JPS5832144A - Decision apparatus of particle agglutination - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To decide the existence of agglutination effectively, by dispensing a reagent and a sample in a reaction vessel formed by a transparent belt-shaped synthetic resin material successively and sealing its opening part closely and hereafter, detecting agglutination patterns. CONSTITUTION:A synthetic resin material winding around a rooling body 2 is transported by plural pairs of feed rollers 4, 5, 6 and a reaction vessel 8 is formed successively by a reaction vessel forming apparatus 7 provided with cancave and convex molds 7a, 7b. The first reagent, a sample and the second reagent, are dispensed quantitatively from reagent dispensing nozzles 9, 11 and a sample dispensing nozzle 10 to the vessel 8 and the agglutination reaction is begun. Next, a transparent synthetic resin sheet to which a bonding agent is applied is sent to the surface of the material 1 and the vessel 8 is sealed closely by coating by the roller 5. Further, after the elapse of a prescribed time, agglutination patterns formed on the bottom face of the vessel 8 are detected photometrically by a photometrically detecting apparatus 13. Hereby, washing of the vessel 8 is made unnecessary and troubles such as flaw of the vessel 4, infection or contamination due to washing are eliminated.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Blood cell components such as type, platelet, lymphocyte shape and suit, various antibodies, antigens, specific proteins, components in serum such as viruses, and foreign substances are removed from blood cell particles, latex particles and carbon. This device relates to a particle agglutination determination device that analyzes agglutination reactions using particles, etc.Recently, it has been developed to determine the agglutination patterns of blood cell particles, latex particles, and carbon particles, and to analyze various ρ components in blood (blood type, various antibodies, various A particle aggregation determination device has been developed that automatically detects foreign substances such as phlegm (white phlegm, etc.) and viruses. For example, a microplate is used, in which a large number of reaction vessels with a small bottom surface and a common part with an inclined surface are arranged in a matrix on a substrate. A method has been proposed that performs immunological analysis of blood type, various antigens, antibodies, etc. based on the agglutination pattern formed on the bottom of a reaction container as a result of an antigen-antibody binding reaction of particles that settle due to natural sedimentation. .

In particle aggregation determination apparatuses using such microplates, the microplates are extremely expensive, so generally the microplates are washed after analysis and used repeatedly. However, when microplates are used repeatedly in this way, the following problems occur.

/ Because the microplate needs to be washed after analysis, the microplate is easily damaged.

2. There is a risk of infection and contamination associated with cleaning the microplate.

3. Problems remain in the wastewater treatment of microplate washing water.

France It is difficult to determine whether a microplate can be used again.

The purpose of the present invention is to solve the various problems mentioned above and to provide a particle agglutination determination device appropriately configured to efficiently conduct analysis based on immunological agglutination reaction. The agglomeration determination device uses a transparent band-shaped aggregate.
a means for transporting a synthetic resin material in a predetermined direction; a means for sequentially forming a reaction container on the synthetic resin material transferred by the transport means; a means for dispensing a reagent and a sample into the reaction container; and means for sealing the reaction container into which the sample has been dispensed by covering the opening thereof with a synthetic resin or sheet; and the reaction container.

a photometric detection means for photoelectrically detecting an agglomeration pattern formed on the bottom surface of the reaction vessel, and the reaction vessel photometrically detected by the photometry detection means and sealed is separated from the synthetic resin material or discarded without being separated. It is characterized by being configured so that it can be used.

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an S diagram showing the configuration of an example of a particle aggregation determination device of the present invention. In this example, a roll body in which a transparent belt-shaped synthetic resin material l is wound to make a disposable reaction container is used. While winding it up, the process involves forming reaction vessels, dispensing reagents, dispensing samples, and detecting aggregation patterns. The roll body λ is rotatably mounted at a predetermined position, and the synthetic resin material is transferred to a plurality of sets of feed rollers (in FIG. The film is transported in a predetermined direction by rollers (only ! and B are shown) and wound up at the winding opening, -ra 3. A reaction container molding device 7 is disposed downstream of the feed roller roller located near the mounting portion of the roll body λ, and this molding device 7 sequentially molds the reaction containers 1 into the synthetic resin material 1. Reaction container forming device 7
are convex and four-shaped molds 7a and 7b arranged facing each other so that they can be raised and lowered via a synthetic resin material l that is transferred in a predetermined direction.
By engaging these convex and concave molds 7a and 7b via the synthetic resin material 1, a reaction vessel t having an inclined bottom surface is formed in the material γ. After selectively dispensing a first reagent in a fixed amount from a reagent dispensing nozzle 9 constituting a first reagent dispensing device, a first reagent is selectively dispensed into a reaction container t which is sequentially molded into a synthetic resin material 1 and transferred in a predetermined direction. The sample is quantitatively dispensed from the sample dispensing nozzle 10 constituting the sample dispensing device, and then the second reagent dispensing device.

The third reagent is selectively and quantitatively dispensed from the reagent dispensing nozzle l/ constituting the reagent to start the agglutination reaction. In this example, this second
A transparent synthetic resin sheet 2 wound in a roll and coated with adhesive is applied to the surface of the synthetic resin material 1 having the reaction container 1 which has passed through the reagent dispensing position by means of a feed roller 5, and then Seal reaction vessel l. This transparent synthetic resin sheet)
/J is a band-shaped material similar to material 1.

A photometric detection device 13 is provided at a position where the reaction container l is transferred after a predetermined time has elapsed from the second reagent dispensing position, and the photometric detection device 13 photometrically detects the aggregation pattern formed on the bottom surface of the reaction container. The photometric detection device 13
The light from Ja is converted into a parallel beam by the collimating lens 13b and illuminates the bottom of the container, and the image of the bottom is sent to the imaging lens/
30 to form an image on the light receiving element/jd. Here, the light receiving element /Jd is configured by being divided into, for example, a part that receives the image of the deepest part of the inclined bottom surface of the reaction vessel t, and a part that receives the images around it. In this way, it is possible to detect the agglutination pattern based on the difference in output between the two light-receiving parts, and thereby the presence or absence of agglutination can be determined and immunological analysis can be performed.◇ Photometric detection device 13 The reaction vessel t that has passed through is transferred to the feed row 26
Then, it is wound up together with the synthetic resin material l by a winding roller 3.

FIG. 3 is an fs diagram showing the configuration of another example of the particle aggregation determination device of the present invention. This device differs from the one shown in Fig. 1 only in that the reaction volume @1 photometrically detected by the photometric detection device 13 is separated from the synthetic resin material l by a cutter l# and disposed of in a storage box /j. The same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 1 represent the same functions.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, feed rollers Hiroshi, J, and 4 for transporting the synthetic resin material 1 are driven synchronously at the same circumferential speed, and are arranged downstream of the reaction container forming device 7. A groove is formed in the lower roller of the feed roller j and ≦ to avoid contact with the reaction chamber @1.

In addition, in FIGS. 1 and 1, the reaction volume IIt to be formed into the belt-shaped synthetic resin material 1 may be one in the direction perpendicular to the transfer blade/direction, that is, in the radial direction of the material 1, but it is preferable to Multiple directions! It is better to mold several pieces and perform multi-item inspection. In this case,
As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of convex molds a and concave molds 1[7b constituting the reaction container molding device 7 are arranged in the radial direction of the material l, and a reagent dispensing nozzle 9, a sample dispensing nozzle IO
and the reagent dispensing nozzle/l is configured to be movable in the width direction of the material l. In addition, a plurality of photometric detection devices/3 may be provided in the width direction of the material 1 according to the number of reaction vessels to be molded, or one photometric detection device 13 may be moved in the width direction of the material 1 as shown in FIG. A plurality of reaction vessels t may be scanned by using a plurality of reaction vessels t.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of still another example of the particle aggregation determining device of the present invention. This device is equipped with a particle aggregation determination device as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 in multiple stages using the reaction container forming device 7, and one stage in FIG.
1 piece of synthetic resin material l and l'! I several sets of separation rollers1. n and branching rollers 23 and J, and the same reference numerals as those shown in FIGS. Display □. Separation rollers I and n are for separating reaction containers t and l' formed one on top of the other by the reaction container forming device 7, and the two rollers constituting the separation roller are opposed to each other with a slight distance from each other. One roller constituting the separation roller n is further spaced apart from the separation roller I and is opposed to the separation roller I.

Also, Bunkei p-lan n.

2y is appropriately arranged depending on the direction of transfer of the reaction vessels 1 and 1'. The reaction vessels t and t' that have passed through the photometric detection device 13 and IJ' are either inspected with the materials l and l' by a take-up roller in the same manner as in FIG. Please separate and dispose of it. In addition to being mounted as shown by the solid line in FIG. 5, the roll body λl may be mounted as shown by the imaginary line.

In this way, by configuring a multi-stage particle aggregation determination device by sharing one reaction vessel forming device 7, the processing capacity can be multiplied and the various rollers of the multi-stage particle aggregation determination device can be multiplied. and the dispensing nozzle can be driven by the same drive source.

Figures J and B are a cross-sectional view and a perspective view showing the configuration of a main part of still another example of the particle aggregation determining device of the present invention. In this example, an endless conveyor belt 31tt that cooperates with the synthetic resin material 1 having the reaction container 1 is provided between the reaction container forming device described above and the feed roller disposed downstream of the photometric detection device. This reduces vibrations during the transfer of the material 1, and allows the material 1 to be held and moved stably. The conveyor belt 3/ is made of an elastic material such as rubber with a suitable core material, such as one woven with metal wire or cloth fibers, or one made of hard rubber. reaction vessel l
An opening 32 that is slightly larger than the outer shape of the container is formed correspondingly. This conveyor belt) J/ is the drive roller 33, 30
, 33 and 36 in a fixed direction, and at the side edges of the contact area between the synthetic resin material 1 and the conveyor belt 3, these materials 1 and the conveyor belt 3 are held while being held. A plurality of sets of drive rollers j74 are provided to transport the material in a predetermined direction, and the material l and the conveyor belt 3/ are transported in synchronization. Note that the drive roller 3
At the positions 3 and 3≦, a predetermined interval is provided between the lower surface of the synthetic resin material 1 and the conveyor bell 3/ so that the reaction container 1 and the opening 32 can be attached to and removed from the container. This interval is between the rollers J and ? , 34, the outer diameter of the reaction vessel 1, and the inner diameter of the opening 32.

According to this embodiment, the vibrations during the transfer of the synthetic resin material 1 can be reduced by the conveyor belt 31, which effectively prevents the liquid dispensed into the reaction volume Hr from scattering or spilling due to vibrations. can do.

In addition, since the material l and the conveyor belt 3/ are held and transported by a plurality of sets of drive rollers n.

The material 1 can be held and transferred stably and reliably by effectively preventing bending caused in the material 1 during container molding and meandering due to curvature during transportation.

FIG. 6 shows the configuration of a main part of still another example of the particle aggregation determination device of the present invention. In this example, it's a turtle! A cylindrical member 31 is provided in the opening 32 of the transport bell shown in FIG. 3 so as to cover the reaction vessel l. This cylindrical member U is a conveyor belt) 3
/ and its thickness is that of the conveyor belt)
It is formed to be slightly thinner than that of / so that when the reaction vessel 1 is attached, the cylindrical member 1 adsorbs to the outer wall of the vessel.

In this way, by providing the cylindrical member 3j in the opening 32 of the conveyor belt 31 so as to cover the reaction vessel l, it is possible to effectively prevent diffusely reflected light from the side surface of the vessel from entering an adjacent reaction vessel. As a result, agglomerated turns can be photometrically detected with higher accuracy.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned example, and can be modified in many ways. For example, in the above-mentioned example, the reaction vessel l is sealed with a transparent synthetic resin sheet before photometric detection of the agglomeration nozzle. /λ sealed.

However, this may be performed after photometric detection. In this case, C)/J does not necessarily have to be transparent.

As described above, in the present invention, the reaction is performed before or after the photometric detection of the agglutination turn.

By sealing the container and making it disposable,
There is no need to worry about cleaning the reaction vessel, so there is no need to worry about scratches, infection, or contamination of the reaction vessel due to cleaning. Furthermore, since the reaction container can be sealed and disposed of, it can be easily incinerated and sterilized. Furthermore, when sealing the reaction vessel after the completion of the prescribed dispensing and prior to photometric detection, it is necessary to effectively prevent the evaporation of the test liquid contained in the reaction vessel and the intrusion of dust, etc. into the test liquid. I can do it. Furthermore, since the synthetic resin material used to mold the reaction vessel is inexpensive, it is economically advantageous.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of one example of the particle aggregation determination device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of another example, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the main parts of the same and still another example. Structure. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the main part of another example; Figures S and B are sectional views and perspective views showing the configuration of the main part of another example; FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the main parts of still another example. / , /'...Synthetic resin material, λ9.2'...Roll body, j ・@Take roller, 4(, 4c', !;
, j', 4, 4'...Feed roller, 7...
・Reaction container forming device, r, r'...reaction container, ?
, ? ', l/, //'... Reagent dispensing nozzle, 10. 10'...Sample dispensing nozzle, /2, /2'...
Transparent synthetic resin sheet), /3, /3'...photometric detection device, l#...cutter, /3...storage box, 2/
t22...Separation roller, 2? , 2#... Branch roller, 31... Conveyor belt, 32... Hole, n
, 341, B, 34. n... Drive roller, 31... Cylindrical member 0 Patent applicant Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. Figure 5 (A) (B)! 222- Figure 6

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] L A means for transporting a transparent band-shaped synthetic resin material in a predetermined direction, a means for successively forming a reaction container on the synthetic resin material transferred by the transport means, and a means for sequentially forming a reaction container on the synthetic resin material transferred by the transport means. A means for dispensing a reagent and a sample, a means for sealing a reaction vessel into which the reagent and sample have been dispensed by covering an opening thereof with a synthetic resin sheet, and the reaction vessel. a photometric detection means for photoelectrically detecting an agglomeration pattern formed on the bottom surface of the reaction vessel, and the reaction vessel photometrically detected by the photometry detection means and sealed is separated from the synthetic resin material or discarded without being separated. Configure it so that it can be done. A particle aggregation determination device characterized by: