JP2013186019A - Reaction progress device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a biochemical inspection device in which accuracy of biochemical inspection is maintained even when the tip of a pipette is not detected in each individual pipette.SOLUTION: A lock mechanism makes a pipette mounting part into a lock release state, and a conveyance mechanism conveys a retention mechanism at a position where a tip contacts with a reference surface. While the tip contacts with the reference surface, the lock mechanism makes the pipette mounting part into a lock state. The conveyance mechanism conveys the retention mechanism at a position where the tip is immersed in liquid, a pump is driven and the liquid is suctioned into the inner part of the pipette. The conveyance mechanism conveys the retention mechanism at a position where the pipette is inserted into an insertion hole, the pump is driven, and the liquid is discharged from the inner part of the pipette and the liquid is suctioned into the inner part of the pipette.

Description

  The present invention relates to a reaction progress device.

  Biochemical reactions such as antigen-antibody reactions are used in biochemical tests. For example, an antibody-containing film containing an antibody is fixed on the inner surface of the flow path, a sample liquid containing an antigen is supplied to the flow path, and the antigen contained in the sample liquid and the antibody contained in the antibody-containing film are combined. The presence or absence of antigen binding to the antibody, the amount of antigen binding to the antibody, and the like are measured by surface plasmon excitation fluorescence spectroscopy (SPFS), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and the like. In some cases, liquids other than the sample liquid, such as a cleaning liquid and a fluorescent labeling liquid, are supplied to the flow path before the sample liquid is supplied to the flow path or after the sample liquid is supplied to the flow path. In many cases, the liquid is discharged / sucked via a discharge / suction port formed at the tip of the pipette.

  In the biochemical examination apparatus (biosensor) of Patent Document 1, an antigen capture film (linker layer) containing an antibody (analyte) is fixed on the inner surface (surface of the metal film) of the flow path (fluid flow path) ( (Paragraph 0026), a sample solution (analyte solution) containing the antigen (protein) is supplied to the flow path (paragraph 0061), and the antigen contained in the sample solution and the antibody contained in the antigen-capturing membrane are combined (paragraph 0061). ). Before the sample liquid is supplied to the flow path or after the sample liquid is supplied to the flow path, liquids other than the sample liquid (liquid for pretreatment and liquid for post-treatment) are supplied to the flow path (paragraph 0062). ). The liquid is discharged / sucked via a discharge / suction port formed at the tip of a pipette (pipette tip). The pipette is inserted into the insertion hole.

  In the biochemical examination apparatus (SPR measurement apparatus) of Patent Document 2, an antigen capture film (linker layer) containing an antibody (analyte) is fixed on the inner surface (sensor surface) of the flow path (flow path) (paragraph 0028). ), A sample solution (analyte solution) containing the antigen (protein) is supplied to the flow path (paragraph 0034), and the antigen contained in the sample solution and the antibody contained in the antigen-capturing membrane are combined (paragraph 0035).

JP 2007-263705 A JP 2007-064942 A

  Since most of the biochemical reaction is a reversible reaction, the amount of liquid remaining in the flow channel after the liquid is recovered from the flow channel affects the progress of the biochemical reaction. In particular, when two or more kinds of liquids are sequentially discharged / sucked into the flow path and the biochemical reaction proceeds in two or more stages, the amount of liquid remaining in the flow path after the liquid is recovered from the flow path is It greatly affects the progress of biochemical reactions.

  On the other hand, the length of the pipette is different for each individual pipette. If the pipette length is different for each individual pipette, unless the pipette tip is detected for each individual pipette, the position where the pipette tip is placed when the liquid is collected from the flow path is individual for each pipette. Different. In this case, the amount of liquid remaining in the flow path after the liquid has been collected from the flow path differs for each individual pipette.

  For this reason, when the length of the pipette is different for each individual pipette, the progress of the biochemical reaction is different for each individual pipette, and the accuracy of the biochemical test is lowered.

  The present invention is made to solve this problem. A main object of the present invention is to provide a reaction progress device used in a biochemical test apparatus that maintains the accuracy of a biochemical test even when the tip of the pipette is not detected for each individual pipette.

  The present invention is directed to a reaction progress device.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, a container, a pipette, a pump, a reaction field providing product, a structure, a holding mechanism, a first control unit, and a second control unit are provided.

  The container contains a liquid.

  The pipette has a tip. A discharge / suction port is formed at the tip.

  The pump includes a pipette mounting part. A pipette is attached to the pipette attachment portion. The pump discharges / sucks liquid via the discharge / suction port.

  The reaction field offer provides a reaction field. In the reaction field, a biochemical reaction proceeds.

  A channel and an insertion hole are formed in the structure. A reaction field supply is disposed inside the flow path. The flow path and the insertion hole are connected.

  The holding mechanism holds the pump. The holding mechanism includes a guide mechanism and a lock mechanism. The guide mechanism guides the pipette mounting part in the extending direction of the pipette. The lock mechanism switches between a locked state where movement of the pipette mounting portion is prohibited and an unlocked state where movement is permitted.

  The transport mechanism transports the holding mechanism.

  The lock mechanism brings the pipette mounting portion into the unlocked state, and the transport mechanism transports the holding mechanism to a position where the tip abuts against the reference surface. While the tip is in contact with the reference surface, the lock mechanism locks the pipette mounting portion.

  The transport mechanism transports the holding mechanism to a position where the tip is immersed in the liquid, the pump is driven and the liquid is sucked into the pipette, and the transport mechanism transports the holding mechanism to the position where the pipette is inserted into the insertion hole. The pump is driven to discharge the liquid from the inside of the pipette / suction the liquid into the inside of the pipette.

  The second aspect of the present invention adds further matters to the first aspect of the present invention. In the second aspect of the present invention, the reference plane is the surface of the structure.

  The third aspect of the present invention adds further matters to the first or second aspect of the present invention. In the third aspect of the present invention, a hermetic seal is provided on the structure. The hermetic seal seals the insertion hole. Before the tip comes into contact with the reference surface, the transport mechanism transports the holding mechanism to a position where the pipette is inserted into the insertion hole.

  The fourth aspect of the present invention adds a further matter to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention. In the fourth aspect of the present invention, the guide shaft and the movable object are provided in the guide mechanism. A guide hole is formed in the movable object. A guide shaft is inserted into the guide hole.

  The fifth aspect of the present invention adds a further matter to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention. In the fifth aspect of the present invention, the guide hole formation is provided in the guide mechanism, and the cylinder is provided in the pump. A guide hole is formed in the guide hole formation. The cylinder is inserted into the guide hole.

  The sixth aspect of the present invention adds further matters to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention. In the sixth aspect of the present invention, the regulating mechanism and the elastic body are provided in the holding mechanism. The restriction mechanism restricts the pipette mounting portion from moving from the steady position to the tip side. The elastic body positions the pipette mounting portion at a steady position in a state where it is biased toward the tip side.

  According to the present invention, the position of the tip of the pipette is adjusted to a fixed position even when the length of the pipette is different for each individual pipette. Even when the tip of the pipette is not detected for each individual pipette, the tip of the pipette is arranged at a certain position when the liquid is sucked. The liquid is stably recovered from the flow path, and the accuracy of biochemical examination is maintained.

  In particular, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the accuracy of the position of the reference plane with respect to the structure is improved. The pipette tip position is adjusted accurately. The liquid is stably recovered from the flow path, and the accuracy of biochemical examination is improved.

  In particular, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the hermetic seal is punctured before the position of the pipette tip is adjusted. The position of the tip of the pipette is prevented from shifting due to the pressing load applied to the tip of the pipette when breaking the hermetic seal.

  These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

It is a schematic diagram of the biochemical test | inspection apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram of the reaction progress part of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the liquid feeding controller of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram of the measurement part of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the measurement controller of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the test | inspection chip of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the test | inspection chip of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the test | inspection chip of 1st Embodiment. It is a side view of the reagent chip of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the pump unit of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows progress of the biochemical reaction of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows progress of the biochemical reaction of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the modification of the test | inspection chip of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the modification of the test | inspection chip of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the biochemical test | inspection of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the conveyance of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the pump unit of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the pump unit of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the pump unit of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the pump unit of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the pump unit of 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the pump unit of 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the pump unit of 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the pump unit of 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the pump unit of 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the pump unit of 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the pump unit of 2nd Embodiment.

{First embodiment}
(Outline of biochemical inspection equipment)
The first embodiment relates to a biochemical examination apparatus. The biochemical examination apparatus according to the first embodiment performs biochemical examination by surface plasmon excitation fluorescence spectroscopy (SPFS).

  The schematic diagram of FIG. 1 shows a biochemical examination apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the biochemical test apparatus 1000 includes a reaction progress unit 1010, a measurement unit 1011, a transport mechanism 1012, a test chip 1013, and a reagent chip 1014. The inspection chip 1013 and the reagent chip 1014 are attached to and detached from the reaction progress unit 1010. The inspection chip 1013 travels between the reaction progress unit 1010 and the measurement unit 1011.

  The schematic diagram of FIG. 2 shows a reaction progress part.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the reaction progressing unit 1010 includes a liquid feeding mechanism 1020 and a liquid feeding controller 1021. The liquid feeding mechanism 1020 includes a transport mechanism 1033 and a pump unit 1034. The pump unit 1034 includes a pipette 1030, a pump 1031, and a holding mechanism 1032.

  The block diagram of FIG. 3 shows a liquid delivery controller.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid delivery controller 1021 includes a mounting control unit 1040, a drilling control unit 1041, a tip adjustment control unit 1042, a cleaning control unit 1043, a preparation control unit 1044, a primary immune reaction control unit 1045, and a secondary control unit. An immune reaction control unit 1046 is provided.

  The schematic diagram of FIG. 4 shows a measurement unit.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the measurement unit 1011 includes an irradiation mechanism 1050, a measurement mechanism 1051, and a measurement controller 1052. The irradiation mechanism 1050 includes a laser diode 1060, a linearly polarizing plate 1061, a mirror 1062, and a mirror driving mechanism 1063. The measurement mechanism 1051 includes a photomultiplier tube 1070, a low-pass filter 1071, a low-pass filter drive mechanism 1072, and a photodiode 1073.

  The block diagram of FIG. 5 shows the measurement controller.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the measurement controller 1052 includes a resonance angle detection unit 1080 and a light amount measurement unit 1081.

  The schematic diagrams from FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 show an inspection chip. 6 is a perspective view, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 8 and shows a state in which the pipette is inserted into the insertion hole and the flow path is filled with the liquid. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 7 and shows a state in which the tip of the pipette is in contact with the upper surface of the lid.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the test chip 1013 includes an antigen capturing film 1090 and a structure 1091. The structure 1091 includes a composite 1100, a sheet 1101, a lid 1102, an insertion hole sealing seal 1103, and a reservoir sealing seal 1104. The composite 1100 includes a prism 1110 and a gold film 1111.

  The schematic diagram of FIG. 9 shows a reagent chip. FIG. 9 is a side view.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the reagent chip 1014 includes a cleaning liquid container 1120, a sample container 1121, a dilution liquid container 1122, a sample liquid container 1123, a fluorescent labeling liquid container 1124, and a holder 1125. The cleaning liquid container 1120 stores the cleaning liquid 1130, the sample container 1121 stores the sample 1131, the diluent container 1122 stores the diluent 1132, and the sample liquid container 1123 dilutes the sample 1131 with the diluent 1132. The sample solution 1133 is stored, and the fluorescent labeling solution container 1124 stores the fluorescent labeling solution 1134. The reagent chip 1014 also includes a pipette 1030 when initially attached to the reaction progressing unit 1010. The pipette 1030 is attached to the pump 1031 after the reagent chip 1014 is attached to the reaction progress unit 1010.

  The schematic diagram of FIG. 10 shows a pump unit. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the pipette 1030 includes a pipette body 1140 and a collar 1141. The pump 1031 includes a cylinder 1150, an O-ring 1151, a piston 1152, and a motor 1153. The cylinder 1150 includes a cylinder chamber forming portion 1160 and a pipette mounting portion 1161. The holding mechanism 1032 includes a base 1170, a guide mechanism 1171, a coil spring 1172, and a solenoid actuator 1173. The base 1170 includes an upper fixing plate 1175, a lower fixing plate 1176, and a regulation surface forming plate 1177. The guide mechanism 1171 includes a guide shaft 1180, a rotation prevention shaft 1181, and a movable plate 1182. The solenoid actuator 1173 includes a plunger 1190 and an excitation coil 1191.

  Components other than these may be added to the biochemical test apparatus 1000. Some of these components may be omitted from the biochemical examination apparatus 1000.

(Outline of biochemical examination)
When a biochemical test by SPFS is performed, a biochemical reaction is advanced in the reaction progress unit 1010 and measurement is performed in the measurement unit 1011. The reaction progressing unit 1010 is a main part of a reaction progressing device that progresses a biochemical reaction.

  The schematic diagrams of FIGS. 11 and 12 show the progress of the biochemical reaction.

  When the biochemical reaction is allowed to proceed, the liquid feeding mechanism 1020 sequentially fills the channel 1200 formed in the test chip 1013 with the sample liquid 1133 and the fluorescent labeling liquid 1134. When the sample liquid 1133 is filled in the flow path 1200, as shown in FIG. 11, the antigen 1210 contained in the sample liquid 1133 and the antibody 1211 fixed to the antigen capturing film 1090 are combined to be contained in the sample liquid 1133. The antigen 1210 to be captured is captured by the antigen capturing film 1090. When the fluorescent labeling liquid 1134 is filled in the flow path 1200, as shown in FIG. 12, the antigen 1210 captured by the antigen capturing film 1090 and the fluorescently labeled antibody 1212 contained in the fluorescent labeling liquid 1134 bind to each other. A fluorescent label is added to the antigen 1210 captured by the capture membrane 1090.

  When measurement is performed, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the irradiation mechanism 1050 irradiates the excitation light EL onto the prism 1110. The irradiated excitation light EL enters the incident surface 1220, is reflected by the reflecting surface 1221, and is emitted from the emitting surface 1222. When the excitation light EL is reflected by the reflecting surface 1221, an evanescent wave leaks from the reflecting surface 1221 to the gold film 1111 side. The electric field of the leaked evanescent wave resonates with the plasmon on the surface of the gold film 1111 and is enhanced. The enhanced electric field excites the fluorescent label attached to the antigen 1210 captured by the antigen capture membrane 1090. Surface plasmon excitation fluorescence FL is emitted from the excited fluorescent label. The measurement mechanism 1051 measures the amount of light of the surface plasmon excitation fluorescence FL. The presence / absence of the antigen 1210, the capture amount of the antigen 1210, and the like are specified from the light amount of the surface plasmon excitation fluorescence FL.

(Arrangement of inspection chip and reagent chip)
As shown in FIG. 1, when a biochemical reaction is allowed to proceed, a test chip 1013 and a reagent chip 1014 are arranged in the reaction progress unit 1010. When measurement is performed, the inspection chip 1013 is arranged in the measurement unit 1011. The transport mechanism 1012 transports the inspection chip 1013 from the reaction progress unit 1010 to the measurement unit 1011 and from the measurement unit 1011 to the reaction progress unit 1010.

(Liquid feeding)
A case where the flow path 1200 is filled with a liquid such as the cleaning liquid 1130, the sample liquid 1133, and the fluorescent labeling liquid 1134 will be described. First, the transport mechanism 1033 immerses the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 in the liquid, and the pump 1031 sucks the liquid via the discharge / suction port 1240. After the liquid is sucked, the transport mechanism 1033 inserts the pipette 1030 into the insertion hole 1250 as shown in FIG. 7, and the pump 1031 discharges the liquid via the discharge / suction port 1240. After the liquid is discharged, the pump 1031 sucks the liquid via the discharge / suction port 1240. Thereby, the liquid is supplied to the flow path 1200. Subsequently, the liquid is sucked and collected from the channel 1200, and the channel 1200 is filled with the liquid until the liquid is supplied and then collected.

(Outline of adjusting the position of the tip of the pipette)
Before the liquid is fed, the position of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is adjusted.

  When the position of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is adjusted, the solenoid actuator 1173 puts the pipette mounting portion 1161 in an unlocked state, which will be described later, and the transport mechanism 1033 attaches the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 to the lid 1102 as shown in FIG. It is made to contact | abut to the upper surface 1260. When the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 comes into contact with the upper surface 1260 of the lid 1102, the pipette mounting part 1161 is retracted to the opposite side of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030. The retraction amount increases when the pipette 1030 is long and decreases when the pipette 1030 is short. Thereby, even when the length of the pipette 1030 is different for each individual pipette 1030, the position of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is adjusted to a fixed position.

  When the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is in contact with the upper surface 1260 of the lid 1102, the solenoid actuator 1173 locks the pipette mounting portion 1161. Thereby, the state where the position from the bottom face of the fixed plate 1176 on the lower side of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is adjusted to a constant position is maintained.

  According to the adjustment of the position of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030, even if the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is not detected for each individual pipette 1030, the positions of the upper surface 1260 of the lid 1102 and the bottom surface of the lower fixing plate 1176 are adjusted. By keeping constant, the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is arranged at a fixed position when the liquid is sucked. When the liquid is sucked, the liquid is stably recovered from the flow path 1200, and the accuracy of the biochemical examination is improved. After the liquid is collected from the flow path 1200, the amount of liquid remaining in the flow path 1200 is reduced, and the accuracy of the biochemical examination is improved. When the procedure for detecting the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 for each individual pipette 1030 is not required, the time required for biochemical examination is shortened.

  The tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 may be in contact with a reference surface other than the upper surface 1260 of the lid 1102. The reference surface is a surface where the position with respect to the structure 1091 is determined, preferably the surface where the position with respect to the insertion hole 1250 and the flow path 1200 is determined, and more preferably the surface of the structure 1091. When the reference surface is the surface of the structure 1091, the accuracy of the position of the reference surface with respect to the structure 1091 is improved, the position of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is accurately adjusted, and the liquid is stably recovered from the flow path 1200. This improves the accuracy of biochemical tests. However, the reference plane may be other than the surface of the structure 1091. For example, the reference surface may be provided on a reference table fixed to the reaction progressing unit 1010. The position of the reference plane with respect to the structure 1091 needs to be determined at least in the vertical direction, and preferably needs to be determined in both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The vertical direction coincides with the extending direction of the pipette 1030 and the insertion hole 1250. The horizontal direction is perpendicular to the extending direction of the pipette 1030 and the insertion hole 1250. The position of the reference plane with respect to the structure 1091 is determined that the position of the reference plane with respect to the structure 1091 does not change after the position of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is adjusted until all liquids are fed. means.

  The schematic diagrams of FIGS. 13 and 14 show a modification of the inspection chip. 13 and 14 are cross-sectional views.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when the reflecting surface 1221a of the prism 1110a is exposed, the reflecting surface 1221a of the prism 1110a may be used as a reference surface. As shown in FIG. 14, when the upper main surface 1341b of the gold film 1111b is exposed, the upper main surface 1341b of the gold film 1111b may be used as a reference surface.

(pipette)
As shown in FIG. 10, the pipette 1030 has a front end 1230 and a rear end 1231. A liquid storage space 1270 is formed in the pipette main body 1140. A discharge / suction port 1240 is formed at the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030. A mounting port 1241 is formed at the rear end 1231 of the pipette 1030. The discharge / suction port 1240 and the mounting port 1241 are connected to the liquid storage space 1270. When the liquid storage space 1270 has a positive pressure in a state where the liquid is stored in the liquid storage space 1270, the liquid is discharged from the liquid storage space 1270 via the discharge / suction port 1240. When the liquid storage space 1270 has a negative pressure, the liquid is sucked into the liquid storage space 1270 via the discharge / suction port 1240.

  Pipette 1030 is preferably made of resin. This makes the pipette 1030 inexpensive. However, the pipette 1030 can be made of other than resin. Pipette 1030 is more preferably made of polypropylene. This reduces protein adsorption to the pipette 1030 and improves the accuracy of the biochemical test.

  Pipette 1030 desirably has an elongated shape. Thereby, a very small amount of liquid is discharged / aspirated with high accuracy, and the accuracy of biochemical examination is improved.

  The pipette 1030 is desirably a general purpose product. This makes the pipette 1030 inexpensive.

  When the pipette 1030 is inexpensive, the pipette 1030 can be disposable for each biochemical test, and contamination is suppressed.

  When the pipette 1030 is made of resin and has an elongated shape, the pipette 1030 is likely to be bent or deformed, and the length of the pipette 1030 is likely to change. For this reason, the length of the pipette 1030 is often different for each individual pipette 1030. When the pipette 1030 is a general-purpose product, the length of the pipette 1030 is often different for each production lot to which the individual pipette 1030 belongs. The length variation of the pipette 1030 is typically about ± 0.3 mm. However, in the biochemical examination apparatus 1000, the position of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is adjusted, and the liquid is stably recovered from the flow path 1200 even if the pipette 1030 has a different length for each individual pipette 1030. For this reason, when pipette 1030 consists of resin, when pipette 1030 is a general purpose article, a big problem does not arise.

  Pipette 1030 has a tapered shape, and the planar shape of tip 1230 of pipette 1030 is desirably reduced. Thereby, a very small amount of liquid is discharged / aspirated with high accuracy, and the accuracy of biochemical examination is improved. When the planar shape of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is small, the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is easily damaged when a large pressing load is applied to the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030. However, in the biochemical examination apparatus 1000, when the pipette 1030 is attached to the pipette attachment portion 1161, a pressing load is applied to the collar 1141, so that no major problem occurs even when the planar shape of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is small. .

  Pipette 1030 is also called a nozzle or the like.

(pump)
A pipette 1030 is attached to the pipette attachment portion 1161. When the pipette 1030 is attached to the pipette attachment portion 1161, the pipette attachment portion 1161 is press-fitted into the attachment opening 1241, and the O-ring 1151 is sandwiched between the pipette attachment portion 1161 and the pipette 1030, and the pipette attachment portion 1161 and the pipette 1030 are inserted. Is closed by an O-ring 1151. Thereby, the liquid storage space 1270 can be adjusted to a positive pressure or a negative pressure. When both or one of the pipette mounting portion 1161 and the pipette 1030 has elasticity, even if the O-ring 1151 is omitted, the pipette mounting portion 1161 and the pipette 1030 are in close contact and the gap between the pipette mounting portion 1161 and the pipette 1030 is sufficiently closed. Is done.

  A cylinder chamber 1280 is formed in the cylinder chamber forming portion 1160. A piston 1152 is accommodated in the cylinder chamber 1280. Piston 1152 is mechanically connected to motor 1153. The motor 1153 reciprocates the piston 1152 inside the cylinder chamber 1280.

  When the pump 1031 supplies liquid, the motor 1153 moves the piston 1152 in a direction approaching the discharge / suction port 1240 inside the cylinder chamber 1280. As a result, the liquid storage space 1270 becomes positive pressure, and the liquid is discharged from the liquid storage space 1270 via the discharge / suction port 1240.

  When the pump 1031 collects the liquid, the motor 1153 moves the piston 1152 in the direction away from the discharge / suction port 1240 inside the cylinder chamber 1280. As a result, the liquid storage space 1270 has a negative pressure, and the liquid is sucked into the liquid storage space 1270 via the discharge / suction port 1240.

  The liquid storage space 1270 may be set to a positive pressure and a negative pressure by other than the reciprocation of the piston 1152.

  The pump 1031 is held by the holding mechanism 1032. When the transport mechanism 1033 transports the holding mechanism 1032, the pump 1031 and the holding mechanism 1032 are transported integrally to the transport mechanism 1033.

(Guiding mechanism)
A lower end 1183 of the guide shaft 1180 and a lower end 1185 of the rotation prevention shaft 1181 are fixed to the lower fixing plate 1176. An upper end 1184 of the guide shaft 1180 and an upper end 1186 of the rotation prevention shaft 1181 are fixed to the upper fixing plate 1175. The guide shaft 1180 and the rotation prevention shaft 1181 extend linearly in the extending direction of the pipette 1030. The guide shaft 1180 and the rotation prevention shaft 1181 extend in parallel.

  A guide hole 1290 is formed in the movable plate 1182. The guide hole 1290 passes through the movable plate 1182. The cross-sectional shape of the guide hole 1290 matches the cross-sectional shape of the guide shaft 1180.

  A guide shaft 1180 is inserted into the guide hole 1290. An anti-rotation shaft 1181 is accommodated in the anti-rotation groove 1291 formed in the movable plate 1182. As a result, the movable plate 1182 slides with respect to the guide shaft 1180, but does not rotate around the guide shaft 1180. The movable plate 1182 is guided in the extending direction of the pipette 1030 while being caught by the guide shaft 1180 and the rotation prevention shaft 1181.

  The rotation of the movable plate 1182 may be suppressed by other than the rotation prevention shaft 1181 and the rotation prevention groove 1291. For example, the rotation of the movable plate 1182 may be suppressed by giving the guide shaft 1180 a cross-sectional shape that does not have rotational symmetry. The structure of the guide mechanism 1171 may be changed. For example, the movable plate 1182 may slide with respect to the guide groove, the guide hole, or the like. The movable plate 1182 may be replaced with a shape that is difficult to call a “plate”.

  A motor 1153 is fixed to the movable plate 1182. Thus, when the motor 1153 moves relative to the holding mechanism 1032, the guide mechanism 1171 guides the motor 1153 in the extending direction of the pipette 1030. The position of the pipette mounting part 1061 with respect to the motor 1153 is constant. Therefore, when the motor 1153 moves relative to the holding mechanism 1032, the pipette mounting portion 1061 moves relative to the holding mechanism 1032, and when the motor 1153 is guided in the extending direction of the pipette 1030, the pipette The pipette mounting part 1061 is guided in the extending direction 1030.

(Regulatory mechanism)
A restriction surface forming groove 1300 is formed in the restriction surface forming plate 1177. The restriction surface forming groove 1300 has a lower restriction surface 1310 and an upper restriction surface 1311.

  The lower restriction surface 1310 and the upper restriction surface 1311 are separated in the extending direction of the pipette 1030. The movable plate 1182 contacts the lower restriction surface 1310 when the pipette mounting portion 1061 is disposed at the steady position, and contacts the upper restriction surface 1311 when the pipette mounting portion 1061 is disposed at the maximum retracted position. Touch. The lower restriction surface 1310 restricts the pipette mounting portion 1161 from moving to the tip 1230 side of the pipette 1030 from the steady position. The upper restricting surface 1311 restricts the pipette mounting portion 1161 from further retracting from the maximum retracted position.

  The movable range (stroke) of the pipette mounting part 1161 is set wider than the variation in the length of the pipette 1030. For example, when the variation in length of the pipette 1030 is about ± 0.3 mm, the movable range of the pipette mounting portion 1161 is set to about 1 mm. Thereby, when the position of the tip of the pipette 1030 is adjusted, the variation in the length of the pipette 1030 is absorbed.

  The regulation mechanism may be configured by a part other than the lower regulation surface 1310 and the upper regulation surface 1311. For example, the restriction mechanism may be configured by a protrusion provided on the guide shaft 1180 or the rotation prevention shaft 1181, for example.

(Coil spring)
A lower end 1321 of the coil spring 1172 is in contact with the movable plate 1182. The upper end 1320 of the coil spring 1172 is in contact with the upper fixing plate 1175. The expansion / contraction direction of the coil spring 1172 and the extending direction of the pipette 1030 are the same. The coil spring 1172 is compressed, and the restoring force for the coil spring 1172 to return to the natural length increases as the pipette mounting portion 1161 moves away from the steady position. The coil spring 1172 elastically presses the movable plate 1182 toward the tip 1230 side of the pipette 1030, and positions the pipette mounting portion 1161 in a steady position in a state where it is biased toward the tip 1230 side of the pipette 1030. The coil spring 1172 may press other than the movable plate 1182. For example, the coil spring 1172 may press the motor 1153. More generally, the coil spring 1172 presses a component whose position relative to the pipette mounting portion 1161 is constant.

  The coil spring 1172 may be replaced with a pressing mechanism made of another type of elastic body. For example, the coil spring 1172 may be replaced with a structure made of a leaf spring, an air spring, rubber, or the like.

(Lock mechanism)
In the locked state, the tip of the plunger 1190 comes into contact with the end surface of the movable plate 1182, and the movable plate 1182 is prohibited from moving relative to the holding mechanism 1032 in the extending direction of the pipette 1030. In the unlocked state, the plunger 1190 does not contact the movable plate 1182, and the movable plate 1182 is allowed to move relative to the extending direction of the pipette 1030. When the movable plate 1182 is prohibited or permitted to move relative to the holding mechanism 1032 in the extending direction of the pipette 1030, the pipette mounting portion 1161 extends in the extending direction of the pipette 1030 with respect to the holding mechanism 1032. Relative movement is prohibited or permitted. The solenoid actuator 1173 can lock the pipette mounting part 1161 at an arbitrary position within the movable range.

  The state in which the plunger 1190 is in contact with the movable plate 1182 and the state in which the plunger 1190 is not in contact are switched depending on whether or not a current is supplied to the excitation coil 1191. Therefore, the locked state and the unlocked state are switched depending on whether or not current is supplied to the exciting coil 1191.

  A lock mechanism may be configured by components other than the solenoid actuator 1173. For example, the lock mechanism may be configured by a clutch.

(Pressing load)
When the pipette mounting part 1161 does not leave the steady position, the pressing load F applied to the pipette mounting part 1161 is equal to or less than the first pressing load F1 (F <F1).

  When the pipette mounting part 1161 moves away from the steady position but does not reach the maximum retracted position, the pressing load F applied to the pipette mounting part 1161 is larger than the first pressing load F1 and smaller than the second pressing load F2 (F1 <F <F2). The pressing load F applied to the pipette mounting part 1161 increases as the pipette mounting part 1161 moves away from the steady position.

  When the pipette mounting portion 1161 reaches the maximum retracted position, the pressing load F applied to the pipette mounting portion 1161 is equal to or higher than the second pressing load F2 (F2 ≦ F).

  The first pressing load F1 is set by the spring constant k of the coil spring 1172 and the compression length ΔL1 from the natural length of the coil spring 1172 when the pipette mounting portion 1161 is located at the steady position. The second pressing load F2 is set by the spring constant k of the coil spring 1172 and the compression length ΔL2 from the natural length of the coil spring 1172 when the pipette mounting portion 1161 is positioned at the maximum retracted position.

  The pressure load F applied to the pipette mounting portion 1161 when the pipette 1030 is mounted on the pipette mounting portion 1161 is a pressing load generated when the pipette 1030 contacts the O-ring 1151 (hereinafter referred to as “load at the time of O-ring contact”). .) Fa, a pressing load (hereinafter referred to as “press-fit load”) Fb generated when the pipette mounting portion 1161 is press-fitted into the pipette 1030.

  O-ring contact load Fa is smaller than press-fit load Fb (Fa <Fb).

  The first pressing load F1 and the second pressing load F2 are set so that the load Fa at the time of O-ring contact is larger than or equal to the first pressing load F1 and smaller than the second pressing load F2. (F1 ≦ Fa <F2). In this case, when the pipette 1030 comes into contact with the O-ring 1151, the pipette mounting portion 1161 moves away from the steady position but does not reach the maximum retracted position. The first pressing load F1 may be set so that the O-ring contact load Fa is smaller than the first pressing load F1 (Fa <F1).

  The second pressing load F2 is set so that the press-fitting load Fb is larger than the second pressing load F2 (F2 <Fb). In such a case, when the pipette mounting part 1161 is press-fitted into the pipette 1030, the pipette mounting part 1161 reaches the maximum retracted position. Thereby, a pressing load equal to or higher than the second pressing load F2 is applied to the pipette mounting portion 1161, and a pressing load necessary for press-fitting is obtained.

(Inspection chip)
As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the composite 1100 is bonded to the lower main surface 1330 of the sheet 1101, and the lid 1102 is bonded to the upper main surface 1331 of the sheet 1101. The sheet 1101 and the lid 1102 may be replaced with an integrated body in which the flow path 1200 and the insertion hole 1250 are formed, or a composite composed of three or more components in which the flow path 1200 and the insertion hole 1250 are formed. It may be replaced. The lower main surface 1340 of the gold film 1111 is in close contact with the reflecting surface 1221. The upper main surface 1341 of the gold film 1111 has a fixing surface 1350. Antigen capturing film 1090 is fixed to fixing surface 1350.

  The inspection chip 1013 is also called a sensor chip, an analysis chip, a sample cell, or the like.

(prism)
The prism 1110 is a trapezoidal column. The prism 1110 is preferably an isosceles trapezoidal column having an isosceles trapezoidal cross section as shown in FIG. One inclined side surface of the prism 1110 becomes an incident surface 1220. The wide parallel side surface of the prism 1110 becomes a reflection surface 1221. The other inclined side surface of the prism 1110 is an emission surface 1222.

  The incident surface 1220, the reflecting surface 1221, and the emitting surface 1222 are arranged so that the excitation light EL enters the incident surface 1220, is reflected by the reflecting surface 1221, and exits from the emitting surface 1222.

  The shape of the prism 1110 is determined so that the excitation light EL can be incident on the reflecting surface 1221 at an incident angle θr at which the electric field enhancement is maximized. As long as the excitation light EL is incident on the reflecting surface 1221 at the incident angle θr at which the electric field enhancement becomes maximum, the prism 1110 may be other than the trapezoidal column, and the prism 1110 is replaced with a shape that is difficult to call “prism”. Also good. For example, the prism 1110 may be a semi-cylindrical body, and the prism 1110 may be replaced with a plate.

  The prism 1110 is made of a resin that is transparent to the excitation light EL. However, the prism 1110 may be made of other than resin. For example, the prism 1110 can be made of glass. In general, the prism 1110 may be a dielectric medium.

  When the prism 1110 is made of resin, the prism 1110 is desirably molded by injection molding. However, the prism 1110 may be molded by other methods.

(Gold film)
The gold film 1111 is a thin film. The film thickness of the gold film 1111 is desirably 100 nm or less. However, the film thickness of the gold film 1111 may be thicker than 100 mm.

  The gold film 1111 is formed by sputtering, vapor deposition, plating, or the like. However, the gold film 1111 may be formed by other methods.

  The gold film 1111 may be replaced with a conductor film made of another type of conductor. For example, the gold film 1111 may be replaced with a conductor film made of a metal such as silver, copper, or aluminum, or an alloy containing these metals.

(Antigen capture membrane)
The antigen capture membrane 1090 has a membrane shape. This facilitates the enhanced evanescent field to excite the fluorescent label and improves the accuracy of the biochemical test.

  The antigen capturing film 1090 is disposed inside the flow channel 1200. Thus, when the liquid such as the cleaning liquid 1130, the sample liquid 1133, and the fluorescent labeling liquid 1134 is filled in the flow path 1200, the liquid filled in the flow path 1200 comes into contact with the antigen capturing film 1090.

  The antigen capturing film 1090 is made of a non-fluid. Thereby, even if the liquid contacts the antigen capturing film 1090, the antigen capturing film 1090 does not move.

  The antigen capturing film 1090 is desirably patterned by a rubber applicator. However, the antigen capturing film 1090 may be patterned by other methods. The planar shape of the antigen capture membrane 1090 is a circle, a polygon, or the like. The diameter of the antigen capture membrane 1090 is desirably several mm. The thickness of the antigen capturing film 1090 is desirably 100 nm or less.

  When the antigen capturing film 1090 is formed, a self-assembled (SAM) film is formed on the upper main surface 1341 of the gold film 1111, and a solid support layer is formed on the self-assembled film. Antibody 1211 is immobilized on the body.

  The antigen capture film 1090 is preferably coated with a storage reagent. Thereby, even if the antibody 1211 immobilized on the antigen capturing film 1090 is a protein, the capturing ability of the antigen 1210 is maintained for a long time. The storage reagent is a humectant that does not inhibit the capture ability, and is preferably a liquid mainly composed of an aqueous sucrose solution. The test chip 1013 is desirably stored in a dried state after a storage reagent is applied to the antigen capturing film 1090. However, the application of the reagent for storage may be omitted.

(Sheet)
A flow path 1200 is formed in the sheet 1101. The flow path 1200 passes through the lower main surface 1330 and the upper main surface 1331 of the sheet 1101. The flow path 1200 extends from one connection end 1360 to the other connection end 1361.

  The sheet 1101 is a double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet in which a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is formed on the lower main surface and the upper main surface of the base material. The substrate is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or the like. The adhesive layer is made of an adhesive such as an acrylic adhesive.

  The sheet 1101 also serves as a bonding medium for bonding the composite 1100 and the lid 1102. In the case where the sheet 1101 does not serve as a bonding medium, the composite 1100 and the lid 1102 are bonded by adhesion, laser welding, ultrasonic welding, clamp bonding, or the like.

  In the case where the flow path 1200 is formed in the sheet 1101 having a sheet shape, the volume of the flow path 1200 is reduced, and a small amount of sample solution 1133 is required for biochemical examination. However, the sheet 1101 may be replaced with a shape that is difficult to call a “sheet”.

(lid)
An insertion hole 1250 and a liquid reservoir 1251 are formed in the lid 1102.

  The insertion hole 1250 has a connection end 1370 and an opening 1371. The connection end 1370 of the insertion hole 1250 is connected to one connection end 1360 of the flow path 1200. Thus, when the pipette 1030 is inserted into the insertion hole 1250, the liquid can be supplied to the flow path 1200, and the liquid can be collected from the flow path 1200. The opening 1371 of the insertion hole 1250 is disposed on the insertion hole sealing surface 1380 of the lid 1102. Thereby, the pipette 1030 can be inserted into the insertion hole 1250 through the insertion hole hermetic seal 1103.

  The insertion hole 1250 desirably extends linearly. This facilitates the insertion of the pipette 1030 into the insertion hole 1250.

  The liquid reservoir 1251 has a connection end 1390 and an opening 1391. The connection end 1390 of the liquid reservoir 1251 is connected to the other connection end 1361 of the flow channel 1200. The opening 1391 of the liquid reservoir 1251 is disposed on the liquid reservoir sealing surface 1381 of the lid 1102. The liquid reservoir 1251 makes it possible to easily reciprocate the liquid between the one connection end 1360 and the other connection end 1361 of the flow path 1200, and facilitate the biochemical reaction.

  The lid 1102 is made of a resin that is transparent to the surface plasmon excitation fluorescence FL and the scattered light SL of the excitation light EL. However, the lid 1102 may be made of a material other than resin. For example, the lid 1102 can be made of glass.

  When the lid 1102 is made of resin, the lid 1102 is desirably molded by injection molding. However, the lid 1102 may be molded by other methods.

  The lid 1102 may be replaced with a shape that is difficult to call a “lid”.

(Sealing seal)
The insertion hole sealing seal 1103 and the liquid reservoir sealing seal 1104 are attached to the insertion hole sealing surface 1380 and the liquid reservoir sealing surface 1381, respectively, and close the opening 1371 of the insertion hole 1250 and the opening 1391 of the liquid reservoir 1251. Thereby, the insertion hole 1250, the liquid reservoir 1251, and the flow path 1200 are sealed.

  The insertion hole sealing seal 1103 and the liquid reservoir sealing seal 1104 are preferably made of resin. However, the insertion hole hermetic seal 1103 and the liquid reservoir hermetic seal 1104 may be made of other than resin. For example, the hermetic seal may be a laminate of a sheet made of resin and a sheet made of aluminum.

(Laser diode)
As shown in FIG. 4, the laser diode 1060 emits excitation light EL.

  The laser diode 1060 may be replaced with other types of light sources. For example, the laser diode 1060 may be replaced with a light emitting diode, a mercury lamp, a laser other than the laser diode, or the like.

(Linear polarizing plate)
The linearly polarizing plate 1061 is disposed on the optical path of the excitation light EL, and converts the excitation light EL emitted from the laser diode 1060 into linearly polarized light. The polarization direction of the excitation light EL is selected so that the excitation light EL is p-polarized with respect to the reflection surface 1221. As a result, the leakage of the evanescent wave increases, the amount of the surface plasmon excitation fluorescence FL increases, and the accuracy of the biochemical examination is improved.

(mirror)
The mirror 1062 is disposed on the optical path of the excitation light EL, and reflects the excitation light EL that has passed through the linear polarizing plate 1061. The excitation light EL reflected by the mirror 1062 is applied to the prism 1110.

(Mirror drive mechanism)
The mirror driving mechanism 1063 rotates the mirror 1062 and adjusts the posture of the mirror 1062. The mirror driving mechanism 1063 moves the mirror 1062 in the optical axis direction of the laser diode 1060 and adjusts the position of the mirror 1062. This makes it possible to adjust the incident angle θ of the excitation light EL on the reflection surface 1221 while maintaining the incident position of the excitation light EL on the reflection surface 1221 on the back side of the fixing surface 1350. The incident angle θ of the excitation light EL on the reflecting surface 1221 satisfies the total reflection condition.

(Photomultiplier tube)
The photomultiplier tube 1070 is disposed on the optical path of the surface plasmon excitation fluorescence FL, and measures the light amounts of the surface plasmon excitation fluorescence FL and the scattered light SL. The photomultiplier tube 1070 may be replaced with another type of light quantity sensor. For example, the photomultiplier tube 1070 may be replaced with a charge coupled device (CCD) sensor or the like.

(Low-pass filter)
The low pass filter 1071 transmits light having a wavelength longer than the cutoff wavelength and attenuates light having a wavelength shorter than the cutoff wavelength. The cutoff wavelength is selected within a range from the wavelength of the excitation light EL to the wavelength of the surface plasmon excitation fluorescence FL.

  When the low-pass filter 1071 is arranged on the optical path of the surface plasmon excitation fluorescence FL, the scattered light SL is attenuated by the low-pass filter 1071, and a small part of the scattered light SL reaches the photomultiplier tube 1070. The excitation fluorescence FL passes through the low-pass filter 1071, and most of the surface plasmon excitation fluorescence FL reaches the photomultiplier tube 1070. Thereby, when the light quantity of the surface plasmon excitation fluorescence FL with a relatively small light quantity is measured, the influence of the scattered light SL with a relatively large light quantity is suppressed, and the accuracy of the biochemical examination is improved. The low pass filter 1071 may be replaced with a band pass filter.

(Low-pass filter drive mechanism)
The low-pass filter driving mechanism 1072 switches between a state where the low-pass filter 1071 is disposed on the optical path of the surface plasmon excitation fluorescence FL and a state where the low-pass filter 1071 is not disposed on the optical path of the surface plasmon excitation fluorescence FL.

(Photodiode)
The photodiode 1073 is disposed on the optical path of the reflected light RL of the excitation light EL and measures the amount of the reflected light RL. The photodiode 1073 may be replaced with another type of light amount sensor. For example, the photodiode 1073 may be replaced with a phototransistor, a photoresistor, or the like. When the incident angle θr at which the electric field enhancement is maximized is detected from the amount of the scattered light SL, the photodiode 1073 may be omitted. When the photodiode 1073 is omitted, a light absorber is desirably arranged on the optical path of the reflected light RL.

(Liquid feeding controller and measurement controller)
The liquid feeding controller 1021 and the measurement controller 1052 are embedded computers that execute a control program. One embedded computer may be responsible for the functions of the liquid delivery controller 1021 and the measurement controller 1052, or two or more embedded computers may be responsible for the functions of the liquid delivery controller 1021 and the measurement controller 1052. Hardware without software may be responsible for all or part of the functions of the liquid feeding controller 1021 and the measurement controller 1052. The hardware is an electronic circuit such as an operational amplifier or a comparator.

(Biochemical examination procedure)
The flowchart of FIG. 15 shows the procedure of biochemical examination. The schematic diagram of FIG. 16 shows the procedure of conveyance. Part of the biochemical test procedure may be performed manually by the operator or may be performed outside the biochemical test apparatus 1000.

(Attachment of inspection chip and reagent chip)
A test chip 1013 and a reagent chip 1014 are prepared and attached to the reaction proceeding unit 1010 (step S101). The test chip 1013 and the reagent chip 1014 are prepared for each biochemical test. The inspection chip 1013 and the reagent chip 1014 are exchanged for each specimen 1131 and are disposable. When the reagent chip 1014 is prepared, the sample 1131 is stored in the sample container 1121. The sample 1131 is typically a sample from a human such as blood, but may be a sample from a non-human organism or a sample from a non-living organism.

(Pipette installed)
After the inspection chip 1013 and the reagent chip 1014 are attached to the reaction progressing part 1010, the pipette 1030 is attached to the pipette attaching part 1161 (step S102).

  When the pipette 1030 is mounted on the pipette mounting unit 1161, the transport mechanism 1033 transports the holding mechanism 1032 according to control by the mounting control unit 1040. By this control, the pipette mounting portion 1161 is press-fitted into the mounting port 1241 of the pipette 1030 (position P1) held by the holder 1125.

  Before the pipette 1030 contacts the O-ring 1151, the pipette mounting part 1161 does not leave the steady position. When the pipette 1030 contacts the O-ring 1151, the pipette mounting part 1161 moves away from the steady position but does not reach the maximum retracted position. When the pipette mounting part 1161 is press-fitted into the pipette 1030, the pipette mounting part 1161 reaches the maximum retracted position. The pipette mounting part 1161 returns to the steady position after the pipette 1030 is mounted.

  The press-fitting amount is adjusted by the raising / lowering amount of the holding mechanism 1032 in the extending direction of the pipette 1030. The press-fitting amount may be adjusted by press-fitting torque.

(Drilling the sealing hole for the insertion hole)
After the pipette 1030 is attached to the pipette attachment portion 1161, a hole is made in the insertion hole hermetic seal 1103 (step S103).

  When a hole is made in the insertion hole hermetic seal 1103, the transport mechanism 1033 transports the holding mechanism 1032 according to the control by the punch control unit 1041. By this control, the pipette 1030 is inserted into the insertion hole 1250 (position P9), and the insertion hole hermetic seal 1103 is pierced by the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030.

  When a hole is made in the insertion hole sealing seal 1103 before the position of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is adjusted, the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is caused by a pressing load applied to the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 when breaking through the insertion hole sealing seal 1103. Is prevented from shifting. However, if the position of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 does not shift due to the pressing load applied to the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 when the solenoid actuator 1173 has a sufficiently large locking capability and pierces the insertion hole sealing seal 1103, the insertion hole sealing seal 1103 becomes the pipette. In the case of being pierced by other than the tip 1230 of 1030, a hole may be made in the insertion hole hermetic seal 1103 after the position of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is adjusted. Even after the hole is formed in the insertion hole hermetic seal 1103, while the pipette 1030 is inserted into the insertion hole 1250, the insertion hole hermetic seal 1103 and the pipette 1030 are engaged, and hermeticity is maintained.

(Adjusting the pipette tip position)
After the hole is made in the insertion hole hermetic seal 1103, the position of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is adjusted (step S104).

  17 to 20 show the pump unit when the position of the pipette tip is adjusted. 17 to 20 are cross-sectional views.

  When the position of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is adjusted, the transport mechanism 1033 transports the holding mechanism 1032 according to the control by the tip adjustment control unit 1042, and the solenoid actuator 1173 moves the plunger 1190 according to the control by the tip adjustment control unit 1042. Drive.

  By this control, as shown in FIG. 17, the pipette mounting portion 1161 is unlocked, the holding mechanism 1032 is conveyed, and the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is opposed to the upper surface 1260 of the lid 1102 (position P7). . At this time, the pipette mounting part 1161 is disposed at a steady position.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 18, the holding mechanism 1032 is lowered while the pipette mounting portion 1161 is in the unlocked state, and the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is brought into contact with the upper surface 1260 of the lid 1102 ( Position P8).

  At this time, the pipette mounting part 1161 retracts to the opposite side of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 and leaves the steady position. Even when the length of the pipette 1030 is the lower limit of variation, the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 abuts on the upper surface 1260 of the lid 1102 and the pipette mounting portion is lowered even if the length of the pipette 1030 is the upper limit of variation. 1161 is set so as not to reach the maximum retracted position. The retracted amount of the pipette mounting portion 1161 increases when the pipette 1030 is long and decreases when the pipette 1030 is short. However, the pipette mounting part 1161 does not reach the maximum retracted position. Thereby, it is suppressed that an excessive pressing load is applied to the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030, and damage to the pipette 1030 is suppressed.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 19, while the holding mechanism 1032 is stopped and the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is in contact with the upper surface 1260 of the lid 1102, the plunger 1190 is driven to move the movable plate 1182. The pipette mounting part 1161 is locked in the locked state. Accordingly, the position of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is adjusted to a fixed position with respect to both the holding mechanism 1032 and the inspection chip 1014, and the position of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 with respect to the holding mechanism 1032 is fixed. That is, the variation in the position of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 due to the length of the pipette 1030 is eliminated.

  After the pipette mounting part 1161 is locked, the position of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is managed by the position of the holding mechanism 1032 relative to the position where the holding mechanism 1032 is stopped regardless of the length of the pipette 1030. The tip 1230 is placed at a desired position. At this time, the closed loop control for determining the lift amount while monitoring the position of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is unnecessary, and the open loop control in which the lift amount is maintained constant is sufficient. Switching between the locked state and the unlocked state can be easily switched depending on whether or not a current is supplied to the exciting coil 1191, and is simpler than the above closed loop control.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 20, the holding mechanism 1032 is raised while the pipette mounting portion 1161 is locked, and the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is separated from the upper surface 1260 of the lid 1102. Even when the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is separated from the upper surface 1260 of the lid 1102, the position of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 with respect to the holding mechanism 1032 is maintained.

(Inspection chip cleaning)
After the position of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is adjusted, the inspection chip 1013 is washed (step S105).

  When the inspection chip 1013 is cleaned, the transport mechanism 1033 transports the holding mechanism 1032 according to the control by the cleaning control unit 1043, and the pump 1031 discharges / sucks the cleaning liquid 1130 according to the control by the cleaning control unit 1043. By this control, the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is immersed in the cleaning liquid 1130 (position P2), the cleaning liquid 1130 is sucked, the pipette 1030 is inserted into the insertion hole 1250 (position P9), and the cleaning liquid 1130 is discharged. After the time necessary for cleaning elapses, the cleaning liquid 1130 is sucked and the pipette 1030 is removed from the insertion hole 1250. Accordingly, the cleaning liquid 1130 is recovered from the flow path 1200 after the cleaning liquid 1130 is supplied to the flow path 1200. The flow path 1200 is filled with the cleaning liquid 1130 until the cleaning liquid 1130 is supplied and recovered, contaminants in the flow path 1200 and the antigen capture film 1090, storage reagents applied to the antigen capture film 1090, and the like Is removed.

  When the pipette 1030 is inserted into the insertion hole 1250, the holding mechanism 1032 is conveyed, and the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 and the opening 1371 of the insertion hole 1250 are opposed to each other. At this time, the extending direction of the pipette 1030 and the extending direction of the insertion hole 1250 are matched. Subsequently, the holding mechanism 1032 is lowered, and the pipette 1030 is inserted into the insertion hole 1250.

  When the cleaning liquid 1130 is sucked, the tip 1230 of the pipette 1300 is disposed in the vicinity of the connection end 1370 of the insertion hole 1250 or in the flow channel 1200, preferably in the flow channel 1200, and more preferably The distance from the opposing surface 1351 facing the connection end 1370 of the insertion hole 1250 to the tip 1230 of the pipette 1300 is arranged at a position where the distance is 0.3 mm or less. Since the position of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1300 has been adjusted, the risk that the tip 1230 of the pipette 1300 collides with the facing surface 1351 is small even if the tip 1230 of the pipette 1300 is brought close to the facing surface 1351.

  When the cleaning liquid 1130 is discharged, the tip 1230 of the pipette 1300 may be disposed at the same position as when the cleaning liquid 1130 is sucked, or may be disposed at a position different from that when the cleaning liquid 1130 is sucked. .

  Even if the conveyance amount of the holding mechanism 1032 is constant, it is sufficient. However, the position of the reference surface with respect to the test chip 1013 may be measured for each biochemical test, and the conveyance amount of the holding mechanism 1032 may be finely adjusted according to the measurement result. The position of the reference plane with respect to the inspection chip 1013 may be measured by a separately provided measurement mechanism. For example, a measuring device or the like that measures the reference plane distance during the movement between the position where the inspection chip is installed by the user and the position where the inspection chip is engaged with the pipette and receives suction / discharge can be considered.

  The tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is disposed at a fixed position inside the insertion hole 1250 or the flow path 1200, and the cleaning liquid 1130 is stably recovered from the flow path 1200. When the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is brought close to the facing surface 1351, the amount of the cleaning liquid 1130 remaining in the flow path 1200 after the cleaning liquid 1130 is recovered from the flow path 1200 is sufficiently small. For this reason, the liquid supplied to the flow path 1200 after the inspection chip 1013 is cleaned is hardly diluted in the cleaning liquid 1130, and the cleaning liquid 1130 is used for the subsequent biochemical reaction even if the subsequent biochemical reaction is an equilibrium reaction. The effect is small.

  When the flow path 1200 and the antigen capturing film 1090 are clean and a storage reagent or the like is not applied to the antigen capturing film 1090, the cleaning of the test chip 1013 may be omitted. The cleaning of the inspection chip 1013 may be repeated twice or more.

(Preparation of sample solution)
After the inspection chip 1013 is cleaned, the sample liquid 1133 is prepared (step S106).

  When the sample solution 1133 is prepared, the transport mechanism 1033 transports the holding mechanism 1032 according to the control by the preparation control unit 1044, and the pump 1031 discharges / sucks the liquid according to the control by the preparation control unit 1044. By this control, the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is immersed in the sample 1131 (position P3), the sample 1131 is aspirated, the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is placed inside the sample liquid container 1123 (position P5), and the sample 1131 is discharged. Is done. As a result, the sample 1131 is sent from the sample container 1121 to the sample solution container 1123. In addition, the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is immersed in the diluent 1132 (position P4), the diluent 1132 is sucked, the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is placed inside the sample solution container 1123 (position P5), and the diluent 1132 is Discharged. As a result, the diluent 1132 is sent from the diluent container 1122 to the sample liquid container 1123. The sample 1131 and the diluted solution 1132 are mixed in the sample solution container 1123 to become the sample solution 1133.

  The sample solution 1133 may be prepared manually by the operator or may be prepared outside the biochemical examination apparatus 1000. The specimen 1131 may be used as the sample liquid 1133 as it is. A pretreatment other than dilution may be performed instead of or in addition to dilution. For example, blood cell separation, reagent mixing, and the like may be performed.

(Primary immune response)
After the sample solution 1133 is prepared, a primary immune reaction (antigen-antibody reaction) is allowed to proceed (step S107).

  When the primary immune reaction is advanced, the transport mechanism 1033 transports the holding mechanism 1032 according to the control by the primary immune reaction control unit 1045, and the pump 1031 controls the sample liquid 1133 according to the control by the primary immune reaction control unit 1045. Is discharged / sucked. By this control, the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is immersed in the sample liquid 1133 (position P5), the sample liquid 1133 is sucked, the pipette 1030 is inserted into the insertion hole 1250 (position P9), and the sample liquid 1133 is discharged. After the time necessary for the primary immune reaction has elapsed, the sample liquid 1133 is aspirated and the pipette 1030 is removed from the insertion hole 1250. Accordingly, the sample liquid 1133 is collected from the flow path 1200 after the sample liquid 1133 is supplied to the flow path 1200. Between the time when the sample liquid 1133 is supplied and the time when the sample liquid 1133 is collected, the flow path 1200 is filled with the sample liquid 1133, the sample liquid 1133 comes into contact with the antigen capturing film 1090, and the antigen 1210 and the antigen capturing film included in the sample liquid 1133 Antibody 1211 immobilized on 1090 binds. Thereby, the antigen 1210 is captured by the antigen capturing film 1090, and the primary immune reaction is completed.

  The same can be said for the position of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 when the sample liquid 1133 is discharged / aspirated, as in the case where the cleaning liquid 1130 is discharged / aspirated. The transport amount of the holding mechanism 1032 when the sample liquid 1133 is discharged / aspirated can be said to be the same as when the cleaning liquid 1130 is discharged / aspirated.

  The tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is disposed at a fixed position inside the insertion hole 1250 or the flow channel 1200, and the sample liquid 1133 is stably recovered from the flow channel 1200. When the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is brought close to the facing surface 1351, the amount of the sample liquid 1133 remaining in the flow path 1200 after the sample liquid 1133 is collected from the flow path 1200 is sufficiently small. For this reason, the liquid supplied to the flow path 1200 after the primary immune reaction is hardly diluted in the sample liquid 1133, and even if the later biochemical reaction is an equilibrium reaction, the sample liquid 1133 is used for the subsequent biochemical reaction. The effect is small.

(Detection of incident angle θr at which electric field enhancement is maximized)
An incident angle (resonance angle) θr at which the electric field enhancement becomes maximum after the completion of the primary immune reaction is detected (step S108).

  When the incident angle θr at which the electric field enhancement is maximized is detected, the irradiation mechanism 1050 irradiates the prism 1110 with the excitation light EL in a state where the flow path 1200 is filled with the buffer solution, and the photomultiplier tube 1070 The amount of scattered light SL is measured. The low-pass filter driving mechanism 1072 retracts the low-pass filter 1071 from the optical path of the surface plasmon excitation fluorescence FL according to the control by the resonance angle detection unit 1080. The mirror drive mechanism 1063 scans the incident angle θ according to control by the resonance angle detection unit 1080. The resonance angle detection unit 1080 acquires the measurement result of the light amount of the scattered light SL, and detects the incident angle θ at which the light amount of the scattered light SL is maximized. The incident angle θ at which the amount of scattered light SL is maximized is regarded as the incident angle θr at which the electric field enhancement is maximized. The photodiode 1073 may measure the light amount of the reflected light RL, and the resonance angle detection unit 1080 may detect the incident angle θ at which the light amount of the reflected light RL is minimized. Correction for adding or subtracting a minute angle to the detected incident angle θ may be performed.

(Progress of secondary immune reaction)
The secondary immune reaction (antigen-antibody reaction) is allowed to proceed after the incident angle θr at which the electric field enhancement is maximized is detected (step S109).

  When the secondary immune reaction is allowed to proceed, the transport mechanism 1033 transports the holding mechanism 1032 according to the control by the secondary immune reaction control unit 1046, and the pump 1031 performs the fluorescent labeling solution according to the control by the secondary immune reaction control unit 1046. 1134 is discharged / sucked. By this control, the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is immersed in the fluorescent labeling liquid 1134 (position P6), the fluorescent labeling liquid 1134 is sucked, the pipette 1030 is inserted into the insertion hole 1250 (P9), and the fluorescent labeling liquid 1134 is discharged. The After the time necessary for the secondary immune reaction has elapsed, the fluorescent labeling solution 1134 is aspirated and the pipette 1030 is removed from the insertion hole 1250. Thus, after the fluorescent labeling liquid 1134 is supplied to the flow path 1200, the fluorescent labeling liquid 1134 is recovered from the flow path 1200. The flow path 1200 is filled with the fluorescent labeling liquid 1134 until the fluorescent labeling liquid 1134 is recovered after the fluorescent labeling liquid 1134 is supplied, and the fluorescent labeling liquid 1134 comes into contact with the antigen capturing film 1090 and the fluorescent labeling liquid 1134 contains the fluorescent labeling liquid. The antigen 1210 captured by the antibody 1212 and the antigen capturing membrane 1090 is bound. This adds a fluorescent label to antigen 1210 and completes the secondary immune reaction.

  The same can be said for the position of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 when the fluorescent labeling liquid 1134 is discharged / aspirated, as in the case where the cleaning liquid 1130 is discharged / aspirated. The transport amount of the holding mechanism 1032 when the fluorescent labeling liquid 1134 is discharged / aspirated can be said to be the same as when the cleaning liquid 1130 is discharged / aspirated.

  The tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is disposed at a fixed position inside the insertion hole 1250 or the flow path 1200, and the fluorescent labeling liquid 1134 is stably recovered from the flow path 1200. When the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is brought close to the facing surface 1351, the amount of the fluorescent labeling liquid 1134 remaining in the flow path 1200 after the fluorescent labeling liquid 1134 is recovered from the flow path 1200 is sufficiently small. For this reason, the liquid supplied to the flow path 1200 after the secondary immune reaction is hardly diluted in the fluorescent labeling liquid 1134, and the influence of the fluorescent labeling liquid 1134 on the subsequent biochemical reaction is small.

(Measurement of light intensity of surface plasmon excitation fluorescence)
After the secondary immune reaction is completed, the light amount of the surface plasmon excitation fluorescence FL is measured (step S110).

  When the light quantity of the surface plasmon excitation fluorescence FL is measured, the irradiation mechanism 1050 irradiates the prism 1110 with the excitation light EL in a state where the flow path 1200 is filled with the buffer solution, and the photomultiplier tube 1070 is excited with the surface plasmon excitation. The amount of fluorescence FL is measured. The low-pass filter drive mechanism 1072 arranges the low-pass filter 1071 in the optical path of the surface plasmon excitation fluorescence FL according to the control by the light quantity measurement unit 1081. The mirror drive mechanism 1063 sets the incident angle θ to the incident angle θr at which the electric field enhancement is maximized according to the control by the light quantity measuring unit 1081. The light quantity measurement unit 1081 acquires the measurement result of the light quantity of the surface plasmon excitation fluorescence FL.

(Disposal)
After all the liquid supply / recovery is completed, the pipette 1030 is discarded (step S111).

  When the pipette 1030 is discarded, the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is disposed inside the disposal box. In this state, the pipette mounting part 1161 is brought into the unlocked state, and the pipette mounting part 1161 returns to the steady position. Pipette 1030 is removed from pipette mounting part 1161. The holding mechanism 1032 returns to the initial position.

(Biochemical testing method)
The biochemical test apparatus 1000 may perform a biochemical test by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). When the biochemical examination apparatus 1000 performs biochemical examination by SPR, the feeding of the fluorescent labeling liquid 1134 is omitted, and the change in the incident angle θr at which the electric field enhancement intensity is maximized before and after the antigen 1210 is captured is measured. The

  The measurement unit 1011 may be replaced, and the biochemical test apparatus 1000 may perform a biochemical test using an ELISA or immunochromatography.

  Depending on the method of biochemical examination, the antigen-capturing membrane 1090 may be a simple reaction field providing material that does not have a membrane shape but provides a reaction field in which a biochemical reaction proceeds. In some cases, the composite 1100 including the prism 1110 and the gold film 1111 is not necessary, and a fixing surface formation having a fixing surface 1350 may be provided instead of the composite 1100.

  Depending on the method of biochemical examination, the type, number, and the like of the liquid filled in the flow path 1200 also change.

{Second Embodiment}
The second embodiment relates to a pump unit that replaces the pump unit of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, one pipette is mounted on one pipette mounting section. In the second embodiment, one pipette is mounted on each of the three pipette mounting sections, and three pipettes are mounted. A total of three pipettes are attached to the section. In the first embodiment, the entire pump is guided by the guide shaft, but in the second embodiment, only the cylinder is guided by the guide hole. In 2nd Embodiment, the structure of 1st Embodiment or its deformation | transformation may be used.

  The schematic diagrams from FIG. 21 to FIG. 23 show the pump unit of the second embodiment. 21 is a sectional view taken along the line CC in FIGS. 22 and 23, FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along the line DD in FIGS. 21 and 23, and FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along the line EE in FIGS. .

  As shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, the pump unit 2034 includes a pipette 1030, a pump 2031, and a holding mechanism 2032.

  The pump 2031 includes three cylinders 2150, three O-rings 2151, three pistons 2152, and a motor 2153. One O-ring 2151 and one piston 2152 are provided for each of the three cylinders 2150. The number of cylinders 2150, O-ring 2151 and piston 2152 may be increased or decreased, or one. Each of the cylinders 2150 includes a cylinder chamber forming portion 2160 and a pipette mounting portion 2161.

  The holding mechanism 2032 includes a base 2170, three coil springs 2172, and a solenoid actuator 2173. One coil spring 2172 is provided for each of the three cylinders 2150. When the cylinder 2150 is increased or decreased, the coil spring 2172 is also increased or decreased in accordance with the cylinder 2150. The base 2170 includes a motor holding plate 2500, a guide hole forming plate 2501, a regulation surface forming plate 2502, and a connection plate 2503. The solenoid actuator 2173 includes a plunger 2190 and an excitation coil 2191.

  Components other than these may be added to the pump unit 2034. Some of these components may be omitted from the pump unit 2034.

  One pipette 1030 is attached to each of the three pipette attaching portions 2161. When the pipette 1030 is attached to the pipette attachment 2161, the pipette attachment 2161 is press-fitted into the attachment port 1241 of the pipette 1030, the O-ring 2151 is sandwiched between the pipette attachment 2161 and the pipette 1030, and the pipette attachment 2161 The gap between the pipette 1030 and the O-ring 2151 is closed. Although the same pipette 1030 as that of the first embodiment is attached to the pipette attachment portion 2161, a pipette different from that of the first embodiment may be attached.

  A cylinder chamber 2280 is formed in the cylinder chamber forming portion 2160. A piston 2152 is accommodated in the cylinder chamber 2280. Piston 2152 is connected to motor 2153.

  When the pump 2031 supplies liquid, the motor 2153 moves the three pistons 2152 in the direction approaching the discharge / suction port 1240 inside the cylinder chamber 2280. As a result, the liquid storage space 1270 becomes positive pressure, and the liquid is discharged from the liquid storage space 1270 via the discharge / suction port 1240.

  When the pump 2031 collects the liquid, the motor 2153 moves the three pistons 2152 in the direction away from the discharge / suction port 1240 inside the cylinder chamber 2280. As a result, the liquid storage space 1270 has a negative pressure, and the liquid is sucked into the liquid storage space 1270 via the discharge / suction port 1240.

  The pump 2031 is held by the holding mechanism 2032. The motor 2153 is fixed to the motor holding plate 2500.

(Guiding mechanism)
Three guide holes 2510 are formed in the guide hole forming plate 2501. One cylinder chamber forming portion 2160 is inserted into each of the three guide holes 2510. The cross-sectional shape of the guide hole 2510 matches the cross-sectional shape of the cylinder chamber forming portion 2160. The cylinder chamber forming portion 2160 slides with respect to the guide hole 2510. Thereby, the cylinder 2150 is guided in the extending direction of the pipette 1030, and the pipette mounting portion 2161 is guided in the extending direction of the pipette 1030. In this case, the pipette mounting portion 2161 moves relative to the holding mechanism 2032. The guide hole forming plate 2501 serves as a guide mechanism for guiding the pipette mounting portion 2161 in the extending direction of the pipette 1030. The guide hole forming plate 2501 may be replaced with a shape that is difficult to call a “plate”.

(Regulatory mechanism)
The restriction surface forming plate 2502 has a restriction surface 2310. The cylinder 2150 abuts on the restriction surface 2310 when disposed at the steady position. The restriction surface 2310 restricts the pipette mounting portion 2161 from moving from the steady position to the tip 1230 side of the pipette 1030.

(Coil spring)
The upper end 2320 of the coil spring 2172 is in contact with the guide hole forming plate 2501. A lower end 2321 of the coil spring 2172 is in contact with the cylinder 2150. The expansion / contraction direction of the coil spring 2172 and the extending direction of the pipette 1030 coincide. The coil spring 2172 is compressed, and the restoring force for the coil spring 2172 to return to the natural length increases as the cylinder 2150 moves away from the steady position. The coil spring 2172 presses the cylinder chamber forming portion 2160 to the tip 1230 side of the pipette 1030, and positions the pipette mounting portion 2161 in the steady position while being biased toward the tip 1230 side of the pipette 1030.

  The coil spring 2172 may be replaced with another type of elastic body. For example, the coil spring 2172 may be replaced with a structure made of a leaf spring, an air spring, rubber, or the like.

(Lock mechanism)
In the locked state, the tip of the plunger 2190 comes into contact with the side surface of the cylinder chamber forming portion 2160, and the cylinder chamber forming portion 2160 is prohibited from moving relative to the holding mechanism 2032 in the extending direction of the pipette 1030. In the unlocked state, the plunger 2190 does not come into contact with the cylinder chamber forming portion 2160, and the cylinder chamber forming portion 2160 is allowed to relatively move in the extending direction of the pipette 1030. When the relative movement of the cylinder chamber forming portion 2160 in the extending direction of the pipette 1030 with respect to the holding mechanism 2032 is prohibited or permitted, the pipette mounting portion 2161 extends from the pipette 1030 with respect to the holding mechanism 2032, respectively. Relative movement in the direction is prohibited or permitted.

  The state in which the plunger 2190 is in contact with the cylinder chamber forming portion 2160 and the state in which the plunger 2190 is not in contact are switched depending on whether or not a current is supplied to the excitation coil 2191. Thereby, the locked state and the unlocked state are switched.

  The locked state and the unlocked state are switched synchronously for all of the three pipette mounting portions 2161. The locked state and the unlocked state may be switched asynchronously for all or part of the three pipette mounting portions 2161. The solenoid actuator 2173 can lock the pipette mounting portion 2161 at an arbitrary position within the movable range.

(Procedure for adjusting the position of the tip of the pipette)
24 to 27 show the pump unit when the position of the pipette tip is adjusted. 24 to 27 are the same EE sectional views as FIG.

  When the position of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is adjusted, the transport mechanism 1033 transports the holding mechanism 2032 according to the control by the tip adjustment control unit 1042, and the solenoid actuator 2173 moves the plunger 2190 according to the control by the tip adjustment control unit 1042. Drive.

  By this control, as shown in FIG. 24, the pipette mounting portion 2161 is unlocked, and the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is made to face the upper surface 1260 of the lid 1102. At this time, the pipette mounting portion 2161 is disposed at the steady position.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 25, the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is brought into contact with the upper surface 1260 of the lid 1102 while the pipette mounting portion 2161 is in the unlocked state. At this time, the pipette mounting portion 2161 retracts to the opposite side of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 and leaves the steady position. The retracted amount of the pipette mounting portion 2161 increases when the pipette 1030 is long, and decreases when the pipette 1030 is short.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 26, while the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is in contact with the upper surface 1260 of the lid 1102, the plunger 2190 is brought into contact with the side surface of the cylinder chamber forming portion 2160, and the pipette is attached. Part 2161 is locked. Thereby, the position of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is adjusted to a fixed position with respect to the holding mechanism 2032. At this time, the pipette mounting portion 2161 remains away from the steady position.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 27, the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is separated from the upper surface 1260 of the lid 1102 while the pipette mounting portion 2161 is locked. Even when the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is separated from the upper surface of the lid 1102, the state where the position of the tip 1230 of the pipette 1030 is adjusted to a fixed position with respect to the holding mechanism 2032 is maintained.

  The pump unit 2034 is mainly used when a biochemical test is performed using three test chips 1013. According to the pump unit 2034, even when biochemical tests are performed in parallel using the three test chips 1013, the tips 1230 of the three pipettes 1030 are individually detected without individually transporting the three pipettes 1030. Even if not, the positions of the tips 1230 of the three pipettes 1030 are appropriately adjusted, and the liquid is stably recovered from the flow path 1200 in any of the three test chips 1013. For this reason, even when performing a biochemical test in parallel to shorten the time required for the biochemical test, the accuracy of the biochemical test is maintained without complicating the biochemical test apparatus.

  While the invention has been shown and described in detail, the above description is illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. Thus, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and variations can be devised without departing from the scope of the invention.

1000 Biochemical Inspection Device 1010 Reaction Progression Unit 1013 Inspection Chip 1014 Reagent Chip 1020 Liquid Delivery Mechanism 1030 Pipette 1031, 2031 Pump 1032, 2032 Holding Mechanism 1033 Transport Mechanism 1161, 2161 Pipette Mounting Unit 1173, 2173 Solenoid Actuator

Claims (6)

A reaction progress device,
A container containing a liquid;
A pipette having a tip where a discharge / suction port is formed;
A pump that has a pipette mounting portion to which the pipette is mounted, and that discharges / sucks the liquid via the discharge / suction port;
A reaction field providing that provides a reaction field in which a biochemical reaction proceeds;
A structure in which a flow path and an insertion hole are formed, the reaction field providing material is disposed inside the flow path, and the insertion hole is connected to the flow path;
The pump is held and includes a guide mechanism and a lock mechanism. The guide mechanism guides the pipette mounting portion in the extending direction of the pipette, and the locked state in which the movement of the pipette mounting portion is prohibited and the movement is permitted. A holding mechanism in which the unlocked state to be switched is switched by the lock mechanism;
A transport mechanism for transporting the holding mechanism;
The transport mechanism and the lock mechanism are controlled to cause the lock mechanism to place the pipette mounting portion in the unlocked state, and to cause the transport mechanism to transport the holding mechanism to a position where the front end abuts on a reference surface. A first control unit that causes the lock mechanism to place the pipette mounting unit in the locked state while abuts against the reference surface;
Controlling the pump and the transport mechanism, causing the transport mechanism to transport the holding mechanism to a position where the tip is immersed in the liquid, driving the pump to suck the liquid into the pipette, A transport mechanism transports the holding mechanism to a position where the pipette is inserted into the insertion hole, and drives the pump to discharge the liquid from the inside of the pipette and / or to discharge the liquid into the pipette. A second control unit for performing suction;
A reaction progress device comprising: The reaction progressing device of claim 1,
A reaction advancing device in which the reference surface is the surface of the structure. In the reaction proceeding apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The structure is
A hermetic seal for sealing the insertion hole;
The reaction further includes a third control unit that controls the transport mechanism before the tip abuts on the reference surface, and causes the transport mechanism to transport the holding mechanism to a position where the pipette is inserted into the insertion hole. Progressive device. In the reaction proceeding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The guide mechanism is
A guide shaft;
A movable object in which a guide hole into which the guide shaft is inserted is formed;
A reaction progress device comprising: In the reaction proceeding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The guide mechanism is
A guide hole formation in which guide holes are formed,
Further comprising
The pump is
A reaction progress device further comprising a cylinder inserted into the guide hole. In the reaction proceeding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The holding mechanism is
A regulation mechanism that regulates movement of the pipette mounting part from the steady position to the tip side;
An elastic body that positions the pipette mounting portion at the steady position in a state of being biased toward the tip side;
Further comprising a reaction progress device.

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