JP7835404B2 - Assay system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an assay system including an assay apparatus configured to perform an assay using a liquid.

In fields such as biology, chemistry, and medicine, when performing tests, experiments, and assays, it is necessary to accurately supply minute amounts of liquids, such as reagents, processing agents, and substrate solutions, to assay equipment, on the order of microliters (μl), that is, amounts between approximately 1 μl and less than approximately 1 ml. In particular, with the increasing diversity of clinical testing settings in recent years, technologies such as Point-of-Care Testing (POCT), which allows for rapid testing, diagnosis, and assays, are attracting attention. When using such technologies, the ability to accurately and easily supply various types of reagents and other liquids to assay equipment is essential.

For example, one operation for supplying liquids is the manual supply of liquid to the assay device using a pipette such as a micropipette (hereinafter referred to as "pipette operation"). However, manual pipetting operation requires accuracy, is difficult, and cumbersome. In other words, handling liquids is not easy. Such pipetting operations need to be performed by a limited number of skilled technicians, which contributes to the shortage of personnel in the field. Furthermore, manual pipetting operation also has problems such as the risk of contamination between reagents and increased preparation time.

Furthermore, another method of supplying liquid is to automatically supply liquid stored in a container such as a tank to the assay device using a pump (hereinafter referred to as "pump operation"). However, in order to perform pump operation, it is necessary to use high-performance materials such as sterile plastic for the container and the piping that sends the liquid from the container to the pump, and the configuration for automatically supplying liquid from the tank by the pump becomes complex. Such equipment for performing pump operation is expensive. Moreover, such equipment becomes cumbersome because it includes a tank, pump, etc.

Therefore, various assay techniques have been proposed to enable accurate and convenient liquid supply. One example of such an assay technique is a microfluidic cartridge comprising a plurality of fluid transport means, each having an actuator; a plurality of fluid passages connected to each of these fluid transport means; and at least one confluence passage extending from at least one confluence point where these fluid passages converge. The actuator of each fluid transport means is positioned on the fluid passage connected to the fluid transport means and has a piston that reciprocates under pressure to pulsately deliver fluids such as reagents within the fluid passage. The microfluidic cartridge is configured such that the fluids pulsately delivered from the plurality of fluid passages are mixed and reacted in at least one confluence passage. (See, for example, Patent Document 1.)

Another example of assay technology is an assay system comprising a liquid package component having a plurality of liquid storage compartments for packaging liquids such as reagents, and a plurality of ruptureable seals covering each of these liquid storage compartments; a seal rupture component configured to rupture each of the ruptureable seals; and an assay apparatus configured to receive liquids from the plurality of liquid storage compartments, wherein the seal rupture component includes a plunger that compresses the liquid storage compartments covered by the seals so that each seal is peeled off in order to rupture. (See, for example, Patent Document 2.)

Another example of assay technology is a cartridge comprising an upper processing chamber configured for conducting a bioassay, a lower processing chamber located below the upper processing chamber and also configured for conducting a bioassay, a porous substrate positioned to separate the upper and lower processing chambers vertically, a plurality of reagent containers fluidly communicating with the upper processing chamber via capillary channels, and an additional chamber fluidly communicating with the lower processing chamber via capillary channels, wherein when the pressure difference applied to the upper and lower processing chambers exceeds a critical value, fluid enters the lower processing chamber from the upper processing chamber through the porous substrate, and the transport of fluid between the chambers fluidly communicating via capillary channels is controlled by applying air pressure exceeding the capillary pressure resistance between these chambers. (See, for example, Patent Document 3.)

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-162623 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-173373 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-164140

However, in the example of the assay technique described above, it is necessary to accurately inject multiple pre-weighed reagents into each of the multiple fluid passages within the microfluidic cartridge. Such injection work is cumbersome. Furthermore, in such a microfluidic cartridge, if a reagent contained in one fluid passage evaporates, this evaporated reagent may contaminate reagents in another fluid passage, as well as other components.

In one example of the assay technique described above, increasing the number of reagents being handled increases the number of fluid passages containing the reagents, which complicates the arrangement of the fluid passages and consequently the structure of the microfluidic cartridge. Similarly, in another example of the assay technique described above, increasing the number of reagents being handled increases the number of liquid storage compartments containing the reagents, which complicates the arrangement of the liquid storage compartments and consequently the structure of the liquid package component. Therefore, it becomes difficult to perform assays using a variety of protocols.

In the example assay technique described above, a certain amount of time is required between the rupture of the burstable sheet and the release of liquid from the liquid storage compartment covered by the sheet. Therefore, it is difficult to rapidly and continuously supply liquid from multiple liquid storage compartments.

In yet another example of the above assay technique, it becomes necessary to install a large-scale pressure regulating device, such as a compressor, outside the cartridge in order to apply air pressure that exceeds the capillary pressure resistance between chambers. This complicates the configuration for supplying the liquid.

Considering these circumstances, it is desirable that assay systems rapidly and continuously supply multiple liquids, supply minute amounts of liquid with high precision, simplify the liquid supply configuration, simplify liquid handling, and reduce the risk of contamination.

To solve the above problems, an assay system according to one embodiment includes an assay apparatus configured to perform an assay using a liquid, comprising: a liquid supply device configured to drop liquid onto the assay apparatus; a moving device configured to move the assay apparatus horizontally relative to the liquid supply device; and a control device configured to control the dropping of liquid by the liquid supply device and the movement of the assay apparatus by the moving device, wherein the liquid supply device includes a plurality of containers, each configured in the form of an eye drop container, and each container includes a main body formed in a substantially cylindrical shape to be able to contain liquid, and a nozzle part having a discharge port configured to drop the liquid contained in the main body, and the liquid supply device is configured to be able to mount the plurality of containers horizontally spaced apart from each other with the discharge ports of the plurality of containers facing downwards. The device includes a container mounting mechanism and a container pushing mechanism having at least one movable member configured to push the main body of the plurality of containers in order to drip liquid from the discharge ports of the plurality of containers, wherein the container mounting mechanism has a plurality of container holders for each of the plurality of containers, each container holder having a substantially cylindrical main body housing portion having a receiving space formed to correspond to the main body of the container housed therein, and a nozzle holding portion detachably attached to the main body housing portion and holding the nozzle portion of the container housed in the container holder, the main body housing portion of each container holder having a passage opening that allows the movable member that pushes the main body of the container housed therein to pass through, the passage opening is formed to penetrate the main body housing portion, and the control device is configured to control the container pushing mechanism so that the at least one movable member pushes the main body of the plurality of containers in a desired order and timing.

In one embodiment of the assay system, multiple liquids can be supplied rapidly and continuously, minute amounts of liquid can be supplied with high precision, the configuration for supplying liquids can be simplified, and the risk of contamination can be reduced.

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the assay system according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a block diagram of the assay system according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the liquid supply device, transfer device, assay device, and surrounding parts of the assay system according to the first embodiment. Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the container holder of the container mounting mechanism of the liquid supply device according to the first embodiment, and the container housed therein. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 4. Figure 6A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the container holder, the container housed therein, and the container pushing mechanism in the extended state of the container mounting mechanism according to the first embodiment, cut along the line B-B in Figure 5. Figure 6B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the container holder, the container housed therein, and the container pushing mechanism in the retracted state of the container mounting mechanism according to the first embodiment, cut along the line B-B in Figure 5. Figure 7 is a schematic side view showing the nozzle portion of the container and the liquid detection device of the assay system according to the first embodiment. Figure 8 is a schematic plan view showing the assay apparatus of the assay system according to the first embodiment. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in Figure 8. Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the state in which the measuring device of the assay system according to the first embodiment is measuring the assay device. Figure 11 is a schematic plan view showing the assay system according to the second embodiment. Figure 12 is a block diagram of the assay system according to the second embodiment. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D in Figure 11.

The assay systems according to the first and second embodiments will now be described. Each assay system according to the embodiment includes an assay apparatus configured to perform an assay using a liquid. The liquid applicable to the assay apparatus according to this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it can flow through the assay apparatus. Such liquids applicable to the assay apparatus may include not only chemically pure liquids, but also gases, other liquids, or solids dissolved, dispersed, or suspended in a liquid.

For example, liquids are often hydrophilic. Examples of hydrophilic liquids include whole blood, serum, plasma, blood cells, urine, fecal dilution, saliva, sweat, tears, nail extracts, skin extracts, hair extracts, or cerebrospinal fluid—liquid samples derived from living organisms. Other examples of liquids used in assays include buffer solutions, general biochemical reagents, immunochemical reagents, antibody-related reagents, peptide solutions, protein/enzyme-related reagents, cell-related reagents, lipid-related reagents, natural product/organic compound-related reagents, and carbohydrate-related reagents. However, liquids are not limited to these. In these cases, the assay device can measure clinically effective samples in liquid samples for in vitro diagnostic use, general diagnostic reagents, and Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) for applications such as pregnancy tests, urine tests, stool tests, adult disease tests, allergy tests, infectious disease tests, drug tests, and cancer tests. However, the use of the assay device is not particularly limited. Furthermore, hydrophilic liquids are not limited to biological samples; examples include food suspensions, food extracts, washing water from manufacturing lines, swabs, drinking water, river water, and soil suspensions. In this case, the assay device can measure pathogens in food or drinking water, or contaminants in river water or soil. These hydrophilic liquids typically use water as a solvent, and any aqueous solution that can be replaced by the assay device is acceptable.

In this specification, "lateral flow" refers to the flow of a liquid driven by gravitational sedimentation. Lateral flow-based liquid movement refers to liquid movement where gravitational sedimentation is the dominant driving force. In contrast, capillary action-based liquid movement refers to liquid movement where surface tension is the dominant force. Lateral flow-based liquid movement and capillary action-based liquid movement are distinct processes.

In this specification, “Sample” refers to a compound or composition present in a liquid and to be detected or measured. For example, a sample may include, but is not limited to, sugars (e.g., glucose), proteins or peptides (e.g., serum proteins, hormones, enzymes, immunomodulators, lymphokines, monokines, cytokines, glycoproteins, vaccine antigens, antibodies, growth factors, or proliferation factors), fats, amino acids, nucleic acids, cells, steroids, vitamins, pathogens or their antigens, natural or synthetic chemicals, contaminants, therapeutic drugs or illicit drugs or poisons, or metabolites or antibodies of these substances. Note that the liquid may not contain a sample, or may not contain a detectable amount of a sample.

In this specification, "reference substance" is a known substance, distinct from the sample, that is added to a liquid in a known amount for the detection of the sample concentration. The reference substance, like the sample, can be selected from the options listed above and can be chosen in relation to the sample. In particular, it can be selected from stable substances that do not interact with the sample.

In this specification, "microfluidic channel" refers to a path configured within an assay device to flow liquid in a minute amount of liquid on the order of microliters (μl), i.e., approximately 0.1 μl or more and less than approximately 1 ml (milliliters), for the purpose of detecting or measuring a sample or weighing such minute amount of liquid.

In this specification, "film" refers to a membrane-like or plate-like object having a thickness of approximately 200 μm (micrometers) or less, and "sheet" refers to a membrane-like or plate-like object having a thickness exceeding approximately 200 μm.

In this specification, "plastic" refers to a polymerizable material or a polymerized or molded material that uses polymerizable material or polymer material as an essential component. Plastic also includes polymer alloys, which are combinations of two or more polymers.

In this specification, "porous medium" refers to a material having multiple or numerous micropores and capable of drawing in and passing through liquids, or a material capable of capturing or concentrating solids, and includes materials such as paper, cellulose membranes, nonwoven fabrics, glass fibers, polymer gels, and plastics. For example, the porous medium may be hydrophilic when the liquid is hydrophilic, and hydrophobic when the liquid is hydrophobic. In particular, the porous medium may be hydrophilic and may be paper, absorbent cotton, etc., made up of numerous fibers. Furthermore, the porous medium may be one or more of cellulose, nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, filter paper, tissue paper, toilet paper, paper towels, cloth, cotton, or a hydrophilic porous polymer that permeates water.

In this specification, "eye drop container" refers to a container configured to dispense liquid contents, such as liquid eye drops, contained in the main body, one drop at a time (or two drops in some cases) from the nozzle opening by pressing the main body. The eye drop container is a bottle type, not a single-use type. The eye drop container is made of an elastically deformable material so that it can return to its original shape after being pressed. In particular, the eye drop container is preferably made of plastic.

"First Embodiment"
An assay system according to the first embodiment will be described.

"Outline of the assay system"
The assay system according to this embodiment will be described in general terms with reference to Figures 1 to 10. That is, the assay system according to this embodiment is configured as follows.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the assay system includes an assay apparatus 10 configured to perform an assay using liquid L. The assay system includes a liquid supply device 20 configured to allow liquid L to be dropped into the assay apparatus 10. The assay system includes a moving device 30 configured to allow the assay apparatus 10 to be moved horizontally relative to the liquid supply device 20. As shown in Figure 2, the assay system includes a control device 40 configured to control the dropping of liquid L by the liquid supply device 20 and the movement of the assay apparatus 10 by the moving device 30.

As shown in Figures 4 to 7, the liquid supply device 20 includes a plurality of containers 21, each configured in the form of an eye drop container. Each container 21 includes a main body portion 21a formed to be able to contain liquid L. Each container 21 includes a nozzle portion 21b having a discharge port 21c configured to allow the liquid L contained in the main body portion 21a to be dispensed drop by drop. In each container 21, the main body portion 21a and the nozzle portion 21b can be attached to each other by screw fastening.

As shown in Figures 1 to 6B, the liquid supply device 20 includes a container mounting mechanism 22 configured to allow a plurality of containers 21 to be mounted horizontally spaced apart from each other, with their discharge ports 21c facing downwards. As shown in Figures 2, 3, 6A, and 6B, the liquid supply device 20 includes a container pushing mechanism 23 having at least one movable member 23a configured to push the main body 21a of the plurality of containers 21 in order to drip liquid L from the discharge ports 21c of the plurality of containers 21. The control device 40 is configured to control the container pushing mechanism 23 so that at least one movable member 23a pushes the main body 21a of the plurality of containers 21 in a desired order and timing.

Furthermore, the assay system according to this embodiment can be configured in general terms as follows. As shown in Figures 3 to 6B, the container mounting mechanism 22 has a plurality of container holders 24, each holding a plurality of containers 21. Each container holder 24 has a body housing portion 24a that receives the body portion 21a of the container 21 held therein. Each container holder 24 has a nozzle holding portion 24b that holds the nozzle portion 21b of the container 21 held therein.

The main body housing portion 24a of each container holder 24 has a passage opening 24c that allows a movable member 23a, which presses the main body portion 21a of the container 21 to be housed therein, to pass through. As shown in Figures 5, 6A, and 6B, the main body housing portion 24a of each container holder 24 has a receiving portion 24d formed to receive the main body portion 21a of the container 21 that is pressed by the movable member 23a passing through its passage opening 24c.

As shown in Figures 2 and 7, the assay system includes a liquid detection device 50 configured to individually detect the liquid L dripping from the discharge port 21c of the nozzle portion 21b of each of the multiple containers 21. Referring to Figures 6A and 6B, the control device 40 is configured to control the container pushing mechanism 23 to return the container 21 from an extended state where the main body portion 21a of the container 21 is pushed to a retracted state where the main body portion 21a is not pushed, when the liquid detection device 50 detects the liquid L dripping from the discharge port 21c of each container 21.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 8-10, the assay system includes a measuring device 60 configured to measure the reaction obtained in the assay apparatus 10 using liquid L dropped from the liquid supply device 20. The measuring device 60 is positioned horizontally away from the liquid supply device 20.

Referring to Figures 1, 3, 6A, 6B, and 10, the control device 40 is configured to control the moving device 30 in order to move the assay apparatus 10 horizontally relative to the liquid supply device 20 and the measuring device 60 from the dropping section (shown in Figure 3) to the measurement section (shown in Figure 10). This movement of the assay apparatus 10 can be performed when the container pushing mechanism 23 moves from the extended state (shown in Figure 6A) to the retracted state (shown in Figure 6B). As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the dropping section is the section in which liquid L is dropped from the liquid supply device 20 to the assay apparatus 10. In Figure 3, the dropping section is located below the liquid supply device 20. As shown in Figure 10, the measurement section is the section in which the measuring device 60 measures the reaction obtained in the assay apparatus 10 by the liquid L dropped in the dropping section.

As shown in Figure 8, the assay apparatus 10 has a plurality of assay modules 11 configured to obtain a reaction using liquid L dropped from a liquid supply device 20. Figure 8 shows an assay apparatus 10 having six assay modules 11 as an example. However, the assay apparatus is not limited to this. The number of assay modules in the assay apparatus can be 2 to 5 or 7 or more. The assay apparatus may also have only one assay module.

Referring to Figure 3, the liquid supply device 20 is configured to dispense liquid L onto multiple assay modules 11 in a desired order and timing. Referring to Figure 10, the measuring device 60 is configured to measure the reactions obtained in the multiple assay modules 11 using the liquid L dispensed from the liquid supply device 20 in a desired order and timing. Referring to Figures 3 and 10, the control device 40 is configured to control the liquid supply device 20, the transfer device 30, and the measuring device 60 so that the order and timing of measuring the reactions of the multiple assay modules 11 by the measuring device 60 are the same as the order and timing of dispensing liquid L from the liquid supply device 20 onto the multiple assay modules 11, with a certain time interval between each step.

"Details of the assay system"
The details of the assay system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Specifically, the assay system according to this embodiment can be configured as follows.

In the liquid supply device 20 of the assay system, the container pushing mechanism 23 has a plurality of movable members 23a arranged to push the main body portion 21a of each of the plurality of containers 21. As shown in Figure 1, the moving device 30 is configured to move the assay apparatus 10 along a predetermined movement path, as indicated by the double-sided arrows R. The plurality of containers 21 are arranged so that the discharge ports 21c of their nozzle portions 21b are aligned along the movement path of the assay apparatus 10.

As shown in Figure 2, the control device 40 is electrically connected to the liquid supply device 20, the moving device 30, the liquid detection device 50, and the measuring device 60. The control device 40 is configured to control the container pushing mechanism 23 so that the multiple movable members 23a push the main bodies 21a of the multiple containers 21 in a desired order and timing.

"Details of the assay device"
Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the assay apparatus 10 can be configured in detail as follows. Each of the plurality of assay modules 11 is configured as follows. As shown in Figure 9, the assay module 11 has a microchannel 12 formed to allow liquid L to flow through it. The assay module 11 has a top 11a and a bottom 11b that are opposite each other in the height direction of the microchannel 12. Each of the top 11a and bottom 11b can be made of a plastic film or sheet. However, the top and bottom are not limited to these.

The microchannel 12 is defined in its height direction by these top 11a and bottom 11b. The flow direction, width direction, and height direction of the microchannel 12 are approximately perpendicular to each other. Therefore, as shown in Figure 8, multiple assay modules 11 can be arranged in the width direction of such a microchannel 12.

As shown in Figure 9, the microchannel 12 extends between one end in the flow direction of the liquid L, i.e., the upstream end (indicated by the single-sided arrow F1), and the other end in the flow direction of the fluid L, i.e., the downstream end (indicated by the single-sided arrow F2). The liquid L can flow from the upstream to the downstream side of the microchannel 12 based on the lateral flow that occurs within the microchannel 12.

As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the assay module 11 has an inlet 13 formed to allow liquid L to flow into the microchannel 12. As shown in Figure 9, the inlet 13 is located at the upstream end of the microchannel 12. The inlet 13 is formed to penetrate the top 11a. The assay module 11 also has an absorbent porous medium 14 located at the downstream end of the microchannel 12. The absorbent porous medium 14 is configured to absorb the liquid L in the microchannel 12.

As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the assay module 11 has an assay region 15 located in the middle of the flow direction of the microchannel 12. Reagents that specifically bind to the sample in the assay are immobilized in the assay region 15. Reagents involved in signal generation from the sample and reference substance (which can also be called "assay reagents") include immobilization reagents used to fix the microchannel 12 in advance, and additive reagents used to add to the microchannel 12 during the assay process.

The immobilization reagent provided in assay region 15 reacts specifically with the sample in liquid L and, together with the added reagent, produces a result that allows for the detection of the sample. The result that allows for the detection of the sample can be observed visually, for example, based on a change in color, or it can be detected solely by a spectrometer or other measuring means.

Furthermore, the immobilization reagent provided in the assay region 15 can be an enzyme, antibody, epitope, nucleic acid, cell, aptamer, peptide, molecular imprinted polymer, adsorption polymer, adsorption gel, chemical substance such as iron(III) ions that exhibit color upon reaction with the sample, a color reagent, or any other substance that produces a detectable result upon reaction with the sample. Typically, the immobilization reagent can be an antibody. The immobilization reagent can be immobilized in the assay region 15 by well-known immobilization techniques such as physical adsorption or chemisorption.

The immobilization reagent can be bound to any labeling substance, such as radioisotopes, enzymes, gold colloids, color reagents, quantum dots, latex or other coloring molecules, dyes, electrochemical reactants, fluorescent substances, or luminescent substances, in order to analyze or amplify the detection signal. Alternatively, such labeling substances can be bound to additive reagents used to be added to the microchannel 12 during the assay process. Specifically, the immobilization reagent can be immobilized to one or both of the top 11a and bottom 11b that define the microchannel 12 in its height direction.

In such an assay module 11, the assay is performed with the liquid L flowing within the microchannel 12, or with the liquid L standing still or temporarily stopped within the microchannel 12. Typically, the concentration of the sample in the liquid L becomes detectable.

Furthermore, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the assay module 11 has a confirmation area 16 that is positioned parallel to the assay area 15 in the flow direction. The confirmation area 16 is located downstream of the assay area 15. The assay area 15 and the confirmation area 16 are separated from each other to a degree that allows for the distinction and detection of the signals they generate. The confirmation area 16 is configured to produce a known reaction (second reaction) that can be considered to have the same reaction time as the reaction (first reaction) that occurs in the assay area 15.

The confirmation region 16 is provided with an immobilization reagent that specifically binds to a reference substance. The immobilization reagent in the confirmation region 16 can also be an antibody, similar to the immobilization reagent in the assay region 15. Any labeling substance can be bound to this immobilization reagent. This immobilization reagent can also be immobilized on one or both of the top 11a and bottom 11b portions that define the microchannel 12 in its height direction.

The assay module 11 has an assay window 17 and a confirmation window 18, which are formed to allow the assay region 15 and the confirmation region 16 to be confirmed from the outside, respectively. The assay and confirmation windows 17 and 18 are formed on the top 11a of the assay module 11. Each of the assay and confirmation windows 17 and 18 is formed to penetrate the top of the assay module. However, at least one of the assay and confirmation windows can be made transparent. At least one of the assay and confirmation windows can be made translucent.

"Details of the liquid supply system"
Referring to Figures 1 to 6B, the liquid supply device 20 can be configured in detail as follows. As shown in Figure 3, the discharge ports 21c of the multiple containers 21 in the liquid supply device 20 are located within the dripping section. As shown in Figures 4 to 6B, in the liquid supply device 20, the multiple containers 21 are detachably attached to the container mounting mechanism 22. Furthermore, the multiple containers 21 are each detachably held in a plurality of container holders 24 of the container mounting mechanism 22. The plurality of container holders 24 are also individually detachably attached to the container mounting mechanism 22.

In Figures 1 to 3, the liquid supply device 20 includes three containers 21 and three container holders 24 that hold each of them. However, the liquid supply device is not limited to a configuration that includes three containers and three container holders. The liquid supply device may also include two containers and two container holders that hold each of them, or four or more containers and four or more container holders that hold each of them.

The capacity of each container 21 can be approximately 3 ml (milliliters) or more. More preferably, the capacity of each container 21 can be approximately 5 ml to approximately 15 ml. However, the capacity of the containers is not limited to these values.

The multiple containers 21 and multiple container holders 24 in the container mounting mechanism 22, and the multiple movable members (which can also be called multiple pressing members) 23a in the container pressing mechanism 23, are arranged along the movement path of the assay device 10. As will be described later, when the movement path of the assay device 10 is substantially straight, the multiple containers 21 and multiple container holders 24 in the container mounting mechanism 22, and the multiple movable members 23a in the container pressing mechanism 23, are arranged substantially straight. The multiple container holders 24 are separated from each other. However, when the movement path of the assay device follows a curved line, the multiple containers and multiple container holders in the container mounting mechanism, and the multiple movable members in the container pressing mechanism can be arranged along a curved line, such as a roughly curved line or a roughly wavy line. At least two of the multiple container holders can also be integrated.

Furthermore, each of the multiple containers 21 can be configured as follows. As shown in Figures 5, 6A, and 6B, the main body 21a of the container 21 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape that extends along the container axis 21d passing through its discharge port 21c. In addition, the main body 21a can be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape centered on the container axis 21d. However, the shape of the main body of the container is not limited to these. For example, the main body can be formed in a substantially elliptical cylindrical shape, a substantially polygonal cylindrical shape, etc.

As shown in Figure 5, the main body portion 21a of the container 21 is located on the base end side of the container 21 in the direction along the container axis 21d. The nozzle portion 21b of the container 21 is located on the tip side of the container 21 in the direction along the container axis 21d. The main body portion 21a and the nozzle portion 21b are detachably attached to each other. The container 21 is positioned so that the discharge port 21c faces downward and the container axis 21d is oriented vertically. However, the container can be positioned so that the container axis is oriented in a direction inclined with respect to the vertical.

Each of these multiple container holders 24 can be configured as follows. As shown in Figures 5, 6A, and 6B, the main body housing portion 24a of the container holder 24 has a receiving space 24e formed to correspond to the main body portion 21a of the container 21 to be housed therein. The receiving space 24e of the container holder 24 extends along its holder axis 24f. The passage opening 24c of the container holder 24 penetrates the main body housing portion 24a in a direction intersecting the holder axis 24f, particularly in a direction substantially perpendicular to the holder axis 24f.

As shown in Figure 5, the main body housing portion 24a of the container holder 24 is located on the base end side of the container holder 24 in the direction along the holder axis 24f. The nozzle holding portion 24b of the container holder 24 is located on the tip side of the container holder 24 in the direction along the holder axis 24f. The main body housing portion 24a and the nozzle holding portion 24b are detachably attached to each other. The passage opening 24c is located in the tip side region of the main body housing portion 24a. As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the receiving portion 24d is positioned within the receiving space 24e so as to face the passage opening 24c in the direction of advancement and retraction of the movable member 23a of the container pushing mechanism 23 (indicated by double-sided arrows W), which will be described later.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the nozzle holding portion 24b of the container holder 24 has an insertion hole 24g that penetrates to allow insertion of the nozzle portion 21b of the container 21. The nozzle holding portion 24b of the container holder 24 is formed to hold the nozzle 21b of the container 21 when it is inserted into the insertion hole 24g, and with the discharge port 21c of the container 21 positioned outside the container holder 24.

As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 6A, and 6B, the container pushing mechanism 23 has a plurality of fixed members 23b each supporting a plurality of movable members 23a. The container pushing mechanism 23 includes a plurality of actuators 23c each having a movable member 23a and a fixed member 23b. In Figures 1 and 3, the container pushing mechanism 23 has three movable members 23a configured to each push three containers 21, and the container pushing mechanism 23 also has three fixed members 23b each supporting a plurality of movable members 23a, and includes three actuators 23c each having one movable member 23a and one fixed member 23b.

However, the number of movable members, fixed members, and actuators in the container pushing mechanism is not limited to these. The container pushing mechanism may have two movable members and two fixed members, or four or more movable members and four or more fixed members supporting each of them. Therefore, the container pushing mechanism may include two actuators or four or more actuators.

Each of the multiple actuators 23c can be configured as follows. As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the fixed member 23b is configured to enable the movable member 23a to move forward and backward. The movable member 23a is movable between an extended state (shown in Figure 6A) where it has advanced from the fixed member 23b and a retracted state (shown in Figure 6B) where it has retracted into the fixed member 23b. The movable member 23a extends substantially linearly in its direction of movement. The movable member 23a can be formed in a substantially rod shape. In this case, the width of the movable member 23a in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement can be approximately 3 mm or more and less than approximately 1 cm.

Furthermore, the movable member 23a can be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. In this case, the diameter of the movable member 23a can be approximately 3 mm or more and less than approximately 1 cm. However, the shape of the movable member is not limited to this.

"Details of the mobile device"
Referring to Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 10, the moving device 30 can be configured in detail as follows. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the moving device 30 has a stage 31 configured to detachably attach the assay apparatus 10. The moving device 30 has a guide assembly 32 that movably supports the stage 31. The moving device 30 has a drive mechanism 33 that drives the stage 31 to move along a movement path.

The stage 31 is configured to support the bottom 10b of the assay device 10 from below, with the top 10a of the assay device 10 facing upwards. The assay device 10 is positioned on the stage 31 so that its width aligns with the movement path.

The guide assembly 32 has at least one guide portion 32a that extends along the movement path of the assay device 10. The guide assembly 32 has a base portion 32b that supports at least one guide portion 32a.

The drive mechanism 33 has a motor 33a. The motor 33a has a rotatable drive shaft 33b. The drive mechanism 33 has a driven shaft 33c located opposite to and away from the drive shaft 33b in the direction along the movement path of the assay device 10. The drive mechanism 33 has an endless belt 33d arranged along the movement path of the assay device 10.

The endless belt 33d is stretched over the drive shaft 33b and the driven shaft 33c. The stage 31 is attached to the endless belt 33d. In such a moving device 30, the rotational drive of the drive shaft 33b of the motor 33a drives the endless belt 33d in a loop, thereby causing the stage 31 to move along the moving path together with the endless belt 33d. However, the drive mechanism of the moving device is not limited to this.

Referring to Figures 1, 3, and 10, such a mobile device 30 can move the stage 31 to a mounting section away from the dispensing section (shown in Figure 3) and the measurement section (shown in Figure 10) so that the assay device 10 can be installed. The mounting section is the section in which the stage 31 is in a state where the assay device 10 can be installed. The dispensing section is located between the mounting section and the measurement section in the movement path of the assay device 10.

Therefore, the mobile device 30 can move the stage 31 together with the assay device 10 along the movement path from the installation section through the dropping section to the measurement section. Conversely, the mobile device 30 can move the stage 31 together with the assay device 10 from the measurement section through the dropping section to the installation section. The mobile device 30 can repeatedly move the stage 31 back and forth between the dropping section and the measurement section together with the assay device 10.

Furthermore, referring to Figure 3, the moving device 30 is configured to move the stage 31 together with the assay device 10 along the moving path so that the inlet 13 of each assay module 11 in the assay device 10 can receive the liquid L dropped from the outlet 21c of each container 21 in the liquid supply device 20 within the dropping section. Referring to Figure 10, the moving device 30 is configured to move the stage 31 together with the assay device 10 along the moving path so that the assay area 15 and confirmation area 16 of each assay module 11 in the assay device 10 can be imaged through the lens 61a of the imaging unit 61 of the measuring device 60, which will be described later, within the measurement section.

"Details of the liquid detection device"
Referring to Figures 2 and 7, the liquid detection device 50 can be configured in detail as follows. The liquid detection device 50 has a plurality of liquid detection units 51, each configured to detect the liquid L dripping from the outlets 21c of a plurality of containers 21.

Each of the multiple liquid detection units 51 can be configured as follows. As shown in Figure 7, the liquid detection unit 51 is located directly below the container 21. The liquid detection unit 51 is configured to detect the liquid L dripping from the outlet 21c of the container 21 in a non-contact manner. The liquid detection unit 51 is a fiber sensor. However, the liquid detection unit is not limited to this.

"Details of the measuring device"
Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 10, the measuring device 60 can be configured in detail as follows. The measuring device 60 can be configured to include electronic components such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, input interface, output interface, and an electrical circuit on which these electronic components are arranged.

As shown in Figure 2, the measuring device 60 has an imaging unit 61 configured to capture images of the assay region 15 and the confirmation region 16 of the assay device 10. The measuring device 60 has a concentration identification unit 62 that can identify the concentrations of the assay and confirmation regions 15 and 16 based on the images captured by the imaging unit 61.

As shown in Figures 2 and 10, the imaging unit 61 has a lens 61a and images the assay area 15 and the confirmation area 16 through this lens 61a. The imaging unit 61 can be a camera. As shown in Figure 10, the lens 61a is positioned within the measurement section. The lens 61a is positioned directly above the movement paths of the assay area 15 and the confirmation area 16 in the plurality of assay modules 11 of the assay device 10.

For example, the measuring device 60 can be a smartphone (mobile phone, cell phone) with a camera function. However, the measuring device is not limited to this. For example, the measuring device can also be a personal computer with a camera connected.

"Operation Method for Assay System"
An example of how to operate the assay system according to this embodiment will be described. First, the stage 31 of the mobile device 30 is moved to the installation section. The assay device 10 is installed on the stage 31. The stage 31 on which the assay device 10 is installed is moved from the installation section to the dropping section. Within the dropping section, the stage 31 is moved so that the inlet 13 of the first assay module 11, selected from the inlet 13 of the plurality of assay modules 11 in the assay device 10, corresponds to the discharge 21c of the first container 21, selected from the discharge 21c of the plurality of containers 21 in the liquid supply device 20.

The first movable member 23a of the container pushing mechanism 23 corresponding to the first container 21 is advanced, thereby causing the first movable member 23a to push the main body 21a of the first container 21. The liquid L in the first container 21 is dripped from its discharge port 21c into the inlet 13 of the first assay module 11. When the first liquid detection unit 51 of the liquid detection device 50 corresponding to the discharge port 21c of the first container 21 detects the dripped liquid L, the first movable member 23a is retracted, thereby causing the first movable member 23a to separate from the main body 21a of the first container 21. The assay area 15 and the confirmation area 16 of the first assay module 11 are filled with the liquid L from the first container 21.

The inlet 13 of the second assay module 11, selected from among the inlet 13s of the multiple assay modules 11 in the assay apparatus 10, is moved to correspond to the discharge 21c of the first container 21, selected from among the discharge 21c of the multiple containers 21 in the liquid supply device 20. The first movable member 23a of the container pushing mechanism 23 corresponding to the first container 21 is advanced, thereby causing the first movable member 23a to push the main body 21a of the first container 21. The liquid L in the first container 21 is dripped from its discharge 21c into the inlet 13 of the second assay module 11.

When the first liquid detection unit 51 of the liquid detection device 50, which corresponds to the discharge port 21c of the first container 21, detects the dropped liquid L, it retracts the first movable member 23a, thereby separating the first movable member 23a from the main body 21a of the first container 21. The assay area 15 and the confirmation area 16 of the second assay module 11 are filled with the liquid L from the first container 21.

Furthermore, the inlet 13 of the first assay module 11, selected from the inlet 13s of the multiple assay modules 11 in the assay apparatus 10, is moved to correspond to the discharge 21c of the second container 21, selected from the discharge 21c of the multiple containers 21 in the liquid supply device 20. The second movable member 23a of the container pushing mechanism 23 corresponding to the second container 21 is advanced, thereby causing the second movable member 23a to push the main body 21a of the second container 21. The liquid L in the second container 21 is then dripped from its discharge 21c into the inlet 13 of the first assay module 11.

When the second liquid detection unit 51 of the liquid detection device 50, which corresponds to the discharge port 21c of the second container 21, detects the dropped liquid L, it retracts the second movable member 23a, thereby separating the second movable member 23a from the main body 21a of the second container 21. The assay area 15 and the confirmation area 16 of the first assay module 11 are filled with the liquid L from the second container 21.

The inlet 13 of the second assay module 11, selected from the inlet 13 of the multiple assay modules 11 in the assay apparatus 10, is moved to correspond to the discharge 21c of the second container 21, selected from the discharge 21c of the multiple containers 21 in the liquid supply device 20. The second movable member 23a of the container pushing mechanism 23 corresponding to the second container 21 is advanced, thereby causing the second movable member 23a to push the main body 21a of the second container 21. The liquid L in the second container 21 is dripped from its discharge 21c into the inlet 13 of the second assay module 11.

When the second liquid detection unit 51 of the liquid detection device 50, which corresponds to the discharge port 21c of the second container 21, detects the dropped liquid L, it retracts the second movable member 23a, thereby separating the second movable member 23a from the main body 21a of the second container 21. The assay area 15 and the confirmation area 16 of the second assay module 11 are filled with the liquid L from the second container 21.

The stage 31 on which the assay device 10 is installed is moved from the dropping section to the measurement section. In the measurement section, the assay and confirmation areas 15 and 16 of the first assay module 11 are moved to correspond to the lens 61a of the imaging unit 61 of the measuring device 60. The imaging unit 61 images the assay and confirmation areas 15 and 16 of the first assay module 11. The measuring device 60 identifies the concentrations in the assay and confirmation areas 15 and 16 of the first assay module 11 based on the captured images.

The assay and confirmation regions 15 and 16 of the second assay module 11 are moved to correspond to the lens 61a of the imaging unit 61 of the measuring device 60. The imaging unit 61 captures images of the assay and confirmation regions 15 and 16 of the second assay module 11. The measuring device 60 identifies the concentrations in the assay and confirmation regions 15 and 16 of the second assay module 11 based on the captured images.

The assay system according to this embodiment is an assay system comprising an assay apparatus 10 configured to perform an assay using a liquid L, the assay system comprising a liquid supply device 20 configured to drop liquid L into the assay apparatus 10, a moving device 30 configured to move the assay apparatus 10 horizontally relative to the liquid supply device 20, and a control device 40 configured to control the dropping of liquid L by the liquid supply device 20 and the movement of the assay apparatus 10 by the moving device 30, wherein the liquid supply device 20 includes a plurality of containers 21 each configured in the form of eye drop containers, and each container 21 has a main body portion 21a formed to be able to contain liquid L, and this main body portion 21a The liquid supply device 20 includes a nozzle portion 21b having a discharge port 21c configured to allow the contained liquid L to be dispensed by dripping, and the liquid supply device 20 includes a container mounting mechanism 22 configured to allow the plurality of containers 21 to be mounted horizontally spaced apart from each other with the discharge ports 21c of the plurality of containers 21 facing downward, and a container pushing mechanism 23 having at least one movable member 23a configured to push the main body portion 21a of the plurality of containers 21 in order and timing to dispense the liquid L from the discharge ports 21c, and the control device 40 is configured to control the container pushing mechanism 23 so that the at least one movable member 23a pushes the main body portion 21a of the plurality of containers 21 in a desired order and timing.

In this schematic assay system, by pressing the main body 21a of the container 21, which is configured in the form of an eyedropper container, once each with the movable member 23a of the container pressing mechanism 23, a small amount of liquid L can be supplied drop by drop from the discharge port 21c of the container 21 with high precision. Furthermore, when supplying liquid L drop by drop in this way, the amount of liquid L per drop can be controlled with high precision. Moreover, by adjusting the number of times the main body 21a of the container 21 is pressed by the movable member 23a, the total amount of liquid L supplied from the discharge port 21c of the container 21 can be controlled with high precision. By pressing the main body 21a of multiple containers 21 in a desired order and timing with at least one movable member 23a, liquid L can be supplied rapidly and continuously from the discharge ports 21c of multiple containers 21.

Furthermore, since liquid L is supplied from the discharge port 21c of the container 21 immediately after the main body 21a of the container 21 is pressed by the movable member 23a, and the timing of pressing the main body 21a of multiple containers 21 by at least one movable member 23a is easy to control, the timing of supplying multiple liquids L can be accurately controlled. The configuration for supplying liquid L using multiple containers 21 configured in the form of eye drop containers and a container pressing mechanism 23 having at least one movable member 23a that presses the main body 21a of these multiple containers 21 is simple. The operation of putting liquid L into the containers 21 configured in the form of eye drop containers is easy, and since multiple liquids L are contained separately in each of the multiple containers 21, the risk of contamination can be reduced. Therefore, multiple liquids L can be supplied quickly and continuously, small amounts of liquid L can be supplied with high precision, the configuration for supplying liquid L can be simplified, and the risk of contamination can be reduced.

In the schematic of the assay system according to this embodiment, the container mounting mechanism 22 has a plurality of container holders 24 that each hold the plurality of containers 21, and each container holder 24 has a body housing portion 24a that receives the body portion 21a of the container 21 held therein, and a nozzle holding portion 24b that holds the nozzle portion 21b of the container 21 held by the container holder 24, and the body housing portion 24a of each container holder 24 has a passage opening 24c that opens to allow the movable member 23a that pushes the body portion 21a of the container 21 housed therein to pass through.

In this schematic of assay system, multiple containers 21 can be easily attached to and detached from the container mounting mechanism 22. Therefore, for example, if multiple containers 21, each containing a differently prepared reagent, are prepared in advance, the risk of contamination between reagents can be prevented by placing the container 21 containing the desired reagent from these multiple containers 21 onto the container mounting mechanism 22.

Furthermore, for example, after use, the container 21 with liquid L remaining can be removed from the container mounting mechanism 22, and the removed container 21 can be stored in a refrigerator or the like. Later, when the stored container 21 is to be used again, it can be reattached to the container mounting mechanism 22 and used again. Therefore, the consumption of liquid L such as reagents can be reduced, and the container 21 can be reused repeatedly.

Furthermore, with the nozzle holding portion 24b of the container holder 24 securely holding the nozzle portion 21b of the container 21, the main body housing portion 24a of the container holder 24 encourages the main body portion 21a of the container 21 to be pushed by the movable member 23a, thereby enabling the supply of a small amount of liquid L from the discharge port 21c of the container 21 with high precision.

In the schematic of the assay system according to this embodiment, the main body housing portion 24a of each container holder 24 has a receiving portion 24d formed to receive the main body portion 21a of the container 21 that is pressed by the movable member 23a passing through its passage opening 24c. In such a schematic of the assay system, the main body housing portion 24a of the container holder 24 can stably support the main body portion 21a of the container 21 that is pressed by the movable member 23a, so that a small amount of liquid L can be supplied with high precision from the discharge opening 21c of such a container 21.

The assay system according to this embodiment comprises a liquid detection device 50 configured to individually detect the liquid L dripping from the discharge port 21c of the nozzle portion 21b of each of the multiple containers 21. The control device 40 is configured to control the container pushing mechanism 23 to return the container 21 from an extended state where the main body 21a is pushed to a retracted state where the main body 21a is not pushed when the liquid detection device 50 detects the liquid L dripping from the discharge port 21c of each container 21. In such an assay system, the timing of supplying the liquid L from the discharge port 21c of the container 21 can be accurately controlled.

The assay system according to this embodiment comprises a measuring device 60 configured to measure the reaction obtained in the assay apparatus 10 by a liquid L dropped from the liquid supply device 20. The measuring device 60 is positioned horizontally away from the liquid supply device 20. The control device 40 is configured to control the moving device 30 to move the assay apparatus 10 horizontally relative to the liquid supply device 20 and the measuring device 60, from a dropping section where liquid L is dropped from the liquid supply device 20 to the assay apparatus 10, toward a measurement section where the measuring device 60 measures the reaction obtained in the assay apparatus 10 by the liquid L dropped in the dropping section.

In this schematic of assay system, for example, after the liquid supply device 20 supplies liquid L to the assay device 10, the measuring device 60 can immediately measure the reaction obtained in the assay device 10 using this liquid L. Therefore, the timing of supplying multiple liquids L can be precisely controlled so that the measuring device 60 measures the reaction in the assay device 10 at an appropriate time.

In the schematic of the assay system according to this embodiment, the assay apparatus 10 has a plurality of assay modules 11 configured to obtain a reaction by liquid L dropped from the liquid supply device 20, the liquid supply device 20 is configured to drop liquid L onto the plurality of assay modules 11 in the desired order and timing, the measuring device 60 is configured to measure the reactions obtained in the plurality of assay modules 11 by liquid L dropped from the liquid supply device 20 in the desired order and timing, and the control device 40 is configured to control the liquid supply device 20, the moving device 30, and the measuring device 60 so that the order and timing of measuring the reactions of the plurality of assay modules 11 by the measuring device 60 is the same as the order and timing of dropping liquid L onto the plurality of assay modules 11 from the liquid supply device 20, with a certain time interval between them.

In this schematic of the assay system, the liquid supply device 20 drops liquid L into multiple assay modules 11 in the order and timing described above, and then the measuring device 60 measures the reaction of these assay modules 11 appropriately in the order and timing described above, taking into account the time required for each assay. In other words, the timing of supplying multiple liquids L can be precisely controlled so that the measuring device 60 measures the reaction of the assay device 10 at the appropriate time. In particular, as a result of precisely controlling the timing of supplying liquid L, the reaction times of the multiple assay modules 11 can be made uniform.

In detail of the assay system according to this embodiment, the container pushing mechanism 23 has a plurality of movable members 23a arranged to push the main body portion 21a of each of the plurality of containers 21, the moving device 30 is configured to move the assay apparatus 10 along a predetermined movement path, the plurality of containers 21 are arranged so that the discharge ports 21c of their nozzle portions 21b are aligned along the movement path of the assay apparatus 10, and the control device 40 is configured to control the container pushing mechanism 23 so that the plurality of movable members 23a push each of the plurality of containers 21 in the desired order and timing.

In the details of such an assay system, the main bodies 21a of multiple containers 21 can be pressed more quickly and continuously in a desired order and timing by multiple movable members 23a, and as a result, liquid L can be supplied more quickly and continuously from the discharge ports 21c of the multiple containers 21.

"Second Embodiment"
An assay system according to the second embodiment will be described.

"Outline of the assay system"
The general outline of the assay system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 13. As shown in Figures 11 to 13, the assay system according to this embodiment is generally configured similarly to the assay system according to the first embodiment.

As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the assay system according to this embodiment has an assay device 10, a mobile device 30, and a measuring device 60 that are configured substantially and in detail similarly to the assay device 10, mobile device 30, and measuring device 60 according to the first embodiment. The assay system according to this embodiment has a liquid supply device 120 that corresponds to the liquid supply device 20 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 12, the assay system according to this embodiment has a control device 140 and a liquid detection device 150 that correspond to the control device 40 and liquid detection device 50 according to the first embodiment, respectively.

As shown in Figures 11 to 13, the liquid supply device 120 has a plurality of containers 21 that are configured substantially and in detail similarly to the plurality of containers 21 according to the first embodiment. The liquid supply device 120 has a container mounting mechanism 122 and a container pushing mechanism 123, which correspond to the container mounting mechanism 22 and container pushing mechanism 23 according to the first embodiment, respectively.

The container mounting mechanism 122 has a container holder 124 corresponding to the plurality of container holders 24 according to the first embodiment. The container pushing mechanism 123 has a movable member 123a corresponding to the movable member 23a according to the first embodiment. Each container holder 124 has a main body housing section 124a, a nozzle holding section 24b, a passage opening 24c, and a receiving section 124d, which correspond to the main body housing section 24a, nozzle holding section 24b, passage opening 24c, and receiving section 24d according to the first embodiment, respectively.

"Details of the assay system"
The details of the assay system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 13. Specifically, the assay system according to this embodiment can be configured as follows.

The liquid supply device 120 of the assay system has a container moving mechanism 125 configured to allow a plurality of containers 21 to move relative to a container pushing mechanism 123. The container pushing mechanism 123 has a single movable member 123a configured to push each of the plurality of containers 21 individually.

The control device 140 is electrically connected to the liquid supply device 120, the moving device 30, the liquid detection device 150, and the measuring device 60. The control device 140 is configured to control the container moving mechanism 125 so that a plurality of containers 21 move in a desired order and timing to a container pushing position corresponding to a single movable member 123a. The control device 140 is also configured to control the container pushing mechanism 123 so that a single movable member 123a pushes the main bodies 21a of the plurality of containers 21 moved by the container moving mechanism 125 in a desired order and timing.

"Details of the liquid supply system"
Referring to Figures 11 to 13, the liquid supply device 120 can be configured in detail as follows. As shown in Figure 11, the discharge ports 21c of the multiple containers 21 in the liquid supply device 120 are arranged one by one sequentially within the dripping section. As shown in Figures 11 and 13, in the liquid supply device 120, the multiple containers 21 are detachably attached to the container mounting mechanism 122. Furthermore, the multiple containers 21 are each detachably held by multiple container holders 124 of the container mounting mechanism 122. The multiple container holders 124 are integrally formed to form a holder assembly 126.

In Figures 11 and 12, the liquid supply device 120 includes four containers 21 and four container holders 124 that hold each of them. However, the liquid supply device may also include two containers and two container holders that hold each of them, or three containers and three container holders that hold each of them, or five or more containers and five or more container holders that hold each of them.

As shown in Figure 11, the multiple containers 21 and multiple container holders 124 in the container mounting mechanism 122 are aligned along a holder alignment line 126a that is roughly arc-shaped. However, the holder alignment line can be a shape other than a roughly arc shape. For example, the holder alignment line can be a roughly straight line or the like.

Multiple container holders 124 are spaced apart from each other in the direction along the holder alignment line 126a (hereinafter referred to as the "holder alignment direction"). The holder alignment line 126a is also positioned to pass through the dripping section. One of the pressing members 123a in the container pressing mechanism 123 is positioned in the dripping section.

Each of these multiple container holders 124 can be configured as follows. As shown in Figure 13, the main body housing portion 124a of the container holder 124 has a receiving space 124e formed to correspond to the main body portion 21a of the container 21 to be housed therein. The receiving space 124e of the container holder 124 extends along its holder axis 124f. The through opening 124c of the container holder 124 penetrates the main body housing portion 124a in a direction intersecting the holder axis 124f, particularly in a direction substantially perpendicular to the holder axis 124f.

The main body housing portion 124a of the container holder 124 is located on the base end side of the container holder 124 in the direction along the holder axis 124f. The nozzle holding portion 124b of the container holder 124 is located on the tip side of the container holder 124 in the direction along the holder axis 124f. The main body housing portion 124a and the nozzle holding portion 124b are detachably attached to each other. The main body housing portion 124a opens to the outside of the holder 124 at the base end side of the holder 124, creating a receiving space 124e. The container 21 is housed in the receiving space 124e from the base end side of the opening main body housing portion 124a.

The passage opening 124c also opens at the base end of the main body housing section 124a. The receiving section 124d is positioned in the receiving space 124e so as to face the passage opening 124c in the direction of advancement and retraction of the movable member 123a of the container pushing mechanism 123 (indicated by the double-sided arrows W).

The nozzle holding portion 124b of the container holder 124 has an insertion hole 124g that penetrates to allow insertion of the nozzle portion 21b of the container 21. The nozzle holding portion 124b of the container holder 124 is formed to hold the nozzle portion 21b of the container 21 when it is inserted into the insertion hole 124g, and with the discharge port 21c of the container 21 positioned outside the container holder 124.

The holder assembly 126 is formed to have an outer peripheral edge portion 126b that substantially follows the holder alignment line 126a. The holder assembly 126 can be formed to have an outer peripheral edge portion 126b that extends following the substantially arc-shaped holder alignment line 126a. The holder assembly 126 can be formed to have an outer peripheral edge portion 126b that extends following the substantially circular holder alignment line 126a. In this case, the holder assembly 126 is rotatably supported about a central axis 126c located approximately at the center of the substantially circular holder alignment line 126a, as indicated by the double-headed arrow Q.

The holder assembly 126 has a driven gear 126d having multiple teeth arranged substantially parallel to the holder alignment line 126a. The passage opening 124c of each container holder 124 penetrates the main body housing portion 124a of the container holder 124, from the receiving space 124e of the container holder 124 toward the outer peripheral edge 126b of the holder assembly 126.

The container moving mechanism 125 has a motor 125a configured to be rotatably driven. The container moving mechanism 125 also has a drive gear 125b configured to be rotatable about a central axis 125c by the rotational drive of the motor 125a, as indicated by the double-headed arrows P. The drive gear 125b has multiple teeth arranged along its outer circumference. These multiple teeth of the drive gear 125b mesh with the driven gear 126d.

As shown in Figure 11, in such a liquid supply device 120, the rotational drive of the motor 125a rotates the drive gear 125b, which in turn moves the driven gear 126d that meshes with the drive gear 125b. As a result, the holder assembly 126 is operated so that the multiple container holders 124 move along the holder alignment line 126a. Through the operation of this holder assembly 126, the multiple containers 21 can be moved in a desired order and timing to a container pressing position corresponding to a single movable member 123a.

The container pushing mechanism 123 has one fixed member 123b that supports one movable member 123a. The container pushing mechanism 123 includes one actuator 123c having one movable member 123a and one fixed member 123b. The movable member 123a, fixed member 123b, and actuator 123c of the container pushing mechanism 123 are configured, in more detail, similarly to the movable member 23a, fixed member 23b, and actuator 23c of the first embodiment, respectively. The movable member 123a is movable forward and backward as indicated by the double-sided arrows W.

"Details of the liquid detection device"
Referring to Figure 12, the liquid detection device 150 can be configured in detail as follows. The liquid detection device 150 has a liquid detection unit 151 configured to detect liquid L dripping from the outlet 21c of a container 21 located in the dripping section. This liquid detection unit 151 is configured in more detail in the same way as the liquid detection unit 51 according to the first embodiment.

"Operation Method for Assay System"
An example of how to operate the assay system according to this embodiment will be described. First, the stage 31 of the moving device 30 is moved to the installation section. The assay device 10 is installed on the stage 31. The container moving mechanism 125 moves the first container 21 selected from the plurality of containers 21 in the liquid supply device 120 so that it corresponds to one of the movable members 123a in the container pushing mechanism 123 in the dripping section.

The stage 31 on which the assay device 10 is installed is moved from the installation section to the dispensing section. Within the dispensing section, the stage 31 is moved so that the inlet 13 of the first assay module 11, selected from among the inlet 13s of the multiple assay modules 11 in the assay device 10, corresponds to the discharge port 21c of the first container 21.

The movable member 123a is advanced, thereby pushing the main body 21a of the first container 21. The liquid L in the first container 21 is dripped from its outlet 21c into the inlet 13 of the first assay module 11. When one of the liquid detection units 151 of the liquid detection device 150 detects the dripped liquid L, the movable member 123a is retracted, thereby separating the movable member 123a from the main body 21a of the first container 21. The concentrations in the assay region 15 and the confirmation region 16 of the first assay module 11 change.

The container moving mechanism 125 moves the second container 21, selected from the multiple containers 21 in the liquid supply device 120, to correspond with one of the movable members 123a in the container pushing mechanism 123 within the dropping section. Within the dropping section, the stage 31 is moved so that the inlet 13 of the second assay module 11, selected from the multiple assay module 11 in the assay device 10, corresponds with the discharge port 21c of the second container 21.

The movable member 123a is advanced, thereby pushing the main body 21a of the second container 21. The liquid L in the second container 21 is dripped from its outlet 21c into the inlet 13 of the second assay module 11. When one of the liquid detection units 151 of the liquid detection device 150 detects the dripped liquid L, the movable member 123a is retracted, thereby separating the movable member 123a from the main body 21a of the second container 21. The concentrations in the assay region 15 and the confirmation region 16 of the second assay module 11 change.

The stage 31 on which the assay device 10 is installed is moved from the dropping section to the measurement section. In the measurement section, the assay and confirmation areas 15 and 16 of the first assay module 11 are moved to correspond to the lens 61a of the imaging unit 61 of the measuring device 60. The imaging unit 61 images the assay and confirmation areas 15 and 16 of the first assay module 11. The measuring device 60 identifies the concentrations in the assay and confirmation areas 15 and 16 of the first assay module 11 based on the captured images.

The assay and confirmation regions 15 and 16 of the second assay module 11 are moved to correspond to the lens 61a of the imaging unit 61 of the measuring device 60. The imaging unit 61 captures images of the assay and confirmation regions 15 and 16 of the second assay module 11. The measuring device 60 identifies the concentrations in the assay and confirmation regions 15 and 16 of the second assay module 11 based on the captured images.

In summary, the assay system according to this embodiment can achieve the same effects as the assay system according to the first embodiment.

Furthermore, in detail of the assay system according to this embodiment, the liquid supply device 120 includes a container moving mechanism 125 configured to move the plurality of containers 21 relative to the container pushing mechanism 123, the container pushing mechanism 123 has one movable member 123a configured to push each of the main body portions 21a of the plurality of containers 21 individually, the control device 140 is configured to control the container moving mechanism 125 so that the plurality of containers 21 move to the container pushing positions corresponding to the one movable member 123a in the desired order and timing, and the control device 140 is configured to control the container pushing mechanism 123 so that the one movable member 123a pushes the main body portions 21a of the plurality of containers 21 moved by the container moving mechanism 125 in the desired order and timing. Therefore, since the plurality of containers 21 are pushed by one movable member 123a, the configuration for supplying the liquid L can be simplified.

While embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified and altered based on its technical concept.

10... Assay device, 11... Assay module 20, 120... Liquid supply device 21... Container, 21a... Main body, 21b... Nozzle, 21c... Discharge port 22, 122... Container mounting mechanism 23, 123... Container pushing mechanism, 23a, 123a... Movable member 24, 124... Container holder, 24a, 124a... Main body housing, 24b, 124b... Nozzle holding part, 24c, 124c... Pass-through port, 24d, 124d... Receiving part 30... Moving device 40, 140... Control device 50, 150... Liquid detection device 60... Measuring device 125... Container moving mechanism L... Liquid

Claims (8)

An assay system including an assay apparatus configured to perform an assay using a liquid,
A liquid supply device configured to allow liquid to be dispensed dropwise into the assay apparatus,
A moving device configured to allow the assay apparatus to be moved horizontally relative to the liquid supply device,
The system includes a control device configured to control the dropping of liquid by the liquid supply device and the movement of the assay device by the moving device,
The liquid supply device includes a plurality of containers, each configured in the form of an eye drop container.
Each container includes a main body formed in a substantially cylindrical shape to accommodate a liquid, and a nozzle having a discharge port configured to allow the liquid contained in the main body to be dispensed drop by drop.
The liquid supply device includes a container mounting mechanism configured to allow the plurality of containers to be mounted horizontally with their outlets facing downwards and spaced apart from each other, and a container pushing mechanism having at least one movable member configured to push the main body of the plurality of containers in order to drip liquid from the outlets of the plurality of containers.
The container mounting mechanism has a plurality of container holders that each accommodate the plurality of containers,
Each container holder has a substantially cylindrical body housing portion having a receiving space formed to correspond to the main body portion of the container to be housed therein, and a nozzle holding portion that is detachably attached to the body housing portion and holds the nozzle portion of the container housed in the container holder.
Each container holder has a passage opening that allows the movable member that presses the main body of the container housed therein to pass through, and the passage opening is formed to penetrate the main body.
The assay system is configured such that the control device controls the container pressing mechanism so that the at least one movable member presses the bodies of the plurality of containers in a desired order and timing. The assay system according to claim 1, wherein the main body housing portion of each container holder has a receiving portion formed to receive the main body portion of the container when it is pressed by the movable member passing through its opening. The device includes a liquid detection device configured to detect the liquid dripping from the nozzles of the multiple containers individually,
The assay system according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to control the container pushing mechanism to return the container from an extended state in which the main body of the container is pushed back to a retracted state in which the main body is not pushed when the liquid detection device detects liquid dripping from the outlet of each container. The measuring device is configured to measure the reaction obtained in the assay apparatus using the liquid dropped from the liquid supply device,
The measuring device is positioned horizontally away from the liquid supply device.
The assay system according to claim 3, wherein the control device is configured to control the moving device so as to move the assay device horizontally relative to the liquid supply device and the measuring device, from a dropping section in which liquid is dropped from the liquid supply device to the assay device, toward a measuring section in which the measuring device measures the reaction obtained in the assay device by the liquid dropped in the dropping section. The moving device comprises a stage configured to support the assay device from below, on which the assay device is detachably mounted; a guide extending along the movement path of the assay device and supporting the stage in a movable manner; and a drive mechanism for driving the stage to move along the movement path.
The aforementioned movement path includes an installation section in which the assay device can be installed on the stage.
The assay system according to claim 4, wherein the moving device is configured to move the assay apparatus between the installation section, the dropping section, and the measurement section along the moving path. The assay apparatus has a plurality of assay modules configured to obtain a reaction by liquid dropped from the liquid supply device,
The liquid supply device is configured to dispense liquids to the plurality of assay modules in the desired order and timing.
The measuring device is configured to measure the reactions obtained in the plurality of assay modules in a desired order and timing using the liquid dropped from the liquid supply device.
The assay system according to claim 5, wherein the control device is configured to control the liquid supply device, the transfer device, and the measuring device so that the order and timing of measuring the reactions of the plurality of assay modules by the measuring device are the same as the order and timing of dropping liquid from the liquid supply device onto the plurality of assay modules, with a certain time interval between them. The container pressing mechanism has a plurality of movable members arranged to press the main body portions of the plurality of containers,
The moving device is configured to move the assay apparatus along a predetermined movement path.
The plurality of containers are arranged such that the discharge ports of their nozzles are aligned along the movement path of the assay apparatus.
The assay system according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to control the container pressing mechanism so that the plurality of movable members press the main bodies of the plurality of containers in the desired order and timing. The liquid supply device includes a container moving mechanism configured to allow the plurality of containers to move relative to the container pushing mechanism,
The container pressing mechanism has one movable member configured to press each of the multiple container bodies individually.
The assay system according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to control the container moving mechanism so that the plurality of containers move to a container pressing position corresponding to one movable member in the desired order and timing, and the control device is configured to control the container pressing mechanism so that the one movable member presses the main bodies of the plurality of containers moved by the container moving mechanism in the desired order and timing.