JP2006112881A - Biological material measuring instrument and its chip - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small-sized biological material measuring instrument useful in the simple measurement of a biological material in medical facilities, the confirmation of the ingestion effect of control health auxiliary food for an individual health condition, or the like, simple to carry, having many functions and reduced in erroneous operation. <P>SOLUTION: The biological material measurement instrument has a chip which is equipped with a sample measuring means, a sample collecting means for supplying a sample to a sample collecting and measuring part, a measuring signal transmission means of the measuring signal transmitted by the sample measuring means, a chip specifying means for specifying the chip and a connection means for connecting the chip to a measuring instrument body and the measuring instrument body equipped with a measuring signal detecting means for detecting the measuring signal, an arithmetic means for operationally processing the measuring signal to obtain a measuring result, a display means for the measuring result, a chip recognizing means for recognizing the chip and the sample measuring means on the basis of the signal of the chip specifying means, a sample collecting assistance means for assisting the sample collecting means of the chip, a control means for controlling the operation of the chip and the measuring instrument body and chip connection means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a biological material measuring device and a biological material measuring device chip, and more particularly to a biological material measuring device and a biological material measuring device chip capable of easily measuring various biological materials.

In recent years, there has been an interest in point-of-care testing (also referred to as Point of Care Testing, POCT). In a broad sense, this means simple examinations in the examination room or bed, or examinations using portable devices at home, other than examinations in full-scale examination rooms such as hospitals in the medical field. For example, a blood glucose level test for a diabetic patient is a typical example. Since it is convenient for patients and medical institutions to obtain reliable test results without being in the laboratory, many test items have been proposed in the medical field, and research equipment, test reagents, test methods, etc. have been studied. Yes. In addition, there have been proposals for self-management of personal health status, vitamins, amino acids, glucose, and ion concentrations using devices that can be easily measured at home. Research on functional evaluation systems for functional foods and measurement of proteins such as amino acids are also being conducted. (See Non-Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 2)
For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe the invention of a small blood analyzer. Patent Document 3 discloses an invention of a biosensor for measuring sugar in saliva. Patent Document 4 discloses a method for eliminating the influence of the residual liquid of a sampled sample for analysis of nucleic acid or the like.

JP 2001-258868 A JP 2004-109099 A JP 2004-184155 A JP 2004-2112050 A Weekly Nanotech No. 1161, 14-16, May 17, 2004, published by Sangyo Times Weekly Nanotech No. 1171, 10 pages, August 2, 2004, published by Sangyo Times

  As mentioned above, the need for a simple method for measuring biological materials has been screamed, but in reality, the development and improvement of measuring methods and measuring devices for specific biological materials are being studied, and various measurement targets can be obtained. There has been no idea of a device that can measure the temperature easily and without malfunction. However, even in medical institutions, various biological substances can be easily measured for personal needs, and it can be used for medical and daily life or health management, confirmation of intake effects of food, pharmaceuticals, etc. The device is a very useful tool. In the present invention, a biological material measuring device and a chip for biological material measuring device that are small in size, easy to carry, capable of measuring as described above, are multifunctional, have few malfunctions, and have a disposable sampling chip. The purpose is to provide.

In the present invention, the following means are used to solve the above problems.
(1) Sample measurement means for measuring a sample derived from a biological material and transmitting a measurement signal, sample collection means for supplying a sample to the sample measurement means, and measurement signal transmission for transmitting a measurement signal transmitted by the sample measurement means A chip comprising means, a chip specifying means for transmitting a signal specifying the chip and / or the sample measuring means, and a connecting means for connecting the chip to the measuring apparatus body;
Measurement signal receiving means for receiving a signal from the measurement signal transmitting means, calculation means for calculating the received measurement signal to obtain a measurement result, measurement result display means, and a signal transmitted by the chip specifying means Chip recognition means for recognizing the chip and / or sample measurement means, sample collection assistance means for assisting the sample collection means of the chip, control means for controlling the operation of the chip and / or the measurement apparatus main body, A biological material measuring device having a measuring device main body provided with chip connecting means for detachably connecting a chip corresponding to the connecting means.

(2) In the chip, instead of the sample measuring means, the measurement signal transmitting means, and the sample collecting means, a sample measuring cell for measuring a sample derived from a biological material and a sample for supplying the sample to the sample measuring cell Collecting means,
The measuring apparatus main body is the biological material measuring apparatus according to (1), comprising a sample measuring means for measuring a sample in the sample measuring cell and transmitting a measurement signal to the measurement signal receiving means.

  (3) The biological material measuring device according to (1) or (2), wherein the chip is provided with reagent introducing means for introducing a sample measurement auxiliary reagent into the sample measuring means or the sample measuring cell.

  (4) The biological material measurement according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the chip is provided with a liquid sample blocking means for preventing the liquid sample from flowing into the sample collection auxiliary means of the measuring apparatus main body to which the chip is connected. Device.

  (5) Sample measurement means for measuring a sample derived from a biological material and transmitting a measurement signal, sample collection means for supplying a sample to the sample measurement means, and measurement signal transmission for transmitting a measurement signal transmitted by the sample measurement means A chip for a biological material measuring apparatus comprising: means; chip specifying means for transmitting a signal specifying the chip and / or the sample measuring means; and connecting means for connecting the chip to the measuring apparatus main body.

  (6) Sample measurement cell for measuring a sample derived from a biological material, sample collection means for supplying a sample to the sample measurement cell, and a chip for transmitting a chip and / or a signal specifying the sample measurement cell It is a chip for a biological material measuring device provided with specifying means and connecting means for connecting the chip to the measuring device main body.

  (7) The chip according to (5) or (6), comprising reagent introduction means for introducing a sample measurement auxiliary reagent into the sample measurement means or the sample measurement cell.

  (8) The chip according to any one of (5) to (7), wherein a liquid sample blocking means for preventing the liquid sample from flowing into the sample collection auxiliary means of the measuring apparatus main body to which the chip is connected is provided.

  The biological material measuring apparatus of the present invention can be easily and non-invasively measured using urine, saliva, sweat, exhaled material such as urine and collected material. In particular, by replacing the chip, many test items can be measured, and not only a simple test by a doctor but also anyone can easily measure the health condition and the influence of food intake. In addition, since a single-use type chip is used, measurement is easy and there is no need for trouble such as equipment cleaning. If the chip is replaced, or if a plurality of measuring sensors are attached to the chip, a large number of measurements can be easily performed. If a storage device or an external output device is used, the measurement data can be used in a hospital or the like.

  The biological material measuring apparatus of the present invention comprises a measuring apparatus main body that controls the operation of the entire apparatus, and a chip that is directly involved in sampling and measurement. First, the chip will be described. The tip is a disposable type that is disposable after one measurement, and there are various types of tips depending on the measurement item. Moreover, the chip | tip can measure 1 type, or 2 or more types. The tip may be of any shape, but it is usually a flat plate with a size of several mm to several tens of mm or a general cylindrical shape with a diameter of 0.2 mm to 3 mm and a length of 1 cm to several cm. A tube with a tube is preferred.

  FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 show block diagrams of different types of chips. The chips described in FIGS. 1 and 4 are solutions (1) and (5), i.e. the chips corresponding to claims 1 and 5, and the chip of FIG. 2 is the solutions (2) and (6) or claims. This corresponds to Item 2 and Claim 6. First, the chips of the solving means (1) and (5) will be described. 1 includes a sample measuring unit 3a, a sample collecting unit 2 for supplying a sample to the sample measuring unit 3a, a measurement signal transmitting unit 4 for transmitting a measurement signal measured by the sample measuring unit 3a, a chip 1 and In addition, chip specifying means 5 for specifying the sample measuring means 3a and connection means 6 for connecting the chip 1 to the measuring apparatus main body 11 are provided. It is preferable to provide reagent introduction means 7 for supplying a sample measurement auxiliary reagent necessary for sample measurement to the sample measurement means 3a as necessary.

  Usually, the chip 1 is not provided with a pump for sample suction or the like, and the sample collection means 19 introduces the measurement sample from the sample collection means 2 to the sample measurement means 3a. The sample is sucked through the liquid sample blocking means 8 and the sample suction connection port 9 communicating with 3a. When the liquid sample is inhaled, the liquid sample blocking means 8 has a function of preventing the liquid sample from flowing any further when the sample reaches the liquid sample blocking means 8 and preventing the liquid from flowing into the measuring apparatus main body 11 side. For example, the structure of the liquid sample blocking means 8 is a structure that is isolated by a material such as a permeable membrane that does not allow liquid to pass from the upstream to the downstream of the liquid reservoir but allows only gas to pass therethrough, or a very small pore filter-like sintered metal. I just need it. Alternatively, a fluid outlet may be provided at the top of the liquid reservoir, and a float type valve may be attached to the fluid outlet portion so that the valve closes when the liquid level rises. Of course, a combination of the liquid level sensor and the control valve may close the valve when the liquid level rises. Thus, it is preferable that the liquid sample does not flow downstream from the liquid sample blocking means 8. Note that when the target is a gas sample such as exhaled breath, the liquid sample blocking means 8 is not necessary. Further, a small pump can be built in the chip using a piezo element and a diaphragm, and a sample can be taken directly from the sample collecting means 2 to the sample measuring means 3a. It is unnecessary. Alternatively, the sample measuring means 3a is kept in a vacuum, and if necessary, a vacuum chamber is provided downstream of the sample measuring means 3a, and a valve attached to the sample collecting means 2 is opened at the time of sampling to open the sample in the sample measuring means 3a. You may capture it.

  The sample collection means 2 may be a thin flexible tube or tube or a needle-like tube. The specific length, thickness, shape, and material may be selected according to the sampling target. Usually, in the case of a gas such as an injection needle, a plastic tube, or exhaled breath, a tube with a filter for removing mist may be used. If the tip is small, it is also possible to provide only a sampling port without attaching a part such as a tube. As a specific example, for example, when the sample is breath in the mouth, a polyethylene tube having a length of about 15 cm may be used. When the sample is urine, saliva, sweat, or the like, a metal capillary having a length of about 10 mm may be used.

  The sample measuring means 3a is usually a sensor. Various sensors are used depending on the measurement object and measurement item. There may be a plurality of sample measuring means 3a as shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows an example using three types of sensors. The sensor 3-1 and the sensor 3-2 are arranged in series, and the sensor 3-3 is arranged in parallel with them. The two parallel flow paths may be measured in order by switching the flow path with a small valve, or the sample may be sucked and measured at the same time, and the measurement result may be distinguished by selecting the measurement signal. These measurement signals are respectively transmitted to the measurement signal receiving means 14 of the measuring apparatus main body 11 via the measurement signal transmitting means 4.

  The chip specifying means 5 transmits a signal for specifying at least one of the types and numbers of the chip 1 and the sample measuring means 3a to make the chip recognizing means 15 of the biological material measuring apparatus main body 11 recognize. When there are a plurality of sample measurement means 3 a in the chip 1, it is desirable to specify each measurement signal in conjunction with the measurement signal transmission means 4. For example, a transmission signal from each sensor is configured to be transmitted in order by the measurement signal transmitting unit 4 in advance, and the order is specified by the chip specifying unit 5 and recognized by the chip recognizing unit 15.

  In order to connect the chip 1 to the measuring apparatus main body 11, the connecting means 6 is provided on the chip 1 side, and the chip connecting means 16 is provided on the measuring apparatus main body 11 side so that the chip 1 can be attached to and detached from the measuring apparatus main body 11.

  When the sample measurement means 3a requires a sample measurement auxiliary reagent, the reagent introduction means 7 is provided on the chip 1. The reagent is generally added between the sample collection means 2 and the sample measurement means 3a, but may be added directly into the sample measurement means 3a. In order to improve the mixing with the sample, a mixing promoting device such as a baffle plate may be provided in the sample passage or the sample measuring means 3a. In addition, the temperature may be adjusted to allow the reaction to proceed stably. Usually, the reagent introduction means 7 comprises a reagent storage tank 7a and a reagent pump 7b. The reagent storage tank 7a can also be provided outside the chip 1, for example, in the measuring apparatus main body 11. Further, as a modification of the reagent introduction means 7, the reagent can be fixed in advance and introduced into the sample measurement means 3a. It is also possible to provide separation means such as simple electrophoresis, liquid chromatography, adsorption device or the like upstream of the sample measurement means 3a to separate the measurement target component from the disturbing component and introduce it into the sample measurement means 3a. is there. An example of such a chip is shown in FIGS.

  The measuring apparatus body 11 will be described. The measurement apparatus main body 11 includes a measurement signal receiving unit 14 that receives a signal from the measurement signal transmitting unit 4 of the chip 1, and an arithmetic unit 17 that performs arithmetic processing on the received measurement signal to obtain a measurement result such as concentration and PH. A measurement result display means 18; a chip recognition means 15 for recognizing the chip and / or the sample measurement means 3a based on a signal transmitted from the chip specifying means 5; a sample collection assistance means 19 for assisting in sample collection of the chip; A control means 21 for controlling the operation of the measuring device main body 11 and / or 1 according to various chips, and a chip connection means 16 for detachably connecting the chip corresponding to the connection means 6 of the chip 1 are provided. . Preferably, the calculation means 17 can store data for calculation processing and measurement result data. If a recent personal computer or microcomputer is used, the measurement signal receiving means 14, the chip recognizing means 15, the computing means 17, the display means 18, the control means 21, and the like can be provided.

  The measuring device main body 11 is preferably provided with output means 12 for outputting the measurement result to the outside. The data is output to an arithmetic unit for evaluation together with other inspection data such as a printer, an external storage device, and a medical institution. Specifically, it is an output device to a personal computer, a telephone line, or a communication line. Further, it is desirable that the measuring apparatus main body 11 is provided with an external power input device, a power source 22 such as a built-in battery, and operation means 23 such as a power switch and a display changeover switch. These do not need to be built in the measuring apparatus main body 11. In most cases, if an electronic computer such as a personal computer is used, it is only necessary to connect the measuring apparatus main body 11 with a power line and a signal line. In addition, wireless signals using radio waves, infrared rays, and ultrasonic waves can be exchanged. In such a case, the measurement apparatus main body 11 may be considered including peripheral devices such as a personal computer.

  By combining the connecting means 6 and the chip connecting means 16 of the chip 1, various chips can be detachably connected to the measuring apparatus main body 11. The combination of the connection means 6 and the chip connection means 16 may be any attachment / detachment method. For example, an attachment / detachment method similar to that of a substrate to which an electronic component is attachable / detachable may be used. When the chip 1 is connected to the measuring apparatus main body 11, the biological material can be measured. When the chip 1 is connected to the measuring apparatus main body 11, the chip recognizing unit 15 recognizes information transmitted from the chip specifying unit 5 such as information on the chip and the sample measuring unit 3 a and transmits the information to the storage unit 17.

  The measurement signal receiving unit 14 receives the measurement signal from the measurement signal transmission unit 4 of the chip 1 as an electric signal normally and transmits it to the calculation unit 17. The calculation means 17 creates a sample measurement result based on the measurement signal and information on the chip 1 and the sample measurement means 3 a from the chip recognition means 15 described above, and transmits the measurement result to the display means 18 and the output means 12. The computing means 17 is preferably capable of storing information such as sensor characteristics for creating a measurement result of a sample, and storing a measurement signal and a measurement result.

  The sample collection assisting means 19 for assisting the sample collection of the chip 1 communicates with the sample measurement means 3a through the sample suction connection port 19 on the measuring apparatus main body 11 side which can be in close contact with the sample suction connection port 9 on the chip 1 side. . The sample collection auxiliary means 19 may be a small pump. A diaphragm type pump using a piezo element can be suitably used. The pump preferably has a structure in which the sample is filled in the sample measuring means 3a of the chip 1 and stopped when the liquid sample blocking means 8 is reached. In the case of a liquid sample, since the suction resistance increases when the sample reaches the liquid sample blocking means 8, it is only necessary to detect this change and stop the pump. There is also a method in which the suction time for sufficiently filling the sample in the sample measuring means 3a is measured in advance, and the pump is stopped when the sample is filled in the sample measuring means 3a.

  Next, the solutions (2) and (6), that is, the inventions described in claims 2 and 6, will be described. The difference between the solution means (1) and (5) of the biological material measurement device of the present invention is that the sample measurement device is not in the chip 1 but is arranged on the measurement device body 11 side. Therefore, the chip 1 does not have the sample measurement means 3a and the measurement signal transmission means 4, but is provided with a sample measurement cell 3b to which a sample is supplied from the sample collection means instead. The sample measuring means 13 for measuring the sample in the cell 3b and transmitting the measurement signal to the measurement signal receiving means 14 is provided. If the sample measurement means cannot be a small sensor, such as UV-visible absorption measurement, or if it is an expensive sample measurement means, or if the sample measurement means contains harmful substances or radioactive substances, the sample is placed on a disposable chip. It is not preferable to arrange a measuring means. In that case, as described above, the chip 1 is provided with the sample measuring cell 3b, and the measurement is performed by the sample measuring means 13 provided on the measuring apparatus main body 11 side. The sample measuring cell 3b of the chip 1 and the sample measuring means 13 of the measuring device main body 11 are structured so that the sample measuring means 13 can easily measure the sample. Usually, it arrange | positions so that the cell 3b for sample measurement and the sample measurement means 13 may adjoin. For example, in the case of optical measurement, as shown in FIG. 5, the light emitting unit 13a and the light receiving unit 13b of the sample measuring means are arranged so as to sandwich the sample measuring cell 3b. The measurement signal of the sample measurement means 13 is transmitted to the calculation means 17 via the measurement signal reception means 14. Other configurations and the like may be the same as those of the solving means (1) and (5) described above.

  A method for using the biological material measuring apparatus of the present invention will be described. The size of the measuring apparatus main body 11 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5 is suitably about 100 to 300 mm in length, 10 to 70 mm in width, and about 5 to 50 mm in thickness. The chip 1 is suitably about 10 to 30 mm in length, 5 to 20 mm in width, and about 0.3 to 10 mm in thickness. The size and shape of each may be determined depending on the environment of use such as carrying and setting location. One of the features of this biological material measuring device is that it is easy to carry and can easily measure a large number of biological materials. The example shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to the solving means (1), and the example shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to the solving means (2). For example, using the apparatus shown in FIG. 3, first, the amount of glucose in the blood is measured with a biological substance measuring apparatus with a glucose sensor chip as shown in FIG. 7, and then the chip is shown in FIG. Replace the ion sensor chip and measure sodium and potassium ions in urine. If you can use a personal computer, control the device, display the data, and record the results. If there is no personal computer, the measurement data may be displayed and stored in the measurement apparatus main body 11 and the measurement results after measurement may be collectively recorded on, for example, a CD or MD and output.

The biological material measuring device of the present invention can be any biological material. Humans, animals, plants, microorganisms, and effluents from these, and in some cases, compounds similar to biological materials can be measured. For example, blood, lymph, body fluid, sweat, saliva, expiration, tears, nasal discharge, urine and the like can be raised. In addition, liquids and gases obtained by chemically and physically treating biological substances such as blood and skin can be measured. The measurement item may be anything as long as it has a sensor or device for measurement. For example, ion concentrations such as PH, sodium and potassium, vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin B ₂ and vitamin B ₆ , sugars such as glucose, and tryptophan Amino acids such as essential amino acids such as methionine, lysine, valine, phenylalanine, leucine, isoleucine, threonine, essential fatty acids such as linoleic acid, linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, fatty acids such as EPA, DHA, amylase, etc. Examples include enzymes. If simple sample measuring means such as a sensor is available, it is possible to measure nucleic acid, DNA, RNA, protein, trace components in exhaled breath, and the like. Measurement methods include PH sensors, biosensors, concentration sensors, etc. that use the principle of batteries, such as electrical conductivity measurement, infrared absorption using optical measurement methods, UV-visible light absorption, light scattering, luminescence measurement, etc. There is.

  A specific sample measuring chip is illustrated. FIG. 6 shows an example of an ion sensor. Although not shown, by operating the sample collection assisting means 19 of the measuring apparatus main body 11 connected to the chip, the sample collection means 2 to the liquid sample blocking means 8 are filled with, for example, a urine sample. The measurement signal is measured via the measurement signal transmitting means 4-11, 4-12, 4-13 by the electrode 3-11 for potassium ion, the electrode 3-12 for sodium ion, and the KCl reference electrode 3-13 which are sample measuring means. It is transmitted to the apparatus main body 11. The measurement apparatus main body 11 receives the information of the chip specifying means 5 and the measurement signal, and performs arithmetic processing, display, data output and the like as described above. FIG. 7 shows an example of an enzyme sensor chip. It has a Pt indicator electrode 3-21, an AgCl reference electrode 3-22, and a Pt counter electrode 3-23 as measurement means, and can be used for measuring vitamin C in blood or amylase in body fluids. FIG. 8 shows a chip having a sensor with a separation function. As pretreatment means, the electrophoresis apparatus 3-32, the heating apparatus 3-33, the stirring apparatus 3-34 upstream of the sample measurement cell 3-31, and the power supply for electrophoresis apparatus 3-35, the heating apparatus and the stirring as their power sources. A power supply 3-36 for the apparatus is provided. Further, a reagent storage tank 7a, a reagent pump 7b, and a reagent pump power source 7c are provided as reagent introduction means. This sensor can separate and measure amino acids such as primary amines such as aspartic acid, valine, leucine, isoleucine and alanine, and secondary amines such as histidine, proline, tryptophan, arginine and hydroxyproline. In addition, the measurement uses ninhydrin as an auxiliary reagent, and is measured by an ultraviolet-visible light absorbance measuring device provided in the measuring device main body.

Example 1
The example shown in FIG. 3 is a biological material measuring apparatus such as urine in an example of the present invention. The tip 1 is connected to the tip of the measuring device main body 11. In this example, the personal computer 20 is connected to the measurement apparatus main body 11 to assist a part of the calculation means, display means, operation means, power supply, and operation means of the measurement apparatus main body 11. The external dimensions of the measuring device main body 11 are 250 mm × 50 mm × 7 mm. The external dimensions of the chip are 20 mm × 15 mm × 5 mm. The chip can be connected to a glucose concentration measurement chip and a hydrogen ion concentration measurement chip for the time being. Each chip is removed in one measurement and replaced with a chip for the next measurement. When the chip 1 is replaced, the measuring apparatus main body 11 recognizes the type of the chip by the chip recognizing means and transmits it to the storage means or the like so that it can respond to the sensor signal of the chip. If you install other sensor-equipped chips and install sensor output signal analysis calculation software on your computer, you can further measure various biological materials. The glucose concentration and hydrogen ion concentration can also be measured by operating the operation means 23 that is a power switch built in the measurement apparatus main body 11 and displaying it on the display means 18 of the liquid crystal display.

  The operation method of the measuring apparatus when the hydrogen ion concentration sensor chip is attached is to suck a small amount of urine sample from the sample collecting means 2 of a thin tube. The sample collecting means 2 communicates with a hydrogen ion concentration sensor 3a built in the chip 1, a liquid sample blocking means 8 having a sintered metal plate at the center, and a sample suction connection port 9 (the numbers of the respective parts are 3 and FIG. 1, the same applies hereinafter). Further, the sample suction connection port 9 is in close contact with the sample suction connection port 19a of the measurement apparatus main body 11, and communicates with the micro pump 19 using a piezoelectric element. When the power switch 23 is turned on with the chip 1 connected to the measuring apparatus main body 11, the micro pump 19 is activated to collect a urine sample from the tube of the sample collecting means 2. When the urine sample fills the hydrogen ion concentration sensor 3a and reaches the sintered metal plate of the liquid sample blocking means 8, blood hardly flows because the sintered metal plate has very fine holes. The micro pump 19 detects a change in the suction resistance and stops. Therefore, the urine sample does not flow into the measuring device main body 11, and the measuring device main body 11 can perform the next measurement only by replacing the chip without washing.

  Meanwhile, the urine sample filled in the hydrogen ion concentration sensor 3a generates an electrical signal corresponding to its PH by the hydrogen ion concentration sensor sensing unit. This signal is sent from the measurement signal transmission means 4 to the storage means 17 through the measurement signal reception means 14, amplified, transmitted to the display means 18 and the output means 12, and displayed and output, respectively. Power control, output display, arithmetic processing, etc. can be performed with a personal computer. When the measurement is completed, the chip 1 is removed, a new chip is attached, and the next measurement is performed. Since the chip specifying means 5 is arranged on each chip, the measuring apparatus body 11 can recognize the chip, that is, the measurement item.

(Example 2)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example of a chip of the biological material measuring apparatus of the present invention. The feature of this chip is that three types of sensors as sample measuring means are built in the chip. The sample is circulated from the sample collection means 2 to the sensor 3-1, the sensor 3-2, the liquid sample blocking means 8, and the sample suction connection port 9 in series. Further, in parallel with the flow paths of the sensor 3-1 and the sensor 3-2, there is a flow path through which the sample flows from the sample collection means 2 to the sensor 3-3 and the liquid sample blocking means 8.

  The sensor 3-1 is a hydrogen ion concentration sensor. The surface of this sensor is selectively covered with a membrane that allows only hydrogen ions to pass through, so that there is no influence of other ions and no influence on other ions. Therefore, the measurement of the downstream sensor 3-2 is not disturbed. Sensor 3-2 is a potassium ion sensor. In the potassium ion sensor, a potassium ion permeable membrane covers the surface of the electrode to protect it from interfering ions. Therefore, this sensor can measure potassium ion concentration without interference with other ions. The sensor 3-3 is an enzymatic sensor. In this case, for example, the reagent is mixed with the sample blood to change the substance to be measured into a measurable substance, or the interfering substance is changed by the reaction and removed, and then the potential or current value is measured by the sensor 3-3. To do. In the case of an enzyme sensor, the surface of the electrode is coated with an enzyme film. Taking the measurement of glucose concentration in a sample as an example, when the sample reaches the enzyme membrane, an enzyme such as glucosidase changes the glucose in the sample into gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide. This hydrogen peroxide is reduced by an electrochemical reaction at the electrode portion to generate an electric current. By detecting this current value signal, it is possible to measure the hydrogen peroxide concentration and thus the glucose concentration. If sample pretreatment is required, reagent introduction means 7 may be provided upstream of the sensor 3-3 to introduce the reagent. The sample is mixed with the reagent introduced from the reagent reservoir 7a into the sample flow path before the sensor 3-3 by the reagent pump 7b and reacted, and then reaches the sensor 3-3. This reaction solution is measured by the sensor 3-3.

  The biological material measuring apparatus of the present invention can be used in a wide range of fields such as measuring the intake of health supplements and measuring changes in biological materials due to sports, as well as measuring biological materials in the medical field, and measuring animal biological materials.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a measuring apparatus main body and a chip of a biological material measuring apparatus provided with a sample measuring means in the chip. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a measuring device body and a chip of a biological material measuring device provided with a sample measuring means in the measuring device body. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a biological material measuring apparatus in which a chip is attached to the measuring apparatus main body. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a chip provided with three sample measuring means in the chip. FIG. 5 is an image diagram of the measuring device main body and the chip of the biological material measuring device provided with the sample measuring means in the measuring device main body. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a chip having two types of ion sensors in the chip. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a chip provided with a biosensor in the chip. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a chip provided with a sample measurement cell for amino acid measurement and pretreatment means in the chip.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Chip 2 Sample collection means 3a Sample measurement means 3b Sample measurement cell 3-1 Sensor which is a kind of sample measurement means 3-2 Sensor which is a kind of sample measurement means 3-3 Sensor which is a kind of sample measurement means 3- DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Potassium ion electrode 3-12 Sodium ion electrode 3-13 KCl reference electrode 3-21 Pt indication electrode 3-22 AgCl reference electrode 3-23 Pt counter electrode 3-31 Sample measurement cell 3-32 Electrophoresis apparatus 3-33 Heating device 3-34 Stirring device 3-35 Power supply for electrophoresis device 3-36 Power supply for heating device and stirring device 4 Measurement signal transmission unit 4-11 Measurement signal transmission unit 4-12 Measurement signal transmission unit 4- 13 Measurement signal transmission means 5 Chip specifying means 6 Connection means 7 Reagent introduction means 7a Reagent storage tank 7b Reagent pump 7c Reagent pump power supply 8 Liquid sample blocking means 9 Sample suction connection port 11 Measuring device main body 12 Output means 13 Sample measuring means 13a Light emitting part of sample measuring means 13b Light receiving part of sample measuring means 14 Measurement signal receiving means 15 Chip recognizing means 16 Chip connecting means 17 Calculation Means 18 Display means 19 Sampling auxiliary means 19a Sample suction connection port 20 Personal computer 21 Control means 22 Power supply 23 Operation means

Claims (8)

A sample measuring means for measuring a sample derived from a biological material and transmitting a measurement signal; a sample collecting means for supplying a sample to the sample measuring means; a measurement signal transmitting means for transmitting a measurement signal transmitted by the sample measuring means; A chip comprising a chip specifying means for transmitting a signal specifying the chip and / or the sample measuring means, and a connecting means for connecting the chip to the measuring apparatus body;
Measurement signal receiving means for receiving a signal from the measurement signal transmitting means, calculation means for calculating the received measurement signal to obtain a measurement result, measurement result display means, and a signal transmitted by the chip specifying means Chip recognition means for recognizing the chip and / or sample measurement means, sample collection assistance means for assisting the sample collection means of the chip, control means for controlling the operation of the chip and / or the measurement apparatus main body, A biological material measuring device comprising: a measuring device main body provided with chip connecting means for detachably connecting a chip corresponding to the connecting means. The chip includes a sample measurement cell for measuring a sample derived from a biological material, a sample collection unit for supplying a sample to the sample measurement cell, instead of the sample measurement unit, the sample collection unit, and the measurement signal transmission unit. With
The biological material measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the measuring device main body includes a sample measuring unit that measures a sample in the sample measuring cell and transmits a measurement signal to the measurement signal receiving unit.   The biological material measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising reagent introducing means for introducing a sample measurement auxiliary reagent into the sample measuring means or the sample measuring cell on the chip.   The biological material measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the chip is provided with a liquid sample blocking means for preventing the liquid sample from flowing into the sample collection auxiliary means of the measuring apparatus main body to which the chip is connected.   A sample measuring means for measuring a sample derived from a biological material and transmitting a measurement signal; a sample collecting means for supplying a sample to the sample measuring and taking means; a measurement signal transmitting means for transmitting a measurement signal transmitted by the sample measuring means; A chip for a biological material measuring apparatus, comprising: a chip specifying means for transmitting a signal for specifying the chip and / or the sample measuring means; and a connecting means for connecting the chip to the measuring apparatus main body.   A sample measuring cell for measuring a sample derived from a biological material, a sample collecting means for supplying a sample to the sample measuring cell, and a chip specifying means for transmitting a signal specifying the chip and / or the sample measuring cell; A chip for a biological material measuring apparatus, comprising a connecting means for connecting the chip to the measuring apparatus main body.   The chip according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising reagent introduction means for introducing a sample measurement auxiliary reagent into the sample measurement means or into the sample measurement cell. The chip according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising a liquid sample blocking means for preventing the liquid sample from flowing into the sample collection auxiliary means of the measuring apparatus main body to which the chip is connected.

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