Abstract: In an aeration method for an isolator system, an incubator is connected to an isolator through a chamber. After closing a door at each sidewall of the chamber, a decontaminating gas is supplied to the chamber through gas supply passages to decontaminate the inside thereof. Next, air is supplied into the chamber through the gas supply passages and an initial aeration is carried out by discharging the decontamination gas through a gas discharge passage. Then, after a door between the isolator and the chamber is opened, and blowers are stopped, gas at a positive pressure in the isolator is introduced into the chamber. The decontaminating gas in the chamber is rapidly discharged to an outside through the gas supply passages and the gas discharge passage, and aeration in the chamber is completed. The time required for aeration of the chamber can be drastically reduced as compared with conventional aeration processes.

Abstract: In a state where an incubator 3 is connected to an isolator 2 through a chamber 4 and opening/closing doors 11B and 12 are closed, a decontaminating gas G is supplied to the chamber 4 through gas supply passages 16 and 26, and an inside thereof is decontaminated (FIGS. 2(a), (b)). Subsequently, an air is supplied into the chamber 4 through the gas supply passages 16 and 26 and initial aeration is carried out by discharging a gas in the chamber 4 through a gas discharge passage 27 (FIG. 2(b)). Subsequently, after the opening/closing door 11B is opened, when both blowers B1 and B4 are stopped, the gas at a positive pressure in the isolator 2 is introduced into the chamber 4 (FIG. 2(c)). Thus, the gas containing the decontaminating gas G in the chamber 4 is rapidly discharged to an outside through the gas supply passages 26 and 16 and the gas discharge passage 27, and aeration in the chamber 4 is completed. Time required for the aeration of the chamber 4 can be drastically reduced as compared with before.

Abstract: An isolator system 1 includes: a main isolator 3 in which an aseptic state is maintained and which is for performing an aseptic operation; an incubator 4 in which the aseptic state is maintained and which is connected to the main isolator 3 and is for culturing cells and the like; decontamination means 35 for decontaminating the inside of the main isolator 3; and a decontamination station 9 that decontaminates the inside of the incubator 4. The isolator system 1 further includes a blocking member 30 for sealing a connection port 13 from the outside, the port being provided in the main isolator 3 and being for connection with the incubator 4. When the inside of the main isolator 3 is decontaminated, the connection port 13 is sealed from the outside with the blocking member 30. The isolator system that can efficiently decontaminate the main isolator and the subisolator connected to this main isolator can be provided.

Abstract: An incubator 1 includes a cultivating chamber 4 for cultivating culture in a plurality of containers 3 and a supply device 5 provided outside the cultivating chamber 4 and supplying steam into the cultivating chamber 4 for humidification. The supply device 5 includes a supply chamber 5A in which a tray 42 for reserving water is accommodated and an ultrasonic atomizing device 43 for atomizing water. The water in the tray 42 is easily made into steam by the ultrasonic atomizing device 43, passes through an HEPA filter 45 provided in an opening portion 5B and is supplied into the circulation passage 37 of the cultivating chamber 4.

Abstract: An isolator system 1 includes: a main isolator 3 in which an aseptic state is maintained and which is for performing an aseptic operation; an incubator 4 in which the aseptic state is maintained and which is connected to the main isolator 3 and is for culturing cells and the like; decontamination means 35 for decontaminating the inside of the main isolator 3; and a decontamination station 9 that decontaminates the inside of the incubator 4. The isolator system 1 further includes a blocking member 30 for sealing a connection port 13 from the outside, the port being provided in the main isolator 3 and being for connection with the incubator 4. When the inside of the main isolator 3 is decontaminated, the connection port 13 is sealed from the outside with the blocking member 30. The isolator system that can efficiently decontaminate the main isolator and the subisolator connected to this main isolator can be provided.

Abstract: An incubator 1 includes a cultivating chamber 4 for cultivating culture in a plurality of containers 3 and a supply device 5 provided outside the cultivating chamber 4 and supplying steam into the cultivating chamber 4 for humidification. The supply device 5 includes a supply chamber 5A in which a tray 42 for reserving water is accommodated and an ultrasonic atomizing device 43 for atomizing water. The water in the tray 42 is easily made into steam by the ultrasonic atomizing device 43, passes through an HEPA filter 45 provided in an opening portion 5B and is supplied into the circulation passage 37 of the cultivating chamber 4.