JP4403455B2 - Observation system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an observation system, and more particularly to an observation system for observing a sample in an isolator.

Today, microorganisms and cells collected from humans or animals undergo various experiments and cultures in conjunction with sterility testing of pharmaceuticals. Recently, these microorganisms and cells are fixed on organic and inorganic substrates. Attempts have been made, and these operations are performed inside an isolator that is spaced apart from the outside and maintained in a sterile state.
Here, since the samples such as the above-mentioned microorganisms, cells, and substrates cannot be observed in detail without using a magnifying observation device such as a microscope or a camera, they are conventionally observed by the following observation system. It was.
In the first observation system, a microscope is provided inside a sealed box that is maintained in a sterile state, and a barrel portion of the microscope projects outside the sealed box so that an operator can look into the barrel portion. The sample is being observed. (Patent Document 1)
In the second observation system, a microscope is provided in a work room maintained in a sterile condition, and an image capturing device is connected to the microscope, and an image observed with the microscope is connected to the inner wall surface of the work chamber via the image capturing device. The sample is observed by projecting it on a monitor embedded in the wall. (Patent Document 2)
In the third observation system, a microscope is provided in a casing maintained in a sterile state, a CCD camera is provided outside the casing, and an observation image of the microscope is photographed by the CCD camera, and this is installed outside the casing. The sample is displayed on the monitor. (Patent Document 3)
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-10640 JP 2001-25387 A JP 2003-93040 A

However, in the case of the observation system in Patent Document 1, since the lens barrel portion of the microscope must protrude outside the sealed box, an opening must be provided in the sealed box. Because it communicates, the sample cannot be observed while maintaining aseptic conditions. In addition, the size and shape of the sealed box are restricted to allow the lens barrel to protrude, and a free working environment is constructed. I couldn't.
Further, in each patent document, in order to make the inside of the sealed box, the working chamber, and the casing aseptic, the inside thereof must be sterilized by sterilization work in advance. Or other sterilizing gas was used.
For this reason, the sterilization gas is sprayed on the devices such as a microscope and a monitor installed in the sealed box, the working room, and the casing, and there is a possibility that these devices are corroded.
In addition, if a device with a complicated shape such as a microscope is installed in a sealed box, work room, or casing, sufficient sterilization may not be performed by the hydrogen peroxide vapor, and reliable sterilization is performed. I couldn't.
In view of such a problem, the present invention provides an observation system in which a magnifying observation apparatus such as a microscope using a sterilization gas does not corrode and can reliably sterilize an isolator.

That is, the observation system in the present invention, observation system is isolated from the outside by a partition provided with an isolator for working under sterile conditions, to observe the sample contained in the isolator inside the observation container maintained at the aseptic condition Because
Rutotomoni provided at least in part on a transparent observation window of the partition wall as a floor or ceiling of the isolator, to the outside of the isolator, and a camera installed in accordance with the position of the observation window, an image from the camera And a monitor that displays
While the observation container is positioned within the field of view of the camera inside the isolator, an image of the sample housed in the observation container inside the isolator is photographed by the camera through the observation window, and an image photographed on the monitor Is displayed .

According to the above invention, since the camera and the monitor are installed outside the isolator, there is no possibility that the camera and the monitor are corroded by the sterilization gas, and it is not necessary to install a complicated device inside the isolator. Thus, the inside of the isolator can be sterilized reliably.

The illustrated embodiment will be described below. FIG. 1 shows an observation system 1 according to the present embodiment. By using this observation system 1, human or animal cells or microorganisms, or a base material for fixing these cells or microorganisms, etc. An observation sample made of the above is observed in the isolator 2, and a fixing operation or the like is performed while observing.
The isolator 2 is isolated from the external atmosphere and the inside thereof is maintained in a sterile state, and a half suit 3 is provided inside the isolator 2. The observation system 1 includes a magnifying observation device 4 that photographs an observation sample to be observed inside the isolator 2 as described above and displays the image.
The magnification observation apparatus 4 is provided outside the isolator 2 and is controlled by an operator operating a foot switch (not shown) provided below the isolator 2.

The isolator 2 is surrounded by the partition walls of the side wall surface 2a, the top surface 2b, and the floor surface 2c and is isolated from the external atmosphere, and the leg member 5 is provided on the floor surface 2c so that the operator can wear the half suit 3. Is provided.
The top surface 2b of the isolator 2 is provided with a sterile air supply device (not shown), and the inside of the isolator 2 is kept at a predetermined positive pressure by the sterilized air supplied from the sterile air supply device.
Further, the isolator 2 is provided with a sterilization gas supply means (not shown) for supplying hydrogen peroxide vapor. When the isolator 2 is used, the hydrogen peroxide vapor is previously introduced into the isolator 2 by the sterilization gas supply means. It is filled and the isolator 2 is sterilized.
The isolator 2 is provided with an unillustrated carry-in port for carrying an observation sample to be observed into the isolator 2, and an observation sample to be observed can be carried through the carry-in port.
Next, the half suit 3 is installed at substantially the center of the isolator 2, and various operations can be performed while maintaining the aseptic condition inside the isolator 2. Further, the foot switch for operating the magnification observation device 4 is provided at the foot of an operator wearing the half suit 3.
Instead of this foot switch, it is also possible to provide operation means such as a joystick that has been treated to prevent corrosion due to hydrogen peroxide vapor in the isolator 2, and the operator wearing the half suit 3 A joystick may be operated.

When the observation sample to be observed is a cell in culture, the observation sample is accommodated in the observation container 6 together with the culture solution. As shown in FIG. 2, the observation container 6 is a flat transparent bottle 6a. And a cap 6b that seals the bottle 6a, and the observation sample in the observation container 6 can be observed from the outside of the bottle 6a.
Such an observation container 6 is conventionally known, and is substantially the same as the container disclosed in, for example, JP-T-2-502787 (particularly, the contents of FIGS. 5 and 6). Omitted.

The magnification observation apparatus 4 includes a camera 11 for photographing an observation sample in the isolator 2, an elevating mechanism 12 as a moving means for moving the camera 11, and a monitor 13 for displaying an image photographed by the camera 11. ing.
The camera 11 is a conventionally known CCD camera and is installed facing upward so as to photograph the observation sample in the isolator 2, and a ring-shaped illumination means (not shown) is provided around the lens of the camera 11. Is provided.
The elevating mechanism 12 includes a stay 12a fixed to the lower surface of the floor surface 2c of the isolator 2, a rail 12b provided in a direction perpendicular to the stay 12a, and the camera 11 fixed, and is moved up and down along the rail 12b. And a slide table 12c that moves to the center. Since such a lifting mechanism 12 is a conventionally known technique, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The monitor 13 is connected to the camera 11 by a cable (not shown), and is fixed to the side wall surface 2a of the isolator 2 with the image plane facing the isolator 2 side.

Since the camera 11 photographs the observation sample in the isolator 2, an observation window 21 that constitutes the observation system 1 together with the magnifying observation device 4 is formed in the isolator 2 at a position that is a photographing range of the camera 11. Yes.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the observation window 21 is provided so as to cover a circular opening 22 formed in the floor surface 2 c of the isolator 2 so as to be larger than the field of view of the camera 11, and the opening 22. The transparent circular glass plate 23 and a fixing frame 24 that fixes the glass plate 23 to the floor surface 2 c of the isolator 2 are sealed so that the atmosphere from the outside does not enter the isolator 2.
In addition, the observation window 21 is disposed within the forward movement range of the worker wearing the half suit 3, that is, within the reach of the worker's hand, and the worker puts the observation container 6 through the observation window 21. It can be positioned within the field of view of the camera 11.
The floor surface of the isolator on which the observation window 21 is provided does not have to be the lowest surface in the isolator 2, and may be a surface that is inside the isolator 2 and faces upward, and particularly needs to be a horizontal plane. Absent.

Further, a transparent member (not shown) is fitted on the side wall surface 2a of the isolator 2 positioned substantially in front of the half suit 3 on the front side of the operator, and further, the camera is disposed outside the isolator 2 so as to face the transparent member. A monitor 13 for displaying an image photographed by 11 is disposed.
And the said transparent member is comprised so that the atmosphere from the outside may not penetrate | invade into the isolator 2 similarly to the said observation window 21. FIG.
With such a configuration, if the observation container 6 in which the observation sample is placed is positioned above the observation window 21, the observation sample is illuminated by the illumination means provided in the camera 11, and the observation sample is The image is taken by the camera 11 through the glass plate 23 and the bottle 6a of the observation container 6.
The photographed image is displayed on the monitor 13, and this image can be sequentially confirmed by the worker wearing the half suit 3 through the transparent member, and the worker moves up and down with the foot switch while viewing the image. By operating the mechanism 12, the position of the camera 11 can be changed to adjust the focus of the image and the magnification can be changed.
If the camera 11 has an automatic focus adjustment function, the lifting mechanism 12 can be omitted and the camera 11 can be fixed to the lower surface of the isolator 2.

In order to observe the observation sample in the isolator 2 by the observation system 1 having the above configuration, the sterilization gas supply means is operated in advance in an environment where the inside of the isolator 2 is sterilized, as shown in FIG. An operator wearing the half suit 3 holds the observation container 6 from both sides, holds the observation container 6 above the observation window 21 and holds it on the spot.
Then, the camera 11 captures an image of the observation sample through the observation window 21, and this image is displayed on the monitor 13 provided in front of the operator. Then, the operator can adjust the position of the camera 11 by the elevating mechanism 12 by operating the foot switch, thereby adjusting the focus of the image taken by the camera 11 and obtaining a necessary magnification. Become.
In addition, the operator can observe the observation sample from various angles by moving the grasping observation container 6, and if necessary, the image displayed on the monitor 13 is connected to the monitor 13. It can also be recorded by a recording means (not shown).
As shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 2, the mounting member 32 may be provided and the observation container 6 may be observed in a state of being mounted on the mounting member 32.

As described above, when the magnifying observation device 4 or the monitor 13 is installed outside the isolator 2, hydrogen peroxide vapor is sprayed on the magnifying observation device 4 or the monitor 13 when sterilizing with the hydrogen peroxide vapor. Will not be done.
Therefore, it is not necessary to perform a treatment that does not corrode the hydrogenated vapor on the magnification observation apparatus 4 and the monitor 13, and maintenance is easy. Moreover, when a complicated structure such as the magnifying observation device 4 is installed in the isolator 2, sterilization with hydrogen peroxide vapor may not be performed reliably. In the present embodiment, it is installed in the isolator 2. Since there is no need, sterilization in the isolator 2 can be performed reliably.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment according to the present invention, and the same components as those in the first embodiment will be described below with the same reference numerals.
The isolator 2 used in the present embodiment has a substantially L-shape as shown in the drawing, and is divided into a space A in which the half suit 3 is provided and a work space B in which an operator handles an observation sample. ing.
A transparent member 31 is fitted on the side wall surface 2 a located substantially in front of the worker wearing the half suit 3 in the space A, and the monitor 13 is opposed to the transparent member 31 outside the isolator 2. Is provided.
Further, in the work space B, an observation window 21 configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment is provided on the top surface 2b in the opposite direction to the first embodiment. The magnifying observation device 4 is provided above with the camera 11 facing downward.
In the configuration of the first embodiment shown above, the observation container 6 is observed from below, which is effective when cells or the like as the observation sample are precipitated in the liquid of the observation container 6. The second embodiment, which is observed from above, is effective not only when cells and the like are floating, but also when observing the base material and performing operations such as fixing while observing these observation samples.
Even with the configuration of the second embodiment, the observation sample can be observed by the method described above, and the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained.
In the case of performing an operation such as fixing, the cells are stored in a container such as a petri dish and observed while being placed. The top surface of the isolator provided with the observation window 21 may be a surface facing downward in the isolator 2 and does not have to be a horizontal plane.

In the above-described embodiment, the annular illumination provided in the camera 11 is used as a light source for illuminating the observation sample. However, coaxial illumination with the optical axis of the camera may be used by using an optical element such as a beam splitter.
Further, a light emitter such as an LED is installed outside the isolator 2, an optical fiber is attached to the tip of the light emitter, and the optical fiber is drawn into the isolator so as not to impair the sterility of the isolator. It is also possible to irradiate the observation sample from within the isolator 2 by bringing the tip of the optical fiber close to the vicinity of the observation sample.
By doing so, illumination can be obtained in the isolator 2 without corroding the light emitting means with hydrogen peroxide vapor and without inhibiting sterilization.
Furthermore, although the said embodiment demonstrated the isolator 2 provided with the half suit 3, the isolator 2 provided with the glove instead of the half suit 3 may be sufficient. In this case, it is also possible to observe using a microscope instead of the camera and monitor in the above-described embodiment as the magnification observation apparatus.

The front view which shows the observation system of a present Example. Sectional drawing about an observation window. The top view about an observation window. The side view about the 2nd Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Observation system 2 Isolator 3 Half suit 4 Magnification observation apparatus 6 Observation container 11 Camera 13 Monitor 21 Observation window 31 Transparent member

Claims (3)

Is isolated from the outside by a partition provided with an isolator for working in sterile conditions, a observation system for observing the sample contained in the isolator inside the observation container maintained at the aseptic condition,
It provided with at least a portion in a transparent observation window of the partition wall as a floor or ceiling of the isolator, to the outside of the isolator, and a camera installed in accordance with the position of the observation window, an image from the camera A monitor to display,
While the observation container is positioned within the field of view of the camera inside the isolator, an image of the sample housed in the observation container inside the isolator is photographed by the camera through the observation window, and an image photographed on the monitor An observation system characterized by displaying .   The observation system according to claim 1, wherein a half suit or a glove is provided inside the isolator, and the observation window is disposed within an operation range of the half suit or the glove. Of isolator partition walls positioned substantially front half suits provided inside the isolator, as well as constituting at least a part of a transparent member, toward the transparent member to the outside of the isolator in that a said monitor The observation system according to claim 2, wherein the observation system is characterized.

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