Clean Room Facility

Abstract

The present invention provides a clean room facility having increased efficiency for sample preparation. A clean room facility (100) is provided with a preparation room (R3) in which a safety cabinet (32) used for the preparation for a sample is located and a plurality of rooms (R6, R7, R8) in which incubators (41-43) relating to cultivation or examination of the sample are located, comprises partitions (6a, 7a, 8a) partitioning the preparation room (R3) and each of the rooms (R6, R7, R8), and comprises openable doors (6b, 7b, 8b) or windows which are provided in the partitions (6a, 7a, 8a) and which are used to move the sample and side walls (6d, 7d) partitioning adjacent rooms of the plurality of rooms (R6, R7, R8).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to clean room facilities. [Background technology]

[0002] Clean rooms with high air purity are used in regenerative medicine, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and the like. Regarding such clean rooms, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration of a "unit-type cell culture facility installed within a building, comprising an indoor partition section divided into multiple rooms, a ceiling-mounted air conditioner that takes in outside air, and an in-ceiling chamber to which air is supplied from the ceiling-mounted air conditioner." Furthermore, a safety cabinet for manipulating cultured cells is installed in an operation room where cell culture-related work is performed, and it is also recommended that an incubator for cell culture and the like be installed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-240358 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, the operation room is a cell culture room dedicated to a specific patient. Therefore, when cell culture for a different patient is to be started after cell culture for a specific patient has been completed in the incubator in the operation room, the operation room is often sterilized. However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the efficiency of sample preparation related to cell culture, etc.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a clean room facility that improves the efficiency of sample preparation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the clean room facility according to the present invention is provided with a preparation room in which a first device used for sample preparation is arranged, and a plurality of rooms in which a second device related to culturing or testing of the sample is arranged, and is provided with partitions separating the preparation room from each of the rooms, and is provided in the partitions with openable and closable doors or windows used for transferring samples, and walls separating adjacent rooms among the plurality of rooms, The system comprises: room chambers provided in the ceiling of each of the plurality of rooms; a supply air fan provided in the room chamber for supplying air to the room corresponding to the room chamber; and a return air fan for returning at least a portion of the air flowing out from the room to the chamber in the ceiling of the preparation room via a duct shaft, wherein each of the room chambers is separated from adjacent room chambers by a wall member and is separated from the preparation room by a partition wall. It was decided that. Other details will be explained in the embodiments. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a clean room facility can be provided that improves the efficiency of sample preparation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the layout of each room in the clean room facility according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a clean room facility according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram relating to control of the fan filter unit on the supply air side and the fan filter unit on the return air side in the clean room facility according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of processing during sterilization of a room in the clean room facility according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of processing during sterilization of a room in the clean room facility according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the layout of each room in the clean room facility according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram including a transport machine in a clean room facility according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a clean room facility according to a first modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a clean room facility according to a second modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the layout of each room in a clean room facility according to a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] First Embodiment <Clean room facility configuration> FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the layout of each room in a clean room facility 100 according to the first embodiment. In Figure 1, the direction of air flow when a specific door (e.g., door D1) is opened is indicated by a white dashed arrow. The clean room facility 100 is a facility that adjusts the temperature, pressure, cleanliness, etc. of multiple clean rooms such as pre-processing room R2 and preparation room R3, and is used, for example, for cell culture processing and the production of sterile preparations (vaccines, injections, eye drops, etc.). The clean room facility 100 shown in Figure 1 is equipped with the following clean rooms: a changing room R1, a pre-processing room R2, a preparation room R3, a dressing room R4, an undressing room R5, and three rooms R6, R7, and R8.

[0010] Such clean room facilities 100 often have multiple clean rooms with different air cleanliness levels. To prevent air leakage from a clean room with a lower cleanliness level to a clean room with a higher cleanliness level, the room pressures of adjacent clean rooms are differentiated. For example, the preparation room R3 shown in FIG. 1 has a higher air cleanliness level and room pressure than the dressing room R4. Therefore, when a worker opens the door D7 to enter the preparation room R3 from the dressing room R4, air flows from the high-pressure preparation room R3 to the low-pressure dressing room R4, as indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 1, but air rarely flows in the reverse direction. This prevents aerosols and dust from entering the preparation room R3 from the dressing room R4, keeping the preparation room R3 clean. The cleanliness of the dressing room R4 and the adjustment room R3 may be set equal.

[0011] In Figure 1, when a dashed white arrow points from one of two adjacent clean rooms to the other, it indicates that the room pressure of one of the clean rooms is higher than that of the other. The changing room R1 shown in Figure 1 is a room where workers can change clothes before and after work in the pre-processing room R2. Workers can move between the changing room R1 and the pre-processing room R2 via door D1.

[0012] The pretreatment chamber R2 is a clean room where workers can perform sample pretreatment and the like. A safety cabinet 31 for handling samples is provided in the pretreatment chamber R2. The pass box PB1 shown in FIG. 1 is a box with double doors that is used when transferring samples between the pretreatment chamber R2 and the preparation chamber R3. By using such a pass box PB1 to transfer samples, sample contamination can be suppressed. Note that in the example of FIG. 1, no door is specifically provided between the pretreatment chamber R2 and the preparation chamber R3 for people to enter and exit, but such a door may be provided as appropriate.

[0013] The preparation chamber R3 is a clean room where sample preparation is carried out. Here, "sample preparation" means performing predetermined operations and processing on the sample. Examples of such "samples" include, but are not limited to, cells and sterile preparations. The cleanliness of the preparation chamber R3 is higher than that of the pretreatment chamber R2. The room pressure of the preparation chamber R3 is also higher than that of the pretreatment chamber R2. The preparation chamber R3 may be provided with an equipment entrance door 71 that is opened and closed when predetermined equipment is brought in.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, a safety cabinet 32 ​​(first device) used for sample preparation is placed in preparation room R3. The safety cabinet 32 ​​is a box-shaped device configured to allow workers to process samples in a clean environment where contamination by foreign matter, microorganisms, etc. is suppressed. The safety cabinet 32 ​​has a housing (not shown) whose front and sides are formed of, for example, transparent glass or resin, and the work area within this housing can be seen from the outside.

[0015] An opening (not shown) is provided on the front of the housing (not shown) of the safety cabinet 32 ​​so that an operator can put his or her hands in and out. In this way, the safety cabinet 32 ​​is an open system device in which the work area inside the housing communicates with the outside space via the opening. Samples processed in the safety cabinet 32 ​​are transported out via pass box PB2.

[0016] Instead of the safety cabinet 31 in the preparation chamber R3, an isolator (first device: not shown) may be used for sample preparation. The isolator has a housing (not shown) whose front and sides are made of transparent glass or resin, and the work area inside this housing can be seen from the outside. The housing is configured so that workers can handle samples with their hands in gloves (not shown) installed on the front of the housing. Such an isolator is a so-called closed system device, and the work area is sealed. The pressure inside the isolator housing may be either positive or negative relative to the chamber pressure of the preparation chamber R3.

[0017] In the example shown in FIG. 1, a dressing room R4 and a changing room R5 are provided adjacent to the preparation room R3. The dressing room R4 is a room where workers change into the designated clean room wear. After changing into the clean room wear in the dressing room R4, workers open door D7 and enter the preparation room R3. The changing room R5 is a room where workers take off their clean room wear and change into the designated clothes. After finishing work in the preparation room R3, workers open door D9 and enter the changing room R5.

[0018] The duct shaft DS1 shown in Fig. 1 is an air duct that guides part of the air flowing out from the preparation chamber R3 to the chamber C3 (see Fig. 2) above the ceiling. Although not shown in Fig. 1, duct shafts are also appropriately installed in other clean rooms such as the pre-treatment chamber R2.

[0019] In the example of FIG. 1, three rooms R6, R7, and R8 are provided adjacent to each other. These rooms R6, R7, and R8 are spaces in which equipment (second equipment) related to culturing or testing samples is placed, respectively. In the example of FIG. 1, an incubator 41 (second equipment) for culturing samples is provided in room R6. Similarly, an incubator 42 (second equipment) is provided in another room R7, and an incubator 43 (second equipment) is provided in the remaining room R8.

[0020] As described above, the incubator 41 provided in room R6 is a device for culturing samples. The incubator 41 is box-shaped, and its interior is adjusted to a temperature and humidity suitable for culturing samples. The incubator 41 includes a housing (not shown) and a door (not shown) attached to the housing. The housing is provided with a plurality of shelves (not shown) for placing containers containing samples. In addition to the temperature and humidity of the incubator 41, the carbon dioxide concentration and the like may also be adjusted as appropriate. The other incubators 42 and 43 also have a similar configuration.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, room R6 includes a partition 6a, a door 6b, and a pair of side walls 6c and 6d. The partition 6a is a board (or wall) that separates the preparation chamber R3 from the room R6 and extends from the floor to the ceiling of room R6. The door 6b is an openable door used for sample transfer and is provided on the partition 6a. The pair of side walls 6c and 6d form the right and left sides of room R6 as seen from a person facing the door 6b. One side wall 6c faces the wall of preparation chamber R3. The other side wall 6d is a "wall" that separates adjacent rooms R6 and R7 from the multiple rooms R6, R7, and R8. Both of the pair of side walls 6c and 6d extend from the floor to the ceiling of room R6. In the example of FIG. 1, the wall of room R6 opposite the partition 6a where the door 6b is provided is formed substantially integrally with the wall of preparation chamber R3.

[0022] 1, when door 6b is closed, room R6 is isolated from preparation room R3 and other rooms R7 and R8. This prevents sample contamination from spreading to preparation room R3 and other rooms R7 and R8 even if sample contamination occurs during work in room R6. Furthermore, when sterilizing room R6, there is no need to sterilize preparation room R3 or other rooms R7 and R8, which reduces the effort and cost required for sterilization.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 1, a duct shaft DS6 is provided in the room R6. The duct shaft DS6 is an air duct that guides the air flowing out of the room R6 to the chamber C3 (see Fig. 2) above the ceiling of the preparation room R3. The other rooms R7 and R8 also have a configuration similar to that of the room R6. Furthermore, the partition 6a of the room R6, the partition 7a of the room R7, and the partition 8a of the room R8 may be integrally formed.

[0024] Of the three rooms R6, R7, and R8, the central room R7 has side walls 6d and 7d that function as "walls" separating it from the other rooms. That is, the side wall 6d functions as a "wall" separating the rooms R6 and R7. Similarly, the side wall 7d functions as a "wall" separating the rooms R7 and R8.

[0025] The cleanliness of the preparation chamber R3 may be equal to that of each of the rooms R6, R7, and R8. The higher the ventilation rate per unit time of the preparation chamber R3, the higher the cleanliness. The pressure in the preparation chamber R3 may be different from that of each of the rooms R6, R7, and R8. It is particularly preferable to set the pressure in the preparation chamber R3 higher than that of each of the rooms R6, R7, and R8. This prevents dust and aerosols from leaking from room R6 to the preparation chamber R3 through minute gaps in the door 6b, even if sample contamination occurs in room R6. The cleanliness and set pressures of rooms R6, R7, and R8 may be equal to or different from each other.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the clean room facility 100. Note that FIG. 2 shows preparation chamber R3 and three rooms R6, R7, and R8, and omits the pretreatment chamber R2 (see FIG. 1) and other chambers as appropriate. Also, in FIG. 2, air flow is indicated by solid arrows. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view focusing on the air flow, for example, air being guided from preparation chamber R3 to chamber C3 via duct shaft DS1. In FIG. 2, the safety cabinet 32 ​​(see FIG. 1) and incubators 41-43 (see FIG. 1) are omitted.

[0027] 2, the clean room facility 100 includes an air conditioner 9, fan filter units 11 to 19, and pressure sensors 21 to 24. The air conditioner 9 is a device that adjusts the temperature of the air, and includes a filter 9a, a cooling coil 9b, and a fan 9c. The air conditioner 9 may also include an inverter 9d.

[0028] The filter 9a collects dust particles from the air flowing from the preparation chamber R3 through a predetermined gap 61 toward the cooling coil 9b. The cooling coil 9b is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the air that has passed through the filter 9a and a refrigerant flowing through a heat transfer tube (not shown). The fan 9c is a blower that pressure-feeds the air, the temperature of which has been adjusted by the cooling coil 9b, to the chamber C3 through the duct K1. The inverter 9d is a power converter that drives the motor (not shown) of the fan 9c.

[0029] 2, in addition to the duct K1, air whose temperature and other properties have been adjusted is introduced into the chamber C3 via another duct K2. A damper M1 adjusts the flow rate of the air and is provided in the duct K1. Similarly, another damper M2 is provided in the duct K2. During normal operation of the clean room facility 100, the opening degrees of the dampers M1 and M2 are maintained at predetermined values.

[0030] Chamber C3 shown in FIG. 2 is the space above the ceiling of preparation chamber R3. Chamber C3 includes a ceiling 51 of preparation chamber R3, an upper plate 52 that is higher than the ceiling 51, a side plate 53, and a partition wall 54. The side plate 53 is installed at the edge of one lateral side of the ceiling 51 and the upper plate 52. The partition wall 54 is a wall that separates preparation chamber R3 from each of rooms R6, R7, and R8, and is installed at the edge of the ceiling 51 and the upper plate 52 on the other lateral side. The space above the ceiling of preparation chamber R3 and the space above the ceiling of pre-treatment chamber R2 (see FIG. 1) may be formed as a single chamber.

[0031] The fan filter units 11 and 12 shown in FIG. 2 are devices that supply air from the chamber C3 to the preparation room R3 and are embedded in the ceiling 51 of the preparation room R3. The fan filter unit 11 includes an air supply fan 11a and a filter 11b. The air supply fan 11a is a blower that supplies air from the chamber C3 to the preparation room R3. The filter 11b collects dust from the air flowing from the air supply fan 11a to the preparation room R3 and is provided on the outlet side of the air supply fan 11a. For example, a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter) or a ULPA (Ultra Low Penetration Air Filter) is used as this filter 11b. The other fan filter units 12 have a similar configuration.

[0032] The fan filter unit 13 shown in FIG. 2 is a device for exhausting and returning air from the preparation chamber R3, and includes a return air fan 13a and a filter 13b. Note that "return air" from the preparation chamber R3 refers to returning at least a portion of the air flowing out of the preparation chamber R3 to the preparation chamber R3 via a duct shaft DS1 or the like. In the example of FIG. 2, as the return air fan 13a is driven, air is guided from the preparation chamber R3 to the duct shaft DS1 via a predetermined gap 73. A portion of the air guided to the duct shaft DS1 is returned to the chamber C3 via this duct shaft DS1, and the remaining air is exhausted. A perforated plate 74 (or grating) is provided at the downstream end of the duct shaft DS1.

[0033] For simplification, Fig. 2 illustrates the fan filter unit 13 below the floor of the preparation chamber R3, but in reality, the fan filter unit 13 is embedded in the side wall of the preparation chamber R3. The pressure sensor 21 shown in Fig. 2 is a sensor that detects the chamber pressure of the preparation chamber R3 and is provided in the preparation chamber R3. The supply air fans 11a, 12a and the return air fan 13a are controlled so that the chamber pressure of the preparation chamber R3 reaches a predetermined set pressure (target pressure).

[0034] The clean room facility 100 includes a room chamber C6, fan filter units 14, 15, a pressure sensor 22, a duct shaft DS6, a first damper 56a, and a second damper 56b as components corresponding to the room R6 (see also Figure 1).

[0035] The room chamber C6 is a space above the ceiling of the room R6. The room chamber C6 is separated from the adjacent room chamber C7 by a wall member (not shown), and is separated from the chamber C3 above the ceiling of the preparation room R3 by a partition wall 54. The same applies to the room chamber C7 above the ceiling of the room R7 and the room chamber C8 above the ceiling of another room R8. In this way, three room chambers C6, C7, and C8 are individually provided above the ceiling in one-to-one correspondence with the three rooms R6, R7, and R8.

[0036] 2 includes an air supply fan 14a and a filter 14b, and is embedded in the ceiling of room R6. Air supply fan 14a is a blower that supplies air to room R6 (the room corresponding to room chamber C6), and is provided in room chamber C6. Filter 14b collects dust from the air flowing from room chamber C6 to room R6, and is provided on the outlet side of air supply fan 14a.

[0037] 2 includes a return air fan 15a and a filter 15b, and is embedded in the side wall of room R6. The return air fan 15a is a blower that returns air flowing out of room R6 to chamber C3 above the ceiling of preparation room R3 via duct shaft DS6. Filter 15b collects dust from the air drawn into the return air fan 15a from room R6, and is provided on the suction side of the return air fan 15a.

[0038] 2 is a sensor that detects the room pressure of room R6 and is provided in room R6. Then, supply air fan 14a and return air fan 15a are controlled so that the room pressure of room R6 becomes a predetermined set pressure (target pressure).

[0039] The duct shaft DS6 is an air duct that guides air flowing out from the room R6 to the chamber C3 above the ceiling of the preparation room R3. A perforated plate 74 (or grating) is provided at the downstream end of the duct shaft DS6. The first damper 56a shown in Fig. 2 connects or blocks communication between the chamber C3 above the ceiling of the preparation room R3 and the room chamber C6, and is provided in the partition wall 54 of the room chamber C6 so as to correspond to the room R6.

[0040] The second damper 56b switches between communication between the duct shaft DS6 and the chamber C3 and is provided near the downstream end of the duct shaft DS6 in correspondence with the room R6. The remaining two rooms R7 and R8 have the same configuration as that corresponding to the room R6.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram relating to the control of the fan filter unit 14 on the supply air side and the fan filter unit 15 on the return air side. The clean room facility 100 (see FIG. 2) is equipped with a control device 80 as a component corresponding to room R6 (see FIG. 2), in addition to the fan filter units 14, 15 and pressure sensor 22 described above. The control device 80 controls the supply air fan 14a and the return air fan 15a. Although not shown, the control device 80 is configured to include electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and various interfaces. The CPU reads out programs stored in the ROM and loads them into the RAM, causing the CPU to execute various processes.

[0042] In the example of FIG. 3, the input side of the control device 80 is connected to the pressure sensor 22 via a wire, and the output side is connected to the supply air fan 14a and the return air fan 15a via a wire. Based on the detection value of the pressure sensor 22, the control device 80 controls the supply air fan 14a and the return air fan 15a in a predetermined manner so that the room pressure in room R6 (see FIG. 2) becomes a predetermined set pressure. Note that one of the supply air fan 14a and the return air fan 15a may be configured to rotate at a constant speed. Furthermore, while FIG. 3 shows a configuration related to the supply air and return air in room R6 (see FIG. 2), a single control device may also control the supply air fans and return air fans in multiple clean rooms (preparation room R3 and rooms R6, R7, and R8: see FIG. 2).

[0043] <Comparative Example> FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the layout of each room in the clean room facility 100F according to the comparative example. In the comparative example of Figure 10, three incubators 41-43 are installed in preparation room R3, but rooms R6, R7, and R8 (see Figure 1) to house these incubators 41-43 are not installed. Note that, because there is a possibility that aerosols may adhere to the equipment or floor (resulting in sample contamination) when workers take cells, etc., into and out of incubators 41-43, there has been little case where cells, etc., from multiple patients are mixed together in one preparation room R3. In other words, in the previous clean room facility 100F, after workers processed cells, etc., from one patient in preparation room R3, they sterilized (or wiped with alcohol) preparation room R3 before handling cells, etc., from another patient.

[0044] Due to these circumstances, cells of one patient must wait until the processing of cells of another patient is completed, making it difficult to improve work efficiency. Although it is possible to provide incubators 41 to 43 with a high-temperature sterilization function, in that case the cost of incubators 41 to 43 will increase.

[0045] Therefore, in the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, incubators 41 to 43 are housed individually in three rooms R6, R7, and R8. This makes it possible to prevent sample contamination, for example, in the case where sample contamination occurs in room R6, from spreading to preparation room R3 or other rooms R7 and R8. Furthermore, because the range to be sterilized (for example, room R6) is small, the effort and cost required for sterilization can be reduced.

[0046] <Handling during normal use> During normal use of the clean room facility 100, the air conditioner 9 and fan filter units 11-19 shown in Fig. 2 are driven in a predetermined manner. During normal use of the room R6 corresponding to this first damper 56a, the first damper 56a is in an open state, allowing communication between chamber C3 and room chamber C6. As a result, clean air is supplied to room R6 from chamber C3 via first damper 56a and room chamber C6 in this order.

[0047] The second damper 56b is in an open state during normal use of the room R6 corresponding to the second damper 56b, thereby communicating between the duct shaft DS6 and the chamber C3. This allows air to be returned from the room R6 to the chamber C3 via the duct shaft DS6 and the second damper 56b in this order. This air is purified as it passes through the fan filter units 11 and 12 on the air supply side and the filter 9a of the air conditioner 9.

[0048] For example, it becomes possible for a worker to process cells of one patient in incubator 41 in room R6 (see Figure 1), while another worker processes cells of another patient in incubator 42 in room R7 (see Figure 1), thereby improving work efficiency.

[0049] <Sterilization process> For example, a worker may spill a sample while working in room R8. Sterilization is also often performed when cells from one patient are processed as a sample and then cells from another patient are processed (during a changeover).

[0050] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of processing during sterilization of room R8. For example, when room R8 is sterilized, decontamination device 81 that sprays a predetermined sterilization gas (such as hydrogen peroxide gas) is placed in room R8. Then, when door 8b (see FIG. 1) of room R8 is closed and an operation switch (not shown) of decontamination device 81 is pressed, sterilization gas is sprayed from decontamination device 81, filling room R8 with the sterilization gas. In this way, when at least one room (for example, room R8) out of multiple rooms R6, R7, and R8 is sterilized, the room is filled with the predetermined sterilization gas.

[0051] During sterilization of room R8, the supply air fan 18a that supplies air to room R8 is stopped, and the return air fan 19a that returns air from room R8 is also stopped. As mentioned above, room R8 is separated from the preparation room R3 and the other rooms R6 and R7, and furthermore, door 6b is closed and sealed. Furthermore, because the volume and surface area of ​​room R8 are relatively small, sterilization can be completed in a short time.

[0052] The first damper 58a is closed during sterilization of the room R8 corresponding to this first damper 58a, blocking off communication between chamber C3 and the room chamber C8. The second damper 58b is closed during sterilization of the room R8 corresponding to this second damper 58b, blocking off communication between duct shaft DS8 and chamber C3. This prevents sterilizing gas from flowing from room R8 through duct shaft DS8 and chamber C3 in this order into preparation chamber R3 during sterilization of room R8.

[0053] Furthermore, during sterilization of a specific room R8, the supply air fan 18a and return air fan 19a corresponding to that room R8 may be stopped, and the supply air fans 14a, 16a and return air fans 15a, 17a corresponding to the other rooms R6, R7 may be driven. Alternatively, during sterilization of room R8, the air conditioner 9 and the fan filter units 11-13 of preparation room R3 may be driven. This allows the other rooms R6, R7 and preparation room R3 to be used even while sterilization of room R8 is being performed, thereby improving work efficiency when processing samples.

[0054] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the process for sterilizing the room R8. The decontamination apparatus 82 shown in Fig. 5 is an apparatus that fills a room R8 to be sterilized with a predetermined sterilization gas (such as hydrogen peroxide gas), and then fills it with a predetermined catalytic gas (for example, a catalyst containing platinum or palladium) that detoxifies the sterilization gas. An air intake hose 82a and an exhaust hose 82b are connected to the decontamination apparatus 82. The air intake hose 82a is a pipe that conducts the predetermined sterilization gas or catalytic gas from the decontamination apparatus 82 to the room R8. The exhaust hose 82b is a pipe that conducts exhaust gas from the room R8 to the decontamination apparatus 82.

[0055] When sterilizing room R8, decontamination device 82 supplies a predetermined sterilizing gas to room R8 via air intake hose 82a and exhausts the gas from room R8 via exhaust hose 82b. After sterilization of room R8, decontamination device 82 supplies a predetermined catalytic gas that neutralizes the sterilizing gas to room R8 via air intake hose 82a and exhausts the gas from room R8 via exhaust hose 82b. Similar processes are performed when sterilizing other rooms R6 and R7. Furthermore, a predetermined catalytic filter (not shown) that renders the sterilization gas harmless may be incorporated into the decontamination device 82. Furthermore, a decomposition device (not shown) equipped with a catalytic filter (not shown) may be provided separately.

[0056] <Effects> According to the first embodiment, by providing separate rooms R6, R7, and R8 in which incubators 41 to 43 (see FIG. 1) are located, it becomes possible to perform work in the three rooms R6, R7, and R8 in addition to the preparation room R3 in parallel. This improves the efficiency of work when handling samples. Furthermore, when an operator processes a predetermined sample in room R8 and then sterilizes this room R8, there is no particular need to sterilize the preparation room R3 or the other rooms R6 and R7. This reduces the time and cost required for sterilization.

[0057] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the structure of the clean room facility 100 is not particularly complicated, and workers can efficiently process samples with a relatively simple structure. Furthermore, since there is no particular need to provide sterilization functionality to the incubators 41 to 43, costs can be reduced. Furthermore, while a worker is handling cells, etc. of one patient in room R6, another worker can handle cells, etc. of another patient in room R7. Thus, according to the first embodiment, a clean room facility 100 can be provided that is easy to use and improves the efficiency of sample preparation.

[0058] Second Embodiment The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a shutter 6e (see FIG. 6) is provided in room R6, and shutters 7e and 8e (see FIG. 6) are provided in rooms R7 and R8. The second embodiment also differs from the first embodiment in that a transport machine 90 (see FIG. 6) is used to move the sample. The rest of the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, only the parts that differ from the first embodiment will be described, and explanations of overlapping parts will be omitted.

[0059] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the layout of each room in the clean room facility 100A according to the second embodiment. The arrow near the transfer machine 90 in FIG. 6 indicates the direction in which the sample container N1 (see FIG. 7) moves. An openable / closable shutter 6e is provided in the room R6 of the clean room facility 100A shown in FIG. 6. This shutter 6e is an openable / closable window used for transferring samples, and is provided in the partition 6a of the room R6. Similarly, shutters 7e and 8e are provided in the other rooms R7 and R8. For example, when the sample container N1 (see FIG. 7) is transferred between the transfer machine 90 and the incubator 41, the shutter 6e of the room R6 opens automatically.

[0060] The size of the shutters 6e, 7e, 8e (windows) is preferably such that people cannot enter or exit. For example, the shutters 6e, 7e, 8e (windows) preferably have rectangular openings with horizontal and vertical lengths of 40 cm or less. By making the dimensions of the shutters 6e, 7e, 8e relatively small in this way, fluctuations in chamber pressure in the preparation chamber R3 caused by opening and closing the shutters 6e, 7e, 8e can be suppressed, and sample contamination in the preparation chamber R3 can also be suppressed.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 6, the clean room facility 100A is equipped with a transport machine 90. The transport machine 90 is a machine that transports a sample container N1 (see FIG. 7). That is, the transport machine 90 has a function of transporting the sample container N1 (see FIG. 7) between a safety cabinet 32 ​​(first device) and incubators 41 to 43 (second devices). In the example of FIG. 6, the transport machine 90 is equipped with a belt conveyor 91 and a sorting robot 92, as well as a belt conveyor 93 (see FIG. 7) that is provided inside the safety cabinet 32. Automated warehouses 33a and 33b for consumable equipment and the like are provided on both sides of the safety cabinet 32.

[0062] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram including a transfer machine 90 in a clean room facility 100A. In the following description, as an example, a case will be described in which the sample container N1 is transported from the safety cabinet 32 ​​to the incubator 41. Note that it is also possible to move the cultured container N1 to the safety cabinet 32 ​​from any of the incubators 41 to 43.

[0063] The belt conveyor 93 shown in FIG. 7 (see FIG. 7) is a device that moves the container N1 of the sample that has been processed in the safety cabinet 32 ​​to the downstream belt conveyor 91. In the example of FIG. 7, the belt conveyor 93 is provided in the work area 32a of the safety cabinet 32. Another belt conveyor 91 transports the container N1 transported from the upstream belt conveyor 93 to the vicinity of the sorting robot 92. The sorting robot 92 grasps (or sucks) the container N1 transported by the belt conveyor 91 and stores this container N1 on a shelf (not shown) of one of the incubators 41 to 43.

[0064] When the container N1 is transported by the transport machine 90, the destination incubator (for example, the incubator 41) is specified in association with the identification information of the container N1. A shutter (not shown) may be provided in a housing (not shown) surrounding the movement area of ​​the sorting robot 92, and the sorting robot 92 may sort the container N1 received through this shutter to one of the incubators 41 to 43.

[0065] <Effects> According to the second embodiment, the transport machine 90 is used to move the sample container N1, thereby reducing the effort and time required to move the container N1. Furthermore, since fewer people are required to work in the preparation room R3, etc., sample contamination, such as spilling the sample on the floor, is less likely to occur. As a result, the preparation room R3 and rooms R6 to R8 need to be sterilized less frequently, which reduces costs.

[0066] <<Variations>> While the clean room facilities 100 and 100A according to the present invention have been described above in relation to the various embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions and various modifications can be made. For example, while the various embodiments have been described in which air is guided from the room R6 (see FIG. 2) to the preparation room R3 via the duct shaft DS6, the present invention is not limited to this and may be configured as in the modified examples shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0067] FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a clean room facility 100B according to a first modified example. The clean room facility 100B shown in FIG. 8 includes, for example, a room chamber C6, fan filter units 14, 76, a duct shaft DS6, and a first damper 56a as components corresponding to the room R6. The room chamber C6 is a space above the ceiling of the room R6. This room chamber C6 is separated from the adjacent room chamber C7 by a wall member (not shown), and is separated from the preparation room R3 by a partition wall 54. The partition wall 54 of the room chamber C6 is provided with the first damper 56a. During normal use of the room R6, the first damper 56a is in an open state. The supply air fan 14a of the fan filter unit 14 is a blower that supplies air to the room R6 and is provided in the room chamber C6. The return air fan 76a (first return air fan) of another fan filter unit 76 has the function of returning at least a portion of the air flowing out from the room R6 to the room chamber C6 via the duct shaft DS6. That is, the return air fan 76a (first return air fan) has the function of guiding a portion of the air flowing out from the room R6 through a predetermined gap 79a to the duct shaft DS6 and exhausting the remaining air. A perforated plate 74 (or grating) may be provided at the downstream end of the duct shaft DS6. The same applies to the configurations corresponding to the other rooms R7 and R8. 8 differs from the first embodiment (see FIG. 2) in that, for example, part of the air in room R6 is returned to room chamber C6 via duct shaft DS6. With this configuration, almost no air moves from room R6 to preparation chamber R3, so that it is possible to reliably prevent aerosols from flowing into preparation chamber R3 immediately after sample contamination occurs in room R6.

[0068] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a clean room facility 100C according to a second modified example. The second modified example shown in FIG. 9 has a configuration in which fan filter units 86, 87, and 88 are added to the first modified example (see FIG. 8). For example, the fan filter unit 86 corresponding to room R6 includes a return air fan 86a (second return air fan) and a filter 86b. The return air fan 86a has a function of returning at least a portion of the air flowing out of room R6 to the room chamber C6 via the duct shaft DS6. That is, the return air fan 86a (second return air fan) is a blower that guides the air flowing out of room R6 to the duct shaft DS6 via itself (i.e., the return air fan 86a). The same applies to the configurations corresponding to the other rooms R7 and R8. With this configuration, for example, by driving both return air fans 86a and 86a, the flow rate of air flowing from room R6 via the duct shaft DS6 can be appropriately adjusted.

[0069] Furthermore, in each embodiment, the preparation chamber R3 and the rooms R6, R7, and R8 are positive pressure chambers, but depending on the application, the preparation chamber R3 and the rooms R6, R7, and R8 may also be negative pressure chambers. In addition, in each embodiment, the chamber pressure of the preparation chamber R3 is different from the chamber pressures of the rooms R6, R7, and R8, but this is not limiting. That is, the chamber pressure of the preparation chamber R3 may be equal to the chamber pressures of the rooms R6, R7, and R8. In addition, in each embodiment, a configuration has been described in which no ducts are particularly provided in chamber C3 or room chambers C6, C7, and C8, but this is not limited to this. That is, separate ducts (not shown) may be provided to guide air supplied via ducts K1 and K2 (see FIG. 2) to each fan filter unit on the air supply side.

[0070] Furthermore, in each embodiment, a configuration has been described in which three rooms R6, R7, and R8 are provided adjacent to the preparation room R3, but the number and arrangement of the rooms can be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, the rooms R6, R7, and R8 may be provided when the clean room facility 100 is constructed, or these rooms R6, R7, and R8 may be installed later. In this case, the preparation room R3 may be provided in advance with a partition (not shown) with a window or door that is not connected to the room, so that the above-mentioned room can be added to the preparation room R3 later.

[0071] Furthermore, in each embodiment, the "second equipment" arranged in rooms R6, R7, and R8 is described as incubators 41 to 43 (see FIG. 1 ), but this is not limited thereto. That is, as the "second equipment" related to the culturing or testing of samples, in addition to an imaging device or a testing device, a passaging device, a seeding device, a cell recovery device, etc. may be arranged in rooms R6, R7, and R8. Also, for example, an incubator 41 may be arranged in room R6, an imaging device may be arranged in another room R7, and a testing device may be arranged in the remaining room R8. That is, different types of "second equipment" may be mixed and arranged in rooms R6, R7, and R8. Also, multiple "second equipment" may be arranged in one room (for example, room R6).

[0072] In the first embodiment, the return air fan 15a is installed to return the air flowing out from the room R6 (see FIG. 2) to the chamber C3 above the ceiling of the preparation room R3 via the duct shaft DS6, but this is not limiting. For example, a return air fan (not shown) may be installed to return at least a portion of the air flowing out from the room R6 (see FIG. 2) to the chamber C3 above the ceiling of the preparation room R3 via the duct shaft DS6 and exhaust the remainder. The same can be said for the return air fans 17a and 19a in the other rooms R7 and R8.

[0073] In the second embodiment, the transport machine 90 (see FIG. 7) is described as having the belt conveyors 91, 93 and the sorting robot 92, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, one or more of the belt conveyors 91, 93 and the sorting robot 92 may be omitted, and the container N1 may be moved manually.

[0074] Furthermore, the respective embodiments and the first to third modified examples can be combined as appropriate. For example, the second embodiment (configuration including a conveying machine 90: see FIG. 7) may be combined with the first modified example (see FIG. 8). In addition, various combinations are possible, such as a combination of the second embodiment (see FIG. 7) with the second modified example (see FIG. 9).

[0075] In addition, in each embodiment, the clean room facilities 100, 100A are described as being used for cell preparation, etc. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, each embodiment can be applied to various other fields, such as the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, the manufacture of semiconductors and precision machinery, and the food industry.

[0076] Furthermore, each embodiment has been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and is not necessarily limited to having all of the configurations described. Furthermore, some of the configurations of the embodiments can be added to, deleted from, or replaced with other configurations. Furthermore, the mechanisms and configurations described above are those that are considered necessary for the explanation, and do not necessarily represent all mechanisms and configurations of the product. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D Clean Room Facilities 32 Safety Cabinet (1st Equipment) 41, 42, 43 Incubator (second equipment) 6a, 7a, 8a dividers 6b, 7b, 8b Doors 6d,7d Side wall (wall) 6e, 7e, 8e shutters (windows) 14a, 16a, 18a Air supply fan 15a, 17a, 19a Return air fan 54 Bulkhead 56a, 57a, 58a First damper 56b, 57b, 58b Second damper 76a, 77a, 78a Return air fan (first return air fan) 86a, 87a, 88a Return air fan (second return air fan) 79a, 79b, 79c gap 90 Conveying Machinery C3 Chamber C6, C7, C8 chambers DS6, DS7, DS8 duct shaft N1 container R3 preparation room R6, R7, R8 rooms

Claims

1. a preparation room in which a first device used for sample preparation is arranged, and a plurality of rooms in which a second device related to culturing or testing of the sample is arranged; A partition is provided between the preparation chamber and each of the rooms, an openable door or window provided in the partition and used for transferring samples; a wall separating adjacent rooms among the plurality of rooms; a room chamber provided in the ceiling of each of the plurality of rooms; an air supply fan provided in the room chamber for supplying air to the room corresponding to the room chamber; a return air fan that returns at least a portion of the air flowing out of the room to a chamber above the ceiling of the preparation room via a duct shaft; A clean room facility in which each of the room chambers is separated from adjacent room chambers by wall members and is separated from the preparation room by a partition wall.

2. When sterilizing at least one of the rooms, a predetermined sterilizing gas is filled in the room. The clean room facility according to claim 1,

3. The cleanliness of the preparation room and the cleanliness of each of the plurality of rooms are equal, The pressure in the preparation chamber is different from the pressure in each of the plurality of chambers. The clean room facility according to claim 1,

4. The pressure of the preparation chamber is higher than the pressure of each of the plurality of chambers. The clean room facility according to claim 3, characterized in that

5. a transport machine for transporting sample containers; The transport machine transports the container between the first device and the second device provided in the predetermined room. The clean room facility according to claim 1,

6. a first damper provided in the partition wall corresponding to each of the rooms, for connecting or disconnecting the chamber and the room-use chamber; a second damper provided near the downstream end of the duct shaft so as to correspond to each of the rooms, and configured to switch between communication between the duct shaft and the chamber and block communication therebetween; The clean room facility according to claim 1,

7. the first damper communicates between the chamber and the room chamber during normal use of the room corresponding to the first damper; The second damper allows communication between the duct shaft and the chamber during normal use of the room corresponding to the second damper. The clean room facility according to claim 6, characterized in that

8. the first damper isolates the chamber from the room chamber during sterilization of the room corresponding to the first damper; The second damper is configured to shut off the duct shaft from the chamber during sterilization of the room corresponding to the second damper. The clean room facility according to claim 6, characterized in that

9. During sterilization of a predetermined room among the plurality of rooms, the supply air fan and the return air fan corresponding to the predetermined room are stopped, and the supply air fan and the return air fan corresponding to the other rooms are driven. The clean room facility according to claim 1,

10. A preparation room in which a first device used for sample preparation is placed, and a plurality of rooms in which a second device related to sample cultivation or testing is placed, A partition is provided between the preparation chamber and each of the rooms, an openable door or window provided in the partition and used for transferring samples; a wall separating adjacent rooms among the plurality of rooms; a room chamber provided in the ceiling of each of the plurality of rooms; an air supply fan provided in the room chamber for supplying air to the room corresponding to the room chamber; a return air fan that returns at least a portion of the air flowing out of the room to the room chamber corresponding to the room via a duct shaft; Each of the room chambers is separated from the adjacent room chambers by a wall member and from the preparation chamber by a partition wall, The clean room facility is provided with, as the return air fan, a first return air fan that guides a portion of the air flowing out from the room through a predetermined gap into the duct shaft and exhausts the remaining air.

11. The return air fan further includes a second return air fan that guides the air flowing out of the room to the duct shaft. The clean room facility according to claim 10, characterized in that

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