JP6967427B2 - Gasket and sealing structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gasket that seals a gap between a container and an injection device that injects a liquid sample into the container, and a sealing structure comprising the gasket.

As an apparatus for analyzing a sample obtained from a living body, for example, the apparatus described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 is known. In these devices, a pipette is used to inject a ligand solution and an analyze solution into a container, and the reaction between the ligand and the analyze in the container is measured.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-322850 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-82803

It is conceivable to place an elastomer flat gasket between the container for accommodating the liquid sample and the injection device having an injection port for injecting the sample into the container. The gasket will be formed with through holes for introducing the sample from the inlet to the container. The gasket will be compressed between the container and the infusion device and will seal the gap between the container and the infusion device to prevent the sample from leaking out.

It may be desirable for such a gasket to remain stationary on the container when the injection device is lifted after injecting the sample into the container from the injection device. Conversely, it may be desirable to lift the injection device after injecting the sample into the container from the injection device so that the gasket separates from the container and lifts with the injection device.

Therefore, the present invention provides a gasket provided with a gasket that easily separates from one of the container and the injection device and easily adheres to the other when the injection device is lifted after injecting a sample into the container from the injection device. do.

A gasket according to an aspect of the present invention is arranged between a container having a plurality of storage spaces for storing a liquid sample and an injection device having an injection port for injecting the sample into the container. An elastomer flat plate gasket that seals the gap between the injection device and the container, the lower surface that is brought into contact with the container, the upper surface that is brought into contact with the injection device, and the sample. A plurality of through holes formed for introduction into the container from the container, and formed around the through holes on either the lower surface or the upper surface, have a size smaller than the through holes, and have a mesh shape. The plurality of recesses are provided, and the plurality of recesses are surrounded by a grid-like partition wall, and the lower surface and the other of the upper surface are formed flat.

According to this aspect, when the injection device is lifted after injecting the sample into the container from the injection device, the surface of the lower surface and the upper surface where the recess is formed is easy to separate from either the container or the injection device and becomes flat. The formed surface tends to adhere to the other of the container and the infusion device due to the adhesiveness of the elastomer. Therefore, it is possible to attach the gasket to the desired side of the container and the injection device. Since the plurality of recesses are arranged in a mesh pattern and are surrounded by a grid-like partition wall, even if a sample enters the recesses, it is difficult for the sample to spread outside the partition wall. Therefore, the risk of the sample entering a storage space different from the storage space of the container to which the sample should be originally stored is reduced.

Although the plurality of recesses are formed around the through hole, it is preferable that the plurality of recesses are formed in the entire one of the lower surface and the upper surface. In this case, it is not necessary to form the recess in accordance with the position of the through hole, and the gasket can be easily manufactured.

In certain embodiments, it is preferred that the plurality of recesses are formed on the upper surface and the lower surface is formed flat. In this case, when the injection device is lifted after injecting the sample into the container from the injection device, the upper surface on which the recess is formed is easy to separate from the injection device, and the flat lower surface is the container due to the adhesiveness of the elastomer. Easy to adhere to. Therefore, when the injection device is lifted, a gap is unlikely to occur between the lower surface of the gasket and the container, and the sample may travel along the lower surface of the gasket and enter a storage space different from the storage space of the container that should be originally stored. Is reduced.

When the injection device is a pipette having the injection port formed at the tip, each of the plurality of recesses has a size smaller than the thickness of the tip of the pipette, and the tip of the pipette penetrates the pipette. It is preferable to make continuous contact with the partition wall around each of the holes. Here, the "size" means the largest length of the contour of the recess (for example, if the recess is square, its diagonal length, if the recess is circular, its diameter). In this case, the tip of the pipette continuously (uninterruptedly) contacts and compresses the septum over the entire circumference of each through hole. Therefore, a gap is less likely to occur between the tip of the pipette and the gasket, and the sample is less likely to spread outside the partition wall.

When the injection device includes an injection head in which a plurality of injection ports are formed, each of the plurality of recesses has a size smaller than the distance between the plurality of injection ports, and the injection head has the through hole. It is preferable to make continuous contact with the partition wall around each of the above. In this case, the injection head continuously (uninterruptedly) contacts and compresses the bulkhead over the entire circumference of each through hole. Therefore, a gap is unlikely to occur between the injection head and the gasket, and the sample is unlikely to spread outside the partition wall.

In another embodiment, it is preferable that the plurality of recesses are formed on the lower surface and the upper surface is formed flat. In this case, when the injection device is lifted after injecting the sample into the container from the injection device, the lower surface on which the recess is formed is easy to separate from the container, and the flat upper surface is the injection device due to the adhesiveness of the elastomer. Easy to adhere to. Therefore, when lifting the injection device, the gasket is likely to be lifted together with the injection device. This makes it easy to inject the sample into another container using the same injection device and the same gasket.

When the injection device includes an injection head in which a plurality of injection ports are formed, each of the plurality of recesses has a size smaller than the distance between the inlets of the plurality of accommodation spaces, and the container is the penetration. It is preferable to make continuous contact with the partition wall around each of the holes. In this case, the vessel is continuously (uninterrupted) in contact with and compressed over the entire circumference of each through hole. Therefore, a gap is less likely to occur between the container and the gasket, and the sample is less likely to spread outside the partition wall.

A sealed structure according to an aspect of the present invention includes the gasket, the container for accommodating the sample, and the injection device having the injection port for injecting the sample into the container.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the use state of the gasket which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the gasket of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a gasket in a preferable state in the step after FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a gasket in an unfavorable state in the process after FIG. 1. It is an enlarged sectional view of the gasket of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the recess formed in the gasket of FIG. It is an enlarged sectional view which shows the use state of the gasket of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the convex part formed in the gasket of the comparative example. It is a top view which shows the details of the recess of FIG. It is a figure which shows the dimension of the concave part of FIG. It is a top view which shows the gasket which concerns on the modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the detail of the recess formed in the gasket which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the dimension of the concave part of FIG. It is a top view which shows the detail of the recess formed in the gasket which concerns on the modification. It is a top view which shows the detail of the recess formed in the gasket which concerns on another modification. It is a top view which shows the detail of the recess formed in the gasket which concerns on another modification. It is a top view which shows the detail of the recess formed in the gasket which concerns on another modification. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the use state of the gasket which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the gasket of FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the gasket in a preferred state in the steps after FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the gasket in an unfavorable state in the steps after FIG. It is an enlarged sectional view of the gasket of FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the use state of the gasket which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the gasket in a preferred state in the process after FIG. 23. It is an enlarged sectional view of the gasket of FIG. 23.

Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the scale does not necessarily accurately represent the product of the embodiment, and some dimensions may be exaggerated.

1st Embodiment As shown in FIG. 1, the gasket 1 according to the 1st embodiment of the present invention includes a container 4 for accommodating a liquid sample 2 and a pipette for injecting the sample 2 into the container 4. It is placed between the tip of the injection device) 6 and compressed by the pipette 6 and the container 4 to seal the gap between the tip of the pipette 6 and the container 4.

The sample 2 may be a sample such as a body fluid obtained from a living body, a cell obtained from a living body or a liquid containing a living body, or a culture solution for culturing cells or a living body. You may. Alternatively, Sample 2 may be a chemically produced or purified liquid.

The pipette 6 is made of, for example, glass or resin. An injection port 6a for injecting a sample into the container 4 is formed at the tip (lower end) of the pipette 6. Although not shown, a cap formed from an elastic body that is compressed to suck liquid may be attached to the upper part of the pipette 6.

The container 4 is made of, for example, a resin, and has a plurality of cells 5 which are storage spaces for accommodating the sample 2. Each of these cells 5 may contain a different type of sample 2 or may contain the same type of sample 2. Further, one type of sample 2 may be injected into one cell 5, then another type of sample 2 may be injected, and different types of sample 2 may be mixed in the same cell 5. Although the illustrated cells 5 are independent of each other, a plurality of cells 5 may communicate with each other.

The gasket 1 is a substantially flat plate made of an elastomer and has a lower surface 10 which is brought into contact with the upper surface of the container 4 and an upper surface 11 which is brought into contact with the tip of the pipette 6. As shown in FIG. 2, the gasket 1 has a plurality of through holes 12 formed for introducing the sample 2 into the container 4 from the injection port 6a of the pipette 6. Further, the gasket 1 is formed with a through hole 14 for positioning the gasket 1. However, the through hole 14 is not indispensable.

In the used state of the gasket 1, the gasket 1 is placed on the upper surface of the container 4, and at this time, the plurality of through holes 12 of the gasket 1 are arranged at positions corresponding to the positions of the plurality of cells 5 of the container 4. Then, the tip of the pipette 6 is arranged with respect to the gasket 1 so that the injection port 6a at the tip of the pipette 6 is substantially concentric with any one of the through holes 12. At this time, the gasket 1 is compressed between the tip surface of the pipette 6 and the upper surface of the container 4. Next, the sample 2 is introduced from the pipette 6 through the injection port 6a and the through hole 12 into the cell 5 overlapping the through hole 12. The diameter of each through hole 12 of the gasket 1 is smaller than the diameter of the injection port 6a of the pipette 6.

After the sample 2 is injected from the pipette 6 into the cell 5, the pipette 6 is lifted as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, it is desirable that the gasket 1 be left on the container 4 as shown when the pipette 6 is lifted. After this, the gasket 1 is removed from the top of the container 4, and the sample 2 in the cell 5 of the container 4 is used, for example, in a chemical reaction experiment or a culture experiment.

When different types of samples 2 are mixed in the same cell 5, preferably by another pipette 6, the sample 2 is injected into the cell 5, all types of samples 2 are introduced into the container 4, and then the container. Gasket 1 is removed from above 4.

When the pipette 6 is lifted, it is not desirable for the elastomer gasket 1 to adhere to the pipette 6 and be lifted from the container 4, as shown in FIG. If a gap is created between the lower surface 10 of the gasket 1 and the upper surface of the container 4 even in a short time, the sample 2 remaining in the through hole 12 wraps around the gap and enters the cell 5 where the sample 2 should not be introduced. This is because there is a risk of introducing it.

In this embodiment, after injecting the sample 2 from the pipette 6 into the container 4, the gasket 1 is devised as follows so that the gasket 1 remains on the container 4 even if the pipette 6 is lifted. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the gasket 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the lower surface 10 of the gasket 1 is formed flat. On the other hand, a plurality of recesses 16 having a size smaller than the diameter of each through hole 12 are formed around each through hole 12 on the upper surface 11 of the gasket 1.

As shown in FIG. 6, these recesses 16 are arranged in a mesh pattern, and each recess 16 is surrounded by a grid-like partition wall 18. However, only the recess 16a adjacent to the through hole 12 is not completely surrounded by the partition wall 18, and a part of the recess 16a is surrounded by the partition wall 18. The upper surface of the partition wall 18 is flush with the region of the upper surface 11 of the gasket 1 where the recess 16 is not provided.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the state of use of the gasket 1, the partition wall 18 of the gasket 1 is compressed by the tip surface of the pipette 6. Since the tip surface of the pipette 6 contacts only the partition wall 18 of the gasket 1, the contact area between the tip surface of the pipette 6 and the gasket 1 can be reduced as compared with the case where the upper surface 11 is a flat surface without the recess 16. can. Therefore, although the gasket 1 is made of an elastomer, the adhesive force between the tip surface of the pipette 6 and the upper surface 11 is weak, and the upper surface 11 is easily separated from the pipette 6.

On the other hand, since the lower surface 10 of the gasket 1 in contact with the upper surface of the container 4 is formed flat, the adhesive force between the container 4 and the lower surface 10 is strong due to the adhesiveness of the elastomer. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, when the pipette 6 is lifted, the gasket 1 tends to stand still on the container 4 as it is, and the gasket 1 is less likely to adhere to the pipette 6 and be lifted from the container 4.

Since the plurality of recesses 16 are arranged in a mesh pattern and are surrounded by the grid-like partition walls 18, even if the sample 2 enters the recesses 16, the sample 2 is unlikely to spread outside the partition walls 18. Therefore, the possibility that the sample 2 infiltrates into a cell 5 different from the cell 5 of the container 4 to be originally accommodated is reduced.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the upper surface 11 of the gasket of the comparative example. In this comparative example, a plurality of convex portions 20 are formed on the upper surface 11 of the gasket. These convex portions 20 are arranged in a mesh pattern, and concave grooves 22 are formed between the convex portions 20.

In the use state of the gasket of this comparative example, the convex portion 20 is compressed by the tip surface of the pipette 6. Since the tip surface of the pipette 6 contacts only the convex portion 20 of the gasket 1, the contact area between the tip surface of the pipette 6 and the gasket 1 can be reduced as compared with the case where the upper surface 11 is a flat surface, and the upper surface can be reduced. 11 is easy to separate from the pipette 6.

However, in this comparative example, when the sample 2 enters the concave groove 22 between the convex portions 20, the concave groove 22 becomes a flow path of the sample 2, and is outside the region where the convex portion 20 is formed. Sample 2 is easy to spread. Therefore, the sample 2 may infiltrate into a cell 5 different from the cell 5 of the container 4 to be originally accommodated.

On the other hand, when the recess 16 is surrounded by the grid-like partition wall 18 as in the embodiment, it is possible to reduce such a possibility.

In order to form the recess 16, for example, a mold having a mesh-like protrusion on the inner surface may be prepared, and the gasket 1 may be manufactured by press working or injection molding. In this case, the protrusion of the mold corresponds to the recess 16 of the gasket 1. In order to form protrusions on the mold, for example, the inner surface of the mold may be scraped by machining to leave mesh-like protrusions. Alternatively, the inner surface of the mold may be partially melted by etching to leave mesh-like protrusions.

The gasket 1 may be molded by press working or injection molding using a mold having an internal space corresponding to one gasket 1. Alternatively, a large-area sheet having the recess 16 may be formed by press working or injection molding using a die, and a plurality of gaskets 1 may be molded from this sheet by punching. The through hole 12 may be formed by a die, or may be formed by, for example, punching after press working or injection molding.

In this embodiment, it is formed only around each through hole 12, that is, only in a region where the tip surface of the pipette 6 may come into contact. In FIG. 2, the region 24 surrounded by the two-dot chain line circle is the region where the recess 16 is formed in this embodiment. In particular, when the protrusion corresponding to the recess 16 is formed in the mold by machining, it is preferable from the economical point of view to form the recess 16 only in the limited region 24.

However, the recess 16 may be formed on the entire upper surface 11 of the gasket 1. In this case, it is not necessary to form the recess 16 in line with the position of the through hole 12, and the gasket 1 can be easily manufactured. More specifically, since the protrusions corresponding to the recesses 16 may be formed on the entire inner surface of the mold, the mold can be manufactured more easily than the protrusions are formed at a limited position. In particular, when a plurality of gaskets 1 are formed by punching from a sheet, it is preferable to form the recess 16 over the entire upper surface 11.

In this embodiment, each recess 16 has a diamond-shaped contour as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The length S of one side of these recesses 16 (see FIG. 10) is preferably 200 μm to 10 mm, more preferably 500 μm to 5 mm. The angle α (see FIG. 10) of the smaller internal angle of the rhombus is preferably 30 to 80 °, more preferably 50 to 70 °. The width W of the partition wall 18 (see FIG. 10) is preferably 100 μm to 1 mm.

It is desirable that the length L of the longer diagonal of each recess 16 (see FIG. 10) is sufficiently smaller than the thickness t of the tip of the pipette 6 (see FIG. 9). In FIG. 9, D1 is an example of the outer diameter of the tip of the pipette 6, and D2 is an example of the inner diameter of the injection port 6a at the tip of the pipette 6. The outer diameter D1 is usually 2 to 5 mm, and the inner diameter D2 is usually 1 to 3 mm. The thickness t of the tip of the pipette 6 is usually 0.5 to 2 mm. By setting the length L of the longer diagonal of the rhombus sufficiently smaller than the thickness t of the tip of the pipette 6, the tip surface of the pipette 6 is around each through hole 12, as shown in FIG. Continuously contacts the partition wall 18. In this case, the tip surface of the pipette 6 continuously (without interruption) contacts and compresses the partition wall 18 over the entire circumference of the through hole 12. Therefore, a gap is unlikely to occur between the tip surface of the pipette 6 and the gasket 1, and the sample is unlikely to spread outside the partition wall 18. Therefore, the possibility that the sample 2 infiltrates into a cell 5 different from the cell 5 of the container 4 to be originally accommodated is reduced. The length S of one side of the recess 16 and the angle α of the smaller internal angle of the rhombus are set so that the length L of the longer diagonal of the rhombus is sufficiently smaller than the thickness t of the tip of the pipette 6. There is.

The width W of the partition wall 18 is such that even if pipettes 6 of different sizes are used, the tip surface of the normal pipette 6 faces the plurality of recesses 16 around the through hole 12, and the partition wall 18 around the through hole 12. Is set to make continuous contact with. From this point of view, it is preferable that the diagonal length L and the width W of the partition wall 18 are small.

Further, as the width W of the partition wall 18 becomes smaller, the contact surface pressure between the tip surface of the pipette 6 and the partition wall 18 increases with respect to the same pressing force, so that the liquid sample 2 leaks from the range of the tip surface of the pipette 6. It's hard to get out.

On the other hand, the length S of one side of the recess 16 and the width W of the partition wall 18 are set so as not to be too small so that the recess 16 and the partition wall 18 can be easily formed at low cost. As described above, since the recess 16 is formed by the mold, it is preferable that the protrusion corresponding to the recess can be easily formed in the mold at a low cost. From this point of view, the lower limit of the length S of one side and the width W of the partition wall 18 is set.

The depth d of the recess 16 (see FIG. 5), that is, the height of the partition wall 18, is preferably 10 μm to 1 mm, more preferably 50 to 200 μm. The larger the depth d of the recess 16, the larger the amount of compression with the same pressing force, so that the liquid sample 2 is less likely to leak from the range of the tip surface of the pipette 6. However, the smaller the depth d of the recess 16, the easier it is to form the recess 16 and the partition wall 18 at a lower cost.

Further, the preferable depth of the recess 16 varies depending on the hardness of the gasket 1. When the tip surface of the pipette 6 is pressed against the partition wall 18, the partition wall 18 is compressed so that the gap between the gasket 1 and the tip surface of the pipette 6 disappears, and the liquid sample 2 leaks from the range of the tip surface of the pipette 6. It is preferable not to come out. When the hardness of the gasket 1 is high, the amount of compression against the pressing force of the pipette 6 is small, but the contact surface pressure between the tip surface of the pipette 6 and the partition wall 18 tends to be high, so that the depth d of the recess 16 is small. preferable. On the other hand, when the hardness of the gasket 1 is low and the amount of compression against the pressing force is large, the pipette 6 is pressed against the partition wall 18 with a stronger force to deeply compress the partition wall 18, so that the tip surface of the pipette 6 and the partition wall 18 are pressed. Since the contact surface pressure can be increased, it is preferable that the depth d of the recess 16 is large.

Examples of the material of the gasket 1 include silicone rubber, FKM (fluororubber), EPDM (ethylene propylene rubber), NBR (nitrile rubber) and the like. The preferred hardness of the gasket 1 is a shore A hardness of 10 to 80.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the gasket 1 according to the modified example of the first embodiment. In FIG. 11, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the components common to FIG. 1, and their description will be omitted. The contour of the gasket 1 is not limited to that shown in FIGS. 2 and 11, and gaskets 1 having various contours can be used.

Experimental Results for First Embodiment The gasket 1 according to this embodiment having the contour shown in FIG. 2 was manufactured from VMQ (silicone rubber). The thickness of the gasket 1 was 3 mm, and the hardness was a shore A hardness of 40. In this gasket 1, the depth d of the recess 16 on the upper surface 11 was 200 μm, the length S of one side was 2 mm, the angle α of the smaller internal angle of the rhombus was 60 °, and the width W of the partition wall 18 was 160 μm. The recess 16 was formed in the region 24 around the through hole 12.

Regarding this gasket 1, when the pipette 6 is lifted after injecting the sample 2 by the pipette 6, as shown in FIG. 3, the gasket 1 adheres to the pipette 6 and does not lift, and the gasket 1 is placed on the container 4. Left behind.

Gasket 1 according to a modified example of this embodiment having the contour shown in FIG. 11 was manufactured by FKM. The thickness of the gasket 1 was 3 mm, and the hardness was shore A hardness of 50. In this gasket 1, the depth d of the recess 16 on the upper surface 11 was 80 μm, the length S of one side was 3 mm, the angle α of the smaller internal angle of the rhombus was 60 °, and the width W of the partition wall 18 was 160 μm. The recess 16 was formed in the region 24 around the through hole 12.

Regarding this gasket 1, when the pipette 6 is lifted after injecting the sample 2 by the pipette 6, as shown in FIG. 3, the gasket 1 adheres to the pipette 6 and does not lift, and the gasket 1 is placed on the container 4. Left behind.

As a comparative example, a gasket having flat surfaces on both sides was manufactured by VMQ. The thickness of the gasket was 3 mm, and the hardness was shore A hardness of 40.

Regarding the gasket of this comparative example, when the pipette 6 is lifted after injecting the sample 2 by the pipette 6, there is a 50% probability that the gasket adheres to the pipette 6 and does not lift, as shown in FIG. 3, and the container. A gasket was left on top of 4. However, at a rate of 50%, as shown in FIG. 4, the gasket adhered to the pipette 6 and was lifted from the container 4.

Further, as a comparative example, as shown in FIG. 8, a gasket having a convex portion 20 having a circular outline formed on the upper surface 11 and a flat lower surface 10 formed was manufactured by FKM. The thickness of the gasket was 3 mm, and the hardness was shore A hardness of 50. In this gasket, the height of the convex portion 20 of the upper surface 11 was 80 μm.

Regarding the gasket of this comparative example, when the pipette 6 was lifted after injecting the sample 2 by the pipette 6, as shown in FIG. 3, the gasket adhered to the pipette 6 and did not lift, and the gasket was placed on the container 4. Left behind. However, in this comparative example, when the sample 2 is injected by the pipette 6, the convex portion 20 cannot be sufficiently compressed, a gap is formed between the tip surface of the pipette 6 and the upper surface 11, and the concave groove 22 is the sample. The flow path of 2 may be formed, and the sample 2 may spread outside the region where the convex portion 20 is formed.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the sample 2 is injected from the pipette 6 into the container 4 and then the pipette 6 is lifted, the upper surface 11 on which the recess 16 is formed is easily separated from the pipette 6 and is formed flat. The bottom surface 10 is easily attached to the container 4. Therefore, when the pipette 6 is lifted, a gap is unlikely to occur between the lower surface 10 of the gasket 1 and the container 4, and the sample 2 travels along the lower surface 10 of the gasket 1 to be the cell 5 of the container 4 that should be originally accommodated. The risk of infiltrating different cells 5 is reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, since the plurality of recesses 16 are arranged in a mesh pattern and are surrounded by the grid-like partition wall 18, even if the sample 2 enters the recesses 16, the sample is sampled outside the partition wall 18. 2 is hard to spread. Therefore, the possibility that the sample 2 infiltrates into a cell 5 different from the cell 5 of the container 4 to be originally accommodated is reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, each of the plurality of recesses 16 has a length L smaller than the thickness t of the tip of the pipette 6, and the tip surface of the pipette 6 is a partition wall 18 around each through hole 12. Continuously contact with. Therefore, the tip surface of the pipette 6 continuously (without interruption) contacts and compresses the partition wall 18 over the entire circumference of the through hole 12. Therefore, a gap is unlikely to occur between the tip surface of the pipette 6 and the gasket 6, and the sample 2 is unlikely to spread outside the partition wall 18.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 12 shows the details of the recesses 16 formed in the gasket according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 shows the dimensions of these recesses 16. In the second embodiment, the shape of the recess 16 formed on the upper surface 11 of the gasket 1 is square. Other features are the same as in the first embodiment and will not be described in detail.

The gasket 1 according to this embodiment is also used in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Therefore, it is desirable that the gasket 1 be left on the container 4 as shown in FIG. 3 when the pipette 6 is lifted after the sample 2 is injected from the pipette 6 into the cell 5. When the pipette 6 is lifted, it is not desirable for the elastomer gasket 1 to adhere to the pipette 6 and be lifted from the container 4, as shown in FIG.

The manufacturing method of the gasket 1 may be the same as the manufacturing method of the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the length S of one side of each of the square recesses 16 (see FIG. 13) is preferably 200 μm to 10 mm, more preferably 500 μm to 5 mm. The width W of the partition wall 18 (see FIG. 13) is preferably 100 μm to 1 mm.

It is desirable that the diagonal length L of each recess 16 (see FIG. 13) is sufficiently smaller than the thickness t of the tip of the pipette 6 (see FIG. 12). By setting the diagonal length L sufficiently smaller than the thickness t of the tip of the pipette 6, the tip surface of the pipette 6 is continuous with the partition wall 18 around each through hole 12, as shown in FIG. Contact. In this case, the tip surface of the pipette 6 continuously (without interruption) contacts and compresses the partition wall 18 over the entire circumference of the through hole 12. Therefore, a gap is unlikely to occur between the tip surface of the pipette 6 and the gasket 1, and the sample is unlikely to spread outside the partition wall 18. Therefore, the possibility that the sample 2 infiltrates into a cell 5 different from the cell 5 of the container 4 to be originally accommodated is reduced. The length S of one side of each recess 16 is set so that the length L of the diagonal line is sufficiently smaller than the thickness t of the tip of the pipette 6.

The width W of the partition wall 18 is such that even if pipettes 6 of different sizes are used, the tip surface of the normal pipette 6 faces the plurality of recesses 16 around the through hole 12, and the partition wall 18 around the through hole 12. Is set to make continuous contact with. From this point of view, it is preferable that the diagonal length L and the width W of the partition wall 18 are small.

Further, as the width W of the partition wall 18 becomes smaller, the contact pressure between the tip surface of the pipette 6 and the partition wall 18 increases with respect to the same pressing force, so that the liquid sample 2 leaks from the range of the tip surface of the pipette 6. Hateful.

On the other hand, the length S of one side of the recess 16 and the width W of the partition wall 18 are set so as not to be too small so that the recess 16 and the partition wall 18 can be easily formed at low cost. As described above, since the recess 16 is formed by the mold, it is preferable that the protrusion corresponding to the recess can be easily formed in the mold at a low cost. From this point of view, the lower limit of the length S of one side and the width W of the partition wall 18 is set.

The depth d of the recess 16 (see FIG. 5), that is, the height of the partition wall 18, is preferably 10 μm to 1 mm, more preferably 50 to 200 μm. The larger the depth d of the recess 16, the larger the amount of compression of the partition wall 18 due to the pressing of the pipette 6 against the same pressing force, so that the liquid sample 2 is less likely to leak from the range of the tip surface of the pipette 6. However, the smaller the depth d of the recess 16, the easier it is to form the recess 16 and the partition wall 18 at a lower cost.

Further, the preferable depth of the recess 16 varies depending on the hardness of the gasket 1, as in the first embodiment.

An example of the material of the gasket 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the preferred hardness of the gasket 1 is 10 to 80 in shore A hardness.

The gasket 1 may have the contour shown in FIG. 2, may have the contour shown in FIG. 11, or may have another contour.

Experimental Results for Second Embodiment Gasket 1 according to this embodiment having the contour shown in FIG. 1 was manufactured by VMQ. The thickness of the gasket 1 was 3 mm, and the hardness was a shore A hardness of 40. In this gasket 1, the depth d of the recess 16 on the upper surface 11 was 200 μm, the length S on one side was 2 mm, and the width W of the partition wall 18 was 250 μm. The recess 16 was formed in the region 24 around the through hole 12.

Regarding this gasket 1, when the pipette 6 is lifted after injecting the sample 2 by the pipette 6, as shown in FIG. 3, the gasket 1 adheres to the pipette 6 and does not lift, and the gasket 1 is placed on the container 4. Left behind.

Gasket 1 according to a modified example of this embodiment having the contour shown in FIG. 11 was manufactured by FKM. The thickness of the gasket 1 was 3 mm, and the hardness was shore A hardness of 50. In this gasket 1, the depth d of the recess 16 on the upper surface 11 was 80 μm, the length S of one side was 3 mm, and the width W of the partition wall 18 was 250 μm. The recess 16 was formed in the region 24 around the through hole 12.

Regarding this gasket 1, when the pipette 6 is lifted after injecting the sample 2 by the pipette 6, as shown in FIG. 3, the gasket 1 adheres to the pipette 6 and does not lift, and the gasket 1 is placed on the container 4. Left behind.

As a comparative example, a gasket having flat surfaces on both sides was manufactured by VMQ. The thickness of the gasket was 3 mm, and the hardness was shore A hardness of 40.

Regarding the gasket of this comparative example, when the pipette 6 is lifted after injecting the sample 2 by the pipette 6, there is a 50% probability that the gasket adheres to the pipette 6 and does not lift, as shown in FIG. 3, and the container. A gasket was left on top of 4. However, at a rate of 50%, as shown in FIG. 4, the gasket adhered to the pipette 6 and was lifted from the container 4.

Further, as a comparative example, as shown in FIG. 8, a gasket having a convex portion 20 having a circular outline formed on the upper surface 11 and a flat lower surface 10 formed was manufactured by FKM. The thickness of the gasket was 3 mm, and the hardness was shore A hardness of 50. In this gasket, the height of the convex portion 20 of the upper surface 11 was 80 μm.

Regarding the gasket of this comparative example, when the pipette 6 was lifted after injecting the sample 2 by the pipette 6, as shown in FIG. 3, the gasket adhered to the pipette 6 and did not lift, and the gasket was placed on the container 4. Left behind. However, in this comparative example, when the sample 2 is injected by the pipette 6, the convex portion 20 cannot be sufficiently compressed, a gap is formed between the tip surface of the pipette 6 and the upper surface 11, and the concave groove 22 is the sample. The flow path of 2 may be formed, and the sample 2 may spread outside the region where the convex portion 20 is formed.

As described above, in this embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be achieved.

In the first embodiment, the contour of the recess 16 is a rhombus, and in the second embodiment, the contour of the recess 16 is a square. However, the contour of the recess 16 is not limited to these, and may have other shapes. For example, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the contour of the recess 16 may be circular. As shown in FIG. 16, the contour of the recess 16 may be elliptical. As shown in FIG. 17, the contour of the recess 16 may be hexagonal. Although not shown, the contour of the recess 16 may be a rectangle other than a square or a triangle.

In any case, the size of the recess 16 is preferably smaller than the thickness t of the tip of the pipette 6, and the tip of the pipette 6 preferably continuously contacts the partition wall 18 around each through hole 12. Here, the "size" means the largest length of the contour of the recess 16 (for example, if the recess is circular, its diameter, if the recess is elliptical, the length of its major axis, or if the recess is hexagonal). It means the length of the diagonal line passing through the center of the ellipse). In this case, the tip of the pipette 6 continuously (without interruption) contacts and compresses the partition wall 18 over the entire circumference of the through hole 12. Therefore, a gap is unlikely to occur between the tip of the pipette 6 and the gasket 1, and the sample 2 is unlikely to spread outside the partition wall 18.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 18, the gasket 30 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a container 32 for accommodating a liquid sample 2 and an injection head 35 of an injection device 34 for injecting the sample 2 into the container 32. Placed between and compressed by the injection head 35 and the container 32 to seal the gap between the injection head 35 and the container 32.

The sample 2 may be a sample such as a body fluid obtained from a living body, a cell obtained from a living body or a liquid containing a living body, or a culture solution for culturing cells or a living body. You may. Alternatively, Sample 2 may be a chemically produced or purified liquid.

The injection device 34 includes an injection head 35 made of, for example, glass, resin or metal, a plurality of tube connectors 36 attached to the injection head 35, and a plurality of tubes liquidally connected to each of the tube connectors 36. It has 37 and. The injection head 35 has a plurality of through holes 38 communicating with the plurality of tubes 37, respectively. These through holes 38 have a shape that expands downward, and the lower end of each through hole 38 is an injection port 38a for injecting a sample into the container 32.

The container 32 is made of, for example, a resin and has a plurality of cells 33 which are storage spaces for accommodating the sample 2. Each of these cells 33 may contain a different type of sample 2 or may contain the same type of sample 2. Further, one type of sample 2 may be injected into one cell 33, then another type of sample 2 may be injected, and different types of sample 2 may be mixed in the same cell 33. Although the illustrated cells 33 are independent of each other, a plurality of cells 33 may communicate with each other.

The injection device 34 can inject the sample 2 into all the cells 33 at the same time. Further, the injection device 34 may inject the sample 2 into one or a plurality of cells 33.

The gasket 30 is a substantially flat plate made of an elastomer and has a lower surface 40 that is in contact with the upper surface of the container 32 and an upper surface 41 that is in contact with the lower surface of the injection head 35 of the injection device 34. As shown in FIG. 19, the gasket 30 has a plurality of through holes 42 formed for introducing the sample 2 into the container 32 from the injection port 38a of the injection device 34. Further, the gasket 30 is formed with a through hole 44 for positioning the gasket 30. However, the through hole 44 is not indispensable.

The gasket 30 has a rectangular contour, but the contour of the gasket 30 is not limited to the shape shown in the figure. Further, the arrangement of the through holes 42 is not limited to the arrangement shown in the figure.

In the used state of the gasket 30, the gasket 30 is placed on the upper surface of the container 32, and at this time, the plurality of through holes 42 of the gasket 30 are arranged at positions corresponding to the positions of the plurality of cells 33 of the container 32, respectively. Then, the injection device 34 is arranged with respect to the gasket 30 so that the plurality of injection ports 38a of the injection device 34 are substantially concentric with each of the plurality of through holes 42. At this time, the gasket 30 is compressed between the lower surface of the injection head 35 of the injection device 34 and the upper surface of the container 32. Next, the sample 2 is introduced from the injection device 34 through the injection port 38a and the through hole 42 into the cell 33 overlapping the through hole 42. The diameter of the through hole 42 of the gasket 30 is substantially the same as the diameter of the injection port 38a of the injection device 34, and is substantially the same as the diameter of the cell 33.

After the sample 2 is injected from the injection device 34 into the cell 33, the injection device 34 is lifted as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, it is desirable that the gasket 30 be left on the container 32 as shown when the injection device 34 is lifted. After this, the gasket 30 is removed from the top of the container 32, and the sample 2 in the cell 33 of the container 32 is used, for example, in a chemical reaction experiment or a culture experiment.

When different types of samples 2 are mixed in the same cell 33, preferably after the sample 2 has been injected into the cell 33 by another injection device 34 and all types of samples 2 have been introduced into the container 32. The gasket 30 is removed from above the container 32.

When the injection device 34 is lifted, it is not desirable for the elastomer gasket 30 to adhere to the injection device 34 and be lifted from the container 32, as shown in FIG. If a gap is created between the lower surface 40 of the gasket 30 and the upper surface of the container 32 even in a short time, the sample 2 remaining in the through hole 42 wraps around the gap and enters the cell 33 in which the sample 2 should not be introduced. This is because there is a risk of introducing it.

In this embodiment, the gasket 30 is devised as follows so that the gasket 30 remains on the container 32 even if the injection device 34 is lifted after the sample 2 is injected into the container 32 from the injection device 34. FIG. 22 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the gasket 30. As shown in FIG. 22, the lower surface 40 of the gasket 30 is formed flat. On the other hand, a plurality of recesses 46 having a size smaller than the diameter of each through hole 42 are formed on the upper surface 41 of the gasket 30.

These recesses 46 are arranged in a mesh pattern, and each recess 46 is surrounded by a grid-like partition wall 48. However, only the recess 46a adjacent to the through hole 42 is not completely surrounded by the partition wall 48, and a part of the recess 46a is surrounded by the partition wall 48. These are the same as the recesses 16, 16a and the partition wall 18 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

In the used state of the gasket 30, the partition wall 48 of the gasket 30 is compressed by the lower surface of the injection head 35 of the injection device 34. Since the lower surface of the injection head 35 of the injection device 34 contacts only the partition wall 48 of the gasket 30, the lower surface of the injection head 35 of the injection device 34 and the gasket 30 are compared with the case where the upper surface 41 is a flat surface without the recess 46. Contact area can be reduced. Therefore, although the gasket 30 is made of an elastomer, the adhesive force between the lower surface of the injection head 35 of the injection device 34 and the upper surface 41 of the gasket 30 is weak, and the upper surface 41 is easily separated from the injection device 34.

On the other hand, since the lower surface 40 of the gasket 30 in contact with the upper surface of the container 32 is formed flat, the adhesive force between the container 32 and the lower surface 40 is strong due to the adhesiveness of the elastomer. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20, when the injection device 34 is lifted, the gasket 30 tends to stand still on the container 32 as it is, and the gasket 30 is less likely to adhere to the injection device 34 and be lifted from the container 32.

Since the plurality of recesses 46 are arranged in a mesh pattern and are surrounded by the grid-like partition walls 48, even if the sample 2 enters the recesses 46, the sample 2 is unlikely to spread outside the partition walls 48. Therefore, the possibility that the sample 2 infiltrates into a cell 33 different from the cell 33 of the container 32 to be originally accommodated is reduced. This is in contrast to the comparative example having the convex portion 20 shown in FIG. 8 with respect to the first embodiment.

The method for manufacturing the gasket 30 may be the same as the method for manufacturing the gasket 1 according to the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the recess 46 is formed on the entire upper surface 41 of the gasket 30. In this case, it is not necessary to form the recess 46 in line with the position of the through hole 42, and the gasket 30 can be easily manufactured. In particular, when a plurality of gaskets 30 are formed by punching from a sheet, it is preferable to form the recess 46 in the entire upper surface 41.

However, the recess 46 may be formed only in a limited area around each through hole 42. In particular, when the protrusion corresponding to the recess 46 is formed in the mold by machining, it may be preferable from the economical point of view to form the recess 46 only in a limited area.

In this embodiment, each recess 46 has a diamond-shaped contour, for example, similar to the recess 16 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The length S of one side of these recesses 46 (see FIG. 10) is preferably 200 μm to 10 mm, more preferably 500 μm to 5 mm. The angle α (see FIG. 10) of the smaller internal angle of the rhombus is preferably 30 to 80 °, more preferably 50 to 70 °. The width W of the partition wall 48 (see FIG. 10) is preferably 100 μm to 1 mm.

Each recess 46 may have a square contour, similar to the recess 16 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. The length S of one side of each recess 46 (see FIG. 13) is preferably 200 μm to 10 mm, more preferably 500 μm to 5 mm. The width W of the partition wall 48 (see FIG. 13) is preferably 100 μm to 1 mm.

The length L of the longer diagonal of each recess 46 (see FIG. 10) or the length of the diagonal of the square (see FIG. 13) is greater than the spacing In of the injection port 38a of the injection head 35 (see FIG. 20). It is desirable that it is small enough. By setting the length L sufficiently smaller than the spacing In of the injection ports 38a, the lower surface of the injection head 35 continuously contacts the partition wall 48 around each through hole 42. In this case, the lower surface of the injection head 35 continuously (without interruption) contacts and compresses the partition wall 48 over the entire circumference of each through hole 42. Therefore, a gap is less likely to occur between the lower surface of the injection head 35 and the gasket 30, and the sample is less likely to spread outside the partition wall 48. Therefore, the possibility that the sample 2 infiltrates into a cell 33 different from the cell 33 of the container 32 to be originally accommodated is reduced. When the recess 46 is a rhombus, the length S of one side of the recess 46 and the angle α of the smaller internal angle of the rhombus are such that the length L of the longer diagonal of the rhombus is sufficiently smaller than the distance In of the injection port 38a. Is set to. When the recess 46 is square, the length S of one side of the recess 46 is set so that the diagonal length L is sufficiently smaller than the distance In of the injection port 38a.

The width W of the partition wall 48 is set so that the lower surface of the injection head 35 faces the plurality of recesses 46 around each through hole 42 and continuously contacts the partition wall 48 surrounding the periphery of each through hole 42. ing. From such a viewpoint, it is preferable that the diagonal length L and the width W of the partition wall 48 are small.

Further, as the width W of the partition wall 48 becomes smaller, the contact surface pressure between the lower surface of the injection head 35 and the partition wall 48 increases with respect to the same pressing force, so that the liquid sample 2 is less likely to leak from the recess 46.

On the other hand, the length S of one side of the recess 46 and the width W of the partition wall 48 are set so as not to be too small so that the recess 46 and the partition wall 48 can be easily formed at low cost. As described above, since the recess 46 is formed by the mold, it is preferable that the protrusion corresponding to the recess can be easily formed in the mold at a low cost. From this point of view, the lower limit of the length S of one side and the width W of the partition wall 48 is set.

The depth d of the recess 46 (see FIG. 22), that is, the height of the partition wall 48 is preferably 10 μm to 1 mm, more preferably 50 to 200 μm. The larger the depth d of the recess 46, the larger the amount of compression of the partition wall 48 due to the pressing of the injection head 35 with respect to the same pressing force, so that the liquid sample 2 is less likely to leak from the recess 46. However, the smaller the depth d of the recess 46, the easier it is to form the recess 46 and the partition wall 48 at a lower cost.

Further, the preferable depth of the recess 46 varies depending on the hardness of the gasket 30, as in the first embodiment.

An example of the material of the gasket 30 is the same as that of the gasket 1 of the first embodiment, and the preferred hardness of the gasket 30 is 10 to 80 in shore A hardness.

Experimental Results for Third Embodiment A gasket 30 according to this embodiment having the contour shown in FIG. 19 was manufactured by VMQ. The thickness of the gasket 30 was 1 mm, and the hardness was 10 in Shore A hardness. In this gasket 30, a plurality of diamond-shaped recesses 46 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 were formed on the entire upper surface 41.

Regarding this gasket 30, when the injection device 34 is lifted after the injection of the sample 2 by the injection device 34, as shown in FIG. 3, the gasket 30 adheres to the injection head 35 of the injection device 34 and does not lift up, so that the container is not lifted. The gasket 30 was left on top of 32. Further, in order to seal the space between the lower surface of the injection head 35 and the upper surface of the container 32 with the gasket 30 without a gap, the force for pressing the injection head 35 against the gasket 30 was smaller than that of the comparative example described later.

A similar gasket 30 according to this embodiment was manufactured by VMQ. The thickness of the gasket 30 was 1 mm, and the hardness was 20 in Shore A hardness. In this gasket 30, a plurality of square recesses 46 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 were formed on the entire upper surface 41.

As for this gasket 30, when the injection device 34 is lifted after the injection of the sample 2 by the injection device 34, as shown in FIG. 3, the gasket 30 adheres to the injection head 35 of the injection device 34 and does not lift up, so that the container is not lifted. The gasket 30 was left on top of 32. Further, in order to seal the space between the lower surface of the injection head 35 and the upper surface of the container 32 with the gasket 30 without a gap, the force for pressing the injection head 35 against the gasket 30 was smaller than that of the comparative example described later.

As a comparative example, a gasket having flat surfaces on both sides was manufactured by VMQ. The thickness of the gasket was 1 mm, and the hardness was 10 for Shore A hardness.

Regarding the gasket of this comparative example, when the injection device 34 is lifted after the injection of the sample 2 by the injection device 34, as shown in FIG. 21, the gasket adheres to the injection device 34 and the container is attached to the container. It was sometimes lifted from 32. Further, in order to seal the space between the lower surface of the injection head 35 and the upper surface of the container 32 with the gasket 30 without a gap, a force for pressing the injection head 35 against the gasket 30 as compared with the gasket 30 according to the above two embodiments. Was big.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the sample 2 is injected into the container 32 from the injection device 34 and then the injection device 34 is lifted, the upper surface 41 on which the recess 46 is formed is the injection head 35 of the injection device 34. The lower surface 40, which is easily separated from the container and is formed flat, easily adheres to the container 32. Therefore, when the injection device 34 is lifted, a gap is unlikely to occur between the lower surface 40 of the gasket 30 and the container 32, and the sample 2 travels along the lower surface 40 of the gasket 30 to the cell 33 of the container 32 that should be originally accommodated. Is less likely to infiltrate different cells 33.

Further, in this embodiment, since the plurality of recesses 46 are arranged in a mesh pattern and are surrounded by the grid-like partition wall 48, even if the sample 2 enters the recess 46, the sample is sampled outside the partition wall 48. 2 is hard to spread. Therefore, the possibility that the sample 2 infiltrates into a cell 33 different from the cell 33 of the container 32 to be originally accommodated is reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, since a plurality of recesses 46 are formed on the upper surface 41, the contact area between the upper surface 41 and the injection head 35 can be reduced as compared with the case where both sides are flat, and a small pressing force can be obtained. Even with force, it is possible to secure a high contact surface pressure between the upper surface 41 and the injection head 35. Therefore, in order to seal the space between the lower surface of the injection head 35 and the upper surface of the container 32 with the gasket 30 without a gap, the force for pressing the injection head 35 against the gasket 30 may be small, so that the life of the injection head 35 and the container 32 may be small. Can be stretched.

Further, in this embodiment, each of the plurality of recesses 46 has a length L smaller than the distance In of the injection port 38a, and the lower surface of the injection head 35 is continuous with the partition wall 48 around each through hole 42. Contact. Therefore, the lower surface of the injection head 35 continuously (without interruption) contacts and compresses the partition wall 48 over the entire circumference of the through hole 42. Therefore, a gap is unlikely to occur between the lower surface of the injection head 35 and the gasket 6, and the sample 2 is unlikely to spread outside the partition wall 48.

In this embodiment, the contour of the recess 46 is a rhombus or a square. However, the contour of the recess 46 is not limited to these, and may have other shapes. For example, similarly to the recess 16 shown in FIGS. 14 to 17, the contour of the recess 46 may be circular, elliptical, or hexagonal. Although not shown, the contour of the recess 46 may be a rectangle other than a square or a triangle. In any case, the size of the recesses 46 is preferably smaller than the spacing In of the injection ports 38a, and the lower surface of the injection head 35 preferably faces the plurality of recesses 16 around each through hole 42.

Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 23, the gasket 30 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a container 32 for accommodating the liquid sample 2 and an injection head 35 of an injection device 34 for injecting the sample 2 into the container 32. Placed between and compressed by the injection head 35 and the container 32 to seal the gap between the injection head 35 and the container 32.

In the drawings after FIG. 23, the same reference numerals are used to show the components common to the third embodiment, and these components will not be described in detail.

The through hole 38 formed in the injection head 35 of the injection device 34 has a cylindrical shape, and the lower end of each through hole 38 is an injection port 38a for injecting a sample into the container 32.

The diameter of the through hole 42 of the gasket 30 is substantially the same as the diameter of the through hole 38 of the injection device 34, and is larger than the diameter of the cell 33. The upper end of each cell 33 is the inlet 33a of the sample 2 of the container 32. In this embodiment, the diameter of the inlet 33a is the same as the diameter of the other part of the cell 33, but may be different from the diameter of the other part of the cell 33.

After the sample 2 is injected from the injection device 34 into the cell 33, the injection device 34 is lifted as shown in FIG. 24. In this embodiment, contrary to the third embodiment, when the injection device 34 is lifted, it is desirable that the elastomer gasket 30 adheres to the injection device 34 and is lifted from the container 32 as shown in the figure. This makes it easy to inject the sample 2 into another container 32 using the same injection device 34 and the same gasket 30.

Therefore, in this embodiment, it is devised as follows. FIG. 25 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the gasket 30 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 25, the upper surface 41 of the gasket 30 is formed flat. On the other hand, the lower surface 40 of the gasket 30 is formed with a plurality of recesses 46 having a size smaller than the diameter of each through hole 42.

These recesses 46 are arranged in a mesh pattern, and each recess 46 is surrounded by a grid-like partition wall 48. However, only the recess 46a adjacent to the through hole 42 is not completely surrounded by the partition wall 48, and a part of the recess 46a is surrounded by the partition wall 48. These are the same as the recesses 16, 16a and the partition wall 18 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

In the use state of the gasket 30, the partition wall 48 of the gasket 30 is compressed between the lower surface of the injection head 35 of the injection device 34 and the upper surface of the container 32. Since the upper surface of the container 32 contacts only the partition wall 48 of the lower surface 40 of the gasket 30, the contact area between the upper surface of the container 32 and the gasket 30 is reduced as compared with the case where the lower surface 40 is a flat surface without the recess 46. Can be done. Therefore, although the gasket 30 is made of an elastomer, the adhesive force between the upper surface of the container 32 and the lower surface 40 of the gasket 30 is weak, and the lower surface 40 is easily separated from the container 32.

On the other hand, since the upper surface 41 of the gasket 30 that contacts the lower surface of the injection head 35 of the injection device 34 is formed flat, the adhesive force between the injection head 35 and the upper surface 41 is strong due to the adhesiveness of the elastomer. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 24, when the injection device 34 is lifted, the gasket 30 is separated from the container 32 and easily lifted together with the injection head 35.

Since the plurality of recesses 46 are arranged in a mesh pattern and are surrounded by the grid-like partition wall 48, for example, even if the sample 2 bounces off the cell 33 and enters the recess 46, the sample 2 is outside the partition wall 48. Is hard to spread. Therefore, the possibility that the sample 2 infiltrates into a cell 33 different from the cell 33 of the container 32 to be originally accommodated is reduced.

The method for manufacturing the gasket 30 may be the same as the method for manufacturing the gasket 1 according to the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the recess 46 is formed on the entire lower surface 40 of the gasket 30. In this case, it is not necessary to form the recess 46 in line with the position of the through hole 42, and the gasket 30 can be easily manufactured. In particular, when a plurality of gaskets 30 are formed by punching from a sheet, it is preferable to form the recess 46 in the entire lower surface 40.

However, the recess 46 may be formed only in a limited area around the inlet 33a of each cell 33 where the upper surface of the container 32 may come into contact with the lower surface 40. In particular, when the protrusion corresponding to the recess 46 is formed in the mold by machining, it may be preferable from the economical point of view to form the recess 46 only in a limited area.

In this embodiment, each recess 46 may have, for example, a rhombic contour similar to the recess 16 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, or a square contour similar to the recess 16 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. May have. Alternatively, for example, similar to the recess 16 shown in FIGS. 14 to 17, the contour of the recess 46 may be circular, elliptical, or hexagonal. Although not shown, the contour of the recess 46 may be a rectangle other than a square or a triangle.

It is desirable that the size of each recess 46 is sufficiently smaller than the distance In2 (see FIG. 23) of the inlets 33a of the plurality of cells 33. By setting the size of each recess 46 sufficiently smaller than the distance In2 of the inlet 33a, the upper surface of the container 32 continuously contacts the partition wall 48 around each through hole 42 (particularly around each inlet 33a). .. In this case, the upper surface of the container 32 continuously (without interruption) contacts and compresses the partition wall 48 over the entire circumference of each through hole 42 (particularly the entire circumference of each inlet 33a). Therefore, a gap is unlikely to occur between the upper surface of the container 32 and the gasket 30, and the sample is unlikely to spread outside the partition wall 48. Therefore, the possibility that the sample 2 infiltrates into a cell 33 different from the cell 33 of the container 32 to be originally accommodated is reduced.

The size of each recess 46 and the width of the partition wall 48 are set from the same viewpoint as in the third embodiment. Further, the depth d of each recess 46 (see FIG. 25), that is, the height of the partition wall 48 is also set from a viewpoint similar to that of the third embodiment.

An example of the material of the gasket 30 is the same as that of the gasket 1 of the first embodiment, and the preferred hardness of the gasket 30 is 10 to 80 in shore A hardness.

In this embodiment, when the sample 2 is injected into the container 32 from the injection device 34 and then the injection device 34 is lifted, the lower surface 40 on which the recess 46 is formed is easily separated from the container 32 and the upper surface 41 is formed flat. Is likely to adhere to the injection head 35 of the injection device 34. Therefore, when the injection device 34 is lifted, the gasket 30 is easily lifted together with the injection head 34 away from the container 34. This makes it easy to inject the sample 2 into another container 32 using the same injection device 34 and the same gasket 30.

Further, in this embodiment, since the plurality of recesses 46 are arranged in a mesh pattern and are surrounded by the grid-like partition walls 48, for example, even if the sample 2 bounces off the cell 33 and enters the recess 46. , The sample 2 is difficult to spread on the outside of the partition wall 48. Therefore, the possibility that the sample 2 infiltrates into a cell 33 different from the cell 33 of the container 32 to be originally accommodated is reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, since a plurality of recesses 46 are formed on the lower surface 40, the contact area between the lower surface 40 and the container 32 can be reduced as compared with the case where both sides are flat, and a small pressing force can be obtained. Even so, a high contact surface pressure between the lower surface 40 and the container 32 can be secured. Therefore, in order to seal the space between the lower surface of the injection head 35 and the upper surface of the container 32 with the gasket 30 without a gap, the force for pressing the injection head 35 against the gasket 30 may be small, so that the life of the injection head 35 and the container 32 may be small. Can be stretched.

Further, in this embodiment, each of the plurality of recesses 46 has a size smaller than the distance In2 of the inlet 33a of the cell 33 of the container 32, and the upper surface of the container 32 is a partition wall 48 around each through hole 42. In continuous contact with. Therefore, the upper surface of the container 32 continuously (without interruption) contacts and compresses the partition wall 48 over the entire circumference of the through hole 42. Therefore, a gap is unlikely to occur between the upper surface of the container 32 and the gasket 6, and the sample 2 is unlikely to spread outside the partition wall 48.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above description does not limit the present invention, and various modifications including deletion, addition, and replacement of components can be considered within the technical scope of the present invention. ..

1,30 Gasket 2,32 Sample 4 Container 6 Pipette (injection device)
6a Injection port 10, 40 Bottom surface 11, 41 Top surface 5, 33 Cell (accommodation space)
12, 42 Through holes 16, 46 Recesses 16a, 46a Recesses 18, 48 Partition 33a Inlet 34 Injection device 35 Injection head 38a Injection inlet

Claims (8)

A gap between a container having a plurality of storage spaces for storing a liquid sample and an injection device having an injection port for injecting the sample into the container, and between the injection device and the container. It is a flat gasket made of elastomer that seals the
The lower surface that comes into contact with the container and
The upper surface that is brought into contact with the injection device and
A plurality of through holes formed for introducing the sample into the container from the inlet,
It is formed around the through hole on either the lower surface or the upper surface, has a size smaller than the through hole, has a plurality of recesses arranged in a mesh pattern, and the plurality of recesses are in a grid pattern. Surrounded by a partition wall
The lower surface and the other of the upper surface are formed flat.
A gasket characterized by that. The gasket according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of recesses are formed in the entire one of the lower surface and the upper surface. The plurality of recesses are formed on the upper surface and
The gasket according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower surface is formed flat. The plurality of recesses are formed on the lower surface thereof.
The gasket according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper surface is formed flat. The gasket according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The container for accommodating the sample and
A sealed structure comprising the injection device having the injection port for injecting the sample into the container. The gasket according to claim 3 and
The container having a plurality of storage spaces for storing the sample, and the container.
With the injection device having the injection port for injecting the sample into the container
Equipped with
The injection device is a pipette having the injection port formed at the tip thereof.
Each of the plurality of recesses of the gasket has a size smaller than the thickness of the tip of the pipette.
The tip of the pipette continuously contacts the bulkhead of the gasket around each of the through holes of the gasket.
A sealed structure characterized by that. The gasket according to claim 3 and
The container having a plurality of storage spaces for storing the sample, and the container.
With the injection device having the injection port for injecting the sample into the container
Equipped with
The injection device includes an injection head in which a plurality of injection ports are formed.
Each of the plurality of recesses of the gasket has a size smaller than the spacing of the plurality of inlets.
The injection head continuously contacts the bulkhead of the gasket around each of the through holes of the gasket.
A sealed structure characterized by that. The gasket according to claim 4 and
The container having a plurality of storage spaces for storing the sample, and the container.
With the injection device having the injection port for injecting the sample into the container
Equipped with
The injection device includes an injection head in which a plurality of injection ports are formed.
Each of the plurality of recesses of the gasket has a size smaller than the spacing of the inlets of the plurality of accommodation spaces.
The container is in continuous contact with the bulkhead of the gasket around each of the through holes of the gasket.
A sealed structure characterized by that.

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