JP2000336098A - Apparatus for purifying nucleic acid - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for purifying a nucleic acid good in operating efficiency and scarcely inducing maloperation. SOLUTION: This apparatus for purifying a nucleic acid is capable of displaying a nucleic acid extraction screen 108 in an operation panel 2 when completing the start-up operation, transmitting a request for shutdown from the apparatus when a SHUTDOWN button 115 is pressed, displaying the number of specimens set in a specimen rack 10 in a numerical text box 124, changing the number of the specimens with, two triangular buttons 120 and 121 under the text box 124, changing the color of positions where the specimens are present on a specimen rack layout diagram 113 synchronously with the button operation and placing the specimens closely from the upper side to the lower side in the first row from the right on the specimen rack 10 and subsequently from the upper side to the lower side in the second row toward the left side so as not to form an empty site. The specimen positions in the specimen layout diagram 113 are made to correspond to the specimen positions of the specimen rack 10 so as to display the positions of the specimens in the specimen rack 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a nucleic acid purifying apparatus, and more particularly to a nucleic acid purifying apparatus suitable for separating a nucleic acid contained in a biological sample from a coexisting substance and extracting it.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Advances in molecular biology have led to the development of a number of gene-related technologies and the use of these technologies to isolate and identify many disease-causing genes. As a result, in the field of medicine, molecular biology techniques have been introduced into diagnosis or testing methods, making it possible to make diagnosis that has been impossible in the past, and achieving a significant reduction in the number of testing days.

[0003] Such progress has been made in nucleic acid amplification methods, particularly in polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
This is largely due to the practical application of in reaction). PCR
Since the method is capable of sequence-specifically amplifying nucleic acids in a solution, for example, a virus that is present only in a trace amount in serum can be indirectly detected by amplifying the nucleic acid that is the gene of the virus. I can prove it. However, this PCR
There are several problems when using the method for routine testing in a clinical setting. Among these, nucleic acid purification and purification steps in pretreatment are particularly important for maintaining accuracy. Several techniques have been proposed for the purification of nucleic acids.

JP-A-2-289596 teaches the use of silica particles capable of binding to a nucleic acid in the presence of a chaotropic substance as a solid phase for binding a nucleic acid. JP-A-2-289596 discloses that a sample containing a nucleic acid is added to a reaction vessel containing a suspension of silica particles and a guanidithiocyanate buffer as a chaotropic substance and mixed, and the nucleic acid is added to the silica particles. After the bound complex is centrifuged, the supernatant is discarded, the washing solution is added to the remaining complex, and the mixture is washed using a vortex mixer.The reprecipitated complex is washed with an aqueous ethanol solution and then washed with acetone. A purification method is described in which an elution buffer is added to a complex which has been dried after removing acetone, and nucleic acid is eluted and recovered.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-320274 discloses that
DN using multiple containers and dispensing tips for a single sample
A method for isolating A is taught. This Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-32
No. 0274 discloses the following. That is, the first pipette nozzle is moved by the moving mechanism.
The chip is mounted, and the sample is aspirated into the first chip.
Next, a filter for taking a shell of blood cells is fitted to the lower end of the first chip, and the sample in the first chip is passed through the filter to the first chip.
Dispense into container. Thereafter, the filter and the first tip are removed from the pipette nozzle, the second tip is attached to the lower end of the pipette nozzle, and the sample in the first container is aspirated into the second tip. Next, a silica membrane filter for capturing DNA is fitted to the lower end of the second chip, and the sample in the second chip is discharged to the second container through the silica membrane to capture the DNA with the silica membrane and refresh the sample. The object is discharged into the second container. Thereafter, the pipette nozzle is transferred to the third container containing the cleaning liquid, and the DNA is
Is removed from the second chip and immersed in the washing solution of the third container. Then
The third tip was attached to the pipette nozzle from which the second tip was removed, the silica membrane filter in the third container was fitted to the lower end of the third tip, and the mixed solution of the washing solution and DNA was sucked into the third tip. The mixture is discharged into the fourth container.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-250681 discloses a method of purifying a DNA purified solution using a cartridge container having a quadruple-structured filter member in which a glass powder layer is sandwiched between two glass fiber filters and a membrane filter. Is taught. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-250681, the prepared DNA-containing culture solution is pretreated, the transformant is collected on a trap filter, and a lysis reagent is added to elute the plasmid DNA out of the cell. Is used as a sample for purification. In the purification step, a purification reagent and a chaotropic ion generation reagent (sodium iodide) are added to the cartridge container, and the cartridge container is subjected to vacuum depressurization or centrifugation to adsorb plasmid DNA to the glass powder layer of the cartridge container. Next, a washing buffer is added to the cartridge container, and the cartridge is washed by vacuum depressurization or centrifugation.After that, an elution buffer is added to the cartridge container and subjected to vacuum depressurization or centrifugation to elute only plasmid DNA. I do.

[0007]

However, these techniques relating to a method for purifying a nucleic acid do not take into consideration the operability of an apparatus to be used in a step of purifying a nucleic acid.

An object of the present invention is to provide a nucleic acid purifying apparatus which has good operability and is less likely to cause erroneous operations.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rack for holding a plurality of specimens, means for extracting nucleic acids from the specimens, and a rack for containing the extracted nucleic acids. , A display device, and an input device, wherein the display device represents a position of the sample in the sample holding rack and has a predetermined arrangement relationship with a sample to be subjected to nucleic acid extraction processing input from the input device. A screen including a diagram is displayed, and among the sample positions in the sample layout diagram, a sample position corresponding to a sample to be subjected to nucleic acid extraction processing input from the input device is displayed so as to be distinguishable from other sample positions. Nucleic acid purification equipment to be used.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a rack for holding a plurality of samples, means for extracting nucleic acids from the samples, a rack for storing the extracted nucleic acids, and a touch panel display device The touch panel display device displays a screen including a text box for displaying a numerical value and a button for increasing or decreasing the numerical value, and the button is located on the nucleic acid purifying device disposed below the text box.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a rack for holding a plurality of specimens, a unit for extracting nucleic acids from the specimens, a rack for containing the extracted nucleic acids, a display device, An input device, wherein the display device displays a screen including a sample layout diagram representing a position of a sample in the sample holding rack, and performs a nucleic acid extraction process in the sample layout diagram, which is input from the input device. At the sample position corresponding to the sample, the nucleic acid purification apparatus displays the sample processing status.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a rack for holding a plurality of specimens, means for extracting nucleic acids from the specimens, a rack for containing the extracted nucleic acids, and a display device are provided. The display device is a nucleic acid purification device that displays error information and a confirmation unit for an operator for a sample when the nucleic acid extraction processing is not properly performed on the sample.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rack for holding a plurality of specimens, means for extracting a nucleic acid from the specimen, and a separation chip for capturing the nucleic acid in the nucleic acid extraction. A screen including a holding rack, a rack containing the extracted nucleic acid, and a separation chip layout diagram showing the positions of the separation chips of the separation chip holding rack is displayed so that the mounting position of the separation chips can be recognized. There is provided a nucleic acid purification apparatus including a display device and an input means, wherein the mounting position of the separation chip can be changed by the input means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rack for holding a plurality of specimens, means for extracting a nucleic acid from the specimen, and a separation chip for capturing the nucleic acid in the nucleic acid extraction. A rack for holding the extracted nucleic acid; and a display device. The display device includes a layout diagram of reference positions of the sample holding rack, the separation chip holding rack, and the nucleic acid holding rack, and the reference position. Displaying a screen including the reference position selection unit arranged in association with the nucleic acid purification apparatus.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rack for holding a plurality of samples, means for extracting nucleic acids from the samples, and a separation chip for capturing the nucleic acids in the nucleic acid extraction process. A rack for holding the extracted nucleic acid, a mechanism for dispensing a reagent for the nucleic acid extraction processing, and a mechanism for mounting the separation chip of the separation chip holding rack for the nucleic acid extraction processing When,
Storing means for storing the sample holding rack, the separation chip holding rack and the nucleic acid holding rack, and when the reagent and / or the separation chip are insufficient, stop the nucleic acid extraction processing and perform the reagent dispensing mechanism at that time. And / or a means for storing the state of the separation chip mounting mechanism, and for putting the reagent storage mechanism and / or the separation chip mounting mechanism at a predetermined position, and then setting the rack storage means in a state where it can be taken out. is there.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a rack for holding a plurality of samples, means for extracting nucleic acids from the samples, and a separation chip for capturing the nucleic acids in the nucleic acid extraction process A rack for holding the extracted nucleic acid, a mechanism for dispensing a reagent for the nucleic acid extraction processing, and a mechanism for mounting the separation chip of the separation chip holding rack for the nucleic acid extraction processing When,
A storage unit that stores the sample holding rack, the separation chip holding rack, and the nucleic acid storage rack; an input device; and a unit that detects a position of the rack storage unit. The detection unit positions the rack storage unit at a predetermined position. In the nucleic acid purifying apparatus, the input operation by the operator from the input device is prohibited when it is detected that there is no input operation.

According to a ninth aspect, according to a ninth aspect, a rack for holding a plurality of samples, a unit for extracting nucleic acids from the samples, and a separation chip for capturing the nucleic acids in the nucleic acid extraction process A rack for holding the extracted nucleic acid, a mechanism for dispensing a reagent for the nucleic acid extraction processing, and a mechanism for mounting the separation chip of the separation chip holding rack for the nucleic acid extraction processing When,
Storage means for storing the sample holding rack, separation chip holding rack, and nucleic acid storage rack; and a storage section for waste liquid generated by the nucleic acid extraction processing and a storage section provided in proximity to the rack storage section for the nucleic acid extraction processing. And a storage unit for the used separation chip, wherein the nucleic acid purification apparatus is configured to execute the nucleic acid extraction processing of the sample in the sample rack from a side closer to the waste liquid storage unit and the used separation chip storage unit.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION As a nucleic acid-containing sample, biological samples such as whole blood, serum, sputum, and urine, biological samples such as cultured cells and cultured bacteria, or a state retained in a gel after electrophoresis are used. And nucleic acid, a reaction product such as a DNA amplification enzyme, a substance containing a partially purified nucleic acid, and the like. In addition,
The nucleic acid herein includes a double-stranded, single-stranded, or partially double- or single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).

As the substance which promotes the binding of the nucleic acid to the silica-containing solid phase, a substance having low absorption near the wavelength of 260 nm where the nucleic acid has an absorption peak is preferable. Because, for the assay of nucleic acid purity and quantity, spectrophotometer uses 260nm
This is because the absorption of is often measured. Further, a substance containing thiocyanic acid generates a lethal gas when reacted with an acid, which is not preferable in handling. Considering these points, a preferred embodiment of the present invention uses guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl) as a chaotropic agent. The final concentration of guanidine hydrochloride when used is preferably 4 to 6 mol / l.

As the silica-containing solid phase incorporated in the chip for nucleic acid capture, any substance containing silicon oxide, such as glass particles, silica particles, quartz filter paper, quartz wool, or a crushed product thereof, or diatomaceous earth can be used. However, in order to prevent the solid phase from coming out of the chip, the inner diameter of the tip of the chip should be reduced, and the solid phase should have an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the tip. By installing a holding material with a smaller hole diameter than the outer diameter of the solid phase near the tip of the solid phase, the sample is brought into contact with the solid phase with a large contact area when the sample is sucked into the chip. Is held in the chip.

The step of eluting the nucleic acid from the solid phase is achieved by mixing the solid phase after the washing step with a low salt aqueous solution or water. Since the nucleic acid is transferred from the solid phase to the aqueous phase by this operation, the purified aqueous nucleic acid solution can be obtained by collecting the aqueous phase in the purified product container.

An apparatus for purifying nucleic acid according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for purifying nucleic acid according to one embodiment of the present invention.
1 is a plan view of the lower part of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electric system of a nucleic acid purification apparatus showing one embodiment according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is used in the embodiment of FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a dispenser used in the embodiment of FIG. 1, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a sample rack used in the embodiment of FIG. 1, and FIG. 8 is an embodiment of FIG. 9, FIG. 9 is a front view of an alternative purified product tube used in the embodiment of FIG. 1, FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a separation chip rack used in the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the separation chip used in the embodiment of FIG. 1, and FIGS. 12 and 13 are operation explanatory diagrams of attaching and detaching the separation chip to and from the separation nozzle used in the embodiment of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the nucleic acid purification apparatus has a tabletop shape, and supplies reagents, pure water, consumables such as separation chips, purified product storage tubes, and sample tubes in the apparatus, and then uses a batch method. Perform gene purification. A handy type barcode reader 14 is connected to the apparatus main body 1 to facilitate input operations by an operator by reading information displayed on a sample rack, a reagent pack, and a purified product rack. A dedicated fixed barcode reader for reading this information may be installed.
If the information displayed on the sample rack, reagent pack, or refined product rack is encoded with characters, a part of the shape of the rack or reagent pack, or the color, etc. Character reading means may be provided.

An operation panel 2 installed at the upper right of the front of the apparatus main body 1 is composed of a liquid crystal touch panel having a graphic display function, and displays the state of the apparatus and the progress of the refining process. By operating a button or the like, parameters for the purification process can be set. The operation panel 2 can be used obliquely upward so that the operator can easily handle it even from a standing position. The use of a liquid crystal touch panel as the operation panel 2 is for the purpose of minimizing the installation place of the nucleic acid purification device. However, if there is a sufficient space in the space adjacent to the device main body 1, a CRT display, a keyboard, and a mouse are used. A personal computer or a workstation equipped with a computer may be used.

A pure water tank 4 and reagent packs 5-1 and 5-2 are stored in the upper front part of the apparatus main body 1.
When the purification process of A is performed, the sample is dispensed to the sample on the sample rack 10 through the dispensing nozzle 6 provided on the linear slider 3.

Dispensing head 6A provided with dispensing nozzle 6
The separation head 7A provided with the separation nozzle 7 is connected to the bar-shaped linear slider 3, and when the linear slider 3 is driven in the horizontal direction, the dispensing head 6A and the separation head 7A also move in parallel. The dispensing head 6A has a drive mechanism for moving vertically on the linear slider 3, and each dispensing nozzle 6 has a vertical drive mechanism. Thus, the reagent can be moved to an arbitrary position on the sample rack 10 to dispense the reagent. Although the separation head 7A is fixed to the linear slider 3, the position of the separation nozzle 7 is aligned with the holes of the sample rack 10, the purified product rack 12, and the separation chip rack 11, so that the separation head 7A The drive mechanism enables aspirating and discharging of a sample, mounting of a separation chip, and dispensing of a purified product.

A plurality of samples such as serum for purifying nucleic acids are dispensed into a sample rack 10 by a predetermined amount.
Reagent dispensed from dispensing nozzle 6 and separation tip rack 1
Nucleic acids are purified by the plurality of separation chips provided in 1 and dispensed into a plurality of purified product tubes provided in the purified product rack 12. Further, in the nucleic acid purification step, unnecessary liquid such as an unnecessary substance such as a cell membrane of a sample or a used reagent is discarded from a waste liquid port 8, and a separation chip used for one purification treatment is discarded from a chip disposal port 9. Is done.

Sample rack 10, separation chip rack 11,
The refined product rack 12 is installed inside the consumables tray 13, and collection of these erected products and used products is performed by pulling out the consumables tray 13. This reduces the chance of the operator accidentally making contact with the tip of the nozzle, and prevents the inside of the consumables tray 13 from being contaminated by dust or the like coming out of the operator's arm. There is also a sensor for detecting the position of the consumables tray 13, and when the dispensing nozzle 6 or the separation nozzle 7 is driven, the consumables tray 1
If there is a risk that the nozzles 6 and 7 may come into contact with the sample rack 10 installed inside the consumables rack 13 because the nozzle 3 is not at the predetermined position, the button on the screen displayed on the operation panel 2 is deactivated. When the consumables rack 13 is reset to a normal position, the button on the screen is activated.

On the consumables tray 13, a purified product rack 12, two separation chip racks 11, a sample rack 10, a waste liquid port 8, and a chip disposal port 9 are arranged in this order from the left end. The sample rack 10 and the purified product rack 12 hold samples and purified products in 6 rows and 8 columns, and the separation chip is 2
It is installed on a 6 × 4 separation chip rack 11. Here, the line spacings are set to be substantially the same in order to perform simultaneous separation processing using six consecutive nozzles.

The reason why the refined product rack 12 is disposed farthest from the chip disposal port 9 and the waste liquid port 8 is that the dispersion existing in the waste liquid and the waste liquid at the time of discarding the waste liquid and the waste liquid is scattered in the form of mist. This is to prevent product contamination. For the same reason, the separation chips are arranged at a position close to the refined product rack 12.

The reason that the sample rack 10 is arranged next to the waste liquid port 8 is to shorten the distance from the waste port 8 because the process involving the chemical reaction of nucleic acid purification is performed on the sample container of the sample rack 10. This is because the time required for nucleic acid purification can be reduced by shortening the moving distance of the linear slider 3 equipped with the dispensing mechanism and the separation mechanism. Further, by making the sample rack 10 and the waste liquid port 8 adjacent to each other, there is an effect of minimizing damage to contamination due to dripping from the dispensing nozzle or the separation nozzle.

A control computer 30 is incorporated in the apparatus main body 1, and the control computer executes a control program 38 for controlling the nucleic acid purification apparatus as shown in FIG. That is, the control computer 30 receives an input from the operator and the sensor 37 through the barcode reader 14, the operation panel 2, and the mechanism control unit 31 connected thereto.
Or the signals from the I / O and drive the syringe 33, the dispensing nozzle holder 6A, and the linear slider 3 to drive the stepping motors 32, 34 and 35, and also drive the solenoid valve 36 of the dispenser. And update the display on the operation panel.

The reagent packs 5-1 and 5-2 contain a surfactant (R1), a binding promoter (R2), a detergent (R3), and an eluent (R4). As shown in FIG. 5, a bar code 15 is attached to each side surface or an arbitrary position of each of the reagent packs 5-1 and 5-2.
Control information such as the suction amount, the number of times of stirring, and the order of use is displayed. The control information may include a sample amount to be used and a dispensed amount when dispensing to a purified product rack.

As shown in FIG. 5, each of the reagent packs 5-1 and 5-2 has a shape in which a nozzle is inserted into an opening / closing stopper, and the tip of the nozzle is connected to a dispensing nozzle 6 with a tube, thereby closing the stopper of each reagent pack. The reagent can be used in a closed state without opening. This has the effect of preventing the reagent from being contaminated from the mouth of the reagent pack.

In the dispenser shown in FIG.
Is driven in the suction direction, the syringe 33 can suck the reagent in the reagent pack 5-1 or 5-2. Which of the reagent packs 5-1 and 5-2 is to be sucked can be switched by switching the solenoid valve 36-2. When the syringe 33 is driven in the suction direction, pure water in the pure water tank 4 can be sucked through the branch joint 38 by the syringe 33. On the other hand, when the syringe 33 is driven in the ejection direction, the sucked reagent or pure water can be ejected, that is, ejected by the syringe 33. The switching is performed by solenoid valves 36-1, 36-3 and 3
This is possible by controlling 6-4.

It should be noted that there are four reagent nozzles, and therefore there are also four systems shown in the figure from the reagent nozzle to the branch joint, and four reagents are dispensed simultaneously.
In FIG. 6, three systems are omitted.

The sample rack 10 shown in FIG. The sample rack 10 has a plurality of sample storage holes, and a sample tube (not shown) for storing a sample is inserted into the sample storage hole. In the sample rack 10, 48 samples in 6 rows and 8 columns can be set, and the binding of nucleic acid to the carrier using the separation chip, the washing of waste, and the elution of nucleic acid from the carrier are performed in six columns. Simultaneous processing is performed using the multiple separation nozzles 7.

One example of the refined product rack 12 is shown in FIG. This is a sample rack for a PCR device currently used as a standard. Although the height of the rack, the shape of the upper surface, and the size and interval of the sample holes into which the refined tubes are inserted are constant, several types of racks having different hole depths depending on the amount of refined product to be filled are used. A refined product rack having a sample hole diameter of 7 mm and an interval of 9.0 mm is often used.
The refined product rack may be a microplate having a hole in which a tube for dispensing the refined product is provided, or a recess having a recess for holding a sample on one plate.

FIG. 9 shows an alternative product tube. This purified product tube is made up of six tubes by connecting the tubes with a soft joint at an interval of 9.4 mm. In the next PCR step, a device that is used in a circular manner as two sets of 12 pieces may be used.
A CR process can be performed.

FIG. 10 shows the separation chip rack 11, and FIG. 11 shows the separation chip 25. One chip rack 11 is 6
The separation chips in four rows and four columns can be held, and up to two separation chip racks 25 can be installed to perform the purification process. The upper portion of the separation chip 25 has a larger outer periphery, and is engaged with and held by the end of the hole of the separation chip rack 11. The inside thereof has a cylindrical shape, and is filled with a filter 26 in order to prevent contaminants from entering the sample containing nucleic acids from the separation nozzle 7. A carrier 27 for actually capturing the nucleic acid is packed under the filter 26, and when a binding promoter is present, the nucleic acid is adsorbed on the surface thereof. Separate from its surface. As the material of the carrier 27, particles made of silica may be solidified and used.

The operation of attaching the separation chip 25 to the separation nozzle 7 will be described with reference to FIG. By moving the linear slider bar 3 horizontally, the separation nozzle 7 held in the separation nozzle holder 7A is moved to the chip mounting position of the separation chip rack 11, and the separation nozzle 7 is lowered from there.
The tip is pressed into the inside of the separation chip 25. Since the outer diameter of the separation nozzle 7 and the upper inner diameter of the separation chip 25 are set to be equal, the separation chip 25 is fixed to the tip of the separation nozzle 7.

The operation of discarding the used separation chip 25 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the separation nozzle 7 is moved to the chip disposal port 9 and lowered until the separation chip 25 is completely contained therein. The disposal port 9 is shown in FIG.
Since there is a semicircular cut portion smaller than the outer periphery of the separation chip 25 and smaller than the outer periphery of the separation nozzle 7 as shown in FIG. 5, the separation nozzle 7 is so set that the upper end of the separation chip 25 is engaged with the cut end. Move then raise.
The used separation chip 25 is stored in a waste tray (not shown).

Next, the operation flow of the embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, a screen used in the operation flow will be appropriately described. First, a basic layout of the screen will be described with reference to FIG.

The basic screen of the operation panel 2 includes a user mode display section 100, a title section 101, a time display section 102,
It comprises a screen development unit 103 and a control information display unit 104. An icon indicating the user mode is displayed on the user mode display section 100 to evoke what authority the operator is operating the apparatus. The title part 101 displays a screen name. The time display section 102 displays the current time in minutes. The screen development unit 103 is a button used to open the maintenance menu screen and return to the previous screen.

The screen configuration in the present embodiment has a tree structure. When the screen development unit 103 displays "MENU", it is used to display a menu screen and branch to a desired function. When "BACK" is displayed, it is used to return to the previous screen. The control information display unit 104 displays device information, displays buttons for giving control instructions, and receives control commands from the operator. In the drawings, the buttons that can be operated are highlighted in bold letters. However, the buttons may be embossed by changing the color display or the three-dimensional display with unevenness to prevent operation errors.

Referring to FIG. 14, an apparatus power supply (not shown)
Is input (S-1), the control computer 30 loads the control program 38 and starts it. The control program 38 executes an initial process (S-2) to change the barcode reader 14, the operation panel 2, and the mechanism control unit 31 to a usable state.

An initial / end screen 105 shown in FIG. 18 is displayed on the operation panel 2, and two hidden buttons for opening the password screen for a predetermined time when the apparatus has been started up and become usable. 106-1 and 106-2 can be accepted, and the password request screen 107 of FIG. 19 is displayed only when two are pressed at the same time. The operator inputs a preset password from the numeric keypad 109, confirms the number of digits in the password text box 108, and then presses the OK button 110. As a result, the apparatus operates in the privilege mode when a correct password is input, and operates in the general mode when an incorrect password is input or the cancel button 111 is pressed. In the privileged mode, the maintenance function of the apparatus becomes available, so an icon 112 imitating a spanner is displayed. After the apparatus is started, the icon 112 is displayed on the mode display section of all screens. If the password request screen 107 is not displayed without pressing the hidden buttons 106-1 and 106-2 at a predetermined time, the apparatus operates in the general mode.

When all start-up operations including password reception are completed, the operation panel 2 displays a nucleic acid extraction screen (routine screen) 108 shown in FIG. When the “SHUTDOWN” button 115 is pressed on the nucleic acid extraction screen 108, a shutdown request is sent to the device.

The numerical value text box 124 indicates the number of samples set in the sample rack 10 and can be changed by two triangle buttons 120 and 121 below the text box. Since the operator's line of sight is looking down at the operation panel 2 in a normal operation, the triangular buttons 120, 1
21 is arranged below the text box to prevent the operator's hand from blocking his line of sight.

In synchronization with the button operation, the color of the position where the sample is present on the sample rack layout diagram 113 is changed to prevent an error in the number of samples. The sample is placed on the sample rack 10 from the right in the first row from the top down, then in the second row from the top down,
To the left, we'll pack so that no empty sites are created. Thus, when the number of samples is determined, the position of the sample occupying the sample rack can be uniquely determined. Therefore, the display of the number of samples is updated and the layout diagram 113 of the sample is displayed at the same time. In the sample layout diagram 113, the sample position is associated with the sample position on the sample rack so as to indicate the position of the sample on the sample rack. Since the samples in the sample rack are arranged in 6 rows and 8 columns, it is difficult to intuitively understand the relationship between the layout diagram of the samples occupying the sample rack and the number of samples. For this reason, displaying these at the same time has the effect of preventing the operator from making mistakes in the number of samples.

When the “START” button 117 is pressed, a nucleic acid extraction process for the set number of samples is executed. "BUZ
The “ZER” button 116 is a button for suppressing a buzzer sound that is issued when an error occurs during operation of the apparatus.

Hereinafter, the nucleic acid extraction screen 108 of the operation panel 2
Receives an instruction input by the operator (S-4), and repeatedly executes a process corresponding to the instruction (S-3).

The control request includes a nucleic acid purification request, various maintenance requests and termination requests, and the flow branches accordingly (S-5).

When a request for nucleic acid purification is input, the operator first pulls out the consumables tray 13 and installs the sample rack 10, the separation chip rack 11, and the purified product rack 12 (S-).
6). Subsequently, when an instruction to start nucleic acid purification is input from the operator, a nucleic acid purification process described below is executed (S-7), and upon completion, a purified product is collected (S-8). Since the used waste liquid and the separation chip 25 are held as waste in a waste tray (not shown) in the apparatus main body 1, they are collected (S-9). Upon completion of the nucleic acid purification process, the process returns to step S-5 to receive the next control command.

When a maintenance request is input in step S-5, that is, when the "MENU" button in the screen development section at the upper right of the nucleic acid extraction screen 108 is pressed, the maintenance menu screen in the user mode shown in FIG. Alternatively, when the maintenance menu screen of the service mode in FIG. 23 is displayed and an item in the maintenance menu screen is selected (S
-10), the corresponding process (S-11) is executed. Details of the operation screen developed according to the maintenance menu in the maintenance processing will be described later.

When a termination request is input in step S-5, that is, when "SHUTDOW" on the nucleic acid extraction screen 108 is displayed.
When the "N" button 115 is pressed, the end processing is executed (S-12), and the control program 38 is ended by setting the state in which the power of the apparatus can be cut off.

The nucleic acid purification process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In Step S-30, six separation nozzles 6 are installed in the separation nozzle holder 6A,
Purification of six samples corresponding to the rows on the sample rack 10 is performed simultaneously. Therefore, in the flow, the number of the column being processed is set to N.
It is written as.

When the waste liquid generated in the nucleic acid extraction treatment is discharged to the waste liquid port 8, there is a high possibility that mist-like droplets are generated. Therefore, the right side is the first row and the left side is the eighth row from the front of the apparatus. By subjecting the sample to the nucleic acid extraction processing from the right side to the left side, the possibility that the unprocessed sample is contaminated can be suppressed.

At this time, the display on the operation panel 2 is switched from the nucleic acid extraction screen 108 to the extraction monitor screen 125 shown in FIG. The extraction monitor screen 125 is a sample layout diagram 11
3. Cursor 126 indicating column N being processed, sample number text box 127 being processed, enabled only when processing is interrupted, "RESUME" button 128 for restarting processing, and "STOP" for stopping nucleic acid extraction processing "Button 129. The cursor 126 and the sample number text box 127 move in conjunction with each other, whereby the number of samples currently being processed and the number of unprocessed samples can be known. Therefore, the operator can easily perform work scheduling. The sample position in the sample layout diagram 113 is displayed with a mark indicating the processing status of each sample. In other words, the sample has no substance, the sample exists but the process has not started, the extraction process has been completed normally, the process has been interrupted due to some error during the extraction process, By identifying and displaying information on the interrupted process by subdividing the interrupted state, the progress and degree of progress of the extraction process can be known in detail.

Next, in step S-31, the sample rack 1
For each specimen in row N on 0, a surfactant (R1) for separating nucleic acids contained in the sample from other tissues and binding of the separated nucleic acids to the carrier 27 in the separation chip 25 Is dispensed. At this time, the dispensing nozzles of the surfactant (R1) and the binding promoter (R2) are driven in the horizontal direction by the linear slider 3 so as to move above each sample, and are installed in the dispensing nozzle holder 6A. The position in the depth direction is adjusted by a stepping motor. When the dispensing nozzle 6 is moved directly above the sample, the tip of the dispensing nozzle 6 is brought close to the sample, and then the surfactant (R1) or the binding promoter (R2) is dispensed. This is in order to suppress the generation of droplets that cause the problem.

In step S-32, the separation chip 25 is mounted on the separation nozzle 7 as described above.

In step S-33, the separation chip 25 mounted in step S-32 is moved to the position above the sample in row N, lowered, the tip is immersed in the sample, the sample is aspirated, and the liquid volume of the sample is reduced. Check. That is, if the amount of the sample is insufficient, there is a possibility that nucleic acid purification may not be performed properly, so that log information is left as an error.

In step S-34, the sample is separated
The mixture of the sample, the surfactant (R1), and the binding promoter (R2) is agitated by sucking the sample into the sample 5 or discharging the sample to the sample rack 10. Since the sample in the mixture is decomposed into nucleic acid and other tissues, the separation chip 2
When passing through the carrier 27 in 5, only the nucleic acid is adsorbed on the silica particles constituting the carrier 27 by the action of the binding promoter (R2). The mixture is stirred for 6 samples at the same time.

In step S-35, of the mixture of the specimen, the surfactant (R1), and the binding promoter (R2), the tissues and reagents other than the nucleic acid are discarded. After sucking the whole amount of the mixed solution into the separation chip 25, the separation nozzle 7 is raised,
The slider 3 is driven until it moves above the waste liquid port 8. In order to prevent the waste liquid from splashing, the separation nozzle is lowered to the inside of the waste liquid port, and then the entire mixed liquid in the separation chip 25 is discharged.

In step S-36, the surfactant (R1)
Washing solution (R)
3) is dispensed to the sample in row N. In step S-35, since the sample is discarded together with the surfactant (R1) and the binding promoter (R2), the washing liquid (R3) is provided in the row N of the sample rack.
Only exists.

In step S-37, the same operation as in step S-34 is performed. This is in a state in which the nucleic acids are captured by the carrier 27 in the separation chip 25 in step S-35, but other coexisting substances also slightly remain on the carrier, and therefore these residuals are retained by the washing solution (R3). This is to clean the coexisting substances.

In step S-38, the same operation as in step S-35 is performed. As a result, only the nucleic acid is captured on the carrier 27 in the separation chip 25.

In step S-39, the eluent (R4) is dispensed to the sample in row N of the sample rack 10 by the same operation as in step S-36.

In step S-40, the same operation as in step S-37 is performed. As a result, the nucleic acids captured by the carrier 27 in the separation chip 25 are released, and the gap between the silica particles constituting the carrier 27 can flow as a mixture with the eluent.

In step S-41, a predetermined amount of the mixture is fractionated into the separation chip 25,
The separation nozzle 7 is moved above the row N of the refined product rack 12,
In order to suppress the droplets, the liquid is discharged to the vicinity of the refined product rack 12 and then discharged.

In step S-42, the separation chip 25 used in the above procedure is discarded. When the nucleic acid purification process is completed, the display on the operation panel 2 returns to the nucleic acid extraction screen (routine screen) 108 from the extraction monitor screen 125.

If the nucleic acid extraction processing is not performed normally due to the detection of a shortage of the liquid volume of the sample during the nucleic acid extraction processing, the sample information indicating that the nucleic acid extraction processing was not performed normally before returning to the routine screen 108. Is stored in the control computer 30, and furthermore, an error display and a confirmation button to be pressed by the operator are displayed for the sample to alert the operator, and the routine screen displays 108 until all errors are confirmed. can not go back. That is, it is determined in step 43 whether or not a nucleic acid extraction error has occurred. If no error has occurred, the flow ends there. If an error has occurred, a message of the error and a confirmation button are displayed.
Wait for the confirmation button to be pressed by the operator. That is, a confirmation is inquired (S-45). This step is repeated for all nucleic acid extraction errors (S-44).

When a shortage of reagent is detected during nucleic acid purification, the nucleic acid extraction process is temporarily stopped, the dispensing nozzle 6 and the separation nozzle 7 are raised, and the linear slider 3 is made to stand by at the right end. Then, the device state at that time, specifically, the positions of the dispensing nozzle and the separation nozzle are stored in the control computer 30. The consumables tray 13 is locked at the start of the nucleic acid extraction process and cannot be pulled out. However, when the dispensing nozzle or the separation nozzle is at the standby position, the lock of the consumables tray 13 is unlocked. It is supposed to be.

Next, a reagent management screen 160 shown in FIG. 26 is displayed to prompt the exchange of the empty reagent pack, and when the exchange operation is completed, the flow returns to the nucleic acid extraction processing, and the linear slider 3, the dispensing nozzle 6, The process is resumed after returning the separation nozzle 7 to the original position. Similar processing is performed when the shortage of separation chips is detected.

Next, a method of checking the remaining amount of the reagent will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The check of the remaining amount of the reagent is performed as a maintenance process in step S-11 in FIG.
Or at the time of actually dispensing the reagent in step S-31, S-36 or S-39 of the nucleic acid purification process shown in FIG. Moreover, you may perform by any combination of these.

First, in step S-50, the reagent pack 5-
(R1), a binding promoter (R
2) Check the remaining amounts of the washing solution (R3) and the eluent (R4) to determine whether there are any reagents necessary for the nucleic acid purification treatment to be performed next. The remaining amount of these reagents depends on the volume (filling amount) of each reagent encoded in the reagent barcode 15 attached to the reagent pack 5 and the dispensed amount actually dispensed during the purification process. What is necessary is just to store it in the control computer 30 by the control program 38 and obtain the difference between the total and the reagent volume. The amount of reagent required for the next nucleic acid purification process can be determined as the product of the dispensed amount encoded in the reagent barcode 15 and the number of samples installed on the sample rack 10.

When the reagent necessary for the next nucleic acid purification remains in the reagent pack 5-1, the process proceeds to step S-57,
Surfactant (R1), binding promoter (R2), washing solution (R
3) The electromagnetic valve 36-2 is switched so as to suck the eluent (R4) from the reagent pack 5-1 and the check of the remaining amount of the reagent is completed.

If there is not enough reagent remaining in the reagent pack 5-1 in step S-50, the process proceeds to step S-51.
The same check is performed for the reagent pack 5-2. If sufficient reagent remains in the reagent pack 5-2, an alarm is displayed indicating that the reagent pack 5-1 needs to be replaced (S-52), and the check on the remaining amount of reagent ends. However, step S of the nucleic acid purification process shown in FIG.
If the reagent is actually dispensed at -31, S-36 or S-39, the alarm display is omitted, and after the dispensing nozzle 6 is switched to the reagent pack 5-2, the reagent remaining amount is checked immediately. May be terminated, so that even if one of the reagent packs becomes empty, the other reagent pack can be automatically connected to the dispensing nozzle 6 and the nucleic acid purification process can be continued.

Subsequently, the flow proceeds to Step S-58, in which a surfactant (R1), a binding promoter (R2), a washing solution (R3),
The electromagnetic valve 36-2 is switched so that the eluent (R4) is sucked from the reagent pack 2, and the check of the remaining amount of the reagent is completed.

If there is not enough reagent remaining in the reagent packs 5-1 and 5-2 in step S-51, a message to that effect is displayed as a warning message (S-54). Prompt the operator. Replacing a reagent pack (S-
55), air is mixed into the tube from the reagent pack to the dispensing nozzle 6. Therefore, a priming process (S-53) for removing air, that is, the dispensing nozzle 6 is
And then fill the tube with reagent from the new reagent pack and expel air with the old reagent.

When the reagent pack is replaced (S-55), the reagent bar code 15 attached to the reagent pack is read by the bar code reader 14 to thereby determine the type of each reagent contained in the reagent pack and each of the reagents. Order of use of reagents,
The dispensed amount and the number of times of agitation at the time of the purification process are acquired and stored in the control computer 30.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 16, the remaining amount of the reagent pack 5-1 is checked first. However, the remaining amount of the reagent pack 5-2 may be checked first. The reagent pack connected to the nozzle 6 may be stored, and this may be used as the reagent pack 5-1 and the other may be used as the reagent pack 5-2.

When maintenance is selected in step S-5 of the operation flow of FIG.
When the “MENU” button displayed in the screen development section at the top right of 08 is pressed, the maintenance screen 130 shown in FIG. 22 is displayed in the general mode, and the maintenance selection screen 130-2 shown in FIG. 23 is displayed in the privileged mode. Buttons that can be operated in the general mode include a “RESULT” button 131 and a “R
EAGENT ”button 132 and“ DISP.TIP ”button 133, but in the privileged mode, in addition to them,“ TEACHING ”button 134,“ ACTI ”
ON CHECK ”button 135,“ PATTERN S
ET "button 136," SYSTEMLOG "button 1
37, "TIMER SET" button 138, "VER
Nine of the "SION" buttons 139 become available.

When the “RESULT” button 131 is pressed, an extraction result management screen 150 shown in FIG. 24 is displayed.
The extraction result is managed as a list 153 of the nucleic acid extraction start time and the number of samples at that time. When the “DETAIL” button 151 is pressed, the screen is switched to a nucleic acid extraction result detail display screen on which the result cursor 152 is placed. By pressing the increment button 120 or the decrement button 121, the position of the result cursor can be moved.

The detailed display screen 155 of the nucleic acid extraction result is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the sample layout diagram 113 at the time of executing the extraction process, the start time of the selected process and the number of samples 152 are displayed, but the sample layout diagram 133 shows the presence or absence of the sample, the success and failure of the extraction process. In the case of a failure, information such as the process may be color-coded and displayed using symbols or the like.

When the “REAGENT” button 132 is pressed, a reagent management screen 160 shown in FIG. 26 is displayed. 2
The amount of the reagent remaining in one reagent pack, expressed as the number of samples that can be extracted, is displayed in the text box 161 on the right side of “USEFUL SAMPLE”. Also, the remaining amount of reagent in each reagent pack is indicated in a text box 162-
1, 162-2. When the “CHANGE PACK” button 163-1 or 163-2 corresponding to the reagent pack is replaced, the capacity of the reagent pack is added to the remaining amount and “USEFUL SAMPLE” is added.
The value of "S" is also updated. The capacity of the reagent pack may be obtained from the reagent pack using the barcode reader 14 if the reagent barcode 15 is attached to the reagent pack, but if there is no reagent barcode, the currently set nucleic acid is set. It may be obtained from the amount of reagent in the extraction pattern.

When the “DISP.TIP” button 133 is pressed, a separated chip management screen 170 shown in FIG. 27 is displayed. On the screen, a separation chip position layout diagram 175 showing the separation chip positions corresponding to the separation chips of the two separation chip racks 11 is shown as 175, on which the mounting position of the separation chip 25 to be mounted next to the separation nozzle 7 is displayed. Is displayed. The separation chip mounting position cursor 174 is stored in the control program 38, and the position is moved forward each time it is mounted in the nucleic acid extraction process. The mounting position forward button 172 and the backward button 173 move the positions.
As a result, the odd number of separation chips can be effectively used without being discarded.

When the "TEACHING" button 134 is pressed, a position adjustment screen shown in FIG. 28 is displayed. Position adjustment means that the reference position when the dispensing nozzle 6 or the separation nozzle 7 is moved may deviate from an ideal value (design value) during the manufacturing process of the apparatus. Is calculated and the design value is replaced. The design value is stored in the control computer 30, and the actual measured value replaced with that value is of course stored in the control computer 3.
0 is stored. After returning the dispensing nozzle 6 and the separating nozzle 7 to the origin, the dispensing nozzle 6 and the separating nozzle 7 are moved to a reference position using a measuring instrument for measuring the position and the visual observation of the operator, and the displacement is stored as coordinates. Sample rack 1 at the reference position
0, two separated chip racks 11, refined product racks 12,
There are the positions of the waste liquid port 8 and the chip waste port 9, and these are displayed as an adjustment position display diagram 181.

On the position adjustment screen, an adjustment position display diagram 181 and buttons 182 to 188 for selecting a reference position to be adjusted are displayed to indicate a reference position for position adjustment, and the selection button and the reference position are displayed. Are used to show the relationship between Thus, it is possible to intuitively select a part to be adjusted without knowing the name of the part of the apparatus in detail. The same effect can be obtained by giving the same name or ID number to the reference position and the selection button on the adjustment position display FIG. 181 instead of the leader line and displaying them.

When the "POSITION" button 185 is pressed, an adjustment position display screen 190 shown in FIG. 29 is displayed. The positions of the sample rack 10, the two separation chip racks 11, the purified product rack 12, the waste liquid port 8, and the chip disposal port 9 as the reference positions are displayed as 192-1 to 192-6, respectively, and the coordinate values of those positions are displayed. A list is displayed in the X, Y and Z coordinate text boxes 192 to 194, respectively. When the screen development button displayed as “BACK” in the upper right is pressed, the screen returns to the position adjustment screen 180.

Select buttons "ISOLATOR", "TI
P1, "TIP2", "SAMPLE", "LIQ
When “UID OUT” or “TIP OUT” is pressed, an adjustment position setting screen 205 shown in FIG. 30 is displayed, and adjustment of the purified product rack position, the separation chip position, the sample rack position, the waste liquid port position, and the chip waste port position is performed. Can be performed. The title at the top of the position setting screen is followed by the screen name (the position of the purified product rack, the position of the separation chip, the position of the sample rack, the position of the waste liquid port, the position of the chip disposal port) and a hyphen ('-'). The name of the selected reference position is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to confirm which position is being adjusted during the operation. X,
Coordinate value changing units 206-1 corresponding to the three axes Y and Z
There is 206-3. Each of these has an increase button and a decrease button for the value along the coordinate axis, and further has a text box for displaying the current value on the left side thereof. When the increase button or the decrease button is pressed, the current value on the left side changes accordingly, and the mechanism system is driven along the corresponding coordinate axis. For this reason, it is possible to confirm whether or not the target object has reached the reference position by performing the measurement visually or using an instrument by the operator. When the operator confirms that the object has moved to the reference position in this manner, the operator proceeds to “SE”.
By pressing the “T” button 207, the adjustment value can be updated. If the user wants to discard the result of the adjustment work, the user presses the “CANCEL” button 208 to move the adjustment target to the previous adjustment value, and the value displayed in the text box of the coordinate value change unit also returns to the previous adjustment value. .

"BACK" is displayed on the screen development button at the upper right of the adjustment position display screen 190 and the adjustment position setting screen 205.
Is displayed. By pressing the label, the screen returns to the position adjustment screen 180, and similarly, when the screen development button displayed as “BACK” is pressed on the position adjustment screen 180, the label is displayed in FIG. 22 or FIG. Return to the menu screen.

"ACTION CHECK" button 13
When 5 is pressed, an operation confirmation screen 210 shown in FIG. 31 is displayed. The operation confirmation screen displays “REAGENT DISP
LENSER "button 211," ISOLATOR P
An "IPETOR" button 212 and a "ROUTINE" button 213 are displayed, respectively, for the operation of the reagent dispenser (dispensing nozzle 6), the operation of the separation pipettor (separation nozzle 7), and the routine operation (nucleic acid extraction operation) of the entire apparatus. Switch to the screen for confirmation. "REAGENT
DISPENSER "button 211 and" ISOLA
When the "TOR PIPETOR" button 212 is pressed, the screen is switched to a reagent dispenser operation check screen 220 shown in FIG. In the title part of the screen in FIG. 32, "ACTION
"CHECK-REAGENT" is displayed on the previous screen as "REAGENDISPENSE".
R "has been selected, and" ISOLATO "
If "R PIPETOR" is selected, "ACTIO
N CHECK-ISOLATOR "is displayed.
"LEFT / RIGHT" button 221, "FRONT"
A / REAR ”button 222 and an“ UP / DOWN ”button 233 are buttons for selecting the degree of freedom for performing the operation check, and correspond to the X, Y, and Z axis operations, respectively. “REPEAT COUNT” is the number of repetitions of the selected operation, and is indicated by arrow buttons 120 to 1.
The value set in 23 is displayed in the text box 226. When the “START” button 231 is pressed, “RE”
The basic operation is repeated the number of times "PEATCOUNT",
When the “STOP” button 232 is pressed, the checking operation is immediately stopped even if the number of times specified has not been reached.

In the operation confirmation screen 210 shown in FIG.
When the “OUTINE” button is selected, a routine operation check screen 227 of FIG. 33 is displayed. The routine operation is a normal nucleic acid extraction operation, and the routine operation check or confirmation is a mechanical operation check performed without using consumables such as samples and reagents and ignoring the state of the liquid level detection sensor. . When the “START” button 224 is pressed, the routine operation is executed the number of times specified by the arrow buttons 120 to 123 and displayed in the number-of-repetitions text box 227. However, the routine operation check is stopped immediately after the “STOP” button 225 is pressed.

In the screens of FIGS. 32 and 33, "BA
When the screen development button displayed as "CK" is pressed, the screen returns to the operation confirmation screen of FIG. 31, and when the "BACK" screen development button is further pressed, the screen returns to the menu selection screen.

[PATTERN SET] button 136
Is pressed, the extraction pattern setting screen 230 shown in FIG.
Is displayed. The extraction pattern is control information such as the amount of a reagent to be dispensed when performing nucleic acid extraction and the number of times of stirring.
Since the optimal set of control parameters differs depending on the sample and the type of reagent used, these are combined as an extraction pattern and assigned an identification number to enable selection of the extraction pattern according to the type of sample and reagent used. ing. In the left column of the extraction pattern setting screen, items such as surfactant (R1), binding promoter (R2), washing solution (R3), eluent (R4), reagents such as air (AIR), and sample (SAMPLE) are shown. The second column from the left shows the value of the suction amount (dispensing amount) for those items, and the third column shows the value of the number of times of stirring when the reagent or air is dispensed.

On the right side of the screen is an operation section for setting the identification number of the extraction pattern.
The extraction pattern identification number set by 1 is displayed in the text box 234, and the displayed extraction pattern is taken into the control unit of the apparatus, and the displayed parameters are referred to when performing nucleic acid extraction. become. When the extraction pattern identification number is changed by the arrow keys 120 and 121, the value of the parameter on the left side of the screen is updated, and at the same time, the value taken into the control unit of the apparatus is also updated.

When the "CHANGE PARAMETER" button 235 is pressed, a parameter setting screen 240 shown in FIG. 35 is displayed to change the values of the parameters defined in the displayed extraction pattern. On this screen, item selection buttons 241-1 to 241-5 for changing the dispensed amount of the reagent and the amount of air suction, selection buttons 242-1 to 242-5 for changing the number of times of stirring, the sample liquid amount "SAMPLE" button 243 for changing the product, and "ISOLATOR" button 24 for selecting the change of the amount of fractionated product
4. "CUP DE" for selecting the shape of the purified product container
A “PTH” button 245 is displayed.

Item selection buttons 241-1 to 241-5 for changing the amount of reagent dispensed and the amount of air sucked, selection buttons 242-1 to 242-5 for changing the number of times of stirring,
"SAMPLE" button 24 for changing the sample liquid volume
0, select “ISOLATO” to select the change in the amount of purified product
When the “R” button 244 is selected, a parameter change screen 250 shown in FIG. 36 is displayed. Following "PARAMETER SET" displayed in the title portion of the screen 250, the name of the parameter to be changed is displayed, and "V
OL. “R1” indicates that the selection button 241-1 for changing the dispensed amount of the surfactant (R1) has been pressed. "EFFECTIVE RAN" appears at the top of the screen.
"GE / 0-990" indicates the effective range of the selected parameter. Arrow buttons 120 to 123 are pressed to set parameter values, and the parameter values are displayed in a text box 225. "O
When the “K” button 252 is pressed, the value is determined and “CANC
When the “EL” button 253 is pressed, the input value is invalidated, and the value before the change is returned.

On the parameter setting screen 240 shown in FIG.
When the “UP DEPTH” button 245 is pressed, a refined product container selection screen shown in FIG. 37 is displayed. "FOR CO
When the “BAS AMPLICOR” button 201 is pressed, the control program 38 is notified that the purified product tube 25-2 shown in FIG. 9 is to be used as a purified product container. Product tube 25
The dispensing nozzle 7 is lowered according to the shape of -2. On the other hand, a sample container of a standard PCR device which is generally widely used is prepared with containers having different depths depending on the capacity. "FOR PCR" buttons 202-1 and 202-2
02-5 is a button for selecting PCR sample containers having different depths.

When the "SYSTEM LOG" button 137 is pressed, a system log information display screen shown in FIG. 38 is displayed. The system log information is a record of a main event that has occurred inside the apparatus described in the present embodiment, and includes an occurrence time, an event code “ALARM”, and detailed information thereof. The main events include start, end, and interruption of the nucleic acid extraction processing, detection of an abnormality in the apparatus, replacement of consumables such as reagent packs, and updating of the position adjustment value. The control program 38 sequentially stores the system logs, and when the number exceeds a predetermined number, deletes the oldest record so as not to exceed the predetermined number. The system log information display screen 260 is displayed as a list in order from the latest system log information, and the time of occurrence and the event code “ALARM” are displayed in the data of each event. To refer to the detailed information, move the cursor 261 to the line of the desired system log information using the arrow buttons 120 and 121, and then press the “DETAIL” button 1
By pressing 51, the screen is switched to a system log information detailed display screen (not shown). The label "BACK" is displayed on the screen development button in the upper right part of the detail display screen, and pressing it returns to the system log information display screen. Similarly, on the system log information display screen, "B
When the screen development button indicating "ACK" is pressed, the screen returns to the menu screen shown in FIG. 22 or FIG.

When the "TIMER SET" button 138 is pressed, a time setting screen 265 shown in FIG. 39 is displayed. "YEAR" button 266-1, "MONTH" button 266-2, "DAY" button 266-3, "HO
UR "button 266-4," MINUTE "button 26
6-5 are buttons for changing the values of year, month, day, hour and minute, respectively, and data corresponding to each item is displayed on the left side of the button. When any of these buttons is pressed, the screen is switched to a time change screen 270 in FIG. 40, and the numerical value of the item corresponding to the selected button can be changed. In the example shown in FIG. 40, since the screen is switched by pressing the “YEAR” button, a text box 271 having a value corresponding to YEAR is displayed, and the arrow button 120 is displayed.
The value can be changed by .about.123.

When the “BACK” screen development button on the time change screen 270 is pressed, the screen returns to the time setting screen 265. When the “BACK” screen development button on the time setting screen 265 is pressed, the menu shown in FIG. 22 or FIG. Return to the screen.

When the “VERSION” button 139 is pressed, a version information screen shown in FIG. 41 is displayed. On this screen, the model name of the device and the version number of the control program 38 are displayed, and the “OK” button 276 or the “BA
When the screen development button displayed as “CK” is pressed, FIG.
Alternatively, the screen returns to the menu screen shown in FIG.

[0105]

According to the present invention, there is provided a nucleic acid purifying apparatus which has good operability and hardly causes erroneous operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for purifying nucleic acid showing an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the lower part of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electric system of a nucleic acid purification apparatus showing one embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a reagent pack used in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a system diagram of a dispenser used in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a sample rack used in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a refined product rack used in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a front view of an alternative refined product tube used in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a separation chip rack used in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a separation chip used in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of attaching a separation chip to a separation nozzle used in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of removing a separation chip from a separation nozzle used in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is an operation flowchart of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an extraction process in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a remaining amount check in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is a view showing a basic screen layout of a screen displayed on the operation panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a view showing an initial / end screen displayed on the operation panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 19 is a view showing a password screen displayed on the operation panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 20 is a view showing a nucleic acid extraction screen (routine screen) displayed on the operation panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 21 is a view showing an extraction monitor screen displayed on the operation panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 22 is a view showing a maintenance menu screen in a user mode displayed on the operation panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 23 is a view showing a maintenance menu screen of a service mode displayed on the operation panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an extraction result management screen displayed on the operation panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 25 is a view showing a sample management detail screen displayed on the operation panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a reagent management screen displayed on the operation panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 27 is a view showing a separation chip management screen displayed on the operation panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a position adjustment screen displayed on the operation panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 29 is a view showing an adjustment position display screen displayed on the operation panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an adjustment position setting screen displayed on the operation panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 31 is a view showing an operation confirmation screen displayed on the operation panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 32 is a view showing an operation check screen of the reagent dispenser displayed on the operation panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 33 is a view showing a routine operation check screen displayed on the operation panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 34 is a view showing an extraction pattern setting screen displayed on the operation panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 35 is a view showing a parameter setting screen displayed on the operation panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 36 is a view showing a parameter change screen displayed on the operation panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 37 is a view showing a refined product container selection screen displayed on the operation panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 38 is a view showing a system log information display screen displayed on the operation panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 39 is a view showing a time management screen displayed on the operation panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 40 is a view showing a time setting screen displayed on the operation panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 41 is a view showing a version information display screen displayed on the operation panel of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

1: apparatus main body, 2: operation panel, 3: linear slider, 4: pure water tank, 5-1 and 5-2: reagent pack, 5
-1 ... reagent bottle, 6: dispensing nozzle, 6A: dispensing nozzle holder, 7: separation nozzle, 7A: separation nozzle holder, 8: waste liquid port, 9: chip disposal port, 10: sample rack, 11: separation chip Rack, 12: refined product rack, 1
3: consumables tray, 14: barcode reader, 15: reagent barcode, 25: separation chip, 30: control computer, 33: syringe, 34: dispensing nozzle holder, 10
0: user mode display section, 101: title display section, 1
02: time display unit, 103: screen development button, 104:
Control information display area, initial / end screen, 107: password screen, 113: specimen layout diagram, 108: nucleic acid extraction screen, 120: increment button, 121: decrement button, 125: extraction monitor screen, 130: user mode maintenance menu Screen, 130-2: Service mode maintenance menu screen, 150: Extraction result management screen, 155: Sample management detail screen, 160: Reagent management screen, 170: Separation chip management screen, 180: Position adjustment screen, 190: Adjustment position Display screen, 205: adjustment position setting screen, 200: purified product container selection screen, 210:
Operation confirmation screen, 220: reagent dispenser operation check screen, 230: extraction pattern setting screen, 240: parameter setting screen, 250: parameter change screen, 260: system log information display screen, 265: time management screen, 27
0: Time setting screen, 275: Version information display screen.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Tomoya Sakurai 882-Chair, Oita-shi, Hitachinaka-city, Ibaraki Pref., Ltd.Measurement Division, Hitachi, Ltd. Inside Hitachi Design Laboratory (72) Inventor Kiyotaka Izawa 1-280 Higashi-Koigakubo, Kokubunji-shi, Tokyo F-term in Hitachi Design Laboratory (Reference) 4B063 QA20 QQ03 QQ06 QQ15 QQ42 QQ52 QR51 QR54 QR83 QS12 QS25 QS39 4C057 AA04 BB02 BB CC03 DD01 MM02 MM04 MM09

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A rack for holding a plurality of samples, means for extracting nucleic acids from the samples, a rack for containing the extracted nucleic acids, a display device, and an input device,
The display device displays a screen including a sample layout diagram indicating a position of a sample in the sample holding rack and having a certain arrangement relationship with a sample to be subjected to nucleic acid extraction processing input from the input device, and displaying the sample layout diagram. A nucleic acid purifying apparatus, wherein a sample position corresponding to a sample to be subjected to nucleic acid extraction processing input from the input device among the sample positions therein is displayed so as to be distinguishable from other sample positions. 2. A rack for holding a plurality of specimens, means for extracting nucleic acids from the specimens, a rack for containing the extracted nucleic acids, and a touch panel display, wherein the touch panel display has a numerical value. A nucleic acid purifier that displays a screen including a text box to be displayed and a button for increasing or decreasing the numerical value, wherein the button is disposed below the text box. 3. A rack for holding a plurality of samples, means for extracting nucleic acids from the samples, a rack for containing the extracted nucleic acids, a display device, and an input device,
The display device displays a screen including a sample layout diagram representing the position of the sample in the sample holding rack, and the sample position corresponding to the sample to be subjected to the nucleic acid extraction processing input from the input device in the sample layout diagram. A nucleic acid purification device, wherein a sample processing status is displayed on the device. 4. A rack for holding a plurality of samples, means for extracting nucleic acids from the samples, a rack for containing the extracted nucleic acids, and a display device, wherein the display device is configured to extract nucleic acids from the samples. A nucleic acid purifying apparatus characterized in that when processing is not performed properly, error information and a confirmation unit for an operator are displayed for the sample. 5. A rack for holding a plurality of samples, means for extracting a nucleic acid from the samples, and a rack for holding a separation chip for capturing the nucleic acid in the nucleic acid extraction.
A display device that displays a screen containing the extracted nucleic acid and a screen including a separation chip layout diagram showing the positions of the separation chips in the separation chip holding rack so that the mounting position of the separation chips can be recognized; and And a means for changing the mounting position of the separation chip by the input means. 6. A rack for holding a plurality of samples, means for extracting nucleic acids from the samples, and a rack for holding a separation chip for capturing the nucleic acids in the nucleic acid extraction.
A rack accommodating the extracted nucleic acid, and a display device, wherein the display device is arranged in association with the layout diagram of the reference positions of the sample holding rack, the separation chip holding rack and the nucleic acid holding rack and the reference position. A nucleic acid purification apparatus, which displays a screen including the reference position selecting unit. 7. A rack for holding a plurality of samples, means for extracting nucleic acids from the samples, a rack for holding a separation chip for capturing the nucleic acids in the nucleic acid extraction process, and a housing for the extracted nucleic acids Rack, a mechanism for dispensing a reagent for the nucleic acid extraction processing, a mechanism for mounting the separation chip of the separation chip holding rack for the nucleic acid extraction processing, the sample holding rack, the separation chip holding rack and When there are not enough storage means for storing the nucleic acid storage rack and the reagent and / or separation chip, the nucleic acid extraction processing is stopped and the state of the reagent dispensing mechanism and / or separation chip mounting mechanism at that time is stored. And retrieving the reagent dispensing mechanism and / or the separation chip mounting mechanism to a predetermined position, and then putting the rack storage means into a state where it can be taken out. Nucleic acid purification apparatus comprising and. 8. A rack for holding a plurality of samples, means for extracting nucleic acids from the samples, a rack for holding a separation chip for capturing the nucleic acids in the nucleic acid extraction process, and a housing for the extracted nucleic acids. Rack, a mechanism for dispensing a reagent for the nucleic acid extraction processing, a mechanism for mounting the separation chip of the separation chip holding rack for the nucleic acid extraction processing, the sample holding rack, the separation chip holding rack and A storage unit for storing the nucleic acid storage rack; an input device; and a unit for detecting a position of the rack storage unit. The input is performed when the detection unit detects that the rack storage unit is not at a predetermined position. An apparatus for purifying nucleic acid, wherein an input operation by an operator from the apparatus is prohibited. 9. A rack for holding a plurality of samples, means for extracting nucleic acids from the samples, a rack for holding a separation chip for capturing the nucleic acids in the nucleic acid extraction process, and a housing for the extracted nucleic acids Rack, a mechanism for dispensing a reagent for the nucleic acid extraction processing, a mechanism for mounting the separation chip of the separation chip holding rack for the nucleic acid extraction processing, the sample holding rack, the separation chip holding rack and A storage unit for storing a nucleic acid storage rack, a storage unit for waste liquid generated by the nucleic acid extraction process, and a storage unit for a separation chip used for the nucleic acid extraction process, provided in proximity to the rack storage unit. Wherein the nucleic acid extraction processing of the sample in the sample rack is performed from a side closer to the waste liquid storage section and the used separation chip storage section. Acid purification apparatus.