JP2017072426A - Voltage application device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a voltage application device capable of facilitating an attaching/detaching operation of a passage element.SOLUTION: The voltage application device includes a substrate 2, a syringe, and an optical microscope that are arranged in a common housing so that they close to each other. The voltage application device includes a retainer plate 231 for retaining the substrate 2, and an electrode support plate 23 that is attached to the retainer plate 231 and electrically connects the substrate 2 retained by the retainer plate 231 to an AC power source for generating voltage. The electrode support plate 23 is engaged with the substrate 2 when the substrate 2 is mounted on the retainer plate 231, and releases the engagement with the substrate 2 when the substrate 2 is separated from the retainer plate 231.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a voltage application device, and is suitable for a microorganism detection device using dielectrophoresis, for example.

  For example, in beverage manufacturers, the detection of microorganisms such as fungi and yeast is exclusively based on culture methods. In this culturing method, an agar medium is provided in a petri dish, and microorganisms are applied to the surface of the agar medium, maintained at a predetermined temperature, and grown until microorganisms can be detected. For this reason, there has been a problem that a great amount of time and labor must be spent on the detection of microorganisms and it is not suitable for immediate monitoring.

  Various studies have been conducted on methods for detecting microorganisms using such dielectrophoresis without defects. For example, in Patent Document 1, a sample liquid containing dielectric fine particles (microorganisms) is sucked from a sample liquid holding part through a cell by a liquid feed pump, and the dielectric fine particles in the sample liquid are collected on a dielectrophoresis electrode in the cell. Then, it is disclosed that the release liquid is allowed to flow through the dielectrophoresis electrode to concentrate and collect the dielectric fine particles collected by the dielectrophoresis electrode.

  According to this, it is possible to easily collect the concentrated dielectric fine particles as target bacteria. Further, it is described that the dielectric fine particles collected on the dielectrophoretic electrode can be observed in real time by a CCD camera, an optical microscope, etc., and the metabolic activity state of the dielectric fine particles can be observed in real time. .

  By the way, although the flow path element is discarded after being used about once or twice, in the above prior art, it is difficult to attach and detach the flow path element, and there has been a demand for facilitating such work. .

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a voltage application device capable of facilitating the attachment / detachment work of the flow path element.

  The present invention provides a flow channel element holding unit that holds a flow channel element having a micro flow channel, and the flow channel element that is attached to the flow channel element holding unit and held by the flow channel element holding unit. A connection part electrically connected to the voltage generation part to be generated, and the connection part is engaged with the flow path element when the flow path element is attached to the flow path element holding part, and The voltage application device is configured to be disengaged from the flow channel element when the flow channel element is detached from the flow channel element holding portion.

  According to the present invention, a flow channel element holding unit that holds a flow channel element having a micro flow channel, and the flow channel element that is attached to the flow channel element holding unit and held by the flow channel element holding unit, A connection part electrically connected to a voltage generation part for generating a voltage, and the connection part is engaged with the flow path element when the flow path element is mounted on the flow path element holding part. In addition, since the engagement with the flow channel element is released when the flow channel element is detached from the flow channel element holding portion, the attachment / detachment work of the flow channel element can be facilitated. .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the flow path element has a plurality of element side terminals arranged in one place on the flow path element, and the connection portion includes the plurality of element side terminals. It is preferable to have a plurality of connection portion side terminals electrically connected to each of the plurality of element side terminals.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the flow channel element has a plurality of element side terminals arranged in one place on the flow channel element, and the connection portion includes the plurality of element side terminals. Since there are a plurality of connection portion side terminals that are electrically connected to each of the plurality of element side terminals, the attachment / detachment work of the flow path element can be further facilitated.

  As in the invention of claim 3, by slidably displacing the flow path element with respect to the flow path element holding portion, the flow path element can be attached to and detached from the flow path element holding portion, It is preferable that the connecting portion is disposed on the back side in the mounting direction of the flow channel element with respect to the flow channel element held by the flow channel element holding portion.

  According to the invention of claim 3, by slidably displacing the flow path element with respect to the flow path element holding part, the flow path element can be attached to and detached from the flow path element holding part, Since the connecting portion is disposed on the far side in the mounting direction of the flow channel element with respect to the flow channel element held by the flow channel element holding portion, the attachment / detachment work of the flow channel device can be further facilitated.

  According to the present invention, a flow channel element holding unit that holds a flow channel element having a micro flow channel, and the flow channel element that is attached to the flow channel element holding unit and held by the flow channel element holding unit, A connection part electrically connected to a voltage generation part for generating a voltage, and the connection part is engaged with the flow path element when the flow path element is mounted on the flow path element holding part. In addition, since the engagement with the flow channel element is released when the flow channel element is detached from the flow channel element holding portion, the attachment / detachment work of the flow channel element can be facilitated. .

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the microorganisms detection apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of this apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the syringe periphery. It is a front view which shows the syringe periphery. It is a top view which shows the circumference | surroundings of a board | substrate. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of this apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of this apparatus. It is a front view which shows the state before the setting of a syringe. It is a front view which shows the state (1) in the setting of a syringe. It is a front view which shows the state (2) in the setting of a syringe. It is a front view which shows the state after the setting of a syringe. It is a perspective view which shows the state before the setting of a board | substrate. It is a perspective view which shows the state after the setting of a board | substrate.

  The present invention provides a flow channel element holding unit that holds a flow channel element having a micro flow channel, and the flow channel element that is attached to the flow channel element holding unit and held by the flow channel element holding unit. A connection part electrically connected to the voltage generation part to be generated, and the connection part is engaged with the flow path element when the flow path element is attached to the flow path element holding part, and The voltage application device is configured to be disengaged from the flow channel element when the flow channel element is detached from the flow channel element holding portion. Hereinafter, a microorganism detection apparatus including this voltage application device will be described as an example. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a microorganism detection apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration thereof, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a periphery of a syringe 3, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the periphery of the substrate 2. In addition, the code | symbol X in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 has shown the operation side ahead of an apparatus.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a microorganism detection apparatus (hereinafter referred to as the present apparatus) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate (corresponding to a flow path element) 2, a syringe 3, and an optical device. The microscope 4 is disposed close to each other in a common housing 5, and from the syringe 3 erected on the left side facing the operation side in the housing 5, near the bottom in the housing 5 The sample solution is supplied to the substrate 2 that is detachably mounted in the substrate, and an alternating electric field is applied to the sample solution while the sample solution is passing through the substrate, whereby the microorganisms contained in the sample solution are dielectrophoresed. Thus, the optical microscope 4 that is erected on the right side from the operation side in the housing 5 is configured to be capable of imaging.

  The housing 5 is provided on both the left and right sides of the upper part of the main body 51, a box-shaped main body 51, a translucent open / close door 52 provided to swing up and down from the operation side (front) of the main body 51. And a carrying portion 53 for carrying. Inside the main body 51, support portions 24, 33, and 41 of the components 2 to 4 are arranged so that the components 2 to 4 are close to each other.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the syringe 3 has a cylindrical body (narrowly defined syringe) 31 having a distal end side reduced in diameter with a stepped portion 311 and a first flange portion 312 on the proximal end side, and this cylinder. The structure includes a gasket 321 that can slide inside the body 31 and a plunger 32 that is connected to the gasket 321 and includes a second flange 322 on the base end side. These materials are plastic, glass, rubber and the like.

  The support portion 33 of the syringe 3 includes a rectangular tube-shaped first member 330 a erected on the support portion 24 of the substrate 2. A second member 330b that can be moved up and down along the inner wall of the first member 330a is provided inside the first member 330a. The first member 330a is provided with an operation lever 303 (see FIGS. 8 and 11) for raising and lowering the first member 330a. A third member 331 that receives the step 311 of the syringe 3 from the lower side of the front wall of the first member 330a toward the middle, a fourth member 332 that elastically sandwiches the cylindrical body 31 of the syringe 3, and the syringe 3 The fifth member 333 that receives the first collar portion 312 is fixed. The syringe 3 can be attached to and detached from the fourth member 332 and the like by moving the syringe 3 in the longitudinal direction and moving in the front-rear direction (a direction orthogonal to the advancing and retreating direction of the plunger 32 with respect to the cylinder 31).

  In addition, a sixth member 334 that supports a hook 300 as a mechanism for detachably holding the plunger 32 of the syringe 3 is opened in the second member 330b from the upper side of the front wall of the first member 330a to the vicinity of the middle. It is fixed through the opening 335. Thereby, after attaching the syringe 3 whole from the operation side so that attachment or detachment is possible, it fixes so that the cylinder 31 may not move, and only the plunger 32 can be raised / lowered.

  The hook 300 is rotatably provided on both the left and right sides in the main body, and opens and closes the claw portion 300a elastically biased by a spring 300b. Then, by moving the plunger 32 in the vertical direction (the advance direction of the plunger 32 with respect to the cylindrical body 31), the second collar 322 of the plunger 32 comes into contact with the claw portion 300a and automatically holds the plunger 32. It has become.

  A plunger driving unit 302 that drives the plunger 32 is provided on the support unit 33 of the syringe 3. The plunger driving unit 302 can push and pull the plunger 32 with respect to the cylindrical body 31 of the syringe 3 fixed vertically by the fourth member 332 of the support unit 33 by moving the hook 300 up and down. By pushing, liquid supply from the cylinder 31 to the substrate 2 is performed, and by pulling the plunger 32, the residual liquid can be collected from the substrate 2 to the cylinder 31.

  The plunger driving unit 302 includes the hook 300 and drives the plunger 32 by driving the hook 300. In addition to the hook 300, the plunger drive unit 302 includes a motor, the second member 330b, and a ball screw mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the motor into the lifting motion of the second member 330b. The motor is a pulse motor that enables continuous liquid supply in a minute amount by the syringe 3. The motor and the ball screw mechanism are provided inside the first member 330a. The second member 330b moves up and down by rotating the motor. As the second member 330b moves up and down, the hook 300 fixed to the second member 330b moves up and down via the sixth member 334, and the plunger 32 held by the hook 300 moves up and down.

  The hook 300 penetrates through the main body of the hook 300 and can contact the second flange 322 of the plunger 32 and the second flange 322 of the plunger 32 with respect to the contact 301a. A load cell 301 disposed on the opposite side is provided. Then, the hook 300 is lowered by the drive of the motor, and the plunger 32 is moved to the hook 300 based on the magnitude of the pressing force detected when the contact portion 301a contacts the second flange 322 of the plunger 32. It is possible to detect whether it is attached, the pressing start position of the plunger 32, and the pressing position of the plunger 32.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the substrate 2 includes a preparation 21 that allows the sample solution to pass therethrough, and an electrode 22 that applies an alternating voltage to the sample solution that is passing through and dielectrophoreses the microorganisms in the sample solution. .

  The preparation 21 is provided with a longitudinal groove portion (corresponding to a micro-channel) 213 on the upper surface of a transparent base material that is rectangular in plan view, and both ends of the transparent cover covering the groove portion 213 in the longitudinal direction. A liquid inlet 211 and a liquid outlet 212 are formed on the side. A short pipe into which the step 311 of the syringe 3 can be inserted is erected at the liquid inlet 211, and an opening hole for connecting the waste liquid tube 214 is formed at the liquid outlet 212. These materials are plastic, glass and the like. The dimension and shape of the groove 213 are set according to the maximum flow rate of the sample liquid that passes therethrough.

  The electrode 22 is formed in a comb shape by sputtering a conductive material such as nickel on the bottom of the groove 213. The preparation 21 is discarded after being used about once or twice, but the residual liquid of the sample solution supplied thereto can be collected and analyzed.

  The support portion 24 of the substrate 2 is installed on the upper surface thereof, and a holding plate (corresponding to a flow path element holding portion) 231 that elastically presses and holds the preparation 21 and the electrode 22 are shown in FIG. An electrode support plate (corresponding to a connecting portion) 23 that holds power supply from an AC power source (corresponding to a voltage generating portion) 8 is provided. The electrode 22 has a plurality of terminals (corresponding to element-side terminals) 221 that are arranged in one place on the substrate 2, and the electrode support plate 23 corresponds to each of the plurality of terminals 221. Each terminal 221 has a plurality of terminals (connection portion side terminals) 232 that are electrically connected.

  The holding plate 231 is made of a flexible material, and is slightly longer than the preparation 21 in plan view, but in a slightly longer main body, the central rear portion, the left and right front sides, and the middle front side thereof are greatly cut out. It has a variant. The notch at the center rear corresponds to the observation range of the optical microscope 4 on which the electrode 22 is arranged, and the notches on the left and right front sides correspond to the liquid inlet 211 and the liquid outlet 212. Both left and right ends of the holding plate 231 are fixed to the support portion 24 with a gap for inserting the preparation 21. The slide 21 is slidably displaced on the support portion 24 and inserted into the gap or escaped from the gap, so that the slide 21 can be attached to and detached from the holding plate 231.

  The electrode support plate 23 is fitted from behind to the notch at the center rear portion of the holding plate 231 so as to be arranged on the back side in the mounting direction of the preparation 21 with respect to the preparation 21 held by the holding plate 231. And fixed there. When the preparation 21 is inserted into the gap between the holding plate 231 and the support portion 24, the plurality of terminals 232 of the electrode support plate 23 are elastic to the plurality of terminals 221 of the electrode 22 disposed at the center rear portion of the preparation 21. So that power can be supplied from the AC power supply 8 to the electrode 22.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the optical microscope 4 includes a camera (CCD camera) 401 that can output imaging data. The support part 41 of the optical microscope 4 is erected on the support part 24 along with the support part 33 of the syringe 3. The position of the optical microscope 4 can be adjusted in three dimensions in the front / rear / left / right / up / down directions together with the camera 401 by appropriately turning the adjustment dials 402, 403, and 404. Further, by turning on a light (not shown) provided below the center of the preparation 21 of the substrate 2, a clear captured image by the camera 401 of the optical microscope 4 can be obtained.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control system of the apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the control system of the apparatus 1 includes a controller 6, a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a personal computer) 7, and an AC power supply 8. Based on the detection signal from the load cell 301, the controller 6 determines whether or not the plunger 32 is attached to the hook 300, whether or not the plunger 32 is in a pressing start position, and whether or not the plunger 32 is in a pressing position. In addition to controlling the motor, the power supply from the AC power supply 8 to the electrode 22 is controlled. The power supply voltage and the frequency are adjusted within a predetermined range, and the sample solution passing through the groove portion 213 of the preparation 21 is adjusted. The microorganisms are collected by the electrode 22 by dielectrophoresis. The optical microscope 4 enlarges an image of microorganisms collected by the electrode 22 and picks up the image with a camera 401. The personal computer 7 displays the imaging data output from the camera 401 of the optical microscope 4 on the screen as a moving image or a still image (photograph).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the apparatus 1, FIG. 8 is a front view showing a state before the syringe 3 is set, FIG. 9 is a front view showing a state (1) during the setting of the syringe 3, and FIG. FIG. 11 is a front view showing a state after setting the syringe 3, FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state before setting the substrate 2, and FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state after a set. It is assumed that a predetermined amount of sample liquid is sucked and held in the syringe 3 in advance.

  As shown in FIG. 7, first, the substrate 2 and the syringe 3 are set in the housing 5 of the apparatus 1 (step S1). Here, the opening / closing door 52 on the operation side (front) of the housing 5 is opened, and the preparation 21 of the substrate 2 is attached in a horizontal state to a predetermined position of the support portion 24 at the bottom thereof. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the slide 21 is slid on the support 24 and the slide 21 is inserted into the gap between the holding plate 231 and the support 24. At this time, the plurality of terminals 232 of the electrode support plate 23 are elastically brought into contact with the plurality of terminals 221 of the electrode 22 disposed at the center rear portion of the preparation 21 so that power can be supplied from the AC power supply 8 to the electrode 22. .

  Next, the syringe 3 is attached to the left support portion 33. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, the syringe 3 is mounted in the fourth member 332 or the like by moving the syringe 3 vertically and moving it from the operation side (front) to the back side (rear). Then, the operation lever 303 is pushed down. At this time, the entire syringe 3 is lowered together with the support portion 33 of the syringe 3, and the step portion 311 at the tip of the syringe 3 is inserted into the liquid inlet 211 of the substrate 2. A waste liquid tube 214 is attached to the liquid outlet 212 of the substrate 2, and its tip is connected to a collection tank (not shown). It is assumed that the optical microscope 4 has been previously adjusted in three dimensions with the camera 401.

  Next, the plunger 32 of the syringe 3 is started to be pressed by the motor (step S2), and the plunger 32 is pressed until detected by the load cell 301 (step S3). At this time, the hook 300 is lowered, and the second flange 322 of the plunger 32 of the syringe 3 comes into contact with the claw portion 300a of the hook 300. Then, the claw portion 300a opens to the left and right against the elastic biasing force of the spring 300b, and closes after the second collar portion 322 is sandwiched. In this way, the plunger 32 of the syringe 3 is held by the hook 300. After the plunger 32 is detected by the load cell 301, the sample liquid is continuously supplied in a minute amount into the substrate 2 by continuously pressing the plunger 32 with a motor (step S4).

  While confirming the image captured by the camera 401 of the optical microscope 4 on the screen of the personal computer 7, by appropriately adjusting the voltage and frequency of the AC power supply 8 applied to the electrode 22 of the substrate 2, The microorganisms in the sample solution are collected (step S5). When the load cell 301 senses the pushing of the plunger 32, the pushing is stopped (step S6), and the operation is completed. If necessary, the remaining liquid in the substrate 2 is removed by rotating the motor reversely. It is possible to collect the microorganisms by collecting them in the syringe 3. Thereafter, the substrate 2 and the syringe 3 are taken out of the housing 5 in the reverse procedure to step S1, and then the door 52 is closed. All of the above operations can be performed by one-handed one-touch operation.

  As described above, according to the present apparatus 1, the support unit 24 that holds the substrate 2 having the groove 213 that forms the microchannel, and the substrate 2 that is attached to the support unit 24 and is held by the support unit 24. An electrode support plate 23 electrically connected to an AC power source 8 for generating a voltage, and the electrode support plate 23 is engaged with the substrate 2 when the substrate 2 is mounted on the support portion 24, and Since the engagement with the substrate 2 is released when the substrate 2 is detached from the support portion 24, the attaching / detaching operation of the substrate 2 can be facilitated.

  In the above embodiment, the test liquid is supplied from the syringe 3 to the substrate 2. However, the liquid supply to the substrate 2 may be directly connected to the production line. In that case, since the syringe 3 becomes unnecessary, the apparatus configuration is further simplified.

  In the above-described embodiment, the step portion 311 of the syringe 3 is inserted into the short tube of the liquid inlet 211 of the substrate 2. The portion 311 may be pressed. In that case, by removing the short pipe, it is convenient that more preparations 21 can be stacked and stored in the packaging box.

  In the above embodiment, the load cell 301 detects whether or not the plunger 32 of the syringe 3 is attached to the hook 300 and the pressing start position and the pressing stop position of the plunger 32 of the syringe 3. Other types of sensors may be used.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, control with the electrode 22 and the syringe 3 is performed by the controller 6, and the personal computer 7 only displays the picked-up image with the camera 401 of the optical microscope 4, However, All control is integrated with the personal computer 7. You may make it carry out.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the temperature control of the sample solution hold | maintained at the board | substrate 2 and the syringe 3 is not performed, you may provide the mechanism which performs those temperature control as needed.

  Moreover, although the microorganism detection apparatus is illustrated in the above embodiment, the fluid supply apparatus and the fluid observation apparatus according to the present invention are not limited to this, and can be applied to wider fields such as the medical field and the semiconductor manufacturing field. Of course you can.

1 Microorganism detection device (including voltage application device)
2 Substrate (corresponds to a flow path element)
21 Preparation 211 Liquid inlet 212 Liquid outlet 213 Groove (corresponds to a microchannel)
22 Electrode 221 terminal (corresponding to element side terminal)
23 Electrode support plate (corresponds to the connecting portion)
231 holding plate (corresponding to the flow path element holding portion)
232 terminal (corresponding to the connection side terminal)
24 support part 3 syringe 300 hook 301 load cell 301a contact part 302 syringe drive part 303 operation lever 31 cylinder 311 step part 312 first collar part 32 plunger 321 gasket 322 second collar part 33 support part 332 fourth member 4 optical microscope 401 Camera 41 Supporting unit 5 Housing 6 Controller 7 Personal computer 8 AC power supply (corresponding to voltage generation unit)

Patent No. 4548742 Patent Gazette

Claims (3)

A flow path element holding portion for holding a flow path element having a micro flow path;
A connection part that is attached to the flow path element holding part and electrically connects the flow path element held by the flow path element holding part to a voltage generation part that generates a voltage;
The connection portion is engaged with the flow channel element when the flow channel device is mounted on the flow channel device holding portion, and the flow channel device is detached from the flow channel device holding portion. And a voltage applying device configured to be disengaged from the flow path element. The flow channel element has a plurality of element side terminals arranged in one place on the flow channel element,
The voltage application apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection unit includes a plurality of connection unit side terminals that correspond to each of the plurality of element side terminals and are electrically connected to each of the plurality of element side terminals. By slidably displacing the flow path element with respect to the flow path element holding part, the flow path element can be attached to and detached from the flow path element holding part.
The voltage application device according to claim 1, wherein the connection portion is disposed on the back side in the mounting direction of the flow channel element with respect to the flow channel element held by the flow channel device holding unit.

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