JP2021073464A - Analyzer and analysis method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an analyzer and an analysis method capable of measuring fine particles in a shorter time than a conventional one by suppressing the influence of inter-track crosstalk.SOLUTION: A detection signal is generated by adding a first photoreception level signal and a second photoreception level signal. A difference signal is generated by subtracting the second photoreception level signal from the first photoreception level signal. When the detection signal exceeds a first threshold, a fine particle detection signal is generated. When the difference signal exceeds the second threshold value, a measurement correction signal is generated. An exclusive-OR of the fine particle detection signal and the measurement correction signal is calculated. A fine particle measurement signal is generated when the exclusive OR is 1. By counting the fine particle measurement signal, the total number of the number of the fine particles labeling the detection target substance captured in a target region and the number of the fine particles labeling the detection target substance captured in a peripheral region is measured.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an analyzer and an analysis method for analyzing biological substances such as antigens and antibodies.

By detecting a specific antigen or antibody associated with a disease as a biomarker,
An immunoassay (immunoassay) that quantitatively analyzes the effects of disease detection and treatment is known.

In Patent Document 1, an antibody fixed in a reaction region on a sample analysis disk and an antigen in a sample are bound, the antigen is labeled with fine particles having the antibody, and laser light emitted from an optical pickup is scanned. Thereby, an analyzer for detecting the fine particles captured in the reaction region is described. The analyzer described in Patent Document 1 uses an optical disk device for sample detection.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-127691

On the surface of the sample analysis disc, track regions in which convex portions and concave portions are alternately arranged are formed. In the reaction region formed on the track region, fine particles are usually trapped in the protrusions and recesses. Therefore, in order to measure the total number of fine particles captured in the reaction region, it is necessary to scan the laser beam on the convex portion and the concave portion, and the measurement time for detecting the fine particles becomes long.

An analyzer that uses an optical disk device for sample detection performs servo control such as tracking control and focus control. Therefore, when scanning the laser beam against the recess,
Laser light is also applied to the convex parts on both sides adjacent to each other. If the particles are trapped in the adjacent protrusions, the particles are detected. Further, the above fine particles are also detected when the laser beam is scanned against the adjacent recess. That is, since one fine particle is measured twice by the crosstalk between tracks, it becomes a factor that deteriorates the quantification accuracy of the fine particles.

An object of the present invention is to provide an analyzer and an analysis method capable of accurately measuring fine particles in a shorter time than before by suppressing the influence of crosstalk between tracks.

The present invention labels a substance to be detected that is captured in a target area that is one of concave and convex portions and a peripheral region that is the other of the concave and convex portions that are alternately formed on a sample analysis disk. In an analyzer that measures fine particles, the laser spot of the laser light emitted from the laser light source is the peripheral region on one side adjacent to the target region and the target region, that is, the first peripheral region and the other adjacent to the target region. The first light receiving level obtained in the first light receiving area that receives the reflected light from the target area and the first peripheral area when the position including the second peripheral area which is the peripheral area on the side is irradiated. The signal and the second light receiving level signal obtained in the second light receiving area that receives the reflected light from the target area and the second peripheral area are acquired, and the first light receiving level signal and the second light receiving level signal are obtained. A signal generation circuit that generates a detection signal by adding and subtracting a second light receiving level signal from the first light receiving level signal to generate a difference signal, and fine particles if the detected signal exceeds the first threshold value. A detection signal is generated, if the difference signal exceeds the second threshold value, a measurement correction signal is generated, the exclusive logical sum of the fine particle detection signal and the measurement correction signal is logically calculated, and the exclusive logical sum is 1. In this case, a fine particle measurement signal is generated and the fine particle measurement signal is counted to label the number of fine particles that label the detection target substance captured in the target region and the fine particles that label the detection target substance captured in the peripheral region. Provided is an analyzer characterized by including a logic calculation circuit for measuring the total number of light ups and downs.

Further, in the present invention, the detection target substance is supplemented to a target region which is one of the concave and convex portions and a peripheral region which is the other of the concave and convex portions which are alternately formed on the sample analysis disk. In the analysis method for measuring fine particles labeled with, the laser spot of the laser light emitted from the laser light source is adjacent to the first peripheral region and the target region, which are peripheral regions on one side adjacent to the target region and the target region. The first light receiving region obtained in the first light receiving region that receives the reflected light from the target region and the first peripheral region when the position including the second peripheral region, which is the peripheral region on the other side, is irradiated. The light receiving level signal and the second light receiving level signal obtained in the second light receiving area that receives the reflected light from the target region and the second peripheral region are acquired, and the first light receiving level signal and the second light receiving light are received. The level signal is added to generate a detection signal, the second light reception level signal is subtracted from the first light reception level signal to generate a difference signal, and if the detection signal exceeds the first threshold value, the fine particle detection signal is generated. Is generated, and if the difference signal exceeds the second threshold value, a measurement correction signal is generated, the exclusive logical sum of the fine particle detection signal and the measurement correction signal is logically calculated, and the exclusive logical sum becomes 1. The number of fine particles that label the detection target substance captured in the target area and the number of fine particles that label the detection target substance captured in the peripheral region by generating the fine particle measurement signal and counting the fine particle measurement signal. Provided is an analysis method characterized by measuring the total number of and.

According to the analyzer and analysis method of the present invention, the influence of crosstalk between tracks can be suppressed, and fine particles can be measured accurately in a shorter time than before.

It is a block diagram which shows the analyzer of one Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the light receiving area of a photodetector. It is a top view which shows the relationship between the light receiving area of a photodetector and the detection light which irradiates the light receiving area. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the fine particles captured on the track region of a sample analysis disk, and the laser spot of the laser beam which irradiates the track region. It is a time chart which shows the relationship between a detection signal, a fine particle detection signal, a difference signal, and a measurement correction signal. It is a time chart which shows the relationship between a detection signal, a fine particle detection signal, a difference signal, and a measurement correction signal. It is a time chart which shows the relationship between a detection signal, a fine particle detection signal, a difference signal, and a measurement correction signal.

The analyzer of one embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The analyzer 1 is an optical pickup 10.
And a signal processing circuit 20. The optical pickup 10 includes a laser light source 11, a collimator lens 12, a beam splitter 13, an objective lens 14, and condenser lenses 15a and 15b.
And a photodetector 30. The signal processing circuit 20 includes a detection signal generation circuit 21 and a logic operation circuit 22.

The laser light source 11 emits a laser beam La having a wavelength of, for example, 405 nm. The collimator lens 12 makes the laser beam La parallel light. The beam splitter 13 transmits the laser beam La. The objective lens 14 transmits the laser beam La to the track region 101 of the sample analysis disc 100.
Condenses at a predetermined beam spot.

In the track region 101, concave portions 102 (target region) and convex portions 103 (peripheral region) are alternately formed in the radial direction. The concave portion 102 and the convex portion 103 are formed in a spiral shape from the inner peripheral portion to the outer peripheral portion. The sample analysis disc 100 has a disk shape equivalent to that of an optical disc such as a Blu-ray disc (BD), a DVD, or a compact disc (CD).

The sample analysis disc 100 is made of, for example, a resin material such as a polycarbonate resin or a cycloolefin polymer generally used for optical discs. The sample analysis disc 100 is not limited to the above-mentioned optical discs, and optical discs conforming to other forms or predetermined standards can also be used.

The concave portion 102 in the track region 101 of the sample analysis disk 100 corresponds to the groove of the optical disc, and the convex portion 103 corresponds to the land. The track pitch corresponding to the radial pitch of the recess 102 is, for example, 320 nm.

The laser beam La is reflected in the track region 101 and is incident on the beam splitter 13 via the objective lens 14 as the detection light Lb. The beam splitter 13 concentrates the detection light Lb on the condenser lens 1.
It reflects toward 5a and 15b. The condenser lenses 15a and 15b use the detection light Lb as a photodetector 30.
Condensing toward.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the photodetector 30 has a light receiving region 31, a light receiving region 32, a light receiving region 33, and a light receiving region 34. The photodetector 30 is a quadrant photodiode in which the light receiving region is divided into four. The detection light Lb is incident on the light receiving regions 31, 32, 33, 34.

The photodetector 30 detects the light receiving level RL1 of the detected light Lb incident on the light receiving region 31 and outputs the light receiving level RL1 to the detection signal generation circuit 21 of the signal processing circuit 20. The photodetector 30 detects the light receiving level RL2 of the detected light Lb incident on the light receiving region 32 and outputs it to the detection signal generation circuit 21. The photodetector 30 detects the light receiving level RL3 of the detected light Lb incident on the light receiving region 33 and outputs it to the detection signal generation circuit 21. The photodetector 30 detects the light receiving level RL4 of the detected light Lb incident on the light receiving region 34 and outputs it to the detection signal generation circuit 21.

The detection signal generation circuit 21 generates the light receiving level signal RS1 based on the light receiving level RL1. The detection signal generation circuit 21 generates the light receiving level signal RS2 based on the light receiving level RL2. The detection signal generation circuit 21 generates the light receiving level signal RS3 based on the light receiving level RL3. The detection signal generation circuit 21 generates the light receiving level signal RS4 based on the light receiving level RL4.

The detection signal generation circuit 21 adds the light receiving level signal RS1, the light receiving level signal RS2, the light receiving level signal RS3, and the light receiving level signal RS4 to obtain a total signal (RS1 + RS2 + RS3 + R).
S4) is generated and output to the logical operation circuit 22 as a detection signal DS.

The detection signal generation circuit 21 adds the light receiving level signal RS1 and the light receiving level signal RS2 to generate an addition signal (RS1 + RS2), and adds the light receiving level signal RS3 and the light receiving level signal RS4 to generate an addition signal (RS3 + RS4). Generate. The detection signal generation circuit 21 subtracts the addition signal (RS3 + RS4) from the addition signal (RS1 + RS2) and subtracts the difference signal SS ((RS1 +).
RS2)-(RS3 + RS4)) is generated and output to the logical operation circuit 22.

The logical operation circuit 22 generates a fine particle detection signal BS which is a pulse signal that becomes a high level during the period when the signal level of the detection signal DS exceeds the threshold value. The logical operation circuit 22 has a difference signal S.
A measurement correction signal CS, which is a pulse signal that becomes a high level during the period when the signal level of S exceeds the threshold value, is generated. The logical operation circuit 22 executes the logical operation of the exclusive OR (BS XOR CS) of the fine particle detection signal BS and the measurement correction signal CS.

An example of a method of measuring fine particles by logical operation of the exclusive OR of the fine particle detection signal BS and the measurement correction signal CS will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

As shown in FIG. 3, recesses 102 and protrusions 103 are alternately formed in the track region 101 of the sample analysis disc 100. Hereinafter, a case where the recess 102 is a track TR and the laser beam La is scanned on the recess 102 will be described. In addition, in order to make the explanation easy to understand, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.

When the laser beam La is scanned on the track TR, in order to perform tracking control,
The laser beam La is irradiated so that the laser spot LS is located in a region (first irradiation region) including the concave portion 102 and the convex portions 103 on both sides adjacent to the concave portion 102. The convex portion 103
Is a track TR, and when the laser light La is scanned on the convex portion 103, the laser light La is a region in which the laser spot LS includes the convex portion 103 and the concave portions 102 on both sides adjacent to the convex portion 103 (the first). It is irradiated so as to be located in the irradiation area of 2).

The diameter of the laser spot LS is determined by 1.22 × the wavelength of the laser beam La ÷ the numerical aperture NA of the objective lens 14. As shown in FIG. 1, the laser beam La is reflected in the track region 101, and the objective lens 14, the beam splitter 13, and the condenser lenses 15a, 1 are used as the detection light Lb.
It is focused on the photodetector 30 via 5b.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the detection light Lb is the light receiving regions 31, 32, 33, 34 of the photodetector 30.
It is divided into four parts and incident. The detection light Lb divided into the light receiving region 31 and incident is divided into Lb1, the detection light Lb divided into the light receiving region 32 and incident is Lb2, and the detection light Lb divided into the light receiving region 33 and incident is divided into Lb3 and the light receiving region 34. Let Lb4 be the detection light Lb that is incident. The laser spots LS1, LS2, LS3, and LS4 shown in FIG. 3 are Lb1, Lb2 shown in FIG. 2B.
, Lb3, Lb4.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the laser light La, the laser spots LS1 and LS2 have recesses 102, and the laser light La has a recess 102.
It is irradiated so as to be located in a region including a convex portion 103 (first convex portion) on one side (left side in FIG. 3) adjacent to the concave portion 102. Further, the laser light La is the laser spots LS3, L.
S4 is a concave portion 102 and a convex portion 103 on the other side (right side in FIG. 3) adjacent to the concave portion 102.
It is irradiated so as to be located in the region including (the second convex portion).

Detection light Lb1, Lb2 generated by laser spots LS1 and LS2 of laser light La
Is incident on the light receiving regions 31 and 32 of the photodetector 30. Laser spot LS of laser light La
The detection lights Lb3 and Lb4 generated by the LS4 are the light receiving regions 33 and 3 of the photodetector 30.
It is incident on 4.

Therefore, the laser beam La (laser spot LS) includes the laser spots LS1 and LS2 (first laser spots) located in the region including the concave portion 102 and the convex portion 103 on one side adjacent to the concave portion 102, and the concave portion 102. It is divided into laser spots LS3 and LS4 (second laser spots) located in a region including the concave portion 102 and the convex portion 103 on the other side adjacent to the concave portion 102.
The laser light La divided into the laser spots LS1 and LS2 is incident on the light receiving regions 31 and 32 (first light receiving region) as the detection lights Lb1 and Lb2 (first detection light), and the laser spot L
The laser beam La divided into S3 and LS4 is incident on the light receiving regions 33 and 34 (second light receiving region) as the detection lights Lb3 and Lb4 (second detection light).

The detection signal generation circuit 21 generates light-receiving level signals RS1 and RS2 (first light-receiving level signals) based on the light-receiving levels RL1 and RL2 of the detection lights Lb1 and Lb2, and detects light Lb3 and Lb3.
The light receiving level signals RS3 and RS4 (second light receiving level signal) are generated based on the light receiving levels RL3 and RL4 of b4.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a state in which the fine particles 40 labeling the substance to be detected are captured on the track region 101. In addition, in FIG. 3, in order to distinguish each concave portion 102 and each convex portion 103, each concave portion 102 is referred to as concave portion 1021, 1022, 1023, and each convex portion 103 is referred to as convex portion 1.
It is shown as 031, 1032, 1033, 1034.

Two fine particles 40a and 40b are captured in the recess 1021 corresponding to the first track TR1. One fine particle 40c is captured in the recess 1022 corresponding to the second track TR2. One fine particle 40d is captured in the recess 1023 corresponding to the third track TR3.

Fine particles 40 are not captured in the convex portion 1031. One fine particle 40e is captured in the convex portion 1032 located between the first track TR1 and the second track TR2. Two fine particles 40f and 40g are concatenated and captured in the convex portion 1033 located between the second track TR2 and the third track TR3. Fine particles 40 are not captured in the convex portion 1034.

When the laser light La is scanned on the first track TR1, in order to perform tracking control, the laser light La has a laser spot LS having a concave portion 1021 and convex portions 1031 and convex portions 1032 on both sides adjacent to the concave portion 1021. It is irradiated so as to be located in the area including and. Recess 1
Assuming that 021 is the first concave portion, the convex portion 1031 is the first convex portion, and the convex portion 1032 is the second convex portion.

FIG. 4 is a time chart showing the relationship between the detection signal DS, the fine particle detection signal BS, the difference signal SS, and the measurement correction signal CS when the laser beam La is scanned on the first track TR1. When the laser beam La is scanned on the fine particles 40a, the light receiving level RL1 is generated by the fine particles 40a.
, RL2, RL3, RL4 decrease at about the same level.

As a result, the signal levels of the light receiving level signals RS1, RS2, RS3, and RS4 are lowered at almost the same level, so that the signal level of the detection signal DSa with respect to the fine particles 40a is lowered, and the signal level of the difference signal SS is hardly changed.

The logical operation circuit 22 generates a fine particle detection signal BSa which is a pulse signal that becomes a high level during the period when the signal level of the detection signal DSa exceeds the threshold value. Since the signal level of the difference signal SS hardly changes and does not exceed the threshold value, the measurement correction signal CS is not generated. Here, the period during which the signal level exceeds the threshold value means that when the laser beam La is scanned on the fine particles 40a,
In FIGS. 4 to 6, the signal level is below the threshold value because the light receiving level is lowered by the fine particles 40a.

The logical operation circuit 22 executes the logical operation of the exclusive OR of the fine particle detection signal BS and the measurement correction signal CS. If the high level is set to 1 and the low level is set to 0 as the flag of the logical operation, the fine particle detection signal BSa is generated as the fine particle detection signal BSa, so that the fine particle detection signal BSa is 1.
Since the measurement correction signal CS is not generated, the logical operation is performed as 0. As a result, the exclusive OR becomes 1, so that the logical operation circuit 22 generates the fine particle measurement signal HSa corresponding to the fine particle detection signal BSa. That is, the logical operation circuit 22 executes the logical operation of the exclusive OR of the fine particle detection signal BS and the measurement correction signal CS, and generates the fine particle measurement signal HS when the exclusive OR is 1.

Next, the convex portion 1032 in which the laser beam La is adjacent to the first track TR1 (concave portion 1021).
When the vicinity of the fine particles 40e captured by the fine particles 40e is scanned, the light receiving level R is received by the fine particles 40e.
L3 and RL4 decrease, and the light receiving levels RL1 and RL2 do not change. As a result, the signal levels of the light receiving level signals RS3 and RS4 are lowered, and the signal levels of the light receiving level signals RS1 and RS2 are not changed. Therefore, the signal level of the detection signal DSe1 with respect to the fine particles 40e is lowered, and the signal level of the difference signal SSe1 is changed. To rise.

The logical operation circuit 22 generates the fine particle detection signal BSe1 which is a pulse signal that becomes a high level during the period when the signal level of the detection signal DSe1 exceeds the threshold value. Since the difference signal SSe1 does not exceed the threshold value because the signal level rises, the measurement correction signal CS is not generated.

The logical operation circuit 22 executes the logical operation of the exclusive OR of the fine particle detection signal BS and the measurement correction signal CS. The fine particle detection signal BS is logically calculated as 1 because the fine particle detection signal BSe1 is generated and 0 because the measurement correction signal CS is not generated. As a result, the exclusive OR becomes 1, so that the logical operation circuit 22 generates the fine particle measurement signal HSe corresponding to the fine particle detection signal BSe1.

Next, when the laser beam La is scanned on the fine particles 40b, the light receiving levels RL1, RL2, RL3, and RL4 are lowered by the fine particles 40b at substantially the same level.

As a result, the signal levels of the light receiving level signals RS1, RS2, RS3, and RS4 are lowered at almost the same level, so that the signal level of the detection signal DSb with respect to the fine particles 40a is lowered, and the signal level of the difference signal SS is hardly changed.

The logical operation circuit 22 generates the fine particle detection signal BSb, which is a pulse signal that becomes a high level during the period when the signal level of the detection signal DSb exceeds the threshold value. Since the signal level of the difference signal SS hardly changes and does not exceed the threshold value, the measurement correction signal CS is not generated.

The logical operation circuit 22 executes the logical operation of the exclusive OR of the fine particle detection signal BS and the measurement correction signal CS. The fine particle detection signal BS is logically calculated as 1 because the fine particle detection signal BSb is generated and 0 because the measurement correction signal CS is not generated. As a result, the exclusive OR becomes 1, so that the logical operation circuit 22 has the fine particle measurement signal H corresponding to the fine particle detection signal BSb.
Generate Sb.

The logical operation circuit 22 counts the fine particle measurement signal HS on the first track TR1. Specifically, the fine particle measurement signals HSa, HSe, HSb in the first track TR1.
Is counted, and based on the count result, the number of fine particles 40 when the laser beam La is scanned on the first track TR1 is determined to be 3. The total number of fine particles 40 when the laser beam La is scanned on the first track TR1 is the fine particles 40a, 40b captured in the recess 1021.
Corresponds to the total number of fine particles 40e captured in the convex portion 1032.

When the laser light La is scanned on the second track TR2, in order to perform tracking control, the laser light La has the laser spot LS having the concave portion 1022 and the convex portions 1032 and the convex portion 1033 on both sides adjacent to the concave portion 1022. It is irradiated so as to be located in the area including and. Recess 1
Assuming that 022 is the first concave portion, the convex portion 1032 is the first convex portion, and the convex portion 1033 is the second convex portion.

FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the relationship between the detection signal DS, the fine particle detection signal BS, the difference signal SS, and the measurement correction signal CS when the laser beam La is scanned on the second track TR2. When the laser beam La is scanned on the fine particles 40c, the light receiving level RL1 is generated by the fine particles 40c.
, RL2, RL3, RL4 decrease at about the same level.

As a result, the signal levels of the light receiving level signals RS1, RS2, RS3, and RS4 are lowered at almost the same level, so that the signal level of the detection signal DSc with respect to the fine particles 40c is lowered, and the signal level of the difference signal SS is hardly changed.

The logical operation circuit 22 generates the fine particle detection signal BSc, which is a pulse signal that becomes a high level during the period when the signal level of the detection signal DSc exceeds the threshold value. Since the signal level of the difference signal SS hardly changes and does not exceed the threshold value, the measurement correction signal CS is not generated.

The logical operation circuit 22 executes the logical operation of the exclusive OR of the fine particle detection signal BS and the measurement correction signal CS. The fine particle detection signal BS is logically calculated as 1 because the fine particle detection signal BSc is generated and 0 because the measurement correction signal CS is not generated. As a result, the exclusive OR becomes 1, so that the logical operation circuit 22 generates the fine particle measurement signal HSc.

Next, one convex portion 1 in which the laser beam La is adjacent to the second track TR2 (recessed 1022)
When the vicinity of the fine particles 40e captured by 032 is scanned, the light receiving levels RL1 and RL2 are lowered by the fine particles 40e, and the light receiving levels RL3 and RL4 do not change. As a result, the signal levels of the light receiving level signals RS1 and RS2 are lowered, and the signal levels of the light receiving level signals RS3 and RS4 do not change. Therefore, the detection signal DSe2 and the difference signal SSe2 for the fine particles 40e
Signal level drops.

The logical operation circuit 22 generates the fine particle detection signal BSe2, which is a pulse signal that becomes a high level during the period when the signal level of the detection signal DSe2 exceeds the threshold value. The logical operation circuit 22
The measurement correction signal CSe, which is a pulse signal that becomes a high level during the period when the signal level of the difference signal SSe2 exceeds the threshold value, is generated.

The logical operation circuit 22 executes the logical operation of the exclusive OR of the fine particle detection signal BS and the measurement correction signal CS. The fine particle detection signal BS is logically calculated as 1 because the fine particle detection signal BSe2 is generated, and the measurement correction signal CS is logically operated as 1 because the measurement correction signal CSe is generated. As a result, the exclusive OR becomes 0, and the fine particle measurement signal HS is not generated. That is, the fine particle detection signal BSe2 is not counted.

Next, the other convex portion 1 in which the laser beam La is adjacent to the second track TR2 (recessed portion 1022)
When the vicinity of the fine particles 40f, 40g captured by 033 is scanned, the fine particles 40f, 4
With 0 g, the light receiving levels RL3 and RL4 decrease, and the light receiving levels RL1 and RL2 do not change. As a result, the signal levels of the light receiving level signals RS3 and RS4 are lowered, and the light receiving level signal R
Since the signal levels of S1 and RS2 do not change, the detection signal D for the fine particles 40f and 40g
The signal level of Sfg1 decreases, and the signal level of the difference signal SSfg1 increases.

The logical operation circuit 22 generates the fine particle detection signal BSfg, which is a pulse signal that becomes a high level during the period when the signal level of the detection signal DSfg exceeds the threshold value. Since the difference signal SSfg1 does not exceed the threshold value because the signal level rises, the measurement correction signal CS is not generated.

The logical operation circuit 22 executes the logical operation of the exclusive OR of the fine particle detection signal BS and the measurement correction signal CS. Since the fine particle detection signal BSfg1 is generated in the fine particle detection signal BS, 1.
Since the measurement correction signal CS is not generated, it is logically operated as 0. As a result, the exclusive OR becomes 1, so that the logical operation circuit 22 generates the fine particle measurement signal HSfg corresponding to the fine particle detection signal BSfg1.

The logical operation circuit 22 counts the fine particle measurement signal HS on the second track TR2. Specifically, the fine particle measurement signals HSc and HSfg in the second track TR2 are counted, and based on the count result, the number of fine particles 40 when the laser beam La is scanned in the second track TR2 is determined to be 3. To do. The logical operation circuit 22 determines that the number of fine particles 40 is 2 based on the pulse width of the fine particle measurement signal HSfg. Laser light L on the second track TR2
The total number of fine particles 40 when a is scanned is the total number of fine particles 40c captured in the recess 1022.
Corresponds to the total number of fine particles 40f and 40g captured in the convex portion 1033.

When the laser light La is scanned on the third track TR3, in order to perform tracking control, the laser light La causes the laser spot LS to have a concave portion 1023 and a convex portion 1033 and a convex portion 1034 adjacent to the concave portion 1023. It is irradiated so as to be located in the including area. Recess 1023
Is the first concave portion, the convex portion 1033 is the first convex portion, and the convex portion 1034 is the second convex portion.

FIG. 6 is a time chart showing the relationship between the detection signal DS, the fine particle detection signal BS, the difference signal SS, and the measurement correction signal CS when the laser beam La is scanned on the third track TR3. When the laser beam La is scanned on the fine particles 40d, the light receiving level RL1 is generated by the fine particles 40d.
, RL2, RL3, RL4 decrease at about the same level.

As a result, the signal levels of the light receiving level signals RS1, RS2, RS3, and RS4 are lowered at almost the same level, so that the signal level of the detection signal DSd with respect to the fine particles 40d is lowered, and the signal level of the difference signal SS is hardly changed.

The logical operation circuit 22 generates the fine particle detection signal BSd, which is a pulse signal that becomes a high level during the period when the signal level of the detection signal DSd exceeds the threshold value. Since the signal level of the difference signal SS hardly changes and does not exceed the threshold value, the measurement correction signal CS is not generated.

The logical operation circuit 22 executes the logical operation of the exclusive OR of the fine particle detection signal BS and the measurement correction signal CS. The fine particle detection signal BS is logically calculated as 1 because the fine particle detection signal BSd is generated and 0 because the measurement correction signal CS is not generated. As a result, the exclusive OR becomes 1, so that the logical operation circuit 22 generates the fine particle measurement signal HSd.

Next, the convex portion 1033 in which the laser beam La is adjacent to the third track TR3 (recessed portion 1023).
When the vicinity of the fine particles 40f and 40g captured in is scanned, the light receiving levels RL1 and RL2 are lowered by the fine particles 40f and 40g, and the light receiving levels RL3 and RL4 do not change. As a result, the signal levels of the light receiving level signals RS1 and RS2 are lowered, and the light receiving level signals RS3 and RS3 are reduced.
Since the signal level of RS4 does not change, the detection signal DSfg for 40f and 40g of fine particles
2 and the signal level of the difference signal SSfg2 are lowered.

The logical operation circuit 22 generates the fine particle detection signal BSfg2, which is a pulse signal that becomes a high level during the period when the signal level of the detection signal DSfg2 exceeds the threshold value. Logical operation circuit 22
Generates a measurement correction signal CSfg, which is a pulse signal that becomes a high level during the period when the signal level of the difference signal SSfg2 exceeds the threshold value.

The logical operation circuit 22 executes the logical operation of the exclusive OR of the fine particle detection signal BS and the measurement correction signal CS. Since the fine particle detection signal BSfg2 is generated in the fine particle detection signal BS, 1.
Since the measurement correction signal CSfg is generated, the measurement correction signal CS is logically calculated as 1. As a result, the exclusive OR becomes 0, and the fine particle measurement signal HS is not generated. That is, the fine particle detection signal BSfg2 is not counted.

The logical operation circuit 22 counts the fine particle measurement signal HS on the third track TR3. Specifically, the fine particle measurement signal HSd on the third track TR3 is counted, and based on the count result, the number of fine particles 40 when the laser beam La is scanned on the third track TR3 is determined to be 1.

The total number of fine particles 40 when the laser beam La is scanned on the third track TR3 is the concave portion 1.
It corresponds to the total number of fine particles 40d captured in 023 and fine particles captured in the convex portion 1034.

Therefore, the logical operation circuit 22 determines that the total number of fine particles 40 captured on the track region 101 shown in FIG. 3 is 7. When the fine particle detection signal BS is counted as in the conventional case, FIG.
The total number of fine particles 40 captured on the track region 101 shown in is determined to be 10.

In this measurement error, the fine particles 40e are double-counted by inter-track crosstalk when the laser beam La is scanned on the first track TR1 and when the laser beam TR2 is scanned on the second track TR2, and the laser beam La is second. When the track TR2 is scanned and the third track T
This is due to the fact that the fine particles 40f and 40g are double-counted by crosstalk between tracks when the R3 is scanned.

As described above, the analyzer 1 and the analysis method of the present embodiment generate the measurement correction signal CS based on the difference signal SS, and measure with the fine particle detection signal BS generated based on the detection signal DS which is the total signal. The logical operation of the exclusive OR with the correction signal CS is executed. The analyzer 1 and the analysis method of the present embodiment generate the fine particle measurement signal HS when the exclusive OR is 1, and count the fine particle measurement signal HS to capture the fine particles 40 on the track region 101.
To measure.

Therefore, according to the analyzer 1 and the analysis method of the present embodiment, the fine particles 40 captured in the recess 102 by scanning only the recess 102 of the track region 101 with the laser beam La.
And the total number of the fine particles 40 captured in the convex portion 103 on one side adjacent to the concave portion 102 can be measured. Therefore, according to the analyzer 1 and the analysis method of the present embodiment, the influence of crosstalk between tracks can be suppressed, and fine particles can be measured accurately in a shorter time than before.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, the detection signal generation circuit 21 changes from the addition signal (RS3 + RS4) to the addition signal (RS1).
+ RS2) may be subtracted to generate the difference signal SS ((RS3 + RS4)-(RS1 + RS2)). In this case, since the change in the signal level of the difference signal SS with respect to the fine particles 40 is inverted, for example, the fine particles 40e are counted when the laser beam La is scanned through the second track TR2 (recess 1022), and the first fine particles 40e are counted. It is not counted when the track TR1 (recess 1021) is scanned.

That is, the total number of fine particles 40 when the laser beam La is scanned through the first track TR1 is
It corresponds to the total number of fine particles 40a and 40b trapped in the concave portion 1021 and the fine particles captured in the convex portion 1031. The total number of fine particles 40 when the laser beam La is scanned on the second track TR2 corresponds to the total number of fine particles 40c captured in the concave portion 1022 and the fine particles 40e captured in the convex portion 1032. The total number of fine particles 40 when the laser beam La is scanned through the third track TR3 is the fine particles 40d captured in the concave portion 1023 and the convex portion 1033.
Corresponds to the total number of fine particles 40f and 40g captured in.

The convex portion 103 may be the target region, and the concave portion 102 may be the peripheral region. That is, the laser beam La
Is the total number of fine particles 40 captured in the convex portion 103 and the fine particles 40 captured in the concave portion 102 on one side adjacent to the convex portion 103 by scanning only the convex portion 103 of the track region 101. May be measured.

Specifically, for example, the convex portion 1032 is the first convex portion, the concave portion 1021 on one side adjacent to the convex portion 1032 is the first concave portion, and the concave portion 1022 on the other side is the second concave portion. The optical pickup 10 arranges the laser light La so that the laser spot LS is located in the second irradiation region including the first convex portion and the first and second concave portions on both sides adjacent to the first convex portion. Irradiate to.

The laser spot LS includes the first laser spots LS1 and LS2 located in a region including the first convex portion and the first concave portion on one side adjacent to the first convex portion, and the first convex portion. The second laser spot LS3, L located in the region including the second concave portion on the other side adjacent to the first convex portion.
It is divided into S4.

The light receiving regions 31 and 32 are the laser light La divided into the first laser spots LS1 and LS2.
Is received as the first detection light Lb1 and Lb2. The light receiving regions 33 and 34 receive the laser light La divided into the second laser spots LS3 and LS4 as the second detection lights Lb3 and Lb4.

The method of measuring the fine particles 40 by the logical operation of the exclusive OR of the fine particle detection signal BS and the measurement correction signal CS by the signal processing circuit 20 is the same as the case where the laser beam La scans only the concave portion 102.

A two-segment photodiode may be used as the photodetector 30. In this case, one light receiving area corresponds to the light receiving areas 31 and 32, and the other light receiving area corresponds to the light receiving areas 33 and 34.

The threshold value of the detection signal DS and the difference signal SS is set to an intermediate value between the signal level when the fine particles are not captured in the track region and the signal level caused by the fine particles captured in the track region. A more optimum value may be set according to the size of the diameter and the wavelength of the laser light La used or the numerical aperture of the objective lens 14. In the case of a detection system in which the signal level caused by the fine particles captured in the track region is detected as a high value with respect to the signal level in which the fine particles are not captured in the track region, the signal exceeds the threshold value. On the other hand, the logical operation flag may be set to 1.

1 Analyzer 10 Optical pickup 20 Signal processing circuit 31, 32 Light receiving area (first light receiving area)
33,34 Light receiving area (second light receiving area)
40 Fine particles 101 Track area 102 Recess (target area)
103 Convex part (peripheral area)
La laser light LS laser spot Lb detection light RS light receiving level signal DS detection signal SS difference signal BS fine particle detection signal CS measurement correction signal HS fine particle measurement signal

Claims (2)

Measure the fine particles that label the substance to be detected that is captured in the target area, which is one of the concave and convex portions, and the peripheral region, which is the other of the concave and convex portions, which are alternately formed on the sample analysis disk. In the analyzer
The laser spot of the laser beam emitted from the laser light source is a first peripheral region which is a peripheral region on one side adjacent to the target region and the target region and a peripheral region on the other side adjacent to the target region. When the position including the second peripheral area is irradiated,
Receives the first light receiving level signal obtained in the first light receiving region that receives the reflected light from the target region and the first peripheral region, and the reflected light from the target region and the second peripheral region. The second light receiving level signal obtained in the second light receiving region is acquired, the first light receiving level signal and the second light receiving level signal are added to generate a detection signal, and the first light receiving level is generated. A signal generation circuit that generates a difference signal by subtracting the second light receiving level signal from the signal, and
If the detection signal exceeds the first threshold value, a fine particle detection signal is generated, and the difference signal is the second.
If it exceeds the threshold value of, a measurement correction signal is generated, an exclusive logical sum of the fine particle detection signal and the measurement correction signal is logically calculated, and if the exclusive logical sum is 1, a fine particle measurement signal is generated. Then, by counting the fine particle measurement signal, the number of fine particles that label the detection target substance captured in the target region and the number of fine particles that label the detection target substance captured in the peripheral region are obtained. A logical operation circuit that measures the total number of
An analyzer equipped with. Measure the fine particles that label the substance to be detected that is captured in the target area, which is one of the concave and convex portions, and the peripheral region, which is the other of the concave and convex portions, which are alternately formed on the sample analysis disk. In the analysis method to be performed
The laser spot of the laser beam emitted from the laser light source is the first peripheral region which is the peripheral region on one side adjacent to the target region and the peripheral region on one side adjacent to the target region and the peripheral region on the other side adjacent to the target region. When the position including the second peripheral area is irradiated,
Receives the first light receiving level signal obtained in the first light receiving region that receives the reflected light from the target region and the first peripheral region, and the reflected light from the target region and the second peripheral region. The second light receiving level signal obtained in the second light receiving region is acquired, the first light receiving level signal and the second light receiving level signal are added to generate a detection signal, and the first light receiving level is generated. The second light receiving level signal is subtracted from the signal to generate a difference signal.
If the detection signal exceeds the first threshold value, a fine particle detection signal is generated, and the difference signal is the second.
If the threshold value of is exceeded, a measurement correction signal is generated, the exclusive logical sum of the fine particle detection signal and the measurement correction signal is logically calculated, and if the exclusive logical sum is 1, a fine particle measurement signal is generated. Then, by counting the fine particle measurement signal, the number of fine particles that label the detection target substance captured in the target region and the number of fine particles that label the detection target substance captured in the peripheral region are obtained. An analysis method that measures the total number of particles.

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