Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
  • G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
  • G01N35/04—Details of the conveyor system
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
  • G01N35/00029—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
  • G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
  • G01N35/025—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations having a carousel or turntable for reaction cells or cuvettes
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
  • G01N35/10—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
  • G01N2035/00346—Heating or cooling arrangements
  • G01N2035/00356—Holding samples at elevated temperature (incubation)
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
  • G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
  • G01N35/04—Details of the conveyor system
  • G01N2035/0439—Rotary sample carriers, i.e. carousels
  • G01N2035/0441—Rotary sample carriers, i.e. carousels for samples

Definitions

• This disclosure relates to an analysis device.
• Analytical devices are known that analyze specimen samples using analytical chips onto which the specimen samples are applied (see, for example, JP 2002-90377 A).
• the analysis of the specimen sample involves measuring the concentration of the test substance contained in the specimen sample by measuring the reaction state between the specimen sample and a reagent.
• the specimen sample can be, for example, blood or urine.
• One example of the analytical chip is a dry analytical chip that uses a solid-phase reagent.
• the analytical device includes an incubator that warms multiple analytical chips to ensure optimal measurement conditions.
• the incubator has, for example, a rotating table on which multiple cells that hold multiple analytical chips are arranged in a circumferential direction.
• a deposition position is provided outside the incubator where the specimen sample is deposited onto the analytical chip. After the specimen sample is deposited onto the analytical chip at the deposition position, the analytical chip with the deposited sample is sent from the deposition position into the incubator by a sending mechanism.
• the analytical chips are measured inside the incubator, and the analytical chips that have been measured are disposed of by a disposal mechanism at a disposal location outside the incubator.
• the analytical device has a feed mechanism and a disposal mechanism, and adding a return mechanism to these raised concerns that the structure would become more complex and the device would become larger.
• the technology disclosed herein provides an analytical device that can be simplified in structure and made smaller, even when an incubator is used for preheating.
• the first aspect of the technology disclosed herein is an analytical device that is removably loaded with multiple analytical chips onto which specimen samples are applied, and that analyzes specimen samples using the analytical chips, and that includes a turntable on which multiple cells for holding each of the multiple analytical chips are arranged in a circumferential direction, and that has a turntable that sequentially transports each of the multiple analytical chips to a measurement position by rotation, an incubator that warms the multiple analytical chips on the turntable to a preset temperature, a measurement unit that is arranged at the measurement position and measures the specimen samples applied to the multiple analytical chips, a feed mechanism that sends the analytical chip from the application position where the specimen sample is applied to the analytical chip to the cell in the incubator, a return mechanism that returns the analytical chip, which has been preheated in the incubator before the specimen sample is applied, from the cell in the incubator to the application position, and a disposal mechanism that sends the measured analytical chip from the cell in the incubator to a disposal position, and that is an analytical device in which the return mechanism and part of the disposal mechanism are used together
• the second aspect of the technology disclosed herein is the analysis device of the first aspect, in which the return mechanism and the disposal mechanism are disposed inside a plurality of cells arranged in the circumferential direction of the turntable when the turntable is viewed in plan.
• a third aspect of the technology disclosed herein is an analytical device according to the first aspect, in which the return mechanism is arranged to slide freely in the radial direction of the turntable and has a slide bar that pushes the analytical chip on the cell toward a spotting position outside the turntable, and the disposal mechanism is arranged to slide freely in the radial direction of the turntable and has a slide bar that pushes the analytical chip on the cell toward a disposal position outside the turntable, and the slide bar is used both as the return mechanism and the disposal mechanism.
• the fourth aspect of the technology disclosed herein is the analysis device of the third aspect, in which the application position and the disposal position are spaced 180° apart in the circumferential direction of the rotating table.
• a fifth aspect of the technology disclosed herein is an analytical device according to the first aspect, in which the measurement unit has a first measurement unit that optically measures the reaction state between the specimen sample and the reagent and a second measurement unit that uses electrodes to measure the electrolyte concentration contained in the specimen sample, the analytical chip has a first analytical chip that is measured by the first measurement unit and a second analytical chip that is measured by the second measurement unit, the turntable has a first cell that holds the first analytical chip and a second cell that holds the second analytical chip, and the return mechanism and disposal mechanism are used for both the first analytical chip and the second analytical chip.
• a sixth aspect of the technology disclosed herein is an analysis device according to the first aspect, in which the multiple analytical chips held in the multiple cells of the turntable are multiple types of analytical chips, each with a different measurement item.
• a seventh aspect of the technology disclosed herein is an analytical device according to the first aspect, in which the analytical chip is a dry analytical chip that uses a solid-phase reagent as the reagent.
• the technology disclosed herein provides an analytical device that can be simplified in structure and made smaller, even when an incubator is used for preheating.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of an analysis device according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of an incubator.
• FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an incubator.
• FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing an example of the structure of a color comparison chip.
• FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a structural example of an electrolyte chip.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a partial configuration of the analysis device.
• FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration example of an analysis device.
• FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration example of an analysis device.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state of colorimetric measurement in an analyzer.
• FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration example of an analysis device.
• FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration example of an analysis device.
• FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration example of an analysis device.
• 4 is a flow chart showing the
• FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an analysis device 100 according to one embodiment.
• an analysis device 100 is an analysis device that analyzes a specimen sample.
• a dry analysis chip 12 is used to measure the concentration of a test target substance contained in the specimen sample.
• the analysis chip 12 has a flat plate shape, it is also called a slide.
• the analysis device 100 is an example of an "analysis device" according to the technology of the present disclosure.
• the concentration of the test target substance contained in the blood is optically measured. More specifically, the concentration of the test target substance is measured by colorimetry.
• blood or urine is used as the specimen sample, and the concentration of electrolytes contained in the blood or urine is measured. Specifically, the concentration of ions (e.g., sodium (Na), potassium (K), or chlorine (Cl) ions) formed by ionization of electrolytes contained in the blood or urine is electrically measured. More specifically, the concentration of the ion to be measured is measured by an electrode method.
• ions e.g., sodium (Na), potassium (K), or chlorine (Cl) ions
• the analysis device 100 includes a chip set unit 10, a reader 20, a sample application unit 30, a first chip transport mechanism 40, a sample application mechanism 50, an incubator 60, an optical measurement unit 70, a potential measurement unit 76, a second chip transport mechanism 80, and a control device 90.
• a stocker 14 for storing analytical chips 12 is arranged on a holding stand 11.
• the analytical chips 12 include an analytical chip 12A (hereinafter also simply referred to as "colorimetric chip 12A”) used for optical concentration measurement by colorimetry, and an analytical chip 12B (hereinafter also simply referred to as “electrolyte chip 12B”) used for electrolyte concentration measurement by electrode method.
• colorimetric chip 12A used for optical concentration measurement by colorimetry
• electrolyte chip 12B an analytical chip 12B
• electrolyte chip 12B used for electrolyte concentration measurement by electrode method.
• the analytical chip 12 is an example of an "analysis chip” according to the technology disclosed herein.
• the colorimetric chip 12A is an example of a "first analysis chip” according to the technology disclosed herein
• the electrolyte chip 12B is an example of a "second analysis chip” according to the technology disclosed herein.
• the reader 20 is, for example, a code reader that reads the item information attached to the analysis chip 12. This allows the type of analysis chip 12 and/or the lot number, etc. to be identified.
• the reader 20 is composed of an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor).
• the item information read by the reader 20 is output to the control device 90.
• specimens such as plasma, whole blood, serum or urine are applied to the analytical chip 12.
• a chip support stand 31 is provided in the specimen application section 30, and the specimen sample is applied to the analytical chip 12 transported onto the chip support stand 31 on the chip support stand 31.
• the specimen sample is applied by a specimen application mechanism 50, which will be described later.
• the chip support stand 31 is disposed adjacent to the holding stand 11.
• the first chip transport mechanism 40 transports the analytical chip 12 from the chip set section 10 to the specimen application section 30, and then from the specimen application section 30 to the incubator 60.
• the first chip transport mechanism 40 includes a thin chip transport member 42 and a drive mechanism 44 that reciprocates the chip transport member 42 in the direction in which the chip set section 10, the specimen application section 30, and the incubator 60 are aligned.
• the drive mechanism 44 is, for example, a linear actuator, and the chip transport member 42 is supported so as to be freely slidable by a guide rod (not shown), and is reciprocated by the drive mechanism 44.
• the first chip transport mechanism 40 is an example of a "feed mechanism" according to the technology disclosed herein.
• the specimen application mechanism 50 includes a nozzle 52, an aspirating and discharging mechanism (not shown), and a moving mechanism for moving the nozzle 52.
• the specimen application mechanism 50 aspirates a specimen sample from a specimen storage section (not shown), and applies the specimen to the analysis chip 12 in the specimen application section 30.
• the incubator 60 can accommodate multiple analytical chips 12 inside.
• the incubator 60 has an internal heater 66A (see FIG. 4) and has the function of heating the analytical chip 12 in the incubator 60 to a preset target temperature and maintaining the analytical chip 12 at the target temperature. More specifically, the incubator 60 maintains the atmosphere around the area where the specimen sample is deposited on the analytical chip 12 at the target temperature.
• the target temperature is, for example, 37° C.
• the target temperature may differ depending on the type of analytical chip 12.
• the incubator 60 promotes the reaction between the reagent of the analytical chip 12 and the specimen sample.
• the incubator 60 is an example of an "incubator" according to the technology disclosed herein.
• the incubator 60 comprises an upper cover 61 and a lower cover 62.
• the various components constituting the incubator 60 and the analytical chip 12 are housed in the space formed by the upper cover 61 and the lower cover 62.
• a rotating cylinder 67 is provided below the lower cover 62.
• a bearing 68 is disposed on the lower outer periphery of the rotating cylinder 67, and the rotating cylinder 67 is supported by the bearing 68 so that it can rotate freely.
• a rotational force is transmitted to the components provided inside the incubator 60 via the rotating cylinder 67.
• the optical measurement unit 70 is a unit that performs colorimetric measurement, which is a measurement of the optical density of the analytical chip 12 using a colorimetric method.
• the potential measurement unit 76 is a unit that performs electrolyte measurement, which is a measurement of the electrolyte concentration of the analytical chip 12 using an electrode method.
• the optical measurement unit 70 and the potential measurement unit 76 are provided below the lower cover 62 in the outer periphery of the incubator 60. Details of the optical measurement unit 70 and the potential measurement unit 76 will be described later.
• the optical measurement unit 70 and the potential measurement unit 76 are an example of a "measurement unit” according to the technology disclosed herein.
• the optical measurement unit 70 is a "first measurement unit” according to the technology disclosed herein, and the potential measurement unit 76 is an example of a "second measurement unit” according to the technology disclosed herein.
• the second chip transport mechanism 80 is provided inside the incubator 60 and transports the analytical chip 12 inside the incubator 60 from inside to outside the incubator 60.
• the second chip transport mechanism 80 includes a slide bar 82 and a motor 86.
• the motor 86 operates under the control of the processor 90A.
• the second chip transport mechanism 80 receives power from the motor 86 and moves the slide bar 82 from inside to outside the incubator 60, thereby transporting the analytical chip 12.
• the second chip transport mechanism 80 is an example of a "return mechanism” and a "disposal mechanism” according to the technology disclosed herein.
• the control device 90 controls the overall operation of the analysis device 100.
• the control device 90 is realized by a computer including a processor 90A that is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), NVM (Non-volatile Memory), and RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.
• CPU Central Processing Unit
• NVM Non-volatile Memory
• RAM Random Access Memory
• FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the incubator 60
• FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the incubator 60
• an incubator 60 has a rotating body 60A made up of four disk-shaped members in a space formed between an upper cover 61 and a lower cover 62.
• the rotating body 60A rotates inside the incubator 60 with its rotation axis directed in the vertical direction (Z direction shown in FIGS. 2 and 3).
• the rotating body 60A includes an upper member 63, a heater pressing member 66, a chip pressing member 64, and a rotating table 65.
• the upper member 63 is located at the top of the rotating body 60A.
• An opening (not shown) is formed in the center of the rotating body 60A, including the upper member 63, and a cable for supplying power to the heater 66A, etc. is arranged through the opening.
• the heater pressing member 66 is provided between the upper member 63 and the chip pressing member 64.
• the heater pressing member 66 presses the heater 66A provided between the heater pressing member 66 and the chip pressing member 64 from above.
• the heater 66A functions as a heat source for heating the inside of the incubator 60 to a preset target temperature.
• the heater 66A is, for example, a ceramic heater.
• the heater 66A is located below the inner periphery of the heater pressing member 66. The heat generated by the heater 66A is transmitted through the members inside the incubator 60, thereby heating the internal space of the incubator 60 including the cell S to the preset target temperature.
• the chip pressing member 64 is provided between the heater pressing member 66 and the rotating table 65.
• the chip pressing member 64 presses the analytical chip 12 placed on the rotating table 65 from above. This prevents the analytical chip 12 from shifting position on the rotating table 65.
• the chip pressing member 64 also covers the reaction area 13 (see Figure 5) of the analytical chip 12, thereby preventing the volatilization of the applied specimen sample.
• the rotating table 65 is a table on which the analytical chip 12 is placed.
• the rotating table 65 has cells S, which are multiple regions partitioned along the circumferential direction, and each cell S can accommodate an analytical chip 12.
• the rotating table 65 is an example of a "rotating table" according to the technology disclosed herein.
• the analytical chip 12 includes a colorimetric chip 12A and an electrolyte chip 12B.
• FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing an example of the structure of the colorimetric chip 12A.
• the colorimetric chip 12A has a reaction area 13 to which a reagent is fixed.
• the reagent reacts with the substance to be tested to generate a substance that develops a specific color.
• the substance that develops color through this reaction is hereinafter referred to as a reactant.
• a solid-phase dry reagent that is in a dry state at least at the time of shipment is used.
• the specimen sample is applied to the reaction area 13 of the colorimetric chip 12A.
• the reaction area 13 is an example of a "reaction area" according to the technology disclosed herein.
• the colorimetric chip 12A has a carrier 16 on which a specimen sample is applied, and the carrier 16 is contained in a case 17.
• the case 17 is composed of a first case 17A and a second case 17B, and the carrier 16 is sandwiched between the first case 17A and the second case 17B.
• the first case 17A has an opening 17C that functions as a drip port for applying the specimen sample to the reaction area 13.
• the second case 17B has an opening 17D for irradiating the reaction area 13 with light.
• the carrier 16 is exposed to the opening 17C of the first case 17A, which constitutes the front surface of the colorimetric chip 12A.
• the carrier 16 is also exposed to the opening 17D of the second case 17B, which constitutes the back surface of the colorimetric chip 12A.
• the area of the carrier 16 exposed to the opening 17D constitutes the reaction area 13 to which the reagent is fixed.
• the second case 17B is provided with an information code 17E that encodes item information related to the measurement item.
• the information code 17E is, for example, a pattern in which multiple dots are arranged, and the dot arrangement pattern differs for each measurement item.
• one-dimensional barcodes, two-dimensional barcodes, etc. may also be used as the information code 17E.
• each colorimetric chip 12A is prepared for each measurement item, and reagents corresponding to the measurement items are fixed to the carrier 16 of the colorimetric chip 12A.
• the item information provided for each colorimetric chip 12A includes identification information of the reagent fixed to the carrier 16 of the colorimetric chip 12A (e.g., information that can identify the reagent name and identification code), or identification information of the measurement item measured by the reagent (e.g., information that can identify the item name and identification code).
• FIG. 6 is an external perspective view showing an example of the structure of the electrolyte chip 12B.
• the electrolyte chip 12B has a multilayer film electrode (not shown) and a distribution member (not shown) corresponding to the ions to be measured (e.g., Na ions, K ions, and Cl ions) inside the case 15.
• the case 15 is composed of a first case 15A and a second case 15B, and the multilayer film electrode and the distribution member are sandwiched between the first case 15A and the second case 15B.
• the first case 15A has two openings 15C.
• a specimen sample is applied to one opening 15C, and a reference liquid is applied to the other opening 15C.
• the specimen sample is transported to one end of the multilayer film electrode by the distribution member, while the reference liquid is transported to the other end of the multilayer film electrode.
• the second case 15B has holes 15D formed in accordance with the number of multilayer film electrodes. Measurement electrodes (not shown) can come into contact with the multilayer film electrodes at one and the other ends via the holes 15D. In the example shown in FIG. 6, six holes 15D1 to 15D6 are formed. For example, holes 15D1 and 15D2 are connected to one and the other ends of the multilayer film electrode for measuring Cl ion concentration. Holes 15D3 and 15D4 are connected to one and the other ends of the multilayer film electrode for measuring K ion concentration. Holes 15D5 and 15D6 are connected to one and the other ends of the multilayer film electrode for measuring Na ion concentration.
• the second case 15B is provided with an information code 15E that encodes item information related to the measurement item.
• the information code 15E has the same structure and function as the information code 17E provided to the colorimetric chip 12A.
• FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a partial configuration of the analysis device 100. 7, an insertion opening 14B into which the chip transport member 42 is inserted is provided in the side wall of the stocker 14. The chip transport member 42 is inserted into the stocker 14 from the insertion opening 14B.
• the stocker 14 has an opening 14A on its bottom surface.
• the colorimetric chip 12A is stored in a position in which the surface on which the information code 17E is recorded faces the opening 14A of the stocker 14. Therefore, the information code 17E of the colorimetric chip 12A located at the bottom closest to the opening 14A in the stocker 14 is exposed from the opening 14A.
• An opening 11A is also formed in the holding table 11 on which the stocker 14 is placed. Therefore, the information code 17E of the colorimetric chip 12A located at the bottom closest to the opening 14A in the stocker 14 is exposed to the reader 20 through the opening 11A of the holding table 11 and the opening 14A of the stocker 14.
• the reader 20 is placed below the holding table 11, and reads the information code 17E exposed through the openings 11A and 14A.
• the information code 17E of the colorimetric chip 12A is read by the reader 20, but the same applies to the information code 15E of the electrolyte chip 12B.
• the chip transport member 42 is pressed against the analytical chip 12 housed in the lowest tier of the stacked analytical chips 12. In this state, the chip transport member 42 moves toward the incubator 60, causing the analytical chip 12 to pass over the chip support base 31 and be transported into the incubator 60.
• the incubator 60 has a chip pressing member 64 that presses the analytical chip 12 loaded in the cell S from above.
• the chip pressing member 64 has multiple convex portions 64A at positions facing each cell S.
• the convex portions 64A are biased downward by a biasing member (not shown).
• a slit-shaped space is formed between the convex portions 64A and the cell S, and the analytical chip 12 is loaded into this space.
• the convex portions 64A press the analytical chip 12 loaded in the cell S from above. This prevents the analytical chip 12 from moving within the cell S (for example, when a centrifugal force is generated on the analytical chip 12 as the turntable 65 rotates, the analytical chip 12 is prevented from shifting radially outward due to the centrifugal force).
• FIG. 8 and 9 are plan views showing examples of the configuration of the analysis device 100.
• the turntable 65 is provided with a plurality of cells S1 to S14 in which the analytical chips 12 are loaded.
• the turntable 65 is annular, and 14 cells S1 to S14 are arranged in the circumferential direction.
• the turntable 65 rotates with the vertical direction (Z direction shown in FIG. 8) as the rotation axis, and sequentially transports the analytical chips 12 placed on the plurality of cells S to the measurement position (i.e., the position facing the optical measurement unit 70 or the potential measurement unit 76).
• the plurality of analytical chips 12 on the turntable 65 are heated to a preset temperature in the incubator 60.
• the plurality of analytical chips 12 on the turntable 65 are heated to a preset temperature in the incubator 60.
• Cells S1 to S9 and S11 to S14 of the rotating table 65 hold the colorimetric chip 12A.
• a photometric aperture window 65A is formed in the center of the bottom surface of cells S1 to S9 and S11 to S14, and the optical density of the colorimetric chip 12A is measured by the optical measurement unit 70 through this aperture window 65A.
• Cells S1 to S9 and S11 to S14 are an example of a "first cell” according to the technology disclosed herein.
• a black density plate 56 and a white density plate 58 are provided on either side of cell S10.
• An aperture window (not shown) is also formed below the black density plate 56 and the white density plate 58.
• the optical measurement unit 70 irradiates the colorimetric chip 12A with light (measurement light L0, which will be described later as an example) and receives the reflected light from the colorimetric chip 12A. In this way, the optical measurement unit 70 measures the optical density according to the reaction state between the specimen sample and the reagent in the colorimetric chip 12A.
• the black density plate 56 and the white density plate 58 are density plates for obtaining a reference optical density that is referred to when measuring the optical density of the colorimetric chip 12A.
• the optical measurement unit 70 irradiates each of the black density plate 56 and the white density plate 58 with measurement light L0 to measure the black reference optical density and the white reference optical density.
• the optical density of the colorimetric chip 12A is measured as a relative density within a range with the black reference optical density as the lower limit and the white reference optical density as the upper limit.
• the optical measurement unit 70 has multiple light sources that emit measurement light L0 of multiple different wavelengths, and each wavelength is used according to the type of colorimetric chip 12A (i.e., the measurement item).
• the black reference optical density and the white reference optical density are measured for each wavelength of the measurement light L0.
• the cell S10 on the rotating table 65 holds the electrolyte chip 12B.
• An opening window 65B for measuring potential is formed on the bottom surface of the cell S10.
• the ion concentration of the electrolyte chip 12B is measured by the potential measuring unit 76 through the opening window 65B.
• the cell S10 is an example of a "second cell" according to the technology disclosed herein.
• a second chip transport mechanism 80 is provided inside the multiple cells S of the rotating table 65.
• the second chip transport mechanism 80 is a mechanism capable of transporting the analytical chip 12 from inside to outside the incubator 60.
• the second chip transport mechanism 80 includes, for example, a slide bar 82 and a pinion gear 84. A rotational force is transmitted from a motor 86 to the pinion gear 84. This causes the pinion gear 84 to rotate.
• the slide bar 82 is a plate-like member having a thickness approximately equal to that of the colorimetric chip 12A.
• a rack gear (not shown) is formed on the surface of the slide bar 82 facing the pinion gear 84, and the slide bar 82 moves when the rack gear meshes with the pinion gear 84.
• the slide bar 82 is an example of a "slide bar" according to the technology disclosed herein.
• the colorimetric chip 12A is used as an example to explain the transport operation of the analytical chip 12 using the second chip transport mechanism 80 on the turntable 65, but a similar transport operation is also applied to the electrolyte chip 12B.
• the analytical chip 12 is held in one cell S of the turntable 65 is described below, but it goes without saying that an analytical chip 12 may be held in each of multiple cells S of the turntable 65, and the transport operation using the second chip transport mechanism 80 may be applied to each of the multiple analytical chips 12.
• the colorimetric chip 12A is removed from the stocker 14 by the first chip transport mechanism 40, and then passes through the chip support stand 31 and is transported into the incubator 60. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the colorimetric chip 12A is loaded into cell S7. The colorimetric chip 12A is then heated to a target temperature (e.g., 37°C) in the incubator 60.
• a target temperature e.g., 37°C
• the colorimetric chip 12A is returned from inside the incubator 60 to the spotting position by the second chip transport mechanism 80.
• the spotting position is the position on the chip support base 31 where the sample is spotted by the sample spotting unit 30.
• the pinion gear 84 rotates clockwise in a plan view, causing the slide bar 82 to move in the direction toward the spotting position (the Y direction shown in FIG. 9).
• the slide bar 82 pushes out the colorimetric tip 12A, which moves the colorimetric tip 12A from within the incubator 60 to the application position.
• the sample is applied to the colorimetric tip 12A by the sample application section 30.
• the colorimetric tip 12A is at a temperature closer to the preset temperature in the incubator 60 than if the colorimetric tip 12A were removed from the stocker 14 and then directly applied. After application to the colorimetric tip 12A, the colorimetric tip 12A is transported back into the incubator 60.
• FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing how colorimetric measurement is performed in the analysis device 100.
• the colorimetric chip 12A is transported again into the incubator 60, and then colorimetric measurement is performed on the colorimetric chip 12A in the incubator 60.
• the optical measurement unit 70 includes a light source 72 for irradiating the reaction area 13 with measurement light L0, and a photodetector 74 for receiving output light L1, which is reflected light from the reaction area 13, and performing photoelectric conversion.
• the light source 72 irradiates light from the opening 17D of the case 17 of the colorimetric chip 12A toward the reaction area 13.
• the wavelength range of the light is determined according to the substance to be tested (i.e., the measurement item). For example, in this example, as described above, a reaction between the substance to be tested and the reagent produces a reactant that develops a specific color.
• the light irradiated by the light source 72 is measurement light L0 for measuring the reactant, and therefore the wavelength range is determined according to the color developed by the reactant.
• the measurement light L0 in this example is, for example, light that includes a wavelength range that is absorbed by the reactant in order to measure the reactant.
• the wavelength range of the measurement light L0 is limited to the wavelength range absorbed by the reactant.
• the light source 72 for example, a light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), an organic EL (Electro Luminescence), or a semiconductor laser is used. Although only one light source 72 is shown in FIG. 10, in order to measure multiple measurement items, multiple light sources 72 that output multiple lights in different wavelength ranges are actually provided. Note that instead of providing multiple light sources 72, measurement light L0 of different wavelengths may be generated by combining a light source that emits light in a relatively broad wavelength range, such as a white light source, with a bandpass filter that transmits only a specific wavelength range.
• the photodetector 74 detects the output light L1 output from the colorimetric chip 12A when the measurement light L0 is irradiated onto the colorimetric chip 12A.
• the photodetector 74 is a light receiving element (e.g., a photodiode, etc.) that outputs a detection signal according to the amount of light.
• two photodetectors 74 are provided.
• the photodetectors 74 output the detection signal to the control device 90 (see Figure 1).
• the control device 90 acquires the detection signal according to the output light L1 and derives the concentration of the substance being tested.
• the specimen sample reacts with the reagent, producing a reactant that develops a specific color.
• the production of the reactant changes the color of the reaction area 13, and this color change appears as a change in the optical density of the reaction area 13.
• the output light L1 is light that corresponds to the optical density of the reaction area 13, and information about the reactant is reflected in the output light L1 due to the absorption of light by the reactant, etc.
• the optical density of the reaction area 13 changes depending on the amount of reactant, and the amount of reactant represents the concentration of the substance to be tested in the specimen sample. Therefore, the concentration of the substance to be tested can be measured based on the detection signal that represents the output light L1, which contains information about the reactant.
• colorimetric measurements of multiple colorimetric chips 12A on the turntable 65 are performed multiple times at preset intervals while the turntable 65 is rotating. When the number of measurements reaches a preset number, the colorimetric measurements are terminated. The concentration of the substance being tested is then derived based on multiple detection signals, which are the measured values of the optical density measured multiple times.
• FIG. 11 is plan views showing examples of the configuration of the analysis device 100.
• the colorimetric chip 12A is transported by the rotary table 65 to a position where it can be transported to the disposal position. Then, the colorimetric chip 12A is transported by the second chip transport mechanism 80 from inside the incubator 60 to the disposal position.
• the disposal position is, for example, inside the container 54 that can accommodate the colorimetric chip 12A after use.
• the pinion gear 84 rotates counterclockwise, and the slide bar 82 moves in a direction toward the disposal position (opposite to the Y direction shown in FIG. 11). The slide bar 82 pushes out the colorimetric chip 12A, and the colorimetric chip 12A moves from inside the incubator 60 to the disposal position.
• the second chip transport mechanism 80 is capable of both returning the colorimetric chip 12A from within the incubator 60 to the spotting position, and disposing of the colorimetric chip 12A from within the incubator 60 to the disposal position.
• the second chip transport mechanism 80 functions as a return mechanism that returns the colorimetric chip 12A to the spotting position and a disposal mechanism that disposes of the colorimetric chip 12A, and the components that make up the second chip transport mechanism 80 (e.g., slide bar 82 and pinion gear 84, etc.) are shared between the return mechanism and the disposal mechanism.
• the slide bar 82 pushes out the colorimetric tip 12A, which moves the colorimetric tip 12A from inside the incubator 60 to the spotting position. Then, the pinion gear 84 rotates counterclockwise, and the slide bar 82 returns to its original position before it was driven. As shown in FIG. 13, for example, the slide bar 82 moves in a direction toward the disposal position (opposite the Y direction shown in FIG. 13). The slide bar 82 pushes out the colorimetric tip 12A after measurement, which moves the colorimetric tip 12A from inside the incubator 60 to the disposal position. In this way, the return and disposal operations of the colorimetric tip 12A are realized as a series of operations of the slide bar 82.
• the disposal position and the spotting position are arranged at an interval of 180 degrees in the circumferential direction of the rotating table 65.
• the return and disposal operations are realized as a series of operations by the linear movement of the slide bar 82 along the radial direction.
• FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the analysis process of the specimen sample in the analysis device 100.
• step ST10 the analysis chip 12 is removed from the stocker 14 by the first chip transport mechanism 40 (see FIG. 8). After this, the analysis process proceeds to step ST12.
• step ST12 the analytical chip 12 removed from the stocker 14 in step ST10 is transported inside the incubator 60 (see FIG. 8). After this, the analysis process proceeds to step ST14.
• step ST14 the analytical chip 12 transported to the incubator 60 in step ST12 is heated to a target temperature (e.g., 37°C) inside the incubator 60 (see FIG. 8). After this, the analysis process proceeds to step ST16.
• a target temperature e.g., 37°C
• step ST16 the analytical chip 12 that was heated to the target temperature in step ST14 is transported from inside the incubator 60 to the deposition position by the second chip transport mechanism 80 (see FIG. 9). After this, the analysis process proceeds to step ST18.
• step ST18 the specimen sample is applied by the specimen application unit 30 to the analytical chip 12 that was transported to the application position in step ST16 (see FIG. 9). After this, the analysis process proceeds to step ST20.
• step ST20 the analytical chip 12 onto which the specimen sample was applied in step ST18 is transported into the incubator 60 (see FIG. 10). After this, the analysis process proceeds to step ST22.
• step ST22 the analytical chip 12 transported to the incubator 60 in step ST20 is transported to a measurement position inside the incubator 60, and the specimen sample is analyzed on the analytical chip 12 (see FIG. 10). After this, the analysis process proceeds to step ST24.
• step ST24 the analytical chip 12 in which the specimen sample was analyzed in step ST22 is transported to a position inside the incubator 60 from which it can be transported to the disposal position, and is transported from inside the incubator 60 to the disposal position by the second chip transport mechanism 80 (see FIG. 11). This completes the process of analyzing the specimen sample.
• the analytical chip 12 is heated to a preset temperature inside the incubator 60, and then the analytical chip 12 is transported to the deposition position by the second chip transport mechanism 80. At the deposition position, the specimen sample is deposited on the analytical chip 12 by the specimen deposition section 30. After measurement is performed inside the incubator 60, the analytical chip 12 is sent to the disposal position by the second chip transport mechanism 80. In this way, even when the incubator 60 is used to preheat the analytical chip 12, the operation of returning the analytical chip 12 after preheating and the operation of discarding the analytical chip 12 after measurement are realized by the second chip transport mechanism 80.
• the second chip transport mechanism 80 functions as a return mechanism that returns the analytical chip 12 to the deposition position and a discard mechanism that discards the analytical chip 12 after measurement, and therefore serves both as a return mechanism and a discard mechanism. This allows the structure of the analysis device 100 to be made smaller and simpler than when the return mechanism and disposal mechanism are provided separately.
• the second chip transport mechanism 80 is arranged inside the multiple cells S arranged along the circumferential direction of the turntable 65. This allows the analysis device 100 to be made smaller than when the return mechanism is arranged inside the multiple cells S and the disposal mechanism is arranged outside the multiple cells S.
• the second tip transport mechanism 80 includes a slide bar 82, which pushes the analytical tip 12 after preheating to the application position. Also, the slide bar 82 pushes the analytical tip 12 after measurement to the disposal position. In this way, in the second tip transport mechanism 80, the slide bar 82 is used in both the return operation and the disposal operation. In other words, the second tip transport mechanism 80 functions as a return mechanism and a disposal mechanism, and the slide bar 82 is used both as the return mechanism and the disposal mechanism. As a result, the slide bar 82, which operates linearly, is used for both, and therefore the structure of the analysis device 100 can be made smaller and simpler than, for example, when the return mechanism and the disposal mechanism are realized by a link mechanism.
• the spotting position and the disposal position are arranged at 180° intervals in the circumferential direction of the turntable 65.
• the spotting position and the disposal position are arranged on a straight line. Therefore, the return operation of the analytical chip 12 and the disposal operation of the analytical chip 12 are achieved by the reciprocating movement of the slide bar 82. This simplifies the structure of the analytical device 100, as only a simple linear reciprocating movement of the slide bar 82 is required.
• the rotating table 65 is often driven in steps, alternating between stopping and rotating.
• the analytical chip 12 can be returned to the deposition position and disposed of continuously at one stopping timing, thereby improving the throughput of measurements in the analysis device 100. In other words, the efficiency of the measurement work in the analysis device 100 is improved.
• the analytical device 100 is provided with an optical measurement unit 70 and an electric potential measurement unit 76.
• the optical measurement unit 70 performs measurements by colorimetry, and the electric potential measurement unit 76 performs measurements by electrode method.
• the analytical chip 12 includes a colorimetric chip 12A used for colorimetric measurements and an electrolyte chip 12B for electric potential measurement.
• the turntable 65 is provided with cells S1-S9 and S11-S14 for holding the colorimetric chip 12A, and a cell S10 for holding the electrolyte chip 12B.
• the second chip transport mechanism 80 is used for both the colorimetric chip 12A and the electrolyte chip 12B. In this way, even when different types of colorimetric chip 12A and electrolyte chip 12B are used for measurements, the structure of the analytical device 100 can be made smaller and simpler.
• the multiple analytical chips 12 held in the multiple cells S of the turntable 65 are multiple types of analytical chips 12 each having a different measurement item. This allows multiple types of analytical chips 12 with different measurement items to be arranged on the turntable 65, allowing the specimen sample to be analyzed efficiently.
• the analytical chip 12 is a dry analytical chip that uses a solid-phase reagent as the reagent.
• the analytical chip 12 that uses a solid-phase reagent is generally an analytical chip with high rigidity, compared to, for example, strips used in urine tests. For this reason, the analytical chip 12 is less likely to deform during the return operation and disposal operation by the second chip transport mechanism 80, making it easier to move the analytical chip 12.
• the second chip transport mechanism 80 has a slide bar 82 and a pinion gear 84, and an example has been described in which the slide bar 82 pushes the analytical chip 12 to the deposition position and to the disposal position by changing the rotation direction of the pinion gear 84, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this.
• the second chip transport mechanism 80 may be configured to rotate as a whole, and the direction in which the slide bar 82 pushes the analytical chip 12 may be changed.
• the second chip transport mechanism 80 has been described as having one slide bar 82, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this.
• the second chip transport mechanism 80 may be configured to have a slide bar for the disposal operation and a slide bar for the return operation, with the pinion gear 84 meshing with the two slide bars.
• the pinion gear 84 is used both as the return mechanism and the disposal mechanism.
• the second chip transport mechanism 80 is described as being composed of a slide bar 82, a pinion gear 84, and a motor 86, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this.
• the second chip transport mechanism 80 may be a mechanism that uses a linear actuator to drive a rod-shaped member that pushes out the analytical chip 12.
• the linear actuator and the rod-shaped member are used both as the return mechanism and the disposal mechanism.
• the potential measuring unit 76 has been described as measuring an electrolyte chip 12B held in the cell S10 of the turntable 65, but the technology disclosed herein is not limited to this.
• the potential measuring unit 76 may measure an electrolyte chip 12B held in a measurement support provided outside the turntable 65.
• An analytical device in which a plurality of analytical chips onto which specimen samples are applied are removably mounted, and the specimen samples are analyzed using the analytical chips, a rotating table on which a plurality of cells each holding a plurality of the analytical chips are arranged in a circumferential direction, the rotating table being configured to sequentially transport each of the plurality of analytical chips to a measurement position by rotation, and an incubator that warms the plurality of analytical chips on the rotating table to a preset temperature; a measurement unit that is disposed at the measurement position and measures the specimen samples applied to the plurality of analysis chips; a feeding mechanism for feeding the analytical chip from a spotting position where the specimen sample is spotted on the analytical chip to the cell in the incubator; a return mechanism for returning the analysis chip, which has been preheated in the incubator before the specimen sample is applied, from the cell in the incubator to the application position; A disposal mechanism that sends the analytical chip that has been measured from the cell in the incubator to a disposal position, The returning mechanism and part of the disposal
• ⁇ Appendix 2> When the turntable is viewed in a plan view, the return mechanism and the disposal mechanism are disposed inside a plurality of cells arranged in the circumferential direction of the turntable. 2.
• the disposal mechanism has a slide bar that is slidably disposed in a radial direction of the turntable and pushes out the analysis chip on the cell toward the disposal position outside the turntable;
• the analyzer according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the slide bar is used as both the return mechanism and the disposal mechanism.
• ⁇ Appendix 4> The spotting position and the disposal position are arranged at intervals of 180° in the circumferential direction of the rotating table.
• the measuring unit includes a first measuring unit that optically measures the reaction state, and a second measuring unit that measures an electrolyte concentration contained in the specimen sample using an electrode;
• the analytical chip includes a first analytical chip that is measured by the first measurement unit and a second analytical chip that is measured by the second measurement unit, the turntable has a first cell for holding the first analytical chip and a second cell for holding the second analytical chip;
• the analytical device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 4, wherein the return mechanism and the disposal mechanism are used for both the first analytical chip and the second analytical chip.

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• 2023
  • 2023-12-14 WO PCT/JP2023/044897 patent/WO2024157644A1/ja not_active Ceased
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• 2025
  • 2025-07-17 US US19/271,802 patent/US20250341535A1/en active Pending

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