JP2006315106A - Glove box - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a glove box for biohazard measure which has an HEPA filter and an immersion tank for sterilization in a working space, and enables inactivation of hazardous substance in a device before taking out the HEPA filter. <P>SOLUTION: The device is constituted so that the HEPA filter is mounted from the working space side, the immersion tank for chemicals capable of inactivating handling substance is installed in the working space, and a test substance can be inactivated before taking out the HEPA filter from the glove box in the glove box for biohazard measure. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a hermetically-cleaned work bench, a so-called biohazard countermeasure glove box, which prevents disasters caused by handling of microorganisms and pathogens in the field of genetic manipulation such as medicine and pharmaceuticals.

  Conventionally, a safety cabinet has been used as a primary barrier that physically separates biohazardous people / environments from biological materials / pathogens. Use sealed safety cabinets for handling highly dangerous microorganisms and pathogens. In general, a sealed safety cabinet is called a glove box, and the sample handled in this sealed safety cabinet is protected from external germs and prevents the handling operator from infecting the sample. ing. The structure of a sealed safety cabinet according to the prior art is described in Recombinant DNA Experiment Guideline (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Notification No. 5 of January 31, 2002) Annex 3 Standard Class III of Safety Cabinet and HEPA Filter As shown, the inflow airflow and the exhaust airflow are filtered with a HEPA filter and then discharged to the outside. The sample used for the work is sterilized with a high-pressure sterilizer or sterilized with a disinfectant bath, and then put in and out.

Guidelines for Recombinant DNA Experiments (January 31, 2002, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Notification No. 5) Annex 3 Standards for Safety Cabinets and HEPA Filters Class III

  FIG. 5 shows a partial cross-sectional structure diagram of the conventional safety cabinet for biohazard countermeasures (hereinafter, glove box). The air supply HEPA filter 5 disposed in the upper part of the work space 3 is pressurized by the duct 22 to filter outside air dust and send it into the work section 3 as clean air. In addition, the bacteria / viruses 15 handled in the work space 3 are filtered by the exhaust HEPA filter 4 installed on the other side and discharged as clean air to the outside. The work space 3 is hermetically sealed by a sealed case 1a, and a glove 11 is attached to the front of the case 1a, and an operator performs a test in the work space 3 through the glove. The operator views the inside of the work space 3 through the opening / closing window 10. The open / close window 3 may be fixed without opening and closing. The pressure in the work space 3 is maintained on the minus side of the pressure around the glove box 1 by sucking air through the duct 22 on the exhaust HEPA 4 side. Even if a hole is made in the globe 11 due to this pressure difference, the air flows to the work space 3 side, thereby preventing the handled bacteria / viruses 15 from leaking outside. The experimental equipment handled in the work space 3 is taken in and out through a connection box 7 connected to the clove box work space 3. Sealed doors 9 are provided on the work box 3 side and the outside of the connection box 7 so as to be sealed. In order to sterilize the equipment contaminated with the bacteria / virus 15 handled in the work space 3, the junction box 7 may be a high-pressure sterilizer. When the junction box 7 is not a high-pressure sterilizer, an immersion tank 12 is provided in the work space 3 and the immersion layer 12 is filled with a disinfectant solution. After disinfecting the equipment there, it is taken out of the glove box 1. When the glove box 1 is used, the HEPA filters 4 and 5 are clogged due to adhesion of outside air dust 25 or bacteria / viruses 15 handled in the work space 3. When the HEPA filter is clogged, a predetermined air volume cannot be obtained, a negative pressure in the working space 3 cannot be generated, and there is a possibility that contaminants leak out. Therefore, the HEPA filters 4 and 5 need to be replaced periodically. When the HEPA filters 4 and 5 are replaced, it is necessary to sterilize the bacteria / viruses 15 attached to the HEPA filters 4 and 5. In the glove box 1 according to the prior art, the entrance / exit of the duct 22 in which the HEPA filters 4 and 5 are arranged is sealed so that the work space 3 and the HEPA filters 4 and 5 can be sealed in the same space. A gas for sterilization such as holymarine is injected into the sealed space to sterilize the HEPA filters 4 and 5 and the work space 3 so that they are safe to touch. Then, the HEPA filters 4 and 5 are removed, and a new HEPA filter is obtained. Install. If the sample handled in the test is killed by gas sterilization such as bacteria or virus, the HEPA filter can be safely replaced by the above method, but the sample handled in the test seems to be a prion. In addition, when gas cannot be sterilized, a special filter mounting structure is used.

  FIG. 6 is a glove box filter replacement procedure in that case. Even if the HEPA filters 4 and 5 are gas sterilized in a sealed space, the prions and the like attached to the HEPA filters 4 and 5 are not inactivated, so the HEPA filters 4 and 5 cannot be directly touched by hand. . In that case, the maintenance cover 21 provided in the duct 22 is removed, the bag 20 is attached thereto, the filter holding metal fitting 14 is removed through the bag 20, and the HEPA filters 4 and 5 are removed from the glove box 1. Furthermore, since the removed HEPA filters 4 and 5 cannot be discarded as they are, processing such as incineration of the bag 20 is performed. In this way, taking out the contaminated material means that there is a potential for infection.

  In the glove box according to the prior art, when a sample that cannot be inactivated by gas sterilization is handled, the workability at the time of replacing the HEPA filter is poor, and the sample that has not been inactivated is exposed to the outside, which may cause danger. There was sex.

  Further, in the HEPA filter mounting structure according to the prior art, the filter packing 13 is provided between the work space 3 and the HEPA filters 4 and 5 and air is sent by pressurizing from the upstream side of the HEPA filter. The prevention of air leakage between the working space 3 and the work space 3 depends on the tightening condition of the HEPA filters 4 and 5 and the collapsing condition of the filter packing 13.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a glove box that improves the workability of sterilization and replacement of a HEPA filter in a glove box that handles a substance that cannot be inactivated by gas sterilization, such as a prion.

  Another object is to provide a glove box that prevents leakage of the HEPA filter mounting portion.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is configured as follows.
In the glove box, a HEPA filter that supplies clean air to the work space and a HEPA filter that filters bacteria, viruses, and prions in the work space and exhausts them as clean air are arranged in the work space of the glove box, and in the work space. This is a sterilization bath.

  By carrying out the present invention, there is provided a glove box that can inactivate dangerous substances without taking out from the working space even when replacing the HEPA filter in a glove box that handles a substance that does not have an effect of gas sterilization.

  Another advantage is to provide a glove box that does not rely on tightening force to prevent leakage when the HEPA filter is attached.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional structural view of a glove box showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
The operator inserts his / her hand into the glove 11 attached to the front of the glove box 1, and handles substances that are at risk of infection with bacteria, viruses, and prions 15 in the work space 3. An opening connected to the duct 22 is provided in the work space wall surface 8 at the back of the work space 3, and an air supply HEPA filter 5 and an exhaust HEPA filter 4 are arranged in the opening, and the work is performed via the HEPA filter. Air is transferred between the space 3 and the duct 22. At this time, the dust in the outside air is filtered by the air supply HEPA filter 5 and supplied to the work space 3 as clean air, so that the sample handled in the work space 3 is protected. The dust containing the experimental sample exhausted from the work space 3 to the duct 22 is filtered by the exhaust HEPA filter 4 and released to the outside as safe air. The HEPA filters 4 and 5 are attached so as to be removed from the work space 3 side.

  In the work space, there is an immersion tank 12 having a size capable of immersing the HEPA filters 4 and 5. A chemical capable of inactivating the test material to be used is immersed in the immersion bath 12. The immersion tank 12 may be provided with a drain valve (not shown) so that chemicals can be discharged. When the HEPA filters 4 and 5 are replaced, the entire working space 3 is once sprayed with a chemical solution that inactivates the test material, and then the HEPA filters 4 and 5 are removed. By immersing the removed HEPA filters 4 and 5 in the immersion tank 12 containing a chemical solution, it becomes possible to inactivate substances attached to the HEPA filter. The size of the immersion tank 12 may not be a size at which the HEPA filters 4 and 5 can be immersed at a time, but may be a depth at which each side of the filter can be immersed. A connection box 7 is provided on the side surface of the work space 3. The union box 7 and the work space 3 are partitioned by a work room side hermetic door 9b. Further, the outside air of the junction box 7 is partitioned by the outer sealed door 9a. This connection box 7 is used when the experimental materials are always taken in and out. When the glove box 1 is in use, the work chamber 3 is maintained at a negative pressure with respect to the outside air, so that the air in the work space 3 can leak outside when the sealed doors 9a and 9b of the connection box 7 are simultaneously opened. However, since the air in the work space 3 may leak to the outside due to the opening size of the closed doors 9a and 9b and the turbulence of the airflow when the doors are opened and closed, the closed door 9a on the inside of the work room is usually used. And the outer sealed door 9b are not opened simultaneously. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the amount of air taken in and out only to the volume of the junction box 7 and to minimize the turbulence of the air when the door is opened and closed.

  The HEPA filter that has been removed from the glove box 1 and deactivated by the dipping bath 12 can be taken in and out through the connection box 7. After taking out the used HEPA filter, a replacement HEPA filter is inserted from the junction box 7 and installed in the work space 3.

  In the first embodiment, the open / close window 10 in front of the work space 3 is attached so as to be openable / closable, but it is not necessary to open / close the open / close window 10 so long as the HEPA filters 4 and 5 can be taken in and out of the connection box 7. If the connection box 7 is not large enough to allow the HEPA filters 4 and 5 to be taken in and out, it is necessary to open and close the opening / closing window 10 and put the HEPA filters 4 and 5 in and out. Even in this case, it is necessary to inactivate the inside of the work space 3 with a chemical before opening the opening / closing window 10.

  FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional structure diagram of a glove box showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 3 is a filter mounting structure diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

  The work space 3, the immersion tank 12, and the connection box 7 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  An air supply duct 22 a is connected to the mounting surface of the air supply side HEPA filter 5. An exhaust duct 22b is provided so as to surround the air supply duct 22a. The exhaust duct 22 b is connected to the attachment portion of the exhaust HEPA filter 4. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, an opening 17 is provided around the mounting surface of the HEPA filters 4 and 5. Further, the filter holding metal fitting 14 is formed so as to cover the HEPA filters 4 and 5, and a space is formed around the HEPA filters 4 and 5 by the filter packing 13 between the filter mounting surface 16 and the filter holding metal fitting 14. Yes. The space around the HEPA filters 4 and 5 is connected not to the work space 3 but to the space of the exhaust duct 22b. With this configuration, the pressure relationship between the space A19a in the air supply duct, the work chamber B19b, and the space C19c in the exhaust duct is such that C is lowest in the order of A> B> C. Since the pressure difference and the space around the HEPA filter are connected to the space C, the attachment packing of the air supply HEPA filter 5 is loosely tightened, and a leak occurs between the air supply duct 22a and the air supply HEPA filter 5. Even if this occurs, the outside air dust 25 leaks not to the work space 3 side but to the exhaust duct 22b side, and the clean air in the work space 3 is maintained. The leakage due to the tightening of the exhaust HEPA filter 4 is almost the same as that of the prior art.

  FIG. 4 shows a filter mounting structure diagram when a filter mounting structure according to the prior art is applied.

  The air supply duct 22a is connected to the air supply HEPA filter 5, cleans the outside air, and supplies it to the working chamber. The air supply HEPA filter 5 and the air supply duct 22a are disposed in the space of the exhaust duct 22b. Thus, even if outside air dust leaks from the attachment portion of the air supply duct 22a and the air supply HEPA filter 5, it does not leak to the exhaust duct 22b side and enter the work chamber 3 side. However, since the HEPA filter is attached to the back surface of the work space 3, it cannot be removed from the work space 3 side, and the HEPA filter cannot be deactivated on the work space 3 side. When removing the HEPA filter, an opening is always provided on the back surface of the main body, and the HEPA filter is removed. Therefore, as in the conventional example, some measure for removing the inactivated HEPA filter is required.

  According to the configuration of the second embodiment, it is possible to provide a structure in which outside dust is not mixed into the working chamber without depending on the tightening force of the HEPA filter, and the HEPA filter can be attached and detached from the working space 3 side. It becomes.

  The present invention can inactivate dangerous substances in the apparatus without removing the HEPA filter outside the apparatus when replacing the HEPA filter in a glove box that handles a substance such as prion that has no gas sterilization effect. Providing a biohazard glove box.

It is a glove box partial cross section structure figure showing a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a glove box partial cross section structure figure showing a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a filter attachment structure figure showing a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a filter attachment structure figure at the time of applying a prior art. It is a glove box partial cross section structure figure by a prior art. It is a filter exchange point figure of a glove box by conventional technology.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Glove box 1a Body case 2 Work table 3 Work space 4 Exhaust HEPA filter 5 Supply air HAPA filter 6 Blower 7 Connection box 8 Work space wall surface 9a Outer closed door 9b Work chamber Inner sealed door 10 Open window 11 Globe 12 Immersion tank 13 Filter packing 14 Filter retainer 15 Bacteria / virus prion 16 Filter mounting surface 17 Opening 19a Spacing space connecting space 19b Opening plate 19c · Connection door 20 · Bag 21 · Cover 22 · Duct 23 · Air flow 24 · Replacement filter 25 · Outside dust

Claims (4)

An air supply system that supplies clean air to the work space through the first air cleaning means by the blower means, an exhaust system that discharges air to the outside of the apparatus through the second air cleaner means by the other air blowing means, and the work space In a glove box having a case to be sealed, a window looking into the working space, a door configured to be openable and closable in a part of the sealed case, and a glove in a part of the sealed case,
A biohazard countermeasure glove box having an immersion tank in the work space and having the air cleaning means attached from the work space side.   2. The biohazard countermeasure glove box according to claim 1, wherein the attachment portion of the air cleaning means attached from the work space side is surrounded by negative pressure.   The glove box for biohazard measures according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a box having two openable doors attached to a case for sealing a work space is connected. 4. The glove box for biohazard measures according to claim 1, wherein the blowing means and the working space are housed in one case.

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