JPH026800Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a cell culture chamber that allows microscopic observation as it is during cultivation.

<Conventional Technology> A cell culture chamber according to the prior art will be described with reference to the drawings.

Figure 2a is a longitudinal sectional view of this device, Figure 2b
is a plan view. As shown in both figures, the culture chamber 06 of this device consists of two transparent cover glasses 04.
a, 04b and these transparent cover glasses 04
It is sandwiched between gaskets 04a and 04b and surrounded by a gasket 05 whose inner periphery is formed into a ring shape. And the above transparent cover glasses 04a, 04
b is fixed from both sides by holding plates 01a and 01b having ring-shaped observation holes 07a and 07b, and is pressed and tightly attached to the gasket 05 by four set screws 03. In addition, in culture room 06,
Injection needles 08a and 08b for injecting and collecting culture solution are inserted through the gasket 05, and syringes 09a and 08b are inserted into these injection needles 08a and 08b.
09b has been removed.

Next, a procedure for cultivating tissue in such a cell culture chamber will be explained. First, a culture solution containing cells to be cultured is injected into the culture chamber 06 through the injection needle 08a. Next, while injecting a small amount of culture solution through the injection needle 08a, air bubbles are removed from the injection needle 08b. At this point, inject enough culture solution into the required spaces and continue cultivating the tissue.

During this tissue cultivation, microscopic observation and photography can be performed through the observation holes 07a and 07b.

<Problems that the invention attempts to solve> The conventional cell culture chamber as described above is
Due to the screw fastening structure, the operability and workability are poor if you are not skilled, and the unbalanced tightening torque of the four set screws 03 makes the transparent cover glass 04
This had the disadvantage that leakage occurred between the gasket 05 and the gasket 05. Furthermore, there was a problem that it did not match well with a microscope because it was a little large overall.

On the other hand, there are attempts to culture tissue in space experiments, and in this case, sterile parts will be handled in space, so good operability and workability are required. Also, in order to transport it to outer space, it is necessary to make it as small and lightweight as possible.

Furthermore, liquid leaks in space laboratories need to be completely eliminated as they can seriously affect other equipment.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cell culture chamber that is free from leakage, has good operability and workability, and is further compact and lightweight.

<Means for solving the problems> The structure of the present invention to achieve the above object is to culture cells surrounded by two transparent cover glasses facing each other and a gasket sandwiched between these transparent cover glasses. In a cell culture chamber having a culture chamber that can be observed from the outside, the cell culture chamber includes a cylindrical case having a male thread on the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder and a flange contacting the outermost part of one of the transparent cover glasses, and an inner part of the cylinder. It has a cylindrical lid having a female threaded part on its circumferential surface that is screwed into the male threaded part, and a flange part that comes into contact with the other outermost peripheral part of the transparent cover glass. The present invention is characterized in that it includes a fixture that clamps the transparent cover glass and the gasket.

<Example> Hereinafter, a preferred example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Cell culture of Examples FIG. 1a is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of this chamber, FIG.
Figure c is a view taken along line B-B.

As shown in these drawings, the culture chamber 6 of this apparatus includes two substantially circular transparent cover glasses 4a and 4b facing each other, and the transparent cover glasses 4.
a, 4b and a donut-shaped gasket 5. A fixture for holding these transparent cover glasses 4a, 4b and gasket 5 is composed of a case 1, a flange 2, and a coupling nut 3. This case 1 has a male screw portion 1a on the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder, and a transparent cover glass 4b.
It has a flange portion that is in contact with the flange. Also,
The coupling ring 3 has a cylindrical shape, and has a female threaded portion 3 on its inner peripheral surface that is screwed into the male threaded portion 1a.
It has a short flange portion. A donut-shaped flange 2 is brought into contact with this short flange portion from the inside.

The above-mentioned parts are assembled by placing the transparent cover glass 4b, gasket 5, transparent cover glass 4a, and flange 2 in this order in the case 1, and then screwing the coupling 3 into the case 1. . At this time, the coupler 3 is screwed into the case 1 while its short flange portion is in sliding contact with the flange 2. As a result, the transparent cover glass 4a is pressed toward the transparent cover glass 4b via the flange 2 that abuts on its outermost periphery. In this way, the transparent cover glasses 4a, 4b and the gasket 5 are tightly held and held by the case 1, the flange 2, and the coupling 3.

Further, on the side surface of the case 1, a hypodermic needle 8a,
It has two openings 10 for passing through. The tips of the injection needles 8a and 8b have openings 10.
The injection needles 8a and 8b are inserted into the culture chamber 6 through the gasket 5, and syringes 9a and 9b are attached to the other ends of the injection needles 8a and 8b.

The cell culture chamber configured in this manner has observation holes 7a and 7b, so that microscopic observation can be performed during culture. Further, the case 1, flange 2, and coupling nut 3 are made of aluminum alloy.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the outer peripheral surfaces of the case 1 and the coupling fitting 3 are knurled to prevent them from slipping when screwed in by hand.
It forms b.

In this embodiment, the lid is divided into the flange 2 and the coupling nut 3 to prevent the abutting surfaces of the transparent cover glasses 4a and 4b from rubbing against the case 1 and the lid. Of course, the structure may be such that the coupling nut 2 and the coupling nut 3 are integrated.

Next, a procedure for using the above-described cell culture chamber for tissue culture will be explained.

First, all parts are disassembled, cleaned and sterilized, and then assembled in a clean environment. At this time, if the coupling nut 3 is sufficiently screwed into the case 1, no leakage will occur between the transparent cover glasses 4a, 4b and the gasket 5. Next, the culture solution and cells are injected into the culture chamber 6 through the injection needle 8a, air bubbles are removed from the injection needle 8b, and the injection needle 8b is blind-corked. While culturing is continued in this state, microscopic observation and photography can be performed through the observation holes 7a and 7b. Next, remove the blind plug from the injection needle 8b, slowly inject the culture solution through the injection needle 8a, and at the same time collect the waste liquid from the injection needle 8b. Finally, a cell fixative is injected through the injection needle 8a to preserve the cells.

The above cell culture chamber requires handling of each part,
It is easy to assemble, and is small and lightweight, making it suitable for experiments in space.

<Effects of the invention> As specifically explained above with the examples,
The cell culture chamber according to the present invention has a structure in which the fixing device is integrated, so that the transparent cover glass is brought into close contact with the gasket with a constant surface pressure, so there is no need to worry about leakage, and there is no need to use tools. It is easy to assemble and disassemble without any hassle, and it is easier to make it smaller and lighter. Therefore, it is suitable for use in tissue culture experiments in space environments.

Note that, as shown in the embodiment, by applying a non-slip finish such as a knurling finish to the outer circumferential surface of the fixture, it becomes easier to screw the threaded portion together with bare hands.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1a is a longitudinal sectional view of a cell culture chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1b is a view taken along line A-A, FIG. 1c is a view taken along line B-B, FIG. 2a is a longitudinal sectional view of a cell culture chamber according to the prior art, and FIG. 2b is a plan view thereof. In the drawings, 1 is a case, 2 is a flange, 3 is a coupling nut, 4a, 4b are transparent cover glasses, 5 is a gasket, 6 is a culture chamber, and 7a, 7b are observation holes.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] In a cell culture chamber, which has a culture chamber surrounded by two transparent cover glasses facing each other and a gasket held between these transparent cover glasses, and which allows cells to be observed from the outside while being cultured, a male thread is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder. a cylindrical case in which the flange portion abuts the outermost peripheral portion of one of the transparent cover glasses; and a female screw portion screwed into the male screw portion on the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder; A cell culture chamber comprising a cylindrical lid that abuts the outermost portion of the other chamber, and a fixture that clamps the transparent cover glass and the gasket at both flanges by screwing the lid onto the case.