JP6617001B2 - Culture tank structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a culture tank structure used when culturing living cells by a suspension method, and more particularly to a culture tank structure using a foldable single-use culture container.

  In the culture of living cells, it is desired to culture the living cells cheaply and safely in order to improve the productivity of the target product.

  However, in the conventional culture of living cells, since a stainless steel culture container is used, many kinds of incidental facilities such as a sterilizing apparatus for sterilizing the inside of the culture container and a cleaning apparatus for cleaning are indispensable. The production cost of the target product was increased.

  A method of using a single-use culture vessel is known as a culture method for living cells effective in reducing the production cost of a target product. Usually, a culture tank structure using a single-use culture vessel (hereinafter referred to as “SU culture vessel”) is a flexible structure constructed of a plastic sheet, a plastic film or the like (hereinafter collectively referred to as “plastic sheet”). And a culture vessel support that contains the SU culture vessel and has rigidity to support the weight of the contents inside the SU culture vessel and the SU culture vessel.

  The SU culture container is disposable after it is used once, and a new SU culture container is used when newly culturing a living cell.

  By using the SU culture container, a sterilization system for sterilizing the SU culture container and a cleaning system for cleaning are unnecessary, and a reduction in the production cost of the target product is expected. In addition, when changing the target product, there is no risk of contamination due to the residue of the previous target product, and safety related to the product quality of the subsequent target product can be improved.

  Although the use of such a SU culture container greatly contributes to the reduction of the production cost of the target product, it has resulted in an increase in the amount of work for the operator in preparation before the start of use.

  In particular, if the SU culture container is not properly installed in preparation before the start of use, problems such as breakage of the SU culture container and leakage of contents inside the SU culture container due to damage of the SU culture container may occur. It has also been pointed out that this is the cause.

  The SU culture container contains contents of several liters to thousands of liters (hereinafter, “contents” will be described as “culture solution”), and is composed of a plastic sheet having a thickness of 150 μm to 400 μm. Yes.

  Even if the SU culture container is made of such a plastic sheet, it has an appropriate weight, and the culture solution contained in the SU culture container also has an appropriate weight.

  Further, the SU culture container is stored in a folded state before the start of use, and in use, the SU culture container is inflated into an original shape and accommodates the culture solution. Even if it is a plastic sheet having flexibility, if it is stored in a folded state, it is inevitable that it will be folded.

  Therefore, it is difficult to inflate a heavy and foldable SU culture vessel into its original shape in the culture vessel support.

  In Patent Document 1, a support element provided on a nozzle portion provided on the bottom surface of a plastic sheet material container and a support element provided on a notch portion for a nozzle provided on a bottom surface of a stainless steel material tote are both supported. It is described using a fitting member that fits to the element to support and secure the container and tote.

  In Patent Document 2, a hanging portion provided at the upper end portion of the side wall member of the culture bag body is provided, the hanging portion is folded and hung on the upper end opening edge of the outer shell made of a rigid material, and the hanging portion is fastened to the outer shell with a band. It is described that the culture bag body is fixed to the outer shell.

JP 2009-227431 A JP 2007-282629 A

  However, even in the prior art, it is difficult to inflate a heavy and foldable SU culture vessel into its original shape in the culture vessel support.

  The object of the present invention is to facilitate the work of inflating the SU culture container into its original shape, to prevent the operator from making mistakes, and to prevent the SU culture container from being damaged due to defective assembly work or the liquid from the SU culture container being damaged. The purpose is to prevent leakage.

The culture vessel structure of the present invention includes a SU culture vessel constructed of a flexible material, a culture vessel support constructed of a rigid material, a gantry member that fixes the side and bottom surfaces of the culture vessel support, SU A ceiling plate that is installed on the ceiling of the culture vessel and has a rigidity ; a locking member that is formed on the outer surface of the SU culture vessel, and that fixes the SU culture vessel to the culture vessel support; and is formed and connected to the culture vessel support. A through hole that leads the stop member to the outside of the culture vessel support, and a fixing member that is formed on the outside of the culture vessel support and that locks the lock member led to the outside of the culture vessel support through the through hole, It has.

Moreover, it is preferable that a SU culture container is attached to a mount member via a top plate. The locking member is preferably formed on the side surface near the bottom of the SU culture vessel.

  The SU culture container is preferably provided with a nozzle member on the outer surface of the SU culture container, and the locking member is preferably formed in the vicinity of the nozzle member installed on the outer surface of the SU culture container. Is preferably formed on the outer surface of the base portion (base portion) of the nozzle member installed on the outer surface of the SU culture vessel, that is, the root portion where the nozzle member is formed.

  Further, the locking member is preferably constructed of a flexible material, and the locking member preferably has a guide member constructed of a flexible material in the vicinity of the distal end of the locking member.

  In addition, it is preferable that a means for indicating that the locking member and the fixing member respectively correspond to the locking member and the fixing member, for example, a mark or a mark is formed.

  Furthermore, the SU culture container of the present invention is constructed by a flexible material that constitutes a culture tank structure by combining with a culture container support constructed by a rigid material, and is provided on the outer surface of the SU culture container. Formed and having a locking member for locking the SU culture vessel to the culture vessel support, the locking member penetrating through a through hole formed in the culture vessel support and formed outside the culture vessel support It is fixed to the fixing member.

  As a result, the present invention facilitates the work of inflating the SU culture container into the original shape, prevents the operator from making mistakes, and causes damage to the SU culture container or the SU culture container due to defective assembly work. Liquid leakage can be prevented.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the Example of the culture tank structure to which this invention is applied. It is a schematic diagram which shows the Example of a single use culture container. It is a schematic diagram which shows the Example of a culture container support body. It is an enlarged view which shows the relationship between a locking member and a guide member, and a locking member through-hole (while the guide member is passing the locking member through-hole). It is an enlarged view (after a locking member passes a locking member penetration port) which shows a relation between a locking member and a guide member, and a locking member penetration port. It is sectional drawing which shows the vicinity of a securing member and a guide member. It is an enlarged view (front view) which shows the nozzle vicinity. It is an enlarged view (sectional view) showing the vicinity of the nozzle.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of a culture tank structure to which the present invention is applied.

  The culture tank structure described in the present embodiment includes a single-use culture container 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as “culture container 1” in the description of the present embodiment) and a culture container support 16.

  The culture vessel 1 and the culture vessel support 16 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a single-use culture vessel.

  The culture vessel 1 is composed of a synthetic resin film such as a substantially transparent plastic sheet. In the usage form, the culture vessel 1 forms a cylindrical shape having a diameter of 560 mm, a depth of 950 mm, a culture solution insertion height of 550 mm, and a culture volume of 100 L.

  The bottom of the culture vessel 1 has an inverted conical shape, and a rigid top plate 6 having rigidity is provided on a portion corresponding to the ceiling of the culture vessel 1 (hereinafter referred to as “ceiling”). It is installed with airtightness.

  Before the start of use, since the culture container 1 is in a state where the gas inside the culture container 1 is almost evacuated and folded, the rigid top 6 is packed, transported, and transported with the culture container 1 folded. It has a function of absorbing and protecting external force so that the culture vessel 1 is not damaged during the unpacking operation and the unfolding operation. Further, the rigid top plate 6 has a function to support almost the entire weight of the folded culture container 1, that is, strength.

  In addition, FIG. 2 has shown the shape at the time of the operating condition of the culture container 1. FIG.

  Further, the culture vessel 1 includes stirring blades 2a and 2b (two-stage stirring blades of the upper stirring blade 2a and the lower stirring blade 2b) for stirring the culture solution 7 in the culture vessel 1, and the culture vessel 1 contains oxygen. Gas supply pipe 21a for submerged aeration for supplying gas, gas supply pipe 22 for gas phase for supplying gas containing oxygen and carbon dioxide gas into the culture container 1, and liquid such as culture medium in the culture container 1 Are provided, a liquid supply pipe 24 for supplying the culture medium, a culture liquid discharge pipe 25 for discharging the culture liquid from the culture container 1, and a gas discharge pipe 31 for discharging excess gas from the culture container 1.

  The submerged gas supply pipe 21a, the gas-phase gas supply pipe 22, and the liquid supply pipe 24 are each provided with a valve so that the supply amount can be adjusted. In addition, a valve is also formed in the culture medium discharge pipe 25, and the discharge amount can be adjusted.

  The submerged aeration gas supply pipe 21a extends to the bottom of the culture vessel 1, and an air diffuser 14a for generating bubbles is connected to the tip of the gas supply pipe 21a.

  The gas-phase gas supply pipe 22 and the liquid supply pipe 24 are connected to the upper part of the culture vessel 1, and oxygen-containing gas and medium are supplied from the upper part of the culture vessel 1, respectively.

  Further, the culture solution discharge pipe 25 is connected to the bottom of the culture vessel 1. On the other hand, the gas discharge pipe 31 is connected to the upper part of the culture vessel 1.

  The submerged gas supply pipe 21 and the gas-phase gas supply pipe 22 are provided with a gas filter 20 for preventing entry of microorganisms from the outside.

  The gas exhaust pipe 31 is provided with an exhaust filter 33 for preventing entry of microorganisms from the outside and a pressure regulating valve 34 for adjusting the exhaust amount.

  In addition to this, sampling means for performing sampling, pH adjusting drug injecting means for adjusting the pH of the culture solution 7, a medium replacement pipe for replacing the medium in the culture vessel 1, and the like are provided. In some cases, description in FIG. 2 is omitted.

  The airtightness at the time of stirring of the culture vessel 1 in the present embodiment is maintained by using a magnetic coupling for the stirring mechanism.

  The magnetic coupling unit 40 installed inside the culture vessel 1 is constructed with a magnetic coupling with a magnetic coupling unit (not shown) formed on the rigid top plate 6 installed on the ceiling. Yes.

  A rigid rotating shaft 10 is connected to the magnetic coupling unit 40 and is immersed in the culture solution 7.

  An upper stirring blade 2 a and a lower stirring blade 2 b are fixed to the rotary shaft 10.

  By rotating the magnetic coupling part 40 formed on the rigid top plate 6 installed on the ceiling part of the culture vessel 1, the rotational force is transmitted to the rotating shaft 10 via the magnetic coupling part 40, and the upper part The stirring blade 2a and the lower stirring blade 2b are rotated.

  Thereby, the culture solution 7 can be stirred without providing a through hole in the culture vessel 1.

  In this example, a magnetic coupling is disposed on the ceiling of the culture vessel 1 and the rotary shaft 10 is suspended, whereas a magnetic coupling is disposed on the bottom of the culture vessel 1, The culture solution 7 can also be stirred with a stirring blade integrated with a magnetic coupling portion installed inside the culture vessel 1.

  Further, the sealing mechanism for stirring is not limited to the magnet coupling described in the present embodiment, and a mechanical sealing means using a known mechanical seal can also be used.

  A locking member 26a and a locking member 26b made of a flexible material are provided in the vicinity (lower side surface) of the joint between the bottom and the side surface of the culture vessel 1. The locking member 26 a and the locking member 26 b have a function of fixing the culture vessel 1 to the culture vessel support 16.

  The locking member 26a and the locking member 26b are provided with a guide member 27a and a guide member 27b, respectively. The guide member 27a and the guide member 27b have a guide function when coupled to a locking member and a fixing member (not shown). By pulling the guide member to the outside of the culture vessel support 16, The locking member can also be pulled out of the culture vessel support 16.

  A nozzle member 8 (hereinafter referred to as “nozzle 8”) is provided on the side wall surface of the culture vessel 1. The nozzle 8 is a part into which a sensor or the like for monitoring the state inside the culture vessel 1 is inserted. Although only one location is shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of locations may be provided depending on the physical quantity to be measured.

  The forming portion of the nozzle 8 and the forming portion of the locking member 26a are installed at different positions in the vertical direction and the planar direction. That is, when the culture vessel 1 is looked down from above and when the culture vessel 1 is looked down from the side, it is installed at a different position in any case. However, in FIG. 2, the locking member 26a and the nozzle 8 are shown in the same cross section in the plane direction for the sake of explanation.

  A locking member 26c and a locking member 26d are provided on the base portion of the nozzle 8, that is, the base portion of the nozzle 8 (the formation base portion of the nozzle 8). The locking member 26 c and the locking member 26 d have a function of fixing the culture vessel 1 to the culture vessel support 16 together with the nozzle 8.

  In FIG. 2, two locking members of the locking member 26 c and the locking member 26 d are described in the base portion of the nozzle 8, but the number of locking members formed in this portion is limited to two. Two or more may be provided.

  In FIG. 2, two sets of 26 a and 26 b as locking members and 27 a and 27 b as guide members are described, but the number is not limited to two sets, and three sets or four sets are provided. Also good. It is determined in consideration of installation stability and workability.

  The nozzle 8 is provided with a cap 9. The cap 9 covers the tip of the nozzle 8 and has a function of preventing bacteria and the like from entering inside when the nozzle 8 is not used.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of the culture vessel support.

  The culture vessel support 16 accommodates the culture vessel 1 therein, the upper portion is a cylinder having a diameter of 560 mm and a depth of 1000 mm, and the bottom has an inverted conical shape.

  The culture vessel support 16 includes a bottom support cover 16b having an inverted conical shape that supports the weight of the culture solution in the culture vessel 1, a side support cover 16s for supporting the side shape of the culture vessel 1, and two pieces that can be opened and closed. Side support cover door 16d.

  FIG. 3 shows the culture container support 16 of the present embodiment in an open shape with two side support cover doors 16d configured to be double-spread.

  When the culture container 1 is installed, the side support cover door 16d is opened, and after the installation work is completed, the side support cover door 16d is closed and fixed. As a result, even when the culture solution is injected into the culture vessel 1, the weight and shape can be maintained.

  Thus, the installation work of the culture container 1 can be made easy by making a part of side support cover into the door structure which can be opened and closed. In the present embodiment, a structure in which two doors can be opened in a double door is adopted. However, the structure is not limited to this structure, and a known opening / closing mechanism can also be used.

  3 shows a state in which the two doors of the side support cover door 16d are opened at a position of approximately 180 degrees (one door is approximately 90 degrees) when the culture vessel support 16 is viewed from above. It is described. However, the opening position angle of the side support cover door 16d is not limited to 180 degrees, and is selected in consideration of installation stability when the side support cover door 16d is opened and workability of the culture vessel 1. Is done. Preferably, it is about 160 to 200 degrees with two doors (80 to 100 degrees with one door).

  The culture vessel support 16 supports the load during use of the culture vessel 1 and holds the shape of the culture vessel 1 and is constructed of a material having rigidity. In this embodiment, a stainless steel 316 steel plate having excellent corrosion resistance is used. In addition, the material of the culture container support body 16 is not specifically limited, It selects suitably from the steel material and plastic material which have rigidity.

  The culture vessel support 16 is provided with a nozzle through-hole 17 and a locking member through-hole 18 respectively.

  The nozzle through-hole 17 is a hole (through-hole) provided to penetrate the nozzle 8 formed in the culture vessel 1, the locking member 26 c formed on the base portion of the nozzle 8, the locking member 26 d, and the cap 9. It is.

  Further, the locking member through-hole 18 is a hole provided to penetrate the locking member 26 a and the guide member 27 a formed in the culture vessel 1 and the locking member 26 b and the guide member 27 b formed in the culture vessel 1. (Through hole).

  In FIG. 3, one nozzle through-hole 17 and one locking member through-hole 18 are shown, but this is for simplification of the drawing. 18 is provided with numbers corresponding to the nozzles 8 and the locking members 26a and 26b formed in the culture vessel 1.

  For example, when two locking members 26a formed on the culture vessel 1 are formed on the culture vessel 1 and the opening position angle of the side support cover door 16d is smaller than 180 degrees, the two connection members 26a are formed. Any of the stop member through-holes 18 can be formed in the side surface support cover 16s. However, even in this case, one locking member through-hole 18 may be formed in the side support cover door 16d.

  Further, for example, when three or four locking members 26a formed on the culture vessel 1 are formed on the culture vessel 1, and the open position angle of the side support cover door 16d is smaller than 180 degrees. The two locking member through holes 18 are formed in the side support cover 16s, and the other one (in the case of three) or two (in the four cases) of the locking member through holes 18 are provided on the side support cover door 16d. You may form in.

  Of course, the installation position and the installation number of the locking member through-holes 18 are appropriately selected depending on the opening position angle of the side support cover door 16d and the installation number of the locking members 26a formed in the culture vessel 1.

  The means for pulling out the locking member 26a to the outer surface of the culture vessel support 16 is not only the method of using the locking member through-hole 18, but also when the side support cover door 16d is closed as described in FIG. There is also a method using a gap formed between the bottom support cover 16b.

  It is also possible to process the shape of the side support cover door 16 d and the shape of the bottom support cover 16 b so that a gap is formed in advance, and pull out the locking member 26 a to the outer surface of the culture vessel support 16.

  In addition, it is preferable to form the nozzle through-hole 17 for pulling out the nozzle 8 to the outer surface of the culture vessel support 16 in the side support cover door 16d and the side support cover 16s. The nozzle through-hole 17 is particularly preferably formed in the side support cover 16s.

  Moreover, when using the clearance gap formed between such a side surface support cover door 16d and the bottom part support cover 16b, this clearance gap shape and the shape of the securing member 26a (band | belt shape) formed in the culture container 1 are used. Are preferably matched. That is, when the gap shape is a vertical slit, the locking member 26a is also formed vertically with respect to the culture vessel 1, and when the gap shape is a horizontal slit, the locking member 26a is also relative to the culture vessel 1. And formed sideways.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing the relationship between the locking member and the guide member and the locking member through-hole (while the guide member is passing through the locking member through-hole).

  As shown in FIG. 4, a guide member 27a is coupled to the distal end of the locking member 26a. The guide member 27 a has a string shape that is sufficiently narrower and longer than the locking member through hole 18.

  The guide member 27a is passed through the locking member through hole 18 formed in the culture vessel support 16. And the guide member 27a currently formed in the securing member 26a is penetrated to the securing member penetration port 18, and the guide member 27a is pulled out to the outer side of the culture container support body 16. FIG.

  FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing the relationship between the locking member and the guide member and the locking member through-hole (after the locking member has passed through the locking member through-hole).

  As shown in FIG. 5, by pulling out the guide member 27 a to the outside of the culture vessel support 16, the locking member 26 a can also be drawn to the outside of the culture vessel support 16.

  If the pulled out locking member 26a is fixed to a fixing member (not shown) provided on the outer surface of the culture vessel support 16, the fixing operation of the locking member 26a is completed.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the locking member and the guide member.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a fixing member 30 for fixing the locking member 26a is provided in the vicinity of the locking member through-hole 18 formed in the side surface support cover 16s. As the fixing member 30, in this embodiment, a stainless steel round bar having a diameter of 8 mm and a length of 30 mm was used. One end of the round bar is screwed to the side support cover 16s, and the other end of the round bar is formed to be bent at approximately 90 degrees at a position 15 mm from the tip. The bending direction is opposite to the locking member through-hole 18 and is upward.

  A hole for fixing to the fixing member 30 is formed in the locking member 26a. In addition, about the shape and function of the fixing member 30, it is not limited to a present Example, You may utilize a well-known hook and a fitting means.

  The reinforcing member 28 is welded on one side to the culture vessel 1 and has a locking member 26a on the other side. By connecting the culture vessel 1 and the locking member 26 a via the reinforcing member 28, the force applied from the locking member 26 a to the culture vessel 1 is dispersed on the welding surface of the reinforcing member 28. This prevents the culture vessel 1 from being damaged in the vicinity of the locking member 26a.

  In addition, the indication which shows the corresponding fixing member 30 provided in the outer surface of the culture container support body 16, for example, a mark and a mark, is given to the locking member and / or the guide member.

  The display content is not particularly limited, but preferably includes information on the corresponding locking member and / or guide member and its position, and the surface and angle facing the fixing member 30. Usually, symbols, alphabets, numbers, etc. are displayed in combination.

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged view (front view) showing the vicinity of the nozzle.

  The nozzle through-hole 17 provided in the side support cover 16s for pulling out the nozzle 8 to the outside has a size corresponding to the base portion of the nozzle 8, so that it is particularly easy without providing a guide member. The locking member 26c and the locking member 26d can be pulled out and fixed to each other.

  In addition, in FIG. 6, although the nozzle through-hole 17 and the base part of the nozzle 8 are described in a circular shape, an elliptical shape may be used. When the locking member 26d has an elliptical shape that is long in the left and right direction, it is preferable that the locking member 26c and the locking member 26d are formed in the vertical direction.

  The nozzle substrate 29 is a base for holding the nozzle 8, and the back surface of the surface on which the nozzle 8 is provided is welded to the culture vessel 1. The force applied to the culture vessel 1 from the nozzle 8 is dispersed on the welding surface of the nozzle substrate 29. This prevents the culture vessel 1 from being damaged near the nozzle 8.

  FIG. 8 is an enlarged view (sectional view) showing the vicinity of the nozzle.

  In the vicinity of the nozzle through-hole 17 formed in the side support cover 16s, a locking member 26c formed on the base portion of the nozzle 8 and a fixing member 30 for fixing the locking member 26d are provided. As the fixing member 30, in this embodiment, a stainless steel round bar having a diameter of 8 mm and a length of 30 mm was used. One end of the round bar is screwed to the side support cover 16s, and the other end of the round bar is formed to be bent at approximately 90 degrees at a position 15 mm from the tip. The bending direction is opposite to the nozzle through-hole 17, the fixing member 30 formed at the upper part is upward, and the fixing member 30 formed at the lower part is downward.

  Holes for fixing to the fixing member 30 are formed in the locking member 26c and the locking member 26d. In addition, about the shape and function of the fixing member 30, it is not limited to a present Example, You may utilize a well-known hook and a fitting means.

  The nozzle substrate 29 is a base for holding the nozzle 8, and the back surface of the surface on which the nozzle 8 is provided is welded to the culture vessel 1. The force applied to the culture vessel 1 from the nozzle 8 is dispersed on the welding surface of the nozzle substrate 29. This prevents the culture vessel 1 from being damaged near the nozzle 8.

  In addition, the display which shows the corresponding locking member 26c and the locking member 26d, for example, a mark and a mark, is given to the fixing member 30 and / or the vicinity of the fixing member 30.

  The display content is not particularly limited, but preferably includes information on the corresponding locking member and its position, and the surface and angle facing the fixing member 30. Usually, symbols, alphabets, numbers, etc. are displayed in combination.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of a culture tank structure to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, in the culture tank structure in this embodiment, the culture vessel support 16 is a gantry member. 19b (19p).

  That is, the bottom support cover 16b is disposed on the gantry member 19b. In FIG. 1, the bottom support cover 16b is described as being supported by two gantry members 19b, but in actuality, the bottom support cover 16b has a hollow disk shape having a size corresponding to the flange surface of the bottom support cover 16b. It is formed on a support member and is supported by a plurality of gantry members 19b.

  The side surface support cover 16s is fixed to the gantry member 19p via the support member 19s. A plurality of support members 19s are fixed to the gantry member 19p, and the side surface support cover 16s is fixed at a plurality of points.

  Note that the gantry member 19p is shown as a single pillar in FIG. 1, but is for simplifying the drawing and needs to be a structure having sufficient strength to support the culture tank structure. And is not limited to one.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, it is equipped with gas supply equipment such as air, oxygen, nitrogen and / or carbon dioxide, hot water / cold water supply equipment and / or water supply / drainage equipment, etc. which are indispensable for culture equipment. .

  Moreover, as a measuring means, it has measuring devices, such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration, and / or dissolved carbon dioxide gas concentration, and each sensor. In FIG. 1, only the dissolved oxygen concentration measuring device 3 is shown for simplification of explanation.

  Moreover, the assembly procedure and use procedure of the culture tank structure in a present Example are demonstrated. It is not necessary to be bound by this procedure.

  First, the side support cover door 16d of the culture vessel support 16 is opened in a double door.

  Next, the culture container 1 stored in the folded state is carried to the vicinity of the culture tank structure.

  The aseptic packaging bag is broken to take out the culture container 1, and the rigid top 6 is exposed.

  The rigid top 6 is attached to a predetermined position of the rigid top support member 35 in the folded state.

  At this time, while confirming the mounting direction so that the nozzle 8, the locking member 26 a and the locking member 26 b correspond to the nozzle through hole 17 and the locking member through hole 18 provided in the culture vessel support 16. Install.

  In this embodiment, the culture volume is as small as 100 L, which is not essential, but if there is a suspension moving means such as a hoist, the operation becomes easy.

  The submerged aeration gas supply pipe 21, the gas phase gas supply pipe 22, the liquid supply pipe 24, the gas discharge pipe 31 and the like provided on the upper surface of the culture vessel 1 are taken out from the upper end of the culture vessel support 16, and appropriately , Temporarily fix.

Air is injected into the inside of the culture vessel 1 from the gas-phase gas supply pipe 22 to expand a part of the culture vessel 1. Care should be taken as it will be difficult to work if it is inflated too much.
Thereafter, the culture solution is injected from the liquid supply pipe 24 into the culture vessel 1. The amount of the culture solution injected is preferably about 10 to 50% of the culture volume.

  After that, the side support cover door 16d is fixed to the fixing member 30 through the locking member 26a corresponding to the locking member through hole 18 formed in the side support cover 16s from the opening portion opened in a double door.

  At this time, if the guide member 27a is attached to the locking member 26a, the operation becomes particularly easy.

  Thereafter, the pipe connected to the nozzle 8 provided on the side surface of the culture vessel 1 and the culture solution discharge pipe 25 provided at the bottom of the culture vessel 1 are aligned with a predetermined nozzle through hole. The pipe connected to the nozzle 8 and the culture medium discharge pipe 25 are drawn out from the nozzle through hole and temporarily fixed. At this time, it is necessary to adjust the pipe connected to the nozzle 8 and the culture solution discharge pipe 25 so that the culture vessel 1 is not twisted and an excessive force is not applied.

  If the locking member 26c and the locking member 26d formed on the base portion of the nozzle 8 are fixed to a fixing member (not shown) provided on the outer surface of the culture vessel support 16, the nozzle 8 can be The fixing work is completed.

  The lower side surface of the culture vessel 1 is provided with at least two, preferably three or more nozzles provided with a locking member and a locking member.

  Each of the locking members and the nozzles provided with the locking members are preferably arranged at equal angles as much as possible on a plane viewed from above. As a result, a substantially equal force acts on the culture vessel 1, and the culture vessel 1 is stably placed at a predetermined position.

  Then, the side support cover door 16d of the culture vessel support 16 is closed.

  Finally, the gas discharge pipe 31 is passed through the cooling block 32, and the exhaust filter 33 and the pressure regulating valve 34 are attached to the gantry member 19p via the support member 36a, the support member 36b, and the support member 36c, respectively.

  At this time, it is important not to cause the gas exhaust pipe 31 to bend so as to cause a liquid pool.

  According to this embodiment, the alignment operation between the culture vessel 1 and the culture vessel support 16 can be performed from the outside of the culture vessel 1. Further, in the stage where the culture vessel 1 is not expanded, the alignment of the culture solution discharge pipe or the like provided on the bottom surface of the culture vessel 1 is in a state where no load is applied to the bottom surface of the culture vessel 1 by the culture solution. Although it became stable, according to the present embodiment, it becomes stable.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the periphery of the bottom surface and the upper side surface of the culture vessel 1 can be aligned, and the possibility that the culture vessel 1 becomes different from the original shape when the culture vessel 1 is expanded is reduced. As a result, the filling volume when the culture vessel 1 is filled with the culture solution is not reduced, the culture vessel 1 is in close contact with the culture vessel support 16, the stress applied to the side surface of the culture vessel 1 is reduced, and the culture vessel 1 is broken. The number of defects is also reduced.

  Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even when the culture solution in the culture vessel 1 is relatively small or the culture solution is empty, the shape around the bottom surface can be maintained when the culture vessel 1 is expanded, and the culture solution is being filled. Deviation and twist can be suppressed.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the correspondence relationship between the fixing member and the locking member becomes clear, the workability of the worker can be greatly improved, and work mistakes can be suppressed. As a result, assembly of the culture tank structure is facilitated and liquid leakage due to breakage of the culture vessel 1 or breakage of the culture vessel 1 can be prevented.
The culture tank structure described in the present embodiment can be applied to culture of cells that produce substances that are main raw materials such as pharmaceuticals. In this example, examples of the substance to be produced include proteins such as antibodies and enzymes, physiologically active substances such as low molecular compounds and high molecular compounds, and viruses. Examples of cells to be cultured include animal cells, plant cells, insect cells, bacteria, yeasts, fungi and algae. In particular, animal cells that produce proteins such as antibodies and enzymes are preferably cultured.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described using drawing, the above description shows the specific example of the content of this invention, This invention is not limited to these description, This Example Various changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea disclosed in the examples.

  Further, in order to describe the present embodiment, those having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated description thereof is omitted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Culture container, 2a, 2b ... Stirring blade, 3 ... Measuring apparatus, 4 ... Control apparatus, 6 ... Rigid top plate, 7 ... Culture solution, 8 ... Nozzle member, 10 ... Rotating shaft, 11 ... Stirring motor, 16 ... Culture vessel support, 17 ... nozzle through-hole, 18 ... locking member through-hole, 19b, 19p ... gantry member, 21a ... gas supply pipe for aeration in liquid, 22 ... gas supply pipe for gas phase, 24 ... liquid supply pipe 25 ... Culture medium discharge pipe, 26a, 26b ... Locking member, 27a, 27b ... Guide member, 30 ... Fixing member, 31 ... Gas discharge pipe, 33 ... Exhaust filter, 34 ... Gas pressure regulating valve, 40 ... Magnetic coupling Element

Claims (7)

A culture vessel constructed of flexible material;
A container support constructed of rigid material;
A gantry member for fixing the container support;
Installed on the ceiling of the culture vessel and having a rigid top plate;
A locking member that is formed on the outer surface of the culture vessel and locks the culture vessel to the vessel support;
A through hole formed in the container support and guiding the locking member to the outside of the container support;
A fixing member that is formed outside the container support and that locks the locking member led to the outside of the container support through the through hole ; and
The culture vessel is attached to the gantry member via the top plate,
The culture tank structure according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is formed on a side surface near the bottom of the culture vessel. The culture container is provided with a nozzle member on the outer surface of the culture container,
The culture tank structure according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is formed in the vicinity of a nozzle member installed on an outer surface of the culture vessel. The culture container is provided with a nozzle member on the outer surface of the culture container,
The culture tank structure according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is formed on an outer surface of a base portion of a nozzle member installed on an outer surface of the culture vessel.   The culture tank structure according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is constructed of a flexible material.   The culture tank structure according to claim 1, wherein the locking member has a guide member constructed of a flexible material in the vicinity of the distal end of the locking member.   The culture tank structure according to claim 1, wherein means for indicating that the locking member and the fixing member respectively correspond to the locking member and the fixing member are formed. A culture vessel constructed by a flexible material constituting a culture tank structure by combining a vessel support constructed by a rigid material and a gantry member that fixes the container support ,
Installed on the ceiling of the culture vessel and having a rigid top plate;
A locking member that is formed on the outer surface of the culture vessel and locks the culture vessel to the vessel support;
The culture vessel is attached to the gantry member via the top plate,
The locking member is formed on a side surface near the bottom of the culture vessel, passes through a through hole formed in the vessel support, and is locked to a fixing member formed outside the vessel support. A culture vessel characterized by that.

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