JPH07120477A - Measurement method for dry analysis film and biochemical analysis device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a drop in measurement accuracy by considering a measurement direction and an expansion form in an incubator, regarding a measurement system where a dry analysis film causing the elliptical expansion and color development of sample liquid is carried from a cartridge to the incubator. CONSTITUTION:Many dry analysis films 1 for biochemical analysis having directivity for sample liquid expansion and giving an expansion form with length at least in one direction larger than in other directions, are stacked and housed in a cartridge 20. Also, the direction of the films 1 taken out from the cartridge 20 and inserted in an incubator 20 is so kept that the lengthwise direction of the expansion form of the films 1 agrees to the relative travel direction of the incubator 12 and a measurement means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a dry analysis having a reagent layer which causes an optical density change due to a chemical reaction, a biochemical reaction or an immunoreaction with a predetermined biochemical substance contained in a sample liquid such as blood or urine. The present invention relates to a method for measuring a dry analytical film, in which a film is conveyed from a cartridge to an incubator for measurement, and a biochemical analyzer for carrying out the measuring method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the content of a specific chemical component contained in a sample solution or its activity value, or the content of a tangible component, can be quantitatively analyzed by simply spotting and supplying small drops of the sample solution. A dry-type integrated multi-layer analysis film (also referred to as a multi-layer analysis element or a multi-layer analysis element) that can be used has been developed and put into practical use. In addition, a filter paper type test piece and an improved single-layer or multi-layer test piece have been proposed, and some of them have been put into practical use.

In order to quantitatively analyze chemical components in a sample solution using such a dry analysis film, in the case where the sample solution has a development layer in the dry analysis film,
For those that do not have a spreading layer, after direct spotting on the reagent layer,
This is kept at a constant temperature (incubation) for a predetermined time in an incubator (incubator) to cause a color reaction (dye formation reaction or color change reaction of the indicator dye), and then included in the dry analysis film with a predetermined biochemical substance in the sample solution. The chemical analysis slide is irradiated with irradiation light for measurement containing a wavelength preselected by combination with the reagent to be measured, and its optical density is measured. The calibration curve showing the correspondence with the substance concentration of a substance is used to determine the substance concentration (content) or activity value of a predetermined biochemical substance in the sample solution.

By the way, the integrated multi-layer type dry analysis film has a structure in which at least one reagent layer containing a reagent is provided on a support made of an organic polymer, and more preferably, a development layer is provided on the upper side of the reagent layer. And is formed into a dry analysis film piece having a predetermined shape such as a square or a rectangle. For automatic operation, the dry analysis film piece is put to practical use as a chemical analysis slide held by an organic polymer mount. In addition, the inventors of the present invention propose a technique in which a dry analysis film piece without the above mount is directly loaded into a cartridge case, the cartridge is stored in a film supply device of a biochemical analysis device, and sequentially taken out for measurement. is doing.

In supplying the dry analysis film, a large number of the dry analysis film can be accommodated in a cartridge in order to load a film supply device, automate a transfer mechanism, and the like. US Pat. No. 5,043,143 It is disclosed in the specification, etc., and is sequentially taken out from this cartridge to perform spotting of the sample solution, conveyance, constant temperature maintenance by an incubator, and measurement.

Further, in the measurement of the optical density, the irradiation light for measurement from the light source is dispersed by an interference filter or the like, and is made incident on the dry analysis film as spot light by a lens through an optical fiber or the like, and the reflected light is measured by a photometric head What is measured by the above-mentioned optical sensor is known as disclosed, for example, in JP-A-62-217142.

[0007]

However, when the development layer of the dry analysis film is composed of a fibrous material such as cloth, the development of the sample liquid is directional and has a circular shape. The development length differs depending on the direction, for example, it becomes an elliptical shape, and the width of the development coloring part differs in the vertical and horizontal directions. Depending on the relationship between the development shape and the measurement direction, the development coloring of the dry analysis film It becomes difficult to perform uniform photometry on the main part, and this may cause a problem in ensuring the measurement accuracy.

That is, the dry analytical film, which is kept at a constant temperature in the incubator, is developed so that the sample solution permeates from the central position where it is spotted toward the periphery. The penetration speeds of the warp yarn and the weft yarn are different, and as a result, the development of the sample liquid becomes an elliptical shape. Further, since the developed portion develops color, it is important to secure the measurement accuracy by irradiating the main portion on the center side of the color development area with the measurement light to detect the density. However, in the case of irradiating a circular light in a spot shape on the central portion of the color development region in the dry analysis film in a stopped state, the developed shape does not affect the measurement accuracy, but in order to enhance the processing ability, the dry method is used. When performing measurement while the analysis film is moving, the area irradiated by the spot light for measurement becomes an elliptical shape corresponding to the movement of the dry analysis film, and the development length of the sample solution is short. There is a problem that the measurement light is deviated from the main part of the developed shape to cause a large measurement error when the measurement is performed along the direction.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. In consideration of the developed shape of the dry analysis film for biochemical analysis, the dry analysis film is conveyed from the cartridge to the incubator and measured, and the measurement is performed in the incubator. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for measuring a dry analytical film capable of ensuring accuracy and a biochemical analyzer capable of carrying out this measuring method.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the method for measuring a dry analysis film according to the present invention is such that the dry analysis film sequentially taken out from the cartridge by the take-out means is conveyed to the incubator by the conveying means, and the sample solution is spotted. The dried analytical film is kept at a constant temperature in the incubator, and the optical density change due to the reaction between the developed sample solution and the reagent layer of the dried analytical film is measured by a measuring means. It has a directional property and has a developed shape in which the developed length in at least one direction is larger than the developed length in the other direction, and the dry analysis films are accommodated by stacking them in a cartridge in a uniform direction, and taken out from the cartridge. The orientation of the dry analysis film when it is inserted into the It is characterized in that a Yubeta have to match the relative movement direction of the measuring means.

On the other hand, in the biochemical analyzer of the present invention, the dry analysis film sequentially taken out from the cartridge by the take-out means is conveyed to the incubator by the conveying means, and the dry-analysis film on which the sample solution is spotted is thermostated in the incubator. The measuring means measures the optical density change due to the reaction between the retained and developed sample solution and the reagent layer of the dry analysis film, and the dry analysis film accommodated in the cartridge has a direction for the development of the sample solution. Of the dry analysis film having a deployment shape in which the deployment length in at least one direction is larger than the deployment length in the other direction, and the orientation of the dry analysis film when inserted into the incubator is such that the longitudinal direction of the deployment shape is the incubator and the measuring means. The dry analysis films are arranged in the same direction so that they match the relative movement direction of the And it is characterized in that it contains a cartridge.

[0012] Further, it is preferable that the cartridge is provided with a restricting portion that keeps the insertion direction constant when the cartridge is stored in the biochemical analyzer.

[0013]

According to the present invention as described above, the dry analytical film is accommodated in the cartridge with the direction of the developed shape aligned, and the longitudinal direction of the developed shape of the dry analytical film in the incubator is relative to the incubator and the measuring means. By aligning with the direction of movement, the above cartridge is stored in the biochemical analysis device, the dry analysis film is sequentially taken out by the extraction means and conveyed to the incubator, and the incubation of the dry analysis film on which the sample solution is spotted is carried out. When performing the measurement, even if the irradiation position of the measuring light of the measuring means moves, the measurement can be performed within the main part of the developed color development area, and good measurement accuracy can be obtained by measuring the part where sufficient color reaction has occurred. I am trying to get it.

Accordingly, the reaction color change of the dry analysis film is measured more faithfully, the photometry allowable time is lengthened, the S / N ratio in the measurement is improved, and the light amount of the measurement light is reduced correspondingly to reduce the light source. The lifetime is extended, the cost of the illumination optical system can be reduced, and the processing capability is increased by measuring while moving.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a biochemical analyzer capable of carrying out the measuring method of the present invention.

The biochemical analysis device 10 includes a film supply device 11 (supplier) that stores a cartridge 20 that stores an unused substantially square or rectangular dry analysis film 1 (dry analysis film piece). , An incubator 12 disposed on the side of the film supply device 11 for keeping a dry analysis film 1 on which a sample solution is spotted at a constant temperature for a predetermined time, and a dry analysis film 1 is conveyed from the film supply device 11 to the incubator 12. Film transport means 13 and sample liquid storage means 14 for storing a plurality of sample liquids such as serum and urine
(Sampler), a spotting means 15 for spotting on the dry analysis film 1 until the sample solution in the sample solution accommodating means 14 is conveyed to the incubator 12 by the film conveying means 13, and is provided below the incubator 12. And measuring means 16

As shown in FIG. 4, the dry analysis film 1 has a reagent layer 3 coated or adhered on a light-transmissive support 2 made of a plastic sheet such as an organic polymer sheet such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polystyrene. A film piece (chip) in which the development layer 4 is laminated thereon by a laminating method or the like and does not have a mount corresponding to a mount in a conventional chemical analysis slide.

The reagent layer 3 contains a hydrophilic polymer binder such as gelatin or a porous reagent containing a detection reagent which selectively reacts with the analyte and a reagent (chemical analysis reagent or immunoassay reagent) necessary for color reaction. At least 1 included
It consists of two layers.

Further, the spreading layer 4 is a woven fabric or a knitted fabric made of a synthetic fiber such as polyester which is resistant to abrasion with the outside, a woven fabric, a knitted fabric or a non-woven fabric made by blending natural fibers and synthetic fibers. Alternatively, the sample solution is made of paper and functions as a protective layer, and the sample solution spotted from the nozzle tip 88 on the spreading layer 4 by the operation of the spotting means 15 can be uniformly supplied onto the reagent layer 3. expand.

The development layer 4 of the dry analysis film 1 has a difference in development length in the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction. For example, the penetration speed of the warp yarn and the weft yarn of the development layer 4 is different. As a result, the development becomes an elliptical shape, and the development shape S (reaction coloring area) becomes a non-circular shape as shown in FIG. 4 (B). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4 (C), the development of the sample solution becomes the development shape S reaching the end of the dry analysis film 1.

The dry analysis film 1 is formed in a shape close to a plane in a normal humidity condition. However, since the dry analysis film 1 is arranged in a dry environment (for example, humidity is 20% or less) so as not to cause a chemical reaction or an immune reaction during storage, the development layer 4 as shown in FIG.
Has a property of curling with the inside facing.

The dry analysis film 1 is stacked and housed in a rectangular tubular case 21 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 for each measurement item, and the film supply device 11 is used as a cartridge 20.
Stored in. The cartridge 20 accommodates a large number of dry analysis films 1 in a stacked state with the light-transmissive support 2 facing downward, and as shown in FIG. 1, a disk-shaped frame of the film supply device 11. A plurality of cartridge accommodating portions 22a on the inner peripheral side or the outer peripheral side arranged in 22 are loaded in parallel. The frame 22 is rotatably supported by the base portion 24, and is rotationally driven by a supplier motor (not shown) installed in the base portion 24 so that the predetermined cartridge housing portion 22a is stopped at the take-out position corresponding to the film transporting means 13. Controlled.

As for the details of the cartridge 20, the case 21 having a rectangular tube shape, a holding member 31 which is arranged on the upper surface 20a side in the inside thereof and which presses the dry analysis film 1, and a holding member 31 which is compacted upward, are provided. And a spring member 30 for urging. Also,
A first opening 20c is formed near the bottom of one side surface 20b of the case 21 so that only one bottom of the dry analysis film 1 can be taken out, and the bottom 20d holds the film 1 by suction. A substantially U-shaped second opening 20e into which the extraction suction cup 70 (suction cup) enters is formed.

Further, on the other side surface 20f of the case 21,
A magnetic stripe 20g having information indicating the characteristics of the contained dry analysis film 1 is additionally provided, and the cartridge is provided on the side surface 20b and the side surface opposite thereto.
A rib-shaped restricting portion 20h is provided so as to hold 20 in the cartridge accommodating portion 22a and prevent misidentification in the cartridge inserting direction. The restricting portion 20h has a structure in which rib forming intervals are different on both side surfaces and cannot be inserted in the opposite direction to restrict the inserting direction.

The storage of the dry analysis film 1 in the cartridge 20 is carried out by aligning the directions of the expanded lengths of the expanded shape, and the accommodating direction is the film transfer means 13.
Corresponding to the conveyance path to the incubator 12 by the above, the longitudinal direction of the developed shape of the dry analysis film 1 inserted into the incubator 12 is set so as to be along the moving direction (rotational direction) of the incubator 12.

The film supply device 11 is a frame
A cover 25 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of 22 to form a closed storage chamber 11a, which is provided so that the cartridge 20 can be inserted and removed from an insertion opening 25a having an opening / closing lid provided on the upper surface. Has been. In addition, a dehumidifying agent storage portion 27 is provided in the central portion of the frame 22, and the dehumidifying agent storage portion 27 is permeable to the storage chamber 11a and has a cover 25 inside.
A storage chamber 11a accommodating the dry analysis film 1 is loaded with a dehumidifying agent or a humidity control agent (not shown) from an inlet 25b having an opening / closing lid formed at the center of the upper surface, and corresponds to the nature of the dry analysis film 1. It is kept in a dry state within a predetermined humidity range on the low humidity side.

On the other hand, the cover of the film supply device 11
An opening / closing shutter (not shown) which is opened when a predetermined dry analysis film 1 is taken out from each cartridge 20 is provided at the take-out position on the lower surface of 25, and a sucker 70 for taking out the film transport means 13 inserted through the shutter. Thus, the dry analysis film 1 at the bottom of the cartridge 20 is taken out.

The detailed structure of the film supply device will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7 showing the case where the cartridges 20 are stored in one row.

The illustrated film supply device 111 has substantially the same basic structure as the film supply device 11 described above.
A disk-shaped frame 122 rotatably supported by 124 is provided.
The frame 122 has cartridge accommodating portions 122a arranged in a line on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and the above-mentioned cartridges 20 are loaded in the respective cartridge accommodating portions 122a.

A cover 12 is provided on the base 124.
5 is provided to seal the internal storage chamber 111a, and the cartridge 20 is inserted and taken out from the insertion opening 125a having an opening / closing lid provided on the upper surface thereof.
The cover 125 is constructed so that it can be removed from the base portion 124, and when some trouble occurs in the film supply device 111 and it is necessary to temporarily transfer the cartridge 20 to another place, the cover 125 is removed. Cartridge 20 can be quickly removed by removing 125.

In addition, a dehumidifying agent accommodating portion 127 is provided in the central portion of the base portion 124, and the dehumidifying agent accommodating portion 127 has the opening 125b having an opening / closing lid formed in the central portion of the upper surface of the cover, as described above. The dehumidifying agent 126 is loaded and the inside of the storage chamber 111a is kept in a dry state with low humidity.

Further, on the lower surface of the base portion 124, a take-out port 123 for taking out a predetermined dry analysis film 1 from each cartridge 20, and an opening / closing shutter 12 for opening and closing the take-out port 123.
8 are provided. This opening / closing shutter 128 is composed of a spring 12
9 is urged in the direction to close the outlet 123, and when the predetermined dry analysis film 1 is taken out, the outlet 123 is opened by being pressed by the cam 131 which is rotationally driven by the shutter motor 130. Has been done. Further, a tooth portion 122b that meshes with the rotary gear 121a of the frame motor 121 is formed on the lower portion of the outer peripheral surface of the frame 122, and the frame 122 is rotationally driven by the frame motor 121 and a predetermined cartridge is formed. The storage portion 122a is controlled so as to stop at the position of the outlet 123.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
The film take-out means 113 is installed at a position corresponding to the predetermined cartridge 20 which is stopped at the take-out port 123.
The dry analysis film 1 is taken out from the inside. The film take-out means 113 comprises a base 114, a suction pipe 115 attached to the base 114, and a take-out suction cup attached to the tip of the suction pipe 115.
170, a guide member 116 attached to the suction pipe 115 so as to be vertically movable, and a drive mechanism (not shown). A coil spring 117 is attached to a portion of the suction pipe 115 between the guide member 116 and the base 114, and a suction pump (not shown) is connected to the suction pipe 115 via the base 114.

Further, the cartridge 20 in the film supply device 111 is accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion 122a of the frame 122 with a predetermined play (L + M in the figure) in the circumferential direction (rotational direction), and the radial direction Is immovable. This play and the film take-out means 113 correct the error in the stop position of the cartridge 20. That is, the guide surface 116a formed on the upper opening of the guide member 116 in sliding contact with the lower end of the cartridge 20 corresponding to the rise of the film take-out means 113, correctively moves the cartridge 20, and the sucker for taking-out.
It aligns with 170.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the incubator 12 has a disk-shaped main body 40 rotatably supported by a rotary drive mechanism 41 at the lower center, and the main body 40 has a circular circumference on its circumference. A plurality of cells 42 for accommodating the dry analysis film 1 are arranged at predetermined intervals, and the dry analysis film 1 is incubated in the cells 42.

The main body 40 of the incubator 12 has a lower metal disc 45 having a flat lower surface and a metal upper disc 46 arranged on the lower disc 45 and fastened by a set screw 47. The upper disk 46 is formed such that the outer peripheral portion bulges upward in an annular shape, and a gap is formed between the lower end of the outer peripheral portion and the upper surface of the lower disk 45 to form the side opening 42a of the cell 42. A heater 48 is built in the main body 40,
The dry analysis film 1 is heated and maintained at a predetermined temperature (for example, 37 ° C.). Further, the outer surface portions of the upper disk 46 and the lower disk 45 are covered with heat insulating materials 51 and 52.

The main body 40 is rotatably supported on a base 53 by a bearing 50 arranged on the lower surface of the lower disk 45, and a gear 54 is attached to a rotary shaft 45a provided at the center of the main body 40. The gear 54 is fixed, and the drive gear 56 of the disk drive motor 55 is meshed with this gear 54 to drive the rotation.

In the structure of the cells 42 of the incubator 12, photometric windows 59 are opened in the lower disk 45 at predetermined intervals corresponding to the formation positions of the cells 42, and the cell 42 is provided above the photometric windows 59.
A film retainer 61 for fixing the dry analysis film 1 inserted therein at a predetermined position and pressing it in a flat state is provided, and further, a cell cover 64 for covering the accommodation space of the dry analysis film 1 in a sealed state is provided. ing. Further, the photometric head 95 of the measuring means 16 is disposed below the main body 40 (photometric window 59) at the measurement position.

Specifically, the film retainer 61 presses the corners of the dry analysis film 1 other than the developed shape S where the sample liquid is not developed, and the shaft is provided on the upper surface of the film retainer 61. It is erected vertically and is urged downward by a presser spring 62 that is compressed upward. The cell cover
64 is formed in a rectangular tube shape so as to surround the outer periphery of the film retainer 61, and the shaft portion of the film retainer 61 is inserted through the center of the upper surface.
The cell cover 64 is vertically slidably fitted into the upper disk 46 and is urged downward by a cell spring 65 that is compressed upward, and the bottom surface of the outer peripheral portion thereof is pressed against the upper surface of the lower disk 45. To obtain a closed state. Further, the cell cover 64 has a brim-shaped engaging portion (not shown) protruding laterally, and a push-up rod 67 penetrating the lower disc 45 from below.
Is operated by the lift.

The measuring means 16 arranged below the incubator 12 has a photometric head 95 for measuring the optical density due to the color reaction between the dry analysis film 1 and the analyte in the sample solution. The photometric head 95 irradiates the measurement irradiation light including light of a predetermined wavelength through the light-transmissive support 2 and irradiates the reagent layer 3, and the reflected light is detected by the two light detection elements 101 (see FIG. 9). The photometric head 95 has a light source 96
Light from the (lamp) is incident through the interference filter 97, and the light is irradiated on the reagent layer 3 in the photometric head 95.
As the filter 97, a plurality of types corresponding to inspection items are installed on a disc 98, and the disc 98 is rotated by a motor 99 to select a filter 97 having a predetermined characteristic corresponding to a measurement item. Has been done. In the case of FIG. 9, the light source
The light from 96 is sent to the photometric head 95 through the heat absorption filter 103, the lens 104, the interference filter 97, the lens 105, and the optical fiber 106, and is irradiated by the emission lens 102.

As the spectroscopic means provided in the optical system for irradiating the photometric head 95 with the measurement light, a diffraction grating may be used instead of the interference filter 97 as described above.

FIG. 10 (A) shows the irradiation position of the measuring light, and the dry analysis film 1 accommodated in the cell 42 of the incubator 12 is measured in the V direction by performing the measurement in the continuous rotation state of the incubator 12. What is moving at a predetermined speed to the position a at the start of measurement is irradiated to the position b after the predetermined measurement time due to the movement during that time, and the irradiation center shifts by the distance d. The irradiation range is oval. The irradiation range c of the measurement light is set so as to be the developed shape S of the sample solution, that is, the main part in the reaction coloring area, as shown in FIG. That is, the insertion direction of the dry analysis film 1 is defined so that the moving direction of the dry analysis film 1, that is, the rotation direction of the incubator 12 and the longitudinal direction of the developed shape coincide with each other.

The transport means 13 for transporting the dry analysis film 1 from the film supply device 11 to the incubator 12 is held by the suction cup 70 for taking out the dry analysis film 1 from the cartridge 20 and the suction cup 70. The dry analysis film 1 is held and received from below with the reagent layer 1b being the upper surface, and the incubator is received.
Horseshoe-shaped transfer member to be inserted into 12 cells 42 from the side opening
73 and a holding suction cup 76 for holding and holding the dry analysis film 1 held by the transfer member 73 in the cell 42 of the incubator 12 from below the cell 42.

The suction cup 70 for taking out is provided to be movable back and forth and up and down by a moving mechanism (not shown), and pulls the dry analysis film 1 out of the cartridge and conveys it to the spotting position. Further, the holding suction cup 76 is provided so as to be movable up and down by a drive mechanism (not shown), and the cell 42 is opened from the photometric window opened on the bottom surface of the cell 42 of the incubator 12.
Move in and out (see Fig. 8).

That is, as shown in FIG. 11, for example, the attitude of the dry analysis film 1 in the transport path to the incubator 12 is changed from the direction taken out from the cartridge 20 by the suction cup 70 to the direction orthogonal to the transfer member 73. It is to be transported and inserted into the incubator 12, and in order to increase the deployment length of the sample solution in the direction orthogonal to the insertion direction in the incubator 12, the cartridge 20 is preliminarily set in the extraction direction. By aligning and setting the dry analysis film 1 so that the longitudinal direction of the developed shape coincides with each other, excellent measurement can be performed in the above-mentioned transport path.

On the other hand, a film discharging means 17 is arranged at the film discharging position of the incubator 12, and a discharging suction cup 81 for sucking and lifting the measured dry analysis film 1 in the cell 42, and a discharging suction cup 81. The horse-shoe-shaped transfer member 82 for taking out the film, which receives the dry analysis film 1 lifted up by and is carried out of the incubator 12, and the dry analysis film 1 taken out by the transfer member 82, and the waste box 84. It is composed of a suction cup 83 for disposal.

The sample liquid accommodating means 14 has a rotary drive mechanism 86.
A rotary table 85 that is rotated by the rotary table 85 is provided, and a plurality of sample containers 87 containing sample liquid are held on the outer peripheral portion of the rotary table 85, and the sample containers 87 are sequentially moved to the supply position. A nozzle tip 88 mounted on the tip of a spotting nozzle 91 described later is housed on the inner peripheral side.

The spotting means 15 for spotting each sample solution in the sample container 87 onto the dry analysis film 1 conveyed to the incubator 12 has a spotting nozzle 91 for sucking and discharging the sample solution. The pipette-shaped nozzle tip 88 is detachably attached to the tip of the spotting nozzle 91, and the driving mechanism 92
The sample liquid is sucked and moved from the sample liquid accommodating means 14 to be spotted on the dry analysis film 1 held on the transfer member 73. Also,
The nozzle tip 88 at the tip of the spotting nozzle 91 of the spotting means 15 is replaced when the sample liquid is changed.

The spotted dry analysis film 1 is incubated in the incubator 12 and measured by the above-mentioned measuring means 16 arranged below the incubator 12. The reflected light from the reagent layer 3 carries optical information (specifically, the amount of light) according to the amount of dye generated in the reagent layer 3, and the reflected light carrying this optical information is the light of the photometric head 95. It is incident on the detection element 101 and photoelectrically converted,
It is sent to the determination unit via the amplifier. The determination unit determines the optical density of the dye generated in the reagent layer 3 based on the level of the input electric signal, and determines the concentration (content) or activity value of a predetermined biochemical substance in the sample solution. Calculated according to the principle of colorimetric method.

The measurement by the biochemical analysis device 10 will be described. First, the dry analysis film stored in the predetermined humidity from the cartridge 20 corresponding to the measurement item by the film supply device 11 by the take-out suction cup 70 of the conveying means 13. Take 1 out. The dry analysis film 1 held on the suction cup 70 is transferred to the transfer member 73 with the reagent layer 3 as the upper side as it is, and the sample solution is spotted on the reagent layer 3.

This spotting is performed by the spotting nozzle 91 of the spotting means 15.
After attaching the nozzle tip 88 to the tip of the
Nozzle tip 88 by moving it over 14 predetermined sample containers 87
The tip of is immersed in the sample solution, and a predetermined amount of sample solution is sucked into the nozzle tip 88. Then, the spot wearing nozzle 91 is moved to the center of the dry analysis film 1 on the transfer member 73,
Then, the spotting nozzle 91 is moved downward to drop a predetermined amount of the sample liquid onto the reagent layer 3 of the dry analysis film 1 from the nozzle tip 88. The dropped sample liquid is spread and diffused into an almost elliptical shape and mixed with the reagent.

After the spotting, the dry analysis film 1 is mounted on the transfer member 73.
Transport of the incubator cell 42 to the side opening 42
It is inserted from a so that the longitudinal direction of the unfolded shape matches the rotation direction. In the incubator cell 42, when the dry analysis film 1 is sealed and heated to a predetermined temperature by a predetermined incubation, the reagent layer 3 causes a color reaction (dye formation reaction). Then, the optical density of the dye generated by this color reaction is measured by the photometric head 95 of the measuring means 16 at every predetermined time or after the lapse of a predetermined time during the color reaction.

As the dry analysis film 1 which can be accommodated in the cartridge 20 of the present invention, in addition to the dry analysis film piece which does not have the mount as described in the above embodiment, a slide type dry analysis film having a mount and a filter paper are used. A type of dry analysis film or the like can be applied.

Although the above-described embodiment of the present invention has been described with respect to the case where the incubator 12 rotates, it is also applicable to the case where the measuring means 16 moves, and the relative moving direction and the longitudinal direction of the developed shape are the same. To match.

[0055]

According to the present invention, even when the sample liquid spotted on the dry analysis film has such a characteristic that the developed lengths thereof are different in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction, at the time of measurement in the incubator. By making the longitudinal direction of the developed shape coincide with the relative movement direction of the incubator and the measuring means, the measurement light is always irradiated on the main part of the reaction discoloration area, and accurate density measurement can be performed, and the measurement capability Can be increased.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a biochemical analyzer capable of carrying out the measuring method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a cartridge containing a dry analysis film.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the cartridge.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a spotted state and a developed state of the dry analysis film.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing a schematic configuration example of a film supply device.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view showing the film supply device shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing a film supply device and a take-out mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional front view showing a schematic configuration example of an incubator.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing a measurement state in an incubator.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the dry analysis film showing the measurement range.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a conveyance path of the dry analysis film.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 dry analysis film 10 biochemical analysis device 11,111 film supply device 12 incubator 13 film transportation means 14 sample liquid storage means 15 spot application means 16 measurement means 20 cartridge 20h regulation section 22a, 122a cartridge storage section 70 extraction suction cup 113 film extraction means

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A dry analysis film sequentially taken out by a take-out means from a cartridge stored in a biochemical analyzer is conveyed to an incubator by a conveying means, and a dry analysis film on which a sample solution is spotted is kept at a constant temperature in the incubator. The method for measuring a dry analysis film for measuring the optical density change due to the reaction between the developed sample solution and the reagent layer of the dry analysis film by a measuring means, wherein the dry analysis film is directed to the development of the sample solution. Have,
When the developed length of at least one direction is greater than the developed length of the other direction, the dry analysis films are housed in a cartridge in a plurality of layers aligned in the same direction, taken out from the cartridge and inserted into the incubator. A method for measuring a dry analytical film, characterized in that the direction of the dry analytical film is such that the longitudinal direction of the developed shape thereof coincides with the relative movement direction of the incubator and the measuring means. 2. The dry analytical film sequentially taken out from the cartridge by the take-out means is conveyed to the incubator by the conveying means, and the dry analytical film on which the sample solution is spotted is kept at a constant temperature in the incubator, and the developed sample solution and the dry type film are dried. In the biochemical analyzer for measuring the optical density change associated with the reaction of the analysis film with the reagent layer by the measuring means, the dry analysis film housed in the cartridge has a direction for developing the sample liquid and develops in at least one direction. The length becomes a deployment shape larger than the deployment length in the other direction, and the direction of the dry analysis film when inserted in the incubator is such that the longitudinal direction of the deployment shape matches the relative movement direction of the incubator and the measuring means. As described above, the dry analysis film is stored in the cartridges that are aligned in the same direction and are stacked. Biochemical analysis apparatus characterized by there. 3. The biochemical analyzer according to claim 2, wherein the cartridge is provided with a restricting portion that keeps the insertion direction constant when the cartridge is stored in the biochemical analyzer.