Display method, program, and electrophoresis system

Abstract

To provide a display method and an electrophoresis system which reduce a user's burden of preparation of a reagent when making an electrophoresis device execute electrophoresis processing.SOLUTION: An electrophoresis system includes an electrophoresis device, a control device for controlling the electrophoresis device, and a display device. The control device includes a calculation part and an interface. The calculation part calculates a requirement of a reagent required for electrophoresis processing on the basis of electrophoresis processing information acquired via the interface, calculates a preparation amount which is more than the requirement and in round numbers on the basis of the requirement, and makes the display device display the preparation amount.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display method, a program, and an electrophoresis system, and more particularly to the display of a reagent used in an electrophoresis apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] When causing the electrophoresis apparatus to perform an electrophoresis process, the user needs to prepare a reagent in an amount required for the electrophoresis process.

[0003] Regarding the display of information related to the amount of reagent in an electrophoresis device, JP 2007-171216 A (Patent Document 1) discloses a technique in which an electrophoresis device measures the amount of reagent contained in the electrophoresis device, and displays a warning to a user if the amount of reagent contained in the electrophoresis device is insufficient to perform electrophoresis processing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-171216 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, when causing the electrophoretic device to perform an electrophoretic process, the user calculates a preparation amount based on the amount of reagent required for the electrophoretic process, and causes the electrophoretic device to accommodate the calculated preparation amount of reagent.

[0006] The preparation amount calculated based on the necessary amount of a reagent may be an amount that is difficult to prepare, and the user may feel that preparing the preparation amount of a reagent is troublesome.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has as its object to reduce the burden on a user in preparing a reagent when causing an electrophoresis apparatus to perform an electrophoresis process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A first aspect of the present disclosure is a method for displaying an amount of reagent prepared by a user in an electrophoresis device, comprising the steps of acquiring information about an electrophoresis process performed by the electrophoresis device, calculating a required amount of reagent for the electrophoresis process based on the information about the electrophoresis process, calculating a preparation amount that is greater than the required amount and is a convenient round number based on the required amount, and displaying the preparation amount.

[0009] A second aspect of the present disclosure is an electrophoresis system comprising an electrophoresis mechanism, a control device for controlling the electrophoresis mechanism, and a display device. The control device includes a calculation unit and an interface. The calculation unit calculates a required amount of a reagent required for the electrophoresis process based on electrophoresis process information acquired via the interface, calculates a preparation amount that is larger than the required amount and is rounded off based on the required amount, and displays the preparation amount on the display device. Effect of the Invention

[0010] The display method and electrophoresis apparatus according to the present disclosure can reduce the burden on the user in preparing reagents. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an electrophoresis system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall hardware configuration of an electrophoresis system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a dispensing probe unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for the preparation amount of a reagent. [Diagram 5]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen showing the preparation amount of each of two components constituting a reagent. [Figure 6] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a required amount display screen when the amount of reagent contained in the electrophoresis apparatus is equal to or greater than the required amount. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a warning display screen when the amount of reagent contained in the electrophoresis apparatus is less than the required amount. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a display process of the control device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and their description will not be repeated.

[0013] [Overall configuration of the display system] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic overall configuration of an electrophoresis system 300 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the electrophoresis system 300 includes a control device 10, a display device 20, an input device 30, and an electrophoresis device 100. The control device 10 may be incorporated in the electrophoresis device 100. The control device 10, the display device 20, and the input device 30 may be incorporated in the electrophoresis device 100. For example, a personal computer or the like can be used as the control device 10.

[0014] The electrophoresis apparatus 100 includes a microchip holder 110, a dispensing probe unit 120, a reagent holder 130, a sample holder 140, a pressure suction unit 150, and a driving device 200. The electrophoresis apparatus 100 is communicatively connected to the control device 10. After placing a sample on a specific support, the electrophoresis apparatus 100 applies a voltage to the sample to separate components contained in the sample according to their chain length. The support is, for example, a gel or a membrane.

[0015] In FIG. 1, the dispensing probe section 120 and the pressure suction section 150 are disposed on one side of the Z axis (upper side in FIG. 1) relative to the microchip holder 110, the reagent holder 130, and the sample holder 140.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of each component of the electrophoresis system 300. Next, the configurations of the electrophoresis device 100, the control device 10, the display device 20, and the input device 30 will be described with further reference to Fig. 2.

[0017] [Configuration of electrophoresis device] The electrophoresis apparatus 100 further includes a pump unit 160 , a controller 170 , a measurement unit 180 , and a power supply unit 190 .

[0018] The microchip holder 110 holds a microchip. The microchip holder 110 is realized by a recess formed on a horizontal plane (XY plane in FIG. 1) inside the electrophoresis device 100. An electrophoresis flow path for separating samples is formed in the microchip. The microchip may be configured so that it can be used repeatedly by being washed. The microchip may be a disposable type that is discarded after one use.

[0019] The dispensing probe section 120 includes a dispensing probe 121, a liquid level detection section 122, and a syringe pump 123. The dispensing probe section 120 is connected to a driving device 200. The dispensing probe section 120 dispenses a reagent and a sample into the microchip. The configuration of the dispensing probe section 120 will be described later.

[0020] The dispensing probe unit 120 can be moved horizontally (along the XY plane in Figure 1) and vertically (in the Z-axis direction in Figure 1) by the driving device 200, and performs the following functions: ejecting reagent and sample from the microchip held in the microchip holding unit 110, aspirating the reagent held in the reagent holding unit 130, and aspirating the sample held in the sample holding unit 140.

[0021] The reagent holding unit 130 holds a reagent. The reagent is, for example, a separation buffer, a marker solution, a pre-preparation separation buffer, a fluorescent dye solution, a washing liquid, a cleaning liquid, or water. The reagent holding unit 130 holds the reagent, for example, by placing a container containing the reagent in a hole formed in the reagent holding unit 130.

[0022] The sample holder 140 holds a sample. The sample is, for example, a protein, a sugar, or a nucleic acid (e.g., RNA (ribonucleic acid) or DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)). The sample holder 140 holds the sample, for example, by placing a container containing the sample in a hole formed in the sample holder 140.

[0023] The pressure suction unit 150 pressurizes and fills the separation buffer into the electrophoresis flow path of the microchip held in the microchip holding unit 110. The pressure suction unit 150 is connected to a driving device 200. The pressure suction unit 150 can be moved in the horizontal direction (direction along the XY plane in FIG. 1) and the vertical direction (Z-axis direction in FIG. 1) by the driving device 200. The pressure suction unit 150 pressurizes and fills the separation buffer into the electrophoresis flow path formed in the microchip held in the microchip holding unit 110 by air pressure.

[0024] The pump section 160 discharges to the outside any liquid that is no longer needed from the microchip held in the microchip holding section 110. The suction port of the pump section is connected to the tip of the electrophoresis flow path of the microchip.

[0025] The controller 170 comprehensively controls the operations of the dispensing probe section 120, the pressurization and suction section 150, the pump section 160, the measurement section 180, and the power supply section 190. The controller 170 has, as main components, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 171, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 173, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 175, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 172, and a communication I / F (Interface) 174. The components are connected to each other by a data bus.

[0026] ROM 173 can store programs executed by CPU 171. RAM 175 can temporarily store data generated by execution of the programs in CPU 171 and data input via communication I / F 174, and can function as a primary storage device. HDD 172 is a non-volatile storage device, and can store information generated by electrophoresis device 100. Controller 170 may have a semiconductor storage device such as a flash memory instead of or in addition to HDD 172.

[0027] The communication I / F 174 is an interface for communicating with external devices including the control device 10. The communication I / F 174 is realized by, for example, a network adapter. The communication method may be wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), or may be wired communication using USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like.

[0028] The measurement unit 180 includes an LED (Liquid Emitting Diode), an optical fiber, a filter, and a photomultiplier tube. The measurement unit 180 is configured to detect a sample that has been electrophoretically separated in an electrophoretic flow path formed in the microchip held in the microchip holding unit 110.

[0029] The method of detecting a sample in the measurement unit 180 is, for example, as follows: The LED irradiates a part of the electrophoresis flow path of the microchip with excitation light. The optical fiber receives fluorescence generated when the samples moving through the electrophoresis flow path are excited by the excitation light from the LED. The filter blocks the excitation light component from the fluorescence from the optical fiber and transmits only the fluorescent component. The photomultiplier tube receives the fluorescent component that has transmitted through the filter. The photomultiplier tube outputs an analysis signal to the control device 10 according to the amount of received light. The control device 10 detects the sample based on the intensity of the analysis signal.

[0030] The power supply unit 190 applies a voltage for electrophoresis to the electrophoresis channel of the microchip held in the microchip holding unit 110. When a voltage is applied to the microchip filled with a sample and a separation buffer, each substance contained in the sample moves in one direction through the support having a mesh-like three-dimensional structure. At that time, each substance contained in the sample is separated depending on the ease with which each substance contained in the sample passes through the support. Each separated substance emits fluorescence due to the fluorescent dye contained in the support in response to the excitation light emitted by the LED in the measurement unit 180. This allows the electrophoresis device 100 to analyze the substance to be analyzed.

[0031] [Configuration of the dispensing probe] 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the dispensing probe unit 120. The configuration of the dispensing probe unit 120 will be described with further reference to FIG.

[0032] The syringe pump 123 can adjust the air pressure inside the dispensing probe 121 by reciprocating the plunger, thereby sucking reagents and samples into the dispensing probe 121 and expelling the reagents and samples inside the dispensing probe 121 to the outside.

[0033] The liquid level detection unit 122 is, for example, a capacitance type liquid level sensor attached to the tip of the dispensing probe 121, and can detect the liquid level based on a change in capacitance between the liquid level and the sensor. The liquid level detection unit 122 is connected to the CPU 171 so as to be able to communicate with the CPU 171.

[0034] [Control device configuration] 2, the control device 10 has, as main components, a CPU 11, a ROM 13, a RAM 12, a HDD 15, a display I / F 14, an input I / F 16, and a communication I / F 17. The components are connected to each other by a data bus.

[0035] The control device 10 is communicatively connected to the electrophoresis device 100 and exchanges data with the electrophoresis device 100. The control device 10 is an external control device that receives instructions from a user for the electrophoresis device 100, controls the operation of the electrophoresis device 100, and imports and processes data acquired by the electrophoresis device 100. The data is, for example, the amount of reagent contained in the reagent holding unit 130 measured by the liquid level detection unit 122.

[0036] The communication I / F 17 is an interface for communicating with external devices including the electrophoresis device 100. The communication I / F 17 is realized by, for example, a network adapter. The communication method may be wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or wireless LAN, or wired communication using a USB or the like.

[0037] The input I / F 16 relays data transmission between the CPU 11 and the input device 30. The input I / F 16 accepts various information (e.g., instructions for the control device 10 and the electrophoresis device 100, and electrophoresis processing information) provided by operating the input device 30. The electrophoresis processing information is information that defines the conditions for the electrophoresis processing, and more specifically, includes at least one of the type of kit, the mixing mode, the number of electrophoresis processes, and the washing method.

[0038] A kit means a set of reagents used for one type of electrophoresis process. The types of kits are, for example, DNA-500 kit, DNA-1000 kit, DNA-2500 kit, DNA-12000 kit, and RNA kit. Each kit is assigned a different color to make it easier for users to distinguish the type of kit. The kit is packaged in a package containing the color assigned to the kit. The amount and ratio of the reagents included differs from kit to kit, and the user selects a kit suitable for the sample to be analyzed. The mixing mode includes, for example, an "on-chip mixing mode" in which the sample and marker solution are mixed in the electrophoresis device, and a "premix mode" in which the sample and marker solution are mixed in advance.

[0039] The display I / F 14 relays data transmission between the CPU 11 and the display device 20. In accordance with commands from the CPU 11, the display I / F 14 outputs signals to the display device 20 for displaying various types of information (for example, the amount of reagent prepared, the amount of reagent required, the amount of reagent contained in the electrophoresis device 100, and warnings).

[0040] The ROM 13 can store the programs executed by the CPU 11. The RAM 12 can temporarily store data generated by the execution of the programs in the CPU 11, data input via the communication I / F 17, and electrophoretic processing information input by the user via the input device 30, and can function as a primary storage device. The HDD 15 is a non-volatile storage device, and can store data acquired by the electrophoretic device 100, electrophoretic processing information input by the user, a kit database, and a required amount database. The control device 10 may have a semiconductor storage device such as a flash memory instead of or in addition to the HDD 15.

[0041] The kit database stores the types of reagents that make up the kit, and the required amount database stores the amounts of each type of reagent required for one electrophoresis and one washing step.

[0042] The electrophoresis process includes dispensing a separation buffer and a sample into the microchip held in the microchip holding section 110 by the dispensing probe section 120, applying a voltage to the microchip by the power supply section 190, and discharging the solution remaining in the microchip by the pump section 160.

[0043] The washing process is a process in which the microchip held in the microchip holder 110 is washed with a washing liquid.

[0044] [Display device configuration] The display device 20 is configured by, for example, a display. In response to commands from the CPU 11, the display device 20 displays various information acquired via the display I / F 14, such as the prepared amount of reagent, the required amount of reagent, the amount of reagent contained in the electrophoresis device 100, and warnings.

[0045] [Input device configuration] The input device 30 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The input device 30 receives instructions from a user for the control device 10 and the electrophoretic device 100, and electrophoretic processing information, and outputs them to the CPU 11 via the input I / F 16. Also, a touch panel in which the input device 30 and the display device 20 are integrated may be used.

[0046] [Examples of how to display the amount of reagent prepared] Next, an example of a display screen relating to the preparation amount of the reagent, which is output when the CPU 11 receives electrophoresis processing information, will be described below. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen.

[0047] In the following explanation, a case will be described in which two types of kits, "Kit A" and "Kit B", are used. "Kit A" includes "Reagent 1A" and "Reagent 2A", and "Kit B" includes "Reagent 1B" and "Reagent 2B". Furthermore, "Reagent 3" is used as a reagent other than the reagents constituting the kits.

[0048] When CPU 11 receives the electrophoresis processing information, it displays a display screen 400 as shown in Fig. 4 on display device 20 via display I / F 14. Display screen 400 includes a confirmation button 410, a window 500, a window 600, and a window 700.

[0049] The window 500 includes a box 510, a box 520, and a box 530. The box 510 displays the amount of reagent 1A to be prepared that constitutes the kit A. The box 530 displays the amount of reagent 2A to be prepared that constitutes the kit A.

[0050] Box 520 has a field 521 displaying the amount of reagent 1A contained in electrophoresis apparatus 100, a field 523 displaying the amount of reagent 2A contained in electrophoresis apparatus 100, and a field 522 displaying the name of the corresponding kit.

[0051] The window 600 includes a box 610, a box 620, and a box 630. The box 610 displays the amount of reagent 1B to be prepared that constitutes the kit B. The box 630 displays the amount of reagent 2B to be prepared that constitutes the kit B.

[0052] Box 620 has a field 621 displaying the amount of reagent 1B contained in electrophoresis device 100, a field 623 displaying the amount of reagent 2B contained in electrophoresis device 100, and a field 622 displaying the name of the corresponding kit.

[0053] The window 700 includes a box 710 and a box 720. The box 710 displays the amount of the reagent 3 to be prepared.

[0054] Box 720 includes three columns 721, 722, and 723. Here, reagent 3 is, for example, a reagent (e.g., cleaning solution, water) used in a cleaning process for cleaning an electrophoresis channel. In this case, reagent 3 is required in a larger amount than other reagents. For this reason, reagent holding section 130 includes two holes (hereinafter referred to as a "first hole" and a "second hole") to accommodate reagent 3.

[0055] Column 721 displays the amount of reagent 3 contained in the first well. Column 723 displays the amount of reagent 3 contained in the second well. Column 722 displays the sum of the numerical value displayed in column 721 and the numerical value displayed in column 723.

[0056] The electrophoretic processing information includes the type of kit specified by the user. When the user specifies kit A in the electrophoretic processing information, CPU 11 displays the name of kit A in column 522. When the user specifies kit A and kit B in the electrophoretic processing information, CPU 11 displays the name of kit A in column 522 and the name of kit B in column 622.

[0057] When the user specifies the type of kit in the electrophoresis processing information, CPU 11 determines the type of reagent that constitutes the specified type of kit by referring to the kit database. That is, in this embodiment, the type of kit is specified, thereby specifying the type of reagent. As a result, the electrophoresis processing information includes the type of kit, and thus indirectly includes the type of reagent. Then, CPU 11 displays the name of the determined type of reagent in box 510, boxes 530, 610, and 630.

[0058] More specifically, when the user designates kit A in the electrophoresis processing information, CPU 11 displays in boxes 510 and 530 the names of the reagents that make up kit A. When the user designates kit A and kit B in the electrophoresis processing information, CPU 11 displays in boxes 510 and 530 the names of the reagents that make up kit A, and in boxes 610 and 630 the names of the reagents that make up kit B.

[0059] CPU 11 can display information on the display screen in a different manner for each type of kit. For example, CPU 11 can display the name of the kit in column 522 in a manner different from that in column 622. CPU 11 can also display the names of reagents in boxes 510 and 530 in a manner different from that in boxes 610 and 630. One example of different manners is that the displayed colors are different.

[0060] It should be noted that when the mixing mode designated by the user is the "premix mode", mixing of reagents in the device is not required, and some reagents may become unnecessary. In that case, the preparation amount of the unnecessary reagent is not displayed. Box 530 in FIG. 4 shows an example of a display screen when reagent 2A is unnecessary. In the example of FIG. 4, no numerical value is displayed in box 530 indicating the preparation amount of reagent 2A.

[0061] [Calculation of the amount of reagent to be prepared] The CPU 11 calculates the required amount of the reagent based on the acquired electrophoresis processing information, and calculates the prepared amount of the reagent based on the calculated required amount of the reagent. The required amount of the reagent is the amount of the reagent required to complete the electrophoresis processing. The prepared amount of the reagent is the amount of the reagent that the user actually prepares. The prepared amount of the reagent must be more than the required amount of the reagent.

[0062] CPU 11 refers to the required amount database and obtains the amount of the determined reagent required for one electrophoresis process. CPU 11 calculates the required amount of reagent based on the product of the number of electrophoresis processes input by the user and the amount of each reagent required for one electrophoresis process. CPU 11 calculates the preparation amount of reagent by converting the calculated required amount of reagent to a round number that is larger than the required amount. CPU 11 displays the calculated preparation amount of reagent in boxes 510, 530, 610, 630, and 710 by reagent type.

[0063] Converting to a round number means, for example, setting the preparation amount to the smallest value that is an integer multiple of a preset specific value and is greater than the required amount. The specific value is, for example, 5 μL, 10 μL, 100 μL, 200 μL, 500 μL, or 1000 μL. More specifically, if the specific value is "200 μL," the preparation amount is set to any of the integer multiples of 200 μL, such as 200 μL, 400 μL, 600 μL, 800 μL, 1000 μL, ...

[0064] For example, if the required amount of a reagent is 720 μL, the smallest amount that is greater than the required amount among integer multiples of 200 μL is 800 μL. Therefore, converting the required amount of 720 μL to a round number means that the amount of reagent to be prepared is 800 μL.

[0065] In addition, when the required amount of a reagent is "600 μL," the smallest amount that is greater than the required amount among integer multiples of 200 μL is "800 μL." Therefore, in this case, converting the required amount of "600 μL" to a round amount means that the amount of reagent to be prepared is "800 μL."

[0066] Note that converting to a round number may mean setting the preparation amount to the smallest value that is an integer multiple of a preset specific value and is equal to or greater than the required amount. In this case, in the above example, when the required amount of reagent is "600 μL", the smallest amount that is equal to or greater than the required amount among integer multiples of 200 μL is "600 μL". Therefore, in this case, converting the required amount of "600 μL" to a round number means setting the preparation amount of the reagent to "600 μL".

[0067] When the reagents constituting the kit include a first reagent and a second reagent different from the first reagent, a mode is assumed in which the specific value for the second reagent is set to a value smaller than the specific value for the first reagent. For example, the required amount of the second reagent is extremely small compared to the required amount of the first reagent required for one analysis. In such a case, by making the specific values ​​different, the difference between the preparation amount and the required amount of the second reagent can be reduced, so that the amount of the reagent not used in the electrophoresis process can be reduced. Specifically, the specific value for the second reagent is set to "10 μL" and the specific value for the first reagent is set to "100 μL". This process is effective when it is desired to suppress the amount of the second reagent used because the second reagent is more expensive than the first reagent, for example.

[0068] Furthermore, if the reagent is used in a cleaning process for cleaning the electrophoresis flow path, CPU 11 obtains the amount of reagent required for one cleaning process from a required amount database stored in HDD 15. The required amount of reagent is calculated based on electrophoresis process information input by the user. For example, if the user instructs cleaning every time one electrophoresis process is completed, CPU 11 calculates the required amount of reagent by multiplying the number of electrophoresis processes input by the user and the amount of reagent required for one cleaning process. For example, if the user instructs cleaning after the completion of all electrophoresis processes input by the user, the required amount of reagent is the amount of reagent required for one cleaning process.

[0069] Then, the CPU 11 calculates the preparation amount of the reagent by converting the required amount of the reagent calculated as described above into a numerical value that is larger than the required amount and has a nice round number.

[0070] [Modification of the indication of the amount of reagent prepared] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a modified example of the display screen of Fig. 4. The display of the preparation amount when the reagent is a mixture of multiple elements will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Note that Fig. 5 differs from Fig. 4 only in the contents displayed in boxes 510 and 610.

[0071] When the reagent is a mixture of a plurality of components mixed in a specific ratio, the CPU 11 displays the mixed amount of each component together with the preparation amount of the reagent in a box 510 as shown in FIG.

[0072] For example, assume that reagent 1A is a mixture of reagent 1A-(1) and reagent 1A-(2) in a ratio of 19:1. In this case, CPU 11 displays in box 510 the amount of reagent 1A prepared, which is "600," as well as the amount of reagent 1A-(1) ("570") and the amount of reagent 1A-(2) ("30") required to prepare "600" of reagent 1A.

[0073] 5, the CPU 11 also displays in box 610 the amounts of the components of reagent 1B along with the amount of reagent 1B prepared. For example, assume that reagent 1B is a mixture of reagent 1B-(1) and reagent 1B-(2) mixed in a ratio of 15:1. In this case, the CPU 11 displays in box 610 the amount of reagent 1B prepared, "800," as well as the amount of reagent 1B-(1) ("750") and the amount of reagent 1B-(2) ("50") required to prepare "800" of reagent 1B.

[0074] By displaying not only the prepared amount of the reagent but also the amounts of the components that make up the reagent, the user can easily check the amount of each component that needs to be mixed when preparing the reagent.

[0075] [Indication of the required amount of reagent and the amount of reagent contained in the electrophoresis device] The confirmation button 410 is an operating tool for displaying the required amount of reagent and the amount of reagent contained in the electrophoresis device 100. When the confirmation button 410 is operated by the user, the CPU 11 displays the required amount in boxes 510, 530, 610, 630, and 710, and outputs an instruction to the dispensing probe unit 120 to measure the amount of reagent contained in the electrophoresis device 100. In response to this instruction, the dispensing probe unit 120 measures the amount of each reagent held in the multiple holes in the reagent holding unit 130 by the liquid level detection unit 122. The measurement result of the liquid level detection unit 122 includes the amount corresponding to each of the boxes 521, 523, 621, 623, 721, and 723. Then, the CPU 11 displays the measurement result in each of the boxes 521, 523, 621, 623, 721, and 723.

[0076] [Display after comparing the amount of reagent contained in the electrophoresis device with the required amount of reagent] Next, there will be described a display screen that is output by CPU 11 after CPU 11 receives the measurement result of the amount of reagent contained in electrophoresis apparatus 100. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the display screen.

[0077] When the CPU 11 acquires the measurement result of the amount of the reagent contained in the electrophoresis device 100, it compares the amount of the reagent contained in the electrophoresis device 100 with the required amount of the corresponding reagent. When the amount of the reagent contained in the electrophoresis device 100 is equal to or greater than the required amount, the amount of the reagent contained in the electrophoresis device and the required amount are displayed on the display screen 400 in a display mode different from the display mode shown in FIG. 4. One example of the different mode is that the displayed figure and / or the displayed color are different. For example, in FIG. 6, the shapes of the boxes 510, 610, 630, and 710, which were oval in FIG. 4, become rounded rectangles. Furthermore, the boxes 510, 610, 630, and 710 are filled with the same color (for example, light gray) indicating that the amount of the reagent contained in the electrophoresis device 100 satisfies the required amount. Furthermore, the boxes 521, 621, 623, 721, and 723 are filled with the colors assigned to the respective kits.

[0078] It should be noted that when the mixing mode designated by the user is the "premix mode", since mixing of reagents in the device is not required, a reagent may become unnecessary. In that case, the required amount of the corresponding reagent and the amount of the reagent contained in the electrophoresis device 100 are not displayed. Boxes 523 and 530 in FIG. 6 show examples of a display screen when reagent 2A is not required. In the example of FIG. 6, no numerical values ​​are displayed in box 523 indicating the amount of reagent 2A contained in the electrophoresis device 100 and box 530 indicating the required amount of reagent 2A.

[0079] When the user designates kit A in the electrophoresis processing information, the required amounts of the reagents constituting kit A are displayed in boxes 510 and 530. When the user designates kit A and kit B in the electrophoresis processing information, CPU 11 displays the required amounts of the reagents constituting kit A in boxes 510 and 530, and displays the required amounts of the reagents constituting kit B in boxes 610 and 630.

[0080] As a result of comparing the amount of a reagent contained in electrophoresis device 100 with the required amount of the corresponding reagent, if the amount of a reagent contained in electrophoresis device 100 is less than the required amount, CPU 11 displays a warning on display device 20 via display I / F 14. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing yet another example of a warning display. A method of displaying a warning will be described with reference to Fig. 7.

[0081] 7, the amount of reagent contained in electrophoresis apparatus 100 is less than the required amount for reagent 1A, so CPU 11 fills the lower part of box 521 with the color corresponding to the reagent kit and displays warning 801 in window 500. Upon seeing the warning, the user recognizes that the amount of reagent contained in electrophoresis apparatus 100 is less than the required amount and refills the reagent. As with reagent 1A, CPU 11 displays warnings 802, 803, 804, and 805 as shown in FIG. 7 when the amount of each reagent contained in electrophoresis apparatus 100 is less than the required amount.

[0082] [Display to confirm the amount of reagent prepared] When the amounts of reagents contained in all electrophoresis devices 100 have been measured, the CPU 11 displays the amounts prepared in boxes 510, 530, 610, 630, and 710.

[0083] [Display processing of control device] Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the display processing performed by CPU 11 in control device 10. In Fig. 8, "amount contained in device" means the amount of reagent contained in electrophoresis device 100. The display processing subroutine processing in Fig. 8 is called from the main routine and executed when electrophoresis processing information is input by the user.

[0084] 8, in S10, CPU 11 acquires electrophoresis processing information inputted from the user via input device 30 and input I / F 16.

[0085] In S12, the CPU 11 refers to the kit database stored in the HDD 15 based on the information of the kit selected by the user from among the obtained electrophoresis processing information, and determines the type of reagent constituting the kit. Next, the CPU 11 refers to the required amount database stored in the HDD 15 based on the determined type of reagent, and obtains the amount of reagent required for one electrophoresis processing. The CPU 11 calculates the required amount of reagent based on the product of the number of electrophoresis processing times the amount of reagent required for one electrophoresis processing, which is included in the electrophoresis processing information. If the required amount of reagent is 0 in the mixing mode specified by the user, the CPU 11 does not calculate the required amount of reagent.

[0086] In S14, the CPU 11 converts the required amount into a round number and calculates the preparation amount.

[0087] In S16, the CPU 11 displays the calculated preparation amount on the display device 20. In S18, the CPU 11 displays the required amount on the display device 20.

[0088] In S20, CPU 11 accepts an instruction from a user and transmits an instruction to dispensing probe unit 120 to measure the amount of reagent contained in electrophoresis device 100. Dispensing probe unit 120 measures the amount of reagent contained in electrophoresis device 100 based on the instruction and transmits the measurement value to CPU 171. CPU 171 transmits the measurement value of the amount of reagent contained in electrophoresis device 100 to CPU 11. Based on the measurement value accepted from electrophoresis device 100, CPU 11 determines whether the amount of reagent contained in electrophoresis device 100 is equal to or greater than the required amount of reagent. If the amount of reagent contained in electrophoresis device 100 is equal to or greater than the required amount of reagent (Yes in S20), CPU 11 proceeds to process S22, and if the amount of reagent is less than the required amount (No in S20), CPU 11 proceeds to process S24.

[0089] In S22, the CPU 11 displays on the display device 20 the amount of reagent contained in the electrophoresis device 100 in a manner that indicates that the required amount is satisfied.

[0090] In S24, the CPU 11 displays on the display device 20 the amount of reagent contained in the electrophoresis device 100 and a warning in a manner indicating that the required amount is insufficient.

[0091] In S26, the CPU 11 displays the prepared amount of the reagent on the display device 20. Thereafter, the CPU 11 ends the display processing subroutine and returns the process to the main routine.

[0092] In the display method according to the present embodiment described above, the user only needs to check the preparation amount displayed on the display device to know the preparation amount of the reagent, thereby reducing the burden on the user regarding the preparation of the reagent.

[0093] Furthermore, in the display method according to this embodiment, when the user prepares multiple types of reagents, the preparation amount of each reagent is displayed in a different display format, thereby preventing the user from misunderstanding the preparation amount of the reagent.

[0094] Furthermore, in the display method according to this embodiment, when the electrophoresis device has multiple holes for containing the same reagent, the amount of reagent prepared to be contained in each hole is displayed in a different manner, thereby preventing the user from misunderstanding the amount of reagent prepared.

[0095] In addition, in the process of calculating the preparation amount according to this embodiment, a specific value can be set to calculate a round number. When the specific value is set, the preparation amount is defined as an integer multiple of the specific value that is greater than the required amount. By displaying the preparation amount, the user can easily recognize the preparation amount.

[0096] Furthermore, in the process of calculating the preparation amount according to this embodiment, when there are multiple types of reagents used, the specific value used in calculating the preparation amount can be different for each reagent. By setting the specific value large, the preparation amount becomes a large amount that is easy for the user to prepare, and the burden on the user in preparing the reagent can be reduced. On the other hand, by setting the specific value small, the difference between the preparation amount and the required amount becomes small, and the amount of reagent that is not used in the electrophoresis process and is discarded can be reduced.

[0097] [Aspects] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described above are examples of the following aspects.

[0098] (Item 1) In one embodiment, a method for displaying an amount of reagent prepared by a user in an electrophoresis device may include the steps of acquiring information about an electrophoresis process performed by the electrophoresis device, calculating a required amount of the reagent needed for the electrophoresis process based on the information, calculating a preparation amount that is greater than the required amount and rounds down based on the required amount, and displaying the preparation amount.

[0099] According to the display method described in paragraph 1, a technique is provided that allows a user to easily recognize the amount of a prepared reagent.

[0100] (Item 2) The display method described in item 1 may further include a step of measuring the amount of the measured reagent, and a step of displaying the amount of the reagent contained in the electrophoresis device.

[0101] According to the display method described in section 2, a technique is provided that allows a user to easily recognize the amount of reagent contained in an electrophoresis apparatus.

[0102] (Item 3) The display method according to item 2 may further include a step of issuing a warning when the measured amount of the reagent is less than the required amount.

[0103] According to the display method described in the third aspect, a technique is provided that allows a user to easily recognize that the amount of reagent contained in the electrophoresis apparatus is less than the prepared amount of the reagent.

[0104] (Clause 4) In the display method described in paragraph 2, the reagent may include a first separation buffer and a second separation buffer of a different type from the first separation buffer, and the step of displaying the amount of the reagent contained in the electrophoresis device may include a step of displaying the amount of the second separation buffer contained in the electrophoresis device in a display manner different from the amount of the first separation buffer contained in the electrophoresis device.

[0105] According to the display method described in paragraph 4, when two types of separation buffers are contained in an electrophoresis device, a technique is provided that enables a user to easily recognize the amount of each separation buffer contained in the electrophoresis device.

[0106] (Clause 5) In the display method described in paragraph 2, the reagent may include a first marker solution and a second marker solution of a different type from the first marker solution, and the step of displaying the amount of the reagent contained in the electrophoresis device may include a step of displaying the amount of the second marker solution contained in the electrophoresis device in a display manner different from the amount of the first marker solution contained in the electrophoresis device.

[0107] According to the display method described in paragraph 5, when two types of marker solutions are contained in an electrophoresis device, a technology is provided that enables a user to easily recognize the amount of each marker solution contained in the electrophoresis device.

[0108] (Item 6) The display method according to item 2 may further include a step of displaying the required amount when the measured amount of the reagent is equal to or greater than the required amount.

[0109] According to the display method described in section 6, a technique is provided that allows a user to easily recognize that the amount of reagent contained in the electrophoresis apparatus is greater than the required amount.

[0110] (Clause 7) In the display method described in clause 6, the reagent contained in the electrophoresis device may include a first separation buffer and a second separation buffer of a different type from the first separation buffer, and the step of displaying the amount of the reagent contained in the electrophoresis device may include a step of displaying the amount of the second separation buffer contained in the electrophoresis device in a display manner different from the amount of the first separation buffer contained in the electrophoresis device, and a step of displaying the required amount of the second separation buffer in a display manner different from the required amount of the first separation buffer.

[0111] The display method described in paragraph 7 provides a technique for a user to easily recognize the amount of each of the first and second separation buffers contained in an electrophoresis device and the required amount.

[0112] (Item 8) In the display method described in Item 6, the reagent contained in the electrophoresis device may include a first marker solution and a second marker solution of a different type from the first marker solution, and the step of displaying the amount of the reagent contained in the electrophoresis device may include a step of displaying the amount of the second marker solution contained in the electrophoresis device in a display manner different from the amount of the first marker solution contained in the electrophoresis device, and a step of displaying the required amount of the second marker solution in a display manner different from the required amount of the first marker solution.

[0113] The display method described in paragraph 8 provides a technique for a user to easily recognize the amount of the first marker solution and the second marker solution contained in each electrophoresis device and the required amount.

[0114] (Item 9) In the indication method according to item 1, the reagent may include at least one of a separation buffer and a marker solution.

[0115] According to the display method described in paragraph 9, a technique is provided that enables a user to easily recognize the preparation amount of at least one of the separation buffer and the marker solution.

[0116] (Item 10) In the display method described in any one of items 1 to 9, the step of calculating the round amount of preparation may further include a step of setting the round amount to a minimum value that is an integer multiple of a specific value and is greater than the required amount.

[0117] According to the display method described in paragraph 10, a technique is provided that enables a user to easily recognize a convenient preparation amount.

[0118] (Clause 11) In the display method described in clause 10, the reagent includes a separation buffer and a marker solution, and the specific value includes a first specific value for the separation buffer and a second specific value for the marker solution that is less than or equal to the first specific value, and the second specific value may be smaller than the first specific value.

[0119] According to the display method described in paragraph 11, the difference between the required amount and the prepared amount of the marker solution is equal to or less than the difference between the required amount and the prepared amount of the separation buffer. Therefore, for a separation buffer which is generally inexpensive, a large value that is easy for the user to prepare can be set as the prepared amount. On the other hand, for a marker solution which is generally expensive, the amount of the marker solution which is not used in the electrophoresis process and is discarded can be reduced.

[0120] (Item 12) In the display method described in any one of items 1 to 11, the reagent may include a first separation buffer and a second separation buffer of a different type from the first separation buffer, and the step of displaying the preparation amount may include a step of displaying the preparation amount of the second separation buffer in a display manner different from that of the preparation amount of the first separation buffer.

[0121] According to the display method described in paragraph 12, a technique is provided for preventing a user from misjudging the amounts of each separation buffer prepared when preparing two types of separation buffer.

[0122] (Item 13) In the display method described in any one of Items 1 to 12, the reagent may include a first marker solution and a second marker solution different in type from the first marker solution, and the step of displaying the preparation amount may include a step of displaying the preparation amount of the second marker solution in a display manner different from that of the preparation amount of the first marker solution.

[0123] According to the display method described in paragraph 13, a technique is provided for preventing a user from misjudging the amounts of each marker solution prepared when preparing two types of marker solutions.

[0124] (Item 14) In the display method described in any one of Items 1 to 13, the reagent includes a separation buffer, and the separation buffer is a mixture of a pre-preparation separation buffer and a fluorescent dye solution in a specific ratio, and the display method may further include a step of calculating a mixed amount of the pre-preparation separation buffer and the fluorescent dye solution in the round-robin preparation amount based on the specific ratio, and a step of displaying the mixed amount of the pre-preparation separation buffer and the mixed amount of the fluorescent dye solution.

[0125] According to the display method described in paragraph 14, a technique is provided for reducing the burden on the user with regard to preparation of a separation buffer.

[0126] (Item 15) In the display methods described in items 1 to 14, the reagent may include a separation buffer and a marker solution, and the information may include at least one of the type of the separation buffer, the type of the marker solution, a mixing mode of the marker solution, and the number of electrophoresis runs performed by the electrophoresis device.

[0127] According to the display method described in paragraph 15, a technique is provided that allows the user to easily recognize the preparation amount.

[0128] (Item 16) In the display method described in items 1 to 15, the reagent may include a separation buffer, a marker solution, and a washing solution, and the information may include at least one of the type of the separation buffer, the type of the marker solution, a mixing mode of the marker solution, the number of electrophoresis runs performed by the electrophoresis device, and a washing method performed by the electrophoresis device.

[0129] According to the display method described in paragraph 16, a technique is provided that allows the user to easily recognize the preparation amount.

[0130] (Item 17) In one aspect, the program is executed by an information processing device to cause the information processing device to execute the display method according to any one of items 1 to 16.

[0131] According to the program described in item 17, a technique is provided that allows a user to easily recognize the amount of reagent prepared and the amount of reagent contained in an electrophoresis apparatus.

[0132] (Item 18) In one embodiment, an electrophoresis system includes an electrophoresis mechanism, a control device that controls the electrophoresis mechanism, and a display device, and the control device includes a calculation unit and an interface, and the calculation unit calculates a required amount of reagent required for electrophoresis processing based on electrophoresis processing information acquired via the interface, calculates a round number of preparation amounts based on the required amount, and displays the preparation amount on the display device.

[0133] According to the electrophoresis device described in item 18, a technique is provided that allows a user to easily recognize the preparation amount.

[0134] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0135] 10 control device, 11,171 CPU, 12,175 RAM, 13,173 ROM, 14 display I / F, 15,172 HDD, 16 input I / F, 17,174 communication I / F, 20 display device, 30 input device, 100 electrophoresis device, 110 microchip holder, 120 dispensing probe, 121 dispensing probe, 122 liquid level detector, 123 syringe pump, 130 reagent holder, 140 sample holder, 150 pressurized suction unit, 160 pump unit, 170 controller, 180 measurement unit, 190 power supply unit, 300 electrophoresis system, 400 display screen, 410 confirmation button, 500, 600, 700 window, 510, 520, 530, 610, 620, 630, 710, 720 Boxes, 521,522,523,621,622,623,721,722,723 columns, 801,802,803,804,805 warnings.

Claims

1. A method for displaying an amount of a reagent prepared by a user in an electrophoresis apparatus, comprising: acquiring information on an electrophoresis process performed by the electrophoresis device; calculating a required amount of the reagent required for electrophoresis based on the information; A step of calculating a preparation amount that is greater than the required amount and is a round amount based on the required amount; and displaying the preparation amount.

2. measuring the amount of the reagent contained in the electrophoresis device; The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of displaying the measured amount of the reagent.

3. The display method according to claim 2 , further comprising the step of issuing a warning when the measured amount of the reagent is less than the required amount.

4. the reagent includes a first separation buffer and a second separation buffer different in type from the first separation buffer, 3. The display method according to claim 2, wherein the step of displaying the amount of the reagent contained in the electrophoresis device includes a step of displaying the amount of the second separation buffer contained in the electrophoresis device in a display manner different from the amount of the first separation buffer contained in the electrophoresis device.

5. the reagent includes a first marker solution and a second marker solution different in type from the first marker solution; 3. The display method according to claim 2, wherein the step of displaying the amount of the reagent contained in the electrophoresis device includes a step of displaying the amount of the second marker solution contained in the electrophoresis device in a display manner different from the amount of the first marker solution contained in the electrophoresis device.

6. The display method according to claim 2 , further comprising the step of displaying the required amount when the measured amount of the reagent is equal to or greater than the required amount.

7. the reagent contained in the electrophoresis device includes a first separation buffer and a second separation buffer different in type from the first separation buffer, The step of displaying the amount of the reagent contained in the electrophoresis apparatus includes: displaying the amount of the second separation buffer contained in the electrophoresis device in a display manner different from the amount of the first separation buffer contained in the electrophoresis device; The display method according to claim 6 , further comprising the step of displaying the required amount of the second separation buffer in a display manner different from that of the required amount of the first separation buffer.

8. the reagent contained in the electrophoresis device includes a first marker solution and a second marker solution different in type from the first marker solution; The step of displaying the amount of the reagent contained in the electrophoresis apparatus includes: displaying the amount of the second marker solution contained in the electrophoresis device in a display manner different from the amount of the first marker solution contained in the electrophoresis device; 7. The display method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of displaying the required amount of the second marker solution in a display manner different from that of the required amount of the first marker solution.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reagent comprises at least one of a separation buffer and a marker solution.

10. The display method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of calculating the round amount of preparation further comprises a step of setting the round amount to a minimum value that is an integer multiple of a specific value and is greater than the required amount.

11. The reagents include a separation buffer and a marker solution; the specific values ​​include a first specific value for the separation buffer and a second specific value for the marker solution; The display method according to claim 10 , wherein the second specific value is smaller than the first specific value.

12. the reagent includes a first separation buffer and a second separation buffer different in type from the first separation buffer, The display method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of displaying the preparation amount includes a step of displaying the preparation amount of the second separation buffer in a display manner different from that of the preparation amount of the first separation buffer.

13. the reagent includes a first marker solution and a second marker solution different in type from the first marker solution; 2. The display method according to claim 1, wherein the step of displaying the prepared amounts includes a step of displaying the prepared amount of the second marker solution in a display manner different from that of the prepared amount of the first marker solution.

14. The reagent comprises a separation buffer; The separation buffer is a mixture of a pre-prepared separation buffer and a fluorescent dye solution in a specific ratio; The display method includes: calculating a mixing amount of the pre-preparation separation buffer and the fluorescent dye solution in the round preparation amount based on the specific ratio; The display method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of displaying the mixed amount of the pre-preparation separation buffer and the mixed amount of the fluorescent dye solution.

15. The reagents include a separation buffer and a marker solution; The information includes: The type of the separation buffer; The type of marker solution; mixing mode of said marker solution; The display method according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the number of electrophoresis operations performed by the electrophoresis device.

16. The reagents include a separation buffer, a marker solution, and a washing solution; The information includes: The type of the separation buffer; The type of marker solution; mixing mode of said marker solution; the number of electrophoresis runs performed by the electrophoresis device; The display method according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a cleaning method performed by the electrophoresis device.

17. A program that, when executed by an information processing device, causes the information processing device to execute the display method according to claim 1 or 2.

18. An electrophoresis mechanism; A control device for controlling the electrophoretic mechanism; A display device, The control device includes: A calculation unit; an interface; The calculation unit is Calculating the amount of reagent required for the electrophoresis process based on the electrophoresis process information acquired through the interface; Based on the required amount, a preparation amount that is greater than the required amount and is a round number is calculated; The electrophoresis system displays the prepared amount on the display device.

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