Stirring apparatus and culture apparatus

Abstract

To provide rotating magnetic fields individually determined for multiple magnetic rotors, and to match the rotation numbers of the multiple rotating magnetic fields.SOLUTION: A stirring apparatus 1 of the present invention is configured to rotate a magnetic rotor 13 arranged inside a container 11 for cell culture, comprising: multiple pulleys 2; a connector 4 that links the pulleys 2; a driver 6 that drives the connector 4; multiple magnetic members provided corresponding to the respective pulleys 2 and configured to rotate with rotation of the pulleys 2; and a mounting table 8 disposed above the magnetic members and configured to mount the container 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an agitation device and a culture device. [Background technology]

[0002] Magnetic stirrers are widely used as stirring devices for chemical reactions and cell culture in laboratories. This type of stirring device generates a rotating magnetic field outside a vessel that handles a liquid containing a substrate, and the action of this rotating magnetic field rotates a rotor inside the vessel, stirring the liquid. In particular, stirring devices that can rotate multiple rotors simultaneously are useful when screening multiple conditions, as they enable multiple experiments to be conducted simultaneously. Such stirring devices are disclosed, for example, in JP 2021-594 A (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-594 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The stirring device described in Patent Document 1 is designed to rotate multiple rotors by driving one drive magnet, but it is desirable to provide a drive magnet for each rotor in order to rotate each rotor smoothly and accurately. On the other hand, if an independent drive device is provided for each drive magnet, it can be difficult to match the rotation speeds of the individual drive magnets, which can hinder the standardization of experimental conditions.

[0005] Therefore, there is a demand for a stirring device that provides rotating magnetic fields that are individually set for a plurality of magnetic rotors and that can easily synchronize the rotation speeds of the plurality of rotating magnetic fields, as well as a culture device that utilizes the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The stirring device of the present invention is a stirring device that rotates a magnetic rotor placed in a container for cell culture, and is characterized by comprising a plurality of pulleys, a connecting body that connects the plurality of pulleys, a driving device that drives the connecting body, a plurality of magnetic bodies that are provided corresponding to each of the pulleys and rotate in accordance with the rotation of the pulleys, and a mounting table that is arranged above the magnetic bodies and on which the container can be placed.

[0007] The culture device of the present invention is a culture device comprising a container for cell culture and a stirring device that stirs a sample placed in the container, wherein the container has a plurality of flow paths and a magnetic rotor placed in each of the flow paths, and the stirring device has a plurality of pulleys, a connector that connects the plurality of pulleys, a drive device that drives the connector, a plurality of magnetic bodies that are provided corresponding to each of the pulleys and rotate with the rotation of the pulleys, and a mounting table that is arranged above the magnetic bodies and on which the container can be placed, wherein the number of magnetic rotors is equal to or less than the number of magnetic bodies, and when the container is placed on the mounting table, the magnetic rotors are aligned with the magnetic bodies in a plan view.

[0008] With these configurations, since the multiple magnetic bodies are driven by the same drive unit, it is easy to match the rotation speeds of the rotating magnetic fields that are individually set for the multiple magnetic rotors. Furthermore, compared to when a separate drive unit is provided for each magnetic body, heat generated by the drive unit can be suppressed, so when the entire agitator is placed in the thermostatic bath, it is less likely to interfere with temperature control of the thermostatic bath.

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described below.

[0010] In one aspect, the stirring device according to the present invention preferably further comprises at least one idler that guides the connecting body.

[0011] This configuration makes it easy to apply an appropriate tension to the connecting member, and to synchronize the rotation of the drive unit and the pulley.

[0012] In one aspect, the stirring device according to the present invention preferably includes at least one idler between two of the pulleys along the path of the connecting body.

[0013] This configuration allows the tension of the connecting body to be adjusted more appropriately.

[0014] In one aspect, the stirring device according to the present invention includes a plurality of the idlers, and at least one of the plurality of idlers is preferably a tension idler capable of adjusting the tension of the connecting body.

[0015] This configuration allows the tension of the connecting body to be adjusted more appropriately.

[0016] In one aspect, the stirring device according to the present invention preferably further comprises a rotation sensor that detects the rotation state of at least one element selected from the group consisting of the plurality of pulleys and at least one idler.

[0017] With this configuration, a malfunction in which the pulley or idler stops rotating can be easily detected.

[0018] In one aspect of the stirring device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the central angle in a plan view of an arc-shaped portion of the circumference of the pulley where the pulley and the connecting body are in contact is 120° or more.

[0019] According to this configuration, a sufficient contact area between the pulley and the connecting body can be ensured, and the driving force can be easily transmitted to the pulley appropriately.

[0020] In one aspect of the stirring device according to the present invention, the magnetic body is preferably fitted to the pulley.

[0021] This configuration facilitates the integral rotation of the pulley and the magnetic body, and also contributes to reducing the installation volume of the pulley and the magnetic body.

[0022] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, which is given with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing the configuration of a culture device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a plan view perspective view of a stirring device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a container of the culture device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] An embodiment of a stirring device and a culture device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, an example in which the stirring device and the culture device according to the present invention are applied to a culture device 10 used for culturing cells and a stirring device 1 that forms part of the culture device 10 will be described.

[0025] [Outline of the embodiment] A culture device 10 according to this embodiment includes an agitator 1 and a cell culture container 11, and in use, the container 11 is placed on a mounting table 8 of the agitator 1 (FIG. 1). Rotation of a magnetic body 3 fitted to a pulley 2 of the agitator 1 rotates a magnetic rotor 13 of the container 11, which moves a fluid in a flow path 12 and achieves agitation.

[0026] In the following description, when the up-down direction is mentioned, it refers to the up-down direction in the state in which the culture device 10 shown in Figure 1 is used. That is, the culture device 10 is used in a state in which the container 11 is placed on the agitator 1.

[0027] [Configuration of the Stirring Device] The agitator 1 includes a pulley 2, a magnetic body 3, a belt 4 (an example of a connector) that connects the pulleys 2, an idler 5 that guides the belt 4, a motor 6 (an example of a drive device) that drives the belt 4, a rotation sensor 7, and a mounting table 8 on which a container 11 can be placed (FIG. 1). The agitator 1 is generally a device that transmits the driving force of the motor 6 to the pulley 2 via the belt 4 to rotate the pulley 2, and rotates the magnetic body 3 that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the pulley 2, thereby rotating a magnetic rotor 13 disposed in the container 11 that is placed on the mounting table 8.

[0028] The stirring device 1 has six pulleys 2 (one example of a plurality of pulleys). Each pulley 2 is supported by a rotating shaft (not shown) extending in the vertical direction. Each pulley 2 has two fitting holes into which magnetic bodies 3 fit. The pulleys 2 rotate around their rotating shafts by the driving force transmitted by the belt 4.

[0029] The agitator 1 has twelve magnetic bodies 3 (one example of a plurality of magnetic bodies). Each of the magnetic bodies 3 is fitted into a fitting hole in the pulley 2, and the pulley 2 and the magnetic bodies 3 rotate together. Furthermore, because the magnetic bodies 3 are fitted into the fitting holes in the pulley 2, the installation volume of the pulley 2 and the magnetic bodies 3 fits within the external dimensions of the pulley 2, so the pulley 2 and the magnetic bodies 3 can be installed efficiently. Note that two magnetic bodies 3 are fitted into one pulley 2. In other words, the agitator 1 has six pairs of magnetic bodies 3.

[0030] The belt 4 is a belt that is stretched across the pulley 2, the idler 5, and the motor 6, and serves to transmit the driving force of the motor 6 to the pulley 2 to rotate the pulley 2. The belt 4 comes into contact with the circumferential surface of the pulley 2, and transmits the driving force to the pulley 2 by the frictional force with the circumferential surface. The belt 4 may be one that is generally used in driving force transmission mechanisms that use a motor and a pulley.

[0031] The idler 5 is a rotating body that guides the belt 4 and applies an appropriate tension to the belt 4 to assist the smooth rotation of the pulley 2. In this embodiment, six idlers 5 are provided, one of which is a tension idler 51 that can adjust the tension of the belt 4.

[0032] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the portion indicated by reference symbol III in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, pulley 2 has an arc-shaped portion 21, which is a part of its circumferential surface, in contact with belt 4. Idler 5 is provided in a position where it can guide belt 4 so that the central angle of arc-shaped portion 21 in a plan view is 120° or more. By having arc-shaped portion 21 have a central angle of 120° or more in a plan view, the contact area between pulley 2 and belt 4 can be made relatively large, making it easier to transmit driving force to pulley 2.

[0033] Motor 6 is a motor that drives belt 4, and a known motor can be used. Motor 6 is installed with its rotation shaft extending vertically, and driving force is transmitted from this rotation shaft to belt 4. Therefore, belt 4 is driven along a plane that intersects with the rotation shaft (i.e., along the paper surface of FIG. 2). The rotation speed of motor 6 is controlled by a control device (not shown).

[0034] The rotation sensor 7 is a device that detects the rotation state of one of the six idlers 5. The detection signal of the rotation sensor 7 is input to a control device (not shown). If the rotation sensor 7 does not detect the rotation of the idler 5 while the motor 6 is running, there is a possibility that a malfunction has occurred, such as a broken belt 4. The rotation sensor 7 is provided for the purpose of detecting this type of malfunction.

[0035] The mounting table 8 is a table on which the container 11 can be placed, and is installed at least above the magnetic body 3. In this embodiment, a housing is provided to house the pulley 2, the magnetic body 3, the belt 4, the idler 5, the motor 6, and the rotation sensor 7, and the top surface of the housing is the mounting table 8.

[0036] [Configuration of the culture device] A culture device 10 according to this embodiment includes the above-described stirring device 1 and a cell culture vessel 11 (FIG. 1). The vessel 11 has six independent flow paths 12 and a magnetic rotor 13 disposed in each of the flow paths (FIGS. 1 and 4). Each of the six flow paths 12 has a rotor chamber 14 in which the magnetic rotor 13 is housed, two reaction chambers 15, and a connecting path 16 that connects the rotor chamber 14 and the reaction chamber 15 or the two reaction chambers 15 together.

[0037] The positional relationship of the magnetic rotors 13 in the container 11 and the positional relationship of the pairs of magnetic bodies 3 in the stirring device 1 are approximately the same in plan view. Therefore, when the container 11 is placed at a predetermined position on the mounting table 8, the magnetic rotors 13 of the container 11 are aligned with the corresponding magnetic bodies 3.

[0038] For example, the container 11 can be manufactured by forming the flow path 12 on one side of a flat resin body 11a, and attaching a sealing material 11b that seals the one side. Examples of the resin that constitutes the resin body 11a include, but are not limited to, polystyrene resin, polyester resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, acrylic resin such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyolefin resin such as cycloolefin polymer, polycarbonate resin, and silicone resin such as polydimethylsiloxane.

[0039] The shape and material of the sealant 11b are not limited as long as they can prevent leakage of fluid from the flow channel 12. For example, if the sealant 11b is made of a silicone resin or an olefin resin, the high gas permeability allows efficient supply of oxygen to the cells cultured in the flow channel 12, thereby improving the physiological activity of aerobic cells. Furthermore, if the sealant 11b is a cover glass, it is easy to observe the cells using a confocal microscope or the like.

[0040] In the flow path 12, the rotor chamber 14 and the connection path 16 are provided as recesses recessed from one side of the resin body 11a (the side where the sealing material 11b is provided) toward the inside of the resin body 11a, and do not penetrate the resin body 11a. On the other hand, two reaction chambers 15 in the flow path 12 penetrate the resin body 11a. Therefore, the reaction chambers 15 are an open system.

[0041] The rotor chamber 14 is a space that houses the magnetic rotor 13. The rotor chamber 14 is circular in plan view, and in the plan view, the center of rotation of the magnetic rotor 13 and the center of the circle of the rotor chamber 14 roughly coincide with each other. Two connection paths 16 extend in the tangential direction of the circle of the rotor chamber 14, and these two connection paths 16 are connected to the rotor chamber 14 at positions that are point-symmetric with respect to the center of the circle of the rotor chamber 14.

[0042] The magnetic rotor 13 is a magnetic body that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the magnetic body 3 of the stirring device 1, and a rotor of the specifications generally used in stirring using this type of method (stirring using a magnetic stirrer) can be used.

[0043] [Effects of this embodiment] In the stirring device 1 according to this embodiment, all of the pulleys 2 are driven by the driving force of a single motor 6. Therefore, the rotation speeds of all of the pulleys 2 can be made approximately the same, and the rotation speeds of all of the magnetic bodies 3 can be made approximately the same, so the rotation speeds of all of the magnetic rotors 13 can be made approximately the same. This contributes to making the stirring speeds (rotation speeds of the magnetic rotors 13) in all of the flow paths 12 provided in the container 11 approximately the same. Therefore, the culture conditions in each of the flow paths 12 can be made approximately the same.

[0044] Furthermore, by providing only one motor 6, heat generation due to motor operation can be suppressed compared to when separate motors are provided to rotate six magnetic rotors 13. This contributes to making it easier to maintain the temperature inside a thermostatic bath when the culture device 10 is installed inside the thermostatic bath, for example.

[0045] Other Embodiments Finally, other embodiments of the stirring device and culture device according to the present invention will be described. Note that the configurations disclosed in the following embodiments can be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradiction occurs.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the stirring device 1 is described as having six idlers 5 that guide the belt 4. However, in the present invention, the presence or absence and number of idlers are optional. Furthermore, when idlers are provided, the presence or absence of tension idlers is optional.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the agitator 1 is described as having a rotation sensor 7, but the presence or absence of a rotation sensor is optional in the present invention. Also, in the above embodiment, the rotation sensor 7 detects the rotation state of the idler 5, but if the present invention is provided with a rotation sensor, the detection target may be a pulley. Furthermore, the number of rotation sensors is not limited.

[0048] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the stirring device 1 includes a belt 4. However, in the present invention, the connecting member connecting the multiple pulleys is not limited to a belt and may be a chain or the like. Note that, depending on the type of the connecting member, a structure such as a protrusion may be provided on the pulley side to facilitate the transmission of power from the connecting member to the pulley.

[0049] Regarding other configurations, it should be understood that the embodiments disclosed in this specification are illustrative in all respects and that the scope of the present invention is not limited thereby. Those skilled in the art will easily understand that appropriate modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, other embodiments modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention are naturally included in the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0050] The present invention can be used as a culture device used for culturing cells, for example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 10:Culture device 1: Stirring device 2: Pulley 21: Arc-shaped part 3: Magnetic material 4: Belt 5: Idler 51: Tension idler 6: Motor 7: Rotation sensor 8: Mounting table 11: Container 11a: Resin body 11b: Sealing material 12: Flow path 13: Magnetic rotor 14: Rotor chamber 15: Reaction chamber 16: Connection

Claims

1. A stirring device that rotates a magnetic rotor disposed in a cell culture vessel, A plurality of pulleys; a connecting body that connects the plurality of pulleys; a drive device that drives the connecting body; a plurality of magnetic bodies provided corresponding to the respective pulleys and rotating in accordance with the rotation of the pulleys; a mounting table disposed above the magnetic body and on which the container can be placed.

2. The stirring device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one idler for guiding the coupling body.

3. 3. The mixing device of claim 2, further comprising at least one idler between two of the pulleys along the path of the coupling.

4. A plurality of the idlers are provided, 3. The stirring device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of idlers is a tension idler capable of adjusting the tension of the connecting body.

5. The stirring device according to claim 2, further comprising a rotation sensor that detects a rotation state of at least one element selected from the group consisting of a plurality of said pulleys and at least one of said idlers.

6. 2. The stirring device according to claim 1, wherein a central angle in a plan view of an arc-shaped portion of the circumference of the pulley where the pulley and the connecting body are in contact is 120° or more.

7. The stirring device according to claim 1 , wherein the magnetic body is fitted to the pulley.

8. A culture device comprising a container for cell culture and a stirring device for stirring a sample placed in the container, The container a plurality of flow paths; a magnetic rotor disposed in each of the flow paths; The stirring device is A plurality of pulleys; a connecting body that connects the plurality of pulleys; a drive device that drives the connecting body; a plurality of magnetic bodies provided corresponding to the respective pulleys and rotating in accordance with the rotation of the pulleys; a mounting table disposed above the magnetic body and on which the container can be placed, the number of the magnetic rotors is equal to or less than the number of the magnetic bodies, The incubation device is configured so that, when the container is placed on the table, the magnetic rotor is aligned with the magnetic body in a plan view.

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