KR101248189B1 - Test apparatus using of gene chip - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a test apparatus using a gene chip, the test apparatus using a gene chip for confirming the result of the reaction by reacting a sample solution to the gene chip, Gene chip; A head block in which a sample solution accommodation space is formed to be in contact with the gene chip and surrounding the gene chip; A first air chamber installed at one side of the head block and connected to a first pneumatic line; And a first diaphragm formed between the first air chamber and the sample solution accommodation space to transfer the expansion pressure and / or the contraction pressure of the first air chamber to the sample solution contained in the accommodation space. It is possible to standardize the work by automating the stirring of the sample solution, to improve the reliability of the results, to improve the accuracy, and to automate the agitating and subsequent work in a batch to check the inspection time and inspection. The cost can be reduced, and even an unskilled person can easily perform the inspection.

Description

Test apparatus using gene chip

The present invention relates to a test apparatus using a gene chip, and more particularly, to a test apparatus using a gene chip to enable the sample solution to be efficiently stirred so that the sample solution can react smoothly with the gene chip.

In general, a method of examining genes of animals including humans, genes of various bacteria or viruses causing these diseases, and genotypes thereof, using gene chips for searching genes and detecting a large amount of genetic information. Inspection devices are widely used.

In recent years, such a gene chip has been used as a core technology in various fields such as veterinary pathology diagnosis of animal diseases as well as most functional genomic studies, by enabling the simultaneous observation of a large amount of gene expression patterns under specific conditions. .

In addition, in recent years, it is widely used in a wide range of medical fields such as diagnosis and classification of diseases, as well as determination of toxicity of new drug candidates, and in particular, most genes of an individual are not limited to conventional pathological methods at the cellular level. By observing expression trends at the same time, technology is being developed to enable more accurate diagnosis and classification at the molecular level.

Such a conventional testing apparatus using a gene chip, typically, dropping the sample solution reacting with the gene chip on the gene chip, and manually shaking the gene chip such that the sample solution reacts evenly with the surface of the gene chip. The inspection work was based on the work.

However, the conventional manual method of promoting the reaction between the gene chip and the sample solution is not always the same according to the operator, which greatly reduces the reliability of the test, even if the gene chip is shaken by hand, Due to the very thin volume, it is difficult for the sample solution to be sufficiently stirred inside the receiving space, which greatly reduces the reliability of the results, requires a lot of inspection time, is very cumbersome and requires a skilled worker. There was a problem.

An object of the present invention for solving the above problems, by installing at least one diaphragm and automating the sample solution stirring operation is possible to standardize the operation, improve the reliability of the result, and Efficient and smooth agitation can improve the accuracy of the results, reduce inspection time and inspection cost, perform a series of follow-up tasks in a batch, and easily perform inspections even by unskilled personnel The present invention provides a test apparatus using a gene chip.

A test apparatus using a gene chip of the present invention for achieving the above object, the test apparatus using a gene chip for confirming the result of the reaction by reacting the sample solution to the gene chip, the gene chip; And a head block in which a sample solution accommodation space is formed so that the sample solution can contact the gene chip, and formed in a shape surrounding the gene chip. A first air chamber installed at one side of the head block and connected to a first pneumatic line; And a first diaphragm formed between the first air chamber and the sample solution accommodation space to transfer the expansion pressure and / or the contraction pressure of the first air chamber to the sample solution contained in the accommodation space. It is characterized by.

In addition, according to the present invention, the head block is preferably provided with a sample solution supply pipe for supplying a sample solution to the receiving space.

In addition, according to the present invention, the second air chamber is installed on the other side of the head block, connected to the second pneumatic line, the back pressure is formed to be relatively opposite to the pressure of the first air chamber; And a second diaphragm formed between the second air chamber and the sample solution accommodation space to transfer the contraction pressure and / or expansion pressure of the second air chamber to the sample solution contained in the accommodation space. It is preferable to make.

In addition, according to the present invention, at least one gene chip is installed in a chip panel, and the first diaphragm and / or the second diaphragm are fixed to the head block and are in contact with an edge of the chip panel. It is possible that the packing part is formed and is a thin thin film sheet covering the first air chamber and / or the second air chamber.

In addition, according to the present invention, the first air chamber and / or the second air chamber may be rectangular grooves of a low depth formed on one side and the other side of the head block, respectively.

In addition, according to the present invention, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, installed on one side of the head block, subsequent media supply line for supplying a washing liquid and / or dry gas to the sample solution receiving space; It is preferably provided on the other side of the head block, further comprises a subsequent medium discharge line for supplying a washing liquid and / or dry gas to the sample solution receiving space.

Further, according to the present invention, when the first diaphragm expands, the second diaphragm contracts, and when the first diaphragm contracts, the second diaphragm expands and repeats the receiving process. When the vacuum pressure is applied to the first pneumatic line so that the sample solution contained in the space is automatically stirred, the second pneumatic line forms an atmospheric pressure, and when the vacuum pressure is applied to the second pneumatic line, Preferably, the first pneumatic line further includes a control unit for applying a repetitive open / close signal for forming atmospheric pressure to valves installed in each pneumatic line.

As described above, according to the testing apparatus using the gene chip of the present invention, by automating the sample solution stirring operation, it is possible to standardize the operation, to improve the reliability of the result value, to improve the accuracy, the stirring operation And it can reduce the inspection time and inspection cost by automating the subsequent work in a batch, it is to have the effect that the inspection can be easily performed even non-skilled person.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing a preparation state of a test apparatus using a gene chip according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a sample solution input state of a test apparatus using the gene chip of FIG. 1. FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a first direction stirring state of a sample solution of a test apparatus using the gene chip of FIG. 2.
4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a second direction stirring state of a sample solution of a test apparatus using the gene chip of FIG. 3.
5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a washing or drying state of a test apparatus using the gene chip of FIG. 4.
6 is a perspective view showing a test apparatus using a gene chip according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating an example of a sample solution accommodation space and positions of a first air chamber and a second air chamber of FIG. 6.
8 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a test apparatus using the gene chip of FIG. 6.
FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway perspective view illustrating a bottom surface of the head block of FIG. 6. FIG.
10 is a pneumatic and hydraulic circuit diagram of FIG. 6.

Hereinafter, a test apparatus using a gene chip according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 to 5 are diagrams showing the test method of the test apparatus using the gene chip of the present invention step by step in the order of time.

That is, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a preparation state of a test apparatus using a gene chip according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a sample solution input state, and FIG. 3 shows a first direction stirring state. It is sectional drawing, FIG. 4 is sectional drawing which shows a 2nd direction stirring state, FIG. 5 is sectional drawing which shows a washing or drying state.

First, as shown in Figures 1 to 5, the test device using a gene chip according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, by reacting the sample solution (4) to the gene chip (1) to check the result of the reaction As an inspection device using a gene chip, the gene chip 1, the head block 10, the first air chamber 111, the first diaphragm 111a, the second air chamber, and the second diaphragm are largely used. 222a, a subsequent medium supply line 20, a subsequent medium discharge line 30, and a control unit 40.

Here, at least one gene chip 1 may be installed on the chip panel 2 and may be supported and aligned on the support plate 3.

In addition, the head block 10, the sample solution receiving space (S) is formed so that the sample solution 4 is in contact with the gene chip (1), and formed in a shape surrounding the gene chip (1) As it is, the sample solution supply pipe 12 for supplying the sample solution 4 to the receiving space (S) is preferably installed.

6 and 8, the sample solution injector 50 may be selectively connected to the sample solution supply pipe 12.

Although the sample solution injector 50 is not shown, various types of injection devices such as a sample solution injection nozzle or an eyedropper may be applied.

In addition, the first air chamber 111 is installed at one side of the head block 10 and is connected to the first pneumatic line 11.

In addition, the first diaphragm 111a (Diaphragm) is formed between the first air chamber 111 and the sample solution accommodating space S to expand and / or contract the expansion pressure of the first air chamber 111. It is a kind of thin film of a flexible material that transfers the pressure to the sample solution (4) contained in the receiving space (S).

In addition, the second air chamber 222 is installed on the other side of the head block 10, is connected to the second pneumatic line 22, and is relatively opposite to the pressure of the first air chamber 111. Back pressure is formed.

In addition, the second diaphragm 222a (Diaphragm) is formed between the second air chamber 222 and the sample solution accommodating space S, so that the contraction pressure and / or expansion of the second air chamber 222 is increased. It is a kind of thin film of a flexible material that transfers the pressure to the sample solution (4) contained in the receiving space (S).

Here, the first diaphragm 111a and / or the second diaphragm 222a may be fixed to the head block 10 and the packing part 13 may be in contact with the edge of the chip panel 2. It is preferably a thin thin film sheet formed to cover the first air chamber 111 and / or the second air chamber 222.

In addition, the first air chamber 111 and / or the second air chamber 222 may be rectangular grooves of low depth formed on the one side and the other side of the head block 10 above the accommodation space S, respectively. It is preferable to make.

In addition, the subsequent medium supply line 20 is installed at one side of the head block 10 and supplies a washing liquid and / or a dry gas to the sample solution accommodation space (S).

In addition, the subsequent medium discharge line 30 is installed on the other side of the head block 10, and supplies the washing liquid and / or dry gas to the sample solution receiving space (S).

On the other hand, the control unit 40, when the first diaphragm 111a expands, the second diaphragm 222a contracts, and when the first diaphragm 111a contracts, the second When a vacuum pressure is applied to the first pneumatic line 11 so that the sample solution 4 contained in the receiving space S can be automatically stirred while repeating a series of processes in which the diaphragm 222a is expanded. The second pneumatic line 22 forms an atmospheric pressure, and when the vacuum pressure is applied to the second pneumatic line 22, the first pneumatic line 11 applies a repetitive open / close signal for forming an atmospheric pressure. will be.

Therefore, when the inspection process of the test apparatus using the gene chip according to an embodiment of the present invention in more detail, first, as shown in Figure 1, in the preparation step, the head block 10 and the The support plate 3 is separated from each other, and the chip panel 2 having the gene chip 1 may be seated on the support plate 3.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 2, in the sample solution input step, the head block 10 is lowered in the direction of the chip panel 2 and the gene chip 1 seated on the support plate 3 to be enclosed in a receiving space. (S) is formed.

At this time, the chip panel 2 and the packing part 13 are in close contact with each other so that the sample solution 4 is not leaked to the outside of the accommodation space S, and the inside of the accommodation space S is sealed. The sample solution 4 is supplied through the sample solution supply pipe 12.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 3, in the first direction stirring step, the control unit 40 controls the first pneumatic line so that the sample solution 4 reacts smoothly on the surface of the gene chip 1. When the atmospheric pressure forming signal is applied to the 11 and the vacuum pressure forming signal is applied to the second pneumatic line 22, the pressure in the first air chamber 111 is increased to provide the first diaphragm 111a. Convex due to the expansion pressure of the first air chamber 111, the pressure of the second air chamber 222 is reduced so that the second diaphragm 222a is concave due to the contraction pressure of the second air chamber 111 Become.

Therefore, the sample solution 4 inside the accommodation space S is pushed by the first diaphragm 111a so that the sample solution 4 can move in the direction of the second diaphragm 222a.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4, in the second direction stirring step, the controller 40 controls the first pneumatic line so that the sample solution 4 reacts smoothly on the surface of the gene chip 1. When the vacuum pressure forming signal is applied to the 11 and the atmospheric pressure forming signal is applied to the second pneumatic line 22, the pressure in the first air chamber 111 is reduced to allow the first diaphragm 111a to be applied. It is concave due to the contraction pressure of the first air chamber 111, the pressure of the second air chamber 222 is increased so that the second diaphragm 222a is convex due to the expansion pressure of the second air chamber 111. Become.

Therefore, the sample solution 4 in the accommodation space S is pushed by the second diaphragm 111a to move in the direction of the first diaphragm 222a.

When the control unit 40 repeats the process of FIGS. 3 and 4, the sample solution 4 flows in the left and right directions and is sufficiently stirred, thereby facilitating the reaction with the gene chip 1 in a short time. It can be done.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 5, in the washing or drying step, when a high-pressure washing liquid is first introduced into the accommodation space S through the subsequent medium supply line 20, the interior of the accommodation space S is provided. The remaining sample solution 4 may be discharged to the outside through the subsequent medium discharge line 30, and then pressurized nitrogen gas into the receiving space S through the subsequent medium supply line 20. When it is added, the washing solution remaining in the accommodation space S is discharged to the outside through the subsequent medium discharge line 30 to dry the accommodation space S and the gene chip 1.

6 is a perspective view illustrating a test apparatus using a gene chip according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a sample solution accommodation space and positions of a first air chamber and a second air chamber of FIG. 6. 8 is a schematic view schematically showing a test apparatus using the gene chip of FIG. 6, and FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway perspective view illustrating a bottom surface of the head block of FIG. 6.

As shown in Figure 6 to 9, in the test device using a gene chip according to another embodiment of the present invention, the sample solution receiving space (S) is a rectangular groove of a low depth formed in the head block (10) It is preferable that it consists of.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9, the first air chamber 111 is formed at a first corner portion above the sample solution accommodation space S, and the second air chamber 222 may be It is formed in the second corner portion in the diagonal direction with the first air chamber 111, the subsequent medium supply line 20 is formed in the third corner portion above the sample solution containing space (S), the subsequent medium The discharge line 30 is preferably formed at the fourth corner portion in the diagonal direction with the third corner portion.

FIG. 10 is a pneumatic and hydraulic circuit diagram of a test apparatus using the gene chip of FIG. 6.

Here, as shown in FIG. 10, valves of various types and types, such as the pneumatic lines 11 and 22 and / or the subsequent medium supply line 20 and the subsequent medium discharge line 30, etc. 1) (SV-2) (SV-3) (SV-4) (SV-5) (SV-6) (SV-7) can be installed.

In addition, each of the pneumatic lines 11 and 22 and / or the subsequent medium supply line 20 and the subsequent medium discharge lines 30 may be various types of vacuum pump waste bottles or subsequent media. It can be connected to a washing solution reservoir or a nitrogen gas (N ₂ -Gas) reservoir.

At this time, as described above, in the first directional stirring step, the valves S.V-4 and S.V-7 are opened and the valves S.V-5 and S.V-6 are closed. Further, in the second directional stirring step, the valves S.V-4 and S.V-7 are closed and the valves S.V-5 and S.V-6 are open.

Subsequently, this first direction stirring step and the second direction stirring step are repeated to enable continuous stirring.

In addition, when the washing liquid is supplied, the valve S.V-1 and S.V-3 are opened, and when nitrogen gas is supplied, the valve S.V-2 and S.V-3 are opened.

Therefore, according to the testing apparatus using the gene chip of the present invention, it is possible to automate the stirring operation of the sample solution 4, and to carry out a batch of subsequent operations including a series of washing and drying operations to improve the testing time and cost. It can be greatly shortened.

It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Therefore, the scope of the claims in the present invention will not be defined within the scope of the detailed description, but will be defined by the following claims and their technical spirit.

1: gene chip 2: chip panel
3: support plate 4: sample solution
S: sample solution receiving space 10: head block
11: first pneumatic line 111: first air chamber
111a: first diaphragm 12: sample solution supply tube
50: sample solution injector 22: second pneumatic line
222: second air chamber 222a: second diaphragm
13: packing part 20: subsequent media supply line
30: follow-up medium discharge line 40: control unit
SV-1, SV-2, SV-3, SV-4, SV-5, SV-6, SV-7: valve

Claims (8)

In the test device using a gene chip for confirming the result of the reaction by reacting the sample solution to the gene chip,
Gene chips; And
A head block in which a sample solution accommodation space is formed to be in contact with the gene chip and surrounding the gene chip;
A first air chamber installed at one side of the head block and connected to a first pneumatic line; And
And a first diaphragm formed between the first air chamber and the sample solution accommodation space to transfer the expansion pressure and the contraction pressure of the first air chamber to the sample solution contained in the accommodation space.
A second air chamber installed at the other side of the head block and connected to a second pneumatic line and having a back pressure relatively opposite to the pressure of the first air chamber;
And a second diaphragm formed between the second air chamber and the sample solution accommodation space to transfer the contraction pressure and the expansion pressure of the second air chamber to the sample solution contained in the accommodation space.
A subsequent medium supply line installed at one side of the head block and supplying a washing liquid and a dry gas to the sample solution accommodation space; And
A subsequent medium discharge line installed at the other side of the head block and supplying a washing liquid and a dry gas to the sample solution accommodation space;
Inspection device using a gene chip, characterized in that further comprises. The method of claim 1,
The head block is a test device using a gene chip, characterized in that the sample solution supply pipe for supplying a sample solution to the receiving space is installed. delete The method of claim 1,
At least one gene chip is installed in the chip panel,
The first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are thin film sheets that are fixed to the head block and have a packing part in contact with an edge of the chip panel, and cover the first air chamber and the second air chamber. Inspection device using a gene chip. The method of claim 1,
And the first air chamber and the second air chamber are rectangular grooves of low depth formed on one side and the other side of the head block, respectively. delete The method of claim 1,
The sample solution receiving space is made of a square groove of a low depth formed in the head block,
The first air chamber is formed in the first corner portion above the sample solution accommodation space,
The second air chamber is formed in the second corner portion in the diagonal direction with the first air chamber,
The subsequent medium supply line is formed in the third corner portion above the sample solution receiving space,
The subsequent medium discharge line, the test device using a gene chip, characterized in that formed in the fourth corner portion in the diagonal direction and the third corner portion. The method of claim 1,
When the first diaphragm expands, the second diaphragm contracts, and when the first diaphragm contracts, the sample solution contained in the receiving space is automatically filled while repeating the expansion process of the second diaphragm. When the vacuum pressure is applied to the first pneumatic line, the second pneumatic line forms an atmospheric pressure, and when the vacuum pressure is applied to the second pneumatic line, the first pneumatic line is atmospheric pressure. And a control unit for applying a repetitive opening / closing signal to each valve installed in each pneumatic line.

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