JP2008175722A - Analyzing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an analyzing device that reduces the preparing frequency of the calibration curve prepared by measuring the optical characteristic of standard solution, such as absorbance, improves efficiency of measurement, reduces the material cost of the measurement, and can effectively use the space of a micro-plate. <P>SOLUTION: This analyzing device comprises a measuring section for measuring the optical characteristic of a liquid sample after a chemical reaction is caused according to a predetermined analysis protocol, and a calibration curve data preparing section. The analyzing device analyzes concentration of predetermined material contained in the liquid sample. The analyzing device also comprises a calibration curve data storage section, a temperature control unit, and a control section for controlling the temperature control unit so that the reaction temperature is substantially the same as the reaction temperature of standard solution of the predetermined material whose concentration is known beforehand. The analyzing device analyzes the concentration of the predetermined material in the liquid sample based on the optical characteristic obtained by measuring, by the measuring section, the liquid sample in which chemical reaction occurs under the reaction temperature controlled by the temperature control unit and the calibration curve data stored in the calibration curve data storage section. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an analyzer for analyzing the concentration of a specific substance contained in food, pharmaceuticals, serum, etc., and more particularly to an analyzer for analyzing the concentration of a specific substance using a calibration curve created from a standard solution. .

Conventionally, as an analyzer for analyzing the concentration of a specific substance contained in food, medicine, serum, etc., for example, using a measurement kit comprising an enzyme complex reagent defined by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, a sample and an enzyme complex reagent There is known an analyzer utilizing an ELISA method (enzyme immunoassay) in which the concentration of a specific raw material is analyzed by measuring the absorbance of a colored enzyme complex reagent.
Such a conventional analyzer includes a plate base on which a microplate having a large number of wells for storing a liquid sample is placed, a dispensing unit for dispensing an enzyme complex reagent into the wells, and the dispensing unit and A moving mechanism for moving the microplate in the three directions of the X, Y, and Z axes, a washing area for washing the wells of the microplate, a reaction area for reacting the liquid sample and the enzyme complex reagent, and dispensing An area, a measurement area for measuring absorbance, an apparatus main body supporting these, and a PC (Personal Computer) for controlling each process such as movement, dispensing, washing and reaction of the microplate.
With the above configuration, in a conventional analyzer, when a liquid sample consisting of a sample such as food is dispensed into a well of a microplate and the preparation is completed, a control program in which a predetermined analysis item is set is started and moved. Work and chemical reaction in each area consisting of X axis, Y axis and Z axis movements from the plate base of the microplate by the mechanism in the three axis directions, dispensing area, reaction area, washing area and measurement area are completed Then, the movement of the microplate and the chemical reaction of the liquid sample are automatically advanced until the analysis is completed.
In the measurement area of such a conventional analyzer, a standard solution and a liquid sample are dispensed on a microplate, the absorbance of the standard solution and the liquid sample is measured, and a calibration curve is created from the measured absorbance of the standard solution. The concentration of the specific substance contained in the liquid sample is determined from the absorbance of the liquid sample measured using this calibration curve. Since this calibration curve serves as a reference for determining the concentration of the specific substance in the liquid sample, it is desirable that the calibration curve be as accurate as possible. In order to obtain a highly accurate calibration curve, a standard solution is accommodated for each microplate to be measured, and the absorbance of the standard solution and the liquid sample is measured under the same measurement conditions. The calibration curve is obtained from the absorbance of the standard solution measured each time. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-34354 (paragraph numbers [0005], [0019], etc.)

  However, in the thing of patent document 1, a standard solution is accommodated in the 1st row | line of the microplate to measure, a liquid sample is accommodated in the 2nd row | line and subsequent, and a standard solution and a liquid sample of a microplate reader are accommodated. Both absorbances are measured, a calibration curve is created from the absorbance of the standard solution, and the concentration of a specific substance such as calcium contained in the liquid sample is determined from the absorbance of the liquid sample based on the created calibration curve. As a result, for each microplate to be measured, the step of measuring the absorbance of the standard solution to create a calibration curve occupies a part of the measurement step, and there is a problem that the measurement efficiency is lowered. In addition, since the standard solution is used for each measurement, there is a problem that the material cost for the measurement is increased and it takes time to prepare the standard solution each time. Furthermore, there is a problem that the space for storing the liquid sample on the microplate is narrowed by the space for storing the standard solution.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to solve the conventional problems as described above and achieve the following objects. That is, the present invention reduces the number of calibration curves created by measuring the optical properties of a standard solution such as absorbance, improves measurement efficiency, reduces measurement material costs, and saves microplate space. An object of the present invention is to provide an analyzer that can be used effectively.

  In the analyzer according to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, (1) according to a predetermined analysis protocol, a reagent and a liquid sample are respectively dispensed into a plurality of containers, and the dispensed into the containers A measurement unit that measures the optical properties of the liquid sample after the liquid sample has undergone a chemical reaction with the reagent, and a standard solution of a predetermined substance whose concentration is known in advance according to the predetermined analysis protocol A calibration curve data creation unit that measures the optical characteristics of the standard solution after the occurrence of the calibration and creates calibration curve data representing the relationship between the optical properties and the concentration of the standard solution measured by the measurement unit. Analyzing the concentration of the predetermined substance contained in the liquid sample based on the calibration curve data created by the calibration curve data creation unit and the optical characteristics of the liquid sample measured by the measurement unit In the analyzer, a calibration curve data storage unit for storing the calibration curve data, a temperature control unit for controlling a reaction temperature of the liquid sample, and a reaction temperature of a standard solution of the predetermined substance whose concentration is known in advance are substantially the same. And a control unit that controls the temperature control unit so that the reaction temperature is equal to the reaction temperature, and the liquid sample that has undergone a chemical reaction under the reaction temperature controlled by the temperature control unit is measured by the measurement unit. Based on the optical characteristics and the calibration curve data stored in the calibration curve data storage unit, the concentration of the predetermined substance in the liquid sample is analyzed.

With the above configuration, the analysis apparatus according to the present invention performs analysis according to a predetermined analysis protocol. The predetermined analysis protocol refers to a description of experimental procedures such as sample preparation, mixing, processing and reaction time, processing and reaction temperature, sample type and quantity, and other conditions. First, in accordance with this analysis protocol, a liquid sample and a standard solution to be measured are prepared and stored in a rack container. When the microplate is allowed to stand in the plate stationary part and the preparation for analysis is completed, the control program is executed by the control part, the dispensing unit moving mechanism part, the dispensing unit part, the plate stationary part, the washing part, and the measuring part Is controlled. In the measurement unit, the standard optical characteristics of a standard solution of a predetermined substance whose concentration is known in advance are measured by dispensing into a microplate. Next, calibration curve data representing the relationship between the standard optical characteristics measured by the calibration curve data creation unit and the concentration of the predetermined substance is created. The calibration curve data created by the calibration curve data creation unit is stored in the calibration curve data storage unit, and after the calibration curve data is stored in the calibration curve data storage unit, the optical characteristics of the liquid sample measured by the measurement unit and Based on the calibration curve data stored in the calibration curve data storage unit, the concentration of the predetermined substance in the liquid sample is analyzed. After the calibration curve data is stored in the calibration curve data storage unit, the concentration of the predetermined substance in the liquid sample is analyzed based on the calibration curve data, so the number of calibration curves created from the absorbance of the standard solution is reduced. The measurement efficiency is improved, the standard solution is unnecessary, the material cost is reduced, and the space of the microplate is effectively used.
Further, according to a predetermined analysis protocol, each part is controlled so that the analysis conditions are the same every time. As a result, an analysis result with higher reproducibility than the conventional analysis can be obtained. Further, it is possible to reduce the number of times of drawing the calibration curve.

The analyzer according to the present invention may further include (2) a concentration calculation unit that calculates the concentration of the predetermined substance in the liquid sample based on the calibration curve data stored in the calibration curve data storage unit. preferable.
With the above configuration, in the analyzer according to the present invention, when the concentration calculation unit calculates the concentration of the predetermined substance of the liquid sample based on the calibration curve data stored in the calibration curve data storage unit, the measurement unit measures The concentration of the predetermined substance contained in the liquid sample thus obtained is finally obtained.

In the analyzer according to the present invention, (3) the liquid sample contains the predetermined substance by comparing the concentration reference value set in advance with the concentration of the liquid sample calculated by the concentration calculator. It is preferable to have a determination unit that determines whether or not the
With the above configuration, in the analyzer according to the present invention, the concentration reference value set in advance and the concentration of the liquid sample calculated by the concentration calculation unit are compared by the determination unit, and the liquid sample measured by the measurement unit is obtained. It is determined whether or not a predetermined substance is contained.

In the analyzer according to the present invention, (4) the control unit is configured so that the reaction time of the liquid sample is substantially the same as the reaction time of the standard solution according to the predetermined analysis protocol. The reaction time may be controlled.
With the above configuration, in the analyzer according to the present invention, the reaction time of the liquid sample is controlled by the control unit according to a predetermined analysis protocol so that the reaction time of the liquid sample is substantially the same as the reaction time of the standard solution. Then, the measurement data of the liquid sample can be approximated to the measurement data of the standard solution.

Moreover, in the analyzer according to the present invention, (5) the control unit is configured such that when the liquid sample is chemically reacted according to the predetermined analysis protocol, the dispensing amount of the reagent and the liquid sample is the standard solution. It is preferable to control the dispensing amount of the reagent and the liquid sample when the liquid sample is chemically reacted so that the dispensing amount of the reagent and the standard solution when the chemical reaction is performed is approximately the same. .
With the above-described configuration, in the analyzer according to the present invention, the control unit performs the chemical reaction of the liquid sample according to a predetermined analysis protocol, and the dispensing amount of the liquid sample is the same as that when the standard solution is chemically reacted. By controlling the amount of reagent and liquid sample dispensed when the liquid sample is chemically reacted so that the amount of reagent and standard solution dispensed is approximately the same, the measurement data of the liquid sample approximates the measurement data of the standard solution. Can be made.

Further, in the analyzer according to the present invention, (6) a cleaning unit that sucks the liquid in each container after the completion of each chemical reaction and injects a cleaning liquid into each container to clean each container. Each time the controller performs cleaning of the containers by the cleaning unit, the suction amount of the liquid in the containers and the injection amount of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning unit are controlled to be the same amount, respectively. You may make it do.
With the above configuration, in the analyzer according to the present invention, the control unit aspirates the liquid in each container after the end of each chemical reaction in the cleaning unit, and injects the cleaning liquid into each container to clean each container. Each time the amount of liquid sucked in each container and the amount of cleaning liquid injected are controlled to be the same, each container can be cleaned with a sufficient amount of cleaning liquid at the end of each chemical reaction. A certain chemical reaction occurs, and the measurement data of the liquid sample can be approximated to the measurement data of the standard solution.

  According to the analyzer according to claim 1, after the calibration curve data is stored in the calibration curve data storage unit, the concentration of the predetermined substance in the liquid sample is analyzed based on the calibration curve data. The number of calibration curves created from characteristics can be reduced, measurement efficiency can be improved, standard solutions are not required, material costs can be reduced, and microplate space can also be used effectively be able to. In accordance with a predetermined analysis protocol, each part is controlled so that the analysis conditions are the same every time. As a result, an analysis result with higher reproducibility than the conventional analysis can be obtained. Further, it is possible to reduce the number of times of drawing the calibration curve.

  According to the analyzer according to claim 2, the concentration of the predetermined substance of the liquid sample is calculated by the concentration calculation unit based on the calibration curve data stored in the calibration curve data storage unit, and the liquid measured by the measurement unit is measured. Since the concentration of the specified substance contained in the sample is finally obtained, the number of calibration curves created from the optical properties of the standard solution can be reduced, the measurement efficiency can be improved, and the standard solution Therefore, the material cost can be reduced, and the space of the microplate can be used effectively.

  According to the analyzer according to claim 3, the concentration reference value set in advance and the concentration of the liquid sample calculated by the concentration calculation unit are compared by the determination unit, and the liquid sample measured by the measurement unit is predetermined. Since it is determined whether or not a substance is contained, it is possible to automatically and efficiently analyze whether or not a predetermined substance is contained in a liquid sample.

  Further, according to the analyzer of claim 4, the control unit controls the reaction time of the liquid sample so that the reaction time of the liquid sample is substantially the same as the reaction time of the standard solution according to a predetermined analysis protocol. Therefore, the measurement data of the liquid sample can be approximated to the measurement data of the standard solution.

  Further, according to the analyzer of claim 5, the control unit causes the reagent when the liquid sample is chemically reacted according to a predetermined analysis protocol and the dispensing amount of the liquid sample to be the reagent when the standard solution is chemically reacted. The amount of reagent and liquid sample dispensed when the chemical reaction of the liquid sample is controlled so that it is approximately the same as the amount of the standard solution dispensed. Can be approximated.

  In addition, according to the analyzer of claim 6, each time the controller cleans each container by sucking the liquid in each container after the end of each chemical reaction by the controller, and injecting the cleaning liquid into each container. In addition, since the amount of liquid sucked in each container and the amount of cleaning liquid injected are controlled to be the same, each container can be cleaned with sufficient cleaning liquid each time each chemical reaction is completed. A constant chemical reaction always occurs, and the measurement data of the liquid sample can be approximated to the measurement data of the standard solution.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an analyzer according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1-16 has shown an example of embodiment of the analyzer which concerns on this invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the analyzer 1 includes an apparatus main body 2, a plate stationary unit 3, a cleaning unit 4, a measuring unit 5, a dispensing unit unit 6, and a dispensing unit moving mechanism unit 7. , Plate moving mechanism unit 8, control unit 9, calibration curve data creation unit, calibration curve data storage unit and data processing unit 10 as concentration calculation unit, transmission / reception unit 11, chip rack 15, reagent rack 16 The liquid sample and standard solution rack 17 and the disposal area 18 are configured.

  The apparatus main body 2 includes a power supply unit 21, a waste chip container 22, a waste liquid bottle 23, cleaning liquid bottles 24 and 25, a storage housing 2 a for storing these, a cover 26, and a cover for attaching the cover 26. It is comprised by the attachment boss | hub 2b.

  The power supply unit 21 is configured by a predetermined converter and the like, and is supplied with a 100 V to 220 V AC power supply, and from the cleaning unit 4, the measurement unit 5, the dispensing unit unit 6, the dispensing unit moving mechanism unit 7, and the plate moving mechanism. The unit 8 and the transmission / reception unit 11 are converted into a predetermined power source, for example, + 12V for driving a servo motor, -5V, -12V for a memory IC, and the like.

  The waste chip container 22 is composed of, for example, a container made of plastic or the like, and is disposed in the lower front portion of the housing 2a as shown in FIG. When the disposable chip to be attached and detached for each dispensing in the dispensing unit 6 is used, the discarded disposable chips are discarded from the disposal area 18 and accumulated in the discarded chip container 22. ing.

  The waste liquid bottle 23 is formed of, for example, a container made of plastic or the like, and is disposed in the lower front part of the housing 2a as shown in FIG. In the cleaning unit 4, the waste liquid such as the sucked liquid sample S is accumulated in the waste liquid bottle 23.

  The cleaning liquid bottles 24 and 25 are made of, for example, containers made of plastic or the like, and are arranged at the lower front of the housing 2a as shown in FIG. The cleaning liquid bottles 24 and 25 store cleaning liquid for cleaning the well 20a of the microplate 20, and the cleaning liquid is discharged from the cleaning unit 4 to the well 20a.

  In the cover 26, a cover mounting boss 2b provided in the apparatus main body 2 and a cover mounting hole 26a are rotatably engaged with each other, and the cover 26 is configured by a box having one side opened. With the above configuration, the cover 26 is opened and closed around the cover mounting boss 2b. When the cover 26 is opened, the control program of the control unit 9 may not be started, and conversely, when the control program is being executed, the cover 26 may not be opened. Further, when the cover 26 is closed, the analyzer 1 may be sealed so that it is not affected by the outside.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the plate stationary unit 3 includes a Peltier module 31 that is a Peltier element and serves as a temperature control unit, and a housing 32 that houses the Peltier module 31. In the vicinity of the lower part, the Peltier element is arranged on the microplate 20 side. With the above configuration, the microplate 20 supported by the plate moving mechanism unit 8 according to the control program of the control unit 9 is stopped by the plate moving mechanism unit 8 when the plate moving mechanism unit 8 stops. It is left in the vicinity for a predetermined time. While the microplate 20 is allowed to stand for a predetermined time, the current supplied to the Peltier element is controlled, and the microplate 20 has a predetermined temperature, for example, the liquid sample S and the antibody magnetic bead solution, the standard solution H, and the enzyme substrate solution. In order to suitably promote the chemical reaction with the reagent D composed of a reaction stop solution or the like, the temperature is controlled to be maintained at 20 ° C. to 30 ° C., preferably around 25 ° C. Specifically, the Peltier module 31 is controlled by the control program of the control unit 9 so that the reaction temperature is substantially the same as the reaction temperature of the standard solution H of a predetermined substance whose concentration is known in advance. When power is supplied from the power supply unit 21, the Peltier element constituting the Peltier module 31 is kept at a predetermined temperature by controlling the supply of power because one side becomes low temperature and the other side becomes high temperature due to heat generation. To be controlled.
Further, according to a predetermined analysis protocol, the reaction time of the liquid sample S is controlled so that the reaction time of the liquid sample S is substantially the same as the reaction time of the standard solution H. In this control, it is preferable that a temperature sensor is attached to the reaction space and feedback control is performed in real time so that the space always has a constant temperature determined by a predetermined analysis protocol. By performing feedback control in real time, the liquid sample S can be analyzed under the same conditions as a predetermined analysis protocol.
Furthermore, a temperature sensor is attached to the reaction part space, and the temperature change per unit time when the standard solution H is reacted is stored in a storage medium such as the calibration curve data storage part 152, for example. Control may be performed so that the temperature change is followed during the reaction, that is, the temperature change is similar to the stored temperature change.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the plate stationary part 3 has been described as being configured by the Peltier module 31 including a Peltier element. However, a heating wire is formed between a heater and other heating elements such as a silicon rubber sheet. A sheet heater (planar heating element) having a pattern wiring, a plate heater made of ceramic, or the like may be used.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the cleaning unit 4 includes a cleaning head unit 41, a magnet 42, a magnet moving mechanism 43 that supports and moves the magnet 42, and a housing that supports the magnet 42 and the magnet moving mechanism 43. 44.
The cleaning head unit 41 includes a suction nozzle 41a that sucks the liquid sample S stored in the well 20a, a discharge nozzle 41b that discharges the cleaning liquid, a lifting mechanism 41e that lifts and lowers the suction nozzle 41a and the discharge nozzle 41b, and a suction A liquid sample discharge pipe 41c for discharging the liquid sample S sucked by the nozzle 41a to the waste liquid bottle 23 and a cleaning liquid supply pipe 41d for supplying the cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge nozzle 41b from the cleaning liquid bottles 24 and 25. It is configured.

  With the above configuration, the microplate 20 supported by the plate moving mechanism unit 8 is allowed to stand for a predetermined time near the upper portion of the cleaning unit 4 when the plate moving mechanism unit 8 stops at the cleaning unit 4, and the lifting mechanism 41e. Accordingly, the cleaning head unit 41 is lowered to a predetermined position, and the inside of the well 20a is cleaned by the cleaning unit 4 at the predetermined position. As shown in FIG. 9, when the liquid sample S contained in the well 20 a by the suction nozzle 41 a of the cleaning unit 4 and including the antibody magnetic beads B is suctioned and cleaned, the magnet 42 is moved by the magnet moving mechanism 43 to the microplate. Since the magnetic field is formed by the magnet 42 in the vicinity of the lower part 20, the antibody magnetic beads B are attracted to the magnet and the antibody magnetic beads B remain in the well without being attracted. The cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid bottles 24 and 25 to the cleaning unit 4 through the cleaning liquid supply pipe 41d, and is discharged from the discharge nozzle 41b. The liquid sample S sucked by the suction nozzle 41a is discharged to the waste liquid bottle 23 through the liquid sample discharge pipe 41c.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the case where the magnet 42 is configured by a permanent magnet has been described, but it may be configured by an electromagnet. In the case of an electromagnet, the magnet moving mechanism 43 is not necessary, a switch mechanism for controlling the electromagnet is provided, the microplate 20 supported by the plate moving mechanism unit 8 is replaced by the plate moving mechanism unit 8 by the cleaning unit 4. By stopping, the electromagnet may be turned on to generate a magnetic field when left in the vicinity of the upper portion of the cleaning unit 4 for a predetermined time, and turned off when the cleaning is completed.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the antibody magnetic beads B are made of magnetic fine particles having a diameter of several μm, and various substances and antibodies are coated on the surface so that, for example, substances of specific raw materials can be captured. Yes. The antibody magnetic beads B may be mixed with a predetermined solution and discharged from the nozzle 62 of the dispensing unit 6 to be dispensed into the well 20a.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, 10, and 11, the measurement unit 5 includes a detection unit 51, an optical characteristic calculation unit 52, a plate storage housing 53 that stores the detection unit 51, a shutter 54, Hinges 54a and 54b for opening and closing the shutter 54 and coil springs (not shown) incorporated in the hinges 54a and 54b. The plate storage housing 53 is configured such that the microplate 20 supported by the plate moving mechanism 8 is opened and closed by opening and closing the entrance 53a. The shutter 54 is configured by a plate-like body and is always biased to be closed by a coil spring (not shown) incorporated in the hinges 54a and 52b. That is, when the microplate 20 is stored in the plate storage housing 53, that is, When moving to the measuring unit 5 and stopped, the shutter 54 is closed, the plate housing 53 is sealed, and light does not enter the plate housing 53 from the outside. When the shutter 54 is opened and closed, the plate stationary unit 3 is moved toward the cleaning unit 4 by the moving mechanism provided in the plate stationary unit 3, so that the opening and closing of the shutter 54 is not hindered.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the shutter 54 is configured to close the entrance / exit 51a so that light does not enter the plate housing 53 from the outside. However, the shutter 54 is not used, and the storage housing 2a is not used. You may comprise so that light may not enter into the inside of the storage housing | casing 2a with the cover 26 from the outside. In this case, the cover 26 may be formed of plastic or metal that does not transmit light.

The detection unit 51 includes an optical measurement unit 55 and an interface (not shown) for transmitting the detection result measured and detected by the optical measurement unit 55 to the optical characteristic calculation unit 52.
For example, when measuring the absorbance as one example, the optical measurement unit 55, as shown in FIG. 7, includes a halogen lamp 55a, a spectral filter 55b, an optical fiber 55c, a liquid sample S stored in the well 20a, and A condenser lens 55d for passing light through the standard solution H, a lens substrate 55e that supports the condenser lens 55d, a condenser lens 55f that collects the light that has passed through the liquid sample S and the standard solution H, and a condenser lens The lens substrate 55g that supports 55f and the light receiving portion 55h are arranged inside the plate housing 53. The condensing lens 55d and the condensing lens 55f are arranged at positions facing each other with the microplate 20 in between. The microplate 20 is provided with 16 wells 20a from 1 to 16 in a horizontal row, and one condensing lens 55d and one condensing lens 55f are provided for each well 20a, for a total of 16 sets. ing. The number of condenser lenses 55f may be reduced depending on how each well 20a is used. For example, when 1 to 15 in a horizontal row is used and the 16th well 20a is not used, the condensing lens 55f may be a total of 15 sets corresponding to 1 to 15 in the horizontal row.

  With the above configuration, when the halogen lamp 55a of the light source is turned on, the light is split into a predetermined wavelength λ, for example, several types of wavelengths λ in the range of 400 nm to 700 nm by the spectral filter 55b. When the optimum wavelength λ is selected according to S, the standard solution H, and the reagent D, the light sample S and the standard solution in the well 20a are transmitted through the optical fiber 55c and the condenser lens 55d. The light is projected onto H, the light is transmitted through the liquid sample S and the standard solution H, and further received by the light receiving unit 55h via the condenser lens 55f. Since a total of 16 sets of the condensing lens 55d and the condensing lens 55f are provided, the liquid sample S and the standard solution H in the 16 wells 20a are simultaneously projected and received.

  When the light projection and reception to the liquid sample S and the standard solution H in the 16 wells 20a are completed, the microplate 20 is moved by one row by the plate moving mechanism unit 8, and the projection to the next 16 wells 20a row is performed. Light is received. When the light receiving unit 55h receives light, a current proportional to the amount of light transmitted through the liquid sample S and the standard solution H is generated, and a signal corresponding to the generated current is output to the optical characteristic calculation unit 52.

In the measurement unit 5 according to the present embodiment, the optical measurement unit 55 measures the amount of light transmitted through the liquid sample S in the microplate 20 and the well 20a, and outputs a signal to the optical characteristic calculation unit 52. Although the example in which the optical characteristic calculation unit 52 calculates the absorbance based on the signal has been described, the fluorescence intensity or the emission intensity may be calculated instead of the absorbance.
Fluorescence intensity refers to the property of emitting light having a wavelength λ different from the wavelength λ of the irradiated light, that is, the property of emitting fluorescence, depending on the type of material when irradiated with light in the visible or ultraviolet region. Yes, it refers to the intensity of the emitted fluorescence. For example, when a microorganism is irradiated with excitation light having a peak wavelength of 366 nm, fluorescence having a wavelength of 430 nm to 490 nm is emitted from the microorganism.
This fluorescence intensity can be measured as follows. First, a fluorescent dye is labeled on the antibody to be measured, and the excitation wavelength λ is irradiated. Fluorescence is emitted from the fluorescent dye by irradiation. This fluorescence is measured by a fluorescence measurement module configured to measure the fluorescence intensity in the optical measurement unit 55. In the fluorescence measurement module, only a specific wavelength λ that has passed through the fluorescence wavelength selection unit is detected, and the detected specific wavelength λ can be converted into an electrical signal to be measured and calculated. Since the fluorescence intensity is proportional to the concentration of the fluorescent substance, the concentration of the fluorescent substance can be obtained by quantifying the relationship between the fluorescence intensity and the concentration of the fluorescent substance in advance and obtaining the fluorescence intensity.

The luminescence intensity refers to, for example, the intensity (Lux or mW / cm ² ) of light emitted from the enzyme complex reagent by reacting the sample with the enzyme complex reagent. Using the ELISA method (enzyme immunoassay) that measures the light intensity and analyzes the content of the specific substance, the concentration of the luminescent substance can be obtained as follows. First, a luminescent dye is labeled on the antibody to be measured, and the intensity of emitted light is measured by a luminescence measurement module configured to measure the luminescence intensity in the optical measurement unit 55. In the luminescence measurement module, measurement and calculation can be performed by converting the intensity of received light into an electric signal. Since the light intensity emitted by the luminescent dye is proportional to the concentration of the luminescent substance, the Eliza method measures the light intensity by quantifying the relationship between the luminescence intensity and the concentration of the luminescent substance in advance and obtaining the luminescence intensity. In (enzyme immunoassay), a light source is not required as compared with a method for measuring absorbance and fluorescence intensity, so that the measuring apparatus can be made to have a simpler structure.

The optical characteristic calculation unit 52 includes an integrated circuit (Integrated Circuit) for processing the signal sent from the optical measurement unit 55, an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and a RAM (Random Access) for storing the result of the processing. Memory) and the transmission / reception unit 11 provided in the apparatus main body 2 and a transmission / reception unit capable of wireless communication. For example, the optical characteristic calculation unit 52 is configured by a PC or the like.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the case where the connection between the apparatus main body unit 2 and the optical characteristic calculation unit 52 is configured by wireless connection using a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the like has been described. Or you may comprise by the cable connection by RS-232 cable etc.

  When the optical characteristic calculation unit 52 receives the detection result measured and detected by the optical measurement unit 55 in the detection unit 51, the optical property calculation unit 52 contains specific raw materials contained in the liquid sample S or the standard solution H based on the detection result. An optical characteristic for calculating the concentration of the substance is calculated. For example, when calculating the absorbance, which is one of the optical characteristics, first, the transmittance is calculated by arithmetic processing. If the transmittance is T, the intensity of light applied to the liquid sample S or standard solution H is X, and the light intensity after passing through the liquid sample S or standard solution H is Y, the transmittance T is expressed by the following equation: , T (%) = X / Y × 100. Usually, the liquid sample S or standard solution H in the well 20a is measured after being 100% aligned (calibrated) in an empty cell (microplate 20) containing pure water, so that the transmittance is optical. It can be directly calculated from the signal sent from the measurement unit 55, and there is no need to calculate the transmittance of the empty cell. Next, the absorbance is calculated from the calculated transmittance. Assuming that the absorbance is A, the absorbance A is generally calculated as A = −log 10 (lo / l). lo represents the transmitted light intensity of the light transmitted through the empty cell (microplate 20), and l represents the transmitted light of the light transmitted through both the microplate 20 and the liquid sample S or both the microplate 20 and the standard solution H. Represents strength. In the present embodiment, 100% alignment (calibration) is performed in the empty cell (microplate 20), and thus the absorbance can be calculated by the following equation: absorbance = −log (T / 100). Alternatively, the absorbance A may be calculated by measuring the transmitted light intensity lo every measurement without performing 100% adjustment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the dispensing unit unit 6 includes a housing 61, a nozzle 62, a nozzle lifting mechanism (not shown), a syringe pump and a tube (not shown). The casing 61 is supported by the dispensing unit moving mechanism unit 7 on the back surface 61a. The nozzle 62 includes a mechanism that detachably holds one or a plurality of nozzles 62. For example, in the present embodiment, the nozzle 62 includes a so-called five-unit nozzle that holds five nozzles 62 as shown in FIG. ing. The nozzle 62 is composed of a disposable tip that can be attached and detached at every dispensing. The nozzle raising / lowering mechanism includes, for example, a micromotor as a drive source (not shown), a controller that controls the micromotor, and a guide rail that raises and lowers the nozzle, and is configured so that each nozzle 62 can be raised and lowered independently.

  With the above configuration, the dispensing unit unit 6 includes the chip rack 15, the reagent rack 16, the liquid sample and standard solution rack 17, the disposal area 18, and the microplate 20 that are set in the analyzer 1 shown in FIG. A predetermined position, for example, an address formed by a distance a, b, c away from a predetermined reference position (0, 0, 0) in each of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions (a, According to the control program, the dispensing unit moving mechanism unit 7 moves to b, c). Further, one or a plurality of the above-mentioned five nozzles 62 are moved up and down independently of other nozzles as necessary.

  When the dispensing unit 6 moves to the tip rack 15, the dispensing unit 6 moves the nozzle 62 after the nozzle 62 is lowered by the nozzle lifting mechanism and the disposable tip held in the tip rack 15 is attached. As a result, it moves up to a position where it can move to the subsequent dispensing operation in the shortest time without interfering with other parts.

  When the dispensing unit unit 6 moves to the reagent rack 16, the dispensing unit unit 6 lowers the nozzle 62 by the nozzle lifting mechanism and the antibody solution, the enzyme substrate solution, and the reaction that are injected into the container in the reagent rack 16. After selecting the reagent D consisting of a stop solution or the like according to each step, and operating the syringe pump to suck the reagent D from the nozzle 62, the nozzle 62 does not interfere with other parts while moving, and the subsequent minute It moves up to a position where it can shift to the note operation in the shortest time.

  Further, when the dispensing unit unit 6 moves to the liquid sample and standard solution rack 17, the dispensing unit unit 6 lowers the nozzle 62 by the nozzle lifting mechanism, and the eggs accommodated in the liquid sample and standard solution rack 17; After selecting a liquid sample S made of a specific raw material such as milk, standard solution H, sample solution and antibody magnetic bead solution according to each step, and operating the syringe pump to suck the liquid sample S and the like from the nozzle 62 The nozzle 62 is moved up to a position where it does not interfere with other parts during movement and can be shifted to the subsequent dispensing operation in the shortest time.

  When the dispensing unit 6 moves to the disposal area 18, the dispensing unit 6 removes the used disposable tip from the nozzle 62 after the reagent D, liquid sample S, standard solution H, etc. are dispensed. To be disposed in the disposal area 18. The discarded disposable chip is accumulated in the waste chip container 22 through the discard passage.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the dispensing unit moving mechanism unit 7 controls an X-axis moving rail 71, a Y-axis moving rail 72, a Z-axis moving rail 73, a servo motor as a drive source (not shown), and a servo motor. Consists of a controller. With the above configuration, the dispensing unit moving mechanism unit 7 automatically drives the servo motor via the controller based on the control program in the control unit 9 to move the dispensing unit unit 6 to the predetermined position, It is designed to stop for a predetermined time.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the plate moving mechanism unit 8 includes a right guide rail 81, a left guide rail 82, and a support unit 83.
The right guide rail 81 is provided with a groove having a predetermined width and a predetermined depth in the longitudinal direction of the side surface facing the left guide rail 82, and a right rack gear 81a is formed on one side surface of the groove.
The left guide rail 82 is provided with a groove having a predetermined width and depth in the longitudinal direction of the side surface facing the right guide rail 81, and a left rack gear similar to the right rack gear 81a is formed on one side of the groove.

  The support unit 83 includes a plate portion 83a, a support unit 84 that supports the four corners of the microplate 20, a right clamp portion 85 that is fixed to the plate portion 83a and engages with the right guide rail 81, and a left side that is fixed to the plate portion 83a. A servo motor 89 supported by a left clamp part 86 that engages with the guide rail 82, a right support member 87 and a left support member 88, a helical gear mechanism 90 that is connected to and driven by the servo motor 89, and a helical gear. A right shaft 91 connected to the mechanism 90 and having a pinion gear formed at the tip thereof, a left shaft 92 connected to the helical gear mechanism 90 and having a pinion gear formed at the tip thereof, and a controller (not shown). The support unit 84 may not support the four corners as long as it supports the microplate 20 on the plate portion 83a. For example, you may form in two corners and another one place, the two side parts of the microplate 20, etc.

  With the above configuration, in the plate moving mechanism portion 8, when the microplate 20 is attached to the support units 84 at the four corners, the microplate 20 is fixed to the plate portion 83a. In accordance with the control program of the control unit 9, the servo motor 89 is driven, the helical gear mechanism 90 connected to the servo motor 89 is driven, and the right shaft 91 and the left shaft 92 are simultaneously rotated in the same direction. Yes. When the right shaft 91 and the left shaft 92 are simultaneously driven, the pinion gear at the tip of the right shaft 91 meshes with the right rack gear 81a formed on the right guide rail 81, and the pinion gear at the tip of the left shaft 92 is moved to the left guide. It meshes with a rack gear (not shown) formed on the rail 82, the right clamp portion 85 is guided by the right guide rail 81, and the left clamp portion 86 is guided by the left guide rail 82 and moves in the direction of arrow A. .

Further, according to the control program of the control unit 9, the microplate 20 is moved by the plate moving mechanism unit 8, moved to the plate stationary unit 3 and stopped, and the dispensing unit moving mechanism unit 7 moved to the upper part of the predetermined microplate 20. Then, the reagent D is dispensed, and a predetermined time is required until the chemical reaction between the antibody magnetic beads B and the standard solution H and the dispensed reagent D is completed. For a few seconds to a few minutes.
When the microplate 20 moves from the plate stationary unit 3 to the cleaning unit 4 and stops, the cleaning of the well 20a is started by the cleaning unit 4, and is stationary for a predetermined time until the cleaning is completed. Further, when the microplate 20 is moved from the cleaning unit 4 to the measuring unit 5 and stopped, the optical measuring unit 55 is operated so that the light receiving unit 55h receives transmitted light and outputs a signal for a predetermined time.

  The movement of the microplate 20 by the plate moving mechanism 8 described above is performed a predetermined chemical reaction and cleaning by reciprocating a plurality of times between the plate stationary part 3 and the cleaning part 4 according to the control program of the control part 9. It is like that. Although the control program of the control unit 9 is activated and varies depending on the type of the specific raw material and the type of the liquid sample S and the standard solution H until the final analysis step, all analysis is completed in about 30 minutes to 1 hour. ing.

  In the plate moving mechanism unit 8 according to the present embodiment, the plate moving mechanism unit 8 uses a servo motor as a driving source, converts the driving force into a linear motion using a rack and a pinion, and uses a guide rail to generate a microplate. Although the example which comprised 20 was moved horizontally was demonstrated, you may comprise with a well-known moving mechanism if it is a moving mechanism which moves the microplate 20 horizontally. For example, a mechanism that converts the power of a known drive source such as a servo motor or a stepping motor into horizontal movement using a timing pulley and a timing belt, a mechanism that converts the power of a known drive source into horizontal movement using a ball screw and a slider, and a guide for the drive source It may be a known movement mechanism such as a linear movement mechanism using a linear servo motor that is directly attached to the rod and the drive source itself moves linearly along the guide rod. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, when the microplate 20 moves to the measuring unit 5 and stops, the entire guide rail in the plate moving mechanism unit 8 is completely stored in the plate storage housing 53. May be.

As a specific example of the above-described known moving mechanism, a plate moving mechanism unit 100 shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C will be described.
The plate moving mechanism unit 100 includes a left guide rail 101, a right guide rail 102, a microplate support unit 103, a belt driving unit 104, and a connecting unit 105.
The left guide rail 101 has a guide groove 101 a for engaging with the left guide pins 107 a and 107 b provided on the left stay 107 and guiding the microplate support portion 103, so as to face the right guide rail 102. It is fixed to the left inner surface of the plate housing 53.
The right guide rail 102 has a guide groove 102 a that engages with right guide pins 108 a and 108 b provided on the right stay 108 to guide the microplate support portion 103, and is positioned to face the left guide rail 101. The plate housing 53 is fixed to the right inner surface.

  The microplate support unit 103 includes a support plate 106 that supports the microplate 20, a left stay 107 and a right stay 108 fixed to the support plate 106, a lateral stay 109 that connects the left stay 107 and the right stay 108, The left guide pins 107a and 107b engaged with the guide groove 101a and the right guide pins 108a and 108b engaged with the guide groove 102a are configured. With this configuration, the belt drive unit 104 is driven to move horizontally in the direction of arrow A or B via the connecting unit 105.

  The belt drive unit 104 includes a drive pulley 113, a driven pulley 114, a timing belt 115, a drive motor 116 that drives the drive pulley 113, and a pulley support unit 117 that supports the driven pulley 114. With this configuration, when the drive motor 116 is driven based on a command from the control unit 9, the drive pulley 113 rotates and the driven pulley 114 rotates via the timing belt 115.

  The connecting portion 105 includes a belt-side fixing plate 121 fixed to the timing belt 115, a stay-side fixing plate 122 fixed to the right stay 108, and a connecting plate 123 that connects the two. With this configuration, when the timing belt 115 rotates, the belt side fixing plate 121 rotates between the driving pulley 113 and the driven pulley 114 along with the rotation, and the stay side fixing plate 122 is connected via the connecting plate 123. Moves horizontally in the same direction as the rotation direction of the timing belt 115. With the horizontal movement, the right stay 108 moves horizontally. When the right stay 108 moves horizontally, the support plate 106 moves horizontally, and the microplate 20 placed on the support plate moves horizontally.

The operation of the plate moving mechanism unit 100 will be described below.
First, when the drive motor 116 rotates in the right direction (arrow C direction) based on a command from the control unit 9, the drive pulley 113 rotates to the right, the timing belt 115 rotates clockwise, and the driven pulley 114 also rotates to the right. Rotate. Along with the rotation, the belt side fixing plate 121 moves in the direction of arrow A, and the stay side fixing plate 122 moves in the direction of arrow A via the connecting plate 123. With this movement, the right stay 108 moves in the direction of arrow A, the support plate 106 moves horizontally, and the microplate 20 placed on the support plate moves horizontally in the direction of arrow A.
Next, when the drive motor 116 rotates in the left direction opposite to the arrow C based on a command from the control unit 9, the drive pulley 113 rotates counterclockwise, the timing belt 115 rotates counterclockwise, and the driven pulley 114 also rotates counterclockwise. . Along with the rotation, the belt side fixing plate 121 moves in the arrow B direction, and the stay side fixing plate 122 moves in the arrow B direction via the connecting plate 123. With this movement, the right stay 108 moves in the direction of arrow B, the support plate 106 moves horizontally, and the microplate 20 placed on the support plate moves horizontally in the direction of arrow B.

Similar to the optical measurement unit 55, the control unit 9 includes an integrated circuit for arithmetic processing of signals, an electronic circuit such as a CPU, a storage medium such as a RAM for storing arithmetic processing results, and a transmission / reception unit provided in the apparatus main body 2. 11 and a transmission / reception unit capable of wireless communication. For example, the control unit 9 is configured by a PC or the like.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the case where the connection between the apparatus main body unit 2 and the control unit 9 is configured by wireless connection using a wireless LAN or the like has been described. However, a USB cable, an RS-232 cable, or the like is used. You may comprise by cable connection.

With the above configuration, the plate stationary unit 3, the cleaning unit 4, the measurement unit 5, the dispensing unit unit 6, the operation of the dispensing unit moving mechanism unit 7 and the plate moving mechanism unit 8, the data processing unit 10, the transmission / reception unit 11, The display unit 12 and the operation unit 13 are controlled in an integrated manner. The control unit 9 controls the chemical reaction of the standard solution H dispensed in the well 20a in the microplate 20 and the chemical reaction of the liquid sample S to be performed under the same and constant environment. ing. Such a constant environment is based on the inspection manual in which the control unit 9 defines the protocol of the standard solution H, that is, the preparation, mixing, processing and reaction time of the sample, the processing and reaction temperature, the type and amount of the sample, and the like. The standard solution H is maintained by controlling the predetermined temperature (° C.) during the chemical reaction and the predetermined reaction time (minute) of the chemical reaction. Specifically, the fixed environment is determined by the type and protocol of the standard solution H, the type of the liquid sample S, and other inspection conditions.
In this control unit 9, control of each part is executed according to a predetermined analysis protocol so that the analysis conditions are the same every time. As a result, an analysis result with higher reproducibility than the conventional analysis can be obtained. Further, it is possible to reduce the number of times of drawing the calibration curve.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the data processing unit 10 includes a calibration curve data creation unit 151, a calibration curve data storage unit 152, and a concentration calculation unit 153. With the above configuration, when the calibration curve data creation unit 151 receives the optical characteristics of the standard solution H measured by the detection unit 51 of the measurement unit 5, the calibration curve data creation unit 151 performs the calibration curve data creation unit 151 based on the optical characteristics of the standard solution H. Calibration curve data corresponding to the measured optical characteristics of the standard solution H whose concentration of the predetermined substance is known in advance (for example, absorbance, which is one of the optical characteristics) and the concentration are created and stored in the calibration curve data storage unit 152 Is done. This information stored in the calibration curve data storage unit 152 is output to the control unit 9, further output to the display unit 12, and thereafter, calibration is performed using the calibration curve data stored in the calibration curve data storage unit 152. A message to that effect is displayed. By such display, the operator can dispense only the liquid sample S without dispensing the standard solution H to the microplate 20 after the display. The calibration curve data stored in the calibration curve data storage unit 152 is read by the concentration calculation unit 153, and a calibration curve for the standard solution H is created based on the calibration curve data by the concentration calculation unit 153. Based on the prepared calibration curve, the concentration of the liquid sample S is calculated.

  The calibration curve data creation unit 151 includes a CPU that creates calibration curve data and an interface that inputs and outputs other predetermined signals, and receives the optical characteristics of the standard solution H measured by the detection unit 51 of the measurement unit 5. Then, calibration curve data is created based on the optical characteristics of the standard solution H. This calibration curve data is composed of a known concentration of the standard solution H and a measured optical characteristic for creating a calibration curve graph as shown in FIG. For example, as data for preparing a calibration curve graph by measuring the absorbance which is one of the optical characteristics, as shown in FIG. 12, the standard absorbance 0. 0 obtained by measuring the standard solution H of a predetermined substance. Examples include a data table in which data consisting of 0 to 1.4 and a concentration of 0.0 to 3.0 (unit is determined by a predetermined substance, for example, μg / ml, μg / g, ppm) are arranged in a tabular format. It is done.

  This standard absorbance can be obtained by the method for calculating the absorbance in the optical characteristic calculator 52 described above, in which the amount of light transmitted through the standard solution H is measured and detected by the optical measurement unit 55 and calculated based on the detection result. . That is, the absorbance of the predetermined substance contained in the standard solution H can be obtained based on the signal of the standard solution H obtained by measuring the standard solution H sent from the optical measurement unit 55.

  When the absorbance of the liquid sample S is determined, the concentration of the specific raw material substance contained in the liquid sample S can be calculated with reference to this data table. As shown in FIG. 12, when the absorbance of the liquid sample S is, for example, 0.75, it can be calculated from the calibration curve that the concentration of the liquid sample S is 1.5. The calibration curve data created by the calibration curve data creation unit 151 is output to the calibration curve data storage unit 152 and stored in the calibration curve data storage unit 152.

The calibration curve data storage unit 152 includes a storage medium such as a hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) that stores predetermined data in a nonvolatile and rewritable manner.
With the above configuration, the calibration curve data created by the calibration curve data creation unit 151 is stored.

  The concentration calculation unit 153 includes a CPU that calculates the concentration of a predetermined substance contained in the liquid sample S and an interface that inputs and outputs other predetermined signals, and is measured and detected by the detection unit 51 of the measurement unit 5. The concentration of the predetermined substance contained in the liquid sample S based on the received optical property (for example, absorbance) and the calibration curve data table read from the calibration curve data storage unit 152 Is calculated.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the connection between the apparatus main body unit 2, the optical characteristic calculation unit 52, and the control unit 9 is configured by a wireless LAN. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a connector is provided so as to be connected by a USB cable or an RS-232 cable that is not likely to be connected.

  The display unit 12 includes a display device and the like, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, for example, includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display as a component of the PC. With the above configuration, the display unit 12 includes the operating conditions of the analyzer, emergency stop information, error and alarm information, maintenance information, pre-operation inspection information, operation self-diagnosis information, analysis results, calibration curve graph, data matrix table The specific raw material, the liquid sample S, the time chart of each process, and other information are displayed as necessary.

The operation unit 13 includes a keyboard or the like, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, for example, includes a display unit 12 and push button keys such as operation keys as components of the PC.
With the above configuration, the input of the names of all the liquid samples S to be simultaneously inspected from the operation unit 13, the setting of one or more measurement items to be performed for each liquid sample S, the number of liquid samples S, the wells of the microplate 20 Predetermined information such as arrangement information and other settings of the liquid sample S and standard solution H stored in the container can be input. When predetermined information is input from the operation unit 13 and analysis conditions are determined and a setting operation is performed, the fastest process is automatically determined and determined based on the input information by the control program in the control unit 9 A time chart is displayed on the display unit 12.

  The chip rack 15 is composed of a disposable chip that can be discarded each time it is used and a new chip can be used, and a shelf that holds the disposable chip in and out. In the tip rack 15, when the dispensing unit 6 stops moving to a predetermined position on the tip rack 15 by the dispensing unit moving mechanism 7, the nozzle 62 is lowered by the nozzle lifting mechanism, and the disposable tip is moved by the nozzle 62. After holding, remove the disposable chip from the shelf.

  The reagent rack 16 includes a container into which a predetermined reagent D for chemically reacting the antibody magnetic beads B and the standard solution H in the well 20a is injected, and a shelf that holds the container. In the reagent rack 16, when the dispensing unit 6 stops moving to a predetermined position on the reagent rack 16 by the dispensing unit moving mechanism 7, the nozzle 62 with the disposable tip is lowered by the nozzle lifting mechanism, and the reagent A reagent D composed of an antibody solution, an enzyme substrate solution, a reaction stop solution and the like injected into a container on the rack 16 is sucked from the nozzle 62 by the operation of the syringe pump.

  The liquid sample and standard solution rack 17 includes a container that stores a predetermined liquid sample S and standard solution H that are injected into the well 20a, and a shelf that holds the container. In the liquid sample and standard solution rack 17, when the dispensing unit 6 stops moving to a predetermined position on the liquid sample and standard solution rack 17 by the dispensing unit moving mechanism 7, the nozzle 62 is lowered by the nozzle lifting mechanism. The liquid sample and the liquid sample S, the standard solution H, the antibody magnetic bead solution, etc. accommodated in the standard solution rack 17 are sucked from the nozzle 62 by the operation of the syringe pump.

  In the disposal area 18, a bottom surface is formed through a disposal pipe such as a waste pipe container 22, a waste liquid bottle 23, and a cleaning liquid bottle 24, 25 via a disposal passage such as a tube. Consists of the body. In the disposal area 18, when the dispensing unit 6 stops moving to a predetermined position on the disposal area 18 by the dispensing unit moving mechanism 7, the dispensing unit 6 moves the reagent D, liquid sample S, and standard solution H. The used disposable chips are allowed to be removed from the nozzle 62 and discarded, and the discarded disposable chips are accumulated in the waste chip container 22 through the discard passage.

  In the analysis apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the example in which the optical characteristic calculation unit 52, the control unit 9, and the data processing unit 10 are configured by a PC has been described. However, a CPU that controls each component and an OS that starts the CPU (Operating System), ROM that stores other programs and control parameters, RAM that stores OS and application execution codes and data used for CPU operation, application software and predetermined data are nonvolatile and rewritten The device main body 2 may be provided with an EEPROM that can be stored, an interface for inputting and outputting predetermined signals, and a bus for connecting these components. For example, dispensing unit moving mechanism 7, plate moving mechanism 8 in analyzer 1, control of chemical reaction with liquid sample S or standard solution H and reagent D in plate stationary unit 3, washing unit 4, measuring unit 5 Each component such as the data processing unit 10 may be operated by the CPU. That is, a control program corresponding to each component stored in the apparatus main body 2 may be executed by the CPU to operate each component.

Further, in the analyzer 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the standard solution H and the liquid sample S are measured by the measurement unit 5, and the calibration curve is obtained by the data processing unit 10 for the standard solution H. The data is created and stored, and for the liquid sample S, the liquid sample S is calculated by the concentration calculation unit 153 using the stored calibration curve data, and the calculation result is displayed on the display unit 12. 11, the determination unit 14 is provided, and it is determined whether the calculation result calculated by the concentration calculation unit 153 is within a predetermined reference value range, and the determination result is displayed together with the above-described calculation result. You may make it the structure displayed on these.
In the configuration of the analyzer 1 provided with the determination unit 14, the analysis of the liquid sample S by the control program and the creation and storage of the calibration curve data by the standard solution H are executed under the same method and conditions as in the above-described embodiment. However, as described below, the point that the determination unit 14 performs the determination on the analysis result is different from the above-described embodiment.

The determination unit 14 includes, for example, a CPU for controlling, a ROM for storing an OS for starting the CPU and other programs, control parameters, and the like, and a RAM for storing execution codes and data of the OS and applications used for the operation of the CPU. An EEPROM that stores application software and predetermined data in a nonvolatile and rewritable manner, an interface that inputs and outputs predetermined signals, and a bus that connects these components.
In the determination unit 14, for example, a predetermined concentration standard value (μg / ml) or a content standard value (μg / ml) of each of the specific raw materials including five items of wheat, buckwheat, egg, milk, and peanuts contained in the food. g) may be stored in the ROM or RAM, and the control program may be executed to determine based on the concentration reference value (μg / ml) or the content reference value (μg / g). Specifically, when the signal output from the optical measurement unit 55 for the liquid sample S is input to the optical characteristic calculation unit 52, the optical characteristic calculation unit 52 obtains the absorbance, and this absorbance and the calibration curve data storage are stored. Based on the calibration curve data table read from the unit 152, the concentration of the predetermined substance contained in the liquid sample S is calculated. The calculated concentration of the predetermined substance is output to the determination unit 14, and when the determination unit 14 receives the concentration of the predetermined substance, a predetermined concentration reference value stored in a RAM or the like is read out and read as the concentration of the predetermined substance. The obtained density reference value is compared. It is determined whether or not the concentration of the predetermined substance is within the range of the concentration reference value. When the determination result exceeds the concentration reference value, it is determined that there is a predetermined substance in the liquid sample S that exceeds the concentration reference value. Is done. Next, the determination result including the name of the predetermined substance and the concentration of the predetermined substance may be displayed on the display unit 12.

  Next, the analysis procedure of the specific raw material in the analysis apparatus 1 of this Embodiment is demonstrated with reference to the flowchart of FIGS.

First, prepare for analysis. In advance preparation, for example, a food sample to be analyzed is pulverized, an extract is added, and pretreatment such as shaking, filtration and dilution is performed to prepare a liquid sample S. If necessary, the enzyme complex reagent is prepared.
When the advance preparation is completed, the operator starts the apparatus with the cover 26 closed, inputs the type of the specific raw material to be analyzed and the type of the liquid sample S from the operation unit, and executes the control program of the control unit 9. . By executing the control program, it is first determined whether or not calibration curve data is stored in the calibration curve data storage unit (step S5). When the calibration curve data is stored in the calibration curve data storage unit, the process proceeds to each step after (C). If the calibration curve data is stored in the calibration curve data storage unit 152, it is possible to analyze using the calibration curve data when analyzing the concentration of the liquid sample S. Therefore, the standard solution is stored in the well 20a of the microplate 20. This is because there is no need to dispense H. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the liquid sample S can be dispensed into all the wells 20c of the microplate 20, and the wells 20a can be effectively utilized. When the calibration curve data is not stored in the calibration curve data storage unit, the contents displayed on the display screen of the display unit 12 (for example, opening of the cover, standard to be set in the analyzer 1 according to the present embodiment) In accordance with the information such as the type of the solution H), the cover 26 is opened, and the standard solution H and the reagents D are set in the analyzer 1 as shown in FIG. 2 (step S10). Next, the microplate 20 is set on the plate moving mechanism 8 and the cover 26 is closed (step S11).
In each subsequent step, the control program of the control unit 9 is executed, and the analysis process proceeds automatically until each analysis process is completed, the analysis result is displayed on the display unit 12 and the cover 26 is opened.

  When the cover 26 of the apparatus main body 2 is closed and the control program execution key of the operation unit 13 is pressed again, the control program is started and executed. This control program is set by inputting various conditions from the operation unit 13 or the like corresponding to the specific raw material to be analyzed. Hereinafter, general analysis processing steps for the specific raw material will be described.

  First, the microplate 20 is moved to the plate stationary unit 3 which is a home position where the chemical reaction between the liquid sample S and the standard solution H and the reagent D is performed and stopped (step S12). Next, the dispensing unit unit 6 is moved to the liquid sample and standard solution rack 17 by the dispensing unit moving mechanism unit 7 to suck the standard solution H, and is moved to the plate stationary unit 3, and as shown in FIG. Solution H is dispensed into wells 20b in the first to third rows of microplate 20 (step S13).

  Subsequently, the dispensing unit 6 is moved to the liquid sample and standard solution rack 17 by the dispensing unit moving mechanism 7, and the liquid sample S containing the antibody magnetic beads B bound by the dispensing unit 6 is sucked and dispensed. The liquid sample S and the standard solution H are dispensed from the injection unit 6 to the 4th to 12th wells 20a of the microplate 20 (step S14). FIG. 10 shows a case where the number of wells 20a is 96 in the microplate 20, but may be 384, or may be a microplate 20 having another number of wells 20a. When the standard solution H and the liquid sample S are dispensed, the plate stationary unit 3 is controlled by the Peltier module 31 based on a command from the control unit 9 so that the plate stationary unit 3 is maintained at a predetermined temperature, for example, 25 ° C.

  Furthermore, the dispensing unit unit 6 is moved to the reagent rack 16 by the dispensing unit moving mechanism unit 7 to suck the reagent D, and the reagent D is dispensed from the dispensing unit unit 6 to a predetermined well 20a of the microplate 20. (Step S14). Next, the chemical reaction between the reagent D, the liquid sample S, the standard solution H, and the antibody magnetic beads B is promoted at a constant temperature (step S15).

  Next, the microplate 20 is horizontally moved to the cleaning unit 4 by the plate moving mechanism unit 8 and stopped (step S16). At the same time, the dispensing unit 6 is horizontally moved to the cleaning unit 4 by the dispensing unit moving mechanism 7 and stopped. In the dispensing unit 6, as shown in FIG. 9, the liquid sample S is sucked by the nozzle 62 leaving the antibody magnetic beads B attracted to the magnet, the well 20a is washed, and the standard solution H is also washed. (Step S17).

  Next, the microplate 20 is horizontally moved to the plate stationary unit 3 by the plate moving mechanism unit 8 and stopped (step S18). At the same time, the dispensing unit unit 6 is moved to the reagent rack 16 by the dispensing unit moving mechanism unit 7 and sucks the enzyme-labeled antibody solution, and then moved to the plate stationary unit 3 and stopped, so that the enzyme-labeled antibody solution is dispensed. Six nozzles 62 are dispensed into the well 20a of the microplate 20 (step S19). When the enzyme labeled antibody solution is dispensed, the plate stationary unit 3 is controlled by the Peltier module 31 based on a command from the control unit 9 so that the plate stationary unit 3 is maintained at a predetermined temperature, for example, 25 ° C. The chemical reaction between the solution and the antibody magnetic beads B is promoted (step S20).

  Next, the process proceeds to (A) shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, and the microplate 20 is horizontally moved to the cleaning unit 4 by the plate moving mechanism unit 8 and stopped (step S25). At the same time, the dispensing unit 6 is horizontally moved to the cleaning unit 4 by the dispensing unit moving mechanism 7 and stopped. Next, in the cleaning unit 4, after the cleaning head unit 41 is lowered to a predetermined position by the lifting mechanism 41e, the antibody magnetic beads B attracted to the magnet 42 are left as shown in FIG. The solution inside is sucked by the suction nozzle 41a, and then the well 20a is washed by repeatedly discharging the cleaning liquid from the discharge nozzle 41b with the magnet 42 kept away from the microplate 20 (step S26).

Again, the microplate 20 is horizontally moved to the plate stationary unit 3 by the plate moving mechanism unit 8 and stopped (step S27). At the same time, the dispensing unit 6 is moved to the reagent rack 16 by the dispensing unit moving mechanism 7 and sucks the enzyme substrate solution, then moved to the plate stationary unit 3 and stopped, and the enzyme substrate solution is dispensed into the well 20a. (Step S28).
When the enzyme substrate solution is dispensed, the plate stationary unit 3 is controlled by the Peltier module 31 based on a command from the control unit 9 so that the plate stationary unit 3 is maintained at a predetermined temperature, for example, 25 ° C. The chemical reaction between the liquid sample S containing the antibody magnetic beads B and the standard solution H is promoted (step S29). After a predetermined time has elapsed, the dispensing unit 6 is moved to the reagent rack 16 by the dispensing unit moving mechanism 7 and sucks the reaction stop solution, and then horizontally moved to the plate stationary unit 3 and stopped. Are dispensed from the nozzle 62 of the dispensing unit 6 to the well 20a of the microplate 20 (step S30). When the reaction stop solution is dispensed into the well 20a, the chemical reaction between the enzyme substrate solution, the liquid sample S containing the antibody magnetic beads B, and the standard solution H stops and ends.

  Next, the microplate 20 is horizontally moved to the measuring unit 5 by the plate moving mechanism unit 8 and stopped (step S31). Subsequently, the shutter 54 of the measurement unit 5 is closed, and the inside of the detection unit 51 of the measurement unit 5 becomes a dark room. Next, when the halogen lamp 55a of the light source in the optical measurement unit 55 of the detection unit 51 is turned on, the light is split into a predetermined wavelength λ by the spectral filter 55b, and the light having the predetermined wavelength λ is split into the optical fiber 55c and the condenser lens. The light is transmitted through the liquid sample S and the standard solution H in the well 20a through 55d, the light is transmitted through the liquid sample S and the standard solution H, and further received by the light receiving unit 55h through the condenser lens 55f. . At the same time, the liquid sample S and the standard solution H in the 16 wells 20a are projected and received. When the light projection and reception to the liquid sample S and the standard solution H in the 16 wells 20a are completed, the microplate 20 is moved by one row by the plate moving mechanism unit 8, and the projection to the next 16 wells 20a row is performed. Light is received sequentially. When the light receiving unit 55h receives light, a current proportional to the amount of light transmitted through the liquid sample S and the standard solution H is generated, and a signal corresponding to the generated current passes through the transmission / reception unit 11 and the optical characteristic calculation unit 52. (Step S32).

  Subsequently, when the optical characteristic calculation unit 52 receives a signal obtained from the liquid sample S, the transmittance of the liquid sample S is calculated based on the signal. Next, the absorbance is obtained from the calculated transmittance. For example, when the transmittance is T and the absorbance is A, the absorbance A can be obtained by the following formula, A = −log (T / 100).

  Next, when the optical property calculation unit 52 receives a signal of a current generated in proportion to the amount of light transmitted through the standard solution H sent from the optical measurement unit 55, it is included in the standard solution H based on the received signal. The absorbance of the predetermined substance is calculated, and the calculation result is output to the calibration curve data creation unit 151. The calibration curve data creation unit 151 creates data for creating a calibration curve graph as shown in FIG. 12 based on the calculated absorbance (step S33). For example, as data for preparing a calibration curve graph, as shown in FIG. 12, the standard absorbance 0.0 to 1.4 obtained by measuring the standard solution H of a predetermined substance and the known concentration 0.0. A data table in which data consisting of ~ 3.0 (unit is determined by a predetermined substance, for example, μg / ml, μg / g, ppm) is arranged in a tabular form is created. Calibration curve data including the created data table is stored in the calibration curve data storage unit 152 (step S33).

  When the calibration curve data is stored in the calibration curve data storage unit 152, the analysis of the concentration of the liquid sample S after the calibration curve data is stored is stored in the calibration curve data storage unit 152 from the calibration curve data creation unit 151. A command to be performed based on the calibration curve data is output to the control unit 9 and is also output to the display unit 12 via the control unit 9 so that the display indicates that fact (step S34).

When the control unit 9 receives an instruction to perform based on the calibration curve data stored in the calibration curve data storage unit 152, the absorbance of the liquid sample S obtained by the optical characteristic calculation unit 52 is output to the concentration calculation unit 153. (Step S35). When the concentration calculation unit 153 receives the absorbance of the liquid sample S, the calibration curve data is read from the calibration curve data storage unit 152, and the received absorbance of the liquid sample S and the calibration curve data table read from the calibration curve data storage unit 152 are Based on the above, the concentration of the predetermined substance contained in the liquid sample S is calculated (step S35). The calculated concentration of the predetermined substance contained in the liquid sample S is displayed on the display unit 12 via the determination unit 14 by the name of the liquid sample S and the concentration of the predetermined substance contained in the liquid sample S (for example, μg). / Ml, μg / g, ppm) is displayed (step S35).
Next, the cleaning liquid, the used chip is discarded, and the remaining reagent D is stored (step S36). Finally, it is determined whether or not to continue the analysis process of the specific raw material (step S37). If the process is not continued, the analysis process of the specific raw material is terminated. When continuing, it progresses to (B) shown in FIG.14 and FIG.13, and it repeats sequentially.

  Next, when calibration curve data is stored in the calibration curve data storage unit 152 (YES in step S5), the process proceeds to (C) of FIG. 15, and the liquid sample S is analyzed by the analyzer as shown in FIG. 1 is set (step S41). Next, the microplate 20 is set on the plate moving mechanism 8 (step S42), and the cover 26 shown in FIG. 1 is closed. In each subsequent step, the control program of the control unit 9 is executed, and the analysis process proceeds automatically until each analysis process is completed, the analysis result is displayed on the display unit 12 and the cover 26 is opened. When the cover 26 of the apparatus main body 2 is closed and the execution key of the control program of the operation unit 13 is pressed, the control program is activated.

First, the microplate 20 is moved to the plate stationary part 3 which is a home position where the chemical reaction between the liquid sample S and the reagent D is performed and stopped (step S43).
Subsequently, after the dispensing unit 6 is moved to the liquid sample and the standard solution rack 17 by the dispensing unit moving mechanism 7, the liquid sample S including the antibody magnetic beads B to which the antibody is bound is sucked and shown in FIG. As described above, the liquid sample S including the antibody magnetic beads B to which the antibody is bound is dispensed from the dispensing unit 6 to the wells 20c in the first to twelfth rows of the microplate 20 (step S44).
When the liquid sample S is dispensed, the plate stationary unit 3 is controlled by the Peltier module 31 based on a command from the control unit 9 so that the plate stationary unit 3 is maintained at a predetermined temperature, for example, 25 ° C.
Furthermore, after the dispensing unit 6 is moved to the reagent rack 16 by the dispensing unit moving mechanism 7 and the reagent D is aspirated, the reagent D is dispensed from the dispensing unit 6 to a predetermined well 20 a of the microplate 20. (Step S44). Next, the chemical reaction between the reagent D and the liquid sample S is promoted at a constant temperature (step S45).

  Next, the microplate 20 is horizontally moved to the cleaning unit 4 by the plate moving mechanism unit 8 and stopped (step S46). At the same time, the dispensing unit 6 is horizontally moved to the cleaning unit 4 by the dispensing unit moving mechanism 7 and stopped. In the dispensing unit 6, as shown in FIG. 9, the liquid sample S is sucked by the nozzle 62 while the antibody magnetic beads B attracted to the magnet are left, and the well 20a is washed (step S47).

  Next, the microplate 20 is horizontally moved to the plate stationary unit 3 by the plate moving mechanism unit 8 and stopped (step S48). At the same time, the dispensing unit 6 is moved to the reagent rack 16 by the dispensing unit moving mechanism 7 and sucks the enzyme-labeled antibody solution, and then horizontally moved to the plate stationary unit 3 and stopped, so that the enzyme-labeled antibody solution is dispensed. Dispensing from the nozzle 62 of the part 6 to the well 20a of the microplate 20 (step S49). When the enzyme labeled antibody solution is dispensed, the plate stationary unit 3 is controlled by the Peltier module 31 based on a command from the control unit 9 so that the plate stationary unit 3 is maintained at a predetermined temperature, for example, 25 ° C. The chemical reaction between the solution and the antibody magnetic beads B is promoted (step S50).

  Next, the process proceeds to (D) shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, and the microplate 20 is moved horizontally to the washing unit 4 by the plate moving mechanism unit 8 and stopped (step S55). At the same time, the dispensing unit section 6 is horizontally moved to the washing section 4 by the dispensing unit moving mechanism section 7 and stopped. As shown in FIG. 9, the nozzle 62 is in a liquid state leaving the antibody magnetic beads B attracted to the magnet. The sample S is aspirated and the well 20a is washed (step S56).

Again, the microplate 20 is horizontally moved to the plate stationary unit 3 by the plate moving mechanism unit 8 and stopped (step S57). At the same time, the dispensing unit section 6 is moved to the reagent rack 16 by the dispensing unit moving mechanism section 7 and sucks the enzyme substrate solution, then horizontally moved to the plate stationary section 3 and stopped, and the enzyme substrate solution is dispensed into the well 20a. (Step S58).
When the enzyme substrate solution is dispensed, the plate stationary unit 3 is controlled by the Peltier module 31 based on a command from the control unit 9 so that the plate stationary unit 3 is maintained at a predetermined temperature, for example, 25 ° C. The chemical reaction with the liquid sample S containing the antibody magnetic beads B is promoted (step S59). After a predetermined time has elapsed, the dispensing unit 6 is moved to the reagent rack 16 by the dispensing unit moving mechanism 7 and sucks the reaction stop solution, and then horizontally moved to the plate stationary unit 3 and stopped. Are dispensed from the nozzle 62 of the dispensing unit 6 to the well 20a of the microplate 20 (step S60). When the reaction stop solution is dispensed into the well 20a, the chemical reaction between the enzyme substrate solution and the liquid sample S containing the antibody magnetic beads B stops and ends.

  Next, the microplate 20 is horizontally moved to the measuring unit 5 by the plate moving mechanism unit 8 and stopped (step S61). Subsequently, the shutter 54 of the measurement unit 5 is closed, and the inside of the detection unit 51 of the measurement unit 5 becomes a dark room. Next, when the halogen lamp 55a serving as the light source of the optical measurement unit 55 in the detection unit 51 is turned on, the light is split into the predetermined wavelength λ by the spectral filter 55b, and the light having the predetermined wavelength λ The light is projected onto the liquid sample S in the well 20a through 55d, the light is transmitted through the liquid sample S, and further received by the light receiving unit 55h through the condenser lens 55f. At the same time, the liquid sample S in the 16 wells 20a is projected and received. When the light projecting / receiving of the liquid sample S in the 16 wells 20a is completed, the microplate 20 is moved by one row by the plate moving mechanism unit 8, and the light projecting / receiving of the next 16 wells 20a is sequentially performed. The When the light receiving unit 55h receives light, a current proportional to the amount of light transmitted through the liquid sample S is generated, and a signal corresponding to the generated current is output to the optical characteristic calculation unit 52 via the transmission / reception unit 11. (Step S62).

  Subsequently, when the optical characteristic calculation unit 52 receives the signal of the liquid sample S, the transmittance of the liquid sample S is calculated based on the signal. Next, the absorbance is obtained from the calculated transmittance. For example, when the transmittance is T and the absorbance is A, the absorbance A can be obtained by the following formula, A = −log (T / 100). The absorbance of the liquid sample S obtained by the optical property calculator 52 is output to the concentration calculator 153 (step S63). When the concentration calculation unit 153 receives the absorbance of the liquid sample S, the calibration curve data is read from the calibration curve data storage unit 152. The absorbance of the received liquid sample S and the calibration curve data table read from the calibration curve data storage unit 152 are Based on the above, the concentration of the predetermined substance contained in the liquid sample S is calculated (step S63). The calculated concentration of the predetermined substance contained in the liquid sample S is displayed on the display unit 12 via the determination unit 14 by the name of the liquid sample S and the concentration of the predetermined substance contained in the liquid sample S (for example, μg). / Ml, μg / g, ppm) is displayed (step S63). Next, the cleaning liquid, the used chip is discarded, and the remaining reagent D is stored (step S64). Finally, it is determined whether or not to continue the analysis process of the specific raw material (step S65). If the process is not continued, the analysis process of the specific raw material is terminated. When continuing, it progresses to (B) shown to FIG. 16 and FIG. 13, and is performed repeatedly sequentially.

  As described above, in the analyzer 1 according to the present embodiment, according to a predetermined analysis protocol, the reagent D and the liquid sample S are respectively dispensed into the plurality of wells 20a of the microplate 20, and the wells 20a are dispensed. After the dispensed liquid sample S has undergone a chemical reaction with the reagent D, the concentration is previously determined in accordance with a measuring unit 5 that measures optical properties such as absorbance, fluorescence intensity, and luminescence intensity of the liquid sample S, and in accordance with a predetermined analysis protocol. A calibration which represents the relationship between the optical properties and the concentration of the standard solution H measured by the measuring unit 5 after measuring the optical properties of the standard solution H after the chemical reaction of the standard solution H of the known predetermined substance with the reagent D. A calibration curve data creation unit 151 for creating line data, calibration curve data created by the calibration curve data creation unit 151, and optical characteristics of the liquid sample S measured by the measurement unit 5 In the analyzer 1 that analyzes the concentration of the predetermined substance contained in the liquid sample S based on the calibration curve data storage unit 152 that stores the calibration curve data, the Peltier module 31 that controls the reaction temperature of the liquid sample S, and the concentration in advance. And a control unit 9 for controlling the Peltier module 31 so that the reaction temperature is substantially the same as the reaction temperature of the standard solution H of a predetermined substance whose chemical substance is known, and the chemistry is performed under the reaction temperature controlled by the Peltier module 31. The concentration of a predetermined substance in the liquid sample S is analyzed based on the optical characteristics measured by the measuring unit 5 and the calibration curve data stored in the calibration curve data storage unit 152. The As a result, first, the liquid sample S and the standard solution H to be measured are prepared and stored in the container of the chip rack 15.

  When the microplate 20 is left in the plate stationary part 3 and the preparation for analysis is completed, the control program is executed by the control part 9, and the dispensing unit moving mechanism part 7, the dispensing unit part 6, and the plate stationary part 3. The cleaning unit 4 and the measurement unit 5 are controlled. The measurement unit 5 dispenses the microplate 20 and measures the standard absorbance of the standard solution H of a predetermined substance whose concentration is known in advance. Next, calibration curve data representing the relationship between the standard absorbance measured by the calibration curve data creation unit 151 and the concentration of the predetermined substance is created. The calibration curve data created by the calibration curve data creation unit 151 is stored in the calibration curve data storage unit 152. After the calibration curve data is stored in the calibration curve data storage unit 152, it is measured by the optical measurement unit 55 and the optical characteristics. Based on the measured absorbance of the liquid sample S calculated by the calculation unit 52 and the calibration curve data stored in the calibration curve data storage unit 152, the concentration of the predetermined substance in the liquid sample S is calculated by the concentration calculation unit 153. . After the calibration curve data is stored in the calibration curve data storage unit 152, the concentration of the predetermined substance of the liquid sample S is calculated based on the calibration curve data, so the number of times the calibration curve is created from the absorbance of the standard solution H And the measurement efficiency is improved, the standard solution H is unnecessary, the material cost is reduced, and the space of the microplate 20 is effectively used.

  Further, the control unit 9 performs the chemical reaction of the liquid sample S dispensed into the well 20a in the microplate 20 and the chemical reaction of the standard solution H for which the calibration curve data has been created under the same and constant environment. Since the concentration calculation unit 153 that calculates the concentration based on the calibration curve data calculates the concentration of the predetermined substance contained in the liquid sample S based on the measured absorbance and the calibration curve data, the analysis is performed. In this case, it is not necessary to dispense the standard solution H to the microplate 20, the number of calibration curves created from the absorbance of the standard solution H can be reduced, the measurement efficiency is improved, and the standard solution H is not required and the material cost is reduced. Can be reduced, and the space of the microplate 20 can be effectively utilized.

  Since the control unit 9 controls at least a predetermined temperature and a predetermined reaction time for the chemical reaction of the standard solution H based on the protocol of the standard solution H, a constant environment is maintained. High-precision calibration curve data can be created by the data creation unit 151 based on the standard absorbance measured by the measurement unit 5.

  Further, in the analyzer 1 according to the present invention, whether or not the liquid sample S contains a predetermined substance by comparing the concentration reference value set in advance with the concentration of the liquid sample S calculated by the concentration calculation unit 153. Therefore, the determination unit 14 compares the concentration reference value set in advance with the concentration of the liquid sample S calculated by the concentration calculation unit 153, and the measurement unit 5 measures the concentration. Since it is determined whether or not the liquid sample S contains the predetermined substance, it is possible to automatically and efficiently analyze whether or not the liquid sample S contains the predetermined substance.

  As described above, the present invention reduces the number of calibration curves created from the absorbance of a standard solution, improves measurement efficiency, reduces measurement material costs, and effectively uses space on the microplate. It is useful for an apparatus for analyzing the content of a specific substance contained in food or the like, for example, a specific raw material automatic analysis apparatus, a specific substance automatic analysis system, or the like.

It is a perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the analyzer which concerns on this invention. It is a fragmentary perspective view when the plate moving mechanism part in one Embodiment of the analyzer which concerns on this invention stops a microplate in a plate stationary part. It is a fragmentary perspective view when the plate moving mechanism part in one Embodiment of the analyzer which concerns on this invention stops a microplate in the washing | cleaning part. It is a fragmentary perspective view when the plate moving mechanism part in one Embodiment of the analyzer which concerns on this invention stops a microplate in a measurement part. It is a fragmentary perspective view of an analyzer when the plate moving mechanism part in one embodiment of the analyzer concerning the present invention is stored in a measuring part. (A) is a perspective view of the plate moving mechanism part in one Embodiment of the analyzer which concerns on this invention. (B) is the fragmentary perspective view which looked at the plate moving mechanism part of FIG. 6 (A) from the B direction. (C) is the front view which looked at the plate moving mechanism part of FIG. 6 (A) from the A direction. It is a side view of the optical measurement unit part in one Embodiment of the analyzer which concerns on this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of the dispensing unit part in one embodiment of the analyzer which concerns on this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the washing | cleaning flow of the dispensing unit part in one Embodiment of the analyzer which concerns on this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which calculates the density | concentration of a standard substance and the liquid sample S in the calibration curve data storage part in one embodiment of the analyzer which concerns on this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which calculates and determines the density | concentration of a standard substance and the liquid sample S in the calibration curve data storage part in one Embodiment of the analyzer which concerns on this invention. It is a graph showing the calibration curve in one embodiment of the analyzer according to the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the analysis of the liquid sample in one Embodiment of the analyzer which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the analysis of the liquid sample in one Embodiment of the analyzer which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the analysis of the liquid sample in one Embodiment of the analyzer which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the analysis of the liquid sample in one Embodiment of the analyzer which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Analyzer 2 Apparatus main body 2a Storage housing 2b Cover mounting boss 3 Plate stationary part 4 Washing part 5 Measuring part 6 Dispensing unit part 7 Dispensing unit moving mechanism part 8 Plate moving mechanism part 9 Control part 10 Data processing part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Transmission / reception part 12 Display part 13 Operation part 14 Judgment part 15 Chip rack 16 Reagent rack 17 Liquid sample and standard solution rack 18 Waste area 20 Microplate 20a, 20b, 20c Well 21 Power supply unit 22 Waste tip container 23 Waste liquid bottle 24, 25 Cleaning liquid bottle 26 Cover 26a Cover mounting hole 31 Peltier module (temperature control unit)
32 casing 41 cleaning head unit 41a suction nozzle 41b discharge nozzle 41c liquid sample discharge pipe 41d cleaning liquid supply pipe 41e lifting mechanism 42 magnet 43 magnet moving mechanism 44 casing 51 detection section 52 optical characteristic calculation section 53 plate storage casing 53a Entrance / exit 54 Shutter 54a, 54b Hinge 55 Optical measurement unit 55a Halogen lamp 55b Spectrometer filter 55c Optical fiber 55d, 55f Condensing lens 55e, 55g Lens substrate 55h Light receiving part 61 Housing 62 Nozzle 71 X-axis moving rail 72 Y-axis moving rail 73 Z-axis moving rail 81 Right guide rail 81a Right rack gear 82 Left guide rail 83 Support unit 83a Plate portion 84 Support unit 85 Right clamp portion 86 Left clamp portion 87 Right support member 8 Left support member 89 Servo motor 90 Hasuba gear mechanism 91 Right shaft 92 Left shaft 100 Plate moving mechanism 101 Left guide rail 101a Guide groove 102 Right guide rail 102a Guide groove 103 Microplate support 104 Belt drive 105 Connection unit 106 Support Plate 107 Left side stay 107a, 107b Left side guide pin 108 Right side stay 108a, 108b Right side guide pin 109 Horizontal stay 113 Drive pulley 114 Driven pulley 115 Timing belt 116 Drive motor 117 Pulley support part 121 Belt side fixing plate 122 Stay side fixing plate 123 Connection Plate 151 Calibration curve data creation unit 152 Calibration curve data storage unit 153 Concentration calculation unit B Antibody magnetic beads D Reagent H Standard solution S Liquid sample

Claims (6)

According to a predetermined analysis protocol, a reagent and a liquid sample are respectively dispensed in a plurality of containers, and the optical characteristics of the liquid sample after the liquid sample dispensed in the container causes a chemical reaction with the reagent. A measurement unit for measuring
In accordance with the predetermined analysis protocol, the optical properties of the standard solution measured by the measuring unit are measured by measuring the optical properties of the standard solution after a chemical reaction of the standard solution of the predetermined substance having a known concentration in advance is caused by the reagent. A calibration curve data creation unit for creating calibration curve data representing the relationship between characteristics and concentration,
In the analyzer for analyzing the concentration of the predetermined substance contained in the liquid sample based on the calibration curve data created by the calibration curve data creation unit and the optical characteristics of the liquid sample measured by the measurement unit,
A calibration curve data storage unit for storing the calibration curve data;
A temperature control unit for controlling the reaction temperature of the liquid sample;
A controller that controls the temperature control unit so that the reaction temperature is substantially the same as the reaction temperature of the standard solution of the predetermined substance whose concentration is known in advance;
Based on optical characteristics obtained by measuring the liquid sample that has undergone a chemical reaction under the reaction temperature controlled by the temperature control unit by the measurement unit, and the calibration curve data stored in the calibration curve data storage unit. And analyzing the concentration of the predetermined substance in the liquid sample.   The analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising a concentration calculation unit that calculates a concentration of the predetermined substance in the liquid sample based on the calibration curve data stored in the calibration curve data storage unit.   It has a determination unit that compares a concentration reference value set in advance with the concentration of the liquid sample calculated by the concentration calculation unit to determine whether or not the predetermined substance is contained in the liquid sample. The analyzer according to claim 1 or 2.   The control unit controls the reaction time of the liquid sample so that the reaction time of the liquid sample is substantially the same as the reaction time of the standard solution according to the predetermined analysis protocol. The analyzer of any one of -3.   The control unit, according to the predetermined analysis protocol, dispenses the reagent and the liquid sample when chemically reacting the liquid sample with the dispensing amount of the reagent and the standard solution when chemically reacting the standard solution. 5. The dispensing amount of the reagent and the liquid sample when the liquid sample is chemically reacted is controlled so as to be substantially the same as the amount to be dispensed, respectively. Analysis equipment.   After the completion of each chemical reaction, the liquid in each container is aspirated, and a cleaning unit is provided for cleaning each container by injecting a cleaning liquid into each container. Each time the container is cleaned, control is performed so that the suction amount of the liquid in each container in the cleaning unit and the injection amount of the cleaning liquid become the same amount, respectively. 2. The analyzer according to item 1.

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