JP2017201282A - Chromatography test piece coloration measuring apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a chromatography test piece coloration measuring apparatus having such an easy structure as to measure a degree of coloration of a chromatography test piece in a short period of time.SOLUTION: A part of measurement light projected from a measurement light projecting LED 111 passes through a first measurement light generation opening 121a and is changed into first measurement light directed toward a test line formation region L100a, reflected light directed toward a direction perpendicular to a test surface P100 out of measurement light reflected by a test surface P100 of a chromatography test piece C100 is changed into first reflected light, the first reflected light is detected by a first reflected light receiving photodiode 115a, and a degree of coloration in the test line formation region L100a is measured using the detected first reflection light. A control line formation region L100b is similar to the test line formation region. By one projection from the measurement light projecting LED 111, simultaneously, a degree of coloration of the test line formation region L100a and the control line formation region L100b can be measured.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a chromatographic test strip color measuring device for measuring the degree of coloration of a chromatographic test strip, and more particularly to a device capable of measuring the degree of coloration in a short time with a simple structure.

  A conventional chromatographic test strip color measuring device will be described using an immunochromatographic test strip measuring device 1a shown in FIG. The measuring device 1a irradiates the test line TL and the control line CL, which are color lines (reaction lines) formed on the immunochromatographic test piece 41, and detects the intensity of the reflected light to detect the color line. It is an apparatus for measuring the coloration degree (reactivity) of TL and CL. In the measurement apparatus 1a, after the measurer drops the sample onto the sample spotting portion 41a, the light emitting element 21 irradiates the first position (that is, the belt-like region 41c) of the immunochromatographic test piece 41 with the measurement light. Then, the light detection element 22 receives the reflected light and converts it into an electrical signal corresponding to the light intensity. The electrical signal is sent to the control unit 13, and the control unit 13 detects the reflected light intensity at the first position (band-like region 41c) based on the electrical signal (step S3).

  Subsequently, the control unit 13 relatively moves the mounting plate 11 and the optical head 3 so as to detect the reflected light from the second position on the immunochromatographic test strip 41 on the downstream side of the first position. The control unit 13 turns on the light emitting element 31, and the light emitting element 31 irradiates the second position (that is, the belt-like region 41d) of the immunochromatographic test piece 41 with the measurement light. Then, the light detection element 32 receives the reflected light and converts it into an electrical signal corresponding to the light intensity. The electrical signal is sent to the control unit 13, and the control unit 13 detects the reflected light intensity at the second position (band-like region 41d) based on the electrical signal (Step S7) (Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-170187 A

  The above-described conventional measuring apparatus 1a has the following points to be improved. In the measuring apparatus 1a, when measuring the degree of coloration of the test line TL and the control line CL of the immunochromatographic test piece 41, it is necessary to turn on the light emitting element 31 at each position corresponding to the test line TL and the control line CL. There is. That is, since it is necessary to turn on the light emitting element 31 at least twice, there is a point to be improved that measurement takes time.

  Further, since the position of the light emitting element 31 is fixed, it is necessary to move the immunochromatographic test piece 41, and it is also necessary to arrange a moving mechanism therefor. In other words, there is a point to be improved that it takes time to move the immunochromatographic test strip 41 and it takes more time. Moreover, since it is necessary to arrange a moving mechanism and control the operation of the moving mechanism, there is a point to be improved that the measuring apparatus 1a has a complicated structure.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a chromatographic test strip color measuring device having a simple structure capable of measuring the degree of coloration of a chromatographic test strip in a short time.

  Means for solving the problems in the present invention and the effects of the invention will be described below.

  The chromatographic test strip color measurement device according to the present invention projects detection light to a chromatographic test strip having a first reaction region and a second reaction region, and the first reaction region and the first reaction region. In a chromatographic test strip color measurement device that receives reflected light of the detection light from two reaction regions, light projection for projecting the detection light to the chromatographic test strip disposed at a predetermined measurement position Means for generating a first detection light having a first detection light generation opening that transmits, as the first detection light, the detection light that is directed to the first reaction region of the chromatographic test piece disposed at the measurement position. Means for transmitting a second detection light that transmits, as second detection light, the detection light that is directed to the second reaction region of the chromatographic test piece disposed at the measurement position. A second reflected light generating means having a first reflected light generating opening that transmits the first detected light reflected from the first reaction area as the first reflected light, and the second reaction area. A second reflected light generating means having a second reflected light generating aperture for transmitting the second detection light reflected from the second reflected light as a second reflected light, a first light receiving means for receiving the first reflected light, and the second reflected light. Second light receiving means for receiving light.

Thus, the degree of coloration in the first reaction region and the second reaction region of the chromatographic test piece can be measured simultaneously by the light projection from the light projecting unit once. That is, the degree of coloration of the chromatographic test piece can be measured in a short time.
Further, since the degree of coloration in the first reaction region and the second reaction region is measured at the same time, a moving mechanism for moving the chromatographic test piece from the first reaction region to the second reaction region at the position where the detection light is projected. Do not need. That is, the degree of coloration of the chromatographic test piece can be measured with a simple structure.

  The chromatographic test strip color measuring device according to the present invention includes a first detection light blocking means, a light projecting means, and a second light receiving means arranged between the light projecting means and the first light receiving means. Second detection light blocking means disposed between the two.

  Thereby, the light reception sensitivity with respect to the 1st reflected light and the 2nd reflected light in a 1st light-receiving means and a 2nd light-receiving means can be made high. Therefore, more precise measurement is possible.

  In the chromatographic test strip color measurement device according to the present invention, the first detection light generation opening is perpendicular to the position where the first reaction region is formed in the chromatographic test strip disposed at the measurement position. It is formed in this.

  Thereby, the distance from a chromatography test piece to a 1st light-receiving means can be minimized. Therefore, since the attenuation of the first reflected light can be minimized, more precise measurement is possible.

  In the chromatographic test strip color measurement device according to the present invention, the second detection light generation opening is perpendicular to a position where the second reaction region is formed in the chromatographic test strip disposed at the measurement position. It is formed in this.

  Thereby, the distance from the test surface of the chromatographic test piece to the second light receiving means can be minimized. Therefore, since the attenuation of the second reflected light can be minimized, more precise measurement is possible.

  In the chromatographic test piece color measurement device according to the present invention, the first detection light generation opening, the second detection light generation opening, the first reflected light generation opening, and the second reflected light generation opening are in a straight line. Formed.

Thereby, the degree of coloration of the chromatographic test piece can be measured with a simple structure.

1 is an overall perspective view of a chromatographic test strip color measuring device 100 according to a chromatographic test strip color measuring device according to the present invention. FIG. It is a figure which shows the chromatographic test piece holding member 103 used with the chromatographic test piece color measurement apparatus 100, A shows a top view and B shows a front view, respectively. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the internal optical system of the chromatography test piece color measurement apparatus 100. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a measurement light adjusting member 113. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the measurement light adjustment member in the other chromatographic test piece color measurement apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows the measurement light adjustment member in the other chromatographic test piece color measurement apparatus. It is a figure which shows the conventional chromatography test piece color measurement apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Configuration of First Chromatographic Test Piece Color Measurement Device 100 The configuration of a chromatographic test piece color measurement device 100, which is an embodiment of the chromatography test piece measurement device according to the present invention, will be described with reference to FIG. The chromatographic test strip color measurement device 100 is a device that measures the degree of coloration of a chromatographic test strip using predetermined measurement light.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chromatographic test piece color measuring device 100. The chromatographic test strip color measurement device 100 includes therein an optical system that measures the degree of coloration of the chromatographic test strip C100, a control circuit that controls measurement using the optical system, and the like. In addition, the chromatographic test strip color measuring device 100 has a chromatographic test strip holding member introduced therein for introducing a chromatographic test strip holding member 103 that holds the chromatographic test strip into a predetermined measurement position. It has a mechanism. The chromatographic test piece holding member introduction mechanism has an introduction tray 100T on which the chromatographic test piece holding member 103 is arranged. The introduction tray 100T holds the chromatographic test piece holding member 103 at a predetermined position.

  The chromatographic test strip color measuring device 100 has an operation area 100B on which operation buttons for operating the control circuit and the chromatographic test strip holding member introducing mechanism and a screen for displaying information are arranged. ing. In addition, the chromatographic test strip color measurement device 100 has a connection terminal on the back surface for connecting to an external computer M100, and can send and receive information to and from an external computer.

1. Chromatographic specimen holding member 103
The chromatographic test piece holding member 103 will be described with reference to FIG. 2A is a plan view of the chromatographic test piece holding member 103, and FIG. 2B is a front view of the chromatographic test piece holding member 103. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the chromatographic test piece holding member 103 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The chromatographic test strip holding member 103 holds the chromatographic test strip C100 therein.

  The chromatographic test piece C100 is made of a flat thin layer material such as a nitrocellulose membrane or filter paper, and has a rectangular shape. As shown in FIG. 2B, the chromatographic test piece C100 has a sample spot application region R100a and a test region R100b on the predetermined surface P100 (hereinafter referred to as test surface P100) side of the thin layer material. The specimen spot application region R100a is formed on one end side of the chromatographic test piece C100. The test region R100b is formed closer to the center from the specimen spotting region R100a.

  The chromatographic test piece C100 has a test line formation region L100a and a control line formation region L100b formed at predetermined positions in the test region R100b. The test line formation region L100a is formed as a linear region having a predetermined width in a direction that intersects the specimen flow direction (arrow a2 direction) that is the longitudinal direction of the chromatography test piece C100. The same applies to the control line formation region L100b. Note that the test line formation region L100a and the control line formation region L100b are formed in parallel at a predetermined interval.

  In the test line formation region L100a, an antibody (or antigen) that causes a predetermined antigen-antibody reaction with an antigen (or antibody) in a specimen is applied in a line (band). The control line forming region L100b has an antibody (or antigen) that causes a predetermined antigen-antibody reaction to an antibody (or antigen) that is labeled with a predetermined dye and binds to an antigen (or antibody) in a specimen. Is applied in a line shape (band shape).

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the chromatographic test piece holding member 103 has a specimen spot wearing opening 103a on the side where the test surface P100 of the chromatographic test piece C100 is located when the chromatographic test piece C100 is held inside. A color measurement opening 103b is provided. The specimen spot wearing opening 103a is formed so as to be positioned in the specimen spot application region R100a of the chromatographic test piece C100 when the chromatographic test specimen C100 is held inside the chromatographic test specimen holding member 103. Similarly, the color measurement opening 103b is formed so as to be located in the test region R100b.

  When using the chromatographic test strip color measuring device 100, the user holds the chromatographic test strip C100 on the chromatographic test strip holding member 103 before use, and the sample to be measured is opened on the sample spot wearing opening. The sample is dropped from 103a onto the specimen spotting region R100a of the chromatographic test piece C100. The antigen (or antibody) in the specimen binds to a predetermined dye, and the antigen (or antibody) or unreacted dye bound to the dye passes through the test region R100b of the chromatographic test piece C100 in the specimen flow direction (arrow a2 direction). Move to.

  When the antigen contained in the sample reacts with an antigen-antibody in the test line formation region L100a, the antibody is specific to the antibody immobilized on the test line formation region L100a in the test line formation region L100a as the sample moves. The test line forming region L100a is colored by the dye. On the other hand, the unreacted dye specifically reacts with the antibody immobilized on the control line formation region L100b in the control line formation region L100b, and the control line formation region L100b is colored by the dye.

2. Internal Optical System An internal optical system for measurement arranged inside the chromatographic test piece color measuring device 100 will be described with reference to a simplified diagram of the internal optical system shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the chromatographic test piece holding member 103 is shown in a planar shape. The chromatographic test strip holding member 103 is held at a predetermined measurement position in the chromatographic test strip color measuring device 100 via the introduction tray 100T (see FIG. 1). The chromatographic test piece color measurement device 100 includes a measurement light projection LED (light emitting diode) 111 for projecting measurement light, a measurement light adjustment member 113, a first reflected light reception (Photodiode) 115a for receiving reflected light, A second reflected light receiving member 115b and a measuring light blocking member 117 are provided.

  The measurement light projection LED 111 is disposed on the test surface P100 side of the chromatography test piece C100 held by the chromatography test piece holding member 103 located at the measurement position. The measurement light projection LED 111 projects measurement light in a direction toward the chromatographic test piece holding member 103.

  The measurement light adjusting member 113 is a plate-like member located between the measurement light projection LED 111 and the chromatography test piece holding member 103 located at the measurement position. The measurement light adjusting member 113 has a light shielding property to shield the measurement light. The measurement light adjusting member 113 includes a first measurement light generation opening 121a, a first reflection light generation opening 123a, a second measurement light generation opening 121b, and a second reflection light generation opening 123b. The first measurement light generation opening 121a, the first reflected light generation opening 123a, the second measurement light generation opening 121b, and the second reflected light generation opening 123b are circular openings.

  The first measurement light generation opening 121a is a line connecting the measurement light projection LED 111 and the position where the test line formation region L100a of the chromatographic test piece holding member 103 located at the measurement position is formed in the measurement light adjustment member 113. And the measuring light adjusting member 113 are formed at the intersecting positions. Of the measurement light projected from the measurement light projection LED 111, the measurement light that has passed through the first measurement light generation opening 121a is directed to the test line formation region L100a of the chromatographic test piece C100 and is colored in the test line formation region L100a. It functions as the first measurement light for measuring the degree of the.

  The first reflected light generation opening 123a is a direction perpendicular to the test surface P100 of the chromatography test piece C100 at the position where the test line formation region L100a is formed in the chromatography test piece C100 in the measurement light adjusting member 113. Is formed. Of the first measurement light, the reflected light traveling in the direction perpendicular to the test surface P100 of the chromatographic test piece C100 functions as the first reflected light.

  The second measurement light generation opening 121b is a line connecting the measurement light projection LED 111 and the position where the control line formation region L100b of the chromatographic test piece holding member 103 located at the measurement position is formed in the measurement light adjustment member 113. And the measuring light adjusting member 113 are formed at the intersecting positions. Of the measurement light projected from the measurement light projection LED 111, the measurement light that has passed through the second measurement light generation opening 121b is directed to the control line formation region L100b of the chromatographic test piece C100, and is colored in the control line formation region L100b. It functions as the second measurement light for measuring the degree of the.

  The second reflected light generation opening 123b is a direction perpendicular to the test surface P100 of the chromatographic test piece C100 at the position where the control line forming region L100b is formed in the chromatographic test piece C100 in the measurement light adjusting member 113. Is formed. Of the second measurement light, the reflected light traveling in the direction perpendicular to the test surface P100 of the chromatography test piece C100 functions as the second reflected light.

  The measurement light blocking member 117 is a cylindrical member formed so as to surround the periphery of the measurement light projection LED 111. The measuring light blocking member 117 is connected to the measuring light adjusting member 113 at the end on the chromatography test piece holding member 103 side. The measurement light adjusting member 113 and the measurement light blocking member 117 are integrally formed.

  In the measurement light blocking member 117, the distance from the measurement light adjustment member 113 to the end different from the end connected to the measurement light adjustment member 113 is the position where the measurement light projection LED 111 is disposed from the measurement light adjustment member 113. Longer than the distance. Thereby, the measurement light projection LED 111 can be stored in the internal space of the measurement light blocking member 117. That is, since the measurement light projected by the measurement light projection LED 111 can be prevented from leaking outside the measurement light blocking member 117, the first reflected light reception 115a and the second reflected light reception 115b are measured by the measurement light projection LED 111. It is possible to prevent the measurement light from being directly received. Therefore, since the light receiving sensitivity to the first reflected light and the second reflected light in the first reflected light receiving 115a and the second reflected light receiving 115b can be increased, more precise measurement is possible.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view of the measurement light adjusting member 113 as viewed from the side where the measurement light projection LED 111 is disposed. In FIG. 4, the measurement light projecting LED 111, the first reflected light receiving PD 115a, and the second reflected light receiving PD 115b are respectively indicated by dotted lines. As shown in FIG. 4, the first measurement light generation opening 121a and the second measurement light generation opening 121b are formed at substantially target positions around the projection position of the measurement light projection LED 111 on the measurement light adjustment member 113. Is done. Further, the first reflected light generation opening 123a and the second reflected light generation opening 123b are formed at substantially target positions around the projection position of the measurement light projection LED 111 on the measurement light adjustment member 113. Further, the first measurement light generation opening 121a, the first reflected light generation opening 123a, the second measurement light generation opening 121b, and the second reflected light generation opening 123b are formed on a straight line.

  As shown in FIG. 3, some of the measurement light projected from the measurement light projection LED 111 passes through the first measurement light generation opening 121a and becomes the first measurement light toward the test line formation region L100a. The first measurement light is reflected by the test surface P100 of the chromatographic test piece C100, and of the reflected measurement light, the reflected light directed in the direction perpendicular to the test surface P100 becomes the first reflected light. The first reflected light is detected by the first reflected light reception 115a. In the chromatographic test piece color measurement device 100, the degree of coloration in the test line formation region L100a is measured using the detected first reflected light.

  On the other hand, a part of the measurement light projected from the measurement light projection LED 111 passes through the second measurement light generation opening 121b and becomes the second measurement light toward the test line. The second measurement light is reflected by the test surface P100 of the chromatographic test piece C100, and the reflected light that travels in the direction perpendicular to the test surface P100 among the reflected measurement light becomes the second reflected light. The second reflected light is detected by the second reflected light reception 115b. In the chromatographic test piece color measurement device 100, the degree of coloration in the control line formation region L100b is measured using the detected second reflected light.

As described above, in the chromatographic test piece color measuring device 100, the light is emitted from the measurement light projecting LED 111 once, and at the same time, in the test line forming region L100a and the control line forming region L100b of the chromatographic test piece C100. The degree of color can be measured. That is, the degree of coloration in the test line formation region L100a and the control line formation region L100b of the chromatographic test piece C100 can be measured more easily.

[Other Examples]
(1) Measurement light projection LED 111: In the above-described first embodiment, the measurement light projection LED 111 is used to project the measurement light. It is not limited. For example, a light source that is not an LED may be used.

(2) Shapes of the first measurement light generation opening 121a, the first reflected light generation opening 123a, the second measurement light generation opening 121b, and the second reflection light generation opening 123b: In the first embodiment,
Although the first measurement light generation opening 121a, the first reflected light generation opening 123a, the second measurement light generation opening 121b, and the second reflection light generation opening 123b are circular openings, respectively, the measurement light and the reflection The opening is not limited to the illustrated example as long as the opening can form light. For example, it may be a polygonal opening or a slit-shaped opening.

  (3) Formation positions of the first measurement light generation opening 121a, the first reflected light generation opening 123a, the second measurement light generation opening 121b, and the second reflected light generation opening 123b: In the first embodiment, the first The measurement light generation opening 121a and the second measurement light generation opening 121b are formed at substantially target positions around the projection position of the measurement light projection LED 111 on the measurement light adjustment member 113, but are directed to predetermined positions. The opening is not limited to the illustrated positions as long as the opening can generate the first measurement light and the second measurement light. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the distance from the center of the projection position of the measurement light projection LED 111 to the measurement light adjustment member 113 to the first reflected light generation opening 123a, and the distance to the second reflected light generation opening 123b as well. And may be different. The same applies to the first measurement light generation opening 121a and the second measurement light generation opening 121b.

  In this case, the second reflected light generation opening 123b is formed on the measurement light adjusting member 113 at a position where the control line forming region L100b is formed in the chromatography test piece C100, with respect to the test surface P100 of the chromatography test piece C100. The second reflected light generation opening 123b is formed by shifting in a predetermined direction from the position where the control line formation region L100b is formed in the chromatographic test piece C100, instead of being formed in the vertical direction. Similarly, the two-reflection light receiving PD 115b is also arranged so as to be shifted in a predetermined direction.

  (4) Shape of the measurement light blocking member 117: In the above-described first embodiment, the measurement light projected by the measurement light projection LED 111 is directly reflected by the first reflection using the measurement light blocking member 117 which is a cylindrical member. The light receiving PD 115a and the second reflected light receiving PD 115b are not received, but are not limited to the examples. For example, a hollow polygonal column member may be arranged. Further, a plate-like member having a predetermined width is disposed between the measurement light projection LED 111 and the first reflected light reception PD 115a and between the measurement light projection LED 111 and the second reflection light reception PD 115b. May be.

  Further, instead of forming the cylindrical measurement light blocking member 117 including the measurement light projecting LED 111, as shown in FIG. 6, the first reflected light generation opening 123a and the first reflected light receiving PD 115a are included. The measurement light blocking member 127a, which is a simple cylindrical member, may be formed. Similarly, the measurement light blocking member 127b may be formed for the second reflected light generation opening 123b and the second reflected light receiving PD 115b. Further, in addition to the cylindrical member including the first reflected light generation opening 123a and the first reflected light receiving PD 115a, and the cylindrical member including the second reflected light generating opening 123b and the second reflected light receiving PD 115b. A cylindrical measurement light blocking member 117 including the measurement light projection LED 111 may be formed.

(5) Generation of the first measurement light, the second measurement light, the first reflected light, and the second reflected light: In Example 1 described above, the measurement light projection LED 111 is projected using the first measurement light generation opening 121a. Although the first measurement light is generated from the measurement light to be emitted, the first measurement light may be formed using a predetermined optical system such as a convex lens. The same applies to the second measurement light, the first reflected light, and the second reflected light.

The chromatographic test strip color measurement device according to the present invention can be used, for example, in a chromatographic test strip color measurement device that measures the immune action of blood.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Chromatography test piece color measurement apparatus 100T Introducing tray 100B Operation area 103 Chromatography test piece holding member 103a Specimen spot opening 103b Color measurement measurement opening 111 Measuring light projection LED
113 measurement light adjusting member 121a first measurement light generation opening 121b second measurement light generation opening 123a first reflection light generation opening 123b second reflection light generation opening 115a first reflection light reception PD
115b Second reflected light receiving PD
117 Measuring light blocking member 127a Measuring light blocking member 127b Measuring light blocking member C100 Chromatographic test piece P100 Test surface R100a Specimen spot application area R100b Test area L100a Test line formation area L100b Control line formation area

Claims (5)

A detection light is projected onto a chromatographic test piece having a first reaction region and a second reaction region, and reflected light of the detection light from the first reaction region and the second reaction region is received. In the chromatographic test piece color measuring device,
Projection means for projecting the detection light to the chromatographic test piece disposed at a predetermined measurement position,
A first detection light generation means having a first detection light generation opening that transmits, as the first detection light, the chromatography test piece arranged at the measurement position, which is directed to the first reaction region, of the detection light;
A second detection light generation means having a second detection light generation opening that transmits, as the second detection light, the chromatography test piece arranged at the measurement position, which is directed to the second reaction region, of the detection light;
First reflected light generating means having a first reflected light generating opening that transmits the first detection light reflected from the first reaction region as the first reflected light;
A second reflected light generation means having a second reflected light generation opening that transmits the second detection light reflected from the second reaction region as the second reflected light;
First light receiving means for receiving the first reflected light;
Second light receiving means for receiving the second reflected light;
A chromatographic test piece color measuring device. In the chromatographic test piece color measuring device according to claim 1,
A first detection light blocking means disposed between the light projecting means and the first light receiving means;
A second detection light blocking means disposed between the light projecting means and the second light receiving means;
A chromatographic test piece color measuring device. In the chromatographic test piece color measuring device according to claim 1 or 2,
The first detection light generation aperture is
Formed in the vertical direction of the position where the first reaction region is formed in the chromatography test piece arranged at the measurement position;
A chromatographic test piece color measuring device characterized by the above. In the chromatographic test piece color measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The second detection light generation aperture is
Formed in a direction perpendicular to the position where the second reaction region is formed in the chromatography test piece arranged at the measurement position;
A chromatographic test piece color measuring device characterized by the above. In the chromatographic test piece color measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The first detection light generation opening, the second detection light generation opening, the first reflected light generation opening, and the second reflected light generation opening are formed in a straight line;
A chromatographic test piece color measuring device characterized by the above.

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