阅读说明：本技术 过滤装置以及过滤方法 (Filtering device and filtering method ) 是由 近藤孝志 村田谕 川口敏和 西川美和子 于 2019-05-24 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种能够效率良好地进行过滤的过滤装置。本发明的过滤装置具备：筒状体,具有一端和另一端,在所述一端设置开口,并且在所述另一端设置了端壁；和过滤部,设置在所述筒状体的外周部,具有多个贯通孔。根据本发明的过滤装置,能够效率良好地进行过滤。(The invention provides a filtering device capable of efficiently filtering. The filtering device of the present invention comprises: a cylindrical body having one end and the other end, an opening being provided at the one end, and an end wall being provided at the other end; and a filter unit provided on an outer peripheral portion of the tubular body and having a plurality of through holes. According to the filter device of the present invention, efficient filtration can be performed.)

1. A filter device is provided with:

a cylindrical body having one end and the other end, an opening being provided at the one end, and an end wall being provided at the other end; and

and a filter unit provided on an outer peripheral portion of the tubular body and having a plurality of through holes.

2. The filtration device of claim 1,

the filter portion is provided over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical body.

3. The filtration device of claim 1,

the filter unit is provided in a region of the outer peripheral portion of the tubular body that is not more than half the circumference.

4. The filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the one end of the cylindrical body is disposed at a position higher than the other end,

the filter device is provided with: and a liquid collecting part provided below the filter part on the other end side of the tubular body.

5. The filtration device of claim 4,

an opening cross-sectional area of the liquid collecting portion on the other end side when the liquid collecting portion is cut in a direction orthogonal to a direction connecting the one end and the other end of the tubular body is smaller than an opening cross-sectional area of the liquid collecting portion on the filter portion side.

6. The filtration device of claim 5,

the inner wall of the liquid accumulating portion has an inclined portion inclined toward the other end side of the tubular body.

7. The filtration device of claim 6,

the inclined portion is inclined toward the center of the cylindrical body.

8. The filter device according to any one of claims 4 to 7,

the outer wall of the liquid accumulating portion has a protruding portion protruding toward the other end of the tubular body.

9. The filtration device of claim 8,

the side surface of the protruding portion is inclined toward the center of the cylindrical body.

10. The filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,

the cylindrical body has a plurality of frame members defining a plurality of openings communicating the inside and outside of the cylindrical body,

the filter unit is a cylindrical filter attached to the plurality of frame members.

11. The filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,

further provided with: and a liquid holding container disposed on the other end side of the tubular body.

12. The filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,

the cylindrical body is formed of a resin that enables visual recognition of the inside.

13. The filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 12,

the filter unit is formed of a filter mainly composed of at least one of a metal and a metal oxide.

14. A method of filtering comprising the steps of:

a step of preparing a filter device, the filter device including: a cylindrical body having one end and the other end, an opening being provided at the one end, and an end wall being provided at the other end; a filter unit provided on an outer peripheral portion of the tubular body and having a plurality of through holes; and a liquid accumulation part which is arranged below the filtering part at the other end of the cylindrical body and stores a filtering object and liquid;

introducing a liquid containing a filtration object into the filtration device;

storing the object to be filtered and the liquid in the liquid accumulating part;

capturing the object to be filtered by the filter unit and discharging the liquid from the filter unit; and

and collecting the liquid and the object to be filtered stored in the liquid collecting unit.

15. The filtration method according to claim 14,

the filter device is provided with: a liquid holding container disposed on the other end side of the tubular body,

the step of discharging the liquid from the filter part includes: holding the liquid discharged from the filter portion to the liquid holding container.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a filtering apparatus and a filtering method.

Background

As an apparatus for filtering a liquid containing a filtering object, for example, a pretreatment apparatus for on-line measurement described in patent document 1 is known. The device described in patent document 1 is a pretreatment device for on-line measurement of water quality in an aqueous system, and includes a filter member having an external pressure type hollow fiber membrane for filtration by a cross-flow (cross-flow) filtration method.

Prior art documents

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2013-210239

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In recent years, efficient filtration has been required.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a filtration device and a filtration method that can efficiently perform filtration.

Means for solving the problems

A filter device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes:

a cylindrical body having one end and the other end, an opening being provided at the one end, and an end wall being provided at the other end; and

and a filter unit provided on an outer peripheral portion of the tubular body and having a plurality of through holes.

The filtering method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of:

a step of preparing a filter device, the filter device including: a cylindrical body having one end and the other end, an opening being provided at the one end, and an end wall being provided at the other end; a filter unit provided on an outer peripheral portion of the tubular body and having a plurality of through holes; and a liquid accumulation part which is arranged below the filtering part at the other end of the cylindrical body and stores a filtering object and liquid;

introducing a liquid containing a filtration object into the filtration device;

storing the object to be filtered and the liquid in the liquid accumulating part;

capturing the object to be filtered by the filter unit and discharging the liquid from the filter unit; and

and collecting the liquid and the object to be filtered stored in the liquid collecting unit.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, a filtration device and a filtration method capable of efficiently performing filtration can be provided.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example of a filter device according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic front view of an example of the filter device according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of the filter device according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing an example of a configuration in which a filter unit is removed from the filter device according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of an exemplary filter house.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a part of the filter unit of fig. 5 viewed from the thickness direction.

Fig. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of an example of a usage state of the filter device according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a state of use of the filter device according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart of an example of the filtering method according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 10A is a diagram showing an example of the process of the filtration method according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 10B is a diagram showing an example of the process of the filtration method according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 10C is a diagram showing an example of the process of the filtration method according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 10D is a diagram showing an example of the process of the filtration method according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 10E is a diagram showing an example of the process of the filtration method according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 10F is a diagram showing an example of the process of the filtration method according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 11A is a schematic view of a filter device according to a modification of embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 11B is a schematic view of a filter device according to a modification of embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of a filter device according to a modification of embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a filter device according to a modification of embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a schematic view of a filter device according to a modification of embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 15A is a schematic view of a filter device according to a modification of embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 15B is a schematic view of a filter device according to a modification of embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 15C is a schematic view of a filter device according to a modification of embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 16A is a schematic view of a filter device according to a modification of embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 16B is a schematic exploded view of a filter device according to a modification of embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 17 is a schematic view of a filter device according to a modification of embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 18 is a flowchart of an example of the filtering method according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 19A is a diagram showing an example of a process of the filtration method according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 19B is a diagram showing an example of the process of the filtration method according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 19C is a diagram showing an example of the process of the filtration method according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 19D is a diagram showing an example of the process of the filtration method according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 19E is a diagram showing an example of the process of the filtration method according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 19F is a diagram showing an example of the process of the filtration method according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 19G is a diagram showing an example of the process of the filtration method according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 19H is a diagram showing an example of the process of the filtration method according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 19I is a diagram showing an example of the process of the filtration method according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 20 is a schematic perspective view of an example of the filtration system according to embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Fig. 21 is a schematic front view of an example of the filter system according to embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a schematic sectional view of the filtration system of FIG. 21 taken along line A-A.

Fig. 23A is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the filtration system according to embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Fig. 23B is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the filtration system according to embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Fig. 23C is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the filtration system according to embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Fig. 23D is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the filtration system according to embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Fig. 23E is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the filtration system according to embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Fig. 24 is a schematic diagram of a filtration system according to a modification of embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Fig. 25 is a schematic diagram of a filtration system according to a modification of embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Fig. 26A is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the filter system according to the modification of embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Fig. 26B is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the filter system according to the modification of embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Fig. 26C is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the filter system according to the modification of embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Fig. 26D is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the filter system according to the modification of embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Fig. 26E is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the filter system according to the modification of embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Fig. 27 is a flowchart of an example of the filtering method according to embodiment 4 of the present invention.

Fig. 28A is a diagram showing an example of a process of the filtration method according to embodiment 4 of the present invention.

Fig. 28B is a diagram showing an example of a process of the filtration method according to embodiment 4 of the present invention.

Fig. 28C is a diagram showing an example of a process of the filtration method according to embodiment 4 of the present invention.

Fig. 28D is a diagram showing an example of a process of the filtration method according to embodiment 4 of the present invention.

Fig. 29 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of the filter device according to embodiment 5 of the present invention.

Fig. 30 is a flowchart of an example of the filtering method according to embodiment 5 of the present invention.

Fig. 31A is a diagram showing an example of a process of the filtration method according to embodiment 5 of the present invention.

Fig. 31B is a diagram showing an example of the process of the filtration method according to embodiment 5 of the present invention.

Fig. 31C is a diagram showing an example of the process of the filtration method according to embodiment 5 of the present invention.

Fig. 31D is a diagram showing an example of the process of the filtration method according to embodiment 5 of the present invention.

Fig. 32 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a filter device according to a modification of embodiment 5 of the present invention.

Fig. 33 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the operation of the filter device according to the modification example of embodiment 5 of the present invention.

Fig. 34 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of the filter device according to embodiment 6 of the present invention.

Fig. 35A is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the filter device according to embodiment 6 of the present invention.

Fig. 35B is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the filter device according to embodiment 6 of the present invention.

Fig. 36 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a filter device according to a modification of embodiment 6 of the present invention.

Detailed Description

(pass through for carrying out the invention)

In filtration of an object to be filtered using a filtration device, when the object to be filtered is a cell, the activity of the cell is reduced when the cell is recovered in a state of being exposed to the atmosphere after completion of filtration. Therefore, it is required to collect the cells in a state where the cells are immersed in a liquid after completion of filtration.

In the filtration apparatus that performs filtration by the cross-flow filtration method, for example, a circulation path is formed by a pump, a pipe, a filtration unit, a container, and the like. In such a configuration, the liquid containing the object to be filtered stored in the container is supplied into the pipe by the pump. When the liquid supplied to the piping flows through the portion where the filter unit is provided, cross-flow filtration is performed. In the cross-flow filtration, a part of the liquid flowing through the piping is discharged from the filter unit to the outside of the piping, and the remaining liquid flowing through the piping is returned to the container.

In such a cross-flow filtration method, after the completion of filtration, the filtration object and the liquid remain in the circulation flow path such as a pipe, and it is difficult to collect the filtration object remaining in the circulation flow path. In addition, when the liquid is collected together with the object to be filtered, the amount of the liquid collected cannot be controlled. Further, when filtration is performed in the cross-flow filtration method, the structure of the apparatus becomes complicated.

Therefore, the present inventors have studied a filtration apparatus and a filtration method capable of efficiently performing filtration in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and have completed the following invention.

A filter device according to an aspect of the present invention includes:

a cylindrical body having one end and the other end, an opening being provided at the one end, and an end wall being provided at the other end; and

and a filter unit provided on an outer peripheral portion of the tubular body and having a plurality of through holes.

With this configuration, filtration can be efficiently performed.

In the filter device, the filter portion may be provided over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical body.

With such a configuration, filtration can be performed in a short time.

In the filter device, the filter unit may be provided in a region of a half circumference or less of the outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical body.

With this configuration, the position of filtration can be easily changed, and filtration can be efficiently performed.

In the filter device, the one end of the cylindrical body may be disposed at a position higher than the other end,

the filter device is provided with: and a liquid collecting part provided below the filter part on the other end side of the tubular body.

With this configuration, the object to be filtered can be easily collected.

In the filter device, an opening cross-sectional area of the liquid collecting portion on the other end side may be smaller than an opening cross-sectional area of the liquid collecting portion on the filter portion side when the liquid collecting portion is cut in a direction connecting the one end and the other end of the tubular body.

With this configuration, the object to be filtered and the liquid can be easily stored in the liquid storage portion, and the object to be filtered can be more easily collected.

In the filter device, an inner wall of the liquid collecting portion may have an inclined portion inclined toward the other end side of the tubular body.

With this configuration, the object to be filtered and the liquid can be easily stored in the liquid storage portion, and the object to be filtered can be more easily collected.

In the filter device, the inclined portion may be inclined toward a center of the cylindrical body.

With this configuration, the object to be filtered can be more easily collected.

In the filter device, an outer wall of the liquid collecting portion may have a protruding portion protruding toward the other end of the tubular body.

With this configuration, the liquid discharged from the filter unit to the outside of the tubular body flows along the outer wall of the liquid collecting unit. This can prevent the liquid discharged from the filter unit to the outside of the cylindrical body from scattering.

In the filter device, a side surface of the projection portion may be inclined toward a center of the cylindrical body.

With this configuration, the liquid discharged from the filter unit to the outside of the container can be further prevented from scattering.

In the filter device, the tubular body may have a plurality of frame members defining a plurality of openings communicating between the inside and the outside of the tubular body,

the filter unit is a cylindrical filter attached to the plurality of frame members.

With this configuration, the filter portion can be easily provided on the outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical body.

The filter device may further include: and a liquid holding container disposed on the other end side of the tubular body.

With this configuration, the liquid discharged from the filter unit to the outside of the container can be received.

In the filter device, the cylindrical body may be formed of a resin that allows visual recognition of the inside.

With this configuration, the filter object and the liquid stored in the liquid accumulating unit can be visually checked.

In the filter device, the filter unit may be formed of a filter mainly containing at least one of a metal and a metal oxide.

With such a configuration, filtration can be performed in a short time.

A filtering method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of:

a step of preparing a filter device, the filter device including: a cylindrical body having one end and the other end, an opening being provided at the one end, and an end wall being provided at the other end; a filter unit provided on an outer peripheral portion of the tubular body and having a plurality of through holes; and a liquid accumulation part which is arranged below the filtering part at the other end of the cylindrical body and stores a filtering object and liquid;

introducing a liquid containing a filtration object into the filtration device;

storing the object to be filtered and the liquid in the liquid accumulating part;

capturing the object to be filtered by the filter unit and discharging the liquid from the filter unit; and

and collecting the liquid and the object to be filtered stored in the liquid collecting unit.

With this configuration, filtration can be efficiently performed.

In the filtration method, the filtration device may include a liquid holding container disposed on the other end side of the tubular body,

the step of discharging the liquid from the filter part includes: holding the liquid discharged from the filter portion to the liquid holding container.

With this configuration, the liquid discharged from the filter unit to the outside of the cylindrical body can be received.

Embodiment 1 according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, elements are exaggerated for ease of explanation.

(embodiment mode 1)

[ integral Structure ]

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example of a filter device 1A according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic front view of an example of a filter device 1A according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of the filter device 1A according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. The directions X, Y, Z in the figure show the transverse direction, the longitudinal direction, and the height direction of the filter device 1A, respectively.

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, the filter device 1A includes: a cylindrical body 10 having one end and the other end; and a filter unit 20 provided on the outer peripheral portion 11 of the tubular body 10 and having a plurality of through holes.

In the filter device 1A, one end of the cylindrical body 10 is disposed at a higher position than the other end. For example, the tubular body 10 is disposed along the vertical direction (Z direction), and one end of the tubular body 10 is disposed above the other end. An opening 13 is provided at one end of the cylindrical body 10. At the other end of the cylindrical body 10, an end wall 12 is provided which closes the other end. The other end of the cylindrical body 10 is closed by the end wall 12, thereby forming a liquid accumulation portion 30 below the filter portion 20. The liquid trap 30 stores the object to be filtered and the liquid.

As described above, in embodiment 1, the filter device 1A includes the bottomed tubular body 10, the filter unit 20, and the liquid accumulation unit 30. The cylindrical body 10 has an outer peripheral portion 11 and an end wall 12 that closes a lower end (the other end) of the outer peripheral portion 11. The filter unit 20 is provided in the outer peripheral portion 11 of the tubular body 10 and has a plurality of through holes. The liquid trap 30 is provided below the filter unit 20 on the other end side of the cylindrical body 10, and stores the object to be filtered and the liquid.

< cylindrical body >

The cylindrical body 10 has one end and the other end, with an opening 13 provided at one end and an end wall 12 provided at the other end. In embodiment 1, the tubular body 10 is a bottomed container having an opening 13 at an upper portion. In embodiment 1, the cylindrical body 10 has a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical body 10 includes an outer peripheral portion 11 and an end wall 12 that closes a lower end (the other end) of the outer peripheral portion 11, and a filter unit 20 having a plurality of through holes is provided in the outer peripheral portion 11 of the cylindrical body 10.

In embodiment 1, the tubular body 10 is disposed along the vertical direction (Z direction). Therefore, the outer peripheral portion 11 functions as a side wall of the cylindrical body 10, and the end wall 12 functions as a bottom portion of the cylindrical body 10.

The opening 13 is an inlet through which the liquid containing the object to be filtered flows in, and is an outlet through which the liquid containing the object to be filtered flows out. In the filter device 1A, the opening 13 functions as an inlet port through which a liquid containing a filter object is introduced.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration in which the filter unit 20 is removed from the filter device 1A according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 4, a plurality of frame members 14 defining a plurality of openings 15 communicating the inside and the outside of the cylindrical body 10 are provided in the outer peripheral portion 11 of the cylindrical body 10. Specifically, a plurality of frame members 14 extending in the height direction (Z direction) of the cylindrical body 10 are provided midway in the outer peripheral portion 11 of the cylindrical body 10. The plurality of frame members 14 are formed in a bar shape and are provided with a space therebetween. Openings 15 are formed between the plurality of frame members 14, respectively.

In embodiment 1, three frame members 14 are provided at equal intervals in the middle of the outer peripheral portion 11 of the tubular body 10. The three frame members 14 are arranged with a space therebetween, thereby forming three openings 15. In addition, the opening area of the opening 15 is larger than the surface area of the outer surface of the frame member 14 in side view.

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, a liquid storage portion 30 for storing a filtering object and liquid is provided on the end wall 12 of the cylindrical body 10. As shown in fig. 3, the inner wall 33 of the liquid accumulation portion 30 is formed by recessing the inner surface 16 of the end wall 12 in the height direction (Z direction) of the cylindrical body 10. Specifically, the inner wall 33 of the liquid accumulation portion 30 is formed by recessing the inner surface 16 of the end wall 12 of the tubular body 10 in a concave shape in a vertical direction.

The liquid trap 30 is provided below the filter unit 20. In embodiment 1, the liquid accumulation portion 30 is formed by the outer peripheral portion 11 of the cylindrical body 10 located below the filter portion 20 and the end wall 12. In other words, the liquid accumulation portion 30 is formed by a portion of the cylindrical body 10 below the lowermost end of the filter portion 20.

When the liquid accumulating portion 30 is cut in a direction (XY direction) orthogonal to a direction (Z direction) connecting one end and the other end of the tubular body 10, the opening cross-sectional area Sa2 of the other end side of the tubular body 10 in the liquid accumulating portion 30 is smaller than the opening cross-sectional area Sa1 of the filter portion 20 side in the liquid accumulating portion 30. That is, the opening cross-sectional area Sa2 of the lower portion of the liquid accumulating portion 30 when the liquid accumulating portion 30 is cut in the direction (XY direction) orthogonal to the height direction (Z direction) of the tubular body 10 is smaller than the opening cross-sectional area Sa1 of the upper portion of the liquid accumulating portion 30. The lower portion of the liquid accumulating portion 30 means a portion of the liquid accumulating portion 30 near the bottom (lowermost end portion 32), and the upper portion of the liquid accumulating portion 30 means an opening of the liquid accumulating portion 30. In embodiment 1, the sectional area of the opening of the liquid storage section 30 when the liquid storage section 30 is cut in the direction (XY direction) orthogonal to the height direction (Z direction) of the tubular body 10 becomes smaller toward the other end side of the tubular body 10, that is, downward. The opening cross-sectional area of the liquid accumulating portion 30 may be gradually reduced toward the other end side of the tubular body 10, that is, downward, or may be continuously reduced.

Specifically, the liquid accumulation portion 30 has: a connecting portion 31 connecting the outer peripheral portion 11 and the end wall 12 of the cylindrical body 10; and a lowermost end portion 32 formed below the connection portion 31. The lowermost end portion 32 means a portion of the liquid accumulation portion 30 located lowermost.

When the liquid accumulation portion 30 is cut in a direction (XY direction) orthogonal to the height direction (Z direction) of the tubular body 10, the opening cross-sectional area of the liquid accumulation portion 30 decreases from the connection portion 31 toward the lowermost end portion 32.

In embodiment 1, the inner wall 33 of the liquid accumulating portion 30 has an inclined portion 35 inclined downward toward the other end side of the tubular body 10. The inclined portion 35 is inclined toward the center of the cylindrical body 10. Specifically, the inner wall 33 of the liquid accumulation portion 30 is recessed in a conical shape.

The space S1 inside the liquid accumulation unit 30 stores the object to be filtered and the liquid. The size of the space S1 is determined based on the amount of liquid to be collected after the completion of filtration. That is, the size of the space S1 is designed based on the recovery amount of the liquid.

The outer wall 34 of the liquid collecting portion 30 is formed by projecting the outer surface 17 of the end wall 12 of the cylindrical body 10 in the height direction (Z direction) of the cylindrical body 10. Specifically, the outer wall 34 of the liquid accumulation portion 30 is formed to protrude in a convex shape vertically downward.

In the filter device 1A, the outer wall 34 of the liquid accumulation portion 30 is tapered toward the other end side of the cylindrical body 10, that is, downward when viewed from the side. Specifically, the outer wall 34 of the liquid accumulation portion 30 tapers from the connecting portion 31 toward the lowermost end portion 32.

In embodiment 1, the outer wall 34 of the liquid accumulating portion 30 has a protruding portion 36 protruding downward toward the other end side of the tubular body 10. The side surface of the projection 36 is inclined toward the center of the cylindrical body 10. Specifically, the outer wall 34 of the liquid accumulation portion 30 is protrudingly provided in a conical shape.

As described above, in embodiment 1, the inner wall 33 and the outer wall 34 of the liquid accumulation portion 30 have the same shape. That is, the liquid accumulation unit 30 has a conical shape in both the outer and inner shapes. In addition, the liquid accumulation portion 30 is rounded at the tip of the conical shape in either the outer or inner shape.

The cylindrical body 10 is formed of a resin that allows the inside to be visually recognized. The cylindrical body 10 is made of, for example, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polystyrene, PEEK, or the like.

< filtration section >

The filter unit 20 is a filter having a plurality of through holes provided in the outer peripheral portion 11 of the cylindrical body 10. The filter unit 20 is a part that filters liquid including a filtering object. Specifically, the filter unit 20 is a portion that captures the object to be filtered and allows the liquid to pass therethrough.

In the present specification, the term "object to be filtered" means an object to be filtered among objects contained in a liquid. For example, the object to be filtered may be a substance of biological origin contained in the liquid. The term "biologically derived material" means a material derived from a living body such as a cell (eukaryote), a bacterium (eubacterium), or a virus. Examples of the cells (eukaryotes) include artificial pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), ES cells, stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, monocyte cells, unicellular cells, cell aggregates, planktonic cells, adherent cells, nerve cells, leukocytes, regenerative medicine cells, autologous cells, cancer cells, circulating blood cancer cells (CTCs), HL-60, HELA, and fungi. Examples of the bacteria (eubacteria) include Escherichia coli and tubercle bacillus.

In embodiment 1, as an example, a description will be given assuming that the liquid is a cell suspension (cell suspension) and the object to be filtered is a cell.

In embodiment 1, the filter unit 20 is a cylindrical filter. The filter unit 20 is attached to a plurality of frame members 14 provided in the middle of the outer peripheral portion 11 of the tubular body 10. For example, a filter formed of a rectangular plate-like structure having a1 st main surface and a2 nd main surface opposed to the 1 st main surface is wound around the plurality of frame members 14, and is attached to the outer peripheral portion 11 of the cylindrical body 10. That is, the filter unit 20 is provided so as to surround the outer peripheral portion 11 of the tubular body 10. In this manner, the filter unit 20 is provided over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral portion 11 of the cylindrical body 10.

The filter forming the filter portion 20 is a metal filter. Specifically, the filter forming the filter unit 20 contains at least one of a metal and a metal oxide as a main component. The filter 20 may be formed of, for example, gold, silver, copper, platinum, nickel, palladium, titanium, an alloy thereof, or an oxide thereof.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of an exemplary filter house 20. Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a part of the filter unit 20 of fig. 5 viewed from the thickness direction.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the filter unit 20 is formed of a filter having a plate-shaped structure including a1 st main surface PS1 and a2 nd main surface PS2 facing the 1 st main surface PS 1. In embodiment 1, the filter unit 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape by rounding the filter of the plate-shaped structure. The 1 st main surface PS1 is located on the outer surface side of the cylindrical filter unit 20, and the 2 nd main surface PS2 is located on the inner surface side of the cylindrical filter unit 20.

The filter 20 has a plurality of through holes 21 penetrating the 1 st main surface PS1 and the 2 nd main surface PS 2. Specifically, a plurality of through holes 21 are formed in the filter base 22 constituting the filter unit 20.

The plurality of through holes 21 are periodically arranged on the 1 st main surface PS1 and the 2 nd main surface PS2 of the filter unit 20. Specifically, the plurality of through holes 21 are provided in the filter unit 20 in a matrix shape at equal intervals.

In embodiment 1, the through-holes 21 have a square shape when viewed from the 1 st main surface PS1 side of the filter unit 20, that is, in the X direction of the filter device 1A. The shape of the through-hole 21 as viewed in the X direction is not limited to a square shape, and may be, for example, a rectangular shape, a circular shape, or an elliptical shape.

In embodiment 1, the plurality of through holes 21 are provided at equal intervals in two arrangement directions parallel to each side of the square, that is, in the Y direction and the Z direction in fig. 6, as viewed from the 1 st main surface PS1 side (X direction) of the filter unit 20. By providing a plurality of through holes 21 in a square lattice arrangement in this manner, the aperture ratio can be increased, and the resistance to the passage of liquid through the filter unit 20 can be reduced. With such a configuration, the filtration time can be shortened, and the stress on the object to be filtered (cell) can be reduced.

The arrangement of the plurality of through holes 21 is not limited to the square lattice arrangement, and may be a quasi-periodic arrangement or a periodic arrangement, for example. As an example of the periodic array, a rectangular array having an unequal interval between two array directions may be used, or a triangular lattice array or a regular triangular lattice array may be used. The arrangement of the through-holes 21 is not limited as long as a plurality of through-holes are provided in the filter unit 20.

The intervals between the plurality of through holes 21 are appropriately designed according to the type (size, form, property, elasticity) or amount of cells to be filtered. Here, the interval of the through holes 21 means, as shown in fig. 6, an interval b between the center of an arbitrary through hole 21 and the center of an adjacent through hole 21 when the through hole 21 is viewed from the 1 st main surface PS1 side of the filter unit 20. In the case of the periodic structure, the interval b of the through holes 21 is, for example, 1 time or more and 10 times or less, preferably 3 times or less, larger than the side d of the through holes 21. Alternatively, for example, the filter unit 20 has an opening ratio of 10% or more, preferably 25% or more. With this configuration, the passage resistance of the liquid to the filter unit 20 can be reduced. Therefore, the treatment time can be shortened, and the stress on the cells as the object to be filtered can be reduced. The aperture ratio is calculated by (the area occupied by the through holes 21)/(the projected area of the 1 st main surface PS1 when the through holes 21 are not opened).

The thickness of the filter unit 20 is preferably 0.1 times or more and 100 times or less the size (side d) of the through-hole 21. More preferably, the thickness of the filter unit 20 is 0.5 times or more and 10 times or less larger than the size (side d) of the through-hole 21. With this configuration, the resistance of the filter unit 20 to the liquid can be reduced, and the filtering time can be shortened. As a result, the stress on the filter object can be reduced.

In the filter unit 20, a surface in contact with a liquid including a filter object preferably has a small surface roughness. Here, the surface roughness means an average value of differences between the maximum value and the minimum value measured by a stylus height difference meter at arbitrary 5 locations on a surface of the filter including a surface with which the liquid of the object contacts. In embodiment 1, the surface roughness is preferably smaller than the size of the object to be filtered, and more preferably smaller than half the size of the object to be filtered. In other words, the openings of the plurality of through holes 21 on the 2 nd main surface PS2 of the filter unit 20 are formed on the same plane (YZ plane). The filter base 22, which is a portion of the filter unit 20 where the through-holes 21 are not formed, is integrally connected to each other. With this configuration, adhesion of the object to be filtered to the 2 nd main surface PS2 of the filter unit 20 is reduced, and liquid resistance can be reduced.

In embodiment 1, the liquid including the object to be filtered flows from the 2 nd main surface PS2 disposed inside the filter unit 20 toward the 1 st main surface PS1 disposed outside the filter unit 20. Therefore, the surface roughness of the 2 nd main surface PS2 is preferably small.

The through-holes 21 communicate with each other through a wall surface in which the opening on the 1 st main surface PS1 side and the opening on the 2 nd main surface PS2 side are continuous. Specifically, the through-hole 21 is provided so that the opening on the 1 st main surface PS1 side can be projected to the opening on the 2 nd main surface PS2 side. That is, when the filter unit 20 is viewed from the 1 st main surface PS1 side, the through-holes 21 are provided so that the 1 st main surface PS1 side opening overlaps the 2 nd main surface PS2 side opening.

In embodiment 1, the filter unit 20 is a cylindrical filter having a diameter of 12mm, a height of 22mm, and a film thickness of 2 μm. One side d of the square through-hole 21 was 6 μm in size. The filter unit 20 is not limited to these dimensions, and may be manufactured in other dimensions.

Fig. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of an example of a usage state of the filter device 1A according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a usage state of the filter device 1A according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 7 and 8, the filter device 1A may include a liquid holding container 40 that receives the liquid flowing outside the cylindrical body 10 through the filter unit 20.

< liquid holding Container >

The liquid holding container 40 is disposed on the other end side, i.e., below, of the cylindrical body 10. The liquid holding container 40 is a bottomed container. Specifically, the liquid holding container 40 has a bottom portion 41 and a side wall 42 extending upward from the outer edge of the bottom portion 41. An opening 43 is provided in the upper portion of the liquid holding container 40. In embodiment 1, the liquid holding container 40 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The inner diameter of the liquid holding container 40 is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical body 10.

The tubular body 10 is disposed from the opening 43 of the liquid holding container 40 to the inside of the liquid holding container 40. For example, the cylindrical body 10 may be provided with a flange extending in the radial direction of the cylindrical body 10. The cylindrical body 10 may be held inside the liquid holding container 40 by placing a flange on the upper end of the liquid holding container 40.

The liquid holding container 40 may be a settling tube, for example.

[ filtration method ]

An example of the filtering method will be described with reference to fig. 9 and fig. 10A to 10F. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the filtering method according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 10A to 10F show an example of the steps of the filtration method according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 9 and 10A, in step ST11, the filter device 1A is prepared. Specifically, the cylindrical body 10 is disposed inside the liquid holding container 40.

As shown in fig. 9 and 10B, in step ST12, the liquid 60 containing the object 61 to be filtered is introduced into the filtering apparatus 1A. Specifically, the liquid 60 containing the object to be filtered 61 is introduced into the cylindrical body 10 from the opening 13 of the cylindrical body 10.

As shown in fig. 9 and 10C, in step ST13, the object to be filtered 61 and the liquid 60 are stored in the liquid accumulating portion 30 of the cylindrical body 10.

As shown in fig. 9 and 10D, in step ST14, the filter unit 20 captures the filter object 61 and the liquid 60 is discharged from the filter unit 20. Thereby, the liquid 60 including the object 61 to be filtered is filtered. Specifically, the liquid 60 containing the object to be filtered 61 is continuously introduced into the cylindrical body 10 from the opening 13 of the cylindrical body 10. When the liquid 60 containing the object to be filtered 61 overflows from the liquid accumulating portion 30, the object to be filtered 61 is captured by the filter unit 20 and remains inside the cylindrical body 10. On the other hand, the liquid 60 overflowing from the liquid accumulating portion 30 passes through the filter portion 20 and is discharged to the outside of the cylindrical body 10.

In the filter unit 20, the filter object 61 larger than the through-holes 21 of the filter unit 20 among the filter objects 61 stored in the liquid accumulating unit 30 cannot pass through the through-holes 21 of the filter unit 20 and is captured by the filter unit 20. On the other hand, the filter object 61 smaller than the through-holes 21 of the filter unit 20 among the filter objects 61 stored in the liquid accumulating unit 30 passes through the through-holes 21 of the filter unit 20 and is discharged to the outside of the cylindrical body 10.

In embodiment 1, step ST14 includes: the liquid 62 discharged from the filter unit 20 to the outside of the cylindrical body 10 is held by the liquid holding container 40.

The liquid 60 discharged from the filter unit 20 flows through the outer wall of the cylindrical body 10. Specifically, the liquid 60 flows along the outer wall 34 of the liquid accumulation portion 30 of the cylindrical body 10 toward the other end side, i.e., downward. Since the outer wall 34 of the liquid trap 30 is formed in a conical shape, the liquid 60 flows toward the lowermost end 32. Then, the liquid 62 drops from the lowermost end portion 32 toward the bottom of the liquid holding container 40, and is continuously accumulated in the liquid holding container 40. This can prevent the liquid 60 discharged to the outside of the tubular body 10 from scattering inside the liquid holding container 40.

As shown in fig. 10E, the filtration is terminated in a state where the object to be filtered 61 and the liquid 60 are stored in the liquid storage portion 30. Specifically, the filtering is terminated in a state where the space S1 inside the liquid accumulation portion 30 is filled with the object to be filtered 61 and the liquid 60.

As shown in fig. 9 and 10F, in step ST15, the filtering target 61 and the liquid 60 stored in the liquid trap 30 are collected. Specifically, the objects to be filtered 61 and the liquid 60 stored in the liquid accumulating unit 30 are collected by the collection tool 70. The recovery device 70 may also be a pipette or a syringe, for example.

The volume of the space S1 inside the liquid collecting portion 30 is equal to the liquid amount of the liquid 60 to be collected. Here, "equal" may include an error in the range of 10%. Therefore, by collecting the object to be filtered 61 and the liquid 60 stored in the liquid collecting unit 30 by the collecting tool 70, it is possible to collect the liquid 60 containing the object to be filtered 61 in a desired amount.

[ Effect ]

According to the filtration device 1A and the filtration recovery method according to embodiment 1, the following effects can be exhibited.

The filter device 1A includes: a cylindrical body 10 having one end and the other end, an opening 13 being provided at one end, and an end wall 12 being provided at the other end; and a filter unit 20 provided on the outer peripheral portion 11 of the tubular body 10 and having a plurality of through holes 21. Specifically, in the filter device 1A, one end of the cylindrical body 10 is disposed at a higher position than the other end. Therefore, the filter device 1A includes: a bottomed cylindrical body 10; a filter unit 20 provided on the outer peripheral portion 11 of the tubular body 10 and having a plurality of through holes 21; and a liquid accumulating part 30 which is provided below the filter part 20 on the other end side of the cylindrical body 10 and stores the object to be filtered 61 and the liquid 60. With this configuration, filtration can be efficiently performed.

For example, when the liquid 60 including the object to be filtered 61 is introduced from the opening 13 provided in the upper portion of the cylindrical body 10, the object to be filtered 61 and the liquid 60 are stored in the liquid storage portion 30 provided in the end wall 12 of the cylindrical body 10. Therefore, after the filtration is completed, the objects to be filtered 61 and the liquid 60 stored in the liquid trap unit 30 are collected by the collection tool 70, and the objects to be filtered 61 can be easily collected. When the object to be filtered is a cell, the cell can be collected together with the liquid after the completion of filtration, and therefore exposure of the cell to the atmosphere can be suppressed. This can suppress a decrease in the activity of the cells during recovery.

In the filter device 1A, since the object to be filtered 61 can be collected together with the liquid 60, the object to be filtered 61 can be more easily collected than in the case of collecting the object to be filtered 61 exposed to the atmosphere. When the filtering object 61 is left exposed to the atmosphere after completion of the filtration, the filtering object 61 may adhere to the filter device 1A, and the operation of collecting the filtering object 61 becomes complicated, but the filtering object 61 is immersed in the liquid 60 after completion of the filtration, whereby the adhesion of the filtering object 61 to the filter device 1A is suppressed, and the collection of the filtering object 61 becomes easy.

In addition, in the filter device 1A, aggregation of the aggregating substances can be suppressed in particular. In addition, conventionally, a centrifuge has been used to collect cells in a cell suspension. In the case of using a centrifugal separator, since a force (centrifugal force) is applied in one direction during centrifugal separation, the distance between the agglutinative substances becomes shorter and the chance of contact increases, and the agglutinative substances may be agglutinated after the centrifugal separation operation. Therefore, an operation of separating the agglutinative substance from the resultant mixture after completion of the centrifugal separation is required. On the other hand, in the filter device 1A, since the filter objects 61 are immersed in the liquid 60 after the completion of the filtration, the aggregation of the filter objects can be suppressed, and the collection of the filter objects 61 is facilitated.

In the filter device 1A, the volume of the space S1 inside the liquid accumulation unit 30 is designed to be equal to the amount of liquid to be recovered, so that the liquid 60 including the object to be filtered 61 can be recovered in a desired amount of liquid at the time of recovery. Therefore, the weighing operation of the recovered liquid can be made unnecessary.

In addition, in the filtration apparatus 1A, cross-flow filtration can be performed with a simple configuration. Therefore, even if the object to be filtered 61 adheres to the filter unit 20 during operation, the object to be filtered 61 can be pushed downward by introducing the liquid 60 through the opening 13, and adhesion to the filter unit 20 and clogging of the filter unit 20 can be reduced.

Further, due to the selection of the size of the through-holes 21 of the filter unit 20, it is possible to capture living cells by the filter unit 20 and to pass dead cells, garbage, and the like through the filter unit 20. This enables separation of live cells from dead cells and/or waste. Therefore, the ratio of living cells contained in the cell suspension after the operation is increased, and the time for maintaining the activity of the living cells can be prolonged.

In the filter device 1A, since clogging of the filter unit 20 is reduced, a plurality of filtering operations can be performed. Specifically, steps ST12 to ST15 may be repeated. Generally, in the filtering operation, the amount of the filtering object 61 is limited according to the area of the filter unit 20. However, in the filter device 1A, since the filter object 61 is not left in the filter unit 20 but held in the liquid accumulation unit 30, clogging is less likely to occur even if the number of filter objects 61 increases. Therefore, even after step ST15, the filter unit 20 can function easily, and the operation can be returned to step ST12 again, so that a large number of filter objects 61 can be processed by one filter device 1A.

In addition, when the cells are transferred from the liquid accumulation portion 30 to another container or the like, the cells are moved by the flow force of the liquid, and therefore, the physical load on the cells can be reduced as compared with the case where the cells are moved in a state of being exposed to the atmosphere.

When the liquid accumulating portion 30 is cut in the direction (XY direction) orthogonal to the direction (Z direction) connecting one end and the other end of the tubular body 10, the opening cross-sectional area Sa2 on the other end side (lower part of the liquid accumulating portion 30) of the tubular body 10 in the liquid accumulating portion 30 is smaller than the opening cross-sectional area Sa1 on the filter portion 20 side (upper part of the liquid accumulating portion 30) in the liquid accumulating portion 30. With such a configuration, the object to be filtered 61 and the liquid 60 are easily accumulated in the lowermost end portion 32 of the liquid accumulating portion 30, and therefore, the objects are easily collected by the collecting tool 70. In particular, by selecting a flow path with a small opening at the tip, specifically, a tube, a needle, a pipette, or a syringe as the collection tool 70, most or all of the objects to be filtered 61 and the liquid 60 in the liquid trap 30 can be collected.

The inner wall 33 of the liquid accumulating portion 30 has an inclined portion 35 inclined toward the other end side of the tubular body 10. With this configuration, the filtering object 61 and the liquid 60 can be easily stored in the liquid storage unit 30, and the filtering object 61 and the liquid 60 can be easily collected.

The inclined portion 35 is inclined toward the center of the cylindrical body 10. With this configuration, the liquid 60 containing the object to be filtered 61 is more likely to accumulate in the lowermost end portion 32. Therefore, the objects to be filtered 61 and the liquid 60 can be collected more easily by the collection tool 70.

The outer wall 34 of the liquid trap 30 has a protruding portion 36 protruding toward the other end of the tubular body 10. With this configuration, the liquid 62 discharged from the filter unit 20 to the outside of the cylindrical body 10 flows along the outer wall 34 of the liquid collecting unit 30, and scattering of the liquid 62 can be suppressed.

The side surface of the projection 36 is inclined toward the center of the cylindrical body 10. With such a configuration, the liquid 62 discharged from the filter unit 20 easily flows toward the lowermost end portion 32, and scattering of the liquid 62 can be further suppressed.

The filter unit 20 is provided over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral portion 11 of the cylindrical body 10. That is, the filter unit 20 is provided so as to surround the outer peripheral portion 11 of the tubular body 10. With this configuration, the liquid 60 overflowing from the liquid accumulation unit 30 can be easily discharged from the filter unit 20, and can be filtered in a short time.

A plurality of frame members 14 defining a plurality of openings 15 communicating the inside and the outside of the cylindrical body 10 are provided in the outer peripheral portion 11 of the cylindrical body 10. The filter unit 20 is a cylindrical filter, and is attached to the plurality of frame members 14. With this configuration, the filter unit 20 can be easily provided on the outer peripheral portion 11 of the cylindrical body 10. Further, the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with a case where the cylindrical body 10 and the filter unit 20 are integrally formed.

The cylindrical body 10 is formed of a resin that allows the inside to be visually recognized. With this configuration, the filter object 61 and the liquid 60 stored in the liquid accumulating unit 30 can be visually checked. This makes it easy to determine whether or not the liquid trap 30 is filled with the object to be filtered 61 and the liquid 60.

The filter unit 20 is a filter mainly composed of at least one of a metal and a metal oxide. With such a configuration, filtration can be performed in a short time. Further, the object to be filtered 61 can be easily collected, and the recovery rate can be improved. For example, in a resin filter or the like, the size and arrangement of through-holes vary, and the filter object may enter the through-holes. In the filter mainly composed of at least one of metal and metal oxide, the size and arrangement of the through holes are designed to be uniform compared with the resin filter. Therefore, in the filter device 1A, by forming the filter unit 20 with a filter containing at least one of a metal and a metal oxide as a main component, the object to be filtered 61 is easily peeled off from the filter unit 20 when the object to be filtered 61 is collected, and the recovery rate can be improved as compared with a resin filter.

The filter device 1A includes a liquid holding container 40 disposed on the other end side of the tubular body 10. With this configuration, the liquid 62 discharged from the filter unit 20 to the outside of the cylindrical body 10 can be held by the liquid holding container 40.

In the filtration and collection method, the same effects as those of the above-described filtration device 1A are exhibited.

In embodiment 1, an example in which the cylindrical body 10 has a cylindrical shape has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the cylindrical body 10 may have a square cylindrical shape or the like. Similarly, the filter unit 20 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may have a square tubular shape or the like.

In embodiment 1, an example in which the tubular body 10 is formed of a resin that can visually recognize the inside has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The cylindrical body 10 may be formed of a resin that does not allow the inside to be visually recognized.

In embodiment 1, an example in which the tubular body 10 includes three frame members 14 and three openings 15 are formed has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The tubular body 10 may be provided with at least one frame member 14 and at least one opening 15. Further, an example in which the plurality of frame members 14 extend in the height direction of the tubular body 10 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The plurality of frame members 14 may also extend in an oblique direction.

In embodiment 1, an example in which the filter unit 20 is formed of a member different from the tubular body 10 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The filter unit 20 may be formed integrally with the cylindrical body 10. In this case, the tubular body 10 may not include the plurality of frame members 14.

In embodiment 1, an example in which the inner wall 33 of the liquid accumulation portion 30 is concave in a conical shape has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the inner wall 33 of the liquid accumulation portion 30 may be formed of a flat surface.

Fig. 11A is a schematic view of a filter device 1AA according to a modification of embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 11A, in filter device 1AA, inner wall 33AA of liquid accumulation portion 30AA is flat, but a recessed portion is provided not at the center of the bottom but at the boundary portion between the bottom surface and the side surface of liquid accumulation portion 30 AA. In this aspect, since the liquid is accumulated in the recessed portion, the remaining liquid can be reduced at the time of liquid collection. Further, by designing the shape of the tip of the liquid collecting portion 30aa in accordance with the shape of the tip of the collection device 70 such as a syringe needle, the remaining liquid can be further reduced.

Fig. 11B is a schematic view of a filter device 1AB according to a modification of embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 11B, in the filter device 1AB, an open-close type valve 37 is provided in a part of the liquid accumulation portion 30 AB. When the valve 37 is opened, the flow path to the outside of the filter device 1AB is opened. That is, when the valve 37 is opened, the interior of the liquid accumulation portion 30AB communicates with the exterior of the filter device 1AB via a flow path provided at the bottom of the liquid accumulation portion 30 AB. In the filter device 1AB, the filter object and the liquid stored in the liquid accumulating portion 30AB can be easily recovered by the valve operation. Further, the residual liquid can be reduced at the time of liquid recovery by effectively utilizing gravity and the like. This is because the cells move from the liquid storage portion 30 due to the fluid force of the liquid, and thus the physical load on the cells is reduced as compared with the case where the cells are moved in a state of being exposed to the atmosphere.

Alternatively, the liquid containing the object to be filtered may be introduced from below into the cylindrical body 10 of the filter device 1AB with the valve 37 opened, and the valve 37 may be closed when the liquid introduction is completed, so that the liquid containing the object to be filtered is stored in the liquid accumulating portion 30 AB. Further, the valve may be opened thereafter to recover the filtration object and the liquid. By this operation, stirring can be performed in the filter device 1 AB.

In embodiment 1, an example in which the outer wall 34 of the liquid accumulating portion 30 is provided in a protruding conical shape has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the outer wall 34 of the liquid accumulation portion 30 may be formed of a flat surface.

Fig. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of a filter device 1BA according to a modification of embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a filter device 1BA according to a modification of embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 12 and 13, the filter device 1BA includes a bottomed cylindrical body 10 BA. A filter unit 20 is provided on an outer peripheral portion 11ba of a bottomed cylindrical body 10 ba. A liquid accumulation portion 30ba for storing the object to be filtered 61 and the liquid 60 is provided below the filter unit 20.

In the filter device 1BA, the liquid accumulation portion 30BA is formed by a part of the outer peripheral portion 11BA of the cylindrical body 10BA and the end wall 12 BA. Specifically, the liquid accumulation portion 30ba is formed by the outer peripheral portion 11ba and the end wall 12ba of the cylindrical body 10ba located below the filter portion 20.

The inner wall 33ba on the bottom surface side of the liquid accumulating portion 30ba is formed by a flat surface extending in a direction (XY direction) orthogonal to the direction (Z direction) in which the outer peripheral portion 11ba extends. The outer wall 34ba on the bottom surface side of the liquid accumulation portion 30ba is formed by a flat surface extending in a direction (XY direction) orthogonal to the direction (Z direction) in which the outer peripheral portion 11ba extends.

In the liquid accumulating portion 30ba, the opening cross-sectional area Sb of the liquid accumulating portion 30ba when the liquid accumulating portion 30ba is cut in the direction (XY direction) orthogonal to the height direction (Z direction) of the cylindrical body 10ba is equal from the lower end of the filter portion 20 to the inner wall 33ba on the bottom surface side of the liquid accumulating portion 30 ba.

The space S2 inside the liquid accumulation portion 30BA in the filter device 1BA can be made larger than the space S1 inside the liquid accumulation portion 30 of the filter device 1A. In addition, the height of the filter device 1A and the height of the filter device 1BA are the same. As described above, by forming the inner wall 33ba on the bottom surface side of the liquid collector 30ba from a flat surface, the volume of the space S2 inside the liquid collector 30ba can be increased, and the amount of liquid that can be recovered can be increased as compared with the filter device 1A.

In the filter device 1BA, the outer wall 34BA of the liquid collecting portion 30BA, that is, the outer wall on the bottom surface side of the cylindrical body 10BA is formed of a flat surface, whereby the cylindrical body 10BA can be stably placed in the liquid holding container 40.

In the filter device 1BA, the example in which both the inner wall 33BA and the outer wall 34BA of the liquid accumulation portion 30BA are formed of flat surfaces is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the inner wall 33BA of the liquid accumulation portion 30BA of the filter device 1BA may be recessed in a conical shape, and the outer wall 34BA of the liquid accumulation portion 30BA may be formed of a flat surface. Alternatively, the inner wall 33BA of the liquid accumulation portion 30BA of the filter device 1BA may be formed of a flat surface, and the outer wall 34BA of the liquid accumulation portion 30BA may be provided in a protruding conical shape.

Fig. 14 is a schematic view of a filter device 1BB according to a modification of embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 14, in the filter device 1BB, although the inner wall of the liquid accumulation portion 30BB is flat, the boundary portion between the bottom surface and the side surface is a curved surface, and the remaining liquid can be reduced when the liquid in the liquid accumulation portion 30BB is collected. This is because, by making the boundary portion a curved surface, liquid is less likely to remain in the boundary portion, and surface tension caused by the liquid in the boundary portion can be reduced.

In embodiment 1, an example in which the filter unit 20 is a metal filter has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The filter unit 20 may be any other filter device such as a resin membrane, for example, as long as it can filter the object 61 to be filtered contained in the liquid 60.

In embodiment 1, an example in which the filter unit 20 is provided over the entire circumference of the outer circumferential portion 11 of the cylindrical body 10, that is, an example in which the filter unit 20 is provided so as to surround the circumference of the outer circumferential portion 11 of the cylindrical body 10 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The filter unit 20 may be provided in a part of the outer peripheral portion 11 of the cylindrical body 10. For example, the filter unit 20 may be provided at half the circumference or less of the outer peripheral portion 11 of the cylindrical body 10.

Fig. 15A is a schematic diagram of a filter device 1AC according to a modification of embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 15A, in the filter device 1AC, the filter portion 20AC includes a portion provided over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral portion 11 of the cylindrical body 10 and a portion provided only in a part of the outer peripheral portion 11. For example, in the filter device 1AC, the filter portion 20AC is provided in the outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical body 10 so as to be inclined with respect to the direction (Z direction) in which the cylindrical body 10 extends. With such a configuration, the same effect as that of the filter device 1A can be obtained.

Fig. 15B is a schematic view of a filter device 1AD according to a modification of embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 15B, in the filter device 1AD, a part of the filter portion 20AD is provided so as to expand outward of the cylindrical body 10. In this modification, when the liquid is discharged from the filter unit 20ad, turbulence is likely to occur in the portion provided in the expanded state, and therefore, there is an effect that adhesion of the object to be filtered to the filter unit can be reduced.

Fig. 15C is a schematic diagram of a filter device 1AE according to a modification of embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 15C, in the filter device 1AE, the diameter of the filter unit 20AE increases toward the liquid collecting unit 30. That is, the diameter of the lower portion of the filter portion 20ae is larger than the diameter of the upper portion of the filter portion 20 ae. Even in such a configuration, the object to be filtered captured by the filter unit 20ae is likely to fall down by gravity, and the object to be filtered is likely to be stored in the liquid storage unit 30. In the present modification, when the liquid is discharged from the filter unit 20ae, turbulence is likely to occur, and therefore, the adhesion of the object to be filtered to the filter unit 20ad can be reduced.

Fig. 16A is a schematic diagram of a filter device 1AF according to a modification of embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 16B is a schematic exploded view of a filter device 1AF according to a modification example of embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 16B shows a state in which the grip portion 90 is detached from the filter device 1 AF. As shown in fig. 16A and 16B, in the filter device 1AF, a grip 90 for holding the filter device 1AF is attached to the outer periphery of the cylindrical body 10 in the vicinity of the opening 13. By gripping the grip portion 90 by the user, it is possible to prevent the user's hand or the like from directly touching the portion where the object to be filtered is in contact with. This can suppress contamination of the object to be filtered. Alternatively, the liquid holding container can be fixed to the liquid holding container via the grip portion 90, and the operation is facilitated. The grip portion 90 may be formed integrally with the cylindrical body 10, or may be detachable from the cylindrical body 10. This enables the filter device 1AF to be stored with the grip portion 90 removed, thereby saving space.

In fig. 16A and 16B, a flange portion 11aa is provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical body 10 near the opening 13. The flange 11aa protrudes outward in the radial direction of the cylindrical body 10. The flange portion 11aa assists the grip of the grip portion 90. Specifically, in a state where the grip portion 90 is fitted to the outer periphery of the cylindrical body 10, the flange portion 11aa contacts the grip portion 90. This can prevent the filter device 1AF from falling off the grip 90.

Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram of a filter device 1AG according to a modification of embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 17, a cover 91 for closing the opening 13 is provided on the upper portion of the cylindrical body 10 of the filter apparatus 1 AG. By providing the cover 91, it is possible to reduce the drying of the object to be filtered and the contamination of the air or the like. Further, the filtered product is easy to transport. The cover 91 may be detachable from the cylindrical body 10, or may be an openable type in which a part thereof is fixed to the cylindrical body 10.

In embodiment 1, an example in which the filter device 1A is disposed in the liquid holding container 40 at the time of filtration is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The liquid holding container 40 is not necessarily structured. For example, the filter device 1A may be mounted to other devices than the liquid holding container 40 during filtration. Alternatively, the filter device 1A may perform filtration without using the liquid holding container 40.

In embodiment 1, the description has been given assuming that the object to be filtered is a cell and the liquid is a cell suspension, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

In embodiment 1, the filtering apparatus 1A and the filtering method are explained, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention may be used as a kit for performing a filtration method including the filtration device 1A.

(embodiment mode 2)

A filter device according to embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. In embodiment 2, the point different from embodiment 1 will be mainly described. In embodiment 2, the same or equivalent structures as those in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In embodiment 2, description overlapping with embodiment 1 is omitted.

An example of the filtering method according to embodiment 2 will be described with reference to fig. 18 and fig. 19A to 19I. Fig. 18 is a flowchart of an example of the filtering method according to embodiment 2 of the present invention. Fig. 19A to 19G show an example of the steps of the filtration method according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Embodiment 2 is different from embodiment 1 in that filtration is performed in a state where the tubular body 10 is immersed in the liquid 62.

As shown in fig. 18 and 19A, in step ST21, the filter device 1C is prepared. The filter device 1C includes: a cylindrical body 10; a filter unit 20 provided on the outer peripheral portion 11 of the cylindrical body 10; a liquid accumulation unit 30 provided below the filter unit 20; and a liquid holding container 50 holding the 1 st liquid 62. In embodiment 2, the 1 st liquid 62 is PBS (Phosphate Buffered Saline). The cylindrical body 10 is fixed to the liquid holding container 50.

As shown in fig. 18 and 19B, in step ST22, the tubular body 10 is disposed inside the liquid holding container 50 that holds the 1 ST liquid 62. In step ST22, the tubular body 10 is immersed in the 1 ST liquid 62, whereby the 1 ST liquid 62 passes through the filter unit 20 and enters the interior of the tubular body 10. This improves the liquid permeability of the through-holes 21 of the filter unit 20.

As shown in fig. 18 and 19C, in step ST23, the 2 nd liquid 63 including the object 61 to be filtered is introduced into the cylindrical body 10. Specifically, a pipette 71 is inserted from the opening 13 of the cylindrical body 10, and the 2 nd liquid 63 containing the object to be filtered 61 is introduced from the pipette 71 into the cylindrical body 10. In embodiment 2, the 2 nd liquid 63 is a cell suspension, and the object 61 to be filtered is a cell.

The 2 nd liquid 63 containing the object to be filtered 61 is held in the pipette 70. The tip of the pipette 71 is disposed near the end wall 12 provided below the tubular body 10. In other words, the tip of the pipette 71 is disposed inside the liquid accumulating portion 30 provided below the cylindrical body 10. The 2 nd liquid 63 containing the object to be filtered 61 is introduced from the tip of the pipette 71 into the liquid accumulating section 30 of the cylindrical body 10. Thus, compared to the case where the 2 nd liquid 63 including the object to be filtered 61 is introduced from the upper portion toward the lower portion of the cylindrical body 10, damage to the object to be filtered 61 due to the introduction of the 2 nd liquid 63 can be reduced.

The 2 nd liquid 63 introduced into the cylindrical body 10 passes through the filter unit 20 and flows to the outside of the cylindrical body 10.

As shown in fig. 18 and 19D, in step ST24, the 1 ST liquid 62 and the 2 nd liquid 63 are diffused by the filter unit 20. Alternatively, in order to fix the liquid surfaces of the 1 st liquid 62 and the 2 nd liquid 63, the 1 st liquid 62 and the 2 nd liquid 63 are suspended by the filter unit 20. Specifically, the 2 nd liquid 63 including the object to be filtered 61 is introduced from the pipette 71 into the cylindrical body 10, whereby the object to be filtered 61 is captured by the filter unit 20, while the 2 nd liquid 63 passes through the filter unit 20 and moves to the outside of the cylindrical body 10. Thereby, the 1 st liquid 62 and the 2 nd liquid 63 held in the liquid holding container 50 are mixed outside the cylindrical body 10.

The 1 st liquid 62 held in the liquid holding container 50 moves into the cylindrical body 10 through the filter unit 20. Thereby, the 1 st liquid 62 and the 2 nd liquid 63 are mixed even inside the cylindrical body 10.

In this manner, in step ST24, the 1 ST liquid 62 and the 2 nd liquid 63 move through the filter unit 20, and the 1 ST liquid 62 and the 2 nd liquid 63 diffuse. This can prevent the filter object 61 from adhering to the filter unit 20.

Further, when the 2 nd liquid 63 including the object to be filtered 61 is introduced into the cylindrical body 10 in step ST23, the liquid level of the liquid held in the cylindrical body 10 may be higher than the liquid level of the liquid held in the liquid holding container 50. In this case, since the 1 st liquid 62 and the 2 nd liquid 63 are diffused, the liquid surface of the liquid in the tubular body 10 and the liquid surface of the liquid holding container 50 may be kept at substantially the same level.

As shown in fig. 18 and 19E, in step ST25, the 3 rd liquid 64 is introduced into the cylindrical body 10. In step ST25, the 3 rd liquid 64 is introduced into the cylindrical body 10, thereby cleaning the object 61 to be filtered.

Specifically, a pipette 72 is inserted from the opening 13 of the cylindrical body 10, and the 3 rd liquid 64 is introduced from the pipette 72 into the cylindrical body 10. In embodiment 2, the 3 rd liquid 64 is a cleaning liquid, for example, PBS.

The 3 rd liquid 64 is held inside the pipette 72. The tip of the pipette 72 is disposed near the end wall 12 provided below the tubular body 10. In other words, the tip of the pipette 72 is disposed inside the liquid accumulating portion 30 provided below the cylindrical body 10. The 3 rd liquid 64 is introduced from the tip of the pipette 72 into the liquid accumulating portion 30 of the cylindrical body 10. This allows the object to be filtered 61 to be stirred inside the cylindrical body 10, thereby improving the cleaning effect.

As shown in fig. 18 and 19F, in step ST26, the 1 ST liquid 62, the 2 nd liquid 63, and the 3 rd liquid 64 are diffused through the filter unit 20. Specifically, the 1 st liquid 62, the 2 nd liquid 63, and the 3 rd liquid 64 pass through the filter unit 20 to and fro between the inside and the outside of the cylindrical body 10. Thereby, the 1 st liquid 62, the 2 nd liquid 63, and the 3 rd liquid 64 are mixed.

In embodiment 2, when the liquid surface of the liquid 62, 63, 64 held in the liquid holding container 50 rises and approaches the opening of the liquid holding container 50, a part of the liquid 62, 63, 64 is collected. This can prevent the liquids 62, 63, and 64 from overflowing from the liquid holding container 50.

As shown in fig. 18 and 19G, in step ST27, the 4 th liquid 65 is introduced into the cylindrical body 10. Specifically, the 4 th liquid 65 is introduced from the pipette 73 into the tubular body 10, and the object to be filtered 61 captured by the filter unit 20 is moved to the liquid collecting unit 30. The 4 th liquid 65 is a recovering liquid, for example, PBS.

The tip of the pipette 73 is arranged above the filter unit 20 in the tubular body 10. The 4 th liquid 65 is introduced into the side wall of the interior of the cylindrical body 10. Thus, the 4 th liquid 65 can separate the object to be filtered 61 attached to the filter unit 20 from the filter unit 20 and move the object to be filtered to the liquid collecting unit 30. As a result, the recovery rate of the object 61 to be filtered can be improved.

As shown in fig. 18 and 19H, in step ST28, the cylindrical body 10 is lifted from the liquid holding container 50. Thereby, the 4 th liquid 65 in the cylindrical body 10 flows to the outside of the cylindrical body 10 through the filter unit 20, and moves downward. On the other hand, in the liquid accumulation section 30, the object to be filtered 61 and the 4 th liquid 65 are stored.

In embodiment 2, the tubular body 10 is lifted up from the inside of the liquid holding container 50 while being shaken in the left and right directions. Thereby, the object to be filtered 61 attached to the filter unit 20 is peeled off and stored in the liquid storage unit 30. As a result, the recovery rate of the object 61 to be filtered can be improved.

As shown in fig. 18 and 19I, the object to be filtered 61 and the 4 th liquid 65 stored in the liquid storage portion 30 of the cylindrical body 10 are collected. Specifically, the objects to be filtered 61 and the 4 th liquid 65 stored in the liquid accumulating unit 30 are collected by the collection tool 70.

[ Effect ]

According to the filtration device 1C and the filtration recovery method according to embodiment 2, the following effects can be exhibited.

In the filtration method using the filtration device 1C, filtration is performed in a state where the cylindrical body 10 is disposed in the 1 st liquid 62 held in the liquid holding container 50. With this configuration, the efficiency of filtration can be improved. Specifically, the adhesion of the object to be filtered 61 to the filter unit 20 can be suppressed, and the recovery rate of the object to be filtered 61 can be improved.

In order to suppress the adhesion of the object to be filtered to the filter unit, a mechanism for stirring the liquid, such as a stirrer, a rotary screw, or a vibration exciting mechanism, may be provided in the liquid holding container 50. Alternatively, the cylindrical body may be vibrated or rotated. The recovery rate of the object to be filtered can be further improved.

In addition, when the object to be filtered 61 is a cell, the cell is not exposed to the atmosphere, and thus the activity of the cell can be maintained.

Further, due to the selection of the size of the through-holes 21 of the filter unit 20, it is possible to capture living cells by the filter unit 20 and to pass dead cells, garbage, and the like through the filter unit 20. This enables separation of live cells from dead cells and/or waste.

In the filtration method, the liquid permeability of the through-holes 21 of the filter unit 20 can be improved by immersing the tubular body 10 in the 1 st liquid 62.

In the filtration method, the pipette 73 is disposed in the liquid accumulating section 30, and the 2 nd liquid 63 including the object 61 to be filtered is introduced into the cylindrical body 10. This can suppress damage to the object 61, as compared with the case of introduction from the upper portion of the cylindrical body 10.

In the filtration method, the pipette 73 is disposed in the liquid accumulating portion 30 to introduce the 3 rd liquid 64 for cleaning into the interior of the cylindrical body 10. This can stir the filter object 61 accumulated in the liquid accumulating portion 30, thereby improving the cleaning effect.

In the filtering method, before the filtering object 61 is collected, the 4 th liquid 65 for collection is introduced into the cylindrical body 10 in a state where the cylindrical body 10 is immersed in the liquid. This allows the object 61 to be filtered, which is captured by the filter unit 20, to move downward of the cylindrical body 10 and be stored in the liquid storage unit 30. As a result, the recovery rate of the object 61 to be filtered can be improved.

In embodiment 2, an example in which the 2 nd liquid 63, the 3 rd liquid 64, and the 4 th liquid 65 are introduced into the tubular body 10 by the pipettes 71, 72, and 73, respectively, has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The means for introducing the 2 nd liquid 63, the 3 rd liquid 64, and the 4 th liquid 65 is not limited to the pipettes 71, 72, and 73. The device for introducing the 2 nd liquid 63, the 3 rd liquid 64, and the 4 th liquid 65 may be, for example, a syringe, a tube, or the like.

In embodiment 2, an example in which the tips of the pipettes 72 and 73 are disposed in the liquid accumulating portion 30 and the 2 nd liquid 63 and the 3 rd liquid 64 are introduced has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The tips of the pipettes 72 and 73 may be arranged above the liquid trap 30.

In embodiment 2, step ST22 is performed after step ST21, but the 1 ST liquid 62 may be introduced into the liquid holding container 50 and the tubular body 10 after the tubular body 10 is disposed inside the liquid holding container 50.

In embodiment 2, an example of recovering a part of the liquid held in the liquid holding container 50 in step ST26 is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The operation of collecting a part of the liquid held in the liquid holding container 50 may be performed in another step. Alternatively, this operation may not be performed.

In embodiment 2, an example in which the filtration method includes step ST27 of introducing the 4 th liquid 65 as the recovered liquid into the cylindrical body 10 is described, but the filtration method is not limited to this. The filtering method may not include step ST 27.

(embodiment mode 3)

A filtration system according to embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. In embodiment 3, the differences from embodiment 1 will be mainly described. In embodiment 3, the same or equivalent structures as those in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In embodiment 3, the description overlapping with embodiment 1 is omitted.

In embodiment 3, an example of a filtration system including the filtration device 1A of embodiment 1 will be described.

[ integral Structure ]

Fig. 20 is a schematic perspective view of an example of a filtration system 100A according to embodiment 3 of the present invention. Fig. 21 is a schematic front view of an example of a filter system 100A according to embodiment 3 of the present invention. Fig. 22 is a schematic sectional view of the filtration system 100A of fig. 21 cut along the line a-a.

As shown in fig. 20 to 22, the filtration system 100A includes a filtration device 1A, a liquid holding container 101, a flow path 102, a valve 103, a waste liquid container 104, and a waste liquid flow path 105.

The filter device 1A is disposed inside the liquid holding container 101. The description of the filter device 1A is the same as that of embodiment 1, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

The liquid holding container 101 is a bottomed cylindrical container. The bottom of the liquid holding container 101 is inclined toward the center toward the vertically downward direction. A flow path 102 extending toward the waste liquid container 104 is provided in the center of the bottom of the liquid holding container 101. Thereby, the liquid held in the liquid holding container 101 flows toward the flow path 102 provided at the bottom center of the liquid holding container 101.

The flow path 102 is a path connecting the liquid holding container 101 and the waste liquid container 104. One end of the flow path 102 is connected to the center of the bottom of the liquid holding container 101. The other end of the flow path 102 is disposed inside the waste liquid container 104. The flow path 102 extends vertically downward from the center of the liquid holding container 101 and is connected to the waste liquid container 104. The liquid held in the liquid holding container 101 flows through the flow path 102 to the waste liquid container 104.

The valve 103 is provided in the flow path 102. The movement of the liquid from the liquid holding container 101 to the waste liquid container 104 can be controlled by opening and closing the valve 103. Specifically, by opening the valve 103, the liquid is moved from the liquid holding container 101 to the waste liquid container 104. Further, by closing the valve 103, the movement of the liquid from the liquid holding container 101 to the waste liquid container 104 is stopped.

The waste liquid container 104 holds the liquid moved from the liquid holding container 101 through the flow path 102. The waste liquid container 104 is disposed below the liquid holding container 101.

The waste liquid channel 105 is a channel connecting the liquid holding container 101 and the waste liquid container 104. One end of the waste liquid channel 105 is connected to the side wall of the liquid holding container 101 above the filter unit 20 of the filter device 1A. The other end of the waste liquid channel 105 is disposed inside the waste liquid container 104. The liquid held in the liquid holding container 101 flows through the waste liquid channel 105 to the waste liquid container 104. This can prevent the liquid from overflowing from the liquid holding container 101.

[ actions ]

An example of the operation of the filtration system 100A will be described with reference to fig. 23A to 23E. Fig. 23A to 23E show an example of the operation of the filtration system 100A according to embodiment 3 of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 23A, the filter system 100A is prepared. Specifically, the filtration device 1A is disposed in a liquid holding container 101 holding the 1 st liquid 62.

As shown in fig. 23B, the 2 nd liquid 63 containing the object to be filtered 61 is introduced into the cylindrical body 10 from the opening 13 of the cylindrical body 10. At this time, the 2 nd liquid 63 introduced into the cylindrical body 10 passes through the filter unit 20 and flows to the outside of the cylindrical body 10. Thereby, the 1 st liquid 62 and the 2 nd liquid 63 are mixed inside the liquid holding container 101.

The 2 nd liquid 63 passes through the filter unit 20 and flows to the outside of the tubular body 10, whereby the liquid amount of the liquid in the liquid holding container 101 increases, but the increased amount is discarded to the waste liquid container 104 through the waste liquid channel 105. In the waste liquid container 104, the liquids 62 and 63 flowing from the liquid holding container 101 through the waste liquid channel 105 are stored as a waste liquid 110. This can prevent the liquid from overflowing from the inside of the liquid holding container 101. In the state shown in fig. 23B, the valve 103 provided in the flow path 102 is closed.

As shown in fig. 23C, the valve 103 is opened to move the liquids 62 and 63 in the liquid holding container 101 to the waste liquid container 104 through the flow path 102. At this time, the liquid 111 in the cylindrical body 10 flows outside the cylindrical body 10 through the filter unit 20. Therefore, the liquid 111 containing the object to be filtered 61 inside the cylindrical body 10 is concentrated in the direction of the liquid collecting portion 30.

As shown in fig. 23D, when the liquid surface of the liquid 111 inside the cylindrical body 10 drops to the lower end of the filter unit 20, the movement of the liquid 111 from the filter unit 20 to the outside of the cylindrical body 10 is stopped. This causes the liquid 111 to be concentrated in the liquid accumulation portion 30.

As shown in fig. 23E, the object to be filtered 61 and the liquid 111 stored in the liquid trap 30 are collected. Specifically, the objects to be filtered 61 and the liquid 111 stored in the liquid accumulating unit 30 are collected by the collection tool 70.

[ Effect ]

According to the filtration system 100A according to embodiment 3, the following effects can be exhibited.

In the filtration system 100A, a valve 103 is provided in a flow path 102 connecting a bottom of a liquid holding container 101 and a waste liquid container 104. With this configuration, the movement of the liquid held in the liquid holding container 101 to the waste liquid container 104 can be controlled by the opening and closing operation of the valve 103. Therefore, in the filtration system 100A, since the liquid inside the cylindrical body 10 can be concentrated by the opening and closing operation of the valve 103, the operation becomes easier than the operation of lifting up the cylindrical body 10 from the liquid holding container (see fig. 19H) as in step ST28 of the filtration method of embodiment 2.

In addition, in the filtration system 100A, the operation for separating the filtration object can be standardized, and the variation in the recovery rate can be reduced.

In embodiment 3, although the opening 13 of the tubular body 10 is opened, a cap is provided to the opening 13, and the liquid is introduced and discharged through a closed channel provided in the cap, whereby the aseptic operation can be performed. Similarly, a plurality of closed channels may be provided in the liquid holding container 101 and the waste liquid container 104. Alternatively, a sterile filter (a membrane filter having a pore size of 0.22 μm or the like) may be provided in the opening 13 or a part of the closed flow path. This makes it possible to control the pressure in the container and to perform inflow and outflow of liquid. The closed flow path means a flow path having a side wall which blocks contact between the liquid flowing in and out and the outside air. The closed flow path may be a tube, for example.

Fig. 24 is a schematic diagram of a filtration system 100B according to a modification of embodiment 3 of the present invention. In fig. 24, a mechanism (such as a pump) for feeding the liquid is not shown. As shown in fig. 24, the filtration system 100B includes a filtration device 1BC, a liquid holding container 101a, a channel 102a, a waste liquid container 104, a waste liquid channel 105, a switching valve 106, a sample container 107, and a collection container 108. In the description of the filtration system 100B, the description overlapping with the filtration system 100A of embodiment 3 is omitted.

The filter device 1BC includes: a cylindrical body 10bc having an upper end closed and an opening 13bc at a lower end; a filter unit 20 provided on an outer peripheral portion 11bc of the cylindrical body 10 bc; and a liquid accumulation section 30bc provided below the filter section 20.

The liquid trap portion 30bc is formed of a cylindrical body 10bc located below the filter portion 20. Specifically, the liquid accumulation portion 30bc is formed by the side wall and the bottom of the cylindrical body 10bc below the filter portion. An opening 13bc through which liquid flows in and out is provided in the bottom of the liquid accumulating portion 30 bc. The opening 13bc is connected to the flow path 102 a.

The filter device 1BC is disposed inside the liquid holding container 101 a.

The channel 102a includes a1 st channel connecting the filter device 1BC and the sample container 107, and a2 nd channel connecting the filter device 1B and the collection container 108. The 1 st channel and the 2 nd channel are switched by the switching valve 106.

The sample container 107 is a container for holding a liquid containing a filter object. The collection container 108 is a container for collecting the filtration target object and the liquid after the filtration in the filtration device 1BC is completed.

In the filtration system 100B, the liquid containing the object to be filtered, which is stored in the sample container 107, is introduced into the cylindrical body 10BC of the filtration device 1BC from the bottom of the cylindrical body 10 BC. At this time, the switching valve 106 switches the channel 102a to the 1 st channel so as to connect the sample container 107 and the filter device 1 BC.

For example, the liquid containing the object to be filtered and stored in the sample container 107 is moved to the 1 st channel of the channels 102a by a pump. The liquid flowing through the flow path 102a is introduced into the cylindrical body 10BC from the bottom of the filter device 1 BC. The liquid introduced into the cylindrical body 10bc flows outside the cylindrical body 10bc through the filter unit 20, and is stored in the liquid holding container 101 a. In this manner, the liquid containing the object to be filtered is aggregated in the liquid accumulation portion 20bc by the filtration.

In the present specification, the operation of introducing the liquid containing the object to be filtered, which is contained in the sample container 107, from the bottom of the cylindrical body 10BC of the filter device 1BC into the cylindrical body 10BC through the 1 st flow path is referred to as "1 st operation α".

Next, after the filtration in the filtration device 1BC is completed, the flow path 102a is switched to the 2 nd flow path by switching the switching valve 106, so that the collection container 108 and the filtration device 1BC are connected.

For example, the object to be filtered and the liquid stored in the liquid accumulating portion 30BC of the filter device 1BC are moved to the collection container 108 through the 2 nd flow path of the flow path 102a by a pump. Thereby, the liquid aggregated in the liquid accumulation portion 30BC of the filter device 1BC is recovered to the recovery container 108.

In the present specification, the operation of collecting the liquid and the object to be filtered stored in the liquid accumulation portion 30BC of the filter device 1BC to the collection container 108 through the 2 nd flow path is referred to as "2 nd operation β".

In the filtration system 100B, the 1 st operation α and the 2 nd operation β can be alternately performed continuously. The amount of treatment (the amount of liquid containing the object to be filtered, the amount of the object to be filtered, or the concentration of the object to be filtered) has an upper limit depending on the area of the filter unit 20, the capacity of the liquid accumulation unit 30, the liquid holding container 101, and the waste liquid container 104, the object to be filtered, and the properties (viscosity and aggregation) of the liquid. Even when the target throughput is less than the throughput of the first 1 st operation α and the 2 nd operation β, the 1 st operation α and the 2 nd operation β are repeated, whereby the target throughput can be achieved in a closed environment. In addition, in the filtration system 100B, by adding a switching valve or a container to the flow path 102a, complicated operations can be performed with various liquids.

Fig. 25 is a schematic diagram of a filtration system 100C according to a modification of embodiment 3 of the present invention. Fig. 25 shows the filter device 1BD in a cross-sectional view for ease of explanation. As shown in fig. 25, the filtration system 100C includes: the filter device 1 BD; a liquid holding container 101 b; a flow path 122 connecting the supply port 120 of the filtration device 1BD and the container 121 for storing the cell suspension; a waste liquid container 104 a; a channel 124 connecting the 1 st waste liquid port 123a of the liquid holding container 101b and the waste liquid container 104 a; a channel 125 connecting the 2 nd waste liquid port 123b of the liquid holding container 101b and the waste liquid container 104 b; a recovery vessel 108 a; a flow path 127 connecting the collection port 126 of the filter device 1BD and the collection container 108 a; and valves 128a, 128b, 128c, 128d provided in the flow paths 122, 124, 125, 127, respectively. In the example of fig. 25, the "cell suspension" is a liquid 63 containing cells as the object 61 to be filtered.

The filter system 100C is a closed system connected to the outside air only through the filter 129, and the pressure inside the closed system can be adjusted by the filter 129. The filter 129 is connected to the liquid holding container 101b, the container 121, the waste liquid container 104a, and the recovery container 108a, for example.

Fig. 26A to 26E are diagrams illustrating an example of the operation of the filter system 100C according to the modification of embodiment 3 of the present invention. Fig. 26A to 26E show the filter device 1BD in cross-sectional views for ease of explanation. As shown in fig. 26A, the liquid holding container 101B is previously filled with the 1 st liquid 62, similarly to the filter system 100B (see fig. 23A). That is, the 1 st liquid 62 is introduced into the liquid holding container 101B before the cell suspension is filtered by the filtration system 100B.

As shown in fig. 26B, the 2 nd liquid 63 including the object 61 to be filtered is introduced from the supply port 120 of the filter apparatus 1BD into the filter apparatus 1BD with the supply valve 128a opened and the recovery valve 128d closed. For example, the 2 nd liquid 63 containing the object to be filtered 61 stored in the container 121 is supplied from the supply port 120 of the filter device 1BD into the cylindrical body 10BD by a pump or the like. At this time, the 2 nd liquid 63 passes through the filter unit 20 and flows to the outside of the cylindrical body 10 bd. Then, although the liquid amounts of the liquids 62 and 63 in the liquid holding container 101b increase, the 1 st waste liquid valve 128b is opened in advance, whereby the increased amount can be guided to the waste liquid container 104 a. Thereby, an increased amount of the liquids 62, 63 is stored as the waste liquid 110 in the waste liquid container 104 a.

As shown in fig. 26C, the 2 nd waste liquid valve 128C is opened to move the liquids 62 and 63 in the liquid holding container 101b to the waste liquid container 104 a. At this time, the liquid 111 in the cylindrical body 10bd flows to the outside of the cylindrical body 10bd through the filter unit 20. Therefore, the liquid 111 containing the object to be filtered 61 inside the cylindrical body 10bd is concentrated in the direction of the liquid collecting portion 30 bd.

As shown in fig. 26D, after the liquid surface of the liquid 111 in the cylindrical body 10bd has fallen to the lower end of the filter unit 20, the recovery valve 128D is opened. As a result, as shown in fig. 26E, the object to be filtered 61 and the liquid 111 can be moved from the liquid accumulation portion 30bd to the collection container 108 a.

(embodiment mode 4)

A filter device according to embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described. In embodiment 4, the point different from embodiment 1 will be mainly described. In embodiment 4, the same or equivalent structures as those in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In embodiment 4, description overlapping with embodiment 1 is omitted.

An example of the filtering method according to embodiment 4 will be described with reference to fig. 27 and fig. 28A to 28D. Fig. 27 is a flowchart of an example of the filtering method according to embodiment 4 of the present invention. Fig. 28A to 28D show an example of the steps of the filtration method according to embodiment 4 of the present invention.

Embodiment 4 is different from embodiment 1 in that filtration is performed in a state where the cylindrical body 10 is immersed in the liquid 66 containing the object to be filtered 61. In the present specification, the term "filtration" also includes concentration. The term "concentration" means increasing the concentration of the liquid 66 containing the object to be filtered 61. Therefore, the filtration apparatus and the filtration method according to embodiment 4 are sometimes referred to as a concentration apparatus and a concentration method, respectively.

As shown in fig. 27 and 28A, in step ST31, the filter device 1D is prepared. The filter device 1D includes: a cylindrical body 10; a filter unit 20 provided on the outer peripheral portion 11 of the cylindrical body 10; a liquid accumulation unit 30 provided below the filter unit 20; and a liquid holding container 51 for holding a liquid 66 containing the object to be filtered 61. In embodiment 3, the liquid 66 is a cell suspension, and the object 61 to be filtered is a cell.

In embodiment 4, the tubular body 10 is fixed to the liquid holding container 51. The liquid holding container 51 may be any container capable of holding the liquid 66 therein, and may be, for example, a beaker, a test tube, a tank, or the like.

As shown in fig. 27 and 28B, in step ST32, the tubular body 10 is disposed inside the liquid holding container 51 that holds the liquid 66 containing the object to be filtered 61. In step ST32, the tubular body 10 is immersed in the liquid 66, and the liquid 66 passes through the filter unit 20 and enters the interior of the tubular body 10. At this time, the object 61 to be filtered is captured by the filter unit 20. Therefore, the liquid 66 not containing the object to be filtered 61 is immersed in the interior of the cylindrical body 10. In embodiment 3, dead cells and/or garbage may be infiltrated into the tubular body 10 through the filter unit 20.

In step ST32, the liquid 66 is immersed in the interior of the cylindrical body 10 by the atmospheric pressure. Since the liquid 66 enters the interior of the cylindrical body 10 without applying pressure or the like to the liquid 66, damage to the object 61 to be filtered can be reduced.

In embodiment 4, the liquid permeability of the through-holes 21 of the filter unit 20 can be improved by immersing the tubular body 10 in the liquid 66.

As shown in fig. 27 and 28C, in step ST33, the liquid 66 inside the cylindrical body 10 is collected. In step ST33, the liquid 66 inside the tubular body 10 is collected by the collection tool 74. The recovery instrument 74 is for example a pipette or a syringe. Alternatively, the recovery device 74 may be a hollow tube connected to a pump.

In this manner, the liquid 66 inside the cylindrical body 10 is collected by sucking the liquid 66 inside the cylindrical body 10 by the collection tool 74.

In embodiment 4, the front end of the collection tool 74 is disposed inside the liquid collecting unit 30 provided below the cylindrical body 10. This makes it difficult for the force of suction of the liquid 66 by the recovery tool 74 to be transmitted to the object 61, and damage to the object 61 can be reduced.

As shown in fig. 28D, when the liquid 66 in the cylindrical body 10 is continuously recovered by the recovery device 74 and the liquid surface of the liquid 66 in the liquid holding container 51 is lowered to the lower end 23 of the filter unit 20, that is, the opening of the liquid collecting unit 30, the liquid 66 does not enter the cylindrical body 10 any more. Thereby, the filtration is ended.

In embodiment 4, the amount of the collected liquid 66 can also be controlled by the position of the lower end 23 of the filter unit 20.

[ Effect ]

According to the filtration device 1D and the filtration recovery method according to embodiment 4, the following effects can be exhibited.

In the filtration method using the filtration device 1D, the filtration is performed in a state where the cylindrical body 10 is disposed in the liquid 66 containing the object to be filtered 61 held in the liquid holding container 51. With this configuration, the efficiency of filtration can be improved. Specifically, the liquid 66 containing the object to be filtered 61 in the liquid holding container 50 can be concentrated while preventing the object to be filtered 61 from adhering to the filter unit 20.

In embodiment 4, an example in which the filter device 1D includes the liquid trap unit 30 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the filter device 1D may not include the liquid trap 30. The filter device 1D may include a tubular body 10 and a filter unit 20, the tubular body 10 having one end and the other end, the one end being provided with an opening 13, the other end being provided with an end wall 12 for closing the other end, the filter unit 20 being provided in an outer peripheral portion 11 of the tubular body 10 and having a plurality of through holes 21. Even with such a configuration, the liquid 66 containing the object to be filtered 61 in the liquid holding container 50 can be concentrated while preventing the object to be filtered 61 from adhering to the filter unit 20.

(embodiment 5)

A filter device according to embodiment 5 of the present invention will be described. In embodiment 5, the point different from embodiment 4 will be mainly described. In embodiment 5, the same or equivalent structures as those in embodiment 4 will be denoted by the same reference numerals. In embodiment 5, the description overlapping with embodiment 4 is omitted.

Fig. 29 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a filter device 1E according to embodiment 4 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 29, embodiment 4 is different from embodiment 3 in that the filter device 1E includes a component capable of driving the cylindrical body 10 in the vertical direction (Z direction).

Specifically, the filter device 1E includes: a cylindrical body 10; a filter unit 20 provided on the outer peripheral portion 11 of the cylindrical body 10; a liquid accumulation unit 30 provided below the filter unit 20; and a liquid holding container 52 for holding a liquid 66 containing the object to be filtered 61. The filter device 1E includes a driving unit 18 connected to the tubular body 10 and a control unit 19 for controlling the driving unit 18 as a structure for driving the tubular body 10 in the vertical direction.

An example of the filtering method according to embodiment 5 will be described with reference to fig. 30 and fig. 31A to 31D. Fig. 30 is a flowchart of an example of the filtering method according to embodiment 4 of the present invention. Fig. 31A to 31D show an example of the steps of the filtration method according to embodiment 4 of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 30, in step ST41, a filter device 1E (see fig. 29) is prepared. In embodiment 4, the liquid 66 is a cell suspension and the object 61 to be filtered is a cell in the liquid holding container 52. The liquid holding container 52 may be any container capable of holding the liquid 66 therein, and may be, for example, a beaker, a test tube, a tank, or the like.

As shown in fig. 30 and 31A, in step ST42, the tubular body 10 is disposed inside the liquid holding container 52 that holds the liquid 66 containing the object to be filtered 61. In step ST42, the tubular body 10 is immersed in the liquid 66, and the liquid 66 passes through the filter unit 20 and enters the interior of the tubular body 10. At this time, the object 61 to be filtered is captured by the filter unit 20. Therefore, the object 61 does not enter the inside of the cylindrical body 10, and the liquid 66 not containing the object 61 enters the inside of the cylindrical body 10.

As shown in fig. 30 and 31B, in step ST43, the liquid 66 inside the cylindrical body 10 is collected. In step ST43, the liquid 66 inside the tubular body 10 is collected by the collection tool 74. In embodiment 4, the liquid 66 is collected by disposing the tip of the collection tool 74 in the liquid accumulating portion 30 and sucking the liquid 66 in the cylindrical body 10 from the tip of the collection tool 74. For example, the liquid 66 inside the cylindrical body 10 is collected by the collection device 74 until the liquid surface of the liquid 66 inside the liquid holding container 52 becomes the same height as the lower end 23 of the filter unit 20 and the liquid 66 does not enter the inside of the cylindrical body 10 through the filter unit 20.

As shown in fig. 30 and 31C, in step ST44, the tubular body 10 is moved downward by the driving unit 18. In embodiment 4, the driving unit 18 is controlled by the control unit 19. For example, the control unit 19 acquires information on the position of the liquid surface of the liquid 66 held in the liquid holding container 52 and information on the position of the cylindrical body 10 by the detection unit. The control unit 19 controls the driving unit 18 based on the information, and moves the tubular body 10 downward.

The cylindrical body 10 moves downward, so that the liquid 66 held in the liquid holding container 52 passes through the filter unit 20 again and enters the inside of the cylindrical body 10.

As shown in fig. 30 and 31D, in step ST45, the liquid 66 inside the cylindrical body 10 is collected. In step ST45, the liquid 66 in the tubular body 10 is collected by the collection tool 74, similarly to step ST 43.

When the liquid 66 in the cylindrical body 10 is continuously recovered by the recovery device 74 and the liquid surface of the liquid 66 in the liquid holding container 51 is lowered to the lower end 23 of the filter unit 20, that is, the opening of the liquid accumulating unit 30, the liquid 66 does not enter the cylindrical body 10 any more. Thereby, the filtration is ended.

In embodiment 5 as well, the amount of the liquid 66 to be collected can be controlled by the position of the lower end 23 of the filter unit 20, as in embodiment 3.

[ Effect ]

According to the filtration device 1E and the filtration and collection method according to embodiment 5, the following effects can be exhibited.

In the filtration method using the filtration device 1E, the filtration is performed in a state where the cylindrical body 10 is disposed in the liquid 66 containing the object to be filtered 61 held in the liquid holding container 51. Further, the structure in which the cylindrical body 10 is driven in the vertical direction is included. With this configuration, the efficiency of filtration can be improved. Specifically, the liquid 66 containing the object to be filtered 61 in the liquid holding container 50 can be concentrated while preventing the object to be filtered 61 from adhering to the filter unit 20. Further, by driving the tubular body 10 in the vertical direction, the amount of the liquid 66 remaining in the liquid holding container 52 can be controlled.

In other words, the amount of the remaining liquid in the liquid holding container 52 can be controlled, and the concentration of the concentrated water can be adjusted.

In embodiment 5, an example in which the driving section 18 moves the tubular body 10 downward has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The driving unit 18 may move the cylindrical body 10 upward. For example, when the opening 13 of the cylindrical body 10 becomes lower than the liquid surface of the liquid 66 in the liquid holding container 52, the driving unit 18 may move the cylindrical body 10 upward.

In embodiment 5, an example in which the collection of the liquid 66 in steps ST43 and ST45 and the movement of the cylindrical body 10 in step ST44 are performed by different steps has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Steps ST43 to ST45 may be performed simultaneously.

For example, in the filtration method according to embodiment 5, the liquid 66 in the cylindrical body 10 may be collected by the collection device 70 while the cylindrical body 10 is moved downward by the driving unit 18. This enables filtration to be performed in a short time, and the filtration efficiency can be further improved.

In embodiment 5, an example in which the filter device 1E includes the driving unit 18 and the control unit 19 as a structure for moving the tubular body 10 in the vertical direction has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The filter device 1E may have a structure that can move the cylindrical body 10 in the height direction (Z direction).

Fig. 32 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a filter device 1F according to a modification of embodiment 5 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 32, the filter device 1F includes, as components for moving the cylindrical body 10 in the height direction, a float (float)80 connected to the cylindrical body 10, a connecting wire 81 connected to the float 80, and a fixing portion 82 connected to the connecting wire 81. In the filter device 1F, other components are the same as those of the filter device 1E.

The float 80 is connected to the outer peripheral portion 11 of the cylindrical body 10. Specifically, the float 80 is disposed above the filter portion 20. The float 80 holds the cylindrical body 10 while floating on the liquid 66. That is, the float 80 floats in the liquid 66 together with the cylindrical body 10, and holds the cylindrical body 10 near the liquid surface of the liquid 66.

The connection line 81 is connected to the float 80 and the fixing portion 83. Specifically, one end of the connection line 81 is connected to the float 80, and the other end of the connection line 81 is connected to the fixing portion 82. In the filter device 1F, the length of the connection line 81 is adjusted, whereby the remaining liquid of the liquid 66 in the liquid holding container 52 can be adjusted.

For example, in a state where the cylindrical body 10 is held by the float 80 and floats on the liquid 66, the connection line 81 is bent. On the other hand, when the liquid 66 in the cylindrical body 10 is continuously collected by the collection tool 74, the liquid surface of the liquid 66 in the liquid holding container 52 is continuously lowered. The connecting line 81 extends downward as the liquid level decreases. When the connecting wire 81 is extended to the maximum, the downward movement of the tubular body 10 is stopped. That is, in a state where the connection line 81 is maximally extended, the cylindrical body 10 is held by the connection line 81.

The fixing portion 82 is connected to the connection line 81. The fixing portion 82 is fixed to a place different from the cylindrical body 10 and the float 80. For example, the fixing portion 82 may be fixed to the liquid holding container 52.

In the filter device 1D, the liquid 66 in the cylindrical body 10 is collected by the collection device 74 in a state where the float 80 floats on the liquid 66 in a state where the cylindrical body 10 is held. The liquid surface of the liquid 66 in the liquid holding container 52 is lowered as the liquid 66 in the tubular body 10 is collected by the collection tool 74. The float 80 floats on the liquid 66, thereby holding the cylindrical body 10. Therefore, the liquid level of the liquid 66 is lowered, and the cylindrical body 10 also moves downward.

Here, the fixing portion 82 is fixed to the liquid holding container 52, for example. One end of the connection line 81 is connected to the float 80, and the other end of the connection line 81 is connected to the fixing portion 82. Therefore, the connecting line 81 is continuously extended with the lowering of the float 80. When the length of the connection line 81 is extended to the maximum, the cylindrical body 10 is held by the connection line 81, and the lowering of the cylindrical body 10 is stopped.

Fig. 33 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the operation of the filter device 1F according to the modification of embodiment 4 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 33, the cylindrical body 10 is held by the connection line 81 in a state where the length of the connection line 81 is extended to the maximum. Thus, even if the liquid surface of the liquid 66 in the liquid holding container 52 is lowered, the cylindrical body 10 does not move downward any more. In this state, the liquid 66 in the tubular body 10 is collected by the collection device 74.

When the recovery of the liquid 66 is continued by the recovery device 74, the liquid surface of the liquid 66 in the liquid holding container 52 comes below the lower end 23 of the filter unit 20, and the liquid 66 no longer passes through the filter unit 20 and enters the interior of the cylindrical body 10. Thereby, the amount of the liquid 66 in the liquid holding container 52 can be adjusted.

In this manner, in the filter device 1F, the amount of the liquid 66 remaining in the liquid holding container 52 can be adjusted by the float 80 and the connecting line 81. Specifically, the position of the cylindrical body 10 in the height direction (Z direction) can be determined by adjusting the length of the connection line 81, and the amount of the liquid 66 remaining in the liquid holding container 52 can be adjusted.

(embodiment mode 6)

A filter device according to embodiment 6 of the present invention will be described. In embodiment 6, the point different from embodiment 4 will be mainly described. In embodiment 6, the same or equivalent structures as those in embodiment 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In embodiment 6, the description overlapping with embodiment 4 is omitted.

Fig. 34 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of the filter device 1G according to embodiment 6 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 34, embodiment 6 is different from embodiment 4 in that the filtration is performed in a state where the cylindrical body 10 is arranged in the horizontal direction (XY direction).

The filter device 1G includes: a cylindrical body 10b having one end and the other end, provided with a1 st end wall 12b closing the one end and provided with a2 nd end wall 12c closing the other end; and a filter unit 20 provided on the outer peripheral portion 11 of the tubular body 10b and having a plurality of through holes 21. The filter device 1G further includes a hollow tube 75 penetrating the 1 st end wall 12b, and a pump 76 connected to the hollow tube 75. Further, the filter device 1G includes a liquid holding container 53 for holding a liquid 67 containing the object to be filtered 61.

In embodiment 6, the liquid 67 is a cell suspension, and the object 61 is a cell.

The 1 st end wall 12b is provided with a through hole to which the hollow tube 75 is fitted. The tip of the hollow tube 75 is disposed inside the cylindrical body 10b through the through hole of the 1 st end wall 12 b.

In embodiment 6, the 2 nd end wall 12c is formed in a concave shape recessed toward the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the tubular body 10 b. The filter unit 20 is provided over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral portion 11 of the cylindrical body 10 b.

An example of the operation (filtering method) of the filtering apparatus 1G will be described with reference to fig. 35A and 35B. Fig. 35A and 35B show an example of the operation of the filter device 1G according to embodiment 5 of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 35A, the cylindrical body 10b is arranged in the horizontal direction (XY direction) inside the liquid holding container 53. Thereby, the cylindrical body 10b is immersed in the liquid 67 containing the object to be filtered 61. The liquid 67 passes through the filter unit 20 and enters the interior of the cylindrical body 10b, while the object 61 to be filtered is captured by the filter unit 20.

By arranging the cylindrical body 10b in the horizontal direction, the liquid 67 is easily introduced into the cylindrical body 10 b. Therefore, when the liquid 67 in the cylindrical body 10b is collected, suction and collection can be performed at a lower pressure than when the cylindrical body 10b is disposed in the vertical direction.

The liquid 67 in the cylindrical body 10b is collected by the hollow tube 75 and the pump 76. Specifically, the pump 76 sucks the liquid 67 in the cylindrical body 10b through the hollow tube 75. Thus, the liquid 67 in the liquid holding container 53 is moved into the cylindrical body 10b through the filter unit 20, and is collected by the pump 76 and the hollow pipe 75.

As shown in fig. 35B, the liquid 67 is collected from the inside of the cylindrical body 10B until the liquid surface of the liquid 67 in the liquid holding container 53 reaches the lower end of the hollow tube 75.

[ Effect ]

According to the filtration device 1G and the filtration recovery method according to embodiment 6, the following effects can be exhibited.

In the filtration method using the filtration apparatus 1G, the liquid 67 including the object 61 to be filtered is filtered while the cylindrical body 10b is arranged in the horizontal direction (XY direction) inside the liquid holding container 53. With this configuration, the efficiency of filtration can be improved. Specifically, by arranging the cylindrical body 10b in the horizontal direction, the liquid 67 easily passes through the filter unit 20 and enters the inside of the cylindrical body 10 b. Therefore, in the filtration method using the filtration device 1G, suction and recovery can be performed at a pressure lower than that in the case where the cylindrical body is arranged in the vertical direction (Z direction). Therefore, the cell is less damaged by the pressure, and the activity of the cell is easily maintained.

In embodiment 6, an example in which the 2 nd end wall 12c is formed in a concave shape that is concave toward the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the tubular body 10b has been described, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the 2 nd end wall 12c may be formed in a flat plate shape.

In embodiment 6, the filter device 1G has been described as an example of the hollow pipe 75 and the pump 76 as a configuration for recovering the liquid 67 in the cylindrical body 10b, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the filter device 1G may be configured not to include the pump 76, but to collect the liquid 67 by disposing the hollow tube 75 at a position lower than the cylindrical body 10 b.

In embodiment 6, an example in which the filter unit 20 is provided over the entire circumference of the outer circumferential portion 11 of the cylindrical body 10b has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the filter unit 20 may be provided on at least a part of the outer peripheral portion 11 of the cylindrical body 10 b.

Fig. 36 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a filter device 1H according to a modification of embodiment 5 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 36, in the filter device 1H, the filter portion 20a may be provided at half the circumference or less of the outer circumferential portion 11.

In the filtration method using the filtration device 1H, when the cylindrical body 10c is arranged in the horizontal direction (XY direction), the portion provided with the filter unit 20a is arranged below the outer peripheral portion 11 of the cylindrical body 10c as compared with the portion not provided with the filter unit 20 a. This can prevent the filter object 61 from clogging the through-holes 21 of the filter unit 20 a. That is, in the filter device 1H, clogging of the filter unit 20a can be suppressed, and damage to the object 61 to be filtered can be reduced.

(example 1)

As example 1, the cell suspension was subjected to cross-flow filtration using the filtration apparatus 1A of embodiment 1, and after the filtration was completed, the cell suspension stored in the liquid collecting unit 30 was collected. Then, the recovery rate of the cell suspension (liquid) and the recovery rate of the cells were measured. Table 1 shows the state of the cell suspension used in example 1. In addition, as for the Cell concentration, an image analysis type cytometer (Counter II FL Automated Cell Counter manufactured by Thermo Fisher) was used. The determination of the viability and death of the cells was carried out by trypan blue exclusion.

[ Table 1]

Cells	HL-60
		Size of cell	12μm
Concentration of introduced cells	2×106Cells/ml
		Amount of liquid introduced	2ml

Next, the conditions of the filtration apparatus 1A of example 1 are shown in table 2.

[ Table 2]

Outside diameter of container	11mm
		Inner diameter of the container	9mm
Height of the container	47mm
		Outer diameter of filter part	12mm
Thickness of filter part	2um
		Shape of through hole	Square shape
Arrangement of through holes	Square lattice arrangement
		Size of through hole	One side of 6 μm
Interval of through hole	8.5μm
		Opening ratio	50％
Volume of liquid accumulating part	1ml

In example 1, 8 experiments were performed under the same conditions. In the experiment, 2ml of the cell suspension shown in table 1 was introduced into the filtration apparatus 1A, and the reaction was allowed to wait for 2 minutes until the liquid 60 was no longer discharged from the filtration unit 20. Then, the cell suspension stored in the liquid accumulating unit 30 was collected by a pipette. After the recovery, the liquid volume and the number of cells of the recovered cell suspension were measured, and the recovery rate of the cell suspension and the recovery rate of the cells were calculated with respect to the target recovery liquid volume (1 ml). In the measurement of the liquid volume, the scale of the liquid volume marked on the pipette is used, and the above-mentioned cytometer is used for the cell concentration. Table 3 shows the results of calculation of the recovery rate of the cell suspension and the recovery rate of the cells. In Table 3, the "recovery rate of the cell suspension with respect to the target recovery liquid volume (1 ml)" is a value obtained by dividing the "liquid volume of the cell suspension to be recovered" by 1ml and multiplying the value by 100. The "recovery rate of cells" is defined as the value contained in the recovered cell suspensionViable cell number divided by 4X 10⁶And set to a value of 100 times.

[ Table 3]

As shown in table 3, according to the filter device 1A, the recovery rate of cells was high, and the cells could be easily recovered. Further, since the recovery rate of the cell suspension with respect to the target recovery liquid volume (1ml) also showed a high value, it was found that a desired liquid volume can be recovered by recovering the cell suspension stored in the liquid accumulating unit 30. Furthermore, since the activity of the cells recovered in example 1 was maintained, it was also known that the method was a manipulation method with less damage to the cells.

(example 2)

As example 2, the cell suspension was filtered while the tubular body 10 was immersed in the 1 st liquid PBS by using the filtration apparatus 1C of embodiment 2, and the filtration was continued for 2 minutes. Then, 2ml of PBS was added for the purpose of washing the cells. Then, the cell suspension stored in the liquid accumulating unit 30 was collected by a pipette, and the recovery rate of the cells was measured. Table 4 shows the state of the cell suspension used in example 2. The conditions of the filter device 1C of example 2 were the same as those of the filter device 1A of example 1 (see table 2).

[ Table 4]

Cells	HL-60
		Size of cell	12μm
Concentration of introduced cells	2.05×106Cells/ml
		Amount of liquid introduced	2ml

As reference example 1, after filtration of a cell suspension in the air, the cells were washed in the air, and then the cell suspension was recovered, and the recovery rate of the cells was measured. Reference example 1 also includes a tubular body, a filter unit provided on the outer periphery of the tubular body, and a liquid collecting unit provided below the filter unit. Reference example 1 is different from example 2 in that the liquid 1 is not used. That is, the present invention is different from example 2 in that the filtration and the cleaning are performed in the atmosphere without immersing the cylindrical body in the liquid.

Table 5 shows the results of measurement of the recovery rate of the cells in example 1.

[ Table 5]

Number of trials	1 st time	2 nd time	3 rd time	4 th time
					Recovery ratio of cells (%)	85	82	88	73

After the above operation, the tubular body 10 was again immersed in PBS held in the liquid holding container 50, 2ml of PBS was put into the container through the opening 13, and the container was lifted up from the liquid holding container 50, and the cell suspension was collected. The results are shown in Table 6. The lowest stage of table 6 is the sum of the cell recovery rates shown in tables 5 and 6.

[ Table 6]

Number of trials	1 st time	2 nd time	3 rd time	4 th time
					Number of cells recovered (× 10)6One)	0.3	0.47	0.28	0.38
Recovery ratio of cells (%)	7	11	7	9
					Recovery of cellsTotal of (2) (%)	92	93	95	81

Table 7 shows the results of measurement of the recovery rate of cells in reference example 1.

[ Table 7]

In example 2, as shown in the bottom of table 6, the cell recovery rates were 92%, 93%, 95%, and 81%, and the cell recovery rate was high. On the other hand, in reference example 1, the cell recovery rates were 43%, 58%, 49.2%, and 59.2%, as shown in table 7. As described above, in example 2, the recovery rate of cells was improved as compared with reference example 1.

In reference example 1, the cell suspension was filtered in the air, and then the cells were washed in the air. Specifically, 2ml of PBS was introduced as a washing solution into the interior of the cylindrical body 10 disposed in the atmosphere from the opening of the cylindrical body, and the cells were washed. When the cleaning solution is introduced, the cells are stirred and attached to the filter portion inside the cylindrical body. Thus, it can be considered that: when the cleaning liquid is discharged from the filter unit 20, the cells are pressed into the through-holes of the filter unit, and clogging occurs. Therefore, it can be considered that: in reference example 1, the recovery rate was decreased as compared with example 1. Further, it can be considered that: as the amount of the cleaning liquid increases or the introduction speed of the cleaning liquid increases, clogging tends to occur more easily, which may result in a decrease in the recovery rate.

In example 2, since the filtration and the washing were performed in a state in which the tubular body 10 was immersed in the liquid, the cells were suppressed from being pressed against the filter unit. Specifically, in example 3, in the case where the filtration and the cleaning are performed in a state of being immersed in the liquid, the solution and the cleaning liquid are diffused through the filter unit 20. Therefore, in example 1, the flow rate of the liquid passing through the filter unit 20 was not increased as compared with reference example 1, and the cells were not easily pushed against the filter unit, and clogging was not easily caused. As a result, it is considered that: in example 2, the recovery rate of cells was higher than that in comparative example 1.

The present invention has been fully described in connection with preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, but various modifications and alterations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It should be understood that such changes and modifications are encompassed within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims.

Industrial applicability

The filter device of the present invention is useful in an industrial field requiring a general filtering operation. In particular, since filtration can be performed while maintaining cell activity, it is useful in the fields of drug efficacy research, production of regenerative medicine, and the like.

Description of the symbols

1A, 1AA, 1AB, 1AC, 1AD, 1AE, 1AF, 1AG, 1B, 1BA, 1BB, 1BC, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H filtration device;

10. 10b, 10ba, 10bb cylinders;

11. 11ba, 11b, 11bc outer peripheral portions;

11aa flange portion;

12. 12ba end wall;

12b the 1 st end wall;

12c a2 nd end wall;

13. 13a, 13bc openings;

14 a frame member;

15 is opened;

16 inner surface;

17 an outer surface;

18 a drive section;

19a control unit;

20. 20a, 20ac, 20ad, 20ae filter sections;

21 through holes;

22 a filter base portion;

23, lower end;

30. liquid collecting parts 30aa, 30ab, 30ac, 30ba, 30bb, 30bc and 30 bd;

31a connecting part;

32 a lowermost end;

33. 33aa, 33ba inner wall;

34. 34ba outer wall;

35 an inclined portion;

36 protruding setting part;

37 a valve;

40 a liquid holding container;

41 bottom part;

42 side walls;

43 opening;

50. 51, 52 liquid holding containers;

60 liquid;

61 filtering the object;

62. 63, 64, 65, 66 liquids;

70 a recovery device;

71. 72, 73 pipettes;

74 a recovery appliance;

75 a hollow tube;

76 a pump;

80 a float;

81 connecting lines;

82 a fixing part;

90 a grip portion;

91 a cover;

100A, 100B, 100C filtration systems;

101. 101a, 101b liquid holding containers;

102. 102a flow path;

a 103 valve;

104. 104a waste liquid container;

105 a waste liquid flow path;

106 switching valves;

107 a sample container;

108. 108a recovery vessel;

110 waste liquid;

111 a liquid;

120 a supply port;

121 a container;

122 flow path;

123a waste port 1;

123b waste 2 port;

124 a flow path;

125 a flow path;

126 a recovery port;

127 a flow path;

128a, 128b, 128c, 128d valves;

129 filter.