System for shaping a reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture, method for shaping a reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture, and program

Abstract

Provided are a system for shaping a reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture, a method for shaping a reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture, and a program for shaping the reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture, which enable accurate and easy shaping of the reinforcing layer formed on the sheet-shaped cell culture into a predetermined shape. [Solution] The plastic surgery system 100 has an imaging unit 110 that photographs the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 and a reinforcing layer 30 consisting of fibrin gel formed on the sheet-shaped cell culture, a detection unit 121 that detects the peripheral edge 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture and the peripheral edge 32a of the reinforcing layer based on image information acquired by the imaging unit, a determination unit 122 that compares the length of the protruding portion 32 in the reinforcing layer that protrudes outside the peripheral edge of the sheet-shaped cell culture with a predetermined threshold length w to determine the cutting position CL of the reinforcing layer, and a cutting unit 130 that cuts the reinforcing layer so that the length of the protruding portion becomes the predetermined threshold length based on the determination result of the determination unit.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for shaping a reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture, a method for shaping a reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Sheet-shaped cell cultures (cell sheets) are widely known for use in fields such as regenerative medicine. Sheet-shaped cell cultures are produced by storing and culturing cells collected from humans or non-human animals in a culture substrate (culture vessel) containing a culture medium, and then allowing them to adhere and aggregate into a sheet.

[0003] Because the sheet-shaped cell culture is constructed in the form of a thin film sheet, it is physically fragile and therefore requires careful handling, as it is prone to wrinkling and tearing during isolation from the culture substrate, transportation and storage of the sheet-shaped cell culture, and transplantation into a patient's body.

[0004] To solve the above problems, a method has been proposed in which a fibrinogen solution and a thrombin solution are applied to a sheet-shaped cell culture, a reinforcing layer made of fibrin gel is formed on the sheet-shaped cell culture, and a laminate consisting of the sheet-shaped cell culture and the reinforcing layer is produced (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2016-52272 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The laminate produced by the method of Patent Document 1 has the physical strength of part or all of the sheet-shaped cell culture reinforced by the reinforcing layer, which effectively prevents wrinkling and tearing when handled by workers.

[0007] To more effectively improve the handling of the sheet-shaped cell culture, the reinforcing layer formed on the sheet-shaped cell culture is desirably formed to extend outward by a certain length from the peripheral edge of the sheet-shaped cell culture. On the other hand, if the reinforcing layer extends too far from the peripheral edge of the sheet-shaped cell culture, it can lead to reduced handling when, for example, transplanting the sheet-shaped cell culture into a patient's body. Therefore, after forming the reinforcing layer on the sheet-shaped cell culture to produce a laminate, it is necessary to perform a process (shaping process) to shape the reinforcing layer into an appropriate shape.

[0008] For example, when the above-mentioned shaping work is performed manually by an operator, unless the sheet-shaped cell culture is handled carefully, there is a possibility that it may be damaged, such as torn, etc. Therefore, when the shaping work is performed manually, it increases the workload of the operator who produces the laminate, and may also lead to a decrease in the product quality of the laminate.

[0009] The present invention aims to provide a system for shaping a reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture, a method for shaping a reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture, and a program that enable the shaping process of shaping the reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture into a predetermined shape to be performed accurately and easily. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention is achieved by any one of the following means (1) to (4).

[0011] (1) an imaging unit that captures images of the sheet-shaped cell culture and the reinforcing layer made of fibrin gel formed on the sheet-shaped cell culture; a detection unit that detects the peripheral edge of the sheet-shaped cell culture and the peripheral edge of the reinforcing layer based on the image information acquired by the imaging unit; a determination unit that determines a cutting position of the reinforcing layer by comparing the length of the protruding portion of the reinforcing layer that protrudes outside the peripheral edge of the sheet-shaped cell culture with a predetermined threshold length; A system for shaping a reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture, comprising: a cutting unit that cuts the reinforcing layer so that the length of the protruding portion becomes the predetermined threshold length based on the judgment result of the judgment unit.

[0012] (2) the sheet-shaped cell culture has a substantially circular planar shape, The system for shaping a reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture described in (1), wherein the cutting unit cuts the reinforcing layer at a position concentric with the sheet-shaped cell culture.

[0013] (3) a step in which a detection unit detects the peripheral edge of the sheet-shaped cell culture and the peripheral edge of a reinforcing layer made of fibrin gel formed on the sheet-shaped cell culture; a step in which a determination unit compares the length of the protruding portion of the reinforcing layer that protrudes outside the peripheral edge of the sheet-shaped cell culture with a predetermined threshold length to determine the cutting position of the reinforcing layer; A method for shaping a reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture, comprising a step of cutting the reinforcing layer using a cutting unit based on the judgment result of the judgment unit so that the length of the protruding portion becomes the predetermined threshold length.

[0014] (4) For a system having a cutting section for cutting a reinforcing layer made of fibrin gel formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture, detecting the peripheral edge of the sheet-shaped cell culture and the peripheral edge of the reinforcing layer; a step of comparing the length of the protruding portion of the reinforcing layer that protrudes outside the peripheral edge of the sheet-shaped cell culture with a predetermined threshold length to determine a cutting position of the reinforcing layer; and cutting the reinforcing layer based on the determination result so that the length of the protruding portion becomes the predetermined threshold length. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the system, method, and program for shaping a reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture of the present invention, the detection unit detects the peripheral edges of the sheet-shaped cell culture and the reinforcing layer based on image information of the sheet-shaped cell culture and the reinforcing layer acquired by the imaging unit, the determination unit compares the length of the protruding portion of the reinforcing layer with a predetermined threshold length to determine the cutting position of the reinforcing layer, and the cutting unit cuts the reinforcing layer so that the protruding portion of the reinforcing layer meets the predetermined threshold length based on the determination result of the determination unit. This makes it possible to accurately and easily perform the shaping process of shaping the reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture into a predetermined shape. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system for shaping a reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a flowchart showing the steps of a method for shaping a reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a method for shaping a reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a method for shaping a reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a method for shaping a reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a method for shaping a reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a system for shaping a reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0018] Fig. 1 is a simplified block diagram showing the overall configuration of a system 100 (hereinafter also referred to as "shaping system 100") for shaping the reinforcing layer 30 formed on the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing each step of a method (hereinafter also referred to as "shaping method") for shaping the reinforcing layer 30 formed on the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 according to this embodiment.

[0019] 3 to 6 are diagrams for explaining the shaping method, and are plan views of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 (laminate 20) and the container 220 as viewed from the direction of arrow III shown in Fig. 1. Arrows X1, X2, Y1, and Y2 in each diagram indicate directions parallel to the surface direction of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10, and arrows Z1 and Z2 indicate the thickness direction perpendicular to the surface direction of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 (laminate 20).

[0020] <Sheet-shaped cell culture 10> The sheet-shaped cell culture 10 used in this embodiment can contain any cells capable of constituting the sheet-shaped cell culture 10. Cells constituting the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 include, for example, somatic stem cells (adult stem cells), mesenchymal stem cells, or cardiomyocytes derived from iPS cells (induced pluripotent stem cells). Somatic stem cells preferably include skeletal myoblasts (myoblast cells), fibroblasts, synovial cells, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, etc. Furthermore, the term "sheet-shaped cell culture" as used herein refers to a sheet-like (thin film-like) structure in which cells are interconnected.

[0021] As shown in Figure 3, the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 can be configured to have, for example, a substantially circular planar shape in its natural state without the application of external force. The planar shape of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 is not limited to a circle, and may be, for example, a rectangle, a triangle, an oval, or any other geometric shape. There are also no particular limitations on the specific size or thickness of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10.

[0022] The sheet-shaped cell culture 10 has a surface 10a, a back surface 10b located opposite the surface 10a and arranged to face the bottom 223 of the container 220, and a peripheral edge 13 having a circular outer shape.

[0023] In this embodiment, a certain range including the central position o1 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 in the plan view shown in Fig. 3 is defined as the central region 11. The peripheral edge portion 13 is located in a range further outward (radially outward) from the central position o1 than the central region 11, and is a predetermined range (region) extending from the outer peripheral surface (side surface) of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 toward the central position o1. Note that the peripheral edge portion 13 may also be the edge of the outer peripheral surface (side surface) of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10.

[0024] When the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 has a rotationally symmetric shape such as a circle, square, or equilateral triangle, the center position o1, which serves as the reference for defining the central region 11, can be the center of symmetry. When the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 has a shape other than a rotationally symmetric shape, the center position o1 can be set at any position near the center according to the planar shape of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10.

[0025] In this embodiment, the laminate in which the reinforcing layer 30 is formed in a position overlapping at least a portion of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 is defined as a laminate 20 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0026] The shaping method described below can be carried out in a state where the laminate 20 is housed in a predetermined container 220 (see FIGS. 3 to 6).

[0027] The container 220 is, for example, a culture substrate used for culturing the sheet-shaped cell culture 10. When the container 220 is a culture substrate, the container 220 can be made of a material that is impermeable to liquids such as liquid culture media. Furthermore, when the container 220 is a culture substrate, before starting the formation of the reinforcing layer 30 (manufacturing the laminate 20), an operation is appropriately performed to drain the solution (liquid culture medium, etc.) used for the culture from the container 220.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the container 220 has an opening 221 that opens upward, a bottom 223 on which the back surface 10b of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 is placed, and a side wall 225 that surrounds the bottom 223.

[0029] The container 220 has a substantially circular shape in the plan view shown in Fig. 3. The bottom 223 of the container 220 has a size (inner diameter) larger than the outer shape of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 before the reinforcing layer 30 is formed.

[0030] There are no particular limitations on the specific form of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 (e.g., manufacturing method, physical properties, functions, etc.) and the specific form of the culture substrate (e.g., material, functions, structure and shape, type of liquid medium used, etc.), and known content (e.g., JP 2011-155869 A, JP 2022-106986 A, JP 2021-106609 A, etc.) can be appropriately referred to. Note that the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 used in this embodiment is detached from the culture substrate and placed in the container 220, but is not firmly adhered to the container 220.

[0031] <Orthopedic System 100> 1, 5, and 6, the orthopedic system 100 comprises an imaging unit 110 that photographs the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 and a reinforcing layer 30 consisting of fibrin gel formed on the sheet-shaped cell culture 10; a detection unit 121 that detects the peripheral edge 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 and the peripheral edge 32a of the reinforcing layer 30 based on the image information acquired by the imaging unit 110; a determination unit 122 that compares the length of the protruding portion 32 in the reinforcing layer 30 that protrudes outside the peripheral edge 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 with a predetermined threshold length w to determine the cutting position CL of the reinforcing layer 30; and a cutting unit 130 that cuts the reinforcing layer 30 based on the determination result of the determination unit 122 so that the length of the protruding portion 32 becomes the predetermined threshold length w.

[0032] The image capturing unit 110 can be configured, for example, by a known camera device capable of acquiring still image data and / or video data.

[0033] 1, the imaging unit 110 can be laid out above a stage 210 on which a container 220 containing a sheet-shaped cell culture 10 is placed. By laying out the imaging unit 110 in this manner, it becomes possible to capture the entire stack 20 within the imaging field of view from above the stage 210. The placement of the imaging unit 110 is not particularly limited as long as it is possible to photograph the stack 20, and it can also be laid out below the container 210, for example.

[0034] The control unit 120 is configured to comprehensively control each unit of the shaping system 100. The control unit 120 is configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memories such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), and a storage unit, and controls each of the above units and performs various arithmetic processing according to a program.

[0035] The storage unit is configured with an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores various programs and data. The storage unit can store a series of programs required for controlling the operation of the shaping system 100. The above programs can incorporate algorithms for causing the control unit 120 to function as the detection unit 121 and the determination unit 122.

[0036] The operational control executed by the control unit 120 includes the task of shaping the reinforcing layer 30 into a predetermined shape using the shaping system 100. In carrying out the above task, the control unit 120 controls the operation of the shaping system 100 to execute the following steps: a step in which the detection unit 121 detects the peripheral edge 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 and the peripheral edge 32a of the reinforcing layer 30 made of fibrin gel formed on the sheet-shaped cell culture 10; a step in which the determination unit 122 compares the length of the protruding portion 32 of the reinforcing layer 30 that protrudes outside the peripheral edge 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 with a predetermined threshold length w to determine a cutting position CL of the reinforcing layer 30; and a step in which the cutting unit 130 cuts the reinforcing layer 30 based on the determination result of the determination unit 122 so that the length of the protruding portion 32 matches the predetermined threshold length w. Specific steps of the shaping method will be described later.

[0037] The detection unit 121 is configured to be able to detect the peripheral portion 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10, the peripheral portion 32a of the reinforcing layer 30, and the protruding portion 32 of the reinforcing layer 30 based on the image information (image data of the optical image) acquired by the imaging unit 110.

[0038] The determination unit 122 refers to data related to a predetermined threshold length w that has been set in advance, and determines whether or not the protruding portion 32 includes a portion having a length equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold length w. If the determination unit 122 determines that the protruding portion 32 includes a portion having a length equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold length w, the determination unit 122 further determines (sets) a cutting position CL for cutting out the portion (see FIG. 5). The control unit 120 controls the operation of the cutting unit 130 so as to cut the reinforcing layer 30 along the cutting position CL determined by the determination unit 122 (see FIG. 6).

[0039] In this specification, the portion of the reinforcing layer 30 formed at a position overlapping the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 is referred to as the "first region 31." The protruding portion 32 is the portion of the reinforcing layer 30 that protrudes outward from the peripheral edge 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 (the portion located outside the first region 31) (see Figures 5 and 6).

[0040] The cutting unit 130 can be configured to include a mechanism such as a cutting tool (for example, a knife, a cutter, or a scalpel) that can cut the reinforcing layer 30. The cutting unit 130 may also be a laser light source that can emit a laser for cutting. The cutting unit 130 is an annular cutting tool set to a predetermined threshold length W, and can include a die structure that cuts the protruding portion 32 by hollowing it out.

[0041] As shown in Figure 1, the plastic surgery system 100 may further include a processing unit 150 that performs fibrin treatment on the sheet-shaped cell culture 10, an image display unit 160 that can display images generated from image information acquired by the imaging unit 110, and a stage 210 on which a container 220 containing the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 can be placed.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the processing unit 150 can be configured to have a first application unit 151 that applies fibrinogen liquid (liquid containing fibrinogen) L1 to the sheet-shaped cell culture 10, and a second application unit 152 that applies thrombin liquid (liquid containing thrombin) L2 to the sheet-shaped cell culture 10.

[0043] The first applicator 151 can be configured to include, for example, a mechanism for dripping the fibrinogen liquid L1 onto the sheet-shaped cell culture 10. Examples of the mechanism for dripping the fibrinogen liquid L1 include a known syringe or pipette.

[0044] The second applicator 152 can be configured to include, for example, a mechanism for spraying the thrombin solution L2 onto the sheet-shaped cell culture 10. The mechanism for spraying the thrombin solution L2 can be, for example, a known spray.

[0045] The fibrinogen solution L1 and the thrombin solution L2 are not particularly limited as long as they react with each other and solidify to form a fibrin gel. There are also no particular limitations on the concentrations of the solutions L1 and L2, the amounts applied per unit time, the volume ratio of the solutions L1 and L2, the application pressure, etc. The specific forms of the solutions L1 and L2 used in this embodiment can be determined by referring to known information (e.g., JP 2016-52272 A, etc.).

[0046] The image display unit 160 can be configured, for example, by a known liquid crystal display or the like.

[0047] The orthodontic treatment system 100 may be configured as a portable or non-portable information terminal device in which the imaging unit 110, the control unit 120, and the image display unit 160 are integrally incorporated.

[0048] <Formatting method> Next, a shaping method according to this embodiment will be described.

[0049] The specific work content of each step will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 to Fig. 6. The following description also explains an example in which the shaping system 100 shown in Fig. 1 automatically performs steps S11 to S16 of the shaping method.

[0050] To start the shaping method, a container 220 is prepared, which contains the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 before the formation of the reinforcing layer 30. The container 220 is placed on a stage 210 (see FIG. 1).

[0051] Next, the imaging unit 110 starts capturing an image of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 (step S10).

[0052] Next, the detection unit 121 detects the peripheral portion 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 (step S11). The detection unit 121 detects the peripheral portion 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 based on the image information acquired by the imaging unit 110.

[0053] Next, the peripheral portion 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 is subjected to fibrin treatment by the treatment section 150 (step S12).

[0054] As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 120 controls the operation of the first application unit 151 of the processing unit 150 to apply fibrinogen liquid L1 along the peripheral edge 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 detected by the detection unit 121.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 120 controls the operation of the second application unit 152 of the processing unit 150 to apply thrombin solution L2 along the peripheral edge 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 detected by the detection unit 121.

[0056] In this embodiment, the order of application is controlled so that fibrinogen liquid L1 is applied to the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 and then thrombin liquid L2 is applied to the area where fibrinogen liquid L1 has been applied, but fibrinogen liquid L1 and thrombin liquid L2 may also be applied simultaneously to the peripheral portion 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10.

[0057] After causing the processing unit 150 to execute step S12, the control unit 120 waits for a predetermined time until the reaction (solidification) between the fibrinogen solution L1 and the thrombin solution L2 has progressed sufficiently and a fibrin gel is formed (step S13). When the reaction between the fibrinogen solution L1 and the thrombin solution L2 has progressed sufficiently to form a fibrin gel, a reinforcing layer 30 made of fibrin gel is formed along the peripheral edge 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10, as shown in Fig. 5. This makes it possible to obtain a laminate 20 in which the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 is reinforced by the reinforcing layer 30.

[0058] In step S12, the control unit 120 controls the operation of the processing unit 150 (the first coating unit 151 and the second coating unit 152) so that a protruding portion 32 that protrudes outward (radially outward) from the peripheral edge portion 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 is formed in the reinforcing layer 30. By forming the protruding portion 32 at the peripheral edge 13 and at a position extending beyond the peripheral edge 13, an operator can grasp the protruding portion 32 with a predetermined tool or the like when lifting and moving the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 or transplanting it into a patient's body. This makes it possible to suitably prevent the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 from wrinkling or tearing when the operator handles the sheet-shaped cell culture 10.

[0059] Next, the detection unit 121 detects the peripheral edge 32a of the reinforcing layer 30 (step S14). The detection unit 121 detects the peripheral edge 32a of the reinforcing layer 30 based on the image information acquired by the imaging unit 110. The peripheral edge 32a of the reinforcing layer 30 is the region from the outer edge (end) of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 to the outer edge (end) of the reinforcing layer 30 on the radially outer side.

[0060] Next, the determining unit 122 compares the length of the protruding portion 32 with a predetermined threshold length w to determine the cutting position CL of the reinforcing layer 30 (step S15).

[0061] As described above, the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 according to this embodiment has a substantially circular planar shape. Therefore, the threshold length w can be set, for example, along a position at a certain length from the peripheral edge 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 (a position concentric with the sheet-shaped cell culture 10). As an example, when the diameter of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 in plan view shown in FIG. 5 is 30 mm to 80 mm, the threshold length w can be set to a length that is 2.5 to 10% of the diameter of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 (2 mm to 8 mm). Note that the comparison of the length of the protruding portion 32 with the threshold length W may be performed for the longest portion of the protruding portion 32 of the reinforcing layer 30.

[0062] Here, the detection unit 121 detects the length from the center position o1 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 to the end of the peripheral portion 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10, and the length from the center position o1 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 to the end of the peripheral portion 32a of the reinforcing layer 30, and can detect (identify) the difference between these as the "length of the protruding portion 32 of the reinforcing layer 30."

[0063] The determination unit 122 sets a position on an imaginary circle along the threshold length w as the cutting position CL, and if there is a portion of the protruding portion 32 located outside the cutting position CL (a portion within a predetermined range including the peripheral edge portion 32a of the reinforcing layer 30) (step S15: YES), the cutting unit 130 cuts the protruding portion 32 at the cutting position CL (step S16). On the other hand, if the determination unit 122 determines in step S15 that there is no need to cut the protruding portion 32 (i.e., there is no portion of the protruding portion 32 that is equal to or greater than the threshold length w), the shaping system 100 ends the shaping method. Note that if the process proceeds to step S16, steps S15 and S16 are repeated until the determination unit 122 determines that there is no need to cut the protruding portion 32 (step S15: NO).

[0064] As shown in Figure 6, the control unit 120 controls the operation of the cutting unit 130 along a predetermined trajectory (clockwise or counterclockwise trajectory) indicated by arrow c1, and cuts off the protruding portion 32 along the cutting position CL. This allows the shape of the reinforcing layer 30 to be shaped so that it has a protruding portion 32 that protrudes outward (outside the peripheral edge 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10) by a length corresponding to the threshold length w from the peripheral edge 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10. Note that the portion of the reinforcing layer 30 cut at the cutting position CL (the cut protruding portion 32) is appropriately removed. At this time, the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 is not included in the portion cut at the cutting position CL.

[0065] The shaping system 100 can form a reinforcing layer 30 that protrudes by a substantially uniform length around the peripheral edge 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 by using the cutting unit 130 to cut the protruding portion 32 of the reinforcing layer 30 at a position concentric with the sheet-shaped cell culture 10. The laminate 20 provided with such a reinforcing layer 30 is uniformly reinforced along the peripheral edge 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10, making it less likely to wrinkle or tear during handling. Furthermore, because the protruding portion 32 protrudes outward beyond the peripheral edge 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 by a certain length, the laminate 20 is easier for an operator to handle.

[0066] After performing step S16, the shaping system 100 ends the shaping method.

[0067] As described above, the orthopedic system 100 of this embodiment comprises an imaging unit 110 that photographs the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 and the reinforcing layer 30 consisting of fibrin gel formed on the sheet-shaped cell culture 10; a detection unit 121 that detects the peripheral edge 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 and the peripheral edge 32a of the reinforcing layer 30 based on the image information acquired by the imaging unit 110; a determination unit 122 that compares the length of the protruding portion 32 in the reinforcing layer 30 that protrudes outside the peripheral edge 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 with a predetermined threshold length w to determine the cutting position CL of the reinforcing layer 30; and a cutting unit 130 that cuts the reinforcing layer 30 so that the length of the protruding portion 32 becomes the predetermined threshold length w based on the determination result of the determination unit 122.

[0068] In addition, the shaping method of this embodiment includes the steps of: a detection unit 121 detecting the peripheral portion 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 and the peripheral portion 32a of the reinforcing layer 30 consisting of fibrin gel formed on the sheet-shaped cell culture 10; a determination unit 122 comparing the length of the protruding portion 32 in the reinforcing layer 30 that protrudes outside the peripheral portion 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 with a predetermined threshold length w to determine the cutting position CL of the reinforcing layer 30; and a cutting unit 130 cutting the reinforcing layer 30 based on the determination result of the determination unit 122 so that the length of the protruding portion 32 becomes the predetermined threshold length w.

[0069] Furthermore, the program for executing the shaping method according to this embodiment is a program for causing a shaping system 100 having a cutting section 130 for cutting a reinforcing layer 30 consisting of fibrin gel formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture 10 to execute the following steps: detecting the peripheral portion 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 and the peripheral portion 32a of the reinforcing layer 30; comparing the length of the protruding portion 32 in the reinforcing layer 30 that protrudes outside the peripheral portion 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 with a predetermined threshold length w to determine the cutting position CL of the reinforcing layer 30; and cutting the reinforcing layer 30 based on the determination result so that the length of the protruding portion 32 becomes the predetermined threshold length w.

[0070] According to this embodiment, the detection unit 121 detects the peripheral edge 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 and the peripheral edge 32a of the reinforcing layer 30 based on the image information of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 and the reinforcing layer 30 acquired by the imaging unit 110, the determination unit 122 compares the length of the protruding portion 32 of the reinforcing layer 30 with a predetermined threshold length w to determine the cutting position CL of the reinforcing layer 30, and the cutting unit 130 cuts the reinforcing layer 30 so that the protruding portion 32 of the reinforcing layer 30 has the predetermined threshold length w based on the determination result of the determination unit 122. This makes it possible to accurately and easily perform the shaping work of arranging the reinforcing layer 30 formed on the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 into a predetermined shape.

[0071] The system for shaping a reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture, the method for shaping a reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture, and the program according to the present invention have been described through the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the embodiments and can be modified as appropriate based on the claims.

[0072] For example, as shown in a modified example in Figure 7, the shaping system 100A can be configured to include a light irradiation unit 140 to enable detection of the peripheral portion 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10, the peripheral portion 32a of the reinforcing layer 30, and the length of the protruding portion 32.

[0073] The light irradiating unit 140 can be configured with a light source (for example, a known lamp) that irradiates inspection light of a predetermined wavelength. There are no particular limitations on the inspection light irradiated by the light irradiating unit 140, but for example, visible light of a predetermined wavelength can be used. The transmittance wavelength can be set to a detection sensitivity of, for example, 400 to 800 nm.

[0074] The detection unit 121 can be configured to detect the light transmittance of each part of the laminate 20 based on the image information acquired by the imaging unit 110. Specifically, the detection unit 121 analyzes the image information (image data of the optical image) acquired by the imaging unit 110, and detects the lengths of the peripheral edge 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10, the peripheral edge 32a of the reinforcing layer 30, and the protruding part 32, based on the light transmittance of the inspection light of each part of the laminate 20.

[0075] In the laminate 20 formed by the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 and the reinforcing layer 30 formed on the sheet-shaped cell culture 10, the light transmittance of the inspection light is low in the overlapping portion of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 and the reinforcing layer 30 (the overlapping portion of the central region 11 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10 and the first region 31 of the reinforcing layer 30) due to the influence of the fibrin gel that forms the reinforcing layer 30, but the light transmittance of the inspection light is higher in the portion outside of the above-mentioned portion (i.e., the portion where the protruding portion 32 of the reinforcing layer 30 is located) compared to the above-mentioned portion. Furthermore, because the laminate 20 and fibrin gel are not present in the position outside of the protruding portion 32 of the reinforcing layer 30, the light transmittance of the inspection light is even higher. Therefore, as shown in Figure 7, by arranging the imaging unit 110 and the light irradiation unit 140 and having the detection unit 121 detect the light transmittance of the inspection light irradiated from the light irradiation unit 140, it becomes possible to detect various parameters such as the peripheral portion 13 of the sheet-shaped cell culture 10, the peripheral portion 32a of the reinforcing layer 30, and the length of the protruding portion 32. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 10. Sheet-shaped cell culture 10a Surface of sheet-shaped cell culture 10b Backside of sheet-shaped cell culture 11. Central region of sheet-shaped cell culture 13 Periphery of sheet-shaped cell culture 20 laminate 30 Reinforcement layer 31 First region of reinforcing layer 32 Protruding part 32a Peripheral edge of reinforcing layer 100 Orthopedic System 110 Imaging unit 120 control section 121 Detector 122 Judgment section 130 Cutting section 140 Light irradiation unit 150 Processing section 151 First application section 152 Second application section 160 Image display unit 210 Stages 220 Container CL cutting position L1 fibrinogen liquid L2 thrombin solution o1 Center position of sheet-shaped cell culture

Claims

1. an imaging unit that captures images of the sheet-shaped cell culture and the reinforcing layer made of fibrin gel formed on the sheet-shaped cell culture; a detection unit that detects the peripheral edge of the sheet-shaped cell culture and the peripheral edge of the reinforcing layer based on the image information acquired by the imaging unit; a determination unit that determines a cutting position of the reinforcing layer by comparing the length of the protruding portion of the reinforcing layer that protrudes outside the peripheral edge of the sheet-shaped cell culture with a predetermined threshold length; A system for shaping a reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture, comprising: a cutting unit that cuts the reinforcing layer so that the length of the protruding portion becomes the predetermined threshold length based on the judgment result of the judgment unit.

2. the sheet-shaped cell culture has a substantially circular planar shape, The system for shaping a reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture according to claim 1 , wherein the cutting unit cuts the reinforcing layer at a position concentric with the sheet-shaped cell culture.

3. a step in which a detection unit detects the peripheral edge of the sheet-shaped cell culture and the peripheral edge of a reinforcing layer made of fibrin gel formed on the sheet-shaped cell culture; a step in which a determination unit compares the length of the protruding portion of the reinforcing layer that protrudes outside the peripheral edge of the sheet-shaped cell culture with a predetermined threshold length to determine the cutting position of the reinforcing layer; A method for shaping a reinforcing layer formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture, comprising a step of cutting the reinforcing layer using a cutting unit based on the judgment result of the judgment unit so that the length of the protruding portion becomes the predetermined threshold length.

4. For a system having a cutting section for cutting a reinforcing layer made of fibrin gel formed on a sheet-shaped cell culture, detecting the peripheral edge of the sheet-shaped cell culture and the peripheral edge of the reinforcing layer; a step of comparing the length of the protruding portion of the reinforcing layer that protrudes outside the peripheral edge of the sheet-shaped cell culture with a predetermined threshold length to determine a cutting position of the reinforcing layer; and cutting the reinforcing layer based on the determination result so that the length of the protruding portion becomes the predetermined threshold length.

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