is connected by a bayonet joint, and is accompanied by a rotation operation. Therefore, the rotating sealed box is limited to a lightweight and easy to handle. In addition, there is a problem that the shapes of the first opening and the second opening must be circular, and the shapes are limited.
Moreover, in the structure of the said patent document 1, it is trying to contain the surface exposed to an external atmosphere by sticking the surfaces of both lid bodies closely, but it is difficult to contain the peripheral part of the stuck surface reliably. This part may be exposed both in the external atmosphere and in the internal space.
For this reason, there is a risk that harmful substances such as microorganisms, bacteria, and viruses adhering to this portion may be brought into the internal space from the external atmosphere or may flow out from the internal space to the external atmosphere.
In view of such a problem, the present invention can be used in various types of sealed boxes, and it is ensured that harmful substances are brought into the internal space from the external atmosphere or the harmful substances are discharged from the internal space to the external atmosphere. The present invention provides a connection device that can be avoided.

That is, the connection device according to the first aspect of the invention includes the first opening and the internal space of the first sealed box including the first lid that opens and closes the first opening, the second opening, and the second opening. The internal space of the second sealed box having the second lid that opens and closes the opening is communicated with each other via the first opening and the second opening while maintaining a sealed state with respect to the external atmosphere of both. In the connection device,
The first lid that is provided at the periphery of the opening of at least one of the first sealed box or the second sealed box, connects the first sealed box and the second sealed box, and is joined to the first sealed box And a sealing means for forming a decontamination space that surrounds the periphery of the second lid and is isolated from the external atmosphere;
Provided on at least one of the first lid and the second lid, and when the first sealed box and the second sealed box are connected, the first lid and the second lid are integrated with each other. A lid coupling means for coupling;
A decontamination medium supply means for supplying a decontamination medium to the decontamination space,
The first sealing box and the second sealing box are connected by the sealing means, and the first opening and the second opening are closed by the first lid and the second lid coupled by the lid coupling means. In this state, the decontamination space is decontaminated with the decontamination medium by the decontamination medium supply means, and in this state, the first lid and the second lid are integrally opened, and the first sealed box The internal space and the internal space of the second sealed box are communicated with each other.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connecting device including a first opening and an internal space of a first sealed box including a first lid that opens and closes the first opening, a second opening, and the second opening. From the state in which the internal space of the second sealed box provided with the second lid body for opening and closing the part is communicated with each other via the first opening and the second opening, the sealed state with respect to the external atmosphere of both is changed. In the connection device that releases the connection by releasing the communication while maintaining,
The first lid that is provided at the periphery of the opening of at least one of the first sealed box or the second sealed box, connects the first sealed box and the second sealed box, and is joined to the first sealed box And a sealing means for forming a decontamination space that surrounds the periphery of the second lid and is isolated from the external atmosphere;
Provided on at least one of the first lid and the second lid, and when the first sealed box and the second sealed box are connected, the first lid and the second lid are integrated with each other. A lid coupling means for coupling;
A decontamination medium supply means for supplying a decontamination medium to the decontamination space,
The first sealing box and the second sealing box are connected by the sealing means, and the first opening and the second opening are closed by the first lid and the second lid coupled by the lid coupling means. In this state, the decontamination space is decontaminated by the decontamination medium by the decontamination medium supply means, and the connection between the first sealed box and the second sealed box is released in this state.

  According to the connection device according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, it can be used for connection of various forms of sealed boxes, and harmful substances are brought into the internal space from the outside atmosphere, or the inside Connect the 1st sealed box and the 2nd sealed box to ensure the avoidance of harmful substances from the space to the outside atmosphere, and connect the internal space to each other, or release the communication from the state of mutual communication. Thus, the connection between the first sealed box and the second sealed box can be released.

The block diagram of the aseptic culture system concerning a present Example. The top view which shows the connection apparatus concerning this invention. FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of the connecting device in a state in which the connection between the isolator and the incubator is released, in which FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line aa in FIG. 2, and FIG. Indicates. The front view which shows the 2nd cover body of an incubator. It is sectional drawing of the connection apparatus in the state which connected the isolator and the incubator, Comprising: (a) is sectional drawing of the aa part of FIG. 2, (b) shows sectional drawing of the bb part of FIG. .

FIG. 1 shows an aseptic culture system 1 for culturing cells and tissues. FIG. 1 shows an isolator 2 as a first sealed box, an incubator 3 as a second sealed box, and the isolator 2 and the incubator 3. The aseptic culture system 1 includes a plurality of the incubators 3 having the same configuration (not shown).
As shown in FIG. 2, the isolator 2 and the incubator 3 are connected by a hook 5a as a connecting means 5 and a ring 5b engaged with the hook 5a.

The internal space 2A of the isolator 2 is isolated from the external atmosphere and is normally maintained at a positive pressure by aseptic air supplied from an air conditioner (not shown). On the side surface, a glove 6 is provided for an operator to perform aseptic operation.
A decontamination medium supply means 7 for supplying a decontamination medium such as hydrogen peroxide vapor is provided outside the isolator 2, and a pipe 8 is connected to the internal space 2A of the isolator 2 via an on-off valve 8a.
The isolator 2 is connected to an exhaust pipe 9 for discharging the decontamination medium supplied by the decontamination medium supply means 7. The exhaust pipe 9 is connected to a filter 9a and a catalyst 9b for decomposing the decontamination medium. And are provided.
With such a configuration, when the operator wears the glove 6 from the outside of the isolator 2, work associated with culture such as cell seeding, medium exchange, and passage can be performed in the internal space 2 </ b> A in a sterile environment. .
The cells that have completed these operations are accommodated in an incubator 3 connected to an isolator 2, and the incubator 3 is separated from the isolator 2, thereby culturing the cells at a position separated from the isolator 2. It is possible to do.
Thereafter, by connecting different incubators 3 to the isolator 2, it is possible to perform another cell work. At that time, by decontaminating the internal space 2A with a decontamination medium before and after the work, The aseptic condition of the internal space 2A can be maintained, and cross-contamination between cells can be prevented.

The internal space 3A of the incubator 3 is isolated from the external atmosphere, and the culture vessel is accommodated in the internal space 3A. The incubator 3 is mounted on the carriage 3B and is movable.
A gas suitable for culturing such as carbon dioxide gas can be supplied to the incubator 3 from the outside, and the gas is blown into the internal space 3A by a fan (not shown). The internal space 3A is kept at a predetermined temperature by a heater (not shown).
In the incubator 3, a connection portion 10 a of the connection means 10 is provided in the vicinity of the connection device 4, and a pipe 10 </ b> A for circulating gas and a wiring 10 </ b> B for supplying power are connected to the connection portion 10 a. In addition, by connecting the connecting portion 10a to the connecting portion 10b provided in the isolator 2, the gas can be supplied from the isolator 2 to the incubator 3 and electric power can be supplied.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first opening 2 b is formed in the side wall 2 a of the isolator 2, and the connection port 11 provided in the first opening 2 b is opened and closed by the first lid 12. It has become.
A second opening 3 b is formed in the side wall 3 a of the incubator 3, and the second opening 3 b is opened and closed by the second lid 13.
The connecting device 4 connects the isolator 2 and the incubator 3, and seals 14 that forms a decontamination space S 1 that surrounds the first lid 12 and the second lid 13 and is separated from the external atmosphere. (Refer to FIG. 5).
Further, the connecting device 4 includes a lid coupling means 15 that integrally couples the first lid 12 and the second lid 13, and the first lid 12 and the second lid 13 by the lid coupling means 15. When the two are coupled, there is provided partition means 16 that forms a lid inner space S2 that covers the periphery of the lid coupling means 15 (see FIG. 5).

The first opening 2b of the isolator 2 has a substantially rectangular shape with four corners being arcuate, and the connection port 11 is provided correspondingly.
The connection port 11 includes an annular member 21 mounted on the peripheral edge of the first opening 2b, a resin inner seal member 22 provided on the inner side of the isolator 2 in the annular member 21, and an outer side. It is comprised from the resin-made outer side sealing member 23 provided.
The annular member 21 is fixed along the periphery of the first opening 2b of the isolator 2 while being kept airtight, and is provided so as to protrude outward from the side wall 2a of the isolator 2.
A pipe 24 for supplying a decontamination medium from the decontamination medium supply means 7 is connected to a portion of the annular member 21 projecting from the isolator 2 via an on-off valve 24a, and the decontamination medium is discharged. An exhaust pipe 25 is connected to the exhaust pipe 25, and a filter 25a and a catalyst 25b are provided in the exhaust pipe 25 (see FIG. 1).
The inner seal member 22 is provided on a flat surface formed on the inner space side of the isolator 2 in the annular member 21, and the first opening 12 b is brought into close contact with the inner seal member 22. Is to be sealed.
The first lid 12 is pivotally supported by the hinge 26 and includes an opening / closing lever 27. By engaging the opening / closing lever 27 with a fastener 28 provided on the inner surface of the side wall 2a, the first lid 12 is 1 is pressed against the seal member 22.
The hinge 26 and the opening / closing lever 27 are provided on the inner space 2A side of the isolator 2, and the first lid 12 is opened to the inner space 2A side of the isolator 2 by the hinge 26.
The opening / closing lever 27 is operated from the inner space 2 </ b> A side of the isolator 2 by the operator wearing the glove 6 of the isolator 2.

The first lid 12 is formed in a flat box shape as shown in FIG. 3, and has a rectangular opening 12 a facing the outside of the isolator 2, and is formed on the outer periphery of the opening 12 a. Is provided with a flat portion 12b.
The flat portion 12b serves as a contact surface with the inner seal member 22 of the connection port 11, and a resin-made resin is provided on the inner periphery of the contact surface so as to surround the opening 12a. A first seal member 31 is provided.
Further, inside the opening 12a, a pair of air cylinders 32A and 32B constituting the lid coupling means 15 and a pair of gripping members 33A and 33B which are approached and separated from each other by the air cylinders 32A and 32B are provided. ing.
The air cylinders 32A, 32B are arranged so as to move the piston rods 32Aa, 32Ba out and retract in opposite directions, and the gripping members 33A, 33B are attached to the tips of the piston rods 32Aa, 32Ba.
Each gripping member 33A, 33B is provided with two contact portions 33Aa, 33Ba each having a conical concave insertion hole so as to face each other. Also, operating air is supplied to the air cylinders 32A, 32B. The supplied air pipes 32Aa and 32Ba are drawn into the internal space 2A of the isolator 2 while being kept airtight.

The second lid 13 is formed in a tray shape as shown in FIG. 3, and is erected on the isolator 2 side from the bottom 13a that seals the second opening 3b of the incubator 3 and the peripheral green portion of the bottom 13a. A peripheral wall 13b and a peripheral surface 13c formed by folding outward from the peripheral wall 13b are provided.
The peripheral surface 13c is configured to form the partition means 16 in close contact with the first seal member 31 of the first lid 12 when the first lid 12 and the second lid 13 are integrally coupled. Thus, a lid internal space S2 composed of the internal space of the first lid 12 and the internal space of the second lid 13 is formed.
The inner side of the peripheral wall 13b of the second lid 13 is gripped by gripping members 33A and 33B provided on the first lid 12, and the second lid 13 is coupled to the first lid 12 and second An operating means 41 for releasing the sealing of the second opening 3b of the incubator 3 by the lid 13 is provided.
As shown in FIG. 4, the operating means 41 includes a pair of gripping members 42A and 42B gripped by gripping members 33A and 33B provided on the first lid 12, and a gripping member 42A and 42B. The lock pins 43A and 43B are erected in a direction away from each other, and support members 44A and 44B that slidably support the lock pins 43A and 43B.
Two lock pins 43A and 43B are provided on each of the gripped members 42A and 42B, and the tips of the lock pins 43A and 43B are formed in a conical shape and pass through the peripheral wall 13b in an airtight state and protrude outward. Spring 45A, 45B which urges lock pin 43A, 43B toward the perimeter side of peripheral wall 13b is provided.
Further, two engagement pins 46A and 46B are erected between the lock pins 43A and 43A and the lock pins 43B and 43B in the gripped members 42A and 42B, respectively.
The tips of the engaging pins 46A and 46B are formed in a conical shape, and when the gripping members 33A and 33B of the first lid 12 are gripped, they are drawn into the conical concave insertion holes of the contact portions 33Aa and 33Ba. It is supposed to be.
Further, engagement pieces 47A and 47B are provided on the outer surface of the peripheral wall 13b at positions intermediate between the lock pins 43A and 43A and the lock pins 43B and 43B, respectively.
In addition, stoppers 48A and 48B are provided between the gripped members 42A and 42B to restrict the approaching amounts of the members.

The incubator 3 is provided with a substantially rectangular second opening 3b having four arcuate corners on the side wall 3a, and a second seal member 51 is provided along the periphery of the second opening 3b. A protruding member 52 is provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the second seal member 51.
The second seal member 51 is in close contact with the bottom portion 13a of the second lid body 13, thereby sealing the second opening 3b.
When the isolator 2 and the incubator 3 are connected, the protruding member 52 constitutes the sealing means 14 that comes into close contact with the outer seal member 23 provided on the annular member 21 of the connection port 11. A decontamination space S1 that surrounds the first lid 12 and the second lid 13 and is isolated from the external atmosphere is formed.
Between the second seal member 51 and the protruding member 52 in the incubator 3, pin engaging members 53A and 53B into which the tips of the lock pins 43A and 43B provided on the second lid 13 are inserted are provided.
Two of these pin engaging members 53A and 53B are arranged in accordance with the interval between the lock bins 43A and 43A and the lock pins 43B and 43B provided in two, respectively. It is formed so as to face the tips of 43A and 43B.
And the 2nd cover body 13 is fixed to the incubator 3 by inserting the front-end | tip of lock pin 43A, 43B in this insertion hole.
Engagement pins 54A and 54B that engage with engagement pieces 47A and 47B provided on the peripheral wall 13b of the second lid 13 are intermediate between the pin engagement members 53A and 53A and the pin engagement members 53B and 53B. Is provided.

A method of using the connection device 4 having the above configuration will be described.
FIG. 3 shows a state where the isolator 2 and the incubator 3 are separated. The isolator 2 is sealed by the first lid 12, and the incubator 3 is sealed by the second lid 13.
At this time, in the isolator 2, the first lid 12 is brought into close contact with the inner seal member 22 of the connection port 11 provided in the isolator 2 by the opening / closing lever 27, and the internal space 2A of the isolator 2 is isolated from the external atmosphere. It is in a state.
On the other hand, in the incubator 3, the engagement pins 54 </ b> A and 54 </ b> B provided on the incubator 3 are engaged with the engagement pieces 47 </ b> A and 47 </ b> B of the second lid 13 and springs 45 </ b> A and 45 </ b> B provided on the second lid 13. The biased lock pins 43A and 43B are engaged with pin engaging members 53A and 53B provided in the incubator 3.
As a result, the second lid body 13 is in close contact with the second seal member 51 of the incubator 3, thereby isolating the internal space 3 </ b> A of the incubator 3 from the external atmosphere.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which the isolator 2 and the incubator 3 are connected, and the decontamination space S1 is formed by the sealing means 14, and the first lid body 12 and the second lid body 13 are formed by the lid body coupling means 15. A state in which the lid inner space S2 is formed by the partitioning means 16 is shown.
First, the operator moves the incubator 3 so that the protruding member 52 provided in the incubator 3 is brought into close contact with the outer seal member 23 of the annular member 21 provided in the isolator 2, and the isolator 2 and the incubator 3 are connected by the connecting means 5. Are connected.
As a result, the isolator 2 and the incubator 3 are connected, and the first lid body 12 and the second lid body 13 are surrounded by the sealing means 14 including the outer seal member 23 and the projecting member 52 provided on the annular member 21. A decontamination space S1 isolated from the atmosphere is formed.
The sealing means 14 may be provided in either the isolator 2 or the incubator 3. For example, the outer sealing member 23 can be omitted by forming the projecting member 52 from resin so as to be in close contact with the outer periphery of the opening 2b of the isolator 2.
On the other hand, the peripheral surface 13c of the second lid 13 is brought into close contact with the first seal member 31 of the first lid 12, and from this state, the air cylinders 32A and 32B retreat the cylinder rods 32Aa and 32Ba all at once, and the gripping member. 33A and 33B are brought close to each other, and the contact portions 33Aa and 33Ba come close to each other and engage with engaging pins 46A and 46B provided on the gripped members 42A and 42B provided on the second lid 13.
Further, the air cylinders 32A, 32B move the gripped members 42A, 42B closer to the stoppers 48A, 48B against the biasing force of the springs 45A, 45B biasing the lock pins 43A, 43B.
Accordingly, the first lid 12 and the second lid 13 are integrally coupled by the lid coupling means 15 including the air cylinders 32A and 32B and the gripping members 33A and 33B. The peripheral wall 13b of the body 13 and the first sealing member 31 of the first lid 12 form a lid internal space S2 that covers the periphery of the lid coupling means 15.
In addition, the cover body coupling | bonding means 15 and the partition means 16 should just be provided in any one of the 1st cover body 12 and the 2nd cover body 13. FIG.

Further, in this state, the lock pins 43A and 43B provided on the gripped members 42A and 42B are disengaged from the pin engaging members 53A and 53B provided on the incubator 3, whereby the second opening 3b formed by the second lid 13 is released. Is released.
In this state, the opening / closing valve 24a is opened, and the decontamination medium is supplied from the decontamination medium supply means 7 to the decontamination space S1 via the pipe 24. As a result, the entire decontamination space S1 is decontaminated.
Specifically, it is a portion exposed to the external atmosphere, and the first lid body 12 and the second lid body 13 which are integrally coupled are opened to open the internal space 2A of the isolator 2 and the internal space 3A of the incubator 3. When these are communicated, all of the portions exposed to the internal spaces 2A and 3A are decontaminated.
As a result, harmful substances such as microorganisms, bacteria, and viruses attached to this portion are reliably prevented from being brought into the internal spaces 2A and 3A from the external atmosphere.
On the other hand, since the decontamination medium is prevented from entering the lid internal space S2 by the partitioning means 16, the corrosion of the lid coupling means 15 and the operating means 41 located in the lid internal space S2 is prevented. can do.
Then, after a sufficient time for decontamination has passed over the entire decontamination space S1, the supply of the decontamination medium from the decontamination medium supply means 7 is stopped, and then aseptic air is circulated through the same pipe 24. At the same time, this is discharged from the exhaust pipe 25, and aeration for removing the decontamination medium in the decontamination space S1 is executed for a predetermined time.
Here, the decontamination space S1 formed by the sealing means 14 is a small space that only surrounds the periphery of the first lid 12 and the second lid 13, and thus decontamination and aeration are completed in a short time. be able to.

When the decontamination and aeration are completed, the operator wears the globe 6 provided in the isolator 2 and operates the open / close lever 27 from the inside of the isolator 2 to integrally connect the first lid 12 and the second lid 12. The lid 13 is opened toward the inside of the isolator 2, and the internal space 2A of the isolator 2 and the internal space 3A of the incubator 3 are communicated with each other.
At this time, the portion exposed to the decontamination space S1 is decontaminated, and the lid internal space S2 of the first lid 12 and the second lid 13 is sealed by the partitioning means 16. The part exposed to the external atmosphere is not decontaminated and is not exposed to the space where the internal space 2A of the isolator 2 and the internal space 3A of the incubator 3 communicate with each other.
Further, by connecting the isolator 2 and the incubator 3, the connecting portion 10 a provided in the incubator 3 is connected to the connecting portion 10 b provided in the isolator 2, and gas and electric power are supplied. Piping and wiring are easy to move.

When releasing the connection between the incubator 3 and the isolator 2, the operator first operates the opening / closing lever 27 to integrally close the first lid body 12 and the second lid body 13.
As a result, the communication between the internal space 2A of the isolator 2 and the internal space 3A of the incubator 3 is released, and the first lid 12 and the second lid are separated between the isolator 2 and the incubator 3 by the sealing means 14. A decontamination space S1 surrounding the body 13 and isolated from the external atmosphere is formed again.
In this state, if there is a possibility that the cells and tissues handled in the internal space 2A of the isolator 2 are contaminated with harmful substances such as microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, etc., the decontamination medium supply means 7 again. A decontamination medium is supplied to the decontamination space S1 and aeration for removing the decontamination medium in the decontamination space S1 is executed for a predetermined time to decontaminate the entire decontamination space S1.
Thereafter, the air cylinders 32A and 32B of the lid coupling means 15 separate the gripping members 33A and 33B from each other, whereby the pin engaging members 53A and 53B of the incubator 3 are moved to the lock pins 43A and 53B of the second lid 13. 43B is engaged, and the contact portions 33Aa and 33Ba are separated from the engaging pins 46A and 46B. Thereby, the coupling | bonding of the 1st cover body 12 and the 2nd cover body 13 is cancelled | released.
Then, when the operator operates the connecting means 5 to disengage the ring 5b from the hook 5a, the connection between the incubator 3 and the isolator 2 can be released, and the incubator 3 can be moved to an arbitrary place. It becomes possible.

As described above, when the connection between the isolator 2 and the incubator 3 is released, the decontamination space S1 is decontaminated so that the internal space 2A of the isolator 2 and the internal space 3A of the incubator 3 communicate with each other. The part exposed to the internal space is decontaminated when the connection between the isolator 2 and the incubator 3 is released.
This reliably prevents harmful substances such as microorganisms, bacteria, and viruses attached to this portion from flowing out from the internal space to the external atmosphere.

  As described above, according to the connection device 4 in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to relatively rotate the first sealed box and the second sealed box when attaching and detaching as in Patent Document 1, and the isolator 2 or the incubator is not required. It can be used for connection of various forms of hermetic boxes such as 3 which are difficult to rotate.

When the incubator 3 is opened without being connected to the isolator 2, the second lid 13 can be opened by bringing the gripped members 42A and 42B close by hand. A door or the like may be provided.
It should be noted that the air cylinders 32A and 32B are not necessarily required as the driving means of the lid coupling means 15, and the operator is operated from the inside of the isolator 2 by other actuators, handles or levers. You may do it.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Aseptic culture system 2 Isolator 2b 1st opening part 3 Incubator 3b 2nd opening part 4 Connection apparatus 12 1st cover body 13 2nd cover body 14 Sealing means 15 Cover body coupling | bonding means 16 Partition means

Claims (4)

An internal space of a first sealed box having a first opening and a first lid that opens and closes the first opening, and a second opening and a second lid that opens and closes the second opening. In the connection device that communicates with the internal space of the two sealed boxes through the first opening and the second opening while maintaining a sealed state with respect to the external atmosphere of both,
The first lid that is provided at the periphery of the opening of at least one of the first sealed box or the second sealed box, connects the first sealed box and the second sealed box, and is joined to the first sealed box And a sealing means for forming a decontamination space that surrounds the periphery of the second lid and is isolated from the external atmosphere;
Provided on at least one of the first lid and the second lid, and when the first sealed box and the second sealed box are connected, the first lid and the second lid are integrated with each other. A lid coupling means for coupling;
A decontamination medium supply means for supplying a decontamination medium to the decontamination space,
The first sealing box and the second sealing box are connected by the sealing means, and the first opening and the second opening are closed by the first lid and the second lid coupled by the lid coupling means. In this state, the decontamination space is decontaminated with the decontamination medium by the decontamination medium supply means, and in this state, the first lid and the second lid are integrally opened, and the first sealed box A connection device for communicating an internal space with an internal space of a second sealed box. An internal space of a first sealed box having a first opening and a first lid that opens and closes the first opening, and a second opening and a second lid that opens and closes the second opening. From the state in which the internal space of the two sealed boxes is in communication with each other via the first opening and the second opening, the connection is released by releasing the communication while maintaining the sealed state with respect to the external atmosphere of both. In the connection device,
The first lid that is provided at the periphery of the opening of at least one of the first sealed box or the second sealed box, connects the first sealed box and the second sealed box, and is joined to the first sealed box And a sealing means for forming a decontamination space that surrounds the periphery of the second lid and is isolated from the external atmosphere;
Provided on at least one of the first lid and the second lid, and when the first sealed box and the second sealed box are connected, the first lid and the second lid are integrated with each other. A lid coupling means for coupling;
A decontamination medium supply means for supplying a decontamination medium to the decontamination space,
The first sealing box and the second sealing box are connected by the sealing means, and the first opening and the second opening are closed by the first lid and the second lid coupled by the lid coupling means. In this state, the decontamination space is decontaminated with the decontamination medium by the decontamination medium supply means, and the connection between the first sealed box and the second sealed box is released in this state.   Provided on at least one of the first lid and the second lid, and when the first lid and the second lid are coupled by the lid coupling means, the periphery of the lid coupling means The connecting device according to claim 1, further comprising partition means for forming a lid inner space that covers the cover. The first sealed box is an isolator in which the internal space is maintained in a sterile state, and the second sealed box is an incubator for culturing cells and tissues in the internal space,
The connection device according to claim 1 , wherein the isolator is provided with a connection portion for piping for supplying gas to the incubator or wiring for supplying electric power.

Images