JPH0356256Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed explanation of the invention] [Industrial application fields] This invention is not only widely used in chemical industry fields such as biotechnology and biochemistry, but also in many other fields such as biochemical research involving microorganisms and clinical testing. The present invention relates to a chemical reaction capillary sheet used in a chemical reaction device suitable for conducting chemical reaction tests.

[Prior Art] Test tubes have traditionally been used when chemical reactions are carried out using a large number of samples and a small quantity. However, in recent years, it has become known that chemical reactions are carried out in capillary tubes, focusing on the advantages of fast reaction speed and no need for a stirring device, making the device simple and compact. (For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-501521). Conventionally, each capillary tube used in such a chemical reaction device is independent, and each capillary tube is supplied to the device one by one from a hopper attached to the top of the reaction device, and even after the reaction, the capillary tubes are separated one by one. It was beginning to be handled.

[Problems to be solved by the invention] Capillary tubes used in chemical reactions have an outer diameter of, for example, about 2 mm, and it is difficult to write the sample name and other necessary data on the capillary tube itself. As a result, information about the contents of the capillary tubes becomes unclear, and a plurality of capillary tubes become indistinguishable from each other, making it difficult to distinguish one from another. Therefore, convenient measures such as pasting paper with data written on each capillary tube have been taken, but this is complicated and extremely inconvenient in terms of management.

The purpose of this invention is to provide an easy-to-manage capillary sheet for chemical reactions that eliminates such conventional drawbacks.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the capillary sheet for chemical reactions according to the present invention has a plurality of capillary tubes formed in the same shape in a fixed arrangement against a sheet-like support. The sheet-like support is fixed horizontally, and a data entry column for writing data is formed on one or both sides of the sheet-like support, corresponding to the position where the capillary tube is fixed.

[Function] Since a plurality of capillary tubes are horizontally fixed to the sheet-like support in a fixed arrangement, the capillary tubes can be handled in a plurality of units arranged in an orderly manner. By attaching the capillary sheet to the chemical reaction device, the capillaries can be regularly attached to the device in a stable and constant arrangement. Further, data necessary for managing each capillary can be written in the data entry column on one or both sides of the sheet-like support, corresponding to each capillary.

[Example] Figures 1 and 2 for the first example of the present invention
This will be explained based on the diagram.

FIG. 1 shows the front side of the chemical reaction capillary sheet of this example, and FIG. 2 shows the back side. Reference numeral 4 denotes a sheet-like support made of, for example, paper or plastic material, and on the surface side of the sheet-like support, a plurality (for example, 10) of capillary tubes 2 made of glass, polyethylene, or other plastic material are arranged in parallel at regular intervals. 4, and both ends thereof are fixed so as to slightly protrude from the sheet-like support 4. These capillary tubes 2 are all formed to have the same shape and size, for example, an inner diameter of 1 to 1.5 mm,
It measures 5 to 8 cm in length and has openings at both ends. The means for fixing the capillary tube 2 to the sheet-like support 4 is most commonly adhesive, but it may also be fixed by heat welding or any other means. It may be integrally formed by molding.

On the back surface of the sheet-like support 4, data entry columns 5 in which data can be written are formed corresponding to the positions where each capillary tube 2 is fixed.
A predetermined frame is printed in this data entry column 5, and data can be entered within the frame using a pencil, ballpoint pen, or other writing instrument. Note that the above frame does not necessarily need to be provided,
Further, the data entry field 5 may be provided on the front side of the sheet-like support 4, or may be provided on both sides of the sheet-like support 4. Furthermore, the data may be automatically printed by the chemical reaction device.

FIGS. 3 to 5 show an example of a chemical reaction apparatus in which the chemical reaction capillary sheet of this embodiment is used, and this apparatus will be described below.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a belt conveyor that is a means for conveying the capillary tube 2. This belt conveyor 1 has a drive shaft 12 driven by a motor 11 with a reduction gear, and a driven shaft 13 rotatably supported by the main body of the device. In preparation for this, an endless conveyor belt 16 made of a material such as polyurethane resin is stretched in parallel between pulleys 14 and 15 attached to the shafts 12 and 13, respectively.

The motor 11 with a reduction gear rotates the drive shaft 12 so that the upper side of the parallel conveyor belt 16 is on the tension side, and rotates the drive shaft 12 clockwise in FIG. 3. Further, the rotation of the motor 11 with a speed reduction device may be a slow constant speed rotation or an intermittent rotation controlled by a microprocessor, and the position of the conveyor belt 16 can be detected by a detection means such as an optical sensor. The rotation of the motor 11 may be controlled by detection.

The conveyor belt 16 is provided so that its upper surface is substantially horizontal. Grooves 17 for holding the capillary tubes 2 are formed in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the grooves 17 so as to be parallel to each other at regular intervals that are the same as the intervals between the capillary tubes 2 arranged on the sheet-like support 4. . The number of grooves 17 can be set according to the purpose of use, etc., but from the viewpoint of operability etc., it is desirable to have 30 to 200 grooves. Note that if a timing belt with unevenness formed on the inner circumferential surface of the belt is used as the conveyor belt 16 and is made to mesh with the uneven pulley, slippage between the conveyor belt and the pulley will not occur, and the conveyor belt 16 will be smooth. The running speed becomes more stable. Further, the groove 17 may have any shape as long as it can stably hold the capillary tube 2, such as by forming a groove by erecting a large number of comb teeth on the belt.

In this embodiment, an immunoreactive substance such as an antibody is attached and fixed to the inner surface of the capillary tube 2 in advance, and is conveyed by the belt conveyor 1. That is,
Each capillary 2 is placed on the conveyor belt 16 with the back side of the sheet-like support 4 facing upward and the capillary tubes 2 arranged on the surface of the sheet-like support 4 facing downward.
is accommodated in the groove 17 of the conveyor belt 16 and conveyed together with the sheet-like support 4 by the belt 16.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a reagent supplying means that is provided along the belt conveyor 1 and supplies a test sample liquid, an immunoassay reagent solution, etc. into the capillary tube 2. In this embodiment, the reagent supplying means 3 is provided along the belt conveyor 1. A test sample body fluid supply unit 20 that sequentially supplies different test sample body fluids to the test sample body fluid, a test sample body fluid cleaning unit 30 that cleans the inside of the capillary tube 2 after a predetermined period of time to remove the test sample body fluid after the reaction, and then an enzyme Transfer immunoassay reagent solution such as labeled antibody solution to capillary tube 2.
a reagent cleaning unit 50 that cleans the inside of the capillary tube 2 after a predetermined period of time to remove unbound enzyme-labeled antibody solution; and a substrate that supplies an enzyme substrate solution to the capillary tube 2. Liquid supply section 6
0 are sequentially provided along the conveyor belt 16.

The test sample body fluid supply unit 20 includes a plurality of test sample body fluid storage cylinders 22 containing test sample body fluids such as blood, urine, or saliva attached to a feeding device 21 that operates in conjunction with the belt conveyor 1, for example. It is what was done. At the lower end of the storage cylinder 22, the test sample liquid forms water droplets and suspends, and when the test sample liquid contacts the end of the capillary tube 2, it instantly fills the capillary tube 2 due to capillary action. Ru. And capillary 2
Since the liquid in the capillary tube 2 is held approximately horizontally, the surface tension that tends to keep the liquid in the tube is stronger than the force that causes the liquid in the capillary tube 2 to fall from the tube due to gravity, and the sample liquid is The capillary tube 2 is stabilized in a filled state over its entire length, and by making the amount of the sample fluid suspended at the lower end of the storage cylinder 22 larger than the internal volume of the capillary tube 2, a constant amount of liquid is always kept in the capillary tube 2. A quantity (ie, the same quantity as the internal volume of the capillary tube) of the sample body fluid is supplied and filled.

The specimen body fluid cleaning section 30 will be explained with reference to FIG. 4, which schematically shows a cross section thereof. On one side of the conveyor belt 16, a suction tube 31 connected to an aspirator (not shown) is installed. , are provided close to the capillary tube 2 so as not to contact them. This non-contact structure prevents impurities from adhering to the capillary tube and allows accurate reaction to occur. A cleaning liquid storage cylinder 32 containing cleaning liquid is provided on the other side of the conveyor belt 16 , and the cleaning liquid forms water droplets at the lower end of the storage cylinder 32 , and the end of the capillary tube 2 is attached to the water droplets. When they come into contact, the cleaning liquid is filled into the capillary tube 2 by capillary action.

The suction device is controlled by, for example, a microprocessor and operates in conjunction with the movement of the belt conveyor 1, so that the sample body fluid containing cylinder 2 is inserted into the capillary tube 2.
2, after a certain period of time has elapsed (for example, 10 minutes), the liquid is sucked out and removed.
Furthermore, the inside of the capillary tube 2 is cleaned by suctioning the cleaning liquid through the capillary tube 2 continuously or intermittently for a certain period of time.

The enzyme-labeled antibody liquid supply section 40 includes an enzyme-labeled antibody liquid storage cylinder 42 similar to the cleaning liquid storage cylinder 32 described above.
is provided on one side of the conveyor belt 16, and the enzyme-labeled antibody solution is filled into the cleaned capillary tube 2 by capillary action. A stable state is reached in which the enzyme-labeled antibody solution is filled over the entire length of the capillary tube 2, and a constant amount (that is, the same amount as the internal volume of the capillary tube) of the enzyme-labeled antibody solution is always supplied and filled into the capillary tube 2. Ru.

The reagent cleaning unit 50 has the same structure as the sample body fluid cleaning unit 30 described above, and after a certain period of time has elapsed after the capillary tube 2 is filled with the enzyme-labeled antibody liquid via the enzyme-labeled antibody liquid storage cylinder 42, the reagent cleaning unit 50 cleans the inside of the tube. The liquid is sucked out and washed into the capillary tube 2.

Further, the substrate liquid supply unit 60 has a structure similar to that of the enzyme-labeled antibody liquid supply unit 40, and fills the capillary tube 2 with the enzyme substrate liquid, and even in this case, the capillary tube 2 always has a fixed amount (i.e., An amount of enzyme substrate solution (equivalent to the internal volume of the container) is supplied and filled.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a measuring means that is provided near the right end side of the belt conveyor so as to cover the conveyor belt 16, and measures the optical density after the reaction within the capillary tube 2. As this measuring means, for example, a spectrophotometer or a fluorometer can be used. Then, the antigen concentration in the body fluid to be tested is calculated from the optical density of the reaction solution using a microcomputer or the like. A display 72 digitally displays the results.

To measure the optical density of the reaction solution, for example, as shown in FIG. It may also be possible to detect light that has passed along the line. When the output end of an optical fiber is inserted into the end of a capillary and the light is emitted, all of the emitted light passes through the capillary while being reflected by the inner peripheral wall, and extra light that passes through the capillary's material gets mixed in. Therefore, accurate measurements can be made. Then, the capillary sheet for chemical reaction after the chemical reaction and measurement of its result is completed is removed from the end of the chemical reaction apparatus.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which a hole 6 for light transmission is formed in a portion of a sheet-like support 4 overlapping with a capillary tube 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the detection light is transmitted perpendicularly to the capillary tube in the measuring means 7, the detection light is not blocked by the sheet-like support 4. This is what I did. The other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment described above. Note that the light transmitting portion is not limited to having the holes 6 as described above, but may be formed by forming, for example, continuous grooves 7 in the sheet-like support 4, as shown in FIG. 8 showing the third embodiment. The sheet-like support 4 itself may be formed of a light-transmitting material.

FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which capillary tubes 2 are arranged radially at equal angles on a fan-shaped sheet-like support 8. This is used in a type of chemical reaction device (not shown) in which a capillary tube is placed on a rotary table instead of a belt conveyor. In this way, the capillary sheet for chemical reactions of the present invention may have any shape depending on the type of chemical reaction device used.

[Effect of the invention] According to the capillary sheet for chemical reactions of this invention,
Since the plurality of capillary tubes are fixed to the sheet-like support in a fixed arrangement, the capillary tubes can be handled as a plurality of units in a well-ordered state. Therefore, handling is extremely easy, and capillary tubes can always be distinguished from each other. In addition, since the plurality of capillaries are fixed horizontally to the sheet-like support, when the sheet-like support is placed on a chemical reaction device, etc., the capillaries assume a horizontal posture, and therefore, the capillaries At the same time, the liquid collected inside the capillary will not leak out even when the capillary is transported through a chemical reaction device and subjected to vibrations. can be held stably. Furthermore, since the capillary tubes do not come into contact with each other, samples do not mix, and chemical reactions can be carried out extremely accurately. Furthermore, according to the capillary sheet for chemical reactions of the present invention, a data entry column for writing data corresponding to the position where the capillary tube is fixed is formed on one or both sides of the sheet-like support to which the capillary tube is fixed. , it is possible to write information about the reactions that take place in a plurality of capillary tubes fixed to a sheet-like support, corresponding to each capillary tube.
It has many excellent effects such as being able to accurately and easily manage capillary tubes.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention;
The figure is a rear view of the embodiment, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a chemical reaction device using a capillary sheet for chemical reactions of the embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sample body fluid washing section.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an example of a light emitting part used in the measuring means, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example of a light emitting part used in a measurement means suitable for measurement, and a is a front sectional view;
b is a side sectional view thereof, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a plan view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 2... Capillary tube, 4... Sheet-like support, 5...
Data entry column, 8... Sheet-like support.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] 1. A plurality of capillaries formed in the same shape are horizontally fixed to a sheet-like support in a fixed arrangement, and the above-mentioned 1. A capillary sheet for chemical reactions, characterized in that a data entry field for writing data is formed on one or both sides of a sheet-like support. 2. The capillary sheet for chemical reactions according to claim 1, wherein the capillary tubes are arranged and fixed to the sheet-like support in parallel at regular intervals. 3. The capillary sheet for chemical reactions according to claim 1, wherein the capillary tubes are radially arranged and fixed to the sheet-like support at equal angles. 4. The capillary sheet for chemical reactions according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the capillary is fixed to one side of the sheet-like support. 5. The capillary sheet for chemical reactions according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein both ends of the capillary tubes are arranged so as to protrude from the sheet-like support. 6. The capillary sheet for chemical reactions according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a chemically reactive substance is preliminarily attached to the capillary. 7. The capillary sheet for chemical reactions according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sheet-like support has a light transmitting portion in a portion overlapping with the capillary tube. 8. The capillary sheet for chemical reactions according to claim 7, wherein the light transmitting portion is a hole formed in the sheet-like support.