Automated cell culture medium filling system

Abstract

The present invention provides a semi-automatic or fully automated cell culture system that can monitor a unit while filling it with culture medium. [Solution] The cell culture system comprises a cell culture vessel having a cell culture chamber for culturing cells, an inlet configured for the flow of liquid to fill the cell culture vessel, and an outlet configured for the discharge of fluid from the cell culture vessel. The system further comprises at least one filling sensor positioned to detect when the liquid in the cell culture vessel reaches a filling level at a predetermined position in the cell culture vessel during filling, and capable of generating a detection signal when the liquid in the cell culture vessel reaches the filling level. The system also further comprises an actuator for changing the orientation of the cell culture vessel in response to the detection signal.

Claims

[Claim 1] A cell culture vessel comprising a cell culture chamber for culturing cells, an inlet configured for the flow of liquid to fill the cell culture vessel, and an outlet configured for the discharge of fluid from the cell culture vessel, A filling sensor comprising a first filling sensor, wherein the first filling sensor is positioned to detect when the liquid in the cell culture vessel reaches a first filling level at a predetermined position in the cell culture vessel during filling of the cell culture vessel, and is configured to generate a first detection signal when the liquid in the cell culture vessel reaches the first filling level, A multi-position support configured to support the cell culture vessel, The system includes an actuator attached to the multi-position support and configured to change the orientation of the cell culture vessel from a first orientation to a second orientation in response to the first detection signal, The cell culture vessel comprises a filling side where the inlet and outlet are located, and a support-facing side adjacent to the filling side, and when in the first position, the support-facing side faces a substantially horizontal support member below the cell culture vessel. When in the first position, the side surface of the support facing the support forms a first angle with respect to the support member, the outlet is at a first distance from the support member, and the inlet is closer to the support member than the outlet. When in the second position described above, the side surface of the support facing the support forms a composite angle with respect to the support member, the composite angle includes (i) a second angle formed between the length of the side surface of the support facing the support and the support member, and (ii) a third angle formed between the width of the side surface of the support facing the support and the support member. A cell culture system in which, when in the second position, the outlet is at a second distance from the support member, and this second distance is greater than the first distance. [Claim 2] The at least one filling sensor further includes a second filling sensor, the second filling sensor being configured to detect when the liquid in the cell culture vessel reaches a second filling level, and to generate a second detection signal when the liquid in the cell culture vessel reaches the second filling level. The cell culture system is configured to stop filling the cell culture vessel in response to the second detection signal. The cell culture system according to claim 1, wherein the second filling water level is different from the first filling water level. [Claim 3] The cell culture vessel comprises a plurality of cell culture chambers and a manifold connecting the plurality of cell culture chambers. The cell culture system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one filling sensor is attached to the manifold. [Claim 4] The cell culture system according to claim 2, further comprising a control device configured to receive the first detection signal or the second detection signal and to control the actuator in response to the first detection signal or the second detection signal. [Claim 5] The cell culture vessel further comprises a pump connected to the inlet of the cell culture vessel, The cell culture system according to claim 4, wherein the control device is configured to control the flow rate of the pump. [Claim 6] The cell culture system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one filling sensor is attached to the outside of the cell culture vessel and detects the filling water level through the wall of the cell culture vessel. [Claim 7] The cell culture system further comprises a flow controller arranged to detect the fluid pressure inside the piping of the cell culture system, The cell culture system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the flow rate controller is configured to reduce the flow rate of the cell culture system in response to the fluid pressure in the piping being above a predetermined pressure value. [Claim 8] The cell culture vessel is further provided with a valve at its outlet. The cell culture system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the valve is configured to close the fluid path near the outlet of the cell culture vessel in response to at least one of the first detection signal, the second detection signal, and the fluid pressure in the piping, thereby stopping the filling of the cell culture vessel. [Claim 9] The cell culture system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one packing sensor includes at least one of an optical sensor, a through-beam sensor, or a photoelectric sensor. [Claim 10] The actuator has an adjustable length including a first length and a second length, The first length is greater than or equal to the second length, The cell culture system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the cell culture vessel is in a first position when it is at the first length, and the cell culture vessel is in a second position when it is at the second length. [Claim 11] The cell culture system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the actuator comprises at least one of a solenoid, a piezoelectric material, a pneumatic piston, and a hydraulic piston. [Claim 12] The system further includes a third filling sensor, which is positioned to detect when the liquid in the cell culture vessel reaches a third filling level, and is configured to generate a third detection signal when the liquid in the cell culture vessel reaches the third filling level. The third filling water level is different from the first filling water level and the second filling water level. The cell culture system according to claim 4, wherein the control device is configured to slow down the filling rate of the cell culture vessel based on a third detection signal from the third filling sensor. [Claim 13] The multi-position support is The main base portion is placed on the support member when the upright position is set. A support surface provided in the upright configuration setting at a position offset vertically from the main base, which supports the cell culture vessel when the cell culture vessel is on the support surface, and It has an intermediate surface that extends from the main base to the support surface, and has a boundary portion that extends at an angle inclined with respect to the side surface of the main base and connects to the main base, The cell culture system according to claim 1, wherein the multi-position support has a tilted configuration setting in which, while supporting the cell culture vessel on the support surface, the multi-position support is rotated around the boundary so that the support surface is closer to the support member than in the upright configuration setting. [Claim 14] The multi-position support further includes a sub-base portion which is placed on the support member when the upright configuration is set, The support surface is the first support surface, The multi-position support further has a second support surface located between the main base and the sub-base, The second support surface supports the cell culture vessel when the cell culture vessel is on the second support surface. The cell culture system according to claim 13, wherein the first support surface and the second support surface are substantially on the same plane, and the same plane is inclined with respect to the main base.

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