JP5068696B2 - Inspection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus that analyzes a test solution by a photometric analysis method using a microchip.

  In recent years, micromachine technology has been applied to use microchips called μ-TAS (μ-Total Analysis System) and “Lab on a chip”, which perform chemical analysis and the like by miniaturization compared to conventional devices. Analysis methods are attracting attention.

  Such an analysis system using a microchip performs all analysis processes such as mixing, reaction, separation, extraction, and detection of reagents in a fine flow path formed on a small substrate by micromachine fabrication technology. For example, it is used for analysis of blood in the medical field, analysis of biomolecules such as ultra trace amounts of proteins and nucleic acids, and the like.

  When μ-TAS is used in the medical field, for example, the burden on the patient can be reduced by reducing the amount of specimen such as blood, and the amount of reagent can be reduced. Can be reduced. Furthermore, since the apparatus is downsized, there is an advantage that the inspection can be easily performed.

  Blood analysis by microphotometry using a microchip is as follows: (1) The sample liquid collected by a painless needle is introduced into the microchip, and (2) the sample liquid in the microchip is subjected to a centrifugal separation process. The plasma and blood cells are separated, (3) the plasma and the reagent are uniformly mixed to obtain the measurement target liquid, (4) the measurement target liquid is introduced into the optical measurement unit, and (5) the optical measurement unit is introduced. A series of operations of measuring the attenuation of light of a specific wavelength by applying light from a light source to the measurement target liquid is performed to measure the concentration of a desired enzyme contained in plasma.

The series of operations (2) to (5) are performed in one inspection apparatus, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-64590 is known as an inspection apparatus.
Such an inspection apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external view of an inspection apparatus using a microchip.
As shown in the figure, the outer surface of the inspection apparatus is composed of a rectangular parallelepiped main body 1. The main body 1 is provided with a lid 2 for inserting and removing the microchip T, and is fixed to be openable and closable by, for example, a hinge. .
When incorporating the microchip T into the inspection apparatus, the release button 3 provided on the front surface of the main body 1 is pressed to release the connection state of the main body 1 and the lid 2, the lid 2 is opened, and the microchip T is inserted into the chip holder H. Then, the chip holder H is closed to fix the microchip T, and the lid 2 is closed.

In this inspection apparatus, the microchip in which the sample liquid is stored rotates at high speed and is subjected to a centrifugal separation process, so that the examiner does not accidentally open the lid 2 when the microchip is rotating. For this reason, when the inspection start switch S provided in the main body 1 is turned ON, the lid 2 is locked, and safety measures are taken so that the lid 2 does not open.
The conventional inspection apparatus has a structure in which the through hole 1a shown in FIG. 1 does not exist.

Hereinafter, the lid lock structure will be described with reference to FIGS.
8 and 9 are cross-sectional structural views around the lid of the inspection apparatus, FIG. 8 is a state before the lid is locked, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional structural view when the lid is locked.
Note that the microchip and the chip holder are omitted.
The main body 1 has an opening 11 for inserting and removing the microchip. A lid 2 is provided on one end side of the main body 1 so as to be openable and closable by a hinge 100 so as to close the opening 11. The other end side of the lid 2 is formed with a fitting groove 21 for fitting with a release button 3 described later.

  The release button 3 is a fixed portion 31 having one end fixed to the main body 1, and the other end is a fitting portion 32 fitted into the fitting groove 21 of the lid 2. And a fitting portion 32 projecting from the through hole of the main body 1 and is a protruding portion 33 that is pushed by an examiner's finger.

  Inside the main body 1 is provided a measuring mechanism 4 in which a rotating mechanism for rotating the microchip for centrifugal separation is provided, and a chip (not shown) is included in the rotating mechanism of the measuring mechanism 4. A holder is fixed, and a microchip (not shown) is held and fixed to the chip holder.

  A pinion 5 and a moving body 6 connected to a motor are disposed below the measuring mechanism 4 inside the main body 1. A rack 61 is formed on the moving body 6, and the pinion 5 and the rack 61 are arranged. , The rotation of the pinion 5 is transmitted to the rack 61, and the moving body 6 moves in a direction toward and away from the release button 3, that is, moves forward and backward in the left-right direction in the drawing.

The rotation of the pinion 5 is interlocked with the inspection start switch S shown in FIG. 1. When the inspection start switch S is turned on, the pinion 5 rotates in the clockwise direction and the moving body 6 moves forward in the direction of the release button 3. Then, it moves to a position in contact with or close to the back surface of the protrusion 33 of the release button 3, and the state shown in FIG. 9 is obtained.
Then, after the movement of the moving body 6 is completed, the microchip is rotated by the measurement mechanism 4.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 9, when the moving body 6 moves to a position where it contacts or approaches the back surface of the protrusion 33 of the release button 3, even if the inspector presses the protrusion 33 of the release button 3, the protrusion 33 Will hit the moving body 6 and the fitting part 32 of the release button 3 will not be disengaged from the fitting groove 21 of the lid 2, so that the lid 2 is locked and cannot be opened.

When the inspection is completed, the pinion 5 rotates counterclockwise, the moving body 6 moves backward in a direction away from the release button 3, and moves to a position sufficiently away from the back surface of the protrusion 33 of the release button 3, The moving body 6 returns to the position shown in FIG.
When the moving body 6 is positioned at this position, when the inspector presses the projection 33 of the release button 3, the projection 33 is pushed in without hitting the moving body 6, and the fitting portion 32 of the release button 3 is moved to the lid 2. As a result, the lid 2 is released from the fitting groove 21 and the lid 2 is unlocked, and the lid 2 can be opened.

As a result, the lid 2 is locked so as not to open during the period from the start to the end of the test, including the period when the microchip is rotated at a high speed and the centrifugation process is performed, and safety measures are taken. It has become a structure.
JP 2008-64590 A

  However, the control of the locked state and the unlocked state of the lid 2 is performed by rotating the pinion 5 by the motor and moving the moving body 6, and when a device failure or power failure occurs, The motor cannot be driven and the pinion 5 cannot be rotated.

  As a result, when the lid 2 is in a locked state, if the device malfunctions or a power failure occurs, the lid 2 cannot be opened, and the microchip containing a sample such as blood cannot be taken out from the device. It is not preferable.

  The object of the present invention is to solve such a problem, and when the lid is locked due to a failure or a power failure, the locked state is released by mechanical means. An object of the present invention is to provide an inspection apparatus capable of opening a lid.

  The inspection apparatus according to claim 1 is an inspection apparatus that stores and inspects a microchip inside the apparatus, and the inspection apparatus includes a main body that stores the microchip and a microchip that can be opened and closed on the main body. A lid to be taken in and out, and a release button for releasing the lid, one end of which is fixed to the main body and the other end of which is fitted to the lid, approaching and moving away from the release button inside the main body A moving body that moves in a direction is provided, and on the release button side of the moving body, a push plate that is biased by a spring in a direction away from the release button is attached, and the push plate and the Between the back surface of the release button, a lock plate whose tip is biased in a direction away from the release button by a spring is attached, and the lid is locked to the main body A through-hole into which a release rod for mechanically releasing the state is inserted is formed, the release rod is inserted into the through-hole, and the tip of the release rod pushes the push plate, thereby The tip of the push plate is fitted into a fitting hole formed in the lock plate, the lock plate is separated from the back surface of the release button by the biasing force of the spring, and the release button can be operated. To do.

  The inspection device according to claim 2 is the inspection device according to claim 1, and in particular, the release button and the lock plate are each formed with a through-hole into which the release rod is inserted, The through hole of the main body, the through hole of the release button, and the through hole of the lock plate are formed in a straight line.

  The inspection device according to claim 3 is the inspection device according to claim 1, and in particular, when the movable body moves in a direction away from the release button, the inspection device is biased by a spring in a direction away from the release button. The tip of the push plate is removed from the fitting hole of the lock plate, and the tip of the lock plate biased by a spring in a direction away from the release button is returned to a predetermined position. Item 2. The inspection apparatus according to Item 1.

According to the inspection apparatus of the present invention, by inserting the release rod into the through hole of the main body and pressing the push plate with the release rod, the distal end portion of the push plate attached to the distal end of the moving body inside the main body is the lock plate. The lock plate is inserted into the fitting hole and the tip of the lock plate is rotated by the spring in a direction away from the release button, so that the tip of the lock plate is separated from the back of the release button, and the inspector presses the release button The release button is pushed without hitting the lock plate, and the fitting portion of the release button is released from the fitting groove of the lid, so that the locked state of the lid can be mechanically released and the lid 2 can be opened. .
Furthermore, since the through hole of the main body, the through hole of the release button, and the through hole of the lock plate are formed in a straight line, a bar-like release rod that is easily available can be used.
Furthermore, when the energized state is reached and the moving body moves away from the release button, the tip of the push plate biased by the spring comes out of the fitting hole of the lock plate, and the tip of the lock plate biased by the spring Can be automatically returned to a predetermined position.

Hereinafter, the inspection apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external view of an inspection apparatus using a microchip.
As shown in the figure, the outer surface of the inspection apparatus is composed of a rectangular parallelepiped main body 1. The main body 1 is provided with a lid 2 for inserting and removing the microchip T, and is fixed to be openable and closable by, for example, a hinge. .
When incorporating the microchip T into the inspection apparatus, the release button 3 provided on the front surface of the main body 1 is pressed to release the connection state of the main body 1 and the lid 2, the lid 2 is opened, and the microchip T is inserted into the chip holder H. Then, the chip holder H is closed to fix the microchip T, and the lid 2 is closed.

An operation panel is installed on the top of the main body 1, and an inspection start switch S, a display, and the like are arranged on the operation panel.
In addition, a through hole 1a for inserting a release rod, which will be described later, is formed on the front surface of the main body 1 in the vicinity of the release button 3.

Hereinafter, the lid locking structure will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional structural view around the lid of the inspection apparatus, showing a state before the lid is locked.
Note that the microchip and the chip holder are omitted.
An opening 11 for inserting a microchip is formed in the main body 1, and a lid 2 whose one end is fixed to the main body 1 by a hinge 100 so as to be openable and closable is provided so as to close the opening 11. The other end side of the lid 2 is formed with a fitting groove 21 for fitting with a release button 3 described later.

  The release button 3 is a fixed portion 31 having one end fixed to the main body 1, and the other end is a fitting portion 32 fitted into the fitting groove 21 of the lid 2. And a fitting portion 32 projecting from the through hole of the main body 1 and is a protruding portion 33 that is pushed by an examiner's finger.

  Inside the main body 1 is provided a measuring mechanism 4 in which a rotating mechanism for rotating the microchip for centrifugal separation is provided, and a chip (not shown) is included in the rotating mechanism of the measuring mechanism 4. A holder is fixed, and a microchip (not shown) is held and fixed to the chip holder.

  A pinion 5 and a moving body 6 connected to a motor are disposed below the measuring mechanism 4 inside the main body 1. A rack 61 is formed on the moving body 6, and the pinion 5 and the rack 61 are arranged. , The rotation of the pinion 5 is transmitted to the rack 61, and the moving body 6 moves in a direction toward and away from the release button 3, that is, moves forward and backward in the left-right direction in the drawing.

On the release button 3 side of the moving body 6, a push plate 7 is attached that is urged by a spring B in a direction in which the tip 71 is separated from the release button 3.
Between the push plate 7 and the back surface of the release button 3, a lock plate 8 is attached that is urged by a spring C in a direction in which the tip 81 is separated from the release button 3.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional structure view around the release button of the inspection apparatus, and shows a state before the lid is locked.
As shown in FIG. 3, the push plate 7 has a flat plate-like main body portion 70 formed linearly at a position facing the front end surface of the moving body 6, and the front end side of the main body portion 70 is bent in the direction of the release button 3. And a fulcrum part 72 which is connected to the main body part 70 at the center part in the longitudinal direction of the main body part 70 and is bent along the side surface of the moving body 6.

A supporting shaft 61 fixed to the moving body 6 is projected from a side surface of the moving body 6, and a through hole of a fulcrum portion 72 is inserted into the supporting shaft 61. That is, the push plate 7 is rotatable about the support shaft 61.
A locking rod 62 projects from the side surface of the moving body 6 in the vicinity of the support shaft 61.
B is a spring, which is a compression spring in which a central portion of one metal wire is a coil portion B0 wound a plurality of times, and linear portions B1 and B2 are formed at both ends of the coil portion B0.
The coil portion B0 of the spring B is fitted into the support shaft 61, one linear portion B1 of the spring B is in contact with the back surface of the main body portion 70 of the push plate 7, and the other linear portion B2 of the spring B is engaged. Due to the force that the spring B tries to open, the urging force is applied in the direction in which the tip 71 of the push plate 7 moves away from the release button 3 due to the contact with the stop rod 62.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the lock plate 8 includes a flat plate-like main body portion 80 which is positioned in front of the front end portion 71 of the push plate 7 and formed in a straight line, and the front end side of the main body portion 80 is bent in the direction of the release button 3 The tip portion 81 is formed.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a fixing plate disposed inside the main body 1, and a flat portion 91 of a hinge 9 is attached to an end portion of the fixing plate 12 on the release button 3 side, and an end portion of the main body portion 80 of the lock plate 8. Is fixed to another flat portion 92 of the hinge 9.
C is a tension spring in which a single metal wire is wound a plurality of times, one end of which is fixed to the flat portion 92 of the hinge 9 to which the lock plate 8 is fixed, and the other end is fixed to the fixed plate 12. 9 are fixed to the nine flat portions 91. That is, the lock plate 8 is rotatable about the support shaft 93 of the hinge 9.

As a result of such a structure, a biasing force is applied in a direction in which the distal end portion 81 of the lock plate 8 is separated from the release button 3 by the force with which the spring C tries to pull the flat portion 92 of the hinge 9.
A locking rod 121 is provided on the fixed plate 12 so that the locking plate 8 does not rotate more than necessary. When the main body 80 of the locking plate 8 comes into contact with the locking rod 121, the locking plate 121 is further moved. The lock plate 8 does not rotate.

  Further, the main body 80 of the lock plate 8 has a front end of the push plate 7 for releasing the lock state by mechanical means when a failure or power failure described later occurs and the lid 2 is locked. A fitting hole 83 into which the portion 71 is fitted is formed.

FIG. 4 illustrates the locked state.
When the inspection start switch S is turned ON, as shown in FIG. 2, the pinion 5 connected to the motor rotates clockwise, the power is transmitted to the rack 61, and the moving body 6 approaches the direction of the release button 3. As a result, the push plate 7 attached to the moving body 6 moves in the direction of the release button 3.
When the pinion 5 continues to rotate, the tip 71 of the push plate 7 comes into contact with the main body 80 of the lock plate 8 and further moves so that the push plate 7 approaches the release button 3 as shown in FIG. Then, the lock plate 8 is pushed, and the lock plate 8 rotates clockwise around the support shaft 93 of the hinge 9. That is, the front end portion 81 of the lock plate 8 moves toward the back surface of the release button 3, and finally the front end portion 81 comes into contact with or close to the back surface of the projection 83 of the release button 3. In FIG. 4, the tip 81 is in contact with the back surface of the protrusion 33 of the release button 3.

  In such a state, even if the inspector pushes the projection 33 of the release button 3, the projection 33 hits the tip 81 of the lock plate 8, and the fitting portion 32 of the release button 3 fits the fitting groove 21 of the lid 2. Therefore, the lid 2 is locked and cannot be opened.

Next, a structure for forcibly releasing the lid locked state by mechanical means will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 4, a through hole 1 a is formed in the main body 1, a through hole 3 a is also formed in the release button 3, and a through hole 8 a is also formed in the lock plate 8.
Each through hole is formed at a position aligned in a straight line when the lid 2 is locked by the lock plate 8.

In order to mechanically release the locked state of the lid, a release bar A is inserted from the through hole 1a of the main body 1 as shown in FIG.
The release rod A passes through the through hole 3 a of the release button 3 and the through hole 8 a of the lock plate 8, and the distal end portion of the release rod A comes into contact with the main body portion 70 of the push plate 7.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, when the release rod A is further pushed into the main body 1, the distal end portion of the release rod A pushes the main body portion 70 of the push plate 7. The tip 71 rotates around the shaft 61 in a direction approaching the release button 3, and the tip 71 fits into the fitting hole 83 of the lock plate 8.

  When the distal end portion 71 is fitted in the fitting hole 83 of the lock plate 8, the lock plate 8 is urged by the spring C in a direction away from the release button 3, so that the lock plate 8 is locked as shown in FIG. The plate 8 rotates around the support shaft 93 in a direction in which the distal end portion 81 is separated from the release button 3.

  As a result, the tip 81 of the lock plate 8 is separated from the back surface of the protrusion 33 of the release button 3, and when the inspector presses the protrusion 33 of the release button 3, the protrusion 33 hits the lock plate 8. Accordingly, the fitting portion 32 of the release button 3 is released from the fitting groove 21 of the lid 2, and the lid 2 is unlocked and the lid 2 can be opened.

  In the above-described embodiment, the release button 3 and the lock plate 8 are formed with a through hole through which the release rod A is passed. 3 and the lock plate 8 may be notched.

When the power failure is released and energization is possible again, when the pinion 5 rotates counterclockwise, the moving body 6 and the push plate 7 attached to the tip of the moving body 6 move away from the release button 3.
Further, when the movable body 6 is moved by a certain amount, the push plate 7 is biased in the direction away from the release button 3 by the spring B, so that the tip 71 is attached to the lock plate 8. The lock plate 8 is removed from the fitting hole 83, and the lock plate 8 is urged in a direction away from the release button 3 by the spring C. Therefore, the lock plate 8 returns to a predetermined position and is shown in FIG. Thus, it is possible to automatically return to the state before the lid is locked.

It is an external view of an inspection apparatus. It is a sectional structure figure of a lid periphery of an inspection device of the present invention, and shows a state before a lid is locked. It is an expanded sectional structure figure of a release button circumference of an inspection device of the present invention, and shows a state before a lid is locked. It is an expanded sectional structure figure of a release button periphery of an inspection device of the present invention, and shows a state where a lid was locked. In the inspection apparatus of this invention, it is structure explanatory drawing which cancels | releases the locked state of a lid | cover by a mechanical means. In the inspection apparatus of this invention, it is structure explanatory drawing which cancels | releases the locked state of a lid | cover by a mechanical means. In the inspection apparatus of this invention, it is structure explanatory drawing which cancels | releases the locked state of a lid | cover by a mechanical means. It is a cross-sectional structure figure of the release button periphery of the conventional test | inspection apparatus, and shows the state before a cover is locked. It is a cross-sectional structure figure of the release button periphery of the conventional test | inspection apparatus, and shows the state by which the cover was locked.

Explanation of symbols

1 Body 2 Lid 3 Release Button 4 Rotating Mechanism 5 Pinion 6 Moving Body 7 Push Plate 8 Lock Plate A Release Rod

Claims (3)

In the inspection device that stores and inspects the microchip inside the device,
The inspection apparatus includes a main body that houses a microchip, a lid that allows the microchip to be opened and closed on the main body, and a lid that has one end fixed to the main body and the other end fitted to the lid. A release button that performs a release operation of the movable body, and a moving body that moves in a direction approaching and moving away from the release button is provided inside the main body,
On the release button side of the moving body, a push plate that is biased by a spring in a direction away from the release button is attached by a spring,
Between the push plate and the back surface of the release button, a lock plate is attached that is urged by a spring in a direction away from the release button,
The body has a through hole into which a release rod for mechanically releasing the locked state of the lid is inserted,
The release rod is inserted into the through hole, and the distal end of the release rod presses the push plate, so that the push plate is fitted into the fitting hole formed in the lock plate, and the lock plate An inspection apparatus, wherein the release button can be operated by being separated from the back surface of the release button by a biasing force of a spring. The release button and the lock plate are each formed with a through hole into which the release rod is inserted,
The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the through hole of the main body, the through hole of the release button, and the through hole of the lock plate are formed in a straight line. When the moving body moves away from the release button,
The tip of the push plate biased by a spring in a direction away from the release button comes out of the fitting hole of the lock plate,
The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a front end portion of the lock plate urged by a spring in a direction away from the release button returns to a predetermined position.

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