JP2003043050A - Inspection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inspection apparatus which can reduce the occupation floor area and which executes an HTS capable of realizing an efficient operation. SOLUTION: An inspection unit 1 in which a dispensing device 2, an incubator 3, a measuring device 4 and a stocker 5 as a device group for an inspection process are arranged in the up-and-down direction, an inspection station S1 having an inspection-side robot 6 operated in the up-and-down direction and a cassette stocker S2 which has a shelf 11 used to house a plurality of cassettes 8, a washing machine 12, a cassette-side robot 13 and a cassette conveyance vehicle 14, are installed so as to be adjacent to each other.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to high-throughput screening (High Throughput Screening) for performing large-scale tests and selections at high speed in drug discovery and gene analysis that produce new drugs.
Through-put Screening: hereinafter referred to as HTS).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the field of drug discovery and gene analysis for producing new drugs, HTS systems for high-speed mass examination and selection have been proposed and constructed.

To briefly list the procedure for creating a new drug, first, a compound found to be active for the desired drug effect is found. Next, a compound satisfying nonspecific activity, physical properties, toxicity, synthetic developability and the like is selected from the compounds. Then, a clinical trial is carried out with the synthetic compound, which has been developed and optimized based on this compound, as a new drug candidate.

Among these, a method for finding active compounds is random screening in which hundreds of thousands of compounds are selected at any rate. It is the above HTS that attempts to perform this random screening extremely efficiently.

Specifically, this HTS is systematized from library formation of the compound solution to be evaluated, assay, washing, and data processing, and automation technology such as robots is applied in these processes to implement the whole process. This is a system that improves throughput.

On the other hand, in the gene analysis, there is a method of selecting one having a specific base sequence from a large amount of DNA fragments, and in this gene analysis, a system similar to the above HTS is introduced.

As an apparatus for constructing and operating this HTS as a system, for example, there is a proposal described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-507518.

[0008]

In such an HTS system, equipment and storage racks for carrying out various treatments such as compound solution library formation, assay and washing are arranged on a plane, and these equipments are arranged. Between the plates, that is, a plate having a space for carrying out the above reaction to elucidate the function or composition of an unknown substance by reacting a substance with a known function or composition with an unknown substance by a transfer robot Has become.

Since the devices and storage racks are not arranged on the plane as described above, the area occupied by the devices is large and the operation range of the robot associated with the transportation is also wide. Therefore, the occupied floor area of the entire HTS system becomes large.

In the field of drug discovery and field of gene analysis, it is inevitable that the number of samples to be tested will continue to increase, and in order to cope with this, a plurality of test lines are often provided. In such a case, a system having a large occupied floor area is extremely disadvantageous.

Further, as the number of inspection lines increases, the number of control items also increases and becomes complicated, making it difficult to operate the entire system efficiently.

[0012] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an inspection apparatus for carrying out an HTS which can reduce the occupied floor area and realize an efficient operation.

[0013]

The first aspect of the present invention provides an inspection apparatus for reacting a substance having a known function or composition with an unknown substance to elucidate the function or composition of the unknown substance. A plate having a space to be carried out, an injection means for injecting the known substance and the unknown substance at the same time or separately, a plate holding means for holding the plate injecting each of the substances in a predetermined environment, and Reaction measuring means for measuring the reaction state in the space of the plate, plate conveying means capable of conveying the plate in at least one of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, the injection means, the plate holding means, and the reaction measuring means And a control means for controlling the operation of at least one of the plate transport means, the injection means, the plate holding means, and the reaction measuring means. An inspection apparatus being characterized in that set up at least two means in the longitudinal direction of.

A second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the inspection apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, it has a cassette capable of accommodating a plurality of the plates, and the plurality of plates are collectively conveyed by the cassette. .

A third aspect of the present invention is the inspection apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, which has a shelf capable of accommodating a plurality of the cassettes, and a plurality of the plates are collected by the plurality of cassettes accommodated in the shelf. It is characterized by being transported.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the inspection device of the second or third aspect of the present invention, a cassette conveying means for conveying the cassette is provided.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (1) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 3 are block diagrams of an inspection apparatus for carrying out HTS. FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram, and FIG. 2 is A.
FIG. 3 is a front view seen from the direction, and FIG. 3 is a side view seen from the direction B. This inspection device has a basic structure for solving the above problems.

This inspection apparatus comprises an inspection station S1 and a cassette stocker S2. The inspection unit 1 is provided in the inspection station S1. As shown in FIG. 3, the inspection unit 1 includes a dispenser 2 which is a device group for an inspection process, an incubator 3, a measuring device 4, and a stocker 5 which are arranged in the vertical direction (vertical direction). Has become.

The inspection-side robot 6 conveys the plate 7 to a device group of the inspection unit 1, that is, the dispenser 2, the incubator 3, the measuring device 4 or the stocker 5, and the turning motion in the direction of arrow A and the drawing As shown in FIG. 3, it has a function of performing a vertical movement in the direction of arrow B. The inspection-side robot 6 is provided with a U-shaped hand 6a for holding and releasing the plate 7 at its tip and an articulated arm 6b for expanding and contracting the hand 6a. In FIG. 1, the arm 6b indicated by the solid line is in a contracted state, and the arm 6b indicated by the broken line is in an extended state.

The plate 7 has a space for carrying out the above reaction for reacting a substance having a known function or composition with an unknown substance to clarify the function or composition of the unknown substance.

On the circumference of the center of rotation of the inspection side robot 6, there is provided a cassette table 9 on which a cassette 8 for accommodating a plurality of plates 7 is placed.

The mutual operation of the equipment group of the inspection unit 1 and the inspection robot 6 is controlled by the inspection control device 10.

The cassette stocker S2 has a shelf 11 for storing a plurality of cassettes and a washing machine 1 for washing the plate 7.
2 and a cassette-side robot 13 that conveys the plate 7
And a cassette carrier 14. The washing machine 12, the cassette-side robot 13, and the cassette transportation vehicle 14 are controlled by the delivery control device 15.

The cassette-side robot 13 conveys the cassette 8 between the washing machine 12 and the cassette transport vehicle 14, and has a function of performing a swiveling operation in the direction of arrow C and a vertical operation. There is. This inspection-side robot 13 has a U-shaped hand 13a that holds the plate 7 at its tip.
And an articulated arm 13b for expanding and contracting the hand 13a.

The cassette transport vehicle 14 travels between the inspection station S1 and the cassette stocker S2 to transport the cassette 8.

The inspection control device 10 of the inspection station S1 and the delivery control device 15 of the cassette stocker S2 are
It has a function of mutually performing data communication via the network 16.

Next, the operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be described.

The cleaned plate 7 is stored in the cassette 80 on the shelf 11 of the cassette stocker S2.

Inspection control device 10 of inspection station S1
When a cassette carry-in is requested from the delivery control device 15 via the network 16 from the cassette carrying vehicle 14,
Transports the cassette 8 from the shelf 11 of the cassette stocker S2 to the cassette table 9 of the inspection station S1.

At the inspection station S1, the inspection robot 6 sequentially takes out the plates 7 from the cassette 8 and conveys them to the dispenser 2 of the inspection unit 1.

Thereafter, in the inspection unit 1, the inspection-side robot 6 sequentially conveys the plate 7 to the dispenser 2, the incubator 3, the measuring instrument 4 and, if necessary, the stocker 5 so that the plate 7 is transferred to the inside of the plate 7. The reaction and measurement of the sample is performed.

The plate 7 for which the measurement has been completed is returned to the cassette 8 by the inspection side robot 6.

As described above, the inspection station S1 supplies and discharges the plate 7 in cassette units, and carries out steps from reaction of the sample to measurement.

When the cassette 8 is full, the inspection control device 10 of the inspection station S1 requests the delivery control device 15 to carry out the cassette via the network 16.

In response to this request, the cassette transport vehicle 14 transports the cassette 8 from the cassette table 9 of the inspection station S1 to the shelf 11 of the cassette stocker S2.

The cassette-side robot 13 receives the plate 7 for which measurement has been completed from the cassette 8 placed on the shelf 11, and conveys this plate 7 to the washing machine 12.

Plate 7 washed by this washing machine 12
Are again stored in the cassette 8 by the cassette side robot 13.

As described above, in the cassette stocker S2,
The transportation of the cassette 8, the storage management, and the cleaning of the plate 7 are performed.

With such a configuration, the inspection unit 1 in which the dispenser 2, the incubator 3, the measuring instrument 4, and the stocker 5 which are the device groups in the inspection process are arranged in the vertical direction, and the operation in the vertical direction Inspection unit S1 having inspection side robot 6 to perform
And a cassette stocker S2 having a shelf 11 for storing a plurality of cassettes, a washing machine 12, a cassette side robot 13, and a cassette transport vehicle 14 are provided adjacent to each other.
Since the floor space occupied by the equipment can be made much smaller than before and the cassette stocker S2 is placed near each equipment,
The moving distance of the cassette carrier 14 can be shortened, and the HTS can be operated efficiently.

Therefore, in the fields of drug discovery and gene analysis, it is inevitable that the number of samples to be tested will continue to increase, and in order to cope with this, there will be an increasing number of test lines. In such a case, it is extremely useful to be able to reduce the occupied floor area. Besides,
Even if there are more inspection lines and more control items, the entire system can be operated efficiently.

(2) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in FIGS. 1 to 3 are designated by the same reference numerals.

4 to 6 are configuration diagrams of the inspection apparatus, FIG. 4 is an overall configuration diagram, FIG. 5 is a front view seen from the direction A,
FIG. 6 is a side view seen from the direction B. This inspection device
The inspection device having the basic structure described in the first embodiment will be developed and specifically described.

This inspection apparatus comprises two inspection stations S10 and S11 arranged in parallel and a cassette stocker S20 arranged in parallel to these inspection stations S10 and S11.

The inspection station S10 is provided with an inspection unit 20, an inspection side robot 6, and a cassette table 9. The inspection unit 20 and the cassette base 9 are arranged to face each other via the inspection side robot 6, and the cassette base 9 is provided on the stop position side of the cassette transport vehicle 14.

As shown in FIG. 6, the inspection unit 20 comprises a dispenser 2, an incubator 3, a measuring instrument 4, a stocker 5, and an inspection control device 10 arranged in the vertical direction. There is.

The dispenser 2 is for dispensing / diluting / transferring a solution or specimen to each well of the plate 7 by a pipette head composed of a plurality of exchangeable pipette tips. Although not shown, the dispenser 2 also includes a cleaning device for cleaning the replaceable pipette tip.

The incubator 3 is for maintaining the plate 7 dispensed by the dispenser 2 at a constant temperature to promote the culture.

The measuring device 4 is for quantitatively measuring the sample from the plate 7 after the reaction. Typical methods include measurement methods such as fluorescence, fluorescence polarization, time-resolved fluorescence, luminescence and absorption.

The stocker 5 is a shelf on which a plurality of plates 7 are temporarily placed and can be used for room temperature culture.

In the present embodiment, the order of arranging each device, that is, the dispenser 2, the incubator 3, the measuring device 4, and the stocker 5 is not specified, but the place where the plate 7 is delivered to these devices is the perpendicular direction. Anything can be used as long as they are arranged in line.

The plate 7 has a plurality of wells.
A container with holes, the actual shape of which is a depression. The number and depth of the wells, the material, the color, and the like are various, and the plate 7 having the optimum wells according to the reaction and measurement method is used.
Is used.

The inspection-side robot 6 conveys the plate 7 to the equipment group of the inspection unit 20 in the same manner as described above. The inspection-side robot 6 swings in the direction of arrow A and moves vertically in the direction of arrow B as shown in FIG. It has a function of performing the operation of. The inspection-side robot 6 is provided with a U-shaped hand 6a for holding and releasing the plate 7 at its tip and an articulated arm 6b for expanding and contracting the hand 6a.

The cassette 8 is a box for accommodating a plurality of plates 7 arranged vertically, and one of the side surfaces is open so that the plate 7 can be taken in and out from this side surface. There are a plurality of cassettes 8.

The cassette table 9 has an escape shape so that the mechanism for delivering the cassette 8 does not interfere with it, and is provided with a mechanism for aligning and holding the cassette 8 at a predetermined position.

The inspection control device 10 controls the mutual operation of the device group including the dispenser 2, the incubator 3, the measuring device 4, and the stocker 5, the inspection side robot 6, and the cassette table 9, that is, the function of controlling the inspection station S10. have. The inspection control device 10 is also connected to the network 16.

The inspection station S11 has the same structure as the inspection station S10, and is provided with an inspection unit 20, an inspection robot 6, and a cassette table 9. Of these, the inspection unit 20 includes a dispenser 2, an incubator 3, and
The measuring device 4, the stocker 5, and the inspection control device 21 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction.

The inspection control device 21 has an inspection station S.
It has a function of controlling the device group of the dispenser 2, the incubator 3, the measuring device 4, and the stocker 5, the inspection side robot 6, and the cassette base 9, that is, the inspection station S11. The inspection control device 21 is also connected to the network 16.

The cassette stocker S20 has a shelf 11 for storing a plurality of cassettes 8, a washing machine 12 for washing the plate 7, and a cassette side robot 1 for carrying the plate 7.
3 and a cassette carrier 14 are provided.

Of these, the shelf 11 is such that the shelf itself moves vertically. Further, the washing machine 12 is configured to suck the solution from the plate 7 containing the solution and perform the washing.

The washing machine 12 and the cassette side robot 1
3 and the cassette transport vehicle 14 are respectively the delivery control device 2
It is controlled by 2.

The cassette side robot 13 conveys the cassette 8 between the washing machine 12 and the cassette transport vehicle 14, and has a function of performing a swinging movement in the direction of arrow C and a vertical movement. There is. This inspection-side robot 13 has a U-shaped hand 1 that holds and releases the plate 7 at the tip.
3a and an articulated arm 13b for expanding and contracting the hand 13a.

The cassette transport vehicle 14 travels on the track 23 between the inspection station S1 and the cassette stocker S2 to transport the cassette 8, and the inspection station S1
At each stop position corresponding to each cassette stand 9 in the above, that is, at the transfer position of the cassette 8 respectively.

The delivery control device 22 includes the shelf 11 and the washing machine 1.
2 and the robot 13 on the cassette side, that is, the function of controlling the entire cassette stocker S20.
The delivery control device 22 is connected to the network 16 and has a function of mutually performing data communication with the inspection control devices 20 and 21.

Next, the operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be described.

A plurality of plates 7 washed by the washing machine 12 are stored in the cassette 8. The cassette 8 is stored in the shelf 11. The shelf 11 moves upward or downward to load the cassette 8 into the cassette carrier 1.
It is set at a height position where it can be mounted with respect to 4.

The cassette carrier 14 moves to a predetermined position for receiving the cassette 8 from the shelf 11, and receives the cassette 8 containing the cleaned plate 7 by the delivery mechanism built in the vehicle.

For example, when a cassette request signal is issued from the inspection control device 10 of the inspection station S10 to the delivery control device 22 of the cassette stocker S20 via the network 16, the cassette carrier 14 moves the cassette 8 from the shelf 11 to the cassette 8. After receiving the cassette 8, the cassette 8 is mounted and travels along the track 23 to stop at a predetermined stop position where the cassette is delivered to the cassette table 9 of the inspection station S10.

Subsequently, the cassette transport vehicle 14 loads the cassette 8 into the cassette table 9 by the delivery mechanism built in the vehicle.
Transfer to.

Thereafter, the cassette transport vehicle 14 moves to the cassette stocker S20 or another inspection unit, or stands by as it is.

The cassette table 9 aligns and fixes the placed cassettes 8 at predetermined positions.

Next, the inspection-side robot 6 extends the articulated arm 6b to extend the cassette 8 fixed to the cassette base 9.
The plate 7 is held on the hand 6a and taken out, then the arm 6b is contracted and swung 180 degrees in the direction of arrow a, then the upward movement, and then the arm 6b is extended to extend the hand 6a.
The plate 7 held on a is transferred to the dispenser 2 of the inspection unit 20.

The dispenser 2 dispenses the solution onto the plate 7. The plate 7 to which the solution has been dispensed is conveyed to the incubator 3 or the stocker 5 again by the expansion / contraction operation of the arm 6b of the inspection side robot 6, the holding / release operation of the hand 6a, and the up / down operation.

When the solution reaction is completed, the inspection robot 6
The plate 7 is moved to the incubator 3 by performing the extension / contraction operation of the arm 6b, the holding / release operation of the hand 6a, and the up / down operation.
Alternatively, it is conveyed from the stocker 5 to the measuring device 4.

The measuring device 4 measures the sample according to the measuring method. The measurement results are transmitted to a database (not shown) and are organized and stored in association with various information such as the type of solution and sample.

After the measurement, the plate 7 is extended / retracted by the arm 6b of the inspection side robot 6, the hand 6a is held,
The cassette 8 is returned to the cassette 8 by a releasing operation, a vertical movement, and a turning movement.

In the above description, the basic operations are listed in order. In actual operation, each device (dispenser 2,
The processing operations of the incubator 3, the measuring device 4, and the stocker 5) are carried out in parallel, and the inspection-side robot 6 also conveys another plate 7 while each device is operating, or during the process. The efficiency is improved by storing the plate 7 in the stocker 5.

Needless to say, the content and procedure of the process may differ depending on the type of sample, reaction method and measurement method.

Upon completion of a series of inspection steps, the cassette 8
All the plates 7 for which measurement has been completed are returned to.

When the inspection is completed in this way, the inspection control device 10 of the inspection station S10 determines that the network 16
A cassette ejection signal is sent to the delivery control device 22 of the cassette stocker S20 via.

As a result, the cassette transport vehicle 14 not equipped with the cassette 8 travels along the track 23 and stops at the position where the cassette 8 corresponding to the cassette table 9 of the inspection station S10 is delivered.

Subsequently, the cassette transport vehicle 14 transfers the cassette 8 from the cassette table 9 by the delivery mechanism built in the vehicle itself. Then, the cassette transport vehicle 14 carries the cassette 800, travels along the track 23, and stops at a predetermined stop position where the cassette 8 is delivered to the shelf 11 of the cassette stocker S20.

The shelf 11 moves up or down to move the empty shelf portion to a height position where the cassette 8 can receive the cassette 8.

Subsequently, the cassette transport vehicle 14 transfers the cassette 8 to the empty shelf of the shelf 11 by the delivery mechanism built in the own vehicle.

The rack 11 again moves up or down to move the received cassette 8 to a height position where the plate 7 can be conveyed to the cassette side robot 13.

The cassette-side robot 13 extends the articulated arm 6b, holds the plate 7 on the hand 6a from the cassette 8 on the shelf 11 and takes it out, and then retracts the arm 6b to rotate 180 degrees in the direction of arrow C. Then, an upward or downward operation is performed, and then the arm 6b is extended to pass the plate 7 held on the hand 6a to the washing machine 12.

The washing machine 12 receives the plate 7 received.
Aspirate the solution from and wash. After cleaning,
The cassette-side robot 13 performs the expansion / contraction operation of the arm 6b, the holding / releasing operation of the hand 6a, the up / down operation, and the turning operation to return the plate 7 to the cassette 8 again.

A large amount of inspection is automatically performed by repeating the series of operations as described above.

On the other hand, in the inspection station S11 as well as the inspection station S10,
When the cassette request signal is sent to the delivery control device 22 of the cassette stocker S20 via the inspection control device 21 network 16 of 11, the cassette transport vehicle 14 is equipped with the cassette 8 containing a plurality of washed plates 7. Travels and stops at the stop position corresponding to the cassette table 9 of the inspection station S11.

Next, the cassette transport vehicle 14 transfers the cassette 8 to the cassette base 9 by the delivery mechanism built in the vehicle itself.

Next, in the inspection station S11, the dispenser 2 dispenses the solution to the plate 7, the solution reaction in the incubator 3 or the stocker 5, and the measuring instrument 4 measures the sample.

When the series of inspection steps are completed, all the plates 7 for which measurement has been completed are returned to the cassette 8.

Inspection control device 2 of inspection station S11
1 to the cassette stocker S2 via the network 16
When a cassette ejection signal is sent to the delivery control device 22 of No. 0, the cassette transport vehicle 1 not loaded with a cassette
4 runs along the track 23 and the inspection station S11
It stops at the stop position corresponding to the cassette table 9 of FIG.

Next, the cassette transport vehicle 14 transfers the cassette 8 from the cassette base 9 to the cassette stocker S20 by the delivery mechanism built in the vehicle.

The subsequent operation of the cassette stocker S20 is similar to that described above.

The above-described operations are the basic process operations listed in order. In the actual operation, the inspection process in the inspection stations S10 and S11 and the processing work of the cassette transport and cleaning process in the cassette stocker S20 are proceeding in parallel to improve efficiency.

As described above, in the second embodiment, each of the two inspection stations S10 and S11 is provided with the inspection units 20 and 21 in which the equipment groups for the inspection process are arranged in the vertical direction and the inspection side robot 6. , 6 and the cassette bases 9, 9 are individually provided, the floor space occupied by the equipment can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional one and the proximity of each equipment can be achieved as in the first embodiment. Since the cassette stocker S2 is arranged, the moving distance of the cassette transport vehicle 14 can be shortened and the HTS can be efficiently operated.

Therefore, in the fields of drug discovery and gene analysis, it is inevitable that the number of samples to be tested will continue to increase, and in order to cope with this, multiple test lines will be set up. In such a case, it is extremely useful to be able to reduce the occupied floor area. Besides,
Even if there are more inspection lines and more control items, the entire system can be operated efficiently.

Furthermore, a plurality of inspection stations S10,
Even if S11, ... Are arranged, the occupied floor area can be reduced. Further, since the back surfaces of the inspection units 20 and 21 are all oriented in the same direction, the wiring process is facilitated, and the space required for maintenance is unified and the workability is improved.

As a modified example, the cassette carrier 14
The track 23 may be extended to add more inspection stations.

(3) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in FIGS. 4 to 6 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

7 and 8 are configuration diagrams of the inspection apparatus, FIG. 7 is an overall configuration diagram, and FIG. 8 is a front view. In this inspection apparatus, two inspection stations S12 and S13 are arranged in parallel.

At the inspection station S12, the cassette table 9 and the inspection side robot 6 are arranged in line with respect to the track 23. A direction (angle 90 °) orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the cassette table 9 and the inspection side robot 6.
The inspection unit 20 is provided in the direction of, and another inspection unit 30 is provided in the arrangement direction of the cassette table 9 and the inspection side robot 6.

These inspection units 20 and 30 are installed on the circumference of the turning center of the inspection robot 6.

On one inspection unit 20, a dispenser 2, an incubator 3, a measuring instrument 4, a stocker 5, and an inspection control device 31 are provided as a device group side by side in the vertical direction (vertical direction). Although the order of arranging these devices is not specified, they are arranged so that the transfer locations of the plate 7 of each device are aligned in the perpendicular direction.

In the other inspection unit 30, an incubator 32 and a stocker 33 having a long processing time are arranged in the vertical direction (vertical direction).
Are arranged side by side.

The inspection control device 31 controls the mutual operation of each device of the one inspection unit 20, each device of the other inspection unit 30, the inspection side robot 6, and the cassette base 9, that is, the inspection station S12. It has a function.

The inspection control device 31 is connected to the delivery control device 22 of the cassette stocker S20 via the network 16.

The inspection station S13 has the same structure as the inspection station S12, and is composed of the cassette table 9, the inspection side robot 6, the inspection unit 20, and the other inspection unit 30.
And are provided.

Next, the operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be described. Since the operation of the inspection robot 6 and the inspection process in the inspection unit 20 are the same as those in the above-mentioned embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Inspection control device 3 of inspection station S12
1 to the cassette stocker S2 via the network 16
When a cassette request signal is issued to the delivery control device 22 of No. 0, the cassette transport vehicle 14 travels along the track 23 with the cassette 8 storing the plate 7 that has been cleaned mounted, and the inspection station S12. It stops at the stop position corresponding to the cassette table 9 of FIG.

Next, as in the above embodiment, the cassette transport vehicle 14 transfers the cassette 8 to the cassette base 9 by the delivery mechanism built in the vehicle itself, and then moves toward the cassette stocker S20.

Next, the inspection side robot 6 extends the arm 6b, takes out the plate 7 from the cassette 8 fixed to the cassette base 9, contracts the arm 6b, and turns the arm 6b by 90 °, and then extends the arm 6b again. Inspection unit 2
0 to the dispenser 2.

In this inspection unit 20, as in the above embodiment, the dispensing of the solution to the plate 7 by the dispenser 2, the solution reaction in the incubator 3 or the stocker 5, and the measurement of the sample by the measuring device 4 are performed. Done. Then, the plate 7 after the measurement is returned to the cassette 8 by the inspection robot 6.

The above-mentioned operations up to the inspection process are listed in order of the basic operations. In actual operation, the processing work of each device is carried out in parallel, and the inspection robot 6 also operates each device. The efficiency is improved by transporting another plate 7 during the operation or by storing the plate 7 in the middle of the process in the stocker 5.

Needless to say, the process contents and procedures may differ depending on the type of sample, reaction method and measurement method.

While the above inspection process is in progress, the cassette transport vehicle 14 that has moved to the cassette stocker S20 is
It moves to a predetermined stop position for receiving the cassette 8 from the shelf 11, and receives a new cassette 8 containing the cleaned plate 7 from the shelf 11.

Subsequently, the cassette transportation vehicle 14 travels along the track 23 with the cassette 8 mounted, and stops at a predetermined stop position corresponding to the inspection station S12.
Then, the cassette 8 is transferred to the cassette table 9. That is, while the inspection station S12 is performing the inspection work, the second cassette 8 accommodating the cleaned plate 7 is mounted on the cassette table 9.

However, when the above-described series of inspection steps progresses and the washed plates 7 stored in the first cassette 8 are collectively ejected, the cleaning next stored in the second cassette 8 is performed. The finished plate 7 is used.

The inspection side robot 6 continues to carry the plate 7. Then, when the inspection process proceeds, all the plates 7 for which measurement has been completed are returned to the cassette 8.

When the measurement of all the plates 7 is completed, the inspection control device 31 of the inspection station S12 sends a cassette ejection signal to the delivery control device 22 of the cassette stocker S20 via the network 16.

As a result, the cassette transportation vehicle 14 not equipped with the cassette 8 travels along the track 23, stops at the stop position corresponding to the cassette table 9 of the inspection station S10, and removes the cassette 8 from the cassette table 9. Transfer and run along the track 23 to move the shelf 1 of the cassette stocker S20.
The cassette 8 is stopped at the stop position corresponding to 1
Transfer to an empty shelf.

Next, the cassette side robot 13 extends the arm 6b to hold the plate 7 on the hand 6a from the cassette 8 on the shelf 11 and takes it out, and then retracts the arm 6b to rotate 180 degrees in the direction of arrow C. , Then move upward or downward, and then extend the arm 6b to extend the hand 6
The plate 7 held on a is transferred to the washing machine 12.

The washing machine 12 receives the plate 7
Aspirate the solution from and wash. After cleaning,
The plate 7 is returned to the cassette 8 by the cassette side robot 13.

On the other hand, in the inspection station S13, the inspection is performed in exactly the same manner as the operation of the inspection process in the inspection station S12. This inspection station S1
The operation of the inspection process in No. 3 is performed by the inspection station S12.
The description is omitted to avoid repeating the same description as the operation of the inspection process in.

In the actual operation, the inspection process of each inspection station S12 and S13 and the cassette stocker S
The processing operations of the cassette transportation and the cleaning process at 20 proceed in parallel with each other, improving the efficiency.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, in addition to the effect of the second embodiment, even if the cleaned plate 7 in one cassette 8 is used up, the continuous 2 The cleaned plate 7 can be continuously supplied from the second cassette 8.

Furthermore, since the cassette 8 can be transported during the inspection process, more efficient inspection can be realized as compared with the second embodiment.

As a modification, the cassette carrier 14
The track 23 may be extended to add more inspection stations. It is also possible to add the inspection units 20 and 30 to each inspection station.

(4) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in FIGS. 4 to 6 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 9 is an overall configuration diagram of the inspection device. This inspection device has two inspection stations S14 and S15.
Are arranged to face each other, and the track 40 of the cassette stocker S20 is laid between the inspection stations S14 and S15. The track 40 is formed in a closed loop having portions laid parallel to each other.

In the inspection station S14, a rectangular cassette stand 41 is provided in parallel with the straight line portion of the track 40. On the cassette base 41, three cassettes 8, 8, 8 can be placed at a predetermined interval.

A rail 42 is provided in parallel with the cassette base 41, and the inspection side robot 6 is mounted on the rail 42.
Is movably provided. The inspection side robot 6 and the three cassettes 8, 8 and 8 are arranged at intervals such that the plate 6 in the cassette 8 can be delivered and received by the arm 6b of the inspection side robot 6.

Further, inspection units 20, 20, 20 are provided at the respective opposing positions from the three cassettes 8, 8, 8 via the inspection-side robot 6. The inspection-side robot 6 and the respective inspection units 20, 20, 20 are arranged at intervals such that the plate 6 can be transferred by the arm 6b of the inspection-side robot 6.

The three inspection units 20, 20, 20 are
Distributor 2, incubator 3, measuring device 4,
The stockers 5 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction (vertical direction). An inspection control device 31 is provided in the inspection unit 20 on the leftmost side in the drawing among these inspection units 20, 20, 20. The inspection control device 31 is also arranged in the dispenser 2, the incubator 3, the measuring device 4, and the stocker 5 in the vertical direction (vertical direction).

On the other hand, in the inspection station S15, similarly to the inspection station S14, a rectangular cassette base 41 is provided in parallel with the straight line portion of the track 40, and a predetermined space is provided on the cassette base 41 at a predetermined interval. One cassette 8, 8, 8 can be placed.

A rail 42 is provided in parallel with the cassette base 41, and the inspection side robot 6 is mounted on the rail 42.
Is movably provided.

Inspection units 20, 20, 20 are provided at the opposing positions from the three cassettes 8, 8, 8 via the inspection-side robot 6, respectively. Similar to the above, each of the inspection units 20, 20, 20 is also provided with a dispenser 2, an incubator 3, a measuring instrument 4, and a stocker 5 arranged side by side in the vertical direction (vertical direction) as a device group. An inspection control device 31 is provided in the inspection unit 20 on the leftmost side in the drawing among these inspection units 20, 20, 20.

Next, the operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be described. Since the operation of the inspection robot 6 and the inspection process in the inspection unit 20 are the same as those in the above-mentioned embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The cassette transport vehicle 14 travels on the track 40, stops at the stop position corresponding to the shelf 11, and receives the cassette 8 containing the washed plate 7 by the delivery mechanism built in the vehicle.

Inspection controller 3 of inspection station S14
1 to the cassette stocker S2 via the network 16
When the cassette request signal is sent to the delivery control device 22 of No. 0, the cassette transport vehicle 14 travels on the track 40 with the cassette 8 mounted, and the inspection station S14.
Of the three cassette stands 41 in FIG. 1 are vacant, for example, at the stop position corresponding to the leftmost cassette stand 41 in the drawing.

Next, as in the above embodiment, the cassette transport vehicle 14 transfers the cassette 8 to the cassette base 9 by the delivery mechanism built in the vehicle itself, and then moves toward the cassette stocker S20.

Next, the inspection side robot 6 moves on the rail 42 and stops at a position corresponding to the leftmost cassette base 41 in the drawing, where the arm 6b is extended and the cassette fixed on the cassette base 9 is extended. The plate 7 is taken out from 8, the arm 6b is contracted, the arm 6b is rotated by 180 °, and then the arm 6b is extended again and conveyed to the dispenser 2 of the inspection unit 20.

In the inspection unit 20, as in the above embodiment, the dispensing of the solution to the plate 7 by the dispenser 2, the solution reaction in the incubator 3 or the stocker 5, and the measurement of the sample by the measuring device 4 are performed. Done. Then, the plate 7 after the measurement is returned to the cassette 8 by the inspection robot 6.

While the inspection process is in progress, the cassette carrier 14 that has moved to the cassette stocker S20
It moves to a predetermined stop position for receiving the cassette 8 from the shelf 11, and receives a new cassette 8 containing the cleaned plate 7 from the shelf 11.

Subsequently, the cassette transport vehicle 14 travels along the track 40 with the cassette 8 mounted, and among the three cassette bases 41 in the inspection station S14, an empty cassette base 41, for example, the center of the drawing. It stops at the stop position corresponding to the cassette base 41. Then, the cassette 8 is transferred to the cassette table 9. That is, while the inspection station S12 is performing the inspection work, the second cassette 8 accommodating the cleaned plate 7 is mounted on the cassette table 9.

Next, the inspection-side robot 6 moves on the rail 42 and stops at a position corresponding to the cassette base 41 in the center of the drawing, where the arm 6b is extended and the cassette 8 fixed to the cassette base 9 is extended. Remove the plate 7 from the arm, retract the arm 6b, rotate the arm 180 °,
Dispenser 2 of inspection unit 20 in the center of the drawing by extending b
Transport to.

In this inspection unit 20, the dispenser 2 dispenses the solution to the plate 7, the incubator 3 or the stocker 5 is used.
The solution reaction is performed and the sample is measured by the measuring device 4, and the plate 7 after the measurement is returned to the cassette 8 by the inspection side robot 6.

Further, in the same operation as described above, the remaining empty table, that is, the cassette table 9 on the rightmost side in the drawing, also has the third cassette 8 containing the cleaned plate 7.
Are mounted, and the plate 7 is inspected in the same manner as above.

The three inspection units 20, 20, 2
In the inspection of 0, the flow of the plate 7 may be only the device group in each inspection unit 20, 20, 20. However, by positively utilizing the device not operating across each inspection unit 20, 20, 20. Good.

Further, the inspection robot 6 can carry the plate 7 into all the cassettes 8 and the device group of the inspection units 20, 20, 20 and all the devices in the inspection station 14 are the inspection control device. Since it is controlled by 31, it is possible to operate efficiently.

When the series of inspection steps described above proceed, all the plates 7 for which measurement has been completed are returned to the cassette 8. Then, a cassette ejection signal is sent from the inspection control device 31 of the inspection station S14 to the delivery control device 22 of the cassette stocker S20 via the network 16.

As a result, the cassette transport vehicle 14 travels with the cassette 8 containing the plate 7 for which the measurement has been completed placed thereon, in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.
Transfer to 20 shelves 11.

Next, the cassette side robot 13 delivers the plate 7 to the washing machine 12 by the extension / contraction operation and the turning operation of the arm 6b.

Then, the washing machine 12 sucks the solution from the received plate 7 to wash it. When the cleaning is completed, the cassette side robot 13 returns the plate 7 to the cassette 8 again. By repeating this series of operations, a large amount of inspection is performed automatically.

On the other hand, in the inspection station S15, the inspection is performed in exactly the same manner as the operation of the inspection process in the inspection station S14. This inspection station S1
The operation of the inspection process in FIG.
The description is omitted to avoid repeating the same description as the operation of the inspection process in.

The above operation is a list of basic process operations in order. In actual operation, the inspection station S
14 and S15 inspection process and cassette stocker S20
The cassette transfer and cleaning process are performed in parallel to improve efficiency.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, in addition to the effects of the second embodiment, a plurality of cassettes 8, for example, three cassettes 8 are provided in each of the inspection stations S14 and S15. Since it can be transferred and placed, a much more efficient inspection system than that of the third embodiment can be realized.

As a modification, since the track 40 of the cassette transport vehicle 14 is a closed loop, the number of cassette transport vehicles may be increased. As a result, the transport efficiency of the plate 7 is greatly improved. Further, not only the inspection stations S14 and S15 but also the number of installed stations may be increased. Of course, it is also possible to add an inspection unit to each inspection station.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described first to fourth embodiments, and can be variously modified at the stage of implementation without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, the problem described in the section of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and it is described in the section of the effect of the invention. When the effect of being obtained is obtained, a configuration in which this constituent element is deleted can be extracted as an invention.

[0162]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an inspection apparatus for carrying out an HTS that can reduce the occupied floor area and realize efficient operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of an inspection apparatus for implementing an HTS according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the inspection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an overall configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of an inspection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the inspection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the inspection apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an overall configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of an inspection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the inspection device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an overall configuration diagram showing a fourth embodiment of an inspection device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

S1: Inspection station S2: Cassette stocker 1: Inspection unit 2: Dispenser 3: Incubator 4: Measuring instrument 5: Stocker 6: Inspection side robot 7: Plate 8: Cassette 9: Cassette stand 10: Inspection control device 11: shelf 12: Washing machine 13: cassette side robot 14: cassette carrier 15: Delivery control device 16: Network S10, S11: Inspection station S20: Cassette stocker 20: Inspection unit 21: Inspection control device 22: Delivery control device 23: Orbit 30: Inspection unit 31: Inspection control device 32: Incubator 33: Stocker S14, S15: Inspection station 40: Orbit 41: cassette stand 42: Rail

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An inspection apparatus for elucidating the function or composition of an unknown substance by reacting a substance having a known function or composition with an unknown substance, wherein the plate has a space for performing the reaction, and Injecting means for injecting a substance and the unknown substance at the same time or separately, plate holding means for holding the plate injecting each of the substances in a predetermined environment, and measuring the reaction state in the space of the plate Reaction measuring means, a plate conveying means capable of conveying the plate in at least one of a vertical direction and a horizontal direction, at least one of the injecting means, the plate holding means, the reaction measuring means, and the plate conveying means. Control means for controlling the operation of the means, and at least two means of the injection means, the plate holding means, and the reaction measurement means, Inspecting apparatus being characterized in that installed in the direction. 2. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cassette capable of accommodating a plurality of the plates, the plurality of plates being collectively conveyed by the cassette. 3. The inspection apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a shelf capable of accommodating a plurality of the cassettes, wherein the plurality of cassettes accommodated in the shelves collectively convey the plurality of plates. 4. The inspection apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a cassette carrying means for carrying the cassette.