JP4411099B2 - Pipette tube and pipette device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pipette tube and a pipette device, and more particularly to a structure of a pipette tube and a pipette device for sucking a liquid such as a culture medium and a washing solution used when culturing microorganisms and cells.

Due to the recent development of culture technology, microorganisms and cells for use in medicine and research are cultured in vitro (in vitro). For example, cells (somatic cells and stem cells) collected from patients and donors are cultured in vitro to produce a cultured tissue, which is used for regenerative medicine, drug or cosmetic screening, and the like.
Conventionally, these cultured tissues have been produced in facilities that are scheduled to be used for medical or research purposes. However, in recent years, there is an opportunity to use cultured tissues produced in specialized facilities outside the facility, such as by outsourcing. It has increased. In Europe and America, cultured skin and cultured cartilage have already been commercialized and supplied to medical facilities.

  In such an outsourced organization, it is necessary to take various measures to prevent contamination (contamination) in order to reliably produce the requested cultured tissue. As such means, it has been practiced to sterilize and use instruments used in the culturing process, or to use disposable (disposable) instruments that are supplied in a sterilized state.

As described above, a pipette tube is an example of an instrument that is used in a sterilized state or supplied in a sterilized state such as a disposable type in the culture process. When this pipette tube is used, it is replaced for each culture vessel to prevent contamination or to prevent cross contamination between different culture vessels.
As shown in FIG. 8, the shape of the conventional pipette tube 30 is a simple linear shape, and a suction hole 31 for sucking liquid at one end thereof has a hole diameter slightly smaller than the hole diameter of the pipette tube main body 32. It is formed as follows. A suction hose 33 is connected to the other end of the pipette tube 30, and a liquid such as a culture medium or a washing solution is sucked into the pipette tube 30 by a pipetter or an aspirator (not shown) connected to the other end of the suction hose 33. .
By the way, for the purpose of efficiently heating the sucked liquid, a pipette tube having a spiral shape on the upper side is disclosed in Patent Document 1. However, since sterilization workability and operability are poor, such a special pipette tube is disclosed. It is not generally used unless there is a purpose.

Japanese Patent No. 3347755

  However, although the suction hose 33 may be sterilized at the time of use, frequent replacement is not only a burden on the operator, but also increases the risk of contamination. There is no exchange. In such a situation, if the aspirator or pipetter is stopped during the suction of the culture medium or the washing liquid due to a power failure or an erroneous operation, or if suction failure occurs due to air leakage caused by improper attachment of the suction hose, the pipette tube 30 Due to the linear shape, the connecting portion 34 between the pipette tube 30 and the suction hose 33 is positioned lower than the uppermost point 35 of the suction hose 33, and therefore exists in the suction hose 33 from the connecting portion 34 to the uppermost point 35. However, there is a problem in that the culture medium and the cleaning liquid flow backward, causing contamination of the culture medium and the cleaning liquid, and causing cross-contamination between different culture vessels. Even in the normal operation state, when the liquid suction is completed, a large amount of air is sucked together with the liquid, so that it becomes difficult to obtain a sufficient suction force, and the liquid is applied as a drooping liquid to the tube wall surface. There may be a case where the gas slowly flows back along.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a pipette tube and a pipette device having a backflow prevention function with a simple shape that does not deteriorate operability.

A pipette tube according to the present invention includes a suction part having a suction hole for sucking a liquid, a discharge part for discharging the sucked liquid, and a discharge part communicating with the suction part. The discharge portion forms an angle of less than 180 °.
A trap part can also be provided in the discharge part.
Also, a straight line connecting the first connection position and the second connection position is provided with one end connected to the suction part at the first connection position and the other end connected to the discharge part at the second connection position. It is also possible to form an angle of less than 180 ° with the suction part.
Further, the above-described pipette tube and a suction / discharge mechanism may be provided, and the suction / discharge mechanism may be configured to suck the liquid from the suction hole into the pipette tube and to discharge the sucked liquid from the discharge hole.
The suction / discharge mechanism may have a suction hose connected to the pipette tube, and the suction hose may be provided with a trap portion at a connection portion with the pipette tube.

  According to the pipette tube and the pipette device according to the present invention, when the aspirator or pipetter is stopped due to a power failure or an erroneous operation when the liquid is sucked in spite of the simple shape that does not deteriorate the operability. Even if the suction is poor or the suction force is insufficient, the liquid reaching the suction hose does not flow back, and can be reliably prevented from contamination and cross contamination.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a pipette device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
One end of a suction hose 4 is connected to the pipette tube 1, and the other end of the suction hose 4 is connected to an aspirator 6. The aspirator 6 includes a suction pump 7, a waste liquid bottle 8 and a foot switch 9.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pipette tube 1 is a hollow cylindrical tube that is open at both ends, and has a suction part 1a having a suction hole 2 for sucking liquid and a discharge having a discharge hole 3 for discharging liquid. Part 1b.
The shaft center of the suction portion 1a and the shaft center of the discharge portion 1b are connected to form an angle of θ = 60 ° so that the discharge hole 3 faces downward in use.
This angle θ is not limited to 60 °, and any angle less than 180 ° may be used as long as the discharge hole 3 can be directed downward when the pipette tube 1 is used. Normally, the pipette tube 1 is used with a pipet tube use angle α of 45 ° or less with respect to the vertical direction. Therefore, it is preferable to set the angle θ to 135 ° or less so that the discharge hole 3 faces downward during use of the pipette tube 1. Furthermore, in order for the discharge hole 3 to face downward regardless of the angle α with respect to the vertical direction, the angle is preferably an acute angle.
The suction hose 4 and the aspirator 6 constitute a suction / discharge mechanism that sucks liquid from the suction hole 2 into the pipette tube 1 and discharges the liquid sucked from the discharge hole 3.

Next, the operation of the pipette device according to this embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the operation of sucking the culture medium and the cleaning liquid is performed in the clean bench 5. When the operator 10 operates / stops the suction pump 7 by operating the foot switch 9 of the aspirator 6, the medium and the cleaning liquid in the culture vessel 11 are sucked from the pipette tube 1.
In the above operation, the culture medium and the cleaning liquid sucked from the suction hole 2 pass through the suction part 1a and the discharge part 1b, are discharged from the discharge hole 3 to the suction hose 4, and are stored in the waste liquid bottle 8 through the suction hose 4. The

In this operation, if the suction pump 7 is stopped when air is sucked together with the liquid, or if the suction pump 7 is stopped in a state where air is present in the tube, the medium and the cleaning liquid present in the suction portion 1a of the pipette 1 are It flows backward along the side wall of the tube and is discharged from the suction hole 2 to the culture vessel 11. On the other hand, the culture medium and the cleaning liquid present in the discharge part 1b of the pipette 1 do not flow backward to the suction part 1a because the discharge part 1b is inclined downward.
Since the pipette tube 1 is sterilized and exchanged for each culture container, the culture medium and the washing liquid in the suction part 1a and the discharge part 1b are not contaminated, but the suction hose 4 is not exchanged for each culture container. Therefore, there is a possibility that the medium and the cleaning liquid reaching the suction hose 4 are contaminated. However, since the culture medium and the cleaning liquid existing in the discharge part 1b of the pipette 1 flow out to the suction hose 4 and do not flow back to the suction part 1a side, the contaminated culture medium or cleaning liquid passes through the suction part 1a. It does not flow out into the culture vessel 11.

  Thus, the suction part 1a and the discharge part 1b of the pipette tube 1 are bent and connected to an angle of less than 180 °, for example, an angle of 60 °, so that the discharge hole 3 faces downward when the pipette tube 1 is used. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a medium or washing solution that may be contaminated from flowing back to the culture vessel 11 and to reliably prevent contamination or cross contamination in the culture vessel 11.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Next, a pipette device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the following embodiments, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 are the same or similar components, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The configuration of the pipette tube 12 includes a linear suction part 12a and a V-shaped discharge part 12b. The pipette tube 12 is formed by forming a trap portion 13 bent in a V shape at the discharge portion with respect to the pipette tube 1 of the first embodiment. That is, the discharge part 12b whose axis is connected to the axis of the suction part 12a so as to form an angle of θ = 60 ° has the same tube diameter and a V-shape having an angle of θT = 60 °. A trap portion 13 is provided, and the discharge hole 3 is configured to face upward.
Note that the angle θ formed by the axis of the suction part 12a and the axis of the discharge part 12b is not limited to 60 °, and may be in the range described in the first embodiment. Further, the angle θT of the trap portion 13 is not limited to 60 °, and may be any angle that allows the discharge hole 3 to face upward when the pipette tube 12 is used.

  As in the first embodiment, since the respective axes of the suction part 12a and the discharge part 12b are connected to form an angle of 60 °, the medium and the cleaning liquid in the discharge part 12b are prevented from flowing backward. it can. Furthermore, since the trap part 13 is installed in the discharge part 12b, even if the culture medium and washing | cleaning liquid with the possibility of contamination in the suction hose 4 flow backward, it can be stored in the trap part 13. Therefore, contamination and cross contamination in the culture vessel 11 can be reliably prevented.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
Next, a pipette device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The pipette tube 14 includes a linear suction part 14a and a discharge part 14b. This pipette tube 14 is obtained by providing a spherical trap portion 15 at the discharge portion with respect to the pipette tube 1 of the first embodiment. The pipette tube 14 is configured such that a spherical trap portion 15 is provided in a discharge portion 14b connected at an angle of 60 ° with the axis of the suction portion 14a, and the discharge hole 3 faces downward. ing.
Note that the angle θ formed by the axis of the suction portion 14a and the axis of the discharge portion 14b is not limited to 60 °, and may be an angle in the range described in the first embodiment. Further, the shape of the trap portion 15 is not limited to a spherical shape, and may be a shape having a tube diameter larger than that of the discharge portion 14b.

  As in the first embodiment, since the respective axes of the suction part 14a and the discharge part 14b are connected to form an angle of 60 °, the medium and the cleaning liquid in the discharge part 14b are prevented from flowing backward. it can. Furthermore, since the spherical trap part 15 is installed in the discharge part 14b, even if the culture medium and washing | cleaning liquid which may be contaminated in the suction hose 4 flow backward, it can be stored in the trap part 13. FIG. Further, since a gas phase portion exists in the trap portion 15, backflow due to siphon action can be prevented. Therefore, contamination and cross contamination in the culture vessel 11 can be reliably prevented.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
Next, a pipette device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The pipette tube 16 includes a linear suction part 16a and a V-shaped discharge part 16b. This pipette tube 16 is obtained by making the trap portion provided in the discharge portion into a semi-ellipsoidal shape with respect to the pipette tube 12 of the second embodiment. A semi-ellipsoidal trap portion 17 is provided on the discharge portion 16b connected to the axis of the suction portion 16a at an angle of 60 °, and the discharge hole 3 is configured to face upward. . Each pipe connected to the trap part 17 is connected to the trap part 17 so that the pipe on the side connected to the suction part 16a is positioned higher than the pipe on the discharge hole 3 side. As a result, a gas phase portion can exist above the trap portion 17, so that backflow due to siphon action can also be prevented.
Note that the angle θ formed by the axis of the suction part 16a and the axis of the discharge part 16b is not limited to 60 °, and may be in the range described in the first embodiment. Further, the shape of the trap portion 17 is not limited to the semi-ellipsoidal shape, and may be a shape having a tube diameter larger than the tube diameter of the discharge portion 16b. The size of the trap portion 17 may be any size as long as it can sufficiently store the liquid even when the liquid flows backward, but the operability, etc. In view of the above, it is preferable to set the minimum size based on the working conditions. Specifically, the gas phase volume in the trap 17 is larger than the volume in the tube from the connection part on the suction part 16a side of the trap 17 part to the suction hole 2, and the liquid storage volume in the trap 17 is the trap 17 part. If it is larger than the volume in the pipe (including the suction hose volume) from the connection part on the discharge hole 3 side to the waste liquid bottle, it can be said to be sufficiently large.

  As in the first embodiment, the suction part 16a and the discharge part 16b are connected so that their axes form an angle of 60 °, so that the culture medium and the cleaning liquid in the discharge part 16b flow backward. Can be prevented. Furthermore, since the semi-elliptical pair-shaped trap portion 17 is installed in the discharge portion 16b, even if a medium or cleaning liquid that may be contaminated in the suction hose 4 flows backward, the trap portion 17 is the same as in the third embodiment. Can be stored. Furthermore, since the gas phase portion exists in the trap portion 17 as in the third embodiment, backflow due to siphon action can be prevented. Therefore, contamination and cross contamination in the culture vessel 11 can be reliably prevented.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
Next, a pipette device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The pipette tube 18 according to the embodiment is obtained by changing the position of the trap portion of the pipette tube 16 of the fourth embodiment.
The pipette tube 18 includes a linear suction part 18a, a semi-ellipsoidal trap part 19, and a linear discharge part 18b. The trap part 19 has one end discharged to the suction part 18a and the other end discharged. It is connected to the part 18b. That is, the suction part 18 a is connected to the trap part 19 at the first connection position 20, and the discharge part 18 b is connected to the trap part 19 at the second connection position 21. Further, the discharge portion 18b is connected to the suction hose 4 with the discharge hole 3 facing upward.

Here, the second connection position 21 is configured to be positioned below the first connection position 20 when the pipette pipe 18 is used.
In order to achieve such a structure, the straight line connecting the first connection position 20 and the second connection position 21 is configured to form an angle θW of less than 180 ° with the axis of the suction portion 18a. Usually, the pipette tube 18 is used at an angle α of 45 ° or less with respect to the vertical direction. Therefore, the angle θW is preferably set to 135 ° or less. Furthermore, in order for the first connection position 20 to be positioned above the second connection position 21 no matter what angle the pipette tube 18 is used with respect to the vertical direction, the angle θW is an acute angle. Is preferred. The size of the trap portion 19 may be any size as long as it can sufficiently store the liquid even when the liquid flows backward. If the volume of the portion below the first connection position 20 in the volume of the part 19 is larger than the volume in the pipe (including the suction hose volume) from the second connection position 21 to the waste liquid bottle, it is sufficiently large. It can be said.

  During operation of the pipette device according to this embodiment, when the suction pump 7 is stopped due to a power failure or an erroneous operation, or when suction failure due to air leakage or suction force shortage due to air suction is insufficient, the discharge hole 3 faces upward. Therefore, there is a possibility that the culture medium or the cleaning liquid in the suction hose 4 flows backward. However, when the backflowed culture medium or cleaning liquid reaches the trap part 19, the first connection position 20 is higher than the second connection position 21, so the liquid level of the culture medium or cleaning liquid stored in the trap part 19 is connected. As long as it is lower than the part 20, it does not flow back to the suction part 18a. Further, backflow due to siphon action can be prevented. Therefore, contamination and cross contamination in the culture vessel 11 can be reliably prevented.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
Next, a pipette device according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The pipette device according to this embodiment is obtained by connecting the suction hose 4 provided with the cylindrical trap portion 22 whose end is thicker than the other portions to the pipette tube 1 in the pipette device according to the first embodiment. .

  As described above, even in the pipette tube 1 having no trap portion, the columnar trap portion 22 is provided in the suction hose 4 at the connection portion with the pipette tube 1. Can prevent backflow.

The “connecting portion” referred to here indicates a position where the inner surface of the pipette tube 1 is exposed in the suction hose 4, and this portion only needs to form the trap portion 22. That is, even if the trap portion 22 is provided at a position away from the portion where the pipette tube 1 and the suction hose 4 are connected in appearance, the end of the discharge portion 1b of the pipette tube 1 is in the trap portion 22. In the case of being connected and used so as to be located at the position, it can be said that the trap portion 22 is provided in the “connection portion” in the present application.
Moreover, when providing the trap part 22 in the suction hose 4, it is preferable that it is comprised so that it may not deform | transform with the suction force which the suction pump 7 generate | occur | produces.
Furthermore, the pipette tube used in this embodiment is not limited to the pipette tube 1 according to the first embodiment, and other types of pipettes that are not provided with a trap portion that can prevent backflow due to the siphon effect. Tubes can also be used. It is particularly suitable for the case where the discharge hole faces downward.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the pipette apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the pipette pipe | tube which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the pipette pipe | tube which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the pipette pipe | tube which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the pipette pipe | tube which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the pipette pipe | tube which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the pipette pipe | tube which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the conventional pipette tube.

Explanation of symbols

  1, 12, 14, 16, 18 Pipette tube, 1a, 12a, 14a, 16a, 18a Suction part, 1b, 12b, 14b, 16b, 18b Discharge part, 2 suction hole, 3 discharge hole, 4 suction hose, 13, 15, 17, 19 Trap part, 20 First connection position, 21 Second connection position

Claims (4)

A suction part having a suction hole for sucking a liquid;
Having a discharge hole for discharging the sucked liquid, and a discharge portion communicating with the suction portion;
The discharge part is provided with a trap part,
The pipette tube, wherein the suction part and the discharge part form an angle of less than 180 °. A suction part having a suction hole for sucking a liquid;
Having a discharge hole for discharging the sucked liquid, and a discharge portion communicating with the suction portion;
One end is connected to the suction part at the first connection position, and the other end is provided with a trap part connected to the discharge part at the second connection position.
A pipette tube characterized in that a straight line connecting the first connection position and the second connection position forms an angle of less than 180 ° with the suction portion. A pipette tube according to any one of claims 1 or 2 ;
A pipette device comprising: a suction / discharge mechanism that sucks liquid from the suction hole into the pipette tube and discharges the sucked liquid from the discharge hole. The suction discharge mechanism has a suction hose connected to the pipette tube,
The pipette device according to claim 3 , wherein the suction hose is provided with a trap portion at a connection portion with the pipette tube.

Images