JP2015204811A - Electric field agitator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric field agitator excellent in workability and operability.SOLUTION: An electric field agitator 100 comprises a lower electrode 10 as a first electrode and an upper electrode 20 as a second electrode, and a substrate with liquid dropped thereon can be arranged between the lower electrode 10 and the upper electrode 20. A liquid is agitated by an electric field generated between the lower electrode 10 and the upper electrode 20. The lower electrode 10 includes placement parts 11 on which the substrate can be placed, and stopper parts disposed on one end side of the placement parts 11 in a forward-backward direction as a first direction. The placement parts 11 include indentation parts where portions on the other end opposite the stopper parts in the first direction are cut off.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric field stirring device that stirs a liquid in a non-contact manner.

Non-contact agitation where a liquid-dropped substrate is placed between opposing electrodes, a voltage is applied between the electrodes to generate an electric field, and the Coulomb force generated by the electric field is used to vibrate and agitate the liquid on the substrate. An apparatus (Patent Document 1) or an immune tissue staining apparatus (Patent Document 2) is known.

The non-contact stirrer (immunological tissue staining apparatus) shown in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 is
It includes parallel plate electrodes arranged opposite to each other and a device for generating an alternating high voltage applied to the parallel plate electrodes, including a function generator and a high voltage amplifier.

The non-contact stirrer is, for example, a hybridization step in gene analysis,
ELISA (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay;
Used for detecting and quantifying the concentration of antibody or antigen contained in a sample) antigen fixing step, blocking step, antigen-antibody reaction step, color reaction step, identification of pathogen, CRP (C Reactive Protein) test, In bio-detection processes such as chemical analysis, use as an apparatus for reacting a small amount of sample solution while stirring is mentioned.

JP 2010-119388 A JP 2012-13598 A

For example, in the above-described ELISA, in addition to the antigen fixing step, blocking step, antigen-antibody reaction step, and color reaction step, the purpose is to remove the reagents added in the previous step before going from the previous step to the subsequent step. Thus, a process of cleaning the substrate on which the specimen is arranged is incorporated. Therefore, it is conceivable that after the reaction step using the non-contact stirrer is completed, the washing step is performed and the reaction step using the non-contact stirrer is performed again. That is, every time the reaction process and the cleaning process are performed, the substrate is set / reset with respect to the non-contact stirring apparatus,
There existed the subject that the non-contact stirring apparatus excellent in workability | operativity and operativity was calculated | required.

SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

[Application Example] The electric field stirring apparatus according to this application example includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and can dispose a substrate on which a liquid is dropped between the first electrode and the second electrode, An electric field agitating device for agitating the liquid by an electric field generated between a first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the first electrode includes a placement portion on which the substrate can be placed; And a contact portion provided on one end side of the placement portion in the direction, wherein the placement portion is cut at a part of the other end opposite to the contact portion in the first direction. It is characterized by including a cutout portion that is cut out.

According to this application example, when the substrate is placed (set) on the placement portion of the first electrode, positioning in the first direction can be performed by the contact portion. Also, for example, when picking and handling the edge of the substrate, it is opposite to the contact portion when placing (setting) the substrate on the placement unit or taking out (resetting) the substrate placed on the placement unit Since a part of the other end on the side is notched, it becomes difficult for a finger or a tool to be picked to touch the placement portion. Therefore, it is possible to reliably perform the set / reset operation while holding the end of the substrate. That is, when the substrate is repeatedly set / reset with respect to the placement portion of the first electrode, it is possible to provide an electric field stirring device with excellent workability.

In the electric field stirring apparatus according to the application example described above, the first electrode includes a plurality of the placement units disposed in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a front of the first electrode adjacent to the second direction. It is preferable that the guide part arrange | positioned between the description parts is included.
According to this configuration, the first direction is a direction in which the substrate is set / reset on the placement unit.
By arranging the guide portion between the placement portions adjacent to each other in the second direction intersecting with the first direction, the substrate can be reliably placed along the guide portion. Further, when a plurality of placement portions are provided in the second direction, adjacent substrates can be reliably set / reset, so that problems such as contact between the substrates can be reduced.

In the electric field stirring apparatus according to the application example described above, it is preferable that the placement unit can place the substrate so that the substrate does not protrude from the first electrode.
According to this configuration, even if a part of the other end of the mounting portion is cut out, the substrate is not in the first position.
Since the substrate is placed so as not to protrude from the electrode, the substrate can be reliably supported and set by the placement portion. Further, even when the operator touches the substrate when resetting the substrate from the placement unit, it is possible to prevent a problem that the substrate tilts and slides down at the other end of the placement unit.

In the electric field agitating device according to the application example, the electric field agitating device includes an elevating mechanism that elevates and lowers the first electrode, and a control unit, and the elevating mechanism does not contact the first electrode and the second electrode. It is preferable that the controller controls the first electrode to move up and down.
According to this configuration, even when the first electrode is moved up and down by the lifting mechanism, it is possible to prevent the substrate placed on the placement portion of the first electrode from coming into contact with the second electrode and being damaged.

In the electric field stirring apparatus according to the application example described above, the control unit increases and / or decreases the predetermined distance by a minute dimension after the first electrode and the second electrode are opposed to each other by a predetermined distance. It is preferable that the elevating mechanism can be controlled so that
When the Coulomb force generated by the electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode is applied to the liquid dropped on the substrate, the liquid is deformed by the Coulomb force. The liquid is agitated by the force of the deformed liquid returning to its original state by gravity. When the liquid deformed by the Coulomb force touches the second electrode, stirring of the liquid is hindered. Therefore, it is preferable that the first electrode and the second electrode face each other with a predetermined distance.
According to this configuration, for example, the volume of the liquid dropped on the substrate varies, and the first electrode and the second electrode
Even if the electrodes are opposed to each other at a predetermined distance, there is a possibility that the liquid deformed by the Coulomb force may touch the second electrode, or the liquid may not be sufficiently deformed by the Coulomb force. In that case, it is preferable that the predetermined distance can be adjusted in units of minute dimensions after the first electrode and the second electrode are opposed to each other with a predetermined distance.

In the electric field agitating device according to the application example, in the first direction, the first electrode and the second electrode are opposed to each other, and the second electrode is retracted from the first position. Second
It is preferable to further include a moving mechanism for moving the second electrode between the first position and the second position.
According to this configuration, when the substrate is set / reset with respect to the mounting portion of the first electrode, the second electrode can be moved back to the second position in the first direction by the moving mechanism.
The set / reset operation can be performed smoothly without being disturbed by the second electrode.

In the electric field stirring apparatus according to the application example, the moving mechanism may connect the second electrode to the first electrode.
It is preferable to provide a support portion that is detachably supported in the direction of the direction.
According to this configuration, since the second electrode can be attached to and detached from the support portion, for example, the maintenance of cleaning the surface of the second electrode or replacing the second electrode is facilitated.

In the electric field stirring apparatus according to the application example described above, it is preferable that the support portion includes a positioning portion that positions the second electrode in the first direction.
According to this configuration, the second electrode can be reliably mounted at a predetermined position of the support portion.

In the electric field stirring apparatus according to the application example described above, the second electrode is formed of a conductive plate-like member, and one surface of the plate-like member and the other surface opposite to the one surface are provided. It is preferable that it has a shape that can be positioned with respect to the positioning portion.
According to this configuration, the front and back of the second electrode can be used. Since the second electrode can be attached to and detached from the support portion of the moving mechanism, the second electrode is inverted and supported in the event that one surface of the second electrode is damaged or soiled, for example. If attached to the part, the other surface on the opposite side can be used.

In the electric field stirring apparatus according to the application example described above, it is preferable that the surface of the second electrode is subjected to water repellent treatment.
According to this configuration, even if the liquid touches the surface of the second electrode, the water repellent treatment is performed. Therefore, when the space between the first electrode and the second electrode is widened, the liquid is surely attached to the substrate by the surface tension. Pulled back towards. That is, liquid loss due to touching the second electrode can be prevented.

In the electric field stirring apparatus according to the application example described above, it is preferable that the electric field stirring device further includes a power feeding unit that applies a potential to the second electrode when the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed to face each other.
According to this configuration, when the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged to face each other, power is supplied from the power feeding unit to the second electrode, so that the second electrode is fed before being arranged to face the first electrode. Compared with the method of starting the process, for example, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of an unexpected discharge between another component and the second electrode. That is, safe and reliable work and operation can be realized.

In the electric field agitating device according to the application example, when the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged to face each other, the gap between the first electrode and the second electrode can be illuminated from the contact portion side. It is preferable that there exists a part which is equipped with a simple illumination part and the said contact part is not provided in the one end side of the said mounting part.
According to this configuration, since the space between the first electrode and the second electrode is illuminated by the illumination unit without causing the contact portion to become an obstacle, it becomes easy to visually recognize the liquid dropped on the substrate. The operation of adjusting the distance to the second electrode is facilitated.

In the electric field agitating device according to the application example described above, the work table, the partition unit provided upright on the work table, and a cover unit are defined by the work table, the partition unit, and the cover unit. The chamber is configured such that the first electrode and the second electrode can be arranged to face each other, the cover portion is attached to the chamber so that the chamber can be opened and closed, and the cover portion includes the first electrode and the second electrode. It is preferable that an opening that can visually recognize the two electrodes is provided.
According to this configuration, the chamber in which the first electrode and the second electrode to which a voltage for generating an electric field is applied can be protected by the cover portion. That is, the first voltage applied
It is possible to prevent an operator from touching the electrode or the second electrode. Further, even when the cover is closed, the state of the first electrode and the second electrode inside the chamber, that is, the state of the substrate on which the liquid disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode is dropped is opened. It can be observed from the part.

In the electric field stirring apparatus according to the application example, it is preferable that a transparent member is disposed in the opening of the cover.
According to this configuration, the chamber is closed by closing the cover portion, and it is possible to suppress changes in ambient temperature and humidity from affecting the stirring state of the liquid dropped on the substrate.

In the electric field stirring apparatus according to the application example described above, it is preferable that a liquid leakage prevention structure is applied to the work table and the partition portion.
According to this configuration, for example, in the case of handling a container in which liquid is stored or a substrate on which liquid is dropped, even if liquid spills into the chamber, the liquid leakage prevention structure is applied to the work table and the partition portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a problem that the spilled liquid reaches the inside of the apparatus and touches the electric system or the like to cause electric leakage. That is, it is possible to provide an electric field stirring device capable of electrically safe work and operation.

(A) is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of an electric field stirring apparatus, (b) is a perspective view which shows an electric field stirring apparatus when a cover part is opened. The block diagram which shows the mechanical and electrical structure of an electric field stirring apparatus. (A)-(c) is schematic which shows the stirring operation of the liquid by an electric field stirring apparatus. The figure which shows an example of the operation screen in an operation panel. The flowchart which shows the process of ELISA. (A)-(d) is a perspective view which shows the formation process of a droplet. (A)-(c) is a perspective view which shows the mode of the setting of the board | substrate to an electric field stirring apparatus. The perspective view which shows the whole lower electrode shape. (A) is an enlarged plan view which shows the mounting part of a lower electrode, (b) is a side view when the mounting part of a lower electrode is seen from the front. (A) is a perspective view which shows the support part of an upper electrode, (b) is a perspective view which shows the positioning part of a support part. The perspective view which shows an upper electrode. (A) And (b) is a figure which shows the electric power feeding part which gives an electric potential to an upper electrode, and its operation | movement.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings to be used are appropriately enlarged or reduced so that the part to be described can be recognized.

<Electric field stirrer>
The structure of the electric field stirring apparatus of this embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIGS. FIG.
) Is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the electric field stirring device, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the electric field stirring device when the cover is opened. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the mechanical and electrical configuration of the electric field agitator. FIGS. 3A to 3C are schematic views showing the liquid stirring operation by the electric field stirring device.
The electric field stirring apparatus of this embodiment arrange | positions the board | substrate with which the liquid was dripped between a pair of electrodes, applies a voltage to a pair of electrode, and generates an electric field. This is a device that vibrates and agitates a small amount of liquid dropped on the substrate by the Coulomb force generated by the electric field.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the electric field stirring apparatus 100 of the present embodiment includes a main body case 101 in which an electric system and the like described later are accommodated, a front case 102 to which a power switch 111 and an operation panel 112 are attached, A hinge 1 is attached to the main body case 101 above the front case 102.
And a cover portion 103 attached to be openable and closable via 06.
In the following description, the direction perpendicular to the installation surface of the electric field stirring apparatus 100 is “up and down direction”, the direction in which gravity acts is “downward”, and the direction opposite to “downward” is “upward”. To do.
The side on which the front case 102 and the cover 103 are attached is defined as “front”, and the opposite side to “front” is defined as “rear” and is defined as “front-rear direction”. Further, when the electric field agitator 100 is viewed from the “front”, the direction in which the power switch 111 is attached to the front case 102 is “left”.
The direction to which the operation panel 112 is attached is defined as “right direction” and “left-right direction”.
The “front-rear direction” is an example of the first direction in the present invention, and the “left-right direction” is an example of the second direction that intersects the first direction in the present invention. In addition, the front-back direction and the left-right direction are orthogonal, and the up-down direction is orthogonal to the front-back direction and the left-right direction.

As shown in FIG. 1B, when the cover portion 103 is opened, a flat work table 107 and a first work table 107 are formed.
The electrode chamber 109 defined by the partition part 108A and the cover part 103 is released. A lower electrode 10 as a first electrode is attached to the work table 107 so as to be movable up and down. A level 113 is attached to the work table 107. Whether or not the electric field stirring device 100 is placed on the installation surface with the work table 107 in a horizontal state can be confirmed by the level 113. That is, since the lower electrode 10 is attached to the work table 107 in a state where it can be raised and lowered, it can be confirmed by the level 113 whether the lower electrode 10 itself is in a horizontal state. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the electric field agitator 100 is provided with leg portions whose lengths can be adjusted at the four corners of the bottom surface, and the work table 107 is adjusted by adjusting the length of the leg portions with respect to the installation surface. Is configured to be in a horizontal state.
The first partition 108A is an example of the “partition” of the present invention, and the electrode chamber 1
09 is an example of the “room” in the present invention.

In the state where the cover portion 103 is opened, the upper electrode 20 as the second electrode is located behind the first partition portion 108A. As will be described in detail later, the upper electrode 20 has a T-shaped support portion 30.
Is supported by. The support portion 30 is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction, and the support portion 3
The upper electrode 20 is disposed opposite to the lower electrode 10 by moving 0 forward.
When the cover 103 is closed and the electrode chamber 109 is closed, the lower electrode 10 to which a voltage is applied is applied.
It is possible to prevent the operator from touching the upper electrode 20. Further, as will be described in detail later, by closing the cover portion 103, it is possible to make the liquid agitated less susceptible to the influence of ambient temperature and humidity.

The first partition 108A is erected on the work table 107. On the upper side of the first partition part 108A, two LED elements 114 as illumination parts are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 1A, the cover portion 103 is provided with an opening 104 on the front side. In addition, a transparent member 105 that has been subjected to antistatic treatment using, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as a material is attached to the opening 104. Therefore, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, even when the cover portion 103 is closed, the LED element 114 illuminates,
The inside of the electrode chamber 109 can be observed.

At a portion where the hinge 106 is attached to the cover portion 103, a metal protruding portion 103A protruding toward the electrode chamber 109 is provided. Further, a proximity sensor 115 is attached immediately below a portion where the hinge 106 is attached to the main body case 101. Proximity sensor 11
5 detects the protrusion 103A, so that the open / close state of the cover 103 can be detected. Since a plurality (two) of proximity sensors 115 are provided, one proximity sensor 115 is provided.
Is connected to a relay or the like, for example, so that the electric field stirring apparatus 100 can be interlocked by electrical switching. Further, a signal from the other proximity sensor 115 is taken in and used for the step of confirming the opening / closing of the cover portion 103 in the control program. A protruding portion 103B that protrudes toward the electrode chamber 109 is provided on each side surface of the cover portion 103 that faces in the left-right direction. When the cover part 103 is closed, the projecting part 103B comes into contact with the work table 107, and the cover part 103 is supported by the work table 107. Further, the cover portion 103 is formed so that the front surface of the cover portion 103 protrudes forward from the work table 107 when closed. Accordingly, the front case 102 and the cover portion 103
When a finger is put on the protruding portion of the cover portion 103, the cover portion 103 can be easily lifted and opened by hand.

Next, the mechanical and electrical configuration of the electric field stirring apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the electric field agitator 100 includes an elevating mechanism 120 that moves the lower electrode 10 up and down, a moving mechanism 130 that moves the upper electrode 20 in the front-rear direction via the support portion 30, and the lower electrode 10. And a power supply device 140 that is electrically connected to the upper electrode 20 and generates a voltage for generating an electric field, and a control unit 150 that comprehensively controls these components.

A substrate W is placed on the upper surface (electrode surface) of the lower electrode 10. The substrate W is made of an insulating material, and for example, a glass substrate or a plastic substrate can be used. In the present embodiment, an example in which the electric field stirring device 100 is used in an ELISA described later is shown, and therefore, a microscope slide glass is used for the substrate W. A liquid such as a reagent is dropped on the substrate W. Subsequent board W
A small amount of liquid dropped on the liquid crystal is referred to as a droplet S.

The elevating mechanism 120 includes, for example, a cylinder that supports the lower electrode 10 from below, a ball screw attached to the cylinder, and a step motor that rotates the ball screw.

The moving mechanism 130 includes, for example, a cylinder attached to the support portion 30 in the front-rear direction, a ball screw attached to the cylinder, and a step motor that rotates the ball screw.

The power supply apparatus 140 includes, for example, a voltage generator that can change the frequency and that generates an alternating voltage and a booster that boosts the alternating voltage generated by the voltage generator to a desired potential.

The control unit 150 includes a calculation unit 151 and a storage unit 152. Calculation unit 151
Is a small arithmetic circuit such as a CPU or MPU. The storage unit 152 is, for example, a ROM or a RAM, and stores a control program and a data table, and provides a storage area for developing the control program. The control unit 150 executes each control element (the LED element 114, the proximity sensor 115, the elevating mechanism 120, the moving mechanism 130, the power source 130) of the electric field agitating device 100 when the arithmetic unit 151 executes the control program stored in the storage unit 152. Device 140 etc.).

Next, a basic stirring operation of the droplet S using the electric field stirring device 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3A, when a liquid such as a reagent is dropped on a substrate W that has been subjected to a water repellent treatment to form a droplet S, the droplet S rises on the substrate W. Substrate W of raised droplet S
The height h above is mainly determined by the volume of the droplet S, the viscosity of the droplet S, the surface tension of the droplet S, and the interfacial tension of the surface of the substrate W in contact with the droplet S. The In particular, the viscosity of the droplet S is
Since it depends on temperature, temperature management in the working environment is an important factor. On the other hand, liquids such as reagents are generally in a state of low viscosity (for example, 5 cps or less) in consideration of usage such as a small amount of dripping, stirring, and chemical reaction. When the viscosity of the droplet S is high, for example, a heater or the like that heats the droplet S to reduce the viscosity may be incorporated into the structure including the lower electrode 10 on which the substrate W is placed.

Note that the volume of the droplet S dropped on the substrate W depends on the size of the specimen and the concentration of the reagent.
Generally, it is 50 μl (microliter) to 600 μl.

Next, the substrate W on which the droplets S are formed is placed on the lower electrode 10. Alternatively, the droplets S may be formed by dropping the reagent after placing the substrate W on the lower electrode 10. At this time, the lower electrode 10 is at the origin position in the vertical direction. For the origin position, a control program is adopted in which when the electric field agitator 100 is energized and the power switch 111 is turned on (turned on), the control unit 150 drives the lifting mechanism 120 to check the origin position and resets every time. ing.

Next, the control unit 150 drives the moving mechanism 130 to move the upper electrode 20 from the second position where the upper electrode 20 is retracted in the front-rear direction to the first position facing the lower electrode 10. Lower electrode 10
And the upper electrode 20 face each other at the first position, the control unit 150 drives the lifting mechanism 120,
Lower electrode 1 so that the distance between the electrode surfaces facing each other in the vertical direction is a predetermined distance D1.
0 is raised toward the upper electrode 20.

Next, a potential is applied from the power supply device 140 to the lower electrode 10 and the upper electrode 20 that are arranged to face each other at a predetermined distance D1, thereby generating an alternating electric field. As shown in FIG. 3B, when the Coulomb force acts in the direction in which the top of the droplet S is pulled up by the AC electric field, the droplet S is deformed and the height increases. Further, when the Coulomb force in the direction in which the top of the droplet S is pulled up by the AC electric field does not work, or when the Coulomb force works in the direction in which the top of the droplet S is pulled down, FIG.
As shown in c), the droplet S changes from an initial raised state to a crushed state, and the height of the droplet S decreases. The droplet S is stirred by deforming (vibrating) the droplet S in this way. When the droplet S is a reaction reagent, the stirring method using the electric field stirring device 100 is a small amount of liquid compared to the stationary method in which the droplet S is allowed to stand on the substrate W and the reaction reagent and the sample are reacted. It is possible to reduce the time required for the reaction by stirring the droplet S in a non-contact manner.

The predetermined distance D1 between the lower electrode 10 and the upper electrode 20 needs to take into account the amount of change Δh in the height of the droplet S that changes due to stirring. When the droplet S is deformed by the above-described Coulomb force and the top of the droplet S touches the upper electrode 20, the stirring is inhibited. In order to effectively perform the stirring, it is preferable to maximize the height change amount Δh of the droplet S. However, when the change amount Δh is maximized, the droplet S does not touch the upper electrode 20. It is necessary to increase the predetermined distance D1. Increasing the predetermined distance D1 works in a direction in which the strength of the electric field generated between the lower electrode 10 and the upper electrode 20 decreases. Reducing the strength of the electric field is nothing other than reducing the Coulomb force. If the Coulomb force is reduced, the change amount Δh of the droplet S is reduced. In addition, as described above, the initial height h of the droplet S is mainly affected by the volume of the droplet S and the surface tension. Accordingly, a stirring test is performed in advance to select preferable stirring conditions. As stirring conditions, the distance between the electrodes,
Examples include the voltage applied between the electrodes and the frequency of an alternating electric field (alternating voltage).

The electric field stirrer 100 of the present embodiment, depending on the type of liquid such as a reagent and the volume of the droplet S,
Preferred stirring conditions can be selected. For example, the control unit 150 includes the lifting mechanism 1
20, the distance between the electrodes in the vertical direction between the lower electrode 10 and the upper electrode 20 is 2.0 mm.
Within a range of ˜18.0 mm, it can be changed in minute dimension units (0.1 mm unit in this embodiment). Note that the minimum value of the distance between the electrodes (in this case, 2.0 mm) is a value at which the lower electrode 10 and the substrate W do not contact the upper electrode 20 in a state where the substrate W is placed on the lower electrode 10.
The power supply device 140 is, for example, a potential difference range of 0 V to 4.5 kV, and 1 Hz to 100 H.
A rectangular wave as an AC voltage can be generated in the frequency range of z. The upper electrode 20
On the other hand, a rectangular wave in which the polarity of the lower electrode 10 is positive (+) and a rectangular wave in which the polarity of the lower electrode 10 is negative (−) can be generated.

The electric field stirrer 100 of this embodiment has a configuration in which various settings can be made starting from the above stirring conditions. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen on the operation panel.
When the power switch 111 of the electric field stirring apparatus 100 is turned on, an operation screen as shown in FIG. A plurality of operation buttons are displayed on the lower side of the operation screen. A touch-type input device is incorporated in the operation panel 112, and when the operator touches the displayed operation button, the operation set for each operation button is executed.
Multiple operation buttons are the start button, the end button, the plus safe button, the minus safe button, the program button for confirming the program of the stirring conditions,
Various setting buttons are available for various settings. The positive and negative safe buttons start the above-described stirring operation and set the distance between the lower electrode 10 and the upper electrode 20 to a predetermined distance D1 according to the stirring program, and then the actual stirring state, that is, the droplet S. If the operator confirms the deformation (vibration) state of the liquid crystal and, for example, there is a possibility that the liquid droplet S may touch the upper electrode 20, touching the plus safe button once allows a minute dimension unit (0.1 mm). (Unit) can increase the distance between the electrodes. Further, for example, when the change amount Δh of the droplet S is not sufficient, the distance between the electrodes can be reduced by a minute size unit (0.1 mm unit) by touching the minus safe button once.

Information based on various settings is displayed above the plurality of operation buttons on the operation screen. For example, when the program button is touched before starting the stirring operation, the number of the stirring program set at the present time, the stirring time, the distance between the electrodes, a message corresponding to the stirring program, and the like can be displayed. Further, by touching various setting buttons, operation buttons and operation screens corresponding to the setting items can be displayed. For example, if the distance between the electrodes is selected from various settings, as described above, in the range of 2.0 mm to 18.0 mm, a minute dimension unit (0.1
The distance between the electrodes can be set in mm units. In this way, the various agitation programs set according to the type of liquid such as a reagent and the volume of the droplet S are stored in the storage unit 1 of the control unit 150.
52. Moreover, the control part 150 is the results at the time of performing various stirring programs (
The date / time, the number of times, etc.) are also stored in the storage unit 152 so that they can be used later when maintaining the apparatus. For maintenance of the apparatus, the control unit 150 may be provided with an interface accessible from the outside, and the storage unit 152 itself may be included in the control unit 15.
0 may be removable.

As an operation screen that is initially displayed on the operation panel so that a preset stirring program, various settings, or a control program for the electric field stirring device 100 is not accidentally modified by a third party other than the authorized person, A screen for authenticating the authorized person may be displayed.

<ELISA>
Next, an example of an ELISA that detects and quantifies the concentration of an antigen contained in a sample using the electric field stirring apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Figure 5 shows ELISA
FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D are perspective views showing a droplet formation process, and FIG.
(A)-(c) is a perspective view which shows the mode of the setting of the board | substrate to an electric field stirring apparatus.
The sample in this embodiment is a liquid containing an antigen such as blood, for example, and the antigen refers to a specific protein (such as a pathogen) contained in the liquid.

As shown in FIG. 5, the ELISA process for detecting and quantifying the concentration of an antigen contained in a sample includes an antigen fixing process (step S1), a washing process (step S2), a blocking process (step S3), and a washing process ( Step S4), antigen-antibody reaction step (Step S5), washing step (Step S6), and color development reaction step (Step S7) are included.

In the antigen fixing step (step S1) in FIG. 5, first, a substantially rectangular tubular template is prepared as shown in FIG. 6 (a). A circular through hole is provided on the upper surface of the template,
A substrate W, which is a microscope slide glass, can be inserted into the tube portion. In the longitudinal direction, the length of the template and the length of the substrate W are substantially the same. Then, as shown in FIG. 6B, the substrate W is inserted into the template to match the outer shape, the water repellent pen is inserted into the through hole, and the surface of the substrate W is traced along the inner wall with the water repellent pen. Then, a water repellent circle is drawn on the surface of the substrate W. Next, as shown in FIG. 6C, the sample is dropped inside the water-repellent circle using a micropipette or the like to form a droplet S, and the droplet S is stirred using the electric field stirring device 100. . In particular,
As shown in FIG. 7A, the cover 103 is opened, and the substrate W on which the droplets S are formed is placed on the lower electrode 10 of the electrode chamber 109. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7B, the upper electrode 20 that has been retracted to the second position in the front-rear direction is moved to the first position facing the lower electrode 10 by the moving mechanism 130. Next, as shown in FIG. 7C, the lower electrode 10 is raised by the elevating mechanism 120 until the distance between the lower electrode 10 and the upper electrode 20 reaches a predetermined distance D1. Then, a voltage is applied to the lower electrode 10 and the upper electrode 20 to generate an AC electric field, and the droplet S is deformed (vibrated) and stirred. In FIGS. 7B and 7C, the state in which the cover 103 is opened has been described so that the movement of each part can be understood. Actually, after placing the substrate W on the lower electrode 10, the electrical interlock is released by closing the cover portion 103, and the operation button for starting the stirring operation of the operation panel 112 is operated. A series of operations based on the stirring program is performed. Thereby, the antigen is fixed to the substrate W.
The antigen is not fixed to the substrate W in one place. For example, as shown in FIG. 6D, a plurality of (two) water-repellent circles are drawn at intervals on the surface of the substrate W. Antigens in a plurality of samples may be fixed. Then, the process proceeds to step S2.

In the cleaning process (step S2) of FIG. 5, the substrate W is taken out from the electric field agitator 100,
The inside of the water-repellent circle on the substrate W is cleaned. Examples of the cleaning method include a method of immersing the substrate W in the cleaning liquid for about 1 minute using, for example, a phosphate buffer adjusted to an appropriate concentration as the cleaning liquid. After washing, drain the washing solution. Then, the process proceeds to step S3. In the previous process,
When the stirring operation is completed, the upper electrode 20 is retracted to the second position in the front-rear direction by the moving mechanism 130 and is electrically interlocked by opening the cover portion 103. Therefore,
Even if, for example, a start operation button displayed on the operation panel 112 is operated with the cover 103 opened, a series of stirring operations is not performed.

In the blocking step (step S3) of FIG. 5, in the antigen-antibody reaction step performed later, an antibody that specifically binds to the specific protein binds to a substance other than the antigen contained in the sample or the substrate itself, and has specificity. In order to prevent the liquid from being inhibited, for example, a solution containing a blocking agent such as bovine serum albumin, skim milk or gelatin is dropped inside the water-repellent circle of the substrate W to form droplets S, Similarly, stirring is performed using the electric field stirring apparatus 100. As a result, the blocking agent binds to the factor causing nonspecific binding contained in the sample or the substrate surface, and the blocking treatment is performed. Then, the process proceeds to step S4.

In the cleaning process (step S4) of FIG. 5, the substrate W is taken out from the electric field agitator 100,
The substrate surface that has been subjected to the blocking process is cleaned in the same manner as in the previous cleaning step (step S2). Then, the process proceeds to step S5.

In the antigen-antibody reaction step (step S5) in FIG. 5, a solution (reagent) containing an antibody that specifically binds to the specific protein is dropped inside the water-repellent circle of the substrate W to form a droplet S. And the droplet S formed on the board | substrate W is stirred using the electric field stirring apparatus 100 similarly to the said antigen fixing process. Thereby, the antigen-antibody reaction in which the specific protein and the antibody bind to each other proceeds. Then, the process proceeds to step S6.

In the cleaning process (step S6) of FIG. 5, the substrate W is taken out from the electric field agitator 100,
The substrate surface on which the antigen-antibody reaction has been performed is washed in the same manner as in the previous washing step (step S2). Then, the process proceeds to step S7.

In the coloring reaction step (step S7) in FIG. 5, a coloring reagent containing a coloring substrate is dropped inside the water-repellent circle of the substrate W, and the antibody and the coloring substrate are reacted to cause color development. After color development, a reaction terminator such as dilute sulfuric acid is added dropwise. If the sample contains a specific protein as an antigen, it will bind to the antibody and develop color. That is, the presence or absence of a specific protein contained in a sample can be detected by confirming the intensity of color development. The intensity of color development is proportional to the amount of specific protein contained in the sample. The concentration of a specific protein can be quantified by measuring the absorbance of the sample (absorbance of light of a specific wavelength based on the color development substrate) on the substrate W after the color development reaction step, for example, using a spectrophotometer.

In the ELISA process, the electric field stirring apparatus 100 was used in the antigen fixing process, blocking process, and antigen-antibody reaction process. The time required for each reaction can be shortened as compared with the case where the reaction is carried out in a state where the droplet S is left on the substrate W without using the electric field stirring device 100.
In addition, the process using the electric field stirring apparatus 100 is not limited to the antigen fixing process, the blocking process, and the antigen-antibody reaction process, and may be used in one of these processes. In particular, since a solution (reagent) containing an antibody is expensive, it is more effective to use an electric field stirring apparatus 100 capable of stirring a small amount of droplets S without contact in an antigen-antibody reaction step. The antigen-antibody reaction step is not limited to a method in which one kind of antibody is reacted with an antigen. For example, there is also a method in which a primary antibody is first bound to an antigen and further a secondary antibody is bound to the primary antibody. In addition, a plurality of different proteins may be detected and quantified by binding different antibodies to the same blood sample.
Accordingly, one substrate W is repeatedly set / reset with respect to the electric field agitator 100, and a plurality of substrates W each having a different sample are set / reset, so that the workability and operability are excellent. Preferably it is. The inventors have devised the shapes of the lower electrode 10 and the upper electrode 20 and the configuration related to these electrodes in consideration of such problems. Or later,
The structure related to an electrode and an electrode is demonstrated.

<Lower electrode as first electrode>
The lower electrode as the first electrode of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the overall shape of the lower electrode, FIG. 9A is an enlarged plan view showing the placement portion of the lower electrode, and FIG. 9B is a view of the placement portion of the lower electrode as viewed from the front. It is a side view.

As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of (six places) mounting portions 11 for mounting the substrate W are provided on one surface (upper surface) of the lower electrode 10. As described above, when a microscope slide glass is used as the substrate W, the microscope slide glass is standardized in JIS R 3703: 1998, and is a colorless transparent glass having a width of 26 mm, a length of 76 mm, and a thickness of 1.1 mm. Is used. The placement portion 11 is formed so that the longitudinal direction of the substrate W is along the front-rear direction. A contact portion 12 is formed on the rear end (one end of the present invention) side of the mounting portion 11 in the front-rear direction. On the front end (the other end of the present invention) side in the front-rear direction of the placement portion 11, a cutout portion 13 is formed by notching the placement portion 11. A guide portion 14 is formed along the front-rear direction between the placement portions 11 adjacent in the left-right direction.
The substrate W (microscope slide glass) is placed so as not to protrude from the placement portion 11.
In other words, the mounting portion 11 is formed so as not to protrude from the lower electrode 10 when the substrate W (microscope slide glass) is mounted on the lower electrode 10.

The lower electrode 10 of the present embodiment is formed by cutting an aluminum plate having a thickness of about 8 mm, and the portions corresponding to the contact portion 12 and the guide portion 14 are subjected to alumite treatment that makes the appearance black. Has been. The mounting portion 11 is subjected to a chromate treatment that makes the appearance white. Thus, the mounting portion 11 can be easily distinguished from the lower electrode 10. Note that the surface of the lower electrode 10 opposite to the surface on which the mounting portion 11 is formed has a portion that is not subjected to alumite treatment or chromate treatment, and is used for electrical connection with the power supply device 140. Yes. In addition, the mounting part 11, the contact part 12, and the guide part 14 should just be in the state which can be easily identified with an external color, and a surface treatment is not limited to a black alumite process and a white chromate process.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the contact portion 12 is formed on the guide portion 1 on the rear end side of the placement portion 11.
4, there is a portion where the contact portion 12 is not provided near the center on the rear end side of the placement portion 11. That is, when the substrate W is placed on the placement unit 11, the vicinity of the corner portion of the short side portion of the substrate W is in contact with the contact portion 12.
In addition, the notch portion 13 is not formed by cutting the placement portion 11 over the entire width in the left-right direction on the front end side of the placement portion 11, leaving an edge portion 17 along the guide portion 14. Notched and formed.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the substrate W is placed on the placement unit 11, the placement unit 11.
At the front end side, both ends in the short side direction of the substrate W are supported by the upper surface 11 a of the edge portion 17. Further, the placement pitch of the placement portions 11 in the left-right direction is about 30 mm, and the width of the upper surface of the guide portion 14 is about 1.5 mm. And the guide part 14 and the mounting part 1
1 and a slope 14 having an inclination angle θ of about 30 degrees with respect to the normal direction of the mounting portion 11.
a is formed.
The distance from the mounting portion 11 to the upper surface of the guide portion 14, that is, the height of the guide portion 14, is substantially the same as the thickness of the substrate W (microscope slide glass). The height of the portion 12 per degree is
It is larger than the height of the guide portion 14, that is, the thickness of the substrate W.

According to such a lower electrode 10, when the substrate W is disposed on the lower electrode 10, the left-right direction is guided by the guide portion 14, and the front-rear direction is positioned by the contact portion 12. Also,
The substrate W can be surely set (placed) on the placement unit 11 so as not to protrude from the lower electrode 10, and when a plurality of substrates W are set, the substrate W is set later on the substrate W set earlier. It becomes difficult for the substrate W to come into contact. Also, reset (take out) the plurality of substrates W that have been set.
At this time, it becomes difficult to contact the substrate W on which the substrate W to be reset is set.
Furthermore, since the notch portion 13 is formed while leaving the edge portion 17 on the front end side of the placement portion 11, for example, when resetting the substrate W, the front end portion of the substrate W overlapping with the notch portion 13 is changed. Even if a finger or a tool touches the substrate W to be picked, since the substrate W is supported by the edge portion 17, it is possible to prevent a problem that the substrate W is inclined and falls from the lower electrode 10.

Note that the number of mounting portions 11 formed on the lower electrode 10, that is, the number of substrates W that can be mounted on the lower electrode 10, is not limited to six, and may be one or six or more. But you can. For example, in the immunohistochemical staining method, when preparing a tissue section from a collected tissue, generally, at least three tissue sections are taken out from one tissue and may be combined with one antibody and stained. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in consideration of the use of the electric field stirring device 100, the number of the placement units 11 is set to 3.
Multiple of.

Further, the surface of the lower electrode 10 opposite to the side on which the mounting portion 11 is formed is in a flat state. The lower electrode 10 is screwed from the surface opposite to the lifting mechanism 120. Since there is no hole for screwing on the side on which the placement portion 11 is formed, the placement portion 1 is temporarily assumed.
Even if a liquid such as a reagent is spilled into 1, the structure is easy to clean without entering the screw hole.

<Related structure of upper electrode and upper electrode as second electrode>
Next, the upper electrode as the second electrode of the present embodiment and the related configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
Will be described with reference to FIG. 10A is a perspective view showing the support portion of the upper electrode, FIG. 10B is a perspective view showing the positioning portion of the support portion, FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the upper electrode, and FIGS. ) Is a diagram showing a power feeding section for applying a potential to the upper electrode and its operation.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the support portion 30 has a T shape in which a portion extending in the front-rear direction and a portion extending in the left-right direction are connected. The support part 30 is made of, for example, aluminum,
The surface is anodized with a white appearance. Positioning portions 31 are attached to both ends of the T-shaped portion extending in the left-right direction.
As shown in FIG. 10B, the positioning portion 31 is configured by combining a rectangular parallelepiped bottom portion 32 using a steel material and a mounting portion 33 having a L-shaped cross section using, for example, phenol resin. ing. When the bottom portion 32 is screwed to the support portion 30 via the attachment portion 33 from below, a gap is generated between the bottom portion 32 and the attachment portion 33. The upper electrode 20 is inserted into this gap. In this gap, a ball plunger 34 that is a movable protrusion is attached to the attachment portion 33 side. Two ball plungers 34 are attached at intervals in the front-rear direction. The spherical protruding portion of the ball plunger 34 is urged downward from the mounting portion 33, that is, toward the bottom portion 32.

As shown in FIG. 11, the upper electrode 20 as the second electrode has a flat plate shape made of, for example, aluminum, and the surface thereof is subjected to alumite treatment that makes the appearance white. Upper electrode 2
0 is a thickness that can be inserted into the gap of the positioning portion 31 described above. Specifically, the thickness of the upper electrode 20 is 4 mm, for example. A protruding portion 21 that protrudes in the left-right direction is formed at one end of each short side of the upper electrode 20 facing each other. The side on which the protruding portion 21 is formed is the front of the upper electrode 20. Circular recesses 22 are formed on the left and right ends on the front side of the upper electrode 20 in plan view. The recess 22 is formed not only on one surface 20a of the upper electrode 20, but also on the other surface 20b on the opposite side.
Such an upper electrode 20 is inserted into the gap in the positioning portion 31 of the support portion 30 from the rear end side of the upper electrode 20 as shown in FIG. Of the two ball plungers 34 of the positioning portion 31, the ball plunger 34 on the front side and the recess 22 are fitted and positioned. The ball plunger 34 on the rear side of the two ball plungers 34 presses the upper electrode 20 toward the bottom 32 more strongly than the front side. Positioning part 31 is support part 3
The upper electrodes 20 can be positioned in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction with respect to the support portion 30 because they are provided symmetrically on both ends in the left-right direction of 0. Further, the positioning part 31
Even if the upper electrode 20 is inserted and positioned, it is positioned by one of the two ball plungers 34 arranged in the front-rear direction, so that if the protrusion 21 is gripped and pulled forward, the depression 2
Compared with the case where 2 is provided for each of the plurality of ball plungers 34, the upper electrode 20 can be easily extracted from the positioning portion 31. That is, the upper electrode 20 can be detached from the support portion 30. For example, even if a reagent or a cleaning solution touches the electrode surface of the upper electrode 20, the upper electrode 20 can be pulled out of the support portion 30 and easily cleaned.

Since the upper electrode 20 has a flat plate shape and the depressions 22 are provided at symmetrical positions on the one surface 20a and the other surface 20b, the upper electrode 20 is inserted into the positioning portion 31 even if the upper electrode 20 is turned upside down. Both the one surface 20a and the other surface 20b can be used as electrode surfaces. For example, when one surface 20a is damaged, the upper electrode 20 may be used by inverting it. Since the upper electrode 20 can be attached to and detached from the support portion 30, it can be easily replaced even if the upper electrode 20 becomes unusable.

The hatched portion 23 on the side surface of the rear end of the upper electrode 20 is not subjected to an alumite treatment. Although described later in detail, the portion 23 is a portion to which power is supplied to the upper electrode 20.

12A and 12B show the inside of the electric field agitator 100 as viewed from the right side when the lower electrode 10 and the upper electrode 20 are arranged to face each other at a predetermined position (first position in the front-rear direction). It is a figure which shows a structure.
As shown in FIG. 12A, a conductive relay portion 41 is attached via an insulating spacer 35 below a portion extending in the front-rear direction of the support portion 30. A first probe 42 that protrudes forward is attached to the relay portion 41. Similarly, a micro switch 36 is attached below the portion of the support portion 30 extending in the front-rear direction so that the action point faces downward. A roller is rotatably attached to the operating point of the micro switch 36.

When the upper electrode 20 is inserted and positioned in the positioning part 31 of the support part 30 as described above,
The rear end of the upper electrode 20 and the rear end of the mounting portion 11 of the lower electrode 10 substantially coincide with each other in the front-rear direction.
In addition, the rear end of the upper electrode 20 pushes up the roller of the micro switch 36 to operate the micro switch 36. Further, the rear end portion 23 of the upper electrode 20 not subjected to the above-described alumite treatment contacts the first probe 42 and pushes the tip of the first probe 42. The microswitch 36 is a detection element (limit switch) for detecting whether or not the upper electrode 20 is properly attached to the support portion 30.
On the work table 107 to which the elevating mechanism 120 is attached, the second probe 43 is erected upward. The second probe 43 is connected to the lower electrode 10 and the first electrode in the front-rear direction.
It arrange | positions between 108 A of partition parts.
Further, as shown in FIG. 12B, the second probe 43 is attached so as to be movable in the vertical direction as the lifting mechanism 120 moves up and down.
The lower electrode 10 is electrically connected to one output end of the power supply device 140 described above via the lifting mechanism 120, and the second probe 43 is electrically connected to the other output end of the power supply device 140. .

When the stirring program is executed as described above, the control unit 150 of the electric field stirring device 100 drives the moving mechanism 130 to move the support unit 30 forward, so that the lower electrode 10 and the upper electrode 20 are arranged to face each other. . Then, the control unit 150 drives the elevating mechanism 120 to raise the lower electrode 10 so that the lower electrode 10 and the upper electrode 20 face each other with a predetermined distance D1.
As the lower electrode 10 is raised, the second probe 43 is also raised, and the tip of the second probe 43 is pushed in contact with the relay portion 41. As a result, the upper electrode 20 is electrically connected to the second probe 43 via the first probe 42 and the relay portion 41. That is, the relay unit 41, the first probe 42, and the second probe 43 constitute a power supply unit 40 that supplies a potential from the power supply device 140 to the upper electrode 20.
When the control unit 150 detects the operation of the microswitch 36 and confirms that the upper electrode 20 is properly inserted into the support unit 30, the power supply device 140 supplies the lower electrode 10 and the upper electrode 20.
A voltage is applied between the lower electrode 10 and the upper electrode 20 to generate an alternating electric field.
That is, without connecting the wiring directly from the power supply device 140 to the upper electrode 20, the support portion 3.
A configuration in which power can be supplied while the upper electrode 20 is detachable from 0 is realized. In other words, since the wiring for applying a voltage from the power supply device 140 to the upper electrode 20 does not move with the movement of the support portion 30 in the front-rear direction, electrical deterioration or leakage due to the movement of the wiring is not caused. It has a power feeding structure that can prevent problems such as these.

Next, with reference to FIG. 12, the illumination of the electrode chamber 109 by the LED element 114 as an illumination part is demonstrated. The LED element 114 is attached at a position close to the upper end of the first partition portion 108A that can illuminate between the electrodes when the lower electrode 10 and the upper electrode 20 are arranged to face each other.
Further, as described above, the upper electrode 20 has a flat plate shape made of aluminum, and reflects light emitted from the LED element 114 on the electrode surface. In addition, the LED element 114 has a light diffusing member such as a lens that covers the LED chip so that light emitted from the LED chip diffuses. In addition, an illumination part is not limited to the LED element 114, A miniature light bulb etc. may be sufficient.
On the other hand, at the rear end of the lower electrode 10 in the front-rear direction, the contact portion 12 for positioning the substrate W is provided.
However, there is a portion where the contact portion 12 is not provided in the left-right direction of the placement portion 11.
Even if the electrode interval between the lower electrode 10 and the upper electrode 20 is set to the minimum value (2.0 mm in this embodiment), the light emission from the LED element 114 is provided with the electrode surface of the upper electrode 20 and the contact portion 12. It is injected to the front side through the gap between the parts that do not exist. Therefore, it is possible to easily confirm the stirring state of the droplet S formed on the substrate W between the lower electrode 10 and the upper electrode 20.
Note that the first probe 42 for supplying power to the upper electrode 20 has the support portion 3 in the left-right direction.
It is located in the middle of zero. For this reason, when the contact portion 12 is provided in the central guide portion 14 of the lower electrode 10 in the same manner as the other placement portions 11, the first probe 42 and the contact portion 12 are provided.
May come into contact. Therefore, in the lower electrode 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
A portion 16 having no contact portion is provided on the extension line of the guide portion 14 located at the center in the left-right direction,
A degree contact portion 15 having a width in the left-right direction smaller than the contact portion 12 is provided so as to sandwich the portion 16.

Further, a liquid leakage prevention structure of the electrode chamber 109 will be described with reference to FIG. Lower electrode 1
The electrode chamber 109 in which the 0 and the upper electrode 20 are arranged to face each other has a work table 107 and a first partition 108.
It is divided by A. Although the second probe 43, the level 113, and the elevating mechanism 120 are attached to the work table 107, a hole that passes through the work table 107 and communicates with the inside of the apparatus is not formed. The first partition 108A is erected on the work table 107, but is screwed to the work table 107 using a portion bent rearward. That is, the first partition 108A is not screwed to the work table 107 on the electrode chamber 109 side. Further, a second partition portion 108B standing on the work table 107 is provided behind the first partition portion 108A. The second partition portion 108B is formed so as not to contact the support portion 30 moving in the front-rear direction, and is formed so that the upper end reaches substantially the same position as the upper surface of the support portion 30.
Further, the second partition portion 108B is bent so as to be inclined toward the first partition portion 108A, and the tip portion on the bent side is screwed to the work table 107.

As described above, a liquid such as a reagent or a cleaning liquid is used in, for example, an ELISA process in which the electric field stirring apparatus 100 is used. Even if these liquids spill onto the work table 107 of the electrode chamber 109, they do not reach the inside of the apparatus. For example, with the cover 103 closed,
These liquids are spilled on the main body case 101 and the cover portion 103 of the electric field agitator 100,
Even if it enters the electrode chamber 109 or enters between the first partition 108A and the second partition 108B, it does not reach the inside of the apparatus. That is, the electric field agitating apparatus 100 has a leakage preventing structure that prevents liquid from entering the apparatus even if these liquids are mishandled, so that the electric field agitating apparatus 100 that is electrically safe and easy to clean can be provided. .

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to smoothly and reliably set and reset the lower electrode 10 of the substrate W on which the droplet S has been dropped, and an operation including workability and maintenance. It is possible to provide the electric field stirring device 100 having excellent properties.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification. Moreover, it is included in the technical scope of the present invention. Various modifications other than the above embodiment are conceivable. Hereinafter, a modification will be described.

(Modification 1) The electrode surface of the upper electrode 20 may be subjected to water repellent treatment. According to this, since the droplet S is repelled by the water repellent treatment, the droplet S touches the electrode surface, the electrode surface gets wet with a liquid such as a reagent, or the capacity of the droplet S decreases. Can be prevented.
Examples of the water repellent treatment include a method of coating the electrode surface with a fluorine-containing resin material.

(Modification 2) The cutout portion 13 in the placement portion 11 of the lower electrode 10 is not limited to being angularly formed. For example, the mounting portion 11 may be cut out in an arc shape.

(Modification 3) The safe mode in which the inter-electrode distance between the lower electrode 10 and the upper electrode 20 arranged to face each other can be adjusted is not limited to being both positive and negative. For example, only the positive safe mode that increases the inter-electrode distance so that the droplet S does not touch the upper electrode 20 may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Lower electrode as 1st electrode, 11 ... Mounting part, 12 ... Degree-of-contact part, 13 ... Notch part,
14 ... Guide part, 20 ... Upper electrode as second electrode, 20a ... One surface of upper electrode, 20b ...
The other surface of the upper electrode, 30 ... supporting part, 31 ... positioning part, 40 ... power feeding part, 100 ... electric field stirrer, 103 ... cover part, 104 ... opening part, 105 ... transparent member, 107 ... workbench, 108
A ... 1st partition part as a partition part, 109 ... Electrode chamber as a chamber, 114 ... LED element as an illumination part, S ... Droplet, W ... Substrate.

Claims (15)

A substrate having a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein a substrate in which a liquid is dropped between the first electrode and the second electrode can be disposed, and is generated between the first electrode and the second electrode. An electric field stirring device for stirring the liquid by an electric field,
The first electrode includes a placement portion on which the substrate can be placed, and a contact portion provided on one end side of the placement portion in the first direction,
The electric field agitating device, wherein the placement unit includes a cutout part in which a part of the other end opposite to the contact part is cut out in the first direction. The first electrode is arranged between a plurality of mounting portions arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction and a preceding mounting portion adjacent to the second direction. And an electric field stirring apparatus according to claim 1. The electric field agitating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the placement unit is capable of placing the substrate so that the substrate does not protrude from the first electrode. An elevating mechanism for elevating and lowering the first electrode;
A control unit,
The said raising / lowering mechanism is controlled by the said control part so that the said 1st electrode may be raised / lowered in the range which does not contact the said 1st electrode and the said 2nd electrode. The electric field stirring apparatus according to one item. The controller can control the elevating mechanism to increase and / or decrease the predetermined distance by a minute unit after the first electrode and the second electrode are opposed to each other by a predetermined distance. The electric field stirrer according to claim 4. In the first direction, between the first position where the first electrode and the second electrode face each other and the second position where the second electrode is retracted from the first position, The electric field agitator according to claim 1, further comprising a moving mechanism for moving the second electrode. The electric field agitating device according to claim 6, wherein the moving mechanism includes a support portion that supports the second electrode so as to be detachable in the first direction. The electric field stirring apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the support portion includes a positioning portion that positions the second electrode in the first direction. The second electrode is made of a conductive plate-shaped member, and has a shape in which one surface of the plate-shaped member and the other surface opposite to the one surface can be positioned with respect to the positioning portion. The electric field stirring apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the electric field stirring apparatus is configured. The electric field stirring apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the surface of the second electrode is subjected to water repellent treatment. The electric field according to any one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising a power feeding unit that applies a potential to the second electrode when the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged to face each other. Stirring device. An illumination unit capable of illuminating a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode from the contact portion side when the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed opposite to each other;
The electric field agitator according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein there is a portion where the contact portion is not provided on one end side of the placement portion. A workbench, a partition unit standing on the workbench, and a cover unit;
In the chamber defined by the work table, the partition part and the cover part, the first electrode and the second electrode are configured so as to be disposed opposite to each other.
The cover portion is attached to be able to open and close the chamber,
The electric field agitating device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the cover portion is provided with an opening through which the first electrode and the second electrode can be visually recognized. The transparent member is arrange | positioned at the said opening part of the said cover part.
3. The electric field stirring apparatus according to 3. The electric field stirring apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, wherein a liquid leakage prevention structure is applied to the work table and the partition portion.

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