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US 11,261,412 B2Granted
Liquid transport method
AssigneeTerumo Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorsKouichirou Yori, Makoto Jinno
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A liquid transport method is disclosed for efficiently producing cell cultures. The liquid transport method of the present disclosure, which is in processing of cells, includes: a) a step in which a container holding a liquid is gripped by a gripping tool of a robot; and b) a step in which the liquid in the container is transported to a collection container by rotating the gripped container. In steps a) and b) the robot operates such as not to pass over a vertical line of an opening of the collection container.
Claims16
A liquid transport method in processing of cells, the liquid transport method comprising:
- a) a step in which lateral sides of a container holding a liquid is gripped by a gripping tool of a robot from a cassette configured to hold a plurality of containers, the cassette having a plurality of recessed parts each shaped corresponding to a bottom surface of the container, the gripping of the container being conducted in such a manner that the gripping tool is not present over a vertical line of an opening of the container;
- b) a step in which the liquid in the container is transported into a collection container by rotating the gripped container and orienting the opening of the gripped container toward a vertically lower direction;
- wherein in steps a) and b), the robot operates in such a manner as not to pass over a vertical line of an opening of the collection container;
- and
- wherein the container has a container main body and a cap, the method further comprising:
- detaching the cap of the container from the container main body by the robot and disposing the cap on a cap depository prior to conducting the step a);
- and
- gripping the lateral sides of the container main body of the container.
5 more elements
A cell processing system, which is a system for use in processing of cells by use of a container, the cell processing system comprising:
- a rectangular base provided with a plurality of processing areas for performing processing by use of the container and a carrying-in/carrying-out area where things for use in the processing can be carried in and carried out;
- a robot that is provided on the base and has a gripping tool capable of gripping at least part of the container, the robot being adjacent to each of the plurality of processing areas;
- a housing that covers the processing areas, the robot, and at least part of the carrying-in/carrying-out area and is able to maintain cleanliness of an inside of the housing;
- at least one working section that is disposed on the housing or the base and is configured in such a manner that manual operation in the housing from outside of the housing;
- wherein the gripping tool of the robot can reach each of the processing areas;
- the housing is configured such that a part of the housing adjacent to the carrying-in/carrying-out area can be opened and closed;
- the at least one working section is configured such that a workable area of the at least one working section overlaps with the processing area and/or the carrying-in/carrying-out area for use in the processing can be moved between the respective processing areas and the carrying-in/carrying-out area through the at least one working section;
- at least one openable and closeable slide shutter, the at least one openable and closeable shutter configured to produce a closed system when the at least one shutter is closed;
- a plurality of suction portions in the base and in a vicinity of the at least one shutter, the plurality of suction portions configured to generate a clean space having a reduced-pressure state in the clean space;
- and
- wherein the plurality of processing areas comprise:
- a first processing area configured to dispense a liquid into the container;
- a second processing area configured to dispose of and collect a culture medium in the container;
- and
- a third processing area configured to attach and detach a cap of the container.
12 more elements
A cell processing system, which is a system for use in processing of cells by use of a container, the cell processing system comprising:
- a rectangular base provided with a plurality of processing areas for performing processing by use of the container and a carrying-in/carrying-out area where things for use in the processing can be carried in and carried out, the plurality of processing areas including a first processing area configured to dispense a liquid into the container, a second processing area configured to dispose of and collect a culture medium in the container, and a third processing area configured to attach and detach a cap of the container;
- a robot that is provided on the base and has a gripping tool capable of gripping at least part of the container, the robot being adjacent to each of the plurality of processing areas;
- a housing that covers the processing areas, the robot, and at least part of the carrying-in/carrying-out area and is able to maintain cleanliness of an inside of the housing;
- a plurality of working sections disposed on the housing or the base and configured in such a manner that manual operation in the housing from outside of the housing can be performed;
- wherein the gripping tool of the robot can reach each of the processing areas;
- the housing is configured such that a part of the housing adjacent to the carrying-in/carrying-out area can be opened and closed;
- and
- the plurality of working sections include at least two working sections on one side of the rectangular base and at least two working sections on an opposite side of the rectangular base, the plurality of working sections being configured such that a workable area of the plurality of working sections overlaps with the processing area and/or the carrying-in/carrying-out area for use in the processing can be moved between the respective processing areas and the carrying-in/carrying-out area through the plurality of working sections.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.