JP2012202736A - Inspection object acceptor, inspection method, and inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that an inspection liquid in an inspection chip moves to an unintended chamber.SOLUTION: There is provided an inspection chip 40 used to perform inspection by moving an inspection liquid inside according to centrifugal force generated by revolution and a predetermined angle held by rotation, which includes a centrifugal separation part 404 capable of executing an inspection process on the inspection liquid, a liquid reservoir part 401 which has an injection opening 403 for injecting the inspection liquid into the centrifugal separation part 404, a first guide path 421 through which at least a part of the inspection liquid having been subjected to centrifugal separation passes to a storage part 414, and a second guide path 422 through which an excess of the inspection liquid injected into the centrifugal separation part 404 passes to a reservoir part 420 capable of reserving the excess. The chip is characterized in that a first connection part 423 of an opening surface of the centrifugal separation part 404 is perpendicular to the applied centrifugal force, and closer to the injection opening 403 than a plane including a second connection part 424 in a direction parallel with the centrifugal force.

Description

  The present invention relates to a test object receiver, a test method, and a test apparatus for performing chemical, medical, and biological tests on a substance to be tested.

  In recent years, the importance of detecting, detecting or quantifying DNA (Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid), biological substances such as enzymes, antigens, antibodies, proteins, viruses, cells, and chemical substances in the fields of medicine, health, food, drug discovery, etc. It is increasing. Various biochips and microchips (inspection chips) such as microchemical chips that can easily measure such biological substances and chemical substances have been proposed.

  The microchip has a fluid circuit inside. The fluid circuit includes, for example, a liquid reagent holding unit for holding a liquid reagent, a sample such as blood to be tested and analyzed, a measuring unit for measuring a specific component or liquid reagent in the sample, a sample in the sample or sample, and the like. Each component such as a mixing unit that mixes a specific component and a liquid reagent, a detection unit that performs inspection and analysis of the mixed solution, and a fine path that appropriately connects these units.

  Specifically, for example, a microchip may perform various tests using plasma components in blood. In such a case, the microchip fluid circuit includes a centrifuge for separating and extracting plasma components by removing blood cell components from the blood injected into the fluid circuit by centrifugation.

  Here, an outline of a conventional sample processor card as a microchip will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a conventional sample processor card. In Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 10, in the sample processor card 100, a sample to be examined such as blood is injected into the inside from the opening 101. The sample processor card 100 into which the sample is injected is rotated by a centrifuge device (not shown). The sample is moved or inspected inside the sample processor card 100 by the centrifugal force applied by the rotation of the centrifuge.

  Specifically, the sample injected from the opening 101 passes through the outlet capillary 102 by centrifugal force and is put into the sample separation chamber 103. The sample put into the sample separation chamber 103 is centrifuged by centrifugal force. The sample subjected to centrifugation is moved to another chamber inside the sample processor card 100 by centrifugal force in order to execute analysis or inspection according to the separated components.

JP 60-238760 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, no consideration has been given to the shapes of the outlet capillary 102, the opening of the sample separation chamber 103, and the flow path for guiding the sample to another chamber. Therefore, there is a problem that the sample inside the sample processor card 100 flows out or drops into an unintended chamber due to the centrifugal force applied during movement or centrifugation. That is, the problem that even the sample before centrifugation in the sample separation chamber 103 flows out into the chamber that should receive the sample after centrifugation is given as an example.

  Further, even when the sample is dropped into the chamber to be dropped, there is a problem that the sample is not properly dropped by the gas held in the chamber. That is, when a sample is dropped from the outlet capillary 102 on the lower side of the paper in FIG. 10 toward the sample separation chamber 103, bubbles remain in the bottom 104 of the sample separation chamber 103, and the sample can be dropped appropriately. The problem of being unable to do so is an example.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and prevents a sample to be inspected from moving to an unintended site, and can inspect the sample appropriately. It is an object to provide a method and an inspection apparatus. It is another object of the present invention to provide an inspection object receptacle, an inspection method, and an inspection apparatus that can perform an appropriate inspection of a sample without leaving bubbles at a site where the sample to be inspected moves.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the inspection object receiver of the invention of claim 1 provides an inspection liquid to be inspected according to the centrifugal force generated by revolution and a predetermined angle held by rotation. A test object receiver used for an application to be inspected by being moved inside, in a predetermined test for the test liquid, a centrifuge that can perform centrifugation, and the test liquid for the centrifuge A supply unit having an injectable inlet and a first unit that guides at least a part of the test liquid that has been centrifuged by the centrifuge unit from the centrifuge unit to a storage unit that can store the test liquid. And a second guide path for guiding a surplus part of the test liquid injected into the centrifuge unit from the centrifuge unit to a storage unit capable of storing the surplus part, and the centrifugal separation. Part The first connection part on the first guide path side of the opening surface is perpendicular to the centrifugal force applied when the test liquid is injected or centrifuged, and the second connection part on the second guide path side is It is in a position closer to the injection port in a direction parallel to the centrifugal force than a plane including it.

  The inspection object receptacle according to a second aspect of the present invention is the inspection object according to the above invention, wherein the first guide path has an acute angle in a direction opposite to the centrifugal force with respect to a plane perpendicular to the centrifugal force and including the second connection portion. It is characterized by doing.

  The inspection object receiver of the invention of claim 3 is an inspection object used for the purpose of inspecting by moving the inspection liquid to be inspected in accordance with the centrifugal force generated by revolution and the predetermined angle held by rotation. A receiver that is capable of performing centrifugation for a predetermined test on the test liquid; a supply unit having an inlet capable of injecting the test liquid into the centrifuge; and the centrifuge A first guide path for guiding at least a part of the test liquid, which has been centrifuged by the separation unit, from the centrifugal separation unit to a storage unit that can store the test liquid, and the injected into the centrifugal separation unit A second guide path that guides the surplus portion of the test liquid from the centrifuge section to a storage section capable of storing the surplus section, wherein the first guide path is an opening surface of the centrifuge section. Second An acute angle in a direction opposite to the centrifugal force with respect to a plane perpendicular to the centrifugal force applied when performing the injection of the test liquid or the centrifugal separation. To do.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a test object receptacle according to the above invention, wherein the second guide path forms an acute angle in a direction of the centrifugal force with respect to a plane perpendicular to the centrifugal force and including the second connection portion. It is characterized by that.

  The inspection object receptacle according to the invention of claim 5 is that, in the above invention, the straight line connecting the arbitrary point on the bottom surface of the centrifugal separator and the injection port does not intersect the first guide path. Features.

  The inspection method of the invention of claim 6 is the above-described invention, wherein the inspection object receiver arranged at a predetermined position rotates in the predetermined angle, the inspection object receptor rotated in the rotation process, A revolving step for revolving to apply a centrifugal force; a rotation control step for controlling a revolving operation in the revolving step and a revolving operation in the revolving step with respect to the inspection object receiver; .

  The inspection apparatus of the invention of claim 7 is the inspection apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the inspection object receiver arranged at a predetermined position rotates around the predetermined angle, and the inspection object receiver rotated around by the rotation means Revolving means for revolving to apply a centrifugal force, rotation control means for controlling the rotation operation in the rotation means and the revolution operation in the revolution means with respect to the test object receiver, To do.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, of the opening surface of the centrifuge part, the first connection part passing through the storage part includes the second connection part passing through the storage part perpendicular to the centrifugal force. Is closer to the inlet than. Therefore, the test liquid does not flow out to the storage portion in a state where a centrifugal force is applied during injection or centrifugation. More specifically, since the test liquid before performing the centrifugation does not flow out to the site where the test liquid after the centrifugation is to be stored, an appropriate test should be performed on the test liquid. Can do.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first guide path forms an acute angle in a direction opposite to the centrifugal force with respect to the plane perpendicular to the centrifugal force and including the second connection portion. It is possible to prevent outflow into the accommodating portion.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the first guide path forms an acute angle in a direction opposite to the centrifugal force with respect to the plane perpendicular to the centrifugal force and including the second connection portion. It is possible to prevent outflow into the accommodating portion.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, since the second guide path forms an acute angle in the direction of the centrifugal force with respect to the plane that is perpendicular to the centrifugal force and includes the second connection part, Since it is guided to the storage part without staying on the second guide route side, it is possible to prevent the storage part from flowing out.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the test liquid is injected into the bottom surface of the centrifuge unit into which the test liquid is injected, the test is performed without retaining the gas existing in the centrifuge unit. Since liquid can be injected, centrifugation can be performed appropriately. In addition, since the straight line connecting the bottom surface of the centrifuge unit into which the test liquid is injected and the injection port does not intersect the first guide path, the test liquid that has not been centrifuged by the centrifuge unit flows out into the storage unit. Can be prevented.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the test liquid inside the test target receptacle from flowing out to an unintended part and perform an appropriate test.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the test liquid inside the test object receptacle from flowing out to an unintended part and perform an appropriate test.

  As described above, according to the inspection object receiver, the inspection method, and the inspection apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the inspection liquid that has not undergone the necessary processing from flowing out to an unintended part. There is an effect that an appropriate test can be performed on the receiver. In addition, since it is possible to perform centrifugation without mixing bubbles in the test liquid, there is an effect that an appropriate test can be performed on the test target receptacle.

It is a top view which shows an example of the test | inspection apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the test | inspection apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the angle adjustment mechanism in the test | inspection apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the test | inspection chip of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process of the test | inspection apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of operation | movement of the test | inspection liquid in application of the centrifugal force by the test | inspection apparatus of embodiment of this invention (step S505 shown in FIG. 5). It is explanatory drawing which shows an example (the 1) of the shape of the test | inspection chip in the modification of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example (the 2) of the shape of the test | inspection chip in the modification of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example (the 3) of the shape of the test | inspection chip in the modification of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the conventional sample processor card | curd.

  Exemplary embodiments of an inspection object receiver, an inspection method, and an inspection apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment)
(Configuration of inspection equipment)
Using FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, centrifugal force is applied to the inspection chip to perform a predetermined inspection on the inspection liquid to be inspected contained in the inspection chip as the inspection object receiver according to the present invention. An outline of the inspection apparatus will be described. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of an inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, an inspection apparatus 1 includes a turntable 3 that can rotate around a shaft 6, a chip holder 4 that can attach and detach an inspection chip 40 that can store an inspection liquid to be inspected, and an outer wall 2 of a housing. And an optical inspection unit 9 provided on the outer wall extending part 22 extending from the control unit 70 connected to the outside of the outer wall part 2. The test liquid has, for example, a configuration including a specimen such as blood or a reagent such as a drug. In the embodiment of the present invention, a test liquid composed of a specimen such as blood will be described.

  The inspection apparatus 1 applies centrifugal force to the inspection chip 40 attached to the chip holder 4 by rotating the turntable 3 at a high speed. The inspection apparatus 1 applies a centrifugal force to the inspection chip 40, thereby moving the inspection liquid contained in the fluid circuit inside the inspection chip 40 to each part, centrifuging to separate into a plurality of phases, a medicine, Are mixed, diluted, quantified, retained, and measured.

  With reference to FIG. 2, the outer wall 2 will be described with respect to a cross section in the direction of the arrow in the XX line shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the inspection apparatus 1 inspects the turntable 3, the tip holder 4, the motor 5 that controls the rotation of the turntable 3 around the shaft 6, and the inspection liquid inside the inspection chip 40. The light source 7 and the detector 8 as the optical inspection unit 9 provided on the outer wall extension 22, the angle adjustment mechanism 19 that can hold the chip holder 4 at a predetermined angle around the shaft 18, and the inside of the outer wall 2 up and down And an inner wall 21 divided into two.

  The outer wall 2 constitutes a cylindrical housing in the inspection apparatus 1. The turntable 3 is a disc body having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the outer wall portion 2, and includes a pair of chip holders 4 in the vicinity of the circumference, which is both ends in the diameter direction.

  The chip holder 4 is, for example, a box-shaped body having an outer shape formed by a bottom plate, an upper plate, and a side wall. Specifically, the chip holder 4 is a box-shaped member formed in a rectangular shape in plan view that is slightly larger than the test chip 40 so that the test chip 40 formed in rectangular shape in plan view can be stored and held therein. . The user can attach the inspection chip 40 to the chip holder 4 from the rotation center side of the turntable 3 in the radial direction that is the direction of the arrow A shown in FIG.

  The inner wall 21 has a hole 23 in the vicinity of the center, and the turntable 3 and the motor 5 communicate with each other through a shaft 6 through the hole 23. The shaft 6 rotates in accordance with the rotation control of the motor 5. The turntable 3 rotates as the shaft 6 rotates. The inspection chip 40 attached to the chip holder 4 rotates according to the rotation of the turntable 3. Hereinafter, the rotation of the inspection chip 40 around the axis 6 will be described as “revolution”.

  The shaft 18 connects the angle adjustment mechanism 19 below the turntable 3 and the chip holder 4 above the turntable 3 at a position spaced from the rotation center of the turntable 3 in the outer circumferential direction. Although details will be described with reference to FIG. 3, the shaft 18 rotatably supports the tip holder 4 on the upper end portion under the control of the angle adjustment mechanism 19. Hereinafter, the rotation of the inspection chip 40 around the shaft 18 will be described as “autorotation”.

  With reference to FIG. 3, the angle adjustment mechanism 19 in the inspection apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with respect to the cross section in the direction of the arrow in the YY line of the outer wall 2 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an angle adjustment mechanism in the inspection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the angle adjustment mechanism 19 includes a stepping motor 10, gears 12 and 13, pulleys 15 and 16, and a belt 17.

  The stepping motor 10 is provided below the turntable 3 between the shaft 6 and a shaft 18 that is spaced apart from the shaft 6 in the outer circumferential direction. The gear 12 is pivotally supported on the shaft 11 of the stepping motor 10. The gear 13 is a reduction gear that meshes with the gear 12, and is supported by a shaft 14 that is rotatably supported by the turntable 3.

  The pulley 15 is supported coaxially with the shaft 14 of the gear 13. The pulley 16 extends through the hole 24 in the vertical direction of the turntable 3 and is coaxially fixed to the lower end portion of the shaft 18 that rotatably supports the tip holder 4 at the upper end portion. The belt 17 is stretched between the pulley 15 and the pulley 16.

  The angle adjusting mechanism 19 controls the rotation of the inspection chip 40 by rotating the chip holder 4 by a predetermined angle in accordance with the rotation control of the stepping motor 10. Specifically, the angle adjustment mechanism 19 rotates the gear 12 by rotating the shaft 11 by a predetermined angle by the stepping motor 10. In accordance with the rotation of the gear 12, the gear 13 meshing with the gear 12 rotates. As the gear 13 rotates, the pulley 15 fixed to the shaft 14 rotates. The rotation of the pulley 15 is transmitted to the pulley 16 by the belt 17, the pulley 16 rotates by a predetermined angle, and the shaft 18 rotates by a predetermined angle, whereby the chip holder 4 rotates by a predetermined angle.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the optical inspection unit 9 includes a light source 7 and a detector 8 that are arranged in the same direction with respect to the chip holder 4 provided on the upper surface of the turntable 3. The light source 7 irradiates the inspection liquid in the inspection chip 40 attached to the chip holder 4 with light from above the inspection chip 40.

  The detector 8 detects the light reflected by the inspection liquid above the inspection chip 40. In the embodiment of the present invention, the detector 8 is provided above the inspection chip 40 so that the light reflected by the inspection liquid is detected by the detector 8, but the light transmitted through the inspection liquid is detected by the detector 8. In that case, the detector 8 may be provided below the inspection chip 40.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the control device 70 connected to the outside of the inspection device 1 performs various measurements based on the amount of received light detected by the detector 8. The control device 70 incorporates a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. (not shown) and controls various operations such as rotation (revolution) of the turntable 3 of the inspection device 1 and rotation (autorotation) of the chip holder 4. The control device 70 includes an operation unit for the user to instruct various operations of the inspection device 1. In the embodiment of the present invention, the control device 70 is externally connected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the function of the control device 70 may be provided inside the inspection device 1.

  In addition, in embodiment of this invention demonstrated using FIGS. 1-3, although demonstrated as providing the turntable 3 of a disk body inside the housing | casing which consists of a cylindrical outer wall part 2, it is not restricted to this. Absent. That is, any configuration that can apply centrifugal force to the inspection chip 40 is acceptable, and the shape of the housing and the turntable 3 is not limited. Further, the pair of chip holders 4 is provided in the vicinity of the circumference of the turntable 3, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, it may be one or a plurality, and any arrangement that can apply a desired centrifugal force to the inspection chip 40 may be used.

  Moreover, although the shape of the chip holder 4 and the test | inspection chip 40 was demonstrated as a planar view rectangle, it does not restrict to this. That is, any configuration may be used as long as a centrifugal force for performing a predetermined test can be applied to the test liquid inside the test chip 40. Further, the mounting direction of the inspection chip 40 is not limited to the direction of the arrow A shown in FIG. The inspection chip 40 may be attached from any direction, and is not limited to be horizontal with respect to the revolution surface. Specifically, the inspection chip 40 may be attached perpendicular to the revolution surface, and may be set according to the characteristics of the inspection liquid, the arrangement of the equipment, and the like. By doing in this way, utilization of the inspection apparatus 1 which was rich in versatility can be aimed at.

(Configuration of inspection chip)
The configuration of the inspection chip 40 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a test chip according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, a plan view of the inspection chip 40 when the inspection chip 40 is installed in the inspection apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

  In FIG. 4, a test chip 40 is composed of a plate member having a rectangular shape in plan view and having a predetermined thickness, and a fluid circuit for storing, moving, and measuring a test liquid to be subjected to a predetermined test. I have. Examples of the material of the plate member include polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), Polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyarylate resin (PAR), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (ABS), vinyl chloride resin (PVC), polymethylpentene resin (PMP), polybutadiene resin (PBD), biodegradable polymer ( There are no particular restrictions on organic materials such as BP), cycloolefin polymer (COP), and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and inorganic materials such as silicon, glass, and quartz. Further, the test chip 40 has a configuration in which the surface side of the test chip 40 which is the front side of the sheet in FIG. 4 covers the fluid circuit in order to hold the test liquid therein.

  The test chip 40 includes, as an internal fluid circuit, liquid reservoirs 401 and 411 each including a concave portion having a predetermined depth in the thickness direction of the plate member, and a supply port 402 that supplies a test liquid to the liquid reservoirs 401 and 411. 412, injection ports 403 and 413 for injecting the test liquid stored in the liquid reservoirs 401 and 411 into another room in the test chip 40, and the test liquid injected from the injection ports 403 and 413 are centrifuged. And the centrifuge part 404 that can store the liquid, the storage part 414 that can store the test liquid, the storage part 420 that can store the surplus of the test liquid, and the first guide that is a path through which the test liquid flows. A route 421 and a second guide route 422 are provided.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the case where the centrifuge 404, which is a part capable of performing centrifugation, centrifuges the test liquid will be described, but is not limited thereto. Specifically, for example, a configuration that holds, quantifies, dilutes, and mixes the test liquid may be used. Furthermore, for example, it may be a site where the test liquid is centrifuged after holding, quantifying, diluting, mixing, or the like. Moreover, although the accommodating part 414 is demonstrated as a site | part which can accommodate a test | inspection liquid, the objective of accommodation is not limited. That is, for example, the storage unit 414 may be configured to store the test liquid for quantification, store it for mixing, store it for dilution, or store it for temporary holding. .

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the test chip 40 uses a specimen such as blood as the test liquid, and the test liquid is supplied from the supply port 402 to the liquid reservoir 401 by a user or the like. The inspection liquid supplied to the liquid reservoir 401 is injected from the injection port 403 to the centrifugal separator 404 for centrifugal separation. The surplus at the time of injection of the inspection liquid flows out to the storage part 420 via the second guide path. A description will be given of a case in which the supernatant liquid out of the test liquid after centrifugation flows out to the accommodating portion 414 via the first guide path.

  Although details will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the inspection chip 40 supplied with the inspection liquid from the supply port 402 to the liquid reservoir 401 is held at a predetermined angle by rotation by the control of the angle adjustment mechanism 19, Centrifugal force is applied by revolution on the table 3. The inspection liquid is injected from the injection port 403 to the centrifugal separation unit 404 for performing centrifugal separation by the centrifugal force applied inside the inspection chip 40.

  Specifically, the test liquid is a first connection portion 423 that is a connection portion between the centrifuge 404 and the first guide path 421, and a second connection portion that is a connection between the centrifuge 404 and the second guide path 422. It passes through the opening formed with the connection site 424 and is injected in the direction of an arbitrary point on the bottom surface 405 of the centrifugal separator 404. In other words, the direction of the centrifugal force for injecting the test liquid into the centrifugal separation unit 404 may be a direction from the injection port 403 toward an arbitrary point on the bottom surface 405. As described above, since the direction of the centrifugal force for injecting the test liquid into the centrifuge 404 is the direction from the inlet 403 toward the bottom surface 405, the storage unit in which the test liquid to be injected is an unintended part before centrifugation. It does not flow out to 414. Furthermore, since the gas on the bottom surface 405 of the centrifugal separator 404 is injected while being appropriately removed, bubbles are not mixed in the centrifugal separation. Further, the centrifugal force at the time of injecting the test liquid may vary, for example, from the start of injection to the end of injection, as long as all of the test liquid in the liquid reservoir 401 can be injected at the end of injection. .

  When the inspection liquid supplied to the liquid reservoir 401 is injected into the centrifugal separation unit 404, the inspection device 1 centrifuges the inspection liquid held in the centrifugal separation unit 404. The centrifugal force for centrifuging the test liquid in the centrifuge 404 may be in a direction that allows the test liquid in the centrifuge 404 to be separated, and is a predetermined value held by the rotation of the test chip 40 under the control of the angle adjustment mechanism 19. Adjusted by angle.

  When the inspection liquid is injected into the centrifugal separation unit 404 or when the centrifugal separation unit 404 performs the centrifugal separation, surplus inspection liquid flows out to the storage unit via the second guide path 422. In addition, among the inspection liquid after centrifugation, a supernatant liquid and the like that are necessary thereafter flow out to the accommodating portion 414 that is another different room via the first guide path 421. Specifically, according to the predetermined angle held by the rotation of the inspection chip 40 under the control of the angle adjustment mechanism 19 and the centrifugal force applied by the revolution on the turntable 3, the supernatant liquid is extracted from the centrifuge 404. leak.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the test liquid has been described as a specimen such as blood, but is not limited thereto. Specifically, the test liquid may be a sample such as a drug, a mixed liquid, or the like, and can be appropriately selected by the user according to a desired test. Further, the number of routes through each room such as the liquid reservoirs 401 and 411, the centrifugal separator 404, the storage unit 414, and the storage unit 420 may be appropriately set according to a desired inspection. Also. In the embodiment of the present invention, the case where the centrifugal separation is performed by the centrifugal separation unit 404 that can be separated as the processing performed by each unit has been described, but other mixing, dilution, quantification, and the like are performed. There may be things.

  If each component is described in association with each function, the function of the centrifuge of the present invention is realized by the centrifuge 404 shown in FIG. Moreover, the function of the accommodating part of this invention is implement | achieved by the accommodating part 414. FIG. Moreover, the function of the supply part of this invention is implement | achieved by the liquid storage parts 401 and 411. FIG. Further, the first guide route 421 realizes the function of the first guide route of the present invention. Further, the second guide route 422 implements the function of the second guide route of the present invention.

(Details of inspection device processing)
The contents of the process of the inspection apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing of the inspection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of the present invention, the description of the test liquid in the liquid reservoir 411, the supply port 412, the storage unit 414, etc. is omitted, and the test liquid is supplied from the supply port 402 to the liquid reservoir 401 and centrifuged. A case where the inspection liquid is centrifuged by the unit 404 will be described.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 5, first, the user drops the test liquid onto the supply port 402 of the test chip 40 with the supply port 402 facing upward (step S501). When the dropping of the inspection liquid is completed in step S501, the user sets the inspection chip 40 in the chip holder 4 (step S502). Specifically, for example, the user attaches the inspection chip 40 to the chip holder 4 from the rotation center side of the turntable 3 in the radial direction that is the direction of the arrow A shown in FIG.

  In step S502, when the setting of the inspection chip 40 is completed, the user operates the operation unit of the control device 70 to turn on the inspection device 1 (step S503). Then, the user operates the operation unit of the control device 70. The CPU of the control device 70 controls the inspection device 1 according to the control of the control program stored in the ROM, and starts applying a predetermined centrifugal force to the inspection chip 40 (step S504).

  Here, the operation of the test liquid in the application of the centrifugal force (step S504 shown in FIG. 5) by the test apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the test liquid in the application of the centrifugal force (step S504 illustrated in FIG. 5) by the test apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the pre-injection step 610 in FIG. 6, the test liquid 600 is held in the liquid reservoir 401 by the centrifugal force 611 before injection. Specifically, the inspection apparatus 1 applies a centrifugal force 611 to the inspection chip 40 held at a predetermined angle according to the control of the angle adjustment mechanism 19 by revolving by the rotation control of the motor 5.

  In the injection start process 620, the test liquid 600 is injected into the centrifuge 404 along the dotted line 601 through the injection port 403 by the injection start centrifugal force 621. Specifically, the inspection device 1 rotates the inspection chip 40 according to the control of the angle adjustment mechanism 19. The inspection chip 40 is held at a predetermined angle by rotation, and the direction of the applied centrifugal force changes from the centrifugal force 611 before injection to the centrifugal force 621 at the start of injection. The predetermined angle in the injection start step 620 is controlled so that the centrifugal force 621 is directed from the injection port 403 to an arbitrary point on the bottom surface 405 of the centrifugal separator 404.

  In the in-injection step 630, the test liquid 600 is injected into the centrifuge 404 along the dotted line 601 through the injection port 403 by the centrifugal force 631 during injection. The inspection liquid 600 injected into the centrifuge unit 404 is held by the centrifuge unit 404.

  In the injection end process 640, the test liquid 600 has been injected into the centrifuge 404 by the centrifugal force 641 at the end of injection. A surplus portion of the test liquid 600 injected from the liquid reservoir 401 into the centrifugal separator 404 flows out along the dotted line 602 to the reservoir 420 via the second guide path 422. The inspection liquid 600 held in the liquid reservoir 401 is injected into the centrifugal separator 404 or the reservoir 420 through the injection start process 620, the in-injection process 630, and the injection end process 640.

  The plane H includes the second connection portion 424 and is a plane perpendicular to the centrifugal forces 621, 631, and 641 when the test liquid 600 is injected. Specifically, it is a plane perpendicular to the dotted line 601 indicating the injection path of the test liquid 600 from the liquid reservoir 401 to the centrifugal separator 404. The first connection site 423 is located near the inlet 403 in the direction opposite to the centrifugal forces 621, 631, 641 with respect to the plane H. As described above, since the first connection part 423 is close to the injection port 403 with respect to the plane H, the inspection liquid 600 passes through the first guide path 421 during the injection in the example of FIG. It is possible to prevent outflow to the accommodating portion 414 or the like which is a different portion from the centrifugal separation portion 404 which is an injection target. In particular, in centrifugal separation, the centrifugal force may be larger than the centrifugal force in the injection or movement of the test liquid, so this configuration allows the test liquid before centrifugation to flow out to an unintended site. It has a remarkable effect in preventing

  In addition, a dotted line 601 that connects an arbitrary point on the bottom surface 405 in the centrifugal separator 404 and the injection port, which is a path through which the inspection liquid 600 is injected by the centrifugal forces 621, 631, 641, is a first guide path 421. It is the structure which does not cross. Therefore, the test liquid 600 is injected into the centrifugal separation unit 404 without being injected into the storage unit 414 which is another part. Furthermore, since the test liquid 600 can be injected without causing the gas on the bottom surface 405 of the centrifuge 404 to remain on the bottom surface 405, subsequent processing such as centrifugation can be performed accurately.

  In the centrifugation start process 650, the test liquid 600 is centrifuged by the centrifugal force 651 for starting the centrifugation. Specifically, the inspection device 1 rotates the inspection chip 40 according to the control of the angle adjustment mechanism 19. The inspection chip 40 is held at a predetermined angle by rotation, and the direction of the applied centrifugal force changes from the centrifugal force 641 at the end of injection to the centrifugal force 651 at the start of centrifugation.

  The test liquid 600 is separated into the first component 603 and the second component 604 by the centrifugal separation in the centrifugal separator 404. Specifically, for example, when the test liquid 600 is blood, the first component 603 is a blood cell component having a high specific gravity in the test liquid 600, and the second component 604 is a specific gravity in the test liquid 600. It is a low plasma component. That is, by the centrifugal separation in the centrifugal separation unit 404, the plasma component and the blood cell component, which are in a ratio of approximately 1: 1, are separated from the blood that is the test liquid. Although not shown in particular, the surplus generated during the centrifugation flows out to the storage unit 420 via the second guide path 422.

  In the post-separation moving step 660, the second component 604, which is the supernatant liquid obtained by centrifuging the test liquid, flows out in the direction of the arrow 605 by the moving centrifugal force 661, passes through the first guide path 421, and thereafter Therefore, it moves to the accommodating part 414. Specifically, the inspection device 1 rotates the inspection chip 40 according to the control of the angle adjustment mechanism 19. The inspection chip 40 is held at a predetermined angle by rotation, and the direction of the applied centrifugal force changes from the centrifugal force 651 of the centrifugal separation to the centrifugal force 661 of the movement. Moreover, the accommodating part 414 is a site | part which can be accommodated for each process, such as fixed_quantity | quantitative_assay, mixing, and centrifugation, for example.

  In FIG. 6, the direction of the centrifugal force 621, 631, 641 is illustrated as a constant direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the direction of the centrifugal forces 621, 631, 641 may be varied, and may be any direction as long as the injection of the test liquid 600 inside the liquid reservoir 401 is completed in the injection end process 640. Specifically, for example, if the direction of the centrifugal force 641 is a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface 405 on the right side (first guide path 421 side) in FIG. Will be.

  In FIG. 6, the centrifugal force 621, 631, 641 has been described as being controlled in a direction toward an arbitrary point on the bottom surface 405, but is not limited thereto. That is, the centrifugal forces 621, 631, and 641 only need to be in a direction in which sufficient test liquid 600 can be injected to perform centrifugal separation in the centrifugal separator 404. Specifically, for example, if the centrifugal force 621 in the injection start step 620 is directed to the right side (first guide path 421 side) of the bottom surface 405 in FIG. 6, the gas near the bottom surface 405 can be surely removed. It is possible to perform accurate centrifugation.

  In FIG. 6, the centrifugal force 641 at the end of injection and the centrifugal force 651 at the start of centrifugation are described as different directions, but the present invention is not limited to this. In addition, the strength of each centrifugal force 611, 621, 631, 641, 651, 661 can also be adjusted as appropriate by controlling the motor 5.

  Returning to FIG. 5, after the application of the centrifugal force in step S504, the application of the centrifugal force is terminated through a predetermined process (step S505). For example, the application of the centrifugal force is terminated after necessary processing based on a predetermined program for the test liquid. In step S505, when the application of the centrifugal force is completed, the inspection apparatus 1 moves the inspection chip 40 so that the room in which the liquid to be inspected by the optical inspection unit 9 is held below the light source 7 among the inspection liquids. Move (step S506).

  When the inspection chip 40 is moved in step S506, the inspection apparatus 1 measures the inspection liquid by the optical inspection unit 9 according to the control of the control device 70 (step S507). For example, the test liquid is measured by irradiating light from the light source 7 to the test liquid in the test chip 40. Then, the light reflected by the test liquid is detected by the detector 8.

  In step S <b> 507, information measured by the optical inspection unit 9 is output to the control device 70. Based on the measured information, the control device 70 outputs the test result of the test liquid (step S508), and ends the series of processes. The inspection result may be acquired, for example, by analyzing the measured information using a predetermined program and displayed on a display unit (not shown).

  In addition, if the process in each component of the present invention is described in association with each process or each function of the embodiment of the present invention, the CPU of the control device 70 in step S504, step S505, step S506, and step S507 is a ROM. By this process, the rotation process by the rotation means, the revolution process by the revolution means, and the rotation control process by the rotation control process of the present invention are executed.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the opening in the centrifugal separation unit 404 is necessary because the first connection site 423 on the side of the storage unit 414 is closer to the injection port 403 than the plane H. The inspection liquid that has not been processed can be prevented from flowing to an unintended site. That is, in the centrifuge 404, it is possible to prevent the test liquid before the centrifuge from flowing out to the storage unit 414 which is another part, so that components other than the supernatant after the centrifuge are mixed later. Accurate inspection can be performed without any problems.

  In addition, a dotted line 602 that connects an arbitrary point on the bottom surface 405 in the centrifuge 404, which is a path through which the test liquid 600 is injected, and the injection port has a configuration that does not intersect the first guide path 421. The inspection liquid 600 is surely injected into the centrifugal separation unit 404 without being injected into the storage unit 414. Furthermore, since the test liquid 600 can be injected without causing the gas on the bottom surface 405 of the centrifuge 404 to remain on the bottom surface 405, the subsequent centrifugation can be performed accurately.

(Some other variations)
In the embodiment of the present invention, in particular, with respect to the shape around the opening of the centrifugal separator 404 in the test chip 40 shown in FIG. 6, the first connection portion 421 is from the plane H in the direction opposite to the centrifugal forces 621, 631, 641. Also, the configuration is described as being close to the inlet 403, but is not limited thereto. Specifically, it is characterized by the inclination of the first guide path 421 and the second guide path 422 with respect to the plane H, the shape of the opening of the centrifugal separator 404 composed of the first connection part 423 and the second connection part 424, and the like. It is good also as a structure to have.

  An example of the shape of the test chip 40 according to the modification of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, the illustration of the test liquid is omitted, and the injection of the test liquid from the liquid reservoir 401 to the centrifugal separator 404 will be described as an example. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example (part 1) of the shape of the test chip in the modification of the present invention.

  In FIG. 7, the inspection chip 40 is held at a predetermined angle according to the rotation by the control of the angle adjustment mechanism 19, and the centrifugal force 701 is applied by the revolution by the rotation control of the motor 5. The test liquid is injected into the centrifugal separation unit 404 along the dotted line 710 through the injection port 403 by the centrifugal force 701.

  A plane H including the second connection portion 424 and perpendicular to the centrifugal force 701 forms an acute angle θ1 with respect to the second guide path 422 and the direction of the centrifugal force 701. By doing in this way, it becomes easy to flow into the storage part 420 via the 2nd guide path 422, without the excess of a test | inspection liquid flowing out to the 1st guide path 421 side.

  In other words, since the plane H and the second guide path 422 are not acutely angled with respect to the opposite direction of the centrifugal force 701, the test liquid remains above the centrifugal separation unit 404 and the test is performed on the first guide path 421 side. It is possible to prevent the liquid from flowing out. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the inspection liquid from flowing out to an unintended part and improve the inspection accuracy.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing an example (part 2) of the shape of the test chip in the modification of the present invention. In FIG. 8, the inspection chip 40 is held at a predetermined angle according to the rotation by the control of the angle adjustment mechanism 19, and the centrifugal force 801 is applied by the revolution by the rotation control of the motor 5. The test liquid is injected into the centrifugal separation unit 404 along the dotted line 810 through the injection port 403 by the centrifugal force 801.

  A plane H including the second connection portion 424 and perpendicular to the centrifugal force 801 forms an acute angle θ2 with respect to the first guide path 421 and the opposite direction of the centrifugal force 801. By doing in this way, it becomes easy to flow into the storage part 420 via the 2nd guide path 422, without the excess of a test | inspection liquid flowing out to the 1st guide path 421 side. Furthermore, even when the excess part flows out to the first guide path 421 side, it can be retained in the first guide path 421, and therefore, it can be prevented from flowing out to the housing portion 414.

  In other words, since the plane H and the first guide path 421 are not acutely angled with respect to the direction of the centrifugal force 801, even when there is a test liquid on the first guide path 421 with the centrifugal force 801 applied. And it will flow out to storage part 420, without flowing out to other parts. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the inspection liquid from flowing out to an unintended part and improve the inspection accuracy.

  Further, in the above-described embodiments and modifications of the present invention, the substantially rectangular shape is illustrated and described as an example of the centrifugal separation unit 404, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, a chamfered configuration, a trapezoid, or a polygon may be used. By doing in this way, the versatility can be given to the shape of each part in the test | inspection chip 40. FIG. With reference to FIG. 9, an example of a centrifuge 404 that is not rectangular will be described with respect to the shape of the test chip 40 according to the modification of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing an example (part 3) of the shape of the test chip in the modification of the present invention.

  In FIG. 9, the inspection chip 40 is held at a predetermined angle according to the rotation by the control of the angle adjustment mechanism 19, and the centrifugal force 901 is applied by the revolution by the rotation control of the motor 5. The test liquid is injected into the centrifugal separation unit 404 along the dotted line 910 via the injection port 403 by the centrifugal force 901.

  Here, the centrifuge unit 404 having the first connection part 423, the second connection part 424, and the bottom surface 405 includes a bent part 920 on the first connection part 423 side. The bent part 920 is configured such that the opening of the centrifugal separation unit 404 including the first connection part 423 and the second connection part 424 is widened. In this way, the inspection liquid 600 can be easily injected from the liquid reservoir 401 into the centrifugal separator 404 by making the shape of the centrifugal separator 404 a non-rectangular shape by the bent portion 920 or the like and widening the opening.

  As described above, according to the modification described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, the test liquid injected into the centrifugal separator 404 is reliably injected into the centrifugal separator 404. In addition, the inspection liquid injected into the centrifugal separation unit 404 easily flows out to the storage unit 420 with respect to the surplus. Furthermore, the test liquid can be prevented from flowing out to an unintended site. Therefore, the inspection by the inspection chip 40 can be made appropriate.

  In the above description, the embodiment and some of the modifications have been described as separate examples, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, as a combination of the configurations, the embodiment and some of the modifications may be combined as appropriate. By appropriately combining them, it is possible to reliably prevent the test liquid from flowing out to an unintended part.

  The method described above can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inspection apparatus 5 Motor 9 Optical inspection part 19 Angle adjustment mechanism 40 Inspection chip 401,411 Liquid storage part 402,412 Supply port 403,413 Inlet 404 Centrifugation part 405 Bottom face 414 Storage part 420 Storage part 421 First guide path 422 Second guide route 423 First connection portion 424 Second connection portion 600 Inspection liquid 603 First component 604 Second component 100 (Conventional) inspection chip

Claims (7)

A test object receiver used for the purpose of moving and inspecting a test liquid to be inspected according to a centrifugal force generated by revolution and a predetermined angle held by rotation,
A centrifuge unit capable of performing centrifuge for a predetermined test on the test liquid;
A supply unit having an inlet through which the test liquid can be injected into the centrifuge;
A first guide path that guides at least a part of the test liquid that has been centrifuged by the centrifuge unit from the centrifuge unit to a storage unit that can store the test liquid;
A second guide path for guiding the surplus portion of the test liquid injected into the centrifuge portion from the centrifuge portion to a storage portion capable of storing the surplus portion;
With
The first connection site on the first guide path side of the opening surface of the centrifugal separator is perpendicular to the centrifugal force applied when the test liquid is injected or centrifuged, and the first guide path side is on the second guide path side. The test object receiver, which is located closer to the injection port in a direction parallel to the centrifugal force than a plane including the second connection site.   The test object receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the first guide path forms an acute angle in a direction opposite to the centrifugal force with respect to a plane perpendicular to the centrifugal force and including the second connection part. . A test object receiver used for the purpose of moving and inspecting a test liquid to be inspected according to a centrifugal force generated by revolution and a predetermined angle held by rotation,
A centrifuge unit capable of performing centrifuge for a predetermined test on the test liquid;
A supply unit having an inlet through which the test liquid can be injected into the centrifuge;
A first guide path that guides at least a part of the test liquid that has been centrifuged by the centrifuge unit from the centrifuge unit to a storage unit that can store the test liquid;
A second guide path for guiding the surplus portion of the test liquid injected into the centrifuge portion from the centrifuge portion to a storage portion capable of storing the surplus portion;
With
The first guide path includes a second connection portion on the second guide path side of the opening surface of the centrifugal separator, and is perpendicular to the centrifugal force applied when the inspection liquid is injected or centrifuged. A test object receptacle characterized by forming an acute angle with respect to a plane in a direction opposite to the centrifugal force.   The said 2nd guide path | route makes an acute angle in the direction of the said centrifugal force with respect to the plane perpendicular | vertical to the said centrifugal force and containing the said 2nd connection site | part. The receiving object to be tested.   The arbitrary point on the bottom face in the centrifuge part, the straight line connecting the injection port, and the first guide path do not intersect with each other. Subject to be inspected. About the inspection object receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a rotation step of rotating the inspection object receiver arranged at a predetermined position by the predetermined angle;
A revolving step of revolving so as to apply the centrifugal force to the test object receiver rotated by the rotation step;
A rotation control step for controlling the rotation operation in the rotation step and the revolution operation in the revolution step, with respect to the inspection object receiver,
The inspection method characterized by including. About the inspection target receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a rotation means for rotating the inspection target receptacle arranged at a predetermined position by the predetermined angle;
Revolving means for revolving to apply the centrifugal force to the test object receiver rotated by the rotating means;
Rotation control means for controlling the rotation operation in the rotation means and the revolution operation in the revolution means with respect to the inspection object receiver,
An inspection apparatus comprising:

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