Electrophoresis device

Abstract

An electrophoresis apparatus includes a sample plate having a sample receiving portion, a protective sheet, a holder supporting the sample plate, a cover placed on the protective sheet, a holder receiving mechanism receiving the holder, a punching pin, a dispensing probe, and a chip holding portion, the holder receiving mechanism including: a holder holding portion holding the holder so as to be detachable; and a biasing unit that biases the cover toward the sample plate when the holder is held by the holder holding unit.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of an application with an application date of March 19, 2019, an application number of 201980094066.2 (PCT / JP2019 / 011398), and an invention title of "Electrophoresis Device". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrophoresis device. Background Art

[0003] For example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2018-4557 (hereinafter referred to as "Patent Document 1"), an electrophoresis device including a well plate, a protective sheet, a dispensing probe, a pre-punching pin, and a chip holding portion is described. The well plate has a plurality of storage portions, and samples (DNA, protein, etc.) are stored in each storage portion. The well plate is supported by a bracket provided on a base surface. In order to prevent evaporation of the samples stored in the storage portions, the protective sheet is attached to the surface of the well plate so as to cover each storage portion. The dispensing probe is used for sucking, dispensing, etc. of the samples stored in the well plate. The pre-punching pin is used for opening holes in the protective sheet before sucking the samples in the well plate with the dispensing probe. The chip holding portion is provided on the base surface. The chip holding portion holds a microchip having a separation flow path for separating samples by electrophoresis.

[0004] Prior art documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2018-4557 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] In the electrophoresis device as described in Patent Document 1, there is a need to shorten the time required between each analysis. For example, in the electrophoresis device described in Patent Document 1, when the bracket for supporting the well plate (hereinafter referred to as "sample plate") cannot be removed, the sample plate cannot be replaced during the cleaning process of the flow path of the microchip, etc., so the time required until the next analysis becomes long.

[0009] In addition, in the electrophoresis device described in Patent Document 1, if the number of times of opening holes in the protective sheet with the pre-punching pin increases, it is possible that the adhesive of the protective sheet adheres to the tip of the pre-punching pin. In this case, when the adhesive attached to the tip of the pre-punching pin comes into contact with the sample plate, the sample plate is lifted from the bracket as the pre-punching pin rises, so the samples in the sample plate may scatter.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophoresis device that can achieve both shortening of the required time between analyses and suppression of lifting of a sample plate during analysis.

[0011] Solutions for solving the problems

[0012] A first aspect of the present invention relates to an electrophoresis device including: a sample plate having a sample storage unit for storing a sample to be analyzed; a protective sheet adhered to the surface of the sample plate so as to cover the sample storage unit; a support for supporting the sample plate; a cover placed on the protective sheet; a support storage mechanism for storing the support; a punching pin for making a hole in the protective sheet; a dispensing probe for sucking and dispensing the sample stored in the storage unit; and a chip holding unit for holding a microchip having a separation flow path for separating the sample by electrophoresis. The support storage mechanism includes: a support holding unit for detachably holding the support; and a biasing unit for biasing the cover toward the sample plate when the support is held by the support holding unit.

[0013] Effects of the invention

[0014] Since this electrophoresis device has a support holding unit for detachably holding the support that supports the sample plate, it is possible to prepare a sample plate for the next analysis and clean the separation flow path of the microchip simultaneously by removing the support from the support holding unit. Therefore, the required time between analyses can be shortened. Moreover, in this electrophoresis device, when the support is held by the support holding unit, the cover is biased toward the sample plate by the biasing unit, so that even when the adhesive of the protective sheet adheres to the punching pin, lifting of the sample plate during analysis can be suppressed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of an electrophoresis device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a perspective view of a sample unit of the electrophoresis device shown.

[0017] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the sample unit.

[0018] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a state before the sample unit is stored in the support storage mechanism.

[0019] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the sample unit is stored in the support storage mechanism.

[0020] Figure 6 is Figure 5 a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI.

[0021] Description of Reference Numerals

[0022] 1. Electrophoresis device; 100. Device main body; 110. Housing; 110h. Insertion port; 120. Dispensing probe unit; 122. Dispensing probe; 124. Punching pin; 130. Chip holding unit; 134. Voltage application unit; 140. Holder storage mechanism; 142. Bottom plate; 144. Holder holding unit; 146. Biasing unit; 148. Holding arm unit; 150. Control unit; 200. Sample unit; 210. Sample plate; 212. Storage portion; 220. Protective sheet; 230. Holder; 232. Holder main body; 232a. Side wall; 232b. Positioning protrusion; 232c. Guided portion; 236. Plate support portion; 239. Handle; 240. Cover; 242. Pressing portion; 242h. Opening; 244. Protruding portion; 246. Arm portion; 246a. Biased portion; 246b. Connecting portion. Detailed Embodiment

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in the accompanying drawings referred to below, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0024] Figure 1 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of an electrophoresis device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 1 shown, the electrophoresis device 1 includes a device main body 100 and a sample unit 200.

[0025] The device main body 100 analyzes samples (DNA, RNA, protein, etc.). The device main body 100 includes a housing 110, a dispensing probe unit 120, a chip holding unit 130, a voltage application unit 134, a holder storage mechanism 140, and a control unit 150.

[0026] The housing 110 houses the dispensing probe unit 120, the chip holding unit 130, the voltage application unit 134, the holder storage mechanism 140, the control unit 150, etc. An insertion port 110h for inserting the sample unit 200 is provided in the housing 110.

[0027] The dispensing probe unit 120 performs sample dispensing, supply of cleaning liquid, etc. The dispensing probe unit 120 includes a dispensing probe 122 and a punching pin 124.

[0028] The dispensing probe 122 is used for suction and dispensing of samples, dispensing of cleaning liquid, etc. The dispensing probe 122 is supported by a probe support (not shown).

[0029] The punching pin 124 makes a hole in the protective sheet 220 described later. The punching pin 124 is supported by a probe support body (not shown).

[0030] The chip holding part 130 holds the microchip 132. The chip holding part 130 is fixed inside the housing 110. The microchip 132 has a separation flow path 132a for separating samples by electrophoresis.

[0031] The voltage application part 134 applies a voltage to the microchip 132. Thereby, the samples are separated in the separation flow path 132a.

[0032] The holder storage mechanism 140 stores the sample unit 200. The holder storage mechanism 140 will be described in detail later.

[0033] The control part 150 controls the dispensing probe part 120, the voltage application part 134, etc. The control part 150 is implemented by, for example, a so-called microcomputer equipped with a CPU (central processing unit), a storage device, etc. The control part 150 is connected to a computer provided outside the electrophoresis apparatus 1.

[0034] The sample unit 200 is a unit that holds samples and is detachable from and attachable to the apparatus main body 100. As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the sample unit 200 has a sample plate 210, a protective sheet 220, a holder 230, and a cover 240.

[0035] The sample plate 210 has a plurality of (96 in this embodiment) storage parts 212. Each storage part 212 stores the samples to be analyzed.

[0036] The protective sheet 220 is adhered to the surface of the sample plate 210 so as to cover the storage parts 212. The protective sheet 220 has a function of preventing the evaporation of the samples stored in the storage parts 212.

[0037] The holder 230 supports the sample plate 210. The holder 230 has a holder main body 232, a plate support part 236, and a handle 239.

[0038] The holder main body 232 is stored in the holder storage mechanism 140 of the apparatus main body 100. The holder main body 232 has a pair of side walls 232a, a pair of positioning projections 232b, and a guided part 232c (see Figure 6 ).

[0039] The side walls 232a face each other. Each side wall 232a is formed in a flat plate shape. Each side wall 232a has a shape that is long in one direction (the direction of insertion into the holder storage mechanism 140).

[0040] Each positioning projection 232b has a shape that protrudes upward from the upper end of one side wall 232a. Each positioning projection 232b is formed in a flat plate shape. Each positioning projection 232b is provided at positions separated from each other in one direction. In addition, one positioning projection 232b may be omitted.

[0041] The guided portion 232c is connected to the lower end of each side wall 232a. The guided portion 232c has a shape that protrudes inward in the width direction (the direction in which the pair of side walls 232a face each other) from the lower end of each side wall 232a and extends along one direction.

[0042] The plate support portion 236 supports the sample plate 210. The plate support portion 236 is fixed between the pair of side walls 232a of the support body 232. An opening 236h through which each storage portion 212 passes is provided in the plate support portion 236.

[0043] The handle 239 is a part that the user holds when moving the support body 232 in one direction. The handle 239 is connected to each side wall 232a.

[0044] The cover 240 is placed on the protective sheet 220. The cover 240 has a pressing portion 242, a protruding portion 244, and a pair of arm portions 246.

[0045] The pressing portion 242 is a part that presses the sample plate 210 toward the plate support portion 236 of the support 230 with the protective sheet 220 interposed therebetween. The pressing portion 242 is formed in a flat plate shape. An opening 242h through which the dispensing probe 122 and the punching pin 124 pass is provided in the pressing portion 242.

[0046] The protruding portion 244 is connected to the pressing portion 242. Specifically, the protruding portion 244 has a shape that protrudes outward in the width direction from both ends in the width direction of the pressing portion 242. A slit S through which the positioning projection 232b can pass is formed in one protruding portion 244.

[0047] Each arm portion 246 is connected to the protruding portion 244. The arm portion 246 will be described after the description of the support storage mechanism 140.

[0048] Here, the support storage mechanism 140 will be described. The support storage mechanism 140 is a mechanism for storing the support 230. The support storage mechanism 140 communicates with the outside through the insertion port 110h. As Figure 4 shown, the support storage mechanism 140 has a bottom plate 142, a support holding portion 144, a limiting rail portion 145, a biasing portion 146, and a holding arm portion 148.

[0049] The bottom plate 142 is formed in a flat plate shape.

[0050] The bracket holding part 144 holds the bracket 230 in a detachable manner. The bracket holding part 144 has a shape that guides the bracket 230 to be inserted into the housing 110 through the insertion port 110h. Specifically, the bracket holding part 144 has a shape that extends along the one direction (the insertion direction of the bracket 230) so as to guide the guided part 232c.

[0051] The restricting rail part 145 restricts the displacement of the bracket 230 in the direction of separating from the bottom plate 142 (upward). The restricting rail part 145 is provided above the bracket holding part 144. The restricting rail part 145 has a shape that extends along the insertion direction.

[0052] When the bracket 230 is held by the bracket holding part 144, the biasing part 146 biases the cover 240 toward the sample plate 210. The biasing part 146 has a shape that gradually approaches the bottom plate 142 as it goes toward the tip in the insertion direction in which the bracket 230 is inserted into the bracket holding part 144. In the present embodiment, the biasing part 146 is constituted by a leaf spring.

[0053] The holding arm part 148 holds the biasing part 146 in such a manner that the biasing part 146 faces the bottom plate 142. The holding arm part 148 has a standing part 148a and a holding piece 148b.

[0054] The standing part 148a has a shape that stands up from the outer end part in the width direction of the bottom plate 142. Each standing part 148a is provided at a position separated from each other in the insertion direction.

[0055] The holding piece 148b has a shape that protrudes inward in the width direction from the upper end part of the standing part 148a. The standing part 148a and the holding piece 148b are formed by bending a metal plate. The biasing part 146 is connected to the lower surface (the surface facing the bottom plate 142) of the holding piece 148b.

[0056] Next, the arm part 246 will be described. Each arm part 246 has a biased part 246a and a connecting part 246b.

[0057] The biased part 246a is a part that is biased by the biasing part 146 toward the bottom plate 142. The biased part 246a has a shape that extends along the insertion direction. The biased part 246a is formed in a flat plate shape. The biased part 246a is parallel to the side wall 232a.

[0058] The connecting part 246b is a part that connects the protruding part 244 and the biased part 246a. The connecting part 246b is connected to the rear end part in the insertion direction of the biased part 246a. That is, the connecting part 246b is provided at a position that allows the holding piece 148b and the biasing part 146 to be inserted between the protruding part 244 and the biased part 246a.

[0059] Next, the assembly operation of the sample unit 200 and the installation operation of the sample unit 200 on the bracket storage mechanism 140 will be described.

[0060] (Assembly operation)

[0061] First, the process of attaching the protective sheet 220 to the sample plate 210 with samples stored in each storage part 212 and the process of assembling the sample plate 210 to the plate support part 236 of the bracket 230 are performed. In addition, these processes can also be performed in any order.

[0062] Then, the cover 240 is placed on the bracket 230. At this time, the positioning protrusion 232b is inserted into the slit S of the cover 240, so the position of the cover 240 relative to the bracket 230 is fixed.

[0063] The sample unit 200 is assembled as described above.

[0064] (Installation operation)

[0065] As Figure 4 shown, the sample unit 200 is inserted into the bracket storage mechanism 140. Specifically, the guided part 232c of the bracket 230 is guided by the bracket holding part 144 of the bracket storage mechanism 140, and the bracket 230 is inserted into the bracket storage mechanism 140. When the bracket 230 is further inserted, the biasing part 146 abuts against the top end of the part to be biased 246a. Then, when the insertion of the bracket 230 continues in this state, the part to be biased 246a overcomes the biasing force of the biasing part 146 and pushes the biasing part 146 upward. In other words, the part to be biased 246a is biased by the biasing part 146 toward the bottom plate 142. As a result, the pressing part 242 of the cover 240 is pressed toward the sample plate 210.

[0066] Then, after the part to be biased 246a abuts against the biasing part 146, as the bracket 230 is further inserted, the biasing force of the biasing part 146 gradually increases. After that, the insertion of the bracket 230 ends, and thus the installation of the sample unit 200 on the apparatus main body 100 ends, and the analysis of the sample can be started.

[0067] As described above, in the electrophoresis apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when the bracket 230 is held by the bracket holding part 144, the cover 240 is biased toward the sample plate 210 by the biasing part 146. Therefore, even when the adhesive of the protective sheet 220 adheres to the punching pin 124, the lifting of the sample plate 210 during the analysis can be suppressed.

[0068] Moreover, the bracket 230 that supports the sample plate 210 is held detachably with respect to the apparatus main body 100. Therefore, by removing (pulling out) the bracket 230 from the bracket holding portion 144, it is possible to simultaneously prepare the sample plate 210 for the next analysis and clean the separation flow path 132a of the microchip 132, etc. Thus, the time required between each analysis can be shortened.

[0069] In addition, the embodiments disclosed herein are examples in all respects and should not be considered restrictive. The scope of the present invention is represented not by the description of the above embodiments but by the claims, and it also includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0070] For example, in the above embodiment, the leaf spring is shown as the biasing portion 146, but as long as the cover 240 can be biased toward the sample plate 210, the biasing portion 146 is not limited to the leaf spring. For example, as the biasing portion 146, a magnet that attracts the cover 240 toward the bracket 230 may be provided, or a solenoid having a plunger that presses the cover 240 toward the bracket 230 may be provided.

[0071] [Solution]

[0072] Those skilled in the art can understand that the above-described multiple exemplary embodiments are specific examples of the following solutions.

[0073] (Item 1) The electrophoresis apparatus according to one solution includes: a sample plate having a storage portion for storing a sample to be analyzed; a protective sheet adhered to the surface of the sample plate so as to cover the storage portion; a bracket that supports the sample plate; a cover placed on the protective sheet; a bracket storage mechanism that stores the bracket; a punching pin that punches a hole in the protective sheet; a dispensing probe that sucks and dispenses the sample stored in the storage portion; and a chip holding portion that holds a microchip having a separation flow path for separating the sample by electrophoresis. The bracket storage mechanism includes: a bracket holding portion that holds the bracket detachably; and a biasing portion that biases the cover toward the sample plate when the bracket is held by the bracket holding portion.

[0074] The electrophoresis apparatus described in Item 1 has a bracket holding portion that holds the bracket supporting the sample plate detachably. Therefore, by removing the bracket from the bracket holding portion, it is possible to simultaneously prepare the sample plate for the next analysis and clean the separation flow path of the microchip, etc. Thus, the time required between each analysis can be shortened. Moreover, in this electrophoresis apparatus, when the bracket is held by the bracket holding portion, the cover is biased toward the sample plate by the biasing portion. Therefore, even when the adhesive of the protective sheet adheres to the punching pin, the lifting of the sample plate during the analysis can be suppressed.

[0075] (Item 2) According to the electrophoresis device described in Item 1, the electrophoresis device may also include a housing for housing the bracket housing mechanism, the punching pin, the dispensing probe, and the chip holding portion. In this case, it is preferred that an insertion port for inserting the bracket is formed in the housing, and the bracket holding portion has a shape for guiding the bracket to be inserted into the housing through the insertion port.

[0076] According to the electrophoresis device described in item 2, the holder can be mounted on the holder holding portion by inserting the holder from outside the housing through the insertion port along the holder holding portion, and the holder can be removed from the holder holding portion by performing an operation reverse to the above operation.

[0077] (Item 3) According to the electrophoresis device described in Item 2, the bracket storage mechanism may further include: a bottom plate that supports the bracket holding portion; and a holding arm portion that holds the force applying portion in a manner such that the force applying portion is opposite to the bottom plate. In this case, it is preferred that the force applying portion has a shape that gradually approaches the bottom plate as it moves toward the top end of the insertion direction of the bracket into the bracket holding portion.

[0078] According to the electrophoresis device described in item 3, as the holder is inserted along the holder holding portion, the force applied by the force applying portion to the cover gradually increases, so that when the force applying portion applies force to the cover, the cover can be prevented from vibrating relative to the holder. Therefore, when the cover is fixed to the sample plate, the sample in the sample plate can be prevented from scattering.

[0079] (Item 4) According to the electrophoresis device described in any one of Items 1 to 3, preferably, the cover has: a force-applied portion, which bears the force applied by the force-applying portion; and a pressing portion, which presses the sample plate toward the bracket through the protective sheet when the force-applied portion is force applied by the force-applying portion.

[0080] (Item 5) The electrophoresis device according to any one of Items 1 to 4 may further include: a voltage application unit that applies a voltage to the microchip; and a control unit that controls the punching pin, the dispensing probe, and the voltage application unit.

Claims

1. An electrophoresis device, wherein, the electrophoresis device includes: a sample plate having a storage portion for storing a sample to be analyzed; a protective sheet adhered to the surface of the sample plate so as to cover the storage portion; a holder that supports the sample plate; a cover placed on the protective sheet; a holder storage mechanism that stores the holder; a punching pin that punches holes in the protective sheet; a dispensing probe that aspirates and dispenses the sample stored in the storage portion; and a chip holding portion that holds a microchip having a separation flow path for separating the sample by electrophoresis, the holder storage mechanism includes: a holder holding portion that holds the holder detachably; and a biasing portion that biases the cover toward the sample plate when the holder is held by the holder holding portion, the electrophoresis device further includes a housing that houses the holder storage mechanism, the punching pin, the dispensing probe, and the chip holding portion, an insertion port for inserting the holder is formed in the housing, the holder storage mechanism further includes: a bottom plate that supports the holder holding portion; and a holding arm portion that holds the biasing portion so that the biasing portion faces the bottom plate, the biasing portion has a shape that gradually approaches the bottom plate toward the tip in the insertion direction of inserting the holder into the holder holding portion, the holding arm portion extends from the bottom plate, the cover has: a pressing portion that presses the sample plate toward the holder through the protective sheet when biased by the biasing portion; a protruding portion that protrudes outward in the width direction from both ends in the width direction of the pressing portion; and a pair of arm portions, each arm portion is connected to the protruding portion and extends toward the protective sheet side, each arm portion has: a portion to be biased that receives the biasing force of the biasing portion; and a connecting portion that is a portion connecting the protruding portion and the portion to be biased, the connecting portion is provided at a position allowing the biasing portion to be inserted between the protruding portion and the portion to be biased, the holder holding portion has a shape that guides the holder to be inserted into the housing through the insertion port.

2. The electrophoresis device according to claim 1, wherein, the electrophoresis device further includes: a voltage application portion that applies a voltage to the microchip; and a control portion that controls the punching pin, the dispensing probe, and the voltage application portion.

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