JP2003057156A - Sample treatment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sample treatment apparatus in which the sealing state of a treatment container used to restrain the drying of a treatment liquid supplied to a sample and the existence of the shortage of moisture retention water used for a drying restraint can be detected surely and with an easy constitution. SOLUTION: A pressure sensor part 44 used to monitor a pressure change inside the treatment container 16 is arranged. The peak value of the pressure change and the inclination of the pressure change inside the treatment container 16 are compared with a pressure change in a state that the leak of the treatment container 16 and the existence of the shortage of the moisture retention water 40 do not exist, and the airtight state of the treatment container 16 used to restrain the drying of a reagent supplied to the sample and the existence of the shortage of the water 40 used for the drying restraint are detected. When the leak of the treatment container 16 and the shortage of the water 40 are confirmed, the abnormality of the treatment of the sample is reported by an alarm.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a sample processing device,
In particular, the present invention relates to an improvement of a sample processing apparatus capable of monitoring the state of a processing container during processing in an apparatus that supplies a processing liquid to a sample in a processing container and performs reaction processing for a long time in a heated state.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A biological tissue processing apparatus is known as one of sample processing apparatuses. The device is a device that automatically performs various types of processing on a biological tissue sample.
For example, antigen / antibody reaction, In S for RNA / DNA
When performing itu Hybridization, blood smearing, etc.,
A biological tissue processing device is utilized. In such a device, the sample is a series of multiple steps (eg 20 steps).
Processed by. These include treatments with various treatment liquids (reagents), heating treatments, agitation treatments (shaking treatments) by periodic shaking, washing treatments, and the like.

Prior to the above-described series of treatments, a sample (eg, tissue section, chromosome, cell, etc.) is placed on a glass slide. Conventionally, the reagent treatment is started as it is or in a state where the sample is covered with a cover glass.

In the former processing method, a slide glass carrying a sample is placed in a reagent tank filled with a large amount of reagent, and the reaction processing of the reagent and the sample is started in the reagent tank. . In this case, since the used reagent is discarded after the processing is completed, it is necessary to inject into the reagent tank more reagents than those required for actually immersing the sample. In other words, it must be said that the process using the reagent tank is uneconomical. Some reagents are expensive and the amount of reagents needed should be minimized.

On the other hand, in the latter treatment method, when a slide glass carrying a sample is covered with a cover glass (cover plate) so as to cover the sample, an appropriate amount of reagent is dropped onto the sample to supply the reagent. I do. The dropped reagent is spread and spread on the sample and its surroundings by the cover glass being in close contact with the slide glass while sandwiching the sample. As a result, even if a small amount of reagent is supplied, the whole sample can be immersed in the reagent, and efficient and economical reagent treatment can be performed. When the sample is a tissue section, its thickness is, for example, 5 to 10 μm, and the reagent dropped on the sample is held in a slight gap formed between the slide glass and the cover glass. Further, in the peripheral portion of the cover glass, the reagent held by the surface tension is kept without flowing out. Then, the excess reagent protrudes around the cover glass and is removed as necessary. By using the cover glass in this way, it becomes possible to minimize the amount of reagent used.

By the way, in the case of reagent treatment, in order to efficiently carry out the reaction of the reagent in an optimum environment, it is usual to vibrate, heat, or conversely cool the slide glass during treatment. . In particular, heat treatment is often performed to promote the reaction. For example, the heat treatment may be performed at 70 ° C. for 10 hours or more. In such cases, drying of the reagents occurs. In particular, when the slide glass is heated in an open state, the reagent dries in a short time, which hinders good reagent processing.

Therefore, in general, when a process involving heating or a process for a long time is performed, the process is performed in a closed container. There is also an apparatus for storing moisturizing water such as distilled water in such a closed container to minimize the drying of the reagent.

[0008]

However, the processing container of the sample processing apparatus has an openable / closable lid for loading and unloading the sample, and it is necessary to maintain the sealed state for a long time in a heated state. In order to maintain such a sealed state, a seal member such as an O-ring is usually arranged at the opening portion such as the lid. However, as described above, when the heat treatment is performed, the O-ring is deteriorated due to the pressure increase in the processing container due to the expansion of air, the repeated deformation of the O-ring due to the opening and closing of the lid, and the like. When the O-ring deteriorates, air leaks from the inside of the pressurized processing container. As a result, the reagents are dried, which hinders a good reagent reaction,
In some cases, the sample itself may be dried to cause damage such as breakage. Therefore, there is a demand for quality control of the O-ring with a reliable and easy configuration. Also,
As mentioned above, when using moisturizing water, it is reliable and easy to confirm whether the moisturizing water is being used, that is, whether there is a supply error or whether it has disappeared during the process. There is a demand to detect with a simple configuration. further,
Since sample processing is carried out in a closed container, the discovery of the fact that sample processing is hindered by leaks and lack of moisturizing water (including cases where it was not present from the beginning or disappeared in the middle) was delayed. There is also the problem of being lost. In particular, when the sample processing for 10 hours or more is set, the failure of the processing is known after 10 hours, and there is a problem that the efficiency of the sample processing decreases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and its purpose is to prevent the processing liquid supplied to a sample from being dried and to prevent the processing container from being hermetically closed or from being dried. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sample processing device capable of detecting the deficiency of moisturizing water with a reliable and easy configuration and promptly recognizing the state.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a processing container which can be made substantially airtight inside and a tab arranged inside the processing container. And a treatment tab for holding a treatment liquid for treating the sample, a heating means for heating the treatment container to accelerate the reaction of the treatment liquid held by the treatment tab, and a heating unit provided inside the treatment container for heating the treatment container. A storage unit that stores moisturizing water that suppresses drying in the processing container due to heating of the unit, a pressure detection unit that detects the pressure in the processing container, and a state inside the processing container based on the detection result of the pressure detection unit. And a monitoring unit for monitoring the.

In particular, it is preferable that the pressure detecting means detects at least a pressure change due to a leak of an internal gas of the processing container or a pressure change due to lack of the moisturizing water. The deficiency of the moisturizing water includes the case where the moisturizing water is not supplied from the beginning and the case where the moisturizing water is lost due to evaporation or the like during the process.

Further, the monitoring section can determine an abnormal state in the processing container for each abnormality type based on the detection result of the pressure detecting means.

At this time, the type of the abnormal state can be determined based on the waveform indicating the detected pressure change. Further, the type determination of the abnormal state can be performed based on the inclination of the waveform indicating the detected pressure change. Further, the type determination of the abnormal state can be performed based on the detected waveform level of the waveform indicating the pressure change.

Further, it is preferable that, when the monitoring section detects an abnormal state in the processing container, it outputs an abnormal alarm and stops the sample processing.

Here, the term "substantially airtight state" does not mean a completely airtight state, but when a sample treatment is performed in a heated state for, for example, ten or more hours, a predetermined amount or more of the treatment liquid is maintained until the treatment is completed. It means an airtight state to the extent possible, and it is assumed that leaks may exist within a predetermined allowable range.

The monitoring unit may, for example, change the pressure inside the processing container when a predetermined airtight state is realized, or change the pressure when a predetermined amount of moisturizing water is supplied into the processing container. By comparing the measured pressure change with the pressure change, the condition in the processing container during sample processing is monitored. For example, when the airtight state cannot be maintained and an abnormal leak occurs, an increase in pressure inside the processing container during heating is suppressed. Further, when the deficiency of the moisturizing water occurs, the pressure addition due to the evaporation of the moisturizing water is suppressed, so that the level or slope of the pressure waveform changes.

In this way, by monitoring the pressure change in the processing container, the sealed state of the processing container for suppressing the drying of the processing liquid supplied to the sample and the moisturizing water used for suppressing the drying. It is possible to detect the presence or absence of deficiency with a reliable and easy configuration, and to promptly notify an abnormality of sample processing, and it is possible to minimize failure of sample processing and damage to the sample.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a conceptual diagram of the structure of a sample processing apparatus (hereinafter, simply referred to as a processing apparatus) 10 of this embodiment. The processing apparatus 10 mainly includes a processing container 16 including a lid 12 that can be opened and closed, and a main body 14 having an opening on the upper surface that forms a substantially airtight space with the lid 12 being in close contact with each other. Is configured. The lid portion 12 and the main body portion 14 have their peripheries covered with heat insulating materials 12a and 14a to prevent heat radiation from the processing container 16 and suppress fluctuations in the internal temperature. Further, the lid 12 is the guide plate 1
A carriage 20 that moves along a guide rail 18a formed on the carriage 8 is supported so as to be hung so that it can move between a lid mounting position A and a lid retracting position B. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the carriage 20 is moving to the lid mounting position A. In the case of FIG. 1, the lid 12
Indicates that the processing container 16 is in an open state (non-sealed state) only after being moved to a position directly above the opening of the main body portion 14. Of course, the lid 12 may be opened and closed manually or by using another mechanism.

A sealing member, such as an O-ring 22, for maintaining the internal space in a substantially sealed state when connected to the main body 14 is arranged on the lid 12. A seal groove 24 for receiving the O-ring 22 is formed on the body portion 14 side. When the lid portion 12 of the carriage 20 is conveyed to a position directly above the main body portion 14, the link plate 26 that tilts and supports the lid portion 12 while pulling the lid portion 12 toward the carriage 20 during conveyance is erected (see FIG. 1). Vertical state). At this time. Since the vertical movement of the carriage 20 is restricted by the guide rail 18a, the lid portion 12 is pressed against the main body portion 14.
As a result, the processing container 16 is brought into a substantially airtight state. In the present embodiment, the term “substantially airtight state” does not require complete airtightness, and when the processing container 16 is heated as described below and sample processing is performed for, for example, ten or more hours, It means an airtight state that can maintain a predetermined amount or more of a processing liquid (reagent) for performing a predetermined processing on a sample stored in the processing container 16 until the processing is completed, and may leak within a predetermined allowable range. I shall.

As is clear from FIG. 1, the main body 14 has a rectangular shape having an opening on the upper surface, and a process for receiving a slide glass 28 carrying a sample (for example, a tissue section) to be sample-processed therein. A tab 30 is arranged. The processing tab 30 is a processing liquid (for example, a reagent) for performing a predetermined reaction processing on the sample.
In order to prevent moisturizing water, which will be described later, from mixing with each other, the concave portion 30a is formed so that the sample treatment is not affected by disturbance. Further, the processing tab 30 includes an upper member 32 having slide lids 32a and 32b that can be opened and closed.
Is covered with. The slide lids 32a and 32b are adapted to slide in the open direction when exchanging samples and supplying reagents, and slide in the close direction during sample processing. The slide lid 32a,
A protrusion 32c is formed on the upper surface of 32b so that it can be opened and closed by a dispensing nozzle that dispenses a sample or a reagent.

As described above, in order to accelerate the sample processing by the reagent, the processing container 1 is provided on the bottom surface of the main body portion 14.
A heating element 34, such as a cassette heater, a band heater, or a Peltier element, is provided as heating means for controlling the temperature of the internal space of 6. Similarly, on the lower surface side of the lid portion 12, that is, on the side facing the internal space of the main body portion 14, a heat block 36 as a heating means including a cassette heater and a band heater is also arranged. And
A temperature sensor 38 is provided in each of the main body 14 and the heat block 36, and feedback control is performed on the heat element 34 and the heat block 36 so that predetermined heating can be performed without causing a temperature difference inside the processing container 16. ing. In particular, when a temperature difference occurs in the processing container 16, dew condensation occurs, which causes an air flow in the processing container 16 to accelerate the drying of the reagent. Therefore, it is important to perform temperature control so that the temperature difference does not occur. . In this way, the temperature inside the processing container 16 is controlled by the cooperation of the thermal element 34 and the heat block 36, and is maintained in an optimum state for the reagent reaction (for example, container internal temperature 70 ° C.).

As mentioned above, it is desirable to use as few reagents as possible for sample processing. But,
In the case where the processing apparatus 10 performs processing at a container internal temperature of 70 ° C. for more than ten hours, for example, even if the processing container 16 is completely sealed, the drying gradually progresses. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the moisturizing water 40 for suppressing the vaporization of the reagent by bringing the inside of the processing container 16 under processing into a saturated vapor state.
Is supplied to the storage groove 42 formed around the sample (in FIG. 1, around the slide glass).

In the processing apparatus 10 constructed as described above, in order to carry out a good reagent reaction of the sample, the lid portion 1
It is necessary to form a sufficient airtight space by the 2 and the main body 14 and to reliably supply the moisturizing water 40. In particular, in order to form the airtight space, it is required that the O-ring 22 that is a seal member be sufficiently functional.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the processing container 16 forms a predetermined airtight space, and a predetermined amount of the moisturizing water 4 is used.
Whether or not 0 is supplied is determined by detecting the pressure inside the processing container 16. In the present embodiment, the main body 14 of the processing container 16 is provided with the pressure sensor unit 44 as pressure detecting means.

For example, when a leak occurs in the processing container 16 due to wear or damage of the O-ring 22, a comparison is made with the fluctuation of the pressure inside the container in a non-leak condition (a condition in which the O-ring 22 is not worn or damaged). By doing so, the presence or absence of leak can be detected. That is, it is possible to find a defect in the O-ring 22.

On the other hand, when the sample processing is started, the fluctuation of the pressure in the processing container 16 is largely due to the evaporation of the moisturizing water 40. Therefore, if the supply of the moisturizing water 40 fails and the sample processing (heating) is started in the state where the moisturizing water 40 does not exist in the processing container 16, the processing container 16 is not vaporized. Internal pressure does not rise. By comparing the pressure fluctuation at this time with the case where the appropriate amount of moisturizing water 40 is provided, it becomes possible to detect an abnormality without the moisturizing water 40. Similarly, when the supply amount of the moisturizing water 40 is small or the vaporization amount is larger than the supply amount and the moisturizing water 40 disappears during the process, the moisturizing water 40 is compared with the regular pressure change P by comparing Disappearance can be detected.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the entire system including the processing device 10 described above. As described above, the sensor head 44 a of the pressure sensor unit 44 is connected to the processing container 16, and the output thereof is connected to the control unit 46 that controls the entire processing apparatus 10 via the pressure sensor unit 44. Further, the heat element 34 connected to the processing container 16 and the heat block 36 provided on the lid 12 carried by the carriage 20 are also connected to the controller 46. In addition,
The carriage 20 is also connected to the controller 46, and its drive is controlled by the controller 46.

In addition, the washing water is supplied into the processing container 16 after the sample processing, and the washing / humidifying water portion 48 including a valve for supplying the moisturizing water 40 and the supplied washing water or the moisturizing water are sent out. Liquid sending part 50, air sending part 52 for discharging cleaning water and moisturizing water in processing container 16 by air blow after sample processing, liquid discharging part 54 for performing valve control for discharging the liquid discharged by air blow, for each sample A reagent portion 56 for preparing an appropriate reagent for the container, a dispensing portion 58 for dispensing a predetermined amount of the reagent prepared by the reagent portion 56 and supplying the reagent to the processing container 16, and a dispensing nozzle of the dispensing portion 58 in any direction. To remove the reagent from the reagent unit 56, dispense and supply the sample in the processing container 16, and open and close the slide lids 32a and 32b by the dispensing nozzle. Z drive 0 is connected to the control unit 46, the whole processing device 10 is collectively controlled by the control unit 46.

FIG. 3 shows the detailed structure of the pressure sensor section 44, which is a characteristic feature of this embodiment.
The pressure in the processing container 16 detected by the sensor head 44a is supplied to the monitoring unit (determination circuit) 64 via the A / D converter 62 of the pressure sensor unit 44. The monitoring unit 64 is supplied with a reference value indicating a pressure change when the processing container 16 is well sealed, and an appropriate amount of moisturizing water, to the processing container 16.
A reference value table 66 that stores reference values and the like indicating pressure changes when the inside of the processing container 16 is brought into a saturated vapor state is connected. The monitoring unit 64 compares the actually measured pressure with the pressure in the reference value table 66, and when a pressure outside the allowable range is detected, supplies an abnormal signal to the control unit 46. When receiving the abnormal signal, the control unit 46 outputs an alarm, for example, as an abnormal process.

As will be described later, in this embodiment,
Since the type of the abnormal state can be determined according to the waveform indicating the pressure change, the monitoring unit 64 can change the abnormal signal for each determined type and cause the control unit 46 to output different alarms. For example, different alarms are output when there is a leak due to deterioration of the O-ring 22, when the moisturizing water 40 is not supplied, when the moisturizing water is insufficiently supplied, or when the moisturizing water runs out during the reaction process due to abnormal drying of the moisturizing water. It is preferable to do so.

Hereinafter, the processing apparatus 1 configured as described above
The operation outline of 0 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The processing apparatus 10 checks whether or not the processing container 16 can be satisfactorily sealed prior to the processing of the sample with the reagent. That is, the control unit 46 closes all the valves related to the processing container 16, drives the carriage 20, and presses the lid portion 12 against the main body portion 14 so that the processing container 1 is processed.
A substantially enclosed space is formed within 6. In this state, the heat element 34 and the heat block 36 are heated and controlled, and, for example, the slope of the pressure change waveform for the first 10 minutes is obtained. When the closed state required for the processing apparatus 10 is established, the air inside the processing container 16 expands as the temperature rises, and the container internal pressure rises. However, the O-ring 22
When a leak occurs due to deterioration of the container, the container internal pressure does not rise, even though the container internal temperature rises.
That is, the slope of the pressure rise curve (differential value of the waveform) is obviously gentler than when the closed state is established (normal value). When the leak is severe, the pressure may not increase and the inclination may become zero. Pressure sensor unit 44
The monitoring unit 64 compares the inclination based on the pressure change of the processing container 16 for the first 10 minutes with the inclination of the normal value stored in the reference value table 66, and when the inclination is equal to or more than a predetermined allowable range (inclination minus ), It is considered that the processing container 16 is leaking, and an abnormal signal is output to the control unit 46. The control unit 46 issues an alarm based on the abnormal signal. This alarm may be, for example, lighting of a lamp indicating a leak, warning by voice or character display, or the like. Further, along with the alarm, the subsequent work of the processing device 10 may be forcibly stopped or a repair instruction may be presented. In addition, in checking whether the sealing property of the processing container 16 is good or bad, pressurized air is sent to the processing container 16 without heating to form a pressurized state, and then the slope of the pressure change waveform is changed. You may ask. In addition, for feeding the pressurized air, for example, the air feeding unit 52 can be used.

When it is confirmed that there is no leak in the processing container 16, the control unit 46 starts the actual sample processing.

First, the processing container 16 is manually or automatically operated.
Set the processing tab 30 to. Further, the slide glass 28 to which the sample tissue section is attached is set in the processing tab 30. When these sets are finished,
The control unit 46 drives a dispensing nozzle (not shown) by the X / Y / Z drive unit 60 to open the slide lid 32a. After that, an appropriate amount of moisturizing water 40 is passed through the liquid sending unit 50,
For example, the inside of the processing container 16 is heated to 70 ° C., and a predetermined amount capable of maintaining the inside in a saturated vapor state for 16 hours is supplied to the storage groove 42. Furthermore, the X / Y / Z drive unit 60 moves the dispensing nozzle to dispense and supply a reagent suitable for the sample to the sample on the slide glass. The sample into which the reagent has been dispensed is brought into close contact with a pad (not shown) for developing the reagent on the sample. That is, by spreading a small amount of reagent over the entire sample, a small amount of reagent is effectively used, and by covering with a pad, the reagent is prevented from evaporating from the sample.

When it is confirmed that the development of the reagent is completed, the control unit 46 causes the dispensing nozzle to move to the X / Y / Z drive unit 60.
The slide lids 32a and 32b are closed by being driven by. Subsequently, the controller 46 drives the carriage 20 to press the lid 12 against the main body 14 to form a substantially enclosed space in the processing container 16. In this case, since it has been confirmed that the O-ring 22 and the like are not deteriorated or damaged and there is no leak, a substantially sealed space is reliably formed.

In the present embodiment, by confirming whether or not the moisturizing water 40 is appropriately supplied in the process of heating the processing container 16 and efficiently performing the reagent reaction of the sample, A judgment is made as to whether or not the reagent reaction has been carried out well. That is, the control unit 46
When the processing container 16 is substantially sealed, the heat element 34 and the heat block 36 are controlled to raise the temperature in the processing container 16 according to a predetermined profile as shown in the lower part of FIG. As a result, the internal air expands as the temperature inside the processing container 16 rises. If the moisturizing water 40 is contained in the storage groove 42, the moisturizing water 40 starts to evaporate and the pressure in the processing container 16 rises. By detecting the pressure change at this time, it is confirmed whether or not the moisturizing water 40 is appropriately supplied.

Specifically, the reference value table 66 inside the pressure sensor section 44 shows the pressure change when the processing container 16 is heated without leakage and when the predetermined moisturizing water 40 is used. The reference value is stored, for example, as the normal pressure change P shown by the solid line in FIG. As previously mentioned,
At this normal pressure change P, the inside of the processing container 16 is in a saturated vapor state due to the evaporation of the moisturizing water 40, and as a result, the evaporation of the reagent is suppressed. Monitoring unit 64
Confirms the presence or absence of the moisturizing water 40 based on the normal pressure change P.

The sensor head 44a of the pressure sensor section 44
If the moisturizing water 40 actually enters the predetermined amount of the storage groove 42, it is possible to detect a pressure change substantially the same as the normal pressure change P shown by the solid line in FIG. The monitoring unit 64 uses the pressure change actually detected by the sensor head 44a and the reference value table 6
6 is compared with the normal pressure change P in 6, and when it is confirmed that the pressure change is within a predetermined allowable range, it is determined that the process is normal, and the control unit 46 is informed of, for example, a normal process state. A signal is output, and the control unit 46, based on it,
Normal display, for example, lighting of a green lamp is performed. Since the pressure change in the processing container 16 varies depending on the variation of the surrounding environment at that time, for example, temperature, humidity, etc., it is possible to set a predetermined allowable range and determine whether the detected pressure change is normal or not. desirable.

On the other hand, when the moisturizing water 40 is not supplied to the storage groove 42, the pressure increase due to the evaporation of the moisturizing water 40 does not occur. Further, since the amount of evaporation of the reagent is small, the pressure in the processing container 16 is only the expansion of the air in the processing container 16, and the pressure change in the processing container 16 shows a value whose pressure peak is lower than the normal pressure change P. In FIG. 4, the pressure change E1 without moisturizing water is indicated by a broken line. The monitoring unit 64 compares the pressure change actually detected by the sensor head 44a with the normal pressure change P in the reference value table 66. As described above, when the moisturizing water 40 is not present, the pressure peak value is obviously lower than the pressure peak value of the normal pressure change P. Therefore, the monitoring unit 64 determines based on the result that the pressure peak value is low.
It is possible to judge "no moisturizing water". Then, for example, a signal indicating an abnormal processing state without moisturizing water is output to the control unit 46, and the control unit 46 outputs an alarm indicating, for example, no moisturizing water. For example, "no moisturizing water"
The red lamp that indicates is turned on, and a warning is given by voice or character display. As described above, when the moisturizing water 40 is not provided, the drying of the reagent proceeds rapidly, which causes the inhibition of the reagent processing of the sample and the damage of the sample itself. Therefore, the control unit 46 outputs the alarm and the thermal element 34 and the heat block 36. It is preferable to stop heating.

On the other hand, even if the moisturizing water 40 is supplied, the moisturizing water 40 needs to remain until the end of the sample treatment (for example, treatment at 70 ° C. for 16 hours). However, the initial supply amount may be insufficient or excessive evaporation may cause it to disappear during the process. Also in this case, the evaporation of the reagent occurs rapidly after the disappearance of the moisturizing water 40, which hinders the reagent reaction treatment of the sample.

As described above, it is difficult to completely seal the processing container 16, and it is sufficient that the reagent remains in a predetermined amount until the processing is completed. Therefore, the processing container 16 allows a predetermined leak. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, a pressure drop of a predetermined amount or less due to leakage is allowed with the passage of time. When the moisturizing water 40 remains sufficiently and evaporation always occurs, the pressure addition due to the evaporation of the moisturizing water 40 occurs, so that the pressure drop due to the leak gradually occurs, as shown in FIG. If the moisturizing water 40 disappears during the process, pressure addition due to evaporation of the moisturizing water 40 cannot be performed.
When the moisturizing water 40 is cut off as indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 4 as the moisturizing water cut-off pressure change E2, the pressure drop due to the leakage becomes remarkable. That is, the monitoring unit 64 compares the actually measured pressure with the pressure waveform stored in the reference value table 66, and the inclination of the pressure waveform in the processing container 16 becomes larger than the allowable range after the peak pressure. If you get "moisturizing water out"
Can be determined. Then, for example, a signal indicating an abnormal processing state of running out of moisturizing water is output to the control unit 46, and the control unit 46 outputs, for example, an alarm indicating running out of moisturizing water. For example, a red lamp indicating "run out of moisturizing water" blinks, and a warning by voice or character display is given. Even when the moisturizing water 40 is cut off during the processing as described above, the drying of the reagent rapidly progresses, which hinders the processing of the sample reagent and damages the sample itself. Therefore, the control unit 46 outputs the alarm and the thermal element 34. It is preferable to stop the heating by the heat block 36.

Note that FIG. 4 is a schematic profile, and a waveform showing pressure fluctuation is also schematically shown.

In the present embodiment, the form of the processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, for example, the form of the lid 12 transfer mechanism, the process container 16 and the process tab 30 is an example. In addition, FIG.
The configuration shown in is also an example, detecting the pressure in the processing container capable of forming a substantially sealed state, based on the detection result,
The same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained as long as it is possible to monitor the state inside the processing container, particularly the presence or absence of leakage and the lacking state of moisturizing water.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By monitoring the pressure change in the processing container, it is possible to reliably and easily confirm the sealed state of the processing container, which is performed to suppress the drying of the processing liquid supplied to the sample, and the lack of moisturizing water used to suppress the drying. With this configuration, it is possible to detect abnormalities in sample processing promptly and to prevent failure of sample processing and damage to the sample to a minimum.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration concept of a sample processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram of a system including a sample processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a pressure sensor unit of the sample processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a pressure change in a state without moisturizing water, a pressure change in a state without moisturizing water, a normal pressure change state, and a change in temperature in a processing container, which can be discriminated by the sample processing apparatus according to the present invention. It is a figure.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 sample processing device, 12 lid part, 14 body part,
16 processing container, 18 guide plate, 20 carriage, 22 O-ring, 24 sealing groove, 26 link plate, 28 slide glass, 30 processing tab, 32
Upper member, 32a, 32b Slide lid, 34 Thermal element, 36 Heat block, 38 Temperature sensor, 40
Moisturizing water, 42 storage groove, 44 pressure sensor part.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A processing container capable of forming a substantially airtight inside, a processing tab which is a tab disposed inside the processing container and holds a sample and a processing liquid for processing the sample, A heating unit that heats the processing container to accelerate the reaction of the processing liquid held on the processing tab, and a moisturizing water that is provided inside the processing container and that suppresses drying in the processing container due to heating of the heating unit is stored. And a monitoring unit that monitors the state inside the processing container based on the detection result of the pressure detection unit. apparatus. 2. The sample processing according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring unit determines an abnormal state in the processing container for each abnormality type based on a detection result of the pressure detection unit. apparatus. 3. The sample processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the type determination of the abnormal state is performed based on a waveform indicating the detected pressure change. 4. The sample processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the type determination of the abnormal state is performed based on a slope of a waveform indicating a detected pressure change. 5. The sample processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the type determination of the abnormal state is performed based on the waveform level of the waveform indicating the detected pressure change. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure detecting means detects at least a pressure change due to a leak of an internal gas of the processing container or a pressure change due to a lack of the moisturizing water. A sample processing device characterized by: 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring unit outputs an abnormal alarm and stops the sample processing when detecting an abnormal state in the processing container. A sample processing device characterized by the above.