JP2009265057A - Inspection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inspection apparatus capable of efficiently inspecting a plurality of microchips. <P>SOLUTION: The inspection apparatus has a liquid feed connection part that communicates with microchips and injects or sucks a fluid into the microchips; a detecting unit for detecting a reaction result from a detecting part; a temperature regulating part capable of storing the plurality of microchips in a case regulated to a predetermined temperature; a chip conveying means for moving the microchips between a position where the microchips can be in communication with the liquid feed connection part, the inside of the case of the temperature regulating part and a position where the detecting unit detects the reaction result from the detecting part; and a chip conveyance control means for controlling driving of the chip conveying means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus.

  In recent years, by making full use of micromachine technology and ultrafine processing technology, devices and means (for example, pumps, valves, flow paths, sensors, etc.) for performing conventional sample preparation, chemical analysis, chemical synthesis, etc. have been miniaturized. A system integrated on a chip has been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This is also called μ-TAS (Micro Total Analysis System), bioreactor, lab-on-chip, biochip, medical examination / diagnosis field, environmental measurement field, Its application is expected in the field of agricultural production. In particular, as seen in genetic testing, when complicated processes, skilled techniques, and operation of equipment are required, the cost, required sample amount, and required time can be reduced by using μ-TAS.

The present applicant encloses a reagent or the like in a microchannel of a microchip, injects a liquid into the microchannel by a pump, moves the reagent, and flows it to a reaction unit and then a detection unit, thereby allowing a sample such as blood to flow. Has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Since the reaction between the specimen and the reagent needs to be performed under a predetermined temperature condition, the microchip is directly cooled or heated and adjusted to a predetermined temperature while the microchip is fixed during the test.
JP 2004-28589 A JP 2006-149379 A

  However, since the reaction between the specimen and the reagent particularly when performing genetic diagnosis or the like takes an hour or more under a predetermined temperature condition, there is a waiting time until the reaction person obtains the reaction result after inserting the microchip into the inspection apparatus. It will be long. Therefore, the number of microchips that can be inspected per day has been limited.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said subject, Comprising: It aims at providing the test | inspection apparatus which can test | inspect a some microchip efficiently.

The object of the present invention can be achieved by the following constitution.
1.
A detection result of the microchip is obtained by injecting or aspirating a fluid into the channel of the microchip, moving and mixing the reagent and the sample stored in the channel, adjusting the reaction to a predetermined temperature, and reacting the reaction result. In inspection equipment that measures from
A liquid-feeding connection portion that communicates with the microchip and injects or sucks the fluid into the microchip;
A temperature control unit capable of storing a plurality of the microchips inside a casing adjusted to a predetermined temperature;
A detection unit for detecting the reaction result from the detection unit;
Chip transport that moves the microchip between a position where it can communicate with the liquid feeding connection section, a housing inside the temperature control section, and a position where the detection unit detects the reaction result from the detection section Means,
Chip transfer control means for controlling driving of the chip transfer means;
An inspection apparatus comprising:
2.
The chip transfer control means
After driving the chip conveying means and moving the microchip from a position where it can communicate with the liquid feeding connection part to the inside of the casing of the temperature control part and storing it for a time required for reaction,
An inspection apparatus, wherein the chip conveying means is driven to take out the microchip from the inside of the housing and move the detection unit to a position where the detection result is detected from the detection unit.
3.
The microchip has a plurality of the detection units,
The chip transfer control means
After the chip conveying means is driven to take out the microchip from the inside of the housing, the detection unit sequentially moves the microchip to a position where the detection result can be detected from each detection unit. The inspection apparatus according to 1 or 2.
4).
4. The inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a seal member attaching unit that attaches and seals a seal member to an opening of the microchip that communicates with the liquid feeding connection portion.
5.
The chip transfer control means
After the chip conveying means is driven and the microchip is moved to a position where the seal member attaching means attaches the seal member to the opening, and the seal member is attached,
5. The inspection apparatus according to 4, wherein the chip conveying means is driven to move the microchip to a predetermined position inside the housing.

  According to the present invention, a microchip in which a plurality of microchips are housed and a temperature adjusting unit capable of adjusting to a predetermined temperature is provided, and a reagent and a specimen are moved and mixed by injecting or aspirating fluid from a liquid feeding connection unit Is moved from a position where it can communicate with the liquid connection part, and is stored in the temperature control part. After the microchip is stored in the temperature control unit for the time required for the reaction, the microchip is taken out and moved to a position where the reaction result is detected to detect the reaction result.

  In this way, while the microchip is housed in the temperature control unit, it is possible to inject or suck fluid from the liquid feeding connection unit to other microchips or to detect the reaction result. Therefore, it is possible to provide an inspection apparatus that can efficiently inspect a plurality of microchips.

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

  FIG. 1 is an external view of an inspection system 80 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The following description is based on the coordinate axes of X, Y, and Z shown in FIG.

  The inspection device 82 is a device that automatically detects the reaction between the specimen previously injected into the microchip 1 and the reagent and displays the result on the display unit 84. The inspection system 80 includes an inspection device 82 and the microchip 1.

  The inspection device 82 has an insertion port 83, and the microchip 1 is inserted into the insertion port 83 and set inside the inspection device 82. The insertion port 83 is sufficiently higher than the thickness of the microchip 1 so as not to contact the insertion port 83 when the microchip 1 is inserted. Reference numeral 85 denotes a memory card slot, 86 denotes a print output port, 87 denotes an operation panel, 88 denotes an input / output terminal, and 89 denotes a power switch.

  After the inspection person turns on the power switch 89, the microchip 1 is inserted in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1, and the operation panel 87 is operated to start the inspection. Inside the inspection device 82, the reaction in the microchip 1 is automatically inspected, and when the inspection is completed, the result is displayed on the display unit 84 composed of a liquid crystal panel or the like. The inspection result can be output from the print output port 86 or stored in a memory card inserted into the memory card slot 85 by operating the operation panel 87. Further, data can be stored in the personal computer or the like from the external input / output terminal 88 using, for example, a LAN cable.

  The inspection person takes out the microchip 1 from the insertion port 83 after the inspection is completed.

  Next, an example of the microchip 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of the microchip 1 in the embodiment of the present invention. The microchip 1 will be described with reference to the coordinate axes shown in FIG.

  As shown in the side view of the microchip 1 in FIG. 2A, the microchip 1 includes a groove forming substrate 108 and a covering substrate 109 that covers the groove forming substrate 108. In the present embodiment, since the liquid flowing in the flow path is optically detected, at least a portion covering the detected flow path needs to be formed of a transparent member such as glass or resin.

  FIG. 2B is a plan view of the microchip 1, and illustrates the grooves of the groove forming substrate 108 that can be seen through the transparent coated substrate 109. A flow path is formed by covering the grooves of the groove forming substrate 108 with the covering substrate 109. The microchip 1 is provided with minute groove-like channels 250 (microchannels) and functional parts (channel elements) for performing inspections, sample processing, and the like in an appropriate manner according to the application. Has been.

  The flow path is formed on the order of micrometers, and for example, the width is several μm to several hundred μm, preferably 10 to 200 μm, and the depth is about 25 to 500 μm, preferably 25 to 250 μm.

  In the present embodiment, a microchip 1 used for a process of performing amplification and detection of a specific gene will be described as an example.

  Reference numerals 110a and 110b in FIG. 2B denote injection ports that communicate with the flow path inside the microchip 1. The driving liquid is injected from each of the injection ports 110 to drive the internal specimen, reagent, and the like. In the microchip 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2B, the configuration of the flow path starting from the injection port 110a is completely the same as the configuration of the flow path starting from the injection port 110b. Distinguish between calls. Each component is distinguished by adding a and b.

  Reference numerals 121a and 121b denote sample storage units for storing samples. The sample storage units 121a and 121b have deeper grooves than other flow paths in order to store a predetermined amount of sample. In the present embodiment, a description will be given assuming that samples are stored in the sample storage units 121a and 121b in advance.

  Reference numerals 120a and 120b denote reagent storage parts that store the first reagent, 122a and 122b denote reagent storage parts that store the second reagent, and 123a and 123b denote reagent storage parts that store the third reagent.

  When the driving liquid is injected from the injection ports 110a and 110b, the sample stored in the sample storage units 121a and 121b is pushed out to the flow channel 250 and is injected into the downstream reagent storage units 120a and 120b. The sample and the first reagent pushed out from the reagent storage units 120a and 120b are respectively injected into the downstream reagent storage units 122a and 122b through the flow channel 250. The specimen and the first reagent push out the second reagent from the reagent storage parts 122a and 122b.

  The sample, the first reagent, and the second reagent pass through the flow path 250 and are injected into the downstream reagent storage units 123a and 123b, respectively, to push out the third reagent.

  A mixing unit 130a, a mixing unit 130b, a mixing unit 131a, and a mixing unit 131b are provided further downstream of the reagent storage units 123a and 123b. The flow channel 250aa, the sample flowing through the flow channel 250ba, the first reagent, The second reagent and the third reagent are mixed in each mixing unit.

  The sample, the first reagent, the second reagent, and the third reagent mixed in the mixing unit 130a, the mixing unit 130b and the mixing unit 131a, and the mixing unit 131b are injected into the detection units 111a and 111b. As will be described later, the microchip 1 is housed in the temperature control chamber 31 inside the inspection apparatus 80, and the entire microchip 1 is heated or absorbed to predetermine the samples and reagents of the detection units 111a and 111b at a predetermined temperature. Let it react for the time.

  The detection units 111a and 111b are provided for optically detecting the reaction between the specimen and the reagent, and have a groove deeper than the other flow paths to accommodate a predetermined amount of the specimen and the reagent.

  In this embodiment, an example in which the microchip 1 is provided with two channels of flow paths is described. However, the present invention is not limited to two channels, and may be a large number of channels or a single channel. In this embodiment, an example in which the driving liquid is injected from the injection ports 110a and 110b will be described. However, a gas such as air may be injected or sucked.

  3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the inspection apparatus 82, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the inspection apparatus 82. Each part will be described with reference to the coordinate axes of X, Y, and Z shown in FIGS.

  The inspection device 82 includes the detection unit 22, the micro pump unit 75, the packing 90, the packing 8, the driving liquid tank 91, the liquid feeding connection portion 185, the temperature adjustment chamber 31, the moving arm 32, the seal portion 35, and the like shown in FIG. Composed. The liquid feeding connection portion 185 can be moved in the Z-axis direction by a driving means (not shown). In FIG. 3, the liquid feeding connection portion 185 is in close contact with the micropump unit 75 via the packing 90b and the microchip 1 via the packing 8. Show. The liquid feeding connection part 185 is the liquid feeding connection part of the present invention, the temperature control box 31 is the temperature adjusting part of the present invention, the moving arm 32 is the chip conveying means of the present invention, and the seal part 35 is the sealing member attaching means of the present invention. .

  Hereinafter, an example of the internal configuration of the inspection apparatus 82 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

  In the initial state, the liquid feeding connection portion 185 is raised from the state of FIG. 3 in the positive direction of the Z axis by the thickness of the microchip 1 as shown in FIG. Then, the microchip 1 can be inserted / removed in the X-axis direction, and the person inspecting inserts the microchip 1 from the insertion port 83 until it comes into contact with a regulating member (not shown). A chip detector 94 using a photo interrupter (not shown in FIG. 4) is provided at the entrance of the insertion port 83. When the microchip 1 is inserted, the microchip 1 is detected and turned on.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a mounting table 76 is provided inside the insertion port 83, and the microchip 1 is configured to be inserted along the mounting table 76. When the microchip 1 is inserted to a predetermined position, the chip detection unit 95 using a photo interrupter or the like not shown in FIG. 4 detects the microchip 1 and is turned on.

  Next, the liquid feed connecting portion 185 is lowered by a drive member (not shown), and the packing 90b of the liquid feed connecting portion 185 and the packing 8 of the liquid feed connecting portion 185 are connected to the microchip as shown in FIG. 1. Adhere closely to 1.

  The driving liquid tank 1 is connected to the suction port 145 of the micropump unit 75 via the packing 90a, and the driving liquid filled in the driving liquid tank 91 is sucked via the packing 90a. On the other hand, the discharge port 146 communicates with the opening 186 of the liquid feeding connection part 185 via the packing 90b. The liquid feeding connection part 185 includes a flow path substrate 184 in which a flow path 182 is formed and a covering substrate 183. The other opening of the channel 182 communicates with the injection port 110 of the microchip 1 through the packing 8.

  By driving the piezoelectric element 112, the driving liquid sent out from the micropump unit 75 is injected from the injection port 110 of the microchip 1 into the channel 250 formed in the microchip 1. In this way, the driving liquid is injected from the micropump unit 75 into the injection port 110.

  The micropump unit 75 is provided with at least one micropump. When the microchip 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 is driven, two micropumps corresponding to the two inlets 110a and 110b are necessary.

  The seal portion 35 shown in FIG. 4 is a temporary lid formed by sticking a seal member coated with an adhesive to the injection port 110 so that the driving liquid or the like injected from the micropump unit 75 does not leak.

  4 incorporates a heater, a Peltier element, a power supply device, a temperature sensor, and the like, and is necessary for reacting a sample and a reagent inside the casing of the temperature control chamber 31 by generating heat or absorbing heat. The temperature is adjusted to a predetermined level. A plurality of shelves 33 are provided inside the casing of the temperature control cabinet 31, and the microchip 1 can be placed thereon.

  The detection unit 22 includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit (not shown), and is configured to optically separate the fluorescence emitted from the reagent that has reacted with the specimen by irradiating the detection unit 111 with excitation light and to receive the light in the light receiving unit. Has been. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the optical axis of the lens 23 of the detection unit 22 substantially coincides with the center of the detection unit 111b. In this way, after moving the microchip 1 to a position where the center of the detection unit 111b substantially coincides with the optical axis of the lens 23 of the detection unit 22, the excitation light is irradiated, and the fluorescence emitted by the fluorescent material is received. Outputs electrical signals. Next, the microchip 1 is moved in the Y-axis negative direction to a position where the optical axis of the lens 23 of the detection unit 22 substantially coincides with the center of the detection unit 111a. In this way, the reaction result is detected by sequentially moving the microchip 1 to a position where the optical axis of the lens 23 of the detection unit 22 substantially coincides with the center of each of the detection units 111a and 111b.

  In this embodiment, the detection unit 22 is fixed and the microchip 1 is moved to detect the reaction results from the detection units 111a and 111b. However, the microchip 1 may be fixed and the detection unit 22 may be moved. .

  The movable arm 32 shown in FIG. 4 is driven by an arm drive unit 19 (not shown in FIG. 4), and the X, Y, and Z axes are sandwiched between the microchip 1 and the grip part 34 that moves in the Z-axis direction provided at the tip. Can move in the direction.

  When moving the microchip 1 to the temperature control chamber 31, the packing 8 of the liquid feeding connection portion 185 is brought into close contact with the microchip 1, and then the microchip 1 is sandwiched between the grip portions 34, as shown in FIG. In such a manner, the liquid connection part 185 is raised to release the connection. The moving arm 32 moves the microchip 1 to a position where the seal portion 35 attaches the seal member. After the seal portion 35 attaches the seal member to the inlets 110 a and 110 b, the empty shelf 33 of the temperature adjustment chamber 31. The microchip 1 is stored in the container. When a sealing member is attached to the inlets 110a and 110b, it is possible to prevent the driving liquid injected into the microchip 1 from the inlets 110a and 110b from leaking during movement.

  In addition, when injecting air into the inlets 110a and 110b or when the driving liquid hardly leaks from the inlets 110a and 110b, it is not always necessary to attach the seal member. When the sealing member is not attached, the microchip 1 may be directly stored in the temperature adjustment chamber 31 by the moving arm 32 after the microchip 1 is sandwiched by the grip portion 34.

  When the microchip 1 is moved to a position where the detection unit 22 detects the reaction result, the microchip 1 housed in the temperature control chamber 31 is taken out with the grip portion 34, and the centers of the detection portions 111b and 111a are placed in the lens. 23 are sequentially moved on the mounting table 76 so as to substantially coincide with the optical axis 23. When the inspection is completed, the moving arm 32 ejects the microchip 1 from the insertion port 83.

  FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram of the inspection apparatus 82 in the embodiment of the present invention.

  The control unit 99 includes a CPU 98 (central processing unit), a RAM 97 (Random Access Memory), a ROM 96 (Read Only Memory), and the like, and reads a program stored in the ROM 96 which is a nonvolatile storage unit to the RAM 97. Each part of the inspection apparatus 80 is centrally controlled according to the program.

  Hereinafter, functional blocks having the same functions as those described so far are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  The chip detection unit 94 detects that the microchip 1 is inserted into the inspection device 82 and transmits a detection signal to the CPU 98. The chip detector 95 transmits a detection signal to the CPU 98 when the microchip 1 comes into contact with the regulating member. When the CPU 98 receives the detection signal, the CPU 98 performs a predetermined operation based on the program.

  The pump driving unit 500 is a driving unit that drives the piezoelectric element 112 of each micropump. Based on the program, the pump drive control unit 412 controls the pump drive unit 500 to inject or suck a predetermined amount of drive fluid. The pump drive unit 500 receives the command from the pump drive control unit 412 and drives the piezoelectric element.

  The CPU 98 performs inspections in a predetermined sequence and stores the inspection results in the RAM 97. The chip transfer control unit 413 controls the arm driving unit 19 based on the program, and operates the grip unit 34 and moves the moving arm 32. The chip transfer control unit 413 is a chip transfer control unit of the present invention.

  The temperature adjustment chamber 31 receives a command from the CPU 98 and adjusts the inside of the casing of the temperature adjustment chamber 31 to a predetermined temperature. Each shelf 33 of the temperature control chamber 31 is assigned with a unique number, and whether or not the microchip 1 is placed on each shelf 33 and the placement time are stored in the shelf management table of the RAM 97. Has been.

  At the time of inspection, the amount of fluorescent light is calculated from the electrical signal output from the detection unit 15 and used as the inspection result. The inspection result can be stored in the memory card 501 by the operation of the operation unit 87 or printed by the printer 503.

  Next, the inspection procedure of the present invention will be described. The test procedure of the present invention includes a process A including a process of feeding a liquid to the flow path of the microchip 1, a process B (amplification process) for reacting a specimen and a reagent, and a process C including a process of detecting a reaction result. .

  Step A is a procedure until a predetermined liquid is supplied to the flow path of the microchip 1 inserted into the inspection device 82 and then stored in the temperature adjustment chamber 31, and will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Step B is a step of keeping the temperature of the microchip 1 in the temperature adjustment chamber 31 adjusted to a temperature suitable for the reaction for a predetermined time.

  Step C is a step of discharging the microchip 1 from the inspection device 82 after detecting the reaction result of each detection unit 111 by the detection unit 22, and will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of step A in the embodiment of the present invention.

  S10: This is a step of determining whether or not the microchip 1 is newly inserted.

  The CPU 98 monitors the change in the output of the chip detection unit 94 and determines whether or not the microchip 1 has been inserted.

  When the microchip 1 is not newly inserted (step S10; No), the process returns to step S10.

  When the microchip 1 is newly inserted (step S10; Yes), the process proceeds to step S11.

  S11: It is a step which sets the microchip 1 in the state which can be liquid-fed.

  The mechanism control unit 411 monitors the change in the output of the chip detection unit 95. When the mechanism control unit 411 detects that the microchip 1 is inserted until it comes into contact with the regulating member, the mechanism control unit 411 moves the liquid feeding connection unit 185 in the negative Z-axis direction. 3, the liquid feeding connection part 185 is brought into close contact with the microchip 1 through the packing 8.

  S12: A step of feeding the liquid to the microchip 1.

  The pump drive control unit 412 instructs the pump drive unit 500 to send liquid from the micropump unit 75 to the microchip 1 in a predetermined order based on the program.

  S13: This is a step of releasing the connection between the liquid feed connecting portion 185 and the microchip 1.

  The mechanism control unit 411 moves the liquid feeding connection unit 185 in the positive direction of the Z axis, and releases the connection between the liquid feeding connection unit 185 and the microchip 1 as shown in FIG.

  S14: This is a step of moving the microchip 1 to a position where the seal member is applied.

  The chip transfer control unit 413 controls the arm driving unit 19 to move the moving arm 32 to a position where the seal unit 35 affixes the seal member with the microchip 1 sandwiched between the grip unit 34.

  S15: A step of attaching a temporary lid to the microchip 1.

  The CPU 98 instructs the seal portion 35 to attach a seal member serving as a temporary lid to the injection ports 110 a and 110 b of the microchip 1.

  S16: This is a step of moving the microchip 1 to the temperature control cabinet 31.

  The chip transfer control unit 413 controls the arm driving unit 19 to move the moving arm 32 to the temperature adjustment chamber 31 with the microchip 1 sandwiched between the grip unit 34.

  S17: This is a step of storing the microchip 1 in the temperature control chamber 31.

  The chip transfer control unit 413 refers to the shelf management table in the RAM 97, controls the arm driving unit 19 to move the moving arm 32 to the empty shelf 33, and operates the grip unit 34 to move the microchip 1. Place on the shelf 33. Next, the chip transfer control unit 413 writes and updates the number of the placed shelf and the placement time in the shelf management table.

  S18: A step of setting a timer.

  The transport control unit 413 sets the timer counter of the CPU 98 so that an interrupt is generated after a predetermined time necessary for the reaction.

  Above, the process of A process is complete | finished and it returns to step S10.

  For a predetermined time, a B step is performed in which the microchip 1 is kept warm in the temperature adjustment chamber 31 adjusted to a temperature suitable for the reaction. When a predetermined time elapses, a timer interrupt is generated and an interrupt processing routine described below is executed.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of the interrupt process in the C process.

  It is assumed that the position and number of the detection units 111 formed on the microchip 1 are written in the RAM 97 in advance.

  S20: A step of determining whether or not the microchip 1 can be moved to the mounting table 76.

  When the microchip 1 cannot be moved to the mounting table 76, there are a case where another microchip 1 is performing liquid feeding or reaction detection, and a case where the microchip 1 is newly inserted from the insertion port 83. When the other microchip 1 is performing liquid feeding, reaction detection, etc., since the CPU 98 manages the progress, it can be determined whether or not the movement is possible. In the case where the microchip 1 is inserted, the CPU 98 detects the output of the chip detection unit 94 and determines whether or not it can be moved.

  When it cannot move (step S20; No), it returns to step S20.

  If it is possible to move (step S20; Yes), the process proceeds to step S21.

  S21: This is a step of taking out and moving the microchip 1 from the temperature control chamber 31.

  The chip transfer control unit 413 refers to the RAM 97 and identifies the shelf 33 on which the microchip 1 has been placed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the placement time stored in the shelf management table. The chip transfer control unit 413 controls the arm driving unit 19 to move the moving arm 32 to the specified position of the shelf 33, and sandwiches the microchip 1 placed on the specified shelf 33 between the grip unit 34. Next, the chip transfer control unit 413 controls the arm driving unit 19 to move the moving arm 32 to a position where the detection unit 22 can detect the reaction result from the detection unit 111. For example, the center of the detection unit 111b is moved to a position that substantially matches the optical axis of the detection unit 22.

  S22: This is a step of detecting fluorescence.

  The CPU 98 causes the light emitting unit of the detection unit 22 to emit light, measures the output signal level from the detection unit 22, and stores the result in the RAM 97.

  S23: This is a step of determining whether or not fluorescence detection has been performed from all the detection units 111.

  The CPU 98 determines whether or not fluorescence detection has been performed from all the detection units 111 of the microchip 1.

  If there is a detection unit 111 that is not performing fluorescence detection (step S23; No), the process proceeds to step S24.

  S24: This is a step of moving the undetected detection unit 111 to a position where the reaction result can be detected.

  The chip transfer control unit 413 controls the arm driving unit 19 to move the moving arm 32 to a position where the detection unit 22 can detect the reaction result from the undetected detection unit 111. For example, the central portion of the detection unit 111a is moved to a position that substantially matches the optical axis of the detection unit 22.

  When fluorescence detection is performed from all the detection units 111 (step S20; Yes), the process proceeds to step S25.

  S25: This is a step of discharging the microchip 1.

  The chip transfer control unit 413 controls the arm driving unit 19 to move the moving arm 32 and discharge the microchip 1 sandwiched between the grip units 34 from the insertion port 83.

  This is the end of the description of the timer interrupt routine.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example in which a plurality of microchips 1 are inspected by parallel processing according to the present invention.

  The horizontal axis in FIG. 8 is the time axis, and the procedure (A process, B process, C process) of inspection performed on each microchip 1 is illustrated along the time axis. A, B, and C in the figure indicate times during which the A process, the B process, and the C process are performed. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the inspection is performed in the order of the microchip 1a, the microchip 1b, and the microchip 1c.

  While the microchip 1a shown in the uppermost stage in FIG. 8 is housed in the temperature adjustment chamber 31 in the B process, the A process or the C process of another microchip 1 can be performed. In the example of FIG. 8, the A process of the microchip 1b is first performed, and then the A process of the microchip 1c is performed when the microchip 1b is stored in the temperature control chamber 31 in the B process.

  At the timing when the B process of the microchip 1a is finished, the microchip 1b and the microchip 1c are stored in the temperature adjustment chamber 31 in the B process, so the microchip 1a is immediately moved to the mounting table 76 and the C process is performed. be able to. Similarly, in the microchip 1b, at the timing when the B process ends, the microchip 1b can be immediately moved to the mounting table 76 to perform the C process.

  In this way, while the microchip 1 is stored in the temperature control chamber 31, the A process or the C process of another microchip 1 can be performed, so that many microchips can be inspected efficiently and in a short time. One test can be performed.

  Next, an example in which the chip conveyance control means is realized by combining the belt conveyor 39 and the moving arm 32 will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing another example of the internal configuration of the inspection apparatus 82 of the present invention.

  In the example of FIG. 9, a belt conveyor 39 is provided inside the insertion port 83, and the microchip 1 is configured to be placed on the belt conveyor 39. The belt conveyor 39 is driven by a driving member such as a motor (not shown), and the microchip 1 is placed and moved in the Y-axis direction according to a command from the chip conveyance control unit 413.

  The chip transfer control unit 413 moves the microchip 1 to a position where the seal unit 35 attaches the seal member, and moves the microchip 1 so that the detection unit 22 can detect the reaction result from each detection unit 111. Then, the belt conveyor 39 is driven to move to a predetermined position. Except this point, the embodiment is the same as the embodiment described in FIGS. 4 to 8, and the same procedure simplifies the description.

  In the initial state, the liquid feeding connection portion 185 is raised in the positive direction of the Z axis by the thickness of the microchip 1 as shown in FIG. Then, the microchip 1 can be inserted / removed in the X-axis direction, and the person inspecting inserts the microchip 1 from the insertion port 83 until it comes into contact with a regulating member (not shown). As in the example of FIG. 4, a chip detector 94 using a photo interrupter or the like is provided at the entrance of the insertion port 83. When the microchip 1 is inserted, the microchip 1 is detected and turned on.

  When the microchip 1 is inserted to a predetermined position, the chip detection unit 95 using a photo interrupter or the like detects the microchip 1 and is turned on.

  Next, the liquid feeding connection portion 185 is lowered by a driving member (not shown), and the packing 90b of the liquid feeding connection portion 185 is replaced with the micropump unit 75 and the packing 8 of the liquid feeding connection portion 185 is microchip as shown in FIG. 1. Adhere closely to 1.

  After injecting the driving liquid, the chip transfer control unit 413 drives the belt conveyor 39 to move the microchip 1 to the position of the seal unit 35. After the seal unit 35 has attached the seal member coated with the adhesive to the injection port 110, the chip transport control unit 413 stores the microchip 1 in the grip unit 34 of the moving arm 32 and stores it in the temperature adjustment chamber 31. Thus, the moving arm 32 is controlled. The sealing member is attached as necessary.

  After the microchip 1 is stored in the temperature adjustment chamber 31 for a predetermined time, the chip conveyance control unit 413 controls the grip unit 34 of the moving arm 32 to place the microchip 1 on the belt conveyor 39. To do. After the microchip 1 is placed on the belt conveyor 39, the chip conveyance control unit 413 controls the driving of the belt conveyor 39, so that the center of the detection unit 111 b substantially coincides with the optical axis of the lens 23 of the detection unit 22. The microchip 1 is moved.

  After the detection unit 22 irradiates the excitation light, receives the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent material, and outputs an electrical signal, the chip conveyance control unit 413 controls the driving of the belt conveyor 39 and the light of the lens 23 of the detection unit 22. The microchip 1 is moved to a position where the central portion of the detection unit 111a substantially coincides with the axis.

  After the detection unit 22 detects the fluorescent substance from all the detection units 111, the chip transport control unit 413 performs control so that the microchip 1 is sandwiched between the grip portions 34 of the moving arm 32 and discharged from the insertion port 83. .

  As described above, according to the present invention, an inspection apparatus capable of efficiently inspecting a plurality of microchips can be provided.

It is an external view of the test | inspection apparatus 82 in embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the microchip 1 concerning embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of an internal structure of the test | inspection apparatus 82 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows an example of an internal structure of the test | inspection apparatus 82 of this invention. It is a circuit block diagram of the test | inspection apparatus 82 in embodiment of this invention. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is a flowchart explaining the procedure of A process. It is a flowchart explaining the procedure of the interruption process of C process. It is explanatory drawing explaining the example which performs the test | inspection of the several microchip 1 by parallel processing by this invention. It is a perspective view which shows another example of the internal structure of the test | inspection apparatus 82 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Microchip 8 Packing 19 Arm drive part 22 Detection unit 32 Moving arm 35 Seal part 39 Belt conveyor 82 Inspection apparatus 83 Insertion port 84 Display part 90 Packing 91 Drive liquid tank 92 Pump unit 94 Chip detection part 95 Chip detection part 110 Inlet 111 Detection Unit 411 Mechanism Control Unit 412 Pump Drive Control Unit 413 Chip Transfer Control Unit

Claims (5)

A detection result of the microchip is obtained by injecting or aspirating a fluid into the channel of the microchip, moving and mixing the reagent and the sample stored in the channel, adjusting the reaction to a predetermined temperature, and reacting the reaction result. In inspection equipment that measures from
A liquid-feeding connection portion that communicates with the microchip and injects or sucks the fluid into the microchip;
A temperature control unit capable of storing a plurality of the microchips inside a casing adjusted to a predetermined temperature;
A detection unit for detecting the reaction result from the detection unit;
Chip transport that moves the microchip between a position where it can communicate with the liquid feeding connection section, a housing inside the temperature control section, and a position where the detection unit detects the reaction result from the detection section Means,
Chip transfer control means for controlling driving of the chip transfer means;
An inspection apparatus comprising: The chip transfer control means
After driving the chip conveying means and moving the microchip from a position where it can communicate with the liquid feeding connection part to the inside of the casing of the temperature control part and storing it for a time required for reaction,
An inspection apparatus, wherein the chip conveying means is driven to take out the microchip from the inside of the housing and move the detection unit to a position where the detection result is detected from the detection unit. The microchip has a plurality of the detection units,
The chip transfer control means
After the chip conveying means is driven to take out the microchip from the inside of the housing, the detection unit sequentially moves the microchip to a position where the detection result can be detected from each detection unit. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a seal member attaching unit that attaches and seals a seal member to an opening of the microchip that communicates with the liquid feeding connection unit. 5. The chip transfer control means
After the chip conveying means is driven and the microchip is moved to a position where the seal member attaching means attaches the seal member to the opening, and the seal member is attached,
The inspection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the chip conveying unit is driven to move the microchip to a predetermined position inside the housing.

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