Culture system and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a culture system and method capable of both cell culture and microorganism culture, and enabling cell culture or microorganism culture in everything from a small-volume medium to a large-volume medium using a single culture bag in a single piece of equipment, the culture system comprising: a culture chamber which can accommodate a flexible medium bag or medium container accommodating a medium in which cells or microorganisms can be cultured; and a variable inclination adjustment device formed in the culture chamber so as to be able to adjust the inclination angle of a support plate supporting the medium bag or medium container in order to culture cells or microorganisms in stages while gradually increasing the volume of the medium from a small volume to a large volume.

Description

Culture system and method

[0001] The present invention relates to a culture system and method, and more specifically, to a culture system and method capable of both cell culture and microbial culture, and capable of cell culture or microbial culture using a single culture bag in a single device, ranging from a small-volume medium to a large-volume medium.

[0002] The present invention relates to project number 2410014444 and project number RS-2025-25459164, which were carried out with funding from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and support from the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology Planning and Evaluation.

[0003] Generally, in the culture industry for culturing animal or plant cells, various devices may be used, such as a culture medium mixing device that mixes the medium to suit the culture environment, a cell culture device capable of culturing animal or plant cells in the medium, a separation and purification device that separates desired raw materials from the medium, and other genetic engineering devices.

[0004] With the recent growth of the animal cell culture industry, cell culture systems used in bioprocesses can utilize various devices that rotate and mix culture media using impellers or propellers.

[0005] However, conventional cell mixing methods using such impellers or propellers had several drawbacks, including the potential for cell damage caused by shear force due to the impellers or propellers coming into direct contact with the cells, contamination resulting from the difficulty of thoroughly cleaning the complex shapes of the impellers or propellers, and additional manufacturing costs for the impellers or propellers.

[0006] Meanwhile, there were problems in the past where relatively expensive cell culture equipment and relatively inexpensive microbial culture equipment were manufactured separately, occupying a large amount of floor space in laboratories or manufacturing facilities.

[0007] In addition, due to the characteristics of culture media, which involves starting with a small volume of media and then culturing in large quantities in a large volume of media once cells or microorganisms are sufficiently cultured, in the past, small volume media bags had to be cultured in small-scale equipment, and then gradually large volume media bags had to be cultured separately in large-scale equipment, so multiple pieces of equipment were required depending on the volume.

[0008] Therefore, there were many problems, such as high investment costs and space requirements due to the multiple pieces of equipment, significantly reduced productivity due to the long time and labor required to transfer culture media from small to large bags, and a significantly higher unit cost of the produced products.

[0009] The present invention is proposed to solve these conventional problems and aims to provide a culture system and method that enables the production of high-quality products for multiple purposes under various conditions—ranging from small-volume to large-volume cultures, and from cell cultures under precise conditions to microbial cultures in harsh environments considering cooling—using a single piece of equipment and a single culture bag. Furthermore, it aims to increase space utilization and maximize productivity by significantly reducing culture time, labor, and costs. However, these objectives are exemplary and the scope of the present invention is not limited by them.

[0010] A culture system according to the concept of the present invention for solving the above problem may include: a culture chamber capable of accommodating a flexible medium bag or a flexible medium container containing a medium capable of culturing cells or microorganisms; and a variable tilt adjustment device formed in the culture chamber to adjust the tilt angle of a support plate supporting the medium bag or the medium container in order to gradually increase the medium volume from a small volume to a large volume while culturing cells or microorganisms stepwise.

[0011] In addition, according to the present invention, the variable tilt adjustment device may be a manual tilt adjustment device in which a user fixes the angle of the support plate using a fixing device.

[0012] Additionally, according to the present invention, the manual tilt adjustment device may include: a fixed side wall formed in the culture chamber and having at least one through hole through which the fixing member passes; a first support plate, one end of which is hinge-coupled by a first hinge axis and the middle or other end of which is fixed to the fixed side wall by the fixing member passing through the through hole; and a second support plate, one end of which is hinge-coupled by a second hinge axis or the first hinge axis and the middle or other end of which is fixed to the fixed side wall by the fixing member passing through the through hole.

[0013] Additionally, according to the present invention, the through hole may be at least one multi-stage through hole formed in the fixed side wall and arranged according to an angle, or at least one slotted through hole.

[0014] Additionally, according to the present invention, the manual tilt adjustment device may further include a connecting support plate that is fixed between the first support plate and the second support plate, with one end hinge-coupled to the first hinge shaft and the other end hinge-coupled to the second hinge shaft.

[0015] In addition, according to the present invention, a heat exchange block or heater having a heat exchange medium flow path may be formed on a plate selected from at least one of a bottom plate, a top plate, the first support plate, the second support plate, and the connecting support plate.

[0016] Additionally, according to the present invention, the manual tilt adjustment device may further include: a first side guide plate having one end hinge-coupled to the third hinge axis of the first support plate and the other end formed to slide up and down along the first guide rail of the culture chamber so as to prevent the culture bag or the culture container from moving away to one side; and a second side guide plate having one end hinge-coupled to the fourth hinge axis of the second support plate and the other end formed to slide up and down along the second guide rail of the culture chamber so as to prevent the culture bag or the culture container from moving away to the other side.

[0017] In addition, according to the present invention, a first roller that rolls in rolling contact with one inner wall surface of the culture chamber or the first guide rail may be formed at the other end of the first side guide plate, and a second roller that rolls in rolling contact with the other inner wall surface of the culture chamber or the second guide rail may be formed at the other end of the second side guide plate.

[0018] In addition, according to the present invention, the apparatus may further include a chamber shaking device that shakes the culture chamber using a first shaking arm and a second shaking arm based on a central joint so that the culture medium contained in the culture bag or culture container can be stirred.

[0019] In addition, according to the present invention, the variable tilt adjustment device may be an automatic tilt adjustment device that adjusts the angle of a support plate using a driving motor.

[0020] Additionally, according to the present invention, the automatic tilt adjustment device may include: a driving motor formed on a base plate; a power transmission device that transmits the driving force of the driving motor; a first support plate, one end of which is hinge-coupled by a first hinge shaft and whose angle is adjusted by the power transmission device; a second support plate, one end of which is hinge-coupled by a second hinge shaft or the first hinge shaft and whose angle is adjusted by the power transmission device; and a control unit that applies a control signal to the driving motor.

[0021] Additionally, according to the present invention, the automatic tilt adjustment device may further include a connecting support plate that is fixed between the first support plate and the second support plate, with one end hinge-coupled to the first hinge shaft and the other end hinge-coupled to the second hinge shaft.

[0022] Additionally, according to the present invention, the power transmission device comprises: a double threaded rod having both ends freely rotatably supported on the base plate, having a right-hand threaded portion formed on one side and a left-hand threaded portion formed on the other side, and being rotated forward or backward by the driving motor; a first nut member that is threaded through by the right-hand threaded portion and moves forward when the driving motor is rotated forward and moves backward when the driving motor is rotated backward; a second nut member that is threaded through by the left-hand threaded portion and moves backward when the driving motor is rotated forward and moves forward when the driving motor is rotated backward; a first interlocking link having one end hinged to the first nut member and the other end hinged to the rear bracket of the first support plate; and a second interlocking link having one end hinged to the second nut member and the other end hinged to the rear bracket of the second support plate; and the control unit can apply an angle adjustment control signal to the driving motor.

[0023] Additionally, according to the present invention, the power transmission device comprises: a first screw rod, having both ends freely supported by rotation on the base plate and rotated forward or backward by a first motor; a second screw rod, having both ends freely supported by rotation on the base plate and rotated forward or backward by a second motor; a first nut member, which is screw-through through the first screw rod and moved back and forth by the first motor; a second nut member, which is screw-through through the second screw rod and moved back and forth by the second motor; a first interlocking link, having one end hinge-coupled to the first nut member and the other end hinge-coupled to the rear bracket of the first support plate; and a second interlocking link, having one end hinge-coupled to the second nut member and the other end hinge-coupled to the rear bracket of the second support plate; wherein the control unit can apply an angle adjustment control signal or a left / right stirring control signal to the first motor and the second motor, respectively.

[0024] Additionally, according to the present invention, the support plate may include a front support plate whose angle is adjusted to be inclined forward; a rear support plate whose angle is adjusted to be inclined backward; a left support plate whose angle is adjusted to be inclined to the left; and a right support plate whose angle is adjusted to be inclined to the right.

[0025] Additionally, according to the present invention, the support plate may include: a front support plate whose angle is adjusted to be inclined forward; a rear support plate whose angle is adjusted to be inclined backward; a left support plate whose angle is adjusted to be inclined to the left; a right support plate whose angle is adjusted to be inclined to the right; and a central support plate hinged to the front support plate, the rear support plate, the left support plate, and the right support plate.

[0026] In addition, according to the present invention, the support plate may be a multi-piece type support plate composed of a plurality of individual units arranged in M ​​rows and N columns.

[0027] In addition, according to the present invention, a temperature control device formed in the culture chamber and capable of controlling the culture temperature may be further included.

[0028] Meanwhile, a culture method according to the concept of the present invention for solving the above problem may include: (a) a step of accommodating a flexible medium bag or a flexible medium container capable of accommodating a medium for culturing cells or microorganisms inside a culture chamber; (b) a step of raising the inclination of the support plate overall using a variable inclination adjustment device, and then introducing a small volume of medium into the medium bag or medium container to culture cells or microorganisms in a first step; and (c) a step of, when cells or microorganisms are sufficiently cultured in the small volume of medium, lowering the inclination of the support plate overall or flattening the support plate using the variable inclination adjustment device, and then introducing additional medium into the medium bag or medium container to culture cells or microorganisms in a second step in a large volume of medium.

[0029] In addition, according to the present invention, after step (b) or after step (c),

[0030] (d) a step of adjusting the temperature of the medium using a heat exchange block having a heat exchange medium channel formed in the support plate or the culture chamber; may be further included.

[0031] According to the various embodiments of the present invention as described above, high-quality products can be produced for multiple purposes under various conditions—ranging from small-volume to large-volume culture processes, to cell culture under precise conditions, and even microbial culture in harsh environments considering cooling—using a single medium bag in a single piece of equipment. Furthermore, this has the effect of increasing space utilization and maximizing productivity by significantly reducing culture time, manpower, and costs. Of course, the scope of the present invention is not limited by these effects.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a culture system according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2 is an internal perspective view showing the culture system of Figure 1.

[0034] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the small-volume medium culture state (slanted mode) of the culture system of Figure 1.

[0035] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the large-capacity culture medium state (horizontal mode) of the culture system of Figure 3.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a culture system according to some other embodiments of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 6 is an internal perspective view showing the culture system of Figure 5.

[0038] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the culture system of Figure 5.

[0039] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a culture system according to some other embodiments of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 9 is an external perspective view showing the chamber shaking device of the culture system of FIG. 8.

[0041] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the chamber shaking device of the culture system of FIG. 9.

[0042] FIGS. 11 to 15 are conceptual plan views illustrating various examples of a support plate of a culture system according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a culture system according to some other embodiments of the present invention.

[0044] Fig. 17 is an internal perspective view showing the culture system of Fig. 16.

[0045] FIG. 18 is a front view showing the small-volume medium culture state (slanted mode) of the culture system of FIG. 17.

[0046] FIG. 19 is a front view showing the large-capacity culture medium state (horizontal mode) of the culture system of FIG. 18.

[0047] FIG. 20 is a front view showing the chamber shaking device of the culture system of FIG. 16.

[0048] FIG. 21 is a front view showing a culture system according to some other embodiments of the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a culture method according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0050] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but can be implemented in various different forms. The following embodiments are provided to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention. Additionally, for convenience of explanation, the size of components in the drawings may be exaggerated or reduced.

[0051] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a culture system (100) according to some embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an internal perspective view showing the culture system (100) of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a small-capacity culture state (inclined mode) of the culture system (100) of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a large-capacity culture state (horizontal mode) of the culture system (100) of FIG. 3.

[0052] First, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, a culture system (100) according to some embodiments of the present invention may largely include a culture chamber (10) and a variable tilt adjustment device (20).

[0053] The culture chamber (10) may be a type of culture structure capable of accommodating a culture environment such as temperature, pressure, humidity, and cleanliness required for culture, such as a flexible culture bag (1) or a flexible culture container that can accommodate a culture medium capable of culturing cells or microorganisms, for example.

[0054] More specifically, for example, the culture chamber (10) can be formed by assembling various members such as various vertical members, horizontal members, panel members, and frame members, as a structure having sufficient strength and durability to withstand the load of the culture medium and culture bag (1) or culture container and the stirring load, as well as the variable tilt adjustment device (20).

[0055] However, such a culture chamber (10) is not necessarily limited to the drawing, and all of the various forms of structures capable of culture can be applied.

[0056] Here, the bag (1) is a type of bag packaging member that can be sealed with a flexible synthetic resin or rubber material and can replenish the bag using a hose or tube, and all bag bags (1) of a wide variety of shapes can be applied.

[0057] In particular, the culture medium bag (1) may be in the form of a bag capable of accommodating a relatively small volume of culture medium to a large volume of culture medium, such that, by means of a variable slope adjustment device (20), one or both sides are first deformed into a steeply sloped shape and narrowed toward the center to culture a relatively small volume of culture medium first, and after cells or microorganisms are sufficiently cultured in the culture medium, the culture medium is gradually refilled inside, and then, by means of a variable slope adjustment device (20), the culture medium is deformed into a gently sloped shape or a horizontally flat shape and widened overall to culture a relatively large volume of culture medium in stages.

[0058] These badge bags (1) are schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 for convenience of explanation, but are not necessarily limited to the drawings and can be applied to a wide variety of badge bags or badge containers of various shapes and types.

[0059] The variable tilt adjustment device (20) may be a device formed in the culture chamber (10) to adjust the tilt angle of a support plate (PL, see FIGS. 11 to 15) supporting a culture medium bag (1) or a culture medium container, for example, in order to gradually increase the volume of the culture medium from a small volume to a large volume and culture cells or microorganisms step by step.

[0060] The variable tilt adjustment device (20) may be a manual tilt adjustment device (20A) in which, for example, a user fixes the angle of the support plate (PL) using a fixing device (F), as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0061] A manual tilt adjustment device (20A) may include, for example, a fixed side wall (SW) formed in a culture chamber (10) and having at least one through hole (Ha) (Hb) through which various fasteners (F), such as screws, bolts, index plungers, or jigs, pass; a first support plate (21) having one end hinged by a first hinge shaft (H1) and the middle or other end fixed to the fixed side wall (SW) by a fastener (F) passing through the through hole (Ha) (Hb); and a second support plate (22) having one end hinged by a second hinge shaft (H2) or the first hinge shaft (H1) and the middle or other end fixed to the fixed side wall (SW) by a fastener (F) passing through the through hole (Ha) (Hb).

[0062] Here, so that the fixing member (F) can be fixed, the through hole (Ha) (Hb) may be at least one multi-stage through hole (Ha) formed in the fixing side wall (SW) and arranged according to an angle, or at least one slotted through hole (Hb).

[0063] However, the shape of these through holes is not necessarily limited to the drawings, and a wide variety of through holes capable of fixing the first support plate (21) and the second support plate (22) can all be applied.

[0064] The manual tilt adjustment device (20A) may further include a connecting support plate (23) that is fixed between the first support plate (21) and the second support plate (22), for example as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, and has one end hinged to the first hinge shaft (H1) and the other end hinged to the second hinge shaft (H2).

[0065] Here, in order to rapidly cool a large volume of cultured medium to improve productivity, a heat exchange block (HE) or heater (H) having a heat exchange medium channel (MP) can be formed on a plate selected from at least one of a bottom plate (B), a top plate, a first support plate (21), a second support plate (22), and a connecting support plate (23).

[0066] However, the heat exchange block (HE) having such a heat exchange medium flow path (MP) is not necessarily limited to the drawing, and various heat exchange devices such as chillers, cooling plates, and heaters can all be applied.

[0067] Accordingly, first, as shown in FIG. 3, in a small-capacity culture state (slanted mode), if the first support plate (21) and the second support plate (22) are fixed at an angle to the fixed side wall (SW) using a fixing device (F), the sides of the culture bag (1) are deformed into a steeply inclined shape and narrowed toward the center, allowing a relatively small-capacity culture to be cultured first.

[0068] Next, as illustrated in FIG. 4, after cells or microorganisms have been sufficiently cultured in the medium, in a large-capacity medium culture state (horizontal mode), if the first support plate (21) and the second support plate (22) are fixed horizontally to the fixed side wall (SW) using a fixing device (F), the medium bag (1) can be deformed into a horizontally flat shape and expanded overall, and the medium can be refilled in stages inside the medium bag (1) to culture a relatively large-capacity medium.

[0069] Additionally, the manual tilt adjustment device (20A) may further include, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a first side guide plate (24) having one end hinged to the third hinge axis (H3) of the first support plate (21) and the other end formed to slide up and down along the first guide rail (G1) of the culture chamber (10) so as to prevent the culture bag (1) or culture container from moving away to one side, and a second side guide plate (25) having one end hinged to the fourth hinge axis (H4) of the second support plate (22) and the other end formed to slide up and down along the second guide rail (G2) of the culture chamber (10) so as to prevent the culture bag (1) or culture container from moving away to the other side.

[0070] Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3, by using the first side guide plate (24) and the second side guide plate (25), the remaining part of the remaining culture bag (1) that holds the culture medium can be prevented from slipping out of the first support plate (21) and the second support plate (22) and getting stuck in the gap between the culture chambers (10).

[0071] Here, a first roller (R1) that rolls in contact with one side inner wall surface of the culture chamber (10) or the first guide rail (G1) may be formed at the other end of the first side guide plate (24), and a second roller (R2) that rolls in contact with the other side inner wall surface of the culture chamber (10) or the second guide rail (G2) may be formed at the other end of the second side guide plate (25).

[0072] Therefore, by using the first roller (R1) and the second roller (R2), noise and vibration can be reduced during operation of the first side guide plate (24) and the second side guide plate (25), thereby improving operational performance, and wear between parts during friction with the culture chamber (10) can be reduced, thereby improving the durability of the culture chamber (10) and preventing the occurrence of abrasive foreign substances.

[0073] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a culture system (200) according to some other embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an internal perspective view showing the culture system (200) of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the culture system (200) of FIG. 5.

[0074] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the culture chamber (10) of the culture system (200) according to some other embodiments of the present invention may have various types of doors (11) formed for the operation and management of internal parts, for example, or additionally have transparent windows (12) formed for visual inspection of the internal situation.

[0075] Additionally, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the culture chamber (10) of the culture system (200) according to some other embodiments of the present invention may be formed with an auxiliary rod (BR) that can press a part of the culture bag (1) or guide its shape by being fixed by a slot-shaped through hole (Hb) or an auxiliary through hole (Hc) through which various types of fixing members (F) can pass.

[0076] Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a culture system (200) according to some other embodiments of the present invention may further include a temperature control device (40) formed in a culture chamber (10) and capable of controlling the culture temperature.

[0077] Here, the temperature control device (40) can be any of the various types and kinds of heat exchange devices, such as a heat exchange block (HE) having a heat exchange medium flow path (MP), various heaters, or chillers.

[0078] In addition, various auxiliary parts of very different shapes and types, such as sensors, thermometers, pressure gauges, and hygrometers, can be additionally installed in the culture chamber (10).

[0079] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a culture system (300) according to some other embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 9 is an external perspective view showing a chamber shaking device (30) of the culture system (300) of FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a chamber shaking device (30) of the culture system (300) of FIG. 9.

[0080] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10, a culture system (300) according to some other embodiments of the present invention may further include a chamber shaking device (30) that shakes the culture chamber (10) in the forward, backward, left, and right directions using a first shaking arm (A1) and a second shaking arm (A2) with respect to a central joint (J) so that the culture medium contained in a culture bag (1) or a culture container may be stirred or swirled.

[0081] Therefore, by using the chamber shaking device (30), the culture chamber (10) can be shaken in a small-volume culture state (inclined mode) and a large-volume culture state (horizontal mode) so that the culture medium is evenly stirred and mixed.

[0082] Therefore, with one medium bag (1) in one device, high-quality products can be produced for various purposes under various conditions, ranging from cell culture under precise conditions to microbial culture in harsh environments that even consider cooling, as well as increasing space utilization and significantly reducing the time, manpower, and costs of culture.

[0083] FIGS. 11 to 15 are conceptual plan views illustrating various examples of support plates (PL) of culture systems according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0084] First, the support plate (PL) that can be applied to the culture system of the present invention may be in the form of a three-piece structure, for example, consisting of a first support plate (21), a second support plate (22), and a connecting support plate (23), as shown in FIG. 11.

[0085] Here, a heat exchange block (HE) having a heat exchange medium channel (MP) can be formed in the first support plate (21) and the second support plate so that the heat exchange medium can flow in a zigzag shape, as illustrated by the arrow in FIG. 11.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 12, the support plate (PL) of the present invention may be in the form of a two-piece, for example, a first support plate (21) and a second support plate (22).

[0087] As illustrated in FIG. 13, the support plate (PL) of the present invention may be in the form of a 4-piece structure, for example, comprising a front support plate (P1) with an angle adjusted to be inclined forward, a rear support plate (P2) with an angle adjusted to be inclined backward, a left support plate (P3) with an angle adjusted to be inclined to the left, and a right support plate (P4) with an angle adjusted to be inclined to the right.

[0088] As illustrated in FIG. 14, the support plate (PL) of the present invention may be in the form of a 5-piece structure, for example, comprising a front support plate (P1) whose angle is adjusted to be inclined forward, a rear support plate (P2) whose angle is adjusted to be inclined backward, a left support plate (P3) whose angle is adjusted to be inclined to the left, a right support plate (P4) whose angle is adjusted to be inclined to the right, and a central support plate (P5) which is hinge-connected to the front support plate (P1), the rear support plate (P2), the left support plate (P3), and the right support plate (P4).

[0089] In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the support plate (PL) of the present invention may be a multi-piece type support plate (P6) composed of a plurality of individual units (U) arranged in M ​​rows and N columns, which are capable of being raised and lowered or tilted.

[0090] Accordingly, according to the present invention, it is possible to cultivate for multiple purposes by using a single culture bag (1) while modifying the culture bag (1) into various forms using various types of support plates (PL), thereby increasing or decreasing the amount of culture medium step by step.

[0091] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a culture system (400) according to some other embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 17 is an internal perspective view showing the culture system (400) of FIG. 16, FIG. 18 is a front view showing a small-volume medium culture state (inclined mode) of the culture system (400) of FIG. 17, FIG. 19 is a front view showing a large-volume medium culture state (horizontal mode) of the culture system (400) of FIG. 18, and FIG. 20 is a front view showing a chamber shaking device (30) of the culture system (400) of FIG. 16.

[0092] As illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 20, the variable tilt adjustment device (20) of the culture system (400) according to some other embodiments of the present invention may be an automatic tilt adjustment device (20B) that adjusts the angle of the support plate (PL) using a driving motor (M).

[0093] For example, as shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, the automatic tilt adjustment device (20B) comprises a drive motor (M) formed on a base plate (B), a power transmission device (26) that transmits the driving force of the drive motor (M), a first support plate (21) whose one end is hinged to a first hinge shaft (H1) and whose angle is adjusted by the power transmission device (26), a second support plate (22) whose one end is hinged to a second hinge shaft (H2) or the first hinge shaft (H1) and whose angle is adjusted by the power transmission device (26), a connecting support plate (23) fixed between the first support plate (21) and the second support plate (22), whose one end is hinged to the first hinge shaft (H1) and whose other end is hinged to the second hinge shaft (H2), and a device that applies a control signal to the drive motor (M). It may include a control unit (C).

[0094] More specifically, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 19, the power transmission device (26) comprises: a double threaded rod (DS) in which both ends are freely rotatably supported on a base plate (B), a right-hand threaded portion (DSa) is formed on one side and a left-hand threaded portion (DSb) is formed on the other side, and which is rotated forward or reverse by a driving motor (M); a first nut member (N1) which is threaded through by the right-hand threaded portion (DSa) and moves forward when the driving motor (M) is rotated forward and moves backward when the driving motor (M) is rotated backward; a second nut member (N2) which is threaded through by the left-hand threaded portion (DSb) and moves backward when the driving motor (M) is rotated forward and moves forward when the driving motor (M) is rotated backward; a first interlocking link (L1) in which one end is hinge-coupled to the first nut member (N1) and the other end is hinge-coupled to the rear bracket (21a) of the first support plate (21); It may include a second interlocking link (L2) in which one end is hinge-connected to the second nut member (N2) and the other end is hinge-connected to the rear bracket (22a) of the second support plate (22).

[0095] Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 18, in a small-capacity medium culture state (slanted mode), when the control unit (C) applies a small-capacity mode angle adjustment control signal to the drive motor (M), the drive motor rotates the double screw rod (DS) in the forward direction so that the distance between the first nut member (N1) and the second nut member (N2) can be widened, and the first support plate (21) and the second support plate (22) are operated at a steep incline by the first linkage link (L1) and the second linkage link (L2), so that both sides of the medium bag (1) are deformed into a steeply inclined shape and can first culture a relatively small-capacity medium in a state where it is narrowed toward the center.

[0096] Next, as illustrated in FIG. 19, in a large-capacity culture state (life mode), when the control unit (C) applies a large-capacity mode angle adjustment control signal to the drive motor (M), the drive motor reverses the double screw rod (DS) so that the distance between the first nut member (N1) and the second nut member (N2) can be narrowed, and the first support plate (21) and the second support plate (22) are moved horizontally by the first linkage link (L1) and the second linkage link (L2), so that the culture bag (1) can be deformed into a horizontally flat shape and become wider overall, and culture medium can be refilled in stages inside the culture bag (1) to culture a relatively large-capacity culture medium.

[0097] Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 20, a culture system (400) according to some other embodiments of the present invention may further include a chamber shaking device (30) that shakes the culture chamber (10) in the forward, backward, left, and right directions using a first shaking arm (A1) and a second shaking arm (A2) with respect to a central joint (J) so that the culture medium contained in a culture bag (1) or a culture container may be stirred or swirled.

[0098] Therefore, by using the chamber shaking device (30), the culture chamber (10) can be shaken in a small-volume culture state (inclined mode) and a large-volume culture state (horizontal mode) so that the culture medium is evenly stirred and mixed.

[0099] Therefore, with one medium bag (1) in one device, high-quality products can be produced for various purposes under various conditions, ranging from cell culture under precise conditions to microbial culture in harsh environments that even consider cooling, as well as increasing space utilization and significantly reducing the time, manpower, and costs of culture.

[0100] FIG. 21 is a front view showing a culture system (500) according to some other embodiments of the present invention.

[0101] As illustrated in FIG. 21, a power transmission device (27) of a culture system (400) according to some other embodiments of the present invention comprises: a first screw rod (S1) having both ends freely supported on a base plate (B) and rotated forward or backward by a first motor (M1); a second screw rod (S2) having both ends freely supported on a base plate and rotated forward or backward by a second motor (M2); a first nut member (N1) that is screw-through through the first screw rod (S1) and moved back and forth by the first motor (M1); a second nut member (N2) that is screw-through through the second screw rod (S2) and moved back and forth by the second motor (M2); and a first interlocking link (L1) having one end hinge-coupled to the first nut member (N1) and the other end hinge-coupled to the rear bracket (21a) of the first support plate (21). It may include a second interlocking link (L2) in which one end is hinge-connected to the second nut member (N2) and the other end is hinge-connected to the rear bracket (22a) of the second support plate (22).

[0102] Accordingly, the control unit (C) can apply a small-capacity mode angle control signal or a large-capacity mode angle control signal to the first motor (M1) and the second motor (M2), respectively, and can also apply a left-right stirring control signal to stir the culture medium by shaking the first support plate (21) and the second support plate (22) individually during each mode.

[0103] FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a culture method according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0104] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 22, a culture method according to some embodiments of the present invention may include: (a) a step of accommodating a flexible medium bag (1) or a flexible medium container capable of accommodating a medium capable of culturing cells or microorganisms inside a culture chamber (10); (b) a step of raising the slope of a support plate (PL) overall using a variable slope adjustment device (20), and then introducing a small volume of medium into the medium bag (1) or medium container to culture cells or microorganisms in a first step; (c) a step of, when cells or microorganisms are sufficiently cultured in the small volume of medium, lowering the slope of the support plate (PL) overall or flattening the support plate (PL) using a variable slope adjustment device (20), and then introducing additional medium into the medium bag (1) or medium container to culture cells or microorganisms in a second step in a large volume of medium; and (d) a step of adjusting the temperature of the medium using a heat exchange block (HE) having a heat exchange medium channel (MP) formed in the support plate (PL).

[0105] The present invention has been described with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the drawings, but this is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent alternative embodiments are possible therefrom. Accordingly, the true technical scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A culture chamber capable of accommodating a flexible medium bag or a flexible medium container containing a medium capable of culturing cells or microorganisms; and A variable tilt adjustment device formed in the culture chamber to adjust the tilt angle of a support plate supporting the medium bag or medium container, so as to gradually increase the medium volume from a small volume to a large volume to culture cells or microorganisms in stages; A culture system including 2. In Paragraph 1, The above variable inclination adjustment device is, A culture system that is a manual tilt adjustment device in which the user fixes the angle of the support plate using a fixture.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above manual incline adjustment device is, A fixed side wall formed in the culture chamber above, having at least one through hole through which the fixing member passes; A first support plate having one end hinge-connected by a first hinge axis, and the middle or other end fixed to the fixed side wall by the fixing member penetrating the through hole; and A second support plate, wherein one end is hinge-connected by the second hinge axis or the first hinge axis, and the middle or other end is fixed to the fixed side wall by the fixing member penetrating the through hole; A culture system including 4. In Paragraph 3, The above penetration hole is, A culture system formed in the above fixed sidewall and arranged according to an angle, which is at least one multi-stage through hole or at least one slot-type through hole.

5. In Paragraph 3, The above manual incline adjustment device is, A connecting support plate fixed between the first support plate and the second support plate, with one end hinge-coupled to the first hinge shaft and the other end hinge-coupled to the second hinge shaft; A culture system that further includes 6. In Paragraph 5, A culture system in which a heat exchange block or heater having a heat exchange medium flow path is formed on a plate selected from at least one of a bottom plate, a top plate, the first support plate, the second support plate, and the connecting support plate.

7. In Paragraph 3, The above manual incline adjustment device is, A first side guide plate having one end hinge-coupled to the third hinge axis of the first support plate and the other end formed to slide up and down along the first guide rail of the culture chamber so as to prevent the above-mentioned culture bag or the above-mentioned culture container from deviating to one side; and A second side guide plate having one end hinge-connected to the fourth hinge axis of the second support plate and the other end formed to slide up and down along the second guide rail of the culture chamber so as to prevent the above-mentioned culture bag or the above-mentioned culture container from deviating to the other side; A culture system that further includes 8. In Paragraph 7, A first roller is formed at the other end of the first side guide plate, which makes rolling contact with one inner wall surface of the culture chamber or the first guide rail, and A culture system in which a second roller is formed at the other end of the second side guide plate, in rolling contact with the inner wall surface of the other side of the culture chamber or the second guide rail.

9. In Paragraph 1, A chamber shaking device that shakes the culture chamber using a first shaking arm and a second shaking arm based on a central joint so that the culture medium contained in the culture bag or culture container can be stirred; A culture system that further includes 10. In Paragraph 1, The above variable inclination adjustment device is, A culture system that is an automatic tilt adjustment device for adjusting the angle of a support plate using a drive motor.

11. In Paragraph 10, The above automatic incline adjustment device is, A driving motor formed on a base plate; A power transmission device that transmits the driving force of the above-mentioned drive motor; A first support plate, the first end of which is hinge-connected by a first hinge axis and whose angle is adjusted by the power transmission device; A second support plate, the first end of which is hinge-coupled to the second hinge axis or the first hinge axis and whose angle is adjusted by the power transmission device; and A control unit that applies a control signal to the above-mentioned drive motor; A culture system including 12. In Paragraph 11, The above automatic incline adjustment device is, A connecting support plate fixed between the first support plate and the second support plate, with one end hinge-coupled to the first hinge shaft and the other end hinge-coupled to the second hinge shaft; A culture system that further includes 13. In Paragraph 11, The above power transmission device is, A double threaded rod, having both ends freely rotatably supported on the base plate, with a right-hand thread formed on one side and a left-hand thread formed on the other side, and rotated in the forward or reverse direction by the driving motor; A first nut member that is screw-penetrated by the above-mentioned right-hand threaded portion, moves forward when the drive motor rotates in the forward direction, and moves backward when the drive motor rotates in the reverse direction; A second nut member that is screw-penetrated by the above-mentioned left-hand screw portion, which moves backward when the drive motor rotates in the forward direction and moves forward when the drive motor rotates in the reverse direction; A first interlocking link having one end hinge-coupled to the first nut member and the other end hinge-coupled to the rear bracket of the first support plate; and A second interlocking link having one end hinge-coupled to the second nut member and the other end hinge-coupled to the rear bracket of the second support plate; The above control unit applies an angle adjustment control signal to the drive motor, in a culture system.

14. In Paragraph 11, The above power transmission device is, A first screw rod, having both ends freely rotatably supported on the base plate and rotated in the forward or reverse direction by a first motor; A second screw rod, having both ends freely rotatably supported on the base plate and rotated in the forward or reverse direction by a second motor; A first nut member that is screw-penetrated by the first screw rod and moves back and forth by the first motor; A second nut member that is screw-penetrated by the second screw rod and moves back and forth by the second motor; A first interlocking link having one end hinge-coupled to the first nut member and the other end hinge-coupled to the rear bracket of the first support plate; and A second interlocking link having one end hinge-coupled to the second nut member and the other end hinge-coupled to the rear bracket of the second support plate; The above control unit applies an angle adjustment control signal or a left-right stirring control signal to the first motor and the second motor, respectively, in a culture system.

15. In Paragraph 1, The above support plate is, A front support plate with an angle adjustable to be inclined forward; Rear support plate with an angle adjustable to be inclined backward; A left support plate with an angle adjustable to be inclined to the left; and Right support plate with an angle adjustable to be inclined to the right; A culture system including 16. In Paragraph 1, The above support plate is, A front support plate with an angle adjustable to be inclined forward; Rear support plate with an angle adjustable to be inclined backward; Left support plate with an angle adjustable to be inclined to the left; A right support plate with an angle adjustable to be inclined to the right; and A central support plate hinged to the front support plate, the rear support plate, the left support plate, and the right support plate; A culture system including 17. In Paragraph 1, The above support plate is, A culture system that is a multi-piece type support plate composed of multiple individual units arranged in M ​​rows and N columns.

18. In Paragraph 1, A temperature control device formed in the above-mentioned culture chamber and capable of controlling the culture temperature; A culture system that further includes 19.(a) A step of accommodating a flexible medium bag or a flexible medium container capable of accommodating a medium for culturing cells or microorganisms inside a culture chamber; (b) a step of raising the inclination of the support plate overall using a variable inclination adjustment device, and then introducing a small volume of medium into the medium bag or medium container to culture cells or microorganisms in the first step; and (c) When cells or microorganisms are sufficiently cultured in the small volume medium, lower the inclination of the support plate overall or flatten the support plate using the variable inclination adjustment device, and then add additional medium to the medium bag or medium container to culture cells or microorganisms a second time in the large volume medium; A culture method including 20. In Paragraph 19, After step (b) above or after step (c) above, (d) a step of adjusting the temperature of the medium using a heat exchange block having a heat exchange medium channel formed in the support plate or the culture chamber; A culture method further comprising

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