Remote-control device for observation

Abstract

To provide a small and lightweight remote-control device for observation.SOLUTION: A remote-control device 1 for observation that observes cells cultured at a remote location includes: a culture vessel 13 that contains cells and a culture medium 133 for culturing the cells; a light source 23 arranged above the culture vessel; a temperature adjustment unit 22; a sample vessel 14 connected to the culture vessel by a tube and containing a sample to be injected into the culture vessel; a sample exchange unit 15 that injects the sample in the sample vessel through the tube into the culture vessel and causes the culture medium in the culture vessel to be accommodated in the sample vessel; a microscopic photography unit 12 that has a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements 121 arranged in a matrix and is arranged below the culture vessel to photograph the cells from below; and a control unit 40 that controls the light source, the temperature adjustment unit, the sample exchange unit, and the microscopic photography unit at a predetermined timing or in response to an instruction from outside, the control unit 40 including an image output unit 41 that outputs image information as an electrical signal, a memory unit 42 that stores the image information, or a communication unit 43 that transmits the image information to the outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an observation remote control device for observing cells, and more particularly to an observation remote control device capable of cultivating cells such as microorganisms in a remote location such as space and photographing the cells under a microscope. [Background technology]

[0002] Cell culture experiments require microscopic observation means and image capture means. Conventional microscopic imaging equipment uses lenses to enlarge the image, focuses the light, and then captures the image using an imaging device such as a camera. Patent Document 1 discloses a remote control system for culture observation that uses a microscope imaging device to automatically perform microscopic observation and record observations over a long period of time without relying on a specific person in charge.

[0003] In addition, cell culture experiments and the like have traditionally been conducted in space by astronauts on the International Space Station. In the future, as humans develop industries and living spaces in space, it is expected that there will be more opportunities for biological experiments, but there are limitations to the space on the International Space Station and the effort of astronauts. For this reason, it is necessary to consider other means, such as using small artificial satellites, and there has been a demand for small, lightweight automated experimental equipment (hereinafter referred to as a remote control device for observation) that can conduct cell culture experiments and microscopic photography even on artificial satellites. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-168395 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Conventional microscope imaging devices used in remote control devices for observation, etc., require a space for focusing light in order to use lenses as described above, and this space hinders miniaturization of the microscope imaging device and the remote control device for observation that uses it. In addition, a separate focus adjustment mechanism is required to adjust the focus, which limits miniaturization when mounting the device on a small artificial satellite, etc., and requires a complex control system for adjusting the focus.

[0006] On the other hand, when conducting experiments in space, it is desirable to have equipment that has as small a payload capacity and as light a weight as possible so that it can be mounted on small rockets and small artificial satellites that are launched more frequently without relying on the environment of the International Space Station. Furthermore, it is not feasible to conduct experiments by astronauts on artificial satellites, and it is necessary to conduct experiments automatically according to a pre-prepared experimental procedure or by remote control.

[0007] In addition, conventional remote control devices for observation using microscopic imaging equipment require the management of temperature, light source, etc. according to the type of organism being cultured, the conditions of the culture medium, and the purpose of the experiment. Therefore, most remote control devices for observation have to be designed and developed each time as dedicated devices, which requires a long time and costs a lot of money.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a small and lightweight remote control device for observation. Another object of the present invention is to provide a remote control device for observation that is easy to design and develop. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The above problem can be solved by the observation remote control device of the present invention, which is an observation remote control device for observing cells cultured at a remote location, comprising: a culture vessel for accommodating cells and a culture medium for culturing the cells; a light source disposed above the culture vessel for irradiating the cells with light; a temperature adjustment unit for adjusting the temperature of the culture vessel; a sample vessel connected to the culture vessel by a tube for accommodating a sample to be injected into the culture vessel; a sample exchange unit for injecting the sample in the sample container into the culture vessel through the tube and accommodating the culture medium in the culture vessel in the sample container; a microscopic photography unit having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a matrix and disposed below the culture vessel for photographing the cells from below using the photoelectric conversion elements; and a control unit for controlling the light source, the temperature adjustment unit, the sample exchange unit, and the microscopic photography unit at a predetermined timing or in response to an instruction from outside, wherein the control unit has an image output unit for outputting image information photographed by the photoelectric conversion elements as an electrical signal, and a storage unit for storing the image information, or a communication unit for transmitting the image information to the outside.

[0010] By providing a microscope imaging unit having multiple photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a matrix, the lenses and spatial focusing areas used in conventional microscope imaging are no longer necessary, making it possible to provide a small, lightweight remote control device for observation. Furthermore, because microscopy using photoelectric conversion elements does not require focusing functions or complex controls, automated experiments can be performed in remote locations with high reliability. Furthermore, the control unit controls the light source, the temperature adjustment unit, the sample exchange unit, and the microscopic photography unit at a predetermined timing or upon receiving instructions from outside, thereby enabling, for example, the injection of a sample (replacement culture medium or added drug) required for a biological experiment to be performed at a predetermined timing.

[0011] In addition, in the above configuration, the experimental apparatus may include a printed circuit board for microscopy imaging on which the culture vessel, the microscopy imaging unit, the sample vessel and the sample exchange unit are arranged, an environmental printed circuit board on which the light source and the temperature adjustment unit are arranged, and a control printed circuit board on which the control unit is arranged, and the printed circuit board for microscopy imaging, the environmental printed circuit board and the control printed circuit board are all formed to have the same shape in a planar view, and the combination may be changed depending on the purpose of the experiment, and the experimental apparatus may be arranged in a predetermined direction.

[0012] In addition, in the above configuration, the experimental apparatus may include a printed circuit board for microscopy photography on which the culture vessel and the microscopy photography unit are arranged, a printed circuit board for specimens on which the sample vessel and the sample exchange unit are arranged, an environmental printed circuit board on which the light source and the temperature adjustment unit are arranged, and a printed circuit board for control on which the control unit is arranged, and the printed circuit board for microscopy photography, the printed circuit board for specimens, the environmental printed circuit board and the printed circuit board for control are all formed to have the same shape in a planar view, and the combination may be changed according to the purpose of the experiment, and the experimental apparatus may be configured by arranging them in a predetermined direction.

[0013] By dividing the elements of the experimental equipment into appropriate functional units, forming them into identical printed circuit boards, and arranging them in a predetermined direction, it is possible to construct experimental equipment with a small, compact shape suitable for a variety of experimental purposes. Furthermore, for example, in order to conduct biological experiments in outer space, the experimental equipment must be housed in an airtight case, but by stacking the equipment vertically, the experimental equipment itself can be made small and compact, which also contributes to reducing the weight of remote-controlled observation devices. In addition, by preparing a printed circuit board formed in the same shape with a sample container, a light source, and a temperature control unit arranged according to the purpose, it becomes possible to select a sample container according to the experimental plan and rearrange the experimental system. In other words, it is possible to provide a remote control device for observation that can be easily designed and developed according to the experimental plan.

[0014] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the sample is biased within the sample container, the sample exchange unit has a valve that blocks the tube, and when the sample is injected, the valve is pushed out of the tube by the sample, and the sample exchange unit and the culture container are connected, thereby injecting the sample into the culture container.

[0015] By realizing a sample exchange unit that injects a sample into an incubation container with a simple structure, it is possible to provide a small, lightweight remote control device for observation.

[0016] In addition, in the above configuration, the system may further include a housing that houses the culture vessel, the light source, the temperature adjustment unit, the sample vessel, the sample exchange unit, the microscopic photography unit and the control unit, the housing being a pressure vessel that applies a predetermined pressure within the housing, and the housing may be provided with a check valve that is used when adjusting the pressure within the housing.

[0017] By providing a check valve in the housing, the pressure inside the housing can be adjusted even after it is sealed. For example, the air pressure inside the housing can be increased using the check valve just before launch, and then, even if gas leaks from the housing, the pressure inside the housing can be maintained at a specified level, for example, above 1 atm, for a certain period of time. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, a small and lightweight remote control device for observation can be provided. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a remote control device for observation that is easy to design and develop. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded perspective view of an observation remote control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a printed circuit board for microscopy. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a microscope imaging device. [Figure 4]FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the valve section, in which the upper diagram shows the state in which the injection path is blocked by the valve, and the lower diagram shows the state in which the culture tank and the sample tank are in communication with each other. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an environmental printed circuit board on which an LED and a heater are mounted. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a control printed circuit board. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control printed circuit board. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a ground-based experiment device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below is for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. In other words, the present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the present invention naturally includes equivalents thereof. In addition, in the following description, the contents regarding the shape, size, material, etc. of the components such as the housing 2 or the printed wiring board used in the observation remote control device 1 are merely specific examples and do not limit the present invention.

[0021] In the following, an observation remote control device 1 for cell observation that can be used in an artificial satellite in space will be given, and an example of its configuration will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to an observation remote control device used in an artificial satellite, and can also be applied to an observation remote control device (ground experimental device) that can be used in a laboratory on the ground.

[0022] First Embodiment An observation remote control device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the observation remote control device 1. The observation remote control device 1 is a microbial space experiment device mounted on an artificial satellite or the like to observe microorganisms (an example of cells) cultured in a remote location such as outer space.

[0023] The observation remote control device 1 includes a microscopic photography printed circuit board 10 for culturing and photographing microorganisms, an environmental printed circuit board 20 equipped with an LED (light source) and a heater (temperature adjustment unit), and a control printed circuit board 30 for controlling various devices. The microscopic photography printed circuit board 10, the environmental printed circuit board 20, and the control printed circuit board 30 are assembled as an experimental device 100 so as to overlap in the vertical direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1, the up-down direction) of the control printed wiring board 31 as shown in FIG. 1, and are housed in this state in the housing 2. The microscopic photography printed circuit board 10, the environmental printed circuit board 20, and the control printed circuit board 30 are connected by a wiring cable (not shown) via a connector.

[0024] In the following, for ease of understanding, the direction of arrow A in Fig. 1 will be referred to as the upward direction, and the direction of arrow B as the downward direction. However, the observation remote control device 1 may be used in an upright position, or may be used upside down. In other words, the observation remote control device 1 may be used with the chassis 5 on the bottom surface of the housing 2 standing vertically, or with the chassis 5 arranged on the upper side.

[0025] <Case 2> In order to cultivate microorganisms in outer space, the housing 2 is structured so that the case 3 and chassis 5 are sealed using an O-ring 6 and a housing sealing screw 9, and experimental equipment 100 is housed in the pressurized space within the housing 2. In this embodiment, the housing 2 is made of metal, and the case 3 and chassis 5 are made of aluminum. The case 3 and chassis 5 may be made of other metals such as iron or copper, or may be made of resin. Considering the strength and weight reduction of the housing 2, it is preferable that they are made of aluminum.

[0026] In addition, since the inside of the housing 2 needs to be kept at 1 atmosphere or more in a biological experiment in space, the housing 2 is formed as a pressure vessel that applies a predetermined pressure to the inside of the housing 2. In addition, a check valve 3a is provided on the upper surface of the housing 2 to be used when adjusting the air pressure inside the housing 2. In this embodiment, although an O-ring 6 is used to seal the housing 2, there is a possibility that a small amount of gas may leak out of the housing 2. Therefore, for example, just before launching the observation remote control device 1 into space, the inside of the housing 2 is initially pressurized to 1.5 atmospheres via the check valve 3a. By doing so, the inside of the housing 2 can be kept at 1 atmosphere for about half a year after launch, even if a small amount of gas leaks out.

[0027] The microscopy printed circuit board 10, the environmental printed circuit board 20 and the control printed circuit board 30 housed in the housing 2 are electrically connected to the satellite body (not shown) via a connector 4, and can obtain power from the satellite body and perform wired communication with the satellite body. The image information and sensor data transmitted to the satellite body by wired communication are configured to be transferred to the ground by the communication function of the satellite.

[0028] <Printed circuit board for microscopy 10> A printed circuit board 10 for microscopy imaging, which is used to culture microorganisms and perform microscopic imaging, will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 4. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the printed circuit board 10 for microscopy imaging, Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the microscopy imaging device 12 (microscopy imaging section), and Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic diagram of the operation of the valve section 15 (sample exchange section), with the upper diagram showing a state in which the injection path is blocked by the valve and the lower diagram showing a state in which the culture tank and the sample tank are connected to each other.

[0029] 2, the microscopic imaging printed circuit board 10 includes, as main components, a microscopic imaging printed wiring board 11, a microscopic imaging device 12 for microscopically imaging microorganisms, a culture tank 13 (culture vessel) for accommodating microorganisms and culture media for culturing the microorganisms, a sample tank 14 for accommodating replacement culture media or additive chemicals (hereinafter referred to as sample 147), and a valve section 15. The microscopic imaging device 12, the culture tank 13, the sample tank 14, and the valve section 15 are mounted on the microscopic imaging printed wiring board 11. The culture tank 13 and the sample tank 14 are connected to each other by an inlet path 131 and an outlet path 132 via the valve section 15.

[0030] <Microscope equipment 12> The microscopic imaging device 12 is disposed below the culture tank 13 (in the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 2) on the microscopic imaging printed wiring board 11, and is configured to be able to microscopically image the microorganisms in the culture tank 13 from below.

[0031] The microscopic imaging apparatus 12, also known as a microimaging device (MID), is an imaging apparatus that can directly photograph the object being observed under a microscope without using the lenses and mirrors used in conventional microscopic imaging, and does not require spatial focusing or magnification to converge light rays. The microscopic imaging device 12 has a chip in which millions of photoelectric conversion elements 121, for example photodiodes, are arranged in a matrix on a 4 mm x 5 mm plane, and it irradiates light from above the object to be observed and obtains an image from the shadow cast on the surface of the photoelectric conversion elements 121.

[0032] 2 and 3, the microscopic imaging device 12 is disposed below (in the direction of arrow B) the culture tank 13. The microscopic imaging device 12 is configured by arranging a plurality of pixels 123 at predetermined intervals, the pixels 123 including a microlens 122 that collects light and a photoelectric conversion element 121 that receives the light collected by the microlens 122.

[0033] In the microscopic imaging device 12, a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements 121 are formed and arranged on a semiconductor substrate 124. In this embodiment, a photodiode is used as the photoelectric conversion element 121, but the photodiode is just one example, and another light receiving element, for example a phototransistor, may be used as long as it is capable of receiving incident light and performing photoelectric conversion.

[0034] Moreover, an intermediate layer 125 is provided on the surface of the semiconductor substrate 124 on which the multiple photoelectric conversion elements 121 are provided, and multiple microlenses 122 are arranged and formed on the surface of the intermediate layer 125 in correspondence with the positions of the multiple arranged photoelectric conversion elements 121. The microlenses 122 control the angle of travel of incident light so that it falls within a predetermined viewing angle based on the photoelectric conversion elements 121.

[0035] The intermediate layer 125 may be, for example, a wavelength selection layer such as a color filter layer, or a planarization layer for planarizing the surface of the intermediate layer.

[0036] Such a microscope imaging device 12 has a plurality of pixels 123 including a photoelectric conversion element 121 and a microlens 122 for focusing light on the photoelectric conversion element 121. In the microscope imaging device 12, a sensor unit is formed by arranging a plurality of pixels 123 at predetermined intervals. By using the microscope imaging device 12 having the photoelectric conversion element 121 in this way, it is possible to directly image the microorganisms in the culture tank 13 in close proximity, without needing the lenses used in conventional microscope imaging or the space for converging light rays. Therefore, microscope imaging can be performed with an extremely small device.

[0037] The microscope imaging device 12 is connected to an image transfer connector 126 mounted on the microscope imaging printed circuit board 10. The image transfer connector 126 is also connected to a CSI interface, which is an image transfer connector of the control printed circuit board 30, and image information captured by the microscope imaging device 12 is input into the control printed circuit board 30 and transferred to the satellite body according to a predetermined protocol.

[0038] <Culture tank 13 and sample tank 14> The culture tank 13 corresponds to the culture vessel of the present invention, and is filled in advance with microorganisms to be used as test specimens and a medium for culturing the microorganisms. The culture tank 13 is a transparent case, and an LED 23 is disposed above the culture tank 13 (in the direction of arrow A) as shown in Fig. 3. As described above, the microscope imaging device 12 is provided below the culture tank 13, and the microorganisms in the culture tank 13 can be photographed microscopically from below by the microscope imaging device 12 using light irradiated from the LED 23.

[0039] The sample tank 14 corresponds to a sample container of the present invention, and is filled with a replacement medium or an additive drug (hereinafter referred to as a sample 147). The culture tank 13 is connected to the sample tank 14 by two pipes sandwiched between them by a valve section 15. One pipe is an injection path 131 for injecting a sample 147 into the culture tank 13, and the other pipe is a discharge path 132 for discharging the culture medium 133 from the culture tank 13.

[0040] As shown in the upper part of Figure 4, the injection path 131 is blocked by a needle valve 151 (valve) before the experiment begins, thereby maintaining the culture medium 133 in the culture tank 13 and the sample 147 in the sample tank 14 separated from each other.

[0041] In the sample tank 14, the sample 147 is accommodated between the diaphragm rubber sheet 143 and the sample tank lid 142 of the sample tank 14. The diaphragm rubber sheet 143 is a rubber membrane, and is constantly under pressure from a diaphragm pressing plate 144 and a coil spring 145 that biases it. Therefore, the sample 147 in the diaphragm rubber sheet 143 is biased toward the culture tank 13.

[0042] Before the start of the experiment, needle valve 151 is pressed in by coil spring 152 with sufficient force against the pressure from sample 147 in injection path 131. This coil spring 152 is fixed by valve fixing lever 153. Valve fixing lever 153 extends from valve fixing part 154 and is fixed by valve fixing wire 155 that connects valve fixing lever 153 and valve fixing part 154. In a state where they are connected by valve fixing wire 155, injection path 131 is blocked by needle valve 151 and sample 147 does not enter culture tank 13.

[0043] The valve fixing wire 155 is connected to a power source 157 and a switch 156, and before the start of the experiment, the switch 156 is in an open state (OFF state). After the experiment starts, when the sample 147 is injected into the culture tank 13, the switch 156 is closed as shown in the lower part of Fig. 4 to connect the valve fixing wire 155 to the power source 157. This causes a current to flow through the valve fixing wire 155, which is heated and melted. Melting the valve fixing wire 155 opens the valve fixing wire 155, and as a result, the needle valve 151 is pushed down by the pressure of the sample 147, and the culture tank 13 and the sample tank 14 are brought into communication with each other, and the sample 147 is injected into the culture tank 13 through the injection path 131.

[0044] The switch 156 is connected to the control printed circuit board 30, and can be switched between ON and OFF by a signal transmitted from the control unit 40. Therefore, the control unit 40 can inject the sample 147 into the culture tank 13 at a predetermined timing or upon receiving an instruction from outside. The sample 147 is injected into the sample tank 14 via the sample injection nipple 146 before the observation remote control device 1 is mounted on an artificial satellite on the ground.

[0045] When the sample 147 is injected into the culture tank 13, the original culture medium 133 that overflows flows through the discharge path 132 and is stored in the discharged culture medium storage section 141 on the back side of the diaphragm rubber sheet 143 in the sample tank 14, as shown in the lower part of Fig. 4. This allows a part of the culture medium 133 to be replaced with the sample 147 while maintaining a constant pressure.

[0046] <Environmental Printed Circuit Board 20> The environmental printed circuit board 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the environmental printed circuit board 20 on which an LED and a heater are mounted. As shown in Fig. 5, the environmental printed circuit board 20 includes an environmental printed wiring board 21, a heater 22 disposed on the environmental printed wiring board 21 as a temperature control unit, and an LED 23 disposed on the environmental printed wiring board 21 as a light source. In addition, a heater / LED control connector 24 for connecting to the control printed circuit board 30 and an external line connector 25 are disposed on the environmental printed wiring board 21. The environmental printed circuit board 20 is provided with a sensor (not shown) that measures the temperature, pressure, etc. inside the housing 2, and is configured to transmit the measurement data measured by the sensor to the control printed circuit board 30 (control unit 40).

[0047] The LED 23 is a light source that emits light necessary for photosynthesis in microbial culture and light used for microscopic photography. The LED 23 is provided on the underside of the environmental printed circuit board 20, and is arranged so as to be located above the culture tank 13 of the printed circuit board 10 for microscopic photography when the observation remote control device 1 is assembled. The LED 23 is controlled by the control unit 40 so as to light up at a predetermined timing, for example, during microscopic photography. The heater 22 is controlled by the control unit 40, and operates when the temperature inside the housing 2 measured by a sensor, for example, falls below a predetermined value.

[0048] <Control printed circuit board 30> The control printed circuit board 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the control printed circuit board 30, and Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control printed circuit board 30. Fig. 6 is a view of the control printed circuit board 30 shown in Fig. 1 as seen obliquely from below.

[0049] A control circuit for controlling various devices is built into the control printed circuit board 30. The control printed circuit board 30 has a CPU 32 (Central Processing Unit) as a data arithmetic and control processing device, and a RAM 33 (Random Access Memory) and a storage 34 as storage devices. The control printed circuit board 30 also has a communication module 35 for receiving information and signals from various devices and transmitting signals for operation. The CPU 32, RAM 33, storage 34, and communication module 35 are connected to each other via wiring so as to be able to communicate with each other. A heater / LED control connector 37 is mounted on the control printed circuit board 30, and is connected to the heater / LED control connector 24 of the environmental printed circuit board 20 via a cable (not shown). In addition, the control printed circuit board 30 is provided with an input / output interface 38.

[0050] The control printed circuit board 30 has, as its functional configuration, a control unit 40 that controls various devices, an image output unit 41, a storage unit 42, and a communication unit 43. The storage unit 42 stores setting files and programs for controlling the various devices. The control unit 40 reads the setting files and programs stored in the storage unit 42, and operates the microscope imaging device 12, the LED 23, the heater 22, and the valve unit 15.

[0051] The control unit 40 is realized by the CPU 32, and the memory unit 42 is realized by memory devices such as the RAM 33 and the storage 34. The communication unit 43 is realized by a communication module 35, and is connected by wire to the microscope imaging device 12, the LED 23, the heater 22, and the valve unit 15 in the experimental apparatus 100, and is capable of reading out image information or driving the LED 23, the heater 22, and the valve unit 15, as well as communicating with the communication device of the artificial satellite. Also, it is possible to receive and update setting files, programs, etc. from the artificial satellite.

[0052] In this embodiment, the control unit 40 is connected to the microscope imaging device 12 via the image transfer connector 36. Furthermore, the image output unit 41 outputs image information captured by the photoelectric conversion element 121 of the microscope imaging device 12 as an electrical signal. Furthermore, the storage unit 42 records the image information output by the image output unit 41 in, for example, the storage 34. The image information may be configured to be transmitted by the communication unit 43 to a communication device of the artificial satellite.

[0053] As described above, the environmental printed circuit board 20 is equipped with a heater 22 and sensors for measuring temperature, pressure, etc., and the control unit 40 controls the heater 22 to adjust the temperature to a level suitable for culturing microorganisms. The control printed circuit board 30 is disposed on the chassis 5 of the housing 2, and the chassis 5 and the CPU 32, which generates the most heat on the control printed circuit board 30, are configured to be in contact with each other via the thermally conductive block 5a. By thermal conduction via the thermally conductive block 5a, the heat of the CPU 32 is radiated from the chassis 5 through the satellite body into space. As a result, the temperature inside the housing 2 is kept sufficiently low, and the heater 22 is used inside the housing 2, making it possible to control the temperature within a certain range by the so-called cold bias method.

[0054] In this embodiment, Raspberry Pi Zero (registered trademark), a consumer general-purpose control device that is widely used around the world, is used as the control printed circuit board 30. Conventionally, dedicated control devices developed individually to control various devices have been used, but by using a commonly available control device, it is possible to build an observation remote control device 1 at a much lower cost and in a shorter development period than before.

[0055] In addition, in this embodiment, the microscopic photography printed circuit board 10, on which the microscopic photography device 12, the culture tank 13, the sample tank 14, and the valve section 15 are arranged, is formed so as to have the same shape as the control printed circuit board 30 in a planar view (when viewed in the direction of arrow A in Figure 1). Moreover, the environmental printed circuit board 20 on which the LEDs 23 and the heaters 22 are arranged, and the control printed circuit board 30 are formed to have the same shape in a plan view. More specifically, the microscopy printed wiring board 11, the environmental printed wiring board 21, and the control printed wiring board 31 of the control printed board 30 are formed to have a rectangular shape of a certain size in a plan view.

[0056] By making each printed circuit board have the same shape in a plan view, the printed circuit boards can be stacked in a predetermined direction as shown in Fig. 1. That is, the microscopic photography printed circuit board 10 and the environmental printed circuit board 20 can be stacked in the vertical direction (the direction of arrow A, up and down direction) of the control printed circuit board 30, and a small, compact experimental device 100 can be constructed. Moreover, the experimental device 100 can be easily assembled by simply placing spacers 8 at the four corners of each stacked printed circuit board and fixing them with board mounting screws 7. In particular, in order to conduct microbial experiments in outer space, the housing 2 of the observation remote control device 1 needs to be highly airtight, and the experimental device 100 itself is small and compact, which also contributes to making the observation remote control device 1 smaller and lighter.

[0057] Furthermore, by preparing multiple identically shaped printed circuit boards 10 for microscopy, each having a sample tank 14 filled with a different additive agent, the sample tank 14 can be selected according to the experimental plan and the experimental system can be rearranged, making it easy to design and develop the observation remote control device 1 according to the experimental plan.

[0058] Second Embodiment A ground experiment device 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the ground experiment device 200 used on the ground.

[0059] The ground experiment device 200 is composed of a microscopy print board 210, a control print board 230, and two sample print boards (a first sample print board 250 and a second sample print board 260). In the following, the same reference numerals are used for the members and components mounted on the ground experiment device 200 that are the same as or equivalent to those of the observation remote control device 1 of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0060] The control printed circuit board 230 has a similar configuration to the control printed circuit board 30 used in the first embodiment. The printed circuit board 210 for microscopy has a printed wiring board 211 for microscopy, a culture tank 13, and a microscopy device 12 arranged below the culture tank 13, which are arranged on the printed wiring board 211 for microscopy. The microscopic imaging printed circuit board 210 of the second embodiment differs from the microscopic imaging printed circuit board 10 of the first embodiment in that it does not have a sample tank 14 in which a sample 147 is contained or a valve section 15. Instead, sample tanks 252, 262 equipped with micropumps as sample exchange units of the present invention are provided on the first sample printed circuit board 250 and the second sample printed circuit board 260, respectively. This makes it possible to inject two types of samples 147 into the culture tank 13 in the ground experiment device 200.

[0061] The control printed circuit board 230 and the microscopy printed circuit board 210 are connected by a control cable 215 via an image transfer connector 126. The control printed circuit board 230 and the first sample printed circuit board 250 are connected by a control cable 255 and an internal line connector 256, and the control printed circuit board 230 and the second sample printed circuit board 260 are connected by a control cable 265 and an internal line connector 266.

[0062] As described above, each of the sample tanks 252, 262 is provided with a micropump as a sample exchange unit of the present invention. The culture tank 13 is connected to the sample tanks 252, 262 through injection paths 253, 263 and discharge paths 254, 264, and the control unit 40 can operate the micropump to automatically feed the sample 147 into the culture tank 13 at the required timing.

[0063] Moreover, the microscopic imaging printed circuit board 210, the control printed circuit board 230, the first sample printed circuit board 250, and the second sample printed circuit board 260 are formed in the same shape in a plan view. More specifically, the microscopic imaging printed wiring board 211 of the microscopic imaging printed circuit board 210, the control printed wiring board 31 of the control printed circuit board, the first sample printed wiring board 251 of the first sample printed circuit board 250, and the second sample printed wiring board 261 of the second sample printed circuit board 260 are formed to be rectangular in shape of a certain size. By combining the microscopic imaging printed circuit board 210 for culturing and microscopic imaging and the sample printed circuit boards on which different samples 147 are accommodated as functional blocks, an experimental device capable of handling various experiments can be constructed.

[0064] The first sample printed board 250 and the second sample printed board 260 are arranged side by side with the microscope imaging printed board 210 in the horizontal direction (the direction of the arrow CD in FIG. 8), and the control printed board 230 is arranged side by side with the microscope imaging printed board 210 in the vertical direction (the direction of the arrow EF in FIG. 8). This is just one example, and the microscope imaging printed board 210, the control printed board 230, the first sample printed board 250, and the second sample printed board 260 may be arranged overlapping in the vertical direction (the direction of the arrow AB in FIG. 8).

[0065] The embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings. The observation remote control device of the present invention is realized as a small and lightweight device, and is therefore effective for carrying out microbial culture experiments that require microscopic photography, particularly in outer space. In addition, since the functions related to the experiment are manufactured separately for each printed circuit board having the same shape, various experiments can be automated by combining them according to the purpose. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1. Remote control device for observation 2. Chassis 3 Cases 3a Check valve 4 Connection connector 5 Chassis 5a Heat conduction block 6 O-ring 7 Board mounting screws 8 Spacer 9 Housing sealing screw 100 Experimental Equipment 10 Printed circuit board for microscopy 11 Printed circuit board for microscopy 12 Microscopic imaging device (microscopic imaging section) 121 Photoelectric conversion element 122 Micro Lens 123 pixels 124 Semiconductor Substrate 125 Middle Class 126 Image transfer connector 13 Culture tank (culture container) 131 Injection path (tube) 132 Discharge channel (pipe) 133 Culture medium 14 Sample tank (sample container) 141 Discharge medium storage section 142 Sample Tank Lid 143 Diaphragm rubber sheet 144 Diaphragm push plate 145 coil spring 146 Sample injection nipple 147 Samples 15 Valve section (sample exchange section) 151 Needle valve (valve) 152 Coil spring 153 Valve fixing lever 154 Valve fixing part 155 Valve fixing wire 156 Switch 157 Power supply 20 Environmental Printed Circuit Boards 21 Environmentally friendly printed wiring boards 22 Heater (temperature control unit) 23 LED (light source) 24 Heater / LED control connector 25 External line connector 30 Control printed circuit board 31 Control printed circuit board 32 CPU 33 RAM 34 Storage 35 Communication Module 36 Image transfer connector 37 Heater / LED control connector 38 Input / Output Interface 40 Control section 41 Image output section 42 Storage section 43 Communications Department 200 Ground Experiment Equipment 210 Printed circuit board for microscopy 211 Printed circuit board for microscopy 215 Control Cable 230 Control Printed Circuit Board 250 First sample printed circuit board 251 First sample printed wiring board 252 Sample Tank 253 Injection path (tube) 254 Discharge channel (pipe) 255 Control Cable 256 Internal Line Connector 260 Second sample printed circuit board 261 Second sample printed wiring board 262 Sample Tank 263 Injection path (tube) 264 Discharge channel (pipe) 265 Control Cable 266 Internal Line Connector

Claims

1. A remote control device for observing cells cultured at a remote location, comprising: A culture vessel containing the cells and a medium for culturing the cells; a light source disposed above the culture vessel and configured to irradiate the cells with light; A temperature adjustment unit that adjusts the temperature of the culture vessel; a sample container connected to the culture container via a tube and configured to accommodate a sample to be injected into the culture container; a sample exchange unit that injects the sample in the sample container into the culture container through the tube and accommodates the culture medium in the culture container in the sample container; a microscopic imaging unit having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a matrix, the microscopic imaging unit being disposed below the culture vessel and imaging the cells from below using the photoelectric conversion elements; a control unit that controls the light source, the temperature adjustment unit, the sample exchange unit, and the microscope photography unit at a predetermined timing or in response to an external instruction, The control unit is an image output unit that outputs image information captured by the photoelectric conversion element as an electrical signal; A remote control device for observation, comprising: a storage unit for storing the image information; or a communication unit for transmitting the image information to an outside.

2. a printed circuit board for microscopy on which the culture vessel, the microscopy unit, the sample vessel, and the sample exchange unit are arranged; an environmental printed circuit board on which the light source and the temperature adjustment unit are arranged; A control printed circuit board on which the control unit is arranged, the microscopic photography printed circuit board, the environmental printed circuit board, and the control printed circuit board are all formed to have the same shape in a plan view, 2. The remote control device for observation according to claim 1, wherein an experimental device is constructed by changing the combination according to the purpose of the experiment and arranging the devices in a predetermined direction.

3. a printed circuit board for microscope photography on which the culture vessel and the microscope photography unit are arranged; a printed circuit board on which the sample container and the sample exchange unit are arranged; an environmental printed circuit board on which the light source and the temperature adjustment unit are arranged; A control printed circuit board on which the control unit is arranged, the microscopic imaging printed circuit board, the sample printed circuit board, the environmental printed circuit board, and the control printed circuit board are all formed to have the same shape in a plan view, 2. The remote control device for observation according to claim 1, wherein an experimental device is constructed by changing the combination according to the purpose of the experiment and arranging the devices in a predetermined direction.

4. the sample is biased within the sample vessel; the sample exchange unit has a valve that closes the tube, 2. The remote control device for observation according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the sample is injected, the valve is pushed out of the tube by the sample, and the sample exchange part and the culture vessel are connected to each other, thereby injecting the sample into the culture vessel.

5. a housing that houses the incubation container, the light source, the temperature adjustment unit, the sample container, the sample exchange unit, the microscopic photography unit, and the control unit; 5. The observation remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is a pressure vessel that applies a predetermined pressure inside the housing, and the housing is provided with a check valve that is used when adjusting the pressure inside the housing.

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