JP2009058256A - Fluorescence detection unit, reaction detector and microchip inspection system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact fluorescence detection unit capable of efficiently receiving fluorescence by a simple constitution, a reaction detector and a microchip inspection system. <P>SOLUTION: In the fluorescence detection unit having an emission part for irradiating a fluorescent substance with exciting light and a light receiving part for receiving the fluorescence emitted from a fluorescent substance to convert it into an electric signal, a reflection member having spectral reflecting characteristics reflecting fluorescence but not reflecting exciting light is provided to keep fluorescence reflected by the reflection member to be guided to the light receiving part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluorescence detection unit, a reaction detection device, and a microchip inspection system.

  In recent years, by making full use of micromachine technology and ultrafine processing technology, devices and means (for example, pumps, valves, flow paths, sensors, etc.) for performing conventional sample preparation, chemical analysis, chemical synthesis, etc. have been miniaturized. A system integrated on a chip has been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This is also called μ-TAS (Micro total Analysis System), bioreactor, Lab-on-chip, biochip, medical examination / diagnosis field, environmental measurement field, Its application is expected in the field of agricultural production. In reality, as seen in genetic testing, when complex processes, skilled techniques, and equipment operations are required, automated, high-speed and simplified micro comprehensive analysis systems are costly and necessary. It can be said that not only the amount of sample and the time required, but also the benefits of enabling analysis at any time and place are great.

In addition, the present applicant encloses a reagent or the like in the microchannel of the microchip, injects a liquid into the microchannel by a micropump, moves the reagent, and flows it to the reaction unit and then the detection unit, A reaction detection device capable of measuring a reaction result with a specimen such as blood has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 2). In such a reaction detection device, excitation light is emitted from the light emission part of the fluorescence detection unit to the detection part of the microchip, and the very weak fluorescence emitted by the fluorescent substance contained in the reagent is detected by the light reception part of the fluorescence detection unit. Is configured to do.
JP 2004-28589 A JP 2006-149379 A

  An example of a conventional fluorescence detection unit is shown in FIG.

  Reference numeral 1 denotes a microchip, and the detection unit 19 measures the reaction result between the reagent and the sample. Excitation light emitted from the light emitting unit 160 enters the lens 155 via the slit 157, and the excitation light condensed by the lens 155 irradiates the detection unit 19. The fluorescence generated in the detection unit 19 has a spherical light distribution, and a part of the fluorescence is incident on the light receiving unit 161 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. In order to make the fluorescence incident on the light receiving unit 161 efficiently, it is necessary to dispose the light receiving unit 161 as close to the detection unit 19 as possible.

  However, the difference in wavelength between the excitation light for exciting the fluorescent material and the fluorescence is very small, from several nm to several tens of nm. Therefore, it is necessary to arrange an excitation light cut filter having a steep cutoff characteristic between the light receiving unit 161 and the detection unit 19 in order to separate excitation light and fluorescence. Such a filter is large because it is difficult to manufacture, and the light receiving unit 161 cannot be disposed near the detection unit 19. Even if such a filter is used, it is difficult to completely remove the excitation light incident on the light receiving unit 161. For this reason, it is difficult to efficiently cause the fluorescence to enter the light receiving unit 161.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a compact fluorescence detection unit, reaction detection device, and microchip inspection system that can efficiently receive fluorescence with a simple configuration. To do.

  The object of the present invention can be achieved by the following constitution.

1.
A light emitting unit for irradiating the fluorescent material with excitation light;
A light receiving unit that receives fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent material irradiated with the excitation light and converts it into an electrical signal;
In a fluorescence detection unit having
A reflection member having a spectral reflection characteristic in which the reflectance in the fluorescence wavelength region is higher than the reflectance in the wavelength region of the excitation light;
The fluorescence detection unit, wherein the fluorescence is reflected by the reflecting member and guided to the light receiving unit.

2.
2. The fluorescence detection unit according to 1, wherein the light emitting unit is arranged to irradiate the fluorescent material with excitation light from an oblique direction with respect to an optical axis of the light receiving unit.

3.
The fluorescence detection unit according to 1 or 2, wherein the light emitting unit is disposed on the same side as the light receiving unit with respect to the fluorescent substance.

4).
4. The fluorescence detection unit according to 3, wherein the light emitting unit is configured to irradiate the excitation light from an angle at which the excitation light specularly reflected by the fluorescent material does not enter the reflection member.

5).
The fluorescence detection unit includes a reflector that regularly reflects the excitation light that is regularly reflected by the fluorescent material, and irradiates the fluorescence material again with the excitation light that is regularly reflected by the reflection plate. Or the fluorescence detection unit of 4.

6).
3. The fluorescence detection unit according to 1 or 2, wherein the light emitting unit is disposed on the opposite side of the light receiving unit with the fluorescent material interposed therebetween.

7).
7. The fluorescence detection unit according to claim 6, wherein the light emitting unit is configured to irradiate the excitation light from an angle at which the excitation light transmitted through the fluorescent material does not enter the reflecting member.

8).
The fluorescence detection unit includes a reflector that specularly reflects the excitation light that has passed through the phosphor, and irradiates the phosphor again with the excitation light that is regularly reflected by the reflector. 8. The fluorescence detection unit according to 7.

9.
The fluorescent detection unit according to any one of 1 to 8,
A reaction detection apparatus characterized in that the fluorescence detection unit irradiates a fluorescent material with excitation light and receives and measures the fluorescence emitted by the fluorescent material.

10.
A reaction detection device according to claim 9,
A microchip capable of measuring a sample reacted with a reagent containing a fluorescent substance by the fluorescence detection unit;
A microchip inspection system comprising:

  According to the present invention, the fluorescence generated from the fluorescent material irradiated with the excitation light is reflected and reflected by the reflecting member having the spectral reflection characteristic that does not reflect the excitation light and guided to the light receiving unit. Can only receive light.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of a reaction detection device 80 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The reaction detection device 80 is a device that automatically detects a reaction between a specimen previously injected into the microchip 1 and a reagent and displays the result on the display unit 84.

  The housing 82 of the reaction detection device 80 has an insertion port 83, and the microchip 1 is inserted into the insertion port 83 and set inside the housing 82. The insertion port 83 is sufficiently higher than the thickness of the microchip 1 so as not to contact the insertion port 83 when the microchip 1 is inserted. Reference numeral 85 denotes a memory card slot, 86 denotes a print output port, 87 denotes an operation panel, and 88 denotes an input / output terminal.

  The person in charge of inspection inserts the microchip 1 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 and operates the operation panel 87 to start the inspection. Inside the reaction detector 80, the reaction in the microchip 1 is automatically inspected, and when the inspection is completed, the result is displayed on the display unit 84 constituted by a liquid crystal panel or the like. The inspection result can be output from the print output port 86 or stored in a memory card inserted into the memory card slot 85 by operating the operation panel 87. Further, data can be stored in the personal computer or the like from the external input / output terminal 88 using, for example, a LAN cable.

  The inspection person takes out the microchip 1 from the insertion port 83 after the inspection is completed.

  Next, an example of the microchip 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  2A and 2B are external views of the microchip 1. FIG. In FIG. 2A, an arrow indicates an insertion direction in which the microchip 1 is inserted into the reaction detection device 80, and FIG. 2A illustrates a surface that becomes the lower surface of the microchip 1 when inserted. FIG. 2B is a side view of the microchip 1.

  The window 111 in FIG. 2A is provided for optically detecting the reaction between the specimen and the reagent containing the fluorescent substance performed by the detection unit 19 inside the microchip 1, and is a transparent member such as glass or resin. It consists of Reference numerals 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, and 110e denote driving liquid injection units that communicate with the internal fine flow paths. The driving liquid injection units 110 inject driving liquids to drive internal reagents and the like. Reference numeral 113 denotes a sample injection unit for injecting a sample into the microchip 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the microchip 1 includes a groove forming substrate 108 and a covering substrate 109 that covers the groove forming substrate 108.

  The materials used for the groove forming substrate 108 and the covering substrate 109 constituting the microchip 1 will be described.

  The microchip 1 is desired to be excellent in processability, non-water absorption, chemical resistance, weather resistance, cost and the like. In consideration of the structure, application, detection method, etc. of the microchip 1, The material of chip 1 is selected. Various known materials can be used as the material, and usually the substrate and the flow path element are formed by appropriately combining one or more materials in accordance with individual material characteristics.

  In particular, it is desirable that a chip intended for a large number of measurement specimens, particularly clinical specimens at risk of contamination and infection, be a disposable type. Therefore, a plastic resin that can be mass-produced, is lightweight, is strong against impact, and can be easily disposed of by incineration, for example, polystyrene that is excellent in transparency, mechanical properties, and moldability and is easy to be finely processed is preferable. For example, when it is necessary to heat the chip to near 100 ° C. in analysis, it is preferable to use a resin having excellent heat resistance (for example, polycarbonate). In addition, when protein adsorption becomes a problem, it is preferable to use polypropylene. Resin and glass have low thermal conductivity, and by using these materials in the locally heated region of the microchip, heat conduction in the surface direction is suppressed, and only the heated region is selectively heated. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, since the detection unit 19 optically detects the fluorescent substance, at least the substrate of this part uses a light transmissive material (for example, alkali glass, quartz glass, transparent plastics), and transmits light. It is necessary to do so. In the present embodiment, the window 111 of the detection unit is made of a light transmissive material so that light can pass through the window 111.

  In the microchip 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, a minute groove-like flow path (fine flow path) and a functional component (flow path element) for performing inspection, sample processing, and the like correspond to applications. It is arranged in an appropriate manner. In the present embodiment, an example of a process for performing amplification and detection of a specific gene performed in the microchip 1 by using these microchannels and channel elements will be described with reference to FIG. The application of the present invention is not limited to the example of the microchip 1 described with reference to FIG. 2C, but can be applied to the microchip 1 for various uses.

  FIG. 2C is an explanatory diagram for explaining the functions of the fine flow path and flow path element inside the microchip 1.

  The fine channel is provided with, for example, a sample storage unit 121 that stores a sample liquid, a reagent storage unit 120 that stores reagents, and the like, so that the reagent storage unit 120 can be quickly tested regardless of location and time. Necessary reagents, washing solution, denaturing treatment solution and the like are stored in advance. In FIG. 2C, the reagent storage unit 120, the sample storage unit 121, and the flow path element are represented by squares, and the fine flow path therebetween is represented by a solid line and an arrow.

  The microchip 1 includes a groove forming substrate 108 in which a fine flow path is formed and a covering substrate 109 that covers the groove-shaped flow path. The fine channel is formed on the order of micrometers, for example, the width is several μm to several hundred μm, preferably 10 to 200 μm, and the depth is about 25 to 500 μm, preferably 25 to 250 μm.

  At least in the groove forming substrate 108 of the microchip 1, the fine flow path is formed. The coated substrate 109 needs to cover at least the fine flow path of the groove forming substrate in close contact, and may cover the entire surface of the groove forming substrate. Note that the microchannel 1 is provided with a part for controlling liquid feeding, such as a liquid feeding control unit (not shown), a backflow prevention unit (a check valve, an active valve, etc.), and the like. In this case, liquid feeding is performed according to a predetermined procedure.

  The sample injection unit 113 is an injection unit for injecting the sample into the microchip 1, and the driving liquid injection unit 110 is an injection unit for injecting the driving liquid 11 into the microchip 1. Prior to performing the test using the microchip 1, the tester injects the sample from the sample injection unit 113 using a syringe or the like. As shown in FIG. 2C, the sample injected from the sample injection unit 113 is stored in the sample storage unit 121 through the communicating fine channel.

  Next, when the driving liquid 11 is injected from the driving liquid injection unit 110 a, the driving liquid 11 pushes the sample stored in the sample storage unit 121 through the communicating fine flow path, and sends the sample to the amplification unit 122.

  On the other hand, the driving liquid 11 injected from the driving liquid injection unit 110b pushes out the reagent containing the fluorescent substance stored in the reagent storage unit 120a through the communicating fine channel. The reagent containing the fluorescent material pushed out from the reagent storage unit 120 a is sent to the amplification unit 122 by the driving liquid 11. Depending on the reaction conditions at this time, it is necessary to set the amplifying unit 122 to a predetermined temperature, and as described later, the reaction is heated or absorbed in the reaction detector 80 and reacted at the predetermined temperature.

  After a predetermined reaction time, a solution containing the sample after reaction sent out from the amplification unit 122 by the driving liquid 11 is injected into the detection unit 19. When the detection unit 19 is irradiated with excitation light from the window 111, the reagent that has reacted with the specimen emits fluorescence, so that the reaction result can be measured by measuring the amount of fluorescence.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration of the reaction detection device 80 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  The reaction detection device 80 includes a temperature adjustment unit 152, a pump unit 92, a packing 96, a packing 97, a fluid tank 91, and the like. 3 shows a state in which the microchip 1 is in close contact with the temperature control unit 152 and the packing 97, respectively. In the microchip 1 shown in FIG. 3, one detection unit 19 that measures the reaction result of the reagent is provided inside the microchip 1.

  The temperature adjustment unit 152 and the microchip 1 are driven by a driving member including a motor 302, a feed screw 301, a tray 300, and the like, and can move in the vertical direction on the paper surface. In the initial state, the temperature adjustment unit 152 is raised from the state of FIG. 3 by the thickness of the microchip 1 by the driving member. Then, the microchip 1 can be inserted / removed in the left / right direction on the paper surface, and the person inspecting inserts the microchip 1 from the insertion port 83 until it comes into contact with a regulating member (not shown) of the tray 300. When the microchip 1 is inserted to a predetermined position, the chip detection unit 95 using a photo interrupter or the like detects the microchip 1 and is turned on.

  The temperature adjustment unit 152 is a unit that incorporates a Peltier element, a power supply device, a temperature control device, and the like and adjusts the surface of the microchip 1 to a predetermined temperature by generating heat or absorbing heat.

  Next, the temperature adjustment unit 152 and the tray 300 are lowered by the driving member 303, and the microchip 1 is brought into close contact with the temperature adjustment unit 152 and the packing 97.

  In the detection unit 19 of the microchip 1, the specimen and the reagent stored in the microchip 1 react to cause, for example, coloration, light emission, fluorescence, turbidity, and the like. In this embodiment, the groove forming substrate 108 and the covering substrate 109 that constitute the detection unit 19 of the microchip 1 that measures the reaction result of the reagent are made of a light-transmitting material. The fluorescence emitted from the detection unit 19 of the chip 1 can be analyzed by photometry or colorimetry.

  The fluorescence detection unit 15 includes a light emitting unit 160, a light receiving unit 161, a slit 157, a lens 155, and a reflection cylinder 191, and is arranged so as to detect fluorescence generated by the detection unit 19 of the microchip 1. The fluorescence detection unit 15 will be described in detail later.

  The pump unit 92 has at least one pump 62. A packing 96 is connected to the suction side of the pump 62 so that the fluid filled in the fluid tank 91 is sucked. On the other hand, a packing 97 is connected to the discharge side of the pump 62, and the sucked fluid is injected from the fluid injection part 110 of the microchip 1 into the microchannel formed in the microchip 1 via the packing 97. . The packing 97 is sandwiched between the pump unit 92 and the microchip 1, and the fluid outlet of the pump 62, the opening of the packing 97, and the fluid injection unit 110 communicate with each other. In this manner, the fluid is injected from the fluid injection unit 110 from the pump 62 through the packing 97 that communicates with the pump 62.

  A first embodiment of the fluorescence detection unit 15 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the first embodiment of the configuration of the fluorescence detection unit 15, and FIG. 5 is a graph for explaining the spectral characteristics of the reflector 191.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the fluorescence detection unit 15 described in FIG. 3, and illustrates an optical path. The light emitting unit 160 is disposed on the opposite side of the light receiving unit 161 with the detection unit 19 interposed therebetween. Excitation light emitted from the light emitting unit 160 enters the lens 155 via the slit 157, and the excitation light collected by the lens 158 irradiates the detection unit 19. The specimen 50 including the fluorescent substance in the detection unit 19 emits fluorescence by excitation light.

  Since the fluorescence is emitted over approximately 180 degrees, it is emitted toward the light receiving unit 161 as indicated by an arrow in the figure. The fluorescence incident on the inner wall of the reflecting cylinder 191 is reflected and incident on the light receiving unit 161 as shown in FIG. The reflection cylinder 191 is a reflection member of the present invention.

  4B and 4C are examples of the cross-sectional shape of the reflecting cylinder 191 in the optical axis direction, such as a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 4B, a rectangular tube shape as shown in FIG. Any shape may be used as long as the reflecting surface reflects the fluorescence toward the light receiving unit 161.

  The spectral characteristics of excitation light and fluorescence will be described with reference to FIG. When, for example, an LED having a dominant wavelength of 555 nm is used as the light emitting unit 160, the spectral characteristics of the excitation light are as indicated by R1 shown in FIG. When such excitation light is irradiated onto a fluorescent material (eg, TAMRA), fluorescence having spectral characteristics indicated by R2 in FIG. 5A is emitted. The dominant wavelength of the fluorescence is 580 nm, and the Stokes shift λs, which is the difference of the dominant wavelength from the excitation light, is 25 nm. Thus, the light emitted from the detector 19 includes excitation light having a wavelength close to that of the main wavelength. In the present invention, the fluorescent wavelength region is reflected on the inner wall of the reflecting cylinder 191, and the spectral reflection characteristic is low in the wavelength range of the excitation light, and only the fluorescence is reflected on the inner wall of the reflecting cylinder 191 and is reflected on the light receiving unit 161. Incident light is incident.

  FIG. 5B is a graph showing an example of the spectral reflection characteristics of the inner wall of the reflecting cylinder 191. F1 in the figure is the spectral reflection characteristic of the inner wall of the reflecting cylinder 191, which has a cutoff characteristic that reflects the wavelength region of fluorescence and hardly reflects wavelengths of 550 nm or less. This example is merely an example, and the spectral reflection characteristics of the inner wall of the reflecting cylinder 191 may be determined in accordance with the fluorescent material to be used and the wavelength of the excitation light.

  In this way, only the fluorescence is reflected by the inner wall of the reflecting cylinder 191 and enters the light receiving unit 161, so that the fluorescence can be received efficiently.

  Next, a second embodiment of the fluorescence detection unit 15 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the configuration of the fluorescence detection unit 15.

  The difference from the first embodiment is that a reflection plate 192 that irradiates excitation light from the light emitting unit 160 toward the detection unit 19 in an oblique direction and reflects the excitation light transmitted through the detection unit 19 is provided.

  The light emitting unit 160 irradiates the specimen 50 containing a fluorescent material with excitation light from an oblique direction with respect to the optical axis L of the light receiving unit 161. θ is an angle formed by the optical axis M and the optical axis L of the light emitting unit 160. The angle θ is set to an angle at which the excitation light transmitted through the detection unit 19 does not enter the reflection cylinder 191. The reflection plate 192 has a spectral reflection characteristic that reflects the excitation light wavelength region and has a low reflectance in the fluorescence wavelength region, and is arranged so as to regularly reflect the excitation light transmitted through the detection unit 19 and irradiate the detection unit 19 again. Has been.

  The excitation light emitted from the light emitting unit 160 irradiates the detection unit 19, and the specimen 50 including the fluorescent material of the detection unit 19 emits fluorescence by the excitation light. Since the fluorescence is emitted over approximately 180 degrees, it is emitted toward the light receiving unit 161 as indicated by an arrow in the figure, as in the first embodiment. The inner wall of the reflecting cylinder 191 reflects the fluorescent wavelength region as in the first embodiment and has a spectral reflection characteristic with a low reflectance in the excitation light wavelength region, so that only the fluorescent light is reflected as shown in FIG. The light enters the light receiving unit 161.

  In this way, the amount of fluorescence excited by efficiently irradiating the detection unit 19 with excitation light can be increased, and the excitation light incident on the light receiving unit 161 can be reduced.

  Next, a third embodiment using the fluorescence detection unit 15 that irradiates light from the same side as the light receiving unit 161 to the detection unit 19 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of the internal configuration of the reaction detection device 80 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 shows an example of the internal configuration of the reaction detection device 80 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing shown.

  The reaction detection device 80 includes a temperature adjustment unit 152, a fluorescence detection unit 15, a driving liquid pump 92, a packing 90, a driving liquid tank 91, a feed screw 301, a joint 302, a motor 300, and the like. 7 and 8 show a state in which the microchip 1 is in close contact with the temperature adjustment unit 152 and the packing 90b. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The temperature adjustment unit 152 and the microchip 1 are driven by a driving member (not shown) and can move in the vertical direction on the paper surface. In the initial state, the temperature adjustment unit 152 is raised from the state of FIG. 7 by the thickness of the microchip 1 by the driving member. Then, the microchip 1 can be inserted / removed in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 7, and the person inspecting inserts the microchip 1 from the insertion port 83 until it comes into contact with a regulating member (not shown). When the microchip 1 is inserted to a predetermined position, the chip detection unit 95 using a photo interrupter or the like detects the microchip 1 and is turned on.

  The temperature adjustment unit 152 is a unit that incorporates a Peltier element, a power supply device, a temperature control device, and the like and adjusts the surface of the microchip 1 to a predetermined temperature by generating heat or absorbing heat.

  Next, the temperature adjustment unit 152 and the microchip 1 are lowered by the driving member, and the microchip 1 is brought into close contact with the temperature adjustment unit 152 and the packing 90b.

  In the detection unit 19 of the microchip 1, the sample and the reagent containing the fluorescent substance stored in the microchip 1 react and emit fluorescence when irradiated with excitation light. In this embodiment, the reaction result of the reagent that occurs in the detection unit 19 is optically detected from the window 111.

  The microchip 1 shown in FIG. 7 is an example in which four detection units 19 that measure the reaction result of the reagent are provided inside the microchip 1.

  The four detection units 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d are arranged along a straight line F shown in FIG. Windows 111a, 111b, 111c, 111d (not shown) of the detectors 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d are provided on the surface of the coated substrate 109, respectively, and the reaction results are optically transmitted through the windows 111a, 111b, 111c, 111d. Can be detected.

  The fluorescence detection unit 15 has a screw portion that is screwed with the feed screw 301, and moves in the direction of arrow B in FIG. The feed screw 301 is arranged in parallel with the straight line F. When the fluorescence detection unit 15 is moved by the feed screw 301, the fluorescence detection unit 15 is illustrated at the center of each of the detection units 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d. The light receiving unit 161 is arranged so that the optical axes thereof coincide with each other. After moving to a predetermined position, the fluorescence detection unit 15 sequentially irradiates the detection units 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d with excitation light, receives fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent material, and outputs an electrical signal.

  The feed screw 301 is driven by a motor 300 via a joint 302. The motor 300 is a pulse motor, for example, and rotates by a predetermined amount by a pulse.

  The fluorescence detection unit 15 is provided with a guide hole 173 (not shown in FIG. 7) for preventing rotation, and moves along a guide rod that passes through the guide hole 173. The guide bar is disposed in parallel with the feed screw 301.

  In the present embodiment, the case where four detection units 19 are provided has been described. However, the number of detection units 19 may be any number as long as it is one or more. When the number of detection units 19 is one, there is no need to move the fluorescence detection unit 15, and therefore the feed screw 301, the motor 300, and the like are unnecessary.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a packing 90 c is connected to the suction side of the driving fluid pump 92 so that the driving fluid filled in the driving fluid tank 91 is sucked. On the other hand, a packing 90b is connected to the discharge side of the driving liquid pump 92, and the driving liquid sucked from the packing 90c is formed in the microchip 1 from the driving liquid injection part 110 of the microchip 1 through the packing 90b. Into the fine flow path 6. The packing 90b is sandwiched between the driving liquid pump 92 and the microchip 1, and the driving liquid outlet of the driving liquid pump 92, the opening of the packing 90b, and the driving liquid injection section 110 communicate with each other. In this manner, the driving liquid is injected from the driving liquid injection section 110 from the driving liquid pump 92 through the packing 90b that is in communication.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an optical system of the fluorescence detection unit 15 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The difference from the second embodiment described with reference to FIG. 6 is that the specimen 50 including the fluorescent material of the detection unit 19 is irradiated with light from the same side as the light receiving unit 161.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the light emitting unit 160 irradiates the specimen 50 containing the fluorescent material with excitation light from an oblique direction with respect to the optical axis L of the light receiving unit 161. β is an angle formed by the optical axis N of the light emitting unit 160 and the optical axis L. The angle β is set to an angle at which the excitation light regularly reflected by the detection unit 19 does not enter the reflecting cylinder 191. The reflection plate 192 has a spectral reflection characteristic that reflects the excitation light, and is disposed at a position where the excitation light transmitted through the detection unit 19 is regularly reflected to irradiate the detection unit 19 again.

  The excitation light emitted from the light emitting unit 160 irradiates the detection unit 19, and the fluorescent material of the detection unit 19 emits fluorescence by the excitation light. Since the fluorescence is emitted over approximately 180 degrees, it is emitted toward the light receiving unit 161 as indicated by an arrow in the figure, as in the first embodiment. Since the inner wall of the reflecting cylinder 191 has a spectral reflection characteristic that reflects fluorescence and hardly reflects excitation light as in the first embodiment, it reflects only the fluorescence and enters the light receiving portion 161 as shown in FIG.

  In this way, the amount of fluorescence excited by efficiently irradiating the detection unit 19 with excitation light can be increased, and the excitation light incident on the light receiving unit 161 can be reduced. Further, since the light receiving unit 161 and the light emitting unit 160 can be arranged on the same side with respect to the microchip 1 of the detection unit 19, the fluorescence detection unit 15 can be reduced in size and can be easily moved as shown in FIG. .

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a small fluorescence detection unit, reaction detection device, and microchip inspection system that can efficiently receive fluorescence with a simple configuration.

It is an external view of the reaction detection apparatus 80 in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the microchip 1 concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the internal structure of the reaction detection apparatus 80 in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of a configuration of a fluorescence detection unit 15. FIG. It is a graph explaining the spectral characteristics of the reflection cylinder. It is sectional drawing which shows 2nd Embodiment of a structure of the fluorescence detection unit. It is an external view of the reaction detection apparatus 80 in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the internal structure of the reaction detection apparatus 80 in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows 3rd Embodiment of a structure of the fluorescence detection unit. It is explanatory drawing explaining the example of the optical system of the conventional fluorescence detection unit.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Microchip 6 Packing 15 Fluorescence detection unit 19 Detection part 35 Air pump 37 Electromagnetic valve 62 Micro pump 80 Reaction detection device 82 Case 83 Insertion port 84 Display part 91 Drive liquid tank 92 Pump 110 Drive liquid injection part 152 Temperature control unit 160 Light emission Part 161 Light-receiving part 191 Reflecting cylinder 192 Reflecting plate 300 Motor 301 Feed screw 302 Joint 303 Stopper

Claims (10)

A light emitting unit for irradiating the fluorescent material with excitation light;
A light receiving unit that receives fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent material irradiated with the excitation light and converts it into an electrical signal;
In a fluorescence detection unit having
A reflection member having a spectral reflection characteristic in which the reflectance in the fluorescence wavelength region is higher than the reflectance in the wavelength region of the excitation light;
The fluorescence detection unit, wherein the fluorescence is reflected by the reflecting member and guided to the light receiving unit. The fluorescence detection unit according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit is arranged to irradiate the fluorescent material with excitation light from an oblique direction with respect to an optical axis of the light receiving unit. The fluorescence detection unit according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit is disposed on the same side as the light receiving unit with respect to the fluorescent material. The fluorescence detection unit according to claim 3, wherein the light emitting unit is configured to irradiate the excitation light from an angle at which the excitation light specularly reflected by the fluorescent material does not enter the reflection member. . The fluorescent detection unit includes a reflector that regularly reflects the excitation light that is regularly reflected by the fluorescent material, and irradiates the fluorescence material again with the excitation light that is regularly reflected by the reflector. Item 5. The fluorescence detection unit according to Item 3 or 4. The fluorescence detection unit according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit is disposed on the opposite side of the light receiving unit with the fluorescent material interposed therebetween. The fluorescence detection unit according to claim 6, wherein the light emitting unit is configured to irradiate the excitation light from an angle at which the excitation light transmitted through the fluorescent material does not enter the reflection member. The said fluorescence detection unit has a reflecting plate which specularly reflects the said excitation light which permeate | transmitted the said fluorescent substance, The said excitation light specularly reflected by the said reflecting plate is again irradiated to the said fluorescent substance, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. The fluorescence detection unit according to 6 or 7. It has the fluorescence detection unit of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 8,
A reaction detection apparatus characterized in that the fluorescence detection unit irradiates a fluorescent material with excitation light and receives and measures the fluorescence emitted by the fluorescent material. The reaction detection device according to claim 9,
A microchip capable of measuring a sample reacted with a reagent containing a fluorescent substance by the fluorescence detection unit;
A microchip inspection system comprising:

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