WO2014034764A1 - Reagent container and examination chip - Google Patents
Reagent container and examination chip Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2014034764A1 WO2014034764A1 PCT/JP2013/073109 JP2013073109W WO2014034764A1 WO 2014034764 A1 WO2014034764 A1 WO 2014034764A1 JP 2013073109 W JP2013073109 W JP 2013073109W WO 2014034764 A1 WO2014034764 A1 WO 2014034764A1
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- reagent
- container
- unit
- insertion port
- flow path
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N35/10—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices
- G01N35/1002—Reagent dispensers
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
- B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
- B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
- B01L2200/16—Reagents, handling or storing thereof
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
- B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
- B01L2300/0809—Geometry, shape and general structure rectangular shaped
- B01L2300/0816—Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
- B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
- B01L2300/0861—Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices
- B01L2300/087—Multiple sequential chambers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
- B01L2400/04—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means
- B01L2400/0403—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific forces
- B01L2400/0409—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific forces centrifugal forces
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
- B01L2400/06—Valves, specific forms thereof
- B01L2400/0677—Valves, specific forms thereof phase change valves; Meltable, freezing, dissolvable plugs; Destructible barriers
- B01L2400/0683—Valves, specific forms thereof phase change valves; Meltable, freezing, dissolvable plugs; Destructible barriers mechanically breaking a wall or membrane within a channel or chamber
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
- G01N35/04—Details of the conveyor system
- G01N2035/0439—Rotary sample carriers, i.e. carousels
- G01N2035/0446—Combinations of the above
- G01N2035/0449—Combinations of the above using centrifugal transport of liquid
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to a reagent container and a test chip for performing a chemical, medical, and biological test of a test object.
- Patent Document 1 discloses a cassette in which a reagent container containing a reagent can be inserted. A foil cover for sealing the reagent is attached to the surface of the reagent container. When the reagent container is inserted into the cassette, the foil cover is peeled off from the reagent container. Thereby, the reagent accommodated in the reagent container can be supplied to the flow path formed inside the cassette.
- a part of the reagent when a reagent container is inserted in the cassette, a part of the reagent may not be supplied to the flow path in the cassette, and may remain in a predetermined portion of the reagent container such as a fracture surface of a foil cover. .
- a mixed solution is generated in which the reagent supplied to the flow path and the specimen to be examined are mixed.
- the reagent remains in a predetermined location of the reagent container, the remaining reagent may flow into the flow path in the cassette along with the centrifugal process and may be mixed into the generated mixed liquid. If the remaining reagent is mixed in the produced mixed solution, there is a possibility that an accurate test result cannot be obtained.
- An object of the present disclosure is to provide a reagent container and a test chip that can reduce a possibility that a reagent remaining without being supplied from the reagent container to the flow path is mixed into a generated mixed solution.
- a first aspect of the present disclosure is a test chip that can accommodate a specimen and a reagent, which are liquids, and mix the specimen and the reagent by being rotated about a predetermined axis.
- a protrusion that can be formed in the sealing material of the reagent container disposed in the container housing portion and a space that communicates with the container housing portion; And a trapping portion that can be accommodated.
- the reagent container inserted from the insertion port is disposed in the container housing portion, and a hole through which the reagent flows out is formed in the sealing material by the protrusion.
- the capturing part including the space communicating with the container housing part can accommodate a part of the reagent flowing out from the formed hole.
- a movable reagent channel may be provided, and the capturing unit may be provided at a position branched from the reagent channel.
- the reagent flowing out from the formed hole can be moved toward the supply path by the reagent flow path. Since the capture unit can capture and store the remaining reagent moved in the reagent channel, the possibility that the remaining reagent reaches a position where it is mixed with the specimen can be reduced.
- the capture unit may be provided on the downstream side in the direction in which the reagent is moved in the reagent flow path with respect to the protrusion.
- the hole formed by the protruding portion is located upstream of the capturing portion in the reagent moving direction in the reagent channel.
- the reagent that flows out of the hole passes through a site that branches to the capture unit when moving in the reagent flow path. Therefore, the capturing unit can capture the remaining reagent moved in the reagent channel more reliably.
- connection path that is a flow path of the reagent that branches from the reagent flow path and connects to the capture unit, and the connection path is in a state in which the reagent that has flowed out of the hole is stored in the bottom of the container storage unit
- the container housing part may be inclined upward from the horizontal direction toward the capturing part.
- the reagent flows into the capturing portion via the connection path more than when the external force is not applied to the test chip. . Therefore, the remaining reagent in the container housing part can be moved to the capturing part at the timing of mixing the specimen and the reagent.
- a specimen and a reagent that are liquids can be accommodated therein, and can be inserted into a test chip in which the specimen and the reagent are mixed by being rotated about a predetermined axis.
- a reagent container including a reagent container including a space in which the reagent can be stored; a seal material for sealing the reagent stored in the reagent container; and a space communicating with the reagent container;
- a capture unit capable of storing a part of the reagent stored in the reagent storage unit.
- the reagent accommodated in the reagent accommodating portion is sealed with the sealing material.
- the capturing unit including a space communicating with the reagent storage unit can store a part of the reagent. After the sealing material is broken and the reagent is allowed to flow out of the reagent storage unit, the reagent remaining in the reagent storage unit is stored in the capturing unit, thereby suppressing the remaining reagent from flowing out of the reagent container. Therefore, for example, when a reagent container is inserted into the test chip, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the remaining reagent is mixed into the mixed liquid that has already been generated in the test chip.
- a third aspect of the present disclosure is a test chip including the reagent container, the container housing including an insertion port into which the reagent container can be inserted, and a space in which the reagent container inserted from the insertion port can be stored.
- a protrusion provided in the container housing portion and capable of forming a hole in the seal material of the reagent container disposed in the container housing portion, connected to the container housing portion, and the reagent is connected to the specimen A reagent supply path that is movable toward a position to be mixed; and a reagent flow path that is provided in the container storage section and that can move the reagent that has flowed out of the hole toward the supply path.
- the direction in which the capture unit is positioned is along the direction in which the reagent is moved through the reagent channel in a state where the reagent container is inserted from the insertion port.
- the reagent container inserted from the insertion port is disposed in the container housing portion, and a hole is formed in the sealing material by the protrusion.
- the reagent flowing out from the formed hole can move toward the supply path by the reagent flow path.
- the direction in which the capture unit is positioned with respect to the reagent storage unit is along the direction in which the reagent is moved through the reagent channel in a state where the reagent container is inserted from the insertion port. Therefore, the remaining reagent in the container housing part can move in the same direction as the reagent in the reagent channel.
- the remaining reagent in the container housing portion can also move to the capturing portion.
- the remaining reagent is accommodated in the capturing unit, so that the possibility that the remaining reagent is mixed into the generated mixed liquid can be reduced.
- the reagent container includes an in-container flow path in which the reagent accommodated in the reagent accommodating portion can move, and the direction in which the reagent moves through the in-container flow path is determined by the reagent container from the insertion port.
- the reagent may be along a direction in which the reagent is moved through the reagent channel. In this case, when an external force for moving the reagent in the reagent channel is applied to the test chip, the remaining reagent in the container housing portion can be smoothly moved to the capturing portion by the channel in the container.
- the reagent flow path includes a wall that forms the container storage section
- the in-container flow path includes a wall that forms the reagent storage section
- the wall that forms the reagent storage section includes the reagent container In the state inserted from the insertion port, it may incline in the same direction as the wall which forms the said container accommodating part. In this case, the reagent can be moved in the same direction in each of the reagent channel and the in-container channel.
- the reagent container includes a connection path that is a flow path of the reagent that connects the reagent storage section and the capture section, and the capillary path that takes the reagent from the reagent storage section by capillary action is
- the centrifugal force applied to the test chip may be smaller.
- the reagent remaining in the reagent storage portion passes through the connection path more than in the state where the centrifugal force is not applied to the test chip. It tends to flow into the capture part via. Therefore, the remaining reagent in the container housing part can be moved to the capturing part at the timing of mixing the specimen and the reagent.
- FIG. 7 is a front view of the inspection chip 2 revolved at a rotation angle of 0 degree following FIG. 6.
- FIG. 8 is a front view of the inspection chip 2 revolved at a rotation angle of 90 degrees following FIG. 7.
- FIG. 9 is a front view of the inspection chip 2 revolved at a rotation angle of 0 degree following FIG. 8.
- FIG. 10 is a front view of the inspection chip 2 after the centrifugation process, following FIG. 9. It is a perspective view of the test
- FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG.
- FIG. 12 is a front view of the inspection chip 2 revolved at a rotation angle of 0 degree following FIG. 11.
- the inspection system 3 of the present embodiment includes an inspection chip 2 that can store a specimen and a reagent that are liquids, and an inspection apparatus 1 that performs an inspection using the inspection chip 2.
- the inspection apparatus 1 can apply a centrifugal force to the inspection chip 2 by rotation about a vertical axis that is separated from the inspection chip 2.
- the inspection apparatus 1 can switch the centrifugal direction that is the direction of the centrifugal force applied to the inspection chip 2 by rotating the inspection chip 2 about the horizontal axis.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 are respectively the upper, lower, right, left, rear, and front sides of the inspection apparatus 1.
- the upper, lower, right, left, front side, and back side of FIG. 3 are the front, lower, right, left, upper, and lower sides of the inspection apparatus 1, respectively.
- the direction of the vertical axis is the vertical direction
- the direction of the horizontal axis is the direction of the speed when the inspection chip 2 rotates around the vertical axis.
- 1 and 2 show the upper housing 30 with phantom lines
- FIG. 3 shows a state in which the top plate of the upper housing 30 is removed.
- the inspection apparatus 1 includes an upper housing 30, a lower housing 31, a turntable 33, an angle changing mechanism 34, and a control device 90.
- the turntable 33 is a disk-shaped rotating body provided on the upper surface side of the lower housing 31.
- the inspection chip 2 is held above the turntable 33.
- the angle changing mechanism 34 is a drive mechanism provided on the turntable 33. This drive mechanism rotates the inspection chip 2 around the horizontal axis.
- the upper housing 30 is fixed to the upper side of the lower housing 31, and the measurement unit 7 that performs optical measurement on the test chip 2 is provided inside.
- the control device 90 is a controller that controls centrifugal processing, measurement processing, and the like of the inspection device 1.
- the lower housing 31 has a box-like frame structure in which frame members are combined.
- an upper plate 32 that is a rectangular plate material in plan view is provided.
- a turntable 33 is rotatably provided above the upper plate 32.
- a drive mechanism for rotating the turntable 33 around the vertical axis is provided in the lower housing 31 as follows.
- a spindle motor 35 that supplies a driving force for rotating the turntable 33 is installed on the left side of the lower housing 31.
- a shaft 36 of the main shaft motor 35 protrudes upward, and a pulley 37 is fixed.
- a vertical main shaft 57 extending upward from the inside of the lower housing 31 is provided at the center of the lower housing 31 in plan view.
- the main shaft 57 passes through the upper plate 32 and protrudes above the lower housing 31.
- the upper end portion of the main shaft 57 is connected to the center portion of the turntable 33 in plan view.
- the main shaft 57 is rotatably held by a support member 53 provided immediately below the upper plate 32.
- a pulley 38 is fixed to the main shaft 57 below the support member 53.
- a belt 39 is stretched over the pulleys 37 and 38.
- a guide rail 56 extending in the vertical direction inside the lower housing 31 is provided on the right side in the lower housing 31.
- the T-shaped plate 48 is movable in the vertical direction within the lower housing 31 along the guide rail 56.
- a groove 80 that is long in the left-right direction is formed on the front side of the T-shaped plate 48, that is, on the back side in FIG. 1 and FIG.
- the above-described main shaft 57 is a hollow cylindrical body.
- the inner shaft 40 is a shaft that can move in the vertical direction within the main shaft 57.
- An upper end portion of the inner shaft 40 passes through the main shaft 57 and is connected to a rack gear 43 described later.
- a bearing 41 is provided at the left end of the T-shaped plate 48. Inside the bearing 41, the lower end portion of the inner shaft 40 is rotatably held.
- a stepping motor 51 for moving the T-shaped plate 48 up and down is fixed to the front side of the T-shaped plate 48.
- the shaft 58 of the stepping motor 51 protrudes toward the rear side, that is, the front side in FIG. 1 and FIG.
- a disc-shaped cam plate 59 is fixed to the tip of the shaft 58.
- a cylindrical projection 70 is provided on the rear surface of the cam plate 59. The tip of the protrusion 70 is inserted into the groove 80 described above. The protrusion 70 can slide in the groove 80.
- the angle changing mechanism 34 has a pair of L-shaped plates 60 fixed to the upper surface of the turntable 33. Each L-shaped plate 60 extends upward from a base portion fixed in the vicinity of the center of the turntable 33, and its upper end portion extends outward in the radial direction of the turntable 33.
- a rack gear 43 fixed to the inner shaft 40 is provided between the pair of L-shaped plates 60.
- the rack gear 43 is a metal plate-like member that is long in the vertical direction, and gears are respectively carved on both end faces.
- a horizontal support shaft 46 having a gear 45 is rotatably supported at the distal end side in the extending direction of each L-shaped plate 60.
- the support shaft 46 is fixed to the inspection chip 2 via a mounting holder (not shown). For this reason, the inspection chip 2 also rotates around the support shaft 46 in conjunction with the rotation of the gear 45.
- a pinion gear 44 supported by an L-shaped plate 60 so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis is interposed.
- the pinion gear 44 meshes with the gear 45 and the rack gear 43, respectively. In conjunction with the vertical movement of the rack gear 43, the pinion gear 44 and the gear 45 are driven to rotate, and the inspection chip 2 rotates about the support shaft 46.
- the inspection chip 2 rotates around the main shaft 57, which is a vertical axis, and centrifugal force is applied to the inspection chip 2.
- the rotation around the vertical axis of the inspection chip 2 is called revolution.
- the inspection chip 2 rotates around the support shaft 46 which is a horizontal axis, and the direction of the centrifugal force acting on the inspection chip 2 changes relatively. .
- the rotation around the horizontal axis of the inspection chip 2 is called rotation.
- the inspection chip 2 is in a steady state in which the rotation angle is “0 degree”.
- the rack gear 43 is also raised to the uppermost end of the movable range.
- the inspection chip 2 is rotated from the steady state around the horizontal axis by 180 degrees. That is, in this embodiment, the angular width that the test chip 2 can rotate is the rotation angle of 0 degrees to 180 degrees.
- the upper housing 30 has a box-like frame structure in which frame members are combined, and is installed on the upper left side of the upper plate 32. More specifically, the upper housing 30 is provided outside the range in which the inspection chip 2 is rotated as viewed from the main shaft 57 at the rotation center of the turntable 33.
- the measurement unit 7 provided in the upper housing 30 includes a light source 71 that emits measurement light and an optical sensor 72 that detects the measurement light emitted from the light source 71.
- the light source 71 and the optical sensor 72 are disposed on both the front and rear sides of the turntable 33 outside the rotation range of the inspection chip 2.
- the left side position of the main shaft 57 in the reciprocable range of the inspection chip 2 is a measurement position at which the inspection chip 2 is irradiated with measurement light.
- the optical path connecting the light source 71 and the optical sensor 72 intersects the front and rear surfaces of the inspection chip 2 perpendicularly in plan view.
- the test chip 2 can be mounted with a reagent unit 200 containing a reagent.
- the reagent unit 200 includes a first container 210 and a second container 220.
- the first container 210 and the second container 220 have a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a small thickness in the front-rear direction and a longitudinal direction in the vertical direction, and hold the first reagent 11 and the second reagent 12 therein, respectively.
- plate-like portions 231 and 232 extending to the right are provided, respectively.
- the plate-like portion 231 is connected to the upper left portion of the second container 220.
- the first container 210 and the second container 220 are integrally supported by the plate-like portion 231 in the left-right direction.
- a reagent storage 211 that is a recess opening rearward.
- the first reagent 11 is sealed inside the reagent storage 211 by a sealing material 212 that closes the opening of the reagent storage 211.
- the second container 220 is provided with a reagent storage unit 221 that is a recess opening rearward.
- the second reagent 12 is sealed inside the reagent storage unit 221 by a sealing material 222 that closes the opening of the reagent storage unit 221.
- the inspection chip 2 has a rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction, and is mainly composed of a transparent synthetic resin plate material 20 having a predetermined thickness.
- a sample insertion port 110 On the upper surface of the plate member 20, a sample insertion port 110, a first insertion port 130, and a second insertion port 150 are formed.
- the sample insertion port 110 is an opening for injecting the sample 10 shown in FIG.
- the sample 10 accommodated in an instrument may be injected into the sample insertion port 110 by a user operation. That is, the sample 10 may be injected into the test chip 2 through the sample insertion port 110 using a known method.
- the first insertion port 130 is an opening for inserting the first container 210 into the inspection chip 2. That is, the first insertion port 130 has a shape into which the first container 210 can be inserted. Specifically, the width of the first insertion port 130 in the front-rear direction is larger than the width of the first container 210 in the front-rear direction. The width in the left-right direction of the first insertion port 130 is slightly larger than the width in the left-right direction of the first container 210.
- the second insertion port 150 is an opening for inserting the second container 220 into the inspection chip 2. That is, the second insertion port 150 has a shape into which the second container 220 is inserted. Specifically, the width of the second insertion port 150 in the front-rear direction is larger than the width of the second container 220 in the front-rear direction. The width of the second insertion port 150 in the left-right direction is slightly larger than the width of the second container 220 in the left-right direction.
- the specimen insertion port 110, the first insertion port 130, and the second insertion port 150 are formed side by side in the left-right direction along the upper side portion 21 that is the upper wall surface of the test chip 2.
- the sample insertion port 110 is closest to the left side portion 23 that is the left wall surface of the test chip 2.
- the second insertion port 150 is closest to the right side portion 22 which is the right wall surface of the inspection chip 2.
- the first insertion port 130 is located between the sample insertion port 110 and the second insertion port 150.
- the lower wall surface of the inspection chip 2 is a lower side portion 24.
- the front surface of the plate member 20 is sealed with a sheet 29 made of a transparent synthetic resin thin plate. Between the plate member 20 and the sheet 29, a liquid flow path 25 is formed through which the liquid sealed in the inspection chip 2 can flow.
- the liquid flow path 25 is a recess formed at a predetermined depth on the front side of the plate member 20 and extends in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the plate member 20. That is, the sheet 29 seals the flow path forming surface of the plate material 20.
- the liquid channel 25 includes a sample storage unit 111, a sample determination unit 114, a sample surplus unit 116, a first container storage unit 140, a reagent determination unit 133, a reagent surplus unit 135, a second container storage unit 160, a reagent determination unit 153, The reagent surplus part 155, the mixing part 170, and the storage part 175 are included.
- the sample insertion port 110 communicates with a sample storage unit 111 provided below the sample insertion port 110.
- the sample storage part 111 is a part in which the sample 10 injected from the sample insertion port 110 is stored, and is a recess that opens upward.
- a sample supply path 112 extending rightward from the sample storage unit 111 is provided below the sample storage unit 111 and is connected to a sample supply unit 113 having a narrow channel.
- a sample quantitative unit 114 is provided below the sample supply unit 113.
- the specimen quantification unit 114 is a part that quantifies the specimen 10, and is a recess that opens upward. By applying a centrifugal force from the sample supply unit 113 toward the inside of the recess of the sample quantification unit 114, the same amount of the sample 10 as the volume inside the recess of the sample quantification unit 114 is quantified.
- the first passage 115 and the second passage 117 extend to the left and right sides from the portion where the sample supply unit 113 and the sample determination unit 114 communicate with each other.
- the first passage 115 extends to the sample surplus part 116 provided at the lower left of the sample determination unit 114. That is, in the first passage 115, the flow path formation direction changes.
- the specimen surplus part 116 is a part where the specimen 10 overflowing from the specimen quantification part 114 is stored, and is a concave part extending rightward from the lower end part of the first passage 115.
- the second passage 117 extends to a later-described mixing unit 170 provided on the right side of the sample determination unit 114.
- the first insertion port 130 communicates with a first container housing part 140 provided on the lower side thereof.
- the first container accommodating portion 140 can accommodate the first container 210 inserted from the first insertion port 130.
- the support portion 138 is a part of the upper surface of the plate member 20 provided on the right side of the first insertion port 130.
- the support portion 138 supports the plate-like portion 231 from below.
- the reagent guide wall 141 is an inclined surface, and the length from the first insertion port 130 to the upper end of the reagent guide wall 141 is substantially equal to the vertical length of the first container 210.
- the first container 210 is disposed in the first container housing portion 140 in a state of being separated from the reagent guide walls 141 and 142.
- the length in the front-rear direction of the first insertion port 130 and the first container housing part 140 is larger than the length in the front-rear direction of the first container 210.
- the length in the left-right direction of the first insertion port 130 is slightly larger than the length in the left-right direction of the first container 210. Since the 1st insertion port 130 and the 1st container accommodating part 140 have the relationship of the length in the front-back direction mentioned above, the 1st container 210 accommodated in the 1st container accommodating part 140 can move to the front-back direction.
- the upper right part of the first container housing part 140 communicates with a reagent supply path 131 described later.
- the first container housing part 140 is provided with a protrusion 143.
- the contact surface 144 is a wall surface that forms the rear surface of the first container housing portion 140.
- the contact surface 144 is provided with a protrusion 143 that protrudes forward from the contact surface 144.
- the contact surface 144 is a wall surface on the downstream side in the revolution direction.
- the side wall on the downstream side in the revolution direction is a wall surface on which the first container 210 inserted into the first insertion port 130 comes into contact with the Coriolis force generated during the above-described revolution.
- the protrusion 143 can form a hole R in the sealing material 212 of the first container 210 inserted from the first insertion port 130 as shown in FIG.
- the first reagent 11 flows out from the hole R.
- the lower wall of the first container housing portion 140 includes reagent guide walls 141 and 142.
- the reagent guide wall 141 is an inclined surface extending in the lower right direction from the lower left part of the first container housing part 140 to the substantially center in the left and right direction.
- the reagent guide wall 142 is an inclined surface extending in the upper right direction from the substantially horizontal center of the first container housing part 140 to the reagent supply path 131.
- a reagent flow path 145 is formed along the reagent guide walls 141 and 142 in the first container housing part 140.
- the reagent channel 145 extends from the left end portion 141B of the reagent guide wall 141 to the right end portion 142B of the reagent guide wall 142 via the bottom portion 140A that is a region located at the lowermost end of the first container housing portion 140. This is a flow path of the reagent 11.
- the first reagent 11 that has flowed out of the hole R can move toward the reagent supply channel 131 via the reagent channel 145.
- the left end 142A of the reagent guide wall 142 is located on the upper right side of the right end 141A of the reagent guide wall 141.
- a connection path 147 is provided below the reagent guide wall 142 and extends in the upper right direction from the bottom 140A of the first container housing part 140.
- the connection path 147 is a flow path of the first reagent 11 branched from the reagent flow path 145 and connected to the upper left portion of the capturing unit 146.
- connection path 147 is inclined upward from the horizontal direction from the bottom portion 140A of the container housing portion 140 toward the capturing portion 146 in a state where the first reagent 11 flowing out from the hole R is stored in the bottom portion 140A of the container housing portion 140.
- the direction orthogonal to the up-down direction is the horizontal direction.
- the capturing unit 146 is provided at a position branched from the reagent channel 145.
- the capturing part 146 has a rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction when viewed from the front, and can accommodate a part of the first reagent 11 that has flowed out of the hole R.
- the capturing part 146 is provided in the lower right direction of the projecting part 143 and opens in the left direction.
- the first reagent 11 that has flowed out of the hole R is movable toward the right side. That is, the capturing unit 146 is provided on the downstream side in the direction in which the first reagent 11 is moved in the reagent channel 145 with respect to the protrusion 143.
- the shapes and sizes of the first container housing part 140, the capturing part 146, etc. are defined as follows in relation to the first container 210.
- “X1” illustrated in FIG. 5 is a distance in the left-right direction from the left end of the first container housing 140 to the right end of the protrusion 143.
- “X2” is a distance in the left-right direction from the left end portion of the first container housing portion 140 to the left end portion of the reagent guide wall 142.
- the inspection chip 2 of this embodiment satisfies the relationship “x1 ⁇ x2”. That is, the protrusion 143 is provided on the left side of the connection path 147.
- “Z1” shown in FIG. 5 is the vertical distance from the bottom 140A of the first container housing 140 to the left end of the reagent guide wall 142.
- “Z2” is the vertical distance from the bottom 140A to the first container 210 inserted into the first insertion port 130.
- “Z3” is a vertical distance from the bottom 140A to the right end 147A of the connection path 147.
- “Z4” is the vertical distance from the bottom 140A to the left end 141B of the reagent guide wall 141.
- the inspection chip 2 of the present embodiment satisfies the relationship “z3> 0”. That is, the connection path 147 is inclined upward toward the capturing unit 146.
- the inspection chip 2 satisfies the relationship “z4 ⁇ 0”. That is, the reagent guide wall 141 is inclined in the horizontal or lower right direction.
- the inspection chip 2 satisfies the relationship “z2> z1”. That is, the first container 210 is located above the entrance of the connection path 147.
- “H1” shown in FIG. 5 is the shortest distance from the reagent channel 145 to the first container 210 inserted into the first insertion port 130, and is synonymous with the narrowest channel width in the reagent channel 145.
- “H2” is the channel width of the connection channel 147.
- the inspection chip 2 of the present embodiment satisfies the relationship “h1> h2”. That is, the narrowest channel width of the reagent channel 145 is larger than the channel width of the connection channel 147.
- the right end of the reagent guide wall 142 is connected to the reagent supply path 131.
- the reagent supply path 131 is a flow path extending in the right direction from the first container housing portion 140.
- the reagent supply path 131 extends downward via the right side of the capture unit 146 and connects to the reagent supply unit 132 having a narrow channel formed below the capture unit 146.
- a reagent quantification unit 133 is provided below the reagent supply unit 132.
- the reagent quantification unit 133 is a part that quantifies the first reagent 11 and is a recess that opens upward.
- the same amount of the first reagent 11 as the volume inside the concave portion of the reagent quantitative unit 133 is quantified.
- the third passage 134 and the fourth passage 136 extend to the left and right sides from the portion where the reagent supply unit 132 and the reagent quantitative unit 133 communicate with each other.
- the third passage 134 extends to the reagent surplus portion 135 provided on the lower left side of the reagent fixed amount portion 133. That is, in the third passage 134, the formation direction of the flow path is changed.
- the reagent surplus portion 135 is a portion in which the first reagent 11 overflowing from the reagent quantitative portion 133 is stored, and is a concave portion extending rightward from the lower end portion of the third passage 134.
- the fourth passage 136 extends to a later-described mixing unit 170 provided on the lower side of the reagent quantitative unit 133.
- the reagent supply path 131 is connected to the first container housing section 140 via the fourth path 136 and is movable toward the mixing section 170 where the first reagent 11 is mixed with the specimen 10. Configure.
- the second insertion port 150 communicates with a second container housing portion 160 provided on the lower side thereof.
- the second container housing portion 160 has the same configuration as the first container housing portion 140 and includes reagent guide walls 161 and 162, a protruding portion 163, a contact surface 164, and a reagent channel 165. Similar to the above-described capture unit 146 and connection path 147, the capture unit 166 communicates with the second container housing unit 160 via the connection path 167.
- the support portion 158 supports the plate-like portion 232 from below.
- the support portion 158 is a part of the upper surface of the plate member 20 provided on the right side of the second insertion port 150. Accordingly, the second container 220 is disposed in the second container housing portion 160 in a state of being separated from the reagent guide walls 161 and 162.
- the upper right part of the second container housing part 160 communicates with the reagent supply path 151.
- the reagent supply path 151 is a flow path extending in the right direction from the second container housing portion 160.
- the reagent supply path 151 extends downward via the right side of the capture unit 166 and connects to the reagent supply unit 152 having a narrow channel formed below the capture unit 166.
- a reagent quantitative unit 153 is provided below the reagent supply unit 152.
- the reagent quantification unit 153 is a part that quantifies the second reagent 12, and is a recess that opens upward.
- the second reagent 12 having the same volume as the volume inside the concave portion of the reagent quantitative unit 153 is quantified.
- a fifth passage 154 and a sixth passage 156 extend from the portion where the reagent supply unit 152 and the reagent quantitative unit 153 communicate with each other to the left and right sides.
- the fifth passage 154 extends to the reagent surplus portion 155 provided on the lower left side of the reagent fixed amount portion 153. That is, the flow path formation direction of the fifth passage 154 changes.
- the reagent surplus portion 155 is a portion in which the second reagent 12 overflowing from the reagent quantitative portion 153 is stored, and is a concave portion extending rightward from the lower end portion of the fifth passage 154.
- the sixth passage 156 extends to a later-described mixing unit 170 provided below the reagent quantitative unit 153.
- the reagent supply path 151 is connected to the second container housing portion 160 via the sixth passage 156 and is movable toward the mixing section 170 where the second reagent 12 is mixed with the specimen 10. Configure.
- the mixing unit 170 is a rectangular recess provided in the lower right position of the inspection chip 2 and opening upward.
- the mixing unit 170 the specimen 10 flowing from the second passage 117, the first reagent 11 flowing from the fourth passage 136, and the second reagent 12 flowing from the sixth passage 156 are mixed.
- At least a part of the mixed solution 13 of the specimen 10, the first reagent 11, and the second reagent 12 is stored in a storage unit 175 that is a recess provided in the lower right portion of the mixing unit 170.
- the support shaft 46 extending from the L-shaped plate 60 is vertically connected to the center of the rear surface of the plate member 20 via a mounting holder (not shown).
- the inspection chip 2 rotates in the counterclockwise direction with the support shaft 46 as the center when viewed from the front.
- the inspection chip 2 is in the steady state shown in FIG. 5, the upper side 21 and the lower side 24 are orthogonal to the gravity direction Z, the right side 22 and the left side 23 are parallel to the gravity direction Z, and the left side 23 is the right side. It is arranged closer to the main shaft 57 than the portion 22.
- an optical path connecting the light source 71 and the optical sensor 72 passes vertically through the storage unit 175.
- FIGS. 6 to 10 show the front view of the inspection chip 2 with the sheet 29 removed. The same applies to FIGS. 12 and 14 described later. In the following description, the description will focus on the first container accommodating portion 140 and the capturing portion 146, but the same applies to the second container accommodating portion 160 and the capturing portion 166.
- the inspection chip 2 is attached to the support shaft 46, the reagent unit 200 is mounted on the inspection chip 2, and the first container 210 is inserted from the first insertion port 130.
- the sealing material 212 moves along the contact surface 144. Since the protruding portion 143 protrudes forward from the contact surface 144, the protruding portion 143 contacts the sealing material 212 to form the hole R when the sealing material 212 moves.
- the hole R has a fracture surface that is long in the vertical direction corresponding to the moving direction of the first container 210.
- the first reagent 11 in the reagent storage unit 211 flows out into the first container storage unit 140 through the hole R.
- the first reagent 11 that has flowed out is stored in a substantially V-shaped bottom portion 140 ⁇ / b> A formed by the reagent guide walls 141 and 142.
- the inspection chip 2 satisfies the relationship “z3> 0”. Therefore, even when the first reagent 11 is stored in the bottom part 140 ⁇ / b> A of the first container housing part 140, the first reagent 11 is unlikely to flow into the capturing part 146 via the connection path 147.
- the sealing material 222 moves along the contact surface 164.
- the protrusion 163 forms a hole R in the sealing material 222.
- the second reagent 12 in the reagent storage unit 221 flows out through the hole R and is stored in the bottom 160A, which is an area located at the lowermost end of the second container housing unit 160, as shown in FIG.
- the sample 10 is injected from the sample insertion port 110.
- the injected sample 10 is stored in the sample storage unit 111. Thereafter, when a process start command is input to the inspection apparatus 1, the following measurement operation is executed.
- the inspection apparatus 1 can process two inspection chips 2 at the same time, a procedure for inspecting using one inspection chip 2 will be described below for convenience of explanation.
- the steady state inspection chip 2 having a rotation angle of “0 degree” is revolved.
- a centrifugal force X acts on the inspection chip 2 toward the downstream side in the centrifugal direction.
- the inspection chip 2 is set in the inspection apparatus 1 so that the right direction shown in FIG. 4 matches the right direction shown in FIG. Therefore, when the inspection chip 2 in the steady state is revolved, the centrifugal force X works from the left side portion 23 toward the right side portion 22.
- the first reagent 11 stored in the bottom part 140A of the first container housing part 140 moves along the reagent guide wall 142 in the upper right direction. That is, the first reagent 11 flows into the reagent supply channel 131 via the reagent channel 145. At this time, a part of the first reagent 11 flows into the capturing unit 146 via the connection channel 147 that branches rightward from the reagent channel 145.
- the second reagent 12 stored in the bottom 160A of the second container housing portion 160 flows into the reagent supply channel 151 via the reagent channel 165.
- a part of the second reagent 12 flows into the capturing unit 166 through the connection channel 167 that branches rightward from the reagent channel 165.
- the sample 10 stored in the sample storage unit 111 flows into the sample supply path 112 by the action of the centrifugal force X.
- the revolving inspection chip 2 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise as viewed from the front, and the rotation angle is displaced to “90 degrees”.
- the centrifugal force X acts on the test chip 2 from the upper side portion 21 toward the lower side portion 24.
- the first reagent 11 that has flowed into the reagent supply path 131 by the action of the centrifugal force X flows into the reagent quantitative unit 133 through the reagent supply unit 132.
- the first reagent 11 exceeding a predetermined amount overflows into the third passage 134 and is stored in the reagent surplus unit 135. As a result, a predetermined amount of the first reagent 11 is quantified.
- the direction of the centrifugal force X is controlled so that the first reagent 11 stored in the capturing unit 146 does not move to the first container housing unit 140 again. That is, since the capture unit 146 is a recess that closes downward, the first reagent 11 that has flowed into the capture unit 146 remains without moving from the capture unit 146. Furthermore, in the first container 210, the first reagent 11 may remain on the inner wall of the reagent storage 211, the fracture surface of the hole R, or the like. In this case, the first reagent 11 remaining in the first container 210 moves to the bottom part 140 ⁇ / b> A of the first container housing part 140 by the action of the centrifugal force X.
- the inspection chip 2 satisfies the relationship “z4 ⁇ 0”.
- the left end 142 ⁇ / b> A of the reagent guide wall 142 is lower than the midpoint of the reagent guide wall 141. Therefore, in the first reagent 11 stored in the bottom part 140 ⁇ / b> A of the first container housing part 140, the ratio of the liquid amount stored above the connection path 147 increases.
- the first reagent 11 stored in the bottom portion 140 ⁇ / b> A of the first container housing portion 140 is located above the connection path 147. It tends to flow into a certain reagent channel 145.
- the inspection chip 2 satisfies the relationship of “h1> h2”. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, when the test chip 2 with the rotation angle “90 degrees” is revolved, the first reagent 11 stored in the bottom 140 ⁇ / b> A of the first container housing portion 140 is more than the connection path 147. It tends to flow into the reagent channel 145. This is because the channel width of the reagent channel 145 is larger than the channel width of the connection channel 147. Therefore, the amount of the first reagent 11 that moves to the reagent supply passage 131 via the reagent channel 145 can be secured, and the amount of the first reagent 11 that flows into the capture unit 166 and is not used for the test is reduced. it can.
- the second reagent 12 that has flowed into the reagent supply path 151 flows into the reagent quantitative unit 153 via the reagent supply unit 152.
- the second reagent 12 exceeding a predetermined amount overflows the fifth passage 154 and is stored in the reagent surplus unit 155.
- a predetermined amount of the second reagent 12 is quantified.
- the reagent surplus portion 155 is a recess that closes downward, the second reagent 12 that has flowed into the capture portion 166 remains in the capture portion 166.
- the second reagent 12 remaining in the second container 220 moves to the bottom part 160 ⁇ / b> A of the second container housing part 160.
- the sample 10 that has flowed into the sample supply path 112 flows into the sample determination unit 114 via the sample supply unit 113.
- the sample 10 exceeding a predetermined amount overflows into the first passage 115 and is stored in the sample surplus unit 116. As a result, a predetermined amount of the specimen 10 is quantified.
- the revolving inspection chip 2 is rotated 90 degrees clockwise as viewed from the front, and is displaced to a steady state.
- the centrifugal force X acts on the test chip 2 from the left side 23 toward the right side 22. Due to the action of the centrifugal force X, the first reagent 11 quantified in the reagent quantification unit 133 flows into the mixing unit 170 through the fourth passage 136. Furthermore, the first reagent 11 stored in the bottom portion 140 ⁇ / b> A of the first container housing portion 140 flows into the capturing portion 146 via the connection path 147.
- the capturing unit 146 is a recess that closes downward, the first reagent 11 that has flowed into the capturing unit 146 remains without moving from the capturing unit 146.
- the capturing unit 146 can capture and store the first reagent 11 remaining in the first container 210 while the reagent channel 145 moves, the remaining first reagent 11 is mixed with the sample 10. The possibility of reaching the position can be reduced.
- the inspection chip 2 satisfies the relationship of “x1 ⁇ x2”. Therefore, the hole R formed by the protrusion 143 is located on the left side, which is the upstream side in the direction in which the first reagent 11 moves in the reagent flow path 145 with respect to the capturing part 146.
- the first reagent 11 remaining in the first container 210 is the reagent guide wall 141 located on the left side of the capturing unit 146. And move to the bottom 140 ⁇ / b> A of the first container housing part 140.
- the first reagent 11 stored in the bottom portion 140A of the first container housing portion 140 has the connection path 147 in the first container housing portion. Since it is connected to the bottom portion 140A of 140, it easily flows into the connection path 147 branched from the reagent flow path 145 before reaching the reagent guide wall 142. That is, when the first reagent 11 remaining in the first container 210 flows out of the hole R and moves through the reagent flow path 145, the first reagent 11 passes through a site that branches to the capturing unit 146. Therefore, the capturing unit 146 can reliably capture the first reagent 11 remaining in the first container 210 while the reagent channel 145 is moving.
- the inspection chip 2 satisfies the relationship of “z3> 0”. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, when the centrifugal force X that moves the first reagent 11 in the reagent flow path 145 is applied to the test chip 2, the centrifugal force X is not applied to the test chip 2. Rather, the first reagent 11 tends to flow into the capturing unit 146 via the connection path 147. Therefore, the first reagent 11 remaining in the first container 210 can be moved to the capturing unit 146 during the measurement operation, which is the timing for mixing the specimen 10 and the first reagent 11 and the second reagent 12.
- the second reagent 12 quantified by the reagent quantification unit 153 flows into the mixing unit 170 via the sixth passage 156.
- the reagent surplus portion 155 is a recess that closes in the right direction
- the surplus second reagent 12 remains in the reagent surplus portion 155.
- the second reagent 12 stored in the bottom portion 160 ⁇ / b> A of the second container housing portion 160 flows into the capturing portion 166 via the connection path 167.
- the sample 10 quantified by the sample quantification unit 114 flows into the mixing unit 170 via the second passage 117.
- the specimen surplus portion 116 is a concave portion that closes in the right direction, the surplus specimen 10 remains in the specimen surplus portion 116.
- the specimen 10, the first reagent 11, and the second reagent 12 that have flowed into the mixing unit 170 are mixed by the action of the centrifugal force X, and the mixed liquid 13 is generated.
- the inspection chip 2 is moved to the measurement position by the drive control of the spindle motor 35, and the revolution operation of the inspection chip 2 is completed.
- a part of the mixed liquid 13 generated in the mixing unit 170 moves in the gravity direction Z and is stored in the storage unit 175.
- the mixed liquid 13 is optically measured by the optical path passing through the storage unit 175.
- the inspection apparatus 1 obtains the inspection result of the specimen 10 based on the attenuation amount of the measurement light received by the optical sensor 72.
- the test result of the specimen 10 is displayed on a display (not shown), for example.
- the first container 210 inserted from the first insertion port 130 is disposed in the first container housing portion 140, and the sealing material 212 is formed by the protrusion 143.
- a hole R is formed in The capturing part 146 including a space communicating with the first container accommodating part 140 can accommodate a part of the first reagent 11 flowing out from the formed hole R.
- the first container 210 when the first container 210 is inserted into the first insertion port 130, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the first reagent 11 remaining in the first container 210 is mixed into the mixed liquid 13 already generated in the test chip 2.
- the second container 220 when the second container 220 is inserted into the second insertion port 150, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the second reagent 12 remaining in the second container 220 is mixed into the mixed liquid 13 already generated in the test chip 2.
- Second embodiment> A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Below, the same code
- the first container 210 and the second container 220 have a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a small thickness in the front-rear direction and a longitudinal direction in the left-right direction.
- the lower left bottom part 213 of the first container 210 protrudes below the lower right bottom part 214 of the first container 210.
- the lower left bottom part 223 of the second container 220 protrudes below the lower right bottom part 224 of the second container 220.
- first container 210 and the second container 220 plate-like portions 231 and 232 extending to the right are provided, respectively.
- the first container 210 and the second container 220 are integrally connected by the plate-like portion 231.
- a plate-like portion 233 extending to the left side is provided in the upper left portion of the first container 210.
- the reagent storage unit 211 has a reagent storage unit 241, a capture unit 242, and a connection path 243.
- the reagent storage unit 241 includes a space for storing the unused first reagent 11.
- the reagent storage unit 241 has a trapezoidal shape having an upper side and a lower side that are parallel to each other when viewed from the front, and the upper side is longer than the lower side.
- the reagent storage unit 241 is a recess provided on the upper side of the lower left bottom 213 and opening rearward.
- the right wall of the reagent storage unit 241 is an inclined surface extending in the upper right direction, and forms an in-container channel 244 in which the first reagent 11 in the reagent storage unit 241 can move.
- the first reagent 11 stored in the reagent storage unit 241 can move in the same direction as a reagent channel 145 described later.
- the capturing unit 242 includes a space communicating with the reagent storage unit 241 and can store a part of the first reagent 11 stored in the reagent storage unit 241.
- the capturing unit 242 has a trapezoidal shape having an upper side and a lower side that are parallel to each other when viewed from the front, and the lower side is longer than the upper side.
- the capturing part 242 is provided above the lower right bottom part 214 shown in FIG. 11 and has a smaller volume than the reagent storage part 241.
- the connection path 243 is a flow path of the first reagent 11 extending in the left-right direction that connects the upper right part of the reagent storage unit 241 and the upper left part of the capturing unit 242.
- the connection path 243 is formed on the front surface side opposite to the seal material 212 in the reagent storage unit 211.
- the first reagent 11 accommodated in the reagent accommodating portion 241 is sealed with a sealing material 212.
- the capture unit 242 does not contain the first reagent 11.
- the connection path 243 is provided at the upper end of the reagent storage unit 241.
- the lower side of the reagent unit 200 coincides with the gravity direction Z shown in FIG.
- the first reagent 11 in the reagent storage unit 241 moves to the lower end side of the reagent storage unit 241 by its own weight.
- the first reagent 11 in the reagent storage unit 241 moves in a direction away from the connection path 243 provided at the upper end of the reagent storage unit 241, and thus hardly flows out through the connection path 243.
- a connection path 243 is provided at the front end of the reagent storage unit 241.
- the rear of the reagent unit 200 coincides with the gravity direction Z shown in FIG.
- the first reagent 11 in the reagent storage unit 241 moves to the rear end side of the reagent storage unit 241 by its own weight. That is, the first reagent 11 in the reagent storage unit 241 moves in a direction away from the connection path 243 provided at the front end portion of the reagent storage unit 241, and thus hardly flows out through the connection path 243.
- the reagent storage unit 221 has a reagent storage unit 261, a capturing unit 262, a connection path 263, and an in-container channel 264, similar to the reagent storage unit 211. Therefore, the second reagent 12 in the reagent storage unit 261 is unlikely to flow out through the connection path 263 in the same manner as described above, regardless of whether the sealant 212 faces rearward or downward.
- the first insertion port 130 corresponds to the shape that is long in the left-right direction of the first container 210, and is longer in the left-right direction than the first embodiment.
- a plate-like support portion 139 that extends horizontally below the first insertion port 130 is provided at the upper right portion of the first container housing portion 140.
- the support portion 139 supports the lower right bottom portion 214 shown in FIG. 11 from below, and the lower left bottom portion 213 shown in FIG. 11 from the left side of the support portion 139. Enter downward.
- the plate-like portions 231 and 233 are supported from below at the opening edge of the first insertion port 130.
- a later-described reagent guide wall 148 is located below the first container 210, and a later-described reagent guide wall 149 is located on the lower right side of the first container 210. Accordingly, the first container 210 is disposed in the first container housing portion 140 in a state of being separated from the reagent guide walls 148 and 149.
- the upper right part of the first container housing part 140 communicates with the reagent supply path 131 directly under the support part 139. Similar to the first embodiment, the first container housing portion 140 is provided with a protrusion 143 that protrudes forward from the contact surface 144.
- the lower wall of the first container housing part 140 includes reagent guide walls 148 and 149.
- the reagent guide wall 148 is an inclined surface extending in the lower right direction from the lower left portion of the first container housing portion 140 to the substantially center in the left and right direction.
- the reagent guide wall 149 is an inclined surface extending in the upper right direction from the substantially horizontal center of the first container housing part 140 to the reagent supply path 131.
- the reagent guide wall 148 and the reagent guide wall 149 are connected to each other, and form a V-shaped bottom portion 140A when viewed from the front.
- a reagent channel 145 is formed along the reagent guide walls 148 and 149.
- the second insertion port 150 is longer in the left-right direction than in the first embodiment, corresponding to the shape of the second container 220 that is long in the left-right direction.
- the support part 159 provided in the upper right part of the second container housing part 160 supports the lower right bottom part 224 from below and the lower left bottom part 223 supports it. It enters downward from the left side of the part 159.
- the plate-like portions 231 and 232 are supported from below at the opening edge of the second insertion port 150.
- the second container 220 is disposed in the second container housing portion 160 in a state of being separated from reagent guide walls 168 and 169 described later.
- the second container housing portion 160 has the same configuration as the first container housing portion 140, and includes a protrusion 163, a contact surface 164, a reagent channel 165, and reagent guide walls 168 and 169.
- the reagent unit 200 is mounted on the test chip 2. While the first container 210 is moving downward from the first insertion port 130, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the protrusion 143 contacts the sealing material 212 to form the hole R. The first reagent 11 in the reagent storage unit 211 flows into the first container storage unit 140 through the hole R. The first reagent 11 that has flowed out is stored in the bottom part 140 ⁇ / b> A of the first container housing part 140.
- the protrusion 163 contacts the sealing material 222 to form the hole R.
- the second reagent 12 in the reagent storage part 221 flows out through the formed hole R and is stored in the bottom part 160 ⁇ / b> A, which is an area located at the lowermost end of the second container storage part 160.
- the steady state inspection chip 2 with the rotation angle “0 degree” is revolved by driving control of the spindle motor 35. Due to the action of the centrifugal force X, the first reagent 11 stored in the bottom part 140 ⁇ / b> A of the first container housing part 140 moves in the upper right direction via the reagent flow path 145 and flows into the reagent supply path 131. Furthermore, in the first container 210, the first reagent 11 may remain on the inner wall of the reagent storage unit 241, the fracture surface of the hole R, or the like. In this case, the first reagent 11 remaining in the reagent storage unit 241 moves in the upper right direction along the in-container channel 244 and flows into the capturing unit 242 via the connection path 243.
- the in-container channel 244 can move the first reagent 11 in the upper right direction that is the same direction as the reagent channel 145.
- the inclination angle of the in-container channel 244 and the inclination angle of the reagent guide wall 149 are the same.
- the inclination angle ⁇ of the in-container channel 244 and the inclination angle ⁇ of the reagent guide wall 149 are both the same as the inclination angle with respect to the left-right direction.
- the inclination angle ⁇ and the inclination angle ⁇ of the reagent guide wall 149 may be the same angle, but 60 degrees is considered as an example. Therefore, at the same time as the first reagent 11 moves through the reagent channel 145 by the action of the centrifugal force X, the first reagent 11 remaining in the reagent storage unit 241 is trapped via the in-container channel 244. Can move smoothly.
- the capillary force F for the connection path 243 to take in the first reagent 11 from the reagent storage unit 241 by capillary action is smaller than the centrifugal force X applied to the test chip 2 during the measurement operation.
- the cross-sectional shape of the connection path 243 is set so as to satisfy the relationship of “centrifugal force X> capillary force F”.
- the flow path radius “r” of the connection path 243 is set as follows.
- the first reagent 11 remaining in the reagent storage unit 241 is more connected than in the state in which the centrifugal force X is not applied to the test chip 2. It tends to flow into the capturing part 242 via the path 243. Therefore, the first reagent 11 remaining in the reagent storage unit 241 can be moved to the capture unit 242 during a measurement operation that is a timing for mixing the sample 10 and the first reagent 11 and the second reagent 12.
- the second reagent 12 stored in the bottom 160A of the second container housing section 160 flows into the reagent supply path 151 via the reagent flow path 165.
- the second reagent 12 remaining in the reagent storage unit 261 moves in the upper right direction along the in-container channel 264 and flows into the capturing unit 262 via the connection path 263.
- the sample 10 stored in the sample storage unit 111 flows into the sample supply path 112 by the centrifugal force X.
- connection path 243 is on the side opposite to the centrifugal force X and the gravity direction Z when viewed from the capturing part 242 regardless of whether the inspection chip 2 has the rotation angle “0 degree” or “90 degrees”. Therefore, the first reagent 11 that has flowed into the capturing unit 242 is unlikely to flow out. Similarly, the second reagent 12 that has flowed into the capturing unit 262 is unlikely to flow out.
- the first reagent 11 accommodated in the reagent accommodating portion 241 is sealed with the sealing material 212.
- the capturing unit 242 including a space communicating with the reagent storage unit 241 can store a part of the reagent storage unit 241.
- the sealing material 212 is broken and the first reagent 11 is caused to flow out of the reagent storage unit 241
- the first reagent 11 remaining in the reagent storage unit 241 is stored in the capturing unit 242 to the outside of the first container 210. Outflow of the remaining first reagent 11 is suppressed. Therefore, when the first container 210 is inserted into the test chip 2, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the first reagent 11 remaining in the reagent storage unit 241 is mixed into the mixed liquid 13 already generated in the test chip 2.
- the first container 210 inserted from the first insertion port 130 is disposed in the first container housing part 140, and a hole R is formed in the sealing material 212 by the protrusion 143.
- the first reagent 11 flowing out from the formed hole R is movable toward a position where it is mixed with the specimen 10 by the reagent flow path 145.
- the direction in which the capture unit 242 is positioned with respect to the reagent storage unit 140 is along the direction in which the first reagent 11 is moved through the reagent channel 145 in a state where the first container 210 is inserted from the first insertion port 130. Therefore, the first reagent 11 remaining in the reagent storage unit 241 can move in the same direction as the first reagent 11 in the reagent channel 145.
- the first reagent 11 remaining in the reagent storage unit 241 can also move to the capturing unit 242.
- the first reagent 11 remaining in the reagent storage unit 241 is stored in the capture unit 242, and therefore the remaining first
- the possibility that one reagent 11 is mixed into the generated mixed liquid 13 can be reduced.
- the possibility that the second reagent 12 remaining in the reagent storage unit 261 is mixed into the mixed liquid 13 already generated in the test chip 2 can be reduced.
- the direction in which the first reagent 11 is moved through the reagent channel 145 is along the direction in which the first reagent 11 is moved through the reagent channel 145 in a state where the first container 210 is inserted from the first insertion port 130. Therefore, when an external force that moves the first reagent 11 through the reagent flow path 145 is applied to the test chip 2, the first reagent 11 remaining in the first container housing portion 140 is removed by the in-container flow path 244. It can move smoothly to the capturing unit 242. Similarly, the second reagent 12 remaining in the second container housing portion 160 can be smoothly moved to the capturing portion 262 by the in-container channel 264.
- the reagent flow path 145 includes a reagent guide wall 149 that forms a container housing portion 140.
- the in-container channel 244 includes a wall that forms the reagent storage unit 241.
- the inclination angle ⁇ and the inclination angle ⁇ are the same. Therefore, the wall forming the reagent container 241 is inclined in the same direction as the reagent guide wall 149 forming the container container 140 in a state where the first container 210 is inserted from the first insertion port 130. Therefore, the first reagent 11 can be moved in the same direction in each of the reagent channel 145 and the in-container channel 264. The same applies to the second reagent 12.
- the first reagent 11 and the second reagent 12 each correspond to a “reagent” of the present disclosure.
- the first container 210 and the second container 220 each correspond to a “reagent container” of the present disclosure.
- the first insertion port 130 and the second insertion port 150 each correspond to an “insertion port” of the present disclosure.
- the reagent supply path 131 and the fourth path 136, and the reagent supply path 151 and the sixth path 156 respectively correspond to the “supply path” of the present disclosure.
- the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible.
- the inspection device 1 and the inspection chip 2 of the above embodiment are merely examples, and the structure, shape, processing, and the like of each can be changed.
- the reagent unit 200 in which the first container 210 and the second container 220 are connected is illustrated in consideration of user convenience, but the first container 210 and the second container 220 are used alone. May be.
- the inspection chip 2 includes the plate material 20 and the sheet 29, but the inspection chip 2 may not include the sheet 29.
- the “projection” may be changed in shape, position, size, and the like as long as a hole through which the reagent flows can be formed in the reagent container arranged in the reference region.
- the number of “reagents” injected into the test chip is not limited to two, and may be one reagent or three or more reagents.
- the “capturing part” exemplified in the first embodiment may be changed in shape, position, size, etc., as long as it communicates with the container accommodating part and can accommodate a part of the reagent flowing out of the hole. .
- the capturing part 146 is provided via a connection path 147 extending in the upper right direction from the bottom part 140 ⁇ / b> A of the first container housing part 140.
- This connection path 147 branches off from the reagent flow path 145. That is, the capturing part 146 is open in the left direction.
- the capturing part is not limited to opening in the left direction, and may be connected to the reagent channel, and may be opened in either direction.
- the “capturing unit” exemplified in the second embodiment is in communication with the reagent storage unit and changes the shape, position, size, etc. within a range in which a part of the reagent stored in the reagent storage unit can be stored. May be.
- the direction in which the “capturing unit” is located with respect to the reagent storage unit may be along the direction in which the reagent is moved through the reagent channel in a state where the reagent container is inserted from the insertion port.
- the “capturing unit” may be provided in the same direction as the direction in which the reagent is moved in the reagent channel with respect to the reagent storage unit.
- This “same direction” means that when an external force in a predetermined direction is applied to the test chip, the reagent moves toward the same side in the reagent container and the reagent flow path.
- the inclination angle ⁇ and the inclination angle ⁇ have been described as 60 degrees as the same angle, but other angles may be used. Further, the inclination angle ⁇ and the inclination angle ⁇ may be different angles.
- Test Chip 10 Specimen 11 First Reagent 12 Second Reagent 13 Mixed Solution 130 First Insertion Port 140 First Container Storage Portion 143 Protrusion Portion 145 Reagent Channel 146 Capture Portion 147 Connection Path 150 Second Insertion Port 160 Second Container Storage Portion 163 Protruding portion 165 Reagent flow path 166 Capture section 167 Connection path 210 First container 212 Seal material 220 Second container 222 Seal material 241 Reagent storage section 242 Capture section 243 Connection path 244 In-container flow path 261 Reagent storage section 262 Capture section 263 Connection path 264 Channel in container
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Abstract
Provided are a reagent container and examination chip whereby it is possible to reduce a risk of a reagent which remains without being supplied from a reagent container to a flow path and being mixed with a produced solution. [Solution] With respect to an examination chip (2), a first container (210) which is inserted via a first insertion port (130) is positioned in a first container housing part (140). When the first container (210) is inserted, a hole (R) is formed in a seal material (212) by a protrusion part (143). A grapple part (146) which includes a space which connects with the first container housing part (140) is capable of housing a portion of a first reagent (11) which issues from the formed hole (R).
Description
本開示は、検査対象物の化学的、医学的、生物学的な検査を行うための試薬容器および検査チップに関する。
The present disclosure relates to a reagent container and a test chip for performing a chemical, medical, and biological test of a test object.
従来、生体物質および化学物質等を検査するための検査チップが知られている。例えば特許文献1には、試薬が収容されている試薬容器を内部に挿入可能なカセットが開示されている。試薬容器の表面には、試薬が封止するホイルカバーが貼られている。カセットの内部に試薬容器が挿入される時に、試薬容器からホイルカバーが剥がれる。これにより、試薬容器に収容されている試薬は、カセットの内部に形成された流路へ供給可能となる。
Conventionally, an inspection chip for inspecting biological substances and chemical substances is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cassette in which a reagent container containing a reagent can be inserted. A foil cover for sealing the reagent is attached to the surface of the reagent container. When the reagent container is inserted into the cassette, the foil cover is peeled off from the reagent container. Thereby, the reagent accommodated in the reagent container can be supplied to the flow path formed inside the cassette.
上記のカセットでは内部に試薬容器が挿入された場合に、試薬の一部がカセット内の流路に供給されずに、例えばホイルカバーの破断面などの試薬容器の所定箇所に残存することがある。カセットに遠心処理が実行されると、流路に供給された試薬と検査対象の検体とが混合された混合液が生成される。このとき、試薬容器の所定箇所に試薬が残存していると、この残存試薬が遠心処理に伴ってカセット内の流路に流入し、生成済みの混合液に混入する場合がある。生成された混合液に残存試薬が混入すると、正確な検査結果を得られないおそれがあった。
In the above cassette, when a reagent container is inserted in the cassette, a part of the reagent may not be supplied to the flow path in the cassette, and may remain in a predetermined portion of the reagent container such as a fracture surface of a foil cover. . When the centrifugal process is performed on the cassette, a mixed solution is generated in which the reagent supplied to the flow path and the specimen to be examined are mixed. At this time, if the reagent remains in a predetermined location of the reagent container, the remaining reagent may flow into the flow path in the cassette along with the centrifugal process and may be mixed into the generated mixed liquid. If the remaining reagent is mixed in the produced mixed solution, there is a possibility that an accurate test result cannot be obtained.
本開示の目的は、試薬容器から流路に供給されずに残存した試薬が、生成済みの混合液に混入するおそれを低減可能な試薬容器および検査チップを提供することである。
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a reagent container and a test chip that can reduce a possibility that a reagent remaining without being supplied from the reagent container to the flow path is mixed into a generated mixed solution.
本開示の第一態様は、液体である検体および試薬を内部に収容可能であり、所定の軸を中心に回転されることで前記検体および前記試薬が混合される検査チップであって、内部に収容された前記試薬がシール材によって封止された試薬容器を挿入可能な挿入口と、前記挿入口から挿入された前記試薬容器を収容可能な空間を含む容器収容部と、前記容器収容部に設けられ、前記容器収容部に配置される前記試薬容器の前記シール材に穴を形成可能な突起部と、前記容器収容部に連通する空間を含み、前記穴から流出した前記試薬の一部を収容可能な捕捉部とを備える。
A first aspect of the present disclosure is a test chip that can accommodate a specimen and a reagent, which are liquids, and mix the specimen and the reagent by being rotated about a predetermined axis. An insertion port into which a reagent container in which the stored reagent is sealed with a sealing material can be inserted, a container storage unit including a space in which the reagent container inserted from the insertion port can be stored, and the container storage unit A protrusion that can be formed in the sealing material of the reagent container disposed in the container housing portion and a space that communicates with the container housing portion; And a trapping portion that can be accommodated.
上記態様に係る検査チップによれば、挿入口から挿入された試薬容器は、容器収容部に配置され、突起部によってシール材に試薬が流出する穴が形成される。容器収容部に連通する空間を含む捕捉部は、形成された穴から流出する試薬の一部を収容可能である。シール材を破断して試薬容器から試薬を流出させたのち、試薬容器に残存した試薬を捕捉部に収容することで、残存試薬の不要な流出が抑制される。そのため、検査チップに試薬容器を挿入した場合に、残存試薬が検査チップ内で生成済みの混合液に混入するおそれを低減できる。
According to the inspection chip according to the above aspect, the reagent container inserted from the insertion port is disposed in the container housing portion, and a hole through which the reagent flows out is formed in the sealing material by the protrusion. The capturing part including the space communicating with the container housing part can accommodate a part of the reagent flowing out from the formed hole. After the sealing material is broken and the reagent is allowed to flow out of the reagent container, the reagent remaining in the reagent container is accommodated in the trapping portion, so that unnecessary leakage of the remaining reagent is suppressed. For this reason, when a reagent container is inserted into the test chip, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the remaining reagent is mixed into the mixed liquid already generated in the test chip.
前記容器収容部に接続され、前記試薬が前記検体と混合される位置に向けて移動可能な供給路と、前記容器収容部に設けられ、前記穴から流出した前記試薬が前記供給路に向けて移動可能な試薬流路を備え、前記捕捉部は、前記試薬流路から分岐した位置に設けられてもよい。この場合、形成された穴から流出する試薬は、試薬流路によって供給路に向けて移動可能である。捕捉部は、試薬流路で移動される残存試薬を捉えて収容できるため、残存試薬は検体と混合される位置に到達するおそれを低減できる。
A supply path connected to the container housing portion and movable toward a position where the reagent is mixed with the specimen, and the reagent provided in the container housing portion and flowing out of the hole toward the supply path A movable reagent channel may be provided, and the capturing unit may be provided at a position branched from the reagent channel. In this case, the reagent flowing out from the formed hole can be moved toward the supply path by the reagent flow path. Since the capture unit can capture and store the remaining reagent moved in the reagent channel, the possibility that the remaining reagent reaches a position where it is mixed with the specimen can be reduced.
前記捕捉部は、前記突起部に対して、前記試薬流路において前記試薬が移動される方向の下流側に設けられてもよい。この場合、突起部によって形成される穴は、捕捉部に対して、試薬流路における試薬の移動方向の上流側に位置する。穴から流出する試薬は、試薬流路を移動する場合に、捕捉部へ分岐する部位を経由する。したがって、捕捉部は、試薬流路で移動される残存試薬をより確実に捉えることができる。
The capture unit may be provided on the downstream side in the direction in which the reagent is moved in the reagent flow path with respect to the protrusion. In this case, the hole formed by the protruding portion is located upstream of the capturing portion in the reagent moving direction in the reagent channel. The reagent that flows out of the hole passes through a site that branches to the capture unit when moving in the reagent flow path. Therefore, the capturing unit can capture the remaining reagent moved in the reagent channel more reliably.
前記試薬流路から分岐して前記捕捉部に接続する前記試薬の流路である接続路を備え、前記接続路は、前記穴から流出した前記試薬が前記容器収容部の底部に貯留される状態において、前記容器収容部の底部から前記捕捉部に向けて水平方向よりも上方に傾斜してもよい。この場合、試薬を試薬流路で移動させる外力が検査チップに付与されている場合は、その外力が検査チップに付与されていない場合よりも、試薬は接続路を介して捕捉部に流入しやすい。したがって、検体および試薬を混合させるタイミングで、容器収容部内の残存試薬を捕捉部に移動させることができる。
A connection path that is a flow path of the reagent that branches from the reagent flow path and connects to the capture unit, and the connection path is in a state in which the reagent that has flowed out of the hole is stored in the bottom of the container storage unit In this case, the container housing part may be inclined upward from the horizontal direction toward the capturing part. In this case, when an external force for moving the reagent in the reagent flow path is applied to the test chip, the reagent flows into the capturing portion via the connection path more than when the external force is not applied to the test chip. . Therefore, the remaining reagent in the container housing part can be moved to the capturing part at the timing of mixing the specimen and the reagent.
本開示の第二態様は、液体である検体および試薬を内部に収容可能であり、且つ、所定の軸を中心に回転されることで前記検体および前記試薬が混合される検査チップに挿入可能な試薬容器であって、前記試薬を収容可能な空間を含む試薬収容部と、前記試薬収容部に収容された前記試薬を封止するシール材と、前記試薬収容部に連通する空間を含み、前記試薬収容部に収容された前記試薬の一部を収容可能な捕捉部とを備える。
According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, a specimen and a reagent that are liquids can be accommodated therein, and can be inserted into a test chip in which the specimen and the reagent are mixed by being rotated about a predetermined axis. A reagent container, including a reagent container including a space in which the reagent can be stored; a seal material for sealing the reagent stored in the reagent container; and a space communicating with the reagent container; A capture unit capable of storing a part of the reagent stored in the reagent storage unit.
上記態様に係る試薬容器によれば、試薬収容部に収容された試薬は、シール材によって封止される。試薬収容部に連通する空間を含む捕捉部は、試薬の一部を収容可能である。シール材を破断して試薬収容部から試薬を流出させたのち、試薬収容部に残存した試薬を捕捉部に収容することで、試薬容器の外部への残存試薬の流出が抑制される。そのため、例えば検査チップに試薬容器を挿入した場合に、残存試薬が検査チップ内で生成済みの混合液に混入するおそれを低減できる。
According to the reagent container according to the above aspect, the reagent accommodated in the reagent accommodating portion is sealed with the sealing material. The capturing unit including a space communicating with the reagent storage unit can store a part of the reagent. After the sealing material is broken and the reagent is allowed to flow out of the reagent storage unit, the reagent remaining in the reagent storage unit is stored in the capturing unit, thereby suppressing the remaining reagent from flowing out of the reagent container. Therefore, for example, when a reagent container is inserted into the test chip, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the remaining reagent is mixed into the mixed liquid that has already been generated in the test chip.
本開示の第三態様は、前記試薬容器を備えた検査チップであって、前記試薬容器を挿入可能な挿入口と、前記挿入口から挿入された前記試薬容器を収容可能な空間を含む容器収容部と、前記容器収容部に設けられ、前記容器収容部に配置される前記試薬容器の前記シール材に穴を形成可能な突起部と、前記容器収容部に接続され、前記試薬が前記検体と混合される位置に向けて移動可能な供給路と、前記容器収容部に設けられ、前記穴から流出した前記試薬が前記供給路に向けて移動可能な試薬流路とを備え、前記試薬収容部に対して前記捕捉部が位置する方向は、前記試薬容器が前記挿入口から挿入された状態において、前記試薬が前記試薬流路を移動される方向に沿うことを特徴とする。
A third aspect of the present disclosure is a test chip including the reagent container, the container housing including an insertion port into which the reagent container can be inserted, and a space in which the reagent container inserted from the insertion port can be stored. , A protrusion provided in the container housing portion and capable of forming a hole in the seal material of the reagent container disposed in the container housing portion, connected to the container housing portion, and the reagent is connected to the specimen A reagent supply path that is movable toward a position to be mixed; and a reagent flow path that is provided in the container storage section and that can move the reagent that has flowed out of the hole toward the supply path. On the other hand, the direction in which the capture unit is positioned is along the direction in which the reagent is moved through the reagent channel in a state where the reagent container is inserted from the insertion port.
上記態様に係る検査チップによれば、挿入口から挿入された試薬容器は、容器収容部に配置され、突起部によってシール材に穴が形成される。形成された穴から流出する試薬は、試薬流路によって供給路に向けて移動可能である。試薬収容部を基準として捕捉部が位置する方向は、試薬容器が挿入口から挿入された状態において、試薬が試薬流路を移動される方向に沿う。そのため、容器収容部内の残存試薬は、試薬流路の試薬と同一方向に移動可能である。したがって、試薬を試薬流路で移動させる外力が検査チップに付与された場合に、容器収容部内の残存試薬も捕捉部に移動できる。検査チップ内で試薬と検体が混合された時点では、残存試薬は捕捉部に収容されているため、残存試薬が生成済みの混合液に混入するおそれを低減できる。
According to the inspection chip according to the above aspect, the reagent container inserted from the insertion port is disposed in the container housing portion, and a hole is formed in the sealing material by the protrusion. The reagent flowing out from the formed hole can move toward the supply path by the reagent flow path. The direction in which the capture unit is positioned with respect to the reagent storage unit is along the direction in which the reagent is moved through the reagent channel in a state where the reagent container is inserted from the insertion port. Therefore, the remaining reagent in the container housing part can move in the same direction as the reagent in the reagent channel. Therefore, when an external force that moves the reagent in the reagent flow path is applied to the test chip, the remaining reagent in the container housing portion can also move to the capturing portion. When the reagent and the sample are mixed in the test chip, the remaining reagent is accommodated in the capturing unit, so that the possibility that the remaining reagent is mixed into the generated mixed liquid can be reduced.
前記試薬容器は、前記試薬収容部に収容されている前記試薬が移動可能な容器内流路を備え、前記試薬が前記容器内流路を移動される方向は、前記試薬容器が前記挿入口から挿入された状態において、前記試薬が前記試薬流路を移動される方向に沿ってもよい。この場合、試薬を試薬流路で移動させる外力が検査チップに付与された場合に、容器収容部内の残存試薬を容器内流路によって捕捉部までスムーズに移動できる。
The reagent container includes an in-container flow path in which the reagent accommodated in the reagent accommodating portion can move, and the direction in which the reagent moves through the in-container flow path is determined by the reagent container from the insertion port. In the inserted state, the reagent may be along a direction in which the reagent is moved through the reagent channel. In this case, when an external force for moving the reagent in the reagent channel is applied to the test chip, the remaining reagent in the container housing portion can be smoothly moved to the capturing portion by the channel in the container.
前記試薬流路は、前記容器収容部を形成する壁を含み、前記容器内流路は、前記試薬収容部を形成する壁を含み、前記試薬収容部を形成する壁は、前記試薬容器が前記挿入口から挿入された状態において、前記容器収容部を形成する壁と同一方向に傾斜してもよい。この場合、試薬流路および容器内流路の各々において試薬を、同一方向に移動させることができる。
The reagent flow path includes a wall that forms the container storage section, the in-container flow path includes a wall that forms the reagent storage section, and the wall that forms the reagent storage section includes the reagent container In the state inserted from the insertion port, it may incline in the same direction as the wall which forms the said container accommodating part. In this case, the reagent can be moved in the same direction in each of the reagent channel and the in-container channel.
前記試薬容器は、前記試薬収容部と前記捕捉部とを接続する前記試薬の流路である接続路を備え、前記接続路が毛管現象によって前記試薬収容部から前記試薬を取り込む毛管力は、前記検体および前記試薬を混合させる場合に前記検査チップに付与される遠心力よりも小さくてもよい。この場合、検体および試薬を混合させる遠心力が検査チップに付与されている状態では、その遠心力が検査チップに付与されていない状態よりも、試薬収容部に残存している試薬が接続路を経由して捕捉部に流入しやすい。したがって、検体および試薬を混合させるタイミングで、容器収容部内の残存試薬を捕捉部に移動させることができる。
The reagent container includes a connection path that is a flow path of the reagent that connects the reagent storage section and the capture section, and the capillary path that takes the reagent from the reagent storage section by capillary action is When mixing the specimen and the reagent, the centrifugal force applied to the test chip may be smaller. In this case, in the state where the centrifugal force that mixes the specimen and the reagent is applied to the test chip, the reagent remaining in the reagent storage portion passes through the connection path more than in the state where the centrifugal force is not applied to the test chip. It tends to flow into the capture part via. Therefore, the remaining reagent in the container housing part can be moved to the capturing part at the timing of mixing the specimen and the reagent.
本開示を具体化した実施の形態について、図面を参照して説明する。参照する図面は、本開示が採用しうる技術的特徴を説明するために用いられるものであり、単なる説明例である。
Embodiments embodying the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings to be referred to are used to explain technical features that can be adopted by the present disclosure, and are merely illustrative examples.
<1.第一実施形態>
本開示の第一実施形態を説明する。図1および図2を参照して、検査システム3の概略構造について説明する。本実施形態の検査システム3は、液体である検体および試薬を収容可能な検査チップ2と、検査チップ2を用いて検査を行う検査装置1とを含む。検査装置1は、検査チップ2から離間した垂直軸を中心とした回転によって、検査チップ2に遠心力を付与できる。検査装置1は、検査チップ2を水平軸まわりに回転させることによって、検査チップ2に付与される遠心力の方向である遠心方向を切り替え可能である。 <1. First embodiment>
A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. A schematic structure of theinspection system 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The inspection system 3 of the present embodiment includes an inspection chip 2 that can store a specimen and a reagent that are liquids, and an inspection apparatus 1 that performs an inspection using the inspection chip 2. The inspection apparatus 1 can apply a centrifugal force to the inspection chip 2 by rotation about a vertical axis that is separated from the inspection chip 2. The inspection apparatus 1 can switch the centrifugal direction that is the direction of the centrifugal force applied to the inspection chip 2 by rotating the inspection chip 2 about the horizontal axis.
本開示の第一実施形態を説明する。図1および図2を参照して、検査システム3の概略構造について説明する。本実施形態の検査システム3は、液体である検体および試薬を収容可能な検査チップ2と、検査チップ2を用いて検査を行う検査装置1とを含む。検査装置1は、検査チップ2から離間した垂直軸を中心とした回転によって、検査チップ2に遠心力を付与できる。検査装置1は、検査チップ2を水平軸まわりに回転させることによって、検査チップ2に付与される遠心力の方向である遠心方向を切り替え可能である。 <1. First embodiment>
A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. A schematic structure of the
<1-1.検査装置1の構造>
図1~図3を参照して、検査装置1の詳細構造について説明する。以下の説明では、図1および図2の上方、下方、右方、左方、紙面手前側、紙面奥側を、それぞれ、検査装置1の上方、下方、右方、左方、後方、前方とする。図3の上方、下方、右方、左方、紙面手前側、紙面奥側を、それぞれ、検査装置1の前方、下方、右方、左方、上方、下方とする。本実施形態では、垂直軸の方向は上下方向であり、水平軸の方向は検査チップ2が垂直軸を中心とした回転の際の速度の方向である。図1および図2では上部筐体30を仮想線で示し、図3では上部筐体30の天板が取り除かれた状態を示す。 <1-1. Structure of theinspection apparatus 1>
The detailed structure of theinspection apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the upper, lower, right, left, front side, and back side of FIGS. 1 and 2 are respectively the upper, lower, right, left, rear, and front sides of the inspection apparatus 1. To do. The upper, lower, right, left, front side, and back side of FIG. 3 are the front, lower, right, left, upper, and lower sides of the inspection apparatus 1, respectively. In this embodiment, the direction of the vertical axis is the vertical direction, and the direction of the horizontal axis is the direction of the speed when the inspection chip 2 rotates around the vertical axis. 1 and 2 show the upper housing 30 with phantom lines, and FIG. 3 shows a state in which the top plate of the upper housing 30 is removed.
図1~図3を参照して、検査装置1の詳細構造について説明する。以下の説明では、図1および図2の上方、下方、右方、左方、紙面手前側、紙面奥側を、それぞれ、検査装置1の上方、下方、右方、左方、後方、前方とする。図3の上方、下方、右方、左方、紙面手前側、紙面奥側を、それぞれ、検査装置1の前方、下方、右方、左方、上方、下方とする。本実施形態では、垂直軸の方向は上下方向であり、水平軸の方向は検査チップ2が垂直軸を中心とした回転の際の速度の方向である。図1および図2では上部筐体30を仮想線で示し、図3では上部筐体30の天板が取り除かれた状態を示す。 <1-1. Structure of the
The detailed structure of the
図1~図3に示すように、検査装置1は、上部筐体30、下部筐体31、ターンテーブル33、角度変更機構34、および制御装置90を備える。ターンテーブル33は、下部筐体31の上面側に設けられる円盤状の回転体である。検査チップ2は、ターンテーブル33の上方に保持される。角度変更機構34は、ターンテーブル33に設けられた駆動機構である。この駆動機構は、検査チップ2を水平軸まわりに回転させる。上部筐体30は、下部筐体31の上側に固定されており、検査チップ2に対して光学的な計測を行う計測部7が内部に設けられている。制御装置90は、検査装置1の遠心処理および計測処理等を制御するコントローラである。
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the inspection apparatus 1 includes an upper housing 30, a lower housing 31, a turntable 33, an angle changing mechanism 34, and a control device 90. The turntable 33 is a disk-shaped rotating body provided on the upper surface side of the lower housing 31. The inspection chip 2 is held above the turntable 33. The angle changing mechanism 34 is a drive mechanism provided on the turntable 33. This drive mechanism rotates the inspection chip 2 around the horizontal axis. The upper housing 30 is fixed to the upper side of the lower housing 31, and the measurement unit 7 that performs optical measurement on the test chip 2 is provided inside. The control device 90 is a controller that controls centrifugal processing, measurement processing, and the like of the inspection device 1.
下部筐体31の詳細構造を説明する。図1および図2に示すように、下部筐体31は、枠部材を組み合わせた箱状のフレーム構造を有する。下部筐体31の上面には、平面視長方形の板材である上板32が設けられている。上板32の上側には、ターンテーブル33が回転自在に設けられている。下部筐体31の内部には、ターンテーブル33を垂直軸まわりに回転させる駆動機構が、次のように設けられている。
The detailed structure of the lower housing 31 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower housing 31 has a box-like frame structure in which frame members are combined. On the upper surface of the lower housing 31, an upper plate 32 that is a rectangular plate material in plan view is provided. A turntable 33 is rotatably provided above the upper plate 32. A drive mechanism for rotating the turntable 33 around the vertical axis is provided in the lower housing 31 as follows.
下部筐体31内の左方寄りに、ターンテーブル33を回転させるための駆動力を供給する主軸モータ35が設置されている。主軸モータ35の軸36は、上方に突出しており、プーリ37が固定されている。平面視で下部筐体31の中央部には、下部筐体31の内部から上方に延びる垂直な主軸57が設けられている。主軸57は、上板32を貫通して、下部筐体31の上側に突出している。主軸57の上端部は、平面視でターンテーブル33の中央部に接続されている。
A spindle motor 35 that supplies a driving force for rotating the turntable 33 is installed on the left side of the lower housing 31. A shaft 36 of the main shaft motor 35 protrudes upward, and a pulley 37 is fixed. A vertical main shaft 57 extending upward from the inside of the lower housing 31 is provided at the center of the lower housing 31 in plan view. The main shaft 57 passes through the upper plate 32 and protrudes above the lower housing 31. The upper end portion of the main shaft 57 is connected to the center portion of the turntable 33 in plan view.
主軸57は、上板32の直下に設けられた支持部材53によって、回転自在に保持されている。支持部材53の下側では、主軸57にプーリ38が固定されている。プーリ37、38に亘って、ベルト39が掛け渡されている。主軸モータ35が軸36を回転させると、プーリ37、ベルト39、およびプーリ38を介して駆動力が主軸57に伝達される。このとき、主軸57の回転に連動して、ターンテーブル33が主軸57を中心に回転する。
The main shaft 57 is rotatably held by a support member 53 provided immediately below the upper plate 32. A pulley 38 is fixed to the main shaft 57 below the support member 53. A belt 39 is stretched over the pulleys 37 and 38. When the main shaft motor 35 rotates the shaft 36, driving force is transmitted to the main shaft 57 via the pulley 37, the belt 39, and the pulley 38. At this time, the turntable 33 rotates around the main shaft 57 in conjunction with the rotation of the main shaft 57.
下部筐体31内の右方寄りに、下部筐体31の内部で上下方向に延びるガイドレール56が設けられている。T型プレート48は、ガイドレール56に沿って下部筐体31内で上下方向に移動可能である。T型プレート48の前側、すなわち図1および図2では紙面奥側の面には、左右方向に長い溝部80が形成されている。
A guide rail 56 extending in the vertical direction inside the lower housing 31 is provided on the right side in the lower housing 31. The T-shaped plate 48 is movable in the vertical direction within the lower housing 31 along the guide rail 56. A groove 80 that is long in the left-right direction is formed on the front side of the T-shaped plate 48, that is, on the back side in FIG. 1 and FIG.
先述の主軸57は、内部が中空の筒状体である。内軸40は、主軸57の内部で上下方向に移動可能な軸である。内軸40の上端部は、主軸57内を貫通して後述のラックギア43に接続されている。T型プレート48の左端部には、軸受41が設けられている。軸受41の内部では、内軸40の下端部が回転自在に保持される。
The above-described main shaft 57 is a hollow cylindrical body. The inner shaft 40 is a shaft that can move in the vertical direction within the main shaft 57. An upper end portion of the inner shaft 40 passes through the main shaft 57 and is connected to a rack gear 43 described later. A bearing 41 is provided at the left end of the T-shaped plate 48. Inside the bearing 41, the lower end portion of the inner shaft 40 is rotatably held.
T型プレート48の前側には、T型プレート48を上下動させるためのステッピングモータ51が固定されている。ステッピングモータ51の軸58は後側、すなわち図1および図2では紙面手前側に向けて突出している。軸58の先端には、円盤状のカム板59が固定されている。カム板59の後側の面には、円柱状の突起70が設けられている。突起70の先端部は、先述の溝部80に挿入されている。突起70は、溝部80内を摺動可能である。ステッピングモータ51が軸58を回転させると、カム板59の回転に連動して突起70が上下動する。このとき、溝部80に挿入されている突起70に連動して、T型プレート48がガイドレール56に沿って上下動する。
A stepping motor 51 for moving the T-shaped plate 48 up and down is fixed to the front side of the T-shaped plate 48. The shaft 58 of the stepping motor 51 protrudes toward the rear side, that is, the front side in FIG. 1 and FIG. A disc-shaped cam plate 59 is fixed to the tip of the shaft 58. A cylindrical projection 70 is provided on the rear surface of the cam plate 59. The tip of the protrusion 70 is inserted into the groove 80 described above. The protrusion 70 can slide in the groove 80. When the stepping motor 51 rotates the shaft 58, the projection 70 moves up and down in conjunction with the rotation of the cam plate 59. At this time, the T-shaped plate 48 moves up and down along the guide rail 56 in conjunction with the protrusion 70 inserted in the groove 80.
角度変更機構34の詳細構造を説明する。角度変更機構34は、ターンテーブル33の上面に固定された一対のL型プレート60を有する。各L型プレート60は、ターンテーブル33の中心近傍に固定された基部から上方に延び、且つ、その上端部がターンテーブル33の径方向外側に向けて延びている。一対のL型プレート60の間には、内軸40に固定されたラックギア43が設けられている。ラックギア43は、上下方向に長い金属製の板状部材であり、両端面にギアが各々刻まれている。
The detailed structure of the angle changing mechanism 34 will be described. The angle changing mechanism 34 has a pair of L-shaped plates 60 fixed to the upper surface of the turntable 33. Each L-shaped plate 60 extends upward from a base portion fixed in the vicinity of the center of the turntable 33, and its upper end portion extends outward in the radial direction of the turntable 33. A rack gear 43 fixed to the inner shaft 40 is provided between the pair of L-shaped plates 60. The rack gear 43 is a metal plate-like member that is long in the vertical direction, and gears are respectively carved on both end faces.
各L型プレート60の延設方向の先端側では、ギア45を有する水平な支軸46が回転自在に軸支されている。支軸46は図示外の装着用ホルダを介して検査チップ2に固定されている。このため、ギア45の回転に連動して検査チップ2も支軸46を中心に回転する。ギア45とラックギア43との間には、L型プレート60によって水平軸まわりに回転自在に支持されたピニオンギア44が介在している。ピニオンギア44は、ギア45およびラックギア43にそれぞれ噛合している。ラックギア43の上下動に連動して、ピニオンギア44、ギア45がそれぞれ従動回転し、ひいては検査チップ2が支軸46を中心に回転する。
A horizontal support shaft 46 having a gear 45 is rotatably supported at the distal end side in the extending direction of each L-shaped plate 60. The support shaft 46 is fixed to the inspection chip 2 via a mounting holder (not shown). For this reason, the inspection chip 2 also rotates around the support shaft 46 in conjunction with the rotation of the gear 45. Between the gear 45 and the rack gear 43, a pinion gear 44 supported by an L-shaped plate 60 so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis is interposed. The pinion gear 44 meshes with the gear 45 and the rack gear 43, respectively. In conjunction with the vertical movement of the rack gear 43, the pinion gear 44 and the gear 45 are driven to rotate, and the inspection chip 2 rotates about the support shaft 46.
本実施形態では、主軸モータ35がターンテーブル33を回転駆動するのに伴って、検査チップ2が垂直軸である主軸57を中心に回転して、検査チップ2に遠心力が付与される。検査チップ2の垂直軸まわりの回転を、公転と呼ぶ。一方、ステッピングモータ51が内軸40を上下動させるのに伴って、検査チップ2が水平軸である支軸46を中心に回転して、検査チップ2に作用する遠心力の方向が相対変化する。検査チップ2の水平軸まわりの回転を、自転と呼ぶ。
In this embodiment, as the main shaft motor 35 rotates and drives the turntable 33, the inspection chip 2 rotates around the main shaft 57, which is a vertical axis, and centrifugal force is applied to the inspection chip 2. The rotation around the vertical axis of the inspection chip 2 is called revolution. On the other hand, as the stepping motor 51 moves the inner shaft 40 up and down, the inspection chip 2 rotates around the support shaft 46 which is a horizontal axis, and the direction of the centrifugal force acting on the inspection chip 2 changes relatively. . The rotation around the horizontal axis of the inspection chip 2 is called rotation.
図1に示すように、T型プレート48が可動範囲の最下端まで下降した状態では、ラックギア43も可動範囲の最下端まで下降する。このとき、検査チップ2は、自転角度が「0度」の定常状態になる。図2に示すように、T型プレート48が可動範囲の最上端まで上昇した状態では、ラックギア43も可動範囲の最上端まで上昇する。このとき、検査チップ2は、定常状態から180度水平軸まわりに回転した状態になる。つまり、本実施形態では検査チップ2が自転可能な角度幅は、自転角度0度~180度である。
As shown in FIG. 1, when the T-shaped plate 48 is lowered to the lowermost end of the movable range, the rack gear 43 is also lowered to the lowermost end of the movable range. At this time, the inspection chip 2 is in a steady state in which the rotation angle is “0 degree”. As shown in FIG. 2, when the T-shaped plate 48 is raised to the uppermost end of the movable range, the rack gear 43 is also raised to the uppermost end of the movable range. At this time, the inspection chip 2 is rotated from the steady state around the horizontal axis by 180 degrees. That is, in this embodiment, the angular width that the test chip 2 can rotate is the rotation angle of 0 degrees to 180 degrees.
上部筐体30の詳細構造を説明する。図3に示すように、上部筐体30は、枠部材を組み合わせた箱状のフレーム構造を有し、上板32の左部上側に設置されている。より詳細には、上部筐体30は、ターンテーブル33の回転中心にある主軸57からみて、検査チップ2が回転される範囲の外側に設けられている。
The detailed structure of the upper housing 30 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the upper housing 30 has a box-like frame structure in which frame members are combined, and is installed on the upper left side of the upper plate 32. More specifically, the upper housing 30 is provided outside the range in which the inspection chip 2 is rotated as viewed from the main shaft 57 at the rotation center of the turntable 33.
上部筐体30の内部に設けられた計測部7は、計測光を発する光源71と、光源71から発せられた計測光を検出する光センサ72とを有する。光源71および光センサ72は、検査チップ2の回転範囲の外側において、ターンテーブル33の前後両側に配置されている。本実施形態では、検査チップ2の公転可能範囲のうちで主軸57の左側位置が、検査チップ2に計測光が照射される計測位置である。検査チップ2が計測位置にある場合、光源71と光センサ72とを結ぶ光路が、平面視で検査チップ2の前後面に対して垂直に交差する。
The measurement unit 7 provided in the upper housing 30 includes a light source 71 that emits measurement light and an optical sensor 72 that detects the measurement light emitted from the light source 71. The light source 71 and the optical sensor 72 are disposed on both the front and rear sides of the turntable 33 outside the rotation range of the inspection chip 2. In the present embodiment, the left side position of the main shaft 57 in the reciprocable range of the inspection chip 2 is a measurement position at which the inspection chip 2 is irradiated with measurement light. When the inspection chip 2 is at the measurement position, the optical path connecting the light source 71 and the optical sensor 72 intersects the front and rear surfaces of the inspection chip 2 perpendicularly in plan view.
<1-2.検査チップ2の構造>
図4および図5を参照して、第一実施形態に係る検査チップ2および試薬ユニット200の詳細構造を説明する。以下の説明では、図4の上方、下方、左下方、右上方、右下方、左上方を、それぞれ、検査チップ2および試薬ユニット200の上方、下方、前方、後方、右方、左方とする。 <1-2. Structure ofinspection chip 2>
With reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the detailed structure of the test |inspection chip 2 and the reagent unit 200 which concern on 1st embodiment is demonstrated. In the following description, the upper, lower, lower left, upper right, lower right, and upper left in FIG. 4 are the upper, lower, front, rear, right, and left sides of the test chip 2 and the reagent unit 200, respectively. .
図4および図5を参照して、第一実施形態に係る検査チップ2および試薬ユニット200の詳細構造を説明する。以下の説明では、図4の上方、下方、左下方、右上方、右下方、左上方を、それぞれ、検査チップ2および試薬ユニット200の上方、下方、前方、後方、右方、左方とする。 <1-2. Structure of
With reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the detailed structure of the test |
図4に示すように、検査チップ2は、試薬を収容した試薬ユニット200を装着可能である。試薬ユニット200は、第一容器210および第二容器220を有する。第一容器210および第二容器220は、前後方向の厚みが小さく且つ上下方向が長手方向の直方体状であり、それぞれ内部に第一試薬11および第二試薬12を保持する。第一容器210および第二容器220の各右上部分には、それぞれ右側に延びる板状部231、232が設けられている。板状部231は、第二容器220の左上部分に接続されている。第一容器210および第二容器220は、板状部231によって左右方向に並んで一体に支持される。
As shown in FIG. 4, the test chip 2 can be mounted with a reagent unit 200 containing a reagent. The reagent unit 200 includes a first container 210 and a second container 220. The first container 210 and the second container 220 have a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a small thickness in the front-rear direction and a longitudinal direction in the vertical direction, and hold the first reagent 11 and the second reagent 12 therein, respectively. In the upper right portions of the first container 210 and the second container 220, plate- like portions 231 and 232 extending to the right are provided, respectively. The plate-like portion 231 is connected to the upper left portion of the second container 220. The first container 210 and the second container 220 are integrally supported by the plate-like portion 231 in the left-right direction.
第一容器210の内部には、後方に開口する凹部である試薬格納部211が設けられている。試薬格納部211の開口を塞ぐシール材212によって、試薬格納部211の内部に第一試薬11が封止されている。同様に、第二容器220の内部には、後方に開口する凹部である試薬格納部221が設けられている。試薬格納部221の開口を塞ぐシール材222によって、試薬格納部221の内部に第二試薬12が封止されている。
Inside the first container 210, there is provided a reagent storage 211 that is a recess opening rearward. The first reagent 11 is sealed inside the reagent storage 211 by a sealing material 212 that closes the opening of the reagent storage 211. Similarly, the second container 220 is provided with a reagent storage unit 221 that is a recess opening rearward. The second reagent 12 is sealed inside the reagent storage unit 221 by a sealing material 222 that closes the opening of the reagent storage unit 221.
検査チップ2は、上下方向に長い長方形状であり、所定の厚みを有する透明な合成樹脂の板材20を主体とする。板材20の上面には、検体挿入口110、第一挿入口130、および第二挿入口150が形成されている。検体挿入口110は、図6に示す検体10を検査チップ2の内部に注入するための開口である。例えば、図示しない器具に収容された検体10が、ユーザの操作によって検体挿入口110に注入されればよい。すなわち、公知の手法を用いて、検体挿入口110を介して検体10が検査チップ2の内部に注入されればよい。
The inspection chip 2 has a rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction, and is mainly composed of a transparent synthetic resin plate material 20 having a predetermined thickness. On the upper surface of the plate member 20, a sample insertion port 110, a first insertion port 130, and a second insertion port 150 are formed. The sample insertion port 110 is an opening for injecting the sample 10 shown in FIG. For example, the sample 10 accommodated in an instrument (not shown) may be injected into the sample insertion port 110 by a user operation. That is, the sample 10 may be injected into the test chip 2 through the sample insertion port 110 using a known method.
第一挿入口130は、検査チップ2の内部に第一容器210を挿入するための開口である。すなわち、第一挿入口130は、第一容器210が挿入可能な形状を有している。具体的には、第一挿入口130の前後方向の幅は、第一容器210の前後方向の幅よりも大きい。第一挿入口130の左右方向の幅は、第一容器210の左右方向の幅よりも僅かに大きい。
The first insertion port 130 is an opening for inserting the first container 210 into the inspection chip 2. That is, the first insertion port 130 has a shape into which the first container 210 can be inserted. Specifically, the width of the first insertion port 130 in the front-rear direction is larger than the width of the first container 210 in the front-rear direction. The width in the left-right direction of the first insertion port 130 is slightly larger than the width in the left-right direction of the first container 210.
第二挿入口150は、検査チップ2の内部に第二容器220を挿入するための開口である。すなわち、第二挿入口150は、第二容器220が挿入される形状を有している。具体的には、第二挿入口150の前後方向の幅は、第二容器220の前後方向の幅よりも大きい。第二挿入口150の左右方向の幅は、第二容器220の左右方向の幅よりも僅かに大きい。
The second insertion port 150 is an opening for inserting the second container 220 into the inspection chip 2. That is, the second insertion port 150 has a shape into which the second container 220 is inserted. Specifically, the width of the second insertion port 150 in the front-rear direction is larger than the width of the second container 220 in the front-rear direction. The width of the second insertion port 150 in the left-right direction is slightly larger than the width of the second container 220 in the left-right direction.
検体挿入口110、第一挿入口130、および第二挿入口150は、検査チップ2の上側の壁面である上辺部21に沿って左右方向に並んで形成されている。検体挿入口110、第一挿入口130、第二挿入口150のうち、検体挿入口110が検査チップ2の左側の壁面である左辺部23に最も近い。第二挿入口150が検査チップ2の右側の壁面である右辺部22に最も近い。第一挿入口130が検体挿入口110と第二挿入口150との間に位置する。検査チップ2の下側の壁面は、下辺部24である。
The specimen insertion port 110, the first insertion port 130, and the second insertion port 150 are formed side by side in the left-right direction along the upper side portion 21 that is the upper wall surface of the test chip 2. Of the sample insertion port 110, the first insertion port 130, and the second insertion port 150, the sample insertion port 110 is closest to the left side portion 23 that is the left wall surface of the test chip 2. The second insertion port 150 is closest to the right side portion 22 which is the right wall surface of the inspection chip 2. The first insertion port 130 is located between the sample insertion port 110 and the second insertion port 150. The lower wall surface of the inspection chip 2 is a lower side portion 24.
板材20の前面は、透明の合成樹脂の薄板から構成されたシート29によって封止されている。板材20とシート29との間には、検査チップ2に封入された液体が流動可能な液体流路25が形成されている。液体流路25は、板材20の前面側に所定深さで形成された凹部であり、板材20の厚み方向と直交する方向に延びる。すなわち、シート29は、板材20の流路形成面を封止する。液体流路25は、検体貯留部111、検体定量部114、検体余剰部116、第一容器収容部140、試薬定量部133、試薬余剰部135、第二容器収容部160、試薬定量部153、試薬余剰部155、混合部170、および貯留部175を含む。
The front surface of the plate member 20 is sealed with a sheet 29 made of a transparent synthetic resin thin plate. Between the plate member 20 and the sheet 29, a liquid flow path 25 is formed through which the liquid sealed in the inspection chip 2 can flow. The liquid flow path 25 is a recess formed at a predetermined depth on the front side of the plate member 20 and extends in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the plate member 20. That is, the sheet 29 seals the flow path forming surface of the plate material 20. The liquid channel 25 includes a sample storage unit 111, a sample determination unit 114, a sample surplus unit 116, a first container storage unit 140, a reagent determination unit 133, a reagent surplus unit 135, a second container storage unit 160, a reagent determination unit 153, The reagent surplus part 155, the mixing part 170, and the storage part 175 are included.
検体挿入口110は、その下側に設けられた検体貯留部111に連通している。検体貯留部111は、検体挿入口110から注入された検体10が貯留される部位であり、上側に開口する凹部である。検体貯留部111から右方向に延びる検体供給路112は、検体貯留部111の下方に設けられ、流路が狭く形成された検体供給部113に接続する。検体供給部113の下方には、検体定量部114が設けられている。検体定量部114は、検体10を定量する部位であり、上側に開口する凹部である。検体供給部113から検体定量部114の凹部内側に向けて遠心力が付与されることにより、検体定量部114の凹部内側の体積と同量の検体10が定量される。
The sample insertion port 110 communicates with a sample storage unit 111 provided below the sample insertion port 110. The sample storage part 111 is a part in which the sample 10 injected from the sample insertion port 110 is stored, and is a recess that opens upward. A sample supply path 112 extending rightward from the sample storage unit 111 is provided below the sample storage unit 111 and is connected to a sample supply unit 113 having a narrow channel. A sample quantitative unit 114 is provided below the sample supply unit 113. The specimen quantification unit 114 is a part that quantifies the specimen 10, and is a recess that opens upward. By applying a centrifugal force from the sample supply unit 113 toward the inside of the recess of the sample quantification unit 114, the same amount of the sample 10 as the volume inside the recess of the sample quantification unit 114 is quantified.
検体供給部113と検体定量部114とが連通する部位から、第一通路115および第二通路117が左右両側に延びている。第一通路115は、検体定量部114の左下方に設けられた検体余剰部116まで延びている。すなわち、第一通路115は、流路の形成方向が変わる。検体余剰部116は、検体定量部114から溢れ出た検体10が貯留される部位であり、第一通路115の下端部から右方向に延びる凹部である。第二通路117は、検体定量部114の右側に設けられた後述の混合部170まで延びている。
The first passage 115 and the second passage 117 extend to the left and right sides from the portion where the sample supply unit 113 and the sample determination unit 114 communicate with each other. The first passage 115 extends to the sample surplus part 116 provided at the lower left of the sample determination unit 114. That is, in the first passage 115, the flow path formation direction changes. The specimen surplus part 116 is a part where the specimen 10 overflowing from the specimen quantification part 114 is stored, and is a concave part extending rightward from the lower end part of the first passage 115. The second passage 117 extends to a later-described mixing unit 170 provided on the right side of the sample determination unit 114.
第一挿入口130は、その下側に設けられた第一容器収容部140に連通している。第一容器収容部140は、第一挿入口130から挿入された第一容器210を収容可能である。支持部138は、第一挿入口130の右側に設けられた、板材20の上面の一部である。第一挿入口130から第一容器210が挿入されると、支持部138が板状部231を下方から支持する。試薬案内壁141が傾斜面になっており、第一挿入口130から試薬案内壁141の上端までの長さは、第一容器210の上下方向の長さとほぼ等しい。これにより、第一容器210は、試薬案内壁141、142から離間した状態で、第一容器収容部140内に配置される。
The first insertion port 130 communicates with a first container housing part 140 provided on the lower side thereof. The first container accommodating portion 140 can accommodate the first container 210 inserted from the first insertion port 130. The support portion 138 is a part of the upper surface of the plate member 20 provided on the right side of the first insertion port 130. When the first container 210 is inserted from the first insertion port 130, the support portion 138 supports the plate-like portion 231 from below. The reagent guide wall 141 is an inclined surface, and the length from the first insertion port 130 to the upper end of the reagent guide wall 141 is substantially equal to the vertical length of the first container 210. As a result, the first container 210 is disposed in the first container housing portion 140 in a state of being separated from the reagent guide walls 141 and 142.
第一挿入口130および第一容器収容部140の前後方向長さは、第一容器210の前後方向長さよりも大きい。第一挿入口130の左右方向長さは、第一容器210の左右方向長さよりも僅かに大きい程度である。第一挿入口130および第一容器収容部140が上述した前後方向長さの関係を有するので、第一容器収容部140に収容された第一容器210は、前後方向に移動可能である。第一容器収容部140の右上部分は、後述の試薬供給路131に連通している。
The length in the front-rear direction of the first insertion port 130 and the first container housing part 140 is larger than the length in the front-rear direction of the first container 210. The length in the left-right direction of the first insertion port 130 is slightly larger than the length in the left-right direction of the first container 210. Since the 1st insertion port 130 and the 1st container accommodating part 140 have the relationship of the length in the front-back direction mentioned above, the 1st container 210 accommodated in the 1st container accommodating part 140 can move to the front-back direction. The upper right part of the first container housing part 140 communicates with a reagent supply path 131 described later.
第一容器収容部140には、突起部143が設けられている。接触面144は第一容器収容部140の後面を形成する壁面である。接触面144に、接触面144から前方に突出する突起部143が設けられる。接触面144は、公転方向の下流側の壁面である。この公転方向の下流側の側壁は、第一挿入口130に挿入された第一容器210が、先述の公転時に生じるコリオリ力によって接触する壁面である。突起部143は、第一挿入口130から挿入される第一容器210のシール材212に、図6に示すように穴Rを形成可能である。この穴Rから第一試薬11が流出する。
The first container housing part 140 is provided with a protrusion 143. The contact surface 144 is a wall surface that forms the rear surface of the first container housing portion 140. The contact surface 144 is provided with a protrusion 143 that protrudes forward from the contact surface 144. The contact surface 144 is a wall surface on the downstream side in the revolution direction. The side wall on the downstream side in the revolution direction is a wall surface on which the first container 210 inserted into the first insertion port 130 comes into contact with the Coriolis force generated during the above-described revolution. The protrusion 143 can form a hole R in the sealing material 212 of the first container 210 inserted from the first insertion port 130 as shown in FIG. The first reagent 11 flows out from the hole R.
図5に示すように、第一容器収容部140の下壁は、試薬案内壁141、142を含む。試薬案内壁141は、第一容器収容部140の左側下部から左右方向略中央まで、右下方向に延びる傾斜面である。試薬案内壁142は、第一容器収容部140の左右方向略中央から試薬供給路131まで、右上方向に延びる傾斜面である。第一容器収容部140における試薬案内壁141、142に沿って、試薬流路145が形成される。試薬流路145は、試薬案内壁141の左端部141Bから、第一容器収容部140の最下端に位置する領域である底部140Aを経由して、試薬案内壁142の右端部142Bまで延びる第一試薬11の流路である。穴Rから流出した第一試薬11は、試薬流路145を介して試薬供給路131に向けて移動可能である。
As shown in FIG. 5, the lower wall of the first container housing portion 140 includes reagent guide walls 141 and 142. The reagent guide wall 141 is an inclined surface extending in the lower right direction from the lower left part of the first container housing part 140 to the substantially center in the left and right direction. The reagent guide wall 142 is an inclined surface extending in the upper right direction from the substantially horizontal center of the first container housing part 140 to the reagent supply path 131. A reagent flow path 145 is formed along the reagent guide walls 141 and 142 in the first container housing part 140. The reagent channel 145 extends from the left end portion 141B of the reagent guide wall 141 to the right end portion 142B of the reagent guide wall 142 via the bottom portion 140A that is a region located at the lowermost end of the first container housing portion 140. This is a flow path of the reagent 11. The first reagent 11 that has flowed out of the hole R can move toward the reagent supply channel 131 via the reagent channel 145.
試薬案内壁142の左端部142Aは、試薬案内壁141の右端部141Aよりも右上側に位置している。試薬案内壁141、142の間には、試薬案内壁142よりも下側に設けられ、且つ、第一容器収容部140の底部140Aから右上方向に延びる接続路147が設けられている。接続路147は、試薬流路145から分岐して捕捉部146の左上部分に接続された、第一試薬11の流路である。接続路147は、穴Rから流出した第一試薬11が容器収容部140の底部140Aに貯留される状態において、容器収容部140の底部140Aから捕捉部146に向けて水平方向よりも上方に傾斜する。本実施形態では、図6に示すように上下方向と直交する方向が、水平方向である。
The left end 142A of the reagent guide wall 142 is located on the upper right side of the right end 141A of the reagent guide wall 141. Between the reagent guide walls 141 and 142, a connection path 147 is provided below the reagent guide wall 142 and extends in the upper right direction from the bottom 140A of the first container housing part 140. The connection path 147 is a flow path of the first reagent 11 branched from the reagent flow path 145 and connected to the upper left portion of the capturing unit 146. The connection path 147 is inclined upward from the horizontal direction from the bottom portion 140A of the container housing portion 140 toward the capturing portion 146 in a state where the first reagent 11 flowing out from the hole R is stored in the bottom portion 140A of the container housing portion 140. To do. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the direction orthogonal to the up-down direction is the horizontal direction.
捕捉部146は、試薬流路145から分岐した位置に設けられる。捕捉部146は、前方からみて上下方向に長い長方形状であり、穴Rから流出した第一試薬11の一部を収容可能である。捕捉部146は、突起部143の右下方向に設けられて、左方向に開口している。試薬流路145では、後述するように、穴Rから流出した第一試薬11が右側に向けて移動可能である。つまり、捕捉部146は、突起部143に対して、試薬流路145において第一試薬11が移動される方向の下流側に設けられている。
The capturing unit 146 is provided at a position branched from the reagent channel 145. The capturing part 146 has a rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction when viewed from the front, and can accommodate a part of the first reagent 11 that has flowed out of the hole R. The capturing part 146 is provided in the lower right direction of the projecting part 143 and opens in the left direction. In the reagent flow path 145, as will be described later, the first reagent 11 that has flowed out of the hole R is movable toward the right side. That is, the capturing unit 146 is provided on the downstream side in the direction in which the first reagent 11 is moved in the reagent channel 145 with respect to the protrusion 143.
図5に示すように、第一容器収容部140、捕捉部146等の形状および大きさは、第一容器210との関係において、以下のように定義される。図5に示す「x1」は、第一容器収容部140の左端部から突起部143の右端部までの左右方向距離である。「x2」は、第一容器収容部140の左端部から試薬案内壁142の左端部までの左右方向距離である。本実施形態の検査チップ2は、「x1<x2」の関係を満たす。つまり、突起部143は、接続路147よりも左側に設けられる。
As shown in FIG. 5, the shapes and sizes of the first container housing part 140, the capturing part 146, etc. are defined as follows in relation to the first container 210. “X1” illustrated in FIG. 5 is a distance in the left-right direction from the left end of the first container housing 140 to the right end of the protrusion 143. “X2” is a distance in the left-right direction from the left end portion of the first container housing portion 140 to the left end portion of the reagent guide wall 142. The inspection chip 2 of this embodiment satisfies the relationship “x1 <x2”. That is, the protrusion 143 is provided on the left side of the connection path 147.
図5に示す「z1」は、第一容器収容部140の底部140Aから試薬案内壁142の左端部までの上下方向距離である。「z2」は、底部140Aから、第一挿入口130に挿入された第一容器210までの上下方向距離である。「z3」は、底部140Aから接続路147の右端部147Aまでの上下方向距離である。「z4」は、底部140Aから試薬案内壁141の左端部141Bまでの上下方向距離である。
“Z1” shown in FIG. 5 is the vertical distance from the bottom 140A of the first container housing 140 to the left end of the reagent guide wall 142. “Z2” is the vertical distance from the bottom 140A to the first container 210 inserted into the first insertion port 130. “Z3” is a vertical distance from the bottom 140A to the right end 147A of the connection path 147. “Z4” is the vertical distance from the bottom 140A to the left end 141B of the reagent guide wall 141.
本実施形態の検査チップ2は、「z3>0」の関係を満たす。つまり、接続路147は、捕捉部146に向けて上方に傾斜している。検査チップ2は、「z4≧0」の関係を満たす。つまり、試薬案内壁141は水平または右下方向に傾斜している。検査チップ2は、「z2>z1」の関係を満たす。つまり、第一容器210は接続路147の入口よりも上方に位置する。
The inspection chip 2 of the present embodiment satisfies the relationship “z3> 0”. That is, the connection path 147 is inclined upward toward the capturing unit 146. The inspection chip 2 satisfies the relationship “z4 ≧ 0”. That is, the reagent guide wall 141 is inclined in the horizontal or lower right direction. The inspection chip 2 satisfies the relationship “z2> z1”. That is, the first container 210 is located above the entrance of the connection path 147.
図5に示す「h1」は、試薬流路145から第一挿入口130に挿入された第一容器210までの最短距離であり、試薬流路145において最も狭い流路幅と同義である。「h2」は、接続路147の流路幅である。本実施形態の検査チップ2は、「h1>h2」の関係を満たす。つまり、試薬流路145の最も狭い流路幅は、接続路147の流路幅よりも大きい。
“H1” shown in FIG. 5 is the shortest distance from the reagent channel 145 to the first container 210 inserted into the first insertion port 130, and is synonymous with the narrowest channel width in the reagent channel 145. “H2” is the channel width of the connection channel 147. The inspection chip 2 of the present embodiment satisfies the relationship “h1> h2”. That is, the narrowest channel width of the reagent channel 145 is larger than the channel width of the connection channel 147.
図4に示すように、試薬案内壁142の右端部は、試薬供給路131に接続している。試薬供給路131は、第一容器収容部140から右方向に延びる流路である。試薬供給路131は、捕捉部146の右側を経由して下方に延び、捕捉部146の下方で流路が狭く形成された試薬供給部132に接続する。試薬供給部132の下方には、試薬定量部133が設けられている。試薬定量部133は、第一試薬11を定量する部位であり、上側に開口する凹部である。試薬供給部132から試薬定量部133の凹部内側に向けて遠心力が付与されることにより、試薬定量部133の凹部内側の体積と同量の第一試薬11が定量される。
As shown in FIG. 4, the right end of the reagent guide wall 142 is connected to the reagent supply path 131. The reagent supply path 131 is a flow path extending in the right direction from the first container housing portion 140. The reagent supply path 131 extends downward via the right side of the capture unit 146 and connects to the reagent supply unit 132 having a narrow channel formed below the capture unit 146. A reagent quantification unit 133 is provided below the reagent supply unit 132. The reagent quantification unit 133 is a part that quantifies the first reagent 11 and is a recess that opens upward. By applying a centrifugal force from the reagent supply unit 132 toward the inside of the concave portion of the reagent quantitative unit 133, the same amount of the first reagent 11 as the volume inside the concave portion of the reagent quantitative unit 133 is quantified.
試薬供給部132と試薬定量部133とが連通する部位から、第三通路134および第四通路136が左右両側に延びている。第三通路134は、試薬定量部133の左下方に設けられた試薬余剰部135まで延びている。すなわち、第三通路134は、流路の形成方向が変わる。試薬余剰部135は、試薬定量部133から溢れ出た第一試薬11が貯留される部位であり、第三通路134の下端部から右方向に延びる凹部である。第四通路136は、試薬定量部133の下側に設けられた後述の混合部170まで延びている。このように、試薬供給路131は、第四通路136を介して、第一容器収容部140に接続され、第一試薬11が検体10と混合される混合部170に向けて移動可能な供給路を構成する。
The third passage 134 and the fourth passage 136 extend to the left and right sides from the portion where the reagent supply unit 132 and the reagent quantitative unit 133 communicate with each other. The third passage 134 extends to the reagent surplus portion 135 provided on the lower left side of the reagent fixed amount portion 133. That is, in the third passage 134, the formation direction of the flow path is changed. The reagent surplus portion 135 is a portion in which the first reagent 11 overflowing from the reagent quantitative portion 133 is stored, and is a concave portion extending rightward from the lower end portion of the third passage 134. The fourth passage 136 extends to a later-described mixing unit 170 provided on the lower side of the reagent quantitative unit 133. As described above, the reagent supply path 131 is connected to the first container housing section 140 via the fourth path 136 and is movable toward the mixing section 170 where the first reagent 11 is mixed with the specimen 10. Configure.
第二挿入口150は、その下側に設けられた第二容器収容部160に連通している。第二容器収容部160は、第一容器収容部140と同様の構成であり、試薬案内壁161、162、突起部163、接触面164、および試薬流路165を含む。先述の捕捉部146および接続路147と同様に、捕捉部166が接続路167を介して第二容器収容部160に連通している。第二挿入口150から第二容器220が挿入されると、支持部158が板状部232を下方から支持する。支持部158は、第二挿入口150の右側に設けられた、板材20の上面の一部である。これにより、第二容器220は、試薬案内壁161、162から離間した状態で、第二容器収容部160内に配置される。
The second insertion port 150 communicates with a second container housing portion 160 provided on the lower side thereof. The second container housing portion 160 has the same configuration as the first container housing portion 140 and includes reagent guide walls 161 and 162, a protruding portion 163, a contact surface 164, and a reagent channel 165. Similar to the above-described capture unit 146 and connection path 147, the capture unit 166 communicates with the second container housing unit 160 via the connection path 167. When the second container 220 is inserted from the second insertion port 150, the support portion 158 supports the plate-like portion 232 from below. The support portion 158 is a part of the upper surface of the plate member 20 provided on the right side of the second insertion port 150. Accordingly, the second container 220 is disposed in the second container housing portion 160 in a state of being separated from the reagent guide walls 161 and 162.
第二容器収容部160の右上部分は、試薬供給路151に連通している。試薬供給路151は、第二容器収容部160から右方向に延びる流路である。試薬供給路151は、捕捉部166の右側を経由して下方に延び、捕捉部166の下方で流路が狭く形成された試薬供給部152に接続する。試薬供給部152の下方には、試薬定量部153が設けられている。試薬定量部153は、第二試薬12を定量する部位であり、上側に開口する凹部である。試薬供給部152から試薬定量部153の凹部内側に向けて遠心力が付与されることにより、試薬定量部153の凹部内側の体積と同量の第二試薬12が定量される。
The upper right part of the second container housing part 160 communicates with the reagent supply path 151. The reagent supply path 151 is a flow path extending in the right direction from the second container housing portion 160. The reagent supply path 151 extends downward via the right side of the capture unit 166 and connects to the reagent supply unit 152 having a narrow channel formed below the capture unit 166. A reagent quantitative unit 153 is provided below the reagent supply unit 152. The reagent quantification unit 153 is a part that quantifies the second reagent 12, and is a recess that opens upward. By applying a centrifugal force from the reagent supply unit 152 to the inside of the concave portion of the reagent quantitative unit 153, the second reagent 12 having the same volume as the volume inside the concave portion of the reagent quantitative unit 153 is quantified.
試薬供給部152と試薬定量部153とが連通する部位から、第五通路154および第六通路156が左右両側に延びている。第五通路154は、試薬定量部153の左下方に設けられた試薬余剰部155まで延びている。すなわち、第五通路154は、流路の形成方向が変わる。試薬余剰部155は、試薬定量部153から溢れ出た第二試薬12が貯留される部位であり、第五通路154の下端部から右方向に延びる凹部である。第六通路156は、試薬定量部153の下側に設けられた後述の混合部170まで延びている。このように、試薬供給路151は、第六通路156を介して、第二容器収容部160に接続され、第二試薬12が検体10と混合される混合部170に向けて移動可能な供給路を構成する。
A fifth passage 154 and a sixth passage 156 extend from the portion where the reagent supply unit 152 and the reagent quantitative unit 153 communicate with each other to the left and right sides. The fifth passage 154 extends to the reagent surplus portion 155 provided on the lower left side of the reagent fixed amount portion 153. That is, the flow path formation direction of the fifth passage 154 changes. The reagent surplus portion 155 is a portion in which the second reagent 12 overflowing from the reagent quantitative portion 153 is stored, and is a concave portion extending rightward from the lower end portion of the fifth passage 154. The sixth passage 156 extends to a later-described mixing unit 170 provided below the reagent quantitative unit 153. As described above, the reagent supply path 151 is connected to the second container housing portion 160 via the sixth passage 156 and is movable toward the mixing section 170 where the second reagent 12 is mixed with the specimen 10. Configure.
混合部170は、検査チップ2の右下の位置に設けられた、上側に開口する矩形状の凹部である。混合部170では、第二通路117から流入する検体10と、第四通路136から流入する第一試薬11と、第六通路156から流入する第二試薬12とが混合される。検体10、第一試薬11、第二試薬12の混合液13の少なくとも一部は、混合部170の右下部に設けられた凹部である貯留部175に貯留される。
The mixing unit 170 is a rectangular recess provided in the lower right position of the inspection chip 2 and opening upward. In the mixing unit 170, the specimen 10 flowing from the second passage 117, the first reagent 11 flowing from the fourth passage 136, and the second reagent 12 flowing from the sixth passage 156 are mixed. At least a part of the mixed solution 13 of the specimen 10, the first reagent 11, and the second reagent 12 is stored in a storage unit 175 that is a recess provided in the lower right portion of the mixing unit 170.
図1に示すように、L型プレート60から延びる支軸46は、図示外の装着用ホルダを介して板材20の後面中央に垂直に連結される。支軸46の回転に伴って、検査チップ2が支軸46を中心に前方からみて反時計回り方向に自転する。検査チップ2は図5に示す定常状態である場合、上辺部21および下辺部24が重力方向Zと直交し、右辺部22および左辺部23が重力方向Zと平行、且つ、左辺部23が右辺部22よりも主軸57側に配置される。検査チップ2が定常状態で計測位置に配置されている場合、光源71と光センサ72とを結ぶ光路が貯留部175を上方からみて垂直に通過する。
As shown in FIG. 1, the support shaft 46 extending from the L-shaped plate 60 is vertically connected to the center of the rear surface of the plate member 20 via a mounting holder (not shown). As the support shaft 46 rotates, the inspection chip 2 rotates in the counterclockwise direction with the support shaft 46 as the center when viewed from the front. When the inspection chip 2 is in the steady state shown in FIG. 5, the upper side 21 and the lower side 24 are orthogonal to the gravity direction Z, the right side 22 and the left side 23 are parallel to the gravity direction Z, and the left side 23 is the right side. It is arranged closer to the main shaft 57 than the portion 22. When the inspection chip 2 is disposed at the measurement position in a steady state, an optical path connecting the light source 71 and the optical sensor 72 passes vertically through the storage unit 175.
<1-3.検査方法の一例>
図6~図10を参照して、検査装置1および検査チップ2を用いた検査方法について説明する。理解を容易にするために、図6~図10ではシート29を取り除いて、検査チップ2の正面図を示している。後述の図12、図14も同様である。以下の説明では、第一容器収容部140および捕捉部146を中心に説明するが、第二容器収容部160および捕捉部166についても同様である。 <1-3. Example of inspection method>
An inspection method using theinspection device 1 and the inspection chip 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. For easy understanding, FIGS. 6 to 10 show the front view of the inspection chip 2 with the sheet 29 removed. The same applies to FIGS. 12 and 14 described later. In the following description, the description will focus on the first container accommodating portion 140 and the capturing portion 146, but the same applies to the second container accommodating portion 160 and the capturing portion 166.
図6~図10を参照して、検査装置1および検査チップ2を用いた検査方法について説明する。理解を容易にするために、図6~図10ではシート29を取り除いて、検査チップ2の正面図を示している。後述の図12、図14も同様である。以下の説明では、第一容器収容部140および捕捉部146を中心に説明するが、第二容器収容部160および捕捉部166についても同様である。 <1-3. Example of inspection method>
An inspection method using the
検査チップ2が支軸46に取り付けられて、検査チップ2に試薬ユニット200が装着され、第一容器210が第一挿入口130から挿入される。この挿入時において、シール材212は接触面144に沿って移動する。突起部143が接触面144から前方に突出しているので、シール材212の移動時に、突起部143がシール材212に接触して穴Rを形成する。穴Rは、第一容器210の移動方向に対応して上下方向に長い破断面を有する。
The inspection chip 2 is attached to the support shaft 46, the reagent unit 200 is mounted on the inspection chip 2, and the first container 210 is inserted from the first insertion port 130. At the time of this insertion, the sealing material 212 moves along the contact surface 144. Since the protruding portion 143 protrudes forward from the contact surface 144, the protruding portion 143 contacts the sealing material 212 to form the hole R when the sealing material 212 moves. The hole R has a fracture surface that is long in the vertical direction corresponding to the moving direction of the first container 210.
試薬格納部211の第一試薬11は、穴Rを介して第一容器収容部140の内部に流出する。流出した第一試薬11は、図6に示すように、試薬案内壁141、142で形成される略V字型の底部140Aに貯留される。本実施形態では、検査チップ2が「z3>0」の関係を満たす。したがって、第一容器収容部140の底部140Aに第一試薬11が貯留された場合でも、第一試薬11が接続路147を介して捕捉部146に流入しにくい。
The first reagent 11 in the reagent storage unit 211 flows out into the first container storage unit 140 through the hole R. As shown in FIG. 6, the first reagent 11 that has flowed out is stored in a substantially V-shaped bottom portion 140 </ b> A formed by the reagent guide walls 141 and 142. In the present embodiment, the inspection chip 2 satisfies the relationship “z3> 0”. Therefore, even when the first reagent 11 is stored in the bottom part 140 </ b> A of the first container housing part 140, the first reagent 11 is unlikely to flow into the capturing part 146 via the connection path 147.
同様に、第二容器220の挿入時に、シール材222は接触面164に沿って移動する。このとき、突起部163がシール材222に穴Rを形成する。試薬格納部221の第二試薬12は、穴Rを介して流出し、図6に示すように第二容器収容部160の最下端に位置する領域である底部160Aに貯留される。
Similarly, when the second container 220 is inserted, the sealing material 222 moves along the contact surface 164. At this time, the protrusion 163 forms a hole R in the sealing material 222. The second reagent 12 in the reagent storage unit 221 flows out through the hole R and is stored in the bottom 160A, which is an area located at the lowermost end of the second container housing unit 160, as shown in FIG.
さらに、検体挿入口110から検体10が注入される。注入された検体10は検体貯留部111に貯留される。その後、検査装置1に処理開始のコマンドが入力されると、以下の計測動作が実行される。検査装置1は2つの検査チップ2を同時に処理可能であるが、以下では説明の便宜のため、1つの検査チップ2を用いて検査する手順を説明する。
Furthermore, the sample 10 is injected from the sample insertion port 110. The injected sample 10 is stored in the sample storage unit 111. Thereafter, when a process start command is input to the inspection apparatus 1, the following measurement operation is executed. Although the inspection apparatus 1 can process two inspection chips 2 at the same time, a procedure for inspecting using one inspection chip 2 will be described below for convenience of explanation.
主軸モータ35の駆動制御によって、図7に示すように、自転角度「0度」である定常状態の検査チップ2が公転される。遠心方向の下流側に向けて、検査チップ2に遠心力Xが働く。本実施形態では、図1に示す右方向に図4に示す右方向が一致するように、検査チップ2が検査装置1にセットされる。したがって、定常状態の検査チップ2が公転されると、左辺部23から右辺部22に向けて遠心力Xが働く。
By the drive control of the spindle motor 35, as shown in FIG. 7, the steady state inspection chip 2 having a rotation angle of “0 degree” is revolved. A centrifugal force X acts on the inspection chip 2 toward the downstream side in the centrifugal direction. In the present embodiment, the inspection chip 2 is set in the inspection apparatus 1 so that the right direction shown in FIG. 4 matches the right direction shown in FIG. Therefore, when the inspection chip 2 in the steady state is revolved, the centrifugal force X works from the left side portion 23 toward the right side portion 22.
遠心力Xの作用によって、第一容器収容部140の底部140Aに貯留されている第一試薬11は、試薬案内壁142に沿って右上方向に移動する。つまり、第一試薬11は、試薬流路145を経由して試薬供給路131に流入する。このとき、第一試薬11の一部は、試薬流路145から右方向に分岐する接続路147を介して、捕捉部146に流入する。
By the action of the centrifugal force X, the first reagent 11 stored in the bottom part 140A of the first container housing part 140 moves along the reagent guide wall 142 in the upper right direction. That is, the first reagent 11 flows into the reagent supply channel 131 via the reagent channel 145. At this time, a part of the first reagent 11 flows into the capturing unit 146 via the connection channel 147 that branches rightward from the reagent channel 145.
同時に、遠心力Xの作用によって、第二容器収容部160の底部160Aに貯留されている第二試薬12は、試薬流路165を経由して試薬供給路151に流入する。このとき、第二試薬12の一部は、試薬流路165から右方向に分岐する接続路167を介して、捕捉部166に流入する。検体貯留部111に貯留されている検体10は、遠心力Xの作用によって、検体供給路112に流入する。
At the same time, due to the action of the centrifugal force X, the second reagent 12 stored in the bottom 160A of the second container housing portion 160 flows into the reagent supply channel 151 via the reagent channel 165. At this time, a part of the second reagent 12 flows into the capturing unit 166 through the connection channel 167 that branches rightward from the reagent channel 165. The sample 10 stored in the sample storage unit 111 flows into the sample supply path 112 by the action of the centrifugal force X.
次に、ステッピングモータ51の駆動制御によって、図8に示すように、公転状態の検査チップ2は前方からみて反時計周り方向に90度自転され、自転角度が「90度」に変位される。これにより、上辺部21から下辺部24に向けて、検査チップ2に遠心力Xが働く。遠心力Xの作用によって、試薬供給路131に流入した第一試薬11は、試薬供給部132を介して試薬定量部133に流入する。試薬定量部133では、所定量を超える第一試薬11が第三通路134に溢れ出して試薬余剰部135に貯留される。この結果、所定量の第一試薬11が定量される。
Next, as shown in FIG. 8, by the drive control of the stepping motor 51, the revolving inspection chip 2 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise as viewed from the front, and the rotation angle is displaced to “90 degrees”. Thereby, the centrifugal force X acts on the test chip 2 from the upper side portion 21 toward the lower side portion 24. The first reagent 11 that has flowed into the reagent supply path 131 by the action of the centrifugal force X flows into the reagent quantitative unit 133 through the reagent supply unit 132. In the reagent fixed amount unit 133, the first reagent 11 exceeding a predetermined amount overflows into the third passage 134 and is stored in the reagent surplus unit 135. As a result, a predetermined amount of the first reagent 11 is quantified.
この遠心力Xの方向は、捕捉部146に貯留された第一試薬11が第一容器収容部140に再び移動しないように制御されている。すなわち、捕捉部146は下方向に閉じる凹部であるため、捕捉部146に流入した第一試薬11は捕捉部146から移動せずに留まる。さらに、第一容器210では、試薬格納部211の内壁や穴Rの破断面等に、第一試薬11が残存していることがある。この場合、第一容器210に残存している第一試薬11が、遠心力Xの作用によって、第一容器収容部140の底部140Aに移動する。
The direction of the centrifugal force X is controlled so that the first reagent 11 stored in the capturing unit 146 does not move to the first container housing unit 140 again. That is, since the capture unit 146 is a recess that closes downward, the first reagent 11 that has flowed into the capture unit 146 remains without moving from the capture unit 146. Furthermore, in the first container 210, the first reagent 11 may remain on the inner wall of the reagent storage 211, the fracture surface of the hole R, or the like. In this case, the first reagent 11 remaining in the first container 210 moves to the bottom part 140 </ b> A of the first container housing part 140 by the action of the centrifugal force X.
本実施形態では、図5に示すように検査チップ2が「z4≧0」の関係を満たす。図7に示すように、試薬案内壁142の左端部142Aが試薬案内壁141の中点よりも低い。したがって、第一容器収容部140の底部140Aに貯留される第一試薬11のうちで、接続路147よりも上方で貯留される液量の割合が大きくなる。図8に示すように、自転角度「90度」の検査チップ2が公転された場合、第一容器収容部140の底部140Aに貯留されている第一試薬11は、接続路147よりも上方にある試薬流路145に流れやすい。
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the inspection chip 2 satisfies the relationship “z4 ≧ 0”. As shown in FIG. 7, the left end 142 </ b> A of the reagent guide wall 142 is lower than the midpoint of the reagent guide wall 141. Therefore, in the first reagent 11 stored in the bottom part 140 </ b> A of the first container housing part 140, the ratio of the liquid amount stored above the connection path 147 increases. As shown in FIG. 8, when the test chip 2 with the rotation angle “90 degrees” is revolved, the first reagent 11 stored in the bottom portion 140 </ b> A of the first container housing portion 140 is located above the connection path 147. It tends to flow into a certain reagent channel 145.
さらに、図5に示すように検査チップ2が「h1>h2」の関係を満たす。したがって、図8に示すように、自転角度「90度」の検査チップ2が公転された場合、第一容器収容部140の底部140Aに貯留されている第一試薬11は、接続路147よりも試薬流路145に流れやすい。試薬流路145の流路幅は、接続路147の流路幅よりも大きいためである。したがって、試薬流路145を経由して試薬供給路131に移動する第一試薬11の液量を確保でき、且つ、捕捉部166に流入して検査に使用されない第一試薬11の液量を低減できる。
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the inspection chip 2 satisfies the relationship of “h1> h2”. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, when the test chip 2 with the rotation angle “90 degrees” is revolved, the first reagent 11 stored in the bottom 140 </ b> A of the first container housing portion 140 is more than the connection path 147. It tends to flow into the reagent channel 145. This is because the channel width of the reagent channel 145 is larger than the channel width of the connection channel 147. Therefore, the amount of the first reagent 11 that moves to the reagent supply passage 131 via the reagent channel 145 can be secured, and the amount of the first reagent 11 that flows into the capture unit 166 and is not used for the test is reduced. it can.
同時に、図8に示すように、遠心力Xの作用によって、試薬供給路151に流入した第二試薬12は、試薬供給部152を介して試薬定量部153に流入する。試薬定量部153では、所定量を超える第二試薬12が第五通路154に溢れ出して試薬余剰部155に貯留される。この結果、所定量の第二試薬12が定量される。一方、試薬余剰部155は下方向に閉じる凹部であるため、捕捉部166に流入した第二試薬12は、捕捉部166に留まる。第二容器220に残存している第二試薬12が、第二容器収容部160の底部160Aに移動する。検体供給路112に流入した検体10は、検体供給部113を介して検体定量部114に流入する。検体定量部114では、所定量を超える検体10が第一通路115に溢れ出して検体余剰部116に貯留される。この結果、所定量の検体10が定量される。
At the same time, as shown in FIG. 8, due to the action of the centrifugal force X, the second reagent 12 that has flowed into the reagent supply path 151 flows into the reagent quantitative unit 153 via the reagent supply unit 152. In the reagent fixed amount unit 153, the second reagent 12 exceeding a predetermined amount overflows the fifth passage 154 and is stored in the reagent surplus unit 155. As a result, a predetermined amount of the second reagent 12 is quantified. On the other hand, since the reagent surplus portion 155 is a recess that closes downward, the second reagent 12 that has flowed into the capture portion 166 remains in the capture portion 166. The second reagent 12 remaining in the second container 220 moves to the bottom part 160 </ b> A of the second container housing part 160. The sample 10 that has flowed into the sample supply path 112 flows into the sample determination unit 114 via the sample supply unit 113. In the sample determination unit 114, the sample 10 exceeding a predetermined amount overflows into the first passage 115 and is stored in the sample surplus unit 116. As a result, a predetermined amount of the specimen 10 is quantified.
次に、ステッピングモータ51の駆動制御によって、図9に示すように、公転状態の検査チップ2は前方からみて時計周り方向に90度自転され、定常状態に変位される。これにより、左辺部23から右辺部22に向けて、検査チップ2に遠心力Xが働く。遠心力Xの作用によって、試薬定量部133において定量された第一試薬11が第四通路136を介して混合部170に流入する。さらに、第一容器収容部140の底部140Aに貯留されている第一試薬11は、接続路147を経由して捕捉部146に流入する。先述したように、捕捉部146は下方向に閉じる凹部であるため、捕捉部146に流入した第一試薬11は捕捉部146から移動せずに留まる。このように捕捉部146は、第一容器210に残存していた第一試薬11を、試薬流路145の移動中に捉えて収容できるため、残存した第一試薬11が検体10と混合される位置に到達するおそれを低減できる。
Next, as shown in FIG. 9, by the drive control of the stepping motor 51, the revolving inspection chip 2 is rotated 90 degrees clockwise as viewed from the front, and is displaced to a steady state. Thereby, the centrifugal force X acts on the test chip 2 from the left side 23 toward the right side 22. Due to the action of the centrifugal force X, the first reagent 11 quantified in the reagent quantification unit 133 flows into the mixing unit 170 through the fourth passage 136. Furthermore, the first reagent 11 stored in the bottom portion 140 </ b> A of the first container housing portion 140 flows into the capturing portion 146 via the connection path 147. As described above, since the capturing unit 146 is a recess that closes downward, the first reagent 11 that has flowed into the capturing unit 146 remains without moving from the capturing unit 146. As described above, since the capturing unit 146 can capture and store the first reagent 11 remaining in the first container 210 while the reagent channel 145 moves, the remaining first reagent 11 is mixed with the sample 10. The possibility of reaching the position can be reduced.
本実施形態では、図5に示すように検査チップ2が「x1<x2」の関係を満たす。したがって、突起部143によって形成された穴Rは、捕捉部146に対して、第一試薬11が試薬流路145で移動する方向の上流側である左側に位置する。図8に示すように自転角度「90度」の検査チップ2が公転された場合、第一容器210に残存している第一試薬11は、捕捉部146よりも左側に位置する試薬案内壁141に沿って、第一容器収容部140の底部140Aまで移動する。
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the inspection chip 2 satisfies the relationship of “x1 <x2”. Therefore, the hole R formed by the protrusion 143 is located on the left side, which is the upstream side in the direction in which the first reagent 11 moves in the reagent flow path 145 with respect to the capturing part 146. As shown in FIG. 8, when the test chip 2 with the rotation angle “90 degrees” is revolved, the first reagent 11 remaining in the first container 210 is the reagent guide wall 141 located on the left side of the capturing unit 146. And move to the bottom 140 </ b> A of the first container housing part 140.
その結果、図9に示すように定常状態の検査チップ2が公転された場合、第一容器収容部140の底部140Aに貯留されている第一試薬11は、接続路147が第一容器収容部140の底部140Aに接続しているので、試薬案内壁142に到達する前に、試薬流路145から分岐する接続路147に流入しやすい。つまり、第一容器210に残存している第一試薬11は、穴Rから流出して試薬流路145を移動する場合に、捕捉部146へ分岐する部位を経由する。したがって、捕捉部146は、第一容器210に残存していた第一試薬11を、試薬流路145の移動中に確実に捉えることができる。
As a result, when the test chip 2 in the steady state is revolved as shown in FIG. 9, the first reagent 11 stored in the bottom portion 140A of the first container housing portion 140 has the connection path 147 in the first container housing portion. Since it is connected to the bottom portion 140A of 140, it easily flows into the connection path 147 branched from the reagent flow path 145 before reaching the reagent guide wall 142. That is, when the first reagent 11 remaining in the first container 210 flows out of the hole R and moves through the reagent flow path 145, the first reagent 11 passes through a site that branches to the capturing unit 146. Therefore, the capturing unit 146 can reliably capture the first reagent 11 remaining in the first container 210 while the reagent channel 145 is moving.
さらに、図5に示すように検査チップ2が「z3>0」の関係を満たす。したがって、図9に示すように、第一試薬11を試薬流路145で移動させる遠心力Xが検査チップ2に付与されている場合は、その遠心力Xが検査チップ2に付与されていない場合よりも、第一試薬11は接続路147を介して捕捉部146に流入しやすい。したがって、検体10および第一試薬11と、第二試薬12とを混合させるタイミングである計測動作時に、第一容器210に残存した第一試薬11を捕捉部146に移動させることができる。
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the inspection chip 2 satisfies the relationship of “z3> 0”. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, when the centrifugal force X that moves the first reagent 11 in the reagent flow path 145 is applied to the test chip 2, the centrifugal force X is not applied to the test chip 2. Rather, the first reagent 11 tends to flow into the capturing unit 146 via the connection path 147. Therefore, the first reagent 11 remaining in the first container 210 can be moved to the capturing unit 146 during the measurement operation, which is the timing for mixing the specimen 10 and the first reagent 11 and the second reagent 12.
同時に、図9に示すように、試薬定量部153で定量された第二試薬12が第六通路156を介して混合部170に流入する。一方、試薬余剰部155は右方向に閉じる凹部であるため、余剰の第二試薬12は試薬余剰部155に留まる。さらに、第二容器収容部160の底部160Aに貯留されている第二試薬12は、接続路167を経由して捕捉部166に流入する。検体定量部114で定量された検体10が第二通路117を介して混合部170に流入する。一方、検体余剰部116は右方向に閉じる凹部であるため、余剰の検体10は検体余剰部116に留まる。混合部170に流入した検体10、第一試薬11、および第二試薬12は、遠心力Xの作用によって混合され、混合液13が生成される。
At the same time, as shown in FIG. 9, the second reagent 12 quantified by the reagent quantification unit 153 flows into the mixing unit 170 via the sixth passage 156. On the other hand, since the reagent surplus portion 155 is a recess that closes in the right direction, the surplus second reagent 12 remains in the reagent surplus portion 155. Furthermore, the second reagent 12 stored in the bottom portion 160 </ b> A of the second container housing portion 160 flows into the capturing portion 166 via the connection path 167. The sample 10 quantified by the sample quantification unit 114 flows into the mixing unit 170 via the second passage 117. On the other hand, since the specimen surplus portion 116 is a concave portion that closes in the right direction, the surplus specimen 10 remains in the specimen surplus portion 116. The specimen 10, the first reagent 11, and the second reagent 12 that have flowed into the mixing unit 170 are mixed by the action of the centrifugal force X, and the mixed liquid 13 is generated.
最後に、主軸モータ35の駆動制御によって、検査チップ2を計測位置まで移動させ、検査チップ2の公転動作が終了される。図10に示すように、混合部170で生成された混合液13の一部は、重力方向Zに移動して貯留部175に貯留される。貯留部175を通る光路によって、混合液13が光計測される。検査装置1は、光センサ72が受光した計測光の減衰量に基づいて、検体10の検査結果を得る。検体10の検査結果は、例えば図示しないディスプレイに表示される。
Finally, the inspection chip 2 is moved to the measurement position by the drive control of the spindle motor 35, and the revolution operation of the inspection chip 2 is completed. As shown in FIG. 10, a part of the mixed liquid 13 generated in the mixing unit 170 moves in the gravity direction Z and is stored in the storage unit 175. The mixed liquid 13 is optically measured by the optical path passing through the storage unit 175. The inspection apparatus 1 obtains the inspection result of the specimen 10 based on the attenuation amount of the measurement light received by the optical sensor 72. The test result of the specimen 10 is displayed on a display (not shown), for example.
<1-4.本実施形態の作用・効果>
以上説明したように、第一実施形態の検査チップ2によれば、第一挿入口130から挿入された第一容器210は、第一容器収容部140に配置され、突起部143によってシール材212に穴Rが形成される。第一容器収容部140に連通する空間を含む捕捉部146は、形成された穴Rから流出する第一試薬11の一部を収容可能である。シール材212を破断して第一容器210から第一試薬11を流出させたのち、第一容器210に残存した第一試薬11を捕捉部146に収容することで、第一容器210に残存した第一試薬11の試薬供給路131への流出が抑制される。 <1-4. Action and effect of this embodiment>
As described above, according to theinspection chip 2 of the first embodiment, the first container 210 inserted from the first insertion port 130 is disposed in the first container housing portion 140, and the sealing material 212 is formed by the protrusion 143. A hole R is formed in The capturing part 146 including a space communicating with the first container accommodating part 140 can accommodate a part of the first reagent 11 flowing out from the formed hole R. After the sealing material 212 was broken and the first reagent 11 was caused to flow out of the first container 210, the first reagent 11 remaining in the first container 210 was accommodated in the capture unit 146, and thus remained in the first container 210. The outflow of the first reagent 11 to the reagent supply path 131 is suppressed.
以上説明したように、第一実施形態の検査チップ2によれば、第一挿入口130から挿入された第一容器210は、第一容器収容部140に配置され、突起部143によってシール材212に穴Rが形成される。第一容器収容部140に連通する空間を含む捕捉部146は、形成された穴Rから流出する第一試薬11の一部を収容可能である。シール材212を破断して第一容器210から第一試薬11を流出させたのち、第一容器210に残存した第一試薬11を捕捉部146に収容することで、第一容器210に残存した第一試薬11の試薬供給路131への流出が抑制される。 <1-4. Action and effect of this embodiment>
As described above, according to the
そのため、第一挿入口130に第一容器210を挿入した場合に、第一容器210に残存した第一試薬11が検査チップ2内で生成済みの混合液13に混入するおそれを低減できる。同様に、第二挿入口150に第二容器220を挿入した場合に、第二容器220に残存した第二試薬12が検査チップ2内で生成済みの混合液13に混入するおそれを低減できる。
Therefore, when the first container 210 is inserted into the first insertion port 130, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the first reagent 11 remaining in the first container 210 is mixed into the mixed liquid 13 already generated in the test chip 2. Similarly, when the second container 220 is inserted into the second insertion port 150, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the second reagent 12 remaining in the second container 220 is mixed into the mixed liquid 13 already generated in the test chip 2.
<2.第二実施形態>
本開示の第二実施形態を説明する。以下では、第一実施形態と共通の構成には、第一実施形態と同一符号を付して説明を省略し、第一実施形態と異なる点のみを説明する。 <2. Second embodiment>
A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Below, the same code | symbol as 1st embodiment is attached | subjected to the same structure as 1st embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted, and only a different point from 1st embodiment is demonstrated.
本開示の第二実施形態を説明する。以下では、第一実施形態と共通の構成には、第一実施形態と同一符号を付して説明を省略し、第一実施形態と異なる点のみを説明する。 <2. Second embodiment>
A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Below, the same code | symbol as 1st embodiment is attached | subjected to the same structure as 1st embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted, and only a different point from 1st embodiment is demonstrated.
<2-1.検査チップ2の構造>
図11~図13を参照して、第二実施形態に係る検査チップ2および試薬ユニット200の詳細構造を説明する。図11および図12に示すように、本実施形態の試薬ユニット200では、第一容器210および第二容器220は、前後方向の厚みが小さく且つ左右方向が長手方向の直方体状である。第一容器210の左下底部213は、第一容器210の右下底部214よりも下方に突出する。同様に、第二容器220の左下底部223は、第二容器220の右下底部224よりも下方に突出する。第一容器210および第二容器220の各右上部分には、それぞれ右側に延びる板状部231、232が設けられている。板状部231によって、第一容器210および第二容器220が一体に連結されている。さらに、第一容器210の左上部分には、左側に延びる板状部233が設けられている。 <2-1. Structure ofinspection chip 2>
The detailed structures of thetest chip 2 and the reagent unit 200 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in the reagent unit 200 of the present embodiment, the first container 210 and the second container 220 have a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a small thickness in the front-rear direction and a longitudinal direction in the left-right direction. The lower left bottom part 213 of the first container 210 protrudes below the lower right bottom part 214 of the first container 210. Similarly, the lower left bottom part 223 of the second container 220 protrudes below the lower right bottom part 224 of the second container 220. In the upper right portions of the first container 210 and the second container 220, plate- like portions 231 and 232 extending to the right are provided, respectively. The first container 210 and the second container 220 are integrally connected by the plate-like portion 231. Further, a plate-like portion 233 extending to the left side is provided in the upper left portion of the first container 210.
図11~図13を参照して、第二実施形態に係る検査チップ2および試薬ユニット200の詳細構造を説明する。図11および図12に示すように、本実施形態の試薬ユニット200では、第一容器210および第二容器220は、前後方向の厚みが小さく且つ左右方向が長手方向の直方体状である。第一容器210の左下底部213は、第一容器210の右下底部214よりも下方に突出する。同様に、第二容器220の左下底部223は、第二容器220の右下底部224よりも下方に突出する。第一容器210および第二容器220の各右上部分には、それぞれ右側に延びる板状部231、232が設けられている。板状部231によって、第一容器210および第二容器220が一体に連結されている。さらに、第一容器210の左上部分には、左側に延びる板状部233が設けられている。 <2-1. Structure of
The detailed structures of the
図12および図13に示すように、試薬格納部211は、試薬収容部241、捕捉部242、および接続路243を有する。試薬収容部241は、未使用の第一試薬11を収容する空間を含む。試薬収容部241は、前方からみた場合に平行をなす上辺および下辺を有し、且つ、上辺が下辺よりも長い台形状である。試薬収容部241は、左下底部213の上側に設けられ、且つ、後方に開口する凹部である。試薬収容部241の右壁は、右上方向に延びる傾斜面であり、試薬収容部241内の第一試薬11が移動可能な容器内流路244を形成する。容器内流路244では、試薬収容部241に収容されている第一試薬11が、後述の試薬流路145と同一方向に移動可能である。
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the reagent storage unit 211 has a reagent storage unit 241, a capture unit 242, and a connection path 243. The reagent storage unit 241 includes a space for storing the unused first reagent 11. The reagent storage unit 241 has a trapezoidal shape having an upper side and a lower side that are parallel to each other when viewed from the front, and the upper side is longer than the lower side. The reagent storage unit 241 is a recess provided on the upper side of the lower left bottom 213 and opening rearward. The right wall of the reagent storage unit 241 is an inclined surface extending in the upper right direction, and forms an in-container channel 244 in which the first reagent 11 in the reagent storage unit 241 can move. In the in-container channel 244, the first reagent 11 stored in the reagent storage unit 241 can move in the same direction as a reagent channel 145 described later.
捕捉部242は、試薬収容部241に連通する空間を含み、試薬収容部241に収容された第一試薬11の一部を収容可能である。捕捉部242は、前方からみた場合に平行をなす上辺および下辺を有し、且つ、下辺が上辺よりも長い台形状である。捕捉部242は、図11に示す右下底部214の上側に設けられ、且つ、試薬収容部241よりも容積が小さい。接続路243は、試薬収容部241の右上部分と捕捉部242の左上部分を接続する、左右方向に延びる第一試薬11の流路である。接続路243は、試薬格納部211において、シール材212とは反対側である前面側に形成されている。
The capturing unit 242 includes a space communicating with the reagent storage unit 241 and can store a part of the first reagent 11 stored in the reagent storage unit 241. The capturing unit 242 has a trapezoidal shape having an upper side and a lower side that are parallel to each other when viewed from the front, and the lower side is longer than the upper side. The capturing part 242 is provided above the lower right bottom part 214 shown in FIG. 11 and has a smaller volume than the reagent storage part 241. The connection path 243 is a flow path of the first reagent 11 extending in the left-right direction that connects the upper right part of the reagent storage unit 241 and the upper left part of the capturing unit 242. The connection path 243 is formed on the front surface side opposite to the seal material 212 in the reagent storage unit 211.
図11および図12に示すように、未使用の試薬ユニット200では、試薬収容部241に収容された第一試薬11が、シール材212によって封止されている。一方、捕捉部242には、第一試薬11が収容されていない。本実施形態では、図12に示すように、接続路243が試薬収容部241の上端部に設けられている。例えば、図11に示すように、シール材212が後方を向く状態では、試薬ユニット200の下方が図6に示す重力方向Zと一致する。この場合、試薬収容部241内の第一試薬11は、自重によって試薬収容部241の下端側に移動する。つまり、試薬収容部241内の第一試薬11は、試薬収容部241の上端部に設けられた接続路243から離間する方向に移動するため、接続路243を介して流出しにくい。
As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, in the unused reagent unit 200, the first reagent 11 accommodated in the reagent accommodating portion 241 is sealed with a sealing material 212. On the other hand, the capture unit 242 does not contain the first reagent 11. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the connection path 243 is provided at the upper end of the reagent storage unit 241. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, in a state where the sealing material 212 faces rearward, the lower side of the reagent unit 200 coincides with the gravity direction Z shown in FIG. In this case, the first reagent 11 in the reagent storage unit 241 moves to the lower end side of the reagent storage unit 241 by its own weight. In other words, the first reagent 11 in the reagent storage unit 241 moves in a direction away from the connection path 243 provided at the upper end of the reagent storage unit 241, and thus hardly flows out through the connection path 243.
さらに、図13に示すように、接続路243が試薬収容部241の前端部に設けられている。例えば、シール材212が下方を向く状態では、試薬ユニット200の後方が図6に示す重力方向Zと一致する。この場合、試薬収容部241内の第一試薬11は、自重によって試薬収容部241の後端側に移動する。つまり、試薬収容部241内の第一試薬11は、試薬収容部241の前端部に設けられた接続路243から離間する方向に移動するため、接続路243を介して流出しにくい。
Further, as shown in FIG. 13, a connection path 243 is provided at the front end of the reagent storage unit 241. For example, when the sealing material 212 faces downward, the rear of the reagent unit 200 coincides with the gravity direction Z shown in FIG. In this case, the first reagent 11 in the reagent storage unit 241 moves to the rear end side of the reagent storage unit 241 by its own weight. That is, the first reagent 11 in the reagent storage unit 241 moves in a direction away from the connection path 243 provided at the front end portion of the reagent storage unit 241, and thus hardly flows out through the connection path 243.
図11および図12に示すように、試薬格納部221は、試薬格納部211と同様に、試薬収容部261、捕捉部262、接続路263、および容器内流路264を有する。したがって、シール材212が後方および下方のいずれを向く状態のいずれであっても、上記と同様に、試薬収容部261内の第二試薬12が接続路263を介して流出しにくい。
As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the reagent storage unit 221 has a reagent storage unit 261, a capturing unit 262, a connection path 263, and an in-container channel 264, similar to the reagent storage unit 211. Therefore, the second reagent 12 in the reagent storage unit 261 is unlikely to flow out through the connection path 263 in the same manner as described above, regardless of whether the sealant 212 faces rearward or downward.
図12に示すように、本実施形態の検査チップ2では、第一挿入口130は第一容器210の左右方向に長い形状に対応して、第一実施形態よりも左右方向長さが大きい。第一容器収容部140の右上部分には、第一挿入口130の下方で水平に延びる板状の支持部139が設けられている。第一容器210が第一挿入口130に挿入されると、支持部139が図11に示す右下底部214を下方から支持し、且つ、図11に示す左下底部213が支持部139の左側から下方に進入する。第一挿入口130の開口縁で、板状部231、233が下方から支持される。このとき、後述の試薬案内壁148は、第一容器210の下方に位置し、後述の試薬案内壁149は第一容器210の右下に位置する。これにより、第一容器210は、試薬案内壁148、149から離間した状態で、第一容器収容部140内に配置される。
As shown in FIG. 12, in the inspection chip 2 of the present embodiment, the first insertion port 130 corresponds to the shape that is long in the left-right direction of the first container 210, and is longer in the left-right direction than the first embodiment. A plate-like support portion 139 that extends horizontally below the first insertion port 130 is provided at the upper right portion of the first container housing portion 140. When the first container 210 is inserted into the first insertion port 130, the support portion 139 supports the lower right bottom portion 214 shown in FIG. 11 from below, and the lower left bottom portion 213 shown in FIG. 11 from the left side of the support portion 139. Enter downward. The plate- like portions 231 and 233 are supported from below at the opening edge of the first insertion port 130. At this time, a later-described reagent guide wall 148 is located below the first container 210, and a later-described reagent guide wall 149 is located on the lower right side of the first container 210. Accordingly, the first container 210 is disposed in the first container housing portion 140 in a state of being separated from the reagent guide walls 148 and 149.
第一容器収容部140の右上部分は、支持部139の直下で試薬供給路131に連通している。第一容器収容部140には、第一実施形態と同様に、接触面144から前方に突出する突起部143が設けられている。第一容器収容部140の下壁は、試薬案内壁148、149を含む。試薬案内壁148は、第一容器収容部140の左側下部から左右方向略中央まで、右下方向に延びる傾斜面である。試薬案内壁149は、第一容器収容部140の左右方向略中央から試薬供給路131まで、右上方向に延びる傾斜面である。試薬案内壁148および試薬案内壁149は、互いに接続されており、前方からみた場合にV字型の底部140Aを形成する。試薬案内壁148、149に沿って、試薬流路145が形成される。
The upper right part of the first container housing part 140 communicates with the reagent supply path 131 directly under the support part 139. Similar to the first embodiment, the first container housing portion 140 is provided with a protrusion 143 that protrudes forward from the contact surface 144. The lower wall of the first container housing part 140 includes reagent guide walls 148 and 149. The reagent guide wall 148 is an inclined surface extending in the lower right direction from the lower left portion of the first container housing portion 140 to the substantially center in the left and right direction. The reagent guide wall 149 is an inclined surface extending in the upper right direction from the substantially horizontal center of the first container housing part 140 to the reagent supply path 131. The reagent guide wall 148 and the reagent guide wall 149 are connected to each other, and form a V-shaped bottom portion 140A when viewed from the front. A reagent channel 145 is formed along the reagent guide walls 148 and 149.
第二挿入口150は、第二容器220の左右方向に長い形状に対応して、第一実施形態よりも左右方向長さが大きい。第二容器220が第二挿入口150に挿入されると、第二容器収容部160の右上部分に設けられた支持部159が右下底部224を下方から支持し、且つ、左下底部223が支持部159の左側から下方に進入する。第二挿入口150の開口縁で、板状部231、232が下方から支持される。これにより、第二容器220は、後述の試薬案内壁168、169から離間した状態で、第二容器収容部160内に配置される。第二容器収容部160は、第一容器収容部140と同様の構成であり、突起部163、接触面164、試薬流路165、および試薬案内壁168、169を含む。
The second insertion port 150 is longer in the left-right direction than in the first embodiment, corresponding to the shape of the second container 220 that is long in the left-right direction. When the second container 220 is inserted into the second insertion port 150, the support part 159 provided in the upper right part of the second container housing part 160 supports the lower right bottom part 224 from below and the lower left bottom part 223 supports it. It enters downward from the left side of the part 159. The plate- like portions 231 and 232 are supported from below at the opening edge of the second insertion port 150. Accordingly, the second container 220 is disposed in the second container housing portion 160 in a state of being separated from reagent guide walls 168 and 169 described later. The second container housing portion 160 has the same configuration as the first container housing portion 140, and includes a protrusion 163, a contact surface 164, a reagent channel 165, and reagent guide walls 168 and 169.
<2-2.検査方法の一例>
図12~図14を参照して、第二実施形態の検査チップ2を用いた検査方法を説明する。、第一実施形態と同様に、検査チップ2に試薬ユニット200が装着される。第一容器210が第一挿入口130から下方向に移動中に、図12および図13に示すように、突起部143がシール材212に接触して穴Rを形成する。試薬格納部211の第一試薬11は、穴Rを介して第一容器収容部140の内部に流出する。流出した第一試薬11は、第一容器収容部140の底部140Aに貯留される。 <2-2. Example of inspection method>
An inspection method using theinspection chip 2 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As in the first embodiment, the reagent unit 200 is mounted on the test chip 2. While the first container 210 is moving downward from the first insertion port 130, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the protrusion 143 contacts the sealing material 212 to form the hole R. The first reagent 11 in the reagent storage unit 211 flows into the first container storage unit 140 through the hole R. The first reagent 11 that has flowed out is stored in the bottom part 140 </ b> A of the first container housing part 140.
図12~図14を参照して、第二実施形態の検査チップ2を用いた検査方法を説明する。、第一実施形態と同様に、検査チップ2に試薬ユニット200が装着される。第一容器210が第一挿入口130から下方向に移動中に、図12および図13に示すように、突起部143がシール材212に接触して穴Rを形成する。試薬格納部211の第一試薬11は、穴Rを介して第一容器収容部140の内部に流出する。流出した第一試薬11は、第一容器収容部140の底部140Aに貯留される。 <2-2. Example of inspection method>
An inspection method using the
同様に、第二容器220が第二挿入口150から挿入されると、突起部163がシール材222に接触して穴Rを形成する。形成された穴Rを介して試薬格納部221の第二試薬12が流出し、第二容器収容部160の最下端に位置する領域である底部160Aに貯留される。検体挿入口110から検体10が注入された後、検査装置1に処理開始のコマンドを入力されると、第一実施形態と同様の計測動作が実行される。
Similarly, when the second container 220 is inserted from the second insertion port 150, the protrusion 163 contacts the sealing material 222 to form the hole R. The second reagent 12 in the reagent storage part 221 flows out through the formed hole R and is stored in the bottom part 160 </ b> A, which is an area located at the lowermost end of the second container storage part 160. After the specimen 10 is injected from the specimen insertion port 110, when a processing start command is input to the inspection apparatus 1, the same measurement operation as that in the first embodiment is executed.
まず主軸モータ35の駆動制御によって、図14に示すように、自転角度「0度」である定常状態の検査チップ2が公転される。遠心力Xの作用によって、第一容器収容部140の底部140Aに貯留されている第一試薬11は、試薬流路145を経由して右上方向に移動し、試薬供給路131に流入する。さらに、第一容器210では、試薬収容部241の内壁、または穴Rの破断面等に、第一試薬11が残存していることがある。この場合、試薬収容部241に残存している第一試薬11が、容器内流路244に沿って右上方向に移動し、接続路243を介して捕捉部242に流入する。
First, as shown in FIG. 14, the steady state inspection chip 2 with the rotation angle “0 degree” is revolved by driving control of the spindle motor 35. Due to the action of the centrifugal force X, the first reagent 11 stored in the bottom part 140 </ b> A of the first container housing part 140 moves in the upper right direction via the reagent flow path 145 and flows into the reagent supply path 131. Furthermore, in the first container 210, the first reagent 11 may remain on the inner wall of the reagent storage unit 241, the fracture surface of the hole R, or the like. In this case, the first reagent 11 remaining in the reagent storage unit 241 moves in the upper right direction along the in-container channel 244 and flows into the capturing unit 242 via the connection path 243.
本実施形態では、試薬流路145と同一方向である右上方向に、容器内流路244が第一試薬11を移動可能である。具体的には、試薬ユニット200が装着された状態において、容器内流路244の傾斜角度と試薬案内壁149の傾斜角度が同じである。本実施形態では、図12に示すように、容器内流路244の傾斜角度αおよび試薬案内壁149の傾斜角度βは、いずれも左右方向に対する傾斜角度が同じである。傾斜角度αおよび試薬案内壁149の傾斜角度βは同じ角度であればよいが、一例として60度が考えられる。したがって、遠心力Xの作用によって第一試薬11が試薬流路145を移動するのと同時に、試薬収容部241に残存している第一試薬11を、容器内流路244を介して捕捉部242までスムーズに移動させることができる。
In the present embodiment, the in-container channel 244 can move the first reagent 11 in the upper right direction that is the same direction as the reagent channel 145. Specifically, in the state where the reagent unit 200 is mounted, the inclination angle of the in-container channel 244 and the inclination angle of the reagent guide wall 149 are the same. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the inclination angle α of the in-container channel 244 and the inclination angle β of the reagent guide wall 149 are both the same as the inclination angle with respect to the left-right direction. The inclination angle α and the inclination angle β of the reagent guide wall 149 may be the same angle, but 60 degrees is considered as an example. Therefore, at the same time as the first reagent 11 moves through the reagent channel 145 by the action of the centrifugal force X, the first reagent 11 remaining in the reagent storage unit 241 is trapped via the in-container channel 244. Can move smoothly.
さらに、接続路243が毛管現象によって試薬収容部241から第一試薬11を取り込む毛管力Fは、計測動作時に検査チップ2に付与される遠心力Xよりも小さい。具体的には、「遠心力X>毛管力F」の関係を満たすように、接続路243の断面形状が設定される。一例として接続路243の断面形状が円形である場合、接続路243の流路半径「r」が以下のように、設定されている。「γ」を第一試薬11の表面張力、「θ」を第一試薬11の接触角とした場合、毛管力Fは以下の式で算出すればよい。
F=2πr×γ×cosθ Furthermore, the capillary force F for theconnection path 243 to take in the first reagent 11 from the reagent storage unit 241 by capillary action is smaller than the centrifugal force X applied to the test chip 2 during the measurement operation. Specifically, the cross-sectional shape of the connection path 243 is set so as to satisfy the relationship of “centrifugal force X> capillary force F”. As an example, when the cross-sectional shape of the connection path 243 is circular, the flow path radius “r” of the connection path 243 is set as follows. When “γ” is the surface tension of the first reagent 11 and “θ” is the contact angle of the first reagent 11, the capillary force F may be calculated by the following equation.
F = 2πr × γ × cos θ
F=2πr×γ×cosθ Furthermore, the capillary force F for the
F = 2πr × γ × cos θ
これにより、遠心力Xが検査チップ2に付与されている状態では、遠心力Xが検査チップ2に付与されていない状態よりも、試薬収容部241に残存している第一試薬11が、接続路243を経由して捕捉部242に流入しやすい。したがって、検体10および第一試薬11と、第二試薬12とを混合させるタイミングである計測動作時に、試薬収容部241に残存している第一試薬11を捕捉部242に移動させることができる。
Thereby, in the state in which the centrifugal force X is applied to the test chip 2, the first reagent 11 remaining in the reagent storage unit 241 is more connected than in the state in which the centrifugal force X is not applied to the test chip 2. It tends to flow into the capturing part 242 via the path 243. Therefore, the first reagent 11 remaining in the reagent storage unit 241 can be moved to the capture unit 242 during a measurement operation that is a timing for mixing the sample 10 and the first reagent 11 and the second reagent 12.
同時に、第二容器収容部160の底部160Aに貯留されている第二試薬12は、試薬流路165を経由して試薬供給路151に流入する。第二容器220では、試薬収容部261に残存している第二試薬12が、容器内流路264に沿って右上方向に移動し、接続路263を介して捕捉部262に流入する。検体貯留部111に貯留されている検体10は、遠心力Xによって検体供給路112に流入する。
At the same time, the second reagent 12 stored in the bottom 160A of the second container housing section 160 flows into the reagent supply path 151 via the reagent flow path 165. In the second container 220, the second reagent 12 remaining in the reagent storage unit 261 moves in the upper right direction along the in-container channel 264 and flows into the capturing unit 262 via the connection path 263. The sample 10 stored in the sample storage unit 111 flows into the sample supply path 112 by the centrifugal force X.
以降の処理は、第一実施形態と同様である。この場合、検査チップ2が自転角度「0度」および「90度」のいずれであっても、捕捉部242からみて接続路243は遠心力Xおよび重力方向Zとは反対側にある。そのため、捕捉部242に流入した第一試薬11は、外部に流出しにくい。同様に、捕捉部262に流入した第二試薬12は外部に流出しにくい。
The subsequent processing is the same as in the first embodiment. In this case, the connection path 243 is on the side opposite to the centrifugal force X and the gravity direction Z when viewed from the capturing part 242 regardless of whether the inspection chip 2 has the rotation angle “0 degree” or “90 degrees”. Therefore, the first reagent 11 that has flowed into the capturing unit 242 is unlikely to flow out. Similarly, the second reagent 12 that has flowed into the capturing unit 262 is unlikely to flow out.
<2-3.本実施形態の作用・効果>
以上説明したように、第二実施形態の試薬ユニット200および検査チップ2によれば、試薬収容部241に収容された第一試薬11は、シール材212によって封止される。試薬収容部241に連通する空間を含む捕捉部242は、試薬収容部241の一部を収容可能である。シール材212を破断して試薬収容部241から第一試薬11を流出させたのち、試薬収容部241に残存した第一試薬11を捕捉部242に収容することで、第一容器210の外部への残存した第一試薬11の流出が抑制される。そのため、検査チップ2に第一容器210を挿入した場合に、試薬収容部241に残存した第一試薬11が検査チップ2内で生成済みの混合液13に混入するおそれを低減できる。 <2-3. Action and effect of this embodiment>
As described above, according to thereagent unit 200 and the test chip 2 of the second embodiment, the first reagent 11 accommodated in the reagent accommodating portion 241 is sealed with the sealing material 212. The capturing unit 242 including a space communicating with the reagent storage unit 241 can store a part of the reagent storage unit 241. After the sealing material 212 is broken and the first reagent 11 is caused to flow out of the reagent storage unit 241, the first reagent 11 remaining in the reagent storage unit 241 is stored in the capturing unit 242 to the outside of the first container 210. Outflow of the remaining first reagent 11 is suppressed. Therefore, when the first container 210 is inserted into the test chip 2, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the first reagent 11 remaining in the reagent storage unit 241 is mixed into the mixed liquid 13 already generated in the test chip 2.
以上説明したように、第二実施形態の試薬ユニット200および検査チップ2によれば、試薬収容部241に収容された第一試薬11は、シール材212によって封止される。試薬収容部241に連通する空間を含む捕捉部242は、試薬収容部241の一部を収容可能である。シール材212を破断して試薬収容部241から第一試薬11を流出させたのち、試薬収容部241に残存した第一試薬11を捕捉部242に収容することで、第一容器210の外部への残存した第一試薬11の流出が抑制される。そのため、検査チップ2に第一容器210を挿入した場合に、試薬収容部241に残存した第一試薬11が検査チップ2内で生成済みの混合液13に混入するおそれを低減できる。 <2-3. Action and effect of this embodiment>
As described above, according to the
さらに、第一挿入口130から挿入された第一容器210は、第一容器収容部140に配置され、突起部143によってシール材212に穴Rが形成される。形成された穴Rから流出する第一試薬11は、試薬流路145によって検体10と混合される位置に向けて移動可能である。試薬収容部140に対して捕捉部242が位置する方向は、第一容器210が第一挿入口130から挿入された状態において、第一試薬11が試薬流路145を移動される方向に沿う。そのため、試薬収容部241に残存した第一試薬11は、試薬流路145の第一試薬11と同一方向に移動可能である。
Furthermore, the first container 210 inserted from the first insertion port 130 is disposed in the first container housing part 140, and a hole R is formed in the sealing material 212 by the protrusion 143. The first reagent 11 flowing out from the formed hole R is movable toward a position where it is mixed with the specimen 10 by the reagent flow path 145. The direction in which the capture unit 242 is positioned with respect to the reagent storage unit 140 is along the direction in which the first reagent 11 is moved through the reagent channel 145 in a state where the first container 210 is inserted from the first insertion port 130. Therefore, the first reagent 11 remaining in the reagent storage unit 241 can move in the same direction as the first reagent 11 in the reagent channel 145.
したがって、第一試薬11を試薬流路145で移動させる外力が検査チップ2に付与された場合に、試薬収容部241に残存した第一試薬11も捕捉部242に移動できる。検査チップ2内で検体10、第一試薬11、および第二試薬12が混合された時点では、試薬収容部241に残存した第一試薬11は捕捉部242に収容されているため、残存した第一試薬11が生成済みの混合液13に混入するおそれを低減できる。同様に、試薬収容部261に残存した第二試薬12が、検査チップ2内で生成済みの混合液13に混入するおそれを低減できる。
Therefore, when an external force that moves the first reagent 11 through the reagent flow path 145 is applied to the test chip 2, the first reagent 11 remaining in the reagent storage unit 241 can also move to the capturing unit 242. At the time when the specimen 10, the first reagent 11, and the second reagent 12 are mixed in the test chip 2, the first reagent 11 remaining in the reagent storage unit 241 is stored in the capture unit 242, and therefore the remaining first The possibility that one reagent 11 is mixed into the generated mixed liquid 13 can be reduced. Similarly, the possibility that the second reagent 12 remaining in the reagent storage unit 261 is mixed into the mixed liquid 13 already generated in the test chip 2 can be reduced.
第一試薬11が試薬流路145を移動される方向は、第一容器210が第一挿入口130から挿入された状態において、第一試薬11が試薬流路145を移動される方向に沿う。したがって、第一試薬11を試薬流路145で移動させる外力が検査チップ2に付与された場合に、第一容器収容部140内に残存していた第一試薬11を、容器内流路244によって捕捉部242までスムーズに移動できる。同様に、第二容器収容部160内に残存していた第二試薬12を、容器内流路264によって捕捉部262までスムーズに移動できる。
The direction in which the first reagent 11 is moved through the reagent channel 145 is along the direction in which the first reagent 11 is moved through the reagent channel 145 in a state where the first container 210 is inserted from the first insertion port 130. Therefore, when an external force that moves the first reagent 11 through the reagent flow path 145 is applied to the test chip 2, the first reagent 11 remaining in the first container housing portion 140 is removed by the in-container flow path 244. It can move smoothly to the capturing unit 242. Similarly, the second reagent 12 remaining in the second container housing portion 160 can be smoothly moved to the capturing portion 262 by the in-container channel 264.
図12に示すように、試薬流路145は、容器収容部140を形成する試薬案内壁149を含む。容器内流路244は、試薬収容部241を形成する壁を含む。傾斜角度αと傾斜角度βとが同じである。よって、試薬収容部241を形成する壁は、第一容器210が第一挿入口130から挿入された状態において、容器収容部140を形成する試薬案内壁149と同一方向に傾斜している。したがって、試薬流路145および容器内流路264の各々において第一試薬11を、同一方向に移動させることができる。第二試薬12についても同様である。
As shown in FIG. 12, the reagent flow path 145 includes a reagent guide wall 149 that forms a container housing portion 140. The in-container channel 244 includes a wall that forms the reagent storage unit 241. The inclination angle α and the inclination angle β are the same. Therefore, the wall forming the reagent container 241 is inclined in the same direction as the reagent guide wall 149 forming the container container 140 in a state where the first container 210 is inserted from the first insertion port 130. Therefore, the first reagent 11 can be moved in the same direction in each of the reagent channel 145 and the in-container channel 264. The same applies to the second reagent 12.
<3.その他>
上記実施形態において、第一試薬11および第二試薬12が、それぞれ本開示の「試薬」に相当する。第一容器210および第二容器220が、それぞれ本開示の「試薬容器」に相当する。第一挿入口130および第二挿入口150が、それぞれ本開示の「挿入口」に相当する。試薬供給路131および第四通路136と、試薬供給路151および第六通路156とが、それぞれ本開示の「供給路」に相当する。 <3. Other>
In the above embodiment, thefirst reagent 11 and the second reagent 12 each correspond to a “reagent” of the present disclosure. The first container 210 and the second container 220 each correspond to a “reagent container” of the present disclosure. The first insertion port 130 and the second insertion port 150 each correspond to an “insertion port” of the present disclosure. The reagent supply path 131 and the fourth path 136, and the reagent supply path 151 and the sixth path 156 respectively correspond to the “supply path” of the present disclosure.
上記実施形態において、第一試薬11および第二試薬12が、それぞれ本開示の「試薬」に相当する。第一容器210および第二容器220が、それぞれ本開示の「試薬容器」に相当する。第一挿入口130および第二挿入口150が、それぞれ本開示の「挿入口」に相当する。試薬供給路131および第四通路136と、試薬供給路151および第六通路156とが、それぞれ本開示の「供給路」に相当する。 <3. Other>
In the above embodiment, the
本開示は、上記実施形態に限定されるものではなく、各種の変形が可能である。上記実施形態の検査装置1や検査チップ2は単なる例示であり、各々の構造、形状や処理などを変更可能である。
The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. The inspection device 1 and the inspection chip 2 of the above embodiment are merely examples, and the structure, shape, processing, and the like of each can be changed.
例えば、上記実施形態では、ユーザの利便性を考慮して、第一容器210および第二容器220が連結された試薬ユニット200を例示したが、第一容器210および第二容器220を単独で使用してもよい。上記実施形態では、検査チップ2は板材20とシート29とで構成されているが、検査チップ2はシート29を備えていなくてもよい。例えば、各種挿入口や液体流路25が板材20に直接形成された検査チップ2を用いてもよい。「突起部」は、基準領域に配置される試薬容器に試薬が流出する穴を形成できる範囲で、形状、位置、大きさなどを変更してもよい。検査チップに注入される「試薬」の数量は、2つに限定されず、1つの試薬でもよいし、3つ以上の試薬でもよい。
For example, in the above embodiment, the reagent unit 200 in which the first container 210 and the second container 220 are connected is illustrated in consideration of user convenience, but the first container 210 and the second container 220 are used alone. May be. In the above embodiment, the inspection chip 2 includes the plate material 20 and the sheet 29, but the inspection chip 2 may not include the sheet 29. For example, you may use the test | inspection chip 2 in which the various insertion ports and the liquid flow path 25 were directly formed in the board | plate material 20. FIG. The “projection” may be changed in shape, position, size, and the like as long as a hole through which the reagent flows can be formed in the reagent container arranged in the reference region. The number of “reagents” injected into the test chip is not limited to two, and may be one reagent or three or more reagents.
第一実施形態に例示した「捕捉部」は、容器収容部に連通し、且つ、穴から流出した試薬の一部を収容可能な範囲で、形状、位置、大きさなどを変更してもよい。第一実施形態では、図5に示すように、捕捉部146は、第一容器収容部140の底部140Aから右上方向に延びる接続路147を介して設けられている。この接続路147は、試薬流路145から分岐している。すなわち、捕捉部146は左方向に開口している。捕捉部は、左方向に開口していることに限らず、試薬流路と連結してればよく、どちらの方向に開口してもよい。
The “capturing part” exemplified in the first embodiment may be changed in shape, position, size, etc., as long as it communicates with the container accommodating part and can accommodate a part of the reagent flowing out of the hole. . In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the capturing part 146 is provided via a connection path 147 extending in the upper right direction from the bottom part 140 </ b> A of the first container housing part 140. This connection path 147 branches off from the reagent flow path 145. That is, the capturing part 146 is open in the left direction. The capturing part is not limited to opening in the left direction, and may be connected to the reagent channel, and may be opened in either direction.
第二実施形態に例示した「捕捉部」は、試薬収容部に連通し、且つ、試薬収容部に収容された試薬の一部を収容可能な範囲で、形状、位置、大きさなどを変更してもよい。試薬収容部に対して「捕捉部」が位置する方向は、試薬容器が前記挿入口から挿入された状態において、試薬が試薬流路を移動される方向に沿っていればよい。例えば「捕捉部」は、試薬収容部に対して試薬流路で試薬が移動される方向と同一方向に設けてもよい。この「同一方向」は、検査チップに所定方向の外力が付与された場合に、試薬が試薬収容部および試薬流路において同じ側に向けて移動することを意味する。第二実施形態では、図12に示すように、傾斜角度αおよび傾斜角度βは同じ角度として60度であると説明したが、ほかの角度でもよい。また、傾斜角度αと傾斜角度βとは異なる角度であってもよい。
The “capturing unit” exemplified in the second embodiment is in communication with the reagent storage unit and changes the shape, position, size, etc. within a range in which a part of the reagent stored in the reagent storage unit can be stored. May be. The direction in which the “capturing unit” is located with respect to the reagent storage unit may be along the direction in which the reagent is moved through the reagent channel in a state where the reagent container is inserted from the insertion port. For example, the “capturing unit” may be provided in the same direction as the direction in which the reagent is moved in the reagent channel with respect to the reagent storage unit. This “same direction” means that when an external force in a predetermined direction is applied to the test chip, the reagent moves toward the same side in the reagent container and the reagent flow path. In the second embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the inclination angle α and the inclination angle β have been described as 60 degrees as the same angle, but other angles may be used. Further, the inclination angle α and the inclination angle β may be different angles.
2 検査チップ
10 検体
11 第一試薬
12 第二試薬
13 混合液
130 第一挿入口
140 第一容器収容部
143 突起部
145 試薬流路
146 捕捉部
147 接続路
150 第二挿入口
160 第二容器収容部
163 突起部
165 試薬流路
166 捕捉部
167 接続路
210 第一容器
212 シール材
220 第二容器
222 シール材
241 試薬収容部
242 捕捉部
243 接続路
244 容器内流路
261 試薬収容部
262 捕捉部
263 接続路
264 容器内流路 2Test Chip 10 Specimen 11 First Reagent 12 Second Reagent 13 Mixed Solution 130 First Insertion Port 140 First Container Storage Portion 143 Protrusion Portion 145 Reagent Channel 146 Capture Portion 147 Connection Path 150 Second Insertion Port 160 Second Container Storage Portion 163 Protruding portion 165 Reagent flow path 166 Capture section 167 Connection path 210 First container 212 Seal material 220 Second container 222 Seal material 241 Reagent storage section 242 Capture section 243 Connection path 244 In-container flow path 261 Reagent storage section 262 Capture section 263 Connection path 264 Channel in container
10 検体
11 第一試薬
12 第二試薬
13 混合液
130 第一挿入口
140 第一容器収容部
143 突起部
145 試薬流路
146 捕捉部
147 接続路
150 第二挿入口
160 第二容器収容部
163 突起部
165 試薬流路
166 捕捉部
167 接続路
210 第一容器
212 シール材
220 第二容器
222 シール材
241 試薬収容部
242 捕捉部
243 接続路
244 容器内流路
261 試薬収容部
262 捕捉部
263 接続路
264 容器内流路 2
Claims (9)
- 液体である検体および試薬を内部に収容可能であり、所定の軸を中心に回転されることで前記検体および前記試薬が混合される検査チップであって、
内部に収容された前記試薬がシール材によって封止された試薬容器を挿入可能な挿入口と、
前記挿入口から挿入された前記試薬容器を収容可能な空間を含む容器収容部と、
前記容器収容部に設けられ、前記容器収容部に配置される前記試薬容器の前記シール材に穴を形成可能な突起部と、
前記容器収容部に連通する空間を含み、前記穴から流出した前記試薬の一部を収容可能な捕捉部と
を備えたことを特徴とする検査チップ。 It is a test chip that can accommodate a liquid sample and reagent inside and mixes the sample and the reagent by being rotated around a predetermined axis,
An insertion port into which a reagent container in which the reagent contained inside is sealed with a sealing material can be inserted;
A container housing portion including a space capable of housing the reagent container inserted from the insertion port;
A protrusion provided in the container housing portion, capable of forming a hole in the seal material of the reagent container disposed in the container housing portion;
A test chip comprising: a capture portion including a space communicating with the container housing portion and capable of housing a part of the reagent flowing out of the hole. - 前記容器収容部に接続され、前記試薬が前記検体と混合される位置に向けて移動可能な供給路と、
前記容器収容部に設けられ、前記穴から流出した前記試薬が前記供給路に向けて移動可能な試薬流路を備え、
前記捕捉部は、前記試薬流路から分岐した位置に設けられたことを特徴とする請求項1に記載の検査チップ。 A supply path connected to the container housing portion and movable toward a position where the reagent is mixed with the specimen;
A reagent flow path provided in the container housing portion, the reagent flowing out from the hole is movable toward the supply path;
The test chip according to claim 1, wherein the capturing unit is provided at a position branched from the reagent flow path. - 前記捕捉部は、前記突起部に対して、前記試薬流路において前記試薬が移動される方向の下流側に設けられたことを特徴とする請求項2に記載の検査チップ。 3. The test chip according to claim 2, wherein the capturing unit is provided on the downstream side in the direction in which the reagent is moved in the reagent channel with respect to the protrusion.
- 前記試薬流路から分岐して前記捕捉部に接続する前記試薬の流路である接続路を備え、
前記接続路は、前記穴から流出した前記試薬が前記容器収容部の底部に貯留される状態において、前記容器収容部の底部から前記捕捉部に向けて水平方向よりも上方に傾斜することを特徴とする請求項2に記載の検査チップ。 A connection path that is a flow path of the reagent branched from the reagent flow path and connected to the capture unit;
The connection path is inclined upward from the horizontal direction from the bottom of the container housing portion toward the capturing portion in a state where the reagent flowing out from the hole is stored in the bottom portion of the container housing portion. The inspection chip according to claim 2. - 液体である検体および試薬を内部に収容可能であり、且つ、所定の軸を中心に回転されることで前記検体および前記試薬が混合される検査チップに挿入可能な試薬容器であって、
前記試薬を収容可能な空間を含む試薬収容部と、
前記試薬収容部に収容された前記試薬を封止するシール材と、
前記試薬収容部に連通する空間を含み、前記試薬収容部に収容された前記試薬の一部を収容可能な捕捉部と
を備えたことを特徴とする試薬容器。 A reagent container that can contain a sample and a reagent that are liquids, and that can be inserted into a test chip in which the sample and the reagent are mixed by being rotated about a predetermined axis,
A reagent container including a space in which the reagent can be stored;
A sealing material for sealing the reagent stored in the reagent storage unit;
A reagent container comprising: a capture unit including a space communicating with the reagent storage unit and capable of storing a part of the reagent stored in the reagent storage unit. - 請求項5に記載の試薬容器を備えた検査チップであって、
前記試薬容器を挿入可能な挿入口と、
前記挿入口から挿入された前記試薬容器を収容可能な空間を含む容器収容部と、
前記容器収容部に設けられ、前記容器収容部に配置される前記試薬容器の前記シール材に穴を形成可能な突起部と、
前記容器収容部に接続され、前記試薬が前記検体と混合される位置に向けて移動可能な供給路と、
前記容器収容部に設けられ、前記穴から流出した前記試薬が前記供給路に向けて移動可能な試薬流路とを備え、
前記試薬収容部に対して前記捕捉部が位置する方向は、前記試薬容器が前記挿入口から挿入された状態において、前記試薬が前記試薬流路を移動される方向に沿うことを特徴とする検査チップ。 A test chip comprising the reagent container according to claim 5,
An insertion port into which the reagent container can be inserted;
A container housing portion including a space capable of housing the reagent container inserted from the insertion port;
A protrusion provided in the container housing portion, capable of forming a hole in the seal material of the reagent container disposed in the container housing portion;
A supply path connected to the container housing portion and movable toward a position where the reagent is mixed with the specimen;
A reagent flow path provided in the container housing portion, the reagent flowing out from the hole is movable toward the supply path;
The test is characterized in that the direction in which the capture unit is positioned with respect to the reagent storage unit is along a direction in which the reagent is moved through the reagent channel in a state where the reagent container is inserted from the insertion port. Chip. - 前記試薬容器は、前記試薬収容部に収容されている前記試薬が移動可能な容器内流路を備え、
前記試薬が前記容器内流路を移動される方向は、前記試薬容器が前記挿入口から挿入された状態において、前記試薬が前記試薬流路を移動される方向に沿うことを特徴とする請求項6に記載の検査チップ。 The reagent container includes an in-container flow path in which the reagent accommodated in the reagent accommodating unit can move,
The direction in which the reagent is moved in the flow path in the container is along the direction in which the reagent is moved in the reagent flow path in a state where the reagent container is inserted from the insertion port. 6. The inspection chip according to 6. - 前記試薬流路は、前記容器収容部を形成する壁を含み、
前記容器内流路は、前記試薬収容部を形成する壁を含み、
前記試薬収容部を形成する壁は、前記試薬容器が前記挿入口から挿入された状態において、前記容器収容部を形成する壁と同一方向に傾斜することを特徴とする請求項7記載の検査チップ。 The reagent flow path includes a wall that forms the container housing portion,
The in-container flow path includes a wall that forms the reagent container,
8. The test chip according to claim 7, wherein the wall forming the reagent container is inclined in the same direction as the wall forming the container container when the reagent container is inserted from the insertion port. . - 前記試薬容器は、前記試薬収容部と前記捕捉部とを接続する前記試薬の流路である接続路を備え、
前記接続路が毛管現象によって前記試薬収容部から前記試薬を取り込む毛管力は、前記検体および前記試薬を混合させる場合に前記検査チップに付与される遠心力よりも小さいことを特徴とする請求項2に記載の検査チップ。 The reagent container includes a connection path that is a flow path of the reagent that connects the reagent storage unit and the capture unit,
3. The capillary force for taking in the reagent from the reagent container by capillary action is smaller than the centrifugal force applied to the test chip when the sample and the reagent are mixed. Inspection chip as described in.
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US10520521B2 (en) | 2014-06-30 | 2019-12-31 | Phc Holdings Corporation | Substrate for sample analysis, sample analysis device, sample analysis system, and program for sample analysis system |
EP3163306A4 (en) | 2014-06-30 | 2018-01-24 | Panasonic Healthcare Holdings Co., Ltd. | Substrate for sample analysis, and sample analysis apparatus |
WO2016002727A1 (en) | 2014-06-30 | 2016-01-07 | パナソニックヘルスケアホールディングス株式会社 | Substrate for sample analysis, sample analysis device, sample analysis system, and program for sample analysis system |
WO2016002728A1 (en) | 2014-06-30 | 2016-01-07 | パナソニックヘルスケアホールディングス株式会社 | Substrate for sample analysis, sample analysis device, sample analysis system, and method for removing liquid from liquid that contains magnetic particles |
US10539583B2 (en) | 2014-12-12 | 2020-01-21 | Phc Holdings Corporation | Substrate for sample analysis, sample analysis device, sample analysis system, and program for sample analysis system |
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EP3318873A4 (en) * | 2015-07-03 | 2019-01-23 | Acon Biotech (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd. | Testing system |
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