Metallic porous membrane, classifying method using the same, and classifying device

Abstract

A metallic porous membrane that classifies cell aggregates includes a membrane section having a first principal surface for capturing the cell aggregates, a second principal surface opposing the first principal surface, and a plurality of through-holes communicating with the first principal surface and the second principal surface.

1 . A metallic porous membrane that classifies cell aggregates, the metallic porous membrane comprising:
 a membrane section including a first principal surface for capturing the cell aggregates, a second principal surface opposing the first principal surface, and a plurality of through-holes communicating with the first principal surface and the second principal surface,   wherein an opening ratio of a first area of the plurality of through-holes at the first principal surface to a projected entire area of the first principal surface is no less than 10%, and   some of the plurality of through-holes are configured to have different dimensions sufficient to release pressure applied to the metallic porous membrane without degrading classification accuracy of the metallic porous membrane.   
     
     
         2 . The metallic porous membrane according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first principal surface of the membrane section is flat, and   the plurality of through-holes each communicate through a wall surface continuously connecting a first opening on the first principal surface side of the membrane section and a second opening on the second principal surface side of the membrane section.   
     
     
         3 . The metallic porous membrane according to  claim 1 , wherein a width of the through-hole is less than 100% of a size of the cell aggregate. 
     
     
         4 . The metallic porous membrane according to  claim 1 , wherein a width of the through-hole is less than 80% of a size of the cell aggregate. 
     
     
         5 . The metallic porous membrane according to  claim 1 , wherein a width of the through-hole is no less than 20% of a size of the cell aggregate. 
     
     
         6 . The metallic porous membrane according to  claim 1 , wherein a width of the through-hole is no less than 40% of a size of the cell aggregate. 
     
     
         7 . A classifying method that classifies cell aggregates, the method comprising:
 preparing a metallic porous membrane having a membrane section including a first principal surface for capturing the cell aggregates, a second principal surface opposing the first principal surface, and a plurality of through-holes communicating with the first principal surface and the second principal surface, wherein an opening ratio of a first area of the plurality of through-holes at the first principal surface to a projected entire area of the first principal surface is no less than 10%, and some of the plurality of through-holes are configured to have different dimensions sufficient to release pressure applied to the metallic porous membrane without degrading classification accuracy of the metallic porous membrane; and   classifying the cell aggregates by passing a liquid containing the cell aggregates through the metallic porous membrane and capturing the cell aggregates on the metallic porous membrane.   
     
     
         8 . The classifying method according to  claim 7 , wherein, the preparing of the metallic porous membrane includes preparing a plurality of metallic porous membranes respectively including through-holes having mutually different dimensions, and arranging the plurality of metallic porous membranes in series from an upstream side of a flow path through which a liquid containing the cell aggregates flows in a descending order of the dimensions of the through-holes of the plurality of metallic porous membranes. 
     
     
         9 . The classifying method according to  claim 8 , wherein, in the classifying of the cell aggregates, cells isolated from the cell aggregates are allowed to pass through the metallic porous membrane positioned at a lowermost stage from among the plurality of metallic porous membranes. 
     
     
         10 . The classifying method according to  claim 9 , further comprising subculturing the isolated cells. 
     
     
         11 . The classifying method according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 washing the cell aggregates when the cell aggregates are captured on the metallic porous membrane.   
     
     
         12 . The classifying method according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 collecting the cell aggregates captured by the metallic porous membrane.   
     
     
         13 . The classifying method according to  claim 7 , further comprising sterilizing the metallic porous membrane. 
     
     
         14 . The classifying method according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 determining medicine efficacy using the classified cell aggregates.   
     
     
         15 . The classifying method according to  claim 7 , wherein a flow path in which the liquid containing the cell aggregates flows while passing through the metallic porous membrane is shut off from outside air. 
     
     
         16 . A classifying device that classifies cell aggregates, the classifying device comprising:
 a first metallic porous membrane provided with a membrane section including a first principal surface for capturing the cell aggregates, a second principal surface opposing the first principal surface, and a plurality of through-holes communicating with the first principal surface and the second principal surface,   wherein an opening ratio of a first area of the plurality of through-holes at the first principal surface to a projected entire area of the first principal surface is no less than 10%, and   some of the plurality of through-holes are configured to have different dimensions sufficient to release pressure applied to the metallic porous membrane without degrading classification accuracy of the metallic porous membrane.   
     
     
         17 . The classifying device according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a plurality of metallic porous membranes respectively including through-holes having mutually different dimensions,   wherein the plurality of metallic porous membranes are arranged in series from an upstream side of a flow path through which a liquid containing the cell aggregates flows in a descending order of the different dimensions of the through-holes of the plurality of metallic porous membranes.   
     
     
         18 . The classifying device according to  claim 17 , wherein the dimension of the through-holes of a metallic porous membrane positioned at a lowermost stage among the plurality of metallic porous membranes, is equal to or smaller than the size of cells to be isolated from the cell aggregates. 
     
     
         19 . The classifying device according to  claim 17 , wherein the dimension of the through-holes of a metallic porous membrane positioned at a lowermost stage among the plurality of metallic porous membranes have a size that allows cells to be isolated from the cell aggregates to pass through. 
     
     
         20 . The classifying device according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a housing that encompasses the metallic porous membrane and includes a fluid introducing path that opposes the first principal surface of the metallic porous membrane and a fluid discharging path that opposes the second principal surface of the metallic porous membrane.   
     
     
         21 . The classifying device according to  claim 16 , wherein a flow path in which a liquid containing the cell aggregates flows while passing through the metallic porous membrane is shut off from outside air. 
     
     
         22 . The classifying device according to  claim 16 , wherein the metallic porous membrane is sterilized.