JP5183255B2 - Analytical device driving apparatus and analytical apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an analysis device driving apparatus in which an analysis device used for analyzing a liquid collected from a living organism is set.

  Conventionally, as a method for analyzing a liquid collected from a living organism or the like, a method for analyzing using a device for analysis in which a liquid channel is formed is known. The analytical device can control the fluid using a rotating device, and utilizes centrifugal force to dilute the sample liquid, measure the solution, separate the solid component, transfer and distribute the separated fluid, Since a solution and a reagent can be mixed, various biochemical analyzes can be performed.

  As shown in FIG. 15, an analytical device 50 that transfers a solution using centrifugal force injects a sample liquid from an injection port 51 into a measuring chamber 52 using an insertion instrument such as a pipette, as shown in FIG. After holding the sample solution with the capillary force of 52, the sample solution is transferred to the separation chamber 53 by the rotation of the analysis device 50. An analytical device that uses such centrifugal force as a power source for liquid feeding can be used as a preferred shape because microchannels for liquid feeding control can be arranged radially by using a disk shape, and no wasted area is generated. It is done.

16 and 17 can be considered as an analysis device driving apparatus in which the analysis device 50 is detachably set, and the set analysis device 50 is rotationally driven.
As shown in FIG. 16, the analysis device 1 in which the sample solution is set is set on the turntable 101, the analysis device 1 is held between the clamper 116 with the open / close lid 103 closed, and the turntable 101 is The sample solution is rotated and transferred inside the analysis device 1 for analysis or centrifugation.

FIG. 17 shows a state in which the analysis device 1 is set on the turntable 101 and the open / close lid 103 is closed. In FIG. 17, the opening / closing lid 103 can be rotated around the support shaft 114 to be opened and closed.
In the state where the groove 102 is formed on the upper surface of the turntable 101 and the analysis device 1 is set on the turntable 101, the engaging portion 15 of the analysis device 1 is engaged with the groove 102. When the analysis device 1 is set on the turntable 101 and the opening / closing lid 103 is closed before the turntable 101 is rotated, the set analysis device 1 is moved by the clamper 116 provided on the opening / closing lid 103 side. The position on the rotational axis of the turntable 101 is pressed toward the turntable 101 by the biasing force of the spring 105, and the analysis device 1 is rotated integrally with the turntable 101 that is rotationally driven by the rotational driving means 106. Reference numeral 8 denotes an axis center of the turntable 101 during rotation.
JP 7-500910 (Fig. 1)

  However, in the configuration shown in FIG. 17, when an external force such as vibration or impact is applied to the analysis device 1 that is rotating at high speed, the analysis device 1 is lifted off the turntable 101 and the analysis device 1 is turned. A failure that falls off the table 101 occurs.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a highly safe analyzing device driving apparatus capable of avoiding the occurrence of a failure that causes an analytical device that is rotating at a high speed to come off the turntable even when an external force is applied during operation. To do.

The analysis device driving apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention sets an analysis device on which a sample solution is set on a turntable, and rotates the turntable to transfer the sample solution in the analysis device. An analysis device driving apparatus for analyzing or centrifuging, wherein a clamper sandwiches the analysis device with the turntable, an urging means for pressing the clamper in a direction close to the turntable, and the turntable Only when the clamper is positioned above the axis of the clamper in a state of sandwiching the analysis device and is lifted from the turntable to exceed the allowable value against the biasing force of the biasing means. and stopper means for the analysis device in contact is restricted from deviating from the turntable provided, analysis to the turntable An opening / closing lid that is opened and closed when the device is attached / detached, and the urging means is constituted by a leaf spring that is long in the radial direction of the turntable and whose tip abuts against the axis of the clamper, as the stopper means A height that is provided on an inner surface of the opening / closing lid and contacts the axial center of the clamper via the plate spring when the clamper is lifted from the turntable exceeding an allowable value against the urging force of the plate spring. It is characterized in that a convex portion is provided.

Analyzer according to claim 2 of the present invention comprises an analysis device driving apparatus according to claim 1 Symbol placement, by accessing the reactants with the interior of the sample solution and the reagent of the analysis device to read a particular component It is characterized by comprising.

  According to the analysis device driving apparatus and the analysis apparatus including the same according to the present invention, even if the clamper tries to float above an allowable value due to an external force acting during operation, the axial center of the rotating clamper Since the stopper means is in contact with the analysis device, the analysis device does not come off the turntable.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
(Embodiment 1)
1 to 8 show an analyzing apparatus provided with the analyzing device driving apparatus of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 shows a state in which an analysis device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is set on a turntable 101 of an analysis device drive device of an analysis apparatus, and FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) are protective caps of the analysis device 1. 2 shows a closed state and an opened state. FIG. 3 shows a state where the analysis device 1 is disassembled with the surface in contact with the turntable 101 facing upward.

  The analysis device 1 includes a protective cap 2 for preventing scattering of a sample liquid, a base substrate 3 on which a microchannel structure having fine irregularities on its surface is formed, a cover substrate 4 that covers the surface of the base substrate 3, and a dilution. It consists of parts such as the dilution unit 5 holding the liquid.

  The base substrate 3 and the cover substrate 4 are joined with the dilution unit 5 and the like set therein, and the protective cap 2 is attached to the joined substrate. One side of the protective cap 2 is pivotally supported so that it can be opened and closed by engaging with the shafts 6 a and 6 b formed on the base substrate 3 and the cover substrate 4.

  By covering the openings of several concave portions formed on the upper surface of the base substrate 3 with the cover substrate 4, a plurality of storage areas and flow paths connecting the storage areas are formed (see FIG. 3). reference). Necessary ones of the storage areas are loaded with reagents necessary for various analyses.

  The analyzing device 1 can collect a sample solution, for example, a solution such as blood, from the inlet 7, and closes the protective cap 2 and sets it on the turntable 101 of the analyzer, thereby analyzing the component of the sample solution. It can be carried out. Reference numeral 8 denotes an axis center of the turntable 101 during rotation.

  The analysis device 1 includes a centrifugal force generated by rotating the analysis device 1 around the axis 8 located on the inner periphery of the sample solution taken into the inside from the injection port 7 and for analysis. The capillary cap force of the capillary channel provided in the device 1 is used to transfer the solution inside the analysis device 1, and the protective cap 2 is attached to the vicinity of the inlet 7. Is attached to prevent scattering due to centrifugal force during analysis.

  Since the analysis apparatus analyzes the sample liquid by an optical measurement method that measures light transmitted through the analysis device 1, the material of the base substrate 3 and the cover substrate 4 may be PC, PMMA, AS, MS, or the like. A highly transparent resin is desirable.

  The base substrate 3 and the cover substrate 4 are preferably joined by a method that hardly affects the reaction activity of the reagent carried in the storage area, such as ultrasonic welding or laser welding, in which reactive gas or solvent is less likely to be emitted during joining. Is desirable.

5 to 7 show an analyzer in which the analysis device 1 is set.
In FIG. 5, the analysis device 1 is mounted on the turntable 101 that rotates about the axis 8 of the analysis apparatus 100 with the base substrate 3 and the cover substrate 4 of the cover substrate 4 facing down. The analysis is performed with the open / close lid 103 closed. In FIG. 1, the opening / closing lid 103 can be rotated around a support shaft 114 to be opened and closed.

  A groove 102 is formed on the upper surface of the turntable 101 as shown in FIG. 5, and when the analysis device 1 is set on the turntable 101, the engaging portion 15 formed on the cover substrate 4 of the analysis device 1. The engaging portion 16 formed on the protective cap 2 engages with and accommodates the groove 102.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the analysis apparatus 100 includes a rotation drive unit 106 for rotating the turntable 101, an optical measurement unit 109 for optically measuring a solution in the analysis device 1, and a turntable 101. Obtained by the control unit 108 for controlling the rotation speed and direction, the measurement timing of the optical measurement unit, the calculation unit 110 for processing the signal obtained by the optical measurement unit 109 and calculating the measurement result, and the calculation unit 110 And a display unit 111 for displaying the results.

  The rotation driving means 106 not only rotates the analyzing device 1 around the axis 8 at a predetermined rotation speed around the axis 8 via the turntable 101 but also a predetermined centering on the axis 8 at a predetermined stop position. The analyzing device 1 can be swung by reciprocating left and right in the amplitude range and period. Here, the turntable 101 is rotated around the axis 8 using the motor 104 as the rotation driving means 106.

  Here, the rotational operation and the swinging operation of the analyzing device 1 are performed by the single rotational driving means 106. However, in order to reduce the load on the rotational driving means 106, the driving means for the swinging operation is separately provided. It does not matter if it is provided. Specifically, the analyzing device 1 set on the turntable 101 is brought into direct or indirect contact with a vibration means such as a vibration motor prepared separately from the motor 104. The inertial force is imparted to the solution in the analytical device 1 by swinging.

  The optical measuring means 109 detects a laser light source 112 that irradiates the measuring unit of the analytical device 1 with laser light, and detects the amount of transmitted light that has passed through the analytical device 1 out of the laser light emitted from the laser light source 112. The photo detector 113 is provided.

  A clamper 116 is held on the opening / closing lid 103 via a holding plate 115. Further, the opening / closing lid 103 is provided with a leaf spring 117 as an urging means for pressing the clamper 116. After the analysis device 1 is set on the turntable 101, the analysis apparatus 1 is rotated before the turntable 101 is rotated. 1 is closed as indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1, the leaf spring 117 contacts the clamper 116 on the axis 8 of the rotation of the turntable 101, and the clamper 116 is moved by the urging force of the leaf spring 117. Pushed to the turntable 101 side, the analysis device 1 is sandwiched between the clamper 116 and the turntable 101, and the turntable 101 rotates at a high speed integrally with the analysis device 1.

  At this time, when the engagement depth between the groove 102 of the turntable 101 and the engagement portion 15 of the analysis device 1 is X1, the analysis device 1 during high-speed rotation driving exceeds the X1 from the turntable 101. The plate spring 117 is biased toward the turntable 101 so as not to float. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a convex portion 119 is formed on the inner surface of the opening / closing lid 103 so that the gap 118 between the opening / closing lid 103 and the leaf spring 117 at a position above the axis 8 is X1 or less. ing.

  As described above, since the convex portion 119 as the stopper means is opposed to the opening / closing lid 103 with the gap 118 provided between the leaf spring 117 and the biasing force is obtained from the leaf spring 117, the convex portion 119 is protruded. The part 119 and the leaf spring 117 do not come into contact with each other, and the clamper 116 rotates at high speed only by point contact with the leaf spring 117 on the axis 8.

  On the other hand, even if an external force is applied during operation and the analytical device 1 is lifted from the turntable 101 beyond the allowable value X1, the clamper 116 comes into contact with the convex portion 119 via the leaf spring 117. Thus, it is possible to reliably regulate the analysis device 1 from being detached from the turntable 101. In this case, the contact point between the leaf spring 117 and the convex portion 119 is also only a point contact on the shaft center 8, and a stable operation can be expected over a long period of time.

  Further, the holding plate 115 arranged opposite to the set analysis device 1 is constituted by a heater plate that generates heat when energized, or by indirectly heating the holding plate 115 with a heater, the analysis time can be reduced. It is possible to reduce the size of the analyzer without realizing the shortening and arranging the heating means in another place.

The X1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 8A shows the state immediately before placing the analysis device 1 on the turntable 101, and grooves formed on the turntable 101 so that the analysis device 1 can be easily set in the grooves 102 of the turntable 101. In the opening of 102, an inclined surface 120 having a large diameter toward the outer peripheral side is formed, and the engagement portion 15 of the cover substrate 4 of the analysis device 1 and the engagement portion 16 formed on the protective cap 2 are the outermost. The chamfered portions 121 and 122 are processed so that the corner portions of the outer peripheral portion are eliminated.

  Even when the analysis device 1 is set from a position slightly deviated from the groove 102 of the turntable 101, the chamfered portions 121 and 122 of the analysis device 1 come into contact with the inclined surface 120 of the turntable 101, and the turntable 101 turns. While being guided by the inclined surface 120 of the table 101, the engaging portions 15 and 16 of the analyzing device 1 engage with the groove 102 as shown in FIG.

  At this time, X1 is the distance between the minimum diameter position P1 of the inclined surface 120 of the turntable 101 and the base end position P2 of the chamfered portions 121 and 122 of the analysis device 1, and an external force is applied during operation. In a state where the analysis device 1 is lifted from the turntable 101 by X1, the chamfered portions 121 and 122 of the analysis device 1 ride on the slope 120 of the turntable 101, and the analysis device 1 is detached from the turntable 101 by centrifugal force. It is necessary to maintain the clamper 116 so that it does not rise above the allowable value X1 from the turntable 101 against the urging force of the leaf spring 117.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, the convex portion 119 as a stopper means is formed on the opening / closing lid 103 to restrict the lifting of the analytical device 1 from the turntable 101. However, in the second embodiment shown in FIG. The gap 123 between the opposing surface 115A of the clamper 116 and the clamper 116 is set to be less than the allowable value X1. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the center of the holding plate 115, a hole 115B having a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion 116A and the small diameter portion 116B of the clamper 116 is formed. The clamper 116 is supported by inserting the body portion 116C between the large diameter portion 116A and the small diameter portion 116B through the hole 115B.

(Embodiment 3)
In the second embodiment, the clamper 116 is brought into direct contact with the lower surface of the holding plate 115 to restrict the lifting of the analytical device 1 from the turntable 101 due to an external force. However, in the third embodiment shown in FIG. A protrusion 124 protruding toward the clamper 116 is formed around the hole 115B on the surface of the plate 115 on the turntable 101 side, and a gap 125 between the protrusion 124 and the clamper 116 is an allowable value. It is set to be less than X1. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

Specifically, the protrusion 124 is made of a material having better friction and wear characteristics than the holding plate 115 such as POM (polyacetal) or nylon.
(Embodiment 4)
In the second embodiment, the clamper 116 is brought into direct contact with the lower surface of the holding plate 115 to restrict the lifting of the analytical device 1 from the turntable 101 due to external force. However, in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. A protrusion 126 is formed on the surface of the small-diameter portion 116B facing the holding plate 115, and a gap 127 between the surface of the protrusion 126 and the holding plate 115 facing the holding plate 115 is set to be less than the allowable value X1. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

Specifically, the protrusion 126 is integrally formed with the small-diameter portion 116B and is made of a material having better friction and wear characteristics than the holding plate 115 such as POM (polyacetal) or nylon.
(Embodiment 5)
In each of the above embodiments, the urging means is the leaf spring 117, but it may be configured using a coil spring.

FIG. 12 shows a modification of FIG. The same components as those in the previous embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.
In the fifth embodiment, the clamper 116 is attached to the tip of a shaft 128 implanted in the opening / closing lid 113 via a bearing 129. Reference numeral 130 denotes a retaining ring, which is provided so that the bearing 129 does not fall off the shaft 128. A coil spring 132 is interposed between the opening / closing lid 113 and a washer 131 whose one surface is in contact with the inner peripheral side of the bearing 129. In the state where the opening / closing lid 113 is opened like a virtual line position, the clamper 116 is disposed. Is pressed against the ring 130 at the tip of the shaft 128 by a coil spring 132. A shaft 128 is inserted inside the coil spring 132.

  When the open / close lid 113 is closed as shown by the solid line position and the analysis device 1 is held between the turntable 101 and the clamper 116, the bearing 129 is separated from the ring 130 against the bias of the coil spring 132. Therefore, the clamper 116 is pressed and held by the biasing force of the coil spring 132 on the analysis device 1 set on the turntable 101.

  On the other hand, even if the analysis device 1 tries to float from the turntable 101 beyond the allowable value X1, the gap 134 during normal operation between the projection 133 formed integrally with the opening / closing lid 103 and the washer 131 remains. Since it is set to be less than the allowable value X1, when an external force acts during operation and the analysis device 1 is lifted from the turntable 101, the washer 131 collides with the protrusion 133 of the opening / closing lid 103 first, Occurrence of a situation where the analysis device 1 is detached from the turntable 101 can be avoided. The protrusion 133 is formed on the opening / closing lid 103 so as to surround the shaft 128.

(Embodiment 6)
In each of the embodiments described above, the analysis device 1 is placed between the turntable 101 and the clamper 116 by opening the open / close lid 103 and placing the analysis device 1 on the turntable 101 and closing the open / close lid 103 in this state. However, the analysis device 1 can be similarly implemented when the analysis device 1 is sandwiched between the turntable 101 and the clamper 116 by the center loading method as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. .

  In this embodiment, when the start end of the analysis device 1 is inserted from the insertion port 136 formed in the front panel 135 of the analysis device casing 137, it is detected that the analysis device 1 is inserted from the insertion port 136. A handling means (not shown) sets the analysis device 1 inserted into the insertion port 136 on the turntable 101 waiting at the lowered position.

  The handling means has the same configuration as that found in a front-loading type optical disc drive apparatus. More specifically, this type of configuration is described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-27407. Yes.

  When the analysis device 1 is set on the turntable 101 as shown in FIG. 14A by the handling means, the turntable 101 is then lifted as shown in FIG. 1 is pinched. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  In the second to fifth embodiments, it can be similarly implemented by the front loading method.

  The present invention is useful as a transfer control means for an analytical device used for component analysis of a liquid collected from a living organism.

Sectional drawing of the state which set the device for analysis in the analyzer in Embodiment 1 of this invention External perspective view of closed state and opened state of protective cap of analytical device of same embodiment Exploded perspective view of the analysis device of the same embodiment The perspective view which looked at the analytical device of the state which closed the protective cap of the embodiment from the back The perspective view just before setting the analysis device of the embodiment to an analyzer The perspective view of the state which opened the opening-and-closing lid of the analyzer of the embodiment Configuration diagram of a signal processing circuit of the analyzer according to the embodiment Enlarged cross-sectional view of the analytical device immediately before and after it is set on the turntable Sectional drawing of the state which set the device for analysis in the analyzer in Embodiment 2 of this invention Sectional drawing of the state which set the device for analysis in the analyzer in Embodiment 3 of this invention Sectional drawing of the state which set the device for analysis in the analyzer in Embodiment 4 of this invention Sectional drawing of the state which set the device for analysis in the analyzer in Embodiment 5 of this invention Sectional drawing of the state which inserted the starting end of the device for analysis in the insertion port of the analyzer in Embodiment 6 of this invention Sectional drawing before and after raising the tar table in the process of clamping the analyzing device of the embodiment Partially cutaway perspective view of analysis device of Patent Document 1 Perspective view with analyzer lid open Sectional view of the analytical device set in the analytical device drive

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Analytical device 2 Protective cap 3 Base board 4 Cover board 5 Dilution unit 6a, 6b Shaft 7 Inlet 8 Shaft center 15 and 16 in rotation of turntable 101 Engagement part 100 Analyzer 101 Turntable 102 Groove 103 Opening / closing lid 104 Motor (rotation drive means)
106 Rotation drive means 108 Control means 109 Optical measurement means 110 Calculation part 111 Display part 112 Laser light source 113 Photo detector 114 Support shaft 115 of the opening / closing lid 103 Holding plate 115A Opposing surface 115B of the support plate to the clamper The clamper of the support plate is inserted Hole 116 Clamper 116A Large diameter portion 116B Small diameter portion 116C Body 117 Leaf spring (biasing means)
118, 123, 125 Clearance 119 Convex (stopper means)
120 Slope 121, 122 Chamfered portion 124, 126 Protruding portion 127 Clearance 128 Shaft 129 Bearing 130 Retaining ring 131 Washer 132 Coil spring 133 Protruding portion 134 Clearance 135 Front panel 136 Insertion port 137 Analysis device casing X1 Depth of engagement with joint 15 (allowable value)

Claims (2)

An analysis device driving apparatus for setting an analysis device on which a sample solution is set on a turntable, rotating the turntable and transferring the sample solution in the analysis device to perform analysis or centrifugation,
A clamper sandwiching the analysis device with the turntable;
Urging means for pressing the clamper in a direction close to the turntable;
When the clamper is lifted from the turntable exceeding an allowable value against the biasing force of the biasing means, located on the axis of the clamper in a state of sandwiching the analysis device with the turntable A stopper means for restricting the analytical device from coming off from the turntable by abutting only
Provided,
An open / close lid that is opened and closed when the analysis device is attached to and detached from the turntable;
The urging means is constituted by a leaf spring which is disposed long in the radial direction of the turntable and the tip abuts against the axis of the clamper;
As the stopper means, an axial center of the clamper is provided via the leaf spring when the clamper is provided on the inner surface of the opening / closing lid and the clamper is lifted from the turntable exceeding an allowable value against the urging force of the leaf spring. the convex portion of the abutting height provided
Minute析用device drive. With the analyzing device driving apparatus according to claim 1 Symbol placement,
An analyzer configured to access a reaction product between a sample solution and a reagent inside an analysis device and read a specific component.

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