JPH06174725A - Immunity measuring reactor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an immunity measuring reactor which can efficiently measure immunity with high sensitivity by using relatively small quantities of sample and reagent. CONSTITUTION:A slide 13 is mounted at a side edge 11a of a reactor unit 11 in which a gap 1 opened at both ends is formed substantially in a flat plate state, and a through hole 14 and a sample tank 15 so formed as to surround the hole 14 are formed concentrically with the slide 13. A base 21 has a base body 32 formed with a water absorption member container and a support pole bearer 33 provided at a side edge of one side. A recess 34 to be engaged with an end of a support pole 22 is formed substantially at a center of the bearer 33. A water absorption member 35 is contained in the container, and the pole 22 is engaged with the recess 34. The pole 22 is loosely inserted with a coiled spring 23, and then inserted into the hole 14 of the slide 13. The spring 23 is so provided in a state to be applied with no external force as to separate between the opening end of a lower side of the gap and the member 35.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a reaction device for immunoassay.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an immunoassay reaction container, for example, a microplate as described in US Pat. No. 4,303,616 has been used. In the immunoassay using a microplate, first, the antigen corresponding to the antibody to be measured and the antibody corresponding to the antigen are immobilized on the bottom of the well, and then the antibody to be measured or a sample containing the antigen is added. And cause an antigen-antibody reaction. Then, after adding a labeled antigen or labeled antibody and performing B / F separation, a substrate solution is added to cause an enzyme-substrate reaction, and the enzyme activity generated at this time is measured to detect the antigen or antibody. Quantify.

The enzyme activity can be generally measured by capturing the enzyme-substrate reaction between the enzyme-labeled antibody and the substrate using a luminescent substrate or a chromogenic substrate. When using a chemiluminescent substrate, a photoreceptor (eg, photomultiplier) above the open well.
Is installed and the intensity of chemiluminescence from the reaction part is measured.
Further, when a color-developing substrate that chemically develops color is used, the absorbance of the sample subjected to the immunoreaction can be measured.

Further, as a reaction container for immunoassay, JP-A-62-169054 and JP-A-62-16 are used.
No. 9055 discloses that a reaction vessel having an inner diameter of 2 mm or less and having a thin tubular shape is used, an antigen or antibody is immobilized on the inner surface, and particles in which the antigen or antibody is immobilized are placed in the thin tube. It is described that an immunoassay is performed by adding a sample containing an antigen or an antibody and causing an antigen-antibody reaction.

In addition, the applicant of the present invention, in the gap between the two flat plates,
A reaction container for carrying out immunoassay using an immunological agglutination reaction is proposed, in which a sample introduction path and a reaction part capable of aspirating and holding a sample by capillarity are formed (JP-A-4-208836 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Kaihei 4-145947
issue).

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned microplate, an antibody or an antigen (hereinafter referred to as a specific reaction substance) corresponding to the substance to be measured is immobilized on the bottom of the well. In order for an immune reaction to occur, it is necessary for the substance to be measured and the specific reaction substance to meet each other. However, in the microplate, since the specific reaction substance is immobilized only on the bottom of the well, the substance to be measured floating above the sample is unlikely to bind to the specific reaction substance. Therefore, it is necessary to lengthen the incubation time. In addition, extra samples and reagents necessary for measurement are also consumed.

[0007] Further, when the enzyme activity is measured by measuring chemiluminescence, the chemiluminescence emission intensity is weak, and therefore it is necessary to bring the photodetector as close as possible to the liquid surface of the sample to improve the measurement sensitivity. However, because of the structure of the microplate, the photodetector cannot be brought very close to the liquid level, and highly sensitive measurement cannot be achieved.

Further, in the above-mentioned thin tubular reaction container for immunoassay, when the specific reaction substance is immobilized on the inner surface, the inner diameter is relatively small, so that there is an opportunity for the substance to be measured and the specific reaction substance to meet. It is excellent in that it can increase the amount of the sample and the reagent to be used and can be reduced. However, when the emission intensity of chemiluminescence is measured by a photodetector, the inner diameter of the reaction container is 2 mm or less, and the light receiving surface of the photodetector is too large with respect to the surface area of the sample in which luminescence occurs. Therefore, a lot of noise is picked up in the measurement signal, and the S / N is remarkably reduced, so that highly sensitive immunoassay cannot be performed.

Further, in the immunoassay reaction container used in the immunoassay utilizing the immunological agglutination reaction, the area of the reaction part is reduced in order to shorten the time required to precipitate the particles produced by the agglutination reaction. Is narrowing. However, narrowing the area of the reaction part is not preferable because it reduces the measurement sensitivity when such a reaction container is used for immunoassay utilizing chemiluminescence. Further, it is difficult to wash the microplate and the thin tubular reaction vessel due to their structure, and a special washing device is required for washing.

Although the case where the chemiluminescence is measured to perform the immunoassay has been described above, there is a similar problem in the case where the immunoassay is performed by utilizing the color development reaction in the conventional immunoassay. The present invention has been made in view of such points,
It is intended to provide a reaction device for immunoassay which can perform immunoassay with higher sensitivity and efficiency using a relatively small number of samples and reagents.

[0011]

The present invention is a reaction device for immunoassay for measuring the reaction between a substance to be measured and a specific reaction substance in a sample, which comprises two flat plate portions. A reaction part formed by facing each other through two spacer parts arranged on both edges of the container and forming a gap capable of aspirating and holding the sample and the reagent by a capillary phenomenon, and the reaction part held in the gap. There is provided a reaction device for immunoassay comprising a water absorbing member that absorbs the sample or the reagent, and a moving unit that separates and contacts the reaction unit and the water absorbing member.

The immunoassay reaction apparatus of the present invention comprises:
The water absorbent member is arranged apart from the open end of the gap of the reaction portion, and the moving means makes either one of the water absorbent member and the reaction portion substantially parallel to the main surface of the flat plate portion. It may be moved.

The moving means rotates the reaction section about an arbitrary point substantially parallel to the plane including the main surface of the flat plate section, and the water absorbing member is arranged in the rotation direction of the reaction section. May be. A sample tank provided adjacent to the reaction section may be provided.

[0014]

According to the reaction device for immunoassay of the present invention, the two flat plate portions and the two spacer portions form a relatively thin and wide flat plate-like reaction portion. Thereby, chemiluminescence and chemical color development that occur inside the reaction section can be measured through the light-transmissive flat plate section. Therefore, since the light receiving surface of the photodetector can be arranged relatively close to the flat plate portion, a sufficient amount of received light or transmitted light can be obtained even with a small amount of sample. Further, since the light receiving surface of the photodetector and the area of the flat plate portion can be matched, the S / N can be increased.

Further, since the thickness of the gap is extremely thin, when the specific reactive substance is immobilized on the inner surface of the gap, the chances that the substance to be measured in the sample and the specific reactive substance come into contact with each other are increased, resulting in immunity. The biological reaction can be carried out in a short time. Further, since the sample and the reagent are sucked and held inside the gap by the capillary phenomenon, the sample and the like can be easily supplied.

Further, the moving means moves the reaction part or the water absorbent member to allow the water absorbent member to absorb the sample or the reagent held in the gap, whereby the unnecessary sample or reagent is easily removed.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Example 1 FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an example of a reaction device for measuring an immune reaction of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA ′ in FIG.

Reference numeral 11 in the figure denotes a reaction portion having a substantially flat plate shape and having a gap 12 open at both ends. Reaction part 1
1 is made of a light transmissive material such as glass, polystyrene, or vinyl chloride.

Here, the size of the reaction part 11 and the gap 1
The width of 2 is the gap between the sample and reagent due to the capillary phenomenon.
Is set to move efficiently. The size of the reaction part 11 is preferably within a range of 10 to 50 mm per piece.
The range of -30 mm is particularly preferable. The width of the gap 12 is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 mm, for example.

A side edge portion 11 on one side of such a reaction portion 11
A substantially cylindrical sliding portion 13 is attached to a along the side edge portion 11a. The sliding portion 13 has a through hole 1 in the approximate center.
4 also surrounds the through hole 14 so as to surround the sample tank 1
5 is formed concentrically with the outer circumference of the sliding portion 13.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the pedestal portion 21 has a pedestal portion main body 32 in which a water absorbent member accommodating portion 31 is formed, which is slightly larger than the horizontal cross-sectional area of the reaction portion 11, and a side edge on one side thereof. The portion 32a has a substantially columnar support column receiving portion 33. A recess 34, into which the end of the support column 22 is fitted, is formed at substantially the center of the support column receiving portion 33. Such a base 21
Is made of, for example, a synthetic resin such as acrylic resin or a metal such as aluminum.

The water absorbent member 3 is placed in the water absorbent member housing 31.
5 are housed. The water absorbent member 35 is made of, for example, glass fiber, nylon, polypropylene, or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF).

The end of the support column 22 is fitted in the recess 34. The other end of the support column 22 is rounded. After the support column 22 is inserted through the coil spring 23 loosely,
It is inserted into the through hole 14 of the sliding portion 13. In the coil spring 23, the open end 11b on the lower side of the gap 12 and the water absorbing member 35 are separated from each other when no external force is applied. The immune reaction is measured as follows using the immunoassay reaction device 10 having such a configuration.

First, the antibody 41 is immobilized on the inner surface of the gap 12 as shown in FIG. The immobilization of the antibody 41 is performed by physical adsorption or the like. Examples of the antibody 41 include α-fetoprotein (AFP) and immunoglobulin G (Ig
G), ferritin, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs), and other antibodies to the measurement target can be used. On the other hand, the sample is stored inside the sample tank 15. next,
Take an appropriate amount of sample from the sample tank 15
Inject.

At this time, the opening end 11b below the gap 12 is formed.
Are separated from the water absorbent member 35 by the coil spring 23. By dropping the sample into the open end 11 a on the upper side of the gap 12, the sample is diffused and held inside the gap 12 by a capillary phenomenon.

In this state, incubation is carried out to react the substance to be measured in the sample with the antibody 41 to bind the substance to be measured and the antibody 41 (primary antigen-antibody reaction).

Next, the reaction container portion 20 is pushed down to contract the coil spring 23, and the open end portion 11b is brought into contact with the water absorbing member 35. As a result, the sample held inside the gap 12 is absorbed and removed by the water absorbent member 35.

After removing the sample in this way, when the reaction container portion 20 is released from the force of pushing it down, the reaction container portion 20 is returned to its original position by the restoring force of the coil spring 23. After this, a buffer solution is supplied to the gap 12 and again,
The reaction container 20 is pushed down to bring the open end 11b into contact with the water absorbent member 35. As a result, the sample holding the buffer solution that has diffused in the gap 12 is absorbed by the water absorbent member 35 and removed. This operation is repeated several times (for example, 5 to 5
The inside of the gap 12 is cleaned by repeating 6 times. Here, as the buffer solution, for example, Tris buffer solution (pH 7.6) can be used. Further, a surfactant such as Tween 20 may be added to the buffer solution in an amount of about 0.05%. At this time, the open end portion 11b and the water absorbing member 35
You may wash by continuing to supply a buffer solution with contacting with and.

After cleaning in this way, the opening end 11
In the state where b and the water absorbent member 35 are separated from each other, the enzyme-labeled antibody solution is supplied to the gap 12 and incubated to react the substance to be measured bound to the antibody 41 and the enzyme-labeled antibody (secondary antigen-antibody reaction). ). As the enzyme-labeled antibody, for example, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) -labeled anti-human AFP antibody and ALP-labeled anti-human HBs antibody can be used. As the ALP, those derived from calves and bacteria are used.

After the reaction is completed, the reaction container portion 20 is pushed down again to contract the coil spring 23, and the open end portion 11 is opened.
b is brought into contact with the water absorbing member 35. As a result, the gap 1
2 The enzyme-labeled antibody solution held inside is the water-absorbing member 35.
Are absorbed by and removed.

After this, the reaction container portion 20 is released from the pushing down force and the reaction container portion 2 is restored by the restoring force of the coil spring 23.
0 returns to the original position. Then, the above washing operation is repeated several times using a buffer solution.

After the cleaning is completed, a chemiluminescent substrate is added to the gap 12 again with the space between the open end 11b and the water absorbing member 35 to incubate. This causes the enzyme on the enzyme-labeled antibody to react with a chemiluminescent substrate such as dioxetane. Then, the luminescence intensity due to the reaction between the enzyme and the chemiluminescent substrate is measured.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the measurement of the emission intensity is performed by first receiving the photomultiplier 51 from the photomultiplier 51 with respect to the flat portion 52 of the reaction section 11 of the immunoassay reaction device 10. The plane 53 is arranged so that the light emitted from the plane portion 52 is received.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the photoelectron pulse obtained from the photomultiplier 51 is fed to the amplifier 6
After being amplified by 2, the signal is passed through a discriminator 63, compared with a preset reference voltage, and a pulse within a certain level range is output to perform pulse height discrimination. The output pulse from the discriminator 63 is applied to the waveform shaping circuit 6
The waveform is shaped through 4 and guided to the counter 65 to perform photon counting. Then, for example, the number of pulses per second is counted and displayed or printed as a measured value. Here, the immunoassay reaction device 10 is detachably attached to the photodetection device 60 so as to be exchangeable. Since the luminescence intensity measured in this manner depends on the concentration of the substance to be measured, the concentration of the substance to be measured in the sample can be quantitatively obtained from the luminescence intensity.

As described above, the immunoassay reaction apparatus 10 has the substantially flat plate-shaped reaction section 11. As a result, chemiluminescence generated inside the gap 12 can be measured through the flat portion 52 of the light transmissive reaction portion 11. Therefore, since the light receiving surface 53 of the photomultiplier 51 can be arranged relatively close to the reaction section 12, a sufficient amount of received light or transmitted light can be obtained even with a small amount of sample. In addition, the light receiving surface 53
Since the area of the flat portion 52 can be adapted to S /
N can be increased.

Further, since the width of the gap 12 is extremely thin, when the antibody 41 is immobilized on the inner surface of the gap 12, the chances that the substance to be measured in the sample and the antibody 41 come into contact with each other are increased, resulting in an immunological reaction. Can be performed in a short time.

A few drops of the sample or reagent are dropped on the open end 12a of the upper side of the gap 12 so that the gap 12
Due to the capillary phenomenon, the sample 12 and the like are extremely easily supplied because they are sucked and diffused and held inside the gap 12.

Further, by the action of the coil spring 23, a force for pushing the reaction container portion 20 downward is applied,
By opening, the opening end 11 below the gap 12 is opened.
b can be brought into contact with or separated from the water absorbent member 35. As a result, the open end 11b and the water absorbent member 35 are brought into contact with each other when necessary, and unnecessary samples and reagents held inside the gap 12 are absorbed by the water absorbent member 35 and can be easily removed. . As a result, it is possible to extremely easily supply and remove a complicated sample or reagent.

In the present embodiment, the reaction container section 20 is lowered toward the water absorbing member 35 so that they come into contact with each other,
Although the case where the reaction container section 20 rises and the two are separated from each other has been exemplified, on the contrary, the water absorbing member 35 rises toward the reaction vessel section 20 to bring them into contact with each other. Can also be designed to be spaced apart. Example 2 Next, the case where the immunoassay reaction device is attached to a moving body will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a moving body to which a plurality of immunoassay reaction devices are attached.

Reference numeral 81 in the figure denotes a substantially disk-shaped moving body. On the main surface of the moving body 81, a plurality of support members 82 are fixedly provided on the circumference at predetermined intervals. As shown in FIG. 8, the support member 82 has a support rod 92 that is provided substantially vertically in the center of a recess 91 formed in the moving body 81, and the support rod 92 is inserted through the support member 82 and is housed in the recess 91. Coil spring 93
Similarly, the support rod 92 is also inserted, and the coil spring 93 is sandwiched between the recesses 91, and the vertically movable support base 94 is vertically inserted along the support rod 92. It is preferable that the number of the support members 91 is set so as to have the maximum density that can be arranged on the main surface of the moving body 81.

As shown in FIG. 9, the immunoassay reaction device 10 is attached to such a supporting member 92.
That is, the base portion 21 fits the lift support base 94 into the mounting hole 95, and arranges the tip end portion of the base portion main body 32 between the positioning pins 96a and 96b provided corresponding to the support member 91. It is positioned by. Further, on the elevating support body 94, the reaction rod 11 is inserted into the mounting hole 13a formed at the substantially center of the sliding portion 13 mounted along the side edge portion 11a on one side of the reaction rod 11. It is placed by doing. A hemispherical sample tank 15 is formed at the upper end of the sliding portion 13. Here, the mounting hole 13a is formed so as to have a sufficient internal space for accommodating the support rod 92 when the reaction container portion 20 is pushed down as described later. In this way, the immunoassay reaction device 10 is attached with a predetermined interval in a state in which the flat portion 52 is oriented in the circumferential direction.

As described above, the moving body 81 having the immunoassay reaction device 10 attached to the main surface thereof rotates clockwise about the rotation shaft 83 by the driving means 84 such as a stepping motor. Then, the changing device (not shown), the dispensing device (not shown), the cleaning device (not shown), and the various operating means of the measuring device 85 are intermittently appropriately placed at stop positions A to D where they are arranged. Stop. Then, at the stop positions A to D, the corresponding immunoassay reaction device 1
Various operations are performed on 00. That is, at the stop position, the exchange device causes the used base 2 after the analysis to be completed.
1 and the reaction container part 20 are removed, and a new base part 21 and reaction container part 20 are attached to the support member 82. At the stop position B, the sample or reagent is dispensed. A plurality of stop positions B can be provided at predetermined positions according to the number of samples and reagents to be dispensed and the measurement principle.
After a lapse of a predetermined reaction time after the dispensing operation, at the stop position C, the reaction container portion 20 is pressed by the pressing means (not shown) while pressing the upper end portion of the sample tank 15.
Lowering the lower end of the water contacting member 35,
B / F separation is performed. After the B / F separation is completed, a labeling reagent labeled with a detectable tracer is dispensed at a stop position (not shown), and similar B / F separation is performed. Depending on the measurement principle, for example, the B method is performed twice or more like the sandwich method.
Although there are methods that require A / F separation and methods that require a single B / F separation such as the competitive method, it is sufficient to prepare the required number of dispensing devices and washing devices as necessary.
After that, in order to measure the tracer bound to the inner wall of the reaction part 11 by the immune reaction, a photometric reagent which reacts with the tracer to generate color or luminescence is dispensed. When a fluorescent substance is used as the tracer, the excitation light is irradiated instead of dispensing the photometric reagent.

At the stop position D, the light-receiving device 86 receives color development, light emission, or fluorescence due to the reaction between the tracer and the photometric reagent, and the measurement device 85 measures the light. Light receiver 86
Are moved up and down in synchronization with the rotation of the moving body 81. That is, when the moving body 81 stops, the light receiver 86 descends and stops so that the light receiving surface 86a faces the flat surface portion 52, and receives light emission and the like. After that, when the moving body 81 starts to rotate again, the light receiver 86 moves up. By repeating this operation, it is possible to continuously measure light emission and the like.

After that, at the stop position A, the used base portion 21 and reaction container portion 20 are removed from the support member 82 by an appropriate gripping means as described above, collected in a predetermined collecting box, and discarded.

As described above, according to the moving body 81 to which the immunoassay reaction device 10 is attached, the exchange operation, the dispensing operation, the washing operation and the measurement operation can be continuously and easily performed.
Further, as in the case of the first embodiment, the coil spring 93 acts to bring the lower end of the reaction section 11 into contact with or away from the water absorbent member 35, so that unnecessary samples and reagents held inside the reaction section 11 are appropriately present. Since it can be easily removed by being absorbed by the water-absorbing member 35, complicated supply and removal of the sample or reagent can be performed very easily.

In this embodiment, the case where the reaction container section 20 moves up and down along the support rod 92 is illustrated, but the support rod 9
It is also possible to change so that the reaction container part 20 rotates substantially parallel to the main surface of the moving body 81 with the rotation axis 2 as the rotation axis. In this case, since the support rod 92 simply functions as a rotating shaft, the elevating support base 94 and the recess 91 for housing the same are not required as described above. Example 3 Another example of the immunoassay reaction device of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 10: is explanatory drawing which shows the modification of the reaction device for immunoassays of this invention.

The immunoassay reaction device 100 of the present embodiment comprises:
A substantially funnel-shaped receiving portion 101 is provided at the upper end of the reaction portion 11 of the reaction container portion 20. It has the same configuration as the immunoassay reaction device shown in Example 1 except that the receiving portion 101 is provided.

According to the immunoassay reaction device 100 having such a configuration, it is possible to further facilitate the supply of the sample or the reagent to the gap 12 of the reaction section 11 as compared with the first embodiment. Example 4 Another example of the immunoassay reaction device of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 11: is explanatory drawing which shows the modification of the reaction device for immunoassays of this invention.

The immunoassay reaction device 110 of this embodiment comprises:
Example 1 except that the upper end portions of the two flat plate portions 112a and 112b of the reaction portion 11 are inclined outwardly at an angle α of 120 to 150 ° and have a substantially Y-shaped cross section.
The immunoassay reaction device 10 shown in FIG. Immunoassay reaction device 110 having such a configuration
According to this, it is possible to further facilitate the supply of the sample or the reagent to the gap 12 of the reaction section 111, as compared with the first embodiment. Example 5 Another example of the immunoassay reaction device of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the immunoassay reaction device of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 121 denotes a reaction container portion in which reaction portion fixing members 122a and 122b are provided on the side edge portion of the reaction portion 11. The reaction container part 121 is in a state in which a spring 124 is inserted inside the reaction part housing part 123 between the reaction part fixing parts 122a and 122b and the bottom surface 123a of the reaction part housing part 123. The upper ends of 122a and 122b are provided at the upper end of the reaction part accommodating part 123, and the lower ends of the reaction part 11 and the water absorbent member 126 arranged on the bottom surface 123a are separated from each other by the locking parts 125a and 125b. Thus, the reaction part fixtures 122a and 122b are housed in a locked state.

In the immunoassay reaction device 120 having the above-described structure, the reaction container portion 121, in a normal state, is provided with a spring 124 so that the lower end portion of the reaction portion 11 and the water absorbent member 12 are provided.
It is separated from 6. In this state, the sample and the reagent supplied to the reaction section 11 are diffused and held in the gap 12 by the surface tension. When removing the retained sample or reagent, the reaction container 121 may be pushed down to bring the lower end and the water absorbent member 126 into contact with each other to allow the water absorbent member 126 to absorb and remove the sample or reagent. it can. After the removal process is completed, the force that pushes down the reaction container portion 121 is released, so that the lower end portion and the water absorbent member 126 can be separated again by the restoring force of the spring 124. Thus, the immunoassay reaction device 1 of the present embodiment
20 can exert the same effect as that of the first embodiment. Example 6 Another example of the immunoassay reaction device of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the immunoassay reaction device of the present invention.

In the immunoassay reaction device 130 of this embodiment, the reaction part 11 is attached to the reaction part support member 132 so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 131 provided at a predetermined position on the side edge of the reaction part 11. Has been. One end of the rotating shaft 131 projects from the reaction part support member 132, and the motor 13
It is connected to 3. A water absorbent member 134 is arranged at the bottom of the reaction part support member 132.

Here, the rotation shaft 131 is attached to the reaction part 11 when the reaction part 11 rotates, in a certain state, the lower end of the reaction part 11 is separated from the water absorbing member 134, and in a certain state, The lower end of the reaction part 11 is set so as to come into contact with the water absorbent member 134 (shown by a virtual line 11 'in the figure).

In the immunoassay reaction device 130 having such a structure, the lower end of the reaction part 11 is rotated by the motor 133 to rotate the reaction part 11 as appropriate.
By contacting or separating from 34, the sample or the reagent can be retained or removed inside the reaction section 11 as in the first embodiment. Example 7 Another example of the immunoassay reaction device of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the immunoassay reaction device of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 141 denotes a reaction device main body which is rotatable about a rotary shaft 142 substantially parallel to the main surface. A reaction unit 143 is provided at the tip of the reaction device body 141. Further, the rotation shaft 142 is larger than the reaction unit 143.
A sample tank 144 is provided adjacent to the side.
The reaction part 1 is located in front of the rotation direction of the reaction device main body 141.
At a position corresponding to one end 143 a of 43, a water absorbent member housing portion 146 housing the water absorbent member 145 is arranged. Immunoassay reaction device 14 having such a configuration
As shown in FIG. 15, 0 has a spring 151 wound around the rotary shaft 142 and attached so that one end thereof is erected on the side edge of the reactor main body 141. There is. By the action of the spring 151, the reaction device body 141
In a normal state, the one end portion 143 a of the reaction portion 143 and the water absorbing member 145 are separated from each other. When removing the sample or the reagent held inside the reaction part 143, the reaction device main body 141 is rotated to bring the one end 143a of the reaction part 143 into contact with the water absorbent member 145 (the phantom line in the figure). 141 '). After the removal process is completed, when the force applied to the reaction device body 141 is released, the reaction device body 141 returns to the original position due to the restoring force of the spring 151.

As described above, the immunoassay reaction device 140
In the same manner as in the first embodiment, the sample or reagent can be held inside the reaction section 143 by rotating the reaction measurement section 141 as appropriate to bring the lower end 143a into contact with or away from the water absorbent member 145. It can be removed.

The chemiluminescence measurement inside the reaction part 143 of the immunoassay reaction device 140 as described above is performed by facing the flat plate part 161 of the reaction part 143 as shown in FIG.
This can be done by arranging the light receiver 163 so that the light receiving surfaces 162 are located close to each other. Moreover, as shown in FIG.
4 is arranged at a predetermined interval on the peripheral portion of a substantially disk-shaped movable body 165 rotatable about 4, so that a series of operations for immune reaction measurement are continuously performed as in the second embodiment. You can also do it. Example 8 Another example of the reaction part of the immunoassay reaction device of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory view showing a modified example of the reaction section in the immunoassay reaction device of the present invention. Reaction part 17
An opening 173 for supplying a sample or a reagent is formed at an arbitrary position on the flat surface portion 172 on one side of the No. 1 unit.
As shown in FIG. 19, an appropriate amount of sample or reagent is dropped into the reaction part 171 using the pipetter 174 in the opening 173 so that the sample or reagent is diffused into the gap 12 due to surface tension. Retained. Such a reaction part 171 is particularly suitable when the flat plate part 161 of the reaction part 143 is arranged horizontally as in the seventh embodiment. Example 9 Another example of the immunoassay reaction device of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 20 is a plan view showing another modification of the immunoassay reaction device of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 181 denotes a fan-shaped reaction part formed by equally dividing a hollow circle.
On the inner peripheral side of the reaction section 181, sample tanks 182 corresponding to the respective sections are provided adjacent to each other. Sample tank 1
A rotary shaft 183 is attached to the inside of 82. On the other hand, on the outer peripheral side of the reaction part 181, water-absorbing members 184 are arranged alternately with respect to the reaction part 181.

In the immunoassay reaction device 180 having such a configuration, the outer peripheral edge of the reaction part 181 and the water absorbent member 184 are separated from each other in a normal state, but a uniaxial drive device using a spring or a motor is used. When the two are brought into contact with each other, the sample or the reagent held inside the reaction part 181 is absorbed by the water absorbent member 184 and removed. After the removal process is completed, the reaction unit 1 is driven by the restoring force of the spring or by driving the uniaxial drive device by the motor.
The outer peripheral edge portion of 81 and the water absorbing member 184 are separated from each other again.
In this manner, the immunoassay reaction device 180 can easily remove the sample or the reagent by arbitrarily bringing the outer peripheral edge of the reaction part 181 and the water absorbent member 184 into contact with or apart from each other. Example 10 Another example of the immunoassay reaction device of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of a modified example of the immunoassay reaction device of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 191 denotes a reaction container section in which a plurality of reaction sections 192 are connected and connected to each other at their side edges. Water-absorbing members 193 are arranged at a predetermined interval corresponding to the lower end of the reaction container portion 191. In the immunoassay reaction device 190 including the reaction container section 191 and the water absorbent member 193, the reaction container section 191 is sequentially moved in the direction of the arrow in the figure to sequentially emit chemiluminescence by a light receiver (not shown). The measurement can be performed continuously.

[0062]

As described above, in the immunoassay reaction device of the present invention, the open end of the lower side of the gap is brought into contact with or separated from the water absorbent member so that the open end and the water absorbent are absorbed when necessary. It is possible to easily remove the unnecessary sample or reagent held inside the gap by allowing the water absorbent member to absorb the unnecessary sample or reagent by bringing the water absorbent member into contact with the hydrophilic member. As a result, it is possible to extremely easily supply and remove a complicated sample or reagent. Further, since the sample and the like can be removed by the water-absorbing member, it is not necessary to use a large-sized device such as a pump, and the reaction container portion is small, so that the entire device can be relatively easily downsized.

Further, it has a substantially flat plate-like reaction portion, and the chemiluminescence generated inside the gap inside this can be measured. Therefore, since the light receiving surface of the light receiver can be arranged relatively close to the reaction section, a sufficient amount of received light or transmitted light can be obtained even with a small amount of sample. In addition, since the width of the gap is extremely thin, when the antibody or the like is immobilized on the inner surface of the gap, the chances of contact between the substance to be measured in the sample and the antibody or the like increases, and the immunological reaction is performed in a short time be able to. Furthermore, by dropping a few drops of sample or reagent on the open end of the gap,
Due to the capillary action of the gap, the sample is sucked and diffused and held inside the gap, so that the sample and the like can be supplied very easily.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an example of a reaction device for immunoassay of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the immunoassay reaction device taken along the line AA ′ in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a pedestal of the immunoassay reaction device of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a state in which an antibody is immobilized on the inner wall surface of the gap of the reaction part of the reaction device for immunoassay of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the measurement of chemiluminescence using the immunoassay reaction device of the same Example.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a photodetector used for immunoassay using the immunoassay reaction device of the same Example.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a moving body equipped with the immunoassay reaction device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a supporting member provided on the moving body of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a reaction device for immunoassay attached to the moving body of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a first modified example of the immunoassay reaction device of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a second modified example of the immunoassay reaction device of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a third modified example of the immunoassay reaction device of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing a fourth modified example of the immunoassay reaction device of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing a fifth modified example of the immunoassay reaction device of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a spring is attached to the immunoassay reaction device of the example.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing the measurement of chemiluminescence using the immunoassay reaction device of the same Example.

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a moving body equipped with the immunoassay reaction device of the embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a modified example of the reaction section of the immunoassay reaction device of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a sample or a reagent is supplied to the reaction part of the example.

FIG. 20 is a plan view showing a sixth modified example of the immunoassay reaction device of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a plan view showing a seventh modified example of the immunoassay reaction device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Reactor for immunoassay, 11 ... Reaction part, 12 ... Gap, 13 ... Sliding part, 14 ... Through hole, 15 ... Sample tank,
20 ... Reaction container part, 21 ... Stand part, 22 ... Support column, 23 ...
Coil spring, 31 ... Water absorbing member housing, 32 ... Stand body.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A reaction device for immunoassay for measuring the reaction between a substance to be measured and a specific reaction substance in a sample, wherein two flat plate parts are arranged at both edges of the flat plate part. A reaction part formed by facing each other via two spacer parts to form a gap capable of sucking and holding the sample and the reagent by a capillary phenomenon, and water absorption absorbing the sample or the reagent held in the gap. A reaction device for immunoassay, comprising a permeable member and moving means for separating and contacting the reaction part and the water absorbing member. 2. The water absorbing member is arranged to be spaced apart from the open end of the gap of the reaction portion, and the moving means moves either the water absorbing member or the reaction portion to the main surface of the flat plate portion. 2. The reaction device for immunoassay according to claim 1, wherein the reaction device is moved substantially in parallel. 3. The moving means rotates the reaction portion about an arbitrary point substantially parallel to a plane including the main surface of the flat plate portion, and the water absorbing member is arranged in the rotation direction of the reaction portion. The reaction device for immunoassay according to claim 1, wherein 4. The reaction apparatus for immunoassay according to claim 1, further comprising a sample tank provided adjacent to the reaction section.