Patent Publication Number: US-2019185808-A1

Title: Cell culture system, culture unit, automatic cell culture device, and cell culture device for transport

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is a U.S. national stage application under U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2017/030358 filed on Aug. 24, 2017, which claims the benefit of foreign priority to Japanese Patent Application No. JP 201.6-1.66129 filed on Aug. 26, 2016. The International Application was published in Japanese on Mar. 1, 2018, as International Publication No. WO 2018/038214 A1 under PCT Article 21(2). 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a cell culture system, a culture unit, an automatic cell culture device, and a cell culture device for transport. This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-166129, filed on Aug. 26, 2016 and claims the benefit of priority thereto; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     For example, in Patent Literature 1, a cell culture device including a cell culture unit performing three-dimensional culture, a liquid feeding unit feeding various medicinal solutions, a culture solution, a waste solution, and the like, is disclosed as a cell culture device. The cell culture device is a device for culturing a cell on a suspended carrier in the culture solution, and is provided with a control unit controlling each unit, in order to automatically perform an operation such as medium replacement and passage, which was manually performed by an operator in the related art. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-142550 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     However, recently, the cell culture system has been required to efficiently perform the culture, according to the expansion of application with respect to the medical field. In addition, there is a case where a location where the cell culture is performed, is different from a location where the cultured cell is used, but the transport of the cultured cell has not been sufficiently considered. 
     In the present disclosure, a cell culture system capable of performing transport with suppressing the degradation in quality, while efficiently performing cell culture, and a culture unit, an automatic cell culture device, and a cell culture device for transport, provided in the cell culture system, will be described. 
     Solution to Problem 
     A cell culture system according to one aspect of the present disclosure, is a cell culture system including: a culture unit including a culture tank for culturing a cell in a culture solution; an automatic cell culture device automatically controlling the culture of the cell in the culture unit; and a cell culture device for transport, controlling the culture of the cell in the culture unit at the time of transporting the culture unit, in which the culture unit includes the culture tank in a shape in which a horizontal sectional area upwardly increases, and a circulation route for circulating the culture solution such that the culture solution forms an upward flow in the culture tank, the automatic cell culture device includes a first container capable of containing the culture unit, a first culture environment adjustment unit including a first culture solution supply unit supplying the culture solution to the culture tank of the culture unit contained in the first container, and a first cell collection unit collecting the cell in the culture tank, and adjusting a culture environment in the culture tank of the culture unit contained in the first container, and a first control unit controlling the circulation of the culture solution along the circulation route of the culture unit, and controlling the adjustment of the culture environment of the first culture environment adjustment unit, and the cell culture device for transport includes a second container capable of containing the culture unit, and a second control unit controlling the circulation of the culture solution along the circulation route of the culture unit contained in the second container, 
     Effects of Invention 
     According to the present disclosure, it is possible to perform transport with suppressing the degradation in quality, while efficiently performing cell culture. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an automatic cell culture device of a cell culture system. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a cell culture device for transport of the cell culture system. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating the automatic cell culture device and a culture unit of the cell culture system. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a movement of a culture solution in a culture tank of the culture unit. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating the cell culture device for transport and the culture unit of the cell culture system. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a modification example of the culture unit. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating a modification example of the culture unit. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     A cell culture system according to one aspect of the present disclosure, is a cell culture system including: a culture unit including a culture tank for culturing a cell in a culture solution; an automatic cell culture device automatically controlling the culture of the cell in the culture unit; and a cell culture device for transport, controlling the culture of the cell in the culture unit at the time of transporting the culture unit, in which the culture unit includes the culture tank in a shape in which a horizontal sectional area upwardly increases, and a circulation route for circulating the culture solution such that the culture solution forms an upward flow in the culture tank, the automatic cell culture device includes a first container capable of containing the culture unit, a first culture environment adjustment unit including a first culture solution supply unit supplying the culture solution to the culture tank of the culture unit contained in the first container, and a first cell collection unit collecting the cell in the culture tank, and adjusting a culture environment in the culture tank of the culture unit contained in the first container, and a first control unit controlling the circulation of the culture solution along the circulation route of the culture unit, and controlling the adjustment of the culture environment of the first culture environment adjustment unit, and the cell culture device for transport includes a second container capable of containing the culture unit, and a second control unit controlling the circulation of the culture solution along the circulation route of the culture unit contained in the second container. 
     In addition, a culture unit according to one aspect of the present disclosure, is a culture unit provided in the cell culture system described above, the unit including: the culture tank in a shape in which a horizontal sectional area upwardly increases; and a circulation route for circulating the culture solution such that the culture solution forms an upward flow in the culture tank, in which the culture unit is removable with respect to the automatic cell culture device and the cell culture device for transport. 
     In addition, an automatic cell culture device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, is an automatic cell culture device provided in the cell culture system including a culture unit including a culture tank for culturing a cell in a culture solution, an automatic cell culture device automatically controlling the culture of the cell in the culture unit, and a cell culture device for transport, controlling the culture of the cell in the culture unit at the time of transporting the culture unit, the device including: a first container capable of containing the culture unit including the culture tank in a shape in which a horizontal sectional area upwardly increases, and a circulation route for circulating the culture solution such that the culture solution forms an upward flow in the culture tank; a first culture environment adjustment unit including a first culture solution supply unit supplying the culture solution to the culture tank of the culture unit contained in the first container, and a first cell collection unit collecting the cell in the culture tank, and adjusting a culture environment in the culture tank of the culture unit contained in the first container; and a first control unit controlling the circulation of the culture solution along the circulation route of the culture unit contained in the first container, and controlling the adjustment of the culture environment of the first culture environment adjustment unit. 
     In addition, a cell culture device for transport according to one aspect of the present disclosure, is a cell culture device provided in the cell culture system including a culture unit including a culture tank for culturing a cell in a culture solution, an automatic cell culture device automatically controlling the culture of the cell in the culture unit, and a cell culture device for transport, controlling the culture of the cell in the culture unit at the time of transporting the culture unit, the device including: a second container capable of containing the culture unit including the culture tank in a shape in which a horizontal sectional area upwardly increases, and a circulation route for circulating the culture solution such that the culture solution forms an upward flow in the culture tank; and a second control unit controlling the circulation of the culture solution along the circulation route of the culture unit contained in the second container. 
     According to the cell culture system, and the culture unit, the automatic cell culture device, and the cell culture device for transport, provided in the cell culture system, in a state where the culture unit is contained in the first container of the automatic cell culture device, the circulation the of the culture solution on the circulation route in the culture unit is controlled by the first control unit, and thus, the culture of the cell is performed in a state where the upward flow of the culture solution is formed in the culture tank. At this time, the culture solution is supplied from the first culture solution supply unit of the first culture environment adjustment unit, and the cell cultured by the first cell collection unit, is collected, and thus, it is possible to automatically perform the cell culture. On the other hand, in a state where the culture unit is contained in the second container of the cell culture device for transport, the circulation of the culture solution on the circulation route in the culture unit is controlled by the second control unit, and thus, the culture of the cell is performed in a state where the upward flow of the culture solution is formed in the culture tank. For this reason, even in a state where the culture unit is attached to the cell culture device for transport, the circulation of the culture solution is controlled, and the culture of the cell is continued. Therefore, in the automatic cell culture device, it is possible to efficiently perform the cell culture, and it is possible to perform the transport with suppressing the degradation in quality by the cell culture device for transport, at the time of performing the transport. 
     Here, the culture unit is capable of including identification information for specifying the culture unit, which is individually applied, a storage unit storing information relevant to the culture of the cell in the culture unit, in association with the identification information, can be further provided, and the first control unit of the automatic cell culture device and the second control unit of the cell culture device for transport are capable of respectively acquiring the information relevant to the culture of the cell in the culture unit, from the storage unit, on the basis of the identification information, and performing control relevant to the culture unit, on the basis of the information. 
     According to the configuration described above, the identification information for specifying the culture unit is individually applied, and the information relevant to the cell culture is stored in the storage unit, in association with the identification information. Therefore, in the first control unit of the automatic cell culture device and the second control unit of the cell culture device for transport, it is possible to acquire the information relevant to the cell culture in the culture unit from the storage unit by using the identification information, and to perform control using the information, and thus, it is possible to more suitably perform the control relevant to the cell culture of the culture unit, for each culture unit. 
     In addition, the culture unit is capable of further including a vibration suppression unit for suppressing a vibration of the culture tank. 
     As described above, in the case of including the vibration suppression unit for suppressing the vibration of the culture tank of the culture unit, it is possible to prevent the vibration from affecting the cell culture in the culture tank, at the time of performing the transport by attaching the culture unit to the cell culture device for transport. 
     In addition, the automatic cell culture device is capable of further including a first cell distribution detection unit detecting a distribution of the cell in the culture tank of the culture unit contained in the first container, and the first control unit is capable of controlling a supply amount per unit time of the culture solution to be supplied to the culture tank by the first culture solution supply unit, on the basis of the distribution of the cell in the culture tank, detected by the first cell distribution detection unit. 
     As described above, the supply amount per unit time of the culture solution to be supplied to the culture tank, is controlled on the basis of the distribution of the cell in the culture tank, detected by the first cell distribution detection unit, and thus, in a case where the distribution of the cell in the culture tank is changed from the assumed situation, it is possible to automatically control the supply amount per unit time of the culture solution in order to correct the change. Therefore, it is possible to more preferably control the supply amount of the culture solution according to the growth of the cell, while stabilizing the flow of the culture solution in the culture tank. 
     In addition, the automatic cell culture device is capable of further including a first culture environment detection unit detecting the culture environment in the culture tank of the culture unit contained in the first container, and the first control unit is capable of controlling the adjustment of the culture environment of the first culture environment adjustment unit, on the basis of the culture environment in the culture tank, detected by the first culture environment detection unit. 
     As described above, the adjustment of the first culture environment adjustment unit adjusting the culture solution to be supplied to the culture tank, is controlled on the basis of the culture environment in the culture tank, detected by the first culture environment detection unit, and thus, it is possible to automatically control the adjustment for improving the culture environment in the culture tank. Therefore, it is possible to preferably maintain the culture environment according to the growth of the cell in the culture tank. 
     In addition, the cell culture device for transport is capable of further including a second culture environment adjustment unit including a second culture solution supply unit supplying the culture solution to the culture tank of the culture unit contained in the second container, and a second cell collection unit collecting the cell in the culture tank, and the second control unit is capable of controlling the second culture environment adjustment unit. 
     As described above, in a case where the cell culture device for transport includes the second culture environment adjustment unit including the second culture solution supply unit and the second cell collection unit, it is possible to prevent the culture solution from being degraded due to the prolonged culture period, and to preferably perform the collection of the cultured cell, and the like, even in a case where the transport of the culture unit including the culture tank is prolonged by using the cell culture device for transport. Therefore, it is possible to preferably perform the transport of the culture unit, using the cell culture device for transport. 
     In addition, the cell culture device for transport is capable of further including a second cell distribution detection unit detecting a distribution of the cell in the culture tank of the culture unit contained in the second container, and the second control unit is capable of controlling a supply amount per unit time of the culture solution to be supplied to the culture tank by the second culture solution supply unit, on the basis of the distribution of the cell in the culture tank, detected by the second cell distribution detection unit. 
     As described above, the supply amount per unit time of the culture solution to be supplied to the culture tank, is controlled on the basis of the distribution of the cell in the culture tank, detected by the first cell distribution detection unit, and thus, in a case where the distribution of the cell in the culture tank is changed from the assumed situation, it is possible to automatically control the supply amount per unit time of the culture solution in order to correct the change. Therefore, it is possible to more preferably control the supply amount of the culture solution according to the growth of the cell, while stabilizing the flow of the culture solution in the culture tank. 
     In addition, the cell culture device for transport is capable of further including a second culture environment detection unit detecting the culture environment in the culture tank of the culture unit contained in the second container, and the second control unit is capable of controlling the adjustment of the culture environment of the second culture environment adjustment unit, on the basis of the culture environment in the culture tank, detected by the second culture environment detection unit. 
     As described above, the adjustment of the second culture environment adjustment unit adjusting the culture solution to be supplied to the culture tank, is controlled on the basis of the culture environment in the culture tank, detected by the second culture environment detection unit, and thus, it is possible to automatically control the adjustment for improving the culture environment in the culture tank. Therefore, it is possible to preferably maintain the culture environment according to the growth of the cell in the culture tank. 
     Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the present disclosure will be described in detail, with reference to the attached drawings. Furthermore, the same reference numerals will be applied to the same constituents in the description of the drawings, and the repeated description will be omitted. 
       FIG. 1  to  FIG. 5  are diagrams illustrating a schematic configuration of each device configuring a cell culture system according to one aspect of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, a schematic configuration of the cell culture system will be described, and then, an automatic cell culture device, a culture unit, and a cell culture device for transport, provided in the cell culture system, will be described. 
     (Schematic Configuration of Cell Culture System) 
     A cell culture system  1  according to this embodiment, includes a culture unit  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , an automatic cell culture device  100  automatically control the culture of a cell in the culture unit, and a cell culture device  200  for transport, controlling the culture of the cell in the culture unit at the time of transporting the culture unit, illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In addition,  FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating the detailed configuration of the automatic cell culture device  100  and the culture unit  10 , and  FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a culture tank. In addition,  FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating the detailed configuration of the cell culture device  200  for transport. 
     The automatic cell culture device  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , one or more containers  110  (first containers) for containing includes one or more culture units  10 , a tank unit  120  for automatic culture (a first culture environment adjustment unit) connected to each of one or more culture units  10  attached to the containers  110 , and a control unit  130  (a first control unit). The details of the culture unit  10  will be described below, and the culture unit  10  includes one culture tank for culturing the cell and a reserving tank reserving a culture solution that is circulated in the culture tank. The culture tank has a shape in which a sectional area in a horizontal direction upwardly increases, and an upward flow of the culture solution is formed in the culture tank, and thus, the culture is performed in a state where the cell is retained in a predetermined region in the culture tank. 
     The culture unit  10  including the culture tank, is configured as a unit removable from the automatic cell culture device  100 , and the removed culture unit  10  is attached to the cell culture device  200  for transport, illustrated in  FIG. 2 , and thus, it is possible to perform the transport in culture tank unit, in a state where the culture of the cell in the culture tank is continued. 
     In an example of the automatic cell culture device  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the culture unit  10  is contained in each of three containers  110 . An identification tag T is attached to each of the culture units  10 . The identification tag T, for example, is realized by an IC tag, a QR code (Registered Trademark), or the like. The culture unit  10 , as described above, is removable with respect to the automatic cell culture device  100  and the cell culture device  200  for transport. Therefore, in the identification tag T 1 , information relevant to the cell that is cultured by the culture unit  10 , is associated with information for specifying the culture unit  10 . 
     The tank unit  120  for automatic culture of the automatic cell culture device  100  indicates tanks or pumps for performing the culture of the cell in the culture tank of the culture unit  10  in the automatic cell culture device  100 . The details thereof will be described below, and for example, a tank of the culture solution to be supplied to the culture tank, a tank of a medicinal agent to be added to the culture solution, a pump for supplying the culture solution and the medicinal agent to the culture tank, and the like are included in the tank unit  120  for automatic culture. Each of the tanks and the like included in the tank unit  120  for automatic culture, and the culture unit  10  are connected to each other through a line (pipe arrangement or a pipe line) or the like. 
     The control unit  130  has a function of controlling each unit included in the culture unit  10  contained in a container  110 , and each unit included in the tank unit  120  for automatic culture, and of controlling automatic cell culture according to the culture unit  10  attached to the automatic cell culture device  100 . The details will be described below. 
     The cell culture device  200  for transport illustrated in  FIG. 2 , includes a container  210  (a second container) for containing one culture unit  10 , a tank unit  220  for transport (a second culture environment adjustment unit) that is connected to the culture unit  10  attached to the container  210 , and a control unit  230  (a second control unit). 
     The tank unit  220  for transport of the cell culture device  200  for transport indicates tanks or pumps for performing the culture of the cell in the culture tank of the culture unit  10  in the cell culture device  200  for transport. The details will be described below, and for example, a tank of the culture solution to be supplied to the culture tank, a pump for supplying the culture solution to the culture tank, and the like are included in the tank unit  220  for transport. Furthermore, in the tank unit  220  for transport of the cell culture device  200  for transport, the tank or the like is downsized and the number of tanks or the like is also reduced, compared to the tank unit  120  for automatic culture of the automatic cell culture device  100 . This is because in the tank unit  220  for transport of the cell culture device  200  for transport, a tank required for attaining the transport of the culture tank while continuing the culture of the cell, is provided by being selected. 
     The control unit  230  has a function of controlling each unit included in the culture unit  10  contained in the container  210 , and each unit included in the tank unit  220  for transport, and of controlling the cell culture of the culture unit  10  attached to the cell culture device  200  for transport. 
     The control unit  130  of the automatic cell culture device  100  and the control unit  230  of the cell culture device  200  for transport are respectively configured as a computer provided with hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM) and a read only memory (ROM) that are a main storage device, a communication module performing communication with respect to other devices, and an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk. Then, such constituents are operated, and thus, each function is exhibited. 
     (Automatic Cell Culture Device and Culture Unit) 
     Next, the automatic cell culture device  100  and the culture unit  10  will be described with reference to  FIG. 3 . In  FIG. 3 , a state in which the culture unit  10  is contained in the container  110  of the automatic cell culture device  100 , and the culture unit  10  and each unit of the tank unit  120  for automatic culture in the automatic cell culture device  100  are connected to each other through the line, is illustrated. In addition, in  FIG. 3 , the control unit  130  of the automatic cell culture device  100  is also illustrated. That is, in each of the units included in the automatic cell culture device  100  illustrated in the  FIG. 3 , each of the units except for the control unit  130 , is included in the tank unit  120  for automatic culture, and corresponds to the first culture environment adjustment unit of the automatic cell culture device  100 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the culture unit  10  includes a culture tank  11  of performing three-dimensional culture of the cell suspended in a culture solution F 1 , a circulation pump  12  for circulating the culture solution F 1  such that the culture solution F 1  forms a circulation upward flow in the culture tank, and an oxygen supply tank  13  supplying oxygen to the culture solution F 1 , which is provided in the middle of the circulation of the culture solution F 1 . In the culture unit  10 , a circulation route of the culture solution is configured by a line connecting the culture tank  11 , the circulation pump  12 , and the oxygen supply tank  13  to each other. The culture tank  11  and the oxygen supply tank  13  are connected to each other through a first circulation line L 1 , and the culture solution F 1  extracted from an upper end portion of the culture tank  11 , is fed to the oxygen supply tank  13  through the first circulation line L 1 . The oxygen supply tank  13  and the circulation pump  12  are connected to each other through a second circulation line L 2 , and the culture solution F 1  to which oxygen is supplied as necessary in the oxygen supply tank  13 , is fed to the circulation pump  12  through the second circulation line L 2 . The circulation pump  12  and the culture tank  11  are connected to each other through a third circulation line L 3 , the culture solution F 1  fed from the circulation pump  12  is supplied to a lower end of the culture tank  11  through the third circulation line L 3 . The culture solution F 1  supplied through the third circulation line L 3 , is moved in the circulation upward flow from the lower side to the upper side of the culture tank  11 , and is fed from the first circulation line L 1  to the outside of the culture tank 
     The culture tank  11  included in the culture unit  10 , will be further described with reference to  FIG. 4 . The culture tank  11  has a shape in which the sectional area in the horizontal direction upwardly increases. For example, the culture tank  11  can be in an inverted conical shape, as the shape described above, but the shape of the culture tank  11  is not limited to the inverted conical shape. The culture tank  11  is filled with the culture solution F 1 . In addition, in the culture tank  11 , a culture region A is formed in which a cell or a carrier to which the cell is attached float in a predetermined height range. Hereinafter, the cell or the carrier to which the cell is attached, will be referred to as a culture cell. 
     The content of the culture tank  11  is riot particularly limited, but can be approximately 10 mL to 10,000 mL. The content of the culture tank  11  can be suitably selected on the basis of the amount of cell to be cultured in one culture tank  11 , the size of a cell mass, or the like. In addition, the content of the culture tank  11  can be selected according to handling properties of the culture tank  11 , or the like. For example, in a case where the content of the culture tank  2  is approximately 50 mL to 500 mL, the handling properties as the single culture tank  11  or the culture unit  10 , are improved. 
     The third circulation line L 3  is connected to the lower end of the culture tank  11 . In addition, the first circulation line L 1  is connected to an upper end of the culture tank  11 . 
     In the culture tank  11 , the upward flow of the culture solution F 1  is formed.  FIG. 4(A)  is a diagram illustrating the flow of the culture solution F 1 , which is generated in the culture tank  11 , and  FIG. 4(B)  is a sectional view of the culture tank  11  in the horizontal direction, and is a diagram illustrating an attachment position of the third circulation line L 3  with respect to the culture tank  11 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4(B) , the third circulation line L 3  is attached to the culture tank  11 , in a position not intersecting with a central axis X extending in an up-down direction in the culture tank  11 . That is, the central axis X and the third circulation line L 3  are twisted with each other. In such a state, in a case where the culture solution is supplied from the third circulation line L 3  into the culture tank  2 , the culture solution is moved up while being rotated along an inner wall of the culture tank  11  by a turning force generated due to friction between the culture solution and the wall surface in the culture tank  11 . That is, as illustrated in  FIG. 4(A) , a turning upward flow Si that is one type of circulation upward flow, is generated from the lower side to the upper side of the culture tank  11 . In this embodiment, the circulation upward flow indicates that a liquid in a tank is moved up while being circulated along an inner wall of the tank. 
     The turning force due to the friction with respect to the wall surface of the culture tank  11  decreases, as the turning upward flow S 1  of the culture solution in the culture tank  11  is moved up, and thus, as illustrated in  FIG. 4(A) , a upward flow S 2  is formed in which the moving-up is more mainly performed than the turning. Accordingly, in the vicinity of the culture region A of the culture tank  11  (refer to  FIG. 3 ), a flow (a plug flow) having an approximately constant flow rate distribution in a moving-up direction on a horizontal surface, is formed. 
     In the culture tank  11 , the horizontal sectional area upwardly increases. Therefore, a flow rate of the upward flow S 2  in the plug flow decreases as being directed towards the upper side of the culture tank  11 . In the vicinity of the culture region A of the culture tank  11 , a state is formed in which a sedimentation rate of the culture cell and the flow rate of the upward flow S 2  are balanced. As a result thereof, the culture cells are respectively retained in a predetermined height position. In addition, a shear stress due to the upward flow S 1  acts on the culture cell, and thus, the cell that has excessively grown, is crushed, and it is possible to maintain the entire cell diameter. Furthermore, the circulation upward flow can also be formed in the culture tank by a method different from the adjustment of the attachment position of the third circulation line L 3 , described above. A method of forming the circulation upward flow is not limited to the example described above. 
     Thus, in the culture tank  11 , the culture solution F 1  is circulated through the first circulation line L 1  to the third circulation line L 3 , and thus, the culture of the cell progresses. 
     Furthermore, the shape of a vessel, the shape of the upward flow, or the like is not limited to the above description, insofar as the culture tank  11  of the culture unit  10  of a cell culture system  1  according to this embodiment, has a shape in which the horizontal sectional area upwardly increases, and the culture of the cell is performed in the culture solution where the upward flow is formed. 
     Returning to  FIG. 3 , in the automatic cell culture device  100 , a turbidity meter  15  measuring the turbidity of the culture solution F 1  in the culture tank  11  in the culture unit  10  in a plurality of spots in a vertical direction, is provided. In the automatic cell culture device  100 , the cell distribution in the culture solution F 1  in the culture tank  11  is detected by the turbidity meter  15 . Furthermore, the automatic cell culture device  100  includes the turbidity meter  15  as the first cell distribution detection unit, but the first cell distribution detection unit is not limited thereto, and for example, may include a camera acquiring an image of the culture solution F 1 , or the like. 
     In the automatic cell culture device  100 , a microbubble pump  14  is provided as an auxiliary means aiding the supply of oxygen with respect to the culture solution F 1  in the oxygen supply tank  13 . The microbubble pump  14  is connected to the oxygen supply tank  13  through a fourth circulation line L 4  branching off from the second circulation line L 2 , and a fifth circulation line L 5  connected to the first circulation line L 1 . A part of the culture solution F 1  passing through the second circulation line L 2 , is fed to the microbubble pump  14  through the fourth circulation line L 4 , and is returned to the oxygen supply tank  13  from the microbubble pump  14  through the fifth circulation line L 5  and the first circulation line L 1 . The microbubble pump  14  generates microbubbles in the culture solution F 1 , and accelerates the dissolution of oxygen with respect to the culture solution F 1 . In addition, the automatic cell culture device  100  includes a dissolved oxygen meter  16  detecting the amount of dissolved oxygen in the culture solution  1  in the culture tank  11 . The dissolved oxygen meter  16  may detect the amount of dissolved oxygen before the culture is started, may constantly detect the amount of dissolved oxygen during the culture, or may detect the amount of dissolved oxygen at a predetermined interval during the culture. 
     The automatic cell culture device  100  further includes a pH meter  17  detecting the pH of the culture solution F 1  in the culture tank  11 . The pH meter  17  may detect the pH before the culture is started, may constantly detect the pH during the culture, or may detect the Ph at a predetermined interval during the culture. A pH detection result of the pH meter can be a determination standard of a change-out rate of the culture solution F 1 . 
     The culture tank  11  and the first circulation line L 1  to the third circulation line L 3  are arranged in an incubator  21  for retaining a culture environment in the culture tank  11  to be constant. That is, in the automatic cell culture device  100 , the container  110  is provided in the incubator  21 , and the culture unit  10  including the culture tank  11  and the first circulation line L 1  to the third circulation line L 3  is contained in the incubator  21 . The incubator  21  adjusts and maintains the inside to a predetermined culture environment (for example, a temperature of 35° C. to 38° C., and a carbon dioxide concentration of 5%), and prevent the culture environment from varying due to the external environment. In the automatic cell culture device  100 , in order to avoid a temperature change in the culture solution F 1  at the time of supplying oxygen, the oxygen supply tank  13  is also provided in the incubator  21 . The automatic cell culture device  100  may include a thermometer  22  measuring the temperature in the culture tank  11  or the temperature of the culture solution F 1  in the culture tank  11 , and in such a case, it is possible to confirm that the inside of the culture tank  11  is adjusted to a predetermined culture environment by the thermometer  22 , and is maintained. Furthermore, in the automatic cell culture device  100 , the dissolved oxygen meter  16 , the pH meter  17 , and the thermometer  22  function as the first culture environment detection unit detecting the culture environment, and may include a means detecting the culture environment, in addition to the above description. 
     Furthermore, the first circulation line L 1  to the third circulation line L 3  through which the culture solution F 1  of the culture tank  11  is circulated, are provided in the incubator  21 . Accordingly, the culture solution F 1  circulated in the culture tank  11  is maintained to a predetermined culture temperature. 
     The automatic cell culture device  100  further includes a culture solution storage tank  31  storing the culture solution F 1 , a culture solution heating tank  32  heating the culture solution F 1 , and a culture solution feed line L 6  connecting the culture solution storage tank  31  and the culture solution heating tank  32  together, and a culture solution feeding pump  33  is provided in the culture solution feed line L 6 . Each of the units described above, functions as the first culture solution supply unit in the automatic cell culture device  100 . The culture solution F 1  stored in the culture solution storage tank  31 , as necessary, is fed to the culture solution heating tank  32  through the culture solution feed line L 6 , and is heated in the culture solution heating tank  32  to a temperature suitable for the culture. The culture solution F 1  heated in the culture solution heating tank  32 , is fed to the culture tank  11  from the culture solution heating tank  32  through the heated culture solution feed line L 7  connecting the culture solution heating tank  32  and the culture tank  11  together. The culture solution storage tank  31  and the culture solution feed line L 6  are connected to each other through a sterile connector  34 . Accordingly, it is possible to easily maintain a sterile state after the culture solution feed line L 6 , at the time of replacing the culture solution storage tank  31 . The culture solution storage tank  31  is provided in a refrigerating unit  35 . The refrigerating unit  35  retains the culture solution storage tank  31  at a temperature suitable for the storage of the culture solution F 1  (for example, 2° C. to 6° C.). The culture solution heating tank  32  is provided in the incubator  21 , and the incubator  21  heats the culture solution F 1  in the culture solution heating tank  32  to a temperature suitable for the culture (for example, 35° C. to 38° C.). 
     The automatic cell culture device  100  further includes a cell collection line L 8  that is a collection route for collecting the cultured cell from the culture tank  11 , and a cell collection pump  41  is provided in the cell collection line L 8 . A sterile connector  42  is provided in an outlet of the cell collection line L 8 , and thus, the cell collection line L 8  can be sterilely connected to a cell collection vial  43 . In the automatic cell culture device  100 , the cell collection vial  43  is connected to the sterile connector  42 , and then, the cell is circulated through the cell collection line L 8  from the culture tank  11 , according to the operation of the cell collection pump  41 , and thus, the cultured cell can be collected. Each of the units described above functions as the first cell collection unit in the automatic cell culture device  100 . 
     The automatic cell culture device  100  further includes a wash solution storage tank  51  storing a wash solution F 2 , and a wash solution feeding pump  52  feeding the wash solution F 2  to the culture tank  11  from the wash solution storage tank  51 . The wash solution storage tank  51  is connected to the culture tank  11  through a wash solution feed line L 9 , and the wash solution F 2  stored in the wash solution storage tank  51 , as necessary, is fed to the culture tank  11  through the wash solution feed line L 9 , by the wash solution feeding pump  52 . The wash solution feed line L 9  is connected to the third circulation line L 3  that is the circulation route of the culture unit, and the wash solution F 2  is fed to the culture tank  11  through the wash solution feed line L 9  and the third circulation line L 3 , and is circulated on the circulation route of the culture unit according to a case, and then, is discharged from the culture unit as a waste solution. The wash solution storage tank  51  and the wash solution feed line L 9  are connected to each other through a sterile connector  53 . Accordingly, it is possible to easily maintain a sterile state after the wash solution feed line L 9 , at the time of replacing the wash solution storage tank  51 . 
     The wash solution F 2  is not particularly limited, and may be a known wash solution used in the cell culture. For example, the wash solution F 2  may be phosphate buffered saline (PBS). In addition, the wash solution F 2  may be a basal medium suitable for the cell to be cultured, or the like. For example, DMEM, F-12, RPMI, or the like is a representative medium. 
     The automatic cell culture device  100  further includes a waste solution reserving tank  61  reserving a waste solution F 3  collected from the culture unit  10 . In addition, the automatic cell culture device  100  includes first waste solution line L 10  connecting the culture tank  11  and the waste solution reserving tank  61  together, as a first waste solution route, and a second waste solution line L 11  connecting the oxygen supply tank  13  and the waste solution reserving tank  61  together, as a second waste solution route, respectively. A first waste solution pump  62  feeding the waste solution to be discharged from the culture tank  11 , to the waste solution reserving tank  61 , is provided in the first waste solution line L 10 , and a second waste solution pump  63  feeding the waste solution to be discharged from the oxygen supply tank  13 , to the waste solution reserving tank  61 , is provided in the second waste solution line L 11 . The first waste solution line L 10  and the second waste solution line L 11  are join together before reaching the waste solution reserving tank  61 , and are connected to the waste solution reserving tank  61  through a sterile connector  64 . It is possible to replace the waste solution reserving tank  61  while easily maintaining a sterile state of the first waste solution line L 10  and the second waste solution line L 11  by the sterile connector  64 . The waste solution reserved in the waste solution reserving tank  61 , may be a waste solution including the culture solution or the wash solution, and for example, may be the used culture solution at the time of replacing the culture solution, the used culture solution to be discarded before the cell collection or the passage, a waste solution generated after performing the washing with the wash solution, or the like. 
     The automatic cell culture device  100  further includes an enzyme solution storage tank  71  storing an enzyme solution F 4  containing an enzyme, and an enzyme solution feeding pump  72  feeding the enzyme solution F 4  to the culture tank  11  from the enzyme solution storage tank  71 . The enzyme solution storage tank  71  is connected to the culture tank  11  through an enzyme solution feed line L 12 , and the enzyme solution F 4  stored in the enzyme solution storage tank  71 , as necessary, is fed to the culture tank  11  through the enzyme solution feed line L 12 , by the enzyme solution feeding pump  72 . The enzyme solution storage tank  71  and the enzyme solution feed line L 12  are connected to each other through a sterile connector  73 , and thus, it is possible to easily maintain a sterile state after the enzyme solution feed line L 12 , at the time of replacing the enzyme solution storage tank  71 . The enzyme solution storage tank  71  is provided in the refrigerating unit  35 , and is retained at a predetermined temperature (for example, 2° C. to 6° C.) along with the culture solution storage tank  31 . Furthermore, in a case where a temperature suitable for the storage of the enzyme solution F 4  is different from the temperature suitable for the storage of the culture solution F 1 , the enzyme solution storage tank  71  may be retained in the refrigerating unit  35  at a temperature different from that of the culture solution storage tank  31 , or may be provided in the other refrigerating unit different from the refrigerating unit  35 . The enzyme may be a known medicinal solution used in a cell dispersion. Examples of the enzyme include Accutase, Trypsin-EDTA, Dispase, and Collagenase. In addition, in one aspect, a medicinal agent having a cell dispersion function, may be used instead of the enzyme. Examples of the medicinal agent include an EDTA solution or the like. 
     The automatic cell culture device  100  further includes an inhibitor storage tank  81  storing a Rho-kinase inhibitor, and an inhibitor feeding pump  82  feeding the Rho-kinase inhibitor to the culture tank  11  from the inhibitor storage tank  81 . The inhibitor storage tank  81  is connected to the culture tank  11  through an inhibitor feed line L 13 , and the Rho-kinase inhibitor stored in the inhibitor storage tank  81 , as necessary, is fed to the culture tank  11  through the inhibitor feed line L 13 , by the inhibitor feeding pump  82 . The inhibitor storage tank  81  and the inhibitor feed line L 13  are connected to each other through a sterile connector  83 , and thus, it is possible to easily maintain a sterile state after the inhibitor feed line L 13 , at the time of replacing the inhibitor storage tank  81 . The inhibitor storage tank  81  is provided in the refrigerating unit  35 , and is retained to a predetermined temperature (for example, 2° C. to 6° C.) along with the culture solution storage tank  31 . Furthermore, in a case where a temperature suitable for the storage of the Rho-kinase inhibitor, is different from the temperature suitable for the storage of the culture solution F 1 , the inhibitor storage tank  81  may be retained in the refrigerating unit  35  at a temperature different from that of the culture solution storage tank  31 , or may be provided in the other refrigerating unit different from the refrigerating unit  35 . 
     The automatic cell culture device  100  further includes a. medicinal solution storage tank  91  storing a medicinal solution, and a medicinal solution feeding pump  92  feeding the medicinal solution to the culture tank  11  from the medicinal solution storage tank  91 . The medicinal solution storage tank  91  is connected to the culture tank  11  through a medicinal solution feed line L 14 , and the medicinal solution stored in the medicinal solution storage tank  91 , as necessary, is fed to the culture tank  11  through the medicinal solution feed line L 14 , by the medicinal solution feeding pump  92 . The medicinal solution storage tank  91  and the medicinal solution feed line L 14  are connected to each other through a sterile connector  93 , and thus, it is possible to easily maintain a sterile state after the medicinal solution feed line L 14 , at the time of replacing the medicinal solution storage tank  91 . The medicinal solution storage tank  91  is provided in the refrigerating unit  35 , and is retained at a predetermined temperature (for example, 2° C. to 6° C.) along with the culture solution storage tank  31 . Furthermore, in a case where a temperature suitable for the storage of the medicinal solution is different from the temperature suitable for the storage of the culture solution F 1 , the medicinal solution storage tank  91  may be retained in the refrigerating unit  35  at a temperature different from that of the culture solution storage tank  31 , or may be provided in the other refrigerating unit different from the refrigerating unit  35 . The medicinal solution may be a known medicinal solution used in the cell culture. For example, the medicinal solution may be a medicinal agent relevant to maintenance of undifferentiation of cytokine or the like, for acceleration of differentiation, and for activation, or the like, and examples of the medicinal solution include Activin, b-FGF, SCF, TGF-beta, and the like. 
     The automatic cell culture device  100  further includes a photographing unit  101 , and a liquid feed line L 15  for photographing to be connected to the photographing unit  101  by branching from the cell collection line L 8 , and a liquid feeding pump  102  for photographing, feeding a measurement sample including the cell, to the photographing unit  101 , is provided in the liquid feed line L 15  for photographing. In addition, a buffer tank  103  storing a photographing buffer F 5  is connected to the photographing unit  101 . The photographing unit  101  photographs the measurement sample fed by the liquid feeding pump  102  for photographing, and acquires a microscope photograph of the cell included in the measurement sample. The measurement sample after the microscope photograph is acquired, may be discarded from the photographing unit  101 , as a waste solution. In addition, the measurement sample after the microscope photograph is acquired, may be fed to the cell collection line L 8  through the liquid feed line L 15  for photographing, and may be collected to the cell collection vial  43 . At this time, the liquid feeding pump  102  for photographing may have a function of feeding the measurement sample to the cell collection line L 8  from the photographing unit  101 . The photographing unit  101  and the buffer tank  103  are provided in the incubator  21 , in order to more accurately observe a cell state in the culture environment, and are retained at a predetermined temperature (for example, 35° C. to 38° C.). 
     The automatic cell culture device  100  further includes a control unit  130  as the control unit. The control unit  130  is identical to the control unit  130  in the automatic cell culture device  100 , illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The control unit  130  acquires information of a turbidity to be detected by the turbidity meter  15 , controls the circulation pump  12  on the basis of the information of the turbidity, and adjusts a circulation rate of the culture solution 
     An execution procedure of controlling the circulation rate according to the control unit  130 , is not particularly limited, and is suitably changed according to the culture environment or the like, in a range where the circulation pump  12  is controlled on the basis of a. detection result of the turbidity meter  15 . In addition, the control unit  130  may further acquire information to be measured from a meter other than the turbidity meter  15 , or may further control a pump other than the circulation pump  12 . 
     In addition, the control unit  130  may acquire a detection result of the dissolved oxygen meter  16 , and may control the microbubble pump  14  on the basis of the acquired detection result. In a case where the amount of dissolved oxygen, detected by the dissolved oxygen meter  16 , is greater than the preset value, the control unit  130  may decrease a microbubble generation amount of the microbubble pump  14 , and in a case where the amount of dissolved oxygen, detected by the dissolved oxygen meter  16 , is less than a defined value, the control unit  130  may increase the microbubble generation amount of the microbubble pump  14 , such that a preset value of the amount of dissolved oxygen is maintained. 
     Further, the control unit  130  may acquire a detection result of the pH meter  17 , may determine a change-out rate of the culture solution F 1 , on the basis of the acquired detection result, and may perform a notification with respect to a user or the replacement of the culture solution F 1 . In addition, the control unit  130  may control each of the culture solution feeding pump  33 , the wash solution feeding pump  52 , the first waste solution pump  62 , and the second waste solution pump  63 . In this case, the control unit  130  is capable of controlling each of the pumps according to the own determination or an instruction of the user, and is capable of executing an operation such as the replacement of the culture solution, or the passage. In addition, the automatic cell culture device  100  may further include a liquid amount detector (not illustrated) detecting a liquid amount of the culture solution F 1  in the culture tank  11 , and the control unit  130  may acquire a detection result of the liquid amount detector, and may control a liquid feeding amount of the culture solution according to the culture solution feeding pump  33 , on the basis of the acquired detection result. 
     The control unit  130  is capable of controlling the cell collection pump  41 . In this case, for example, the control unit  130  is capable of automatically controlling cell collection pump  41  (further, as necessary, the culture solution feeding pump  33 , the wash solution feeding pump  52 , the first waste solution pump  62 , and the second waste solution pump  63 ), after a culture time set in advance, has elapsed, and is capable of automatically collecting the cell. 
     The control unit  130  may control the enzyme solution feeding pump  72 , and in this case, it is possible to feed the enzyme solution F 4  to the culture tank  11 , on the basis of the instruction of the user or the preset setting. In addition, the control unit  130  may control the inhibitor feeding pump  82 , and in this case, it is possible to feed the Rho-kinase inhibitor to the culture tank  11 , on the basis of the instruction of the user or the preset setting. In addition, the control unit  130  may control the medicinal solution feeding pump  92 , and in this case, it is possible to feed the medicinal solution to the culture tank  11 , on the basis of the instruction of the user or the preset setting. In addition, the control unit  130  may control the liquid feeding pump  102  for photographing, and in this case, it is possible to feed the measurement sample to the photographing unit  101 , on the basis of the instruction of the user or the preset setting. Further, the control unit  130  may control the photographing of the microscope photograph according to the photographing unit  101 , and in this case, it is possible to automatically acquire the microscope photograph of the cell, on the basis of the instruction of the user or the preset setting. 
     In the automatic cell culture device  100  described above, the cell is suspended in the culture solution F 1 , and is cultured while floating in the culture solution F 1 , according to a balance between the upward flow of the culture solution F 1  (the upward flow S 2  of  FIG. 4 ) and the own weight. The control unit  130  controls the circulation rate of the culture solution F 1  according to the circulation pump  12 , and thus, it is possible to adjust a balance state between the upward flow of the culture solution  1  and the own weight of the cell, and to suitably retain the cell distribution in the culture tank  11 . 
     In addition, in the automatic cell culture device  100 , the turbidity meter  15  detects the turbidity of the culture solution F 1  in the culture tank  11 , and the control unit  130  controls the circulation rate in. the execution procedure described above. Accordingly, even in a case where the cell distribution is changed due to a change in the size of the cell, or the like, in a culture procedure, it is possible to automatically adjust the balance state between the upward flow of the culture solution F 1  and the own weight of the cell, according to the control of the control unit  130 . For this reason, in the automatic cell culture device  100 , it is possible to suitably maintain the cell distribution, and to perform homogeneous culture. 
     In addition, in the automatic cell culture device  100 , the turbidity meter  15  measures the turbidity of the culture solution  1  in the culture tank  11 , in a plurality of spots in the vertical direction. Here, in a case where the number of cells to be cultured in the culture tank  11 , increases, the turbidity of the culture solution F 1  increases. In addition, in a case where the size of the cell to be cultured (or the size of the cell mass) increases, the cell distribution is gradually moved to the lower side in the vertical direction, according to the own weight. According to the turbidity meter  15  described above, it is also possible to monitor such a culture state. 
     In addition, in the automatic cell culture device  100 , the amount of dissolved oxygen of the culture solution F 1  is detected by the dissolved oxygen meter  16 , and thus, the control unit  130  is capable of controlling the microbubble pump  14 , on the basis of the detection result. For this reason, in the automatic cell culture device  100 , it is possible to easily perform the cell culture in which the amount of dissolved oxygen is maintained to be constant, according to the control of the control unit  130 . 
     In addition, in the automatic cell culture device  100 , the pH of the culture solution F 1  is detected by the pH meter  17 , and thus, the control unit  130  is capable of determining the change-out rate of the culture solution F 1 , on the basis of the detection result, and of executing the notification with respect to the user or the replacement of the culture solution F 1 . In such an automatic cell culture device  100 , the change-out rate of the culture solution F 1  is automatically determined by the control unit  130 , and thus, quality degradation of the culture cell or the like due to the overtime of the change-out rate, is prevented. 
     In addition, in the automatic cell culture device  100 , the control unit  130  is capable of controlling each of the culture solution feeding pump  33 , the wash solution feeding pump  52 , the first waste solution pump  62 , and the second waste solution pump  63 . For this reason, in the automatic cell culture device  100 , it is possible to automatically perform an operation such as the replacement or the passage of the culture solution F 1 , according to the determination of the control unit  130  or the instruction of the user. 
     In addition, in the automatic cell culture device  100 , the control unit  130  is capable of controlling each of the enzyme solution feeding pump  72 , the inhibitor feeding pump  82 , and the medicinal solution feeding pump  92 . For this reason, in the automatic cell culture device  100 , it is possible to automatically supply the enzyme solution, the Rho-kinase inhibitor, and the medicinal solution to the culture tank  11 , at an amount and a timing, set in advance, according to the control of the control unit  130 . 
     Next, the details of the culture unit  10  will be described. As described above, the first circulation line L 1  to the third circulation line L 3  connecting the culture tank  11 , the circulation pump  12 , and the oxygen supply tank  13  to each other, are included in the culture unit  10 . In addition, in the culture unit  10 , a relay line L 16  connecting the first circulation line L 1  and the second circulation line L 2  together, is provided. The relay line L 16  is a line to be used at the time of attaching the culture unit  10  to the cell culture device  200  for transport, described below. For this reason, the relay line L 16  includes an on-off valve, and the on-off valve is in a closed state, in a state where the culture unit  10  is attached to the automatic cell culture device  100 . 
     Further, in the culture unit  10 , a heated culture solution feed line L 7  connecting the culture solution heating tank  32  and the culture solution heating tank  32 , and the culture tank  11 , together, may be included. In  FIG. 3 , a case where the culture solution heating tank  32  is not included in the culture unit  10 , is illustrated. 
     Each of the units included in the culture unit  10  described above, is partitioned from the other units. That is, the culture unit  10  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , is contained in a housing or the like. The housing of the culture unit  10  may have an isothermal function as with the incubator  21 . However, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , there are lines connecting each of the tanks included in the culture unit  10 , and the tanks on the automatic cell culture device  100  side, together. Therefore, in the culture unit  10 , lines corresponding to the respective lines illustrated in  FIG. 3 , are provided, and are capable of being connected to the lines extending from the tanks or the like not included in the culture unit  10 , through the connector or the like. In  FIG. 1 , a line connecting the culture unit  10  side and the automatic cell culture device  100  side, together, is schematically illustrated. 
     Thus, the culture unit  10  removable with respect to the automatic cell culture device  100 , includes the culture tank  11 , the circulation pump  12  for circulating the culture solution in the culture tank  11 , the oxygen supply tank  13 , and the first circulation line L 1  to the third circulation line L 3  connecting them to each other. For this reason, the circulation route of the culture solution with respect to the culture tank  11 , is ensured, even in a state where the culture unit  10  is removed from the automatic cell culture device  100 . Therefore, the culture solution can be circulated in the culture tank  11 , insofar as being a state in which the circulation pump  12  can be driven, that is, insofar as being a state in which power can be supplied. 
     In addition, in the culture unit  10 , in a case where the culture tank  11 , and the circulation route of the culture solution with respect to the culture tank  11  are ensured, each of the units not included in the culture unit  10 , that is, each of the units included in the tank unit  120  for automatic culture, can be shared with the other culture unit  10 . Therefore, in the automatic cell culture device  100 , each of the units included in the tank unit  120  for automatic culture, is shared with a portion corresponding to the automatic culture tank unit  120 . In the cell culture device of the related art, the respective tanks such as the culture solution storage tank  31  storing the culture solution F 1 , the wash solution storage tank  51  storing the wash solution F 2 , the waste solution reserving tank  61  reserving the waste solution F 3  collected from the culture unit  10 , and the enzyme solution storage tank  71  storing the enzyme solution F 4 , are individually provided in the culture tank  11 . However, in the automatic cell culture device  100 , the tanks included in the tank unit  120  for automatic culture, are not individually provided in each of the culture units  10 , and thus, it is possible to realize mass culture using the culture unit  10 . 
     As with the automatic cell culture device  100 , in a case where the tanks included in the tank unit  120  for automatic culture, are connected to the plurality of culture units  10 , the pumps provided between each of the tanks and each of the culture units  10  may be individually provided in line portions that are individually provided in each of the culture units  10 , in lines connecting each of the tanks and each of the culture units  10  together. Then, the individually provided pumps are controlled by the control unit  130 , and thus, it is possible to perform individual control with respect to each of the culture units  10 , and to perform suitable control according to the culture situation of the cell in each of the culture units  10 . However, the design of the line, the alignment of the pump, or the like, is not limited to the configuration described above, and can be suitably changed. 
     In a case where the cell is cultured by using the plurality of culture units  10  and by using the automatic cell culture device  100 , the culture situation of the cell is changed for each of the culture units  10  (the culture tanks  11 ). For this reason, for example, a situation is obtained in which the result measured by the turbidity meter  15 , the dissolved oxygen meter  16  or the like is different for each of the culture units  10 , and thus, there is a case where it is necessary to perform controls different from each other (for example, the replacement with respect to a new medium) with respect to each of the culture units  10 , according to the control unit  130 . For this reason, in the control unit  130 , the information relevant to the culture of the cell is individually acquired with respect to each of the culture units  10  containing in the container  110 , and various controls are performed on the basis of the information. In addition, the information acquired by the control unit  130 , and the information relevant to the adjustment of the culture environment of the control unit  130 , or the like, can be stored in association with the identification tag T attached to each of the culture units  10 . Such information may be directly stored with respect to the identification tag T. In this case, the identification tag T itself functions as the storage unit. In addition, only the information for specifying the culture unit  10  may be retained in the identification tag T itself, and the information acquired by the control unit  130 , the information relevant to the adjustment of the culture environment of the control unit  130 , or the like, may be stored in the external storage device or the like, in association with the information for specifying the culture unit  10 . In this case, the external storage device is the storage unit according to this embodiment. In a case where the information relevant to the culture of the cell is stored in the external storage device, the culture unit  10  can be specified by using the information stored in the identification tag T, and thus, the information relevant to the culture unit  10  can be specified and acquired from the information stored in the external storage device. Furthermore, the storage unit may be provided in the automatic cell culture device  100  or the cell culture device  200  for transport, instead of the external storage device. 
     (Cell Culture Device for Transport) 
     Next, the cell culture device  200  for transport will be described with reference to  FIG. 5 . As described above, in the culture unit  10 , the circulation line of the culture solution with respect to the culture tank  11  is ensured even in a state of being removed from the automatic cell culture device  100 , and thus, the culture of the cell can be continued while circulating the culture solution F 1  in the culture tank  11 , insofar as being a state in which the circulation pump  12  can be driven, that is, insofar as being a state in which the power can be supplied. Therefore, the cell culture device  200  for transport, may control the circulation of the culture solution F 1  in the culture tank  11  by driving at least the circulation pump  12 . 
     However, in a case where the culture of the cell is continued, it is considered that the culture environment is changed from a preferred culture environment, due to a decrease in an oxygen concentration of the culture solution F 1 , a temperature change in the culture tank  11 , or the like. Therefore, the cell culture system  1  according to this embodiment, includes the cell culture device  200  for transport, enabling the culture of the cell to be continued in the culture unit  10 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a state where the culture unit  10  is contained in the container  210  of the cell culture device  200  for transport, and the culture unit  10 , and each of the units of the tank unit  220  for transport in the cell culture device  200  for transport, are connected to each other through the lines. In addition, in  FIG. 5 , the control unit  230  of the cell culture device  200  for transport, is also illustrated. That is, in each of the units included in the cell culture device  200  for transport, illustrated in  FIG. 5 , each of the units except for the control unit  230 , is included in the tank unit  220  for transport, and corresponds to the second culture environment adjustment unit in the cell culture device  200  for transport. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the culture unit  10  is contained in the container  210  of the cell culture device  200  for transport. The container  210 , for example, may function as the incubator. In this case, the inside of the container  210  is adjusted and maintained to a predetermined culture environment (for example, a temperature of 35° C. to 38° C., and a carbon dioxide concentration of 5%), and thus, it is possible to prevent the culture environment from varying according to the external environment. 
     The culture unit  10  contained in the container  210 , is capable of circulating the culture solution along a circulation flow path through the oxygen supply tank  13 , as with the state illustrated in  FIG. 3 , that is, a state of being attached to the automatic cell culture device  100 . However, in a case where a transport time is prolonged, the amount of dissolved oxygen in the culture solution F 1 , decreases, and thus, it is considered that the culture environment is degraded. Therefore, in  FIG. 5 , an example in which the oxygen supply tank  13  is used as the culture solution collection tank while using the lines included in the culture unit  10 , is illustrated. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the oxygen supply tank  13  is used as the culture solution collection tank, and thus, the circulation pump  12  and the second circulation line L 2  are separated from the oxygen supply tank  13 . Then, a high-concentration oxygen dissolved culture solution bag  240  containing the culture solution in which oxygen is dissolved at a high concentration, is connected to the second circulation line L 2 . In a case where the culture of the cell is continued during the transport time of the culture unit  10 , the high-concentration oxygen dissolved culture solution bag  240  contains the culture solution in which an oxygen amount that is considered to be consumed by the culture, is dissolved. In a case where a bag portion of the high-concentration oxygen dissolved culture solution bag  240  is configured of a material having high flexibility, such as polyethylene, the bag can be downsized, and is easily deformed, and thus, an attachment position of the high-concentration oxygen dissolved culture solution bag  240 , or the like can be flexibly changed according to the shape of the culture unit  10 , or the like. In the configuration described above, the high-concentration oxygen dissolved culture solution bag  240  functions as the second culture solution supply unit supplying the culture solution to the culture tank  11 . 
     In addition, in a state where the culture unit  10  is attached to the cell culture device  200  for transport, the on-off valve of the relay line L 16  connecting the first circulation line L  1  and the second circulation line L 2  together, provided in the culture unit  10 , is set in an opened state. Accordingly, the circulation route of the culture solution F 1  is configured by the first circulation line L 1 , the relay line L 16 , and the third circulation line L 3 . 
     In such a state, in a case where the circulation pump  12  is driven, the culture solution F 1  is circulated on the circulation route, and a part of the culture solution F 1  in which oxygen is consumed by the culture of the cell, flows into the culture solution collection tank (the oxygen supply tank  13 ). In addition, the culture solution corresponding to the amount of culture solution that flows into the culture solution collection tank (the oxygen supply tank  13 ), is supplied from the high-concentration oxygen dissolved culture solution bag  240  through the second circulation line L 2 . As a result thereof, it is possible to maintain a state in which a decrease in the amount of dissolved oxygen of the culture solution F 1  that is circulated on the circulation route, is suppressed. 
     Furthermore, as described above, the cell culture device  200  for transport may include a culture solution tank  270 , instead of a configuration of connecting the high-concentration oxygen dissolved culture solution bag  240 . In this case, a culture solution feeding pump  233  and the culture solution tank  270  are connected to an upper end of the heated culture solution feed line L 7  to be connected to the culture tank  11  of the culture unit  10 , and thus, it is possible to supply the culture solution in a state where oxygen is sufficiently dissolved, to the culture tank  11 . In this case, the culture solution tank  270  functions as the second culture solution supply unit supplying the culture solution to the culture tank  11 . 
     Further, in a case where the oxygen supply tank  13  itself is upsized in consideration of the transport time of the culture unit  10 , culture unit  10  is attached to the cell culture device  200  for transport, and then, it is not necessary to supply the culture solution from the outside. However, in a case where the transport time is prolonged, it is considered that there is a possibility that a change in the culture environment, such as a decrease in the dissolved oxygen, occurs as the transport time has elapsed. The oxygen supply tank  13  is upsized, and thus, it is possible to minimize a change in the culture environment while it is riot necessary to supply the culture solution from the outside. 
     In addition, the cell culture device  200  for transport includes a cell collection line L 28  that is the collection route of collecting the cultured cell from the culture tank  11  of the culture unit  10 . In addition, a cell collection pump (not illustrated) may be provided on the cell collection line L 28 . A sterile connector  242  is provided in a connection portion of the cell collection line L 28  with respect to the culture unit  10 , and thus, the cell collection line L 28  can be sterilely connected to a cell collection vial  243 . In the cell culture device  200  for transport, the cell collection vial  243  is connected to the sterile connector  42 , and then, the cell is circulated through the cell collection line L 28  from the culture tank  11 , according to the driving of the cell collection pump, or the like, and thus, the cultured cell can be collected. Each of the units described above functions as the second cell collection unit in the cell culture device  200  for transport. 
     In addition, in a case where the container  210  does not function as the incubator, a warm gas generation unit  250  and a pressure control unit  260  for adjusting and maintaining the inside of the container  21 . 0  to a predetermined culture environment, are provided in the container  210 . 
     The warm gas generation unit  250  has a function of supplying gas for setting the inside of the container  210  to be a predetermined culture temperature, into the container  210 . Furthermore, the component of the gas can be suitably selected according to the culture environment. 
     In addition, the pressure control unit  260  has a function of adjusting a gas component to a predetermined culture environment (for example, a carbon dioxide concentration of 5%) by supplying carbon dioxide into the container  210 . Further, the pressure control unit  260  may have a function of pressurizing the inside of the container  210  such that the inside of the container  210  has a positive pressure with respect to the external environment. The inside of the container  210  is set to a positive pressure with respect to the external environment, and thus, it is possible to prevent dust, bacteria, or the like from flowing into the container  210  from the outside, and to maintain a clean level of the inside of the container  210 . Furthermore, the pressure control unit  260  may function as the warm gas generation unit  250 . In this case, the warm gas generation unit  250  may not be provided. 
     As with the automatic cell culture device  100 , a turbidity meter  215  measuring the turbidity of the culture solution F 1  in the culture tank  11  in the culture unit  10 , at plurality of spots in the vertical direction, is provided in the cell culture device  200  for transport. In the cell culture device  200  for transport, the cell distribution of the culture solution F 1  in the culture tank  11  is detected by the turbidity meter  215  as the second cell distribution detection unit. 
     In addition, the cell culture device  200  for transport includes a dissolved oxygen meter  216  detecting the amount of dissolved oxygen of the culture solution F 1  in the culture tank  11 . The dissolved oxygen meter  216  may detect the amount of dissolved oxygen before the culture is started, may constantly detect the amount of dissolved oxygen during the culture, or may detect the amount of dissolved oxygen at a predetermined interval during the culture. 
     Further, the cell culture device  200  for transport further includes a pH meter  217  detecting the pH of the culture solution F 1  in the culture tank  11 . The pH meter  217  may detect the pH before the culture is started, may constantly detect the pH during the culture, or may detect the pH at a predetermined interval during the culture. 
     In addition, the cell culture device  200  for transport may include a thermometer  222  measuring the temperature in the culture tank  11  or the temperature of the culture solution F 1  in the culture tank  11 . In this case, it is possible to confirm that the inside of the culture tank  11  is adjusted and maintained to a predetermined culture environment by the thermometer  222 . Furthermore, in the cell culture device  200  for transport, the dissolved oxygen meter  216 , the pH meter  217 , and the thermometer  222  function as the second culture environment detection unit detecting the culture environment, but a means detecting the culture environment, other than the above description, may be provided. 
     The control unit  230  of the cell culture device  200  for transport, described above, controls each of the units of the cell culture device  200  for transport, described above. 
     Specifically, the control unit  230  acquires information of the turbidity to be detected by the turbidity meter  215 , controls the circulation pump  12  on the basis of the information of the turbidity, and adjusts the circulation rate of the culture solution F 1 . In addition, the control unit  230  may acquire a detection result of the dissolved oxygen meter  216 , and a supply amount of the culture solution to be supplied from the high-concentration oxygen dissolved culture solution bag  240 , or the like, may be adjusted such that a preset value of the amount of dissolved oxygen is maintained. In addition, the control unit  230  may acquire a detection result of the pH meter  17 , may determine the change-out rate of the culture solution F 1 , on the basis of the acquired detection result, and may perform a notification with respect to the user. 
     The control unit  230  may control the warm gas generation unit  250  and the pressure control unit  260 . When such control is performed, for example, temperature information detected by the thermometer  222  is used, and thus, the control can be performed on the basis of the result. 
     In a case where the cell collection pump is provided in front of the cell collection vial  243 , the control unit  230  is capable of controlling the cell collection pump. In this case, for example, the control unit  230  is capable of automatically collecting the cell, by automatically controlling the cell collection pump after the culture time set in advance, has elapsed. 
     Furthermore, the control unit  230  may control the culture environment of the culture unit  10  by using the identification tag T of the culture unit  10  attached to the cell culture device  200  for transport. As described above, the information for specifying the culture unit  10  can be associated with the identification tag T, and the information relevant to the cell culture of the culture unit  10  can be acquired. Therefore, in the control unit  130  of the cell culture device  200  for transport, information relevant to the past culture environment of the culture unit  10 , or the like is acquired by using the identification tag T, and thus, the control relevant to the culture of the cell can be performed on the basis of the information. 
     In the cell culture device  200  for transport, described above, the cell is suspended in the culture solution F 1  in the culture tank  11 , and is cultured while floating in the culture solution F 1 , according to a balance between the upward flow of the culture solution F 1  (the upward flow S 2  of  FIG. 4 ) and the own weight. The control unit  230  controls the circulation rate of the culture solution F 1  according to the circulation pump  12 , and thus, it is possible to adjust a balance state between the upward flow of the culture solution F 1  and the own weight of the cell, and to suitably retain the cell distribution in the culture tank  11 . Therefore, it is possible to preferably culture the cell while the culture unit  10  is transported. 
     In addition, in the cell culture device  200  for transport, the turbidity meter  215  detects the turbidity of the culture solution F 1  in the culture tank  11 , and the control unit  230  controls the circulation rate in the execution procedure described above. Accordingly, even in a case where the cell distribution is changed due to a change in the size of the cell, or the like, in the culture procedure, it is possible to automatically adjust the balance state between the upward flow of the culture solution F 1  and the own weight of the cell, according to the control of the control unit  230 . For this reason, in the cell culture device  200  for transport, it is possible to suitably maintain the cell distribution, and to perform homogeneous culture. In addition, according to the turbidity meter  215  described above, it is also possible to monitor such a culture state. Such a point is the same as the automatic cell culture device  100 . 
     In addition, in the cell culture device  200  for transport, it is possible to detect the information relevant to the culture environment of the culture solution F 1 , by the dissolved oxygen meter  216 , the pH meter  217 , the thermometer  222 , and the like. Then, the control unit  230  is capable of performing control such that the culture environment is appropriate, on the basis of the detection result. Therefore, according to the cell culture device  200  for transport, it is possible to suitably maintain the culture environment, while the culture unit  10  is transported. 
     Further, in the cell culture device  200  for transport, the information relevant to the cell culture in the culture unit  10 , can be acquired by using the identification tag T attached to the culture unit  10 , and the culture environment can be controlled by using the information. Thus, the identification tag T is attached to the culture unit  10 , adn thus, the information relevant to the cell culture in the culture unit  10  is easily collected and accumulated, and thus, for example, traceability is easily ensured. 
     Furthermore, the cell culture device  200  for transport is a device used for transport the culture unit  10 , as described above. When the cell culture device  200  for transport is transported, there is a possibility that a considerable vibration occurs. For this reason, when the cell culture device  200  for transport is transported, it is desirable to set a state in which a vibration does not occur in the device itself However, it is also considered that the vibration of the culture tank  11 , which has a possibility of having an influence, is particularly suppressed, instead of suppressing the vibration of the entire device. Hereinafter, a modification example for particularly suppressing the vibration of the culture tank  11 , in the culture unit  10  during the transport, will be described with reference to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 . Furthermore, the shape of the circulation route of the culture solution is different from that of  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , but as described above, the circulation route can be suitably changed. 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram schematically illustrating a culture unit  10 A according to a first modification example. In the culture unit  10 A, a spring  151 , a damper  152 , and the like, as the vibration suppression unit, are provided with respect to the culture tank  11 , in order to suppress the vibration of the culture tank  11  due to the transport. The spring  151  and the damper  152  are provided to connect a culture tank storage vessel  153  provided around the culture tank  11 , and the culture tank  11  together. The culture unit  10 A has such a configuration, and thus, not only when the culture unit  10  is transported, but also when the culture unit  10  is removed from or attached the automatic cell culture device  100  or when the culture unit  10 , it is possible to further absorb the vibration by the spring  151  and the damper  152 , and therefore, it is possible to suppress the vibration of the culture tank  11 . 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram schematically illustrating a culture unit  10 B according to a second modification example. In the culture unit  10 B, a culture tank  11 A itself is different from the other culture tanks  11 . Specifically, a vessel portion in the center of the culture tank  11 A is configured of a material having flexibility, such as polyethylene, and thus, an external vibration or the like is absorbed by deforming the vessel portion. A material with a high strength is used in both of an upper end and a lower end of the culture tank  11 A culture tank  11 , and the upper end and the lower end are connected to each other through a circulation line or the like, and thus, the shape of the culture tank  11 A is maintained. Furthermore, the vessel portion of the culture tank  11 A may have a self-standable thickness. The culture tank  11 A of the culture unit  10 B has such a configuration, and thus, the vibration of the culture tank  11 A, or the like, can be moderated in the vessel portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the vibration of the cell in the culture tank  11 . 
     As described above, according to the cell culture system  1  of this embodiment, and the culture units  10 ,  10 A, and  10 B, the automatic cell culture device  100 , and the cell culture device  200  for transport, included in the cell culture system  1 , in a state where the culture unit  10  is contained in the container  110  of the automatic cell culture device  100 , the circulation of the culture solution F 1  on the circulation route in the culture unit  10  is controlled by the control unit  130 , and in a state where the upward flow of the culture solution F 1  is formed in the culture tank.  11 , the cell is cultured. At this time, the culture solution is supplied from the culture solution tank  31  functioning as the first culture solution supply unit, and the cultured cell is collected by the cell collection vial  43  functioning as the first cell collection unit, and thus, the cell culture can be automatically performed. On the other hand, in a state where the culture unit  10  is contained in the container  210  of the cell culture device  200  for transport, the circulation of the culture solution F 1  on the circulation route in the culture unit  10  is controlled by the control unit  230 . Accordingly, in a state where the upward flow of the culture solution F 1  is formed in the culture tank  11 , the cell is cultured. For this reason, even in a state where the culture unit  10  is attached to the cell culture device  200  for transport, the circulation of the culture solution F 1  is controlled, and thus, the culture of the cell is continued. Therefore, in the automatic cell culture device  100 , it is possible to efficiently perform the cell culture, and to perform the transport while suppressing the quality degradation by the cell culture device  200  for transport at the time of performing the transport. 
     In addition, it is possible to include the identification tag T to which the identification information for specifying the culture unit  10  is individually applied, and to store the information relevant to the cell culture in the storage unit, in association with the identification information. Therefore, in the control unit  130  of the automatic cell culture device  100  and the control unit  230  of the cell culture device  200  for transport, it is possible to acquire the information relevant to the culture of the cell in the culture unit  10 , from the storage unit by using the identification information of the identification tag T, and to perform the control using the information, and thus, it is possible to more suitably perform the control relevant to the cell culture of the culture unit  10 , for each of the culture units  10 . 
     In addition, as with the culture units  10 A and  10 B described above, in the case of including the vibration suppression unit for suppressing the vibration of the culture tank  11 , it is possible to prevent a vibration at the time of performing the transport by attaching the culture units  10 A and  10 B to the cell culture device for transport culture tank, from affecting the cell culture. 
     In addition, in the automatic cell culture device  100  according to this embodiment, the supply amount per unit time of the culture solution F 1  to be supplied to the culture tank, is controlled on the basis of the cell distribution in the culture tank  11 , detected by the turbidity meter  15  as the first cell distribution detection unit. Accordingly, in a case where the cell distribution in the culture tank F 1  is changed from the assumed situation, it is possible to automatically control the supply amount per unit time of the culture solution F 1  in order to correct the change. Therefore, it is possible to more preferably control the supply amount of the culture solution according to the growth of the cell, while stabilizing the flow of the culture solution in the culture tank  11 . 
     In addition, in the automatic cell culture device  100  according to this embodiment, the adjustment of the culture solution to be supplied to the culture tank  11  is controlled on the basis of the culture environment in the culture tank  11 , detected by the dissolved oxygen meter  16 , the pH meter  17 , and the thermometer  22 , as the first culture environment detection unit, and thus, it is possible to automatically control the adjustment for improving the culture environment in the culture tank  11 . Therefore, it is possible to preferably maintain the culture environment according to the growth of the cell in the culture tank  11 . 
     In addition, as with the cell culture device  200  for transport according to this embodiment, the second culture environment adjustment unit including the high-concentration oxygen dissolved culture solution bag  240  or the culture solution tank  270 , corresponding to the second culture solution supply unit, and the cell collection vial  243  corresponding to the second cell collection unit, is provided. In this case, even in a case where the transport of the culture unit  10  including the culture tank  11  according to the cell culture device  200  for transport, is prolonged, it is possible to prevent the culture solution F 1  from being degraded as the culture period is prolonged, and to preferably collect the cultured cell. Therefore, it is possible to preferably transport the culture unit  10  using the cell culture device  200  for transport. 
     In addition, in the cell culture device  200  for transport according to this embodiment, the supply amount per unit time of the culture solution F 1  to be supplied to the culture tank, is controlled on the basis of the cell distribution in the culture tank  11 , detected by the turbidity meter  215  as the second cell distribution detection unit. Accordingly, in a case where the cell distribution in the culture tank F 1  is changed from the assumed situation, it is possible to automatically control the supply amount per unit time of the culture solution F 1  in order to correct the change. Therefore, it is possible to more preferably control the supply amount of the culture solution according to the growth of the cell, while stabilizing the flow of the culture solution in the culture tank  11 . 
     In addition, in the cell culture device  200  for transport according to this embodiment, the adjustment of the culture solution to be supplied to the culture tank  11 , is controlled on the basis of the culture environment in the culture tank  11 , detected by the dissolved oxygen meter  216 , the pH meter  217 , and the thermometer  222 , as the second culture environment detection unit, and thus, it is possible to automatically control the adjustment for improving the culture environment in the culture tank  11 . Therefore, it is possible to preferably maintain the culture environment according to the growth of the cell in the culture tank  11 . 
     The embodiment as described above, represents one example of the present disclosure. The cell culture system, the culture unit, the automatic cell culture device, and the cell culture device for transport, according to the present disclosure, are not limited to the embodiment described above, and may be modified within a range not changing the gist described in each claim, or may be applied to other objects. 
     For example, the culture unit  10  may have a part of the function of the automatic cell culture device  100  or the cell culture device  200  for transport, described in the embodiment. For example, the automatic cell culture device  100  includes the incubator  21 , and the cell culture device  200  for transport includes the warm gas generation unit  250 . On the other hand, a temperature control function is provided on the culture unit  10  side, and thus, a part of the function on the automatic cell culture device  100  or the cell culture device  200  for transport side, may be omitted. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     According to the present disclosure, it is possible to perform transport with suppressing the degradation in quality, while efficiently performing cell culture. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       1 : cell culture system,  10 : culture tank,  11 : culture tank,  12 : circulation pump,  13 : oxygen supply tank,  14 : microbubble pump,  15 : turbidity meter,  16 : dissolved oxygen meter,  17 : pH meter,  21 : incubator,  22 : thermometer,  31 : culture solution storage tank,  32 : culture solution heating tank,  33 : culture solution feeding pump,  34 : sterile connector,  35 : refrigerating unit,  41 : cell collection pump,  42 : sterile connector,  43 : cell collection vial,  51 : wash solution storage tank,  52 : wash solution feeding pump,  53 : sterile connector,  61 : waste solution reserving tank,  62 : first waste solution pump,  63 : second waste solution pump,  64 : sterile connector,  71 : enzyme solution storage tank,  72 : enzyme solution feeding pump,  73 : sterile connector,  81 : inhibitor storage tank,  82 : inhibitor feeding pump,  83 : sterile connector,  91 : medicinal solution storage tank,  92 : medicinal solution feeding pump,  93 : sterile connector,  100 : automatic cell culture device,  101 : photographing unit,  102 : liquid feeding pump for photographing,  103 : buffer tank,  110 : container,  120 : tank unit for automatic culture,  130 : control unit,  200 : cell culture device for transport,  210 : container,  215 : turbidity meter,  216 : dissolved oxygen meter,  217 : pH meter,  220 : tank unit for transport,  222 : thermometer,  230 : control unit, F 1 : culture solution, F 2 : wash solution, F 3 : waste solution, F 4 : enzyme solution, F 5 : photographing buffer, L 1 : first circulation line, L 2 : second circulation line, L 3 : third circulation line.