JP7408355B2 - Filtering equipment and microbial extraction equipment - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to filtering devices and microorganism extraction devices.

There are filtering devices that filter samples containing microorganisms such as bacteria. In conventional filtering devices, for example, after filtering a solution with a filter that is brought into close contact with a holder, the filter is removed from the holder. However, there is a problem in that the filter after filtering is not easy to remove because it is stuck to the holder with the solution or the like.

Special Publication No. 2008-521520

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a filtering device and a microorganism extraction device from which a filter that has filtered out a detection target can be easily taken out.

According to the embodiment, the filtering device includes a filter, a lower holder, an inversion mechanism, a liquid feeding mechanism, and a filter receiver. The filter filters out the detection target substance contained in the sample. The filter after filtering the detection object from the sample is tightly attached to the upper part of the lower holder. The reversing mechanism inverts the lower holder with the filter in close contact with the top. The liquid feeding mechanism injects a liquid for peeling off the filter into the lower holder that has been inverted by the inversion mechanism. The filter receiver receives the filter peeled off from the lower holder together with the liquid injected by the liquid feeding mechanism into the lower holder which has been inverted by the reversing mechanism.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a microorganism extraction device including a filtering device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a top view showing an example in which each part including the filtering device according to the embodiment is arranged in a casing of the microorganism extraction device. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the overall flow of microorganism extraction processing in the microorganism extraction apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a filtering device according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining filtering and filter recovery operations by the filtering device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining filtering by the filtering device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the state of the filter after filtering by the filtering device according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the separation operation of the upper holder in the filtering device according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining the reversing operation of the lower holder in the filtering device according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a state in which a nozzle serving as a cleaning liquid discharge port is inserted into an opening of an inverted lower holder in the filtering device according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of injecting the cleaning liquid into the inverted lower holder in the filtering device according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram for explaining a state in which the filter is collected in the filter receiver in the filtering device according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, a microorganism extraction device including a filtering device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a microorganism extraction device 1 including a filtering device 20 according to an embodiment. Moreover, FIG. 2 is a top view showing an example in which each part including the filtering device 20 according to the embodiment is arranged in the housing of the microorganism extraction device 1.
The microorganism extraction device 1 extracts microorganisms using beads modified with antibodies that specifically bind to microorganisms as detection targets (microscopic substances). The microorganism extraction device 1 mixes and stirs a sample to be detected and beads on which antibodies that specifically bind to microorganisms are immobilized, and binds the microorganisms to the beads. The microorganism extraction device 1 collects a mixture of beads bound to microorganisms and beads not bound to microorganisms, and collects beads bound to microorganisms by filtering.

As shown in FIG. 1, the microorganism extraction device 1 includes a control box 10, a pipette mechanism (liquid feeding mechanism) 11, a waste liquid container 12, a washing liquid container 13, a reaction container 14, a magnetic bead container 15, an antibody container 16, and a specimen container 17. , a reaction device 18, an aggregation device 19, a filtering device 20, an ultrasonic cleaner 21, a pipette tip rack 22, a tip disposal box 23, and the like.

The control box 10 performs operation control and calculation processing of each part. The control box 10 is provided within the microorganism extraction device 1 and is connected to each device to be controlled via a bus line or the like. The control box 10 includes a processor 31, a memory 32, a storage 33, a clock 34, various interfaces, and the like.

The processor 31 is, for example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU). The processor 31 may be an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or the like. The processor 31 includes a control circuit for controlling the operation of each part and an arithmetic circuit for performing various arithmetic processes. Memory 32 functions as a main storage device. The memory 32 includes ROM, RAM, rewritable nonvolatile memory, and the like. The storage 33 functions as an auxiliary storage device. The storage 33 is composed of a recording medium such as a hard disk drive or flash memory. The storage 33 stores, for example, various programs executed by the processor 31, parameters, and the like.

The clock 34 is a clock used by the processor 31 to obtain time or elapsed time. Clock 34 may function as a timer. The clock 34 can be used, for example, to measure the reaction time for reacting magnetic beads and antibodies or the reaction time for reacting beads and a specimen. The processor 31, memory 32, storage 33, and clock 34 are connected to each other via a bus line, for example.

The pipette mechanism 11 includes a suction mechanism that sucks in liquid, a liquid sending mechanism that discharges liquid, and a moving mechanism that moves the liquid discharge position. The pipette mechanism 11 is equipped with a pipette tip in a pipette tip rack 22, which is used as a nozzle for sucking in and discharging liquid. The pipette mechanism 11 may be equipped with a plurality of pipette tips and may include a plurality of nozzles. For example, the pipette mechanism 11 may have a configuration in which a plurality of nozzles are formed by a plurality of pipette tips mounted side by side, and liquid is inhaled and discharged from each nozzle.

The pipette mechanism 11 as a liquid feeding mechanism sucks in and discharges liquid from the tip (nozzle) of a pipette tip attached thereto. The tip (nozzle) of the pipette tip attached to the pipette mechanism 11 is held in a holder of, for example, a waste liquid container 12, a washing liquid container 13, a reaction container 14, a magnetic bead container 15, an antibody container 16, a sample container 17, and a filtering device 20. It has a shape that allows the liquid to be inhaled and injected. Thereby, the pipette mechanism 11 inhales or injects liquid from the container or holder through the tip of the pipette tip based on the control of the processor 31.

The pipette mechanism 11 as a moving mechanism moves the tip (nozzle) of an attached pipette tip. The pipette mechanism 11 moves the nozzle three-dimensionally within the microorganism extraction device 1 as shown in the top view of FIG. For example, the pipette mechanism 11 moves the nozzle to a position specified by the processor 31 to inhale or expel liquid from the nozzle. For example, in the pipette mechanism 11, the pipette tips in the pipette tip rack 22 located at the position shown in FIG. 2 are attached to the attachment part. Further, the pipette tip attached to the pipette mechanism 11 is disposed of in a tip disposal box 23 after use.

The waste liquid container 12 is a container that stores waste liquid. The cleaning solution container 13 is a container that stores a solution used as a cleaning solution, a buffer solution, or a stripping solution. The cleaning solution (stripping solution or buffer solution) is, for example, water. The reaction container 14 is a container for performing, for example, a reaction in which a detection target substance is bound to beads. The magnetic bead container 15 is a container that stores magnetic beads to be introduced into the reaction container 14. The antibody container 16 is a container that stores antibodies to be introduced into the reaction container 14. The sample container 17 is a container into which a sample to be tested for the presence or absence of a microorganism to be detected or the amount thereof is stored.

The reaction device 18 is a device for carrying out a reaction within the reaction container 14. For example, the reaction device 18 performs an antibody modification reaction by stirring the reaction container 14 containing magnetic beads, antibodies, and a buffer solution (washing solution). After performing the antibody modification reaction, the solution in the reaction container 14 is in a state in which carriers (hereinafter referred to as beads) on which antibodies that specifically bind to the detection target are immobilized on magnetic beads are dispersed in a buffer solution. Further, the reaction device 18 performs an antigen-antibody reaction by adding a sample to the solution in the reaction container 14 after performing the antibody modification reaction and stirring the sample. After performing the antigen-antibody reaction, microorganisms to be detected are immobilized on beads (carriers) in the solution in the reaction container 14.

The reactor 18 functions as a stirring device. The reactor 18 operates under the control of the processor 31 of the control box 10. The reaction device 18 performs an antibody modification reaction by functioning as a device that holds and stirs the reaction container 14 into which magnetic beads, antibodies, and liquids are injected by the pipette mechanism 11. Further, the reaction device 18 performs an antigen-antibody reaction by functioning as a device that holds and stirs the reaction container 14 into which antibody-modified beads, specimen, and liquid are injected by the pipette mechanism 11.

When performing an antibody modification reaction, the pipette mechanism 11 injects a predetermined amount of magnetic beads in the magnetic bead container 15 into the reaction container 14 under the control of the processor 31 . Further, the pipette mechanism 11 injects a predetermined amount of the antibody in the antibody container 16 into the reaction container 14 under the control of the processor 31 . Further, the pipette mechanism 11 injects a predetermined amount of the washing liquid (buffer solution) in the washing liquid container 13 into the reaction container 14 under the control of the processor 31 . The reaction device 18 holds and stirs the reaction container 14 into which predetermined amounts of magnetic beads, antibodies, and buffer are injected.

When performing an antigen-antibody reaction, the pipette mechanism 11, under the control of the processor 31, injects a specimen from a specimen container into a reaction container 14 in which beads modified with an antibody are dispersed in a washing liquid by an antibody modification reaction. The reaction device 18 holds and stirs the reaction container 14 into which the sample is injected.
The reaction device 18 as a stirring device stirs the liquid in the reaction container 14 by changing the angle of the reaction container 14 at regular intervals, for example. Further, the reaction device 18 may stir the liquid in the reaction container 14 by rotating the reaction container 14. Further, the reaction device 18 may stir the liquid in the reaction container 14 by applying vibration to the reaction container 14. Further, the reaction device 18 may stir the liquid in the reaction container 14 by rotating blades provided in the reaction container 14 at a predetermined speed. Further, the reaction device 18 may include a temperature sensor and a temperature control mechanism for managing the reaction temperature.

The aggregation device 19 agglomerates and washes the beads in the reaction container 14 . Magnetic beads include, for example, a magnetizable substance. For this reason, the aggregation device 19 can move the beads in the reaction container 14 or maintain their position by using a magnetic field using a magnet or the like. The aggregation device 19 uses a magnet that generates a magnetic field to agglomerate and wash the beads in the reaction container 14 .

The aggregation device 19 agglomerates the beads in the reaction container 14, collects the liquid using the pipette mechanism 11 under the control of the processor 31, and discharges the liquid into the waste liquid container. Subsequently, a predetermined amount of cleaning liquid is added from the cleaning liquid container 13 to the reaction vessel 14 using the pipette mechanism 11 . The beads in the reaction vessel 14 are stirred in the washing liquid using the reaction device 18 as a stirring device. By repeating these operations, the beads can be washed with a washing solution and impurities can be removed.

The aggregation device 19 aggregates beads using a magnet. The aggregation device 19 positions a magnet on the wall surface of the reaction vessel 14 under the control of the processor 31 . As a result, the beads in the reaction container 14 are gathered together on the inner wall of the reaction container 14 at the portion where the magnet is located. Conversely, when the beads are dispersed within the reaction container 14, the aggregation device 19 moves the magnet away from the reaction container 14, and uses the reaction device 18 as a stirring device to stir the beads in the reaction container 14 in the washing liquid. .

Filtering device 20 filters the solution within reaction vessel 14 . For example, the filtering device 20 filters the solution in the reaction container 14 that has been aggregated and washed after performing an antigen-antibody reaction. The filtering device 20 uses a filter to filter out beads to which microorganisms to be detected are bound. The filtering device 20 collects beads to which microorganisms to be detected are bound together with the filter.

Note that the filtering device 20 may be any device that performs filtering to filter out microorganisms to be detected. For example, the filtering device 20 may use a filter to dissociate microorganisms to be detected from beads, and filter out individual microorganisms as residue.

The ultrasonic cleaner 21 cleans the filter that has filtered out beads to which microorganisms to be detected are bound. The ultrasonic cleaner 21 collects the microorganisms filtered out by the filter into the cleaning liquid by applying ultrasonic waves to the solution collected by the filter used for filtering. The solution obtained by cleaning the filter from which microorganisms have been filtered out by the ultrasonic cleaner 21 serves as a sample for testing the presence or amount of microorganisms as detection targets.

Unused pipette tips are placed in the pipette tip rack 22. For example, the pipette tip rack 22 holds a plurality of pipette tips arranged in a matrix at predetermined intervals. Further, the tip disposal box 23 is a box in which used pipette tips are discarded.

Next, the overall flow of microorganism extraction processing in the microorganism extraction apparatus 1 according to the embodiment will be explained.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the overall flow of microorganism extraction processing in the microorganism extraction device 1 according to the embodiment.
First, the pipette mechanism 11 injects a predetermined amount of magnetic beads in the magnetic bead container 15 into the reaction container 14 in accordance with an instruction from the processor 31 (ACT11). Further, the pipette mechanism 11 injects a predetermined amount of the antibody in the antibody container 16 into the reaction container 14 into which the magnetic beads have been introduced, in accordance with instructions from the processor 31 (ACT12). Further, the pipette mechanism 11 injects a washing liquid as a buffer into the reaction container 14 into which the magnetic beads and antibodies have been introduced, in accordance with instructions from the processor 31.

Here, the amount of magnetic beads and antibodies introduced into the reaction container 14 is set to be a sufficiently large amount relative to the detection target to be extracted from the specimen. Beads (carriers) to which magnetic beads and antibodies are bound bind to microorganisms as detection targets extracted from specimens. For this reason, the amounts of magnetic beads and antibodies introduced are adjusted so that the maximum detected amount of the detection target contained in the sample introduced into the reaction container 14 is all bound to the beads.

After the magnetic beads, antibodies, and buffer solution are injected into the reaction container 14, the antibody modification reaction is performed by stirring the reaction container 14 using the reaction device 18 (ACT13). For example, the reaction device 18 is controlled to stir the reaction vessel 14 and maintain a predetermined temperature until a predetermined reaction time set by the processor 31 is reached. In the reaction vessel 14 stirred at a predetermined reaction temperature and reaction time, magnetic beads and antibodies are bonded in a buffer solution by an antibody modification reaction. Beads in which magnetic beads and antibodies are bound can immobilize microorganisms as objects to be detected.

After performing the antibody modification reaction, the aggregation device 19 performs agglutination and washing processing according to instructions from the processor 31 (ACT14). That is, the aggregation device 19 executes an aggregation process of aggregating (recovering) the beads in the reaction container 14 in accordance with instructions from the processor 31 . For example, the aggregation device 19 brings a magnet close to the outer periphery of the reaction container 14 as an aggregation process. As a result, the beads suspended in the buffer in the reaction vessel 14 collect on the wall of the reaction vessel 14 to which the magnet is brought close.

The aggregation device 19 performs a cleaning process following the aggregation process. In the state where the beads are aggregated, the buffer solution in the reaction container 14 is removed using the pipette mechanism 11. After removing the buffer solution in the reaction vessel 14, a washing liquid is added to the reaction vessel 14 using the pipette mechanism 11, and the reaction vessel 14 to which the washing liquid has been added is stirred. As a result, the beads in the reaction container 14 are washed. Note that the aggregation device 19 may be configured to repeatedly perform the aggregation process and the cleaning process as described above.

Next, under the control of the processor 31, the pipette mechanism 11 injects the specimen in the specimen container 17 into the reaction container 14 in which the agglutination and washing processes have been performed after the antibody modification reaction (ACT15). After injecting the specimen, the reaction device 18 performs an antigen-antibody reaction by stirring the reaction container 14 into which the specimen has been injected (ACT16). For example, the reaction device 18 controls the reaction vessel 14 to stir and maintain a predetermined temperature until a predetermined reaction time set by the processor 31 is reached. In the reaction vessel 14 stirred at a predetermined reaction temperature and reaction time, microorganisms as detection targets are immobilized on beads in the buffer solution by antigen-antibody reaction.

After performing the antigen-antibody reaction, the agglutination device 19 performs agglutination and washing processing according to instructions from the processor 31 (ACT17). As an aggregation process, the aggregation device 19 uses a magnet to agglutinate the beads in the reaction container 14 after the antigen-antibody reaction. The pipette mechanism 11 removes the buffer solution in the reaction container 14 while the beads are in agglomerated state. After removing the buffer solution in the reaction container 14, the pipette mechanism 11 adds a cleaning solution to the reaction container 14 and stirs it. As a result, the beads in the reaction container 14 are washed.

The aggregation device 19 repeatedly performs the above-described aggregation process and cleaning process a predetermined number of times. Contaminants within the reaction vessel 14 are removed by performing the coagulation and washing processes a predetermined number of times. As a result, in the reaction container 14, beads to which microorganisms as a detection target are bound and single beads to which no detection target is bound are left. The pipette mechanism 11 injects a washing liquid into the reaction container 14 in which agglutination and washing have been performed after the antigen-antibody reaction (ACT18). After the antigen-antibody reaction, agglutination and washing are performed, and a sample to be filtered is generated in the reaction container 14 into which the washing liquid is injected. The reaction vessel 14 in which the sample has been produced is moved to the filtering device 20 .

The filtering device 20 performs filtering to filter out the detection target contained in the solution (sample) in the reaction container 14 under the control of the processor 31 (ACT19). The filtering device 20 uses a filter to filter out beads to which the detection target is bound or single detection targets contained in the solution in the reaction container 14 . The filter is configured to separate beads to which a detection target as a microorganism such as bacteria is bound or a single detection target from a single bead to which a detection target is not immobilized. As a result, beads to which the detection target is bound or single detection targets remain as residues on the filter, and single beads to which the detection target is not immobilized do not remain on the filter.

The filtered filter is cleaned by the ultrasonic cleaner 21 (ACT20). The filtering device collects the filter after filtering into a filter receiver (container) together with a predetermined amount of cleaning liquid. The ultrasonic cleaner 21 uses ultrasonic waves to clean the filtered filter collected in a predetermined amount of cleaning liquid. As a result, the beads bound to the detection target remaining on the filter or the single detection target are extracted into a predetermined amount of the washing liquid.
Through the above processing, the microorganism extraction device 1 can extract microorganisms such as bacteria contained in the sample as detection targets.

Next, the configuration of the filtering device 20 according to the embodiment will be described in detail.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of the filtering device 20 according to the embodiment.
The filtering device 20 is used in the microorganism extraction device 1 to filter out microorganisms as detection targets. The filtering device 20 includes a holder 41, a filter 42, a separation mechanism 43, a moving mechanism 44, a filter receiver 45, and the like.

The holder 41 includes a first holder (upper holder) 41a and a second holder (lower holder) 41b. The first holder 41a and the second holder 41b have a structure that allows them to be brought into close contact with each other and to be separated from each other. The first holder 41a and the second holder 41b are held in close contact with each other with the filter 42 in between, as shown in FIG. The holder 41 is configured such that the liquid injected into the first holder 41a moves to the second holder 41b via the filter 42 without leaking. For example, an O-ring as a packing for preventing liquid leakage may be provided on the outer side of the filter 42 where the first holder 41a and the second holder 41b are in close contact with each other.

The filter 42 is formed by providing a large number of holes in a plate-shaped base material. Although the material of the base material of the filter 42 is not limited to a specific material, it is, for example, polycarbonate. The shape of the holes provided in the filter 42 is, for example, cylindrical or truncated conical. The filter 42 can be produced, for example, by irradiating a base material with high-energy laser light to form pores. Alternatively, the hole may be formed mechanically by piercing the base material with a needle made to match the shape of the hole. The filter 42 may be formed using a mold provided with a large number of needle-shaped protrusions.

In the following description, the side of the filter 42 to which the solution is added will be referred to as the primary side, and the side from which the filtrate exits will be referred to as the secondary side.

The separation mechanism 43 separates the first holder 41a from the second holder 41b. The separation mechanism 43 moves the first holder 41a separated from the second holder 41b to a predetermined position. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 4, the separation mechanism 43 includes a motor 43a, a belt 43b, a rotating shaft 43c, a holder holding portion 43d, and the like.

The motor 43a is driven under the control of the processor 31. A belt 43b is stretched between the motor 43a and the rotating shaft 43c. Thereby, the rotation of the motor 43a is transmitted to the rotating shaft 35 by the belt 43b. A holder holding portion 43d that holds (grips) the first holder 41a is attached to the rotating shaft 43c. The holder holding portion 43d moves in the direction of rotation around the rotation shaft 43c as the rotation shaft 43c rotates. That is, the first holder 41a held by the holder holding part 43d moves (reverses) in a predetermined direction about the rotating shaft 43c that rotates as a result of the rotation of the motor 43a. In the present embodiment, the separation mechanism 43 separates the first holder 41a from the second holder 41b and then reverses the first holder 41a in a predetermined direction about the rotating shaft 43c.

The moving mechanism 44 moves the second holder 41b. The moving mechanism 44 moves the second holder 41b from which the first holder 41a has been separated by the separation mechanism 43 to a predetermined position. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 4, the moving mechanism 44 includes a motor 44a, a belt 44b, a rotating shaft 44c, a holder holding portion 44d, and the like.

The motor 44a is driven under the control of the processor 31. A belt 44b is stretched between the motor 44a and the rotating shaft 44c. Thereby, the rotation of the motor 44a is transmitted to the rotating shaft 44c by the belt 44b. A holder holding portion 44d that holds the second holder 41b is attached to the rotating shaft 44c. The holder holding portion 44d moves in the direction of rotation around the rotation shaft 44c as the rotation shaft 44c rotates following the rotation of the motor 44a. That is, the moving mechanism 44 reverses the second holder 41b separated from the first holder 41a in a predetermined direction about the rotation axis 44c.

The filter receiver 45 collects the filter 42 that is moved together with the second holder 41b by the moving mechanism 44. The filter receiver 45 is installed at a position to receive the second holder 41b that is rotated by the moving mechanism 44 around the rotation axis 44c. The filter receiver 45 has an opening that is larger than the filter 42 that is flipped together with the second holder 41b by the moving mechanism 44. The filter receiver 45 is installed such that an opening is provided at a position corresponding to the filter 42 that is in close contact with the second holder 41b that is reversed by the moving mechanism 44.

The first holder 41a and the second holder 41b may have any structure as long as they can be separated by the separation mechanism 43. The separation mechanism 43 may be any mechanism as long as it separates the first holder 41a from the second holder 41b and moves it to a position that does not inhibit movement of the second holder 41b. The separation mechanism 43 is not limited to one that inverts the first holder 41a by 180 degrees. For example, the separation mechanism 43 may move the first holder 41a upward. Further, the separation mechanism 43 may be configured to move the first holder 41a after manually separating the first holder 41a and the second holder 41b.

Further, the moving mechanism 44 may be any mechanism as long as it moves the filter 42 that is in close contact with the second holder 41b to a position where it can be collected into the filter receiver 45. That is, the position and angle at which the moving mechanism 44 moves the second holder 41b may be any position as long as the filter 42 can be poured into the filter receiver 45. For example, the angle at which the moving mechanism 44 reverses the second holder 41b is not limited to 180 degrees. Further, the moving mechanism 44 may be configured to move the second holder 41b after separating the first holder 41a and the second holder 41b manually.

Next, a filtering operation mainly performed by the filtering device 20 according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining filtering in the filtering device 20 and recovery operation of the filter 42.
The filtering device 20 has a first holder 41a and a second holder 41b in close contact with each other with the filter 42 in between. Here, it is assumed that the filtering device 20 is held in close contact with the first holder 41a on top and the second holder 41b on the bottom. In this state, the first holder 41a allows the sample (solution) to be filtered to be injected from above. In the filtering device 20, the solution (sample) after the antibody-antigen reaction in the reaction container 14 is injected into the first holder 41a from above. The solution injected into the first holder 41a moves downward, passes through the filter 42, and moves to the second holder 41b. Thereby, the filtering device 20 filters the solution after the antibody-antigen reaction in the reaction container 14 using the filter 42 (ACT51).

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing how filtering is performed. Further, FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which filtering as shown in FIG. 6 has been completed.
As shown in FIG. 6, the solution injected into the first holder 41a passes through the filter 42 and moves to the second holder 41b. In the holder 41, beads to which microorganisms (objects to be detected such as bacteria) contained in the solution are bound remain on the filter 42, and beads to which no microorganisms are bound pass through the filter 42 together with the buffer solution (washing solution). The liquid and beads passing through the filter 42 are discarded from the opening on the lower side (the side facing the filter 42) of the second holder 41b. When such filtering is completed, beads to which bacteria contained in the solution are bound remain on the filter 42, as shown in FIG. 7.

After filtering is completed, the filtering device 20 performs a recovery operation of the filter 42 under the control of the processor 31. To collect the filter 42, the filtering device 20 performs operations such as separating and moving the holder 41, and peeling off the filter.
After filtering is completed, the filtering device 20 separates the first holder 41a from the second holder 41b (ACT52) and moves it to a predetermined position (ACT53) under the control of the processor 31. That is, in the filtering device 20, the separation mechanism 43 separates the first holder 41a from the second holder 41b and then inverts the first holder 41a.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing how the first holder 41a is separated (moved) by the separation mechanism 43.
The separation mechanism 43 rotates the rotating shaft 43c using the motor 43a and the belt 43b, and inverts (moves) the first holder 41a around the rotating shaft 43c, as shown by arrow a in FIG. Thereby, the separation mechanism 43 separates the first holder 41a from the second holder 41b and reverses it. As a result, the first holder 41a is removed from above the second holder 41b, as shown in FIG.

After the separation of the first holder 41a is completed, the filtering device 20 moves the second holder 41b to a predetermined position under the control of the processor 31 (ACT54). In the filtering device 20, the moving mechanism 44 inverts the second holder 41b while keeping the filter 42 in close contact with the second holder 41b. A filter receiver 45 is arranged at the position where the moving mechanism 44 has reversed the second holder 41b so that the filter 42 can be collected.

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing how the second holder 41b is separated (moved) by the moving mechanism 44.
The moving mechanism 44 rotates a rotating shaft 44c using a motor 44a and a belt 44b, and inverts (moves) the second holder 41b around the rotating shaft 44c, as shown by arrow b in FIG. Thereby, the moving mechanism 44 inverts and moves the second holder 41b so that the filter 42 that is in close contact with the second holder 41b is located at the opening of the filter receiver 45. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the second holder 41b that has been reversed by the moving mechanism 44 is in a state where an opening into which a pipette tip, which serves as a cleaning liquid discharge port, can be inserted is located above.

After the second holder 41b is inverted, the pipette mechanism 11 inserts the pipette tip into the opening above the inverted second holder 41b under the control of the processor 31 (ACT55). After inserting the pipette tip into the opening of the second holder 41b, the pipette mechanism 11 injects the cleaning liquid from above the inverted second holder 41b under the control of the processor 31 (ACT56). The filter 42 that is in close contact with the second holder 41b is peeled off from the second holder 41b by the cleaning liquid injected from above (the side opposite to the filter 42). The filter 42 peeled off from the second holder 41b is collected into the filter receiver 45 together with the cleaning liquid.

10 to 12 are diagrams schematically showing the operation of the pipette mechanism 11 injecting the cleaning liquid into the inverted second holder 41b. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the tip of a pipette tip, which serves as a cleaning liquid discharge port, is inserted into an opening located above an inverted second holder 41b. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing how the cleaning liquid is discharged from the tip of the pipette tip inserted into the opening of the second holder 41b. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the state of the filter 42 peeled off from the second holder 41b by the cleaning liquid.

After the moving mechanism 44 inverts the second holder 41b, the pipette mechanism 11 inserts the tip of the pipette tip above the inverted second holder 41b, as shown in FIG. After inserting the pipette tip into the opening of the second holder 41b, the pipette mechanism 11 discharges the cleaning liquid from the pipette tip, as shown in FIG. The cleaning liquid discharged from the pipette tip is injected into the second holder 41b.

The cleaning liquid injected into the second holder 41b moves downward within the second holder 41b and applies downward force to the filter 42 that is in close contact with the second holder 41b. Further, the cleaning liquid injected into the second holder 41b penetrates into the close contact portion between the second holder 41b and the filter 42, thereby reliably peeling off the filter 42. By injecting the cleaning liquid as a liquid into the second holder, the liquid permeates into the close contact portion between the second holder and the filter, so that the filter can be reliably peeled off.

As a result, the filter 42 is peeled off from the second holder 41b by the cleaning liquid injected into the second holder 41b and collected into the filter receiver 45. As a result, the filter 42 is collected together with the cleaning liquid in the filter receiver 45, as shown in FIG. The filter receiver 45 containing the filter 42 together with the cleaning liquid is transported to the ultrasonic cleaner 21 .

As described above, the filtering device inverts the second holder to which the filter that has filtered out microorganisms is in close contact, injects the cleaning liquid into the inverted second holder, and collects the filter together with the cleaning liquid. Thereby, the filtering device can easily recover the filter from which microorganisms have been filtered out. Further, as a microorganism extraction device including a filtering device, a microorganism extraction operation including ultrasonic cleaning can be realized for a cleaning liquid containing a filter that has filtered out microorganisms.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.
Hereinafter, the contents described in the claims of the present application as originally filed will be added.
[1]
a filter that filters out the detection target contained in the sample;
a lower holder on which the filter after filtering the detection object from the sample is in close contact;
an inversion mechanism that inverts the lower holder with the filter in close contact with the upper part;
a filter receiver that receives the filter peeled off from the lower holder together with the liquid injected into the lower holder that has been reversed by the reversing mechanism;
A filtering device comprising:
[2]
The filter filters out microorganisms as detection targets or carriers on which the microorganisms are immobilized.
The filtering device according to [1].
[3]
having a separation mechanism that separates an upper holder set between filters on the lower holder from the lower holder after filtering the detection target from the sample;
The reversing mechanism reverses the lower holder after the upper holder is separated from the lower holder by the separation mechanism.
The filtering device according to any one of [1] and [2].
[4]
Further, it has a liquid feeding mechanism that injects a liquid for peeling off the filter into the lower holder that has been inverted by the inversion mechanism.
The filtering device according to any one of [1] to [3].
[5]
a reaction device that generates a sample by reacting a sample in a liquid with a carrier that immobilizes microorganisms as a detection target;
a filter that filters out the microorganisms contained in the sample produced by the reaction device or a carrier on which the microorganisms are immobilized;
a lower holder on which the filter after filtering the microorganism or the carrier immobilized with the microorganism from the sample is in close contact;
an inversion mechanism that inverts the lower holder with the filter in close contact with the upper part;
a filter receiver that receives the filter peeled off from the lower holder together with the liquid injected into the lower holder that has been reversed by the reversing mechanism;
A microorganism extraction device comprising:

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Microorganism extraction device, 10... Control box, 11... Pipette mechanism (liquid feeding mechanism), 14... Reaction container, 15... Magnetic bead container, 16... Antibody container, 17... Sample container, 18... Reactor, 19... Agglutination Device, 20... Filtering device, 31... Processor, 41... Holder, 41a... First holder (upper holder), 41b... Second holder (lower holder), 42... Filter, 43... Separation mechanism, 44... Movement mechanism.

Claims (4)

a filter that filters out the detection target contained in the sample;
a lower holder on which the filter after filtering the detection object from the sample is in close contact;
an inversion mechanism that inverts the lower holder with the filter in close contact with the upper part;
a liquid feeding mechanism that injects a liquid for peeling off the filter into the lower holder that has been inverted by the inversion mechanism;
a filter receiver that receives the filter peeled off from the lower holder together with the liquid injected by the liquid feeding mechanism into the lower holder that has been inverted by the reversing mechanism;
A filtering device comprising: The filter filters out microorganisms as detection targets or carriers on which the microorganisms are immobilized.
The filtering device according to claim 1. having a separation mechanism that separates an upper holder set between filters on the lower holder from the lower holder after filtering the detection target from the sample;
The reversing mechanism reverses the lower holder after the upper holder is separated from the lower holder by the separation mechanism.
The filtering device according to claim 1 or 2. a reaction device that generates a sample by reacting a sample in a liquid with a carrier that immobilizes microorganisms as a detection target;
a filter that filters out the microorganisms contained in the sample produced by the reaction device or a carrier on which the microorganisms are immobilized;
a lower holder on which the filter after filtering the microorganism or the carrier immobilized with the microorganism from the sample is in close contact;
an inversion mechanism that inverts the lower holder with the filter in close contact with the upper part;
a liquid feeding mechanism that injects a liquid for peeling off the filter into the lower holder that has been inverted by the inversion mechanism;
a filter receiver that receives the filter peeled off from the lower holder together with the liquid injected by the liquid feeding mechanism into the lower holder that has been inverted by the reversing mechanism;
A microorganism extraction device comprising: