JP5125947B2 - Reaction vessel processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention relates to reaction vessel plate processing for processing reaction vessel plates suitable for performing various analyzes and analyzes in the field of medical analysis and chemistry in the fields of biological analysis, biochemical analysis, or chemical analysis in general. It relates to the device.

A micro multi-chamber apparatus is used as a small reaction apparatus used for biochemical analysis or normal chemical analysis. As such an apparatus, for example, a microwell reaction vessel plate such as a microtiter plate in which a plurality of wells are formed on a flat substrate surface is used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Moreover, as a trace liquid weighing structure capable of quantitatively handling a trace amount of liquid, a first channel and a second channel, a third channel opening in the channel wall of the first channel, A structure having a fourth channel having a property of opening the channel wall of the two channels and connecting one end of the third channel and the second channel so that capillary attraction is relatively difficult to work than the third channel. Some are provided (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3). According to the trace liquid weighing structure, after the liquid introduced into the first flow path is drawn into the third flow path, the liquid remaining in the first flow path is removed, and the volume of the third flow path is increased. A corresponding volume of liquid can be weighed into the second flow path.
JP-A-2005-177749 JP 2004-163104 A JP 2005-114430 A WO2008 / 096492

When the conventional microwell reaction container plate is used, the upper surface of the reaction container plate is open to the atmosphere. Therefore, foreign matter may enter the sample from the outside, and conversely, the reaction product may contaminate the external environment.
Further, in the trace liquid weighing structure disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3, liquid introduction ports are formed at both ends of the first flow path and at both ends of the second flow path. It is possible that the reaction products are open and pollute the external environment through these ports.

  Therefore, the present inventors include a reaction vessel for causing a sample to react, a reaction vessel channel connected to the reaction vessel for circulating a sample, a reaction reagent, etc., and a sample, a reagent, etc. In addition to a sealing container, a sealing container flow path that can be connected to the sealing container, a switching valve for switching and connecting a reaction container flow path or a sealing container flow path to a syringe for sending a liquid or a syringe And the like, and a reaction vessel plate in which a reaction vessel, a reaction vessel channel, a sealed vessel, and a sealed vessel channel are used as a closed system has been proposed (see Patent Document 4). According to the proposed reaction vessel plate, it is possible to prevent foreign substances from entering from the outside of the reaction vessel plate and environmental pollution to the outside.

  Furthermore, in order to inject a stable amount of the sample liquid into the reaction container, the present inventor separates an injection flow channel configured to prevent the sample liquid from passing at a pressure lower than a certain pressure at the inlet of the reaction container. It has also been proposed to provide a metering channel with a predetermined capacity. By applying a pressure equal to or higher than a certain pressure while the sample liquid is filled only in the measurement channel, the same amount of sample liquid as the volume of the measurement channel can be injected into the reaction vessel.

By the way, if the sample liquid (including reagent and diluent) injected into the reaction vessel is not sufficiently deaerated, bubbles are generated due to the heating of the reaction vessel, and the reaction and photometry are affected by expansion.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to prevent the generation of bubbles from the liquid injected into the reaction vessel and to perform the analysis in the reaction vessel accurately.

  The present invention includes a reaction vessel and a reaction vessel channel connected to the reaction vessel, the reaction vessel channel is a main channel, a metering channel having a predetermined capacity branched from the main channel, and one end connected to the metering channel. Is connected to the reaction vessel, the flow resistance is larger than the metering channel, the upper wall of the channel is lower than the upper channel wall of the metering channel, and the liquid introduction pressure when the liquid is introduced into the main channel and the metering channel Processing of reaction vessel plate constituted by an injection flow channel that does not pass liquid in the purge pressure state when the liquid in the state and the main flow channel is purged but passes the liquid in a pressurized state than those pressure states A reaction vessel processing apparatus for injecting a sample liquid into a reaction vessel through a reaction vessel flow path, a reaction vessel temperature adjusting unit for adjusting the temperature of the reaction vessel to a predetermined temperature, and measuring Heat the temperature of the flow path above the specified temperature A measuring channel heating unit, the sample injection mechanism fills the measuring channel with the sample solution, and injects only the sample solution in the measuring channel into the reaction vessel. The temperature of the metering channel is heated to a predetermined temperature or higher before the sample liquid filling the metering channel is injected into the reaction vessel.

In the reaction vessel processing apparatus of the present invention, a reaction vessel is provided with a metering channel at the inlet portion of the reaction vessel with an injection channel therebetween, and the upper channel wall of the injection channel is lower than the upper channel wall of the metering channel Use plates. The inventor has disclosed a reaction vessel plate having such a structure in Patent Document 5. Here, the “flow channel upper wall” means the ceiling portion of the flow channel.
When the liquid to be injected into the reaction vessel is heated in the measuring channel and the gas contained therein is generated as bubbles, the generated bubbles are collected near the upper wall of the measuring channel. When the liquid in the metering channel is injected into the reaction vessel in this state, the upper wall of the channel of the injection channel is lower than the metering channel, so that bubbles do not pass through the injection channel and remain in the metering channel.

  The reaction container processing apparatus according to the present invention uses a reaction container plate in which the upper channel wall of the injection channel is lower than the upper channel wall of the metering channel, and injects the sample solution filling the metering channel into the reaction container. Before the metering channel heating unit warms the temperature of the metering channel above the reaction vessel temperature when the reaction process is performed, gas can be generated as bubbles from the liquid in the metering channel, When the liquid is injected into the reaction vessel from the measurement channel, the bubbles can remain in the measurement channel. Thereby, gas generated as bubbles at the temperature at the time of the reaction process in the measuring channel is removed from the liquid injected into the reaction container, so that bubbles are not generated at the time of the reaction process in the reaction container, Analysis in the reaction vessel can be performed accurately.

1A and 1B are diagrams showing an example of a reaction vessel plate handled by the reaction vessel treatment apparatus of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a schematic plan view, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. Schematic sectional view including sections of the container 5, the metering channel 15, the injection channel 17, the reaction container air vent channels 19, 21, the liquid drain space 29, the sample container 35 and the bellows 53, (C) is a syringe It is a schematic sectional drawing which expands and shows 51 and the bellows 53 vicinity. FIG. 2 is an exploded sectional view showing the reaction vessel plate and a schematic exploded perspective view of the switching valve. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the vicinity of one reaction vessel of the reaction vessel plate, wherein (A) is a plan view, (B) is a perspective view, and (C) is a cross-sectional view. FIG. 4 shows a sample container container and a sample container of the reaction container plate, FIG. 5 shows a reagent container container and a reagent container, and FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of the air suction container container and the air suction container. (A) of each figure is a plan view of each accommodating part, (B) is a cross-sectional view at the BB position of (A), (C) is a plan view of each container, and (D) is (C) ) Is a cross-sectional view at the CC position, (E) is a cross-sectional view at which the containers are arranged at the first holding position, and (F) is a cross-sectional view at which the containers are arranged at the second holding position.
An embodiment of the reaction vessel plate will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The reaction vessel plate 1 includes a plurality of reaction vessels 5 having openings on one surface of the vessel base 3. In this embodiment, a set of 6 × 2 reaction vessels 5 arranged in a staggered pattern is provided for each of the two flow path units 6a and 6b. A reagent 7 and wax 9 are accommodated in the reaction vessel 5.

  The material of the container base 3 including the reaction container 5 is not particularly limited. However, when the reaction container plate 1 is used as disposable, it is preferable that there is a material available at a low cost. As such a material, for example, a resin material such as polypropylene and polycarbonate is preferable. When the substance in the reaction vessel 5 is detected by absorbance, fluorescence, chemiluminescence, bioluminescence or the like, it must be formed of a light transmissive resin so that optical detection can be performed from the bottom side. Is preferred. In particular, when fluorescence detection is performed, the container base 3 is made of a material such as a resin having a low autofluorescence property (a property of generating less fluorescence from itself) and a light transmitting resin, such as polycarbonate. Is preferred. The thickness of the container base 3 is 0.2 to 4.0 mm (millimeters), preferably 1.0 to 2.0 mm. From the viewpoint of low autofluorescence for fluorescence detection, the container base 3 is preferably thinner.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the flow path base 11 is disposed on the container base 3 so as to cover the arrangement region of the reaction containers 5. The channel base 11 is made of, for example, PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) or silicone rubber. The thickness of the channel base 11 is, for example, 1.0 to 5.0 mm. The flow path base 11 has a groove on the joint surface with the container base 3. A main channel 13, a metering channel 15, an injection channel 17, and reaction vessel air vent channels 19 and 21 are formed by the groove and the surface of the container base 3. The main channel 13, the metering channel 15 and the injection channel 17 constitute a reaction vessel channel. A concave portion 27 disposed on the reaction vessel 5 is also formed on the joint surface of the flow path base 11 with the vessel base 3. In FIG. 1A and FIGS. 3A and 3B, only the groove and the concave portion of the flow path base 11 are illustrated.

  The flow path base 11 may be formed by integral molding including the formation regions of the flow path units 6a and 6b, or may be molded for each flow path unit 6a and 6b. When the flow path base 11 is formed for each of the flow path units 6a and 6b, the planar size of the flow path base 11 is smaller than that in which the flow path base 11 is integrally formed including the formation region of the flow path units 6a and 6b. .

  When the channel base 11 is formed of an elastic resin such as PDMS or silicone rubber, the adhesion between the channel base 11 and the container base 3 can be improved by reducing the planar size of the channel base 11. . Thereby, the manufacturing yield of the reaction vessel plate 1 can be improved, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In addition, when the flow path base 11 is formed of a hard resin such as polypropylene or polycarbonate, by reducing the planar size of the flow path base 11, distortion and sink marks (undesired recesses) in the flow path base 11 are formed. Can be reduced. Thereby, the manufacturing yield of the flow path base 11 and by extension, the reaction vessel plate 1 can be improved, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  The main channel 13 is provided for each channel unit 6a, 6b. The main flow path 13 is formed so as to pass through the vicinity of all the reaction vessels 5 in the flow path units 6a and 6b. One end of the main flow path 13 is connected to a flow path 14 formed of a through hole provided in the container base 3. The flow path 14 is connected to a port of a switching valve 63 described later. The other end of the main channel 13 is connected to a liquid drain space 29 formed in the container base 3. The liquid drain space 29 is provided for each flow path unit 6a, 6b. The dimensions of the grooves constituting the main flow path 13 are, for example, a depth of 400 μm (micrometer) and a width of 500 μm. In addition, the main flow path 13 has a predetermined length downstream of the position where the measurement flow path 15 is connected, for example, a 250 μm portion is formed to be narrower than other portions, for example, the width is 250 μm. It is.

  The measuring channel 15 is branched from the main channel 13 and provided for each reaction vessel 5. The end of the measuring channel 15 opposite to the main channel 13 is disposed in the vicinity of the reaction vessel 5. The depth of the groove constituting the measuring channel 15 is 400 μm, for example. The measuring channel 15 has an internal capacity of a predetermined capacity, for example, 2.5 μL (microliter). The width dimension of the part connected to the main flow path 13 of the measurement flow path 15 is larger than the narrow part of the main flow path 13 described above, for example, 500 μm. Thereby, the flow resistance of the main flow path 13 is larger than that of the measurement flow path 15 in the portion where the measurement flow path 15 is branched with respect to the liquid flowing from one end of the main flow path 13. The liquid flowing from one end of the main channel 13 first flows into the metering channel 15, and after the metering channel 15 is filled with the liquid, it flows downstream through the narrowed portion of the main channel 13. It has become.

An injection channel 17 is also provided for each reaction vessel 5. One end of the injection channel 17 is connected to the metering channel 15. The other end of the injection channel 17 is connected to a recess 27 disposed on the reaction vessel 5 and led to the reaction vessel 5. The injection channel 17 is formed with a dimension that maintains liquid tightness in the reaction vessel 5 in a state where there is no pressure difference between the reaction vessel 5 and the injection channel 17. Further, the injection channel 17 is formed such that the channel upper wall (ceiling) 17a is lower than the channel upper wall 15a of the metering channel. The injection channel 17 of this embodiment is configured by arranging a plurality of grooves having a depth of, for example, 10 μm and a width of 20 μm at a pitch of 20 μm. That is, the flow channel upper wall 15a of the metering flow channel 15 is 400 μm high from the upper surface of the container base 3, whereas the flow channel upper wall 17a of the injection flow channel 17 is 10 μm high from the upper surface of the container base 3. . Here, the area of the boundary between the groove constituting the injection channel 17 and the metering channel 15, that is, the cross-sectional area of the groove constituting the injection channel 17 is 200 μm ² . The recess 27 has a depth of, for example, 400 μm, and the planar shape is a circle smaller than the reaction vessel 5.

  A reaction vessel air vent channel 19 is provided for each reaction vessel 5. One end of the reaction container air vent channel 19 is connected to a recess 27 disposed on the reaction container 5 at a position different from the injection channel 17 and disposed on the reaction container 5. The reaction container air vent channel 19 is formed with a dimension that maintains liquid tightness in the reaction container 5 in a state where there is no pressure difference between the reaction container 5 and the reaction container air vent channel 19. The other end of the reaction vessel air vent channel 19 is connected to the reaction vessel air vent channel 21. In this embodiment, the reaction vessel air vent channel 19 is composed of a plurality of grooves, and the dimensions of the grooves are, for example, a depth of 10 μm, a width of 20 μm, a pitch of 20 μm, and 13 in a 500 μm width region. Grooves are formed.

  In this embodiment, two reaction vessel air vent channels 21 are provided in each of the channel units 6a and 6b. A plurality of reaction vessel air vent channels 19 are connected to each reaction vessel air vent channel 21. The reaction container air vent channel 21 is connected to a channel 22 formed of a through hole provided in the container base 3. The channel 22 is provided for each channel unit 6a, 6b. The flow path 22 is connected to a port of a switching valve 63 described later. The dimensions of the grooves constituting the reaction vessel air vent channel 21 are, for example, a depth of 400 μm and a width of 500 μm.

  The drain space air vent channel 23 is for connecting the liquid drain space 29 to a port of a switching valve 63 described later. One end of the drain space air vent channel 23 is disposed on the liquid drain space 29. The other end of the drain space air vent channel 23 is connected to a channel 24 formed of a through hole provided in the container base 3. The flow path 24 is connected to a port of a switching valve 63 described later. The dimensions of the grooves constituting the drain space air vent channel 23 are, for example, a depth of 400 μm and a width of 500 μm.

  An air vent channel 26 made of a through hole provided in the container base 3 is provided. The air vent channel 26 is provided for each channel unit 6a, 6b. Each air vent channel 26 is connected to a separate port of a switching valve 63 described later.

  A flow path cover 33 (not shown in FIG. 1A) is disposed on the flow path base 11. The flow path cover 33 is for fixing the flow path base 11 to the container base 3. A through hole is formed in the flow path cover 33 at a position on the reaction vessel 5.

  Referring to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 4 to 6, the sample container storage unit 36, the reagent container storage unit 38, and the air suction container are placed in the container base 3 at a position different from the arrangement region of the reaction container 5 and the drain space 29. The accommodating part 40 is formed. A sample container 35 is accommodated in the sample container accommodating portion 36, a reagent container 37 is accommodated in the reagent container accommodating portion 38, and an air aspirating 39 is accommodated in the air aspirating container accommodating portion 40. The sample container 35, the reagent container 37, and the air suction container 39 constitute a sealed container for the reaction container plate of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a sample channel 35 a penetrating from the bottom to the back surface of the sample container housing portion 36 and a sample container air vent penetrating from the front surface to the back surface are disposed in the container base 3 near the sample container housing portion 36 A flow path 35b is formed. Three locking claws 35 c for holding the sample container 35 are arranged on the surface of the container base 3 around the opening of the sample container housing portion 36.

  At the bottom of the sample container housing part 36, a projecting projection channel 35d is provided which projects toward the opening side of the sample container housing part 36. The base end side end of the projection channel 35d is connected to the sample channel 35a. The front end surface of the protruding channel 35d is inclined with respect to the protruding direction of the protruding channel 35d.

  On the surface of the container base 3 in the vicinity of the sample container accommodating portion 36, a protruding second protruding flow path 35e provided to protrude upward is formed. The end portion on the proximal end side of the second protruding flow path 35e is connected to the sample container air vent flow path 35b. The tip surface of the second protrusion channel 35e is inclined with respect to the protruding direction of the second protrusion channel 35e.

  An annular packing 35f is provided on the outer peripheral side surface of the base end portion of the projection flow path 35d and the outer peripheral side surface of the base end portion of the second projection flow path 35e. For example, it is formed of an elastic material such as silicone rubber or PDMS.

  The sample container 35 disposed in the sample container housing portion 36 includes a sample container main space 35g, a sample container air vent channel 35h, and a sample container air vent space 35i.

  The sample container main space 35g is provided so as to penetrate from the upper surface to the lower surface of the sample container main body formed of a resin material such as polypropylene or polycarbonate. The opening on the lower surface side of the sample container main space 35g is sealed with a film 35j (penetrable portion) made of, for example, aluminum and attached to the lower surface of the sample container main body. The opening on the upper surface side of the sample container main space 35g is sealed with a film 35k made of, for example, aluminum attached to the upper surface of the sample container main body.

  The sample container air vent channel 35h is formed by covering a groove formed on the upper surface of the sample container body with a film 35k. The groove for forming the sample container air vent channel 35h is formed by, for example, one or a plurality of pores having a width of 5 to 200 μm and a depth of 5 to 200 μm. This is for keeping the liquid tightness of the sample container main space 35g in a state where there is no pressure difference in the container air vent space 35i.

  The sample container air vent space 35i is formed in a protruding portion provided on the upper side surface of the sample container main body, and is provided so as to penetrate from the upper surface to the lower surface of the protruding portion. The opening on the lower surface side of the sample container air vent space 35i is sealed with a film 35l (second penetrable portion) made of, for example, aluminum, which is attached to the lower surface of the protruding portion. The opening on the upper surface side of the sample container air vent space 35i is sealed with a film 35k.

  A septum 41, which is an elastic member, is formed on the film 35k. The septum 41 is made of, for example, an elastic material such as silicone rubber or PDMS. The septum 41 can be penetrated by a dispensing device having a sharp tip, and the through-hole can be closed by elasticity when the dispensing device is pulled out after penetration. A septum stopper 43 for fixing the septum 41 is disposed on the septum 41. The septum stopper 43 has an opening on the sample container 35. In this embodiment, the reagent 45 is stored in advance in the sample container main space 35g. In FIG. 4, the septum stopper 43 is fixed to the sample container main body by a locking claw provided on the septum stopper 43, but the number of locking claw provided on the septum stopper 43 is arbitrary. The septum stopper 43 may be fixed to the sample container main body by any method. For example, the septum stopper 43 may be fixed to the sample container main body by an adhesive.

  Locking grooves 35m and 35n are formed on the side surface of the sample container main body. The locking grooves 35m and 35n are for holding the sample container 35 in the sample container housing portion 36 at the first holding position or the second holding position by the locking claw 35c. The locking groove 35m is formed below the locking groove 35n, and is for holding the sample container 35 at the first holding position (see (E)). The locking groove 35n is for holding the sample container 35 at the second holding position (see (F)). The locking claw 35c and the locking grooves 35m and 35n constitute a sealed container holding mechanism for the reaction container plate of the present invention. However, the sealing container holding mechanism is not limited to the one constituted by the locking claw 35c and the locking grooves 35m and 35n, and the sample container 35 (sealing container) is held at the first holding position and the second holding position. Any configuration may be used as long as it can be held.

  In the first holding position, as shown in (E), the film 35j and the protruding flow path 35d are arranged to face each other, and the film 35l and the second protruding flow path 35e are arranged to face each other. By pushing the sample container 35 toward the container base 3 from the state of the first holding position, the sample container 35 can be moved to the second holding position.

  At the second holding position, as shown in (F), the tip of the projection channel 35d penetrates the film 35j and is inserted into the sample container main space 35g, and the tip of the second projection channel 35e is the film 35l. And is inserted into the sample container air vent space 35i. In the state of the second holding position, the sample container main space 35g and the sample container channel 35a are connected via the projection channel 35d, and the sample container air vent space 35i and the sample container air vent channel 35b pass through the projection channel 35e. Connected through. At this time, the lower surface of the sample container main body of the sample container 35 is pressed against the packings 35f and 35f. Thereby, the sample container main space 35g and the sample container channel 35a, and the sample container air vent space 35i and the sample container air vent channel 35b are connected with high airtightness. Thereby, liquid leakage and air leakage can be prevented. However, the method for preventing liquid leakage and air leakage is not limited to the provision of the packings 35f and 35f, as long as the method can connect the sample container 35 and the flow paths 35a and 35b with airtightness. Any method may be used.

  If the sample container 35 is arranged at the first holding position, the reaction container plate can be stored in a state where the sample container 35 and the sample container flow path 35a are separated, so that the reagent 45 and the dilution 45 are diluted in the sample container main space 35g. Even if a liquid solid such as water or a powdery solid such as a reagent is enclosed and stored in advance, the liquid or solid does not enter the sample container channel 35a during storage.

  Furthermore, in the first holding position, the sample container main space 35g and the sample container air vent space 35i are sealed, so that liquid such as the reagent 45 and dilution water may be sealed in the sample container main space 35g in advance. The liquid can be prevented from evaporating.

Next, the reagent container 37 and the reagent container storage unit 38 will be described with reference to FIG.
The reagent container housing portion 38 has the same structure as the sample container housing portion 36 described with reference to FIG. That is, a reagent channel 37a, a reagent container air vent channel 37b, a locking claw 37c, a projection channel 37d, a second projection channel 37e, and packings 37f and 37f are provided.

  The reagent container 37 has the same structure as the sample container 35 described with reference to FIG. However, the reagent container 37 does not include the septum 41 as compared with the sample container 35, and includes a cover 47 instead of the septum stopper 43. That is, the reagent container 37 includes a reagent container main space 37g, a reagent container air vent channel 37h, a reagent container air vent space 37i, films 37j, 37k, and 37l, locking grooves 37m and 37n, and a cover 47. . The cover 47 is for preventing the film 37k affixed on the upper surface of the reagent container main body from being damaged. Dilution water 49 is accommodated in the reagent container main space 37g. In FIG. 5, the cover 47 is fixed to the reagent container main body by a locking claw provided on the cover 47, but the number of the locking claw provided on the cover 47 is arbitrary. Further, any method may be used for fixing the cover 47 to the reagent container main body. For example, the cover 47 may be fixed to the reagent container main body with an adhesive.

  Similarly to the sample container 35, the reagent container 37 is also arranged in the reagent container housing portion 38 at the first holding position (see (E)) and the second holding position (see (F)). The connection between the reagent container 37 and the reagent container channel 37a and the reagent container air vent channel 37b is the same as the connection between the sample container 35, the sample container channel 35a and the reagent container air vent channel 35b described with reference to FIG. It is.

  If the reagent container 37 is arranged at the first holding position, the reaction container plate can be stored in a state where the reagent container 37 and the reagent container flow path 37a are separated, so that the reagent or dilution water is stored in the reagent container main space 37g. Even if a liquid such as 49 or a powdery solid such as a reagent is enclosed and stored in advance, the liquid or solid does not enter the reagent container channel 37a during storage.

  Furthermore, in the first holding position, the reagent container main space 37g and the reagent container air vent space 37i are sealed, so that a liquid such as a reagent or dilution water 49 may be sealed in the reagent container main space 37g in advance. The liquid can be prevented from evaporating.

Next, the air suction container 39 and the air suction container housing 40 will be described with reference to FIG.
The air suction container container 40 has the same structure as the reagent container container 38 described with reference to FIG. That is, an air suction channel 39a, an air suction container air vent channel 39b, a locking claw 39c, a projection channel 39d, a second projection channel 39e, and packings 39f and 39f are provided.

  The air suction container 39 has the same structure as the reagent container 37 described with reference to FIG. That is, the air suction container 39 includes an air suction container main space 39g, an air suction container air vent channel 39h, an air suction container air vent space 39i, films 39j, 39k, 39l, and locking grooves 39m, 39n. , And a cover 47. Liquid and solid are not accommodated in the air suction container main space 39g and are filled with air.

  Similarly to the sample container 35 and the reagent container 37, the air suction container 39 is also arranged in the air suction container housing portion 40 at the first holding position (see (E)) and the second holding position (see (F)). The The connection between the air suction container 39, the air suction container channel 39a, and the air suction container air vent channel 39b is the same as that of the sample container 35, the sample container channel 35a, and the reagent container air vent flow described with reference to FIG. This is the same as the connection of the path 35b.

  1 and 2, the syringe 51 is provided on the surface of the container base 3 at a position different from the arrangement region of the reaction vessel 5, the drain space 29, and the container accommodating portions 36, 38, and 40. Yes. The syringe 51 is formed by a cylinder 51a formed in the container base 3, a plunger 51b disposed in the cylinder 51a, and a cover body 51d. A syringe channel 51c penetrating from the discharge port provided at the bottom of the cylinder 51a to the back surface is formed in the container base 3.

  The cover body 51d has flexibility in the sliding direction of the plunger 51b, and is connected to the cylinder 51a and the plunger 51b. The cover body 51d is for blocking the portion of the inner wall of the cylinder 51a that the plunger 51b contacts with the atmosphere outside the cylinder 51a while maintaining airtightness, and is surrounded by the cylinder 51a, the plunger 51b, and the cover body 51d. A sealing space 51e is formed. The end of the cover body 51d on the side connected to the cylinder 51a is fixed to the upper end of the cylinder 51a with a cylinder cap 51f while ensuring airtightness. The end of the cover body 51d on the side connected to the plunger 51b is connected to the upper surface of the plunger 51b with an adhesive while ensuring airtightness. However, the method and position of connecting the cover body 51d to the cylinder 51a and the plunger 51b are not limited to this.

  Thus, the cover body 51d is connected to the cylinder 51a and the plunger 51b to form a sealed space 51e surrounded by the cylinder 51a, the plunger 51b, and the cover body 51d, so that the space between the cylinder 51a and the plunger 51b is formed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent foreign substances from entering and environmental contamination of the liquid to the outside. Since the cover body 51d is flexible in the sliding direction of the plunger 51b, the sliding operation of the plunger 51b is possible.

  In this embodiment, the plunger 51b and the cover body 51d are formed by separate members, but the plunger and the cover body may be integrally formed. An example of the integrally formed plunger and cover material is silicone rubber.

  The container base 3 is also provided with a bellows 53 as an elastic capacity variable portion at a position different from the arrangement region of the reaction container 5, the drain space 29, the containers 35, 37, 39 and the syringe 51. The bellows 53 has an internal space sealed, and the internal capacity is passively variable by expanding and contracting. For example, the bellows 53 is disposed in a through hole 53 a provided in the container base 3. The capacity variable portion may have another structure as long as the internal capacity is passively variable. For example, the capacity variable portion may be a bag-like material made of a flexible material or a syringe-like material. Good.

  A container bottom 55 is attached to the back surface of the container base 3 at a position different from the arrangement region of the reaction containers 5. An air vent channel 53 b is provided in the container bottom 55 at a position communicating with the bellows 53. The bellows 53 is in close contact with the surface of the container bottom 55. The container bottom 55 is for guiding the flow paths 14, 22, 24, 26, 35a, 35b, 37a, 37b, 39a, 39b, 51c, 53b to a predetermined port position. The container bottom 55 is formed with a groove for forming a channel 55a (see FIG. 1A) for communicating the container air vent channels 35b, 37b, 39b. The channel 55 a may be formed in the container base 3. In that case, the container bottom 55 is provided with a through-hole for allowing the container air vent channels 35b, 37b, 39b and the channel 55a of the container base 3 to communicate with each other.

The container base 3 container and the bottom 55 are provided with a syringe air vent channel 53 c having one end connected to the sealed space 51 e and the other end made a bellows 53. Illustration of the syringe air vent channel 53c in FIG. 1 (A) is omitted.
Thus, since the syringe air vent channel 53c having one end connected to the sealed space 51e and the other end bellows 53 is provided, the sealed space 51e is blocked from the atmosphere outside the reaction vessel plate 1. When the plunger 51b slides, the pressure change in the sealed space 51e accompanying the change in the internal capacity of the sealed space 51e can be alleviated, and the plunger 51b can be slid smoothly.

  A rotary switching valve 63 including a disc-shaped seal plate 57, a rotor upper 59, and a rotor base 61 is provided on the surface of the container bottom 55 opposite to the container base 3. The switching valve 63 is attached to the container bottom 55 by a lock 65.

The seal plate 57 is provided in the vicinity of the peripheral edge thereof, and the through hole 57a connected to any one of the flow paths 14, 35a, 37a, 39a and the through grooves 57b, 57d provided on the inner concentric circles. 57e and a through hole 57c provided in the center and connected to the syringe flow path 51c.
The rotor upper 59 has a through hole 59a provided at the same position as the through hole 57a of the seal plate 57 and grooves 59b, 59d, 59e provided on the surface corresponding to the through grooves 57b, 57d, 57e of the seal plate 57. And a through hole 59c provided in the center.
The rotor base 61 is provided with a groove 61a on its surface for connecting two peripheral holes 59a and 59c disposed at the center and the peripheral portion of the rotor upper 59.
For convenience, FIG. 1A also shows the grooves 59b, 59d, 59e, and 61a (see thick lines).

  In the position of the switching valve 63 shown in FIG. 1A, the syringe flow path 51c is not connected to any of the flow paths 14, 35a, 37a, 39a, and the air vent flow path 53b is also connected to the flow paths 22, 24. , 35b, 37b, 39b are not connected to the initial position.

  In the reaction vessel plate 1, the injection channel 17 is formed so as to maintain the liquid tightness of the reaction vessel 5 with no pressure difference between the reaction vessel 5 and the injection channel 17. The reaction vessel air vent channel 19 is also formed so as to maintain the liquid tightness of the reaction vessel 5 in the state where there is no pressure difference between the reaction vessel 5 and the reaction vessel air vent channel 19. The main flow path 13 of the reaction container flow path, the liquid drain space 29 to which the main flow path 13 is connected, and the drain space air vent flow path 23 can be sealed by switching the switching valve 63. The containers 35, 37, and 39 are sealed with a septum 41 or a film 47. The flow paths 35a, 35b, 37a, 37b, 39a, 39b connected to the containers 35, 37, 39 can be sealed by switching the switching valve 63. One end of the air vent channel 53b is connected to the bellows 53 and sealed. Thus, the container and flow path inside the reaction container plate 1 are formed in a closed system. Even when the air vent channel 53b is connected to the atmosphere outside the reaction vessel plate 1 without the bellows 53, the air vent channel 53b is switched to the reaction vessel by switching the switching valve 63. Since it can block | block with the flow paths other than the container inside the plate 1 and the air vent flow path 53b, the container and flow path in which a liquid is accommodated or a liquid flows can be made into a closed system.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a reaction vessel processing apparatus for processing the reaction vessel plate 1 described above.
The reaction vessel processing apparatus includes a temperature adjustment mechanism 67 for adjusting the temperature of the reaction vessel 5 and the measurement channel 17, a syringe drive unit 69 for driving the syringe 51, a valve drive unit 71 for switching the switching valve 63, And a control unit 72 for controlling these operations. The temperature adjustment mechanism 67 also serves as a reaction vessel temperature adjusting unit for adjusting the temperature of the reaction vessel 5 and a measurement channel heating unit for heating the temperature of the measurement channel 17. The control unit 72 includes a program for controlling the operation of the reaction vessel processing apparatus, such as a degassing unit for controlling the sample liquid to be degassed in the measurement channel 17. The syringe drive unit 69 and the valve drive unit 71 constitute a sample injection mechanism for performing an operation of injecting the sample solution into the reaction vessel 5.

  In addition, you may provide a reaction container temperature control part and a measurement flow path heating part separately. For example, the reaction vessel temperature adjusting unit is configured to heat only the reaction vessel 5 or both the reaction vessel 5 and the measuring channel 17 from below the reaction vessel plate 1, and the measuring channel temperature adjusting unit is configured to react with the reaction vessel plate 1. It may be configured to heat only the metering channel 17 from above. Hereinafter, the movement operation of the sample liquid from the sample sample container 35 to the reaction container 5 by the reaction container processing apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 8 to 14.

  As a pretreatment by an analyst before starting the treatment in the reaction vessel processing apparatus, the reaction vessel plate 1 is installed in the reaction vessel treatment apparatus, and, for example, 5 μL of a sample liquid is passed through the septum 41 with a dispensing tool having a sharp point. Inject into the sample container 35. Thereafter, the sample container 35, the reagent container 37, and the air suction container 39 held at the first holding position are pushed into the container base 3 side and moved to the second holding position, so that the sample container main space 35g and the sample container channel are moved. 35a, sample container air vent space 35i and sample container air vent channel 35b, reagent container main space 37g and reagent container channel 37a, reagent container air vent space 37i and reagent container air vent channel 37b, air suction container main space 39g is connected to the air suction container channel 39a, and the air suction container air vent space 39i is connected to the air suction container air vent channel 39b. The sample liquid may be injected into the sample container 35 after the sample container 35, the reagent container 37, and the air suction container 39 are pushed into the container base 3 side. This operation can also be performed before the reaction vessel plate 1 is installed in the reaction vessel processing apparatus.

  In addition, 45 μL of reagent 45 is stored in advance in the sample container 35 of the reaction container plate 1 used in this example, and 190 μL of diluted water 49 is stored in advance in the reagent container 37. These numerical values are merely examples for explaining the operation of the reaction vessel processing apparatus.

  When the operation of the reaction vessel processing apparatus is started after the above pretreatment, the syringe driving unit 69 is connected to the plunger 51 b of the syringe 51, and the switching valve driving unit 71 is connected to the switching valve 63. The temperature control mechanism 67 is activated to heat the temperature of the reaction vessel 5 and the metering channel 17. Here, only the measuring channel 17 is heated, and when the reaction vessel temperature adjusting unit and the measuring channel heating unit are provided separately, at least the measuring channel heating unit is operated. You can do it.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the switching valve 63 is rotated from the state of FIG. 1A to connect the sample channel 35a and the syringe channel 51c, and at the same time, the sample container air vent channel 35b and the air vent channel 53b. And connect.

  The plunger 51b of the syringe 51 is slid to mix the sample liquid and the reagent 45 in the sample container 35. Thereafter, the mixed solution in the sample container 35 is sucked into the flow path in the switching valve 63, the syringe flow path 51c, and the syringe 51 by, for example, 10 μL. At this time, since the sample container 35 is connected to the bellows 53 via the air vent channels 35e, 35d, 35b, the switching valve 63 and the air vent channel 53b, the gas capacity in the sample container 35 is changed. The bellows 53 expands and contracts. Further, the sliding of the plunger 51b deforms the cover body 51d, and the internal capacity of the sealed space 51e (see FIG. 1C) changes. Since the sealed space 51e is connected to the bellows 53 via the syringe air vent channel 53c, the bellows 53 expands and contracts even when the internal capacity of the sealed space 51e changes. Even in the operation process described below, the bellows 53 expands and contracts with the change in the internal capacity of the sealed space 51e due to the sliding of the plunger 51b.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the switching valve 63 is rotated to connect the reagent channel 37a and the syringe channel 51c by the groove 61a. At the same time, the reagent container air vent channel 37b is connected to the air vent channel 53b via the channel 55a by the groove 59d. The mixed solution sucked into the flow path in the switching valve 63, the syringe flow path 51 c and the syringe 51 is injected into the reagent container 37, and the syringe 51 is slid to mix the mixed liquid and the dilution water 49. For example, the diluted mixed solution is sucked into the flow path in the switching valve 63, the syringe flow path 51c, and the syringe 51, for example, half, that is, 100 μL. At this time, since the reagent container 37 is connected to the bellows 53 via the air vent channels 37e, 37d, 37b, the switching valve 63 and the air vent channel 53b, the gas capacity in the reagent container 37 is changed. The bellows 53 expands and contracts.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the switching valve 63 is rotated to connect the flow path 14 connected to one end of the main flow path 13 of the flow path unit 6a and the syringe flow path 51c by the groove 61a. At the same time, the channel 22 connected to the liquid drain space 29 and the channel 24 connected to the reaction vessel air vent channel 21 are connected to the air vent channel 26 by the groove 59b. The syringe 51 is driven in the extruding direction, and the diluted mixed solution sucked into the flow path in the switching valve 63, the syringe flow path 51c, and the syringe 51 is sent to the main flow path 13 of the flow path unit 6a. In the flow path unit 6 a, the diluted mixed liquid injected from the flow path 14 side to the main flow path 13 fills the measurement flow path 15 in order from the flow path 14 side and reaches the liquid drain space 29 as indicated by the embossments and arrows. To do. In the introduction pressure state when the diluted mixture is introduced into the main channel 13 and the metering channel 15, the injection channel 17 allows gas to pass but does not allow the diluted mixture to pass. The gas in the metering channel 15 moves into the reaction vessel 5 through the injection channel 17 as the metering channel 15 is filled with the diluted mixed solution. As this gas moves, a part of the gas in the reaction vessel 5 moves to the reaction vessel air vent channels 19 and 21. Further, the gas in the channel from the reaction vessel air vent channel 19 to the air vent channel 26 sequentially moves to the air vent channel 26 side (see white arrows). Further, when the diluted mixed liquid is injected into the liquid drain space 29, the gas in the flow path from the liquid drain space 29 to the air vent flow path 26 sequentially moves to the air vent flow path 26 side (see white arrows). ).

  In this state, the metering channel 15 is preheated to a predetermined temperature by the temperature adjustment mechanism 67, and the diluted mixed solution filled in the metering channel 15 is also warmed to the predetermined temperature. When the diluted mixed solution is heated, the gas dissolved in the diluted mixed solution rises as bubbles and accumulates in the upper wall portion of the measuring flow channel 15. That is, the diluted mixed solution is degassed. In addition, the heating start time of the measurement flow path 15 may be after the diluted mixed liquid is filled. In short, the heating start timing of the metering channel 15 may be any time as long as it is before the step of injecting the diluted mixed solution from the metering channel 15 to the reaction vessel 5 described later.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the switching valve 63 is rotated to connect the air suction flow path 39a and the syringe flow path 51c by the groove 61a. At the same time, the air suction container air vent channel 39b is connected to the air vent channel 53b by the groove 59b. The syringe 51 is driven to the suction side, and the gas in the air suction container 39 is sucked into the flow path in the switching valve 63, the syringe flow path 51 c, and the syringe 51. At this time, since the air suction container 39 is connected to the bellows 53 via the air vent channels 39e, 39d, 39b, the switching valve 63 and the air vent channel 53b, the pressure inside the air suction container 39 is reduced. As a result, the bellows 53 contracts (see the white arrow).

  As shown in FIG. 12, the switching valve 63 is rotated to connect the flow path 14 and the syringe flow path 51c to the flow path unit 6a through the groove 61a and flow through the groove 59b as in the connection state of FIG. The paths 22 and 24 and the air vent channel 26 are connected. The syringe 51 is driven in the extrusion direction, and the flow path in the switching valve 63, the syringe flow path 51c, and the gas in the syringe 51 are sent to the main flow path 13 of the flow path unit 6a to purge the diluted mixed liquid in the main flow path 13 (Refer to the white arrow). In the purge pressure state at this time, the dilute mixed liquid does not pass through the injection flow path 17, and therefore the dilute mixed liquid remains in the measuring flow path 15 (see embossing). The purged diluted liquid mixture is accommodated in the liquid drain space 29. Further, when the diluted mixed liquid is injected into the liquid drain space 29, the gas in the flow path from the liquid drain space 29 to the air vent flow path 26 sequentially moves to the air vent flow path 26 side (see white arrows). ).

  As shown in FIG. 13, the switching valve 63 is rotated to connect the air suction flow path 39a and the syringe flow path 51c by the groove 61a, and the air suction container is vented by the groove 59b, as in the connection state of FIG. The flow path 39b and the air vent flow path 53b are connected. The syringe 51 is driven to the suction side, and the gas in the air suction container 39 is sucked into the flow path in the switching valve 63, the syringe flow path 51 c, and the syringe 51. At this time, the bellows 53 contracts as described with reference to FIG. 11 (see the white arrow).

As shown in FIG. 14, the switching valve 63 is rotated to connect the flow path 14 and the syringe flow path 51c to the flow path unit 6a through the groove 61a. At the same time, the channel 24 and the air vent channel 26 are connected by the groove 59b. This connection state is different from the connection state shown in FIGS. 10 and 12 in that the liquid drain space 29 to which the downstream end of the main channel 13 of the channel unit 6a is connected is not connected to the air vent channel 26. Different. The syringe 51 is driven in the pushing direction. Since the downstream end of the main flow path 13 is not connected to the air vent flow path 26, the inside of the main flow path 13 is pressurized larger than the liquid introduction pressure and the purge introduction pressure. As a result, the diluted mixed solution in the metering channel 15 is injected into the reaction vessel 5 through the injection channel 17. Since the channel upper wall of the injection channel 17 is lower than the channel upper wall of the metering channel 15 (see FIG. 3), bubbles accumulated in the channel upper wall portion of the metering channel 15 are used as the injection channel. It cannot pass through and remains in the metering channel as it is. That is, only the degassed diluted mixed solution moves to the reaction vessel 5. After the diluted mixed solution is injected into the reaction vessel 5, a part of the gas in the main channel 13 flows into the reaction vessel 5 through the metering channel 15 and the injection channel 17. At this time, the reaction vessel 5 is connected to the air vent channel 26 via the reaction vessel air vent channels 19 and 21, the channel 24, and the groove 59b. The gas sequentially moves to the air vent channel 26 side (see white arrow).
Thereby, the operation | movement which introduce | transduces a diluted liquid mixture into the reaction container 5 with respect to the flow-path unit 6a is completed.

Subsequently, an operation of introducing the diluted mixed solution into the reaction vessel 5 with respect to the flow path unit 6b will be described.
As shown in FIG. 15, the switching valve 63 is rotated to connect the reagent flow path 37a and the syringe flow path 51c by the groove 61a, and the reagent container air vent flow path 37b by the groove 59d, as in the connection state of FIG. The air vent channel 53b is connected. For example, 100 μL of all of the diluted mixed solution remaining in the reagent container 37 is sucked into the flow path in the switching valve 63, the syringe flow path 51 c, and the syringe 51. At this time, since the reagent container 37 is connected to the bellows 53 in the same manner as described in the connection state of FIG. 9, the bellows 53 expands and contracts as the gas capacity in the reagent container 37 changes.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the switching valve 63 is rotated, and the flow path 14 connected to one end of the main flow path 13 of the flow path unit 6b and the syringe flow path 51c are connected by the groove 61a. At the same time, the channel 22 connected to the liquid drain space 29 and the channel 24 connected to the reaction vessel air vent channel 21 are connected to the air vent channel 26 by the groove 59b. The syringe 51 is driven in the extrusion direction, and the diluted mixed solution sucked into the flow path in the switching valve 63, the syringe flow path 51c, and the syringe 51 is sent to the main flow path 13 of the flow path unit 6b. Similar to the description of the flow path unit 6a in the connected state of FIG. 10, in the flow path unit 6b, the diluted mixed liquid injected from the flow path 14 side to the main flow path 13 flows as shown by the embossments and arrows. The metering flow path 15 is filled in order from the path 14 side and reaches the liquid drain space 29. Further, as the main channel 13, the metering channel 15, and the liquid drain space 29 are filled with the diluted mixed solution, the gas in the channel moves to the air vent channel 26 side (see white arrows). The measuring channel 15 has already been heated to a predetermined temperature by the temperature adjustment mechanism 67, and the diluted mixed solution filled in the measuring channel 15 is also heated to the predetermined temperature. When the diluted mixed solution is heated, the gas dissolved in the diluted mixed solution rises as bubbles and accumulates in the upper wall portion of the measuring flow channel 15.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the switching valve 63 is rotated to connect the air suction flow path 39a and the syringe flow path 51c by the groove 61a, and the air suction container is vented by the groove 59b, as in the connection state of FIG. The flow path 39b and the air vent flow path 53b are connected. The syringe 51 is driven to the suction side, and the gas in the air suction container 39 is sucked into the flow path in the switching valve 63, the syringe flow path 51 c, and the syringe 51. At this time, the bellows 53 contracts as described with reference to FIG. 11 (see the white arrow).

  As shown in FIG. 18, the switching valve 63 is rotated to connect the flow path 14 and the syringe flow path 51c to the flow path unit 6b through the groove 61a and flow through the groove 59b as in the connection state of FIG. The paths 22 and 24 and the air vent channel 26 are connected. The syringe 51 is driven in the pushing direction, and the flow path in the switching valve 63, the syringe flow path 51c, and the gas in the syringe 51 are sent to the main flow path 13 of the flow path unit 6b to purge the diluted mixed liquid in the main flow path 13 (Refer to the white arrow). In the purge pressure state at this time, the dilute mixed liquid does not pass through the injection flow path 17, and therefore the dilute mixed liquid remains in the measuring flow path 15 (see embossing). The purged diluted liquid mixture is accommodated in the liquid drain space 29. Further, when the diluted mixed liquid is injected into the liquid drain space 29, the gas in the flow path from the liquid drain space 29 to the air vent flow path 26 sequentially moves to the air vent flow path 26 side (see white arrows). ).

  As shown in FIG. 19, the switching valve 63 is rotated to connect the air suction flow path 39a and the syringe flow path 51c by the groove 61a, and the air suction container is vented by the groove 59b, as in the connection state of FIG. The flow path 39b and the air vent flow path 53b are connected. The syringe 51 is driven to the suction side, and the gas in the air suction container 39 is sucked into the flow path in the switching valve 63, the syringe flow path 51 c, and the syringe 51. At this time, the bellows 53 contracts as described with reference to FIG. 11 (see the white arrow).

As shown in FIG. 20, the switching valve 63 is rotated to connect the flow path 14 and the syringe flow path 51c to the flow path unit 6b through the groove 61a. At the same time, the channel 24 and the air vent channel 26 are connected by the groove 59b. This connection state is different from the connection state shown in FIGS. 16 and 18 in that the liquid drain space 29 to which the downstream end of the main channel 13 of the channel unit 6b is connected is not connected to the air vent channel 26. Different. The syringe 51 is driven in the pushing direction. Since the downstream end of the main flow path 13 is not connected to the air vent flow path 26, the inside of the main flow path 13 is pressurized larger than the liquid introduction pressure and the purge introduction pressure. As a result, the diluted mixed solution in the metering channel 15 is injected into the reaction vessel 5 through the injection channel 17. Since the channel upper wall of the injection channel 17 is lower than the channel upper wall of the metering channel 15 (see FIG. 3), bubbles accumulated in the channel upper wall portion of the metering channel 15 are used as the injection channel. It cannot pass through and remains in the metering channel as it is. That is, only the degassed diluted mixed solution moves to the reaction vessel 5. After the diluted mixed solution is injected into the reaction vessel 5, a part of the gas in the main channel 13 flows into the reaction vessel 5 through the metering channel 15 and the injection channel 17. At this time, the reaction vessel 5 is connected to the air vent channel 26 via the reaction vessel air vent channels 19 and 21, the channel 24, and the groove 59b. The gas sequentially moves to the air vent channel 26 side (see white arrow).
Thereby, the operation | movement which introduce | transduces a diluted liquid mixture into the reaction container 5 with respect to the flow-path unit 6b is completed.

  The switching valve 63 is brought into the connection state of FIG. 1 to seal the container, flow path and drain space inside the reaction container plate 1. The reaction vessel 5 has already been heated by the temperature control mechanism 67, and the wax 9 has melted. The diluted mixed solution injected into the reaction vessel 5 enters under the wax 9, and the diluted mixed solution and the reagent 7 are mixed and reacted. In addition, when the reaction container temperature control part and the measurement flow path heating part are provided separately, the reaction container temperature control part is operated here to heat the reaction container 5 so that the wax 9 is melted. Alternatively, the wax 9 may be melted by operating the reaction container temperature adjusting unit before injecting the diluted mixed solution into the reaction container 5. The switching valve 63 may be switched to the connection state in FIG. 1 at any time from immediately after the injection of the diluted mixture until the end of the reaction between the diluted mixture and the reagent 7, and after the completion of the reaction between the diluted mixture and the reagent 7. May be.

In this embodiment, the diluted mixed solution is introduced into both the flow path units 6a and 6b, but the diluted mixed liquid may be introduced into only one of the flow path units 6a and 6b.
Moreover, you may vary the sample liquid density | concentration of the dilution liquid mixture inject | poured by the flow path units 6a and 6b. For example, in the above-described operation described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 20, the operation described with reference to FIG. 14 (operation for injecting the diluted mixed solution into the reaction vessel 5 of the flow path unit 6a) and FIG. 9 and the operation described above (operation for sucking the diluted mixed solution to be injected into the flow path unit 6b into the syringe 51), the sample liquid and the reagent mixed solution are placed in the syringe 51 in the connected state shown in FIG. An operation of sucking only a fixed amount and an operation of mixing the mixed liquid in the syringe 51 and the diluted mixed liquid in the reagent container 37 in the connected state of FIG. 14 may be added. As a result, it is possible to inject a diluted mixed solution having a sample solution concentration higher than the diluted mixed solution injected into the reaction container 5 of the flow path unit 6a into the reaction container 5 of the flow path unit 6b.

  In the embodiment, when the liquid filled in the metering channel 15 is injected into the reaction vessel 5 through the injection channel 17, the inside of the main channel 13 after air purge is pressurized to inject the liquid into the reaction vessel 5. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, by changing the flow path configuration so that the inside of the reaction vessel air vent channel 21 can be made negative pressure using the syringe 51, and by making the inside of the reaction vessel air vent channel 21 and thus the reaction vessel 5 inside negative pressure. You may make it inject | pour into the reaction container 5 through the injection flow path 17 the liquid with which the measurement flow path 15 was filled. Alternatively, a separate syringe may be prepared so that the liquid is injected into the reaction vessel 5 with a positive pressure in the main channel 13 and a negative pressure in the reaction vessel 5.

  In the above embodiment, the penetrable portion and the second penetrable portion of the sealed container are formed by, for example, films 35j, 35l, 37j, 37l, 39j, and 39l made of aluminum. The 2 penetrable portion is not limited to this, and may be a film of another material or may be formed of the same material as the container body. For example, when the container body is formed of a resin material such as polypropylene or polycarbonate, the thickness of the resin material in the penetrable portion and the second penetrable portion is set to a thickness that can penetrate through the protruding flow channel and the second protruding flow channel. Then, the penetrable part and the second penetrable part can be formed by integral molding with the container body. Here, the thicknesses of the penetrable part and the second penetrable part when the penetrable part and the second penetrable part are formed integrally with the container body are, for example, 0.01 to 0.5 mm.

  In the above embodiment, a sealing container such as the sample container 35, the syringe 51 and the switching valve 63 are provided, and the sample liquid stored in the sample container 35 is injected into the reaction container 5 using the syringe 51 and the switching valve 63. Although what performed the process of the reaction container plate comprised in 1 was demonstrated, this invention is not limited to this. The reaction container plate is not provided with the sample container 35, the syringe 51, the switching valve 63, and the like. For example, a sample container is separately provided outside the reaction container plate, and the reaction container processing apparatus supplies the sample liquid from the sample container. A sample dispensing mechanism for injecting and dispensing may be provided, and the sample may be sucked by the sample dispensing mechanism and injected into the reaction vessel channel of the reaction vessel plate. . In short, the reaction container plate handled by the reaction container processing apparatus of the present invention includes the reaction container 5, the metering channel 13, and the injection channel 17, and the ceiling portion of the metering channel 13 is higher than the injection channel 17. The reaction vessel processing apparatus only needs to be able to heat the temperature of the measurement flow path 13 to be equal to or higher than the temperature during the reaction treatment of the reaction vessel 5.

  The present invention can be used for measurement of various chemical reactions and biochemical reactions.

It is a figure which shows one Example of reaction container plate, (A) is a schematic top view, (B) is a cross section in the AA position of (A), reaction container, bellows, drain space, and measurement flow path FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view including a cross section of an injection flow path, a sample container, and a sample container air vent flow path, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which decomposes | disassembles and shows the Example, and a schematic exploded perspective view of a switching valve. It is the schematic which shows the one reaction container vicinity of the Example, (A) is a top view, (B) is a perspective view, (C) is sectional drawing. It is the figure which expanded and showed the sample container accommodating part and sample container of the Example, (A) is a top view of a sample container accommodating part, (B) is sectional drawing in the BB position of (A), (C) is a plan view of the sample container, (D) is a cross-sectional view at the C-C position of (C), (E) is a cross-sectional view in which the sample container is disposed in the sample container housing portion at the first holding position, F) is a cross-sectional view in which the sample container is arranged at the second holding position in the sample container accommodating portion. It is the figure which expanded and showed the reagent container accommodating part and reagent container of the Example, (A) is a top view of a reagent container accommodating part, (B) is sectional drawing in the DD position of (A), (C) is a plan view of the reagent container, (D) is a cross-sectional view at the EE position of (C), (E) is a cross-sectional view in which the reagent container is arranged in the reagent container housing portion at the first holding position, F) is a cross-sectional view in which the reagent container is disposed in the reagent container housing portion at the second holding position. It is the figure which expanded and showed the container container for air suction and the container for air suction of the Example, (A) is a top view of the container container for air suction, (B) is FF of (A). (C) is a plan view of the air suction container, (D) is a cross sectional view at the GG position of (C), and (E) is an air suction container housing portion. Sectional drawing arrange | positioned in the 1st holding position, (F) is sectional drawing which has arrange | positioned the air suction container to the air suction container accommodating part in the 2nd holding position. It is the schematic sectional drawing which showed the reaction container processing apparatus for processing a reaction container plate with the reaction container plate. It is a top view for demonstrating the operation | movement which introduces a sample liquid from a sample container to a reaction container. It is a top view for demonstrating the operation | movement following FIG. FIG. 10 is a plan view for explaining the operation following FIG. 9. It is a top view for demonstrating the operation | movement following FIG. It is a top view for demonstrating the operation | movement following FIG. It is a top view for demonstrating the operation | movement following FIG. It is a top view for demonstrating the operation | movement following FIG. It is a top view for demonstrating the operation | movement following FIG. FIG. 16 is a plan view for explaining the operation following FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is a plan view for explaining the operation following FIG. 16. It is a top view for demonstrating the operation | movement following FIG. It is a top view for demonstrating the operation | movement following FIG. It is a top view for demonstrating the operation | movement following FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reaction container plate 3 Container base 5 Reaction container 6a, 6b Flow path unit 11 Flow path base 13 Main flow path 15 Measurement flow path 17 Injection flow path 19, 21 Reaction container air vent flow path 35 Sample container (sealing container)
35a Sample container flow path (sealing container flow path)
35b Sample container air vent channel 337 Reagent container (sealed container)
37a Reagent container flow path (sealing container flow path)
37b Reagent container air vent channel 39 Air suction container (sealing container)
39a Air suction container channel (sealing container channel)
39b Air suction container air vent channel 41 Septum (elastic member)
51 Syringe 63 switching valve

Claims (1)

A reaction vessel and a reaction vessel channel connected to the reaction vessel, the reaction vessel channel being a main channel, a metering channel having a predetermined capacity branched from the main channel, one end being connected to the metering channel, and the other end being a reaction vessel The liquid introduction pressure state and the main flow when the liquid is introduced into the main flow channel and the measurement flow channel are larger than the measurement flow channel and have a flow resistance higher than that of the measurement flow channel and the flow channel upper wall is lower than the flow channel upper wall of the measurement flow channel. Reaction in which the reaction vessel plate is constituted by an injection flow path that does not pass liquid in the purge pressure state when the liquid in the passage is purged but passes the liquid in a pressurized state than those pressure states. A container processing device,
Sample that fills the metering channel with the sample solution as a sample injection mechanism for injecting the sample solution into the reaction vessel through the reaction vessel channel, and injects only the sample solution in the metering channel into the reaction vessel An injection mechanism ;
And a reaction vessel temperature adjusting unit for adjusting the temperature of the reaction vessel to a predetermined temperature,
Further, a deaeration mechanism for holding bubbles generated from the sample liquid in the measurement channel in the measurement channel having a channel upper wall higher than the channel upper wall of the injection channel is configured together with the measurement channel. as the reaction vessel processing apparatus having a metering passage warming section for warming the temperature of the pre-Symbol metering channel above a predetermined temperature before the sample liquid filled the measurement channel are injected into the reaction vessel .

Images