JP4737970B2 - Isolators and transfer containers - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an isolator used for experiments or breeding using aseptic animals, gnotobiotic animals, contaminated animals affected by diseases, genetically manipulated animals, etc., and in particular, it is safe and quick to carry animals and articles into and out of the isolators. It is related to the loading / unloading port.

With the development of biotechnology, opportunities for breeding aseptic animals, genetically engineered animals, gnotobiotic animals, etc. are increasing, and demand for isolators (isolated breeding containers) to be used therefor is expected.
Conventionally, a vinyl chloride isolator formed in a box shape is frequently used. A pair of working gloves is attached to the operation surface of the isolator, and the work is performed through these gloves. A vinyl chloride lid called steryl lock is provided on the opposite side of the operation surface.

When an animal or article is carried in or out of the isolator, it is necessary to take an extremely complicated process in order to prevent germs in the air from entering, and to prevent bacteria and special substances in the isolator from leaking into the air.
For example, before carrying in / out animals or goods, connect a duct (or sleeve) made of vinyl chloride to the steryl lock, and fit the other end of the duct to the lid of a transfer container such as another steril lock or sterilization can. Sterilize the inside of the duct firmly with vinyl tape, and further sterilize the interior of the steryl lock, wait for a while, and then remove the inner cap of the steryl lock and the lid of the transfer container before carrying out the loading / unloading operation.

In Patent Document 1, as a means of rationalizing the carrying-in / out operation, animal transfer is shortened by an animal transfer device in which a soft sleeve that can be connected to an isolator is connected to each of hard sleeve connection parts having three or more connection parts. A method which is easy and complete in time is disclosed.
According to the disclosed method, if a large number of breeding isolators are connected to a single carrying isolator and a large number of litters are distributed to the isolators at once, the transfer time is greatly shortened. The use time is shortened, and it is possible to prevent deterioration of the isolator environment due to excrement and the like, and the exhaustion of the baby's physical strength.

However, these conventional carry-in / out methods have the following problems.
1. Installation of the connecting duct or sleeve requires precise and careful work because complete sealing is required, and the installation work cannot be performed quickly.
2. The sterilization process in the connecting duct requires a great deal of time.
3. When the carry-in / out operation is completed, it is necessary to tighten the lid of the isolator and the transfer container connected to the isolator, and this post-processing operation is time-consuming and inefficient.
4). The connection duct after use becomes biohazard waste.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-37863

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a loading / unloading mechanism having high safety and quick workability in order to more efficiently carry in / out work of animals and articles to / from an isolator. .

  In order to solve the above problems, an isolator according to the present invention is provided with a double door transport type transfer container attached to a side portion or a bottom portion for carrying in / out work. In the double door transport system, the door on the isolator is provided at the entrance / exit of the isolator so that the lid opens inward, a transfer container is attached to the entrance / exit from the outside, and the lid of the isolator is fixed to cover the lid of the transfer container So that the lid of the isolator and the lid of the transfer container are opened together. The opening of the carry-in / out port and the lid of the transfer container have the same diameter, and the outer surface of the transfer container other than the lid is inside the isolator. Configure the joints so that they are not exposed.

Using a double door transport type isolator transfer container, attach the transfer container directly to the isolator loading / unloading port, integrate the transfer container lid and isolator loading / unloading lid, and open the isolator loading / unloading lid inside. Are opened together, and the inside of the isolator and the inside of the transfer container are integrated.
Although the outer surface of the transfer container is contaminated while moving in the air, in the isolator according to the present invention, the outer surface of the transfer container cover is covered with the isolator cover and is not exposed to the inner space of the isolator. There is no contamination.
Also, when separating the transfer container, if the isolator cover and the transfer container cover are separated after closing the isolator cover, the transfer container can be easily removed from the isolator. There is no portion in the container where outside air is mixed, and each container can be maintained in a sterile state.

  When the isolator according to the present invention is used, the connection duct required for loading and unloading in the conventional isolator is not used, so the installation of the duct and the sterilization treatment in the duct are not required, the work is simplified and the work time is greatly increased. Can be shortened. In addition, the lid can be easily attached and sealed. Furthermore, since there are no parts that become biohazard waste after work, the burden of waste disposal is reduced.

The isolator of the present invention preferably has a carry-in / out opening at the bottom. Moreover, you may provide the support at the time of attaching a transfer container to a carry-in / out port, and supporting in an attached state.
It is preferable to provide a gas leakage prevention tool such as an O-ring on the contact surface between the carry-in / out port and the transfer container so that the transfer container is connected and separated by moving the transfer container in a direction perpendicular to the carry-in / out port. The O-ring has an O-ring groove formed on the circumference centered on one axis of the contact surface, and is embedded in this groove so that a part of the cross section protrudes from the surface.

In the isolator of the present invention, the isolator body is preferably formed of stainless steel. Note that the window or wall for looking inside is made of a transparent resin such as acrylic or polycarbonate.
A vinyl chloride isolator cannot make a negative pressure or a positive pressure inside the isolator, but an isolator formed of stainless steel can be operated with a slight negative pressure or a slightly positive pressure. Therefore, especially when dealing with subjects that must absolutely prevent the release of bacteria and others to the outside, such as gnotobiotic animals, and conversely, to prevent any germs in the outside air from entering even a little. Useful.

Further, it is preferable that the transfer container lid and the carry-in / out entrance cover of the transfer container are brought into contact with each other via a gasket so as to be connected by pressing in a direction perpendicular to the contact surface or separated by being pulled apart.
Furthermore, the isolator according to the present invention is provided with a support device under which the transfer container can be moved and moved up and down, so that the mounting operation of the transfer container can be simplified.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the isolator and the transfer container of the present invention will be described in detail.

1 to 3 are explanatory views of a transfer container for an isolator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a transfer container according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a process diagram for explaining a procedure for attaching the transfer container, and FIG. 3 is a process diagram for explaining a procedure for removing the transfer container.
The transfer container for an isolator according to the present embodiment is of a double door transport type having a double door attachment structure. One or more isolators are each provided with an isolator side door, and the transfer container container sterilized is used as a target isolator. It is attached to the door frame and animals and parts are carried in and out.

  In the double door transport system, the isolator-side door has a lid and a frame, the lid opens inside the isolator, and the transfer container has a frame and a lid at the opening of the container. When connecting the container and the transfer container, double the lid on the isolator side door and the cover on the transfer container side, remove the two lids together, and when separating, apply the integrated lid, then the isolator And the transfer container is detached from the isolator after the lid is separated from each of the transfer containers.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a transfer container with an isolator cover. The transfer container 1 of this embodiment is fixed to a container 11, a frame 13 of a transfer container side door 12 fixed to the container, a transfer container lid 14 fitted to the frame 13, and an isolator carry-in / out port. The frame body 16 of the isolator side door 15 and the isolator lid 17 fitted to the isolator side frame body 16 are configured.
The isolator lid 17 includes a handle 18 provided with a male screw at the tip, and can be screwed into a female screw provided in the center of the transfer container lid 14 to integrate the isolator lid 17 and the transfer container lid 14. Further, the isolator lid 17 rotates around a rotation shaft 19 fixed to the isolator side frame 16. The lid 17 may be lifted or pushed vertically with respect to the seat of the frame body 16 without providing a rotating shaft.

The container 11 is fixed inside the transfer container side frame 13. Further, a hook supported by the fork of the support device is provided on the lower end portion of the transfer container side frame 13 so as to face outward.
In the figure, those indicated by black circles are gaskets 20 such as O-rings, which are pressed against the opposing surfaces to maintain airtightness. In the figure, a taper surface contact is made between the frame and the lid, but a straight cylinder surface contact may be used. If the cylinder surface is contacted, the gasket will work even if the transfer container is pressed against the isolator side and the lid moves, so there is no risk of breaking the airtightness.
Needless to say, the frame and lid on the transfer container side, the frame and lid on the isolator side, the lid of the transfer container and the lid of the isolator, and the coupling between them may be made with screws.
In order to incorporate the isolator-side door 15 into the isolator, the bottom plate 21 of the isolator is fixed to the frame body 16.

FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining an operation procedure when the transfer container is attached to the isolator.
When the transfer container 1 is attached to the isolator 2, as shown in FIG. 2A, the frame body 13 and the lid 14 of the transfer container 1 are pressed against the frame body 16 and the lid 17 of the isolator-side door 15 to be airtightly fixed. . At this time, the transfer container 1 may be fixed by pressing it using a support device that drives in the vertical direction, and the frame body 16 on the isolator side door and the frame body 13 on the transfer container side are fixed using a chuck mechanism. You may do it. The air tightness on the pressing surface is preferably ensured by using a gasket 20 such as an O-ring.
In addition, it is preferable to sterilize by injecting a disinfectant into the contact surface between the frame 13 and the lid 14 of the transfer container.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the handle 18 provided on the isolator-side lid 17 is rotated, and the tip of the handle 18 is pushed into the female screw provided at the center position of the transfer container-side lid 14. The side lid 17 and the transfer container side lid 14 are integrated, and the interior of the isolator 2 and the transfer container 1 can be connected by pulling up the integrated lids 14 and 17 into the isolator as shown in FIG. it can.

  Although the outer surface of the isolator 2 and the transfer container 1 may be contaminated with germs in the air, in the double door transport system, the isolator side lid 17 and the transfer container side lid 14 are integrated so that the surface side is aligned. Since the contaminated surface is not exposed to the outside, the surface of the lid is kept clean even when the integrated lids 14 and 17 are taken into the isolator 2, and the isolator 2 and the transfer container 1 are connected to each other. The space is not polluted. If the disinfectant is injected between the frames 13 and 16 and the lids 14 and 17 that may have been contaminated during transportation in the air and then sterilized, the integrated lids 14 and 17 can be used. Even when pulled up, the contaminated surface is not exposed in the internal space.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for separating the transfer container from the isolator after the operation is completed. After the necessary objects are carried in and out, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the integrated lids 14 and 17 are fitted into the frame bodies 13 and 16, and the screws are loosened as shown in FIG. 3 (b). Then, as shown in FIG. 3C, after removing the isolator side lid 17 and the transfer container side lid 14, the transfer container 1 with the transfer container side door 12 closed is separated from the isolator 2.
Then, the contents in the transfer container 1 are not leaked during the separation operation, and the clean state is maintained even after the separation. In the isolator 2, the isolator-side door 15 is in a closed state, so that the atmosphere in the isolator 2 does not leak out, and the clean state in the isolator 2 and the transfer container 1 is maintained.

4 and 5 are explanatory views of an isolator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the isolator of this embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a side view of the isolator.
The isolator of this embodiment is configured to use the transfer container of the first embodiment. The isolator-side door is fixed to a carry-in / out port provided at the bottom, and a support mechanism for the transfer container is provided below the door. .

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the isolator with the main part shown in cross section.
The isolator 2 is formed of stainless steel. However, a transparent acrylic or polycarbonate resin plate is fitted on the upper surface and the front surface so that the inside of the isolator can be easily observed. A hole 22 is formed in the front acrylic or polycarbonate resin plate, and a glove is charged in the hole 22 so that an operator can access the inside. Further, a side door 23 is provided on the side surface. The side door 23 is attached such that a sealable lid 24 opens inside the isolator 2. The side door 23 can be connected to another isolator through a flange-connected duct to move an internal animal or object.
An exhaust duct filter 25 is provided on the side surface opposite to the side door 23.

  By making the isolator body made of stainless steel, it becomes possible to operate at a negative pressure or a slightly positive pressure, which is impossible with a conventional vinyl chloride isolator. By making the internal pressure of the isolator 2 lower than the external air pressure, dangerous bacteria in the isolator 2 can be prevented from being released to the outside air, and if the internal pressure of the isolator 2 is made higher than the external air pressure, miscellaneous bacteria in the outside air can be released in the isolator 2. Can be prevented from entering.

A carry-in / out opening is opened at the bottom of the isolator 2, and an isolator-side frame body 16 of the isolator-side door 15 is attached in an airtight manner thereto. An isolator lid 17 is seated on the frame 16 so that it can be opened and closed inside.
The isolator 2 is placed on a gantry 3 having a height convenient for operation. A caster 31 is provided on the gantry 3 to facilitate movement and positioning. Moreover, the transfer mechanism 1 is mounted and the support mechanism 4 pressed from the bottom so that it may fit in the isolator side door 15 incorporated in the bottom of the isolator 2 is provided.

The support mechanism 4 includes a carrier frame 42 that moves vertically along the guide column 41 using two round bars vertically extending between the upper and lower frames of the gantry 3 as a guide column 41, and a carrier frame. It comprises an actuator 43 such as a hydraulic jack or an electric cylinder that is interposed between the bottom of 42 and the floor plate of the gantry and moves the carrier frame 42 up and down.
The carrier frame 42 includes a lower frame 44, two support bars 46 erected on both sides of the lower frame 44, and a pair of forks 45 provided at the upper end of the support bar 46. Both ends and each fork 45 are provided with holes through which guide rods 41 pass.
The fork 45 has a protrusion 47 protruding inward, and can support a hook formed on the lower surface of the frame provided at the upper end of the container of the transfer container 1 from both sides.

  When the transfer container 1 is attached to the isolator 2, the actuator 43 is contracted to lower the carrier frame 4, and after placing the cage of the transfer container 1 on the fork 45, the actuator 43 is extended to raise the carrier frame 4. Then, the peripheral edge of the frame at the upper end of the transfer container 1 is guided by the conical surface formed inside the isolator-side frame 16, and the transfer container-side frame and the isolator-side frame 16, and the transfer container lid and the isolator cover. 17 are brought into contact with each other accurately through the gaskets and pressed to connect the two in an airtight manner.

Thereafter, a hand is inserted through the hole in the front surface, and the handle 18 is operated to integrate the transfer container lid and the isolator cover 17. When the inside of the isolator is pulled out, the interior of the isolator and the inside of the transfer container communicate with each other. Items can be taken in and out.
When the loading / unloading operation is completed, the lid is closed again, the transfer container lid and the isolator lid 17 are separated by the handle 18 and the container is pulled down, so that both the transfer container 1 and the isolator 2 are separated while keeping the internal atmosphere clean. Is done.

  By using the isolator of this embodiment, the isolator and the transfer container are directly connected without exposing the outer surface of the isolator or the transfer container that may have been contaminated by contact with the outside air to the inside of the isolator or the transfer container. Therefore, it is possible to perform the connection operation very easily and safely without performing connection duct connection, sterilization treatment of the duct, and biohazard waste treatment after using the duct.

It is sectional drawing of the transfer container for isolators concerning 1st Example of this invention. It is process drawing explaining the attachment procedure of the transfer container of 1st Example. It is process drawing explaining the removal procedure of the transfer container of 1st Example. It is a partial cross section elevation view of the isolator which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a side view of the isolator of 2nd Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Transfer container 2 Isolator 3 Base 4 Support mechanism 11 Container 12 Transfer container side door 13 Transfer container side frame 14 Transfer container lid 15 Isolator side door 16 Isolator side frame 17 Isolator cover 18 Handle 19 Rotating shaft 20 Gasket 21 Isolator bottom plate 22 Hole 23 Side door 24 Side door lid 25 Exhaust duct filter 31 Caster 41 Guide post 42 Carrier frame 43 Actuator 44 Lower frame 45 Fork 46 Support rod 47 Projection

Claims (5)

A transport container for isolator in cooperation with the first frame member and an isolator lid mechanism including a first lid provided on the isolator mounting detachably on said isolator, a second frame provided in the container and the opening having an opening and a transfer container-side door made from the body and a second cover, the second frame is attached to the front KiHiraki opening, when said second lid is closed to maintain the airtightness in close contact with the second frame , is not adapted to deviate outside the container when opened, the outer surface when the first have a mechanism to integrate with the lid adapted to be opened with integrated with the first lid the first a isolator transport container was blocked in 1 lid so as not to be exposed to said isolator and container, before Symbol second lid, pivotally attached to the first lid, the handle to the distal end On the other end The internal thread of the male screw and screwed the handle having a screw provided, the first lid and the second lid and the first frame and the second frame is adapted to face contact with the gasket, the A transfer container for an isolator, wherein a male screw and a female screw are screwed together to integrate the first lid and the second lid so that they can be connected to and separated from the first frame body and the second frame body. An isolator to which the transfer container for an isolator according to claim 1 is detachably attached, wherein a carry-in / out opening is provided at a side portion or a bottom portion, and the isolator lid mechanism including the first frame body and the first lid is provided at the carry-out entrance The first lid is opened to the inside of the isolator, and when the first lid fits into the first frame, the first lid is disconnected from the interior of the isolator. A handle having a handle at the tip and a male screw at the other end is rotatably attached to the lid, and the male screw is screwed with a female screw provided at the second lid, so that the first lid and the first 2. An isolator characterized in that two lids are integrated so that the first frame body and the second frame body can be connected and separated. The isolator according to claim 2, wherein the carry-in / out port is provided at the bottom. Claim 2 or 3 isolator according is characterized in that except for a portion for seeing through the inside is formed of stainless steel. The isolator according to claim 4, further comprising a support mechanism for placing the container of the isolator transfer container under the isolator cover mechanism and moving the container up and down.

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