JP2013079811A - Inspection device and inspection method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inspection device and an inspection method capable of obtaining an accurate measurement result even if a liquid is adhered on an outer surface of an inspection object receiving body.SOLUTION: An inspection device rotates a box-shaped receiving body holder 100 for holding an inspection object receiving body 2 containing a liquid around a center axis. After rotating the receiving body holder 100 specified times, light is made to permeate into a storage portion 23 to measure the liquid. The receiving body holder 100 includes: a measurement opening 120 provided countering both side faces of the receiving body holder 100; and a discharge opening 130 provided on a side face facing a downstream side of a centrifugal direction at rotation. When the inspection object receiving body 2 is inserted in the receiving body holder 100, the storage portion 23 of the inspection object receiving body 2 is exposed from the measurement opening 120 and the inspection object receiving body 2 is exposed from the discharge opening 130 at the downstream side of the centrifugal direction.

Description

  The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus and an inspection method for performing chemical, medical, and biological inspections. More specifically, the present invention relates to an inspection apparatus and an inspection method for holding a test object receiver at a position separated from a rotation shaft and rotating the test object receiver to apply a centrifugal force.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed an inspection apparatus that inspects biological substances, chemical substances, and the like by centrifuging an inspection target receptacle called a microchip or an inspection chip (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such an inspection apparatus, the centrifugal force is applied to the inspection target receptacle by rotating the receiver holder holding the inspection target receptacle. Thereafter, a test result is obtained by emitting light from a light source to a liquid (for example, a liquid in which a specimen and a reagent are agitated) contained in a test target receptacle, and receiving light transmitted through the liquid with a sensor. Can do.

JP 2008-8875 A

  When the liquid is stored in the inspection target receptacle, the user drops the liquid on the injection port formed in the inspection target receptacle, and then seals the injection port with a seal body. At this time, if the amount of liquid dripping is too large or the liquid dripping position deviates from the injection port, unnecessary liquid may adhere to the outer surface of the test subject receptacle. Even if the centrifugation process is performed in this state, unnecessary liquid may not be discharged from the inside of the receiver holder and may remain on the outer surface of the test target receiver. As a result, the remaining liquid hinders the light emitted for measurement, which may cause an error in the inspection result.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides an inspection apparatus and an inspection method capable of obtaining an accurate measurement result even when a liquid adheres to the outer surface of the inspection target receptacle. With the goal.

  An inspection apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention stores an injection port into which a liquid is injected, a flow channel in which the liquid injected from the injection port is movable, and the liquid that has moved to the downstream side of the flow channel. An inspection apparatus in which the storage object formed is rotated around an axis separated from the inspection object receiver, and the liquid is moved in the flow path by centrifugal force, A box-like shape that has an internal space in which the inspection subject receptacle can be inserted and removed, and that holds the inspection subject receptacle in a posture in which an extending direction of the flow path and a virtual plane including the axis are parallel to each other The receiver holder, the receiver holder for holding the inspection target receiver, a driving unit that rotates the axis about the axis, and the driving unit rotates the receiver holder by a predetermined amount. Light extending in a direction crossing the extending direction of the road is transmitted to the storage portion. A measuring unit for measuring the liquid, wherein the receiver holder is a pair of openings disposed opposite to both side surfaces of the receiver holder substantially parallel to the extending direction of the flow path, An optical path that passes through the reservoir during measurement by the measurement unit, with the reservoir being exposed in a direction that intersects the extending direction of the flow path in a state where the receptor to be inspected is inserted in the receptor holder. Among the other side surfaces of the receiver holder that are different from the measurement port in which the measurement port is provided and the side surfaces on which the measurement port is provided, provided on the side surface facing the downstream side in the centrifugal direction when rotated by the drive unit An opening that includes a discharge port that exposes the test target receptacle to the downstream side in the centrifugal direction in a state where the test target receptacle is inserted into the receiver holder.

  In the above inspection apparatus, the box-shaped receiver holder that holds the receiver to be inspected is rotated around the axis, and the extending direction of the flow path and the virtual plane including the axis are held in a parallel posture. Centrifugal force is applied to the test object receiver. After the receiver holder is rotated by a predetermined amount, the liquid is measured by transmitting light to the storage portion. The receiver holder includes a measurement port disposed opposite to both side surfaces, and a discharge port provided on a side surface facing the downstream side in the centrifugal direction when rotating. When the inspection target receptacle is inserted into the receptacle holder, the reservoir is exposed from the measurement port, and the inspection target receptacle is exposed from the discharge port downstream in the centrifugal direction. Thereby, at the time of rotation by the inspection apparatus, the liquid adhering to the outer surface of the inspection target receiver moves to the downstream side in the centrifugal direction and is discharged out of the receiver holder through the discharge port. At the time of measurement by the inspection apparatus, an optical path passing through the storage unit is formed through the measurement port, and the liquid is measured. Therefore, an accurate measurement result can be obtained even when liquid adheres to the outer surface of the test object receptacle.

  In the inspection apparatus, the discharge port may be opened above a position extending from the measurement port to the downstream side in the centrifugal direction. In this case, since the liquid adhering to the outer surface of the test object receiver moves on the outer surface of the test object receiver by centrifugal force at the time of rotation, and is discharged from the discharge port provided above the measurement port, The liquid can be prevented from adhering to the measurement port.

  In the above-described inspection apparatus, the discharge port may be opened at a position extending from the injection port to the downstream side in the centrifugal direction in a state where the inspection target receiver is inserted into the receiver holder. In this case, the liquid that has leaked from the inlet to the outer surface of the test subject receptacle moves to the outlet in the shortest distance toward the downstream side in the centrifugal direction. Therefore, the liquid leaking from the inlet can be reliably moved to the outlet and discharged to the outside of the receiver holder.

  In the inspection apparatus, the outlet is provided outside the range in which the receiver holder is rotated as viewed from the axis, and at a position extending from the outlet to the downstream side in the centrifugal direction, and the outlet holder is rotated when the receiver holder is rotated. You may further provide the liquid receiving part which receives the said liquid discharged | emitted from. In this case, the liquid discharged from the receiver holder is received by the liquid receiver outside the range in which the receiver holder is rotated. Therefore, it can suppress that the liquid discharged | emitted from the receiving body holder splashes in the site | part which the inspection apparatus does not intend.

  In the inspection apparatus, the measurement unit may be configured such that a light source that emits light from the outside of a range in which the holder holder is rotated to the measurement port and light that is emitted from the measurement port are rotated by the receiver holder. A sensor for receiving light outside the range, provided below a position extending from the discharge port to the downstream side in the centrifugal direction, and the liquid discharged from the discharge port when the receiver holder rotates. In addition, a liquid protection unit may be further provided to prevent adhesion to at least one of the light source and the sensor. In this case, the liquid protector can prevent the liquid scattered outside the range in which the receiver holder is rotated from adhering to at least one of the light source and the sensor.

  An inspection method according to an aspect of the present invention is an inspection method that is executed by the inspection apparatus and measures the liquid contained in the inspection target receptacle by centrifuging, and the inspection target receptacle is held. In addition, a first centrifugation step of rotating the receiver holder at the maximum rotation speed that can be used in the inspection method by the drive unit, and rotation of the drive unit below the maximum rotation number after the execution of the first centrifugation step. A second centrifuge step that rotates by a number, a measurement position movement step that moves the receiver holder to a specified position where the liquid is measured by the measurement unit after execution of the second centrifuge step, and the measurement position movement After the execution of the process, an optical path passing through the measurement port is formed by the measurement unit, and the measurement step includes measuring the liquid based on light transmitted through the storage unit.

  In the inspection method, the receiver holder holding the inspection target receiver is rotated at the maximum number of rotations and then rotated at the number of rotations equal to or less than the maximum number of rotations. Thereafter, an optical path that passes through the measurement port is formed for the receiver holder that has been moved to the specified position, and the liquid is measured based on the light that passes through the reservoir. According to this, when the receiver holder is first rotated at the maximum number of rotations, the liquid adhering to the outer surface of the test target receiver is reliably moved to the discharge port on the downstream side in the centrifugal direction. Thereafter, liquid is moved and agitated in the test object receiver with the optimum centrifugal force based on the rotation speed equal to or lower than the maximum rotation speed in a state where unnecessary liquid is not attached to the test object receiver. be able to.

It is a left view of the test | inspection apparatus 1 in which the receiving body holder 100 exists in a steady state. It is a left view of the test | inspection apparatus 1 in which the receiving body holder 100 exists in a displacement state. It is a top view of the inspection apparatus 1 shown in FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the inspection apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 from diagonally upward. 2 is a perspective view of a receiver holder 100. FIG. It is a front view of the test object receiver. It is a front view of the receiving body holder 100 in which the test object receiving body 2 was accommodated. It is a right view of the receptacle holder 100 in which the test subject receptacle 2 was accommodated. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a control device 90. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of main processing executed by the inspection apparatus 1. It is a figure which shows the state change of the test object receiver 2 in the receiver holder 100 revolved in the steady state. It is a figure which shows the state change of the test object receiver 2 in the receiver holder 100 revolved in the displacement state. It is a figure which shows the state change of the test object receiver 2 in the receiver holder 100 after a centrifugation process.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings to be referred to are used to explain technical features that can be adopted by the present invention, and are merely illustrative examples.

  In the present embodiment, the inspection apparatus 1 uses the inspection object receiver 2 that can accommodate a liquid to be inspected (hereinafter referred to as a specimen) and a liquid mixed with the specimen (hereinafter referred to as a reagent). The case where a test | inspection is performed is illustrated. The inspection apparatus 1 can apply a centrifugal force to the inspection object receiver 2 by rotation about a vertical axis that is separated from the inspection object receiver 2. In addition, the inspection apparatus 1 can switch the direction of centrifugal force applied to the inspection object receiver 2 (hereinafter referred to as the centrifugal direction) by rotating the inspection object receiver 2 around the horizontal axis.

  The schematic structure of the inspection apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the upper, lower, right, left, front side, and back side of FIGS. 1 and 2 are respectively the upper, lower, front, rear, right, and left sides of the inspection apparatus 1. To do. The upper, lower, right, left, front side, and back side of FIG. 3 are the left side, right side, front side, rear side, upper side, and lower side of the inspection apparatus 1, respectively. For easy understanding, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show the upper housing 30 with a virtual line, and FIG. 3 shows a state where the top plate of the upper housing 30 is removed. In FIG. 4, only the upper housing 30, the receiver holder 100, and the turntable 33 among the members installed on the upper plate 32 are illustrated.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the inspection apparatus 1 includes an upper housing 30, a lower housing 31, a turntable 33, a receiver holder 100, an angle changing mechanism 34, a control device 90, and the like. The lower housing 31 is supported on the installation surface of the inspection apparatus 1 by the leg portions 50 at the four corners, and a drive mechanism that rotates the turntable 33 around the vertical axis is provided inside. The turntable 33 is a disk-shaped rotating body that is provided on the upper surface side of the lower housing 31 and holds the receiver holder 100 upward. The receiver holder 100 is a box-shaped body that holds the inspection target receiver 2 inside. The angle changing mechanism 34 is a drive mechanism that is provided on the turntable 33 and rotates the receiver holder 100 around a horizontal axis. The upper housing 30 is fixed to the upper side of the lower housing 31, and the measuring unit 7 that optically measures the liquid stored in the inspection target receptacle 2 is provided inside. The control device 90 is a controller that controls centrifugal processing, measurement processing, and the like of the inspection device 1.

  The detailed structure of the lower housing 31 will be described. The lower housing 31 has a box-shaped frame structure in which frame members are combined. On the upper surface of the lower housing 31, an upper plate 32 that is a rectangular plate material in plan view is provided. A turntable 33 is rotatably provided above the upper plate 32. Inside the lower housing 31, a mechanism for rotating the turntable 33 is provided as follows.

  An inner frame member 52 extending horizontally in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIGS. 1 and 2) is installed in the lower housing 31. A spindle motor 35 that supplies a driving force for rotating the turntable 33 is installed near the rear in the lower housing 31. A shaft 36 of the main shaft motor 35 protrudes upward, and a pulley 37 is fixed. A vertical main shaft 57 extending upward from the inside of the lower housing 31 is provided at the center of the lower housing 31 in plan view. The main shaft 57 passes through the upper plate 32 and protrudes above the lower housing 31. The upper end portion of the main shaft 57 is connected to the center portion of the turntable 33 in plan view.

  A support member 53 that is a holding metal fitting through which the main shaft 57 passes is provided directly below the upper plate 32. The support member 53 is fixed to the middle frame member 52 by a pair of frames 54. The main shaft 57 is rotatably held by the support member 53. A pulley 38 is fixed below the support member 53 on the main shaft 57. A belt 39 is stretched over the pulleys 37 and 38. When the main shaft motor 35 rotates the shaft 36, the driving force is transmitted to the main shaft 57 via the pulley 37, the belt 39 and the pulley 38. At this time, the turntable 33 rotates around the main shaft 57 in conjunction with the rotation of the main shaft 57.

  A guide rail 56 that extends vertically from the bottom surface of the lower housing 31 to the lower surface of the upper plate 32 is provided near the front in the lower housing 31. The T-shaped plate 48, which is a T-shaped plate-shaped connection fitting, is movable in the vertical direction within the lower housing 31 along the guide rail 56. A horizontally long groove 80 is formed on the left side of the T-shaped plate 48 (the back side in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2).

  The aforementioned main shaft 57 is a cylindrical body having a hollow inside. The inner shaft 40 is a vertical shaft that can move in the vertical direction inside the main shaft 57. An upper end portion of the inner shaft 40 passes through the main shaft 57 and is connected to a rack gear 43 described later. A bearing 55 fixed to the middle frame member 52 is provided below the main shaft 57. Below the bearing 55, a bearing 41 fixed to the rear end portion of the T-shaped plate 48 is provided. A bearing (not shown) is provided inside the bearing 41, and a lower end portion of the inner shaft 40 is inserted therein. The intermediate portion and the lower end portion of the inner shaft 40 are rotatably held by bearings 55 and 41, respectively.

  On the left side of the T-shaped plate 48, a stepping motor 51 for moving the T-shaped plate 48 up and down is fixed by a fixing tool (not shown). The shaft 58 of the stepping motor 51 protrudes toward the right side (the front side in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2), and a disc-shaped cam plate 59 is fixed to the tip. A cylindrical projection 70 is provided on the right surface of the cam plate 59. Since the tip of the protrusion 70 is inserted into the groove 80 described above, the protrusion 70 can slide in the groove 80. When the stepping motor 51 rotates the shaft 58, the projection 70 moves up and down in conjunction with the rotation of the cam plate 59. At this time, the T-shaped plate 48 moves up and down along the guide rail 56 in conjunction with the protrusion 70 inserted in the groove 80.

  The detailed structure of the angle changing mechanism 34 will be described. The angle changing mechanism 34 has an L-shaped plate 60 that is a pair of L-shaped plate-shaped connecting brackets fixed to the upper surface of the turntable 33. Each L-shaped plate 60 extends upward from a base portion fixed in the vicinity of the center of the turntable 33, and its upper end portion extends outward in the radial direction of the turntable 33. A rack gear 43 fixed to the inner shaft 40 is provided between the pair of L-shaped plates 60. The rack gear 43 is a vertically long metal plate-like member, and gears are carved on both end faces.

  A horizontal shaft 46 of the gear 45 is rotatably supported on the distal end side in the extending direction of each L-shaped plate 60. Since the shaft 46 is fixed to the receiver holder 100, the receiver holder 100 also rotates about the shaft 46 in conjunction with the rotation of the gear 45. Between the gear 45 and the rack gear 43, a pinion gear 44 supported by an L-shaped plate 60 so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis is interposed. The pinion gear 44 meshes with the gear 45 and the rack gear 43, respectively.

  A columnar guide member 42 is provided at the upper end of the rack gear 43. The upper ends of the pair of frames 62 are fixed to a plate-like upper plate 61, respectively. The guide member 42 is held so as to be slidable in the vertical direction while being inserted into an opening formed in the central portion of the upper plate 61. In conjunction with the vertical movement of the rack gear 43, the pinion gear 44 and the gear 45 are driven to rotate, and the receiver holder 100 is rotated about the shaft 46.

  In the present embodiment, as the main shaft motor 35 rotationally drives the turntable 33, the receiver holder 100 rotates about the main shaft 57 (that is, the vertical axis), and centrifugal force is applied to the inspection target receiver 2. Is granted. The rotation around the vertical axis of the receiver holder 100 is referred to as “revolution”. On the other hand, as the stepping motor 51 moves the inner shaft 40 up and down, the receiver holder 100 rotates around the shaft 46 (that is, the horizontal axis), and the centrifugal direction acting on the inspection target receiver 2 is relatively relative. Change. The rotation around the horizontal axis of the receiver holder 100 is referred to as “rotation”. In addition, the acceptor holder 100 is a virtual plane (that is, a vertical plane) including the extending direction of the flow paths 24 and 25 (see FIG. 6) described later and the main shaft 57 regardless of an angle change accompanying rotation and revolution. The test object receptacle 2 is held inside in a posture in which and are parallel to each other.

  When the T-shaped plate 48 is lowered to the lowest end of the movable range (see FIG. 1), the rack gear 43 is also lowered to the lowest end of the movable range. At this time, the receiver holder 100 is in a state where the rotation angle is 0 degrees (hereinafter referred to as a steady state). On the other hand, when the T-shaped plate 48 is raised to the uppermost end of the movable range (see FIG. 2), the rack gear 43 is also lowered to the uppermost end of the movable range. At this time, the receiver holder 100 is rotated from the steady state by 90 degrees around the horizontal axis (hereinafter referred to as a displaced state). That is, the angular width in which the holder holder 100 can rotate (hereinafter, referred to as a rotatable range) is a range from a steady state (0 degrees) to a displaced state (90 degrees).

  The detailed structure of the upper housing 30 will be described. The upper housing 30 has a box-like frame structure in which frame members are combined, and is installed on the upper rear side of the upper plate 32. More specifically, the upper housing 30 is provided outside the range in which the receiver holder 100 is rotated as viewed from the rotation center of the turntable 33 (that is, the main shaft 57). The upper housing 30 has an opposing wall 81 that extends in an arc shape in plan view on the outer peripheral side of the turntable 33.

  The measuring unit 7 provided in the upper housing 30 is in a direction intersecting with an extending direction of channels 24 and 25 (see FIG. 6) described later (in this embodiment, an extending direction of the channels 24 and 25). The liquid in the inspection target receptacle 2 is measured by transmitting light extending in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the inspection target receptacle 2 (specifically, a storage unit 23 described later). The measurement unit 7 includes a light source 71 that emits measurement light and an optical sensor 72 that detects measurement light emitted from the light source 71.

  The light source 71 is provided at the left rear part of the inspection apparatus 1, while the optical sensor 72 is provided at the right rear part of the inspection apparatus 1. That is, the light source 71 and the optical sensor 72 are disposed on both the left and right sides of the turntable 33 outside the rotation range of the receiver holder 100. The light source 71 has a light emitting unit 71 </ b> A that emits measurement light toward the right side of the inspection apparatus 1. The optical sensor 72 has a light receiving portion 72A that receives measurement light emitted from the left side of the inspection apparatus 1. The height position of the optical path connecting the light source 71 and the optical sensor 72 is equal to the height position of a measurement port 120 (see FIG. 5) described later with reference to the receiver holder 100 in a steady state. In the facing wall 81, exposure ports 85 and 86 for exposing the light emitting portion 71A and the light receiving portion 72A to the outside of the upper housing 30 are formed.

  In this embodiment, the inspection object receiver 2 held by the receiver holder 100 at the measurement position is the inspection object receiver 2 to be measured. When the receiver holder 100 revolving around the main shaft 57 is present at the measurement position (see FIGS. 3 and 4), if the receiver holder 100 is in a steady state, the measurement light extending in the left-right direction of the inspection apparatus 1 will be described later. Through the measurement port 120. More specifically, the receiver holder 100 at the measurement position is positioned behind the rotation center of the turntable 33, and the measurement light is in a plan view with respect to the front and rear surfaces of the receiver holder 100. Orthogonal.

  Further, the opposing wall 81 is formed with a liquid receiving portion 82 and liquid protecting portions 83 and 84. The liquid receiving part 82 is a part that receives liquid discharged from the discharge port 130 (see FIG. 5) of the receiving holder 100 during revolution. The liquid protection parts 83 and 84 are parts for preventing the liquid discharged from the outlet 130 of the receiving holder 100 during revolution from adhering to the light source 71 and the optical sensor 72, respectively.

  The liquid receiving part 82 is a sheet-like sponge that can absorb liquid, and is located outside the rotation range of the receiver holder 100 and extending downstream from a discharge port 130 described later in the centrifugal direction (that is, in the horizontal direction). Is provided. The liquid receiving portion 82 covers the surface of the opposing wall 81 with a vertical width including a movable range of a discharge port 130 described later that moves up and down according to the rotation of the receiver holder 100. Therefore, the height position of the lower end portion of the liquid receiving portion 82 is equal to or lower than the height position of the lowermost discharge port 130 (in the present embodiment, the opening portion 132) with reference to the receiver holder 100 in the steady state. The height position of the upper end portion of the liquid receiving portion 82 is equal to or higher than the height position of the uppermost discharge port 130 (in the present embodiment, the opening portion 131) with respect to the receiving holder 100 in the displaced state.

  The liquid protection parts 83 and 84 are provided outside the rotational range of the receiver holder 100 and below a position extending from a discharge port 130 described later to the downstream side in the centrifugal direction (that is, the horizontal direction). Specifically, the liquid protection part 83 is a plate-like convex part provided on the upper side of the exposure port 85 and projecting from the opposing wall 81 to the turntable 33 side. The liquid protection part 84 is a plate-like convex part provided on the upper side of the exposure port 86 and projecting from the opposing wall 81 to the turntable 33 side. The liquid protection parts 83 and 84 prevent the liquid flowing down the facing wall 81 from entering the exposure ports 85 and 86, respectively.

  With reference to FIG. 5, the detailed structure of the receiving body holder 100 is demonstrated. In the following description, the upper, lower, lower right, upper left, lower left, and upper left in FIG. 5 are the upper, lower, left, right, front, and rear of the holder 100, respectively. As described above, the pair of receiver holders 100 are disposed above the turntable 33 so as to face each other with the rotation center of the turntable 33 interposed therebetween. Each receiver holder 100 has a wall portion (bottom wall 101, right wall 102, left wall 103, front wall 104, rear wall 105) surrounding other than the upper side, and an opening 107 is formed on the upper side. The opening 107 is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view corresponding to the inspection object receptacle 2 described later. Therefore, the test subject receiver 2 can be inserted into and removed from the internal space of the receiver holder 100 through the opening 107.

  The receiver holder 100 has a lid 106 that can open and close the opening 107. The lid 106 is a rectangular plate-like member in plan view that is slightly larger than the opening 107. A hinge 110 that rotatably supports one end portion of the lid 106 in the longitudinal direction is provided at the upper end portion of the right wall 102. On the other hand, a lock mechanism 111 is provided at the other end of the lid 106 in the longitudinal direction. The lock mechanism 111 includes a lever member 113 and a support member 112. The lever member 113 is a small plate-like body extending vertically, and has a locking claw 114 at the lower end portion and a pressing portion 115 at the upper end portion. The support member 112 rotatably supports the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the lever member 113.

  At the upper end of the left wall 103, a recess 109 is formed in which the locking claw 114 is fitted in a state where the lid 106 is closed. The lever member 113 is biased in a direction in which the locking claw 114 is locked to the recess 109 by a spring not shown. Thereby, when the test object receiver 2 is inserted into the receiver holder 100 and the lid 106 is closed, the lock mechanism 111 prevents the lid 106 from being naturally opened. In this state, the inner surface of the lid 106 comes into contact with the upper end portion of the inspection object receiver 2, and the inspection object receiver 2 is fixed inside the receiver holder 100. In addition, when inserting / removing the test object receptacle 2 with respect to the receptacle holder 100, the user can open the lid 106 by operating the pressing portion 115.

  A shaft 46 extending from the L-shaped plate 60 is connected to the rear wall 105, and the receiver holder 100 rotates as the shaft 46 rotates (see FIGS. 1 to 3). When the receiver holder 100 is in a steady state, the hinge 110 is held so that it faces the inside of the turntable 33 and the lock mechanism 111 faces the outside of the turntable 33 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). Therefore, when the steady state holder 100 is revolved, the left wall 103 faces the downstream side in the centrifugal direction, and the right wall 102 side faces the upstream side in the centrifugal direction. On the other hand, when the receiving body holder 100 is in a displaced state, the hinge 110 is held downward and the lock mechanism 111 is held upward (see FIG. 2). Therefore, when the receiving holder 100 in the displaced state is revolved, the bottom wall 101 faces the downstream side in the centrifugal direction, and the lid 106 faces the upstream side in the centrifugal direction.

  Furthermore, the receiver holder 100 of this embodiment includes a measurement port 120 and a discharge port 130. The measurement port 120 is an opening for measuring the liquid stored in the inspection target receptacle 2. The discharge port 130 is an opening for discharging the liquid adhering to the outer surface of the inspection target receptacle 2.

  The measurement port 120 is a pair of openings 121 and 122 arranged to face the front wall 104 and the rear wall 105 that are both side surfaces of the receiver holder 100. The measurement port 120 is provided at a position that is downstream in the centrifugal direction in the receiver holder 100 and downstream in the gravity direction in a steady state. More specifically, the opening 121 is provided in the lower left part (lower right part in FIG. 5) of the front wall 104, and the opening 122 is provided in the lower left part (lower right part in FIG. 5) of the rear wall 105. Yes. The openings 121 and 122 are formed in the same square shape and communicate with each other in the front-rear direction through the internal space of the receiver holder 100.

  The discharge port 130 is an opening provided in the left wall 103 which is a side surface facing the downstream side in the centrifugal direction among the other side surfaces of the receiver holder 100 different from the both side surfaces provided with the measurement port 120. The discharge port 130 is provided at a position corresponding to the injection ports 201 and 202 (see FIG. 6) in a state where the inspection target receiver 2 is accommodated in the receiver holder 100. In the present embodiment, two openings 131 and 132 are provided as the outlet 130 corresponding to the two inlets 201 and 202.

  More specifically, the opening 131 is provided at the same height position as the reservoir 21 (that is, the upper edge of the left wall 103) with the receiver holder 100 in a steady state as a reference, and the opening 132 is the reservoir. 22 at the same height position (that is, below the opening 132 of the left wall 103). The openings 131 and 132 are formed in the same horizontally long rectangular shape and communicate with the internal space of the receiver holder 100. Further, the discharge port 130 is opened above a position extending from the measurement port 120 to the downstream side in the centrifugal direction. More specifically, when the receiver holder 100 rotates within the above-described rotation range, the discharge port 130 is always positioned above the measurement port 120.

  With reference to FIG. 6, the detailed structure of the test object receptacle 2 is demonstrated. In the following description, the upper, lower, left, right, front side, and back side of FIG. 6 are respectively the upper, lower, right, left, front, and rear sides of the inspection object receiver 2. . The inspection object receptacle 2 is formed in a square shape in a front view, and mainly includes a transparent synthetic resin plate material 20 having a predetermined thickness. On the front surface of the plate member 20, storage portions 21, 22, and 23 that are three depressions and flow paths 24 and 25 that are two groove portions are formed.

  The storage unit 21 is formed in the upper right part (upper left part in FIG. 6) of the test object receptacle 2, and the specimen injected into the test object receptor 2 is stored. The storage part 22 is formed below the storage part 21 of the test object receptacle 2 and stores the reagent injected into the test object receiver 2. The storage part 23 is formed in the lower left part (lower right part in FIG. 6) of the test object receptacle 2, and stores the liquid in which the specimen and the reagent are stirred by the centrifugal process. The flow path 24 extends from the storage unit 21 to the storage unit 23, and the injected specimen can move according to the centrifugal force. The flow path 25 extends from the storage unit 22 to the storage unit 23, and the injected reagent can move according to the centrifugal force.

  The front surface of the plate member 20 is sealed with a cover member 200 made of a transparent synthetic resin thin plate. The cover member 200 is formed with an injection port 201 that is an opening for injecting a specimen into the storage unit 21 and an injection port 202 that is an opening for injecting a reagent into the storage unit 22. Note that after the specimen and the reagent are injected, the sealing patch 210 is attached to the injection port 201 and the injection port 202, respectively. Thereby, the specimen and the reagent stored in the storage units 21 and 22 are prevented from flowing out from the injection ports 201 and 202 to the outside of the test target receptacle 2.

  With reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the receiving body holder 100 in which the inspection object receiving body 2 is accommodated will be described. The test object receiver 2 is inserted into the receiver holder 100 in the vertical direction through the opening 107 so that the front and rear, left and right directions coincide with the receiver holder 100. When the lid 106 is closed, the inspection object receiver 2 is fixed in the receiver holder 100.

  Thereby, the storage part 23 of the test object receptacle 2 passes through the measurement port 120 and intersects with the extending direction of the flow paths 24 and 25 (in this embodiment, the extending direction of the flow paths 24 and 25). (Horizontal direction perpendicular to the surface). Specifically, the storage portion 23 is exposed to the front and rear of the receiver holder 100 through the openings 121 and 122, respectively. In addition, the left side surface of the inspection target receiver 2 is exposed to the downstream side in the centrifugal direction (in the present embodiment, to the left of the receiver holder 100) via the discharge port 130. Specifically, a portion corresponding to the height position of the injection ports 201 and 202 in the left side surface of the inspection object receiver 2 is exposed through the openings 131 and 132.

  The electrical configuration of the control device 90 will be described with reference to FIG. The control device 90 includes a CPU 91 that performs main control of the inspection device 1, a RAM 92 that temporarily stores various data, and a ROM 93 that stores a control program. Connected to the CPU 91 are an operation unit 94 for inputting instructions to the control device 90, a hard disk device (HDD) 95 for storing various data and programs, a display 96 for displaying various information, and the like.

  Furthermore, a revolution controller 97, a rotation controller 98, a measurement controller 99, and the like are connected to the CPU 91. The revolution controller 97 controls the revolution of the receiver holder 100 by rotationally driving the spindle motor 35. The rotation controller 98 controls the rotation of the receiver holder 100 by rotating the stepping motor 51. The measurement controller 99 performs optical measurement of the inspection object by performing light emission control of the light source 71 and detection control of the optical sensor 72.

  An inspection method using the inspection apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. Prior to the execution of the main process (FIG. 10), the user drops the specimen and the reagent into the reservoirs 21 and 22 of the test subject receptacle 2 and seals the inlets 201 and 202 with the sealing patch 210, respectively. Thereafter, the user inserts the inspection object receiver 2 into the receiver holder 100 and inputs a command to start processing from the operation unit 94. As a result, the CPU 91 executes the following main process (FIG. 10) based on the control program stored in the ROM 93. In FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the centrifugal direction acting on the test object receptacle 2 is indicated by an arrow.

  First, the rotation controller 98 rotates the receiver holder 100 until it reaches a steady state (see FIG. 1) (S1). The revolution controller 97 causes the receiver holder 100 in a steady state to revolve at the maximum number of revolutions (S3). The revolution controller 97 can control the number of revolutions per unit time of the receiver holder 100 (that is, the number of revolutions of the turntable 33 per unit time). The maximum rotation speed is the highest rotation speed within the range of rotation speeds that can be controlled during the centrifugation.

  That is, immediately after the start of the main process (FIG. 10), the receiver holder 100 is revolved at the maximum rotational speed in a steady state over a first predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds). Thereby, as shown in FIG. 11, the specimen in the storage unit 21 flows into the storage unit 23 via the flow path 24 by centrifugal force. The reagent in the storage unit 22 flows into the storage unit 23 via the flow path 25 by centrifugal force and mixes with the specimen.

  By the way, when the user drops liquid (specimen and reagent) from the inlets 201 and 202, if the amount of liquid dropped is too large or the dropping position is removed from the inlets 201 and 202, the liquid is removed from the cover member 200. It may adhere to the surface (particularly in the vicinity of the inlets 201 and 202). When the receiver holder 100 is revolved in this state, the liquid attached to the surface of the cover member 200 moves in the centrifugal direction. Even when the sealing patch 210 is not sufficiently applied, the liquid leaks from the inlets 201 and 202 during the revolution of the receiver holder 100 and moves on the surface of the cover member 200 in the centrifugal direction.

  In the holder holder 100 of the present embodiment, a discharge port 130 (openings 131 and 132) is provided in the left wall 103 facing the downstream side in the centrifugal direction during revolution. In step S <b> 3, as the steady-state receiver holder 100 is revolved, unnecessary liquid inside the receiver holder 100 is removed from the outer surface (specifically, the cover member 200 of the cover member 200). The surface is moved and discharged to the outside of the receiver holder 100 through the discharge port 130. It should be noted that the “first predetermined time” is the steady state of the receiver holder 100 until the unnecessary liquid does not remain in the inspection target receiver 2 (that is, until all unnecessary liquid is discharged from the outlet 130). It is preferable that it is time to continue the revolution.

  Further, the discharge port 130 (openings 131 and 132) is provided on the downstream side in the centrifugal direction of the injection ports 201 and 202 where unnecessary liquid easily adheres or leaks. Therefore, the liquid that moves in the centrifugal direction from the inlets 201 and 202 moves at the shortest distance to the outlet 130 and is reliably discharged to the outside of the receiver holder 100. Furthermore, in step S3 described above, since the maximum rotation amount of centrifugal force is applied to the receiver holder 100, unnecessary liquid can be reliably moved from the inspection target receiver 2 to the discharge port 130.

  The liquid discharged from the discharge port 130 further scatters in the centrifugal direction and is received by the liquid receiving portion 82 outside the rotation range of the receiver holder 100. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the liquid discharged from the receiver holder 100 from being scattered to an unintended part of the inspection apparatus 1. Further, the liquid protection units 83 and 84 prevent the liquid scattered outside the rotation range of the receiver holder 100 from adhering to the light source 71 and the optical sensor 72.

  When the first predetermined time elapses after the execution of step S3, the rotation controller 98 rotates the rotating holder holder 100 by 90 degrees (S5), and the holder holder 100 enters a displaced state (see FIG. 2). . Thereby, as shown in FIG. 12, the acceptor holder 100 is revolved over a second predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) in a displaced state. However, in step S5, the revolution controller 97 causes the receiver holder 100 to revolve at an optimum number of rotations equal to or less than the maximum number of rotations. In the storage unit 23, the mixed liquid of the specimen and the reagent is stirred by a change in the centrifugal direction.

  When the second predetermined time elapses after step S5 is executed, the rotation controller 98 causes the rotating holder holder 100 to rotate -90 degrees (S7), and the holder holder 100 is in a steady state (see FIG. 1). Become. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 11, the receiving body holder 100 is revolved over a third predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) in a steady state. However, in step S7, the revolution controller 97 causes the receiver holder 100 to revolve at an optimum number of rotations equal to or less than the maximum number of rotations. In the storage unit 23, the mixed liquid of the specimen and the reagent is stirred by a change in the centrifugal direction.

  When the receiver holder 100 of this embodiment is at least in a steady state, the discharge port 130 exists above a position extending from the measurement port 120 to the downstream side in the centrifugal direction (see FIG. 11). Therefore, unnecessary liquid that moves on the outer surface of the test object receiver 2 is prevented from entering the measurement port 120 inside the receiver holder 100 revolved in a steady state. The “second predetermined time” and the “third predetermined time” are preferably revolution times sufficient to stir the mixed solution in the reservoir 23.

  When the third predetermined time has elapsed from the execution of step S7, the revolution controller 97 ends the revolution so that the receiver holder 100 that has returned to the steady state stops at the measurement position (see FIGS. 3 and 4). S9). When the revolution is finished, as shown in FIG. 13, in the holder holder 100, the liquid mixture accumulates in the lower part of the reservoir 23 according to gravity. In this state, the measurement controller 99 performs optical measurement of the liquid present in the inspection target receptacle 2 after the centrifugal processing (S11). Specifically, measurement light is emitted from the light source 71 toward the optical sensor 72. Since this measurement light passes through the measurement port 120 of the receiver holder 100 at the measurement position, it forms an optical path that passes through the storage portion 23 of the test object receiver 2 exposed from the measurement port 120. Since the measurement light is attenuated when passing through the liquid mixture in the storage unit 23, an inspection result is obtained based on the amount of light received by the optical sensor 72. After execution of step S11, the main process (FIG. 10) is terminated.

  As described above, according to the inspection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when the inspection apparatus 1 is centrifuged, the liquid adhering to the outer surface of the inspection object receiver 2 moves to the downstream side in the centrifugal direction, and the discharge port 130. And is discharged to the outside of the receiver holder 100. During the measurement process of the inspection apparatus 1, an optical path passing through the storage unit 23 is formed through the measurement port 120 and the liquid is measured. Therefore, even when a liquid adheres to the outer surface of the inspection object receptacle 2, an accurate measurement result can be obtained.

  Further, in the main processing (FIG. 10) of the inspection apparatus 1, the receiver holder 100 is first rotated at the maximum number of rotations, so that the liquid adhering to the outer surface of the inspection object receiver 2 is reliably downstream in the centrifugal direction. It is moved to the outlet 130. Thereafter, with no unnecessary liquid adhering to the test object receiver 2, the liquid is moved and stirred in the test object receiver 2 with the optimum centrifugal force based on the rotation speed less than the maximum rotation speed. It can be performed.

  In the above embodiment, the spindle motor 35 corresponds to the “drive unit” of the present invention. Step S3 corresponds to the “first centrifugation step” of the present invention. Steps S5 and S7 correspond to the “second centrifugation step” of the present invention. Step S9 corresponds to the “measurement position moving step” of the present invention. Step S11 corresponds to the “measurement step” of the present invention.

  Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, the structure of the test object receiver 2 and the receiver holder 100, the rotation angle of the receiver holder 100, the centrifugal direction, and the like are merely examples, and may be determined according to the measurement conditions.

  That is, in the inspection device 1 of the above embodiment, the rotation angle of the receiver holder 100 is 0 degree to 90 degrees. Instead of this, the inspection apparatus 1 may rotate the receiver holder 100 in another angle range (for example, 0 degrees to 180 degrees). Further, the structure of the receiver holder 100 can be changed as appropriate according to the structure of the test object receiver 2 accommodated therein. Specifically, the measurement port 120 should just be provided in the position corresponding to the liquid storage part in the test object receptacle 2 after a centrifugation process. In addition, the discharge port 130 should just be provided in at least one part of the side surface of the receiver holder 100 which faces the downstream of a centrifugal direction.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inspection apparatus 2 Inspection object receiver 7 Measuring part 23 Storage part 24 Channel 25 Channel 35 Main shaft motor 71 Light source 72 Optical sensor 82 Liquid receiving part 83 Liquid protection part 84 Liquid protection part 100 Receiver holder 120 Measurement port 121 Opening part 122 opening 130 outlet 131 opening 132 opening 201 inlet 202 inlet

Claims (6)

An inspection object in which an inlet into which liquid is injected, a flow path in which the liquid injected from the inlet is movable, and a storage section in which the liquid moved to the downstream side of the flow path is stored An inspection apparatus that rotates a receiver around an axis separated from the inspection object receiver and moves the liquid in the flow path by centrifugal force,
A box-like shape that has an internal space in which the inspection subject receptacle can be inserted and removed, and that holds the inspection subject receptacle in a posture in which an extending direction of the flow path and a virtual plane including the axis are parallel to each other A receiver holder,
A drive unit for rotating the receiver holder, which holds the inspection target receiver, about the axis; and
After the receiver holder is rotated by a predetermined amount by the driving unit, the measuring unit is configured to transmit the light extending in the direction intersecting the extending direction of the flow path to the storage unit and measure the liquid.
The receiver holder is
A pair of openings disposed opposite to both side surfaces of the receiver holder substantially parallel to the extending direction of the flow path, the inspection object receiver being inserted into the receiver holder, A storage port is exposed in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the flow path, and a measurement port in which an optical path passing through the storage unit is formed at the time of measurement by the measurement unit;
Of the other side surface of the receiver holder that is different from the both side surfaces provided with the measurement port, an opening provided on a side surface facing the downstream side in the centrifugal direction when rotated by the drive unit, An inspection apparatus comprising: a discharge port that exposes the inspection target receptacle to the downstream side in the centrifugal direction in a state where the target receptacle is inserted into the receiver holder.   The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge port opens above a position extending from the measurement port to the downstream side in the centrifugal direction.   The said discharge port is opened in the position extended in the downstream of the said centrifugal direction from the said injection port in the state in which the said test subject receptacle is inserted in the said receptacle holder, The Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Inspection device.   Provided outside the range in which the receiver holder is rotated as viewed from the axis, and at a position extending downstream from the outlet in the centrifugal direction, and is discharged from the outlet when the receiver holder is rotated. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a liquid receiving portion that receives the liquid. The measurement unit includes a light source that emits light to the measurement port from outside the range in which the receiver holder is rotated, and light that is emitted from the measurement port outside the range in which the receiver holder is rotated. A sensor for receiving light,
The liquid that is provided below a position extending from the discharge port to the downstream side in the centrifugal direction and is discharged from the discharge port when the receiver holder is rotated adheres to at least one of the light source and the sensor. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a liquid protection unit for preventing the above-described problem. An inspection method that is executed by the inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and measures the liquid accommodated in the inspection target receptacle by centrifugation.
A first centrifugation step of rotating the receiver holder holding the inspection target receiver at a maximum rotation speed that can be used in the inspection method by the drive unit;
After the execution of the first centrifugation step, a second centrifugation step of rotating the drive unit at a rotation speed equal to or lower than the maximum rotation speed;
After the execution of the second centrifugation step, a measurement position moving step of moving the receiver holder to a specified position where the liquid is measured by the measurement unit;
After the execution of the measurement position moving step, an optical path passing through the measurement port is formed by the measurement unit, and the measurement step of measuring the liquid based on light transmitted through the storage unit is provided. Inspection method.

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