Cell culture apparatus and gas supply apparatus for cell culture device

Abstract

This cell culture apparatus (100) comprises a device holder (101), and a plurality of gas pipes (31) for supplying gas to a culture chamber (23). The device holder includes a holder-side lid part (10) having mounting parts (30) for the plurality of gas pipes and a plurality of holder-side ports (11). The holder-side lid part is configured to be movable between: a connection position at which the plurality of gas pipes and the plurality of holder-side ports are respectively connected to a plurality of device-side ports (21) of the device-side lid part (25) of the cell culture device (20); and a connection release position at which the connection is released.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cell culture device. and a gas supply device for cell culture devices In particular, a cell culture apparatus for supplying gas to a cell culture device through a plurality of gas pipes in cell culture. and a gas supply device for cell culture devices Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a cell culture apparatus has been known in which gas is supplied to a cell culture device through multiple gas pipes for cell culture. Such a technique is disclosed, for example, in International Publication No. 2016 / 158233.

[0003] WO 2016 / 158233 discloses a cell culture device (body-on-a-chip unit). According to WO 2016 / 158233, the body-on-a-chip system uses cultured cells as organ models and connects and cultures multiple organ models to reconstruct in vivo phenomena involving multiple organs ex vivo. The body-on-a-chip system is considered to have potential as an alternative to animal testing, allowing pharmacokinetic analysis, which normally requires animal testing, to be performed in vitro. In particular, if pharmacokinetic analysis can be evaluated in vitro using cultured cells derived from humans, it is expected that data with good correlation with clinical trials will be obtained.

[0004] The cell culture device of WO 2016 / 158233 is composed of multiple units, each unit consisting of a dual culture chamber, in which two culture chambers serving as organ models are connected. The culture chambers that make up one unit are connected by a flow path. By sequentially applying pressure using air pressure piping (pressurized lines), the culture medium can be circulated between each organ model culture chamber. Note that the cell culture device is connected to multiple gas pipes in order to circulate the culture medium between the chambers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2016 / 158233 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In cell culture devices such as those described in International Publication No. 2016 / 158233, it is necessary to periodically add culture medium to culture cells. Therefore, when removing a cell culture device set in a holder, it is necessary to disconnect all of the multiple gas pipes connected to the cell culture device in order to open the lid of the cell culture device. Furthermore, multiple gas pipes must be connected to the cell culture device for cell culture. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to simultaneously connect and disconnect the multiple gas pipes that supply gas to the cell culture device for cell culture.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide a cell culture apparatus that can simultaneously connect and disconnect multiple gas pipes that supply gas to a cell culture device for cell culture. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention No. 1 The cell culture device according to the aspect of the present invention is a cell culture device including a plurality of culture chambers and a device-side cover having a plurality of device-side ports that communicate with the plurality of culture chambers, respectively. and , Cell Culture Device and a gas supply unit including a plurality of gas pipes that supply gas to each of the plurality of culture chambers, wherein the device holder includes a device mounting unit on which the cell culture device is mounted, and a holder-side lid unit that is provided above the device mounting unit and has mounting units for the plurality of gas pipes and a plurality of holder-side ports, and the holder-side lid unit The cell culture device is provided separately from the device-side lid portion of the cell culture device, Lid of the cell culture device When pressed against the device, the coverThe device-side port is configured to be movable between a connection position where a plurality of gas pipes and a plurality of holder-side ports are respectively connected to the plurality of device-side ports, and a disconnection position where the connection between the plurality of device-side ports and the plurality of gas pipes and the plurality of holder-side ports is disconnected. In addition, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a gas supply apparatus for a cell culture device according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a device holder that holds a cell culture device including a plurality of culture chambers and a device-side lid portion having a plurality of device-side ports that respectively communicate with the plurality of culture chambers, and a gas supply portion that includes a plurality of gas pipes that individually supply gas to corresponding culture chambers among the plurality of culture chambers, wherein the device holder includes a device installation portion on which the cell culture device is installed, and a holder-side lid portion that is provided above the device installation portion and has mounting portions for the plurality of gas pipes and a plurality of holder-side ports, and the holder-side lid portion is configured to be movable between a connection position that connects the plurality of gas pipes and the plurality of holder-side ports to the plurality of device-side ports of the device-side lid portion of the cell culture device, respectively, and a disconnection position that disconnects the plurality of device-side ports from the plurality of gas pipes and the plurality of holder-side ports. In addition, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a gas supply apparatus for a cell culture device according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises: a device holder that holds a cell culture device including a plurality of culture chambers and a device-side lid having a plurality of device-side ports that respectively communicate with the plurality of culture chambers; and a gas supply section that includes a plurality of gas pipes that supply gas to each of the plurality of culture chambers. The device holder comprises a device installation section on which the cell culture device is installed; and a holder-side lid that is provided above the device installation section and has mounting sections for the plurality of gas pipes and a plurality of holder-side ports. The holder-side lid is configured to be movable between a connection position that connects the plurality of gas pipes and the plurality of holder-side ports to the plurality of device-side ports of the device-side lid of the cell culture device, respectively, and a disconnection position that disconnects the plurality of device-side ports from the plurality of gas pipes and the plurality of holder-side ports. The underside of the holder-side lid is provided with a plurality of first seal members that seal around the periphery of each connection between the plurality of device-side ports and the plurality of holder-side ports. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] This invention No. 1 In the cell culture device according to the aspect, as described above, the holder-side cover The cell culture device is provided separately from the device-side lid portion of the cell culture device, Lid of the cell culture device When pressed against the device, the cover The cell culture device is movable between a connection position where multiple gas pipes and multiple holder-side ports are connected to the multiple device-side ports, respectively, and a disconnection position where the multiple device-side ports are disconnected from the multiple gas pipes and multiple holder-side ports. This allows the holder-side lid to move from the connection position to the disconnection position, thereby enabling simultaneous disconnection of the multiple gas pipes. As a result, it is no longer necessary to disconnect the multiple gas pipes each time the cell culture device is removed from the cell culture device. As a result, it becomes possible to easily remove the cell culture device from the device holder for cell culture. Furthermore, by moving the holder-side lid from the disconnection position to the connection position, it becomes possible to simultaneously connect and disconnect the multiple gas pipes that supply gas to the cell culture device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cell culture device according to one embodiment, in which a device installation section closes a device-side lid section at a first position. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cell culture device in which a device installation portion according to one embodiment is in a second position. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded side view of a cell culture device according to one embodiment, in which a device installation section closes a device-side lid section at a first position. [Figure 4]FIG. 10 is a partially exploded side view of the cell culture device according to one embodiment, showing the device installation section with the device-side lid section closed at the second position. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a side view of a cell culture device according to one embodiment, in which a device installation section closes a device-side lid section at a first position. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a top view of the cell culture device according to one embodiment, in which the device installation section is in a state where the device-side lid section is in a first position and closed. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a side view of a cell culture device in which a device mounting portion according to one embodiment is in a second position. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a top view of the cell culture device in the second position, showing the device installation section according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a cell culture device when installed in an incubator according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a cell culture device according to one embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a cell culture device according to a modified example of an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] A cell culture device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0013] [Present embodiment] (Structure of cell culture device) The cell culture apparatus 100 includes a device holder 101 that holds a cell culture device 20 including a plurality of culture chambers 23 and a device-side lid 25 having a plurality of device-side ports 21 that communicate with the plurality of culture chambers 23, a gas pipe 31, an air pressure pump 32, a control unit 33, and a mass flow controller 34. The mass flow controller 34 is an example of the "pressure control mechanism" in the claims.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the device holder 101 includes a holder-side lid 10, an operating lever 40, and a device installation section 65. The device holder 101 is located higher than the device installation section 65 in the height direction. When the device installation section 65 is in the first position, the holder-side lid 10 is positioned vertically above the device installation section 65. The operating lever 40 is located on the holder-side lid 10 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The operating lever 40 is located on a backing plate 51 on the holder-side lid 10 and has a cam mechanism 50. The operating lever 40 can be moved from diagonally downward to diagonally upward. When the operating lever 40 is rotated in a first direction 41, the cam mechanism 50 rotates in a first rotation direction, allowing the holder-side lid 10 to be pressed down. When the operating lever 40 is rotated in a second direction 42, the cam mechanism 50 rotates in a second rotation direction, allowing the holder-side lid 10 to be lifted. The holder-side lid 10 also has mounting portions 30 for a plurality of gas pipes 31. A plurality of mounting portions 30 are provided in a direction along the upper surface of the holder-side lid 10, and a plurality of gas pipes 31 are connected to the mounting portions 30 for the plurality of gas pipes 31, respectively.

[0015] 3 and 4, the lifting mechanism of the holder-side lid 10 will be described. The holder-side lid 10 is supported by a linear rail 53 and a compression coil spring 52. The linear rail 53 and the compression coil spring 52 are provided on a support portion 55. The linear rails 53 are provided on both left and right ends of the holder-side lid 10. The holder-side lid 10 is capable of linear movement in the vertical direction by the linear rail 53. The holder-side lid 10 is supported from below by the compression coil spring 52 and is biased upward toward a disconnection position described below. The rotation shaft 54 ​​of the operating lever 40 is provided on the side of the holder-side lid 10. When the operating lever 40 rotates in a first rotation direction, the holder-side lid 10 is pressed against the device-side lid 25 by the cam mechanism 50. This is because, by rotating the operating lever 40 in the first rotation direction, the contact plate 51 is pressed downward more than when it is rotated in the second rotation direction. The compression coil spring 52 is an example of a "second biasing member" in the claims.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3, a tapered pin 80 is provided on the bottom surface of the holder-side lid portion 10. The pin 80 is designed to be connected to a pin hole 81a (see FIG. 8) described later. Since there is a gap (play) between the device and the holder, horizontal misalignment may occur. By making the pin 80 tapered, the misalignment can be absorbed. Also, although not shown in FIG. 3, a pin is provided on the bottom surface of the holder-side lid portion 10, which is designed to be connected to a pin hole 81b (see FIG. 8) described later.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, the device mounting section 65 has a mounting surface 56 parallel to the device-side lid 25. The device mounting section 65 also includes side walls arranged around the mounting surface 56. Specifically, the side walls include a left side wall 62c and a right side wall 62a that face each other in the left-right direction. The left side wall 62c is provided with a leaf spring 60a that biases the left side wall 62c against the right side wall 62a. The side walls also include a front side wall 62d and a rear side wall 62b that face each other in the front-rear direction. The front side wall 62d is provided with a leaf spring 60b that biases the front side wall 62d against the rear side wall 62b. This allows the cell culture device 20 to be stably fixed to the device mounting section 65. The device holder 101 also includes slide members 61 for moving the device mounting section 65 in the horizontal direction. The slide members 61 are provided on both left-right ends of the support section 55. The slide members 61 support the device mounting section 65. The slide member 61 is rail-shaped. Therefore, the slide member 61 allows the device installation section 65 to move between a first position and a second position. The first position is a position where the device installation section 65 is covered by the holder-side lid section 10 of the device holder 101 and where the multiple device-side ports 21 and the multiple holder-side ports 11 are aligned vertically (see Figures 5 and 6). The second position is a position where the entire cell culture device 20 is not covered by the holder-side lid section 10 and is exposed. The leaf spring 60a (60b) is an example of a "first biasing member" in the claims.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 8, the installation surface 56 of the device installation section 65 is provided with pin holes 81a and 81b for receiving pins 80 (see FIG. 3).

[0019] 9, the device holder 101 is placed in an incubator 300. The air pressure pump 32 that connects the device holder 101 to the gas piping 31 is located outside the incubator 300. The incubator 300 has a hole for the gas piping 31 that connects the device holder 101 to the air pressure pump 32.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 9, the cell culture device 100 includes an air pressure pump 32. The cell culture device 100 also includes a plurality of mass flow controllers 34 provided in each of a plurality of gas pipes 31 between the air pressure pump 32 and the device holder 101. The pressure of the mass flow controllers 34 is controlled by a control unit 33. The plurality of mass flow controllers 34 can be individually controlled based on the cell culture conditions. The air pressure pump 32 is an example of a "gas supply unit" in the claims.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 9, the holder-side lid 10 includes a holder-side port 11 and an O-ring 12. The O-ring 12 is provided on the underside of the holder-side lid 10 so as to surround the holder-side port 11. The O-ring 12 seals the periphery of each connection between the device-side port 21 and the holder-side port 11 by being pressed by the holder-side lid 10. The O-ring 12 is an example of a "first seal member" in the claims.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the cell culture device 20 includes a cell culture device main body 26 and a device-side lid 25. The cell culture device main body 26 includes a culture chamber 23, a microchannel 24, and a gasket 22. The device-side lid 25 includes a device-side port 21. The cell culture device 20 is placed on a device placement section 65, and the operating lever 40 is rotated in a first direction 41, thereby pressing the cell culture device main body 26 and the device-side lid 25 together. To seal the cell culture device main body 26 and the device-side lid 25 together, the gasket 22 is placed in contact with the upper surface of the cell culture device main body 26 and the lower surface of the device-side lid 25. The gasket 22 is an example of a "second sealing member" in the claims.

[0023] When installing the cell culture device 20, the device installation section 65 is slid from a first position (see FIG. 1) directly below the holder-side lid section 10 to a second position (see FIG. 2). The cell culture device 20 is installed in the extracted device installation section 65. At this time, the leaf springs 60a and 60b press the cell culture device 20 toward the right side wall 62a and the rear side wall 62b, respectively. The right side wall 62a and the rear side wall 62b position the cell culture device 20 such that the device-side port 21 of the cell culture device 20 is located directly below the holder-side port 11 of the holder-side lid section 10 when the device installation section 65 is in the first position. After the cell culture device 20 is set in the device installation section 65, the device installation section 65 is slid to the first position directly below the holder-side lid section 10. When the device installation section 65 is in the first position, the holder-side lid section 10 is positioned vertically above the device installation section 65. By rotating the operating lever 40 in the first direction 41, the holder-side lid section 10 is pressed toward the connection position. The connection position is a position where the gas pipes 31 and the holder-side ports 11 are connected to the device-side ports 21 of the device-side lid section 25 of the cell culture device 20. At the connection position, the cam mechanism 50 presses the O-rings 12 located between the device-side ports 21 and the holder-side ports 11. Specifically, the cam mechanism 50 is configured to press and compress the O-rings 12 against the device-side lid section 25 and press and compress the gaskets 22 via the device-side lid section 25 by lowering the holder-side lid section 10 a predetermined distance from the disconnection position toward the connection position. In this manner, the cell culture device 20 is installed.

[0024] Furthermore, when removing the cell culture device 20, the operating lever 40 is rotated in the second direction 42, thereby pushing up the holder-side lid 10 to the disconnection position. The disconnection position is a position where the connections between the multiple device-side ports 21 and the multiple gas pipes 31 and the multiple holder-side ports 11 are released. Next, the device installation part 65 is pulled out from the first position directly below the holder-side lid 10 to the second position where the holder-side lid 10 is not present. This exposes the entire top surface of the cell culture device 20. The cell culture device 20 is removed from the device installation part 65.

[0025] (Effects of this embodiment) In this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0026] In this embodiment, as described above, the device comprises a device holder 101 that holds a cell culture device 20 including a plurality of culture chambers 23 and a device-side lid portion 25 having a plurality of device-side ports 21 that respectively communicate with the plurality of culture chambers 23, and a gas supply portion including a plurality of gas pipes 31 that supply gas to each of the plurality of culture chambers 23. The device holder 101 comprises a device installation portion 65 on which the cell culture device 20 is installed, and a holder-side lid portion 10 that is provided above the device installation portion 65 and has mounting portions 30 for the plurality of gas pipes 31 and a plurality of holder-side ports 11. The holder-side lid portion 10 is movable between a connection position where the plurality of gas pipes 31 and the plurality of holder-side ports 11 are connected to the plurality of device-side ports 21 of the device-side lid portion 25 of the cell culture device 20, and a disconnection position where the connection between the plurality of device-side ports 21 and the plurality of gas pipes 31 and the plurality of holder-side ports 11 is disconnected. This allows the holder-side lid 10 to move from the connection position to the disconnection position, thereby enabling simultaneous disconnection of the multiple gas pipes 31. As a result, it is no longer necessary to disconnect the multiple gas pipes 31 every time the cell culture device 20 is removed from the cell culture apparatus 100. As a result, it becomes possible to easily remove the cell culture device 20 from the device holder 101 for cell culture. Furthermore, by moving the holder-side lid 10 from the connection position to the connection position, it becomes possible to simultaneously connect and disconnect the multiple gas pipes 31 that supply gas to the cell culture device 20.

[0027] In this embodiment, the underside of the holder-side lid 10 is provided with a plurality of O-rings 12 that seal the peripheries of the respective connection portions between the plurality of device-side ports 21 and the plurality of holder-side ports 11, and a pressing mechanism is further provided that presses the plurality of O-rings 12 located between the plurality of device-side ports 21 and the plurality of holder-side ports 11 at the connection position. As a result, when the device-side ports 21 and the holder-side ports 11 are connected, the O-rings 12 seal the gaps between the device-side ports 21 and the holder-side ports 11, so that the supplied gas can be supplied into the chamber without leaking from the gaps between the device-side ports 21 and the holder-side ports 11. Furthermore, by pressing the device-side lid 25 with a single pressing mechanism, the gaps between the device-side ports 21 and the holder-side ports 11 and the gap between the device-side lid 25 and the holder-side lid 10 can be sealed simultaneously, thereby simplifying the configuration of the device holder 101.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cell culture device main body 26 is provided with a plurality of gaskets 22 that seal the device-side lid 25 and the cell culture device main body 26, and the pressing mechanism is configured to press and compress the plurality of O-rings 12 against the device-side lid 25 and press and compress the plurality of gaskets 22 via the device-side lid 25 by lowering the holder-side lid 10 a predetermined amount from the disconnection position toward the connection position. This seals the gap between the device-side lid 25 and the holder-side lid 10 with the gaskets 22, allowing the supplied gas to be supplied without leaking from the gap between the device-side lid 25 and the holder-side lid 10. Furthermore, by pressing the device-side lid 25, the pressing mechanism can simultaneously seal the gap between the device-side port 21 and the holder-side port 11 and the gap between the device-side lid 25 and the holder-side lid 10, thereby simplifying the configuration of the device holder 101.

[0029] In this embodiment, the pressing mechanism includes a cam mechanism 50 that moves the holder-side lid part 10 between the connected position and the disconnected position, and presses the holder-side lid part 10 against the device-side lid part 25 at the connected position. This allows the cam mechanism 50 to easily move the holder-side lid part 10 up and down, and also makes it possible to easily press the holder-side lid part 10 toward the cell culture device 20.

[0030] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pressing mechanism includes an operating lever 40 connected to the cam mechanism 50 for raising and lowering the holder-side lid 10, and is configured such that moving the operating lever 40 in a first direction 41 rotates the cam mechanism 50 in a first rotational direction, thereby pressing down the holder-side lid 10, and moving the operating lever 40 in a second direction 42 rotates the cam mechanism 50 in a second rotational direction, thereby lifting the holder-side lid 10. This allows the holder-side lid 10 to be raised and lowered simply by moving the operating lever 40, facilitating connection between the holder-side lid 10 and the device-side lid 25.

[0031] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the device installation section 65 can slide horizontally between a first position where it is covered by the holder-side lid section 10 of the device holder 101 and where the multiple device-side ports 21 and the multiple holder-side ports 11 are aligned vertically, and a second position where the entire cell culture device 20 is exposed and not covered by the holder-side lid section 10. This allows the device installation section 65 to slide from below the holder-side lid section 10 to a location where the holder-side lid section 10 is not present. As a result, when removing or installing the cell culture device 20, cell culture operations can be performed without interference from the holder-side lid section 10.

[0032] In this embodiment, the device installation section 65 includes a mounting surface on which the cell culture device 20 is placed, side walls provided around the mounting surface, and leaf springs 60a (60b) that bias the cell culture device 20 on the mounting surface against the side walls. This allows the cell culture device 20 to be stably installed in a predetermined position without any rattle when fixed to the device installation section 65.

[0033] In this embodiment, the device holder 101 also includes a compression coil spring 52 that biases the holder-side lid 10 upward toward the disconnection position, thereby enabling the holder-side lid 10 to be supported without dropping to the device-side lid 25 due to gravity when moved to the disconnection position.

[0034] In this embodiment, the mounting portions 30 for the multiple gas pipes 31 provided on the holder-side lid 10 are provided in a direction along the upper surface of the holder-side lid 10, and the multiple gas pipes 31 are connected to the mounting portions 30 for the multiple gas pipes 31, respectively. Here, cell culture is performed by placing the device holder 101 in a thermostatic chamber such as an incubator 300 to culture cells. Because the height of the incubator 300 is limited, the smaller the device holder 101, the easier it is to place it in the incubator 300. As described above, the gas pipes 31 can be mounted horizontally, which allows the height of the device holder 101 to be kept lower than when mounted vertically. Therefore, the device holder 101 can be installed in a facility such as an incubator 300 without interference from the mounting portions 30 for the gas pipes 31 or the gas pipes 31 connected to the mounting portions 30.

[0035] This embodiment also includes a plurality of mass flow controllers 34 provided in each of the plurality of gas pipes 31, and a control unit 33 that individually controls the plurality of mass flow controllers 34 based on the set cell culture conditions. This allows the control unit 33 to control the gas supply pressure for each gas pipe 31.

[0036] (Variation) It should be noted that the embodiments and examples disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the description of the embodiments and examples above, and further includes all modifications (variations) within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0037] For example, in the above embodiment, the pressing mechanism is the cam mechanism 50, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the device-side lid 25 may be pressed by the screw portion of a clamp 70 as a pressing mechanism as shown in FIG.

[0038] In addition, in the above embodiment, the lever is operated manually, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of operating the lever, a motor or the like may be attached to the holder-side lid 10 or the device installation section 65, and automatic opening and closing may be performed by a program.

[0039] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a pressing mechanism using a solid such as a lever is used, but device-side lid portion 25 may also be pressed down by applying pressure from above or below using air pressure or the like.

[0040] (Aspect) It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described above are examples of the following aspects.

[0041] (Item 1) a device holder for holding a cell culture device including a plurality of culture chambers and a device-side lid having a plurality of device-side ports that communicate with the plurality of culture chambers, respectively; a gas supply unit including a plurality of gas pipes that supply gas to each of the plurality of culture chambers; The device holder includes: a device installation section on which the cell culture device is installed; a holder-side lid portion provided above the device installation portion and having mounting portions for the plurality of gas pipes and a plurality of holder-side ports; The cell culture device is configured so that the holder-side lid portion is movable between a connection position where the plurality of gas pipes and the plurality of holder-side ports are respectively connected to a plurality of device-side ports of the device-side lid portion of the cell culture device, and a disconnection position where the connection between the plurality of device-side ports and the plurality of gas pipes and the plurality of holder-side ports is disconnected.

[0042] (Item 2) a plurality of first seal members are provided on a lower surface of the holder-side lid portion to seal peripheries of connection portions between the plurality of device-side ports and the plurality of holder-side ports; Item 1. The cell culture device according to item 1, further comprising a pressing mechanism that presses the first seal members located between the device-side ports and the holder-side ports at the connection position.

[0043] (Item 3) the cell culture device body is provided with a plurality of second seal members that seal the device-side lid portion and the cell culture device body; Item 3. The cell culture device according to item 2, wherein the pressing mechanism is configured to press and compress the plurality of first sealing members against the device-side lid portion and to press and compress the plurality of second sealing members via the device-side lid portion by lowering the holder-side lid portion by a predetermined amount from the disconnection position toward the connection position.

[0044] (Item 4) 4. The cell culture device according to item 2 or 3, wherein the pressing mechanism includes a cam mechanism that moves the holder-side lid portion between the connected position and the disconnected position and presses the holder-side lid portion against the device-side lid portion at the connected position.

[0045] (Item 5) the pressing mechanism is connected to the cam mechanism and includes an operating lever for raising and lowering the holder-side lid portion; Item 5. The cell culture device according to item 4, wherein the operating lever is moved in a first direction, causing the cam mechanism to rotate in a first rotational direction, thereby pushing down the holder-side lid portion, and the operating lever is moved in a second direction, causing the cam mechanism to rotate in a second rotational direction, thereby lifting the holder-side lid portion.

[0046] (Item 6) 6. The cell culture device according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the device installation section is slidable horizontally between a first position where the device installation section is covered by the holder-side lid of the device holder and the plurality of device-side ports and the plurality of holder-side ports are aligned vertically, and a second position where the entire cell culture device is exposed without being covered by the holder-side lid.

[0047] (Item 7) The cell culture apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the device installation section includes a mounting surface on which the cell culture device is placed, a side wall provided around the mounting surface, and a first biasing member that biases the cell culture device on the mounting surface against the side wall.

[0048] (Item 8) 8. The cell culture device according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein the device holder includes a second biasing member that biases the holder-side lid portion upward toward the disconnection position.

[0049] (Item 9) 9. The cell culture device according to any one of items 1 to 8, wherein the mounting portions of the plurality of gas pipes provided on the holder-side lid portion are provided in a direction along the upper surface of the holder-side lid portion, and the plurality of gas pipes are respectively connected to the mounting portions of the plurality of gas pipes.

[0050] (Item 10) a plurality of pressure control mechanisms provided in the plurality of gas pipes, respectively; 10. The cell culture device according to any one of items 1 to 9, further comprising a control unit that controls the plurality of pressure control mechanisms individually based on set cell culture conditions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 10 Holder side cover 12 O-ring (first seal member) 20 Cell Culture Device 21 Device side port 22 Gasket (second sealing member) 23 Incubation chamber 24 Microchannels 25 Device side cover 26 Cell culture device main body 30 Mounting part 31 Gas piping 32 Air pump 33 Control Unit 34 Mass flow controller (pressure control mechanism) 40 Operating lever 50 Cam mechanism 51 Backing plate 52 compression coil spring (second biasing member) 60a, 60b: leaf spring (first biasing member) 61 Slide member 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d side wall 65 Device installation section 100 cell culture equipment 101 Device Holder 300 Incubator

Claims

1. a cell culture device including a plurality of culture chambers and a device-side lid portion having a plurality of device-side ports respectively communicating with the plurality of culture chambers; a device holder for holding the cell culture device; a gas supply unit including a plurality of gas pipes that supply gas to each of the plurality of culture chambers; The device holder includes: a device installation section on which the cell culture device is installed; a holder-side lid portion provided above the device installation portion and having mounting portions for the plurality of gas pipes and a plurality of holder-side ports; The holder-side lid portion is provided separately from the device-side lid portion of the cell culture device, and is configured to be movable by being pressed against the device-side lid portion of the cell culture device between a connection position where the plurality of gas pipes and the plurality of holder-side ports are respectively connected to the plurality of device-side ports of the device-side lid portion, and a disconnection position where the connection between the plurality of device-side ports and the plurality of gas pipes and the plurality of holder-side ports is disconnected.

2. a plurality of first seal members are provided on a lower surface of the holder-side lid portion to seal peripheries of connection portions between the plurality of device-side ports and the plurality of holder-side ports; The cell culture device according to claim 1 , further comprising a pressing mechanism that presses the first seal members located between the device-side ports and the holder-side ports at the connection position.

3. the cell culture device body is provided with a plurality of second seal members that seal the device-side lid portion and the cell culture device body; The cell culture device of claim 2, wherein the pressing mechanism is configured to press and compress the plurality of first sealing members against the device-side lid portion by lowering the holder-side lid portion a predetermined amount from the disconnection position toward the connection position, and to press and compress the plurality of second sealing members via the device-side lid portion.

4. The cell culture device of claim 2, wherein the pressing mechanism includes a cam mechanism that moves the holder side lid portion between the connection position and the disconnection position and presses the holder side lid portion against the device side lid portion at the connection position.

5. the pressing mechanism is connected to the cam mechanism and includes an operating lever for raising and lowering the holder-side lid portion; The cell culture device of claim 4, wherein the operating lever is moved in a first direction, causing the cam mechanism to rotate in a first rotational direction, thereby pushing down the holder-side lid portion, and the operating lever is moved in a second direction, causing the cam mechanism to rotate in a second rotational direction, thereby lifting the holder-side lid portion.

6. The cell culture device according to claim 1, wherein the device installation section is slidable horizontally between a first position where the device installation section is covered by the holder-side lid of the device holder and the plurality of device-side ports and the plurality of holder-side ports are aligned vertically, and a second position where the entire cell culture device is exposed and not covered by the holder-side lid.

7. The cell culture apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device installation section includes a mounting surface on which the cell culture device is placed, a side wall provided around the mounting surface, and a first biasing member that biases the cell culture device on the mounting surface against the side wall.

8. The cell culture device according to claim 1 , wherein the device holder includes a second biasing member that biases the holder-side lid portion upward toward the disconnection position.

9. 2. The cell culture device of claim 1, wherein the mounting portions of the plurality of gas pipes provided on the holder side lid portion are provided in a direction along the upper surface of the holder side lid portion, and the plurality of gas pipes are each connected to the mounting portions of the plurality of gas pipes.

10. a plurality of pressure control mechanisms provided in the plurality of gas pipes, respectively; The cell culture device according to claim 1 , further comprising a control unit that individually controls the plurality of pressure control mechanisms based on set cell culture conditions.

11. A device holder for holding a cell culture device including a plurality of culture chambers and a device-side lid portion having a plurality of device-side ports respectively communicating with the plurality of culture chambers; a gas supply unit including a plurality of gas pipes that individually supply gas to corresponding culture chambers among the plurality of culture chambers; The device holder includes: a device installation section on which the cell culture device is installed; a holder-side lid portion provided above the device installation portion and having mounting portions for the plurality of gas pipes and a plurality of holder-side ports; A gas supply apparatus for a cell culture device, wherein the holder-side lid portion is configured to be movable between a connection position where the plurality of gas pipes and the plurality of holder-side ports are respectively connected to a plurality of device-side ports of the device-side lid portion of the cell culture device, and a disconnection position where the connection between the plurality of device-side ports and the plurality of gas pipes and the plurality of holder-side ports is disconnected.

12. A device holder for holding a cell culture device including a plurality of culture chambers and a device-side lid portion having a plurality of device-side ports respectively communicating with the plurality of culture chambers; a gas supply unit including a plurality of gas pipes that supply gas to each of the plurality of culture chambers; The device holder includes: a device installation section on which the cell culture device is installed; a holder-side lid portion provided above the device installation portion and having mounting portions for the plurality of gas pipes and a plurality of holder-side ports; the holder-side lid portion is configured to be movable between a connection position at which the plurality of gas pipes and the plurality of holder-side ports are connected to the plurality of device-side ports of the device-side lid portion of the cell culture device, respectively, and a disconnection position at which the plurality of device-side ports are disconnected from the plurality of gas pipes and the plurality of holder-side ports, A gas supply apparatus for a cell culture device, wherein the underside of the holder side lid portion is provided with a plurality of first sealing members that seal around each connection portion between the plurality of device side ports and the plurality of holder side ports.

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