Panel circuit and cell processing device

Abstract

To provide a panel circuit and a cell processing device capable of easily and accurately attaching a member including a flexible tube.SOLUTION: A panel circuit includes a resin panel having a first groove portion on a first surface, and a flexible tube that is fitted into the first groove portion to be guided by the first groove portion. The portion of the second surface of the resin panel opposite to the first surface, on which the first groove portion is formed, protrudes from the other portion of the second surface, and the most part of the tube is fitted into the first groove portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The disclosed technology relates to a panel circuit and a cell processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] The following techniques are known for positioning tubes through which liquids flow: For example, Patent Document 1 describes a panel circuit that includes flexible tubes that constitute at least a part of a liquid circuit of a body fluid treatment device, and a panel that holds part of the tubes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-143365 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to increase the production volume of regenerative medicine products, automation of part or all of the manufacturing process is being promoted. For example, in an automated cell processing device used in the manufacture of regenerative medicine products, cell processing components such as filters, filtering devices, centrifuge tubes, and bags are connected to each other via flexible tubes (hereinafter referred to as a tube assembly) and attached to a housing. In regenerative medicine using autologous cells, the tube assembly is operated as a single-use device, and therefore the tube assembly is frequently attached and detached.

[0005] Tube assemblies are difficult to handle because the tubes tend to get tangled with each other or with other components. Furthermore, when attaching a tube assembly to a cell processing device, it can be difficult to visualize how the tube assembly should be attached (the arrangement of each component), which can result in time-consuming installation work and potential for operational errors. For this reason, the technology described in Patent Document 1 improves ease of attachment to the device by holding a portion of the tube on a panel. However, in this case, the portion of the tube that is not fixed to the panel protrudes outside the panel surface, which can cause the tube to become tangled or come loose due to vibrations during transportation or tension when attached to the device.

[0006] The disclosed technology has been developed in consideration of the above points, and aims to reduce the risk of a flexible tube attached to a panel coming off the panel due to external force, and to enable easy and accurate attachment of components including the tube. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The panel circuit includes a resin panel having a first groove on a first surface, and a flexible tube fitted into the first groove so as to be guided by the first groove. A portion of a second surface of the resin panel opposite the first surface where the first groove is formed protrudes from the remaining portion of the second surface, and most of the tube is fitted into the first groove.

[0008] The resin panel may further have a second groove into which the tube is not fitted. The first groove and the second groove may have a bent portion or a curved portion. The first groove may have a portion extending in a first direction and a portion extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The second groove may have a portion extending in the first direction and a portion extending in the second direction intersecting the first direction.

[0009] The second groove may be wider than the first groove. The second groove may be deeper than the first groove. The thickness of the resin panel may be 10 mm or less. The resin panel may be optically transparent.

[0010] The panel circuit may further include at least one cell treatment member connected to the tube, which may include one or more of a filter, a centrifuge tube, a bag, and a bottle.

[0011] The cell processing device according to the disclosed technology has the above-mentioned panel circuit, at least one pump for pumping the liquid flowing inside the tube, at least one pinch valve for switching between closing and opening the tube, and a liquid sensor for sensing the liquid flowing inside the tube.

[0012] The pump, pinch valve, and liquid sensor are arranged on the same surface of the housing surface, and the resin panel may have multiple holes, and may be attached to the housing surface with the pump, pinch valve, or liquid sensor inserted into one of the multiple holes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the disclosed technology, it is possible to easily and accurately attach a member including a flexible tube. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of a configuration of a tube assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of a configuration of a resin panel according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of a configuration of a panel circuit according to an embodiment of the disclosed technique. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a resin panel according to a comparative example. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a configuration of a resin panel according to another embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a cell processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosed technique. [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a cell processing device in a state where a panel circuit according to an embodiment of the disclosed technique is attached. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a life cycle of a panel circuit according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the disclosed technology will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or equivalent components and parts are given the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a tube assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. The tube assembly 10 is a component of a cell processing device described below and includes a flexible tube 11 and multiple cell processing members connected to the tube 11. FIG. 1 illustrates examples of the cell processing members, including a filter 12, a centrifuge tube 13, a bag 14, and a bottle 15. The tube 11 may be made of a synthetic resin, such as a fluororesin, polyethylene, or polystyrene. The tube 11 has multiple branching points, and cell processing members such as the filter 12, the centrifuge tube 13, the bag 14, and the bottle 15 are connected to the ends of the portions extending from each branching point. The filter 12 is provided, for example, at the end of the tube 11 that serves as a vent to prevent contaminants from entering the tube 11. The centrifuge tube 13, the bag 14, and the bottle contain liquids, such as a cell suspension and culture medium. The tube assembly 10 is attached to the cell processing device described below.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of a plastic panel 20 according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology, illustrating a first surface P1 of the plastic panel 20. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2. The plastic panel 20 is a plate-like member that assists in attaching the tube assembly 10 to the cell processing device. The plastic panel 20 is made of a synthetic resin such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate). The planar size of the plastic panel 20 is not particularly limited, but is expected to be relatively large depending on the scale of the tube assembly 10. The dimension of the plastic panel 20 in the X direction in the drawing may be, for example, approximately 500 mm, and the dimension in the Y direction in the drawing may be, for example, approximately 300 mm. The plastic panel 20 is thin to reduce weight. The thickness of the plastic panel 20 is preferably 10 mm or less, and more preferably 5 mm or less.

[0018] The resin panel 20 has a first groove 21 and a second groove 22 on the first surface P1. The first groove 21 is a linear recess that guides the path of the tube 11. The tube 11 is fitted into the first groove 21 so that each portion is guided by the first groove 21.

[0019] 4 is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of a panel circuit 30 configured by fitting tubes 11 into first grooves 21. The tubes 11 fitted into the first grooves 21 are held in the plastic panel 20 by being sandwiched between the side walls of the first grooves 21. The first grooves 21 are formed with a width and depth that prevent the fitted tubes 11 from easily falling out. The tubes 11 are guided by the first grooves 21, thereby determining the position of the path of the tubes 11, and accordingly, the positions of the filters 12, centrifuge tubes 13, bags 14, and bottles 15. Most of the tubes 11 (80% or more of the length of the tubes extending on the main surface of the plastic panel 20) are fitted into the first grooves 21.

[0020] The tube 11 is not fitted into the second groove portion 22. The second groove portion 22 is a structure for increasing the rigidity of the plastic panel 20. By forming the second groove portion 22 in an area of ​​the plastic panel 20 where the first groove portion 21 is not formed, it is possible to increase the rigidity of the plastic panel 20 evenly. The first groove portion 21 also contributes to improving the rigidity of the plastic panel 20. In other words, the first groove portion 21 has both the function of guiding the tube 11 and the function of increasing the rigidity of the plastic panel 20. In contrast, the second groove portion 22 is a structure solely for increasing the rigidity of the plastic panel 20. By having the plastic panel 20 have not only the first groove portion 21 but also the second groove portion 22, it is possible to ensure necessary and sufficient rigidity despite being thin.

[0021] The first groove 21 and the second groove 22 each have a portion extending in the X direction and a portion extending in the Y direction in the figure. The first groove 21 and the second groove 22 each have a bent portion or curved portion. These can further increase the rigidity of the plastic panel 20, contributing to making the plastic panel 20 thinner and lighter.

[0022] The first groove portion 21 and the second groove portion 22 are formed by vacuum forming. Vacuum forming is a molding technique in which a heated and plasticized resin sheet is placed on a mold, and a vacuum is created between the resin sheet and the mold, thereby sucking the resin sheet into the mold. By forming the first groove portion 21 and the second groove portion 22 by vacuum forming, as shown in FIG. 3, the portions of the second surface P2 of the resin panel 20 where the first groove portion 21 and the second groove portion 22 are formed protrude from the other portions of the second surface P2. In the resin panel 20, the portions where the first groove portion 21 and the second groove portion 22 are formed have approximately the same thickness as the other portions.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a plastic panel 20X according to a comparative example, in which the first grooves 21 and the second grooves 22 are formed by cutting, injection molding, or the like. In the plastic panel 20X, the second surface P2 is flat. The plastic panel 20X requires a thickness greater than the depths of the first grooves 21 and the second grooves 22, resulting in increased weight and cost. On the other hand, in the plastic panel 20 according to the embodiment of the disclosed technology (see FIG. 3), the first grooves 21 and the second grooves 22 are formed by vacuum molding, which allows the thickness of the plastic panel 20 to be reduced, thereby enabling weight and cost reduction.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 3, the cross-sectional shapes of the first groove portion 21 and the second groove portion 22 may be rectangular. The second groove portion 22 may be wider than the first groove portion 21. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 6, the bottom surfaces of the first groove portion 21 and the second groove portion 22 may be curved. The second groove portion 22 may be deeper than the first groove portion 21.

[0025] The resin panel 20 has a hole 24 through which a positioning shaft is inserted when attaching the panel to the cell processing device. The resin panel 20 also has a plurality of holes 25 through which various devices such as pumps provided in the cell processing device are arranged within the panel surface.

[0026] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a cell processing device 40. The cell processing device 40 has the function of automatically performing predetermined processing on cells, and is used, for example, in the manufacture of regenerative medicine products. Regenerative medicine products are created by subjecting living human or animal cells or tissues to processing such as culturing, and are used to reconstruct, repair, or form the structure or function of the body, to treat or prevent disease, or to be introduced into human cells for the purpose of gene therapy. Regenerative medicine products include, for example, cultured cells, cultured skin, and cultured cartilage.

[0027] The cell processing device 40 has a pump 42, a pinch valve 43, a liquid sensor 44, a pressure gauge 45, and a positioning shaft 46 provided on the front surface of its housing 41. That is, the pump 42, the pinch valve 43, the liquid sensor 44, the pressure gauge 45, and the positioning shaft 46 are provided on the same surface of the housing. The pump 42 delivers a liquid (e.g., a cell suspension) flowing through the inside of the tube 11. The pinch valve 43 switches between closing and opening the tube 11. The liquid sensor 44 senses the liquid flowing through the inside of the tube 11. The pressure gauge 45 monitors the pressure inside the tube 11. The positioning shaft 46 extends vertically from the front surface of the housing 41.

[0028] The cell processing device 40 is used with the above-mentioned components connected to the tube assembly 10. The attachment of the tube assembly 10 to the cell processing device 40 is assisted by the resin panel 20. That is, the panel circuit 30, which is configured by fitting the tube 11 into the first groove portion 21 of the resin panel 20, is attached to the front surface of the housing 41 of the cell processing device 40.

[0029] 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the cell processing device 40 with the panel circuit 30 attached. The positioning shaft 46 is inserted into the hole 24 of the resin panel 20, thereby aligning the panel circuit 30 with the cell processing device 40. With the panel circuit 30 aligned, the pump 42, pinch valve 43, and liquid sensor 44 are inserted into the hole 25 of the resin panel 20, and these components are positioned within the panel surface. With the panel circuit 30 attached to the cell processing device 40, the components of the tube assembly 10 (filter 12, centrifuge tube 13, bag 14, and bottle 15) are positioned to align with the components of the cell processing device 40 (pump 42, pinch valve 43, and liquid sensor 44).

[0030] To improve the workability when attaching the panel circuit 30 to the cell processing device 40, it is preferable that each component device provided on the front surface of the housing 41 can be seen through the resin panel 20. Therefore, it is preferable that the resin panel 20 is transparent. By using, for example, PET as the material for the resin panel 20, it is possible to form a resin panel 20 that can be formed by a vacuum forming method and has optical transparency.

[0031] 9 is a diagram showing an example of the life cycle of the panel circuit 30. In step S1, the tube assembly 10 is assembled. That is, cell processing members including a filter 12, a centrifuge tube 13, a bag 14, and a bottle 15 are connected to the tube 11.

[0032] In step S2, the panel circuit 30 is formed. The panel circuit 30 is formed by fitting the tube 11 into the first groove 21 of the resin panel 20. The tube 11 is guided by the first groove 21, thereby positioning the tube 11, and accordingly, the filter 12, the centrifuge tube 13, the bag 14, and the bottle 15. The tube 11 is held by the linear first groove 21 that guides its path, thereby reducing the risk of the tube 11 becoming detached from the resin panel 20. Furthermore, the risk of the tube 11 being incompletely fitted into the first groove 21 is reduced. In other words, the worker can easily notice if there is a portion of the tube 11 that is not properly fitted into the first groove 21.

[0033] In step S3, a sterilization process is performed on the panel circuit 30. After the sterilization process, the inside of the tube assembly 10 is isolated from the outside world and is therefore maintained in a sterile state.

[0034] In step S4, the panel circuit 30 is attached to the cell processing device 40. The panel circuit 30 is attached to the front of a housing 41 in which the components of the cell processing device 40, including the pump 42, pinch valve 43, and liquid sensor 44, are collectively mounted. The positioning shaft 46 protruding from the front of the housing 41 is inserted into the hole 24 of the plastic panel 20, thereby aligning the panel circuit 30 with the cell processing device 40. Because the plastic panel 20 is rigid, the panel circuit 30 does not bend or flex when the panel circuit 30 is attached. This maintains a fixed relative positional relationship between the components of the tube assembly 10. When the panel circuit 30 is attached to the cell processing device 40, the components of the tube assembly 10 (the filter 12, the centrifuge tube 13, the bag 14, and the bottle 15) are positioned to align with the components of the cell processing device 40 (the pump 42, the pinch valve 43, and the liquid sensor 44). The panel circuit 30 is thin and lightweight, so that the burden of the installation work of the panel circuit 30 can be reduced.

[0035] In step S5, the cell processing device 40 is operated. A liquid such as a cell suspension transported by the pump 42 flows through the inside of the tube assembly 10, and the cells are subjected to a predetermined process.

[0036] In step S6, the panel circuit 30 is removed from the cell processing device 40.

[0037] In step S7, a sterilization process is performed on the panel circuit 30. If the plastic panel 20 is large and it is difficult to store the tube assembly 10 attached to the plastic panel 20 in a sterilizer such as an autoclave, the tube assembly 10 may be removed from the plastic panel 20 and sterilized as a standalone tube assembly 10. In step S8, the panel circuit 30 is discarded.

[0038] As described above, the tube 11 is fitted into the first groove 21 so as to be guided by the first groove 21. This positions the tube 11, and accordingly the filter 12, the centrifuge tube 13, the bag 14, and the bottle 15. That is, by placing the tube 11 on the resin panel 20 according to the guidance of the first groove 21, it is possible to properly position the components of the tube assembly 10 relative to one another. Furthermore, the tube assembly 10 can be attached to the cell processing device 40 while maintaining the proper relative position of the components of the tube assembly 10.

[0039] Therefore, according to the panel circuit 30 of the embodiment of the disclosed technology, when attaching the tube assembly 10 to the cell processing device 40, the tubes do not become tangled with each other or with other components, thereby eliminating the need for complicated handling. Furthermore, the relative positional relationship between the components of the tube assembly 10 can be easily adjusted to an appropriate state, thereby shortening the work time required to attach the tube assembly 10 to the cell processing device 40 and reducing the occurrence of work errors. That is, the panel circuit 30 allows for easy and accurate attachment of components including flexible tubes. Furthermore, according to the panel circuit 30, the majority of the tube 11 (80% or more of the length of the tube extending on the main surface of the plastic panel 20) is fitted into the first groove portion 21. By minimizing the portion of the tube 11 that protrudes outside the surface of the plastic panel 20, the risk of the tube 11 becoming detached from the plastic panel 20 due to external force can be reduced.

[0040] Furthermore, since the first groove portion 21 and the second groove portion 22 in the resin panel 20 are formed by vacuum molding, the thickness of the resin panel 20 can be reduced, making it possible to achieve weight reduction and cost reduction.

[0041] Furthermore, since the resin panel 20 has not only the first groove portion 21 into which the tube 11 is fitted, but also the second groove portion 22 into which the tube 11 is not fitted, it is possible to ensure sufficient rigidity despite the thinness.

[0042] The first groove 21 and the second groove 22 each have a portion extending in the X direction and a portion extending in the Y direction in the figure. The first groove 21 and the second groove 22 each have a bent portion or curved portion. These can further increase the rigidity of the plastic panel 20, contributing to making the plastic panel 20 thinner and lighter.

[0043] Furthermore, according to the cell processing device 40, the components of the cell processing device 40, including the pump 42, pinch valve 43, and liquid sensor 44, are collectively provided on the entire surface of the housing 41, which improves the workability when attaching the tube assembly 10 to the cell processing device 40. On the other hand, in this case, although it is expected that the size of the panel circuit 30 will increase, it is possible to avoid impairing the workability by reducing the weight of the resin panel 20 while maintaining its rigidity.

[0044] The following additional notes are provided regarding the above-described embodiments. (Appendix 1) a resin panel having a first groove portion on a first surface; a flexible tube fitted into the first groove portion so as to be guided by the first groove portion; and a portion of a second surface of the resin panel opposite to the first surface, where the first groove portion is formed, protrudes from the other portion of the second surface; A majority of the tube is fitted into the first groove. Panel circuit.

[0045] (Appendix 2) The resin panel further has a second groove portion into which the tube is not fitted. 1. A panel circuit as described in Appendix 1.

[0046] (Appendix 3) The first groove portion and the second groove portion have a bent portion or a curved portion. 1. A panel circuit as described in Appendix 2.

[0047] (Appendix 4) The first groove portion has a portion extending in a first direction and a portion extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction. 10. The panel circuit of claim 2 or 3.

[0048] (Appendix 5) The second groove portion has a portion extending in a first direction and a portion extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction. 10. The panel circuit of claim 2.

[0049] (Appendix 6) The second groove is wider than the first groove. 6. The panel circuit of any one of claims 2 to 5.

[0050] (Appendix 7) The second groove is deeper than the first groove. 7. The panel circuit of any one of claims 2 to 6.

[0051] (Appendix 8) The thickness of the resin panel is 10 mm or less. 8. The panel circuit of any one of claims 1 to 7.

[0052] (Appendix 9) The resin panel has light transmittance. 9. The panel circuit of any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 8.

[0053] (Appendix 10) Further comprising at least one cell treatment member connected to the tube. 10. The panel circuit of any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 9.

[0054] (Appendix 11) The cell treatment member includes one or more of a filter, a centrifuge tube, a bag, and a bottle. 11. The panel circuit of claim 10.

[0055] (Appendix 12) A panel circuit according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 11; At least one pump that pumps the liquid flowing through the inside of the tube; At least one pinch valve for switching between closing and opening the tube; a liquid sensor that senses the liquid flowing inside the tube; have Cell processing equipment.

[0056] (Appendix 13) the pump, the pinch valve, and the liquid sensor are provided on the same surface of the housing; The resin panel has a plurality of holes, and is attached to the housing surface with one of the pump, the pinch valve, and the liquid sensor inserted into one of the holes. 13. The cell processing device of claim 12. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10 Tube Assembly 11 tubes 12 Filters 13 Centrifuge tube 14 Bags 15 bottles 20, 20X resin panel 21 First groove 22 Second groove 24, 25 holes 30 Panel Circuit 40 Cell Processing Device 41 Case 42 Pump 43 Pinch valve 44 Liquid Sensor 45 Pressure gauge 46 Positioning shaft

Claims

1. a resin panel having a first groove portion on a first surface; a flexible tube fitted into the first groove portion so as to be guided by the first groove portion; and a portion of a second surface of the resin panel opposite to the first surface, where the first groove portion is formed, protrudes from the other portion of the second surface; A majority of the tube is fitted into the first groove. Panel circuit.

2. The resin panel further has a second groove portion into which the tube is not fitted. The panel circuit of claim 1 .

3. The first groove portion and the second groove portion have a bent portion or a curved portion.

3. The panel circuit of claim 2.

4. The first groove portion has a portion extending in a first direction and a portion extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

3. The panel circuit of claim 2.

5. The second groove portion has a portion extending in a first direction and a portion extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

3. The panel circuit of claim 2.

6. The second groove is wider than the first groove.

3. The panel circuit of claim 2.

7. The second groove is deeper than the first groove.

3. The panel circuit of claim 2.

8. The thickness of the resin panel is 10 mm or less. The panel circuit of claim 1 .

9. The resin panel has light transmittance. The panel circuit of claim 1 .

10. Further comprising at least one cell treatment member connected to the tube. The panel circuit of claim 1 .

11. The cell treatment member includes one or more of a filter, a centrifuge tube, a bag, and a bottle. The panel circuit of claim 10.

12. A panel circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 11; At least one pump that pumps a liquid circulating inside the tube; At least one pinch valve for switching between closing and opening the tube; a liquid sensor that senses the liquid flowing inside the tube; have Cell processing equipment.

13. the pump, the pinch valve, and the liquid sensor are provided on the same surface of the housing; The resin panel has a plurality of holes, and is attached to the housing surface with one of the pump, the pinch valve, and the liquid sensor inserted into one of the holes. The cell processing device according to claim 12 .

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