JPS6387970A - Culture device for reagent or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a reagent capable of reducing misdiagnosis, by carrying out culture of a reagent and a block solution after coating of a reagent, etc., to each well of a module plate in a transporting process of microplate in a given temperature atmosphere. CONSTITUTION:Formation of solid phase of reagent is carried out by a partial feeder 30 for reagent, a culture device 31 for reagent, cleaner 32 for reagent, a partial feeder 33 for block solution, a culture device 34 for block solution, a cleaner 35 for block solution and a dryer 36. The culture devices 31 and 34 have an elevation units 41 of magazine feed side and elevation units 42 of magazine discharge side at the sides of stand units. In the insides of both the elevation units, conveyor units 43 and 44 for dropping and lifting a microplate, a loader and an unloader units 45 and 46 are set and each transportation passageway of a carrier unit 47 is kept in a given temperature atmosphere by a forced hot air circulation and ventilation method by a heater unit 48. Each unit is regulated by a control unit 49.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to an apparatus for culturing reagents in serology, bacteriology, etc. in micromodules.

[Prior Art] Recently, cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have been reported in Japan.
It is important to note that IDS is a viral infection and is believed to be transmitted through blood.

There are two methods for diagnosing AIDS: an indirect method that measures the body's immune function, and a direct method that examines whether the body has produced antibodies against the AIDS virus. No. 452 for U.S. Pat.
AIDS and Pre-AID by using H9/HTLV-III described in No. 0113 as a reagent.
Examples include a method of detecting antibodies in the serum of S patients.

In addition, when using H9/HTLV-m as a reagent, a diagnostic kit using cultured H9/HTLV-m is
It was developed by CI, and companies such as Abbott Lab in the United States are currently commercializing it, and there is a strong need for the development of an effective method for producing such a diagnostic kit.

[Problems to be solved by the invention] Cultured H9/H as a method for diagnosing the aforementioned AIDS
The production of a diagnostic kit using TLV-m is based on the use of HTLV-m as a reagent to make the reagent itself? F!
Extreme vigilance is required during the preparation stage, which must be carried out with due consideration given to the immunity of healthy workers to HTLV-■ infection, and HTLV-m antigens must be treated with surfactants and hyperthermia. In addition, the HTLV-111 antibody-positive human plasma used as a positive control was inactivated by heating at 60° C. for 3 hours.

However, even if an inactivated virus is used, contact with the virus can cause healthy workers to produce antibodies, and if antibodies are produced, AIDS
, there is a risk of being misdiagnosed as ARC or Pre-AIDS.

Additionally, H9 cells or Escherichia coli (E, Co1) in the reagent
1) The presence of intracellular substances can be detected from individuals with antibodies against E. coli (E, Co11) or H9 cells.
In antibody screening tests, there is a migratory trait that can lead to erroneous results.

These false positives! ! It causes severe anxiety for healthy individuals and their families, and even raises concerns that they may be ostracized from normal social activities.

Therefore, the present invention eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks when reagents for serology and bacteriology such as AIDS diagnosis are solid-phased in micromodules, improves workability, promotes automation, and improves accuracy of diagnosis by homogenizing products. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a micromodule culture device containing reagents and the like that can improve the properties of micromodules.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The culture device for reagents, etc. of the present invention includes a means for supplying a microplate whose wells are coated with a reagent, etc. into a culture atmosphere, and a microplate supplied from the supply means. a supply-side transport means for transporting at a required transport speed in the culture atmosphere; a means for delivering the microplate supplied by the microplate supply means to the transport means; a discharge-side transport means for transporting the microplates to be transported at a required transport speed in the culture atmosphere; a means for transporting the microplates from the supply-side transport means to the discharge-side transport means; and the discharge side. means for discharging the cultured microplates transported by the transporting means on the above-mentioned culture atmosphere from the culture atmosphere; and means for delivering the cultured microplates transported by the transporting means on the discharge side to the ejection means. It is what it is.

[Function] The apparatus for cultivating reagents, etc. of the present invention performs culturing of the reagents and block solution after coating each well of the module plate with the reagents, etc. during the transport process of the microplate in a required temperature atmosphere, and This eliminates the need for manual intervention inside the microplate, and ensures uniformity of culture using reagents, etc., in each well of the microplate.

[Example] First, an example of a microplate solid-phase method for reagents will be described in detail with reference to drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a microplate solid phase method for reagents.

Figure 2a is a perspective view of the microplate;
A cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG.

First, regarding the applicable microplate l, see Figure 2a,
By attaching six modules 3 (see FIG. 2C) in which eight flat-bottomed wells 2 are arranged in two rows as shown in b and c to the module plate 4 in a detachable manner, 96
It consists of a configuration in which several wells 2 are arranged.

Furthermore, in order to keep the mounting direction of each module 3 on the module plate 4 constant, one mounting end 3a of each module 3 is provided with protrusions at predetermined intervals along one mounting edge 4a of the module plate 4. The other attachment end 3b is provided with an engagement groove 6 that engages with the engagement protrusion 5, and the other attachment end 3b is provided with an engagement protrusion that engages with engagement grooves 7 drilled at predetermined intervals along the other attachment edge 4b. It is formed by protruding 8.

Further, among the four corners of the frame edge 9 of the module plate 4, one corner has a diagonal cut portion 10a that determines the direction of the module plate 4, and the other three corners have eight portions 10b.

10c and 10d are provided.

Further, on the surface of one side edge of the module plate 4, display characters 9a (alphabetic characters in the drawing) indicating the rows of each well 2 are provided.

Now, a method for solidifying a reagent solution in each well 2 of the microplate 1 having the above structure will be explained with reference to FIG. 1.

First, in the reagent solution dispensing step, each of the eight wells 2 arranged in each module 3 of the microplate 1 is
The first step of dispensing the reagent solution 11 to each well 2 through eight dispensing nozzles 12 arranged in a row on a nozzle arm (not shown), which can simultaneously dispense the required amount of the reagent solution 11 to each well 2. It consists of a dispensing amount check in which the dispensing amount (100p±lO%) is checked by inserting two pairs of electrodes 13 into each well 2, and a second step dispensing monitor that processes the data. .

Dispensing the reagent solution 11 through the dispensing nozzle 12 includes:
In addition to the configuration in which eight dispensing nozzles 12 are arranged in a row corresponding to the direction in which each well 2 of each module 3 is arranged, eight dispensing nozzles 12 are arranged in a row on a nozzle arm (not shown).
It is also possible to simultaneously dispense the reagent solution 11 into every other two rows of wells 2 of the microplate 1 using a dispensing unit (not shown) in which two rows of wells 2 are arranged.

Furthermore, with a similar configuration, when checking the amount of reagent solution 11 dispensed in each well 2 of microplate l, two pairs of electrodes 13 are arranged in a row on an electrode arm (not shown), and two electrodes are placed at intervals. An electrode unit (
(not shown) can be used to perform the dispensing amount check.

Note that the first step in the dispensing step is as follows. The dispensing and dispensing amount check in the second step are performed alternately while the microplate 1 is transferred via a transfer means (not shown) by pitch feeding corresponding to the arrangement pitch of each well 2 of the microplate I. Is possible.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, prior to dispensing in the first step of the dispensing process, a well check is performed to check for leakage in the attachment of the module 3 to the module plate 4. . If it is discovered through this well check that the module 3 is not attached to the module plate 4, an alarm such as a buzzer is issued to the operator and the dispensing process is temporarily stopped.

Furthermore, when a well 2 in which an allowable amount of reagent solution 11 is not dispensed due to the dispensing amount check is processed by data processing, the module 3 containing such well 2 is , is replaced with another suitable module 3.

Further, the reagent solution 11 is stored cold at a predetermined temperature in a reagent shelf (not shown), and the dispensing nozzle 12 sucks and dispenses a predetermined amount from the reagent shelf.

Furthermore, when checking the dispensing and dispensing amount using the dispensing nozzle 12 and electrode 13, after checking the dispensing and dispensing amount for each well 2, each dispensing nozzle 12 and electrode 13 should be cleaned. Let's do it. That is, as described above, dispensing and dispensing amount checking are performed alternately, and dispensing nozzle 1
2 is cleaned during the dispensing amount check of the electrode 13 and is prepared for dispensing the reagent solution 11 to each well 2 in the next order, and when the dispensing amount check in each well 2 by the electrode 13 is completed, the dispensing nozzle 12 The reagent solution 11 is aspirated and dispensed into each well 2 by the nozzle 12, and the electrode 13 can be cleaned during the dispensing by the dispensing nozzle 12.

Next, the culture process (hereinafter referred to as incubation process)
is a microplate in which 100 Jj of Bunshi 10% reagent solution 11 was dispensed into each well 2 of each module 3 attached to the module plate 4 in the dispensing step)
1 is a magazine (1) that can store a plurality of microplates 1 (microplates 1) in a suspended state as they are discharged from the discharge section in connection with the conveyance of the microplates (1) in the dispensing process after the dispensing process is completed.
(not shown), and as a predetermined number of microplates 1 are stored in the magazine, the microplates (1) are transferred to the incubation process via the magazine and stored in the magazine. ,3
The reagent solution 11 dispensed into each well 2 is transported into a culture chamber whose temperature is controlled at 7° C.±2° C. and undergoes a one-hour transport process to complete the cultivation of the reagent solution 11 dispensed into each well 2.

The microplates 1 discharged from the culture chamber are sequentially suspended and stored in the magazine provided in the discharge section, and transferred to the following washing step.

That is, the next cleaning process is performed by cleaning in the fourth process shown in the first diagram and checking the cleaning liquid discharge in the fifth process.

Therefore, in the fourth step of washing, the reagent solution 11 remaining in each well 2 of the microplate 1 is sequentially transported from the magazine after the incubation step via the transport means.
is discharged through the discharge nozzle 14 corresponding to the row of wells 2 arranged in the module 3, and then similarly through the cleaning nozzle 15 corresponding to the row of the wells 2 arranged in the module 3. After the residual liquid of the reagent solution 11 has been discharged, a cleaning liquid 16 is supplied into each well 2 for cleaning, and this is further discharged through the discharge nozzle 14 for cleaning. The same operation of supplying the cleaning liquid 16 through the cleaning nozzle 15 and discharging it through the discharge nozzle 14 after cleaning is performed three times to complete the cleaning operation.

In addition, the cleaning of each well 2 is performed through the discharge nozzle 14 and cleaning nozzle 15 corresponding to the row of wells 2, and also through the discharge nozzle 14 and cleaning nozzle 15 corresponding to the row of wells 2. In one case, a pair of cleaning nozzles 15 are arranged in one row on a nozzle arm (not shown) that supports them, and in other cases, a pair of discharge nozzles 14 and cleaning nozzles 15 are arranged in two rows on both sides of the nozzle arm. It is possible to simultaneously wash the wells 2 in every other two rows of the microplate 1 in the same way as in the pouring step.

Next, check the discharge of the cleaning liquid 16 in the fifth step.

An electrode unit or electrode unit 2 in which a pair of electrodes 13 used for checking the dispensing amount are arranged in rows corresponding to the rows of each well 2.
This is accomplished by inserting a pair of electrodes 17 having the same configuration as the electrode units arranged in a row into each well 2, sensing the data, and processing the data.

In addition, in the washing step of the fourth step and the discharge check of the fifth step, after the incubation step is completed, each well 2 of the top 1 microplate 1 is placed in the well 2 of the top 1 microplate 1 after being carried out from the machine. Regarding the point that cleaning of each discharge nozzle 14 and each electrode 17 is performed alternately during the pitch feeding process corresponding to the pitch, and during each process between the two, the cleaning of each discharge nozzle 14 and each electrode 17 is performed in accordance with 1. This is the same as the dispensing and dispensing amount check in the second step.

The blocking process after the above-mentioned washing process includes dispensing the block solution 18 in the sixth step in FIG. 1 and dispensing the block solution 1 in the seventh step.
This is accomplished by checking the amount dispensed and processing the data in step 8.

Therefore, the dispensing of the block solution 18 in the sixth step is performed by the dispensing nozzle 19, and the dispensing amount check and data processing of the block solution 18 in the seventh step are performed by the pair of electrodes 20 after the cleaning step. These two steps, which are performed for each well 2 of the microplate 1, can be performed in the same manner as the dispensing of the reagent solution 11, checking the dispensing amount, and processing the data. is omitted.

Although the case has been described in which the reagent solution 11 in the reagent dispensing process is stored cold at a predetermined temperature, the block solution 18 in the block solution dispensing process does not need to be stored at a constant temperature unless a specific heat retention is required. It is.

The next eighth step of incubation of the block solution 18 is also carried out in the same manner as the third step of incubation shown in the first diagram, and a detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

Further, the washing step shown in FIG. 1 after the incubation step is performed by washing in the ninth step and checking the washing liquid discharge in the tenth step. The cleaning liquid is discharged by the discharge nozzle 21, and the cleaning liquid 22 is supplied by the cleaning nozzle 23, and the latter cleaning liquid discharge check is performed by inserting a pair of electrodes 24 into each well 2. The method of each step is the same as the cleaning in the fourth step shown in the first diagram and the discharge check in the fifth step, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

Furthermore, after the incubation of the block solution 18 and the washing process, the microplate 1 is dried for a predetermined time in a drying chamber (not shown) controlled at a predetermined drying temperature, so that reagents can be added to each well 2 of the microplate 1. Reagents can be solid phased.

Therefore, in the above, the entire process of immobilizing the reagent in each well 2 of the microplate 1 has been explained, but below, an example of an apparatus for incubating a reagent solution as the reagent will be described below along with drawings. Explain.

FIG. 3 is an overall layout diagram of the device used for the reagent solid phase, where 30 is a reagent dispensing device, 31 is a reagent culture device 2i (
(incubation device), 32 is a reagent cleaning device, 3
3 is a block solution dispensing device, 34 is a block solution culturing device, 35 is a block solution cleaning device, and 36 is a drying device.

Therefore, the reagent culturing device 31 will be explained.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, this culture device 31 has a magazine supply side elevation unit 41 provided on the left side of the pedestal 22) 40, and a magazine supply side elevation unit 41 provided on the right side of the pedestal 22) 40. Magazine ejection side elevation unit) 42 arranged opposite to side elevation unit) 41
．． t, the conveyor units (43, 44) for lowering and raising microplates (1) provided adjacent to the inside of both elevator units (41, 42), and the supply side (43, 44) provided on the upper side of the pedestal unit (40). a rogue unit 45 that receives the microplate 1 from the magazine held in the elevation unit 41 and supplies it to the descending conveyor unit 43; receives the microplate 1 held in the ascending conveyor unit 44; The unloader unit 4 is housed in the magazine held in the discharge side elevation 42.
6. At the lower side of the pedestal 22) 40, the microplate l conveyed to the lower end by the descending conveyor unit 43 installed between the lower ends of the descending and ascending conveyor units 43 and 44 is received. A carrier unit 47 to be carried into the lower end of the ascending conveyor unit 44. Further, the descending and ascending conveyor unit 43 is attached to the center of the frame 40.
．． A heater unit 48 that connects the lower ends of the carrier unit 44 to keep each conveyance path of the carrier unit 47 at a predetermined temperature atmosphere using a forced hot air circulation ventilation method, and a control unit 49 for each of these units provided above the gantry unit 40. It consists of

The pedestal unit 40 includes a pedestal 50 as shown in FIG.
Against base 51. A top plate 52 is stretched, and a top cover 53 is attached to the top plate 52. Frame 5
Heat retention inside the frame unit 40 can be ensured by attaching and detaching a cover 56 and a rear cover 57 to the right and left sides of 0, and by attaching and detaching a cover 56 and a rear cover 57 to the front and back sides, respectively. Casters 58 are attached to the base 51 to make it movable, and adjuster feet 59 are attached to the base 51 so that the base 51 can be fixed while adjusting the height.

Further, the side cover 54.55 is provided with a see-through window 59a for confirming the presence or absence of the microplate l during incubation in the descending and ascending conveyor unit 43.44, and the magazine supply side elevation unit 41 More Rogue Unit 45
A carry-in port 60 carries the microplate l to the descending conveyor unit 43 via the conveyor unit 43 for descending, and a carry-in port 61 carries the microplate l from the ascending conveyor unit 44 to the machining machine discharge side elevation unit 42 via the unloader unit 46. Each is open.

The magazine supply side elevation unit 41 will be explained below with reference to FIG.
It is attached to the left side of the base 51 of the unit 40, and support plates 71 and 72 are installed on both sides of the base 70.
A base 73 is attached to the upper side of both support plates 71 and 72 to provide a pedestal 74 for the elevation unit 41. A slider support frame 76 equipped with a slide plate 75 is erected above the base 73 of this mount 74, and a pair of journal arm 2 assemblies are mounted on the slide plate 75, with slider plates 77 rotatably attached to the left and right sides of the slide plate 75. -78,79
A lift plate 81 is attached to the slider plate 77 via a support plate 80, and this lift plate 81
On the upper side is the magazine guide plate 82°83.84
．． 85 is fixed and a magazine lift 86 is provided.

Further, motors 87 and 88 for driving the magazine lift 86 are provided above the base 73 of the gantry 74, and a lead screw 90 is connected to the motor 88 via a bearing 89 so as to rotate and move up and down in the vertical direction. The upper end 90a of this lead screw 90 is connected to the slider plate 77 of the magazine lift 86 via a connecting piece 91, and the lower end 90b is connected to the slider plate 77 of the magazine lift 86. A driving section 93 of the magazine lift 86 is provided by connecting to the lower end 92a of the shutter 92 attached to the lower end.

Note that 94 indicates a joint fitting between the lead screw 90 and the connecting piece 91, 95 indicates a bolt, and 96 indicates a shutter collar for attaching the shutter 92 to the lead screw 90.

Furthermore, the lift plate 81 of the magazine lift 86
A magazine detection hole 97 is opened in the center part of the magazine, and a micro switch 99 is installed at the lower center part via a mounting piece 98.
Attach it to the switch end of this microswitch 99,
By positioning the lower end of the detection pin 101 mounted through the bushing 100 in the detection hole 97 and providing the detection pin 101, the magazine lift 86 is provided with a detection section for detecting the presence or absence of a magazine.

Further, a stopper 102 is attached to the upper end of the slider support plate 76, and a sensor 104 is attached via a sensor bracket 103 attached to the stopper 102 to detect the presence or absence of a microplate l in the magazine set on the magazine lift 86. Installation.

Further, magazine positioning pins 105 and 106 are provided upright on the lift plate 81 of the magazine lift 86, so that the setting direction of the magazine set above the lift plate 81 can be regulated.

The shutter 77 has slits 107 and 108 formed at a predetermined distance along both left and right edges thereof, and a sensor angle 109 is provided below the base 73 of the mount 74.
, 110, a photosensor ill having a pair of light emitting and light receiving elements for detecting the slits 107, 108.

112 is provided.

The sensor 111 is connected to the slit 1 of the shutter 77.
07 and the sensor 112 detects the slit 10.
8, the sensor 111 constitutes a detection section for the upward pitch of the magazine lift 86, and the sensor 112 constitutes a detection section for the transfer pitch of the magazine lift 86 to the loader unit 45.

A shutter 113 is attached to the lower end 90b of the lead screw 90, and a photosensor 115 having a pair of light emitting and light receiving elements is provided on the base 73 of the mount 74 via a sensor angle 114, and on the upper side of the base 70, A photosensor 117 having a pair of light emitting and light receiving elements is provided via the sensor angle 116, and constitutes a detection section for the ascending end and descending end of the lead screw 90.

The structure of the magazine ejection side elevation unit 42 is shown in FIG. In contrast, it is disposed on the right side of the pedestal 40, and has the same configuration as the magazine supply side elevation unit 41, and the same components are denoted by the same numbers, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted. do.

Next, the descending and ascending conveyor unit 43
．． 44 will be explained.

First, the descending conveyor unit 43 is disposed adjacent to the inside of the magazine supply side elevation unit 41 on the left side of the gantry unit 40, and specifically has the configuration shown in FIG.

Support frame 1 erected above the base 51 of the frame unit) 40
A pair of left and right support plates 121 are protruded from the upper part of the 20 (see FIGS. 4a and 4b), and the front support plate 12
A pair of bearing plates 122, 123 (
(see Fig. 4), and this bearing plate 1
Timing pulleys 126 and 127 are mounted between 22 and 123 via rotating shafts 124 and 125.

Furthermore, a pair of bearing plates 128 and 129 are provided upright on the upper side of the base 50 of the gantry unit 40 at positions corresponding to the timing pulleys 126 and 127, respectively, and a rotating shaft 130 is mounted on each pair of bearing plates 128 and 129, respectively.
The timing pulleys 126, 127 via 131
A pair of timing pulleys 132 and 133 are pivotally mounted, and a conveyor belt 1 is provided between the timing pulley 126 and the timing pulley 132, and between the timing pulley 127 and the timing pulley 133, respectively.
34,135 are stretched.

Both conveyor bells) 134, 135 are shown in Fig. 7a,
As is clear from C, there are engagement grooves 136 and 137 on the surfaces of both conveyor belts 134 and 135 that engage the left and right side edges of the microplate l at a predetermined interval in the length direction. By arranging them in corresponding positions, a plurality of microplates 1 can be held in a stacked manner between both conveyor bells 134 and 135, and conveyed in the vertical direction according to the rotation of the timing pulleys 126, 127, 132° 133. It is configured as follows.

Furthermore, both conveyor belts 134, 135 are equipped with tension rollers 138, as shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b.

This tension roller 138 is connected to the gantry unit 4.
141 upper bearing plates 142, 14
3 through a shaft 144 so as to be eccentrically eccentric.

145 is a bearing, 146 is a collar, and 147 is a reinforcing plate.

Further, the driving parts of the two conveyor bells) 134 and 135 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 7c, d, e, and f. The timing belt 156 is connected to the timing pulley 152 for driving the conveyor belts 134, 135 via the intermediate timing pulley 153, and between the timing pulleys 154, 155 fixed to the timing pulleys 132, 133 (7) of the conveyor belts 134, 135 and the rotating shafts 130, 131. By tensioning the timing pulleys 132, 13 of both conveyor belts 134, 135.
3, and while rotating both the timing pulleys 132 and 133 by driving the drive motor 150,
The conveyor bells 139 and 135 are configured to be able to be driven in the vertical direction.

Regarding the intermediate timing pulley 153, see FIG. 7d.
As shown in FIG.
A bearing plate 157 is set up on the upper side of the bearing plate 1, and both bearing plates 128, 15
7 through a rotating shaft 15B.

In addition, in the same figure, 159 is a bearing of the rotating shaft 130, and 16
0 is the bearing of the rotating shaft 158, 161 is the rotating shaft 124
bearings, 162, 163° 164 is the rotating shaft 124
, 130 colors.

Further, the timing pulley 155 fixed to the rotating shaft 131 of the timing pulley 133 of the conveyor belt 135 is equipped with a normal rotation/reversal control device for the drive motor 150, as shown in FIG. 7e.

That is, at the end of the rotating shaft 131 to which the timing pulley 155 is fixed, there is a shutter 166 in which slits 165 are bored at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction as shown in FIG. 7f.
is fixed with a port 167, and a sensor block 169 is attached to a support frame 168 positioned above the shutter 166 and erected above the base 51. A photosensor 172 equipped with a mask 171 consisting of a light emitting and light receiving element is arranged via a sensor ampoule 170,
A photosensor 175 consisting of a light emitting and light receiving element is disposed on the side of the shutter 166 via sensor plates 173 and 174.

In the figure, reference numeral 176 indicates an amplifier mounted on the upper side of the support frame 168 via an angle 177, and reference numeral 178 indicates a terminal block of this amplifier 176.

Furthermore, the configuration of the lifting conveyor unit 44 is as follows:
It has the same configuration as the descending conveyor unit 43 described above, and its specific illustration is omitted, and its main components are schematically shown in FIG. 4, and the main components are shown in FIG. The same reference numerals as the main components of the conveyor unit 43 will be used, and the explanation will be omitted.

The Rogue unit 45 has the configuration shown in FIG. 8, and is mounted on a support plate 180 spanning between left and right support frames 121 erected above the base 51 of the gantry unit 40.

On the outer periphery of the arm shaft 182, to which the transport plate 181 of the microplate L is attached at the tip, a lead gear 184, which is screwed into a drive gear (not shown) of a drive gear box 183 attached to the support plate 180, is attached to approximately the entire length. The lead gear 184 is screwed across the drive gear box 183, and is held so as to pass through the drive gear box 183 so as to be freely threadable in the front and rear directions.

Further, the driving gear box 183 is provided with a driving motor 185 for driving the driving gear, and is located on the left side of the support plate 180 at the rearward end of the arm shirt 182 of the transport plate 181 for retracting. A photosensor 186 for edge detection is provided, and the support plate 1
A photosensor 187 for detecting the forward end is disposed at the center of the support plate 180 at the forward end of the arm shaft 182 of the conveyance plate 181, and is located at the intermediate stop position of the arm shaft 182 at the right side of the support plate 180. A photosensor 188 for detecting an intermediate stop position is disposed at the rear end of the arm shaft 182, and a shutter 189 for the photosensor 187 and 188 is attached to the rear end of the arm shaft 182.

In addition, each of the photo centers 186, 187° 188 is
Each sensor plate 1 so that its mounting position can be adjusted.
The bolt hole 190at of the port 190 for fixing the ports 86a, 187a, and 188a is formed as a long hole.

Furthermore, the transport plate 181 of the microplate 1
Guide 191.192 to receive the microplate l
A photosensor 194 for detecting the presence or absence of the microplate 1 in the transport plate 181 is disposed on a block metal fitting 193 that fixes the transport plate 181 to the arm shaft 182.

The Rogue unit 45 also includes a lead gear 184 screwed onto the outer periphery of the arm shaft 182 to facilitate driving of the arm shaft 182 that supports the transport plate 181 of the microplate 1 so as to be movable in the front and back direction. A grease receiving device 195 is provided to prevent the grease supplied from falling into the well 2 of the microplate 1 held between the conveyor bells 134 and 135 of the descending conveyor unit 43.

In other words, this grease receiver! ! 195 is the mount unit)
The slide shaft 197 of the movable block 196 is suspended between the support frames 120 of 40, and the movable block 196 is mounted on the slide shaft 197.
A spring 198 is slidably attached along the length direction of the slide shaft 197 and elastically mounted on the outer periphery of the slide shaft 197.
As a result, the movable block 196 is constantly urged in the left direction (towards the forward end) in FIG. 8a.

Furthermore, the movable block 196 is positioned at the upper and lower portions of the slide shaft 197, and is suspended between the support frame 120. It is used as a guide while intervening.

Note that 202 and 203 indicate holding plates of the bearing 201 attached to both the front and rear sides of the movable block 196, and 204 indicates a stopper/stopper of the movable block 196 attached to the slide shaft 197.

Further, a pusher bar 205 is attached to the upper part 196a of the movable block 196 with a spacer 206 interposed, and a connecting flock 207 having a stopper 209 at the tip of the pusher bar 205 is attached.
It is constructed by attaching a receiving plate 208 for receiving grease applied to the outer periphery of the arm shaft 182.

Further, the structure of an unloader unit 46 which receives the microplate l held by the lifting conveyor unit 44 and stores it in a magazine held by the discharge side elevation 42 is shown in FIG. While the loader unit 45 is arranged on the left side of the gantry unit 40, each structure of the Rogue unit 45 is arranged on the right side of the mount unit 40, so that they have the same structure. The parts are indicated by the same numbers in FIG. 9, and detailed explanation will be omitted.

Next, the carrier unit 47 that receives the microplate l conveyed to its lower end by the descending conveyor unit 43 and carries it to the lower end of the -E external conveyor unit 44 will be described with reference to FIG.

A support frame 210 is erected above the base 51 of the mount unit 40, positioned at the left and right ends of the mount unit 40, and a pole screw 21 is installed between the front support frame 210.
1 is rotatably placed on a rack, the movable block 212 is mounted on the pole screw 211, and the threaded portion 212a fixed to the movable block 212 is threaded onto the threaded portion 211a of the pole screw 211 (see FIG. 10d). 211
The left and right side parts of the movable block 212 are attached to linear motion bearings 214 on guide shafts 213 on both sides, which are mounted on both the left and right sides of the pole screw 211 so that they can be screwed freely between the pole screws 211 in the length direction according to the rotation of the pole screws 211.
It is installed and guided with the intervention of.

Furthermore, a carrier 216 is attached to the upper side of the movable block 212 via a spacer 215.

Guide plates 217 of the microplate 1 are attached to both front and rear ends of the carrier 216, and insertion holes 220 for fiber sensors 218 and 219 on the supply side and the output side are opened at the corresponding positions of both guide plates 217. Reference numerals 221 and 222 indicate the sensor plates of the fiber sensors 218 and 219, and both sensors 218 and 219 are attached to the support frame 210 via plates 221 and 222, respectively.

Further, a timing pulley 223 is fixed to the end 211b of the pole screw 211, and a timing belt 227 is connected to the timing pulley 226 fixed to the drive shaft 225 of the motor 224 attached to the support frame 210. are connected.

Incidentally, 228 indicates each support plate 21 of the pole screw 211.
Bearings 23 interposed in each bearing portion 229 provided at 0
0 is a collar fitted to both ends of the pole screw 211, 23
Reference numeral 1 indicates a gearbox of the motor 224, and reference numeral 232 indicates a reinforcing plate attached to each support plate 210.

The carrier 2 is placed above both reinforcing plates 232.
Photo sensors 233 and 234 are installed to detect the presence of the carrier 2 at both the left and right ends of the carrier 2.
16 detection photosensors 235 are arranged on the support frame 120, and the shutters 236 of the photosensors 233 and 234 (FIG. 10d) are arranged on the movable block 212.
(see) for installation.

In addition, 237.238 are the amplifiers attached to both support plates 210, 239.240 are the same amplifiers 237.238 are installed at angles, and 241, 242 are both amplifiers 237.238.
These terminal blocks are shown respectively.

Furthermore, the descending and ascending conveyors 122) 4
The structure of the heater unit 48 that keeps each conveyance path of the carrier unit 47 connecting between the conveyor unit 3.44 and both conveyor units 43 and 44 at a predetermined temperature atmosphere by forced hot air circulation ventilation will be explained with reference to FIG.

Two pillars 251 are erected on the support plate 250 installed between the support frames 120 of the mount 22) 40, and a heater mount 252 is attached above both branches 251, and a heater is mounted above the mount 252. Holder 253
It is constructed by arranging a plurality of cartridge heaters 254 in a stacked manner via the cartridge heaters 254.

Further, a heat insulating plate 255 is disposed on the side of the cartridge holder 253, and each of the cartridge heaters 254 is connected to a power supply section (not shown) via a wiring terminal board 256 installed above the mounting base 252. They are electrically connected.

Furthermore, front and rear covers 2 are provided before and after the heater portion 267 consisting of each of the cartridge heaters 254.
57 and 258, and duct covers 259 and 260 surrounding the descending and ascending conveyor belts 43 and 44, so that both conveyors are attached to both sides of the heater portion consisting of each of the cartridge heaters 253. The tight covers 259, 260 constitute duct portions 265, 266 surrounding the belts 43, 44, and are provided with upper, lower and middle flappers 261, 262, 263, respectively.
The rear cover 258 is provided with fans 268 and 269 for forcibly circulating hot air from the heater portions 267 of the cartridge heaters 253.

In addition, 270 and 271 are the heaters of the fans 268 and 269, 272 is a temperature control sensor for the rotating part attached to the heater part 267, and 273 is the heater part 26.
7 shows the sensor for detecting abnormal heating of the rotating section.

The reagent dispensing device 3o shown in FIG. A microplate transport mechanism unit 120 for carrying and storing reagents into an empty magazine 280 set on the discharge side, and dispensing reagents into each well 2 of the microplate 1 and dispensing the reagents in each well 2 after dispensing. The nozzle arm section 130 for checking the injection amount, the reagent shelf section 140 for storing the reagent solution cooled to a constant temperature, and the dispensing nozzle (not shown in FIG. 3) in the nozzle arm section 130 are cleaned. A nozzle cleaning shelf 150 for cleaning, a cleaning shelf 160 for cleaning the electrode for checking the dispensed amount (not shown in FIG. 3) in the arm 130, and a fixed amount dispensing into each well 2 of the microplate 1. The washing device 32 includes a reagent dispensing unit section 170 that aspirates a required amount of reagent solution from the reagent shelf section 140 for dispensing with the dispensing device 30.
After dispensing φ coating into each well 2 having the same configuration as the microplate transport mechanism section 120 and culturing it in the culture device 31, each well 2 of the microplate 1 stored in the magazine 280 is washed. A microplate transporting section 120 that transports the microplates and stores them in a magazine 280 set on the discharge side after cleaning, a nozzle arm section 130 that includes a cleaning nozzle and a residual liquid detection nozzle, and a cleaning section that stores cleaning liquid. Liquid type section 14
0, a cleaning shelf section 160 for cleaning the remaining liquid detection nozzle, and a cleaning solution dispensing unit section 170 for sucking and supplying the cleaning solution from the cleaning solution shelf section 140 to the cleaning nozzle of the nozzle arm section 130, Dispensing device 33
has the same configuration as the reagent dispensing device 30 (however, the reagent shelf is the block solution shelf 140 that stores the block solution), and the block solution culture device 213
Reference numeral 4 has the same structure as the reagent culturing device 31, and furthermore, the washing device 35 after dispensing and culturing the block solution has the same structure as the washing device 32, and is designated by the same number.

Now, using the coating device 2t30 shown in FIG. 3, the reagent solution 11 is applied to each well 2 of the microplate l shown in FIG.
After dispensing and coating are completed, the microplates 1 are stored in a magazine, and using the same magazine, each microplate 1 is carried into the culture device 31 via the supply side elevation 41 of the culture device 31, and reversed. After culturing, each microplate 1 is stored in an empty magazine set in the discharge side elm version 42 and discharged.

Thus, the magazine 280 shown in the twelfth figure is configured such that ten microplates 1 can be sequentially stored in the magazine 280 from the upper stage to the lower stage.

Moreover, this magazine 280 is shown in FIGS. 12a and 12b.

As shown in c, d, and e, left and right side plates 283.284 are attached between the top plate 281 and the bottom plate 282, and the left and right side plates 283.284 are made of a hollow container with openings at the front and back.
On the inner surface of 84, there are stepped portions 285, 28 that lock and hold ten microplates 1 at a constant pitch from the upper side to the lower side.
6 are arranged facing each other, and at the front and rear ends of each step portion 285, 286, there is an engagement groove 2 that engages the engagement edge of the microplate l.
85a, 285b, 286a, 286b are provided, and an engagement groove 285a of each step 285 of one side plate 283,
285b is provided at an asymmetrical position shifted to one side from the center line of the left side plate 283 (see Fig. 12).
The longitudinal direction of the microplate 1 in each stage is regulated to be constant, and the engagement groove 285a of each of the engagement grooves is fixed to one of the four corners of the microplate 1. Diagonal cut portion 10 provided at the corner
The other three engaging grooves 285b and 286a are formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of a.

286 b t* and others +7) R section 10b, 10c, 10d
c7) Form into a shape corresponding to the shape (see Figure 12 d)
Each step 2 for the magazine 280 of Microplay) 1
Engagement groove 285a at 85.286.

285b, 286a, 286b (7) The engagement direction is constant, and the storage state of the microplate 1 in the magazine 280 is regulated to be constant between the respective step portions 285 and 286.

Furthermore, the side surface of one side plate 283 is colored to display the diagonally cut portion 10a side of the microplate 1, and display characters 28 corresponding to the display characters 9a of the microplate 1.
9a is displayed on the side edge of the top plate 281, and the microplate 1
It is convenient for storage.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 12C, positioning holes 287 and 288 are provided in the bottom plate 282 of the magazine 280 at diagonal positions for the supply and discharge side elevation units (41 and 42).
The holes are made to correspond to the positioning pins 105 and 106 provided upright on the lift plate 81 of the magazine lift 86.

Then, the diameter of one hole 287 is made larger than the diameter of the other hole 288, and the lift plate 81 of the magazine lift 86 is
The direction of setting is restricted. Therefore, the outer diameters of the positioning pins 105 and 106 are also different.

Further, the side plate 283 is colored differently from the outer surface of the other side plate 284 to facilitate confirmation of the longitudinal direction of the magazine 280, and the supply side elevation 41 of the magazine 280. This makes it convenient for normal setting to the u exit side elevation 42. 289 is the top plate 2
81 is a handle rotatably attached to the upper side.

As mentioned above, the culture device 31 is connected to the central heater unit 48 on the supply side and discharge side of the microplate 1.
The units are arranged symmetrically on both the left and right sides of the unit, and the sensors of each unit are also arranged symmetrically, as shown in FIG.

Now, the magazine 280 containing a predetermined number (10 microplates) of each of the microplates l into which the reagents have been dispensed is moved to the magazine lift 86 of the magazine supply side elevation unit 41.
(Fig. 14, magazine set).

When the magazine 280 is located above the lift plate 81, the positioning hole 28 provided in the bottom plate of the magazine 280
7. Locating pin 10 for lift plate 81 at 288
5, 106 and each guide plate 8.
2, 83, 84° 85 while guiding and fixing.

Note that the magazine 280 is set with the magazine lift 86 positioned at the lower end in advance, and the setting position of the magazine 280 at the lower end of the magazine lift 86 is determined by the drive section of the magazine lift 86. Start the motor 87 of 93 and tighten the lead screw 9.
0 is lowered, the shutter 113 attached to the lower end 90b cuts off the photo sensor 117, and the detection signal of the sensor 117 is input to the control section of the control unit 49, and the motor 87 is stopped by the human power signal. .

Therefore, the lift plate 8 of the magazine lift 86
1, when the magazine is set on the upper side, the micro switch 99 is turned on by the detection pin 101 provided on the lift plate 81, and the detection signal is input to the control section, confirming that the magazine is set in the normal position with respect to the magazine lift 86. However, if the magazine is set in an abnormal position, the control unit issues an alarm to prompt the magazine to be set in the normal position. (See Fig. 14) The detection signal of the magazine being set in the normal position by the micro switch 99 is input to the control section, and the motor 87 is started by the human power signal to lift the magazine while rotating the lead screw 90. As the magazine lift 86 rises, the shutter 92 rises, and the sensor 111 detects the slit lO7, and when the detection signal is input to the control unit, the sensor 104 detects the The presence or absence of microplate 1 stored in the upper stage is detected, and the microplate 1
When the presence of the loader unit 45 is confirmed, the detection signal is input to the control section, and the input signal starts the motor 185 of the loader unit 45 (arm shirt).
182 and this arm shaft 18
As the arm shirt 2 moves forward, the conveyor play 181 attached to the tip of the arm shirt 182 lowers the conveyor unit 43.
The side cover 5 of the frame unit 40
The magazine 2 is set on the magazine lift 86 of the elevation unit 41 through the loading port 60 opened at 4.
80, the arm shaft 182 stops at its forward end position, and the transport plate 181 moves into the magazine 280.
It is stopped at a lower position of the microplate 1 where it can receive the microplate 1 stored in the topmost part of the microplate 1 (see FIGS. 18a and d and FIG. 21).

Furthermore, the shutter 189 of the arm shaft 182 shuts off the sensor 187, and in response to the detection signal from the sensor 187, the motor 87 of the magazine lift 86 is reversed to lower the magazine lift 86 one pitch. Due to the downward movement, the magazine 280
The microplate l that had been stored in the top row of the microplate 181 was transferred to the upper side of the transport plate 181 that had entered the lower side (see FIG. 2), and the sensor 112 detected it by the one-pitch lowering movement of the magazine lift 86. When the microplate 1 is placed between the signal and the guides 191 and 192 of the transport plate 181, the photosensor 194 detects this, and this detection signal is input to the control unit, thereby controlling the motor 183 of the arm shirt 182. The shutter 189 is started and moved backward, and in this backward movement, the shutter 189 reaches the sensor 188, which is connected to the sensor 1.
8B is detected, the detection signal is input to the motor 183 via the control section, the arm shaft 182 is stopped at the intermediate position, and at the same time, the conveyor plate 181 is connected to the conveyor bells 134, 135 of the conveyor unit 43.
and each engagement groove 136 of both belts 134, 135
, 137 and held by the belts 134 that face both edges of the microplayer) 1.
．． 135 (FIG. 21C and FIG. 22A), and as shown in FIG. 22A (conveyance play).
Both engaging edges 9 of the microplate 1 on 181 are engaged grooves 1
It is inserted between 36,137 grooves, with a spacing of about 3 mm between the grooves.

Further, the detection signal of the sensor 188 is inputted to the conveyor bell) 43 (%-1-150) via the control section, which starts the conveyor bell) 134, 135.
The microplate 1, which has been raised pitchwise and whose ends are engaged with the engagement grooves 136 and 137, is received from above the transport plate 181 (see FIG. 22).

Conveyor bell) 134 from above this conveyance plate 181
, 135, the one-pitch raising motion of both conveyor belts 134, 135 is caused by
By starting the pulleys 152, 153, 154, 15
5, the rotating shafts 130 and 131 are rotated, and both conveyor belts 134 and 135 begin to rise.As the rotating shaft 131 rotates, the shutter 166 fixed to the same shaft 131 rotates, and the slit of the shutter 166 rotates. 165 turns on the photosensor 173, and the completion of the l-pitch raising operation can be detected from the detection signal of the sensor 173.

The detection signal from the sensor 173 is inputted to the motor 185 of the rogue unit 45 via the control section and started, and the arm shaft 182 starts to move backward from the intermediate position. is turned on at the block fitting 193 of the conveyor plate 181, the motor 185 is stopped by the detection signal, the conveyor plate 181 is stopped at the rearward end position, and the motor 150 of the conveyor unit 43 is started.
The conveyor belts 134, 135 are lowered by one pitch and the engaging grooves 13 of both conveyor belts 134, 135 facing each other are removed.
6,137 (see FIG. 22) can complete the transfer of the microplate 1 into the culture chamber.

The pitch descending operation of both conveyor bells) 134 and 135 (7) is caused by the rotation of the shutter 166 fixed to the rotating shaft 131 as the two conveyor bells) 134 and 135 rotate, and the sensor 172 is turned on by the slit 165.
From the detection signal of the sensor 172, it is possible to confirm the l pitch lowering operation.

Thereafter, the same operation as above is repeated, and the elevation unit 4
The microplates 1 in the magazine 280 set at 1 can be sequentially transferred to the conveyor unit 43.

As shown in FIG. 14, while the detection signal of the rising end detection sensor 115 of the elevation unit 41 is not input to the control unit, the presence or absence of the microplate 1 in the magazine 280 is detected by the sensor 104 based on the detection signal No. of the sensor 115. The sensor 115 detects the shutter 113 as the magazine 280 is raised, and the shutter 113 is detected by the sensor 115, and the detection signal is input to the control unit. It gives an alarm that the magazine 280 containing the microplate 1 is empty, and prompts the user to set the magazine 280 containing the microplate 1.

In this way, the microplates 1 are sequentially carried into the conveyor unit 43, and eventually, when a predetermined number of microplates 1 are carried into the conveyor unit 43, according to the descending movement of the conveyor unit 43, the supply side elevator Rogue unit 45 from unit 41
Of the microplates 1 carried in between the conveyor belts 134 and 135 of the descending conveyor unit 43 via the When reaching the receiving position, both conveyors 122) 134,1 of the microplate l
35, the receiving position (first
The carrier 216 is placed between guide plates 217 on a carrier 216 (see FIG. 7).

In the carrier unit 47, as shown in FIG. 16, the fiber sensor 218 on the carrier 216 detects the microplate 1 placed on the carrier 216 in response to the detection signal from the sensor 172 that detects one pitch lowering of the conveyor unit 43. When its presence is detected by presence/absence detection, the detection signal is input to the motor 224 of the carrier 216 via the control unit, and when the motor 224 is started, the timing pulley 223.22
6, the pole screw 211 rotates, and the carrier 216
(Both conveyor bells of the ascending conveyor unit 44)
134, 135 (the right end in FIG. 10a), the carrier 216 eventually moves to the delivery position with the conveyor bells 134, 135 of the ascending conveyor unit 44.
The carrier 2 enters the receiving position at the lower end of the carrier 2, and is under the same condition as that shown in FIG.
16 reaches the position where the microplate 1 is delivered to the lifting conveyor unit 44, and the detection sensor 234 of the carrier unit 47 detects this.
A fiber sensor 2 detects that the microplate 6 reaches the delivery position, and uses this detection signal to confirm the presence of the microplate 1 above the carrier 216 at the delivery position.
19 is activated, and this detection signal is input to the control unit, so that the motor 150 of the ascending conveyor unit 44 is activated.
starts and raises both conveyor belts 134 and 135 by one pitch, and due to this raising operation, the carrier 21
The microplate l carried into the receiving position between both conveyor belts 134 and 135 by 6 is inserted into the engaging grooves 136 and 137 of both conveyor belts 134 and 135 of the ascending conveyor unit 44 in the same way as the descending conveyor unit 43 described above. It is held between both conveyor belts 134 and 135 with its both edges engaged, and is conveyed upward by the rising pitch of both conveyor belts 134 and 135.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17, fiber sensors of the lifting conveyor unit 44 of the carrier 216 at the transfer position with the lifting conveyor unit 44 are connected to the lifting operation of both conveyor bells 134 and 135 of the lifting conveyor unit 44. 219 is the micro play on the upper side of the carrier 216) 1 is held between the two conveyor belts 134, 135, received and raised, and a detection signal confirming the delivery obtained by detecting the absence is controlled. The signal is inputted to the drive motor 224 of the pole screw 211 through the section to start it, and the carrier 216 is moved and returned to the receiving position with the descending conveyor unit 43 again.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, the conveyor belt 134.1
Carrier 21 by sensor 219 after the rising operation of 35
When the presence of the microplate 1 on the microplate 6 is confirmed and it is detected that the microplate 1 is not being delivered, this detection signal is input to the control unit and an alarm is notified of the abnormality.

The return of the carrier 216 is detected by the sensor 233 on the descending conveyor unit 43 side of the carrier unit 47, and this detection signal is sent to both conveyor bells (134, 13) for the descending conveyor unit 43 via the control section.
5 is input to the drive motor 150 of the same motor 150.
is started, both conveyor belts 134 and 135 are lowered one pitch, and both conveyor belts 134 are lowered by the same operation as described above.
．． The microplate 1 held between the conveyor belts 135 and 135 is transferred to the upper side of the carrier 216, and the carrier 216 that has received the microplate 1 is moved toward the ascending conveyor unit 44 and placed between the conveyor belts 134 and 135 of the unit 44. The microplate 1 is transported to the delivery position and transferred to both conveyor belts 134.
Both conveyor belts 1
While being held between both conveyor belts 134 and 135 with both ends thereof engaged in the engagement grooves 136 and 137 of 34 and 135, conveyance to the ascending conveyor unit 44 is completed.

In this way, the descending conveyor 122) 43 (11 is the microplay conveyed sequentially to the ascending conveyor unit 44 side) 1 is the ascending compare unit) 44m. Bell) 1
34 and 135 and ascends by l pitch, on the ascending conveyor unit 44 side, both conveyor belts 13 of the ascending conveyor unit 44 are moved via the unloader unit 46.
4. The magazine 28 held in the ejection side elevation unit 42 holds the microplate 1 held between 135
0 between the stepped portions 285 and 286 while being discharged.

That is, as shown in FIG. 19, an empty magazine is stored and set on the magazine lift 86 of the magazine ejection elevation unit 42, but while the magazine is set (or prior to setting), the magazine lift 8
6 is set at the rising end, and the motor 87 is started via a detection signal from the microswitch 99 that detects that the magazine is set in the normal position, and the motor 87 is lowered one pitch to the highest position of the magazine 280 set on the magazine lift 86. The lower storage shelf is held in a horizontal position where the microplate I can be received by the transport plate 181 of the unloader unit 46 (same as in FIG. 21a).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 18, the arm shirt 182 of the unloader unit 46 moves forward in conjunction with the one-pitch lifting operation of both conveyor belts 134 and 135 of the lifting conveyor unit 44, and stops the conveyor belt 181 in the middle. position, that is, the engagement groove 136°1 of both conveyor belts 134, 135 of the ascending conveyor unit 44
The transport plate 181 is inserted under the microplate 1 which is engaged and held by the
-1haaLrwMW, +--↓-1femt'h bite 1
-7 Suga-Jb-L, 4-169106 (same as shown).

The sensor 194 of the conveying plate 181 is actuated by the detection signal of the detection sensor 188 at this intermediate stop position.
When the presence of the microplate 1 on the plate 181 is detected, the detection signal is sent to both conveyor belts 134 and 1 of the ascending conveyor unit 44 via the control section.
35's drive motor 150 and starts it, both conveyor belts 134, 135 are lowered one pitch, and this lowering operation lowers both conveyor belts 134, 135.
The microplate 1 held between them (same as in Fig. 22a) is transferred onto the transport plate 181 (Fig. 22a).
same as).

When the microplate 1 is transferred onto the conveyor plate 181 by one pitch lowering of the conveyor bells 134 and 135, the sensor 194 detects this, and this detection signal causes the arm shaft 182 to advance to the forward end and move to the discharge side. Magazine 28 of elevation unit 42
When the arm shaft 182 moves forward to the forward end, the shutter 189 turns on the sensor 187, and the detection signal from the sensor 187 turns on the discharge side. The magazine lift 86 of the elevation unit 42 is raised by one pitch,
The magazine 280 placed on the magazine lift 86 is engaged with and stored in the lowermost stepped portions 285 and 286 of the magazine 280 .

In addition, the sensor 112 by the slit 108 is activated by the 1-pitch rising operation signal of the magazine lift 86.
The detection signal causes the arm shaft 182 to operate and retreat to the retreat end.

This return at the rear end of the transport plate 181 is the sensor 1
86, the motor 183 is stopped, and the detection signal from the sensor 186 starts the motor 87 of the ejection side elevation unit 42, which is turned on by the slit 107 of the shutter 92. The signal confirms that the magazine lift is lowered by one pitch of 8B.

The one-pitch lowering operation of the magazine lift 86 corresponds to the storage pitch of the microplates 1 in the magazine 280 (the pitch of the storage shelves), and this operation causes the next transport plate 181 to enter and the microplates to be placed on the storage shelves. The microplates 1 are held in a horizontal position where they can receive the microplates 1, and are successively lifted by the lifting conveyor unit 44 by the unloader unit 46 through the same operations as described above.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG.
When storage of the microplate l into the magazine 280 is completed, the lowering end detection sensor 115 of the magazine lift 86 detects the shutter 113, and this detection signal is input to the control section to issue an alarm report indicating the completion of storage of the microplate l into the magazine 280.

Further, the magazine of the supply side elevation unit 41 is carried into the descending conveyor unit 43 via the low gear unit 45 and carried into the ascending conveyor unit 44 via the carrier unit 47, and then transferred to the discharge side elevator. Each microplate 1 discharged from the magazine of the application unit 42 is heated by the temperature atmosphere formed by the heater unit 48 during each conveyance process of the descending and ascending conveyors 43, 44 and the carrier unit 47. By heating for a predetermined time, the culture of the reagent coated in each well 2 of the microplate 1 can be completed.

That is, each cartridge heater 254 of the heater unit 48 is turned on, each cartridge heater 254 generates heat, the heater part 267 is heated, and the fans 268 and 269 are operated.
67 to the duct portions 265 and 266 while forcing the hot air to circulate through each conveyance path of the descending and ascending conveyor units 43 and 44 and the carrier unit 47,
Is the hot air hitting the blades of duct part 265 and 266?
**s, riq layer Fukiichi's dispersion is hidden and the conveyance path is kept at a predetermined temperature.

The heater unit 48 keeps each conveyance path at a predetermined temperature by the descending and ascending conveyor units 43.4.
4 and the carrier unit 47, the microplate 1 is set at a temperature that allows the culture of the reagent coated on each well 2 to be completed. The set temperature in each conveyance path is controlled by sending a detection signal from a control sensor 272 attached to the duct portion 265° 266 of the heater unit 48 to a temperature controller (not shown) provided in each cartridge heater 253. While inputting the information, the power supply of each cartridge 254 is turned ON-OFF and the respective transport paths are kept at a predetermined temperature.

In particular, through each blade of the duct) 265, 266,
When the hot air is forcedly circulated by the action of the fans 268, 269, the loader and unloader units (145, 14) opened in the side frames of the gantry unit 40
6 to carry in and take out the microplate 1, hot air flows out from the outlet 60.61, prevents the hot air from stagnating in the duct part 265. This eliminates the reduction in heat retention effect caused by hot air and prevents the generation of water vapor caused by the stagnation of hot air in the duct portions 265 and 266.
It is possible to prevent quality deterioration due to water vapor contamination of each well 2 of By preventing this, the rust prevention effect of the gantry unit 40 and other equipment can be measured.

Furthermore, if an abnormality occurs in the set temperature of each transport path, the sensor 273 detects this and the cartridge heaters 254
The power is set to 0FFL, and this is displayed and announced by a lamp, buzzer, etc.

In the above explanation, the culture of the reagent in each well 2 of the microplate 1 shown in the second figure has been described, but the blocking by the dispensing device 33 of the block solution applied after the culture of the reagent shown in FIG. A similar method can be used for culture of solutions or other types of culture.The microplate 1 shown in the second figure shows a case in which a module plate 4 in which a plurality of wells 2 are arranged is detachably attached. Similar implementation is also possible for microplates arranged in rows.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, culturing of reagents and block solutions after coating each well of a module plate with reagents, etc. is performed during the transportation process of the module plate in an atmosphere at a required temperature, and human intervention during each process is performed. This eliminates the need for manual intervention, ensures uniformity of reagents, etc. for each well of the module plate, and enables stable supply of this type of product.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the micromodule solid phase method for reagents, Figure 2a is a perspective view of a microplate, and Figure 2A is a diagram showing an example of the micromodule solid phase method for reagents. A sectional view, FIG. 2 C is a plan view of the module plate, FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of a reagent solid-phase device, and FIGS. , a plan view and a side view; Figures 5a, b, and c are side views and front views of the supply side elevation unit, and a top view of the magazine lift; Figures 6a, b, and c are the discharge side elevation unit. Side view, front view and top view of the magazine lift, Figures 7a, b, c, d. e and f are a schematic side view with a part omitted of the descending conveyor unit, a front view and a partial sectional view of the drive section, and a front view of the shutter. A partially omitted front view, a plan view and a partial side view of the goo unit; FIGS. 9a and b are a partially omitted front view and a plan view of the unloader unit; FIGS. 10a and b;
c and d are front views of the carrier unit with some parts omitted;
11a and 11b are partially cutaway front views and side views of the same heater unit; FIGS. 12a and 11b are partial left and right side views;
b, c, d, and e are a perspective view with a part of the magazine omitted, a front view with a part of the side plate omitted, a top view of the bottom plate, a top view showing the state in which the microplate and the step are engaged, and a top view of the microplate. Fig. 13 is a schematic layout of the sensor, Fig. 14 is a flowchart of the supply side elevation unit, Fig. 15 is a flowchart of the Rogue unit, and Fig. 16 is a partially omitted front view showing the storage state. FIG. 17 is a flow chart of the descending conveyor unit, FIG. 17 is a flow chart of the ascending conveyor unit, FIG. 18 is a flow chart of the carrier unit, FIG. 19 is a flow chart of the unloader unit, and FIG. 20 is the discharge side elevation unit. Flow chart diagram, Figure 21a
, b, c, d and Figure 22a. 23b and 23c are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the loader and unloader units, and FIGS. 23a and 23b are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the lowering and ascending conveyor units. Figure 4 (a) 4. q Figure 7 (d) Figure 12 (a) Figure 18 Figure 20 Figure 21 Figure 21 (d)

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A means for supplying a microplate whose wells are coated with reagents, etc. into a culture atmosphere, and a supply-side conveyor that conveys the microplate supplied from the supply means at a required conveyance speed in the culture atmosphere. means for delivering the microplate supplied by the microplate supplying means to the transporting means, and transporting the microplate transported by the supplying transporting means in the culture atmosphere at a required transporting speed. A discharge-side transport means for transporting, a means for transporting the microplate from the supply-side transport means to the discharge-side transport means, and a cultured microplate transported by the discharge-side transport means in the culture atmosphere. An apparatus for cultivating reagents, etc., comprising means for discharging from inside, and means for delivering the cultured microplate transported by the discharging means to the discharging means.