JP5748348B2 - Specimen inspection system, inspection cartridge, and specimen inspection apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sample test system that performs a quantitative or qualitative measurement on a test substance in a sample solution using a test cartridge, and a test cartridge and a sample test apparatus for use in this system.

  In recent years, there are many devices that send sample solutions that may contain test substances to test cartridges for the inspection of in-vitro diagnostics and poisons, etc., and simply and quickly test the test substances using immunochromatography. Has been developed. For example, a label that specifically binds to a test substance on an insoluble carrier made of a porous body in which a first antibody that specifically binds to a test substance (eg, antigen) is immobilized in a specific region (test line) A specimen solution in which a specimen in which a test substance may be present is mixed with the second antibody is developed. Then, an antigen-antibody reaction between the test substance and the first antibody and the second antibody occurs on the test line, and the test line is colored or colored to become colored. By observing the coloration state of this test line, quantitative or qualitative (negative / positive) measurement is performed as to whether or not the test substance is present in the sample solution.

  In a sample test system that uses such a test cartridge to quantitatively or qualitatively measure a test substance in a sample solution, if a used test cartridge is reused by mistake, a different test is performed on the same test substance. The reliability of the inspection is impaired due to the result being obtained.

  Therefore, various methods for preventing reuse of used inspection cartridges and test pieces have been proposed. For example, in Patent Document 1, when a test piece is inserted into a measuring device in an immunoassay measurement system, the use / unused state is determined, and if it is a used test piece, a notification indicating that it cannot be used is issued. The technology is described.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, a chromatographic test piece having a used determination region is used in an apparatus for performing immunochromatography measurement, and the used / unused state of the test piece is determined from the luminance value of the determination region, and a used test is performed. A technique is described in which measurement is stopped if it is a piece.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, a magnetic storage area for writing used information is provided in a cartridge used for molecular detection in a biomolecule detection apparatus, and the used / unused state of the cartridge is determined based on the stored contents. The technology is described.

JP 2010-217074 A JP 2010-101758 A Japanese Patent No. 3528800

  However, all of the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 require a work such as writing information in addition to the inspection work, and are disadvantageous in increasing the efficiency of the inspection. These techniques also have a problem that it takes time to make a determination because the use / unused state cannot be determined unless a test piece or cartridge is set once in the inspection apparatus.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and does not require a long time and troublesome work for determining the use / unused state of the cartridge. It is an object of the present invention to provide a specimen test system that can make a determination.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide a test cartridge and a sample testing apparatus that can constitute such a sample testing system.

A first specimen test system according to the present invention includes:
A test cartridge that has a test region that reacts with and colors the test substance in the case, and an identification code is formed on the outer surface of the case;
In a sample testing system comprising a sample insertion device that has a cartridge insertion port for receiving the test cartridge and that performs a test of the sample by measuring the coloration state of the test area of the received test cartridge,
The test cartridge is in a position where the identification code is exposed before use of the test cartridge, and when the test cartridge is in the cartridge insertion port, the position where the identification code is covered in cooperation with the means on the sample testing apparatus side There is a cover to move to
The specimen testing apparatus is provided with means for moving the cover to a position covering the identification code.

  In this first sample test system, it is desirable that the test cartridge is provided with a movement preventing means for preventing the cover moved to a position covering the identification code from moving from that position to another position.

In the first sample testing system,
The cover is rotatable between a position where the identification code is exposed and a position where the identification code is covered,
When the inspection cartridge is inserted into or removed from the cartridge insertion slot, the cover is rotated by a member provided on the sample inspection apparatus side and moved to a rotation position covering the identification code. Is desirable.

  In the first sample testing system, when a test cartridge having a cover moved to a position covering the identification code is loaded in the sample testing apparatus, the cover is moved to a position covering the identification code. It is desirable to have a means for detecting.

On the other hand, the second specimen testing system according to the present invention is:
A test cartridge that has a test region that reacts with and colors the test substance in the case, and an identification code is formed on the outer surface of the case;
In a sample testing system comprising a sample insertion device that has a cartridge insertion port for receiving the test cartridge and that performs a test of the sample by measuring the coloration state of the test area of the received test cartridge,
The identification code can be changed to an unreadable state;
The sample testing apparatus is provided with means for changing the identification code of the test cartridge received in the cartridge insertion port to a state where it cannot be read.

In this second specimen testing system,
The identification code can be damaged,
Desirably, the sample testing apparatus is provided with means for damaging the identification code of the test cartridge received in the cartridge insertion slot.

Alternatively, in this second specimen testing system,
The identification code is assumed to be heat sensitive,
The sample testing apparatus may be provided with a heating element that heats the identification code of the test cartridge received in the cartridge insertion opening.

Furthermore, in this second specimen testing system,
The identification code is movable with respect to the case of the inspection cartridge,
The sample testing apparatus may be provided with an identification code moving means for moving the identification code of the test cartridge received in the cartridge insertion slot from a predetermined reading position to a position where it cannot be read.

  On the other hand, a first test cartridge according to the present invention is a test cartridge for use in the first specimen test system described above, and is in a position where the identification code is exposed before the test cartridge is used. It has a cover that moves to a position that covers the identification code in cooperation with the means on the sample testing apparatus when it is in the cartridge insertion port.

  A second test cartridge according to the present invention is a test cartridge for use in the above-described second sample test system, and includes an identification code that can be changed to an unreadable state. It is.

  A first sample testing device according to the present invention is a sample testing device for use in the first sample testing system described above, and covers the cover with an identification code when the test cartridge is in the cartridge insertion port. It has the means to move to a position, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  A second sample testing apparatus according to the present invention is a sample testing device for use in the above-described second sample testing system, and reads an identification code of the test cartridge when the test cartridge is in the cartridge insertion port. It has a means for changing to an impossible state.

  According to the first sample testing system of the present invention, the test cartridge is in a position where the identification code is exposed before use, and when the test cartridge is in the cartridge insertion port of the sample testing device, A cover that moves to a position that covers the identification code in cooperation with the means is provided, while a means for moving the cover to a position that covers the identification code is provided in the sample testing apparatus. If the cover is covered with a cover and cannot be read, it can be intuitively determined that the inspection cartridge has been used.

  Since this determination can be made without loading the inspection cartridge into the sample inspection apparatus, it is not necessary to take a long time for this determination. Therefore, the first sample test system of the present invention is very advantageous in terms of improving the efficiency of the test work.

  Even if a used inspection cartridge is loaded in the sample inspection apparatus, the identification code is covered with a cover and cannot be read, so the erroneously loaded inspection cartridge is inspected. Can be surely prevented.

  According to the second sample testing system of the present invention, the identification code can be changed to an unreadable state, and the sample testing apparatus cannot read the identification code of the test cartridge received in the cartridge insertion port. Therefore, if the identification code is changed to a non-readable state, it can be intuitively determined that the inspection cartridge has been used.

  Since this determination can be made without loading the inspection cartridge into the sample inspection apparatus, it is not necessary to take a long time for this determination. Therefore, the second sample test system of the present invention is also very advantageous in terms of improving the efficiency of the test work.

  In addition, even if a used test cartridge is loaded in the sample testing device, the identification code cannot be read, so that the erroneously loaded test cartridge is reliably prevented from being tested. it can.

1 is a front view of a sample testing apparatus in a sample testing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Partially cutaway side view of a test cartridge in the sample test system Partial plan view of the inspection cartridge Plan view (1) and side view (2) of the inspection cartridge A plan view (1) and a side view (2) schematically showing a part of the cartridge insertion port of the sample testing apparatus A plan view (1) and a side view (2) showing a state in which the inspection cartridge is loaded in the cartridge insertion slot of FIG. A plan view (1) and a side view (2) schematically showing the state of the inspection cartridge after the inspection In the sample test system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a plan view (1) and a side view (2) showing one state when the test cartridge is in the cartridge insertion slot In the sample test system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a plan view (1) and a side view (2) showing another state when the test cartridge is in the cartridge insertion slot. The top view which shows the test | inspection cartridge used for the sample test | inspection system by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The side view which shows one state when the test | inspection cartridge of FIG. 10 exists in a cartridge insertion port The side view which shows another state when the test | inspection cartridge of FIG. 10 exists in a cartridge insertion port The top view which shows the state after the test | inspection of the test | inspection cartridge of FIG. In the sample test system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, a plan view (1) and a side view (2) showing one state when the test cartridge is in the cartridge insertion slot In the sample test system of FIG. 14, a plan view (1) and a side view (2) showing another state when the test cartridge is in the cartridge insertion slot.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a sample testing apparatus 1 constituting the sample testing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2 and 3 are a partially broken side view and a partial plan view, respectively, schematically showing the test cartridge 10 that constitutes the sample test system together with the sample test apparatus 1.

  The sample testing apparatus 1 reads a test cartridge 10 for detecting a test substance using, for example, an immunochromatography technique, and includes a housing 2, a cartridge insertion port 3, an information input / output means 4, and the like. ing. When the test cartridge 10 on which the sample solution is spotted is inserted into the cartridge insertion port 3, the sample test apparatus 1 optically reads a color reaction generated in the test cartridge 10, and the read result is an information input / output unit. 4 is output. The information input / output means 4 is an operation panel composed of, for example, a liquid crystal touch panel, and the user can input basic settings for measurement via the operation panel.

  As the inspection cartridge 10 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, for example, a cartridge to which a known technique disclosed in JP 2009-139256 A, JP 2007-64766 A, or the like is applied can be used. In particular, the test cartridge 10 of this example is a device for performing a quantitative or qualitative (negative / positive) test of a test substance using an immunochromatography method, and visually recognizes the test substance (predetermined antigen). It will be labeled as possible. The test cartridge 10 is spotted with a sample solution in which a sample that may contain a test substance and a labeled substance (second antibody) are mixed.

  The inspection cartridge 10 has an upper case 10A, a lower case 10B, and an insoluble carrier 12, and the insoluble carrier 12 is accommodated in the upper case 10A and the lower case 10B. A spotting hole 11 for spotting a sample solution on the insoluble carrier 12 from the outside is formed in the upper case 10A. On the other hand, an insoluble carrier 12 is fixed to the lower case 10B, and an observation window 10Z for observing quantitative or qualitative measurement of a test substance is formed.

  The insoluble carrier 12 is made of, for example, an absorbent such as cellulose filter paper, glass fiber, polyurethane, and the sample solution spotted thereon flows in a certain direction due to capillary action. A test region TL and a control region CL are formed in the insoluble carrier 12. The test region TL includes a first antibody having specificity for a test substance (antibody) fixed in a line (test line), and the first antibody-test substance is determined by the presence of the test substance. -A second antibody conjugate is formed and colored in a line. On the other hand, in the control region CL, a reference antigen (or antibody) that reacts with the labeled antibody is fixed, and reacts with the labeled antibody in the sample solution and is colored in a line. Therefore, by confirming the coloration state of the control region CL, it can be determined whether or not the sample solution has passed over the test region TL and the control region CL.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the test cartridge 10 cleans the test area TL and the control area CL so as to sandwich the test area TL and the control area CL in the vertical direction (direction substantially orthogonal to the flow path of the sample solution). The cleaning layers 13a and 13b are provided to form a cleaning liquid flow path. The cleaning layers 13a and 13b are made of the same material as the insoluble carrier 12, and the cleaning liquid flows in a region where the cleaning layers 13a and 13b and the insoluble carrier 12 are connected. Therefore, in FIG. 3, the cleaning liquid flows in the peripheral area including the test area TL and the control area CL.

  Then, after the reaction in the test area TL and the control area CL is completed, the cleaning liquid is supplied from the sample processing means (not shown). Then, the cleaning liquid flows from the cleaning layer 13a to the cleaning layer 13b side by capillary action, and the cleaning liquid flows to the test area TL and the control area CL existing between the cleaning layers 13a and 13b. As a result, the labeled antibody that did not form an immune complex on the test region TL and the control region CL is removed.

  FIG. 2 shows the main part of the sample testing apparatus 1 loaded with the test cartridge 10. In FIG. 2, a configuration for preventing the used inspection cartridge 10 from being reused is omitted, and this point will be described in detail later. The reading means 21 of the specimen testing apparatus 1 shown here reads the coloration state of the test area TL and the control area CL from the observation window 10Z as a gray value, and is composed of an image sensor such as a CCD or a CMOS, for example. Yes.

  The reading unit 21 may read a gray scale value as a gray value, read each RGB component value as a gray value, or a predetermined color (wavelength component) such as fluorescence. ) May be read as a gray value. Furthermore, the reading means 21 is not limited to the image sensor, and may be a light receiving element that receives reflected light or fluorescence generated from the observation window 10Z.

  The determination unit 22 performs qualitative or quantitative analysis of the test substance from the gray values of the test region TL and the control region CL read by the reading unit 21. Specifically, the determination unit 22 determines whether or not the sample solution has been normally developed on the insoluble carrier 12 from the gray value of the control region CL. The determination means 22 determines the amount of the test substance from the gray value of the test area TL, or performs positive / negative determination. Then, the determination result by the determination unit 22 is output from the information input / output unit 4.

  Next, a configuration for preventing the used inspection cartridge 10 from being reused will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 4A and 4B show the planar shape and the side shape of the inspection cartridge 10 of the present embodiment, respectively. Further, (1) and (2) in FIG. 5 each show a peripheral portion of the cartridge insertion port 3 of the sample test apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the upper surface of the test cartridge 10 is provided with a cartridge identification code 30 made of, for example, a QR code (registered trademark) and a sample information entry column 31 in which sample information is written. Further, on the upper surface, there are provided a rotating shaft 32 extending in the vertical direction under the condition of use of the cartridge, and an attached cover 33 that is rotatable about the rotating shaft 32. The tip of the accessory cover 33 has a slightly inclined shape, and a recess 33a is formed at the center of the tip. On the upper surface of the inspection cartridge 10, two protrusions 35A and 35B that can be engaged with the recess 33a are formed. Before the inspection cartridge 10 is loaded into the sample inspection apparatus 1, the concave portion 33a of the attached cover 33 is engaged with the protrusion 35A and maintains the position shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the sample testing apparatus 1 is provided with a stopper 34 that can be rotated about the one-dot chain line in the drawing as a rotation axis above the cartridge insertion port 3. The stopper 34 is urged clockwise in FIG. 2B by urging means such as a spring (not shown). The stopper 34 is disposed at a position where the stopper 34 is detached from the rotating shaft 32 of the inspection cartridge 10 when the inspection cartridge 10 is loaded into the cartridge insertion port 3.

  6A and 6B are a plan view and a side view, respectively, schematically showing a state when the test cartridge 10 is loaded into the cartridge insertion port 3 of the sample test apparatus 1. FIG. When the inspection cartridge 10 is loaded in this way, the inspection cartridge 10 is pushed into the cartridge insertion port 3 from the left to the right in the figure. It rotates counterclockwise in the figure (2), and the passage of the attached cover 33 of the inspection cartridge 10 is allowed. When the attached cover 33 gets over the stopper 34, the tip of the stopper 34 comes into contact with the side surface of the attached cover 33.

  When the inspection cartridge 10 is loaded as described above and then the inspection is completed, the inspection cartridge 10 is pulled out from the cartridge insertion port 3 to the left in the drawing. Then, the attached cover 33 whose side surface is in contact with the stopper 34 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1A around the rotation shaft 32, and the inspection cartridge 10 is completely pulled out from the cartridge insertion port 3. And about 90 ° from the original position.

  (1) and (2) of FIG. 7 are a plan view and a side view, respectively, showing the inspection cartridge 10 completely pulled out from the cartridge insertion port 3. As shown here, part of the attached cover 33 rotated by 90 ° is positioned on the identification code 30. The identification code 30 is picked up by the image pickup means from above as shown in FIG. 8 and the like described later, and various settings are made in the examination of the sample examination apparatus 1 according to the contents. Therefore, when the identification code 30 is hidden by the attached cover 33 as described above, the identification code 30 is read even if the inspected or used inspection cartridge 10 is erroneously loaded in the sample inspection apparatus 1 again. Since it is impossible, the inspection by the sample inspection apparatus 1 is not started. As described above, in the present embodiment, the used inspection cartridge 10 is reliably prevented from being reused.

  For an operator who is accustomed to using this system, since the attached cover 33 is in a state of hiding the identification code 30, it can be determined that the inspection cartridge 10 has already been used. In addition, characters such as “used” and the like are displayed at the position before the accessory cover 33 is rotated, and if the accessory cover 33 is rotated so that they appear, the inspection cartridge can be displayed. It becomes even easier to see that 10 has already been used.

  When the accessory cover 33 rotates as described above, the concave portion 33a engages with the protrusion 35B as the cover movement preventing means, so that the position of the accessory cover 33 after the rotation is maintained there. That is, since the position of the attached cover 33 that has been rotated once does not easily move, it is highly reliable to determine whether or not the inspection cartridge 10 has been used based on the rotational position of the attached cover 33. Further, before the inspection cartridge 10 is used, the concave portion 33a of the attached cover 33 is engaged with the protrusion 35A, and the attached cover 33 does not move from a position where the identification code 30 is exposed. Therefore, also from this point, it is highly reliable to determine whether or not the inspection cartridge 10 has been used.

  Since the tip of the accessory cover 33 has an inclined shape as described above, when rotated, a portion near the tip of the accessory cover gets over the projection 35B and the recess 33a engages with the projection 35B. The operation can be performed smoothly and reliably.

  Here, instead of the stopper 34 described above, the attached cover 33 may be rotated by a bar member or the like that is movable by an actuator. In that case, the attached cover 33 may be rotated at any time as long as the test cartridge 10 exists in the sample test apparatus 1. Specifically, the accessory cover 33 can be rotated during the color reaction, during the inspection, or after the inspection is completed.

  Further, as in the present embodiment, when the sample information entry column 31 is provided on the upper surface of the test cartridge 10, it is preferable to prevent the sample information entry column 31 from being hidden by the rotated attached cover 33. This is more preferable for preventing spotting or erroneous cartridge loading.

  Further, the means for detecting the rotational position of the attached cover 33 is provided for specimen inspection so that the identification code 30 is covered by the attached cover 33 and cannot be read, and that the reading means has failed. It may be provided in the apparatus 1 so that the detected rotational position is displayed on the information input / output means 4 or the like.

  Next, a sample testing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In these drawings, the same elements as those in FIGS. 1 to 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted unless necessary (the same applies hereinafter).

  8A and 8B are a plan view and a side view, respectively, showing a state in which the test cartridge 110 is loaded in the cartridge insertion port 3 of the sample test apparatus 101 of the present embodiment. The test cartridge 110 and the sample test apparatus 101 constitute the sample test system of this embodiment.

  The sample testing apparatus 101 includes an imaging unit 40 that reads the identification code 30, a first switch SW1 that detects that the test cartridge 110 is loaded, and the test cartridge when the test cartridge 110 is pulled out after the test is completed. 110, a second switch SW2 that detects passage of the front end portion (rear end portion in terms of movement during pulling out), a piercing pin device 41 as a cord piercing means, and a solenoid that is a means for stopping the positioning of the inspection cartridge 110 And a pin device 42.

  On the other hand, the inspection cartridge 110 of the present embodiment has an engaging groove 111 extending in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in FIG. 8) at the bottom. The solenoid pin device 42 is arranged at a position where a pin 42 a that protrudes and retracts by a solenoid can enter the engagement groove 111.

  When the inspection cartridge 110 is loaded in the state shown in FIG. 8, the fact that it has been loaded is detected by the first switch SW1. Then, the identification code 30 is read by the image pickup means 40, and various settings in the inspection are made according to the read information. At this time, when the loading of the inspection cartridge 110 is detected by the first switch SW1, the solenoid pin device 42 is driven, and the pin 42a enters the engagement groove 111 at the bottom of the inspection cartridge 10.

  When the inspection is completed from this state, the inspection cartridge 110 is pulled out from the cartridge insertion port 3 of the sample inspection apparatus 101. (1) and (2) in FIG. 9 are a plan view and a side view, respectively, showing the state of the sample testing apparatus 101 and the test cartridge 110 that are in the process of being pulled out. As described above, since the pin 42a of the solenoid pin device 42 has entered the engagement groove 111 at the bottom of the inspection cartridge 10, when the inspection cartridge 110 is pulled out, the pin 42a is located at the end of the engagement groove 111 at a certain point. It comes to hit. That is, it becomes impossible to pull out the inspection cartridge 110 any more, and the inspection cartridge 110 stops at a predetermined position.

  When the inspection cartridge 110 stops at a predetermined position, this is detected by the second switch SW2. When this detection is made, the piercing pin device 41 starts to drive, the pin 41a moves downward, and pierces the identification code 30 from above. When a predetermined short time elapses after the piercing pin device 41 is driven, the pin 42a of the solenoid pin device 42 is retracted and disengaged from the engagement groove 111 at the bottom of the inspection cartridge 10. As a result, the test cartridge 110 can be completely pulled out from the cartridge insertion port 3 of the sample test apparatus 101.

  Since the test cartridge 110 pulled out in this way is in a state where the identification code 30 has been broken through, the identification code 30 cannot be read even if it is reloaded into the sample testing apparatus 101 by mistake. The inspection by the specimen inspection apparatus 101 is not started. As described above, also in this embodiment, the used inspection cartridge 110 is reliably prevented from being reused.

  For an operator who is accustomed to using this system, the identification code 30 is broken, so that the inspection cartridge 110 can be determined to have been used.

  The means for breaking through the identification code 30 can also be used as means for breaking the pack set in the sample testing apparatus while holding the above-described cleaning liquid or sensitizing liquid. Examples of such means include means for swinging a seesaw-like member and breaking the pack with a pin-like member at the tip thereof as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-214867. When such a means is used, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which a seesaw-like member is extended and a dedicated pin-like member that breaks the identification code 30 is attached to the extended portion. Further, when the pin-shaped member as described above is used, when the inspection cartridge is loaded, the pin-shaped member first engages with the inspection cartridge to make it impossible to take out the cartridge. A mechanism may be adopted in which the identification code is broken and the engagement between the pin-shaped member and the inspection cartridge is released so that the inspection cartridge can be taken out.

  Next, a sample testing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 shows a planar shape of the inspection cartridge 210 constituting this system. The identification code 130 shown here is different from the identification code 30 described so far, and a heat-sensitive one is applied.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the test cartridge 210 is loaded into a sample test apparatus 201 that constitutes the present system together with the test cartridge 210 and used for the test. In the sample testing apparatus 201, a heat generating unit 50 that is movable along a predetermined path is provided. When the reading of the identification code 30 by the imaging means 40 is completed, the heat generating unit 50 moves to a position above the heat sensitive identification code 130 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the identification code 130 is in a state where it is heat-sensitive and turned black as shown in FIG.

  Since the inspection cartridge 210 that has been pulled out after that has the identification code 130 turned black and cannot be read, the inspection by the sample inspection apparatus 101 is started even if it is reloaded into the sample inspection apparatus 201 by mistake. Not. As described above, also in the present embodiment, the used inspection cartridge 210 is reliably prevented from being reused.

  For an operator who is accustomed to using this system, the identification cartridge 130 is discolored in black, so that it can be determined that the inspection cartridge 210 has already been used.

  Next, a sample testing system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 14A and 14B are a plan view and a side view showing a state immediately after the test cartridge 310 is loaded in the cartridge insertion port 3 of the sample test apparatus 301 of the present embodiment, respectively. The test cartridge 310 and the sample test apparatus 301 constitute the sample test system of this embodiment.

  On the upper surface of the upper case 10A constituting the inspection cartridge 310, a recess 60 extending in the left-right direction in the drawing is formed. Further, a slide member 61 is disposed so as to cover a part of the upper surface of the upper case 10A. As shown in FIG. 14, the slide member 61 has an end on the side where the identification code 30 and the sample information entry column 31 are provided until the test cartridge 310 is used from the unused state to the test. (Right end portion in the figure) The vicinity portion is set to a position that covers the recess 60 substantially entirely.

  On the other hand, the sample testing apparatus 301 includes an imaging unit 40 that reads the identification code 30 and an identification code moving actuator 62 as an identification code moving unit that moves the slide member 61 as described below. Note that the imaging means 40 is disposed at a position where it can be read by facing the identification code 30 in a state where the vicinity of the end of the slide member 61 covers the recess 60 as described above. Yes.

  When the test cartridge 310 on which the sample solution is spotted is inserted into the cartridge insertion port 3, the identification code 30 is read by the imaging means 40. If this reading is performed normally, the process of optically reading the color reaction generated in the inspection cartridge 310 is performed as in the above-described embodiment.

  When the reading of the identification code 30 is completed, the identification code moving actuator 62 moves to the left in the drawing from the previous retracted position, that is, the position shown in FIG. The identification code moving actuator 62 that moves in this manner abuts against the end of the slide member 61 and pushes the slide member 61 to finally move the slide member 61 to the position shown in FIG. When the slide member 61 moves in this manner, the identification code 30 is removed from the position facing the imaging means 40, and thereafter the identification code 30 cannot be read.

  Even if the test cartridge 310 in the above state is removed from the sample testing apparatus 301 after the process of reading the color reaction is completed, and the test cartridge 310 is reloaded in the sample test apparatus 301 by mistake, the identification code Since 30 is not readable, the process of reading the color reaction is not started. As described above, also in this embodiment, the used inspection cartridge 310 is reliably prevented from being reused.

  For an operator accustomed to using this system, the identification code 30 is moved from its original position, and further, since the spotting hole 11 is covered by the slide member 61, the inspection is performed. It can be intuitively determined that the cartridge 310 has already been used.

  When the slide member 61 is moved by the identification code moving actuator 62, it is not always necessary that the slide member 61 covers the spotting hole 11. However, such a configuration is particularly preferable because it can more clearly indicate that the inspection cartridge 310 cannot be used as described above.

  In order to make the identification code unreadable, not only the means described above, but also means for automatically pressing a white, black or various pattern stamp on the identification code portion, or when the identification code is a seal In addition, a means for removing the identification code by peeling it with an actuator, a means for removing the identification code by scraping it, and the like may be appropriately mounted on the specimen testing apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 101, 201, 301 Specimen inspection apparatus 3 Cartridge insertion port 4 of specimen inspection apparatus Information input / output means 10, 110, 210, 310 Inspection cartridge 10A Upper case 10B of inspection cartridge Lower case 11 of inspection cartridge Spotting of inspection cartridge Hole 12 Insoluble carrier 21 Reading means 22 Determination means 30, 130 Identification code 33 Attached cover 34 Stopper 35A, 35B Protrusion 40 Imaging means 41 Breaking pin device 42 Solenoid pin device 50 Heating portion 60 Case recess 61 Slide member 62 Moving identification code Actuator SW1 first switch SW2 second switch TL test area

Claims (6)

A test cartridge that has a test region that reacts with and colors the test substance in the case, and an identification code is formed on the outer surface of the case;
In a sample testing system comprising a sample insertion device that has a cartridge insertion port for receiving the test cartridge and that performs a test of the sample by measuring the coloration state of the test area of the received test cartridge,
The test cartridge is in a position where the identification code is exposed before use of the test cartridge, and when the test cartridge is in the cartridge insertion port, the position where the identification code is covered in cooperation with the means on the sample testing apparatus side There is a cover to move to
A specimen testing system, wherein the specimen testing apparatus is provided with means for moving the cover to a position covering the identification code.   2. The sample testing system according to claim 1, wherein the test cartridge is provided with a movement blocking means for blocking the cover moved to a position covering the identification code from moving from the position to another position. The cover is rotatable between a position where the identification code is exposed and a position where the identification code is covered,
When the inspection cartridge is inserted into or removed from the cartridge insertion port, the cover is rotated by a member provided on the sample inspection apparatus side and moved to a rotation position covering the identification code. Item 3. The specimen inspection system according to Item 1 or 2.   When a test cartridge having a cover moved to a position covering the identification code is loaded in a sample testing apparatus, the apparatus includes a means for detecting that the cover has moved to a position covering the identification code. The specimen test system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A test cartridge for use in the sample test system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Before use of the test cartridge, it has a position where the identification code is exposed, and when the test cartridge is in the cartridge insertion port, it has a cover that moves to a position that covers the identification code in cooperation with the means on the sample testing apparatus side Inspection cartridge characterized by.   5. A sample testing apparatus for use in the sample testing system according to claim 1, wherein when the test cartridge is in the cartridge insertion port, the cover is moved to a position covering the identification code. A specimen testing apparatus characterized by comprising:

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