JP6813771B2 - Isolator system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an isolator system, and more particularly to an isolator system provided with aeration means for removing decontamination gas that has decontaminated the work room in the isolator or passbox.

Conventionally, as an isolator system, an isolator or a pass box in which an internal work room is maintained in a sterile state, a decontamination means for generating a decontamination gas, and the decontamination means and the work room are connected to decontaminate gas. A supply passage for supplying the gas to the work room, a circulation passage for connecting the work room and the decontamination means to circulate the gas in the work room to the decontamination means, and a decontamination gas generated by the decontamination means. It is composed of an air blowing means for circulating to the decontamination means through the supply passage, the work room and the circulation passage, an air supply means for supplying outside air to the work room, and an air sweeping means for discharging the gas in the work room to the outside. (Patent Document 1) is known to be provided with an aeration means for aerating the work chamber.
In the isolator system, for example, when decontaminating the isolator, the decontamination means is operated to generate a decontamination gas and the ventilation means is operated to transfer the generated decontamination gas through the supply passage. Is supplied into the isolator. Then, the decontamination gas supplied into the isolator is returned to the decontamination means via the circulation passage, so that the decontamination gas is discharged from the decontamination means through the supply passage, the isolator and the circulation passage. The inside of the isolator is decontaminated by circulating the reflux.

On the other hand, when the isolator is aerated after decontamination, the operation of the decontamination means is stopped to stop the generation of decontamination gas. Then, in this state, the aeration means is operated, the outside air is supplied into the isolator by the aeration means, and the gas in the isolator is discharged to the outside by the scavenging means. As a result, the concentration of the decontamination gas remaining in the isolator gradually decreases.
When the concentration of the decontamination gas in the isolator decreases, the gas in the isolator is supplied to the decontamination means via the circulation passage by the ventilation means, and further circulated in the isolator via the supply passage, so that the decontamination is performed. The concentration of decontamination gas remaining in the means is also reduced.
Then, when the decontamination gas remaining in the isolator and the decontamination means is removed, the aeration is completed.
The above operation is the same for the pass box.

Japanese Patent No. 4529593

In the above-mentioned conventional device, when aerating the work room in the above-mentioned isolator or pass box as described above, the decontamination gas remaining in the inside of the work room and the inside of the decontamination means and the supply passage is removed. It took a long time for the aeration.
In view of such circumstances, the present invention has made it possible to shorten the time required for the aeration.

That is, the invention of claim 1 is a decontamination means having an isolator or a pass box for maintaining an internal working chamber in a sterile state, an evaporator for generating a decontamination gas, an evaporator of the decontamination means, and the above-mentioned work. A supply passage that connects the chambers to supply decontamination gas to the work chamber, a circulation passage that connects the work chamber and the evaporator to flow gas in the work chamber to the evaporator, and the evaporator. The blower means for circulating the generated decontamination gas to the evaporator through the supply passage, the work room and the circulation passage, and the air supply means for supplying outside air to the work room and the gas in the work room are discharged to the outside. In an isolator system including an air sweeping means and an aeration means for aerating the work chamber.
One of an exhaust passage that branches from the middle of the supply passage and discharges the gas in the supply passage to the outside, and a flow path that allows the gas to flow from the supply passage to the work room and a flow path that allows the gas to flow to the exhaust passage. It is provided with a first flow path switching means for switching to the flow path of
In either the intake passage that is branched from the middle of the circulation passage and takes in the outside air into the circulation passage, or the flow path that allows the gas to flow from the work room to the circulation passage or the flow path that flows from the intake passage. A second flow path switching means for switching is provided.
After decontaminating by supplying decontamination gas to the above work room
The first flow path switching means switches the flow path so that the gas flows from the supply passage to the exhaust passage, and the second flow path switching means switches the flow path so that the outside air flows from the intake passage to the circulation passage. In this state, the outside air is circulated from the intake passage to the evaporator through the circulation passage by the ventilation means, and the outside air is discharged from the supply passage to the outside through the exhaust passage to provide the evaporator and the supply passage. At the same time as aerating
The upper SL aeration means, the aeration of the evaporator and the supply passage is characterized in that aeration separately the working chamber.

According to the present invention, for example, it will be explained to decontaminate the working chamber of the isolator, the by Rutotomoni said second channel switching means communicates the supply passage to the isolator by the first flow path switching unit if that communicates the circulating passage isolator conventional can decontaminate the isolator in the same manner.
On the other hand, when the aeration inside the isolator, it is sufficient communicating the circulation passage to the intake passage by the supply passage is communicated with the exhaust passage Rutotomoni the second channel switching means by the first flow path switching unit .. In this state, the aeration of the isolator can be performed by the air supply means and the scavenging means constituting the aeration means, and the aeration of the evaporator of the decontamination means is carried out by the blower means that the outside air is taken into the intake passage. It can be carried out because it is circulated through the circulation passage, the evaporator of the decontamination means, the supply passage and the exhaust passage.
That is, since the aeration of the isolator and the aeration of the decontamination means can be performed separately, the time required for the aeration can be shortened as compared with the conventional case. When the aeration of the isolator is completed, the isolator can be used even if the aeration of the decontamination means is not completed. In addition, even if the aeration of the isolator is not completed or the isolator is in use, it is possible to start the preparation for the next use of the decontamination means, so that when the work of the isolator is completed, it will be promptly started. The decontamination work of the isolator can be started.
The above operation is the same for the case of decontaminating the work room in the pass box and the case of aeration.

The circuit diagram which shows the Example of this invention. It is a circuit diagram which shows the state when the decontamination means 21 in FIG. 1 is operated. It is a circuit diagram which shows the state when the aeration means 81-83 in FIG. 1 are operated.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated examples. In FIG. 1, the isolator system 1 includes an isolator 2 in which an internal working room is maintained in an aseptic state, and an incubator 3 connected to the left wall surface of the isolator 2. It is provided with a pass box 4 in which the internal working room is maintained in an aseptic state, and a connecting portion 5 provided between the isolator 2 and the incubator 3 to connect the two in a connectable manner.
An opening / closing door 7 is provided on the wall surface 6 that separates the inside of the isolator 2 and the inside of the connecting portion 5 so as to be openable and closable, and the opening / closing door 9 is provided on the wall surface 8 that partitions the inside of the connecting portion 5 and the inside of the incubator 3. Is provided so that it can be opened and closed. Further, opening / closing doors 12 and 13 are provided openable and closable on the wall surface 10 that separates the inside of the isolator 2 and the inside of the pass box 4 and the wall surface 11 of the pass box 4 that faces the wall surface 10.
When all the opening / closing doors 7, 9, 12, and 13 are closed, the inside of the isolator 2, the inside of the incubator 3, the inside of the pass box 4, and the inside of the connection portion 5 are kept airtight and outside. It is designed to be isolated from.

The isolator system 1 includes decontamination means 21 for supplying decontamination gas to the insides of the isolator 2, the pass box 4, and the connection portion 5 to decontaminate each inside.
The thick line in FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a flow path used when the decontamination means 21 is operated.
The decontamination means 21 includes a decontamination gas generating means 22 for generating a decontamination gas, and the decontamination gas generating means 22 includes a container 23 in which hydrogen peroxide solution is stored and a container 23 in this embodiment. The evaporator 24 that heats and evaporates the hydrogen peroxide solution and the hydrogen peroxide solution in the container 23 are gradually supplied into the evaporator 24 in required amounts and dropped to generate a decontamination gas having a required concentration. It is equipped with a pump 25.
The decontamination gas generated by the evaporator 24 of the decontamination gas generating means 22 is supplied into the isolator 2 via the first supply passage 31 connecting the evaporator 24 and the work room inside the isolator 2. You can do it.
Further, the evaporator 24 is connected to the work room inside the pass box 4 via the second supply passage 32, and is connected to the connection portion 5 via the third supply passage 33, and is generated by the evaporator 24. The decontamination gas is supplied into the pass box 4 via the second supply passage 32 and into the connecting portion 5 via the third supply passage 33.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first supply passage 31 communicating with the inside of the isolator 2 is composed of pipes 35, 36 and 37, and an on-off valve 38 is provided in the middle of the pipe 37. The pipe 37 is connected to an inlet chamber 39 provided in the isolator 2, and the first supply passage 31 communicates with the inside of the isolator 2 via a HEPA filter 40 provided in the inlet chamber 39. ..
Further, the second supply passage 32 communicating with the work room inside the pass box 4 is composed of the pipe 35 and the pipe 44, and an on-off valve 45 is provided in the middle of the pipe 44. The pipe 45 is connected to an entrance chamber 46 provided in the pass box 4, and the second supply passage 32 communicates with the inside of the pass box 4 via a HEPA filter 47 provided in the entrance chamber 46. ing.
Further, the third supply passage 33 communicating with the connection portion 5 is composed of the pipes 35 and 36 and the pipes 51 and 52, and the on-off valve 53 and the HEPA filter 54 are sequentially inserted in the middle of the pipe 52. It is provided.
Thereby, by opening and closing the required on-off valves 38, 45, 53, the decontamination gas generated by the evaporator 24 can be supplied to the isolator 2, the pass box 4, and the connection portion 5 simultaneously or separately. I have made it possible.

The work room inside the isolator 2 is communicated with the evaporator 24 of the decontamination gas generating means 22 via the first circulation passage 58, and the removal supplied into the isolator 2 via the first supply passage 31. The dyed gas can be circulated to the decontamination gas generating means 22 through the first circulation passage 58.
Similarly, the work room inside the pass box 4 communicates with the evaporator 24 via the second circulation passage 59, and the decontamination gas supplied into the pass box 4 through the second supply passage 32. Can be circulated to the decontamination gas generating means 22 via the second circulation passage 59.
On the other hand, the inside of the connection portion 5 is communicated with the outside air via a pipe 60, and the on-off valve 61 and a catalyst 62 that captures and decomposes hydrogen peroxide, which is a decontamination gas, are sequentially provided in the pipe 60. is there. That is, since the volume of the connection portion 5 is small, when decontaminating only the connection portion 5, it is not necessary to circulate the decontamination gas as in the isolator 2 and the pass box 4, and the decontamination gas does not need to be circulated from the third supply passage 33. The decontamination gas supplied into the connecting portion 5 is discharged from the pipe 60 to the outside via the catalyst 62.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first circulation passage 58 communicating with the inside of the isolator 2 is composed of pipes 63, 64, 65, and an on-off valve 66 is provided in the middle of the pipe 63 and is connected to the evaporator 24. A blowing means 67 such as a blower for blowing decontamination gas is provided in the middle of the pipe 65. The pipe 63 is connected to an outlet chamber 68 provided in the isolator 2, and the first circulation passage 58 communicates with the inside of the isolator 2 via a HEPA filter 69 provided in the outlet chamber 68. ..
Further, the second circulation passage 59 communicating with the pass box 4 is composed of a pipe 71 and the pipe 65, and an on-off valve 72 is provided in the middle of the pipe 71. The pipe 71 is connected to an outlet chamber 73 provided in the pass box 4, and the second circulation passage 59 communicates with the inside of the pass box 4 via a HEPA filter 74 provided in the outlet chamber 73. ing.

Next, the aeration means for removing the decontamination gas remaining inside each of the decontamination means 21, the isolator 2, the pass box 4, and the connecting portion 5 will be described.
The aeration means includes four first to fourth aeration means 81 to 84 in this embodiment.
The first aeration means 81 can aerate the decontamination means 21 and the first to third supply passages 31 to 33, and the second aeration means 82 aerates the inside of the isolator 2. The third aeration means 83 can perform aeration in the pass box 4, and the fourth aeration means 84 can perform aeration in the connection portion 5.
The thick line in FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a flow path used when the first to fourth aeration means 81 to 84 are operated.

The first aeration means 81 that aerates the inside of the decontamination means 21 and the first to third supply passages 31 to 33 includes a branch pipe 87 branched from the connection point between the pipes 51 and 52. , An on-off valve 88 and a catalyst 89 are sequentially provided in the branch pipe 87. The branch pipe 87 constitutes an exhaust passage that is branched from the middle of the supply passages 31 to 33 described above and discharges the gas in the supply passage to the outside.
Further, in the present embodiment, the first aeration means 81 includes a branch pipe 90 branched from the connection point between the pipes 63 and 64, and the HEPA filter 91 and the on-off valve 92 are sequentially connected to the branch pipe 90. It is provided. The branch pipe 90 constitutes an intake passage for introducing outside air into the circulation passages 58 and 59.
Then, the first aeration means 81 operates the blower means 67 with the on-off valves 88 and 92 open to branch the outside air into the branch pipe (intake passage) 90, the HEPA filter 91, the on-off valve 92, and the pipe 64. , 65, blower means 67, evaporator 24, pipes 35, 36, 51, branch pipe (exhaust passage) 87, on-off valve 88 and catalyst 89, thereby forming the inside of them, particularly the decontamination means 21. It is possible to aerate the insides of the evaporator 24 and the first to third supply passages 31 to 33 to remove the hydrogen peroxide component remaining therein.

The second aeration means 82 that aerates the work chamber of the isolator 2 includes an aeration means 82A that supplies outside air into the isolator 2 and a scavenging means 82B that discharges the gas in the isolator 2 to the outside. ..
The air supply means 82A includes a pipe 96 connected to the inlet chamber 39 of the isolator 2, a catalyst 97, a blower 98, and an on-off valve 99 with a flow rate adjusting function sequentially provided in the pipe 96, and the on-off valve 99. When the blower 98 is operated, the outside air is supplied to the inlet chamber 39 via the catalyst 97, the blower 98, the on-off valve 99 and the pipe 96, and further, the isolator is supplied through the HEPA filter 40 in the inlet chamber 39. It is designed so that it can be supplied within 2.
Further, the scavenging means 82B includes a pipe 101 connected to the outlet chamber 68 of the isolator 2, an on-off valve 102 with a flow rate adjusting function, a catalyst 103, and a blower 104 sequentially provided in the pipe 101, and the on-off valve 102. When the blower 104 is operated, the gas in the isolator 2 can be discharged to the outside through the HEPA filter 69, the outlet chamber 68, the pipe 101, the on-off valve 102, the catalyst 103 and the blower 104. It is done like this.

The third aeration means 83 that aerates the work chamber of the pass box 4 includes an air supply means 83A that supplies outside air into the pass box 4 and a scavenging means 83B that discharges the gas in the pass box 4 to the outside. I have.
The air supply means 83A and the scavenging means 83B are configured in the same manner as the air supply means 82A and the scavenging means 82B of the second aeration means 82, but instead of the blowers 98 and 104 of the air supply means 82A and the scavenging means 82B. The only difference is that fans 98'and 104' with a small scavenging volume are used, and the fans 98' and 104'are attached to the entrance chamber 46 and the outlet chamber 73 of the pass box 4 instead of in the middle of piping. There is.
Other configurations are the same as those of the air supply means 82A and the scavenging means 82B, and the same or corresponding components are provided with "'" in the reference numerals used for the air supply means 82A and the scavenging means 82B. Is shown.

Further, the fourth aeration means 84 that aerates the inside of the connection portion 5 includes a part of the configuration of the third supply passage 33 that supplies the decontamination gas to the connection portion 5, and discharges the decontamination gas to the outside. The pipe 60 and the catalyst 62 are used.
That is, the fourth aeration means 84 is connected to the pipe 96 "that is branched from between the on-off valve 53 provided in the pipe 52 that constitutes the third supply passage 33 and the HEPA filter 54 and communicates with the outside air, and the pipe 96". The catalyst 97 ", the blower 98", and the on-off valve 99 "arranged sequentially from the outside air side to the branch point are provided. The on-off valve 99" in the fourth aeration means 84 is the second and third aeration means 82. , 83 Unlike the on-off valves 99 and 99'with a flow rate adjusting function, a simple on-off valve is used.
Further, the fourth aeration means 84 uses the pipe 60 and the catalyst 62 for discharging the decontamination gas from the connection portion 5 to the outside as described above, and these pipes 60 and the catalyst 62 also use the fourth aeration means 84 during aeration. Will be configured.
As will be described again later, the fourth aeration means 84 requires aeration of the connection portion 5 after the decontamination gas is supplied to the connection portion 5 through the third supply passage 33 to decontaminate the connection portion 5. It is designed to be used when

By the way, in the present embodiment, with respect to the isolator 2, the decontamination gas generated by the decontamination means 21 can be supplied into the isolator 2 via the first supply passage 31, and is also supplied into the isolator 2. The decontamination gas can be circulated to the decontamination means 21 via the first circulation passage 58. A part of the decontamination means 21 is formed by the structure for circulating the decontamination gas, and the inside of the isolator 2 can be decontaminated by the decontamination means 21.
On the other hand, when the isolator 2 is aerated to remove the decontamination gas remaining inside the isolator 2, the second aeration means 82 may be operated, and when the decontamination means 21 is aerated, the first The aeration means 81 may be operated.

Then, it is possible to switch between supplying the gas flowing through the first supply passage 31 to the isolator 2 for decontamination, or discharging the gas through the branch pipe (exhaust passage) 87 to the outside air for aeration. In this embodiment, the flow path switching means 111 for switching the flow path is composed of the on-off valve 38 and the on-off valve 88.
That is, by opening the on-off valve 38 and closing the on-off valve 88, the decontamination gas flowing through the supply passage 31 can be supplied into the isolator 2 via the on-off valve 38, while the on-off valve 38 is closed. By opening the on-off valve 88 at the same time and switching the flow path, the gas flowing through the supply passage 31 can be discharged to the outside through the on-off valve 88.
At the same time, it is possible to switch between circulating the decontamination gas in the isolator 2 through the decontamination means 21 and supplying outside air to the decontamination means 21 for aeration. Then, the flow path switching means 112 for switching the flow path is composed of the on-off valve 66 and the on-off valve 92.
That is, by opening the on-off valve 66 and closing the on-off valve 92, the decontamination gas in the isolator 2 can be returned to the decontamination means 21 via the on-off valve 66, and the on-off valve 66 is closed and the on-off valve is closed. By opening 92 and switching the flow path, outside air can be circulated to the decontamination means 21 via the branch pipe (intake passage) 90, the on-off valve 92, and the first circulation passage 58.

Further, in the present embodiment, the decontamination gas generated by the decontamination means 21 can be supplied to the work chamber of the pass box 4 via the second supply passage 32, and the pass box 4 can also be supplied. The decontamination gas supplied to the work chamber can be circulated to the decontamination means 21 via the second circulation passage 59. A part of the decontamination means 21 is formed by the structure for circulating the decontamination gas, and the inside of the pass box 4 can be decontaminated by the decontamination means 21.
On the other hand, when aerating the work chamber of the pass box 4 to remove the decontamination gas remaining inside the pass box 4, the third aeration means 83 may be operated, and at the same time, the decontamination means 21 is aerated. In that case, the first aeration means 81 may be operated.

Then, the gas flowing through the second supply passage 32 is supplied to the pass box 4 for decontamination, or the gas is discharged to the outside air through the branch pipe (exhaust passage) 87 to aerate the decontamination means 21. It is possible to switch whether to perform the operation, and in this embodiment, the flow path switching means 113 for switching the flow path is composed of the on-off valve 45 and the on-off valve 88.
That is, by opening the on-off valve 45 and closing the on-off valve 88, the decontamination gas flowing through the second supply passage 32 can be supplied to the work chamber of the pass box 4 via the on-off valve 45, and the on-off valve 45 can be opened and closed. By closing the valve 45 and opening the on-off valve 88 to switch the flow path, the gas flowing through the second supply passage 32 can be discharged to the outside through the branch pipe (exhaust passage) 87.
At the same time, it is possible to switch between circulating the decontamination gas in the pass box 4 through the decontamination means 21 and supplying outside air to the decontamination means 21 for aeration. Then, the flow path switching means 114 for switching the flow path is composed of the on-off valve 72 and the on-off valve 92.
That is, by opening the on-off valve 72 and closing the on-off valve 92, the decontamination gas in the pass box 4 can be returned to the decontamination means 21 via the on-off valve 72, and the on-off valve 72 is closed and opened / closed. By opening the valve 92 and switching the flow path, the outside air can be circulated to the decontamination means 21 via the branch pipe (intake passage) 90 and the second circulation passage 59.

In the above configuration, when the incubator 3 is connected to the isolator 2 via the connecting portion 5, and the inside of the isolator 2, the connecting portion 5, the incubator 3 and the pass box 4 are all decontaminated at the same time, The opening / closing door 13 communicating with the outside of the pass box 4 is closed, and all the other opening / closing doors 7, 9 and 12 are opened, and the inside of the isolator 2, the connection portion 5, the incubator 3 and the pass box 4 are mutually connected. To communicate with.
In this state, when a command to start decontamination is given to a control device (not shown), the control device becomes a switch 38 of the first supply passage 31 and an on-off valve 45 of the second supply passage 32 communicating with the decontamination means 21. The on-off valves 66 and 72 of the first and second circulation passages 58 and 59 are opened. At this time, the on-off valve 53 of the third supply passage 33 and the on-off valve 61 provided in the pipe 60 are closed so that the decontamination gas is not supplied from the third supply passage 33 to the connection portion 5. .. The decontamination of the connection portion 5 and the incubator 3 is performed by the decontamination gas supplied into the isolator 2 as described below.
On the other hand, the on-off valves 88 and 92 of the first aeration means 81 are closed, and the on-off valves 99 and 99'of the air supply means 82A and 83A of the second aeration means 82 and the third aeration means 83 are closed. The on-off valves 102 and 102'of the scavenging means 82B and 83B are also closed.

In this state, when the blower means 67 is started, the pump 25 of the decontamination means 21 is started, and the hydrogen peroxide solution in the container 23 is supplied and dropped to the evaporator 24 and evaporated, the evaporator 24 starts. A decontamination gas is generated, and the decontamination gas is supplied into the isolator 2 via the first supply passage 31.
Then, the decontamination gas supplied into the isolator 2 is returned to the evaporator 24 of the decontamination means 21 via the first circulation passage 58, and is again together with the decontamination gas newly generated by the evaporator 24. It is supplied into the isolator 2. In this way, the decontamination gas is circulated and supplied into the isolator 2 to perform decontamination in the work chamber of the isolator 2. At the same time, the decontamination gas supplied into the isolator 2 is supplied into the connection portion 5 via the open opening / closing door 7, and further supplied into the incubator 3 through the open opening / closing door 9. , Decontaminate the inside of the connection part 5 and the inside of the incubator 3.
Further, the decontamination gas generated in the evaporator 24 is supplied into the pass box 4 through the second supply passage 32 and is returned to the evaporator 24 through the second circulation passage 59 to evaporate. It is supplied to the pass box 4 again together with the decontamination gas newly generated in the vessel 24. In this way, the decontamination gas is circulated and supplied into the pass box 4, and decontamination of the work chamber of the pass box 4 is executed.

When the required time has elapsed and all the decontamination in the isolator 2, the connection portion 5, the incubator 3 and the pass box 4 is completed, the pump 25 of the decontamination means 21 is stopped and the first to third aerations are performed. Means 81 to 83 are operated to aerate each part. At this time, the fourth aeration means 84 is not operated.
When the first aeration means 81 is operated, the flow paths of the flow path switching means 111 to 114 are switched, the on-off valves 38, 45, 66, 72 are closed, and the on-off valves 88, 92 are opened.
As a result, outside air is introduced from the branch pipe (intake passage) 90 constituting the first aeration means 81, and the outside air is supplied to the evaporator 24 of the decontamination means 21 via the pipes 64 and 65, and the evaporator 24 and the first The decontamination gas remaining in the pipes 35 and 36 constituting the first and second supply passages 31 and 32 is discharged to the outside through the branch pipe (exhaust passage) 87. As a result, the decontamination means 21 is aerated.

At the same time, when the second aeration means 82 is operated, the on-off valves 99 and 102 are opened with a large opening, the blowers 98 and 104 are activated, and the outside air enters the isolator 2 via the air supply means 82A. At the same time as being supplied, the decontamination gas remaining in the isolator 2 is discharged to the outside via the scavenging means 82B. As a result, the aeration in the isolator 2 is executed. At this time, since the opening / closing doors 7 and 9 are open, the aeration in the incubator 3 and the connecting portion 5 is also executed at the same time.
On the other hand, the third aeration means 83 is also operated at the same time, the on-off valves 99'and 102' are opened with a large opening, the fans 98' and 104' are activated, and the outside air is sent through the air supply means 83A. The decontamination gas remaining in the pass box 4 is discharged to the outside via the scavenging means 83B while being supplied into the pass box 4. As a result, aeration in the pass box 4 is executed.

When the required time elapses and the aeration in the isolator 2, the incubator 3, the connection portion 5, and the pass box 4 is completed, the on-off valves 99, 102, 99', 102'of the second and third aeration means 82, 83 The opening degree is adjusted to an appropriate opening degree. As a result, the pressure in the work chamber of the isolator 2 and the pressure in the work chamber of the pass box 4 are maintained as positive pressures with respect to the external pressure by the outside air supplied from the blower 98 and the fan 98'.
This positive pressure is continuously maintained during the use of the isolator 2 and the pass box 4, respectively, and the positive pressure is obtained by adjusting the opening degree of the on-off valves 99, 102, 99', 102'. Not only that, it may be obtained by adjusting the air volume of the blower 98 or the fan 98'.
Further, the opening / closing doors 7, 9 and 12 that have been opened are appropriately opened / closed according to each work in the isolator 2, the incubator 3 and the pass box 4.
On the other hand, when the aeration of the decontamination means 21 is completed, the operation of the first aeration means 81 is stopped, the operation of the blower means 67 is stopped, and the on-off valves 88 and 92 are closed.

In this embodiment, the decontamination means 21 is aerated by the first aeration means 81, and the isolator 2, the incubator 3, the connection portion 5 and the pass box 4 are aerated by the second and third aeration means 82 and 83. Therefore, the aeration of the isolator 2, the incubator 3, and the connection portion 5 can be completed in a short time as compared with the case where all of them are executed by one aeration means.
At that time, even if the aeration work of the decontamination means 21 by the first aeration means 81 is not completed, as soon as the aeration of the isolator 2, the incubator 3 and the pass box 4 is completed, various types using them are immediately completed. You can start working.
Further, even while the isolator 2, the incubator 3, and the pass box 4 are being used, when the aeration of the decontamination means 21 by the first aeration means 81 is completed, the preparation for the next decontamination work by the decontamination means 21 is started. Can be done. As an example, it usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes to heat the evaporator 24 from room temperature to a required temperature, but even when the isolator 2, the incubator 3, and the pass box 4 are in use, the evaporator 24 and the pipe 35, It is possible to raise the heater such as 36 to a set temperature and make it stand by while sending a constant amount of air by the blowing means 67. This makes it possible to prevent dew condensation of the decontamination gas (hydrogen peroxide vapor) inside the supply passage at the time of the next decontamination, so that the isolator 2, the incubator 3, and the pass box 4 can be used. When finished, the decontamination gas can be supplied promptly.

By the way, while using the isolator 2, when a sealed container (not shown) containing the contents such as cells in a sterile state is carried into the isolator 2, the pass box 4 is opened and closed with the opening / closing door 12 closed. The door 13 may be opened and the sealed container may be carried into the pass box 4.
Then, when the sealed container is carried into the pass box 4 and the opening / closing door 13 is closed, the third aeration means 83 is stopped, and the second supply passage 32 and the second circulation passage 59 are opened and removed in this state. The dyeing means 21 and the blowing means 67 are activated. As a result, the decontamination gas generated by the decontamination means 21 is circulated between the second supply passage 32, the pass box 4, the second circulation passage 59 and the decontamination means 21 to circulate the decontamination gas in the work chamber of the pass box 4 and the sealed container. The outer surface can be decontaminated.
After decontaminating the work chamber of the pass box 4 and the outer surface of the sealed container, the pump 25 of the decontamination means 21 is stopped, the second supply passage 32 and the second circulation passage 59 are closed, and the first aeration is further performed. The means 81 and the third aeration means 83 are operated.
When the first aeration means 81 is operated, outside air is introduced from the branch pipe 90 of the intake passage constituting the first aeration means 81 as described above, and the outside air is decontaminated through the pipes 64 and 65. The decontamination gas supplied to the evaporator 24 of the above is discharged to the outside through the pipes 35, 36, 51 and the branch pipe (exhaust passage) 87. As a result, the decontamination means 21 is aerated.

On the other hand, when the third aeration means 83 is operated, the on-off valves 99'and 102' are opened and the fans 98' and 104' are activated, and the outside air is supplied into the pass box 4 via the air supply means 83A. At the same time, the decontamination gas remaining in the pass box 4 is discharged to the outside via the scavenging means 83B. As a result, aeration in the pass box 4 is executed.
When the aeration in the pass box 4 is completed, the openings of the on-off valves 99'and 102'of the third aeration means 83 are adjusted to appropriate openings, respectively, and the outside air supplied from the fan 98'in the pass box 4 Pressure is maintained at positive pressure.
Then, in this state, the opening / closing door 12 can be opened and the sealed container in the pass box 4 can be carried into the isolator 2.
Even at this time, even if the aeration of the decontamination means 21 by the first aeration means 81 is not completed, the sealed container can be carried into the isolator 2 from the pass box 4.

Further, when the contents in the incubator 3 separated from the connection portion 5 are carried into the isolator 2, or the contents in the isolator 2 are carried into a new incubator 3 separated, first. The incubator 3 is connected to the connection part 5. At this time, the opening / closing doors 7 and 9 are closed.
After connecting the incubator 3 to the connecting portion 5, the decontamination gas is supplied into the connecting portion 5 via the third supply passage 33. That is, the on-off valves 53 and 61 are opened, and the decontamination means 21 and the blower means 67 are activated. As a result, the decontamination gas generated by the decontamination means 21 can be supplied to the connecting portion 5 via the third supply passage 33, whereby the inside of the connecting portion 5 can be decontaminated.
Then, the decontamination gas supplied into the connection portion 5 is discharged to the outside via the pipe 60 and the catalyst 62.

When the decontamination in the connection portion 5 is completed in this way, the operation of the pump 25 of the decontamination means 21 is stopped, and the aeration and the third of the decontamination means 21 and the third supply passage 33 by the first aeration means 81 are continued. 4 Aeration in the connecting portion 5 by the aeration means 84 is performed at the same time. The aeration by the first aeration means 81 is not different from the above.
On the other hand, at the time of aeration in the connecting portion 5 by the fourth aeration means 84, the on-off valve 99 "provided in the pipe 96" is opened and the blower 98 "is activated, and the outside air is the catalyst 97" and the on-off valve 99 ". , Is supplied into the connecting portion 5 via the pipe 96 ”and the pipe 52, and is further discharged from the connecting portion 5 to the outside via the pipe 60, the on-off valve 61 and the catalyst 62.
When the aeration of the connecting portion 5 is completed in this way, the opening / closing doors 7 and 9 can be opened to move the contents between the isolator 2 and the incubator 3.

In the above embodiment, the first aeration means 81 includes a branch pipe 87 forming an exhaust passage and a branch pipe 90 forming an intake passage, but the branch pipe 90 forming the intake passage may be omitted. .. In this case, the air supply means 82A and 83A are operated to supply the decontamination gas in the isolator 2 and the pass box 4 to the decontamination means 21 via the circulation passages 58 and 59. The decontamination gas remaining in the means 21 is not supplied into the isolator 2 or the pass box 4, but is discharged to the outside from the branch pipe 87 forming the exhaust passage, so that the decontamination gas remains in the isolator 2 or the pass box 4. It is possible to shorten the time required for aeration as compared with the case of supplying dyed gas.
Further, the operation of the fourth aeration means 84 is not limited to the operation of the above-described embodiment, and may be operated each time the aeration of the connecting portion 5 is required.
Further, since the internal volume of the connecting portion 5 is small, the pipe 96 ", the catalyst 97", the blower 98 ", and the on-off valve 99" provided in the pipe 96 "of the fourth aeration means 84 may be omitted. In this case, when it is necessary to aerate only the connecting portion 5, the on-off valve 88 of the first aeration means 81 is closed, and the gas from the pipe 51 is discharged from the pipe 60 to the outside via the connecting portion 5. The aeration of the connecting portion 5 may be performed at the same time as the aeration of the decontamination means 24 and the first to third supply passages 31 to 33.

1 Isolator system 2 Isolator 3 Incubator 4 Pass box 5 Connection 21 Decontamination means 31 1st supply passage 32 2nd supply passage 33 3rd supply passage 58 1st circulation passage 59 2nd circulation passage 67 Blower means 81 1st aeration means 82 Second aeration means 82A, 83A Air supply means 82B, 83B Scavenging means 83 Third aeration means 84 Fourth aeration means 87 Branch piping (exhaust passage) 90 Branch piping (intake passage)
111-114 Flow path switching means

Claims (1)

Decontamination means by connecting an isolator or pass box in which the internal working room is maintained in a sterile state, an evaporator having an evaporator for generating decontamination gas, and the evaporator of the decontamination means and the working room to decontaminate. The supply passage for supplying gas to the work room, the circulation passage for connecting the work room and the evaporator to circulate the gas in the work chamber to the evaporator, and the decontamination gas generated by the evaporator are described above. It is composed of an air blowing means for circulating the outside air to the evaporator through a supply passage, a work room and a circulation passage, an air supply means for supplying outside air to the work room, and an air sweeping means for discharging gas in the work room to the outside. In an isolator system with aeration means to aerate the work room
One of an exhaust passage that is branched from the middle of the supply passage and discharges the gas in the supply passage to the outside, and a flow path that allows the gas to flow from the supply passage to the work room and a flow path that allows the gas to flow to the exhaust passage. It is provided with a first flow path switching means for switching to the flow path of
In either the intake passage that is branched from the middle of the circulation passage and takes in the outside air into the circulation passage, or the flow path that allows the gas to flow from the work room to the circulation passage or the flow path that flows from the intake passage. A second flow path switching means for switching is provided.
After decontaminating by supplying decontamination gas to the above work room
The first flow path switching means switches the flow path so that the gas flows from the supply passage to the exhaust passage, and the second flow path switching means switches the flow path so that the outside air flows from the intake passage to the circulation passage. In this state, the outside air is circulated from the intake passage to the evaporator through the circulation passage by the ventilation means, and the outside air is discharged from the supply passage to the outside through the exhaust passage to provide the evaporator and the supply passage. At the same time as aerating
The upper SL aeration means, isolator system and aeration of the evaporator and the supply passage, characterized in that aerating separately the working chamber.

Images