Dispensing and stirring device and culture system

Abstract

To provide a dispensing and stirring device that enables cell culture while maintaining a compact design. [Solution] The device comprises a dispensing unit that is vertically movable and capable of supplying and dispensing a dispensing material; a dispensing tip that is detachably attached to the dispensing unit so as to protrude downward from the dispensing unit and capable of dispensing and sucking up a dispensing material from its tip; a container that contains a culture medium and into which the dispensing tip is inserted and removed as the dispensing unit moves up and down; and a rotation mechanism that rotates the dispensing tip and the container relative to each other around an axis extending in the vertical direction while the dispensing tip is inserted into the container.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dispensing and stirring device and a culture system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a stirring device for stirring a liquid in a well plate. A plurality of wells containing a liquid are provided in a sealed space within the well plate. Each well contains a liquid and a stirring rod. A motor is provided on an external structure of the well plate, and the driving force of the motor is transmitted to the stirring rod via a magnetic coupling.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when constructing a cell culture system, various devices such as a dispensing device and a stirring device are required. Therefore, the size and weight of the entire system increase.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a dispensing and stirring device capable of performing cell culture while achieving compactification.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the dispensing and stirring device according to the present disclosure comprises a dispensing unit that is vertically movable and capable of supplying and discharging a dispensing material, a dispensing tip that is detachably attached to the dispensing unit so as to protrude downward from the dispensing device and capable of discharging and sucking up the dispensing material from its tip, a container that contains a culture medium and into which the dispensing tip is inserted and removed as the dispensing unit moves vertically, and a rotation mechanism that rotates the dispensing tip and the container relative to each other around an axis extending vertically while the dispensing tip is inserted into the container. It is equipped with.

[0007] The dispensing culture system according to this disclosure comprises the above-mentioned dispensing and stirring device, a building that partitions a clean area housing the dispensing and stirring device, a stage on which the housing plate of the dispensing and stirring device is placed and which is horizontally movable, and a pass box connected to the building, which allows the stage to move between the building and the inside of the building. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to increase the amount of oxygen dissolved in the culture medium. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a dispensing culture apparatus according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a dispensing culture apparatus according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a dispensing culture apparatus according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a front view showing the main parts of a dispensing culture apparatus according to the third embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 5] This is a plan view showing the main parts of a dispensing culture apparatus according to the third embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 6] This is a side view of a culture system according to the fourth embodiment of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] <First Embodiment> Hereinafter, the dispensing and stirring device 1 according to the first embodiment of this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

[0011] <Dispensing and stirring device> The dispensing and stirring device 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a device that can dispense culture medium and culture solution C containing cells added to the medium, and can also stir the culture solution C. The dispensing and stirring device 1 comprises a dispensing unit 10, a dispensing tip 50, and a storage case 60.

[0012] <Dispensing Unit> The dispensing unit 10 is capable of supplying and dispensing substances such as culture medium C, culture medium, other liquids, cells, and air. The dispensing unit 10 includes a moving mechanism 11 and a unit body 20.

[0013] <Movement mechanism> The moving mechanism 11 is a mechanism that can move in the vertical direction. The moving mechanism 11 is equipped with a drive source (not shown), and moves in the vertical direction by the driving force of the drive source. In addition to the vertical direction, the moving mechanism 11 may also be able to move in the horizontal direction.

[0014] <Unit body> As shown in Figure 1, the unit body 20 is integrally provided at the lower part of the moving mechanism 11. The unit body 20 is capable of moving up and down and horizontally in conjunction with the movement of the moving mechanism 11. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the unit body 20 includes a casing 21, an air supply unit 23, a liquid supply unit 24, a discharge unit 25, a distribution pipe 30, a bearing 32, a seal unit 33, and a tip rotation mechanism 40.

[0015] <Casing> The casing 21 has a rectangular parallelepiped box shape with a hollow interior. The upper surface of the casing 21 is integrally fixed to the lower end of the moving mechanism 11. As shown in FIG. 2, a through-hole 21a that communicates the lower surface with the interior of the casing 21 is formed in the lower surface of the casing 21. The through-hole 21a is circular in plan view. A plurality of through-holes 21a are formed at intervals in the horizontal direction.

[0016] <Air supply unit> As shown in FIG. 1, the air supply unit 23 is externally connected to the casing 21 and is configured to supply air into the casing 21.

[0017] <Liquid supply unit> The liquid supply unit 24 is externally connected to the casing 21 and is configured to supply various liquids and cells other than air in the dispensed material into the casing 21.

[0018] <Discharge unit> The discharge unit 25 is externally connected to the casing 21 and is connected to a suction pump (not shown) or the like. The discharge unit 25 is configured to discharge the dispensed material from the casing 21.

[0019] <Distribution pipe> As shown in FIG. 2, the distribution pipe 30 is a pipe provided in the casing 21. The distribution pipe 30 may be a pipe formed of metal or plastic, or may be a flexible tube. One end of the distribution pipe 30 is connected to the air supply unit 23, the liquid supply unit 24, and the discharge unit 25. The other end side portion of the distribution pipe 30 extends around an axis O extending in the vertical direction, and the other end opens downward.

[0020] <Mounting pipe> The mounting pipe 31 is a pipe that extends vertically around axis O. The mounting pipe 31 is made of metal or plastic. The mounting pipe 31 extends vertically through the through hole 21a of the casing 21. The upper part of the mounting pipe 31 is located inside the casing 21, and the lower part of the mounting pipe 31 is exposed below the casing 21. The mounting pipe 31 has a uniform outer and inner circumferential surface in the vertical direction. The outer diameter of the mounting pipe 31 is smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole 21a. An annular gap is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the mounting pipe 31 and the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 21a.

[0021] The upper part of the connecting pipe 31 is provided so as to cover the other end portion of the distribution pipe 30 from the outer circumference. The inside of the connecting pipe 31 and the inside of the distribution pipe 30 are in communication with each other. The connecting pipe 31 and the other end portion of the distribution pipe 30 are arranged coaxially with each other. An annular gap is formed between the inner circumferential surface of the connecting pipe 31 and the outer circumferential surface of the other end portion of the distribution pipe 30.

[0022] The bearing 32 is annular in shape with axis O. The bearing 32 is installed in the annular gap between the mounting pipe 31 and the distribution pipe 30. The bearing 32 connects the mounting pipe 31 to the distribution pipe 30 while allowing the mounting pipe 31 to rotate around axis O relative to the distribution pipe 30.

[0023] <Seal part> The seal portion 33 is annular in shape with axis O. The bearing 32 is provided in the annular gap between the mounting pipe 31 and the distribution pipe 30. The gap is sealed by the seal portion 33, preventing leakage of the dispensed material from the mounting pipe 31 through the gap.

[0024] <Tip rotation mechanism> The tip rotation mechanism 40 is a mechanism that rotates the mounting tube 31 around axis O. The tip rotation mechanism 40 is provided inside the casing 21 of the dispensing unit 10. The tip rotation mechanism 40 includes a first electric motor 41 and a transmission mechanism 42.

[0025] The first electric motor 41 is housed within the casing 21 and comprises a first electric motor body 41a and a first output shaft 41b. The first output shaft 41b is rotationally driven when current is supplied to the first electric motor body 41a. The first output shaft 41b extends horizontally.

[0026] The transmission mechanism 42 transmits the rotation of the first output shaft 41b to the mounting pipe 31, thereby driving the mounting pipe 31 to rotate around axis O. The transmission mechanism 42 includes a first bevel gear 43, a second bevel gear 44, a driven shaft 45, a first pulley 46, a belt 47, and a second pulley 48.

[0027] The first bevel gear 43 is located at the tip of the first output shaft 41b and rotates around the horizontal axis as the first output shaft 41b rotates. The second bevel gear 44 meshes with the first bevel gear 43 and rotates around its vertical axis due to the rotation of the first bevel gear 43 around its horizontal axis.

[0028] The driven shaft 45 extends vertically and its upper end is attached to the second bevel gear 44. The driven shaft 45 rotates around the vertical axis in conjunction with the rotation of the second bevel gear 44 around its vertical axis. The first pulley 46 is disc-shaped with respect to its vertical axis and is coaxially mounted at the lower end of the driven shaft 45. The first pulley 46 rotates around the vertical axis in conjunction with the rotation of the driven shaft 45 around its vertical axis.

[0029] The belt 47 is ring-shaped and extends horizontally, with a portion of it wrapped around the first pulley 46. The second pulley 48 is an annular member centered on axis O and is integrally fixed to the outer surface of the mounting pipe 31. The first pulley 46 and the second pulley 48 are located at the same height. A portion of the belt 47 is wrapped around the second pulley 48. As a result, the rotation of the first pulley 46 is transmitted to the second pulley 48, and the mounting pipe 31, which is integral with the second pulley 48, rotates around axis O.

[0030] In this embodiment, the other end of the distribution pipe 30 is branched into multiple pipes. A connecting pipe 31 is rotatably attached to each of the multiple distribution pipes 30 via a bearing 32 and a sealing portion 33. In addition, multiple first motors 41 and transmission mechanisms 42 are provided corresponding to the number of connecting pipes 31. As a result, each connecting pipe 31 is rotationally driven by each first motor 41.

[0031] Alternatively, a configuration may be provided in which only one first motor 41 is installed, and multiple mounting pipes 31 are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the first motor 41. In this case, for example, multiple first pulleys 46 may be installed on the dependent shaft, and the rotation of the first pulleys 46 may be transmitted to the second pulleys 48 of each mounting pipe 31 via the belt 47.

[0032] <Dispensing Tip> Multiple dispensing tips 50 are provided to correspond to multiple mounting tubes 31. The dispensing tip 50 is a cylindrical member with a hollow interior around its axis O, and its outer and inner circumferential surfaces are tapered, decreasing in diameter as they extend downwards. The outer circumferential surface of the dispensing tip 50 is conical, convex downwards.

[0033] The base end of the dispensing tip 50, which is the upper end, opens upward. The upper end of the dispensing tip 50 is attached to the lower end of each mounting tube 31 coaxially with the mounting tube 31 and is detachably mounted. As a result, the dispensing tip 50 is positioned to protrude downward from the dispensing unit 10. The inside of the mounting tube 31 and the inside of the dispensing tip 50 are in communication with each other. The tip end of the dispensing tip 50, which is the lower end, opens downward. As a result, the dispensing tip 50 is capable of dispensing and drawing in the dispensed material from its tip.

[0034] <Storage Case> The storage case 60 is a case capable of storing culture medium C in small portions. The storage case 60 includes a storage plate 61, a container V, a lid 70, an air supply pipe 75, and a filter 76.

[0035] <Storage Plate> The storage plate 61 is a plate that extends horizontally. The upper surface 61b of the storage plate 61 is provided with a storage recess 62 that is recessed downward from the upper surface 61b. Multiple storage recesses 62 are provided at intervals in the horizontal direction. Multiple storage recesses 62 are provided at locations corresponding to multiple dispensing tips 50 attached to the dispensing unit 10. The storage recess 62 is composed of an inner surface 62a connected to the upper surface 61b and forming a cylindrical inner circumference around the axis O, and a bottom surface 62b connected to the lower end of the cylindrical inner circumference and forming a circle in plan view.

[0036] <Container> Container V is made of plastic, glass, or the like, and is capable of containing culture medium C. Multiple containers V are provided, corresponding to the storage recess 62. Each container V is placed inside the storage recess 62, on the bottom surface 62b of the storage recess 62, with a gap between it and the inner surface 62a of the storage recess 62.

[0037] Container V has a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open top and centered on axis O. The inner circumferential surface of container V is a cylindrical surface that extends uniformly in the vertical direction around axis O. The upper end of container V protrudes above the upper surface 61b of the containment plate 61.

[0038] <Lid> The lid portion 70 is provided to cover the multiple containers V housed in the storage plate 61. The lid portion 70 has a lid edge portion 71 and a lid plate portion 72.

[0039] The lid edge 71 is provided along the entire circumference of the side surface 61a of the housing plate 61 and is detachably attached to the side surface 61a. The lid edge 71 extends above the housing plate 61. The lid edge 71 covers the upper part of the housing plate 61 from all sides.

[0040] The lid portion 72 is connected to the lid edge portion 71 and covers the entire upper surface 61b of the storage plate 61 from above. The lid portion 72 is positioned above the upper surface 61b of the storage plate 61 and the upper end of the container V. The attachment of the lid portion 72 to the storage plate 61 creates a storage space within the storage case 60.

[0041] The lid portion 72 has multiple through holes 72a that penetrate the lid portion 70 in the vertical direction. Multiple through holes 72a are formed at intervals in the horizontal direction. Multiple through holes 72a are formed corresponding to the dispensing tip 50 and the container V. In a plan view, the through holes 72a form a circle centered on axis O. The inner diameter of the through holes 72a is larger than the maximum outer diameter of the dispensing tip 50. The dispensing tip 50 is inserted through the through holes 72a from above and below. When the dispensing tip 50 is inserted through the through holes 72a, an annular gap is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the dispensing tip 50 and the inner circumferential surface of the through holes 72a.

[0042] An air passage 73 is formed inside the lid portion 70. The air passage 73 has a main passage 73a and a branch passage 73b. The main passage 73a opens at one end to the outer surface of the cover plate portion 72 and extends horizontally within the cover plate portion 72. The main passage 73a extends across the entire area of ​​the cover plate portion 72, for example, in a plan view. The branch passage 73b has one end that communicates with the main passage 73a and the other end that communicates with the lower surface of the lid plate portion 72, that is, the storage space in which the container V is housed.

[0043] <Air supply pipe> The air supply pipe 75 is a pipe connected to the opening on the outer surface of the lid 70 in the main passage 73a of the air passage 73. The air supply pipe 75 is capable of supplying air into the main passage 73a from an air supply source located outside the housing case 60.

[0044] <filter> The filter 76 is located midway through the air supply pipe 75. The filter 76 removes impurities from the air supplied to the air passage 73 via the air supply pipe 75.

[0045] <Effects and Effects> Next, the operation and effects of the dispensing and stirring device 1 with the above configuration will be explained. First, the dispensing operation is performed by the dispensing and stirring device 1. As shown in Figure 1, the dispensing unit 10 and dispensing tips 50 are initially positioned above the housing case 60. From this initial state, the dispensing unit 10 is moved downward by the moving mechanism 11. Then, as shown in Figure 2, each of the multiple dispensing tips 50 attached to the dispensing unit 10 is inserted through the insertion hole 72a of the lid portion 70 of the dispensing case. The dispensing tips 50 are then inserted into the container V from above, and the tips of the dispensing tips 50 are facing the bottom of the container V with a clearance (for example, 0.5 to 5 mm) between them. The position of the dispensing unit 10 in this state is the lowest position of the dispensing unit 10, and is the operating position for operating the dispensing culture device.

[0046] Subsequently, the culture medium introduced into the dispensing unit 10 via the liquid supply unit 24 is supplied to the dispensing tip 50 via the distribution pipe 30 and the connection pipe 31. The culture medium C supplied to the dispensing tip 50 is released into the container V from the tip of the dispensing tip 50. As a result, the container V is filled with the culture medium C.

[0047] Next, the dispensing and stirring device 1 performs a stirring operation (culture operation). That is, when the mounting tube 31 is rotated by the first electric motor 41, the dispensing tip 50 rotates around axis O (clockwise when viewed from above). As the outer surface of the dispensing tip 50 is in contact with the culture medium C, a fluid force around axis O is applied from the dispensing tip 50 to the culture medium C. As a result, a Taylor vortex around axis O is formed in the culture medium C within the container V. Since the tip of the dispensing unit 10 reaches near the bottom of the container V, a Taylor vortex can be formed throughout the entire upper and lower part of the culture medium C.

[0048] Furthermore, simultaneously with the rotation of the dispensing tip 50, air is introduced into the dispensing unit 10 from the air supply unit 23, and this air is supplied into the culture medium C from the tip of the dispensing tip 50. In addition, air from the air supply pipe 75 is supplied into the containment space via the air passage 73 of the containment case 60.

[0049] During stirring, various liquids and cells from the liquid supply unit 24 may be supplied to the culture medium C via the dispensing tip 50. When measuring the progress of the culture, or when the culture is completed, the discharge unit 25 of the dispensing unit 10 is activated, drawing the culture medium C from the tip of the dispensing tip 50, and discharging the culture medium C outside the container V and outside the dispensing unit 10.

[0050] As described above, the dispensing and stirring device 1 of this embodiment employs a configuration in which the dispensing tip 50 can rotate around axis O, thereby providing a stirring function for stirring the culture medium C in addition to the dispensing function which is the original function of the dispensing tip 50. As a result, there is no need to provide a separate stirring device from the dispensing device. In other words, since the dispensing and stirring device 1 is configured to serve as both a dispensing device and a stirring device, the number of devices can be reduced, and the overall system can be made more compact.

[0051] The outer surface of the dispensing tip 50 has a uniform shape in the circumferential direction of the axis O. Therefore, the shear force in the culture medium C when it is agitated by the rotation of the dispensing tip 50 can be reduced. Thus, the cell viability can be improved.

[0052] Since the tip rotation mechanism 40 that rotates the dispensing tip 50 is housed within the dispensing unit 10, there is no need to arrange multiple devices around the dispensing case, allowing for efficient use of space. Even if the mounting pipe 31 is configured to rotate, this does not affect the dispensing function, allowing for the accurate supply and discharge of the dispensed material.

[0053] Since each of the multiple mounting tubes 31 is rotatable, dispensing and stirring can be performed on the culture medium C in multiple containers V using the corresponding dispensing tip 50. This improves the efficiency of the culture process.

[0054] The presence of the lid 70 allows the containment space holding the culture medium C to be sealed during cultivation. This prevents contamination during cultivation. In addition to supplying air to the culture medium C from the tip of the chip, air is also supplied to the containment space via the air passage 73 of the lid 70, allowing for cell culture while ensuring a sufficient amount of air. This promotes cell growth and improves cell viability.

[0055] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figure 3. In Figure 2, the same reference numerals are used for components similar to those in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0056] The dispensing and stirring device 1 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it is equipped with a container rotating mechanism 78 instead of the tip rotating mechanism 40 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the dispensing and stirring device 1 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it further has a tip cover 85.

[0057] In this embodiment, the mounting tube 31 of the dispensing unit 10 is not rotatable around axis O, but is fixed immovably to the casing 21 of the dispensing unit 10.

[0058] <Container Rotation Mechanism> The container rotation mechanism 78 is a mechanism for rotating the container V around the axis O. Preferably, the container rotation mechanism 78 is provided in pairs on the storage plate. The container rotation mechanism 78 has an internal stage 80, an external stage 81, and a second electric motor 82.

[0059] <Internal Stage> The internal stage 80 is located within the housing recess 62 of the housing case 60. The internal stage 80 is disc-shaped with an axis O and is positioned below the housing recess 62, facing the bottom surface 62b of the housing recess 62 in an upward and downward direction. The internal stage 80 is configured to be rotatable around the axis O. The container V is placed on the internal stage 80.

[0060] <External Stage> The external stage 81 is disc-shaped with its axis O centered, and is positioned below the housing plate 61, sandwiching the bottom surface 62b of the housing recess 62 together with the internal stage 80. The external stage 81 is configured to be rotatable around axis O. The internal stage 80 and the external stage 81 are coupled to each other via a magnetic coupling. This configuration ensures that the rotations of the internal stage 80 and the external stage 81 are synchronized.

[0061] The second electric motor 82 has a second electric motor body 82a and a second output shaft 82b. When the second output shaft 82b is rotationally driven, the external stage 81 connected to the second output shaft 82b rotates around axis O.

[0062] <Tip cover> The tip cover 85 is fitted onto the outer surface of the dispensing tip 50. The tip cover 85 is cylindrical in shape, extending vertically around axis O. The outer surface of the tip cover 85 is a cylindrical surface that is uniform in the vertical direction, centered on axis O. The inner surface of the tip cover 85 is tapered, decreasing in diameter from top to bottom. The shape of the inner surface of the tip cover 85 corresponds to the shape of the outer surface of the dispensing tip 50.

[0063] As a result, the outer surface of the dispensing tip 50 contacts the inner surface of the tip cover 85 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the portion of the dispensing tip 50 that protrudes downward from the lid 70, excluding a part of the tip, is covered by the tip cover 85. That is, a part of the tip of the dispensing tip 50 protrudes downward from the tip cover 85.

[0064] In this embodiment, the upper end of the chip cover 85 is fixed to the lower surface of the lid portion 70. The opening at the upper end of the chip cover 85 has the same inner diameter as the insertion hole 72a of the lid portion 70 and is in continuous communication with the insertion hole 72a.

[0065] In this embodiment, the main passage 73a of the air passage 73 inside the lid 70 opens into the insertion hole 72a. As a result, some of the air flowing through the main passage 73a enters the small gap between the dispensing tip 50 and the tip cover 85 via the insertion hole 72a. This air is then released into the culture medium C from the lower end of the tip cover 85. This prevents the culture medium C from entering the space between the tip cover 85 and the dispensing tip 50.

[0066] <Effects and Effects> This embodiment employs a mechanism in which the container V rotates, rather than the dispensing tip 50. This, like the first embodiment, allows the dispensing tip 50 and the container V to rotate around axis O, thereby imparting a fluid force to the culture medium C around axis O. Therefore, the overall system can be made more compact.

[0067] In order to form a more favorable Taylor vortex, it is preferable to agitate the culture medium C within a uniformly cylindrical region in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, by fitting a tip cover 85 having a cylindrical outer surface onto a tapered dispensing tip 50 from the outside, a uniformly cylindrical region in the vertical direction can be formed within the container V. Therefore, an appropriate Taylor vortex can be formed, and the cell viability can be further improved.

[0068] <Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figure 4. In Figure 4, the same reference numerals are used for components similar to those in the first and second embodiments, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0069] In the third embodiment of the dispensing culture apparatus, an eccentric rotation mechanism 95 is employed as a mechanism for relative rotation of the dispensing tip 50 and the container V.

[0070] In the third embodiment, each container V is provided with a container lid 90 that closes the opening of each container V. As shown in Figure 5, the container lid 90 has an annular slit 91 formed around axis O, which is the central axis of the container in a plan view. The dispensing tip 50 attached to the mounting tube 31 of the dispensing unit 10 is inserted from above to below through the slit 91.

[0071] An eccentric rotation mechanism 95 is provided inside the casing 21 of the dispensing unit 10. The eccentric rotation mechanism 95 rotates the mounting tube 31 around axis O along the extending direction of the slit 91. That is, the eccentric rotation mechanism 95 rotates the dispensing tip 50 around the axis O of the container V while the axis O of the dispensing tip 50 is horizontally separated from the axis O of the container V. As a result, the dispensing tip 50 revolves around axis O while inserted inside the container V, that is, it performs circumferential motion around axis O. This also allows the culture medium C inside the container V to be stirred, similar to the first and second embodiments.

[0072] <Fourth Embodiment> Next, a culture system 100 of the fourth embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figure 5. In Figure 5, components similar to those in other embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0073] <Culture System> The culture system 100 according to the fourth embodiment includes, in addition to the dispensing and stirring device 1 described above, a building 101, a table 102, a pass box 103, a moving stage 105, and various other devices 110.

[0074] <Building> Building 101 is a structure positioned on the floor and has a hollow interior. The interior of building 101 is designated as a highly clean area.

[0075] Table 102 is placed on the floor surface within building 101.

[0076] <Passbox> The pass box 103 is provided so as to protrude horizontally from the side of the building 101. In this embodiment, a pair of pass boxes 103 are provided so as to sandwich the building 101 from one horizontal direction. Note that the pass boxes 103 are not limited to a pair, and a configuration with only one pass box may also be provided.

[0077] The pass box 103 has a box body 103a, a first opening / closing part 103b, and a second opening / closing part 103c. The box body 103a is provided with one end in the horizontal direction connected to the inside of the building 101, and the other end on the opposite side in the horizontal direction is open to the outside. The first opening / closing section 103b opens and closes the space inside the box body 103a and the space inside the building 101. The second opening / closing section 103c opens and closes the space inside the box body 103a and the space outside.

[0078] <Mobile Stage> The moving stage 105 extends horizontally in one direction from the table 102 inside the building 101 to the space inside the pair of pass boxes 103. The upper surface of the moving stage 105 is configured to allow items placed on it to move within the extension range of the moving stage 105. Various configurations can be adopted for the moving stage 105, such as a linear motion mechanism or a belt mechanism.

[0079] <Dispensing and stirring device> The dispensing unit 10 of the dispensing and stirring device 1 is located in the upper part of the space within the building 101, directly above the moving stage 105. The housing case 60 of the dispensing and stirring device 1 is arranged on the moving stage 105 together with other equipment 110. The housing case 60 and the equipment 110 are arranged in a line in the direction of movement of the moving stage 105.

[0080] <Equipment> The equipment 110 can consist of various components such as a tip rack for housing multiple dispensing tips 50, a reagent unit, a consumables unit, other storage cases 60, and a waste box. All of the equipment 110 is necessary for performing automated culture within the building 101.

[0081] <Effects and Effects> According to this embodiment, dispensing from the containment case 60 into container V and stirring of the culture medium C in container V are performed within the clean area inside the building 101. Since it is not necessary to provide a separate dispensing device and stirring device, the clean area itself can be made compact.

[0082] Furthermore, the mobile stage 105 moves the items on it, enabling the dispensing unit 10 to access the various devices 110. Therefore, there is no need to provide a horizontal movement mechanism in the dispensing unit 10 itself, resulting in a simple configuration. Consequently, the entire system can be compact and simple, allowing for continuous automated culture.

[0083] Furthermore, with the first opening / closing section 103b of the pass box 103 in the open position, various items can be moved into the space inside the box body 103a using the moving stage 105. Then, by closing the first opening / closing section 103b and opening the second opening / closing section 103c, various items can be accessed from the outside while maintaining the cleanliness of the clean area.

[0084] Furthermore, since a pair of pass boxes 103 are provided, external access to various items can be easily facilitated. In addition, for example, if an item has been accessed, access can be made through the pass box 103 that is closer to the item, thereby shortening the time the first opening / closing section 103b is open when an item is moved. This minimizes changes in the clean area environment.

[0085] (Other embodiments) Although embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and may include design changes and the like that do not depart from the gist of this disclosure.

[0086] For example, a dispensing and stirring device 1 equipped with both the tip rotation mechanism 40 of the first embodiment and the container rotation mechanism 78 of the second embodiment may be used. This makes it possible to perform dispensing and stirring with greater flexibility.

[0087] The tip cover 85 of the second embodiment may also be applied to the first embodiment. In this case, the tip cover 85 is integrally fitted onto the outer surface of the dispensing tip 50, and the tip cover 85 rotates together with the dispensing tip 50. This allows for the formation of a more appropriate Taylor vortex.

[0088] The size of the storage case 60 may be the same as the size of the existing well plate. In this case, it is preferable that the pitch of the storage recess 62 be the same as the pitch of the wells of the existing well plate. This makes it possible to easily repurpose an existing dispensing device for a well plate as the dispensing unit 10 of the embodiment. <Note> The dispensing and stirring device 1 and culture system 100 described in each embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0089] (1) The dispensing and stirring device 1 according to the first embodiment comprises a dispensing unit 10 that is vertically movable and capable of supplying and discharging a dispensing material, a dispensing tip 50 that is detachably attached to the dispensing unit 10 so as to protrude downward from the dispensing unit 10 and capable of discharging and sucking up the dispensing material from its tip, a container V that contains a culture medium C and into which the dispensing tip 50 is inserted and removed as the dispensing unit 10 moves up and down, and a rotation mechanism that rotates the dispensing tip 50 and the container V relative to each other about an axis O that extends in the vertical direction while the dispensing tip 50 is inserted into the container V.

[0090] The relative rotation between the dispensing tip 50 and the container V allows for agitation of the liquid inside the container V. Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate stirring device.

[0091] (2) The stirring device according to the second embodiment is the dispensing stirring device 1 of (1), wherein the rotating mechanism is a tip rotating mechanism 40 that rotates the dispensing tip 50 around the axis O of the dispensing tip 50.

[0092] The rotation of the dispensing tip 50 allows the dispensed material in container V to be agitated.

[0093] (3) The stirring device according to the third embodiment is the dispensing stirring device 1 described in (3), wherein the tip rotating mechanism 40 is housed within the dispensing unit 10.

[0094] This allows for a compact overall configuration without increasing the number of devices.

[0095] (4) The stirring device according to the third embodiment is the dispensing stirring device 1 of (1), wherein the rotating mechanism is a container rotating mechanism 78 that rotates the container V around the axis O of the container V.

[0096] By rotating container V, the contents dispensed inside container V can be agitated.

[0097] (5) The dispensing and stirring device 1 according to the fifth embodiment is the dispensing and stirring device 1 according to (1), wherein the rotating mechanism is an eccentric rotating mechanism 95 that eccentrically rotates the dispensing tip 50 around the axis O of the container V.

[0098] The eccentric rotation of the dispensing tip 50 allows the dispensed material in container V to be agitated.

[0099] (6) The dispensing and stirring device 1 according to the sixth embodiment is the dispensing and stirring device described in (5), wherein the eccentric rotation mechanism is housed within the dispensing unit.

[0100] This allows for a compact overall configuration without increasing the number of devices.

[0101] (7) The dispensing and stirring device 1 according to the seventh embodiment is the dispensing and stirring device 1 according to any one of (1) to (5), further comprising a tip cover 85 fitted onto the outer circumference of the dispensing tip 50 and having a cylindrical outer surface centered on the axis O of the dispensing tip 50.

[0102] This allows for the proper formation of Taylor vortices.

[0103] (8) The dispensing and stirring device 1 according to the eighth embodiment comprises a plurality of containers V and a storage plate 61 having a plurality of storage recesses 62 capable of accommodating the plurality of containers V in a side-by-side arrangement, and the dispensing unit 10 is capable of mounting a plurality of dispensing tips 50 in a side-by-side arrangement, as described in any of (1) to (6).

[0104] This allows for simultaneous stirring of the contents dispensed into multiple containers V.

[0105] (9) The ninth embodiment of the dispensing and stirring device 1 is fitted into the housing plate 61 so as to cover the plurality of housing recesses 62 from above, and further comprises a lid portion 70 having a plurality of insertion holes through which each of the dispensing tips 50 can pass in the vertical direction.

[0106] This allows dispensing and stirring using the dispensing tip 50 to be performed while accommodating multiple containers V inside.

[0107] (10) The dispensing and stirring device 1 according to the tenth embodiment is the dispensing and stirring device 1 according to (9), wherein the lid portion 70 has an air passage 73 that can supply air to the receiving recess 62 from outside the lid portion 70.

[0108] This allows for proper supply of air to the culture medium C.

[0109] (11) The culture system 100 according to the eleventh embodiment comprises a dispensing and stirring device 1 according to any of (1) to (10), a building 101 that demarcates a clean area housing the dispensing and stirring device 1, a stage on which the housing plate 61 of the dispensing and stirring device 1 is placed and which is horizontally movable, and a pass box 103 connected to the building 101, which allows the stage to move between the building 101 and the inside of the building 101.

[0110] This makes it possible to realize a compact dispensing and stirring device 1 overall. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 1. Dispensing and stirring device 10 dispensing units 11 Moving mechanism 20 Unit Body 21 Casing 21a Through hole 23 Air supply unit 24 Liquid supply section 25 Discharge section 30 minutes plumbing 31 Mounting pipe 32 bearings 33 Seal part 40 Chip Rotation Mechanism 41 Daiichi Electric Motor 41a First motor body 41b First output shaft 42 Transmission Mechanism 43 First Bevel Gear 44 Second Bevel Gear 45 Driven axis 46 First Pulley 47 belts 48 Second Pulley 50-minute dispensing tip 60 storage cases 61 Storage Plate 61a side 61b Top side 62 Receiving recess 62a Inner surface 62b Base 70 Lid 71 Lid edge 72 Lid plate part 72a Through hole 73 Air passage 73a Main passage 73b Branching passage 75 Air supply pipe 76 filters 78 Container Rotation Mechanism 80 Internal Stages 81 External Stage 82 Second electric motor 82a Second electric motor body 82b Second output shaft 85 Chip Cover 90 Container lid 91 Slit 95 Eccentric Rotation Mechanism 100 culture systems Building 101 102 Tables 103 Passbox 103a Box body 103b First opening / closing part 103c Second opening / closing part 105 Moving Stages 110 Equipment V container C Culture solution O axis

Claims

1. A dispensing unit that is adjustable in height and capable of supplying and dispensing the dispensed material, A dispensing tip is detachably attached to the dispensing unit so as to protrude downward from the dispensing unit, and is capable of dispensing and aspirating the dispensing material from its tip, A container for holding culture medium and through which the dispensing tip is inserted and removed as the dispensing unit moves up and down, With the dispensing tip inserted into the container, a rotation mechanism is provided to rotate the dispensing tip and the container relative to each other around an axis extending in the vertical direction. A dispensing and stirring device equipped with the following features.

2. The dispensing and stirring device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating mechanism is a tip rotating mechanism that rotates the dispensing tip around the axis of the dispensing tip.

3. The dispensing and stirring device according to claim 2, wherein the tip rotation mechanism is housed within the dispensing unit.

4. The dispensing and stirring device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating mechanism is a container rotating mechanism that rotates the container around the axis of the container.

5. The dispensing and stirring device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation mechanism is an eccentric rotation mechanism that rotates the dispensing tip eccentrically around the axis of the container.

6. The dispensing and stirring device according to claim 5, wherein the eccentric rotation mechanism is housed within the dispensing unit.

7. The dispensing and stirring device according to claim 1, further comprising a tip cover fitted onto the outer circumference of the dispensing tip and having a cylindrical outer surface centered on the axis of the dispensing tip.

8. Multiple containers, The storage plate has multiple storage recesses capable of accommodating multiple containers in a side-by-side arrangement, The dispensing and stirring device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a plurality of dispensing tips are attached to the dispensing unit in a parallel arrangement so as to correspond to each of the containers housed in the receiving recess.

9. The dispensing and stirring device according to claim 8, further comprising a lid that is fitted onto the housing plate so as to cover the plurality of housing recesses from above, and which has a plurality of insertion holes through which each of the dispensing tips can pass in the vertical direction.

10. The dispensing and stirring device according to claim 9, wherein the lid portion has an air passage that can supply air to the receiving recess from outside the lid portion.

11. The dispensing and stirring device according to claim 8, A building that partitions the clean area housing the aforementioned dispensing and stirring device, A stage on which the housing plate of the dispensing and stirring device is placed and which is horizontally movable, A pass box connected to the aforementioned building, the stage being able to move between the inside and outside of the building, A culture system equipped with the following features.

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