JP2018173428A - Cartridge and method for detection - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a detector and a method for detection which can keep the accuracy of detecting a detection target material at a high level.SOLUTION: A cartridge 200 includes: a plurality of chambers 211 to 216; and a channel 220 connecting the chambers 211 to 216 on the rotational axis side of the chambers 211 to 216. The chambers 211 to 216 have a protrusion 213b protruding to the rotational axis side, on both sides of the position where the chambers are connected to the channel 220. In the step of rotating the cartridge 200 and agitating the liquid in the chambers 211 to 216, the liquid moving in the chambers 211 to 216 is received by the protrusion 213b and the movement of the liquid flowing to the channel 220 is restrained.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 21

Description

  The present invention relates to a cartridge used for detection of a test substance and a detection method using the cartridge.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a method of transferring magnetic particles from one chamber of a cartridge to an adjacent chamber using centrifugal force and magnetic force generated by the rotation of a disk.

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 25A, the rotating body exemplified by the disk includes two adjacent chambers 611 and 612. The chambers 611 and 612 are connected by a connecting portion 613 disposed on the inner peripheral side of the rotating body. The rotating body is rotated from the state shown in FIG. 25A, and the magnet 620 is positioned at the position of the connecting portion 613 connected to the chamber 611 as shown in FIG. The magnet 620 is fixed above the rotating body. The magnetic particles 630 accommodated in the chamber 611 are sucked from the chamber 611 to the connecting portion 613 by the magnet 620. Next, the rotating body is rotated at a low speed, and the magnetic particles 630 attracted to the magnet 620 move to the position of the connecting portion 613 corresponding to the chamber 612 as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the rotating body is rotated at a high speed, and the magnetic particles 630 move from the connecting portion 613 to the chamber 612 by centrifugal force as shown in FIG.

US Pat. No. 8,951,417

  When the liquid in the chamber flows into another chamber when the cartridge is rotated to stir the liquid in the chamber, the detection accuracy of the test substance may be reduced.

  A 1st aspect of this invention is related with the cartridge used for the detection of a test substance installed in the rotating shaft of the detection apparatus for detecting a test substance. The cartridge according to this aspect includes a plurality of chambers and a channel connecting the plurality of chambers on the rotation axis side of the chamber. The chamber includes protrusions that protrude toward the rotating shaft on both sides of the connection position with the channel.

  A cartridge is a replaceable part that summarizes the functions necessary for detection of a test substance. The chamber is an accommodating portion provided in the cartridge for accommodating a sample prepared with a test substance and a predetermined reagent. The chamber may not always contain liquid, and the chamber only needs to have a spatial extension to accommodate the liquid. The channel is a passage provided in the cartridge for transferring the magnetic particles.

  According to the cartridge according to this aspect, even when the cartridge is rotated and the liquid in the chamber is stirred using the centrifugal force and the Euler force, the protrusion becomes a barrier, and the liquid is connected to the channel. Can be prevented from going on. Therefore, the liquid can be prevented from entering the channel from the chamber during stirring. As a result, it is possible to prevent the liquid flowing out from the chamber to the channel from entering the other chamber and causing an undesirable reaction in the other chamber. In addition, it is possible to prevent the liquid or the like after washing containing the contaminants flowing out from the chamber into the channel from entering the detection chamber and being unable to perform proper detection in the detection chamber.

  Also, if the liquid fluctuates greatly during agitation, the liquid flow is received by the protrusions, and the liquid is prevented from moving along the inner wall of the chamber. Bending in the outer diameter direction by force and colliding with other parts of the liquid is suppressed. Therefore, it can suppress that the liquid in a chamber bubbles at the time of stirring.

  In the cartridge according to this aspect, the chamber may be configured to include planar wall surfaces connected to the protrusions on both sides of the coupling position. In this case, when the liquid is applied to the flat wall surface during stirring, the flow of the liquid can be changed as compared with the case where the wall surface is formed in a curved surface, so that the liquid in the chamber can be effectively stirred. In addition, as compared with the case where the wall surface is formed in a curved surface shape, the distal end portion in the liquid flow direction is prevented from being bent in the outer diameter direction by the centrifugal force and colliding with another portion of the liquid. Therefore, it can suppress that the liquid in a chamber bubbles at the time of stirring.

  In the cartridge according to this aspect, the chamber may further include a protrusion protruding toward the rotating shaft, and the channel may be configured to be coupled to the protrusion. In this way, even when the liquid greatly oscillates during agitation, the oscillating liquid is received by the protrusions, so that it is difficult to enter the channel. Therefore, it is possible to reliably suppress the liquid in the chamber from entering the channel during stirring.

  In the cartridge according to this aspect, the plurality of chambers may be arranged so as to be separated from each other in a circumferential direction of a circle having the rotation axis as a center.

  The channel includes a first region extending in a direction approaching the rotation axis from one chamber to be connected, a second region extending in a direction approaching the rotation axis from the other chamber, a first region, and a second region. And a third region connecting the regions.

  The chamber can also be configured to have a liquid phase region for containing liquid and the channel can have a gas phase region for containing gas.

  In the cartridge according to this aspect, the plurality of chambers may be configured to include first to fourth chambers. Here, the first chamber is a chamber for binding a test substance and magnetic particles to generate a complex, and the second chamber is for binding a labeling substance to the complex generated in the first chamber. The third chamber is a chamber for mixing the complex bound to the labeling substance and the cleaning liquid for separating the unreacted substance from the complex bound to the labeling substance, and the fourth chamber is This is a chamber for mixing a complex bound to a labeling substance and a luminescent reagent that generates light by a reaction between the labeling substance bound to the complex.

  The cartridge according to this aspect may be configured to have a liquid storage unit including a sealing body.

  A second aspect of the present invention relates to a detection method for detecting a test substance by installing a cartridge having a plurality of chambers on a rotating shaft. In the detection method according to this aspect, each chamber is connected to another chamber by a channel on the rotating shaft side, and includes protrusions protruding to the rotating shaft side on both sides sandwiching the connection position with the channel. In the detection method according to this aspect, in the step of stirring the liquid in the chamber by rotating the cartridge by the rotation shaft, the liquid moving in the chamber is received by the protrusions, and the movement of the liquid toward the channel is suppressed.

  According to the detection method according to this aspect, when the cartridge is rotated to stir the liquid in the chamber, the protrusion can serve as a barrier, and the liquid can be prevented from proceeding to the connection position with the channel. Therefore, the liquid can be prevented from entering the channel from the chamber during stirring. As a result, it is possible to prevent the liquid flowing out from the chamber to the channel from entering the other chamber and causing an undesirable reaction in the other chamber. In addition, it is possible to prevent the liquid or the like after washing containing the contaminants flowing out from the chamber into the channel from entering the detection chamber and being unable to perform proper detection in the detection chamber.

  Also, if the liquid fluctuates greatly during agitation, the liquid flow is received by the protrusions, and the liquid is prevented from moving along the inner wall of the chamber. Bending in the outer diameter direction by force and colliding with other parts of the liquid is suppressed. Therefore, it can suppress that the liquid in a chamber bubbles at the time of stirring.

  In the detection method according to this aspect, the rotation speed of the cartridge by the rotation shaft is changed in the step of stirring the liquid.

  For example, in the detection method according to this aspect, in the step of stirring the liquid, the cartridge is rotated in a predetermined direction and switched to a different rotation speed at a predetermined time interval.

  In the detection method according to this aspect, the chamber includes flat wall surfaces connected to the protrusions on both sides of the connection position, and the flow direction of the liquid moving in the chamber is determined in the wall surface in the step of stirring the liquid. Change by. Thereby, since the flow of a liquid can be changed compared with the case where a wall surface is formed in a curved surface shape, the liquid in a chamber can be stirred effectively. In addition, as compared with the case where the wall surface is formed in a curved surface shape, the distal end portion in the liquid flow direction is prevented from being bent in the outer diameter direction by the centrifugal force and colliding with another portion of the liquid. Therefore, it can suppress that the liquid in a chamber bubbles at the time of stirring.

  In the detection method according to this aspect, the chamber includes another protrusion that protrudes toward the rotating shaft and is connected to the channel, and the liquid that has passed over the protrusion is received by the other protrusion in the step of stirring the liquid. As a result, even when the liquid greatly oscillates during agitation, the oscillating liquid is received by the other protrusions, so that it is difficult to enter the channel. Therefore, it is possible to reliably suppress the liquid in the chamber from entering the channel during stirring.

  In the detection method according to this aspect, the plurality of chambers may be arranged so as to be separated from each other in a circumferential direction of a circle having the rotation axis as a center.

  In this case, the channel includes a first region extending in a direction approaching the rotation axis from one chamber to be connected, a second region extending in a direction approaching the rotation axis from the other chamber, a first region, And a third region connecting the two regions.

  The chamber may also have a liquid phase region for containing liquid, and the channel may have a gas phase region for containing gas.

  In the detection method according to this aspect, the cartridge may include a liquid storage unit connected to the chamber on the rotating shaft side with respect to the chamber, and the liquid storage unit may include a sealing body. In this case, in the detection method of this aspect, after opening the sealing body, the cartridge is rotated by the rotating shaft, and the liquid in the liquid storage portion is transferred to the chamber by centrifugal force.

  In the detection method according to the present aspect, the magnetic particles are transported through a plurality of chambers so that the complex of the test substance and the labeling substance is supported on the magnetic particles, and the test is performed based on the labeling substance of the complex. The substance can be detected.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when rotating a cartridge and stirring the liquid in a chamber, it can prevent that the liquid in a chamber flows into another chamber through a channel. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the test substance can be maintained high.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a detection device according to the outline of the first embodiment. FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the cartridge according to the outline of the first embodiment. FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating an external configuration of the analyzer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration when the cartridge according to the first embodiment is viewed from above. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration when the installation member, the magnet, the moving mechanism, the detection unit, and the container according to the first embodiment are viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a configuration when the magnet and the moving mechanism according to the first embodiment are viewed obliquely from below. FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration when the magnet according to the first embodiment is viewed from the side. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a configuration when the detection unit according to the first embodiment is viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a configuration when the reflecting member according to Embodiment 1 is viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 5C is a schematic view when a cross section taken along the YZ plane of the reflecting member according to Embodiment 1 is viewed from the side. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a configuration when a member obtained by removing the member and the reflecting member from the detection unit according to the first embodiment is viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram when the state where the light generated from the chamber according to the first embodiment is received by the photodetector is viewed from the side. FIG. 7 is a view of the state in which the motor, the elastic member, and the lid member are attached to the container according to the first embodiment when viewed obliquely from below. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration when the main body according to the first embodiment is viewed obliquely from above, and a diagram illustrating a configuration when the lid is viewed from diagonally below. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram when a cross section of the analyzer is viewed from the side when cut along a plane parallel to the YZ plane passing through the rotation axis according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration when the pressing unit according to the first embodiment is viewed from above. FIGS. 10B and 10C are schematic views illustrating a configuration when the cross section of the pressing portion according to the first embodiment is viewed from the side. FIG. 11A is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration when the support member according to the first embodiment is viewed from above. FIG.11 (b) is a schematic diagram which shows the structure at the time of seeing the example of a change of the supporting member which concerns on Embodiment 1 from the top. FIG. 12A is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration when the main body according to the first embodiment is viewed from below. FIG. 12B is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration when the main body according to the first embodiment is viewed from the side. FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the analyzer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the analyzer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the analyzer when transferring a complex between adjacent chambers according to the first embodiment. FIGS. 16A to 16C are state transition diagrams schematically showing transfer of a complex between adjacent chambers according to the first embodiment. FIGS. 17A to 17C are state transition diagrams schematically showing that the complex is transferred between adjacent chambers according to the first embodiment. FIG. 18A is a graph showing count values obtained by experiments based on verification examples 1 and 2 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 18B is a diagram schematically illustrating the state of transport of the complex in verification examples 1 and 2 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 19A is a schematic diagram illustrating an external configuration of the analyzer according to the second embodiment. FIG. 19B is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration when the support member and the cartridge according to the third embodiment are viewed from above. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a detection device according to the outline of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 21A is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration when the cartridge according to the fifth embodiment is viewed from above. 21B and 21C are schematic views in which the chamber of the cartridge according to the fifth embodiment is enlarged. 21D and 21E are schematic views in which the chamber of the cartridge according to the comparative example is enlarged. FIGS. 22A to 22C are schematic views illustrating a modification example of the chamber according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 23A is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration when the cartridge according to the sixth embodiment is viewed from above. FIG. 23B is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration when the pressing unit according to the sixth embodiment is viewed from above. FIGS. 24A and 24B are schematic views illustrating a configuration when the cross section of the pressing portion according to the sixth embodiment is viewed from the side. FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram for explaining a configuration according to related technology.

<Embodiment 1>
With reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an outline of the detection apparatus and the cartridge according to the first embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (a), the detection device 10 sequentially carries magnetic particles to a plurality of chambers so that the test substance and the labeling substance are supported on the magnetic particles, and the test substance is loaded on the basis of the labeling substance. It is a detection device for detecting. The detection device 10 includes a support member 30, a rotation mechanism 40, a magnet 50, a moving mechanism 60, a control unit 70, and a detection unit 80. In FIG. 1A, the XYZ axes are orthogonal to each other. The X-axis positive direction indicates the rear, the Y-axis positive direction indicates the left direction, and the Z-axis positive direction indicates the vertically downward direction.

  The cartridge 20 is installed on the support member 30. The rotation mechanism 40 includes a motor 41 and a rotation shaft 42. The rotating shaft 42 extends in the vertical direction. The upper end of the rotation shaft 42 is fixed to the support member 30, and the lower end of the rotation shaft 42 is fixed to the drive shaft of the motor 41. The rotation mechanism 40 drives the motor 41 to rotate the cartridge 20 installed on the support member 30 around the rotation shaft 42. Hereinafter, the radial direction and the circumferential direction of a circle centering on the rotating shaft 42 are hereinafter simply referred to as “radial direction” and “circumferential direction”, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the cartridge 20 is a replaceable part that summarizes functions necessary for detection of a test substance. The cartridge 20 includes a first chamber 22a, a second chamber 22b, and a channel 23. The cartridge 20 is composed of a plate-shaped and disk-shaped substrate 20a. The cartridge 20 is not limited to a plate shape, and may include a protruding portion. The cartridge 20 is not limited to a disk shape, and may have another shape such as a rectangular shape.

  A hole 21, a first chamber 22a, a second chamber 22b, and a channel 23 are formed in the substrate 20a. The hole 21 penetrates the substrate 20a at the center of the substrate 20a. The cartridge 20 is installed in the detection device 10 so that the center of the hole 21 coincides with the rotation shaft 42.

  The first chamber 22a and the second chamber 22b are storage units provided in the cartridge 20 for storing a sample prepared with a test substance and a predetermined reagent. The first chamber 22a and the second chamber 22b may not always contain a liquid, and the first chamber 22a and the second chamber 22b only need to have a spatial extent to accommodate the liquid. The channel 23 is a passage provided in the cartridge 20 for transferring the magnetic particles.

  The first chamber 22a and the second chamber 22b are arranged so as to be aligned in the circumferential direction. The first chamber 22a contains, for example, a complex in which a test substance, magnetic particles, and a labeling substance are combined. The channel 23 is connected to the first chamber 22a and the second chamber 22b from the rotating shaft 42 side, and connects the first chamber 22a and the second chamber 22b.

  The channel 23 includes a first region 23a, a second region 23b, and a third region 23c. The first region 23a extends in the radial direction and is connected to the first chamber 22a. The second region 23b extends in the radial direction and is connected to the second chamber 22b. The third region 23c extends in the circumferential direction. Both ends of the third region 23c are connected to the first region 23a and the second region 23b. The first region 23a and the third region 23c are connected at the connection portion 23d. The second region 23b and the third region 23c are connected at the connection portion 23e. In the example shown in FIG. 1B, the first chamber 22a and the second chamber 22b have a liquid phase region for containing a liquid. The channel 23 has a gas phase region for containing a gas.

  Both ends of the third region 23c are not necessarily connected to the first region 23a and the second region 23b. For example, the third region 23c connected to the first region 23a and the third region 23c connected to the second region 23b may be provided separately, and the channel between them may be bent in a U shape. A liquid phase region may be present in a channel bent in a U shape. The first region 23a and the second region 23b may extend in a direction shifted from the radial direction in the horizontal plane as long as the direction is different from the circumferential direction. The first region 23a and the second region 23b may be omitted, and the first chamber 22a and the second chamber 22b may be directly connected to the third region 23c.

  Returning to FIG. 1A, the magnet 50 collects magnetic particles spreading in the first chamber 22a. As described above, the test substance and the labeling substance are bound to the magnetic particles in the first chamber 22a. The magnet 50 may be composed of a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. The moving mechanism 60 moves the magnet 50 in a direction different from the circumferential direction in the horizontal plane. Specifically, the moving mechanism 60 moves the magnet 50 in the radial direction. The moving mechanism 60 moves the magnet 50 in the vertical direction. That is, the moving mechanism 60 moves the magnet 50 toward and away from the rotating shaft 42 and moves the magnet 50 toward and away from the cartridge 20.

  In addition, when the 1st area | region 23a and the 2nd area | region 23b are formed so that it may extend in the direction shifted | deviated from radial direction, the moving mechanism 60 moves the magnet 50 to the direction shifted | deviated from radial direction. The moving mechanism 60 may move the magnet 50 in a direction shifted from the vertical direction when the magnet 50 is moved toward and away from the cartridge 20.

  The moving mechanism 60 only needs to change the relative position of the magnet 50 and the cartridge 20. For example, the moving mechanism 60 may move the cartridge 20 by moving the support member 30 that supports the cartridge 20 so that the magnet 50 is moved relative to the cartridge 20. However, when the support member 30 is moved, a configuration for moving the support member 30 is separately required, and thus the detection device 10 may be increased in size. Therefore, it is desirable that the support member 30 is not moved and the magnet 50 is moved relative to the cartridge 20.

  The control unit 70 controls the rotation mechanism 40 and the movement mechanism 60. The control unit 70 drives the moving mechanism 60 to bring the magnet 50 close to the cartridge 20 at a position facing the first chamber 22a, and collects the magnetic particles of the composite by the magnetic force of the magnet 50. Thereafter, the controller 70 maintains the state in which the magnet 50 approaches the cartridge 20 until the magnetic particles are moved to the second chamber 22b.

  The control unit 70 moves the magnet 50 in the radial direction from a position facing the first chamber 22a, so that the magnetic particles collected by the magnet 50 in the first chamber 22a are transferred from the first chamber 22a to the channel 23. Move. Subsequently, the control unit 70 rotates the cartridge 20 to move the magnetic particles collected by the magnet 50 in the channel 23. Subsequently, the control unit 70 moves the magnet 50 in the radial direction from a position facing the channel 23 to move the magnetic particles collected by the magnet 50 from the channel 23 to the second chamber 22b. When the magnetic particles are transferred from the first chamber 22a to the second chamber 22b, the magnetic particles are transferred from the liquid phase region of the first chamber 22a to the second chamber via the gas phase region of the channel 23. It is transferred to the liquid phase region 22b.

  Specifically, the controller 70 connects the magnetic particles in the first chamber 22a through the first region 23a by driving the moving mechanism 60 and moving the magnet 50 in a direction approaching the rotation shaft 42. Move to section 23d. Subsequently, the control unit 70 drives the rotation mechanism 40 to rotate the cartridge 20, thereby moving the magnetic particles positioned in the connection unit 23d to the connection unit 23e through the third region 23c. Further, the control unit 70 drives the moving mechanism 60 to move the magnet 50 in a direction away from the rotation shaft 42, thereby causing the magnetic particles positioned at the connection unit 23 e to pass through the second region 23 b to the second chamber. Move to 22b.

  It should be noted that the rotation mechanism 40 only needs to be able to move the magnet 50 relative to the cartridge 20 when moving the magnetic particles positioned in the connection portion 23d to the connection portion 23e. For example, the rotation mechanism 40 may move the magnet 50 in the circumferential direction. However, when the magnet 50 is moved in the circumferential direction, a configuration for moving the magnet 50 in the circumferential direction is required separately, and thus the detection device 10 may be increased in size. Therefore, it is desirable that the magnet 50 is not moved and the cartridge 20 is rotated in the circumferential direction. Even when the cartridge 20 includes three or more chambers, the controller 70 sequentially transfers the magnetic particles to the plurality of chambers as described above.

  The detection unit 80 detects light generated in the reaction process in the second chamber 22b. The control unit 70 analyzes the test substance based on the light detected by the detection unit 80.

  According to the detection device 10 as described above, when the magnet 50 is brought close to the cartridge 20 at a position facing the first chamber 22a, the distance between the magnetic particles and the magnet 50 is reduced at any position in the first chamber 22a. . Therefore, a sufficient magnetic force can be applied to all the magnetic particles in the first chamber 22a, and the magnetic particles in the first chamber 22a can be reliably collected at the position of the magnet 50. Further, the magnetic particles collected in the first chamber 22a are moved to the second chamber 22b via the channel 23 as the magnet 50 moves. For this reason, the collected magnetic particles can be reliably moved to the channel 23 without being left in the first chamber 22a.

<Specific configuration example>
Hereinafter, specific configurations of the analyzer and the cartridge according to the first embodiment will be described.

  The analysis apparatus 100 corresponds to the detection apparatus 10 in FIG. The support member 177 corresponds to the support member 30 in FIG. A rotation mechanism including the rotation shaft 311, the motor 171, and the fixing member 312 corresponds to the rotation mechanism 40 of FIG. The motor 171 corresponds to the motor 41 in FIG. The rotating shaft 311 corresponds to the rotating shaft 42 in FIG. The magnet 120 corresponds to the magnet 50 in FIG. The moving mechanism 130 corresponds to the moving mechanism 60 in FIG. The control unit 301 corresponds to the control unit 70 in FIG. The detection unit 140 corresponds to the detection unit 80 in FIG. The cartridge 200 corresponds to the cartridge 20 in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the analyzer 100 is an immunoanalyzer that detects a test substance in a specimen using an antigen-antibody reaction and analyzes the test substance based on the detection result. The analyzer 100 includes a main body 101 and a lid 102. In the main body 101, the portion other than the portion facing the lid 102 is covered with the housing 101 a. In the lid part 102, the part other than the part facing the main body part 101 is covered with the housing 102 a. The main body 101 supports the lid 102 so that it can be opened and closed. When the cartridge 200 is attached / detached, the lid 102 is opened as shown in FIG. A cartridge 200 is installed on the upper portion of the main body 101.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the cartridge 200 is constituted by a plate-shaped and disk-shaped substrate 200a. Each part in the cartridge 200 is formed by bonding a recess formed in the substrate 200a and a film (not shown) that covers the entire surface of the substrate 200a. The substrate 200a and the film attached to the substrate 200a are formed using a light-transmitting member. The substrate 200a has such a thickness that the temperature of the cartridge 200 can be easily adjusted by heaters 321 and 322 described later. For example, the thickness of the substrate 200a is several millimeters, specifically 1.2 mm.

  The substrate 200 a includes a hole 201, chambers 211 to 216, a channel 220, six liquid storage portions 231, a liquid storage portion 232, an opening 241, a separation portion 242, and a channel 243. The hole 201 penetrates the substrate 200a at the center of the substrate 200a. The cartridge 200 is installed in the analyzer 100 so that the center of the hole 201 coincides with a rotation shaft 311 described later. Hereinafter, the radial direction and the circumferential direction of a circle around the rotation shaft 311 are simply referred to as “radial direction” and “circumferential direction”, respectively. The chambers 211 to 216 are arranged in the circumferential direction near the outer periphery of the substrate 200a.

  The channel 220 includes an arc-shaped region 221 extending in the circumferential direction and six regions 222 extending in the radial direction. The region 221 is connected to the six regions 222. The six regions 222 are connected to the chambers 211 to 216, respectively. The six liquid storage portions 231 are connected to the channel 220 through flow paths, and are on extension lines of the region 222 connected to the chambers 211 to 216, respectively. The liquid storage portion 232 is connected to a flow path connecting the region 222 connected to the chamber 216 and the liquid storage portion 231 on the extension line of the region 222 connected to the chamber 216 via the flow path.

  The liquid storage unit 231 stores a reagent, and includes a sealing body 231a on the upper surface in the radial direction. The sealing body 231a is configured to be openable by being pressed from above by a pressing portion 195 described later. Before the sealing body 231a is opened, the reagent in the liquid container 231 does not flow into the channel 220. When the sealing body 231a is opened, the inside of the liquid container 231 communicates with the channel 220, and the liquid The reagent in the container 231 flows out to the channel 220. Specifically, when the sealing body 231a is opened, the inside of the liquid storage portion 231 is connected to the outside of the cartridge 200 at the position of the sealing body 231a.

  Similarly, the liquid storage unit 232 also stores a reagent and includes a sealing body 232a on the upper surface in the radial direction. The sealing body 232a is configured to be openable by being pressed from above by the pressing portion 195. Before the sealing body 232a is opened, the reagent in the liquid storage portion 232 does not flow into the channel 220. When the sealing body 232a is opened, the inside of the liquid storage portion 232 communicates with the channel 220, and the liquid The reagent in the container 232 flows out to the channel 220. Specifically, when the sealing body 232a is opened, the inside of the liquid storage portion 232 is connected to the outside of the cartridge 200 at the position of the sealing body 232a.

  The sealing bodies 231a and 232a may be integrally formed on the substrate 200a, or may be formed by a film or the like attached to an opening formed on the substrate 200a.

  A blood sample of whole blood collected from the subject is injected into the separation unit 242 through the opening 241. The separation unit 242 separates the injected blood sample into blood cells and plasma. The plasma separated by the separation unit 242 moves to the channel 243. A hole 243a is provided in the upper surface in the radial direction of the channel 243. The plasma positioned in the region 243b in the channel 243 moves to the chamber 211 by centrifugal force when the cartridge 200 is rotated. Thereby, a predetermined amount of plasma is transferred to the chamber 211.

  In addition, each structure of the board | substrate 200a is formed only in the 1/3 area | region of the board | substrate 200a, as shown in FIG.2 (b). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the group of configurations may be formed in the remaining two thirds of the regions, and three groups of configurations may be provided on the substrate 200a.

  Next, the internal configuration of the analyzer 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Holes 111 to 114 are formed in the installation member 110. The holes 111 to 114 penetrate the installation member 110. A rotation shaft 311 described later is positioned in the hole 111. The hole 112 has a shape that is long in the radial direction. The moving mechanism 130 is installed on the lower surface of the installation member 110 via the member 131. In the horizontal plane, the hole 131 a of the member 131 is positioned at the same position as the hole 112 of the installation member 110. The detection unit 140 is installed on the lower surface of the installation member 110 via the member 141. In the horizontal plane, the reflection member 142 of the detection unit 140 is positioned at the same position as the hole 113 of the installation member 110. A temperature sensor 178 described later is installed in the hole 114. Closed loop protrusions 115 and 116 are formed on the upper surface of the installation member 110. The protrusions 115 and 116 protrude upward along the circumferential direction.

  The container 150 includes an upper surface 151, storage units 152 and 153, and an outer surface 154. At the center of the upper surface 151, a hole 155 that penetrates from the upper surface 151 to the outer surface 154 in the vertical direction is formed. The hole 155 is provided for passing a rotating shaft 311 described later. The accommodating portions 152 and 153 are configured by concave portions that are recessed downward from the upper surface 151. The installation member 110 in which the moving mechanism 130 and the detection unit 140 are installed is installed in the container 150. When the installation member 110 is installed in the container 150, the outer peripheral lower surface of the installation member 110 and the outer peripheral upper surface of the container 150 are joined. When the installation member 110 is installed in the container 150, the moving mechanism 130 is stored in the storage unit 152, and the detection unit 140 is stored in the storage unit 153.

  The installation member 110 and the container 150 are made of a light-shielding resin, and the color of the installation member 110 and the container 150 is set to black in order to improve the light-shielding property. A predetermined elastic member (not shown) is installed between the outer peripheral lower surface of the installation member 110 and the outer peripheral upper surface of the container 150. The predetermined elastic member is made of, for example, light-shielding chloroprene rubber and polyurethane resin, and the color of the predetermined elastic member is set to black in order to improve the light-shielding property.

  4A, the moving mechanism 130 includes a member 131, two support shafts 132, a gear portion 133, a support portion 134, a motor 135, a transmission gear 135a, a motor 136, Transmission gears 136a to 136c, a screw 137, and a support portion 138 are provided. The two support shafts 132 are installed on the lower surface of the member 131. The gear part 133 is installed on the side surface of the member 131 and has a flat plate shape. The support portion 134 is supported so as to be movable with respect to the two support shafts 132. The two support shafts 132 extend in the radial direction. A hole 134 a is formed on the upper surface of the support portion 134. The hole 134a is positioned at the same position as the hole 131a of the member 131 in the horizontal plane.

  The support part 134 supports the motors 135 and 136, the transmission gear 136b, and the screw 137. The motors 135 and 136 are configured by stepping motors. When the drive shaft of the motor 135 rotates, the transmission gear 135 a installed on the drive shaft rotates, and the driving force is transmitted to the gear unit 133. Accordingly, the support portion 134 moves in the radial direction while being supported by the two support shafts 132.

  When the drive shaft of the motor 136 rotates, the transmission gear 136a installed on the drive shaft rotates. The transmission gears 136a and 136b mesh with each other, and the transmission gears 136b and 136c mesh with each other. The transmission gear 136b is rotatably installed on the support portion 134, and the transmission gear 136c is installed on the screw 137. The screw 137 is rotatably supported by the support portion 134. The support portion 138 is supported by the screw 137 so as to move up and down according to the rotation of the screw 137. The magnet 120 is installed on the support portion 138. Therefore, when the drive shaft of the motor 136 rotates, the driving force is transmitted to the transmission gears 136a, 136b, 136c and the screw 137. Thereby, the support part 138 moves up and down.

  When the moving mechanism 130 is configured in this way, the magnet 120 can move in the radial direction according to the drive of the motor 135, and the magnet 120 can move in the vertical direction according to the drive of the motor 136. Further, when the magnet 120 is moved radially inward, the upper end of the magnet 120 is moved radially inward of the cartridge 200, and when the magnet 120 is moved radially outward, the upper end of the magnet 120 is moved to the cartridge 200. Move radially outward. By moving the magnet 120 upward, the upper end of the magnet 120 protrudes above the holes 131 a and 134 a and approaches the cartridge 200. When the magnet 120 is moved downward, the upper end of the magnet 120 is separated from the cartridge 200.

  A configuration other than the above may be used as a configuration for changing the position of the magnet 120 with respect to the cartridge 200. For example, in order to move the magnet 120 in the vertical direction, the magnet 120 may be expanded or contracted, and the magnet 120 may be rotated with a direction parallel to the horizontal direction as the center of rotation.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the magnet 120 includes a permanent magnet 121 and a magnetic body 122. The magnetic body 122 may be either a paramagnetic body or a ferromagnetic body, or a combination thereof. The permanent magnet 121 has a cylindrical shape, and the magnetic body 122 has a conical shape. The magnetic body 122 is joined to the upper surface of the permanent magnet 121. A tip end portion 122 a is formed at the upper end of the magnetic body 122. The tip 122a has a columnar shape with a constant cross-sectional area when cut along a horizontal plane. Specifically, the tip portion 122a has a cylindrical shape. In addition, the magnet 120 should just be the taper shape by which the cross-sectional area became small as the cartridge 200 side approached the cartridge 200. FIG.

  The magnetic force applied to the magnetic particles in the cartridge 200 by the magnet 120 increases as the permanent magnet 121 increases, in other words, as the horizontal sectional area of the permanent magnet 121 increases. Further, the change in magnetic force from the central axis 120a of the magnet 120 increases as the taper-shaped angle θ of the magnet 120 decreases. As the angle θ decreases, the force for moving the magnetic particles in the cartridge 200 increases. However, when the cross-sectional area of the horizontal plane of the permanent magnet 121 is constant, the smaller the angle θ, the longer the distance from the distal end portion 122a to the upper surface of the permanent magnet 121, and thus the magnetic force applied to the cartridge 200 by the magnet 120 becomes smaller. . Therefore, in order to increase both the magnetic force applied to the magnetic particles and the force for moving the magnetic particles in a balanced manner, the angle θ of the first embodiment is set to 60 °, for example.

  When the magnetic force applied to the magnetic particles and the force to move the magnetic particles are large, the magnetic particles can be prevented from being left behind when the magnetic particles are moved in the cartridge 200 by the magnet 120. Therefore, if the magnet 120 is configured as shown in FIG. 4B, both the magnetic force applied to the magnetic particles and the force for moving the magnetic particles can be increased in a balanced manner, thereby preventing the remaining of the magnetic particles from being detected. An unintended decrease in the amount of light detected by 140 can be suppressed. Therefore, false negatives due to unintended light quantity reduction can be suppressed, so that highly accurate detection can be performed.

  Further, the width of the edge of the magnet 120 on the cartridge 200 side, that is, the width of the distal end portion 122a is at least smaller than the minimum width of each region in the channel 220. Accordingly, the composite collected by the magnet 120 can be smoothly moved in the channel 220 without being caught by the channel 220.

  The magnet 120 may be composed only of a permanent magnet. That is, the magnet 120 may be configured by a permanent magnet having a shape in which the permanent magnet 121 and the magnetic body 122 are combined as described above. However, the magnet 120 can be formed easily and accurately by forming the magnet 120 with the permanent magnet 121 and the magnetic body 122.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the detection unit 140 includes a member 141, a reflection member 142, a support unit 143, a light detection unit 144, and a light adjustment unit 160. The member 141 is formed with a hole 141a penetrating the member 141 in the vertical direction. The reflecting member 142 is installed by being fitted into a hole 141 a formed in the member 141. The support part 143 is installed on the lower surface of the member 141. The light detection unit 144 and the light adjustment unit 160 are installed on the support unit 143.

  As shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the reflective member 142 has a transparent plate 142a installed on the top. The transparent plate 142a is a member for protecting the photodetector 144a described later. Since the optical action by the transparent plate 142a is substantially negligible, the illustration of the transparent plate 142a is omitted for convenience in the following drawings. The reflecting member 142 has a hole 142b penetrating in the vertical direction at the center. The diameter of the hole 142b in the horizontal plane becomes smaller as it proceeds vertically downward. The reflection member 142 can guide the light generated from the chamber 216 to the photodetector 144a to the same extent regardless of whether the complex is located at the center or the end in the chamber 216.

  FIG. 6A shows a state in which the member 141 and the reflecting member 142 are omitted from the detection unit 140 shown in FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the light adjustment unit 160 includes a motor 161 and a plate-like member 162. The motor 161 is configured by a stepping motor. The plate-like member 162 is installed on the drive shaft 161a of the motor 161 and includes holes 162a and 162b. The holes 162a and 162b penetrate the plate member 162 in the vertical direction. A filter member 162c is installed in the hole 162b. The filter member 162c is an ND filter.

  When the motor 161 is driven, the plate-like member 162 rotates about the drive shaft 161a. Accordingly, the hole 162a, the filter member 162c, and the region 162d other than the holes 162a and 162b of the plate-like member 162 are positioned directly above the photodetector 144a of the light detection unit 144, respectively. In a predetermined measurement item, high intensity light is generated in the chamber 216. In this case, the filter member 162c is positioned directly above the light detector 144a of the light detection unit 144, and the light incident on the light detector 144a is reduced. Thereby, it is suppressed that the output signal of the photodetector 144a is saturated.

  The light detection unit 144 includes a light detector 144a on the upper surface. The detection surface 144b of the photodetector 144a faces the plate-like member 162. The photodetector 144a optically detects a test substance accommodated in the chamber 216. The photodetector 144a is configured by, for example, a photomultiplier tube, a phototube, a photodiode, or the like. When the photodetector 144a is configured by a photomultiplier tube, a pulse waveform corresponding to reception of photons, that is, photons, is output from the photodetector 144a. The light detection unit 144 includes a circuit therein, counts photons at regular intervals based on the output signal of the light detector 144a, and outputs a count value.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the light generated from the chamber 216 of the cartridge 200 spreads on the upper side and the lower side of the cartridge 200. The light spreading to the lower side of the cartridge 200 passes through the hole 142b of the reflecting member 142, passes through the hole 162a of the light adjusting unit 160 or the filter member 162c, and is received by the photodetector 144a. The light that spreads above the cartridge 200 is reflected by a plate member 191 of the lid portion 102 described later, returns to the chamber 216, and is similarly received by the photodetector 144a. A mirror may be installed on the plate member 191 of the lid portion 102 to reflect the light spread on the upper side of the cartridge 200.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the outer surface 154 of the container 150 is located below the container 150 and is located at the center of the container 150 in the horizontal plane. The outer side surface 154 is a surface parallel to the horizontal plane. At the center of the outer side surface 154, an outlet of a hole 155 that penetrates from the upper surface 151 to the outer side surface 154 in the vertical direction is formed. On the outer side surface 154, a recess 154a is formed around the outlet of the hole 155. The recess 154a has a ring-shaped outer shape when viewed in the vertically upward direction. The hole 155 is formed with a hole 156 that communicates from the side of the hole 155 to the outside.

  The motor 171 is configured by a stepping motor. The encoder 172 is installed on the lower surface of the motor 171 and detects the rotation of the rotation shaft of the motor 171. The elastic member 173 is made of, for example, a light shielding polyurethane resin, and the color of the elastic member 173 is set to black in order to improve the light shielding property. The elastic member 173 has a ring-shaped outer shape that fits into the recess 154 a of the outer surface 154. The motor 171 is installed on the outer surface 154 so as to close the hole 155. Specifically, the elastic member 173 is disposed in the recess 154 a so as to surround the hole 155 between the upper surface of the motor 171 facing the outer surface 154 and the outer surface 154. Then, the motor 171 is mounted on the outer surface 154 such that the upper surface of the motor 171 is pressed against the elastic member 173. As a result, the lower portion of the hole 155 is closed by the elastic member 173 and the upper surface of the motor 171.

  When the motor 171 is mounted on the outer surface 154, the mechanism is connected inside the hole 155 through the hole 156. When the connection of the mechanism is completed, the elastic member 174 is installed around the outlet of the hole 156, and the hole 156 is closed by the lid member 175. The elastic member 174 and the lid member 175 are configured to have a light shielding property.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the plate member 176 and the support member 177 are installed inside the protrusion 115 of the installation member 110. The plate member 176 is made of a metal having high thermal conductivity. A heater 321 described later is installed on the lower surface of the plate member 176. The plate member 176 and the heater 321 are provided with holes at positions corresponding to the holes 111 to 114 of the installation member 110 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the movement mechanism 130, the detection unit 140, and the temperature sensor 178 directly face the lower surface of the cartridge 200 through these holes. The temperature sensor 178 is installed on the lower surface side of the installation member 110. The temperature sensor 178 detects the temperature of the cartridge 200 with infrared rays.

  The support member 177 is installed at the center of the installation member 110 via an installation member 310 described later. The support member 177 is constituted by, for example, a turntable. An elastic member 117 is installed between the protrusion 115 and the protrusion 116. The elastic member 117 is formed of, for example, a light shielding polyurethane resin, and the color of the elastic member 117 is set to black in order to improve the light shielding property. The elastic member 117 is configured in a closed loop. The upper surface of the elastic member 117 is a joint surface that can be elastically deformed. The installation member 110 and the container 150 assembled in this way are installed in the housing 101a, and the main body 101 is completed.

  FIG. 8 shows a state in which the lid 102 is viewed from below. The lid 102 includes an installation member 180, a plate member 191, a clamper 192, an imaging unit 193, an illumination unit 194, and a pressing unit 195.

  The installation member 180 is made of a light shielding resin, and the color of the installation member 180 is set to black in order to improve the light shielding property. A plate member 191 and a clamper 192 are installed inside the protrusion 181 of the installation member 180. The plate member 191 is made of a metal having high thermal conductivity, like the plate member 176. A heater 322 described later is installed on the upper surface of the plate member 191. The lower surface of the installation member 180, the plate member 191, and the heater 322 are provided with holes at positions corresponding to the imaging unit 193, the illumination unit 194, and the pressing unit 195. The imaging unit 193, the illumination unit 194, and the pressing unit 195 directly face the upper surface of the cartridge 200 through these holes. The imaging unit 193, the illumination unit 194, and the pressing unit 195 are installed on the upper surface of the installation member 180.

  The imaging unit 193 images the state inside the cartridge 200. The imaging unit 193 is configured by a small camera. The small camera includes, for example, a CCD image sensor, a CMOS image sensor, and the like. The illumination unit 194 illuminates the cartridge 200 when shooting by the imaging unit 193 is performed. The illumination part 194 is comprised by the light emitting diode, for example. The pressing unit 195 opens the sealing bodies 231a and 232a by pressing the sealing bodies 231a and 232a. The pressing portion 195 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 10 (a) to 10 (c).

  The clamper 192 is installed at the center of the installation member 180. A closed loop protrusion 181 is formed on the lower surface of the installation member 180. The protrusion 181 protrudes downward along the circumferential direction. A recess is formed on the lower surface of the installation member 180 outside the protrusion 181, and the elastic member 182 is installed in this recess. The elastic member 182 is formed of, for example, a light shielding polyurethane resin, and the color of the elastic member 182 is set to black in order to improve the light shielding property. The elastic member 182 is configured in a closed loop. The lower surface of the elastic member 182 is a joint surface that can be elastically deformed.

  At the time of assembly, the lid 102 is installed on the main body 101 by being installed so that the lid 102 can be opened and closed with respect to the installation member 110 of the main body 101. Note that a ventilation unit 350 to be described later is installed in the housing 101 a of the main body unit 101. The ventilation unit 350 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b).

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the analyzer 100 when cut along a plane parallel to the YZ plane passing through the rotation axis 311. FIG. 9 shows a state where the cartridge 200 is installed in the analyzer 100 and the lid 102 is closed. As described above, the moving mechanism 130 that holds the magnet 120 and the detection unit 140 are installed on the lower surface of the installation member 110, and the imaging unit 193 and the illumination unit 194 are installed on the upper surface of the installation member 180. The pressing part 195 is installed. In FIG. 9, positions corresponding to the arrangement positions of these parts are indicated by broken lines.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the drive shaft 171 a of the motor 171 extends into the hole 155 when the motor 171 is installed on the outer surface 154. An installation member 310 is installed above the hole 155. The installation member 310 rotatably supports a rotary shaft 311 extending in the vertical direction. The rotation shaft 311 is fixed to the drive shaft 171 a of the motor 171 by a fixing member 312 inside the hole 155.

  A support member 177 for supporting the lower surface of the cartridge 200 is fixed to the upper portion of the rotating shaft 311 via a predetermined member. When the motor 171 is driven and the driving shaft 171 a rotates, the rotational driving force is transmitted to the support member 177 via the rotating shaft 311. As a result, the cartridge 200 installed on the support member 177 rotates around the rotation shaft 311 and the drive shaft 171a. When the cartridge 200 is installed on the support member 177 and the lid 102 is closed, the clamper 192 presses the inner peripheral portion of the upper surface of the cartridge 200 in a rotatable state.

  A heater 321 is installed on the lower surface of the plate member 176, and a heater 322 is installed on the upper surface of the plate member 191. The heaters 321 and 322 are arranged so that the heat generating surfaces are flat and the heat generating surfaces are parallel to the cartridge 200. Thereby, the cartridge 200 can be efficiently heated. The plate members 176 and 191 are respectively provided with temperature sensors 331 and 332 shown in FIG. The temperature sensors 331 and 332 detect the temperatures of the plate members 176 and 191, respectively.

  Here, in the analysis, the control unit 301 described later uses a heater so that the temperature of the plate member 176 detected by the temperature sensor 331 and the temperature of the plate member 191 detected by the temperature sensor 332 become a predetermined temperature. 321 and 322 are driven. Based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensors 331 and 332, the control unit 301 drives the heaters 321 and 322 by a control method such as P control, PD control, or PID control. Thereby, the temperature of the cartridge 200 is maintained at a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature in the first embodiment is set to 42 ° C. so that the reaction proceeds properly in the cartridge 200. Thus, keeping the temperature of the cartridge 200 constant is particularly important in immunoassay. Note that the control unit 301 may drive the heaters 321 and 322 based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 178.

  The moving mechanism 130 and the detection unit 140 apply magnetic force to the cartridge 200 and receive light generated from the cartridge 200 side, as indicated by a dotted arrow in FIG. Therefore, on the lower side of the cartridge 200, the installation member 110 is in a state that allows light to easily pass in the vertical direction. However, since the container 150 is positioned below the installation member 110, the passage of light is prevented between the space below the cartridge 200 and the outside.

  A light shielding member 196 is installed on the upper portion of the installation member 180 of the lid 102 between the inner surface of the housing 102a. The light shielding member 196 is formed of a light shielding resin, and the color of the light shielding member 196 is set to black in order to improve the light shielding property. A predetermined elastic member (not shown) is installed between the outer peripheral lower surface of the light shielding member 196 and the outer peripheral upper surface of the installation member 180. The predetermined elastic member is made of, for example, light-shielding chloroprene rubber and polyurethane resin, and the color of the predetermined elastic member is set to black in order to improve the light-shielding property.

  Since holes are provided in the installation member 180 at the installation positions of the imaging unit 193, the illumination unit 194, and the pressing unit 195, light leaks in the vertical direction at the installation positions of these members. Therefore, on the upper side of the cartridge 200, the installation member 180 is in a state of allowing light to pass in the vertical direction. However, since the light shielding member 196 is positioned above the installation member 180, the passage of light is prevented between the space above the cartridge 200 and the outside.

  When the lid 102 is closed, the protrusion 116 of the installation member 110 is pressed against and closely contacts the lower surface of the elastic member 182 of the installation member 180. The protrusion 181 of the installation member 180 is pressed against and closely contacts the upper surface of the elastic member 117 of the installation member 110. Further, a surface 183 is formed on the lower surface near the outer periphery of the installation member 180, and the side of the inside of the lid portion 102 is covered with the housing 102a. This prevents light from passing between the side space of the cartridge 200 and the outside.

  Thus, the dark room 340 shown by the dotted line in FIG. 9 is formed by the light shielding portion. The light shielding portion on the main body 101 side is constituted by the protrusion 116 of the installation member 110, the elastic member 117, the outer peripheral portion of the installation member 110, the housing 150, the upper surface of the motor 171, the elastic member 173, the lid member 175, and the elastic member 174. Composed. The light shielding part on the lid part 102 side includes a housing 102 a, a light shielding member 196, a surface 183 of the installation member 180, a protrusion 181 of the installation member 180, and an elastic member 182. When the lid portion 102 is closed, the light shielding portion on the main body portion 101 side and the light shielding portion on the lid portion 102 side are joined on the side of the cartridge 200, and the dark room 340 is surrounded by the light shielding portion. Thus, light is prevented from leaking into the light shielding portion. The configuration of the light shielding portion is an example, and the members and the like constituting the light shielding portion are not limited to the above.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the upper surface 151 of the housing 150 and the housing portions 152 and 153 are provided with holes for passing cables. These holes can be holes opened in the dark room 340. Therefore, all holes for passing cables and the like for exchanging signals between the inside of the dark room 340 and the outside of the dark room 340 are closed by the light shielding member to form the dark room 340. For example, a light shielding tape, a light shielding fabric, a heat-shrinkable tube, a grommet, a caulking material, or the like can be used to shield the gap between the cable and the hole at the outlet of the hole. The color of these light shielding members is set to black in order to improve the light shielding property.

  When the dark room 340 is formed as described above, the support member 177 that supports the cartridge 200, the cartridge 200, and the detection surface 144b of the photodetector 144a are disposed in the dark room 340. In the first embodiment, the magnet 120, the moving mechanism 130, and the detection unit 140 are disposed in the dark room 340. As a result, even if the light generated in the reaction process in the chamber 216 is extremely weak, light does not enter the dark room 340 from the outside, so that the light generated in the reaction can be detected with high accuracy by the photodetector 144a. Therefore, the analysis accuracy of the test substance can be increased.

  Further, as described above, the motor 171 is disposed outside the dark room 340. Here, the motor 171 is excited when rotating the cartridge 200 and generates heat. However, as described above, when the motor 171 that is a heat source is disposed outside the dark room 340 that is a sealed space, it is possible to prevent the temperature inside the dark room 340 from becoming unstable due to the heat of the motor 171. Thereby, the temperature of the cartridge 200 can be maintained at a desired temperature. Therefore, the sample in the cartridge 200 and the reagent can be reacted stably.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C, the pressing portion 195 includes an installation member 361, a motor 362, transmission gears 363a, 363b, 363c, a screw 364, a moving member 365, a pin member 366, and the like. , A roller 367 and a spring 368. 10A to 10C, the D1 direction is a direction obtained by rotating the positive X-axis direction by 45 ° clockwise around the Z-axis. The D2 direction is a direction obtained by rotating the positive Y-axis direction by 45 ° counterclockwise around the Z-axis. The D3 direction is a direction obtained by rotating the positive X-axis direction by 45 ° counterclockwise around the Z-axis. The D3 direction is a direction toward the outside in the radial direction. 10B and 10C are side views of the cross section C1-C2 shown in FIG. 10A viewed in the D3 direction.

  As shown in FIG. 10B, the installation member 361 is installed on the upper surface of the installation member 180 of the lid 102. As shown in FIG. 10A, the motor 362 is installed on the installation member 361. The motor 362 is configured by a stepping motor. The transmission gears 363a, 363b, 363c and the screw 364 are supported by the installation member 361 so as to be rotatable around the directions D1 and D2. The transmission gears 363a and 363b mesh with each other, and the transmission gears 363b and 363c mesh with each other. The drive shaft 362a of the motor 362 is connected to the transmission gear 363a, and the screw 364 is connected to the transmission gear 363c. The moving member 365 is supported by the screw 364 so as to move in the directions D1 and D2 according to the rotation of the screw 364. As shown in FIG. 10 (b), a cam portion 365a having a plane inclined with respect to a horizontal plane is formed on the lower surface side of the moving member 365.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the installation member 361 has a cylindrical hole 361a. As shown in FIG. 10B, the pin member 366 includes a body 366a, a flange 366b formed at the upper end of the body 366a, and a tip 366c formed at the lower end of the body 366a. . The shape of the trunk portion 366a is a cylindrical shape extending in the Z-axis direction. The shape of the flange portion 366b is larger than that of the body portion 366a and is a columnar shape that is substantially the same as the diameter of the hole 361a. The shape of the tip portion 366c is a cylindrical shape having a diameter smaller than that of the body portion 366a. The trunk 366a is passed through a hole provided in the bottom surface of the hole 361a and a hole penetrating the installation member 180, the heater 322, and the plate member 191 provided to correspond to the hole.

  The roller 367 is installed on the pin member 366 so as to be rotatable. The roller 367 has a cylindrical shape. The spring 368 is installed between the lower surface of the flange portion 366b and the bottom surface of the hole 361a, and pushes up the pin member 366 vertically upward.

  When the pressing portion 195 is configured in this manner, the driving force is transmitted to the transmission gears 363 a, 363 b, 363 c and the screw 364 according to the driving of the motor 362. Thereby, the moving member 365 moves in the D1 and D2 directions. When the moving member 365 is moved in the D1 direction from the state of FIG. 10B, the cam portion 365a contacts the roller 367 and pushes the roller 367 downward. Thereby, as shown in FIG.10 (c), the pin member 366 moves below. When the moving member 365 is moved in the D2 direction from the state of FIG. 10C, the cam portion 365a is separated from the roller 367, and the spring 368 pushes the pin member 366 upward. Thereby, the position of the pin member 366 is returned to the state shown in FIG.

  When opening the sealing body 231a, the cartridge 200 is rotated by the support member 177 in a state where the pin member 366 is positioned upward as shown in FIG. It is positioned directly below the portion 366c. Immediately below the distal end portion 366c is a position where the pressing portion 195 opens the sealing body 231a. Then, the motor 362 is driven, and the pin member 366 is moved downward as shown in FIG. As a result, the sealing body 231a positioned immediately below the distal end portion 366c is pressed from above by the distal end portion 366c, and the sealing body 231a is opened. Also when the sealing body 232a is opened, the sealing body 232a is positioned directly below the distal end portion 366c, and the opening process by the pressing portion 195 is performed in the same manner as the sealing body 231a.

  Thus, the plugging process of the sealing bodies 231a and 232a by the pressing portion 195 is performed by pressing the sealing bodies 231a and 232a by the distal end portion 366c. During the plug opening process, the sealing bodies 231a and 232a are pressed from above by the tip portion 366c with a force of 10 N, for example. When such a strong force is applied to the cartridge 200, the cartridge 200 may be displaced or unintentionally bent. Therefore, in order to suppress displacement and bending, as shown in FIG. 11A, the cartridge 200 is supported from below by the support member 177 at the position of the sealing body 231a.

  FIG. 11A is a view of the support member 177 as viewed from above. In FIG. 11A, the cartridge 200 installed on the support member 177 is indicated by a broken line for convenience. Further, for the sake of convenience, the portions of the moving mechanism 130 and the detection unit 140 that directly face the lower surface of the cartridge 200 through holes provided in the plate member 176 shown in FIG. Moreover, the rotating shaft 311 and the front-end | tip part 366c of the pin member 366 are shown with the broken line for convenience.

  As shown to Fig.11 (a), the distance in the horizontal surface from the rotating shaft 311 to the front-end | tip part 366c is r1. In other words, r1 is the distance from the rotating shaft 311 to the position where the cartridge 200 is pressed from the pressing portion 195. The support member 177 is provided at a position facing the pressing portion 195 with the cartridge 200 interposed therebetween. Specifically, the support member 177 is a turntable having a radius r2 that is at least larger than the distance r1, and is provided from the rotating shaft 311 side to a position facing the pressing portion 195.

  Thereby, when the sealing bodies 231a and 232a are opened, even if the pressing portion 195 presses the sealing bodies 231a and 232a and a pressing force is applied to the cartridge 200, the support member 177 becomes a base. The cartridge 200 is supported. Therefore, the cartridge 200 is not properly displaced or damaged when the plug is opened, and the cartridge 200 is properly supported at a predetermined position. Therefore, it is suppressed that measurement accuracy falls by opening operation.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the radius r2 of the support member 177 is the same as that of the moving mechanism 130 and the detection unit 140 where the support member 177 directly faces the lower surface of the cartridge 200 when viewed from above. It is set not to overlap. Accordingly, since the magnet 120 can access the cartridge 200 in a state where the cartridge 200 is installed on the support member 177, the magnetic particles collected by the magnet 120 in one chamber can be smoothly transferred to another chamber. Can be transported. Moreover, since the light from the cartridge 200 is not hindered by the support member 177, the detection by the detection unit 140 can be performed appropriately.

  If the radius r2 of the support member 177 is set to a large value within a range that does not overlap the moving mechanism 130 and the detection unit 140 facing the lower surface of the cartridge 200, the cartridge 200 can be supported more stably. However, as the radius r2 of the support member 177 increases, the load on the motor 171 that rotates the support member 177 increases. In this case, if the rotation time of the motor 171 is lengthened or the rotation speed is frequently switched, the motor 171 may break down or the amount of heat generated by the motor 171 may increase. Therefore, it is desirable that the radius r2 of the support member 177 is set to a value as small as possible within a range that covers the position where the support member 177 receives the pressing force from the pressing portion 195.

  As described above, even when the radius r2 of the support member 177 is set to a value as small as possible, the area and weight of the support member 177 increase compared to the case where the support member simply supports the cartridge 200. In this case, the motor 171 that drives the support member 177 increases in size, and the amount of heat generated by the motor 171 increases. However, since the motor 171 is disposed outside the dark room 340 as described above, even when the heat generated by the motor 171 increases, the temperature inside the dark room 340 can be suppressed from becoming unstable, and the measurement can be appropriately advanced. Can do.

  As shown in FIG. 11B, the radius of the outermost peripheral portion of the support member 177 may be set to be approximately the same value as the radius of the cartridge 200. In this case, the support member 177 is provided with, for example, three holes 177a penetrating the support member 177 in the Z-axis direction. An inner peripheral portion 177b having a radius r2 is provided in the inner direction of the three holes 177a, as in FIG. A connecting portion 177c is provided in the radial direction between two adjacent holes 177a. The three connecting portions 177c support the outer peripheral portion 177d located at the outermost periphery of the support member 177.

  Here, the size of the hole 177a is set so that the portion of the moving mechanism 130 and the detection unit 140 opened upward can directly face the lower surface of the cartridge 200 through the hole 177a. Further, the size of the hole 177 a is set so that the chambers 211 to 216 and the channel 220 do not overlap the support member 177 when the cartridge 200 is installed on the support member 177.

  When the support member 177 is configured as shown in FIG. 11B, the lower surface of the cartridge 200 positioned below the sealing bodies 231a and 232a is supported by the inner peripheral portion 177b as in the case of FIG. 11A. it can. Further, in the case of FIG. 11B, since the vicinity of the outer periphery of the cartridge 200 is supported by the outer peripheral portion 177d, the cartridge 200 can be stably supported as compared with FIG.

  When the cartridge 200 is installed at a predetermined position on the support member 177, the shape of the support member 177 shown in FIG. 11A, the inner peripheral portion 177b and the outer peripheral portion shown in FIG. The shape of 177d is not necessarily circular.

  As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, a ventilation unit 350 is installed on the back surface of the housing 101 a of the main body unit 101. The ventilation unit 350 is configured by a fan. The ventilation unit 350 releases the heat generated by the motor 171 installed on the outer surface 154 of the container 150 to the outside of the analyzer 100. The bottom surface of the housing 101a of the main body 101 is separated from the installation surface by a predetermined distance by the feet. A ventilation port 101b is provided on the bottom surface in front of the housing 101a. When the ventilation unit 350 is driven, the air taken in from the ventilation port 101b is discharged to the rear of the analyzer 100 through the motor 171 as indicated by the white arrow. In addition, the air taken in from the outside at the position of the ventilation unit 350 in the direction opposite to the white arrow may pass through the motor 171 and be discharged from the ventilation port 101b.

  In plan view, that is, in the vertical direction, the outline of the main body 101 is rectangular, and the outline of the motor 171 is also rectangular. The motor 171 is arranged in the main body 101 so that the corner of the motor 171 and the corner of the main body 101 are shifted from each other in plan view. Further, the detector 140 including the photodetector 144a is disposed in the gap between the motor 171 and the corner of the main body 101 in plan view. Similarly, the magnet 120 and the moving mechanism 130 are arranged in a gap between the motor 171 and the other corner of the main body 101 in plan view. Thereby, since the shape of the main-body part 101 in planar view can be made compact, the analyzer 100 can be reduced in size.

  The housing 150 is formed with housing portions 152 and 153 for housing members arranged in the dark room 340. The accommodating parts 152 and 153 have a shape in which the outer surface on the motor 171 side is projected. The motor 171 is disposed on the side of the housing part 152 with a gap between the motor 171 and the housing 153 with a gap between the motor 171 and the housing part 153. That is, the motor 171 is disposed on the outer side surface 154. By arranging the motor 171 on the side of the housing parts 152 and 153 in this way, it is possible to avoid the analyzer 100 from becoming larger in the height direction. In addition, since there is a gap between the accommodating portion 152 and the motor 171 and there is a gap between the accommodating portion 153 and the motor 171, air is passed through the gap as shown in FIGS. It can be convected. Therefore, the heat of the motor 171 can be effectively removed.

  The accommodating parts 152 and 153 are formed in the accommodating body 150 with a gap therebetween. The motor 171 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the housing portion 152 and the housing portion 153. And the ventilation part 350 is arrange | positioned so that the clearance gap between the accommodating parts 152 and 153 may be opposed. As a result, air easily passes around the motor 171 through the gap between the accommodating portions 152 and 153, so that the heat of the motor 171 can be effectively removed.

  The ventilation unit 350 is disposed at the same height as the motor 171 so as to face the motor 171. Thereby, since it becomes easy to guide the air around the motor 171 to the outside of the analyzer 100, the heat generated by the motor 171 can be efficiently exhausted. Further, as described above, the motor 171 is arranged outside the dark room 340, and the ventilation unit 350 is also arranged outside the dark room 340. Thereby, the rise in the temperature in the dark room 340 can be effectively suppressed without impeding the light shielding property by the light shielding part forming the dark room 340.

  In the first embodiment, when the control unit 301 described later receives an analysis start instruction, the controller 301 drives the heaters 321 and 322 to increase the temperature of the cartridge 200. At this time, the control unit 301 controls the operation of the ventilation unit 350 based on the temperature of the cartridge 200 detected by the temperature sensor 178. For example, the control unit 301 stops the ventilation unit 350 when the temperature of the cartridge 200 is less than 40 ° C., and drives the ventilation unit 350 when the temperature of the cartridge 200 exceeds 40 ° C. In this way, the time until the temperature of the cartridge 200 converges to 42 ° C. can be shortened compared to when the ventilation unit 350 is driven immediately after the analysis start instruction is received, and the ventilation unit 350 and the heaters 321 and 322 are shortened. Power consumption can be suppressed.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the analyzer 100 includes the motors 135, 136, 161, 171, the encoder 172, the heaters 321, 322, the temperature sensors 331, 332, 178, and the light detection unit 144 as described above. A ventilation unit 350, an imaging unit 193, an illumination unit 194, and a pressing unit 195. The analysis apparatus 100 includes a control unit 301, a display unit 302, an input unit 303, a drive unit 304, and a sensor unit 305.

  Control unit 301 includes, for example, an arithmetic processing unit and a storage unit. The arithmetic processing unit is configured by, for example, a CPU, an MPU, and the like. The storage unit is configured by, for example, a flash memory or a hard disk. The control unit 301 receives signals from each unit of the analysis apparatus 100 and controls each unit of the analysis apparatus 100. The display unit 302 and the input unit 303 are provided, for example, on the side surface portion of the main body unit 101 or the upper surface portion of the lid unit 102. The display unit 302 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The input unit 303 includes, for example, buttons and a touch panel. The drive unit 304 includes other mechanisms arranged in the analysis apparatus 100. The sensor unit 305 is disposed in the analyzer 100 for detecting a predetermined part of the rotating cartridge 200, a sensor for detecting a mechanism moved to the origin position by the motors 135, 136, and 161. Including other sensors.

  Next, the operation of the analyzer 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the operator injects a blood sample collected from the subject through the opening 241 and installs the cartridge 200 on the support member 177. The test substance in the blood sample includes, for example, an antigen. As an example, the antigen is hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The test substance may be one or more of an antigen, an antibody, or a protein.

  A predetermined reagent is previously stored in the liquid storage portions 231 and 232 and the chamber 211 of the cartridge 200. Specifically, the R1 reagent is stored in the liquid storage portion 231 located in the radial direction of the chamber 211. The chamber 211 contains an R2 reagent. The liquid storage unit 231 located in the radial direction of the chamber 212 stores the R3 reagent. A cleaning liquid is stored in the liquid storage portion 231 positioned in the radial direction of the chambers 213 to 215. The liquid storage unit 231 located in the radial direction of the chamber 216 stores the R4 reagent. The liquid storage unit 232 stores the R5 reagent.

  In the following control, the control unit 301 acquires the rotational position of the drive shaft 171a of the motor 171 based on the output signal of the encoder 172 connected to the motor 171. The control unit 301 acquires a circumferential position of the cartridge 200 by detecting a predetermined portion of the rotating cartridge 200 with a sensor. Alternatively, the cartridge 200 may be installed at a predetermined position with respect to the support member 177. As a result, the control unit 301 can position each part of the cartridge 200 at a predetermined position in the circumferential direction.

  In addition, the control unit 301 acquires the position of each mechanism moved by the motors 135, 136, 161 based on the output signal of the sensor for detecting the mechanism moved to the origin position by the motors 135, 136, 161. To do. Thereby, the control part 301 can position the mechanism moved by the motors 135, 136, 161, that is, the magnet 120 and the plate-like member 162 at predetermined positions.

  In step S <b> 11, the control unit 301 receives a start instruction from the operator via the input unit 303 and starts the processes after step S <b> 12.

  In step S12, the control unit 301 transfers plasma and a reagent to the chamber. Specifically, the control unit 301 drives the motor 171 to rotate the cartridge 200, drives the pressing unit 195, and pushes down the six sealing bodies 231 a positioned at positions facing the pressing unit 195. Then, the control unit 301 drives the motor 171 to rotate the cartridge 200, and the plasma positioned in the region 243 b is transferred to the chamber 211 by centrifugal force, and the reagents stored in the six liquid storage units 231 are transferred to the chambers. Transfer to 211-216. Thereby, in the chamber 211, plasma, R1 reagent, and R2 reagent are mixed. The R3 reagent is transferred to the chamber 212, the cleaning liquid is transferred to the chambers 213 to 315, and the R4 reagent is transferred to the chamber 216.

  Furthermore, in step S12, when the transfer of the plasma and the reagent is finished, the control unit 301 performs a stirring process. Specifically, the control unit 301 drives the motor 171 to switch between two different rotation speeds at a predetermined time interval while rotating in a predetermined direction. For example, the control unit 301 performs the stirring process by switching the current applied to the motor 171 at a predetermined time interval or by switching the driving of the motor 171 on and off at a predetermined time interval. As a result, the Euler force generated in the circumferential direction changes at predetermined time intervals, whereby the liquid in the chambers 211 to 216 is agitated. Such a stirring process is similarly performed not only in step S12 but also in steps S13 to S18 after the transfer process.

  Note that the control unit 301 may perform the stirring process by switching the rotation direction of the motor 171 at a predetermined time interval. However, when the motor 171 is driven in this way, the load on the motor 171 increases. Therefore, as described above, it is desirable that the motor 171 is driven so as to switch between the two rotational speeds while rotating in a predetermined direction.

  Here, the R1 reagent includes a capture substance that binds to the test substance. The capture substance includes, for example, an antibody that binds to the test substance. The antibody is, for example, a biotin-conjugated HBs monoclonal antibody. The R2 reagent contains magnetic particles in the liquid component. The magnetic particles are, for example, streptavidin-coupled magnetic particles whose surfaces are coated with avidin. In step S12, when the plasma, the R1 reagent, and the R2 reagent are mixed and stirred, the test substance and the R1 reagent are combined by an antigen-antibody reaction. And the test substance couple | bonded with the capture | acquisition substance of R1 reagent couple | bonds with a magnetic particle through a capture substance by reaction of an antigen-antibody reactant and a magnetic particle. In this way, a complex in which the test substance and the magnetic particles are combined is generated.

  Next, in step S <b> 13, the control unit 301 transfers the complex in the chamber 211 from the chamber 211 to the chamber 212. Thereby, in the chamber 212, the complex produced in the chamber 211 and the R3 reagent are mixed. Here, the R3 reagent contains a labeling substance. The labeling substance includes a capture substance that specifically binds to the test substance and a label. For example, the labeling substance is a labeled antibody in which an antibody is used as a capture substance. In step S13, when the complex generated in the chamber 211 and the R3 reagent are mixed and stirred, the complex generated in the chamber 211 reacts with the labeled antibody contained in the R3 reagent. As a result, a complex in which the test substance, the capture antibody, the magnetic particles, and the labeled antibody are bound to each other is generated.

  Here, the process of step S13 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The flowchart in FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing in detail step S13 in FIG. In the following description, FIG. 15 will be mainly referred to, and the state transition diagrams of FIGS. 16 (a) to 17 (c) will be appropriately referred to.

  At the time when the process of step S12 is completed, the complex has spread in the chamber 211 as shown in FIG. In step S101, the control unit 301 drives the moving mechanism 130 to bring the magnet 120 closer to the cartridge 200 and collect the composites that spread in the chamber 211 as shown in FIG. At this time, the control unit 301 causes the tip end portion 122a of the magnet 120 to approach the center in the circumferential direction of the chamber 211 and the outer region in the radial direction of the chamber 211 in the horizontal plane.

  In the first embodiment, the amount of the mixed liquid containing the complex accommodated in the chamber 211 is less than the total volume of the chamber 211. If the mixed solution stored in the chamber 211 is less than the total volume, it is assumed that the region in the chamber 211 where the mixed solution exists varies. However, as described above, after the test substance, the R1 reagent, and the R2 reagent are mixed in the chamber 211, when the centrifugal force is applied to the chamber 211 by the stirring process, the mixed solution is stored in the chamber 211. In this case, it is always biased outward. Therefore, when the composites in the chamber 211 are collected by the magnet 120, if the tip end portion 122 a of the magnet 120 is positioned in a mixed liquid storage region that is biased in the chamber 211, that is, a region closer to the outside of the chamber 211, the chamber The composite in the mixed liquid in 211 can be reliably collected at the position of the magnet 120.

  In addition, the liquid mixture containing the complex accommodated in the chambers 212 to 215 is also less than the total volume of the chambers 212 to 215, respectively. Therefore, as in the case of the chamber 211, if the magnet 120 is positioned in the region from the outside, the composites in the mixed liquid in the chambers 212 to 215 can be reliably collected at the position of the magnet 120.

  In step S102, the control unit 301 drives the moving mechanism 130 to move the magnet 120 in the direction approaching the rotation shaft 311. As shown in FIG. 16C, the region 222 connected to the chamber 211 and the region The composite is transferred to the connection part with the 221. The speed at which the complex is moved relative to the cartridge 200 in step S102 is desirably 10 mm / second or less so that the complex is not left in the chamber 211. Specifically, for example, it is set to 0.5 mm / second. The movement of the magnet 120 by the moving mechanism 130 is performed so as to realize the moving speed of the complex as described above.

  In step S103, the control unit 301 drives the motor 171 to rotate the cartridge 200, and as shown in FIG. 17A, the complex is placed in the connection part between the region 222 connected to the chamber 212 and the region 221. Transport. The speed at which the complex is moved relative to the cartridge 200 in step S103 is also set in the same manner as in step S102. The rotation of the cartridge 200 by the motor 171 is performed so as to realize the moving speed of the complex as described above.

  In step S <b> 104, the control unit 301 drives the moving mechanism 130 to move the magnet 120 in a direction away from the rotation shaft 311, and transfers the composite to the chamber 212 as shown in FIG. 17B. The speed at which the complex is moved relative to the cartridge 200 in step S104 is set in the same manner as in step S102. In step S <b> 105, the control unit 301 drives the moving mechanism 130 to move the magnet 120 away from the cartridge 200 and spread the composite in the chamber 212 as shown in FIG. 17C.

  As described above, in steps S <b> 101 to S <b> 105, the controller 301 moves the magnet 120 to the channel 220 while keeping the magnet 120 close to the cartridge 200 after making the magnet 120 approach the cartridge 200 at a position facing the chamber 211. The magnet 120 is positioned at a position facing the chamber 212. Thereafter, the control unit 301 moves the magnet 120 away from the cartridge 200 and cancels the magnetic collection of the composite by the magnet 120. This can reliably prevent the composite from being left in the chamber 211 and the channel 220.

  In step S106, the control unit 301 performs the stirring process described above. At this time, the magnetic collection of the composite is released before the stirring process, and the composite spreads in the chamber 212, so that the liquid in the chamber 212 is reliably stirred.

  As described above, the process of step S13 in FIG. 14 is performed. The transfer process and the stirring process shown in steps S101 to S106 are similarly performed in steps S14 to S17 described later.

  Returning to FIG. 14, in step S <b> 14, the control unit 301 transfers the complex in the chamber 212 from the chamber 212 to the chamber 213. Thereby, in the chamber 213, the composite produced in the chamber 212 and the cleaning liquid are mixed. In step S <b> 14, when the composite produced in the chamber 212 and the cleaning liquid are mixed and stirred, the composite and unreacted substances are separated in the chamber 213. That is, in the chamber 213, unreacted substances are removed by cleaning.

  In step S <b> 15, the control unit 301 transfers the complex in the chamber 213 from the chamber 213 to the chamber 214. Thereby, in the chamber 214, the composite produced in the chamber 212 and the cleaning liquid are mixed. Also in the chamber 214, unreacted substances are removed by cleaning.

  In step S <b> 16, the control unit 301 transfers the complex in the chamber 214 from the chamber 214 to the chamber 215. Thereby, in the chamber 215, the composite produced in the chamber 212 and the cleaning liquid are mixed. Also in the chamber 215, unreacted substances are removed by cleaning.

  In step S <b> 17, the control unit 301 transfers the complex in the chamber 215 from the chamber 215 to the chamber 216. Thereby, in the chamber 216, the complex produced in the chamber 212 and the R4 reagent are mixed. Here, the R4 reagent is a reagent for dispersing the complex generated in the chamber 212. The R4 reagent is, for example, a buffer solution. In step S17, the complex generated in the chamber 212 is mixed with the R4 reagent, and when the stirring process is performed, the complex generated in the chamber 212 is dispersed.

  In step S <b> 18, the control unit 301 transfers the R5 reagent to the chamber 216. Specifically, the control unit 301 drives the motor 171 to rotate the cartridge 200, drives the pressing unit 195, and pushes down the sealing body 232a positioned at a position facing the pressing unit 195. Then, the control unit 301 drives the motor 171 to rotate the cartridge 200 and transfers the R5 reagent stored in the liquid storage unit 232 to the chamber 216 by centrifugal force. Thereby, in the chamber 216, the R5 reagent is further mixed with the mixed solution generated in step S17.

  Here, the R5 reagent is a luminescent reagent containing a luminescent substrate that generates light by reaction with the labeled antibody bound to the complex. In step S18, the mixed solution generated in step S17 and the R5 reagent are mixed and a stirring process is performed to prepare a sample. This sample emits chemiluminescence by the reaction between the labeling substance bound to the complex and the luminescent substrate.

  In step S19, the control unit 301 drives the motor 171 to position the chamber 216 directly above the photodetector 144a, and the light generated from the chamber 216 is detected by the photodetector 144a. In step S20, the control unit 301 performs an immunity analysis process based on the light detected by the photodetector 144a. When the photodetector 144a is configured by a photomultiplier tube, a pulse waveform corresponding to reception of a photon is output from the photodetector 144a. The light detection unit 144 counts photons at regular intervals based on the output signal of the light detector 144a, and outputs a count value. The control unit 301 analyzes the presence / absence and amount of the test substance based on the count value output from the light detection unit 144 and causes the display unit 302 to display the analysis result.

  As described above, the composite is sequentially transferred in the chambers 211 to 216. When the composite is transferred through the plurality of chambers in this manner, the composite is easily left behind in the chambers 211 to 215 and the channel 220. However, if the complex is reliably transferred using the magnet 120 as described above, the remaining of the complex can be reliably prevented. Thereby, the unintentional fall of the light quantity detected by the photodetector 144a can be suppressed. Therefore, false negatives due to unintended light quantity reduction can be suppressed, so that highly accurate detection can be performed.

  Note that chemiluminescence is light that is emitted using energy from a chemical reaction, and is, for example, light that is emitted when a molecule is excited by a chemical reaction to be in an excited state and then returns to a ground state. Chemiluminescence is generated by, for example, reaction between an enzyme and a substrate, is generated by applying an electrochemical stimulus to a labeling substance, is generated based on the LOCI method (Luminescent Oxygen Channeling Immunoassay), or is bioluminescent. Can be generated based on. In Embodiment 1, any chemiluminescence may be performed.

  A complex may be formed by combining a substance whose fluorescence is excited when irradiated with light of a predetermined wavelength and a test substance. In this case, a light source for irradiating the chamber 216 with light is disposed. The photodetector 144a detects fluorescence excited from a substance bound to the complex by light from the light source.

The magnetic particles may be any particles that contain a magnetic material as a base material and are used for normal immunoassay. For example, magnetic particles using Fe ₂ O ₃ and / or Fe ₃ O ₄ , cobalt, nickel, phyllite, magnetite, etc. as the substrate can be used. The magnetic particles may be coated with a binding substance for binding to the test substance, or may be bound to the test substance via a capture substance for binding the magnetic particles and the test substance. The capture substance is an antigen or an antibody that binds to the magnetic particles and the test substance.

  The labeling substance includes, for example, a capture substance that specifically binds to the test substance and a label for chemiluminescence. The capture substance is not particularly limited as long as it specifically binds to the test substance. In Embodiment 1, the capture substance binds to the test substance by an antigen-antibody reaction. More specifically, in Embodiment 1, the capture substance is an antibody, but when the test substance is an antibody, the capture substance may be an antigen of the antibody. Further, when the test substance is a nucleic acid, the capture substance may be a nucleic acid complementary to the test substance. Examples of the label contained in the labeling substance include an enzyme, a fluorescent substance, and a radioisotope. Examples of the enzyme include alkaline phosphatase (ALP), peroxidase, glucose oxidase, tyrosinase, and acid phosphatase. In the case of electrochemiluminescence as chemiluminescence, the label is not particularly limited as long as it is a substance that emits light by electrochemical stimulation, and examples thereof include a ruthenium complex. As the fluorescent substance, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), green fluorescent protein (GFP), luciferin and the like can be used. As the radioisotope, 125I, 14C, 32P, or the like can be used.

  When the label is an enzyme, the luminescent substrate for the enzyme may be appropriately selected from known luminescent substrates depending on the enzyme used. For example, as a luminescent substrate when alkaline phosphatase is used as an enzyme, CDP-Star (registered trademark), (4-chloro-3- (methoxyspiro [1,2-dioxetane-3,2 ′-(5′-chloro ) Trixiro [3.3.1.13,7] decan] -4-yl) phenyl phosphate disodium), CSPD® (3- (4-methoxyspiro [1,2-dioxetane-3,2) Chemiluminescent substrates such as-(5'-chloro) tricyclo [3.3.1.13,7] decan] -4-yl) phenyl phosphate disodium); p-nitrophenyl phosphate, 5-bromo-4- Luminescent substrates such as chloro-3-indolyl phosphate (BCIP), 4-nitroblue tetrazolium chloride (NBT), iodonitrotetrazolium (INT); Fluorescent substrates such as mulberryphenyl phosphate (4MUP); 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate (BCIP), disodium 5-bromo-6-chloro-indolyl phosphate, p-nitrophenyl phosphorus, etc. The chromogenic substrate can be used.

  Next, when moving the composite, the inventors conducted verification example 1 in which the magnet 120 was used in all moving operations as described above, and the case where the magnet 120 was not used in some moving operations. An experiment was conducted on the second verification example.

  In the verification example 1, as in the first embodiment, the control unit 301 causes the magnet 120 to approach the cartridge 200, collects the complex by the magnet 120, and moves the magnet 120 to the chambers 211 to 216 by moving the magnet 120. The light generated from the chamber 216 was detected by the photodetector 144a. In the second verification example, the control unit 301 positions the complex at the connection part between the region 222 connected to the chamber 212 and the region 221, and then separates the magnet 120 from the cartridge 200 and drives the motor 171 to generate centrifugal force. The composite was transferred to the chamber 212. In Verification Example 2, the transfer procedure from the chamber 211 to the junction point and the transfer procedure from the chambers 212 to 216 are exactly the same as in Verification Example 1. And also in the verification example 2, the control part 301 detected the light which arises from the chamber 216 by the photodetector 144a.

  The inventors acquired the count values based on the detection of the photodetector 144a acquired in the verification examples 1 and 2, respectively. In verification examples 1 and 2, the measurement was performed using “HISCL TSH C1” which is a calibrator manufactured by Sysmex Corporation. That is, this calibrator was replaced with the plasma in the analysis procedure of Embodiment 1 described above and transferred to the chamber 211, and the subsequent complex transfer and luminescence detection were performed.

  As shown in FIG. 18A, the count value of Verification Example 1 was about 200000, but the count value of Verification Example 2 was a low value of about 80000. Due to the difference in the procedure in the verification examples 1 and 2, in the verification example 2, when the complex is moved, the magnet 120 is not used in some of the moving operations, so the complex is left on the path, and the count value is greatly increased. Seems to have decreased.

  The inventors took a picture when the complex was transported and confirmed that the complex was actually left behind. FIG. 18B is a diagram conceptually showing a photograph actually taken by the inventors.

  As shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 18B, in both of the verification examples 1 and 2, the composite was positioned at the connection portion between the region 222 connected to the chamber 212 and the region 221 in exactly the same manner. In the case of Verification Example 1, the composite was transferred from the connection portion to the chamber 212 by the magnet 120 from the state shown in the upper part of FIG. 18A to the lower left part of FIG. However, in the case of verification example 2, since the complex was transferred by centrifugal force from the state of the upper diagram in FIG. 18 (a), the complex is connected as shown in the lower right diagram of FIG. 18 (b). Left between the chamber and the chamber 212. Thus, if the complex is left behind, the amount of complex that eventually reaches the chamber 216 is reduced. Also, if the complex is left behind, no reaction based on the amount of complex desired occurs in the chamber. Therefore, the amount of light finally generated by the reaction in the chamber 216 is reduced.

  From the above experiments, it can be seen that when transferring the composite, it is desirable to move the magnet 120 relative to the cartridge 200 and transfer the composite by the magnetic force of the magnet 120. From this, not only the transfer from the connection part to the chamber, but also the transfer from the chamber to the connection part and the transfer from one connection part to the other connection part are similarly performed by the magnetic force of the magnet 120. It turns out that it is desirable to transport the body. Therefore, if the complex is transferred by the magnet 120, the complex can be transferred more reliably, and the count value based on the detection by the photodetector 144a can be prevented from unintentionally decreasing. Therefore, the analysis accuracy of the test substance by the analyzer 100 can be maintained high.

<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 2A, the cartridge 200 is installed in the analyzer 100 by opening the lid 102. In the second embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 19A, the cartridge 200 is placed inside the analyzer 400 by the tray 402 that moves to the outside through a hole 401 a provided in the front surface of the housing 401 of the analyzer 400. Installed.

  A light shielding member 403 is installed at the front end of the tray 402. The outer shape of the light shielding member 403 is slightly larger than the hole 401a. A light-shielding elastic member 404 is installed around the outlet of the hole 401a. When the tray 402 moves inward, the light shielding member 403 and the elastic member 404 close the hole 401a. Other configurations of the analyzer 400 are substantially the same as the specific configuration example of the analyzer 100 of the first embodiment.

  Also in the second embodiment, since the complex can be reliably transferred as in the first embodiment, the analysis accuracy of the test substance by the analyzer 400 can be maintained high. In addition, since a dark room in which light does not enter from the outside can be formed in the analyzer 400, the detection accuracy of the test substance can be increased.

<Embodiment 3>
In the third embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 19B, a support member 510 is disposed instead of the support member 177, and a cartridge 520 is used instead of the cartridge 200. About another structure, it is the same as that of the specific structural example of Embodiment 1. FIG.

  The support member 510 includes a hole 511 and three installation parts 512. The hole 511 is provided at the center of the support member 510. The support member 510 is installed on the rotation shaft 311 via a predetermined member. As a result, the support member 510 can rotate around the rotation shaft 311. Three installation portions 512 are provided in the circumferential direction. The installation part 512 includes a surface 512a and a hole 512b. The surface 512 a is a surface that is one step lower than the upper surface of the support member 510. The hole 512b is formed at the center of the surface 512a and penetrates the support member 510 in the vertical direction. The cartridge 520 is rectangular and has the same configuration as the cartridge 200.

  When starting the analysis, the operator injects a blood sample into the cartridge 520 and installs the cartridge 520 in the installation unit 512 as in the case of the cartridge 200. As in the first embodiment, the control unit 301 drives the motor 171, the moving mechanism 130, and the detection unit 140. Thereby, similarly to the first embodiment, the complex in the cartridge 520 is reliably transferred by the magnet 120. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the analysis accuracy of the test substance by the analyzer 100 can be maintained high. Further, in the third embodiment, since the cartridges 520 can be installed in the three installation units 512, the analysis can be performed on the three cartridges 520 at the same time.

<Embodiment 4>
In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A, the moving mechanism 60 moves the magnet 50 in the radial direction in order to change the relative position of the cartridge 20 and the magnet 50 in the radial direction. On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, the moving mechanism 90 moves the cartridge 20.

  As shown in FIG. 20, in the fourth embodiment, a moving mechanism 90 is added instead of the moving mechanism 60 as compared with the configuration of FIG. The magnet 50 is fixed inside the detection device 10. Other configurations are the same as the schematic configuration of the first embodiment.

  The moving mechanism 90 supports the rotating mechanism 40 and is configured to be able to move the rotating mechanism 40. The moving mechanism 90 includes a support portion 91, a rail 92, a belt 93, and a motor 94. The support part 91 supports the rotation mechanism 40 from below. The rail 92 extends in parallel to a straight line connecting the position of the magnet 50 and the position of the rotating shaft 42 in the horizontal plane, and guides the support portion 91. The belt 93 is hung on the drive shaft of the motor 94 and a pulley, and is arranged in parallel with the rail 92. The lower end of the support portion 91 is connected to the belt 93. The motor 94 is configured by a stepping motor. The motor 94 moves the support portion 91 along the rail 92 via the belt 93 by rotating the drive shaft. Therefore, the cartridge 20 is moved through the support portion 91, the rotation mechanism 40, and the support member 30 by driving the motor 94.

  According to the fourth embodiment, since the cartridge 20 moves in parallel with the rail 92, the position of the cartridge 20 positioned on the magnet 50 moves in the radial direction. In the fourth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the rotation mechanism 40 rotates the cartridge 20 in the circumferential direction. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the magnetic particles can be moved in the radial direction and the circumferential direction by the magnet 50, so that the magnetic particles can be reliably transferred.

  In order to change the relative position between the cartridge 20 and the magnet 50 in the radial direction, both the magnet 50 and the cartridge 20 may be moved. However, when both are moved, since the structure of the detection apparatus 10 becomes complicated, it is desirable to move only one of them. Furthermore, in order to simply configure the detection apparatus 10, it is desirable to move only the magnet 50 as in the first embodiment.

<Embodiment 5>
In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2B, the chambers 211 to 216 have a circular shape. On the other hand, in Embodiment 5, the shape of the chambers 211 to 216 is the shape shown in FIG. About another structure, it is the same as that of the specific structural example of Embodiment 1. FIG.

  21 (b) and 21 (c) are enlarged views of the chamber 213 shown in FIG. 21 (a). 21A to 21C, the hole 201 of the cartridge 200 is located on the X axis positive side of the chamber 213. That is, the rotation shaft 311 is located on the X axis positive side of the chamber 213. Since the configurations of the chambers 211, 212, 214 to 216 are the same as those of the chamber 213, only the configuration and effects of the chamber 213 will be described here.

  As shown in FIG. 21B, the chamber 213 has a symmetrical shape with respect to an extension line of the diameter of the rotating shaft 311. The chamber 213 is connected to the channel 220 on the rotating shaft 311 side. The chamber 213 includes protrusions 213b that protrude toward the rotating shaft 311 on both sides of the connection position 213a with the channel 220. In other words, the chamber 213 includes protrusions 213b protruding in the X-axis direction on the Y-axis positive side and the Y-axis negative side of the connection position 213a. The protrusion 213b is a curved surface protruding toward the rotating shaft 311. The angle α formed by the extension line of the end of the protrusion 213b on the connection position 213a side and the extension line of the diameter of the rotary shaft 311 passing through the center of the connection position 213a is smaller than 90 °.

  Further, the chamber 213 includes planar wall surfaces 213c connected to the protrusions 213b on both sides of the coupling position 213a. The wall surface 213c is connected to the end of the protrusion 213b opposite to the connection position 213a. Specifically, the wall surface 213c extends in the radial direction, that is, the X-axis direction when viewed in the Z-axis direction. The chamber 213 includes a protrusion 213d that protrudes toward the rotating shaft 311 between the two protrusions 213b. The channel 220 is connected to the protrusion 213d. The chamber 213 includes an inner wall 213e that is positioned in a direction away from the rotation shaft 311 in the radial direction. The inner wall 213e has an arc shape when viewed in the Z-axis direction.

  When the chamber 213 is configured as described above, the following effects are produced.

  As described above, even when the cartridge 200 is rotated and the liquid in the chamber 213 is stirred using centrifugal force and Euler force, the two protrusions 213b serve as a barrier, and the liquid in the chamber 213 is channeled. 220 can be prevented from proceeding to the connecting position 213a with 220. That is, even if the liquid moves in the chamber 213 by stirring, as shown in FIG. 21C, the end of the liquid in the chamber 213 is held in the chamber 213 by the protrusion 213b. Thereby, the liquid in the chamber 213 can be prevented from entering the channel 220 during stirring.

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent the liquid flowing out from the chamber 213 to the channel 220 from entering the other chamber and causing an undesirable reaction in the other chamber. In addition, it is possible to prevent the liquid or the like after washing including the contaminants flowing out from the chamber 213 to the channel 220 from entering the detection chamber 216 and preventing proper detection in the chamber 216. In addition, when the flow of the liquid into the channel 220 is suppressed during stirring as described above, the magnetic particles in the chamber 213 can be moved to the next chamber without being left behind, so that proper detection can be performed. it can.

  Further, even when the liquid in the chamber 213 is greatly swung during stirring, the liquid in the chamber 213 is received by the protrusion 213b as shown in FIG. 21C, and further, the liquid along the inner wall of the chamber 213. Is suppressed from moving. Here, as shown in FIG. 21 (d), when the protrusion 213b is not provided in the chamber 213, the liquid in the chamber 213 moves along the inner wall, and the tip in the liquid flow direction is indicated by a dotted arrow. As shown in Fig. 2, it bends in the negative direction of the X axis due to centrifugal force and collides with other parts of the liquid. In this case, the liquid bubbles due to the collision of the liquid. However, when the protrusion 213b is formed in the chamber 213, the liquid in the chamber 213 is prevented from traveling along the inner wall as shown in FIG. Can be suppressed.

  In addition, when the inflow of liquid and bubbling into the channel 220 are suppressed during stirring, the rotational speed of the cartridge 200 during stirring can be increased, and the degree of freedom in switching the rotational speed can be increased. On the other hand, when the rotational speed is controlled in this way, heat generation from the motor 171 increases. However, since the motor 171 is disposed outside the dark room 340 as described above, even when the heat generated by the motor 171 increases, the temperature in the dark room 340 can be prevented from becoming unstable, and the measurement is appropriately advanced. be able to.

  The chamber 213 is provided with a planar wall surface 213c. Accordingly, when the liquid is applied to the wall surface 213c during stirring, the flow of the liquid can be changed compared to the case where the wall surface is formed in a curved surface shape, so that the liquid in the chamber 213 can be effectively stirred. Further, as shown in FIG. 21 (d), when the wall surface is formed in a curved surface shape, the front end portion in the liquid flow direction is bent and easily collides with other portions of the liquid. However, since the wall surface 213c is formed in a planar shape, the situation shown in FIG. 21 (d) can be suppressed. Therefore, it can suppress that the liquid in the chamber 213 bubbles during stirring.

  The wall surface 213c is formed to extend in the radial direction, but may be formed to extend in a direction inclined from the radial direction. However, when the two wall surfaces 213c are inclined from the radial direction so that the ends on the positive side of the X axis approach each other, the liquid in the chamber 213 can be stirred more effectively, but the case shown in FIG. 21 (d) Similarly, liquid collisions are likely to occur. In addition, when the two wall surfaces 213c are tilted from the radial direction so that the ends on the X axis positive side are separated from each other, liquid collision is less likely to occur, but the stirring effect of the liquid in the chamber 213 is reduced. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21B, the two wall surfaces 213c are preferably formed to extend in the radial direction.

  Even when the liquid in the chamber 213 swings greatly and climbs over the protrusion 213b during agitation, the liquid that has passed over is received by the protrusion 213d, and therefore it is difficult to enter the channel 220. Here, as shown in FIG. 21 (e), when the protrusion 213 d is not provided in the chamber 213, the greatly oscillated liquid enters the channel 220 as indicated by the dotted arrow. However, if the protrusion 213d is provided in the chamber 213, it is possible to reliably suppress the liquid in the chamber 213 from entering the channel 220 during stirring.

  Since the protrusion 213b is a curved surface protruding toward the rotating shaft 311, the magnetic particles can be prevented from remaining on the protrusion 213b during stirring. Thereby, the magnetic particles in the chamber 213 can be moved to the next chamber without being left behind. Since the chamber 213 has a symmetric shape with respect to the diameter of the rotation shaft 311, it is possible to suppress the inflow and bubbling of liquid into the channel 220 in both the Y-axis positive direction and the Y-axis negative direction. Since the angle α shown in FIG. 21B is smaller than 90 °, the end of the protrusion 213b on the connection position 213a side becomes a barrier, and liquid inflow and bubbling into the channel 220 are surely suppressed during stirring. .

  The shape of the chamber 213 is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 21B, and may be other shapes, for example, the shapes shown in FIGS. 22A to 22C.

  In the chamber 213 shown in FIG. 22A, a linear portion 213f is provided between the protrusion 213b and the protrusion 213d as compared with FIG. 21B. In this case, the liquid received by the protrusion 213b easily travels to the protrusion 213d through the straight line 213f due to surface tension. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21B, it is desirable that the protrusion 213b and the protrusion 213d are provided continuously.

  In the chamber 213 shown in FIG. 22B, the protrusion 213b and the wall surface 213c are omitted as compared with FIG. In this case, when the liquid in the chamber 213 is swung, the liquid in the chamber 213 easily enters the channel 220 as compared with FIG. However, as compared with FIG. 21E, the provision of the protrusion 213d makes it difficult for the liquid in the chamber 213 to enter the channel 220.

  In the chamber 213 shown in FIG. 22C, a protrusion 213g is further provided between the protrusion 213b and the protrusion 213d on the Y axis positive side as compared with FIG. 21B. The protrusion 213g is connected to a flow path other than the flow path for allowing air to pass through or the channel 220, for example. When the configuration shown in FIG. 22C is applied to the chamber 211, the protrusion 213d is connected to the channel 220, and the protrusion 213g is connected to the region 243b.

  In the chamber 213 shown in FIG. 21B, a channel other than the channel for allowing air to pass or the channel 220 may be connected to the protrusion 213d. When the other flow path is connected to the protrusion 213d, the cartridge 200 can be formed more easily than when the other flow path is connected to the region 222 of the channel 220.

<Embodiment 6>
In the first embodiment, the sealing body is provided only at one position in the radial direction with respect to the liquid storage portions 231 and 232. On the other hand, in the sixth embodiment, sealing bodies are provided at two positions in the radial direction with respect to the liquid storage portions 231 and 232. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 23A, sealing bodies 231 a and 231 b are respectively provided on the radially inner and outer upper surfaces of the liquid container 231, and the radially inner side of the liquid container 232. Sealing bodies 232a and 232b are respectively provided on the outer upper surface. Further, the pressing portion 195 of the sixth embodiment is configured as shown in FIGS. 23 (b) to 24 (b). Other configurations of the sixth embodiment are the same as the specific configuration example of the first embodiment.

  In the sixth embodiment, when transferring the reagent stored in the liquid storage unit 231 to a chamber located outside the liquid storage unit 231, the control unit 301 first drives the motor 171 to rotate the cartridge 200, The reagent in the liquid container 231 is positioned on the outer peripheral side in the liquid container 231 by centrifugal force. Subsequently, the control unit 301 drives the pressing unit 195 to open the sealing body 231b located outside the liquid storage unit 231. Thereby, the inside of the liquid container 231 and the channel 220 are connected. Subsequently, the control unit 301 drives the pressing unit 195 to open the sealing body 231 a located inside the liquid storage unit 231. Thereby, the inner peripheral side of the liquid storage portion 231 is connected to the outside of the cartridge 200. Then, the control unit 301 drives the motor 171 to rotate the cartridge 200, and transfers the reagent in the liquid storage unit 231 to a chamber located outside the liquid storage unit 231 by centrifugal force.

  When the reagent stored in the liquid storage unit 232 is transferred to the chamber 216, the control unit 301 performs the same process as described above. That is, the control unit 301 performs rotation of the cartridge 200, opening of the sealing body 232b, opening of the sealing body 232a, and rotation of the cartridge 200 in this order.

  In Embodiment 6, the reagent in the liquid storage unit 231 is sealed in the liquid storage unit 231 by the sealing bodies 231a and 231b, and the reagent in the liquid storage unit 232 is stored in the liquid storage unit 232 by the sealing bodies 232a and 232b. Sealed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the reagents in the liquid storage portions 231 and 232 from flowing into the channel 220 and the chambers 211 to 216 before the cartridge 200 is used. Further, when the reagents in the liquid storage units 231 and 232 are transferred to the chamber, the inside and the outside of the liquid storage units 231 and 232 are opened. Can be smoothly transferred to the chamber.

  In addition, the reagent in the liquid storage portions 231 and 232 is positioned on the outer peripheral side in advance before opening the sealing body. Thereby, after opening the sealing body, the reagent in the liquid storage portions 231 and 232 can be smoothly transferred to the chamber located outside. Further, after opening the outer sealing bodies 231b and 232b, the inner sealing bodies 231a and 232a are opened. Thereby, the reagent in the liquid storage units 231 and 232 can be smoothly transferred to the chamber located outside without the reagents in the liquid storage units 231 and 232 returning to the inside.

  Next, the pressing part 195 of Embodiment 6 will be described.

  The pressing portion 195 of the sixth embodiment includes a moving member 365 and a plurality of cam portions that move in the pressing direction the pin members 366 that are arranged on the moving member 365 and respectively open the respective sealing bodies. The cam portions are arranged at different positions in the moving direction of the moving member 365 so as to drive the pin members 366 in a predetermined order. Specifically, the pressing portion 195 is configured as shown in FIGS. 23 (b) to 24 (b).

  As shown in FIG. 23B, in the sixth embodiment, two pin members 366 are arranged in the radial direction as compared with the first embodiment. Specifically, two holes 361a are provided in the installation member 361, and a pin member 366 and a roller 367 are installed at the positions of the two holes 361a, respectively. FIG. 24A is a view of the cross section C1-C2 shown in FIG. FIG. 24B is a view of the cross section C3-C4 shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B, pin members 366 are respectively installed at the positions of the two holes 361a.

  As shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B, on the lower surface side of the moving member 365, cam portions 365b and 365c having a plane inclined with respect to the horizontal plane are formed. The cam portion 365b is formed at a position corresponding to the roller 367 on the D3 direction side. The cam portion 365c is formed at a position corresponding to the roller 367 on the side opposite to the D3 direction. The positions of the cam portions 365b and 365c are different from each other in the directions D1 and D2. Specifically, the cam portion 365b is located in the D1 direction as compared with the cam portion 365c.

  When opening the sealing bodies 231a and 231b of the liquid storage unit 231, the control unit 301 rotates the cartridge 200 to bring the reagent in the liquid storage unit 231 to the outside, and then closes the sealing units 231a and 231a. 231b is positioned directly below the pin member 366 on the opposite side to the D3 direction and directly below the pin member 366 on the D3 direction side.

  Then, the control unit 301 drives the motor 362 to move the moving member 365 in the D1 direction. At this time, when the moving member 365 is moved in the direction D1 from the state shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B, the cam portion 365b contacts the roller 367 before the cam portion 365c, and then the cam portion 365c. Contacts the roller 367. Accordingly, the pin member 366 on the D3 direction side moves downward before the pin member 366 on the opposite side to the D3 direction. Thereby, as above-mentioned, the outer side sealing body 231b is opened first, and the inner side sealing body 231a is opened after that.

  Thus, when different cam portions 365b and 365c are provided on the lower surface of the moving member 365, and the pin member 366 is provided so as to correspond to the cam portions 365b and 365c, the moving member 365 can be sealed only by moving in the D1 direction. The stoppers 231b and 231a can be opened in this order. Note that the plugging process is similarly performed on the sealing bodies 232 a and 232 b of the liquid storage unit 232. Also in this case, the sealing bodies 232b and 232a can be opened in this order only by moving the moving member 365 in the D1 direction.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Detection apparatus 20 Cartridge 22a 1st chamber 22b 2nd chamber 23 Channel 23a 1st area | region 23b 2nd area | region 23c 3rd area | region 30 Support member 40 Rotating mechanism 42 Rotating shaft 50 Magnet 60, 90 Moving mechanism 70 Control part 80 Detection part 100 Analyzing device 120 Magnet 122 Magnetic body 122a Tip portion 130 Moving mechanism 140 Detection portion 177 Support member 195 Pressing portion 200 Cartridge 211-216 Chamber 213a Connection position 213b Projection 213c Wall surface 213d Projection 220 Channel 221, 222 Region 231 232 Part 231a, 231b, 232a, 232b Sealing body 301 Control part 311 Rotating shaft 400 Analyzer 510 Support member 520 Cartridge

Claims (18)

A cartridge installed on a rotating shaft of a detection device for detecting a test substance and used for detection of the test substance,
Multiple chambers;
A channel connecting the plurality of chambers on the rotating shaft side of the chamber,
The cartridge is provided with a protrusion that protrudes toward the rotating shaft on both sides of a position where the chamber is connected to the channel.   2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the chamber includes flat wall surfaces connected to the protrusions on both sides of the connection position. The chamber further includes a protrusion protruding toward the rotating shaft,
The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the channel is connected to the protrusion.   The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of chambers are arranged so as to be separated from each other in a circumferential direction of a circle having the rotation axis as a center.   The channel includes a first region extending from one chamber to be connected in a direction approaching the rotation axis, a second region extending from the other chamber in a direction approaching the rotation axis, and the first region. The cartridge according to claim 4, further comprising a third region that connects the second region. The chamber has a liquid phase region for containing a liquid;
The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the channel has a gas phase region for containing a gas. The plurality of chambers include first to fourth chambers;
The first chamber is a chamber for generating a complex by combining the test substance and magnetic particles.
The second chamber is a chamber for binding a labeling substance to the complex generated in the first chamber;
The third chamber is a chamber for mixing the complex bound with a labeling substance and a cleaning solution for separating unreacted substances from the complex bound with the labeling substance,
The fourth chamber is a chamber for mixing the complex bound to the labeling substance and a luminescent reagent that generates light by the reaction of the labeling substance bound to the complex. The cartridge according to any one of 6.   The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cartridge includes a liquid storage portion including a sealing body. A detection method for detecting a test substance by installing a cartridge having a plurality of chambers on a rotating shaft,
Each of the chambers is connected to another chamber by a channel on the rotating shaft side, and includes protrusions projecting to the rotating shaft side on both sides sandwiching a connection position with the channel.
In the step of stirring the liquid in the chamber by rotating the cartridge by the rotating shaft, the liquid moving in the chamber is received by the protrusion, and the movement of the liquid toward the channel is suppressed. Method.   The detection method according to claim 9, wherein in the step of stirring the liquid, a rotation speed of the cartridge by the rotation shaft is changed.   The detection method according to claim 9, wherein in the step of stirring the liquid, the cartridge is switched to a different rotation speed at a predetermined time interval while rotating the cartridge in a predetermined direction. Each of the chambers includes flat wall surfaces connected to the protrusions on both sides of the coupling position.
The detection method according to claim 9, wherein in the step of stirring the liquid, a flow direction of the liquid moving in the chamber is changed by the wall surface. The chamber includes another protrusion protruding toward the rotating shaft and connected to the channel.
The detection method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein in the step of stirring the liquid, the liquid that has passed over the protrusion is received by the other protrusion.   The detection method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the plurality of chambers are arranged so as to be separated from each other in a circumferential direction of a circle having the rotation axis as a center.   The channel includes a first region extending from one chamber to be connected in a direction approaching the rotation axis, a second region extending from the other chamber in a direction approaching the rotation axis, and the first region. The detection method of Claim 14 provided with the 3rd area | region which connects the said 2nd area | region. The chamber has a liquid phase region for containing a liquid;
The detection method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the channel has a gas phase region for containing a gas. The cartridge includes a liquid storage unit connected to the chamber on the rotating shaft side with respect to the chamber, and the liquid storage unit includes a sealing body,
17. After opening the sealing body, the cartridge is rotated by the rotating shaft, and the liquid in the liquid container is transferred to the chamber by centrifugal force. The detection method described.   By transporting magnetic particles through the plurality of chambers, the magnetic particles carry a complex of a test substance and a labeling substance, and the test substance is detected based on the labeling substance of the complex The detection method according to any one of claims 9 to 16.

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