Culture medium supply device, cell culture system, method for controlling culture medium supply device, and program

Abstract

A culture medium supply device according to the present disclosure comprises: a refrigerator; a culture medium tank that is accommodated in the refrigerator and stores a culture medium in which cells can be cultured; a supply line that supplies, to a workpiece, the culture medium stored in the culture medium tank; a culture medium pump that is provided to the supply line and pumps the culture medium stored in the culture medium tank; a heat exchanger that is provided to the supply line and exchanges heat between a heat medium and the culture medium supplied from the culture medium tank so as to heat the culture medium; a heater that heats the heat medium; and a control device that acquires a culture medium supply command for supplying the culture medium to the workpiece and causes the culture medium pump to operate so as to supply the culture medium stored in the culture medium tank to the workpiece.

Description

Culture medium supplying device, cell culture system, control method for culture medium supplying device, and program

[0001] This disclosure relates to a culture medium supplying device, a cell culture system, a control method for a culture medium supplying device, and a program. This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-012867, filed on January 31, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a cell culture device having a culture vessel that contains a culture medium and cells. The cells are cultured in the culture vessel using the substrate in the culture medium as nutrients.

[0003] Patent No. 5872902

[0004] Culture media are stored in a refrigerator because they are prone to deterioration (spoilage). When cell culture begins, the media is removed from the refrigerator and dispensed into flasks. This dispensing process is performed aseptically in a clean bench. The flasks with the media dispensed are then transported to an incubator, where they are heated. After the media is heated, the cells are transplanted into the media. During this series of steps, flasks must be moved between facilities to heat the media. Cell culture is interrupted while the flasks are moved between facilities and while the media is being heated.

[0005] Typically, automated cell culture systems continuously process multiple flasks to perform cell culture, and it is difficult and inefficient for such automated systems to incorporate operations that interrupt the cell culture as described above.

[0006] Furthermore, when flasks are moved between facilities, they pass through non-sterile spaces, posing a risk of contamination of the flask surface. Therefore, in manual procedures, operators disinfect the flask surface by wiping it with alcohol before inserting it into a sterile space such as a clean bench. However, in automated systems, operations such as wiping the flask surface with alcohol are difficult and inefficient because they interrupt the cell culture process.

[0007] Furthermore, if the medium is heated excessively, it will denature and become unusable. Therefore, when heating the medium, it is necessary to control the temperature of the medium so that it does not become overheated. However, when the medium is heated directly by a heat source such as a heater, there is a risk that the medium near the heater will be locally overheated and denature.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a culture medium supplying device, a cell culture system, a control method for a culture medium supplying device, and a program that can appropriately manage the temperature of the culture medium according to the situation, suppress deterioration of the culture medium, and improve time efficiency in the automation of cell culture.

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the culture medium supply device according to the present disclosure includes a refrigerator, a culture medium tank housed in the refrigerator for storing a culture medium capable of cultivating cells, a supply line for supplying the culture medium in the culture medium tank to a workpiece, a culture medium pump provided in the supply line for pressurizing the culture medium in the culture medium tank, a heat exchanger provided in the supply line for heating the culture medium by exchanging heat between the culture medium supplied from the culture medium tank and a heat medium, a heater for heating the heat medium, and a control device that receives a culture medium supply command to supply the culture medium to the workpiece and operates the culture medium pump to supply the culture medium in the culture medium tank to the workpiece.

[0010] The cell culture system according to the present disclosure includes the above-described culture medium supply device.

[0011] The control method for a culture medium supplying device according to the present disclosure is a control method for controlling the above-mentioned culture medium supplying device, and includes the steps of: the control device acquiring the culture medium supply command; and the control device operating the culture medium pump based on the culture medium supply command, thereby supplying the culture medium in the culture medium tank to the work.

[0012] The program of the present disclosure is a program for controlling the above-mentioned culture medium supply device, and causes a computer to execute the steps of: the control device acquiring the culture medium supply command; and the control device operating the culture medium pump based on the culture medium supply command, thereby supplying the culture medium in the culture medium tank to the work.

[0013] According to the culture medium supplying device, cell culture system, control method for a culture medium supplying device, and program disclosed herein, in the automation of cell culture, the temperature of the culture medium can be appropriately managed according to the situation, thereby suppressing deterioration of the culture medium and improving time efficiency.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a schematic configuration of a cell culture system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a culture medium supplying device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a portion of the culture medium supplying device near a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram of a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a work procedure from culture medium supply to cell transplantation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a cleaning operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 7 is a hardware configuration diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. A cell culture system 100 of this embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is a system for culturing cells and analyzing the cells after culturing using a workpiece W (see Fig. 2) such as a well plate or a flask, and these processes are performed, for example, unmanned and automatically. The workpiece W contains cells and a culture solution containing a medium L (see Fig. 2) to which nutrients necessary for cell growth have been added.

[0016] <Cell Culture System> As shown in FIG. 1, the cell culture system 100 includes a first stocker 110, a second stocker 120, an incubator 130, a clean bench 140, a pass box 150, and a culture medium supplying device 1.

[0017] <First Stocker> The first stocker 110 is a facility for storing a plurality of works W. The area within the first stocker 110 is defined as a first storage area R1.

[0018] <Second Stocker> The second stocker 120 is provided adjacent to the first stocker 110. The second stocker 120 is provided with equipment such as a base on which the workpieces W can be placed and a refrigerator in which the culture medium can be stored. The area within the second stocker 120 is designated as a second storage area R2.

[0019] <Incubator> The incubator 130 is a facility for growing cells in a culture solution. The incubator 130 has formed therein a culture area R3 where a culture operation is performed on the workpiece W. The atmosphere of the culture area R3 is controlled to a temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration suitable for cell culture.

[0020] <Clean bench> The clean bench 140 is a facility for performing various liquid manipulations and processes on the workpiece W. The clean bench 140 has formed therein a liquid manipulation area R4 where dispensing operations and the like are performed on the workpiece W. The liquid manipulation area R4 is a highly clean, sterile space (a bio-clean room). Within the liquid manipulation area R4, air circulates as a downflow (descending air current).

[0021] Here, the clean bench 140 is disposed adjacent to the first stocker 110 and the second stocker 120. A first stocker door 110a is provided within the first stocker 110, separating the first storage area R1 from the liquid handling area R4. When the first stocker door 110a is in an open state, the first storage area R1 and the liquid handling area R4 are in a connected state, allowing workpieces W to move between these areas. When the first stocker door 110a is in a closed state, the first storage area R1 and the liquid handling area R4 are not in a connected state, and these areas are isolated from each other.

[0022] A second stocker door 120a is provided in the second stocker 120 to separate the second storage area R2 from the liquid handling area R4. When the second stocker door 120a is in an open state, the second storage area R2 and the liquid handling area R4 are in a connected state, allowing the movement of workpieces W between these areas. When the second stocker door 120a is in a closed state, the second storage area R2 and the liquid handling area R4 are in a non-connected state, and these areas are isolated from each other.

[0023] <Pass Box> The pass box 150 is provided between the incubator 130 and the clean bench 140 so as to be in contact with them. The pass box 150 has a first pass door 150a and a second pass door 150b. When the first pass door 150a is open, the incubation area R3 and the area inside the pass box 150 are in communication with each other. When the second pass door 150b is open, the liquid handling area R4 and the area inside the pass box 150 are in communication with each other. Therefore, opening and closing the first pass door 150a and the second pass door 150b switches between an isolated state of the incubation area R3 and the liquid handling area R4 and a state where workpieces W can move between these areas. Note that the first pass door 150a and the second pass door 150b are never open at the same time. Therefore, the incubation area R3 and the liquid handling area R4 do not communicate with each other, and the atmospheric conditions of each area are maintained.

[0024] <Transportation Device> Each of the first storage area R1, the second storage area R2, the culture area R3, and the liquid handling area R4 is provided with a transport robot that can move, for example, horizontally as a transport device. This allows the workpiece W to move between each area. The opening and closing of each door is coordinated with the operation of the transport robot, allowing the workpiece W to move between each area.

[0025] <Culture Medium Supplying Device> The culture medium supplying device 1 is installed, for example, in a clean bench 140. The culture medium supplying device 1 includes a refrigerator 2, a culture medium tank 21, a supply line 22, a culture medium pump 23, a heat exchanger 31, a heat medium line 32, a buffer tank 33, a heater 34, a heat medium pump 35, a dispensing device 3, a waste liquid tank 4, a cleaning liquid tank 41, a cleaning line 42, a blower 51, a blower line 52, a filter 53, opening and closing mechanisms 61 to 64, a control device 70, and a host control device 80.

[0026] <Refrigerator> The refrigerator 2 houses a culture medium tank 21, which will be described later. The refrigerator 2 refrigerates the culture medium L stored in the culture medium tank 21 and maintains it at a low temperature.

[0027] <Culture Medium Tank> The culture medium tank 21 is housed in the refrigerator 2. The culture medium tank 21 stores a culture medium L capable of culturing cells. A plurality of culture medium tanks 21 (two in this embodiment) are provided for one heat exchanger 31, which will be described later. Each culture medium tank 21 stores a different type of culture medium L. Hereinafter, of the two culture medium tanks 21, one culture medium tank 21 will be referred to as a first culture medium tank 21a, and the other culture medium tank 21 will be referred to as a second culture medium tank 21b.

[0028] <Supply Line> The supply line 22 extends from the culture medium tank 21 and is connected to the dispensing device 3 or the waste liquid tank 4, which will be described later. The supply line 22 supplies the culture medium L in the culture medium tank 21 to the workpiece W in the dispensing device 3. A heat exchanger 31, which will be described later, is provided in the supply line 22. The culture medium L is heated in the heat exchanger 31. The supply line 22 includes an inlet line 24, a discharge line 25, and a waste liquid line 26. The inlet line 24 introduces the culture medium L in the culture medium tank 21 into the heat exchanger 31. The discharge line 25 discharges the culture medium L heated in the heat exchanger 31 and guides it to the dispensing device 3. The waste liquid line 26 branches off from the downstream side of the discharge line 25 and guides the culture medium L and a cleaning liquid L2, which will be described later, to the waste liquid tank 4.

[0029] A supply line 22 is provided for each culture medium tank 21. That is, in this embodiment, one supply line 22 is provided for the first culture medium tank 21a, and one supply line 22 is provided for the second culture medium tank 21b. The first supply line 22a connects the first culture medium tank 21a to a first dispensing device 3a or a first waste liquid tank 4a (described later). The second supply line 22b connects the second culture medium tank 21b to a second dispensing device 3b or a second waste liquid tank 4b (described later).

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the supply line 22 is formed thinner than a heat medium line 32, which will be described later.

[0031] <Culture Medium Pump> The culture medium pump 23 pumps the culture medium L in the culture medium tank 21 toward the heat exchanger 31, which will be described later. One culture medium pump 23 is provided for each supply line 22. Hereinafter, the culture medium pump 23 provided for the first supply line 22a will be referred to as the first culture medium pump 23a, and the culture medium pump 23 provided for the second supply line 22b will be referred to as the second culture medium pump 23b. The culture medium pump 23 is provided for the introduction line 24 of the supply line 22.

[0032] <Heat Exchanger> The heat exchanger 31 is provided on the supply line 22. A plurality of supply lines 22 pass through the heat exchanger 31. A heat medium R circulating through a heat medium line 32 (described later) flows through the heat exchanger 31. The heat exchanger 31 exchanges heat between the culture medium L supplied from the culture medium tank 21 and the heat medium R. This heats the culture medium L. In this embodiment, water is used as the heat medium R. The type of heat medium R can be changed as appropriate. Other examples of the heat medium R include silicone oil, alcohol, and air.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 3, the heat exchanger 31 is provided with a heat exchange area increasing mechanism 36. The heat exchange area increasing mechanism 36 increases the heat exchange area between the culture medium L and the heat medium R. In this embodiment, the heat exchange area increasing mechanism 36 is a coil tube 36a that constitutes part of the supply line 22. The coil tube 36a is disposed within the heat exchanger 31 and connects the inlet line 24 and the outlet line 25. The coil tube 36a connects the inlet line 24 and the outlet line 25. The culture medium L supplied from the inlet line 24 flows through the coil tube 36a. During the process of flowing through the coil tube 36a, the culture medium L exchanges heat with the heat medium R in the heat exchanger 31 and is heated.

[0034] <Heat Medium Line> The heat medium line 32 is a pipe that circulates the heat medium R. The heat medium line 32 is provided with a heat exchanger 31, a buffer tank 33 (described later), a heat medium pump 35, and the like.

[0035] <Buffer Tank> The buffer tank 33 is provided in the heat medium line 32. The buffer tank 33 temporarily stores the heat medium R.

[0036] <Heater> The heater 34 is provided in the buffer tank 33. The heater 34 heats the heat medium R to a temperature range that does not exceed a temperature suitable for cell culture. In this embodiment, the heater 34 heats the heat medium R to a temperature range of, for example, 30°C or higher and 42°C or lower. The heater 34 preferably heats the heat medium R to a temperature range of 34°C or higher and 38°C or lower. As a result, the culture medium L that has undergone heat exchange with the heat medium R in the heat exchanger 31 is heated to the same temperature range as the heat medium R. As a result, the temperature range of the culture medium L becomes a temperature range suitable for cell culture, with the temperature of the heat medium R as the upper limit.

[0037] <Heat Medium Pump> The heat medium pump 35 pumps the heat medium R heated by the heater 34 toward the heat exchanger 31. The heat medium pump 35 is provided in the heat medium line 32 between the buffer tank 33 and the heat exchanger 31, downstream of the buffer tank 33.

[0038] <Dispensing Device> The dispensing device 3 is provided at the downstream end of the discharge line 25. The workpiece W transported by the transporting device is placed in the dispensing device 3. The dispensing device 3 supplies heated culture medium L to the workpiece W. The dispensing device 3 transplants cells into the workpiece W to which the culture medium L has been supplied. One dispensing device 3 is provided for each supply line 22. Of the dispensing devices 3, the dispensing device 3 provided on the first supply line 22a and supplied with the culture medium L from the first culture medium tank 21a is referred to as the first dispensing device 3a, and the dispensing device 3 provided on the second supply line 22b and supplied with the culture medium L from the second culture medium tank 21b is referred to as the second dispensing device 3b.

[0039] <Waste Liquid Tank> The waste liquid tank 4 is provided at the downstream end of the waste liquid line 26. The culture medium L remaining in the supply line 22 and the washing liquid L2 supplied from a washing liquid tank 41 (described later) are discharged into the waste liquid tank 4. One waste liquid tank 4 is provided for each supply line 22. Of the waste liquid tanks 4, the waste liquid tank 4 provided on the first supply line 22a is referred to as the first waste liquid tank 4a, and the waste liquid tank 4 provided on the second supply line 22b is referred to as the second waste liquid tank 4b.

[0040] <Cleaning Liquid Tank> The cleaning liquid tank 41 stores the cleaning liquid L2. In this embodiment, one cleaning liquid tank 41 is provided.

[0041] <Cleaning Line> The cleaning line 42 connects the cleaning liquid tank 41 and the supply line 22. The cleaning line 42 supplies the cleaning liquid L2 in the cleaning liquid tank 41 to the supply line 22. In the present embodiment, two cleaning lines 42 extend from the cleaning liquid tank 41. One cleaning line 42 is connected to the introduction line 24 of the first supply line 22a, and the other cleaning line 42 is connected to the introduction line 24 of the second supply line 22b. Of the cleaning lines 42, the cleaning line 42 connected to the first supply line 22a will be referred to as the first cleaning line 42a, and the cleaning line 42 connected to the second supply line 22b will be referred to as the second cleaning line 42b.

[0042] <Blower> The blower 51 is a device that generates a flow of air A. In this embodiment, one blower 51 is provided.

[0043] <Blower Line> The blower line 52 connects the blower 51 and the supply line 22. The blower line 52 supplies the flow of air A generated by the blower 51 to the supply line 22. In this embodiment, the blower line 52 includes a blower main line 54 extending from the blower 51 and multiple (four in this embodiment) blower branch lines 55 branching from the blower main line 54. Of the multiple blower branch lines 55, one blower branch line 55 (hereinafter referred to as the first blower branch line 55a) is connected to the first cleaning line 42a. This first blower branch line 55a is connected to the introduction line 24 of the first supply line 22a via the first cleaning line 42a. Another blower branch line 55 (hereinafter referred to as the second blower branch line 55b) is connected to the second cleaning line 42b. The second blower branch line 55b is connected to the inlet line 24 of the second supply line 22b via the second cleaning line 42b. Another blower branch line 55 (hereinafter referred to as the third blower branch line 55c) is connected to the discharge line 25 of the first supply line 22a. Another blower branch line 55 (hereinafter referred to as the fourth blower branch line 55d) is connected to the discharge line 25 of the second supply line 22b.

[0044] <Filter> The filter 53 is a sterilizing filter installed in the blower main line 54 of the blower line 52. The filter 53 removes impurities such as dust, floating microorganisms, and mold spores from the air A supplied from the blower 51. This removes germs from the air A supplied from the blower 51.

[0045] <Opening and Closing Mechanism> The culture medium supplying device 1 includes first to fourth opening and closing mechanisms 61 to 64. The first to third opening and closing mechanisms 63 are provided for each supply line 22, and the fourth opening and closing mechanism 64 is provided for each washing line 42.

[0046] The first opening and closing mechanism 61 is provided at the connection between the inlet line 24 and the cleaning line 42. The first opening and closing mechanism 61 has a valve 61a that opens and closes the inlet line 24 and a valve 61b that opens and closes the cleaning line 42. The second opening and closing mechanism 62 is provided at the connection between the discharge line 25 and the blower branch line 55. The second opening and closing mechanism 62 has a valve 62a that opens and closes the discharge line 25 and a valve 62b that opens and closes the blower branch line 55. The third opening and closing mechanism 63 is provided at the connection between the discharge line 25 and the waste liquid line 26. The third opening and closing mechanism 63 has a valve 63a that opens and closes the discharge line 25 and a valve 63b that opens and closes the waste liquid line 26. The fourth opening and closing mechanism 64 is provided between the cleaning line 42 and the blower branch line 55. The fourth opening / closing mechanism 64 has a valve 64 a that opens and closes the cleaning line 42 and a valve 64 b that opens and closes the blower branch line 55 .

[0047] <Control Device> As shown in FIG. 4 , the control device 70 includes an acquisition unit 71, a culture medium supply operation unit 72, a blower operation unit 73, a cleaning operation unit 74, a cell transplantation operation unit 75, and a heat medium operation unit 76. The acquisition unit 71 acquires various commands from the host control device 80 and information such as the temperature and flow rate of the heat medium R, the flow rate of the culture medium L, and the type of culture medium L and cells from various devices constituting the culture medium supply device 1. For example, the acquisition unit 71 acquires a culture medium supply command from the host control device 80 to supply the culture medium L to the workpiece W. The acquisition unit 71 also acquires a cleaning command from the host control device 80 to clean the supply line 22. The acquisition unit 71 also acquires an air supply command from the host control device 80 to supply a flow of air A to the supply line 22. The acquisition unit 71 also acquires a cell transplantation command from the host control device 80 to transplant cells into the workpiece W. The acquisition unit 71 also acquires a heat medium supply command from the host control device 80 to heat the culture medium and supply it to the heat exchanger.

[0048] The culture medium supply operation unit 72 causes the culture medium supply device 1 to execute a culture medium supply operation. The culture medium supply operation is an operation of supplying the culture medium L at a temperature suitable for cell culture to the workpiece W placed in the dispensing device 3. Based on the culture medium supply command, the culture medium supply unit operation unit operates the culture medium pump 23 to supply the culture medium L in the culture medium tank 21 to the workpiece W.

[0049] The cleaning operation unit 74 operates the culture medium pump 23 based on the cleaning command, thereby supplying the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 41 to the supply line 22. The blower operation unit 73 operates the blower 51 based on the air A supply command, thereby supplying the flow of air A generated by the blower 51 to the supply line 22. The cell transplantation operation unit 75 operates the dispensing device 3 based on the cell transplantation command, thereby transplanting cells into the workpiece W to which the culture medium L has been supplied.

[0050] The heat medium operation unit 76 operates the heater 34 and the heat medium pump 35 based on the heat medium supply command, thereby supplying the heated heat medium R to the heat exchanger 31. The heat medium operation unit 76 can also control the heat medium pump 35 to adjust the flow rate of the heat medium R. The heat medium operation unit 76 can also control the heater 34 to adjust the degree of heating of the heat medium R by the heater 34.

[0051] Furthermore, the control device 70 adjusts the temperature of the culture medium L heated by the heat exchanger 31 depending on the culture medium L stored in the culture medium tank 21 or the type of cells to be cultured. Methods for adjusting the temperature of the culture medium L include a method in which the culture medium supply operation unit 72 controls the culture medium pump 23 to adjust the flow rate of the culture medium L, a method in which the heat medium operation unit 76 controls the heat medium pump 35 to adjust the flow rate of the heat medium R, and a method in which the heat medium operation unit 76 controls the heater 34 to adjust the heating degree of the heat medium R by the heater 34.

[0052] <Host Control Device> The host control device 80 transmits various commands such as a culture medium supply command, a cleaning command, and an air supply command to the control device 70. The host control device 80 can be operated directly or remotely by an operator. The host control device 80 may be provided separately from the control device 70, or may be provided integrally with the control device 70.

[0053] <Control Method of Culture Medium Supplying Device> Hereinafter, a control method for controlling the culture medium supplying device 1 will be described.

[0054] <Work Procedure from Culture Medium Supply to Cell Transplantation> First, the work procedure from culture medium supply to cell transplantation will be described with reference to the flow chart in FIG. 5 . Here, the work procedure from culture medium supply to cell transplantation will be described using an example in which the culture medium supply device 1 supplies the culture medium L in the first culture medium tank 21a to the workpiece W in the first dispensing device 3a via the first supply line 22a. First, an operator operates the upper control device 80 to send a heat medium supply command to the control device 70. The heat medium operation unit 76 receives the heat medium supply command and operates the heat medium pump 35 and heater 34 to supply the heat medium heated to a predetermined temperature to the heat exchanger 31 (step S11). The heat medium pump 35 and heater 34 are basically always operating, and the heat medium R circulates through the heat medium line 32. As a result, the heat exchanger 31 is constantly supplied with the heat medium R heated by the heater 34.

[0055] When the workpiece W is placed on the dispensing device 3, the host control device 80 transmits a culture medium supply command to the control device 70 to supply the culture medium L to the workpiece W, and the acquisition unit 71 acquires this culture medium supply command (step S12). After step S12, the culture medium supply operation unit 72 operates the first to fourth opening / closing mechanisms 61 to 64 based on the culture medium supply command to open the lines connecting the first culture medium tank 21a and the first dispensing device 3a. Meanwhile, the waste liquid line 26 of the first supply line 22a, the first cleaning line 42a, and the first and third blower branch lines 55a, 55c are closed. In this state, the culture medium supply operation unit 72 operates the first culture medium pump 23a to supply the culture medium L in the first culture medium tank 21a to the workpiece W placed on the first dispensing device 3a (step S13).

[0056] In step S12, the culture medium L passes through the heat exchanger 31 on its way from the first culture medium tank 21a to the first dispensing device 3a. The culture medium L exchanges heat with the heat medium R in the heat exchanger 31. As a result, the culture medium L is heated to a temperature range suitable for cell culture. Therefore, the culture medium L at an appropriate temperature is supplied to the workpiece W placed in the first dispensing device 3a.

[0057] After a predetermined time has elapsed, the host control device 80 sends a medium pump stop command to the control device 70 to stop the first medium pump 23a. When the acquisition unit 71 acquires this medium pump stop command, the medium supply operation unit 72 stops the first medium pump 23a (step S14). The operating time of the first medium pump 23a is set in advance. Therefore, a constant amount of medium L is always supplied to the workpiece W.

[0058] After step S14, the host control device 80 transmits an air supply command to the control device 70 to supply a flow of air A into the supply line 22, and the acquisition unit 71 acquires this air supply command (step S15). After step S15, the blower operation unit 73 operates the second and fourth opening / closing mechanisms 64 based on the air supply command to open the blower line 52. In this state, the blower operation unit 73 operates the blower 51, causing the flow of air A generated by the blower 51 to be supplied to the first supply line 22a (step S16). By step S16, the culture medium L remaining in the first supply line 22a is pushed into the workpiece W. The blower 51 automatically stops after a predetermined time has elapsed. After step S16, the cell transplantation operation unit 75 causes the dispensing device 3 to transplant cells into the workpiece W containing the culture medium L (step S17).

[0059] The above procedure completes a series of operations from culture medium supply to cell transplantation. Thereafter, when a new work W is transported to the dispensing device, step S11 is omitted and a series of operations from step S12 to step S17 is performed. The series of operations from step S12 to step S17 is performed continuously every time a new work W is transported to the dispensing device 3. Note that when the culture medium supplying device 1 supplies the culture medium L in the second culture medium tank 21b to the work W in the second dispensing device 3b via the second supply line 22b, a series of operations from culture medium supply to cell transplantation is performed in a similar procedure.

[0060] <Cleaning of Supply Line> When medium supply is temporarily stopped, if medium L remains in the supply line 22, the medium L in the supply line 22 is cooled, and the temperature of the medium L drops below the temperature range suitable for cell culture. If this cooled medium L is supplied to the workpiece W, the efficiency of cell culture may decrease. Furthermore, when changing the type of medium L contained in the culture medium tank 21, if the previous medium L remains in the supply line 22, it is possible that both the previous and new medium L will be supplied to the workpiece W. For this reason, the supply line 22 needs to be cleaned as appropriate. Below, the procedure for cleaning the supply line 22 will be described with reference to the flow chart in FIG. 6 . Here, the procedure for cleaning the supply line 22 will be described using the first supply line 22a as an example.

[0061] First, the operator operates the host controller 80 to send a cleaning command to the controller 70 to clean the first supply line 22a, and the acquisition unit 71 acquires this cleaning command (step S21). After step S21, the cleaning operation unit 74 operates the first through fourth opening / closing mechanisms 61 through 64 based on the culture medium supply command to open the line connecting the cleaning liquid tank 41 and the first waste liquid tank 4a. Meanwhile, the discharge line 25 downstream of the waste liquid line 26 and the first and third blower branch lines 55a and 55c are closed. In this state, the culture medium supply operation unit 72 operates the first culture medium pump 23a to supply the cleaning liquid L2 from the cleaning liquid tank 41 to the first supply line 22a (step S22).

[0062] In step S22, the cleaning solution passes through the first supply line 22a to wash away the culture medium L and impurities remaining inside the first supply line 22a. The cleaning solution L2 that has passed through the first supply line 22a is discharged into the first waste liquid tank 4a. The first waste liquid tank 4a contains the cleaning solution L2 as well as the culture medium L and impurities washed away by the cleaning solution L2.

[0063] After that, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the host controller 80 sends a medium pump stop command to the controller 70 to stop the first medium pump 23a. When the acquisition unit 71 acquires this medium pump stop command, the cleaning operation unit 74 stops the first medium pump 23a (step S23). The operating time of the first medium pump 23a is set in advance.

[0064] After step S23, the host control device 80 sends an air supply command to the control device 70 to supply a flow of air A into the supply line 22, and the acquisition unit 71 acquires this air supply command (step S24). After step S24, the blower operation unit 73 operates the second and fourth opening / closing mechanisms 64 based on the air supply command to open the blower line 52. In this state, the blower operation unit 73 operates the blower 51 and supplies the flow of air A generated by the blower 51 to the first supply line 22a (step S25). By step S25, the cleaning solution L2 remaining in the first supply line 22a is pushed into the waste tank 4. The blower 51 automatically stops after a predetermined time has elapsed. The cleaning of the first supply line 22a is completed through the above procedure. Note that the same procedure is also used when the culture medium supply device 1 cleans the second supply line 22b.

[0065] <Effects> The culture medium supplying device 1 having the above configuration can achieve the following effects.

[0066] In this embodiment, the culture medium supplying device 1 includes a refrigerator 2, a culture medium tank 21 housed in the refrigerator 2 and storing culture medium L capable of cultivating cells, a supply line 22 that supplies the culture medium L in the culture medium tank 21 to the work W, a culture medium pump 23 provided on the supply line 22 and pressurizing the culture medium L in the culture medium tank 21, a heat exchanger 31 provided on the supply line 22 and heating the culture medium L by exchanging heat between the culture medium L supplied from the culture medium tank 21 and a heat medium R, a heater 34 that heats the heat medium R, and a control device 70 that acquires a culture medium supply command to supply the culture medium L to the work W and operates the culture medium pump 23 to supply the culture medium L in the culture medium tank 21 to the work W.

[0067] According to this embodiment, the culture medium supplying device 1 heats only the minimum amount of culture medium L necessary to supply the culture medium from the culture medium tank 21, and can constantly maintain the culture medium L in the culture medium tank 21 at a low temperature. This prevents deterioration of the culture medium L. The culture medium supplying device 1 also heats the culture medium L through heat exchange between the culture medium L and the heat medium R. This allows the culture medium supplying device 1 to heat the culture medium L more uniformly than when the culture medium L is directly heated by a heat source such as a heater. Furthermore, by appropriately setting the temperature of the heat medium R, the culture medium supplying device 1 can prevent the culture medium L from being excessively heated to a temperature range where it would denature. The control device 70 also acquires a culture medium supply command and operates the culture medium pump 23. Therefore, the culture medium supplying device 1 can automatically supply heated culture medium L to the workpiece W without moving the workpiece W. This improves time efficiency. As described above, according to this embodiment, the temperature of the culture medium L can be appropriately managed according to the situation, preventing deterioration of the culture medium L and improving time efficiency.

[0068] In this embodiment, the culture medium supplying device 1 further includes a cleaning liquid tank 41 that stores a cleaning liquid L2, and a cleaning line 42 that connects the cleaning liquid tank 41 to the supply line 22 and supplies the cleaning liquid L2 in the cleaning liquid tank 41 to the supply line 22. The control device 70 acquires a cleaning command to clean the supply line 22 and operates the culture medium pump 23, thereby supplying the cleaning liquid L2 in the cleaning liquid tank 41 to the supply line 22.

[0069] This allows the culture medium supply device 1 to automatically clean the supply line 22 after the culture medium L has flowed through it, making it possible to supply the culture medium L to the workpiece W without replacing the supply line 22. This further improves time efficiency.

[0070] In this embodiment, the culture medium supplying device 1 further includes a blower 51 that generates a flow of air A, and a blower line 52 that connects the blower 51 to the supply line 22 and supplies the flow of air A generated by the blower 51 to the supply line 22. The control device 70 acquires an air supply command to supply the flow of air A into the supply line 22 and operates the blower 51, thereby supplying the flow of air A generated by the blower 51 to the supply line 22.

[0071] As a result, the culture medium supplying device 1 can supply air A from the blower 51 to the supply line 22 and automatically discharge the culture medium L and cleaning liquid L2 remaining in the supply line 22. Therefore, when supplying the culture medium L to the workpiece W, the culture medium supplying device 1 can supply all of the culture medium L remaining in the supply line 22 to the workpiece W, improving the quantitative supply of the culture medium. Furthermore, when cleaning the supply line 22, all of the cleaning liquid L2 remaining in the supply line 22 can be discharged. Therefore, when supplying the culture medium after cleaning the supply line 22, it is possible to prevent the cleaning liquid L2 from mixing into the culture medium L.

[0072] In this embodiment, a plurality of culture medium tanks 21 are provided for one heat exchanger 31 , and a supply line 22 is provided for each culture medium tank 21 .

[0073] This allows a reduction in the number of heat exchangers 31. This allows the culture medium supplying device 1 to be designed to be compact. Furthermore, the manufacturing cost of the culture medium supplying device 1 can be reduced.

[0074] In this embodiment, the heat exchanger 31 is provided with a heat exchange area increasing mechanism 36 that increases the heat exchange area between the culture medium L and the heat medium R.

[0075] This promotes heat exchange between the culture medium L and the heat medium R. Therefore, the culture medium L is more easily heated to the target temperature.

[0076] In this embodiment, the culture medium supplying device 1 further includes a buffer tank 33 for storing the heat medium R.

[0077] This increases the ratio of the heat medium R to the culture medium L. Therefore, the culture medium L is more easily heated to the target temperature.

[0078] In this embodiment, the control device 70 adjusts the temperature of the culture medium L heated by the heat exchanger 31 depending on the culture medium L stored in the culture medium tank 21 or the type of cells to be cultured.

[0079] As a result, the culture medium supplying device 1 can appropriately adjust the temperature of the culture medium L according to various conditions, and can efficiently carry out cell culture.

[0080] <Hardware Configuration> The control device 70 and the upper control device 80 in the above-described embodiments and modifications are implemented in a computer 1100 shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a computer according to each embodiment. The computer 1100 includes a processor 1110, a main memory 1120, a storage 1130, and an interface 1140.

[0081] The operations of the above-mentioned functional units of the control device 70 and the upper control device 80 are stored in the form of a program in the storage 1130. The processor 1110 reads the program from the storage 1130, loads it into the main memory 1120, and executes the above-mentioned processing in accordance with the program. The processor 1110 also allocates a storage area in the main memory 1120 in accordance with the program.

[0082] The program may be for realizing some of the functions to be performed by the computer 1100. For example, the program may be combined with other programs already stored in the storage 1130 or other programs implemented in other devices to perform the functions. Furthermore, the computer 1100 may include a custom large-scale integrated circuit (LSI) such as a programmable logic device (PLD) in addition to or instead of the above configuration. Examples of PLDs include programmable array logic (PAL), generic array logic (GAL), complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and field programmable gate array (FPGA). In this case, some or all of the functions realized by the processor 1110 may be realized by the integrated circuit.

[0083] Examples of storage 1130 include a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a semiconductor memory. Storage 1130 may be an internal medium directly connected to the bus of computer 1100, or an external medium connected to computer 1100 via interface 1140 or a communication line. Furthermore, when this program is distributed to computer 1100 via a communication line, computer 1100 that receives the program may load the program into main memory 1120 and execute the above-mentioned processing. Storage 1130 may also be a non-transitory tangible storage medium.

[0084] The program may also be a program for realizing part of the above-described functions. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that realizes the above-described functions in combination with another program already stored in storage 1130.

[0085] <Other Embodiments> Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like are also included within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure. Note that, although the above embodiment has been described as a case where the culture medium supplying device 1 is provided inside the clean bench 140, this is not limiting. For example, the culture medium supplying device 1 may be provided in a facility other than the clean bench 140 of the cell culture system 100. Furthermore, a portion of the culture medium supplying device 1 may be appropriately disposed outside the cell culture system 100.

[0086] Furthermore, although the above embodiment has been described as including a plurality of culture medium tanks 21, this is not limiting. For example, if the culture medium supply device 1 handles only one type of culture medium L, only one culture medium tank 21 may be provided. In this case, one supply line 22, one dispensing device 3, and one waste liquid tank 4 are provided. Furthermore, the above embodiment has been described as including two culture medium tanks 21, two supply lines 22, two dispensing devices 3, and two waste liquid tanks 4, but this is not limiting. Three or more culture medium tanks 21, three or more supply lines 22, three or more dispensing devices 3, and three or more waste liquid tanks 4 may be provided.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the coil tube 36a is provided as the heat exchange area increasing mechanism 36, but this is not limiting. For example, fins may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the supply line 22 that is disposed inside the heat exchanger 31, and these fins may serve as the heat exchange area increasing mechanism 36.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the host control device 80 transmits a culture medium supply command to the control device 70 when the workpiece W is placed on the dispensing device 3, but this is not limited to this. The host control device 80 may transmit a culture medium supply command to the control device 70 when the workpiece W approaches the dispensing device 3. In this case, the control device 70 waits for a predetermined time after receiving the culture medium supply command, and starts the culture medium supply operation after the workpiece W arrives at the dispensing device 3.

[0089] Furthermore, an operator may operate the host controller 80 to transmit various commands, such as a culture medium supply command, an air supply command, and a pump stop command, to the controller 70. Furthermore, the various commands of the host controller 80 may be transmitted to the controller 70 in response to some event occurring in the culture medium supply device or the cell culture system, the amount of culture medium L stored in the culture medium tank 21, or the like.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the waste liquid line 26 and the third opening / closing mechanism 63 are provided downstream of the discharge line 25 to connect the waste liquid line 26 to the waste liquid tank 4, but this is not limiting. The waste liquid line 26 and the third opening / closing mechanism 63 may not be provided, and the downstream end of the discharge line 25 may be provided so as to be movable between the dispensing device 3 and the waste liquid tank 4. In this case, the downstream end of the discharge line 25 is connected to the dispensing device 3 when supplying culture medium, and the downstream end of the discharge line 25 is connected to the waste liquid tank 4 when cleaning the supply line 22.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the series of operations from culture medium supply to cell transplantation includes step S15 of acquiring an air supply command and step S16 of supplying air to the culture medium supply line, but steps S15 and S16 can be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, step S17 of transplanting the cells may be performed by a device other than the culture medium supplying device 1, or may be performed outside the clean bench 140.

[0092] In addition, in the above embodiment, step S24 of obtaining an air supply command and step S25 of supplying air flow to the culture medium supply line are executed for the cleaning operation, but steps S24 to S25 can be omitted as appropriate.

[0093] <Additional Notes> The culture medium supplying device 1, the cell culture system 100, the control method for the culture medium supplying device 1, and the program described in each embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0094] (1) A culture medium supplying device 1 according to a first aspect includes a refrigerator 2, a culture medium tank 21 housed in the refrigerator 2 and storing a culture medium L capable of cultivating cells, a supply line 22 that supplies the culture medium L in the culture medium tank 21 to a workpiece W, a culture medium pump 23 provided in the supply line 22 and pressurizing the culture medium L in the culture medium tank 21, a heat exchanger 31 provided in the supply line 22 that heats the culture medium L by exchanging heat between the culture medium L supplied from the culture medium tank 21 and a heat medium R, a heater 34 that heats the heat medium R, and a control device 70 that acquires a culture medium supply command to supply the culture medium L to the workpiece W and operates the culture medium pump 23 to supply the culture medium L in the culture medium tank 21 to the workpiece W.

[0095] According to this embodiment, the culture medium supplying device 1 heats only the minimum amount of culture medium L necessary to supply the culture medium from the culture medium tank 21, thereby maintaining the culture medium L in the culture medium tank 21 at a constant low temperature. This prevents deterioration of the culture medium L. The culture medium supplying device 1 heats the culture medium L through heat exchange between the culture medium L and the heat medium R. This allows the culture medium supplying device 1 to heat the culture medium L more uniformly than when the culture medium L is directly heated by a heat source such as a heater 34. By appropriately setting the temperature of the heat medium R, the culture medium supplying device 1 can prevent the culture medium L from being excessively heated to a temperature range where it would denature. The control device 70 receives a culture medium supply command and operates the culture medium pump 23. Therefore, the culture medium supplying device 1 can automatically supply heated culture medium L to the workpiece W without moving the workpiece W. This improves time efficiency.

[0096] (2) A second aspect of the culture medium supplying device 1 is the culture medium supplying device 1 of (1), further comprising a cleaning liquid tank 41 for storing a cleaning liquid, and a cleaning line 42 that connects the cleaning liquid tank 41 and the supply line 22 and supplies the cleaning liquid L2 in the cleaning liquid tank 41 to the supply line 22, and the control device 70 may obtain a cleaning command to clean the supply line 22 and operate the culture medium pump 23, thereby supplying the cleaning liquid L2 in the cleaning liquid tank 41 to the supply line 22.

[0097] This allows the culture medium supplying device 1 to automatically clean the supply line 22 after the culture medium L has flowed through it.

[0098] (3) A third aspect of the culture medium supplying device 1 is the culture medium supplying device 1 of (1) or (2), further comprising a blower 51 that generates a flow of air A, and a blower line 52 that connects the blower 51 to the supply line 22 and supplies the flow of air A generated by the blower 51 to the supply line 22, and the control device 70 may obtain an air supply command to supply the flow of air A into the supply line 22 and operate the blower 51, thereby supplying the flow of air A generated by the blower 51 to the supply line 22.

[0099] As a result, the culture medium supplying device 1 can supply air A from the blower 51 to the supply line 22 and automatically discharge the culture medium L and cleaning liquid L2 remaining in the supply line 22.

[0100] (4) A fourth aspect of the culture medium supplying device 1 is any one of the culture medium supplying devices 1 of (1) to (3), wherein a plurality of the culture medium tanks 21 are provided for one of the heat exchangers 31, and the supply line 22 may be provided for each of the culture medium tanks 21.

[0101] This allows a reduction in the number of heat exchangers 31. This allows the culture medium supplying device 1 to be designed to be compact. Furthermore, the manufacturing cost of the culture medium supplying device 1 can be reduced.

[0102] (5) A fifth aspect of the culture medium supplying device 1 is any one of the culture medium supplying devices 1 of (1) to (4), and the heat exchanger 31 may be provided with a heat exchange area increasing mechanism 36 that increases the heat exchange area between the culture medium L and the heat medium R.

[0103] This promotes heat exchange between the culture medium L and the heat medium R.

[0104] (6) The culture medium supplying device 1 of a sixth aspect is the culture medium supplying device 1 of any one of (1) to (5), and may further include a buffer tank 33 that stores the heat medium R.

[0105] This increases the ratio of the heat medium R to the culture medium L.

[0106] (7) A cell culture system 100 according to a seventh aspect includes the culture medium supplying device 1 according to any one of (1) to (6).

[0107] (8) A control method for the culture medium supplying device 1 according to the eighth aspect is a control method for controlling the culture medium supplying device 1 of (1), and includes a step S12 in which the control device 70 acquires the culture medium supply command, and a step S13 in which the control device 70 operates the culture medium pump 23 based on the culture medium supply command, thereby supplying the culture medium L in the culture medium tank 21 to the work W.

[0108] (9) A control method for a culture medium supplying device 1 according to a ninth aspect is the control method for the culture medium supplying device 1 of (8), wherein the culture medium supplying device 1 further includes a cleaning liquid tank 41 that stores a cleaning liquid, and a cleaning line 42 that connects the cleaning liquid tank 41 and the supply line 22 and supplies the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 41 to the supply line 22, and may include a step S21 in which the control device 70 obtains a cleaning command to clean the supply line 22, and a step S22 in which the control device 70 operates the culture medium pump 23 based on the cleaning command to supply the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 41 to the supply line 22.

[0109] (10) A control method for a culture medium supplying device 1 according to a tenth aspect is a control method for controlling the culture medium supplying device 1 of (8) or (9), wherein the culture medium supplying device 1 further comprises a blower 51 that generates a flow of air A, and a blower line 52 that connects the blower 51 and the supply line 22 and supplies the flow of air A generated by the blower 51 to the supply line 22, and may include steps S15 and S24 in which the control device 70 obtains an air supply command to supply the flow of air A into the supply line 22, and steps S16 and S25 in which the control device 70 operates the blower 51 based on the air supply command to supply the flow of air A generated by the blower 51 to the supply line 22.

[0110] (11) The program relating to the eleventh aspect is a program for controlling the culture medium supply device 1 of (1), and causes the computer 1100 to execute the following steps: step S12 in which the control device 70 acquires the culture medium supply command; and step S13 in which the control device 70 operates the culture medium pump 23 based on the culture medium supply command, thereby supplying the culture medium L in the culture medium tank 21 to the work W.

[0111] (12) A program according to a twelfth aspect is the program of (11), wherein the culture medium supplying device 1 further includes a cleaning liquid tank 41 that stores a cleaning liquid, and a cleaning line 42 that connects the cleaning liquid tank 41 and the supply line 22 and supplies the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 41 to the supply line 22, and the computer 1100 may execute the following steps: a step S21 in which the control device 70 acquires a cleaning command to clean the supply line 22; and a step S22 in which the control device 70 operates the culture medium pump 23 based on the cleaning command to supply the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 41 to the supply line 22.

[0112] (13) A program according to a thirteenth aspect is the program of (11) or (12), wherein the culture medium supply device 1 further includes a blower 51 that generates a flow of air A, and a blower line 52 that connects the blower 51 and the supply line 22 and supplies the flow of air A generated by the blower 51 to the supply line 22, and the computer 1100 may execute steps S15 and S24 in which the control device 70 obtains an air supply command to supply the flow of air A into the supply line 22, and steps S16 and S25 in which the control device 70 operates the blower 51 based on the air supply command to supply the flow of air A generated by the blower 51 to the supply line 22.

[0113] According to the culture medium supplying device, cell culture system, control method for a culture medium supplying device, and program disclosed herein, in the automation of cell culture, the temperature of the culture medium can be appropriately managed according to the situation, thereby suppressing deterioration of the culture medium and improving time efficiency.

[0114] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Culture medium supply device 2 Refrigerator 3 Dispensing device 3a First dispensing device 3b Second dispensing device 4 Waste liquid tank 4a First waste liquid tank 4b Second waste liquid tank 21 Culture medium tank 21a First culture medium tank 21b Second culture medium tank 22 Supply line 22a First supply line 22b Second supply line 23 Culture medium pump 23a First culture medium pump 23b Second culture medium pump 24 Inlet line 25 Discharge line 26 Waste liquid line 31 Heat exchanger 32 Heat medium line 33 Buffer tank 34 Heater 35 Heat medium pump 36 Heat exchange area increasing mechanism 36a Coil tube 41 Cleaning liquid tank 42 Cleaning line 42a First cleaning line 42b Second cleaning line 51 Blower 52 Blower line 53 Filter 54 Blower main line 55 Blower branch line 55a First blower branch line 55b Second blower branch line 55c Third blower branch line 55d Fourth blower branch line 61 First opening / closing mechanism 61a Valve 61b Valve 62 Second opening / closing mechanism 62a Valve 62b Valve 63 Third opening / closing mechanism 63a Valve 63b Valve 64 Fourth opening / closing mechanism 64a Valve 64b Valve 70 Control device 71 Acquisition unit 72 Culture medium supply operation unit 73 Blower operation unit 74 Cleaning operation unit 75 Cell transplantation operation unit 76 Heat medium operation unit 80 Upper control device 100 Cell culture system 110 First stocker 110a First stocker door 120 Second stocker 120a Second stocker door 130 Incubator 140 Clean bench 150 Pass box 150a First pass door 150b Second pass door 1100 Computer 1110 Processor 1120 Main memory 1130 Storage 1140 Interface A Air L Culture medium L2 Cleaning liquid R Heat medium R1 First storage area R2 Second storage area R3 Cultivation area R4 Liquid handling area W Work

Claims

1. A culture medium supply device comprising: a refrigerator; a culture medium tank housed in the refrigerator and storing a culture medium capable of cultivating cells; a supply line for supplying the culture medium in the culture medium tank to a work; a culture medium pump provided in the supply line for pressure-feeding the culture medium in the culture medium tank; a heat exchanger provided in the supply line for heating the culture medium by exchanging heat between the culture medium supplied from the culture medium tank and a heat medium; a heater for heating the heat medium; and a control device that receives a culture medium supply command to supply the culture medium to the work and operates the culture medium pump to supply the culture medium in the culture medium tank to the work.

2. A culture medium supply device as described in claim 1, further comprising: a cleaning liquid tank for storing cleaning liquid; and a cleaning line connecting the cleaning liquid tank and the supply line and supplying the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank to the supply line, wherein the control device obtains a cleaning command to clean the supply line and operates the culture medium pump to supply the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank to the supply line.

3. A culture medium supply device as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a blower that generates an air flow; and a blower line that connects the blower to the supply line and supplies the air flow generated by the blower to the supply line, wherein the control device obtains an air supply command to supply an air flow into the supply line and operates the blower, thereby supplying the air flow generated by the blower to the supply line.

4. The culture medium supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of culture medium tanks are provided for one of the heat exchangers, and the supply line is provided for each of the culture medium tanks.

5. A culture medium supplying device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat exchanger is provided with a heat exchange area increasing mechanism for increasing the heat exchange area between the culture medium and the heat medium.

6. The culture medium supplying device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a buffer tank for storing the heat medium.

7. A cell culture system comprising the medium supply device according to claim 1.

8. A control method for controlling the culture medium supply device according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: the control device acquiring the culture medium supply command; and the control device operating the culture medium pump based on the culture medium supply command, thereby supplying the culture medium in the culture medium tank to the workpiece.

9. The culture medium supply device further comprises: a cleaning liquid tank for storing cleaning liquid; and a cleaning line connecting the cleaning liquid tank and the supply line and supplying the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank to the supply line; and a control method for a culture medium supply device as described in claim 8, comprising the steps of: the control device obtaining a cleaning command to clean the supply line; and the control device operating the culture medium pump based on the cleaning command, thereby supplying the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank to the supply line.

10. The culture medium supply device further comprises: a blower that generates an air flow; and a blower line that connects the blower to the supply line and supplies the air flow generated by the blower to the supply line; and a control method for a culture medium supply device as described in claim 8 or 9, comprising the steps of: the control device obtaining an air supply command to supply an air flow into the supply line; and the control device operating the blower based on the air supply command, thereby supplying the air flow generated by the blower to the supply line.

11. A program for controlling the culture medium supply device described in claim 1, comprising the steps of: the control device acquiring the culture medium supply command; and the control device operating the culture medium pump based on the culture medium supply command, thereby supplying the culture medium in the culture medium tank to the workpiece.

12. The culture medium supply device further comprises: a cleaning liquid tank for storing cleaning liquid; and a cleaning line that connects the cleaning liquid tank and the supply line and supplies the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank to the supply line; and the program described in claim 11 causes a computer to execute the following steps: a step in which the control device obtains a cleaning command to clean the supply line; and a step in which the control device operates the culture medium pump based on the cleaning command, thereby supplying the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank to the supply line.

13. The culture medium supply device further comprises: a blower that generates an air flow; and a blower line that connects the blower to the supply line and supplies the air flow generated by the blower to the supply line; and the program described in claim 11 or 12 causes a computer to execute the following steps: a step in which the control device obtains an air supply command to supply an air flow into the supply line; and a step in which the control device operates the blower based on the air supply command, thereby supplying the air flow generated by the blower to the supply line.

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