KR101646549B1 - System for test device with integrated reaction and detection means - Google Patents

Abstract

It is a technical object of the present invention to provide an analyte inspection system in a sample in which the reaction and analysis of a sample and a reagent can be performed accurately and quickly in one apparatus. To this end, the system of the present invention comprises: a housing having a inlet port into which the cuvette is inserted, inserting a cuvette having a standby chamber, a sample filling chamber, a reagent filling chamber and a detection chamber in which the sampling member is placed; A driving unit provided inside the housing, moving the cuvette to the left and right, moving the sampling member up and down, reacting a sample of the sample filling chamber with a reagent of the reagent filling chamber and injecting the reaction result into the detection chamber; And an optical reader provided on the left and right movement path of the cuvette and analyzing the reaction result.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for a test apparatus having an integrated reaction and detection means,

The present invention relates to an analyte inspection system in a sample in which a sample is reacted with a reagent to analyze a result of the reaction in order to detect a specific component contained in a biological sample or the like.

BACKGROUND ART [0002] Generally, according to development of medical and various related technologies, substances such as blood cells, nucleic acids, proteins and antigens contained in a predetermined biological sample such as blood are being examined. The presence, proportion and amount of various substances contained in the sample can be inspected by analyzing and observing changes occurring after the sample is collected and reacting the sampled sample with a predetermined reagent. Thus, information on the presence or absence of disease and the state of the disease can be obtained.

In the inspection of these samples, the reagents used for the inspection of the samples and the samples are not influenced by external factors, and it is very important to use accurate amounts every time to obtain reproducible and accurate results. Since the sample and the reagent may be exposed to the outside during the inspection process, it is necessary to effectively prevent the contamination due to the exposure of the sample and the reagent, and to ensure the accuracy of the inspection using the correct amount.

In addition, after the reaction between the reagent and the sample, the inspection for the detection and the reading / analysis of the reaction result is performed accurately and quickly under one integrated system, thereby reducing the inspection time and inspection cost, It is also necessary to reduce the cost of

Korean Published Patent Application No. 10-2012-0027359 (Publication date: March 21, 2012)

The technical problem of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which can perform the reaction and read / analysis of a sample and a reagent integrally and accurately in one system.

In order to achieve the above object, in one aspect, an analyte-in-sample inspection system according to the present invention includes a queue chamber having a waiting chamber in which a collecting member is placed, a sample filling chamber, a reagent filling chamber and a detection chamber, The station comprising: a housing having a draw-in exit into which the cuvette is inserted; A left and right moving unit provided inside the housing and moving the cuvette left and right, a sample of the sample filling chamber is reacted with a reagent of the reagent filling chamber while moving the sampling member up and down, and the reaction result is injected into the detection chamber A vertical drive unit; And an optical reader provided on the left and right movement path of the cuvette and reading the reaction result, wherein the detection chamber includes a base member having a capillary structure formed therein and a cartridge for lateral flow analysis including a cover member.

The driving unit may include: a left and right moving unit that moves any one of the sample filling chamber, the reagent filling chamber, and the detection chamber to the collecting member while moving the cuvette left and right; A vertical movement unit for coupling the collection member and moving the collection member up and down in the sample filling chamber, the reagent filling chamber, and the detection chamber; And a pump unit that provides a suction force or a drain power when the sampling member is inserted into either the sample filling chamber, the reagent filling chamber, or the detection chamber.

Wherein the left and right moving unit comprises: a holder provided at a position corresponding to the inlet and receiving the cuvette; Left and right guide portions for guiding the holder in the left-right direction; And a left and right driver for applying a force in the left and right directions to the holder.

The right and left guiding portions include: a horizontal support for supporting the holder to the housing; A left and right guide rails formed on one of the horizontal support rods in contact with the holder or a portion of the holder in contact with the horizontal support rods; And right and left guide grooves formed on the other of the horizontal support rods in contact with the holder or a portion of the holder in contact with the horizontal support rods and engaged with the left and right guide rails.

The left and right driving unit includes: a connection bracket connected to the holder; An annular belt to which the connection bracket is fixed; A first motor provided at one side of the belt for rotating the belt; And a driven pulley provided on the other side of the belt and rotatably supporting the belt.

And a detaching engagement groove for separating the collecting member from the up-and-down moving unit may be formed at an end of the holder.

The holder may include a heater for applying heat to the holder and a temperature sensing sensor for sensing the temperature of the holder.

The up-and-down moving unit includes upper and lower guide rails provided vertically in the housing. An arm vertically moving along the upper and lower guide rails; And an up-and-down driving unit for applying upward and downward force to the arm.

The upper and lower driving parts include a screw rod screwed through the arm and placed parallel to the upper and lower guide rails; A support bracket for supporting the screw rod on the upper and lower guide rails; And a second motor for rotating the screw rod.

Wherein the pump unit is capable of providing a suction force to the sampling member when the sample filling chamber is located at the sampling member by the left and right moving unit and the sampling member is inserted into the sample filling chamber by the up- The reagent filling chamber may be located in the sampling member by the left and right moving unit and the sampling member may be repeatedly provided with a suction force and a drain power to the sampling member when the sampling member is inserted into the reagent filling chamber by the up- And when the detection chamber is positioned in the collection member by the left and right movement unit and the collection member is inserted into the detection chamber by the up-down movement unit, it is possible to provide the collection output to the collection member.

Wherein the pump unit includes: a conduit formed through the arm; And a pump provided on the arm and applying a pump force to the harvesting member through the channel.

The station according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a display unit provided in the housing and displaying an analysis result by the optical reader.

The station according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a chip inserting unit provided in the housing for inserting a chip containing information of a sample filled in the sample filling chamber.

The station according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a print output unit provided in the housing and printing the analysis result.

The station according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a collecting unit provided in the housing for collecting the collecting member when the collecting unit is finished using the collecting unit.

The station according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a door provided in the housing and opening and closing the inlet.

The station according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a printed circuit board provided inside the housing; And a control unit mounted on the printed circuit board and controlling the drive unit and the optical reader.

The station according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a camera connected to the printed circuit board and photographing and / or analyzing the progress of inspection in the housing.

The station further includes a chip and a chip inserting portion into which the chip is inserted, and the station further includes a chip inserting portion into which the chip is inserted, The bar code is interlocked with the chip, and the chip includes information for driving the station according to the type of the analyte in the sample.
The base member included in the detection chamber of the cuvette used in the system according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention includes a strip accommodating portion for accommodating a strip used for lateral flow analysis, and a strip accommodating portion extending from one end of the strip accommodating portion Wherein the cover member includes a measurement window for detecting a reaction result formed at a portion corresponding to the strip accommodating portion when the cover member is fastened to the base member, A capillary structure formed on the cover member is formed on a lower surface of the cover member adjacent to the sample input port and a capillary structure formed on the base member is formed on the sample well.

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The system according to the present invention is a system in which a qubit is inserted into a station, which is a test apparatus having an integrated reaction and detection means. The station is used for the distribution of the sample, the reaction of the reagent and the sample, Can accurately and quickly shorten the inspection time, improve the accuracy and reproducibility of the inspection, and reduce the steps involved in the inspection and the cost of the inspection, all under one integrated system.

The housing surrounding and protecting the system according to the present invention can prevent foreign matter from entering and perform more accurate sample inspection. In addition, since the optical reader is provided on the left and right movement path of the cuvette together with the driving unit that provides the up-and-down and left-right moving force, the sample inspection can be performed with quick and simple operation.

In addition, the pump unit included in the station according to the present invention can precisely control the amount of sample, reagent, or reaction product when it is sucked or discharged through the sampling member.

In addition, the pulley-belt type left and right drive units included in the station according to the present invention can prevent vibrations and foreign substances due to friction occurring when moving left and right unlike the gear type, so that more accurate inspection can be performed.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, since the separation latching groove is provided at the end of the holder, the collecting member coupled to the arm after the sample inspection process is completed can be automatically separated from the latching groove.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, since the holder is provided with the heater and the temperature sensing sensor, the sample contained in the sample filling chamber, the reagent contained in the reagent filling chamber, and the reaction product accommodated in the detection chamber, .

According to an embodiment of the present invention, since the upper and lower guide rails and the screw rod, which are placed in parallel to each other, are coupled to one side and the other side of the arm, respectively, it is possible to prevent the side- The member can be accurately moved up and down.

In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the display unit is provided, the analysis result can be visually confirmed immediately, and quick inspection can be performed.

In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the chip inserting unit is provided, it is possible to input more quickly and accurately than when the information of the sample is inputted through the keyboard.

In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the print output unit is provided, the inspection result can be immediately provided as paper without using a separate printer.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, since the collecting part slidably provided in the housing is provided, the collecting part can be collected when the collecting part is automatically separated, and the collecting part can be opened have.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, since the door is provided, it is possible to close the door during the inspection and prevent the foreign matter from flowing into the housing, thereby performing a more accurate inspection.

Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the control unit is provided, the whole process related to the inspection can be performed automatically.

Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the camera is provided, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of insertion of the cartridge, determine whether the tip is present or not, measure the amount of the sample in the tip, The inspection progress process can be seen from the outside through the display unit or the like, thereby enhancing the reliability of the inspection progress process.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the cubes used in the station according to the present invention may further include a bar code, and the station further includes a chip interlocked with the bar code, Accordingly, it is possible to drive the station so that the optimal inspection can proceed, so that various analytes can be easily inspected by one station, and the reproducibility and reliability of the inspection can be improved.

1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the inside of the system of Fig. 1 in one direction. Fig.
Figure 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the interior of the system of Figure 1 in another direction.
Figure 4 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the interior of the system of Figure 1 in another direction.
Figure 5 is a side view of the system of Figure 2;
Figure 6 is a front view of the system of Figure 2;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing the essential part of the drive unit of the system of Fig. 3 extracted. Fig.
8 is a side view schematically illustrating a process of inserting a cuvette into a holder of the left and right mobile units of Fig.
FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are views showing a process in which a collecting member seated on a cuvette is coupled to an arm of the up-and-down moving unit with the holder of FIG. 8 removed.
FIG. 10 is a view showing a process of placing a sample filling chamber, a reagent filling chamber, and a detection chamber of a cuvette in a collecting member coupled to the arm while the cuvette of FIG. 9C is moved to the left by the left and right moving unit.
11A, 11B, and 11C are views showing a process of separating the harvesting member of FIG. 10 from the arm in a state of a holder.
12 is a perspective view schematically showing a holder having a temperature sensor and a heater.
Figs. 13A and 13B are perspective views schematically showing a cuvette of the system according to the present invention and detection means used therein. Fig.
14 is a perspective view showing a state in which the camera is mounted on the system of FIG.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are illustrative and not intended to limit the invention in any way.

Spatially relative terms such as "below ", " rear "," upper ", "upper ", and the like, are used to facilitate a correlation between one member or components and other components or components, Spatially relative terms should be understood to include, in addition to the directions shown in the drawings, terms that include different orientations of the device upon use or during operation. For example, When inverted, a member described as "below" or "below" another member may be placed "above" another member. Thus, the exemplary term "below" includes both the downward and upward directions The members can also be oriented in different directions, so that spatially relative terms can be interpreted according to the orientation. For example, " lateral direction " can also be interpreted as " But not limited to,

The thickness and size of each member in the drawings are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically shown for convenience and clarity of explanation. Also, the size and area of each component do not entirely reflect actual size or area.

Further, in the embodiments, the angles and directions mentioned in the process of describing the structure of the present invention are based on those shown in the drawings. In the description of the structure constituting the present invention in the specification, reference points and positional relationship with respect to angles are not explicitly referred to, reference is made to the relevant drawings.

1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present invention, the system includes a queue and a station.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the interior of the system of FIG. 1 in one direction, FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the interior of the system of FIG. 1 from another direction, and FIG. Is a perspective view outlined in the other direction.

Fig. 5 is a side view of the system of Fig. 2, Fig. 6 is a front view of the system of Fig. 2, and Fig. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing the essential part of the drive unit of the system of Fig. 3 .

The system according to the present invention has integrated reaction and detection means. The cubes according to the present invention are used for the detection of an analyte contained in a sample. For detection, a reaction between a sample and a reagent can be performed, and an analyte among the reaction products can be detected.

As used herein, the term " detection " refers to separating the reaction products according to a suitable method, as described below, in order to determine the presence or amount of the analytes contained in the sample, which will be described later, .

As used herein, the term " inspection " is used to cover both detection, analysis, and reading.

As used herein, the term "sample" refers to a compound or composition to be analyzed that includes an analyte, and the sample that can be used in the present invention is a liquid or liquid-like substance similar to a liquid. In one embodiment according to the present application, the sample is a biological sample, and may be a body-derived body component such as whole blood, plasma, serum, urine, saliva, manure and cell extract.

As used herein, the term "analyte" is a compound to be analyzed in a sample, which is also referred to as a target and includes proteins and nucleic acids. Proteins herein include polypeptides and peptides. The term "nucleic acid" as used herein also includes chemically synthesized DNA and RNA, including genomic DNA, cDNA, and oligonucleotides. Also, the nucleic acid may comprise a single strand or double strand, and the genomic DNA, cDNA, and oligonucleotide and RNA may be prepared or synthesized according to known methods in the art.

As used herein, the term " reagent " is a substance suitable for the detection and analysis of the above-described analyte, and differs depending on the specific analyte. For example, the reagent may be any antibody, But are not limited to,

The system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a sampling member standby chamber 210 in which a sampling member 100 is placed, a sample filling chamber 220, a reagent filling chamber 230, A cuvette 200 having a detection chamber 240 and a station for inspecting a sample by inserting the cuvette, the station including a housing 300, a driving unit 400, And a reader 500.

The housing 300 included in the system according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, constitutes the entire exterior of the system, and functions to block the entry of foreign matter into the interior of the system. In particular, the housing 300 has a draw-in outlet 301 into which the cuvette 200 is inserted. When the cuvette 200 enters the interior of the housing 300 through the inlet port 301, the sample filling chamber 220, the reagent filling chamber 230, and the detection chamber (not shown) of the cuvette 200 240 is blocked, so that more accurate sample inspection can be performed.

2, the driving unit 400 is provided inside the housing 300 to move the sampling unit 100 up and down while moving the sampling unit 200 to the left and right, The sample is automatically activated through the control unit 800 by reacting the sample with the reagent of the reagent filling chamber 230 and injecting the result of the reaction into the detection chamber 240.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, the collecting member 100 used together with the drive unit according to the present invention has a tubular shape, and its diameter gradually decreases toward its end, so that the collecting member 100 having a sharp- have. The harvesting member includes a disposable microtip (for example, a micopapert tip having a capacity of 2-1000 μl capacity), which is used by being pinched with the arm 422 described later for dispensing the sample and / or the reagent, Can be used with equipment that does not have means for cleaning the contamination, simplifying the operation of the equipment. Particularly, the collecting member 100 is seated in the waiting chamber 210 of the cuvette 200 (see FIG. 9A). When the inspection process is started, the collecting member 100 is caught by the arm 422 Together with the pump unit 430, serves to suck or discharge the sample or reagent for dispensing or dispensing.

The cuvette 200 of the system according to the present invention has an elongated shape as shown in FIGS. 2, 8, 10, 13A, and 13B, and includes a standby chamber 210, a sample filling chamber 220, A reagent filling chamber 230 and a detection chamber 240. One or more cubes according to the present invention may be included. In particular, the waiting chamber 210, the sample filling chamber 220, the reagent filling chamber 230, and the detection chamber 240 are moved in the longitudinal direction (or in the longitudinal direction) so that the inspection process is performed while the collecting member 100 is linearly moved to one side or both sides. (See Figs. 2 and 8). The waiting chamber 210 is a place where the collecting member 100 is seated and waited until the inspection is started and the sample filling chamber 220 is a place where a predetermined biological sample containing the analyte to be inspected is filled, The reagent filling chamber 230 is filled with a reagent such as an antibody to be reacted with the sample, and the detection chamber 240 is provided with detection means for detecting a reaction result generated by reaction between the sample and the reagent.

In one embodiment according to the present invention, the cubes may further include a bar code or a QR code (not shown), which is used in conjunction with a chip described later. The barcodes here include, but are not limited to, UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN, Code 3 of 9, Interleaved 2 of 5, Code 128, UCC / EAN-128, Codabar, PostNet, Pharmacode, , Or include, but are not limited to, 1D bar codes or 2D bar codes. The bar code or QR code is a code of the kind of the analyte according to the kind of the sample.

Further, the detection chamber 240 may include means for detecting reaction products, for example, a cartridge 260 suitable for chromatographic analysis, for example, a lateral flow analysis as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B. Lateral flow analysis is a method of quantitatively or qualitatively examining a target analyte, e.g., a specific nucleic acid or protein contained in a sample, in which oligonucleotides or specific antibodies and / or antigens that hybridize to a nucleic acid of a certain sequence A specific nucleic acid or protein in the sample is detected through a sequence-specific hybridization reaction or an antigen-antibody reaction by moving an analyte in the reaction product by a chromatography method including a nitrocellulose membrane (developing medium) Method. For example, reference may be made to those described in Korean Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2003-0065341, 2011-0007699, 2011-0127386, and 1149357.

In one embodiment according to the present application, a lateral flow analysis cartridge installed and used in the detection chamber according to the present invention is as shown in Figs. 13A and 13B. Referring to this, a cover member 30 and a base member 10 are included. The resultant reaction product flows into the well 12 through the inlet port 32. In order to transfer the reaction product from the well to the strip 20, triangular capillary structures 35 and 37 are formed on the lower surface of the cover member, And a structure corresponding thereto is formed. Specifically, the lateral flow analysis cartridge included in the present cuvette includes a base member 10; And a cover member (30) to be engaged with the base member, wherein the base member includes a strip receiving portion (18) for receiving a strip used for the lateral flow analysis, and a cover member Wherein the cover member includes a measurement window (34) for detecting a reaction result formed at a portion corresponding to the strip accommodation portion when the base member is tied with the sample well (12) formed in the sample well And a sample inlet 32 formed in the corresponding portion, and may additionally include an air window 38 if necessary. Wherein the base member or the cover member or the base member and the cover member include capillary structures 35 and 37 and a capillary structure formed on the cover member is formed on a lower surface of the cover member adjacent to the sample input port, A capillary structure formed on the base member is formed in the well for the sample. The sample inlet 32 is formed so as to be perpendicular to the well for receiving the reaction product. When the base member is covered with the cover member 30, interlocking with each other at the interface thereof through the fastening means including the engaging jaws and the protruding protrusions 16 substantially prevents waterproof, aerosol proof ) Seal. In addition, the strip receiving portion includes a guide for accommodating a plurality of strips, thereby preventing the mounted strip from shaking and positioning the strip at a predetermined position. The reaction product introduced into the inlet 32 is moved to the strip 20 through various methods. For example, the lateral flow cartridge may have a predetermined microchannel structure formed between a well formed at a position vertical to the charging port and the strip receiving portion 18, and the capillary phenomenon through which the reaction product of the well is transferred to the strip And lateral flow is initiated, but is not limited thereto. In another example, one end of the strip is in direct contact with the well and the liquid sample is absorbed into the strip to initiate lateral flow, but is not limited thereto.

The optical reader 500 included in the station according to the present invention is provided on the left and right movement path of the cuvette 200 and reads out the reaction result detected using the above-mentioned cuvette to qualitatively identify a specific analyte contained in the sample And / or quantify. For example, the optical reader 500 can use known ones, and can irradiate light of a specific wavelength and read out the emitted light according to the kind of fluorescent material used for detection of an analyte according to the present invention. Particularly, in one embodiment according to the present invention, since the optical reader 500 is provided on the left and right movement path of the cuvette 200, sample inspection can be performed with a quick and simple operation.

Hereinafter, the drive unit 400 described above will be described in more detail with reference to Figs. 2 to 7 again.

2, the driving unit 400 includes a left and right moving unit 410 for moving the cuvette 200 to the right and left (left and / or right or X and Y axes), a suction unit for sucking the sample, Up and down unit 420 for moving the collecting member 100 up and down to mix the collected product and the resultant product and a pump unit 430 for providing a suction force or a discharge power to the collecting member 100 . First, with reference to Figs. 2 to 7, the left-right moving unit 410 will be described.

The left and right moving unit 410 serves to move either the sample filling chamber 220, the reagent filling chamber 230 and the detection chamber 240 to the sampling member 100 while moving the cuvette 200 left and right (See Fig. 10). For example, the left-right moving unit 410 may include a holder 411, left and right guide units 412, and left and right driving units 413, as shown in Figs. 2 to 7.

The holder 411 is provided at a position corresponding to the inlet / outlet 301 of the housing 300 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the cuvette 200 is seated thereon. 8), the cuvette 200 is fully retracted into the holder 411 to be seated (see Fig. 2 (a)), and the cuvette 200 is pushed into the holder 411 with the holder 411 inserted through the inlet / Reference). 2, a separating engagement groove 411a for separating the collecting member 100 from the arm 422 of the up-and-down moving unit 420 may be formed at the end of the holder 411 . Particularly, as an example of using the catching groove 411a, the holder 411 is moved to the left side by the left and right moving unit 410 in order to separate the used collecting member 100 from the arm 422 11B), the holder 411 is slightly moved to the left side by the left and right moving unit 410 so that the arm 422 (see FIG. 11B) The catching member 100 is separated from the arm 422 when the arm 422 is moved upward by the up-and-down moving unit 420 after the catching groove 411a is positioned at the stepped portion between the catching member 100 and the collecting member 100 (See Figs. 11B and 11C).

The left and right guide portion 412 guides the holder 411 in the left and right directions and is provided with a horizontal support table 412a, a left and right guide rail 412b, And may include guide grooves 412c. The horizontal support 412a is provided between the housing 300 and the holder 411 to support the holder 411 to the housing 300 as shown in FIG. The left and right guide rails 412b may protrude from the holder 411 in contact with the horizontal supports 412a as shown in Figs. 2 and 6, and may be formed on portions of the horizontal supports that are in contact with the holder Or may be protruded. The left and right guide grooves 412c may be formed in a portion of the horizontal support 412a which is in contact with the holder 411 so as to be engaged with the left and right guide rails 412b as shown in Figs. 2 and 6, When the left and right guide rails 412b are formed on the horizontal support table 412a, the left and right guide grooves 412c may be formed in a portion of the holder 411 that is in contact with the horizontal support table 412a have. Therefore, the holder 411 can be guided to the left and right through the right and left guide portions 412 without rocking.

The left and right drive unit 413 applies a force to the holder 411 in the left and right directions and is provided with a connection bracket 413a, a belt 413b, a first motor 413c, and a driven pulley 413d. The connection bracket 413a connects the holder 411 and the belt 413b. The belt 413b is fixed to the connection bracket 413a to transmit the power of the first motor 413c to the connection bracket 413a. The first motor 413c is provided on one side of the belt 413b to rotate the belt 413b. The driven pulley 413d is provided on the other side of the belt 413b to rotatably support the belt 413b. In particular, since the pulley-belt type left and right drive unit 413 is provided, unlike the gear type, it is possible to prevent vibration and foreign matter caused by friction occurring when moving left and right, and more accurate inspection can be performed.

Hereinafter, the above-described vertical movement unit 420 will be described in more detail with reference to Figs. 2 to 7 again.

The up-and-down moving unit 420 couples the collecting member 100 and collects the collecting member 100 from any one of the sample filling chamber 220, the reagent filling chamber 230 and the detection chamber 240 of the cuvette 200 Up and down. Therefore, the collecting member 100 can be inserted into or removed from any one of the chambers while being moved up and down by the up-and-down moving unit 420 (see FIG. 10). For example, the up-and-down moving unit 420 may include upper and lower guide rails 421, an arm 422, and an up-and-down driving unit 423, as shown in Figs.

The upper and lower guide rails 421 are long inside the housing 300 in the vertical direction. Particularly, when the upper and lower guide rails 421 have a protruding shape, corresponding grooves (not shown) are formed on one side of the arm 422.

The arm 422 is moved in the vertical direction along the upper and lower guide rails 421. When the inspection of the sample starts, the collecting member 100 is attached to the end of the sample by the left and right moving unit 410 and the up and down moving unit 420, (See Figs. 9A, 9B and 9C).

The upper and lower driving portions 423 apply upward and downward forces to the arms 422 and are provided with screw rods 423a and support brackets 423b as shown in Figs. 3 and 7, And a motor 423c. The screw rod 423a is threaded through the arm 422 and is placed parallel to the upper and lower guide rails 421. [ The support bracket 423b supports the screw rod 423a on the upper and lower guide rails 421 so that the gap between the screw rod 423a and the upper and lower guide rails 421 is not opened. The second motor 423c rotates the screw rod 423a. Accordingly, when the second motor 423c is driven, the screw rod 423a is rotated and the arm 422 screwed thereto is moved up and down along the thread of the screw rod 423a. Further, since the upper and lower guide rails 421 and the screw rods 423a, which are placed parallel to each other, are provided with the technical arrangement in which one side and the other side of the arm 422 are coupled to each other, the arm 422 is prevented from moving left and right while being moved up and down So that the collecting member 100 can be accurately moved up and down.

Hereinafter, the pump unit 430 described above will be described in more detail with reference to Figs. 2 to 7 again.

The pump unit 430 is configured to provide a suction force or a drainage output when the sampling member 100 is inserted into any of the sample filling chamber 220, the reagent filling chamber 230 and the detection chamber 240 of the cuvette 200 It plays a role. Specifically, when the sample filling chamber 220 is positioned in the sampling member 100 by the left and right moving unit 410 and the sampling member 100 is inserted into the sample filling chamber 220 by the up-down moving unit 420, Thereby providing a suction force to the member 100 (see Fig. 10 (a)). When the reagent filling chamber 230 is positioned in the collecting member 100 by the left and right moving unit 410 and the collecting member 100 is inserted into the reagent filling chamber 230 by the up and down moving unit 420, 100), the suction force and the fold output can be repeatedly provided (see Fig. 10 (b)). When the detection chamber 240 is positioned in the collection member 100 by the left and right movement unit 410 and the collection member 100 is inserted into the detection chamber 240 by the vertical movement unit 420, ) (See Fig. 10 (c)).

For example, the pump unit 430 may include a conduit 431 and a pump 432, as shown in FIGS. 2-7. The conduit 431 is formed through the arm 422 to transmit the pumping force of the pump 432 to the collecting member 100. A pump 432 is provided in the arm 422 and provides a pumping force to the harvesting member 100 via a channel 431. Accordingly, since the pump unit 430 is provided, the amount of the sample, the reagent, or the reaction product can be precisely controlled when the sample or reagent or the reaction product is sucked or discharged through the sampling member 100.

3 and 4, the station according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a printed circuit board 810 (printed circuit board (PCB)) provided inside the housing 300, And a control unit 820 mounted on the circuit board 810 and controlling the drive unit 400 and the optical reader 500. [ For example, the control unit may include a process (see FIG. 9) in which the harvesting member 100 in the standby chamber 210 is coupled to the arm 422, 10) in which the sample filling chamber 220, the reagent filling chamber 230 and the analysis chamber 240 of the sampling member 200 are positioned so that the sampling member 100 is inserted into each chamber, The driving unit 400 is controlled in a process of separating the driving force from the arm 422 (see FIG. 11).

14, the station is connected to the printed circuit board 810 and includes a camera (not shown) for photographing and / or analyzing the process progress of the inspection inside the housing 300. In addition, the station according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: (900). The camera can be used to determine whether a cartridge is inserted, to determine whether a team is present, to measure the amount of sample contained within the tip, and / or to determine whether the sample is a whole blood, plasma, serum, or standard. In addition, the inspection progress process through the drive unit 400 or the like hidden inside the housing 300 can be viewed from the outside through the display unit 710 or a monitor (not shown) The reliability of the process can be enhanced.

Hereinafter, the process of mounting the cuvette 200 to the holder 411 will be described with reference to Figs. 1, 2, and 8. Fig.

8 is a side view schematically illustrating a process of inserting a cuvette into a holder of the left and right mobile units of Fig.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the cuvette 200 is inserted into the holder 411 through the inlet / outlet port 301 of the housing 300, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, The bet 200 is mounted on the holder 411. At this time, the sampling member 100 is placed in the waiting chamber 210 of the cuvette 200, the sample is filled in the sample filling chamber 220, the reagent is filled in the reagent filling chamber 230, And the detection chamber 240 becomes empty.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C, a process in which the collecting member 100 in the waiting chamber 210 is coupled to the arm 422 will be described.

FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are views showing a process in which a collecting member seated on a cuvette is coupled to an arm of the up-and-down moving unit with the holder of FIG. 8 removed.

9A, when the cuvette 200 on which the collecting member 100 is placed is completely drawn into the holder 411, the holder 411 receiving the cuvette 200 is moved to the left and right moving unit 410, (See arrows) in the drawing. 9B, when the arm 422 is placed on the collecting member 100, the movement of the holder 411 receiving the cuvette 200 by the left and right moving unit 410 is stopped, The collecting member 100 is moved in the downward direction (see arrow) by the up-and-down moving unit 420. 9C, when the arm 422 is inserted into the collecting member 100 by the downward force of the arm 422, the arm 422 is moved upward by the up-down moving unit 420 (See arrow # 1), and the holder 411 receiving the cuvette 200 moves to the left (see arrow # 2) in the drawing by the left and right movement unit 410.

10, a sample filling chamber 220, a reagent filling chamber 230, and a detection chamber 240 of the cuvette 200 are located in the sampling member 100, Will be described.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a process of placing a sample filling chamber, a reagent filling chamber, and a detection chamber of a cuvette in a collecting member coupled to the arm while the cuvette of FIG. 9C is moved to the left by the left and right moving unit.

10 (a), the sample filling chamber 220 of the cuvette 200 is moved to the left side in the drawing by the left and right moving unit 410 so that the sampling member 100 The sampling member 100 is moved downward in the drawing by the up-and-down moving unit 420 and inserted into the sample filling chamber 220. At this time, the pump unit 430 is operated, and a proper amount of the sample in the sample filling chamber 220 is sucked into the collecting member 100.

10 (b), the reagent filling chamber 230 of the cuvette 200 is moved to the left side in the drawing by the left and right moving unit 410 as shown in Fig. 10 (b) 100, the collecting member 100 is moved downward in the drawing by the up-and-down moving unit 420 and inserted into the reagent filling chamber 230. At this time, the pump unit 430 is operated so that the sample in the collecting member 100 and the reagent in the reagent filling chamber 230 are mixed and reacted, and a proper amount of the reaction product is sucked into the collecting member 100.

Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 10 (c), the cuvette 200 is moved to the left in the drawing by the left and right movement unit 410 so that the detection chamber 240 of the cuvette 200 is moved to the collecting member 100 The collecting member 100 is moved downward in the drawing by the up-and-down moving unit 420 and inserted into the detection chamber 240. At this time, the pump unit 430 is operated to discharge the reaction product in the collecting member 100 to the detection chamber 240.

Although not shown, when the reaction product is discharged to the detection chamber 240, the cuvette 200 is moved to the right in the drawing by the left and right movement unit 410 so that the detection chamber 240 is moved to the optical reader 500 And the reaction result of the detection chamber 240 is analyzed by the optical reader 500. [

Hereinafter, the process of separating the collecting member 100 from the arm 422 will be described with reference to Figs. 11A, 11B, and 11C.

11A, 11B, and 11C are views showing a process of separating the harvesting member of FIG. 10 from the arm in a state of a holder.

First, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the holder 411 is moved to the left by the left and right moving unit 410, the collecting member 100 is moved up and down by the up and down moving unit 420 . 11B, the holder 411 is pushed by the left and right moving unit 410 so that the latching groove 411a is positioned at the stepped portion between the arm 422 and the collecting member 100, And the arm 422 is moved in the upward direction (see arrow 2) in the drawing by the up-and-down moving unit 420. [ Then, as shown in Fig. 11C, the collecting member 100 is separated from the arm 422 and falls down to be housed in the collecting unit 740. Fig.

Hereinafter, a station according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 12. FIG.

12 is a perspective view schematically showing a holder having a temperature sensor and a heater.

The station according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a display unit 710 provided in the housing 300 and displaying the analysis result by the optical reader 500, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the analysis result can be directly visually confirmed through the display unit 710, so that rapid inspection can be performed.

In addition, the station according to the present invention can be used for the inspection of a large number of different analytes contained in a biological sample. In this respect, a station according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, is provided in a housing 300 and includes information of a sample filled in a sample filling chamber 220, information of a sample to be analyzed A chip (not shown) having a recognition system including information on the type and / or the specific driving method of the station, and a chip inserting unit 720 into which the chip is inserted, It is used in conjunction with the barcode attached to the cuvette. Accordingly, it is possible to input more quickly and accurately through the chip inserting unit 720 as compared with inputting the information of the sample through the key board. Therefore, it is possible to drive the station so that the optimal inspection can be performed in accordance with a variety of various types of analytes, and it is possible to easily test various analytes with one station, and to improve the reproducibility and reliability of inspection.

In addition, the station according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a print output unit 730 provided in the housing 300, as shown in FIG. 1, in which analysis results are printed and output. Therefore, even if a separate printer is not used, the inspection result can be directly provided as a document through the print output unit 730.

In addition, the station according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided in the housing 300 so as to be capable of being pulled in and out in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the use of the collecting member 100 And a collecting unit 740 for collecting the collecting member 100 when it is finished. Accordingly, when the collecting member 100 is automatically separated, the collecting member 100 can be collected, and if necessary, the collecting unit 740 can be opened to discard the collecting member 100.

In addition, the station according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a door 750 which is slidably provided in the housing 300 in the direction of the arrow and opens and closes the inlet 301 as shown in FIG. 1 can do. Accordingly, during the inspection, the door 750 is closed to prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the housing 300, thereby performing more accurate inspection.

12, the holder 411 may further include a heater 610 for applying heat to the holder 411 and a temperature sensor 620 for sensing the temperature of the holder 411 . Therefore, the sample contained in the sample filling chamber 220, the reagent contained in the reagent filling chamber 230, and the reaction product received in the detection chamber 240 can be maintained at an appropriate temperature required for the inspection.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, Of the right.

100: picking member 200: cubette
210: Waiting chamber 220: Sample filling chamber
230: reagent filling chamber 240: detection chamber
300: Housing 301: Inlet port
400: driving unit 410: left and right moving unit
411: holder 411a:
412: right and left guide portion 412a: horizontal support
412b: right and left guide rails 412c: right and left guide grooves
413: right and left drive unit 413a: connection bracket
413b: Belt 413c: First motor
413d: driven pulley 420: up-and-down moving unit
421: upper and lower guide rails 422: arm
423: Up and down driving part 423a:
423b: support bracket 423c: second motor
430: pump unit 431:
432: pump 500: optical reader
610: Heater 620: Temperature sensor
710: Display part 720: Chip insert part
730: print output unit 740:
810: Printed circuit board 820: Control unit
900: camera

Claims (20)

A system for inspecting an analyte in a sample, the sample being reacted with a reagent to analyze a result of the reaction,
A reaction and detection integral cuvette having a collection member atmosphere chamber in which a collection member is placed, a sample filling chamber, a reagent filling chamber, and a detection chamber;
A left and right guide portion for guiding the holder in a left and right direction, and left and right driving portions for applying a force in a left and right direction to the holder, and a cue bet placed on the holder, A left and right moving unit for moving one of the sample filling chamber, the reagent filling chamber and the detection chamber to the collecting member while moving the collecting chamber;
A vertical movement unit coupling the collection member and moving the collection member up and down in either the sample filling chamber, the reagent filling chamber, or the detection chamber;
When the sampling member is sequentially inserted into the sample filling chamber, the reagent filling chamber, and the detection chamber, a suction force or a drain output is provided to react the sample of the sample filling chamber with the reagent of the reagent filling chamber, A pump unit injecting into the detection chamber;
An optical reader provided on the left and right movement path of the cuvette and reading or analyzing the detection result of the reaction result; And
And a housing surrounding the left and right moving unit, the up and down moving unit, the pump unit, and the optical reader, and having a inlet port through which the cuvette is input and output,
Wherein the detection chamber includes a base member having a capillary structure formed therein and a lateral flow analysis cartridge including a cover member.
Analyte Inspection System in Samples.
The method according to claim 1,
The left and right guide portions
A horizontal support for supporting the holder to the housing;
A left and right guide rails formed on one of the horizontal support rods in contact with the holder or a portion of the holder in contact with the horizontal support rods; And
And a pair of right and left guide grooves formed on the other of the portions of the horizontal support rods in contact with the holder or in contact with the horizontal support rods of the holder,
Analyte Inspection System in Samples.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the left-
A connection bracket connected to the holder;
An annular belt to which the connection bracket is fixed;
A first motor provided at one side of the belt for rotating the belt; And
And a driven pulley provided on the other side of the belt for rotatably supporting the belt.
Analyte Inspection System in Samples.
The method according to claim 1,
And a separating engagement groove for separating the harvesting member from the up-and-down moving unit is formed at an end of the holder,
Analyte Inspection System in Samples.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the holder further comprises a heater for applying heat to the holder and a temperature sensing sensor for sensing a temperature of the holder,
Analyte Inspection System in Samples.
The method according to claim 1,
The up-and-
Upper and lower guide rails provided vertically in the housing;
An arm vertically moving along the upper and lower guide rails; And
And an up-and-down driving unit for applying upward and downward force to the arm,
The up-
A screw rod screwed through the arm and placed parallel to the upper and lower guide rails;
A support bracket for supporting the screw rod on the upper and lower guide rails; And
And a second motor for rotating the screw rod
Analyte Inspection System in Samples.
The method according to claim 1,
The pump unit includes:
Wherein the sample filling chamber is located in the sampling member by the left and right moving unit and when the sampling member is inserted into the sample filling chamber by the up-down moving unit,
Wherein said reagent filling chamber is repeatedly provided with a suction force and a folding output to said collecting member when said reagent filling chamber is located at said collecting member by said left and right moving unit and said collecting member is inserted into said reagent filling chamber by said up-
Wherein the detection chamber is located at the collection member by the left and right movement unit, and when the collection member is inserted into the detection chamber by the up-down movement unit,
Analyte Inspection System in Samples.
The method according to claim 6,
The pump unit includes:
A conduit formed through the arm; And
And a pump provided on the arm and applying a pump force to the harvesting member through the channel.
Analyte Inspection System in Samples.
The method according to claim 1,
The housing includes a display unit for displaying an analysis result by the optical reader, a chip inserting unit for inserting a chip containing information of a sample filled in the sample filling chamber, a print output unit for outputting analysis results, Further comprising a collecting part provided to be capable of being drawn in and out and collecting the collecting member when use of the collecting member is finished, and a door for opening / closing the inlet port through which the cuvette is input /
Analyte Inspection System in Samples.
The method according to claim 1,
The housing including a printed circuit board disposed therein;
A control unit mounted on the printed circuit board and controlling the drive unit and the optical reader; And
Further comprising a camera connected to the printed circuit board and configured to perform a photographing analysis of an inspection progress in the housing,
Analyte Inspection System in Samples.
10. The method of claim 9,
And the chip further includes information for driving the inspection system according to the type of the analyte in the sample, and the chip includes information for driving the inspection system according to the kind of the analyte in the sample.
Analyte Inspection System in Samples.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the base member includes a strip accommodating portion for accommodating a strip used for lateral flow analysis and a sample well formed at a position extending from one end of the strip accommodating portion,
Wherein the cover member includes a measurement window for detecting a reaction result formed at a portion corresponding to the strip accommodating portion when the cover member is fastened to the base member, a sample injection port formed at a portion corresponding to the sample well,
A capillary structure formed on the cover member is formed on a lower surface of the cover member adjacent to the sample inlet,
The capillary structure formed on the base member is formed on the sample well,
Analyte Inspection System in Samples. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete

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