WO2021054325A1 - Light measurement device and microplate reader - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are a light measurement device and microplate reader that can be made to be compact and can highly accurately measure light from a sample.　The microplate reader comprises a housing, light projection units, light reception units, and light guide paths. A plurality of sets of a light projection unit, a light reception unit, and light guide paths are provided so as to correspond to single wells. The microplate reader further comprises a light guide part that is formed by enclosing a plurality of groups of the light guide paths in an enclosing member comprising a pigment-containing resin. The light emitted from one light projection unit passes through one light guide path and arrives at one light reception unit.

Description

Optical measuring device and microplate reader

The present invention relates to an optical measuring device and a microplate reader that perform optical measurement on a sample.

Conventionally, reagent separation, synthesis, extraction, analysis, cell culture, etc. have been performed using a flat plate-shaped microplate made of, for example, acrylic, polyethylene, polystyrene, glass, etc., and provided with a large number of recesses (wells). There is. For example, measurement of antibody-antigen reaction (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) generated by injecting a reagent containing an antigen into each well on which an antibody is immobilized (for example, measurement by ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay) method) is microscopic. It is done using a plate.
For the sample contained in each well of the microplate, for example, the optical properties of the sample are measured. This measurement is performed by a microplate reader, which is a measuring device that performs optical measurement on the sample. The microplate reader can measure optical properties such as absorption, fluorescence, chemiluminescence, and fluorescence polarization.

As a conventional microplate reader, for example, there is a technique described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-41121). The microplate reader described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-41121) is an optical device for irradiating a sample with light or observing light emission from the light-irradiated sample to perform light measurement. It has a target measurement / detection device (measurement head). Light irradiation from the measuring head to the microplate is performed from below each well of the microplate, and the measuring head measures the observed light emitted above each well. The measuring head is fixed, and the microplate is two-dimensionally oriented by the drive mechanism of the microplate reader so that the wells are located on the detection axis of the measuring head (the axis perpendicular to the microplate (Z axis)). (X direction, Y direction) is scanned.

Further, Patent Document 2 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-103480) discloses a microplate reader that is miniaturized to a portable degree. The microplate reader described in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-103480) has a space into which eight microplates in which eight wells are arranged in a row can be inserted, and the microplate can be inserted into the space. It is configured to be slidable. The microplate reader has a configuration in which light is applied to the sample held in the well from a position facing the upper surface of the well of the microplate from the upper part of the space. Further, in the lower part of the space, a photodiode for detecting the light emitted from the sample is provided. The microplate reader performs light measurement while sliding the microplate in the space.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-41121 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-103480

However, the microplate reader described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-41121) requires a drive mechanism for scanning the microplate each time each optical measurement is performed, and the apparatus itself is large-scale. It becomes.
Therefore, it is difficult to respond to the miniaturization of equipment required in fields such as point-of-care (POCT) inspection in the life science field.

Further, the microplate reader described in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-103480) is accommodated in each well because external light may be incident as noise light in the space where the microplate is inserted. It is not possible to measure the light of the sample with high accuracy.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical measuring device and a microplate reader that can be miniaturized and can perform optical measurement of a sample with high accuracy.

In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the light measuring device according to the present invention is a light measuring device that measures light from a sample, that is, a light detecting unit that detects light from the sample and a light detecting unit that detects light from the sample. A light guide path that guides the light of the light to the light detection unit, and a light guide unit that surrounds the light guide path with a surrounding member made of a pigment-containing resin containing a pigment having a property of absorbing light. The light guide path has one incident end and one exit end, the incident end is for incidenting light from the sample, and the exit end is optically connected to the light detection unit. are doing.

In this way, the light guide path that guides the light from the sample to the light detection unit is surrounded by a surrounding member made of a pigment-containing resin that can absorb external light and scattered light, so that external light, scattered light, and the like are stray light ( It is possible to prevent the light from being incident on the light detection unit as noise light).

Further, in the above-mentioned optical measuring device, the light guide unit surrounds a light guide path group having a plurality of the light guide paths by a surrounding member, and the projected area of the light guided by the light guide path group is the light detection. A diffusion unit that is larger than the area of the light receiving surface of the unit and diffuses the light that has passed through the light guide path group may be arranged between the light guide path group and the light detection unit.
In this way, by providing a light guide path group having a plurality of light guide paths for guiding the light from the sample to the light detection unit, the light from the sample is efficiently guided to the light detection unit with a good S / N ratio. It can be made to shine. Further, by providing a diffusing portion between the light guide path group and the light receiving portion, the light passing through the light guide path group can be diffused and made uniform, and the light detection unit can receive the light. Therefore, even when the light receiving area of the photodetector is small, the light passing through the light guide path group can be appropriately received by the photodetector. Therefore, the optical measurement can be performed with high accuracy.

Further, one aspect of the microplate reader according to the present invention is from a housing, a light projecting unit corresponding to one well of a microplate having a plurality of wells arranged in the housing, and the light projecting unit. The emitted light is arranged between a light receiving portion that receives the transmitted light transmitted through one well of the microplate and the light receiving portion and the microplate, is emitted from the light projecting portion, and is transmitted through the well. A light guide path for guiding the light to the light receiving section is provided, and a plurality of pairs of the light projecting section, the light receiving section, and the light guide path corresponding to one well are provided, and the light guide path is provided. A plurality of light guide portions surrounded by a surrounding member made of a pigment-containing resin containing a pigment having a property of absorbing light are further provided, and the light emitted from one of the light projecting portions is one of the above-mentioned guides. It passes through the optical path and reaches one of the light receiving parts.

As described above, the light projecting unit, the light receiving unit, and the light guide path are provided in one well correspondingly, and a plurality of pairs of the light projecting unit, the light receiving unit, and the light guide path are provided. Further, a light guide portion is further provided in which a plurality of light guide paths are surrounded by a pigment-containing resin capable of absorbing external light and scattered light. Therefore, it is possible to suppress that external light, scattered light, or the like becomes stray light (noise light) and is incident on the light receiving portion.
Further, since the light emitted from the plurality of light projecting units can be prevented from passing through the light receiving light path corresponding to one well and reaching one light receiving unit, the measurement error can be appropriately reduced. Can be done. Therefore, highly accurate measurement is possible.

Further, in the above-mentioned microplate reader, the light guide path is a light guide path group composed of a plurality of light receiving light paths, and the projected area of light guided by one light guide path group is one light receiving portion. A diffuser portion that diffuses the light that has passed through the light guide path group is arranged between the light guide path group and the light receiving portion, which is larger than the area of the light receiving surface of the light receiving path group. The emitted light may pass through one of the light guide paths and be diffused by the diffusing portion to reach the one light receiving portion.
In this way, by providing a plurality of light receiving light paths (light guide paths) for one well, the light passing through one well is efficiently guided to the light receiving portion with a good S / N ratio. be able to. Further, by providing a diffusing portion between the light guide path group and the light receiving portion, the light passing through the light guide path group can be diffused and made uniform, and the light receiving portion can receive the light. Therefore, even when the light receiving area of the light receiving unit is small, the light passing through the light guide path group can be appropriately received by the light receiving unit.

Further, in the microplate reader, at least the number of pairs of the light emitting unit, the light receiving unit, and the light guide path group corresponding to the one well may be provided as many as the number of wells of the microplate.
In this case, all the optical measurements of the sample contained in each well of the microplate can be performed at almost the same time, and the measurement time can be shortened. Further, since a complicated drive mechanism or the like for scanning the microplate as in the conventional case is not required, miniaturization can be realized.

Further, in the microplate reader, the number of pairs of the light emitting unit, the light receiving unit, and the light guide path group corresponding to the one well is less than the number of wells of the microplate, and all of the microplates. A moving mechanism for sequentially moving the microplate relative to the pair of the light emitting unit, the light receiving unit, and the light guide path group may be provided so as to correspond to the wells.
In this case, it is not necessary to provide a pair of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit corresponding to all the wells of the microplate, and the size can be significantly reduced. Further, by sequentially moving the microplate relative to the pair of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, it is possible to measure all the light of the sample contained in each well of the microplate.

Further, in the microplate reader, the number of pairs of the light emitting unit, the light receiving unit, and the light guide path group corresponding to the one well is provided as many as the number of wells on one side of the microplate. The moving mechanism may sequentially move the microplate relative to the pair of the light emitting unit, the light receiving unit, and the light guide path group only in a direction orthogonal to the one side. ..
In this case, the movement by the movement mechanism can be the movement in only one axial direction. Therefore, the structure of the moving mechanism can be simplified and can be constructed at low cost. Further, since the thickness can be reduced, it can be installed in a limited space such as a culture space in an incubator.

Further, in the microplate reader, the light emitting portion is arranged on one side of the micro plate, and the light receiving portion is arranged on the opposite side of the micro plate from the light emitting portion. May be good.
In this case, in a microplate reader having a configuration in which the light emitted from the light projecting unit passes through the wells, passes through the light guide path group, and reaches the light receiving unit, the light measurement of the sample contained in each well of the microplate is performed. It can be done easily and with high accuracy.

Further, in the microplate reader, the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit are arranged on one side of the micro plate, and the light guide path group is arranged between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. A reflective member which is arranged on the opposite side of the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion with the micro plate interposed therebetween and reflects the light emitted from the light emitting portion and transmitted through the well to the light receiving portion, and the light receiving portion. It may further include a limiting portion that limits the angular component of the light incident on the portion.
In this case, in a microplate reader having a configuration in which the light emitted from the light projecting portion passes through the wells, is reflected by the reflecting member, passes through the light guide path group, and reaches the light receiving portion, it is accommodated in each well of the microplate. The optical measurement of the sample can be performed easily and with high accuracy.

Further, in the above-mentioned microplate reader, the mean free path of photons in the diffusing portion may be shorter than the thickness of the diffusing portion in the light passing direction. In this case, scattering can be reliably caused in the diffusion portion.
Further, in the above-mentioned microplate reader, the diffusion portion may be composed of a resin in which dielectric fine particles are dispersed inside. In this case, scattering can be appropriately caused in the diffusion portion.
Further, in the above-mentioned microplate reader, the dielectric fine particles may _{contain any one of titanium oxide (TiO 2} ), silicon oxide (SiO ₂ ), zinc oxide (ZnO) and magnesium oxide (MgO). In this case, scattering can be appropriately caused in the diffusion portion.

Further, in the microplate reader, the same number of light guide paths are provided corresponding to the wells of the microplate, and the light guide portions are fitted into recesses formed on the bottom surface side of the microplate. It may be in close contact with the bottom surface of the microplate.
In this way, the light guide portion may be fitted into the recess formed on the bottom surface side of the microplate and may be in close contact with the bottom surface of the microplate. In this case, the positioning of each well and the light guide path corresponding to each well can be easily performed, and the misalignment between the two during optical measurement can be suppressed. Further, since it is possible to appropriately suppress the formation of a gap between the microplate and the light guide portion, it is possible to appropriately suppress the wraparound of external light into the light guide path.

Further, in the microplate reader, the pair of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit corresponding to the one well may be provided at least as many as the number of wells of the microplate.
In this case, all the optical measurements of the sample contained in each well of the microplate can be performed at almost the same time, and the measurement time can be shortened. Further, since a complicated drive mechanism or the like for scanning the microplate as in the conventional case is not required, miniaturization can be realized.

Further, in the above-mentioned microplate reader, the pair of the light emitting part and the light receiving part corresponding to the one well is less than the number of wells of the microplate, and corresponds to all the wells of the microplate. In addition, it may have a moving mechanism for sequentially moving the microplate in which the light guide portion is fitted with respect to the pair of the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion.
In this case, it is not necessary to provide a pair of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit corresponding to all the wells of the microplate, and the size can be significantly reduced. Further, by sequentially moving the microplate relative to the pair of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, it is possible to measure all the light of the sample contained in each well of the microplate.

Furthermore, in the microplate reader, the pair of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit corresponding to the one well is provided as many as the number of wells on one side of the microplate, and the moving mechanism. May sequentially move the microplate in which the light guide portion is fitted to the pair of the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion only in a direction orthogonal to the one side.
In this case, the movement by the movement mechanism can be the movement in only one axial direction. Therefore, the structure of the moving mechanism can be simplified and can be constructed at low cost. Further, since the thickness can be reduced, it can be installed in a limited space such as a culture space in an incubator.

Further, in the microplate reader, the light emitting portion is arranged on the side opposite to the bottom surface of the micro plate, and the light receiving portion is arranged on the opposite side of the micro plate with the micro plate in between. You may be.
In this case, the light measured in each well of the microplate is measured by a microplate reader having a configuration in which the light emitted from the light projecting unit passes through the wells, passes through the light receiving light path, and reaches the light receiving unit. Can be performed easily and with high accuracy.

Further, in the microplate reader, the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are arranged on the bottom surface side of the micro plate, and are arranged on the opposite side of the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion with the micro plate interposed therebetween. , A reflecting member that reflects the light emitted from the light projecting unit to the light receiving unit, and arranged between the light projecting unit and the microplate, and guides the light emitted from the light projecting unit to the well. A light guide path for light projection is further provided, and the light guide unit may surround each of the light guide path and the light guide path for light projection with the surrounding member made of the pigment-containing resin.
In this case, in the microplate reader having a configuration in which the light emitted from the light projecting portion passes through the well, is reflected by the reflecting member, passes through the light guide path (light receiving light path), and reaches the light receiving portion, the microplate The optical measurement of the sample contained in each well can be easily and accurately performed.

Further, in the above-mentioned microplate reader, the light guide portion may be surrounded by the side wall portion of the recess in a state of being fitted in the recess. In this case, the light guide portion can be appropriately positioned with respect to the microplate, and the misalignment of the light guide portion with respect to the microplate can be reliably suppressed.
Further, in the above-mentioned microplate reader, the light guide portion may be configured to be detachably attached to the recess. In this case, the light guide can be removed from the microplate and only the microplate can be replaced. Further, since the light guide portion can be made of a soft resin, the light guide portion can be removed even when the sample is in the well.
Further, in the above-mentioned microplate reader, a plurality of the light guide paths may be provided for the one well. In this case, the light that has passed through one well can be efficiently guided to the light receiving portion with a good S / N ratio. Therefore, the light guide portion can be made thinner.

Further, in the microplate reader, the bottom surface of the well of the microplate is spherical, and in a state where the light guide portion is fitted in the recess, the light guide path corresponding to the one well is described. The light that has passed through the well may be arranged at a position where it is focused on the spherical bottom surface.
In this case, the light that has passed through the well can be appropriately guided to the light receiving portion.

Further, the microplate reader may further include a pressing member that presses the light guide portion in a direction in which the micro plate and the light guide portion are in close contact with each other in a state where the light guide portion is fitted in the recess. In this case, the adhesion between the bottom surface of the microplate and the top surface of the light guide portion can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to reliably suppress the formation of a gap between the microplate and the light guide portion.
Further, the microplate reader further includes a positioning member for positioning the microplate in which the light guide portion is fitted in the recess at a position where the light emitting end of the light guide path and the light receiving portion face each other. You may. In this case, each well of the microplate, the light receiving light path, and the light receiving portion can be easily positioned.

Further, in the above-mentioned microplate reader, the light receiving light path may be made of a silicone resin having a light transmissive property. In this case, the light receiving light path can be formed relatively easily.
Further, in the above-mentioned microplate reader, the pigment-containing resin is a resin having a light-transmitting property containing the pigment, and the light guide path is made of a resin equivalent to the resin having the light-transmitting property. It may have been done. In this case, it is possible to effectively suppress the reflection and scattering of light at the interface between the light receiving light guide path and the surrounding member. Therefore, the measurement error due to stray light can be suppressed more effectively.

Further, one aspect of the microplate reader unit according to the present invention is a unit light emitting unit unit having a light emitting unit corresponding to one well of the microplate, a light receiving unit corresponding to one well of the microplate, and the above-mentioned projection. The light guide path group consisting of a plurality of light receiving light guide paths that guide the light emitted from the light unit and passing through the sample contained in the corresponding well to the light receiving unit, and each of the light receiving light guide paths are illuminated. A unit light guide unit unit including a surrounding member surrounded by a pigment-containing resin containing a pigment having a property of absorbing light, and a diffuser unit for diffusing light that has passed through the light guide path group. The projected area of the light guided by the light guide path group of the unit light guide unit unit is larger than the area of the light receiving surface of one light receiving unit, and is emitted from the light projecting unit of one unit light emitting unit. The generated light passes through the light guide path group included in the unit light guide unit unit, is diffused by the diffusion unit, and reaches the light receiving unit.
As a result, it is possible to construct a microplate reader that can be miniaturized and can perform optical measurement of all the samples contained in each well of the microplate in a short time with high accuracy.

Further, one aspect of the microplate reader unit according to the present invention includes a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit corresponding to one well of the microplate, and a sample emitted from the light emitting unit and accommodated in the corresponding well. A characteristic of absorbing light in each of a light receiving path group consisting of a plurality of light receiving light guide paths for guiding the light that has passed through the sample and passing through the sample to the light receiving portion and each of the light receiving light guide paths. Limits the angle component of the light incident on the light receiving portion and the light guide portion having the surrounding member surrounded by the pigment-containing resin containing the pigment having the above, and the diffusing portion for diffusing the light passing through the light guide path group. The projected area of the light guided by the light guide path group of the light guide unit is larger than the area of the light receiving surface of the light receiving unit, and the light projecting is one. The light emitted from the unit passes through the light guide path group included in the light guide unit, is diffused by the diffusion unit, and reaches the light receiving unit.
As a result, it is possible to construct a microplate reader that can be miniaturized and can perform optical measurement of all the samples contained in each well of the microplate in a short time with high accuracy.

Further, one aspect of the optical plate according to the present invention corresponds to a plurality of wells of the microplate, and guides the light passing through the sample contained in the wells and the light guide path to guide the light. It is provided with a surrounding member surrounded by a pigment-containing resin containing a pigment having a property of absorbing, and can be brought into close contact with the bottom surface of the microplate by being fitted into a recess formed on the bottom surface side of the microplate.
As described above, since the structure can be fitted into the recess of the microplate, the positioning of each well and the light guide path corresponding to each well can be easily performed. Further, since the structure can be brought into close contact with the bottom surface of the microplate, it is possible to suppress the formation of a gap between the microplate and the light guide portion, and to suppress the wraparound of external light into the light guide path.

The optical measuring device and the microplate reader of the present invention can be miniaturized and can perform optical measurement of a sample with high accuracy.
The above-mentioned purpose, aspect and effect of the present invention and the above-mentioned purpose, aspect and effect of the present invention not described above are to be used by those skilled in the art to carry out the following invention by referring to the attached drawings and the description of the scope of claims. Can be understood from the form of (detailed description of the invention).

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a microplate reader according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an example of a power supply line for a light source and a sensor. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining external light entering the light guide path. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a setting method of the microplate reader. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a setting method of the microplate reader. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a setting method of the microplate reader. FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a microplate reader in the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a setting method of the microplate reader. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a setting method of the microplate reader. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a setting method of the microplate reader. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the mirror plate. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another example of the mirror plate. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the mirror plate. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration for batch processing measurement data. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration of a microplate reader unit. FIG. 16 is an arrangement example of the microplate reader unit. FIG. 17 is another example of a microplate reader unit. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a configuration of a microplate reader unit. FIG. 19 is a measurement example of a 96-well microplate. FIG. 20 is a measurement example of a 6-well microplate. FIG. 21 is a schematic configuration diagram of a microplate reader according to the present embodiment. FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining another example of the microplate. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a light receiving light path. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a comparative example of a light receiving light path. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a setting method of the microplate reader. FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a setting method of the microplate reader. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a setting method of the microplate reader. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing another example of the light guide plate portion. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing another example of the microplate. FIG. 30 is a side view showing a pressing member and a positioning member. FIG. 31 is a top view showing a pressing member and a positioning member. FIG. 32 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another example of a microplate reader. FIG. 33 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another example of a microplate reader. FIG. 34 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another example of a microplate reader. FIG. 35 is a schematic configuration diagram of a microplate reader using a condenser lens. FIG. 36 is an example of a scanning microplate reader. FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a main part of a scanning type microplate reader. FIG. 38 is another example of a scanning microplate reader. FIG. 39 is a diagram showing the position of the microplate at the time of the first light measurement. FIG. 40 is a diagram showing the position of the microplate at the time of the second light measurement. FIG. 41 is another example of a scanning microplate reader. FIG. 42 is a diagram showing a main part of a scan-type microplate reader. FIG. 43 is another example of a scanning microplate reader. FIG. 44 is another example of a scanning microplate reader.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a microplate reader 10A according to the present embodiment.
The microplate reader 10A includes a light projecting substrate 11a, a measuring board 11b, a plurality of light sources (light emitting units) 12a, a plurality of light receiving sensors (light receiving units) 12b, and a light guide plate unit (light guide unit). A 13, a housing 15, a power supply unit 16, and power supply cables 17a and 17b are provided.

The light projecting substrate 11a, the measuring substrate 11b, the plurality of light sources 12a, the plurality of light receiving sensors 12b, the light guide plate portion 13, the power supply portion 16, and the power supply cables 17a and 17b are housed in a housing 15 having an opening at the top. It is placed and fixed. In the microplate reader 10A of the present embodiment, a plurality of light receiving sensors 12b are provided on the measurement substrate 11b, a light guide plate portion 13 is provided on the measurement substrate 11b, and the light guide plate portion in the housing 15 is provided. The microplate 20 can be installed on the upper part of the 13th.
Further, the microplate reader 10A in the present embodiment is configured such that the light projecting substrate 11a is arranged above the microplate 20 installed above the light guide plate portion 13. A plurality of light sources 12a are provided on the light projecting substrate 11a, and the light source 12a is arranged so that the light source 12a faces the microplate 20.

(Microplate)
The microplate 20 is a flat plate-shaped member made of, for example, acrylic, polyethylene, polystyrene, glass, or the like. The microplate 20 is, for example, a rectangular flat plate, and a large number of wells 21 are provided on the surface thereof. The shape of the well 21 is, for example, a cylindrical shape having a flat bottom. The number of wells 21 is 6, 24, 96, 384, 1536, etc., and the capacity is several μl to several mL. For example, in the case of a 96-well microplate, each well is arranged in 8x12.

(Light emitting part and light receiving part)
The light source 12a is a light projecting unit that emits light, and is arranged on one surface (lower surface) of the light projecting substrate 11a. The light receiving sensor 12b is a light receiving unit that receives light, and is arranged on one surface (upper surface) of the measurement substrate 11b. The light source 12a is, for example, a light emitting diode (LED), and the light receiving sensor 12b is, for example, an RGB color sensor. The light source 12a can be, for example, a chip LED (surface mount LED). In this case, one light source 12a includes a chip LED having a plurality of light emitting units (light emitting points).
The microplate reader 10A includes the same number of light sources 12a and light receiving sensors 12b as the number of wells 21 of the microplate 20. That is, one light source 12a and one light receiving sensor 12b are provided corresponding to one well 21 of the microplate 20. When there are 96 wells 21 of the microplate 20, 96 light sources 12a are provided on the light projecting substrate 11a, and 96 light receiving sensors 12b are provided on the measuring substrate 11b.

(Light projection board and measurement board)
The light projecting substrate 11a has a light source power supply line to which the light source 12a is connected. The plurality of light sources 12a are connected to a light source power supply line provided on the light projecting substrate 11a, and power is obtained from the light source power supply line. Power is supplied from the power supply unit 16 to the light source power supply line of the light projection board 11a via the power supply cable 17a.
Similarly, the measurement substrate 11b has a sensor power supply line to which the light receiving sensor 12b is connected. The plurality of light receiving sensors 12b are connected to a sensor power supply line provided on the measurement substrate 11b, and power is obtained from the sensor power supply line. Power is supplied from the power supply unit 16 to the sensor power supply line of the measurement board 11b via the power supply cable 17b.

As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the plurality of light sources 12a are connected in parallel to the light source power supply line. Similarly, a plurality of light receiving sensors 12b are connected in parallel to the sensor power supply line, for example, as shown in FIG.
There are two wiring portions for power supply connected to the light source 12a and the light receiving sensor 12b, respectively. Therefore, when 96 light emitting parts and 96 light receiving parts are provided as in the present embodiment, 384 wirings are required. In order to compactly organize such a huge amount of wiring, the floodlight substrate 11a and the measurement substrate 11b are configured as a printed circuit board on which the wiring pattern (feeding circuit) is formed. The measurement substrate 11b may be provided with not only a power supply circuit for the light receiving sensor 12b but also a sensor output circuit, a communication circuit for the outside of the sensor output, and the like.

(Light guide plate)
The light guide plate unit 13 includes a light receiving light path 13a. The light receiving light guide path 13a is emitted from the light source 12a provided on the light projecting substrate 11a, is incident on the well 21 of the microplate 20, and is emitted after passing through the sample 30 or the like housed in the well 21 as described later. The light is guided toward the light receiving sensor 12b.
The light guide plate unit 13 includes a plurality of light receiving light paths 13a. Specifically, a plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a (light guide path groups) are provided correspondingly to one well 21 of the microplate 20. In FIG. 1, three light receiving light guide paths 13a are shown as a light receiving path group corresponding to one well 21, but the number of light receiving light guide paths 13a constituting the light receiving path group corresponding to one well 21. Can be set arbitrarily.

In the light receiving light guide path 13a, when the microplate 20 is placed on the light guide plate portion 13, the light incident end of the light guide path group is arranged at a position corresponding to the bottom surface of the well 21 of the microplate 20. As such, it is provided in the light guide plate portion 13. That is, the bottom surface of each well 21 of the microplate 20 is positioned at a position facing the light incident end of the light guide path group by the positioning means (not shown). Further, the light receiving light guide path 13a is provided in the light guide plate portion 13 so that the light emitting end of the light guide path group is arranged at a position corresponding to the light receiving sensor 12b provided on the measurement substrate 11b. There is.
Further, the light source 12a is projected so as to be arranged at a position corresponding to each well 21 of the microplate 20 when the light projecting substrate 11a is installed above the microplate 20 positioned as described above. It is provided on the optical substrate 11a.

In a state where the light guide plate portion 13 is arranged on the measurement substrate 11b, the microplate 20 is arranged on the light guide plate portion 13, and the light projection substrate 11a is arranged on the microplate 20, the light source 12a and the light receiving light are received. The sensors 12b are arranged in a row in the vertical direction.
The arrangement of the light source 12a and the light receiving sensor 12b does not have to be strictly in a row in the vertical direction, and the light source 12a and the light receiving sensor 12b are emitted from the light source 12a and passed through the sample 30 or the like housed in the well 21 of the microplate 20. The arrangement may be such that the light can reach the light receiving sensor 12b.

The light receiving light path 13a is made of a resin (for example, silicone resin) that is transparent to light emitted from the light source 12a and passed through the sample 30 or the like housed in the well 21 of the microplate 20. .. Further, the light receiving light path 13a is surrounded by a surrounding member 13b made of a pigment-containing resin. Here, the pigment-containing resin is a resin having a light transmitting property (for example, a silicone resin) containing a pigment having a property of absorbing stray light. As the pigment, for example, carbon black, which is a black pigment, or the like can be adopted.

In the present embodiment, the material of the transparent resin constituting the light receiving light guide path 13a and the light-transmitting resin constituting the pigment-containing resin are the same. As a result, reflection and scattering at the interface between the two resins are suppressed. Further, the stray light incident on the pigment-containing resin is absorbed by the pigment-containing resin and hardly returns to the light receiving light guide path 13a, so that complicated multiple reflection of the stray light hardly occurs.
As shown in FIG. 3, among the noise light L11 such as external light entering the light receiving light guide path 13a, very few components travel in the same direction as the optical axis of the light receiving light guide path 13a, and most of them are for receiving light. It enters the pigment-containing resin from the interface between the light guide path 13a and the surrounding member 13b made of the pigment-containing resin, and is absorbed by the pigment. At this time, reflection at the interface does not occur because the transparent resin constituting the light receiving light guide path 13a and the pigment-containing resin constituting the surrounding member 13b are made of the same material.

The external light incident on the pigment and the scattered light thereof are substantially absorbed by the pigment, but are slightly scattered on the surface of the pigment. However, the scattered light is often incident on the surrounding member 13b made of the pigment-containing resin again, and is absorbed by the pigment of the pigment-containing resin.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, most of the light extracted from the light receiving light guide path 13a is straight light L1 along the optical axis of the light receiving light guide path 13a.

By the way, depending on the cross-sectional area of the light receiving light guide path 13a and the setting of the optical path length, a part of the scattered light scattered slightly by the pigment surface may be emitted from the light emitting end of the light receiving light guide path 13a. Therefore, it is preferable to appropriately set the cross-sectional area and the optical path length of the light receiving light guide path 13a and attenuate the intensity to such an extent that it does not affect the measurement.
As the area of the light incident end of the light receiving light guide path 13a increases, the amount of light incident on the light receiving light guide path 13a increases. Therefore, when the area of the light incident end becomes large, the intensity of the straight light traveling through the light receiving light guide path 13a is also scattered at the light incident end of the light receiving light guide path 13a and reaches the light emitting end as scattered light. The strength of is also increased.

The present inventor investigated the intensity dependence of straight light and the intensity dependence of external light with respect to the area of the light incident end of the light receiving light guide path 13a. As a result, it was found that the amount of increase in the intensity of the external light with respect to the increase in the diameter of the light receiving light guide path 13a is larger than the amount of increase in the intensity of the measured light.
That is, it was found that the smaller the area of the light incident end of the light receiving light guide path 13a, the better the S / N ratio. Specifically, the ratio (√A / L) of the square root of the area (A) of the light incident end of the light receiving light guide path 13a to the distance (L) from the light incident end to the light emitting end is 0.4 or less. Then, it was found that the optical measurement with a sufficiently high S / N ratio becomes possible.
Therefore, it is preferable to set the cross-sectional area and the optical path length of the light receiving light guide path 13a so as to satisfy the above conditions. Thereby, the adverse effect of the scattered light on the light measurement can be appropriately suppressed.

In the present embodiment, a light guide path group composed of a plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a is arranged for one well 21. By providing a plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a satisfying the above conditions for one well, one light receiving guide can obtain the same measured light intensity as when the plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a are used. Compared with the case where the optical path 13a is used, the influence of noise light (stray light) can be reduced. In this way, light with a good S / N ratio can be guided.
Further, in the present embodiment, the irradiation region (projected area) of the light guided by the light guide path group provided for one well 21 is set to be larger than the area of the light receiving surface of the light receiving sensor 12b. .. As a result, most of the light transmitted through one well 21 can be guided by the light guide path group. Further, in order to appropriately inject the light guided by the light guide path group including the plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a onto the light receiving surface of the light receiving sensor 12b, the light guide plate unit 13 includes the light guide path group and the light receiving sensor 12b. A diffusion unit 13c is provided between the two. The diffusion unit 13c diffuses and homogenizes the light that has passed through the light guide path group corresponding to one well 21, and causes one light receiving sensor 12b to receive light.

As shown in FIG. 1, the diffusion portion 13c is made of a flat plate-shaped member. The diffusion unit 13c can be made of, for example, a resin in which dielectric fine particles are dispersed inside. Here, the resin can be a resin (silicone resin) that is transparent to the light that has passed through the light receiving light guide path 13a. Further, the dielectric fine particles may contain any of oxide-based high dielectric fine particles, for example, titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ), silicon oxide (SiO ₂ ), zinc oxide (ZnO) and magnesium oxide (MgO). it can. The particle size of the dielectric fine particles is preferably such that Mie scattering occurs when light having a wavelength of visible light emitted from the light source 12a is incident.

Further, the mean free path of photons in the diffusing portion 13c is set shorter than the thickness of the diffusing portion 13c in the light passing direction. Here, the light passing direction is the vertical direction in FIG. 1, that is, the direction from the light emitting end of the light guide path group toward the light receiving surface of the light receiving sensor 12b.
The light guide plate portion 13c is such that when the light guide plate portion 13 is installed above the measurement substrate 11b, the central portion of the diffuser portion 13c is located above the light receiving surface of the light receiving sensor 12b. It is buried in.

(Arrangement of light source on the light projection board)
As described above, one light source 12a and one light receiving sensor 12b are correspondingly arranged in one well 21 of the microplate 20. That is, the light emitted from one light source 12a irradiates the sample 30 housed in the well 21 of the microplate 20, passes through the sample 30 and the well 21, and enters the plurality of light receiving light paths 13a. The light emitted from the plurality of light receiving light paths 13a is diffused by the diffusing unit 13c and sensed by one light receiving sensor 12b.
Even when a part of the light emitted from the other light source 12a adjacent to the one light source 12a passes through the sample 30 and the well 21 and is incident on the light receiving light path 13a as external light, the light is emitted. As shown in FIG. 3, most of the light sources enter the pigment-containing resin from the interface between the light receiving light path 13a and the surrounding member 13b made of the pigment-containing resin, and are absorbed by the pigment.

However, depending on the arrangement position of the light source 12a on the light projecting substrate 11a, a part of the light emitted from the other light source 12a is incident on the light receiving light path 13a as external light and surrounds the light receiving light path 13a. There is a possibility that the light is emitted to the outside from the light emitting end of the light receiving light guide path 13a without being incident on the interface with the member 13b. In this case, the optical measurement accuracy becomes low.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the light that reaches the light receiving sensor 12b through the light guide path group including the plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a corresponding to one well 21 is the light emitted from one light source 12a. As described above, at least one of the arrangement of the light sources 12a, the shape of the light receiving light guide path 13a, the arrangement and the number of the light receiving light guide paths 13a constituting the light guide path group is defined. As a result, it is possible to prevent the light from the other adjacent light source 12a from directly reaching the light receiving sensor 12b as external light without being absorbed by the pigment-containing resin surrounding the light receiving light guide path 13a. Therefore, for example, even if the well itself is small like a 384-well microplate and it is necessary to arrange a plurality of light sources 12a in close proximity to each well, other adjacent light sources 12a It is possible to prevent the light from the light source from adversely affecting the measurement result and appropriately reduce the measurement error.

Next, the setting method of the microplate reader 10A in the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4, with respect to the microplate reader 10A in which the measurement substrate 11b, the plurality of light receiving sensors 12b, the light guide plate portion 13, the power supply portion 16 and the power supply cable 17b are fixed inside the housing 15. As shown in FIG. 5, the operator installs a microplate 20 containing the sample 30 in each well 21. At this time, the microplate 20 is placed on the light guide plate portion 13. Further, at this time, the microplate 20 is positioned so that the bottom surface of each well 21 is arranged at a position facing each of the light incident ends of the plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the operator installs the light projecting substrate 11a above the microplate 20. At this time, the operator sets the light projecting substrate 11a on the microplate so that the plurality of light sources 12a on the light projecting substrate 11a are arranged at positions corresponding to the wells 21 of the microplate 20 one by one. Install above 20. Here, the plurality of light sources 12a on the light projecting substrate 11a are arranged at positions corresponding to the wells 21 of the microplate 20 when the light projecting substrate 11a is aligned above the microplate 20. As described above, the distance between the adjacent light sources 12a is set in advance. The light projecting substrate 11a may be positioned in the vertical direction by a positioning member (not shown).

After installing the light projecting board 11a above the microplate 20, the operator connects the light projecting board 11a and the power supply unit 16 with the power supply cable 17a. After that, the operator operates a power switch (not shown) or the like to supply power from the power supply unit 16 to each light source 12a and each light receiving sensor 12b via the power supply cables 17a and 17b. As a result, light is emitted from each light source 12a.

The light emitted from each light source 12a passes through the sample 30 housed in each well 21 of the microplate 20. The light that has passed through the well 21 passes through the plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a of the light guide plate unit 13 and is diffused by the diffusion unit 13c. Then, the light diffused and homogenized by the diffusing unit 13c is received by the light receiving sensor 12b. In this way, the optical characteristics (for example, absorption characteristics) of the sample 30 are measured.
The measurement result by the light receiving sensor 12b may be transmitted as light intensity information to an external device via a data communication unit (not shown). In this case, the external device measures the optical characteristics of the sample 30 based on the above light intensity information.

As described above, the microplate reader 10A in the present embodiment is arranged above the horizontally arranged microplate 20, and is horizontal to the light source 12a as a light projecting unit corresponding to one well 21 of the microplate 20. There are as many sets as the number of wells 21 of the microplate 20 which are arranged below the microplate 20 and which are composed of the light receiving sensor 12b as a light receiving portion corresponding to one well 21 of the microplate 20. Further, the microplate reader 10A is arranged between the light receiving sensor 12b and the microplate 20, and guides the light emitted from the light source 12a and passing through the sample 30 housed in the well 21 to the light receiving sensor 12b. A light guide plate portion 13 having an optical path 13a and a surrounding member 13b that surrounds the light receiving light guide path 13a with a pigment-containing resin is provided.

As described above, according to the microplate reader 10A in the present embodiment, the light source 12a for irradiating the sample 30 housed in the well 21 with light corresponding to all the wells 21 of the microplate 20 and the said. A light receiving sensor 12b for measuring the light emitted from the sample 30 is provided.
Conventionally, there is no idea of providing a light source and a light receiving sensor corresponding to all the wells 21 of the microplate 20, and the microplate 20 is scanned each time each light measurement is performed, and all the wells 21 are measured by a plurality of measurements. I was measuring the light of. Therefore, it took time to measure the light of all the wells 21.
In the present embodiment, all the light measurements of the sample 30 housed in each well 21 of the microplate 20 can be substantially performed in one measurement without scanning the microplate 20 for each light measurement as in the conventional case. It can be done at the same time. Therefore, the measurement time can be shortened. Further, since a complicated drive mechanism or the like for scanning the microplate 20 is not required, the device size can be reduced.

Further, the light guide plate portion 13 has a structure in which a light receiving light guide path 13a made of a transparent resin (silicone resin) is surrounded by a surrounding member 13b made of a pigment-containing resin capable of absorbing external light and scattered light. .. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the influence of noise light (stray light) from the outside light or scattered light.
In particular, by using the same material for the transparent resin and the pigment-containing resin, reflection and scattering at the interface between the two resins can be appropriately suppressed. That is, the stray light incident on the pigment-containing resin is absorbed by the pigment-containing resin and hardly returns to the light guide path, and complicated multiple reflection of the stray light hardly occurs. Further, by appropriately setting the cross-sectional area and the optical path length of the light receiving light guide path 13a, the influence of external light can be remarkably suppressed.

That is, even if the outside light enters the inside of the device, the influence of the outside light is remarkably attenuated in the light receiving light path 13a in the light guide plate portion 13. Therefore, it is not necessary to strictly take noise light countermeasures for the optical system inside the microplate reader, and the device itself does not become large-scale for the noise light countermeasures.
The monolithic optical system technology using the above-mentioned silicone resin is called SOT (Silicone Optical Technologies). In the present embodiment, by adopting the SOT structure for the optical system of the microplate reader, the influence of external light (noise light) can be almost ignored, and the device can be miniaturized and highly accurate optical measurement can be realized. Can be a microplate reader.

Further, in the microplate reader 10A of the present embodiment, a plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a are provided for one well 21 of the microplate 20. The projected area of the light guided by the plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a corresponding to one well 21 is larger than the area of the light receiving surface of one light receiving sensor 12b corresponding to one well 21.
Further, in the present embodiment, the microplate reader 10A receives the plurality of light receiving light between the plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a corresponding to one well 21 and one light receiving sensor 12b corresponding to one well 21. It is provided with one diffusion unit 13c that diffuses the light that has passed through the light guide path 13a. Further, the microplate reader 10A passes through a plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a corresponding to one well 21, and the light diffused by the diffuser 13c and reaches the light receiving sensor 12b is emitted from one light source 12a. It is configured to be light.

For example, in the case of a 96-well microplate 20, the diameter of one well is 7.1 mm. On the other hand, the light receiving area of the light receiving unit (light receiving sensor 12b) is, for example, 0.5 mm × 1 mm, and further, there is a very small one such as 0.25 mm × 0.5 mm. As described above, the area of the bottom surface of the well 20 is larger than the light receiving area of the light receiving portion. Therefore, when the light transmitted through the sample 30 housed in the well 20 is guided to the light receiving portion by using the light receiving light path having the same cross-sectional area as the light receiving area of the light receiving portion, the light transmitted through the sample 30 is guided. All of the above cannot be incident on the light receiving portion, and the optical information obtained at the time of optical measurement becomes insufficient.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a (light guide path group) are provided for one well 21 so that the projected area of light is larger than the area of the light receiving surface of the light receiving sensor 12b. The light transmitted through the sample 30 housed in one well 21 can be efficiently guided toward the light receiving sensor 12b. Further, since the light passing through the light guide path group corresponding to one well 21 is diffused and made uniform by the diffusing unit 13c, the area of the light receiving surface of the light receiving sensor 12b is the projected area of the light guided by the light guide path group. Even if it is smaller than the above, the light receiving sensor 12b can appropriately receive the light that has passed through the light guide path group. That is, the light guided by the light receiving light guide path 13a that is not located directly above the light receiving surface of the light receiving sensor 12b is also diffused and received by the light receiving sensor 12b. Therefore, most of the light that has passed through one well can be received by the light receiving sensor 12b at a good S / N ratio, and the accuracy of light measurement can be improved.

Here, the diffusing portion 13c can be made of a resin in which dielectric fine particles are dispersed inside. Further, the mean free path of photons in the diffusing portion 13c is set to be shorter than the thickness of the diffusing portion 13c in the light passing direction. As a result, scattering can be reliably caused in the diffusion unit 13c, and the light that has passed through the light guide path group can be reliably received by the light receiving sensor 12b.
Further, the microplate reader 10A includes a housing 15 on which the microplate 20 is arranged. The housing 15 can also be made of, for example, a material having a light-shielding property or a heat-insulating property. In this case, the influence of the external light incident from the side surface of the microplate 20 and the influence of the temperature can be suppressed. Therefore, the reliability of the measurement data of the well 21 located at the end of the microplate 20 can be ensured.

As described above, the microplate reader 10A in the present embodiment is miniaturized to a portable degree in the field of POCT inspection and the like, and the optical measurement of all the samples 30 housed in each well 21 of the microplate 20 can be performed in a short time. Can be done with high accuracy.

In the present embodiment, in the microplate reader 10A, the light source plate portion 13 is arranged on the light receiving portion composed of the light receiving sensor 12b, the microplate 20 is arranged on the light guide plate portion 13, and the microplate is arranged. The case where the light source 12a is arranged on the 20 has been described. That is, the above-mentioned microplate reader 10A has a structure that irradiates light from above the well 21 of the microplate 20 and receives the light that has passed through the well 21 on the bottom surface side of the well 21.
However, the structure may be such that light is irradiated from below the well 21 of the microplate 20 and the light that has passed through the well 21 is received above the well 21.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the first embodiment described above, the case where the light source 12a is arranged on one side of the microplate 20 and the light receiving sensor 12b is arranged on the side opposite to the light source 12a across the microplate 20 has been described. In this second embodiment, the case where the light source 12a and the light receiving sensor 12b are arranged on one side of the microplate 20 will be described.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of the microplate reader 10B according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 7, a portion having the same configuration as the microplate reader 10A shown in FIG. 1 is designated by the same reference numeral as in FIG.
The microplate reader 10B includes a light projecting substrate 11a', a measuring substrate 11b, a plurality of light sources (light emitting units) 12a, a plurality of light receiving sensors (light receiving units) 12b, and a light guide plate unit (light guide unit). ) 13, a mirror plate (reflection member) 14, a housing 15, a power supply unit 16, and power supply cables 17a and 17b.

In the microplate reader 10B of the present embodiment, a plurality of light receiving sensors 12b are provided on the measurement substrate 11b, the light guide plate portion 13 is provided on the measurement substrate 11b, and the light guide plate portion 13 is thrown onto the light guide plate portion 13. An optical substrate 11a'is provided. A plurality of light sources 12a are provided on the light projecting substrate 11a'. Then, the microplate 20 can be installed on the upper part of the light projecting substrate 11a'in the housing 15.
Further, the microplate reader 10B is configured such that the mirror plate 14 is arranged on the microplate 20 installed on the light guide plate portion 13. The surface 14a of the mirror plate 14 facing the microplate 20 is a reflective surface (mirror surface). The mirror plate 14 closes the opening of the housing 15 and functions as an upper lid of the microplate 20.
Here, the configurations other than the light projecting substrate 11a'and the mirror plate 14 are the same as the configurations included in the microplate reader 10A of FIG. 1 described above. Therefore, the parts having different configurations will be mainly described below.

(Light projection board)
The light projecting substrate 11a ′ has a light source power supply line to which the light source 12a is connected, similarly to the above-described light projecting board 11a. The method of supplying power to the plurality of light sources 12a is the same as that of the light projecting substrate 11a.
The light projecting substrate 11a'is provided with the same number of aperture portions 11c as the light receiving light guide path 13a. The aperture portion 11c can pass the light emitted from the light source 12a, passing through the sample 30 or the like housed in the well 21, reflected by the mirror plate described later, and passing through the sample 30 or the like again. ..

In the aperture portion 11c, when the light projecting substrate 11a'is placed on the light guide plate portion 13, the light emitting end of the aperture portion 11c is the light incident end of the light receiving light guide path 13a of the light guide plate portion 13. The light projecting substrate 11a'is provided so as to be arranged at a position corresponding to the above. Further, in the aperture portion 11c, when the microplate 20 is placed on the light projection substrate 11a', the light incident end of the aperture portion 11c is arranged at a position corresponding to the bottom surface of the well 21 of the microplate 20. The light projecting substrate 11a'is provided so as to be used. Further, the light source 12a is provided adjacent to the aperture portion 11c, and the light source 12a is also arranged at a position corresponding to the bottom surface of the well 21 of the microplate 20.
The aperture portion 11c may have a diameter smaller than the opening of the light incident end of the light receiving light path 13a in order to limit the angular component of the light incident on the light receiving light path 13a.

(Light guide plate)
The configuration of the light guide plate portion 13 is the same as that of the first embodiment described above. In the present embodiment, the light receiving light path 13a is emitted from the light source 12a provided on the light projecting substrate 11a', passes through the sample 30 or the like housed in the well 21, is reflected by the mirror plate described later, and is again reflected. The light emitted through the sample 30 or the like is guided to the light receiving sensor 12b.

In the light receiving light guide path 13a, when the light emitting substrate 11a'is placed on the light guide plate 13, the light incident end of the light receiving light guide path 13a corresponds to the aperture portion 11c of the light emitting substrate 11a'. The light guide plate portion 13 is provided so as to be arranged at such a position. As a result, the light incident end of the light receiving light guide path 13a is arranged at a position corresponding to the bottom surface of the well 21 of the microplate 20 installed on the light guide plate 13.

(Mirror plate)
The surface 14a of the mirror plate 14 facing the microplate 20 is a reflective surface (mirror surface). Therefore, the light emitted from each light source 12a and passing through the sample 30 housed in each well 21 of the microplate 20 reaches the mirror plate 14 and is reflected by the reflecting surface 14a of the mirror plate 14.
The light reflected by the reflecting surface 14a of the mirror plate 14 passes through the sample 30 housed in each well 21 of the microplate 20 again. The light that has passed through the sample 30 passes through each aperture portion 11c provided on the light projecting substrate 11a'and each light receiving light guide path 13a of the light guide plate portion 13 and is incident on each light receiving sensor 12b.
The reflective surface of the mirror plate 14 may be processed so as not to be a perfect mirror surface but a reflective surface having a certain degree of diffusion action. As a result, even if the light incident on the mirror plate 14 has a certain spread, it is possible to secure the amount of light passing through each light receiving light guide path 13a.

Next, the setting method of the microplate reader 10B in the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 8, a measurement substrate 11b, a plurality of light receiving sensors 12b, a light guide plate portion 13, a light projection substrate 11a', a plurality of light sources 12a, a power supply portion 16, and a power supply cable 17a, 17b are inside the housing 15. As shown in FIG. 9, the operator installs the microplate 20 containing the sample 30 in each well 21 with respect to the microplate reader 10B in which the sample 30 is fixed. At this time, the microplate 20 is placed on the light projecting substrate 11a'. Further, at this time, the microplate 20 is arranged at a position where the bottom surface of each well 21 faces the light incident end of the light receiving light guide path 13a via the aperture portion 11c provided on the light emitting substrate 11a'. It is positioned so that it does.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the operator installs the mirror plate 14 on the microplate 20. At this time, the operator holds the grip portion 14b provided on the surface of the mirror plate 14 opposite to the reflective surface 14a, and places the mirror plate 14 on the microplate 20 so as to close the opening of the housing 15. Install. The mirror plate 14 may be positioned in the vertical direction by a positioning member (not shown).
After installing the mirror plate 14 on the microplate 20, the operator operates a power switch (not shown) or the like to power the light source 12a and the light receiving sensor 12b from the power supply unit 16 via the power supply cables 17a and 17b. To supply. As a result, light is emitted from each light source 12a.

The light emitted from each light source 12a passes through the sample 30 housed in each well 21 of the microplate 20 and reaches the mirror plate 14. Then, the light that has reached the mirror plate 14 is reflected by the reflecting surface 14a of the mirror plate 14 and passes through each well 21 again. The light that has passed through each well 21 passes through the aperture portion 11c of the light projecting substrate 11a'and the light receiving light path 13a of the light guide plate portion 13, is diffused by the diffusing portion 13c, and is received by the light receiving sensor 12b. To. In this way, the optical characteristics (for example, absorption characteristics) of the sample 30 are measured.
The measurement result by the light receiving sensor 12b may be transmitted as light intensity information to an external device via a data communication unit (not shown). In this case, the external device measures the optical characteristics of the sample 30 based on the above light intensity information.

As described above, the microplate reader 10B in the present embodiment is arranged below the horizontally arranged microplate 20, and is a light source 12a and a light receiving unit as a light emitting unit corresponding to one well 21 of the microplate 20. There are as many sets of light receiving sensors 12b as the number of wells 21 of the microplate 20. Further, the microplate reader 10B is provided above the microplate 20 and includes a mirror plate 14 that reflects light that has passed through the sample 30 housed in the well 21 from the light emitting portion side to the light receiving portion side.

Further, the plurality of light sources 12a are provided on the light projecting substrate 11a', and the light emitting substrate 11a' passes through the sample 30 emitted from the light source 12a and housed in the well 21, and the mirror plate 14 There is provided an aperture portion 11c that is reflected by the reflecting surface 14a of the above and allows the light that has passed through the sample 30 to pass through again. The aperture portions 11c are provided in a number corresponding to the light receiving light guide paths 13a, and may have a diameter smaller than the opening of the light incident end of the light receiving light guide paths 13a. Further, the microplate reader 10B includes a light guide plate portion 13 arranged between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment described above, it is possible to perform all the optical measurements of the sample 30 housed in each well 21 of the microplate 20 at almost the same time in one measurement. .. Therefore, the measurement time can be shortened. Further, since a complicated drive mechanism or the like for scanning the microplate 20 is not required, the device size can be reduced.
Further, in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment described above, since the SOT structure is adopted for the optical system of the microplate reader, the influence of external light (noise light) can be almost ignored, and the apparatus can be used. It can be a microplate reader that realizes miniaturization and high-precision optical measurement.

Further, in the microplate reader 10B of the present embodiment, a plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a are provided for one well 21 of the microplate 20 as in the first embodiment described above. The projected area of the light guided by the plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a corresponding to one well 21 is larger than the area of the light receiving surface of one light receiving sensor 12b corresponding to one well 21.
Further, the microplate reader 10B in the present embodiment has a plurality of light receiving light paths 13a corresponding to one well 21 and one light receiving sensor corresponding to one well 21 as in the first embodiment described above. A diffuser 13c is provided between the 12b and the light receiving sensor 12b to diffuse and homogenize the light passing through the plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a. Further, the microplate reader 10B passes through a plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a corresponding to one well 21, and the light diffused by the diffuser 13c and reaches the light receiving sensor 12b is emitted from one light source 12a. It is configured to be light.
Therefore, as in the first embodiment described above, most of the light that has passed through one well can be received by the light receiving sensor 12b at a good S / N ratio, and the accuracy of light measurement can be improved. it can.

As described above, the microplate reader 10B in the present embodiment is miniaturized to a portable degree in the field of POCT inspection and the like, and the optical measurement of all the samples 30 housed in each well 21 of the microplate 20 can be performed in a short time. Can be done with high accuracy.

Although the influence of external light (noise light) can be almost ignored due to the structure of the light guide plate portion 13 described above, further noise light countermeasures may be taken. Generally, the light emitted from the chip LED has a predetermined spread. Therefore, it is conceivable that a part of the light emitted from the light source 12a and passing through the well 21 and the sample 30 reaches the reflecting surface 14a of the mirror plate 14 and is incident on the adjacent well 21. In this case, a part of the light component incident on the adjacent well 21 may pass through the corresponding light receiving light path 13a and reach the light receiving sensor 12b as noise light. When the intensity of the light (signal light) emitted from the light source 12a is low, even a weak noise light is likely to adversely affect the measurement result, so it is necessary to suppress the influence of such noise light. Comes out.

In this case, the region of the reflecting surface 14a of the mirror plate 14 may be limited so that the light that has passed through the well 21 is incident on only the well 21 again. FIG. 11 is an example of the mirror plate 14 in which the reflection surface 14a region is limited.
In FIG. 11, the reflective surface 14a of the mirror plate 14 is restricted above each well 21 of the microplate 20, and the periphery of the reflective surface 14a is a non-reflective surface 14c. The shape of the reflecting surface 14a can be circular, for example, as shown in FIG. When the reflecting surface 14a is circular, the reflecting surface 14a is provided at a position on the mirror plate 14 such that the center of the circle is substantially the same as the central axis of each well 21.

In this way, on the surface of the mirror plate 14 facing the microplate 20, the reflecting surface 14a may be selectively provided according to the formation position of the light receiving light guide path 13a. By limiting the reflecting surface 14a as described above, it is possible to limit the angular component of the light incident on the light receiving sensor 12b so as not to reflect a part of the light spread from the light source 12a. That is, by providing the mirror plate 14 with the reflective surface 14a and the non-reflective surface 14c, it is possible to realize a limiting portion that limits the angular component of the light incident on the light receiving sensor 12b. This makes it possible to prevent a part of the light that has passed through one well 21 and reached the mirror plate 14 from entering another well 21 adjacent to the well 21. Therefore, highly accurate measurement results can be obtained.
When the non-reflective surface 14c of the mirror plate 14 is irradiated with light, light reflection may occur slightly on the non-reflective surface 14c. When the intensity of such reflected light may adversely affect the measurement result, the AR corresponding to the wavelength of the light emitted through the sample 30 housed in the well 21 in the non-reflective surface region. (Anti-Reflection) coating may be applied. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 13, a light absorbing member 14d made of the same pigment-containing resin as the surrounding member may be provided in the non-reflective surface region.

In the present embodiment, in the microplate reader 10B, the light guide plate portion 13 is arranged on the light receiving portion composed of the light receiving sensor 12b, and the light emitting portion composed of the light source 12a is arranged on the light guide plate portion 13. The case where the microplate 20 is arranged on the light projecting portion and the mirror plate is arranged on the microplate 20 has been described. That is, the above-mentioned microplate reader 10B irradiates light from below the well 21 of the microplate 20, reflects the light that has passed through the well 21 above the well 21, and passes the well 21 again to the well 21. It has a structure that receives light on the bottom side.
However, the structure may be such that light is irradiated from above the well 21 of the microplate 20, the light that has passed through the well 21 is reflected on the bottom surface side, and the light is passed through the well 21 again and received above the well 21. However, as described above, a structure that irradiates light from the bottom surface side of the well 21 of the microplate 20 is preferable because the setting of the microplate 20 is easy.

Further, as described above, the microplate reader in the first embodiment and the second embodiment can acquire measurement data for all the wells 21 of the microplate 20 at almost the same time. However, the processing of the measurement data is not always performed at the same time. For example, one data processing may be performed on eight wells, and this may be performed 12 times. In this case, it takes some data processing time.

Therefore, the microplate reader may have a structure capable of collectively processing the measurement data corresponding to each well 21 at the same time.
For example, in the case of the microplate reader 10A in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the light emitted from the sample 30 housed in each well 21 and guided by the light receiving light guide path 13a is transmitted by an optical fiber. It may have a structure that receives light at 51. That is, the tip (incident end) 51a of the optical fiber 51 may be arranged as the light receiving portion instead of the light receiving sensor 12b.

Each optical fiber 51 that receives light that has passed through the light receiving light guide path 13a corresponding to each well 21 can be bundled on the light emitting end side. In this case, the light emitted from the optical fiber bundle in which the optical fibers 51 are bundled can be captured by the image sensor 52. The image data captured by the image sensor 52 is optical measurement data corresponding to all wells 21 of the microplate 20, and by arithmetically processing the image data, the optical measurement data corresponding to all wells 21 are collectively collected. Data can be processed at the same time.
Although FIG. 14 shows the microplate reader 10A in the first embodiment, the same applies to the microplate reader 10B in the second embodiment.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, a microplate reader corresponding to a predetermined number of wells (96 wells) of microplates has been described. In the third embodiment, a microplate reader corresponding to microplates having different numbers of wells will be described.
For example, when cell culture is performed using a microplate and light measurement is performed on the cultured cells, a microplate having a small number of wells (for example, 6 wells) is used. In order to deal with such different types of microplates, the present embodiment uses a unit unit (microplate reader unit) corresponding to only one well.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the microplate reader unit 18A.
As shown in FIG. 15, the microplate reader unit 18A includes a unit light source unit unit 181 and a unit light guide unit unit 182. The unit light source unit unit 181 includes a light source 181a, a holding substrate 181b provided with the light source 181a, and a light source connector unit 181c. The unit light guide unit unit 182 includes a light receiving sensor 182a, a light receiving light path 182b, a surrounding member 182c, and a diffusion unit 182d.
Here, the light source 181a and the light receiving sensor 182a are the same as the light source 12a and the light receiving sensor 12b in the first embodiment described above. Further, the light receiving light guide path 182b, the surrounding member 182c, and the diffusion portion 182d are the same as the light receiving light guide path 13a, the surrounding member 13b, and the diffusion portion 13c constituting the light guide plate portion 13 in the first embodiment described above. ..

In the unit light source unit unit 181, the light source 181a and the light source connector 181c are provided on substantially the same axis with the holding substrate 181b interposed therebetween, and are electrically connected to each other. Further, the unit light source unit unit 181 is configured to be detachably attached to the light projecting substrate 111a.
The light source substrate 111a is a light source connector portion that can be electrically connected to the light source connector portion 181c of the unit light source unit unit 181 on the surface of the substrate similar to the light projector substrate 12a in the first embodiment described above. It has a configuration including 112a. A power feeding circuit is formed on the surface of the light projecting board 111a, and the light source connector portion 112a is electrically connected to the power feeding circuit. Therefore, when the light source connector portion 181c of the unit light source unit unit 181 is attached to the light source connector portion 112a of the light projecting substrate 111a, the light source 181a is electrically connected to the light source connector portion 112a via the light source connector portion 181c. Is connected.

Further, the unit light guide unit unit 182 is configured to be detachably attached to and detachable from the measurement substrate 111b.
The measurement substrate 111b is provided with a sensor connector portion 112b that can be electrically connected to the light receiving sensor 182a of the unit light guide unit portion 182 on the surface of the substrate similar to the measurement substrate 12b in the first embodiment described above. Has a structure. A power feeding circuit is formed on the surface of the light projecting board 111a, and the sensor connector portion 112b is electrically connected to the power feeding circuit.

The light projecting substrate 111a and the measuring substrate 111b are aligned and installed so as to have a certain positional relationship with the microplate.
In the three-way alignment state, the light source connector portion 112a and the sensor connector portion 112b are placed on the projection substrate 111a and the measurement substrate 111b, respectively, so as to correspond to each well of the 96-well microplate, for example. 96 pieces are provided at a time.
Specifically, the light source connector portion 112a is provided on the light projecting substrate 111a at a position corresponding to, for example, the light source 12a shown in FIG. Further, the sensor connector portion 112b is provided on the measurement substrate 111b at a position corresponding to, for example, the light receiving sensor 12b shown in FIG.

The microplate reader unit 18A including the unit light source unit unit 181 and the unit light guide unit unit 182 has a size corresponding to one well of a 96-well microplate. A maximum of 96 unit light source unit units 181 can be mounted on the light projecting substrate 111a corresponding to each well of the 96-well microplate. Similarly, a maximum of 96 unit light guide unit units 182 can be mounted on the measurement substrate 111b corresponding to each well of the 96-well microplate.
When 96 unit light source unit units 181 are attached to 96 light source connector portions 112a on the light projecting substrate 111a, the light source 181a, the light source connector portion 181c, and the light source connector portion 112a are arranged on substantially the same axis. The light source 181a is arranged at a position corresponding to each of the 96 wells 21 of the microplate. Similarly, when the 96 unit light guide unit units 182 are attached to the 96 sensor connector portions 112b on the measurement substrate 111b, the light receiving sensor 182a is located at a position corresponding to each of the 96 wells 21 of the microplate. Are placed in each.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the microplate reader 10A'using the unit unit in the present embodiment, in which a plurality of unit light source unit units 181 of the microplate reader unit 18A are adjacent to each other on the light projecting substrate 111a. It is a figure when a plurality of unit light source unit portions 182 are mounted adjacent to each other on the measurement substrate 111b. As shown in FIG. 16, the structure in which the plurality of microplate reader units 18A are connected to the light projection substrate 111a and the measurement substrate 111b is a part of the microplate reader 10A in the first embodiment shown in FIG. It has the same structure as the light projecting substrate 11a, the light source 12a, the measuring substrate 11b, the light receiving sensor 12b, and the light guide plate portion 13).
Therefore, the microplate reader 10A'in which 96 sets of the microplate reader units 18A are connected to the light projecting substrate 111a and the measurement substrate 111b has the same structure as the microplate reader 10A in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Become.

Although FIGS. 15 and 16 show an example in which the microplate reader unit 18A is a unit unit corresponding to only one well 21, the microplate reader unit 18A is not limited to this, and the microplate reader unit 18A may have a plurality of units. It may be a unit unit corresponding to the well 21. Further, at least one of the unit light source unit unit 181 and the unit light guide unit unit 182 constituting the microplate reader unit 18A may correspond to a plurality of wells 21. For example, the unit light guide unit unit 182 may be a unit unit corresponding to the eight wells 21, and twelve unit light guide unit units 182 may be used for the 96-well microplate 20.
FIG. 17 shows an example in which the unit light source unit unit 181 corresponds to only one well 21, and the unit light source unit 182 corresponds to a plurality of wells 21.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the microplate reader unit.
The microplate reader unit 18B shown in FIG. 18 includes a light source 18a, a light receiving sensor 18b, a unit light emitting substrate 18c, an aperture portion 18d, a light receiving light guide path 18e, a surrounding member 18f, and a diffusion portion 18g. , Equipped with. Here, the light source 18a and the light receiving sensor 18b are the same as the light source 12a and the light receiving sensor 12b in the second embodiment described above. The aperture portion 18c is the same as the aperture portion 11c in the second embodiment described above. Further, the light receiving light guide path 18e, the surrounding member 18f, and the diffusing portion 18g are the same as the light receiving light guide path 13a, the surrounding member 13b, and the diffusing portion 13c constituting the light guide plate portion 13 in the second embodiment described above. ..

The microplate reader unit 18B is configured to be removable from the measurement substrate 111. The measurement substrate 111 can be electrically connected to the surface of the substrate similar to the measurement substrate 11b in the second embodiment described above with the power supply circuit formed on the substrate and the light receiving sensor 18b of the microplate reader unit 18B. It has a configuration including a connector portion 112. That is, the measurement substrate 111 has the same configuration as the measurement substrate 111b shown in FIG.
The microplate reader unit 18B has a size corresponding to one well of a 96-well microplate, and a maximum of 96 can be mounted on the measurement substrate 111 corresponding to each well of the 96-well microplate. Is.

Here, when the microplate reader unit 18B is mounted on the measurement substrate 111, the unit projection substrates 18c of the microplate reader unit 18B can be electrically connected to each other adjacent unit projection substrates. It is configured as follows. As a result, for example, when 96 unit light projecting boards 18c are electrically connected, the electric circuit configuration is equivalent to that of the light projecting board 11a'shown in FIG. 7.

Similar to the microplate reader unit 18A shown in FIG. 16 described above, the microplate reader unit 18B can be mounted on the measurement substrate 111 in a plurality of adjacent positions. In this case, the structure in which the plurality of microplate reader units 18B are connected to the measurement substrate 111 is a part of the microplate reader 10B in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7 (light projection substrate 11a', light source 12a, measurement. It has the same structure as the substrate 11b, the light receiving sensor 12b, and the light guide plate portion 13).
Therefore, the microplate reader in which the 96 microplate reader units 18B are connected to the measurement substrate 111 has the same structure as the microplate reader 10B in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7.
The microplate reader unit 18B may be a unit unit corresponding to a plurality of wells 21, similar to the microplate reader unit 18A shown in FIG. 17 described above.

As described above, in the microplate reader of the present embodiment, the microplate reader units 18A or 18B are appropriately arranged according to the number and position of the wells 21 of the microplate 20 used for the light measurement and the light measurement method. It is a thing.
For example, when a 96-well microplate 20 is used and the optical measurement method of the first embodiment is adopted, as shown in FIG. 19, 96 sets of microplate reader units 18A are provided in each of the 96 wells 21. It is placed in the corresponding position. In this case, of these 96 sets of microplate reader units 18A, the unit light source unit unit 181 is connected to the wiring 60a formed on the light projecting substrate 111a so that electric power can be supplied. Similarly, the unit light guide unit unit 182 is connected to the wiring 60b formed on the measurement substrate 111b, and is configured to be able to supply electric power.
On the other hand, when the 96-well microplate 20 is used and the optical measurement method according to the second embodiment is adopted, 96 sets of microplate reader units 18B are arranged at positions corresponding to each of the 96 wells 21. Will be done. In this case, these 96 microplate reader units 18B are connected to the wiring formed on the measurement board 111, and are configured to be able to supply electric power. At this time, power is similarly supplied to the light projecting board to which the plurality of unit light projecting boards 18c are connected.
Here, as the wiring connection method, a multi-drop connection or a daisy chain connection can be used.

Further, when a 6-well microplate 20 is used and the optical measurement method according to the first embodiment is adopted, as shown in FIG. 20, 6 sets of microplate reader units 18A are provided in each of the 6 wells 21. They are placed at the corresponding positions. Also in this case, of the six sets of microplate reader units 18A, the unit light source unit unit 181 is connected to the wiring 60a formed on the light projecting substrate 111a so that electric power can be supplied. Similarly, the unit light guide unit unit 182 is connected to the wiring 60b formed on the measurement substrate 111b, and is configured to be able to supply electric power.
On the other hand, when the 6-well microplate 20 is used and the optical measurement method in the second embodiment is adopted, 6 sets of microplate reader units 18B are arranged at positions corresponding to each of the 6 wells 21. Will be done. Also in this case, these six microplate reader units 18B are connected to the wiring formed on the measurement substrate 111, and are configured to be able to supply electric power. At this time, power is similarly supplied to the light projecting board to which the plurality of unit light projecting boards 18c are connected.
Although the case where one set of microplate reader units 18A is arranged in one well 21 has been described in FIG. 20, a plurality of microplate reader units 18A may be arranged in one well 21. .. In this case, the statistics of the measurement data of the plurality of microplate reader units 18A corresponding to one well 21 may be adopted as the measurement data for the one well 21. The same applies to the case where the microplate reader unit 18B is arranged.

As described above, depending on the number, position, and optical measurement method of the wells 21 of the microplate 20, the number of wells can be changed by arranging the required number of microplate reader units 18A or 18B at the required positions. It can be a microplate reader compatible with the microplate 20.
In the present embodiment, the case where the microplate reader units 18A and 18B include a light emitting unit, a light receiving unit, and a light guide plate unit has been described, but the light sources 181a and 18a constituting the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit have been described. It may include up to a substrate having wiring connected to each of the light receiving sensors 182a and 18b constituting the unit. In this case, when the microplate reader unit is arranged according to the number and position of the wells 21 of the microplate 20, the substrate constituting the unit can be connected to the power supply cable connected to the power supply unit. All you need is.

(Modification example)
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the irradiation region (projected area) of the light guided by the light guide path group provided for one well 21 is set on the light receiving surface of the light receiving sensor 12b. A case where the area is set larger than the area and the diffuser portion 13c is provided between the light guide path group and the light receiving sensor 12b has been described. However, the irradiation region (projected area) of the light guided by the light guide path group may be equal to or smaller than the area of the light receiving surface of the light receiving sensor 12b. In this case, the diffusion portion 13c may not be provided.

Further, the light guide plate portion 13 may be fitted into a recess formed on the bottom surface side of the microplate 20 and in close contact with the bottom surface of the microplate 20.
FIG. 21 is a schematic configuration diagram of a microplate reader 10 in which the light guide plate portion 13 is in close contact with the bottom surface of the microplate 20. In FIG. 21, parts having the same configuration as the microplate reader 10A shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

A wall portion 20a is formed on the outer edge portion of the bottom surface of the microplate 20 over the entire circumference. The wall portion 20a projects downward from the bottom surface of the microplate 20, and the bottom surface of the microplate 20 and the wall portion 20a form a recess on the bottom surface side of the microplate 20. That is, the wall portion 20a is a side wall portion of the recess. As shown in FIG. 21, the light guide plate portion 13 can be fitted into the recess of the microplate 20.
The height of the wall portion 20a from the bottom surface can be any height. The height of the wall portion 20a may be lower than the thickness of the light guide plate portion 13 as shown in FIG. 21, for example, or is equivalent to the thickness of the light guide plate portion 13 as shown in FIG. 22. May be good. Further, although not particularly shown, the height of the wall portion 20a may be higher than the thickness of the light guide plate portion 13.

In this microplate reader 10, the light guide plate portion 13 is an optical plate that can be fitted in close contact with a recess formed on the bottom surface side of the microplate 20. The light guide plate portion 13 is configured to be removable from the recess.

The light receiving light guide path 13a is provided in the light guide plate portion 13 so that the light emitting end of the light guide path group is arranged at a position corresponding to the light receiving sensor 12b provided on the measurement substrate 11b. That is, the microplate 20 into which the light guide plate portion 13 is fitted is positioned at a position where the light emitting end of the light receiving light path 13a faces the light receiving sensor 12b.
Further, the light source 12a is projected so as to be arranged at a position corresponding to each well 21 of the microplate 20 when the light projecting substrate 11a is installed above the microplate 20 positioned as described above. It is provided on the optical substrate 11a.

In a state where the microplate 20 in which the light guide plate portion 13 is fitted is arranged on the measurement substrate 11b and the light projection substrate 11a is arranged on the microplate 20, the light source 12a and the light receiving sensor 12b are vertically aligned. Arranged in a row in the direction.
The arrangement of the light source 12a and the light receiving sensor 12b does not have to be strictly in a row in the vertical direction, and the light source 12a and the light receiving sensor 12b are emitted from the light source 12a and passed through the sample 30 or the like housed in the well 21 of the microplate 20. The arrangement may be such that the light can reach the light receiving sensor 12b.

In the present embodiment, a light guide path group composed of a plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a is arranged for one well 21. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, the number of light receiving light guide paths 13a constituting the light guide path group corresponding to one well can be seven. Here, it is assumed that the diameter of one light receiving light guide path 13a shown in FIG. 23 is 0.5 mm.
FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a light guide plate portion 13A having one light receiving light path 13a'for one well as a comparative example. Here, it is assumed that the diameter of one light receiving light path 13a'shown in FIG. 24 is 10 mm.

When the light guide plate portion 13 shown in FIG. 23 and the light guide plate portion 13A shown in FIG. 24 have the same thickness, a plurality of thin light receiving light guide paths 13a are arranged for one well as shown in FIG. 23. As shown in FIG. 24, the noise component can be significantly reduced as compared with the case where one thick light receiving light path 13a'is arranged for one well.
In other words, as shown in FIG. 23, the light guide plate portion 13 in which a plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a are arranged for one well has one light receiving light guide path for one well. Even if the thickness is thinner than the light guide plate portion 13A on which the 13a'is arranged, the same characteristics (S / N ratio) as the light guide plate portion 13A can be obtained. For example, the light guide plate portion 13 having a thickness of La = 1.6 mm and the light guide plate portion 13A having a thickness of Lb = 10 mm can obtain substantially the same characteristics.
That is, in the present embodiment, the light guide plate portion 13 can be made thinner.

In addition, in order to absorb the influence of slight warpage and distortion of the microplate 20 and maintain a structure that does not create a gap between the microplate 20 and the light guide plate portion 13, the length of the light receiving light guide path 13a, that is, the guide. It is desirable that the thickness of the optical plate portion 13 is 1 mm or more.
Further, in the light guide plate portion 13A shown in FIG. 24, it is preferable to secure at least 3 mm or more in the width of the surrounding member 13b that separates one light receiving light guide path 13a'arranged from each other in the adjacent wells. .. As a result, the mixing rate of signals between adjacent wells can be reduced to 1/1000000 or less. On the other hand, when a light guide path group composed of a plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a is used for one well as in the light guide plate portion 13 shown in FIG. 23, a surrounding member that separates the light receiving light guide paths 13a that are adjacent to each other is used. The thickness may be as thin as 0.15 mm. This is because even if the light is transmitted to each other by about 1/100, it may be about the same as the mixing rate due to reflection and scattering.

Further, in the present embodiment, the irradiation region (projected area) of the light guided by the light guide path group provided for one well 21 is set to the same size as the area of the light receiving surface of the light receiving sensor 12b. Has been done. Therefore, all the light guided by the light guide path group including the plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a can be incident on the light receiving surface of the light receiving sensor 12b.

Next, a setting method of the microplate reader 10 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 25, with respect to the microplate reader 10 in which the measurement substrate 11b, the plurality of light receiving sensors 12b, the power supply unit 16 and the power supply cable 17b are fixed inside the housing 15, the operator is shown in FIG. 26. As shown in the above, the light guide plate portion 13 is fitted on the bottom surface side, and the microplate 20 containing the sample 30 is installed in each well 21. At this time, the light guide plate portion 13 is placed on the light receiving sensor 12b. At this time, the microplate 20 into which the light guide plate portion 13 is fitted is positioned so that the light emitting end of the light receiving light guide path 13a faces the light receiving surface of the light receiving sensor 12b.

Next, as shown in FIG. 27, the operator installs the light projecting substrate 11a above the microplate 20. At this time, the operator sets the light projecting substrate 11a on the microplate so that the plurality of light sources 12a on the light projecting substrate 11a are arranged at positions corresponding to the wells 21 of the microplate 20 one by one. Install above 20. Here, the plurality of light sources 12a on the light projecting substrate 11a are arranged at positions corresponding to the wells 21 of the microplate 20 when the light projecting substrate 11a is aligned above the microplate 20. As described above, the distance between the adjacent light sources 12a is set in advance. The light projecting substrate 11a may be positioned in the vertical direction by a positioning member (not shown).

After installing the light projecting board 11a above the microplate 20, the operator connects the light projecting board 11a and the power supply unit 16 with the power supply cable 17a. After that, the operator operates a power switch (not shown) or the like to supply power from the power supply unit 16 to each light source 12a and each light receiving sensor 12b via the power supply cables 17a and 17b. As a result, light is emitted from each light source 12a.

The light emitted from each light source 12a passes through the sample 30 housed in each well 21 of the microplate 20. The light that has passed through the well 21 passes through a plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a of the light guide plate portion 13 and is received by the light receiving sensor 12b. In this way, the optical characteristics (for example, absorption characteristics) of the sample 30 are measured.
The measurement result by the light receiving sensor 12b may be transmitted as light intensity information to an external device via a data communication unit (not shown). In this case, the external device measures the optical characteristics of the sample 30 based on the above light intensity information.

As described above, in the microplate reader 10, the light guide plate portion 13 can be fitted into the recess formed on the bottom surface side of the microplate 20. Therefore, by fitting the light guide plate portion 13 into the bottom surface side of the microplate 20, it is possible to easily position each well 21 of the microplate 20 and the light guide path group corresponding to each well 21.
Since the surface of the light guide plate portion 13 on the side that contacts the bottom surface side of the microplate 20 can be deformed corresponding to the fine uneven structure of the bottom surface of the microplate 29, the bottom surface side of the microplate 20 It can be closely attached to the recess formed in the above without any gap.
Further, a surrounding member 13b made of a pigment-containing resin is exposed on the upper surface of the light guide plate portion 13. Since the surface of the surrounding member 13b is rough, simply placing the microplate 20 on the light guide plate portion 13 may cause a positional shift between the microplate 20 and the light guide plate portion 13 during light measurement. .. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the light guide plate portion 13 can be fitted into the recess formed on the bottom surface side of the microplate 20, the above-mentioned misalignment during light measurement can be appropriately suppressed. ..

Further, the light guide plate portion 13 can be brought into close contact with the bottom surface of the microplate 20 by being fitted into the recess formed on the bottom surface side of the microplate 20. In this way, since the microplate 20 and the light guide plate portion 13 can be brought into close contact with each other, it is possible to suppress the formation of a gap between the microplate 20 and the light guide plate portion 13, and the light receiving light guide path from the gap. It is possible to appropriately suppress the invasion of external light into 13a.
Further, since the light guide plate portion 13 is made of silicone resin and is relatively soft, it can be easily removed from the microplate 20 even when the sample 30 is contained in the well 21.

Further, in general, the microplate has a wall portion protruding downward from the bottom surface at the outer edge portion of the bottom surface, and a space (recess) is provided by the bottom surface and the wall portion on the bottom surface side of the microplate. .. Therefore, if this existing space (recess) is used as a recess into which the light guide plate portion 13 is fitted, it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated microplate.
In the present embodiment, the case where the light guide plate portion 13 is fitted into the recess formed on the bottom surface side of the microplate 20 and the entire circumference is surrounded by the wall portion 20a has been described. However, the wall portion 20a may surround at least a part of the light guide plate portion 13.

Further, in the microplate reader 10 of the present embodiment, a plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a are provided for one well 21 of the microplate 20. The projected area of the light guided by the plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a corresponding to one well 21 is equivalent to the area of the light receiving surface of one light receiving sensor 12b corresponding to one well 21. Therefore, the light that has passed through one well can be received by the light receiving sensor 12b at a good S / N ratio, and the accuracy of light measurement can be improved.
Further, since a plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a are provided for one well 21 of the microplate 20, the light guide plate portion 13 can be made thinner. As a result, the height of the microplate reader 10 can be reduced. Further, when the light guide plate portion 13 is thinned as described above with a thickness of 1.6 mm, it can be manufactured by, for example, a 3D printer instead of molding, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Further, the microplate reader 10 includes a housing 15 on which the microplate 20 is arranged. The housing 15 can also be made of, for example, a material having a light-shielding property or a heat-insulating property. In this case, the influence of the external light incident from the side surface of the microplate 20 and the influence of the temperature can be suppressed. Therefore, the reliability of the measurement data of the well 21 located at the end of the microplate 20 can be ensured.

As described above, the microplate reader 10 has been miniaturized to the extent that it can be carried in fields such as POCT inspection, and the optical measurement of all the samples 30 housed in each well 21 of the microplate 20 can be performed with high accuracy in a short time. It can be carried out.
In particular, the microplate reader 10 in the present embodiment can easily position each well 21 of the microplate 20 and the light receiving light guide path 13a corresponding to each well 21, and both of them during light measurement. Positional deviation can be suppressed. Further, the microplate reader 10 in the present embodiment can appropriately suppress the intrusion of external light into the light receiving light guide path 13a through the gap between the microplate 20 and the light guide plate portion 13, and is not applicable. The adverse effect of light on light measurement can be appropriately suppressed.

In the microplate reader 10 of the above embodiment, the case where the light guide plate unit 13 is provided with a plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a corresponding to one well 21 of the microplate 20 has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 24, a light guide plate portion 13A provided with one light receiving light path 13a'corresponding to one well 21 of the microplate 20 can also be used. Also in this case, as shown in FIG. 28, the light guide plate portion 13A may be fitted in close contact with the bottom surface side of the microplate 20.

Further, in the above-mentioned microplate reader 10, a case where the bottom surface of the well of the microplate 20 has a flat plate shape has been described. When the bottom surface of the well has a flat plate shape, it is preferable because the adhesion with the light guide plate portion 13 is good, but the shape of the bottom surface of the well does not necessarily have to be a flat plate shape.
For example, as in the microplate 20A shown in FIG. 29, the shape of the bottom surface of the well 22 may be spherical. Also in this case, the light guide plate portion 13 can be partially fitted in close contact with the bottom surface of the microplate 20A. In this case, the light receiving guide is provided on the light guide plate portion 13 so that the light incident end of the light guide path group is arranged at a position (condensing region) where the light passing through the well 22 is collected on the spherical bottom surface. It forms an optical path 13a. As a result, the light that has passed through the well 22 can be appropriately guided to the light receiving sensor 12b.

Further, the microplate reader 10 presses the light guide plate portion 13 in a direction in which the micro plate 20 and the light guide plate portion 13 are in close contact with each other in a state where the light guide plate portion 13 is fitted in a recess formed on the bottom surface side of the micro plate 20. A pressing member may be provided. Further, the microplate reader 10 may include a positioning member for positioning the microplate 20 into which the light guide plate portion 13 is fitted at a position where the light emitting end of the light receiving light path 13a and the light receiving sensor 12b face each other. Good.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, a plurality of (for example, four) rod-shaped positioning members 11c are provided on the measurement substrate 11b, and the light guide plate portion 13 is fitted by these positioning members 11c. The microplate 20 may be positioned with respect to the measurement substrate 11b by supporting the side surface of the microplate 20. The number of positioning members 11c is not limited to the numbers shown in FIGS. 30 and 31. Further, the shape of the positioning member 11c is not limited to the shapes shown in FIGS. 30 and 31.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, a pressing member 11d that comes into contact with a part of the upper surface of the microplate 20 placed on the measuring substrate 11b via the light guide plate portion 13 is provided, and the pressing member 11d is provided. The microplate 20 may be pressed downward by 11d. Here, the pressing member 11d is engaged with, for example, a support column 11e (see FIG. 31) provided on the measurement substrate 11b, is movable along the axial direction of the support column 11e, and has a shaft of the support column 11e. The configuration can be fixed at any position in the direction.
The pressing member and the positioning member are not limited to the configurations shown in FIGS. 30 and 31. For example, the pressing member may be a binding tool (rubber band, surface tape, etc.) that binds the measuring substrate 11b and the microplate 20 placed on the measuring substrate 11b via the light guide plate portion 13. ..

Further, in the microplate reader 10 of the above embodiment, a case where the light source 12a is arranged above the microplate 20 and the light receiving sensor 12b is arranged on the opposite side of the microplate 20 from the light source 12a has been described. .. However, the light source 12a and the light receiving sensor 12b can also be arranged below the microplate 20.
FIG. 32 is a schematic configuration diagram of a microplate reader 10AA in which a light source 12a and a light receiving sensor 12b are arranged below the microplate 20. In FIG. 32, portions having the same configuration as the microplate reader 10 shown in FIG. 21 are designated by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 21, and the portions having different configurations will be mainly described below.

The microplate reader 10AA includes a substrate 11, a plurality of light sources 12a, a plurality of light receiving sensors 12b, a light guide plate portion (light guide portion) 13B, a mirror plate (reflection member) 14, a housing 15, and a power supply. A unit 16 and a power supply cable 17 are provided.
In this microplate reader 10AA, a plurality of light sources 12a and a plurality of light receiving sensors 12b are provided on a substrate 11, and a light guide plate portion 13B is fitted on the light source 12a and the light receiving sensor 12b on the bottom surface side. 20 is configured to be installable. Further, the microplate reader 10AA is configured such that the mirror plate 14 is arranged on the microplate 20. The surface 14a of the mirror plate 14 facing the microplate 20 is a reflective surface (mirror surface). The mirror plate 14 closes the opening of the housing 15 and functions as an upper lid of the microplate 20.

The substrate 11 has a light source power supply line to which the light source 12a is connected and a sensor power supply line to which the light receiving sensor 12b is connected. The plurality of light sources 12a are connected to a light source power supply line provided on the substrate 11 and obtain power from the light source power supply line. Further, the plurality of light receiving sensors 12b are connected to the sensor power supply line provided on the substrate 11 and obtain power from the sensor power supply line. Power is supplied from the power supply unit 16 to the light source power supply line and the sensor power supply line of the substrate 11 via the power supply cable 17.

The light guide plate portion 13B has an SOT structure as in the above embodiment.
Specifically, the light guide plate portion 13B accommodates the light emitting light path 13d for guiding the light emitted from the light source 12a provided on the substrate 11 to the well 21 of the microplate 20 and the well 21. The light receiving light guide path 13a "that guides the light emitted through the sample 30 or the like to the light receiving sensor 12b is provided. The light emitting light guide path 13d and the light receiving light guide path 13a" are each pigment. It is surrounded by a surrounding member 13b made of a contained resin.
In the microplate 20 into which the light guide plate 13B is fitted, the light incident end of the light emitting light guide path 13d and the light emitting end of the light receiving light guide path 13a ”are installed on the substrate 11, respectively, as a light source 12a and a light receiving sensor 12b. It is placed on the substrate 11 so as to be arranged at a position facing the light source. Further, by fitting the light guide plate 13B into the microplate 20, the light emitting end and the light receiving guide of the light emitting light path 13d The light incident ends of the optical path 13a "are positioned so as to be arranged at positions facing the bottom surface of the well 21 of the microplate 20.

The surface 14a of the mirror plate 14 facing the microplate 20 is a reflective surface (mirror surface). Therefore, the light emitted from each light source 12a, passing through each light projecting light guide path 13d of the light guide plate portion 13B, and passing through the sample 30 housed in each well 21 of the micro plate 20 reaches the mirror plate 14. After that, it is reflected by the reflecting surface 14a of the mirror plate 14. Then, the light reflected by the reflecting surface 14a passes through the sample 30 housed in each well 21 of the microplate 20 again, passes through each light receiving light path 13a of the light guide plate portion 13B, and receives each light. The light is received by the sensor 12b. In this way, the optical measurement (for example, the absorption characteristic) of the sample 30 is measured.

As described above, even in the microplate reader 10AA in which the light source 12a and the light receiving sensor 12b are arranged below the microplate 20, the light guide plate portion 13B is fitted into the recess formed on the bottom surface side of the microplate 20. It can be configured to be in close contact with the bottom surface of the microplate 20. Therefore, each well 21 of the microplate 20 and the light guide path provided in the light guide plate portion 13B can be easily positioned, and it is possible to suppress the formation of a gap between the microplate 20 and the light guide plate portion 13B. , It is possible to suppress the wraparound of outside light.

In the above-mentioned micro plate reader 10, the light guide plate portion 13 is guided by a light guide path group provided for one well 21 like the light guide plate portion 13 provided in the micro plate reader 10A of FIG. Even if the irradiation region (projected area) of the emitted light is set to be larger than the area of the light receiving surface of the light receiving sensor 12b and the diffuser portion 13c is provided between the light guide path group and the light receiving sensor 12b. Good.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the light receiving light path is made of a transparent resin has been described, but these light receiving light paths may be hollow. In that case, although the effect of suppressing stray light reflection at the interface between the light receiving light guide path and the surrounding member made of the pigment-containing resin surrounding the light receiving path cannot be obtained, the stray light incident on the pigment-containing resin is absorbed by the pigment-containing resin. Therefore, the complicated multiple reflection of stray light is suppressed to some extent.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the bottom surface of the well of the microplate 20 has a flat plate shape has been described. When the bottom surface of the well has a flat plate shape, it is preferable because the contact with the light guide plate portion 13 is good, but the shape of the bottom surface of the well does not necessarily have to be a flat plate shape.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, a light emitting unit (light source) and a light receiving unit (light receiving sensor) may be individually driven by one set. In this case, it is also possible to selectively drive the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit at the required number and position according to the number and position of the wells of the microplate. This makes it possible to obtain a microplate reader corresponding to microplates having different numbers of wells.
Further, in each of the above embodiments, the number of light emitting parts (light source), the number of light receiving parts (light receiving sensor) and the number of wells do not necessarily have to match, and the number of microplates has a smaller number of wells than the number of light emitting parts and the number of light receiving parts. Can also be placed.
Further, in each of the above embodiments, the microplate is not necessarily arranged horizontally, and the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are arranged in the vertical direction thereof. For example, the microplate may be arranged vertically or the microplate may be arranged vertically. The sample contained in the well can be appropriately deformed within a range in which light can be measured, such as by arranging a light emitting part and a light receiving part in an oblique direction of the plate.

Further, in the first embodiment, the case where the chip LED is used as the light source has been described, but the light source may be, for example, a general-purpose LED (LED with a lens).
FIG. 33 is a schematic configuration diagram of a microplate reader 10C including a light source 12d, which is a general-purpose LED. In FIG. 33, portions having the same configuration as the microplate reader 10A shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

The general-purpose LED is a larger LED than the chip LED. Therefore, the light from one light source (for example, the leftmost light source) 12d is likely to enter the well 21 corresponding to the adjacent light source (second light source from the left) 12d. Further, the light from one light source (for example, the leftmost light source) 12d reaches the surface of the adjacent light source (second light source from the left) 12d and is reflected, resulting in the adjacent light source (2 from the left). It may be incident on the well 21 corresponding to the second light source) 12d. In this way, the light from the adjacent light source 12d may enter the light receiving light guide path 13a as stray light, which may adversely affect the measurement result.

Therefore, when a general-purpose LED is used as the light source, as shown in FIG. 33, the shielding member 19a may be arranged between the light sources 12d adjacent to each other. The shielding member 19a is a limiting member for limiting the light emitted from the light source 12d adjacent to one light source 12d from entering the light receiving light guide path 13a corresponding to the one light source 12d.
The shielding member 19a is made of a material that shields light from the light source 12d. For example, the shielding member 19a can also be made of a pigment-containing resin containing a pigment having a property of absorbing light. Here, the arrangement position and shape (length, thickness) of the shielding member 19a is such that the light emitted from one light source 12d does not enter the well 21 corresponding to the other light source 12d, and eventually the light receiving light path 13a. As appropriate.

Further, like the microplate reader 10D shown in FIG. 34, the light guide plate portion 19b having the same configuration as the light guide plate portion 13 arranged between the microplate 20 and the light receiving sensor 12b is referred to the light source 12a. It may be arranged between the microplate 20 and the microplate 20.
The light guide plate portion 19b includes a light projection path 191 corresponding to each of the plurality of light sources 12d. The light emitting light path 191 is made of a resin (for example, silicone resin) that is transparent to the light emitted from the light source 12a. Further, the light emitting light path 191 is surrounded by a surrounding member 192 made of a pigment-containing resin. In this case, the surrounding member 192 made of the pigment-containing resin is arranged between the light sources 12d adjacent to each other, and the light emitted from the light source 12d adjacent to the one light source 12d is used for receiving light corresponding to the one light source 12d. It functions as a limiting member for limiting the incident on the light guide path 13a.

By arranging the limiting member between the light sources 12d adjacent to each other in this way, the light emitted from one light source 12d can be directly incident on the well 21 corresponding to the other light source 12d, or the other light source 12d. It is possible to prevent the light source 12d from being reflected by the surface of the light source and incident on the well 21 corresponding to the other light source 12d. In particular, by using a pigment-containing resin as the limiting member, it is possible to appropriately absorb the light directed from one light source 12d to another well 21 or another light source 12d. As a result, the light from each light source 12d can enter the sample 30 housed in each well 21 corresponding as substantially straight light.

Further, in the second embodiment, the diameter of the aperture portion 11c is smaller than the diameter of the light incident end of the light receiving light guide path 13a as a limiting portion for limiting the angular component of the light incident on the light receiving sensor 12b. The case where the mirror plate 14 is provided with the reflective surface 14a and the non-reflective surface 14c has been described. However, the restriction portion is not limited to the above.
For example, as in the microplate reader 10E shown in FIG. 35, the light source 12a may be provided with a condenser lens 11d. In FIG. 35, the portions having the same configuration as the microplate reader 10B shown in FIG. 7 are designated by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 7.

Here, the condenser lens 11d can be made of, for example, a resin (for example, PDMS resin) that is solidified after being dropped on the chip LED. By providing the condenser lens 11d in this way, the spread of the light emitted from the light source 12a can be limited, and as a result, the angular component of the light incident on the light receiving sensor 12b can be limited.

The limiting portion for limiting the angular component of the light incident on the light receiving sensor 12b is the limitation using the aperture portion 11c of the above-mentioned light projecting substrate 11a'and the limitation using the non-reflective surface 14c of the mirror plate 14. , And at least one of the restrictions using the condenser lens 11d of the light source 12a, and these may be used in combination as appropriate. For example, when the restriction portion is a restriction using the non-reflective surface 14c of the mirror plate 14 or a restriction using the condensing lens 11d of the light source 12a, the diameter of the aperture portion 11c of the light projecting substrate 11a'is determined. It may be equal to or larger than the opening at the light incident end of the light receiving light guide path 13a.

(Application example)
As described above, in the microplate reader in the above embodiment, the light guide path group is surrounded by a surrounding member made of a pigment-containing resin capable of absorbing external light and scattered light, so that external light, scattered light and the like are stray light ( It is possible to prevent the light from being incident on the light receiving portion as noise light). Further, since the light emitted from the plurality of light projecting units can be prevented from passing through one light guide path group and reaching one light receiving unit, the measurement error can be appropriately reduced. Therefore, highly accurate measurement is possible.
Further, since the microplate reader in the above embodiment is provided with a plurality of light receiving light paths for one well, the light passing through one well is efficiently guided to the light receiving portion with a good S / N ratio. Can be made to. Further, since the diffusing portion is provided between the light guide path group and the light receiving portion, the light passing through the light guide path group can be diffused and made uniform, and the light receiving portion can receive the light. Therefore, even when the light receiving area of the light receiving unit is small, the light passing through the light guide path group can be appropriately received by the light receiving unit.
Such a structure is also applied to, for example, a microplate reader of a method (hereinafter referred to as "scan type") in which a microplate is scanned relative to a set of a light projecting unit, a light receiving unit, and a light receiving light guide path. can do.

In a scanning type microplate reader, a drive mechanism for relatively scanning the microplate is indispensable, and the device itself is generally large-scale. Further, in the conventional microplate reader, complicated multiple reflection of stray light may occur, and it is necessary to design an optical system corresponding to the complicated multiple reflection.
However, by adopting the optical system configuration (SOT structure) of each of the above-described embodiments, it is not necessary to design an optical system corresponding to stray light in which multiple scattering or the like occurs as in the conventional case. Since the SOT structure has a relatively simple structure, the scan-type microplate reader that employs the SOT structure can be miniaturized as compared with the conventional scan-type microplate reader. In addition, by adopting the SOT structure, it is possible to improve the accuracy of measurement as compared with the conventional case.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the scan type microplate reader will be described.
36 and 37 show the main parts of the scan-type microplate reader 10F that employs the SOT structure. Here, FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. 36. A detailed description of the same components as those in the above-described embodiment will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 37, the microplate reader 10F includes a light projecting substrate 11a ", a measuring substrate 11b", a light source 12a ", a light receiving sensor 12b", and a light guide plate portion 13 ". A plurality of light receiving sensors 12b "are provided on the measurement substrate 11b", and a light guide plate portion 13 "is provided on the measurement substrate 11b". Here, it has a structure in which a plurality of light guide paths 13a "for receiving light are surrounded by a surrounding member 13b" made of a pigment-containing resin.
Further, a diffusion unit 13c "is provided between the light guide path group and the light receiving sensor 12b".

A light projecting substrate 11a "is arranged on the upper portion of the light guide plate portion 13" with a gap provided at a certain interval, and a plurality of light sources 12a "are provided on the light emitting substrate 11a". Has been done.
The measurement substrate 11b ", the light guide plate portion 13", and the light projecting substrate 11a "are integrally held by, for example, a support member (for example, a support column) 11f.

The microplate 20 is inserted into a gap provided with a certain distance between the light guide plate portion 13 "and the light projecting substrate 11a". That is, the gap between the gaps is set to be larger than the thickness of the microplate 20 so that the microplate 20 can be inserted.
In a state where the microplate 20 is inserted into the gap and positioned, the plurality of light sources 12a "provided on the light projecting substrate 11a" are respectively placed in a plurality of predetermined wells 21 of the microplate 20 inserted in the gap. Arranged so as to face each other. Similarly, the plurality of light guide path groups provided in the light guide plate portion 13 "and the plurality of light receiving sensors 12b" provided in the measurement substrate 11b "are also a plurality of predetermined light receiving sensors 12b" of the microplate 20 inserted in the gap. They are arranged so as to face each of the wells 21.

Here, the microplate reader 10F includes the same number of light sources 12a ", light receiving sensors 12b", and light guide paths as the number of wells 21 for one row of the microplate 20. That is, one light source 12a ", one light receiving sensor 12b" and one light guide path group are provided corresponding to each well for one row of the microplate 20.

A plurality of sets of the light source 12a ", the light guide path group, and the light receiving sensor 12b" corresponding to the one well 21 are arranged in the row direction (the direction of one side) of the wells 21 of the microplate 20. For example, when the microplate 20 has 8 × 12 = 96 wells, the number of sets of the plurality of light sources 12a ”, the light receiving sensor 12b”, and the light guide path group is 8 or 12.
Further, one light source 12a "and one light receiving sensor 12b' are arranged in a row in the vertical direction. Further, the arrangement interval of the pair of the light source 12a", the light receiving sensor 12b "and the light guide path group to be arranged is set. Equal to the pitch of each well 21 of the microplate 20.

Therefore, by positioning the microplate 20 in the gap between the light guide plate portion 13 "and the light projecting substrate 11a", the light source 12a "and the light receiving sensor 12b are arranged so as to correspond to each well 21 for one row. "And a set of light guide paths is arranged.
That is, in each well 21 for one row of the microplate 20, the light emitted from one light source 12a ”has a plurality of light paths included in one light guide path group via the sample 30 and the like housed in one well 21. It passes through the light receiving light path 13a "and reaches one light receiving sensor 12b" via the diffuser 13c ".
This makes it possible to simultaneously measure the light for one row of wells of the microplate 20.

The arrangement of the light source 12a "and the light receiving sensor 12b" does not have to be strictly in a row in the vertical direction, and the sample 30 or the like emitted from one light source 12a "and housed in one well 21 of the microplate 20". The light emitted through the light source may be arranged so as to pass through one light source group and reach one light receiving sensor 12b "via the diffuser 13c".

Then, in the microplate reader 10F having the above configuration, the microplate 20 is attached to the set of the plurality of light sources 12a ", the light receiving sensor 12b" and the light guide path group arranged in the row direction of the wells 21 of the microplate 20. By sequentially moving the wells 21 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the row direction, it is possible to perform optical measurement on all the wells 21 of the microplate 20.
For example, when the microplate 20 having 8 × 12 = 96 wells is provided with eight sets of a light source 12a ”, a light receiving sensor 12b, and a light guide path group corresponding to eight wells 21 in a row, the above. The direction of relative sequential movement is the direction in which 12 wells 21 are lined up.

The relative sequential movement described above can be performed by a movement mechanism (not shown). The moving mechanism moves the microplate 20 in a direction orthogonal to the row direction of the wells 21, or arranges a set of light sources 12a ", a light guide path group, and a light receiving sensor 12b" arranged in a vertical row in a positional relationship with each other. While holding it, it is moved in a direction orthogonal to the row direction of the wells 21.
In FIG. 37, the set of the light projecting substrate 11a ", the light guide plate portion 13", and the measuring substrate 11b ", in which the microplate 20 is fixed and integrally held by the support column 11f, is sequentially moved by the moving mechanism. It shows the case where it is done.

The moving mechanism can have, for example, a control function for a servo motor or a stepping motor. When the pitch of each well 21 of the microplate 20 is relatively large, high-precision position control is not required, so that the moving mechanism can be realized by a mechanical stopper or the like.

In this way, the scan-type microplate reader 10F uses a set of light measuring units (light source 12a ”, light guide path group and light receiving sensor 12b”) that is smaller than the number of wells 21 of the microplate 20. Optical measurements can be made on all wells 21 of. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1 and the like described above, the device can be miniaturized as compared with the case where the same number of sets of optical measuring units as the number of wells 21 are provided.
Further, in the case of a configuration in which as many sets of light measurement units as the number of wells 21 for one row of the microplate 20 are provided and these sets of light measurement units are moved in a direction orthogonal to the row direction of the wells 21, only in one axial direction. Since it can be moved, the movement mechanism can be configured relatively easily. When moving the set of optical measuring units in the orthogonal two-axis directions, the moving mechanism becomes larger in the height direction, for example, by making the guide rails two steps, but if the movement is in only one axial direction, the moving mechanism becomes larger. Can be prevented from increasing in the height direction, and as a result, the thickness of the device can be reduced.

Further, in the case of a scanning type microplate reader, since it is necessary to move the pair of the microplate and the light measuring unit relatively, a predetermined gap is formed between the microplate and the light measuring unit. Therefore, external light is likely to enter or scattered light is likely to be generated in this gap.
However, in the above-mentioned microplate reader 10F, the light guide plate portion 13 "of the SOT structure is adopted, and only straight light can be taken out. Therefore, for example, the lower surface of the micro plate 20 and the upper surface of the light guide plate 13 " Even if a gap is formed between the two, the influence of stray light (noise light) such as external light and scattered light can be ignored. In addition, since it is not affected by outside light, highly accurate light measurement is possible even outdoors.
As described above, since the scan-type microplate reader 10F is compact and capable of high-precision optical measurement, it is possible to perform optical measurement at the site (on-site) where the sample to be measured is obtained. For example, it can be applied to mold poison inspection on imported grains at ports.

Although the housing 15, the power supply unit 16, and the power supply cables 17a and 17b shown in FIG. 1 and the like described above are omitted in FIGS. 36 and 37, the moving mechanism is used for light projection as described above. When moving the set of the substrate 11a ", the light guide plate portion 13" and the measurement substrate 11b ", the power supply cables 17a and 17b for supplying power from the power supply unit 16 to the light projection substrate 11a" and the measurement substrate 11b " The configuration (for example, length and arrangement) can follow the movement of the light projecting substrate 11a ", the light guide plate portion 13", and the measuring substrate 11b ".

Further, in the above-mentioned microplate reader 10F, the case where the set of the light measuring unit including the light projecting substrate 11a ", the light guide plate unit 13" and the measuring substrate 11b "is sequentially moved has been described. The set may be fixed and the microplate 20 may be moved sequentially.
However, when the microplate 20 is moved, it takes time for the liquid level of the liquid sample 30 contained in each well 21 to move and stabilize. Therefore, it is possible to keep the liquid level stable by moving the set of light measuring units instead of moving the microplate 20, and it is possible to complete the light measurement for all the wells 21 in a short time. It is preferable because it can be done.

Further, the case where the microplate reader 10F shown in FIGS. 36 and 37 includes a set of an optical measuring unit including the same number of light sources 12a ", a light guide path group, and a light receiving sensor 12b" as the wells 21 for one row of the microplate 20. explained. However, in the scanning type microplate reader, the number of sets of the optical measuring unit may be smaller than the number of wells of the microplate 20, and is not limited to the above.

For example, the number of sets of the light measuring units may be smaller than the number of wells 21 for one row of the microplate 20, and the sets of the light measuring units may be sequentially moved two-dimensionally with respect to the microplate 20. In this case as well, light measurement can be performed on all the wells of the microplate 20.
Further, the number of sets of the optical measuring units may be larger than the number of wells 21 for one row of the microplate 20. For example, the number of sets of the optical measuring units is set to be the same as the number of wells 21 for a plurality of rows such as two rows or three rows of the microplate 20, and the sets of the optical measuring units are sequentially moved by a plurality of rows. May be good.

Further, the set of optical measuring units does not necessarily have to be arranged so as to correspond to the adjacent wells of the microplate 20.
As shown in FIG. 1, when a set of light measuring units including the same number of light sources 12a, light guide paths and light receiving sensors 12b as the number of wells 21 is provided, the larger the number of wells in the microplate 20, the more the light measuring unit The cost is high. Further, as the number of wells in the microplate 20 increases, the pitch of each well 21 becomes narrower, which makes it difficult to align the optical measuring unit.

Therefore, as in the microplate reader 10G shown in FIG. 38, every other set of the light source 12a ", the light guide path group, and the light receiving sensor 12b" may be arranged corresponding to each well 21.
In the case of such a microplate reader 10G, as shown in FIG. 39, a set of a light source 12a ", a light guide path group, and a light receiving sensor 12b" is arranged in a checkered pattern with respect to the position of each well 21 of the microplate 20. It may be arranged. In this case, by moving the microplate 20 by one row in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 39, it is possible to perform optical measurement on all the wells 21 of the microplate 20 as shown in FIG. 40.

That is, in the first light measurement, as shown in FIG. 39, the light measurement is performed on the wells 21 in which the light sources 12a ”are arranged to face each other, and in the second light measurement, as shown in FIG. 40, the first light measurement is performed. The light measurement is performed on the well 21 for which the light measurement has not been performed in the light measurement. In FIG. 40, the black-painted well 21'is the well for which the light measurement was performed for the first time.
With such a configuration, it is possible to appropriately cope with the optical measurement of the 1536-well microplate 20 having a large number of wells, for example, the pitch of each well 21 is 2.25 mm.

Further, in the microplate reader 10G, since it is only necessary to switch the position of the microplate 20 between two positions, complicated control such as motor position control is not required, and the moving mechanism can be inexpensively configured with a simple actuator. be able to.

The above-mentioned microplate reader 10G can be used, for example, in an incubator (incubator).
The incubator is provided with a storage space (culture space) for accommodating the culture container. Generally, in the accommodation space, a plurality of shelves are arranged horizontally separated in the vertical direction, and a culture container is placed on these shelves. Therefore, in order to increase the number of shelves, the microplate reader used in the incubator is required to be thin.
Also, in the incubator, we do not want to give external stimuli (vibrations) to cells (stem cells, etc.) in the wells as much as possible.

As described above, since the microplate reader 10G moves only in the uniaxial direction, it is possible to configure the device so that it does not increase in the height direction. Further, since the microplate reader 10G moves only between two positions, scanning can be limited to the minimum that does not give a stimulus such as vibration as much as possible.
Therefore, the microplate reader 10G can be a microplate reader suitable for use in an incubator.

In the above-mentioned scan- type microplate readers 10F and 10G, the light source 12a "is arranged above the microplate 20, and the light receiving sensor 12b" is arranged on the opposite side of the microplate 20 from the light source 12a ". However, as shown in FIG. 41, a scan-type microplate reader 10H in which the light source 12a "and the light receiving sensor 12b" are arranged on one side (lower in this case) of the microplate 20 is used. In FIG. 41, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

In this microplate reader 10H, the light emitted from the light source 12a "passes through the sample 30 and the like, is reflected by the reflecting member 14, passes through a light guide path group composed of a plurality of light receiving light guide paths 13a", and is a diffuser. It is diffused by 13c "and received by one light receiving sensor 12b". Then, by moving the pair of the light source 12a ", the light receiving sensor 12b", and the light guide path group relative to the microplate 20, light measurement can be performed on all the wells 21 of the microplate 20. It is possible.
In this case, the mirror plate 14 arranged on the upper side of the microplate 20 is fixed, and the pair of the light source 12a ", the light receiving sensor 12b" and the light guide path group arranged on the lower side of the microplate 20 is moved by the moving mechanism. It can be configured. In this way, since the member arranged on the upper side of the microplate 20 can be fixed, it is possible to prevent dust accompanying the scanning from falling on the microplate 20.

Further, as shown in FIG. 42, the light guide plate portion 13 may be fitted into a recess formed on the bottom surface side of the microplate 20 to form a microplate reader 10I which is in close contact with the bottom surface of the microplate 20. In FIG. 42, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.
In the microplate reader 10I shown in FIG. 42, since the light guide portion is fitted into the recess formed on the bottom surface side of the micro plate and brought into close contact with the bottom surface of the micro plate, the light guide path corresponding to each well and each well, respectively. It is possible to easily perform positioning with and, and it is possible to suppress a misalignment between the two during optical measurement. Further, since it is possible to appropriately suppress the formation of a gap between the microplate and the light guide portion, it is possible to appropriately suppress the wraparound of external light into the light guide path.

In the microplate reader 10I, the microplate 20 in which the light guide plate portion 13 is fitted to the set of the plurality of light sources 12a "and the light receiving sensor 12b" arranged in the row direction of the wells 21 of the microplate 20 is provided. By sequentially moving the wells 21 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the row direction, it is possible to perform optical measurement on all the wells 21 of the microplate 20.
Further, as in the microplate reader 10J shown in FIG. 43, every other set of the light source 12a "and the light receiving sensor 12b" may be arranged corresponding to each well 21.

In the scan-type microplate readers 10I and 10J shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, the light source 12a "is arranged above the microplate 20, and the light receiving sensor is located on the opposite side of the microplate 20 from the light source 12a". The case where the 12b "is arranged has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 44, a scanning type microplate reader 10K in which the light source 12a" and the light receiving sensor 12b "are arranged below the microplate 20 can also be used. In FIG. 44, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment (FIG. 32) are designated by the same reference numerals.

In this microplate reader 10K, the light emitted from the light source 12a "passes through the light emitting light guide path 13d, passes through the sample 30 and the like, is reflected by the reflecting member 14, and passes through the light receiving light guide path 13a". The light is received by the light receiving sensor 12b ". Then, the pair of the light source 12a" and the light receiving sensor 12b "is moved relative to the microplate 20 in which the light guide plate portion 13 is fitted, thereby causing the microplate. It is possible to make optical measurements on all 20 wells 21.
In this case, the mirror plate 14 arranged on the upper side of the microplate 20 is fixed, and the set of the light source 12a "arranged on the lower side of the microplate 20 into which the light guide plate portion 13 is fitted and the light receiving sensor 12b" ( The substrate 11 ") can be moved by a moving mechanism. In this way, the member arranged on the upper side of the microplate 20 can be fixed, so that dust accompanying scanning falls on the microplate 20. Can be prevented.

In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a microplate reader has been described, but it can also be applied to an optical measuring device such as an absorbance meter or a LIF (Laser-Induce Fluorescence) device that measures light from a sample. Is.
That is, the light measuring device includes a light detection unit that detects light from the sample, a light guide path that guides the light from the sample to the light detection unit, and a light guide that surrounds the light guide path with a surrounding member made of a pigment-containing resin. It can be configured to include a unit and a unit. Here, the light guide path can have one incident end for incident light from the sample and one emission end optically connected to the photodetector. Further, the light guide path may be a light guide path group having a plurality of light guide paths. In this case, the projected area of the light guided by the light guide path group is larger than the area of the light receiving surface of the light detection unit, and the light passing through the light guide path group is diffused between the light guide path group and the light detection unit. It is possible to have a configuration in which a diffusion portion is arranged. In this case as well, compact and highly accurate optical measurement is possible.

Although a specific embodiment is described above, the embodiment is merely an example, and there is no intention of limiting the scope of the present invention. The devices and methods described herein can be embodied in forms other than those described above. Further, without departing from the scope of the present invention, omissions, substitutions and changes can be appropriately made to the above-described embodiments. Such abbreviations, substitutions and modifications are included in the claims and equivalents thereof and fall within the technical scope of the invention.

10A-10K ... Microplate reader, 11a, 11a'... Floodlight substrate, 11b ... Measurement substrate, 11c ... Aperture section, 12a ... Light source, 12b ... Light receiving sensor, 13 ... Light guide plate section, 13a ... Light receiving guide Optical path, 13b ... Encircling member, 13c ... Diffusing part, 14 ... Mirror plate, 14a ... Reflective surface, 15 ... Housing, 18A, 18B ... Microplate reader unit, 20 ... Microplate, 21 ... Well

Claims (29)

1. An optical measuring device that measures the light from a sample.
   A photodetector that detects light from the sample,
   A light guide path that guides the light from the sample to the photodetector,
   The light guide path is provided with a light guide portion surrounded by a surrounding member made of a pigment-containing resin containing a pigment having a property of absorbing light.
   The light guide path has one incident end and one outgoing end.
   The incident end is for incident light from the sample.
   An optical measuring device characterized in that the emitting end is optically connected to the light detecting unit.
2. The light guide unit surrounds a group of light guide paths having a plurality of the light guide paths with a surrounding member.
   The projected area of the light guided by the light guide path group is larger than the area of the light receiving surface of the photodetector.
   The light measuring device according to claim 1, wherein a diffusing unit that diffuses light that has passed through the light guide path group is arranged between the light guide path group and the light detection unit.
3. With the housing
   A light projecting unit corresponding to one well of a microplate having a plurality of wells arranged in the housing,
   A light receiving section in which the light emitted from the light projecting section receives the transmitted light transmitted through one well of the microplate, and a light receiving section.
   It is provided with a light guide path which is arranged between the light receiving portion and the microplate and guides the light emitted from the light projecting portion and transmitted through the well to the light receiving portion.
   A plurality of pairs of the light emitting unit, the light receiving unit, and the light guide path corresponding to one well are provided.
   A plurality of the light guide paths are further provided with a light guide portion in which a plurality of the light guide paths are surrounded by a surrounding member made of a pigment-containing resin containing a pigment having a property of absorbing light.
   A microplate reader characterized in that the light emitted from one of the light projecting sections passes through one of the light guide paths and reaches one of the light receiving sections.
4. The light guide path is a group of light guide paths composed of a plurality of light receiving light paths.
   The projected area of the light guided by the one light guide path group is larger than the area of the light receiving surface of the one light receiving portion.
   A diffusing portion that diffuses light that has passed through one of the light guide paths is arranged between the light guide path group and the light receiving portion.
   The micro according to claim 3, wherein the light emitted from the one light projecting unit passes through the light guide path group, is diffused by the diffusing unit, and reaches the light receiving unit. Plate reader.
5. The micro according to claim 4, wherein the combination of the light emitting unit, the light receiving unit, and the light guide path group corresponding to the one well is provided at least as many as the number of wells of the microplate. Plate reader.
6. The number of pairs of the light emitting unit, the light receiving unit, and the light guide path group corresponding to the one well is less than the number of wells of the microplate.
   It is characterized by having a moving mechanism for moving the microplate relative to the pair of the light emitting unit, the light receiving unit, and the light guide path group so as to correspond to all the wells of the microplate. The microplate reader according to claim 4.
7. The pair of the light emitting unit, the light receiving unit, and the light guide path group corresponding to the one well is provided as many as the number of wells on one side of the microplate.
   The moving mechanism is characterized in that the microplate is sequentially and sequentially moved only in a direction orthogonal to the one side with respect to the pair of the light emitting unit, the light receiving unit, and the light guide path group. The microplate reader according to claim 6.
8. The light projecting unit is arranged on one side of the microplate.
   The microplate reader according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the light receiving portion is arranged on the side opposite to the light projecting portion with the microplate sandwiched therein.
9. The light emitting part and the light receiving part are arranged on one side of the microplate, and the light emitting part and the light receiving part are arranged on one side of the microplate.
   The light guide path group is arranged between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit.
   A reflective member which is arranged on the side opposite to the light emitting part and the light receiving part with the microplate sandwiched between them and reflects the light emitted from the light emitting part and transmitted through the well to the light receiving part.
   The microplate reader according to any one of claims 4 to 7, further comprising a limiting portion that limits an angular component of light incident on the light receiving portion.
10. The microplate reader according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the mean free path of photons in the diffusing portion is shorter than the thickness of the diffusing portion in the light passing direction.
11. The microplate reader according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the diffusion portion is composed of a resin in which dielectric fine particles are dispersed inside.
12. The microplate reader according to claim 11, wherein the dielectric fine particles _{contain any one of titanium oxide (TiO 2} ), silicon oxide (SiO ₂ ), zinc oxide (ZnO) and magnesium oxide (MgO). ..
13. The same number of light guide paths are provided corresponding to the wells of the microplate.
    The microplate reader according to claim 3, wherein the light guide portion is fitted into a recess formed on the bottom surface side of the microplate and is in close contact with the bottom surface of the microplate.
14. The microplate reader according to claim 13, wherein the combination of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit corresponding to the one well is provided at least as many as the number of wells of the microplate.
15. The number of pairs of the light emitting part and the light receiving part corresponding to the one well is less than the number of wells of the microplate.
    It has a moving mechanism that sequentially moves the microplate into which the light guide portion is fitted with respect to the pair of the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion so as to correspond to all the wells of the microplate. The microplate reader according to claim 13.
16. The pair of the light emitting part and the light receiving part corresponding to the one well is provided as many as the number of wells on one side of the microplate.
    The moving mechanism sequentially moves the microplate in which the light guide portion is fitted with respect to the pair of the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion only in a direction orthogonal to the one side. The microplate reader according to claim 15.
17. The light projecting unit is arranged on the side opposite to the bottom surface of the microplate.
    The microplate reader according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the light receiving portion is arranged on the side opposite to the light projecting portion with the microplate sandwiched therein.
18. The light emitting part and the light receiving part are arranged on the bottom surface side of the microplate.
    A reflecting member arranged on the opposite side of the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion with the microplate sandwiched between them and reflecting the light emitted from the light emitting portion to the light receiving portion.
    Further provided is a light projecting light path which is arranged between the light projecting unit and the microplate and guides the light emitted from the light projecting unit to the well.
    The light guide unit according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein each of the light guide path and the light projection path is surrounded by the surrounding member made of the pigment-containing resin. Microplate reader.
19. The microplate reader according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the light guide portion is surrounded by a side wall portion of the recess in a state of being fitted in the recess.
20. The microplate reader according to any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein the light guide portion is configured to be removable from the recess.
21. The microplate reader according to any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein a plurality of the light guide paths are provided for the one well.
22. The bottom surface of the well of the microplate is spherical and
    In a state where the light guide portion is fitted in the recess, the light guide path corresponding to the one well is arranged at a position where the light passing through the well is collected on the spherical bottom surface. The microplate reader according to any one of claims 13 to 21, characterized in that.
23. Any one of claims 13 to 22, further comprising a pressing member that presses the microplate and the light guide portion in a direction in which the light guide portion is fitted in the recess. The microplate reader described in.
24. Claims 13 to 23 further include a positioning member for positioning the microplate in which the light guide portion is fitted in the recess at a position where the light emitting end of the light guide path and the light receiving portion face each other. The microplate reader according to any one of the above.
25. The microplate reader according to any one of claims 3 to 24, wherein the light guide path is made of a silicone resin having a light transmissive property.
26. The pigment-containing resin is a resin having a light-transmitting property containing the pigment.
    The microplate reader according to any one of 3 to 25, wherein the light guide path is made of a resin equivalent to the resin having the light transmission characteristic.
27. A unit light source unit unit having a light projecting unit corresponding to one well of a microplate, and a unit light source unit unit.
    It consists of a light receiving unit corresponding to one well of the microplate and a plurality of light receiving light paths for guiding light emitted from the light projecting unit and passing through a sample contained in the corresponding well to the light receiving unit. A unit light guide unit unit including a light guide path group and a surrounding member that surrounds each of the light receiving light guide paths with a pigment-containing resin containing a pigment having a property of absorbing light.
    The light emitted from the light projecting unit of one unit light source unit passes through the light guide path group of one unit light guide unit unit and reaches one light receiving unit. Microplate reader unit.
28. The light emitting part and the light receiving part corresponding to one well of the microplate, respectively,
    A light guide path composed of a plurality of light receiving light paths that are emitted from the light projecting unit and that have passed through a sample contained in the corresponding well, are folded back, and light that has passed through the sample again is guided to the light receiving unit. A light guide portion having a group and a surrounding member surrounding each of the light receiving light guide paths with a pigment-containing resin containing a pigment having a property of absorbing light.
    A limiting unit that limits the angular component of light incident on the light receiving unit is provided.
    A microplate reader unit characterized in that the light emitted from the one light projecting unit passes through the light guide path group included in the light guide unit and reaches one light receiving unit.
29. A light guide path that corresponds to each of the plurality of wells of the microplate and guides the light that has passed through the sample contained in the well,
    The light guide path is provided with a surrounding member that surrounds the light guide path with a pigment-containing resin containing a pigment having a property of absorbing light.
    An optical plate characterized in that it can be brought into close contact with the bottom surface of the microplate by being fitted into a recess formed on the bottom surface side of the microplate.
    

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