JP5958330B2 - Inspection chip - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a test chip including a measurement unit that is supplied with a specimen or a reagent and performs measurement.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a test chip including a measurement unit that performs measurement by supplying a sample or a reagent is known. For example, the inspection object receiver described in Patent Literature 1 includes a measuring unit and a receiving unit. In the measuring unit, a predetermined amount of sample is measured. In the receiving part, the sample measured in the measuring part is mixed with the reagent to generate a mixed liquid. Optical measurement is performed by allowing measurement light to pass through the liquid mixture in the receiving portion.

JP 2012-78113 A

  The optical measurement is performed in a state in which no centrifugal force is applied to the inspection target receptacle. In this case, the liquid mixture is not pressed against the inside of the receiving portion due to the action of centrifugal force. For this reason, for example, the mixed liquid may move to the outside of the receiving part when the mixed liquid is connected to the wall portion of the flow path in the inspection target receptacle or vibration is applied to the mixed liquid. When the liquid mixture is optically measured, if the liquid mixture moves to the outside of the receiving portion, an accurate optical measurement result cannot be obtained. In order to prevent the liquid mixture from moving to the outside of the receiving part, for example, the length of the receiving part in the traveling direction of the measurement light during measurement may be shortened to increase the surface tension or capillary force of the liquid mixture. Conceivable. However, when the length of the receiving portion in the traveling direction of the measurement light is shortened, the change in the intensity of the measurement light that passes through the mixed liquid is small. As a result, there is a risk that the measurement accuracy of the optical measurement is lowered.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an inspection chip that improves measurement accuracy.

  The test chip according to the present invention includes a plurality of measurement units arranged in one direction and measuring a liquid containing a sample or a reagent, and a connection channel that is a channel connected to the plurality of measurement units, An area of a cross section obtained by cutting each of the plurality of measurement units in the one direction is smaller than an area of a cross section obtained by cutting the connection channel in the one direction. In this case, since the area of the cross section obtained by cutting each of the plurality of measurement units in one direction is smaller than the area of the cross section obtained by cutting the connection flow path in one direction, the cross section area is larger than the cross section area of the connection flow path. Compared with the case where the measurement part is provided, the surface tension or the capillary force acts strongly on the liquid stored in each measurement part. Therefore, the possibility that the liquid moves from the measurement unit during measurement can be reduced. A plurality of measurement units are provided in one direction. Therefore, when the measurement light is transmitted in one direction in the measurement unit or in the opposite direction to the one direction and optical measurement is performed, the measurement light is liquid compared to the case where one measurement unit is provided. The length that permeates can be increased. Therefore, the change in the intensity of the measurement light that passes through the liquid stored in the measurement unit is increased, and the measurement accuracy of the optical measurement in the plurality of measurement units is improved.

  The inspection chip may include a connection path that connects at least two of the plurality of measurement units. In this case, since the measurement part is connected by the connection path, the height of the liquid level of the liquid flowing into the plurality of measurement parts can be made uniform. Therefore, possibility that the quantity of the liquid accommodated in one part measurement part among several measurement parts is insufficient can be reduced. Therefore, the measurement accuracy of the optical measurement in the plurality of measurement units is further improved.

  In the inspection chip, an end of the connection path opposite to the connection flow path side is on the connection flow path side of a measurement light transmission position when measurement light is transmitted through the plurality of measurement units. You may be located in the opposite side to the said connection flow path side rather than an end. In this case, compared with the case where the end of the connection path opposite to the connection flow path side is provided on the connection flow path side from the measurement light transmission position, the measurement light transmission position is more reliable in the plurality of measurement units. Liquid is stored in Therefore, the measurement accuracy of the optical measurement in the plurality of measurement units is further improved.

  In the inspection chip, a length in a direction orthogonal to the one direction in at least one of the plurality of measurement units may be longer than a length in the one direction. In this case, when the measurement light is transmitted through the measurement unit in one direction or the direction opposite to one direction and the measurement is performed, the length in the direction orthogonal to the one direction in the measurement unit is shorter than the length in one direction Compared to the above, the measurement light easily hits the measurement part. Therefore, it is possible to reduce a decrease in measurement accuracy due to a positional deviation between the measurement light transmission position and the measurement unit. Therefore, the measurement accuracy of the optical measurement in the plurality of measurement units is further improved.

  In at least two of the plurality of measurement units in the inspection chip, the length in the one direction in the measurement unit on the one direction side is the one direction in the measurement unit on the opposite side of the one direction. It may be shorter than. When the liquid flows into the measurement part while the centrifugal force is applied to the inspection chip, the liquid may flow into the measurement part while being pressed against the opposite side of the inspection chip in the rotation direction due to the action of the Coriolis force. Compared to the case where the lengths in one direction of the plurality of measurement parts are the same as each other, the inspection chip is liable to allow the liquid to flow into the measurement part on the opposite side in the one direction. Therefore, when the inspection chip is rotated so that the opposite direction of one direction becomes the rotation direction, a large amount of liquid flows into the measurement unit on one side and the liquid flowing into the measurement unit on the other side in one direction. The possibility that the amount is insufficient can be reduced. Therefore, the measurement accuracy of the optical measurement in the plurality of measurement units is further improved.

  In the inspection chip, the wall surface on the one-direction side in at least one of the partition walls separating the plurality of measurement units may be higher than the wall surface on the opposite side in the one direction. In this case, in the inspection chip, the liquid easily flows into the measurement part on the opposite side in one direction, compared to the case where the wall surface on the one direction side and the wall surface on the opposite side in the one direction are the same height. Therefore, when the inspection chip is rotated so that the opposite direction of one direction is the rotation direction, a large amount of liquid flows into the measurement unit on one side and the liquid flowing into the measurement unit on the opposite side in one direction The possibility of shortage can be reduced. Therefore, the measurement accuracy of the optical measurement in the plurality of measurement units is further improved.

The inspection chip includes a channel wall surface that is a wall surface on the plurality of measurement units among the wall surfaces forming a channel connected to the connection channel, from the end on the connection channel side in the channel wall surface, The line drawn in the direction orthogonal to the channel wall surface may not intersect the end on the connection channel side in the partition wall that separates the plurality of measurement parts. When the sample or reagent that flows in through the flow path connected to the connection flow path is further mixed with the liquid once stored in the measurement unit, centrifugal force is applied to the test chip in the direction perpendicular to the flow path wall surface. The The line drawn in the direction orthogonal to the flow channel wall surface from the end of the flow channel wall surface on the connection flow channel side does not intersect the connection flow channel side end of the partition wall, so the sample or reagent flowing through the flow channel wall surface is directly measured. Instead of flowing into the part, it flows from the measuring part toward the connection channel. Moreover, the liquid once accommodated in the measurement part flows out to the connection flow path side by the action of centrifugal force. Therefore, the liquid that has flowed out of the measurement unit and the sample or reagent that flows in through the channel wall surface are mixed outside the measurement unit. For this reason, compared with the case where the sample or reagent flowing in through the flow channel wall directly flows into the measurement unit, the liquid once stored in the measurement unit and the sample or reagent flowing in through the flow channel wall are more Be sure to mix. Therefore, the measurement accuracy of the optical measurement in the plurality of measurement units is further improved.
The test chip according to the present invention includes a plurality of measurement units arranged in one direction and measuring a liquid containing a sample or a reagent, and a connection channel that is a channel connected to the plurality of measurement units, An area of a cross section obtained by cutting each of the plurality of measurement units in the one direction is smaller than an area of a cross section obtained by cutting the connection channel in the one direction, and at least two of the plurality of measurement units in the measurement unit The length in the one direction in the measurement unit on the one direction side is shorter than the length in the one direction on the measurement unit on the opposite side to the one direction.
The test chip according to the present invention includes a plurality of measurement units arranged in one direction and measuring a liquid containing a sample or a reagent, and a connection channel that is a channel connected to the plurality of measurement units, An area of a cross section obtained by cutting each of the plurality of measurement parts in the one direction is smaller than an area of a cross section obtained by cutting the connection channel in the one direction, and is at least one of partition walls separating the plurality of measurement parts. The wall surface on the one-direction side of the two is higher than the wall surface on the opposite side in the one direction.
The test chip according to the present invention includes a plurality of measurement units arranged in one direction and measuring a liquid containing a sample or a reagent, and a connection channel that is a channel connected to the plurality of measurement units, An area of a cross section obtained by cutting each of the plurality of measurement units in the one direction is smaller than an area of a cross section obtained by cutting the connection flow path in the one direction, and is a wall surface forming a flow path connected to the connection flow path. A line drawn from the end of the flow passage wall surface on the connection flow passage side in a direction perpendicular to the flow passage wall surface is provided between the plurality of measurement portions. It does not intersect with the end on the connection flow path side in the partition wall separating the two.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the test | inspection system 3 containing the test | inspection apparatus 1 and the control apparatus 90. FIG. It is a perspective view of the test | inspection chip 2. FIG. It is a front view of the test | inspection chip 2 before a centrifugation process. It is a rear view of the test | inspection chip 2 before a centrifugation process. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view in the direction of arrows II in FIG. 3. The shape of the cross sections 809A and 809B of the second portions 802A and 802B in the direction of the arrow II-II in FIG. 3 and the shape of the cross section 182 of the connection channel 180 in the direction of the arrow III-III are shown. It is a figure. It is a state transition diagram of the test | inspection chip 2 in a centrifugation process. It is a state transition diagram of the test | inspection chip 2 in a centrifugation process. FIG. 6 is a partial front view of the test chip 2 showing a state in which the second reagent 19 flows into the connection channel 180. It is a front view of the test | inspection chip 201 in which the connection path 803 was provided. It is a front view of the test | inspection chip 202 in which the connection path 804 was provided. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the test | inspection chip 203 which concerns on the modification of the test | inspection chip 2 shown in FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the test | inspection chip 204 which concerns on the modification of the test | inspection chip 2 shown in FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the test | inspection chip 205 which concerns on the modification of the test | inspection chip 2 shown in FIG.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a plane of the inspection apparatus 1 constituting the inspection system 3 and functional blocks inside the control apparatus 90.

<1. Schematic structure of inspection system 3>
An embodiment of the present invention will be described. A schematic structure of the inspection system 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The inspection system 3 of the present embodiment includes an inspection chip 2 that can store a sample and a reagent that are liquids, and an inspection apparatus 1 that performs an inspection using the inspection chip 2. When the inspection device 1 rotates the inspection chip 2 around the vertical axis A <b> 1 separated from the inspection chip 2, centrifugal force acts on the inspection chip 2. When the inspection apparatus 1 rotates the inspection chip 2 around the horizontal axis A2, the centrifugal direction, which is the direction of the centrifugal force acting on the inspection chip 2, is switched. In addition, since the inspection system 3 and the inspection apparatus 1 of this embodiment have a well-known structure as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-78107, the outline of the structure of the inspection apparatus 1 will be described in the following description.

<2. Structure of the inspection apparatus 1>
The structure of the inspection apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the upper, lower, right, left, front side, and back side of FIG. 1 are defined as the front, rear, right, left, upper, and lower sides of the inspection apparatus 1, respectively. . In the present embodiment, the direction of the vertical axis A1 is the vertical direction of the inspection apparatus 1, and the direction of the horizontal axis A2 is the direction of the speed when the inspection chip 2 is rotated about the vertical axis A1. FIG. 1 shows a state where the top plate of the upper housing 30 of the inspection apparatus 1 is removed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the inspection apparatus 1 includes an upper housing 30, a lower housing 31, an upper plate 32, a turntable 33, an angle changing mechanism 34, and a control device 90. The turntable 33 is a disk rotatably provided on the upper side of an upper plate 32 described later. The inspection chip 2 is held above the turntable 33. The angle changing mechanism 34 is a drive mechanism provided on the turntable 33. The angle changing mechanism 34 rotates the inspection chip 2 around the horizontal axis A2. The upper housing 30 is fixed to an upper plate 32 described later, and a measurement unit 7 that performs optical measurement on the inspection chip 2 is provided inside. The control device 90 is a controller that controls various processes of the inspection device 1.

  A schematic structure of the lower housing 31 will be described. The lower housing 31 has a box-shaped frame structure in which frame members are combined. An upper plate 32 that is a rectangular plate material is provided on the upper surface of the lower housing 31. A drive mechanism that rotates the turntable 33 around the vertical axis A1 is provided in the lower housing 31 as follows.

  A spindle motor 35 that supplies a driving force for rotating the turntable 33 is installed on the left side in the lower housing 31. A shaft 36 of the main shaft motor 35 protrudes upward, and a pulley 37 is fixed. A vertical main shaft 57 extending upward from the inside of the lower housing 31 is provided at the center of the lower housing 31. The main shaft 57 passes through the upper plate 32 and protrudes above the lower housing 31. The upper end portion of the main shaft 57 is connected to the center portion of the turntable 33.

  The main shaft 57 is rotatably held by a support member (not shown) provided immediately below the upper plate 32. A pulley 38 is fixed to the main shaft 57 below the support member. A belt 39 is stretched over the pulley 37 and the pulley 38. When the main shaft motor 35 rotates the shaft 36, the driving force is transmitted to the main shaft 57 via the pulley 37, the belt 39, and the pulley 38. At this time, the turntable 33 rotates around the main shaft 57 in conjunction with the rotation of the main shaft 57.

  A guide rail (not shown) extending in the vertical direction inside the lower housing 31 is provided on the right side in the lower housing 31. A T-shaped plate (not shown) is movable in the vertical direction in the lower housing 31 along the guide rail.

  The aforementioned main shaft 57 is a cylindrical body having a hollow inside. An inner shaft (not shown) is a shaft that can move in the vertical direction inside the main shaft 57. The upper end portion of the inner shaft passes through the main shaft 57 and is connected to the rack gear 43. A bearing (not shown) is provided at the left end of the T-shaped plate. Inside the bearing, the lower end portion of the inner shaft is rotatably held.

  A stepping motor 51 for moving the T-shaped plate up and down is fixed in front of the T-shaped plate. The shaft 58 of the stepping motor 51 protrudes rearward, that is, downward in FIG. A disc-shaped cam plate (not shown) is fixed to the tip of the shaft 58. A cylindrical projection (not shown) is provided on the rear surface of the cam plate. The tip of the protrusion is inserted into a groove (not shown). The protrusion can slide in the groove. When the stepping motor 51 rotates the shaft 58, the protrusion moves up and down in conjunction with the rotation of the cam plate. At this time, the T-shaped plate moves up and down along the guide rail in conjunction with the protrusion inserted in the groove.

  The detailed structure of the angle changing mechanism 34 will be described. The angle changing mechanism 34 has a pair of L-shaped plates 60 fixed to the upper surface of the turntable 33. Each L-shaped plate 60 extends upward from a base portion fixed in the vicinity of the center of the turntable 33, and its upper end portion extends outward in the radial direction of the turntable 33. A rack gear 43 (not shown) fixed to the inner shaft is provided between the pair of L-shaped plates 60. The rack gear 43 is a metal plate-like member that is long in the vertical direction, and gears are respectively carved on both end faces.

  On the front end side in the extending direction of each L-shaped plate 60, a horizontal support shaft 46 having a gear 45 is rotatably supported. The support shaft 46 is fixed to the inspection chip 2 via a mounting holder (not shown). For this reason, the inspection chip 2 also rotates around the support shaft 46 in conjunction with the rotation of the gear 45. Between the gear 45 and the rack gear 43, a pinion gear 44 supported by an L-shaped plate 60 so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis (not shown) is interposed. The pinion gear 44 meshes with the gear 45 and the rack gear 43, respectively. In conjunction with the vertical movement of the rack gear 43, the pinion gear 44 and the gear 45 are driven to rotate, and the inspection chip 2 rotates about the support shaft 46.

  In the present embodiment, as the main shaft motor 35 rotationally drives the turntable 33, the inspection chip 2 rotates around the main shaft 57 that is a vertical axis, and a centrifugal force acts on the inspection chip 2. The rotation around the vertical axis A1 of the inspection chip 2 is referred to as revolution. On the other hand, as the stepping motor 51 moves the inner shaft up and down, the inspection chip 2 rotates about the support shaft 46 which is a horizontal axis, and the direction of the centrifugal force acting on the inspection chip 2 changes relatively. The rotation around the horizontal axis A2 of the inspection chip 2 is called autorotation.

  In a state where the T-shaped plate is lowered to the lowermost end of the movable range, the rack gear 43 is also lowered to the lowermost end of the movable range. At this time, the inspection chip 2 is in a steady state where the rotation angle is 0 degree. Further, in the state where the T-shaped plate is raised to the uppermost end of the movable range, the rack gear 43 is also raised to the uppermost end of the movable range. At this time, the test | inspection chip 2 will be in the state rotated 180 degree | times centering on the horizontal axis line A2 from the steady state. That is, in this embodiment, the angle width that the test chip 2 can rotate is the rotation angle of 0 degrees to 180 degrees.

  The detailed structure of the upper housing 30 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper housing 30 has a box-like frame structure in which frame members are combined, and is installed on the upper left side of the upper plate 32. More specifically, the upper housing 30 is provided outside the range in which the inspection chip 2 is rotated as viewed from the main shaft 57 at the rotation center of the turntable 33.

  The measurement unit 7 provided inside the upper housing 30 includes a light source 71 that emits measurement light, and an optical sensor 72 that detects the measurement light emitted from the light source 71. The light source 71 and the optical sensor 72 are disposed on both the front and rear sides of the turntable 33 outside the rotation range of the inspection chip 2. In the present embodiment, the position on the left side of the main shaft 57 in the reciprocable range of the inspection chip 2 is the measurement position at which the inspection chip 2 is irradiated with the measurement light. When the inspection chip 2 is at the measurement position, the measurement light connecting the light source 71 and the optical sensor 72 intersects the front surface and the rear surface of the inspection chip 2 substantially perpendicularly.

<3. Electrical configuration of control device 90>
The electrical configuration of the control device 90 will be described with reference to FIG. The control device 90 includes a CPU 91 that performs main control of the inspection device 1, a RAM 92 that temporarily stores various data, and a ROM 93 that stores a control program. Connected to the CPU 91 are an operation unit 94 for a user to input instructions to the control device 90, a hard disk device 95 for storing various data and programs, and a display 96 for displaying various information. As the control device 90, a personal computer may be used, or a dedicated control device may be used.

  Further, a revolution controller 97, a rotation controller 98, and a measurement controller 99 are connected to the CPU 91. The revolution controller 97 controls the revolution of the inspection chip 2 by transmitting a control signal for rotating the spindle motor 35 to the spindle motor 35. The rotation controller 98 controls the rotation of the inspection chip 2 by transmitting a control signal for rotating the stepping motor 51 to the stepping motor 51. The measurement controller 99 performs the optical measurement of the inspection chip 2 by driving the measurement unit 7. Specifically, the measurement controller 99 transmits a control signal for executing light emission of the light source 71 and light detection of the optical sensor 72 to the light source 71 and the optical sensor 72. The CPU 91 controls the revolution controller 97, the rotation controller 98, and the measurement controller 99.

<4. Structure of inspection chip 2>
The detailed structure of the test chip 2 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the upper, lower, lower left, upper right, upper left, and lower right in FIG. 2 are the upper, lower, front, rear, left, and right sides of the test chip 2, respectively.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the inspection chip 2 has a square shape when viewed from the front as an example, and mainly includes a transparent synthetic resin plate material 20 having a predetermined thickness. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the front surface of the plate member 20 is sealed with a sheet 291 made of a transparent synthetic resin thin plate. As shown in FIG. 4, the rear surface of the plate member 20 is sealed with a sheet 292 made of a transparent synthetic resin thin plate. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a liquid flow path 25 is formed between the plate material 20 and the sheet 291 and between the plate material 20 and the sheet 292 so that the liquid sealed in the test chip 2 can flow. ing. The liquid channel 25 is a recess formed at a predetermined depth on the front surface side and the rear surface side of the plate material 20 and extends in a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction, which is the thickness direction of the plate material 20. The sheets 291 and 292 seal the flow path forming surface of the plate material 20. The sheets 291 and 292 are not shown except for FIGS. The liquid channel 25 may be formed on the front surface of the plate material 20, and the back surface may be formed by the plate material 20.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the liquid channel 25 includes reagent quantification channels 13 and 15, a sample quantification channel 11, a connection channel 180, and measurement units 80 </ b> A and 80 </ b> B. The reagent fixed amount flow path 15 is provided in the upper left part of the test chip 2. The reagent quantitative flow path 13 is provided on the right side of the reagent quantitative flow path 15. The sample quantification channel 11 is provided on the right side of the reagent quantification channel 13 and on the upper right part of the test chip 2. The measurement units 80A and 80B are provided in the lower right portion of the inspection chip 2. Details of the connection channel 180 and the measurement units 80A and 80B will be described later.

  The reagent fixed amount flow path 13 will be described. The reagent quantitative flow path 13 includes a reagent holding part 131, a reagent supply part 132, a reagent guide part 133, a reagent quantitative part 134, a passage 135, a passage 137, and a reagent surplus part 136. The reagent holding part 131 is a recess that opens upward. The reagent holding part 131 is a part where the first reagent 18 shown in FIG. 3 is injected and stored. The reagent supply unit 132 is a flow path of the first reagent 18 that extends downward from the upper right part of the reagent holding unit 131. The lower end of the reagent supply unit 132 is connected to a reagent guide unit 133 having a narrow channel. A reagent quantitative unit 134 is provided below the reagent guide unit 133. The reagent quantification unit 134 is a part that quantifies the first reagent 18 and is a recess that is recessed downward to the left.

  A passage 135 extends leftward and a passage 137 extends rightward from a portion where the reagent guide 133 and the reagent quantitative unit 134 communicate with each other. The passage 135 extends to the reagent surplus portion 136 provided on the lower left side of the reagent fixed amount portion 134. The reagent surplus part 136 is a part in which the first reagent 18 overflowing from the reagent quantitative part 134 is stored, and is a concave part provided in the right direction from the lower end part of the passage 135. The passage 137 extends in the right direction and then extends downward. The lower end of the right wall surface 138 forming the passage 137 is connected to the wall surface 139. The wall surface 139 extends obliquely downward to the right, and is connected to a connection channel 180 described later.

  The reagent fixed amount flow path 15 will be described. The reagent fixed amount channel 15 includes a reagent holding unit 151, a reagent supply unit 152, a reagent guide unit 153, a reagent fixed amount unit 154, a passage 155, a passage 157, a reagent surplus portion 156, a first holding portion 158, a second holding portion 159, A third holding part 160 and a fourth holding part 161 are included. The reagent holding unit 151, the reagent supplying unit 152, the reagent guiding unit 153, the reagent quantifying unit 154, the passage 155, and the reagent surplus unit 156 are respectively a reagent holding unit 131, a reagent supplying unit 132, a reagent guiding unit 133, and a reagent quantifying unit. 134, the passage 135, and the reagent surplus portion 136.

  The passage 157 is connected to a first holding unit 158 provided on the right side of the reagent quantitative unit 134. The first holding portion 158 is a concave portion that is recessed rightward. The first holding part 158 is connected to a second holding part 159 provided on the lower left side of the first holding part 158. The 2nd holding | maintenance part 159 is a recessed part dented below. The second holding part 159 is connected to a third holding part 160 provided on the right side of the second holding part 159. The third holding part 160 is a concave part recessed to the right. The third holding part 160 is connected to a fourth holding part 161 provided below the third holding part 160. The fourth holding portion 161 is a concave portion that is recessed downward. The fourth holding part 161 is connected to a connection channel 180 (described later) provided on the upper right side of the fourth holding part 161.

  The specimen quantification channel 11 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the sample fixed amount channel 11 includes a sample holding unit 111, a first supply unit 112, a first guide unit 113, a separation unit 124, a channel 125, a channel 127, and a first surplus unit 126. 2nd supply part 123, fixed_quantity | quantitative_assay part 114, channel | path 115, channel | path 117, and 2nd surplus part 116 grade | etc., Are included. The sample holding unit 111 is provided on the right side of the reagent supply unit 132. The sample holder 111 is a recess that opens upward. The specimen holding unit 111 is a part where the specimen 17 shown in FIG. 3 is injected and stored. The specimen 17 of the present embodiment is, for example, blood, plasma, blood cells, bone marrow, urine, vaginal tissue, epithelial tissue, tumor, semen, saliva, foodstuff, or the like. The first supply unit 112 is a flow path of the sample 17 that extends downward from the upper right portion of the sample holding unit 111. The lower end part of the 1st supply part 112 is connected with the 1st guide part 113 which is a channel | path with which the flow path was narrowly formed.

  A separation unit 124 is provided below the first guide unit 113. The separation unit 124 is a part where components contained in the specimen 17 are separated. The separation part 124 is recessed downward and to the right. From a portion where the first guide portion 113 and the separation portion 124 communicate with each other, the passage 125 extends leftward and the passage 127 extends obliquely upward to the right. The passage 125 extends in the left direction, then extends downward, and extends to the first surplus portion 126 provided in the lower left portion of the separation portion 124. The first surplus portion 126 is a portion in which the specimen 17 overflowing from the separation portion 124 is stored, and is a recess provided in the right direction from the lower end portion of the passage 125.

  A passage 127 extending obliquely upward to the right is connected to the second supply unit 123. The second supply unit 123 is recessed to the right. The lower end of the 2nd supply part 123 is connected with the 2nd guide part 128 which is a channel | path with which the flow path was narrowly formed. A quantitative unit 114 is provided below the second guide unit 128. The quantification unit 114 is a part that quantifies the specimen 17 and is a recess that opens upward. The quantification unit 114 is recessed downward and diagonally to the left. A passage 115 extends leftward and a passage 117 extends rightward from a portion where the fixed amount portion 114 and the second guide portion 128 communicate with each other. A second surplus part 116 is provided on the lower left side of the quantifying part 114. The passage 115 is connected to the second surplus portion 116. The second surplus part 116 is a part where the specimen 17 overflowing from the quantification part 114 is stored. The second surplus portion 116 is a recess provided in the right direction from the lower end portion of the passage 115. The passage 117 extends in the right direction, then extends downward, and is connected to the connection flow path 180.

  The connection channel 180 and the measurement units 80A and 80B will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the connection channel 180 is a channel connected to the measurement units 80 </ b> A and 80 </ b> B provided below the connection channel 180. The connection channel 180 is formed by opening the front surface and the rear surface of the plate member 20. For this reason, the connection flow path 180 has penetrated the board | plate material 20 in the front-back direction. A wall surface on the left side of the connection channel 180 at a position where the fourth holding part 161 and the connection channel 180 are connected is referred to as a wall surface 183. The wall surface 183 is formed by the rear surface of the fourth holding part 161 extending rearward at the right end connected to the connection channel 180. By providing the wall surface 183, the specimen 171, the first reagent 18, the second reagent 19, and the like that have flowed into the connection channel 180 are less likely to leak to the fourth holding portion 161 side. The upper wall surface of the connection channel 180 at the position where the passage 117 and the connection channel 180 are connected is referred to as a wall surface 184. The wall surface 184 is formed by the rear surface of the passage 117 extending rearward at the lower end connected to the connection flow path 180.

  The measurement parts 80A and 80B are concave parts recessed downward, and are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. The measurement unit 80A is formed by opening the front surface of the plate member 20. The measuring unit 80B is formed by opening the rear surface of the plate member 20. The wall part separating the measurement parts 80A and 80B is referred to as a partition wall 174. The measurement unit 80A includes a first part 801A and a second part 802A. The measurement unit 80B includes a first part 801B and a second part 802B. The first parts 801A and 801B are parts connected to the connection channel 180, and are located above the first parts 801A and 801B, respectively. The left wall surface 808A of the first portion 801A, the left wall surface 808B of the first portion 801B, and the left lower wall surface 185 of the connection channel 180 form a recess 186 that is recessed to the left. The second parts 802A and 802B are rectangular parallelepiped parts. When optical measurement to be described later is performed, measurement light is transmitted through the second portions 802A and 802B of the measurement units 80A and 80B.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the left wall surface 808A of the first part 801A is inclined obliquely downward to the right. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper part of the partition 174 that forms the rear surface of the first part 801A is inclined forward and obliquely downward. Therefore, the first part 801A is formed so that the flow path gradually becomes narrower in the downward direction from the connection flow path 180 toward the second part 802A. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 4, the left wall surface 808 of the first part 801B is inclined obliquely downward to the right. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper part of the partition 174 that forms the front surface of the first part 801B is inclined obliquely downward and rearward. Therefore, the first part 801B is formed so that the flow path gradually narrows downward from the connection flow path 180 toward the second part 802B. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the length L1 in the left-right direction, which is the direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction in the measurement portions 80A, 80B, more specifically the second portions 802A, 802B, long.

  6 shows the shapes of the cross sections 809A and 809B of the second portions 802A and 802B in the direction of the arrow II-II in FIG. 3, and the shape of the cross section 182 of the connection channel 180 in the direction of the arrow III-III. FIG. The II-II line and the III-III line are lines in a direction orthogonal to the direction from the connection flow path 180 toward the measurement units 80A and 80B. That is, the II-II line and the III-III line are lines facing in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 6, the areas of the cross sections 809A and 809B obtained by cutting the measuring portions 80A and 80B, more specifically, the second portions 802A and 802B in the front-rear direction, are obtained by cutting the connection channel 180 in the front-rear direction. It is smaller than the area of the cross section 182.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the upper portion of the partition wall 174 is pointed upward when viewed from the right side. An end of the partition wall 174 on the connection flow path 180 side is referred to as an upper end 175. As shown in FIG. 3, of the wall surfaces forming the fourth holding portion 161, the right wall surface on the side of the plurality of measurement units 80 </ b> A and 80 </ b> B is referred to as a flow channel wall surface 162. The channel wall surface 162 extends obliquely upward to the right from the lower side portion 24. A line drawn from the end 165 of the channel wall surface 162 on the connection channel 180 side in a direction orthogonal to the channel wall surface 162 is referred to as an orthogonal line 164. The orthogonal line 164 is located above the upper end 175 of the partition wall 174 on the connection channel 180 side and does not intersect the upper end 175. In the following description, a part where the measurement units 80A and 80B, the connection flow path 180, and the passage 117 are connected in the vertical direction is referred to as a connection part 181.

<5. Other structures of inspection chip 2>
As shown in FIG. 1, the support shaft 46 extending from the L-shaped plate 60 is vertically connected to the center of the rear surface of the plate member 20 via a mounting holder (not shown). As the support shaft 46 rotates, the inspection chip 2 rotates around the support shaft 46. When the inspection chip 2 is in the steady state shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the upper side 21 and the lower side 24 are orthogonal to the direction of the gravity G, the right side 22 and the left side 23 are parallel to the direction of the gravity G, and The left side portion 23 is disposed closer to the main shaft 57 than the right side portion 22. In a state where the inspection chip 2 in the steady state is arranged at the measurement position, the inspection apparatus 1 performs inspection by optical measurement by allowing the measurement light connecting the light source 71 and the optical sensor 72 to pass through the measurement units 80A and 80B. . At this time, the measuring units 80A and 80B are arranged in the traveling direction of the measuring light. That is, the front-rear direction in which the measurement units 80A and 80B are arranged is parallel to the traveling direction of the measurement light in the optical measurement.

<6. Example of inspection method>
An inspection method using the inspection apparatus 1 and the inspection chip 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3, the first reagent 18 is arranged in the reagent holding part 131 of the reagent quantitative flow channel 13, the second reagent 19 is arranged in the reagent holding part 151 of the reagent quantitative flow path 15, and the sample holding part 111 A specimen 17 is arranged. The arrangement method of the first reagent 18, the second reagent 19, and the specimen 17 is not limited. For example, a hole is opened at a position corresponding to the reagent holding unit 131, the reagent holding unit 151, and the sample holding unit 111 in the sheet 291, and the user removes the first reagent 18, the second reagent 19, and the sample 17 from the hole. It may be injected and further sealed and sealed. Further, the first reagent 18 and the second reagent 19 may be arranged in the reagent holding unit 131 and sealed with the sheet 291 in advance. In this case, a hole may be opened at a position corresponding to the sample holding unit 111 in the sheet 291, and the user may inject the sample 17 from the hole, and further seal and seal. Further, the upper part of the upper side 21 of the reagent holding part 131, the reagent holding part 151, and the specimen holding part 111 is open, and the user injects the first reagent 18, the second reagent 19, and the specimen 17 from the opening. The opening may be sealed.

  Next, when the inspection chip 2 is attached to the support shaft 46 and a processing start command is input to the control device 90, the following measurement operation is performed. The inspection apparatus 1 can inspect two inspection chips 2 at the same time. For convenience of explanation, a procedure for inspecting one inspection chip 2 will be described below. In the following description, the steady state of the inspection chip 2 shown in FIG. 2 is defined as a rotation angle of 0 degree, and the state rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise from the steady state is defined as a rotation angle of 90 degrees.

  First, based on an instruction from the CPU 91, the revolution controller 97 controls the spindle motor 35 to start driving the turntable 33. As a result, the inspection chip 2 having a rotation angle of 0 degrees revolves. In this embodiment, when the test chip 2 is revolved, it is assumed that the front direction of the test chip 2 is the direction of revolution as shown in FIG. Based on the instruction from the CPU 91, the revolution controller 97 controls the spindle motor 35 to increase the rotation speed of the turntable 33. When the rotation speed reaches 3000 rpm, the spindle motor 35 maintains this rotation speed. The rotation speed is not limited to 3000 rpm, and may be another rotation speed.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the centrifugal force X acts on the test chip 2 from the left side 23 toward the right side 22. The specimen 17 moves from the specimen holding part 111 to the first supply part 112 by the action of the centrifugal force X. Similarly, the first reagent 18 and the second reagent 19 move from the reagent holding units 131 and 151 to the reagent supply units 132 and 152, respectively.

  Next, the rotation controller 98 drives and controls the stepping motor 51 based on an instruction from the CPU 91, so that the rotating test chip 2 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise as viewed from the front as shown in FIG. 7B. The As a result, a centrifugal force acts on the test chip 2 from the upper side portion 21 toward the lower side portion 24. Due to the action of the centrifugal force X, the specimen 17 is supplied to the separation unit 124 via the first guide unit 113. The excess specimen 17 in the separation unit 124 flows to the first surplus part 126 through the passage 115. Therefore, the sample 17 corresponding to the volume of the separation unit 124 remains in the separation unit 124. The first reagent 18 and the second reagent 19 are supplied to the reagent quantification units 134 and 154 via the reagent guide units 133 and 153, respectively. The excess first reagent 18 and second reagent 19 in the reagent quantification units 134 and 154 flow to the reagent surplus units 136 and 156 through the passages 135 and 155, respectively. Therefore, the first reagent 18 and the second reagent 19 corresponding to the capacity of the reagent quantification units 134 and 154 are quantified.

  Centrifugal force X is applied to the test chip 2 from the upper side 21 toward the lower side 24 for a predetermined time. At this time, the separation unit 124 separates the components of the specimen 17. For example, when the specimen 17 is blood, blood cells having a large specific gravity accumulate on the side in which the centrifugal force X acts, and plasma having a small specific gravity accumulates on the side opposite to the direction in which the centrifugal force X acts. That is, blood cells and plasma in the blood are separated. Further, when the specimen 17 is plasma, HDL cholesterol having a large specific gravity accumulates on the direction of action of the centrifugal force X, and LDL cholesterol having a small specific gravity accumulates on the side opposite to the direction of action of the centrifugal force X. That is, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in plasma are separated. In the following description, it is assumed that the specimen 17 is blood. Further, the light plasma having a low specific gravity separated by the separation unit 124 is referred to as a specimen 171, and a blood cell having a high specific gravity is referred to as a specimen 172.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7C, the rotation controller 98 drives and controls the stepping motor 51 based on an instruction from the CPU 91, so that the rotating inspection chip 2 rotates 90 degrees clockwise as viewed from the front. The Thereby, the rotation angle of the inspection chip 2 is set to 0 degree. As a result, the centrifugal force X acts on the test chip 2 from the left side 23 toward the right side 22. When the rotation angle of the test chip 2 becomes 0 degree, the sample 171 moves to the second supply unit 123 through the passage 127. Note that the sample 172 remains in the separation unit 124. The first reagent 18 quantified in the reagent quantification unit 134 moves along the wall surface 138 and the wall surface 139 of the passage 137 and moves to the connection unit 181. The second reagent 19 quantified in the reagent quantification unit 154 moves to the first holding unit 158 through the passage 157.

  Next, when the rotation controller 98 drives and controls the stepping motor 51 based on the instruction from the CPU 91, the test chip 2 rotates 90 degrees counterclockwise as viewed from the front as shown in FIG. 7D. As a result, the rotation angle of the inspection chip 2 is set to 90 degrees. As a result, the centrifugal force X acts on the inspection chip 2 from the upper side portion 21 toward the lower side portion 24. Due to the action of the centrifugal force X, the specimen 171 is supplied to the quantitative unit 114 via the second guide unit 128. The surplus sample 171 in the quantification unit 114 flows to the second surplus unit 116 via the passage 115. For this reason, the sample 171 corresponding to the volume of the quantification unit 114 is quantified. The first reagent 18 moves downward and flows into the measurement units 80A and 80B. The second reagent 19 moves from the first holding unit 158 to the second holding unit 159.

  Next, the rotation controller 98 drives and controls the stepping motor 51 based on an instruction from the CPU 91, whereby the test chip 2 rotates 90 degrees clockwise as viewed from the front as shown in FIG. Thereby, the rotation angle of the inspection chip 2 is set to 0 degree. As a result, the centrifugal force X acts on the test chip 2 from the left side 23 toward the right side 22. Due to the action of the centrifugal force X, the first reagent 18 accommodated in the measurement units 80A and 80B moves to the connecting portion 181. The sample 171 quantified by the quantification unit 114 moves to the connection unit 181 through the passage 117. By the action of the centrifugal force X, the first reagent 18 and the specimen 171 are mixed at the connecting portion 181 to generate the first mixed liquid 261. The second reagent 19 moves from the second holding unit 159 to the third holding unit 160.

  Next, the rotation controller 98 drives and controls the stepping motor 51 based on an instruction from the CPU 91, whereby the test chip 2 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise as viewed from the front as shown in FIG. As a result, the rotation angle of the inspection chip 2 is set to 90 degrees. As a result, the centrifugal force X acts on the inspection chip 2 from the upper side portion 21 toward the lower side portion 24. Due to the action of the centrifugal force X, the first mixed liquid 261 moves to the measurement units 80A and 80B. At this time, the first mixed liquid 261 is branched by the partition 174 and flows into the measurement units 80A and 80B. The second reagent 19 moves from the third holding unit 160 to the fourth holding unit 161.

  Next, by driving control of the spindle motor 35, the spindle motor 35 is driven to decelerate and the spindle motor 35 stops. Therefore, the revolution of the inspection chip 2 is stopped. Based on the instruction from the CPU 91, the rotation controller 98 drives and controls the stepping motor 51, so that the inspection chip 2 rotates 90 degrees clockwise as viewed from the front. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8G, the rotation angle of the test chip 2 is set to 0 degree. As a result, gravity G acts on the inspection chip 2 from the upper side portion 21 toward the lower side portion 24. Although not shown, since the centrifugal force X is not applied while the inspection chip 2 changes from the rotation angle 90 degrees to 0 degrees, a part of the first mixed liquid 261 moves to the recess 186 by the action of gravity G. . Since the 1st liquid mixture 261 moves to the recessed part 186, the possibility that the 1st liquid mixture 261 moves to the 4th holding | maintenance part 161 can be reduced. When the rotation angle of the inspection chip 2 becomes 0 degree, the first mixed liquid 261 once moved to the concave portion 186 is moved again to the measurement units 80A and 80B by the action of gravity G.

  After the rotation angle of the inspection chip 2 changes to 0 degrees, the inspection chip 2 is rotationally moved to the measurement position angle by drive control of the spindle motor 35. When the inspection chip 2 is rotationally moved to the angle of the measurement position, the measurement units 80A and 80B are aligned in the traveling direction of the measurement light by the light emission of the light source 71. In other words, the measurement units 80A and 80B are arranged so as to be aligned in the traveling direction of the measurement light. When the measurement controller 99 emits the light source 71 based on an instruction from the CPU 91, the measurement light passes through the first mixed liquid 261 stored in the measurement units 80A and 80B. At this time, the measurement light passes through the central portions of the second portions 802A and 802B when the inspection chip 2 is viewed from the front side. Based on the change amount of the measurement light received by the optical sensor 72, optical measurement of the first mixed liquid 261 is performed, and measurement data is acquired. Next, the measurement result of the sample 171 is calculated based on the acquired measurement data. A test result of the sample 171 based on the measurement result is displayed. The transmission position of the measurement light is not limited to the central part of the second parts 802A and 802B. The transmission position of the measurement light may be a part of the second portions 802A and 802B such as the lower right portion of the second portions 802A and 802B. Further, the measurement light may pass through the entire second portions 802A and 802B.

  Although details will be described later, after the first mixed liquid 261 is measured, the second mixed liquid 262 in which the second reagent 19 is mixed with the first mixed liquid 261 is measured. That is, as shown in FIG. 8G, the measurement using the first mixed liquid 261 before the second reagent 19 is mixed is a so-called blind measurement. After the blind measurement is performed, the second mixed liquid 262 in which the second reagent 19 is mixed with the first mixed liquid 261 is measured in the measurement units 80A and 80B. That is, the first mixed liquid 261 and the second mixed liquid 262 are measured by the same measuring unit 80A, 80B. Therefore, compared to the case where the first mixed liquid 261 and the second mixed liquid 262 are measured in different measurement units, errors due to scratches on the measurement unit are less likely to occur. Therefore, an accurate inspection result can be obtained.

  In the blind measurement, when the centrifugal force X is not applied to the test chip 2, the second reagent 19 is not pressed downward by the action of the centrifugal force X. For this reason, the second reagent 19 is easily moved. In particular, when examining lipid-related items, the second reagent 19 often contains a surfactant in order to disperse the lipid contained in the specimen 171. In this case, the surfactant increases the possibility that the second reagent 19 moves to the outside of the fourth holding part 161. Similarly, a surfactant may be contained in the first reagent 18 in order to disperse the lipid contained in the specimen 171 particularly when examining lipid-related items. In this case, the surfactant increases the possibility that the first mixed liquid 261 that is the sample 171 mixed with the first reagent 18 moves to the outside of the measurement units 80A and 80B. In the example shown in FIG. 8G, the second reagent 19 moves upward through the channel wall surface 162 and the left wall surface 163 of the fourth holding portion 161. In this state, if the centrifugal force X in the right direction is applied to the test chip 2, the second reagent 19 moving upward through the wall surface 163 may flow into the third holding unit 160. In this case, the amount of the second reagent 19 mixed with the first mixed liquid 261 is reduced, and the inspection accuracy may be deteriorated.

  In the present embodiment, in order to prevent the second reagent 19 from flowing into the third holding part 160, the centrifugal force X is applied toward the lower side of the fourth holding part 161. As a result, the second reagent 19 is pressed against the lower part of the fourth holding part 161. Thereafter, the second reagent 19 is moved to the connection channel 180 side, and the first mixed liquid 261 and the second reagent 19 are mixed. More specifically, after the blind measurement is performed, the test controller 2 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise as viewed from the front by the rotation controller 98 driving and controlling the stepping motor 51 based on an instruction from the CPU 91. . Although not shown, at this time, due to the action of gravity G, a part of the first mixed liquid 261 moves to the recess 186 and the second reagent 19 moves to the left part of the fourth holding part 161.

  And based on the instruction | indication of CPU91, the revolution controller 97 controls the spindle motor 35, the drive of the turntable 33 is started, and it drives. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8H, centrifugal force X acts on the test chip 2 from the upper side portion 21 toward the lower side portion 24. The second reagent 19 is pressed against the lower part of the fourth holding part 161 by the action of the centrifugal force X. The first liquid mixture 261 moves to the measurement units 80A and 80B.

  Next, the rotation controller 98 drives and controls the stepping motor 51 based on an instruction from the CPU 91, whereby the test chip 2 is rotated 90 degrees clockwise as viewed from the front as shown in FIG. 8 (I). Thereby, the rotation angle of the inspection chip 2 is set to 0 degree. As a result, the centrifugal force X acts on the test chip 2 from the left side 23 toward the right side 22. Due to the action of the centrifugal force X, the second reagent 19 moves from the fourth holding part 161 to the connecting part 181. The first mixed liquid 261 and the second reagent 19 are mixed by the action of the centrifugal force X, and the second mixed liquid 262 is generated.

  8 and 9, the process of switching from the state in which the rotation angle of the inspection chip 2 shown in FIG. 8H is 90 degrees to the state in which the rotation angle of the inspection chip 2 shown in FIG. 8I is 0 degrees. The flow of the second reagent 19 will be described. From the state in which the rotation angle of the inspection chip 2 shown in FIG. 8H is 90 degrees, the inspection chip 2 starts to rotate clockwise as viewed from the front. Due to the action of the centrifugal force X, the first mixed liquid 261 flows out from the measurement units 80A and 80B to the connection channel 180 side and moves to the connection unit 181. As shown in FIG. 9, when the centrifugal force X is applied in a direction perpendicular to the channel wall surface 162, the second reagent 19 flows into the connection channel 180 from the right end of the channel wall surface 162. At this time, the second reagent 19 flows into the connection channel 180 along the orthogonal line 164. As a result, the second reagent 19 merges with the first mixed liquid 261 in the connection channel 180. As shown in FIG. 8I, the centrifugal force X is applied to the test chip 2 for a predetermined time in a state where the rotation angle of the test chip 2 is 90 degrees, and the second mixed liquid 262 is generated.

  Next, by driving control of the spindle motor 35, the spindle motor 35 is driven to decelerate and the spindle motor 35 stops. Therefore, the revolution of the inspection chip 2 is stopped. Based on the instruction from the CPU 91, the rotation controller 98 drives and controls the stepping motor 51, so that the inspection chip 2 rotates 90 degrees clockwise as viewed from the front. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8K, the rotation angle of the test chip 2 is set to 0 degree. As a result, gravity G acts on the inspection chip 2 from the upper side portion 21 toward the lower side portion 24. Although not shown, since the centrifugal force X is not applied while the inspection chip 2 changes from the rotation angle 90 degrees to 0 degrees, a part of the second mixed liquid 262 moves to the recess 186 by the action of gravity G. . Since the second mixed liquid 262 moves to the recess 186, the possibility that the second mixed liquid 262 moves to the fourth holding part 161 can be reduced. When the rotation angle of the inspection chip 2 becomes 0 degree, the second mixed liquid 262 once moved to the recess 186 is moved again to the measurement units 80A and 80B by the action of gravity G. Similarly to the case where the first mixed liquid 261 is optically measured, the second mixed liquid 262 is measured, and the measurement result is displayed.

<7. Main actions and effects of this embodiment>
As described above, the inspection apparatus 1 can use the inspection chip 2 into which the specimen 17, the first reagent 18, and the second reagent 19 are injected. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the areas of the cross sections 809A and 809B obtained by cutting the measurement units 80A and 80B in the front-rear direction are smaller than the area of the cross section 182 obtained by cutting the connection flow path 180 in the front-rear direction. For this reason, compared with the case where the measurement part which has the area of the cross section larger than the area of the cross section 182 of the connection flow path 180 is provided, the 1st liquid mixture 261 accommodated in each measurement part 80A, 80B and the 2nd mixing The liquid 262 has a strong surface tension or capillary force. Therefore, the possibility that the first mixed liquid 261 and the second mixed liquid move from the measurement units 80A and 80B during the optical measurement can be reduced. A plurality of measuring units 80A and 80B are provided in the front-rear direction. For this reason, in the measurement units 80A and 80B, when the measurement light is transmitted in the front-rear direction and optical measurement is performed, the measurement light is compared with the case where one measurement unit is provided. The length which permeate | transmits 261 and the 2nd liquid mixture 262 can be lengthened. Therefore, the change in the intensity of the measurement light transmitted through the first mixed solution 261 and the second mixed solution 262 stored in the measuring units 80A and 80B is increased, and the measurement accuracy of the optical measurement in the measuring units 80A and 80B is improved. As described above, since the length of the measurement light passing through the first mixture liquid 261 and the second mixture liquid 262 can be increased, the optical path length of the measurement light passing through the first mixture liquid 261 and the second mixture liquid 262 can be ensured. Measurement accuracy is improved.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the length L1 in the left-right direction in each of the measurement units 80A and 80B is longer than the length L2 in the front-rear direction. For this reason, when measurement light is transmitted through the measurement units 80A and 80B in the front-rear direction, the left-right length L1 in the measurement units 80A, 80B is shorter than the length L2 in the front-rear direction. The measurement light easily hits the measurement units 80A and 80B. Therefore, it is possible to reduce a decrease in measurement accuracy due to a positional deviation between the measurement light transmission position and the measurement units 80A and 80B. Therefore, the measurement accuracy of the optical measurement in the measurement units 80A and 80B is further improved.

  Further, the orthogonal line 164 does not intersect the upper end 175 of the partition wall 174. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9, the second reagent 19 merges with the first mixed liquid 261 in the connection channel 180. That is, the second reagent 19 that flows in through the channel wall surface 162 does not flow directly into the measurement units 80A and 80B, but flows into the connection channel 180 side from the measurement units 80A and 80B, and the measurement units 80A and 80B. Is mixed with the first mixed liquid 261 outside. For this reason, compared with the case where the second reagent 19 directly flows into the measurement units 80A and 80B via the flow path wall surface 162, the first mixed liquid 261 once stored in the measurement units 80A and 80B and the second reagent 19 are stored. And are more reliably mixed. Therefore, the measurement accuracy of the optical measurement in the measurement units 80A and 80B is further improved.

  In the above embodiment, the backward direction corresponds to “one direction” of the present invention. The first mixed liquid 261 and the second mixed liquid 262 correspond to the “liquid” of the present invention. In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, A various change is possible. For example, the orthogonal line 164 may intersect with the upper end 175 of the partition wall 174. Further, it is sufficient that the number of measurement units is two or more. For example, four measurement units may be provided in the front-rear direction. Further, the length L1 in the left-right direction in one of the measurement units 80A and 80B may be longer than the length L2 in the front-rear direction. Similarly, when a plurality of measurement units are provided, the length L1 in the left-right direction of at least one measurement unit among the plurality of measurement units may be longer than the length L2 in the front-rear direction. Moreover, the length L1 in the left-right direction in each of the measurement units 80A and 80B may be shorter than the length L2 in the front-rear direction.

  Further, as in the inspection chip 201 shown in FIG. 10, a connection path 803 that connects the measurement units 80A and 80B may be provided. The connection path 803 is a hole that penetrates the partition wall 174 in the front-rear direction, and is provided in the lower left part of the second portions 802A and 802B of the measurement parts 80A and 80B. In this case, since the measurement parts 80A and 80B are connected by the connection path 803, the liquid level of the first mixed liquid 261 and the second mixed liquid 262 flowing into the measurement parts 80A and 80B can be made uniform. Therefore, possibility that the quantity of the 1st liquid mixture 261 and the 2nd liquid mixture 262 accommodated in one part measurement part among measurement parts 80A and 80B may be reduced. Therefore, the measurement accuracy of the optical measurement in the measurement units 80A and 80B is further improved.

  Further, the position of the connecting path is not limited. In the inspection chip 202 shown in FIG. 11, the lower end 805, which is the end opposite to the connection flow path 180 side in the connection path 804 in the vertical direction, is connected to the measurement light transmission position 806 when optical measurement is performed. It is located below the upper end 807 that is the end on the flow path 180 side. In this case, compared to the case where the lower end 805 of the connection path 804 is provided on the connection flow path 180 side from the measurement light transmission position 806, the measurement light transmission position 806 is more reliable in the measurement units 80A and 80B. The first mixed liquid 261 and the second mixed liquid 262 are accommodated in the container. Therefore, the measurement accuracy of the optical measurement in the measurement units 80A and 80B is further improved.

  Further, the connecting paths 803 and 804 may be provided other than the partition wall 174. For example, the connection paths 803 and 804 may be provided on the right side portion 22 to connect the right portions of the measurement portions 80A and 80B. Further, the number of connection paths 803 and 804 is not limited, and there may be a plurality of connection paths.

  Moreover, although the measurement parts 80A and 80B were each provided with 1st site | part 801A and 801B and 2nd site | part 802A and 802B, it is not limited to this. For example, like the test chip 203 shown in FIG. 12, the measurement units 80A and 80B may include only a part having the same shape as the second parts 802A and 802B shown in FIGS.

  Further, the length in the front-rear direction of the measurement units 80A and 80B is not limited. For example, in the test chip 204 shown in FIG. 13, the length L3 in the front-rear direction of the rear measurement unit 80B is shorter than the length L4 in the front-rear direction of the front measurement unit 80A. When the first mixed liquid 261 and the second mixed liquid 262 flow into the measuring units 80A and 80B while the centrifugal force X is applied to the inspection chip 204, the opposite side of the rotation direction of the inspection chip 204 due to the action of the Coriolis force. In some cases, the first mixed liquid 261 and the second mixed liquid 262 are pressed against the rear side and flow into the measuring units 80A and 80B. In the inspection chip 204, the first mixed liquid 261 and the second mixed liquid 262 are more likely to flow into the front measurement unit 80A than when the measurement units 80A and 80B have the same length in the front-rear direction. For this reason, even if the 1st liquid mixture 261 and the 2nd liquid mixture 262 are flowed into measurement part 80A, 80B, pressing back, many 1st liquid mixture 261 and 2nd liquid mixture are added to the measurement part 80B of the back side. The possibility that the amount of the liquid 262 flowing in and flowing into the front measurement unit 80A is insufficient can be reduced. Therefore, the measurement accuracy of the optical measurement in the measurement units 80A and 80B is further improved.

  When three or more measurement units are provided, in at least two measurement units of the plurality of measurement units, the length in the front-rear direction in the rear measurement unit is shorter than the length in the front-rear direction in the front measurement unit. May be. When three or more measuring units are provided, the length of the measuring unit in the front-rear direction may be shorter as the position of the measuring unit is on the rear side.

  Moreover, the shape of the partition 174 is not limited. For example, in the inspection chip 205 shown in FIG. 14, the position of the upper end 177 of the rear wall 176 in the partition 174 is closer to the connection channel 180 than the position of the upper end 179 of the front wall 178 in the partition 174. On the upper side. In other words, the rear-side wall surface 176 of the partition wall 174 is higher than the front-side wall surface 178 in the vertical direction in which the connection channel 180 and the measurement units 80A and 80B face each other. Therefore, in the inspection chip 205, the first mixed liquid 261 and the second mixed liquid 262 easily flow into the measurement unit 80A on the front side as compared with the case where the wall surface 176 and the wall surface 178 have the same height. Therefore, even if the first mixed liquid 261 and the second mixed liquid 262 are pressed into the rear side and flow into the measuring units 80A and 80B, a large amount of the first mixed liquid 261 and the second mixed liquid are added to the rear measuring unit 80B. The possibility that the amount of 262 flowing in and flowing into the front measurement unit 80A is insufficient can be reduced. Therefore, the measurement accuracy of the optical measurement in the measurement units 80A and 80B is further improved.

  When three or more measuring units are provided, the rear wall surface may be higher than the front wall surface in at least one partition wall among the plurality of partition walls separating the plurality of measurement units. Further, when three or more measurement units are provided, the rear wall surface may be higher than the front wall surface in all of the plurality of partition walls separating the plurality of measurement units.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Test | inspection apparatus 2,201,202,203,204,205 Test | inspection chip 17,171,172 Sample 18 1st reagent 19 2nd reagent 80A, 80B Measurement part 162 Channel wall surface 164 Orthogonal line 174 Septum 176,178 Wall surface 180 Connection Flow path 182 Cross section 261 First mixed liquid 262 Second mixed liquid 803, 804 Connection path 806 Transmission position 809A, 809B Cross section

Claims (9)

A plurality of measuring units arranged in one direction and measuring a liquid containing a specimen or a reagent;
A connection channel that is a channel connected to the plurality of measurement units,
Area of a cross section obtained by cutting each of the plurality of measuring portions in the one direction, rather smaller than the area of the cross section obtained by cutting the connecting channel in the one direction,
An inspection chip comprising a connection path for connecting at least two of the plurality of measurement units . The end of the connection path opposite to the connection flow path side is more than the connection flow path side end of the measurement light transmission position when measurement light is transmitted through the plurality of measurement units. The test chip according to claim 1 , wherein the test chip is located on a side opposite to the connection flow path side. Length in the direction orthogonal to the one direction in at least one of said measuring portion of said plurality of measuring portions, the inspection chip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that longer than the length of said one direction . In at least two of the plurality of measurement units, the length in the one direction in the measurement unit on the one direction side is shorter than the length in the one direction on the measurement unit on the opposite side of the one direction. inspection chip according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that. In at least one the one direction side of the wall surface of the partition wall separating the plurality of measuring portions is according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the higher than the opposite side wall of the one direction Inspection chip. Among the wall surfaces forming the flow channel connected to the connection flow channel, the flow channel wall surface is a wall surface on the plurality of measurement units side,
A line drawn in an orthogonal direction to the flow channel wall surface from an end of the flow channel wall surface on the connection flow channel side does not intersect an end on the connection flow channel side in a partition wall separating the plurality of measurement parts. The inspection chip according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . A plurality of measuring units arranged in one direction and measuring a liquid containing a specimen or a reagent;
A connection channel that is a channel connected to the plurality of measurement units;
With
An area of a cross section obtained by cutting each of the plurality of measurement units in the one direction is smaller than an area of a cross section obtained by cutting the connection channel in the one direction.
In at least two of the plurality of measurement units, the length in the one direction in the measurement unit on the one direction side is shorter than the length in the one direction on the measurement unit on the opposite side of the one direction. Inspection chip characterized by that. A plurality of measuring units arranged in one direction and measuring a liquid containing a specimen or a reagent;
A connection channel that is a channel connected to the plurality of measurement units;
With
An area of a cross section obtained by cutting each of the plurality of measurement units in the one direction is smaller than an area of a cross section obtained by cutting the connection channel in the one direction.
The test chip according to claim 1, wherein the wall surface on the one-direction side in at least one of the partition walls separating the plurality of measurement units is higher than the wall surface on the opposite side in the one direction. A plurality of measuring units arranged in one direction and measuring a liquid containing a specimen or a reagent;
A connection channel that is a channel connected to the plurality of measurement units;
With
An area of a cross section obtained by cutting each of the plurality of measurement units in the one direction is smaller than an area of a cross section obtained by cutting the connection channel in the one direction.
Among the wall surfaces forming the flow channel connected to the connection flow channel, the flow channel wall surface is a wall surface on the plurality of measurement units side,
A line drawn in an orthogonal direction to the flow channel wall surface from an end of the flow channel wall surface on the connection flow channel side does not intersect an end on the connection flow channel side in a partition wall separating the plurality of measurement parts. Inspection chip to do.

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