WO2024241953A1 - 培養装置及び湿度センサの校正方法 - Google Patents

培養装置及び湿度センサの校正方法 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024241953A1
WO2024241953A1 PCT/JP2024/017703 JP2024017703W WO2024241953A1 WO 2024241953 A1 WO2024241953 A1 WO 2024241953A1 JP 2024017703 W JP2024017703 W JP 2024017703W WO 2024241953 A1 WO2024241953 A1 WO 2024241953A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
humidity
culture chamber
culture
equilibrium
temperature
Prior art date
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Ceased
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PCT/JP2024/017703
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English (en)
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
春花 天満
章博 太田
嗣正 樋富
雄太 酒井
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PHC Holdings Corp
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PHC Holdings Corp
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by PHC Holdings Corp filed Critical PHC Holdings Corp
Priority to CN202480026202.5A priority Critical patent/CN121002170A/zh
Priority to EP24810960.5A priority patent/EP4671354A1/en
Priority to JP2025522325A priority patent/JPWO2024241953A1/ja
Publication of WO2024241953A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024241953A1/ja
Priority to US19/345,746 priority patent/US20260029261A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D18/00—Testing or calibrating apparatus or arrangements provided for in groups G01D1/00 - G01D15/00
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M41/00—Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation
    • C12M41/12—Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation of temperature
    • C12M41/14—Incubators; Climatic chambers
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M41/00—Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation
    • C12M41/30—Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation of concentration
    • C12M41/34—Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation of concentration of gas
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D2218/00—Indexing scheme relating to details of testing or calibration
    • G01D2218/10—Testing of sensors or measuring arrangements

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates to a culture device and a method for calibrating a humidity sensor.
  • a heater and a steam supply device are used to maintain the desired temperature (e.g., 37°C) and humidity (e.g., 95% RH) inside the culture chamber (e.g., Patent Document 1).
  • the culture device uses a humidity sensor to measure the humidity inside the culture chamber and maintain it at the desired humidity.
  • Humidity sensors change over time, and regular calibration (adjustment) is essential to maintain their accuracy.
  • calibration requires another measuring device to measure humidity, and measuring devices that can measure high humidity with high accuracy are very expensive, making it difficult for users to perform and manage calibration on their own.
  • the purpose of this disclosure is to provide an incubation device and a method for calibrating a humidity sensor that allows the humidity sensor to be calibrated without using other measuring devices.
  • the culture device is a first steam supply unit that humidifies the inside of the culture chamber; A humidity sensor for detecting humidity in the culture chamber; a calibration unit that adjusts the humidity in the culture chamber to a known equilibrium humidity by the first vapor supply unit and calibrates the humidity sensor based on an actual measurement value of the humidity sensor and the equilibrium humidity; Equipped with.
  • a method for calibrating a humidity sensor includes: A method for calibrating a humidity sensor that detects humidity in a culture chamber, comprising the steps of: Humidifying the culture chamber to bring the humidity in the culture chamber to a known equilibrium humidity; The humidity in the culture chamber that has been brought to the equilibrium humidity is detected by the humidity sensor; The humidity sensor is calibrated based on the actual measurement value of the humidity sensor and the equilibrium humidity.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a culture apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • 2 is a front view showing an outline of the inside of the culture chamber of the culture apparatus shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the culture device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the right side.
  • 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for calibrating a humidity sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a culture device 1 according to the present embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a front view showing an overview of the inside of the culture chamber 20 of the culture device 1 shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the culture device 1 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the right side.
  • the side that the user faces when in use is the front side (front side) of the culture device 1, and the opposite side is the rear side (rear side) of the culture device 1.
  • the left and right sides when the user views the culture device 1 from the front are the left and right sides of the culture device 1.
  • the side away from the surface on which the culture device 1 is placed is the upper side (top side) of the culture device 1, and the opposite side is the lower side (bottom side) of the culture device 1.
  • the culture device 1 is a device for culturing cultures such as cells or microorganisms in a culture chamber 20 formed inside a substantially box-shaped housing 10.
  • the temperature, humidity, O2 (oxygen) concentration, and CO2 (carbon dioxide) concentration are each maintained within an appropriate range so as to provide an appropriate atmosphere for culturing the culture.
  • the housing 10 includes an inner box 11, an outer box 12, an outer door 13, an inner door 14, and a front panel 15.
  • the inner box 11 is generally box-shaped, has a culture chamber 20 inside, and has an opening 21 for the culture chamber 20 on the front.
  • the outer box 12 is generally box-shaped, and covers the outside of the inner box 11 except for the opening 21.
  • the inner box 11 and the outer box 12 are formed from metal plates.
  • a thermal insulator 16 is disposed between the inner box 11 and the outer box 12. The thermal insulator 16 is formed by bonding a number of plate-shaped thermal insulators together, for example, with an adhesive.
  • the outer door 13 and the inner door 14 open and close the opening 21.
  • a packing P is placed on the outer edge of the outer door 13.
  • the front panel 15 is disposed on the front of the inner box 11 and the outer box 12, and connects the inner box 11 and the outer box 12 at the periphery of the opening 21.
  • the front panel 15 is a frame-shaped plate member with a roughly rectangular outer periphery, and connects the front end of the inner box 11 and the front end of the outer box 12 around the entire periphery of the opening 21.
  • the housing 10 has a heating section 30 that heats the culture chamber 20.
  • the heating section 30 has multiple heaters, each formed in a plate shape.
  • the heating section 30 has heaters 31-34 and a side heater (not shown). These heaters 31-34 and side heaters are used in the normal operation mode, dry heat sterilization operation mode, and calibration mode, which will be described later, and are controlled so that the temperature distribution within the culture chamber 20 is uniform.
  • Heaters 31 to 33 and the side heaters are arranged on the outside of the inner box 11. Specifically, heater 31 is arranged on the top surface of the inner box 11. Heater 32 is arranged on the bottom surface of the inner box 11. Heater 33 is arranged on the back surface of the inner box 11. The side heaters are arranged on the right and left sides of the inner box 11. Heater 34 is arranged on the surface of the outer door 13 facing the opening 21.
  • the heaters 31 to 34 and side heaters described above each have, for example, a metal plate and a cord heater.
  • the cord heater is arranged so that the temperature distribution of the metal plate is uniform.
  • the cord heater itself may consist of a single cord heater, or may consist of multiple cord heaters connected in series.
  • the heating unit 30 described above is one example, and the number and arrangement of the heaters constituting the heating unit 30, the configuration of the heaters themselves, etc. can be changed as appropriate. For example, since the amount of heat emitted from the opening 21 is greater than the amount of heat emitted from other parts, further heaters may be provided around the opening 21 to compensate for this.
  • a duct 22 is disposed on the inner rear surface of the inner box 11, extending vertically.
  • a gas passage K is formed inside the duct 22.
  • a circulation blower 23 is disposed in this gas passage K. By operating the circulation blower 23, air in the culture chamber 20 is sucked in through an intake port 22a formed in the upper part of the duct 22, and this air is blown out into the culture chamber 20 from an exhaust port 22b provided in the lower part of the duct 22. This results in forced circulation of air as indicated by the thick arrows.
  • a temperature sensor 24 and gas supply devices 25a, 25b are disposed inside the duct 22.
  • the temperature sensor 24 detects the temperature of the culture chamber 20. Specifically, the temperature sensor 24 is disposed near the intake port 22a and detects the temperature of the air sucked in through the intake port 22a.
  • the gas supply devices 25 a and 25 b supply adjustment gases (O 2 gas, N 2 (nitrogen) gas, and CO 2 gas) for adjusting the O 2 gas concentration and CO 2 gas concentration in the culture chamber 20 to the culture chamber 20 .
  • adjustment gases O 2 gas, N 2 (nitrogen) gas, and CO 2 gas
  • a humidity sensor 26 is disposed on the inner rear surface of the culture chamber 20.
  • the humidity sensor 26 detects the humidity in the culture chamber 20.
  • the humidity sensor 26 is disposed on the lower part of the inner rear surface of the culture chamber 20, to the left of the air outlet 22b.
  • the position of the humidity sensor 26 shown in FIG. 2 is one example, and can be changed as appropriate.
  • a humidification tray D is placed between the lower part of the duct 22 and the bottom surface of the inner box 11 to store liquid (specifically, water) that will become the steam for humidification.
  • the water stored in the humidification tray D (hereafter referred to as stored water) is sterilized by irradiating it with ultraviolet light from a UV lamp (not shown).
  • the water stored in the humidification tray D evaporates (naturally vaporizes) in approximately proportion to the difference between the saturated vapor pressure according to the temperature of the water and the vapor pressure of the water in the gas phase inside the culture chamber 20.
  • the humidification tray D constitutes a steam supply unit (first steam supply unit in this disclosure) that supplies steam to the culture chamber 20 by natural evaporation.
  • first steam supply unit in this disclosure
  • the water stored in the humidifying tray D may be heated by a heater 32 disposed on the outside bottom surface of the inner box 11 to change the temperature of the water.
  • the humidifying tray D and the heater 32 constitute a steam supply unit 60 (first steam supply unit in this disclosure) that supplies steam to the culture chamber 20 by natural evaporation.
  • the temperature of the water stored in the humidifying tray D is detected by a water temperature sensor 28 described later.
  • the heater 32 warms the water stored in the humidifying tray D to a temperature below the boiling point, so it is called heating.
  • the water stored in the humidifying tray D is heated by the heater 32 and naturally evaporated.
  • steam is supplied to the culture chamber 20 by natural evaporation, so the amount of steam supplied changes depending on the humidity of the culture chamber 20, and the humidity of the culture chamber 20 eventually reaches an equilibrium state at a predetermined humidity.
  • humidification is performed using a steam supply unit 60 having a humidification tray D and a heater 32.
  • humidification may be performed using a steam supply unit having only a humidification tray D without using the heater 32 (without heating).
  • the rear and bottom of the outer box 12 of the housing 10 are covered with a cover 17.
  • the space between the rear of the outer box 12 and the cover 17 forms a machine room M in which various devices are placed.
  • An electrical box 17a is provided in the machine room M.
  • the electrical box 17a houses the control device 40 and the like.
  • the culture device 1 further includes a steam supply device 18, a dehumidifying member 19, an outside air temperature sensor 27, and a water temperature sensor 28.
  • the outside air temperature sensor 27 detects the temperature around the culture device 1.
  • the water temperature sensor 28 detects the temperature of the water stored in the humidifying tray D. The temperature of the water stored in the humidifying tray D may be estimated based on the output (e.g., the amount of electricity) of the heater 32 that heats the stored water, in which case the water temperature sensor 28 does not need to be installed.
  • the steam supply device 18 supplies steam to the culture chamber 20.
  • the steam supply device 18 includes a steam generation section 18a and a steam delivery section 18b.
  • the steam generating unit 18a is disposed in the electrical equipment box 17a and has a heater (not shown). Water is supplied to the steam generating unit 18a from a tank (not shown) in which water for generating steam is stored by a pump (not shown), and the water is heated by the heater and evaporated to generate steam.
  • the steam supply unit 18b is tubular and supplies the steam generated by the steam generating unit 18a to the culture chamber 20.
  • the water supplied from the tank is heated by a heater and forced to evaporate.
  • heating because the water supplied from the tank is heated to a temperature above its boiling point and evaporated.
  • the steam generation unit 18a and steam delivery unit 18b of the steam supply device 18 constitute a steam supply unit (second steam supply unit in this disclosure) that supplies steam to the culture chamber 20 by forced evaporation. Because the steam supply device 18 supplies steam to the culture chamber 20 by forced evaporation, the amount of steam supplied is not dependent on the humidity of the culture chamber 20, and the desired amount of steam can be supplied.
  • control device 40 controls the pump to adjust the amount of water per unit time supplied to the steam generating unit 18a, and adjust the amount of steam per unit time supplied to the culture chamber 20.
  • the dehumidifying member 19 dehumidifies the culture chamber 20 to prevent condensation therein, and functions as a humidity control section.
  • the dehumidifying member 19 is a metal rod.
  • a first end of the dehumidifying member 19 is located above the humidification tray D in the culture chamber 20.
  • a second end of the dehumidifying member 19 is located inside the electrical box 17a.
  • a cooling device 19a e.g., a Peltier element
  • a heat insulating material 19b is wrapped around the first and second ends of the dehumidifying member 19.
  • the control device 40 controls the cooling device 19a so that the temperature of the first end of the dehumidifying member 19 is lower than the indoor temperature of the culture chamber 20 based on the detection values of the temperature sensor 24 inside the culture chamber 20 and the outside air temperature sensor 27. If the humidity in the culture chamber 20 becomes relatively high, water droplets will form only on the first end of the dehumidifying member 19. In other words, it is possible to prevent condensation from occurring in other parts of the culture chamber 20 (for example, the inner surface of the inner box 11) and on the culture.
  • the dehumidifying member 19 may be controlled based on the detection value of the humidity sensor 26.
  • the cooling device 19a is controlled so that the temperature of the first end of the dehumidifying member 19 becomes lower than the indoor temperature of the culture chamber 20. This allows the humidity in the culture chamber 20 to be increased early when the detection value of the humidity sensor 26 is lower than the above-mentioned predetermined threshold value.
  • the predetermined threshold value is a value lower than 100% RH, for example, 90% RH.
  • Water droplets that form at the first end of the dehumidifying member 19 fall into the humidifying tray D and are sterilized by exposure to ultraviolet light from the UV lamp. Therefore, even if water droplets form, they are prevented from adversely affecting the culture.
  • the culture device 1 receives instructions to start and stop the culture device 1, settings of the operation mode, and input of various set values of the culture chamber 20 from the operation unit 50 provided on the outer door 13.
  • the various set values of the culture chamber 20 are the set temperature, set humidity, set concentration of O2 gas, set concentration of CO2 gas, etc.
  • the control device 40 controls the circulation blower 23, gas supply devices 25a, 25b, heating unit 30, etc. based on the input from the operation unit 50.
  • the control device 40 functions as a calibration unit that calibrates the humidity sensor 26 in a calibration mode described later.
  • the operation unit 50 has a display unit that displays the state of the culture device 1.
  • the culture device 1 has at least a normal operation mode (culture operation mode), a dry heat sterilization operation mode, and a calibration mode as its operation modes. These operation modes are selected by the user operating the operation unit 50.
  • the normal operation mode is a mode in which the circulation fan 23, the gas supply devices 25a, 25b, the heating unit 30, the steam supply device 18, the dehumidifying member 19, the steam supply unit 60, etc. are operated so that the inside of the culture chamber 20 is at a culture atmosphere, culture humidity, and culture temperature suitable for culturing the culture product.
  • the culture atmosphere O2 , N2 , and CO2 gas concentrations
  • culture humidity, and culture temperature are set by the user inputting them through the operation unit 50.
  • water is stored in the humidifying tray D, and the inside of the culture chamber 20 is humidified to a culture humidity (e.g., 95% RH), and the temperature inside the culture chamber 20 is maintained at a culture temperature (e.g., 37°C).
  • the dry heat sterilization operation mode is a mode in which the circulation blower 23 and the heating unit 30 are operated to dry heat sterilize the inside of the culture chamber 20.
  • the humidification tray D is emptied in order to perform dry heat sterilization, and the temperature inside the culture chamber 20 is maintained at the sterilization temperature (e.g., 180°C).
  • the calibration mode is a mode in which the humidity sensor 26 is calibrated by operating the steam supply device 18, the steam supply unit 60, etc., so that the inside of the culture chamber 20 is kept in a constant humidity environment.
  • the method of calibrating the humidity sensor 26 in the calibration mode is described below with reference to FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for calibrating the humidity sensor 26 according to this embodiment.
  • the user operates the operation unit 50 to select the calibration mode, and the following steps are performed.
  • the calibration mode a sufficient amount of water is required to bring the humidity in the culture chamber 20 to equilibrium humidity, so for example, the display unit of the operation unit 50 displays a message to place a humidification tray D filled with water or to supply water to the humidification tray D.
  • Step S11 The control device 40 sets the humidity in the culture chamber 20 to an equilibrium humidity (e.g., 95% RH).
  • the equilibrium humidity is determined in advance and is automatically set when the user selects the calibration mode.
  • the set temperature in the culture chamber 20 is also automatically set, and the control device 40 controls the heating unit 30 so that the set temperature is reached.
  • the equilibrium humidity will be explained.
  • the inside of the culture chamber 20 reaches equilibrium and stabilizes at a humidity determined by the temperature inside the culture chamber 20 and the temperature of the stored water in the humidification tray D.
  • the humidity at equilibrium is called the equilibrium humidity.
  • the equilibrium humidity determined by the temperature inside the culture chamber 20 and the temperature of the stored water in the humidification tray D is determined in advance. For example, in the manufacturing process of the culture device 1, the above-mentioned equilibrium temperature is determined when its operation is confirmed.
  • the control device 40 controls the heating unit 30 to control the temperature inside the culture chamber 20 and the temperature of the stored water in the humidification tray D to achieve the equilibrium humidity.
  • the maximum equilibrium humidity that can be reached within the culture chamber 20 (maximum equilibrium humidity) is determined in advance and used as the equilibrium humidity.
  • the equilibrium humidity is determined by the temperature within the culture chamber 20 and the temperature of the stored water in the humidification tray D, and can therefore be changed depending on the combination of the temperature within the culture chamber 20 and the temperature of the stored water in the humidification tray D.
  • the maximum equilibrium humidity is uniquely determined by the configuration of the culture device 1. Therefore, the maximum equilibrium humidity can be used as the most reliable reference humidity when calibrating the humidity sensor 26.
  • the maximum equilibrium humidity is uniquely determined once at least the volume of the culture chamber 20, the surface area of the humidification tray D, and the output (e.g., the amount of electricity) of the heater 32 arranged on the bottom surface of the inner box 11 are determined.
  • the maximum equilibrium humidity is basically uniquely determined by the humidification by the steam supply unit 60 (the water stored in the humidification tray D).
  • the maximum equilibrium humidity in that case is uniquely determined.
  • the maximum equilibrium humidity is basically uniquely determined by the humidification by the steam supply unit 60 (the stored water in the humidification tray D) and the dehumidification by the dehumidifying member 19.
  • the maximum equilibrium humidity is used as the equilibrium humidity, but as described above, the equilibrium humidity is determined by the temperature inside the culture chamber 20 and the temperature of the water stored in the humidification tray D, so a known equilibrium humidity other than the maximum equilibrium humidity determined in advance may be used. Also, although this will require time for calibration, multiple known equilibrium humidities, including the maximum equilibrium humidity, may be used as the equilibrium humidity.
  • Step S12 The control device 40 humidifies (rapidly humidifies) the inside of the culture chamber 20 to 80% RH using the steam supply device 18 that performs forced evaporation. At this time, the control device 40 humidifies the inside of the culture chamber 20 to 80% RH with reference to the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 26.
  • 80% RH is a humidity that does not exceed the equilibrium humidity and is a guideline humidity for switching to the steam supply unit 60 that performs natural evaporation, and as long as the humidity sensor 26 before calibration detects 80% RH, the actual humidity does not have to be 80% RH.
  • 80% RH is an example, and may be changed according to the equilibrium humidity that is set, for example.
  • humidification by the steam supply device 18 is not essential.
  • the humidity in the culture chamber 20 is high when the calibration mode is started, e.g., 80% RH or higher, this step S12 may be skipped.
  • the humidity in the culture chamber 20 is not high when the calibration mode is started, e.g., less than 80% RH, it is better to execute this step S12 in order to shorten the time required for the calibration mode.
  • Step S13 The control device 40 uses the steam supply unit 60 that performs natural evaporation to humidify the inside of the culture chamber 20.
  • the inside of the culture chamber 20 is in an equilibrium state at an equilibrium humidity determined by the temperature inside the culture chamber 20 and the temperature of the water stored in the humidifying tray D, and is stable.
  • Step S14 The control device 40 checks whether 60 minutes have passed since the calibration mode started. If 60 minutes have passed (YES), proceed to step S15, and if 60 minutes have not passed (NO), return to step S13.
  • 60 minutes is an example, and in this embodiment, it is the time it takes for the humidity in the culture chamber 20 to reach 85% RH or more if the steam supply device 18 and the steam supply unit 60 operate without any problems. In other words, the time in this step may be set to the time it takes for the humidity in the culture chamber 20 to reach a high humidity, for example, 85% RH, and may be changed depending on the equilibrium humidity to be set.
  • Step S15 The control device 40 uses the humidity sensor 26 to check whether the humidity in the culture chamber 20 is 85% RH or more. If it is 85% RH or more (YES), proceed to step S16, and if it is not 85% RH or more (NO), proceed to step S19.
  • the control device 40 also uses the humidity sensor 26 to check whether the humidity in the culture chamber 20 is 85% RH or more.
  • 85% RH is a guideline humidity for checking whether the humidity in the culture chamber 20 has become high, and as long as the humidity sensor 26 before calibration detects 85% RH, the actual humidity does not have to be 85% RH.
  • 85% RH is an example, and may be changed according to the set equilibrium humidity, for example.
  • control device 40 monitors the humidity inside the culture chamber 20 and checks whether the humidity inside the culture chamber 20 is high, taking into account the following example cases, etc.
  • the control device 40 repeats humidification in step S13 and checking the humidity in this step S15 for 180 minutes, as specified in step S19 described below. If the humidity inside the culture chamber 20 has not reached high humidity even after 180 minutes have passed, the control device 40 proceeds to step S20 described below and displays an error.
  • the control device 40 repeats humidification in step S13 and checking the humidity in this step S15 for the 180 minutes specified in step S19. If the humidity inside the culture chamber 20 becomes high within the 180 minutes, the control device 40 proceeds to step S16.
  • step S15 it is confirmed whether the humidity inside the culture chamber 20 is high, and if the humidity inside the culture chamber 20 is not high, the process does not proceed to step S18 described below, thereby preventing erroneous calibration of the humidity sensor 26.
  • Step S16 The control device 40 uses the temperature sensor 24 to determine whether the temperature inside the culture chamber 20 is constant. If it can be determined that the temperature is constant (YES), the process proceeds to step S17, and if it cannot be determined that the temperature is constant (NO), the process proceeds to step S19.
  • the control device 40 determines that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 24 is constant when it is within the range of, for example, [set temperature - 0.5°C] to the set temperature. As an example, if the set temperature is 50°C, it is determined that the temperature is constant when it is within the range of 49.5°C to 50°C.
  • control device 40 monitors the temperature inside the incubation chamber 20, taking into account the following example cases, and checks whether the temperature inside the incubation chamber 20 is constant at the set temperature.
  • the control device 40 controls the heating unit 30 so that the temperature inside the culture chamber 20 becomes the set temperature for the 180 minutes specified in step S19, and repeats checking the temperature in this step S16. Then, if the temperature inside the culture chamber 20 becomes constant at the set temperature within the 180 minutes, the control device 40 proceeds to step S17.
  • step S16 it is confirmed whether the temperature inside the culture chamber 20 is constant at the set temperature, and if the temperature is not constant at the set temperature, the process does not proceed to step S18, thereby preventing erroneous calibration of the humidity sensor 26.
  • the relative humidity will increase, but in step S16, if the temperature inside the culture chamber 20 is lower than the set temperature, the process does not proceed to step S18, so the humidity sensor 26 will not be erroneously calibrated.
  • Step S17 The control device 40 uses the humidity sensor 26 to determine whether the humidity change rate in the culture chamber 20 has remained within a predetermined value for a predetermined time or more. If the humidity change rate has remained within a predetermined value for a predetermined time or more (YES), the process proceeds to step S18. If the humidity change rate has not remained within a predetermined value for a predetermined time or more (NO), the process proceeds to step S19. For example, if the humidity change rate is within 0.05% RH/min and has continued for 30 minutes or more, the control device 40 determines that the humidity change rate has remained within a predetermined value for a predetermined time or more.
  • the control device 40 determines whether the humidity change rate has remained within a predetermined value for a predetermined time or more.
  • step S17 the control device 40 monitors the humidity change rate within the culture chamber 20 to check whether the humidity within the culture chamber 20 has reached equilibrium, i.e., whether it has reached equilibrium humidity. Even before the humidity sensor 26 is calibrated, by monitoring the humidity change rate, it is possible to check whether the humidity within the culture chamber 20 has reached equilibrium humidity, thereby suppressing calibration errors in step S18.
  • the control device 40 uses the humidity sensor 26 to detect the humidity in the culture chamber 20 to obtain an actual humidity value, and calculates and stores the difference between the actual humidity value and the equilibrium humidity (actual humidity value-equilibrium humidity) as an offset value.
  • the control device 40 uses the stored offset value to calibrate the humidity sensor 26 and control the humidity in, for example, the normal operation mode. In this way, the control device 40 can calibrate the humidity sensor 26 based on the actual humidity value of the humidity sensor 26 and the equilibrium temperature.
  • Step S19 The control device 40 checks whether 180 minutes have passed since the calibration mode started. If 180 minutes have passed (YES), proceed to step S20, and if 180 minutes have not passed (NO), return to step S13.
  • 180 minutes is an example, and in this embodiment, it is the time until the equilibrium humidity of 95% RH is reached inside the culture chamber 20 if the steam supply device 18 and the steam supply unit 60 operate without problems. In other words, the time in this step may be set to the time until the equilibrium humidity of the culture chamber 20 is reached, for example, 95% RH.
  • Step S20 The control device 40 displays an error on the display unit of the operation unit 50. As an example, as described above, if the humidity inside the culture chamber 20 does not become high, an error to that effect is displayed.
  • the humidity sensor 26 is calibrated in the culture device 1 using a known equilibrium humidity that is determined in advance, so that the user can easily calibrate the humidity sensor 26 without using other expensive measuring instruments. This provides the user with a simple calibration method for calibrating the humidity sensor 26.
  • the maximum equilibrium humidity is uniquely determined as described above, so that calibration errors can be further suppressed.
  • the humidity sensor 26 can be calibrated while continuing the culture (with the equipment installed inside the chamber remaining as is).
  • the operating conditions in the normal operation mode e.g., temperature, humidity, etc.
  • the operating conditions in the calibration mode e.g., temperature, humidity, etc.
  • the culture device 1 has a dehumidifying member 19, so the humidity sensor 26 can be calibrated while preventing condensation in the culture chamber 20 using the dehumidifying member 19.
  • the humidity sensor 26 has a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature around the sensor, and a humidity detection unit that detects the humidity around the sensor.
  • the amount of water vapor in the culture chamber 20 may be calculated from the temperature and humidity around the sensor, and the humidity in the culture chamber 20 may be detected from the temperature of the culture chamber 20. This makes it possible to accurately detect the temperature distribution in the culture chamber 20, i.e., the humidity in the culture chamber 20, regardless of the position of the humidity sensor 26.
  • This disclosure is useful for calibration methods of culture devices and humidity sensors.

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PCT/JP2024/017703 2023-05-24 2024-05-13 培養装置及び湿度センサの校正方法 Ceased WO2024241953A1 (ja)

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CN202480026202.5A CN121002170A (zh) 2023-05-24 2024-05-13 培养装置及湿度传感器的校准方法
EP24810960.5A EP4671354A1 (en) 2023-05-24 2024-05-13 CULTIVATION DEVICE AND CALIBRATION METHOD FOR A HUMIDITY SENSOR
JP2025522325A JPWO2024241953A1 (https=) 2023-05-24 2024-05-13
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JPH05227942A (ja) 1992-02-25 1993-09-07 Unie Data:Kk 培養装置
JPH07218462A (ja) * 1994-02-07 1995-08-18 Teijin Eng Kk 高湿度気体中での湿度の測定方法及び装置
JPH0815192A (ja) * 1994-04-13 1996-01-19 General Signal Corp 湿度補償された二酸化炭素ガス測定および制御システム
WO2008111548A1 (ja) * 2007-03-12 2008-09-18 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 培養装置
JP2013066435A (ja) * 2011-09-22 2013-04-18 Panasonic Healthcare Co Ltd ヒートパイプを備えた培養装置
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WO2020110600A1 (ja) * 2018-11-29 2020-06-04 Ｐｈｃホールディングス株式会社 培養装置
JP2021078437A (ja) * 2019-11-20 2021-05-27 Ｐｈｃホールディングス株式会社 培養装置
JP2023085709A (ja) 2021-12-09 2023-06-21 株式会社三共 遊技機
WO2023145694A1 (ja) * 2022-01-26 2023-08-03 Ｐｈｃホールディングス株式会社 培養装置

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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JPH01222769A (ja) * 1988-02-29 1989-09-06 Shin Meiwa Ind Co Ltd インキュベータにおけるガスセンサの校正方法
JPH05227942A (ja) 1992-02-25 1993-09-07 Unie Data:Kk 培養装置
JPH07218462A (ja) * 1994-02-07 1995-08-18 Teijin Eng Kk 高湿度気体中での湿度の測定方法及び装置
JPH0815192A (ja) * 1994-04-13 1996-01-19 General Signal Corp 湿度補償された二酸化炭素ガス測定および制御システム
WO2008111548A1 (ja) * 2007-03-12 2008-09-18 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 培養装置
JP2013066435A (ja) * 2011-09-22 2013-04-18 Panasonic Healthcare Co Ltd ヒートパイプを備えた培養装置
JP2016059363A (ja) * 2014-09-22 2016-04-25 パナソニックヘルスケアホールディングス株式会社 培養装置及び湿度制御方法
WO2020110600A1 (ja) * 2018-11-29 2020-06-04 Ｐｈｃホールディングス株式会社 培養装置
JP2021078437A (ja) * 2019-11-20 2021-05-27 Ｐｈｃホールディングス株式会社 培養装置
JP2023085709A (ja) 2021-12-09 2023-06-21 株式会社三共 遊技機
WO2023145694A1 (ja) * 2022-01-26 2023-08-03 Ｐｈｃホールディングス株式会社 培養装置

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Title
See also references of EP4671354A1

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