JP2009109199A - Positioning device and analyzer using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a positioning device capable of positioning simply an analysis tool formed by arranging circularly a plurality of cells, and an analyzer using the same. <P>SOLUTION: When positioning the analysis tool 20 formed by circularly arraying a plurality of optically transparent cells 24, this positioning device 1 with a table 2 for supporting the analysis tool 20 and an optical member 5 is used. A bonding part 3 to be bonded to the analysis tool 20 on a position facing to the circular center of the analysis tool 20, and a support part 4 for supporting the analysis tool 20 in contact with the analysis tool 20 around the bonding part 3 are provided on the table 2. When the analysis tool 20 is bonded to the bonding part 3, the optical member 5 is fixed to the table 2 oppositely to some cell 24 in the normal direction of the analysis tool 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an analyzer used for component analysis of a sample and a positioning device for positioning an analysis tool arranged in the analyzer.

  Conventionally, component analysis of samples such as blood, interstitial fluid, urine, spinal fluid, and saliva has been performed by absorbance measurement using an analysis tool called a biochip (or microchip). A biochip includes a fine analysis cell having a diameter of about 1 mm or less, and is usually configured by laminating a light-transmitting plate-like member (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  Specifically, a biochip is a light-transmitting substrate (transparent substrate) in which minute recesses that become cells and grooves that become minute flow paths for sample supply are formed, and light-transmitting properties that cover the transparent substrate It consists of a cover. Various reagents are arranged in each cell of the biochip. When a sample is supplied to these cells from the flow path, the sample develops color in response to a specific component in the sample.

  Further, absorbance measurement is performed on such a biochip using an analyzer (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Specifically, the analyzer includes a light source that emits light and a light receiving device that receives the light emitted from the light source. The biochip is inserted into the analyzer from the insertion port, and the cell is disposed between the light source and the light receiving device.

  And the light radiate | emitted from the light source injects into a cell. Part of the incident light is absorbed by the cell, and the rest is transmitted and received by the light receiving device. The analyzer calculates the absorbance from the received transmitted light, and further calculates the concentration of the specific component in the sample from the absorbance. The calculated concentration is displayed on a display device connected to the analyzer.

Moreover, as a biochip, a disk-shaped one is known (see, for example, Patent Document 3). In this biochip, a plurality of cells are arranged in an arc shape. Therefore, by rotating the biochip, it is possible to switch the cell to be subjected to optical measurement, and to improve the measurement efficiency.
JP 2007-163344 A JP 2007-170943 A JP 2004-150804 A

  By the way, in order to increase the calculation accuracy of the absorbance in the analyzer, it is necessary to accurately position the biochip, the light source, and the light receiving device. For example, the analysis device described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 that targets a rectangular biochip for optical measurement includes a member (positioning member) that contacts the biochip and aligns the biochip. ing. Further, the light source and the light receiving device are fixed at predetermined positions inside the analyzer. Therefore, accurate positioning is performed only by the user inserting the biochip until a part of the biochip contacts the positioning member.

  However, when a disc-shaped biochip is used, the analyzer needs to rotate the biochip for switching the cell to be measured. In this case, it is difficult to employ the above-described positioning by contact in the analyzer, and it is required to position the biochip by another method.

  In recent years, an increase in the number of cells has been demanded in order to cope with an increase in analysis items. Since the disk-shaped biochip can easily cope with the increase in the number of cells, the demand is expected to increase in the future. However, each cell becomes smaller as the number of cells increases. In this case, positioning becomes more difficult.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and provide a positioning device that can easily perform positioning with respect to an analysis tool in which a plurality of cells are arranged in an arc shape, and an analysis device using the same. is there.

  In order to achieve the above object, a positioning device according to the present invention is a positioning device for positioning an analysis tool in which a plurality of light-transmitting cells are arranged in an arc shape, and a table for supporting the analysis tool; An optical component, and the table is connected to the analysis tool at a position facing the center of the arc of the analysis tool, and contacts the analysis tool around the joint, A support portion that supports the analysis tool, and the optical component is fixed to the table so as to face the cell in the normal direction of the analysis tool when the analysis tool is joined to the joint portion. It is characterized by being.

  In the positioning device of the present invention, the optical component is fixed to the table at a position facing the cell of the analysis tool. Therefore, the positional relationship between the cell of the analysis tool and the optical component is uniquely determined only by setting the analysis tool on the table. As the optical component, as will be described later, a light source for optical measurement, a light receiving device, and an optical system constituting them can be used. Therefore, according to the positioning device of the present invention, when the analysis tool has a plurality of cells arranged in an arc shape, the analysis tool and the light source or the light receiving device can be easily positioned. it can.

  In the positioning device of the present invention, the optical component can function as an optical system of a light source that emits light toward the cell or as an optical system of a light receiving device that receives light that has passed through the cell. In the positioning device according to the present invention, the optical component may include a light source that emits light toward the cell or a light receiving device that receives light that has passed through the cell. In this case, the light source or the light receiving device itself is incorporated into the table.

  In order to achieve the above object, an analyzer according to the present invention performs an optical measurement on a sample arranged in the cell of an analytical tool in which a plurality of light transmissive cells are arranged in an arc shape. An apparatus, comprising: a table that supports the analysis tool; and an optical component, wherein the table is joined to the analysis tool at a position facing the center of the arc of the analysis tool; A support portion that contacts the analysis tool around the portion and supports the analysis tool, and the optical component has a normal direction of the analysis tool when the analysis tool is joined to the joint portion. And the table is fixed so as to face the cell.

  The analyzer of the present invention includes a table and an optical component fixed to the table, and includes the above-described positioning device of the present invention. According to the analysis apparatus of the present invention, as in the above positioning apparatus, the analysis tool can be easily positioned when the analysis tool has a plurality of cells arranged in an arc shape.

  The analyzer according to the present invention may further include a light source that emits light for optical measurement and a light receiving device that receives the light emitted from the light source. In this case, the optical component can function as an optical system of the light source or an optical system of the light receiving device. In this case, either the light source or the light receiving device may constitute a part or all of the optical component and be fixed to the table.

  Further, in the positioning device and the analysis device according to the present invention, when the analysis tool includes a convex portion or a concave portion protruding in the normal direction at a position facing the center of the arc, the joint portion is It is preferable that it is formed so as to fit into the convex portion or the concave portion.

  As described above, according to the positioning device and the analysis device using the same according to the present invention, when an analysis tool in which a plurality of cells are arranged in an arc shape is used, the analysis tool can be easily positioned. Can do.

(Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a positioning device and an analysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the positioning device in the present embodiment and the analysis tool used in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a positioning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of an analytical tool used in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 (a) shows a state where each part is disassembled, and FIG. 2 (b) shows a state seen from below. Is shown. Also in FIG. 1, the analysis tool shown in FIG. 2 is shown.

  The positioning device 1 in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a device for positioning the analysis tool 20. The analysis tool 20 is generally called a biochip and includes a plurality of light transmissive cells 24. Although not shown, each cell 24 is provided with a sample such as blood, interstitial fluid, urine, spinal fluid, saliva or the like. Further, the positioning device 1 is used in the analyzer according to the present embodiment, as will be described later with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the positioning device 1 includes a table 2 that supports an analysis tool 20 and an optical component 5. The table 2 includes a joint portion 3 joined to the analysis tool 20 and a support portion 4 that contacts the analysis tool 20 around the joint portion 3 and supports the analysis tool 20.

  In the present embodiment, the table 2 has a shape obtained by concentrically overlapping two discs having different diameters. The upper surface of the disk portion having a small diameter comes into contact with the bottom surface of the analysis tool 20 and functions as the support portion 4. In addition, the diameter of the disk portion constituting the support portion 4 is set so that the cell 24 does not contact the support portion 4 when the analysis tool 2 is placed.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, the junction part 3 is the convex part protruded from the center of the upper surface of a disk part with a small diameter. This convex part is formed so that it may fit in the recessed part 26 (refer FIG.2 (b)) provided in the bottom face of the analytical tool 20. FIG. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 to be described later, one axis is embedded in the table 2 with its central axis coinciding with the central axis of the disk portion. A portion of the shaft that protrudes outside the table 2 is a joint 3.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the optical component 5 is fixed to the table 2 so as to face one of the cells 24 in the normal direction of the analysis tool 20 when the analysis tool 20 is joined to the joint 3. ing. In the present embodiment, the optical component 5 functions as an optical system of the light source 10, for example, as an optical system that collects light or removes light of a specific wavelength. The optical component 5 is connected to the light source 10 via the optical fiber 9. As the light source 10, a light emitting diode or a semiconductor laser can be used. The light emitted from the light source 10 passes through the optical fiber 9, reaches the optical component 5, and is emitted from there to the cell 24 of the analysis tool 20.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, in the present embodiment, the analysis tool 20 includes a light-transmitting substrate (transparent substrate) 21 and a light-transmitting cover (transparent cover) 22 that covers the upper surface thereof. ing. The transparent substrate 21 is provided with a storage portion 23 for temporarily storing a sample, a plurality of cells 24 to be optically measured, and a plurality of flow paths 25 connecting them. Formation of the storage part 23, the cell 24, and the flow path 25 is performed by forming a recessed part and a groove | channel in the main surface of the one side of the transparent substrate 21. FIG. Although not shown, various reagents are arranged in advance in each cell 24.

  Further, the plurality of cells 24 are arranged in an arc shape. In the present embodiment, the plurality of cells 24 are arranged to draw a circle. 1 and 2, 29 indicates the center of this arc. The transparent substrate 21 and the transparent cover 22 are formed so that the shape when viewed from the normal direction is a circle centered on the center 29. The analysis tool 20 has a disk shape. Note that the shapes of the transparent substrate 21 and the transparent cover 22 are not limited to the circular shape described above. For example, a shape obtained by joining semicircles to both ends of a rectangle or a shape obtained by providing a cutout in a part of the circle may be used.

  The storage unit 23 is formed in a region including the center 29, and one storage unit 23 is disposed in the central portion of the transparent substrate 21. In the central part of the transparent cover 22, a supply port 27 for guiding the sample to the storage unit 23 is provided corresponding to the storage unit 23. The plurality of flow paths 25 are arranged radially, and each flow path 25 connects the corresponding cell 24 and the storage portion 23.

  The sample supplied to the storage unit 23 is sent to each cell 24 via each flow path 25. In each cell 24, a specific component in the sample reacts with a reagent arranged in advance, and color development occurs. A connection hole 28 used to connect a connector 13 (described later) and the analysis tool 20 is formed around the supply port 27 of the transparent cover 22.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the joint 3 of the table 2 is formed on the bottom surface of the analysis tool 20, that is, the main surface of the transparent substrate 21 where the cells 24 and the flow paths 25 are not formed. A concave portion 26 is formed so as to be fitted to the convex portion. Further, in order for the joint portion 3 (see FIG. 1) of the table 2 described above to join the analysis tool 20 at a position facing the center 29, the recess 26 is located at a position facing the center 29 (ie, (On an axis passing through the center 29).

  In this embodiment, instead of the concave portion 26, a convex portion protruding downward along a normal line (center axis) passing through the center 29 may be provided. In this case, the table 2 is provided with a concave portion that fits into the convex portion as the joint portion 3. Although not shown in FIG. 2, a metal thin film that functions as a temperature adjusting heater may be formed inside the analysis tool 20.

  With this configuration, when the analysis tool 20 is set on the table 2, the radial distance L between the center (arc center) 29 of the analysis tool 20 and the optical component 5 is constant, and the cell 24 and the optical component in the radial direction are constant. The alignment with 5 is complete. Therefore, when the rotation angle of the analysis tool 20 is controlled by the analyzer during the optical measurement, the light emitted from the light source 10 is reliably incident on the cell 24.

  Next, the analyzer according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the analyzer according to the embodiment of the present invention. The analyzer shown in FIG. 3 includes the positioning device shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the analysis tool 20 and the cross section of the table 2 are hatched.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the positioning device 1 (table 2 and optical component 5) and the light source 10 shown in FIG. 1, the analyzer 11 in the present embodiment includes a connector 13, a light receiving device 15, and a main body. A frame 12 is provided. The table 2 is fixed to the main body frame 12. Although not shown in FIG. 3, the analyzer 11 also includes a control device for controlling operations of the connector 13, the light receiving device 15, the light source 10, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the optical component 5 includes a cylindrical body 6, a lens element 7, and a filter 8. The lens element 7 and the filter 8 are disposed inside the cylindrical body 6. Further, the other end of the optical fiber 9 having one end connected to the light source 10 is inserted into the cylindrical body 6. The light emitted from the light source 10 and guided to the cylinder 6 by the optical fiber 9 passes through the lens element 7 and the filter 8 and then enters the cell 24.

  The connector 13 is configured to be able to move the analysis tool 20 in the normal direction and rotate around the normal passing through the center of the table 2. When the analysis tool 20 is joined to the table 2, the control device moves the connector 13 downward, and connects the pin 14 provided at the tip thereof to the connection hole 28 formed in the transparent cover 22.

  The light receiving device 15 includes a light receiving element such as a photodiode or a phototransistor. The light receiving device 15 is disposed so that the optical axis of the light (emitted light) emitted from the optical component 5 passes through the light receiving surface. Although not shown, the light receiving device 15 is attached to the main body frame 12 via a member. The light receiving device 15 is fixed similarly to the table 2.

  Further, the control device rotates the connector 13 to position the analysis tool 20 in the circumferential direction so that the cell 24 to be analyzed is opposed to the optical component 5 and the light receiving device 15. As a specific positioning method, there is a method in which unevenness for specifying the reference position is provided on the analysis tool 20 and positioning is performed by this (refer to International Publication No. 2006/006591 pamphlet). In this case, the analyzer 11 includes a light source that irradiates laser light toward the unevenness and a light receiving device that receives the laser light, in addition to the light source 10 and the light receiving device 15. The control device specifies the reference position by receiving the laser light emitted from the light source by the light receiving device. Thereafter, the control device controls the rotation angle of a motor (not shown) for driving the connector 13 by using a potentiometer or a rotary encoder so that the cell 24 to be analyzed, the optical component 5 and the light receiving device 15 face each other. .

  Further, there is a method of positioning by providing unevenness for specifying the reference position over the entire outer periphery of the analysis tool 20 (see International Publication No. 2006/006591 pamphlet). Irregularities are formed for each cell. Also in this case, the analyzer 11 includes a light source different from the light source 10 and a light receiver different from the light receiver 15 for positioning. However, unlike the above-described method, the control device directly identifies the position of the cell 24 to be analyzed by emitting light from the light source toward each unevenness and receiving the reflected light by the light receiving device. The cell 24, the optical component 5, and the light receiving device 15 are made to face each other.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the distance L in the radial direction between the center (center 29) of the analysis tool 20 and the optical component 5 is kept constant. Therefore, the analysis tool 20, the light source 10, and the light receiving device 15 can be positioned in the radial direction simply by placing the analysis tool 20 on the table 2. Further, these positionings in the circumferential direction can be performed by simple feedback control. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the analysis tool 20, the light source 10, and the light receiving device 15 can be easily positioned. Further, the positioning accuracy can be increased, and it is possible to cope with further miniaturization of the cell.

  In the present invention, the positioning device and the analyzing device are not limited to the examples shown in FIGS. The positioning device and analysis device according to the present invention may be, for example, the examples shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 are cross-sectional views showing other examples of the positioning device and the analysis device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 to 6 show different examples. 4 to 6, illustration of the analysis tool is omitted.

  In the example of FIG. 4, the optical component 5 and the light receiving device 15 are connected by an optical fiber 9, and the optical component 5 functions as an optical system of the light receiving device 15. In the example of FIG. 4, the light source 10 is disposed above the table 2 with the emission direction facing downward. Even in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the same effect as the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 can be obtained.

  Further, as shown in the example of FIG. 5, the positioning device and the analysis device according to the present invention may be an embodiment in which the optical component 5 includes the light source 10. In this case, the light source 10 itself is fixed to the table 2. Furthermore, as shown in the example of FIG. 6, the positioning device and the analysis device according to the present invention may be configured such that the optical component 5 includes a light receiving device 15. In this case, the light receiving device 15 itself is fixed to the table 2. In the case of the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, the same effect as the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 can be obtained.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when optical measurement is performed using an analysis tool in which a plurality of cells are arranged in an arc shape, the analysis tool, the light source, and the light receiving device can be easily positioned. it can. The positioning device and analysis device of the present invention have industrial applicability.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a positioning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of an analytical tool used in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 (a) shows a state where each part is disassembled, and FIG. 2 (b) shows a state seen from below. Is shown. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the analyzer according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the positioning device and the analysis device in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the positioning device and the analyzer in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the positioning device and the analysis device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Positioning device 2 Table 3 Joint part (convex part)
4 Supporting part 4
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Optical component 6 Housing 7 Lens element 8 Filter 9 Optical fiber 10 Light source 11 Analyzer 12 Main body frame 13 Connector 14 Connection pin 15 Light receiving device 20 Analytical tool 21 Transparent substrate 22 Transparent cover 23 Reservation part 24 Cell 25 Flow path 26 Recessed part 27 Supply port 28 Connection hole

Claims (8)

A positioning device for positioning an analysis tool in which a plurality of light transmissive cells are arranged in an arc shape,
A table for supporting the analysis tool, and an optical component;
The table is joined to the analysis tool at a position facing the center of the arc of the analysis tool, and a support part that supports the analysis tool by contacting the analysis tool around the joint. And
The positioning device, wherein the optical component is fixed to the table so as to face the cell in a normal direction of the analysis tool when the analysis tool is joined to the joining portion.   The positioning device according to claim 1, wherein the optical component functions as an optical system of a light source that emits light toward the cell or as an optical system of a light receiving device that receives light that has passed through the cell.   The positioning device according to claim 1, wherein the optical component includes a light source that emits light toward the cell, or a light receiving device that receives light that has passed through the cell. In the case where the analytical tool has a convex portion or a concave portion protruding in the normal direction at a position facing the center of the arc,
The positioning device according to claim 1, wherein the joint portion is formed so as to fit into the convex portion or the concave portion. An analyzer that performs optical measurement on a sample arranged in the cell of an analytical tool in which a plurality of light transmissive cells are arranged in an arc shape,
A table for supporting the analysis tool, and an optical component;
The table is joined to the analysis tool at a position facing the center of the arc of the analysis tool, and a support part that supports the analysis tool by contacting the analysis tool around the joint. And
The optical device is fixed to the table so as to face the cell in the normal direction of the analysis tool when the analysis tool is joined to the joint. The analyzer further includes a light source that emits light for optical measurement, and a light receiving device that receives the light emitted from the light source,
The analyzer according to claim 5, wherein the optical component functions as an optical system of the light source or an optical system of the light receiving device. The analyzer further includes a light source that emits light for optical measurement, and a light receiving device that receives the light emitted from the light source,
The analyzer according to claim 5, wherein any one of the light source and the light receiving device constitutes a part or all of the optical component and is fixed to the table. In the case where the analytical tool has a convex portion or a concave portion protruding in the normal direction at a position facing the center of the arc,
The analyzer according to claim 5, wherein the joint portion is formed so as to fit into the convex portion or the concave portion.

Images