Abstract
A cellular medicine transfer system includes: an adapter for a cellular medicine container including a first flow channel and a second flow channel through each of which a liquid and cells can flow; a cellular medicine container to which the adapter is attached, and in which a cellular medicine to be transferred is stored; an administration medium storage container that communicates with the first flow channel, and in which an administration medium is stored; a collection container for collecting a cellular medicine, that communicates with the second flow channel of the adapter; and a powering device that imparts motive power for transferring the administration medium from the administration medium storage container through the first flow channel to the cellular medicine container, and for transferring the cellular medicine and the administration medium from the cellular medicine container through the second flow channel to the collection container.
Claims
1. A cellular medicine transfer method for transferring a cellular medicine using a cellular medicine transfer system, wherein the cellular medicine transfer system comprises: an adapter for a cellular medicine container, the adapter being attachable to a cellular medicine container in which a cellular medicine is filled in advance, the adapter comprising a first flow channel and a second flow channel, in a state in which the adapter is attached to the cellular medicine container, the first flow channel and the second flow channel having one end communicating with inside of the cellular medicine container, and the first flow channel and the second flow channel having another end communicating with outside of the cellular medicine container, the first flow channel and the second flow channel both allowing a liquid and cells to flow therethrough, and the first flow channel and the second flow channel being different flow channels each other; the cellular medicine container to which the adapter is attached, and which stores a cellular medicine to be transferred; an administration medium storage container which stores an administration medium and which communicates with the first flow channel of the adapter; a collection container for collecting the cellular medicine, that communicates with the second flow channel of the adapter; and a powering device which imparts motive power for transferring the administration medium from the administration medium storage container to the cellular medicine container through the first flow channel, and for transferring the cellular medicine and the administration medium from the cellular medicine container to the collection container through the second flow channel, and wherein the cellular medicine transfer method comprises: disposing the administration medium storage container so that a side of the administration medium storage container that is a side communicating with the first flow channel is located downward; disposing the cellular medicine container so that a side of the cellular medicine container that is a side at which the adapter is attached is located downward; and transferring the administration medium from the administration medium storage container through the first flow channel to the cellular medicine container using the powering device, and transferring the cellular medicine and the administration medium from the cellular medicine container through the second flow channel to the collection container using the powering device.
2. The cellular medicine transfer method according to claim 1, wherein the cellular medicine container has flexibility, and wherein the cellular medicine transfer method comprises transferring the administration medium from the administration medium storage container through the first flow channel to the cellular medicine container by returning the cellular medicine container to an original state from a deformed state; and transferring the cellular medicine and the administration medium from the cellular medicine container through the second flow channel to the collection container by deforming the cellular medicine container.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
(1) FIGS. 1A and 1B are views which illustrate schematic configuration examples of an adapter for a cellular medicine container according to one embodiment of the present invention.
(2) FIGS. 2A and 2B are views which illustrate schematic configuration examples of cellular medicine transfer systems that use the adapters illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
(3) FIGS. 3A and 3B are explanatory drawings for describing a first transfer method for transferring a cellular medicine using the cellular medicine transfer system illustrated in FIG. 2A.
(4) FIG. 4 is an explanatory drawing for describing a second transfer method for transferring a cellular medicine using the transfer system illustrated in FIG. 2A.
(5) FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a schematic configuration of a cellular medicine transfer system according to a modification.
(6) FIGS. 6A to 6C are views illustrating schematic configurations of transfer systems according to other modifications.
(7) FIGS. 7A and 7B are explanatory drawings for describing transfer methods that transfer a cellular medicine using the transfer systems illustrated in FIG. 6.
(8) FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the schematic configuration of a transfer system according to another modification.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
(9) Hereunder, one embodiment of the present invention is described with reference being made as appropriate to the attached drawings.
(10) FIGS. 1A and 1B are views illustrating schematic configuration examples of an adapter for a cellular medicine container (hereunder, where appropriate, abbreviated to “adapter”) according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A illustrates a schematic configuration example of an adapter according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 1B illustrates a schematic configuration example of a conventional adapter for reference purposes.
(11) As illustrated in FIG. 1A, an adapter 1 according to the present embodiment includes a first flow channel 11 and a second flow channel 12.
(12) In a state in which the adapter 1 is attached to a cellular medicine container (not illustrated) such as a vial in which a cellular medicine is filled (a state in which a needle portion 13 with which the adapter 1 is equipped is inserted into the cellular medicine container), one end 11a (end on the side on which the needle portion 13 is located) of the first flow channel 11 communicates with the inside of the cellular medicine container, and another end 11b of the first flow channel 11 communicates with the outside of the cellular medicine container.
(13) Similarly, in the state in which the adapter 1 is attached to the cellular medicine container, one end (end on the side on which the needle portion 13 is located) 12a of the second flow channel 12 communicates with the inside of the cellular medicine container, and another end 12b of the second flow channel 12 communicates with the outside of the cellular medicine container.
(14) Note that, the adapter 1 according to the present embodiment may be equipped with a luer lock 14 on the other end 11b side of the first flow channel 11 and/or the other end 12b side of the second flow channel 12 (in the example illustrated in FIG. 1A, the adapter 1 is equipped with the luer lock 14 on the other end 11b side of the first flow channel 11). By means of the luer lock 14, it is possible to easily connect the first flow channel 11 and/or the second flow channel 12 and a tube (not illustrated) that extends to outside of the cellular medicine container.
(15) A conventional adapter 1′ illustrated in FIG. 1B includes a similar first flow channel 11′ and second flow channel 12′. However, the conventional adapter 1′ is equipped with a hydrophobic filter device 15 on the other end 11b′ of the first flow channel 11′. Therefore, the conventional adapter 1′ has a configuration in which a liquid does not flow through the first flow channel 11′.
(16) In contrast, because the adapter 1 according to the present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A has a configuration which is not equipped with the filter device 15 (configuration from which the filter device 15 provided in the conventional adapter 1′ has been removed), it is possible for a liquid to flow through the first flow channel 11, and not just the second flow channel 12. Further, it is also possible for cells and air, and not just a liquid, to flow through the first flow channel 11 and the second flow channel 12.
(17) Note that it is also possible to provide a check valve in the first flow channel 11 and the second flow channel 12 to prevent the transfer of liquid and cells in an unintended direction.
(18) FIGS. 2A and 2B are view illustrating schematic configuration examples of cellular medicine transfer systems that use the adapter 1 according to the present embodiment that is described above (hereunder, where appropriate, referred to as “first adapter 1”). FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a cellular medicine transfer system equipped with a powering device on a collection container side, and FIG. 2B illustrates an example of a cellular medicine transfer system equipped with a powering device on an administration medium storage container side.
(19) As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a cellular medicine transfer system (hereunder, where appropriate, abbreviated to “transfer system”) 10 (10A, 10B) according to the present embodiment includes the first adapter 1 and second adapters 6, a cellular medicine container 2, an administration medium storage container 3, a collection container 4 and a powering device 5. The first adapter 1 is attached to the cellular medicine container 2 (FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a state before the first adapter 1 is attached to the cellular medicine container 2). On the other hand, the second adapters 6 are attached to the administration medium storage container 3 and the collection container 4, respectively. Note that, the kind of each second adapter 6 is not particularly limited as long as each second adapter 6 includes two flow channels (a first flow channel and a second flow channel) and at least one flow channel (the flow channel that is connected to the first adapter) allows a liquid and cells to flow therethrough. For example, it is possible to use the adapter 1 according to the present embodiment or the conventional adapter 1′ as the second adapter 6. In the case of the transfer system 10A illustrated in FIG. 2A, the second adapter 6 that is attached to the collection container 4 is the adapter 1 according to the present embodiment (Therefore, in FIG. 2A, the reference numeral of the second adapter 6 that is attached to the collection container 4 is “6(1)”. The same applies hereunder.). Further, in the case of the transfer system 10A illustrated in FIG. 2A, the second adapter 6 that is attached to the administration medium storage container 3 is a different kind of adapter to the adapter 1 according to the present embodiment and the conventional adapter 1′. In the case of the transfer system 10B illustrated in FIG. 2B, the second adapter 6 that is attached to the collection container 4 is the conventional adapter 1′ (Therefore, in FIG. 2B, the reference numeral of the second adapter 6 that is attached to the collection container 4 is “6(1′)”. The same applies hereunder.). Further, in the case of the transfer system 10B illustrated in FIG. 2B, the second adapter 6 that is attached to the administration medium storage container 3 is a different kind of adapter to the adapter 1 according to the present embodiment and the conventional adapter 1′. However, none of the second adapters 6 are limited to the adapters illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and as mentioned above it suffices that at least one flow channel (the flow channel connected to the first adapter) allows a liquid and cells to flow therethrough.
(20) Note that, with regard to the flow channel that is open to the outside of the transfer systems 10A and 10B of each second adapter 6, in order to prevent an outflow of liquid to the outside it is preferable that the flow channel that is open to the outside is a flow channel in which a hydrophobic filter device 15 or the like is mounted and through which only air flows, or is a flow channel in which a check valve is provided. To prevent the mixing in of contaminants such as microbes from outside, as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the flow channel is preferably a flow channel in which the filter device 15 is mounted, and for example a membrane filter or the like is used as the filter device 15.
(21) The cellular medicine that is to be transferred is stored in the cellular medicine container 2, and the first adapter 1 is attached to the cellular medicine container 2. Although, for example, a vial made of glass is used as the cellular medicine container 2 of the present embodiment, the cellular medicine container 2 is not particularly limited as long as it is a container for storing a cellular medicine.
(22) The administration medium is stored in the administration medium storage container 3, and the administration medium storage container 3 communicates with the first flow channel 11 included in the first adapter 1. Specifically, a second flow channel 62 through which it is possible for a liquid and cells to flow of the second adapter 6 that is attached to the administration medium storage container 3 is directly connected to the first flow channel 11 of the first adapter 1, or for example is connected to the first flow channel 11 of the first adapter 1 through a known tube or connector (not illustrated).
(23) The collection container 4 is a container (for example, a vial) for collecting the cellular medicine, and communicates with the second flow channel 12 included in the first adapter 1.
(24) Specifically, in the case of the transfer system 10A illustrated in FIG. 2A, the second flow channel 12 included in the first adapter 1 that is attached to the cellular medicine container 2, and a first flow channel 61 included in the second adapter 6 that is attached to the collection container 4 are directly connected, or for example are connected through a known tube or connector (not illustrated).
(25) Further, in the case of the transfer system 10B illustrated in FIG. 2B, the second flow channel 12 included in the first adapter 1 that is attached to the cellular medicine container 2, and the first flow channel 61 included in the second adapter 6 that is attached to the collection container 4 are directly connected, or for example are connected through a known tube or connector (not illustrated).
(26) Although the collection container 4 is not particularly limited as long as it is a container that is suitable for collecting a cellular medicine, preferably the shape of the collection container 4 and the raw material of which the collection container 4 is made are suitable for operations that are performed after collection of the cellular medicine. Since performing centrifugation after collection of the cellular medicine may be mentioned as an example of one aspect of such operations, preferably the collection container 4 is a container such as a vial that was manufactured using a raw material capable of withstanding centrifugation, and is a shape such that the collection container 4 can be placed in a commercially available centrifugal machine.
(27) The powering device 5 imparts motive power for transferring the administration medium from the administration medium storage container 3 to the cellular medicine container 2 through the first flow channel 11, and transferring the cellular medicine and the administration medium from the cellular medicine container 2 to the collection container 4 through the second flow channel 12. The kind of the powering device 5 is not particularly limited as long as the powering device 5 can impart motive power for transferring the administration medium and the cellular medicine, and in the example illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B a syringe is used as the powering device 5.
(28) In the case of the transfer system 10A illustrated in FIG. 2A, the powering device 5 is provided on the collection container 4 side. Specifically, the second flow channel 62 of the second adapter 6 that is attached to the collection container 4, and the powering device 5 are directly connected, or for example are connected through a known tube or connector (not illustrated). By sucking out air from inside the collection container 4 with the syringe that is the powering device 5, it is possible to impart motive power for transferring the administration medium and the cellular medicine. The specific transfer method will be described later.
(29) In the case of the transfer system 10B illustrated in FIG. 2B, the powering device 5 is provided on the administration medium storage container 3 side. Specifically, the first flow channel 61 of the second adapter 6 that is attached to the administration medium storage container 3, and the powering device 5 are directly connected, or for example are connected through a known tube or connector (not illustrated). By forcing air into the administration medium storage container 3 using a syringe that is the powering device 5, it is possible to impart motive power for transferring the administration medium and the cellular medicine.
(30) Hereunder, an example of a method for transferring a cellular medicine using the transfer system 10A illustrated in FIG. 2A is described.
(31) FIGS. 3A and 3B are explanatory drawings for describing a first transfer method for transferring a cellular medicine using the transfer system 10A illustrated in FIG. 2A. The first transfer method illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B includes a first step illustrated in FIG. 3A and a second step illustrated in FIG. 3B.
(32) As illustrated in FIG. 3A, in the first step, the administration medium storage container 3 is disposed so that a side of the administration medium storage container 3 which is the side communicating with the first flow channel 11 of the first adapter 1 is located at the bottom (so that the side at which the second adapter 6 is attached is the bottom side). In other words, the administration medium storage container 3 is disposed so that the base of the administration medium storage container 3 that is a part to which the second adapter 6 is not attached is located at the top. Further, the cellular medicine container 2 is disposed so that a side of the cellular medicine container 2 that is the side at which the first adapter 1 is attached is located at the top. in other words, the cellular medicine container 2 is disposed so that the base of the cellular medicine container 2 that is a part at which the first adapter 1 is not attached is located at the bottom side of the cellular medicine container 2. When the administration medium storage container 3 and the cellular medicine container 2 are disposed in this state, if air inside the collection container 4 is sucked out by the syringe that is the powering device 5, air inside the cellular medicine container 2 that communicates with the collection container 4 will also be sucked out. In the first step, an amount of the administration medium that corresponds to the amount of air sucked out from inside the cellular medicine container 2 is transferred from the administration medium storage container 3 to the cellular medicine container 2 through the first flow channel 11 of the first adapter 1 that is attached to the cellular medicine container 2.
(33) Note that, depending on the capacity of the syringe that is the powering device 5, before executing the second step it is preferable to push out air from inside the syringe to thereby restore the syringe to a state in which it is possible for the syringe to suck in air once again in the second step. The air that is pushed out from the syringe is discharged to outside from the first flow channel 61 of the second adapter 6 that is attached to the administration medium storage container 3.
(34) As illustrated in FIG. 3B, in the second step, the administration medium storage container 3 is disposed so that a side of the administration medium storage container 3 which is the side that communicates with the first flow channel 11 of the first adapter 1 is located at the top (so that the side at which the second adapter 6 is attached is the upper side). In other words, the administration medium storage container 3 is disposed so that the base of the administration medium storage container 3 that is a part at which the second adapter 6 is not attached is located at the bottom. Further, the cellular medicine container 2 is disposed so that a side of the cellular medicine container 2 which is the side at which the first adapter 1 is attached is located at the bottom. In other words, the cellular medicine container 2 is disposed so that the base of the cellular medicine container 2 that is a part at which the first adapter 1 is not attached is located at the top. When the administration medium storage container 3 and the cellular medicine container 2 are disposed in this state, if air inside the collection container 4 is sucked out by the syringe that is the powering device 5, an amount of the cellular medicine and the administration medium that corresponds to the amount of air sucked out from inside the collection container 4 is transferred from inside the cellular medicine container 2 to the collection container 4 through the second flow channel 12 of the first adapter 1 that is attached to the cellular medicine container 2.
(35) According to the first transfer method described above, by executing the first step illustrated in FIG. 3A and the second step illustrated in FIG. 3B in sequence, it is possible to easily transfer the cellular medicine from inside the cellular medicine container 2 to the collection container 4. Further, according to the first transfer method, in the first step, because the administration medium is transferred into the cellular medicine container 2 to dilute the cellular medicine, and the inside of the cellular medicine container 2 is also washed by the transferred administration medium, it is possible to reduce the amount of residue of the cellular medicine in the cellular medicine container 2 by a large margin.
(36) Note that, in the first transfer method, it is preferable to repeatedly execute the first step illustrated in FIG. 3A and the second step illustrated in FIG. 3B in sequence. By rinsing the cellular medicine container 2 multiple times, it is possible to reduce the amount of residue of the cellular medicine in the cellular medicine container 2 by a large margin.
(37) FIG. 4 is an explanatory drawing for describing a second transfer method for transferring a cellular medicine using the transfer system 10A illustrated in FIG. 2A.
(38) As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the second transfer method, the administration medium storage container 3 is disposed so that a side of the administration medium storage container 3 which is the side communicating with the first flow channel 11 of the first adapter 1 is located at the bottom (so that the side at which the second adapter 6 is attached is the bottom side). In other words, the administration medium storage container 3 is disposed so that the base of the administration medium storage container 3 that is a part at which the second adapter 6 is not attached is located at the top. Further, the cellular medicine container 2 is disposed so that a side of the cellular medicine container 2 that is the side at which the first adapter 1 is attached is located at the bottom. In other words, the cellular medicine container 2 is disposed so that base of the cellular medicine container 2 that is a part at which the first adapter 1 is not attached is located at the top. When the administration medium storage container 3 and the cellular medicine container 2 are disposed in this state, if air inside the collection container 4 is sucked out by the syringe that is the powering device 5, an amount of the administration medium that corresponds to the amount of air sucked out from inside the collection container 4 is transferred from the administration medium storage container 3 to the cellular medicine container 2 through the first flow channel 11 of the first adapter 1 which is attached to the cellular medicine container 2, and furthermore the cellular medicine and the administration medium is transferred from inside the cellular medicine container 2 to the collection container 4 through the second flow channel 12 of the first adapter 1 that is attached to the cellular medicine container 2.
(39) According to the second transfer method that is described above, even without repeating the first step and second step in sequence as in the first transfer method, it is possible to more easily transfer the cellular medicine from inside the cellular medicine container 2 to the collection container 4 by a single operation. Further, according to the second transfer method, because the administration medium is transferred into the cellular medicine container 2, the inside of the cellular medicine container 2 is washed by the transferred administration medium, and it is thus possible to reduce the amount of residue of the cellular medicine in the cellular medicine container 2 by a large margin.
(40) Note that, in the second transfer method also, it is preferable to repeatedly execute the step illustrated in FIG. 4. By rinsing the cellular medicine container 2 multiple times, it is possible to reduce the amount of residue of the cellular medicine in the cellular medicine container 2 by a large margin. Depending on the capacity of the syringe that is the powering device 5, it is preferable to push out air from inside the syringe to thereby restore the syringe to a state in which it is possible for the syringe to suck in air once again. By this means, the second transfer method can be repeated irrespective of the capacity of the syringe. The air that is pushed out from the syringe is discharged to outside from the first flow channel 61 of the second adapter 6 that is attached to the administration medium storage container 3.
(41) Although in the above description a case in which the transfer system 10A illustrated in in FIG. 2A is taken as an example, it is also possible to transfer the cellular medicine in the cellular medicine container 2 to the collection container 4 by a similar method when using the transfer system 10B illustrated in FIG. 2B. Further, because the inside of the cellular medicine container 2 is washed by the administration medium that is transferred from the administration medium storage container 3, it is possible to reduce the amount of residue of the cellular medicine in the cellular medicine container 2 by a large margin.
(42) Hereunder, modifications of the cellular medicine transfer system which uses the adapter 1 according to the present embodiment are described.
(43) FIG. 5 is a view that illustrates the schematic configuration of a transfer system 10C according to a modification.
(44) As illustrated in FIG. 5, unlike the transfer system 10A illustrated in FIG. 2A, the transfer system 10C includes a plurality (five in the example illustrated in FIG. 5) of the first adapters 1 that are to be attached to the cellular medicine containers 2, and a plurality (five in the example illustrated in FIG. 5) of the cellular medicine containers 2 that are of the same number as the first adapter 1 (in FIG. 5, a state before the first adapters 1 are attached to the cellular medicine containers 2 is illustrated). Among an adjacent pair of the adapters 1 (for example, adapters 1a and 1b), the second flow channel 12 of one of the adapters 1 (1b) and the first flow channel 11 of the other adapter 1 (1a) are connected.
(45) According to the transfer system 10C, cellular medicines that are stored in a plurality of the cellular medicine containers 2 can be transferred together to the collection container 4. Therefore, by adjusting the number of the cellular medicine containers 2, it is possible to easily adjust the number of cells that are collected (number of cells to be administered to the patient) to a desired value.
(46) FIGS. 6A to 6C are views that illustrate schematic configurations of transfer systems 10D, 10E and 10F according to other modifications.
(47) As illustrated in FIG. 6A, unlike the cellular medicine container 2 made of glass that is illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, a cellular medicine container 2A which the transfer system 10D includes is formed from a resin such as polypropylene or polyethylene and has flexibility. When the cellular medicine container 2A that has flexibility is deformed, the cellular medicine container 2A fulfills a function as the powering device 5.
(48) Further, the transfer system 10D is equipped with a check valve 7 which is provided in the first flow channel 11 of the first adapter 1 that is attached to the cellular medicine container 2A, and which prevents the flow of liquid and cells from the inside of the cellular medicine container 2A to outside of the cellular medicine container 2A (from the left side to the right side in FIG. 6A). The transfer system 10D is also equipped with a check valve 7′ which is provided in the second flow channel 62 of the second adapter 6(1′), and which prevents the flow of air from outside the collection container 4 to inside the collection container 4 (from the left side to the right side in FIG. 6A).
(49) The type of check valve to be used as the check valves 7 and 7′ is not particularly limited, and for example it is possible to use a membrane-type check valve or a duckbill-type check valve. The check valves 7 and 7′ may be check valves of the same type or may be check valves of different types to each other.
(50) Whilst in the transfer system 10D illustrated in FIG. 6A the cellular medicine container 2A that has flexibility fulfills a function as the powering device 5, in the transfer system 10E illustrated in FIG. 6B, an administration medium storage container 3A has flexibility, and by being deformed, the administration medium storage container 3A fulfills a function as the powering device 5. Similarly, in the transfer system 10F illustrated in FIG. 6C, an administration medium storage container 3B has flexibility, and by being deformed, the administration medium storage container 3B fulfills a function as the powering device 5.
(51) As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the administration medium storage container 3A included in the transfer system 10E is a medical solution bag having flexibility that is formed from a resin such as poly(vinyl chloride) or ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer. The administration medium storage container 3A fulfills a function as the powering device 5 when the administration medium storage container 3A is deformed. In particular, the administration medium storage container 3A is a soft bag on which a restoring force does not act (bag does not return to its original state from a deformed state) in a case where the administration medium storage container 3A was deformed.
(52) The administration medium storage container 3A which the transfer system 10E includes is connected directly to the first adapter, and is not connected thereto by way of the second adapter 6.
(53) As illustrated in FIG. 6C, the administration medium storage container 3B which the transfer system 10F includes is a medical solution bag having flexibility that is formed from a resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene. Similarly to the administration medium storage container 3A, when deformed, the administration medium storage container 3B having flexibility fulfills a function as the powering device 5. However, unlike the administration medium storage container 3A, the administration medium storage container 3B is a bag with hardness on which a restoring force acts (the bag returns to its original shape from a deformed state) in a case where the administration medium storage container 3B was deformed.
(54) Further, the transfer system 10F includes a check valve 7 which is provided in the second flow channel 62 of the second adapter 6 that is attached to the administration medium storage container 3B, and which prevents the flow of liquid and cells from outside of the administration medium storage container 3B to inside of the administration medium storage container 3B. The transfer system 10F also includes a check valve 7′ which is provided in the first flow channel 61 of the second adapter 6 that is attached to the administration medium storage container 3B, and which prevents the flow of liquid or air from inside the administration medium storage container 3B to outside of the administration medium storage container 3B.
(55) Hereunder, an example of a method for transferring a cellular medicine using the transfer system 10D illustrated in FIG. 6A is described.
(56) FIGS. 7A and 7B are explanatory drawings for describing a transfer method for transferring a cellular medicine using the transfer system 10D illustrated in FIG. 6A.
(57) In the transfer method using the transfer system 10D, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, the cellular medicine container 2A is restored from a deformed state to its original state (for example, the fingers of an operator which had being pinching and squeezing the cellular medicine container 2A are released). As a result, a suction force acts because the capacity of the cellular medicine container 2A increases, and an amount of the administration medium that corresponds to the amount of increased capacity is transferred from the administration medium storage container 3 to the cellular medicine container 2A through the first flow channel 11 of the first adapter 1.
(58) At such time, unless the check valve 7′ is provided in the second flow channel 62 of the second adapter 6 that is attached to the collection container 4, there is a risk that air from outside of the collection container 4 will flow (flow back) into the collection container 4 through the filter device 15 of the second adapter 6, and air will flow (flow back) into the cellular medicine container 2A through the first flow channel 61 of the second adapter 6 and the second flow channel 12 of the first adapter 1. There is a risk that, as a result, the administration medium would not be sufficiently transferred to the cellular medicine container 2A from the administration medium storage container 3. However, in the transfer system 10D, because the check valve 7′ is provided in the second flow channel 62 of the second adapter 6, there is no risk of a backflow of air occurring as described above, and the administration medium can be sufficiently transferred from the administration medium storage container 3 to the cellular medicine container 2A.
(59) Next, in the transfer method using the transfer system 10D, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, the cellular medicine container 2A is deformed (for example, the cellular medicine container 2A is pinched and squeezed by fingers of an operator). As a result, since the capacity of the cellular medicine container 2A decreases, an amount of the cellular medicine and administration medium inside the cellular medicine container 2A that corresponds to the decreased amount of capacity is transferred from the cellular medicine container 2A to the collection container 4 through the second flow channel 12 of the first adapter 1.
(60) At such time, unless the check valve 7 is provided in the first flow channel 11 of the first adapter 1 that is attached to the cellular medicine container 2A, there is a risk that the cellular medicine and administration medium will flow out (flow back) from the first flow channel 11 of the first adapter 1 into the administration medium storage container 3. There is a risk that, as a result, the cellular medicine will not be sufficiently transferred from the cellular medicine container 2A to the collection container 4. However, in the transfer system 10D, because the check valve 7 is provided in the first flow channel 11 of the first adapter 1, there is no risk of a backflow of the cellular medicine and administration medium occurring as described above, and the cellular medicine can be sufficiently transferred to the collection container 4.
(61) By repeating the operations illustrated in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B that are described above one time or, as necessary, multiple times, the cellular medicine inside the cellular medicine container 2A is transferred to the collection container 4.
(62) According to the transfer method that uses the transfer system 10D described above, since it suffices to merely deform the cellular medicine container 2A (and restore the cellular medicine container 2A to its original shape), it is possible to transfer the cellular medicine that is inside the cellular medicine container 2 to the collection container 4 extremely easily. Further, since the administration medium is transferred into the cellular medicine container 2A, the inside of the cellular medicine container 2A is washed by means of the transferred administration medium, and it is thus possible to reduce the amount of residue of the cellular medicine inside the cellular medicine container 2A by a large margin.
(63) Note that, although the transfer system 10D has a configuration in which the check valve 7′ that prevents the flow of air from outside of the collection container 4 into the inside of the collection container 4 is provided in the second flow channel 62 of the second adapter 6, the transfer system of the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned configuration, and it is also possible to provide the check valve 7′ at the same position as in the configuration of a transfer system 10G illustrated in FIG. 8.
(64) That is, the transfer system 10G illustrated in FIG. 8 includes a check valve 7′ which is provided in the second flow channel 12 of the first adapter 1 and which prevents the flow of a gas into the cellular medicine container 2A from outside of the cellular medicine container 2A through the second flow channel 12.
(65) According to the transfer system 10G, when the administration medium is caused to flow into the cellular medicine container 2A that is attached to the first adapter 1 from the first flow channel 11, there is no risk of a gas flowing (flowing back) into the cellular medicine container 2A from the second flow channel 12, and it is thus possible to cause the administration medium to reliably flow into the cellular medicine container 2A.
(66) Although a transfer method of the present invention is described above taking a method for transferring a cellular medicine using the transfer system 10D as an example, in the case of using the transfer system 10E or 10F it suffices to transfer the administration medium from the administration medium storage container 3A or 3B to the cellular medicine container 2 by deforming the administration medium storage container 3A or 3B (for example, by an operator pinching and squeezing the administration medium storage container 3A or 3B with their fingers).
(67) The transfer system according to the present invention is not limited in any way by the transfer systems 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F and 10G described above, and various modifications are possible.
(68) For example, although in the transfer system 10A illustrated in FIG. 2A, the syringe as the powering device 5 is connected to the collection container 4 (connected to the second adapter 6 that is attached to the collection container 4), the present invention is not limited thereto. It is also possible to provide a syringe as the powering device 5 between the collection container 4 and the cellular medicine container 2 (between the second adapter 6 that is attached to the collection container 4, and the first adapter 1 that is attached to the cellular medicine container 2), or between the cellular medicine container 2 and the administration medium storage container 3 (between the first adapter 1 that is attached to the cellular medicine container 2, and the second adapter 6 that is attached to the administration medium storage container 3). Further, by pushing and pulling the syringe, the administration medium can be transferred from the administration medium storage container 3 to the cellular medicine container 2, and the administration medium and the cellular medicine can be transferred from the cellular medicine container 2 to the collection container 4.
(69) However, in a case where, as described above, the powering device 5 is provided between the collection container 4 and the cellular medicine container 2 or between the cellular medicine container 2 and the administration medium storage container 3, it is preferable to provide similar check valves to the check valves 7 and T illustrated in FIG. 6A so that liquid, cells and air do not flow back from the collection container 4 toward the cellular medicine container 2, or to provide similar check valves to the check valves 7 and 7′ illustrated in FIG. 6C so that liquid, cells and air do not flow back from the cellular medicine container 2 toward the administration medium storage container 3.
(70) Further, although in the transfer system 10C illustrated in FIG. 5, the plurality of cellular medicine containers 2 are taken as being vials that are made of glass, for example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which all or some of the plurality of cellular medicine containers 2 of the transfer system are replaced with the cellular medicine container 2A having flexibility that is illustrated in FIG. 6. In this case, since the cellular medicine containers 2A that replace the cellular medicine containers 2 fulfill a function as the powering device 5, it is possible to remove the syringes as the powering device 5 that are illustrated in FIG. 5.
(71) In addition, in a case where the administration medium storage container 3 and the collection container 4 can be connected to the first adapter 1 directly without being connected by way of the second adapter 6, the second adapter 6 is unnecessary. Specifically, with respect to the transfer system 10 and the like, an example can be mentioned in which a container having flexibility (for example, a medical solution bag) is used as the administration medium storage container 3 (for example, the administration medium storage container 3A illustrated in FIG. 6B). In this case, a general injection needle or the like, and not the second adapter 6, can be used for connecting the administration medium storage container 3.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
(72) 1, 1′, 6 Adapter 2, 2A Cellular Medicine Container 3 Administration Medium Storage Container 4 Collection Container 5 Powering Device 7 Check Valve 11, 11′ First Flow Channel 12, 12′ Second Flow Channel 15 Filter Device 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G Transfer System
