Sensor attachment member and sensor unit provided with same

Abstract

In the present invention, a sensor clip (10) comprises a placement part (11) and a bent part (13), and is a member for attaching a sensor (20), which is used in a state of being inserted into a flask (40), to an opening (42). The sensor (20) has: an end section (22) including electrodes (22a); an end section (23) including a contact point (23a); a body section (21) linking the end sections (22, 23); and a wiring section (24) provided to the body section (21) and connecting the electrodes (22a) to the contact point (23a). The body section (21) of the sensor (20) is placed on the placement part (11). The bent part (13) is connected to the placement part (11), is bent from the inner circumferential surface of the opening (42) along the outer circumferential surface thereof, and is locked to the opening (42) of the flask (40).

Description

Sensor mounting member and sensor unit equipped with same

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor mounting member for mounting a sensor to a container used in, for example, a cell culture analyzer, and a sensor unit including the same.

[0002] In recent years, cell culture analyzers have been used that measure the state of cell culture (analyze the culture state) while culturing cells using a measuring device placed inside an incubator (thermostat) with a culture module equipped with a sensor set in the measuring device. In such cell culture analyzers, various measurements are performed by immersing a sensor in a culture medium placed in a container such as a flask.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a multi-sensor component for installing sensors at individual ports of a container for culturing biological materials.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-6022

[0005] However, the above-mentioned conventional multi-sensor component has the following problem: The multi-sensor component disclosed in the above publication includes a housing portion that holds the sensor units and is inserted into a receiving opening that extends through each port of the container.

[0006] However, with this configuration, for example, when replacing a culture medium using a pipette, the housing must be removed along with the sensor unit in order to open the storage opening, which requires interrupting the measurement and makes it difficult to use.An object of the present invention is to provide a sensor mounting member and a sensor unit equipped with the same that can improve usability by allowing tasks such as replacing a culture medium to be performed while the sensor is attached to the opening of the container.

[0007] (Means for Solving the Problem) A sensor mounting member according to a first aspect of the present invention is a sensor mounting member for mounting a sensor, which is used while inserted inside a container, to an opening of the container, and includes a mounting portion and a bending portion. The sensor has a first end including an electrode to be inserted inside the container, a second end including a contact point connected to a measuring device installed outside the container, a main body connecting the first end and the second end, and a wiring portion provided on the main body and electrically connecting the electrode and the contact point. The main body of the sensor is mounted on the mounting portion. The bending portion is connected to the mounting portion and is bent so as to be positioned along the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the opening, and is engaged with the opening of the container.

[0008] Here, a sensor is attached from the inside to the outside of a container through an opening of the container using the sensor mounting member of the present invention. Here, the container in which the sensor is installed stores, for example, a medium for cell culture, and various components are measured using the sensor. Furthermore, the inside and outside of the container are in communication with each other through the opening. The opening of the container may be configured to be closed, for example, by a cap.

[0009] The sensor has an electrode at a first end side that is inserted into the container, a contact at a second end side opposite the first end side that is connected to the measuring device, and a wiring section that connects the electrode and the contact point is disposed on a main body section that connects the first end and the second end. The mounting section is, for example, a flat plate-shaped section on which the main body section of the sensor is mounted.

[0010] The bending portion is connected to the mounting portion and is a portion that is bent from the inner peripheral surface of the container to the outer peripheral surface, and guides the sensor body so that it is pulled from the inside to the outside of the container and is engaged with the opening of the container. Thus, by attaching the bending portion to the opening of the container, the sensor can be attached to the opening of the container with the opening open. As a result, tasks such as changing the culture medium can be performed while the sensor is attached to the opening of the container, improving usability.

[0011] A sensor-mounting member according to a second aspect of the present invention is the sensor-mounting member according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the bent portion is engaged with the opening of the container so as to sandwich the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the opening. This allows the sensor-mounting member, with the sensor held therein, to be easily attached to the opening of the container.

[0012] A sensor-mounting member according to a third aspect of the present invention is the sensor-mounting member according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, further comprising a gripping portion provided at an end of the bent portion that is gripped by a user when attaching the sensor-mounting member to the opening of a container with the sensor attached. This allows the user to easily attach the sensor-mounting member together with the sensor to the opening of a container while holding the gripping portion provided at the end of the bent portion. Furthermore, this prevents the user's fingers from touching the opening of the container when attaching the sensor-mounting member, effectively suppressing contamination inside the container.

[0013] A sensor mounting member according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the sensor mounting member according to the third aspect of the present invention, wherein the gripping portion has a tapered surface that guides the sensor, which is attached to the opening of the container and pulled out of the container through the opening, toward the measuring device. This allows the sensor body, which is pulled out from inside the container to outside along the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the opening, to be guided toward the measuring device using the tapered surface of the gripping portion, thereby facilitating connection between the measuring device and the sensor.

[0014] A sensor mounting member according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the sensor mounting member according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, further comprising a holding portion provided along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the mounting portion and configured to hold the sensor body on the mounting portion along the longitudinal direction. The holding portion is a portion, such as one or more locking pieces, provided along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the mounting portion to lock the sensor body onto the mounting portion. This allows the sensor to be attached to the opening of a container while being held by the sensor mounting member.

[0015] A sensor mounting member according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the sensor mounting member according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, wherein the holding portion includes a plurality of fold-back pieces that are folded back from the mounting portion in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the sensor, thereby enabling the sensor body to be stably held on the mounting portion using the plurality of fold-back pieces.

[0016] A sensor mounting member according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the sensor mounting member according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, wherein the plurality of fold-back pieces are provided alternately on both the left and right sides in the longitudinal direction of the sensor, thereby enabling the sensor body to be held even more stably on the mounting part by the plurality of fold-back pieces alternately holding the sensor body from both the left and right sides in the longitudinal direction.

[0017] A sensor-mounting member according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the sensor-mounting member according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein the container has a cap that closes the opening. By attaching the cap to close the opening while the sensor is attached to the opening using the sensor-mounting member, it is possible to prevent liquid such as culture medium from leaking out of the container.

[0018] A sensor-mounting member according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the sensor-mounting member according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, wherein the container has, on the outer peripheral surface of the substantially cylindrical opening, a second threaded portion having a thread formed thereon that threadably engages with a first threaded portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cap, and a flat portion having no threads. The sensor is mounted on the flat portion. This allows the sensor to be mounted on the flat portion where the second thread on the outer peripheral surface of the opening that threadably engages with the first thread on the inner peripheral surface of the cap ends, allowing the cap to be closed with the sensor and sensor-mounting member attached to the opening.

[0019] A sensor-mounting member according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the sensor-mounting member according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, further comprising a notch formed by cutting out a portion of the mounting portion, through which a first end of a sensor mounted on the mounting portion passes to the back surface of the mounting portion, whereby the first end of the sensor on the electrode side held on the upper surface of the mounting portion can be guided downward and positioned on the bottom surface of the container.

[0020] A sensor mounting member according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the sensor mounting member according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, further comprising an end portion connected to the mounting portion so as to sandwich the notch, and a buffer member attached so as to cover the contact portion of the end portion with the sensor wiring. Thus, when the sensor wiring is passed downward through the notch to mount the sensor on the sensor mounting member, the buffer member prevents the end portion from coming into contact with the wiring and damaging the sensor wiring.

[0021] A sensor unit according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention includes the sensor mounting member according to the first or second aspect of the present invention and a sensor that is attached to the opening of a container by the sensor mounting member. By configuring the sensor unit with the sensor mounting member and the sensor, tasks such as changing the culture medium can be performed with the sensor attached to the opening of the container, thereby achieving the same effect as above, that is, improved usability.

[0022] A sensor unit according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the sensor unit according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, wherein the sensor has a protective part that covers the wiring part at a position along the outer peripheral surface of the opening of the container. By providing the protective part that covers the wiring part of the sensor at a position along the outer peripheral surface of the opening, it is possible to prevent the wiring part of the sensor from being damaged by contact with the threads on the inner peripheral surface of the cap when closing the cap.

[0023] A sensor unit according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the sensor unit according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, wherein the protective part is provided integrally with the main body of the sensor so as to protrude in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the main body of the sensor, and is folded back onto the main body to cover the wiring part. This allows the wiring part to be covered by folding back the protective part integrated with the main body of the sensor, making it possible to protect the sensor wiring with a simple configuration.

[0024] A sensor unit according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the sensor unit according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, wherein the sensor is used with a first end provided with electrodes immersed in a culture medium placed in a container to detect components contained in the culture medium. By using the sensor with the electrodes provided at the first end immersed in the culture medium placed in the container, it is possible to use the sensor to detect each major component contained in the culture medium.

[0025] EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION The sensor mounting member according to the present invention can improve usability by allowing tasks such as culture medium replacement to be performed while the sensor remains attached to the opening of the container.

[0026] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a sensor is set on a flask in an incubator using a sensor clip according to an embodiment of the present invention and the sensor is connected to a measuring device via a contact clip. (a) is a top view of the flask with the sensor attached via the sensor clip of FIG. 1. (b) is a side view of (a). (c) is a cross-sectional view along line A-A of (a). An enlarged view showing a state in which a sensor is attached to the opening of the flask of FIG. 2(c) using the sensor clip. A perspective view showing the configuration of a flask to which a sensor is attached via the sensor clip of FIG. 1. (a) is a top view showing a state in which a cap is attached to the opening of the flask of FIG. 4. (b) is a cross-sectional view along line B-B of (a). A perspective view showing the configuration of a sensor unit including the sensor clip and sensor shown in FIG. 1 etc. A top view showing the sensor included in the sensor unit of FIG. 6 before the protective part is folded back. A perspective view showing the state in which the protective part included in the sensor of FIG. 7 is folded back. A perspective view showing the configuration of a sensor clip for attaching a sensor such as that of FIG. 8 to the opening of a flask.

[0027] A sensor clip (sensor mounting member) 10 and a sensor unit 30 including the same according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. Note that in this embodiment, unnecessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed description of well-known matters or redundant description of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the applicant provides the accompanying drawings and the following description to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present invention, and is not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the claims.

[0028] (1) Configuration of Sensor Unit 30 As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor unit 30 according to this embodiment is contained in a flask (container) 40 placed on a shelf of an incubator, and includes a sensor 20 that detects components contained in a culture medium X in a state where one end of the sensor 20 is immersed in the culture medium X for cell culture, and a sensor clip 10 for attaching the sensor 20 to an opening 42 of the flask (container) 40.

[0029] 1 , one end of the sensor 20 of the sensor unit 30 is immersed in the culture medium X stored inside the flask 40, and the other end is connected to a measuring device 60 via a contact clip (sensor connecting member) 50 provided on the outside of the flask 40. The measuring device 60 is, for example, a device that detects various components contained in the culture medium X using the sensor 20, and is controlled by a PC (Personal Computer) 61.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 2( a), 2(b), and 2(c), the sensor clip 10 is used in a state where it is engaged with the bottom of the opening 42 of the flask 40 in order to attach the sensor 20 to the opening 42. The detailed configuration of the sensor clip 10 will be described later. As shown in FIGS. 2( a), 2(b), and 2(c), the sensor 20 is attached to the opening 42 of the flask 40 by the sensor clip 10 and is installed so as to extend from the inside of the main body 41 of the flask 40 to the outside through the opening 42. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the sensor 20 is arranged so that an end (first end) 22 including the electrode 22a is disposed inside the flask 40, and an end (second end) 23 including a contact 23a (see FIG. 6, etc.) connected to the electrode 22a via a wiring portion 24 is extended to the outside of the flask 40.

[0031] 2(a) to 3, the flask 40 has a cap 43 that can be attached to the opening 42 to which the sensor 20 is attached using the sensor clip 10. With the sensor 20 attached using the sensor clip 10, the opening 42 can be covered with the cap 43 to prevent leakage of the culture medium X or the like. Furthermore, for example, when replacing the culture medium X in the flask 40, the cap 43 can be removed, allowing the culture medium X to be replaced using a tool such as a dropper through the opening 42 with the sensor 20 still attached. The detailed configuration of the sensor 20 will be described later.

[0032] (2) Structure of Flask 40 The flask (container) 40 is a container for storing culture medium X for cell culture, and as shown in FIG. 4, is a roughly rectangular container having a main body 41, an opening 42, and a cap 43.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 4, the main body 41 is a substantially rectangular housing portion in which the culture medium X is stored and which has an opening 42 provided on one of its end faces. As shown in Figs. 5(a) and 5(b), the opening 42 is a substantially cylindrical portion provided on the end face of the substantially rectangular main body 41 that connects the inside and outside of the main body 41, and is provided obliquely upward from the inside to the outside of the main body 41. As shown in Fig. 4, the opening 42 has a screw thread (second screw portion) 42a and a flat portion 42b on its outer circumferential surface.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 4, the thread (second thread portion) 42a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the substantially cylindrical opening 42 and screws into the thread (first thread portion) 43a on the cap 43. As shown in Fig. 4, the flat portions 42b are provided on the upper and lower portions of the outer peripheral surface of the substantially cylindrical opening 42, and are flat surfaces where the thread 42a is partially discontinued. When the sensor 20 is attached to the opening 42 of the flask 40 by the sensor clip 10, the portion of the sensor 20 covered by the protective portion 25 is positioned on the flat portions 42b (see Fig. 2(c)).

[0035] As a result, even when the cap 43 is attached to the opening 42, the sensor 20 is positioned together with the sensor clip 10 in the gap formed between the inner circumferential surface of the cap 43 and the outer circumferential surface of the opening 42. Therefore, even when the sensor 20 is attached to the opening 42 using the sensor clip 10, the cap 43 that closes the opening 42 can be attached. The cap 43 is a cylindrical lid member with a bottom that closes the opening 42, and as shown in FIG. 5( b), has a screw thread (first screw portion) 43a on its inner circumferential surface. As shown in FIG. 5( b), the screw thread (first screw portion) 43a is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical cap 43, and threads into the screw thread 42a (see FIG. 4) on the opening 42, thereby closing the opening 42 with the cap 43.

[0036] (3) Configuration of Sensor 20 As shown in Fig. 6, the sensor 20 is included in a sensor unit 30, and is attached to the opening 42 of the flask 40 while being held by a sensor clip 10. As shown in Fig. 7, the sensor 20 has an end (first end) 22, an end (second end) 23, a main body 21 connecting the ends 22 and 23, a wiring portion 24, and a protective portion 25.

[0037] The main body 21 is a thin plate-like member molded from, for example, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) resin, and as shown in Fig. 7 , has an end portion 22 including an electrode 22a at one end in the longitudinal direction and an end portion 23 including a contact 23a at the other end. In addition, a protective portion 25 is provided so as to protrude in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the main body 21. As shown in Fig. 7 , the end portion (first end portion) 22 is provided with an electrode 22a to be inserted into the flask 40. The end portion 22 is positioned so that the electrode 22a is immersed in the culture medium X stored in the flask 40.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 7, end (second end) 23 is provided with a contact 23a that is connected to a measuring device 60 installed outside flask 40. End 23 is connected to measuring device 60 installed outside the incubator via contact clip 50 (see Fig. 1), at contact 23a. Wiring portion 24 is provided along the upper surface of main body 21 from end 22 to end 23, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, and electrically connects electrode 22a and contact 23a.

[0039] The protective portion 25 is a thin plate-like member molded from PET resin, similar to the main body portion 21, and is connected to the main body portion 21 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. The protective portion 25 is folded back from the main body portion 21 in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 7 at a folding line 25a provided at the connecting portion with the main body portion 21, thereby covering a part of the wiring portion 24 provided on the upper surface of the main body portion 21, as shown in Fig. 8.

[0040] 8 is disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the opening 42 when the sensor 20 is attached to the opening 42 of the flask 40 as shown in Fig. 3 etc. In this way, when the sensor 20 is attached to the opening 42 of the flask 40 using the sensor clip 10, the protective part 25 can prevent the wiring part 24 of the sensor 20 from being damaged by, for example, the threads 43a provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cap 43.

[0041] (4) Configuration of Sensor Clip 10 The sensor clip (sensor mounting member) 10 according to this embodiment is formed, for example, by sheet metal processing a stainless steel plate member, and as shown in Fig. 3 etc., the sensor clip 10 holds the sensor 20 and mounts it to the opening 42 of the flask 40. As shown in Fig. 9 , the sensor clip 10 includes a mounting portion 11, a holding portion 12, a bending portion 13, a gripping portion 14, and a silicone tube (buffer member) 15.

[0042] The mounting portion 11 is a long, thin plate-like portion, and the sensor 20 is mounted on the upper surface thereof. As shown in Fig. 9, the mounting portion 11 has an end portion 11b connected to one end thereof, and a bending portion 13 and a grip portion 14 connected to the other end thereof. In addition, as shown in Fig. 9, a notch portion 11a formed by cutting out a part of the mounting portion 11 is provided between the mounting portion 11 and the end portion 11b.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 9, the cutout portion 11a is provided by cutting out a portion of the mounting portion 11, and allows the end portion 22 side including the electrode 22a of the sensor 20 placed on the upper surface of the mounting portion 11 to pass through to the back side of the mounting portion 11. As a result, the end portion 22 including the electrode 22a of the sensor 20 is guided from the upper surface side to the back side of the mounting portion 11 and immersed in the culture medium X stored in the flask 40. As shown in Fig. 9, the end portion 11b is connected to the mounting portion 11 on the same plane as the mounting portion 11 so as to sandwich the cutout portion 11a. More specifically, the end portion 11b is connected to the mounting portion 11 by a narrow portion excluding the portion where the cutout portion 11a is provided.

[0044] The holder 12 is provided in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the mounting portion 11 and holds the main body 21 of the sensor 20 along the longitudinal direction on the upper surface of the mounting portion 11 (see FIG. 6 ). As shown in FIG. 9 , the holder 12 has a plurality of fold-back pieces 12a that are folded back on the mounting portion 11 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the sensor 20. As shown in FIG. 9 , the plurality of fold-back pieces 12a are provided alternately on both the left and right sides of the sensor 20 in the longitudinal direction. This allows the sensor 20 to be securely held from both sides on the upper surface of the mounting portion 11 using the plurality of fold-back pieces 12a, as shown in FIG. 6 and other figures.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 9, the bent portion 13 is connected to the mounting portion 11, is bent so as to be positioned along the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the opening 42 of the flask 40, and is engaged with the opening 42 of the flask 40. The bent portion 13 is attached to the opening 42 so as to sandwich the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the opening 42 of the flask 40 (see Fig. 2(c)). This allows the sensor clip 10 to be easily attached to the opening 42 of the flask 40 while holding the sensor 20.

[0046] As shown in Figure 9, the gripping portion 14 is provided at the end of the bent portion 13 opposite the end connected to the mounting portion 11. The gripping portion 14 is gripped by the user's fingers when attaching the sensor clip 10 to the opening 42 of the flask 40 with the sensor 20 attached. As a result, when attaching the sensor clip 10 to the opening 42 of the flask 40 while holding the sensor 20, the gripping portion 14 is gripped at a position as far away as possible from the bent portion 13 that engages with the opening 42. This prevents the user's fingers from accidentally touching the area around the opening 42, and suppresses contamination inside the flask 40 via the opening 42.

[0047] 9, gripping portion 14 has tapered surface 14a bent at a predetermined angle relative to the upper surface of gripping portion 14 that is connected to bent portion 13. Tapered surface 14a guides end 23 including contact point 23a so that sensor 20, when attached to opening 42 of flask 40, is pulled out of flask 40 through opening 42 and bent along bent portion 13, and then folded back toward measuring device 60.

[0048] 6, the silicon tube (buffer member) 15 is a buffer member made of silicon resin, for example, and is attached so as to cover the contact portion of the end 11b with the wiring portion 24 of the sensor 20. This prevents the wiring portion 24 of the sensor 20, which passes through the cutout portion 11a and is led from the upper surface of the mounting portion 11 to the back side, from coming into contact with the end 11b and being damaged.

[0049] <Major Features> As shown in Fig. 3 and other figures, the sensor clip 10 of this embodiment is a component for attaching the sensor 20, which is used while inserted inside the flask 40, to the opening 42, and includes a mounting portion 11 and a bent portion 13. The sensor 20 has an end portion 22 including an electrode 22a to be inserted inside the flask 40, an end portion 23 including a contact 23a to be connected to a measuring device 60 installed outside the flask 40, a main body portion 21 connecting the end portions 22, 23, and a wiring portion 24 provided on the main body portion 21 and electrically connecting the electrode 22a and the contact 23a. The main body portion 21 of the sensor 20 is mounted on the mounting portion 11. The bent portion 13 is connected to the mounting portion 11 and is bent so as to be positioned along the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the opening 42, and is engaged with the opening 42 of the flask 40.

[0050] As a result, by attaching the bent portion to the opening 42 of the flask 40, the sensor 20 can be attached to the opening 42 of the flask 40 while the opening 42 is left open. As a result, the culture medium X can be replaced or the like while the sensor 20 is attached to the opening 42 of the flask 40, thereby improving usability.

[0051] [Other Embodiments] While one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. (A) In the above embodiment, the sensor clip 10 is used to attach the sensor 20, which is used with its end 22 including the electrode 22a immersed in the medium X in which cells are cultured, to a container such as a flask 40. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sensor attachment member (sensor clip) may be used to attach various sensors to a container, not just sensors used for cell culture.

[0052] (B) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the protective portion 25 that covers and protects the wiring portion 24 of the sensor 20 is used by folding back a portion of the main body portion 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the protective portion that covers the wiring portion of the sensor may be provided as a separate member from the main body portion of the sensor.

[0053] (C) In the above embodiment, the sensor clip 10 is described as having the grip portion 14, which is gripped by the user's fingers, provided facing downward at the end of the bent portion 13. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the grip portion for gripping the sensor mounting member may be configured to protrude sideways from the end of the bent portion, or may be provided in another position.

[0054] (D) In ​​the above embodiment, an example was described in which multiple folded pieces 12a were used as the holding portion 12 that holds the main body 21 of the sensor 20 on the mounting portion 11 of the sensor clip 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a single folded piece may be used to hold the main body of the sensor on the mounting portion of the sensor mounting member.

[0055] The holding section may be configured to fix the sensor body to the mounting section. For example, double-sided adhesive tape may be used to secure the back surface of the sensor to the mounting section. Alternatively, the sensor and mounting section may be held together by wrapping tape around the outer periphery of the sensor. Alternatively, the sensor and mounting section may be held by clamping them together using a means such as a general clip. Alternatively, the sensor and mounting section may be held together by sandwiching them between two plate-like members and fastening the two plate-like members with screws or other fastening members.

[0056] (E) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which multiple folded pieces 12a were provided alternately on the left and right sides along the longitudinal direction of the sensor 20 as the holding portion 12 that holds the main body 21 of the sensor 20 in the mounting portion 11 of the sensor clip 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, multiple folded pieces may be provided on the same side in the longitudinal direction of the sensor, or may be provided randomly rather than alternately.

[0057] (F) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the opening 42 of the flask 40, to which the sensor 20 was attached using the sensor clip 10, was closed with the cap 43. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sensor may be attached via a sensor attachment member to the opening of a container that does not use a cap.

[0058] (G) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which a flat portion 42b without threads was provided on a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the opening 42 of the flask 40 to which the sensor 20 was attached using the sensor clip 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sensor may be attached via a sensor attachment member to an opening whose outer peripheral surface is threaded in the entire circumferential direction. In such a configuration, when attaching a cap to the opening, it is sufficient to prepare a cap with a slightly larger inner diameter than usual and attach it.

[0059] The sensor mounting member of the present invention has the effect of improving usability by allowing tasks such as culture medium replacement to be performed while the sensor is attached to the opening of the container, and is therefore widely applicable to analytical devices such as cell culture devices that perform various measurements.

[0060] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Sensor clip (sensor mounting member) 11 Mounting portion 11a Notched portion 11b End portion 12 Holding portion 12a Folded piece 13 Bent portion 14 Grip portion 14a Tapered surface 15 Silicone tube (buffer member) 20 Sensor 21 Main body portion 22 End portion (first end portion) 22a Electrode 23 End portion (second end portion) 23a Contact 24 Wiring portion 25 Protective portion 25a Folded line 30 Sensor unit 40 Flask (container) 41 Main body portion 42 Opening portion 42a Thread (second screw portion) 42b Flat portion 43 Cap 43a Thread (first screw portion) 50 Contact clip (sensor connecting member) 60 Measuring device 61 PC X culture medium

Claims

1. A sensor mounting member for mounting a sensor to be used while inserted inside a container to an opening of the container, the sensor having a first end including an electrode to be inserted inside the container, a second end including a contact connected to a measuring device installed outside the container, a main body portion connecting the first end and the second end, and a wiring portion provided on the main body portion and electrically connecting the electrode and the contact, the sensor mounting member comprising: a mounting portion on which the main body portion of the sensor is placed, and a bent portion connected to the mounting portion, bent so as to be positioned along the inner surface of the opening along the outer surface, and engaged with the opening of the container.

2. The sensor mounting member according to claim 1, wherein the bent portion is engaged with the opening of the container so as to sandwich the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the opening.

3. A sensor mounting member as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a gripping portion provided at an end of the bent portion and gripped by a user when attaching the sensor mounted to the opening of the container.

4. A sensor mounting member as described in claim 3, wherein the gripping portion has a tapered surface that guides the sensor, which is pulled out of the container through the opening, toward the measuring device when the sensor is attached to the opening of the container.

5. A sensor mounting member as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a holding portion provided along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the mounting portion, for holding the main body of the sensor along the longitudinal direction on the mounting portion.

6. The sensor mounting member according to claim 5, wherein the holding portion includes a plurality of fold-back pieces folded back from the placement portion in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the sensor.

7. The sensor mounting member according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of folded-back pieces are provided alternately on both the left and right sides in the longitudinal direction of the sensor.

8. The sensor mounting member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container has a cap that closes the opening.

9. A sensor mounting member as described in claim 8, wherein the container has a second threaded portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the approximately cylindrical opening, the second threaded portion having a thread that screws into a first threaded portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cap, and a flat portion on which the thread is not formed, and the sensor is installed on the flat portion.

10. A sensor mounting member as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a cutout portion formed by cutting out a portion of the mounting portion, through which a first end side of the sensor placed on the mounting portion passes to the back side of the mounting portion.

11. The sensor mounting member as described in claim 10, further comprising: an end portion connected to the mounting portion so as to sandwich the cutout portion; and a buffer member attached so as to cover the contact portion of the end portion with the wiring portion of the sensor.

12. A sensor unit comprising: a sensor mounting member according to claim 1 or 2; and a sensor that is mounted to the opening of the container by the sensor mounting member.

13. The sensor unit according to claim 12, wherein the sensor has a protective section that covers the wiring section and is located along the outer circumferential surface of the opening of the container.

14. A sensor unit as described in claim 13, wherein the protective portion is integral with the main body portion of the sensor so as to protrude in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the main body portion, and is folded back over the main body portion to cover the wiring portion.

15. The sensor unit according to claim 12, wherein the sensor is used with the first end, on which the electrodes are provided, immersed in a culture medium placed in the container, and detects components contained in the culture medium.

Images