Method for operating an incubator and a microfluidic device

Abstract

An incubator comprising: an accommodation space that is isolated from the outside environment; an environment control means that controls the environment within the accommodation space; an electric power feed unit that is provided within the accommodation space and transmits electric power in a contactless state to an object of electric power feed; and a partition wall that is provided within the accommodation space and blocks electromagnetic waves radiating from the electric power feed unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The disclosed technology relates to the operation methods of incubators and microfluidic devices.

Background Art

[0002] As technologies related to devices for controlling the environment within an accommodation space to a predetermined state, the following technologies are known. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-145153 describes an article storage device including a supply-side power supply device provided in the storage space of the article storage device main body for outputting supply power, and a power receiving-side power supply device provided in at least one storage container for receiving power supply from the supply-side power supply device in a state of being mounted in the storage space, where each of the supply-side power supply device and the power receiving-side power supply device is a non-contact type power supply device.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] By the way, a microfluidic device is a device that creates microchannels and reaction vessels using microfabrication technologies such as MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) technology, and is expected to have a wide range of applications in drug discovery, toxicity evaluation, organ-on-chip, body-on-chip, analytical chemistry, etc. In the evaluation and analysis of cells using a microfluidic device, various sensors for obtaining information on cells accommodated in the microfluidic device, electrical devices such as pumps for sending liquid to the microfluidic device, and a power supply for supplying power to these electrical devices are assumed to be accommodated in an incubator together with the microfluidic device. Also, by using wireless power supply as a power supply method from the power supply to the electrical devices, it becomes possible to reduce the number of wirings within the incubator.

[0004] Wireless power supply by magnetic field coupling methods such as electromagnetic coupling method and magnetic field resonance method is a method of transmitting power in a non-contact manner by a power receiving coil receiving a magnetic field generated by a power transmitting coil. However, in the case of electromagnetic coupling type wireless power supply, there is a risk that electrical devices such as various sensors and pumps may malfunction due to electromagnetic waves radiated from a power supply unit equipped with a power transmitting coil. In addition, the electromagnetic waves radiated from the power supply unit may have some influence on the cells in the microfluidic device.

[0005] The disclosed technology has been made in view of the above points, and in an incubator provided with a power supply unit for performing non-contact power transmission to a power supply target in an accommodation space, an object is to suppress the influence of electromagnetic waves radiated from the power supply unit.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The incubator according to the disclosed technology includes an accommodation space shielded from the external environment, an environment control means for controlling the environment inside the accommodation space, a power supply unit provided in the accommodation space for performing non-contact power transmission to a power supply target, and a partition provided in the accommodation space for shielding electromagnetic waves radiated from the power supply unit.

[0007] According to the incubator according to the disclosed technology, it is possible to suppress the influence of electromagnetic waves radiated from the power supply unit.

[0008] The incubator according to the disclosed technology may further include a stage provided in the accommodation space and a power receiving unit provided with a gap from the stage for receiving power supply in a non-contact manner from the power supply unit. In this case, the power supply unit may be attached at a position facing the power receiving unit of the stage, and the partition may surround the space formed between the power supply unit and the power receiving unit.

[0009] Further, the incubator according to the disclosed technology may further include a mounting table provided with a gap from the stage, and a spacer attached to the mounting table for forming a space between the stage and the mounting table. In this case, the power receiving coil may be attached to the mounting table.

[0010] By the incubator including the power receiving unit, it becomes possible to supply power to the electrical equipment accommodated in the accommodation space of the incubator via the power receiving unit. Further, by the partition wall surrounding the space formed between the power supply unit and the power receiving unit, it becomes possible to suppress the influence on the electrical equipment by the electromagnetic wave radiated from the power supply unit without inhibiting the power transmission performed between the power supply unit and the power receiving unit.

[0011] The incubator according to the disclosed technology may further include a positioning member provided on the stage for determining the arrangement of the mounting table on the stage. By performing the positioning of the mounting table using the positioning member, the alignment between the power supply unit and the power receiving unit is completed, so that the occurrence of misalignment between the power supply unit and the power receiving unit can be prevented. Thereby, it becomes possible to suppress the decrease in power transmission efficiency due to the misalignment between the power supply unit and the power receiving unit.

[0012] The incubator according to the disclosed technology may include a plurality of power supply units. Thereby, it becomes possible to accommodate a multi-channel system in the accommodation space of the incubator.

[0013] The operation method of the microfluidic device according to the disclosed technology includes accommodating an electrical device that operates by receiving power supply from a power supply unit and a microfluidic device connected to the electrical device in the accommodation space of the above incubator and operating the microfluidic device.

[0014] The operating method of the microfluidic device according to the disclosed technology includes placing an electrical device that operates by receiving power from a power receiving unit and a microfluidic device connected to the electrical device on the mounting table of an incubator to operate the microfluidic device.

[0015] The operating method of the microfluidic device according to the disclosed technology may include accommodating cells in the microfluidic device.

[0016] According to the operating method of the microfluidic device according to the disclosed technology, since the electromagnetic wave radiated from the power supply unit is shielded by the partition wall, the risk of malfunction of the electrical device due to the influence of this electromagnetic wave can be suppressed. In addition, it is possible to suppress the influence of the electromagnetic wave radiated from the power supply unit on the cells in the microfluidic device.

Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the disclosed technology, in an incubator provided with a power supply unit for performing non-contact power transmission to a power supply target in an accommodation space, it is possible to suppress the influence of the electromagnetic wave radiated from the power supply unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 4

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or equivalent components and parts are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0020] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of an incubator 1 according to the first embodiment of the disclosed technology.

[0021] The incubator 1 has an accommodation space 2 shielded from the external environment. The incubator 1 includes, as environment control means for controlling the environment of the accommodation space 2, a controller 10, a humidifying unit 11, a heater 12, a CO 2 controller 13, a temperature sensor 14, and a CO 2 sensor 15.

[0022] The temperature sensor 14 is provided in the accommodation space 2, detects the temperature in the accommodation space 2, and supplies a detection signal indicating the detected temperature to the controller 10. CO 2 The sensor 15 is provided in the accommodation space 2, detects the CO 2 concentration in the accommodation space 2, and supplies a detection signal indicating the detected CO 2 concentration to the controller 10.

[0023] The controller 10 controls the heater 12 based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 14 so that the temperature in the accommodation space 2 becomes the temperature designated by the user. 2 CO detected by sensor 15 2 Based on the concentration, 2 CO to a concentration specified by the user. 2 Controls the controller 13. 2 The controller 13 is a CO 2 The gas is connected to a gas cylinder 16 via a pipe 17, and is supplied with CO 2 CO supplied from cylinder 16 2 The amount of gas released into the storage space 2 is adjusted.

[0024] The humidifying unit 11 includes a tub in which water is stored, and the humidity in the accommodation space 2 is maintained at a certain level or higher by natural evaporation of the water in the tub.

[0025] In the housing space 2, multiple stages 20 are provided. A plurality of power supply units 30 are mounted on the upper surface of each stage 20. In the example shown in FIG. 1, three power supply units 30 are mounted on each of the three stages 20, but the number of stages 20 and the number of power supply units 30 mounted on each stage 20 can be increased or decreased as appropriate. The power supply unit 30 is a wireless power supply unit that transmits power in a non-contact state to a power supply target (i.e., a power receiving unit) not shown. As a power transmission method in the power supply unit 30, a magnetic field coupling method such as an electromagnetic coupling method or a magnetic field resonance method is applied. Therefore, the power supply unit 30 is configured to include a power transmission coil (not shown). Wireless power supply by the magnetic field coupling method is a method of transmitting power in a non-contact manner by a power receiving coil receiving a magnetic field generated by a power transmission coil. The power supply unit 30 used is one that complies with the Qi standard and has an output of, for example, 100 kHz to several hundreds of kHz and about 5 W to 15 W.

[0026] Each of the power supply units 30 is connected to the power supply unit 31 via the power line 32, and by receiving power supply from the power supply unit 31, a current flows through a power transmission coil (not shown) to generate a magnetic field. The power supply unit 31 is disposed in a shielding space 4 shielded from the accommodation space 2. The humidity in the shielding space 4 is set to be about the same as the humidity outside the incubator 1 and is lower than the humidity in the accommodation space 2 which is maintained at a relatively high humidity. By disposing the power supply unit 31 in the shielding space 4, the power supply unit 31 is prevented from being exposed to a high-humidity environment, and the occurrence of problems such as electric leakage is suppressed. The power line 33 for supplying power to the power supply unit 31 is drawn out to the outside of the incubator 1 through the access port 3 provided on the wall surface of the incubator 1. Here, when the number of power lines drawn out to the outside of the incubator 1 increases, the risk of foreign matters such as dust and bacteria entering the inside of the accommodation space 2 of the incubator 1 becomes high. By distributing power from the power supply unit 31 accommodated in the incubator 1 to a plurality of power supply units 30 via the power line 32, the number of power lines drawn out to the outside of the incubator 1 can be made one, and the risk of the inside of the accommodation space 2 being contaminated can be suppressed.

[0027] On the stage 20, a partition wall 40 for shielding electromagnetic waves radiated from the power supply unit 30 is provided. The partition wall 40 is provided corresponding to each of the power supply units 30. FIG. 2 is a top view of the power supply unit 30 and the partition wall 40 mounted on the stage 20. The partition wall 40 has an annular shape surrounding the periphery of the corresponding power supply unit 30. The partition wall 40 is made of a material capable of shielding electromagnetic waves radiated from the power supply unit 30 during operation of the power supply unit 30, for example, a conductor. Specifically, it is possible to use a metal such as aluminum, copper, iron, or stainless steel as the material of the partition wall 40. Also, as the material of the partition wall 40, it is possible to use a resin with a conductive film formed on its surface. It is possible to use conductive ink as the material of the conductive film. Each of the partition walls 40 is preferably connected to a fixed potential such as a ground potential. Each of the partition walls 40 may be electrically connected to the housing of the incubator 1, for example.

[0028] FIG. 3A is a diagram schematically showing electromagnetic waves radiated from the power supply unit 30 mounted on the stage 20. When the power supply unit 30 operates, the electromagnetic waves radiated from the power supply unit 30 spread radially as shown in FIG. 3A. When there is no partition wall 40 that shields the electromagnetic waves radiated from the power supply unit 30, the electromagnetic waves radiated from the power supply unit 30 may affect electrical equipment (not shown) disposed near the power supply unit 30, causing the electrical equipment to malfunction. As shown in FIG. 3B, by providing partition walls 40 that shield the electromagnetic waves radiated from the power supply unit 30 corresponding to each of the power supply units 30, it is possible to reduce the range affected by the electromagnetic waves radiated from the power supply unit 30, and it is possible to suppress the influence on the electrical equipment disposed near the power supply unit 30.

[0029] As described above, according to the incubator 1 according to the embodiment of the disclosed technology, since the power supply unit 30 is provided in the accommodation space 2, for example, various sensors for obtaining information on cells accommodated in the microfluidic device and electrical equipment such as a pump for feeding liquid to the microfluidic device can be accommodated in the incubator 1 together with the microfluidic device, and power can be supplied to the above electrical equipment using the power supply unit 30. By using wireless power supply as the power supply method for the above electrical equipment, it is possible to reduce the number of wirings in the accommodation space 2 of the incubator 1.

[0030] Further, according to the incubator 1 according to the embodiment of the disclosed technology, since the partition wall 40 that shields the electromagnetic waves radiated from the power supply unit 30 is provided corresponding to each of the power supply units 30, it is possible to suppress the risk that the above electrical equipment malfunctions due to the electromagnetic waves radiated from the power supply unit 30. Also, it is possible to suppress the influence of the electromagnetic waves radiated from the power supply unit 30 on the cells accommodated in the microfluidic device.

[0031] [Second Embodiment] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the incubator 1A according to the second embodiment of the disclosed technology.

[0032] In the accommodation space 2 of the incubator 1A, a multi-stage stage 20 is provided. On the upper surface of each stage 20, a plurality of power supply units 30 are mounted. Also, on the stage 20, a plurality of mounting tables 50 are provided corresponding to each of the power supply units 30. A spacer 51 for forming a space between the stage 20 and the mounting table 50 is attached to each of the mounting tables 50. That is, the mounting table 50 is provided with a gap from the stage 20.

[0033] On the lower surface (the surface facing the stage 20) of each of the mounting tables 50, a power receiving unit 60 that receives power in a non-contact state from the corresponding power supply unit 30 is provided. That is, each of the power receiving units 60 is provided with a gap between the stage 20 and the corresponding power supply unit 30. Each of the power receiving units 60 is arranged at a position facing the corresponding power supply unit 30 (that is, a position overlapping in plan view). In other words, each of the power supply units 30 is attached to a position facing the power receiving unit 60 of the stage 20. Each of the power receiving units 60 includes a power receiving coil (not shown) that receives the magnetic field generated by the power transmission coil constituting the power supply unit 30.

[0034] On the stage 20, a positioning member 52 for determining the arrangement of the mounting table 50 on the stage is provided. The positioning member 52 may be constituted by, for example, a convex structure protruding from the upper surface of the stage 20, and the spacer 51 attached to the mounting table 50 may be brought into contact with this convex structure, whereby the mounting table 50 may be positioned. By determining the arrangement of the mounting table 50 according to the positioning member 52, the arrangements of the mounting table 50 and the power receiving unit 60 are determined, and thereby, the power receiving unit 60 is arranged at a position facing the power feeding unit 30. The spacer 51 having an appropriate height is appropriately used so that the distance between the power feeding unit 30 and the power receiving unit 60 becomes a distance (for example, several mm to 100 mm) capable of appropriately performing power transmission between them.

[0035] The space formed between each of the power feeding units 30 and the corresponding power receiving unit 60 is surrounded by a partition wall 40 that shields electromagnetic waves radiated from the power feeding unit 30. That is, the pair of the power feeding unit 30 and the power receiving unit 60 is arranged inside the space surrounded by the partition wall 40. The partition wall 40 may be attached to the lower surface of the mounting table 50 or may be attached to the upper surface of the stage 20. The mounting table 50, the spacer 51, the power receiving unit 60, and the partition wall 40 may constitute an integral unit.

[0036] On each upper surface of the mounting table 50 (the surface opposite to the surface facing the stage 20), it is possible to mount various electrical devices that operate by receiving power supply from the power receiving unit 60 and various devices used together with this electrical device. For example, on the upper surface of the mounting table 50, it is possible to mount various sensors for obtaining information on cells accommodated in the microfluidic device and electrical devices such as a pump for feeding liquid to the microfluidic device, together with the microfluidic device.

[0037] FIG. 5A is a diagram schematically showing electromagnetic waves radiated from the power supply unit 30 mounted on the stage 20. When the power supply unit 30 operates, the electromagnetic waves radiated from the power supply unit 30 spread radially as shown in FIG. 5A. When there is no partition wall 40 that shields the electromagnetic waves radiated from the power supply unit 30, the electromagnetic waves radiated from the power supply unit 30 may affect, for example, electrical equipment (not shown) mounted on the mounting table 50, and the electrical equipment may malfunction.

[0038] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5B, by surrounding the space formed between the power supply unit 30 and the power receiving unit 60 with the partition wall 40, it is possible to reduce the range affected by the electromagnetic waves radiated from the power supply unit 30. For example, it is possible to suppress the influence on the electrical equipment mounted on the mounting table 50.

[0039] On the other hand, since the pair of the power supply unit 30 and the power receiving unit 60 is arranged inside the space surrounded by the partition wall 40, the power transmission performed between the power supply unit 30 and the power receiving unit 60 is not hindered by the partition wall 40.

[0040] As described above, according to the incubator 1A according to the second embodiment of the disclosed technology, the same effects as those of the incubator 1 according to the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, since the power receiving unit 60 that receives power in a non-contact state from the power supply unit 30 is provided in the accommodation space 2, it is possible to supply power to the electrical equipment accommodated in the accommodation space 2 using the power receiving unit 60.

[0041] Also, according to the incubator 1A according to the second embodiment of the disclosed technology, a power receiving unit 60 is provided on the lower surface of the mounting table 50 provided with the spacer 51, and the mounting table 50 can be positioned by the positioning member 52 provided on the stage 20. That is, by positioning the mounting table 50 using the positioning member 52, the alignment between the power supply unit 30 and the power receiving unit 60 is completed, so that the occurrence of misalignment between the power supply unit 30 and the power receiving unit 60 can be prevented. Thereby, it becomes possible to suppress a decrease in power transmission efficiency due to misalignment between the power supply unit 30 and the power receiving unit 60.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a cell culture system 100 including a microfluidic device 110. The cell culture system 100 includes a microfluidic device 110, a storage container 120, a pump 121, a flow rate sensor 122, an impedance measuring device 124, a waste liquid container 123, a system control unit 125, and a pipe 130.

[0043] The microfluidic device 110 has a microchannel 111 formed using a microfabrication technology such as MEMS technology, an inflow port 112 provided at one end of the microchannel 111, and an outflow port 113 provided at the other end of the microchannel 111. Further, the microfluidic device 110 has an electrode 114 provided in the middle of the microchannel 111. In cell culture using the cell culture system 100, cells are placed in the microchannel 111 to perform cell culture.

[0044] The storage container 120 is connected to the inflow port 112 via the pipe 130. A pump 121 and a flow rate sensor 122 are provided in the middle of the pipe 130. The storage container 120 stores liquids used for culturing cells accommodated in the microfluidic device 110, such as a culture medium, additives, and reagents. Note that the cell culture system 100 may include a plurality of storage containers storing a plurality of different types of liquids, or may be configured such that the liquids stored in the plurality of storage containers can be selectively supplied to the microfluidic device 110.

[0045] The pump 121 pumps the liquid such as the culture medium stored in the storage container 120. When the pump 121 is driven, the liquid stored in the storage container 120 is supplied to the microchannel 111 through the inflow port 112. The flow rate sensor 122 detects the flow rate of the liquid supplied to the microfluidic device 110 per unit time and outputs a detection signal indicating the detected flow rate. The liquid supplied to the microchannel 111 flows out from the outflow port 113 and is collected in the waste liquid container 123 through the pipe 130.

[0046] The impedance measuring device 124 is connected to the electrode 114 provided in the middle of the microchannel 111, and outputs an impedance value corresponding to the state of the cells cultured on the microchannel 111 based on the electrical signal supplied from the electrode 114. The above impedance value may correspond to, for example, the trans-epithelial electrical resistance value.

[0047] The system control unit 125 performs drive control of the pump 121 based on the detection signal output from the flow rate sensor 122. That is, the system control unit 125 controls the liquid delivery amount in the pump 121 so that the flow rate of the liquid per unit time indicated by the detection signal output from the flow rate sensor 122 becomes a predetermined value. In addition, the system control unit 125 records the impedance value measured by the impedance measuring device 124 and performs control to transmit it to an external system.

[0048] The electrical devices including the pump 121, the flow rate sensor 122, the impedance measuring device 124, and the system control unit 125 operate by receiving power supply from the power receiving unit 60.

[0049] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an operation method of the microfluidic device 110 using the incubator 1A.

[0050] In each of the plurality of mounting tables 50 provided in the accommodation space 2 of the incubator 1A, a cell culture system 100 including an electric device 150 including a pump 121, a flow rate sensor 122, an impedance measuring device 124, and a system control unit 125, and a microfluidic device 110 are mounted. That is, in the accommodation space 2 of the incubator 1A, a cell culture system 100 having a plurality of channels is arranged corresponding to each pair of the power supply unit 30 and the power receiving unit 60. The electric device 150 in each channel operates by receiving power supply from the power receiving unit 60 provided on the mounting table 50 on which it is mounted.

[0051] Thus, the operation method of the microfluidic device 110 according to the embodiment of the disclosed technology includes accommodating, in the accommodation space 2 of the incubator 1A, an electric device 150 that operates by receiving power supply from the power supply unit 30 and a microfluidic device 110 connected to the electric device 150 to operate the microfluidic device 110. More specifically, it includes mounting, on the mounting table 50, an electric device 150 that operates by receiving power supply from the power receiving unit 60 provided on the mounting table 50 and a microfluidic device 110 connected to the electric device 150 to operate the microfluidic device 110.

[0052] According to the operation method of the microfluidic device 110 according to the embodiment of the disclosed technology, since the electromagnetic wave radiated from the power supply unit 30 is shielded by the partition wall 40, the risk of malfunction of the electric device 150 due to the influence of this electromagnetic wave can be suppressed. Also, it becomes possible to suppress the influence of the electromagnetic wave radiated from the power supply unit 30 on the cells in the microfluidic device 110.

[0053] Note that the disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-044496 filed on March 12, 2019 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Also, all documents, patent applications, and technical standards described in this specification are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard were specifically and individually stated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A containment space shielded from the external environment, environment control means for controlling the environment inside the containment space, a power supply unit provided in the containment space for performing non-contact power transmission to a power supply target, a partition provided in the containment space for shielding electromagnetic waves radiated from the power supply unit, a stage provided in the containment space, a power receiving unit provided with a gap from the stage for receiving power in a non-contact state from the power supply unit, comprising, the power supply unit is attached at a position facing the power receiving unit of the stage, the partition surrounds the space formed between the power supply unit and the power receiving unit, outside the space formed between the power supply unit and the power receiving unit and cells are arranged in the containment space an incubator.

2. a mounting table provided with a gap from the stage, a spacer attached to the mounting table for forming a space between the stage and the mounting table, further comprising, the power receiving unit is attached to the mounting table the incubator according to claim 1.

3. further comprising a positioning member provided on the stage for determining the arrangement of the mounting table on the stage the incubator according to claim 2.

4. having a plurality of the power supply units the incubator according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. accommodating an electric device that operates by receiving power from the power supply unit and a microfluidic device connected to the electric device in the containment space of the incubator according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and operating the microfluidic device a method for operating a microfluidic device.

6. placing an electric device that operates by receiving power from the power receiving unit and a microfluidic device connected to the electric device on the mounting table of the incubator according to claim 2 or claim 3 and operating the microfluidic device a method for operating a microfluidic device.

7. accommodating cells in the microfluidic device the method for operating a microfluidic device according to claim 5 or claim 6.

Images