JP2008216067A - Analyzer and analysis method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an analyzer and an analysis method capable of acquiring an analysis result having high reliability, even when a reaction container is cleaned and used repeatedly. <P>SOLUTION: This analyzer 1 for dispensing a reagent and a sample into the reaction container 141, reacting the sample with the reagent, measuring a characteristic of a reaction liquid, and detecting an inspection object in the sample based on a measurement result, to thereby analyze the sample, includes a cleaning part 21 for cleaning the reaction container 141; an absorbance measuring part 20 for measuring the absorbance of a material in the reaction container 141; and a control part 31 for controlling dispensation of the sample into the reaction container 141, when the absorbance measured by the absorbance measuring part 20 is below a prescribed value, namely, when the quantity of an inspection object remaining in the reaction container 141 is below a prescribed quantity. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an analysis apparatus and an analysis method that repeatedly use a reaction vessel that contains a reaction solution that is a mixed solution of a sample and a reagent.

  Conventionally, analyzers used in various fields such as immunological tests and biochemical tests irradiate the reaction liquid of the sample and reagent with light having a predetermined wavelength and optically measure the characteristics of the reaction liquid. The sample is analyzed based on this characteristic. The analyzer can analyze multiple samples simultaneously and can analyze with high accuracy.

  The analyzer is also suitable for testing for detecting genes consisting of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) having a predetermined base sequence, such as SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) testing. The analyzer used for such gene detection, like the above-described analyzer, reacts a sample that has been subjected to a process of amplifying DNA having a predetermined base sequence with a reagent to optically characterize the reaction solution. And DNA having a predetermined base sequence in the sample is detected based on this characteristic (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2005-95134 A Japanese Patent No. 3545158

  By the way, in the conventional analyzer used for the biochemical test, the reaction vessel is automatically cleaned and repeatedly used after measuring the characteristics of the reaction solution. On the other hand, in the analyzer used for gene detection, the reaction vessel is replaced for each sample, and the used reaction vessel is not repeatedly used but discarded. The reaction vessel is discarded in the analyzer used for gene detection because the DNA or the like that is the subject of the genetic detection test is finer than the protein or sugar that is the subject of the biochemical test, so the washing solution This is because it is difficult to completely remove DNA and the like from the reaction container after use even if the reaction container is washed using the above, and there is a high possibility that the test object remains in the reaction container after washing. If a sample is analyzed using a reaction vessel in which the inspection object remains, in other words, a carry-over of the inspection object, a correct analysis result cannot be obtained for the sample. For this reason, in order to obtain a reliable analysis result, an analysis device for a sample including a test object that may not be able to prevent carryover even if the reaction vessel is washed, such as an analysis device used for gene detection. It was necessary to use a new reaction vessel for each sample.

  Therefore, analyzers and the like used for gene detection require time to replenish the reaction container, so the number of samples that can be inspected within a predetermined time is suppressed, and a new reaction container is required for each sample. As a result, there are problems such as high costs and wasteful use of resources.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an analysis apparatus and an analysis method capable of obtaining a highly reliable analysis result even when the reaction container is washed and repeatedly used. .

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an analyzer according to the present invention dispenses a sample and a reagent into a reaction vessel, reacts the sample and the reagent, and thereby provides characteristics of the reaction solution. And analyzing the sample by detecting the inspection object in the sample based on the measurement result, the cleaning means for cleaning the reaction container, and the inspection object in the reaction container. And detecting means for detecting, and control means for performing control for dispensing the sample into the reaction container when the inspection object detected by the detecting means is less than a predetermined amount.

  Further, in the analyzer according to the present invention, in the above invention, the inspection object is deoxyribonucleic acid, and the detection means measures the absorbance by irradiating the reaction container with ultraviolet rays, and based on the measurement result The inspection object is detected.

  In the analysis apparatus according to the present invention, in the above invention, the control unit controls the cleaning of the reaction container again by the cleaning unit when the inspection target detected by the detection unit is a predetermined amount or more. It is characterized by performing.

  Moreover, the analyzer according to the present invention is the inspection object in the reaction container before being cleaned by the cleaning means and / or the inspection object in the reaction container cleaned by the cleaning means in the above invention. Erasing means for destroying or altering the structure and erasing the inspection object is provided.

  In the analysis apparatus according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the erasure means irradiates the reaction container with an electron beam to destroy or alter the test object to be eliminated.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the analysis method according to the present invention dispenses a sample and a reagent into a reaction vessel, reacts the sample and the reagent, and reacts the reaction solution. An analysis method for analyzing the sample by detecting an inspection object in the sample based on the measurement result, and a cleaning step for cleaning the reaction container; and an inspection object in the reaction container And a control step for controlling the dispensing of the sample into the reaction container when the inspection target detected in the detection step is less than a predetermined amount.

  Further, in the analysis method according to the present invention, in the above invention, the inspection object is deoxyribonucleic acid, and the detection step measures the absorbance by irradiating the reaction container with ultraviolet rays, and based on the measurement result The inspection object is detected.

  Moreover, the analysis method according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the detection step detects the inspection object in the reaction container cleaned in the cleaning step.

  In the analysis method according to the present invention, in the above invention, the control step is a control in which the reaction container is washed again in the washing step when the inspection object detected in the detection step is a predetermined amount or more. It is characterized by performing.

  Further, the analysis method according to the present invention includes the disappearance step of destroying or altering the inspection object in the reaction container before and / or after the washing step to disappear the inspection object in the above invention. Features.

  Further, the analysis method according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the disappearing step comprises irradiating the reaction container with an electron beam to destroy or alter the inspection object to cause the inspection object to disappear. To do.

  The analyzer and the analysis method according to the present invention control the cleaning of a reaction container, detect an inspection object in the reaction container, and dispense a sample into the reaction container when the detected inspection object is less than a predetermined amount. As a result, a new sample can be analyzed using only the reaction vessel whose carryover is less than the allowable amount, and a highly reliable analysis result can be obtained even when the reaction vessel is used repeatedly. There is an effect that can be.

  Hereinafter, an analysis apparatus and an analysis method which are the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  Note that the analyzer according to this embodiment is used in a part of a series of steps of gene detection test. The gene detection test includes a DNA extraction step for extracting DNA from a specimen, a DNA amplification step for amplifying a part of the extracted DNA having a predetermined base sequence, and a DNA detection step for detecting the amplified DNA. This is done in this order. The analyzer according to this embodiment is used in the detection process.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an analyzer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the analyzer 1 includes a measurement mechanism 101 that dispenses a sample and a reagent into a reaction container and performs optical measurement on a liquid that has reacted in the reaction container, and a measurement mechanism 101. A control mechanism 103 that controls the entire analyzer 1 and analyzes a measurement result in the measurement mechanism 101 is provided. The analyzer 1 automatically performs a gene detection test on a plurality of samples through the cooperation of these two mechanisms. The “liquid” referred to here includes a liquid containing a solid component, and specifically includes a sample and a reagent as described later.

  First, the measurement mechanism 101 will be described. The measurement mechanism 101 is roughly divided into a sample container transfer unit 11, a first reagent container holding unit 12, a second reagent container holding unit 13, a reaction container holding unit 14, a sample dispensing unit 15, a first reagent dispensing unit 16, A second reagent dispensing unit 17, a stirring unit 18, a turbidity measuring unit 19, an absorbance measuring unit 20, and a washing unit 21 are provided.

  The sample container transfer unit 11 includes a rack 112 that holds a plurality of sample containers 111 that contain samples, and a transfer unit that transfers the rack 112. The first reagent container holding part 12, the second reagent container holding part 13 and the reaction container holding part 14 are wheels for holding the first reagent container 121, the second reagent container 131 and the reaction container 141, respectively, and the respective wheels. And a driving means for rotating the wheel about a vertical line passing through the center as a rotation axis.

  An information code recording medium in which identification information for identifying a sample accommodated in the sample container 111 is encoded and recorded in a predetermined information code (barcode, two-dimensional barcode, etc.) is attached. The first reagent container 121 and the second reagent container 131 are affixed with information code recording media in which identification information for identifying the reagent contained therein is encoded and recorded in a predetermined information code. For this reason, the measurement mechanism 101 includes an information code reader CR1 that reads an information code attached to the sample container 111, an information code reader CR2 that reads an information code attached to the first reagent container 121, and a second reagent container 131. An information code reading unit CR3 for reading the information code attached to the sample container is provided in the sample container transfer unit 11, the first reagent container holding unit 12, and the second reagent container holding unit 13, respectively.

  The reaction container 141 is, for example, a glass container, is a container that transmits light irradiated by the turbidity measurement unit 19 and the absorbance measurement unit 20 and can be used repeatedly semipermanently.

  The sample dispensing unit 15 includes a thin tubular probe, a tip that is detachably attached to the tip of the probe, an arm that freely moves up and down in the vertical direction and rotates in the horizontal direction, and a tip of the tip on the liquid surface. Liquid level detecting means for detecting that it has been reached. The sample dispensing unit 15 sucks the sample in the sample container 111 transferred to the predetermined position by the sample container transfer unit 11 into the chip, rotates the arm, and moves the reaction transferred to the predetermined position by the reaction container holding unit 14. The sample in the chip is discharged into the container 141.

  Further, on the operation line of the sample dispensing unit 15 of the measurement mechanism 101, a chip storage unit 151 that holds an unused chip and a chip disposal unit 152 that removes a used chip from the probe and discards it are provided. . The sample dispensing unit 15 attaches an unused chip to the probe in the chip storage unit 151 and removes the used chip in the chip disposal unit 152. Used chips are automatically stored in a disposal box.

  The first reagent dispensing unit 16 includes a thin tubular probe, an arm that freely moves up and down in the vertical direction and a rotation in the horizontal direction, a cleaning means that cleans the probe, and a probe tip that has reached the liquid level. And a liquid level detecting means for detecting. The first reagent dispensing unit 16 sucks the reagent in the first reagent container 121 transferred to a predetermined position by the first reagent container holding unit 12 into the probe, rotates the arm, and uses the reaction container holding unit 14 to The reagent is dispensed into the reaction vessel 141 transferred to a predetermined position. The second reagent dispensing unit 17 has the same configuration as that of the first reagent dispensing unit 16, and the reagent in the second reagent container 131 transferred to a predetermined position by the second reagent container holding unit 13. The reagent is sucked into the probe, the arm is turned, and the reagent is dispensed into the reaction container 141 transferred to a predetermined position by the reaction container holding unit 14.

  The stirring unit 18 is a device that stirs the liquid dispensed into the reaction vessel 141 in a non-contact manner, for example, by sound waves (surface acoustic waves), or a stirring spatula is immersed in the liquid in the reaction vessel 141 to immerse this liquid. A stirrer is provided.

  The turbidity measuring unit 19 includes a light source mechanism that irradiates a predetermined region on the side surface of the reaction vessel 141 with analysis light (for example, visible light) having a predetermined wavelength as parallel light perpendicular to the side surface of the reaction vessel 141, and light transmitted through the reaction vessel 141. And a received light amount measuring mechanism for measuring the amount of transmitted light having a wavelength of 800 nm, for example. When the reaction solution in the reaction container 141 is suspended, the analysis light irradiated on the reaction solution is scattered, so that the amount of analysis light reaching the received light amount measurement mechanism is reduced.

  The absorbance measurement unit 20 divides the light transmitted through the reaction vessel 141 with a light source mechanism that irradiates light including ultraviolet rays, particularly analysis light including light having a wavelength of 260 nm, to the predetermined position of the reaction vessel 141, and light having a wavelength of 260 nm. And a received light amount measuring mechanism for measuring the amount of transmitted light. The turbidity measuring unit 19 and the absorbance measuring unit 20 share a light source mechanism and a received light amount measuring mechanism, and the light source mechanism irradiates the reaction vessel 141 with analysis light including ultraviolet rays and visible light, and for the purpose of measurement. Accordingly, the irradiation position of the analysis light may be changed, and the received light amount measurement mechanism may measure the transmission amount of light of each wavelength according to the purpose of measurement.

  When nucleic acid such as DNA is present in the reaction vessel 141, the amount of ultraviolet light, particularly light having a wavelength of 260 nm, is reduced. This is because a base (adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine), which is one of the constituent elements of nucleic acid, absorbs light having a wavelength of around 260 nm.

  The cleaning unit 21 includes a plurality of nozzles, a liquid suction device, and a cleaning liquid injection device. The cleaning unit 21 sucks and discharges the reaction liquid in the reaction container 141 through the nozzle, and repeatedly injects and sucks a cleaning liquid such as detergent and cleaning water into the reaction container 141 through the nozzle, The reaction vessel 141 is washed.

  Next, the control mechanism 103 will be described. The control mechanism 103 is realized using one or a plurality of computer systems and is connected to the measurement mechanism 101. The control mechanism 103 controls the operation process of the measurement mechanism 101 using various programs related to each process of the analysis apparatus 1 and analyzes the measurement result of the measurement mechanism 101. The control mechanism 103 includes a control unit 31, an analysis unit 32, a storage unit 33, an output unit 34, and an input unit 35.

  The control unit 31 is configured using a CPU or the like having a control function, and controls processing and operation of each component of the analyzer 1. The control unit 31 performs predetermined input / output control on information input / output to / from each component and performs predetermined information processing on this information. The control unit 31 controls the analyzer 1 by reading out the program stored in the storage unit 33 from the memory.

  The analysis unit 32 performs an analysis operation on the measurement results input from the turbidity measurement unit 19 and the absorbance measurement unit 20 of the measurement mechanism 101. The analysis unit 32 calculates the turbidity of the reaction solution based on the amount of received light measured by the turbidity measurement unit 19, and compares the acquired turbidity with a predetermined reference turbidity. If the calculated turbidity is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference turbidity, the analysis unit 32 determines that the sample contains DNA having a predetermined base sequence. The analysis result is output from the output unit 34 and stored in the storage unit 33. Further, the analysis unit 32 calculates the absorbance of the substance in the reaction container 141 based on the amount of received light measured by the absorbance measurement unit 20. This absorbance is also stored in the storage unit 33 together with the identification information of the reaction container 141.

  The storage unit 33 includes a hard disk for magnetically storing information and a memory for electrically storing various programs related to the process when the analyzer 1 executes the process. The storage unit 33 stores the reference turbidity, the analysis result of the sample, and the like. The storage unit 33 may include an auxiliary storage device that can read information stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a PC card.

  The output unit 34 includes a display, a printer, a speaker, and the like, and outputs various information regarding analysis to the outside. The input unit 35 includes a keyboard for inputting various information, a mouse for designating an arbitrary position on the display screen of the output unit 34, and various information and analysis operations necessary for sample analysis. Instruction information is acquired from outside.

  The analyzer 1 having the above-described parts and mechanisms analyzes the sample by reacting the sample and the reagent. That is, the analyzer 1 dispenses the sample and the reagent into the reaction container 141, reacts the sample and the reagent, measures the characteristics of the reaction solution, and detects the inspection target in the sample based on the measurement result. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the DNA 41 to be detected detected by the analyzer 1 is a double-stranded DNA having a predetermined base sequence, and a predetermined antigen or antibody 41a, 41b is bound to each chain. Has been. The antigen or antibody 41a, 41b may be a hapten that is an incomplete antigen.

  The sample is created through a DNA extraction process and a DNA amplification process. In the DNA extraction step, DNA in a sample collected from a subject or the like is extracted. In the DNA amplification step, DNA 41 is used only when the DNA extracted in the DNA extraction step using a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) method or the like contains DNA having a predetermined base sequence, for example, DNA whose SNP site is adenine. Is operated to amplify. Therefore, when a subject or the like has DNA having a predetermined base sequence, the sample prepared through the above-described steps includes a large amount of DNA 41. On the other hand, when the subject does not have DNA having a predetermined base sequence, DNA 41 is not included even in the sample prepared through the above-described steps.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the reagent for detecting DNA 41 includes, for example, an antigen bound to DNA 41 or an antibody that recognizes antibodies 41a and 41b or particles 42 such as latex beads 42c bound to antigens 42a and 42b. It is liquid. This reagent is used as a second reagent in the analyzer 1. The first reagent used in the analyzer 1 is a liquid that does not directly participate in the reaction, such as a buffer solution.

  When a sample containing DNA 41 and a second reagent containing particles 42 are mixed, the antigen or antibody 41a, 41b bound to DNA 41 and the antibody or antigen 42a, 42b bound to latex bead 42c cause an antigen-antibody reaction and bind. To do. When this bonding occurs, as shown in FIG. 2, the DNA 41 crosslinks between the particles 42, and the particles 42 and the DNA 41 form an aggregate 43. Thus, if DNA 41 is present in the sample, an aggregate 43 is formed when the sample and the second reagent are mixed, so that the reaction solution is suspended. Therefore, the analyzer 1 can detect the DNA 41 in the sample based on the turbidity of the reaction solution.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, an inspection process performed by the control unit 31 in the analyzer 1 using these mechanisms and detection methods will be described. First, the control unit 31 controls the reaction container holding unit 14 to transfer the reaction container 141 cleaned by the cleaning unit 21 to the first reagent dispensing position, and controls the first reagent dispensing unit 16 to control the reaction container. The first reagent is dispensed into 141 (step S101). At this time, if the DNA 41 remains in the reaction container 141, the DNA 41 diffuses into the first reagent.

  The control unit 31 transfers the reaction container 141 into which the first reagent has been dispensed to the absorbance measurement unit 20, and controls the absorbance measurement unit 20 and the analysis unit 32 to measure the absorbance of the first reagent in the reaction container 141. (Step S102). At this time, the control unit 31 stores the absorbance measured together with the identification information of the reaction container 141 in the storage unit 33.

  Here, the above-mentioned absorbance indicates the absorbance of the first reagent on the basis of the amount of light having a wavelength of 260 nm that passes through the first reagent in which DNA 41 is not mixed. The first reagent in which DAN41 is mixed absorbs more light having a wavelength of 260 nm than the first reagent in which DNA41 is not mixed. For this reason, the amount of light having a wavelength of 260 nm that passes through the first reagent in which DAN 41 is mixed is reduced compared to the amount of light having a wavelength of 260 nm that is transmitted through the first reagent in which DNA 41 is not mixed. Accordingly, the DNA 41 in the reaction container 141 can be detected based on the absorbance of the first reagent in the reaction container 141.

  Next, the control unit 31 transfers the reaction container 141 to the sample dispensing position. At this time, the control unit 31 acquires the absorbance of the first reagent in the reaction container 141 stored in the storage unit 33 based on the identification information of the reaction container 141 at the sample dispensing position. The control unit 31 compares the acquired absorbance with a predetermined value, and when the absorbance is less than the predetermined value (step S103: Yes), the sample dispensing unit 15 is controlled to dispense the sample into the reaction vessel 141. (Step S104). Next, the control unit 31 transfers the reaction container 141 to the second reagent dispensing position. At this time, if the absorbance is less than the predetermined value, the control unit 31 controls the second reagent dispensing unit 17 to dispense the second reagent into the reaction container 141 (step S105). Thereafter, the control unit 31 transfers the reaction container 141 to the turbidity measurement unit 19. At this time, if the absorbance is less than the predetermined value, the control unit 31 controls the turbidity measurement unit 19 to measure the turbidity of the liquid in the reaction container 141, that is, the reaction liquid (step S106). In addition, immediately after step S101, S104, S105, the control part 31 transfers the reaction container 141 which accommodated each liquid to the stirring part 18, and stirs the liquid in the reaction container 141. FIG.

  On the other hand, when the absorbance of the first reagent accommodated in the reaction container 141 transferred to the sample dispensing position is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (step S103: No), the control unit 31 includes a sample dispensing unit. Control 15 and do not dispense sample. Furthermore, the controller 31 controls each part of the reaction container 141 transferred to the second reagent dispensing position and the turbidity measuring part 19 when the absorbance of the first reagent in the reaction container 141 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Thus, the second reagent is not dispensed and the turbidity of the liquid in the reaction vessel 141 is not measured.

  Thereafter, the control unit 31 transfers the reaction container 141 to the cleaning unit 21. The cleaning unit 21 discharges the liquid in the reaction container 141 and cleans the reaction container 141 regardless of the absorbance of the first reagent contained (step S107). As long as there is no analysis stop instruction input (step S108: No), the control unit 31 returns to the above step S101 and repeats the above processing.

  Thus, in the above-described processing, when the absorbance of the first reagent in the reaction container 141 is less than the predetermined value, the control unit 31 uses the reaction container 141 for analyzing the sample, and the first reagent in the reaction container 141 is used. When the absorbance of the reagent is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the reaction container 141 is not used for the analysis of the sample and is washed again.

  Here, the predetermined value used in step S103 of the above process is obtained based on the relationship between the absorbance of the first reagent in the reaction container 141 and the concentration of the DNA 41 in the first reagent. The relational expression between the DNA 41 concentration and the absorbance is shown below.

  c = A260 / (ε · L)

  In the above formula, each symbol is c: nucleic acid concentration (μg / mL), A260: absorbance (−) of light having a wavelength of 260 nm, ε: extinction coefficient (mL / (μg · mm)), L: optical path length (mm ). The extinction coefficient ε is a coefficient specific to the nucleic acid property, that is, a coefficient specific to the DNA 41. For example, in the analyzer 1, if the optical path length is 10 mm and the absorbance (A260) is 0.1 to 2.5, the DNA41 concentration (c) is 5 to 125 μg / mL. Therefore, the amount of DNA 41 (predetermined amount) that does not affect the analysis results of other samples even if it remains in the reaction vessel 141 is determined, and this predetermined amount is converted into the concentration of DNA 41 in the first reagent. The absorbance calculated based on the concentration of DNA 41 and the above-described relational expression is set as a predetermined value. Therefore, when the absorbance of the first reagent in the reaction container 141 is less than the predetermined value, it can be determined that the amount of DNA 41 in the first reagent is less than the predetermined amount.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, when the remaining amount of the DNA 41 in the reaction container 141 is less than the predetermined amount, the control unit 31 uses the reaction container 141 again for the analysis of the sample, and the remaining amount of the DNA 41 is determined. In the case of more than the fixed amount, this reaction vessel 141 is not used for the analysis of the sample but is washed again. Therefore, the analysis apparatus 1 performs analysis of a new sample using only the reaction vessel 141 that is guaranteed to have no carryover or to be able to ignore carryover, so that a highly reliable analysis result can be obtained.

  In the first embodiment, DNA 41 remaining in the reaction container 141 after the first reagent is dispensed is detected, and it is determined whether or not the reaction container 141 can be reused. This is because when the DNA 41 remains in the reaction vessel 141, the DNA 41 is diffused into the first reagent to facilitate the detection of the DNA 41. However, the present invention is not limited to this as long as the DNA 41 in the reaction container 141 after the washing and before the sample is dispensed again can be detected. For example, the analysis light is applied to the reaction container 141 after the washing and before the first reagent dispensing. Irradiation may be performed to measure the absorbance of light having a wavelength of 260 nm, and DNA 41 may be detected based on this absorbance to determine whether or not the reaction vessel 141 can be used.

  In the first embodiment, the remaining DNA 41 is detected based on the absorbance of light having a wavelength of 260 nm, and whether or not the reaction vessel 141 can be reused is determined. However, the present invention is not limited to this as long as the DNA 41 in the reaction vessel 141 can be detected, and the DNA 41 may be detected using a color reaction such as a reaction between diphenylamine and DNA or a foil reaction. In this case, a dispensing means for dispensing a reagent such as diphenylamine, a heating means for heating the reaction vessel 141 for reacting diphenylamine or the like with the DNA 41, a colorimeter for confirming coloration, and the like are further required.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment described above, the reaction vessel 141 is washed to remove the DNA 41 in the reaction vessel 141 to prevent the DNA 41 from being carried over. However, in this second embodiment, the reaction vessel 141 is washed and reacted. The container 141 is irradiated with an electron beam to destroy or alter the DNA 41 in the reaction container 141 to cause the DNA 41 in the reaction container 141 to disappear, thereby preventing the DNA 41 from carrying over.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the analysis device 2 includes an electron beam irradiation unit 22 in the measurement mechanism 201 in addition to each unit of the analysis device 1.

  The electron beam irradiation unit 22 irradiates the reaction container 141 with an electron beam. At this time, if DNA 41 is present in the reaction vessel 141, the DNA 41 is cleaved by the ionization action of the electron beam as shown in FIG. Will change. The degree of DNA 41 destruction or alteration depends on the energy of the electron beam. The electron beam irradiation unit 22 irradiates the reaction container 141 with an electron beam having an energy sufficient to cut the DNA strand of the DNA 41 to destroy the DNA 41 and to alter most of the bases of the DNA 41.

  Here, the residue 41c of the DNA 41 that has been destroyed or altered by receiving an electron beam does not absorb the analysis light even if it is irradiated with analysis light having a wavelength of around 260 nm. This is because the base derived from DNA 41 has been altered, so that it does not absorb analysis light having a wavelength of around 260 nm. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the residue 41 c cannot cross-link between the particles 42 because the DNA strands are cleaved, and does not generate an aggregate 43 even when mixed with the second reagent containing the particles 42. For this reason, the mixed solution is not suspended. Therefore, even if the residue 41c remains in the reaction vessel 141, the measurement results of the absorbance of the first reagent and the turbidity of the reaction solution in the reaction vessel 141 are not affected.

  Next, an inspection process performed by the control unit 36 in the analyzer 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 36 controls each unit in the same manner as the inspection process performed by the control unit 31 of the analyzer 1, and dispenses the first reagent into the reaction vessel 141 washed by the washing unit 21 (step S201). The absorbance of the first reagent in 141 is measured, and this absorbance and the identification information of the reaction container 141 are stored in the storage unit 33 (step S202). When the absorbance of the first reagent in the reaction container 141 is less than the predetermined value (step S203: Yes), the control unit 36 dispenses the sample and the second reagent into the reaction container 141, and turbidity of the reaction solution Are measured (steps S204 to S206). On the other hand, when the absorbance of the first reagent in the reaction container 141 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (step S203: No), the control unit 36 does not dispense the sample and the reagent into the reaction container 141, and the reaction container 141 contains No turbidity measurement is performed.

  Next, the control unit 36 controls each unit to transfer the reaction vessel 141 to the cleaning unit 21 and discharge the liquid in the reaction vessel 141 regardless of the absorbance of the first reagent to be accommodated. Is washed (step S207). Next, the control unit 36 transfers the cleaned reaction vessel 141 to the electron beam irradiation unit 22 and irradiates the reaction vessel 141 with an electron beam (step S208). As long as there is no analysis stop instruction input (step S209: No), the control unit 36 returns to the above-described step S201 and repeats the above-described processing.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the analyzer 2 includes the electron beam irradiation unit 22, and the reaction vessel 141 cleaned by the cleaning unit 21 is irradiated with an electron beam to destroy or destroy the DNA 41 in the reaction vessel 141. Since the DNA 41 is lost due to alteration, the amount of DNA 41 remaining in the reaction vessel 141 can be reduced as compared with the case where the carry-over of the DNA 41 is prevented only by washing, so that many reaction vessels 141 can be repeatedly used for sample analysis. Can be used and many samples can be analyzed within a given time.

  In the second embodiment, the control unit 36 controls each unit to wash the reaction vessel 141 and then irradiates the reaction vessel 141 with an electron beam. However, the present invention is not limited to this as long as the carry-over of the DNA 41 can be prevented. After measuring the turbidity of the reaction solution in the reaction vessel 141 and before washing the reaction vessel 141, that is, between step S206 and step S207, the reaction vessel 141 may be irradiated with an electron beam, and even before and after washing the reaction container 141, that is, even when the reaction container 141 is irradiated with an electron beam before and after step S207, carryover of DNA 41 is similarly prevented. be able to.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the outline | summary of the analyzer concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which the test object and the particle | grains contained in a reagent couple | bonded and aggregated with the analyzer shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the inspection process which a control part performs with the analyzer shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the outline | summary of the analyzer concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which the fragment | piece of the test object after electron beam irradiation and the particle | grains contained in a reagent couple | bonded with the analyzer shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the inspection process which a control part performs with the analyzer shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 Analyzer 11 Sample container transfer part 12 1st reagent container holding part 13 2nd reagent container holding part 14 Reaction container holding part 15 Sample dispensing part 16 1st reagent dispensing part 17 2nd reagent dispensing part 18 Agitation Unit 19 Turbidity metering unit 20 Absorbance measuring unit 21 Washing unit 22 Electron beam irradiation unit 31, 36 Control unit 32 Analysis unit 33 Storage unit 34 Output unit 35 Input unit 41 DNA
41a, 41b Antigen or antibody 41c Residue 42 Particles 42a, 42b Antibody or antigen 42c Latex beads 43 Aggregate 101, 201 Measuring mechanism 103, 203 Control mechanism 111 Sample container 112 Rack 121 First reagent container 131 Second reagent container 141 Reaction Container 151 Chip storage unit 152 Chip disposal unit CR1, CR2, CR3 Information code reading unit

Claims (11)

Dispensing a sample and a reagent into a reaction container, reacting the sample and the reagent, measuring characteristics of the reaction solution, detecting an inspection object in the sample based on the measurement result, and An analysis device for analyzing
A cleaning means for cleaning the reaction vessel;
Detecting means for detecting the inspection object in the reaction container;
Control means for performing control to dispense the sample into the reaction container when the inspection object detected by the detection means is less than a predetermined amount;
An analyzer characterized by comprising: The test object is deoxyribonucleic acid,
The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit measures the absorbance by irradiating the reaction container with ultraviolet rays, and detects the inspection object based on the measurement result.   3. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the inspection target detected by the detection unit is a predetermined amount or more, the control unit performs control to clean the reaction container again by the cleaning unit. 4. Analysis equipment.   Disappearing means for destroying or altering the inspection object in the reaction container and / or the inspection object in the reaction container cleaned by the cleaning means before being cleaned by the cleaning means, thereby erasing the inspection object. The analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the analyzer is provided.   5. The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the erasure unit irradiates the reaction container with an electron beam to destroy or alter the inspection object. Dispensing a sample and a reagent into a reaction container, reacting the sample and the reagent, measuring the characteristics of the reaction solution, detecting an inspection object in the sample based on the measurement result, An analysis method for analyzing
A washing step for washing the reaction vessel;
A detection step of detecting an inspection object in the reaction vessel;
A control step for controlling the dispensing of the sample into the reaction container when the test object detected in the detection step is less than a predetermined amount;
The analysis method characterized by including. The test object is deoxyribonucleic acid,
The analysis method according to claim 6, wherein in the detection step, the reaction container is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to measure absorbance, and the inspection object is detected based on the measurement result.   The analysis method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the detection step detects the inspection object in the reaction container cleaned in the cleaning step.   The said control step performs control which wash | cleans the said reaction container again by the said washing | cleaning step, when the said test object detected by the said detection step is more than predetermined amount. The analysis method as described in one.   10. The method according to claim 6, further comprising a disappearance step of destroying or altering the inspection target in the reaction container before and / or after the cleaning step to cause the inspection target to disappear. Analysis method.   The analysis according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the erasing step irradiates the reaction container with an electron beam to destroy or alter the inspection object and thereby cause the inspection object to disappear. Method.

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