Culture device and culture system

Abstract

This culture device is placed in a culture environment generation device during the culturing of cells. The culture device comprises: a frame part, the front of which is open and which has a left frame and a right frame facing each other in the left-right direction; and a rocking part which is provided to the frame part and applies a rocking motion to a culture vessel. The frame part has a container arrangement region in which the culture vessel, a supply vessel, and a discharge vessel are arranged between the left frame and the right frame.

Description

Culture device and culture system

[0001] The present invention relates to a culture device and a culture system.

[0002] Conventionally, culture devices for culturing cultures of cells, microorganisms, etc. in a culture chamber have been known (see Patent Document 1). In such culture devices, a culture vessel is placed in the culture chamber during cell culture. The culture vessel contains cells to be cultured and a culture solution.

[0003] The above-mentioned culture device also has a pump for supplying the culture medium to the culture vessel from the outside of the culture device.

[0004] Special Publication No. 2018-525009

[0005] In the technical field of cell culture as described above, there is a demand for a culture device and a culture system having a novel configuration.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a culture device and a culture system having a novel configuration.

[0007] One aspect of the culture device according to the present invention is a culture device that is placed inside a culture environment generating device during cell culture, and is equipped with a frame section that has a left frame and a right frame that face each other in the left-right direction and is open at the front, and a rocking section that is provided in the frame section and rocks the culture container, and the frame section has a container placement area between the left frame and the right frame in which the culture container, the supply container, and the discharge container are placed.

[0008] One aspect of the culture system according to the present invention includes: the culture device described above; and a culture environment generating device having a culture space for accommodating the culture device during cell culture.

[0009] According to the present invention, a culture device and a culture system having a novel configuration can be provided.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a culture system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the culture system. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the culture system. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a culture environment generating device. FIG. 5 is a front view of a container unit. FIG. 6 is a front view of a frame section. FIG. 7 is a front view of the culture device. FIG. 8 is a rear view of the culture device. FIG. 9 is a left side view of the culture device. FIG. 10 is a right side view of the culture device. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the culture device. FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the culture device. FIG. 13 is a front view of the culture device in a state where the culture container is rocking. FIG. 14 is a front view of the culture device in a state where the culture container is rocking.

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

[0012] [Embodiment] The configuration of a culture system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs.

[0013] In the following description, a Cartesian coordinate system (X, Y, Z) shown in each figure may be used to explain the structure of each component constituting the culture system 1. The X direction coincides with the front-to-rear direction of the culture environment generating device 2 and the culture device 5 constituting the culture system 1.

[0014] The positive side of the X direction corresponds to the front side of the culture environment generating device 2 and the culture device 5. The front side of the culture environment generating device 2 and the culture device 5 is the side that the user faces when in use. The negative side of the X direction corresponds to the rear side of the culture environment generating device 2 and the culture device 5.

[0015] The Y direction corresponds to the left-right direction of the culture environment generating apparatus 2 and the culture apparatus 5. The + side of the Y direction corresponds to the left side when the culture environment generating apparatus 2 and the culture apparatus 5 are viewed from the front of the culture environment generating apparatus 2 and the culture apparatus 5. The - side of the Y direction corresponds to the right side when the culture environment generating apparatus 2 and the culture apparatus 5 are viewed from the front of the culture environment generating apparatus 2 and the culture apparatus 5.

[0016] The Z direction corresponds to the up-down direction of the culture environment generating apparatus 2 and the culture apparatus 5. The + side of the Z direction corresponds to the upper side of the culture environment generating apparatus 2 and the culture apparatus 5. The upper side of the culture environment generating apparatus 2 and the culture apparatus 5 is the side away from the ground surface on which the culture environment generating apparatus 2 and the culture apparatus 5 are installed. The - side of the Z direction corresponds to the lower side of the culture environment generating apparatus 2 and the culture apparatus 5.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the culture system 1 includes a culture environment generating device 2, a container unit 4, a culture device 5, and an external terminal 6.

[0018] First, an overview of the culture system 1 will be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the culture system 1 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a front view of the culture system 1, with some components omitted. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the culture system 1.

[0019] The culture environment generating device 2 has a function of adjusting the environment of the culture chamber 201a to an environment suitable for cell culture. The culture chamber 201a corresponds to an example of a culture space.

[0020] During cell culture, the culture device 5 is placed in the culture chamber 201a of the culture environment generating device 2 with the container unit 4 supported thereon.

[0021] The culture device 5 has a function of rocking the culture vessel 43 (see FIG. 5) of the vessel unit 4 during cell culture.

[0022] Furthermore, the culture device 5 has a function of acquiring information about the progress of cell culture from the culture solution contained in the culture vessel 43 during cell culture.

[0023] The culture device 5 also has a function of transmitting information relating to the progress of cell culture obtained from the culture solution contained in the culture container 43 to the external terminal 6. The external terminal 6 displays the information relating to the progress of cell culture received from the culture device 5 on the display unit 61.

[0024] As a result, the user can know the culture status of the target cells in real time based on the information about the culture solution displayed on the display unit 61 of the external terminal 6. A specific configuration of the culture system 1 will be described below.

[0025] The culture environment generating device 2 is a device for adjusting the environment of the culture chamber 201a formed inside the approximately box-shaped housing 20 to an environment suitable for cell culture. In this example, an existing culture environment generating device (e.g., CO ２ In the culture chamber 201a, cells, microorganisms, etc. are cultured. Hereinafter, the culture of cells, tissues, microorganisms, etc. will be collectively referred to as cell culture. Cells, microorganisms, etc. that are the subject of cell culture will be collectively referred to as subject cells.

[0026] The culture environment generating device 2 controls the temperature, humidity, and O so that the atmosphere in the culture chamber 201a becomes an environment (in other words, an atmosphere) suitable for culturing the target cells. ２ (Oxygen) concentration and CO ２ It has the function of adjusting the (carbon dioxide) concentration.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 4, the housing 20 has an inner box 201, an outer box 202, a heat insulating material 203, an outer door 204, an inner door 205, and a front panel 206. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the culture environment generating device 2 cut along the XZ plane and viewed from the - side in the Y direction (i.e., the right side). The culture device 5 is omitted from Fig. 4.

[0028] The inner box 201 is made of metal and has a generally box-like shape. The inner box 201 has a culture chamber 201a inside. The inner box 201 also has an opening 201b for the culture chamber 201a on the front side. The culture chamber 201a has a size large enough to accommodate the culture device 5. The culture chamber 201a accommodates the culture device 5 during cell culture.

[0029] The outer box 202 is made of metal and has a generally box-like shape. The outer box 202 covers the outer surface of the inner box 201 except for the opening 201b (i.e., the area other than the front surface of the inner box 201).

[0030] The heat insulating material 203 is provided between the inner box 201 and the outer box 202. The heat insulating material 203 is made up of a plurality of plate-shaped heat insulating members bonded together with an adhesive.

[0031] The outer door 204 is fixed to the front surface of the outer box 202. The outer door 204 is rotatable. The inner door 205 is fixed to the front surface of the inner box 201. The inner door 205 is rotatable. The outer door 204 and the inner door 205 open and close the opening 201b.

[0032] The front plate 206 is a plate-like member having a rectangular frame shape. The front plate 206 is arranged along the opening 201b. The front plate 206 connects the front end of the inner box 201 and the front end of the outer box 202 around the periphery of the opening 201b. A packing P is arranged between the front plate 206 and the outer edge of the outer door 204.

[0033] The culture environment generating device 2 also includes a heating unit 21 that heats the culture chamber 201a. The heating unit 21 includes multiple heaters. Each of the multiple heaters is plate-shaped. Specifically, the heating unit 21 includes heaters 211, 212, 213, and 214, as well as a side heater (not shown).

[0034] The heaters 211, 212, 213, 214 and the side heaters are controlled by a control device 29 described later so that the temperature distribution in the culture chamber 201a is uniform.

[0035] The culture environment generating apparatus 2 has a duct 22 in the culture chamber 201a. The duct 22 has a gas passage K therein.

[0036] The culture environment generating device 2 has a circulation fan 23 in the gas passage K. The circulation fan 23 draws air into the culture chamber 201a from an intake port 22a formed in the upper part of the duct 22.

[0037] The circulation fan 23 then sends the air drawn into the duct 22 downward in the duct 22. The air sent downward in the duct 22 by the circulation fan 23 is blown out into the culture chamber 201a from an outlet 22b provided at the bottom of the duct 22. As a result, air circulates in the culture chamber 201a.

[0038] The culture environment generating apparatus 2 has a temperature sensor 24 in the duct 22. The temperature sensor 24 detects the temperature of the culture chamber 201a. The culture environment generating apparatus 2 has a humidity sensor (not shown). The humidity sensor detects the humidity of the culture chamber 201a.

[0039] The culture environment generating device 2 has gas supply devices 26a and 26b in the duct 22. The gas supply devices 26a and 26b supply adjustment gas to the culture chamber 201a to adjust the O2 concentration in the culture chamber 201a. ２ Gas concentration and CO ２ The gas concentration is adjusted. The adjusting gas is, for example, O ２ Gas, N ２ (Nitrogen) gas and CO ２ It may contain a gas.

[0040] The culture environment generating apparatus 2 has a cover 27 that covers the back and bottom of the outer box 202. The space between the back of the outer box 202 and the cover 27 is a machine room M in which various devices are placed.

[0041] The culture environment generating apparatus 2 has an electrical equipment box 28 in the machine room M. The culture environment generating apparatus 2 also has a control device 29 in the electrical equipment box 28.

[0042] The culture environment generating device 2 may have a steam supply device that supplies steam to the culture chamber 201a.

[0043] The culture environment generating device 2 has a dehumidifier 31. The dehumidifier 31 includes a rod-shaped dehumidifying member made of metal. The dehumidifier 31 prevents condensation in the culture chamber 201a by dehumidifying the culture chamber 201a. In other words, the dehumidifier 31 functions as a humidity control unit.

[0044] The culture environment generating apparatus 2 having the above-described configuration accepts input of instructions to start and stop the culture environment generating apparatus 2, setting of the operating mode, and various setting values ​​for the culture chamber 201a from the operation unit 32 provided on the outer door 204.

[0045] Based on information input via the operation unit 32 (in other words, the control panel), the control device 29 controls each element constituting the culture environment generating device 2. As a result, the environment of the culture chamber 201a becomes an atmosphere suitable for cell culture.

[0046] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the container unit 4. Fig. 5 is a front view of the container unit 4. The container unit 4 has a supply container 41, a culture container 43, a discharge container 44, a supply tube 45, and a discharge tube 46.

[0047] The supply container 41 contains a supply culture medium (in other words, unused culture medium). The supply culture medium is supplied to the culture container 43 by a supply pump unit 531, which will be described later.

[0048] In this embodiment, the supply container 41 includes a lower supply container 411, an upper supply container 412, and a connecting tube 42. The lower supply container 411 and the upper supply container 412 each contain a culture medium to be supplied. In this embodiment, the supply container 41 is a two-tiered supply container stacked one above the other.

[0049] The lower supply container 411 has a container body 411a, a first port 411b, and a second port 411c.

[0050] The container body 411a is a flexible bag-shaped container. The first port 411b and the second port 411c are provided at the front end of the container body 411a. During cell culture, the lower supply container 411 is placed in the supply container placement area 514a (see FIG. 6 ) of the culture device 5 with the first port 411b and the second port 411c positioned forward.

[0051] The first port 411b is provided in one half (the right half in this embodiment) of the front end of the container body 411a, and the second port 411c is provided in the other half (the left half in this embodiment) of the front end of the container body 411a.

[0052] The first port 411b is a port into which the culture medium supplied from the upper supply container 412 to the lower supply container 411 flows.

[0053] The second port 411c is a port through which the culture medium flows from the lower supply container 411 toward the culture container 43. The second port 411c corresponds to an example of an outlet port of a supply container.

[0054] During cell culture, the lower supply container 411 is disposed in an inclined state so that the right end is higher than the left end. In other words, during cell culture, the lower supply container 411 is inclined so that the second port 411c side, which is the outflow port, is lower.

[0055] Therefore, the culture medium contained in the lower supply container 411 collects at the left end due to gravity. That is, the culture medium contained in the lower supply container 411 collects on the second port 411c side. As a result, even when the amount of culture medium in the lower supply container 411 becomes low, the culture medium is likely to flow out from the second port 411c.

[0056] The upper supply container 412 has the same configuration as the lower supply container 411. Specifically, the upper supply container 412 has a container body 412a, a first port 412b, and a second port 412c.

[0057] The container body 412a is a flexible bag-shaped container. The first port 412b and the second port 412c are provided at the front end of the container body 412a. During cell culture, the upper supply container 412 is supported by the culture device 5 with the first port 412b and the second port 412c positioned forward.

[0058] The first port 412b is provided in one half (the right half in this embodiment) at the front end of the container body 412a. In this embodiment, the first port 412b is closed.

[0059] In the case of a three-tier supply container in which another supply container (not shown) is placed above the upper supply container 412, the first port 412b of the upper supply container 412 is connected to the second port of the other supply container by a connecting tube (not shown). In this case, the first port 412b of the upper supply container 412 functions as an inflow port for the culture medium moving from the other supply container to the upper supply container 412.

[0060] The second port 412c is provided on the other side (the left half in this embodiment) of the front end of the container body 411a. The second port 412c is a port through which the culture medium supplied from the upper supply container 412 to the lower supply container 411 flows out.

[0061] The upper supply container 412 is disposed in an inclined state during cell culture so that the right end is higher than the left end. In other words, the upper supply container 412 is inclined so that the second port 412c side, which is the outflow port, is lower during cell culture.

[0062] Therefore, the culture medium contained in the upper supply container 412 collects at the left end due to gravity. In other words, the culture medium contained in the upper supply container 412 collects on the second port 412c side. As a result, even when the amount of culture medium in the upper supply container 412 becomes low, the culture medium is likely to flow out from the second port 412c.

[0063] The culture vessel 43 contains a culture medium and target cells. The target cells are cells to be cultured. The culture vessel 43 includes a vessel body 431, a first port 432, a second port 433, and a vessel-side sensor 434.

[0064] Before cell culture is started in the culture device 5, target cells and a culture medium are contained in the culture vessel 43. When cell culture is started in the culture device 5, a culture medium is supplied from the supply vessel 41 to the culture vessel 43.

[0065] The container body 431 is a flexible, bag-shaped container. The container has a water vapor permeability and a gas permeability that are optimally set according to the cells and culture solution to be contained therein. By using such a container, the environment inside the container can be made to resemble the environment inside the culture environment generating device 2. The first port 432 and the second port 433 are each provided at the front end of the container body 431. During cell culture, the culture container 43 is placed in the culture container placement area 514b (see FIG. 6 ) of the culture device 5 with the first port 432 and the second port 433 positioned forward.

[0066] The first port 432 is provided in one half (in this embodiment, the right half) of the front end of the container body 431 .

[0067] In this embodiment, the first port 432 is configured as a pair of ports arranged side by side on the left and right. Only one of the pair of ports constituting the first port 432 (the right port in this embodiment) is used. The other of the pair of ports constituting the first port 432 (the left port in this embodiment) is closed.

[0068] The second port 433 is provided on the other side (the left half in this embodiment) of the front end of the container body 431 .

[0069] In this embodiment, the second port 433 is configured as a pair of ports arranged side by side on the left and right. Only one port (the right port in this embodiment) of the pair of ports that make up the second port 433 is used. The other port (the left port in this embodiment) of the pair of ports that make up the second port 433 is closed.

[0070] The first port 432 is a port through which the culture medium flows out from the culture vessel 43 toward the discharge vessel 44. The first port 432 corresponds to an example of an outlet port of the culture vessel.

[0071] The second port 433 is a port through which the culture medium flows in to be supplied from the supply container 41 (specifically, the lower supply container 411) to the culture container 43. The second port 433 corresponds to an example of an inflow port of the culture container.

[0072] The container-side sensor 434 is provided in the center of the front end of the container body 431. In other words, the container-side sensor 434 is provided at the front end of the container body 431 between the first port 432 and the second port 433.

[0073] A first end of the container-side sensor 434 is exposed to the outside of the culture container 43 (i.e., the container body 431). Meanwhile, a second end of the container-side sensor 434 is disposed inside the culture container 43 (i.e., the container body 431). A reagent is provided at the second end of the container-side sensor 434. The second end of the container-side sensor 434 is in contact with the culture solution contained in the culture container 43 (i.e., the container body 431). Such a container-side sensor 434 is a sensor that detects the state of the culture solution based on an electrical signal generated by a reaction of the reagent provided at the second end.

[0074] The discharge container 44 contains the culture medium discharged from the culture container 43 (in other words, used culture medium). The discharge container 44 is an empty container before cell culture. The culture medium contained in the culture container 43 is discharged into the discharge container 44 by a discharge pump unit 532 (see FIG. 7 ), which will be described later. The amount of culture medium in the discharge container 44 increases as cell culture progresses.

[0075] The discharge container 44 has a container body 441 , a first port 442 , and a second port 443 .

[0076] The container body 441 is a box-shaped container made of resin. In this embodiment, the container body 441 is not flexible. In other words, the container body 441 has enough rigidity to maintain its own shape.

[0077] The first port 442 and the second port 443 are each provided at the front end of the container body 441. During cell culture, the discharge container 44 is placed in the discharge container placement area 514c of the culture device 5 with the first port 442 and the second port 443 positioned forward.

[0078] The first port 442 is provided in one half (in this embodiment, the right half) at the front end of the vessel body 441. The first port 442 is a port into which the culture medium discharged from the culture vessel 43 flows in. The first port 442 corresponds to an example of an inlet port of a discharge vessel.

[0079] The second port 443 is provided on the other side (the left half in this embodiment) of the front end of the container body 441. In this embodiment, the second port 443 is not used. In other words, the second port 443 is closed.

[0080] The supply tube 45 connects the second port 411c of the supply container 41 (specifically, the lower supply container 411) to the second port 433 of the culture container 43. The supply tube 45 has a pump attachment part 451 in the middle part in the longitudinal direction. The pump attachment part 451 is a part that is attached to the supply pump part 531 during cell culture.

[0081] The discharge tube 46 connects the first port 432 of the culture vessel 43 and the first port 442 of the discharge vessel 44. The discharge tube 46 has a pump attachment part 461 in the middle part in the longitudinal direction. The pump attachment part 461 is a part that is attached to the discharge pump part 532 during cell culture.

[0082] The container unit 4 having the above configuration is assembled by the user in the state shown in Fig. 5 outside the culture environment generating apparatus 2 during the preparation work for cell culture (in other words, pretreatment). This makes it easy for the user to assemble the container unit 4.

[0083] The container unit 4 is then attached to the culture device 5 inside the culture environment generating device 2 (see FIG. 7). In this embodiment, the culture device 5 has a configuration that makes it easy to attach the container unit 4 from the front inside the culture environment generating device 2. This makes it possible to efficiently attach the container unit 4 to the culture device 5. The configuration of the culture device 5 will be described later. The shape of the container unit 4 shown in FIG. 5 is the shape of the container unit 4 when it is attached to the culture device 5 (hereinafter also referred to as the attached state of the container unit 4).

[0084] The state of the container unit 4 and the culture device 5 housed in the culture chamber 201a of the culture environment generating apparatus 2 may also be referred to as the use state of the container unit 4 and the culture device 5.

[0085] When the container unit 4 is in use, the supply containers 41 (specifically, the upper supply container 412 and the lower supply container 411) are supported by the supply container support part 54 of the culture device 5 (see FIG. 7).

[0086] In this state, the ports 411b, 411c, 412b, and 412c of the supply container 41 (specifically, the lower supply container 411 and the upper supply container 412) are disposed in the front direction.

[0087] Therefore, the user can easily access the ports 411b, 411c, 412b, and 412c of the supply containers 41 (specifically, the lower supply container 411 and the upper supply container 412) from the front of the culture device 5. As a result, the workability of replacing the supply containers 41 (specifically, the lower supply container 411 and the upper supply container 412) is improved.

[0088] Furthermore, when the vessel unit 4 is in use, the culture vessel 43 is supported by the swinging part 52 (see FIG. 7 ) of the culture device 5. In this state, the ports 432, 433 of the culture vessel 43 are arranged at the front. This allows the user to easily access the ports 432, 433 of the culture vessel 43 from the front of the culture device 5. As a result, the workability of replacing the culture vessel 43 and the like is improved.

[0089] Furthermore, when the container unit 4 is in use, the discharge container 44 is placed at the bottom of the culture chamber 201a (see FIG. 2). In this state, the ports 442, 443 of the discharge container 44 are located at the front. This allows the user to easily access the ports 442, 443 of the discharge container 44 from the front of the culture device 5. As a result, the workability of replacing the discharge container 44 is improved.

[0090] Furthermore, when the container unit 4 is in use, the supply container 41 (specifically, the lower supply container 411 and the upper supply container 412), the culture container 43, and the discharge container 44 are connected by tubes (specifically, the connection tube 42, the supply tube 45, and the discharge tube 46).

[0091] Furthermore, when the container unit 4 is in use, the supply tube 45 and the discharge tube 46 are arranged in an S-shape in a front view (see FIG. 7) of the culture device 5. As is clear from FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the arrangement of the connection tube 42, the supply tube 45, and the discharge tube 46 is simple. This configuration contributes to the miniaturization of the culture device 5 and to improving the work efficiency of assembling the container unit 4. Furthermore, the user can easily attach the supply tube 45 and the discharge tube 46 to the supply pump section 531 and the discharge pump section 532.

[0092] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the culture device 5. As shown in Fig. 2, the culture device 5 is placed in the culture chamber 201a of the culture environment generating apparatus 2 with the container unit 4 attached thereto during cell culture.

[0093] 2 is a front view of the culture environment generating apparatus 2 in a state where the culture device 5 is housed in the culture chamber 201a. In FIG. 2, the outer door 204 and the inner door 205 of the culture environment generating apparatus 2 are omitted.

[0094] The culture device 5 is configured to be able to be taken in and out of the culture chamber 201a of the culture environment generating device 2. In other words, the culture device 5 is configured as a device separate from the culture environment generating device 2. The specific configuration of the culture device 5 will be described below.

[0095] The culture device 5 has a frame section 51 , a swinging section 52 , a pump section 53 , a supply container support section 54 , a terminal section 55 , a communication section 56 , and a control section 57 .

[0096] The frame part 51 is a member that supports the oscillating part 52, the pump part 53, the supply container support part 54, the terminal part 55, the communication part 56, and the control part 57 that constitute the culture device 5. In other words, the frame part 51 is a member that unitizes the oscillating part 52, the pump part 53, the supply container support part 54, the terminal part 55, the communication part 56, and the control part 57 that constitute the culture device 5.

[0097] The frame portion 51 is made of metal or synthetic resin and includes a left frame 511, a right frame 512, and a rear frame 513.

[0098] The frame portion 51 has a hexahedral shape (specifically, a cubic or rectangular parallelepiped shape). The left frame 511 is provided on a portion corresponding to the left side of the frame portion 51 when the frame portion 51 is viewed as a hexahedron.

[0099] The right frame 512 is provided on a portion corresponding to the right side of the frame unit 51 when viewed as a hexahedron. In other words, the left frame 511 and the right frame 512 face each other in the left-right direction. The rear frame 513 is provided on a portion corresponding to the rear side of the frame unit 51 when viewed as a hexahedron.

[0100] In the frame portion 51, portions corresponding to the front side, upper side, and lower side when the frame portion 51 is considered as a hexahedron are open. In other words, the frame portion 51 is open in the front, above, and below.

[0101] 9, the left frame 511 has a rectangular frame shape parallel to the XZ plane. Therefore, the user can view the rocking unit 52 (described later) and the incubation container 43 placed on the mounting portion 521a of the rocking unit 52 from the left side of the left frame 511.

[0102] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the left frame 511 has a front side portion 511a, a rear side portion 511b, an upper side portion 511c, and a lower side portion 511d.

[0103] The front side 511a, the rear side 511b, the upper side 511c, and the lower side 511d are connected to form a rectangular frame.

[0104] The front side 511a has a shaft shape that extends in the vertical direction and constitutes the front side of the left frame 511. The front side 511a has a left handle portion 511e in the middle in the vertical direction.

[0105] In other words, the left frame 511 has a left handle portion 511e at the front end portion of the left frame 511. The left handle portion 511e is a portion that the user grips when moving the culture device 5.

[0106] 7, the left handle 511e has a smaller dimension in the left-right direction (in other words, a smaller width dimension) than the upper and lower ends of the front side 511a. Such a shape of the left handle 511e makes it easy for the user to grip.

[0107] The rear side 511b has an axial shape that extends in the up-down direction and constitutes the rear side of the left frame 511. The front side 511a and the rear side 511b face each other in the front-rear direction.

[0108] The upper edge portion 511c has a shaft shape extending in the front-rear direction and constitutes the upper edge of the left frame 511. The upper edge portion 511c connects the upper end of the front edge portion 511a and the upper end of the rear edge portion 511b in the front-rear direction.

[0109] The lower side portion 511d has an axial shape extending in the front-rear direction and constitutes the lower side of the left frame 511. The lower side portion 511d is the portion that is placed on the bottom surface of the culture chamber 201a during cell culture.

[0110] The lower side portion 511d connects the lower end of the front side portion 511a and the lower end of the rear side portion 511b in the front-rear direction. The lower side portion 511d and the upper side portion 511c face each other in the up-down direction.

[0111] 10, the right frame 512 has a rectangular frame shape parallel to the XZ plane. Therefore, the user can view the rocking unit 52 (described later) and the incubation container 43 placed on the mounting portion 521a of the rocking unit 52 from the right side of the right frame 512.

[0112] Specifically, the right frame 512 has a front side portion 512a, a rear side portion 512b, an upper side portion 512c, and a lower side portion 512d.

[0113] The front side portion 512a, the rear side portion 512b, the upper side portion 512c, and the lower side portion 512d are connected to form a rectangular frame.

[0114] The front side 512a has a shaft shape that extends in the vertical direction and constitutes the front side of the right frame 512. The front side 512a has a right handle portion 512e in the middle in the vertical direction.

[0115] In other words, the right frame 512 has a right handle portion 512e at the front end portion of the right frame 512. The right handle portion 512e is a portion that the user grips when moving the culture device 5.

[0116] 7, the right handle portion 512e has a smaller dimension in the left-right direction (in other words, a smaller width dimension) than the upper and lower ends of the front side portion 512a. Such a shape of the right handle portion 512e makes it easy for the user to grip.

[0117] The rear side portion 512b has an axial shape that extends in the up-down direction. The rear side portion 512b constitutes the rear side of the right frame 512. The front side portion 512a and the rear side portion 512b face each other in the front-rear direction.

[0118] The upper side portion 512c has an axial shape extending in the front-rear direction and constitutes the upper side of the right frame 512. The upper side portion 512c connects the upper end of the front side portion 512a and the upper end of the rear side portion 512b in the front-rear direction.

[0119] The lower side 512d has an axial shape extending in the front-rear direction and constitutes the lower side of the right frame 512. The lower side 512d is the part that is placed on the bottom surface of the culture chamber 201a during cell culture.

[0120] The lower side portion 512d connects the lower end of the front side portion 512a and the lower end of the rear side portion 512b in the front-rear direction. The lower side portion 512d and the upper side portion 512c face each other in the up-down direction.

[0121] The rear frame 513 has a rectangular plate shape parallel to the YZ plane and connects the left frame 511 and the right frame 512 in the left-right direction.

[0122] A rear side portion 511b of the left frame 511 is connected to the left end portion of the rear frame 513. The left frame 511 is supported by the rear frame 513 only at the rear side portion 511b. Thus, the left frame 511 is cantilevered by the rear frame 513.

[0123] A rear side portion 512b of the right frame 512 is connected to the right end portion of the rear frame 513. The right frame 512 is supported by the rear frame 513 only at the rear side portion 512b. Thus, the right frame 512 is cantilevered by the rear frame 513.

[0124] The frame part 51 having the above-described configuration has a container placement area 514 (see FIG. 6) between the left frame 511 and the right frame 512 in which the supply container 41, the culture container 43, and the discharge container 44 are placed.

[0125] 6, the container placement area 514 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. The container placement area 514 has a supply container placement area 514a in which the supply container 41 (see FIG. 5) is placed. The supply container placement area 514a is an area located at the upper end of the container placement area 514 in the vertical direction.

[0126] The container placement area 514 has a culture container placement area 514b in which the culture container 43 (see FIG. 5) is placed. The culture container placement area 514b is an area located in the center of the container placement area 514 in the vertical direction. In other words, the culture container placement area 514b is an area located below the supply container placement area 514a.

[0127] The container placement area 514 has a discharge container placement area 514c in which a discharge container 44 (see FIG. 5) is placed. The discharge container placement area 514c is an area located at the bottom end of the container placement area 514 in the vertical direction. In other words, the discharge container placement area 514c is an area located below the culture container placement area 514b.

[0128] As described above, the supply container placement area 514 a , the culture container placement area 514 b , and the discharge container placement area 514 c are aligned in the vertical direction between the left frame 511 and the right frame 512 .

[0129] In other words, the container placement area 514 has, from top to bottom, a supply container placement area 514a, a culture container placement area 514b, and a discharge container placement area 514c. Therefore, during cell culture, the supply container 41, the culture container 43, and the discharge container 44 are placed in the container placement area 514, from top to bottom.

[0130] During cell culture, the rocking unit 52 rocks the culture vessel 43 under the control of the control unit 57. Specifically, during cell culture, the rocking unit 52 rocks the culture vessel 43 between the left frame 511 and the right frame 512 about a rotation axis parallel to the front-rear direction.

[0131] The swinging unit 52 is supported by the rear frame 513. Specifically, the swinging unit 52 has a culture vessel support unit 521 and a drive unit 522.

[0132] The culture vessel support part 521 has a mounting part 521a and a swing support part 521b. The mounting part 521a is in the form of a tray made of metal or resin. During cell culture, the culture vessel 43 is placed on the mounting part 521a.

[0133] The swing support portion 521b is a plate-shaped member made of metal or resin and extending in the front-rear direction. The front end of the swing support portion 521b is fixed to the underside of the mounting portion 521a. Therefore, the swing support portion 521b supports the mounting portion 521a from below.

[0134] The swing support portion 521b is swingably supported by the drive portion 522. Specifically, the rear end portion of the swing support portion 521b is supported by the drive portion 522. The swing support portion 521b is oriented along a central axis O ５２１ａ (See FIGS. 7 and 9).

[0135] The drive unit 522 is supported by the rear frame 513. The drive unit 522 supports the swing support unit 521b. The swing support unit 521b is supported by the drive unit 522 only at its rear end. In other words, the swing support unit 521b is cantilevered by the rear frame 513 via the drive unit 522.

[0136] The drive unit 522 (see FIG. 7) swings the swing support unit 521b under the control of the control unit 57. The drive unit 522 includes an electric motor (not shown). When the drive unit 522 is driven, the swing support unit 521b swings along a central axis O parallel to the front-rear direction. ５２１ａ (See FIGS. 7 and 9). ５２１ａAs a result, the culture vessel 43 placed on the placement portion 521a also oscillates around the central axis O. ５２１ａ It oscillates around the center.

[0137] The pump unit 53 is provided on the frame unit 51. The pump unit 53 moves the culture medium between the supply container 41, the culture container 43, and the discharge container 44 under the control of the control unit 57. The pump unit 53 corresponds to an example of a liquid delivery unit.

[0138] The pump unit 53 includes a supply pump unit 531 and a discharge pump unit 532 .

[0139] The supply pump unit 531 supplies the culture medium contained in the supply container 41 to the culture container 43. The supply pump unit 531 is provided on the front surface of the frame unit 51.

[0140] Specifically, the supply pump unit 531 is provided at the upper end of the front surface of one of the left frame 511 and the right frame 512 (the left frame 511 in this embodiment). In other words, the supply pump unit 531 is supported by the left frame 511.

[0141] During cell culture, the supply tube 45 of the container unit 4 is attached to the supply pump section 531. The supply pump section 531 moves the culture solution in the supply tube 45 in a direction from the supply container 41 toward the culture container 43. The direction from the supply container 41 toward the culture container 43 is sometimes referred to as the supply direction.

[0142] The discharge pump unit 532 discharges the culture medium contained in the culture vessel 43 into the discharge vessel 44. The discharge pump unit 532 is provided on the front surface of the frame unit 51.

[0143] Specifically, the discharge pump unit 532 is provided at the lower end of the front surface of the other frame (the right frame 512 in this embodiment) of the left frame 511 and the right frame 512. In other words, the discharge pump unit 532 is supported by the right frame 512.

[0144] The discharge tube 46 of the container unit 4 is attached to the discharge pump section 532. The discharge pump section 532 moves the culture solution in the discharge tube 46 in a direction from the culture container 43 toward the discharge container 44. The direction from the culture container 43 toward the discharge container 44 is sometimes referred to as the discharge direction.

[0145] The unused culture medium contained in the supply container 41 (specifically, the lower supply container 411) flows out from the second port 411c (in other words, the outlet port) of the lower supply container 411, and then moves in the following order: supply pump section 531, second port 433 (in other words, the inlet port) of the culture container 43, culture container 43, first port 432 (in other words, the outlet port) of the culture container 43, discharge pump section 532, first port 442 (in other words, the inlet port) of the discharge container 44, and discharge container 44.

[0146] As described above, in this embodiment, the supply pump unit 531 and the discharge pump unit 532 are provided at diagonal positions on the front surface of the frame unit 51. Furthermore, the supply pump unit 531 is provided above the discharge pump unit 532. This configuration contributes to improving the efficiency of the work of attaching the supply tube 45 to the supply pump unit 531 and the work of attaching the discharge tube 46 to the discharge pump unit 532.

[0147] The supply container support portion 54 is a member for supporting the supply container 41. The supply container support portion 54 is supported by the frame portion 51. The supply container support portion 54 is provided in a supply container placement area 514a in the container placement area 514 (see FIG. 6).

[0148] The supply container support 54 has a lower support portion 541 and an upper support portion 544 .

[0149] The lower support portion 541 has a lower placement portion 542 and a lower support 543 .

[0150] The lower mounting portion 542 is in the shape of a tray made of metal or resin. During cell culture, the lower supply container 411 is placed on the lower mounting portion 542. The lower support 543 is a member for supporting the lower mounting portion 542 with respect to the frame portion 51.

[0151] The lower support 543 has a support portion 543a (see FIG. 7), a left fixing portion 543b (see FIG. 9), and a right fixing portion 543c (see FIG. 10).

[0152] The support portion 543a is a plate-like member made of metal or resin, and is fixed to the underside of the lower mounting portion 542. In other words, the support portion 543a supports the lower mounting portion 542 from below. The support portion 543a is inclined so that the right end is higher than the left end. In other words, the support portion 543a is inclined so that it becomes higher from the left end to the right end.

[0153] Therefore, the lower receiving portion 542 is inclined so that the right end is higher than the left end. In other words, the lower receiving portion 542 is inclined so that the height increases from the left end to the right end.

[0154] The left fixing portion 543b (see FIG. 9) is a portion for fixing the lower support 543 to the left frame 511 of the frame portion 51. The left fixing portion 543b is connected to the left end portion of the support portion 543a. The left fixing portion 543b is fixed to the underside of the upper side portion 511c of the left frame 511 by fastening means (for example, a screw or a bolt).

[0155] The right-side fixing portion 543c (see FIG. 10) is a portion for fixing the lower support 543 to the right frame 512 of the frame portion 51. The right-side fixing portion 543c is connected to the right end portion of the support portion 543a. The right-side fixing portion 543c is fixed to the underside of the upper side portion 512c of the right frame 512 by fastening means (for example, a screw or a bolt).

[0156] During cell culture, the lower support part 541 having the above-described configuration supports the lower supply container 411. In this state, the lower supply container 411 is inclined so that the right end is higher than the left end.

[0157] The upper support portion 544 is provided above the lower support portion 541 in the supply container placement area 514a of the frame portion 51. The upper support portion 544 has an upper placement portion 545 (see FIG. 7) and an upper support 546 (see FIG. 7).

[0158] The upper mounting portion 545 is in the form of a tray made of metal or resin. During cell culture, the upper supply container 412 is placed on the upper mounting portion 545. The upper support 546 is a member for supporting the upper mounting portion 545 with respect to the frame portion 51.

[0159] The upper placement portion 545 is provided higher than the lower placement portion 542. In addition, the upper placement portion 545 is provided in a state where a portion of the upper placement portion 545 is offset to the right of the lower placement portion 542.

[0160] As shown in FIG. 7, the upper support 546 has a support portion 546a, a left fixing portion 546b, and a right fixing portion 546c.

[0161] The support portion 546a is a plate-like member made of metal or resin, and is fixed to the underside of the upper mounting portion 545. In other words, the support portion 546a supports the upper mounting portion 545 from below. The support portion 546a is inclined so that the right end is higher than the left end. In other words, the support portion 546a is inclined so that it becomes higher from the left end to the right end.

[0162] Therefore, the upper mounting portion 545 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane (i.e., the XY plane) so that the right end is higher than the left end. In other words, the upper mounting portion 545 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane so that the height increases from the left end to the right end.

[0163] The upper and lower placement portions 545 and 542 are substantially parallel to each other. That is, the inclination angle of the upper placement portion 545 relative to the horizontal plane and the inclination angle of the lower placement portion 542 relative to the horizontal plane are equal or substantially equal to each other.

[0164] The left fixing portion 546b is a portion for fixing the upper support 546 to the left frame 511 of the frame portion 51. The left fixing portion 546b is connected to the left end portion of the support portion 546a. The left fixing portion 546b is fixed to the upper surface of the upper side portion 511c (see FIG. 9) of the left frame 511 by fastening means (for example, screws or bolts).

[0165] The right fixing portion 546c is a portion for fixing the upper support 546 to the right frame 512 of the frame portion 51. The right fixing portion 546c is connected to the right end portion of the support portion 546a. The right fixing portion 546c is fixed to the upper surface of the upper side portion 512c (see FIG. 10) of the right frame 512 by fastening means (for example, a screw or a bolt).

[0166] During cell culture, the upper support section 544 having the above-described configuration supports the upper supply container 412. In this state, the upper supply container 412 is inclined so that the right end is higher than the left end.

[0167] As described above, the upper mounting portion 545 is provided in a state where it is offset to the right from the lower mounting portion 542. Therefore, the upper supply container 412 placed on the upper mounting portion 545 is offset to the right from the lower supply container 411 placed on the lower mounting portion 542. Therefore, the user can visually check the remaining amount of culture medium contained in the lower supply container 411 from above.

[0168] 7 , a gap 547 is provided in the vertical direction between the upper surface of the lower supply container 411 and the lower surface of the upper support part 544. This makes it easy for the user to visually check the remaining amount of culture medium contained in the lower supply container 411.

[0169] The culture device 5 may have a remaining amount detection unit (not shown) that detects information related to the remaining amount of culture medium contained in the upper supply container 412 and the lower supply container 411. Such a remaining amount detection unit may include, for example, a sensor that detects the weight of the upper supply container 412 and a sensor that detects the weight of the lower supply container 411.

[0170] Alternatively, the remaining amount detection unit may include a sensor that detects the volume (weight) of the culture medium flowing out from the lower supply container 411, and a sensor that detects the volume (weight) of the culture medium flowing out from the upper supply container 412.

[0171] The culture device 5 may notify the user of information regarding the remaining amount of culture medium detected by the remaining amount detection unit. Specifically, the information regarding the remaining amount of culture medium may be transmitted to the external terminal 6 described later by the communication unit 56 described later. The external terminal 6 may display the information regarding the remaining amount of culture medium obtained from the culture device 5 on the display unit 61 (see FIG. 1 ).

[0172] The user can view the information regarding the remaining amount of culture medium displayed on the display unit 61 of the external terminal 6 to know in real time the remaining amount of culture medium contained in the lower supply container 411 and the upper supply container 412.

[0173] The terminal unit 55 (see FIG. 3 ) is a terminal connected to a container-side sensor 434 provided in the culture container 43. In other words, the terminal unit 55 is a terminal that connects the culture device 5 and the container-side sensor 434. The culture device 5 acquires information about the culture solution contained in the culture container 43 from the container-side sensor 434 via the terminal unit 55. The information about the culture solution corresponds to the progress of cell culture. In other words, the progress of cell culture can be measured based on the information about the culture solution.

[0174] The information about the culture solution includes information about glucose and lactic acid contained in the culture solution, and may also include information about pH, DO (dissolved oxygen concentration), glutamine, glutamic acid, calcium, magnesium, NADP+ / NADPH, and NAD+ / NADH.

[0175] The unused culture medium supplied from the supply container 41 to the culture container 43 contains nutrients such as glucose, lactose, vitamins, serum, and amino acids. The target cells to be cultured grow in the culture container 43 while consuming the nutrients contained in the culture medium.

[0176] The consumption rate of nutrients contained in the culture medium correlates with the growth rate of the target cells, so the culture status of the target cells can be measured based on the concentration of nutrients (specifically, glucose) contained in the culture medium.

[0177] Furthermore, as the target cells grow, they consume nutrients (specifically glucose) contained in the culture medium and excrete the metabolic product lactic acid. Therefore, the culture status of the target cells can be measured based on the concentration of lactic acid contained in the culture medium or the rate of lactic acid production.

[0178] In this embodiment, the container-side sensor 434 detects information about the culture solution, such as information about glucose and information about lactic acid contained in the culture solution. The information about the culture solution detected by the container-side sensor 434 is then transmitted to the external terminal 6 by the communication unit 56. The external terminal 6 displays the information about the culture solution acquired from the culture device 5 on the display unit 61 (see FIG. 1 ). The sensor that detects the information about the culture solution may be provided in the culture device 5.

[0179] The container-side sensor 434 continuously detects information about the culture solution in real time. The information about the culture solution sent to the external terminal 6 may be information about the culture solution detected by the container-side sensor 434 sampled at a predetermined sampling period.

[0180] As described above, the culture device 5 according to this embodiment has an in-line monitoring function using the container-side sensor 434 incorporated in the culture container 43. The user can know the culture status of the target cells in real time based on the information about the culture solution displayed on the display unit 61 of the external terminal 6.

[0181] 7, the terminal portion 55 is provided at the front end of the placement portion 521a of the swinging portion 52. The terminal portion 55 has a terminal (not shown) that connects to the container side sensor 434.

[0182] The terminal unit 55 is electrically connected to a first terminal of a container-side sensor 434 (see FIG. 5 ) in the culture container 43. The terminal unit 55 is connected to the control unit 57. The terminal unit 55 applies a voltage to the container-side sensor 434 under the control of the control unit 57. The container-side sensor 434 detects information related to the culture solution based on the applied voltage.

[0183] The communication unit 56 (see FIG. 3 ) is communicatively connected to the external terminal 6. The communication unit 56 and the external terminal 6 are wiredly connected by a cable. Alternatively, the communication unit 56 and the external terminal 6 may be wirelessly connected by various wireless communication methods, for example, a wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The method of connection between the communication unit 56 and the external terminal 6 is not particularly limited.

[0184] The communication unit 56 transmits information to the external terminal 6. The communication unit 56 also receives information from the external terminal 6. The communication unit 56 may send the information received from the external terminal 6 to the control unit 57, which will be described later.

[0185] The control unit 57 (see FIG. 3) comprehensively controls the operation of the culture device 5. The control unit 57 is supported by the frame unit 51 (for example, the rear frame 513).

[0186] Specifically, the control unit 57 controls the operation of the rocking unit 52. The control unit 57 controls, for example, the rocking unit 52 (specifically, the drive unit 522) to control the rocking speed of the rocking unit 52 (specifically, the culture vessel support unit 521) (i.e., the rocking speed of the culture vessel 43).

[0187] The control unit 57 rocks the culture vessel support part 521 at a preset constant speed. Alternatively, the control unit 57 may rock the culture vessel support part 521 based on the detection value of the vessel side sensor 434 (i.e., information about the culture solution).

[0188] The control unit 57 controls the operation of the pump unit 53 (specifically, the supply pump unit 531 and the discharge pump unit 532).

[0189] Specifically, the control unit 57 controls the timing of driving and stopping the pump unit 53 (specifically, the supply pump unit 531 and the discharge pump unit 532). The control unit 57 may control the timing of driving and stopping the pump unit 53 (specifically, the supply pump unit 531 and the discharge pump unit 532) based on the detection value of the container-side sensor 434 (i.e., information about the culture solution).

[0190] Furthermore, the control unit 57 controls the flow rate of the culture medium supplied from the supply container 41 to the culture container 43 by the supply pump unit 531. Hereinafter, the flow rate of the culture medium supplied from the supply container 41 to the culture container 43 by the supply pump unit 531 will be referred to as the supply flow rate of the supply pump unit 531.

[0191] The supply flow rate of the supply pump unit 531 may be a preset constant flow rate. That is, the control unit 57 may drive the supply pump unit 531 at the preset constant supply flow rate. Alternatively, the control unit 57 may variably control the supply flow rate of the supply pump unit 531 based on the detection value of the container-side sensor 434 (that is, information about the culture solution).

[0192] Furthermore, the control unit 57 controls the flow rate of the culture solution discharged from the culture vessel 43 to the discharge vessel 44 by the discharge pump unit 532. Hereinafter, the flow rate of the culture solution discharged from the culture vessel 43 to the discharge vessel 44 by the discharge pump unit 532 will be referred to as the discharge flow rate.

[0193] The discharge flow rate of the discharge pump unit 532 may be a preset constant flow rate. That is, the control unit 57 may drive the discharge pump unit 532 at the preset constant discharge flow rate. Alternatively, the control unit 57 may variably control the discharge flow rate of the discharge pump unit 532 based on the detection value of the container-side sensor 434 (that is, information about the culture solution).

[0194] The control unit 57 also controls the communication operation of the communication unit 56. The control unit 57 controls the communication operation of the communication unit 56 so as to send information about the culture solution detected by the container-side sensor 434 to the external terminal 6.

[0195] When the communication unit 56 receives a control command for the culture device 5 from the external terminal 6, the control unit 57 acquires the control command for the culture device 5 from the communication unit 56. The control unit 57 may control the operation of each element constituting the culture device 5 based on the control command for the culture device 5.

[0196] The control command received from the external terminal 6 includes, for example, a swing control command and a liquid transfer control command.

[0197] The control unit 57 controls the swing unit 52 based on, for example, a swing control command acquired from the external terminal 6. The swing control command includes a control command related to the swing operation of the swing unit 52 (for example, the swing speed and / or the swing angle).

[0198] Furthermore, the control unit 57 controls the pump unit 53 (specifically, the supply pump unit 531 and / or the discharge pump unit 532) based on, for example, a liquid transfer control command acquired from the external terminal 6. The liquid transfer control command includes a control command related to the liquid transfer operation (for example, the supply flow rate and / or the discharge flow rate) of the pump unit 53 (specifically, the supply pump unit 531 and / or the discharge pump unit 532).

[0199] When discharging the culture medium in the culture vessel 43 into the discharge vessel 44, the control unit 57 controls the drive unit 522 of the swinging unit 52 to tilt the culture vessel 43 so that the second port 433 is at the bottom. The second port 433 of the culture vessel 43 is a port connected to the supply vessel 41 (i.e., a supply port).

[0200] As a result, the target cells in the culture vessel 43 gather on the second port 433 side of the culture vessel 43. In this state, the control unit 57 drives the discharge pump unit 532 to discharge the culture medium in the culture vessel 43 into the discharge container 44. At this time, since the target cells in the culture vessel 43 gather on the second port 433 side of the culture vessel 43, the target cells can be prevented from being discharged into the discharge container 44.

[0201] The external terminal 6 is provided outside the culture environment generating apparatus 2. The external terminal 6 is, for example, a computer. The external terminal 6 may be a desktop computer (personal computer, workstation, etc.), a laptop computer (personal computer, workstation, etc.), a tablet terminal, or a mobile device such as a smartphone.

[0202] The external terminal 6 may also be provided in the culture environment generating apparatus 2. In this case, the external terminal 6 may be an operation unit 32 (in other words, a control panel) provided on the outer door 204 of the culture environment generating apparatus 2.

[0203] In terms of hardware configuration, the external terminal 6 includes a processor (CPU), an input device, an output device, a memory, a communication interface, storage, and the like, which are included in a general computer.

[0204] In terms of functionality, the external terminal 6 includes a display unit 61, a communication unit 62, and a control unit 63. The display unit 61 displays information. The display unit 61 may be a general display (for example, a liquid crystal display).

[0205] The communication unit 62 is connected to the communication unit 56 of the culture device 5. The communication unit 62 acquires information from the culture device 5. The information acquired by the communication unit 62 from the culture device 5 is, for example, information about the culture medium. The information about the culture medium is detected by the container-side sensor 434 provided in the culture container 43 as described above.

[0206] The control unit 63 controls the operations of the display unit 61 and the communication unit 62. The control unit 63 causes the display unit 61 to display information about the culture medium acquired from the culture device 5 by the communication unit 62.

[0207] Information about the culture solution is detected in real time by the container-side sensor 434 of the culture container 43. Therefore, the user can know the culture status of the target cells contained in the culture container 43 by looking at the information about the culture solution displayed on the display unit 61.

[0208] The external terminal 6 receives commands (hereinafter referred to as control commands for the culture device 5) from a user to control the operation of the culture device 5. The user inputs the control commands for the culture device 5 to the external terminal 6 via an input device.

[0209] The control command for the culture device 5 may include a rocking control command for controlling the rocking unit 52, and a liquid delivery control command for controlling the pump unit 53 (specifically, the supply pump unit 531 and the discharge pump unit 532).

[0210] The control unit 63 controls the communication unit 62 to transmit a control command for the culture device 5 input by the user to the culture device 5. The control unit 57 (see FIG. 3 ) of the culture device 5 controls each element of the culture device 5 (specifically, the rocking unit 52 and the pump unit 53) based on the control command for the culture device 5 received from the external terminal 6. In other words, the user can remotely operate the culture device 5 using the external terminal 6.

[0211] (Functions and Effects of the Present Embodiment) Hereinafter, the operations performed by the user to carry out cell culture, the operation of the culture system 1, and the functions and effects of the culture system 1 according to the present embodiment will be briefly described.

[0212] First, the user accommodates the culture device 5 in an existing culture environment generating device 2. Then, the user assembles the container unit 4 outside the existing culture environment generating device 2 (see FIG. 5 ). Next, the user attaches the container unit 4 to the culture device 5 inside the culture environment generating device 2. Note that either the work of accommodating the culture device 5 in the culture environment generating device 2 or the work of assembling the container unit 4 outside the culture environment generating device 2 can be performed first.

[0213] At this time, the user attaches the supply tube 45 of the container unit 4 to the supply pump section 531. The user also attaches the discharge tube 46 of the container unit 4 to the discharge pump section 532. In the present embodiment, the supply pump section 531 and the discharge pump section 532 are provided on the front surface of the frame section 51. This makes it easy to attach the supply tube 45 to the supply pump section 531 and the discharge tube 46 to the discharge pump section 532.

[0214] Next, the user operates the operation unit 32 of the culture environment generating device 2 to drive the culture environment generating device 2. The timing of starting the culture environment generating device 2 may be determined appropriately.

[0215] Next, the user drives the culture device 5. When the culture device 5 is driven, the rocking unit 52 and the pump unit 53 of the culture device 5 are driven. The rocking unit 52 rocks the culture vessel 43 placed on the mounting unit 521a.

[0216] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which the culture vessel 43 has been swung in a first direction from the reference position shown in Fig. 7. The first direction is the direction opposite to the clockwise direction in Figs. 7 and 13. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing a state in which the culture vessel 43 has been swung in a second direction from the reference position shown in Fig. 7. The second direction is the clockwise direction in Figs. 7 and 14.

[0217] The rocking unit 52 repeatedly rocks the culture vessel 43 so that the culture vessel 43 transitions between the state shown in FIG. 13 and the state shown in FIG.

[0218] Furthermore, the pump unit 53 (specifically, the supply pump unit 531) supplies unused culture solution contained in the supply container 41 (specifically, the lower supply container 411) to the culture container 43. The timing at which the culture solution is supplied to the culture container 43 by the supply pump unit 531 and the flow rate of the culture solution supplied to the culture container 43 by the supply pump unit 531 may be controlled by the control unit 57.

[0219] During cell culture, the container-side sensor 434 provided in the culture container 43 continuously detects, in real time, information relating to the culture solution contained in the culture container 43. The information relating to the culture solution detected by the container-side sensor 434 is transmitted to the external terminal 6 by the communication unit 56.

[0220] The external terminal 6 displays on the display unit 61 (see FIG. 1 ) information about the culture medium obtained from the culture device 5. Based on the information about the culture medium displayed on the display unit 61 of the external terminal 6, the user can know the culture status of the target cells in real time.

[0221] After the cell culture is completed, the user removes the container unit 4 from the culture chamber 201a. Then, the user removes the cultured target cells from the culture container 43. Furthermore, the user disposes of the used culture container 43, supply container 41, and discharge container 44.

[0222] As described above, in the case of the culture device 5 according to this embodiment, the user can culture in an environment using the existing culture environment generating device 2. This allows for effective use of existing facilities. Furthermore, the user can perform pre-processing (in other words, preparation work) and post-processing of cell culture outside the culture chamber 201a. This makes it easy to perform pre-processing and post-processing. As a result, the work efficiency of cell culture-related work is significantly improved.

[0223] Furthermore, the frame portion 51 of the culture device 5 according to this embodiment has a shape that facilitates cleaning, thereby improving the efficiency of cleaning the culture device 5 in the post-processing described above.

[0224] 5, the container unit 4 attached to the culture device 5 according to this embodiment has a simple configuration. Therefore, the user can easily assemble the container unit 4.

[0225] Furthermore, when the container unit 4 is in use, the ports of the supply containers 41 (specifically, the lower supply container 411 and the upper supply container 412), the culture container 43, and the culture container 43 are arranged in the front. Therefore, when the container unit 4 is in use, the user can efficiently perform operations such as replacing the supply containers 41 (specifically, the lower supply container 411 and the upper supply container 412), the culture container 43, and the culture container 43.

[0226] Furthermore, when the container unit 4 is in use, the connection tube 42, the supply tube 45, and the discharge tube 46 are also positioned forward. Therefore, when the container unit 4 is in use, the user can efficiently attach and detach the connection tube 42, the supply tube 45, and the discharge tube 46.

[0227] Other functions and effects achieved by the culture device 5 and the culture system 1 according to this embodiment are as described above.

[0228] (Additional Note) The arrangement of the elements constituting the culture device is not limited to the arrangement of the elements constituting the culture device 5 according to the above-described embodiment. For example, the arrangement of the elements constituting the culture device may be opposite in the left-right direction to the arrangement of the elements constituting the culture device 5 shown in FIG.

[0229] An example of an embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Note that the above description is an example of a preferred embodiment, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In other words, the description of the configuration of the above device and the shape of each part is one example, and various modifications and additions to the configuration of the above embodiment are possible within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0230] The disclosures of the specification, drawings, and abstract contained in Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-203197, filed November 30, 2023, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0231] The present invention can be applied to a culture device and a culture system for culturing various cells.

[0232] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Cultivation system 2 Cultivation environment generating device 20 Housing 201 Inner box 201a Cultivation chamber 201b Opening 202 Outer box 203 Heat insulating material 204 Outer door 205 Inner door 206 Front plate 21 Heating unit 211, 212, 213, 214 Heater 22 Duct 22a Intake port 22b Outlet 23 Circulation fan 24 Temperature sensor 26a, 26b Gas supply device 27 Cover 28 Electrical box 29 Control device 31 Dehumidifier 32 Operation unit 4 Container unit 41 Supply container 411 Lower supply container 411a Container body 411b First port 411c Second port 412 Upper supply container 412a Container body 412b First port 412c Second port 42 Connection tube 43 Culture vessel 431 Vessel body 432 First port 433 Second port 434 Vessel side sensor 44 Discharge vessel 441 Vessel body 442 First port 443 Second port 45 Supply tube 451 Pump mounting part 46 Discharge tube 461 Pump mounting part 5 Culture device 51 Frame part 511 Left frame 511a Front side part 511b Rear side part 511c Upper side part 511d Lower side part 511e Left handle part 512 Right frame 512a Front side part 512b Rear side part 512c Upper side part 512d Lower side part 512e Right handle part 513 Rear frame 514 Vessel placement area 514a Supply vessel placement area 514b Culture vessel placement area 514c Discharge vessel placement area 52 Oscillating section 521 Culture vessel support section 521a Placement section 521b Oscillating support section 522 Drive section 53 Pump section 531 Supply pump section 532 Discharge pump section 54 Supply vessel support section 541 Lower support section 542 Lower placement section 543 Lower support 543a Support section 543b Left side fixing section 543c Right side fixing section 544 Upper support section 545 Upper placement section 546 Upper support 546a Support section 546b Left side fixing section 546c Right side fixing section 547 Gap 55 Terminal section 56 Communication section 57 Control section 6 External terminal 61 Display section62 Communication unit 63 Control unit P Packing K Gas passage M Machine room

Claims

1. A culture device that is placed within a culture environment generating device during cell culture, the culture device comprising: a frame section having a left frame and a right frame opposed to each other in the left-right direction and open at the front; and a rocking section that is provided on the frame section and rocks a culture vessel, the frame section having a container placement area between the left frame and the right frame in which the culture vessel, a supply vessel, and a discharge vessel are placed.

2. The culture device according to claim 1, wherein the culture vessel, the supply vessel, and the discharge vessel are arranged with their respective ports facing forward during cell culture.

3. The culture device according to claim 1, wherein during cell culture, the supply container, the culture container, and the discharge container are placed in the container placement area in this order from top to bottom.

4. The culture device according to claim 1, wherein the frame portion has a rear frame that connects the left frame and the right frame in the left-right direction and supports the left frame and the right frame in a cantilever manner.

5. The culture device according to claim 4, wherein the oscillating portion is supported by the rear frame.

6. The culture device described in claim 5, wherein the oscillating unit has a culture vessel support unit on which the culture vessel is placed, and a drive unit supported by the rear frame and oscillates the culture vessel support unit, and the culture vessel support unit is cantilevered by the rear frame via the drive unit.

7. The culture device according to claim 1, wherein the left frame and the right frame are each frame-shaped.

8. The culture device according to claim 1, wherein the frame portion is open upward, downward, and forward.

9. The culture device according to claim 1, wherein the left frame has a left handle portion at a front end of the left frame, and the right frame has a right handle portion at a front end of the right frame.

10. The culture apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pump section provided on the frame section for moving the culture medium among the supply container, the culture container, and the discharge container.

11. The culture apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the pump section comprises: a supply pump section that supplies the culture solution contained in the supply container to the culture container; and a discharge pump section that discharges the culture solution contained in the culture container to a discharge container.

12. The culture device according to claim 11, wherein the supply pump section and the discharge pump section are each provided on a front surface of the frame section.

13. The culture apparatus of claim 12, wherein the supply pump section is provided at an upper end portion of the front surface of one of the left frame and the right frame, and the discharge pump section is provided at a lower end portion of the front surface of the other of the left frame and the right frame.

14. The culture device according to claim 12, wherein during cell culture, the supply container, the culture container, and the discharge container are connected by tubes at the front of the frame portion, and the tubes are arranged in an S-shape when viewed from the front of the culture device.

15. The culture device according to claim 1, further comprising a supply container support section supported by the frame section in an area in the container placement area where the supply container is placed, and on which the supply container is placed during cell culture.

16. The culture device described in claim 15, wherein the supply container includes a lower supply container and an upper supply container connected by a tube, the supply container support portion includes a lower mounting portion on which the lower supply container is placed and an upper mounting portion on which the upper supply container is placed, and the lower mounting portion and the upper mounting portion overlap vertically and are offset in the left-right direction.

17. The culture device according to claim 16, wherein the lower mounting portion and the upper mounting portion are inclined in the same direction.

18. The culture device according to claim 1, wherein the frame portion is configured so as to be able to be placed in the container placement area with the supply container, the culture container, and the discharge container connected by tubes.

19. The culture device according to claim 1, further comprising a container unit having the culture container, the supply container, the discharge container, and tubes connecting the culture container, the supply container, and the discharge container, wherein during cell culture, the tubes are arranged in an S-shape in front of the frame portion when viewed from the front of the culture device.

20. A culture system comprising: the culture device according to claim 1; and the culture environment generating device having a culture space for accommodating the culture device during cell culture.

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