Pass box and cell culture system
The pass box design addresses the challenge of maintaining airtightness and preventing contamination by using an elastic member and seal to absorb door impact and maintain airtightness, allowing for faster and safer door operation in cell culture systems.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023197354
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-21
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-02
AI Technical Summary
Existing pass boxes and cell culture systems face challenges in maintaining airtightness and preventing contamination when the door is opened and closed quickly, leading to potential contamination between the incubator and clean bench environments.
A pass box design that includes a first and second chamber with a box body communicating between them, featuring a door portion that is openable and closable with an elastic member to absorb impact and a seal member to maintain airtightness, allowing for faster door operation while minimizing contamination risks.
The solution enables faster and more reliable opening and closing of the door, effectively reducing the risk of contamination between environments, thus maintaining the quality of cultured cells.
Smart Images
Figure 2025083773000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a pass box and a cell culture system.
Background Art
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a transport mechanism for transporting a culture vessel between two points. Conventionally, a technique has been proposed in which a culture vessel is sequentially moved between a first chamber (incubator) for culturing cells and a second chamber (clean bench) for applying various treatments to the cells using such a transport mechanism.
[0003] Here, when moving the culture vessel, it is necessary to avoid as much as possible a situation (contamination) in which the atmosphere and various environmental conditions are mixed between the first chamber (incubator) and the second chamber (clean bench). Therefore, the device according to Patent Document 2 is configured to be able to isolate between these chambers by providing an openable and closable door between the first chamber and the second chamber.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0004]
Patent Document 2
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0005] Here, in order to avoid the above contamination, it is required to open and close the door as quickly as possible. However, if the door is opened and closed too quickly, there is a risk that the door will bounce back due to the impact during opening and closing, and the airtightness between the chambers cannot be effectively maintained. For this reason, there has been an increasing demand for a technique that can more reliably avoid contamination while improving the speed of opening and closing the door.
[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a pass box and a cell culture system capable of improving the speed of opening and closing of a door and more reliably avoiding contamination.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0007] To solve the above problems, a pass box according to the present disclosure includes a first chamber having a first environment, a second chamber having a second environment different from the first environment, the first chamber, and a box body provided between the first chamber and the second chamber and communicating with each of the first chamber and the second chamber, an opening formed between the box body and the first chamber, and a door portion provided to be openable and closable at at least one of the opening formed between the box body and the second chamber, an elastic member that presses the door portion in a closing direction, and a seal member provided at an edge of the opening.
[0008] A cell culture system according to the present disclosure includes an incubator that forms a culture area in which a container is accommodated, a clean bench that forms a liquid operation area for performing a dispensing operation on the container, a transport device capable of transporting the container in each of the culture area and the liquid operation area, and the above-described pass box capable of transferring the container between the incubator as the first chamber and the clean bench as the second chamber.
Effects of the Invention
[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a pass box and a cell culture system capable of improving the speed of opening and closing of a door and more reliably avoiding contamination.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0010]
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0011] <First Embodiment> Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the cell culture system 100 of the present embodiment is a system that uses a flask unit 1 as a processing unit to perform cell culture, analysis of cells after culture, etc., and these processes are performed, for example, unmanned and automatically.
[0012] The flask unit 1 is composed of a flask tray 11 and a plurality (for example, two in this embodiment) of flasks 12 (culture containers) placed on the flask tray 11. A culture solution containing cells and a medium supplemented with nutrients necessary for cell growth is accommodated in the flask 12.
[0013] <Cell culture system 100> As shown in FIG. 1, the cell culture system 100 has a stocker 110, an incubator 130, a clean bench 140, and a pass box 150. The cell culture system 100 of the present embodiment further has a carry-in booth 120, a measuring device 160, a medium supply device 161, a waste liquid tank 162, and a transfer device 170.
[0014] <Stocking Rack 110> The stocking rack 110 is a facility for storing a plurality of flask units 1. The stocking rack 110 has a stocking rack main body 111, a rack 112, a first stocking door 113, and a second stocking door 114. The stocking rack main body 111 is a housing that forms a storage area R1 as a warehouse inside. The stocking rack main body 111 is composed of a transparent member such as acrylic or glass, for example. The rack 112 is arranged in the storage area R1, and a plurality of flask units 1 can be stored in the horizontal and vertical directions.
[0015] The first stocking door 113 is a door for carrying in the flask unit 1 etc. from the outside, and can be opened and closed by sliding in the horizontal direction, for example. The second stocking door 114 is a door for carrying out the flask unit 1 to the clean bench 140, and can be opened and closed by sliding in the horizontal direction, for example.
[0016] <Loading Booth 120> The loading booth 120 is a booth used for carrying in the flask unit 1 etc. from the outside into the stocking rack 110. The loading booth 120 has a booth main body 121 and a loading door 122. The booth main body 121 is a housing arranged adjacent to the stocking rack 110, and is composed of a transparent member. The space inside the loading booth 120 is a loading space, and can communicate with the storage area R1 through the second stocking door 114. The loading door 122 is a door for carrying in the flask unit 1 etc. from the outside into the loading booth 120, and can be opened and closed by sliding up and down, for example. The inside of the loading space is managed to be at a negative pressure compared to the atmosphere of the storage area R1, for example. Thereby, the intrusion of outside air etc. into the stocking rack 110 when the loading door 122 is open is avoided.
[0017] <Incubator 130> The incubator 130 is a facility for growing cells in a culture solution. The incubator 130 has an incubator main body 131 and a shaking stage 132. The incubator main body 131 is a housing that forms a culture area R3 inside. The culture area R3 is controlled at a temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration suitable for cell culture. The incubator main body 131 is composed of a transparent member such as acrylic or glass, for example. The shaking stage 132 is a device for shaking the flask unit 1. A plurality of shaking stages 132 are arranged in the culture area R3, and each holds a plurality of flask units 1. The shaking stage 132 is configured to be able to shake the flask unit 1 by eccentric rotation around a vertical axis, for example.
[0018] <Clean bench 140> The clean bench 140 is a facility for performing various operations and treatments on the flask unit 1. The clean bench 140 has a clean bench main body 141, a dispensing device 142, a waste liquid extraction device 145, and a stage 149.
[0019] The clean bench main body 141 is a housing that forms a liquid operation area R4 which is a highly clean and aseptic space (bio clean room) inside. In the clean space, air circulates as a downflow from above to below. The clean bench main body 141 is composed of a transparent member such as acrylic or glass, for example.
[0020] The dispensing device 142 is provided in the clean room. The dispensing device 142 performs various dispensing operations and other treatments on the flask unit 1. Note that not only one but a plurality of dispensing devices 142 may be provided.
[0021] The waste liquid extraction device 145 is provided in the liquid operation area R4 and is a device for extracting the culture solution that has become unused from the flask 12 of the flask unit 1 as waste liquid. A plurality of stages 149 are provided in the liquid operation area R4. The flask unit 1 is temporarily placed on the stage 149.
[0022] <Pass box 150> The pass box 150 is provided between the incubator 130 (first chamber) and the clean bench 140 (second chamber). The pass box 150 moves the main body of the flask 12 between the incubator 130 and the clean bench 140. The pass box 150 has a box main body 151, a first door 152, a second door 153, and a rotary transfer device 154 (transfer device 170).
[0023] The box main body 151 is a housing formed to be sandwiched between the incubator main body 131 and the clean bench main body 141. The first door 152 switches the communication state and the non-communication state between the space in the box main body 151 and the culture area R3, for example, by opening and closing in the horizontal direction. The second door 153 switches the communication state and the non-communication state between the space in the box main body 151 and the liquid operation area R4, for example, by opening and closing in the horizontal direction. The first door 152 and the second door 153 are not simultaneously in the open state. As a result, the culture area R3 and the liquid operation area R4 do not communicate directly.
[0024] The rotary transfer device 154 is housed in the pass box 150. The rotary transfer device 154 is capable of turning between the culture area R3 and the liquid operation area R4 around the vertical axis while supporting the flask unit 1. When the rotary transfer device 154 turns, the first door 152 and the second door 153 are in the open state, but the first door 152 and the second door 153 are not simultaneously in the open state. As a result, the culture area R3 and the liquid operation area R4 do not communicate directly, and the flask unit 1 can be moved between the culture area R3 and the liquid operation area R4. The configurations of the first door 152 and the second door 153 will be described later.
[0025] <Measurement device 160> The measurement device 160 is arranged adjacent to the clean bench 140. The measurement device 160 is a device capable of measuring and analyzing the number of cells in the culture solution. The culture solution dispensed from the flask 12 by the dispensing device 142 is transferred to the measurement device 160 via a tube (not shown).
[0026] <Medium supply device 161> The medium supply device 161 is arranged adjacent to the clean bench 140. The medium supply device 161 is a device capable of supplying the medium contained in the flask 12. The medium supplied from the medium supply device 161 is transferred to the dispensing device 142 and supplied into the flask 12 of the flask unit 1 in the dispensing device 142.
[0027] <Waste liquid tank 162> The waste liquid tank 162 is arranged adjacent to the clean bench 140. The waste liquid tank 162 is connected to the waste liquid extraction device 145 by a tube (not shown). The waste liquid from the waste liquid extraction device 145 is transferred to the waste liquid tank 162 through the tube.
[0028] <Conveyor device 170> The conveyor device 170 is a device for realizing unmanned conveyance of the flask unit 1 in the cell culture system 100. The conveyor device 170 includes a first transfer robot 171, a second transfer robot 172, a third transfer robot 173, a fourth transfer robot 174, and a conveyor.
[0029] The first transfer robot 171, the second transfer robot 172, the third transfer robot 173, and the fourth transfer robot 174 are each capable of horizontal movement, turning movement, and telescopic movement, and are configured to be able to grip the flask tray 11 by a gripper provided at the tip. The first transfer robot 171 is provided in the storage area R1. The second transfer robot 172 is provided in the culture area R3. The third transfer robot 173 and the fourth transfer robot 174 are provided in the liquid operation area R4.
[0030] The conveyor is provided within the liquid operation area R4 and horizontally transfers the flask unit 1 placed on its upper surface. The conveyor is arranged along the inner surface of the main body of the liquid operation area R4.
[0031] <Operation of the cell culture system 100> In the cell culture system 100 configured as described above, cell growth is promoted by shaking the culture solution in the flask unit 1 within the incubator 130. The flask unit 1 in which cell growth has progressed is transferred to the liquid operation area R4 via the third transfer robot 173 and the pass box 150. The flask unit 1 transferred to the liquid operation area R4 is transferred to the dispensing device 142 via the third transfer robot 173. In the dispensing device 142, the culture solution is dispensed from the flask 12 of the flask unit 1, and the culture solution is transferred to the measuring device 160. In the measuring device 160, the number of cells in the culture solution is measured, and the liquid properties are analyzed, etc.
[0032] Also, when adding a medium into the flask 12, the flask 12 is transferred into the dispensing device 142. Then, within the dispensing device 142, the medium from the medium supply device 161 is supplied to the flask 12.
[0033] Furthermore, when performing cell growth using a new flask unit 1, it is carried out, for example, according to the following procedure. That is, first, the third transfer robot 173 transfers the flask unit 1 without the culture solution on the rack 112 into the liquid operation area R4 through the stocker first door 113. The flask unit 1 is transferred to the dispensing device 142 via the third transfer robot 173, and the medium is supplied.
[0034] At the same time, the dispensing device 142 is transferred with the grown flask tray 11 in which the detailed growth has progressed. Then, the culture solution in the flask 12 of the grown flask tray 11 is dispensed into the flask 12 of the new flask tray 11. Thereby, the operation of transplanting the cells to the tray of the new flask tray 11 is completed. The flask unit 1 that has undergone the transplanting operation is transferred to the incubator 130, and cell growth is performed.
[0035] <Configuration of the pass box 150> Next, the pass box 150 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2. The rotation transfer device 154 described above includes an arm drive unit 201, an arm 202, and a holding unit 203. The arm drive unit 201 is provided in the pass box 150 and is a drive device for rotating the arm 202 extending horizontally from the arm drive unit 201.
[0036] The arm drive unit 201 rotates the arm 202 around the arm rotation axis X extending in the vertical direction (up and down direction). The arm 202 extends in the radial direction of the arm rotation axis X from the base end portion on the arm drive unit 201 side. The tip of the arm 202 has a length that can reach the culture area R3 and the liquid operation area R4 through the first door 152 and the second door 153, respectively.
[0037] A holding unit 203 capable of holding the flask unit 1 is provided at the tip of the arm 202. The holding unit 203 has a dish shape that supports the flask unit 1 from below.
[0038] The configurations of the first door 152 provided between the pass box 150 and the culture area R3 and the second door 153 provided between the pass box 150 and the liquid operation area R4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. Note that the first door 152 and the second door 153 have the same configuration except for the different installation positions. Therefore, hereinafter, the first door 152 and the second door 153 will be collectively referred to as the door device 300.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the door device 300 includes a door portion 301, an elastic member 302, and a seal member 303. The door portion 301 is in the shape of a rectangular plate that covers an opening that communicates the box body 151 with another area. A seal member 303 is provided at the edge of the opening. The seal member 303 is formed of a resin such as rubber, for example, and is provided to maintain airtightness when the door portion 301 closes the opening.
[0040] The door portion 301 includes an opening / closing device 400 and a door body 401. The opening / closing device 400 includes a support stay 501, a frame 502, a guide rail 503, an actuator 504, and a transmission regulation unit 505. The support stay 501 protrudes from above the opening. A frame 502 is rotatably attached to the support stay 501 about a rotation axis O. The rotation axis O of the frame 502 extends in the horizontal direction. Two guide rails 503 are provided midway in the vertical extension of the frame 502. The guide rail 503 protrudes from the frame 502 toward the opening. This guide rail 503 is inserted into a guide hole formed in the door body 401. A coil spring as the elastic member 302 is provided between the door body 401 and the frame 502. That is, due to the elastic force of the elastic member 302, the door body 401 is biased in a direction away from the frame 502 (a direction approaching the opening).
[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, the output shaft of the actuator 504 is provided coaxially with the rotation axis O of the frame 502. When the actuator 504 is driven, the frame 502 rotates around the rotation axis O. Further, a transmission control unit 505 is provided on the extension of the output shaft. The transmission control unit 505 transmits the driving force of the actuator 504 only in the direction in which the door body 401 closes the opening. In other words, when torque is applied in the direction of trying to open the door body 401, the transmission control unit 505 resists the torque and prevents the door body 401 from being opened. Specifically, the transmission control unit 505 is a two-way clutch mechanism. A coupling 506 is provided between the transmission control unit 505 and the output shaft of the actuator 504. Also, the transmission control unit 505 and the door body 401 are integrally connected by a shaft 507.
[0042] (Function and Effect) Here, in order to avoid contamination between the passbox 150 and other areas, it is required to open and close the door body 401 as quickly as possible. However, if the door body 401 is opened and closed too quickly, there is a risk that the door body 401 will bounce back due to the impact during opening and closing, and the airtightness between the rooms cannot be effectively maintained. For this reason, there has been an increasing demand for a technology that can more reliably avoid contamination while improving the opening and closing speed of the door body 401. Therefore, each of the above-described configurations is adopted in the present embodiment.
[0043] According to the above configuration, an elastic member 302 is provided between the door portion 301 and the opening. Therefore, when closing the door portion 301, the impact when the door portion 301 collides with the edge of the opening is absorbed by the elastic member 302. Thus, even when the door portion 301 is closed at high speed, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the door portion 301 rebounds due to the edge of the opening or the edge of the opening is damaged. As a result, it becomes possible to open and close the door portion 301 more quickly, and it is possible to more surely suppress the occurrence of contamination due to the mixing of the atmospheres between the first chamber and the pass box 150 and between the second chamber and the pass box 150. As a result, it becomes possible to maintain the quality of the finally cultured cells even better.
[0044] Also, according to the above configuration, even when an external force to be released is applied to the door body 401 in the closed state, the transmission control unit 505 can resist the external force. Therefore, it becomes possible to stably maintain the closed state of the door body 401. Furthermore, since the closed state is maintained only by the transmission control unit 505, it is not necessary to generate the torque of the actuator 504 to keep the door body 401 closed. For this reason, the power consumption of the entire device can be kept low. As a result, the operation cost of the device can be significantly reduced, and it becomes possible to lower the cost required to provide the final product, the cells.
[0045] According to the above configuration, the transmission control unit 505 can be easily and inexpensively configured only by using an off-the-shelf two-way clutch mechanism. As a result, it becomes possible to further reduce the manufacturing cost and operation cost of the device. Therefore, it becomes possible to further lower the cost required to provide the final product, the cells.
[0046] The first embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. Note that various changes and modifications can be made to the above configuration without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.
[0047] For example, in the above first embodiment, an example in which a two-way clutch mechanism is used as the transmission control unit 505 has been described. However, the mode of the transmission control unit 505 is not limited to the above, and it is possible to adopt the configuration shown in FIG. 5 as a modification. In the example of this figure, the transmission control unit 505 has a worm gear 601 provided on the output shaft of the actuator 504, and a worm wheel 602 that is integrated with the door body 401 (frame 502) and is rotatable about the axis P.
[0048] Here, when the worm gear 601 is rotationally driven, a rotational force is transmitted to the worm wheel 602, and the worm wheel 602 rotates. On the other hand, when a rotational force is generated on the side of the worm wheel 602 provided integrally with the door body 401, the rotational force is not transmitted to the worm gear 601. That is, even when an external force is applied to try to open the door body 401, the combination of the worm wheel 602 and the worm gear 601 inhibits the transmission of the external force. Thereby, it becomes possible to stably maintain the closed state of the door body 401. Furthermore, since the closed state is maintained only by the transmission control unit 505, it is not necessary to generate the torque of the actuator 504 to keep the door body 401 closed. For this reason, the power consumption of the entire device can be kept low. As a result, the operation cost of the device can be significantly reduced, and the cost required to provide the final product, the cell, can be lowered.
[0049] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those in the above first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. In this embodiment, the configuration of the door portion 301 is different from that of the above first embodiment. Specifically, this door portion 301 has a door body 401, a guide member 701, and a drive unit 702.
[0050] The door body 401 covers the opening of the box body 151 and is slidably provided in the direction along this opening (referred to as the first direction). One guide member 701 is provided at each of the edges on both sides in the width direction of the opening. The guide member 701 guides the door body 401 in the first direction. Specifically, the guide member 701 has a cam groove 703 that extends in a direction approaching the opening as it goes from one side to the other side in the first direction. A cam follower 704 that engages with this cam groove 703 is provided at the edge on the width direction outer side of the door body 401 (frame 502). Note that the upper half of the cam groove 703 extends in a direction parallel to the opening, and the lower half extends in the above-mentioned first direction.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 7, the drive unit 702 includes an actuator 504, a driving pulley 705, a driven pulley 706, a belt 707, a connecting portion 708, and a transmission restricting portion 505. The actuator 504 has an output shaft that is rotatable about an axis P. The driving pulley 705 is attached to the output shaft. The driven pulley 706 is arranged at an interval in the vertical direction from the driving pulley 705. The axis of the driven pulley 706 extends in a direction parallel to the driving pulley 705. The belt 707 is stretched between the driving pulley 705 and the driven pulley 706. The belt 707 is formed in a film shape made of an elastically deformable material such as rubber, for example. The connecting portion 708 connects the belt 707 and the door body 401 (frame 502). That is, when the belt 707 rotates between the driving pulley 705 and the driven pulley 706, the door body 401 also moves integrally in the vertical direction via the connecting portion 708. The transmission restricting portion 505 transmits the driving force of the actuator 504 only in the direction in which the door body 401 closes the opening. The transmission restricting portion 505 is a two-way clutch mechanism provided coaxially with the output shaft of the actuator 504.
[0052] (Function and effect) According to the above configuration, the cam follower 704 of the door body 401 moves in the first direction by being guided by the cam groove 703 of the guide member 701. Since the cam groove 703 extends in a direction approaching the opening as it goes toward the other side in the first direction, finally the door body 401 is pressed against the edge of the opening, and the opening is closed. As a result, it becomes possible to close the opening more quickly. Further, even if an external force is applied to the door body 401 from the normal direction, since the cam groove 703 extends in the first direction different from the normal direction, the door body 401 is not easily opened. Therefore, the closed state of the opening by the door body 401 can be stably maintained. As a result, it becomes possible to further improve the quality of the cells to be cultured.
[0053] According to the above configuration, by rotating the driving pulley 705 by the actuator 504, the belt 707 rotates in the same direction. As a result, the door body 401 connected to the belt 707 via the connecting portion 708 moves, and the opening can be opened and closed. Further, even when an external force to open is applied to the door body 401 in the closed state, the transmission restricting portion 505 can resist the external force. Therefore, the closed state of the door body 401 can be stably maintained. Furthermore, since the closed state is maintained only by the transmission restricting portion 505, it is not necessary to generate the torque of the actuator 504 to keep the door body 401 closed. For this reason, the power consumption of the entire device can be kept low. As a result, the operation cost of the device can be significantly reduced, and the cost required for providing the final product, the cells, can be lowered.
[0054] According to the above configuration, the transmission restricting portion 505 can be easily and inexpensively configured only by using an off-the-shelf two-way clutch mechanism. As a result, the manufacturing cost and the operation cost of the device can be further reduced. Therefore, the cost required for providing the final product, the cells, can be further lowered.
[0055] The second embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. Note that various changes and modifications can be made to the above configuration without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.
[0056] For example, similar to the modification of the first embodiment, the transmission control unit 505 can be configured by a worm gear 601 and a worm wheel 602. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the transmission control unit 505 includes a worm gear 601 provided on the output shaft of the actuator 504, and a worm wheel 602 that is integrated with the door body 401 and is rotatable about the axis P.
[0057] Here, when the worm gear 601 is rotationally driven, a rotational force is transmitted to the worm wheel 602, and the worm wheel 602 rotates. On the other hand, when a rotational force is generated on the side of the worm wheel 602 provided integrally with the door body 401, the rotational force is not transmitted to the worm gear 601. That is, even when an external force is applied to try to open the door body 401, the combination of the worm wheel 602 and the worm gear 601 inhibits the transmission of the external force. Thereby, it becomes possible to stably maintain the closed state of the door body 401. Furthermore, since the closed state is maintained only by the transmission control unit 505, it is not necessary to generate the torque of the actuator 504 to keep the door body 401 closed. Therefore, the power consumption of the entire device can be kept low. As a result, the operation cost of the device can be significantly reduced, and the cost required to provide the final product, the cell, can be lowered.
[0058] (Other Embodiments) As described above, the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like within the scope not departing from the gist of the present disclosure are also included.
[0059] For example, the above door device 300 may be disposed inside the passbox 150, or may be disposed outside the passbox (i.e., in the culture area R3 or the liquid operation area R4). Further, in this case, it is conceivable to make the internal pressure of the chamber on the side where the door device 300 is provided higher than the internal pressure of the other chamber. According to this configuration, a force directed toward the passbox 150 is generated on the door portion 301 based on the differential pressure between the first chamber and the second chamber and the passbox 150. Therefore, even when a slight force is applied to the door portion 301 from the passbox 150 side, the closed state of the door portion 301 can be maintained by the differential pressure. As a result, since the atmosphere can be isolated between the passbox 150 and the outside, contamination can be more reliably avoided. Therefore, it becomes possible to maintain the quality of the cells, which are the final product, even better.
[0060] Also, in each of the above embodiments, an example in which the opening where the door device 300 is provided has a rectangular shape has been described. However, the shape of the opening is not limited to a rectangle, and may be circular or polygonal. In any case, the same operational effects as those described above can be obtained. In addition, when it is circular, since an existing O-ring can be immediately diverted as the sealing member 303, the manufacturing cost and maintenance cost of the device can be reduced.
[0061] <Appendix> The passbox 150 and the cell culture system 100 described in each embodiment are understood, for example, as follows.
[0062] (1) The pass box 150 according to the first aspect includes a first chamber having a first environment, a second chamber having a second environment different from the first environment, a box body 151 communicating with the first chamber and the second chamber respectively and provided between the first chamber and the second chamber, a door portion 301 provided to be openable and closable at least at one of an opening formed between the box body 151 and the first chamber and an opening formed between the box body 151 and the second chamber, an elastic member 302 pressing the door portion 301 in the closing direction, and a seal member 303 provided at an edge of the opening.
[0063] According to the above configuration, the elastic member 302 is provided between the door portion 301 and the opening. Therefore, when closing the door portion 301, the impact when the door portion 301 collides with the edge of the opening is absorbed by the elastic member 302. Thus, even when the door portion 301 is closed at high speed, the possibility that the door portion 301 bounces back due to the edge of the opening or the edge of the opening is damaged can be reduced.
[0064] (2) The pass box 150 according to the second aspect is the pass box 150 of (1), wherein the door portion 301 includes a door main body 401 that covers the opening and is rotatable around a rotation axis O, an actuator 504 that drives the door main body 401 around the rotation axis O, and a transmission restriction portion 505 that transmits the driving force of the actuator 504 only in the direction in which the door main body 401 closes the opening.
[0065] According to the above configuration, even when an external force to be released is applied to the door main body 401 in the closed state, the transmission restriction portion 505 can resist the external force. Therefore, it is possible to stably maintain the closed state of the door main body 401. Furthermore, since the closed state is maintained only by the transmission restriction portion 505, it is not necessary to generate the torque of the actuator 504 to keep the door main body 401 closed. For this reason, the power consumption of the entire device can be kept low.
[0066] (3) The pass box 150 according to the third aspect is the pass box 150 of (2), and the transmission control unit 505 is a two-way clutch mechanism provided coaxially with the output shaft of the actuator 504.
[0067] According to the above configuration, the transmission control unit 505 can be easily and inexpensively configured only by using a two-way clutch mechanism as an off-the-shelf product.
[0068] (4) The pass box 150 according to the fourth aspect is the pass box 150 of (2), and the transmission control unit 505 includes a worm gear 601 provided on the output shaft of the actuator 504, and a worm wheel 602 that is integrated with the door body 401 and is rotatable about the rotation axis O.
[0069] Here, when the worm gear 601 is rotationally driven, a rotational force is transmitted to the worm wheel 602, and the worm wheel 602 rotates. On the other hand, when a rotational force is generated on the side of the worm wheel 602 provided integrally with the door body 401, the rotational force is not transmitted to the worm gear 601. That is, even when an external force is applied to open the door body 401, the combination of the worm wheel 602 and the worm gear 601 inhibits the transmission of the external force. As a result, it is possible to stably maintain the closed state of the door body 401. Furthermore, since the closed state is maintained only by the transmission control unit 505, it is not necessary to generate the torque of the actuator 504 to keep the door body 401 closed. Therefore, the power consumption of the entire device can be kept low.
[0070] (5) The pass box 150 according to the fifth aspect is the pass box 150 of (1), wherein the door portion 301 includes a door body 401 that covers the opening and is slidable in a direction along the opening, a guide member 701 provided at an edge of the opening for guiding the door body 401 in a first direction, and a driving portion 702 for sliding the door body 401 along the guide member 701. The guide member 701 has a cam groove 703 extending in a direction approaching the opening from one side to the other side in the first direction, and a cam follower 704 provided on the door body 401 and engaged with the cam groove 703.
[0071] According to the above configuration, the cam follower 704 of the door body 401 moves in the first direction by being guided by the cam groove 703 of the guide member 701. Since the cam groove 703 extends in a direction approaching the opening as it goes from one side to the other side in the first direction, finally the door body 401 is pressed against the edge of the opening, and the opening is closed. Thereby, it becomes possible to close the opening more quickly.
[0072] (6) The pass box 150 according to the sixth aspect is the pass box 150 of (5), wherein the driving portion 702 includes an actuator 504 having an output shaft rotatable about an axis P, a main pulley 705 provided on the output shaft, a driven pulley 706 arranged at a distance from the main pulley 705, a belt 707 stretched between the main pulley 705 and the driven pulley 706, a connecting portion 708 connecting the belt 707 and the door body 401, and a transmission restricting portion 505 for transmitting the driving force of the actuator 504 only in the direction in which the door body 401 closes the opening.
[0073] According to the above configuration, by rotating the driving pulley 705 with the actuator 504, the belt 707 rotates in the same direction. As a result, the door body 401 connected to the belt 707 via the connection portion 708 moves, and the opening can be opened and closed. Further, even when an external force to be released is applied to the door body 401 in the closed state, the transmission restricting portion 505 can resist the external force. Therefore, it is possible to stably maintain the closed state of the door body 401. Furthermore, since the closed state is maintained only by the transmission restricting portion 505, it is not necessary to generate the torque of the actuator 504 to keep the door body 401 closed. For this reason, the power consumption of the entire apparatus can be kept low.
[0074] (7) The pass box 150 according to the seventh aspect is the pass box 150 of (6), wherein the transmission restricting portion 505 is a two-way clutch mechanism provided coaxially with the output shaft of the actuator 504.
[0075] According to the above configuration, the transmission restricting portion 505 can be easily and inexpensively configured only by using a two-way clutch mechanism as an off-the-shelf product.
[0076] (8) The pass box 150 according to the eighth aspect is the pass box 150 of (6), wherein the transmission restricting portion 505 includes a worm gear 601 provided on the output shaft of the actuator 504, and a worm wheel 602 integrated with the door body 401 and rotatable about the axis P.
[0077] Here, when the worm gear 601 is rotationally driven, a rotational force is transmitted to the worm wheel 602, and the worm wheel 602 rotates. On the other hand, when a rotational force is generated on the side of the worm wheel 602 provided integrally with the door body 401, the rotational force is not transmitted to the worm gear 601. That is, even when an external force is applied to open the door body 401, the combination of the worm wheel 602 and the worm gear 601 inhibits the transmission of the external force. Thereby, it becomes possible to stably maintain the closed state of the door body 401. Furthermore, since the closed state is maintained only by the transmission regulation unit 505, it is not necessary to generate the torque of the actuator 504 to keep the door body 401 closed. For this reason, the power consumption of the entire apparatus can be kept low.
[0078] (9) The pass box 150 according to the ninth aspect is the pass box 150 according to any one of the aspects (1) to (8), wherein the door portion 301 is provided on each of the first chamber side and the second chamber side, and the internal pressures of the first chamber and the second chamber are set higher than the internal pressure of the box body 151.
[0079] According to the above configuration, a force directed toward the pass box 150 is generated on the door portion 301 based on the differential pressure between the first chamber and the second chamber and the pass box 150. Therefore, even when a slight force is applied to the door portion 301 from the pass box 150 side, the closed state of the door portion 301 can be maintained by the differential pressure.
[0080] (10) The pass box 150 according to the tenth aspect includes an incubator 130 as the first chamber forming a culture area R3 in which a container (flask 12) is accommodated, a clean bench 140 as the second chamber forming a liquid operation area R4 for performing a dispensing operation on the container, a transfer device 170 capable of transferring the container in each of the culture area R3 and the liquid operation area R4, and a pass box 150 according to any one of the aspects (1) to (9) capable of delivering the container between the incubator 130 and the clean bench 140.
[0081] According to the above configuration, by avoiding contamination, it becomes possible to provide cells with even better quality and activity.
Explanation of Reference Numerals
[0082] 1…Flask unit 11…Flask tray 12…Flask (container) 100…Cell culture system 110…Stocker 111…Stocker main body 112…Rack 113…First stocker door 114…Second stocker door 120…Loading booth 121…Booth main body 122…Loading door 130…Incubator 131…Incubator main body 132…Shaking stage 140…Clean bench 141…Clean bench main body 142…Dispensing device 145…Waste liquid extraction device 149…Stage 150…Pass box 151…Box main body 152…First door 153…Second door 154…Rotary transfer device 160…Measuring device 161…Medium supply device 162…Waste liquid tank 170…Transfer device 171…First transfer robot 172…Second transfer robot 173…Third transfer robot 174…Fourth transfer robot 201…Arm drive unit 202…Arm 203…Holding part 300…Door device 301…Door part 302…Elastic member 303…Sealing member 400…Opening / closing device 401…Door main body 501…Support stand 502…Frame 503…Guide rail 504…Actuator 505…Transmission regulation part 506…Coupling 507…Shaft 601…Worm gear 602…Worm wheel 701…Guide member 702…Drive part 703…Cam groove 704…Cam follower 705…Drive pulley 706…Driven pulley 707…Belt 708…Connection part O…Rotation axis P…Axis line R1…Storage area R2…Loading area R3…Cultivation area R4…Liquid operation area X…Arm rotation axis
Claims
1. a first chamber having a first environment; a second chamber having a second environment different from the first environment; a box body communicating with the first chamber and the second chamber respectively and provided between the first chamber and the second chamber; a door portion provided to be openable and closable at least one of an opening formed between the box body and the first chamber and an opening formed between the box body and the second chamber; an elastic member that presses the door portion in the closing direction; a seal member provided at an edge of the opening; A pass box comprising:
2. The door portion is a door body that covers the opening and is rotatable about a rotation axis, an actuator that drives the door body about the rotation axis, a transmission restricting portion that transmits the driving force of the actuator only in a direction in which the door body closes the opening; The pass box according to claim 1, comprising:
3. The pass box according to claim 2, wherein the transmission restricting portion is a two-way clutch mechanism provided coaxially with an output shaft of the actuator.
4. The pass box according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the transmission restricting portion has a worm gear provided on an output shaft of the actuator and a worm wheel that is integrated with the door body and is rotatable about the rotation axis.
5. The door portion is a door body that covers the opening and is slidable in a direction along the opening, a guide member provided at an edge of the opening to guide the door body in a first direction, a driving portion that slides the door body along the guide member; comprising The guide member is a cam groove extending in a direction approaching the opening as it goes from one side to the other side in the first direction, a cam follower provided on the door body and engaged with the cam groove; The pass box according to claim 1, comprising:
6. The driving portion is an actuator having an output shaft rotatable about an axis, a driving pulley provided on the output shaft, a driven pulley arranged at a distance from the driving pulley, a belt stretched between the driving pulley and the driven pulley, a connecting portion that connects the belt and the door body, a transmission restricting portion that transmits the driving force of the actuator only in a direction in which the door body closes the opening; The pass box according to claim 5, comprising:
7. The pass box according to claim 6, wherein the transmission control unit is a two-way clutch mechanism provided coaxially with the output shaft of the actuator.
8. The pass box according to claim 6, wherein the transmission control unit includes a worm gear provided on the output shaft of the actuator and a worm wheel that is integrated with the door body and rotatable about the axis.
9. The door portion is provided on each of the first chamber side and the second chamber side, The pass box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the internal pressures of the first chamber and the second chamber are set higher than the internal pressure of the box body.
10. An incubator that forms a culture area for accommodating a container, A clean bench that forms a liquid operation area for performing a dispensing operation on the container, A transfer device capable of transferring the container in each of the culture area and the liquid operation area, The pass box according to claim 1, capable of transferring the container between the incubator as the first chamber and the clean bench as the second chamber, A cell culture system comprising the above.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Cell culture device
JP4778984B2
Isolator system and decontamination method thereof
JP6684431B2