JP6505544B2 - Culture device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a culture apparatus.

  Conventionally, a culture apparatus (incubator) for culturing a culture of cells or microorganisms is known. Further, as such a culture apparatus, a culture apparatus connected to an isolator is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2007-236216

  The space for processing the culture described above and the space for culturing the culture are required to be a clean environment. In the field of regenerative medicine in particular, there is a tendency for processing and culture of cultures in a clean environment. Also, some cultures require long-term culture, which may last for several months.

  On the other hand, the maintenance of the culture apparatus is generally performed in a state where the inside of the storage is exposed to the outside air. Therefore, for example, when a slight failure occurs in the culture apparatus, the user is forced to impose a large burden on work such as replacing the culture in the storage with another culture apparatus. In addition, when transporting the culture to another culture apparatus, the culture is exposed to the fluctuation of the culture environment. For this reason, there was a possibility that the culture might be loaded unexpectedly. Therefore, in the above-described culture apparatus, it is desirable that maintenance of the culture apparatus can be performed while maintaining a clean environment in the culture chamber.

  The present application has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for performing maintenance of a culture apparatus while maintaining a clean environment in a culture chamber.

  In order to solve the above problems, a culture apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is a culture apparatus connected to an isolator, comprising: a culture chamber having an opening; a door closing the opening; and a fan for circulating gas in the culture chamber And. The door is configured to open toward the sterile space provided by the isolator with the incubation device coupled to the isolator. A blower is provided at the door.

  According to the present application, maintenance of the culture apparatus can be performed while maintaining a clean environment in the culture chamber.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of a culture apparatus according to Embodiment 1. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which an outer door in the culture device according to Embodiment 1 is opened. FIG. It is a cross-sectional perspective view along the AA line of FIG. It is sectional drawing along the BB line of FIG. FIGS. 5 (A) and 5 (B) are perspective views showing a state in which the outer door and the inner door in the culture device according to Embodiment 1 are opened. It is a figure which shows typically the state to which the culture apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 was connected to the working chamber of the isolator. It is a figure which shows typically the state to which the culture apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 was connected to the pass box of the isolator. 5 is a control flowchart executed by the culture device according to the first embodiment. 9 (A) and 9 (B) are perspective views showing a state in which the outer door in the culture device according to Embodiment 2 is opened. 10 (A) and 10 (B) are perspective views showing the state in which the outer door and the inner door in the culture device according to Embodiment 3 are opened. FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a state in which the outer door in the culture device according to Embodiment 4 is opened.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicating descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. In addition, the embodiments do not limit the invention and are merely examples, and all the features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention.

Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of a culture apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the outer door in the culture device according to Embodiment 1 is opened. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along the line A-A of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. FIGS. 5 (A) and 5 (B) are perspective views showing a state in which the outer door and the inner door in the culture device according to Embodiment 1 are opened. FIG. 5A shows a state in which the air inlet 36 and the air outlet 38 of the blower 30 are directed in the first direction. FIG. 5B shows a state in which the air inlet 36 and the air outlet 38 of the blower 30 are in the second direction. In the present specification, the door 4 side is referred to as the front of the culture apparatus 1 for the sake of convenience.

The culture apparatus 1 (1A) according to the present embodiment is a culture apparatus connected to an isolator, and is used, for example, as a CO ₂ incubator. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 (B), the culture apparatus 1 includes a heat insulation box main body 2 having an opening 2a on the front surface, and a door 4 that closes the opening 2a so as to be freely opened and closed. The heat insulation box main body 2 includes an outer case 2 b and an inner case 2 c. An opening 2a is provided in the inner box 2c. In the space between the outer case 2b and the inner case 2c, a heater 28 or the like for heating the inside of the culture chamber 6 is disposed. Moreover, a heat insulating material is arrange | positioned in the space between the outer case 2b and the inner case 2c. A machine room 3 is provided on the back side of the culture apparatus 1 in the heat insulation box main body 2, that is, on the side opposite to the door 4. A control unit 18 and a gas supply unit (not shown) for supplying CO ₂ or N ₂ into the culture chamber 6 are disposed in the machine chamber 3.

  The door 4 includes an outer door 4a and an inner door 4b. A culture chamber 6 is formed by a space surrounded by the inner case 2c and the inner door 4b. Therefore, the culture apparatus 1 includes the culture chamber 6 having the opening 2a and the door 4 (inner door 4b) closing the opening 2a. The inside of the culture chamber 6 is divided up and down by a plurality of shelves (not shown), and the culture is accommodated.

  The inner door 4 b is connected to the hinge 8 at one end side (in the present embodiment, the end on the right side when viewed from the front of the culture device 1), and is thereby attached to the heat insulation box main body 2 openably and closably. Therefore, the hinge 8 serves as a pivot of the inner door 4b. The inner door 4 b has a gasket 10 as a seal member at its peripheral edge. By arranging the gasket 10 between the inner door 4b and the opening 2a, the opening 2a is airtightly closed. Moreover, the inner door 4b has the confirmation window 12 in which transparent members, such as glass, were engage | inserted. The inner door 4b may be provided with a gas vent (not shown) for adjusting the gas concentration.

  The outer door 4a is a heat insulation door. The outer door 4a is connected to the hinge 14 at one end side (the end on the right side when viewed from the front of the culture device 1 in the present embodiment), and is thereby attached to the heat insulation box main body 2 openably and closably.

  An operation unit 16 is provided on the side surface of the heat insulation box main body 2. The operation unit 16 has operation buttons operated by the user of the culture apparatus 1, a display panel, and the like. The user of the culture apparatus 1 can instruct the culture apparatus 1 to perform various operations via the operation unit 16. The operation unit 16 transmits to the control unit 18 a signal according to an instruction of the user of the culture apparatus 1.

The control unit 18 is realized by a hardware configuration as an element or circuit such as a CPU of a computer and a memory, and as a software configuration as a computer program or the like. The control unit 18 controls the operation of each unit of the culture device 1 according to the signal received from the operation unit 16. In addition, the culture apparatus 1 includes a sensor such as a temperature sensor 20 or a CO ₂ concentration sensor 22 that detects the state in the culture chamber 6. The control unit 18 receives a signal indicating the detection result of each sensor from these sensors, and controls the operation of the heater 28, the gas supply unit, and the like based on the obtained detection result. The culture apparatus 1 may be provided with an O ₂ concentration sensor, a humidity sensor, etc. as a sensor for detecting the state in the culture chamber 6.

  A lower air passage 24 is provided at the bottom of the culture chamber 6. The lower air passage 24 is a passage through which the gas in the culture chamber 6 flows. The lower air passage 24 extends from the back side of the culture apparatus 1 toward the inner door 4 b in the culture chamber 6. A humidifying tray 26 for storing humidifying water is disposed on the bottom of the culture chamber 6 and in the lower air passage 24. The humidifying tray 26 is heated by a heater 28 disposed outside the bottom of the inner case 2c made of metal, for example, stainless steel. Thereby, the water in the humidification tray 26 evaporates. Further, by heating the heater 28, the inside of the culture chamber 6 is maintained at a predetermined temperature (for example, 37 ° C.).

  In addition, the culture apparatus 1 includes a blower 30, a front air passage 40, a particulate collection filter 42, and a sterilizing lamp 44 in the culture chamber 6. The blower 30 is a device for circulating the gas in the culture chamber 6. The blower 30 has a housing 32, a fan 34, an air inlet 36, and an air outlet 38. The housing 32 has a flat cylindrical shape, and is disposed such that its central axis faces the front-rear direction of the culture device 1. On the surface of the housing 32 facing the front side of the apparatus, that is, the surface facing the inner door 4b, a pivot shaft 32a projecting toward the inner door 4b is provided.

  The rotating shaft 32a is rotatably supported by the inner door 4b by a bearing 46 provided on the inner door 4b. Therefore, the blower 30 is provided on the door 4 (specifically, the inner door 4b). The connection between the pivot shaft 32a and the bearing 46 is hermetically sealed. A part of the pivot shaft 32a penetrates the inner door 4b to reach the outside of the culture chamber 6, and a pivot knob 32b is provided at the tip thereof. Moreover, the wiring for electric power feeding to the fan 34 etc. is penetrated by the rotational axis 32a.

  The fan 34 is accommodated in the internal space of the housing 32. The fan 34 may be a conventional well-known general fan, and is configured by a sirocco fan in the present embodiment. The fan 34 is disposed such that the rotation axis (rotation center) and the rotation axis 32 a (rotation center) of the housing 32 are located on the same straight line. The intake port 36 and the exhaust port 38 are openings that communicate the inside and the outside of the housing 32. By driving the fan 34, the gas in the culture chamber 6 is drawn into the housing 32 through the air inlet 36, and the gas in the housing 32 is discharged into the culture chamber 6 through the exhaust port 38. The intake port 36 and the exhaust port 38 are arranged side by side across the rotation center of the housing 32. That is, the intake port 36 and the exhaust port 38 are disposed on a straight line passing through the rotation center of the housing 32.

  Blower 30 has a first direction Z (the direction indicated by arrow Z in FIG. 5A) and a second direction Y (the direction indicated by arrow Y in FIG. 5B). And can be switched. The first direction Z and the second direction Y are directions intersecting each other. In the present embodiment, the first direction Z and the second direction Y are substantially orthogonal to each other. The user of the culture apparatus 1 operates the rotation knob 32b to rotate the housing 32 around the rotation shaft 32a in the first direction and the second direction. You can switch between them.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5A, the state in which the intake port 36 and the exhaust port 38 are aligned in the vertical direction is the state in which the intake port 36 and the exhaust port 38 face in the first direction Z. In the state where the intake port 36 and the exhaust port 38 face the first direction Z, the intake port 36 faces the front air passage 40 side, and the exhaust port 38 faces upward in the vertical direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the state in which the intake port 36 and the exhaust port 38 are aligned in the horizontal direction is the state in which the intake port 36 and the exhaust port 38 face in the second direction Y. In the state where the air inlet 36 and the air outlet 38 face in the second direction Y, when the inner door 4 b is opened, the air inlet 36 faces the outside of the culture device 1 and the air outlet 38 faces the culture chamber 6 side. In the state where the culture apparatus 1 is connected to the isolator, the intake port 36 faces the isolator 100 side. When the first direction Z and the second direction Y are compared, when the intake port 36 and the exhaust port 38 face the first direction Z, the blowing direction of the blower 30 is relatively close to the vertical direction, and the intake port 36 and When the exhaust port 38 is in the second direction Y, the blowing direction of the blower 30 is relatively close to the horizontal direction.

  The front side air passage 40 is a passage through which the gas in the culture chamber 6 flows. The front side ventilation path 40 is provided in the door 4. In the present embodiment, the front air passage 40 is provided in the inner door 4b. Then, one end side of the front side air flow path 40 is connected to an end portion of the lower side air flow path 24 on the inner door 4 b side. The other end side of the front air passage 40 is connected to the air inlet 36 of the blower 30 with the air inlet 36 and the air outlet 38 facing in the first direction Z. Therefore, for circulation, the lower ventilation passage 24, the front ventilation passage 40, the intake 36, the fan 34 and the exhaust 38 are arranged in this order from the opening of the device back side end of the lower ventilation passage 24 in the culture chamber 6. A ventilation path is formed. By providing a circulation air passage in the culture chamber 6, it is possible to form a circulation air flow (air flow shown by white arrows in FIG. 4) in the culture chamber 6.

  The circulating air flow is formed by driving the fan 34 with the air inlet 36 and the air outlet 38 facing in the first direction Z. In the circulating air flow, when the gas in the culture chamber 6 is discharged upward in the vertical direction from the exhaust port 38, the gas proceeds along the top surface of the culture chamber 6 to the rear side of the apparatus. Then, the gas travels vertically from above along the back of the culture chamber 6 downward, and enters the circulation air passage from the opening on the back side of the lower air passage 24.

  The gas that has entered the circulation air passage passes through the lower air passage 24, passes through the front air passage 40, and reaches the air inlet 36. The gas that has reached the intake port 36 is sucked into the housing 32 by the fan 34, passes through the fan 34, and is discharged again upward in the vertical direction from the exhaust port 38. When passing through the lower air passage 24, the gas passes above the humidifying tray 26. The gas is thereby humidified. By circulating the humidified gas, the inside of the culture chamber 6 is uniformly maintained at a predetermined humidity (for example, 95% RH).

  The particulate collection filter 42 is provided on the door 4. In the present embodiment, the particulate collection filter 42 is provided on the inner door 4 b. More specifically, the particulate collection filter 42 is disposed in the housing 32 and between the fan 34 and the exhaust port 38 in the circulation passage. That is, the particulate collection filter 42 is disposed on the circulation air flow path. Therefore, the gas in the culture chamber 6 passes through the particulate collection filter 42 in the process of circulating in the culture chamber 6. Thereby, microparticles | fine-particles, such as bacteria, a virus, and dust, contained in gas can be collected. As a result, the clean environment in the culture chamber 6 can be maintained.

  Further, since the particulate collection filter 42 is disposed between the fan 34 and the exhaust port 38 in the circulation air passage, particulates that may be generated by the rotation of the fan 34 as a movable part are leaked from the circulation air passage. It can be collected immediately without being Examples of the particulate collection filter 42 include a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter, an Ultra Low Penetration Air (ULPA) filter, and the like.

  The germicidal lamp 44 is provided on the door 4. In the present embodiment, the germicidal lamp 44 is provided on the inner door 4b. More specifically, the germicidal lamp 44 is fixed to the inner wall of the front air passage 40. As the germicidal lamp 44, a known light source such as a fluorescent lamp or an LED which emits ultraviolet light can be used. The germicidal lamp 44 is disposed so that the water stored in the humidifying tray 26 is irradiated with ultraviolet light. Preferably, the germicidal lamp 44 is disposed directly above the humidifying tray 26. Thereby, the reproduction of various bacteria in the humidification dish 26 can be suppressed, and the clean environment in the culture room 6 can be maintained. In addition, the germicidal lamp 44 is disposed on the circulation air flow path. Therefore, the gas in the culture chamber 6 is irradiated with ultraviolet light from the germicidal lamp 44 in the process of circulating in the culture chamber 6. Thereby, the gas in the culture room 6 can be sterilized, and the clean environment in the culture room 6 can be maintained.

When hydrogen peroxide is used in the sterilization treatment of the isolators 100 and 200 and the culture chamber 6, or in the sterilization treatment of the culture chamber 6 alone, the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide is promoted by turning on the germicidal lamp 44 in the detoxifying step be able to. This decomposition reaction is represented by H ₂ O ₂ → OH radical → H ₂ O, and hydrogen peroxide is finally rendered water to be detoxified. Further, by driving the fan 34 together with the lighting of the germicidal lamp 44, the hydrogen peroxide in the culture chamber 6 is circulated, and the germicidal lamp 44 is sequentially irradiated.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, in the state where the inner door 4 b is closed, one end side of the front air passage 40 to which the germicidal lamp 44 is fixed dives into the end on the inner door 4 b side of the lower air passage 24. Thus, the lower air passage 24 is connected. Therefore, the ultraviolet rays emitted by the germicidal lamp 44 are reflected by the inner wall surface of the front air passage 40 and the inner wall surface of the lower air passage 24 a plurality of times to lose energy, and then the front air passage 40 and the lower air passage 24 are lost. Leak to the culture chamber 6 from the gap of the connection part of the Therefore, it can be avoided that the ultraviolet rays emitted from the germicidal lamp 44 affect the culture in the culture chamber 6. In addition, as a material which comprises the front side ventilation path 40 and the lower side ventilation path 24, you may employ | adopt the material with a low reflectance of an ultraviolet-ray, for example, stainless steel, aluminum etc. which performed the alumite process.

  A sensor for detecting the state in the culture chamber 6 is also provided on the door 4. In the present embodiment, the temperature sensor 20 and the concentration sensor 22 are provided on the inner door 4b. Further, the temperature sensor 20 and the concentration sensor 22 are provided on the upper part of the inner door 4b. As a result, irradiation of ultraviolet light from the germicidal lamp 44 to the temperature sensor 20 and the concentration sensor 22 can be avoided, and deterioration of the sensor can be suppressed. The temperature sensor 20 and the concentration sensor 22 are provided closer to the hinge 8 than the center of the inner door 4b in the rotational radius direction of the inner door 4b. Thereby, the influence on the sensor by opening and closing of the inner door 4b can be suppressed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5 (A) and FIG. 5 (B), a projection 39a and a projection 39b are provided on the outer peripheral portion of the housing 32 of the blower 30 so as to protrude outward in the radial direction of the housing 32. The protrusion 39 a contacts or engages with the end of the front air passage 40 with the inlet 36 and the outlet 38 facing in the first direction Z. Thereby, positioning of the housing 32 or posture holding is performed. The protrusion 39 b contacts or engages with the end of the front air passage 40 with the inlet 36 and the outlet 38 facing in the second direction Y. Thereby, positioning of the housing 32 or posture holding is performed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the intake port 36 and the exhaust port 38 have a stripe shape or a lattice shape having an opening width of 8 mm. With this shape, when changing the directions of the intake port 36 and the exhaust port 38, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from being pinched between the front side air passage 40 and the housing 32. Thus, the user can easily and safely change the directions of the air inlet 36 and the air outlet 38.

  The culture device 1 is connected to an isolator. Thereby, the culture accommodated in the culture chamber 6 can be directly carried into the isolator. In addition, the culture can be directly carried into the culture chamber 6 from the isolator. FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing a state in which the culture apparatus according to Embodiment 1 is connected to the working chamber of the isolator.

  The isolator 100 has a sterilizer (not shown) and a working chamber 102 therein. The sterilizer can supply the working room 102 with a sterilizing substance such as hydrogen peroxide. The work room 102 is a sterile space sterilized by a sterilizing apparatus, and can form a closed space having air tightness. In the work room 102, work required to be in an aseptic environment can be performed. An operation requiring a sterile environment may include, for example, an operation directed to a bio-derived material such as cell culture. The isolator 100 has an opening 104 communicating the inside of the working chamber 102 with the outside. The door 4 side of the culture apparatus 1 is connected to the opening 104 of the isolator 100.

  The door 4 of the culture apparatus 1, that is, the outer door 4a and the inner door 4b, is configured to open toward the working chamber 102 as a sterilization space provided in the isolator 100 in a state where the culture apparatus 1 is connected to the isolator 100. . For this reason, the blower 30, the front air passage 40, the particulate collection filter 42, the sterilizing lamp 44, the temperature sensor 20, and the concentration sensor 22 provided in the inner door 4b are inner doors when the culture apparatus 1 is connected to the isolator 100. When 4b is open, it is located in the sterile space of the isolator 100. As a result, maintenance of the culture apparatus 1 such as cleaning, replacement, and repair of the blower 30, the front air passage 40, the particulate collection filter 42, the sterilizing lamp 44, the temperature sensor 20 and the concentration sensor 22 It can be implemented below. Thus, maintenance of the culture apparatus 1 can be performed while maintaining the clean environment in the culture chamber 6.

  In the working chamber 102 of the isolator 100, a glove 106 used when working in the working chamber 102 is provided. The glove 106 is connected to an opening provided on the front of the working chamber 102. A worker can insert a hand into the glove 106 through the opening to perform work in the working chamber 102. In the present embodiment, when the door 4 of the culture apparatus 1 is opened, the blower 30 or the like protrudes to a position overlapping the glove 106 when viewed from the front of the isolator 100. Thereby, the glove 106 can be used at the time of maintenance of the culture apparatus 1.

  In addition, the isolator may include a pass box coupled to the work chamber. The pass box is also referred to as a connection room or a joint box, and is a room for sterilizing articles carried into the work room. If the isolator comprises a pass box, the door 4 of the incubation device 1 may be configured to open into the pass box as a sterile space. FIG. 7 is a view schematically showing a state in which the culture apparatus according to Embodiment 1 is connected to the pass box of the isolator.

  The isolator 200 has a work chamber 202 for performing work required to be in an aseptic environment. In addition, the isolator 200 has a pass box 208 connected with the work chamber 202 via a door (not shown). The pass box 208 has an opening 204 communicating the inside of the pass box 208 with the outside. In the culture apparatus 1, the door 4 side is connected to the opening 204 of the isolator 200.

  The door 4 of the culture apparatus 1, that is, the outer door 4a and the inner door 4b, is configured to open to the side of the pass box 208 as a sterilization space included in the isolator 200. Therefore, the blower 30, the front air passage 40, the particulate collection filter 42, the sterilizing lamp 44, the temperature sensor 20, and the concentration sensor 22 provided in the inner door 4b are the inner door when the culture device 1 is connected to the isolator 200. When 4b is open, it is located within the sterile space of the isolator 200. Thus, maintenance of the culture apparatus 1 can be performed in a clean environment in the pass box 208. Thus, maintenance of the culture apparatus 1 can be performed while maintaining the clean environment in the culture chamber 6.

  Further, the pass box 208 of the isolator 200 is provided with a glove 206 which is used when working in the pass box 208. An operator can insert a hand into the glove 206 and work in the pass box 208. In the present embodiment, when the door 4 of the culture apparatus 1 is opened, the blower 30 or the like protrudes to a position overlapping the glove 206 as viewed from the front of the isolator 200. Thereby, the glove 206 can be used at the time of maintenance of the culture device 1.

  In the culture apparatus 1, the inlet 36 and the outlet 38 face in the first direction Z in a state in which the door 4 is closed, and the inlet 36 and the outlet 38 face in a second direction Y in a state in which the door 4 is opened. Configured In the present embodiment, the intake port 36 and the exhaust port 38 face the first direction Z with the inner door 4b closed, and the intake port 36 and the exhaust port 38 with the second direction Y with the inner door 4b open. Turn. As shown in FIG. 4, when the air inlet 36 and the air outlet 38 face the first direction Z in a state in which the inner door 4 b is closed, the above-described circulating air flow can be formed in the culture chamber 6. That is, the first direction Z is a direction in which the gas in the culture chamber 6 can be circulated.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the inner door 4b is open, the air inlet 36 and the air outlet 38 face the second direction Y, so that the air flow from the isolators 100 and 200 toward the inside of the culture chamber 6 (Air flow indicated by a white arrow in FIG. 5B) can be formed. That is, the second direction Y is a direction in which the gas in the sterilizing space of the isolators 100 and 200 can be introduced into the culture chamber 6. Thereby, the gas in the work chamber 102 or the pass box 208 to which the culture apparatus 1 is connected can be introduced into the culture chamber 6. For example, in the sterilization process of the isolators 100 and 200, the outer door 4a and the inner door 4b of the culture device 1 are opened, the air inlet 36 and the air outlet 38 are directed in the second direction Y, and the fan 34 is driven. The sterilizing gas in the chamber 102 or in the pass box 208 can be introduced into the culture chamber 6. Thereby, the inside of the culture chamber 6 can be easily and surely sterilized.

  In FIG. 5A, the outer door 4a and the inner door 4b are open for the convenience of describing the switching between the first direction Z and the second direction Y, but the inlet 36 and the outlet 38 are in the first direction Z. It shows the state of facing the

  In the present embodiment, the second direction Y is a substantially horizontal direction, but is not particularly limited thereto. In the second direction Y, the inclination in the vertical direction is appropriately set as long as at least a part of the air flow formed with the inlet 36 and the outlet 38 facing in the second direction Y can enter the culture chamber 6 can do. For example, the second direction Y ranges from an angle at which the upper end of the opening 2a is located on the extension of the discharge direction of the exhaust port 38 to an angle at which the lower end of the opening 2a is on the extension of the discharge direction of the exhaust port 38. It may be tilted. For example, the inclination in the second direction Y is preferably in the range of ± 45 ° with respect to the horizontal direction, more preferably in the range of ± 30 ° with respect to the horizontal direction, and still more preferably ±± with respect to the horizontal direction. It is in the range of 10 °.

  Although FIG. 4 shows a structure in which the rotating knob 32b of the housing 32 is provided outside the culture chamber 6, the present invention is not particularly limited to this configuration. For example, the rotary knob 32 b may be provided on the surface of the housing 32 exposed to the culture chamber 6 side. Thereby, the direction of the intake port 36 and the exhaust port 38 can be changed in the state in which the inner door 4b is open. As a result, from the front side of the isolators 100 and 200, the orientations of the intake port 36 and the exhaust port 38 can be easily changed.

  Subsequently, the sterilization process of the culture apparatus 1 and the isolators 100 and 200 will be described. FIG. 8 is a control flowchart executed by the culture device according to the first embodiment. This flow is executed by the control unit 18, for example, when the operator instructs execution of the sterilization process from the operation unit 16. The sterilization process of the culture apparatus 1 is performed concomitantly with the sterilization process of the isolators 100 and 200. For example, the worker inputs a signal instructing execution of the sterilization process to the operation unit 16 of the culture apparatus 1 and the operation unit (not shown) of the isolators 100 and 200.

  In the isolators 100 and 200, when the sterilization process is started, the spray process, the exposure process, and the detoxification process are performed. In the spraying process, a sterilizing substance such as hydrogen peroxide is supplied into the working chambers 102, 202 of the isolators 100, 200. Following the spraying step, the exposing step proceeds. In the exposure step, the inner walls of the work rooms 102 and 202, the articles contained in the respective rooms, and the like are exposed to the sterilizing substance and sterilized. Following the exposure step, the detoxification step proceeds. In the detoxification process, the gas in the working chambers 102 and 202 is exhausted to remove the sterilizing substance. In the isolator 200 including the pass box 208, the pass box 208 is also subjected to sterilization processing as in the working chamber 202.

  Further, in the sterilization process of the isolators 100 and 200, in accordance with the progress of the sterilization process of the culture apparatus 1, the steps of spraying, exposure and detoxification are performed. For example, prior to the start of the spraying process, the control unit of the isolators 100 and 200 checks whether or not the wind direction switching operation described later is completed in the culture device 1 and the driving of the blower 30 is started. Then, after the driving of the blower 30 is confirmed, the spraying process is started.

  On the culture apparatus 1 side, when sterilization processing is started, the control unit 18 stops the temperature control in the culture chamber 6, the gas concentration control, and the driving of the blower 30 (fan 34) (S101). Then, the control unit 18 causes the display panel of the operation unit 16 to display a display prompting to switch the wind direction, that is, a display prompting to switch the orientation of the intake port 36 and the exhaust port 38 from the first direction Z to the second direction Y. (S102). Thereafter, the control unit 18 confirms whether or not the wind direction switching has been completed (S103).

  For example, the operator can switch the first direction Z to the second direction Y by operating the rotary knob 32b. After switching the wind direction, the worker inputs a signal indicating that the switching of the wind direction is completed to the operation unit 16. The control unit 18 can recognize the completion of the wind direction switching by receiving this signal. A sensor for detecting the rotation of the housing 32 may be incorporated in the rotation knob 32b or the like, and the control unit 18 may receive a signal from the sensor to recognize the completion of the wind direction switching.

  When the completion of the wind direction switching is not confirmed (N in S103), the control unit 18 repeats the confirmation of the wind direction switching completion (S103). When the completion of the wind direction switching has been confirmed (Y in S103), the control unit 18 drives the blower 30 (S104). As a result, in the sterilization process of the isolator 100, the sterilization substance sprayed in the work chamber 102 and the pass box 208 is drawn into the culture chamber 6.

  The control unit 18 may drive the heater 28 to control the temperature in the culture chamber 6 together with the driving of the blower 30. For example, the control unit 18 drives the heater 28 such that the temperature in the culture chamber 6 matches the temperature in the working chambers 102 and 202 or the pass box 208. Thereby, the aggregation of the sterile substance in the culture chamber 6 can be suppressed.

  Moreover, the control part 18 may combine drive of the air blower 30, and lighting of the germicidal lamp 44 in a detoxification process. Thereby, the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide can be promoted. The control unit 18 can recognize that the sterilization process of the isolators 100 and 200 has shifted to the detoxification process based on the passage of a predetermined time or the like. Note that the control unit 18 may recognize that the sterilization process has shifted to the detoxification process by receiving signals from the isolators 100 and 200.

  Subsequently, the control unit 18 confirms whether the sterilization process is completed (S105). For example, when the operator is notified of the completion of the sterilization process from the isolators 100 and 200, the worker inputs a signal indicating that the sterilization process is completed to the operation unit 16. The control unit 18 can recognize the completion of the sterilization process by receiving this signal. The control unit 18 may recognize the completion of the sterilization process based on the passage of a predetermined time or the like.

  When the completion of the sterilization process is not confirmed (N in S105), the control unit 18 repeats the confirmation of the sterilization process completion (S105). When the completion of the sterilization process is confirmed (Y in S105), the control unit 18 stops the blower 30 (S106). When temperature control in the culture chamber 6 is performed, the driving of the heater 28 is also stopped. Then, the control unit 18 causes the display panel of the operation unit 16 to display a display prompting to switch the wind direction, that is, a display prompting to switch the orientation of the intake port 36 and the exhaust port 38 from the second direction Y to the first direction Z. (S107). After that, the control unit 18 confirms whether or not the wind direction switching has been completed (S108).

  When the completion of the wind direction switching is not confirmed (N in S108), the control unit 18 repeats the confirmation of the wind direction switching completion (S108). When the completion of the wind direction switching is confirmed (Y in S108), the control unit 18 resumes the temperature control in the culture chamber 6, the gas concentration control, and the driving of the blower 30 (S109), and ends this flow. . The control unit 18 may display a message prompting the switching of the wind direction in step S102 and a display prompting the opening of the door 4 and confirm the opening of the door 4 with the completion of the switching of the wind direction in step S103. In addition, the control unit 18 may display a message prompting switching of the wind direction in step S107 and a display prompting closing of the door 4 and confirm closing of the door 4 with completion of switching of the wind direction in step S103.

  As described above, the culture apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the inner door 4b opens on the side of the sterilization space provided in the isolators 100 and 200 in a state of being connected to the isolators 100 and 200. And the air blower 30 is provided in the inner door 4b. As a result, operations such as cleaning, repair, and replacement of the blower 30 can be performed in a clean environment in the work chamber 102 or in the pass box 208. Therefore, maintenance of culture device 1 can be carried out while maintaining a clean environment in culture chamber 6.

  The inner door 4b is also provided with a front air passage 40, a particulate collection filter 42, a germicidal lamp 44, a temperature sensor 20 and a concentration sensor 22. Therefore, these replacement work etc. can also be implemented under clean environment. Therefore, maintenance of culture device 1 can be carried out while maintaining a clean environment in culture chamber 6.

  Further, the blower 30 can switch the direction of the intake port 36 and the exhaust port 38 between a first direction Z taken with the inner door 4b closed and a second direction Y taken with the inner door 4b opened. is there. Then, by setting the intake port 36 and the exhaust port 38 in the first direction Z in a state where the inner door 4 b is closed, it is possible to form a circulating air flow in the culture chamber 6. Further, by setting the air inlet 36 and the air outlet 38 in the second direction Y with the inner door 4 b open, the gas in the sterilization space of the isolators 100 and 200 can be introduced into the culture chamber 6. In this way, it is possible to achieve both the maintenance of the environment suitable for culture and the simple and reliable sterilization in the culture chamber 6.

Second Embodiment
The culture apparatus according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the culture apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment except that the culture device according to the second embodiment includes a switching mechanism that switches the direction of the blower 30 in conjunction with opening and closing of the door. In the description of the present embodiment, the description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate. 9 (A) and 9 (B) are perspective views showing a state in which the outer door in the culture device according to Embodiment 2 is opened. FIG. 9 (A) shows a state in which the cover 48b of the switching mechanism 48 is attached, and FIG. 9 (B) shows a state in which the cover 48b is removed.

  The culture apparatus 1 (1B) according to the second embodiment includes a switching mechanism 48 that switches between the first direction Z and the second direction Y in conjunction with the opening and closing of the inner door 4b. The switching mechanism 48 has a shaft 48 a and a cover 48 b. The shaft 48a has bevel gears 48c at both ends. In addition, the blower 30 has a bevel gear 32c at the tip of the rotation shaft 32a (see FIG. 4) instead of the rotation knob 32b. The hinge 8 also has a bevel gear 8a at a predetermined position.

  The shaft 48 a is installed such that one bevel gear 48 c meshes with the bevel gear 32 c of the blower 30 and the other bevel gear 48 c meshes with the bevel gear 8 a of the hinge 8. In this state, a cover 48b is provided to cover the shaft 48a, the bevel gear 32c and the bevel gear 8a. When the inner door 4b is opened, the shaft 48a rotates around the axis as the hinge 8 rotates. Then, the rotation of the shaft 48a is transmitted to the housing 32 through the bevel gear 32c, and the blower 30 is rotated. Thereby, the directions of the intake port 36 and the exhaust port 38 can be switched from the first direction Z to the second direction Y or from the second direction Y to the first direction Z in conjunction with the opening and closing of the inner door 4b.

  As described above, by providing the switching mechanism 48, the sterilization process of the culture device 1 can be more easily performed. The configuration of the switching mechanism 48 is not limited to that described above. For example, a motor that drives in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door 4 may be provided on the rotating shaft 32a, and the blower 30 may be rotated by this motor.

  The relationship between the rotation angle of the inner door 4b and the rotation angle of the blower 30 is such that, for example, when the inner door 4b opens 90 °, the inlet 36 and the outlet 38 of the blower 30 face in the second direction Y Set to Specifically, when the inner door 4b is opened 90 degrees, the blower 30 is set to rotate 90 degrees. Alternatively, the intake port 36 and the exhaust port 38 of the blower 30 may be set to face in the second direction Y when the inner door 4 b is opened to a predetermined angle of 90 ° or more. In this case, air blowing in the diagonal direction of the culture chamber 6 can be realized. For example, the blower 30 is set to rotate 90 ° when the inner door 4b is opened 120 °.

Third Embodiment
The culture apparatus according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as the culture apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment except that the arrangement of the blower and the particulate collection filter is different. In the description of the present embodiment, the description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate. 10 (A) and 10 (B) are perspective views showing the state in which the outer door and the inner door in the culture device according to Embodiment 3 are opened.

  FIG. 10A shows a state in which the air inlet 336 and the air outlet 338 of the blower 330 are in the first direction. FIG. 10B shows a state in which the air inlet 336 and the air outlet 338 of the blower 330 face in the second direction. In FIG. 10A, for convenience of describing switching between the first direction Z and the second direction Y, the door 4 is open, but the air inlet 336 and the air outlet 338 face in the first direction Z. It is illustrated. Further, in FIG. 10B, illustration of the particulate collection filter 342 is omitted.

  The culture apparatus 1 (1C) according to the third embodiment includes a cylindrical fan 330 having a smaller diameter than the fan 30 provided in the culture apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. The blower 330 has a fan (not shown) disposed in the housing, an air inlet 336 and an air outlet 338. The blower 330 is rotatably supported by the inner door 4b. Further, the blower 330 is provided outside the center C of the inner door 4b in the rotation radius direction R of the inner door 4b (the direction indicated by the arrow R in FIG. 10A). For example, the rotation center of the blower 330 is farther from the hinge 8 than the center C of the inner door 4b in the horizontal direction or in the rotation radius direction R.

  The air inlet 336 facing the first direction Z and the lower air passage 24 are connected via the first front air passage 340. The first front air passage 340 is provided in the inner door 4 b. The second front air passage 350 is connected to the exhaust port 338 in the state of facing the first direction Z. The second front air passage 350 is provided in the inner door 4b.

  The second front air passage 350 has a vertical flow passage 350a and a horizontal flow passage 350b. One end of the vertical flow passage 350 a is connected to the exhaust port 338, and the other end is disposed vertically above the exhaust port 338. One end of the horizontal flow passage 350 b is connected to the end on the upper side in the vertical direction of the vertical flow passage 350 a, and the other end is disposed near the hinge 8. A particulate collection filter 342 is accommodated in the horizontal flow passage 350b. The particulate collection filter 342 extends along the extending direction of the horizontal flow path 350b, that is, in the horizontal direction.

  When the blower 330 is driven, the gas in the culture chamber 6 passes from the lower air passage 24 through the first front air passage 340, and the air inlet 336, the fan, the air outlet 338, the vertical passage 350a and the horizontal passage 350b. Through the particulate collection filter 342 and discharged into the culture chamber 6. Moreover, as shown to FIG. 10 (A) and FIG. 10 (B), the air blower 330 can switch direction of the inlet 336 and the exhaust port 338 to 1st direction Z and 2nd direction Y. As shown in FIG.

  In the culture device 1 according to the present embodiment, the blower 330 is disposed outside the rotational radius direction R of the inner door 4b. Thus, the blower 330 can be protruded from the work chamber 102 or the pass box 208 side as compared with the case where the blower 330 is disposed inside in the rotation radial direction R. Therefore, maintenance of the culture apparatus 1 can be carried out more easily. Further, in the sterilization process, the sterilization substance in the work chamber 102 or the pass box 208 can be drawn into the culture chamber 6 more reliably.

Embodiment 4
The culture apparatus according to the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as the culture apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment except that the door 4 includes only the outer door 4a. In the description of the present embodiment, the description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which the outer door in the culture device according to the fourth embodiment is opened.

  The culture apparatus 1 (1 D) according to the present embodiment includes only the outer door 4 a as the door 4. That is, it does not have the inner door 4b. The blower 30, the front air passage 40, the particulate collection filter 42, the germicidal lamp 44, the temperature sensor 20, and the concentration sensor 22 are provided on the outer door 4a. The outer door 4a is configured to open to the side of the working chamber 102 or the pass box 208 as a sterilization space provided in the isolators 100 and 200 in a state where the culture apparatus 1 is connected to the isolators 100 and 200. For this reason, the blower 30, the front air passage 40, the particulate collection filter 42, the sterilizing lamp 44, the temperature sensor 20 and the concentration sensor 22 are opened when the outer door 4a is opened in the state where the culture apparatus 1 is connected to the isolator 100. , Located in the sterile space of the isolator 100. Thus, maintenance of the culture apparatus 1 can be performed while maintaining a clean environment in the culture chamber 6.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is possible to combine the embodiments or to add further modifications such as various design changes based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Embodiments combined or further modified are also included in the scope of the present invention. The combination of each embodiment mentioned above and the new embodiment which arises by addition of modification to each embodiment mentioned above combine the embodiment combined and the effect of each modification.

  For example, the switching mechanism 48 may be provided in the culture apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment. Moreover, in the culture apparatus 1 which concerns on Embodiment 4, the air blower 30 may be provided outside the center of the outer door 4a in the rotation radial direction of the outer door 4a.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the arrangement of the inlets 36 and 336 and the outlets 38 and 338 may be reversed. That is, with the air inlets 36 and 336 and the air outlets 38 and 228 facing in the first direction Z, the air inlets 36 and 336 are disposed vertically upward, and the air outlets 38 and 338 are disposed vertically downward. May be In this case, it is preferable that the turning direction of the blowers 30 and 330 when the door 4 is opened is the reverse direction to the above-described embodiments. Further, in the culture chamber 6, a circulating air flow is formed in the opposite direction to the above-described embodiments. The sterilizing lamp 44 is preferably disposed on the windward side of the circulating air flow than the particulate collection filter 42, 342. Thereby, the living bacteria are captured by the particulate collection filter 42, 342, and it is possible to suppress the growth of the bacteria on the filter.

  1 culture apparatus, 2a opening, 4 door, 4a outer door, 4b inner door, 6 culture room, 20 temperature sensor, 22 concentration sensor, 30, 330 blower, 36, 336 inlet, 38, 338 outlet, 40 front side ventilating Path, 42, 342 particle collection filter, 44 germicidal light, 48 switching mechanism, 100, 200 isolator, 102 working room, 208 pass box, 340 first front air path, 350 second front air path, Y second direction, Z first direction.

Claims (9)

A culture device coupled to the isolator, wherein
A culture chamber having an opening,
A door closing the opening;
And a fan for circulating gas in the culture chamber,
The door is configured to open toward the sterile space provided by the isolator with the culture apparatus connected to the isolator,
The culture apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the blower is provided on the door. It further comprises an air passage through which the gas in the culture chamber flows,
The culture apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the air passage is provided in the door. It is further equipped with a particulate collection filter,
The culture apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the particulate collection filter is provided on the door. Further equipped with a germicidal lamp,
The culture apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the germicidal lamp is provided on the door. It further comprises a sensor for detecting the state in the culture chamber,
The culture apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sensor is provided on the door. The blower has an inlet and an outlet, and the direction of the inlet and the outlet is a first direction in which the door is closed and a second direction in which the door is opened. Can be switched to
The first direction is a direction in which the gas in the culture chamber can be circulated.
The culture apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second direction is a direction in which the gas in the sterilization space can be introduced into the culture chamber.   The culture apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first direction and the second direction intersect with each other.   The culture apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a switching mechanism that switches between the first direction and the second direction in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door.   The culture apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the blower is provided outside a center of the door in a rotational radial direction of the door.

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