阅读说明：本技术 细胞团分割器、细胞团分割器的制造方法、以及细胞团的分割方法 (Cell mass divider, method for manufacturing cell mass divider, and method for dividing cell mass ) 是由 田边刚士 平出亮二 伴一训 木下聪 于 2020-06-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种细胞团分割器,其具备供细胞团流动的曲折的流路。(A cell mass divider is provided with a tortuous flow path through which a cell mass flows.)

1. A cell mass divider is characterized by being provided with a tortuous flow path through which a cell mass flows.

2. The cell pellet divider according to claim 1, wherein a latent flow is generated in the fluid flowing in the flow path.

3. The cell pellet divider according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flow path is constituted by a groove provided in the substrate and a cover covering the groove.

4. The cell pellet divider according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flow path is embedded by an embedding member.

5. The cell pellet divider according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flow path is a hole provided in the solid member.

6. The cell pellet divider according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the flow path can be isolated from an external gas.

7. The cell pellet divider according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a fluid mechanism for flowing the cell pellet in the flow path.

8. A cell pellet dividing device comprising a flow path through which a cell pellet flows,

the flow path has a narrow portion and a wide portion having a width wider than the narrow portion,

the flow path can be isolated from the outside air.

9. The cell pellet divider according to claim 8, wherein a latent flow is generated in the fluid flowing in the flow path.

10. The cell pellet divider according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising a member disposed in the wide portion of the channel, the member partially obstructing the flow of the fluid in the channel.

11. The cell pellet divider according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the flow path is constituted by a groove provided in a substrate and a cover covering the groove.

12. The cell pellet divider according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the flow path is embedded by an embedding member.

13. The cell pellet divider according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the flow path is a hole provided in a solid member.

14. The cell pellet divider according to any one of claims 8 to 13, further comprising a fluid mechanism for flowing the cell pellet in the flow path.

15. A method of manufacturing a cell mass divider includes forming a meandering flow path for flowing a cell mass.

16. The method of manufacturing the cell mass divider according to claim 15, wherein the channel is formed by providing a groove in a substrate.

17. The method for manufacturing the cell mass divider according to claim 15 or 16, further comprising embedding the flow path with an embedding member.

18. The method of manufacturing the cell mass divider according to claim 15, wherein the flow path is formed by providing a hole in the solid member.

19. The method of manufacturing the cell pellet divider according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the flow path is formed by a photofabrication method.

20. A method for manufacturing a cell mass divider, comprising:

forming a flow path for flowing a cell mass, the flow path having a narrow width portion and a wide width portion wider than the narrow width portion; and

isolating the flow path from the outside air.

21. The method for manufacturing a cell pellet divider according to claim 20, further comprising providing a member that partially obstructs a flow of the fluid in the flow path at the wide width portion of the flow path.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the flow path is constituted by a groove provided in the substrate and a cover covering the groove.

23. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the channel is formed by providing a groove in a substrate.

24. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, further comprising embedding the flow path with an embedding member.

25. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the flow path is formed by providing a hole in a solid member.

26. The method of manufacturing the cell pellet divider according to any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein the flow path is formed by a photofabrication method.

27. A method for dividing a cell mass, comprising dividing the cell mass by causing the cell mass to flow in a tortuous flow path.

28. The method of dividing a cell mass according to claim 27, wherein a latent flow is generated in the fluid containing the cell mass in the channel.

29. The method according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the cell pellet flowing through the channel is contained in a cryopreservation solution.

30. The method of any one of claims 27 to 29, further comprising contacting the cell pellet with a cell separation fluid prior to flowing the cell pellet in the tortuous flow path.

31. A method for dividing a cell pellet, comprising flowing the cell pellet through a flow channel of a pellet divider, wherein the pellet divider is provided with a flow channel through which the cell pellet flows, the flow channel having a narrow portion and a wide portion having a width wider than the narrow portion, and the flow channel being capable of being isolated from an external gas.

32. The method of dividing a cell mass according to claim 31, wherein a latent flow is generated in the fluid containing the cell mass in the channel.

33. The method of dividing a cell pellet according to claim 31 or 32, wherein a member that partially obstructs the flow of the fluid in the flow path is provided in the wide width portion of the flow path.

34. The method of any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein the cell pellet flowing in the flow path is contained in a cryopreservation solution.

35. The method of any one of claims 31 to 34, further comprising contacting the cell pellet with a cell separation fluid prior to flowing the cell pellet in the flow path.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a cell technology, and relates to a cell mass divider, a method for manufacturing the cell mass divider, and a method for dividing a cell mass.

Background

Embryonic stem cells (ES cells) are stem cells established from early embryos of humans or mice. ES cells have pluripotency that enables differentiation to all cells present in an organism. Human ES cells are now used in cell transplantation therapies for a number of diseases such as parkinson's disease, juvenile onset diabetes and leukemia. However, there are also obstacles in the transplantation of ES cells. In particular, transplantation of ES cells may cause the same immunological rejection as that produced after unsuccessful organ transplantation. In addition, the use of ES cells established by destruction of human embryos is often criticized or objected from an ethical point of view.

Under this background, professor kyoto university teaches the expression of the gene sequence by combining 4 genes: OCT3/4, KLF4, c-MYC and SOX2 were introduced into somatic cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) were successfully established. Thus, professor in mountains acquired the nobel physiological or medical award in 2012 (see, for example, patent documents 1 and 2). iPS cells are ideal pluripotent cells without rejection and ethical issues. Therefore, the iPS cells are expected to be applied to cell transplantation therapy.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent No. 4183742

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2014-114997

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

When iPS cells are cultured, cell masses are sometimes divided. In addition, not limited to iPS cells, a cell mass may be divided when culturing cells. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a cell mass dividing device capable of efficiently dividing a cell mass, a method for manufacturing the cell mass dividing device, and a method for dividing a cell mass.

Technical scheme

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a cell mass divider including a meandering channel through which a cell mass flows.

In the cell mass divider, a potential flow can be generated in the fluid flowing through the flow channel.

In the cell pellet dividing device, the channel may be constituted by a groove provided in the substrate and a cover covering the groove.

In the cell pellet cutter described above, the flow path may be embedded by an embedding member.

In the cell pellet divider, the flow path may be a hole provided in the solid member.

In the cell pellet divider, the flow path may be isolated from an external gas.

The cell mass divider may further include a fluid machine for flowing the cell mass in the flow path.

Further, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cell pellet dividing device including a flow path through which a cell pellet flows, the flow path including a narrow portion and a wide portion wider than the narrow portion, the flow path being capable of being isolated from an external air.

In the cell mass divider, a potential flow can be generated in the fluid flowing through the flow channel.

The cell mass divider may further include a member disposed in the wide portion of the channel, the member partially obstructing the flow of the fluid in the channel.

In the cell mass divider, the wide width portion may be substantially circular.

In the cell mass divider, the wide width portion may be substantially polygonal.

In the cell mass divider, the wide width portion may be substantially hexagonal.

In the cell pellet dividing device, the channel may be constituted by a groove provided in the substrate and a cover covering the groove.

In the cell pellet cutter described above, the flow path may be embedded by an embedding member.

In the cell pellet divider, the flow path may be a hole provided in the solid member.

The cell mass divider may further include a fluid machine for flowing the cell mass in the flow path.

Further, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a cell pellet divider including forming a meandering flow path for flowing a cell pellet.

In the method of manufacturing the cell mass divider, the channel may be formed by providing a groove in the substrate.

In the above method of manufacturing a cell mass divider, the channel may be covered with a cover to form a flow path.

The method of manufacturing the cell mass divider may further include embedding the flow path with an embedding member.

In the method of manufacturing the cell mass divider, the solid member may be provided with a hole to form a flow path.

In the method of manufacturing the cell mass divider, the flow path may be formed by photolithography.

In the above method for manufacturing a cell mass divider, the channel may be formed by an Ablation (Ablation) method.

In the method of manufacturing the cell mass divider, the flow path may be formed by a 3D printer.

In the above method for manufacturing a cell pellet cutter, the flow path may be formed by a stereolithography method.

Further, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a cell pellet dividing machine including forming a flow path for flowing a cell pellet, the flow path having a narrow portion and a wide portion wider than the narrow portion, and isolating the flow path from an external gas.

The method of manufacturing the cell mass divider may further include providing a member that partially obstructs a flow of the fluid in the flow path at the wide portion of the flow path.

In the above method of manufacturing a cell mass divider, the wide width portion may be substantially circular.

In the above method of manufacturing a cell mass divider, the wide width portion may be substantially polygonal.

In the above method of manufacturing a cell mass divider, the wide width portion may be substantially hexagonal.

In the above method of manufacturing a cell pellet dividing apparatus, the flow path may be constituted by a groove provided in the substrate and a cover covering the groove.

In the method of manufacturing the cell mass divider, the channel may be formed by providing a groove in the substrate.

In the above method of manufacturing a cell mass divider, the channel may be covered with a cover to form a flow path.

The method of manufacturing the cell mass divider may further include embedding the flow path with an embedding member.

In the method of manufacturing the cell mass divider, the solid member may be provided with a hole to form a flow path.

In the above method of manufacturing a cell clump divider, the flow path may be formed by photolithography.

In the above method of manufacturing the cell mass divider, the flow path may be formed by an ablation method.

In the method of manufacturing the cell mass divider, the flow path may be formed by a 3D printer.

In the above method for manufacturing a cell pellet cutter, the flow path may be formed by a stereolithography method.

Further, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cell mass dividing method including dividing a cell mass by causing the cell mass to flow in a meandering flow path.

In the above method for dividing a cell mass, a latent flow is generated in a fluid containing the cell mass in a channel.

In the above method of dividing a cell mass, the cell mass may be circulated through the flow path.

In the above method of dividing a cell mass, the cell mass may be reciprocated in the flow path.

In the above method of dividing a cell mass, the cell mass flowing through the channel may be contained in a cryopreservation solution.

In the above cell mass dividing method, the divided cell mass may be cryopreserved.

The method of dividing a cell mass may further include bringing the cell mass into contact with a cell separation liquid before the cell mass flows through the tortuous flow path.

Further, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cell pellet dividing method including flowing a cell pellet in a flow path of a cell pellet divider to divide the cell pellet, the cell pellet divider including a flow path through which the cell pellet flows, the flow path having a narrow portion and a wide portion having a width wider than the narrow portion, and the flow path being capable of being isolated from an external gas.

In the above method of dividing a cell mass, a latent flow may be generated in the flow path in the fluid containing the cell mass.

In the above method of dividing a cell mass, a member that partially obstructs the flow of the fluid in the channel may be provided in the wide portion of the channel.

In the above method of dividing a cell mass, the cell mass may be circulated through the channel.

In the above method of dividing a cell mass, the cell mass may be reciprocated in the channel.

In the above method of dividing a cell mass, the cell mass flowing through the channel may be contained in a cryopreservation solution.

In the above cell mass dividing method, the divided cell mass may be cryopreserved.

The method of dividing a cell mass may further include bringing the cell mass into contact with a cell separation solution before the cell mass flows in the channel.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cell mass dividing device capable of efficiently dividing a cell mass, a method for manufacturing the cell mass dividing device, and a method for dividing a cell mass.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cell mass divider of the first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a graph showing the simulation result of the first example of the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a photograph showing a cell mass divider of a second example of the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a photograph of the cell masses before and after passing through the cell mass divider of the second example of the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a trace diagram showing a latent flow in the flow path of the cell pellet divider of the second example of the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a photograph showing a cell mass divider of a third example of the first embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a trace diagram showing the latent flow in the flow path of the cell pellet divider of the third example of the first embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a photograph showing a cell mass divider of a fourth example of the first embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a trace diagram showing the latent flow in the flow path of the cell pellet divider of the fourth example of the first embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a cell mass divider of the second embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a cell mass divider of the second embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a cell mass divider of the second embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a cell mass divider of the second embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a graph showing the simulation result of the first example of the second embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a photograph showing a cell mass divider of the second example of the second embodiment.

Fig. 16 is a trace diagram showing a latent flow in the flow path of the cell pellet divider of the second example of the second embodiment.

Fig. 17 is a photograph showing a cell mass divider of the third example of the second embodiment.

Fig. 18 is a trace diagram showing a latent flow in the flow path of the cell pellet divider of the third example of the second embodiment.

Fig. 19 is a photograph showing a cell mass divider of a fourth example of the second embodiment.

Fig. 20 is a trace diagram showing a latent flow in the flow path of the cell pellet divider of the fourth example of the second embodiment.

Fig. 21 is a photograph showing a cell mass divider of a fifth example of the second embodiment.

Fig. 22 is a trace diagram showing a latent flow in the flow path of the cell pellet divider of the fifth example of the second embodiment.

Fig. 23 is a photograph showing a cell mass divider of a sixth example of the second embodiment.

Fig. 24 is a trace diagram showing a latent flow in the flow path of the cell pellet divider of the sixth example of the second embodiment.

Fig. 25 is a photograph showing a cell mass divider of a seventh example of the second embodiment.

Fig. 26 is a trace diagram showing a latent flow in the flow path of the cell pellet divider of the seventh example of the second embodiment.

Fig. 27 is a photograph showing a cell mass divider of an eighth example of the second embodiment.

Fig. 28 is a trace diagram showing a latent flow in the flow path of the cell pellet divider of the eighth example of the second embodiment.

Fig. 29 is a photograph showing a cell mass divider of a ninth example of the second embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a trace diagram showing the latent flow in the flow path of the cell mass divider of the ninth example of the second embodiment.

Description of the symbols

10. 20: a flow path;

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, the drawings are schematic. Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined in accordance with the following description. Naturally, the drawings also include portions having different dimensional relationships and/or ratios from each other.

(first embodiment)

As shown in fig. 1, the cell mass divider of the first embodiment includes a meandering channel 10 through which the cell mass flows. In the cell mass divider of the first embodiment, the width of the meandering flow path 10 is constant.

The flow path 10 may have a structure capable of isolating the inside from the outside air. The closed space including the inside of the flow path 10 may be configured not to exchange gas with the outside.

The flow path 10 may be formed by a groove provided in the substrate. The flow path 10 may be formed by providing a groove in a flat substrate and covering the groove with a cover. Alternatively, the flow channel 10 may be formed by bonding substrates provided with grooves to each other so that the positions of the grooves coincide with each other. The channel forming the flow path 10 is formed by, for example, etching, photolithography, and laser ablation.

Alternatively, the flow path 10 may be formed of a pipe. The flow path 10 may be embedded by embedding a non-air-permeable material.

Alternatively, the flow path 10 may be a hole provided in the solid member. The hole may be provided in the solid member by a 3D printing method. Examples of the 3D printing method include a fused deposition modeling method, a material jetting method, a binder jetting method, and a stereolithography method.

The cell mass divider of the first embodiment may further include a fluid machine 40 such as a pump for causing the cell mass in the flow path to flow. As the fluid machine, a positive displacement pump may be used. As examples of the positive displacement pump, a reciprocating pump including a piston pump, a plunger pump, and a diaphragm pump, or a rotary pump including a gear pump, a vane pump, and a screw pump may be cited. Examples of the diaphragm pump include a tube pump and a piezoelectric (piezo) pump. Tubing pumps are sometimes referred to as peristaltic pumps. In addition, a microfluidic chip module in which various pumps are combined may also be used. If a closed type pump such as a peristaltic pump, a tube pump, or a diaphragm pump is used, the fluid can be transported without the pump directly contacting the fluid inside the flow path.

The cell mass may be circulated through the flow path 10, or the cell mass may be reciprocated through the flow path 10. The cell mass may be brought into contact with the cell separation solution before flowing through the channel 10. Examples of the cell separation medium include trypsin, TrypLE Select, Accutase and EDTA. The cell pellet flowing through the channel 10 may be contained in a cryopreservation solution. In this case, the cell masses divided by flowing through the channel 10 can be cryopreserved. The flow path 10 may be connected to the cryopreservation vessel.

According to the cell mass divider of the first embodiment, the cell mass in the fluid such as the culture medium flowing through the channel 10 can be efficiently divided by generating the latent flow in the fluid flowing through the channel 10 by the meandering channel 10 having a constant width. Here, the term "undercurrent" refers to any of a flow that generates a vortex, a turbulent flow, a counter flow, a flow that generates a portion having a different flow velocity, a flow that generates a shear stress, a flow that generates a frictional force, a flow that rubs against an object, and a flow that generates a collision portion having a flow having a different direction of travel, for example. In addition, according to the cell pellet divider of the embodiment, for example, since the flow channel 10 can be completely closed, the risk of cross contamination due to leakage of cells from the flow channel 10 can be reduced. Further, even when the cells are infected with viruses such as HIV and hepatitis virus, for example, the risk of infection to the operator due to leakage of the cells from the channel 10 can be reduced. Furthermore, the risk of contamination of the fluid inside the cell pellet divider by bacteria, viruses, molds, etc. in the air outside the cell pellet divider can be reduced.

The type of cells forming the cell masses divided by the cell mass divider of the first embodiment is not particularly limited. The cells forming the cell mass may be stem cells or differentiated cells. As examples of the stem cell, an ES cell and a pluripotent stem cell (iPS cell) can be cited. Examples of the differentiated cells include nerve cells, retinal epithelial cells, liver cells, kidney cells, mesenchymal stem cells, blood cells, megakaryocytes, chondrocytes, cardiomyocytes, vascular cells, and epithelial cells. The cell mass may be a cell mass produced in the differentiation induction step, an embryoid body, an organoid, a spheroid, a cell mass of a cell line, or a cell mass of a cancer cell.

(first example of the first embodiment)

As shown in fig. 2, the shear stress generated by the fluid flowing through the tortuous flow path having a constant width was calculated by physical simulation. In fig. 2, the brighter the color portion, the stronger the shear stress is generated. From the results shown in fig. 2, it is shown that a large shear stress is generated in the vicinity of the side wall of the flow path. In addition, it is shown that a large shear stress is generated in a wide range in a meandering portion as compared with a linear portion of the flow path.

(second example of the first embodiment)

As shown in FIG. 3, a cell pellet divider having a meandering channel with a constant width was manufactured. The channel forming the flow path is formed on the substrate by laser ablation. The glass plate is bonded to the substrate provided with the groove, thereby forming a flow path. Then, a medium containing a cell mass composed of iPS cells was flowed through the flow path. As a result, as shown in fig. 4, the cell mass consisting of iPS cells was efficiently divided.

In addition, a liquid containing beads (beads) was made to flow in the cell sorter shown in FIG. 3, and the movement of the beads was photographed. Fig. 5 shows the movement of the shot beads tracked. According to the movement of the beads, it was revealed that a submerged flow was generated in a tortuous flow path having a constant width.

(third example of the first embodiment)

As shown in FIG. 6, a cell pellet divider having a meandering channel with a constant width was manufactured. The liquid containing the beads was made to flow in the cell divider shown in FIG. 6, and the movement of the beads was photographed. Fig. 7 shows the movement of the shot beads tracked. According to the movement of the beads, it was revealed that a submerged flow was generated in a tortuous flow path having a constant width.

(fourth example of the first embodiment)

As shown in FIG. 8, a cell pellet divider having a meandering channel with a constant width was manufactured. The liquid containing the beads was made to flow in the cell divider shown in FIG. 8, and the movement of the beads was photographed. Fig. 9 shows the movement of the shot beads tracked. According to the movement of the beads, it was revealed that a submerged flow was generated in a tortuous flow path having a constant width.

(second embodiment)

As shown in fig. 10 to 13, the cell pellet dividing device according to the second embodiment includes a flow channel 20 through which the cell pellet flows, and the flow channel 20 includes a narrow portion and a wide portion having a width wider than the narrow portion, and the flow channel 20 can be isolated from the outside air. The closed space including the inside of the flow path 20 may be configured not to exchange gas with the outside.

The wide width portion may be substantially circular or substantially polygonal. The substantially polygonal shape may be substantially hexagonal. As shown in fig. 10 (b), 11 (b), and 13 (b), the cell mass divider according to the second embodiment may further include a member 30, and the member 30 may be disposed in a wide portion of the channel 20 and partially obstruct the flow of the fluid in the channel 20. For example, the member 30 is disposed so as to face the traveling direction of the fluid flowing in the flow path 20. For example, at least a portion of the member 30 is substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the fluid flowing within the flow path 20.

The flow path 20 may be formed by a groove provided in the substrate. The flow path 20 may be formed by providing a groove in a flat substrate and covering the groove with a cover. Alternatively, the flow channel 20 may be formed by bonding substrates provided with grooves to each other so that the positions of the grooves coincide with each other. The channel forming the flow path 20 is formed by, for example, etching, photolithography, and laser ablation.

Alternatively, the flow path 20 may be formed of a pipe. The flow path 20 may be embedded with a non-gas-permeable substance.

Alternatively, the flow path 20 may be a hole provided in the solid member. The hole may be provided in the solid member by a 3D printing method. Examples of the 3D printing method include a fused deposition modeling method, a material jetting method, a binder jetting method, and a stereolithography method.

The cell pellet dividing machine according to the second embodiment may further include a fluid machine 50 such as a pump for causing the cell pellet in the flow path to flow, as in the first embodiment.

The cell mass may be circulated through the flow path 20, or the cell mass may be reciprocated through the flow path 20. The cell mass may be brought into contact with the cell separation solution before flowing through the channel 20. The cell pellet flowing through the channel 20 may be contained in a cryopreservation solution. In this case, the cell mass divided by flowing through the flow path 20 may be cryopreserved. The flow path 20 may be connected to the cryopreservation vessel.

According to the cell mass divider of the second embodiment, since the channel 20 having the narrow portion and the wide portion generates a potential flow in the fluid flowing through the channel 20 and generates a shear stress, it is possible to effectively divide the cell mass in the fluid such as the culture medium flowing through the channel 20. In addition, according to the cell pellet divider of the embodiment, for example, the flow path 20 can be completely closed, and therefore, the risk of cross contamination due to leakage of cells from the flow path 20 can be reduced. Further, even when the cells are infected with viruses such as HIV and hepatitis virus, for example, the risk of the operator being infected due to leakage of the cells from the channel 20 can be reduced. Furthermore, the risk of contamination of the fluid inside the cell pellet divider by bacteria, viruses, molds, etc. in the air outside the cell pellet divider can be reduced.

The cells divided by the cell mass divider of the second embodiment are not particularly limited, as in the first embodiment. Examples of the cells divided by the cell mass divider of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(first example of the second embodiment)

As shown in fig. 14, the shear stress generated by the fluid flowing through the flow path having the narrow width portion and the wide width portion was calculated by physical simulation. In fig. 14, the brighter the color portion, the stronger the shear stress is generated. From the results shown in fig. 14, it is shown that a large shear stress is generated in the vicinity of the side wall of the flow path. In addition, it is shown that a large shear stress is generated in the vicinity of a member which locally obstructs the flow of the fluid in the flow path. The fluid joins at the back of the member with respect to the direction of travel of the fluid in the flow path, and shear stress is generated.

(second example of the second embodiment)

As shown in fig. 15, a cell pellet divider having a flow path including a narrow portion and a wide portion and provided with a member partially obstructing the flow of fluid in the flow path at the wide portion was manufactured. A groove to be a flow path is formed in a substrate by a laser ablation method. A glass plate is bonded to the substrate provided with the groove, thereby forming a flow path. Then, a medium containing a cell mass composed of iPS cells was flowed through the flow path. As a result, the cell mass consisting of iPS cells was efficiently divided.

In addition, the liquid containing the beads was made to flow in the cell sorter shown in FIG. 15, and the movement of the beads was photographed. Fig. 16 shows the movement of the shot beads tracked. According to the movement of the beads, it was revealed that a submerged flow was generated in a tortuous flow path having a constant width.

(third example of the second embodiment)

As shown in FIG. 17, a cell pellet splitter provided with a channel having a narrow width part and a wide width part was manufactured. The liquid containing the beads was made to flow in the cell divider shown in FIG. 17, and the movement of the beads was photographed. Fig. 18 shows the movement of the shot beads tracked. According to the movement of the beads, it was revealed that a submerged flow was generated in the wide portion of the flow channel.

(fourth example of the second embodiment)

As shown in fig. 19, a cell pellet splitter provided with a flow path having a narrow portion and a wide portion, and a member partially obstructing the flow of fluid in the flow path is manufactured in the wide portion. The liquid containing the beads was made to flow in the cell divider shown in FIG. 19, and the movement of the beads was photographed. Fig. 20 shows the movement of the shot beads tracked. According to the movement of the beads, it was revealed that a submerged flow was generated in the wide portion of the flow channel.

(fifth example of the second embodiment)

As shown in fig. 21, a cell pellet splitter provided with a flow path having a narrow portion and a wide portion, and a member partially obstructing the flow of fluid in the flow path is manufactured in the wide portion. The liquid containing the beads was made to flow in the cell divider shown in FIG. 21, and the movement of the beads was photographed. Fig. 22 shows the movement of the shot beads tracked. According to the movement of the beads, it was revealed that a submerged flow was generated in the wide portion of the flow channel.

(sixth example of the second embodiment)

As shown in FIG. 23, a cell pellet divider having a channel having a narrow width part and a wide width part was manufactured. The liquid containing the beads was made to flow in the cell divider shown in FIG. 23, and the movement of the beads was photographed. Fig. 24 shows the movement of the shot beads tracked. According to the movement of the beads, it was revealed that a submerged flow was generated in the wide portion of the flow channel.

(seventh example of the second embodiment)

As shown in FIG. 25, a cell pellet splitter provided with a channel having a narrow width part and a wide width part was manufactured. The liquid containing the beads was made to flow in the cell divider shown in FIG. 25, and the movement of the beads was photographed. Fig. 26 shows the movement of the shot beads tracked. According to the movement of the beads, it was revealed that a submerged flow was generated in the wide portion of the flow channel.

(eighth example of the second embodiment)

As shown in FIG. 27, a cell pellet splitter provided with a channel having a narrow width part and a wide width part was manufactured. The liquid containing the beads was made to flow in the cell divider shown in FIG. 27, and the movement of the beads was photographed. Fig. 28 shows the movement of the shot beads tracked. According to the movement of the beads, it was revealed that a submerged flow was generated in the wide portion of the flow channel.

(ninth example of the second embodiment)

As shown in fig. 29, a cell pellet splitter provided with a flow channel having a narrow portion and a wide portion, and a member partially obstructing the flow of a fluid in the flow channel is manufactured in the wide portion. The liquid containing the beads was made to flow in the cell divider shown in FIG. 29, and the movement of the beads was photographed. Fig. 30 shows a graph obtained by tracking the movement of the shot beads. According to the movement of the beads, it was revealed that a submerged flow was generated in the wide portion of the flow channel.

(other embodiments)

As described above, although the present invention has been described in the embodiments, the description and drawings constituting a part of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, implementations, and application techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure. For example, a filter for assisting the division of the cell pellet may be disposed in the flow path of the cell pellet divider. Alternatively, a filter for passing the divided cell masses smaller than a predetermined size may be disposed in the flow path of the cell mass divider. The filter may be disposed at any position of the flow path. The filter may be disposed in a bent portion of the flow path, may be disposed in a straight portion of the flow path, may be disposed in a narrow portion of the flow path, may be disposed in a wide portion of the flow path, or may be disposed at a boundary between the narrow portion and the wide portion of the flow path. As such, it is to be understood that the present invention encompasses various embodiments and the like not described herein.