Centrifugal separation system
The centrifugal separation system addresses the inflexibility of conventional centrifuges by automating identification and enabling a single separator to handle multiple bag sets, enhancing efficiency and reducing labor through automated operations.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023099362
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-16
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-26
AI Technical Summary
Conventional centrifugation systems require different centrifuges for processing different types of blood bag sets, lacking flexibility and scalability, and often necessitate manual barcode reading and labor-intensive operations.
A centrifugal separation system that accommodates multiple types of centrifugal bag sets, automates the reading of identification information, and allows for interchangeable rotating bodies, enabling a common centrifugal separator to process various bag sets efficiently with reduced manual labor and increased operating rates.
The system enhances the utilization rate of centrifuges by allowing flexible processing of different bag sets, reduces manual intervention, and increases operational efficiency through automated identification and seamless integration of rotating bodies, thereby optimizing labor and resource utilization.
Smart Images
Figure 2024179979000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a centrifuge system for separating a liquid into multiple components. [Background technology]
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a centrifuge system that separates blood using a blood bag set. This centrifuge system can automatically centrifuge the parent bag of the blood bag set and transfer (separate) the separated blood components to the child bag. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5272144 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] The automation of the conventional centrifuge system is realized by a dedicated device configuration according to the type of blood bag set, so that the conventional centrifuge system requires different centrifuges for processing different types of blood bag sets.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] (1) The following disclosure provides an aspect of a centrifuge system for separating liquids, the centrifuge system comprising: a rotating body that houses at least one centrifuge bag set and has a liquid transfer mechanism that transfers liquid between a plurality of bags belonging to the centrifuge bag set; a centrifuge that detachably houses the rotating body and rotates the housed rotating body; a control unit that controls the operation of the rotating body and the centrifuge; and a memory unit that stores a control program for the rotating body and the centrifuge that corresponds to the type of the centrifuge bag set, wherein when the rotating body is housed in the centrifuge, the control unit obtains the control program that corresponds to the type of the centrifuge bag set and drives the rotating body and the centrifuge based on the control program.
[0007] The centrifugal separation system described in item (1) above can automatically process different types of centrifuge bag sets simply by replacing the rotor. Therefore, the above-mentioned centrifugal separation system can use a common centrifuge for processing multiple types of centrifuge bag sets, thereby increasing the operating rate of the centrifuge.
[0008] (2) The centrifuge system according to the above item (1) may further include a reading device that reads identification information attached to the centrifuge bag set housed in the rotor, and the control unit may determine the type of the centrifuge bag set from the identification information acquired through the reading device. This centrifuge system can eliminate the need for manual barcode reading work when attaching the centrifuge bag set to the rotor by automating the reading of the identification information.
[0009] (3) In the centrifuge system according to the above item (1) or (2), the rotating body may include the reading device, a first control unit that drives the liquid delivery mechanism, a first communication unit that communicates with the centrifuge, and a power supply device that supplies power to the liquid delivery mechanism, the reading device, the first control unit, and the first communication unit. This centrifuge system allows the rotating body to be driven in a state where it is detached from the centrifuge. The rotating body allows the attachment of a centrifuge bag set and the reading of identification information to be performed at a position away from the centrifuge, thereby increasing the operating rate of the centrifuge.
[0010] (4) In the centrifuge system according to any one of the above items (1) to (3), the memory unit may be provided in the rotating body, and the control unit may acquire the control program from the memory unit of the rotating body. This centrifuge system allows the reading of the identification information by the rotating body and the reading of the identification information by the control unit of the centrifuge to be performed at different times. Therefore, the centrifuge system allows the attachment of the centrifuge bag set to the rotating body and the reading of the identification information to be performed at a position away from the centrifuge.
[0011] (5) In the centrifuge system according to any one of the above items (1) to (4), the rotor may house one of the centrifuge bag sets. This centrifuge system allows the rotor and the centrifuge to be miniaturized. In addition, since it is not necessary to stop the centrifuge until multiple centrifuge bag sets are collected, the centrifuge system can increase the operating rate of the centrifuge.
[0012] (6) In the centrifuge system according to any one of the above items (1) to (5), the rotor may further include a bag mounting device for mounting the centrifuge bag set. This centrifuge system can reduce the labor required for mounting the centrifuge bag set.
[0013] (7) In the centrifuge system according to the above item (6), the centrifuge may include a rotor attachment / detachment device that performs at least one of attachment and detachment of the rotor. This centrifuge system can reduce the labor required for attaching the rotor.
[0014] (8) The centrifuge system according to the above item (7) may further include a transport device that transports the rotor housing the centrifuge bag set to the rotor attachment / detachment device. This centrifuge system can reduce the labor required for the transport process.
[0015] (9) The centrifuge system according to the above item (8) may further include a bag removal device that removes the centrifuge bag set from the rotor, and the transport device may transport the rotor from the centrifuge to the bag removal device. This centrifuge system can reduce the labor required for the transport process.
[0016] (10) The centrifuge system according to any one of the above items (1) to (9), further comprising a centrifuge unit having a plurality of the centrifuges, the centrifuge unit having an inlet section for inletting the rotating body into the centrifuge and an outlet section for outletting the rotating body from the centrifuge, and a moving mechanism for relatively moving the centrifuges, the inlet section, and the outlet section, the centrifuges may perform a centrifugation process on the centrifuge bag set before reaching the outlet section. This centrifuge system allows a plurality of centrifuges to be arranged in a small space.
[0017] (11) In the centrifuge system according to the above item (10), the moving mechanism may be a rotary turntable that supports and rotates the centrifuge. This centrifuge system allows multiple centrifuges to be arranged in a small space. Effect of the Invention
[0018] The above-described centrifuge system can increase the utilization rate of expensive centrifuges. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a centrifugal separation system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the centrifuge shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a rotor used in the centrifuge system of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3B is a plan view of the rotor of FIG. 3A. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the rotor of FIG. 3A with a centrifuge bag set attached. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a centrifugation process using the centrifugation system of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second control unit. [Figure 7] 7A is an explanatory diagram of the transfer operation of blood components by the rotor of FIG. 1, and FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram of the transfer operation of a preservation solution by the rotor of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the tube sealing and cutting operations performed by the rotor of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] As shown in Fig. 1, the centrifuge system 10 according to this embodiment has a plurality of centrifuges 12 and a plurality of rotors 14. The rotor 14 houses a centrifuge bag set 16 (Fig. 4A). The rotor 14 is rotated by the centrifuge 12. The rotation of the rotor 14 separates liquid (e.g., blood) stored in the centrifuge bag set 16 into a plurality of components by centrifugation. The centrifuge system 10 can attach and detach the centrifuge bag set 16 to and from the rotor 14 and perform centrifugation using the centrifuge bag set 16 without the need for manual operation by an operator.
[0021] Such a centrifuge system 10 is suitable for use in, for example, a blood center. In the blood center, the centrifuge system 10 centrifuges whole blood 63 (FIG. 4) to prepare red blood cells 64, plasma 66 (FIG. 7A), platelets, and the like. The use of the centrifuge system 10 is not limited to blood separation, but can also be used for the production of biological preparations, such as the production of cell medicines and the formulation of cell products.
[0022] Each part of the centrifuge system 10 will be described below.
[0023] The centrifuge system 10 mainly comprises a centrifuge unit 11, a plurality of centrifuges 12, a bag mounting device 13, a plurality of rotating bodies 14, transport devices 15A and 15B, a rotating body mounting / detaching device 19, and a bag removal device 21.
[0024] The centrifuge unit 11 has a rotary turntable 110 that holds the multiple centrifuges 12. The rotary turntable 110 has multiple placement sections that support the centrifuges 12 on a circular transfer path. The rotary turntable 110 supports the multiple centrifuges 12 at the multiple placement sections. The rotary turntable 110 functions as a moving mechanism that moves the multiple centrifuges 12 by rotating. The multiple centrifuges 12 are placed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotary turntable 110. The rotary turntable 110 supplies driving power to each centrifuge 12 via a power cable (not shown). The centrifuge unit 11 has a CPU (not shown) and operates the rotary turntable 110 under the control of the CPU.
[0025] The rotary turntable 110 has, at predetermined positions in the circumferential direction, a carry-in section 111 for carrying the rotor 14 into the centrifuge 12, and an unloading section 112 for unloading the rotor 14 from the centrifuge 12. The carry-in section 111 and the unloading section 112 are positioned adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. The rotary turntable 110 rotates in a fixed direction, for example, counterclockwise as shown in the figure. Each centrifuge 12 positioned at the carry-in section 111 is transferred to the unloading section 112 by rotating the rotary turntable 110 approximately one revolution. While moving from the carry-in section 111 to the unloading section 112, the centrifuge 12 rotates the rotor 14 to perform a centrifugation process.
[0026] The bag mounting device 13 is, for example, a robot arm, and mounts the centrifuge bag set 16 on the rotating body 14. The bag mounting device 13 has an arm mechanism 13a, an imaging device 13b, and a CPU 13c. The bag mounting device 13 uses the imaging device 13b to identify the centrifuge bag set 16 and the rotating body 14 to which it is to be mounted. The bag mounting device 13 drives the arm mechanism 13a under the control of the CPU 13c to grip the centrifuge bag set 16 and mount it on the rotating body 14. Since the bag mounting device 13 is disposed at a position away from the centrifuge unit 11, the task of mounting the centrifuge bag set 16 on the rotating body 14 can proceed without being affected by the progress of the processing in the centrifuge 12.
[0027] The conveying devices 15A and 15B are self-propelled conveying vehicles, and convey the rotating body 14 by holding and moving the rotating body 14. The conveying devices 15A and 15B are equipped with a position sensor 15a and a CPU 15b. The conveying devices 15A and 15B move along a predetermined route while detecting their own positions with the position sensor 15a under the control of the CPU 15b. The conveying device 15A conveys the rotating body 14 between the bag mounting device 13 and the rotating body attaching / detaching device 19. The conveying device 15B conveys the rotating body 14 between the rotating body attaching / detaching device 19 and the bag removal device 21. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which two conveying devices 15A and 15B are used, but this is not limited thereto, and more conveying devices 15A and 15B may be used.
[0028] The rotator attachment / detachment device 19 is located near the carry-in section 111 and the carry-out section 112 of the centrifugal unit 11. The rotator attachment / detachment device 19 is, for example, a robot arm. The rotator attachment / detachment device 19 has an arm mechanism 19a, an imaging device 19b, and a CPU 19c. The rotator attachment / detachment device 19 grasps the rotator 14 on the transport device 15A under the control of the CPU 19c, and attaches the rotator 14 to the centrifuge 12 of the carry-in section 111. The rotator attachment / detachment device 19 also grasps the rotator 14 of the centrifuge 12 of the carry-out section 112, and places the rotator 14 on the transport device 15B. The attachment / detachment of the rotator 14 by the rotator attachment / detachment device 19 is performed based on an image acquired by the imaging device 19b.
[0029] The bag removal device 21 is, for example, a robot arm. The bag removal device 21 has an arm mechanism 21a, an imaging device 21b, and a CPU 21c. In the bag removal device 21, the CPU 21c identifies the centrifuge bag set 16 and the rotating body 14 based on an image captured by the imaging device 21b. The bag removal device 21 drives the arm mechanism 21a under the control of the CPU 21c to grip the centrifuge bag set 16 and remove it from the rotating body 14. The rotating body 14 removed by the discharge section 112 of the centrifuge unit 11 is transported to the bag removal device 21 by the transport device 15B. The bag removal device 21 removes the centrifuge bag set 16 from the rotating body 14.
[0030] The centrifuge 12 detachably houses a rotor 14. The centrifuge 12 rotates the rotor 14 to perform a centrifugation process.
[0031] The management device 70 controls the bag mounting device 13, the transport devices 15A and 15B, the rotator mounting / dismounting device 19, the centrifugal unit 11, and the centrifugal separator 12 so as to synchronize their operation timing.
[0032] As shown in Fig. 2, the centrifuge 12 has a main body 44, a rotor housing chamber 46, and a lid 48. The rotor housing chamber 46 is a cylindrical recess formed inside the main body 44, and houses the rotor 14. The lid 48 is attached to the main body 44 via a hinge 50. The lid 48 covers the rotor 14 housed in the rotor housing chamber 46, thereby protecting the surroundings from the rotor 14 during rotation. In addition, by covering the rotor housing chamber 46, the lid 48 stabilizes the temperature inside the rotor housing chamber 46.
[0033] The centrifuge 12 includes a motor 52 (rotation drive unit), a temperature regulator 54, a monitor unit 56, a second communication unit 58, and a second control unit 60 (control unit) inside the main body 44. The motor 52 is located below the rotor housing chamber 46. The motor 52 has a rotor shaft 62 extending along the rotation axis C. The upper end of the rotor shaft 62 protrudes into the rotor housing chamber 46. The rotor shaft 62 detachably supports the detachable part 26 (FIG. 3A) of the rotor 14. The motor 52 rotates the rotor 14 at a predetermined rotation speed under the control of the second control unit 60. The rotor shaft 62 may include an electrode terminal that supplies power to the power supply device 28 (FIG. 3A) of the rotor 14.
[0034] The temperature regulator 54 includes, for example, a heater, and maintains the inside of the rotor accommodating chamber 46 at a predetermined temperature. The temperature regulator 54 is driven by the second control unit 60.
[0035] The monitoring unit 56 includes an image sensor that monitors the state inside the centrifuge bag set 16. The monitoring unit 56 monitors the inside of the first bag 161 and detects the separated state of the liquid component.
[0036] The second communication unit 58 performs wireless communication with the first communication unit 42 of the rotating body 14 .
[0037] The second control unit 60 includes a storage unit 61 and a processing circuit (not shown). The storage unit 61 includes a control program for controlling the centrifuge 12 and the rotor 14. The processing circuit executes the control program, causing the second control unit 60 to function as a control unit for the centrifuge 12.
[0038] The second control unit 60 acquires identification information of the centrifuge bag set 16 accommodated in the rotating body 14 through the second communication unit 58. The second control unit 60 determines the type of the centrifuge bag set 16 from the identification information of the centrifuge bag set 16, and acquires a control program corresponding to the type of the centrifuge bag set 16 from the memory unit 61. The second control unit 60 outputs a control signal to the rotating body 14 based on the control program.
[0039] 3A, the rotating body 14 has a cylindrical shape centered on the rotation axis C. The rotating body 14 has a flat upper end surface 14a at its upper end and a flat lower end surface 14b at its lower end. The rotating body 14 includes a plurality of slots 18 (a first slot 181, a second slot 182, and a third slot 183), a balancer 20, a liquid delivery mechanism 22, a reader 24, an attachment / detachment unit 26, a power supply unit 28, and a first control unit 30.
[0040] The rotor 14 has a first slot 181, a second slot 182, and a third slot 183. The first slot 181, the second slot 182, and the third slot 183 are collectively referred to as slots 18. The slots 18 are formed as recesses recessed in the direction of the rotation axis C with respect to the upper end surface 14a, and open to the upper end surface 14a. The first slot 181 accommodates the first bag 161 of the centrifuge bag set 16 (see FIG. 4A) of the first embodiment. The second slot 182 accommodates the second bag 162 of the centrifuge bag set 16. The third slot 183 accommodates the third bag 163 of the centrifuge bag set 16. The first slot 181, the second slot 182, and the third slot 183 are arranged around the rotation axis C at equal intervals in the circumferential direction and spaced apart from each other.
[0041] The rotating body 14 has slots 18 (first slots 181 to third slots 183) in the same number as the bags (first bag 161 to third bag 163) in the centrifuge bag set 16. The number of slots in the rotating body 14 can be increased or decreased depending on the number of bags in the centrifuge bag set 16. For example, when the centrifuge bag set 16 has four bags, four slots 18 are provided.
[0042] The balancer 20 is an annular member disposed near the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 14. The balancer 20 is also called a balance ring and has an internal space extending in the circumferential direction and a balancer liquid flowing in the internal space. The balancer 20 stabilizes the rotational motion of the rotor 14 by offsetting the displacement of the center of gravity caused by the displacement of the arrangement position of the centrifuge bag set 16 in the slot 18. The balancer 20 also contains an amount of balancer liquid that can offset the displacement of the center of gravity caused by the transfer of liquid between the first bag 161 and the second bag 162 or the third bag 163.
[0043] The liquid sending mechanism 22 moves liquid between the multiple bags of the centrifuge bag set 16. As shown in Figs. 3A and 3B, the liquid sending mechanism 22 mainly includes a tube accommodating section 32, a blockage cutting section 34, a liquid sensor 36, and a pusher section 38. The tube accommodating section 32 has multiple grooves located on the inner circumferential side of the multiple slots 18. The tube accommodating section 32 of this embodiment includes a first flow path groove 321, a second flow path groove 322, and a third flow path groove 323. The first flow path groove 321 accommodates a first tube 171 (see Fig. 4) extending from the first bag 161.
[0044] The second flow channel 322 is a groove that accommodates the second tube 172 extending from the second bag 162. The third flow channel 323 is a groove that accommodates the third tube 173 extending from the third bag 163. The first flow channel 321, the second flow channel 322, and the third flow channel 323 are connected at a junction 326.
[0045] The layout of the tube accommodating section 32 of the liquid delivery mechanism 22 is not limited to the illustrated example, and may be modified in various ways depending on the type of the centrifuge bag set 16. For example, the rotor 14 capable of accommodating the centrifuge bag set 16 having four bags may have four flow channel grooves.
[0046] The liquid delivery mechanism 22 has, as the occlusion cutting parts 34, a first occlusion cutting part 341 provided in the first flow channel 321, a second occlusion cutting part 342 provided in the second flow channel 322, and a third occlusion cutting part 343 provided in the third flow channel 323. Each occlusion cutting part 34 performs a occlusion operation of compressing and occluding the tube 17, and a seal cutting operation of cutting the tube 17 while sealing it.
[0047] In the blocking operation, the blocking cutting unit 34 compresses the tube 17 to an extent that does not cut the tube 17, thereby blocking the internal flow path of the tube 17. In the blocking operation, the tube 17 is temporarily blocked. Therefore, when the blocking operation of the blocking cutting unit 34 is released, the tube 17 is able to allow fluid to flow. In the seal cutting operation, the block cutting unit 34 heats the tube 17 to irreversibly seal it by fusion, while cutting the tube 17. The seal cutting operation seals the tube 17 without contacting the outside air.
[0048] The liquid sensor 36 is, for example, an optical sensor, and is located in the first flow channel 321. The liquid sensor 36 detects a change in the liquid composition inside the first tube 171 from a change in the amount or color of light transmitted through the first tube 171. The detection result of the liquid sensor 36 is sent to the first control unit 30 and used to control the operation of the occlusion cutting unit 34 and the pushing unit 38.
[0049] The pushing unit 38 moves liquid between the bags by pressing the bags of the centrifugal bag set 16. The liquid sending mechanism 22 of this embodiment has a first pushing unit 381 provided in the first slot 181 and a second pushing unit 382 provided in the third slot 183. Each of the first pushing unit 381 and the second pushing unit 382 includes a pusher 38a and an actuator 38b.
[0050] The pusher 38a is a plate-like member arranged on the inner periphery side of the slot 18. The pusher 38a can protrude from the inner periphery side of the slot 18 to the outer periphery side. The pusher 38a faces the bag accommodated inside the slot 18 in the thickness direction. When the pusher 38a protrudes to the outer periphery side, it presses the bag accommodated in the slot 18, causing the liquid inside the bag to be discharged.
[0051] The actuator 38b drives the pusher 38a under the control of the first control unit 30. The actuator 38b pushes the pusher 38a outward. The first pushing unit 381 transfers the liquid in the first bag 161 accommodated in the first slot 181 to another bag, and the second pushing unit 382 transfers the liquid in the third bag 163 accommodated in the third slot 183 to another bag.
[0052] The extrusion unit 38 can be replaced with a peristaltic pump. A peristaltic pump is a pump that conveys the liquid inside the tube 17 by rotating a roller that presses against the flexible tube 17 to close the portion, thereby moving the liquid. When a peristaltic pump is used, the peristaltic pump is added to the tube accommodating unit 32.
[0053] The detachable part 26 is located on the lower end surface 14b of the rotor 14. The detachable part 26 is arranged along the rotation axis C. The detachable part 26 is detachably connected to the rotating shaft 62 of the centrifuge 12. The rotational driving force of the motor 52 of the centrifuge 12 is transmitted to the rotor 14 through the detachable part 26.
[0054] The reader 24 is disposed, for example, inside the first slot 181. The reader 24 may be an optical reader that reads the barcode 40 attached to the first bag 161. The reader 24 reads identification information including the type of centrifuge bag set 16, traceability information such as the date and place of blood collection, and the processing method. The identification information is used to control the operation of the liquid delivery mechanism 22 in the centrifugation process. The identification information may be stored in a non-contact IC chip attached to the centrifuge bag set 16. In this case, the reader 24 may be disposed at a predetermined position on the rotating body 14 as a wireless reader.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 4, the power supply device 28 supplies driving power to the liquid delivery mechanism 22, the detachable unit 26, the reading device 24, and the first control unit 30. The power supply device 28 includes a removable storage battery that is easily replaceable, such as a lithium ion battery housed inside the rotating body 14. The power supply device 28 may include a power supply circuit that takes in power from the centrifuge 12 at a connection terminal provided in the detachable unit 26. In this case, the connection terminal receives power via the rotating shaft 62. When the connection terminal is provided, the first control unit 30 of the rotating body 14 and the second control unit 60 of the centrifuge 12 may be configured to perform wired communication via the connection terminal.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 4, the first control unit 30 has a first communication unit 42 that communicates with the centrifuge 12. The first control unit 30 transmits the identification information of the centrifuge bag set 16 read by the reading device 24 and the detection result of the liquid sensor 36 to the second control unit 60 of the centrifuge 12 via the first communication unit 42. The first control unit 30 also receives a control signal of the second control unit 60 via the first communication unit 42. The control signal of the second control unit 60 is generated based on a predetermined control program and includes a combination of commands that instruct the operation timing of the pushing unit 38 and the blocking cut unit 34. The first control unit 30 drives the first pushing unit 381, the second pushing unit 382, the first blocking cut unit 341, the second blocking cut unit 342, and the third blocking cut unit 343 based on the control signal of the second control unit 60.
[0057] A centrifugal bag set 16 shown in FIG. 4 is attached to the rotor 14. The centrifugal bag set 16 is, for example, a blood bag set used for blood donation. The centrifugal bag set 16 has a first bag 161 (parent bag), a second bag 162 (child bag), a third bag 163 (child bag), and a tube 17 connecting them. In the initial state when provided as a product, the centrifugal bag set 16 further includes a blood collection needle, a blood collection bag, and a filter (not shown). After blood collection is completed, the blood collection bag, the filter, and the blood collection needle are separated from the first bag 161 by the introduction tube 176. The first bag 161 contains whole blood 63 from which white blood cells and platelets have been removed.
[0058] The first bag 161 further has a first tube 171 in addition to the introduction tube 176. The first tube 171 is used for transferring liquid to and from the second bag 162 or the third bag 163. The second bag 162 is empty in an initial state. The second bag 162 contains blood components 63a (e.g., plasma 66 (FIG. 7A)) centrifuged in the first bag 161. The second bag 162 has a second tube 172. The second tube 172 is connected to the first tube 171.
[0059] The third bag 163 is, for example, a sub-bag that contains a preservation solution 68. The preservation solution 68 is, for example, a blood preservation solution (ACD solution) or a red blood cell preservation solution (MAP solution). The third bag 163 has a third tube 173. The third tube 173 is connected to the first tube 171 and the second tube 172.
[0060] Next, the centrifugation process of the centrifugation system 10 of this embodiment will be described.
[0061] 1, a management device 70 controls the operation timing of the bag mounting device 13, the transport devices 15A and 15B, the rotator mounting / dismounting device 19, the centrifugal unit 11, the centrifuge 12, and the bag removal device 21. Based on the control operation of the management device 70, the centrifuge system 10 operates as follows.
[0062] First, the bag attachment device 13 attaches the centrifuge bag set 16 to the rotor 14 (step S10). As shown in Fig. 1, the bag attachment device 13 grips the centrifuge bag set 16, inserts the first bag 161 into the first slot 181 of the rotor 14, inserts the second bag 162 into the second slot 182, and inserts the third bag 163 into the third slot 183. The bag attachment device 13 also attaches the tube 17 of the centrifuge bag set 16 to the tube accommodating portion 32. The attachment of the centrifuge bag set 16 to the rotor 14 is performed in a state in which the rotor 14 is supported by the transport device 15A.
[0063] When the centrifuge bag set 16 is set, the first control unit 30 of the rotating body 14 operates the reading device 24 to obtain the identification information of the centrifuge bag set 16 .
[0064] Next, the conveying device 15A conveys the rotating body 14 to the carry-in section 111 (step S20). The conveying device 15A conveys the rotating body 14 to the carry-in section 111 by self-propelling along a predetermined path from the bag mounting device 13 to the carry-in section 111.
[0065] Next, in the carry-in section 111, the rotator attachment / detachment device 19 performs an operation to attach the rotator 14 to the centrifuge 12 (step S30). The rotator attachment / detachment device 19 detects the rotator 14 supported by the transport device 15A with the imaging device 19b. The rotator attachment / detachment device 19 removes the rotator 14 from the transport device 15A with the arm mechanism 19a under the control of the CPU 19c. The rotator attachment / detachment device 19 attaches the held rotator 14 to the rotator housing chamber 46 of the centrifuge 12. The rotator 14 is connected to the rotating shaft 62 of the centrifuge 12.
[0066] Next, when the rotor 14 is attached, the centrifuge 12 starts a predetermined centrifugation operation (step S40). In the centrifugation operation, first, as shown in Fig. 6, the second control unit 60 of the centrifuge 12 communicates with the first control unit 30 of the attached rotor 14 via the second communication unit 58, and acquires the identification information of the centrifuge bag set 16 attached to the rotor 14 (step S42).
[0067] Next, the second control unit 60 determines the type of the centrifuge bag set 16 from the identification information (step S44).
[0068] Next, the second control unit 60 acquires control information for the centrifugation operation of the centrifuge bag set 16 from the storage unit 61 (step S46). The control program includes information regarding the rotation speed of the rotor 14 and the timing of driving each part of the liquid delivery mechanism 22.
[0069] Next, the second control unit 60 drives the rotor 14 and the centrifuge 12 based on the control program to perform centrifugation (step S48). Specific operations of the centrifuge 12 and the rotor 14 during centrifugation will be described later. During the above centrifugation process, the centrifugal unit 11 rotates the rotary turntable 110. When the centrifugation is completed, the centrifuge 12 is transported to the discharge section 112 of the rotary turntable 110.
[0070] Next, the process proceeds to step S50 in Fig. 5. In step S50, the rotator attachment / detachment device 19 removes the rotator 14 from the centrifuge 12. The rotator attachment / detachment device 19 grips the rotator 14 and removes it from the rotator housing chamber 46 of the centrifuge 12. The rotator attachment / detachment device 19 places the removed rotator 14 on the transport device 15B (see Fig. 1).
[0071] Next, the process proceeds to step S60. The centrifugal separation system 10 transports the rotating body 14 removed from the centrifuge 12 by the transport device 15B to the bag removal device 21 (step S60 in FIG. 5).
[0072] Next, the process proceeds to step S70. In step S70, the centrifuge system 10 uses the bag removal device 21 to remove the centrifuge bag set 16 from the rotor 14 (step S70 in FIG. 5). The bag removal device 21 sequentially removes the separated first bag 161, second bag 162, and third bag 163 from the rotor 14. The removed first bag 161 contains red blood cells 64 to which a preservative solution 68 has been added, and is used as a red blood cell product. The second bag 162 is used as a plasma product. The third bag 163 is discarded. The rotor 14 from which the centrifuge bag set 16 has been removed is then transported by the transport device 15 to the bag mounting device 13.
[0073] Through the above steps, the processing of one centrifuge bag set 16 by the centrifuge system 10 is completed.
[0074] Next, an example of the centrifugation operation in step S48 will be described. Note that, when the type and processing method of the centrifugation bag set 16 are different, the centrifugation process is performed in a manner different from the following operation.
[0075] In step S48, the second control unit 60 controls the motor 52 to rotate the rotor 14 at a predetermined rotation speed designated by the control program. As a result, as shown in Fig. 7A, the whole blood 63 contained in the first bag 161 is separated into red blood cells 64 and plasma 66. The red blood cells 64, which have a high specific gravity, are collected near the bottom of the first bag 161, and the plasma 66, which has a low specific gravity, is collected near the first tube 171 of the first bag 161.
[0076] 7A, the second control unit 60 sends a control signal to the first control unit 30 to drive the liquid delivery mechanism 22. The first control unit 30 opens the first tube 171 through the first occluding cut unit 341, opens the second tube 172 through the second occluding cut unit 342, and closes the third tube 173 through the third occluding cut unit 343 based on the control signal.
[0077] Thereafter, the second control unit 60 outputs a control signal to the first control unit 30 to drive the first pushing unit 381. The first control unit 30 presses the first bag 161 by driving the first pushing unit 381. The plasma 66 in the first bag 161 is pushed out from the first bag 161. The plasma 66 pushed out from the first bag 161 flows through the first tube 171 and the second tube 172 and is transferred to the second bag 162.
[0078] The liquid sensor 36 monitors the liquid components in the first tube 171. When the liquid sensor 36 detects a change to red blood cells 64, the first control unit 30 transmits the detection result of the liquid sensor 36 to the second control unit 60. The second control unit 60 outputs to the first control unit 30 a control signal for stopping the first pushing unit 381 and a control signal for closing the second occlusion cutting unit 342. As a result, the first control unit 30 occludes the second tube 172 via the second occlusion cutting unit 342. By the above operations, the transfer of the plasma 66 from the first bag 161 to the second bag 162 is completed.
[0079] Next, as shown in Fig. 7B, the second control unit 60 outputs to the first control unit 30 a control signal for opening the first closing cut unit 341 and the third closing cut unit 343 and closing the second closing cut unit 342, and a control signal for driving the second pushing unit 382. As a result, the first tube 171 and the third tube 173 communicate with each other, and the second tube 172 is closed. Then, the preservation solution 68 pushed out from the third bag 163 by the second pushing unit 382 is transferred to the first bag 161. When the third bag 163 is completely pressed, the transfer of the preservation solution 68 is completed.
[0080] 8, the second control unit 60 outputs a control signal to the first control unit 30 to seal and cut the tube 17 by the first occluding cutter 341, the second occluding cutter 342, and the third occluding cutter 343. As a result, the first bag 161, the second bag 162, and the third bag 163 are separated while being sealed.
[0081] Through the above process, the centrifugation of one centrifuge bag set 16 is completed.
[0082] 1 can efficiently process the centrifuge bag set 16 by repeating the above process. In the centrifuge system 10, the rotor 14 is detachable from the centrifuge 12, so that the centrifuge bag set 16 can be attached to and detached from the rotor 14 at a location separate from the centrifuge 12, thereby reducing the waiting time of the centrifuge 12. As a result, the operating rate of the centrifuge 12 can be increased.
[0083] In addition, conventional centrifuge systems have problems in that they are poorly expandable for improvements in the processing steps, and also lack the flexibility and adaptability to accommodate changes in demand. In contrast, the centrifuge system 10 of the present embodiment can flexibly accommodate ever-changing demand by switching between the types of rotor 14 and centrifuge bag set 16.
[0084] Furthermore, the centrifugal separation system 10 can automate the processes (steps S10 to S70 in FIG. 5) from mounting the centrifuge bag set 16 on the rotor 14 to centrifugal separation processing and removal of the centrifuge bag set 16, enabling significant labor savings.
[0085] The present invention is not limited to the above disclosure, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]
[0086] 10... Centrifugal separation system 11... Centrifugal unit 12... Centrifuge 13... Bag mounting device 14...rotating body 15A, 15B...transport device 16: Centrifugal bag set 19: Rotating body attachment / detachment device 21: Bag removal device 22: Liquid delivery mechanism 24...Reading device 30...First control section 42...first communication unit 61...storage unit 70... Management device 110... Rotary turntable 111: Loading section 112: Unloading section
Claims
1. 1. A centrifuge system for separating liquids, comprising: a rotor that houses at least one centrifuge bag set and has a liquid transfer mechanism that transfers liquid between a plurality of bags belonging to the centrifuge bag set; a centrifuge that detachably houses the rotor and rotates the rotor; A control unit that controls the operation of the rotor and the centrifugal separator; a storage unit that stores a control program for the rotor and the centrifuge that corresponds to the type of the centrifuge bag set; a control unit that, when the rotating body is housed in the centrifuge, acquires the control program corresponding to the type of the centrifuge bag set, and drives the rotating body and the centrifuge based on the control program.
2. 2. The centrifuge system of claim 1, a reading device for reading identification information attached to the centrifuge bag set housed in the rotor, A centrifuge system, wherein the control unit determines the type of the centrifuge bag set from the identification information acquired through the reading device.
3. 3. The centrifuge system according to claim 2, wherein the rotor is The reading device; A first control unit that drives the liquid delivery mechanism; A first communication unit that communicates with the centrifuge; A centrifuge system comprising: the liquid delivery mechanism, the reading device, the first control unit, and a power supply device that supplies power to the first communication unit.
4. 2. The centrifuge system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is provided in the rotating body, and the control unit acquires the control program from the storage unit of the rotating body.
5. 2. The centrifuge system of claim 1, wherein the rotor accommodates one of the centrifuge bag sets.
6. 2. The centrifuge system according to claim 1, further comprising a bag mounting device for mounting the centrifuge bag set on the rotor.
7. 7. The centrifuge system according to claim 6, further comprising a rotor attachment / detachment device for performing at least one of attachment and detachment of the rotor in the centrifuge.
8. 8. The centrifuge system according to claim 7, further comprising a transport device that transports the rotor housing the centrifuge bag set to the rotor mounting / dismounting device.
9. 9. The centrifuge system according to claim 8, further comprising a bag removal device that removes the centrifuge bag set from the rotor, the transport device transporting the rotor from the centrifuge to the bag removal device.
10. 2. The centrifuge system of claim 1, A centrifugal unit having a plurality of the centrifugal separators, the centrifugal unit comprising: A loading unit that loads the rotating body into the centrifugal separator; a discharge unit that discharges the rotating body from the centrifuge, a moving mechanism for moving the centrifuge relative to the loading unit and the unloading unit, The centrifuge performs a centrifugal separation process on the centrifuge bag set while the centrifuge bag set reaches the discharge section.
11. 11. The centrifuge system according to claim 10, wherein the moving mechanism is a rotary turntable that supports and rotates the centrifuge.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Differential amplifier circuit
JP1977072144A
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