JP2009014636A - Specimen analysis method, spectrophotometric measurement method, inspection apparatus, and inspection tip - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inspection apparatus which can measure, even if a specimen and medical fluid are introduced into minute channels at the surface of substrate, absorbance after promoting their chemical reaction. <P>SOLUTION: An inspection tip 3 of a clinical laboratory device 1 includes a substrate 41 and channels 46-49 that are formed at its surface. Reaction chambers 51-54 are formed in the middle of the channels 46-49. The lower parts 51a-54a of the substrate 41 are cut out from back face side of the substrate 41, and form thin-walled plates. The clinical laboratory device 1 includes ultrasonic vibration means 5 which can apply ultrasonic wave having its sound focus at the lower parts 51a-54a, and it applies ultrasonic wave when an analyte is introduced. By vibration of the lower parts 51a-54a, the analyte and medical fluid which flow into the reaction chambers 51-54 vibrate to be in a state of turbulent diffusion, and are stirred and blended uniformly. Consequently, absorbance of analyte can be measured after thoroughly promoting these reaction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sample analysis method, and more particularly to a spectrophotometric measurement method capable of measuring the absorbance of a chemical solution and a sample in a state in which the chemical solution is sufficiently reacted. Moreover, it is related with the test | inspection apparatus and test chip | tip used for such a spectrophotometric measuring method.

  μTAS (Micro Total Analysis System) introduces a sample and a chemical solution into a fine channel formed on the surface of a substrate with a size of several centimeters, and reacts them while passing through the channel. It is a system to analyze. It is used for general biochemical tests, immunological tests, and the like. For example, the absorbance of a sample that has reacted with a chemical solution is measured, and its component concentration is analyzed. The use of μTAS has the advantage that only a small amount of sample and chemical solution are introduced, and the amount of waste after analysis is small. In addition, the time required for the analysis is advantageously shorter than that of a large analysis system.

On the other hand, since the flow path is fine, there is a problem that the sample and the chemical solution introduced therein are not uniformly mixed and the chemical reaction does not proceed. In order to solve such a problem, in Patent Document 1, the cross-sectional area in the middle of the flow path is reduced to ensure a time until the specimen and the chemical solution are uniformly mixed by the diffusion phenomenon. . In Patent Document 2, a stirring element is attached to a substrate, and a specimen or the like flowing through a flow path is vibrated to promote a chemical reaction.
JP 2005-30999 A JP 2005-164549 A

  However, it has been found that the specimen and the chemical solution are laminar in the fine channel and turbulent diffusion cannot be expected. For this reason, there is a problem that a desired chemical reaction cannot be obtained even if the diffusion time is secured by defining the shape of the flow path.

  In addition, when the stirring element is attached to the substrate, there is a problem that the substrate cannot be made small. There is also a problem that the manufacturing cost of the substrate increases.

  In view of these points, an object of the present invention is to provide a sample analysis method capable of analyzing a sample after sufficiently promoting the chemical reaction even when the sample and the chemical solution are introduced into a fine channel. It is to provide. It is another object of the present invention to provide a sample analysis method capable of promoting a chemical reaction of a sample or the like flowing through a flow path without attaching a stirring element or the like to the substrate.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a spectrophotometric measurement method capable of measuring the absorbance after sufficiently promoting the chemical reaction even when the specimen and the chemical solution are introduced into the fine flow path formed on the substrate surface. Moreover, it is providing the test | inspection apparatus and test | inspection chip which are used for such a spectrophotometric measuring method.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a sample analysis method,
Introduce the sample and chemical into the channel formed on the surface of the substrate,
Irradiating an ultrasonic wave having an acoustic focus on a predetermined portion of the flow path in the substrate to vibrate the specimen and the chemical solution,
It is characterized by analyzing a sample that has reacted with a chemical solution.

  According to the sample analysis method of the present invention, an ultrasonic wave having an acoustic focus on a predetermined portion of a flow path through which the introduced sample and the chemical solution pass is irradiated, and then the sample is analyzed. By vibrating a predetermined portion of the flow path using ultrasonic waves, it is possible to vibrate the specimen and the chemical solution that pass through the predetermined portion. As a result, the specimen and the chemical solution diffuse turbulently. Moreover, since it is stirred and mixed uniformly, these chemical reactions proceed. As a result, the specimen can be analyzed after sufficiently promoting the chemical reaction between the specimen and the chemical solution. Therefore, for example, the specimen can be analyzed with high accuracy using a fluorescence method, a chemiluminescence method, a latex agglutination method, or the like. Further, since the specimen and the chemical solution are agitated by the ultrasonic wave having a predetermined portion of the flow path as an acoustic focus, the entire substrate is not vibrated. Therefore, it is easy to arrange an analytical instrument or the like around the substrate. Moreover, since it is not necessary to attach a stirring element etc. to a board | substrate, a board | substrate can be comprised small. In addition, the substrate can be manufactured at a low cost.

Next, the present invention is a spectrophotometric measurement method comprising:
Introduce the sample and chemical into the channel formed on the surface of the substrate,
Irradiating an ultrasonic wave having an acoustic focus on a predetermined portion of the flow path in the substrate to vibrate the specimen and the chemical solution,
Transmit the test light to the specimen that has reacted with the chemical solution,
The absorbance is measured from the transmitted light.

  According to the spectrophotometric measurement method of the present invention, an ultrasonic wave having an acoustic focus on a predetermined portion of the flow path through which the introduced specimen and the chemical solution pass is irradiated, and then the absorbance of the specimen is measured. By vibrating a predetermined portion of the flow path using ultrasonic waves, it is possible to vibrate the specimen and the chemical solution that pass through the predetermined portion. As a result, the specimen and the chemical solution diffuse turbulently. Moreover, since it is stirred and mixed uniformly, these chemical reactions proceed. As a result, the absorbance of the specimen can be measured after sufficiently promoting the chemical reaction between the specimen and the chemical solution. Further, since the specimen and the chemical solution are agitated by the ultrasonic wave having a predetermined portion of the flow path as an acoustic focus, the entire substrate is not vibrated. Therefore, it is easy to arrange an instrument for measuring absorbance around the substrate. Moreover, since it is not necessary to attach a stirring element etc. to a board | substrate, a board | substrate can be comprised small. In addition, the substrate can be manufactured at a low cost.

  Here, in order to measure the absorbance using the flow path formed on the substrate, it is desirable to transmit the inspection light to the specimen that has reacted with the chemical solution via the flow path.

Next, the present invention is an inspection apparatus used in the above spectrophotometric measurement method,
An inspection chip comprising the substrate and the flow path;
Ultrasonic vibration means for irradiating the ultrasonic waves;
A spectrophotometer comprising light emitting means for emitting the inspection light and light receiving means for receiving the transmitted light;
The flow path is provided with a reaction chamber formed in the middle of the flow path to be wide,
A predetermined portion of the reaction chamber on the substrate is an acoustic focal point of the ultrasonic wave.

  The inspection apparatus of the present invention is provided with ultrasonic vibration means, and a predetermined portion of the reaction chamber vibrates due to the ultrasonic wave emitted from the ultrasonic vibration means. Thereby, the specimen and the chemical solution flowing into the wide reaction chamber vibrate and diffuse turbulently. Moreover, since it is stirred and mixed uniformly, these chemical reactions proceed. As a result, the absorbance of the specimen can be measured after sufficiently promoting the chemical reaction between the specimen and the chemical solution. Further, since the specimen and the chemical solution are agitated by the ultrasonic wave having a predetermined portion of the flow path as an acoustic focus, the entire substrate is not vibrated. Therefore, it is easy to arrange the spectrophotometer around the substrate. Moreover, since it is not necessary to attach a stirring element etc. to a board | substrate, a test | inspection chip can be comprised small. In addition, the inspection chip can be manufactured at a low cost.

  Here, in order to sufficiently vibrate the specimen flowing into the reaction chamber and promote the chemical reaction, the predetermined portion of the reaction chamber is formed thinner than the other flow passage portions of the flow passage. It is preferable that

In the present invention, in order to measure the absorbance of a sample using a flow path, the flow path includes a measurement chamber that is formed straight by a predetermined dimension downstream of the reaction chamber,
It is preferable that the inspection light emitted from the light emitting means is received by the light receiving means via the measurement chamber. In this way, there is no need to separately prepare a cell for storing the specimen in order to measure the absorbance.

Here, in order to allow the inspection light to pass through the measurement chamber through the measurement chamber, the upstream flow path portion that is continuous with the measurement chamber in the flow path is orthogonal to the direction in which the measurement chamber extends. The downstream side flow passage portion continuous from the measurement chamber to the upstream end portion of the measurement chamber is continuous in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the measurement chamber extends from the downstream end portion of the measurement chamber. And
The upstream end face and the downstream end face of the measurement chamber are provided with a transparent light passage part,
An upstream mounting portion to which either one of the light emitting means and the light receiving means is mounted is formed outside the upstream end face, and the light emitting means and the light receiving means are provided outside the downstream end face. It is desirable to form a downstream side mounting portion on which one of the light receiving means is mounted.

In addition, in order to allow inspection light to pass through a measurement chamber through a measurement chamber, an upstream mounting portion in which one of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit is mounted on the upstream end portion of the measurement chamber Protrudes into the reaction chamber,
At the downstream end portion of the measurement chamber, an upstream side mounting portion on which one of the light emitting means and the light receiving means is mounted protrudes into the reaction chamber,
It is desirable that the upstream mounting portion and the downstream mounting portion are opposed to each other, and opposite end surfaces are provided with a transparent light passage portion.

In the present invention, in order to react the sample and the chemical solution after dispensing them, the upstream of the reaction chamber in the flow path is branched into a plurality,
It is desirable that an introduction portion for introducing a chemical solution and a sample into the flow channel is formed at each upstream end of the branched flow channel portion.

  In the present invention, in order to simplify the manufacturing process such as etching of the substrate in the inspection chip and increase the degree of freedom in selecting the substrate material, it is desirable that the depth of the flow path be constant.

Next, the present invention is an inspection apparatus used in the above spectrophotometric measurement method,
A test chip comprising the substrate and first and second flow paths formed on the surface thereof;
Ultrasonic vibration means for irradiating the ultrasonic waves;
A spectrophotometer comprising a light emitting means for emitting the inspection light and a light receiving means for receiving the transmitted light;
A first moving mechanism that relatively moves the inspection chip and the ultrasonic vibration means;
The first and second flow paths each include the first and second reaction chambers formed in the middle of each flow path so as to be wide.
The first and second reaction chambers are formed in parallel,
By moving the inspection chip and the ultrasonic vibration means relative to the arrangement direction of the first and second reaction chambers by the first moving mechanism, a predetermined portion of the first reaction chamber on the substrate or A predetermined part of the second reaction chamber is an acoustic focal point of the ultrasonic wave.

  In the inspection apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of flow paths are formed on the surface of a single substrate, and each flow path includes a reaction chamber. In addition, the inspection chip and the ultrasonic vibration means are relatively moved by the first moving mechanism, whereby a predetermined portion of each reaction chamber can be used as an ultrasonic acoustic focus. Therefore, after sufficiently promoting the chemical reaction between a plurality of specimens and a chemical solution on one test chip, their absorbance can be measured.

  Here, in order to promote the chemical reaction of the specimen or the like flowing into the reaction chamber, the predetermined portions of the first and second reaction chambers are formed thinner than the other flow channel portions of each flow channel. It is desirable that

In the present invention, it has a second moving mechanism for relatively moving the inspection chip and the spectrophotometer,
The first and second flow paths include first and second measurement chambers that are straightly formed by a predetermined dimension downstream of the first and second reaction chambers, respectively.
The first and second measurement chambers are formed in parallel,
By moving the inspection chip and the spectrophotometer relative to each other in the arrangement direction of the first and second measurement chambers by the second moving mechanism, the inspection light emitted from the light emitting means is the first light. It is desirable that light is received by the light receiving means via the measurement chamber or the second measurement chamber. If it does in this way, inspection light can be allowed to pass through each measurement chamber by relatively moving an inspection chip and a spectrophotometer by the 2nd movement mechanism.

In the case where a plurality of spectrophotometers are provided, the second spectroscopic device includes a second light emitting unit that emits second inspection light having a wavelength different from that of the inspection light, and a second light receiving unit that receives transmitted light. Have a photometer,
The second moving mechanism can relatively move the inspection chip and the second spectrophotometer,
By moving the inspection chip and the second spectrophotometer relative to each other in the arrangement direction of the first and second measurement chambers by the second moving mechanism, the first light emitted from the second light emitting means is used. Preferably, the second inspection light is received by the second light receiving means via the first measurement chamber or the second measurement chamber.

Here, in order to pass the inspection light to the specimen or the like through each measurement chamber, in each flow path, the upstream flow path portion continuing to each measurement chamber is orthogonal to the direction in which each measurement chamber extends. The downstream flow path portion continuous from each measurement chamber is in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which each measurement chamber extends from the downstream end portion of each measurement chamber. Is continuous,
The upstream end face and the downstream end face of each measurement chamber are provided with a transparent light passage part,
An upstream mounting portion is formed on the outer side of the upstream side end surface, to which either the light emitting unit or the light receiving unit is detachably mounted. It is desirable that a downstream mounting portion is formed on which the other of the means and the light receiving means is detachably mounted.

Further, in order to pass the inspection light to the specimen or the like via each measurement chamber, the upstream end portion in which either the light emitting means or the light receiving means is attached to the upstream end portion of each measurement chamber Projecting into each reaction chamber,
At the downstream end portion of each measurement chamber, an upstream mounting portion to which either the light emitting means or the light receiving means is detachably mounted protrudes into each reaction chamber,
It is desirable that the upstream mounting portion and the downstream mounting portion are opposed to each other, and opposite end surfaces are provided with a transparent light passage portion.

In the present invention, in order to react the sample and the chemical solution after dispensing them, the upstream of each reaction chamber in each flow path is branched into a plurality,
It is desirable that an introduction portion for introducing a chemical solution and a sample is formed in each flow path at each upstream end of the branched flow path portions.

  In the present invention, in order to introduce a sample or a chemical solution dispensed into one introduction section into a plurality of flow paths, at least one of the plurality of introduction sections formed in the first flow path. The introduction part is preferably formed integrally with at least one introduction part of the second flow path.

  In the present invention, in order to simplify the manufacturing process such as etching of the substrate in the inspection chip and increase the degree of freedom in selecting the substrate material, the depths of the first and second flow paths are the same. It is desirable that the depth of the road be constant.

  Next, this invention can be set as the test | inspection chip used for said test | inspection apparatus. According to the present invention, since it is not necessary to attach a stirring element or the like to the substrate, the inspection chip can be made small. In addition, the inspection chip can be manufactured at a low cost.

  According to the sample analysis method of the present invention, an ultrasonic wave having an acoustic focus on a predetermined portion of a flow path through which the introduced sample and the chemical solution pass is irradiated, and then the sample is analyzed. By vibrating a predetermined portion of the flow path with ultrasonic waves, the specimen and the chemical solution passing through the flow path can be vibrated. As a result, the specimen and the chemical solution diffuse turbulently. Moreover, since it is stirred and mixed uniformly, these chemical reactions proceed. As a result, the specimen can be analyzed after sufficiently promoting the chemical reaction between the specimen and the chemical solution. Further, since the specimen and the chemical solution are agitated by the ultrasonic wave having a predetermined portion of the flow path as an acoustic focus, the entire substrate is not vibrated. Therefore, it is easy to arrange an analytical instrument or the like around the substrate. Moreover, since it is not necessary to attach a stirring element etc. to a board | substrate, a board | substrate can be comprised small. In addition, the substrate can be manufactured at a low cost.

  According to the spectrophotometric measurement method of the present invention, an ultrasonic wave having an acoustic focus is applied to a predetermined portion of a flow path through which the introduced specimen and chemical solution pass, and then the absorbance of the specimen is measured. By vibrating a predetermined portion of the flow path with ultrasonic waves, the specimen and the chemical solution passing through the flow path can be vibrated. As a result, the specimen and the chemical solution diffuse turbulently. Moreover, since it is stirred and mixed uniformly, these chemical reactions proceed. As a result, the absorbance of the specimen can be measured after sufficiently promoting the chemical reaction between the specimen and the chemical solution. Further, since the specimen and the chemical solution are agitated by the ultrasonic wave having a predetermined portion of the flow path as an acoustic focus, the entire substrate is not vibrated. Therefore, it is easy to arrange an instrument for measuring absorbance around the substrate. Moreover, since it is not necessary to attach a stirring element etc. to a board | substrate, a board | substrate can be comprised small. In addition, the substrate can be manufactured at a low cost.

  In addition, the inspection apparatus of the present invention is provided with ultrasonic vibration means, and a predetermined portion of the reaction chamber vibrates by ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic vibration means. Thereby, the specimen and the chemical solution flowing into the wide reaction chamber vibrate and diffuse turbulently. Moreover, since it is stirred and mixed uniformly, these chemical reactions proceed. As a result, the absorbance of the specimen can be measured after sufficiently promoting the chemical reaction between the specimen and the chemical solution. Further, since the specimen and the chemical solution are agitated by the ultrasonic wave having a predetermined portion of the flow path as an acoustic focus, the entire substrate is not vibrated. Therefore, it is easy to arrange the spectrophotometer around the substrate.

  In addition, according to the inspection chip of the present invention, it is not necessary to attach a stirring element or the like to the substrate, so that it can be made small. In addition, the inspection chip can be manufactured at a low cost.

  Embodiments of a clinical examination apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of a clinical examination apparatus according to the present embodiment. 2A is a schematic front view thereof, and FIG. 2B is a schematic plan view thereof. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a portion cut along line AA of FIG. With reference to these drawings, the overall configuration of the clinical examination apparatus 1 will be described.

(overall structure)
The clinical testing apparatus 1 of this example dispenses a specimen and a chemical for specimen testing into a testing chip 3 using a droplet discharge head 2 having a mechanism similar to that of an inkjet head used in an inkjet printer. 3 are reacted with each other, and the result is measured by the spectrophotometric measurement units 4A and 4B. The clinical testing apparatus 1 includes an ultrasonic vibration means 5 that irradiates ultrasonic waves toward the test chip 3. The specimen and the chemical solution introduced into the test chip 3 are vibrated and mixed by the ultrasonic waves. Promote these reactions.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the clinical testing apparatus 1 includes a rectangular frame-shaped apparatus frame 6, and a test table 7 that can be taken in and out in the front-rear direction (Y direction) is attached to the center portion of the bottom surface. Yes. A mounting opening 8 is formed in the central portion of the inspection table 7, and the inspection chip 3 is mounted here. The mounting opening 8 is fitted to the peripheral portion of the test chip 3 to hold the test chip 3, and the test chip 3 is mounted with the lower side opened.

  Below the mounting opening 8 and the inspection chip 3, first and second spectrophotometric measurement units 4 </ b> A and 4 </ b> B for measuring absorbance and ultrasonic vibration means 5 are arranged. The spectrophotometric measurement units 4A and 4B each measure the absorbance by transmitting the test light composed of light of a specific wavelength to the specimen that reacts with the drug solution on the test chip 3, and receiving the transmitted light. The ultrasonic vibration means 5 irradiates ultrasonic waves toward the inspection chip 3 from the outside of the inspection chip 3. Details of the inspection chip 3, the spectrophotometric measurement units 4A and 4B, and the ultrasonic vibration means 5 will be described later.

  A head carriage 9 that can reciprocate in the left-right direction (X direction) via the inspection table 7 is attached to the apparatus frame 6. The head carriage 9 is moved in the X direction by a carriage drive mechanism including a carriage motor 9b, a timing belt 9c, a pulley 9d, and the like along a carriage guide shaft 9a spanned in the X direction. The head carriage 9 is equipped with a droplet discharge head 2 for dispensing a chemical solution for specimen inspection onto the inspection chip 3.

  The droplet discharge head 2 includes triple drive units 11 (1) to 11 (3) mounted on a head carriage 9 and mounting holes for these drive units 11 (1) to 11 (3). 12 (1) to 12 (3), and three nozzle cartridges 13 (1) to 13 (3) that are detachably mounted from above.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the nozzle cartridges 13 (1) to 13 (3) have an upper half portion as a storage portion 31 for storing a chemical solution, and a lower half portion thereof as mounting holes 12 (1) to 12 (12). The mounting portion 32 can be mounted in (3). A nozzle 33 for discharging liquid droplets is formed at the tip of the mounting portion 32, and pressure generation for generating a pressure fluctuation necessary for discharging droplets from the nozzle 33 is provided inside the mounting portion 32. A working channel 34 is formed. One end of the pressure generating flow path 34 communicates with the nozzle 33, and the other end communicates with the storage portion 31.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the suction flow path plate 14 is attached to the head carriage 9 so as to be detachable so as to cover the three nozzle cartridges 13 (1) to 13 (3). ing. Three suction channels 14 (a) to 14 (14) communicated with the inside of the reservoir 31 of each of the nozzle cartridges 13 (1) to 13 (3) sealed with a film (not shown) on the upper surface of the suction channel plate 14. c) is formed. As can be seen from FIG. 3, one end of these suction channels 14 (a) to 14 (c) communicates with the interior of the storage portion 31 of each nozzle cartridge 13 (1) to 13 (3). The other ends of these suction channels 14 (a) to 14 (c) are drawn out along a flexible wiring board 15 that is bent in a U shape between the head carriage 9 and the apparatus frame 6. It connects with the suction port (not shown) of the head suction pump 16 mounted in the back surface of the apparatus frame 6 through the flexible suction tube of illustration.

  A three-way solenoid valve (not shown) is disposed between the suction tube and the suction port. By switching the three-way solenoid valve, the inside of the nozzle cartridges 13 (1) to 13 (3) can be sucked by the head suction pump 16. Further, the space between the nozzle cartridges 13 (1) to 13 (3) and the head suction pump 16 can be cut so that the inside of the storage portion 31 of the nozzle cartridges 13 (1) to 13 (3) can be opened to the atmosphere. .

  Next, a waste liquid recovery unit 17 is disposed at a side portion of the bottom of the apparatus frame 6. The waste liquid recovery unit 17 includes a cap 18 for covering the tip of the nozzle cartridges 13 (1) to 13 (3) where the nozzle 33 is formed, a waste liquid recovery pump 19 such as a tube pump, and a waste liquid recovery pump 19. And a recovery unit (not shown) for sucked waste liquid. The cap 18 is put on the tip of the nozzle cartridges 13 (1) to 13 (3), and the waste liquid collection pump 19 is driven, whereby each nozzle cartridge 13 (1) to 13 (3) The liquid can be discharged and collected outside.

  A liquid storage unit 21 is disposed at a side portion opposite to the waste liquid recovery unit 17 at the bottom of the apparatus frame 6. The liquid storage unit 21 includes a well plate 23 in which liquid storage wells 22 are formed in a matrix, and an elevating unit 24 for elevating and lowering the well plate 23. For example, wells 22 (1, 1) to 22 (3, 5) in 3 rows and 5 columns are formed, and the intervals between the rows correspond to the nozzles 33 of the three nozzle cartridges 13 (1) to 13 (3). It is said that it was an interval.

  For example, three wells 22 (1, 1) to 22 (3, 1) for one row are cleaning liquid storage portions in which the cleaning liquid is stored. The remaining wells are chemical reservoirs, and the four wells 22 (1, 2) to (1, 5) in the first row are chemical reservoirs in which chemicals (index drugs) are stored, the second row The four wells 22 (2, 2) to 22 (2, 5) are reactive drug reservoirs in which the reactive drugs are stored, and the four wells 22 (3, 2) to 22 (3, 5) in the third row. ) Is a buffer storage part in which the buffer is stored.

  Here, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the movement position of the droplet discharge head 2 mounted on the head carriage 9 will be described. The droplet discharge head 2 includes a standby position 2A where each nozzle 33 faces the waste liquid recovery unit 17, a dispensing position (droplet discharge position) 2B which faces the inspection chip 3 on the inspection table 7, and a liquid reservoir. The cleaning liquid suction position 2C facing the cleaning liquid storage wells 22 (1, 1) to 22 (3, 1) in the section 21 and the four chemical liquid suction positions 2D facing each other row of wells are passed through. It is conveyed along the head movement path. 2 shows a state in which the nozzles 33 of the droplet discharge head 2 are located in the wells 2 (1, 3) to 2 (3, 3) in the third row. FIG. The state where the discharge head 2 is located at the standby position 2A is shown.

(Inspection chip, ultrasonic vibration means, spectrophotometric measurement unit)
Next, the configuration of the inspection chip 3, the ultrasonic vibration means 5, and the spectrophotometric measurement units 4A and 4B will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4A is a perspective view of a substrate constituting the inspection chip, FIG. 4B is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 4C is a cross section taken along line BB in FIG. 4B. FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view for explaining the inspection chip, the spectrophotometric measurement unit, and the ultrasonic vibration means. 6A is a schematic perspective view for explaining the positional relationship among the inspection chip, the spectrophotometric measurement unit, and the ultrasonic vibration means, and FIG. 6B is a schematic front view thereof, and FIG. ) Is a schematic cross-sectional view cut along line CC in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the test chip 3 includes a rectangular flat substrate 41 having a protruding portion 40 on the side. First to fourth flow paths 46 to 49 are formed on the flat surface 42 of the substrate 41. The substrate 41 is made of synthetic resin or glass, and the first to fourth flow paths 46 to 49 are formed by, for example, etching. A transparent substrate 43 is attached to the surface of the substrate 41 as shown in FIGS.

  In the middle of the first to fourth flow paths 46 to 49, first to fourth reaction chambers 51 to 54 having a wide flow path are provided. Downstream thereof, first to fourth measurement chambers 56 to 59 are provided in which flow paths are straightly formed by a predetermined dimension. The fourth measurement chamber 59 of the fourth channel 49 is formed in the protruding portion 40.

  The flow path portion on the upper end side from the reaction chambers 51 to 54 is branched into two. Rectangular inlets 61 to 64 for introducing a specimen or a chemical solution are formed at the upstream end of one of the branched flow paths. The upstream ends of the other flow channel portions are all led to the upper center portion of the substrate 41, and a common introduction port 60 common to the first to fourth flow channels 46 to 49 is formed there. The downstream ends of the flow paths 46 to 49 reach the side end surfaces of the substrate 41, and the first to fourth discharge ports 66 to 69 for discharging the specimen and the chemical solution introduced into the flow paths 46 to 49 are provided. It has become.

  Although each reaction chamber 51-54 is formed wide, the depth is uniform and is the same depth as the other flow path portions of each flow path 46-49. Cutouts 55 are formed in the lower portions 51 a to 54 a of the reaction chambers 51 to 54 in the substrate 41 from the back side of the substrate 41. As a result, the lower portions 51a to 54a of the reaction chamber have a flat plate shape that is thinner than the lower portions of the other flow channel portions of the flow channels 46 to 49. The first to fourth reaction chambers 51 to 54 are arranged in the X direction.

  Here, the ultrasonic vibration means 5 includes an ultrasonic vibrator and the like including an ultrasonic vibrator (not shown) and a horn, and is disposed below the mounting position of the inspection chip 3 as shown in FIG. Ultrasonic waves having an acoustic focus on the lower portion 51a of each reaction chamber 51 can be irradiated. The frequency of the ultrasonic wave to irradiate is about 40 kHz. Since the ultrasonic vibration means 5 can be moved in the X direction by a first movement mechanism (not shown), ultrasonic waves having acoustic focal points at the lower portions 51a to 54a of the reaction chambers 51 to 54, respectively. Can be irradiated.

  Next, the measurement chambers 56 to 59 will be described with reference to FIG. Each of the measurement chambers 56 to 59 has a flow path wide and is formed straight by a predetermined length. The predetermined length dimension is a length corresponding to the optical path length necessary for accurately measuring the absorbance. The depth of each measurement chamber 56-59 is uniform. Moreover, it is the same depth as the other part of a flow path. The first to fourth measurement chambers 56 to 59 are arranged in the X direction.

  In each flow path 46-49, the upstream flow-path part 46a-49a which follows each measurement chamber 56-59 is the direction of each measurement chamber 56-59 from the direction orthogonal to the direction where each measurement chamber 56-59 is extended. It is continuous with the upstream end. Further, the downstream flow path portions 46b to 49b continuous from the measurement chambers 56 to 59 are continuous in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the measurement chambers 56 to 59 extend from the downstream end portions of the measurement chambers 56 to 59. ing. Further, the upstream end faces 56a to 59a of the measurement chambers 56 to 59 are transparent light passing portions. The downstream end faces 56b to 59b are also transparent light passing portions.

  Here, the first and second spectrophotometric measurement units 4A are provided outside the upstream end faces 56a to 58a and the downstream end faces 56b to 58b of the measurement chambers 56 to 58 of the first to third flow paths 46 to 48, respectively. A pair of mounting ports 71 to 73 for detachably mounting 4B is formed. Further, the first and second portions between the inspection table 7 and the substrate 41 outside the upstream end surface 59a and the downstream end surface 59b of the fourth measurement chamber 59 of the fourth flow path 49 formed in the protruding portion 40 are provided. A pair of mounting holes 74 for detachably mounting the spectrophotometric measurement units 4A and 4B are formed (see FIGS. 1 and 2B).

  The transparent substrate 43 is a thin flat plate having the same planar shape as the substrate 41. Circular openings 60 a to 64 a are formed in regions corresponding to the common inlet 60 and the inlets 61 to 64 of the substrate 41. In addition, rectangular openings 71 a to 73 a are formed in regions corresponding to the pair of mounting ports 71 to 73.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the spectrophotometric measurement units 4 </ b> A and 4 </ b> B are each provided with a cubic unit case 75. Inside the unit case 75, a light emitting means 76 for emitting test light toward the specimen and a light receiving means 80 for receiving the transmitted light transmitted through the specimen are provided. The spectrophotometric measurement units 4A and 4B are different in the wavelength of the inspection light emitted from the light emitting means 76, but the other configurations are the same. Therefore, the spectrophotometric measurement unit 4A will be described, and the correspondence of the spectrophotometric measurement unit 4B will be described. The same reference numerals are given to the components to be described, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The light emission means 76 has a light source such as a white laser (not shown) and a light emission side optical fiber 77 for emitting inspection light emitted from the light source from the end face 77a. An end portion 77b of the light emitting side optical fiber 77 protrudes from the ceiling plate portion of the cubic unit case 75 in a bent state, and inspection light is emitted from the end surface 77a. The light receiving means 80 includes a light receiving element such as a photomultiplexer (not shown) and a light receiving side optical fiber 81 that guides light incident from the end surface 81a to the light receiving portion of the light receiving element. The end portion 81b of the light-receiving side optical fiber 81 provided with the end surface 81a protrudes from the ceiling plate portion of the unit case in a bent state in an L shape. Here, the end face 77 a of the light emitting side optical fiber 77 and the end face 81 a of the light receiving side optical fiber 81 are opposed to each other, and the inspection light emitted from the light emitting means 76 can be received by the light receiving means 80.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, the first spectrophotometric measurement unit 4 </ b> A is attached to a pair of attachment ports 71 that sandwich the first measurement chamber 56 of the first flow path 46. Specifically, the end portion 77 b of the light emission side optical fiber 77 is attached to the upstream side attachment portion 71 a of the pair of attachment ports 71, and the end portion 81 b of the light reception side optical fiber 81 is downstream of the pair of attachment ports 71. It is mounted on the mounting portion 71b. The end surface 77a of the end portion 77b is in contact with the transparent upstream end surface 56a of the first measurement chamber 56, and the end surface 81a of the end portion 81b is in contact with the transparent downstream end surface 56b.

  The second spectrophotometric measurement unit 4 </ b> B is mounted in a pair of mounting holes 74 that sandwich the fourth measurement chamber 59 of the fourth channel 49. Specifically, the end portion 77 b of the light emitting side optical fiber 77 is mounted on the upstream side mounting portion 74 a of the pair of mounting holes 74, and the end portion 81 b of the light receiving side optical fiber 81 is downstream of the pair of mounting holes 74. It is attached to the attachment portion 74b. The end surface 77a of the end portion 77b is in contact with the transparent upstream end surface 59a of the fourth measurement chamber 59, and the end surface 81a of the end portion 81b is in contact with the transparent downstream end surface 59b.

  Here, the first and second spectrophotometric measurement units 4A and 4B are movable in the X direction and the vertical direction by a second moving mechanism (not shown), respectively. Therefore, the first and second spectrophotometric units can be detachably attached to the attachment ports 71 to 73 and the attachment holes 74, respectively. As a result, the inspection light emitted from the light emitting means 76 can be received by the light receiving means 80 via any one of the first to fourth measurement chambers 56 to 59.

(Dispensing operation)
Next, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are explanatory diagrams mainly showing a drug solution dispensing operation among the operations in the clinical examination apparatus.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mounting holes 12 (1) to 12 (3) of the drive units 11 (1) to 11 (3) mounted on the head carriage 9 waiting at the standby position 2A. In addition, empty nozzle cartridges 13 (1) to 13 (3) are respectively mounted to form the droplet discharge head 2. Further, the suction flow path plate 14 is attached on each of the nozzle cartridges 13 (1) to 13 (3).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7A, the inspection table 7 is pulled forward, and the inspection chip 3 taken out from the chip magazine 10 is mounted in the mounting opening 8. At this time, a sample (for example, plasma) is introduced into the common inlet 60 by pipetting or the like. Then, the inspection table 7 is pulled back to the original position.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7B, the droplet discharge head 2 is moved to the cleaning liquid suction position 2 </ b> C by the head carriage 9. At the cleaning liquid suction position 2C, the well plate 23 is raised by the elevating unit 24, and the tip portion where the nozzle 33 of each of the nozzle cartridges 13 (1) to 13 (3) is formed is a well 22 (1, 1) Insert into the cleaning liquid stored in 22 (3, 1). In this state, the head suction pump 16 is driven to bring the inside of the storage portion 31 of each of the nozzle cartridges 13 (1) to 13 (3) into a negative pressure state. Accordingly, the cleaning liquid is sucked into the storage portions 31 of the nozzle cartridges 13 (1) to 13 (3) through the nozzles 33.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7C, the droplet discharge head 2 is returned to the standby position 2A by the head carriage 9, the cap 18 of the waste liquid recovery unit 17 is raised, and each of the nozzle cartridges 13 (1) -13. The nozzle 33 of (3) is covered in a sealed state (see FIG. 3). In this state, the waste liquid recovery pump 19 is driven, and the cleaning liquid is sucked and recovered from the inside of the nozzle cartridges 13 (1) to 13 (3) via the nozzles 33. Thereby, the inside of the storage part 31, the flow path 34 for pressure generation, and the nozzle 33 in each nozzle cartridge 13 (1) -13 (3) are wash | cleaned.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8A, the droplet discharge head 2 is moved to the chemical liquid suction position 2D by the head carriage 9, and the nozzles 33 of the nozzle cartridges 13 (1) to 13 (3) are moved to the chemical liquid. It positions in either of the 2nd-5th well row | line | columns as a storage part. In this state, the well plate 23 is raised by the elevating unit 24, and each nozzle 33 is inserted into the chemical solution stored in each well. Next, the head suction pump 16 is driven, and the inside of the storage portion 31 of each of the nozzle cartridges 13 (1) to 13 (3) is brought into a negative pressure state. Thereby, a predetermined chemical | medical solution is attracted | sucked into the inside of the storage part 31 of each nozzle cartridge 13 (1) -13 (3) via each nozzle 33. FIG.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8B, the droplet discharge head 2 is moved to the dispensing position 2 </ b> B by the head carriage 9, and the chemical liquid is discharged from the nozzles 33 to the inspection chip 3 as many times as necessary. Thereby, each chemical | medical solution is dispensed to the test | inspection chip 3. FIG. For example, the nozzles 33 of the nozzle cartridges 13 (1) to 13 (3) of the droplet discharge head 2 are sequentially positioned at the discharge position of the inspection chip 3, and the chemical liquid is discharged from each nozzle 33. The positioning of each nozzle 33 and the ejection position of the inspection chip 3 is performed by moving the inspection table 7 in the Y direction. Thereafter, the droplet discharge head 2 is returned to the standby position.

  After the introduction of the sample in FIG. 7 (a), the suction ports 61 to 61 formed in the test chip 3 are performed by repeatedly performing the chemical liquid suction in FIG. 8 (a) and the chemical liquid dispensing operation in FIG. 8 (b). In 64, a predetermined chemical solution can be dispensed. The specimen can also be dispensed into the common inlet 60 using the droplet discharge head 2.

  After the dispensing of each chemical solution is completed, the droplet discharge head 2 is returned to the standby position as shown in FIG. Then, the cap 18 of the waste liquid recovery unit 17 is raised to cover the nozzles 33 of the nozzle cartridges 13 (1) to 13 (3) in a sealed state (see FIG. 3). In this state, the waste liquid recovery pump 19 is driven to suck out and recover the chemical liquid remaining in the nozzle cartridges 13 (1) to 13 (3) via the nozzles 33. The used nozzle cartridges 13 (1) to 13 (3) that have become empty are removed from the drive units 11 (1) to 11 (3) and discarded.

(Absorbance measurement operation)
Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 9, an absorbance measurement operation for reacting the specimen and the chemical solution introduced into the test chip 3 and obtaining the absorbance will be described. FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing a state in which the ultrasonic vibration means is moved in the X direction, and FIG. 9B is a perspective view showing a state in which the spectrophotometric measurement unit is moved.

  A predetermined chemical solution is dispensed by the droplet discharge head 2 to each of the inlets 61 to 63 of the inspection chip 3 mounted on the inspection table 7 by the dispensing operation. A sample is introduced into the common inlet 60. Each chemical solution moves toward each reaction chamber 51 to 54 by capillary force. And each chemical | medical solution merges with the test substance which moves toward each reaction chamber 51-54 by capillary force from the common inlet 60, and flows into each reaction chamber 51-54.

  Here, the ultrasonic vibration means 5 irradiates the ultrasonic wave which makes the lower part 51a-54a of each reaction chamber 51-54 an acoustic focus. In this example, as shown in FIG. 6, first, the ultrasonic vibration means 5 irradiates the lower portion 51 a of the first reaction chamber 51 with ultrasonic waves. Next, as shown in FIG. 9A, the first moving mechanism is moved to the left in the X direction to stop, and the lower portion 52 a of the second reaction chamber 52 is irradiated with ultrasonic waves. Thereafter, after the X direction is moved in the same direction, the stop and irradiation are repeated, and the lower portions 53a and 54a of the third and fourth reaction chambers 53 and 54 are irradiated in this order. By these operations, the lower portions 51a to 54a vibrate, and the specimen and each chemical solution passing through the reaction chambers 51 to 54 vibrate and diffuse turbulently. Moreover, it is stirred and mixed uniformly. As a result, the chemical reaction between the specimen and the chemical solution is promoted in each reaction chamber 51 to 54.

  Thereafter, the specimen that reacts with the chemical solution passes through the flow path portion downstream of each reaction chamber 51 to 54 and flows into each measurement chamber 56 to 59.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the first spectrophotometric measurement unit 4 </ b> A is attached to a pair of attachment ports 71 that sandwich the first measurement chamber 56. That is, the X direction is moved from the predetermined standby position to the position immediately below the first measurement chamber 56 by the second moving mechanism, and is then lifted and mounted on the pair of mounting ports 71. On the other hand, the second spectrophotometric measurement unit 4 </ b> B is mounted in a pair of mounting holes 74 that sandwich the fourth measurement chamber 59. That is, the X direction is moved from the predetermined standby position to the position immediately below the mounting hole 74 by the second moving mechanism, and is then lifted and mounted in the mounting hole 74.

  In this state, when the inspection light is emitted from the light emitting means 76 of the first spectrophotometric measurement unit 4A, the inspection light passes through the specimen reacting with the chemical in the first measurement chamber 56, and the transmitted light is received by the light receiving means. 80. When the inspection light is emitted from the light emitting means 76 of the second spectrophotometric measurement unit 4B, the inspection light passes through the specimen reacting with the chemical in the fourth measurement chamber 59, and the transmitted light is detected by the light receiving means 80. The Therefore, the absorbance of the specimen reacting with the chemical solution in the first channel 46 and the fourth channel 49 can be obtained.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 9B, the first spectrophotometric measurement unit 4 </ b> A is attached to a pair of attachment ports 72 that sandwich the second measurement chamber 57. Specifically, after being lowered from the mounting port 71 by the second moving mechanism, the X direction is moved to just below the second measurement chamber 57, and then lifted and mounted on the mounting port 72. One second spectrophotometric measurement unit 4 </ b> B is attached to a pair of attachment ports 73 that sandwich the third measurement chamber 58. Specifically, after being lowered from the mounting hole 74 by the second moving mechanism, the X direction is moved to just below the third measurement chamber 58, and then lifted and mounted on the mounting port 73.

  In this state, when the inspection light is emitted from the light emitting means 76 of the first spectrophotometric measurement unit 4A, the inspection light passes through the specimen reacting with the chemical in the second measurement chamber 57, and the transmitted light is received by the light receiving means. 80. When the inspection light is emitted from the light emitting means 76 of the second spectrophotometric measurement unit 4B, the inspection light passes through the specimen reacting with the chemical in the third measurement chamber 58, and the transmitted light is detected by the light receiving means 80. The Therefore, the absorbance of the specimen reacting with the chemical solution in the second channel 47 and the third channel 48 can be obtained.

  In this example, the absorbance of the sample that has reacted with the chemical solution in the first and second flow paths 46 and 47 is measured by the first spectrophotometric measurement unit 4A, and the reaction with the chemical solution is performed in the third and fourth flow paths 48 and 49. Although the absorbance of the obtained specimen is measured by the second spectrophotometric measurement unit 4B, it is also possible to measure the absorbance in all the channels using the first spectrophotometric measurement unit 4A. Further, the absorbance can be measured in all the channels using the second spectrophotometric measurement unit 4B. In addition, the inspection light of each spectrophotometric measurement unit 4A, 4B can also be made into the light of the same wavelength. Furthermore, the order of the flow paths in which the first and second spectrophotometric measurement units 4A and 4B measure the absorbance can be arbitrarily determined. Moreover, the order in which the ultrasonic vibration means 5 irradiates the lower portions 51a to 54a of the reaction chambers 51 to 54 with the ultrasonic waves can be arbitrarily determined.

(Effect of this embodiment)
As described above, the clinical examination apparatus 1 of the present example includes the ultrasonic vibration means 5, and the lower portions 51 a to 54 a of the reaction chambers 51 to 54 are vibrated by ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic vibration means 5. Thereby, the specimen and the chemical solution flowing into the reaction chambers 51 to 54 are vibrated and diffused. Moreover, since it is stirred and mixed uniformly, these chemical reactions proceed. As a result, the absorbance of the specimen can be measured after sufficiently promoting the chemical reaction between the specimen and the chemical solution.

  Further, since the specimen and the chemical solution are agitated by the ultrasonic waves having the lower portions 51a to 54a of the reaction chambers 51 to 54 as acoustic focal points, the entire substrate 41 is not vibrated. Therefore, it is easy to arrange the first and second spectrophotometric measurement units 4A and 4B around the substrate 41.

  Moreover, since it is not necessary to attach a stirring element etc. to the board | substrate 41, the test | inspection chip 3 can be comprised small. Further, the inspection chip 3 can be manufactured at a low cost.

  Further, since the lower portions 51a to 54a of the reaction chambers 51 to 54 are thin flat plates, the specimens and the like flowing into the reaction chambers 51 to 54 are irradiated by irradiating ultrasonic waves with the acoustic focal points there. It can be vibrated sufficiently to promote the chemical reaction.

  Moreover, each flow path 46-49 formed in the board | substrate 41 is the same depth, and fixed depth is included including each reaction chamber 51-54 and each measurement chamber 56-59 currently formed in the middle. It is. Therefore, a manufacturing process such as etching of the substrate 41 when forming the flow path can be simplified, and the degree of freedom in selecting the material of the substrate 41 can be increased.

  Furthermore, since the first and second spectrophotometric measurement units 4A and 4B are mounted in the mounting ports 71 to 73 and the mounting hole 74, the inspection light passes through a measurement chamber having a length sufficient for measuring absorbance. It is supposed to be. As a result, it is possible to accurately measure the absorbance of the chemical solution and the sample flowing into each measurement chamber 56-59. In addition, since the absorbance can be measured using the flow path, there is no need to separately prepare a cell for storing the specimen in order to measure the absorbance.

  In addition, since this example includes the first and second spectrophotometric measurement units 4A and 4B, the test light having a different wavelength is transmitted through the specimen reacting with the chemical solution, and the absorbance is measured. Can do.

(Other embodiments)
In the above example, both the pair of mounting ports and the pair of mounting ports for mounting the first and second spectrophotometric measurement units 4A and 4B are formed at positions sandwiching the measurement chambers 56 to 59 from the outside. It was. However, as shown in FIG. 10, it is also possible to form a pair of mounting projections 91 to 94 protruding inside each measurement chamber.

  In this case, upstream mounting convex portions 91a to 94a to which either the light emitting means 76 or the light receiving means 80 are detachably mounted are formed at the upstream end portions of the measurement chambers 56 to 59, respectively. At the downstream end portions of the measurement chambers 56 to 59, downstream side mounting convex portions 91b to 94b to which either the light emitting means 76 or the light receiving means 80 are detachably mounted are formed. Further, the upstream side mounting convex part and the downstream side mounting convex part are opposed to each other, and the facing end surfaces thereof are formed to have a transparent light passing part. The distance between these end faces is set to a length dimension corresponding to the optical path length necessary for measuring the absorbance.

It is a schematic block diagram of the principal part of the clinical test apparatus to which this invention is applied. It is the front view and top view of the clinical testing apparatus of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the part cut | disconnected by the AA line of FIG. It is the perspective view of the board | substrate which comprises a test | inspection chip, a top view, and sectional drawing. It is explanatory drawing of a test | inspection chip, a spectrophotometric measurement unit, and an ultrasonic vibration means. It is explanatory drawing of a test | inspection chip, a spectrophotometric measurement unit, and an ultrasonic vibration means. It is explanatory drawing which shows the dispensing operation | movement of the clinical test apparatus 1 of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the dispensing operation | movement of the clinical test apparatus 1 of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the movement operation | movement of a spectrophotometric measurement unit and an ultrasonic vibration means. It is a perspective view which shows another example of the mounting part which mounts a spectrophotometric measurement unit.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Clinical testing apparatus, 2 droplet discharge head, 2A standby position, 2B dispensing position, 2C washing | cleaning liquid suction position, 2D chemical | medical solution suction position, 3 test | inspection chip, 4A, 4B spectrophotometric measurement unit, 5 ultrasonic vibration means 5, 6 device frame, 7 inspection table, 8 mounting opening, 9 head carriage, 9a carriage guide shaft 9b carriage motor, 9c timing belt, 9d pulley, 10 chip magazine, 11 (1) to 11 (3) drive unit, 12 ( 1) to 12 (3) mounting hole, 13 (1) to 13 (3) nozzle cartridge, 14 suction channel plate, 14 (a) to 14 (c) suction channel, 15 flexible wiring board, 16 head suction pump , 17 Waste liquid recovery unit, 18 cap, 19 Waste liquid recovery pump, 21 Liquid reservoir, 22 (1, 1) to 22 ( 5) Well, 23 Well plate, 24 Lifting unit, 26 Liquid feed pump, 31 Storage part, 32 Mounting part, 33 Nozzle, 34 Liquid flow path, 40 Protruding part, 41 Substrate, 42 Surface, 46-49 Flow path 51 -54 reaction chamber, 56-59 measurement chamber, 60 common inlet, 61-63 inlet, 66-69 outlet, 71-73 mounting port, 74 mounting hole, 76 light emitting means, 77 light emitting side optical fiber, 80 light receiving means, 81 light receiving side optical fiber, 91-94 mounting convex part

Claims (20)

Introduce the sample and chemical into the channel formed on the surface of the substrate,
Irradiating an ultrasonic wave having an acoustic focus on a predetermined portion of the flow path in the substrate to vibrate the specimen and the chemical solution,
A sample analysis method comprising analyzing a sample reacted with a chemical solution. Introduce the sample and chemical into the channel formed on the surface of the substrate,
Irradiating an ultrasonic wave having an acoustic focus on a predetermined portion of the flow path in the substrate to vibrate the specimen and the chemical solution,
Transmit the test light to the specimen that has reacted with the chemical solution,
A spectrophotometric method for measuring absorbance from the transmitted light. In claim 2,
A spectrophotometric measurement method comprising transmitting the inspection light to a specimen that has reacted with a chemical solution through the flow path. An inspection apparatus used in the spectrophotometric measurement method according to claim 2,
An inspection chip comprising the substrate and the flow path;
Ultrasonic vibration means for irradiating the ultrasonic waves;
A spectrophotometer comprising light emitting means for emitting the inspection light and light receiving means for receiving the transmitted light;
The flow path is provided with a reaction chamber formed in the middle of the flow path to be wide,
The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined portion of the reaction chamber of the substrate is an acoustic focus of the ultrasonic wave. In claim 4,
The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined portion of the reaction chamber is formed thinner than other flow path portions of the flow path. In claim 4 or 5,
The flow path includes a measurement chamber that is formed straight by a predetermined dimension downstream of the reaction chamber;
An inspection apparatus, wherein the inspection light emitted from the light emitting means is received by the light receiving means through the measurement chamber. In claim 6,
In the flow path, an upstream flow path portion continuous to the measurement chamber is continuous from the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the measurement chamber extends to the upstream end portion of the measurement chamber, and is continuous from the measurement chamber. The downstream flow path portion is continuous in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the measurement chamber extends from the downstream end portion of the measurement chamber,
The upstream end face and the downstream end face of the measurement chamber are provided with a transparent light passage part,
An upstream mounting portion to which either one of the light emitting means and the light receiving means is mounted is formed outside the upstream end face, and the light emitting means and the light receiving means are provided outside the downstream end face. An inspection apparatus, characterized in that a downstream mounting portion to which either one of the light receiving means is mounted is formed. In claim 6,
At the upstream end portion of the measurement chamber, an upstream mounting portion to which either one of the light emitting means and the light receiving means is mounted protrudes into the reaction chamber,
At the downstream end portion of the measurement chamber, an upstream side mounting portion on which one of the light emitting means and the light receiving means is mounted protrudes into the reaction chamber,
The upstream mounting portion and the downstream mounting portion are opposed to each other, and opposite end surfaces are provided with a transparent light passage portion. In any one of claims 4 to 8,
The upstream of the reaction chamber in the flow path is branched into a plurality,
An inspection apparatus, wherein an introduction part for introducing a drug solution and a sample into the flow path is formed at each upstream end of the branched flow path portion. In any one of claims 4 to 9,
The inspection apparatus characterized in that the depth of the flow path is constant. An inspection apparatus used in the spectrophotometric measurement method according to claim 2,
A test chip comprising the substrate and first and second flow paths formed on the surface thereof;
Ultrasonic vibration means for irradiating the ultrasonic waves;
A spectrophotometer comprising a light emitting means for emitting the inspection light and a light receiving means for receiving the transmitted light;
A first moving mechanism that relatively moves the inspection chip and the ultrasonic vibration means;
The first and second flow paths each include the first and second reaction chambers formed in the middle of each flow path so as to be wide.
The first and second reaction chambers are formed in parallel,
By moving the inspection chip and the ultrasonic vibration means relative to the arrangement direction of the first and second reaction chambers by the first moving mechanism, a predetermined portion of the first reaction chamber on the substrate or An inspection apparatus, wherein a predetermined portion of the second reaction chamber serves as an acoustic focus of the ultrasonic wave. In claim 11,
The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined portions of the first and second reaction chambers are formed thinner than other flow path portions of the flow paths. In any one of claims 11 or 12,
A second moving mechanism for relatively moving the inspection chip and the spectrophotometer;
The first and second flow paths include first and second measurement chambers that are straightly formed by a predetermined dimension downstream of the first and second reaction chambers, respectively.
The first and second measurement chambers are formed in parallel,
By moving the inspection chip and the spectrophotometer relative to each other in the arrangement direction of the first and second measurement chambers by the second moving mechanism, the inspection light emitted from the light emitting means is the first light. The inspection apparatus receives light by the light receiving means via a measurement chamber or a second measurement chamber. In claim 13,
A second spectrophotometer comprising a second light emitting means for emitting a second inspection light having a wavelength different from that of the inspection light and a second light receiving means for receiving the transmitted light;
The second moving mechanism can relatively move the inspection chip and the second spectrophotometer,
By moving the inspection chip and the second spectrophotometer relative to each other in the arrangement direction of the first and second measurement chambers by the second moving mechanism, the first light emitted from the second light emitting means is used. 2. The inspection apparatus, wherein the second inspection light is received by the second light receiving means via the first measurement chamber or the second measurement chamber. In claim 13 or 14,
In each flow path, the upstream flow path portion continuous to each measurement chamber is continuous to the upstream end portion of each measurement chamber from the direction orthogonal to the direction in which each measurement chamber extends, and is continuous from each measurement chamber. The downstream channel portion is continuous in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which each measurement chamber extends from the downstream end portion of each measurement chamber,
The upstream end face and the downstream end face of each measurement chamber are provided with a transparent light passage part,
An upstream mounting portion is formed on the outer side of the upstream side end surface to which either the light emitting unit or the light receiving unit is detachably mounted. The light emitting unit is formed on the outer side of the downstream side end surface. An inspection apparatus in which a downstream side mounting portion to which either one of the means and the light receiving means is detachably mounted is formed. In claim 13 or 14,
At the upstream end portion of each measurement chamber, an upstream side mounting portion to which either one of the light emitting means and the light receiving means is mounted protrudes into each reaction chamber,
At the downstream end portion of each measurement chamber, an upstream mounting portion to which either the light emitting means or the light receiving means is detachably mounted protrudes into each reaction chamber,
The upstream mounting portion and the downstream mounting portion are opposed to each other, and opposite end surfaces are provided with a transparent light passage portion. In any one of claims 11 to 16,
The upstream of each reaction chamber in each flow path is branched into a plurality,
An inspection apparatus, wherein an introduction part for introducing a chemical and a sample into each flow path is formed at each upstream end of the branched flow path portions. In claim 17,
The inspection apparatus characterized in that at least one introduction portion of the plurality of introduction portions formed in the first flow path is formed integrally with at least one introduction section of the second flow path. . In any one of claims 11 to 18,
The first and second flow paths have the same depth;
An inspection apparatus characterized in that the depth of each flow path is constant.   An inspection chip used for the inspection apparatus according to claim 4.

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