JP2013130436A - Particle detector and particle detection method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a particle detector and a particle detection method which convey particles collected by a collection member.SOLUTION: A particle detector 1 detecting organism-derived particles includes an ultrasonic vibrator 20 vibrating a collection board 11. The ultrasonic vibrator 20 conveys the particles collected by the collection board 11 in a predetermined direction.

Description

  The present invention relates to a particle detection apparatus and a particle detection method for detecting biological particles.

  Conventionally, in a particle detection device that detects particles derived from living organisms, after detecting fluorescence of particles collected on a collection member, the collection member is replaced with a new one, and the next particle detection process is executed. ing. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a pollen detector that collects pollen on a filter paper and supplies a roll-shaped filter paper for each detection process.

JP 2002-357532 A (released on December 13, 2002)

  However, in the conventional technology as described above, since a new collection member is used for each particle detection process, there is a problem that the cost for the particle detection process increases. Moreover, although the method of removing the particle | grains collected on the collection member after a particle | grain detection process by cleaning parts, such as a brush, can also be considered, there exists a problem that a cleaning part must be provided in a particle | grain detection apparatus.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to realize a particle detection apparatus and a particle detection method for conveying particles collected by a collection member.

  In order to solve the above problems, the particle detection device according to the present invention irradiates excitation light toward a collection unit that collects particles in a collection member, and the particles collected in the collection member. A particle detection device for detecting biologically-derived particles comprising a fluorescence detection unit for receiving fluorescence emitted from the particles, comprising: a vibration unit for vibrating the collection member; It is characterized in that the particles collected by the collecting member are conveyed in a predetermined direction.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the particle detection method according to the present invention irradiates excitation light toward the particles collected in the collection member and the collection step in which the particles are collected in the collection member. A particle detection method for detecting particles derived from living organisms, including a fluorescence detection step for receiving fluorescence emitted from the particles, wherein the particles transported in the predetermined direction are transported in a predetermined direction. It is characterized by including.

  According to said structure, when the said vibration part vibrates the said collection member, there exists an effect that the particle | grains collected by the said collection member can be conveyed in a predetermined | prescribed direction.

  In the particle detection apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the vibration unit collects predetermined particles among the particles collected by the collection member in an irradiation region irradiated with the excitation light.

  According to said structure, the said vibration part collects predetermined | prescribed particle | grains in the irradiation area | region where the said excitation light is irradiated among the particles collected by the said collection member. Therefore, excitation light can be irradiated only to predetermined particles among the particles collected by the collection member.

  Therefore, since only the fluorescence emitted from the predetermined particles is received, the amount of the predetermined particles can be accurately detected.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the particle | grain detection apparatus which concerns on this invention discharges | emits the particle | grains collected by the said collection member from the said collection member.

  According to said structure, the said vibration part discharges | emits the particle | grains collected by the said collection member from the said collection member. Therefore, it is not necessary to replace the collection member for each particle detection process, and it is not necessary to separately provide a cleaning unit such as a brush for removing the particles collected by the collection member.

  Therefore, it is possible to realize a particle detection device that suppresses the cost of the particle detection process and does not require a cleaning unit.

  As mentioned above, the particle | grain detection apparatus which concerns on this invention is provided with the vibration part which vibrates the said collection member, and the said vibration part conveys the particle | grains collected by the said collection member in a predetermined direction.

  Moreover, the particle | grain detection method which concerns on this invention includes the particle conveyance step which conveys the particle | grains collected by the said collection member in a predetermined direction.

  Therefore, there is an effect that the particles collected by the collecting member can be conveyed in a predetermined direction.

It is a graph which shows the change of the fluorescence intensity of the biological particle before and behind a heating, and the change of the fluorescence intensity of the dust before and after a heating. It is a figure which shows the collection process which detects biological-origin particle | grains. It is a figure which shows the fluorescence measurement process (before a heating) which detects biological-origin particle | grains. It is a figure which shows the heating process which detects biological-origin particle | grains. It is a figure which shows the fluorescence measurement process (after a heating) which detects biological-origin particle | grains. It is a figure which shows the refresh process which detects the particle | grains derived from a living body. It is a graph which shows the relationship between increase amount (DELTA) F of the fluorescence intensity before and behind a heating, and the particle | grain density | concentration of biological origin. 1, showing an embodiment of the present invention, is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a particle detection device. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of the said particle | grain detection apparatus.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the drawings referred to below, the same or corresponding members are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[Detection principle of biological particles]
The particle detection device in the present embodiment is a device for detecting particles derived from organisms such as pollen, microorganisms, and mold. First, the principle of detecting biological particles using the particle detection apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a graph showing changes in the fluorescence intensity of biological particles before and after heating (FIG. 1A) and changes in the fluorescence intensity of dust before and after heating (FIG. 1B).

  When the biological particles floating in the air are irradiated with ultraviolet light or blue light, the biological particles emit fluorescence. However, particles that emit fluorescence, such as chemical fiber dust (hereinafter also referred to as dust), are suspended in the air. If only fluorescence is detected, it may be from biological particles. It is not distinguished whether it is from.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, when heat treatment is performed on biologically derived particles and dust, and changes in fluorescence intensity (fluorescence amount) before and after heating are measured, the fluorescence intensity emitted from the dust is reduced by the heat treatment. While it does not change, the fluorescence intensity emitted from biological particles increases with heat treatment. In the particle detection apparatus according to the present embodiment, the fluorescence intensity before and after heating is measured for particles in which biological particles and dust are mixed, and the difference is obtained to specify the amount of biological particles. .

  FIG. 2 to FIG. 6 are diagrams showing a process for detecting biological particles. Referring to FIG. 2, first, particles are collected on a collection substrate 11 (collection step).

  In this step, the collection substrate 11 is disposed opposite to the electrostatic needle 12 and a potential difference is generated between the collection substrate 11 and the electrostatic needle 12. When air is introduced toward the collection substrate 11 by driving the fan 17, the particles 40 floating in the air are charged around the electrostatic needle 12. The charged particles 40 are adsorbed on the surface of the collection substrate 11 by electrostatic force. The particles 40 collected on the collection substrate 11 include biological-derived particles 40A and dust 40B such as chemical fiber dust.

  Next, referring to FIG. 3, the intensity of the fluorescence emitted from the particles 40 before heating is measured (fluorescence measurement step (before heating)). In this step, first, the collection substrate 11 is moved to the detection position by a moving mechanism (not shown). Then, excitation light is irradiated toward the particles 40 collected on the collection substrate 11 from the light emitting element 21 such as a semiconductor laser, and the fluorescence emitted from the particles 40 is received by the light receiving element 24 through the Fresnel lens 25. .

  Next, referring to FIG. 4, the position of the collection substrate 11 is returned to the position in the collection step by the moving mechanism (hereinafter, this position is referred to as a collection / heating position). Then, the particles 40 collected on the collection substrate 11 are heated using the heater 19. After the heating, the collection substrate 11 is cooled (heating process).

  Referring to FIG. 5, next, the collection substrate 11 is moved again to the detection position, and the intensity of the fluorescence emitted from the heated particles 40 is measured (fluorescence measurement step (after heating)). As already described, the fluorescence intensity emitted from the dust 40B is not changed by the heat treatment, whereas the fluorescence intensity emitted from the biological particle 40A is increased by the heat treatment. For this reason, in this step, a fluorescence intensity having a value larger than the fluorescence intensity measured in the fluorescence measurement step (before heating) in FIG. 3 is measured.

  FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the fluorescence intensity increase ΔF before and after heating and the concentration of biological particles. With reference to FIG. 7, the increase amount ΔF1 of the fluorescence intensity is calculated from the difference between the fluorescence intensity before heating and the fluorescence intensity after heating. Based on the relationship between the fluorescence intensity increase amount ΔF prepared in advance and the biological particle concentration N, the biological particle concentration N1 corresponding to the calculated increase amount ΔF1 is specified. The correspondence relationship between the increase amount ΔF and the biological particle concentration N is experimentally determined in advance.

  Referring to FIG. 6, next, the collection substrate 11 is moved again to the collection / heating position, and the collection substrate 11 is vibrated by the ultrasonic vibrator 20 to finish the detection of the particles derived from living organisms. The removed particles 40 are removed from the collection substrate 11 (refresh process). Details of the ultrasonic transducer 20 will be described later. Further, the refreshing step may be performed at a third position different from the collection / heating position and the detection position, instead of being performed at the collection / heating position.

[Configuration of particle detector]
Next, the structure of the particle | grain detection apparatus which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated based on FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a main configuration of the particle detection device 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the particle detection apparatus 1 includes a collection substrate (collection member) 11, a collection unit 14, a fan 17, a collection cylinder 18, a heater 19, an ultrasonic transducer (vibration unit) 20, and a fluorescence. A detection unit 27 is provided. Although the particle | grain detection apparatus 1 may be equipped with members, such as said moving mechanism and a housing | casing, since it is not related to the feature point of invention, the said member is not illustrated.

  In addition, the particle | grain detection apparatus 1 in this Embodiment may be used as an apparatus single unit for detecting the particle | grains derived from living organisms, or an air cleaner, an air conditioner, a humidifier, a dehumidifier, a vacuum cleaner, a refrigerator It may also be incorporated into household appliances such as televisions.

  The collection substrate 11 is provided as a collection member for collecting particles obtained by mixing biological particles and dust such as chemical fiber dust. The collection substrate 11 is disposed to face an electrostatic needle 12 described later. The collection substrate 11 has, for example, a plate shape, but may have any shape as long as particles can be collected.

  The collection substrate 11 is formed from a glass plate. A conductive transparent film is formed on the surface of the glass plate that adsorbs the particles. The collection board | substrate 11 is not limited to a glass plate, You may form from a ceramic or a metal. A film is not limited to a transparent film, For example, a metal film may be formed in the surface of the collection board | substrate 11 formed from the ceramic etc. Moreover, when the collection board | substrate 11 is formed from a metal, it is not necessary to form a film in the surface.

  The collection substrate 11 is moved between the collection / heating position and the detection position by a moving mechanism (not shown).

  The collection part 14 performs the collection process demonstrated with reference to FIG. 2, and collects the particle | grains contained in the air on the collection board | substrate 11. FIG. The collection unit 14 includes a high voltage power supply 13 as a power supply unit and an electrostatic needle 12 as a discharge electrode.

  The electrostatic needle 12 is a needle-shaped electrode. The electrostatic needle 12 is disposed in the collection cylinder 18 so as to face the collection substrate 11. The electrostatic needle 12 may be an electrode having any shape as long as particles are charged by an electrostatic force. For example, the electrostatic needle 12 may have a grid shape (lattice shape).

  The high-voltage power supply 13 is provided as a power supply unit for generating a potential difference between the collection substrate 11 and the electrostatic needle 12. One end of the high-voltage power supply 13 is connected to the electrostatic needle 12 by a wiring 15, and the other end is electrically connected to the collection substrate 11 by a wiring 16.

  Note that when the electrostatic needle 12 is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the high-voltage power supply 13, the coating formed on the collection substrate 11 may be connected to the ground potential, or the electrostatic needle 12 may be connected to the high-voltage power supply. The film formed on the collection substrate 11 may be electrically connected to the positive electrode of the high-voltage power supply 13.

  Further, as described above, the collection substrate 11 moves between the collection / heating position and the detection position. Even if the collection substrate 11 is at the detection position by using a flexible wiring or the like for the wiring 16, the high-voltage power supply 13 and wiring 16 are assumed to be connected.

  The wiring 15 extends from the high-voltage power supply 13, passes through the collection cylinder 18, reaches the inside of the collection cylinder 18, and is connected to the electrostatic needle 12. At the time of the collection step, the collection substrate 11 is disposed to face the electrostatic needle 12 as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the electrostatic needle 12 is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the high-voltage power supply 13. It is assumed that the film formed on the collection substrate 11 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the high-voltage power supply 13.

  When the fan 17 is driven in the forward rotation direction during the collection step, the air inside the particle detection device 1 is exhausted, and at the same time, the air outside the particle detection device 1 passes through the collection cylinder 18 and is the collection substrate. 11 will be introduced. At this time, when a potential difference is generated between the electrostatic needle 12 and the collection substrate 11 by the high-voltage power supply 13, particles in the air are charged to the positive electrode around the electrostatic needle 12. The particles charged to the positive electrode move to the collection substrate 11 by electrostatic force and are collected on the collection substrate 11 by being adsorbed by the conductive film.

  Thus, in the particle | grain detection apparatus 1 in this Embodiment, a particle | grain is collected on the collection board | substrate 11 by the electrostatic collection using an electrostatic force. In this case, the particles can be reliably held on the collection substrate 11 when the particles are detected, and the particles can be easily removed from the collection substrate 11 after the particles are detected.

  Further, by using the needle-like electrostatic needle 12 as the discharge electrode, the charged particles are on the surface of the collection substrate 11 facing the electrostatic needle 12 and correspond to the irradiation region of the light emitting element 21 described later. It can be adsorbed in a very narrow area. Thereby, the adsorbed microorganisms can be efficiently detected in the fluorescence measurement step.

  The fan 17 introduces air into the particle detection device 1 from the outside of the particle detection device 1 or discharges air from the inside of the particle detection device 1 to the outside of the particle detection device 1. The fan 17 can be driven to rotate in the forward direction and the reverse direction. By driving the fan 17 in the forward rotation direction, the air inside the particle detection device 1 is discharged to the outside of the particle detection device 1 through the fan 17. By driving the fan 17 in the reverse direction, the air outside the particle detection device 1 is introduced into the particle detection device 1 through the fan 17.

  The fan 17 is used for both the collection process, the cooling during the heating process, and the refresh process. Thereby, size reduction and cost reduction of the particle | grain detection apparatus 1 can be achieved.

  The collection cylinder 18 guides air containing particles toward the collection substrate 11 positioned facing the electrostatic needle 12. The collection cylinder 18 has a cylindrical shape and is provided so as to surround the electrostatic needle 12.

  The heater 19 performs the heating process described with reference to FIG. 4 and heats the particles collected on the collection substrate 11. The heater 19 is bonded to the back surface of the collection substrate 11. The heater 19 is moved between the collection / heating position and the detection position by a moving mechanism (not shown) together with the collection substrate 11. The collection substrate 11 heated by the heater 19 is cooled by the air introduced into the collection cylinder 18 by the fan 17.

  The ultrasonic transducer 20 vibrates the collection substrate 11. The ultrasonic vibrator 20 may be any vibrator that vibrates the collection substrate 11, and may be a small motor or the like.

  The ultrasonic vibrator 20 conveys the particles collected on the collection substrate 11 in a predetermined direction by vibrating the collection substrate 11. The ultrasonic transducer 20 conveys predetermined particles collected on the collection substrate 11 in a predetermined direction. Moreover, the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator 20 can change the direction of conveying a particle and / or the classification of the particle to convey by switching vibration mode. Here, the type of particle indicates a type classified by vibration based on the weight and size (contact area) of the particle. For example, pollen and dust can be separated on the collection substrate 11 by vibration. Hereinafter, the process of transporting particles by the ultrasonic transducer 20 is referred to as a particle transport process.

  For example, the ultrasonic transducer 20 vibrates the collection substrate 11, floats the particles collected on the collection substrate 11, moves the particles, and discharges the particles from the collection substrate 11.

  In addition, the ultrasonic transducer 20 vibrates the collection substrate 11 before irradiating the particles collected on the collection substrate 11 with the excitation light, so that predetermined particles are applied to the irradiation region irradiated with the excitation light. And the particles collected on the collection substrate 11 are sorted by weight and size. By adjusting the vibration mode of the ultrasonic transducer 20, it is possible to adjust the type of particles that collect in a predetermined region. That is, it is possible to measure the amount of particles of a specific type of particles.

  For example, it is possible to obtain an accurate amount of pollen by removing the influence of other particles by allowing particles having a size and size of pollen to gather in the excitation light irradiation region. In addition, the excitation light is narrowed down by the condensing lens 22 to obtain a strong light intensity, and specific particles are collected in the irradiation region, so that higher sensitivity measurement is possible even with the same size of the collection substrate 11. Become.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the ultrasonic transducer 20 is adhered to the back surface of the collection substrate 11. However, the arrangement of the ultrasonic transducers 20 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. The ultrasonic transducer 20 may be arranged at any position as long as the collection substrate 11 can be vibrated to remove particles or sort out particles. For example, the ultrasonic transducer 20 may be disposed below the heater 19 shown in FIG. 8 (on the side opposite to the bonding surface with the collection substrate 11). A plurality of ultrasonic transducers 20 may be provided. The ultrasonic transducer 20 can be moved between the collection / heating position and the detection position by a moving mechanism (not shown) together with the collection substrate 11.

  The fluorescence detection unit 27 performs the fluorescence measurement process (before heating and after heating) described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5 and is excited toward the particles collected on the collection substrate 11. It emits light and receives fluorescence emitted from the particles. The fluorescence detection unit 27 includes an excitation light source unit 23 and a light receiving unit 26. The excitation light source unit 23 irradiates excitation light toward the particles collected on the collection substrate 11. The light receiving unit 26 receives the fluorescence emitted from the particles as the excitation light is irradiated.

  The excitation light source unit 23 includes a light emitting element 21 and a condenser lens 22 as light sources. As the light emitting element 21, a semiconductor laser, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) element, or the like is used. The light emitted from the light-emitting element 21 may have a wavelength in either the ultraviolet or visible region as long as it excites biological particles and emits fluorescence.

  The light receiving unit 26 includes a light receiving element 24 and a Fresnel lens 25. As the light receiving element 24, a photodiode or an image sensor is used.

[Operation of particle detector]
Subsequently, the operation of the particle detection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the particle detection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 9, first, the collection substrate 11 is moved to the collection / heating position, and the collection step is performed (S101). At this time, by driving the fan 17 in the forward rotation direction, air is introduced into the collection cylinder 18, and a potential difference is generated between the electrostatic needle 12 and the collection substrate 11 by the high voltage power source 13, The particles inside are collected on the surface of the collection substrate 11.

  Next, the collection substrate 11 is moved from the collection / heating position to the detection position (S102). After moving to the detection position, the excitation light source unit 23 irradiates the particles collected on the collection substrate 11 with excitation light, and the light receiving unit 26 emits fluorescence emitted from the particles with the excitation light irradiation. Receive light. Thereby, the fluorescence intensity before the heating of the particles collected on the collection substrate 11 is measured (S103). In S103, before irradiating the excitation light, a particle conveying step may be performed, and the ultrasonic transducer 20 may vibrate the collection substrate 11 to select predetermined particles. The step of sorting particles by this particle conveying step is also referred to as a particle sorting step.

  Next, the collection substrate 11 is moved from the detection position to the collection / heating position (S104). After moving to the collection / heating position, the particles collected on the collection substrate 11 are heated by energizing the heater 19 (S105). Next, energization to the heater 19 is stopped, and the collection substrate 11 is cooled (S106). At this time, by driving the fan 17 in the reverse direction, air is introduced into the collection cylinder 18 to promote cooling of the collection substrate 11.

  Next, the collection substrate 11 is moved from the collection / heating position to the detection position (S107). After moving to the detection position, the excitation light source unit 23 irradiates the particles collected on the collection substrate 11 with excitation light, and the light receiving unit 26 emits fluorescence emitted from the particles with the excitation light irradiation. Receive light. Thereby, the fluorescence intensity after the heating of the particles collected on the collection substrate 11 is measured (S108). Note that the particle sorting step may also be executed in S108.

  Next, the collection substrate 11 is moved from the detection position to the collection / heating position. After moving to the collection / heating position, a particle conveyance step is executed, and the ultrasonic transducer 20 vibrates the collection substrate 11 and discharges the particles from the collection substrate 11 (S109).

  During the refresh process, the fan 17 is driven in the forward direction to discharge particles that are removed from the collection substrate 11 and scatter in the air to the outside of the collection cylinder 18. A filter may be installed on the front side of the fan 17 (inside the collection cylinder 18) to collect the removed particles.

  By repeating the above steps S101 to S109, the detection of biological particles is continuously performed.

[Supplement]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The present invention is mainly used as an apparatus for detecting particles derived from organisms such as pollen, microorganisms, and molds.

1 Particle detector 11 Collection substrate (collection member)
12 Electrostatic needle 13 High voltage power supply 14 Collection part 15 Wiring 16 Wiring 17 Fan 18 Collection cylinder 19 Heater 20 Ultrasonic vibrator (vibration part)
21 Light emitting element 22 Condensing lens 23 Excitation light source part 24 Light receiving element 25 Fresnel lens 26 Light receiving part 27 Fluorescence detection part 40 Particles

Claims (4)

A collection unit that collects particles in a collection member, and a fluorescence detection unit that irradiates excitation light toward the particles collected in the collection member and receives fluorescence emitted from the particles. A particle detection device for detecting biological particles,
Comprising a vibrating part for vibrating the collecting member;
The vibrating section transports particles collected by the collecting member in a predetermined direction.   The particle detecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibration unit collects predetermined particles among the particles collected by the collecting member in an irradiation region irradiated with the excitation light.   The particle detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration unit discharges particles collected by the collecting member from the collecting member. A living organism comprising: a collection step for collecting particles on a collection member; and a fluorescence detection step for irradiating excitation light toward the particles collected on the collection member and receiving fluorescence emitted from the particles. A particle detection method for detecting particles derived from,
A particle detection method comprising a particle transfer step of transferring the particles collected by the collection member in a predetermined direction.

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