Optical measuring device

Abstract

To provide an optical measuring device for increasing reliability of optical measurement by reducing the amount of adhesion of deposit adhering to a surface (the other surface) in a side opposite to a side for performing reaction of a plate in the optical measuring device for conveying the plate between a reaction chamber for performing reaction by using the plate and a measurement chamber for determining whether a predetermined reaction occurs.SOLUTION: An optical measuring device includes: a reaction chamber for generating a reaction product on an array plate by liquid specimens or predetermined liquid chemicals; a measurement chamber for optically measuring the reaction product; a space conveyance section for conveying the array plate between the reaction chamber and the measurement chamber; and deposit reducing means for reducing the amount of adhesion of deposit adhering to the other surface by performing operation to the other surface of the array plate conveyed by the space conveyance section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical measurement device, and more particularly to an optical measurement device having a structure for reducing adhesion of matter to an array plate or a plate transport unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Array plates, such as protein arrays, peptide arrays, and DNA arrays, have been known, which have spot areas on a substrate where numerous spots of substances such as proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids are fixed in an array. Using such array plates, interactions between numerous fixed substances and substances in a specimen can be observed simultaneously. Therefore, interactions between numerous substances and biologically derived liquid specimens, such as blood, cell extracts, saliva, and interstitial fluid, can be comprehensively analyzed.

[0003] A known measurement method using an array plate involves selectively fluorescently labeling spots where an interaction of interest has occurred to obtain optical information. A confocal laser microscope is known as a device for observing fluorescently labeled spots. A confocal laser microscope has an illumination optical system, a fluorescence detection optical system, and a two-dimensional scanning system. The fluorescence detection optical system has the function of detecting the amount of fluorescent light from spots labeled with fluorescent probes. The two-dimensional scanning system has the function of acquiring a fluorescent image of the spot area on the array plate by two-dimensionally scanning the array plate or the optical system.

[0004] In the specimen evaluation device described in Patent Document 1, a process including heating is performed on an array plate holding a liquid in a reaction chamber, and a pipette or the like is used to supply a chemical solution to the array plate and to perform a suction process to reduce the amount of chemical solution. The pipette or the like that supplies the chemical solution and performs the suction process moves above the array plate during operation. Then, in a measurement chamber (optical measurement unit) adjacent to the reaction chamber, optical scanning measurement is performed while maintaining the liquid holding state, and evidence of a reaction at the solid-liquid interface is evaluated.

[0005] The imaging device described in Patent Document 2 is provided with a transport mechanism that transports a liquid holding container containing an observation target cultured in an incubator to the imaging device main body. The liquid holding container transported to the imaging device main body is placed on a stage equipped with an imaging unit at the bottom that captures images of the observation target. The imaging device uses the imaging unit to optically detect droplets adhering to the side opposite the liquid holding side (back side) of the liquid holding container, which includes a solid-liquid interface, and removes the droplets on the back side accordingly, thereby reducing focus deviation during optical measurement and enabling clear imaging of cultured pluripotent stem cells even through the liquid holding container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-12426 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-77337 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In the device configuration of Patent Document 1, when multiple liquid reagents are supplied and discharged using a pipette or other device moving above the array plate in the reaction chamber, there is a risk of deposits adhering to the outer surface of the array plate due to liquid leakage from the pipette or unintentional removal of the pipette. Furthermore, in the device configurations of Patent Documents 1 and 2, when an object containing an observation target, such as an array plate or a culture vessel, is removed from a low-temperature state to room temperature, condensation or residual chemical solution may solidify from liquid, resulting in deposits adhering to the outer surface of the array plate or culture vessel (the surface opposite the liquid-holding side). Furthermore, optical measurement devices generally perform a process of shaking the array plate in the reaction chamber, which can cause chemical solutions inside the array plate to leak out and adhere to the outer surface of the array plate due to the shaking. Deposits adhering to the outer surface of the array plate or culture vessel can interfere with detecting the presence or absence of a reaction through external optical observation, so such deposits must be removed or reduced. The present invention aims to provide an optical measurement device that can perform stable optical measurements by reducing deposits that have adhered to the outer surfaces of array plates and culture vessels due to condensation, shaking, dispensing / aspiration, etc. during the process of transporting them to the measurement chamber. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The optical measuring device of the present invention comprises: a reaction chamber mounting section on which an array plate is mounted, the array plate having a plurality of substances fixed in an array on one surface thereof and a reservoir section for storing a liquid specimen or a predetermined chemical solution; and a liquid supply section for supplying the liquid specimen or the predetermined chemical solution to the reservoir section, the reaction chamber generating a reaction product on the array plate by a reaction between the liquid specimen or the predetermined chemical solution and the plurality of substances; a measurement chamber for optically measuring the reaction products, the measurement chamber comprising: a measurement chamber mounting section on which the array plate holding the reaction products is mounted; and an optical measurement section for optically measuring the reaction products on the array plate mounted on the measurement chamber mounting section through the array plate from the other surface side of the array plate opposite to the one surface; an inter-chamber transport unit that transports the array plate between the reaction chamber and the measurement chamber; and an adhesion reducing means that acts on the other surface of the array plate transported by the inter-chamber transport section to reduce the amount of adhesion of adhesions on the other surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, an optical measurement device can be provided in which deposits that have adhered to the outer surface of the array plate due to condensation, shaking, dispensing / suction, etc. are reduced during the process of transporting the plate to the measurement chamber, thereby enabling stable optical measurements to be performed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1A] 1A and 1B are two views schematically showing an example of the structure of an optical measurement device of the present invention. [Figure 1B]1C is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a framed array plate suitable for use in the optical measurement device shown in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1D is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the array plate placed on the reaction chamber placement section and the pipette tip. [Figure 2] 1B is a two-dimensional view (a) and (b) schematically showing the positional relationship between the transfer arm and the communication port during optical measurement by the optical measuring device shown in FIG. 1A (after transferring the array plate). [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a deposit reducing means according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 3A to 3G are schematic diagrams showing various modified examples (a) to (g) of the deposit reducing means according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams showing deposit reducing means according to a second embodiment (a) and a third embodiment (b). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of an optical measurement device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1A(a) is a plan view schematically showing the interior of a housing (enclosure) of an optical measurement device 1000 of this embodiment, viewed vertically downward from above. FIG. 1A(b) is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing the cross-section of the optical measurement device 1000 shown in FIG. 1A(a) taken along line 1B-1B' (as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrow). However, the reaction chamber transport unit 7 and the linear drive mechanism are shown as they appear from the near side, rather than as a cross-section.

[0012] The optical measurement device 1000 shown in FIGS. 1A(a) and 1A(b) includes a reaction chamber 200 in which a predetermined reaction is carried out using multiple array plates 2, and a measurement chamber 300 in which the amount of reaction product produced by the reaction is optically measured. Generally, the array plate 2 has an array area on one side of a rectangular flat glass slide, where multiple substances are individually fixed as spots in an array to form a spot array. The array plate 2 placed on the optical measurement device 1000 typically has a frame member 3 attached to the array area on the one side (sometimes referred to as the top side), forming a reservoir for storing a liquid reagent. The array plate 2 with the frame member 3 attached will be referred to as a "framed array plate 12" below. FIG. 1B(c) is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the framed array plate 12 used in the optical measurement device 1000 of this embodiment. The other side of the array plate 2 (opposite to the one side) may be referred to as the back side (or bottom side). That is, the one surface is the surface that comes into contact with a liquid such as a liquid sample or a chemical solution, and the other surface is the surface onto which primary light from the irradiation optical system is incident and secondary light is emitted to the detection optical system during optical measurement.

[0013] The reaction chamber 200 is provided with a plurality of reaction chamber mounting sections 4 (five in FIG. 1) so that a plurality of framed array plates 12 (four in FIG. 1, 12-1 to 12-4) can be mounted thereon. Note that 12-i in FIG. 1B(c) indicates one of the framed array plates 12, and 2-i and 3-i indicate the array plate 2 and frame member 3 constituting the framed array plate 12-i, respectively. In FIG. 1A(a), the framed array plate 12-4 is shown to be composed of the array plate 2-4 and frame member 3-4, and in FIG. 1A(b), the framed array plate 12-1 is shown to be composed of the array plate 2-1 and frame member 3-1. Each reaction chamber mounting section 4 is provided with a shaking section (not shown) that can shake the plate individually. The shaking unit vibrates the framed array plate 12 placed on the reaction chamber mounting unit 4, applying mechanical energy to the chemical solution 11 stored in the reservoir. This serves to homogenize the reaction between the chemical solution 11 stored in the reservoir and the multiple substances fixed to the array region. A heat transfer unit 5 is provided above each reaction chamber mounting unit 4, and the heat transfer unit 5 is in thermal contact with the framed array plate 12 placed on the reaction chamber mounting unit 4. The heat transfer unit 5 may also be said to be in thermal contact with the framed array plate. Therefore, shaking and temperature control can be performed individually for each framed array plate 12 placed on each reaction chamber mounting unit 4. In other words, the heat transfer unit 5 and the shaking unit (not shown) can be considered reaction control units that adjust the reaction on the framed array plate 12. The multiple reaction chamber mounting units 4 are installed on a reaction chamber transport unit 7 that transports the framed array plate 12. The reaction chamber transport part 7 can move relative to the base part 100 in the X direction by a linear drive mechanism 8 provided on the base part 100 .

[0014] 1A(a)(b), the optical measurement device 1000 includes five reaction chamber mounting sections 4, and framed array plates 12-1 to 12-4 are mounted on the four reaction chamber mounting sections on the left side when viewed from the reaction chamber side (left). In the reaction chamber 200, a drainage area 20 where the liquid reagent is discharged from the framed array plate 12 and a liquid supply area 21 where the liquid reagent is supplied to the framed array plate 12 are located at predetermined positions within the device. When discharging (draining) the liquid reagent, the linear drive mechanism 8 is driven to move the reaction chamber transport section 7 so that the framed array plate 12 to be drained is positioned in the drainage area 20. When supplying (supplying) the liquid reagent, the linear drive mechanism 8 is driven to move the reaction chamber transport section 7 so that the framed array plate 12 to be supplied is positioned in the liquid supply area 21. For example, while a liquid supply operation is being performed on a framed array plate 12, the temperature of the other framed array plates 12 can be adjusted and shaken, allowing reactions to continue in their respective reservoirs. That is, the framed array plates 12 can be moved so that selected framed array plates 12-i are positioned in the liquid supply area or the liquid drainage area at different times. At the end of the reaction, a liquid reagent containing glycerol, which has a higher viscosity than water, is introduced into the framed array plate 12 to prevent drying and fading. As described above, the reaction chamber 200 has a reaction adjustment area 25 consisting of multiple reaction chamber mounting sections 4, where the reaction on the framed array plate 12 is adjusted by a reaction adjustment section (shaking section and heat transfer section). The reaction chamber transport section 7 is configured to transport the framed array plate 12, together with the reaction adjustment area 25, between the liquid drainage area 20 and the liquid supply area 21 (and the relay area 22 described below). That is, the relative positions of the liquid drainage area 20, the liquid supply area 21, and the relay area 22 with respect to the base section 100 are fixed. On the other hand, the reaction adjustment region 25 is fixed to the reaction chamber transport part 7, moves integrally with the reaction chamber transport part 7 in the X direction, and moves relative to the base part 100 together with the reaction chamber transport part 7.

[0015] After the reaction, the framed array plate 12 is moved to the relay area 22 in the apparatus by the reaction chamber transport unit 7 driven by the linear drive mechanism 8, and then transferred to the inter-chamber transport unit 9, which is provided in the plate transport unit 24 and moves at least in the Y direction. The relay area 22 may be located at the same location as or different from the liquid supply area 21 or the liquid drainage area 20. When the liquid supply area 21 and the relay area are located at the same location, the above-mentioned reaction chamber transport unit 7 is not required to move the relay area 22, and the plate is directly transferred to the inter-chamber transport unit 9. The reason for locating the relay area 22 at a different location from the liquid supply area 21 is that the passage opening 41 provided in the support member 40 is located between the relay area 22 and the optical measurement unit 30, and the support member 40 can at least partially block the space between the liquid supply area 21 and the optical measurement unit 30. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable that the distance between the relay area 22 and the passage opening 41 is shorter than the distance between the liquid supply area 21 and the passage opening 41. In this configuration, the liquid supply region 21, where the probability of aerosol generation is higher than in the relay region 22, is positioned away from the passage port 41 by the distance corresponding to the dispensing operation. This arrangement reduces the probability of aerosols from the liquid to be dispensed penetrating from the reaction chamber 200 to the measurement chamber 300 through the passage port 41. The delivered framed array plate 12 is transported in the Y direction by the inter-chamber transport unit 9 to the measurement region 23, where reaction products generated in the storage unit are detected and their amounts are optically measured. Figures 2(a) and 2(b) show the state after the framed array plate 12-1 has been transported from the relay region 22 in the reaction chamber 200 to the measurement region 23 in the measurement chamber 300 (during optical measurement). In other words, Figures 1A(a) and 2(a) are identical to Figures 2(b) except for the position of the framed array plate 12-1 and the state of the inter-chamber transport unit 9. 1A(a) or 2(a), the inter-chamber transfer unit 9 has a base 24b that is installed in either the reaction chamber 200 or the measurement chamber 300 (on the measurement chamber 300 side in the figure), and a moving unit 24m that moves relative to the base 24b. The moving unit 24m has a passing unit 24t that is a portion that passes through a passing port 41 provided in a support member 40 provided between the reaction chamber 200 and the measurement chamber 300, and a non-passing unit 24u that is a portion that does not pass through the passing port 41.When the inter-chamber transport unit 9 provided in the plate transport unit 24 transports the framed array plate 12 from the relay area 22 to the measurement area 23, the passing section 24t of the inter-chamber transport unit 9 holds the framed array plate 12 and passes through the passing opening 41. The framed array plate 12-i selected from among the framed array plates 12 can be moved so that the selected framed array plate 12-i is positioned in the measurement area 23 or the relay area 22 at different times. The support member 40 separates the relay area 22 from the measurement area 23 via the passing opening 41 and is provided to ensure the safety of the operator from the atmosphere and the laser light used in the optical measurement unit 30. Therefore, the support member 40 can also be referred to as a member that separates the reaction chamber 200 from the measurement chamber 300. The inter-chamber transport unit 9 can also be referred to as a measurement chamber placement unit because it is the location on which the framed array plate 12 is placed while the optical measurement unit 30 scans the array plate (the spot area above) in the measurement chamber 300.

[0016] A deposit reduction means 50 for reducing the amount of deposits is provided between the relay area 22 and the measurement area 23. Preferably, the deposit reduction means 50 is provided at the passage 41 provided in the support member 40, thereby streamlining the device configuration. When the framed array plate 12 is transferred by the inter-chamber transfer unit 9, the height (Z-direction position) of the inter-chamber transfer unit 9 is adjusted to a predetermined level so that the other surface (bottom surface) of the framed array plate 12 and the bottom surface of the inter-chamber transfer unit 9 come into contact with the deposit reduction means 50. This allows the other surface (bottom surface) of the framed array plate 12 and the bottom surface of the inter-chamber transfer unit 9 to be wiped when the framed array plate 12 is transferred from the relay area 22 to the measurement area 23 by the inter-chamber transfer unit 9, thereby reducing the amount of deposits adhering to those surfaces.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a case in which deposit reduction means 50 is fixed to the lower side of passage opening 41 provided in support member 40. Deposit reduction means 50 is provided with a wiping member 51 that reduces deposits by wiping them away. The wiping member 51 is preferably made of a material that can simultaneously wipe away liquids and solids and is less likely to generate dust, such as nonwoven fabric, sponge, or cloth. Note that the configuration of deposit reduction means is not limited to that shown in FIG. 3. FIGS. 4(a) to (g) are schematic diagrams showing various modified examples (a) to (g) of deposit reduction means.

[0018] In FIG. 4(a), the wiping member 52 has a stepped shape. This is because, in a configuration in which a step occurs when the framed array plate 12 is placed on the inter-chamber transport unit 9, the stepped shape matches the shape, thereby more effectively reducing the amount of deposits on the other surface (bottom surface) of the framed array plate. In FIG. 4(b), wiping members 51 are provided on the bottom and both sides of the passage opening 41 to reduce deposits not only on the other surface but also on the side surfaces of the framed array plate 12. In this case, the shape of the wiping member on the bottom side may be changed to make wiping easier. The wiping members 51, 52 may be equipped with a heater or the like to dry liquid deposits on the other surface (bottom surface) or side surfaces of the framed array plate 12. Preferably, the wiping members 51, 52 are detachable from the passage opening 41, i.e., are detachable and easy to replace.

[0019] In FIG. 4(c), the structure of the deposit reduction means 50 is of a suction type or an air supply type. That is, a suction / air supply unit 60 is provided at the bottom edge of the passage opening 41, and the suction / air supply unit 60 has a hole for suction or air supply formed therein, which is connected to a suction / air supply tube 62. When performing suction, the end of the suction / air supply tube 62 is connected to a suction pump (not shown). When using the hole formed in the suction / air supply unit 60 to supply air (blow) to dry or remove deposits, the end of the suction / air supply tube 62 is connected to a hot air heater or pressure pump (not shown). In FIG. 4(d), the suction / air supply unit 61 has a stepped shape to enable effective suction / air supply when there is a step between the inter-chamber transfer unit 9 and the framed array plate 12.

[0020] FIG. 4(e) shows an example in which a suction / air supply squeegee 63 with a squeegee-shaped groove for suction / air supply is used to improve suction / air supply efficiency. Like the holes formed in the suction / air supply unit 60 in FIG. 4(c), the grooves of the suction / air supply squeegee 63 in FIG. 4(e) are connected to a suction / air supply tube 62, which is connected to a suction pump, hot air heater, pressure pump, etc. (not shown) during suction / air supply. In FIG. 4(f), the suction / air supply squeegee 64 provided on the lower edge of the passage opening 41 has a stepped shape to enable effective suction / air supply when there is a step between the inter-chamber transfer unit 9 and the framed array plate 12. Furthermore, the suction / air supply units 60, 61 and the suction / air supply squeegees 63, 64 can be provided on the side edges of the passage opening to reduce adhesion not only on the back surface but also on the side surfaces, as in FIG. 4(b).

[0021] FIG. 4(g) shows an example of a structure in which the deposit reduction means 70, located at the bottom edge of the passage opening 41, can move up and down in the Z direction. A drive shaft 71 is connected to drive the deposit reduction means 70. If the drive shaft 71 is uncontrolled, it is preferable that the drive shaft contains an elastic body such as a compression spring, rubber, or rubber sponge. If the drive of the deposit reduction means 70 is controlled, the drive shaft 71 is a drive shaft such as a ball screw, cylinder, or solenoid, and a drive unit 72 for controlling the drive shaft is connected. In other words, the deposit reduction means can be modified to have at least one of a heating unit that heats the other surface of the framed array plate 12, a suction unit that sucks in deposits adhering to the other surface, and a blower that blows air toward the other surface.

[0022] Optical measurement is performed in the measurement area 23 after the amount of adhesion of the inter-room transport unit 9 and the framed array plate 12 has been reduced by the adhesion reduction means 50. The inter-room transport unit 9 can be configured to transport the framed array plate 12 within the measurement area 23. By transporting the framed array plate 12 to be measured within the measurement area 23 using the inter-room transport unit 9, scanning in the Y direction during optical measurement can be performed. The measurement system 30 is positioned below the framed array plate 12 placed in the measurement area 23 and performs reciprocating scanning in the X direction. A two-dimensional fluorescence image of the spot area within the storage area of ​​the framed array plate 12 can be obtained by combining the Y direction scanning by the inter-room transport unit 9 and the X direction reciprocating scanning by the measurement system 30. In Figures 1A(a) and 1A(b), the inter-room transport unit 9 has a bifurcated shape, which allows it to hold the framed array plate 12 without interfering with the spot area when viewed from below, allowing the entire spot area to be measured. Here, the transport speed of the inter-chamber transport unit 9 in optical measurement is determined by the reciprocating scanning speed in the X direction of the measurement system 30, and this is often smaller than the transport speed from the relay region 22 to the measurement region 23. Note that the drainage region 20, the liquid supply region 21, and the relay region 22, which are aligned in the X direction, can be arranged so that they overlap partly or entirely.

[0023] FIG. 1B(d) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the optical measurement device 1000 according to this embodiment, taken along line 1D-1D′ in FIG. 1A(a), which is a plan view of the device. The dispensing pipette 10 is, for example, a disposable tip of an automatic dispensing pipette. It constitutes a liquid supply unit that supplies a liquid sample or a chemical solution 11 onto the framed array plate 12 from above the reaction chamber transport unit 7, on which the open-system framed array plate 12 is placed. The measurement system (optical measurement unit 30) used for optical measurement is located lower than the framed array plate 12 and performs reciprocating scanning in the X direction. Meanwhile, during optical measurement, the framed array plate 12 held by the inter-chamber transport unit 9 is scanned in the Y direction by the inter-chamber transport unit 9 above the measurement system that is reciprocating scanning in the X direction below. After measurement, the framed array plate 12 is returned from the measurement area 23 to the relay area 22 by the inter-chamber transport unit 9. At this time, the plate is also transported through the passage 41 provided in the support member 40 , but the framed array plate 12 and the inter-chamber transport section 9 do not need to come into contact with the deposit reducing means 50 .

[0024] Liquids such as reagents and samples are supplied from a dispensing pipette 10 to a framed array plate 12. These reagents may include buffer solutions, observation solutions, primary antibodies, secondary antibodies, and stop agents. The framed array plate 12 is an open-top container that allows for the supply and discharge of reagents. Therefore, liquids stored in the framed array plate 12, or liquids dispensed or discharged, may scatter into the surrounding area as droplets of fumes, aerosols, and the like. The framed array plate 12 may be heated or shaken to accelerate or homogenize the reaction process, which may intensify the scattering of droplets of fumes, aerosols, and the like. Furthermore, liquids stored in the framed array plate 12 may undergo spreading wetting and reach the other side of the framed array plate 12 via the frame member 3 and the array plate 2. Dissolved components contained in the adhered liquid may become solids or gels as the liquid evaporates, becoming deposits that adhere to the other surface of the framed array plate 12. Dissolved components contained in the liquid include hydrocarbons that were originally attached to the array plate 2, frame member 3, reaction chamber mounting portion 4, etc.

[0025] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5(a). In the description of the deposit reduction means of this embodiment shown in FIG. 5(a), the same reference numerals are used to designate the same device components and members as those of the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. Compared to the deposit reduction means 50 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the deposit reduction means 75 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 5(a) differs in that it includes a wet wiping member 80 on the relay area 22 side (reaction chamber 200 side) and a dry wiping member 81 on the measurement area 23 side (measurement chamber 300 side) via a support member 40. As in the first embodiment, when the inter-chamber transport unit 9 moves the framed array plate 12 from the relay area 22 to the measurement area 23, the deposit reduction means 75, provided at the passage 41 of the support member 40, reduces the amount of deposits adhering to the framed array plate 12 and the inter-chamber transport unit 9. A humidifying unit 82 is provided on the wet wiping member 80 to moisten the wet wiping member 80. The humidifying unit 82 may be a porous material, an aerosol spray, or the like. The humidifying liquid may be a liquid with a low vapor pressure, such as purified water, ethanol, or isopropanol. When the moistened wet wiping member 80 contacts the other surface (lower surface) of the framed array plate 12, at least a portion of the deposits on the inter-chamber transport unit 9 and the framed array plate 12 is expected to swell and reduce adhesion. This, as in the first embodiment, reduces the amount of deposits on the framed array plate 12. In this embodiment, as in the example shown in FIG. 4(b), a deposit reduction unit may be provided to reduce deposits not only on the back surface but also on the side surfaces. The wet wiping member 80 with deposits attached thereto can be brought into contact with a cleaning sponge 83 to remove the wiped deposits. Furthermore, the wet wiping member 80 and the dry wiping member 81 are preferably configured to be detachable and replaceable. As described above, the adhesion reduction means 75 of this embodiment includes a wet wiping member 80 that wets the other surface of the framed array plate 12 with a predetermined liquid, and a dry wiping member 81 that contacts the other surface and reduces the amount of adhesion of the adhesion material wetted by the wet wiping member 80.

[0026] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5(b). In the description of the deposit reduction means of this embodiment shown in FIG. 5(b), the same reference numerals are used to designate the same device components and members as those in the above-described embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. The deposit reduction means 90 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 5(b) differs from the deposit reduction means 75 shown in FIG. 5(a) in that it includes a dry wiping member 81 on the relay area 22 side (reaction chamber 200 side) and an adhesive roller 85 on the measurement area 23 side (measurement chamber 300 side) via a support member 40. With this configuration, the dry wiping member 81 reduces liquid (liquid deposits) adhering to the inter-chamber transport unit 9 and the framed array plate 12, and the adhesive roller 85 reduces remaining solids (solid deposits). As with the second embodiment, this allows for more reliable reduction of deposits on the inter-chamber transport unit 9 and the framed array plate 12 than in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, rollers may be provided to reduce deposits not only on the underside (rear surface) of the framed array plate but also on its side, as shown in FIG. 4(b). It is also preferable that the dry wiping member 81 and the adhesive roller 85 are configured to be detachable and replaceable. As described above, the deposit reduction means 90 of this embodiment has the dry wiping member 81 that wipes off liquid deposits that have adhered to the other surface of the framed array plate 12, and an adhesive member (adhesive roller 85) that has adhesiveness that reduces the amount of solid deposits that remain on the other surface.

[0027] The present invention includes an optical measurement device having the following configuration. (Configuration 1) a reaction chamber mounting section on which an array plate having a plurality of substances fixed in an array on one surface and a reservoir section for storing a liquid sample or a predetermined chemical solution is mounted; a liquid supply unit that supplies the liquid sample or a predetermined chemical liquid to the storage unit; a reaction chamber for generating a reaction product on the array plate by a reaction between the liquid sample or the predetermined chemical solution and the plurality of substances; a measurement chamber mounting portion on which the array plate holding the reaction product is mounted; an optical measurement unit that optically measures the reaction product on the array plate placed on the measurement chamber placement unit through the array plate from the other surface side of the array plate that is opposite to the one surface; a measurement chamber for optically measuring the reaction product; an inter-chamber transport unit that transports the array plate between the reaction chamber and the measurement chamber; and an adhesion reducing means for acting on the other surface of the array plate transported by the inter-chamber transport unit to reduce the amount of adhesion of adhesions on the other surface. (Configuration 2) 2. The optical measurement device of claim 1, wherein the deposit reduction means is located between the reaction chamber and the measurement chamber. (Configuration 3) 3. The optical measurement device of configuration 1 or 2, wherein the deposit reduction means is supported by a support member located between the reaction chamber and the measurement chamber. (Configuration 4) 4. The optical measurement device of configuration 3, wherein the support member is configured to separate the reaction chamber and the measurement chamber. (Configuration 5) 5. The optical measurement device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the inter-chamber transport unit is configured to transport the array plate between the reaction chamber mounting unit and the measurement chamber mounting unit. (Configuration 6) 6. The optical measurement device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the reaction chamber has a relay area for transferring the array plate between the reaction chamber mounting unit and the inter-chamber transport unit. (Configuration 7) 7. The optical measurement device of configuration 6, wherein the reaction chamber further includes a reaction chamber transport unit that moves the array plate via the reaction chamber mounting unit. (Configuration 8) 8. The optical measurement device of configuration 6 or 7, wherein the reaction chamber has a liquid supply area, to which the array plate is supplied with liquid by the liquid supply unit, at a position different from the relay area. (Configuration 9) 9. The optical measurement device of configuration 8, wherein the reaction chamber transport unit transports the array plate between the liquid supply region and the relay region. (Configuration 10) 8. The optical measurement device of configuration 7, wherein the reaction chamber has a reaction adjustment unit that applies thermal or mechanical energy to the array plate to adjust the reaction on the array plate. (Configuration 11) 11. The optical measurement device of claim 10, wherein the reaction adjustment unit includes at least one selected from a heat transfer unit that is in thermal contact with the array plate, and a shaking unit that applies vibrations to the array plate. (Configuration 12) 11. The optical measurement device of claim 10, wherein the reaction chamber has a reaction adjustment area in which the reaction on the array plate is adjusted by the reaction adjustment unit. (Configuration 13) 13. The optical measurement device of claim 12, wherein the reaction chamber transport unit transports the array plate between the reaction adjustment area and the relay area. (Configuration 14) The optical measurement device of any one of configurations 1 to 13, wherein the inter-chamber transport unit has a base that is installed in either the reaction chamber or the measurement chamber, and a moving unit that moves relative to the base and has a portion that passes near the adhesion reduction means between the reaction chamber and the measurement chamber. (Configuration 15) 15. The optical measurement device of any one of configurations 1 to 14, wherein the deposit reducing means has a wiping member that wipes the other surface of the array plate. (Configuration 16) 16. The optical measurement device of claim 15, wherein the wiping member is detachably supported on a support member positioned between the reaction chamber and the measurement chamber. (Configuration 17) 16. An optical measuring device of configuration 15, wherein the wiping member has a wet wiping member that wets the other surface with a predetermined liquid, and a dry wiping member that contacts the other surface and reduces the amount of adhesion of the deposit wetted by the wet wiping member. (Configuration 18) An optical measuring device of configuration 15, wherein the wiping member includes a dry wiping member that wipes off the liquid adhering to the other surface, and an adhesive member that abuts against the other surface and has adhesiveness that reduces the amount of the adhering matter by removing solid matter remaining after the liquid has been wiped off with the dry wiping member. (Configuration 19) 19. The optical measurement device of any one of configurations 1 to 18, wherein the deposit reduction means has at least one selected from a heating unit that heats the other surface, a suction unit that sucks deposits that have adhered to the other surface, and a blower unit that blows air toward the other surface. (Configuration 20) 20. The optical measurement device according to any one of configurations 1 to 19, wherein the deposit reducing means also reduces the amount of deposits adhering to the side surfaces of the array plate. (Configuration 21) 21. The optical measurement device of any one of configurations 1 to 20, wherein the plurality of substances includes at least one selected from the group consisting of proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids. (Configuration 22) 22. The optical measurement device of any one of configurations 1 to 21, wherein the liquid sample includes a sample derived from a living organism. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 1000 optical measurement equipment 2 Array Plates 3 Frame members 4. Reaction chamber mounting section 5 Heat transfer section 7. Reaction chamber transfer section 8 Linear drive mechanism 9 Inter-room transport section 10 Dispensing Pipettes 11 Liquid reagent supplied on the array plate 12 Framed array plates 20 Drainage Area 21 Liquid supply area 22 Relay Area 23 Measurement area 24 Plate transport section 25 Reaction Adjustment Area 30 Optical measurement section 40 Support member 41 Passage gate 50. Means for reducing adhesion 51 Wiping material 52 Wiping material 60 Suction / air supply part 61 Suction / air supply part 62 Suction / Air Delivery Tube 63 Suction / Air Squeegee 64 Suction / Air Squeegee 70 Measures to reduce adhesion 71 Drive shaft 72 Drive unit 75 Measures to reduce adhesion 80 Wet wiping member 81 Dry wiping parts 82 Liquid supply section 83 Cleaning sponge 85 Adhesive Roller 90 Measures to reduce adhesion 100 Base 200 reaction chamber 220 Reaction chamber housing 300 Measurement room 320 Measuring chamber housing

Claims

1. a reaction chamber mounting section on which an array plate is mounted, the array plate having a plurality of substances fixed in an array on one surface thereof and a reservoir section for storing a liquid specimen or a predetermined chemical solution; and a liquid supply section for supplying the liquid specimen or the predetermined chemical solution to the reservoir section, the reaction chamber generating a reaction product on the array plate by a reaction between the liquid specimen or the predetermined chemical solution and the plurality of substances; a measurement chamber for optically measuring the reaction products, the measurement chamber comprising: a measurement chamber mounting section on which the array plate holding the reaction products is mounted; and an optical measurement section for optically measuring the reaction products on the array plate mounted on the measurement chamber mounting section through the array plate from the other surface side of the array plate opposite to the one surface; an inter-chamber transport unit that transports the array plate between the reaction chamber and the measurement chamber; and an adhesion reducing means for acting on the other surface of the array plate transported by the inter-chamber transport unit to reduce the amount of adhesion of adhesions on the other surface.

2. The optical measurement device according to claim 1 , wherein the deposit reducing means is located between the reaction chamber and the measurement chamber.

3. 3. The optical measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the deposit reducing means is supported by a support member located between the reaction chamber and the measurement chamber.

4. The optical measurement device of claim 3 , wherein the support member is configured to separate the reaction chamber and the measurement chamber.

5. 3. The optical measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the inter-chamber transport unit is configured to transport the array plate between the reaction chamber mounting unit and the measurement chamber mounting unit.

6. 3. The optical measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the reaction chamber has a relay area for transferring the array plate between the reaction chamber mounting section and the inter-chamber transport section.

7. The optical measurement device according to claim 6 , wherein the reaction chamber further comprises a reaction chamber transport unit that moves the array plate via the reaction chamber mounting unit.

8. 8. The optical measurement device according to claim 7, wherein the reaction chamber has a liquid supply area, to which the liquid is supplied by the liquid supply unit, at a position different from the relay area.

9. The optical measurement device according to claim 8 , wherein the reaction chamber transport unit transports the array plate between the liquid supply region and the relay region.

10. 8. The optical measurement device according to claim 7, wherein the reaction chamber has a reaction adjusting section that applies thermal or mechanical energy to the array plate to adjust a reaction on the array plate.

11. The optical measurement device according to claim 10 , wherein the reaction adjustment unit includes at least one selected from a heat transfer unit that is in thermal contact with the array plate, and a shaking unit that applies vibrations to the array plate.

12. The optical measurement device according to claim 10 , wherein the reaction chamber has a reaction adjustment area in which the reaction on the array plate is adjusted by the reaction adjustment unit.

13. The optical measurement device according to claim 12 , wherein the reaction chamber transport unit transports the array plate between the reaction adjustment area and the relay area.

14. The optical measuring device described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the inter-chamber transport unit has a base unit installed in either the reaction chamber or the measurement chamber, and a moving unit that moves relative to the base unit and has a portion that passes by the adhesion reduction means between the reaction chamber and the measurement chamber.

15. 3. The optical measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the deposit reducing means has a wiping member that wipes the other surface of the array plate.

16. 16. The optical measurement device according to claim 15, wherein the wiping member is detachably supported by a support member located between the reaction chamber and the measurement chamber.

17. The optical measuring device of claim 15, wherein the wiping member includes a wet wiping member that wets the other surface with a predetermined liquid, and a dry wiping member that contacts the other surface and reduces the amount of adhesion of the deposit wetted by the wet wiping member.

18. The optical measuring device of claim 15, wherein the wiping member comprises a dry wiping member that wipes off liquid adhering to the other surface, and an adhesive member that abuts against the other surface and has adhesiveness that reduces the amount of adhering matter by removing solid matter remaining after the liquid has been wiped off by the dry wiping member.

19. The optical measuring device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the adhesion reduction means has at least one of a heating section that heats the other surface, a suction section that sucks adhesions adhered to the other surface, and a blower section that blows air toward the other surface.

20. 3. The optical measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the deposit reducing means also reduces the amount of deposits adhering to the side surfaces of the array plate.

21. 3. The optical measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of substances include at least one selected from the group consisting of proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids.

22. The optical measurement device according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid sample includes a sample derived from a living organism.

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