Cell cluster load displacement amount measuring device and cell cluster load displacement amount measuring method

Abstract

To measure the elasticity of molded products made by agglomerating cell clusters efficiently in a short period of time.SOLUTION: The present invention provides a cell cluster load displacement amount measuring device including: a laboratory dish 10 that is filled with a culture solution 11 and stores a molded object 2 therein; a pair of needles 30A, 30B that engage both longitudinal ends of the molded object 2; a moving stage 40 that moves to introduce an external force to at least one (the second needle 30B) of the pair of needles 30A, 30B; an imaging unit that measures deflection amounts of the molded object 2 and the second needle 30B; and a movement amount measurement device 60 that measures movement amounts of the needles 30A, 30B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cell mass load displacement amount measuring device and a cell mass load displacement amount measuring method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, after artificially culturing animal cells and forming them into cell masses (spheroids) that are easy to handle, a molded product that aggregates in a rod shape by utilizing the property that adjacent cells tend to integrate is known. As such a molded product, there is artificial meat. That is, in recent years, due to the increasing demand for food accompanying the global population increase, there is concern about the shortage of meat, which is a protein nutrient source, and the production of artificial meat by cell culture has been proposed.

[0003] In the reproduction of meat using cultured cells as described above, it is necessary to numerically obtain the elasticity, which is the key to the required texture. As a method for measuring the elasticity of cultured cells, for example, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. Patent Document 1 discloses a method in which a measurement target surface is sucked by a suction capillary connected to a suction pump, the deformed state is photographed by a camera to measure the deformation amount, and the viscoelasticity is calculated from the measured value and the suction pressure.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the conventional elastic measurement method shown in Patent Document 1, the surface of the measurement target needs to be flat and requires a certain area and thickness. That is, since a large amount of cells need to be cultured and measurement cannot be performed until they grow integrally, it is inefficient. In particular, when sufficient measurement results cannot be obtained, there is a problem that the time and labor required for the previous cell culture are wasted.

[0006] Therefore, one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a cell mass loading displacement amount measuring device and a cell mass loading displacement amount measuring method that can efficiently measure the elasticity of a molded product in which cell masses are aggregated in a short time.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes the following means. The cell mass loading displacement amount measuring device according to the first aspect of the present invention is a cell mass loading displacement amount measuring device that measures the loading displacement amount of a molded product by applying a load to a molded product in which cell masses are aggregated in a rod shape, and includes a petri dish filled with a culture solution and containing the molded product inside, a pair of needles that lock both ends in the longitudinal direction of the molded product, a moving part that moves so as to introduce an external force into at least one of the pair of needles, a first measuring part that measures the amount of deflection of the molded product and the needle into which the external force is introduced among the pair of needles, and a second measuring part that measures the amount of movement of the needle.

[0008] The cell mass loading displacement amount measuring method according to the second aspect of the present invention is a cell mass loading displacement amount measuring method that uses the above-described cell mass loading displacement amount measuring device to measure the loading displacement amount of the molded product, and includes a step of accommodating the molded product inside the petri dish filled with the culture solution, a step of locking both ends in the longitudinal direction of the molded product with the pair of needles, a step of moving the moving part to introduce an external force to at least one of the pair of needles, a step of measuring the amount of deflection of the molded product and the needle into which the external force is introduced among the pair of needles with the first measuring part, and a step of measuring the amount of movement of the needle with the second measuring part.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the cell mass load displacement amount measuring device and the cell mass load displacement amount measuring method of the present invention, the elasticity of a molded product in which cell masses are efficiently aggregated in a short time can be measured.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The illustrated jigs and devices are schematic diagrams for explaining an example of the embodiment, and may differ from the actual dimensions and shapes.

[0012] An overview of the cell mass load displacement amount measuring device 1 according to the present embodiment is shown in FIG. 1. The cell mass load displacement amount measuring device 1 of the present embodiment measures the load displacement amount of the molded product 2 by applying a load to a molded product 2 in which spheroids F (spheroidized cell masses) such as cultured foods by artificially cultured cells are aggregated in a rod shape, and measures the load displacement amount of the cell mass (spheroid F). As the molded product 2, one formed by aggregating a plurality of spheroids F in a rod shape is used.

[0013] ≪Spheroid≫ Spheroid F is an aggregate of cells and is usually substantially spherical. Its size (diameter) depends on the cell type, but for example, it is generally about 0.1 to 0.5 mm. The cell type forming the spheroid F is not particularly limited and can be selected from any cells derived from, for example, conventionally edible cattle, pigs, and chickens. From the viewpoint of mass-producing homogeneous spheroid F, immortalized cells with no limit on the number of subcultures are preferred. The cells used in this embodiment and the spheroid F which is an aggregate thereof are obtained by a known method.

[0014] ≪Cell mass load displacement measuring device≫ As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the cell mass load displacement measuring device 1 of this embodiment includes a petri dish 10 filled with a culture solution 11 and containing a molded product 2 therein, a pair of needles 30 (30A, 30B) for locking both ends in the longitudinal direction of the molded product 2, and a moving stage 40 (moving part) that moves so as to introduce an external force into at least one of the pair of needles 30A and 30B (here, the first needle 30A on the left side of the paper surface in FIGS. 1 and 3), an imaging unit 50 (first measuring unit) that measures the deflection amount of the molded product 2 and the first needle 30A into which the external force is introduced, and a moving amount measuring device 60 (second measuring unit) that measures the moving amount of the needle 30. The petri dish 10, the needle 30, the moving stage 40, the imaging unit 50, and the moving amount measuring device 60 are mounted on a plate-shaped base 70.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 70 has a mounting surface 70a that is flat on one side, and is arranged horizontally with the mounting surface 70a facing upward. The mounting surface 70a is substantially rectangular when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the mounting surface 70a.

[0016] Here, in the cell mass load displacement measuring device 1, the long side direction of the base 70 is defined as the X-axis direction (first direction), and the short side direction is defined as the Y-axis direction (second direction). Also, the vertical direction orthogonal to the mounting surface 70a is defined as the Z-axis direction and will be described below. Also, a central axis passing through the center of the base 70 in the X-axis direction and extending in the Y-axis direction is indicated by the symbol O.

[0017] In the center of the mounting surface 70a, the petri dish 10 is disposed. On both sides of the mounting surface 70a in the X-axis direction, a pair of moving stages 40A and 40B are disposed.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the petri dish 10 is provided on a petri-dish fixing base 12 that is fixed to substantially the center of the mounting surface 70a of the base 70 and has a square shape in plan view. The petri dish 10 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with a circular shape in plan view and has a dish shape, and has an opening 10a with an upper side being open. Inside the petri dish 10, a sample fixing base 13 and a support block 14 are disposed. The petri dish 10 is filled with a culture solution 11.

[0019] The culture solution 11 is stored in an amount such that the molded article 2 accommodated inside the petri dish 10 is constantly immersed in the culture solution 11. The composition of the culture solution 11 is not particularly limited, and a known composition that maintains the vital activity of the spheroid F is applied. A known additive that induces the differentiation of each cell constituting the spheroid F may be contained in the culture solution 11. The temperature of the culture solution 11 is preferably within a temperature range that maintains the vital activity of the spheroid F. The pH, CO2 concentration, oxygen concentration, temperature, etc. of the culture solution 11 may be controlled by a general culturing technique.

[0020] The sample fixing base 13 is a pedestal having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and the molded article 2 is disposed on the installation surface 13a. A support block 14 is provided on one end side of the sample fixing base 13 in the Y-axis direction. The molded article 2 is disposed at a position in contact with the engagement surface 14a of the support block 14 on the installation surface 13a with its longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the X-axis direction.

[0021] The support block 14 has an engagement surface 14a (fixed part) facing in the Y-axis direction and protrudes upward from the installation surface 13a of the sample fixing table 13. A corner is formed between the installation surface 13a of the sample fixing table 13 and the engagement surface 14a of the support block 14. An engagement hole 14b into which the needle 30 can be inserted is formed in the engagement surface 14a. The engagement hole 14b has an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the needle 30, and the needle 30 fitted into the engagement hole 14b is difficult to come out. The tip 30a of one of the pair of needles 30 (here, the first needle 30A) is inserted into the engagement hole 14b of the engagement surface 14a for engagement.

[0022] The pair of needles 30A and 30B are arranged in parallel at intervals in the X-axis direction. The pair of needles 30A and 30B can enter the inside of the petri dish 10 from the opening 10a of the petri dish 10. In the present embodiment, one of the pair of needles 30A and 30B (the first needle 30A on the left side of the paper surface in FIG. 3) is in a fixed state where no external force is applied by the movement of the moving stage 40 during measurement, and the other (the second needle 30B on the right side of the paper surface in FIG. 3) is in a moving state where an external force is applied by the movement of the moving stage 40. The pair of needles 30A and 30B are each of the same length. These needles 30A and 30B are made of a metal having an affinity for a living body such as tungsten, and a metal needle of a thin rod material having an outer diameter of about 2 mm is employed.

[0023] The base ends 30c of the pair of needles 30A and 30B are each held by holding portions 41A and 41B integrally provided on the moving stage 40. That is, the first needle 30A is held by the first holding portion 41A. The second needle 30B is held by the second holding portion 41B. The first needle 30A and the second needle 30B are each provided on the moving stage 40 so as to be movable in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction via the holding portions 41A and 41B.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 5, the first tip 30a of the first needle 30A is locked to the engaging surface 14a of the support block 14 while passing through one end 2a in the longitudinal direction of the molded article 2. That is, the first needle 30A does not move by the moving stage 40 in a state of being engaged with the engaging surface 14a of the support block 14.

[0025] The second tip 30b of the second needle 30B is locked to the other end 2b in the longitudinal direction of the molded article 2 in a non-penetrating state. That is, since the second needle 30B is not engaged with the engaging surface 14a of the support block 14, it can move with the moving stage 40 together with the molded article 2. By operating the second moving stage 40B (described later) in a direction to stretch the rod-shaped molded article 2 in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction), the molded article 2 is stretched and the needle 30 is bent.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the pair of holding portions 41A and 41B are located above the engaging surface 14a of the support block 14. The pair of needles 30A and 30B held by the holding portions 41A and 41B are arranged in a state where the tip portions 30a and 30b for locking the molded article 2 are inclined obliquely downward with respect to the base end portion 30c. At this time, the pair of needles 30A and 30B are in a state where appropriate bending is introduced.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the moving stage 40 is provided on both sides of the petri dish 10 in the X-axis direction. The moving stage 40 includes a stage body 42 disposed laterally of the petri dish 10 in the X-axis direction, and an arm portion 43 extending from the stage body 42 toward the central axis O in the X-axis direction. The tip of the arm portion 43 is provided with a holding portion 41. The holding portions 41A and 41B of the pair of moving stages 40A and 40B are arranged at an interval S from each other in the X-axis direction (see FIG. 3). This interval S is set such that the moving stage 40 can move in the X-axis direction.

[0028] The stage bodies 42 of the first moving stage 40A and the second moving stage 40B each have a first contact wall 421 facing the wall surface in the X-axis direction and a second contact wall 422 facing the wall surface in the Y-axis direction.

[0029] The first moving stage 40A and the second moving stage 40B each include an X-axis driving unit 44 and a Y-axis driving unit 45, and can move in the two-axis directions of the X-axis and the Y-axis by the driving of the X-axis driving unit 44 and the Y-axis driving unit 45. The X-axis driving unit 44 has a first rotation operation unit 441 and a first protruding portion 442 that moves forward and backward in the axial direction by the rotation of the first rotation operation unit 441. The first protruding portion 442 abuts against the first contact wall 421 of the stage body 42 in the X-axis direction to move the stage body 42 in the X-axis direction. The first rotation operation unit 441 is, for example, a micrometer and is manually rotated. The Y-axis driving unit 45 has a second rotation operation unit 451 and a second protruding portion 452 that moves forward and backward in the axial direction by the rotation of the second rotation operation unit 451. The second protruding portion 452 abuts against the second contact wall 422 of the stage body 42 in the Y-axis direction to move the stage body 42 in the Y-axis direction. The second rotation operation unit 451 is, for example, a micrometer and is manually rotated.

[0030] The movement amount measuring device 60 is provided in each of the X-axis driving unit 44 and the Y-axis driving unit 45. The movement amount measuring device 60 can measure the rotation amount of the rotation operation units 441 and 451 or the protruding amount of the protruding portions 442 and 452. In the movement amount measuring device 60, the movement amount of the holding unit 41 (needle 30) can be obtained by reading the rotation amount of the rotation operation units 441 and 451 or the protruding amount of the protruding portions 442 and 452.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the imaging unit 50 is a microscope or a camera for taking an image for observing the molded product 2 and the pair of needles 30A and 30B. In the imaging unit 50, the photographic data of the needle 30 before deformation before the introduction of the external force and the photographic data of the needle 30 after deformation after the introduction of the external force are taken.

[0032] <<Method for Measuring Displacement of Cell Mass under Load>> Next, a method for measuring the displacement of the molded product 2 under load using the above-described apparatus 1 for measuring the displacement of a cell mass under load will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0033] First, as shown in FIG. 3, the molded product 2 to be measured is accommodated inside a petri dish 10 filled with a culture solution 11. The molded product 2 to be measured is one in which cell masses are aggregated in a rod shape as described above. The molded product 2 extending in a rod shape is arranged so as to be in contact with the engaging surface 14a of the support block 14 on the installation surface 13a of the sample fixing table 13 with the longitudinal direction of the molded product 2 facing the X-axis direction.

[0034] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 1, both ends 2a and 2b in the longitudinal direction of the molded product 2 are locked with a pair of needles 30A and 30B. Specifically, the holding portions 41A and 41B holding the first needle 30A and the second needle 30B are operated so that the pair of moving stages 40A and 40B move in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, thereby moving the first needle 30A and the second needle 30B. As shown in FIG. 5, in the first needle 30A, the tip 30a penetrates one end 2a of the molded product 2 and is engaged by inserting the tip 30a into an engagement hole 14b formed in the engaging surface 14a of the support block 14. On the other hand, in the second needle 30B, the other end 2b of the molded product 2 is pierced with the tip 30b and locked in a non-penetrating state. Thus, the preparation before measurement is completed. Note that the bending rigidity of the pair of needles 30A and 30B is confirmed in advance.

[0035] Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the imaging unit 50 takes a photograph of the initial state of the molded product 2 before the introduction of an external force and the state of the second needle 30B before deformation. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the second moving stage 40B is moved to introduce an external force to the second needle 30B. At this time, the second moving stage 40B is operated in the direction (X1 direction shown in FIG. 6) in which the rod-shaped molded product 2 is stretched in the X-axis direction with respect to the second needle 30B. As a result, the molded product 2 is stretched in the X-axis direction, and the second needle 30 is bent.

[0036] When the formed object 2 has stretched to a certain extent and the second needle 30B has deflected to a certain extent, the movement operation by the second moving stage 40B is stopped, and the imaging unit 50 shown in FIG. 2 measures the amount of elongation of the formed object 2 and the amount of deflection of the second needle 30B into which the external force has been introduced. Specifically, the imaging unit 50 takes a photograph of the formed object 2 and the second needle 30B after deformation after the introduction of the external force. Then, by comparing the above-described photograph data before deformation with the photograph data after deformation, the amount of elongation of the formed object 2 and the amount of deflection of the second needle 30B are read.

[0037] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the moving amounts of the second needle 30B in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction of the second moving stage 40B are measured by the moving amount measuring device 60.

[0038] Thereafter, based on the amount of elongation of the formed object 2 and the amount of deflection of the second needle 30B measured by the imaging unit 50, and the moving amount of the second needle 30B measured by the moving amount measuring device 60, the rigidity of the formed object 2 is calculated.

[0039] The rigidity of the formed object 2 based on the result measured by the cell mass loading displacement measuring device 1 as described above is calculated as follows.

[0040] In the needle 30 (here, the second needle 30B that applies the load), the length is H (mm), the Young's modulus is E (N / mm2), the second moment of area is I (=πd4 / 64) (mm4), and the outer diameter is d (mm). At this time, the tensile load F (N) due to the needle deflection amount δ is represented by equation (1).

[0041]

Equation

[0042] Assuming the thickness of the formed object 2 is D, the cross-sectional area A (mm2) is represented by equation (2). And as shown in FIG. 6, assuming the initial length of the formed object 2 is L, the elongation amount is ΔL, and the moving amount by the moving stage 40 is S, the strain ε is given by equation (3).

[0043]

Number

[0044] From the above, the rigidity Es (N / mm2) of the molded product 2 is calculated by the formula (4).

[0045]

Number

[0046] <Actions and Effects of the Embodiment> The cell mass load displacement measuring device 1 of the present embodiment measures the load displacement amount of the molded product 2 by applying a load to the molded product 2 in which the cell mass is aggregated in a rod shape. The cell mass load displacement measuring device 1 includes a petri dish 10 filled with a culture solution 11 and accommodating the molded product 2 therein, a pair of needles 30A and 30B for locking both ends in the longitudinal direction of the molded product 2, a moving stage 40 that moves so as to introduce an external force into at least one of the pair of needles 30A and 30B (the second needle 30B), an imaging unit 50 that measures the deflection amounts of the molded product 2 and the needles 30A and 30B into which the external force of the pair of needles 30A and 30B is introduced, and a movement amount measuring device 60 that measures the movement amount of the needles 30A and 30B.

[0047] In the present embodiment, the molded product 2 is accommodated inside the petri dish 10 filled with the culture solution, both ends in the longitudinal direction of the molded product 2 are locked by the pair of needles 30A and 30B, and the moving stage 40 is moved to introduce an external force to the second needle 30B. Then, the deflection amounts of the molded product 2 and the second needle 30B can be measured by the imaging unit 50, and the movement amount of the second needle 30B can be measured by the movement amount measuring device 60. Thereby, using the cell mass load displacement measuring device 1, the load displacement amount with respect to the molded product 2 can be measured. Thus, in this embodiment, the tensile rigidity can be calculated by applying an external force such as stretching to the rod-shaped molded article 2 formed in a small number. That is, for example, the elasticity indicating the texture required in the reproduction of meat by cultured cells can be easily obtained numerically, and it is not necessary to wait until a large number of cell masses grow to a certain size, so the elasticity of the molded article in which the cell masses are aggregated efficiently can be measured in a short time.

[0048] Further, in this embodiment, since the pair of needles 30A and 30B are arranged in parallel with a gap in the X-axis direction from each other, the moving direction of the needle 30 to which the external force is applied can be controlled in two directions (X-axis direction, Y-axis direction). Therefore, the measurement of the amount of deflection by the imaging unit 50 and the measurement of the moving amount of the needle 30 by the moving amount measuring device 60 can be simplified.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the base end portions 30c of the pair of needles 30A and 30B are respectively held by the holding portions 41A and 41B. The moving stage 40 moves the holding portions 41A and 41B in the X-axis direction and in the Y-axis direction along the extending direction of the needles 30A and 30B orthogonal to the X-axis direction. Therefore, the needles 30A and 30B are held by the holding portions 41A and 41B, and the moving stage 40 can move the needles 30A and 30B in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction via the holding portions 41A and 41B.

[0050] Also, in this embodiment, the petri dish 10 has an installation surface 13a for arranging the molded article 2, and includes an engagement surface 14a for engaging the first tip portion 30a of the first needle 30A in a state of locking one end 2a in the longitudinal direction of the molded article 2. With such a configuration, one end 2a of the molded article 2 is fixed in a non-movable state by being locked to the first needle 30A having the first tip 30a engaged with the engaging surface 14a of the petri dish 10. Therefore, since it is possible to move the second needle 30B only with the moving stage 40 and apply an external force, only the amount of deflection and the amount of movement of the second needle 30B can be measured, and the elasticity of the molded article can be easily determined in combination with the amount of deflection of the molded article.

[0051] In addition, in the cell mass load displacement amount measuring device 1 of the present embodiment, the first tip 30a of the first needle 30A is locked to the engaging surface 14a in a state of penetrating one end 2a of the molded article 2. The second tip 30b of the second needle 30B is locked to the other end 2b of the molded article 2 in a non-penetrating state. With such a configuration, one end 2a of the molded article 2 is fixed in a non-movable state by being locked to the first needle 30A having the first tip 30a penetrating the engaging surface 14a of the petri dish 10. Also, the other end 2b of the molded article 2 is locked to the other end 2b of the molded article 2 in a non-penetrating state. Therefore, since it is possible to move the second needle 30B only with the moving stage 40 and apply an external force, only the amount of deflection and the amount of movement of the second needle 30B can be measured, and the elasticity of the molded article can be easily determined in combination with the amount of deflection of the molded article.

[0052] In addition, in the cell mass load displacement amount measuring device 1 of the present embodiment, the engaging surface 14a has an engaging hole 14b for engaging the tip 30a of the first needle 30A. Therefore, by moving the first needle 30A only in the Y-axis direction, it can be easily moved between the engaging position and the non-engaging position with respect to the engaging hole 14b.

[0053] In addition, in the present embodiment, the pair of needles 30A and 30B are arranged in a state where bending in the Z-axis direction (vertical direction) orthogonal to both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is introduced. In this case, an external force in the Z-axis direction is applied in advance to the second needle 30B to be measured. Therefore, in the second needle 30B moved by the moving stage 40, the deflection amount and the movement amount in the Z-axis direction can be omitted or suppressed, so that the deflection amount and the movement amount in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction can be accurately measured.

[0054] In addition, the cell mass load displacement amount measuring device 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that the imaging unit 50 observes the molded product 2 and the pair of needles 30A and 30B. In this case, for example, a photograph of the molded product 2 and the pair of needles 30A and 30B is taken by the imaging unit 50 which is a camera, and the deflection amount of the molded product 2 and the pair of needles 30A and 30B can be obtained based on this photograph.

[0055] In addition, in the cell mass load displacement amount measuring device 1 of the present embodiment, the imaging unit 50 captures photograph data of the molded product 2 and the needles 30A and 30B before deformation before the introduction of the external force and photograph data of the molded product 2 and the needles 30A and 30B after deformation after the introduction of the external force. In this case, the respective deflection amounts can be easily measured by comparing the photograph data before deformation and the photograph data after deformation.

[0056] In addition, the cell mass load displacement amount measuring device 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that the movement amount measuring device 60 acquires the movement amount of the needle 30. In this case, the movement amounts of the needle 30 held by the holding unit 41 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are measured by the movement amount measuring device 60.

[0057] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various design changes are possible without departing from the gist thereof. For example, although the measurement target of the cell mass load displacement amount measuring device 1 of the above-described embodiment is food made of artificially cultured cells, it is not limited thereto. For example, if it has an elastic body or shape similar to that of cells, it can also be applied to uses other than cells.

[0058] In addition, in the present embodiment, the moving stage 40 is configured to be manually operated, but it is not limited to being manual. For example, the moving stage 40 provided with a driving unit such as a motor may be configured to be automatically operable.

[0059] Also, the arrangement and holding configuration of the pair of needles 30A and 30B, or the engagement configuration of the first tip 30a of the first needle 30A are not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, in the present embodiment, the pair of needles 30A and 30B are arranged in parallel with a space therebetween in the X-axis direction, but it is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the configuration in which the first tip 30a of the first needle 30A is inserted into and engaged with the engagement hole 14b provided in the engagement surface 14a (fixed portion) of the support block 14 is not the only one, and other engagement structures can also be adopted. In short, any configuration that can detachably fix the first needle 30A using the moving stage 40 is acceptable.

[0060] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, among the pair of needles 30A and 30B, one of the first needles 30A is fixed, and the other second needle 30B is moved by the moving stage 40 to apply an external force. However, it is not limited to the configuration in which an external force is applied to any one of the needles 30 for measurement, and a configuration in which an external force is applied to both of the pair of needles 30A and 30B to measure the amount of deflection and the amount of movement together with the molded product 2 is also possible.

[0061] Also, in the present embodiment, the pair of needles 30A and 30B are arranged in a state where bending in a direction orthogonal to both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is introduced, but it is not limited thereto, and the pair of needles 30A and 30B may be provided in a state where no bending is introduced.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0062] 1... Cell mass load displacement measuring device 2... Molded product 2a... One end 2b…The other end 10…Petri dish 11…Culture solution 13…Sample fixing table 13a…Installation surface 14…Support block 14a…Engagement surface (fixing part) 14b…Engagement hole 30…Needle 30A…First needle 30B…Second needle 40, 40A, 40B…Moving stage (moving part) 41, 41A, 41B…Holding part 42…Stage body 43…Arm part 50…Imaging unit (first measurement unit) 60…Moving amount measuring device (second measurement unit) 70…Base X…X-axis direction Y…Y-axis direction

Claims

1. A cell mass load displacement amount measuring device that measures the load displacement amount of the molded product by applying a load to a molded product in which cell masses are aggregated in a rod shape, comprising: a petri dish filled with a culture solution and containing the molded product therein; a pair of needles that lock both ends in the longitudinal direction of the molded product; a moving part that moves so as to introduce an external force into at least one of the pair of needles; a first measuring part that measures the amount of deflection of the molded product and the needle into which the external force is introduced among the pair of needles; a second measuring part that measures the amount of movement of the needle; A cell mass load displacement amount measuring device comprising:

2. The cell mass load displacement amount measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of needles are arranged in parallel with a space therebetween in a first direction.

3. The base end portions of the pair of needles are each held by a holding part, The cell mass load displacement amount measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the moving part moves the holding part in the first direction and in a second direction along the extending direction of the needle orthogonal to the first direction.

4. The petri dish has an arrangement surface for arranging the molded product, and includes a fixing part that engages with a first tip part of one of the pair of needles, the first tip part of the first needle, in a state of locking one end in the longitudinal direction of the molded product. The cell mass load displacement amount measuring device according to claim 1.

5. The first tip part of the first needle is locked to the fixing part in a state of penetrating the one end of the molded product, The cell mass load displacement amount measuring device according to claim 4, wherein the second tip part of the other second needle among the pair of needles is locked to the other end of the molded product in a non-penetrating state.

6. The cell mass load displacement amount measuring device according to claim 4, wherein the fixing part has an engagement hole that engages with the tip part of the first needle.

7. The cell mass load displacement amount measuring device according to claim 3, wherein the pair of needles are arranged in a state where bending in a direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction is introduced.

8. The cell mass load displacement amount measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the first measuring part is an imaging part that observes the molded product and the pair of needles.

9. In the imaging part, photographic data of the molded product and the needle before deformation before the introduction of an external force and photographic data of the molded product and the needle after deformation after the introduction of an external force are imaged. The cell mass load displacement amount measuring device according to claim 8.

10. The cell mass loading displacement amount measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the second measuring unit is a displacement amount measuring device that acquires the moving amount of the needle.

11. A cell mass loading displacement amount measuring method for measuring the loading displacement amount of the molded product, using the cell mass loading displacement amount measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, a step of accommodating the molded product inside the petri dish filled with the culture solution; a step of locking both ends in the longitudinal direction of the molded product with the pair of needles; a step of moving the moving unit to introduce an external force to at least one of the pair of needles; a step of measuring, by the first measuring unit, the amount of deflection of the molded product and the needle into which the external force has been introduced among the pair of needles; a step of measuring, by the second measuring unit, the moving amount of the needle; The cell mass loading displacement amount measuring method comprising:

12. The cell mass loading displacement amount measuring method according to claim 11, wherein the rigidity of the molded product is calculated based on the amount of elongation of the molded product and the amount of deflection of the needle measured by the first measuring unit, and the moving amount of the needle measured by the second measuring unit.

Images