JP2007333650A - Light detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light detecting device capable of efficiently securing an ample light-shielding property. <P>SOLUTION: In the light detecting device 2, a sample holder 14 is brought close to an incident plane 9a of a tapered FOP9 by a driving mechanism 19 so as to measure a sample. An insertion part 39a of a light-shielding body 39 is inserted in a recession part 34, formed of light-shielding bodies 33 and 4, and the peripheral space of a container S, containing the sample, is surrounded with a light-sensing-device-side light-shielding box 12 and a holder-side light shielding box 23 for shielding light. The light from the outside is surely shielded by this. In other words, the positioning of the container for the measurement of the sample and a light-shielding operation are performed simultaneously. A a result, ample light-shielding property is secured efficiently by this means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a light detection apparatus that measures a sample by detecting light from the sample.

As a conventional photodetection device, it has a housing surrounding a glass fiber taper element (light guide member) and a housing surrounding a micro measurement plate (container) containing a test object (sample), and further, an elastic vertical direction It is known that light is shielded by pressing a minute measurement plate against a glass fiber taper element with an adjusting device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-241947

  However, the above-described photodetection device has a problem that sufficient light shielding performance cannot be ensured due to the structure of the light shielding means. Furthermore, since the position must be aligned before the micro measurement plate is pushed up, there is a problem in work efficiency for securing light shielding properties.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a photodetecting device capable of efficiently ensuring sufficient light shielding properties.

  An optical detection apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging means for imaging light from a sample, a sample holder for placing a container in which the sample is placed, a light guide member for guiding light from the sample to the imaging means, a sample holder, Drive means for relatively moving the light guide member in the vertical direction, a first light-shielding box having a first light-shielding body provided so as to surround the sample holder, and provided so as to surround the light-guide member A second light shielding box having a second light shielding body, and one of the first and second light shielding bodies forms a light shielding space between the first light shielding box and the second light shielding box. A receiving recess for receiving the insertion portion is formed on the other of the first and second light shields.

  In this light detection device, in order to measure the sample, the sample holder and the light guide member are brought close to each other by the driving means, and the insertion portion is inserted into the receiving recess, so that the peripheral space of the container containing the sample is The light is shielded by being surrounded by the first and second light shielding boxes. That is, the positioning of the sample holder and the light guide member for measurement and the operation of shielding the space including these are simultaneously performed. As described above, sufficient light shielding properties can be efficiently ensured.

  Moreover, it is preferable that either one of the first and second light shielding boxes is provided with a light shielding member that engages with the other light shielding body of the first and second light shielding boxes. According to this photodetection device, even when extraneous light enters the gap between the first light shielding box and the second light shielding box, the light shielding member can attenuate and shield the light.

  The light shielding member is preferably supported by an elastic member having an elastic force in the vertical direction. According to this photodetection device, for example, by using containers having different thicknesses, even when the relative position in the vertical direction between the sample holder and the light guide member at the time of sample measurement is changed, the light shielding member is accordingly accompanied. However, it moves so that a clearance gap does not arise between the 1st shading body and the 2nd shading body. This ensures a sufficient light-shielding property regardless of the thickness of the container placed on the sample holder.

  Further, the second light shielding box is provided with positioning means for positioning the container when the insertion part is inserted into the receiving recess, and the positioning means has a tapered surface that engages with the container. It is preferable to have a member and an elastic body that biases the positioning member toward the inside of the second light shielding box. According to this photodetection device, when the sample holder and the light guide member are brought close to each other, the positioning member resists the biasing force of the elastic body by contacting the container with the tapered surface provided on the positioning member. Thus, it is pushed out of the second light shielding box. As a result, the container is sandwiched and positioned between the sample holder and the positioning member. Accordingly, the positioning can be performed efficiently without impairing the light shielding property without providing a separate positioning device outside.

  Thus, according to this invention, sufficient light-shielding property can be ensured efficiently.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a light detection device according to the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same or an equivalent part, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an optical measurement device 1 including a light detection device 2 according to the first embodiment. In the figure, an optical measuring device 1 is a device for automatically measuring light (emission or fluorescence) emitted from a sample such as a cell.

  The optical measuring device 1 includes a device body 2 having a rectangular parallelepiped housing 3. On the housing 3, a supply stacker 6, a recovery stacker 7, a container gripper 8, and a light detector 4 are arranged in a line from one end side to the other end side of the housing 3.

  The supply stacker 6 stocks the container S containing the sample, and the collection stacker 7 stocks the container S that has been measured. Further, the container gripper 8 grips the container S. The container S may be a microplate, a petri dish or a filter.

  The photodetector 4 includes a taper FOP (fiber optics plate) 9 that is a light guide member that guides light emitted from the sample, and an image input that amplifies the light emitted from the taper FOP 9 although not particularly illustrated. It has a tensiifier and a CCD camera 11 which is an imaging means for imaging light emitted from the image intensifier. The light detection device 2 includes a light detection device-side light shielding box 12 for shielding external light, light from a photosensor, and the like. The taper FOP9 is accommodated in the housing 13.

  Inside the housing 3 is a sample holder 14 on which the lid of the container S and the container 5 is placed, and this sample holder 14 is arranged in the direction of arrangement of the supply stacker 6, collection stacker 7, container gripper 8 and photodetector 4 (X A driving mechanism 18 that moves in the axial direction) and a driving mechanism (moving means) 19 that moves the sample holder 14 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) are provided. The drive mechanism 18 includes a slider 16 having a ball screw and a drive motor 17.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sample holder 14 is connected to the drive mechanism 19 via an elevating body 21 and a connecting portion 22. The moving mechanism 19 is movable in the vertical direction by rotating a ball screw (not shown) with a drive motor. Further, the sample holder 14 is provided with a holder-side light shielding box 23 that shields the space around the container S by being engaged with the light detection device-side light shielding box 12.

  Here, the light blocking structure of the light detection device 2 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The light detection device 2 includes a light detector 4 and a sample holder 14.

  A rectangular frame 24 having a through-hole 24a having the same shape as the outer periphery of the housing 13 is attached to the tip of the taper FOP 9 on the incident surface 9a side of the housing 13. A frame 25 having substantially the same shape as the frame 24 is attached to the lower surface of the frame 24.

  Cutouts 25c, 25d, 25e, and 25f are formed on four sides of the edge 25b surrounding the rectangular through hole 25a in the frame 25, respectively. Among these notches 25c to 25f, the positioning member 27 is disposed in the notch 25d, and the positioning member 28 is disposed in the notch 25e formed perpendicular to the notch 25d. The inner surfaces of the positioning members 27 and 28 are tapered surfaces 27a and 28a that narrow from the bottom to the top. An insertion hole is formed on the surface opposite to the tapered surfaces 27a and 28a, and the spring 29 is inserted into the insertion hole.

  Between the frame 24 and the edge 25b of the frame 25, a frame-like support member 31 is fixed so as to be sandwiched, and this support member 31 is removed or displaced in the vertical direction of the positioning members 27 and 28. Is preventing. Moreover, since the stopper 31a is provided in the edge part surrounding the through-hole provided in the center part of the support member 31, in the state which the positioning members 27 and 28 were pushed by the spring 29, as shown in FIG. The upper portions of the tapered surfaces 27a and 28a are held by the stopper 31a.

  Since such positioning members 27 and 28 are provided, as shown in FIG. 3, when the sample holder 14 is brought close to the incident surface 9a of the taper FOP 9 by the driving mechanism 19, the positioning members 27 and 28 are arranged. When the container S comes into contact with the tapered surfaces 27 a and 28 a provided, the positioning members 27 and 28 are pushed outward against the biasing force of the spring 29. As a result, the container S is sandwiched between the sample holder 14 and the positioning members 27 and 28 and positioned. Accordingly, the container S can be positioned efficiently without impairing the light shielding property without providing a positioning device outside.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a substantially square cylindrical inner light shielding body 32 is attached to an edge portion surrounding the lower surface side of the through hole 25 a of the frame 25, and a lower end of the inner light shielding body 32 is attached. A thin portion 32a is formed in the portion. Then, on the outer surface of the inner light shielding body 32, a rectangular cylindrical outer light shielding body 33 having a thickness equivalent to that of the thin portion 32a is attached. As a result, a receiving recess 34 for forming a light shielding space is formed between the thin portion 32 a and the outer light shielding body 33.

  As described above, the light detection device side light shielding box 12 surrounding the incident surface 9a side of the taper FOP9 is configured.

  On the other hand, the container S is placed on the tray 36 of the sample holder 14. Holding portions 36a for positioning and restraining the container S are provided at the four corners of the tray 36. When the container S is pushed by the positioning members 27 and 28 of the light detection device side light shielding box 12, the container S Since S is held by the holding portion 36a, positioning is performed more reliably.

  The tray 36 is attached to a support member 37 having a rectangular tube shape, and the support member 37 is attached to a rectangular bottom plate 38.

  The bottom plate 38 to which the tray 36 and the support member 37 are attached is disposed at the bottom of a box-shaped light shield 39 that opens upward. As shown in FIG. 3, the upper end of the light shielding body 39 on the opening side is inserted into the receiving recess 34 when the sample holder 14 and the taper FOP 9 are brought close to each other by the drive mechanism 19 in order to measure the sample. The insertion part 39a to be formed is configured. Therefore, the peripheral region of the container S is surrounded by the light detection device side light shielding box 12 and the holder side light shielding box 23 and is shielded from light. That is, the insertion part 39 a forms a light shielding space between the light detection device light shielding box 12 and the holder side light shielding box 23 in cooperation with the receiving recess 34. For this reason, the light from the outside can be reliably blocked. In addition, it is preferable that at least the insertion portion 39a and the receiving recess 34 are black-treated. In this case, even when extraneous light is incident on the gap between the insertion portion 39a and the receiving recess 34, the extraneous light can be attenuated efficiently.

  In this way, the positioning of the container S for sample measurement and the light shielding of the peripheral region of the container S by the light detection device side light shielding box 12 and the holder side light shielding box 23 are simultaneously performed. As described above, it is possible to efficiently ensure a sufficient light shielding property of the light detection device 2.

  Further, holes are formed in the four corners of the bottom plate 38, and springs 41 are inserted into the holes. A frame-shaped light shielding member 42 is attached so as to surround the support member 37. Since the four corners of the light shielding member 42 are in contact with the spring 41, the light shielding member 42 moves elastically.

  Therefore, by using the containers S having different thicknesses, even if the relative position in the vertical direction between the sample holder 14 and the taper FOP 9 at the time of sample measurement changes, the light shielding member 42 is attached to the thin portion of the inner light shielding body 32 accordingly. It moves so that a clearance gap may not arise between 32a. Thereby, irrespective of the thickness of the container S placed on the sample holder 14, it is possible to sufficiently secure the light shielding property by the light detection device side light shielding box 12 and the holder side light shielding box 23.

  As described above, the holder-side light shielding box 23 surrounding the sample holder 14 is configured.

  The operation of the photodetector 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the sample in the container S with a lid is measured.

  First, one dummy lid is loaded at the bottom of the supply stacker 6, and the containers S with lids are stacked in order from the top.

  Then, at the position of the supply stacker 6, the sample holder 14 is raised, and only the bottom cover and the first container S are separated from the container S with a cover contained in the cassette of the supply stacker 6. Then, it is loaded on the tray 36, and the sample holder 14 is lowered.

  Next, the sample holder 14 moves horizontally to the position of the container gripper 8, and in this state, only the stacked container S is gripped by the container gripper 8. As a result, only the lid is provided on the sample holder 14, and the sample holder 14 moves to the position of the collection stacker 7 in this state. When the lid is stored in the collection stacker 7, the sample holder 14 moves to the position of the container S gripped by the container gripper 8, releases the grip of the container S, and places the container S on the tray 36. To do.

  The container S is then transported to the light detection device 2 and the sample is measured for light emission, and then stored in the collection stacker 7. Sequentially, this operation is repeated to measure the sample.

[Second Embodiment]
The photodetector 2 according to the second embodiment is mainly different from the photodetector 2 according to the first embodiment in the following points.

  That is, in the photodetector 2 according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the housing 13 in which the taper FOP 9 is accommodated is provided below the sample holder 14, and the taper FOP 9 is incident from below the container S. Light is detected by bringing the surface 9a closer. That is, a CCD camera (not shown) is disposed below the taper FOP9.

  The tray 49 of the sample holder 14 is made of a light-transmitting material or a through hole is provided in the tray 49 so that measurement can be performed from the lower side when the container S is placed. . The tray 49 is attached to a light shielding body 50 having a receiving recess 51 for forming a light shielding space that opens upward and a receiving recess 52 for forming a light shielding space that opens downward. A light shielding member 54 that is elastically moved by a spring 53 is disposed at 51.

  In the housing 13, a light detection device side light shielding box 55 having a light shielding body 56 is formed. In addition, an insertion portion 56 a that is inserted into the receiving recess is formed on the distal end side of the light shield 56. As shown in FIG. 5B, during measurement, the insertion space 56a is inserted into the receiving recess 52 to shield the space around the container S from light.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a holder-side light shielding box 57 is provided above the sample holder 14. The holder-side light shielding box 57 is movable in the vertical direction relative to the sample holder 14 by a driving means (not shown). The holder-side light shielding box 57 is formed of a frame 58 having a notch 58 a, a positioning member 59 and a spring 61 disposed in the notch 58 a, and a support member 62 attached to the upper surface of the frame 58.

  The support member 62 prevents the positioning member 59 from coming off and shifting in the vertical direction. Further, the support member 62 has a stopper 62 a that holds the positioning member 59. A light shield 63 is provided on the lower surface of the frame 58, and an insertion portion 63 a to be inserted into the receiving recess 51 is provided at the lower end of the light shield 63.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, at the time of measurement, the insertion portion 63a is inserted into the receiving recess 51 to shield the surrounding space of the container S from light. At this time, even when the containers S having different thicknesses are used, the light shielding member 54 elastically moves without generating a gap with the insertion portion 63a. Further, the container S is positioned by the positioning member 59.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, in the first embodiment, an insertion portion for forming a light shielding space is provided in the light shielding body of the light inspection device side light shielding box 12, and a receiving recess into which the insertion portion enters is provided in the light shielding body of the holder side light shielding box 23. It may be provided. In this case, the light shielding member and the spring are arranged in the light detection device side light shielding box 12.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the light shielding member is elastically supported in the vertical direction by an elastic member such as a spring is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a light shielding member made of a flexible material is used. It may be provided. In this case, even when the relative position in the vertical direction between the sample holder and the light guide member during sample measurement is changed, the light shielding member made of a flexible material is associated with the first light shielding body and the first light shielding body. It expands and contracts so that there is no gap between the two light shields. This ensures a sufficient light-shielding property regardless of the thickness of the container placed on the sample holder.

It is sectional drawing which shows the optical measuring device provided with the photon detection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the light-shielding structure of the photodetector which concerns on 1st Embodiment, (b) is sectional drawing when (a) is seen from A direction. It is sectional drawing which shows a mode when light-shielding by the light-shielding structure of FIG. 2, (b) is sectional drawing when (a) is seen from the B direction. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the light-shielding structure of the photon detection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the light-shielding structure of the photodetector which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Photodetection device, 3 ... Tapered FOP (light guide member), 11 ... CCD camera (imaging means), 12, 56 ... Photodetection device side light shielding box (second light shielding box), 14 ... Sample holder, 19 ... Drive mechanism (drive means), 23, 57... Holder side light shielding box (first light shielding box), 27, 28, 59... Positioning member, 27a, 28a. ... inner light shielding body (second light shielding body), 33 ... outer light shielding body (second light shielding body), 34, 51, 52 ... recess for receiving, 39, 63 ... light shielding body (first light shielding body) 39a, 56a, 63a ... insertion part, 42, 54 ... light shielding member, 56 ... light shielding body (second light shielding body).

Claims (4)

Imaging means for imaging light from the sample;
A sample holder for placing a container containing the sample;
A light guide member for guiding light from the sample to the imaging means;
Driving means for relatively moving the sample holder and the light guide member in the vertical direction;
A first light shielding box having a first light shielding body provided so as to surround the sample holder;
A second light shielding box having a second light shielding body provided so as to surround the light guide member;
With
One of the first and second light shielding members has an insertion portion for forming a light shielding space between the first light shielding box and the second light shielding box. 2. A photodetecting device, wherein a receiving recess into which the insertion portion is inserted is formed on the other of the two light shielding bodies.   The light shielding member which engages with the other light-shielding body of the said 1st and 2nd light-shielding box is provided in either one of the said 1st and 2nd light-shielding box. Light detection device.   The light detection device according to claim 2, wherein the light shielding member is supported by an elastic member having an elastic force in the vertical direction. The second light shielding box is provided with positioning means for positioning the container when the insertion portion is inserted into the receiving recess.
The said positioning means has a positioning member which has a taper surface engaged with the said container, and an elastic body which urges | biases the said positioning member inside a said 2nd light-shielding box, The 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The light detection apparatus as described.

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