JP5118573B2 - Object processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an object processing apparatus, and more particularly to a system for processing an object with a liquid (reagent, washing solution) in analysis and testing such as antibody antigen reaction and nucleic acid hybridization.

  In analyzes and tests such as antibody-antigen reaction and nucleic acid hybridization, objects such as antibodies, antigens, and nucleic acids are processed in stages using a large number of reagents. That is, in such a series of processes, the reagent reaction process and the cleaning process of the object are executed in stages. Specifically, for example, a plurality of objects are provided in the form of spots on the surface of a plate such as a slide glass, thereby forming an object array. When the reagent reaction process is performed on the object array, the reagent is introduced therein. Thereafter, when the object array is washed, a large amount of washing solution is supplied to the plate surface, or the plate is immersed in a washing bowl. In the following, the cleaning process will be described in detail, but the matters pointed out there can also be pointed out in the reagent reaction process.

  According to the conventional method, the entire array must always be processed uniformly, and the cleaning processing conditions (cleaning liquid type (hydrophilic, hydrophobic), cleaning execution timing, cleaning period, flow rate, etc.) for each target object. ) Cannot be different. Alternatively, according to the conventional method, a large amount of cleaning liquid is required, and the cleaning efficiency cannot be increased. Therefore, it takes time and it is difficult to reduce the size of the apparatus. In addition, if the cleaning liquid is supplied too intensely, there is a risk of damage to the object or separation of the object. In order to increase the cleaning efficiency, it is desirable to bring the tip of the nozzle close to the object, but highly accurate positioning in the air is very difficult. If the nozzle tip surface comes into contact with the object, the object may be damaged.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a double tube nozzle used for cleaning or the like. The objects to be cleaned are reaction tubes and measurement cells. The cleaning liquid flows out of the outer pipe from the groove formed in the outer pipe in a state where the tip of the outer pipe is in contact with the inner bottom surface. Patent Document 2 describes that the solution on the well is sucked by the absorbing member in the solution suction tool. In FIG. 24 and the like, it is described that the end surface of the pipe is positioned away from the upper surface of the well.

JP-A-1-223353 JP 2005-55316 A

  In the conventional cleaning processing apparatus, cleaning processing is performed on a plate-by-plate basis, that is, a plurality of objects are cleaned at the same time. Therefore, the cleaning processing conditions cannot be changed for each target. Alternatively, the cleaning efficiency could not be increased. This problem can also be pointed out in the reagent reaction process, and conventionally it has been difficult to change the reagent for each object. Moreover, the problem that a reagent and a washing | cleaning liquid scatter to the circumference | surroundings from each target object is pointed out.

  An object of the present invention is to enable liquid processing to be performed efficiently or appropriately for each object. Another object of the present invention is to enable individual cleaning for each object. Another object of the present invention is to increase the reagent processing efficiency or washing efficiency of an object.

  The present invention is a plate having an object provided on the surface, a nozzle unit having a multi-tube structure having a plurality of flow paths, which is used when liquid processing is performed on the object on the plate, A suction discharge mechanism connected to a plurality of flow paths of the nozzle unit, wherein the nozzle unit surrounds the object and abuts against the surface of the plate in liquid processing of the object An outer cylinder having a tip surface and forming a sealed space including the object in a contact state of the outer cylinder tip surface, and a cylindrical member provided in the outer cylinder, the object In the liquid treatment, a middle cylinder having a front end surface of a middle cylinder that is close to the object without contact from above, and a cylindrical member provided in the middle cylinder, the liquid of the object In processing, on the object An inner cylinder having a front end surface of the inner cylinder that is non-contacting from the outer cylinder, an outer flow path is formed between the outer cylinder and the middle cylinder, and an intermediate flow between the middle cylinder and the inner cylinder A channel is formed, an inner channel is formed in the inner cylinder, and the sealed space is formed, and is selected from a group of channels including the outer channel, the intermediate channel, and the inner channel. Further, the present invention relates to an object processing apparatus characterized in that liquid processing of the object is performed using a plurality of flow paths.

  According to the above configuration, in the object processing, the object is wrapped by the outer cylinder, and a sealed space (for example, a reagent processing space and a cleaning processing space) partitioned from the outside is formed. In that state, liquid (reagent or cleaning liquid) is injected into the sealed space using at least one of the plurality of channels, and at the same time or thereafter, using at least one of the plurality of channels. Liquid is aspirated from the sealed space. Therefore, the processing efficiency of the object can be increased. Since the three flow paths are formed in the formation state of the sealed space, it is also possible to perform gas supply in addition to liquid supply and suction. It is also possible to supply liquid using two flow paths and to suck liquid using one other flow path, and the reverse pattern, that is, supply liquid using one flow path. It is also possible to suck the liquid using the other two flow paths. One flow path may be used for both discharge and suction.

  According to the formation of the sealed space, it is possible to realize individual processing in units of objects, that is, it is possible to prevent the influence of other objects on the processing of a certain object. The advantage is that processing efficiency can be improved by locally intensive processing, and the amount of residual liquid remaining can be reduced compared to the conventional method even when the liquid after discharge is sucked at the end of processing. The advantage that it can perform appropriately is acquired. The outer cylinder tip surface is only in contact with the periphery of the object on the upper surface of the plate (the object is kept in non-contact with the object). Since it is positioned at a height that does not contact, the object can be prevented from being broken or peeled off, and the processing can be performed in the proximity state, so that the processing efficiency can be improved in that sense. Liquid supply and suction may be repeated. If the reagent processing and the cleaning processing can be performed by the same multi-tube nozzle unit, the apparatus configuration can be simplified and the series of processing can be made more efficient.

  Preferably, the suction / discharge mechanism is connected to a first flow path in the flow path group, and supplies cleaning liquid to the sealed space during the cleaning process of the target object as a liquid process of the target object. A first pump means, and a second pump means connected to the second flow path in the flow path group, for sucking the cleaning liquid supplied to the sealed space during the cleaning process of the object, And a third pump means connected to a third flow path in the flow path group and supplying a drying gas during the cleaning process of the object. According to the gas supply, it is possible to obtain an advantage that the remaining liquid can be blown away and further reduced.

  Preferably, the suction / discharge mechanism is connected to a predetermined flow path in the flow path group, and sucks the reagent from the reagent tank to the flow path during a reaction process using a reagent as a liquid process for the object. And dispensing means for discharging the reagent from the flow path to the sealed space.

  Preferably, the predetermined flow path and the first flow path are the inner flow paths, and the inner flow path is used for both the suction and discharge of the reagent in the reaction process and the discharge of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning process of the object. The

  Desirably, a syringe pump is connected to the inner flow path, and the syringe pump constitutes the dispensing means in the reaction process and constitutes the first pump means in the cleaning process of the object. Preferably, the syringe pump supplies a cleaning liquid to the inner flow path as the first flow path in the cleaning process of the nozzle unit itself after the cleaning process of the object, and the second pump means In the cleaning process of the nozzle unit itself, a cleaning liquid is supplied to the intermediate flow path as the second flow path, and a fourth pump means is connected to the outer flow path as the third flow path. The means supplies cleaning liquid to the outer flow path as the third flow path in the cleaning process of the nozzle unit itself. According to this configuration, all the flow paths can be kept clean. Regarding cleaning of the nozzle unit itself, in addition to the dripping method, a recirculation method is also conceivable.

  Preferably, the third pump means supplies a drying gas to the outer flow path after the cleaning liquid is supplied to the outer flow path by the fourth pump means in the cleaning process of the nozzle unit itself.

  Preferably, the surface of the plate is a flat surface, and at least in a contact state of the outer cylinder front end surface, the middle cylinder front end surface and the inner cylinder front end surface are higher than the outer cylinder front end surface. In position.

  Desirably, on the surface of the plate, a concave portion that accommodates the object on the bottom surface and a peripheral portion that is higher than the bottom surface are formed, and the outer cylinder tip surface is in contact with the top surface of the peripheral portion. The middle cylinder front end surface and the inner cylinder front end surface are positioned at a position higher than the upper surface of the object.

  Desirably, an adjustment mechanism is provided for moving at least one of the middle cylinder and the inner cylinder relative to the outer cylinder. According to this configuration, the height of the middle cylinder and the inner cylinder can be optimized according to the height of the object or according to the shape of the plate to be a contact partner.

  As described above, according to the present invention, liquid processing can be performed efficiently or appropriately for each object. According to the present invention, individual cleaning can be performed for each object. Or according to this invention, the reagent processing efficiency or washing | cleaning efficiency of a target object can be improved.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the object processing apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the main part thereof. This processing apparatus may be incorporated in a reagent processing apparatus that performs reagent processing on an object in stages. The concept of object processing includes reagent processing and cleaning processing.

  In FIG. 1, a plate 18 is a flat plate in the example shown in FIG. 1, and an object 20 is provided on the upper surface thereof. Specifically, a plurality of objects 20 are provided in an array on the upper surface of the plate 18 so as to be separated from each other, and each object 20 constitutes a spot. The object 20 is, for example, an antibody, an antigen, a nucleic acid, or the like. The thickness d1 of the object 20 is, for example, several hundred nm to several μm.

  The present processing apparatus includes a nozzle unit 10 in the present embodiment. The nozzle unit 10 has a triple tube structure, and specifically includes an inner cylinder 12, an intermediate cylinder 14, and an outer cylinder 16. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, those three cylindrical members are integrally connected to each other. The flow path A is a space existing in the inner cylinder 12, the flow path B is a space formed between the middle cylinder 14 and the inner cylinder 12, and the flow path C is a space between the outer cylinder 16 and the middle cylinder 14. It is a space formed between them.

  In the present embodiment, the heights of the front end surfaces of the middle cylinder 14 and the inner cylinder 12 are raised upward from the height of the front end surface of the outer cylinder 16. The height gap is represented by Δd in FIG. The gap Δd is larger than the thickness d1 of the object 20 (for example, several hundred μm), and as a result, the front end surface of the outer cylinder 16 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the plate 18 to form a sealed space in the nozzle unit 10. In this state, the tip surfaces of the inner cylinder 12 and the middle cylinder 14 are close to the upper surface of the sample 20 but are not in contact with each other. If the liquid (reagent, cleaning liquid) is discharged and aspirated in such a state, the object 20 can be processed efficiently (reagent processing, cleaning process), and the liquid can rotate with respect to other objects. Therefore, there is an advantage that individual processing for each object can be realized. Furthermore, since the front end surfaces of the inner cylinder 12 and the middle cylinder 14 are in a non-contact state with respect to the object 20, there is an advantage that problems such as breakage and peeling of the object 20 can be effectively prevented.

  The transport mechanism 22 is a mechanism that transports the nozzle unit 10. The transport mechanism 22 and other components shown in FIG. 1 are controlled by a control unit 28. Note that each of the cylindrical members 12, 14, and 16 is preferably formed of a member such as Teflon (registered trademark).

  Next, configurations (including a suction / discharge mechanism) other than the nozzle unit 10 will be described. A flow path a is connected to the flow path A in the nozzle unit 10, and a flow path a1 and a flow path a2 are connected to the flow path a via a valve V1. A syringe pump P1 is connected to the flow path a1. The syringe pump P1 is a pump that takes in the cleaning liquid and sends the taken cleaning liquid into the flow path a1. The flow path a <b> 2 is led to the cleaning liquid tank 24. The syringe pump P1 functions not only when the cleaning liquid is sucked and discharged, but also when the reagent is sucked and discharged.

  The flow path B in the nozzle unit 10 is connected to the flow path b. A pump (liquid feeding / suction pump) P2 is provided on the flow path b, and the flow path b1 and the flow path b2 are connected to the flow path b via a valve V2. The flow path b1 is connected to the waste liquid tank 26, and the flow path b2 is connected to the cleaning liquid tank 24.

  A flow path c is connected to the flow path C in the nozzle unit 10, and a flow path c1 and a flow path c2 are connected to the flow path c via a valve V3. A pump (liquid feeding pump) P3 is provided on the flow path c1, and the upstream end of the flow path c1 is located in the cleaning liquid tank 24. A pump (air supply pump) P4 is connected to the flow path c2, and a valve V4 for opening to the atmosphere is connected to the flow path c2.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the configuration shown in FIG. This flowchart particularly shows the cleaning process after the reagent treatment. In the initial state, each pump P1-P4 is in a stopped state. In S101, suction to the flow path (medium space) B is performed by the action of the pump P2 (valve V2 selects b1), and prior to that, the nozzle unit is positioned above the target specimen (target object). Then, the descent of the nozzle unit is started. Thereby, the substrate cleaning process shown in S102 is executed. That is, in S103, the valve V4 is opened during the lowering (the valve V4 selects c2), and thereby the flow path C is set to atmospheric pressure. In S104, when the sensor detects that the front end surface (lower surface) of the outer cylinder is in contact with the upper surface of the substrate, the descent of the nozzle unit is stopped. A sealed space is formed in the nozzle unit by the contact of the front end surface of the outer cylinder, and even if a pressure rise occurs at that time, it is released by the above-described release to the atmosphere or the like. That is, even if there is a droplet or the like on the plate at the time of contact, it is prevented from scattering to the adjacent object by opening to the atmosphere and suction of the flow path B.

  In S105, the cleaning liquid is sucked from the cleaning liquid tank 24 by the syringe pump P1 (the valve V1 selects the flow path b2), and then the flow path a1 and the flow path a are connected by the valve V1, and the pump P1 operates in this state. A fixed amount of cleaning liquid is discharged to the flow path (inner space) A. Subsequently, in S106, suction is performed on the flow path B by the action of the pump P2. The sucked cleaning liquid is guided from the flow path b1 to the waste liquid tank 26 via the flow path B, the flow path b, the pump P2, and the valve V2. Steps S105 and S106 are repeated as many times as necessary. In the present embodiment, 3 is set as the number of times n, and the steps S105 and S106 are repeated three times. If the amount of the cleaning liquid supplied in S105 is set to a small amount, it is possible to effectively prevent the adverse effect caused by the supply of the cleaning liquid from being exerted on the object.

  In S107, the valve V4 that has been opened until now is closed, and then in S108, air is supplied to the flow path (outer space) C by the action of the pump P4. At the same time, suction is performed on the flow path (medium space) B by the action of the pump P2. In step S108, the residual liquid is effectively sucked in the nozzle unit. Thus, the advantage that the next reagent treatment can be appropriately performed can be obtained by reducing the residual amount of the residual liquid as much as possible.

  Next, the nozzle cleaning processing step S109 will be described. In S110, the nozzle unit is moved to the cleaning position. In S111, the valve V2 is switched to the cleaning liquid side, that is, the flow path b2, and the valve V3 is switched to the pump P3 side, that is, the flow path c1 side. In S112, the cleaning liquid is supplied to all the channels A, B, and C by the action of the pumps P1, P2, and P3. That is, the inside of the nozzle unit is effectively cleaned by the dripping method. If necessary, the outer surface of the nozzle unit can be cleaned by inserting the tip of the nozzle unit into the cleaning well and flowing the cleaning liquid from each flow path in that state. In some cases, the cleaning process may be performed by a reflux system.

  In S113, liquid feeding by each pump is stopped, and in S114, the valve V2 is switched to the waste liquid tank 26 side, and the valve V3 is switched to the air feeding side. In S115, the nozzle unit is raised by the transport mechanism 22 and separated from the liquid level of the cleaning well, and then air is supplied to the flow path (outer space) C, thereby drying the flow path C. In S116, air supply and suction are stopped. In S117, it is determined whether or not the next cleaning process is to be performed. If such a process is necessary, the nozzle unit is positioned above the target sample, that is, the above-described steps after S101 are repeatedly executed. The

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the cleaning liquid can be supplied and sucked using the plurality of flow paths in a state where the sealed space is formed, the object can be efficiently cleaned. In addition, since the inner cylinder and the middle cylinder are positioned close to the object but separated from the object, problems such as breakage and peeling of the object can be effectively prevented. Furthermore, since the residual liquid can be blown off by air supply and removed and sucked, there is an advantage that the next reagent treatment can be performed appropriately. In the embodiment described above, one nozzle unit is shown, but a plurality of nozzle units may be operated simultaneously or individually. In any case, since the cleaning process can be performed independently for each object, there is an advantage that the cleaning process can be performed on each object at a necessary timing.

  Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure similar to the structure shown in FIG. 1, and the description is abbreviate | omitted. The nozzle unit 30 shown in FIG. 3 has an inner cylinder 12, an intermediate cylinder 14, and an outer cylinder 16 as in the embodiment shown in FIG. However, the inner cylinder 12 and the middle cylinder 14 constitute an integrated internal double pipe 32, and the internal double pipe 32 can be moved relative to the external cylinder 16 independently. The nozzle body 34 is configured by combining the inner double tube 32 and the outer tube 16.

  A transport mechanism 38 is connected to the outer cylinder 16 via a block 36. The transport mechanism 38 includes a shaft 40, and the vertical movement by the transport mechanism 38 is transmitted to the block 36 via the shaft 40. However, the block 36 is connected to the frame 42 via a spring 46, and an impact at the stage where the outer cylinder 16 contacts the upper surface of the plate can be absorbed by the spring 46. The transport mechanism 38 includes a contact sensor 44, and the contact sensor 44 detects contact with the plate.

  In this embodiment, an actuator 52 is provided on the block 36, and the actuator 52 moves the block 54 relative to the block 36. The upper end of the internal double pipe 32 is connected to the block 54. That is, the actuator 52 can determine the vertical position of the internal double pipe 32 with the outer cylinder 16 as a reference.

  The block 36 is formed with a seal structure for holding an intermediate portion of the internal double pipe 32. Specifically, as shown in the drawing, an O-ring 50 as a seal member is provided. That is, even if the inner double tube 32 moves with respect to the outer cylinder 16, the airtightness is maintained. The block 54 is provided with a distance sensor 56. The distance sensor 56 includes a light emitter 60 and a light receiver 62, and light generated by the light emitter 60 is reflected by the reflecting surface 58 on the block 36, and the light is received by the light receiver 62. By such optical measurement, it is possible to observe the relative distance between the block 54 and the block 36, that is, the position of the internal double tube 32 when the outer cylinder 16 is used as a reference. As a result, the height of the front end surfaces of the inner cylinder 12 and the middle cylinder 14 can be made appropriate with reference to the front end surface of the outer cylinder 16 by the control of the control unit, that is, the gap Δh can be set. is there. This gap Δh may be varied according to the thickness of the sample, for example. That is, the height of the internal double tube 32 is positioned so that it is close to the sample but does not come into contact therewith.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, when a well 62 that accommodates an object 64 as a sample is formed on the plate 60 and the front end surface of the outer cylinder 16 is brought into contact with the outer periphery of the well 62, FIG. It is desirable to adopt a configuration as shown. That is, the heights of the front end surfaces of the inner cylinder 12 and the middle cylinder 14 are determined based on the front end surface of the outer cylinder 16 according to the depth of the well 62 or the thickness of the object 64. In general, it is considered that the height h3 of the tip surface of the internal double pipe is higher than the height h2 of the tip surface of the outer cylinder 16, but the height relationship is reversed depending on the situation. It can be considered.

  Next, an example of reagent processing using the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The apparatus according to the present embodiment has a feature that a nozzle unit that is a triple tube can be used in both reagent processing and cleaning processing. Of course, it is possible to use the nozzle unit only in one of the reagent processing and the cleaning processing.

  FIG. 5 shows a main configuration in the case where reagent processing is performed. The whole apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is used. The nozzle unit 10 includes an inner cylinder 12, an intermediate cylinder 14, and an outer cylinder 16. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a temperature management heater 106 is provided outside the outer cylinder 16. A specimen 20 as an object is provided on the plate 18, and the distal end surface of the outer cylinder 16 is in contact with the periphery of the specimen 20 on the upper surface of the plate 18 during reagent processing. Thereby, a sealed space for reagent processing is formed. At this time, the distal end surface of the inner cylinder 12 and the distal end surface of the middle cylinder 14 are positioned close to the specimen 20 but at a height that does not contact them. A heater 108 for temperature management is provided on the lower surface side of the plate 18.

  A reagent container 110 is installed near the plate 18. The reagent container 110 stores a reagent in its contents, and a lower part 112 of the reagent container 110 extends in the horizontal direction, and an insertion tube 116 formed so as to protrude from the intermediate wall 117 exists at the upper part thereof, adjacent to it. There is a storage chamber 114 projecting from the intermediate wall 117. The upper opening of the storage chamber 114 is closed by an openable / closable lid 114A. The opening surface level of the plug-in cylinder 116 and the opening surface level of the storage chamber 114 are the same in the configuration example shown in FIG. 5, but there may be a difference between them. As shown in FIG. 6, the insertion tube 116 is formed in a circular shape having a diameter that can be inserted into a space B that is a gap between the inner tube 12 and the middle tube 14 in the nozzle unit. The storage chamber 114 has a rectangular shape when viewed from above, but may be configured in other forms.

  FIG. 7 shows a state during reagent aspiration. At the time of reagent aspiration, in this example, the inner cylinder 12 and the middle cylinder 14 are pulled down with respect to the outer cylinder 16, and the insertion cylinder 116 is inserted therebetween. In this state, the front end surface level of the outer cylinder 16 is at the height indicated by reference numeral 122, and the front end surface levels of the inner cylinder 12 and the middle cylinder 14 are at the height indicated by reference numeral 124. The front end surface level 124 is determined to be slightly higher than the upper surface of the intermediate wall and lower than the liquid level in the insertion tube 116 to prevent a collision. In the illustrated example, most of the insertion surface 116 is provided. Enters between the inner cylinder 12 and the middle cylinder 14. In this state, the reagent is sucked into the inner cylinder 12 of the nozzle unit 10. In the present embodiment, the inner cylinder 12 and the middle cylinder 14 are integrated so that they move up and down at the same time, but a configuration capable of individually moving them up and down is adopted. If it is, only the inner cylinder 12 may be lowered and the reagent may be sucked into the inside.

  At the time of reagent processing after reagent aspiration, as shown in FIG. 5, the reagent is supplied from the space A into the sealed space formed by the outer cylinder 16 to perform the reagent processing on the specimen. . After a certain time, the reagent in the sealed space is aspirated through the space B. Reagent can be aspirated from the sealed space, so the remaining liquid can be reduced as much as possible. After the reagent is discharged and aspirated, the nozzle unit 10 is cleaned using the cleaning tank 120 shown in FIG. In that case, the cleaning liquid may be allowed to flow down from each flow path to be captured in the cleaning tank 120, or the cleaning liquid that has flowed out of the nozzle unit 10 may be used as the cleaning well by using the cleaning tank 120 as a cleaning well. The nozzle unit 10 may be washed by a so-called overflow method by circulating to the outer surface of the nozzle.

  Next, another example of the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the operation example shown in FIG. 2, the process from the plate cleaning to the nozzle unit cleaning is shown. However, in the operation example shown in FIG. 8, the process from the reagent processing to the nozzle unit cleaning is shown. . Here, S201 indicates a reagent processing step, S202 indicates a plate cleaning step, and S203 indicates a nozzle cleaning step. Hereinafter, the specific content of each process is demonstrated.

  In S204, the nozzle unit 10 is positioned above the reagent container 110 shown in FIG. In S205, after the entire nozzle unit 10 has been pulled down to a certain height, only the inner cylinder 12 and the middle cylinder 14 are pulled down further while the outer cylinder 16 is maintained at the same height. In between, the insertion tube 116 which is a reagent suction port is inserted. In S206, the reagent is aspirated into the space A inside the inner cylinder 12. In that case, the flow path a1 is selected by the valve V1 shown in FIG. 1, and the suction operation by the syringe pump P1 is performed. Thereafter, the suction state is maintained until the reagent is discharged. In S <b> 207, the inner cylinder 12 and the middle cylinder 14 are lifted upward and stored in the outer cylinder 16. In the retracted state, it is desirable that the front end surface level of the inner cylinder 12 and the middle cylinder 14 be positioned above the front end surface level of the outer cylinder 16 by a predetermined amount. In S <b> 208, the nozzle unit 10 is lifted upward, and is positioned above the portion where the reaction process is performed, that is, above the specimen 20 on the plate 18. Thereafter, the space C is opened to the atmosphere by the valve V3 and the valve V4 (S209). In S210, the nozzle unit 10 is lowered, the tip surface of the outer cylinder 16 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the plate 18, and the descent of the nozzle unit 10 is stopped at that time. In this state, a sealed space including the specimen 20 is formed in the outer cylinder 16. In S <b> 211, the inner cylinder 12 and the middle cylinder 14 are moved up and down in the sealed space to perform position control with respect to the specimen 20. In S212, the syringe pump P1 is driven and the reagent is discharged from the space A to the specimen 20. Immediately thereafter, the valve V4 is closed in S213, and the reagent processing is performed for a predetermined time. At that time, the temperature is controlled if necessary.

  At the time of washing the plate after the reagent treatment, the valve V4 is opened in S214, and in the sealed state that encloses the specimen by the outer cylinder 16, that is, in the isolated state on the plate, in S215, by the action of the valve V1 and the syringe pump P1, A certain amount of cleaning liquid is poured into the sealed space via the space A. Thereafter, in S216, the cleaning liquid is sucked by the pump P2, and at this time, the valve V2 selects the flow path b1 (the waste liquid tank side). These steps of S215 and S216 are repeated as many times as necessary. For example, it is repeated three times. In S217, the valve V4 is closed, and in S218, air is poured into the space C by the action of the valve V3 and the pump P4, and at the same time, the space B is sucked by the action of the pump P2 and the valve V2.

  Next, in S219, the nozzle unit is driven up and positioned above the cleaning tank 120 (FIG. 5) for cleaning the nozzle unit 10. In S220, the nozzle unit 10 is driven downward to be inserted into the cleaning tank 120 and stopped in that state. In S221, the cleaning liquid is poured into the spaces A, B, and C by the action of the valves V1, V2, and V3 and the pumps P1, P2, and P3, respectively. The cleaning liquid is captured in the cleaning tank 120. At this time, if the cleaning liquid circulates to the outside of the nozzle unit 10, the cleaning efficiency of the portion is also increased. In S222, the supply of the cleaning liquid is stopped. In S223, after the valves V2 and V3 are switched, the nozzle unit 10 is driven upward. In S224, air is sent into the space C by the pump P3. At that time, the space B is sucked by the pump P2. In S225, the supply of air to the space C and the suction from the space B are stopped. In S226, it is determined whether or not to continue the process, and in the case of continuing, the processes after S204 are repeatedly executed.

  According to the said embodiment, reagent processing and plate washing | cleaning can be performed efficiently using the nozzle unit with a triple tube structure. In particular, since it is not necessary to cause the nozzle to move between these processes, that is, the contact state of the nozzle unit can be maintained as it is, so that the operation efficiency is very good. Further, there is an advantage that efficient reagent processing and cleaning processing can be performed using a plurality of flow paths formed in the nozzle unit.

It is a block diagram which shows suitable embodiment of the processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure for demonstrating the washing | cleaning processing apparatus which concerns on other embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the washing process with respect to the plate which has a well. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure for a reagent process. It is a top view of a reagent container. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation | movement at the time of reagent aspiration. 7 is a flowchart for explaining another operation example of the processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

  10 nozzle unit, 12 inner cylinder, 14 middle cylinder, 16 outer cylinder, 18 plate, 20 object, 22 transport mechanism, 28 control unit.

Claims (10)

An object processing apparatus having a plate having a flat plate surface provided with an object array composed of a plurality of spot-like objects separated from each other, and individually processing each object constituting the object array Because
A nozzle unit having a multi-tube structure having a plurality of flow paths, which is used when liquid processing is performed on an object on the plate surface ;
A suction / discharge mechanism connected to a plurality of flow paths of the nozzle unit;
Including
The nozzle unit is
In the liquid processing of the object, has a barrel tip face abutting the plates Table surface while surrounding the object without contact, in a contact state of the barrel tip surface, it is partitioned from the outside An outer cylinder that forms a sealed space including the object as a space ,
A cylindrical member provided in the outer cylinder, in liquid processing of the object, in a higher position retracted than the front end surface of the outer cylinder and without contact with the object from above A middle cylinder having an adjacent middle cylinder tip surface;
A cylindrical member provided in the middle cylinder, and in a liquid treatment of the object, is in a higher position retracted than the front end surface of the outer cylinder and is not in contact with the object from above. An inner cylinder having an adjacent inner cylinder tip surface;
Including
An outer channel is formed between the outer cylinder and the middle cylinder, an intermediate channel is formed between the middle cylinder and the inner cylinder, and an inner channel is formed in the inner cylinder,
The sealed space is formed before liquid treatment of the object, and a plurality of channels selected from the group of channels including the outer channel, the intermediate channel, and the inner channel are formed in the sealed space. Liquid processing of the object is performed using the flow path of
The object processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The apparatus of claim 1.
The suction / discharge mechanism is
A first pump means connected to a first flow path in the flow path group for supplying a cleaning liquid to the sealed space during the cleaning process of the target object as a liquid process of the target object;
A second pump means connected to the second flow path in the flow path group and for sucking the cleaning liquid supplied to the sealed space during the cleaning process of the object;
A third pump means connected to a third flow path in the flow path group for supplying a drying gas during the cleaning process of the object;
The object processing apparatus characterized by including. The apparatus of claim 2.
The suction / discharge mechanism is connected to a predetermined flow path in the flow path group, and causes a reagent to be sucked from the reagent tank to the flow path when performing a reaction process using a reagent as a liquid process for the object. An object processing apparatus comprising dispensing means for discharging a reagent from the flow path to the sealed space. The apparatus of claim 3.
The predetermined channel and the first channel are the inner channels,
2. The object processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inner flow path is also used for aspirating and discharging the reagent in the reaction process and discharging a cleaning liquid in the object cleaning process. The apparatus of claim 4.
A syringe pump is connected to the inner flow path,
The said syringe pump comprises the said dispensing means in the said reaction process, and comprises the said 1st pump means in the washing | cleaning process of the said object, The target object processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The apparatus of claim 5.
The syringe pump supplies cleaning liquid to the inner flow path as the first flow path in the cleaning process of the nozzle unit itself after the cleaning process of the object,
The second pump means supplies cleaning liquid to the intermediate flow path as the second flow path in the cleaning process of the nozzle unit itself,
A fourth pump means is connected to the outer flow path as the third flow path,
The fourth pump means supplies cleaning liquid to the outer flow path as the third flow path in the cleaning process of the nozzle unit itself.
The object processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The apparatus of claim 6.
The third pump means supplies a drying gas to the outer flow path after the cleaning liquid is supplied to the outer flow path by the fourth pump means in the cleaning process of the nozzle unit itself.
The object processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The apparatus of claim 1.
Each object is an antibody, an antigen or a nucleic acid,
The object processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The apparatus of claim 1.
On the surface of the plate, a concave portion for accommodating the object on the bottom surface and a peripheral portion higher than the bottom surface are formed,
In a state where the outer cylinder front end surface is in contact with the upper surface of the peripheral portion, the middle cylinder front end surface and the inner cylinder front end surface are positioned at a position higher than the upper surface of the object.
The object processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The apparatus of claim 1.
An adjustment mechanism for moving up and down at least one of the middle cylinder and the inner cylinder relative to the outer cylinder is provided.
The object processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.

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