JP4830843B2 - Reaction cup container and reaction measurement instrument set - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a reaction cup storage device and a reaction measurement instrument set having a recess for storing a measurement reaction cup for detecting a measurement target substance in a sample.

  Conventionally, as a detection method for detecting a measurement target substance in a sample, a flow-through inspection method using a membrane, an immunochromatography inspection method, a method using a magnetic particle or latex, and the like have been reported. ing. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a qualitative immunochromatography method. Patent Document 2 discloses a chromatography apparatus and a measurement method using the apparatus. Furthermore, Patent Literature 3 discloses a clinical examination method using a dry analytical element.

  In order to efficiently perform these detection methods, a dedicated measurement reaction cup that can be detected by reaction with a measurement target substance in a sample has been proposed. As a reaction cup for measurement, it is indicated by patent documents 4, for example. Patent Document 4 describes a measurement reaction cup having a hook-shaped protrusion on an outer wall.

  When a user obtains a measurement reaction cup from a sales destination, the measurement reaction cup is usually stored in a box or packaged in a bag in order to prevent damage or deterioration of the measurement reaction cup. In addition, depending on the measurement reaction cup, the measurement reaction cup may be stored in a dedicated reaction cup storage device in order to install the measurement reaction cup in the automatic measurement device.

  When a user detects a substance to be measured using a measuring reaction cup, the user manually adds the reagent to the measuring reaction cup and visually detects and judges the reaction in the measuring reaction cup. To do.

  In particular, when the user uses a dedicated reaction cup container, the reagent dispensing operation and the washing / detection are automatically performed by the automatic measuring device. Hereinafter, the structure of the reaction cup container used in such an automatic measuring device will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b). 10 (a) and 10 (b) show schematic configurations of a conventional reaction cup container and a measurement reaction cup, FIG. 10 (a) is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 10 (b) is a plan view. 10 (a) and 10 (b), a measurement reaction cup having a hook-like protrusion on the outer wall as shown in Patent Document 4 is applied as the measurement reaction cup.

  As shown in FIG. 10 (a), the reaction cup housing 1 'is formed with a recess 2' for housing the measurement reaction cup 10. As shown in FIG. 10B, the recesses 2 ′ are arranged in alignment in the horizontal (X) direction and the vertical (Y) direction, and the distance between the adjacent recesses 2 ′ is uniform. It has become.

  On the other hand, the measurement reaction cup 10 accommodated in the recess 2 'includes a cylindrical portion 10a and a hook-shaped protrusion 10b formed on the outer wall thereof. The hook-shaped protrusion 10b comes into contact with the upper surface 1'a of the reaction cup container 10 when the cylindrical portion 10a is stored in the recess 2 '.

  When the reaction cup container 1 ′ shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B is installed in the automatic measuring device, the user himself / herself manually places the reaction cup container 1 ′ in the automatic measuring device. May be installed in. In addition, depending on the type of the automatic measuring device, the reaction cup container 1 ′ in which the measuring reaction cup 10 is stored is placed in the temporary storage position, and the automatic measuring device automatically removes only the measuring reaction cup 10 automatically. May be transported to the measurement position.

  The hook-shaped protrusion 10b shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b) is an engagement (hanging) portion of an arm in the automatic measuring device when the automatic measuring device automatically carries only the measurement reaction cup 10. Function as. As an example of transportation of the measurement reaction cup 10, in the automatic measurement device, the measurement reaction cup 10 is transported to the measurement position by engaging (hooking) the arm in the device with the hook-shaped protrusion 10b. It has become.

Another example of transporting the measurement reaction cup 10 in the automatic measuring device will be described below. That is, an arm is provided in the automatic measuring apparatus. First, this arm grasps the upper part of the measuring reaction cup 10 from the bowl-shaped protrusion 10b and moves it to a predetermined position from the reaction cup container 1 ′. It is transported to (temporary storage position). The automatic measurement apparatus includes a substrate on which a measurement recess for holding a measurement reaction cup 10 is formed in order to add a reagent or measure a reaction of a measurement target substance. Then, the measurement reaction cup 10 transported to the temporary storage position is pushed in by a pin provided in the automatic measurement device, and is accommodated in the measurement depression. On the side wall that forms the measurement depression, a knob is provided to pinch (pinch) one end of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b of the measurement reaction cup 10. This picking part picks up the hook-shaped protrusion 10b, so that the measuring reaction cup 10 in the measuring hollow part is directed in a predetermined direction.
Japanese Patent No. 3304350 (registered on May 10, 2002) Japanese Patent No. 2590059 (registered on December 5, 1996) Japanese Patent No. 2631900 (registered on April 25, 1997) JP 2006-3000523 A (published on November 2, 2006)

  However, when a conventional reaction cup container 1 ′ as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b) is installed in an automatic measuring device to detect a substance to be measured in a sample in the measurement reaction cup 10. The following problems arise.

  That is, in the conventional configuration, when the user installs the reaction cup container 1 ′ at the measurement position or the position storage place in the automatic measurement device, the direction of the hook-shaped protrusion 10 b of the measurement reaction cup 10 is shifted. There is a fear. Even when the reaction cup container 1 ′ is installed so that the direction of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b is constant, the hook-shaped protrusion of the reaction cup 10 for measurement is affected by the operation during measurement by the automatic measuring device. There is a possibility that the direction and position of the portion 10b may be shifted.

  An example of such a deviation in the direction of the hook-shaped protrusion of the measurement reaction cup 10 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10 (b), the measuring reaction cup 10 accommodated in the recesses 2′a and 2′b has a hook-like protrusion 10b in the X direction (the edge of the hook-like protrusion 10b). Is arranged with the longitudinal direction of the quadrangular shape formed in the direction (X direction). That is, the direction of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b is a constant direction. On the other hand, in the measurement reaction cup 10 housed in the depressions 2'c, 2'd, and 2'e, the direction of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b is shifted from the X direction.

  As shown in FIG. 10 (b), if the automatic measuring device transports only the measurement reaction cup 10 in a state where the hook-shaped protrusions 10b are arranged in a deviated direction, an excessive force is applied to the device. The device may be damaged. Further, when the direction of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b is deviated, the arm in the apparatus cannot engage with the hook-shaped protrusion 10b, and the measurement reaction cup 10 is transported from the reaction cup container 1 ′ to the measurement position. You may not be able to do it.

  In the above “another example of transporting the measurement reaction cup 10”, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the hook-like protrusions 10 b are arranged so as to be deviated from each other, first, the arms are hook-like protrusions. There is a possibility that the upper part of the part 10b cannot be grasped, and the measurement reaction cup 10 cannot be transported from the reaction cup container 1 ′ to the temporary storage position. Further, when the measurement reaction cup 10 transported to the temporary storage position is accommodated in the measurement depression in the automatic measurement device, the knob formed in the measurement depression picks the hook-shaped protrusion 10b. There is a risk that it will not be possible. As a result, the measurement reaction cup 10 is displaced from a predetermined direction in the measurement recess, and this displacement affects a subsequent process in the automatic measurement apparatus, and the apparatus may be damaged.

  Moreover, in order to avoid such a shift | offset | difference of the hook-shaped projection part 10b, it is possible to fix the measurement reaction cup 10 and the hollow part 2 'with an adhesive agent. However, in the configuration fixed with an adhesive or the like, it is difficult to separate the measurement reaction cup 10 from the reaction cup container 1 ′ when the measurement reaction cup 10 is transported to the measurement position by the arm in the apparatus.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to detect the measurement target substance in the measurement reaction cup with an automatic measurement device, so that the hook-shaped protrusions of the measurement reaction cup are ( It is an object of the present invention to provide a reaction cup container and a reaction measurement instrument set capable of reducing a risk of changing from a predetermined direction / position (with which an arm in the apparatus can be engaged).

  As a result of intensive studies, the present inventors have found that the above problems can be solved by the following means, and have reached the present invention.

  That is, the reaction cup container of the present invention can accommodate a measurement reaction cup including a cylindrical part and a bowl-shaped protruding part protruding in a bowl shape from the outer wall of the cylindrical part in order to solve the above-described problems. A reaction cup container, comprising a hollow portion for accommodating the cylindrical portion of the measurement reaction cup, and a wall surface on which the bowl-shaped protrusion can abut on the upper surface when the cylindrical portion rotates in the hollow portion It is characterized by the fact that a locking part having the above is formed.

  According to said structure, since the wall surface in which a hook-shaped projection part can contact | abut is formed in the latching | locking part when a cylindrical part rotates in a hollow part, a user automatically mounts a reaction cup storage device. When installing at a measurement position or a position storage place in the measurement device, the possibility that the direction of the hook-shaped protrusion is displaced can be reduced. In addition, even when a force that shifts the position and orientation of the reaction cup for measurement is applied to the reaction cup container, the hook-shaped protrusion comes into contact with the wall surface of the locking portion, so the direction of the hook-shaped protrusion is the default. Can be prevented from deviating from the direction.

  Therefore, if the reaction cup container of the present invention is applied to an automatic measuring device, it will not apply excessive force to the device when transporting only the reaction cup for measurement from the reaction cup container to the measuring position, and the device will be damaged. The risk of doing so can be reduced. Furthermore, the arm in the automatic measuring device can be reliably engaged with the hook-shaped protrusion. Therefore, for each of the plurality of measurement reaction cups, it is possible to reliably transport the reaction cup container from the reaction cup container to the measurement position (the measurement reaction cup that remains in the recess of the reaction cup container and is not transported to the measurement position). Less).

  In the reaction cup container of the present invention, at least two of the locking portions are formed with a hollow portion interposed therebetween, and the interval between the wall surfaces facing each other in the at least two locking portions is the height of the hook-shaped protrusions. It is preferable that the length of the straight line connecting the two points on the edge is set to be smaller than the length of the straight line having the maximum length.

  As in the above configuration, the distance between the wall surfaces facing each other in at least two locking portions is the straight line having the maximum length among the straight lines connecting the two points on the edge of the hook-shaped protrusion. By setting the length to be smaller than the length, the hook-shaped protrusion can be reliably brought into contact with the locking portion wall surface when the cylindrical portion rotates in the recess.

  In the reaction cup container of the present invention, the interval between the wall surfaces facing each other in the at least two locking portions connects two points on the edge of the bowl-shaped protrusion and is the center of the cylindrical portion. It is preferable that the length of the straight line passing through is set to be larger than the length of the straight line having the minimum length.

  In the reaction cup container of the present invention, the wall surface of the locking portion has a shape along the edge of the hook-shaped protrusion installed in a predetermined direction, and is close to the edge. Preferably it is formed. Note that the “predetermined orientation” refers to a predetermined orientation of the hook-shaped protrusion so that the arm in the automatic measuring apparatus engages with the hook-shaped protrusion (hooks the hook-shaped protrusion). . Further, “close to the edge” means that the wall surface is arranged so that the hook-shaped protrusion is not caught when the reaction cup container is taken out from the recess. In other words, the distance between the wall-shaped protrusion (edge) and the wall surface that is “close to the edge” allows the reaction cup container to be taken out of the recess so that the wall-shaped protrusion does not get caught. Allowable clearance (interval).

  Thus, by forming the wall surface of the locking part, it becomes possible to more reliably fix the direction of the hook-shaped protrusion in the predetermined direction.

  In the reaction cup container of the present invention, the locking part is formed with an inclined surface inclined with respect to the upper surface of the reaction cup container, and the hook-shaped protrusion placed on the locking part by the inclined surface. It is preferable that the direction is changed with respect to the part and is held in a predetermined direction.

  According to the above configuration, even when the hook-shaped protrusion is displaced from the predetermined direction and placed on the locking portion, the direction of the hook-shaped protrusion can be changed by the inclined surface. Thereby, it becomes possible to hold the hook-shaped protrusion in a predetermined direction. Therefore, when the user houses the measurement reaction cup in the recess, it is possible to reduce the state where the hook-shaped protrusion remains on the locking portion. That is, even when the hook-shaped protrusion remains on the locking portion, the hook-shaped protrusion slides on the inclined surface due to the weight of the measuring reaction cup. And the reaction cup for a measurement is accommodated in a reaction cup storage device in the state where the hook-shaped projection part became a predetermined direction. Therefore, even if the number of samples to be detected increases, the user can store the measurement reaction cup in the reaction cup container without much concern for the direction of the hook-shaped protrusion.

  In particular, in the reaction cup container of the present invention, the locking part is formed with the two inclined surfaces, and the locking part is raised with respect to the upper surface of the reaction cup container by the two inclined surfaces. It is preferable to have a shape.

  Thereby, it is reliably reduced that the hook-shaped protrusion remains on the locking portion.

  In the reaction cup container of the present invention, the inclined surface may be flat or curved.

  In the reaction cup container of the present invention, a plurality of depressions may be formed on the upper surface of the reaction cup container, and a plurality of the locking parts may be formed for each depression.

  In the reaction cup container of the present invention, the interval between the opposing inner walls forming the upper portion of the recess is larger than the outer dimension of the cylindrical portion of the reaction cup for measurement, and forms the recess. It is preferable that the interval between the inner walls facing each other becomes smaller as it goes from the top to the bottom.

  In this way, the interval between the inner walls facing each other, which forms the above-described depression, becomes smaller as it goes from the top to the bottom, so that the arm or user of the automatic measurement device can easily place the measurement reaction cup in the depression. Can be taken out from.

  In the reaction cup container of the present invention, the interval between the opposing inner walls forming the bottom of the recess is smaller than the interval between the opposing inner walls forming the upper portion of the recess, and the measurement reaction cup The structure which is larger than the outer dimension of a cylindrical part may be sufficient.

  Moreover, in the reaction cup storage device of the present invention, it is preferable that the locking portion is formed higher than the upper surface of the bowl-shaped projection when the cylindrical portion is stored in the recess.

  Thereby, it becomes possible to enlarge the contact area of the wall surface of the said latching | locking part, and a hook-like projection part, and can further prevent the shift | offset | difference from the predetermined direction and position of a hook-like projection part.

  Moreover, in the reaction cup storage device of the present invention, it is preferable that only one recess is formed that can be accommodated in a plurality of measurement reaction cups.

  Thereby, it becomes possible to accommodate more reaction cups for measurement with respect to the area of the upper surface of the reaction cup container. That is, it is possible to realize a reaction cup container in which the storage density of the reaction cup for measurement is improved, and the reaction cup container can be miniaturized. In addition, “only one depression part that can be accommodated in a plurality of measurement reaction cups is formed” means that a plurality of depression parts that can accommodate one measurement reaction cup are connected to each other. It can also be said that a connecting depression is formed.

  As a configuration in which “only one recess portion that can be accommodated in a plurality of measurement reaction cups is formed”, for example, the recess portion is adjacent to a plurality of arc-shaped inner walls adjacent to each other. The 1st structure currently formed by the planar inner wall which connects circular arc shaped inner walls is mentioned.

  Further, the recess is formed by a plurality of arc-shaped inner walls adjacent to each other, and a partition that partitions a measurement reaction cup housing space for housing the measurement reaction cup by connecting the arc-shaped inner walls adjacent to each other. The 2nd structure currently formed is mentioned.

  When the cylindrical portion of the measurement reaction cup is housed in the recess, the second configuration has a partition portion for partitioning the measurement reaction cup housing space for housing the measurement reaction cup. Compared to the configuration, the cylindrical portion can be more stably held in the measurement reaction cup housing space. That is, in the measurement reaction cup housing space, the contact area with the cylindrical portion of the arcuate inner wall can be increased. As a result, the second configuration reduces the measurement reaction cup from jumping out of the recess when the reaction cup storage device is transported in the automatic measurement device, as compared to the first configuration.

  Further, in the reaction cup container of the present invention, a measurement reaction cup used in a detection method for capturing a measurement target substance present in a body fluid by an antigen-antibody reaction and detecting the captured measurement target substance by optical measurement. It is preferable that a dent portion capable of accommodating the is formed. Thereby, the reaction cup container of the present invention can be applied to detection of a biological sample.

  Further, in the reaction cup container of the present invention, the absorbent element is provided with a cylindrical portion and a hook-like projection protruding from the outer wall of the cylindrical portion, and has an opening, and is positioned close to the opening. And an insoluble carrier that is disposed between the opening and the absorbent element and has a structure capable of transmitting a liquid. The insoluble carrier contains a substance to be measured directly or a binding pair complex. It is preferable that a depression portion capable of accommodating a measurement reaction cup in which a binding physiologically active substance that can be captured is immobilized in advance is formed via a substance that forms the.

  The reaction measurement instrument set according to the present invention is a reaction measurement instrument set used in a detection method for detecting a measurement target substance in a sample, and a cylindrical part for capturing the measurement target substance in the sample therein and the cylindrical form A measuring reaction cup provided with a bowl-shaped protruding portion protruding in a bowl shape from the outer wall, a reaction cup housing described above, and a housing capable of housing the measuring reaction cup and the reaction cup housing It is characterized by.

  As a result, the reaction that can reduce the risk that the hook-shaped protrusions of the measurement reaction cup change from a predetermined direction and position when detecting the measurement target substance in the measurement reaction cup by the automatic measuring device. A measuring instrument set can be realized.

  As described above, the reaction cup container of the present invention includes a hollow portion that accommodates the cylindrical portion of the measurement reaction cup, and has a bowl-shaped protrusion on the upper surface when the cylindrical portion rotates within the hollow portion. It is the structure in which the latching | locking part which has the wall surface which can contact | abut is formed.

  Further, as described above, the reaction measurement instrument set of the present invention includes a cylindrical portion that captures a measurement target substance in a sample therein, and a hook-like protruding portion that protrudes in a hook shape from the outer wall of the cylindrical portion. The measurement reaction cup, the above-described reaction cup container, and a housing that can accommodate the measurement reaction cup and the reaction cup container.

  Therefore, a reaction that can reduce the risk that the hook-shaped protrusions of the measurement reaction cup change from a predetermined direction and position when detecting the measurement target substance in the measurement reaction cup by the automatic measurement device. A cup container and a reaction measuring instrument set can be realized.

[Embodiment 1]
(1) Configuration of the reaction cup container of the present embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  1A and 1B show a schematic configuration of a reaction cup container of the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the present reaction cup container), FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. b) is a plan view.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (a), the reaction cup storage 1 is formed with a recess 2 for storing a measurement reaction cup 10. As shown in FIG. 1B, the recesses 2 are arranged in the horizontal (X) direction and the vertical (Y) direction so that the distances between the adjacent recesses 2 are uniform. ing. In the present specification, the alignment direction (horizontal direction, vertical direction) of the recesses 2 is defined as the X direction and the Y direction. A direction perpendicular to the X direction and the Y direction is taken as a Z direction. The Z direction also coincides with the normal direction of the installation surface (upper surface 1 a) of the measurement reaction cup 10 in the reaction cup container 1.

  On the other hand, the measurement reaction cup 10 accommodated in the hollow portion 2 includes a cylindrical portion 10a, and a hook-shaped protrusion 10b is formed on the outer wall of the cylindrical portion 10a. The cylindrical portion 10 a is a portion that is housed in the hollow portion 2. And, when the cylindrical portion 10 a is stored in the hollow portion 2, the bowl-shaped protruding portion 10 b comes into contact with the upper surface 1 a of the reaction cup storage device 10.

  A locking part 3 is formed on the upper surface 1 a of the reaction cup container 1. When the measurement reaction cup 10 rotates about the axis O, the locking portion 3 has a function of locking the rotation of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b associated therewith. That is, the wall surface 3 a is formed on the locking portion 3 so that the hook-shaped protrusion 10 b can come into contact with the cylindrical portion 10 a when the cylindrical portion 10 a rotates in the recess 2.

  Thereby, when a user installs the reaction cup container 1 in the measurement position or position storage place in an automatic measuring device, a possibility that the direction of the hook-shaped projection part 10b may shift | deviate can be reduced. That is, as shown in FIG. 1B, all the directions of the hook-shaped protrusions 10b are the predetermined direction (X direction). Even when a force that shifts the position and orientation of the measurement reaction cup 10 is applied to the reaction cup container 1, the hook-like protrusion 10 b comes into contact with the wall surface 3 a of the locking part 3. It is possible to prevent the direction of the portion 10b from deviating from the predetermined direction.

  Therefore, if this reaction cup container 1 is applied to an automatic measuring device, it is not necessary to apply an excessive force to the device when transporting only the measurement reaction cup 10 from the reaction cup container 1 to the measurement position. The risk of breakage can be reduced. Furthermore, the arm in the automatic measuring device can be reliably engaged with the hook-shaped protrusion 10b. Therefore, for each of the plurality of measurement reaction cups 10, it can be reliably transported from the reaction cup container 1 to the measurement position (it remains in the recess 2 of the reaction cup container 1 and is not transported to the measurement position). The number of measurement reaction cups 10 is reduced).

  In addition, the height of the locking portion 3 (in the direction perpendicular to the upper surface 1a) needs to be a height that can prevent deviation of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b from the predetermined direction and position. Preferably, the locking part 3 is formed higher than the upper surface of the hook-shaped protrusion part 10b when the cylindrical part 10a is accommodated in the hollow part 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 (a), the height of the locking portion 3 is such that the upper surface 1 a and the hook-shaped protrusion when the cylindrical portion 10 a of the measurement reaction cup 10 is stored in the recess 2. It is larger than the distance between the upper surface 10d of 10b. As the height of the locking portion 3 is larger than the distance between the upper surface 1a and the upper surface 10d, the effect of preventing deviation of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b from the predetermined orientation / position is improved. Moreover, even if the height of the latching | locking part 3 is the same as the distance between the upper surface 1a and the upper surface 10d, the shift | offset | difference from the predetermined direction and position of the hook-shaped projection part 10b can be prevented. Further, the locking portion 3 may be continuously formed at a necessary position by raising or lowering the same height as the distance between the upper surface 1a and the upper surface 10d, or a part thereof. . Moreover, the latching | locking part 3 may be divided and formed for every hollow part 2 which accommodates the reaction cup 10 for a measurement.

  Moreover, as FIG.1 (b) shows, the two latching | locking parts 3 are provided so that the hollow part 2 may be pinched | interposed. In the two locking portions 3, the distance between the wall surfaces 3 a facing each other is substantially equal to the length in the X direction of the bowl-shaped protrusion 10 b of the measurement reaction cup 10 accommodated. Hereinafter, the positional relationship between the wall surface 3a and the hook-shaped protrusion 10b facing each other when the plurality of locking portions 3 are provided in the reaction cup container 1 is based on FIGS. 2 (a) to 2 (c). I will explain.

  2A to 2C are plan views schematically showing the positional relationship between the wall surface 3a of the locking portion 3 and the hook-shaped protrusion 10b. 2A to 2C, the recess 2 is omitted in order to clearly show the positional relationship between the hook-shaped protrusion 10 b and the locking portion 3. For the sake of brevity, only the positional relationship of the locking portion 3 with respect to one measurement reaction cup 10 is shown. As a matter of course, the positional relationship shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C can also be applied to the reaction cup container 1 that can accommodate a plurality of measurement reaction cups 10.

The positional relationship between the locking portion 3 and the hook-shaped protrusion 10b shown in FIG. 2A is the positional relationship shown in FIG. Specifically, the shape formed by the edge portion 10c of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b (hereinafter simply referred to as the shape of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b) is a rectangular shape. The two locking portions 3, the distance T ₁ of the inter-wall 3a thereof facing each other, are formed to be substantially equal to the length S ₁ of the long sides of the rectangular shape of the flange-shaped projecting portion 10b.

  However, the positional relationship between the locking portion 3 and the hook-shaped projection 10b is not limited to the positional relationship shown in FIG. FIGS. 2B and 2C are plan views schematically showing an upper limit and a lower limit of the distance between the wall surfaces 3a facing each other in the two locking portions 3 applicable to the reaction cup container 1 respectively. It is.

As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the interval T ₂ of the inter-wall 3a which face each other _(upper) is substantially equal to the diagonal length S ₂ of the rectangular shape of the flange-shaped projecting portion 10b. That is, in the present reaction cup pods 1, the spacing between the wall surface 3a facing each other, is smaller than the diagonal length S ₂ of the rectangular shape of the flange-shaped projecting portion 10b.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2C, the interval T ₃ (lower limit) between the wall surfaces 3a facing each other is substantially equal to the length S ₃ of the rectangular short side of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b. ing. That is, in the present reaction cup pods 1, the spacing between the wall surface 3a facing each other, is smaller than the length S ₃ of the short sides of the rectangular shape of the flange-shaped projecting portion 10b.

As described above, in the present reaction cup container 1, when at least two locking portions 3 are formed so as to sandwich the recessed portion 2, the interval between the wall surfaces 3 a facing each other of the locking portion 3 is It is larger than the length (S ₃ ) of the short side of the rectangular shape of the protrusion 10b. Moreover, the spacing of the wall surface 3a facing each other, is smaller than the diagonal length of the rectangular shape of the flange-shaped projecting portion 10b (S _2).

  Thus, by setting the space | interval of the wall surface 3a which mutually opposes, when the reaction cup 10 for a measurement rotates, it becomes possible to latch rotation of the bowl-shaped projection part 10b formed in the outer wall.

  2A to 2C, the interval between the wall surfaces 3a facing each other when the shape of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b is rectangular has been described. However, the shape of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b is rectangular. The same setting as described above is possible for shapes other than the above.

  That is, when at least two engaging portions 3 are formed in the reaction cup container 1 with the recess 2 interposed therebetween, the interval between the wall surfaces 3a facing each other in the engaging portion 3 is such that the hook-shaped protruding portion 10b. Among the straight lines connecting the two points on the edge portion 10c, the length is set to be smaller than the length of the straight line having the maximum length. Further, the distance between the wall surfaces 3a facing each other is such that the length of the straight line connecting the two points on the edge portion 10c of the bowl-shaped protrusion 10b and passing through the center of the cylindrical portion 10a is minimized. Is set to be larger than the length of the straight line.

  The shape of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b of the reaction cup 10 for measurement that can be applied to the reaction cup container 1 is not limited to a quadrangular shape, specifically, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a triangle, a pentagon, or the like. A square shape is mentioned. FIGS. 3A to 3C are plan views schematically showing an example of the shape of the hook-shaped protrusion 10 b applicable to the reaction cup container 1.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the shape of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b is a triangular shape, and the center of the triangular shape coincides with the center O of the cylindrical portion 10a. In such a configuration, a straight line AB that connects two points A and B on the edge portion 10c of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b and passes through the center O of the cylindrical portion 10a is a straight line having a minimum length. A straight line CD passing through the two points C and D on the edge 10c is a straight line having the maximum length. Therefore, in the configuration shown in FIG. 3A, the interval between the wall surfaces 3a facing each other is set to be larger than the length of the straight line CD and smaller than the length of the straight line AB.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the shape of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b is an elliptical shape, and the center of the elliptical shape and the center O of the cylindrical portion 10a coincide with each other. . In such a configuration, the straight line A′B ′ that connects the two points A ′ and B ′ on the edge portion 10c of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b and passes through the center O of the cylindrical portion 10a has a minimum length. It is a straight line. Further, a straight line C′D ′ connecting the two points C ′ and D ′ on the edge portion 10c is a straight line having the maximum length (in this case, (the straight line C′D ′ is the center of the cylindrical portion 10a). 3 (b), the distance between the wall surfaces 3a facing each other is larger than the length of the straight line C′D ′ and the straight line A′B ′. It is set to be smaller than the length.

  3 (a) and 3 (b), the center O of the tubular portion 10a and the center of the shape of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b are the same, but the shape of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b is as follows. It is not limited to such a shape. FIG. 3C is a plan view schematically showing an example of a configuration in which the center O of the cylindrical portion 10a and the center of the shape of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b do not match (eccentric).

  When the shape of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b is circular, the orientation of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b changes with the rotation of the tube-shaped part 10a if the center of the circle coincides with the center of the tube-shaped part 10a. do not do. However, as shown in FIG. 3C, if the circular center O ′ of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b does not coincide with the center O of the cylindrical portion 10a, the rotation of the cylindrical portion 10a. As a result, the direction of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b changes, and the same problem as described above occurs. The present invention can also be applied to the configuration shown in FIG. In this case, a straight line A ″ B ″ that connects two points A ″ · B ″ on the edge portion 10c of the bowl-shaped protrusion 10b and passes through the center O of the cylindrical portion 10a has a minimum length. Is a straight line. Further, a straight line C ″ D ″ connecting two points C ″ and D ″ on the edge portion 10c is a straight line having the maximum length (in this case, the straight line C ″ D ″ is a cylinder). Passes through the center O of the shaped part 10a). Therefore, in the configuration shown in FIG. 3C, the distance between the wall surfaces 3a facing each other is larger than the length of the straight line C ″ D ″ and longer than the length of the straight line A ″ B ″. Is set to be smaller.

2A to 2C, when the shape of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b is a rectangular shape, “a straight line connecting two points on the edge 10c of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b. among its length of a straight line length is maximized "corresponds to the diagonal length S ₂ shown in FIG. 2 (b)," the spacing between the opposing wall surfaces 3a are flanged The length of the straight line that connects the two points on the edge portion 10c of the protrusion 10b and passes through the center of the cylindrical portion 10a and has the minimum length is shown in FIG. and it corresponds to the length S ₃ of the short sides.

  Further, in the reaction cup container 1, when the shape of the hook-shaped protrusion 10 b is a polygonal shape such as a quadrangle, the wall surface 3 a of the locking part 3 is the above-mentioned in the hook-shaped protrusion 10 b installed in a predetermined direction. It is preferably formed so as to be parallel to and close to the side (edge portion 10c) forming the polygonal shape. The “predetermined direction” means that the arm in the automatic measuring device engages with the hook-like protrusion 10b (hangs the hook-like protrusion 10b), so that the direction of the hook-like protrusion 10b set in advance is set. (For example, the X direction corresponds to the “predetermined direction” in FIG. 1B). In addition, when a substrate having a measurement depression is formed in the automatic measurement apparatus, the above-mentioned “predetermined orientation” means that the knob formed on the side wall of the measurement depression has one end of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b. This is the direction of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b set in advance for picking. Further, “close to the side” means that the wall surface 3 a is arranged so that the hook-shaped protrusion 10 b is not caught when the reaction cup container 1 is taken out from the recess 2. In other words, the distance between the hook-shaped protrusion 10b and the wall surface 3a "close to the side" allows the reaction cup container 1 to be taken out from the recess 2 so that the hook-shaped protrusion 10b is not caught. Allowable clearance (interval).

  For example, when the shape of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b is a square shape, as shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the wall surface 3a has a rectangular shape in the hook-shaped protrusion 10b installed in the X direction. It is formed so as to be parallel to the side (short side), and is arranged so as to be close to the short side of the square shape. By arranging the wall surface 3a in this way, it becomes possible to more reliably fix the direction of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b in a predetermined direction (X direction).

  In the above description, the case where the shape of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b is a polygonal shape such as a quadrangle has been described. However, in the configuration of the “close” locking portion 3, the shape of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b is circular, The present invention is also applicable to a shape having a curve such as an elliptical shape. That is, when the shape of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b is a shape having a curve, the wall surface 3a of the locking part 3 is a curve that forms the shape having the curve in the hook-shaped protrusion 10b installed in a predetermined direction ( Side surface) and close to the curve.

In the reaction cup container 1, the hollow portion 2 needs to have a sufficient depth to accommodate the cylindrical portion 10 a of the measurement reaction cup 10. More preferably, there exists the structure of the hollow part 2 shown by FIG. As shown in the figure, the interval between the inner walls facing each other forming the recess 2 is larger at the top than at the bottom of the recess 2. That is, H ₁ > H ₂ , where H ₁ is the interval between the inner walls facing each other at the top of the recess ₂ and H ₂ is the interval between the inner walls facing each other at the bottom of the recess 2. Interval H _1, the outer size is larger than I, the interval of H ₂ cylindrical portion 10a of the measurement reaction cup 10 is smaller than the external dimension I of the cylindrical portion 10a. And the space | interval between the inner walls which the hollow part 2 opposes becomes small toward the bottom part from the hollow part 2 upper part. That is, the inner wall is an inclined surface, and the recess 2 formed by the inclined surface can accommodate the cylindrical portion 10a. As described above, the interval between the inner walls facing each other of the recess 2 is reduced from the top to the bottom of the recess 2, so that the arm or the user of the automatic measuring device can easily place the measurement reaction cup 10 in the recess 2. Can be taken out from.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 9, although the interval H ₂ was smaller than the outer dimension I of the cylindrical portion 10a, the configuration of the recessed portion 2 in the reaction cup pods 1 is not limited to this configuration.

For example, the distance between the opposing inner walls of the recess 2 decreases from the top of the recess 2 toward the bottom (H ₁ > H ₂ ), and the interval H ₂ between the opposing inner walls at the bottom of the recess ₂ is cylindrical. The structure which became larger than the external dimension I of the part 10a may be sufficient. In this case, the interval H ₂ is desirably an interval that does not hinder the storage of the measurement reaction cup 10 in the reaction cup container 1.

Further, if the arrangement spacing of H ₂ between the opposite inner walls of the recessed portion 2 bottom is larger than the outer size I of the cylindrical portion 10a, the spacing between the opposite inner walls of the recess 2, the recessed portion 2 upper May be the same (H ₁ = H ₂ ) from the bottom to the bottom. That is, the inner wall of the hollow portion 2 is formed perpendicular to the upper surface 1a of the reaction cup container 1, and the interval between the opposed inner walls is larger than the outer dimension I of the cylindrical portion 10a. Even with such a configuration, the arm or the user of the automatic measuring apparatus can easily take out the measuring reaction cup 10 from the recess 2.

  Further, the shape of the hollow portion 2 (the shape of the region surrounded by the inner wall forming the hollow portion 2) is an arbitrary shape as long as it can accommodate the cylindrical portion 10a of the measurement reaction cup 10. Also good. That is, the shape of the hollow portion 2 may be a shape along the shape of the tubular portion 10a (a shape that matches the shape of the tubular portion 10a) or a shape different from the shape of the tubular portion 10a. Also good.

  When the shape of the hollow portion 2 is a shape along the shape of the tubular portion 10a, the tubular portion 10a is easily rotated in the hollow portion 2 when the shape of the tubular portion 10a is a cylindrical shape. Therefore, in such a case, it is preferable to adopt the configuration of the present reaction cup container 1.

  Further, when the shape of the hollow portion 2 is different from the shape of the cylindrical portion 10a, for example, in a configuration in which the cylindrical portion 10a having a rectangular shape is accommodated in the hollow portion 2 having a cylindrical shape, the tube is similarly formed in the hollow portion 2. There is a possibility that the shaped portion 10a rotates. In such a case, it is preferable to adopt the configuration of the reaction cup container 1.

(2) Reaction cups applicable to the present reaction cup container The reaction cups that can be accommodated in the present reaction cup container have a limited configuration as long as the reaction cup has the above-described protrusion. Is not to be done. Hereinafter, the reaction cup applicable to the cup container will be described in more detail.

  The external shape of the measuring reaction cup accommodated by the present reaction cup container may be a cylindrical shape, a conical shape, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, or a combination thereof. In addition, the direction in which the hook-shaped protruding portion protrudes from the outer wall of the cylindrical portion is not particularly limited. That is, the hook-shaped protruding portion may protrude from the outer wall of the cylindrical portion in the vertical direction, the upward direction, or the downward direction. Further, the protruding direction of the hook-shaped protrusion is not limited to one direction, and a plurality of directions may be combined. For example, the hook-shaped protruding portion may protrude in a predetermined protruding direction (for example, the vertical direction), and may protrude in a protruding direction (for example, upward) different from the predetermined protruding direction in the middle. Thus, when the measuring reaction cup in which the bowl-shaped protrusion does not protrude vertically from the outer wall of the cylindrical section is stored in the reaction cup container, the upper surface of the reaction cup container is in contact with the bowl-shaped protrusion. It does not have to be. By appropriately setting the height of the locking portion, when the cylindrical portion rotates, it is possible to make the hook-like protrusion rotated along with the locking portion abut on the locking portion.

  Moreover, the material which comprises a cylindrical part and a bowl-shaped projection part will not be specifically limited if it is conventionally known as a material of the reaction cup for a measurement. Examples of the material constituting the cylindrical portion or the hook-shaped protrusion include plastic, glass, paper, metal, or wood. In addition, depending on the measurement conditions to be applied, it is possible to combine the above-mentioned plurality of materials so that moisture can permeate or not permeate the reaction cup. Further, the color of the outer wall of the reaction cup for measurement can be appropriately set according to the measurement environment or the configuration of the (automatic) measurement apparatus.

  Moreover, the material which comprises this reaction cup container which accommodates the reaction cup for a measurement will not be specifically limited if it is a material conventionally known as a material of a reaction cup container. Examples of the material for the reaction cup container include plastic, glass, paper, metal, or wood. Further, depending on the measurement conditions to be applied, it is possible to combine the above-mentioned plurality of materials so as to permeate moisture or not permeate the reaction cup container. Further, the color of the reaction cup container can be set as appropriate according to the measurement environment or the configuration of the (automatic) measurement device.

  In the present invention, the measurement target substance applicable to the reaction / measurement in the measurement reaction cup is an organic substance such as a protein contained in the body of human or animal, water, air, or soil, or metals. Inorganic substances or microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses are included.

  The sample applicable to the measurement reaction cup is not particularly limited, but for example, a body fluid is preferably used. Examples of the body fluid as the sample include biological samples such as whole blood, serum, plasma, urine, saliva, sputum, sweat, and adhesive scrapings. Moreover, the measurement target substance is a substance contained in the biological sample. In the measurement reaction cup, a reaction for capturing the measurement target substance in the biological sample is performed. In such a supplementing reaction (capture method), a ligand that binds to a substance to be measured in a biological sample is usually used. And an antigen-antibody reaction is utilized for the coupling | bonding of a ligand and a measuring object substance. That is, when the measurement target substance is an antigen, an antibody that specifically binds to the antigen (measurement target substance) is used as a ligand. When the measurement target substance is an antibody, an antigen that specifically binds to the antibody (measurement target substance) is used as a ligand. Furthermore, a ligand that captures (binds) the substance to be measured may be labeled with a labeling substance, and the ligand itself or a second ligand that captures the labeling substance may be used.

  In the measurement reaction cup, the measurement target substance captured by the above method is colored, fluorescent, or luminescent. Then, by detecting the color development, fluorescence, or luminescence of the measurement target substance by optical measurement, the measurement target substance can be qualitatively or quantitatively determined. Further, color development, fluorescence, or luminescence of the measurement target substance is performed by labeling a ligand that specifically binds (captures) the above-described measurement target substance or a second ligand that specifically binds to the ligand with a labeling substance. It becomes possible by doing. Examples of labeling substances include metal colloids such as gold colloids, non-metallic colloids such as selenium colloids, colored resin particles, insoluble particulate substances such as dye colloids and colored liposomes, color development or luminescence of alkaline phosphatase, peroxidase, β-galactosidase, etc. An enzyme that catalyzes the above, a fluorescent dye, or a radioisotope.

  An example of the measurement reaction cup 10 applicable to the present reaction cup container 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the measurement reaction cup 10.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the measurement reaction cup 10 has a configuration including a cylindrical portion 11 and a bowl-shaped protrusion 16 protruding from the outer wall of the cylindrical portion 11. The cylindrical part 11 has a combined structure of a cap (lid) 17 and a cup 15 (container) so that the insoluble carrier 13 and the absorbing element 14 can be inserted therein. The measurement reaction cup 10 has an opening 12, and transmits the liquid disposed between the absorption element 14 located near the opening 12 and the opening 12 and the absorption element 14. It is the structure provided with the insoluble support | carrier 13 which is a structure which can do. The insoluble carrier 13 is preliminarily immobilized with a binding physiologically active substance capable of capturing the substance to be measured directly or via a substance forming a binding pair complex. In addition, the method of detecting the measurement target substance in the biological sample using the measurement reaction cup 10 is achieved by changing the size of the absorption element 14 as the fluid removing means.

  In the measurement reaction cup 10 shown in FIG. 5, the opening 12 functions as a window for adding at least one sample and detecting the substance to be measured. By sequentially introducing a reagent from the opening 12 as necessary, a binding physiologically active substance capable of capturing the substance to be measured directly or via a substance forming a binding pair complex is immobilized in advance. The insoluble carrier 13 is reached. Then, the substance to be measured is held on the insoluble carrier 13 via a specific binding pair complex. Measurement can be performed by detecting this specific binding-pair complex that is retained and immobilized.

[Embodiment 2]
The following will describe another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7A to 7C. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  The reaction cup container 1 of the first embodiment is formed with a locking portion having a wall surface 3a with which the hook-like protrusion 10b can abut when the cylindrical portion 10a rotates in the recess 2. Thus, the direction of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b is prevented from deviating from the predetermined direction. However, in the first embodiment, depending on the orientation of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b when the measuring reaction cup 10 is stored in the recess 2 of the reaction cup container 1, as shown in FIG. There is a possibility that the portion 10b is stationary on the upper surface of the locking portion 3 (the hook-shaped projection portion 10b remains on the locking portion 3). If it becomes like this, there exists a possibility that it may become impossible to prevent that the direction of the hook-shaped projection part 10b deviates from a predetermined direction. In particular, such a situation is more likely to occur as the number of samples to be detected increases. That is, the operation of storing the measurement reaction cup 10 by the user becomes complicated, and the measurement reaction cup 10 is stored in the recess 2 without confirming the direction of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b. And the state where the reaction cup storage device 1 is installed in the automatic measurement device in a state where the hook-shaped protrusion 10b is placed on the locking portion 3, and the device breaks down.

  In other words, the reaction cup container 1 of the first embodiment still has a problem of the displacement of the direction of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b when the user stores the measurement reaction cup 10 in the recess 2. The reaction cup container 1 (hereinafter referred to as the present reaction cup container) 1 of the present embodiment is devised for the above remaining problem.

  FIGS. 7A and 7B show a schematic configuration of the reaction cup container, FIG. 7A is a plan view, and FIG. 7B is a side view.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, in the present reaction cup container 1, a plurality of locking portions 3 are formed, and each locking portion 3 corresponds to one recess 2. . That is, the locking part 3 is formed for each recess 2.

  And as FIG.7 (b) shows, each latching | locking part 3 has a shape raised with respect to the upper surface 1a. That is, an inclined surface 3 b that is inclined with respect to the upper surface 1 a of the reaction cup container 1 is formed in each locking portion 3. As a result, when the user houses the measurement reaction cup 10 in the recess 2, it is possible to reduce the state where the hook-shaped protrusion 10 b remains on the locking portion 3. Even when the hook-like protrusion 10b remains on the locking part 3, the hook-like protrusion 10b slides on the inclined surface 3b due to its own weight. And the reaction cup 10 for a measurement is accommodated in the reaction cup storage device 1 in the state in which the hook-shaped protrusion part 10b became the predetermined direction (X direction). Therefore, even when the number of samples to be detected increases, the user can store the measurement reaction cup 10 in the reaction cup container 1 without much concern for the direction of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b. .

  The inclination direction / inclination angle of the inclined surface 3b is such that the hook-shaped protrusion 10b is rotated by the weight of the measuring reaction cup 10, the direction of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b is changed, and the direction between the hook-shaped protrusions 10b is constant. Any tilting direction and tilting angle can be used. For example, in the configuration shown in FIG. 7A, the inclined surface 3b is inclined in the Y direction, and the direction of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b is set to a certain direction (X direction) by the weight of the reaction cup 10 for measurement. I have to.

  In FIG. 7B, two inclined surfaces 3b inclined in the Y direction are formed, and a triangular shape is formed by the two inclined surfaces 3b. However, the number of inclined surfaces 3b formed in the locking portion 3 is not limited to this, and only one may be formed.

  Further, the shape formed on the inclined surface 3b is not limited to a triangular shape, and may be an elliptical shape as shown in FIG. 7C, for example. That is, the inclined surface 3b formed in the latching | locking part 3 may be linear form, and may be curvilinear form.

  Further, in the locking portion 3, in addition to the inclined surface 3 b, an inclined surface that is inclined downward toward the recessed portion 2 side (where the inclined surface and the upper surface 1 a are coupled to the recessed portion 2 side with respect to the locking portion 3. May be formed).

  The shape, the inclination direction, or the inclination direction of the inclined surface 3b can be appropriately set according to the size and design of the reaction cup container 1.

  By the way, in the automatic measuring apparatus, when the reaction cup container 1 is transported inside, there may occur a situation in which the measurement reaction cup 10 jumps out of the recess 2. The present reaction cup container 1 also has an effect of setting the direction of the hook-shaped protrusion 10b of the measurement reaction cup 10 protruding from the depression 2 to a predetermined direction. The measurement reaction cup 10 that has jumped out of the recess 2 falls and the hook-shaped protrusion 10 b comes into contact with the locking portion 3. In the present reaction cup container 1, since the inclined surface 3 b is formed in the locking part 3, the measurement reaction cup 10 is placed in the reaction cup container 1 with the hook-shaped protrusion 10 b in a predetermined direction. Will be stored.

  In addition, the above-mentioned “situation in which the measurement reaction cup 10 jumps out of the recessed portion 2” is not limited to the case where the shape of the recessed portion 2 is a shape along the shape of the tubular portion 10a, and the shape of the recessed portion 2 is a cylinder. This also occurs when the shape of the shape portion 10a is different. Furthermore, when the shape of the hollow portion 2 is a shape along the shape of the cylindrical portion 10a, the shape of the cylindrical portion 10a is not limited to a cylinder such as a square shape, but is not limited to the cylindrical shape. It also occurs when the shape. Therefore, the configuration of the present reaction cup container 1 can be suitably employed in these cases.

(3) About hollow part 2 By the way, in the reaction cup container 1 of the said Embodiment 1 and 2, the hollow part 2 was formed in multiple numbers for every reaction cup container which should be accommodated. And each hollow part 2 was the structure isolated from each other by the member which comprises the reaction cup storage device 1. FIG. However, the present reaction cup container 1 is not limited to a configuration in which the same number of depressions 2 as the number of measurement reaction cups 10 to be measured are formed. A configuration in which only one recess 2 that can be accommodated for the plurality of measurement reaction cups 10 may be formed. FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are plan views schematically showing an example of the configuration of only one recess 2 that can be accommodated in a plurality of measurement reaction cups 10. In FIGS. 8 and 9, the locking portion 3 is omitted in order to clarify the configuration of the recessed portion 2.

As shown in FIG. 8, the depression 2 is configured to have only one depression 2 a that can be accommodated for ten measurement reaction cups 10. The shape of the inner wall forming the recess 2a is such that, when seen in a plan view (when viewed from the Z-axis direction), a plurality of arc-shaped inner walls 2a ₁ are formed in a row in the Y direction, and connect the arc-shaped inner walls 2a ₁ . Thus, a planar inner wall 2a ₂ extending in the Y direction is formed. In the hollow part 2a shown in FIG. 8, the cylindrical part 10a of the reaction cup for measurement 10 can be accommodated in the space formed by the arc-shaped inner wall 2a. Hereinafter, a space formed by the arc-shaped inner wall 2a is referred to as a measurement reaction cup housing space.

  As shown in FIG. 8, with the configuration including only one recess 2 a that can be accommodated in a plurality of measurement reaction cups 10, the area of the upper surface 1 a of the reaction cup container 1 can be increased. The measurement reaction cup 10 can be accommodated. That is, the reaction cup container 1 with an improved storage density of the measurement reaction cup 10 can be realized, and the reaction cup container 1 can be downsized.

The configuration shown in FIG. 9 is an example of a configuration in which the arc-shaped inner walls 2a ₁ in FIG. 8 are not connected by the planar inner wall 2a ₂ . That is, as shown in the figure, the recess 2b has a configuration in which the arc-shaped inner walls 2b ₁ are connected to each other while being connected to each other. As a result, in the part where the arc-shaped inner walls 2b ₁ are connected to each other, the arc-shaped inner wall 2b ₁ forms a delimiter 2b ₂ so as to delimit the measurement reaction cup housing space. By adopting a configuration in which the arc-shaped inner walls 2b ₁ are connected in this manner, the cylindrical portion 10a can be more stably held in the measurement reaction cup housing space as compared with the configuration of FIG. That is, in the measurement reaction cup housing space, the contact area with the cylindrical portion 10a of the arcuate inner wall can be increased. As a result, as compared with the configuration of FIG. 8, when the reaction cup container 1 is transported in the automatic measuring device, the measurement reaction cup 10 is reduced from jumping out of the recess.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 9, the partition 2b ₂ is formed by connecting the arcuate inner walls 2b _{1 to} each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the measurement reaction cup storage space can be partitioned. If it is a structure, there exists an effect similar to the above. For example, the connecting portion of the measurement reaction cup receiving space between which is formed by an arc-shaped inner wall 2b _1, it may be configured to planar inner wall extending in the X direction is formed. Such a configuration of the partition 2b ₂ can be set as appropriate according to the number of measurement reaction cups 10 accommodated per reaction cup container 1, the size of the reaction cup container 1, and the like.

(4) About the reaction measurement instrument set of the present invention The reaction measurement instrument set of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the present reaction measurement instrument set) is a reaction measurement instrument set used in a detection method for detecting a substance to be measured in a sample. The reaction measurement instrument set includes a measurement reaction cup including a cylindrical portion that captures a measurement target substance in a sample therein and a hook-shaped protrusion that protrudes in a hook shape from the outer wall of the cylindrical portion; The above-described reaction cup container, and a housing that can accommodate the measurement reaction cup and the reaction cup container are provided. In normal sales, it is sold as a reaction measuring instrument set including the reaction cup for measurement, the reaction cup container, and the housing. The case has a function of protecting the measurement reaction cup and the reaction cup container from external impacts or the like during transportation on a sales route.

  Note that the reaction cup container according to the present invention has a bowl-shaped protrusion on the outer wall, and a hollow section for housing a measurement reaction cup for detecting a measurement target substance in a sample, and a bowl shape of the reaction cup. It can be expressed as a configuration provided with a protruding portion and a wall surface adjacent to the protruding portion.

  In addition, it can be expressed that the recess is configured to accommodate a measurement reaction cup having two or more bowl-shaped protrusions on the outer wall.

  Moreover, it can be expressed that the hollow part that accommodates the measurement reaction cup has a configuration in which the inner dimension of the lower part is smaller than the inner dimension of the upper part of the hollow part.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  In this example, an example of a measuring reaction cup applicable to the present reaction cup container will be described. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the following examples, and it goes without saying that various aspects are possible in detail.

(1) Production of reaction cup First, a cellulose acetate tobacco filter having a diameter of 9.0 mm was cut by 11.5 mm to produce an absorbent element.

(2) Preparation of reaction cup for measurement A glass fiber filter paper (manufactured by Advantech Toyo Co., Ltd.) having a diameter of 9.0 mm and a thickness of 1.0 mm is rounded and laminated on the absorbent element prepared in (1) above. And stored in a polyethylene container. The polyethylene container used in this example has an outer diameter of 9.0 mm and a container length of 15 mm.

(3) Immobilization of antibody From the opening of the measurement reaction cup prepared in (2) above, (a) 100 mM citrate buffer: pH 3.0 100 μl, (b) goat anti-biotin polyclonal antibody 47 μg / 50 μl of mL (100 mM citrate buffer: pH 3.0), (c) 100 μl of 5% glycerol / 1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution (10 mM phosphate-saline buffer: pH 7.4), After the liquid supplied immediately before was sucked in, it was sequentially supplied and then dried.

  In the present invention, when detecting the measurement target substance in the measurement reaction cup by the automatic measurement device, it is possible to reduce the risk that the hook-shaped protrusion of the measurement reaction cup changes from a predetermined direction / position. The present invention can be applied to the medical industry that requires detection of a measurement target substance.

The schematic structure of the reaction cup storage device of Embodiment 1 is shown, (a) is sectional drawing, (b) is a top view. (A)-(c) is the top view which showed typically the positional relationship of the wall surface of a latching | locking part, and a hook-shaped projection part. (A)-(c) is the top view which showed typically an example of the shape of the hook-shaped projection part applicable to the reaction cup storage device of this invention. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the internal dimension of the hollow part of a reaction cup storage device. It is sectional drawing which showed an example of the structure of the reaction cup for a measurement. FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of the reaction cup container of the first embodiment. The schematic structure of the reaction cup storage device of Embodiment 2 is shown, (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view, (c) is a plane which shows an example of the inclined surface of the latching | locking part 3. FIG. FIG. It is the top view which showed typically an example of the structure of the one hollow part which can be accommodated with respect to the several reaction cup for a measurement. It is the top view which showed typically an example of the structure of the one hollow part which can be accommodated with respect to the several reaction cup for a measurement. The schematic structure of the conventional reaction cup container and the reaction cup for a measurement is shown, (a) is sectional drawing, (b) is a top view.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reaction cup storage device 1a Upper surface 2 Indentation part 3 Locking part 10 Reaction cup 10a for measurement Cylindrical part 10b Sponge-like projection part
10c edge

Claims (18)

A reaction cup container that can accommodate a measurement reaction cup having a cylindrical part and a bowl-shaped protruding part protruding in a bowl shape from the outer wall of the cylindrical part,
A hollow portion for accommodating the cylindrical portion of the measurement reaction cup;
On the upper surface, a locking portion having a wall surface on which the hook-shaped protrusion can come into contact when the cylindrical portion rotates in the recess ,
The locking portion is formed with an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the upper surface of the reaction cup container. The inclined surface changes the direction of the hook-shaped protrusion placed on the locking portion. A reaction cup container characterized by being held in a predetermined orientation . At least two of the locking portions are formed across the recess,
The distance between the wall surfaces facing each other in the at least two engaging portions is smaller than the length of the straight line having the maximum length among the straight lines connecting the two points on the edge of the hook-shaped protrusion. The reaction cup container according to claim 1, wherein the reaction cup container is set as follows.   The distance between the wall surfaces facing each other in the at least two locking portions is such that the length is within a straight line that connects two points on the edge of the hook-shaped protrusion and passes through the center of the cylindrical portion. 3. The reaction cup container according to claim 2, wherein the reaction cup container is set to be larger than a length of a straight line that is minimized.   The wall surface of the locking portion has a shape along the edge of the hook-shaped projection portion installed in a predetermined direction, and is formed so as to be close to the edge. The reaction cup container according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The inclined portion is formed with two inclined surfaces,
The reaction cup container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the locking portion has a shape raised with respect to the upper surface of the reaction cup container by two inclined surfaces . The reaction cup container according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the inclined surface is flat or curved . A plurality of depressions are formed on the upper surface of the reaction cup container,
The reaction cup container according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein a plurality of the locking portions are formed for each recess . The interval between the opposing inner walls that form the upper part of the depression is larger than the outer dimension of the cylindrical part of the reaction cup for measurement,
The reaction cup container according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein an interval between the opposing inner walls forming the hollow portion is reduced from the top toward the bottom . A reaction cup container that can accommodate a measurement reaction cup having a cylindrical part and a bowl-shaped protruding part protruding in a bowl shape from the outer wall of the cylindrical part,
A hollow portion for accommodating the cylindrical portion of the measurement reaction cup;
On the upper surface, a locking portion having a wall surface on which the hook-shaped protrusion can come into contact when the cylindrical portion rotates in the recess,
The interval between the opposing inner walls that form the upper part of the depression is larger than the outer dimension of the cylindrical part of the reaction cup for measurement,
Forming the recess, the spacing of the inner wall facing each other, the reaction cup pods characterized in that is smaller as it goes from top to bottom. The distance between the opposing inner walls forming the bottom of the depression is
Smaller than the interval between the opposing inner walls forming the upper part of the depression, and
The reaction cup container according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the reaction cup container is larger than the outer dimension of the cylindrical portion of the measurement reaction cup.   The said latching | locking part is formed higher than the upper surface of the said hook-shaped projection part when a cylindrical part is accommodated in the hollow part, The any one of Claims 1-10 characterized by the above-mentioned. Reaction cup container.   The reaction cup container according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein only one recess is formed that can be accommodated in a plurality of measurement reaction cups. A reaction cup container that can accommodate a measurement reaction cup having a cylindrical part and a bowl-shaped protruding part protruding in a bowl shape from the outer wall of the cylindrical part,
A hollow portion for accommodating the cylindrical portion of the measurement reaction cup;
On the upper surface, a locking portion having a wall surface on which the hook-shaped protrusion can come into contact when the cylindrical portion rotates in the recess,
The recess is reaction cup pods you characterized in that as is, only one form will be accommodated to the plurality of measurement reaction cup. The reaction cup storage according to claim 12 or 13 , wherein the recess is formed by a plurality of arc-shaped inner walls adjacent to each other and a planar inner wall connecting the arc-shaped inner walls adjacent to each other. vessel. The recess is formed by a plurality of arcuate inner walls adjacent to each other,
The reaction cup container according to claim 12 or 13 , wherein a partition portion for partitioning the measurement reaction cup storage space for storing the measurement reaction cup is formed by connecting the arc-shaped inner walls adjacent to each other . . It is confirmed that a depression has been formed that can accommodate a measurement reaction cup used in a detection method for capturing a measurement target substance present in a body fluid by an antigen-antibody reaction and detecting the captured measurement target substance by optical measurement. The reaction cup container according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the container is a reaction cup container. While having a hook-like protrusion protruding from the cylindrical part and the outer wall of the cylindrical part,
Has an opening,
An absorbent element positioned proximate to the opening;
An insoluble carrier that is disposed between the opening and the absorbent element and has a structure capable of transmitting liquid;
In the insoluble carrier, a measurement reaction cup in which a binding physiologically active substance capable of capturing the substance to be measured directly or via a substance forming a binding complex is immobilized in advance,
The reaction cup storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein a recess portion capable of storing the liquid is formed . A reaction measurement instrument set used in a detection method for detecting a measurement target substance in a sample,
A reaction cup for measurement comprising a cylindrical portion for capturing a substance to be measured in the sample therein and a bowl-shaped protrusion protruding in a bowl shape from the outer wall of the cylinder portion;
A reaction cup container according to any one of claims 1 to 17,
A reaction measurement instrument set comprising a measurement reaction cup and a housing capable of accommodating a reaction cup container.

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