JP5359964B2 - Inspection object receiver, inspection apparatus and inspection method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an inspection object receiver, an inspection apparatus that rotates the inspection object receiver, and an inspection method that uses the inspection apparatus. For example, the present invention relates to a test object receiver for performing chemical, medical, and biological tests, a test apparatus that rotates the test target receiver, and a test method that uses the test apparatus.

  Conventionally, in the field of chemical, medical, and biological tests, DNA (Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid), enzymes, antigens, antibodies, proteins, viruses, biological materials such as cells, and chemical substances are detected and quantified. An inspection object receiver called a microchip or an inspection chip to be used in some cases has been proposed. In this inspection object receptacle, a liquid to be inspected is injected into an internal liquid supply path, the inspection object receiver is rotated, and a centrifugal force generated by the rotation is used to form the inspection object receptacle. The liquid is moved to a plurality of mixing tanks in the flow channel thus inspected (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this apparatus, it is shown that blood is centrifuged, then a reaction reagent and its diluted solution are mixed, and a test is performed by a process of mixing sample blood and a reaction reagent.

  In addition, a plurality of mixing tanks are provided in the flow path of the inspection object receiver, the direction of the centrifugal force applied to the inspection object receiver is changed, and the liquid to be inspected is moved in order to move the mixing object liquid. There has also been proposed a method in which the reaction liquid is confused for inspection (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP 60-238760 A JP 2009-281869 A

  However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, there is a problem in that it is impossible to perform an inspection in which a number of samples or inspection liquids greater than the exemplified number are mixed in a complicated order. Further, the invention described in Patent Document 2 has a problem that the liquid flows out in addition to the desired mixing tank.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and can cope with an increase in the number of liquids to be mixed, and can inspect a liquid to be inspected that can circulate through the mixed layer at a desired timing. An object is to realize an inspection apparatus and an inspection method.

To achieve the above object, the test object receptacle of the first aspect of the present invention, the bicycles are sequentially held in a plurality of predetermined rotation angle, the liquid to be tested by the centrifugal force generated by being revolved An inspection object receiver used for an application to be inspected by being moved inside, receiving a liquid input port for supplying the liquid, and a liquid input from the liquid input port , and measuring a desired amount of the liquid comprising a receiving portion for a mixing tank for mixing the metered sample with reagent by the receiving unit, and a reagent supply port for supplying the reagent to the mixing tank, the receiving unit, the A first wall portion and a second wall portion forming walls opposite to the liquid inlet, the first wall portion guides the liquid toward the mixing tank, the second wall portion, Less than 180 degrees and greater than 0 degrees with respect to the extending direction of the first wall portion Extended in either angular direction have the leading end opposite to the first wall portion, said a reference desired amount, the mixing tank, the opposite wall and the first wall portion The reagent supply port is located from the tip of the third wall on the side opposite to the mixing vessel to the tip of the first wall on the side of the mixing vessel, The wall portion has an acute angle formed on the reagent supply port side among the angles perpendicular to the first wall portion, and the flow path extends from the tip of the third wall portion opposite to the receiving portion. Is extended in the direction opposite to the reagent supply port with respect to the third wall portion .

  In the inspection object receiver having this configuration, the liquid can be mixed without flowing out of the liquid other than the target timing and the target mixing tank.

Moreover, since the said mixing tank is provided, a reagent can be mixed with the said liquid with a mixing tank at the target timing.

In addition, the mixing tank includes a third wall part that forms a wall opposite to the first wall part, and the reagent supply port extends from the tip of the third wall part opposite to the mixing tank. The angle formed on the reagent supply port side is an acute angle among the angles formed between the third wall portion and the direction perpendicular to the first wall portion. The flow path extending from the tip of the third wall portion opposite to the receiving portion extends in the direction opposite to the reagent supply port with respect to the third wall portion. The liquid can be mixed without flowing out of the liquid other than the mixing tank. Moreover, the backflow to a mixing tank can be prevented.

A plurality of the mixing tanks may be provided in series, and the extension angles of the third wall portions of the mixing tanks may be formed at different angles. In this case, a plurality of reagents can be sequentially mixed in a mixing tank provided in series. In the third wall portion of each mixing tank, the extension angle of the downstream third wall portion may be formed larger than the extension angle of the upstream third wall portion. In this case, when the direction of the centrifugal force is changed in order from a small angle to a large angle, the liquid can be made to flow sequentially from the side where the angle of the extending direction of the wall portion with respect to the horizontal direction is small. Moreover, the flow timing can be changed by changing the angle.

It may also comprise a surplus tank for receiving the flowing liquid from the front end portion opposite to the front Symbol said first wall portion of the second wall portion. In this case, since a predetermined amount of liquid is measured by the measuring section and the surplus is stored in the surplus tank, it is possible to carry out from measuring to mixing only by putting a plurality of liquids into the test object receptacle.

Further, a rib having a predetermined length may be provided on the receiving portion side of the reagent supply port in a ceiling portion facing the mixing tank and in which the reagent supply port is formed . In this case, the reverse flow of the liquid to other receiving parts can be prevented by this rib.

  Moreover, in the inspection apparatus of the 2nd aspect of this invention, you may provide the rotation apparatus which rotates said test object receptacle. In this case, since the inspection object receiver can be rotated by the rotating device, the liquid and the reagent can be mixed in the target mixing tank at the target timing by the centrifugal force that rotates the inspection object receiver.

Further, the inspection method of the third aspect of the present invention, the bicycles are successively held in a plurality of predetermined rotation angle, the liquid to be tested by the centrifugal force generated by being revolved by moving inside inspection applications A receiving port for receiving the liquid, a receiving unit for receiving the liquid charged from the liquid charging port , and measuring a desired amount of the liquid, and the receiving member A mixing tank for mixing the sample and the reagent weighed by the unit, and a reagent supply port for supplying the reagent to the mixing tank , wherein the receiving part is opposite to the liquid input port. A first wall portion and a second wall portion forming a wall, wherein the first wall portion guides the liquid toward the mixing tank, and the second wall portion extends from the first wall portion. Extending in any angular direction from less than 180 degrees to more than 0 degrees Is, the tip opposite to the first wall portion, said a reference desired amount, the mixing vessel is provided with a third wall portion which forms a wall opposite the first wall portion, said The reagent supply port is located from the tip of the third wall portion on the opposite side to the mixing tank to the tip of the first wall portion on the mixing tank side, and the third wall portion is the first wall portion. The angle formed on the reagent supply port side is an acute angle, and the flow path extending from the tip of the third wall portion on the opposite side to the receiving portion is in relation to the third wall portion. An inspection method for inspecting the liquid inspection object by sequentially holding and rotating the inspection object receptacle formed to extend in the direction opposite to the reagent supply port at a plurality of predetermined rotation angles a is a liquid adding step to inject liquid from the liquid inlet of the test object receptacle, the test object receptacle in the first angular And held by rolling, by the centrifugal force generated by being revolved, a liquid metering step to inject a liquid into the receiving portion from the liquid inlet, after about previous SL liquid metering engineering, the test object receptacle And a mixing step of mixing the reagent with the liquid flowing out from the receiving part in the mixing tank by centrifugal force generated by rotating and holding at the second angle.

  In this inspection method, a liquid or a reagent can be mixed and inspected in a target mixing tank at a target timing by a centrifugal force that rotates the inspection target receptacle.

It is a top view of an inspection device. It is sectional drawing in XX shown in FIG. 1 of an inspection apparatus. It is sectional drawing in YY shown in FIG. 1 of an inspection apparatus. It is a top view of a test | inspection chip. It is the elements on larger scale of a test | inspection chip. It is the elements on larger scale of a test | inspection chip. It is the elements on larger scale of a test | inspection chip. It is a flowchart of an inspection process using an inspection chip and an inspection device. It is a flowchart of the process which changes an angle and adds a centrifugal force to a test | inspection chip. It is a top view of the test | inspection chip of the state filled with the reagent. It is a top view of the test | inspection chip which shows the state of the direction of 0 degree of centrifugal force. It is a top view of the test | inspection chip which shows the state of the direction of 30 degrees of centrifugal force. It is a top view of the test | inspection chip which shows the state of the direction of 60 degrees of centrifugal force. It is a top view of the test | inspection chip which shows the state of 90 degrees of centrifugal force directions. It is a top view of the test | inspection chip which shows the state of the direction of 0 degree of centrifugal force. It is a top view of the modification of a test | inspection chip.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, an inspection object receiver and an inspection apparatus 1 that rotates the inspection object and applies a centrifugal force in a predetermined direction to the inspection object receiver will be described as an example. In the following embodiments, the test chip 40 is used as an example of the test object receiver, and the rotation angle of the liquid supply path 46 of the test chip 40 with respect to the direction of the centrifugal force is changed. The inspection apparatus 1 that performs inspection by moving the head will be described. In the following description, the lower part of the drawing will be described as “lower” or “lower”, the upper part of the drawing will be referred to as “up” or “upper”, the right side of the drawing will be right or right, and

  First, the structure of the inspection apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inspection device 1 is provided with a cylindrical outer wall portion 2 and a disk-shaped turntable 3 in the outer wall portion 2. As shown in FIG. 1, a control device 70 is connected to the inspection device 1, and the control device 70 is provided with an operation unit (not shown) operated by a user. In addition, the turntable 3 is provided with a pair of tip holders 4 for holding inspection chips 40 as inspection target receptacles at both ends in the diameter direction. Since the inspection chip 40 is a plate-like member formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, the chip holder 4 has a box shape formed in a rectangular shape in plan view that is slightly larger than the inspection chip 40 so that the inspection chip 40 can be accommodated therein. It is a member. Further, the control device 70 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc., not shown, and controls the rotation of the turntable 3 and the rotation of the chip holder 4 to a predetermined angle.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a light source 7 and a detector 8 that detects light from the light source 7 are provided between the turntable 3 and the outer wall portion 2 of the inspection device 1. Irradiate light to the reaction product resulting from the mixing of the reagent and sample, and perform the necessary measurements. Although FIG. 2 shows a configuration in which light passes through the inspection chip 40, a configuration in which light reflected by the reaction product is detected may be used.

  Next, the rotation mechanism of the turntable 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, a motor 5 is provided at the lower part of the center of the turntable 3, and a shaft 6 of the motor 5 is connected to the center of the turntable 3. Accordingly, the turntable 3 is rotated by the rotation of the motor 5.

  Next, the angle changing mechanism 19 that changes the angle of the tip holder 4 in the direction of the centrifugal force will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. In FIG. 2, the angle changing mechanism 19 is simply drawn in a box shape, but the detailed structure will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the angle changing mechanism 19 includes a stepping motor 10, a gear 12 fixed to the shaft 11 of the stepping motor 10, a reduction gear 13 that meshes with the gear 12, and a shaft 14 of the gear 13. And a pulley 16 provided at a lower end portion of a shaft 18 that rotatably supports the tip holder 4. A belt 17 is stretched between the pulley 15 and the pulley 16. With this configuration, when the shaft 11 of the stepping motor 10 rotates by a predetermined angle, the gear 12 rotates, the gear 13 meshing with the gear 12 rotates, and is coaxially fixed to the shaft 14 to which the gear 13 is fixed. Pulling pulley 15 rotates. The rotation of the pulley 15 is transmitted to the pulley 16 by the belt 17, and the pulley 16 rotates by a predetermined angle. Accordingly, the shaft 18 rotates by a predetermined angle, and the chip holder 4 rotates by a predetermined angle. As an example, the chip holder 4 is a box-shaped holder consisting of a bottom plate, an upper plate, and a side wall, and the inspection chip 40 can be inserted from the center side to the outside (direction of centrifugal force indicated by arrow A in FIG. 1). ing. Here, “revolution” means an inspection held by the chip holder 4 provided in the vicinity of the circumference of the turntable 3 by rotating the turntable 3 around the axis 6 shown in FIGS. This means that the tip 40 rotates about the shaft 6 as a center of rotation. “Rotation” means that the inspection chip 40 held by the chip holder 4 rotates around the shaft 18 as shown in FIGS.

  Next, the structure of the inspection chip 40 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the test chip 40 is composed of a synthetic resin plate 45 having a rectangular shape in plan view and a predetermined thickness. The inspection chip 40 is formed with a liquid inlet 41 for feeding a liquid, a first reagent inlet 42 for feeding a reagent, a second reagent inlet 43 and a third reagent inlet 44 as a circular recess in plan view. . The liquid inlet 41, the first reagent inlet 42, the second reagent inlet 43, and the third reagent inlet 44 are formed from the right side to the left side when the test chip 40 is viewed in plan. Therefore, in the inspection chip 40, three reagents can be put into the liquid to be inspected.

  A liquid supply path 46 is connected to the liquid input port 41, a first reagent supply path 47 is connected to the first reagent input port 42, and a second reagent supply path 48 is connected to the second reagent input port 43. A third reagent supply path 49 is connected to the third reagent inlet 44. The liquid supply path 46 and the first reagent supply path 47 to the third reagent supply path 49 are formed in the plate material 45 in a groove shape. Furthermore, the liquid supply path 46 and the first reagent supply path 47 to the third reagent supply path 49 are respectively provided with outlets having a narrow width at the end portions thereof. The liquid supply path 46, the first reagent supply path 47, the second reagent supply path 48, and the third reagent supply path 49 are each extended in parallel. Further, since the inspection chip 40 is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, the extending direction of these supply paths is parallel to the extending directions of both side surfaces of the inspection chip 40.

  A measuring unit 50 for measuring a predetermined amount of the liquid to be inspected supplied from the liquid supply path 46 is formed below the liquid supply path 46 (the lower side in FIG. 4). The measuring unit 50 includes a first wall 52 and a second wall 51, and a space 53 formed between the first wall 52 and the second wall 51. In addition, an excess tank 54 is formed below the second wall 51 of the measuring unit 50 to store a liquid (surplus liquid) that has flowed out of the second wall 51 after measuring a predetermined amount by the measuring unit 50. When the lower end portion of the inspection chip 40 shown in FIG. 4 is set in the horizontal direction, the first wall 52 has an angle of 15 ° as an example with respect to the horizontal direction. The part 52 extends in the direction of the first reagent supply path 47 for a first predetermined length. A first flow path 61 is formed on the upper surface side of the first wall portion 52. Further, the second wall portion 51 is extended by a second predetermined length in any angular direction from less than 180 degrees to more than 0 degrees with respect to the extending direction of the upper surface of the first wall portion 52. The angle and the length in the extending direction of the first wall 52 and the second wall 51 are determined by the amount of liquid measured by the measuring unit 50.

  Further, on the lower side of the first reagent supply path 47 (lower side in FIG. 4), the reagent supplied from the first reagent supply path 47 is mixed with the liquid flowing out from the first wall portion 52 of the measuring unit 50. A first mixing tank 55 is formed. In the first mixing tank 55, a third wall portion 56 is extended for a predetermined length toward the second reagent supply path 48. For example, the upper surface of the third wall portion 56 is formed with a predetermined length obliquely upward toward the second reagent supply path 48 at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the horizontal direction. A second flow path 62 is formed on the upper surface side of the third wall portion 56.

  Further, on the lower side of the second reagent supply path 48 (the lower side in FIG. 4), the reagent supplied from the second reagent supply path 48 to the liquid flowing out from the third wall portion 56 of the first mixing tank 55. The 2nd mixing tank 57 which mixes is formed. In the second mixing tank 57, a fourth wall portion 58 is extended in a predetermined length toward the third reagent supply path 49. For example, the upper surface of the fourth wall portion 58 is formed with a predetermined length obliquely upward toward the third reagent inlet 44 at an angle of 75 ° with respect to the horizontal direction. A third flow path 63 is formed on the upper surface side of the fourth wall portion 58. A third mixing tank 59 for mixing the reagent supplied from the third reagent supply path 49 with the liquid flowing out from the fourth wall 58 of the second mixing tank 57 is formed below the third reagent supply path 49. Has been. The measuring section 50, the surplus tank 54, the first mixing tank 55, the second mixing tank 57, the third mixing tank 59, the first flow path 61, the second flow path 62, and the third flow path 63 are connected to the inspection chip 40. It is formed as a depression with respect to the plate member 45 to be configured.

  As described above, in the inspection chip 40, a plurality of mixing tanks are provided in series, and the extending angles of the wall portions (the third wall portion 56 and the fourth wall portion 58) of each mixing tank are mutually different. They are formed at different angles. In the above-described embodiment, as an example, the angles of the extending direction of the first wall portion 52, the third wall portion 56, and the fourth wall portion 58 with respect to the horizontal direction that is the extending direction of the lower end portion of the test chip 40 are each set. 15 °, 45 °, and 75 °, when the direction of the centrifugal force is changed from a small angle to a large angle in order, the liquid flows in order from the side in which the angle of the wall extending direction with respect to the horizontal direction is small. Because it flows. Moreover, it is because the timing which flows can be changed by changing an angle. Note that the angles of the first wall portion 52, the third wall portion 56, and the fourth wall portion 58 may be appropriately determined according to the angle at which the test chip 40 is rotated with respect to the centrifugal force direction and the timing of liquid movement.

  The material of the inspection chip 40 is not particularly limited, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene ( PE), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyarylate resin (PAR), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (ABS), vinyl chloride resin (PVC), polymethylpentene resin (PMP), polybutadiene resin (PBD), biodegradation Organic materials such as conductive polymer (BP), cycloolefin polymer (COP), and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) can be used. In addition, an inorganic material such as silicon, glass, or quartz may be used. The upper surface of the test chip 40 is covered with a transparent synthetic resin lid (not shown), and includes a liquid inlet 41, a first reagent inlet 42, a second reagent inlet 43, and a third reagent inlet. It is assumed that the upper surface of 44 is open. The surface of the first wall 52 facing the tip is a tapered surface having an angle smaller than 90 ° with respect to the extending direction of the upper surface of the first wall 52. It is easy to flow into one mixing tank 55. Similarly, the surface of the third wall portion 56 facing the tip is a tapered surface having an angle smaller than 90 ° with respect to the extending direction of the upper surface of the third wall portion 56. The surface with which the front-end | tip part opposes becomes a taper surface of an angle smaller than 90 degrees with respect to the extending direction of the upper surface of the 4th wall part 58, and there exists the same effect.

  Next, the principle of operation of the inspection chip 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the principle of moving the liquid accumulated in the first mixing tank 55 to the third mixing layer 59 through the second mixing tank 57 will be described. When the inspection chip 40 is fixed to the chip holder 4 of the inspection apparatus 1 and the turntable 3 is rotated, centrifugal force acts on the inspection chip 40. The direction of this centrifugal force is indicated by arrows in FIGS.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a liquid (reagent as an example) is accumulated in the first mixing tank 55 and the second mixing tank 57, and “in the extending direction of the upper surface of the third wall portion 56 in FIG. When the angle with respect to the horizontal direction (45 ° as an example)> the angle of centrifugal force with respect to the direct downward direction in FIG. 5 (30 ° as an example) ”, the liquid accumulated in the first mixing tank 55 moves. do not do. This is because the centrifugal force works like gravity, so when the drawing is rotated so that the arrow shown in FIG. 5 is directed downward, the upper surface inclination angle of the third wall portion 56 is horizontal (0 °). This is because the liquid accumulated in the first mixing tank 55 does not move toward the tip of the third wall portion 56. The “horizontal direction in FIG. 5” is the same direction as the case where the lower end portion of the test chip 40 shown in FIG. 4 is in the horizontal direction, and includes the liquid supply path 46, the first reagent supply path 47, the first direction. This is a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the second reagent supply path 48 and the third reagent supply path 49.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, “the angle of the extending direction of the upper surface of the third wall portion 56 with respect to the horizontal direction in FIG. 6 (45 ° as an example) ≦ the centrifugal force with respect to the direction directly below in FIG. In the case of the relationship of “angle (60 ° as an example)”, the liquid accumulated in the first mixing tank 55 moves toward the second mixing tank 57. This is because the centrifugal force works like gravity, so when the drawing is rotated so that the arrow shown in FIG. 6 faces downward, the upper surface inclination angle of the third wall portion 56 is horizontal (0 °). In the following, the liquid accumulated in the first mixing tank 55 moves toward the tip of the third wall portion 56 and flows into the second mixing tank 57. However, in this state, “the angle of the extending direction of the upper surface of the fourth wall portion 58 with respect to the horizontal direction in FIG. 6 (as an example, 75 °)> the angle of the centrifugal force with respect to the direct downward direction in FIG. 60 °) ”and the upper surface inclination angle of the fourth wall portion 58 is larger than the horizontal (0 °), so that the liquid accumulated in the second mixing tank 57 is at the tip of the fourth wall portion 58. There is no spill over the direction.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, “the angle of the extending direction of the upper surface of the fourth wall portion 58 with respect to the horizontal direction in FIG. 7 (75 ° as an example) ≦ the centrifugal force with respect to the direction directly below in FIG. In the case of the relationship of “angle (80 ° as an example)”, the liquid accumulated in the second mixing tank 57 moves toward the third mixing tank 59 (see FIG. 4). This is because the centrifugal force works like gravity, so when the drawing is rotated so that the arrow shown in FIG. 7 faces downward, the upper surface inclination angle of the fourth wall portion 58 is horizontal (0 °). In the following, the liquid accumulated in the second mixing tank 57 moves toward the tip of the fourth wall portion 58 and flows into the third mixing tank 59.

  Next, an inspection method using the inspection chip 40 and the inspection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and FIGS. 1, 3, and 10 to 15. To do. First, as shown in FIG. 10, a liquid to be inspected (specimen) is dropped into the liquid inlet 41 of the test chip 40, the first reagent is dropped into the first reagent inlet 42, and the second reagent inlet A second reagent is dropped onto 43, and a third reagent is dropped onto the third reagent inlet 44 (S11).

  Next, the inspection chip 40 is set in the chip holder 4 of the inspection apparatus 1 (S12). And the operation part of the control apparatus 70 of the test | inspection apparatus 1 is operated, and the power supply of the test | inspection apparatus 1 is turned ON (S13). Next, the CPU of the control device 70 executes the angle changing program shown in FIG. 9 to drive the inspection device 1 (S14). Details of the angle change program of the chip holder 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the angle between the extending direction of the side surface of the test chip 40 shown in FIG. 11 (the extending direction of the liquid supply path 46, the first reagent supply path 47 to the third reagent supply path 49) and the direction of the centrifugal force is 0. Rotation is performed for 10 seconds so that the centrifugal force is 200 g, so that the angle becomes (S21). The state where the angle is 0 ° is exactly the state shown in FIG. By this processing S21, as shown in FIG. 11 by centrifugal force, the liquid to be inspected introduced from the liquid inlet 41 flows out to the measuring unit 50 via the liquid supply path 46 by centrifugal force. If this angle 0 ° is the first angle, the side in contact with the liquid (the second side mentioned above) among the angles formed by the extending direction of the first wall portion 52 and the direction of centrifugal force (the arrow direction shown in FIG. 11). The angle θ1 on the wall 51 side) is an acute angle. In addition, the angle θ2 on the side in contact with the liquid (on the side of the first wall portion 52) among the angles formed by the extending direction of the second wall portion 51 and the direction of the centrifugal force (the arrow direction shown in FIG. 11) is also set. It becomes an acute angle. Therefore, the liquid can be received as the measuring unit 50. Further, the height (length) of the second wall 51 in the direction opposite to the direction of gravity is lower (shorter) than the height (length) of the first wall 52 in the direction opposite to the direction of gravity. Between the first wall portion 52 and the second wall portion 51, the amount of the liquid to be inspected exceeding the volume up to the height of the first wall portion 52 gets over the second wall portion 51 and flows into the excess tank 54. Accordingly, a predetermined amount of the liquid to be inspected is weighed by the weighing unit 50 formed by the first wall portion 52 and the second wall portion 51. The volume between the first wall 52 and the second wall 51 and the height (length) of the second wall 51 are designed in advance based on the volume to be measured. Here, the length in the upward direction in FIG. 11 of the test chip 40 placed horizontally is defined as a height.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, the reagent introduced from the first reagent introduction port 42 flows out and accumulates in the first mixing tank 55 via the first reagent supply path 47 by the centrifugal force by this processing S 21. . Similarly, the reagent introduced from the second reagent introduction port 43 flows out and accumulates in the second mixing tank 57 via the second reagent supply path 48 by centrifugal force. Similarly, the reagent introduced from the third reagent introduction port 44 flows out and accumulates in the third mixing tank 59 via the third reagent supply path 49 by centrifugal force.

  Next, under the control of the control device 70, the stepping motor 10 shown in FIG. 3 is rotated by a predetermined angle, and the rotation is transmitted from the gear 12 to the gear 13, and from the pulley 15 coaxial with the gear 13 to the pulley 16 via the belt 17. It is transmitted to. And the tip holder 4 rotates a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of centrifugal force. Here, the angle between the extending direction of the side surface of the test chip 40 shown in FIG. 12 (the extending direction of the liquid supply path 46, the first reagent supply path 47 to the third reagent supply path 49) and the direction of the centrifugal force is The rotation is performed for 10 seconds so that the centrifugal force is 200 g so as to be 30 ° (S22). By this process S22, the angle θ1 on the surface side in contact with the liquid out of the angle formed by the extending direction of the first wall 52 and the centrifugal force direction shown in FIG. 12 becomes an obtuse angle, as shown in FIG. The liquid to be inspected, which is measured by the measuring unit 50, passes over the tip of the first wall 52 and flows into the first mixing tank 55, and is mixed with the reagent accumulated in the first mixing tank 55 in the process of S21. The At this time, the reagent accumulated in the first mixing tank 55 and the second mixing tank 57 does not move as it is. Of the angles formed by the third wall portion 56 and the fourth wall portion 58 are larger than those of the first wall portion 52 and the centrifugal force direction shown in FIG. This is because it has an acute angle.

  Next, under the same control as described above, the extending direction of the side surface of the test chip 40 shown in FIG. 13 (the extending direction of the liquid supply path 46, the first reagent supply path 47 to the third reagent supply path 49) and the centrifugal force are adjusted. The rotation is performed for 10 seconds so that the angle between the directions is 60 ° and the centrifugal force is 200 g (S23). By this processing S23, the angle θ3 on the surface side in contact with the liquid becomes an obtuse angle among the angles formed by the extending direction of the third wall portion 56 and the centrifugal force direction shown in FIG. 13, and as shown in FIG. The liquid to be inspected and the reagent mixed in the first mixing tank 55 get over the tip of the third wall 56 and flow into the second mixing tank 57, and accumulate in the second mixing tank 57 in the process of S21. Mixed with. At this time, the reagent accumulated in the second mixing tank 57 does not move as it is. This is because the inclination angle of the fourth wall portion 58 is larger than that of the third wall portion 56, and the angle θ4 on the surface side in contact with the liquid is an acute angle among the angles formed with the centrifugal force direction shown in FIG.

  Next, under the same control as described above, the extending direction of the side surface of the test chip 40 shown in FIG. 14 (the extending direction of the liquid supply path 46, the first reagent supply path 47 to the third reagent supply path 49) and the centrifugal force are adjusted. The rotation is performed for 10 seconds so that the angle between the directions is 90 ° and the centrifugal force is 200 g (S24). By this process S24, the angle θ4 on the surface side in contact with the liquid out of the angle formed by the extending direction of the fourth wall portion 58 and the centrifugal force direction shown in FIG. 14 becomes an obtuse angle, as shown in FIG. The liquid to be inspected and the reagent mixed in the second mixing tank 57 get over the tip of the fourth wall 58 and flow into the third mixing tank 59, and accumulate in the third mixing tank 59 in the process of S21. Mixed with.

  Next, under the same control as described above, the extending direction of the side surface of the test chip 40 shown in FIG. 15 (the extending direction of the liquid supply path 46, the first reagent supply path 47 to the third reagent supply path 49) and the centrifugal force are adjusted. The rotation is performed for 10 seconds so that the angle between the directions is 0 ° and the centrifugal force is 200 g (S25). By this processing S25, as shown in FIG. 15, the mixture of the liquid to be inspected and the three types of reagents is stirred and collected in the lower part of the third mixing tank 59 by centrifugal force. At this time, the surplus liquid to be inspected that remains in the surplus tank 54 remains as it is.

  Next, returning to the inspection process shown in FIG. 8, the rotation of the turntable 3 stops, and the application of the centrifugal force ends (S15). At that time, the turntable 3 is stopped so that a predetermined portion of the inspection chip 40 is located in an optical inspection unit including the light source 7 and the detector 8. Next, light is applied from the light source 7 to the inspection chip 40, and the transmitted light is measured by the detector 8 (S17). Thereafter, the inspection result is displayed on a computer screen (not shown), and the inspection ends.

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the liquid to be inspected and the plurality of reagents can be mixed in the target mixing tank at the target timing without flowing out the liquid to other parts. Further, from the measurement to the mixing, the liquid to be inspected and the plurality of reagents can be simply introduced into the inspection chip 40.

  Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, although four inlets for liquids and reagents to be inspected and three mixing tanks are provided, the number is not limited to this number, and may be provided according to the number of liquids and reagents to be inspected to be mixed. . For example, if there is one liquid to be inspected and two reagents, three inlets may be provided and two mixing tanks may be provided. Further, if there is one liquid to be inspected and four reagents, five input ports may be provided and four mixing tanks may be provided.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, the test chip 140 is provided with a liquid input port 141 for supplying a liquid to be inspected and a first reagent input port 142 for supplying a reagent, and the reagent supplied from the first reagent input port 142. The flow path 143 connected from the 1st wall part 153 of the 1st measurement part 151 which measures 1 is formed. In addition, a second metering unit 150 for metering the liquid charged from the liquid inlet 141 is provided. Here, if the rib 160 of a predetermined length is provided in the ceiling part of the mixing tank 155 where the flow path 143 and the extended line of the tip of the first wall 152 of the second measuring unit 150 intersect, the first reagent It is possible to prevent the reagent introduced from the insertion port 142 from entering the second measuring unit 150.

  In addition, the inclination angle of each wall and the direction of centrifugal force in the above embodiment are merely examples, and may be determined in advance according to the measurement conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inspection apparatus 2 Outer wall part 3 Turntable 4 Tip holder 5 Motor 6 Axis 7 Light source 8 Detector 10 Stepping motor 12 Gear 13 Gear 14 Axis 15 Pulley 16 Pulley 17 Belt 18 Axis 19 Angle change mechanism 40 Inspection chip 41 Liquid inlet 42 First reagent inlet 43 Second reagent inlet 44 Third reagent inlet 45 Plate material 46 Liquid supply path 47 First reagent supply path 48 Second reagent supply path 49 Third reagent supply path 50 Metering section 51 Second wall section 52 First wall 54 Extra tank 55 First mixing tank 56 Third wall 57 Second mixing tank 58 Fourth wall 59 Third mixing tank 61 First flow path 62 Second flow path 63 Third flow path

Claims (7)

The bicycles are successively held in a plurality of predetermined rotational angle, a test object receptacle used in applications to test by moving the liquid to be tested internally by centrifugal force generated by being revolved,
A liquid inlet for charging the liquid;
A receiving portion for receiving a liquid charged from the liquid charging port and measuring a desired amount of the liquid ;
A mixing tank for mixing the sample and the reagent weighed by the receiving part;
A reagent supply port for supplying the reagent to the mixing tank ,
The receiving portion includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion forming a wall opposite to the liquid inlet,
The first wall guides the liquid toward the mixing tank,
The second wall portion extends in any angular direction from less than 180 degrees to greater than 0 degrees with respect to the extending direction of the first wall portion, and a tip opposite to the first wall portion is formed. , A criterion for the desired amount,
The mixing tank includes a third wall portion that forms a wall opposite to the first wall portion,
The reagent supply port is located from the tip of the third wall portion on the opposite side to the mixing vessel to the tip of the first wall portion on the mixing vessel side,
Of the angle formed between the third wall portion and the direction perpendicular to the first wall portion, the angle formed on the reagent supply port side is an acute angle,
The flow path extending from the tip of the third wall opposite to the receiving portion extends in the direction opposite to the reagent supply port with respect to the third wall. body. A plurality of the mixing tanks are provided in series,
The test object receptacle according to claim 1 , wherein the extension angles of the third wall portions of the mixing tanks are formed at different angles. The inspection according to claim 2, wherein, in the third wall portion of each mixing tank, the extension angle of the downstream third wall portion is larger than the extension angle of the upstream third wall portion. Target recipient. Inspected received according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that with a surplus tank for receiving the flowing liquid from the opposite side of the distal end portion side of the front Symbol said first wall portion of the second wall portion body. Opposite the mixing tank, in and the reagent supply port ceiling portion is formed, any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a rib having a predetermined length on the receiving side of the reagent supply port The test object receiver described in Crab. Inspection apparatus characterized by comprising a rotation device rotating the test object receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The bicycles are successively held in a plurality of predetermined rotational angle, a test object receptacle used in applications to test by moving the liquid to be tested internally by centrifugal force generated by being revolved, the liquid A liquid input port to be input , a receiving unit for receiving the liquid input from the liquid input port and measuring a desired amount of the liquid, and a sample and a reagent measured by the receiving unit for mixing A mixing tank and a reagent supply port for supplying the reagent to the mixing tank, and the receiving part includes a first wall part and a second wall part that form walls opposite to the liquid inlet. The first wall portion guides the liquid toward the mixing tank, and the second wall portion is any of less than 180 degrees and greater than 0 degrees with respect to the extending direction of the first wall portion. extending in Kano angular direction, wherein the first wall portion the tip of the opposite, The mixing tank includes a third wall portion that forms a wall on the side opposite to the first wall portion, and the reagent supply port is provided on the side opposite to the mixing tank. The third wall portion is located from the tip of the three wall portion to the tip of the first wall portion on the mixing tank side, and the third wall portion is located on the reagent supply port side of the angle formed with the direction perpendicular to the first wall portion. The flow path extending from the tip of the third wall portion on the side opposite to the receiving portion extends in the direction opposite to the reagent supply port with respect to the third wall portion . An inspection method for inspecting the inspection object of the liquid by sequentially holding and rotating the inspection object receiver formed as described above at a plurality of predetermined rotation angles,
A liquid charging step of charging a liquid from the liquid charging port of the test object receiver;
A liquid metering step of charging the liquid into the receiving part from the liquid input port by a centrifugal force generated by revolving and holding the inspection object receiver at a first angle;
After enough before Symbol liquid metering engineering, and held by rotating the test object receptacle Secondly angle, by the centrifugal force generated by being revolved, the reagent liquid flowing out from the receiving unit in the mixing chamber An inspection method for a liquid inspection object, comprising: a mixing step of mixing.

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