Planning system, planning method, and program

Abstract

To provide a planning system configured to propose a culture schedule that matches a request from a customer when receiving an order for a new project, the culture schedule being formed with appropriate culture intervals without exceeding the upper limit of resources of a cell culture system.SOLUTION: This planning system comprises: an acquisition unit for acquiring a sequence representing the order of execution of culture procedures of a project as well as a start time or end time for the project; a creation unit for creating a proposed schedule that has an established start date and end date for the project as well as an execution period for each of the culture procedures; a calculation unit for calculating a predicted value for the total quantity, per unit time, of resources used for the project and another project; a modification unit for modifying the proposed schedule by moving the execution period of a target step forward or backward so as to satisfy a first constraint condition; and an output unit for outputting the proposed schedule for the project.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a planning system, a planning method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In a cell culture system, cell culture operations for each project are automatically performed. Therefore, it is necessary to make adjustments such as shifting the implementation period of a project so as not to exceed the resource limit of the cell culture system. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for calculating and outputting the peak period for each task when a plurality of tasks are performed in parallel.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in a cell culture project, since live cells are handled, it is affected if the operation interval between the previous culture operation and the next culture operation is too short or too long. In addition, a cell culture project may be carried out over a long period such as one year. At this time, if a culture schedule is simply created such that a new project is started after the end date of an existing project, it may not be in agreement with the customer's request and there is a possibility of losing an order opportunity.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a planning system, a planning method, and a program that can propose a culture schedule that does not exceed the resource limit of a cell culture system, has an appropriate operation interval for culture operations, and matches the customer's request when accepting a new project.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a planning system is a planning system that plans a culture schedule for a project of culturing cells using a cell culture system, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires a sequence representing an execution order of a plurality of culture operations to be performed in the project and a start time or an end time of the project, a creation unit that creates a schedule draft that determines a start date and an end date of the project and an execution period of each of the culture operations based on the sequence, the start time, or the end time, a calculation unit that calculates a predicted value of the total usage amount per unit time of resources of the project and other projects based on the schedule draft, a culture schedule of other projects, and resource information in which a predicted usage amount of resources for each culture operation is determined in advance, and a change unit that, when there is a period in the schedule draft in which the predicted value of the total usage amount does not satisfy a first constraint condition that defines an upper limit of the resource usage amount of the cell culture system, moves the execution period of the target process, which is the culture operation of the project to be performed in the period, forward or backward so as to satisfy the first constraint condition and changes the schedule draft, and an output unit that outputs the schedule draft of the project.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a planning method is a planning method for planning a culture schedule of a project for culturing cells using a cell culture system, the method including: obtaining a sequence representing an execution order of a plurality of culture operations to be performed in the project, and a start time or an end time of the project; creating a schedule proposal that determines a start date and an end date of the project and an execution period of each of the culture operations based on the sequence, the start time, or the end time; calculating a predicted value of a total usage amount per unit time of resources of the project and other projects based on the schedule proposal, a culture schedule of other projects, and resource information in which a predicted usage amount of resources for each culture operation is predetermined; when there is a period in the schedule proposal in which the predicted value of the total usage amount does not satisfy a first constraint condition that defines an upper limit of the resource usage amount of the cell culture system, changing the schedule proposal by moving the execution period of the target process, which is the culture operation of the project to be performed in the period, forward or backward so as to satisfy the first constraint condition; and outputting the schedule proposal of the project.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a program causes a planning system that plans a culture schedule of a project for culturing cells using a cell culture system to obtain a sequence representing an execution order of a plurality of culture operations to be performed in the project and a start time or an end time of the project, create a schedule proposal that determines a start date and an end date of the project and an execution period of each of the culture operations based on the sequence and the start time or the end time, calculate a predicted value of a total usage amount per unit time of resources of the project and other projects based on the schedule proposal, a culture schedule of other projects, and resource information in which a predicted usage amount of resources for each culture operation is determined in advance, and when there is a period in the schedule proposal in which the predicted value of the total usage amount does not satisfy a first constraint condition that defines an upper limit of the resource usage amount of the cell culture system, change the schedule proposal by moving the execution period of the culture operation of the project to be performed in the period forward or backward so as to satisfy the first constraint condition, and output the schedule proposal of the project.

Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the above aspect, when accepting a new project, it is possible to propose a culture schedule that does not exceed the resource upper limit of the cell culture system, has an appropriate operation interval for the culture operation, and matches the customer requirements.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 21.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the cell culture system 100 of the present embodiment is a system that performs cell culture and analysis of cells after culture automatically and without human intervention, using a workpiece W as a processing unit.

[0013] (Configuration of the cell culture system) As shown in FIG. 1, the cell culture system 100 includes a stocker 110, a cell storage booth 120, an incubator 130, a clean bench 140, a pass box 150, a measuring device 160, a medium supply device 161, and a waste liquid tank 162.

[0014] <Stocker> The stocker 110 is a facility for storing a plurality of workpieces W used in the incubator 130 and the clean bench 140. The workpiece W has a flask for storing a culture solution inside. The stocker 110 forms a workpiece storage area R1 inside. In the workpiece storage area R1 of the stocker 110, a workpiece storage device 112 is arranged. The workpiece storage device 112 can store a plurality of workpieces W. In addition, the stocker 110 is provided with a door 110a for carrying out the workpiece W to the clean bench 140 by a conveying device (not shown).

[0015] <Cell storage booth> The cell storage booth 120 is a facility for storing cultured cells. The cell storage booth 120 forms a cell storage area R2 inside. In the cell storage area R2 of the cell storage booth 120, a storage container 122 for cryopreserving a part of the cultured medium in which cell growth has progressed is arranged. Also, the cell storage booth 120 is provided with a door 120a for carrying in and out the work W between the clean bench 140 by a conveying device (not shown).

[0016] <Incubator> The incubator 130 is a facility for growing cells in a culture medium. The incubator 130 forms a culture area R3 controlled at a temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration suitable for cell culture. In the culture area R3 of the incubator 130, for example, a plurality of shaking stages 132 are provided and configured to be able to shake a plurality of works W. The incubator 130 has a conveying device (not shown) for automatically conveying the work W in the culture area R3.

[0017] <Clean bench> The clean bench 140 performs various operations and processes such as dispensing operations, waste liquid extraction, and labeling on the work W. Inside the clean bench 140, a liquid operation area R4, which is a highly clean and aseptic space, is formed. In the liquid operation area R4 of the clean bench 140, a plurality (three in the example of FIG. 1) of dispensing devices 142 are arranged. The dispensing device 142 performs dispensing operations on the work W. Also, the clean bench 140 has a conveying device (not shown) for automatically conveying the work W in the liquid operation area R4.

[0018] <Pass box> The pass box 150 is provided between the incubator 130 and the clean bench 140. Through this pass box 150, the work W is transferred between the culture area R3 and the liquid operation area R4. The pass box 150 has a first door 150a and a second door 150b. The first door 150a switches the communication state and non-blocking state between the space inside the pass box 150 and the culture area R3. The second door 150b switches the communication state and non-communication state between the space inside the pass box 150 and the liquid operation area R4. The first door 150a and the second door 150b are not simultaneously in the open state, so that the culture area R3 and the liquid operation area R4 do not communicate directly.

[0019] <Measurement device> 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 dispensed from the dispensing device 142.

[0020] <Culture medium supply device> The culture medium supply device 161 is arranged adjacent to the clean bench 140. The culture medium supply device 161 is a device capable of supplying the culture medium accommodated in the work W (flask) via the dispensing device 142.

[0021] <Waste liquid tank> The waste liquid tank 162 is arranged adjacent to the clean bench 140. The waste liquid tank 162 receives the waste liquid from a waste liquid extraction device (not shown) arranged on the clean bench 140.

[0022] (Operation of the cell culture system) In the cell culture system 100 configured as described above, cell growth is promoted by shaking the culture solution in the work W on the shaking stage 132 of the incubator 130. The work W in which cell growth has progressed is transferred to the liquid operation area R4 through the pass box 150. The culture solution in the work W transferred to the liquid operation area R4 is dispensed, or the culture medium is supplied to the work W.

[0023] On the other hand, when performing cell growth using a new workpiece W, for example, the following procedure is carried out. First, the transfer device in the stocker 110 takes out a new workpiece W from the workpiece storage device 112 and transfers it into the liquid operation area R4. In the liquid operation area R4, a medium is supplied to the new workpiece W that does not contain a culture solution, and a culture solution is dispensed from the workpiece W transferred from the liquid operation area R4 that contains the grown culture solution in which cell growth has progressed into the new workpiece W. Thereby, the operation of transplanting (subculturing) cells onto the new workpiece W is completed. The new workpiece W that has undergone the subculturing operation is transferred to the incubator 130, where cell growth is performed, and the above-described process is repeated. Further, at the time of the subculturing operation, if necessary, a part of the culture solution is dispensed into the workpiece W for cryopreservation, transferred to the cell storage booth 120, and cryopreserved.

[0024] (Configuration of Management System) The management system 200 is a system that performs control, monitoring, creation of a culture schedule necessary for control, etc. of the cell culture system 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the management system 200 includes a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) 20 and a management device 30.

[0025] <plc> The PLC 20 automatically controls the operations of each device of the cell culture system 100 according to the culture schedule for each project (for each cell requested by the customer).

[0026] <Management device> The management device 30 is communicably connected to the PLC 20. The management device 30 receives the operation of the user and transmits the culture schedule of each project created to the PLC 20, so that the PLC 20 can automatically perform the culture operation of each project. In addition, the management device 30 monitors the presence or absence of abnormalities in the PLC 20 and the cell culture system 100.

[0027] <Planning system> The planning system 40 is communicably connected to the management device 30 and the terminal device 50. When receiving a new project order from a customer, it creates a schedule draft of the culture schedule for the new project. The planning system 40 takes as input a sequence or the like that determines the start time or end time of the new project, the execution order of a plurality of culture operations, etc., and outputs a culture schedule including the start date and end date of the new project, the execution period of each culture operation, etc. In addition, the planning system may further output a consumption prediction of consumables, an estimated date of manual work, a rough estimate, etc. In this embodiment, an aspect in which the planning system 40 is configured by one computer (server) will be described as an example. In other embodiments, the planning system 40 may be configured by a plurality of cloud servers.

[0028] <Terminal device> The terminal device 50 is a PC, smartphone, tablet, etc. carried by a user (salesperson). Information about a new project is input through the terminal device 50, for example, information heard by the user from the customer, and transmitted to the planning system 40. In addition, the terminal device 50 displays the culture schedule, consumption prediction of consumables, rough estimate, etc. received from the planning system 40 and presents them to the user.

[0029] (Functional configuration of the planning system) As shown in FIG. 3, the planning system 40 includes a processor 41, a memory 42, a storage 43, and a communication interface 44.

[0030] By operating according to a predetermined program, the processor 41 functions as an acquisition unit 411, a creation unit 412, a calculation unit 413, a modification unit 414, and an output unit 415.

[0031] The acquisition unit 411 acquires a sequence representing the execution order of a plurality of culture operations to be performed in the project, and the start time or end time of the project.

[0032] Based on the sequence and the start time or end time, the creation unit 412 creates a schedule plan that determines the start date and end date of the project and the implementation period of each culture operation.

[0033] Based on the schedule plan, the culture schedule of other projects, and resource information that predefines the expected usage amount of resources for each culture operation, the calculation unit 413 calculates the predicted value of the total usage amount per unit time of the resources of the project and other projects.

[0034] In the schedule plan, if there is a period in which the predicted value of the total usage amount does not satisfy the first constraint condition that defines the upper limit of the resource usage amount of the cell culture system, the modification unit 414 sets the culture operation of the project to be performed during that period as the target process, and moves the implementation period of the target process forward or backward so as to satisfy the first constraint condition, thereby modifying the schedule plan.

[0035] The output unit 415 outputs the schedule plan of the project to the terminal device 50. The user can view the schedule plan created by the planning system 40 through the terminal device 50.

[0036] Incidentally, the predetermined program executed by the processor 41 is stored in a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium refers to a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, or the like. Further, this computer program may be distributed to a computer via a communication line, and the computer that has received this distribution may execute the program. Furthermore, this program may be for realizing a part of the above-described functions. Furthermore, it may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-described functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

[0037] The memory 42 has a memory area necessary for the operation of the processor 41.

[0038] The storage 43 is a so-called auxiliary storage device, such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like. In the storage 43, data (for example, the culture schedule of each project, resource information, the created culture schedule, etc.) acquired, generated, and referred to by each part of the processor 41 during processing is stored.

[0039] The communication interface 44 is an interface for transmitting and receiving various data, control signals, etc. between the management device 30 and the terminal device 50.

[0040] (Processing Flow) Next, with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the flow of the culture schedule creation process of the planning system 40 will be described.

[0041] First, the user listens to the customer's requests regarding the start or end time of a new project, requests regarding the sequence, etc., and inputs them into the terminal device 50. Then, the acquisition unit 411 acquires this information from the terminal device 50 (step S11). For example, the user asks the customer about the desired end time of a new project and inputs the end time (end month and end day). Also, when the desired end time is not determined or when there is a request to complete the project as soon as possible, the user may input, for example, the earliest start month or start day when the preparation of consumables can be completed as the start time.

[0042] Also, as shown in FIG. 7 for example, the sequence determines the order of execution of each culture operation. FIG. 7 illustrates the sequences of several projects. Depending on the cells to be cultured in the project, the person in charge of the project, the customer, etc., there are various variations in the types and order of the culture operations to be performed as illustrated in FIG. 7. The user may input and set the sequence heard from the customer into the terminal device 50, or when the same sequence as a project previously performed can be used, read and set a registered sequence (for example, any of the sequences shown in FIG. 7) from the planning system 40 through the terminal device 50. Also, the user may partially modify the registered sequence according to the customer's request.

[0043] Next, the creation unit 412 creates a schedule plan that determines the start date and end date of the new project and the implementation period of each culture operation based on the sequence acquired by the acquisition unit 411 and the start time or end time (step S12). At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the creation unit 412 determines the scheduled implementation period of each culture operation so as to satisfy the second constraint condition that defines the time constraint of the operation interval of the culture operation.

[0044] In the example of FIG. 8, in the second constraint condition, when a certain culture operation (process) is designated as N, the operation interval with the previous process N-1 is in the range of 1 to 3 days, and the operation interval with the subsequent process N+1 is in the range of 1 to 5 days. Also, in the second constraint condition, a standard period (for example, 2 days) for each operation interval may be further defined. For example, the creation unit 412 determines the scheduled execution periods of each culture operation (processes 1 to 7) included in the sequence with the standard period of each culture operation interval from the start date specified by the customer. The creation unit 412 may create a standard plan with the operation interval as the standard period, a fastest plan with the operation interval as the minimum period, and a slowest plan with the operation interval as the maximum period, respectively. Also, when the end date is specified by the customer, the creation unit 412 creates a schedule plan calculated backward from the end date. Note that in the example of FIG. 8, the second constraint condition is common for each culture operation, but different second constraint conditions may be preset according to the combination of culture operations (seeding and subculture, subculture and measurement, etc.) performed successively before and after.

[0045] Also, although the culture operation is automatically performed by the cell culture system 100, operations such as emptying the trash can where the used flasks are discarded are performed by humans. Therefore, the creation unit 412 may set the schedule (expected date) for performing such manual work and include it in the schedule plan.

[0046] The calculation unit 413 predicts the total usage amount per unit time of the resources of the project and other projects based on the schedule plan, the previously created culture schedule of other projects (existing projects), and the resource information in which the predicted usage amount of resources for each culture operation is determined in advance, and creates a rough estimate of the project cost (step S13).

[0047] For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the resource information is determined in advance as the expected usage amount of resources per unit time for each culture operation. The culture operations include, for example, seeding, subculture, FB (fed-batch) culture, etc. Also, as in the example of FIG. 9, each culture operation (seeding, subculture, FB culture) may be further subdivided according to the operation content and may be assigned individual codes. In the present embodiment, the resource usage amount is the number of flasks used in each culture operation.

[0048] In addition, the resource information may include information such as the types and usage amounts of other consumables (media, chemicals, etc.) expected to be used in each culture operation, the amount of waste liquid, the presence or absence of frozen storage, etc., as well as the unit prices of these consumables and the costs of waste liquid treatment and frozen storage. The calculation unit 413 predicts the consumption amounts of each consumable including resources (flasks) and creates a rough estimate of a new project based on the resource information. Note that the culture schedules and resource information of other projects may be stored in advance in the storage 43 or may be acquired from the management device 30 through a communication line.

[0049] Next, the change unit 414 determines whether the schedule plan created by the creation unit 412 satisfies the first constraint condition (step S14). The first constraint condition defines the upper limit of the resource usage amount (number of flasks) of the cell culture system 100. For example, in the present embodiment, the upper limit of the resource usage amount is the upper limit of the number of flasks that can be operated simultaneously in the incubator 130.

[0050] If the predicted value of the total resource usage amount (number of flasks) is equal to or less than the upper limit during all periods of the schedule plan, the change unit 414 determines that the first constraint condition is satisfied (step S14). In this case, the output unit 415 outputs the schedule plan created by the creation unit 412, the rough estimate created by the calculation unit 413, etc. to the terminal device 50 (step S16).

[0051] On the other hand, if there is a period during which the predicted value of the resource usage amount (number of flasks) exceeds the upper limit, the change unit 414 determines that the first constraint condition is not satisfied (step S14; NO). FIG. 10 shows an example of the time series of the predicted resource usage amounts of the existing projects PJ1 and PJ2 and the new project PJ3. As in the example of FIG. 10, if the first constraint condition is not satisfied (predicted total number of flasks > upper limit) during the implementation period of step 3 of the new project PJ3, the change unit 414 determines that the schedule plan of the new project PJ3 does not satisfy the first constraint condition. In this case, the planning system 40 changes the schedule plan according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5.

[0052] If the schedule plan does not satisfy the first constraint condition, first, the output unit 415 outputs a warning (step S101). In the example of FIG. 10, the output unit 415 outputs a warning indicating that step 3 exceeds the resource upper limit to the terminal device 50. At this time, the output unit 415 outputs the schedule plan, the approximate estimate, etc. together with the warning.

[0053] Then, the terminal device 50 displays a proposal screen D1 as shown in FIG. 11, for example. On the proposal screen D1, project information D11, a warning D12, and a schedule plan D13 are displayed. Further, on the proposal screen D1, a predicted consumption of consumables D14 and an estimated date of manual work D15 may be displayed. The project information D11 displays the name of the new project, the start date and end date of the schedule plan, the approximate estimate, etc. The warning D12 displays a warning regarding the process that does not satisfy the first constraint condition (resource upper limit). The schedule plan D13 may display, as in the example of FIG. 11, a graph representing the implementation period of each culture operation by the total resource usage amount (predicted value), or may display a schedule (not shown) representing the implementation period of each culture operation. The predicted consumption of consumables D14 displays information such as the total value of the number of flasks calculated by the calculation unit 413, the total amount of the culture medium, the total amount of the waste liquid, the number of frozen stocks, etc. The estimated date of manual work D15 displays the scheduled date for performing the manual work.

[0054] Next, the modification unit 414 targets the culture operation that does not satisfy the first constraint condition, and moves the execution period of this target process forward or backward. Further, the modification unit 414 changes the schedule plan by moving the execution period of at least one of the previous process and the subsequent process of the target process as necessary (step S102). When the creation unit 412 creates a plurality of schedule plans (standard plan, fastest plan, and slowest plan), the plans that do not satisfy the first constraint condition among these are similarly changed respectively.

[0055] For example, as shown in FIG. 10, assume that the first constraint condition is not satisfied (predicted value of the total number of flasks > upper limit) during the execution period of process 3 of the new project PJ3. In this case, the modification unit 414 first moves the execution period of process 3 so that the total number of flasks used in all projects is below the upper limit. Further, when the operation intervals with the previous process 2 (N - 1) and the subsequent process 4 (N + 1) respectively do not satisfy the second constraint condition due to the movement of the target process 3 (N), the execution periods of these previous process 2 and subsequent process 4 are also moved. In the example of FIG. 12, the modification unit 414 moves the execution period of the target process 3 to be after process 3 of the existing project PJ2. Even if the modification unit 414 moves the target process 3, if the operation interval with the previous process 2 satisfies the second constraint condition, the previous process 2 and the processes before it are not changed. Also, when the operation interval with the subsequent process 4 does not satisfy the second constraint condition (becomes shorter than the minimum period) due to the movement of the target process 3, as shown in FIG. 13, the execution period of the subsequent process 4 is moved backward so that the operation interval between the target process 3 and the subsequent process 4 is equal to or greater than the minimum period and equal to or less than the maximum period. When the operation interval with the further subsequent process 5 does not satisfy the second constraint condition due to the movement of the subsequent process 4, the execution period of process 5 is also moved. The same applies to the subsequent processes.

[0056] Next, returning to FIG. 4, the output unit 415 outputs the schedule plan modified by the modification unit 414 and the approximate estimate created by the calculation unit 413 to the terminal device 50 (step S16). At this time, the output unit 415 may also output information indicating which process the modification unit 414 has modified.

[0057] Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the terminal device 50 presents the schedule plan after the change to the schedule plan D13 on the proposal screen D1. In the warning D12, information indicating which process implementation period has been changed is displayed. The manual estimated date D15 is updated based on the schedule plan after the change. Further, the proposal screen D1 may be configured to be able to switch the display between the schedule plan before the change (FIG. 11) and the schedule plan after the change (FIG. 14) according to the user's operation so that the schedule plans before and after the change can be compared. Alternatively, the proposal screen D1 may display the schedule plan before the change (FIG. 11) and the schedule plan after the change (FIG. 14) simultaneously.

[0058] In addition, when the planning system 40 cannot obtain a schedule plan that satisfies the first and second constraint conditions in the process of FIG. 5, it may further change the schedule plan according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6. In other embodiments, the planning system 40 may execute the flowchart of FIG. 6 instead of the flowchart of FIG. 5.

[0059] First, the output unit 415 outputs a warning (step S201). In the example of FIG. 15, the output unit 415 outputs a warning indicating that processes 5 and 8 exceed the resource limit to the terminal device 50. At this time, the output unit 415 outputs the schedule plan, the approximate estimate, etc. together with the warning. The terminal device 50 displays this information on the proposal screen D1 as shown in FIG. 15.

[0060] Next, the change unit 414 performs the following processes to change the schedule plan: (1) a process of delaying the start date and end date, (2) a process of adding cryopreservation of cells, (3) a process of adding resources (relaxing the first constraint condition), and (4) a process of changing the operation interval (relaxing the second constraint condition). In other embodiments, the change unit 414 may be configured to perform only the process selected by the user among (1) to (4).

[0061] (1) The process of delaying the start date and end date will be described. The modification part 414 delays the entire schedule of the new project PJ3 until the first constraint condition is satisfied (step S202). For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the modification part 414 moves the entire schedule of the new project PJ3 backward by one unit of time until the first constraint condition is satisfied.

[0062] (2) The process of adding cryopreservation of cells will be described. For example, as shown in FIGS. 17 to 18, the modification part 414 adds an operation of cryopreserving cells in step 4, which is one step before the target step 5 that does not satisfy the first constraint condition (step S203). Further, the modification part 414 moves the target step 5 and subsequent steps to a time when the first constraint condition can be satisfied (step S204). The cryopreserved cells can be used for the culture operation in the next step even after the preset operation interval has passed. Therefore, when the modification part 414 moves the execution period of the target step 5 in step S204, it does not need to consider the maximum period of the operation interval between the previous step 4 and the target step 5 (the second constraint condition). Also, when there are other target steps that do not satisfy the first constraint condition, the modification part 414 similarly adds an operation of cryopreservation to the previous step.

[0063] (3) The process of adding resources (relaxing the first constraint condition) will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the modification part 414 increases the upper limit of the resource usage amount (the upper limit of the number of flasks that can be operated simultaneously in the incubator 130) for the period after the start date of the target step 5 that does not satisfy the first constraint condition (step S205). For example, by adding an oscillation stage 132 to the incubator 130, the upper limit of the resource usage amount is increased.

[0064] (4) The process of changing the operation interval (relaxing the second constraint condition) will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 20, the change unit 414 changes the operation interval (standard period, minimum period, maximum period) of the culture operation to relax the second constraint condition (step S206). The operation interval may be specified by the user through the terminal device 50, for example, by how much to change it. Further, the change unit 414 targets the culture operation that does not satisfy the first constraint condition, and moves the execution period of this target process forward or backward. The change unit 414 moves the execution period of at least one of the previous process and the subsequent process of the target process as necessary to change the schedule plan (step S207). By relaxing the second constraint condition, the change unit 414 can move the execution period of each process more flexibly.

[0065] Next, the calculation unit 413 recalculates the approximate estimate, etc. based on the changed schedule plan (step S208). For example, the calculation unit 413 adds costs according to the number of times of cryopreservation added by the process in (2). When the shaking stage 132 is added by the process in (3), the calculation unit 413 adds the corresponding costs. Further, when the end date of the project PJ3 is delayed due to the process in (1) or (4), the calculation unit 413 may discount the costs for the delay.

[0066] Next, returning to FIG. 4, the output unit 415 outputs the schedule plan modified by the modification unit 414 and the rough estimate created by the calculation unit 413 to the terminal device 50 (step S16). The user checks each schedule plan modified by the processes (1) to (4) through the terminal device 50, and adopts one of the schedule plans according to requirements such as the customer's end time and budget. At this time, the output unit 415 can display the information including (A) the schedule plan created by the creation unit 412 and its rough estimate (the first rough estimate), the consumption amount of consumables, and the planned date of manual work, and (B) each schedule plan modified by the modification unit 414 and its rough estimate (the second rough estimate), the consumption amount of consumables, and the planned date of manual work in a mode where the user can switch between the information of (A) and the information of each plan in (B), or in a mode where they can be displayed simultaneously on the proposal screen D1. Thereby, the user can easily compare and consider how the schedule plan, rough estimate, etc. change before and after the change by the processes (1) to (4).

[0067] In other embodiments, in step S11, the acquisition unit 411 may acquire in advance customer requirements such as the end time and budget. In this case, the output unit 415 may not output to the terminal device 50 the schedule plans that do not meet the customer's requirements among the schedule plans modified in the processes (1) to (4). By narrowing down the schedule plans in advance in this way, the user can be easily made to understand what kind of schedules can be proposed to the customer. Note that the output unit 415 may also display this schedule plan on the proposal screen D1 together with a warning indicating that the customer requirements are not met (exceeding the end date or budget) in the warning D12.

[0068] (Function and Effect) As described above, the planning system 40 according to the present embodiment includes an acquisition unit 411 that acquires a sequence representing the execution order of a plurality of culture operations to be performed in a new project and the start time or end time of the new project, a creation unit 412 that creates a schedule plan that determines the start date and end date of the new project and the execution period of each culture operation based on the sequence and the start time or end time, a calculation unit 413 that calculates a predicted value of the total usage amount per unit time of the resources of the new project and other projects based on the schedule plan, the culture schedule of other projects, and resource information in which the predicted usage amount of resources for each culture operation is determined in advance, and a change unit 414 that, when there is a period in the schedule plan in which the predicted value of the total usage amount does not satisfy the first constraint condition that defines the upper limit of the resource usage amount of the cell culture system 100, moves the execution period of the culture operation of the new project to be performed in that period forward or backward as a target process to change the schedule plan so as to satisfy the first constraint condition, and an output unit 415 that outputs the schedule plan of the new project.

[0069] By doing so, when receiving an order for a new project, the planning system 40 can propose a culture schedule that does not exceed the resource upper limit of the cell culture system, has an appropriate operation interval for the culture operation, and matches the customer's requirements.

[0070] Further, when the change unit 414 cannot satisfy the second constraint condition that defines the time constraint of the operation interval determined in advance for each combination of culture operations that are continuous before and after when moving the execution period of the target process, it moves the execution period of at least one of the previous process to be performed before the target process and the subsequent process to be performed after the target process so as to satisfy the second constraint condition.

[0071] By doing so, when changing the execution period of the target process, the planning system 40 can maintain an appropriate length of the operation interval with the previous and subsequent processes.

[0072] Further, when the change part 414 cannot create a schedule plan that satisfies both the first constraint condition and the second constraint condition, it delays the start date and the end date of the schedule plan until the first constraint condition is satisfied.

[0073] By doing so, the planning system 40 can present a schedule plan that satisfies the constraint conditions while minimizing the delay of the entire schedule.

[0074] Further, when the change part 414 cannot create a schedule plan that satisfies both the first constraint condition and the second constraint condition, it adds the operation of cryopreserving cells to the previous process that is carried out immediately before one of the target processes, and allows the operation interval between the previous process and the target process not to satisfy the second constraint condition, and moves the execution period of the target process.

[0075] By doing so, the planning system 40 can relax the constraint on the operation interval by cryopreserving and adjust the schedule plan more flexibly.

[0076] Further, when the change part 414 cannot create a schedule plan that satisfies both the first constraint condition and the second constraint condition, it relaxes the first constraint condition based on the predicted value of the total usage per unit time.

[0077] By doing so, the planning system 40 can propose a schedule plan that does not need to delay the start date and the end date as much as possible. By making such a proposal, it becomes possible to meet the customer's desire to complete the project as early as possible, for example.

[0078] Further, when the change part 414 cannot create a schedule plan that satisfies both the first constraint condition and the second constraint condition, it relaxes the second constraint condition and moves the execution period of the target process so as to satisfy the relaxed second constraint condition.

[0079] By doing so, the planning system 40 can relax the constraints on the operation interval and adjust the schedule plan more flexibly. Also, since no costs are required for adding equipment or work, it becomes possible to meet the customer's demand of keeping costs low.

[0080] Further, the calculation unit 413 calculates the consumption amount of consumables predicted based on the resource information and the schedule plan, and the output unit 415 outputs the consumption amount of consumables predicted together with the schedule plan.

[0081] By doing so, the planning system 40 can easily let the user understand how much consumables are expected to be consumed in the schedule plan.

[0082] Also, the creation unit 412 creates a schedule plan including the manual scheduled date, and the output unit 415 outputs the manual scheduled date together with the schedule plan.

[0083] By doing so, the planning system 40 can easily let the user understand when and how much manual work will occur in the schedule plan.

[0084] Also, when there is a period in the schedule plan created by the creation unit 412 that does not satisfy the first constraint condition, the output unit 415 outputs a warning indicating that the first constraint condition is not satisfied together with the schedule plan.

[0085] By doing so, the planning system 40 can easily let the user understand that resources will be insufficient unless the schedule plan is changed.

[0086] Also, when the change unit 414 changes the schedule plan, the output unit 415 displays a warning indicating the changed part of the schedule plan together with the changed schedule plan.

[0087] By doing so, the planning system 40 can easily let the user understand which part (process) of the schedule plan needs to be changed.

[0088] Also, the calculation unit 413 creates a rough estimate based on the resource information and the schedule plan, and the output unit 415 outputs the rough estimate together with the schedule plan.

[0089] By doing so, the planning system 40 can immediately present the approximate cost of the project to the user, for example, during the meeting between the user and the customer.

[0090] Also, the calculation unit 413 creates a first rough estimate based on the resource information and the schedule plan created by the creation unit 412, and a second rough estimate based on the resource information and the schedule plan changed by the change unit 414. The output unit 415 outputs the schedule plan and the first rough estimate before the change, and the schedule plan and the second rough estimate after the change in a comparable manner.

[0091] By doing so, the planning system 40 can provide the user with information that can easily compare how the schedule plan, rough estimate, etc. change before and after the change.

[0092] Also, the acquisition unit 411 acquires the end time or budget desired by the customer. When the end date of the schedule plan is after the end time or the rough estimate exceeds the budget, the output unit 415 does not output the schedule plan, or outputs the schedule plan together with a warning indicating that the customer's request is not satisfied.

[0093] By doing so, the planning system 40 can easily let the user understand which schedules can be proposed to the customer as a schedule plan that satisfies the customer's request.

[0094] As described above, although one embodiment has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the above, and various design changes and the like can be made. That is, in other embodiments, the order of the above-described processes may be appropriately changed. Also, some processes may be executed in parallel.

[0095] <Appendix> Each of the above embodiments can be understood as follows, for example.

[0096] (1) According to the first aspect, the planning system 40 is a planning system 40 that plans a culture schedule for a project to culture cells using the cell culture system 100, the planning system 40 including: an acquisition unit 411 that acquires a sequence representing the execution order of a plurality of culture operations to be performed in the project and a start time or an end time of the project; a creation unit 412 that creates a schedule proposal that determines a start date and an end date of the project and an execution period of each culture operation based on the sequence and the start time or the end time; a calculation unit 413 that calculates a predicted value of the total usage amount per unit time of the resources of the project and other projects based on the schedule proposal, the culture schedules of other projects, and resource information in which the predicted usage amount of resources for each culture operation is determined in advance; a change unit 414 that, when there is a period in the schedule proposal in which the predicted value of the total usage amount does not satisfy a first constraint condition that defines the upper limit of the resource usage amount of the cell culture system 100, moves the execution period of the target process, which is the culture operation of the project to be performed during the period, forward or backward so as to satisfy the first constraint condition and changes the schedule proposal; and an output unit 415 that outputs the schedule proposal of the new project.

[0097] By doing so, when receiving an order for a new project, the planning system 40 can propose a culture schedule that does not exceed the resource upper limit of the cell culture system, has an appropriate operation interval for the culture operation, and matches the customer's requirements.

[0098] (2) According to the second aspect, in the planning system 40 according to the first aspect, when the execution period of the target process is moved, if the change unit 414 cannot satisfy the second constraint condition that defines the time constraint of the predetermined operation interval for each combination of continuous culture operations before and after, it moves the execution period of at least one of the previous process that is executed before the target process and the subsequent process that is executed after the target process so as to satisfy the second constraint condition.

[0099] By doing so, when the execution period of the target process is changed, the planning system 40 can maintain an appropriate length of the operation interval with the previous and subsequent processes.

[0100] (3) According to the third aspect, in the planning system 40 according to the second aspect, when the change unit 414 cannot create a schedule plan that satisfies both the first constraint condition and the second constraint condition, it delays the start date and end date of the schedule plan until the first constraint condition is satisfied.

[0101] By doing so, the planning system 40 can present a schedule plan that satisfies the constraint conditions while minimizing the delay of the entire schedule.

[0102] (4) According to the fourth aspect, in the planning system 40 according to the second or third aspect, when the change unit 414 cannot create a schedule plan that satisfies both the first constraint condition and the second constraint condition, it adds the work of cryopreserving cells to the previous process that is executed immediately before the target process, allows the operation interval between the previous process and the target process not to satisfy the second constraint condition, and moves the execution period of the target process.

[0103] By doing so, the planning system 40 can relax the constraint of the operation interval by cryopreservation and adjust the schedule plan more flexibly.

[0104] (5) According to the fifth aspect, in the planning system 40 according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, when the change unit 414 cannot create a schedule plan that satisfies both the first constraint condition and the second constraint condition, it relaxes the first constraint condition based on the predicted value of the total usage per unit time.

[0105] By doing so, the planning system 40 can propose a schedule plan that can complete the start date and the end date without delaying them as much as possible. By making such a proposal, it becomes possible to meet the customer's desire to complete the project as early as possible, for example.

[0106] (6) According to the sixth aspect, in the planning system 40 according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, when the change unit 414 cannot create a schedule plan that satisfies both the first constraint condition and the second constraint condition, it relaxes the second constraint condition and moves the execution period of the target process so as to satisfy the relaxed second constraint condition.

[0107] By doing so, the planning system 40 can relax the constraint on the operation interval and adjust the schedule plan more flexibly. In addition, since costs such as adding equipment and work are not required, it becomes possible to meet the customer's desire to keep costs low.

[0108] (7) According to the seventh aspect, in the planning system 40 according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the resource information includes the usage amount of consumables expected to be used in each culture operation, the calculation unit 413 calculates the consumption amount of consumables predicted based on the resource information and the schedule plan, and the output unit 415 outputs the consumption amount of consumables predicted together with the schedule plan.

[0109] By doing so, the planning system 40 can easily let the user grasp how much consumables are expected to be consumed in the schedule plan.

[0110] (8) According to the eighth aspect, in the planning system 40 according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the creation unit 412 creates a schedule draft including the manually scheduled date, and the output unit 415 outputs the manually scheduled date together with the schedule draft.

[0111] By doing so, the planning system 40 can easily let the user understand how much manual work occurs and when in the schedule draft.

[0112] (9) According to the ninth aspect, in the planning system 40 according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, when there is a period in the schedule draft created by the creation unit 412 that does not satisfy the first constraint condition, the output unit 415 outputs a warning indicating that the first constraint condition is not satisfied together with the schedule draft.

[0113] By doing so, the planning system 40 can easily let the user understand that resources will be insufficient unless the schedule draft is changed.

[0114] (10) According to the tenth aspect, in the planning system 40 according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, when the change unit 414 changes the schedule draft, the output unit 415 displays a warning indicating the changed part of the schedule draft together with the changed schedule draft.

[0115] By doing so, the planning system 40 can easily let the user understand which part (process) of the schedule draft needs to be changed.

[0116] (11) According to the eleventh aspect, in the planning system 40 according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the resource information includes the usage amount and unit price of consumables predicted to be used in each culture operation, and the processing and costs required for each culture operation. The calculation unit 413 creates a rough estimate based on the resource information and the schedule draft, and the output unit 415 outputs the rough estimate together with the schedule draft.

[0117] By doing so, the planning system 40 can immediately present the approximate cost of the project to the user, for example, during a meeting between the user and the customer.

[0118] (12) According to a twelfth aspect, in the planning system 40 according to the eleventh aspect, the calculation unit 413 creates a first approximate estimate based on the resource information and the schedule plan created by the creation unit 412, and a second approximate estimate based on the resource information and the schedule plan modified by the modification unit 414, and the output unit 415 outputs the schedule plan and the first approximate estimate before the modification and the schedule plan and the second approximate estimate after the modification in a comparable manner.

[0119] By doing so, the planning system 40 can provide the user with information that can easily compare how the schedule plan, approximate estimate, etc. change before and after the change.

[0120] (13) According to a thirteenth aspect, in the planning system 40 according to the eleventh aspect, the acquisition unit 411 acquires the end time or budget desired by the customer, and when the end date of the schedule plan is after the end time or the approximate estimate exceeds the budget, the output unit 415 does not output the schedule plan, or outputs the schedule plan together with a warning indicating that the customer's request is not satisfied.

[0121] By doing so, the planning system 40 can easily let the user understand what schedules can be proposed to the customer as a schedule plan that satisfies the customer's request.

[0122] (14) According to the 14th aspect, the planning method is a planning method for planning a culture schedule of a project for culturing cells using the cell culture system 100, including steps of: obtaining a sequence representing an execution order of a plurality of culture operations to be performed in the project, and a start time or an end time of the project; creating a schedule draft that determines a start date and an end date of the project, and an execution period of each culture operation based on the sequence, the start time or the end time; calculating a predicted value of the total usage amount per unit time of resources of the project and other projects based on the schedule draft, the culture schedule of other projects, and resource information in which the predicted usage amount of resources for each culture operation is determined in advance; when there is a period in the schedule draft in which the predicted value of the total usage amount does not satisfy the first constraint condition that defines the upper limit of the resource usage amount of the cell culture system 100, changing the schedule draft by moving the execution period of the target process, which is the culture operation of the project to be performed in that period, forward or backward so as to satisfy the first constraint condition; and outputting the schedule draft of the new project.

[0123] (15) According to the 15th aspect, the program causes a planning system 40 that plans a culture schedule for a project to culture cells using the cell culture system 100 to acquire a sequence representing the execution order of a plurality of culture operations to be performed in the project and the start time or end time of the project, create a schedule draft that determines the start date and end date of the project and the execution period of each culture operation based on the sequence and the start time or end time, calculate a predicted value of the total usage amount per unit time of the resources of the project and other projects based on the schedule draft, the culture schedules of other projects, and resource information that predefines the predicted usage amount of resources for each culture operation, and when there is a period in the schedule draft where the predicted value of the total usage amount does not satisfy the first constraint condition that defines the upper limit of the resource usage amount of the cell culture system 100, move the execution period of the culture operation of the project to be performed during that period forward or backward as the target process so as to satisfy the first constraint condition and change the schedule draft, and output the schedule draft of the new project.

Explanation of Signs

[0124] 100 Cell culture system 110 Stocker 112 Work storage device 120 Cell storage booth 122 Storage container 130 Incubator 132 Shaking stage 140 Clean bench 142 Dispensing device 150 Pass box 160 Measuring device 161 Medium supply device 162 Waste liquid tank 200 Management system 30 Management device 40 Planning system 41 Processor 411 Acquisition unit 412 Creation unit 413 Calculation unit 414 Modification unit 415 Output unit 42 Memory 43 Storage 44 Communication interface 50 Terminal device< / plc>

Claims

1. A planning system for planning a culture schedule of a project for culturing cells using a cell culture system, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires a sequence representing the order of execution of a plurality of culture operations to be performed in the project and the start time or end time of the project; a creation unit that creates a schedule proposal that determines the start date and end date of the project and the execution period of each of the culture operations based on the sequence and the start time or the end time; a calculation unit that calculates a predicted value of the total usage amount per unit time of the resources of the project and other projects based on the schedule proposal, the culture schedules of other projects, and resource information in which the predicted usage amount of resources for each culture operation is determined in advance; a change unit that, when there is a period in the schedule proposal in which the predicted value of the total usage amount does not satisfy a first constraint condition that defines the upper limit of the resource usage amount of the cell culture system, sets the culture operation of the project to be performed in that period as a target process, and moves the execution period of the target process forward or backward so as to satisfy the first constraint condition, thereby changing the schedule proposal; an output unit that outputs the schedule proposal of the project; A planning system comprising the above.

2. When the change unit cannot satisfy a second constraint condition that defines a time constraint of an operation interval determined in advance for each combination of consecutive culture operations before and after moving the execution period of the target process, the change unit moves the execution period of at least one of a previous process that is performed before the target process and a subsequent process that is performed after the target process so as to satisfy the second constraint condition. The planning system according to Claim 1.

3. When the change unit cannot create a schedule proposal that satisfies both the first constraint condition and the second constraint condition, the change unit delays the start date and end date of the schedule proposal until the first constraint condition is satisfied. The planning system according to Claim 2.

4. When the change unit cannot create a schedule proposal that satisfies both the first constraint condition and the second constraint condition, the change unit adds an operation of cryopreserving cells to the previous process that is performed immediately before the target process, and allows the operation interval between the previous process and the target process not to satisfy the second constraint condition, and moves the execution period of the target process. The planning system according to Claim 2 or 3.

5. ​ When the change unit cannot create a schedule plan that satisfies both the first constraint condition and the second constraint condition, the change unit relaxes the first constraint condition based on the predicted value of the total usage per unit time. The planning system according to claim 2 or 3.

6. The change unit When a schedule plan that satisfies both the first constraint condition and the second constraint condition cannot be created, the second constraint condition is relaxed, The implementation period of the target process is moved so as to satisfy the relaxed second constraint condition. The planning system according to claim 2 or 3.

7. The resource information includes the usage amount of consumables predicted to be used in each culture operation, The calculation unit calculates the consumption amount of consumables predicted based on the resource information and the schedule plan, The output unit outputs the consumption amount of the consumables predicted together with the schedule plan. The planning system according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The creation unit creates a schedule plan including the planned date of manual work, The output unit outputs the planned date of the manual work together with the schedule plan. The planning system according to claim 1 or 2.

9. When there is a period in the schedule plan created by the creation unit that does not satisfy the first constraint condition, the output unit outputs a warning indicating that the first constraint condition is not satisfied together with the schedule plan. The planning system according to claim 1 or 2.

10. When the change unit changes the schedule plan, the output unit displays a warning indicating the change location of the schedule plan together with the changed schedule plan. The planning system according to claim 1 or 2.

11. The resource information includes the usage amount and unit price of consumables predicted to be used in each culture operation, and the processes and costs required for each culture operation. The calculation unit creates a rough estimate based on the resource information and the schedule plan, The output unit outputs the rough estimate together with the schedule plan. The planning system according to claim 1 or 2.

12. The calculation unit creates a first rough estimate based on the resource information and the schedule plan before change created by the creation unit, and a second rough estimate based on the resource information and the schedule plan after change by the change unit. The output unit outputs the schedule plan before the change, the first rough estimate, the schedule plan after the change, and the second rough estimate in a comparable manner. The planning system according to claim 11.

13. The acquisition unit acquires the end time or budget desired by the customer. When the end date of the schedule plan is after the end time or the rough estimate exceeds the budget, the output unit does not output the schedule plan, or outputs the schedule plan together with a warning indicating that the customer's request is not satisfied. The planning system according to claim 11.

14. A planning method for planning a culture schedule of a project for culturing cells using a cell culture system, obtaining a sequence representing the execution order of a plurality of culture operations to be performed in the project, and the start time or end time of the project; creating a schedule plan that determines the start date and end date of the project and the execution period of each of the culture operations based on the sequence and the start time or the end time; calculating a predicted value of the total usage amount per unit time of the resources of the project and other projects based on the schedule plan, the culture schedule of other projects, and resource information in which the predicted usage amount of resources for each culture operation is determined in advance; when there is a period in the schedule plan where the predicted value of the total usage amount does not satisfy a first constraint condition that defines the upper limit of the resource usage amount of the cell culture system, using the culture operation of the project to be performed during that period as a target process, moving the execution period of the target process forward or backward so as to satisfy the first constraint condition, and changing the schedule plan; outputting the schedule plan of the project; A planning method having the above steps.

15. In a planning system for planning a culture schedule of a project for culturing cells using a cell culture system, obtaining a sequence representing the execution order of a plurality of culture operations to be performed in the project, and the start time or end time of the project; creating a schedule plan that determines the start date and end date of the project and the execution period of each of the culture operations based on the sequence and the start time or the end time; Based on the schedule plan, the culture schedule of other projects, and the resource information in which the expected usage of resources for each culture operation is determined in advance, calculating a predicted value of the total usage per unit time of the resources of the project and other projects; In the schedule plan, when there is a period in which the predicted value of the total usage does not satisfy the first constraint condition that defines the upper limit of the resource usage of the cell culture system, using the culture operation of the project to be performed during that period as the target process, moving the execution period of the target process forward or backward so as to satisfy the first constraint condition, and changing the schedule plan; Outputting the schedule plan of the project; A program for executing.

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