WO2014050946A1

WO2014050946A1 - Inspection chip

Info

Publication number: WO2014050946A1
Application number: PCT/JP2013/076014
Authority: WO
Inventors: 由美子大鹿
Original assignee: ブラザー工業株式会社
Priority date: 2012-09-28
Filing date: 2013-09-26
Publication date: 2014-04-03
Also published as: JP5900269B2; JP2014070967A

Abstract

Provided is an inspection chip with which it is possible to accurately measure multiple mixed liquids by using one light source. An inspection chip (2) is provided with first to third measurement units (100, 200, 300) which each have spaces in which an injected specimen and a reagent can move. A mixing part (170) creates a mixed liquid of a specimen (11A) guided in a specimen guiding part (110), reagent (11B) guided in reagent guiding part (130), and reagent (11C) guided in reagent guiding part (150). The created mixed liquid is stored in a storage part (175) and is measured. Similarly, a mixed liquid of an injected specimen and a reagent is created, stored, and measured in the second measurement unit (200) and the third measurement unit (300). The first to third measurement units (100, 200, 300) have different numbers of holding parts for each reagent.

Description

Inspection chip

The present invention relates to an inspection chip for performing a chemical, medical, or biological inspection of an inspection object.

Conventionally, an inspection chip for inspecting a biological substance or a chemical substance is known. For example, the microchip disclosed in Patent Document 1 is an inspection chip having a plurality of sections corresponding to each item in order to perform inspection and analysis of a plurality of items. The sample introduced from the sample introduction port is distributed to each section. The distributed specimen is quantified by the specimen weighing section of each section. The sample quantified by each sample measurement unit is introduced into the detection unit of each section. In each detection unit, the quantified liquid mixture of the sample and the reagent is used for optical measurement of each item. As an optical measurement method, for example, a rate method based on a change over time in the transmittance of a mixed solution of a specimen and a reagent is known.

JP 2009-109429 A

In the microchip disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a plurality of detectors are measured using a single light source, the liquid mixture stored in each detector is optically measured one by one. In this case, while the optical measurement is being performed in the detection unit with the earlier measurement order, the reaction of the mixed solution proceeds in the detection unit with the later measurement order. When measuring a mixed solution based on a change over time such as a rate method, if the reaction of the mixed solution is completed in a detection unit whose measurement order is slow, an accurate test result may not be obtained.

An object of the present invention is to provide an inspection chip capable of accurately measuring a plurality of mixed solutions using a single light source.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a liquid specimen and a reagent are injected, and a centrifugal force is applied by being rotated about a predetermined first axis, and the second axis is different from the first axis. A test chip in which the direction of the centrifugal force is changed by being rotated, and includes a plurality of measurement units each including a space in which the injected specimen and the reagent can move, and the plurality of measurement units In each of the above, the sample and the reagent are mixed, and a mixing unit that is a part capable of generating a mixed solution of the sample and the reagent, and the sample injected into the measurement unit are guided toward the mixing unit. A specimen guide part that is a part to be stored, a reagent guide part that is a part to which the reagent injected into the measurement unit is guided toward the mixing part, and the liquid mixture generated in the mixing part can be stored. And at least one of the specimen guide part and the reagent guide part can hold the specimen or the reagent to be guided. It comprises at least one holding part which is a part, and the quantity of the holding parts differs for each of the plurality of measurement units.

The test chip according to the above aspect includes a plurality of measurement units each including a space in which the injected specimen and reagent can move. In each measurement unit, the injected sample is guided toward the mixing unit in the sample guide unit, and the injected reagent is guided toward the mixing unit in the reagent guide unit. A mixed liquid of the guided specimen and reagent is generated in the mixing unit. The generated mixed liquid is stored and measured in the storage unit. At least one of the sample guide unit and the reagent guide unit holds the sample or reagent to be guided by at least one holding unit.

Since the quantity of the plurality of holding units is different for each measurement unit, a measurement unit with a large number of holding units has a later timing of generating a mixed liquid in the mixing unit than a measurement unit with few holding units. That is, the timing at which the liquid mixture is generated is different among the plurality of measurement units. Measurement results can be obtained before the reaction of each liquid mixture is completed by measuring the liquid mixture sequentially generated in a plurality of measurement units using one light source immediately after each liquid mixture is generated. . Therefore, a plurality of mixed liquids can be accurately measured using one light source.

The holding unit may be provided side by side in the same direction with respect to the inspection chip in each of the plurality of measurement units. In this case, the holding units are arranged in the same direction in each measurement unit. Therefore, by applying an external force in the same direction to the test chip, the specimen or reagent can be moved simultaneously in the holding unit of each measurement unit.

The measurement unit includes one injection unit that is a portion into which the sample or the reagent is injected into the plurality of measurement units, and the injection unit includes the holding unit with the smallest quantity in the test chip. It may be provided upstream of the unit in the direction in which the specimen or the reagent is guided. In this case, a vacant space in the test chip tends to occur on the upstream side in the direction in which the specimen or reagent is guided with respect to the measurement unit having the smallest number of holding units. By providing a common injection part in this empty space, it is possible to reduce the size of the inspection chip.

One of the holding units may be a quantification unit that is a part capable of quantifying the specimen or the reagent injected into the measurement unit. In this case, an appropriate amount of specimen or reagent can be supplied to the mixing unit.

At least two of the measurement units include a common surplus part that can store the sample or the reagent exceeding the predetermined amount that has flowed out from each of the quantification units, and includes the holding unit with the smallest quantity in the test chip. Further, it may be provided downstream of the measurement unit in the direction in which the sample or the reagent is guided. In this case, an empty space in the test chip is likely to occur on the downstream side in the direction in which the sample or reagent is guided with respect to the measurement unit having the smallest number of holding units. By providing a common surplus portion in this empty space, it is possible to reduce the size of the inspection chip.

In the measurement unit including the plurality of holding units, the quantification unit may be the holding unit provided on the most upstream side in the direction in which the specimen or the reagent is guided among the plurality of holding units. Good. In this case, since the sample or reagent can be quantified at the same timing in all measurement units, the examination time can be shortened.

In the measurement unit including the plurality of holding units, the quantification unit may be the holding unit provided on the most downstream side in the direction in which the sample or the reagent is guided among the plurality of holding units. Good. In this case, since the sample or reagent can be quantified immediately before the mixed solution is generated, loss of the sample or reagent used for generating the mixed solution can be reduced.

2 is a rear view of the inspection apparatus 1. FIG. 4 is another rear view of the inspection apparatus 1. FIG. It is a top view of the inspection apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an inspection chip 2. FIG. It is a front view of the test | inspection chip 2 before a centrifugation process. 2 is an enlarged front view of a first measurement unit 100. FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of a second measurement unit 200. FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view of a third measurement unit 300. It is a front view of the test | inspection chip 2 revolved in the autorotation angle of 90 degree | times after FIG. FIG. 10 is a front view of the inspection chip 2 revolved at a rotation angle of 90 degrees after FIG. 9. It is a front view of the test | inspection chip 2 optically measured in the autorotation angle of 45 degree | times after FIG. It is a front view of the test | inspection chip 2 revolved in 90 degrees of autorotation angles after FIG. It is a front view of the test | inspection chip 2 optically measured in the autorotation angle 0 degree after FIG. It is a front view of the test | inspection chip 2 revolved in 90 autorotation angles after FIG. FIG. 15 is a front view of the inspection chip 2 optically measured at a rotation angle of −45 degrees after FIG. 14. It is a front view of the test | inspection chip 2 which concerns on a modification.

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. Schematic structure of inspection system 3>
An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. A schematic structure of the inspection 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 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.

<2. Detailed structure of the inspection apparatus 1>
The detailed structure of the inspection apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the upper, lower, right, left, front side, and rear side of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are respectively the upper, lower, right, left, rear, and rear sides of the inspection device 1. Let it be in front. 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. For ease of understanding, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the upper housing 30 by phantom lines, and FIG. 3 shows a state where the top plate of the upper housing 30 is removed.

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 inspection chip 2 is provided inside. The control device 90 is a controller that controls various processes of the inspection device 1.

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. An upper plate 32 that is a rectangular plate material is provided on the upper surface of the lower housing 31. 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. 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.

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.

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 in 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 inside 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 in front of the T-shaped plate 48. The shaft 58 of the stepping motor 51 protrudes rearward, that is, toward the front side of the page in FIGS. 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.

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.

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.

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.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, a state in which the vertical direction of the inspection chip 2 coincides with the vertical direction of the inspection device 1 is referred to as a steady state of the inspection chip 2. When the inspection chip 2 is in a steady state, the rotation angle of the inspection chip 2 is 0 degree. 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 test | inspection chip 2 will be in the state which rotated 90 degree | times in the clockwise direction seeing from the front with respect to the steady state illustrated in FIG. That is, the rotation angle of the inspection chip 2 is −90 degrees. 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 90 degrees counterclockwise as viewed from the front with respect to the steady state illustrated in FIG. That is, the rotation angle of the inspection chip 2 is 90 degrees. That is, the inspection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can change the rotation angle of the inspection chip 2 in the range of −90 degrees to 90 degrees.

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.

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 position on the left side of the main shaft 57 in the reciprocable range of the inspection chip 2 is the measurement position at which the inspection chip 2 is irradiated with the measurement light. When the inspection chip 2 is at the measurement position, the measurement light connecting the light source 71 and the optical sensor 72 intersects the front and rear surfaces of the inspection chip 2 substantially perpendicularly.

<3. Inspection chip 2>
The structure of the test chip 2 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 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, respectively. 5 to 8 show front views of the inspection chip 2 with the sheet 29 removed. The same applies to FIGS. 9 to 16 described later.

<3-1. Schematic structure of inspection chip 2>
As shown in FIG. 4, the inspection chip 2 has a square shape when viewed from the front as an example, and mainly includes a transparent synthetic resin plate material 20 having a predetermined thickness. 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 in which the liquid sealed in the inspection chip 2 can move. The liquid flow path 25 is a recess formed on the front side of the plate member 20 with a predetermined depth, and extends in a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction, which is the thickness direction of the plate member 20. That is, the sheet 29 seals the flow path forming surface of the plate material 20.

As shown in FIG. 5, the liquid flow path 25 shown in FIG. 4 includes three first to

third measurement units

100, 200, and 300 each including a space in which the injected specimen and reagent can move. In the first measurement unit 100, the specimen 11A, the reagent 11B, and the reagent 11C are moved, and an inspection using these mixed solutions is performed. In the second measurement unit 200, the specimen 13A, the reagent 13B, and the reagent 13C are moved, and an inspection using these mixed solutions is performed. In the third measurement unit 300, the specimen 15A, the reagent 15B, and the reagent 15C are moved, and an inspection using these mixed solutions is performed.

The first to

third measurement units

100, 200, 300 are arranged in the left-right direction on the front surface of the plate member 20, and extend in the up-down direction. Of the first to

third measurement units

100, 200, and 300, the first measurement unit 100 is closest to the left side portion 23 that is the left wall surface of the test chip 2. The third measurement unit 300 is closest to the right side portion 22 which is the right wall surface of the inspection chip 2. The second measurement unit 200 is located between the first measurement unit 100 and the third measurement unit 300. The upper wall surface of the inspection chip 2 is the upper side portion 21. The lower wall surface of the inspection chip 2 is a lower side portion 24.

<3-2. Detailed structure of first measurement unit 100>
Details of the first measurement unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. The first measurement unit 100 includes a sample guide unit 110, a reagent guide unit 130, a reagent guide unit 150, a mixing unit 170, and a storage unit 175. The sample guide unit 110 is provided in the upper part of the first measurement unit 100. The reagent guides 130 and 150 are provided below the sample guide 110, and are arranged side by side on the left and right sides, respectively. The mixing unit 170 is provided below the reagent guide unit 150. The reservoir 175 is provided at the lower left end of the mixing unit 170.

The specimen guide section 110 is a part where the injected specimen 11A is guided toward the mixing section 170. The reagent guide part 130 is a part where the injected reagent 11B is guided toward the mixing part 170. The reagent guide part 150 is a part where the injected reagent 11C is guided toward the mixing part 170. The mixing unit 170 is a part where the guided specimen 11A, the reagent 11B, and the reagent 11C are mixed to generate a mixed liquid 11D shown in FIG. The storage unit 175 is a part that can store the generated mixed liquid 11D and that measures the stored mixed liquid 11D.

The sample guide unit 110 includes a sample injection unit 111, a holding unit 114, and a sample surplus unit 116. The specimen injection part 111 is a part into which the specimen 11A is injected and stored, and is a recess that opens upward. The upper right part of the specimen injection part 111 is connected to the specimen supply path 112 extending downward. The lower end portion of the sample supply path 112 is connected to a sample supply section 113 having a narrow flow path. A holding unit 114 is provided below the sample supply unit 113. The holding part 114 is a part that can hold the specimen 11A guided by the specimen guiding part 110, and is a concave part that opens upward. The holding unit 114 functions as a quantification unit that is a part capable of quantifying the specimen 11A. By applying a centrifugal force from the sample supply unit 113 toward the inside of the concave portion of the holding unit 114, the amount of the sample 11A having the same volume as the volume inside the concave portion of the holding unit 114 is quantified.

From the site where the sample supply unit 113 and the holding unit 114 communicate with each other, the branch path 115 extends leftward and the branch path 117 extends rightward. The branch path 115 extends to the specimen surplus part 116 provided below the holding part 114. That is, the branch path 115 is bent when viewed from the front so that the flow path formation direction changes. Thus, in order for the sample 11 to move between the holding unit 114 and the sample surplus unit 116 in the branch path 115, it is necessary to apply external forces in a plurality of different directions to the sample 11. That is, the specimen 11 stored in the specimen surplus section 116 is unlikely to flow back to the holding section 114 via the branch path 115.

The specimen surplus part 116 is a part in which the specimen 11A overflowing from the holding part 114 is accommodated, and is a concave part extending rightward from the lower end part of the branch path 115. The branch path 117 extends downward to the upper right end of the mixing unit 170 through the right side of the reagent guide unit 150. That is, in the branch path 117, the flow path formation direction is changed for the same reason as the branch path 115.

The reagent guide unit 130 includes a reagent injection unit 131, a single holding unit 134, and a reagent surplus unit 136. The reagent injection part 131 is a part into which the reagent 11B is injected and stored, and is a recess that opens upward. The upper right part of the reagent injection part 131 is connected to a reagent supply path 132 extending downward. The lower end of the reagent supply path 132 is connected to a reagent supply part 133 having a narrow channel. A holding unit 134 is provided below the reagent supply unit 133. The holding part 134 is a part that can hold the reagent 11 B guided by the reagent guiding part 130, and is a concave part that opens upward. The holding unit 134 functions as a quantification unit that is a part capable of quantifying the reagent 11B. By applying a centrifugal force from the reagent supply unit 133 toward the inside of the recess of the holding unit 134, the same amount of reagent 11B as the volume inside the recess of the holding unit 134 is quantified.

The branch path 135 extends to the left and the branch path 137 extends to the right from the part where the reagent supply unit 133 and the holding unit 134 communicate with each other. The branch path 135 extends to the reagent surplus part 136 provided below the holding part 134. In other words, the flow path formation direction of the branch path 135 changes for the same reason as the branch path 115. The reagent surplus part 136 is a part in which the reagent 11B overflowing from the holding part 134 is accommodated, and is a concave part extending rightward from the lower end part of the branch path 135. The branch path 137 extends downward to the upper left end of the mixing unit 170 through the right side of the holding unit 134. That is, the flow path formation direction of the branch path 137 changes for the same reason as the branch path 115.

Similar to the reagent guide unit 130, the reagent guide unit 150 includes a reagent injection unit 151, a reagent supply channel 152, a reagent supply unit 153, one holding unit 154, a branch channel 155, a reagent surplus unit 156, and a branch channel 157. . However, the branch path 157 is connected to the central upper end of the mixing unit 170. Therefore, of the reagent 11C injected into the reagent injection unit 151, the excess reagent 11C overflowed at the time of quantification in the holding unit 154 is accommodated in the reagent excess unit 156 via the branch path 155. On the other hand, the reagent 11 C quantified in the holding unit 154 moves to the mixing unit 170 via the branch path 157.

<3-3. Detailed structure of second measurement unit 200>
Details of the second measurement unit 200 will be described with reference to FIG. The second measurement unit 200 includes a sample guide unit 210, a reagent guide unit 230, a reagent guide unit 250, a mixing unit 270, and a storage unit 275. The sample guide unit 210 is provided in the upper part of the second measurement unit 200. The reagent guides 230 and 250 are provided on the lower right side of the sample guide 210 and are arranged side by side on the left side and the right side, respectively. The mixing unit 270 is provided below the reagent guide unit 230 and the reagent guide unit 250. The storage unit 275 is provided at the central lower end of the mixing unit 270.

The specimen guide unit 210 is a part where the injected specimen 13A is guided toward the mixing unit 270. The reagent guide unit 230 is a part where the injected reagent 13B is guided toward the mixing unit 270. The reagent guiding part 250 is a part where the injected reagent 13C is guided toward the mixing part 270. The mixing unit 270 is a part where the guided specimen 13A, reagent 13B, and reagent 13C are mixed to generate a mixed liquid 13D shown in FIG. The storage part 275 is a part where the generated mixed liquid 13D can be stored and the stored mixed liquid 13D is measured.

Similar to the sample guide unit 110 illustrated in FIG. 6, the sample guide unit 210 includes a sample injection unit 211, a sample supply path 212, a sample supply unit 213, a holding unit 214, a branch path 215, a sample surplus section 216, and a branch path 217. Is provided. However, the branch path 217 extends downward to the upper right end of the mixing unit 270 through the right side of the reagent guide unit 250. That is, the flow path formation direction of the branch path 217 changes for the same reason as the branch path 115. Therefore, of the sample 13A injected into the sample injection unit 211, the sample 13A quantified in the holding unit 214 moves to the mixing unit 270 via the branch path 217. The surplus sample 13A overflowing at the time of determination in the holding unit 214 is accommodated in the sample surplus unit 216 via the branch path 215.

Similar to the reagent guide unit 130 shown in FIG. 6, the reagent guide unit 230 includes a reagent injection unit 231, a reagent supply channel 232, a reagent supply unit 233, one holding unit 234, a branch channel 235, a reagent surplus unit 236, and a branch. A path 237 is provided. The holding unit 234 functions as a quantification unit for the reagent 13B, similarly to the holding unit 134 shown in FIG.

Furthermore, the reagent guide unit 230 includes a holding unit 238. The holding part 238 is a part that can hold the quantified reagent 13B, and is a concave part that opens upward. That is, the reagent guide unit 230 includes two holding

units

234 and 238 as parts that can hold the guided reagent 13B. The holding part 238 is provided below the holding part 234. That is, the two holding

units

234 and 238 are both provided downward with respect to the reagent supply unit 233.

The branch path 237 extends to the upper left end of the holding part 238 through the right side of the holding part 234. That is, in the branch path 237, the flow path forming direction is changed for the same reason as the branch path 115. The upper right end portion of the holding portion 238 is connected to a guide path 239 extending downward. The guide path 239 extends to the lower side of the holding unit 238 through the right side of the holding unit 238 and is connected to the upper left end of the mixing unit 270. That is, in the guide path 239, the flow path formation direction is changed for the same reason as the branch path 115. Therefore, of the reagent 13 B injected into the reagent injection unit 231, the excess reagent 13 B overflowing at the time of determination in the holding unit 238 is accommodated in the reagent excess unit 236 via the branch path 235. On the other hand, the reagent 13 B quantified in the holding unit 234 moves to the holding unit 238 via the branch path 237. Furthermore, the reagent 13B moves from the holding unit 238 to the mixing unit 270 via the guide path 239.

Similar to the reagent guide unit 230, the reagent guide unit 250 includes a reagent injection unit 251, a reagent supply channel 252, a reagent supply unit 253, two holding

units

254 and 258, a branch channel 255, a reagent surplus unit 256, a branch channel 257, And a guide path 259. However, the guide path 259 is connected to the central upper end of the mixing unit 270. Therefore, of the reagent 13 C injected into the reagent injection unit 251, the excess reagent 13 C overflowing at the time of determination in the holding unit 254 is accommodated in the reagent excess unit 256 via the branch path 255. On the other hand, the reagent 13 C quantified in the holding unit 254 moves to the holding unit 258 via the branch path 257. Furthermore, the reagent 13 C moves from the holding unit 258 to the mixing unit 270 via the guide path 259.

<3-4. Detailed Structure of Third Measurement Unit 300>
The details of the third measurement unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. The third measurement unit 300 includes a sample guide unit 310, a reagent guide unit 330, a reagent guide unit 350, a mixing unit 370, and a storage unit 375. The sample guide 310 is provided in the upper part of the third measurement unit 300. The reagent guides 330 and 350 are provided on the lower right side of the sample guide 310 and are arranged side by side on the left side and the right side, respectively. The mixing unit 370 is provided below the

reagent guide units

330 and 350. The reservoir 375 is provided at the lower right end of the mixing unit 370.

The specimen guide unit 310 is a part where the injected specimen 15A is guided toward the mixing unit 370. The reagent guide part 330 is a part where the injected reagent 15B is guided toward the mixing part 370. The reagent guide part 350 is a part where the injected reagent 15C is guided toward the mixing part 370. The mixing unit 370 is a part where the guided specimen 15A, reagent 15B, and reagent 15C are mixed to generate a mixed liquid 15D shown in FIG. The storage unit 375 is a part capable of storing the generated mixed liquid 15D and measuring the stored mixed liquid 15D.

Similar to the sample guide unit 110 shown in FIG. 6, the sample guide unit 310 includes a sample injection unit 311, a sample supply channel 312, a sample supply unit 313, a holding unit 314, a branch channel 315, a sample surplus unit 316, and a branch channel 317. Is provided. However, the branch path 317 extends downward to the upper right end of the mixing unit 370 through the right side of the reagent guide unit 350. That is, the flow path formation direction of the branch path 317 changes for the same reason as the branch path 115. Therefore, of the sample 15A injected into the sample injection unit 311, the sample 15A quantified in the holding unit 314 moves to the mixing unit 370 via the branch path 317. The surplus sample 15A overflowed at the time of determination in the holding unit 314 is accommodated in the sample surplus unit 316 via the branch path 315.

Similar to the reagent guide unit 230 shown in FIG. 7, the reagent guide unit 330 includes a reagent injection unit 331, a reagent supply channel 332, a reagent supply unit 333, two holding

units

334 and 338, a branch channel 335, a reagent surplus unit 336, A branch path 337 and a guide path 339 are provided. The holding unit 334 functions as a quantification unit for the reagent 15B, similarly to the holding unit 134 shown in FIG.

Furthermore, the reagent guide unit 330 includes a holding unit 340. The holding part 340 is a part that can hold the quantified reagent 15B, and is a concave part that opens upward. That is, the reagent guide unit 330 includes three holding

units

334, 338, and 340 as portions that can hold the guided reagent 15B. The holding unit 340 is provided below the holding unit 338. That is, the three holding

units

334, 338, and 340 are all provided downward with respect to the reagent supply unit 333.

The guide path 339 extends through the right side of the holding part 338 to the upper left end of the holding part 340. That is, in the guide path 339, the flow path forming direction is changed for the same reason as the branch path 115. The upper right end portion of the holding portion 340 is connected to a guide path 341 that extends downward. The guide path 341 passes through the right side of the holding unit 340 and extends below the holding unit 340, and is connected to the upper left end of the mixing unit 370. That is, in the guide path 341, the flow path formation direction changes for the same reason as the branch path 115. Therefore, of the reagent 15 B injected into the reagent injection unit 331, the excess reagent 15 B overflowing at the time of determination in the holding unit 338 is accommodated in the reagent excess unit 336 via the branch path 335. On the other hand, the reagent 15 B quantified in the holding unit 334 moves to the holding unit 338 via the branch path 337. Next, the reagent 15B moves from the holding unit 338 to the holding unit 340 via the guide path 339. Furthermore, the reagent 15 B moves from the holding unit 340 to the mixing unit 370 through the guide path 341.

Similar to the reagent guide unit 330, the reagent guide unit 350 includes a reagent injection unit 351, a reagent supply channel 352, a reagent supply unit 353, three holding

units

354, 358, and 360, a branch channel 355, a reagent surplus unit 356, and a branch channel. 357, and guide

paths

359 and 361. However, the guide path 361 is connected to the central upper end of the mixing unit 370. Therefore, of the reagent 15C injected into the reagent injection unit 351, the excess reagent 15C overflowed at the time of determination in the holding unit 354 is accommodated in the reagent excess unit 356 via the branch path 355. On the other hand, the reagent 15 C quantified in the holding unit 354 moves to the holding unit 358 via the branch path 357. Next, the reagent 15 C moves from the holding unit 358 to the holding unit 360 via the guide path 359. Furthermore, the reagent 15 C moves from the holding unit 360 to the mixing unit 370 through the guide path 361.

<3-5. Other structures of inspection chip 2>
A portion of the sheet 29 shown in FIG. 4 that seals the first measurement unit 100 is formed with an injection hole (not shown) for injecting the sample 11A shown in FIG. For example, the specimen 11A housed in a tool not shown may be injected from the injection hole by the user's operation. That is, the sample 11A may be injected into the sample injection unit 111 through the injection hole using a known method. Similarly, an injection hole (not shown) for injecting the reagent 11B into the reagent injection part 131 and an injection hole (not shown) for injecting the reagent 11C into the reagent injection part 151 are formed in the sheet 29. The same applies to the second measurement unit 200 and the third measurement unit 300. These injection holes may have a shape in which, for example, the upper side portion 21 is open.

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). A center Ct shown in FIG. 5 is a connection position of the support shaft 46 in the inspection chip 2 and a rotation center of the inspection chip 2. In the present embodiment, the distance L1 from the center Ct to the storage unit 175, the distance L2 from the center Ct to the storage unit 275, and the distance L3 from the center Ct to the storage unit 375 are equal.

As the support shaft 46 rotates, the inspection chip 2 rotates counterclockwise around the center Ct as 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 direction of the gravity Z, the right side 22 and the left side 23 are parallel to the direction of the gravity Z, and the left side 23 Is disposed closer to the main shaft 57 than the right side portion 22. When the inspection chip 2 in the steady state is arranged at the measurement position, the measurement light connecting the light source 71 and the optical sensor 72 passes vertically through the storage unit 275.

<4. Example of inspection method>
An inspection method using the inspection device 1 and the inspection chip 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. When the user attaches the inspection chip 2 to the support shaft 46 and inputs a processing start command to the control device 90, the following measurement operation is executed. Note that the inspection apparatus 1 can inspect two inspection chips 2 at the same time, but the procedure for inspecting one inspection chip 2 will be described below for convenience of explanation.

First, the stationary inspection chip 2 shown in FIG. 5 is revolved by driving control of the spindle motor 35. 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. Therefore, when the inspection chip 2 in the steady state is revolved, the centrifugal force X acts from the left side portion 23 toward the right side portion 22. Due to the action of the centrifugal force X, in the first measurement unit 100 shown in FIG. 6, the specimen 11A stored in the specimen injection part 111 moves to the specimen supply path 112. At the same time, the reagent 11 B stored in the reagent injection part 131 moves to the reagent supply path 132. The reagent 11C stored in the reagent injection part 151 moves to the reagent supply path 152.

Similarly, in the second measurement unit 200 shown in FIG. 7, the sample 13A stored in the sample injection unit 211 moves to the sample supply path 212. The reagent 13B stored in the reagent injection unit 231 moves to the reagent supply path 232. The reagent 13C stored in the reagent injection part 251 moves to the reagent supply path 252. In the third measurement unit 300 shown in FIG. 8, the sample 15 A stored in the sample injection unit 311 moves to the sample supply path 312. The reagent 15B stored in the reagent injection part 331 moves to the reagent supply path 332. The reagent 15C stored in the reagent injection part 351 moves to the reagent supply path 352.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, by the drive control of the stepping motor 51, the revolving inspection chip 2 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise as viewed from the front. As a result, the rotation angle of the inspection chip 2 changes to 90 degrees, and the centrifugal force X acts from the upper side portion 21 toward the lower side portion 24. Due to the action of the centrifugal force X, the sample 11A flows into the holding unit 114 via the sample supply unit 113 in the first measurement unit 100 shown in FIG. In the holding unit 114, the sample 11 A exceeding a predetermined amount overflows the branch path 115 and is stored in the sample surplus unit 116. As a result, the specimen 11A is quantified.

At the same time, the reagent 11B flows into the holding unit 134 via the reagent supply unit 133. In the holding unit 134, the reagent 11 B exceeding a predetermined amount overflows into the branch path 135. The overflowing reagent 11B is stored in the reagent surplus part 136. As a result, the reagent 11B is quantified. The reagent 11 C flows into the holding unit 154 through the reagent supply unit 153. In the holding unit 154, the reagent 11C exceeding a predetermined amount overflows into the branch path 155. The overflowing reagent 11C is stored in the reagent surplus portion 156. As a result, the reagent 11C is quantified.

Similarly, in the second measurement unit 200 shown in FIG. 7, the sample 13A flows into the holding unit 214 via the sample supply unit 213 and is quantified, and the excess sample 13A overflowed at the time of quantification in the holding unit 214 is branched. It is accommodated in the specimen surplus part 216 via 215. The reagent 13B flows into the holding unit 234 through the reagent supply unit 233 and is quantified, and the excess reagent 13B overflowing at the time of quantification in the holding unit 234 is stored in the reagent surplus unit 236 through the branch path 235. The reagent 13 C flows into the holding unit 254 via the reagent supply unit 253 and is quantified, and excess reagent 13 C overflowing at the time of quantification in the holding unit 254 is accommodated in the reagent surplus unit 256 via the branch path 255.

In the third measurement unit 300 shown in FIG. 8, the sample 15A flows into the holding unit 314 via the sample supply unit 313 and is quantified, and the surplus sample 15A overflowed at the time of quantification in the holding unit 314 passes through the branch path 315. And stored in the specimen surplus part 316. The reagent 15B flows into the holding unit 334 via the reagent supply unit 333 and is quantified, and the excess reagent 15B overflowing at the time of quantification in the holding unit 334 is stored in the reagent surplus unit 336 via the branch path 335. The reagent 15 C flows into the holding unit 354 through the reagent supply unit 353 and is quantified, and excess reagent 15 C overflowing at the time of quantification in the holding unit 354 is stored in the reagent surplus unit 356 through the branch path 355.

Next, by the drive control of the stepping motor 51, the revolution inspection chip 2 shown in FIG. 9 is rotated 90 degrees in the clockwise direction when viewed from the front. As a result, the rotation angle of the inspection chip 2 returns to 0 degrees, and the centrifugal force X acts on the inspection chip 2 from the left side portion 23 toward the right side portion 22. Due to the action of the centrifugal force X, in the first measurement unit 100 shown in FIG. 6, the specimen 11A quantified in the holding unit 114 moves to the branch path 117. Since the specimen surplus part 116 is closed in the right direction, the surplus specimen 11A remains in the specimen surplus part 116. At the same time, the reagent 11B quantified in the holding unit 134 moves to the branch path 137. Since the reagent surplus portion 136 is closed in the right direction, the surplus reagent 11B remains in the reagent surplus portion 136. The reagent 11 C quantified in the holding unit 154 moves to the branch path 157. Since the reagent surplus portion 156 is a recess that closes in the right direction, the surplus reagent 11C remains in the reagent surplus portion 156.

Similarly, in the second measurement unit 200 shown in FIG. 7, the sample 13A quantified in the holding unit 214 moves to the branch path 217, and the surplus sample 13A remains in the sample surplus unit 216. The reagent 13B quantified in the holding unit 234 moves to the branch path 237, and the excess reagent 13B remains in the reagent excess unit 236. The reagent 13C quantified in the holding unit 254 moves to the branch path 257, and the surplus reagent 13C remains in the reagent surplus portion 256.

In the third measurement unit 300 shown in FIG. 8, the sample 15A quantified in the holding unit 314 moves to the branch path 317, and the surplus sample 15A remains in the sample surplus unit 316. The reagent 15B quantified in the holding unit 334 moves to the branch path 337, and the excess reagent 15B remains in the reagent excess unit 336. The reagent 15C quantified in the holding unit 354 moves to the branch path 357, and the surplus reagent 15C remains in the reagent surplus portion 356.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10, by the driving control of the stepping motor 51, the revolving inspection chip 2 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise as viewed from the front. As a result, the rotation angle of the inspection chip 2 changes to 90 degrees, and the centrifugal force X acts on the inspection chip 2 from the upper side portion 21 toward the lower side portion 24. In the first measurement unit 100 shown in FIG. 6 due to the action of the centrifugal force X, the specimen 11A moved to the branch path 117 flows into the mixing unit 170. The reagent 11 B that has moved to the branch path 137 flows into the mixing unit 170. The reagent 11 C that has moved to the branch path 157 flows into the mixing unit 170. The specimen 11A, the reagent 11B, and the reagent 11C that have flowed into the mixing unit 170 are mixed by the action of the centrifugal force X to generate a mixed solution 11D.

At this time, in the second measurement unit 200 shown in FIG. 7, the specimen 13A moved to the branch path 217 flows into the mixing unit 270. The reagent 13 B that has moved to the branch path 237 flows into the holding unit 238. The reagent 13 C that has moved to the branch path 257 flows into the holding unit 258. Similarly, in the third measurement unit 300 shown in FIG. 8, the sample 15 A that has moved to the branch path 317 flows into the mixing unit 370. The reagent 15 B that has moved to the branch path 337 flows into the holding unit 338. The reagent 15 C that has moved to the branch path 357 flows into the holding unit 358.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the inspection chip 2 is moved to the measurement position by driving control of the spindle motor 35. By the driving control of the stepping motor 51, the inspection chip 2 shown in FIG. 10 is rotated 45 degrees clockwise as viewed from the front. Thereby, the rotation angle of the test | inspection chip 2 changes to 45 degree | times. At this time, the direction in which the gravity Z acts is from the upper right side to the lower left side of the inspection chip 2. Due to the action of gravity Z, in the first measurement unit 100 shown in FIG. 6, the liquid mixture 11 D generated in the mixing unit 170 is stored in the storage unit 175 provided at the lower left end of the mixing unit 170. In this state, the measurement unit 7 is driven, and the measurement light passes through the storage unit 175. In the inspection apparatus 1, optical measurement of the liquid mixture 11 D based on a temporal change such as a rate method is performed based on the amount of change in the measurement light received by the optical sensor 72.

At this time, in the second measurement unit 200 shown in FIG. 7, since the holding unit 238 is closed in the lower left direction, the quantified reagent 13B remains in the holding unit 238. Since the holding unit 258 is closed in the lower left direction, the quantified reagent 13C remains in the holding unit 258. Therefore, the

reagents

13B and 13C are not mixed with the sample 13A stored in the mixing unit 270. Similarly, in the third measurement unit 300 shown in FIG. 8, the quantified reagent 15B stays in the holding unit 338, and the quantified reagent 15C stays in the holding unit 358. Therefore, the

reagents

15B and 15C are not mixed with the sample 15A stored in the mixing unit 370.

Next, by the drive control of the stepping motor 51, the inspection chip 2 shown in FIG. 11 is rotated 45 degrees clockwise as viewed from the front. The inspection chip 2 whose rotation angle has changed to 0 degrees is revolved by driving control of the spindle motor 35. 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 reagent 13 B held by the holding unit 238 moves to the guide path 239 in the second measurement unit 200 shown in FIG. 7. The reagent 13 C held by the holding unit 258 moves to the guide path 259. Similarly, in the third measurement unit 300 shown in FIG. 8, the reagent 15 B held by the holding unit 338 moves to the guide path 339. The reagent 15C held by the holding unit 358 moves to the guide path 359.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12, by the drive control of the stepping motor 51, the revolving inspection chip 2 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise as viewed from the front. As a result, the rotation angle of the inspection chip 2 changes to 90 degrees, and the centrifugal force X acts on the inspection chip 2 from the upper side portion 21 toward the lower side portion 24. In the second measurement unit 200 shown in FIG. 7 due to the action of the centrifugal force X, the reagent 13B moved to the guide path 239 flows into the mixing unit 270. The reagent 13 C that has moved to the guide path 259 flows into the mixing unit 270. The

reagents

13B and 13C that have flowed into the mixing unit 270 are mixed with the specimen 13A by the action of the centrifugal force X, and a mixed liquid 13D is generated. At this time, in the third measurement unit 300 illustrated in FIG. 8, the reagent 15 B that has moved to the guide path 339 flows into the holding unit 340. The reagent 15C moved to the guide path 359 flows into the holding unit 360.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the inspection chip 2 is moved to the measurement position by drive control of the spindle motor 35. By the driving control of the stepping motor 51, the inspection chip 2 shown in FIG. 12 is rotated 90 degrees in the clockwise direction when viewed from the front. Thereby, the rotation angle of the test | inspection chip 2 changes to 0 degree | times. At this time, the direction in which the gravity Z acts is from the upper side 21 to the lower side 24 of the inspection chip 2. Due to the action of gravity Z, the liquid mixture 13 D generated in the mixing unit 270 is stored in a storage unit 275 provided at the central lower end of the mixing unit 270. In this state, the measurement unit 7 is driven, and the measurement light passes through the storage unit 275. In the inspection apparatus 1, based on the change amount of the measurement light received by the optical sensor 72, the optical measurement of the mixed liquid 13 D based on the temporal change such as the rate method is performed.

At this time, in the third measurement unit 300 shown in FIG. 8, since the holding unit 340 is closed downward, the quantified reagent 15B remains in the holding unit 340. Since the holding unit 360 is closed downward, the quantified reagent 15C remains in the holding unit 360. Therefore, the

reagents

15B and 15C are not mixed with the sample 15A stored in the mixing unit 370.

Next, the inspection chip 2 shown in FIG. 13 is revolved by driving control of the spindle motor 35. 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, in the third measurement unit 300 shown in FIG. 8, the reagent 15 B held by the holding unit 340 moves to the guide path 341. The reagent 15C held by the holding unit 360 moves to the guide path 361.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14, by the driving control of the stepping motor 51, the revolving inspection chip 2 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise as viewed from the front. As a result, the rotation angle of the inspection chip 2 changes to 90 degrees, and the centrifugal force X acts on the inspection chip 2 from the upper side portion 21 toward the lower side portion 24. In the third measurement unit 300 shown in FIG. 8, the reagent 15 B that has moved to the guide path 341 flows into the mixing unit 370 due to the action of the centrifugal force X. The reagent 15C moved to the guide path 361 flows into the mixing unit 370. The

reagents

15B and 15C that have flowed into the mixing unit 370 are mixed with the specimen 15A by the action of the centrifugal force X to generate a mixed solution 15D.

Next, as shown in FIG. 15, the inspection chip 2 is moved to the measurement position by driving control of the spindle motor 35. By the driving control of the stepping motor 51, the inspection chip 2 shown in FIG. 14 is rotated 135 degrees in the clockwise direction when viewed from the front. As a result, the rotation angle of the inspection chip 2 changes to −45 degrees. At this time, the direction in which the gravity Z acts is directed from the upper left side to the lower right side of the inspection chip 2. Due to the action of gravity Z, the liquid mixture 15 D generated in the mixing unit 370 is stored in a storage unit 375 provided at the lower right end of the mixing unit 370. In this state, the measurement unit 7 is driven, and the measurement light passes through the storage unit 375. In the inspection apparatus 1, optical measurement of the mixed liquid 15 D based on a temporal change such as a rate method is performed based on the change amount of the measurement light received by the optical sensor 72.

As described above, the two holding

units

234 and 238 can hold the reagent 13B flowing through the second measurement unit 200 at different timings. Specifically, the holding unit 234 can hold the reagent 13B before the holding unit 238 in order to quantify the injected reagent 13B. The holding unit 238 can hold the quantified reagent 13 B moving toward the mixing unit 270 immediately before the mixing unit 270. Similarly, the two holding

units

254 and 258 can hold the reagent 13C flowing through the second measurement unit 200 at different timings.

The three holding

units

334, 338, and 340 can hold the reagent 15B flowing through the third measurement unit 300 at different timings. Specifically, the holding unit 334 can hold the reagent 15B before the holding

units

338 and 340 in order to quantify the injected reagent 15B. The holding unit 338 can hold the quantified reagent 15 B moving toward the mixing unit 370 before the holding unit 340. The holding unit 340 can hold the quantified reagent 15 B moving toward the mixing unit 370 immediately before the mixing unit 370. Similarly, the three holding

units

354, 358, 360 can hold the reagent 15C flowing through the third measurement unit 300 at different timings.

As a result, the three

mixed solutions

11D, 13D, and 15D are generated and optically measured at different timings. The measurement results of the

mixed liquids

11D, 13D, and 15D are displayed on a display (not shown), for example. In the present embodiment, the distances L1, L2, and L3 are equal as shown in FIG. Therefore, the three

storage parts

175, 275, and 375 can be measured by the same light source 71 by rotating the inspection chip 2.

<5. Main actions and effects of this embodiment>
As described above, according to the test chip 2 of the present embodiment, the first to

third measurement units

100, 200, and 300 each including a space in which the injected specimen and reagent can move are provided. In the first measurement unit 100, the injected sample 11A is guided toward the mixing unit 170 in the sample guide unit 110. The injected reagent 11B is guided toward the mixing unit 270 in the reagent guide unit 130. The injected reagent 11 C is guided toward the mixing unit 370 in the reagent guide unit 150. A mixed solution 11D of the guided specimen 11A and

reagents

11B and 11C is generated in the mixing unit 170. The generated mixed liquid 11D is stored and measured in the storage unit 175. Similarly, the second measurement unit 200 and the third measurement unit 300 generate, store, and measure the injected sample and the mixed solution of the sample.

The first to

third measurement units

100, 200, 300 are provided with a different number of holding units for each reagent. For example, the first measurement unit 100 includes one holding unit 134 for the reagent 11B. The second measurement unit 200 includes two

holders

234 and 238 for the reagent 13B. The third measurement unit 300 includes three

holders

334, 338, and 340 for the reagent 15B. That is, the number of holding units differs for each of the first to

third measurement units

100, 200, and 300.

For this reason, the second measurement unit 200 having a larger number of holding units than the first measurement unit 100 is later in timing for generating the mixed liquid than the first measurement unit 100. The third measurement unit 300 having a larger number of holding units than the second measurement unit 200 has a later timing for generating the mixed liquid than the second measurement unit 200. That is, the first to

third measurement units

100, 200, and 300 have different timings at which the mixed liquid is generated. Before the reaction of each liquid mixture is completed by measuring the liquid mixture sequentially generated in the first to

third measurement units

100, 200, and 300 using one light source immediately after each liquid mixture is generated. Measurement results can be obtained. Therefore, a plurality of mixed liquids can be accurately measured using one light source.

In the first measurement unit 100, the holding unit 134 is provided downward with respect to the reagent supply unit 133. In the second measurement unit 200, the holding

units

234 and 238 are both provided downward with respect to the reagent supply unit 233. In the third measurement unit 300, the holding

units

334, 338, and 340 are all provided downward with respect to the reagent supply unit 333. That is, in each of the first to

third measurement units

100, 200, 300, the direction in which the holding portions are arranged is the same.

Therefore, by applying an external force in the same direction to the test chip 2, the reagent can be moved simultaneously in the holding portions of the first to

third measurement units

100, 200, 300. For example, by applying a downward external force to the test chip 2, the reagent can be caused to flow into the holding portions of the first to

third measurement units

100, 200, 300. By applying an external force in the right direction to the test chip 2, the reagent can flow out from the holders of the first to

third measurement units

100, 200, 300.

In the first measurement unit 100, the holding unit 134 is a quantitative unit. In the second measurement unit 200, the holding unit 234 is a quantitative unit. In the third measurement unit 300, the holding unit 334 is a quantitative unit. Therefore, in each of the first to

third measurement units

100, 200, and 300, an appropriate amount of reagent can be supplied to the mixing unit.

In the second measurement unit 200, of the two holding

units

234 and 238, the holding unit 234 provided on the most upstream side in the direction in which the reagent 13B is guided is a quantitative unit. In the third measurement unit 300, of the three holding

units

334, 338, and 340, the holding unit 334 provided on the most upstream side in the direction in which the reagent 15B is guided is a quantitative unit. Accordingly, since the reagent can be quantified at the same timing in all the first to

third measurement units

100, 200, 300, the examination time can be shortened.

<6. Other>
The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made. The inspection chip 2 of the above embodiment is merely an example, and the structure, shape, processing, and the like of each can be changed.

(1) The test chip 2 of the modified example shown in FIG. 16 is different from the test chip 2 of the above embodiment in that one common injection unit 401 is provided above the

sample guide units

110, 130, and 150. In the following description, the same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. In addition, although the shape, size, and position of the

sample guide units

110, 130, and 150 of this modification are adjusted in order to arrange the common injection unit 400, the basic configuration is the same as that of the above embodiment. It is. However, in this modification, the sample 17 is supplied from the common injection unit 400 to the

sample injection units

111, 131, and 151 instead of being injected from an injection hole (not shown).

The common injection part 401 is a part where the specimen 17 is injected and stored, and is a concave part opened upward. The sample 17 is a sample commonly used in the first to

third measurement units

100, 200, and 300. The common injection unit 401 is provided above the first measurement unit 100 having the smallest number of holding units among the first to

third measurement units

100, 200, and 300. The sheet 29 shown in FIG. 4 is provided with an injection hole (not shown) for injecting the specimen 17 into the common injection unit 401. Further, a shape in which an injection hole (not shown) is not provided in the sheet 29 and the upper side portion 21 above the common injection portion 401 is open may be employed. The specimen 17 is injected from this opening.

The lower end of the common injection part 401 is connected to a common supply part 402 having a narrow channel width in the front-rear direction. Gravity Z acts downward on the specimen 17 injected and stored in the common injection unit 401 as shown in FIG. However, since the capillary holding force is generated in the common supply unit 402, the specimen 17 is prevented from moving downward by the gravity Z through the common supply unit 402.

The downstream side of the common supply unit 402 is branched into three

distribution paths

403, 404, and 405. The distribution path 403 extends from the downstream end of the common supply unit 402 to the lower left and is connected to the upper left end of the sample injection unit 111. The distribution path 404 extends substantially downward from the downstream end of the common supply unit 402 and is connected to the upper left end of the sample injection unit 211. The distribution path 405 extends from the downstream end of the common supply unit 402 to the lower right and is connected to the upper left end of the sample injection unit 311.

Also in this modification, the inspection apparatus 1 can perform inspection using the inspection chip 2 by performing the above-described measurement operation. However, the aspect in which the specimen 17 is supplied to the first to

third measurement units

100, 200, and 300 is different from the above embodiment. That is, at the start of the measurement operation, the test chip 2 shown in FIG. 16 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise as viewed from the front by drive control of the stepping motor 51. Further, the inspection chip 2 is revolved by driving control of the spindle motor 35. As a result, the rotation angle of the inspection chip 2 changes to 90 degrees, and a centrifugal force X greater than the gravity Z acts from the upper side 21 toward the lower side 24. By the action of the centrifugal force X, the specimen 17 moves downward via the common supply unit 402 in the test chip 2 and is further distributed to the three

distribution paths

403, 404, and 405. The sample 17 distributed to the

distribution paths

403, 404, and 405 flows into the

sample injection units

111, 211, and 311, respectively. The subsequent processing is the same as in the above embodiment.

Thereby, in the first measurement unit 100, a mixed solution of the sample 17 and the

reagents

11B and 11C is generated and measured. In the second measurement unit 200, a mixed liquid of the sample 17 and the

reagents

13B and 13C is generated and measured. In the third measurement unit 300, a mixed liquid of the sample 17 and the

reagents

15B and 15C is generated and measured. Therefore, similarly to the above embodiment, a plurality of mixed liquids can be accurately measured using one light source.

Further, according to the present modification, the specimen injection unit 401 has the

reagents

11B, 11C compared to the first measurement unit 100 having the smallest number of holding units among the first to

third measurement units

100, 200, 300. Is provided on the upstream side in the guided direction. An empty space in the test chip 2 tends to occur on the upstream side in the direction in which the

reagents

11B and 11C are guided with respect to the first measurement unit 100 having the smallest number of holding units. By providing the common sample injection part 401 in this empty space, the test chip 2 can be reduced in size.

(2) In the said embodiment, the reagent guide part of each measurement unit is provided with the holding part from which quantity differs, respectively. It is not limited to this example, The sample guide part of each measurement unit may be provided with the holding part from which quantity differs, respectively. For example, the sample and the reagent may be exchanged in the embodiment and the modification. Also in this case, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment and the modification are obtained. Furthermore, each of the reagent guide unit and the sample guide unit of each measurement unit may include holding units having different quantities.

(3) In the above embodiment, each of the plurality of measurement units includes an independent reagent or specimen surplus part. The inspection chip is not limited to this example, and at least two measurement units may include a common surplus part. Since the plurality of measurement units share the surplus part, the structure of the inspection chip can be simplified. In this case, it is preferable that the common surplus portion is provided on the downstream side in the direction in which the reagent or the specimen is guided with respect to the measurement unit having the smallest number of holding portions among the plurality of measurement units.

For example, in the example of the above embodiment, an empty space in the test chip 2 is likely to occur on the downstream side in the direction in which the

reagents

11B and 11C are guided with respect to the first measurement unit 100 having the smallest number of holding units. By providing a common surplus part in this empty space, the inspection chip 2 can be reduced in size.

(4) In the above embodiment, the holding unit provided on the most upstream side in the direction in which the reagent is guided among the plurality of holding units is the quantitative unit. Without being limited to this example, the quantification unit may be any one of a plurality of holding units. For example, the holding unit provided on the most downstream side in the direction in which the specimen or the reagent is guided among the plurality of holding units may be a quantitative unit. In this case, since the sample or reagent can be quantified immediately before the mixed solution is generated, loss of the sample or reagent used for generating the mixed solution can be reduced.

(5) In the above embodiment, three first to

third measurement units

100, 200, 300 are provided on the front surface of the inspection chip 2. It is not limited to this example, What is necessary is just a plurality of measurement units. Moreover, you may provide a measurement unit in both surfaces of the test | inspection chip 2, respectively. In the example of the above embodiment, the first measurement unit 100 may be provided on the front surface of the inspection chip 2, and the second measurement unit 200 may be provided on the rear surface of the inspection chip 2.

(6) In the above embodiment, each of the first to

third measurement units

100, 200, 300 includes one holding part, two holding parts, and three holding parts. Without being limited to this example, each measurement unit only needs to have a different number of holding units. The direction in which the holding unit is provided in each of the plurality of measurement units is not limited to the downward direction, and may be another direction.

(7) In the above embodiment, the inspection chip 2 is composed of the plate material 20 and the sheet 29. Without being limited to this example, the inspection chip 2 may not include the sheet 29. For example, you may use the test | inspection chip 2 in which the liquid flow path 25 was directly formed in the board | plate material 20. FIG. The number of reagents injected into the test chip 2 is not limited to two, and may be one reagent or three or more reagents.

2 Test chip 11A Specimen 11B Reagent 11C Reagent 11D Mixed liquid 13A Specimen 13B Reagent 13C Reagent 13D Mixed liquid 15A Specimen 15B Reagent 15C Reagent 15D Mixed liquid 17 Specimen 100 First measurement unit 110 Specimen guide part 130 Reagent guide part 134 Holding part 150 Reagent Guide section 154 Holding section 170 Mixing section 175 Storage section 200 Second measurement unit 210 Sample guide section 230 Reagent guide section 234 Holding section 238 Holding section 250 Reagent guide section 254 Holding section 258 Holding section 270 Mixing section 275 Storage section 300 Third measurement Unit 310 Specimen guide unit 330 Reagent guide unit 334 Holding unit 338 Holding unit 340 Holding unit 350 Reagent guide unit 354 Holding unit 358 Holding unit 360 Holding unit 370 Mixing unit 375 Storage unit 401 Common injection unit

Claims

A liquid specimen and reagent are injected, and a centrifugal force is applied by being rotated about a predetermined first axis, and by rotating about a second axis different from the first axis, An inspection chip whose direction of centrifugal force is changed,
A plurality of measurement units each including a space in which the injected specimen and the reagent can move;
Each of the plurality of measurement units is
A mixing unit that is a portion where the sample and the reagent are mixed and a mixed solution of the sample and the reagent can be generated;
A specimen guide part that is a part where the specimen injected into the measurement unit is guided toward the mixing part;
A reagent guide part which is a part where the reagent injected into the measurement unit is guided toward the mixing part;
A storage section that is capable of storing the mixed liquid generated in the mixing section and that is a part where the stored mixed liquid is measured;
At least one of the sample guide part and the reagent guide part includes at least one holding part which is a part capable of holding the sample to be guided or the reagent,
The holding chip has a different quantity for each of the plurality of measurement units.
2. The inspection chip according to claim 1, wherein the holding portion is provided in the same direction with respect to the inspection chip in each of the plurality of measurement units.
A single injection part that is a part into which the sample or the reagent common to the plurality of measurement units is injected;
The injection unit is provided on an upstream side in a direction in which the sample or the reagent is guided with respect to the measurement unit including the holding unit with the smallest quantity in the test chip. 2. The inspection chip according to 2.
2. The test chip according to claim 1, wherein one of the holding units is a quantification unit that is a part capable of quantifying the specimen or the reagent injected into the measurement unit.
At least two of the measurement units include a common surplus part capable of accommodating the specimen or the reagent exceeding the predetermined amount that has flowed out from each of the quantification parts,
The surplus part is provided on the downstream side in the direction in which the sample or the reagent is guided with respect to the measurement unit including the holding part with the smallest quantity in the test chip. 4. The inspection chip according to 4.
In the measurement unit including the plurality of holding units, the quantitative unit is the holding unit provided on the most upstream side in the direction in which the sample or the reagent is guided among the plurality of holding units. The inspection chip according to claim 4, wherein
In the measurement unit including the plurality of holding units, the quantification unit is the holding unit provided on the most downstream side in the direction in which the sample or the reagent is guided among the plurality of holding units. The inspection chip according to claim 4, wherein