Magnet plate, separating device and automatic dispensing machine using magnet plate

Abstract

The invention relates to a magnet plate, a separating device and an automatic dispensing machine using the magnet plate. The separation device is provided with a magnet plate on which a hole plate having a plurality of holes is placed and which separates a sample by means of magnetic force, the magnet plate having magnets disposed on the sides of the holes so as to correspond to the holes. One magnet is provided on a side portion of the one hole corresponding to the one hole, and a magnetic member (7A) is disposed between the one magnet and another hole adjacent to the one hole.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a magnet plate, a separation device and an automatic dispensing machine using the magnet plate. Background Art

[0002] There is a magnetic plate that uses the magnetic force of a magnet to separate samples contained in a well plate. The samples contained in the multiple wells provided in the well plate contain magnetic beads. The magnetic beads are gathered at the desired positions under the action of the magnetic force of the magnet, thereby separating the samples using the magnetic plate. In an automatic dispensing machine using a magnetic plate, a suction head is used to suck the sample separated in the well, thereby performing a dispensing process.

[0003] There is a type of magnetic plate that collects magnetic beads on the side of the wells. MagnaStand, [online], [retrieved on September 28, 2015], and the Internet <URL: https: / / n-genetics.com / products / detail / FG-SSMAG96 / > discloses a magnetic plate for a 96-well plate. Summary of the invention

[0004] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0005] For the type of magnet plate that gathers magnetic beads on the side of the hole, in all the holes, the magnetic beads gather at a place on the side of the single side of the hole. Therefore, it has the advantage of being easy to avoid the magnetic beads and suck the extraction object. In this type of magnet plate, a plurality of magnets and a plurality of holes configured in a matrix are configured in a matrix with a one-to-one relationship. Therefore, the magnet configured corresponding to a certain hole will be configured at a position that is also close to other adjacent holes. Therefore, if the positional relationship between the hole and the magnet deviates slightly, the magnet will also produce the influence of magnetic force on other adjacent holes. Such a state will hinder the situation of gathering magnetic beads at a place on the single side in the hole. Therefore, in this type of magnet plate, in order to improve the separation accuracy of the sample, it is necessary to improve the configuration accuracy of the magnet. Or, in order to reduce the influence of the magnet on the adjacent holes, it is necessary to try to use a magnet with weaker magnetic force.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to reduce the influence of magnets on adjacent holes in a magnet plate.

[0007] Solutions for solving problems

[0008] The magnetic plate of one aspect of the present invention is a magnetic plate for placing a hole plate having a plurality of holes and separating samples by magnetic force, and the magnetic plate is provided with a magnet, and when the hole plate is placed, the magnet is arranged on the side of the one or more holes corresponding to the one or more holes. A magnetic member is arranged between the magnet arranged on the side of the one or more holes and other holes adjacent to the one or more holes.

[0009] A separation device according to another aspect of the present invention comprises: a well plate having a plurality of wells; and a magnet plate for separating a sample using magnetic force. The magnet plate has magnets arranged on the side of the well or wells corresponding to the well or wells, and a magnetic member is arranged between the magnets arranged on the side of the well or wells and other wells adjacent to the well or wells.

[0010] The present invention is also directed to an automatic dispensing machine using the above-mentioned magnet plate.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, in the magnet plate, the influence of the magnets on the adjacent holes can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a front cross-sectional view of a separation device including a magnetic plate according to the present embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 It is a top view of the separation device of this embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 It is a top view of the separation device, and is a diagram in which the structure of the magnetic plate below the orifice plate is depicted with a dotted line.

[0016] Figure 4 is a top view of the magnet plate.

[0017] Figure 5 is a three-dimensional diagram of a magnet plate.

[0018] Figure 6 It is a partially enlarged view showing a front cross-section of a separation device including a magnetic plate.

[0019] Figure 7 is a right side view of the magnet support plate.

[0020] Figure 8 It is a figure which shows the experimental result of the magnet plate which concerns on this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Next, the structure of the magnetic plate 2 and the separation device 1 including the magnetic plate 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] (1) Overall structure of separation device 1

[0023] Figure 1: is a front cross-sectional view showing the separation device 1 of the present embodiment. The separation device 1 is configured to include a magnet plate 2 and a hole plate 3 placed on the upper part of the magnet plate 2. The separation device 1 including the magnet plate 2 is a device for separating samples, for example, for an automatic dispensing machine. The magnet plate 2 utilizes magnetic force to pull the magnetic beads contained in the sample closer, thereby separating the sample. The particle size, shape, properties, etc. of the magnetic beads used in the magnet plate 2 of the present embodiment are not particularly limited. For example, as the magnetic beads, nano-sized particles obtained by coating a magnetic core with functional groups or biomolecules can be used. In the following description, Figure 1 The arrow L is used as the left direction, the arrow R is used as the right direction, the arrow U is used as the top direction, and the arrow D is used as the bottom direction. Figure 2 to Figure 6 The same directions R, L, U, D are also defined in .

[0024] Figure 2 is a top view of the separation device 1. Figure 2 As shown, the orifice plate 3 provided in the separation device 1 of the present embodiment has the orifice plate 3 arranged in a matrix. In the present embodiment, a orifice plate 3 having 96 orifices 31 arranged in a front-to-back direction, 12 orifices 31 arranged in a left-to-right direction, and 8 orifices 31 arranged in a left-to-right direction is used. Figure 2 The arrow F is used as the front direction and the arrow B is used as the rear direction. Figure 3 to Figure 7 The same directions F and B are also defined in .

[0025] Figure 3 It is a top view of the separation device 1 , in which the structure of the magnet plate 2 below the orifice plate 3 is depicted by a dotted line. Figure 4 is a top view of the magnet plate 2. That is, Figure 4 This is a plan view of a state in which the orifice plate 3 is removed from the separation device 1 . Figure 5 is a three-dimensional diagram of the magnet plate 2. That is, Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional view of the state in which the orifice plate 3 is removed from the separation device 1. Figure 1 , Figure 3 to Figure 5 As shown, eight magnet support plates 5, 5··· are provided on the magnet plate 2. Each magnet support plate 5 is a flat plate-shaped member extending in the front-back direction. For example, an aluminum member can be used as the magnet support plate 5. The eight magnet support plates 5, 5··· are arranged at intervals from the eight holes 31 arranged in the horizontal direction of the orifice plate 3.

[0026] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, the magnet plate 2 has a base 21. The components of the magnet plate 2 are placed on the upper part of the base 21. The base 21 is provided with shells 22, 22 covering the front and back of the magnet plate 2. In addition, the base 21 is provided with support plates 23, 23 for supporting eight magnet support plates 5. The support plates 23, 23 support the front end and the rear end of each magnet support plate 5. Figure 1, Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , each magnet support plate 5 is supported by the support plates 23 , 23 in a state of being inclined with respect to the up-down direction.

[0027] (2) Magnet support structure

[0028] Next, the support structure of the magnet 6 will be described. Figure 4 As shown, 12 magnet insertion holes 51, 51··· are provided at equal intervals in the front-to-back direction on one magnet support plate 5. Since 8 magnet support plates 5, 5··· are arranged in the horizontal direction, a total of 12×8=96 magnet insertion holes 51, 51··· are provided on the 8 magnet support plates 5, 5···. The 96 magnet insertion holes 51, 51··· are provided corresponding to the 96 holes 31, 31··· formed in the orifice plate 3.

[0029] like Figure 1 , Figure 4 As shown, a magnet 6 is embedded in each magnet insertion hole 51. That is, 96 magnets 6, 6, ... are provided corresponding to the 96 magnet insertion holes 51, 51, ... In the present embodiment, the magnet insertion hole 51 is a cylindrical hole, and the cylindrical magnet 6 is embedded in the magnet insertion hole 51. The magnet 6 is fixed to the left end of the magnet insertion hole 51 by, for example, an adhesive member.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a partially enlarged view showing the front cross section of the magnet plate. Figure 6 is Figure 1 The structure of the periphery of the two magnets 6 is enlarged in FIG. Figure 6 In the figure, the two holes 31 are described as holes 31A and 31B. In addition, the magnet support plates 5 respectively arranged corresponding to the holes 31A and 31B are described as magnet support plates 5A and 5B. Moreover, the magnet 6A is embedded in the magnet insertion hole 51A of the magnet support plate 5A, and the magnet 6B is embedded in the magnet insertion hole 51B of the magnet support plate 5B.

[0031] like Figure 6 As shown, magnets 6A and 6B are respectively embedded in the left ends of magnet insertion holes 51A and 51B. The left side of magnet support plate 5A is configured in a manner close to the right side of hole 31A. Therefore, magnet 6A embedded in the left end of magnet insertion hole 51A is in a state close to the right side of hole 31A. Similarly, the left side of magnet support plate 5B is configured in a manner close to the right side of hole 31B, and magnet 6B embedded in the left end of magnet insertion hole 51B is in a state close to the right side of hole 31B.

[0032] (3) Support structure of magnetic plate

[0033] Next, the structure of the magnetic plate 7 will be described. Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 5 , a magnetic plate 7 is provided so as to close the right end portion of the magnet insertion hole 51 . Figure 7 It is a right side view of the magnet support plate 5. Figure 7 As shown, a long magnetic plate 7 extending in the front-to-back direction is provided on the magnet support plate 5. The magnetic plate 7 is provided in a manner to block 12 magnet insertion holes 51, 51, etc. arranged in the front-to-back direction. The magnetic plate 7 is attached to the magnet support plate 5 at two locations in the front-to-back direction using screws 52, 52.

[0034] In this embodiment, the magnetic plate 7 is made of a stainless steel member. As the magnetic plate 7, stainless steel such as SUS430 can be used, for example.

[0035] exist Figure 6 In the description, the two magnetic plates 7 shown in the figure are set as magnetic plates 7A and 7B. Magnetic plate 7A is provided to block the right end of magnet insertion hole 51A of magnet support plate 5A, and magnetic plate 7B is provided to block the right end of magnet insertion hole 51B of magnet support plate 5B.

[0036] (4) Sample separation

[0037] The method of separating a sample using the separation device 1 constructed as described above is described. First, the sample is contained in each hole 31 of the orifice plate 3. Figure 6 As shown, magnets 6A and 6B are arranged in close contact with the right side surfaces of holes 31A and 31B. As a result, the magnetic beads contained in the sample contained in hole 31A are gathered on the right side surface of hole 31A under the action of the magnetic force of magnet 6A. The magnetic beads contained in the sample contained in hole 31B are gathered on the right side surface of hole 31B under the action of the magnetic force of magnet 6B. Specifically, the magnetic beads contained in the sample are gathered on the side surface of each hole 31 at a position slightly floating from the bottom surface of each hole 31.

[0038] Here, if Figure 6As shown, in the separation device 1, the order of hole 31A→magnet 6A→hole 31B→magnet 6B is arranged from the left side. Therefore, magnet 6B is located at a position adjacent to the right side of hole 31B, and magnet 6A is also located at a position slightly separated from the left side of hole 31B. Therefore, the sample accommodated in hole 31B is not only affected by the magnetic force of magnet 6B on the right side, but may also be affected by the magnetic force of magnet 6A on the left side. However, since a magnetic plate 7A is arranged between it and the magnet 6A on the left side, the influence of the magnetic force of magnet 6A on the left side on the sample accommodated in hole 31B can be reduced. As a result, the sample accommodated in each hole 31 will not be affected by the magnetic force of magnet 6 arranged for the adjacent hole 31, but will be gathered on the right side of hole 31 with high precision under the action of magnet 6 arranged adjacent to the right side of hole 31.

[0039] In a state where the magnetic beads in each hole 31 are gathered on the right side of the hole 31 under the action of each magnet 6, the sample is sucked by the suction head of the automatic dispensing machine (not shown) in a manner avoiding the magnetic beads. As described above, the magnetic beads are gathered on the right side of the hole 31 at a position slightly floating from the bottom surface of the hole 31. Thus, the suction action can be performed while the top end of the suction head of the automatic dispensing machine is in contact with the bottom surface of the hole 31. Thus, by using the magnetic plate 2 of this embodiment, a high-precision dispensing process can be performed.

[0040] There is also a type of magnet plate that causes the magnetic beads to gather in a ring shape on the outer periphery of the hole 31. When using this type of magnet plate, the automatic dispensing machine needs to accurately align with the center of the ring to perform the suction action. When the amount of liquid in the sample is small, the diameter of the ring is small, so it is particularly difficult to perform the suction action. According to the magnet plate 2 of this embodiment, the magnetic beads are gathered at one place on the side of the hole 31, so it is easy to perform the suction action of the automatic dispensing machine. Even when the amount of liquid in the sample is small, by using the magnet plate 2 of this embodiment, it is possible to use the automatic dispensing machine to perform high-precision suction action.

[0041] As described above, in the separation device 1 of the present embodiment, a magnet 6 is provided on the side of a hole 31 corresponding to a hole 31, and a magnetic plate 7 is arranged between a magnet 6 and other holes 31 adjacent to a hole 31. Thus, the influence of the magnetic force of the magnet 6 provided for other adjacent holes 31 can be reduced, and the magnetic beads can be gathered on the side of the hole 31 with high precision. Thus, the configuration of the magnet 6 does not require high precision, so the cost can be reduced in terms of the device. In addition, as the magnet 6, a material with strong magnetic force can be used, and a structure that efficiently gathers magnetic beads can be provided.

[0042] (5) Experimental results

[0043] Figure 82 is a diagram showing experimental results obtained using the magnet plate 2 of this embodiment. Figure 8 In the embodiment, condition 1 represents the structure of the conventional magnet plate in which no magnetic member is arranged between the hole and the magnet. Condition 2 represents the structure of the magnet plate 2 of the present embodiment in which a magnetic member is arranged between the hole and the magnet. Figure 8 In the embodiment, the “distance between the magnet and the hole surface” indicates the distance at which the magnetic beads can be gathered at one point on the side of the hole with high precision. The “distance between the magnet and the hole surface” corresponds to the distance between the magnet 6 and the side of the hole 31 in this embodiment. For example, Figure 6 In the example shown, it is the distance between the left end surface of magnet 6A and the right side surface of hole 31A. In Condition 1 and Condition 2, neodymium magnets of the same size and material were used.

[0044] like Figure 8 As shown, under condition 1 where the magnetic body component is not configured, by making the "distance between the magnet and the hole surface" close to 0.3mm, the magnetic beads can be gathered with high precision. In contrast, under condition 2 where the magnetic body component is configured, even when the "distance between the magnet and the hole surface" is increased to 0.9mm, the magnetic beads can be gathered at one place on the side of the hole with high precision. That is, by configuring the magnetic body component, there is no need to improve the accuracy of configuring the magnet. According to this advantage, the magnet plate 2 of the present embodiment can reduce high-precision components compared with the previous condition 1, and the device can be manufactured more cheaply. Furthermore, even when the shape of the orifice plate (PCR plate) and the hole changes, the magnetic beads can be stably adsorbed.

[0045] In addition, the magnet plate 2 of this embodiment can use a magnet having a greater magnetic force than the conventional condition 1. When a magnet having a greater magnetic force is used, the effect of increasing the speed of adsorbing magnetic beads can be obtained. Alternatively, when a magnet having a greater magnetic force is used, the effect of adsorbing magnetic beads can be obtained even when the liquid volume of the sample contained in the well plate (PCR plate) increases.

[0046] (6) Other Implementation Methods

[0047] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the same number of multiple magnets 6 are provided corresponding to the multiple holes 31 is described as an example. In the above-mentioned example, the case where 96 magnets 6 are provided corresponding to 96 holes 31 is described as an example. As another embodiment, a structure in which one magnet is provided for multiple holes 31 may also be provided. In the case of the above-mentioned embodiment, for example, a long strip-shaped magnet extending in the front-to-back direction may also be provided corresponding to two or more holes 31 arranged in the front-to-back direction.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the magnet plate 2 is described as an example in which the well plate 3 (96-well plate) has 96 wells 31. The magnet plate 2 of the present invention can also be configured to have a plurality of wells other than 96 wells.

[0049] The magnet plate 2 of this embodiment can be applied to, for example, a PCR well plate for performing a PCR test. By using the magnet plate 2 of this embodiment, the dispensing accuracy of the PCR test can be improved.

[0050] (7) Correspondence between the constituent elements of the claims and the constituent elements of the embodiments

[0051] Hereinafter, examples of correspondence between the constituent elements of the claims and the elements of the embodiments will be described, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples. In the above-mentioned embodiments, the left-right direction is an example of the first direction, and the front-back direction is an example of the second direction. In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the magnet support plate is an example of a support member. In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the magnetic plate is an example of a magnetic member.

[0052] (8) Technical solution

[0053] Those skilled in the art should understand that the above-mentioned multiple exemplary implementations are specific examples of the following technical solutions.

[0054] (Item 1)

[0055] A magnetic plate according to one embodiment of the present invention is a magnetic plate that is mounted with a well plate having a plurality of wells and that separates samples using magnetic force, wherein:

[0056] The magnet plate includes magnets, and when the hole plate is placed, the magnets are arranged on the side of the one or more holes corresponding to the one or more holes.

[0057] A magnetic member is arranged between the magnet arranged at the side of the one or more holes and other holes adjacent to the one or more holes.

[0058] In the magnet plate, the influence of adjacent magnets can be reduced.

[0059] (Item 2)

[0060] Alternatively, the magnetic plate according to item 1 may include:

[0061] The magnet plate is provided with a plurality of magnets corresponding to the plurality of holes.

[0062] The magnetic member is arranged between one magnet provided on a side portion of one hole corresponding to one hole and another hole adjacent to the one hole.

[0063] In the magnet plate, the influence of adjacent magnets can be reduced.

[0064] (Item 3)

[0065] Alternatively, the magnetic plate according to item 2 may include:

[0066] The plurality of holes are arranged at intervals in the first direction (LR direction),

[0067] The one magnet is arranged between the one hole and the other hole in the first direction (LR direction), and the magnetic member is arranged between the one magnet and the other hole in the first direction (LR direction).

[0068] In a magnet plate having a plurality of holes arranged at intervals, the influence of adjacent magnets can be reduced.

[0069] (Item 4)

[0070] Alternatively, the magnetic plate according to item 1 may include:

[0071] The magnetic member is attached to a supporting member that supports the magnet.

[0072] The member for supporting the magnet and the member for supporting the magnetic member can be commonly used, and the structure of the device can be simplified.

[0073] (Item 5)

[0074] Alternatively, the magnetic plate according to item 1 may include:

[0075] The magnetic member includes a member made of stainless steel.

[0076] The influence of adjacent magnets can be effectively reduced.

[0077] (Item 6)

[0078] Alternatively, the magnetic plate according to item 3 may be:

[0079] The plurality of holes are arranged in a matrix at intervals in the first direction (LR direction) and in a second direction (UD direction) orthogonal to the first direction (LR direction).

[0080] The plurality of magnets provided corresponding to the plurality of holes arranged in the second direction (UD direction) are supported by the support member extending in the second direction (UD direction).

[0081] The number of components supporting the magnet can be reduced.

[0082] (Item 7)

[0083] It may also be the magnet plate according to item 6, wherein:

[0084] The magnetic member extends along the second direction (UD direction), and is arranged between a plurality of magnets arranged along the second direction (UD direction) and a plurality of other holes arranged along the second direction (UD direction).

[0085] The magnetic member corresponding to the plurality of magnets can be made common, and the structure of the magnet plate can be simplified.

[0086] (Item 8)

[0087] It may also be the magnet plate according to item 7, wherein:

[0088] The magnetic member extending in the second direction (UD direction) is supported by the support member extending in the second direction (UD direction).

[0089] The member for supporting the magnet and the member for supporting the magnetic member can be commonly used, and the structure of the device can be simplified.

[0090] (Item 9)

[0091] The separation device of another technical solution of the present invention comprises:

[0092] an orifice plate having a plurality of orifices; and

[0093] A magnet plate, which uses magnetic force to separate samples,

[0094] The magnet plate has magnets arranged on the sides of the one or more holes corresponding to the one or more holes.

[0095] A magnetic member is arranged between the magnet arranged at the side of the one or more holes and other holes adjacent to the one or more holes.

[0096] (Item 10)

[0097] An automatic dispensing machine according to another aspect of the present invention uses the magnetic plate according to any one of items 1 to 8.

Claims

1. A magnetic plate, which is provided with a well plate having a plurality of holes, and uses magnetic force to separate samples, wherein: The magnet plate includes magnets, and when the hole plate is placed, the magnets are arranged on the side of the one or more holes corresponding to the one or more holes. A magnetic member is arranged between the magnet arranged at the side of the one or more holes and other holes adjacent to the one or more holes.

2. The magnet plate according to claim 1, wherein The magnet plate is provided with a plurality of magnets corresponding to the plurality of holes. The magnetic member is arranged between one magnet provided on a side portion of one hole corresponding to one hole and another hole adjacent to the one hole.

3. The magnet plate according to claim 2, wherein: The plurality of holes are arranged at intervals in the first direction, The one magnet is arranged between the one hole and the other hole in the first direction, and the magnetic member is arranged between the one magnet and the other hole in the first direction.

4. The magnet plate according to claim 1, wherein The magnetic member is attached to a supporting member that supports the magnet.

5. The magnet plate according to claim 1, wherein The magnetic member includes a member made of stainless steel.

6. The magnet plate according to claim 3, wherein: The plurality of holes are arranged in a matrix at intervals in the first direction and in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The plurality of magnets provided corresponding to the plurality of holes arranged in the second direction are supported by the support member extending in the second direction.

7. The magnet plate according to claim 6, wherein: The magnetic member extends along the second direction, and is arranged between the plurality of magnets arranged along the second direction and the plurality of other holes arranged along the second direction.

8. The magnet plate according to claim 7, wherein: The magnetic member extending in the second direction is supported by the supporting member extending in the second direction.

9. A separation device, wherein: The separation device has: an orifice plate having a plurality of orifices; and A magnet plate, which uses magnetic force to separate samples, The magnet plate has magnets arranged on the sides of the one or more holes corresponding to the one or more holes. A magnetic member is arranged between the magnet arranged at the side of the one or more holes and other holes adjacent to the one or more holes.

10. An automatic dispensing machine, wherein: This automatic dispensing machine uses the magnetic plate according to claim 1.

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