Abstract: A sterile sampling apparatus includes a first to seventh flow paths, a sampling section, a first and second pumps, and a first to sixth opening/closing mechanism. The sampling section is disposed in the seventh flow path. The first pump is disposed in the sixth flow path. The second pump is disposed in the seventh flow path. The second flow path includes a first opening/closing mechanism. The third flow path includes a second opening/closing mechanism. The fourth flow path includes a third opening/closing mechanism. The first flow path includes a fourth opening/closing mechanism. The sixth flow path includes a fifth opening/closing mechanism. The seventh flow path includes a sixth opening/closing mechanism. The rate of the second pump is higher than that of the first pump.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for swiftly producing a layered cell sheet that is non-invasively obtained and is utilizable for transplantation, etc., the method including (1) a step of applying a centrifugal force to a first cell sheet on a temperature-responsive culture surface for a predetermined time in a temperature range from a lower critical solution temperature of the temperature-responsive culture surface to 45° C., (2) a step of further placing a second cell sheet on the first cell sheet, and (3) a step of applying a centrifugal force to the first cell sheet and the second cell sheet on the temperature-responsive culture surface for a predetermined time in the temperature range from the lower critical solution temperature to 45° C.; and also provides a layered cell sheet obtained by the method.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides a cell culture evaluation system including a measurement unit, a first storage unit, a second storage unit, an evaluation unit and an output unit, wherein: the measurement unit includes a sensor that acquires evaluation target data about motion or a state of a culture tool; the first storage unit stores the evaluation target data; the second storage unit stores reference data; the evaluation unit compares the evaluation target data with the reference data so as to evaluate an execution state of a cell culture process; and the output unit outputs an evaluation result created by the evaluation unit.

Abstract: A sample storage apparatus includes: a lid member; a sample storage container; first and second fluid sucking sections; first and second fluid discharging sections; first to fourth flow paths; and a first fluid identification sensor. The first flow path is connected to the first fluid sucking section, the second flow path is connected to the second fluid sucking section, the third flow path is connected to the first fluid discharging section, and the fourth flow path is connected to the second fluid discharging section. The first fluid identification sensor for identifying a fluid is disposed in the first flow path.

Abstract: An aseptic sampling apparatus includes an isolator, a liquid delivery port that is disposed in the isolator, a sampling section that is disposed inside the isolator, a first flow path that communicates with a discharge flow path of the sampling section, and that connects an inside and outside of the isolator to each other through the liquid delivery port, a fluid supplying unit that supplies a fluid to the sampling section, a gas supplying unit that communicates with the fluid supplying unit, and a seal member that prevents the fluid supplied from fluid supplying unit to the discharge flow path from leaking.

Abstract: An aseptic sampling flow path kit to be applied to an isolator having a liquid delivery port includes a sampling section, a first flow path that communicates with the sampling section, and that connects an inside of the isolator to an outside of the isolator through the liquid delivery port, and at least one one-way valve which is disposed in the first flow path, and that limits flow of fluid in the first flow path to a direction from the sampling section toward the liquid delivery port. In the kit, at least a part of the first flow path is a germicidal flow path to which a germicidal unit is applicable.

Abstract: A device for measuring a tension of a cell structure containing muscle cells includes a first and a second gel adaptor holder. The first gel adaptor holder includes a frame member and a first gel holding portion which is disposed protrudingly from a part of an inner surface of the frame member for fixing one end of a gel. The second gel adaptor holder includes a second gel holding portion that fixes another end of the gel, and connecting members connected with the second gel holding portion. A kit including the device, a substrate and a gel forming cover. The substrate includes a pair of gel shaping convex parts fitted along the inner surface of the frame member. The gel forming cover includes a surface parallel to a gel contacting surface of the substrate, in order to form an upper surface of the gel.

Abstract: A transfer method includes a centrifugation step for applying centrifugal force in the direction of lamination to a laminate of a cell structure disposed on a temperature-responsive culture dish and a gel placed on the cell structure and a peeling step for maintaining the temperature at the lower critical solution temperature of the temperature-responsive culture dish or lower and peeling off the cell structure containing muscle cells from the temperature-responsive culture dish.

Abstract: A device for measuring a tension of a sheet-like tissue containing cardiomyocytes includes a first gel adapter holder having a frame member and a first gel holding member protruding toward a part of an inside face of the frame member for fixing one end of a film-like gel; and a second gel adapter holder having a second gel holding member for fixing the other end of the gel and a connection member connected to the second gel holding member. A kit includes the tension measuring device; a substrate having a pair of gel molding protruding members fitted along the inside face of the frame member; and a gel forming lid body having a face parallel to a gel contact face of the substrate so as to form an upper face of the gel. Further, a system for measuring the tension includes the tension measuring device.

Abstract: A sterile sampling apparatus includes a first to seventh flow paths, a sampling section, a first and second pumps, and a first to sixth opening/closing mechanism. The sampling section is disposed in the seventh flow path. The first pump is disposed in the sixth flow path. The second pump is disposed in the seventh flow path. The second flow path includes a first opening/closing mechanism. The third flow path includes a second opening/closing mechanism. The fourth flow path includes a third opening/closing mechanism. The first flow path includes a fourth opening/closing mechanism. The sixth flow path includes a fifth opening/closing mechanism. The seventh flow path includes a sixth opening/closing mechanism. The rate of the second pump is higher than that of the first pump.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is to provide a hepatocyte structure, particularly, a hepatocyte structure that mimics nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). A hepatocyte construct including an aggregate containing hepatocytes and adherent cells that are non-hepatocytes, and wherein the hepatocytes include ballooned hepatocytes is provided. Further, a method for producing a hepatocyte construct, comprising: (i) forming an aggregate by aggregating a cell group comprising hepatocytes and adherent cells that are non-hepatocytes; and (ii) culturing the aggregate is provided.

Abstract: A device for measuring a tension of a cell structure containing muscle cells includes a first and a second gel adaptor holder. The first gel adaptor holder includes a frame member and a first gel holding portion which is disposed protrudingly from a part of an inner surface of the frame member for fixing one end of a gel. The second gel adaptor holder includes a second gel holding portion that fixes another end of the gel, and connecting members connected with the second gel holding portion. A kit including the device, a substrate and a gel forming cover. The substrate includes a pair of gel shaping convex parts fitted along the inner surface of the frame member. The gel forming cover includes a surface parallel to a gel contacting surface of the substrate, in order to form an upper surface of the gel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for swiftly producing a layered cell sheet that is non-invasively obtained and is utilizable for transplantation, etc., the method including (1) a step of applying a centrifugal force to a first cell sheet on a temperature-responsive culture surface for a predetermined time in a temperature range from a lower critical solution temperature of the temperature-responsive culture surface to 45° C., (2) a step of further placing a second cell sheet on the first cell sheet, and (3) a step of applying a centrifugal force to the first cell sheet and the second cell sheet on the temperature-responsive culture surface for a predetermined time in the temperature range from the lower critical solution temperature to 45° C.; and also provides a layered cell sheet obtained by the method.

Abstract: A sample storage apparatus includes: a lid member; a sample storage container; first and second fluid sucking sections; first and second fluid discharging sections; first to fourth flow paths; and a first fluid identification sensor. The first flow path is connected to the first fluid sucking section, the second flow path is connected to the second fluid sucking section, the third flow path is connected to the first fluid discharging section, and the fourth flow path is connected to the second fluid discharging section. The first fluid identification sensor for identifying a fluid is disposed in the first flow path.

Abstract: An aseptic sampling flow path kit to be applied to an isolator having a liquid delivery port includes a sampling section, a first flow path that communicates with the sampling section, and that connects an inside of the isolator to an outside of the isolator through the liquid delivery port, and at least one one-way valve which is disposed in the first flow path, and that limits flow of fluid in the first flow path to a direction from the sampling section toward the liquid delivery port. In the kit, at least a part of the first flow path is a germicidal flow path to which a germicidal unit is applicable.

Abstract: An aseptic sampling apparatus includes an isolator, a liquid delivery port that is disposed in the isolator, a sampling section that is disposed inside the isolator, a first flow path that communicates with a discharge flow path of the sampling section, and that connects an inside and outside of the isolator to each other through the liquid delivery port, a fluid supplying unit that supplies a fluid to the sampling section, a gas supplying unit that communicates with the fluid supplying unit, and a seal member that prevents the fluid supplied from fluid supplying unit to the discharge flow path from leaking.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus relates to a contractile ability of a spontaneously pulsating myocardial tissue. The measuring apparatus includes a measurement table and a pressure sensor. The measurement table includes a storage section having an opening and configured to hold liquid inside the storage section, and an attaching portion on which the myocardial tissue is attached around the opening. The pressure sensor is disposed inside the storage section.

Abstract: A device for measuring a tension of a sheet-like tissue containing cardiomyocytes includes a first gel adapter holder having a frame member and a first gel holding member protruding toward a part of an inside face of the frame member for fixing one end of a film-like gel; and a second gel adapter holder having a second gel holding member for fixing the other end of the gel and a connection member connected to the second gel holding member. A kit includes the tension measuring device; a substrate having a pair of gel molding protruding members fitted along the inside face of the frame member; and a gel forming lid body having a face parallel to a gel contact face of the substrate so as to form an upper face of the gel. Further, a system for measuring the tension includes the tension measuring device.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus relates to a contractile ability of a spontaneously pulsating myocardial tissue. The measuring apparatus includes a measurement table and a pressure sensor. The measurement table includes a storage section having an opening and configured to hold liquid inside the storage section, and an attaching portion on which the myocardial tissue is attached around the opening. The pressure sensor is disposed inside the storage section.

Abstract: A cell culture apparatus includes: an isolator in which a sterile space accommodating a cell incubator filled with a culture solution containing cells to be cultured is disposed; a sampling unit configured to sample the culture solution in the cell incubator; a delivery flow path through which an inside of the sterile space and an outside of the sterile space communicate with each other, the delivery flow path configured to limit a flow in the delivery flow path to a direction that is directed from the inside of the sterile space toward the outside of the sterile space; and a culture solution delivering section configured to deliver the sampled culture solution to the outside of the sterile space via the delivery flow path.