JP3858090B2 - Multi-solution spotting device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for spotting a variety of solutions to a solid phase, which can be used for, for example, determination of a base sequence of a nucleic acid in a bio field and detection of a target nucleic acid in a sample using ink jet technology.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As one of techniques that can quickly and accurately determine the base sequence of a nucleic acid, detect a target nucleic acid in a sample, and identify various bacteria, for example, a substance that can specifically bind to the target nucleic acid, a so-called probe is used as a solid phase. The use of a large number of probe arrays arranged on top has been proposed. In manufacturing such a probe array, it is preferable to arrange as many kinds of probes as possible on the solid phase. For this reason, a technique for spotting a probe using an ink jet discharge technique has been proposed.
However, in the conventional ink jet discharge technique, the nozzle portion 10 and the discharge mechanism portion 11 are fixed as shown in FIG. 2, and the solution tank 12 is shared by a plurality of nozzles. There are many.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For this reason, when spotting about 10,000 different solutions on the substrate 13 like a probe array, it is necessary to replace the solution tank, and there is a problem that it takes a great deal of time to clean the nozzles. It was.
[0004]
The present invention provides a multi-solution spotting apparatus that integrates a nozzle, a discharge mechanism, and a solution tank and prepares the integrated spraying device for the number of solutions, thereby eliminating the need for replacement of the solution tank and cleaning of the nozzle. The purpose is to provide.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the multi-solution spotting device of the present invention, an injection device is integrally formed from a nozzle, a solution storage portion and a discharge mechanism, and the injection device is constituted by a flexible member and has an arc shape. And a plurality of detachably mounted conveying members formed in an endless manner.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram for explaining an embodiment according to the present invention.
The injection device 1 includes a nozzle 2, a solution storage unit 3, and a discharge mechanism 4.
As the discharge mechanism 4, a drop-on-demand method is used in which a solution is ejected as droplets in a timely manner by a known piezo method, heat conversion method, electrostatic force method, or the like.
The discharge mechanism 4 includes an electrode 8 and is supplied with power from the electrode 9 on the power source side to which power is supplied from the power source 10.
The ejection device 1 is configured so that it can be detachably mounted in a cartridge manner on a conveying member 5 such as a carrier sheet. Then, a required number of the injection devices 1 are prepared according to the type of the solution, and the solution storage units 3 of the individual injection devices are preliminarily filled with a solution filling device (not shown).
[0007]
On the other hand, a substrate 6 on which a solution is spotted is placed on a stage unit 7 that is movable in the x-, y-, and z-axis directions by a movable mechanism. The transport member 5 and the stage unit 7 are arranged to face each other, and a large number of injection devices 1 are mounted on the transport member 5 with the nozzle 2 facing the substrate 6 as shown in FIG.
[0008]
When spotting the solution on the upper surface of the substrate 6, for example, the stage unit 7 is driven to align the injection device 1 filled with the solution a with the substrate 6 in the x, y, and z directions. At that time, the discharge mechanism 4 of the injection device 1 filled with the solution a is driven to spot the solution a from the nozzle 2 toward the substrate 6. Next, the conveying member 5 is operated as shown by an arrow to move the injection device 1 filled with the solution b to a predetermined position on the upper surface of the substrate 6, and the discharge mechanism 4 of the injection device is operated to supply the solution b. Spotting. In this way, by sequentially performing this operation, a desired solution can be spotted at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the substrate 6.
FIG. 1 shows a state in which a solution is sprayed from the spray device 1 filled with the solution d.
[0009]
In the above, the alignment between the injection device 1 and the substrate 6 is facilitated by operating the transport member 5 and the stage unit 7 in conjunction with each other.
Further, if the conveying member 5 is composed of a flexible member such as a carrier sheet, and this is formed in an endless shape, for example, in an arc shape, the stage unit 7 is arranged along the arc-shaped conveying member. Process efficiency can be improved.
[0010]
Furthermore, if the pitch of the fixture for detachably mounting the ejection device 1 on the transport member 5 in the cartridge type is set to the same pitch as the spotting of the solution, for example, the solution can be ejected simultaneously from the plurality of ejection devices 1. Work efficiency is improved.
Also, if the pitch of the fixture is made variable, it is possible to flexibly handle various operations.
[0011]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to spot various kinds of solutions, for example, up to 10,000 points.
Further, at that time, a great effect is obtained such that the replacement of the solution tank and the cleaning of the nozzle can be made unnecessary.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram for explaining an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a conventional technique.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Injection apparatus 2 Nozzle 3 Solution storage part 4 Discharge mechanism 5 Conveyance member 6 Substrate 7 Stage unit 8 Electrode apparatus side electrode 9 Power supply side electrode 10 Power supply

Claims (1)

An injection device is integrally formed of a nozzle, a solution storage unit, and a discharge mechanism, and the injection device is configured by a flexible member, and a plurality of attachment devices are detachably attached to an arc-shaped and endless transfer member. A multi-solution spotting device characterized by comprising:

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