Closure device for a container

Abstract

This invention provides a container closing device that can appropriately open and close a commercially available, universally applicable container without relying on manual operation, thereby improving the efficiency of reagent container setup compared to analytical devices. The opening device includes: a temperature control unit holding the main body of a PCR container; an opening / closing unit; a moving device; and a control device. The opening / closing unit has: a rotating member that applies an opening force to the lid by rotating it while the protrusion is in contact with the closed lid; and a motor that rotates the rotating member. The moving device moves the temperature control unit relative to the rotating member. The control device controls the moving device so that, in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating member, the PCR container moves horizontally from the hinge portion toward the flange portion.

Description

[0001] Case Analysis This invention is a divisional application of the invention patent application filed on September 7, 2021, with application number 202180072586.0 and invention title "Container opening device, analysis device, container closing device and reagent kit". Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to an opening device for placing a container containing a specimen (blood, urine, nasopharyngeal swab, saliva, or other biologically derived samples) or reagents as the object of analysis, an analytical apparatus for analyzing infectious viruses or genes contained in the specimen within the container, and a closing device for the container. Background Technology

[0003] Previously, there were devices for analyzing genes contained in a sample using polymerase chain reaction (hereinafter also referred to as "PCR") (e.g., Japanese Patent No. 4785862).

[0004] [Existing Technical Documents] [Patent Literature] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 4785862 Summary of the Invention [The problem the invention aims to solve] When using PCR for gene analysis, some steps, such as reagent preparation before PCR and opening containers when dispensing samples or reagents, need to be performed manually by the operator, requiring skilled expertise. These steps are complex, taking several hours to complete, and may introduce data bias or errors due to operator error, as well as the risk of infection for the operator. Therefore, PCR-based gene analysis is difficult in small and medium-sized hospitals and clinics, and is mainly performed in large hospitals, testing centers, and health inspection bureaus. Consequently, in small and medium-sized hospitals and clinics, because samples are transported to testing facilities after collection and results are obtained, it takes several days before results are available, making rapid testing difficult.

[0005] The device disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4785862 is a device that uses a thermal cycler to perform PCR reactions while simultaneously detecting genes using fluorescence, etc. As described, the dispensing of samples or reagents into containers is mostly done manually by the operator. Furthermore, although automated all-in-one devices, including these, exist, previous all-in-one devices used specialized containers for storing reagents, making it impossible to use commercially available containers (PCR tubes), resulting in low versatility.

[0006] This disclosure was made to solve the aforementioned problems, and its purpose is to enable proper opening of commercially available, universal containers without relying on manual operation by an operator.

[0007] Another objective of this disclosure is to improve the efficiency of reagent container setup relative to the analytical apparatus.

[0008] Another object of this disclosure is to properly seal commercially available, universal containers without relying on manual operation by the operator.

[0009] [Technical means to solve the problem] The disclosed opening device is a container opening device having a container body, a lid, and a hinge connecting the container body and the lid. The opening device includes: a holding device for holding the container body; an opening device having a rotating member and a drive device for rotating the rotating member, the rotating member having a first protrusion and a second protrusion capable of contacting the lid, and applying an opening force to the lid by rotating while at least one of the first and second protrusions is in contact with the lid in a closed state; a moving device for moving at least one of the holding device and the rotating member relative to the other; and a control device for controlling the opening device and the moving device to keep the lid in an open state.

[0010] With the aforementioned opening device, the rotating member rotates while at least one of the first and second protrusions is in contact with the lid of the container, thereby applying a force in the opening direction to the lid. Furthermore, in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating member, the holding device that holds the container body moves relative to the rotating member. Thus, with the rotation of the rotating member, the positions of the first and second protrusions shift, and correspondingly, the container can be displaced. Therefore, even if the positions of the first and second protrusions shift with the rotation of the rotating member, it is possible to prevent the first and second protrusions from contacting the lid. As a result, commercially available, universally applicable containers can be opened appropriately without relying on manual operation by the operator.

[0011] The analytical apparatus involved in this disclosure includes: the capping device; and a dispensing device for dispensing reagents into a container opened by the capping device.

[0012] The analytical device allows for the opening of containers and the dispensing of reagents from opened containers without the need for manual operation by the operator.

[0013] The disclosed closure device is a closure device for a container having a container body, a lid, and a hinge connecting the container body and the lid. The closure device includes: a holding device for holding the container body; a closing device having a rotating member and a drive device for rotating the rotating member, the rotating member applying a closing force to the lid by rotating while in contact with the lid in an open state; and a control device for controlling the closing device. When the lid is in an open state and is set to a closed state, the control device performs a first closure control, which applies a closing force to the lid by rotating the rotating member while it is in contact with the lid and approaching the hinge.

[0014] With the aforementioned closing device, utilizing the first closing control, the lid is pressed towards the hinge side rather than the front end side, thus preventing the lid's position from shifting towards the front end side relative to the container body. As a result, the lid and container body do not interfere with each other, allowing the lid to be closed appropriately.

[0015] The reagent kit disclosed herein includes: multiple containers; and a binding material for binding the multiple containers. Each of the multiple containers has: a container body; and a cap connected to the container body via a hinge portion and capable of being opened / closed relative to the container body. The multiple containers are arranged in a one-dimensional manner, with adjacent containers connected to each other, the caps closed, and provided in a state in which reagents are placed in each container body.

[0016] The reagent kit allows for reagent container setup by placing multiple separate containers within a holding device, rather than individually by placing them in a single, one-dimensionally connected assembly. This significantly improves the efficiency of reagent container setup relative to the analytical apparatus.

[0017] [The effects of the invention] In the opening device disclosed herein, a commercially available container with universal compatibility can be opened appropriately without relying on manual operation by an operator.

[0018] In the sealing device disclosed herein, a commercially available, universally applicable container can be properly sealed without relying on manual operation by an operator.

[0019] The reagent kit disclosed herein can achieve efficiency in reagent container setup relative to the analytical apparatus. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a diagram that roughly represents an example of the structure of the analysis system.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a diagram of a device for maintaining the state of a container, as viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the holding device with the container set up, viewed from the direction of the Y-axis.

[0023] Figure 4 This diagram shows the state of attaching a long chip to the nozzle of a syringe and inserting the long chip into the sample container.

[0024] Figure 5 This diagram shows the state of a short chip being installed on the nozzle of a syringe and inserted into a reagent container.

[0025] Figure 6 It is a diagram that schematically illustrates the various steps of the analytical processing performed by the analytical apparatus.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the opening / closing mechanism included in the opening / closing unit.

[0027] Figure 8 This diagram schematically illustrates the rotating components and the movement of the container during the opening of a PCR container.

[0028] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing procedure when a control device performs the action of opening a container.

[0029] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing procedure when a control device performs the closing action of a container.

[0030] Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of an irradiation unit.

[0031] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing a modified example of the structure of the irradiation unit.

[0032] Figure 13 This is a diagram showing a variation of the structure of the open / close unit.

[0033] Figure 14 This diagram shows the state in which the protrusion of the rotating component is positioned on the lid of the PCR container during the opening action.

[0034] Figure 15 This diagram shows the state in which the lid of a container is closed using the protrusion of a rotating component.

[0035] Figure 16 This diagram shows the state in which the lid of a container is closed using the protrusion of a rotating component.

[0036] Figure 17 This is a diagram showing the appearance of a commercially available PCR tube.

[0037] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of the reagent kit.

[0038] Figure 19 This diagram schematically illustrates the state of the rotating component and the PCR container at the moment the opening action before heating ends.

[0039] Figure 20 This diagram schematically illustrates the state of the rotating component and the PCR container at the moment the opening action after heating is completed.

[0040] Figure 21 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the movement of the short chip relative to the PCR container.

[0041] Figure 22 This is a diagram schematically illustrating the closing action of Comparative Example 1.

[0042] Figure 23 This is a diagram schematically illustrating the closing action of Comparative Example 2.

[0043] Figure 24 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the action based on the first closure control.

[0044] Figure 25 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the action based on the second closure control. Detailed Implementation

[0045] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, identical or equivalent parts in the drawings will be labeled with the same symbols, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0046] Figure 1 This is a diagram that schematically illustrates an example of the structure of the analysis system 1 according to this embodiment. The analysis system 1 is a device capable of fully automated, real-time measurement and analysis of gene amplification processes using PCR. Hereinafter, as... Figure 1 As shown, it will be along the vertical direction (in Figure 1 The direction of vertical (vertical direction) is also called the "Z-axis direction". The directions that are perpendicular to the vertical direction and orthogonal to each other are called the "X-axis direction" and "Y-axis direction", respectively.

[0047] The analysis system 1 includes: an analysis device 2; and a terminal 3 capable of communicating with the analysis device 2. The terminal 3 is a general personal computer including a display, operated by an operator.

[0048] The analysis device 2 includes an inspection device 10, a control device 20, a temperature control device 30, and moving devices 4 and 5. The temperature control device 30 includes a holding device (fixer) 40 configured to hold multiple containers 50, etc. The holding device 40 includes a temperature control section 41 with temperature control functions (heating and cooling functions) such as Peltier elements, and a holding section 42 without temperature control functions.

[0049] The moving device 4 includes an actuator (not shown) for moving the inspection device 10 in the horizontal direction (XY axis direction). The moving device 5 includes an actuator (not shown) for moving the holding device 40 in the horizontal direction (XY axis direction). The actuators of the moving devices 4 and 5 operate according to instructions from the control device 20. By using the moving devices 4 and 5 to move at least one of the inspection device 10 and the holding device 40 in the horizontal direction, the relative horizontal distance between the inspection device 10 and the holding device 40 can be adjusted. Alternatively, either the moving device 4 or the moving device 5 may be omitted.

[0050] The inspection device 10 includes an optical unit 11, a dispensing unit 12, an opening / closing unit 14, and an irradiation unit 16.

[0051] The dispensing unit 12 includes a syringe 13 with a nozzle 13a extending along the Z-axis at its front end. Inside the nozzle 13a is a plunger (not shown) capable of moving along the Z-axis. The syringe 13 is configured to draw in a quantity of liquid corresponding to the plunger's stroke in the positive Z-axis direction and to dispense a quantity of liquid corresponding to the plunger's stroke in the negative Z-axis direction. The dispensing unit 12 includes an actuator (not shown) for moving the syringe 13 along the Z-axis direction and an actuator (not shown) for causing the plunger within the nozzle 13a to travel along the Z-axis direction. These actuators operate according to commands from the control device 20.

[0052] The opening / closing unit 14 includes an opening / closing mechanism with a protrusion for automatically opening / closing the lid of the container 50 by contacting the lid held by the holding device 40. The opening / closing unit 14 operates according to instructions from the control device 20. The structure of the opening / closing unit 14 will be described in detail later.

[0053] The irradiation unit 16 is designed to prevent contamination of the next sample by irradiating the area around the protrusion of the opening / closing unit 14 with ultraviolet (UV) light when the lid of the container 50 is opened or closed. The structure of the irradiation unit 16 will be described in detail later.

[0054] The optical unit 11 is a device that analyzes infectious viruses or genes contained in a sample by detecting the fluorescence emitted by the sample when excitation light is irradiated into the sample in the container 50. The optical unit 11 performs fluorescence detection at three wavelengths: red (R), green (G), and blue (B), and outputs the results to the control device 20. The optical unit 11 includes a light source (such as a light-emitting diode), a lens for irradiating the sample with light from the light source or collecting the fluorescence of the sample, and a photodiode for detecting the fluorescence emitted by the sample and converting it into digital data that can be analyzed. Furthermore, the optical unit 11 can adopt a known structure.

[0055] The control device 20 is not shown in the figures, but it comprises a central processing unit (CPU), memory, input / output buffers, etc. When it receives an analysis start command from the terminal 3, the control device 20 controls each part of the analysis device 2 (each unit in the inspection device 10, the moving device 4, the moving device 5, and the temperature control unit 41 of the temperature control device 30) according to a pre-determined program to analyze the infectious viruses or genes contained in the sample. The control device 20 displays the analysis results of the analysis device 2 on the display of the terminal 3.

[0056] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the holding device 40 with the containers 50 arranged as viewed from the Z-axis direction. The holding device 40 extends along the XY plane and has an arrangement surface in which multiple containers 50 are arranged in a two-dimensional manner. The inspection device 10 and the holding device 40 are configured to be able to move relative to each other in a two-dimensional manner along the arrangement surface of the holding device 40 by means of the moving device 4 and the moving device 5.

[0057] The containers 50 arranged on the arrangement surface of the holding device 40 include: a PCR container (reaction container) 51, which is the object of thermal cycling and contains liquid (a sample with added reagents); a reagent container 52, which contains various reagents; and a sample container 54, which contains sample monomers.

[0058] The PCR containers 51 are arranged in a one-dimensional manner along the X-axis as a group of four PCR containers 51a, 51b, 51c, and 51d, and four groups are arranged along the Y-axis.

[0059] The reagent containers 52 are arranged in a one-dimensional configuration along the X-axis, consisting of four containers 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d, forming a group, and four groups are arranged along the Y-axis. Specimen processing solution is pre-placed in reagent container 52a. Reaction solution is pre-placed in reagent container 52b. Primer / probe solution (a liquid containing primers and probes) is pre-placed in reagent container 52c. Enzyme solution is pre-placed in reagent container 52d. Furthermore, the four reagent containers 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d are provided as a kit (commercially available) pre-sealed with the amount of reagents required for the analysis of at least one specimen. Details regarding the kit's availability will be described later.

[0060] Four sample containers 54 are arranged in a one-dimensional manner along the Y-axis. In the analysis apparatus 2 of this embodiment, by placing different samples into the four sample containers 54 arranged along the Y-axis, four samples can be analyzed at once.

[0061] In the holding device 40, a portion of each container 50 (PCR container 51, reagent container 52, and sample container 54) is formed, creating a step (hole or recess) that allows a portion of each container 50 to be inserted along the Z-axis. By inserting each container 50 into the corresponding step, the position of each container 50 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions is fixed.

[0062] Additionally, a dispensing chip 53 for dispensing the sample and reagent is disposed in the area between the reagent container 52 and the sample container 54 in the holding device 40. The dispensing chip 53 is installed on the nozzle 13a of the syringe 13 for use.

[0063] In this embodiment, the dispensing chip 53 includes: a long chip 53a for the sample container 54; and a short chip (micro-chip) 53b for the PCR container 51 and the reagent container 52. The dispensing chips 53 are arranged in groups of one long chip 53a and two short chips 53b arranged in a one-dimensional manner along the X-axis, and four groups are arranged in the Y-axis direction.

[0064] The PCR container 51, which is the object of thermal cycling, is disposed in a temperature control unit 41 with temperature control function, while other reagent containers 52, dispensing chips 53, and sample containers 54 are disposed in a holding unit 42 without temperature control function.

[0065] Furthermore, the holding device 40 includes a chip discarding section 43 for discarding used dispensing chips 53.

[0066] also, Figure 2 Although not shown, each container 50 is a resin molded product in which the lid and the container body are integrated, and is configured to allow the lid to be opened / closed.

[0067] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the holding device 40, in which the container 50 is installed, as viewed along the Y-axis. (See diagram below.) Figure 2 As shown, in the holding device 40, the sample container 54, the long chip 53a, the two short chips 53b, the reagent containers 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, and the PCR containers 51a, 51b, 51c, and 51d are arranged sequentially along the X-axis.

[0068] Both PCR container 51 and reagent container 52 use universal containers of the same shape and size, and their heights (dimensions along the Z-axis) Z1 are the same (e.g., approximately 20 mm). On the other hand, the sample container 54 uses a container larger than both PCR container 51 and reagent container 52. Therefore, the height Z4 of the sample container 54 is set to be larger than the height Z1 of both PCR container 51 and reagent container 52 (e.g., approximately 70 mm).

[0069] When the sample enters the sample container 54, assuming a height Z4 of approximately 70 mm relative to the sample container 54, the sample is positioned approximately 10 mm to 20 mm above the bottom of the sample container 54. Therefore, in the case of collecting a tiny amount (a few μL) using the short microparticle 53b, which penetrates deep into the sample container 54, the possibility of droplets during dispensing adhering not only to the short microparticle 53b but also to the nozzle 13a increases, thereby increasing the likelihood of infection or contamination.

[0070] As a countermeasure, in this embodiment, a short chip 53b is used for both the PCR container 51 and the reagent container 52. The height (dimension in the Z-axis direction) Z2 of the short chip 53b is set to a value larger than the height Z1 of the PCR container 51 and the reagent container 52. On the other hand, a long chip 53a is used for the sample container 54. The height (dimension in the Z-axis direction) Z3 of the long chip 53a is set to a value larger than the height Z4 of the sample container 54.

[0071] Furthermore, the nozzle 13a of the syringe 13 in this embodiment is configured to accommodate both the short chip 53b and the long chip 53a.

[0072] Figure 4 This diagram shows the state in which a long chip 53a is installed on the nozzle 13a of the syringe 13 and the long chip 53a is inserted into the specimen container 54. Figure 5 This diagram shows the state in which a short chip 53b is installed on the nozzle 13a of the syringe 13 and the short chip 53b is inserted into the reagent container 52a.

[0073] like Figure 4As shown, a portion with a diameter D1 is provided on the nozzle 13a, the size of which is adjusted to fit with the opening diameter of the long chip 53a. When the long chip 53a is mounted on the nozzle 13a, the nozzle 13a is inserted into the long chip 53a until the opening of the long chip 53a is located in the portion of the nozzle 13a with diameter D1, thereby fitting the nozzle 13a with the long chip 53a.

[0074] Furthermore, such as Figure 5 As shown, a portion of nozzle 13a with a diameter D2 (D2 < D1) is provided further to the front end than the portion having diameter D1, so as to fit with the opening diameter of short chip 53b. When mounting short chip 53b onto nozzle 13a, nozzle 13a is inserted into short chip 53b until the opening of short chip 53b is located in the portion of nozzle 13a having diameter D2, thereby fitting nozzle 13a with short chip 53b.

[0075] Furthermore, when removing the long chip 53a or short chip 53b fitted onto the nozzle 13a, the nozzle 13a is moved upward with the upper end of the long chip 53a or short chip 53b hooked on the lower surface of the recess of the chip waste section 43, thereby removing the long chip 53a or short chip 53b from the nozzle 13a and discarding it.

[0076] <Analysis and Processing> When the operator places each container 50 (PCR container 51, reagent container 52 and sample container 54) and dispensing chip 53 (long chip 53a and short chip 53b) in the holding device 40 and inputs the analysis start command to the terminal 3, the analysis process performed by the analysis device 2 begins.

[0077] Figure 6 This diagram schematically illustrates the various steps of the analysis process performed by the analysis device 2. In the analysis process, steps S1 through S6 are executed sequentially.

[0078] First, in step S1, 5 μL of the sample is dispensed into the PCR container 51b (sample injection). Specifically, the control device 20 first controls the dispensing unit 12 and the moving device 4 and the moving device 5 in the following manner: a long chip 53a is installed on the nozzle 13a of the syringe 13, and 25 μL of the sample is collected from the sample container 54 and dispensed into the PCR container 51a.

[0079] Subsequently, the control device 20 controls the dispensing unit 12 and the moving device 4 and the moving device 5 in a manner that the long chip 53a is discarded in the chip discarding section 43.

[0080] Subsequently, the control device 20 controls the dispensing unit 12 and the moving device 4 and the moving device 5 in such a way that a short chip 53b is installed on the nozzle 13a of the syringe 13, and 5 μL of the sample is collected from the PCR container 51a and dispensed into the PCR container 51b.

[0081] Furthermore, after collecting 25 μL of sample using the long chip 53a and temporarily aliquoting it into the PCR container 51a, the short chip 53b is then used to collect 5 μL of sample from the PCR container 51a and aliquot it into the PCR container 51b. This is to ensure that the 5 μL sample is accurately aliquoted into the PCR container 51b. That is, since the plunger inside the nozzle 13a of the syringe 13 essentially corresponds to the short chip 53b used for micro-aliquoting, the long chip 53a, with the same stroke volume, may result in reduced aliquoting accuracy and inaccurate results when using the long chip 53a. Therefore, in this embodiment, the long chip 53a is used to collect the sample once, and 25 μL more than 5 μL is aliquoted into the PCR container 51a (different from the PCR container 51b). Then, the short chip 53b is used to accurately collect 5 μL from the PCR container 51a and aliquot it into the PCR container 51b. This allows for the accurate aliquoting of a micro-volume of 5 μL of sample into the PCR container 51b.

[0082] In the next step S2, 5 μL of sample processing solution is added to the PCR container 51b. Specifically, the control device 20 first collects 5 μL of sample processing solution from the reagent container 52a and dispenses 5 μL of sample processing solution into the PCR container 51b, and controls the dispensing unit 12, the moving device 4, and the moving device 5 by reciprocating (up and down) the syringe 13 to stir the contents of the PCR container 51b.

[0083] Subsequently, the control device 20 controls the dispensing unit 12 and the moving device 4 and the moving device 5 in a manner that discards the short chip 53b in the chip discard section 43.

[0084] In the next step S3, the PCR container 51b is heated and then rapidly cooled. Specifically, the control device 20 controls the temperature control unit 41 to heat the PCR container 51b, maintaining the sample temperature inside the PCR container 51b at 90°C for 5 minutes, and then rapidly cooling the PCR container 51b to restore the sample temperature inside the PCR container 51b to 20°C (room temperature).

[0085] In the next step S4, reagents are added to the PCR container 51b. Specifically, the control device 20 first controls the dispensing unit 12 and the moving device 4 and the moving device 5 by collecting 7.8 μL of reaction solution from the reagent container 52b and dispensing it into the reagent container 52d, which has been pre-filled with 2.4 μL of enzyme.

[0086] Subsequently, the control device 20 controls the dispensing unit 12, the moving device 4, and the moving device 5 by collecting 7.8 μL of primer / probe solution from reagent container 52c and dispensing it into reagent container 52d, and by stirring the solution in reagent container 52d through the reciprocating (up and down) motion of syringe 13. At this time, the amount of reagent mixture in reagent container 52d is 18 μL.

[0087] Subsequently, the control device 20 controls the dispensing unit 12, the moving device 4, and the moving device 5 in the following manner: 15 μL of reagent mixture is collected from reagent container 52d and dispensed into PCR container 51b; the dispensing unit 12 and the moving device 4 and the moving device 5 are stirred by the reciprocating (up and down) motion of the syringe 13.

[0088] In the next step S5, thermal cycling of the PCR container 51b is performed. Specifically, the control device 20 controls the temperature control unit 41 to maintain the liquid temperature in the PCR container 51b at 42°C for 10 minutes to generate a reverse blotting reaction, and then maintains the liquid temperature in the PCR container 51b at 95°C for 1 minute to activate the enzyme.

[0089] Subsequently, the control device 20 controls the temperature control unit 41 to perform an amplification process in which the liquid temperature in the PCR container 51b is maintained at 95°C for 5 seconds, and then maintained at 60°C for 30 seconds to amplify the gene. Furthermore, the amplification process is performed for 45 cycles.

[0090] In the next step S6, three-wavelength fluorescence detection is performed. Specifically, the control device 20 controls the temperature control unit 41 and the optical unit 11 to perform three-wavelength fluorescence detection on the liquid in the PCR container 51b while maintaining the liquid temperature at 60°C after amplification. Furthermore, three-wavelength fluorescence detection is performed each time an amplification process is performed. The results of the three-wavelength fluorescence detection (the results of analysis performed by the analysis device 2) are displayed on the display of the terminal 3.

[0091] <Opening and closing the container> In each of the analytical processing steps S1 to S6, whenever liquid is collected from or dispensed into each container 50, the caps of each container 50 are opened and closed. As described, the analytical apparatus 2 of this embodiment includes an opening / closing unit 14 with an opening / closing mechanism that automatically opens / closes the caps of each container 50 by contacting the caps of the containers 50. The control device 20 controls the opening / closing unit 14 so that the caps of each container 50 are automatically opened / closed when opening and closing are required in each of the steps S1 to S6.

[0092] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the opening / closing mechanism included in the opening / closing unit 14. Furthermore, in Figure 7 In addition to showing the opening / closing unit 14, the PCR container 51 held in the temperature control section 41 of the holding device 40 is also shown.

[0093] The PCR container 51 is a resin molded product in which the cap LID and the container body B are connected as one piece via a hinge L1. Furthermore, Figure 7 Although not shown, reagent container 52 is a universal container with the same shape and size as PCR container 51. Like PCR container 51, it is a resin molded product in which the lid LID and the container body B are connected by the hinge L1 to form an integral part.

[0094] The lid LID is configured to open / close relative to the opening of the container body B. The hinge L1 is formed by pre-bending the portion of the lid LID that connects to the container body B in the closed state. Thus, the hinge L1 functions as a hinge when the lid LID is opened / closed.

[0095] A flange L2 for opening / closing the lid LID is provided at the front end of the lid LID. When the PCR container 51 is in the closed state and held in the temperature control section 41 of the holding device 40, and the axis along the direction from the hinge section L1 toward the flange section L2 is set as the "L axis", each PCR container 51 is held in the holding device 40 with the L axis tilted relative to the X axis and Y axis.

[0096] The opening / closing unit 14 includes a motor M, a belt BL, a pulley P, and a rotating member 15. The rotating member 15 is fixed to the rotation axis of the pulley P. Driven by the motor M, the pulley P is rotated via the belt BL, thereby arbitrarily adjusting the rotation angle of the rotating member 15. The rotation axis of the rotating member 15 is orthogonal to the L-axis.

[0097] The opposing positions of the rotating component 15 and each PCR container 51 in the XY axis direction (horizontal direction) can be adjusted by the control device 20 by controlling the moving device 4 and the moving device 5.

[0098] The rotating member 15 has a protrusion 15a, a protrusion 15b, and ends 15c and 15d. The protrusion 15a is formed in an L-shape so as to be hooked onto the flange L2 of the cover portion LID. The protrusion 15b is configured such that, when the protrusion 15a is hooked onto the flange L2 of the cover portion LID (the front end of the protrusion 15a abuts against the lower surface of the flange L2 of the cover portion LID), it abuts against the upper surface of the hinge portion L1 of the cover portion LID (see below). Figure 8 ).

[0099] Figure 8 This diagram schematically illustrates the movement of the rotating component 15 and the PCR container 51 during the opening action (the action of opening the lid LID of the PCR container 51). Figure 8 In the diagram, the horizontal axis represents the position in the L-axis direction, and the vertical axis represents the time. Furthermore, the position in the L-axis direction is represented by the position of the rotation axis P0 of the rotating member 15 as the origin (0).

[0100] At time t0, firstly, the control device 20 adjusts the rotation angle of the rotating member 15 while moving the rotating member 15 relative to the PCR container 51 in the direction along the rotation axis P0, with the front end of the protrusion 15a of the rotating member 15 located directly below the flange L2 of the cover LID and the front end of the protrusion 15b of the rotating member 15 located directly above the hinge L1 of the cover LID.

[0101] At a subsequent time t1, the protrusions 15a and 15b of the rotating member 15 are positioned on the lid LID of the PCR container 51. Specifically, the control device 20 rotates the rotating member 15 clockwise from the state at time t0, causing the front end of the protrusion 15a of the rotating member 15 to abut against the lower surface of the flange L2 of the lid LID, and causing the protrusion 15b of the rotating member 15 to abut against the upper surface of the hinge L1 of the lid LID. Furthermore, the following explanation will assume that the rotation angle θ1 of the rotating member 15 at time t1 is 0°, and the clockwise rotation angle is positive.

[0102] At a subsequent moment t2, the control device 20 rotates the rotating member 15 clockwise (in the direction in which the protrusion 15a lifts the flange L2 of the cover LID) and sets the rotation angle of the rotating member 15 to a predetermined angle θ2 (θ2 > θ1). At this time, as the rotating member 15 rotates, the protrusion 15a lifts the flange L2 of the cover LID, causing the cover LID to shift in the opening direction. On the other hand, the protrusion 15b acts as a stopper pressing against the hinge L1 of the cover LID. Thus, the cover LID can be opened while preventing the temperature control section 41 of the PCR container 51 self-holding device 40 from lifting.

[0103] Furthermore, the control device 20 controls the moving device 4 and the moving device 5 in such a way that it is linked to the rotation drive of the rotating member 15, and the position of the PCR container 51 moves a predetermined distance ΔL2 relative to its position at time t1 in the L-axis direction. Therefore, even if the protrusion 15a is displaced in the positive L-axis direction along with the clockwise rotation of the rotating member 15, the flange portion L2 of the cover portion LID is also displaced in the positive L-axis direction, thus preventing the protrusion 15a from detaching from the flange portion L2.

[0104] At time t3, the control device 20 further rotates the rotating member 15 clockwise, setting the rotation angle of the rotating member 15 to a predetermined angle θ3 (θ2 < θ3 < 90°). At this time, the control device 20 also controls the moving device 4 and the moving device 5 in a manner that is linked to the rotation drive of the rotating member 15, and the position of the PCR container 51 moves a predetermined distance ΔL3 relative to its position at time t2 in the L-axis direction. As a result, the protrusion 15a can be prevented from detaching from the flange portion L2.

[0105] At time t4, the control device 20 controls the moving device 4 and the moving device 5 such that the position of the PCR container 51 moves a predetermined distance ΔL4 relative to its position at time t3 along the L-axis. This allows the lid LID to open wider, setting the opening angle of the lid LID (the angle between the opening surface of the container body B and the lid LID) to a value greater than 90°. Furthermore, the control device 20 maintains the rotation angle of the rotating member 15 at the same predetermined angle θ3 as at time t3. This prevents the protrusion 15a from further upward displacement due to the further clockwise rotation of the rotating member 15, thus preventing the protrusion 15a from detaching from the flange L2.

[0106] At time t5, the control device 20 rotates the rotating member 15 counterclockwise (in the direction where the protrusion 15a presses down on the flange L2 of the cover LID) and sets the rotation angle of the rotating member 15 to a predetermined angle θ4 (0° < θ4 < θ3). At this time, the control device 20 controls the moving device 4 and the moving device 5 in such a way that the position of the PCR container 51 moves relative to its position at time t4 along the L-axis by a predetermined distance ΔL5, in conjunction with the rotation drive of the rotating member 15. As a result, the opening of the cover LID can be set to a larger value than the opening at time t4 (close to 180°). In this way, by increasing the opening of the cover LID, the hinge portion L1, which is bent in the closed state, can be sufficiently extended, so that when the rotating member 15 is removed from the cover LID, the cover LID can be prevented from returning too much in the closed direction (the opening of the cover LID is less than 90°).

[0107] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing procedure when the control device 20 performs the opening action of the container 50 (PCR container 51 or reagent container 52). The flowchart describes the timing for opening each container 50 in each step S1 to S6 of the analytical processing.

[0108] First, the control device 20 places the protrusions 15a and 15b of the rotating member 15 on the lid LID of the container 50 (step S10). Specifically, as described above, the control device 20 controls the opening / closing unit 14 and the moving device 4 and the moving device 5 in such a way that the front end of the protrusion 15a of the rotating member 15 abuts against the lower surface of the flange L2 of the lid LID, and the protrusion 15b of the rotating member 15 abuts against the upper surface of the hinge L1 of the lid LID.

[0109] Subsequently, the control device 20 operates in the manner described above. Figure 8 The predetermined procedure described herein drives the rotation of the rotating member 15 to control the opening / closing unit 14 (step S12).

[0110] Subsequently, the control device 20 is linked to the rotation drive of the rotating component 15 in the following manner, according to the... Figure 8 The predetermined procedure described herein controls the moving device 4 and the moving device 5 in such a way that the container 50 moves relative to each other in the L-axis direction (step S14).

[0111] Thus, the analysis device 2 of this embodiment includes a cap-opening device that can open commercially available, universal containers, such as PCR containers 51 or reagent containers 52, without relying on manual operation by the operator. The cap-opening device includes a holding device 40 for holding the container body B, an opening / closing unit 14, a moving device 4, a moving device 5, and a control device 20.

[0112] The opening / closing unit 14 includes: a rotating member 15 having protrusions 15a (first protrusion) and 15b (second protrusion) capable of contacting the lid LID of the container; and a motor M (drive device) to rotate the rotating member 15. The rotating member 15 rotates with the protrusions 15a and 15b in contact with the lid LID in a closed state, thereby applying an opening force to the lid LID. Moving devices 4 and 5 move at least one of the holding device 40 and the rotating member 15 relative to the other.

[0113] The control device 20 controls the opening / closing unit 14 and the moving devices 4 and 5 to keep the lid LID of the container open. Specifically, the moving devices 4 and 5 are controlled to move the container 50 horizontally in the L-axis direction (from the hinge L1 towards the flange L2) in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating member 15 of the opening / closing unit 14. This allows for the proper opening of a commercially available, universal container without relying on manual operation by the operator.

[0114] In addition, the analysis device 2 of this embodiment can also perform the closing action of the container 50 (the action of closing the lid LID of the container 50).

[0115] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing procedure when the control device 20 performs the closing action of the container 50. The flowchart is executed for each container 50 at the timing required during each step S1 to S6 of the analysis and processing.

[0116] First, the control device 20 places the end 15d of the rotating member 15 on the lid LID of the container 50 (step S20). Specifically, the control device 20 controls the opening / closing unit 14 and the moving device 4 and the moving device 5 in such a way that the end 15d of the rotating member 15 abuts against the center of the upper surface of the lid LID in the open state.

[0117] Subsequently, the control device 20 controls the opening / closing unit 14 by rotating the rotating member 15 in the closing direction (the direction of the cover LID closing) according to a predetermined program (step S22).

[0118] Subsequently, the control device 20 controls the moving device 4 and the moving device 5 in such a way that it is linked to the rotation drive of the rotating member 15, causing the container 50 to move relative to each other in the L-axis direction (step S24). For example, when the end 15d of the rotating member 15 is displaced in the positive L-axis direction by rotating the rotating member 15, the container 50 moves relative to each other in the L-axis direction in coordination with the displacement of the end 15d, thereby preventing the end 15d of the rotating member 15 from shifting away from the center of the upper surface of the lid LID. As a result, the lid-closing action of the container 50 can be performed appropriately.

[0119] In addition, Figure 8 If the lid LID of container 50 is closed after the state shown at time t5, the control device 20 may also perform the following closing action.

[0120] First, the control device 20 causes the PCR container 51 to automatically... Figure 8 The state shown at time t5 indicates a further movement towards the positive L-axis ( Figure 8 The lid LID moves relative to the left, causing the self-rotating member 15 of the lid LID to be released. As a result, the lid LID returns to the closing direction by the elastic force of the hinge L1, becoming a state that is approximately perpendicular to the opening surface of the container body B (the opening degree of the lid LID is approximately 90°).

[0121] Then, the control device 20 rotates the rotating member 15 so that the end 15d of the rotating member 15 protrudes downward (located below the protrusions 15a, 15b, and end 15c). Then, the control device 20 moves the PCR container 51, with the lid LID in a substantially vertical position, toward the end 15d of the rotating member 15. Figure 8 The lid moves to the right relative to the end 15d, which is in a downward protruding state. As a result, the lid LID collides with the end 15d, which is in a downward protruding state, and is pressed downward to close. This lid-closing action can be performed.

[0122] As described above, the analysis device 2 of this embodiment can automatically open and close commercially available, universal containers without relying on manual operation by the operator. Furthermore, the analysis device 2 of this embodiment performs PCR-based gene analysis fully automatically, including the collection and dispensing of samples and reagents. Therefore, the operator does not need to perform container opening / closing operations or sample and reagent collection and dispensing operations, thus reducing analytical errors caused by contamination and enabling rapid analysis. In addition, since no skilled operator is required, even small and medium-sized hospitals, clinics, and other medical institutions where PCR testing is less frequently performed can easily and quickly conduct PCR testing.

[0123] <Structure of Irradiation Unit 16> During the quenching and heating process in step S3 of the analytical processing, the lid of the PCR container 51b is closed. In the reagent addition process in step S4 following the quenching and heating process, the rotating member 15 is rotated with its protrusion 15a hooked onto the flange L2 of the lid LID, thereby opening the PCR container 51b. During this opening, droplets from the sample inside the PCR container 51b are generated. These droplets, if adhering to the protrusion 15a of the rotating member 15, may contaminate the next sample.

[0124] As a countermeasure, the analysis device 2 of this embodiment includes an irradiation unit 16, which prevents contamination by irradiating the periphery of the protrusion 15a of the opening / closing unit 14 with UV light (ultraviolet light).

[0125] Figure 11 This is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the irradiation unit 16. Figure 11 The irradiation unit 16 shown includes a UV light source unit 17, which generates UV light (ultraviolet light) and directly irradiates the periphery of the protrusion 15a of the open / close unit 14.

[0126] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing a modified example of the structure of the irradiation unit 16. Figure 12 The irradiation unit 16A shown includes: a UV light source substrate 18 having a light-emitting diode that generates UV light; and lenses 19a and 19b that focus the UV light generated by the UV light source substrate 18 and irradiate the periphery of the protrusion 15a of the on / off unit 14.

[0127] The control device 20 controls the irradiation unit 16 and the moving device 4 and the moving device 5 in such a way that, in each step S1 to S6 of the analysis and processing, after at least one of the protrusions 15a and 15b of the rotating member 15 comes into contact with the lid LID of the container 50 containing the sample, UV light is irradiated onto part or all of the protrusion in contact with the lid LID. Therefore, even if droplets of the sample adhere to the protrusions 15a and 15b of the rotating member 15, the virus in the sample adhering to the protrusions 15a and 15b can be sterilized or its genes inactivated beforehand by UV light, thus preventing contamination of the next sample.

[0128] <A variation of the open / close unit 14> Figure 13 This is a diagram showing a modified example of the structure of the open / close unit 14. Figure 13The shown opening / closing unit 14A includes a motor MA and a rotating component 15A. The rotating component 15A is fixed to the rotation shaft P0 of the motor MA. The rotation angle of the rotating component 15A can be arbitrarily adjusted by driving the motor MA.

[0129] The rotating member 15A has two protrusions 15Aa and 15Ab extending in a direction orthogonal to the L-axis. The protrusion 15Aa is located further away from the rotation axis P0 than the protrusion 15Ab. The protrusions 15Aa and 15Ab of the rotating member 15A correspond to the protrusions 15a and 15b of the rotating member 15, respectively.

[0130] Figure 14 This diagram illustrates the state in which the protrusions 15Aa and 15Ab of the rotating member 15A are positioned on the lid LID of the PCR container 51 during the opening action. Figure 14 As shown, the PCR container 51 is configured such that, during the opening action, the front end of the protrusion 15Aa of the rotating member 15A abuts against the lower surface of the flange L2 of the cover LID, and the protrusion 15Ab of the rotating member 15A abuts against the upper surface of the hinge L1 of the cover LID. In this state, by rotating the rotating member 15A in the opening direction (the direction in which the protrusion 15Aa lifts the flange L2 of the cover LID), the protrusion 15Aa lifts the flange L2 of the cover LID, causing the cover LID to shift in the opening direction. On the other hand, the protrusion 15Ab acts as a stopper pressing against the hinge L1 of the cover LID. Thus, similar to the rotating member 15, the cover LID can be opened without the PCR container 51 itself lifting off the holding device 40.

[0131] Furthermore, in conjunction with the rotation drive of the rotating member 15A, the position of the PCR container 51 is moved relative to the L-axis. Thus, even if the protrusion 15Aa is displaced along with the rotation of the rotating member 15A, the displacement of the protrusion 15Aa can also cause the flange portion L2 of the cover portion LID to be displaced in the positive direction of the L-axis, thereby preventing the protrusion 15Aa from detaching from the flange portion L2.

[0132] Figure 15 This diagram shows the state in which the lid LID of the PCR container 51 is closed using the protrusion 15Ab of the rotating member 15A. During the closing action of the PCR container 51, with the protrusion 15Ab of the rotating member 15A abutting near the center of the upper surface of the lid LID, the rotating member 15A is rotated in the closing direction, thereby opening the lid LID.

[0133] Furthermore, in conjunction with the rotation drive of the rotating member 15A, the PCR container 51 moves relative to the L-axis, thereby preventing the protrusion 15Ab of the rotating member 15A from shifting away from the center of the upper surface of the cover LID. This allows for the appropriate closing action of the PCR container 51.

[0134] Alternatively, the protrusion 15Aa of the rotating member 15A, instead of the protrusion 15Ab, can be used to close the container 50.

[0135] Figure 16 This diagram shows the state in which the lid LID of the PCR container 51 is closed using the protrusion 15Aa of the rotating member 15A. During the closing action of the PCR container 51, with the protrusion 15Ab of the rotating member 15A abutting near the center of the upper surface of the lid LID, the rotating member 15A is rotated in the closing direction, thereby opening the lid LID.

[0136] Furthermore, in conjunction with the rotation drive of the rotating member 15A, the PCR container 51 moves relative to the L-axis, thereby preventing the protrusion 15Ab of the rotating member 15A from shifting away from the center of the upper surface of the cover LID. This allows for the appropriate closing action of the PCR container 51.

[0137] <Reagent Kit> The following describes the kit provided as a group of four reagent containers 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d. The PCR tubes used in reagent container 52 are commercially available in a configuration of eight containers connected together.

[0138] Figure 17 This is a diagram showing the appearance of a commercially available eight-tube PCR tube. (Example) Figure 17 As shown, there are commercially available PCR tubes in which eight containers are connected in a one-dimensional manner.

[0139] In this embodiment, the eight-tube retail tubing is cut in the middle, dividing it into two groups of four-tube tubing. Additionally, for one end of the retail tubing (at... Figure 17 The gripping part (located at the left end) is also unnecessary, so it is cut.

[0140] Then, by sealing the required amounts of sample processing solution, reaction solution, primer / probe solution, and enzyme solution into the four containers of the four-tube strip, four reagent containers 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d are generated and provided as a kit.

[0141] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of the reagent kit. For example... Figure 18As shown, in the kit, four reagent containers 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d are provided in a one-dimensional, adjacent arrangement, bound together by a binding material 55. The lids of all four reagent containers 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d are closed. Furthermore, the binding material 55 can be a paper box or a resin bag.

[0142] By using this reagent kit, the operator can efficiently begin the analysis process. That is, instead of placing the separate reagent containers 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d in the holding device 40, the reagent containers 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d, which are connected in a one-dimensional shape, are removed from the binding material 55 and placed in the holding device 40, thereby completing the setup of the reagent container 52.

[0143] In addition, as other consumables, the four-piece PCR container 51 and the dispensing chip 53 (long chip 53a and short chip 53b) can also be sold together.

[0144] <Control of the opening angle of the lid LID> In the Figure 8 After the opening action is completed, when the protrusion 15a of the rotating member 15 moves away from the lid LID, the constraint of the rotating member 15 on the lid LID disappears, so the lid LID returns in the closing direction and then comes to rest. If the opening angle of the lid LID after returning in the closing direction after the opening action (hereinafter also referred to as the "opening angle after the opening action") is too small, there is a concern that the dispensing chip 53 may interfere with the lid LID of the container 50 during subsequent dispensing into the container 50. On the other hand, if the opening angle after the opening action is too large, there is a concern that other components (such as the contact lever sensor for confirming opening and closing, or the opener) may interfere with the lid LID of the container 50. Therefore, it is desirable that the opening angle after the opening action is the optimal opening angle (approximately 90°) that avoids interference between the lid LID and other parts (such as the dispensing chip 53, the contact lever sensor, and the opener).

[0145] As described Figure 6As shown, in the analysis process performed by the analysis device 2, the PCR container 51b is heated in step S3. Since step S3 is performed with the lid LID closed, after heating in step S3, the lid LID is more suited to the closed state compared to before heating in step S3. Due to this effect, after heating in step S3, the amount of return of the lid LID to the closing direction when the constraint of the rotating member 15 disappears after the opening action is greater than before heating in step S3. Based on this situation, it is also possible to set the opening angle at the end of the opening action to be large in a way that the opening angle after the opening action is completed after heating in step S3 is the optimal opening angle (approximately 90°). However, in this case, the amount of return of the lid LID to the closing direction is small before heating in step S3, so the opening angle after the opening action is completed is greater than approximately 90°, which raises concerns about the possibility of interference with other parts.

[0146] Therefore, the control device 20 sets the opening angle at the end of the opening action before heating in process 3 and the opening angle at the end of the opening action after heating in process 3 to different values. Specifically, when the opening action is performed before heating in process 3, the control device 20 controls the opening / closing unit 14 and the moving device 4 and the moving device 5 in such a way that the opening angle at the end of the opening action is a first angle α. On the other hand, when the opening action is performed after heating in process 3, the control device 20 controls the opening / closing unit 14 and the moving device 4 and the moving device 5 in such a way that the opening angle at the end of the opening action is a second angle β, which is larger than the first angle α. Thus, in both the process before and after heating in process 3, the opening angle after the opening action can be set to the optimal opening degree to avoid interference between the lid LID and other parts such as the dispensing chip 53.

[0147] Figure 19 This diagram schematically illustrates the state of the rotating component 15 and the PCR container 51 at the moment the capping action ends before heating in step 3. Before heating in step 3, given that the amount of return of the cap LID to the closing direction after the capping action is small, such as... Figure 19 As shown, the opening angle at the end of the opening action is suppressed to a relatively small first angle α (e.g., around 120°). Therefore, compared to the case where the opening angle after the opening action is greater than the first angle α (e.g., around 160°), the excessively large opening angle after the opening action can be suppressed, resulting in an optimal opening angle (approximately 90°). This easily prevents interference between the lid LID and other parts during subsequent processing.

[0148] Figure 20This diagram schematically illustrates the state of the rotating component 15 and the PCR container 51 at the moment the capping action ends after heating in step 3. After heating in step 3, given the significant return of the cap LID to the closing direction after the capping action, the capping angle at the moment the capping action ends is set to a second angle β (e.g., approximately 160°) that is greater than the first angle α. Therefore, compared to setting the capping angle at the moment the capping action ends to the first angle α (e.g., approximately 120°), the excessively small capping angle after the action is suppressed, resulting in an optimal opening (approximately 90°). This easily prevents interference between the cap LID and other components during subsequent processing.

[0149] <Distribution action performed by distribution chip 53> By controlling the opening angle as described above, the opening angle after the opening action is completed can be set to an optimal opening degree (approximately 90°) that avoids interference between the lid LID and other parts. However, considering the individual differences of container 51, it is also conceivable that the opening angle after the opening action is completed is less than the optimal opening degree (approximately 90°).

[0150] In view of the above situation, when dispensing into container 50, control device 20 controls moving device 4 and moving device 5 in such a way that dispensing chip 53 moves horizontally from the flange L2 side (front end side) of the cover LID of container 50 toward the hinge L2 side (base end side).

[0151] Figure 21 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the movement of the short chip 53b relative to the PCR container 51 during dispensing using the short chip 53b into the PCR container 51. (See diagram for example.) Figure 21 As shown, when dispensing into the PCR container 51, the control device 20 controls the moving device 4 and the moving device 5 in such a way that the vertical position of the front end of the dispensing chip 53 is aligned with the vertical position of the lid LID of the PCR container 51, and the dispensing chip 53 moves horizontally from the flange L2 side (front end side) towards the hinge L2 side (base end side) of the lid LID of the PCR container 51. Therefore, even when the opening angle is small after the opening action is completed and the lid LID is partially closed, the short chip 53b can be brought into contact with the lid LID by the horizontal movement of the short chip 53b, thus opening the lid LID. Therefore, the short chip 53b can then be inserted into the PCR container 51.

[0152] <Troubleshooting for Poor Container Closure> A protrusion L3 is provided on the back of the lid LID of container 50 (see description below). Figure 22(etc.). By inserting and fitting the protrusion L3 into the container body B, the container 50 is closed. In the event that the container 50 cannot be closed properly, imagine that the protrusion L3 of the lid LID interferes with the edge of the opening of the container body B, making it impossible to properly close the container 50.

[0153] Figure 22 This diagram schematically illustrates the closing action of Comparative Example 1. In the closing action of Comparative Example 1, the rotating member 15 is moved horizontally relative to the lid, such that the protrusion 15b of the rotating member 15 contacts the lid LID and approaches the flange L2 side (front end side) of the lid LID. In this closing action, the lid LID is pressed towards the flange L2 side as the rotating member 15 displaces towards the flange L2 side while contacting the lid LID, thus shifting the position of the lid LID relative to the position of the container body B towards the flange L2 side. As a result, the front end of the protrusion L3 of the lid LID interferes with the edge of the opening of the container body B, sometimes preventing the protrusion L3 from engaging with the container body B.

[0154] Figure 23 This diagram schematically illustrates the closing action of Comparative Example 2. In the closing action of Comparative Example 2, the rotating member 15 is rotated so that the protrusion 15a of the rotating member 15 contacts the lid portion LID and approaches the front end of the lid portion LID. In this closing action, similar to Comparative Example 1, the lid portion LID is pressed towards the flange portion L2 side as the rotating member 15 displaces towards the flange portion L2 side while contacting the lid portion LID. Therefore, the position of the lid portion LID is offset towards the flange portion L2 side relative to the position of the container body B. As a result, the front end of the protrusion L3 of the lid portion LID interferes with the edge of the opening of the container body B, and sometimes the protrusion L3 cannot be fitted into the container body B.

[0155] To prevent such poor sealing, the control device 20 of this embodiment performs first opening control and second closing control of different types sequentially when the container 50 is in the open state and then in the closed state. The first opening control and second closing control will be described in detail below.

[0156] (First lid closing control) Figure 24This diagram schematically illustrates the operation based on the first lid-closing control. In the first lid-closing control, starting from the state where the protrusion 15b of the rotating member 15 contacts the position closer to the flange L2 than the center of the upper surface of the lid LID, the rotating member 15 is rotated so that the protrusion 15b contacts the lid LID and simultaneously approaches the hinge L1 side of the lid LID (the side opposite to the flange L2). As a result, the lid LID is pressed towards the hinge L1 side instead of the flange L2 side, thus preventing the position of the lid LID from shifting towards the flange L2 side. Consequently, there is no interference between the protrusion L3 and the container body B, allowing the protrusion L3 to fit properly into the container body B.

[0157] Furthermore, in the first closing control, the portion of the rotating member 15 that contacts the cover portion LID is not necessarily limited to the protrusion 15b. For example, the protrusion 15a or the end portion 15d of the rotating member 15 may also contact the cover portion LID.

[0158] (Second closing control) In the first lid-closing control, it is envisioned that the force pressing the lid LID against the hinge L1 side is applied, and correspondingly, the force pushing the lid LID from above is slightly weakened, causing the lid LID to open slightly. Therefore, in this embodiment, the control device 20 performs the second lid-closing control after executing the first lid-opening control.

[0159] Figure 25 This diagram schematically illustrates the operation based on the second cover-closing control. In the second cover-closing control, the rotating member 15 is rotated such that its end 15d contacts the cover portion LID while simultaneously approaching the flange portion L2 side of the cover portion LID. The cover portion LID can be forcefully pushed from above by the second cover-closing control, thus allowing the cover portion LID to be closed more reliably even if it is slightly open after the first cover-closing control is executed.

[0160] After the first cap closure control is executed, the front end of the protrusion L3 of the cap LID is inserted into the container body B. Therefore, in the second cap closure control, even if the force pressing the cap LID against the flange L2 side is applied, there will be no interference between the protrusion L3 and the container body B, allowing the protrusion L3 to fit properly into the container body B.

[0161] Furthermore, in the second closing control, the portion of the rotating member 15 that contacts the cover portion LID is not necessarily limited to the end 15d. For example, the protrusion 15a or the protrusion 15b of the rotating member 15 may also contact the cover portion LID.

[0162] Furthermore, in the second lid-closing control, it is not necessarily limited to rotating the rotating member 15. For example, by controlling the device that moves the rotating member 15 relative to the container 50 in the vertical direction, the rotating member 15 can also be displaced downward while it is in contact with the lid LID.

[0163] [State / Appearance] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments and their variations are specific examples of the following.

[0164] (First item) A lid-opening device is a container lid-opening device having a container body, a lid, and a hinge connecting the container body and the lid. The lid-opening device includes: a holding device for holding the container body; an opening device having a rotating member and a drive device for rotating the rotating member, the rotating member having a first protrusion and a second protrusion capable of contacting the lid, and applying an opening force to the lid by rotating while at least one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion is in contact with the lid in a closed state; a moving device for moving at least one of the holding device and the rotating member relative to the other; and a control device for controlling the lid to be in an open state by linking the opening device and the moving device.

[0165] With the opening device described in the first item, the rotating member rotates while at least one of the first and second protrusions is in contact with the lid of the container, thereby applying a force in the opening direction to the lid. Furthermore, in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating member, the holding device that holds the container body moves relative to the rotating member. Thus, with the rotation of the rotating member, the positions of the first and second protrusions shift, and correspondingly, the position of the container shifts. Therefore, even if the positions of the first and second protrusions shift with the rotation of the rotating member, it is possible to prevent the first and second protrusions from contacting the lid. As a result, commercially available, universally applicable containers can be opened appropriately without relying on manual operation by the operator.

[0166] (Second item) According to the opening device of the first item, a flange portion is provided at the front end of the lid portion. The control device controls the moving device so that, when the container body is held by the holding device with the lid portion positioned above the container body, the first protrusion of the rotating member contacts the lower surface of the flange portion of the lid portion, and the second protrusion of the rotating member contacts the upper surface of the hinge portion of the lid portion. The opening device is also controlled so that the rotating member rotates in the direction in which the flange portion is displaced upward in the set state.

[0167] With the opening device described in the second item, by rotating the rotating member, the first protrusion displaces the flange of the lid upward, thereby displacing the lid in the opening direction, and the second protrusion acts as a stopper pressing against the hinge portion of the lid. Thus, the lid can be opened while preventing the container's self-holding device from lifting.

[0168] (Third item) According to the opening device of the second item, the control device controls the moving device in such a way that the container moves horizontally from the hinge portion toward the flange portion in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating member.

[0169] With the opening device described in the third item, even if the first protrusion displaces from the hinge portion toward the flange portion along with the rotation of the rotating member, the flange portion of the cover portion can also displace from the hinge portion toward the flange portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the first protrusion from disengaging from the flange portion of the cover portion along with the rotation of the rotating member.

[0170] (Fourth) The opening device according to any one of the first to third claims, wherein the rotating member has an end that is different from the first protrusion and the second protrusion. The end exerts a closing force on the cover by rotating the rotating member in a closing direction while in contact with the open cover.

[0171] By means of the opening device described in the fourth item, the rotating member is rotated in the closing direction while the end of the rotating member is in contact with the cover, thereby closing the cover.

[0172] (Fifth) The opening device according to any one of the first to third claims, wherein at least one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion of the rotating member applies a closing force to the cover by rotating the rotating member in a closing direction while in contact with the cover in the open state.

[0173] By means of the opening device described in the fifth item, the rotating member is rotated in the closing direction while at least one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion of the rotating member is in contact with the cover, thereby closing the cover.

[0174] (Sixth) The opening device according to any one of the first to fifth claims, wherein the holding device has an arrangement surface for arranging a plurality of containers in a two-dimensional manner. The moving device is configured to enable at least one of the holding device and the rotating member to move relative to the other in a two-dimensional manner along the arrangement surface.

[0175] The opening device described in item 6 allows for the appropriate opening of multiple containers arranged in a two-dimensional pattern on the arrangement surface of the holding device.

[0176] (Seventh) The opening device according to any one of the first to sixth items further includes an irradiation device that irradiates a portion or all of the first protrusion and the second protrusion of the rotating member with ultraviolet light.

[0177] The opening device described in item 7 can be used to sterilize viruses attached to the first or second protrusion by using ultraviolet light irradiated by the irradiation device, or to inactivate genes attached to the first or second protrusion by using ultraviolet light irradiated by the irradiation device.

[0178] (Eighth) The opening device according to the seventh item, wherein the control device controls the irradiation device in such a way that after at least one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion comes into contact with the lid of the container containing the sample, a portion or all of the protrusion in contact with the lid is irradiated with ultraviolet light.

[0179] With the opening device described in item 8, even if viruses or samples adhere to the container due to contact between the first or second protrusion and the lid containing the sample, the viruses or samples will be sterilized or inactivated by ultraviolet light irradiated by the irradiation device. Therefore, viruses or genes attached to the first or second protrusion can be prevented from contaminating the next sample.

[0180] (Ninth) The lid-opening device according to any one of the first to eighth claims, wherein the holding device has the function of heating the container. When the lid is in an open state before heating using the holding device, the control device controls the opening device and the moving device such that the opening degree of the lid is a first angle; when the lid is in an open state after heating using the holding device, the control device controls the opening device and the moving device such that the opening degree of the lid is a second angle larger than the first angle.

[0181] With the lid-opening device described in item 9, the opening degree of the lid after the lid-opening action is completed can be set to an optimal opening degree that avoids interference with other parts, both before and after the container is heated.

[0182] (Item 10) An analytical apparatus for a single sample includes a capping device according to any one of items 1 to 9; and a dispensing device for dispensing reagent into a container opened by the capping device.

[0183] The analytical apparatus described in item 10 allows for the opening of containers and the dispensing of reagents into opened containers without relying on manual operation by the operator.

[0184] (Eleventh) The analytical apparatus according to the tenth claim further includes a chip for dispensing liquid into the container. The dispensing device includes a nozzle configured to allow the chip to be attached and detached. When dispensing liquid into the container via the chip mounted on the nozzle, the control device controls the moving device to move the chip horizontally from the front end side of the cap toward the hinge side.

[0185] With the analytical apparatus described in item eleven, even when the container lid is about to be closed, the horizontal movement of the chip can open the lid. Therefore, the chip can then be inserted into the container.

[0186] (Item 12) The analytical apparatus according to Item 10 or Item 11, wherein a polymerase chain reaction is used for gene analysis.

[0187] With the analytical apparatus described in item 12, in gene analysis using polymerase chain reaction, the container can be opened and reagents dispensed into the container without relying on manual operation by the operator.

[0188] (Item 13) A single-state closure device is a closure device for a container having a container body, a lid, and a hinge connecting the container body and the lid. The closure device includes: a holding device for holding the container body; a closing device having a rotating member and a drive device for rotating the rotating member, the rotating member applying a closing force to the lid by rotating while in contact with the lid in an open state; and a control device for controlling the closing device. When the lid is set from an open state to a closed state, the control device performs a first closure control, which applies a closing force to the lid by rotating the rotating member while it is in contact with the lid and approaching the hinge.

[0189] With the closure device described in item thirteen, the lid is pressed towards the hinge side rather than the front end side using the first closure control, thus suppressing the position of the lid from shifting towards the front end side relative to the container body. As a result, the lid and the container body do not interfere with each other, and the lid can be closed appropriately.

[0190] (Fourteenth) The closure device for the container according to the thirteenth claim further includes a moving device that moves at least one of the holding device and the rotating member relative to the other. After performing a first closure control, the control device performs a second closure control, the second closure control controlling at least one of the closing device and the moving device such that the rotating member applies a closing force to the lid while a portion of the rotating member is in contact with the lid.

[0191] With the closing device described in item fourteen, even if the cover is slightly opened after the first closing control is performed, the cover can be closed more reliably by the second closing control.

[0192] (Item 15) A single-state reagent kit includes: multiple containers; and binding material for binding the multiple containers. Each of the multiple containers has: a container body; and a cap connected to the container body via a hinge and capable of being opened / closed relative to the container body. The multiple containers are arranged in a one-dimensional manner, with adjacent containers connected to each other, the caps closed, and provided in a state in which reagents are placed in each container body.

[0193] The reagent kit described in item 15 allows for reagent container setup by simply placing multiple containers connected in a one-dimensional manner within the holding device, instead of separately placing each container into the holding device. This results in increased efficiency in reagent container setup relative to the analytical apparatus.

[0194] It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed herein are exemplary in all respects and not limiting. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than the description of the embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0195] [Explanation of Symbols] 1: Analysis System 2: Analytical apparatus 3: Terminal 4, 5: Mobile devices 10: Inspection device 11: Optical Unit 12: Sub-unit 13: Syringe 13a: Nozzle 14, 14A: Turn on / off unit 15, 15A: Rotating components 15a, 15b, 15Aa, 15Ab: Protrusions 15c, 15d: End 16, 16A: Irradiation unit 17: UV light source unit 18: UV light source substrate 19a, 19b: Lenses 20: Control device 30: Temperature control device 40: Holding device 41: Temperature Control Section 42: Maintaining section 43: Chip Waste Department 50: Container 51, 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d: PCR containers 52, 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d: Reagent containers 53: Chip 53a: Long chip 53b: Short chip 54: Sample container 55: Bundling Material B: Container body BL: with L1: Hinge section L2: Flange portion L3: convex part LID: Cover M, MA: Motor P: Pulley P0: Rotation axis.

Claims

1. A container closing device, comprising a container body, a lid, and a hinge portion connecting the container body and the lid, the container closing device comprising: A retaining device is used to hold the container body. The closing device has a rotating member and a drive device for rotating the rotating member. The rotating member applies a closing force to the cover by rotating in a state in contact with the cover in an open state. It also has a first protrusion, a second protrusion, and an end that is different from the first protrusion and the second protrusion. as well as The control device controls the closing device. When the cover is set from an open state to a closed state, the control device sequentially performs the first cover-closing control and the second cover-closing control. The first closing control applies a closing force to the cover by rotating the rotating member such that any one of the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the end of the rotating member contacts the flange portion located at the front end of the cover closer to the hinge portion than the center of the upper surface of the cover portion. The second closing control involves rotating the rotating member so that it approaches the flange side while any one of the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the end is in contact with the cover, thereby applying a closing force to the cover.

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