JP2009097999A - Inspection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inspection apparatus which enables positioning of a test chip with an easy operation and allows the test chip to make close contact with a chip connection portion. <P>SOLUTION: An inspection apparatus for measuring the reaction result of a reaction between a reagent and an analyte, in which a fluid is injected into a test chip comprises a chip-carrying tray on which the test chip is installed; a tray-driving means by which the chip carrying tray is moved; and a chip-connecting portion which communicates with the test chip and allows injection of a fluid into the test chip. In the inspection apparatus, the tray-driving means moves the test chip installed on the chip-carrying tray, to a position where the test chip and the chip-connecting portion can communicate with each other and then moves the test chip vertically, to allow the test chip to come into close contact and to communicate with the chip-connecting portion. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus.

  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 complicated processes, skilled techniques, and equipment operations are required, automated, accelerated and simplified μ-TAS is cost-effective The benefits of enabling analysis not only in volume and time but also in any time and place are enormous.

  In μ-TAS as described above, a reagent or the like in a fine flow path of a test chip is fed by a micropump.

  Specifically, a micro pump unit in which a plurality of pumps using a piezoelectric element having the configuration disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3 are provided on a chip, and a test chip, for example, the flow passage openings of each other match. By closely contacting the chip surface of the micropump unit and the chip surface of the inspection chip, the flow path on the pump side and the flow path on the inspection chip side are communicated with each other.

  In such an inspection device, a very small amount of liquid is supplied. Therefore, if the pump-side flow path and the test-chip-side flow path are not accurately aligned and in close contact with each other, the fluid delivered from the pump leaks, and a desired flow rate is obtained. The liquid cannot be delivered. In the worst case, it is conceivable that the flow path on the pump side and the flow path on the inspection chip side do not communicate with each other and the inspection cannot be performed.

As a method for positioning the inspection chip and allowing the fluid to flow into and out of the inspection chip, a method of inserting and holding the inspection chip in a holder provided with parallel rails is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 4).
JP 2004-28589 A JP 2001-322099 A JP 2004-108285 A JP 2005-530006 A

  However, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 4, since the flow path opening is provided on the surface on which the inspection chip is inserted into and removed from the holder, it can be inserted / removed between the flow path opening of the holder and the flow path opening of the inspection chip. It is necessary to provide a gap. If it does in this way, since a fluid leaks from a clearance gap, a very small amount of liquid feeding cannot be performed correctly.

  Further, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 4, since the inspection chip is manually inserted, the inspection chip may not be set at a normal position. In such a case, the flow path on the pump side and the flow path on the inspection chip side may not communicate with each other, and inspection may not be performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an inspection apparatus that can position an inspection chip with a simple operation and can be brought into close contact with the chip connection portion.

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

1.
In a test device that injects fluid into a test chip and reacts a reagent with a sample to measure the reaction result,
A chip transport tray on which the inspection chip is placed;
Tray drive means for moving the chip transport tray;
A chip connecting portion communicating with the inspection chip and injecting the fluid into the inspection chip;
Have
The tray driving unit moves the inspection chip placed on the chip transport tray to a position where it can communicate with the chip connection portion, and then moves the inspection chip in a vertical direction to bring the inspection chip and the chip connection portion into close contact with each other. Inspection device characterized by allowing communication.

2.
A pressing member that presses the inspection chip in conjunction with the chip transport tray;
The tray driving means moves the inspection chip placed on the chip transport tray to a position where the inspection chip can communicate with the chip connection portion, and moves the pressing member in a vertical direction to press the inspection chip. 2. The inspection apparatus according to 1.

3.
3. The inspection apparatus according to 1 or 2, wherein the pressing member includes a temperature adjusting unit that adjusts a temperature of the inspection chip at a portion that presses the inspection chip.

4).
In a test device that injects fluid into a test chip and reacts a reagent with a sample to measure the reaction result,
A chip transport tray on which the inspection chip is placed;
First driving means for moving the chip transport tray in a horizontal direction;
Second driving means for moving the chip transport tray in a vertical direction;
A chip connecting portion communicating with the inspection chip and injecting the fluid into the inspection chip;
Detecting means for detecting that the inspection chip placed on the chip transport tray has moved to a position where it can communicate with the chip connecting portion;
Mechanism control means for controlling the first drive means and the second drive means;
Have
The mechanism control means drives the first drive means to move the chip transport tray until the detection means detects, and then drives the second drive means to connect the inspection chip and the chip. Inspection apparatus characterized by closely contacting and communicating with a part.

5).
A pressing member that presses the inspection chip in conjunction with the second driving means;
The mechanism control means drives the second driving means to bring the inspection chip and the chip connecting portion into close contact with each other and to move the pressing member in the vertical direction to press the inspection chip. 4. The inspection apparatus according to 4.

6).
The inspection apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the pressing member has a temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the inspection chip at a portion in contact with the inspection chip.

  According to the present invention, the tray driving means moves the inspection chip to a position where it can communicate with the chip connecting portion, and then moves the inspection chip in the vertical direction so as to be in close contact with the chip connecting portion. It can be in close contact with the chip connecting part.

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

  FIG. 1 is an external view of an inspection apparatus 80 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The inspection device 80 is a device that automatically detects the reaction between the specimen previously injected into the inspection chip 1 and the reagent and displays the result on the display unit 84. After the inspection chip 1 is placed on the chip transport tray 2, the chip transport tray 2 is loaded into the insertion slot 83 and set inside the housing 82. Reference numeral 85 denotes a memory card slot, 86 denotes a print output port, 87 denotes an operation panel, 88 denotes an input / output terminal, 89 denotes a tray cover, and 91 denotes a discharge button.

  FIG. 1A is an external view of a state where the chip transport tray 2 is discharged to a position where the inspection chip 1 can be placed, and FIG. 1B is a state where the chip transport tray 2 is loaded to a position where inspection can be performed. It is an external view.

  The person inspecting places the inspection chip 1 on the chip transport tray 2 and presses the discharge button 91 to move the chip transport tray 2 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. When the chip transport tray 2 moves to a position where it can be inspected as shown in FIG. 1B, the inspection person operates the operation panel 87 to start inspection.

  Inside the housing 82, a micropump unit 75 (not shown in FIG. 1) injects a liquid such as a driving liquid into the inspection chip 1 according to a command from the control means, and the reaction in the inspection chip 1 is automatically inspected. Is called. 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.

  After the inspection is completed, the person inspecting presses the discharge button 91 to move the chip transport tray 2 to a position where the inspection chip 1 can be taken out as shown in FIG. The inspection person takes out the inspection chip 1 from the chip transport tray 2.

  Next, an example of the inspection chip 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  2A and 2B are external views of the inspection chip 1. FIG. In FIG. 2A, an arrow indicates an insertion direction in which the inspection chip 1 is inserted into a case 82 described later, and FIG. 2A illustrates a surface that becomes the lower surface of the inspection chip 1 when inserted. FIG. 2B is a side view of the inspection chip 1.

  The window 111a of the detection unit and the flow path 111b of the detection unit in FIG. 2A are provided for optically detecting the reaction between the specimen and the reagent, and are made of a transparent member such as glass or resin. . Reference numerals 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, and 110e denote driving liquid injection ports that communicate with internal fine flow paths. The driving liquids are injected from the respective driving liquid injection ports 110 to drive internal reagents and the like. Reference numeral 213 denotes a sample injection unit for injecting the sample into the test chip 1.

  In this embodiment, an example in which a driving liquid is injected as an example of a fluid will be described. However, the fluid is not limited to a liquid, and an internal reagent or the like may be driven using a gas.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the inspection chip 1 includes a groove forming substrate 108 and a covering substrate 109 that covers the groove forming substrate 108. Next, materials used for the groove forming substrate 108 and the covering substrate 109 constituting the inspection chip 1 will be described.

  The inspection chip 1 is required to be excellent in processability, non-water absorption, chemical resistance, weather resistance, cost, etc., and inspection is performed in consideration of the structure, application, detection method, etc. of the inspection chip 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 of 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 case where the detection unit 111 optically detects a color reaction product or a fluorescent substance, at least the substrate of this part uses a light-transmitting material (for example, alkali glass, quartz glass, transparent plastics). It is necessary to allow light to pass through. In the present embodiment, the groove forming substrate that forms the window 111a of the detection unit and at least the flow path 111b of the detection unit is made of a light-transmitting material so that light can pass through the detection unit 111. ing.

  The inspection chip 1 is provided with minute groove-like channels (microchannels) and functional parts (channel elements) for performing inspections, sample processing, and the like in an appropriate manner according to the application. ing. Here, an example of a process for performing amplification and detection of a specific gene performed in the test chip 1 by using these fine flow paths and flow path elements will be described with reference to FIG.

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

  The microchannel is provided with, for example, a sample storage unit 221 for storing a sample liquid, a reagent storage unit 220 for storing reagents, and the like, so that the reagent storage unit 220 can be quickly examined 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 220, the sample storage unit 221 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 inspection chip 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 inspection chip 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 fine flow path of the inspection chip 1 is provided with a part for controlling liquid feeding, such as a liquid feeding control unit (not shown) and a backflow prevention unit (a check valve, an active valve, etc.). In this case, liquid feeding is performed according to a predetermined procedure.

  The sample injection unit 213 is an injection unit for injecting the sample into the test chip 1, and the drive liquid injection port 110 is an injection unit for injecting the drive liquid into the test chip 1. Prior to performing the test using the test chip 1, the tester injects the sample from the sample injection unit 213 using a syringe or the like. As shown in FIG. 2C, the sample injected from the sample injection unit 213 is stored in the sample storage unit 221 through the communicating fine channel.

  Next, when the driving liquid is injected from the driving liquid injection port 110 a, the driving liquid pushes out the sample stored in the sample storage unit 221 through the communicating fine channel, and sends the sample to the amplification unit 222.

  On the other hand, the driving liquid injected from the driving liquid injection port 110b pushes out the reagent a stored in the reagent storage unit 220a through the communicating fine channel. The reagent a pushed out from the reagent storage unit 220a is sent to the amplification unit 222 by the driving liquid. Depending on the reaction conditions at this time, it is necessary to set the amplification unit 222 to a predetermined temperature, and as described later, the reaction is performed at a predetermined temperature by heating or absorbing heat inside the housing 82.

  After a predetermined reaction time, a solution containing the sample after reaction sent out from the amplification unit 222 by the driving liquid is injected into the detection unit 111. The injected solution reacts with the reactants carried on the flow path wall of the detection unit 111 and is immobilized on the flow path wall.

  Next, when the driving liquid is injected from the driving liquid injection port 110c, the driving liquid pushes the reagent b stored in the reagent storage unit 220b through the communicating fine channel and injects the reagent b from the micro channel into the detection unit 111. .

  Similarly, when the driving liquid is injected from the driving liquid injection port 110d, the driving liquid pushes the reagent stored in the reagent storage unit 220c through the communicating fine flow path, and injects the reagent from the fine flow path into the detection unit 111.

  Finally, the driving liquid is injected from the driving liquid injection port 110e, the cleaning liquid is pushed out from the cleaning liquid storage unit 223, and is injected into the detection unit 111. The unreacted solution 41 remaining in the detection unit 111 is washed with the washing liquid.

  After washing, the detected substance such as the amplified gene is detected by optically measuring the concentration of the reactant adsorbed on the flow path wall of the detection unit 111. Thus, a predetermined process is performed inside the test chip 1 by sequentially injecting the driving liquid from the driving liquid injection port 110.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration of the inspection apparatus 80 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The inspection device 80 includes a chip transport tray 2, a pressing plate 3, a motor 6, an intermediate flow path portion 180, a micro pump unit 75, packings 90a and 90b, a chip connection portion 8, a driving liquid tank 91, and the like. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those described so far, and description thereof will be omitted.

  3, the mechanism driven by the motor 6 moves the inspection chip 1 placed on the chip transport tray 2 to a position where it can communicate with the chip connection portion 8, and then moves the inspection chip 1 in the vertical direction. The operation of bringing 1 and the chip connecting portion 8 into close contact with each other will be described in order.

  FIG. 3A shows a state where the chip transport tray 2 is discharged as shown in FIG. The inspection chip 1 is placed on the chip transport tray 2. When the motor 6 is rotated from the state of FIG. 3A, the chip transport tray 2 interlocked with the motor 6 starts to move in the arrow S1 direction (horizontal direction).

  FIG. 3B shows a state in which the chip transport tray 2 has moved to a position where the driving liquid inlet 110 of the test chip 1 and the flow path opening 185 of the chip connection portion 8 can communicate with each other. The driving liquid injection port 110 and the flow path opening 185 are in positions facing each other. When the motor 6 is rotated from the state of FIG. 3B, the rotating cam 4 and the chip transport tray 2 (not shown in FIG. 3) are engaged, and the rotating cam 4 interlocked with the motor 6 moves the chip transport tray 2 over the arrow S2. Move in the direction (vertical direction).

  FIG. 3C shows a state in which the inspection chip 1 and the chip connecting portion 8 are in close contact, and the temperature adjustment unit 152 of the pressing plate 3 is in close contact with the inspection chip 1. As shown in FIG. 3C, the driving liquid inlet 110 and the flow path opening 185 communicate with each other. When the inspection chip 1 and the chip connecting portion 8 are brought into close contact with each other and the motor 6 is rotated, the pressing plate 3 is moved in the direction of the arrow S2 (vertical direction) by the rotating cam 4 interlocked with the pressing plate 3, and the temperature adjustment unit 152 is moved. Is pressed and brought into close contact with the inspection chip 1. The temperature adjustment unit 152 includes a Peltier element, a power supply device, a temperature control device, and the like, and adjusts the upper surface of the test chip 1 that contacts by performing heat generation or heat absorption to a predetermined temperature.

  The pressing plate 3 is a pressing member of the present invention, and the temperature adjusting unit 152 is a temperature adjusting means of the present invention.

  When the inspection chip 1 placed on the chip transport tray 2 is transported to a predetermined position, the detection unit 95 detects the chip transport tray 2 and is turned on.

  The intermediate flow path portion 180 includes a transparent first substrate 184 provided with a groove of the intermediate flow path 182 and a transparent second substrate 183 that covers the first substrate 184. One end of the intermediate flow path 182 has a flow path opening. The other end communicates with the flow path opening 186 of the packing 90b. The intermediate flow path 182 communicates with the input / output port 146 of the micro pump unit 75 through the flow path opening 186.

  A driving liquid tank 91 is connected to the suction side of the micropump unit 75 via a packing 90a, and the driving liquid filled in the driving liquid tank 91 is sucked via the packing 90a. On the other hand, since the input / output port 146 provided on the discharge-side end face of the micropump unit 75 communicates with the driving liquid injection port 110 of the test chip 1 via the intermediate flow path 182, the micropump unit 75 is sent out from the micropump unit 75. The driving liquid thus injected is injected from the driving liquid inlet 110 of the inspection chip 1 into the flow path 250 formed in the inspection chip 1. In this way, the driving liquid is injected from the micropump unit 75 into the driving liquid injection port 110.

  The micropump unit 75 is provided with at least one micropump MP. When the inspection chip 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 is driven, five micropumps MP corresponding to the five driving liquid injection ports 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, and 110e are necessary. Further, the corresponding five flow path openings 186, intermediate flow paths 182 and flow path openings 185 are necessary so that the five micropumps MP communicate with the five driving liquid injection ports 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, and 110e, respectively. is there.

  In the detection unit 111 of the test chip 1, the sample and the reagent stored in the test chip 1 react to cause, for example, coloration, light emission, fluorescence, turbidity, and the like. In the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 2, the reaction result of the reagent that occurs in the detection unit 111 is optically detected. The light detection unit 150 includes a light emitting unit 150a and a light receiving unit 150b, and is arranged so as to be able to detect light transmitted through the detection unit 111 of the test chip 1.

  Next, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a side view of the chip transport tray 2 on which the inspection chip 1 is placed.

  The first embodiment is an example of a drive mechanism in which one motor 6 drives the chip transport tray 2 and the pressing plate 3. All the drive mechanisms are attached to the base plate 5. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the pressing plate 3 is lifted upward by the rotating cam follower 4a engaged with the pressing cam 3a, and there is a gap between the pressing plate 3 and the chip transport tray 2. Is shown. The chip transport tray 2 has a gear portion (not shown) that meshes with the loading pinion gear 9. When the loading pinion gear 9 is driven by the motor 6, the chip conveying tray 2 can move in the left-right direction (horizontal direction).

  The rotating shaft 13 of the cleaning roller 12 shown in FIG. 4 is supported by a support base 14 attached to the chip transport tray 2 and is orthogonal to the moving direction of the chip transport tray 2 indicated by an arrow S1. Reference numeral 7 denotes an inspection chip positioning base, to which an intermediate flow path 180 and a chip connection portion 8 are attached. 4 does not show the micropump unit 75, the driving liquid tank 91, and the like, but since the communication is the same as in FIG. 3, the driving liquid sent out by the micropump unit 75 is sent from the chip connection unit 8. Discharge.

  When the chip transport tray 2 moves in the direction of the arrow S1 in FIG. 4, the cleaning roller 12 contacts the chip connection unit 8 and rotates to remove foreign matter or liquid adhering to the chip connection unit 8.

  The material of the cleaning roller 12 is not particularly limited, but a water absorbent resin or sponge can be used.

  Here, the operation during loading will be described.

  FIG. 4A shows a state in which the chip transport tray 2 is ejected. When the motor 6 is rotated in a predetermined direction, the chip transport tray 2 in which the loading opinion gear 9 and the gear train are engaged is shown in the arrow S1 direction (horizontal direction). )

  FIG. 4B shows a state in which the chip transport tray 2 has moved to a position where the driving liquid inlet 110 of the test chip 1 and the flow path opening 185 of the chip connection portion 8 can communicate with each other, as in FIG. . The driving liquid injection port 110 and the flow path opening 185 are in positions facing each other. When the motor 6 is rotated from the state of FIG. 4B, the tray pin 2a of the chip transport tray 2 is engaged with the rotating cam 4, and the rotating cam 4 is slightly rotated. Then, the gear train of the pressing plate driving gear A 10 and the loading opinion gear 9 meshes, and the pressing plate driving gear B 11 that meshes with the pressing plate driving gear A 10 rotates the rotating cam 4 counterclockwise.

  On the other hand, the gear portion of the chip transport tray 2 and the loading opinion gear 9 are disengaged, and the chip transport tray 2 moves in the arrow S2 direction (vertical direction) in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating cam 4.

  Since the rotating cam follower 4a of the rotating cam 4 is engaged with the pressing cam 3a of the pressing plate 3, when the rotating cam 4 further rotates counterclockwise, the pressing plate 3 is moved in the direction of arrow S2 as shown in FIG. Press down (vertically). The pressing plate 3 is restricted so as to move only in the arrow S2 direction (vertical direction) by a guide member (not shown).

  FIG. 4C shows a state in which the temperature adjustment unit 152 of the pressing plate 3 presses the inspection chip 1 so that the inspection chip 1 and the chip connection portion 8 are in close contact with each other, as in FIG.

  The operation at the time of discharging the chip transport tray 2 is the reverse of the operation at the time of loading. When the motor 6 is rotated in the direction opposite to that at the time of loading from the state of FIG. 4C, the rotating cam 4 rotates in the clockwise direction, and the pressing plate 3 and the chip transport tray 2 are raised in the direction opposite to the arrow S2. When the chip transport tray 2 is raised to the state shown in FIG. 4B, the gear portion of the chip transport tray 2 and the loading opinion gear 9 are engaged, and the chip transport tray 2 is moved in the direction opposite to the arrow S1.

  This completes the description of the drive mechanism.

  The motor 6, the loading opinion gear 9, the pressing plate driving gear A10, the pressing plate driving gear B11, the rotating cam 4, and the rotating cam follower 4a are tray driving means of the present invention.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration of the inspection apparatus 80 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The difference between the first embodiment and the second embodiment is that in the second embodiment, the motor 6 drives the chip transport tray 2 horizontally to a predetermined position, and the motor 19 presses against the chip transport tray 2. The point is that the plate 3 is driven in the vertical direction. Other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  The motor 6 is the first driving means of the present invention, and the motor 19 is the second driving means of the present invention.

  The chip transport tray 2 is interlocked with the motor 6 from the position where the inspection chip 1 shown in FIG. 5A is placed to the position where the inspection chip 1 shown in FIG. From the position of FIG. 5B, the motor 19 is interlocked.

  FIG. 6 is a circuit block diagram of the reaction detection device 80 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The control unit 99 includes a CPU 98 (central processing unit), a RAM 97 (Random Access Memory), a ROM 96 (Read Only Memory), and the like, and reads a program stored in the ROM 96 as a nonvolatile storage unit to the RAM 97. Each part of the reaction detector 80 is centrally controlled according to the program.

  Hereinafter, functional blocks having the same functions as those described so far are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  The mechanism control unit 411 controls the motor 6 and the motor 19 to move the chip transport tray 2. The detection unit 95 transmits a detection signal to the CPU 98 when the chip transport tray 2 comes into contact with the detection unit 95. The mechanism control unit 411 is a mechanism control unit of the present invention.

  The pump drive unit 500 is a drive unit that drives the piezoelectric element 112 of each micropump MP. Based on the program, the pump drive control unit 412 controls the pump drive unit 500 to inject or suck a predetermined amount of drive fluid. The pump drive unit 500 receives a command from the pump drive control unit 412 and generates a drive voltage to drive the piezoelectric element 112.

  The CPU 98 performs inspections in a predetermined sequence and stores the inspection results in the RAM 97. The inspection result can be stored in the memory card 501 by the operation of the operation unit 87 or printed by the printer 503.

  In the circuit block diagram of FIG. 6, the second embodiment will be described. The first embodiment is different in that the motor is only the motor 6, but other circuit blocks are different from those in the second embodiment. The same.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining drive control of the chip transport tray 2.

  Assume that the mechanism control unit 411 monitors the state of the discharge button 91 at regular intervals.

  S101: This is a step of determining the state of the discharge button 91.

  The mechanism control unit 411 determines the command content from the current state of the chip transport tray 2 when the discharge button 91 is pressed. For example, in the state of FIG. 5A, it is determined that the loading is instructed.

  In the case of discharging (step S101; discharging), the process proceeds to step S102.

  In the case of loading (step S101; loading), the process proceeds to step S110.

  If the discharge button 91 has not been pressed (step S101; No), the process ends.

  S110: a step of loading the chip transport tray 2.

  The mechanism control unit 411 rotates the motor 6 in a direction in which the chip transport tray 2 is moved in the arrow S1 direction (loading direction).

  S111: This is a step of stopping the chip transport tray 2.

  The mechanism control unit 411 stops the motor 6 when receiving the detection signal from the detection unit 95. As shown in FIG. 5B, the chip transport tray 2 stops at a position where the chip transport tray 2 can communicate the inspection chip 1 with the chip connection portion 8.

  S112: This is a step in which the chip transport tray 2 is lowered.

  The mechanism control unit 411 rotates the motor 19 in the direction in which the chip transport tray 2 and the pressing plate 3 are lowered. In conjunction with the motor 19, the chip transport tray 2 descends first.

  S113: This is a step in which the pressing plate 3 descends.

  The mechanism control unit 411 rotates the motor 19 for a predetermined time to lower the interlocking chip pressing plate 3.

  S114: This is a step of stopping the chip pressing plate 3 and the chip transport tray 2.

  When the mechanism control unit 411 stops the motor 19 after a predetermined time, the interlocking chip pressing plate 3 comes into close contact with the upper surface of the inspection chip 1 as shown in FIG. Further, the inspection chip 1 pressed by the chip pressing plate 3 is not attached to the chip connecting portion 8.

  This is the end of the loading process.

  S102: This is a step in which the pressing plate 3 rises.

  The mechanism control unit 411 rotates the motor 19 in the direction in which the chip transport tray 2 and the pressing plate 3 are raised. In conjunction with the motor 19, the pressing plate 3 rises first.

  S103: This is a step in which the chip transport tray 2 moves up.

    The mechanism control unit 411 rotates the motor 19 for a predetermined time to raise the interlocked chip transport tray 2 to a predetermined position as shown in FIG.

  S104: This is a step in which the chip transport tray 2 moves in the discharge direction.

  The mechanism control unit 411 stops the motor 19 and rotates the motor 6 in the direction in which the chip transport tray 2 is discharged.

  S105: This is a step of stopping the chip transport tray 2.

  The mechanism control unit 411 stops the motor 6 after a predetermined time so that the chip transport tray 2 is discharged as shown in FIG.

  This is the end of the processing at the time of discharge.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an inspection device capable of positioning an inspection chip with a simple operation and closely contacting the chip connection portion.

It is an external view of the test | inspection apparatus 80 in embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of the test | inspection chip. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of an internal structure of the test | inspection apparatus 80 of embodiment. It is a side view of the chip | tip conveyance tray 2 which mounted the test | inspection chip | tip 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the internal structure of the test | inspection apparatus 80 in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a circuit block diagram of the reaction detection apparatus 80 in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 4 is a flowchart for explaining drive control of a chip transport tray 2;

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Microchip 2 Chip conveyance tray 2a Tray pin 3 Pressing plate 4 Rotating cam 4a Rotating cam follower 5 Base plate 6 Motor 7 Inspection chip positioning base 8 Chip connection part 9 Loading pinion gear 10 Pressing plate drive gear A
11 Pressing plate drive gear B
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Cleaning roller 80 Inspection apparatus 82 Case 83 Insertion port 84 Display part 90 Packing 91 Drive liquid tank 110 Drive liquid injection port 111 Detection part 150 Light detection part 195 Liquid temperature adjustment unit

Claims (6)

In a test device that injects fluid into a test chip and reacts a reagent with a sample to measure the reaction result,
A chip transport tray on which the inspection chip is placed;
Tray drive means for moving the chip transport tray;
A chip connecting portion communicating with the inspection chip and injecting the fluid into the inspection chip;
Have
The tray driving unit moves the inspection chip placed on the chip transport tray to a position where it can communicate with the chip connection portion, and then moves the inspection chip in a vertical direction to bring the inspection chip and the chip connection portion into close contact with each other. Inspection device characterized by allowing communication. A pressing member that presses the inspection chip in conjunction with the chip transport tray;
The tray driving means moves the inspection chip placed on the chip transport tray to a position where the inspection chip can communicate with the chip connection portion, and moves the pressing member in a vertical direction to press the inspection chip. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member includes a temperature adjusting unit that adjusts a temperature of the inspection chip at a portion that presses the inspection chip. In a test device that injects fluid into a test chip and reacts a reagent with a sample to measure the reaction result,
A chip transport tray on which the inspection chip is placed;
First driving means for moving the chip transport tray in a horizontal direction;
Second driving means for moving the chip transport tray in a vertical direction;
A chip connecting portion communicating with the inspection chip and injecting the fluid into the inspection chip;
Detecting means for detecting that the inspection chip placed on the chip transport tray has moved to a position where it can communicate with the chip connecting portion;
Mechanism control means for controlling the first drive means and the second drive means;
Have
The mechanism control means drives the first drive means to move the chip transport tray until the detection means detects, and then drives the second drive means to connect the inspection chip and the chip. Inspection apparatus characterized by closely contacting and communicating with a part. A pressing member that presses the inspection chip in conjunction with the second driving means;
The mechanism control means drives the second driving means to bring the inspection chip and the chip connecting portion into close contact with each other and to move the pressing member in the vertical direction to press the inspection chip. The inspection apparatus according to claim 4. The inspection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the pressing member includes a temperature adjusting unit that adjusts a temperature of the inspection chip at a portion in contact with the inspection chip.

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