JP2009210488A - Stirring device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stirring device capable of making a rotor rotate stably, regardless of the conditions, such as, the viscosity of a sample liquid. <P>SOLUTION: A bacterial testing device 10 includes a measurement cell 1 for holding the sample liquid X, and the rotor 3 rotating along a bottom face 11b, in the sample liquid X stored in the measurement cell 1 by a magnetic force given from the outside the measurement cell 1. Then, the rotor 3 rotates, while contacting the bottom face 11b of the measurement cell 1 at both ends thereof, and thus, stirs the sample liquid X. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a stirring device that stirs a sample liquid by rotating a rotor in the sample liquid stored in a case portion.

  In recent years, when performing reaction analysis of specimens such as bacteria contained in a sample solution, the sample solution is stirred while rotating a rotor stored in the case unit by applying a magnetic force from the outside of the case unit. A stirrer is used.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a stirring container in which a support portion (convex portion) serving as a rotation center of a stirrer (rotor) is provided on the bottom surface of a container (case portion). According to this configuration, since the stirrer is rotated so as to be separated from the bottom of the container, rotation resistance in the sample liquid is reduced, and smooth driven rotation is performed by the magnet rotating body arranged outside the container. Can do.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-169303 (released on June 30, 2005)

However, the conventional stirring container has the following problems.
That is, in the configuration disclosed in the above publication, since the convex portion is provided at the substantially central portion of the bottom portion, the rotating rotor is rotated by a load due to a difference in viscosity of the sample liquid or contact with a solid matter in the sample liquid. May lose balance and fall off the convex portion. In such a case, the rotation of the rotor may be insufficient, or the rotation of the rotor may be completely stopped, and the sample liquid may not be sufficiently stirred.

  The subject of this invention is providing the stirring apparatus which can rotate a rotor stably irrespective of conditions, such as a sample solution.

  A stirrer according to a first invention includes a case portion and a rotor. The case part holds the sample solution. The rotor rotates along the inner wall surface in the sample liquid stored in the case part by the magnetic force applied from the outside of the case part while contacting the inner wall surface of the case part only at both ends. Stir.

  Here, in a bacteria test apparatus in which an electrode part for detecting bacteria by dielectrophoresis and a rotor for stirring the sample liquid are installed in a case part for storing the sample liquid, an inner wall surface in the case part where the rotor rotates The rotor rotates while contacting only at both ends of the rotor with respect to the (rotating surface).

  Here, the contact between the rotor and the inner wall surface of the case portion only at both end portions of the rotor means, for example, a configuration in which a recess is formed in the central portion of the inner wall surface of the case portion, or both ends of the rotor portion. A configuration in which the large-diameter portion is provided in the portion, or a combination thereof can be considered. Moreover, as an inner wall surface in the case part which a rotor rotates, the bottom face, side surface, etc. in a case part are contained, for example. In addition, when the rotational resistance of the rotor increases compared to the conventional structure having the central convex portion as the rotation axis, the same magnetic force applied to the rotor can be obtained by increasing the magnetic force applied to the rotor. Rotational speed can be ensured.

  As a result, both ends of the rotor can be supported in a well-balanced manner with frictional resistance at the contact portions with the inner wall surfaces at both ends of the rotor. Therefore, for example, even when the viscosity difference in the sample liquid is large or when solids or the like are mixed in the sample liquid, it is possible to prevent the rotating rotor from breaking the rotation balance due to an external load. Can do. As a result, compared with the conventional stirring device that rotates the rotor around the protrusion formed on the inner wall surface of the case part, the balance of the rotor during rotation is facilitated, so that the conditions of the sample liquid, etc. Regardless, the sample solution can be sufficiently stirred.

A stirrer according to a second invention is the stirrer according to the first invention, and the inner wall surface has a recess formed around the rotation axis of the rotor.
Here, as a means for constituting a form in which the rotor is in contact with the inner wall surface only at both ends thereof, a recess having a center of rotation about which the rotor rotates is provided on the inner wall surface side.

  As a result, a concave portion is provided opposite to the conventional stirring device in which a convex portion is provided on the inner wall surface which becomes the rotation center of the rotor, thereby reliably supporting both ends of the rotor in the region outside the concave portion of the inner wall surface. While rotating, the rotor can be rotated in a stable state.

  The stirrer according to the third invention is the stirrer according to the second invention, wherein the concave portion is defined as the biased side even when the rotor moves to a biased position along the inner wall surface in the case portion. The opposite end is formed in such a size that it does not fall into the recess.

Here, the size of the recess is set on the basis of the axial length of the rotor in consideration of the occurrence of problems due to the recess provided on the inner wall surface.
That is, even when the rotor is moved to a position biased along the inner wall surface so that the rotor does not get caught in the recess provided on the inner wall surface, The size is such that one end does not drop.

  Thereby, for example, even when the rotor moves to an offset position along the inner wall surface of the case portion, the rotor can be arranged in a state where both ends thereof are always supported on the inner wall surface. As a result, the rotor can be smoothly rotated in the case portion.

A stirrer according to a fourth invention is the stirrer according to the second or third invention, wherein the inner wall surface is a substantially circular bottom surface in the case portion, and the diameter d of the recess is a substantially circular inner surface. It is formed so as to satisfy the diameter D of the wall surface and the following relational expression (1).
0.3D ≦ d ≦ 0.9D (1)

  Here, the diameter of the substantially circular recess formed on the inner wall surface on which the rotor rotates is set with reference to the bottom surface of the case portion.

Here, the substantially circular shape includes not only a perfect circle but also a polygon whose outer shape is circular.
This makes it possible to ensure a sufficient balance during rotation while keeping the load (friction resistance) applied to the rotor during rotation to an appropriate level.

A stirrer according to a fifth aspect is the stirrer according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the rotor has large diameter portions at both end portions.
Here, when the rotor rotates on a predetermined inner wall surface of the case portion, only the both end portions of the rotor come into contact with the inner wall surface, and large diameter portions are provided at both end portions of the rotor.

  Here, the large-diameter portion may be formed by integral molding as the entire rotor, or formed by post-processing such as joining of parts to a substantially cylindrical or substantially prismatic member. There may be.

In the present invention, the formation of the large diameter portion and the formation of the concave portion of the inner wall surface may be used in combination.
Thereby, the contact part of a rotor and an inner wall surface can be made into the both ends of a rotor, without changing the shape of a case part. As a result, the rotor can be rotated in a well-balanced manner while supporting both ends of the rotor on a part of the inner wall surface.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bacterial test apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, and a voltage for measuring bacteria in a sample solution by dielectrophoresis provided in a case portion. An electrode portion to which is applied.

Here, the stirrer mentioned above is provided as a bacteria inspection apparatus.
Accordingly, the sample liquid can be sufficiently stirred by the rotor that rotates along the inner wall surface in a posture in which the balance is not easily lost. As a result, the accuracy of stirring can be improved, and highly accurate bacteria detection can be performed.

  A bacteria test apparatus according to a seventh invention is the bacteria test apparatus according to the sixth invention, wherein the bacteria collected in contact with a rotating rotor in the sample solution are suspended in the sample solution. A sampling tool is further provided.

  Here, in the bacteria testing apparatus equipped with the stirring device described above, the sample collection tool for collecting bacteria is immersed in the sample solution and stirred with a rotor, thereby stirring the bacteria in the sample solution. When the sample collecting tool is immersed in the sample solution, a part of the sample collecting tool is caused to collide with the rotating rotor.

Here, as the sample collection tool, for example, a cotton swab for collecting bacteria in the oral cavity can be used.
Thereby, bacteria adhering to the tip of the sample collection tool and the like can be effectively stirred into the sample solution. As a result, it is possible to obtain a bacteria testing apparatus that can accurately detect bacteria from a sample liquid that has been effectively stirred.

  According to the stirrer according to the present invention, it is easier to achieve a balance during rotation of the rotor as compared with the conventional stirrer that rotates the rotor around the convex portion formed on the inner wall surface of the case portion. Thus, the sample solution can be sufficiently stirred regardless of the conditions of the sample solution.

A bacteria test apparatus (stirring apparatus) 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
Here, the bacteria (microorganisms) and plaque in the oral cavity, which are inspection targets of the bacteria inspection apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, will be described as follows.

  That is, major diseases in the oral cavity (for example, touch and periodontal diseases) are mainly caused by the presence of bacteria (microorganisms) in the oral cavity. Plaque is a state in which bacteria in the oral cavity are locally hardened by growth, and most of them are microbial clumps except for metabolites such as polysaccharides. The number of microorganisms in 1 g of plaque actually reaches 10 to 11 to 10. Removal of the plaque from the oral cavity (hereinafter referred to as plaque control) is the most important for maintaining oral hygiene, and specifically, the brushing method (tooth brushing) is the main means of plaque control.

  In this way, it is clear that most oral diseases are caused by the presence of plaque. Therefore, in order to effectively prevent oral diseases, the hygiene status in the oral cavity is accurately examined. Is extremely important.

[Configuration of Bacteria Test Apparatus 10 Overall]
The bacteria testing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is a testing apparatus that detects bacteria (microorganisms) present in the oral cavity collected using a sample collection tool 13 (see FIG. 6), for example, as shown in FIG. As shown, a measurement cell (case part) 1, an electrode substrate 9 including a thin film electrode (electrode part) 2, a rotor 3, a stirrer 4, a power supply part 5, a measurement part 6, a control part 7 and a display part 8 are provided. Yes.

  The measurement cell 1 is a cylindrical glass container for storing the sample liquid X (see FIG. 2). In addition, a rotor 3 for stirring the sample liquid X is placed in the measurement cell 1. The rotor 3 is coupled to the stirrer 4 disposed close to the bottom surface (inner wall surface) 11b (see FIG. 3A) of the measurement cell 1 via a magnetic force and rotates. For this reason, glass which does not shield magnetic force is used as measurement cell 1. In addition, as a material of the measurement cell 1, plastics etc. can also be used besides glass. The detailed configuration of the measurement cell 1 will be described in detail later.

  As the sample liquid X stored in the measurement cell 1, various liquids such as water, oils, alcohols such as ethanol, acetone, DIMSO, furan, other organic solvents, and mixtures thereof are used. be able to.

  The thin-film electrode 2 detects bacteria by moving bacteria (microorganisms) in a sample solution to a predetermined position by dielectrophoresis, and comb-like electrodes are arranged facing each other through a minute gap. Note that the size of the minute gap is 5 μm. The thin film electrode 2 is formed by coating a conductor on the electrode substrate 9 by a method such as sputtering, vapor deposition, or plating. When a voltage is applied to the thin film electrode 2, the electric field in the vicinity of the minute gap formed at the comb-like intersection of the thin film electrode 2 becomes the strongest. Then, bacteria (microorganisms) migrate toward the vicinity of the minute gap where the electric field is most concentrated. The electrode substrate 9 on which the thin film electrode 2 is formed is attached to the side wall surface of the measurement cell 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the rotor 3 is a metal member having a substantially columnar shape, and is provided from a stirrer 4 disposed in proximity to the bottom surface 11 b (see FIG. 3A) of the measurement cell 1. The magnet is rotated along the bottom surface 11b of the measurement cell 1 by the magnetism. The relationship between the rotor 3 and the bottom surface (inner wall surface) 11b of the measurement cell 1 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) will be described in detail later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the stirrer 4 has a rotatable magnet 4 a disposed opposite to the bottom surface 11 b of the measurement cell 1, and a magnetic force ( Suction force). Further, the stirrer 4 rotates the rotor 3 in the sample liquid X by rotating the magnet 4a by the motor 4b while the rotor 3 is attracted. Thereby, the sample liquid X is stirred by the rotor 3 in the measurement cell 1.

  The power supply unit 5 applies an alternating voltage necessary for causing dielectrophoresis to the thin film electrode 2. Here, the AC voltage includes, in addition to a sine wave, a voltage that changes the direction of flow at a substantially constant cycle, and an average value of the bidirectional current is equal. In this embodiment, an AC voltage having a frequency of 100 kHz and a peak-to-peak voltage (hereinafter referred to as pp) of 5 V is applied. In addition, the frequency and voltage value of these AC voltages are not limited to the above-described values, and may be selected from a wide range of numerical values such as 100 Hz to 50 MHz, for example, depending on the condition of the sample solution and the type of microorganism. Can do.

  The measurement unit 6 is configured to include a microprocessor (not shown), a memory that temporarily stores measurement data, and the like. And the measurement part 6 detects the number of bacteria in a sample liquid by detecting the change of the impedance in the thin film electrode 2. FIG.

  The control unit 7 is configured to include a microprocessor (not shown), a memory for storing a preset program, a timer, operation buttons, and the like. Then, the control unit 7 controls the power supply unit 5 according to a preset program to apply a voltage for dielectrophoresis to the thin film electrode 2. In addition, the control unit 7 transmits and receives signals to and from the measurement unit 6 and controls the display unit 8 so as to display the measurement result, the operation status, and the like.

The display unit 8 is a display such as an LCD, a printer, a speaker, or the like, and displays the number of microorganisms in the sample liquid as the evaluation result of the sanitary condition in the oral cavity.
(Shape of measurement cell 1)
In the bacteria test apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a concave portion 11a is formed at a substantially central portion of the bottom surface 11b of the measurement cell 1 storing the sample liquid X described above. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the recess 11 a is a recess formed in a substantially circular shape with respect to the substantially circular bottom surface 11 b in plan view, and the rotor 3 and the bottom surface 11 b are both end portions of the rotor 3. It is provided so that it may contact only in. Thereby, in addition to the magnetic force (attraction force) by the stirrer 4, the rotating rotor 3 is subjected to a frictional force with the bottom surface 11 b, so that it is in a stable state while supporting both ends of the rotor 3. Thus, the rotor 3 can be rotated.

Moreover, the recessed part 11a is formed so that the diameter d may satisfy | fill the following relational expression (1) with respect to the diameter D of the bottom face 11b, as shown to Fig.3 (a).
0.3D ≦ d ≦ 0.9D (1)

  Thereby, according to various conditions, such as the viscosity of the sample liquid X, and the presence or absence of the contact with the sample collection tool 13, the contact area with the bottom face 11b in the both ends of the rotor 3 can be set to a moderate magnitude | size. . Therefore, it is possible to rotate the rotor 3 in a stable state while imparting an appropriate frictional resistance to the rotating rotor 3.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the recess 11 a is in a state in which one end of the rotor 3 has moved to the extreme end of the bottom surface 11 b with respect to the axial length of the substantially cylindrical rotor 3 (in the drawing). The diameter is such that the other end of the rotor 3 does not fall into the recess 11a.

Thereby, since the rotor 3 will always be in the state arrange | positioned on the bottom face 11b, rotation of the rotor 3 can be started smoothly.
<Flow from sampling to bacterial detection>
Here, a series of flow from sample collection using the sample collection tool 13 to measurement of bacteria (microorganisms) in the sample liquid and evaluation of oral hygiene will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 and FIG. The description is as follows.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5, first, in step S1, a sample (bacteria) is collected from the oral cavity using a sample collection tool 13 such as a cotton swab. Samples obtained from the subject's oral cavity were scraped with a cloth or cotton swab that wiped the teeth, tongue, or inner wall of the oral cavity, a cloth-like material soaked with saliva or saliva, or a pick-like material between the teeth. Samples can be considered. In the present embodiment, a sample obtained by wiping the tooth surface with a sample collection tool 13 such as a cotton swab is used as a sample for evaluating the sanitary condition in the oral cavity.

  Specifically, the sampling in the present embodiment is performed by the subject himself / herself holding the cotton swab in his / her hand and scraping the tooth surface of the measurement site. By collecting a sample from the surface of a specific tooth, the sanitary state of only that part is comprehensively determined, and if the entire sample is collected, the state in the oral cavity is comprehensively determined.

Next, while the above-described sample collection is performed, the sample liquid X is first injected into the measurement cell 1 as a preparation for measurement evaluation in step S2.
Next, in step S3, the tip 13a of the sample collection tool 13 sampled from the oral cavity is immersed in the sample solution X (see FIG. 6), and the bacteria are suspended in the sample solution X.

  Next, in step S4, as shown in FIG. 6, the tip 13a of the sample collecting tool 13 immersed in the sample solution X is brought into contact with the rotor 3 rotating in the sample solution X. This operation is performed in order to effectively suspend a sample such as bacteria collected at the tip 13a of the sample collection tool 13 in the sample solution X.

  Here, the bottom surface 11b of the measurement cell 1 is formed with a recess 11a at substantially the center. For this reason, the rotor 3 rotates while contacting the bottom surface 11b only at both end portions. Therefore, even when the sample collection tool 13 such as a cotton swab is brought into contact with the rotor 3 in the sample liquid X, both ends of the rotor 3 are supported by the bottom surface 11b, and the rotational balance is achieved by the frictional force with the bottom surface 11b. Can be prevented from collapsing.

Next, in step S5, the rotor 3 is rotated using the stirrer 4, and the sample liquid X from which bacteria and the like are released from the tip 13a of the sample collection tool 13 is sufficiently stirred.
Next, in step S <b> 6, the control unit 7 controls the power supply unit 5 so as to apply an AC voltage to the thin film electrode 2 on the electrode substrate 9 installed on the side wall surface of the measurement cell 1.

Next, in step S7, the measurement unit 6 detects the change in impedance in the thin film electrode 2 to detect the number of bacteria in the sample solution X.
Next, in step S8, the control part 7 displays the detection result in the measurement part 6 on the display part 8, and complete | finishes a process.

In the present embodiment, from the sample collection using the sample collection tool 13 to the recent release into the sample solution X, the stirring of the sample solution X, and the bacteria detection are performed through the steps as described above.
Thereby, in the single bacteria test | inspection apparatus 10, the process from the effective discharge | release and suspension of the extract | collected bacteria in the sample liquid X to the detection of the released bacteria can be completed. Therefore, since the above process can be completed without using a separate suspending apparatus for suspending the sample liquid X, the efficiency can be greatly improved as compared with the conventional process.

[Characteristics of Bacteria Test Device 10]
(1)
As shown in FIG. 2, the bacterial test apparatus 10 of the present embodiment includes a measurement cell 1 that holds a sample solution X, and a sample solution X stored in the measurement cell 1 by a magnetic force applied from the outside of the measurement cell 1. And a rotor 3 that rotates along the bottom surface 11b. The rotor 3 rotates while contacting the bottom surface 11b of the measurement cell 1 only at both end portions, and stirs the sample liquid X.

  Thereby, the rotor 3 can be rotated along the bottom face 11b in the state which contacts the bottom face 11b only in the both ends. Therefore, the rotating rotor 3 can be supported at both ends thereof, and frictional resistance can be generated at the contact portion with the bottom surface 11b. As a result, the rotation balance of the rotor 3 in the sample liquid X is not disturbed by external factors in the sample liquid X, and the sample liquid X is stirred in the measurement cell 1 (suspension of bacteria). Can be carried out effectively.

(2)
In the bacterial test apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the center of rotation of the rotor 3 in plan view on the bottom surface 11 b where the rotor 3 rotates in the measurement cell 1. The recessed part 11a is provided in the position which includes.

  Thereby, the form which contacts with the bottom face 11b only in the both ends of the rotor 3 required in order to avoid the rotation balance collapse of the rotor 3 is realizable by simple structure. Therefore, an apparatus having stable stirring performance can be obtained only by devising the shape of the bottom surface 11b of the measurement cell 1.

(3)
In the bacteria testing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, even when the rotor 3 moves to a biased position along the bottom surface 11 b in the measurement cell 1, the rotor on the opposite side to the biased side. The recess 11a is formed in such a size that the end portion of 3 does not fall.

  Accordingly, by adopting the measurement cell 1 (recess 11a and bottom surface 11b) having an optimum size according to the axial length of the substantially cylindrical rotor 3, the rotor 3 can be rotated very smoothly. Can be started. Further, even when the sampling tool 13 or the like comes into contact with the rotating rotor 3, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a problem in which one end of the rotor 3 that is out of balance falls into the recess 11 a and becomes unrotatable. it can.

(4)
In the bacteria test apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A and the like, the bottom surface 11b of the measurement cell 1 forms a substantially circular bottom portion, and the diameter d of the recess 11a is the diameter of the substantially circular bottom surface 11b. It is formed so as to satisfy D and the following relational expression (1).
0.3D ≦ d ≦ 0.9D (1)

  Thereby, the contact area with the bottom face 11b in the both ends of the rotor 3 can be adjusted by setting the magnitude | size of the recessed part 11a. As a result, it is possible to stably rotate the rotor 3 in the measurement cell 1 while giving an appropriate frictional resistance to the rotor 3.

(5)
As shown in FIG. 1, the bacteria testing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is provided in the measurement cell 1 in addition to the function as a stirring device that rotates the rotor 3 to stir the sample solution X. A thin film electrode 2 to which a voltage for measuring bacteria in X by dielectrophoresis is applied.
Thereby, the bacteria contained in the sample liquid X sufficiently stirred by the rotor 3 can be accurately detected in the thin film electrode 2.

(6)
As shown in FIG. 6, the bacteria test apparatus 10 of the present embodiment brings a sample collection tool 13 that collects bacteria into contact with the rotor 3 that rotates in the sample solution X.

  Thereby, the bacteria 3 collected at the tip 13a are effectively released into the sample liquid X by striking the tip 13a of the sample collecting tool 13 by the rotor 3 whose both ends are supported with respect to the bottom surface 11b. can do. As a result, the sample liquid X can be sufficiently stirred by the rotor 3 and bacteria can be detected efficiently in the thin film electrode 2.

[Other Embodiments]
As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary of invention.

(A)
In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the contact portion between the rotor 3 and the bottom surface 11b of the measurement cell 1 is only the both end portions of the rotor 3, and the approximate center of the bottom surface 11b of the measurement cell 1 is used. An example in which the concave portion 11a is provided in the portion has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the rotor 103 may be rotated along the bottom surface of a normal flat measurement cell using the rotor 103 having large diameter portions 103 a at both left and right ends.
In this case, depending on the shape of the rotor 103, only the both end portions of the rotor 103 can be in contact with the bottom surface of the measurement cell.

  The large-diameter portion 103a may be formed by integral molding, for example, as the rotor 103. If the rotor is a relatively large rotor, the large-diameter portion 103a is separately provided at both end portions of the substantially cylindrical rotor by a method such as embedding screws. It may be formed.

(B)
In the above embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2 and the like, the example in which the rotor 3 rotates on the bottom surface of the measurement cell 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, the inner wall surface for rotating the rotor may be the side surface of the measurement cell in addition to the bottom surface.
In this case, the rotor can be rotated along the side wall surface by moving the rotor to the side wall by the attractive force of the magnet and rotating the rotor in that state.

(C)
In the above embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, an example in which the substantially circular recess 11 a is formed on the bottom surface of the approximately circular measurement cell 1 in the plan view has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, the shape of the bottom surface of the measurement cell and the shape of the recesses may be polygonal or elliptical in addition to the substantially circular shape.
However, it is more preferable to adopt the shape as in the above-described embodiment in that the measurement cell having the bottom surface and the concave portion having the shape along the rotation trajectory of the rotor can be stably rotated.

(D)
In the said embodiment, as shown to Fig.3 (a) etc., the recessed part 11a formed in the bottom face of the measurement cell 1 gave and demonstrated the example formed along the smooth curve in front view. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, a concave portion that is not in contact with the rotor does not necessarily have a smooth curve, and may be a surface with a certain degree of irregularity.

(E)
In the said embodiment, the stirring apparatus which concerns on this invention was given and demonstrated with the example applied with respect to the bacteria test | inspection apparatus 10. FIG. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, the present invention may be applied to an inspection device other than a bacterial inspection device, or the present invention may be applied to a single stirring device.

  The stirrer of the present invention makes it easier to balance during rotation of the rotor as compared with the conventional stirrer that rotates the rotor around the convex part formed on the inner wall surface of the case part. Since the sample liquid can be sufficiently stirred regardless of the conditions of the liquid, the present invention can be widely applied to various inspection apparatuses that perform a stirring operation with a rotor.

The conceptual diagram which shows the structure of the bacteria test | inspection apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The front view which shows the structure of the measurement cell periphery contained in the bacteria test | inspection apparatus of FIG. (A), (b) is the front view and top view which show the shape of the measurement cell of FIG. The front view which shows the relationship between the position of the rotor in the measurement cell of FIG. 1, and the magnitude | size of a recessed part. The flowchart which shows the flow from collection | recovery of bacteria to measurement using the bacteria test | inspection apparatus of FIG. The front view which shows the state which inserted the cotton swab in the sample liquid stored by the measurement cell of FIG. The front view which shows the structure of the rotor contained in the stirring apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Measurement cell (case part)
2 Thin film electrode (electrode part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Rotor 4 Stirrer 4a Magnet 4b Motor 5 Power supply part 6 Measuring part 7 Control part 8 Display part 9 Electrode board 10 Bacteria inspection apparatus (stirring apparatus)
11a Recess 11b Bottom surface (inner wall surface)
13 Sample Collection Tool 13a Tip 103 Rotor 103a Large Diameter S Step X Sample Solution

Claims (7)

A case portion for holding a sample solution;
Rotating along the inner wall surface in the sample solution stored in the case portion by the magnetic force applied from the outside of the case portion while contacting only the both end portions with respect to the inner wall surface of the case portion, A rotor for stirring the sample liquid;
A stirrer equipped with. The inner wall surface has a recess formed around the rotation axis of the rotor,
The stirrer according to claim 1. The concave portion is formed in such a size that the end opposite to the biased side does not fall into the concave portion even when the rotor moves to a biased position along the inner wall surface in the case portion. Being
The stirring device according to claim 2. The inner wall surface is a substantially circular bottom surface in the case portion,
The diameter d of the recess is formed to satisfy the following relational expression (1) with the diameter D of the substantially circular inner wall surface.
The stirring device according to claim 2 or 3.
0.3D ≦ d ≦ 0.9D (1) The rotor has large diameter portions at both end portions,
The stirrer according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A stirrer according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An electrode part provided in the case part, to which a voltage for measuring bacteria in the sample solution by dielectrophoresis is applied;
Bacteria measuring device. A sample collection tool for contacting the rotor rotating in the sample solution and suspending the collected bacteria in the sample solution;
The bacteria test apparatus according to claim 6.

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