JP2009264901A - Spot pin, spot device, dotting method of liquid, and manufacturing method of biochemical analysis unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a spot pin and a spot device for stabilizing the dotting shape of a reagent by reducing the deformation of the tip during the dotting. <P>SOLUTION: This spot pin includes a liquid holding section 16 having a cylindrical section for specifying liquid holding space 21 for holding liquid. The liquid holding section 16 has a dotting surface 18 for bringing the liquid into contact with a dotting object surface on one end surface of the cylindrical section, and a single slit section 17 extending from the dotting surface 18 to the inside of the cylindrical section in the axial direction of the cylindrical section. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a spot device for spotting a liquid on a spotting target surface, a spot pin used in the spot device, a liquid spotting method using the spot pin, and a method for manufacturing a biochemical analysis unit. Is.

  As a method for analyzing the base sequence of DNA, there is a method using a biochemical analysis unit such as a biochip (for example, see Patent Document 1). A biochip is a probe DNA having a known base sequence immobilized on a substrate in a spot shape. In such a biochip, by bringing the sample DNA into contact with a sample DNA labeled with a fluorescent substance, the complementary strand DNA of the probe DNA contained in the sample DNA binds to the probe DNA. Therefore, DNA that is not bound to the probe DNA is removed by washing, the fluorescent substance labeled on the complementary strand DNA is excited with light energy, and the excitation light is detected to detect the target DNA. be able to.

  As described above, in the biochip, the probe DNA is immobilized on the substrate. At the time of the immobilization, a reagent containing the probe DNA is spotted on the substrate. For spotting a reagent, a spot device in which a plurality of spot pins for holding a reagent are held by a head is used.

FIG. 9 shows a main part around a head of a general spot device, and the head 30 holds a plurality of spot pins 31. Each spot pin 31 is formed in a pipe shape having an internal space 32 on which a capillary force is applied. In the spot pin 31, the reagent is sucked and held in the internal space 32 by the capillary force acting on the internal space 32 by immersing the tip of the spot pin 31 in the reagent. FIG. 10 shows the spot pin 31, where (a) is a front view and (b) is a plan view of the tip surface of the spot pin 31. As shown in FIG. 10, the spot pin 31 is provided with a slit 33 in order to form an internal space 32.
JP 2004-354123 A

  However, since the spot pin disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a slit formed so as to completely penetrate the opposing outer wall portion on the tip surface, when the tip surface is repeatedly spotted on the substrate, In some cases, the slit portion spreads outward so as to open, the opening diameter of the tip surface becomes larger than necessary, and good spotting cannot be achieved.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a spot pin that can reduce the deformation of the tip portion during spotting and stabilize the spotted shape of the reagent, and a spot device using the spot pin, even if the spot pin has a small diameter And a liquid spotting method, and a method for producing a biochemical analysis unit.

  The spot pin of the present invention is a spot pin including a liquid holding portion having a cylindrical portion that defines a liquid holding space for holding a liquid, and the liquid holding portion is one end surface of the cylindrical portion. And a single slit portion extending from the spotting surface toward the other end surface of the cylindrical portion in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion. It is characterized by that.

  The spot device of the present invention includes the spot pin according to the present invention, a moving mechanism for moving the spot pin in the axial direction, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the moving mechanism. And

  The liquid spotting method of the present invention includes a step of holding a liquid in the liquid holding space of the spot pin according to the present invention, and after the spotting surface of the spot pin is brought into contact with the spotting target surface, the spotting target A spotting step of separating the spotting surface from a surface and spotting the liquid in the liquid holding space onto the spotting target surface.

  The biochemical analysis unit manufacturing method of the present invention is a biochemical analysis unit manufacturing method in which a reagent is immobilized on a substrate, and the step of holding the reagent in the liquid holding space of the spot pin according to the present invention; After contacting the spotting surface of the spot pin with the surface of the substrate, separating the spotting surface from the substrate, and spotting the reagent in the liquid holding space on the surface of the substrate. It is characterized by.

  According to the spot pin, the spot device, the liquid spotting method, and the biochemical analysis unit manufacturing method according to the present invention, the liquid is retained from the spotting surface of the spot pin (one end surface of the cylindrical portion of the liquid retaining part). Since the slit portion extending to the inside of the cylindrical portion is a single one, the strength in the vicinity of the spotting surface can be improved. As a result, according to the spot pin, the spot device, the liquid spotting method, and the biochemical analysis unit manufacturing method according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the width of the slit portion even when the spotting operation is repeated. Therefore, the spotted shape of the liquid to be spotted can be stabilized.

  In the present invention, the slit portion has a first slit portion and a second slit portion from the spotting surface side, and the width of the first slit portion is made smaller than the width of the second slit portion. The second slit portion is formed by increasing the capillary force in the vicinity of the spotting surface where the first slit portion is formed to increase the liquid holding force, while increasing the width of the second slit portion. The capillary force in the vicinity of the liquid holding space 21 can be weakened. As a result, according to such a structure, liquid leakage from the spotting surface can be reduced, and the capillary force of the liquid holding space can be adjusted along the axial direction of the liquid holding part. The generation of an air gap caused by the development of force can be reduced.

  Furthermore, the capillary force in the vicinity of the spotting surface can be further increased by forming the first slit part in a tapered shape so that the width of the first slit part gradually decreases toward the spotting surface. As a result, according to such a configuration, the liquid leakage from the spotting surface can be reduced, and further, the liquid held by the liquid holding part above the spot pin can be used for the first slit part with increased capillary force. It is possible to prompt the liquid holding unit corresponding to the above, so that the liquid can be easily spotted.

  In addition, the length of the first slit portion in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion that forms a part of the liquid holding portion is made shorter than the length of the second slit portion, thereby holding the liquid corresponding to the second slit portion. The volume of the liquid holding space corresponding to the first slit portion is smaller than the volume of the space. As a result, according to such a configuration, since the capillary force in the vicinity of the first slit portion can be weakened, even if the liquid contained in the spot pin is reduced by repeating the spotting, the liquid The liquid remaining in the holding space can be reduced, and the liquid held in the liquid holding space can be almost completely used.

  Furthermore, by forming the entire spot pin with zirconia ceramics, it is possible to sufficiently ensure the mechanical strength and elastic deformability of the entire spot pin. It will have sufficient durability. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of breakage of the spot pin itself over a long period of time and to suppress the shape change of the end of the spot pin, so that a stable spot shape and spot diameter can be maintained over a long period of time. Will be able to.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described as first to third embodiments with reference to the drawings.

  First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The spot apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is for spotting a reagent Q containing a probe DNA on a target site on a substrate 7, and includes a plurality of spot pins 2 (six on the drawing), a head 3, and a liquid supply. A mechanism 4, a Z-axis drive mechanism 5, an XY-axis drive mechanism 6, a stage 8, a control unit 11, a spotting liquid holding unit 9, and a cleaning unit 10 are provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each spot pin 2 is for holding a liquid Q (see FIG. 3) such as a reagent to be spotted therein, and includes a locking portion 12 and a liquid holding portion 16. , A slit portion 17, a spotting surface 18, and a cylindrical hole 22.

  The locking portion 12 is a portion used when the head 3 supports the spot pin 2 and has a larger outer dimension than other portions.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the liquid holding unit 16 acts (expresses) a capillary force and sucks and holds the liquid Q, and is formed in a cylindrical shape having a uniform outer diameter. In addition, the liquid holding | maintenance part 16 should just have the cylindrical part provided with the cylindrical hole 22 which makes a capillary force act, for example, an external shape may be prismatic shape.

  Only one slit portion 17 is formed in a part of the liquid holding portion 16, and extends from one end surface of the liquid holding portion 16, that is, the spotting surface 18 in the axial direction of the liquid holding portion 16. The slit portion 17 is formed so as to open on the outer peripheral surface of the liquid holding portion 16. Therefore, since the liquid holding space 21 of the liquid holding part 16 in which the slit part 17 is formed has a larger surface area in contact with the liquid than the part in which the slit part 17 is not formed, the capillary force acts. It is easy to do. That is, the slit portion 17 has a function of increasing the capillary force of the liquid holding portion 16. Specifically, the liquid sucked up from the spotting surface 18 is held in the liquid holding space 21 defined by the cylindrical hole 22 of the liquid holding unit 16 and the space defined by the slit unit 17. The slit portion 17 may be formed from the spotting surface 18 to the end surface (the other end surface) on the opposite side of the spotting surface 18 in the liquid holding portion 16, but with respect to the entire length of the liquid holding portion 16. If it is 10 to 50%, the holding power of liquid and the ease of spotting can be further enhanced. Further, the width of the slit portion 17 may be 2 to 30% with respect to the diameter of the liquid holding portion 16.

  The spotting surface 18 is a part for contacting the target part of the spotting target 7 when the liquid Q is spotted on the target part of the spotting target 7 and acts between the target part. This is a part for defining the shape and spot diameter of the liquid Q to be spotted by the capillary force. The spotting surface 18 is formed in an annular shape, and its outer diameter D1 is set to 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, for example. Of course, the shape of the spotting surface 18 is not limited to an annular shape, and other shapes can be adopted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cylindrical hole 22 defines the liquid holding space 21 and has a circular cross section. When a circular shape is adopted as the cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical hole 22, there is an effect that processing is easy. Of course, the cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical hole 22 is not limited to a circle, but may be an ellipse, a semicircle, a triangle, a quadrangle, a polygon, a star, or the like. When a semicircular shape, a triangular shape, a quadrangular shape, a polygonal shape, or a star shape is adopted as the cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical hole 22, a capillary effect can be obtained more appropriately because a capillary force is added at the corners, When an elliptical shape is adopted as the cross-sectional shape of the shaped hole 22, it is easier to process than the shape having corners and is advantageous in obtaining a capillary effect as compared to the circular shape.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, a single slit portion 17 extending from the spotting surface 18 of the spot pin 2 (one end surface of the cylindrical portion of the liquid holding portion) to the inside of the cylindrical portion of the liquid holding portion 16 is provided. Therefore, the strength near the spotting surface 18 can be improved. As a result, according to the present embodiment, since the spread of the width of the slit portion 17 can be reduced even if the spotting operation is repeated, the spotted shape of the liquid to be spotted can be stabilized. .

  Further, such a spot pin 2 can be formed by forming a desired shape using a ceramic material and then firing it. Examples of such a ceramic material include zirconia ceramics and alumina ceramics, but zirconia ceramics are preferably used from the viewpoint of strength and elastic deformation. Of course, the spot pin 2 can also be formed using materials other than ceramics, for example, stainless steel or glass.

  Moreover, the spot pin 2 is good also as what has translucency. The spot pin 2 having translucency can be formed, for example, by setting the thickness of the spot pin 2 to 0.03 to 0.5 mm using a zirconia ceramic material, or by using a glass material. Here, “translucency” in the case of a portion having translucency in the liquid holding unit 16 means a characteristic that allows the presence (amount) of the liquid Q in the liquid holding unit 16 to be visually confirmed. Such translucency can be achieved by setting at least a part of the liquid holding portion 16 to, for example, a luminous transmittance of 3% or more. When the spot pin 2 is thus provided with translucency, the height and position (amount) of the liquid Q held in the liquid holding part 16 can be easily confirmed. Process management and quality control become possible.

  Moreover, if the part which has translucency is formed with a zirconia ceramic, and the thickness is set to the range of 0.03-0.5 mm, the height and position (amount) of the liquid Q held by the liquid holding part 16 Can be sufficiently visually confirmed, and the mechanical strength and elastic deformability of the spot pin 2 itself can be sufficiently secured. Furthermore, when the entire spot pin 2 is formed of zirconia ceramics, the entire spot pin 2 can sufficiently secure mechanical strength and elastic deformability. However, it will have sufficient durability. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the breakage of the spot pin 2 itself over a long period of time and to suppress the shape change of the tip portion of the spot pin 2, so that it is possible to suppress the spot shape and the spot diameter stable over the long term. Will be able to maintain.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the head 3 is for holding a plurality of spot pins 2, and a pair of spacers 14, 19 are interposed between a pair of plates 13, 15. The distance between the plates 13 and 15 is defined. Further, a block 20 for connecting the head 3 to the Z-axis drive mechanism 5 is fixed to the plate 13. Each plate 13, 15 is formed with a plurality of through holes through which the liquid holding portion 16 is inserted. In such a head 3, the spot pin 2 is held in a state where the locking portion 12 of the spot pin 2 is locked to the peripheral portion of the through hole in the plate 13 and is inserted through the through holes of the plates 13 and 15. Is done. That is, each spot pin 2 is held in a state in which it can move relative to the head 3 in the Z direction.

  The Z-axis drive mechanism 5 shown in FIG. 1 is for moving the head 3 and thus the plurality of spot pins 2 held by the head 3 in the Z direction (the axial direction of the spot pin 2). It is connected via a block 20 (see FIG. 2). This Z-axis drive mechanism 5 can be constructed by a known mechanism.

  The XY axis drive mechanism 6 is for moving the head 3 and thus the plurality of spot pins 2 held by the head 3 in the XY direction, and is connected to the Z axis drive mechanism 5. This XY axis drive mechanism 6 can also be constructed by a known mechanism.

  The stage 8 is for placing a plurality of spotting objects 7 on which reagents are spotted, and is configured to be movable in the XY directions. However, the stage 8 is not necessarily configured to be movable in the XY directions.

  The control unit 11 controls the opening / closing of the opening / closing valve 25 of the liquid supply mechanism 4 and the operations of the Z-axis driving mechanism 5, the XY-axis driving mechanism 6 and the stage 8. The control unit 11 is configured to include a circuit including, for example, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM.

  The spotting liquid holding unit 9 is for holding the liquid Q to be spotted on the spotting object 7, and a plurality of spotting liquids corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of spot pins 2 as shown in FIG. It has a liquid holding tank 9A. The liquid Q held in each spotting liquid holding tank 9A is a reagent containing, for example, probe DNA and a solvent. Probe DNA is a substance capable of specific binding to a target. Examples of targets include biological substances such as hormones, tumor markers, enzymes, antibodies, antigens, abzymes, other proteins, nucleic acids, cDNA, DNA, mRNA, etc., extracted from living organisms, isolated, collected, and chemically processed. And those subjected to treatment such as chemical modification. The solvent is not particularly limited as long as it does not adversely affect the probe DNA. For example, pure water or dimethyl sulfoxide is used.

  Of course, the liquid Q to be held in the spotting liquid holding unit 9 can be variously changed according to the purpose. For example, it is possible to hold a reagent containing a probe other than DNA. When the spot device 1 is used for spotting a liquid other than a reagent, a cartridge having a liquid holding tank holding a liquid according to the purpose can be used.

  The cleaning unit 10 holds a cleaning liquid for cleaning the spot pins 2. The cleaning unit 10 holds a cleaning liquid for suppressing the adhesion of the reagent to the spot pin 2, particularly the inner surface of the cylindrical hole 22 and the side surface of the slit unit 17. As the cleaning solution, pure water, buffer solution or alcohol is used. The cleaning unit 10 may be configured to supply ultrasonic waves, and may clean the spot pins 2 by supplying ultrasonic waves. In order to forcibly dry the spot pins 2 after washing, a blower or a warm air heater may be arranged.

  Next, the spotting operation of the liquid Q (reagent) on the spotting object 7 using the spot device 1 and the cleaning operation of the spot pin 2 will be described.

  The spotting operation of the liquid Q includes a suction / holding process of the liquid Q with respect to the cylindrical hole 22 and the slit portion 17 of the spot pin 2 and a spotting process of the liquid Q.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4A, the liquid Q suction / holding step is performed by immersing the spotting surface 18 of the spot pin 2 in the liquid Q held in the spotting liquid holding tank 9A. Done.

  More specifically, first, the XY axis drive mechanism 6 shown in FIG. 1 is controlled by the control unit 11 so that each spot pin 2 is positioned immediately above the corresponding spotting liquid holding tank 9A. Next, the Z-axis drive mechanism 5 is controlled by the control unit 11, and as shown in FIG. 4 (a), each spot pin 2 is dipped in the liquid Q of the corresponding spotting liquid holding tank 9A and then pulled up. At this time, when the spotting surface 18 is immersed in the liquid Q, the liquid Q is sucked into the liquid holding space 21 by the capillary force acting on the cylindrical hole 22 and the slit portion 17, and this is retained in the liquid holding space 21. The state held in is achieved.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the step of spotting the liquid Q is performed by bringing the spot pin 2 holding the liquid Q into contact with the target site of the spotted object 7 and then separating it.

  More specifically, first, the XY-axis drive mechanism 6 is controlled by the control unit 11 so that each spot pin 2 is positioned immediately above the corresponding target site in the spotted object 7. Next, the Z-axis drive mechanism 5 is controlled by the control unit 11 so that each spot pin 2 is brought into contact with the corresponding target portion for a predetermined time and then pulled up. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, when the spotting surface 18 of the spot pin 2 is brought into contact with the target site of the spotting object 7, one of the liquid Q in the liquid holding space 21 is obtained. The liquid Q is exposed to the outer diameter of the spotting surface 18 by a capillary action caused by a slight gap generated between the spotting surface 18 and the target part of the spotting object 7. It extends to the range corresponding to. Next, as shown in FIG. 6C, when the spot pin 2 is raised and the spot pin 2 is separated from the spotting object 7, the spotting surface 18 is placed on the target site of the spotting object 7. The liquid Q is spotted on a region having a diameter that substantially matches the outer diameter.

  Next, an example of the cleaning operation of the spot pin 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. First, the liquid supply mechanism 4 used for cleaning the spot pins 2 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the liquid supply mechanism 4 supplies a liquid Q such as a cleaning liquid to the liquid holding space 21 in the spot pin 2, and is integrated with the XY axis drive mechanism 6. The liquid supply mechanism 4 includes a cleaning tank 24, an on-off valve 25, and a tube 26.

  The cleaning tank 24 contains a cleaning liquid R to be supplied to the spot pin 2, for example, alcohol or pure water.

  The tube 26 constitutes a flow path for supplying the cleaning liquid R accommodated in the cleaning tank 24 to the spot pin 2 and is connected to the cleaning tank 24 and connected to the upper portion of the slit portion 17 of the spot pin 2. It is possible. That is, the inside of the cleaning tank 24 can communicate with the liquid holding space 21 of the spot pin 2 via the tube 26.

  The on-off valve 25 is for selecting the state in which the inside of the cleaning tank 24 communicates with the liquid holding space 21 and the state in which it does not communicate, that is, the state in which the cleaning liquid R stored in the cleaning tank 24 can be supplied to the liquid holding space 21. And a state in which supply is not possible. The on-off valve 25 is provided in the middle of the tube 26.

  In the liquid supply mechanism 4, the liquid holding space 21 communicates with the inside of the cleaning tank 24 by connecting the tube 26 to the upper portion of the slit portion 17 in the spot pin 2 and opening the on-off valve 25. . In this state, the cleaning liquid R in the cleaning tank 24 can be supplied to the liquid holding space 21 via the tube 26.

  Next, the spot pin 2 cleaning operation will be described in more detail.

  First, in the moving process of the head 3, the XY-axis driving mechanism 6 and the Z-axis driving mechanism 5 are controlled by the control unit 11, and the head 3 (spot pin 2) is moved toward the liquid supply mechanism 4, and FIG. ), The upper portion of the slit portion 17 of the spot pin 2 is connected to the tube 26.

  On the other hand, the on-off valve 25 is normally closed so that the cleaning liquid R accommodated in the cleaning tank 24 does not leak out, so that the on-off valve 25 is opened by the control unit 11 as shown in FIG. . Accordingly, the cleaning liquid R in the cleaning tank 24 is supplied to the liquid holding space 21 through the tube 26. Although a part of the liquid Q usually remains in the liquid holding space 21 of the spot pin 2 (see FIG. 5A), such a residual liquid Q, together with the cleaning liquid R, has a cylindrical hole 22 and a slit. The liquid is forcibly discharged from the lower opening 23 of the portion 17 (liquid holding space 27). The supply of the cleaning liquid R from the cleaning tank 24 may be performed by the weight of the cleaning liquid R accommodated in the cleaning tank 24 or may be performed using a liquid feeding mechanism such as a pump.

  Next, when an appropriate amount of the cleaning liquid R is supplied to the liquid holding space 21, the controller 11 closes the on-off valve 25 and stops the supply of the cleaning liquid R. At this time, since the cleaning liquid R remains in the liquid holding space 21, the inside and the outside of the spot pin 2 are dried using a blower or a hot air heater (not shown). As a result, as shown in FIG. 5C, the spot pin 2 is recovered to a clean state in which neither the liquid Q nor the cleaning liquid R is held in the liquid holding space 21.

  Further, instead of supplying the cleaning liquid R to the inside of the spot pin 2 through the slit portion 17 using the liquid supply mechanism 4, the sample solution and the reagent are supplied to the spot pin 2 using the liquid supply mechanism 4. It can also be configured. In this case, the sample solution and the reagent are sucked into the liquid holding space 21 by the capillary action of the liquid holding space 21. When the sucked sample solution or reagent reaches the lower opening 23 of the cylindrical hole 22 (liquid holding space 21), the capillary action is suppressed, and a certain amount of liquid Q is held in the liquid holding space 21.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 7, elements similar to those of the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description below is omitted.

  The spot pin 2A shown in FIG. 7 is different from the spot pin 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention in that the slit portion 17 includes a first slit portion 17A and a second slit portion 17B. ing. The spot pin 2A is configured such that the width W1 of the first slit portion 17A is smaller than the width W2 of the second slit portion 17B. More specifically, the slit width W1 of the first slit portion 17A is about 1/10 to 2/3 of the slit width W2 of the second slit portion 17B. According to such a structure, by increasing the capillary force in the vicinity of the spotting surface 18 where the first slit portion 17A is formed, the liquid holding power is increased, while the width of the second slit portion 17B is increased. The capillary force of the liquid holding space 21 in which the second slit portion 17B is formed can be weakened. As a result, according to such a structure, it is possible to reduce the liquid leakage from the spotting surface 18 and to adjust the capillary force of the liquid holding space 21 along the axial direction of the liquid holding part 16. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of an air gap caused by the development of excessive capillary force. Note that the air gap means that when the liquid is sucked up from the spotted surface with a spot pin, if the capillary force is too strong, the liquid will be sucked up more than necessary to the liquid holding space 21 side (liquid sucking direction) from the spotted surface. This is a phenomenon in which unnecessary air enters the liquid holding space 21. When such an air gap occurs, a liquid containing air may be spotted, and the spotted diameter may vary.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, in the spot pin 2A, the length L1 of the first slit portion 17A in the axial direction of the cylindrical liquid holding portion 16 is shorter than the length L2 of the second slit portion 17B. Is preferred. According to such a structure, the volume of the liquid holding space 21 corresponding to the first slit portion 17A is smaller than the volume of the liquid holding space 21 corresponding to the second slit portion 17B. As a result, according to such a form, since the capillary force in the vicinity of the first slit portion 17A can be weakened, even if the liquid contained in the spot pin is reduced by repeating the spotting, The liquid remaining in the liquid holding space 21 can be reduced, and the liquid held in the liquid holding space 21 can be almost completely used. Further, the length L1 of the first slit portion 17A is set to 0.03 mm to 0.2 mm, for example, and the length L2 of the second slit portion 17B is set to 4 mm to 10 mm, for example. At this time, the total length L3 of the spot pin 2A is 8 to 100 mm.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 8, the same elements as those of the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description below will be omitted.

The spot pin 2B shown in FIG. 8 is a spot according to the first embodiment of the present invention in that the first slit portion 17A ′ has a tapered shape in which the width gradually decreases toward the spotting surface 18. Different from pin 2A. According to such a structure, the capillary force can be gradually increased toward the spotting surface 18. As a result, according to such a configuration, liquid leakage from the spotting surface 18 can be reduced, and further, the liquid held by the liquid holding unit 16 on the upper side of the spot pin 2B is increased in the capillary force. Since the liquid holding part 16 corresponding to the 1 slit part 17A ′ can be urged, the liquid can be easily spotted.
Further, the taper ratio in the first slit portion 17A is W3 in the portion having the smallest width of the first slit portion 17A ′ (the boundary portion between the second slit portion 17B) and the portion having the smallest width in the first slit portion 17A ′. (W3−W4 / L3) = 0.01 to 0.7, where (dotted surface side) is W4 and the length of the first slit portion 17A ′ in the axial direction of the liquid holding portion 16 is L3. Good.

It is a whole perspective view of a spot device for explaining a 1st embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view around a head in the spot device shown in FIG. 1. It is sectional drawing of the spot pin of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the supply operation | movement of the liquid with respect to a spot pin. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the liquid supply mechanism in a spot apparatus. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the spotting operation | movement using a spot pin. It is for demonstrating the spot pin of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, (a) is sectional drawing, (b) is a front view. It is a front view for demonstrating the 3rd Embodiment of this invention a spot pin. It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part around the head of a common spot apparatus. The conventional spot pin is shown, (a) is a front view, (b) is a top view of a spotting surface.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Spot apparatus 2 Spot pin 2A Spot pin 2B Spot pin 3 Head 4 Liquid supply mechanism 5 Z-axis drive mechanism 6 XY-axis drive mechanism 7 Spotting target object 8 Stage 9 Spotting liquid holding part 9A Spotting liquid holding tank 10 Cleaning part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Control part 12 Locking part 13 Plate 14 Spacer 15 Plate 16 Liquid holding part 17 Slit part 17A, 17A '1st slit part 17B 2nd slit part 18 Spotting surface 19 Spacer 20 Block 21 Liquid holding space 22 Cylindrical hole 23 Lower opening 24 Cleaning tank 25 On-off valve 26 Tube 27 Internal space 30 Head 31 Spot pin 32 Internal space 33 Slit W1 to W4 Slit width L Spot pin length L1 to L3 Slit length Q Liquid R Cleaning liquid

Claims (11)

A spot pin including a liquid holding portion having a cylindrical portion that defines a liquid holding space for holding a liquid,
The liquid holding part has a spotting surface for bringing liquid into contact with the spotting target surface on one end face of the cylindrical part, and the axial direction of the cylindrical part from the spotting surface to the cylindrical part. A spot pin having a single slit portion extending toward the other end surface.   The slit portion includes a first slit portion and a second slit portion having a width larger than the first slit portion, and the first slit portion is positioned closer to the spotting surface than the second slit portion. The spot pin according to claim 1, wherein the spot pin is formed.   The spot pin according to claim 2, wherein the first slit portion has a tapered shape in which a width gradually decreases toward the spotting surface.   4. The spot pin according to claim 2, wherein the first slit portion has a shorter length in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion than the second slit portion. 5.   The spot pin according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the spot pin is formed entirely of zirconia ceramics. The spot pin according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A moving mechanism for moving the spot pin in the axial direction;
A control unit for controlling the operation of the moving mechanism;
A spot device comprising:   The spot apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a liquid supply mechanism for supplying a liquid from the slit portion to the liquid holding space.   The spot apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the liquid is a sample solution, a reagent, or a cleaning liquid. A step of holding liquid in the liquid holding space in the spot pin according to claim 1;
After the spotting surface of the spot pin is brought into contact with the spotting target surface, the spotting surface is separated from the spotting target surface, and spotting is performed to spot the liquid in the liquid holding space onto the spotting target surface. Process,
A method of spotting a liquid, comprising:   The liquid spotting method according to claim 9, further comprising a step of discharging the liquid remaining in the liquid holding space after the spotting step. A method for producing a biochemical analysis unit in which a reagent is immobilized on a substrate,
Holding the reagent in the liquid holding space of the spot pin according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
After bringing the spotting surface of the spot pin into contact with the surface of the substrate, separating the spotting surface from the substrate, and spotting the reagent in the liquid holding space on the surface of the substrate;
The manufacturing method of the unit for biochemical analysis characterized by including.

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