MULTILAYER CULTURE VESSEL

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to suppress variation in time for cells to be immersed in a peeling liquid when the cells are peeled from culture layers. A multilayer culture vessel 1 has an internal space that is divided by a boundary surface 10 into a culture space 11 on one side and a buffer space 12 on the other side in a direction parallel to a bottom plate 2. The multilayer culture vessel 1 includes at least one intermediate plate 5 that extends in the culture space along the direction parallel to the bottom plate 2 and divides the culture space 11 into a plurality of culture layers 21, wall portions 13 that respectively extend from the bottom plate 2 and the at least one intermediate plate 5 toward a top plate 3 at the boundary surface 10, communication portions 14 that bring the buffer space 12 into communication with the culture layers 21, and a liquid supply/drainage port 6 that is formed in the top plate 3 at a location facing the buffer space 12.

Claims

1. A multilayer culture vessel capable of culturing cells in a plurality of culture layers, the multilayer culture vessel comprising: a housing including a bottom plate, a top plate facing the bottom plate, and a plurality of side walls connecting the bottom plate and the top plate; a boundary portion that divides an internal space of the housing into a culture space on one side of the boundary portion and a buffer space on the other side of the boundary portion in a direction parallel to the bottom plate; at least one intermediate plate extending along the direction parallel to the bottom plate at least in the culture space and configured to divide the culture space into the plurality of culture layers; a plurality of wall portions at the boundary portion, the plurality of wall portions including one extending from the bottom plate in a direction toward the top plate and one extending from each of the at least one intermediate plate in a direction toward the top plate; a plurality of communication portions formed at the boundary portion to bring the culture layers into communication with the buffer space; and a liquid supply/drainage port formed in the housing at a location facing the buffer space.

2. The multilayer culture vessel of claim 1, further comprising an inclined plate extending from an upper end of the wall portion formed on the bottom plate toward the side wall that is on the other side of the boundary portion while being inclined toward the top plate.

3. The multilayer culture vessel of claim 2, wherein the at least one intermediate plate extends to the boundary portion in the culture space.

4. The multilayer culture vessel of claim 2, wherein the at least one intermediate plate extends along the direction parallel to the bottom plate in both the culture space and the buffer space to divide the buffer space into a plurality of buffer layers, and wherein a through-hole penetrating the at least one intermediate plate is formed in the buffer space.

5. The multilayer culture vessel of claim 1, wherein the at least one intermediate plate extends to the boundary portion in the culture space.

6. The multilayer culture vessel of claim 1, wherein the at least one intermediate plate extends along the direction parallel to the bottom plate in both the culture space and the buffer space to divide the buffer space into a plurality of buffer layers, and wherein a through-hole penetrating the at least one intermediate plate is formed in the buffer space.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a multilayer culture vessel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1.

[0019] FIGS. 3A to 3E are diagrams illustrating a procedure for supplying a peeling liquid to the multilayer culture vessel and immersing cells in the peeling liquid.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a multilayer culture vessel according to a modification.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 4.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a conventional multilayer culture vessel.

[0023] FIGS. 7A to 7D are diagrams illustrating a procedure for supplying a peeling liquid to the conventional multilayer culture vessel and immersing cells in the peeling liquid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] A multilayer culture vessel 1 according to the present embodiment is a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped culture vessel capable of culturing cells in a plurality of culture layers. As shown in FIG. 1, the multilayer culture vessel 1 includes a bottom plate 2, a top plate 3 facing the bottom plate 2, four side walls 4 connecting the bottom plate 2 and the top plate 3, three intermediate plates 5, a liquid supply/drainage port 6, and an exhaust port 7. Further, the internal space of the multilayer culture vessel 1 is divided into a culture space 11 on one side (the left-hand side in FIG. 1) of a boundary surface (boundary portion) 10 and a buffer space 12 on the other side (the right-hand side in FIG. 1) of the boundary surface 10 in a direction parallel to the bottom plate 2 (in a left-right direction in FIG. 1).

[0026] The bottom plate 2 and the top plate 3 are rectangular flat plates. The bottom plate 2 and the top plate 3 face each other. Further, the bottom plate 2 and the top plate 3 are connected by the four side walls 4. The side walls 4 includes a side wall 4a on one side, a side wall 4b on the other side, and side walls 4c and 4d connected to the side walls 4a and 4b.

[0027] The intermediate plates 5 extend in the direction parallel to the bottom plate 2 inside the culture space 11 and make contact with inner surfaces of the side walls 4a, 4c, and 4d. Further, the three intermediate plates 5 are arranged one above another in a direction perpendicular to the bottom plate 2. Cells may adhere to the bottom plate 2 and the intermediate plates 5. At the boundary surface 10, there are formed wall portions 13 including one extending from the bottom plate 2 in a direction toward the top plate and one extending from each of the three intermediate plates 5 in a direction toward the top plate 3, respectively. The region surrounded by the bottom plate 2, one intermediate plate 5, the side walls 4a, 4c and 4d, and one wall portion 13, the regions surrounded by two intermediate plates 5, the side walls 4a, 4c and 4d, and one wall portion 13, and the region surrounded by one intermediate plate 5, the top plate 3, the side walls 4a, 4c and 4d, and one wall portion 13 constitute culture layers 21, respectively. That is, four culture layers 21 are formed in the multilayer culture vessel 1 of the present embodiment.

[0028] Further, communication portions 14 for bringing the culture layers 21 into communication with the buffer space 12 are formed between the entire upper ends of the wall portions 13 and the intermediate plates 5 or the top plate 3. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, there is provided an inclined plate 15 extending from the upper end of the wall portion 13 formed on the bottom plate 2 toward the side wall 4b on the other side while being inclined toward the top plate 3.

[0029] The liquid supply/drainage port 6 is an opening portion for supplying and draining a liquid to and from the multilayer culture vessel 1, and is formed in the top plate 3 at a location facing the buffer space 12 as shown in FIG. 1. Further, the liquid supply/drainage port 6 protrudes in a cylindrical shape, for example, and can be opened and closed by attaching and detaching a lid.

[0030] The exhaust port 7 is an opening portion for discharging a gas inside the multilayer culture vessel 1 and is formed in the top plate 3 at a location facing the culture space 11. Further, the exhaust port 7 protrudes in a cylindrical shape, for example, and can be opened and closed by attaching and detaching a lid. In addition, the liquid supply/drainage port 6 is formed closer to the side wall 4c than the exhaust port 7 in a direction from the side wall 4c toward the side wall 4d.

[0031] Subsequently, a procedure for supplying the peeling liquid 30 to the multilayer culture vessel 1 according to the present embodiment and peeling the cells will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3E. The same names are used for the postures like those of the conventional multilayer culture vessel shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D. Further, the hatched portion in FIGS. 3A to 3E is a region where the peeling liquid 30 exists.

[0032] First, the medium inside the multilayer culture vessel 1 is drained from the liquid supply/drainage port 6 in an opened state by causing the side walls 4b or 4c to be located on the bottom side. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 3A, the multilayer culture vessel 1 is placed on the mounting surface so that the side wall 4b is located on the bottom side, i.e., so that the buffer space 12 is located on the bottom side (hereinafter referred to as storage posture), whereby the peeling liquid 30 is supplied to the buffer space 12 from the liquid supply/drainage port 6.

[0033] After the peeling liquid 30 is supplied, as shown in FIG. 3B, the multilayer culture vessel 1 is re-arranged on the mounting surface so that the side surface 4c is located on the bottom side (first posture). As a result, a part of the peeling liquid 30 stored inside the buffer space 12 flows into the respective culture layers 21 substantially evenly via the communication portions 14. Next, as shown in FIG. 3C, the multilayer culture vessel 1 is re-arranged on the mounting surface so that the side wall 4a is located on the bottom side, i.e., so that the culture space 11 is located on the bottom side (second posture). Thus, the entire peeling liquid 30 in the buffer space 12 flows into the respective culture layers 21 substantially evenly via the communication portions 14. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3D, by arranging the multilayer culture vessel 1 on the mounting surface so that the bottom plate 2 is located on the bottom side (third posture), the peeling liquid 30 in the respective culture layers spreads evenly along the bottom plate 2 or the intermediate plates 5. By leaving the multilayer culture vessel 1 at the third posture for a predetermined time, the cells are peeled from the bottom plate 2 and the intermediate plates 5. Then, as shown in FIG. 3E, the multilayer culture vessel 1 is arranged to be in the first posture at which the side surface 4c is located on the bottom side or the storage posture (FIG. 3A) at which the buffer space 12 is located on the bottom side, whereby the cells are discharged from the liquid supply/drainage port 6.

[0034] The internal space of the multilayer culture vessel 1 of the present embodiment is divided by the boundary surface 10 into the culture space 11 on one side and the buffer space 12 on the other side in the direction parallel to the bottom plate 2. Further, the multilayer culture vessel 1 includes the three intermediate plates 5 extending along the direction parallel to the bottom plate 2 and configured to divide the culture space 11 into four culture layers 21, the wall portions 13 arranged at the boundary surface 10 to extend from the bottom plate 2 and the three intermediate plates 5 in a direction toward the top plate 3, respectively, the four communication portions 14 configured to bring the buffer space 12 into communication with the respective culture layers 21, and the liquid supply/drainage port 6 formed in the top plate 3 at the location facing the buffer space 12.

[0035] By using the multilayer culture vessel 1 described above, the peeling liquid 30 can be supplied to the respective culture layers 21 by the following procedure. First, the multilayer culture vessel 1 is arranged on the mounting surface so that the side wall 4d on the other side is located on the bottom side, i.e., so that the buffer space 12 is located on the bottom side (storage posture). Subsequently, the peeling liquid 30 is supplied to the buffer space 12 from the liquid supply/drainage port 6. After the peeling liquid 30 is supplied, the multilayer culture vessel 1 is re-arranged on the mounting surface so that the side wall 4c is located on the bottom side, i.e., so that the bottom plate 2 and the intermediate plates 5 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction (first posture). Thus, a part of the peeling liquid 30 inside the buffer space 12 flows into the respective culture layers 21 substantially evenly via the communication portions 14. Next, the multilayer culture vessel 1 is re-arranged on the mounting surface so that the side wall 4a is located on the bottom side, i.e., so that the culture space 11 is located on the bottom side (second posture). Thus, the entire peeling liquid 30 in the buffer space 12 flows into the respective culture layers 21 substantially evenly via the communication portions 14. Finally, when the multilayer culture vessel 1 is arranged on the mounting surface so that the bottom plate 2 is located on the bottom side (third posture), the peeling liquid 30 in the respective culture layers 21 spreads uniformly along the bottom plate 2 or the intermediate plates 5. According to the procedure described above, while the peeling liquid 30 is being supplied from the liquid supply/drainage port 6, the peeling liquid 30 flows into the buffer space 12 and does not flow into the respective culture layers 21. Further, when the multilayer culture vessel 1 is re-arranged twice at the first posture and the second posture after the supply of the peeling liquid 30, the peeling liquid 30 exists only in a partial region of each of the culture layers 21. However, such a re-arranging work can be completed in a short time. Therefore, the effect of time variance for the cells at different locations to be immersed in the peeling liquid 30 is small. That is, according to the present disclosure, by providing the buffer space 12 for temporarily storing the peeling liquid 30 when supplying the peeling liquid 30, it is possible to suppress the variations in the time for the cells to be immersed in the peeling liquid 30.

[0036] The multilayer culture vessel 1 of the present embodiment is provided with the inclined plate 15 extending from the upper end of the wall portion 13 formed on the bottom plate 2 toward the side wall 4d while being inclined toward the top plate 3. The peeling liquid 30 stored in the buffer space 12 then flows into the respective culture layers 21 via the communication portions 14. When the wall portion 13 is provided on the bottom plate, a part of the peeling liquid 30 remains in the portion of the buffer space 12 surrounded by the wall portion 13, the bottom plate 2, and the side surface 4d. Therefore, in the present embodiment, there is provided the inclined plate 15 extending from the upper end of the wall portion 13 provided on the bottom plate 2 toward the side wall 4d while being inclined toward the top plate 3. As a result, the peeling liquid 30 remaining in the buffer space 12 flows into the culture layer 21 between the bottom plate 2 and the intermediate plate 5 along the inclined plate 15. Therefore, the peeling liquid 30 remaining in the buffer space 12 can be reduced, and the peeling liquid 30 can be used without waste.

[0037] In the multilayer culture vessel 1 of the present embodiment, the three intermediate plates 5 extend to the boundary surface 10 in the culture space 11. In the conventional multilayer culture vessel 201, as shown in FIG. 6, the culture layers 221 are completely separated from one another by the intermediate plates 205. Therefore, in order to supply the peeling liquid 30 to the respective culture layers 221, it is necessary to provide the liquid supply/drainage part 206 that has a cylindrical shape penetrating the intermediate plates 205 and includes the plurality of communication portions 214 formed on the cylindrical side surface to communicate with the respective culture layers 221. In contrast, in the multilayer culture vessel 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate plates 5 extend to the boundary surface 10 in the culture space 11 on one side and do not extend to the buffer space 12 on the other side. That is, the buffer space 12 is not separated by the intermediate plates 5. The peeling liquid 30 supplied to the buffer space 12 can flow into the respective culture layers 21 via the communication portions 14 formed on the boundary surface 10. Therefore, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, in order to supply the peeling liquid 30 to the respective culture layers 21, it is sufficient to merely form an opening (liquid supply/drainage port 6) at a location facing the buffer space 12. The multilayer culture vessel 1 of the present embodiment can be easily manufactured as compared with the conventional multilayer culture vessel 201 which needs to form the cylindrical liquid supply/drainage part 206 penetrating the intermediate plates 205.

[0038] Although the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications may be made as long as they are recited in the claims.

[0039] In the above-described embodiment, the intermediate plates 5 extend in the direction parallel to the bottom plate 2 inside the culture space 11 and make contact with the inner surfaces of the side walls 4a, 4c, and 4d. However, the intermediate plates 5 may extend along the direction parallel to the bottom plate 2 in both the culture space 11 and the buffer space 12. For example, in a multilayer culture vessel 101 according to a modification, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the three intermediate plates 105 extend along the direction parallel to the bottom plate 2 and make contact with the inner surfaces of the side walls 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d. In this case, the three intermediate plates 105 are formed with through-holes 16 penetrating the three intermediate plates 105 in the buffer space 12. According to this configuration, as shown in FIG. 5, the buffer space 12 is divided into four buffer layers 22 corresponding to the four culture layers 21 by the intermediate plates 105 extending to the side wall 4d. Further, since the through-holes 16 are formed in the intermediate plates 105, a liquid or a gas can flow between the buffer layers 22. Therefore, when the peeling liquid 30 is supplied to the buffer space 12 and then the multilayer culture vessel is re-arranged on the mounting surface so that the side wall 4c is located on the bottom side (first posture), a part of the peeling liquid 30 flows into the respective culture layers 21 substantially evenly while the remaining part of the peeling liquid 30 is dividedly supplied into the buffer layers 22 substantially evenly and stored in the buffer layers 22. From this state, when the multilayer culture vessel 101 is re-arranged on the mounting surface so that the culture space 11 is located on the bottom side (second posture), the remaining part of the peeling liquid 30 stored substantially evenly in the respective buffer layers 22 flows into the respective culture layers 21 via the communication portions 14. Accordingly, the entire peeling liquid 30 can be more evenly supplied to the respective culture layers 21.

[0040] In the above-described modification, the intermediate plates 105 are in contact with the inner surface of the side wall 4d. However, the intermediate plates 105 may not be in contact with the inner surface of the side wall 4d. In this case, for example, the intermediate plates 105 extend to a location in the culture space 12 between the boundary surface 10 and the side wall 4d. Further, in this case, since there is a gap between the intermediate plates 105 and the side wall 4d, the through-holes 16 for allowing a liquid or a gas to flow between the buffer layers are unnecessary.

[0041] In the above-described embodiment and the above-described modification, three intermediate plates are arranged. Alternatively, one or two intermediate plates, or four or more intermediate plates may be arranged.

[0042] Further, in the above-described embodiment, at the boundary surface 10, the wall portions 13 extend from the bottom plate 2 and from each of the intermediate plates 5 toward the top plate 3 in the direction perpendicular to the bottom plate 2 and the intermediate plates 5. However, the wall portions 13 may be inclined to one side or the other side. Further, each of the communication portions 14 may be formed between a part of the upper end of each of the wall portions 13 and each of the intermediate plates 5 or the top plate 3. In this case, the remaining part of the upper end of each of the wall portions 13 where each of the communication portions 14 is not formed is in contact with the intermediate plates 5 or the top plate 3. Alternatively, the entire upper end of each of the wall portions 13 is in contact with the intermediate plates 5 or the top plate 3, and one or more communication portions 14 may be formed at an arbitrary location in the wall portions 13.

[0043] In the above-described embodiment, the liquid supply/drainage port 6 is formed in the top plate 3 at the location facing the buffer space 12. However, the liquid supply/drainage port 6 may be formed on the side walls 4b, 4c, or 4d at a location facing the buffer space 12.

[0044] In the above-described embodiment, the exhaust port 7 is formed in the top plate 3 at the location facing the culture space 11. However, the exhaust port 7 may be formed in the side walls 4a, 4b, 4c, or 4d at a location facing the culture space 11 or the buffer space 12.

[0045] In the above-described embodiment, the cells are peeled from the bottom plate 2 and the intermediate plates 5 by leaving the multilayer culture vessel added with the peeling liquid in the third posture for a predetermined time. However, for example, after leaving the multilayer culture vessel 1 in the third posture for a predetermined time, the multilayer culture vessel 1 may be tapped to peel the cells from the culture layers. In this case, it becomes easier to peel the cells than when the multilayer culture vessel 1 is merely left for a predetermined time.

[0046] In the above-described embodiment, the bottom plate 2 and the top plate 3 have a rectangular shape. However, the bottom plate 2 and the top plate 3 may have a trapezoidal shape, other polygonal shapes, an elliptical shape, or a combination thereof.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0047] 1, 101: multilayer culture vessel, 2: bottom plate, 3: top plate, 4, 204: side wall, 5, 105, 205: intermediate plate, 6: liquid supply/drainage port, 7: exhaust port, 10: boundary surface, 11: culture space, 12: buffer space, 13: wall portion, 14: communication portion, 15: inclined plate, 16: through-hole, 21, 221: culture layer