JP4357971B2 - Sample analyzer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sample analyzer for analyzing a sample.

Conventionally, a sample analyzer for analyzing a sample is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, the reagent is dispensed into the reaction tray while intermittently sliding the reaction tray with the sample module, and the sample is dispensed into the reaction tray while the reaction tray is transported with the dispensing module. Thus, a multi-item automatic immunoassay system for processing and detecting a specimen is disclosed.
European Patent No. 0628823

  However, in the multi-item automatic immunoassay system according to Patent Document 1 described above, while a relatively large reaction tray including 10 dispensing wells is slid and moved, the reagent dispensing and the sample dispensing are performed on the reaction tray. Since it is the structure which dispenses, there exists a problem that the mechanism which slides the comparatively big reaction tray intermittently, and the mechanism to convey become large. For this reason, there exists a problem that an apparatus enlarges. In addition, it is difficult to sufficiently increase the speed when sliding and transporting a relatively large reaction tray including ten dispensing wells, and thus it is difficult to sufficiently speed up the analysis process. There is also a problem.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a sample analyzer capable of reducing the size of the apparatus and sufficiently speeding up the analysis process. With the goal.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

In order to achieve the above object, a sample analyzer according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a sample container mounting portion for mounting a sample container in which a sample is stored, and a reagent container in which a reagent is stored. A reagent container placement unit for placing the sample container, a sample contained in the sample container, and an analysis container containing the reagent contained in the reagent container, and a predetermined detection from the sample inside the analysis container A detection unit that detects an item, and a sample container mounting unit, a reagent container mounting unit, and a detection unit that are configured to be movable at least substantially in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. A dispensing means for aspirating a sample and a reagent from the reagent container and discharging the aspirated sample and reagent to the analysis container; and a dispensing chip placement section on which a dispensing chip attached to the dispensing means is placed Dispose of dispensing tips And a dispensing tip disposal unit. The sample container placement unit , the reagent container placement unit, and the dispensing tip placement unit are arranged along the X-axis direction, and the detection unit and the dispensing tip disposal unit include the sample container placement unit , the reagent It arrange | positions along the X-axis direction at a predetermined space | interval in the Y-axis direction with respect to the container mounting part and the dispensing tip mounting part .

In the sample analyzer according to the first aspect, as described above, the sample analyzer is configured to be movable in at least substantially orthogonal X-axis and Y-axis directions, and the sample and reagent aspirating and analyzing containers from the sample container and the reagent container Dispensing means for discharging the sample container, the sample container placement part and the reagent container placement part are arranged along the X-axis direction, and the detection part is a sample container placement part and a reagent container placement part Since the sample container mounting part, the reagent container mounting part, and the detection part can be arranged in a square shape by arranging them along the X axis direction at a predetermined interval in the Y axis direction. The movement range of the pouring means in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction can be within the rectangular range. Thereby, since the movement range of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction of the dispensing means can be reduced, the apparatus can be miniaturized and the analysis process can be sufficiently speeded up. In addition, by disposing the dispensing tip placement portion, the sample container placement portion, and the reagent container placement portion along the X-axis direction, the dispensing tip placement portion can be attached to the nozzle portion of the dispensing means. Since the sample or reagent can be aspirated from the sample container or reagent container simply by moving the dispensing means in the X-axis direction after mounting the dispensing tip, the processing can be further speeded up. Furthermore, a dispensing tip discarding unit for discarding the dispensing tip is further provided, and the dispensing tip discarding unit and the detection unit are arranged along the X-axis direction. If comprised in this way, after discharging a sample or a reagent to an analysis container, a dispensing means can be moved to a dispensing chip disposal part only by moving a dispensing means to the X-axis direction. After the sample or reagent is discharged, the dispensing tip can be quickly moved to the disposal position. This also makes it possible to speed up the processing.

  In the sample analyzer according to the first aspect, preferably, the sample container mounting portion is disposed on the front front side of the sample analyzer, and the reagent container mounting portion is disposed on the rear front side of the sample analyzer. Has been. If comprised in this way, since the front near side of a sample analyzer is easy to handle, it is possible to easily handle a sample that requires handling due to the possibility of infection.

  In the sample analyzer according to the first aspect, preferably, the sample container mounting unit, the reagent container mounting unit, the detection unit, the measurement unit including the dispensing means, the measurement unit, and the communication line are used. And a data processing unit that is connected and has a function of processing at least data detected by the detection unit of the measurement unit. If comprised in this way, since the data detected by the measurement part can be processed easily by a data processing part, speeding-up of a data process can be aimed at.

  In the sample analyzer according to the first aspect described above, preferably, the detection unit includes a plurality of analysis container placement holes for placing the analysis containers arranged along the X-axis direction, When the sample and the reagent are discharged to the analysis container placed in the analysis container placement hole, the sample container and the reagent are moved so as not to pass above the analysis container placement hole other than the predetermined analysis container placement hole. If comprised in this way, when discharging a sample and a reagent to the predetermined | prescribed analytical container mounted in the predetermined | prescribed analytical container mounting hole, the sample which should be discharged to a predetermined | prescribed analytical container and the other analytical container It is possible to prevent contamination from occurring due to mixing of reagents.

  In the sample analyzer according to the first aspect described above, preferably, the detection unit includes a plurality of analysis container mounting holes for mounting the analysis containers arranged along the X-axis direction, and the sample container mounting unit and the reagent The container placement unit includes a plurality of analysis container placement holes and a plurality of container placement holes for placing a sample container and a reagent container arranged along the X axis direction at a predetermined interval in the Y axis direction. The analysis container mounting hole and the container mounting hole arranged on the most front side of the analyzer are arranged on substantially the same Y-axis line. If comprised in this way, since the movement range of the X-axis direction of the dispensing means to the front near side of an analyzer can be made the same at the detection part side and the sample container mounting part side, The movement range in the X-axis direction can be minimized. As a result, the apparatus can be further miniaturized and the movement time of the dispensing means can be reduced. By reducing the movement time of the dispensing means, more rapid processing can be performed.

  In the sample analyzer according to the first aspect, preferably, at least one of the sample container mounting part and the reagent container mounting part includes a condensed water discharge mechanism. If comprised in this way, it can suppress that the dew condensation water which generate | occur | produced in the sample container mounting part and the reagent container mounting part accumulates in a sample container mounting part and a reagent container mounting part.

  In the sample analyzer according to the first aspect, preferably, the detection unit includes a plurality of analysis container placement holes for placing an analysis container having a closable lid, and a lid closing means for closing the lid of the analysis container. The lid closing means closes the lid of the predetermined analysis container before the dispensing means discharges the sample and the reagent to the next analysis container after the dispensing means discharges the sample and the reagent to the predetermined analysis container. If comprised in this way, the contamination of an analysis container can be prevented reliably.

In the sample analyzer according to the first aspect described above, preferably, the dispensing means is connected to the nozzle portion, the dispensing tip being detachably attached to the tip thereof, and sucks and discharges the sample and the reagent. including a pump unit for. If comprised in this way, contamination can be prevented by replacing | exchanging the dispensing chip | tip attached to the nozzle part of the dispensing means detachably for every sample or reagent.

  In the sample analyzer including the dispensing tip discarding section, preferably, a dispensing tip discarding bag can be set in the dispensing tip discarding section. With this configuration, the discarded dispensing tips are stored in the dispensing tip disposal bag, so that the user can use the dispensing tip disposal bag without touching the discarded dispensing tips. The tip can be taken out of the analyzer.

  In the sample analyzer including the dispensing tip, preferably, the initial position of the dispensing means is set at a position other than above the dispensing tip placement unit. If comprised in this way, the user can perform easily the operation | work which mounts a dispensing chip | tip in a dispensing chip | tip mounting part.

  In the sample analyzer according to the first aspect described above, preferably, the dispensing means includes a first nozzle portion and a second nozzle that have a dispensing tip detachably attached to a tip thereof and are arranged at a first interval. A first pump unit connected to the first nozzle unit for aspirating and discharging the sample and reagent; and a second pump unit connected to the second nozzle unit for sucking and discharging the sample and reagent; The detection unit is formed at substantially the same interval as the first interval, and includes a first analysis container mounting hole and a second analysis container mounting hole for mounting the analysis container. If comprised in this way, since a sample or a reagent can be simultaneously discharged to two analysis containers, processing capacity can be improved.

  In the sample analyzer according to the first aspect, preferably, the detection unit may detect the turbidity of the mixed solution of the sample and the reagent in the analysis container, or detect the amplification state of the gene in the sample. May be.

  In addition to the first aspect, the following second aspect may be adopted.

  A sample analyzer according to a second aspect of the present invention is equipped with a dispensing tip that is detachably attached, and that contains a dispensing means for sucking and discharging a predetermined liquid, and a dispensing chip removed from the dispensing means. A dispensing tip disposal section for detachably attaching the tip disposal bag;

  In the sample analyzer according to the second aspect, the dispenser is removed from the dispenser by including a dispenser tip discarding unit that detachably attaches a dispenser tip disposal bag that accommodates the dispenser chip removed from the dispenser. Since the dispensed chip is stored in the dispensed chip disposal bag, the user can carry the dispensed chip out of the analyzer without touching the dispensed chip removed using the dispensed chip disposal bag. . Further, if the dispensing tip disposal bag is made disposable, it becomes unnecessary to clean the dispensing tip disposal bag, thereby saving the user's trouble.

  In the sample analyzer according to the second aspect, preferably, the dispensing tip discarding unit is a bag set unit that is detachably attached to the sample analyzer, and a dispensing tip disposal that is detachably attached to the bag set unit. Including bags. If comprised in this way, since a user can attach or detach a dispensing chip waste bag to a bag setting part after removing a bag set part from a sample analyzer, attachment / detachment of a dispensing chip waste bag becomes easy.

  In the sample analyzer according to the second aspect, preferably, the dispensing tip waste bag includes a concave portion at the bottom, and the bag setting portion includes a convex portion that is inserted into the concave portion of the dispensing tip waste bag. If comprised in this way, since the position with respect to the bag set part of a dispensing tip waste bag can be easily determined when attaching a dispensing tip waste bag to a bag set part, it is easy to attach a dispensing tip waste bag. become.

  In the sample analyzer according to the second aspect, preferably, the concave portion is formed such that the central portion is lower than both end portions. If comprised in this way, the dispensing tip waste bag can accommodate many dispensing tips in the center part.

  In the sample analyzer according to the second aspect, preferably, the bag setting unit includes an open part for maintaining the dispensing chip disposal bag in an open state. If comprised in this way, since the dispensing chip | tip disposal bag is open when the bag setting part is mounted | worn with the sample analyzer, accommodation of a dispensing chip | tip becomes easy.

  The sample analyzer according to the second aspect preferably includes detection means for detecting whether or not the dispensing tip waste bag is attached to the sample analyzer. If comprised in this way, a dispensing tip waste bag can be set reliably.

  In the sample analyzer according to the second aspect, preferably, the dispensing tip waste bag includes an opening / closing means for enabling opening and closing of the opening of the dispensing tip waste bag. If comprised in this way, when handling the dispensing tip waste bag which accommodated the used dispensing tip, an opening can be closed and it can prevent that a dispensing tip is nullified.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a sample analyzer and its peripheral devices according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the measurement unit of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of FIG. 4 to 15 are diagrams showing details of components of the measurement unit of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. In the first embodiment, a gene amplification detection apparatus will be described as an example of the sample analyzer of the present invention. The gene amplification detection apparatus according to the first embodiment is an analysis apparatus that supports diagnosis of cancer metastasis in a resected tissue in cancer surgery, and a cancer-derived gene (mRNA) present in the resected tissue is LAMP (Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification). , Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd.), and the detection is performed by measuring the turbidity of the solution generated by the amplification. Details of the LAMP method are disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,410,278.

  First, with reference to FIG. 1, the overall configuration of the sample analyzer (gene amplification detector) and its peripheral devices according to the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a sample analyzer (gene amplification detection apparatus) 100 according to the first embodiment includes a measurement unit 101 and a data processing unit 102 connected to the measurement unit 101 via a communication line. Yes. The data processing unit 102 includes a personal computer including a keyboard 102a and a mouse 102b. In addition, a printer 200 as a peripheral device and a host computer 300 are connected to the data processing unit 102 via a communication line. The printer 200 is provided for printing graphic data and text data. In addition, measurement data is output from the data processing unit 102 to the host computer 300.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the measuring unit 101 includes a dispensing mechanism unit 10, a sample container setting unit 20, a reagent container setting unit 30, a chip setting unit 40, a chip discarding unit 50, and five And a reaction detection unit 60 including a reaction detection block 60a. The dispensing mechanism unit 10 is an example of the “dispensing unit” of the present invention, the sample container setting unit 20 is an example of the “sample container mounting unit” of the present invention, and the reagent container setting unit 30 is FIG. 4 is an example of a “reagent container mounting portion” according to the present invention. The chip setting unit 40 is an example of the “dispensing chip mounting unit” in the present invention, the chip discarding unit 50 is an example of the “dispensing chip discarding unit” in the present invention, and the reaction detection unit 60 is This is an example of the “detection unit” of the present invention. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the measurement unit 101 controls the apparatus by a microcomputer and supplies power to the entire apparatus including the control unit 70 that controls input / output with the outside of the apparatus and the control unit 70. A power supply unit 80 is incorporated. An emergency stop switch 90 is installed at a predetermined location in front of the measurement unit 101.

  Here, in the first embodiment, the sample container setting unit 20, the reagent container setting unit 30, and the chip setting unit 40 are arranged along the X-axis direction. Moreover, the sample container setting part 20 is arrange | positioned at the apparatus front near side, and the reagent container setting part 30 is arrange | positioned at the apparatus front back side. Further, the five reaction detection blocks 60a and the chip discarding unit 50 are located at a position spaced apart from the sample container setting unit 20, the reagent container setting unit 30 and the chip setting unit 40 by a predetermined interval in the Y-axis direction. Arranged along the X-axis direction. That is, in the first embodiment, the sample container setting unit 20, the reagent container setting unit 30, the chip setting unit 40, the chip discarding unit 50, and the five reaction detection blocks 60a are arranged in a square shape (rectangular shape).

  The dispensing mechanism unit 10 has an arm unit 11 that can move in the X-axis and Y-axis directions (plane direction), and 2 that can move in the Z-axis direction (vertical direction) independently of the arm unit 11. A series (two) of syringe sections 12 are included. As shown in FIG. 4, the syringe part 12 includes a nozzle part 12a to which a pipette tip 41 (to be described later) is attached at the tip, a pump part 12b for performing suction and discharge, and a motor 12c serving as a drive source for the pump part 12b. The liquid level detection sensor 12d and the pressure detection sensor 12e are included. In the pump unit 12b, the suction and discharge functions are obtained by converting the rotation of the motor 12c into a piston motion. The liquid level detection sensor 12d is a capacitance type sensor, and detects that the tip of the pipette tip 41 made of a conductive resin is in contact with the liquid level. Moreover, the pressure detection sensor 12e detects the pressure at the time of the suction and discharge by the pump part 12b. The liquid level detection sensor 12d and the pressure detection sensor 12e detect whether suction and discharge are reliably performed.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a sample container setting base 21 having five sample container setting holes 21 a and a gripping part 21 b can be removed in a recess (not shown) of the sample container setting part 20. It is inserted in. The sample container setting hole 21a is an example of the “container mounting hole” in the present invention. The five sample container setting holes 21a of the sample container setting table 21 are provided at predetermined intervals in one row along the X-axis direction. A sample container 22 containing a solubilized extract (sample) prepared by processing (homogenizing, filtering, diluting) the excised tissue in advance is set in the five sample container setting holes 21a of the sample container setting table 21. Is done. The sample container 22 is an example of the “sample container” in the present invention. In the sample container setting hole 21a, a container containing a calibrator containing a target gene having a predetermined concentration serving as a reference for creating a calibration curve, which will be described later, or a gene that should not be amplified is not normally amplified. A container containing a negative control for confirmation is also arranged.

  In addition, a reagent container setting base 31 having two primer reagent container setting holes 31a, two enzyme reagent container setting holes 31b, and a gripping part 31c is removed from a recess (not shown) of the reagent container setting part 30. It has been fitted. The primer reagent container setting hole 31a and the enzyme reagent container setting hole 31b are examples of the “container mounting hole” in the present invention. Two primer reagent container setting holes 31a and two enzyme reagent container setting holes 31b of the reagent container setting table 31 are provided at predetermined intervals along the Y-axis direction. The primer reagent container setting hole 31a and the enzyme reagent container setting hole 31b of the reagent container setting table 31 store primer reagent containers 32a containing two types of primer reagents and enzyme reagents corresponding to the two types of primer reagents. Each of the two enzyme reagent containers 32b is set. The primer reagent container 32a and the enzyme reagent container 32b are examples of the “reagent container” of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the primer reagent container 32a containing the primer reagent of cytokeratin 19 (CK19) and the enzyme reagent of CK19 are accommodated in the primer reagent container set hole 31a and the enzyme reagent container set hole 31b on the left side of the front. The enzyme reagent container 32b thus arranged is arranged. Also, a primer reagent container 32a in which a primer reagent for β-actin is accommodated in a primer reagent container set hole 31a and an enzyme reagent container set hole 31b on the right side of the front, and an enzyme in which an enzyme reagent for β-actin is accommodated. A reagent container 32b is arranged.

  In addition, two racks 42 each having a storage hole 42a capable of storing 36 pipette tips 41 are detachably fitted in two recesses (not shown) of the chip set unit 40, respectively. In addition, the chip set unit 40 is provided with two removal buttons 43. By pushing the removal button 43, the rack 42 becomes removable. As shown in FIG. 5, the pipette tip 41 is made of a carbon-containing conductive resin material, and a filter 41a is mounted therein. The filter 41a has a function of preventing erroneous inflow of the liquid into the syringe unit 12. The pipette tip 41 is irradiated with an electron beam in a boxed state before shipment so that a degrading enzyme such as human saliva that may adhere in the manufacturing process of the pipette tip 41 does not adversely affect gene amplification. It has been subjected. The pipette tip 41 is an example of the “dispensing tip” in the present invention. Further, the rack 42 in which the pipette tips 41 are stored is stored in a state in which the lower cover 44 and the upper cover 45 are attached as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the tip discarding section 50 is provided with two tip discarding holes 50 a for discarding the used pipette tips 41. Further, a groove 50b having a width narrower than that of the chip disposal hole 50a is provided so as to be continuous with the chip disposal hole 50a.

  Each reaction detection block 60a of the reaction detection unit 60 includes a reaction unit 61, two turbidity detection units 62, and a lid closing mechanism unit 63, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, each reaction unit 61 is provided with two detection cell setting holes 61 a for setting the detection cell 65. The detection cell 65 is an example of the “analysis container” in the present invention, and the detection cell set hole 61a is an example of the “analysis container placement hole” in the present invention. Further, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the detection cell set hole 61a located on the most front side in front of the apparatus has the same Y axis as the sample container set hole 21a located on the most front side in front of the apparatus. It is arranged on the line. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, each reaction portion 61 is provided with a light irradiation groove 61b so as to expose the detection cell set hole 61a. Each reaction unit 61 is provided with a Peltier module 61c and a heat dissipation heat sink 61d for controlling the liquid temperature inside the detection cell 65 to about 20 ° C. to about 65 ° C.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the turbidity detection unit 62 includes an LED light source unit 62a composed of a blue LED having a wavelength of 465 nm attached to a substrate 64a disposed on one side of the reaction unit 61, and a reaction. The photodiode light receiving part 62b attached to the board | substrate 64b arrange | positioned at the other side surface side of the part 61 is comprised. In each reaction detection block 60a, two sets of one set of turbidity detection units 62 each including one LED light source unit 62a and one photodiode light receiving unit 62b are arranged. Accordingly, the five reaction detection blocks 60a are provided with a turbidity detection unit 62 including a total of ten sets of LED light source units 62a and photodiode light receiving units 62b. The LED light source unit 62a and the photodiode light receiving unit 62b corresponding to the LED light source unit 62a irradiate light having a diameter of about 1 mm from the LED light source unit 62a to the lower part of the detection cell 65 so that the light can be received by the photodiode light receiving unit 62b. Is arranged. The LED light source unit 62a and the photodiode light receiving unit 62b have functions of detecting the presence or absence of the detection cell 65 and detecting (monitoring) the turbidity of the liquid contained in the detection cell 65 in real time.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 12, the detection cell 65 is a cell made of a heat-resistant transparent resin that can transmit light (for example, a crystalline olefin-based thermoplastic resin such as polymethylpentene (TPX)). It is configured by integrally combining two members, a member 66 and a lid member 67 made of heat-resistant resin (for example, high density polyethylene). The detection cell 65 is irradiated with an electron beam in a boxed state before shipment so that a degrading enzyme such as human saliva that may adhere in the manufacturing process of the detection cell 65 does not adversely affect gene amplification. It has been subjected. As shown in FIG. 10, the cell member 66 constituting the detection cell 65 is integrally formed with two cell portions 66a and two hook engaging holes 66b. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the inner wall bottom 66c of the cell portion 66a of the cell member 66 can obtain a liquid level height that can be detected by the turbidity detection unit 62 even when the amount of liquid is small. It is formed in a round shape. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the lid member 67 constituting the detection cell 65 has a cell having two lid parts 67a, two hook parts 67b, a knob part 67c, and two cell member mounting holes 67d. The member attaching portion 67e and the two connecting portions 67f are integrally formed. The lid portion 67a is an example of the “lid” in the present invention. The detection cell 65 is integrally assembled by inserting the two cell portions 66 a of the cell member 66 into the two cell member mounting holes 67 d of the lid member 67. When the lid portion 67a shown in FIG. 8 is opened and the lid portion 67a is closed as shown in FIG. 9, the two hook portions 67b of the lid member 67 are hook-engaged with the corresponding cell members 66, respectively. Engage with the hole 66b. Accordingly, the lid 67a is held in a closed state.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 13, the lid closing mechanism 63 is provided with a lid sealing arm 63 a for placing the lid 67 a of the detection cell 65. The lid sealing arm 63a is integrally attached to the rotating member 63b. The rotating member 63b is attached to one end of the shaft 63c so as to be rotatable around the shaft 63c. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a pulley 63d is attached to the other end of the shaft 63c. Further, a pulley 63e that is rotatably attached to the pulley 63d is provided at a predetermined interval. A belt 63f is attached between the pulley 63d and the pulley 63e. A vertical movement member 63g that moves up and down as the belt 63f moves up and down is attached to the belt 63f. As shown in FIG. 14, a tension spring 63h for urging the vertical movement member 63g downward is attached to the vertical movement member 63g. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, by pressing the vertical movement member 63g upward, the vertical movement member 63g is pressed upward to resist the urging force of the tension spring 63h (see FIG. 14). A member 63j is provided. The pressing member 63j is configured to move in the vertical direction using a stepping motor 63k and a slide screw 63i. In addition, a torque limiter 63l is provided between the stepping motor 63k and the slide screw 63i so as to idle when a torque more than necessary is applied. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the pressing mechanism portion including the pressing member 63j, the stepping motor 63k, the torque limiter 63l, and the slide screw 63i is attached to the linear motion guide 63m so as to be movable in the X-axis direction. The pressing mechanism unit is moved in the X-axis direction between the five reaction detection blocks 60a by using the stepping motor 63n, the pulleys 63o and 63p, and the timing belt 63q.

  FIGS. 16 to 18 are schematic diagrams for explaining the lid closing operation of the measurement unit according to the first embodiment, and FIGS. 19 and 20 are graphs for explaining the gene amplification detection operation. Next, the operation of the sample analyzer (gene amplification detection apparatus) according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, 7 and 13 to 20. In the gene amplification detection apparatus according to the first embodiment, as described above, a cancer-derived gene (mRNA) present in a resected tissue in cancer surgery is amplified using the LAMP method, and the turbidity of the solution generated along with the amplification Detection is performed by measuring. In this embodiment, by using the LAMP method, which is a direct gene amplification method for a short time, it is possible to perform from sample setting to reaction detection in a short time of about 30 minutes.

  First, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a sample container 22 containing a solubilized extract (sample) prepared by processing (homogenizing, filtering, diluting) the excised tissue in advance is used as a sample container setting base 21. To the sample container setting hole 21a. In addition, the primer reagent container 32a in which the primer reagent of CK19 (cytokeratin 19) is accommodated in the primer reagent container set hole 31a and the enzyme reagent container set hole 31b on the left side of the front and the enzyme reagent container 32b in which the enzyme reagent of CK19 is accommodated. Set. Also, a primer reagent container 32a in which a primer reagent of β-actin (β-actin) is accommodated in a primer reagent container set hole 31a and an enzyme reagent container set hole 31b on the right side of the front and an enzyme in which an enzyme reagent of β-actin is accommodated. The reagent container 32b is set. Further, two racks 42 each containing 36 disposable pipette tips 41 are fitted into the recesses (not shown) of the chip set section 40. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the initial position of the arm portion 11 of the dispensing mechanism portion 10 is a position deviated from above the tip set portion 40. It is possible to fit two racks 42 (not shown). Further, the two cell portions 66a of the detection cell 65 are set in the two detection cell setting holes 61a of the reaction portion 61 of each reaction detection block 60a.

  Then, after registering measurement items, registering sample IDs, and the like using the keyboard 102a and mouse 102b of the data processing unit 102 shown in FIG. 1, the operation of the measurement unit 101 is started using the keyboard 102a or mouse 102b. .

  When the operation of the measurement unit 101 is started, first, after the arm unit 11 of the dispensing mechanism unit 10 is moved from the initial position to the chip set unit 40, the two syringe units of the dispensing mechanism unit 10 are moved in the chip set unit 40. 12 is moved downward. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the tips of the nozzle portions 12 a of the two syringe portions 12 are press-fitted into the upper openings of the two pipette tips 41, so that the tips of the nozzle portions 12 a of the two syringe portions 12 Pipette tip 41 is automatically mounted. After the two syringe parts 12 are moved upward, the arm part 11 of the dispensing mechanism part 10 has two primers containing the CK19 and β-actin primer reagents set on the reagent container setting base 31. The reagent container 32a is moved in the X-axis direction upward. Then, by moving the two syringe parts 12 downward, the tips of the two pipette tips 41 attached to the nozzle parts 12a of the two syringe parts 12 are respectively CK19 in the two primer reagent containers 32a. And inserted into the surface of the β-actin primer reagent. Then, the CK19 and β-actin primer reagents in the two primer reagent containers 32a are aspirated by the pump part 12b of the syringe part 12. When the primer reagent is aspirated, the liquid level detection sensor 12d (see FIG. 4) detects that the tip of the pipette tip 41 made of conductive resin is in contact with the liquid level, and the pressure detection sensor 12e ( 4), the pressure at the time of suction by the pump unit 12b is detected. The liquid level detection sensor 12d and the pressure detection sensor 12e detect whether suction is being performed reliably.

  After the primer reagent is aspirated, after the two syringe parts 12 are moved upward, the arm part 11 of the dispensing mechanism part 10 is moved above the reaction detection block 60a located on the farthest side (the front side of the apparatus front side). Is done. In this case, the arm part 11 of the dispensing mechanism part 10 is moved so as not to pass above the second to fifth other reaction detection blocks 60a from the back. In the innermost reaction detection block 60a, the two syringe parts 12 are moved downward to detect the two pipette tips 41 attached to the nozzle parts 12a of the two syringe parts 12, respectively. The cell 65 is inserted into the two cell portions 66a. And using the pump part 12b of the syringe part 12, two primer reagents of CK19 and (beta) -actin are each discharged to the two cell parts 66a. At the time of this discharge, similarly to the above-described suction, the liquid level detection sensor 12d detects that the tip of the pipette tip 41 made of a conductive resin is in contact with the level of the discharged liquid and detects the pressure. The pressure at the time of discharge by the pump unit 12b is detected by the sensor 12e. These liquid level detection sensor 12d and pressure detection sensor 12e detect whether or not the ejection is reliably performed. It should be noted that the same detection by the liquid level detection sensor 12d and the pressure detection sensor 12e as described above is also performed when the following enzyme reagent and sample are sucked and discharged.

  After the primer reagent is discharged, the two syringe parts 12 are moved upward, and then the arm part 11 of the dispensing mechanism part 10 is moved in the X-axis direction toward the upper part of the tip discarding part 50. In the tip discarding unit 50, the pipette tip 41 is discarded. Specifically, the pipette tip 41 is inserted into the two tip disposal holes 50a (see FIG. 3) of the tip disposal portion 50 by moving the two syringe portions 12 downward. In this state, when the arm portion 11 of the dispensing mechanism portion 10 is moved in the Y-axis direction, the pipette tip 41 is moved below the groove portion 50b. When the two syringe parts 12 are moved upward, the collar parts on the upper surface of the pipette tip 41 abut against the lower surfaces on both sides of the groove 50b and receive downward force from the lower surface. 41 is automatically detached from the nozzle part 12a of the two syringe parts 12. As a result, the pipette tip 41 is discarded in the tip discarding unit 50.

  Next, after the arm part 11 of the dispensing mechanism part 10 is moved again to the chip set part 40, the tip of the nozzle part 12a of the two syringe parts 12 is operated in the chip set part 40 by the same operation as described above. In addition, two new pipette tips 41 are automatically mounted. The arm portion 11 of the dispensing mechanism portion 10 has an X-axis extending upward from the two enzyme reagent containers 32b in which the two enzyme reagents CK19 and β-actin set on the reagent container setting base 31 are accommodated. Moved in the direction. Thereafter, by moving the two syringe parts 12 downward, the two enzyme reagents CK19 and β-actin in the two enzyme reagent containers 32b are aspirated, and then the two syringe parts 12 are moved upward. Moved. Then, after the arm portion 11 of the dispensing mechanism portion 10 is moved above the innermost reaction detection block 60a, the two enzyme reagents CK19 and β-actin are respectively detected in the two cells of the detection cell 65. It is discharged to the part 66a. Also in this case, the arm part 11 of the dispensing mechanism part 10 is moved so as not to pass above the second to fifth other reaction detection blocks 60a from the back. After the enzyme reagent is discharged, the arm portion 11 of the dispensing mechanism portion 10 is moved above the tip discarding portion 50, and then the pipette tip 41 is discarded.

  Next, after the arm portion 11 of the dispensing mechanism portion 10 is moved again to the tip set portion 40, two new pipette tips 41 are automatically attached to the tips of the nozzle portions 12a of the two syringe portions 12. The The arm 11 of the dispensing mechanism 10 is moved in the X-axis direction toward the upper side of the sample container 22 in which the sample set on the sample container setting table 21 is accommodated, and then the sample in the sample container 22 Is sucked. Specifically, first, after one syringe part 12 located above one sample container 22 is moved downward and the sample is sucked, the one syringe part 12 is moved upward. Thereafter, the arm part 11 of the dispensing mechanism part 10 is moved in the Y-axis direction so that the other syringe part 12 is positioned above the same sample container 22. Then, after the other syringe part 12 is moved downward and the sample is sucked from the same sample container 22, the other syringe part 12 is moved upward. After that, after the arm part 11 of the dispensing mechanism part 10 is moved above the innermost reaction detection block 60a, the two syringe parts 12 are moved downward, and the two cell parts of the detection cell 65 are moved. In 66a, the same sample is discharged. Also in this case, the arm part 11 of the dispensing mechanism part 10 is moved so as not to pass above the second to fifth other reaction detection blocks 60a from the back.

  When the sample is discharged to the two cell portions 66a of the detection cell 65, the suction and discharge operations are repeated a plurality of times using the pumps 12b of the two syringe portions 12, so that the two cell portions 66a The contained CK19 and β-actin primer and enzyme reagents and the sample are agitated. At the time of dispensing the primer reagent, enzyme reagent, and sample, the liquid temperature in the detection cell 65 is maintained at about 20 ° C. using the Peltier module 61c shown in FIG. Thereafter, after the arm portion 11 of the dispensing mechanism portion 10 is moved above the tip discarding portion 50, the pipette tip 41 is discarded.

  Then, after the primer reagent, enzyme reagent, and sample are discharged into the cell portion 66a, the lid closing operation of the detection cell 65 is performed. Details of the lid closing operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 13 to 18. First, FIGS. 7 and 16 show a state in which the lid 67a is opened immediately after the primer reagent, enzyme reagent, and sample are discharged into the cell portion 66a. From this state, when the stepping motor 63k shown in FIGS. 7 and 13 is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction, the slide screw 63i is rotated. Accordingly, the pressing member 63j is moved upward, so that the vertical movement member 63g (see FIG. 13) is moved upward against the urging force of the tension spring 63h (see FIG. 14). This upward movement of the vertically moving member 63g is converted into rotational motion of the shaft 63c via the belt 63f and the pulley 63d. As a result, the rotating member 63b attached to the shaft 63c is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIGS. 7 and 16 with the shaft 63c as a fulcrum, so the lid sealing arm attached to the rotating member 63b. 63a is also rotated in the direction of the arrow with the shaft 63c as a fulcrum. Therefore, the lid portion 67a of the lid member 67 of the detection cell 65 placed on the lid sealing arm 63a is rotated toward the cell portion 66 side of the detection cell 65, and as shown in FIG. The lid portion 67a of the lid member 67 is closed with respect to 66a. Here, when a certain force is applied when closing the lid portion 67a with respect to the cell portion 66a, the torque limiter 63l shown in FIG. 13 rotates idly, so that an excessive force is applied to the lid portion 67a or the cell portion 66a. It can suppress adding. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the lid portion 67a or the cell portion 66a from being damaged or deformed during the lid closing operation. Note that once the lid portion 67a is closed, the hook portion 67b and the hook engagement hole 66b are engaged to maintain the closed state of the lid portion 67a, and therefore the lid portion 67a is opened again. Is prevented.

  Thereafter, when the stepping motor 63k shown in FIGS. 7 and 13 is rotationally driven in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction, the pressing member 63j is moved downward, so that the vertical movement member 63g (see FIG. 13). Is moved downward by the biasing force of the tension spring 63h (see FIG. 14). As a result, the shaft 63c is rotated in the opposite direction, and the rotation member 63b attached to the shaft 63c is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 18 with the shaft 63c as a fulcrum. Thereby, the rotation member 63b and the lid sealing arm 63a are returned to the initial positions as shown in FIG. In this way, the lid closing operation is performed. The lid closing operation of the detection cell 65 is performed by the second reaction detection block 60a from the back after the primer reagent, enzyme reagent, and sample are discharged to the detection cell 65 of the reaction detection block 60a on the innermost side. This is performed before the primer reagent, the enzyme reagent, and the sample are discharged to the detection cell 65.

  After the above-described lid closing operation is completed, the liquid temperature in the detection cell 65 is heated from about 20 ° C. to about 65 ° C. by using the Peltier module 61c shown in FIG. To amplify the target gene (mRNA). And the white turbidity by the magnesium pyrophosphate produced | generated with amplification is detected by a turbidimetric method. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18, light having a diameter of about 1 mm from the LED light source unit 62 a is passed through the light irradiation groove 61 b of the reaction unit 61 in the arrow B direction (see FIGS. 8 and 18). The cell portion 66a of the detection cell 65 during the amplification reaction is irradiated. The irradiated light is received by the photodiode light receiving unit 62b. Thereby, the liquid turbidity in the cell part 66a of the detection cell 65 during the amplification reaction is detected (monitored) in real time. As a result, in the data processing unit 102 (see FIG. 1), when the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents turbidity (OD: Optical Density), measurement data as shown in FIG. 19 is obtained. . Then, an amplification rise time which is a time until the copy number of the target gene (mRNA) in the sample increases rapidly from the measurement data is detected based on a change in turbidity. Then, the concentration of the target gene is calculated from the amplification rise time based on a calibration curve created in advance from the measurement result of the calibrator as shown in FIG. Here, the calibration curve shown in FIG. 20 is a curve with the amplification rise time on the horizontal axis and the target gene concentration on the vertical axis. In general, the shorter the amplification start-up time, the higher the target gene concentration.

  In addition, a container containing a calibrator containing a target gene at a predetermined concentration that serves as a standard for creating a calibration curve, and a negative control for confirming that a gene that should not be amplified are not normally amplified The containers are set in the sample container setting hole 21a of the sample container setting table 21 at a predetermined frequency. For the calibrator and the negative control, operations similar to the above-described sample suction, discharge, and detection operations are performed. A calibration curve can be created by the detection operation of the calibrator, and it can be confirmed by the detection operation of the negative control that the gene that should not be amplified is not normally amplified.

  As described above, the target gene is detected in the reaction detection block 60a located on the innermost side. In parallel with the detection operation of the target gene after the lid closing operation in the reaction detection block 60a located on the innermost side, the primer reagent, enzyme reagent, and sample are dispensed in the reaction detection block 60a that is the second from the back. Operation, lid closing operation, and target gene detection operation are performed. Further, in parallel with the target gene detection operation after the lid closing operation in the second reaction detection block 60a from the back, the primer reagent, enzyme reagent, and sample dispensing operation are performed in the third reaction detection block 60a from the back. The lid closing operation and the target gene detection operation are performed. Thereafter, operations similar to the above are sequentially performed for the fourth and fifth reaction detection blocks 60a from the back. In the second to fifth reaction detection blocks 60a from the back, when the lid closing operation is performed, the stepping motor 63m shown in FIG. 15 is driven so that the pressing mechanism detects the innermost reaction. The lid 60 is sequentially moved from the block 60a to the second to fifth reaction detection blocks 60a from the back, and the lid closing operation is performed. The detection operation ends when the target gene detection operation of the fifth reaction detection block 60a ends. Thereafter, the grip portion 67c of the detection cell 65 is held and the five detection cells 65 are discarded.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the dispensing mechanism unit 10 that is movable in the XY axis direction (planar direction) and the Z axis direction (vertical direction) is provided, and the sample container setting unit 20 and the reagent container setting unit 30 are provided. The chip set unit 40 is arranged along the X-axis direction, and the five reaction detection blocks 60a and the chip discarding unit 50 are arranged with respect to the sample container setting unit 20, the reagent container setting unit 30, and the chip setting unit 40. The sample container setting unit 20, the reagent container setting unit 30, the chip setting unit 40, the chip discarding unit 50, and the five reaction detections are arranged along the X axis direction at positions separated by a predetermined interval in the Y axis direction. Since the block 60a can be arranged in a rectangular shape (rectangular shape), the movement range of the dispensing mechanism unit 10 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is the rectangular range. It can be. Thereby, since the movement range of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction of the dispensing mechanism unit 10 can be reduced, it is possible to reduce the size of the measuring unit 101 and to sufficiently speed up the analysis process. it can.

  Moreover, in 1st Embodiment, while arrange | positioning the sample container setting part 20 in the front near side of the measurement part 101, and arrange | positioning the reagent container setting part 30 in the front back side of the measurement part 101, it is the front of the measurement part 101. Since the front side is easy to handle, it is possible to easily handle a sample that requires careful handling due to the possibility of infection.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the sample analysis apparatus (gene amplification detection apparatus) is connected to the measurement unit 101 and the measurement unit 101 via a communication line. By comprising the data processing unit 102 having the function of processing the detected data, the data detected by the measurement unit 101 can be easily processed by the data processing unit 102, so that the data processing can be speeded up. Can do. In addition, since the data processing unit 102 can be used to start the operation of the measurement unit 101, operability can be improved.

  Moreover, in 1st Embodiment, when the arm part 11 of the dispensing mechanism part 10 moves above the predetermined reaction detection block 60a in order to discharge, as mentioned above, it is above other reaction detection blocks 60a. When the sample and reagent are discharged to the detection cell 65 of the predetermined reaction detection block 60a by moving the arm portion 11 of the dispensing mechanism unit 10 so as not to pass through, the detection of the other reaction detection block 60a It is possible to prevent contamination from occurring due to mixing of the reagent and sample to be discharged into the detection cell 65 of the predetermined reaction detection block 60a into the cell 65.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the detection cell set hole 61a located on the most front side in front of the apparatus is placed on the same Y axis as the sample container set hole 21a located on the most front side in front of the apparatus. By disposing, the movement range in the X-axis direction of the dispensing mechanism unit 10 toward the front side of the apparatus can be made the same on the reaction detection unit 60 side and the sample container setting unit 20 side. The range of movement of the portion 10 in the X-axis direction can be minimized. As a result, the measuring unit 101 can be further downsized, and the movement time of the dispensing mechanism unit 10 can be reduced. By reducing the movement time of the dispensing mechanism unit 10, more rapid processing can be performed.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the lid closing mechanism 63 for closing the lid 67a of the detection cell 65 is provided, and the lid closing operation by the lid closing mechanism 63 is applied to a predetermined detection cell 65. After discharge of the primer reagent, enzyme reagent and sample, and before discharge of the primer reagent, enzyme reagent and sample to the next detection cell 65, contamination (contamination) of a predetermined detection cell 65 Can be reliably prevented.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the nozzle portion 12a of the dispensing mechanism portion 10 is provided with the nozzle portion 12a to which the pipette tip 41 is detachably attached to the tip thereof, thereby the nozzle of the syringe portion 12 Contamination can be prevented by exchanging the pipette tip 41 detachably attached to the part 12a for each sample or reagent.

  In the first embodiment, the tip setting unit 40, the sample container setting unit 20, and the sample container setting unit 30 are arranged along the X-axis direction, so that the tip setting unit 40 and the dispensing mechanism unit 10 are arranged. After attaching the pipette tip 41 to the nozzle part 12a of the syringe part 12, the dispensing mechanism part 10 can be moved from the sample container 22 or the primer reagent container 23a and the enzyme reagent container 23b to the sample or reagent only by moving in the X-axis direction. Since suction can be performed, processing can be further accelerated.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the chip discarding unit 50 and the reaction detection block 60a of the reaction detection unit 60 are arranged along the X-axis direction, so that the reagent or sample is discharged into the detection cell 65. Since the dispensing mechanism unit 10 can be moved to the tip discarding unit 50 simply by moving the dispensing mechanism unit 10 in the X-axis direction after the operation has been performed, the disposal position of the pipette tip 41 after the reagent or sample is discharged Can be moved quickly. This also makes it possible to speed up the processing.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the dispensing mechanism unit 10 is provided with the two syringe units 12, and the primer reagent container set hole 31a and the enzyme reagent container set hole 31b of the reagent container set base 31 are By providing two each at a predetermined interval along the Y-axis direction and providing two cell portions 66a in the detection cell 65, it is possible to simultaneously discharge samples or reagents to the two cell portions 66a. It is possible to improve the processing capacity during suction and dispensing. Thereby, a process can be speeded up more.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the LED light source unit 62a and the photodiode light receiving unit 62b are used to detect (monitor) the liquid turbidity in the detection cell 65 during the amplification reaction in real time. More accurate liquid turbidity can be detected. Thereby, since the detection accuracy of the amplification rise time can be improved, the detection accuracy of the target gene concentration can be improved.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the measurement unit of the sample analyzer according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 is a schematic plan view of FIG. 23 to 46 show details of the components of the measurement unit of the sample analyzer according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 21, and FIGS. 47 and 48 show the second embodiment shown in FIG. It is a top view for demonstrating operation | movement of the measurement part of the sample analyzer by a form. Referring to FIGS. 21, 22, 35, and 41, in the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the condensed water accumulated in the sample container setting unit 420 and the sample container setting unit 430 is discharged. Condensed water discharging mechanism, tip discarding section 450 including tip disposal bag 452, and dripping removal for removing dripping generated at the tip of pipette tip 41 when a sample is discharged to cell portion 66a of detection cell 65 The member 410 is provided in the measurement unit 401, and the structure of the lid closing mechanism unit 461 of the reaction detection unit 460 is different from that of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the arrangement of the mechanism for moving the dispensing mechanism unit 10 in the XY plane is different from that of the first embodiment. The remaining structure of the second embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. The operations other than the chip waste bag setting operation, the dripping removal operation, and the lid closing operation of the second embodiment are basically the same as those of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described in detail.

  First, with reference to FIGS. 21 to 33, a sample container setting unit 420, a sample container setting unit 430, and their condensed water discharge mechanisms according to the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 21 to 25, the sample container setting base 422 is detachably fitted in the recess 421 of the sample container setting section 420. The sample container setting section 420 is an example of the “sample container placement section” in the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 26 to 29, the sample container set base 422 includes an aluminum base 423, a transparent resin plate 424, and a heat insulating material 425. As shown in FIGS. 26 and 29, the aluminum base 423 has five sample container setting holes 423a. The sample container setting hole 423a is an example of the “container mounting hole” in the present invention. Sample containers 22 (see FIG. 21) similar to those in the first embodiment are set in the five sample container setting holes 423a. The resin plate 424 constituting the sample container setting table 422 has two gripping portions 424a and five through holes 424b formed at positions corresponding to the five sample container setting holes 423a of the base 423. Yes. As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the heat insulating material 425 is disposed between the plate 424 and the base 423 so as to surround the five sample container setting holes 423a.

  As shown in FIGS. 23 and 25, a reagent container setting base 432 is detachably fitted in the recess 431 of the reagent container setting section 430. The reagent container setting section 430 is an example of the “reagent container mounting section” in the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 30 to 33, the reagent container set base 432 includes an aluminum base 433, a transparent resin plate 434, and a heat insulating material 435. As shown in FIGS. 30 and 33, the aluminum base 433 has two primer reagent container setting holes 433a and one enzyme reagent container setting hole 433b. The primer reagent container setting hole 433a and the enzyme reagent container setting hole 433b are examples of the “container mounting hole” in the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the two primer reagent container setting holes 433a are provided at predetermined intervals along the Y-axis direction, and the enzyme reagent container setting hole 433b is provided only on the left side of the front surface. Is provided. An enzyme reagent container 436 containing an enzyme reagent common to cytokeratin 19 (CK19) and β-actin is disposed in the enzyme reagent container set hole 433b. The enzyme reagent container 436 is an example of the “reagent container” in the present invention. The primer reagent container 32a disposed in the two primer reagent container setting holes 433a is the same as that in the first embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 30 and 33, the resin plate 434 constituting the reagent container set base 432 includes two gripping portions 434a, two primer reagent container set holes 433a of the base 433, and one enzyme reagent container set. And three through-holes 434b formed at positions corresponding to the holes 433b. As shown in FIGS. 31 to 33, the heat insulating material 435 is disposed between the plate 434 and the base 433 so as to surround the two primer reagent container setting holes 433a and the one enzyme reagent container setting hole 433b.

  As shown in FIG. 25, a plurality of water collecting grooves 440 are formed on the bottom surface of the concave portion 421 of the sample container setting portion 420 and the bottom surface of the concave portion 431 of the reagent container setting portion 430. The plurality of water collecting grooves 440 are provided so as to penetrate from the inner side surfaces of the recesses 421 and 431 to the outer side surfaces of the sample container setting unit 420 and the reagent container setting unit 430. In addition, drain pipes 442 that are inclined downward toward the tip are connected to the ends of the water collecting grooves 440 located on the outer surface portions of the sample container setting section 420 and the reagent container setting section 430, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 23 and 25, a bowl-shaped drainage groove 441 extending along the X-axis direction is formed below the distal end portion of the drainage pipe 442. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 24, this bowl-shaped drainage groove 441 has a shape that inclines downward as it approaches the front side of the apparatus. The water collecting groove 440, the drain groove 441, and the drain pipe 442 constitute a dew condensation water discharge mechanism. This dew condensation water discharging mechanism collects the dew condensation water generated on the surfaces of the aluminum base 423 of the sample container set base 422 and the aluminum base 433 of the reagent container set base 432, and the water collecting groove 440, the drain pipe 442 and the drain groove 441. Is provided to discharge the sample container set unit 420 and the reagent container set unit 430 to the outside. In addition, as shown in FIG. 21, the dew condensation water storage container 500 is installed under the front-end | tip part of the drain groove 441. As shown in FIG.

  Next, the chip disposal unit 450 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 21, 22, and 34 to 40. The chip disposal unit 450 shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 includes a box-shaped storage unit 451, a chip disposal bag 452 disposed in the storage unit 451, and a chip disposal bag, as shown in FIGS. A bag set base 453 for setting 452, a bag detection sensor 454, and a discard hole forming portion 455 are provided. The tip discarding unit 450 is an example of the “dispensing tip discarding unit” in the present invention, and the tip discarding bag 452 is an example of the “dispensing tip discarding bag” in the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 35 and 40, the chip waste bag 452 is formed with a chuck 452a for enabling the chip waste bag 452 to be opened and closed.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, the bag setting table 453 includes an L-shaped main body 453a, a bag holding member 453b rotatably attached to the upper portion of the main body 453a, and a main body 453a. It is comprised from the handle 453c attached to the outer surface. A resin-made support base 453e is attached to the bottom surface portion 453d of the L-shaped main body portion 453a. As shown in FIG. 35, the resin support base 453e is formed in a shape along the bottom of the concave outer surface of the chip disposal bag 452, and has two chamfers for making it difficult to damage the chip disposal bag 452. Part 453f. The bag holding member 453b has a through hole 453g and a pair of overhang portions 453h extending downward from a predetermined position facing each other across the through hole 453g. As shown in FIG. 35, the pair of overhang portions 453h is configured so that when the chip disposal bag 452 is set on the bag setting table 453, the upper portion of the chip disposal bag 452 can be maintained open. It is comprised so that it may contact | abut to the inner surface side. In addition, a U-shaped notch 453i is formed in the pair of overhang portions 453h. As shown in FIG. 35, the chip disposal bag 452 is sandwiched from above and below by a bottom surface portion 453d of a main body portion 453a to which a support base 453e is attached and a bag holding member 453b having an overhang portion 453h. It has been fixed.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, the bag detection sensor 454 is attached to the outer surface of the box-shaped storage unit 451 so as to face each other with the storage unit 451 interposed therebetween. The bag detection sensor 454 is provided to detect whether or not the chip disposal bag 452 is normally set on the bag setting table 453 when the bag setting table 453 is fitted in the storage unit 451. Moreover, the bag detection sensor 454 has a rotating member 454b to which a pulley 454a is attached at a predetermined position. The rotating member 454b and the pulley 454a are provided so as to protrude into the storage portion 451 through a through hole (not shown) provided in the side surface of the storage portion 451. Further, the pulley 454a of the rotating member 454b is disposed at a position corresponding to the position of the notch 453i of the bag set base 453 in a state where the bag set base 453 is fitted in the storage portion 451.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 21 and FIG. 41, the dripping removal member 410 by 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 41, the dispensing mechanism unit 10 can protrude into the X-axis direction (the direction of arrow M in FIG. 41) below the dispensing mechanism unit 10. A liquid dripping removal member 410 is provided. The dripping removal member 410 is provided to receive dripping dropped from the tip of the pipette tip 41 when a sample is discharged to the cell portion 66a of the detection cell 65. As shown in FIG. 41, the dripping removal member 410 is provided with a concave mounting portion 411, and a resin tray member 412 is detachably fitted into the mounting portion 411. The tray member 412 has two concave portions 412a and a grip portion 412b formed between the two concave portions 412a. The two concave portions 412a of the tray member 412 are respectively recessed below the two pipette tips 41 attached to the two syringe portions 12 of the dispensing mechanism portion 10 when the dripping removal member 410 protrudes. Are provided at a predetermined interval so as to be positioned.

  Next, the detailed structure of the lid closing mechanism 461 of the reaction detection unit 460 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 21, 22, and 42 to 44. The reaction detection unit 460 is an example of the “detection unit” in the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 21, 22, and 42, the lid closing mechanism 461 is provided with a lid side support member 461 a for placing the lid portion 67 a of the lid member 67 of the detection cell 65. As shown in FIGS. 22 and 42, a rotating member 461c is attached to one end of the lid side support member 461a via a support shaft 461b. Further, a detection piece 461e is attached to the other end portion of the lid side support member 461a via a support shaft 461d. Further, a light transmission type sensor 462 is provided in the vicinity of the detection piece 461e. The sensor 462 is provided to detect whether or not the lid member 67 of the detection cell 65 is closed by detecting that the detection piece 461e has reached a predetermined rotation position. Further, as shown in FIG. 43, the rotating member 461c attached to one end of the lid-side support member 461a is urged downward by a tension spring 461f. This tension spring 461f is in the state of I in FIG. 43 (the state where the cover member 67 of the detection cell 65 is closed) or the state of J (the cover member 67 of the detection cell 65 is not closed) with the support shaft 461b as a fulcrum. The rotating member 461c is urged downward in either state.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, two protrusions 461g and 461h are formed at predetermined positions on the outer surface of the rotating member 461c. In the state of J in FIG. 43 (a state where the lid member 67 of the detection cell 65 is not closed), the protruding portion 461g is positioned at a predetermined height on the upper side, and the protruding portion 461h is on the lower side. Located at a predetermined height. Further, when the rotating member 461c is in the state I of FIG. 42 (a state where the lid member 67 of the detection cell 65 is closed), the protruding portion 461h is positioned at a predetermined height on the upper side, and the protruding portion 461g is on the lower side. Located at a predetermined height. In each reaction detection block 460a, as shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, a sensor (micro switch) for detecting whether or not the lid member 67 of the detection cell 65 is set on the lid-side support member 461a. 463 is provided. The sensor 463 is provided at a position where the knob portion 67c of the lid member 67 contacts when the lid member 67 of the detection cell 65 is set on the lid side support member 461a.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 22, 42 and 44, pulleys 461j and 461k that rotate with a predetermined interval in the X-axis direction are arranged on the side where the rotating member 461c is installed. A stepping motor 461i for rotationally driving the pulley 461j is provided below the pulley 461j. A belt 461l is attached between the pulley 461j and the pulley 461k. An electromagnetic valve attachment member 461m is attached to the belt 461l by a belt attachment portion 461n. The electromagnetic valve attachment member 461m is attached to a slider 461t (see FIG. 44) attached to the rail portion 461s of the linear guide so as to be slidable in the X-axis direction. An electromagnetic valve 461o is attached to the electromagnetic valve attachment member 461m. A pressing member 461r having a flat pressing portion 461q projecting toward the rotating member 461c is attached to the end of the movable shaft 461p of the electromagnetic valve 461o on the rotating member 461c side. The pressing portion 461q of the pressing member 461r is moved in the direction of arrow G in FIG. 44 by the electromagnetic valve 461o, and is moved in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 42 by the belt 461l. The protrusion 461g or 461h can be pressed. In this case, the pressing member 461q is configured to contact only the upper protruding portion 461g (461h) of the two protruding portions 461g and 461h of the rotating member 461c. As shown in FIG. 21, the lid-side support member 461a is arranged so that the lid portion 67a is inclined 45 degrees from the horizontal direction when the lid portion 67a is opened and the detection cell 65 is set in the reaction portion 61. . Accordingly, the user can easily set and remove the detection cell 65 from the reaction unit 61. The inclination of the lid portion 67a is most preferably about 45 degrees, but if it is inclined within a range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees, it is easy to set and remove.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 21, 22, 45 and 46, the lid pressing member 464a is provided in the Z-axis direction (vertical direction) via the linear motion guide 464b on the arm portion 11 of the dispensing mechanism portion 10. ) Is movably attached. Further, as shown in FIG. 46, the lid pressing member 464a is urged upward by a tension spring 464c. Further, as shown in FIGS. 22, 45 and 46, the lid pressing member 464 a is pressed downward on the back surface of the frame 470 that supports the dispensing mechanism unit 10, so that the lid pressing member 464 a is pressed. A pressing member driving unit 465 is provided for moving downward against the urging force of the tension spring 464c (see FIG. 46). The pressing member drive unit 465 includes a stepping motor 465a, pulleys 465b and 465c, a belt 465d, a torque limiter 465e, a slide screw 465f, a linear motion guide 465g, and a vertical motion member 465h. Specifically, a stepping motor 465a and a pulley 465b that rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the stepping motor 465a are provided on the back surface of the frame 470 that supports the dispensing mechanism unit 10. A pulley 465c is provided at a predetermined interval from the pulley 465b. A belt 465d is attached between the pulley 465b and the pulley 465c. Further, a sliding screw 465f is connected to the shaft portion of the pulley 465c via a torque limiter 465e that idles when an excessive torque is applied. A vertical movement member 465h is attached to the slide screw 465f so as to be movable in the vertical direction. Further, the vertical movement member 465h is attached to the frame 470 so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) via a linear motion guide 465g. The vertical movement member 465h is configured to move in the vertical direction as the slide screw 465f rotates.

  Next, the operation of the sample analyzer (gene amplification detection apparatus) according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, operations other than the chip waste bag setting operation, the dripping removal operation, and the lid closing operation of the second embodiment are basically the same as those of the first embodiment described above. However, in the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, only one enzyme reagent container 436 can be set. Therefore, the two syringe parts 12 of the dispensing mechanism part 10 are provided in the enzyme reagent container 436. It is necessary to change the operation of sucking the sample to the same operation as the operation of sucking the sample in the sample container 22 in the first embodiment.

  First, with reference to FIGS. 34 to 40, the operation of setting the chip disposal bag 452 on the bag setting table 453 will be described. This operation is performed by the user before the measurement operation by the measurement unit 401 is started. First, the handle 453c is grasped and the bag set base 453 is pulled out from the storage portion 451, and the bag holding member 453b of the bag set base 453 is rotated about 90 degrees in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 38 from the state shown in FIG. As a result, the state shown in FIG. 39 is obtained. Then, with the chip waste bag 452 (see FIG. 40) opened, the bottom of the chip waste bag 452 is fitted into the support base 453e of the bag setting base 453. Then, by rotating the bag holding member 453b of the bag setting table 453 by about 90 degrees in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 39, the chip disposal bag 452 is set on the bag setting table 453 as shown in FIG. become. After the chip waste bag 452 is set on the bag setting table 453 as described above, the handle 453c shown in FIG. 35 is held and the bag setting table 453 is fitted into the storage portion 451 from the direction of arrow D shown in FIG. In this case, since the overhanging portion 453h (see FIG. 35) of the bag setting table 453 is in contact with the inner surface side of the chip disposal bag 452, the outer surface of the chip disposal bag 452 is the bag detection sensor 454 (FIGS. 36 and 37). (See) pulley 454a. As a result, the pulley 454a receives force from the outer surface of the chip disposal bag 452 in the direction of the bag detection sensor 454 (the direction of arrow E in FIGS. 36 and 37), so that the rotating member 454b of the bag detection sensor 454 It turns to the direction of the bag detection sensor 454, and will be in the state shown in FIG. Accordingly, since the bag detection sensor 454 is turned on, it is determined that the chip disposal bag 452 is normally set.

  In a state where the chip disposal bag 452 is not set normally, or in a state where the chip disposal bag 452 is not set normally, such as the overhanging portion 453h of the bag setting table 453 is located outside the chip disposal bag 452, When the bag set base 453 is fitted into the storage portion 451, the pulley 454 a of the rotating member 454 b enters the notch 453 i of the bag set base 453. In this case, the rotation member 454b does not rotate in the direction of the bag detection sensor 454 (the direction of arrow E in FIGS. 36 and 37). In this case, since the bag detection sensor 454 is not turned on, it is determined that the chip disposal bag 452 is not set on the bag setting table 453.

  After the chip waste bag 452 is normally set as described above, the sample container 22, the primer reagent container 32a, and the enzyme reagent container 436 are set as in the first embodiment. Then, the operation of the measurement unit 401 is started. Then, the mounting operation of the pipette tip 41, the suction and discharge operation of the sample, the primer reagent and the enzyme reagent, the chip discarding operation, the lid closing operation after the sample discharge and the amplification detection operation are performed. In the chip discarding operation according to the second embodiment, the pipette tip 41 discarded in the chip discarding hole 455a of the discarding hole forming unit 455 is discarded by the chip setting table 453 positioned below the discarding hole forming unit 455. The bag 452 is held inside. Then, after the target gene detection operation of the five reaction detection blocks 460a is completed, the user takes out the bag setting table 453 on which the chip disposal bag 452 is set from the storage unit 451. Then, after the bag holding member 453b is rotated upward from the state shown in FIG. 35, the chuck 452a of the chip disposal bag 452 is closed. Then, the chip disposal bag 452 is discarded in a predetermined disposal facility.

  In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the dripping removal operation is performed during the sample discharging operation. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 41 and FIG. 47, immediately after the sample discharging operation, an electromagnetic valve (not shown) provided in the dispensing mechanism unit 10 is driven, whereby the dripping removal member 410 is driven. Protrudes in the X-axis direction (the direction of arrow M in FIG. 41) with respect to the two pipette tips 41. And when the residual liquid of a sample falls from the front-end | tip of two pipette tips 41, before the residual liquid falls in the measurement part 401, two recessed parts of the saucer member 412 fitted by the dripping removal member 410 were carried out. Received in 412a. Thereby, the residual liquid of the sample generated at the tips of the two pipette tips 41 is removed.

  Further, in the lid closing operation after discharging the sample according to the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the lid side support member 461a is rotated by the electromagnetic valve mounting member 461m (see FIGS. 42 to 44). Thereafter, a lid pressing operation is performed on the lid-side support member 461a of the lid pressing member 464a. The details of the lid closing operation according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 22, 42 to 46 and 48.

  As the rotation operation of the lid-side support member 461a by the electromagnetic valve mounting member 461m, first, from the state in which the lid portion 67a immediately after the primer reagent, enzyme reagent and sample are discharged into the cell portion 66a is opened, The stepping motor 461i shown in FIGS. 22, 42 and 44 is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction. As a result, the electromagnetic valve mounting member 461m is moved toward the front of the apparatus (in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 42) via the pulley 461j and the belt 461l. At this time, before the electromagnetic valve mounting member 461m moves to the position of the reaction detection block 460a where the lid is closed, the electromagnetic valve 461o is energized and has a pressing portion 461q attached to the movable shaft 461p of the electromagnetic valve 461o. The member 461r is moved in the direction of the arrow G in FIGS. As a result, the pressing portion 461q of the pressing member 461r abuts on the protruding portion 461g located on the upper side of the rotating member 461c, and presses the protruding portion 461g in the direction of arrow H in FIG. Therefore, the rotation member 461c is rotated in the direction of the arrow H in FIG. 43 against the urging force of the tension spring 461f with the support shaft 461b as a fulcrum. At this time, the lid-side support member 461a attached to the rotation member 461c via the support shaft 461b is also rotated in the direction of arrow H in FIG. 43, so that the detection cell placed on the lid-side support member 461a. The lid portion 67 a of the 65 lid member 67 is rotated to the cell member 66 side of the detection cell 65. In this state, a lid pressing operation is performed on the lid-side support member 461a by the lid pressing member 464a.

  As the lid pressing operation for the lid-side support member 461a by the lid pressing member 464a, first, the frame 470 supporting the dispensing mechanism unit 10 is moved in the X-axis direction from the origin position shown in FIG. The mechanism unit 10 is moved in the Y-axis direction with respect to the frame 470. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 44 to 46 and 48, the lid pressing member 464a provided in the dispensing mechanism unit 10 is located above the lid-side support member 461a rotated by the rotation operation, and , It is moved to a position directly below the vertical movement member 465h provided on the frame 470. In this state, when the stepping motor 465a shown in FIG. 45 is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction, the pulley 465c rotates via the pulley 465b and the belt 465d, so that the slide screw 465f connected to the pulley 465c is Rotate. Accordingly, the vertical movement member 465h is moved downward (in the direction of the arrow L in FIGS. 45 and 46), so that the lid pressing member 464a is moved downward (FIG. 44 to FIG. 44) against the urging force of the tension spring 464c. It is moved in the direction of arrow K in FIG. Accordingly, the lid-side support member 461a is pressed from above by the lid pressing member 464a, so that the cell portion 66a of the detection cell 65 is reliably closed by the lid portion 67a. In this state, the detection piece 461e attached to the lid-side support member 461a via the support shaft 461d reaches the position detected by the sensor 462, so that the sensor 462 is turned on. As a result, it is determined that the lid closing operation has been normally performed. Thereby, the lid pressing operation for the lid-side support member 461a of the lid pressing member 464a is completed. When the vertical movement member 465h and the lid pressing member 464a press the lid side support member 461a from above, if a force exceeding a certain level is applied, the torque limiter 465e shown in FIG. It is suppressed that excessive force is added to 67a and the cell part 66a.

  Thereafter, the stepping motor 465a is rotationally driven in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction described above, whereby the vertical movement member 465h is moved upward (the direction opposite to the direction of arrow L in FIGS. 45 and 46). Therefore, the lid pressing member 464a is moved upward (the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow K in FIGS. 44 to 46) by the urging force of the tension spring 464c. Further, when the stepping motor 461i shown in FIGS. 22, 42 and 44 is driven to rotate in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction, the electromagnetic valve mounting member 461m is moved in the rear direction of the device (in the direction of the arrow F in FIG. 42). Is moved in the opposite direction). At this time, if the electromagnetic valve 461o is in an energized state, the pressing portion 461q of the pressing member 461r moves the protruding portion 461h located above the two protruding portions 461g and 461h of the rotating member 461c in the direction of arrow H in FIG. Press in the opposite direction. Thereby, the rotation member 461c is rotated in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow H in FIG. 43 against the urging force of the tension spring 461f with the support shaft 461b as a fulcrum. At this time, the lid side support member 461a is also rotated in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow G in FIG. 42 via the support shaft 461b, and returns to the initial position (state J in FIG. 43). In this way, a series of lid closing operations are performed. The operation of returning the lid-side support member 461a to the initial position (state J in FIG. 43) is performed after the sample amplification and detection operations similar to those in the first embodiment are completed.

  In the second embodiment, as described above, the condensed water generated in the sample container setting section 420 and the reagent container setting section 430 is generated by providing the condensed water discharge mechanism in the sample container setting section 420 and the reagent container setting section 430. Accumulation in the sample container setting unit 420 and the reagent container setting unit 430 can be suppressed.

  Moreover, in 2nd Embodiment, drainage of dew condensation water is efficiently performed by forming the drainage groove | channel 441 of a dew condensation water discharge mechanism in the shape which inclines below as it goes to an apparatus front near side as mentioned above. Can do.

  Further, in the second embodiment, as described above, by disposing the tip disposal bag 452 in the tip disposal section 450 so that the discarded pipette tip 41 is stored in the tip disposal bag 452, The user can carry the pipette tip 41 out of the analyzer without touching the discarded pipette tip 41 using the tip waste bag 452.

  In the second embodiment, as described above, by providing the two chamfered portions 453f on the support base 453e of the bag setting table 453, when the chip disposal bag 452 is set on the bag setting table 453, the chip disposal bag 452 can be prevented from being damaged.

  Further, in the second embodiment, as described above, by providing the liquid dripping removal member 410 in the dispensing mechanism unit 10, the sample drops from the tip of the pipette tip 41 when the sample is discharged to the cell part 66a of the detection cell 65. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the residual liquid of the sample from adhering to the measurement unit 401.

  Further, in the second embodiment, the lid closing mechanism 461 is formed in a structure that performs the lid closing operation by the rotation operation and the pressing operation from the upper direction to the lower direction, so that the lid closing operation is performed only by the rotation operation. Compared with the first embodiment, the lid closing operation can be performed more reliably.

  The remaining effects of the second embodiment are similar to those of the aforementioned first embodiment.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiments but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the sample analysis apparatus of the present invention is applied to a gene amplification detection apparatus that amplifies a target gene by the LAMP method. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the target gene is converted to a polymerase chain reaction. You may apply to the gene amplification detection apparatus amplified by the method (PCR method) or the ligase chain reaction method (LCR method). Further, the sample analyzer of the present invention may be applied to a sample analyzer other than the gene amplification detection device.

  In the first and second embodiments, the example in which the sample containers 22 are arranged in one row in the X-axis direction on the sample container setting bases 21 and 422 has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the sample container set is not limited thereto. The sample containers 22 may be arranged on the bases 21 and 422 in two rows in the X-axis direction. In this case, if the same sample is accommodated in the sample container 22 adjacent in the Y-axis direction, the same sample can be sucked at the same time by the two syringe parts 12, and therefore the processing can be further speeded up. .

  In the first and second embodiments, an example in which two primer reagent containers 32a in which different primer reagents are accommodated at a predetermined interval in the Y-axis direction on the reagent container setting bases 31 and 432 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and three or more primer reagent containers 32a in which different primer reagents are accommodated at predetermined intervals in the Y-axis direction may be arranged on the reagent container setting bases 31, 432. Good. In this case, three or more primer reagent container setting holes 31a, 433a may be provided in the reagent container setting bases 31, 432.

  In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the detection cell 65 is integrally provided with the lid by integrally combining the two members of the cell member 66 and the lid member 67. However, the detection cell provided with the cover integrally may be formed by one member.

  Further, in the above embodiment, both the dispensing of the reagent and the dispensing of the sample are performed by the single dispensing mechanism unit 10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the dispensing mechanism that dispenses the reagent. And a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the sample may be provided separately.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the turbidity detection part 62 which detects the liquid turbidity in the detection cell 65 was comprised from the LED light source part 62a and the photodiode light-receiving part 62b, this invention showed to this. Not limited to this, a turbidity detection unit composed of detection means other than the LED light source unit and the photodiode light receiving unit may be used. For example, the turbidity detection unit may be configured by a light source unit in which an optical fiber is connected to a lamp light source and a light receiving unit (light detection unit) that can receive light from the optical fiber of the light source unit.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the detection cell 65 and the dispensing mechanism unit 10 are used in duplicate, but a detection cell or a dispensing mechanism unit including a single cell unit or a single syringe unit is used. May be.

  In the second embodiment, the condensed water discharge mechanism is provided under both the sample container set base 422 and the reagent container set base 432. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only under the sample container set base 422, Alternatively, a dew condensation water discharge mechanism may be provided only under the reagent container set base 432.

  In the first and second embodiments, the pipette tips 41 discarded in the tip discarding units 50 and 450 are discarded as they are, but they may be washed and reused.

It is the perspective view which showed the whole structure of the sample analyzer (gene amplification detection apparatus) by 1st Embodiment of this invention, and its peripheral device. It is the perspective view which showed the whole structure of the measurement part of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a measurement unit of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. 2. It is the schematic which showed the structure of the syringe part in the measurement part of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which showed the structure of the pipette tip used for the sample analyzer shown in FIG. It is the perspective view which showed the storage state of the rack which accommodates the pipette chip | tip used for the sample analyzer shown in FIG. It is an expansion perspective view of the reaction detection part in the measurement part of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. It is the perspective view which showed the state which the cover part of the detection cell used for the measurement part of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. 2 opened. It is the perspective view which looked at the state which the cover part of the detection cell used for the measurement part of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. 2 closed from the arrow A direction of FIG. It is the perspective view which showed the cell member which comprises the detection cell shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the cell member which comprises the detection cell shown in FIG. It is the perspective view which showed the cover member which comprises the detection cell shown in FIG. It is the front view which showed the lid closing mechanism part of the reaction detection part in the measurement part of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. It is a partial side view of the lid closing mechanism part shown in FIG. It is a top view of the lid closing mechanism part shown in FIG. It is the schematic for demonstrating operation | movement of the lid closing mechanism part shown in FIG. It is the schematic for demonstrating operation | movement of the lid closing mechanism part shown in FIG. It is the schematic for demonstrating operation | movement of the lid closing mechanism part shown in FIG. It is the graph which showed the relationship between the time measured by the sample analyzer shown in FIG. 2, and turbidity. 3 is a graph on which a calibration curve showing the relationship between the amplification rise time and the target gene concentration used in the sample analyzer shown in FIG. 2 is drawn. It is the perspective view which showed the whole structure of the measurement part of the sample analyzer by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the plane schematic diagram of the measurement part of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. It is the top view which showed the sample container setting part and the reagent container setting part in the measurement part of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. It is a right view of the sample container setting part and reagent container setting part which were shown in FIG. It is the top view which showed the state which removed the sample container set stand and the reagent container set stand from the state shown in FIG. It is a top view of the sample container setting stand which comprises the sample container setting part shown in FIG. It is a front view of the sample container setting stand shown in FIG. It is a right view of the sample container setting stand shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing along the 500-500 line | wire in FIG. FIG. 24 is a plan view of a reagent container setting table constituting the reagent container setting unit shown in FIG. 23. It is a front view of the reagent container setting stand shown in FIG. FIG. 31 is a right side view of the reagent container setting table shown in FIG. 30. It is sectional drawing along the 600-600 line in FIG. It is the schematic which showed the state which fitted the bag set stand in the accommodating part in the measurement part of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. It is the perspective view which showed the state which set the chip disposal bag to the bag set stand in the measurement part of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. It is the top view which showed the accommodating part in the measurement part of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. It is a left view of the accommodating part shown in FIG. It is the perspective view which showed the bag set stand in the measurement part of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. It is the perspective view which showed the state which rotated the bag holding member in the bag set stand shown in FIG. It is the perspective view which showed the chip | tip disposal bag in the measurement part of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. FIG. 22 is an enlarged perspective view of a dripping removal member in a measurement unit of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. 21. FIG. 23 is an enlarged plan view showing a lid closing mechanism of a reaction detection unit in the measurement unit of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. 22. FIG. 23 is a partial side view showing a lid closing mechanism section of a reaction detection section in the measurement section of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. FIG. 23 is a front view showing a lid closing mechanism of a reaction detection unit in the measurement unit of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. FIG. 23 is a plan view showing a lid closing mechanism of a reaction detection unit in the measurement unit of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. FIG. 46 is a right side view of the lid closing mechanism shown in FIG. 45. FIG. 23 is a schematic plan view for explaining a dripping removal operation in a dripping removal member of a measurement unit of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. 22. FIG. 23 is a schematic plan view for explaining a lid pressing operation of a lid closing mechanism in the measurement unit of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. 22.

Explanation of symbols

10 Dispensing mechanism (dispensing means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Arm part 12 Syringe part 12a Nozzle part 12b Pump part 20,420 Sample container setting part (sample container mounting part)
21, 422 Sample container set base 21a, 423a Sample container set hole (container mounting hole)
30, 430 Reagent container setting part (reagent container mounting part)
31, 432 Reagent container setting base 31a, 433a Primer reagent container setting hole (container mounting hole)
31b, 433b Enzyme reagent container setting hole (container mounting hole)
40 Chipset part (dispensing chip placement part)
41 Pipette tips (dispensing tips)
42 racks 50, 450 Tip discarding section (dispensing tip discarding section)
60, 460 Reaction detector (detector)
60a, 460a Reaction detection block 61 Reaction unit 61a Detection cell set hole (detection vessel mounting hole)
62 Turbidity Detection Unit 62a LED Light Source Unit 62b Photodiode Light Receiving Unit 63, 461 Cover Closing Mechanism 65 Detection Cell (Analysis Container)
66 Cell member 66a Cell part 67 Lid member 67a Lid part (lid)
100 Sample analyzer (gene amplification detector)
101, 401 Measuring unit 102 Data processing unit 452 Chip disposal bag (dispensing chip disposal bag)

Claims (12)

A sample container placement section for placing a sample container containing a sample;
A reagent container mounting portion for mounting a reagent container containing a reagent;
An analysis container in which a sample housed in the sample container and a reagent housed in the reagent container are placed, and a detection unit that detects a predetermined detection item from the sample inside the analysis container; ,
The sample container mounting unit, the reagent container mounting unit, and the detection unit are configured to be movable at least substantially in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, respectively, from the sample container and the reagent container. A dispensing means for aspirating the sample and the reagent, and discharging the aspirated sample and reagent to the analysis container ;
A dispensing tip placement unit on which a dispensing tip attached to the dispensing means is placed;
A dispensing tip discarding unit for discarding the dispensing tip ;
The sample container placement unit , the reagent container placement unit, and the dispensing tip placement unit are disposed along the X-axis direction, and the detection unit and the dispensing tip disposal unit are configured by the sample container. A sample analyzer that is disposed along the X-axis direction with a predetermined interval in the Y-axis direction with respect to the placement unit , the reagent container placement unit, and the dispensing chip placement unit. The sample container mounting part is disposed on the front side of the sample analyzer,
The sample analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the reagent container placement unit is disposed on a front back side of the sample analyzer. A measurement unit including the sample container mounting unit, the reagent container mounting unit, the detection unit, and the dispensing means;
The sample analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising a data processing unit connected to the measurement unit via a communication line and having a function of processing at least data detected by the detection unit of the measurement unit. The detection unit includes a plurality of analysis container placement holes for placing the analysis containers arranged along the X-axis direction,
The dispensing means mounts the analysis container other than the predetermined analysis container placement hole when discharging the sample and the reagent to the analysis container placed in the predetermined analysis container placement hole. The sample analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the sample analyzer is moved so as not to pass above the hole. The detection unit includes a plurality of analysis container placement holes for placing the analysis containers arranged along the X-axis direction,
The sample container placement section and the reagent container placement section are arranged along the X-axis direction with a predetermined distance from the plurality of analysis container placement holes in the Y-axis direction, and Including a plurality of container placement holes for placing reagent containers;
The analysis container mounting hole and the container mounting hole arranged on the most front side of the analyzer are arranged on substantially the same line of the Y axis. 2. The sample analyzer according to claim 1.   The sample analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one of the sample container mounting part and the reagent container mounting part includes a condensed water discharge mechanism. The detection unit includes a plurality of analysis container placement holes for placing the analysis container having a closable lid, and lid closing means for closing the lid of the analysis container,
The lid closing unit is configured to perform the predetermined analysis after the dispensing unit discharges the sample and the reagent to the predetermined analysis container and before the sample and the reagent are discharged to the next analysis container. The sample analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the container lid is closed. It said dispensing means includes a nozzle portion to which the dispensing tip is detachably mounted on the front end, which is connected to the nozzle portion, including a pump unit for sucking and discharging the sample and the reagent, The sample analyzer of any one of Claims 1-7. The content in the dispensing tip disposal unit, the dispensing chip bag waste can be set, the sample analyzer according to any one of claims 1-8. The sample analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein an initial position of the dispensing means is set at a position other than above the dispensing chip mounting portion. Said dispensing means, said dispensing tip detachably mounted on the distal end, a first nozzle portion and the second nozzle portion disposed at a first distance, is connected to the first nozzle portion, A first pump part for aspirating and discharging the sample and the reagent; and a second pump part connected to the second nozzle part for aspirating and discharging the sample and the reagent;
The detection unit is formed at substantially the same interval as the first interval, and includes a first analysis container mounting hole and a second analysis container mounting hole for mounting the analysis container. Item 11. The sample analyzer according to any one of Items 1 to 10 . The sample analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the detection unit detects turbidity of a mixed solution of the sample and the reagent in the analysis container.

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