Abstract:
A decontamination-solution spray device includes: an atomizer including first and second ports and a nozzle; a first pipe having one end and an other end respectively connected to an air compressor and the first port; a second pipe, provided lower than the second port, having one end connected to the second port and an other end open; a reservoir portion to store a decontamination solution; a pump to pump up the solution from the reservoir portion; and a third pipe, having one end connected to the pump, thorough which the decontamination solution taken in by the pump flows, the atomizer to, suck the decontamination solution flowing through the third pipe via the second pipe, by negative pressure produced in the second port by injecting air taken in from the first port from the nozzle; and inject the solution in an atomized state from the nozzle, mixing the solution with air.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a continuation application of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2011/079761 filed Dec. 22, 2011, which claims the benefit of priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-072853 filed Mar. 29, 2011. The full contents of the International Patent Application are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to a decontamination solution spray device. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    A cell culture apparatus, an isolator, and the like include a decontaminating gas generating device configured to gasify decontamination solution such as hydrogen peroxide solution and generate decontaminating gas such as hydrogen peroxide gas. Various techniques to generate decontaminating gas have been developed (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-339829, for example). 
         [0006]    The technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-339829 is to generate decontaminating gas, by mixing air heated by a heater and decontamination solution pumped up by a pump with a spray, and atomizing using the spray. 
         [0007]    However, if air supply to a spray is not carried out appropriately, there exists a possibility that the decontamination solution delivered under pressure from a pump is not appropriately atomized, allowing direct injection of the decontamination solution in the form of liquid or dripping thereof. 
         [0008]    The present disclosure has been made in view of such a problem, and an object thereof is to prevent direct injection and dripping of the decontamination solution, even when air supply to a spray is not carried out appropriately. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    A decontamination solution spray device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: an atomizer including a first port, a second port, and a nozzle; a first pipe having one end connected to an air compressor and an other end connected to the first port; a second pipe provided lower than the second port, the second pipe having one end connected to the second port and an other end open; a reservoir portion configured to store a decontamination solution; a pump configured to pump up the decontamination solution from the reservoir portion; and a third pipe, having one end connected to the pump, thorough which the decontamination solution taken in by the pump flows, the atomizer configured to, suck the decontamination solution flowing through the third pipe via the second pipe, by negative pressure produced in the second port by injecting air taken in from the first port from the nozzle; and inject the decontamination solution in an atomized state from the nozzle, mixing the decontamination solution with air. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary view of a diagram illustrating a configuration of an isolator  10  according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary view of a diagram illustrating functional blocks implemented in a microcomputer  71 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an exemplary view of a diagram illustrating a configuration of an isolator  10  according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an exemplary view of a diagram illustrating a configuration of an isolator  10  according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    At least the following details will become apparent from descriptions of the present specification and of the accompanying drawings. 
         [0015]    Note that, in the present specification, killing microorganisms, bacteria, and the like for approaching an asepsis state is referred to as decontamination, and the meaning of the term includes so-called decontamination, decolonization, disinfection, and the like. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an isolator  10  according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The isolator  10  is a device configured to conduct work on cells under a decontaminated environment, and includes a decontamination solution spray device  20 , a supply device  21 , a working chamber  22 , a discharge device  23 , an operation unit  24 , and a control device  25 . 
       &lt;Decontamination Solution Spray Apparatus&gt; 
       [0017]    The decontamination solution spray device  20  is a device unit configured to spray decontamination solution to the interior of the working chamber  22 , and includes an atomizer  100 , a tank (reservoir portion)  30 , a bottle  31 , a pump  33 , a first pipe  34 , a second pipe  35 , a third pipe  36 , an air compressor  80 , air filters  90 ,  91  and a filter  92 . 
         [0018]    Further, the bottle  31  is provided with a water-level sensor  72 . The pump  33  and the air compressor  80  are controlled by the control device  25 . 
         [0019]    The air compressor  80  takes in air from the exterior and delivers under pressure air to the first pipe  34  when receiving from the control device  25  an instruction to start operation. 
         [0020]    The first pipe  34  has one end connected to the air compressor  80 , and the other end connected to a first port  101  of the atomizer  100 . In this way, air delivered under pressure from the air compressor  80  is supplied to the first port  101  of the atomizer  100  through the first pipe  34 . 
         [0021]    Note that the air filter  90  is provided on the path of the first pipe  34 , and impurities such as dust and moisture in the air sent out from the air compressor  80  are removed by the air filter  90 . 
         [0022]    The atomizer  100  includes the first port  101 , a second port  102 , and a nozzle  103 . Each of the first port  101  and the second port  102  is in fluid communication with the nozzle  103  through a flow path formed in the interior of the atomizer  100 . 
         [0023]    Further, the nozzle  103  is formed to have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first port  101 . Thus, the air having flown in from the first port  101  to the atomizer  100  is accelerated on the flow path in the interior of the atomizer  100 , and is injected from the nozzle  103 . 
         [0024]    The second port  102  of the atomizer  100  is connected to the second pipe  35 . 
         [0025]    The second pipe  35  is provided at a location lower than the second port  102  (at a position with lower potential energy), and one end thereof is connected to the second port  102  of the atomizer  100  and the other end thereof is open. 
         [0026]    In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the other end of the second pipe  35  is open in the space inside the bottle  31  provided vertically below the other end of the second pipe  35 . The space inside the bottle  31  is open to the atmosphere through an air filter  91 . 
         [0027]    The air, supplied from the air compressor  80  to the first port  101  of the atomizer  100 , increases the flow rate thereof in the interior of the atomizer  100 , and is sprayed from the nozzle  103 , as described above. When the flow rate of the air increases in the interior of the atomizer  100 , the pressure in the flow path leading from the first port  101  to the nozzle  103  becomes lower than atmospheric pressure (negative pressure). As a result, the pressure at the second port  102  in fluid communication with this flow path also becomes lower than atmospheric pressure, thereby causing the atmosphere to flow into the second port  102  through the second pipe  35  connected to the second port  102 . The atmosphere having flown into the second port  102  through the second pipe  35  joins the air having flown in from the first port  101 , in the flow path of the interior of the atomizer  100 , and is sprayed from the nozzle  103 . 
         [0028]    Whereas, the tank  30  stores, for example, hydrogen peroxide solution (solution in which hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) is dissolved) as decontamination solution. 
         [0029]    The pump  33  is operated under control of the control device  25 , and pumps up the hydrogen peroxide solution from the tank  30  and sends it out to the third pipe  36 . 
         [0030]    The filter  92  is provided on the path of the third pipe  36 . The filter  92  removes impurities such as dust in the hydrogen peroxide solution sent out from the pump  33 . 
         [0031]    The third pipe  36  has one end connected to the pump  33 , and the other end joined to the second pipe  35  at a junction  37  on the path of the second pipe  35 . 
         [0032]    Since the second pipe  35  is provided at a location lower than the second port  102  of the atomizer  100 , as described above, the junction  37  is located below the second port  102 . Further, the other end of the second pipe  35  is also in a position lower than the second port  102 . 
         [0033]    Thus, the hydrogen peroxide solution, sent out by the pump  33  through the third pipe  36  to the junction  37 , cannot rise up to the second port  102  of the atomizer  100  by only the force of the pump  33 . 
         [0034]    However, as described above, since the pressure at the second port  102  of the atomizer  100  is lower than atmospheric pressure (negative pressure), the hydrogen peroxide solution sent out to the junction  37  by the pump  33  rises toward the second port  102  of the atomizer  100  by this pressure difference. 
         [0035]    The hydrogen peroxide solution delivered up to the second port  102  of the atomizer  100 , merges with the air having flown into the atomizer  100  from the first port  101 , and is injected from the nozzle  103  in the form of a mist gas. 
         [0036]    As such, decontamination of the interior of the working chamber  22  can be performed effectively. For example, hydrogen peroxide solution gas in the atomized state can be generated effectively and sprayed into the working chamber  22  without the use of a heater or an ultrasonic vaporizer when atomizing the hydrogen peroxide solution. 
         [0037]    Further, in the decontamination solution spray device  20  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, even if the pump  33  keeps operating although air supply to the atomizer  100  stops due to some failure, for example, the hydrogen peroxide solution sent out from the pump  33  can be discharged from the other end of the second pipe  35 , without the hydrogen peroxide solution being raised up to the second port  102  of the atomizer  100 . As a result, the hydrogen peroxide solution can be reliably prevented from being directly injected in the form of liquid to the interior of the working chamber  22 . Further, dripping of the solution out of the atomizer  100  can be prevented. 
         [0038]    Thus, a worker can safely conduct work such as cell culture in the working chamber  22  without the hydrogen peroxide solution being directly injected in the form of liquid to a sample in the interior of the working chamber  22 . 
         [0039]    Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in the decontamination solution spray device  20  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the bottle  31  is provided vertically below the other end of the second pipe  35 , and the hydrogen peroxide solution having run down the second pipe  35  is stored in the bottle  31 . Thus, the hydrogen peroxide solution can be collected safely. 
         [0040]    Further, the decontamination solution spray device  20  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the water-level sensor  72  provided for the bottle  31 . When a predetermined amount of the hydrogen peroxide solution has been stored in the bottle  31 , the water-level sensor  72  detects that effect, and outputs a signal indicative of the detection to the control device  25 . 
         [0041]    Then, the control device  25  stops the pump  33  when receiving, from the water-level sensor  72 , a signal indicating that the predetermined amount of the hydrogen peroxide solution has been stored in the bottle  31 . As a result, supply of the hydrogen peroxide solution can be stopped before the hydrogen peroxide solution overflows out of the bottle  31 , thereby being able to improve safety of the isolator  10 . 
         [0042]    Further, by stopping the pump  33  after the predetermined amount of the hydrogen peroxide solution is stored in the bottle  31 , excessive stops of the pump  33  can be prevented even when the capability of the air compressor  80  is reduced due to temporary changes in environmental conditions, such as a temporary change in external power supply voltage, thereby causing the hydrogen peroxide solution to run down due to insufficient air and the like. As a result, operation efficiency can be maintained with safety of the isolator  10  being secured. 
       &lt;Supply Device&gt; 
       [0043]    The supply device  21  is a device configured to supply air outside the isolator  10  to the working chamber  22 , and includes a solenoid valve  40  and a fan  41 . 
         [0044]    The solenoid valve  40  supplies external air to the fan  41  under control of the control device  25 . The fan  41  supplies the air supplied from the solenoid valve  40  to the working chamber  22 . 
       &lt;Working Chamber&gt; 
       [0045]    The working chamber  22  is a space where work on cells and the like are conducted, and the working chamber  22  is provided with air filters  50  and  51 , a door  52 , the atomizer  100 , and a working glove  53 . 
         [0046]    The air filter  50  is a filter for removing impurities such as dust contained in the air supplied from the fan  41 . The air filter  51  is a filter for removing impurities such as dust contained in gas and the like which are discharged from the working chamber  22 . Note that, for example, HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are used for the air filters  50  and  51 . 
         [0047]    The door  52  is provided in an openable/closable manner on the front face of the working chamber  22 , so as to allow cells and the like to be brought into the working chamber  22 . 
         [0048]    The working glove  53  is attached to an opening (not shown) provided to the door  52  so that a worker can work on cells and the like in the working chamber  22  with the door  52  being closed. Note that the working chamber  22  is sealed when the door  52  is closed. 
         [0049]    The atomizer  100  sprays hydrogen peroxide gas to decontaminate the interior of the working chamber  22 . 
       &lt;Discharge Device&gt; 
       [0050]    The discharge device  23  is a device for discharging gas such as hydrogen peroxide gas, air, and the like from the working chamber  22 , and includes a solenoid valve  60 , a decontaminating gas inactivating device  61 , and a fan  62 . 
         [0051]    The solenoid valve  60  supplies gas outputted from the air filter  51  to the decontaminating gas inactivating device  61  under control of the control device  25 . 
         [0052]    The decontaminating gas inactivating device  61  includes a catalyst, and renders harmless the gas outputted from the solenoid valve  60  for output to the fan  62 . 
         [0053]    The fan  62  outputs the gas outputted from the decontaminating gas inactivating device  61  to the exterior of the isolator  10  under control of the control device  25 . 
       &lt;Operation Unit&gt; 
       [0054]    The operation unit  24  is an operation panel or the like for a user to set the operation of the isolator  10 . The operation results of the operation unit  24  are transmitted to the control device  25 , and the control device  25  controls each of the blocks of the isolator  10  based on the operation results. 
       &lt;Control Device&gt; 
       [0055]    The control device  25  is a device configured to perform an integrated control of the isolator  10 , and includes a storage device  70  and a microcomputer  71 . 
         [0056]    The storage device  70  stores program data to be executed by the microcomputer  71  and various data. The microcomputer  71  implements various functions by executing the program data stored in the storage device  70 . For example, when an instruction to generate decontaminating gas is outputted from the operation unit  24 , the microcomputer  71  executes the predetermined program for generating decontaminating gas, and controls the air compressor  80 , the pump  33 , and the like. 
         [0057]    A description will be given of functional blocks to be implemented by the microcomputer  71 . 
         [0058]    The microcomputer  71  executes the predetermined program stored in the storage device  70 , and implements functions of an air compressor control unit  300 , a pump control unit  301 , a solenoid valve control unit  302 , and a fan control unit  303  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
       [Air Compressor Control Unit] 
       [0059]    The air compressor control unit  300  starts the operation of the air compressor  80  when an instruction to generate decontaminating gas is outputted from the operation unit  24 . 
         [0060]    Further, the air compressor control unit  300  stops the operation of the air compressor  80  after, for example, a predetermined time has elapsed since the pump control unit  301  has stopped the operation of the pump  33 . By performing the operation as such, it becomes possible to keep the pump  33  from pumping up the hydrogen peroxide solution while the air compressor  80  is not operating, thereby being able to improve the safety of the isolator  10 . Note that, it is a matter of course that the air compressor control unit  300  may be configured to stop the operation of the air compressor  80  based on an instruction to stop the process sent from the operation unit  24 . 
       [Pump Control Unit] 
       [0061]    The pump control unit  301  operates the pump  33  when the air compressor control unit  300  starts the operation of the air compressor  80 . For example, the pump control unit  301  starts the operation of the pump  33  after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the operation of the air compressor  80  by the air compressor control unit  300 . By performing an operation as such, it becomes possible to keep the pump  33  from pumping up the hydrogen peroxide solution while the air compressor  80  is not operating, thereby being able to improve safety of the isolator  10 . 
         [0062]    Further, the pump control unit  301  stops the pump  33  based on an instruction to stop the process sent from the operation unit  24 . Note that the pump control unit  301  may be configured to stop the pump  33  when the air compressor control unit  300  stops the operation of the air compressor  80 . 
         [0063]    Further, the pump control unit  301  stops the pump  33  when receiving, from the water-level sensor  72 , a signal indicating that a predetermined amount of the hydrogen peroxide solution has been stored in the bottle  31 . 
       [Solenoid Valve Control Unit] 
       [0064]    The solenoid valve control unit  302  opens the solenoid valves  40  and  60 , for example, when an instruction to ventilate the interior of the working chamber  22  is outputted from the operation unit  24 . Further, the solenoid valve control unit  302  closes the solenoid valves  40  and  60 , for example, when an instruction to stop the ventilation in the working chamber  22  is outputted from the operation unit  24 . Note that the opening/closing of the solenoid valves  40  and  60  may be controlled independently. 
       [Fan Control Unit] 
       [0065]    The fan control unit  303  starts the operations of the fans  41  and  62 , for example, when an instruction to ventilate the working chamber  22  is outputted from the operation unit  24 . Further, the fan control unit  303  stops the operations of the fans  41  and  62 , for example, when an instruction to stop the ventilation in the working chamber  22  is outputted from the operation unit  24 . Note that the operations of the fans  41  and  62  may be controlled independently. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0066]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an isolator  10  according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The isolator  10  is a device configured to conduct work on cells and the like under a decontaminated environment, and includes a decontamination solution spray device  20 , a supply device  21 , a working chamber  22 , a discharge device  23 , an operation unit  24 , and a control device  25 . 
         [0067]    The isolator  10  according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is different, as compared with the isolator of the first embodiment, in that the other end of the second pipe  35  of the decontamination solution spray device  20  is led into the interior of the tank  30  and that a solenoid valve  95  is provided between the other end of the second pipe  35  and the junction  37 . 
         [0068]    The solenoid valve control unit  302  of the microcomputer  71  opens the solenoid valve  95  when an instruction to generate decontaminating gas is outputted from the operation unit  24 . Further, the solenoid valve control unit  302  closes the solenoid valve  95  when an instruction to stop the generation of decontaminating gas is outputted from the operation unit  24 . 
         [0069]    Also in the decontamination solution spray device  20  according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, even if the pump  33  does not stop operating although air supply to the atomizer  100  is stopped due to some failure, for example, the hydrogen peroxide solution pumped up by the pump  33  does not rise up to the atomizer  100 , and thus it becomes possible to prevent the hydrogen peroxide solution from being supplied to the atomizer  100 . As a result, the hydrogen peroxide solution remaining in the form of liquid can be reliably prevented from being injected to the interior of the working chamber  22 . 
         [0070]    Further, the configuration of a second embodiment of the present disclosure can negate the need for the bottle  31 , which receives the hydrogen peroxide solution running down from the other end of the second pipe  35 . 
         [0071]    Further, since the hydrogen peroxide solution which has not been sprayed flows back to the tank  30 , the hydrogen peroxide solution can easily be reused. Further, the management of the bottle  31  becomes unnecessary, thereby being able to reduce the load of maintenance. 
         [0072]    Further, even if the hydrogen peroxide solution which has not been sprayed from the atomizer  100  is returned to the tank  30 , the amount of the hydrogen peroxide solution stored in the tank  30  would not exceed the initial amount and thus the hydrogen peroxide solution does not overflow from the tank  30 . Therefore, the need for the water-level sensor  72  can be eliminated and safety of the isolator  10  can be improved. 
         [0073]    Further, since the solenoid valve  95  is closed while the hydrogen peroxide solution is not being sprayed from the atomizer  100 , impurities such as dust contained in the external air can be prevented from intruding into the working chamber  22  through the second pipe  35  and the atomizer  100 . 
         [0074]    Note that the other end of the second pipe  35  illustrated in  FIG. 3  is provided in the interior of the tank  30 , but may be provided vertically above the tank  30 . In this case, the hydrogen peroxide solution returned to the tank  30  drips from the other end of the second pipe  35  into the tank  30 . 
       Third Embodiment 
       [0075]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an isolator  10  according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. The isolator  10  is a device configured to conduct work on cells and the like under a decontaminated environment, and includes a decontamination solution spray device  20 , a supply device  21 , a working chamber  22 , a discharge device  23 , an operation unit  24 , and a control device  25 . 
         [0076]    The isolator  10  according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure is different, as compared with the isolator of a first embodiment, in that the other end of the third pipe  36  is inserted into the interior of the bottle  31 . In a third embodiment of the present disclosure, the hydrogen peroxide solution pumped up by the pump  33  from the tank  30  is injected from the other end of the third pipe  36  into the bottle  31 . 
         [0077]    In a third embodiment of the present disclosure, the other end of the second pipe  35  is provided so to be positioned in the hydrogen peroxide solution injected into the bottle  31 . For example, the other end of the second pipe  35  is provided at a position in the vicinity of the inner bottom face of the bottle  31 . In this case, even if the amount of the hydrogen peroxide solution to be stored in the bottle  31  is minute, the other end of the second pipe  35  can be set at a position in the hydrogen peroxide solution. 
         [0078]    Further, the other end of the second pipe  35  can be controlled to remain at a position in the hydrogen peroxide solution by providing in the bottle  31  a sensor (not shown) which detects that the amount of the hydrogen peroxide solution in the bottle  31  is below the predetermined amount, and by driving the pump  33  in accordance with an instruction from the control device  25  to refill the hydrogen peroxide solution in the bottle  31  when the amount of the hydrogen peroxide solution in the bottle  31  falls below the predetermined amount. 
         [0079]    Hereinabove, the decontamination solution spray device  20  according to first to third embodiments of the present disclosure have been described by way of example, and with such a decontamination solution spray device  20 , the hydrogen peroxide solution can be prevented from being directly sprayed and dripping, even when air supply to the atomizer  100  is not carried out appropriately. 
         [0080]    Further, the decontamination solution spray device  20  enables effective decontamination of the interior of the working chamber  22 . For example, the hydrogen peroxide solution gas in the form of a mist can be effectively generated and sprayed in the working chamber  22 , without using a vaporizer utilizing a heater or ultrasonic waves or the like when vaporizing the hydrogen peroxide solution. 
         [0081]    Further, in the decontamination solution spray device  20 , for example, even when air supply to the atomizer  100  is stopped due to some failure, the hydrogen peroxide solution remaining in the interior of the second pipe  35  does not rise up to the second port  102  of the atomizer  100 , but drops from the other end of the second pipe  35  due to its own weight and is collected in the bottle  31  or the bottle  30 . Further, the hydrogen peroxide solution sent out from the pump  33  is also collected in the bottle  31 . 
         [0082]    Therefore, the decontamination solution spray device  20  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can prevent the hydrogen peroxide solution from being directly injected in the form of liquid to the interior of the working chamber  22 . As a result, a worker can safely conduct work such as cell culture and the like in the working chamber  22 . 
         [0083]    For this reason, the atomizer  100  can be provided in the interior of the working chamber  22 , and thus decontamination in the interior of the working chamber  22  can be effectively performed. For example, as compared with the case of the atomizer  100  provided in the exterior of the working chamber  22 , hydrogen peroxide with a higher concentration can be sprayed from the atomizer  100 , thereby being able to achieve an increased decontamination effect. 
         [0084]    Note that the above embodiments of the present disclosure are simply for facilitating the understanding of the present disclosure and are not in any way to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The present disclosure may variously be changed or altered without departing from its spirit and encompass equivalents thereof. 
         [0085]    For example, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, hydrogen peroxide solution has been given by way of example as a decontamination solution, however, alcohols such as ethanol and isopropyl alcohol, hypochlorous acid solution, chlorine dioxide solution, ozone water, formaldehyde and the like may be used.