Cell storage container

Abstract

Provided is a cell storage container that can be accommodated in a container-accommodating part in a stable state.　A cell storage container 1 comprising: a container body 10 having a cell-accommodating part 11 that is formed in a state of being curved and bulged outward in the width direction and the thickness direction and that has formed therein a space for accommodating cells, and a pair of extension parts 131 that extend outward in a planar shape from both ends in the width direction of the cell-accommodating part 11; and a cell introduction tube 20 that is disposed along the planar direction of the extension parts 131, that is connected to an end of the container body 10 located in a direction orthogonal to the width direction, and that introduces cells into the cell-accommodating part 11. The cell storage container 1 is accommodated and disposed in a container-accommodating part S having a square shape in a planar view in a state where the width direction of the container body 10 formed by including the cell-accommodating part 11 and the pair of extension parts 131 extends along a diagonal line of the container-accommodating part S. The length in the width direction of the container body 10 formed by including the cell-accommodating part 11 and the pair of extension parts 131 is substantially same as the length of the diagonal line of the container-accommodating part S having a square shape in a planar view.

Description

cell storage container

[0001] The present invention relates to a cell storage container for storing cells such as stem cells and umbilical cord blood collected from a biological sample.

[0002] Conventionally, in the field of regenerative medicine, stem cells collected from biological samples have been used for various purposes, such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, reconstruction of various tissues, etc. After being collected from the biological sample, the stem cells are stored in a cell storage container, which is then stored in a container storage box having a container storage portion, and cryopreserved until they are used in regenerative medicine (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] International Publication No. WO2020 / 039874

[0004] Here, when the cell storage container is placed in the container storage section, it is desirable that it can be placed in a stable state.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a cell storage container that can be stably stored in a container storage section.

[0006] The present invention relates to a cell storage container comprising: a container body having a cell storage section that is formed by bulging outward in a curved shape in the width and thickness directions and has a space formed therein for storing cells; and a pair of extension sections that extend outward in a plane from both widthwise ends of the cell storage section; and a cell introduction tube that is arranged along the surface direction of the extension sections and connected to the end side of the container body in a direction perpendicular to the width direction, and that introduces cells into the cell storage section, wherein the cell storage container is accommodated in a container storage section such that the width direction of the container body, which is composed of the cell storage section and the pair of extension sections, follows the diagonal of the square-shaped container storage section in a planar view; and when cells are filled in the cell storage section, the width direction length of the container body, which is composed of the cell storage section and the pair of extension sections, is formed to be approximately the same length as the diagonal of the square-shaped container storage section in a planar view.

[0007] Furthermore, it is preferable that the cell holding portion has an elliptical cross-sectional shape in the planar direction and in the thickness direction when the cell holding portion is filled with cells.

[0008] Furthermore, when cells are filled in the cell storage section, when viewed in the axial direction of the cell introduction tube, it is preferable that the ratio of the maximum thickness H of the cell storage section in the thickness direction to the widthwise length W3 of the container body comprising the cell storage section and the pair of extension sections is H / W3 = 0.7 to 0.95.

[0009] The container body is preferably made of a soft member formed from a soft material.

[0010] Furthermore, the width W1 of the cell containing section is preferably 8 to 12 mm.

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cell storage container that can be stably stored in a container storage section.

[0012] 1 is a perspective view of a cell storage container according to one embodiment of the present invention, as seen from diagonally above. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cell storage container according to one embodiment, as seen from diagonally below. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the state in which cells are introduced into the cell storage section and sealed. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the state in which the cell storage container is housed in a cell container storage box. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the state in which the cell storage container is housed in the cell container storage box. FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of the portion in which the cell storage container is housed in the cell container storage box.

[0013] A preferred embodiment of the cell storage container 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The cell storage container 1 of the present invention is used for cryopreserving cells such as stem cells collected from a biological sample. The cell storage container 1 of the present invention is particularly suitable for storing small volumes of liquid cells, approximately 1 mL in volume.

[0014] In the description of this embodiment, the X direction is the minor axis direction of the three-dimensional shape of the cell storage section 11 (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ), which is the width direction of the container body 10 of the cell storage container 1, and the Y direction is the major axis direction of the three-dimensional shape of the cell storage container 1, which is the longitudinal direction of the container body 10. One side of the Y direction (the front left side in FIG. 1 , the rear left side in FIG. 2 ) is the Y1 side, and the other side of the Y direction (the rear right side in FIG. 1 , the front right side in FIG. 2 ) is the Y2 side. The Y direction coincides with the axial direction of the cell introduction tube 20. The X direction and the Y direction are perpendicular to each other. The Z direction is the stacking direction of the first sheet-like member 50 and the second sheet-like member 60 of the container body 10, which is the thickness direction of the cell storage section 11.

[0015] 1 to 4, a cell storage container 1 according to one embodiment includes a container body 10, a cylindrical cell introduction part 100, and a port member 40. The cell introduction part 100 includes a cell introduction tube 20 and an introduction port 30.

[0016] The container body 10 is composed of a soft member formed from a soft material. The soft member is formed from a material that is soft enough to allow the cell storage section 11 to collapse easily when the three-dimensional shape of the cell storage section 11 is compressed to remove air, and also to allow the cell storage section 11 to expand easily from its collapsed state when cells are introduced into the cell storage section 11. Examples of soft members include resin materials such as soft PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin), and FEP (tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer). The container body 10 is composed of a first sheet-like member 50 and a second sheet-like member 60 that are overlapped with each other and whose peripheries are mostly joined together. The first sheet-like member 50 and the second sheet-like member 60 are composed of soft, flexible members.

[0017] The container body 10 includes a cell storage section 11, a cell withdrawal section 12, a sealing section 13, and a tube protection section 14.

[0018] The cell storage section 11 is formed by a space surrounded by the first sheet-like member 50 and the second sheet-like member 60, and a space for storing cells is formed inside. The cell storage section 11 is formed by bulging out in a curved shape in the width direction (X direction) and thickness direction (Z direction). The cell storage section 11 has an internal space volume V1 of, for example, 1.0 mL, and is configured to be able to store a predetermined amount (for example, 1.0 mL) of liquid cells.

[0019] When viewed in the Z direction, the cell holding section 11 is formed in an elliptical shape with its minor axis in the X direction and its major axis in the Y direction, and when viewed in the X direction, it is formed in an elliptical shape with its minor axis in the Z direction and its major axis in the Y direction. In this embodiment, the volume V1 of the internal space of the cell holding section 11 is configured to be a small volume of 1.0 mL, but it may also be configured to be a small volume of 0.5 to 1.2 mL.

[0020] The sealing section 13 is formed by the portion where the first sheet-like member 50 and the second sheet-like member 60 are joined at the periphery of the cell containing section 11. The sealing section 13 is formed in a sheet shape having a thickness in the Z direction, and its outer shape (outer edge) is formed in a substantially rectangular shape having a width in the X direction and extending in the Y direction. The sealing section 13 has a pair of extension sections 131 that extend outward in a plane from both ends of the cell containing section 11 in the X direction. The outer edges of both ends of the pair of extension sections 131 in the X direction extend linearly in the Y direction. The end of the sealing section 13 on the Y2 side in the Y direction is connected to the end of the cell introduction tube 20 of the cell introduction section 100 on the Y1 side in the Y direction.

[0021] The tube protection part 14 is connected to the end of the sealing part 13 on the Y2 side in the Y direction, and is composed of the part where the first sheet-like member 50 and the second sheet-like member 60 are not joined. The tube protection part 14 is composed of a pair of protective sheets 141. The pair of protective sheets 141 are arranged on both outer sides in the Z direction so as to sandwich the welded joint part 21a (see FIG. 5) of the welded part 21 formed by welding and cutting (fusing) the cell introduction tube 20 on the container body 10 side, and protect the welded joint part 21a of the welded part 21 of the cell introduction tube 20.

[0022] 1 to 4, the first sheet-shaped member 50 and the second sheet-shaped member 60 each have a three-dimensional portion. More specifically, the first sheet-shaped member 50 and the second sheet-shaped member 60 are formed with cell-accommodating recesses 51, 61, cell-introduction grooves 52, 62, and cell-extraction grooves 53, 63, each of the same shape and size.

[0023] The cell-receiving wells 51, 61 are formed so that they have an elliptical shape in plan view and a semi-elliptical cross section in the thickness direction, i.e., they are formed by a concave curved surface without corners.

[0024] The cell introduction grooves 52, 62 are disposed at the Y2-side end of the cell-accommodating well 51, 61 in the Y direction. The cell introduction grooves 52, 62 are configured as linearly extending grooves with semicircular cross-sections. The Y1-side end of the cell introduction grooves 52, 62 in the Y direction connects to the cell-accommodating well 51, 61, and the Y2-side end of the cell introduction grooves 52, 62 in the Y direction extends toward the Y2 side of the first sheet-like member 50 and the second sheet-like member 60.

[0025] The cell extraction grooves 53, 63 are disposed at the Y1-side end of the cell-accommodating well 51, 61 in the Y-direction. The cross-sectional shape of the cell extraction grooves 53, 63 cut along the XY plane is cylindrical on the Y2 side in the Y-direction and hemispherical on the Y1 side in the Y-direction, as shown in Fig. 3 , and the cross-sectional shape of the cell extraction grooves 53, 63 cut along the YZ plane is cylindrical on the Y2 side in the Y-direction and triangular on the Y1 side in the Y-direction that gradually narrows from the Y2 side toward the Y1 side, as shown in Fig. 4 . The cell extraction grooves 53, 63 connect to the cell-accommodating well 51, 61 on the Y2 side in the Y-direction, and are located inside the outer edges of the first sheet-like member 50 and the second sheet-like member 60 on the Y1 side in the Y-direction.

[0026] A pair of cut portions 101 are provided on both outer ends in the X direction on the Y1 side of the sealing unit 13 in the Y direction. The pair of cut portions 101 are formed on both outer ends in the width direction (X direction) of the sealing unit 13, sandwiching the cell extraction section 12 in the X direction, so that the cell extraction section 12 can be cut midway in the Y direction, and the cell extraction section 12 is positioned on an imaginary line connecting the pair of cut portions 101.

[0027] 4, the first sheet-like member 50 and the second sheet-like member 60 are overlapped so that their three-dimensional portions face each other, and the peripheries of the three-dimensional portions are joined together, with the Y1-side end of the cell introduction tube 20 being placed in the cell introduction grooves 52, 62 formed at the Y2-side ends in the Y direction, and the port member 40 being placed in the cell extraction grooves 53, 63 formed at the Y1-side ends in the Y direction. A tube protection section 14 having a pair of protection sheets 141 is provided at the Y2-side ends in the Y direction. This forms a container body 10 having a cell storage section 11, a cell extraction section 12, a seal section 13, and a tube protection section 14.

[0028] A cylindrical cell introduction part 100 is connected to the cell storage part 11 of the container body 10. The cell introduction part 100 is composed of a cell introduction tube 20 and an introduction port 30, and introduces cells into the cell storage part 11.

[0029] The cell introduction tube 20 is connected to the end side on the Y2 side in the Y direction perpendicular to the width direction of the container body 10. The cell introduction tube 20 is arranged along the surface direction of the pair of extension portions 131 of the seal portion 13. The cell introduction tube 20 guides cells collected from a biological sample into the cell storage portion 11 in a sterile and airtight state. In this way, the cell introduction tube 20 introduces the cells into the cell storage portion 11.

[0030] The cell introduction tube 20 is made of a thermoplastic resin such as EVA resin (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin). In this embodiment, the cell introduction tube 20 is placed in the cell introduction grooves 52, 62 formed in the first sheet-shaped member 50 and the second sheet-shaped member 60 so that the Y1 side in the Y direction communicates with the cell storage section 11. The other end of the cell introduction tube 20 is connected to the introduction port 30. The cell introduction tube 20 used has, for example, an inner diameter of 3.3 mm (±0.1 mm) and an outer diameter of 4.0 mm (±0.1 mm).

[0031] The introduction port 30 is connected in a sterile and airtight manner to, for example, a syringe 80 (see FIGS. 3 and 4 ) for introducing cells or the like into the cell preservation container 1. The introduction port 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the Y direction, and has a tube-side inner cylindrical portion 31 located on the Y1 side in the Y direction, an intermediate cylindrical portion 32 located in the middle in the Y direction, and a syringe-side cylindrical portion 33 located on the Y2 side in the Y direction. The introduction port 30 is made of a thermoplastic resin such as EVA resin, similar to the cell introduction tube 20.

[0032] The tube-side inner cylinder part 31 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is disposed inside the end of the cell introduction tube 20 on the Y2 side in the Y direction, thereby being connected to the cell introduction tube 20. The intermediate cylinder part 32 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is connected to the end of the tube-side inner cylinder part 31 on the Y2 side in the Y direction.

[0033] The syringe side cylinder portion 33 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is connected to the end of the intermediate cylinder portion 32 on the Y2 side in the Y direction. A syringe 80 is coupled to the syringe side cylinder portion 33. The syringe side cylinder portion 33 and the syringe 80 are coupled in an airtight manner. The syringe 80 may be coupled to the syringe side cylinder portion 33 as in this embodiment, or it may be a tube connected to the tip of which is a connector that can be fitted with the syringe side cylinder portion 33. Before use, a protective cap (not shown) is attached to the end of the syringe side cylinder portion 33 on the Y2 side in the Y direction of the cell preservation container 1.

[0034] The port member 40 functions as a cell extraction member, positioned on the Y2 side in the Y direction of the cell extraction section 12, which extracts cells contained in the cell storage section 11. The port member 40 is made of a thermoplastic resin, such as EVA resin, similar to the cell introduction tube 20. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the port member 40 includes a cylindrical section 41 and a closing wall section 42 that closes the Y2-side end of the cylindrical section 41 in the Y direction. In this embodiment, the port member 40 is positioned at the Y2-side end of the cell extraction grooves 53, 63 in the Y direction. Furthermore, the Y1-side end of the port member 40 in the Y direction is positioned inside the outer edges of the first sheet-like member 50 and the second sheet-like member 60 and inside the Y1-side end of the cell extraction grooves 53, 63 in the Y direction.

[0035] When cells contained in the cell storage section 11 are removed, the container body 10 is cut at the pair of cut portions 101, and the cell extraction section 12 is cut partway in the Y direction. This exposes the Y1-side end of the cell extraction section 12 at the cut portion. When cells are removed from the cell storage section 11 with the Y1-side end of the port member 40 exposed, the closing wall section 42 is pierced by an injection needle provided at the tip of a syringe (not shown). By piercing the closing wall section 42 with an injection needle or the like, cells can be removed from the cell storage section 11 using a syringe with an injection needle provided at its tip.

[0036] According to the above-described cell storage container 1, the cell storage section 11 is three-dimensionally formed so that the inner wall side of the cross section of the cell storage section 11 has a curved shape. More specifically, the cell storage section 11 is formed so that the cross section in the planar direction when cut along the planar direction has an elliptical shape, as shown in Fig. 3, and the cross section in the thickness direction when cut along the thickness direction (Z direction) has an elliptical shape, as shown in Fig. 4. In other words, the inner surface of the cell storage section 11 is formed as a concave curved surface without corners.

[0037] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the cell storage section 11 is formed, for example, with a minor axis length (width) W1 of 11 mm, a major axis length W2 of 19 mm, and a thickness H of 11 mm (before refilling with liquid), and is configured to be able to store 1.0 mL of cells. The minor axis length (width) W1 of the cell storage section 11 is preferably 8 to 12 mm. Note that the values ​​of the minor axis length (width) W1, the major axis length W2, and the thickness H are exemplary and are not limited to these numerical values. The ratio of the maximum thickness H of the cell storage section 11 in the thickness direction (Z direction) to the width direction (X direction) length W1 of the cell storage section 11 is preferably H / W1 = 0.5 to 1.0. As a result, the maximum thickness H of the cell storage section 11 in the thickness direction (Z direction) is the same as or smaller than the width direction (X direction) length W1 of the cell storage section 11, making it easy to crush the cell storage section 11 in the thickness direction (Z direction).

[0038] Here, there is a demand for a smaller capacity for the internal space of the cell storage unit 11 in order to store a relatively small volume of cells. While conventional cell storage units have an internal space capacity of, for example, 2.5 mL, in this embodiment, the internal space capacity of the cell storage unit 11 is reduced to approximately 1.0 mL. If the internal space capacity of the cell storage unit 11 is reduced to, for example, approximately 1.0 mL, when a certain volume of liquid cells is injected while maintaining a structure that keeps the cell storage unit 11 airtight and prevents outside air from entering the internal space of the cell storage unit 11 (a structure that keeps the cell storage unit a closed system), the air present in the internal space of the cell introduction unit 100 is forced into the cell storage unit 11, blocking the introduction of the cells and requiring a large force. Therefore, it is preferable that the ratio of the internal space capacity V2 of the cell introduction unit 100 to the internal space capacity V1 of the cell storage unit 11 be V2 / V1 = 0.43 or less. The volume V2 of the internal space of the cell introduction unit 100 is the sum of the volume V2a of the internal space of the cell introduction tube 20 and the volume V2b of the internal space of the introduction port 30. The volume V2 of the internal space of the cell introduction unit 100 is the volume of the internal space from the tip of the syringe 80, which is the cell injection means, to the cell storage unit 11 in the internal space of the introduction port 30 and the cell introduction tube 20 when cells are introduced using the syringe 80, which is the cell injection means.

[0039] Here, an experiment was conducted to determine the ratio (V2 / V1) of the volume V2 of the internal space of the cell introduction unit 100 to the volume V1 of the internal space of the cell introduction unit 11, which is suitable for easily introducing cells into the cell introduction unit 11, when the volume V2b of the internal space of the introduction port 30 was fixed and the length of the cell introduction tube 20 was changed to change the volume of the internal space of the cell introduction unit 100. The pressure at which the cells (liquid) entered the cell introduction unit 11 was measured. The experimental results are shown in Table 1 below. In this experiment, a cell introduction tube 20 with an inner diameter of 3.3 mm (±0.1 mm) and an outer diameter of 4.0 mm (±0.1 mm) was used. Furthermore, the volume V2b of the internal space of the introduction port 30 was 0.11134 mL.

[0040]

[0041] As shown in Table 1, in the experiment, when the volume V2b of the internal space of the introduction port 30 was fixed at 0.11134 mL and the length L of the cell introduction tube 20 was changed, the volume V2a of the internal space of the cell introduction tube 20 was changed between 0.0071 and 0.3603 mL by changing the length L of the cell introduction tube 20 between 10 and 60 mm. In the experimental results of Table 1, when the volume V2a of the internal space of the cell introduction tube 20 is 0.0071 to 0.2897 mL (when the length L of the cell introduction tube 20 is 10 to 50 mm) (when the volume V2 of the internal space of the cell introduction section 100, obtained by adding the volume V2a (0.0071 to 0.2897 mL) of the internal space of the cell introduction tube 20 to the volume V2b (0.11134 mL) of the internal space of the introduction port 30, is 0.1184 to 0.4010 mL), the average pressure when introducing specimens 1 to 3 is 31 to 63 kPa, and the air contained in the cell storage section 11 can be sufficiently replaced with the cells (liquid) introduced via the cell introduction tube 20. On the other hand, when the length L of the cell introduction tube 20 is 60 mm and the volume V2a of the internal space of the cell introduction tube 20 is 0.3603 mL (when the length L of the cell introduction tube 20 is 60 mm) (when the volume V2 of the internal space of the cell introduction section 100, obtained by adding the volume V2a (0.3603 mL) of the internal space of the cell introduction tube 20 to the volume V2b (0.11134 mL) of the internal space of the introduction port 30, is 0.4717 mL), even if an attempt is made to introduce cells (liquid) through the cell introduction tube 20, the air present in the internal space of the cell introduction tube 20 will be introduced into the internal space of the cell storage section 11 first, and the air will be blocked by the air present in the internal space of the cell storage section 11, and the air stored in the cell storage section 11 will not be able to be replaced by the cells (liquid) introduced through the cell introduction tube 20.

[0042] Therefore, when the cell introduction tube 20 has an inner diameter of 3.3 mm (±0.1 mm), as in this embodiment, and the length of the portion through which the cells flow (pass through) is 60 mm or more, even if the cell storage section 11 is crushed, the long length of the cell introduction tube 20 causes the air present in the internal space of the cell introduction section 100 to be introduced into the internal space of the cell storage section 11 first, and the air contained in the cell storage section 11 is blocked by the air present in the internal space of the cell storage section 11, preventing it from being replaced by the cells (liquid) introduced via the cell introduction section 100. Therefore, it is preferable that the length of the cell introduction tube 20 be less than 60 mm. In other words, since it is preferable that the length L of the cell introduction tube 20 is less than 60 mm, it is preferable that the volume V2a of the internal space of the cell introduction tube 20 is less than 0.3603 mL (the length L of the cell introduction tube 20 is less than 60 mm), and the volume V2 of the internal space of the cell introduction section 100, which is the sum of the volume V2a (0.3603 mL) of the internal space of the cell introduction tube 20 and the volume V2b (0.11134 mL) of the internal space of the introduction port 30, is less than 0.4717 mL. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the volume V2 of the internal space of the cell introduction section 100 is 0.43 mL or less, the ratio of the volume V2 of the internal space of the cell introduction section 100 to the volume V1 of the internal space of the cell storage section 11 is V2 / V1 = 0.43 or less. By setting the ratio of the volume V2 of the internal space of the cell introduction section 100 to the volume V1 of the internal space of the cell storage section 11 to V2 / V1 = 0.43 or less, when introducing cells into the cell storage section 11, air is smoothly expelled from the cell storage section 11 in exchange for the cells being introduced into the cell storage section 11, and a set amount of cells can be preferably introduced into the cell storage section 11.

[0043] Based on the above experimental results, in this embodiment, it is preferable that the volume V1 of the internal space of the cell storage section 11 is 1.0 mL, and the volume V2 of the internal space of the part through which the cells flow (pass) when introducing the cells into the cell introduction section 100 is 0.43 mL or less, and it is preferable that the ratio of the volume V2 of the internal space of the cell introduction section 100 to the volume V1 of the internal space of the cell storage section 11 is V2 / V1 = 0.43 or less.

[0044] After the cells are introduced into the cell storage section 11, the cell introduction tube 20 is sealed at a welded section 21 on the container body 10 side midway in the axial direction, as shown in Fig. 5. Therefore, since the cell introduction tube 20 is welded midway in the axial direction, the length of the portion of the cell introduction tube 20 through which the cells flow (pass through), which is the length from the connection between the cell introduction tube 20 and the container body 10, is preferably 30 mm or more. However, the length of the portion of the cell introduction tube 20 through which the cells flow (pass through) may be less than 30 mm.

[0045] As shown in Figure 5, the cell storage container 1 contains cells in the internal space and is sealed at the welding joint 21a on the cell storage section 11 side of the welding section 21.The cell storage container 1A is then stored in the square container storage section S of the cell container storage box 70, as shown in Figure 6.

[0046] When storing the cell storage container 1A in the square-shaped container storage section S of the cell container storage box 70, the width direction (X direction) of the container body 10, which is composed of the cell storage section 11 and the pair of extensions 131 arranged along the X direction of the cell storage container 1A, is aligned along one diagonal of the square-shaped container storage section S in a plan view, and the cell storage container 1A is inserted and stored in the container storage section S by moving it from the upper side to the lower side of the container storage section S so that the Y1 side in the Y direction of the cell storage container 1A is positioned downward and the Y2 side in the Y direction is positioned upward, as shown in Figure 6. In this case, the thickest part of the cell storage section 11 of the container body 10 of the cell storage container 1A is positioned on the other diagonal of the square-shaped container storage section S.

[0047] 3, the length W4 in the width direction (X direction) of the extension portion 131 of the sealing portion 13 is preferably 2 mm or more from the viewpoint of ensuring the strength of the cell storage container 1 (cell storage portion 11) and from the viewpoint of ensuring the strength when the cell storage container 1 is stored in the container storage portion S of the cell container storage box 70. When the length W4 in the width direction (X direction) of the extension portion 131 of the sealing portion 13 is 2 mm or more, the strength of the cell storage container 1 (cell storage portion 11) can be improved, and the risk of leakage of the contents can be reduced even when excessive pressure is applied to the cell storage container 1 (cell storage portion 11).

[0048] As shown in FIG. 8 , when cells are filled in the cell storage section 11, when viewed in the axial direction of the cell introduction tube 20, the ratio of the maximum thickness H of the cell storage section 11 in the thickness direction (Z direction) to the length W3 in the width direction (X direction) of the container body 10, which is composed of the cell storage section 11 and the pair of extension sections 131, is preferably H / W3 = 0.7 to 0.95. By setting the ratio H / W3 of the maximum thickness H of the cell storage section 11 in the thickness direction (Z direction) to the length W3 in the width direction (X direction) of the container body 10 to be 0.7 or greater, the cell introduction tube 20 can be accommodated in the square container storage section S of the cell container storage box 70. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3 , the length W5 from the end of the seal section 13 on the Y1 side in the Y direction to the end of the tube protection section 14 on the Y2 side in the Y direction is preferably W5 = 46 to 50 mm. In this embodiment, for example, the length W5 from the end of the seal portion 13 on the Y1 side in the Y direction to the end of the tube protection portion 14 on the Y2 side in the Y direction is set to 49 mm.

[0049] The width direction (X direction) length W3 of the container body 10, which is configured to include the cell storage section 11 and the pair of extension sections 131 arranged along the X direction of the cell storage container 1A, is approximately the same as the length b of one diagonal of the square container storage section S in a planar view, because the cell storage section 11 is arranged on one diagonal of the square container storage section S. The width direction (X direction) length W3 of the container body 10 being approximately the same as the diagonal length b of the square container storage section S in a planar view means that the width direction (X direction) length W3 of the container body 10 and the diagonal length of the square container storage section S are the same length, or that the width direction (X direction) length W3 of the container body 10 is slightly shorter than the diagonal length of the square container storage section S, including, for example, a case where the width direction (X direction) length W3 of the container body 10 is approximately 10% shorter than the diagonal length of the square container storage section S.

[0050] As a result, when the cell storage container 1A is stored in the square-shaped container storage section S of the cell container storage box 70, the width direction (X direction) of the container body 10, which is composed of the cell storage section 11 and the pair of extension parts 131 arranged along the X direction of the cell storage container 1A, is arranged on one diagonal of the square-shaped container storage section S. By arranging the width direction (X direction) of the container body 10, which is composed of the cell storage section 11 and the pair of extension parts 131 arranged along the X direction of the cell storage container 1A, on one diagonal of the square-shaped container storage section S, the cell storage container 1A can be stored in the square-shaped container storage section S of the cell container storage box 70 with the maximum thickness part of the cell storage section 11 of the container body 10 of the cell storage container 1A arranged on the other diagonal of the square-shaped container storage section S, with the cell storage container 1A filled with cells. Therefore, because the tip parts of the pair of extension parts 131 are arranged at the internal corners of the container storage section S, the cell storage container 1A can be easily stored in the square-shaped container storage section S of the cell container storage box 70.

[0051] The larger the ratio (H / W3) of the maximum thickness H of the cell storage section 11 in the thickness direction (Z direction) to the length W3 in the width direction (X direction) of the container body 10, which is composed of the cell storage section 11 and a pair of extension sections 131, the closer the container storage section S becomes to a square shape, and the cell storage section 11 can be stored in the container storage section S in a stable state.

[0052] A case where cells are accommodated and stored in the small-capacity cell storage container 1 having the above-described cell storage section 11 with a volume V1 of 1.0 mL of the internal space thereof will be described. First, since the cell storage section 11 is formed of a soft material, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 5 , an external force is applied to the soft material of the cell storage section 11 to collapse the cell storage section 11 and remove air from the internal space of the cell storage section 11, thereby reducing the space within the soft material of the cell storage section 11. Then, a syringe 80 is attached to the introduction port 30. The syringe 80 is connected to the introduction port 30 in a sterile and airtight manner. Then, the cells placed inside the syringe 80 are introduced into the cell introduction section 100 via the syringe 80 attached to the introduction port 30. As a result, the cells are introduced into the cell storage section 11 by the cell introduction section 100.

[0053] Here, since the cell storage section 11 is made of a soft material, external force can be applied to the soft material of the cell storage section 11 to crush the cell storage section 11, removing the air in the internal space of the cell storage section 11 and reducing the space within the soft material of the cell storage section 11, and then liquid cells can be easily introduced into the cell storage section 11 using the cell introduction section 100.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the volume V1 of the internal space of the cell storage unit 11 is 1.0 mL, and the volume V2 of the internal space of the portion through which the cells flow (pass) when introducing the cells into the cell introduction unit 100 is 0.43 mL or less, so the ratio of the volume V2 of the internal space of the cell introduction unit 100 to the volume V1 of the internal space of the cell storage unit 11 is V2 / V1 = 0.43 or less. As a result, air is smoothly discharged from the cell storage unit 11 in exchange for the introduction of cells into the cell storage unit 11, allowing a set amount of cells to be suitably introduced into the cell storage unit 11.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inner wall (inner surface) of the cell storage section 11 is configured as a curved surface without corners. This allows air to be smoothly discharged from the cell storage section 11 in exchange for the introduction of cells into the cell storage section 11, making it difficult for air bubbles to remain in the cell storage section 11. Therefore, a set amount of cells can be preferably introduced into the cell storage section 11.

[0056] Next, after the cells are accommodated in the cell storage section 11 by the cell introduction section 100, the cell introduction tube 20 is sealed at the welded section 21 located inside the tube protection section 14 of the container body 10, as shown in the middle diagram of Figure 5. As a result, the cell storage container 1 is hermetically sealed at the welded section 21 midway along the cell introduction tube 20. The sealed welded section 21 in the cell introduction tube 20 is cut at the center of the welded section 21 with a cutting tool such as scissors. Then, as shown in the bottom diagram of Figure 5, the cell storage container 1A is sealed at the welded joint section 21a on the cell storage section 11 side of the welded section 21, with the cells accommodated in the cell storage section 11.

[0057] In this state, the cell storage container 1 is housed in a cell container storage box 70. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the cell container storage box 70 has a bottom plate 71, peripheral wall plates 72 formed at a predetermined height and arranged around all four sides, and partition walls 73 that divide the inside of the peripheral wall plates 72 into a plurality of square lattices.

[0058] In this embodiment, the multiple container storage sections S are arranged in a grid pattern of 100 sections, 10 sections vertically and 10 sections horizontally, in a plan view, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. This allows the cell container storage box 70 to store up to 100 cell storage containers 1A. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, each of the multiple container storage sections S is formed in a square shape with a side length of a and a diagonal length of b in a plan view.

[0059] 6 and 7 , when the cell storage container 1A is to be stored in the container storage section S of the cell container storage box 70, the cell storage container 1A is inserted and stored in the container storage section S by moving the cell storage container 1A from the upper side to the lower side so that the Y1 side in the Y direction of the cell storage container 1A is positioned downward and the Y2 side in the Y direction is positioned upward. The cell storage container 1A is stored in the container storage section S of the cell container storage box 70 by inserting the cell storage container 1A so that the width direction (X direction) in which the pair of extension portions 131 of the seal portion 13 of the container body 10 of the cell storage container 1 extends is aligned along one diagonal line of the container storage section S.

[0060] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, when viewed in the axial direction of the cell introduction tube 20, the ratio of the maximum thickness H of the cell storage section 11 in the thickness direction (Z direction) to the length W3 in the width direction (X direction) of the container body 10, which is composed of the cell storage section 11 and a pair of extension sections 131, is H / W3 = 0.7 to 0.95.

[0061] Therefore, when the cell storage container 1A is stored in the square-shaped container storage section S of the cell container storage box 70, the width direction (X direction) of the container body 10, which is composed of the cell storage section 11 and the pair of extension sections 131 arranged along the X direction of the cell storage container 1A, is arranged on one diagonal of the square-shaped container storage section S, and the portion of the maximum thickness H of the cell storage section 11 of the container body 10 of the cell storage container 1A is arranged on the other diagonal of the square-shaped container storage section S, so that the cell storage container 1A can be stored in a stable state in the square-shaped container storage section S of the cell container storage box 70. When the cell storage container 1A is stored in the container storage section S of the cell container storage box 70, the cell storage container 1A is cryopreserved.

[0062] When using cells stored in the cryopreserved cell storage container 1, first, the cells stored in the cell storage section 11 are thawed. Next, the pair of cutting sections 101 (see the lower diagram in Figure 5 ) of the container body 10 are cut with scissors or the like so as to cut the cell extraction section 12 of the container body 10, thereby exposing the end of the port member 40 on the Y2 side in the Y direction via the cell extraction section 12. Thereafter, using a syringe (not shown) or the like with an injection needle attached to its tip, the injection needle is pierced into the closing wall section 42 of the port member 40 (see Figures 3 and 4 ), and the thawed cells are collected from the cell storage section 11.

[0063] The cell preservation container 1 of this embodiment described above provides the following effects.

[0064] (1) The cell storage container 1 is configured to include a container body 10 having a cell storage section 11 that is formed by bulging outward in a curved shape in the width and thickness directions and has a space formed therein for storing cells, a pair of extension sections 131 that extend outward in a plane from both ends of the cell storage section 11 in the width direction, and a cell introduction tube 20 that is arranged along the surface direction of the extension section 131 and connected to the end side of the container body 10 in a direction perpendicular to the width direction, and that introduces cells into the cell storage section 11. The cell storage container 1 is arranged in the container storage section S such that the width direction of the container body 10, which is composed of the cell storage section 11 and the pair of extension sections 131, is aligned along the diagonal of the square-shaped container storage section S in a planar view, and when the cell storage section 11 is filled with cells, the width direction length of the container body 10, which is composed of the cell storage section 11 and the pair of extension sections 131, is formed to be approximately the same length as the diagonal length of the square-shaped container storage section S in a planar view. This allows a cell storage container 1 having a cell storage section 11 that is formed by bulging out in a curved shape in the width and thickness directions and a pair of extension sections 131 to be stably stored in the container storage section S with the pair of extension sections 131 aligned along the diagonal of the square-shaped container storage section S when viewed in a plane.

[0065] (2) The cross-sectional shape in the planar direction and the cross-sectional shape in the thickness direction of the cell holding section 11 are formed into an elliptical shape when the cell holding section 11 is filled with cells. This allows the cell holding section 11 to be held in a more stable state in the container holding section S, which is square in plan view.

[0066] (3) When cells are filled in the cell storage section 11, when viewed in the axial direction of the cell introduction tube 20, the ratio of the maximum thickness H of the cell storage section 11 in the thickness direction to the widthwise length W3 of the container body 10, which is composed of the cell storage section 11 and a pair of extension sections 131, is H / W3 = 0.7 to 0.95. Therefore, when the cell storage container 1A is stored in the square-shaped container storage section S of the cell container storage box 70, the width direction (X direction) of the container body 10, which is composed of the cell storage section 11 and a pair of extension sections 131 arranged along the X direction of the cell storage container 1A, is arranged on one diagonal of the square-shaped container storage section S. By arranging the maximum thickness H portion of the cell storage section 11 of the container body 10 of the cell storage container 1A on the other diagonal of the square-shaped container storage section S, the cell storage container 1A can be stored in the square-shaped container storage section S of the cell container storage box 70, and therefore the cell storage container 1A can be stored in a stable state in the square-shaped container storage section S of the cell container storage box 70.

[0067] (4) The container body 10 is made of a soft member formed from a soft material. This allows the cell storage container 1A to be stably accommodated in the square container accommodation section S of the cell container accommodation box 70, even when the container body 10 is made of a soft member.

[0068] While preferred embodiments of the cell storage container of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified as appropriate. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the cell storage section 11 is formed to have an elliptical shape in a plan view, but this is not limiting. For example, the cell storage section may be formed to have a circular shape in a plan view.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the cell storage section 11 is formed in an elliptical shape in a plan view, and the cell introduction tube 20 is connected to the end on the major axis side, but this is not limiting.

[0070] 1 Cell storage container 10 Container body 11 Cell storage section 20 Cell introduction tube 131 Extension section S Container storage section

Claims

1. A cell storage container comprising: a container body having a cell storage section that is formed by bulging outward in a curved shape in the width and thickness directions and has a space formed therein for storing cells, and a pair of extension sections that extend outward in a plane from both ends of the cell storage section in the width direction; and a cell introduction tube that is arranged along the surface direction of the extension sections and connected to the end side of the container body in a direction perpendicular to the width direction, and that introduces cells into the cell storage section, wherein the cell storage container is placed in the container storage section such that the width direction of the container body, which is composed of the cell storage section and the pair of extension sections, follows the diagonal of the square container storage section in a planar view; and when cells are filled in the cell storage section, the width direction length of the container body, which is composed of the cell storage section and the pair of extension sections, is formed to be approximately the same length as the diagonal of the square container storage section in a planar view.

2. A cell storage container as described in claim 1, wherein the cell storage section has an elliptical cross-sectional shape in the planar direction and in the thickness direction when the cell storage section is filled with cells.

3. A cell storage container as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein when cells are filled in the cell storage section, when viewed in the axial direction of the cell introduction tube, the ratio of the maximum thickness H of the cell storage section in the thickness direction to the width length W3 of the container body comprising the cell storage section and the pair of extension sections is H / W3 = 0.7 to 0.

95.

4. A cell storage container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container body is made of a soft member formed from a soft material.

5. A cell storage container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the width W1 of the cell storage section is 8 to 12 mm.

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