Dispensing device and genetic testing device equipped with same

Abstract

In order to reduce the risk of cross-contamination from occurring when integrating reaction cartridges comprising a plurality of lanes, without providing partition walls that define lanes or air intake ports on the cartridges, this dispensing device comprises: a plurality of dispensers; a dispensing device body to which the plurality of dispensers can be fitted and which can move along the direction of lanes of a solution plate in which a plurality of containers for containing a sample or specimen are integrally formed along a plurality of lanes; a top plate for testing on which the dispensing device body and the solution plate are placed; and a device cover that covers, in combination with the top plate for testing, the dispensing device body. The dispenser device body has formed therein a plurality of ribs separating and covering the space above each of a plurality of lanes of a container plate.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a multiple pipetting device that handles multiple samples simultaneously and a genetic testing device equipped with the same, and more particularly to a pipetting device that reduces the risk of cross-contamination and a genetic testing device equipped with the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a technology that uses a multiple-dispensing device that handles multiple samples simultaneously, and manages each sample in an independent reagent cartridge with a partition, thereby preventing microparticles containing samples from entering solutions containing other samples, which could cause cross-contamination. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3630493 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A dispensing device is a device used in research, testing, and other fields in the life sciences to aspirate and dispense a set amount of liquid, such as a specimen or reagent. In particular, a multiple dispensing device is used as a dispensing device mounted on a genetic testing device so that different specimens can be tested simultaneously. A multiple dispensing device is composed of multiple independent dispensers arranged in parallel.

[0005] When using such a multiple pipetting device, different samples are handled simultaneously, so it is necessary to prevent cross-contamination, in which one sample gets mixed with another. If cross-contamination occurs, the reliability of the test results will decrease. Cross-contamination is particularly problematic in genetic testing devices that use the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which exponentially amplifies and detects the target DNA or RNA.

[0006] Patent document 1 describes a structure in which, when arranging multiple reaction lines (hereinafter referred to as lanes) to perform a series of reaction processes on a single sample, a partition is provided to separate the space from adjacent lanes, and air intake ports are provided between the lanes to suck air downward.

[0007] The structure described in Patent Document 1 prevents the scattering of specimen-containing particles in unintended directions due to the intake of air through the partition and air inlet, which can cause cross-contamination. This can be easily achieved by providing an independent cartridge structure for each lane. That is, a partition can be provided on either the left or right end of the top surface of the cartridge. By arranging such cartridges side by side, it is easy to create gaps between the cartridges that allow air to flow in.

[0008] However, when using such independent cartridges, each cartridge must be individually placed during testing and then removed once the test is complete. When this series of steps is performed manually by an operator, cross-contamination can occur if the operator touches various parts of the device with the sample on their fingers. Furthermore, if the sample is pathogenic, it is desirable for the operator to have as little access as possible to the solution containing the sample. For these reasons, it is desirable to automate the steps required for testing.

[0009] However, to automate the task of lining up multiple cartridges as described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to repeat the procedure of removing the cartridges from their storage location, moving them to the target position on each lane, placing them, and returning them to their storage location for the number of lanes, which raises concerns that the device configuration and control may become complicated.

[0010] Furthermore, since a common cartridge shape is inevitably used, the flow path shape for each lane is the same, making it impossible to precisely control the cross-sectional area of the flow path.

[0011] On the other hand, by integrating individual cartridges for each lane, it is possible to simplify the device configuration and control, but an aluminum seal for sealing in reagents and the like is attached to the surface of the cartridge, making it difficult to form the partitions and air intake ports described in Patent Document 1. Therefore, there is a problem in that it becomes difficult to suppress the movement of particles containing specimens between lanes, which can cause cross-contamination, and the risk increases.

[0012] The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technology and provides a dispensing device and a genetic testing device equipped with the same that can reduce the risk of cross-contamination when a reaction cartridge consisting of multiple lanes is integrated without the need to install partitions or air intakes on the cartridge to separate the lanes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In order to solve the problems of the prior art described above, the present invention provides a dispensing device comprising a plurality of dispensers, a dispensing device body to which the plurality of dispensers are attached and which can move along the direction of the lanes of a solution plate on which a plurality of containers for holding reagents or samples are integrally formed along a plurality of lanes, an inspection top plate on which the dispensing device body and the solution plate are placed, and an apparatus cover which combines with the inspection top plate to cover the dispensing device body, and which is characterized in that the dispensing device body is formed with a plurality of ribs which separate and cover the space above the plurality of lanes of the container plate for each of the plurality of lanes.

[0014] In addition, in order to solve the problems of the prior art described above, the present invention provides a genetic testing device comprising a DNA detection unit, a DNA amplification unit that amplifies the detection target detected by the DNA detection unit, an amplification product detection unit that quantitatively evaluates the amount of amplification of the detection target amplified by the DNA amplification unit, a control unit that controls the DNA detection unit, the DNA amplification unit, and the amplification product detection unit, and an output unit that outputs the results of the quantitative evaluation of the amount of amplification of the detection target by the amplification product detection unit, wherein the DNA detection unit is provided with a dispensing device that dispenses a solution containing the detection target and a reagent into a container, and the dispensing device is configured to comprise: a plurality of dispensers; a dispensing device main body to which the plurality of dispensers are attached and which is movable along the direction of the lanes of a solution plate on which a plurality of containers for containing reagents or samples are integrally formed along a plurality of lanes; an examination top plate on which the dispensing device main body and the solution plate are placed; and an apparatus cover that combines with the examination top plate to cover the dispensing device main body, and the dispensing device main body is formed with a plurality of ribs that separate and cover the space above the plurality of lanes of the container plate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, in the dispensing device and the genetic testing device equipped with it, a plate is used that integrates reagent and solution cartridges corresponding to multiple samples, which makes it possible to reduce the risk of cross-contamination without providing a partition or air intake port on the surface of the solution cartridge. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a dispensing device showing a schematic configuration of the dispensing device according to Example 1. FIG. [Figure 2] 2 is a front perspective view of the dispensing device according to the first embodiment, as seen from the direction AA in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows BB in FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing device according to Example 1, showing the relationship between a dispensing device main body, a dispensing machine, a solution plate, and a rib structure. FIG. [Figure 5] 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow CC in FIG. 1, showing the relationship between the solution plate and the rib structure of the dispensing device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow CC in FIG. 1, showing a relationship between the solution plate and the rib structure of the dispensing device according to Example 2, different from that shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the relationship between a dispensing unit and a rib structure of a dispensing device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8] 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow CC in FIG. 1, showing the relationship between the solution plate and the rib structure of the dispensing device according to Example 4. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a genetic testing device according to a fifth embodiment, which is equipped with any of the dispensing devices described in the first to fourth embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Some genetic testing devices have a configuration in which test lanes are arranged in parallel to test multiple samples simultaneously. In such a configuration with test lanes, the dispenser that simultaneously injects samples or reagents into the solution plate corresponding to the multiple test lanes requires dispensing, stirring, and moving the dispenser, which can cause fine particles to be scattered by air currents and get mixed into other samples, resulting in cross-contamination.

[0018] In contrast, in the present invention, a wall rib structure is provided in the part of the dispenser facing the solution plate at the bottom, forming an airflow guide and separating the flow, thereby suppressing cross-contamination of microparticles in the dispenser.

[0019] The present invention provides a dispensing device that integrates reagent and solution cartridges compatible with multiple specimens, and can reduce the risk of cross-contamination without providing partitions or air intakes on the surface of the solution cartridge, as well as a genetic testing device equipped with the same.

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the dispensing device and genetic testing device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description and drawings, components having the same functional configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0021] However, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the description of the embodiments shown below. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the specific configurations can be modified without departing from the spirit or intent of the present invention. [Example]

[0022] 1 shows a schematic configuration of a dispensing device 100 used in a genetic testing device or the like according to Example 1. The dispensing device 100 is configured by covering a dispensing device main body 106, to which a plurality of dispensers 107 are attached, with an inspection top plate 103 and a device cover 101.

[0023] An intake port 102 for letting in air from outside the device is provided on the device cover 101. On the testing top plate 103, there are arranged exhaust ports 104a-c for exhausting the air inside the device including the dispensing device main body 106 covered by the device cover 101 to the outside by exhaust means (not shown), as well as a solution plate 105a for containing reagents etc. for performing testing processing and a solution plate 105b for containing specimens.

[0024] The solution plate 105a has the same function as the conventional solution cartridge in Patent Document 1, but as shown in Figure 2, instead of individual cartridges for each reaction lane 210, a large number of containers 1051 for holding solutions for testing are formed vertically and horizontally and integrated together. Also, the solution plate 105b has a large number of containers 1052 for holding specimens formed therein and integrated together. The arrangement of the solution plate 105a for performing testing and the solution plate 105b for holding specimens can be changed as desired depending on the order of testing and the configuration of the device.

[0025] The exhaust ports 104a-c can be duct structures made of plate-like members made of metal, resin, etc., but they may also be flow paths through which airflow can pass that appear when constructing the device, such as gaps between members.

[0026] The dispensing device main body 106 is equipped with a plurality of dispensers 107 as shown in FIG. 2 and is configured to be movable in the left-right direction of the paper in FIG. 1. The dispensers 107 move in accordance with the left-right movement of the dispensing device main body 106. The dispensers 107 are also configured to be movable in the up-down direction of the paper in FIG. 1 and have the function of dispensing liquid. That is, in addition to the movement control of the dispensing device main body 106 described above, the dispensers 107 have the function of aspirating a fixed amount of specimen or reagent contained in a container on either solution plate 105a or 105b and dispensing it into another container. The dispensers 107 can also be equipped with a dispensing and mixing function that mixes the liquid by repeatedly aspirating and dispensing the liquid contained in a container on either solution plate 105a or 105b.

[0027] Fig. 2 shows a schematic configuration of Example 1 as seen from the AA cross section of Fig. 1. Dispenser body 106 is configured to be movable in the direction indicated by arrow 11 in Fig. 2, guided by linear guides 201a and 201b installed on the top plate of the device.

[0028] A dotted rectangle 210 indicates the reaction lane 210 in this embodiment, and one sample is processed in one reaction lane 210. In this embodiment, unlike the solution cartridge described in Patent Document 1, the configuration is similar to that of solution plate 105a, which is formed by integrating multiple containers 1051 containing reagents and solutions necessary for processing the reaction lane 210. Similarly, solution plate 105b, which holds the sample solution, is also formed by integrating multiple containers 1052. In this way, by integrating multiple containers 1051 and 1052 into solution plates 105a and 105b, automatic placement at predetermined positions is facilitated and the time required to place each of the multiple containers 1051 and 1052 can be reduced, contributing to the automation of genetic testing processing operations.

[0029] 2 is provided at the bottom of the dispensing device main body 106. A structure 202 including magnets and the like necessary for sample manipulation using magnetic particles in the reaction process is also provided. Furthermore, a plurality of rib structures 203 extending perpendicularly to the bottom surface of the structure 202 are formed on the side of the structure 202 and are arranged so as to separate the spaces for each reaction lane 210. For example, when the structure 202 including magnets and the like is located above the solution plate 105a, the rib structures 203 are arranged so as to separate the space between the top surface of the solution plate 105a and the bottom surface of the structure 202 for each reaction lane 210. The same applies to the solution plate 105b.

[0030] The solution plates 105a and 105b, as well as other components necessary for the genetic testing device, and the rib structure 203 must be positioned so as not to interfere with each other during operation. For example, a certain distance must be maintained between the solution plates 105a and 105b and the lower end of the rib structure 203 so that they do not come into contact. However, as will be described later, in order to make the space below the structure 202 as independent as possible for each reaction lane 210, it is desirable to keep the distance between the lower end of the rib structure 203 and the solution plate 105a as small as possible.

[0031] 3, which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B--B in FIG. 1, the length L of the rib structure 203 is set so that the cross-sectional area of the space 204 surrounded by the bottom surface of the structure 202 including the magnets and the adjacent rib structure 203 is sufficiently larger than the cross-sectional area of the space 205 formed by the surface connecting the lower ends of the adjacent rib structures 203 and the surface of the solution plate 105a. With this configuration, the airflow passing under the structure 202 generally passes through the space 204 for each reaction lane 210, and the airflow can be separated for each reaction lane.

[0032] 4 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the dispensing device main body 106 in FIG. 2. The airflow above the solution plate 105a is rectified by the rib structure 203, and therefore flows generally along the reaction lanes 210, as indicated by arrow 301. This airflow is part of the flow structure that flows into the device through the air intake 102, which allows air from outside the device to flow in, and flows out through the exhaust ports 104a, 104b, and 104c, as shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, particles that may be generated by the scattering of a solution containing a sample adhering to the tip of the dispensing device 107 or particles that may be generated during processing on the solution plate 105a, i.e., particles that may be a source of cross-contamination, can be guided by the airflow flowing in the direction of arrow 301 and collected from the exhaust port 104a.

[0033] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the risk of cross-contamination between adjacent reaction lanes 210 can be reduced.

[0034] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the rib structure 203 is provided on the bottom surface of the structure 202 including the magnets, etc., so that the top surfaces of the solution plates 105a and 105b can be made flat, making it possible to store multiple solution plates 105a or 105b in a stacked state. This makes it possible to reduce the storage space for multiple solution plates 105a or 105b compared to when the top surfaces are not flat.

[0035] In this embodiment, when the rib structure 203 is installed on the bottom surface of the structure 202 including magnets and the like, the structure 202 can be made of metal, and the rib structure 203 can be machined and configured as an integral part of the structure 202. Alternatively, the rib structure 203 can be formed separately from the structure 202, and the rib structure 203 can be formed from a plate-like part bent into an L-shape. In this case, the L-shaped part can be glued to the structure 202 or fixed with screws or the like so as to form the rib structure 203. Alternatively, a snap-in sliding mechanism can be provided between the structure 202 and the parts that make up the rib structure 203, allowing the rib structure 203 to be slid and detached from the structure 202.

[0036] 2 and 4, the rib structure 203 is shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped, and therefore the cross-sectional shape of the space formed by adjacent rib structures 203 is roughly rectangular. However, the cross-sectional shape of the rib structure 203 can be arbitrarily changed as needed. For example, the joint between the structure 202 and the rib structure 203 can be made fillet-shaped. It is also possible to change the cross-sectional shape of each reaction lane 210 to change the cross-sectional area distribution. This makes it possible to control the pressure loss in the space formed by the structure 202 and the rib structure 203 for each reaction lane, allowing for more flexible control of the airflow. In addition to creating an open space using a rib structure, other changes are possible, such as using a tubular cross-sectional shape to more clearly divide the flow path for each lane. [Example]

[0037] The configuration of Example 2 of the present invention will be described below. This example focuses on the rib structure 203 in Example 1, and balances the flow path resistance in the space defined by the rib structure 203 for each reaction lane 210, thereby effectively equalizing the flow rate.

[0038] 5 shows the configuration of Example 2, which corresponds to the configuration around the rib structure 203 and the exhaust port 104a in the cross section BB of Figure 1 described in Example 1. In this example, of the rib structure 410, rib structures 401a and 401b corresponding to the reaction lanes 210 at the left and right ends of the multiple reaction lanes 210 formed on the solution plate 105a are made to have thin rib structures, and rib structure 401c separating the space of the inner reaction lane 210 (the inner reaction lane 210 sandwiched between the reaction lanes 210 at the left and right ends) is made to have a relatively thick rib structure.

[0039] With this configuration, the width W1 of the flow path 402a of the reaction lanes 210 at the left and right ends of the multiple reaction lanes 210 becomes larger than the width W2 of the inner reaction lane 210, and the flow path cross-sectional area of the flow path 402a of the reaction lane 210 at the left and right ends becomes larger than the flow path cross-sectional area of the flow path 402b of the inner reaction lane 210. As a result, the pressure loss of the flow path 402a of the reaction lane 210 at the left and right ends can be made smaller than the pressure loss of the flow path 402b of the inner reaction lane 210.

[0040] If the exhaust port 104a were rectangular, the pressure loss would be large at the left and right ends in the longitudinal direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 5), making it difficult for air to flow, but by employing the rib structure 410 shown in this embodiment, it is possible to balance the pressure loss in the flow path from each reaction lane 210 to the exhaust port 104a. As a result, the flow rates of the airflow 403a passing through the leftmost reaction lane 210 and the airflow 403b passing through the adjacent reaction lane 210 can be made uniform, and fine particles containing specimens, which are a source of cross-contamination, can be more efficiently collected from the exhaust port 104a by riding on this stabilized airflow.

[0041] It is also possible to adjust the pressure loss in the flow path by varying the cross-sectional shape for each reaction lane 210 and distributing the cross-sectional area. An example is shown in Figure 6. In Figure 6, rib structure 501c, which corresponds to rib structures 401a and 401b corresponding to the reaction lanes 210 at the left and right ends shown in Figure 5, is connected by block 501d at the back of the housing, and is configured to fill the space.

[0042] On the other hand, the rib structures 501a and 501b corresponding to the left and right ends of the reaction lane 210 do not fill the space at the rear of the housing. The dispensing device main body 106 moves in the direction of arrow 503, including the rib structure 501 shown in Fig. 6. Therefore, by using the rib structure 501 as shown in Fig. 6, it is possible to control the position of the dispenser that is effective as a flow path for each reaction lane 210.

[0043] That is, the flow paths 502a and 502b of the left and right end reaction lanes 210 always have a constant flow path cross-sectional area, but the flow path 502c of each inner reaction lane 210 sandwiched between the left and right end reaction lanes 210 has a reduced flow path cross-sectional area and increased flow path resistance because the flow path is restricted by the position of the dispensing device main body 106. This makes it possible to control the pressure loss in the flow path for each reaction lane 210, allowing for more flexible control of the airflow.

[0044] According to this embodiment, in addition to the effects described in Example 1, by providing a rectifying structure to the rib structure 203 formed on the bottom surface of the structure 202 including the magnets, etc., it has become possible to improve the degree of freedom in the design of the flow path for each reaction lane 210. With a conventional structure in which reaction lanes are formed by arranging solution cartridges, it has been difficult to design the flow path flexibly in this way.

[0045] 5, the thickness of the rib structures 401a, 401b is thinner than the thickness of the inner rib structure 402c, but this is not limited to this, and the thickness of the rib structures 401a, 401b may be the same as or greater than the inner rib structure 402c as long as the width W1 of the flow path 402a of the reaction lanes 210 at the left and right ends can be set larger than the width W2 of the inner reaction lane 210. The same can be said for the configuration described in FIG. [Example]

[0046] A configuration according to Example 3 of the present invention will be described below. This example focuses on the structure 202 including magnets and the rib structure 203 in Example 1, and is intended to more effectively rectify the airflow passing through the space defined by the structure 202 and the rib structure 203.

[0047] 7 shows the configuration of the magnet-containing structure 202 and the rib structure 601 in Example 3. This is the same as Example 1 in that the rib structure 601 is arranged on the bottom surface of the magnet-containing structure 202, dividing the space on the bottom surface of the structure 202 into reaction lanes 210 (see FIG. 2).

[0048] However, for the left and right rib structures 601a, 601b arranged outside the left and right end reaction lanes 210, the tip ends 6011a, 6011b of the rib structures 601a, 601b are located at the same position as the front surface of the structure 202, but for the inner rib structure 601c sandwiched between the left and right end rib structures 601a, 601b, the tip end 6011c is located closer to the dispenser 107.

[0049] That is, the tip 6011c of the inner rib structure 601c protrudes further toward the dispenser 107 than the tip ends 6011a, 6011b of the rib structures 601a, 601b on the left and right ends.

[0050] The vicinity of the tip of the dispenser 107 near the solution plates 105a and 105b (see FIG. 2) is considered to be a location where fine particles that become a source of cross-contamination are likely to be generated and dispersed due to the influence of air currents and the like during testing processing. Therefore, by extending the tip 6011c close to the dispenser 107, as in the rib structure 601c, it is possible to achieve the rectification effect for each reaction lane 210 from the upstream side of the air current.

[0051] Furthermore, by positioning the tips 6011a and 6011b of the rib structures 601a and 601b at the same position as the front surface of the structure 202, it is possible to configure a flow path that directs the lateral airflow to the reaction lanes 210 at the left and right ends, as shown by the direction of the arrow 402. In this way, it is also possible to arbitrarily set the positions of the tips 6011a, 6011b, and 6011c of the rib structure 601 appropriate for each reaction lane 210.

[0052] It is also possible to dynamically change the positions of the tips 6011a, 6011b, and 6011c of the rib structures 601a to 601c using a mechanism such as an actuator. By dynamically changing the positions of the tips 6011a, 6011b, and 6011c, it becomes possible to more flexibly collect fine particles that could be a source of cross-contamination, and it also alleviates restrictions on object interference when automatically installing and replacing the solution plates 105a and 105b, the dispenser 107, and the like.

[0053] According to this embodiment, in addition to the effects described in the first and second embodiments, it is possible to exert the straightening effect for each reaction lane 210 from the upstream side of the airflow, where fine particles that are a source of cross-contamination are likely to be generated and dispersed due to the influence of airflow, etc. during the testing process. [Example]

[0054] A configuration according to Example 4 of the present invention will be described below. This example focuses on the exhaust port 104a at the rear of the device in Example 1, and is intended to more effectively rectify the airflow passing through the space defined by the structure 202 and rib structure 203 described in FIG.

[0055] 8 shows the configuration around the rib structure 203 and the exhaust port 701 in Example 4, which corresponds to the configuration around the rib structure 203 and the exhaust port 104a as viewed from the CC cross section shown in Figure 1 in Example 1. The configurations of the rib structure 203, solution plate 105a, and dispenser 107 in Figure 8 are the same as those described in Example 1.

[0056] In this embodiment, the exhaust port 701 has a flow path shape in which the opening shape changes in the left-right direction of the device (left-right direction on the paper), as shown by opening regions 7011 and 7012. In FIG. 8 , the airflow passing through the leftmost reaction lane 702a passes mostly through opening region 7011, which has a large flow path area, of the exhaust port 701, while the airflow passing through 702b of the adjacent reaction lane passes mostly through opening region 7012, which has a small flow path area of the exhaust port 701. Generally, pressure loss is relatively large at both ends of the longitudinal direction of a rectangular conduit and small near the center. Therefore, by using a flow path shape such as 701, in which the flow path area is large at both ends and narrow at the center, it is possible to balance the pressure loss. Therefore, the flow velocities of airflow 703a passing through the leftmost lane and airflow 703b passing through the adjacent lane can be made uniform, and fine particles containing specimens, which are a source of cross-contamination, can be more efficiently collected by riding on this stabilized airflow.

[0057] 8 shows an example in which the cross-sectional area of the exhaust port 701 changes stepwise in the left-right direction of the device, but it may have any shape, or may have a continuously changing cross-sectional area distribution. Furthermore, the exhaust port 701 may be configured as a hole provided in the inspection top plate 103 (see FIG. 1), or may be configured as a duct made of resin, metal, or the like.

[0058] Furthermore, the exhaust port 701 may be configured to have the entire area formed by the width of the opening area 7011, and a member that increases air resistance, such as a mesh plate, may be attached to the part corresponding to the opening area 7012. By adopting the above-described configuration, according to this embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those explained in the first to third embodiments. [Example]

[0059] A configuration according to Example 5 of the present invention will be described below. This example is an example in which the dispensing device 100 described in Examples 1 to 4 is applied to a genetic testing device using a PCR reaction (hereinafter referred to as a PCR device) 800. Note that the dispensing device 100 described here also includes the dispensing device 100 described in Example 1 with the modifications described in Examples 2 to 4.

[0060] 9 shows a schematic configuration of a PCR device 800 using the dispensing device 100 in Example 5. The PCR device 800 includes a DNA extraction unit 801 and a DNA amplification unit 802 each equipped with the dispensing device 100, an amplification product detection unit 803, a control unit 810 for overall control, and an output unit 820 for outputting the test results.

[0061] In the DNA extraction unit 801, a solution containing detection targets such as DNA or RNA is mixed with a reagent, magnetic particles, etc., and the detection targets are extracted by dispensing, stirring, dispensing, etc. In the DNA extraction unit 801, there are many operations such as dispensing, stirring, and dispensing using the dispensing device 100, as well as moving the dispenser, and therefore the risk of contamination is relatively high. Therefore, the rectification structure of the reaction lane 210 using the dispensing device 100 described in Examples 1 to 4 is particularly effective.

[0062] In the DNA amplification unit 802, a solution containing detection targets such as DNA and RNA extracted in the DNA extraction unit 801 is dispensed and placed in a device called a thermal cycler (not shown). A thermal cycler is a device capable of high-speed and precise temperature control, and adjusts the temperature to match the detection target and the reagents used, and performs operations such as thermal denaturation, annealing, and extension to amplify the DNA or RNA.

[0063] In addition, in the amplification product detection unit 803, a container containing the detection target such as DNA or RNA amplified in the DNA amplification unit 802 is dispensed, and the fluorescence intensity is measured to quantitatively evaluate the amount of amplification of the detection target.

[0064] In a genetic testing device 800 using a PCR reaction as shown in Example 5, by using a dispensing device 100 as described in Examples 1 to 4, it is possible to reduce the risk of cross-contamination and improve the reliability of genetic testing results.

[0065] The invention made by the inventor has been specifically described above based on the embodiments, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the above embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those having all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of each embodiment with other configurations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 100...dispensing device, 101...device cover, 102...air intake port, 103...testing top plate, 104a, 104b, 104c, 701...exhaust port, 105a, 105b...solution plate, 106...dispensing device body, 107...dispenser, 201a, 201b...guide, 202...structure, 203, 410, 501, 601...rib structure, 210...reaction lane, 800...genetic testing device

Claims

1. A plurality of dispensers; a dispensing device body that is equipped with the plurality of dispensers and that is movable along the direction of the lanes of a solution plate on which a plurality of containers for containing reagents or specimens are integrally formed along a plurality of lanes; an inspection top plate on which the dispensing device body and the solution plate are placed; an apparatus cover that covers the dispensing apparatus body in combination with the inspection top plate; A dispensing device comprising: The dispensing device is characterized in that the dispensing device body is formed with a plurality of ribs that separate and cover the spaces above the plurality of lanes of the solution plate for each of the plurality of lanes.

2. The dispensing device according to claim 1, A dispensing device characterized in that an air intake port is formed in the device cover and an exhaust port is formed in the inspection top plate, and the plurality of ribs are formed so that air flowing into the device cover from the air intake port and out of the exhaust port flows along the space formed by the plurality of ribs.

3. The dispensing device according to claim 2, A dispensing device characterized in that the plurality of ribs are formed so that the resistance of the air flowing near the surface of the solution plate along the space formed by the plurality of ribs varies depending on the position of the plurality of ribs.

4. The dispensing device according to claim 3, A dispensing device characterized in that the spacing between the multiple ribs that separate and cover the space above the multiple lanes of the solution plate for each of the multiple lanes varies depending on the position of each of the multiple ribs.

5. The dispensing device according to claim 4, A dispensing device characterized in that the spacing between the ribs that cover the space above the end lane of the plurality of lanes on the solution plate is larger than the spacing between the ribs that cover the space above the lane that is more inward than the end lane of the plurality of ribs.

6. The dispensing device according to claim 1, The plurality of dispensers are attached to the dispenser body in correspondence with the plurality of lanes, and the distance between the dispensers and a plurality of ribs that separate and cover the spaces above the plurality of lanes on the solution plate for each of the lanes varies depending on the position of the plurality of ribs.

7. The dispensing device according to claim 2, The exhaust port of the inspection top plate is formed across the multiple lanes of the solution plate, and the vicinity of the end of the exhaust port in the direction across the multiple lanes of the solution plate is formed so that the resistance of air passing through the exhaust port is smaller than that near the end and inside.

8. a DNA detection unit; a DNA amplification unit that amplifies the detection target detected by the DNA detection unit; an amplification product detection unit that quantitatively evaluates the amount of amplification of the detection target amplified in the DNA amplification unit; a control unit that controls the DNA detection unit, the DNA amplification unit, and the amplification product detection unit; an output unit that outputs the result of quantitatively evaluating the amount of amplification of the detection target in the amplification product detection unit; A genetic testing device comprising: the DNA detection unit includes a dispensing device that dispenses a solution containing the detection target and a reagent into a container; The dispensing device is A plurality of dispensers; a dispensing device body that is equipped with the plurality of dispensers and that is movable along the direction of the plurality of lanes of a solution plate on which a plurality of containers for containing reagents or specimens are integrally formed along the plurality of lanes; an inspection top plate on which the dispensing device body and the solution plate are placed; an apparatus cover that covers the dispensing apparatus body in combination with the inspection top plate; Equipped with The dispensing device body is formed with a plurality of ribs that separate and cover the spaces above the plurality of lanes of the solution plate for each of the plurality of lanes. A genetic testing device characterized by:

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