JP4850143B2 - Centrifuge and cell processing apparatus using centrifuge - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a centrifuge and a cell processing apparatus using the centrifuge.

  In general, in an apparatus for removing biological cells from biological tissue, biological cells separated by digesting the biological tissue are concentrated by centrifuging with a centrifuge. In a centrifuge, a biological cell to be centrifuged is stored as a sample in a plurality of chambers, and the sample is centrifuged by rotating the chamber at a required number of rotations for a required time.

In this case, if the amount of sample to be accommodated is not evenly distributed between the chambers, abnormal vibration may occur in the rotating shaft when the chamber is driven to rotate, and the centrifuge may be damaged. In order to solve such a problem, a technique is known in which the rotation of the motor is stopped when the rotating shaft is rotated in a state where an excessive imbalance occurs in the amount of sample between the chambers. (See Patent Document 1).
In Patent Document 1, a cylinder body is disposed around a rotation axis of a centrifuge at a predetermined interval, and when the rotation shaft collides with the cylinder body due to excessive vibration, the impact is detected to rotate the motor. A technique for stopping the operation is disclosed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-144777

  However, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, when abnormal vibration occurs in the rotating shaft, the rotating shaft can be prevented from breaking by stopping the rotation of the motor. There is a problem that the amount of sample is not known and correction for equalizing the amount of sample cannot be performed quickly.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and can determine the size of the sample between the chambers, can quickly and evenly correct the amount of the sample, and can smoothly rotate the rotating shaft. It is an object of the present invention to provide a centrifuge that can be rotated to smoothly centrifuge a sample and a cell processing apparatus using the centrifuge.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following means.
The present invention includes two sample containers for storing a sample, a rotation support unit that supports the sample container and is rotated around an axis disposed at a center position of the two sample containers, and the rotation support unit includes the rotation support unit. A drive unit that rotates about an axis, a vibration detection unit that detects vibration in a direction intersecting the axis of the rotation support unit, and a rotation angle that detects a rotation angle of the rotation support unit with respect to a detection direction of the vibration detection unit; Based on the relationship between the detection unit and the vibration of the rotation support unit detected by the vibration detection unit and the rotation angle detected by the rotation angle detection unit, the size of the sample between the two sample containers is determined. A centrifuge including a sample amount determination unit is provided.

  According to the present invention, the rotation support unit that supports the two sample containers is rotated around the axis line disposed at the center position thereof by the operation of the drive unit. Thereby, the sample accommodated in each sample container receives the centrifugal force according to the rotation speed toward the radial direction of rotation, and centrifugal separation is performed.

  In this case, if the amount of the sample accommodated in each sample container is different, the weight balance between the two sample containers is lost, and therefore periodic vibration is generated in the rotation support portion that supports these sample containers. According to the present invention, the vibration in the direction intersecting the axis of the rotation support unit is detected by the operation of the vibration detection unit, and the rotation of the rotation support unit with respect to the direction of vibration detection by the vibration detection unit by the operation of the rotation angle detection unit. A corner is detected.

  Since the vibration of the rotation support section is periodic, the sample amount determination section operates to cause a relationship between the vibration of the rotation support section and the rotation angle with respect to the direction of detection of this vibration, that is, at which rotation angle the peak of the vibration amplitude occurs. By determining whether or not, the size of the sample amount between the two sample containers can be easily determined. And by correcting so that the amount of the sample between the two sample containers is equal based on the determination result, the rotation support portion can be smoothly rotated and the sample can be smoothly centrifuged. .

In the above invention, the sample amount determination unit may compare the amplitude of vibration of the rotation support unit at a position where the rotation angle of the rotation support unit differs by 180 °.
With this configuration, it is easy to determine which detection time point the vibration amplitude peak is close to based on the vibration amplitude of the rotation support portion detected every half rotation of the rotation support portion. be able to. That is, the periodic vibration of the rotation support part has one amplitude peak in the vibration detection direction during one cycle, that is, one rotation of the rotation support part, but without detecting the peak itself. The magnitude of the sample amount between the two sample containers can be easily determined by only comparing the detection signals at the positions at arbitrary half rotations.

  Moreover, in the said invention, the said rotation angle detection part is provided in the said photointerrupter which has a light emission part and a light-receiving part, and the said rotation support part, The optical axis of the said photo interrupter is 1/2 rotation of the said rotation support part It is good also as providing the light shielding part made to interrupt every time.

  With this configuration, the optical axis of the photo interrupter is interrupted every ½ rotation of the rotation support unit by the operation of the light blocking unit, so the rotation of the rotation support unit is halved by the photo interrupter. Can be detected for each. Therefore, it is possible to easily detect the amplitude of vibration for each half rotation of the rotation support portion.

  In the above invention, the sample amount determination unit detects a rotation angle position at which the amplitude of vibration of the rotation support part reaches a peak, and setting means for setting a reference rotation angle position of the rotation support part. It is good also as providing a detection means.

  With this configuration, the reference rotation angle position of the rotation support unit is set by the operation of the setting unit, and the rotation angle position at the time when the amplitude of the vibration of the rotation support unit peaks is detected by the detection unit. Therefore, the rotation angle of the rotation support portion from the reference rotation angle position to the time when the amplitude of vibration reaches a peak can be obtained. Thereby, it is possible to determine whether or not the rotation angle position at the time when the vibration amplitude reaches a peak is close to the reference rotation angle position. As a result, the size of the sample amount between the two sample containers can be determined.

  Moreover, in the said invention, the said rotation angle detection part is provided in the photo interrupter which has a light emission part and a light-receiving part, and the said rotation support part, The optical axis of the said photo interrupter is made for every rotation of the said rotation support part. It is good also as providing the light interruption part made to interrupt.

  With this configuration, since the optical axis of the photo interrupter is interrupted every rotation of the rotation support unit by the operation of the light blocking unit, the rotation of the rotation support unit is detected every rotation by the photo interrupter. be able to. Therefore, the reference rotation angle position of the rotation support portion can be easily set.

Moreover, in the said invention, the said rotation angle detection part is good also as detecting the rotation angle of the said rotation support part based on the drive signal of the said drive part.
With this configuration, the rotation angle of the rotation support unit is detected based on the drive signal from the drive unit, so that the rotation angle of the rotation support unit can be accurately detected.

Moreover, in the said invention, the said vibration detection part is good also as being an acceleration sensor.
With this configuration, it is possible to detect acceleration based on the amplitude of vibration of the rotation support portion by the operation of the acceleration sensor.

Moreover, in the said invention, the said vibration detection part is good also as arrange | positioning in the said rotation support part vicinity of the said drive part.
With this configuration, the vibration of the rotation support portion is easily transmitted to the vibration detection portion, and the vibration can be detected with high accuracy.

  The present invention relates to a cleaning unit for cleaning a biological tissue containing biological cells, a digesting unit for digesting the biological tissue cleaned by the cleaning unit, and separating the biological cells, and concentrating the biological cells separated by the digesting unit A cell processing apparatus comprising the above-described centrifuge of the present invention is provided.

  According to the present invention, by employing a centrifuge that can quickly and evenly correct the amount of sample between two sample containers, cell processing for removing and concentrating cells from a living tissue can be efficiently performed with improved processing speed. Can be done.

  In the above-mentioned invention, the sample amount display unit for displaying the size of the sample amount between the two sample containers is provided, and when the sample amount determination unit determines that the sample amount between the two sample containers is not equal, While stopping the operation of the drive unit, the sample amount display unit may display the size of the sample amount between the two sample containers.

  With this configuration, when the sample amount between the two sample containers is uneven, the magnitude relationship between the two sample containers can be easily recognized by the operation of the sample amount display unit. it can. Moreover, since each sample container will be in a stationary state by stopping a drive part, the correction | amendment which equalizes the quantity of the sample between two sample containers can be performed manually quickly.

Further, as an invention according to a reference example of the above invention , a sample amount for adjusting a sample amount between the sample containers based on a size relationship between the two sample containers determined by the sample amount determination unit. It is good also as providing an adjustment part.

  With this configuration, when the amount of the sample between the two sample containers is unequal, the sample amount between these sample containers is adjusted by the operation of the sample amount adjusting unit. Correction to equalize the amount of sample can be automated. Therefore, the automation rate of centrifugation can be improved and biological cells can be concentrated efficiently.

Further, as an invention according to a reference example of the above invention, the sample amount adjustment unit may be a sample supply unit that supplies a sample to the sample container or a sample suction unit that sucks a sample from the sample container Good.
By configuring in this way, by supplying the sample to the sample container with a small amount of sample by the operation of the sample supply unit, or by sucking the sample from the sample container with a large amount of sample by the operation of the sample suction unit, The amount of the sample between the two sample containers can be corrected quickly and evenly.

Further, as an invention according to a reference example of the above invention, the sample amount adjusting unit may be a sample moving unit that moves a sample between the two sample containers.
With this configuration, the sample moving unit can reduce the loss of the sample as compared with the case where the sample is sucked and removed, and the efficiency of the cell treatment can be improved.

  According to the present invention, the amount of the sample between the two sample containers can be determined, the amount of the sample can be corrected quickly and evenly, and the sample can be smoothly centrifuged by rotating the rotation support portion smoothly. The effect that it can be performed is produced.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a cell treatment apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the cell processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment separates a living cell by digesting the cleaning tissue 3 that cleans the living tissue containing the living cell and the cleaning tissue 3. And a centrifuge 10 for concentrating living cells separated by the digestion unit 5.
As the cleaning unit 3 and the digestion unit 5, a known device can be used and is not particularly limited.

  The centrifuge 10 includes chambers (sample containers) 11A and 11B that store biological cells that are samples, a rotation shaft (rotation support portion) 13 that supports the chambers 11A and 11B, and the rotation shaft 13 around the axis. Between the chambers 11A and 11B, a motor (drive unit) 15 that rotates, an acceleration sensor (vibration detection unit) 17 that detects vibration of the rotation shaft 13, a rotation angle detection unit 19 that detects the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 13, and A sample amount determination unit 21 that determines the size of the sample amount and a sample supply unit (sample amount adjustment unit) 23 that adjusts the sample amount are provided.

The chambers 11A and 11B are formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and the opening portions are fastened by the lid portions 25A and 25B. Sample supply paths 27a and 27b for supplying a sample are inserted into the chambers 11A and 11B through lid portions 25A and 25B, respectively.
The chambers 11 </ b> A and 11 </ b> B are supported by a rotary shaft 13 having an axis at the center position of each other and are accommodated in a separation tank 29.

  The rotary shaft 13 is attached to a drive shaft (not shown) of the motor 15 located below the separation tank 29. The rotating shaft 13 is arranged vertically, and the upper end in the axial direction is inserted into the separation tank 29. The upper end portion is formed in a T shape and has arm portions 31a and 31b that support the chambers 11A and 11B. That is, in the separation tank 29, one arm portion 31a formed in a T shape of the rotary shaft 13 is connected to the lid portion 25A of the chamber 11A, and the other arm portion 31b is connected to the lid portion 25B of the chamber 11B. ing.

  The motor 15 rotates the rotation shaft 13 around the axis to rotate the chambers 11 </ b> A and 11 </ b> B supported by the arm portions 31 a and 31 b of the rotation shaft 13 around the axis of the rotation shaft 13 in the separation tank 29. It is like that.

  The motor 15 is placed on the mounting plate 33 and is accommodated in the housing 36 via a mounting damper 35 installed at the lower end of the mounting plate 33. The damper 35 absorbs vibration generated when the motor 15 is driven.

  The rotation angle detector 19 is disposed between the separation tank 29 and the motor 15. The rotation angle detection unit 19 includes a dog (light blocking unit) 37 that is directly attached to the rotation shaft 13, and a photointerrupter 39 that is supported by a support (not shown) and has a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit (not shown). Yes.

The dog 37 is a substantially semicircular member as shown in FIG. 2, and the rotating shaft 13 is attached to the central portion of the semicircle. The dog 37 is disposed so as to be orthogonal to the axial direction of the rotating shaft 13 and is rotated together with the rotating shaft 13 about the axis.
The attachment direction of the dog 37 may be any direction except for the direction in which the linear portion is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the arm portions 31a and 31b when viewed from the axial direction of the rotary shaft 13.

In the photo interrupter 39, a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion are arranged at positions facing each other with the dog 37 interposed therebetween in the plate thickness direction. Therefore, the photo interrupter 39 blocks the optical axis between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit every ½ rotation while the semicircular dog 37 is rotated once around the axis of the rotation shaft 13. Is used to detect the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 13.
The photo interrupter 39 outputs to the sample amount determination unit 21 as an ON signal while the light of the light emitting unit is detected by the light receiving unit and as an OFF signal when the light of the light emitting unit is blocked by the dog 37 and cannot be detected. It has become.

The acceleration sensor 17 is placed on the mounting plate 33 in the vicinity of the motor 15. The acceleration sensor 17 detects vibration in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the rotation shaft 13 transmitted through the mounting plate 33 as an acceleration signal and outputs the acceleration signal to the sample amount determination unit 21.
Note that the direction of vibration detection by the acceleration sensor 17 may be set to any direction as long as the direction intersects the axis of the rotary shaft 13.

  The sample amount determination unit 21 is connected to the photo interrupter 39 and the acceleration sensor 17. The sample amount determination unit 21 receives the ON / OFF signal from the photo interrupter 39 and the acceleration signal from the acceleration sensor 17, and based on the relationship between the ON / OFF signal and the acceleration signal, between the chambers 11 </ b> A and 11 </ b> B. The size of the sample is determined.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the sample amount determination unit 21 stores a first buffer unit 41 that stores an acceleration signal from the acceleration sensor 17 and a first buffer unit 39 that stores an ON / OFF signal from the photo interrupter 39. 2 buffer section 43, a first sample hold section 45 that samples and holds the acceleration signal V1 at the rise of the ON signal, and a sample hold of the acceleration signal V2 at the rise of the OFF signal (fall of the ON signal) A second sample hold unit 47, a calculation unit 49 for obtaining a difference between the acceleration signal V1 and the acceleration signal V2, and a drive control unit 51 for controlling the driving of the motor 15 based on the difference.

  The drive control unit 51 determines the size of the sample amount between the chambers 11A and 11B based on the calculation result by the calculation unit 49, and detects whether or not the difference in the sample amount is within a specified value. . The drive control unit 51 outputs a signal for increasing the number of rotations to the motor 15 when the difference in the sample amount is within the specified value. On the other hand, if the difference in the sample amount is outside the specified value, the drive control unit 51 The rotation speed of 15 is maintained, and a sample replenishment signal is output to the sample supply unit 23.

  Based on the sample supply signal output from the drive control unit 51, the sample supply unit 23 supplies the sample to the chamber 11A via the sample supply path 27a, or supplies the sample to the chamber 11B via the sample supply path 27b. It comes to replenish.

Next, operation | movement of the cell processing apparatus 1 which concerns on this embodiment mentioned above is demonstrated.
The biological tissue containing biological cells is first washed in the washing unit 3 and sent to the digestion unit 5. Subsequently, in the digestion unit 5, the biological tissue after washing is digested and biological cells are separated. The separated biological cells are sent to the centrifuge 10 and concentrated by being centrifuged.

The operation of the centrifuge 10 will be described in detail.
The biological cells to be concentrated are sent to the sample supply unit 23 of the centrifuge 10 and supplied to the chambers 11A and 11B as samples via the sample supply paths 27a and 27b, respectively. Subsequently, when the motor 15 is operated, the rotary shaft 13 is rotated about the axis, and the chambers 11A and 11B are rotated about the axis. Thereby, the sample accommodated in chamber 11A, 11B receives the centrifugal force according to the rotation speed toward the radial direction outward of rotation, and is centrifuged.

According to the centrifugal separator 10 according to the present embodiment, when the rotary shaft 13 is rotated, an ON / OFF signal that is alternately turned ON / OFF every 1/2 rotation is generated by the operation of the rotation angle detection unit 19. .
Further, if the amount of the sample between the chambers 11A and 11B supplied from the sample supply amount 23 is not evenly distributed, the weight balance between the chambers 11A and 11B is lost. Therefore, periodic vibrations are generated in the rotating shaft 13 that supports the chambers 11A and 11B according to the degree of imbalance of the sample amount between the chambers 11A and 11B.

  The vibration generated in the rotating shaft 13 is detected by the operation of the acceleration sensor 17. Then, the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 13 with respect to the vibration detection direction by the acceleration sensor 17 is detected by the operation of the rotation angle detection unit 19.

  Specifically, the acceleration sensor 17 detects vibration in a direction intersecting the axis of the rotation shaft 13 (see step A1 in FIG. 6), and an acceleration signal based on the amplitude of vibration is output to the sample amount determination unit 21. The Since the vibration of the rotating shaft 13 is periodic as described above, the acceleration signal becomes a sine wave as shown in FIGS.

  Further, when the dog 37 formed in a semicircular disk shape rotates around the axis along with the rotation shaft 13, the optical axis between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the photo interrupter 39 is ½ of the rotation shaft 13. Intermittent at intervals of rotation. Thereby, the rotation of the rotating shaft 13 is detected every 1/2 times (see step A2 in FIG. 6). Then, a rectangular wave ON / OFF signal that is switched at 180 ° intervals as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is output from the photo interrupter 39 to the sample amount determination unit 21.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the sample amount determination unit 21, the acceleration signal output from the acceleration sensor 17 is stored in the first buffer unit 41, and the ON / OFF signal output from the photointerrupter 39 is the second signal. It is stored in the buffer unit 43.
Among the acceleration signals stored in the first buffer unit 41, the acceleration signal V1 at the rising edge of the ON / OFF signal stored in the second buffer unit 43 is sampled and held in the first sample hold unit 45, The acceleration signal V <b> 2 at the falling edge of the ON / OFF signal stored in the second buffer unit 43 is sampled and held in the second sample hold unit 47.

The acceleration signal V1 and the acceleration signal V2 are output to the calculation unit 49, respectively. In the calculation unit 49, the difference between the acceleration signal V1 and the acceleration signal V2 is obtained, and the calculation result is output to the drive control unit 51.
The drive control unit 51 determines, based on the calculation result, whether the acceleration signals V1 and V2 at the time of detection when the ON / OFF signal rises or falls are close to the vibration amplitude peak of the rotary shaft 13. Is done.

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4, it can be seen that the acceleration signal V2 is larger than the acceleration signal V1, and the peak of the vibration amplitude of the rotating shaft 13 is close to the falling edge of the ON / OFF signal. In this case, it is determined that the sample amount of the chamber 11A or the chamber 11B arranged on the side where the semi-disc-shaped dog 37 is attached is large.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, it can be seen that the acceleration signal V1 is larger than the acceleration signal V2, and the peak of the vibration amplitude of the rotating shaft 13 is close to the rise of the ON / OFF signal. In this case, it is determined that the sample amount of the chamber 11A or the chamber 11B disposed on the side where the semi-disc-shaped dog 37 is not attached is large.

  In this way, the drive control unit 51 determines the amount of sample between the chambers 11A and 11B. Further, the drive control unit 51 determines whether or not the difference in the sample amount is within a predetermined specified value based on the calculation result by the calculation unit 49 (see step A4 in FIG. 6).

  When it is determined that the sample difference between the chambers 11A and 11B is within a predetermined specified value, a signal for increasing the number of revolutions is sent from the drive control unit 51 to the motor 15 and the centrifugal separation is continuously performed (in FIG. 6). Step A5). If it is determined that the sample difference is outside the predetermined specified value, the number of rotations of the motor 15 is maintained, and a sample replenishment signal for replenishing the sample to the chamber 11A or the chamber 11B with a small amount of sample is supplied to the sample supply unit. 23.

In the sample supply unit 23, based on the sample supply signal output from the drive control unit 51, the sample is supplied to the chamber 11A via the sample supply path 27a or to the chamber 11B via the sample supply path 27b. (See step A6 in FIG. 6).
Then, the operations from Step A1 to Step A4 are repeated so that the difference in the sample amount between the chambers 11A and 11B is within a predetermined specified value.

As described above, according to the cell processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the acceleration signal based on the periodic vibration of the rotation shaft 13 and the ON / OFF signal that is switched every 1/2 rotation of the rotation shaft 13. Based on the relationship, the amount of sample between the chambers 11A and 11B can be determined. Then, by correcting the amount of the sample between the chambers 11A and 11B based on the determination result, the rotating shaft 13 can be smoothly rotated and the sample can be smoothly centrifuged. .
Moreover, the correction | amendment which equalizes the sample amount between chamber 11A, 11B can be automated, the automation rate of centrifugation can be improved, and the concentration efficiency of a biological cell can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the sample supply unit 23 is adopted and the sample is supplied to the chamber 11A or the chamber 11B having a small sample amount. However, instead of this, for example, the sample amount A sample suction unit that sucks a sample from the large chamber 11A or the chamber 11B may be employed. Further, for example, a sample moving unit that moves the sample between the chambers 11A and 11B may be employed.

Furthermore, this embodiment can be modified as follows.
For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the centrifuge of the cell processing apparatus includes a sample amount display unit 53 that displays the magnitude relationship of the sample amounts between the chambers 11A and 11B, and the sample amount determination unit 21 includes the chambers 11A and 11B. When it is determined that the sample amount between 11B is not uniform, the driving of the motor 15 may be stopped.

  In this case, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the vibration of the rotation shaft 13 is detected by the acceleration sensor 17 (see step B1), and the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 13 is detected by the rotation angle detector 19 (see step B2). ). Then, the difference in sample amount between the chambers 11A and 11B is detected by the drive control unit 51 (see step B3). When the amount of sample between the chambers 11A and 11B is determined by the operation of the drive control unit 51 of the sample amount determination unit 21, a drive stop signal is sent to the motor 15 to stop driving (see step B4). ), A signal indicating the size of the sample amount is sent to the sample amount display unit 53, and the relationship between the sample amounts between the chambers 11A and 11B is displayed (see step B5).

In this way, when the sample amount between the chambers 11A and 11B is unequal, the user can select which sample by the magnitude relationship of the sample amount between the chambers 11A and 11B displayed on the sample amount display unit 53. It is possible to easily recognize whether the amount is large.
In addition, since the chambers 11A and 11B are brought into a stationary state by stopping the driving of the motor 15, correction for equalizing the amount of the sample between the chambers 11A and 11B can be quickly performed manually.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a cell processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the cell processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the rotation angle detection unit 61 and the configuration of the sample amount determination unit 63 of the centrifuge 60.
In the following, portions having the same configuration as those of the cell processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

The rotation angle detector 61 of the centrifuge 60 is replaced by a dog 65 formed in a substantially disc shape as shown in FIG. 9 in place of the dog 37 formed in a substantially semi-disc shape in the first embodiment. It has.
The dog 65 is fixed to the rotation shaft 13 through the rotation shaft 13 at the center thereof. The dog 65 is provided with one hole (light blocking portion) 67 that penetrates in the thickness direction.

  The hole 67 of the dog 65 is provided at a radial position where the optical axis of the photo interrupter 39 is disposed. Thereby, when the rotation shaft 13 rotates and the hole 67 of the dog 65 is arranged at a rotation angle position that coincides with the optical axis of the photo interrupter 39, the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the photo interrupter 39 is received by the light receiving portion. And an ON signal is output.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the sample amount determination unit 63 receives an ON / OFF signal from the photo interrupter 39 and receives a timer (setting means) 69 that measures the time during which the rotating shaft 13 makes one rotation, and an acceleration sensor. 17, a peak detection unit (detection means) 71 that detects the peak time of the amplitude of the acceleration signal by holding and sequentially comparing the acceleration signals from 17, the peak time detected by the peak detection unit 71, and And a timing detection unit 73 that detects a relative relationship with an ON / OFF signal periodically output from the photo interrupter 39.

By the operation of the photo interrupter 67, a rectangular wave ON / OFF signal that outputs one pulse is output to the sample amount determination unit 63 while the rotating shaft 13 rotates once around the axis as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. It is like that.
In the sample amount determination unit 63, the ON / OFF signal output from the photo interrupter 67 is input to the timer 69, and the acceleration signal from the acceleration signal 17 is input to the peak detection unit 71.

  The timer 69 starts timing with the rising edge of the ON / OFF signal from the photo interrupter 67 as a trigger, and ends timing with the rising edge of the next ON / OFF signal as a trigger. Then, the start time of time measurement of the ON / OFF signal (the time signal at this time is referred to as “first rising signal K0”) is set as the reference rotation angle position, and the time from the start to the end of the time measurement Signals are sequentially output to the timing detection unit 73.

When the peak detection unit 71 detects the peak amplitude of the acceleration signal from the acceleration sensor 17, the peak detection signal is output to the timing detection unit 73.
When receiving the detection signal from the peak detection unit 71, the timing detection unit 73 holds the peak signal K1 from the timer 69 at that time as the peak time. The timing detector 73 receives the second rising signal K2 at the time when the next rising edge of the ON / OFF signal is input.

  The peak signal K1 and the second rising signal K2 are measured with reference to the first rising signal K0 of the ON / OFF signal. Therefore, the time T1 from the first rising signal K0 to the peak time signal K1 indirectly represents the rotation angle of the rotary shaft 13 from the reference rotation angle position to the time when the amplitude of vibration reaches the peak. . The time T2 from the first rising signal K0 to the second rising signal K2 indirectly represents an angle 360 ° of one rotation of the rotating shaft 13.

  Therefore, the timing detection unit 73 calculates (T1 / T2) × 360 (°), and calculates the rotation angle position at which the amplitude of vibration of the rotation shaft 13 peaks. The calculation result is output to the drive control unit 51, and it is determined whether or not the rotation angle position at the time when the vibration amplitude of the rotation shaft 13 reaches a peak is close to the reference rotation angle position.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 11, the time T1 from the first rising signal K0 to the peak signal K1 is shorter than the time T2 from the first rising signal K0 to the second rising signal K2, and (T1 / It can be seen that the calculation result of (T2) × 360 (°) is smaller than 180 (°). That is, it can be seen that the rotation angle position at the time when the amplitude of vibration of the rotation shaft 13 reaches a peak is close to the reference rotation angle position.
In this case, it is determined that the amount of sample in the chamber 11A or the chamber 11B arranged on the side where the hole 67 is provided in the rotation direction of the dog 65 is large as viewed from the axial direction of the rotation shaft 13.

In the example shown in FIG. 12, the time T1 from the first rising signal K0 to the peak signal K1 is longer than the time T2 from the first rising signal K0 to the second rising signal K2, and (T1 It can be seen that the calculation result of / T2) × 360 (°) is larger than 180 (°). That is, it can be seen that the rotation angle position at the time when the amplitude of the vibration of the rotation shaft 13 peaks is away from the reference rotation angle position.
In this case, it is determined that the amount of sample in the chamber 11A or the chamber 11B on the side where the hole 67 is provided on the side opposite to the rotation direction of the dog 65 when viewed from the axial direction of the rotation shaft 13 is large.

  As described above, according to the cell treatment device of the present embodiment, the relationship between the acceleration signal based on the periodic vibration of the rotating shaft 13 and the ON / OFF signal detected at one rotation interval of the rotating shaft 13. Based on the above, it is possible to determine the size of the sample amount between the chambers 11A and 11B. Then, based on the determination result, by correcting so that the amount of the sample between the chambers 11A and 11B becomes equal, the rotating shaft 13 can be smoothly rotated and the sample can be smoothly centrifuged. Become.

  In the present embodiment, the rotation angle detection unit 61 has been described by exemplifying the dog 65 formed in a substantially disc shape. However, the rotation angle detection unit 61 detects one point out of one rotation of the rotation shaft 13 around the axis. For example, the rotation shaft 13 is provided with a light blocking rod orthogonal to the axial direction, and the light blocking rod rotates together with the rotation shaft 13 so that the optical axis of the photo interrupter 67 is blocked. It is also possible to output an ON / OFF signal with the OFF time as the OFF signal. By doing in this way, the position of the rotation angle at the time of OFF signal can be made into the reference rotation angle position.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail with reference to drawings, the specific structure is not restricted to this embodiment, The design change etc. of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention are included.
For example, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the rotation angle detectors 19 and 61 have been described by exemplifying that the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 13 is detected by the dogs 37 and 65 and the photo interrupter 39. However, instead of this, a rotation angle signal from an encoder or the like provided in the motor 15 may be directly used.

  In addition, for example, the acceleration sensor 17 has been described with reference to detecting acceleration based on the amplitude of vibration of the rotating shaft 13. However, instead of this, an optical displacement sensor is adopted, and the rotating shaft 13 is used. It is also possible to detect the displacement of the vibration.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the cell processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which looked at the rotation angle detection part of FIG. 1 from the axial direction of the rotating shaft. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the sample amount judgment part of FIG. It is the figure which showed the phase relationship of the acceleration signal and ON / OFF signal which are input into the sample amount judgment part of FIG. It is the figure which showed another phase relationship of the acceleration signal and ON / OFF signal which are input into the sample amount judgment part of FIG. It is a flowchart figure which shows the centrifugation process process of the centrifuge of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the centrifuge of the cell processing apparatus which concerns on the modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart figure which shows the centrifugation process of the centrifuge of FIG. It is the figure which looked at the rotation angle detection part of the centrifuge of the cell processing apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention from the axial direction of the rotating shaft. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the sample amount judgment part of the centrifuge of the cell processing apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed another phase relationship of the acceleration signal input into the sample amount judgment part of the cell processing apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and an ON / OFF signal. It is the figure which showed another phase relationship of the acceleration signal input into the sample amount judgment part of the cell processing apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and an ON / OFF signal.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cell processing apparatus 10 Centrifuge 11A, 11B Chamber (sample container)
13 Rotating shaft (Rotating support)
15 Motor (drive unit)
17 Acceleration sensor (vibration detector)
19 Rotation angle detection unit 21 Sample amount determination unit

Claims (10)

Two sample containers for containing the sample;
A rotation support unit that supports the sample container and is rotated around an axis disposed at a central position of the two sample containers;
A drive section for rotating the rotation support section about the axis;
A vibration detection unit that detects vibration in a direction intersecting the axis of the rotation support unit;
A rotation angle detection unit that detects a rotation angle of the rotation support unit with respect to a detection direction of the vibration detection unit;
Sample amount determination for determining the size of the sample amount between the two sample containers based on the relationship between the vibration of the rotation support unit detected by the vibration detection unit and the rotation angle detected by the rotation angle detection unit And a centrifuge.   The centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein the sample amount determination unit compares the amplitude of vibration of the rotation support unit at a position where the rotation angle of the rotation support unit differs by 180 °.   The rotation angle detection unit includes a photo interrupter having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and a light blocking unit that is provided in the rotation support unit and interrupts the optical axis of the photo interrupter every ½ rotation of the rotation support unit. The centrifuge of Claim 1 or Claim 2 provided with these.   The sample amount determination unit includes: a setting unit that sets a reference rotation angle position of the rotation support unit; and a detection unit that detects a rotation angle position at a time when the amplitude of vibration of the rotation support unit reaches a peak. The centrifuge according to 1.   The rotation angle detection unit includes a photo interrupter having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and a light blocking unit that is provided in the rotation support unit and interrupts the optical axis of the photo interrupter every rotation of the rotation support unit. The centrifuge of Claim 1 or Claim 4 provided.   The centrifuge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the rotation angle detection unit detects a rotation angle of the rotation support unit based on a drive signal of the drive unit.   The centrifuge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the vibration detection unit is an acceleration sensor.   The centrifuge according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the vibration detection unit is disposed in the vicinity of the rotation support unit of the drive unit. A cleaning section for cleaning biological tissue containing biological cells;
Digesting the biological tissue washed by the washing unit and separating biological cells;
A cell processing apparatus provided with the centrifuge in any one of Claim 1-8 which concentrates the biological cell isolate | separated by this digestion part. A sample amount display unit that displays the size of the sample amount between the two sample containers is provided.
When the sample amount determination unit determines that the sample amount between the two sample containers is not uniform, the operation of the driving unit is stopped, and the sample amount between the two sample containers is displayed on the sample amount display unit. The cell processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the size of the cell processing apparatus is displayed.

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