Container for use in exchanging the liquid phase of a cell suspension, and method for exchanging the liquid phase of a cell suspension

Abstract

To provide a container that allows cells to be easily handled in a sterile manner. [Solution] A container 300 used for liquid phase exchange of a cell suspension, comprising: a container body 310 having a pair of ends 314a, 314b located at both ends in a first direction, and a peripheral portion 312 extending along the first direction and forming a closed space by connecting the pair of ends 314a, 314b; and two openable and closable openings 320, 330 provided on the container body 310, wherein the first opening 330 is arranged on the first end 314a side of the peripheral portion 312, and the second opening 320 is arranged on the second end 314b, and cells are deposited at a position 340 on the peripheral portion 312 facing the first opening 330.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container for use in exchanging the liquid phase of a cell suspension and a method for exchanging the liquid phase of a cell suspension. [Background technology]

[0002] Until now, the use of cells has been limited to basic research, etc., and cell handling has mainly been carried out in well-equipped laboratories. In recent years, cell therapy products that use the cells themselves for medical purposes have emerged, and there is a demand for easy cell handling outside of laboratories.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cell concentration container that has a simple structure and can perform cell concentration while maintaining a closed system, and that allows the cell concentrate to be easily extracted without waste. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-162447 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] There are two methods for exchanging the liquid phase of a cell suspension: a method using centrifugation and a method using a filter. When performing the centrifugation method in a sterile environment, a clean bench must be used to maintain a sterile working environment. Furthermore, the method using a filter has the problem that some cells die during the process of trapping the cells on the filter.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a container that allows cells to be handled easily and aseptically, and a method for liquid phase exchange of a cell suspension using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a container used for liquid phase exchange of a cell suspension, comprising: a container body having a pair of ends located at both ends in a first direction and a peripheral surface portion extending along the first direction and connecting the pair of ends to form a closed space; and two openable and closable openings provided in the container body, wherein the first opening is arranged on the first end side of the peripheral surface portion and the second opening is arranged on the second end, and cells are deposited at a position on the peripheral surface portion facing the first opening.

[0008] The container includes a container body and two openable and closable openings provided in the container body, allowing for liquid-phase exchange of the cell suspension while maintaining a closed space, and for easy handling of cells in a sterile environment. Furthermore, since the first opening is disposed on the first end side of the peripheral surface and the second opening is disposed on the second end, and cells are deposited at a position on the peripheral surface opposite the first opening, liquid leakage during liquid-phase exchange is suppressed, and the deposited cells are also prevented from reaching the openings and flowing out of the openings, or from contacting a filter provided in the openings and causing cell death.

[0009] Furthermore, one aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for exchanging the liquid phase of a cell suspension using the above-described container, the method including the steps of injecting the cell suspension from the first opening or the second opening, depositing cells at a position on the peripheral surface opposite the first opening, recovering the liquid phase from the first opening, and injecting a new liquid phase from the first opening or the second opening.

[0010] According to the above method, the liquid phase of a cell suspension can be easily exchanged using the above container while handling the cells in a sterile manner. Furthermore, since the cells are deposited at a position facing the first opening and the liquid phase is collected from the first opening, it is possible to prevent liquid leakage during the liquid phase exchange, and also to prevent the deposited cells from reaching the opening and flowing out of the opening, or from coming into contact with a filter provided in the opening and causing cell death. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a container that allows cells to be handled easily and aseptically, and a method for liquid phase exchange of a cell suspension using the same. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1A] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1B] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1C] 1 is a schematic plan view of a container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a syringe mounting portion connected to a container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] 1 is a schematic plan view of a syringe mounting portion connected to a container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a state in which a container and a syringe mounting part according to a first embodiment of the present invention are connected. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a liquid phase exchange of a cell suspension using a container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5A] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a container according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a container according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state where liquid phase exchange of a cell suspension is carried out using a container according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. The drawings are schematic and do not necessarily correspond to actual dimensions, proportions, etc. Parts in which the dimensional relationships and proportions differ from one another may be included.

[0014] [First embodiment] Fig. 1 shows (A) a schematic perspective view, (B) a schematic cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line AA), and (C) a schematic plan view of a container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the container 100 according to the first embodiment includes a container body 110 having a pair of end portions 114a, 114b located at both ends in a first direction (x direction) and a peripheral portion 112 extending along the first direction (x direction) and connecting the pair of end portions 114a, 114b to form a closed space, and two openable and closable openings 120, 130 provided in the container body 110, where the first opening 130 is disposed on the first end portion 114a side of the peripheral portion 112 and the second opening 120 is disposed at the second end portion 114b.

[0015] The container 100 is used for liquid phase exchange of a cell suspension, and during this, the cells are deposited at a position 140 on the peripheral surface 112 that faces the first opening 130. Hereinafter, this position 140 will be referred to as the deposition portion 140.

[0016] The container body 110 has an elongated shape extending along a first direction (x direction), and a second opening 120 is provided at second end 114b, which is one of a pair of ends in the x direction, which is the long axis direction of the container body 110, and a first opening 130 is provided at the other end, first end 114a. This limits the area of ​​the liquid surface of the contents in the container body 110 during liquid-phase exchange of a cell suspension using the container 100, and suppresses swaying of the liquid surface. This prevents the cells from being resuspended due to swaying of the liquid surface after they are deposited in the deposition section 140, and prevents the cells from flowing out of the opening or from coming into contact with a filter provided in the opening, which can cause cell death during liquid-phase exchange.

[0017] 1, the container body 110 has a substantially rectangular prism shape extending in the x direction, but the shape of the container body 110 is not limited to a substantially rectangular prism shape. The shape of the container body 110 may be, for example, a columnar shape extending in the x direction, such as a substantially circular cylinder, a substantially elliptical cylinder, or a substantially polygonal cylinder. The dimension of the container body 110 in the x direction may be, for example, 2 to 30 times, 3 to 15 times, or 4 to 10 times the dimension in the z direction and / or the dimension in the y direction.

[0018] In FIG. 1 , the pair of end portions 114a, 114b of the container body 110 are flat surfaces with a substantially rectangular shape, but the shape of the pair of end portions 114a, 114b is not limited thereto. For example, when at least one of the pair of end portions 114a, 114b is flat, the shape may be substantially circular, substantially elliptical, or substantially polygonal. Furthermore, at least one of the pair of end portions 114a, 114b does not have to be flat, but may be tapered, for example, substantially conical or dome-shaped. In this case, the shape may be substantially conical, substantially elliptical conical, substantially polygonal conical, or dome-shaped. When the second end portion 114b is tapered, the attachment position of the second opening 120 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, the tip of the tapered shape.

[0019] The container body 110 is provided with a first opening 130 and a second opening 120, both of which can be opened and closed, and when these openings are closed, the container body 110 forms a closed space. This makes it possible to easily realize an enclosed space and to easily handle cells in a sterile manner. Details of the first opening 130 and the second opening 120 will be described later.

[0020] The container 100 may be capable of connecting a syringe mounting part to the first opening 130. Figure 2 is (A) a schematic perspective view and (B) a schematic plan view showing an example of a syringe mounting part that can be connected to the first opening 130 of the container 100 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the syringe mounting part 200 is configured by disposing a container connection part 210 for connection to the first opening 130 of the container 100 and a syringe connection part 220 for connecting a syringe in a syringe mounting part main body 230.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 3, the container 100 and the syringe mounting part 200 can be connected by connecting the first opening 130 of the container 100 with the container connection part 210 of the syringe mounting part 200. Also, as shown in Fig. 1C, the first opening 130 of the container 100 may be provided with a filter holding means for placing a film between the first opening 130 and the container connection part 210. Also, after a filter is held in the film holding means, the first opening 130 of the container 100 and the syringe mounting part 200 may be connected via the filter. The syringe connection part 220 of the syringe mounting part 200 is openable and closable, and a syringe can be connected when in the open state.

[0022] 1 is configured so that syringe mounting portion 200 can be connected to first opening 130 via a filter, but the container according to this embodiment does not necessarily have to be configured so that a syringe mounting portion can be connected. For example, container 100 may be configured so that a syringe can be connected directly to first opening 130, in which case a syringe filter may be provided between first opening 130 and the syringe.

[0023] To outline the procedure for exchanging the liquid phase of a cell suspension using container 100, the cell suspension is introduced into container body 110, cells are deposited in deposition section 140, the liquid phase is removed from the opening, and then a new liquid phase is introduced into container body 110, thereby performing liquid phase exchange.

[0024] In this way, when exchanging the liquid phase of a cell suspension using the container 100, the cell suspension and liquid phase are introduced into the container body 110 and then removed from the container body 110. However, since the container 100 is sealed except for the two openings 120 and 130, both of the openings 120 and 130 must be open in this process. That is, when introducing the cell suspension or liquid phase into the container body 110, in addition to the opening through which the cell suspension or liquid phase is introduced, the other opening must also be opened to release the gas present in the container body 110 from the opening. Furthermore, when removing the cell suspension or liquid phase from the container body 110, in addition to the opening through which the cell suspension or liquid phase is removed, the other opening must also be opened to introduce the gas into the container body 110 and release the negative air pressure inside the container body 110.

[0025] An example of the procedure for exchanging the liquid phase of a cell suspension using the container 100 will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. First, a filter is placed in the filter holding means provided in the first opening 130 shown in Fig. 1C, and the syringe mounting part 200 is connected to the first opening 130. Next, while the first opening 130 and the syringe connection part 220 of the syringe mounting part 200 are left open, the cell suspension 410 is introduced into the container body 110 from the second opening 120 (Fig. 4(A)). At this time, the container 100 is held so that the first opening 130 faces vertically upward, to prevent leakage of the cell suspension 410 from the first opening 130 or the syringe connection part 220.

[0026] Next, optionally, the first opening 130 and the second opening 120 are closed, and the container 100 is left standing for a while with the first opening 130 facing vertically upward, thereby depositing cells in the deposition section 140. Here, the container 100 may be left tilted so that the second end 114b is slightly higher than the first end 114a. After confirming that the cells 420 have deposited in the deposition section 140, the syringe connection section 220 of the syringe mounting section 200 connected to the first opening 130 is opened, and a syringe is attached. The second opening 120 is opened while tilting it vertically upward to prevent leakage of the liquid phase from the second opening 120 (FIG. 4(B)).

[0027] Next, while being careful not to shake the container 100 and resuspend the cells 420, the syringe connected to the syringe connector 220 is pulled to remove the liquid phase 430 from the container body 110. At this time, the container body 110 is stood upright while tilting the second opening 120 further upward in the vertical direction so that the deposition section 140 faces downward in the vertical direction, and the liquid phase 430 is removed, thereby preventing the cells 420 from coming into contact with the filter provided in the first opening 130 and causing cell death (FIG. 4(C)).

[0028] After recovering the old liquid phase 430 in this manner, a new liquid phase is introduced through the syringe connection part 220 connected to the first opening 130 or through the second opening 120. Even in this case, when introducing the liquid phase through the syringe connection part 220 connected to the first opening 130, the second opening 120 must be left open, and when introducing the liquid phase through the second opening 120, the first opening 130 and the syringe connection part 220 must be left open. It is preferable to introduce the new liquid phase through the syringe connection part 220 connected to the first opening 130. In this case, even if cells are trapped in a filter provided in the first opening 130, the trapped cells tend to be efficiently recovered in the liquid phase by the water flow when the liquid phase is introduced.

[0029] Next, after introducing a new liquid phase, the container body 110 is gently shaken to obtain a cell suspension with an exchanged liquid phase. The cell suspension containing the new liquid phase is preferably removed from the second opening 120. When removing the cell suspension from the first opening 130, it is necessary to remove the filter provided between the first opening 130 and the syringe mounting portion 200 before removing the cell suspension.

[0030] The above describes an example of a method for exchanging the liquid phase of a cell suspension using the container 100 according to the first embodiment. In this manner, in the container 100 according to the present embodiment, the first opening 130 is disposed on the first end 114a side of the circumferential surface 112, and the second opening 120 is disposed on the second end 114b. Therefore, even if the cell suspension and the liquid phase are introduced or discharged while the two openings 120, 130 are left open, liquid leakage is suppressed. Furthermore, because the cells 420 are deposited at the position 140 on the circumferential surface 112 where the first opening 130 faces, the deposited cells 420 are prevented from reaching the first opening 130 and flowing out of the opening, or from contacting the filter provided in the first opening 130 and causing cell death.

[0031] Therefore, first opening 130 and second opening 120 are configured to be openable and closable. When another member such as syringe mounting portion 200 can be connected to first opening 130 or second opening 120, as in container 100 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , first opening 130 and second opening 120 only need to be openable and closable by the other member.

[0032] The first opening 130 and the second opening 120 may be closed by plugging or capping the openings, and may be open by removing the plugs or caps from the openings.

[0033] Furthermore, in order to efficiently recover the liquid phase, the first opening 130 is disposed on the first end 114a side of the circumferential surface portion 112. Disposing the first opening 130 on the first end 114a side of the circumferential surface portion 112 means that the first opening 130 is disposed on the circumferential surface portion 112 closer to the first end 114a than the midpoint between the first end 114a and the second end 114b.

[0034] In order to further prevent the deposited cells 420 from reaching the first opening 130, when the distance between the first end 114a and the second end 114b is divided into thirds, the first opening 130 is preferably located in the one-third portion closer to the first end 114a. Similarly, when the distance between the first end 114a and the second end 114b is divided into four equal portions, the first opening 130 is more preferably located in the one-fourth portion closer to the first end 114a.

[0035] The method for exchanging the liquid phase of a cell suspension using the container 100 has been specifically explained using Figure 4, but the method for exchanging the liquid phase of a cell suspension using the container 100 may include the steps of injecting the cell suspension from the first opening 130 or the second opening 120, depositing the cells in the deposition section 140, recovering the liquid phase from the first opening 130, and injecting a new liquid phase from the first opening 130 or the second opening 120.

[0036] Furthermore, a method for exchanging the liquid phase of a cell suspension using the container 100 may include the steps of connecting a syringe mounting portion 200 to the first opening 130 via a filter, injecting the cell suspension from the second opening 120, depositing the cells in the deposition portion 140, recovering the liquid phase from the first opening 130 via the syringe mounting portion 200, and injecting a new liquid phase from the first opening 130 via the syringe mounting portion 200.

[0037] As described above, the container 100 according to this embodiment allows cells to be handled easily and aseptically, and therefore allows liquid phase exchange to be performed at the bedside while maintaining an extremely sealed system.

[0038] [Second embodiment] 5A and 5B are a schematic perspective view and a schematic cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line AA) of a container according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 2, the container 300 according to the second embodiment includes a container body 310 having a pair of end portions 314a and 314b located at both ends in a first direction (x direction) and a peripheral portion 312 extending along the first direction (x direction) and connecting the pair of end portions 314a and 314b to form a closed space, and two openable and closable openings 320 and 330 provided in the container body 310. The first opening 330 is disposed on the first end portion 314a side of the peripheral portion 312, and the second opening 320 is disposed on the second end portion 314b.

[0039] The container 300 is used for liquid phase exchange of a cell suspension, and during this, the cells are deposited at a position 340 on the peripheral surface 312 that faces the first opening 330. Hereinafter, this position 340 will be referred to as the deposition portion 340.

[0040] Below, we will only explain the differences between the container 300 of the second embodiment and the container 100 of the first embodiment, and will not explain the common configuration, action, and effect. However, the container 300 of the second embodiment may have the same configuration, action, and effect as the container 100 of the first embodiment, as long as it does not contradict the configuration, action, and effect.

[0041] 5, the second end 314b of the container body 310 is substantially semicircular, the peripheral surface 312 forms the peripheral surface of a substantially semicylindrical cylinder extending in the x-direction, and the first end 314a is substantially semiconical. The container body 310 further includes a tip 360 on the peripheral surface 312 such that, together with the first end 314a, the outer diameter of the container body 310 gradually decreases along the first direction (x-direction) to form a substantially conical shape.

[0042] With the container body 310 configured in this manner, the container 300 can be placed in a commercially available centrifuge, and the cell suspension introduced into the container body 310 by centrifugation can be deposited in the deposition section 340. As a result, with the container 100 according to the first embodiment, it is necessary to leave the container stationary for a certain period of time when depositing the cells of the cell suspension, but with the container 300 according to the second embodiment, the cells can be deposited by centrifugation, thereby shortening the time required for cell deposition.

[0043] The shape of the container body 310 is not particularly limited, and is not limited to a substantially semi-cylindrical shape, as long as it can be installed in a general centrifuge. The dimension of the container body 310 in the x direction may be in the range of 2 to 30 times, 3 to 15 times, or 4 to 10 times the dimension in the z direction and / or the dimension in the y direction.

[0044] In FIG. 5, second end 314b is a substantially semicircular flat surface, but the shape is not limited to this. For example, second end 314b does not have to be a flat surface and may be tapered, such as a substantially cone or dome. In this case, the shape may be a substantially cone, a substantially elliptical cone, a substantially polygonal cone, or a dome. When second end 314b is tapered, the attachment position of second opening 320 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, the tip of the tapered shape.

[0045] 5, the container body 310 has a peripheral wall portion 350 on the second end portion 314b side, which is formed by extending the peripheral surface portion 312 so as to surround the second opening 320. The peripheral wall portion 350 may be configured so that a cap can be attached to protect or close the second opening 320, just as a cap is attached to the opening of a centrifuge tube that is generally installed in a centrifuge.

[0046] Container body 310 is provided with first opening 330 and second opening 320, both of which can be opened and closed. In container 300 shown in Fig. 5, first opening 330 and second opening 320 are configured so that a syringe can be connected in the open state. First opening 330 and second opening 320 may be configured so that a syringe mounting portion can be connected, like first opening 130 of container 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0047] The procedure for exchanging the liquid phase of a cell suspension using container 300 is outlined below. The cell suspension is introduced into container body 310, container 300 is placed in a centrifuge, and the cells are deposited in deposition section 340 by centrifugation. The liquid phase is then removed from the opening, and a new liquid phase is then introduced into container body 310, thereby performing liquid phase exchange.

[0048] An example of a procedure for exchanging the liquid phase of a cell suspension using the container 300 will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. First, while the first opening 330 is left open, the cell suspension 610 is introduced into the container body 310 through the second opening 320 (FIG. 6(A)). At this time, the container 300 is held so that the first opening 330 faces vertically upward to prevent the cell suspension 610 from leaking from the first opening 330.

[0049] Next, the first opening 330 and the second opening 320 are closed, and the container 300 is placed in a low-speed centrifuge and centrifuged to deposit the cells in the deposition section 340. After centrifugation, the container 300 is slowly placed so that the first opening 330 is vertically upward, and the first opening 330 is opened, and a syringe is attached. Thereafter, the second opening 320 is tilted vertically upward to prevent liquid leakage from the second opening 320, and then the second opening 320 is opened (FIG. 6(B)). At this time, a syringe filter may be attached to the second opening 320 to further suppress liquid leakage from the second opening 320.

[0050] Next, while being careful not to shake the container 300 and resuspend the cells 620, the syringe connected to the first opening 330 is pulled to remove the liquid phase 630 from the container body 310. At this time, the container body 310 is stood upright while tilting the second opening 320 further upward in the vertical direction so that the deposition part 340 faces downward in the vertical direction, and the liquid phase 630 is removed, thereby preventing the cells 620 from reaching the first opening 330 and flowing out (FIG. 6(C)).

[0051] After recovering the old liquid phase 630 in this way, a new liquid phase is introduced from a syringe connected to the first opening 330 or the second opening 320. Even in this case, when introducing the liquid phase from the first opening 330, it is necessary to keep the second opening 320 open, and when introducing the liquid phase from the second opening 320, it is necessary to keep the first opening 330 open.

[0052] Next, after introducing the new liquid phase, the cell suspension with the exchanged liquid phase can be obtained by gently rocking the container body 310. The cell suspension containing the new liquid phase may be taken out from either the first opening 330 or the second opening 320.

[0053] Although a method for exchanging the liquid phase of a cell suspension using the container 100 has been specifically explained using Figure 6, a method for exchanging the liquid phase of a cell suspension using the container 300 may include the steps of injecting the cell suspension from the first opening 330 or the second opening 320, depositing the cells in the deposition section 340, recovering the liquid phase from the first opening 330, and injecting a new liquid phase from the first opening 330 or the second opening 320.

[0054] Furthermore, a method for exchanging the liquid phase of a cell suspension using the container 300 may include the steps of injecting the cell suspension from the first opening 330 or the second opening 320, centrifuging the container 300 to deposit the cells in the deposition section 340, recovering the liquid phase from the first opening 330, and injecting a new liquid phase from the first opening 330 or the second opening 320.

[0055] As described above, the container 300 according to this embodiment allows cells to be handled easily and aseptically, and therefore liquid phase exchange can be performed at the bedside while maintaining an extremely sealed system.

[0056] The container according to this embodiment may be made of a material generally used for containers for handling cell suspensions, such as a resin material. The container according to this embodiment may be made of a transparent material so that the state of the cell suspension inside can be confirmed (e.g., whether cells have accumulated in the accumulation portion, etc.). The container according to this embodiment can be produced by various methods, such as injection molding, blow molding, and 3D printing.

[0057] [Note] The present disclosure includes the following embodiments. [1] A container for use in liquid phase exchange of a cell suspension, comprising: a container body including a pair of end portions located at both ends in a first direction and a peripheral surface portion extending along the first direction and connecting the pair of end portions to form a closed space; Two openable and closable openings provided in the container body; Equipped with a first opening is disposed on a first end side of the peripheral surface portion; a second opening disposed at the second end; Cells are deposited at a position on the peripheral surface facing the first opening. container. [2] At least one of the first end and the second end is a flat surface. [1] The container described in [1]. [3] At least one of the first end and the second end is tapered. [1] The container described in [1]. [4] A syringe mounting portion can be connected to the first opening via a filter. A container according to any one of [1] to [3]. [5] The first end portion has a generally conical shape in which the outer diameter of the container body gradually decreases along the first direction. [1] A container described in any one of [1], [3] and [4]. [6] A method for exchanging the liquid phase of a cell suspension using the container according to any one of [1] to [5], Injecting a cell suspension from the first opening or the second opening; depositing cells at a position on the peripheral surface facing the first opening; collecting a liquid phase from the first opening; injecting a new liquid phase through the first opening or the second opening; Including, method. [7] A method for exchanging the liquid phase of a cell suspension using the container according to [4] or [5], connecting a syringe mounting portion to the first opening via a filter; injecting a cell suspension through the second opening; depositing cells at a position on the peripheral surface facing the first opening; withdrawing a liquid phase from the first opening via the syringe mount; injecting a new liquid phase from the first opening via the syringe mount; Including, method. [8] [5] A method for exchanging the liquid phase of a cell suspension using the container according to [5], Injecting a cell suspension from the first opening or the second opening; centrifuging the container to deposit cells at a position on the peripheral surface facing the first opening; collecting a liquid phase from the first opening; injecting a new liquid phase through the first opening or the second opening; Including, method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 100,300...container, 110,310...container body, 112,312...peripheral surface portion, 114a,114b,314a,314b...end portion, 120,130,320,330...opening, 140,340...deposition portion, 200...syringe mounting portion, 210...container connection portion, 220...syringe connection portion, 230...syringe mounting portion body, 350...peripheral wall portion, 360...tip portion, 410,610...cell suspension, 420,620...cells, 430,630...liquid phase.

Claims

1. A container for use in liquid phase exchange of a cell suspension, comprising: a container body including a pair of end portions located at both ends in a first direction and a peripheral portion extending along the first direction and connecting the pair of end portions to form a closed space; Two openable and closable openings provided in the container body; Equipped with a first opening is disposed on a first end side of the peripheral surface portion; a second opening disposed at the second end; Cells are deposited at a position on the peripheral surface facing the first opening, the container body has a closed space formed by the pair of end portions and the peripheral surface portion by a filter that traps cells, which is not divided into two or more regions, and has no openings other than the two openable and closable openings; container.

2. At least one of the first end and the second end is a flat surface. The container of claim 1.

3. At least one of the first end and the second end is tapered. The container of claim 1.

4. a syringe mounting portion can be connected to the first opening via a filter; The container of claim 1.

5. The first end portion has a generally conical shape in which the outer diameter of the container body gradually decreases along the first direction. The container of claim 1.

6. A method for exchanging the liquid phase of a cell suspension using the container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising: injecting a cell suspension from the first opening or the second opening; depositing cells at a position on the peripheral surface facing the first opening; collecting a liquid phase from the first opening; injecting a new liquid phase through the first opening or the second opening; Including, method.

7. 5. A method for exchanging the liquid phase of a cell suspension using the container of claim 4, comprising: connecting a syringe mounting portion to the first opening via a filter; injecting a cell suspension through the second opening; depositing cells at a position on the peripheral surface portion opposite the first opening; withdrawing a liquid phase from the first opening via the syringe mount; injecting a new liquid phase from the first opening via the syringe mount; Including, method.

8. 6. A method for exchanging the liquid phase of a cell suspension using the container of claim 5, comprising: injecting a cell suspension from the first opening or the second opening; centrifuging the container to deposit cells at a position on the peripheral surface facing the first opening; collecting a liquid phase from the first opening; injecting a new liquid phase through the first opening or the second opening; Including, method.

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