Fitting rod

Abstract

This invention provides a jig for facilitating the separation of multiwell instruments from multiwell plates. [Solution] The fitting rod 1 has a fitting rod body 11 and an alignment rod 13 that penetrates the inside of the fitting rod body 11 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the fitting rod 1. The outer wall of the multiwell type fixture 5 is provided with a plurality of notches 17, and the end 21 of the fitting rod 1 on the multiwell type fixture 5 side may have a shaped portion (connecting portion, hook portion 19) that fits into each of the plurality of notches. The fitting rod body 11 has a lower body 12 on the multiwell type fixture 5 side, an upper body 14 located on the opposite side of the lower body 12, and a ring-shaped portion 16 located between the lower body 12 and the lower body 14. The width WR of the ring-shaped portion 16 may be wider than the width WB of the lower body 12, and the length LD of the lower body 12 may be shorter than the length LU of the upper body 12.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a fitting rod or the like that can easily detach a cell culture plate.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent No. 6698710 describes a multi-well-shaped device. This multi-well-shaped device is a cell culture device developed from a microtiter plate. This multi-well-shaped device has a container and a plurality of culture dishes arranged in the container. Japanese Patent No. 7009714 describes a cell culture container. Each culture part of the multi-well-shaped device functions as a cell culture container.

[0003] When cell culture is performed simultaneously in a multi-well plate using a plurality of multi-well-shaped devices, there is a problem that it is difficult to separate the multi-well-shaped device from the multi-well plate. For example, when spheroids are created using a multi-well-shaped device, there is also a problem that the spheroids collapse when trying to remove the multi-well-shaped device from the multi-well plate.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of this invention is to provide a jig for facilitating the separation of a multi-well-shaped device from a multi-well plate.

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a jig that allows a multiwell instrument to be separated from a multiwell plate while maintaining the state of the spheroid produced when a spheroid is created using a multiwell instrument. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The above problem is fundamentally based on the understanding that by using a jig that fits the shape of each multiwell instrument, the multiwell instrument can be removed from the multiwell plate after being joined to the jig.

[0008] The first invention relates to a fitting rod 1. The fitting rod 1 is a jig used to remove a multi-well instrument 5 from a housing section 7. The multi-well instrument 5 has a plurality of culture sections 3. The housing section 7 has a portion (e.g., holes) for housing a plurality of multi-well instruments 5.

[0009] A preferred embodiment of the fitting rod 1 includes a fitting rod body 11 and an alignment rod 13 that penetrates the inside of the fitting rod body 11 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the fitting rod 1.

[0010] A preferred embodiment of the fitting rod 1 is such that the outer wall of the multiwell-type fixture 5 is provided with a plurality of notches 17. The end 21 of the fitting rod 1 on the multiwell-type fixture 5 side has a shaped portion (connecting portion, hook portion 19) that fits into each of the plurality of notches.

[0011] A preferred embodiment of the fitting rod 1 is such that the fitting rod body 11 has a lower body 12 on the side of the multiwell-type instrument 5, an upper body 14 located on the opposite side of the lower body 12, and a ring-shaped portion 16 located between the lower body 12 and the lower body 14. Furthermore, the width WR of the ring-shaped portion 16 is wider than the width WB of the lower part 12 of the main body, and the length LD of the lower part 12 of the main body is shorter than the length LU of the upper part 12 of the main body.

[0012] The second invention relates to a method for removing a multiwell-type instrument 5 from a housing 7. This method includes a joining step, a removal step, and a separation step. The joining process involves inserting the fitting rod 1 into the outer wall 15 of the multiwell-type fixture 5 and joining the fitting rod 1 to the multiwell-type fixture 5. The removal process involves removing the multiwell-type instrument 5, which was connected to the fitting rod 1 in the joining process, from the housing section 7 together with the fitting rod 1. The separation step is a process in which, after the removal step, the alignment rod 13 is moved to the multiwell-type instrument 5 side, thereby separating the multiwell-type instrument 5 from the fitting rod 1. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] This invention provides a jig for facilitating the separation of multiwell instruments from multiwell plates.

[0014] This invention provides a jig that allows a multiwell instrument to be separated from a multiwell plate while maintaining the state of the generated spheroid when a spheroid is created using a multiwell instrument. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the fitting rod. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of a fitting rod. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a multiwell type instrument. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a containment section. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating another example of a containment section. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] The embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the fitting rod. Figure 1(a) is a diagram illustrating the external appearance of the fitting rod. Figure 1(b) is a diagram illustrating the cross-section of the fitting rod. Figure 1(c) is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the fitting rod and the multiwell type instrument. The fitting rod 1 is a jig used to remove the multiwell-type instrument 5 from the housing 7. The first embodiment of the fitting rod 1 has a fitting rod body 11 and an alignment rod 13 that penetrates the inside of the fitting rod body 11 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the fitting rod 1. The second embodiment of the fitting rod 1 has a plurality of notches 17 provided on the outer wall of the multiwell-type instrument 7, and the end 21 of the fitting rod on the multiwell-type instrument side has a shape (connecting part, hook part 19) that fits into the plurality of notches. The third embodiment of the fitting rod 1 has a fitting rod body 11 that has a lower body 12 on the multiwell-type instrument 5 side, an upper body 14 located on the opposite side of the lower body 12, and a ring-shaped part 16 located between the lower body 12 and the lower body 14. The width WR of the ring-shaped part 16 is wider than the width WB of the lower body 12, and the length LD of the lower body 12 is shorter than the length LU of the upper body 12. The first to third embodiments may be adopted in any combination. Preferred examples of the fitting rod 1 are described below.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 1(c), it is preferable that the end portion 21 on the multi-well-shaped device 5 side of the alignment rod 13 is wider than the portion housed inside the fitting rod body 11. Also, it is preferable that the end portion 23 on the side opposite to the multi-well-shaped device 5 side of the alignment rod 13 is wider than the portion housed inside the fitting rod body 11. Further, it is preferable that the widths of these end portions 21 and 23 are wider than the width of the hole portion (the width of the cavity portion) around the alignment rod 13 inside the fitting rod body 11. By having such a shape, when the alignment rod 13 moves inside the fitting rod body 11, it is possible to prevent the situation where the alignment rod 13 comes out. The end portion 21 on the multi-well-shaped device 5 side of the fitting rod body 11 may have a shape that fits inside the outer wall 15 of the multi-well-shaped device 5.

[0018] The end portion on the multi-well-shaped device 5 side of the fitting rod body 11 preferably has a hook portion 19 (the coupling portion with the multi-well-shaped device 5) that fits into a plurality of cutouts 17. The hook portion 19 preferably has a shape that fits into the corresponding cutout 17. As shown in Fig. 1, in this example, the hook portion 19 is formed in an inverted L shape. In this example, each hook portion 19 is composed of a body portion that proceeds in the vertically downward direction and a tip portion that extends horizontally from the body portion. And it is preferable that the width of the body portion is 1.2 times or more and 20 times or less the width of the tip portion, and it may be 1.5 times or more and 10 times or less, or 2 times or more and 7 times or less. By having such a width, it becomes easier to rotate after inserting the hook portion 19 into the cutout portion 17. The length of the tip portion is preferably, for example, 0.5 mm or more and 1 cm or less, and may be 0.5 mm or more and 5 mm or less.

[0019] Also, the length of the alignment rod 13 including both end portions 21 and 23 is preferably longer than the length of the fitting rod main body 11. Since the alignment rod 13 is longer than the fitting rod main body 11, by pushing the outer end portion 23, a force can be applied to the inner end portion 21, making it easier to remove the fitting rod 1 and the multi-well-shaped instrument 5. The alignment rod 13 is preferably 2 mm or more longer than the fitting rod main body 11, and may be 5 mm or more longer, or 1 cm or more longer, or 1.5 cm or more (10 cm or less) longer.

[0020] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of a fitting rod. Figure 2(a) is a conceptual diagram showing the fitting rod placed on a table. Figure 2(b) is a diagram illustrating the axial (longitudinal) dimensions of the fitting rod. Figure 2(c) is a diagram illustrating the widthwise (perpendicular to the axial direction) dimensions of the fitting rod. As shown in Figure 2, it is preferable that the fitting rod body 11 has a lower body 12 and an upper body 14. In the example in Figure 2, a ring-shaped portion 16 exists between the lower body 12 and the upper body 14. The ring-shaped portion 16 refers to the part of the fitting rod body 11 that is wider than the lower body 12 and the upper body 14. As shown in Figure 2(a), since the fitting rod 1 has a ring-shaped portion 16, when the fitting rod 1 is placed on a desk or table, the lower body 12 does not touch the desk or table, thus effectively preventing contamination of the lower body 12 (or hook portion 19). The lower part 12 of the main body is the part that is inserted into, for example, the housing of the storage section 7. Preferably, the lower part 12 of the main body has a shape that corresponds to the inside of the housing of the storage section 7. For example, if the inside of the housing of the storage section 7 has a cylindrical hole, it is preferable that the lower part 12 of the main body has a cylindrical outer circumference that fits into that hole (its cross-section is circular). On the other hand, the upper part 14 of the main body preferably has a polygonal cross-section (for example, a pentagon, hexagon, or octagon) in order to make it easier to rotate the fitting rod body 11 manually. It is also preferable that the outer shape of the fitting rod body 11 is polygonal, as this makes it less likely to roll when the fitting rod 1 is placed down. The outer shape of the ring-shaped part 16 may be circular or polygonal (for example, a pentagon, hexagon, or octagon). It is preferable that the outer shape of the ring-shaped part 16 is polygonal, as this makes it more stable when the fitting rod 1 is placed on a table.

[0021] The size of the fitting rod 1 can be appropriately adjusted to match the size of the corresponding multi-well instrument. The fitting rod body 11 can be molded from, for example, metal, stainless steel, plastic, or ceramic. The alignment rod 13 can be molded from, for example, metal, stainless steel, plastic, elastomer, or ceramic. The ends 21 and 23 of the alignment rod 13 are preferably made of plastic or elastomer. If the length (axial direction) of the fitting rod body 11 of the fitting rod 1 is LB, then an example of LB is 2 cm to 30 cm, but it may also be 3 cm to 20 cm, 4 cm to 15 cm, or 5 cm to 15 cm. If the length of the lower part 12 of the body is LD, then it may be 0.1 LB ≤ LD ≤ 0.4 LB, 0.2 LB ≤ LD ≤ 0.4 LB, or 0.25 LB ≤ LD ≤ 0.35 LB. In other words, the ring-shaped portion 16 is preferably located on the side of the fitting rod body 11 that is on the multi-well instrument 5 side. If the length of the ring-shaped portion 16 (the axial length of the fitting rod body 11, which corresponds to the thickness of the ring-shaped portion 16) is LR, then it may be 0.01LB ≤ LR ≤ 0.1LB, 0.02LB ≤ LR ≤ 0.09LB, or 0.025LR ≤ LR ≤ 0.08LB. The length LU of the upper part 14 of the body can be derived appropriately from the above. If the width of the fitting rod body 11 of the fitting rod 1 (if the fitting rod body is polygonal, the diameter of the circumscribed circle of the polygon, and so on) is WB, then WB should be adjusted to match the size of the multi-well type instrument 7. An example of WB is 0.5cm or more and 4cm or less, but it may also be 1cm or more and 2.5cm or 1cm or more and 2cm or less. If the width of the ends 21 and 23 of the alignment rod 13 is WA, then it may be 0.1WB ≤ WA ≤ 0.9WB, 0.2WB ≤ WA ≤ 0.8WB, or 0.3WB ≤ WA ≤ 0.7WB. If the width of the ring-shaped portion 16 is WR, then it may be 1.01WB ≤ WR ≤ 1.5WB, 1.02WB ≤ WR ≤ 1.3WB, or 1.05WB ≤ WR ≤ 1.2WB.

[0022] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a multi-well apparatus. Figure 3(a) is a photograph instead of a drawing showing an example of a multi-well apparatus (CuPS). Figure 3(b) is a photograph instead of a drawing showing another example of a multi-well apparatus (CuPS). Figure 3(c) is a conceptual diagram showing a multi-well apparatus viewed from above. Figure 3(d) is a conceptual diagram illustrating the notches present on the outer circumference of the multi-well apparatus. As shown in Figure 3, the multi-well apparatus 5 has multiple culture sections 3. An example of the multi-well apparatus 5 is described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 6698710. The multi-well apparatus 5 is suitable for culturing biological materials such as cells. Each culture section 3 is typically a well (a depression, a recess).

[0023] The multi-well apparatus 5 has multiple culture sections 3 in its central region. The multi-well apparatus 5 has a shape in which the central region is surrounded by an outer wall 15. Preferably, the outer wall 15 extends to a position higher than the culture sections 3. As shown in Figure 3, it is preferable that the outer wall 15 of the multi-well apparatus 5 has multiple notches 17. As shown in Figure 3, the outer wall 15 of the multi-well apparatus 5 may have an outer layer with multiple notches 17 and an inner layer inside the outer layer. Since there are no notches 17 in the inner layer, the outer wall 15 can maintain the state in which it surrounds the culture sections 3. In the example in Figure 3, each multi-well apparatus 5 has four notches 17. The number of notches may be one, two, three, or more. As shown in Figure 3(d), in this example, the notches 17 are formed in an inverted L shape. In this example, each notch 17 is composed of a first notch that extends vertically downward and a second notch that extends laterally from the first notch. The width of the first notch is preferably 1.2 to 20 times the width of the second notch, but may also be 1.5 to 10 times, or 2 to 7 times. Having such a width makes it easier to rotate the hook portion 19 after it is inserted into the notch 17. The length of the second notch is preferably, for example, 0.5 mm to 1 cm, but may also be 0.5 mm to 5 mm.

[0024] Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a housing section. Figure 4(a) shows an example of a triple-type housing section. Figure 4(b) is a conceptual diagram illustrating a housing section. The example of a housing section shown in Figure 4 is a cell culture vessel described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7009714. In the example in Figure 4, the housing section 7 has a portion (a housing section capable of accommodating the multi-well instruments 5) for accommodating multiple multi-well instruments 5. The shape of the holes in the housing section is such that the multi-well instruments 5 can be accommodated. As shown in Figure 4(b), when using the cell culture vessel, the multi-well instruments 5 are inserted into each housing section.

[0025] Figure 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating another example of a housing. The housing shown in Figure 5 is a 48-well multiwell plate. Figure 5(a) is a conceptual diagram showing a multiwell plate. Figure 5(b) is a photograph instead of a drawing showing multiwell instruments inserted into each well of the multiwell plate. Figure 5(c) is a magnified view of a portion of Figure 5(b).

[0026] Next, we will explain how to use fitting rod 1. The alignment rod 13 of the fitting rod 1 is pushed. This pushes the alignment rod 13 out of the fitting rod 1 toward the multiwell-type fixture 5. The end 21 of the alignment rod 13 has a guide function, so the end 21 of the alignment rod 13 is positioned inside the outer wall 15 of the multiwell-type fixture 5. The end 21 of the alignment rod 13 is inserted into the hole inside the outer wall 15 of the multiwell-type fixture 5. Then the outer end 23 of the alignment rod 13 comes out of the fitting rod body 11. In this state, the fitting rod body 11 of the fitting rod 1 is rotated. Then the hook portion 19 of the fitting rod body 11 fits into the notch 7 of the multiwell-type fixture 5. In this way, the fitting rod 1 and the multiwell-type fixture 5 are connected.

[0027] With the fitting rod 1 and the multiwell-type instrument 5 connected, insert the multiwell-type instrument 5 into the corresponding part of the housing section (the part for housing the multiwell-type instrument 5) of the housing section 7. After inserting the multiwell-type instrument 5 into the housing section of the housing section 7, rotate the fitting rod body 11 to remove the hook portion 19 of the fitting rod body 11 from the notch 7 of the multiwell-type instrument 5. Alternatively, the fitting rod 1 and the multiwell-type instrument 5 may be separated by pressing the outer end 23 of the alignment rod 13 protruding from the fitting rod body 11.

[0028] After the cell culture is complete, the multi-well apparatus 5 is removed from the container 7. This method includes a binding step, a removal step, and a separation step. The fitting rod 1 is inserted into the outer wall 15 of the multiwell-type fixture 5, and the fitting rod 1 and the multiwell-type fixture 5 are connected. The multi-well device 5, which has been joined with the fitting rod 1 in the joining process, is removed from the housing section 7 together with the fitting rod 1. After the removal process, the alignment rod 13 is moved to the multiwell instrument 5 side, thereby separating the multiwell instrument 5 from the fitting rod 1. [Examples]

[0029] This explains the basic usage of the fitting rod. Insert the tip of the fitting rod's core into the central hole of a multi-well cell container (CuPS), which has multiple culture sections, and set it in place by twisting it clockwise while pushing it in. While holding the top (end) of the core with your finger, insert the fitting rod into the CuPS. Once the core is in the hole in the CuPS, hold the body of the fitting rod and twist it to set it in place so that the inverted L-shaped projection at the tip of the fitting rod fits into the notch in the CuPS. At this point, by setting the core of the fitting rod in the center of the CuPS, the rod's position is fixed in the center, making it easier to fit the inverted L-shaped projection. Therefore, while pushing in the core of the fitting rod, rotate the fitting rod body clockwise. In this way, the fitting rod and the CuPS can be joined.

[0030] This explains the basic usage of the fitting rod. Insert the CuPS into a container such as a multiwell plate while the fitting rod is still attached. Since the fitting rod is attached to the CuPS, it is easy to insert the CuPS into the container. Next, rotate the fitting rod counterclockwise and lift the fitting rod. This will separate the fitting rod from the CuPS. In this way, fit the CuPS into the culture container or well plate. To release the CuPS, press it against the bottom and rotate it to the left, or press the core. Once the CuPS is securely in place, lift the fitting rod. To remove the CuPS from the container, follow the reverse procedure. By holding the CuPS in place with the core while removing it, you can prevent the created cells (spheroids) from dissipating. [Industrial applicability]

[0031] This invention can be used in fields such as physicochemical instruments for cell culture and cell culture. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0032] 1 Fitting rod 3 Culture department 5. Multiwell type instrument 7. Storage area 11 Fitting rod body 13 Alignment Rods 21 End 23 End

Claims

1. A fitting rod for removing a multi-well instrument having multiple culture sections from a housing that contains the multi-well instrument, The fitting rod is, The fitting rod body and The fitting rod body has an alignment rod that penetrates the inside of the fitting rod so as to be movable in the axial direction of the fitting rod, Fitting rod.

2. A fitting rod according to claim 1, The end of the alignment rod on the multiwell-type instrument side is wider than the portion housed inside the fitting rod body. Fitting rod.

3. A fitting rod according to claim 2, The end of the alignment rod on the multiwell-type fixture side is a fitting rod having a shape that fits inside the outer wall of the multiwell-type fixture.

4. A fitting rod according to claim 3, The outer wall of the aforementioned multi-well type device is provided with a plurality of notches. The fitting rod has a shape at the end of the fitting rod on the side of the multiwell-type device that fits into the plurality of notches.

5. A fitting rod according to claim 1, wherein the fitting rod body has a lower part of the body on the side of the multiwell-type instrument, an upper part of the body located on the opposite side of the lower part of the body, and a ring-shaped portion located between the lower part of the body and the lower part of the body, wherein the width of the ring-shaped portion is wider than the width of the lower part of the body, and the length of the lower part of the body is shorter than the length of the upper part of the body.

6. A fitting rod for removing a multi-well instrument having multiple culture sections from a housing that contains the multi-well instrument, The fitting rod is, The outer wall of the aforementioned multi-well type device is provided with a plurality of notches. The fitting rod has a shape at the end of the fitting rod on the side of the multiwell-type device that fits into the plurality of notches.

7. A fitting rod according to claim 6, wherein the fitting rod body has a lower part of the body on the side of the multiwell-type instrument, an upper part of the body located on the opposite side of the lower part of the body, and a ring-shaped portion located between the lower part of the body and the upper part of the body, wherein the width of the ring-shaped portion is wider than the width of the lower part of the body, and the length of the lower part of the body is shorter than the length of the upper part of the body.

8. A method for removing a multi-well instrument having multiple culture sections from a housing that contains the multi-well instrument, A coupling step which is the step of inserting a fitting rod according to any one of claims 1 to 5 into the outer wall of the multiwell-type device and coupling the fitting rod with the multiwell-type device, The removal step is a step of removing the multiwell-shaped device, which has been coupled with the fitting rod in the coupling step, from the housing together with the fitting rod, After the removal step, the process includes a separation step in which the alignment rod is moved to the multiwell instrument side to separate the multiwell instrument and the fitting rod, A method that includes this.

Images