Container set for gene amplification treatment and method for removing multiple containers from gene amplification device

Abstract

To improve work efficiency by making it easier to take out containers from a gene amplification device.SOLUTION: A container set for gene amplification comprises: an integral connected container (1) in which a plurality of cup-shaped containers (4) for individually accommodating a sample and / or reagent are arranged parallel to each other and on a straight line with a gap (10) between each other, and adjacent containers (4) are connected to each other by a connecting bridge (6); and a carrier (100) that has a main body (102) and a holding part (110) provided at the tip of the main body (102), has at least one claw (104) entering a gap (10) between the containers (4) adjacent to each other in the connected container in the holding part (110), and is configured to hold the connected container (1) with the holding part (110) by inserting the claw (104) of the holding part (110) into the gap (10) of the connected container (1) and engaging it to the connecting bridge (6) from below.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vessel set for gene amplification treatment and a method for removing a plurality of vessels from a gene amplification device. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a device (hereinafter referred to as a gene amplification device) that has the function of amplifying a target gene using a PCR reaction (polymerase chain reaction) (see Patent Document 1). The gene amplification device is equipped with a temperature control block whose temperature is regulated by a heater or Peltier element, and cup-shaped containers containing a mixture of a sample and a reagent are placed in multiple recesses on the top surface of the temperature control block. The temperature of the temperature control block is raised and lowered in a predetermined cycle, thereby causing a PCR reaction in the target gene of the sample in the container and amplifying it. In addition to the function of performing gene amplification processing, some gene amplification devices also have the function of optically measuring the target gene in the container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-038312 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Containers that have been processed by the gene amplification device are manually removed from the device by an operator. Until now, this removal process has typically been performed using tools such as general-purpose tweezers to prevent contamination of the operator. However, when the temperature and pressure inside the container are high, even a slight impact on the container can cause the lid sealing the top of the container to come off, risking leakage of the amplified sample and contaminating the inside of the device and its surroundings. If the inside of the device becomes contaminated by the amplified sample, this could affect the measurement results of samples that are subsequently placed in the device. For this reason, removing containers from the gene amplification device requires careful handling, which has not been considered efficient.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to improve the efficiency of the work by facilitating the work of removing a container from a gene amplification device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The container set for gene amplification processing according to the present invention comprises an integrated connected container in which a plurality of cup-shaped containers for individually storing samples and / or reagents are arranged in a straight line parallel to each other with gaps between them, and adjacent containers are connected to each other by connecting bridges; and a transport device having a main body and a holding part provided at the tip of the main body, the holding part having at least one claw that can fit into the gaps between adjacent containers in the connected container, and configured to hold the connected container with the holding part by inserting the claw of the holding part into the gap in the connected container and engaging it with the connecting bridge from below.

[0007] A method according to the present invention is a method for removing from a gene amplification device a plurality of containers set in the gene amplification device. The plurality of containers are arranged in a straight line parallel to each other with gaps between them, and adjacent containers are connected to each other by connecting bridges to form an integrated connected container. The method includes the steps of: preparing a conveying tool having a main body and a holding part provided at a tip of the main body, the holding part having at least one claw that can fit into a gap between adjacent containers in the connected containers; inserting the claws of the holding portion into the gaps of the connected containers; a step of lifting the holding portion to engage the claws with the connecting bridge from below and holding the connecting container with the holding portion; and removing the linked container from the gene amplification device by moving the holder. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The vessel set for gene amplification treatment according to the present invention comprises a linked vessel formed by arranging a plurality of vessels in a straight line and connecting the tops of each vessel to form an integrated vessel with connecting bridges, and a dedicated transport tool for holding and transporting the linked vessel, the transport tool having a holding part at its tip with a claw that fits into gaps between the plurality of vessels. The transport tool can hold and transport the linked vessel simply by inserting the claw on the holding part at its tip into the gap and engaging the connecting bridge from below, which not only makes it easier to remove vessels from the gene amplification device and improves the efficiency of the removal process, but also reduces the risk of accidentally opening the lid and reduces the chance of damage due to contamination of the device.

[0009] According to the method of the present invention, a transport tool having a holding part at its tip with a claw that fits into the gaps between the multiple containers that make up the connected container is used, and the claws of the holding part of the transport tool are inserted into the gaps in the connected containers and the holding part is raised, causing the claws to engage with the connecting bridges of the connected containers from below to hold the connected containers, and the connected container is then removed from the gene amplification device by simply moving the holding part in this state.This not only makes it easier to remove containers from the gene amplification device and improves the efficiency of the removal work, but also reduces the risk of accidentally opening the lid and reduces the chance of damage due to contamination of the device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a container set for gene amplification treatment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which an operator is holding a transport tool in the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a worker is holding a connected container with a carrier tool. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a delivery device having another structure. [Figure 5] 10 is an image showing a state in which linked containers are set in a gene amplification device. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for removing a linked container from a gene amplification device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vessel set for gene amplification treatment and a method for removing linked vessels from a gene amplification device will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the gene amplification treatment vessel set of this embodiment includes a linked vessel 1 and a transport device 100 for holding and transporting the linked vessel 1.

[0013] The linked container 1 includes multiple cup-shaped containers 4 for containing a mixture of a sample containing the gene to be amplified and PCR reagents. The multiple containers 4 are arranged in a straight line parallel to one another with gaps 10 between them, and are integrated by connecting the tops of adjacent containers 4 with connecting bridges 6. A lid 8 is attached to the top of each container 4, and the top surface of each container 4 is sealed by the lid 8.

[0014] Here, in this embodiment, four containers 4 are connected to each other to form one connected container 1, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of containers 4 that make up the connected container 1 can be any number greater than or equal to two.

[0015] The delivery device 100 includes a main body 102 having a longitudinal direction, and a claw 104 provided at the tip of the main body 102. The following description will be given on the assumption that the main body 102 is arranged so that the longitudinal direction thereof is approximately horizontal.

[0016] Delivery device 100 is configured by joining a first member 106 and a second member 108, each of which is a plate with a longitudinal direction, at their base ends with first member 106 superimposed on second member 108. Note that the member that configures main body 102 of delivery device 100 does not necessarily have to be plate-shaped, and may be rod-shaped.

[0017] The first member 106 is bent midway, causing the gap between the first member 106 and the second member 108 to gradually widen from the base end to the tip. A first support portion 110 and a second support portion 114 extending vertically downward are provided at the tips of the first member 106 and the second member 108, respectively. Three parallel claws 104 are provided at the lower end of the first support portion 110 so as to extend horizontally. A flat plate-shaped pressing portion 116 extending horizontally is provided at the lower end of the second support portion 114, located above the three claws 104. The first support portion 110, which has the claws 104 at its tip, constitutes a holding portion for holding the connected container 1.

[0018] Here, in the example of Figure 1, the claws 104 are arranged to extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the main body 102, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the claws 104 may be arranged to extend in a direction intersecting or parallel to the longitudinal direction of the main body 102.

[0019] The three claws 104 are provided with width dimensions and spacing such that they can each be inserted into the gaps 10 between the containers 4 of the connected container 1. The claws 104 are inserted into the gaps 10 between the containers 4 of the connected container 1 and engage with the connecting bridge 6 from below, thereby holding the connected container 1. When the claws 104 are inserted into the gaps 10 between the containers 4 of the connected container 1 and engage with the connecting bridge 6, the retaining portion 116 is positioned above the lid 8 of each container 4 to prevent the lid 8 of each container 4 from opening.

[0020] A worker handling the delivery device 100 grasps the base end of the main body 102. The first member 106 is made of an elastic material, such as steel or plastic. As shown in FIG. 2 , when the worker holding the base end presses the tip side of the first member 106 beyond the bent portion with his or her fingers, the first member 106 elastically deforms, causing the claw 104 at the tip of the first support portion 110 to displace relative to the pressing portion 116, increasing the distance between the claw 104 and the pressing portion 116. In this state, after inserting the claw 104 into the gap 10 of the connected container 100, the worker releases the pressure on the first member 106. As shown in FIG. 3 , the distance between the claw 104 and the pressing portion 116 decreases, allowing the pressing portion 116 to press down on the lids 8 of the containers 4 of the connected container 1. That is, the transport device 100 has an operating section for allowing the operator to adjust the distance between the claw 104 and the pressing section 116, which is provided at a position within reach of the operator's fingers holding the base end.

[0021] Note that the delivery device 100 of the present invention is not limited to the above-described structure, and any configuration may be used to provide the delivery device 100 with the function of adjusting the distance between the claw 104 and the retaining portion 116. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the retaining portion 116 may be provided at the lower end of the first support portion 110 of the first member 106, and the claw 104 may be provided at the lower end of the second support portion 114 of the second member 108. In the configuration of FIG. 4, when an operator holding the base end presses the tip side of the first member 106 beyond the bent portion with his or her fingers, the first member 106 elastically deforms, and the retaining portion 116 of the first support portion 110 is displaced relative to the claw 104, thereby reducing the distance between the claw 104 and the retaining portion 116. Conversely, when the operator releases pressure on the first member 106, the distance between the claw 104 and the retaining portion 116 increases.

[0022] It should be noted that the transport device 100 only needs to have the function of holding the connected container 1 by engaging the claws 104 with the connecting bridges 6 of the connected container 1 from below, so it does not need to be provided with the retaining portion 116, and even if the retaining portion 116 is provided, it is not necessary for the distance between the claws 104 and the retaining portion 116 to be adjustable. In such a case, the transport device 100 does not need to be made up of multiple members (in this embodiment, the first member 106 and the second member 108), but may be made up of a single member.

[0023] FIG. 5 is an image showing an example of the internal structure of a gene amplification device.

[0024] The gene amplification device is provided with a reagent storage section for setting multiple reagent containers containing reagents, and a specimen storage section for setting multiple specimen containers containing a mixture of specimen and reagent for gene amplification. In the example of Fig. 5, the reagent storage section is provided with multiple recesses in zone A for inserting and storing reagent containers from above, and the specimen storage section is provided with multiple recesses in zone B for inserting and storing specimen containers. The specimen storage section can hold multiple connected containers 1, each consisting of four specimen containers connected to each other.

[0025] When removing the linked container 1 from the gene amplification device after the gene amplification process in the specimen storage section is completed, the transport device 100 described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 is used. The method for removing the linked container 1 from the gene amplification device will be described with reference to the flowchart in Figure 6.

[0026] When the gene amplification process in the specimen storage section is completed, the operator prepares the transportation device 100 described above (step 101). The operator grasps the base end of the transportation device 100 so that the longitudinal direction of the transportation device 100 is approximately horizontal, positions the claws 104 of the transportation device 100 to the side of the connected container 1, and then slides the device in the approximately horizontal direction to insert the claws 104 into the gaps 10 of the connected container 1 (step 102). At this time, the operator widens the distance between the claws 104 and the pressing portion 116 so that the pressing portion 116 of the holding portion 104 does not come into contact with each of the lid portions 8 of the connected container 1.

[0027] After inserting the claws 104 into the gaps 10 of the connected containers 1, the claws 104 are raised to engage with the connecting bridges 6 of the connected containers 1 from below, and the connected containers 1 are held by lifting them up with the claws 104 (step 103), and the held connected containers 1 are then removed from the gene amplification device (step 104). At this time, by shortening the distance between the claws 104 and the presser 116, the lids 8 of the containers 4 can be pressed from above, preventing the tops of the containers from opening.

[0028] The container set and method described above are merely examples of embodiments of the present invention. Embodiments of the container set and method according to the present invention are as follows.

[0029] One embodiment of the container set of the present invention comprises an integrated connected container in which a plurality of cup-shaped containers for individually holding samples and / or reagents are arranged in a straight line parallel to each other with gaps between them, and adjacent containers are connected to each other by connecting bridges; and a transport device having a main body and a holding portion provided at the tip of the main body, the holding portion having at least one claw that can fit into the gaps between adjacent containers in the connected container, and configured to hold the connected container with the holding portion by inserting the claw of the holding portion into the gap in the connected container and engaging it with the connecting bridge from below.

[0030] In a first aspect of the above embodiment, the connected container includes a lid attached to each of the plurality of containers to seal the top surfaces of the plurality of containers, and the transport device includes a pressing portion arranged to be positioned above the lids of each of the plurality of containers when the claw is inserted into the gap of the connected container, and the pressing portion is configured to prevent the lids attached to each of the plurality of containers of the connected container held by the holding portion from coming off each of the plurality of containers. This aspect makes it possible to prevent the lids of each container from coming off and exposing the top surfaces of the containers during transport of the connected container.

[0031] In one embodiment of the first aspect, the transport device is configured to be able to adjust the distance between the claw and the pressing portion, and is configured to press the lid of the connected container held by the holding portion with the pressing portion by moving the claw and the pressing portion closer to each other. This embodiment reliably prevents the lid of each container from coming off during transport of the connected container.

[0032] In the above aspect, the conveying instrument may be provided with an operating portion for adjusting the distance between the claw and the holding portion at a position that can be reached by the operator's fingers when the operator grasps the base end of the main body portion.

[0033] In addition, in a second aspect of the above embodiment, the main body of the transport device is a plate-like or rod-like member having a longitudinal direction, and the claws of the holding portion are arranged to extend in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction within a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the main body.

[0034] One embodiment of the method according to the present invention is a method for removing, from a gene amplification device, a plurality of containers set in the gene amplification device. The plurality of containers are arranged in a straight line parallel to each other with gaps between them, and adjacent containers are connected to each other by a connecting bridge to form an integrated connected container. In this embodiment, preparing a conveying tool having a main body and a holding part provided at a tip of the main body, the holding part having at least one claw that can fit into a gap between adjacent containers in the connected containers; inserting the claws of the holding portion into the gaps of the connected containers; a step of lifting the holding portion to engage the claws with the connecting bridge from below and holding the connecting container with the holding portion; and removing the linked container from the gene amplification device by moving the holder.

[0035] In the above embodiment, the connected container and the transport device can constitute the container set described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1 Connected container 4 containers 6 Connecting bridge 8 Lid 10 Gap 100 Transport equipment 104 Nails 106 First member 108 Second member 110 1st support part 114 Second support part 116 Presser foot

Claims

1. an integral connected container in which a plurality of cup-shaped containers for individually storing samples and / or reagents are arranged in parallel with each other on a straight line with gaps between them, and adjacent containers are connected to each other by connecting bridges; a transport device having a main body and a holding part provided at a tip of the main body, with at least one claw provided on the holding part for inserting the claw into a gap between adjacent containers in the connected container from the side, and configured to hold the connected container with the holding part by sliding the holding part in an approximately horizontal direction from the side of the connected container, thereby inserting the claw into the gap from the side of the connected container and engaging it with the connecting bridge from below.

2. the connected container includes a lid portion attached to each of the plurality of containers and sealing an upper surface of each of the plurality of containers; The container set described in claim 1, wherein the conveying device has a pressing portion arranged to be positioned above the lid portions of each of the multiple containers when the claw is inserted into the gap of the connected container, and is configured to prevent the lid portions attached to each of the multiple containers of the connected container held in the holding portion from coming off each of the multiple containers.

3. The container set described in claim 2, wherein the conveying device is configured to adjust the distance between the claw and the holding portion, and is configured to hold the lid portion of the connected container held by the holding portion by bringing the claw and the holding portion closer to each other.

4. The container set described in claim 3, wherein the conveying tool is provided with an operating portion for adjusting the distance between the claw and the pressing portion at a position reachable by an operator's fingers when the operator grasps the base end of the main body portion.

5. A container set described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the main body of the conveying device is a plate-shaped or rod-shaped member having a longitudinal direction, and the claws of the holding portion are arranged to extend in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction within a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the main body.

6. A method for removing a plurality of containers set in a gene amplification device from the gene amplification device, comprising: The plurality of containers are arranged in a straight line parallel to each other with gaps between them, and adjacent containers are connected to each other by connecting bridges to form an integral connected container, preparing a conveying tool having a main body and a holding part provided at a tip of the main body, the holding part being provided with at least one claw for inserting the conveying tool from a side of the connected container into a gap between adjacent containers in the connected container; a step of sliding the conveying device in a substantially horizontal direction from a side of the connected container to insert the claw of the holding portion into the gap from a side of the connected container; a step of lifting the holding portion to engage the claws with the connecting bridge from below and holding the connecting container with the holding portion; and removing the linked container from the gene amplification apparatus by moving the holding part, in that order.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the connected container and the carrier constitute a container set according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

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