Separation inserts and separation devices

Abstract

To provide a separation insert and a separator tool that enable efficient fractionation work of separated components.SOLUTION: A separation insert 20 comprises: a partition section 30; a support section 40 for supporting the partition section 30 relative to a container; a first opening provided in the partition section 30 and for allowing a separation target liquid to flow from one of a first internal space IS1 and a second internal space IS2 to the other via the first opening during a centrifugal separation operation; a second opening 60 provided in the partition section 30 so as to move air positioned in the second internal space IS2 from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 through the second opening 60 during the centrifugal separation operation; and a facilitation section 70 provided on the partition section 30 and the support section 40 and for promoting the movement of air from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 through the second opening 60 during the centrifugal separation operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a separation insert and a separation device. [Background technology]

[0002] One technique proposed for separating specific cells from a biological sample involves centrifuging a centrifuge tube containing a target liquid including a biological sample and a separation solution using a centrifuge with an insert housed in the centrifuge tube (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This insert is a cylindrical body with a closed top surface and an open bottom surface, and the top surface is provided with an opening that allows air or fluid to pass through. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2012 / 149641 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional technology, as described above, an opening is provided on the upper surface of the insert, and although air contained in the target liquid can be removed through the opening during centrifugation, air may remain in the target liquid after centrifugation. Therefore, for example, when separating specific cells after centrifugation, the separated specific cells may be suspended due to air moving through the opening, which may make it difficult to perform the separation process efficiently. Therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of efficiently separating separated components such as specific cells.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has an object to provide a separation insert and a separation device that enable efficient fractionation of separated components. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the separation insert according to claim 1 is a separation insert to be accommodated in a container, and when a centrifugation operation is performed on the container containing a liquid to be separated that includes a sample, the separation insert separates components of the sample into a first separated component and a second separated component that is a component other than the first separated component, the container has an opening end where an opening is provided and a bottom end provided opposite the opening end, and the separation insert divides the internal space of the container into a first internal space which is a space on the opening end side and in which the first separated component is accommodated after the centrifugation operation, and a second internal space which is a space on the bottom end side. a partitioning means for partitioning the container into a first internal space and a second internal space in which the second separated component is accommodated after the centrifugation operation; a support means for supporting the partitioning means relative to the container; a first opening provided in the partitioning means, which allows the liquid to be separated to flow from either the first internal space or the second internal space to the other through the first opening during the centrifugation operation; and a second opening provided in the partitioning means, which allows air located in the second internal space to move from the second internal space to the first internal space through the second opening during the centrifugation operation. The aforementioned and a promoting means for promoting the movement of the air from the second interior space to the first interior space through the second opening during centrifugation. the accelerating means is an outer accelerating means provided on the partition means and the support means, the outer accelerating means being provided so as to protrude outward from the separation insert, or / and an inner accelerating means being provided so as to extend from the lower surface of the partition means to the lower end of the support means, the inner accelerating means being provided so as to protrude inward from the separation insert, and the side shape of the outer accelerating means is formed into a substantially inverted triangular shape having an inclined portion that slopes from the lowermost end of the outer accelerating means to the second opening, so that during the centrifugal separation operation, the air is guided from the second internal space to the first internal space along the inclined portion of the outer accelerating means to the second opening. and / or the side shape of the inner accelerating means is formed into a generally inverted triangular shape having a first inclined portion inclined from the lower end of the inner accelerating means to the second opening and a second inclined portion inclined from the center of the upper edge of the inner accelerating means to the second opening, thereby facilitating the movement of the air from the second internal space to the first internal space while being guided along the first inclined portion of the inner accelerating means to the second opening during the centrifugation operation, and facilitating the movement of the air from the second internal space to the first internal space while being guided along the second inclined portion of the inner accelerating means to the second opening.

[0007] The separating insert according to claim 2 is the separating insert according to claim 1, By providing a plurality of the second openings at intervals from one another on the outer edge of the partition means and arranging the outer accelerating means and / or the inner accelerating means between adjacent second openings among the plurality of second openings, it is possible to promote the movement of the air from the second internal space to the first internal space while being guided along the inclined portion of the outer accelerating means to one of the adjacent second openings during the centrifugal separation operation, and / or to promote the movement of the air from the second internal space to the first internal space while being guided along the first inclined portion of the inner accelerating means to one of the adjacent second openings during the centrifugal separation operation, and to promote the movement of the air from the second internal space to the first internal space while being guided along the second inclined portion of the inner accelerating means to one of the adjacent second openings.

[0008] The separating insert according to claim 3 comprises: Claim 1 or 2In the separation insert according to By configuring the outer facilitating means so that, when the separation insert is housed in the container, the outer facilitating means can come into contact with the inner wall of the container, it is possible to promote the movement of the air from the second internal space to the first internal space while being guided along the inclined portion of the outer facilitating means and the inner wall of the container to the second opening during the centrifugation operation.

[0009] The separating insert according to claim 4 is the separating insert according to claim 3, By increasing the protruding length of the inner accelerating means as it moves away from the second opening and as it approaches the partition means, during the centrifugation operation, it is possible to promote the movement of the air from the second internal space to the first internal space while being guided along the first inclined portion of the inner accelerating means to the second opening, and it is also possible to promote the movement of the air from the second internal space to the first internal space while being guided along the second inclined portion of the inner accelerating means to the second opening.

[0010] The separating insert according to claim 5 comprises: Claim 1 or 2 In the separation insert according to The suppression means is provided near the first opening and is for suppressing the second separated component from flowing from the second internal space to the first internal space after the centrifugation operation, and the approximately cylindrical support means is provided so as to protrude from the partition means toward the bottom end side, and the approximately cylindrical suppression means is arranged within the support means so as to protrude from the partition means toward the bottom end side.

[0011] The separating insert according to claim 6 comprises: Claim 5 In the separation insert according to The inner diameter of the suppression means is approximately the same as the diameter of the first opening, and the protruding length of the suppression means is shorter than the protruding length of the support means and is long enough to prevent the suppression means from coming into contact with the second separated component after the centrifugation operation.

[0012] The separating insert according to claim 7 comprises: Claim 5 In the separation insert according to The partition means, the support means, the promotion means, and / or the suppression means are made of a transparent material.

[0013] The separating insert according to claim 8 comprises: a separation insert to be accommodated in a container, the separation insert being for separating components of the sample into a first separated component and a second separated component other than the first separated component when a centrifugation operation is performed on the container containing a liquid to be separated, the separation insert being for separating components of the sample through the separation insert, the container having an opening end at which an opening is provided and a bottom end provided opposite the opening end, the separation insert comprising: a partitioning means for partitioning the internal space of the container into a first internal space which is a space on the opening end side and in which the first separated component is accommodated after the centrifugation operation, and a second internal space which is a space on the bottom end side and in which the second separated component is accommodated after the centrifugation operation; a support means for supporting the partitioning means relative to the container; and a first opening provided in the partitioning means, The centrifugal separator comprises: a first opening that allows the liquid to be separated to flow from either the first internal space or the second internal space to the other through the first opening; a second opening that is provided in the partition means and that allows air located in the second internal space to move from the second internal space to the first internal space through the second opening during the centrifugal separation operation; and a promotion means that is provided in the partition means and that promotes the movement of the air from the second internal space to the first internal space through the second opening during the centrifugal separation operation, wherein the promotion means is configured so that it slopes upward toward the second opening, thereby making it possible to promote the movement of the air from the second internal space to the first internal space while being guided along the underside of the promotion means to the second opening during the centrifugal separation operation.

[0014] The separating insert according to claim 9 is the separating insert according to claim 8, A suppression means is provided near the first opening, and is for suppressing the second separated component from flowing from the second internal space to the first internal space after the centrifugation operation, the first opening is provided at the outer edge of the partition means, the approximately cylindrical support means is provided so as to protrude from the partition means toward the bottom end side, and the suppression means is provided so as to protrude from the part of the support means on the first opening side toward the inside of the separation insert and / or the bottom end side.

[0015] The separating insert according to claim 10 comprises: Claim 9 In the separation insert according to The angle of the inner surface of the separation insert in the suppression means relative to the outer surface of the portion of the support means on the first opening side is set to be equal to or greater than the angle at which the container is tilted during the operation of collecting the first separated component.

[0016] The separating insert according to claim 11 comprises: Claim 9 In the separation insert according to The partition means comprises the promoting means provided on the second internal space side and the component migration promoting means provided on the first internal space side, and is equipped with a component migration promoting means for promoting the movement of the second separated component from the first internal space to the second internal space through the first opening during the centrifugation operation. By configuring the component migration promoting means so that the component migration promoting means slopes downward as it approaches the first opening, it is possible to promote the movement of the second separated component from the first internal space to the second internal space while being guided along the upper surface of the component migration promoting means to the first opening during the centrifugation operation.

[0017] The separating insert according to claim 12 comprises: Claim 9 In the separation insert according to The partition means, the support means, the promotion means, and / or the suppression means are made of a transparent material.

[0018] The method according to claim 13 The separation device comprises a container having an open end with an opening and a bottom end opposite the open end, and the separation insert according to claim 1 or 8. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] A separating insert according to claim 1, or Claim 13 According to the separation instrument described in , the separation insert is a promoting means provided on the partitioning means and / or the supporting means, and is equipped with a promoting means for promoting the movement of air from the second internal space to the first internal space through the second opening during centrifugation. Compared to the prior art (a cylindrical insert simply provided with an opening on its upper surface that allows air or fluid to pass through), this makes it easier for air to move from the second internal space to the first internal space during centrifugation, preventing air from remaining in the second internal space after centrifugation. This makes it possible to avoid the first separated component being suspended by the air after centrifugation, and enables the first separated component to be efficiently separated. Furthermore, since the promotion means comprises an outer promotion means provided on the partition means or / and the support means, or / and an inner promotion means provided on the partition means or / and the support means, air outside the support means in the second internal space can be effectively moved to the first internal space during the centrifugation operation, or / and air inside the support means in the second internal space can be effectively moved to the first internal space during the centrifugation operation, thereby further preventing air from remaining in the second internal space after the centrifugation operation.

[0022] According to the separating insert of claim 2, The plurality of second openings are provided at intervals from one another on the outer edge of the partition means, and outer promotion means and / or inner promotion means are arranged between adjacent second openings among the plurality of second openings.Therefore, even when the plurality of second openings are provided on the outer edge of the partition means, air can be effectively moved from the second internal space to the first internal space during the centrifugation operation, and it is possible to further prevent air from remaining in the second internal space after the centrifugation operation.

[0023] According to the separating insert of claim 3, The outer accelerating means is configured so that it can come into contact with the inner wall of the container when in the stored state.Therefore, when the length from the open end to the bottom end of the outer accelerating means is relatively long, it becomes easier to effectively move air from the second internal space to the first internal space during the centrifugation operation, thereby further preventing air from remaining in the second internal space after the centrifugation operation.

[0024] According to the separating insert of claim 4, The protruding length of the inner promoting means is increased as it moves away from the second opening and as it approaches the partition means, which makes it easier to effectively move air from the second internal space to the first internal space during the centrifugation operation, thereby further preventing air from remaining in the second internal space after the centrifugation operation.

[0025] According to the separating insert of claim 5, The suppression means is provided near the first opening and is for suppressing the second separated component from flowing from the second internal space to the first internal space after the centrifugation operation. This means that the second separated component can be suppressed from flowing from the second internal space to the first internal space after the centrifugation operation, making it possible to accurately separate the first separated component. Furthermore, since the approximately cylindrical support means is arranged to protrude from the partition means toward the bottom end, and the approximately cylindrical suppression means is arranged within the support means to protrude from the partition means toward the bottom end, it is possible to prevent the suppression means from interfering with the separation of the first separated component and the second separated component during centrifugation (for example, the second separated component from accumulating near the suppression means during centrifugation), compared to when the suppression means is arranged to protrude from the partition means toward the open end, and the separation can be carried out efficiently.

[0026] According to the separating insert of claim 6, The inner diameter of the suppression means is approximately the same as the diameter of the first opening, the protruding length of the suppression means is shorter than the protruding length of the support means, and is a length that can prevent the suppression means from coming into contact with the second separated component after the centrifugation operation.Therefore, after the centrifugation operation, the second separated component can be effectively prevented from flowing from the second internal space to the first internal space, making it possible to accurately separate the first separated component.

[0027] According to the separating insert of claim 7, Since the partitioning means, supporting means, promoting means and / or suppressing means are made of a transparent material, the state of sample separation can be seen during the centrifugation operation, improving the usability of the separation insert.

[0028] The separating insert according to claim 8 or a separation device according to claim 13. According to The separation insert is provided with a promoting means attached to the partition means and / or support means for promoting the movement of air from the second internal space to the first internal space through the second opening during centrifugation. Compared to the prior art (a cylindrical insert simply provided with an opening on its upper surface that allows air or fluid to pass through), this facilitates the movement of air from the second internal space to the first internal space during centrifugation, preventing air from remaining in the second internal space after centrifugation. This prevents the first separated component from being suspended by the air after centrifugation, enabling efficient collection of the first separated component.

[0029] According to the separating insert of claim 9, The first opening is provided on the outer edge of the partition means, the approximately cylindrical support means is provided so as to protrude from the partition means toward the bottom end side, and the suppression means is provided so as to protrude from the first opening side of the support means toward the inside and / or bottom end side of the separation insert.Therefore, during the separation operation of the first separated component, when the container is tilted so that the first opening is positioned above the partition means, the suppression means can prevent the liquid to be separated in the second internal space from flowing into the first internal space through the first opening, making it possible to perform the separation operation more efficiently.

[0030] According to the separating insert of claim 10, The angle of the inner surface of the separation insert in the suppression means relative to the outer surface of the part of the support means on the first opening side is set to be equal to or greater than the angle at which the container is tilted during the separation operation of the first separated component.This makes it possible to suppress the liquid to be separated in the second internal space from flowing into the first internal space through the first opening during the separation operation of the first separated component, compared to when the angle is lower than the angle at which the container is tilted, allowing the suppression means to function effectively.

[0031] According to the separating insert of claim 11, The partition means includes a promoting means provided on the second internal space side and a component migration promoting means provided on the first internal space side, and the component migration promoting means facilitates the movement of the second separated component from the first internal space to the second internal space during centrifugation, thereby preventing the second separated component from remaining in the first internal space after centrifugation. In addition, the configuration of the support means can be simplified, thereby improving the manufacturability of the support means.

[0032] According to the separating insert of claim 12, Since the partitioning means, supporting means, promoting means and / or suppressing means are made of a transparent material, the state of sample separation can be seen during the centrifugation operation, improving the usability of the separation insert. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing an outline of a separation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a separation device, in which FIG. 1A is a perspective view seen from above, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view seen from below. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the separating insert. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a bottom view showing the separation insert. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a separation insert. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a dispensing step of the sample separation method has been performed. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state where a centrifugal separation step of the sample separation method has been performed. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a fractionation step of the sample separation method has been performed. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view showing an outline of a separation device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the separating insert. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a bottom view showing the separation insert. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a separation insert. [Figure 15]FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state in which a fractionation step is being performed, and shows the area corresponding to FIG. 14. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a modified example of the separation insert. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the separating insert. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the separation insert of FIG. 17. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a modified example of the separation insert. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the separating insert. [Figure 21] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a modified example of the separation device, in which FIG. 10A is a side view showing the separation device, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view showing the separation insert. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a modified example of the separation device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036]

[0023] The following describes in detail embodiments of the separation insert and separation device according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, [I] the basic concept of the embodiment will be described, then [II] specific details of the embodiment will be described, and finally, [III] modifications to the embodiment will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

[0037] [I] Basic Concept of the Embodiment First, the basic concept of the embodiment will be described. The embodiment generally relates to a separation insert to be accommodated in a container, and when a centrifugation operation is performed on the container containing a liquid to be separated that includes a sample, the separation insert separates components of the sample into a first separated component and a second separated component that is a component other than the first separated component, and a separation device.

[0038] Here, the term "sample" refers to a substance to be subjected to a test, analysis, and / or inspection. This sample is a concept that includes, for example, specimens and reagents, but in the embodiments, it will be described as a specimen.

[0039] Furthermore, the term "specimen" refers to a biological sample that is suspected of containing a target substance (or that is tested to determine whether it contains a target substance). This specimen is a concept that includes, for example, clinical specimens (for example, blood such as peripheral blood) and liquids containing physiologically active substances such as low molecular weight compounds, but in the embodiments, it will be described as blood.

[0040] Furthermore, the term "reagent" refers to a substance used to detect the substance to be analyzed by an immune reaction in a container described below, and is a concept that includes, for example, magnetic particle reagents, labeled antibodies, labeled antigens, etc.

[0041] Furthermore, the term "liquid to be separated" refers to a liquid used for separating a sample. This liquid to be separated is a concept that includes, for example, a liquid containing a sample and a density gradient solution, or a liquid containing a sample, a density gradient solution, and a diluent, but in the embodiments, it will be described as a liquid containing a sample, a density gradient solution, and a diluent.

[0042] [II] Specific details of the embodiment Next, specific details of the embodiment will be described.

[0043] First Embodiment First, a description will be given of a separation device according to embodiment 1. In this embodiment 1, a suppression section, which will be described later, is formed in a cylindrical shape.

[0044] (composition) First, the configuration of the separation device according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0045] In the following description, the X direction in FIG. 1 is referred to as the left-right direction of the separation device (the -X direction is the left direction of the separation device, and the +X direction is the right direction of the separation device), the Y direction in FIG. 1 is referred to as the front-to-back direction of the separation device (the +Y direction is the front direction of the separation device, and the -Y direction is the rear direction of the separation device), and the Z direction in FIG. 1 is referred to as the up-to-down direction of the separation device (the +Z direction is the up direction of the separation device, and the -Z direction is the down direction of the separation device).

[0046] The separation device 1 is a device for separating components of a sample (specifically, blood), and is generally equipped with a container 10 and a separation insert 20, as shown in FIGS.

[0047] (Configuration - Container) First, the configuration of the container 10 will be described.

[0048] The container 10 is for containing a sample and a separation insert 20. The container 10 is configured using, for example, a known centrifuge tube, and includes a container body 11, an opening 12, and a lid 13, as shown in FIG.

[0049] (Configuration - Container - Container body) The container body 11 is the basic structure of the container 10. The container body 11 is formed of a long hollow body made of, for example, resin (or glass), and specifically, the bottom portion 11d of the container body 11 is formed of a hollow body having a substantially conical shape.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, the container body 11 has an opening end 11a where the opening 12 is provided, a bottom end 11b opposite the opening end 11a, and a side wall portion 11c between the opening end 11a and the bottom end 11b.

[0051] In the first embodiment, the "bottom portion 11d" refers to the portion of the container body 11 that includes the bottom end portion 11b and the area nearby, as shown in FIG.

[0052] Furthermore, the specific shape and size of the container body 11 are arbitrary, but in the first embodiment they are set as follows.

[0053] That is, the planar shape of the container body 11 is set to be a substantially circular ring shape. However, it is not limited to this, and may be set to, for example, a ring shape other than a substantially circular ring shape (for example, a rectangular ring shape or a triangular ring shape).

[0054] The inner diameter of the container body 11 is set according to the capacity of the container 10 to contain the liquid to be separated LS shown in Fig. 7, and may be set to about 15 mm to 30 mm, for example. However, the inner diameter is not limited to this, and may be set to, for example, less than 15 mm or greater than 30 mm.

[0055] The vertical length of the container body 11 is set according to the capacity of the liquid to be separated LS in the container 10, and may be set to about 100 mm to 150 mm, for example. However, the length is not limited to this, and may be set to, for example, less than 100 mm or more than 150 mm.

[0056] (Configuration - Container - Opening) The opening 12 is for allowing the liquid to be separated LS (specifically, a liquid containing a sample, a density gradient solution, and a diluent) to flow into and out of the container body 11, and is provided at the opening end 11a as shown in Figure 1.

[0057] The specific shape and size of the opening 12 are arbitrary, but in the first embodiment they are set as follows.

[0058] That is, the shape of the opening 12 is set to be approximately circular, but is not limited to this, and may be set to, for example, an approximately elliptical shape or an approximately polygonal shape (an approximately rectangular shape as one example).

[0059] The diameter of the opening 12 is set to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the opening end 11a, but is not limited to this, and may be set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the opening end 11a, for example.

[0060] (Composition - Container - Lid) The lid 13 is for sealing the opening 12. The lid 13 is formed, for example, from a hollow resin body with an open bottom, and is connected to the opening end 11a of the container body 11 and its vicinity by a fitting structure (or a screw structure or a locking structure) or the like when the opening 12 is sealed by the lid 13, as shown in Fig. 1 .

[0061] Furthermore, the specific shape and size of the lid portion 13 are arbitrary, but in the first embodiment they are set as follows.

[0062] That is, the cross-sectional shape of the lid portion 13 along the XY plane is set to a shape that can be fitted into the opening end 11a of the container body 11 and its vicinity, and as one example, is set to a substantially circular ring shape.

[0063] In addition, the inner diameter of the lid portion 13 is set to a size that can fit into the opening end 11a of the container body 11 and its surrounding area, and specifically, is set to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the opening end 11a of the container body 11.

[0064] In addition, the vertical length of the lid portion 13 is set to a length that can fit into the opening end 11a of the container body 11 and its surrounding area, and as an example, is set to approximately 1 / 8 to 1 / 6 of the vertical length of the container body 11.

[0065] (Configuration - Separation Insert) Next, the configuration of the separation insert 20 will be described.

[0066] The separation insert 20 is used to separate components of the sample into a first separated component S1 in Fig. 8 and a second separated component S2 in Fig. 8 when a centrifugal separation operation is performed on a container 10 containing a separation target liquid LS containing a sample. The separation insert 20 is formed separately from the container 10 and is contained in the container 10.

[0067] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the separation insert 20 is positioned above the bottom portion 11d of the container body 11 in the internal space IS of the container 10 (however, this is not limited to this, and for example, a part of the container body 11 may be positioned in the bottom portion 11d).

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the separating insert 20 includes a partition portion 30, a support portion 40, a first opening 50, a second opening 60, a promoting portion 70, and a suppressing portion 80.

[0069] Here, the term "centrifugation operation" refers to an operation of centrifuging the container 10 containing the separation target liquid LS using a known centrifuge or the like.

[0070] Furthermore, the "first separated component S1" refers to the component to be recovered among the components of the sample separated by the centrifugation operation, and in embodiment 1, this corresponds to specific cells contained in the blood (for example, T cells, B cells, etc.).

[0071] Furthermore, the "second separated component S2" refers to the components of the sample separated by the centrifugation operation, other than the first separated component S1.

[0072] (Configuration - Separation insert - Partition) The partition 30 is a partitioning means for dividing the internal space IS of the container 10 into a first internal space IS1 and a second internal space IS2. The partition 30 is formed of, for example, a substantially plate-like body made of resin (or glass), and more specifically, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6, it is formed of a substantially plate-like body with a concave shape recessed downward.

[0073] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, when the separation insert 20 is housed in the container 10 (hereinafter referred to as the "housed state"), the partition portion 30 is arranged approximately horizontally at a position above the bottom portion 11d of the container body 11.

[0074] Here, the "first internal space IS1" refers to the space on the open end 11a side of the internal space IS of the container 10, in which the first separated component S1 is accommodated after the centrifugation operation. In the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, this first internal space IS1 corresponds to the space from the partition 30 to the open end 11a of the internal space IS of the container 10 in the accommodated state.

[0075] Furthermore, the "second internal space IS2" refers to the space within the internal space IS of the container 10 on the bottom end 11b side of the container body 11, in which the second separated component S2 is accommodated after the centrifugation operation. In the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, this second internal space IS2 corresponds to the space within the internal space IS of the container 10 in the accommodated state, from the partition 30 to the bottom end 11b of the container body 11.

[0076] Furthermore, the specific shape and size of the partition section 30 are arbitrary, but in the first embodiment they are set as follows.

[0077] That is, the planar shape of the partition 30 is set to be approximately the same as the inner diameter shape of the portion other than the bottom portion 11d of the container body 11, and specifically, is set to be approximately circular.

[0078] The diameter of the partition 30 is set to be approximately the same as the inner diameter of the container body 11 other than the bottom portion 11d.

[0079] Furthermore, the thickness of the partition portion 30 is set to a length that can ensure the desired strength of the partition portion 30, and may be set to approximately 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm, for example (the same applies to the thickness of the support portion 40 and the thickness of the suppression portion 80).

[0080] (Configuration - Separation insert - Support part) The support part 40 is a support means for supporting the partition part 30 relative to the container 10. The support part 40 is formed, for example, of a substantially cylindrical body made of resin (or glass) with open upper and lower surfaces.

[0081] 1 and 3, the support portion 40 is provided so as to protrude from the partition portion 30 toward the bottom end portion 11b of the container body 11, and is connected to the partition portion 30. As shown in FIG.

[0082] Furthermore, the specific shape and size of the support portion 40 are arbitrary, but in the first embodiment they are set as follows.

[0083] That is, the planar shape of the support portion 40 is set to be a substantially circular ring shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the support portion 40 may be set to, for example, a ring shape other than a substantially circular ring shape (for example, a rectangular ring shape or a triangular ring shape).

[0084] The outer diameter of the support portion 40 is set to be smaller than the diameter of the partition portion 30, and may be set to be smaller than the diameter of the partition portion 30 by approximately 1 mm to 3 mm, for example.

[0085] The vertical length of the support part 40 is set so that the lower end of the support part 40 is located at or near the upper end of the bottom part 11d of the container body 11, and is set to, for example, about one-eighth to one-fourth the vertical length of the container body 11. However, this is not limiting, and for example, the lower end of the support part 40 may be set so that it is located at or near the lower end of the bottom part 11d of the container body 11.

[0086] (Configuration - Separation Insert - First Opening) The first opening 50 is a through-hole that allows, during centrifugation, the liquid to be separated LS to flow from either the first internal space IS1 or the second internal space IS2 to the other through the first opening 50. This first opening 50 is provided in the partition 30, and specifically, only one first opening 50 is provided in the approximate center of the partition 30, as shown in FIG.

[0087] The specific shape and size of first opening 50 are arbitrary, but in the first embodiment they are set as follows.

[0088] That is, the shape of the first opening 50 is set to be substantially circular, but is not limited to this, and may be set to be, for example, substantially elliptical or substantially polygonal (for example, substantially rectangular).

[0089] The diameter of the first opening 50 is set to a size that allows a desired amount of the liquid to be separated LS to flow from either the first internal space IS1 or the second internal space IS2 to the other through the first opening 50 during centrifugation, and may be set to approximately 0.5 mm to 2 mm, for example. However, the diameter is not limited to this, and may be set to less than 0.5 mm, for example.

[0090] (Configuration - Separation insert - Second opening) The second openings 60 are through holes that allow air located in the second internal space IS2 to move from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 during centrifugation through the second openings 60. The second openings 60 are provided in the partitioning part 30, and specifically, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, a plurality of second openings 60 (specifically, three openings) are provided at intervals from each other at the edge of the partitioning part 30, and a plurality of second openings 60 (specifically, three openings) are provided at intervals from each other at the upper end of the support part 40.

[0091] In the following, as necessary, of the multiple second openings 60, the second opening 61 provided at the edge of the partition portion 30 will be referred to as the "partition side second opening 61," and the second opening 62 provided at the upper end of the support portion 40 will be referred to as the "support side second opening 62."

[0092] 3 and 4, in the first embodiment, each partition-side second opening 61 is described as being formed integrally with the nearby support-side second opening 62. However, this is not limiting, and for example, each partition-side second opening 61 may be formed separately from the nearby support-side second opening 62.

[0093] Furthermore, the specific shape and size of the partition-side second opening 61 are arbitrary, but in the first embodiment they are set as follows.

[0094] That is, the shape of the partition-side second opening 61 is set to be approximately rectangular. However, the shape is not limited to this, and it may be set to, for example, an approximately polygonal shape other than an approximately rectangular shape (for example, an approximately square shape or an approximately triangular shape), or an approximately circular shape.

[0095] In addition, the length of the partition side second opening 61 is set to a length that allows air located in the second internal space IS2 to move from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 through the partition side second opening 61 while preventing the liquid to be separated LS located in the second internal space IS2 from moving from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 through the partition side second opening 61 during centrifugation operation.

[0096] As an example, the length of the partition-side second opening 61 in the longitudinal direction may be set to about 1 mm to 3 mm, and the length of the partition-side second opening 61 in the lateral direction may be set to about 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm.

[0097] Furthermore, the specific shape and size of the support-side second opening 62 are arbitrary, but in the first embodiment they are set as follows.

[0098] That is, the shape of the support-side second opening 62 is set to a substantially rectangular shape. However, the shape is not limited to this, and may be set to, for example, a substantially polygonal shape other than a substantially rectangular shape (for example, a substantially square shape or a substantially triangular shape), or a substantially circular shape.

[0099] In addition, the length of the support side second opening 62 is set to a length that allows air located in the second internal space IS2 to move from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 through the support side second opening 62, while preventing the liquid to be separated LS located in the second internal space IS2 from moving from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 through the support side second opening 62 during centrifugation operation.

[0100] As an example, the longitudinal length of the support side second opening 62 may be set to be smaller than the longitudinal length of the partition side second opening 61, and the short side length of the support side second opening 62 may be set to be approximately the same as the longitudinal length of the partition side second opening 61.

[0101] (Configuration - Separation Insert - Promotion Unit) 3, the promotion unit 70 is a promotion means for promoting the movement of air from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 through the second openings 60 (specifically, the partition-side second openings 61 and the support-side second openings 62) during the centrifugation operation. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the promotion unit 70 is provided in the partition unit 30 and the support unit 40, and includes an outer promotion unit 71 and an inner promotion unit 72.

[0102] (Configuration - Separation insert - Facilitator part - Outer facilitator part) 3, the outer promotion portion 71 is an outer promotion means provided so as to protrude toward the outside of the separation insert 20 (specifically, toward the outside in the radial direction of the separation insert 20). At least one outer promotion portion 71 is provided in the partition portion 30 and the support portion 40 (specifically, three outer promotion portions are provided).

[0103] Specifically, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, the outer promotion portions 71 are each provided between adjacent second openings 60 among the multiple second openings 60, and are each connected to the partition portion 30 and the support portion 40.

[0104] Furthermore, the specific configuration of the outer promotion portion 71 is arbitrary, but in embodiment 1, the outer promotion portion 71 is configured so that the end 71a on the bottom end 11b side of the outer promotion portion 71 (specifically, the lower end portion of the outer promotion portion 71) is positioned toward the opening end 11a as it approaches the second opening 60.

[0105] Specifically, the side shape of the outer promotion portion 71 is set to a substantially inverted triangular shape as shown in Figures 3 and 4. However, this is not limiting, and for example, the lower end of the outer promotion portion 71 may be set to a substantially arc-shaped shape.

[0106] The inclination angle of the lower end of the outer accelerating portion 71 is set based on the following formula (1). F=(fG)×sinθ =(ρ L -ρ A )×v×g×sinθ···(Formula 1) (where F: resultant force G: Gravity (=ρ A ×v×g) f: Buoyancy (=ρ L ×v×g) N: Normal force (=(fg)×cosθ) g: gravitational acceleration v: bubble volume ρL: liquid density ρA: gas density θ: guide inclination)

[0107] In the above formula 1, for example, if 0 deg<θ=<90 deg, then 0 <sinθであり、ρ A <ρ L Therefore, F is an upward force, and as a result, during the centrifugation operation, the air in the second internal space IS2 is effectively guided along the lower end of the outer accelerating portion 71 into the first internal space IS1 (specifically, upward).

[0108] However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be set based on a method other than the above formula 1 (for example, experimental results or analytical results).

[0109] The protruding length of the outer facilitating portion 71 (specifically, the length of protruding radially outward from the separation insert 20) is set to a length that prevents the outer facilitating portion 71 from coming into contact with the inner wall of the container 10 (specifically, the inner surface of the side wall portion 11c) in the accommodated state. For example, it may be set to approximately 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0110] However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the length may be set so that the outer facilitating portion 71 comes into contact with the inner wall of the container 10 in the accommodated state.

[0111] The vertical length of the outer promotion portion 71 is set to be shorter than the vertical length of the support portion 40, and as an example, is set to be approximately the same as the longitudinal length of the support-side second opening 62. However, without being limited to this, the outer promotion portion 71 may be set to be shorter than the longitudinal length of the support-side second opening 62 or longer than the longitudinal length of the support-side second opening 62.

[0112] With the above configuration, it becomes easier to guide the air in the second internal space IS2 to the second opening 60 during the centrifugation operation, thereby enabling the air to be effectively moved from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1.

[0113] In addition, such an outer promotion portion 71 can effectively move air outside the support portion 40 in the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 during the centrifugation operation, preventing air from remaining in the second internal space IS2 after the centrifugation operation.

[0114] Furthermore, since the outer promotion section 71 is arranged between adjacent second openings 60 among the plurality of second openings 60, even when the plurality of second openings 60 are provided on the outer edge of the partition section 30, air can be effectively moved from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 during the centrifugation operation, and it is possible to further prevent air from remaining in the second internal space IS2 after the centrifugation operation.

[0115] (Configuration - Separation insert - Promotion part - Inner promotion part) The inner promotion portion 72 is an inner promotion means provided so as to protrude toward the inside of the separation insert 20 (specifically, toward the radial inside of the separation insert 20). At least one inner promotion portion 72 is provided in the partition portion 30 and the support portion 40 (specifically, three are provided).

[0116] Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the inner promotion portion 72 is provided between adjacent second openings 60 among the multiple second openings 60, and is connected to the partition portion 30 and the support portion 40, respectively.

[0117] Furthermore, the specific configuration of the inner facilitating portion 72 is arbitrary, but in the first embodiment, the inner facilitating portion 72 is configured to extend from the lower surface of the partition portion 30 to the lower end portion of the support portion 40.

[0118] Specifically, first, the side shape of the inner promotion portion 72 is set to a substantially inverted triangular shape as shown in Fig. 6. However, it is not limited to this, and may be set to, for example, a shape other than a substantially inverted triangular shape (for example, a trapezoidal shape).

[0119] The inclination angle of the inclined portion 72a of the inner accelerating portion 72 on the partition portion 30 side and the inclination angle of the inclined portion 72b of the inner accelerating portion 72 on the support portion 40 side are set based on the above formula (1). However, this is not limiting, and each may be set based on a method other than the above formula 1 (for example, experimental results or analytical results).

[0120] 5, the protruding length of the inner promoting portion 72 (specifically, the length of protruding radially inward of the separating insert 20) is set to increase with increasing distance from the second opening 60 and with increasing distance from the partition portion 30. As an example, it may be set to approximately 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0121] This makes it easier to effectively move air from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 during the centrifugation operation, thereby making it possible to further prevent air from remaining in the second internal space IS2 after the centrifugation operation.

[0122] However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the protruding length of the inner facilitating portion 72 may be set to a constant value.

[0123] The vertical length of the inner facilitating portion 72 is set to be approximately the same as the vertical length of the support portion 40. However, this is not limiting, and the inner facilitating portion 72 may be set to be shorter than the vertical length of the support portion 40.

[0124] With the above configuration, it becomes easier to guide the air in the second internal space IS2 to the second opening 60 during the centrifugation operation, thereby enabling the air to be effectively moved from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1.

[0125] In addition, such an inner promotion portion 72 can effectively move air inside the support portion 40 in the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 during the centrifugation operation, preventing air from remaining in the second internal space IS2 after the centrifugation operation.

[0126] Furthermore, since the inner promotion section 72 is arranged between adjacent second openings 60 among the plurality of second openings 60, even when the plurality of second openings 60 are provided on the outer edge of the partition section 30, air can be effectively moved from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 during the centrifugation operation, and it is possible to further prevent air from remaining in the second internal space IS2 after the centrifugation operation.

[0127] (Configuration - Separation insert - Suppression part) 5, the suppression unit 80 is a suppression means for suppressing the second separated component S2 from flowing from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 after the centrifugation operation. The suppression unit 80 is formed of a substantially cylindrical body made of resin (or glass) with open top and bottom surfaces.

[0128] In addition, the suppression section 80 is provided near the first opening 50, and specifically, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, it is provided within the support section 40 so as to protrude from the partition section 30 toward the bottom end section 11b of the container body 11, and is connected to the partition section 30.

[0129] Furthermore, the specific shape and size of the suppression section 80 are arbitrary, but in the first embodiment they are set as follows.

[0130] That is, the planar shape of the suppression portion 80 is set to be a substantially circular ring shape, but is not limited to this, and may be set to be, for example, a substantially elliptical or substantially rectangular ring shape.

[0131] The inner diameter of the suppression portion 80 is set to be approximately the same as the diameter of the first opening 50. However, this is not limiting, and the inner diameter may be set to be shorter or longer than the diameter of the first opening 50, for example.

[0132] Furthermore, the protruding length of the suppression unit 80 (specifically, the vertical length of the suppression unit 80) is set to be shorter than the protruding length of the support unit 40 (specifically, the vertical length of the support unit 40), and is set to a length that can prevent the suppression unit 80 from coming into contact with the second separated component S2 after the centrifugation operation. As an example, the length is set to be approximately two to three times the thickness of the partition unit 30.

[0133] This effectively prevents the second separated component S2 from flowing from the second inner space IS2 to the first inner space IS1 after the centrifugation operation, making it possible to accurately separate and collect the first separated component S1.

[0134] However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the length may be set to be less than twice the thickness of the partition portion 30, or may be set to be more than three times the thickness of the partition portion 30, for example.

[0135] Such a suppression section 80 can suppress the second separated component S2 from flowing from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 after the centrifugation operation, making it possible to accurately separate and collect the first separated component S1.

[0136] Furthermore, compared to when the suppression section 80 is arranged to protrude from the partition section 30 toward the opening end 11a of the container body 11, the suppression section 80 can be prevented from hindering the separation of the first separated component S1 and the second separated component S2 during the centrifugation operation (for example, the second separated component S2 can be prevented from accumulating near the suppression section 80 during the centrifugation operation), and the separation can be carried out efficiently.

[0137] (Configuration - Separation Insert - Other Configurations) The other configurations of the separation insert 20 are optional, but in the first embodiment, it is configured as follows.

[0138] (Configuration - Separation Insert - Other Configurations - Configuration 1) That is, first, the partition portion 30, the support portion 40, the promotion portion 70, and the suppression portion 80 are made of a transparent material, specifically, a transparent resin material (e.g., polypropylene, etc., or a transparent glass material).

[0139] This allows the separation status of the sample to be monitored during the centrifugation operation, improving the usability of the separation insert 20.

[0140] However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, at least one of the partition portion 30, the support portion 40, the promotion portion 70, and the suppression portion 80 may be made of a non-transparent material (for example, a non-transparent resin material or glass material).

[0141] (Configuration - Separation Insert - Other Configurations - Configuration 2) In addition, the partition section 30, the support section 40, the promotion section 70, and the suppression section 80 are integrally formed, specifically by injection molding a transparent resin material (or molding with a 3D printer).

[0142] This allows the separating insert 20 to be constructed easily and quickly, and the manufacturability of the separating insert 20 can be improved.

[0143] However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, any one of the partition portion 30, the support portion 40, the promotion portion 70, and the suppression portion 80 may be formed as a separate body.

[0144] The separation insert 20 and separation instrument 1 described above allow air to move more easily from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 during centrifugation than the prior art (a cylindrical insert simply provided with an opening on the top surface that allows air or fluid to pass through), thereby preventing air from remaining in the second internal space IS2 after centrifugation. This prevents the first separated component S1 from being suspended by the air after centrifugation, allowing for efficient separation of the first separated component S1.

[0145] (Sample Separation Method) Next, a method for separating a sample using the separation instrument 1 will be described.

[0146] This separation method is a method for separating components of a sample into a first separated component S1 and a second separated component S2 via a separation insert 20, and includes a dispensing step, a centrifugal separation step, and a fractionation step.

[0147] (Sample separation method - dispensing process) First, the dispensing step will be described.

[0148] The dispensing step is a step of dispensing the liquid to be separated LS into the container 10 of the separation tool 1.

[0149] Specifically, first, the separation insert 20 of the separation instrument 1 is placed in the container 10 of the separation instrument 1. Next, using a dispenser (e.g., a pipette) not shown, the density gradient solution LS1 of the liquid LS to be separated is poured into the container 10. Thereafter, using the dispenser, the sample and diluent LS2 (specifically, the sample diluted with the diluent) of the liquid LS to be separated are poured into the container 10.

[0150] Here, the method for setting the amount of density gradient solution LS1 poured into container 10 is arbitrary, but in embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 7, the amount is set so that when contained, the upper surface of density gradient solution LS1 is positioned above the upper end of separation insert 20.

[0151] Furthermore, the method for setting the amount of sample and diluent LS2 poured into container 10 is arbitrary, but in embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 8, the amount is set so that after the centrifugation operation, the interface of the second separated component S2 is located below the partition section 30 (more specifically, the suppression section 80).

[0152] By these setting methods, the interface of the first separated component S1 can be positioned above the partition 30 after the centrifugation operation, and the first separated component S1 can be efficiently recovered.

[0153] (Sample separation method - centrifugation process) Next, the centrifugal separation step will be described.

[0154] The centrifugation process is a process that follows the dispensing process, in which a centrifugation operation is performed on the container 10 containing the liquid to be separated LS shown in Figure 7, thereby separating the components of the sample into a first separated component S1 and a second separated component S2, as shown in Figure 8.

[0155] Specifically, the container 10 is set in a known centrifuge, and then centrifugal separation is performed for a predetermined period of time using the centrifuge, whereby the container 10 is centrifuged by the centrifuge.

[0156] Furthermore, during this centrifugation operation, the outer promotion section 71 and the inner promotion section 72 promote the movement of air from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 through the partition side second opening 61 and the support side second opening 62, thereby preventing the air from interfering with the work of the separation process.

[0157] Furthermore, since the first separation component S1 is moved above the partition section 30 through the first opening 50 and the suppression section 80, and the second separation component S2 is moved below the partition section 30, the separation process can be carried out efficiently.

[0158] (Sample separation method - fractionation process) Next, the fractionation step will be described.

[0159] The fractionation step is a step of fractionating the first separated component S1 from the container 10 after the centrifugation step.

[0160] Specifically, as shown in Figure 9, the first separated component S1 in the container 10 is poured into another container 90 (specifically, a resin container with an open top) through the opening 12 of the container 10 (more specifically, by performing this action once without stopping), and the first separated component S1 is collected from the container 10.

[0161] Furthermore, during the above operation, the suppression section 80 prevents the second separated component S2 from flowing from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1, thereby preventing the second separated component S2 from being accidentally separated from the container 10.

[0162] By the above-described sample separation method, the components of the sample can be separated into the first separated component S1 and the second separated component S2, and the first separated component S1 can be recovered with high accuracy, allowing the recovery operation to be carried out efficiently.

[0163] (effect) Thus, according to the first embodiment, the separation insert 20 is provided with a promoting section 70 provided in the partition section 30 and / or the support section 40, and is provided with the promoting section 70 for promoting the movement of air from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 through the second opening 60 during the centrifugation operation. Therefore, compared to the prior art (a cylindrical insert simply provided with an opening on the upper surface that allows air or fluid to pass through), air is more easily moved from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 during the centrifugation operation, and air is prevented from remaining in the second internal space IS2 after the centrifugation operation. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the first separated component S1 being suspended by the air after the centrifugation operation, and the first separated component S1 can be efficiently separated and collected.

[0164] Furthermore, since the promotion section 70 includes an outer promotion section 71 provided on the partition section 30 or / and the support section 40, or / and an inner promotion section 72 provided on the partition section 30 or / and the support section 40, air outside the support section 40 in the second internal space IS2 can be effectively moved to the first internal space IS1 during the centrifugation operation, and / or air inside the support section 40 in the second internal space IS2 can be effectively moved to the first internal space IS1 during the centrifugation operation, thereby further preventing air from remaining in the second internal space IS2 after the centrifugation operation.

[0165] Furthermore, the multiple second openings 60 are provided at intervals from each other on the outer edge of the partition 30, and outer promotion sections 71 and / or inner promotion sections 72 are arranged between adjacent second openings 60 among the multiple second openings 60. Therefore, even when the multiple second openings 60 are provided on the outer edge of the partition 30, air can be effectively moved from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 during the centrifugation operation, and it is possible to further prevent air from remaining in the second internal space IS2 after the centrifugation operation.

[0166] Furthermore, the outer promotion section 71 is configured so that the end 71a on the bottom end 11b side of the outer promotion section 71 is positioned toward the opening end 11a as it approaches the second opening 60, which makes it easier to guide the air in the second internal space IS2 to the second opening 60 during the centrifugation operation, thereby enabling the air to be effectively moved from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1.

[0167] In addition, the protruding length of the inner promotion portion 72 is increased as it moves away from the second opening 60 and as it approaches the partition portion 30, which makes it easier to effectively move air from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 during the centrifugation operation, thereby further preventing air from remaining in the second internal space IS2 after the centrifugation operation.

[0168] Furthermore, the suppression section 80 is provided near the first opening 50 and is for suppressing the second separated component S2 from flowing from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 after the centrifugation operation. Therefore, the second separated component S2 can be suppressed from flowing from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 after the centrifugation operation, and the first separated component S1 can be accurately separated.

[0169] Furthermore, the approximately cylindrical support portion 40 is arranged to protrude from the partition portion 30 toward the bottom end portion 11b, and the approximately cylindrical suppression portion 80 is arranged within the support portion 40 to protrude from the partition portion 30 toward the bottom end portion 11b.Therefore, compared to when the suppression portion 80 is arranged to protrude from the partition portion 30 toward the opening end portion 11a, it is possible to suppress the suppression portion 80 from interfering with the separation of the first separated component S1 and the second separated component S2 during the centrifugation operation (for example, the second separated component S2 accumulating near the suppression portion 80 during the centrifugation operation), and the separation can be carried out efficiently.

[0170] Furthermore, the inner diameter of the suppression section 80 is approximately the same as the diameter of the first opening 50, the protruding length of the suppression section 80 is shorter than the protruding length of the support section 40, and is a length that can prevent the suppression section 80 from contacting the second separated component S2 after the centrifugation operation.Therefore, after the centrifugation operation, the second separated component S2 can be effectively prevented from flowing from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1, making it possible to accurately separate the first separated component S1.

[0171] Furthermore, since the partition section 30, support section 40, promotion section 70, and / or suppression section 80 are made of transparent materials, the separation status of the sample can be grasped during the centrifugation operation, thereby improving the usability of the separation insert 20.

[0172] Second Embodiment Next, a separation device according to embodiment 2 will be described. In this embodiment 2, the suppression unit is configured in a manner different from that of the suppression unit according to embodiment 1. However, the configuration of this embodiment 2 is substantially the same as that of embodiment 1, except where otherwise specified, and the configuration that is substantially the same as that of embodiment 1 will be assigned the same symbols and / or names as those used in embodiment 1 as necessary, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0173] (composition) First, the configuration of the separation device according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0174] The separation device 100 includes a container 10 and a separation insert 110, as shown in FIG.

[0175] (Configuration - Container) First, the configuration of the container 10 will be described.

[0176] The container 10 according to the second embodiment is configured in substantially the same manner as the container 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0177] (Configuration - Separation Insert) Next, the configuration of the separation insert 110 will be described.

[0178] The separation insert 110 is formed separately from the container 10 and is housed in the container 10 .

[0179] Specifically, as shown in Figure 10, the separation insert 110 is positioned so that a portion of the separation insert 110 is located above the bottom portion 11d of the container body 11 in the internal space IS of the container 10, and another portion of the separation insert 110 is located at the bottom portion 11d of the container body 11.

[0180] As shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, the separation insert 110 includes a partition portion 30, a support portion 40, a third opening 120, a promotion portion 70, a component transfer promotion portion 130, and a suppression portion 80.

[0181] (Configuration - Separation insert - Partition) The partition section 30 is formed of, for example, a substantially plate-like body made of resin (or glass), and specifically, as shown in Figures 11 and 14, it is formed of a substantially plate-like body whose vertical cross-sectional shape is curved.

[0182] As shown in FIG. 10, the partition 30 is provided above the bottom portion 11d of the container body 11 in the accommodated state.

[0183] Furthermore, the specific shape and size of the partitioning section 30 are arbitrary, but are set to be substantially the same as the specific shape and size of the partitioning section 30 according to the first embodiment.

[0184] (Configuration - Separation insert - Support part) The support portion 40 is configured in substantially the same manner as the support portion 40 according to the first embodiment.

[0185] (Configuration - Separation Insert - Third Opening) The third opening 120 is a first opening that allows the liquid to be separated LS to flow from either the first internal space IS1 or the second internal space IS2 to the other through the third opening 120 during centrifugation operation, and is also a second opening that allows air located in the second internal space IS2 to move from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 through the third opening 120 during centrifugation operation.

[0186] The third openings 120 are provided in the partition section 30. Specifically, as shown in Figures 10 to 12, only one is provided at the edge of the partition section 30 (the outer edge on the right side in Figure 12), and only one is provided at the upper end of the support section 40 (the upper end of the right part of the support section 40 in Figure 12), and these third openings 120 are formed continuously.

[0187] In the following, as necessary, the third opening 121 of the third openings 120 provided at the edge of the partition portion 30 will be referred to as the "partition side third opening 121," and the third opening 121 provided at the upper end of the support portion 40 will be referred to as the "support side third opening 122."

[0188] Furthermore, the specific shape and size of the partition-side third opening 121 are arbitrary, but in the second embodiment they are set as follows.

[0189] That is, the planar shape of the partition-side third opening 121 is set to be a substantially arc shape. However, the shape is not limited to this, and may be set to, for example, a substantially polygonal shape (for example, a substantially rectangular shape).

[0190] The length of the partition-side third opening 121 in the longitudinal direction is set to be smaller than the diameter of the partition 30, and may be set to about half the diameter of the partition 30, for example. However, the length is not limited to this, and may be set to less than half the diameter of the partition 30, for example.

[0191] In addition, the short-side length of the partition-side third opening 121 is set to be shorter than the long-side length of the third opening 120, and as an example, it may be set to be less than half the long-side length of the third opening 120.

[0192] Furthermore, the specific shape and size of the support-side third opening 122 are arbitrary, but in the second embodiment they are set as follows.

[0193] That is, the side shape of the support-side third opening 122 is set to a substantially rectangular shape. However, the shape is not limited to this, and may be set to, for example, a substantially polygonal shape (for example, a substantially square shape, a substantially triangular shape, or the like) or a substantially elliptical shape.

[0194] The horizontal length of the support-side third opening 122 is set to be approximately the same as the longitudinal length of the third opening 120 .

[0195] The vertical length of the support-side third opening 122 is set to be equal to or greater than the length of the third opening 120 in the short direction, but shorter than the length of the third opening 120 in the long direction.

[0196] (Configuration - Separation Insert - Promotion Unit) The accelerating portion 70 is provided in the partition 30. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 14, it is provided on the second internal space IS2 side, and more specifically, it is formed integrally with a portion of the partition 30 below the bending point 31 (that is, the partition 30 is provided with the accelerating portion 70).

[0197] Furthermore, the specific configuration of the promotion section 70 is arbitrary, but in embodiment 2, the promotion section 70 is configured so that it slopes upward as it approaches the third opening 120, as shown in Figure 14.

[0198] Here, the method for setting the inclination angle of the facilitating section 70 is set based on the above formula (1). However, without being limited to this, for example, the setting may be based on a method other than the above formula 1 (for example, experimental results or analytical results).

[0199] Such a promotion section 70 can effectively move air outside the support section 40 in the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 during the centrifugation operation, thereby preventing air from remaining in the second internal space IS2 after the centrifugation operation.

[0200] (Configuration - Separation insert - Component migration promotion part) The component migration promoting section 130 is a component migration promoting means for promoting the migration of the second separated component S2 from the first internal space IS1 to the second internal space IS2 through the third opening 120 (first opening) during the centrifugation operation.

[0201] This component transfer promoting section 130 is provided in the partition section 30. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 14, it is provided on the first internal space IS1 side, and more specifically, it is formed integrally with a portion of the partition section 30 above the bending point 31 (that is, the partition section 30 is provided with the component transfer promoting section 130).

[0202] Furthermore, the specific configuration of the component transfer promotion section 130 is arbitrary, but in embodiment 2, the component transfer promotion section 130 is configured so that it slopes downward as it approaches the third opening 120, as shown in the figure.

[0203] Here, the method for setting the tilt angle of the component transfer promoting unit 130 is set based on the above formula (1). However, without being limited to this, for example, the tilt angle may be set based on a method other than the above formula 1 (for example, experimental results or analytical results).

[0204] The component migration promoting section 130 facilitates the second separated component S2 to move from the first internal space IS1 to the second internal space IS2 during the centrifugation operation, thereby preventing the second separated component S2 from remaining in the first internal space IS1 after the centrifugation operation. Furthermore, since the partition section 30 includes the promoting section 70 and the component migration promoting section 130, the configuration of the support section 40 can be simplified, and the manufacturability of the support section 40 can be improved.

[0205] (Configuration - Separation insert - Suppression part) The suppression portion 80 is provided in the vicinity of the third opening 120 .

[0206] Specifically, as shown in Figure 14, the suppression portion 80 is configured to protrude from the third opening 120 side (first opening side) of the support portion 40 toward the inside of the separation insert 110 and the bottom end portion 11b side.

[0207] In the following, as necessary, the suppression portion 81 of the suppression portion 80 that protrudes toward the inside of the separation insert 110 will be referred to as the "first suppression portion 81," and the suppression portion 82 that protrudes toward the bottom end portion 11b will be referred to as the "second suppression portion 82."

[0208] Furthermore, the specific configuration of the suppression section 80 is arbitrary, but in embodiment 2, the suppression section 80 is configured so that when the container 10 is tilted so that the third opening 120 is positioned above the partition section 30 during the separation operation of the first separated component S1, the liquid to be separated LS in the second internal space IS2 is not positioned above the third opening 120.

[0209] The reason why the suppression section 80 is configured as described above is as follows.

[0210] 15, when the container 10 is tilted so that the third opening 120 is positioned above the partition 30 during the operation of collecting the first separated component S1, if the liquid to be separated LS in the second internal space IS2 is positioned above the third opening 120, the liquid to be separated LS will tend to move downward due to gravity. As a result of this movement, a force acts on the liquid to be separated LS in the second internal space IS2, pushing it toward the first internal space IS1, which could cause the liquid to be separated LS (including the second separated component S2) in the second internal space IS2 to flow into the first internal space IS1 via the third opening 120. Therefore, in order to avoid this problem, the suppression section 80 is configured as described above.

[0211] Specifically, as shown in Figure 14, the protruding length of the first suppression portion 81 (specifically, the length protruding toward the inside of the separation insert 110) is set to increase toward the bottom end portion 11b.

[0212] 11, the second suppression portion 82 protrudes from the first suppression portion 81 and the support portion 40 toward the bottom end portion 11b so that the side shape of the second suppression portion 82 is a substantially inverted triangle. Also, as shown in FIG. 14, the protruding length of the second suppression portion 82 (specifically, the length of protrusion toward the bottom end portion 11b) is set to a length that allows the second suppression portion 82 to abut against the bottom end portion 11b of the container 10 in the accommodated state.

[0213] 14 and 15, the angle of the inner surface of the separation insert 110 in the suppression unit 80 relative to the outer surface of the portion of the support unit 40 on the third opening 120 side is set to be equal to or greater than the angle at which the container 10 is tilted during the operation of collecting the first separated component S1, specifically, set to be greater than the angle at which the container 10 is tilted. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the angle may be set to be smaller than the angle at which the container 10 is tilted, for example.

[0214] With this configuration, when the container 10 is tilted so that the third opening 120 is positioned above the partition 30 during the collection operation of the first separated component S1, the suppression unit 80 can suppress the liquid to be separated LS in the second internal space IS2 from flowing into the first internal space IS1 through the third opening 120, making it possible to perform the collection operation more efficiently. Furthermore, compared to when the angle of the inner surface of the separation insert 110 in the suppression unit 80 relative to the outer surface of the part of the support member 40 on the third opening 120 side is smaller than the angle at which the container 10 is tilted during the collection operation of the first separated component S1, the liquid to be separated LS in the second internal space IS2 can be suppressed from flowing into the first internal space IS1 through the third opening 120 during the collection operation of the first separated component S1, making it possible to make the suppression unit 80 function more effectively.

[0215] Furthermore, like the suppression unit 80 according to embodiment 1, this suppression unit 80 can suppress the second separated component S2 from flowing from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 after the centrifugation operation, thereby enabling accurate separation of the first separated component S1.

[0216] (Configuration - Separation Insert - Other Configurations) The other configurations of the separation insert 110 are arbitrary, but in the second embodiment, an inner diameter adjustment portion 140 is provided on the support portion 40 as shown in FIG.

[0217] The inner diameter adjusting portion 140 is an inner diameter adjusting means for making the inner diameter of the separation insert 110 (specifically, the diameter of the space surrounded by the support portion 40 and the suppression portion 80) approximately uniform. As shown in Fig. 14, the inner diameter adjusting portion 140 is provided so as to protrude toward the inside of the separation insert 110 from the portion of the support portion 40 opposite to the third opening 120 side (first opening side).

[0218] In addition, in the second embodiment, the protruding length of the inner diameter adjusting portion 140 is set to become shorter toward the bottom end portion 11b, as shown in FIG.

[0219] Such an inner diameter adjusting portion 140 allows the inner diameter of the separating insert 110 to be approximately uniform, and for example, when the separating insert 110 is formed by injection molding, it becomes easier to ensure the manufacturability of the suppressing portion 80.

[0220] (Sample Separation Method) Next, a method for separating a sample using the separation instrument 100 will be described.

[0221] The separation method according to the second embodiment is similar to the separation method according to the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0222] (effect) Thus, according to embodiment 2, the first opening is provided at the outer edge of the partition 30, the approximately cylindrical support 40 is provided so as to protrude from the partition 30 toward the bottom end 11b, and the suppression section 80 is provided so as to protrude from the first opening side of the support 40 toward the inside of the separation insert 110 and / or the bottom end 11b.Therefore, during the separation operation of the first separated component S1, when the container 10 is tilted so that the first opening is positioned above the partition 30, the suppression section 80 can prevent the liquid to be separated LS in the second internal space IS2 from flowing into the first internal space IS1 through the first opening, making it possible to perform the separation operation even more efficiently.

[0223] Furthermore, the angle of the inner surface of the separation insert 110 in the suppression section 80 relative to the outer surface of the portion of the support section 40 on the first opening side is set to be equal to or greater than the angle at which the container 10 is tilted during the separation operation of the first separation component S1. Therefore, compared to when the angle is less than the angle at which the container 10 is tilted, the liquid to be separated LS in the second internal space IS2 can be prevented from flowing into the first internal space IS1 through the first opening during the separation operation of the first separation component S1, allowing the suppression section 80 to function effectively.

[0224] Furthermore, since the partition 30 includes a promoter 70 provided on the second internal space IS2 side and a component migration promoter 130 provided on the first internal space IS1 side, the component migration promoter 130 facilitates the migration of the second separated component S2 from the first internal space IS1 to the second internal space IS2 during the centrifugation operation, thereby preventing the second separated component S2 from remaining in the first internal space IS1 after the centrifugation operation. Furthermore, the configuration of the support part 40 can be simplified, and the manufacturability of the support part 40 can be improved.

[0225] [III] Modifications to the embodiment Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the specific configurations and means of the present invention can be modified and improved as desired within the scope of the technical ideas of the inventions set forth in the claims. Such modifications will be described below.

[0226] (About the problem to be solved and the effects of the invention) First, the problems that the invention aims to solve and the effects of the invention are not limited to those described above, and the present invention may solve problems that are not described above or achieve effects that are not described above, or may solve only some of the problems that are described or achieve only some of the effects that are described.

[0227] (shape, numbers, structure, time series) The components illustrated in the embodiments and drawings may be modified and improved as desired within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention in terms of shape, numerical value, or the structure or chronological relationship of multiple components.

[0228] (About separation devices) In the first embodiment, the container 10 and the separation insert 20 are described as being formed separately, but this is not limiting, and for example, the container 10 and the separation insert 20 may be formed integrally. In this case, for example, the container 10 and the separation insert 20 may be formed integrally by molding them with a resin material using a 3D printer (the same applies to the separation instrument 100 of the second embodiment).

[0229] (About the container) In the above embodiments 1 and 2, it has been described that the bottom portion 11d of the container body 11 is formed of a hollow body having an approximately conical shape, but this is not limited thereto, and for example, the bottom portion 11d of the container body 11 may be formed of a hollow body having an approximately hemispherical shape.

[0230] (About separation inserts) In the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, the separating insert is described as having the accelerating portion 70 and the suppressing portion 80, but this is not limiting, and for example, either the accelerating portion 70 or the suppressing portion 80 may be omitted.

[0231] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment 2, it was described that the separation insert is equipped with a component transfer promotion section 130 and an inner diameter adjustment section 140, but this is not limited to this, and for example, at least one of the component transfer promotion section 130 or the inner diameter adjustment section 140 may be omitted.

[0232] (About the partition) In the above embodiment 1, the partition portion 30 is described as being formed of a substantially plate-like body with a concave shape recessed downward, but this is not limited thereto, and the partition portion 30 may be formed of, for example, a substantially flat plate-like body.

[0233] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned second embodiment, it was explained that the third opening 120 is provided in the partition section 30, but this is not limited thereto, and for example, a fourth opening may be further provided for inserting a dispenser used in the dispensing process.

[0234] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment 2, it was explained that the partition section 30 is equipped with a promotion section 70 and a component transfer promotion section 130, but this is not limited to this, and for example, at least one of the promotion section 70 or the component transfer promotion section 130 may be omitted.

[0235] When the promoting section 70 is omitted, for example, the portion of the divider section 30 below the bending point 31 may be provided substantially horizontally. When the component transfer promoting section 130 is omitted, for example, the portion of the divider section 30 above the bending point 31 may be provided substantially horizontally.

[0236] (About the support part) In the above embodiments 1 and 2, the support portion 40 is described as being formed of an approximately cylindrical body with open upper and lower surfaces, but this is not limited to this. For example, the support portion 40 may be formed of a plurality of legs spaced apart from each other at the edge of the partition portion 30 or in the vicinity thereof, and extending downward from the partition portion 30.

[0237] Furthermore, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the support portion 40 is described as being made of a transparent resin material, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the support portion 40 may be made of, for example, a deformable resin material.

[0238] In addition, in the second embodiment, the support portion 40 is described as being formed in a cylindrical shape, but this is not limiting. For example, as shown in Fig. 16, the support portion 40 according to the second embodiment may be formed in a substantially plate shape by cutting off a part of the support portion 40.

[0239] (Regarding the first opening) In the above embodiment 1, it was described that the first opening 50 is provided in approximately the center of the partition portion 30, but this is not limited to this and, for example, it may be provided in a part other than approximately the center of the partition portion 30 (for example, an edge portion of the partition portion 30).

[0240] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the number of first openings 50 provided is one, but the number is not limited to one, and may be, for example, two or more. In this case, suppression units 80 may be provided at positions corresponding to the first openings 50, respectively.

[0241] (Regarding the second opening) In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the second opening 60 is described as including the partition-side second opening 61 and the support-side second opening 62, but this is not limited thereto, and for example, the support-side second opening 62 may be omitted.

[0242] Furthermore, in the above embodiment 1, it was described that the second opening 60 is provided at the edge of the partition portion 30 and the upper end of the support portion 40, but this is not limited to this, and for example, multiple second openings 60 may be provided near the center of the partition portion 30, as shown in Figure 17 (in Figure 17, three partition-side second openings 61 are provided in that vicinity).

[0243] In this case, for example, as shown in Figure 18, the inner promotion section 72 may be provided in the partition section 30 and the support section 40, each extending between adjacent partition side second openings 61 among the multiple partition side second openings 61 provided in the vicinity of the center of the partition section 30.

[0244] Furthermore, in the above embodiment 1, it was explained that the number of partition side second openings 61 and support side second openings 62 installed is three each, but this is not limited to this, and for example, the number of each may be less than three, or may be three or more.

[0245] (Regarding the third opening) In the second embodiment, the third opening 120 is described as including the support-side third opening 122, but this is not limiting, and for example, the support-side third opening 122 may be omitted.

[0246] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned second embodiment, it has been explained that only one partition-side third opening 121 and one support-side third opening 122 are provided, but this is not limited thereto, and for example, multiple partition-side third openings 121 and / or multiple support-side third openings 122 may be provided.

[0247] In addition, in the above embodiment 2, it was described that the third opening 120 is provided at the edge of the partition portion 30, but this is not limited to this and, for example, it may be provided in the center of the partition portion 30 as shown in Figure 19.

[0248] In this case, for example, the suppressing portion 80 may be provided so as to protrude further inward of the separating insert 110 than the suppressing portion 80 according to the second embodiment.

[0249] In addition, in the second embodiment, the third opening 120 is described as being provided in the partition section 30, but this is not limiting. For example, instead of the third opening 120, the first opening 50 and the second opening 60 may be provided spaced apart from each other.

[0250] (About the Promotion Department) In the above embodiment 1, it was described that the promotion section 70 has an outer promotion section 71 and an inner promotion section 72, but this is not limited to this, and for example, either the outer promotion section 71 or the inner promotion section 72 may be omitted.

[0251] For example, if the outer facilitating portion 71 is omitted, the outer diameter of the support may be set to be approximately the same as the diameter of the partition portion 30.

[0252] Furthermore, in the above embodiment 1, it was explained that the outer promotion section 71 and the inner promotion section 72 are each provided on the partition section 30 and the support section 40, but this is not limited to this, and for example, they may be provided on only one of the partition section 30 or the support section 40.

[0253] In the first embodiment, the outer accelerating portion 71 is configured such that the end 71a on the bottom end 11b side of the outer accelerating portion 71 is positioned closer to the opening end 11a of the container body 11 as it approaches the second opening 60, but this is not limiting. For example, the outer accelerating portion 71 may be configured such that the end 71a on the bottom end 11b side of the outer accelerating portion 71 is not positioned closer to the opening end 11a of the container body 11 as it approaches the second opening 60. As an example, the side shape of the outer accelerating portion 71 may be set to be approximately rectangular.

[0254] In addition, in the first embodiment, the vertical length of the outer promotion portion 71 is set to be shorter than the vertical length of the support portion 40, but this is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 20, the outer promotion portion 71 may have a substantially triangular side shape, and the vertical length of the outer promotion portion 71 may be set to be substantially the same as the vertical length of the support portion 40.

[0255] In this case, for example, the outer promotion portion 71 may be configured so that, in the stored state, the outer promotion portion 71 can come into contact with the inner wall of the container 10. Specifically, the protruding length of the outer promotion portion 71 may be set to a length that allows the entire outer promotion portion 71 (or only a portion) to come into contact with the inner wall of the container 10 in the stored state.

[0256] This makes it easier to effectively move air from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 during centrifugation operations, for example, when the length from the opening end 11a side to the bottom end 11b side of the outer promotion section 71 is relatively long, thereby further preventing air from remaining in the second internal space IS2 after the centrifugation operations.

[0257] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the number of each of the outer facilitating portions 71 and the inner facilitating portions 72 is described as three, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the number may be less than two. Alternatively, when the number of second openings 60 is four or more, the number may be four or more.

[0258] (Regarding the suppression section) In the above embodiment 1, it was explained that the suppression portion 80 is arranged within the support portion 40 so as to protrude from the partition portion 30 toward the bottom end portion 11b of the container body 11, but this is not limited to this, and for example, it may be arranged within the support portion 40 so as to protrude from the partition portion 30 toward the opening end portion 11a of the container body 11.

[0259] Furthermore, in the above embodiment 1, it was explained that the protruding length of the suppression section 80 is set to a length that can prevent contact between the suppression section 80 and the second separated component S2 after the centrifugation operation, but this is not limited to this, and for example, the protruding length may be set to a length that allows contact between the suppression section 80 and the second separated component S2 after the centrifugation operation.

[0260] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the suppression unit 80 is described as being provided so as to protrude from the portion of the support unit 40 on the third opening 120 side toward the inside of the separation insert 110 and toward the bottom end 11b side. However, this is not limited to this. For example, in the operation of collecting the first separated component S1, if the container 10 is tilted so that the third opening 120 is positioned above the partition unit 30, and the suppression unit 80 can prevent the separation target liquid LS in the second internal space IS2 from flowing into the first internal space IS1 through the third opening 120, the suppression unit 80 may be provided so as to protrude only toward the inside of the separation insert 110 from the portion of the support unit 40 on the third opening 120 side (i.e., the second suppression unit 82 may be omitted). Furthermore, a portion of the portion of the first suppression unit 81 on the bottom end 11b side may be omitted.

[0261] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the suppression section 80 is described as being provided in the separation insert 110, but this is not limiting, and the suppression section 80 may be provided in the container 10, for example, as shown in FIGS.

[0262] In this case, for example, as shown in Figure 21, the suppression section 80 and part of the support section 40 of the separation insert 110 may be omitted, and the suppression section 80 may be provided in the part of the container 10 from the part near the third opening 120 side to the bottom end 11b (hereinafter referred to as the "installation target part").

[0263] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 22, the suppression section 80 may be provided by omitting part of the suppression section 80 and the support section 40 of the separation insert 110 and forming the installation target section in an inclined manner so that the liquid to be separated LS does not easily flow between the separation insert 110 and the installation target section of the container 10.

[0264] With this configuration, even if the suppression section 80 is provided in the container 10, the second separated component S2 can be prevented from flowing from the second internal space IS2 to the first internal space IS1 after the centrifugation operation, making it possible to accurately perform the separation operation of the first separated component S1.

[0265] (Addendum) The separation insert of Supplementary Note 1 is a separation insert to be accommodated in a container, and when a centrifugation operation is performed on the container containing a liquid to be separated, the separation insert separates components of the sample into a first separated component and a second separated component that is a component other than the first separated component, via the separation insert, wherein the container has an opening end where an opening is provided and a bottom end provided opposite the opening end, and the separation insert comprises a partition means for partitioning the internal space of the container into a first internal space which is a space on the opening end side and in which the first separated component is accommodated after the centrifugation operation, and a second internal space which is a space on the bottom end side and in which the second separated component is accommodated after the centrifugation operation. a support means for supporting the partition means relative to the container; a first opening provided in the partition means, which allows the liquid to be separated to flow from either the first internal space or the second internal space to the other through the first opening during the centrifugation operation; a second opening provided in the partition means, which allows air located in the second internal space to move from the second internal space to the first internal space through the second opening during the centrifugation operation; and a promotion means provided in the partition means and / or the support means, which promotes the movement of the air from the second internal space to the first internal space through the second opening during the centrifugation operation.

[0266] The separation insert of Appendix 2 is the separation insert of Appendix 1, wherein the promoting means is an outer promoting means provided on the partition means and / or the support means, and is provided so as to protrude toward the outside of the separation insert, or / and an inner promoting means provided on the partition means and / or the support means, and is provided so as to protrude toward the inside of the separation insert.

[0267] The separation insert of Appendix 3 is the separation insert described in Appendix 2, wherein a plurality of the second openings are provided at intervals from each other on the outer edge of the partition means, and the outer promotion means and / or inner promotion means are arranged between adjacent second openings among the plurality of second openings.

[0268] The separation insert of Appendix 4 is the separation insert of Appendix 3, wherein the outer facilitating means is configured such that the end of the outer facilitating means on the bottom end side is positioned closer to the opening end as it approaches the second opening.

[0269] The separation insert of Appendix 5 is a separation insert described in any one of Appendixes 2 to 4, wherein the outer promotion means is configured so that the outer promotion means can come into contact with the inner wall of the container when the separation insert is contained in the container.

[0270] The separation insert of Supplementary Note 6 is the separation insert of Supplementary Note 3, wherein the protruding length of the inner facilitating means increases with increasing distance from the second opening and with increasing proximity to the partition means.

[0271] The separation insert of Appendix 7 is a separation insert described in any one of Appendixes 1 to 4, which is provided with a suppression means provided near the first opening, and which is configured to suppress the second separated component from flowing from the second internal space to the first internal space after the centrifugation operation.

[0272] The separation insert of Appendix 8 is the separation insert described in Appendix 7, wherein the approximately cylindrical support means is arranged to protrude from the partition means toward the bottom end side, and the approximately cylindrical suppression means is arranged within the support means to protrude from the partition means toward the bottom end side.

[0273] The separation insert of Appendix 9 is the separation insert described in Appendix 8, wherein the inner diameter of the suppression means is approximately the same as the diameter of the first opening, and the protruding length of the suppression means is shorter than the protruding length of the support means and is long enough to prevent the suppression means from coming into contact with the second separated component after the centrifugation operation.

[0274] The separation insert described in Appendix 10 is the separation insert described in Appendix 7, wherein the first opening is provided at the outer edge of the partition means, the approximately cylindrical support means is provided so as to protrude from the partition means toward the bottom end side, and the suppression means is provided so as to protrude from the part of the support means on the first opening side toward the inside of the separation insert and / or the bottom end side.

[0275] The separation insert described in Appendix 11 is the separation insert described in Appendix 10, wherein the angle of the inner surface of the separation insert in the suppression means relative to the outer surface of the part of the support means on the first opening side is equal to or greater than the angle at which the container is tilted during the fractionation operation of the first separated component.

[0276] The separation insert described in Appendix 12 is the separation insert described in Appendix 10, wherein the partition means is the promoting means provided on the second internal space side and a component migration promoting means provided on the first internal space side, and is provided with a component migration promoting means for promoting the migration of the second separated component from the first internal space to the second internal space through the first opening during the centrifugation operation.

[0277] The separation insert described in Appendix 13 is the separation insert described in Appendix 7, wherein the partition means, the support means, the promotion means, and / or the suppression means are made of a transparent material.

[0278] The separation device described in Appendix 14 comprises a container having an open end with an opening and a bottom end opposite the open end, and a separation insert described in any one of Appendixes 1 to 4.

[0279] The separation device described in Appendix 15 is the separation device described in Appendix 14, further comprising a suppression means provided in either the separation insert or the container, for suppressing the second separated component from flowing from the second internal space to the first internal space after the centrifugation operation.

[0280] (Effect of supplementary notes) According to the separation insert described in Appendix 1 or the separation device described in Appendix 7, the separation insert is provided with a promoting means provided on the partition means and / or support means for promoting the movement of air from the second internal space to the first internal space through the second opening during centrifugation. Compared to the prior art (a cylindrical insert simply provided with an opening on its upper surface that allows air or fluid to pass through), this makes it easier for air to move from the second internal space to the first internal space during centrifugation, preventing air from remaining in the second internal space after centrifugation. This prevents the first separated component from being suspended by the air after centrifugation, enabling efficient collection of the first separated component.

[0281] According to the separation insert described in Appendix 2, the promotion means comprises outer promotion means provided on the partition means or / and support means, or / and inner promotion means provided on the partition means or / and support means, so that air outside the support means in the second internal space can be effectively moved to the first internal space during centrifugation operation, and / or air inside the support means in the second internal space can be effectively moved to the first internal space during centrifugation operation, thereby further preventing air from remaining in the second internal space after centrifugation operation.

[0282] According to the separation insert described in Appendix 3, the second openings are provided at intervals from one another on the outer edge of the partition means, and outer promotion means and / or inner promotion means are arranged between adjacent second openings among the second openings.Therefore, even when the second openings are provided on the outer edge of the partition means, air can be effectively moved from the second internal space to the first internal space during the centrifugation operation, and it is possible to further prevent air from remaining in the second internal space after the centrifugation operation.

[0283] According to the separation insert described in Appendix 4, the outer facilitating means is configured so that the end portion on the bottom end side of the outer facilitating means is positioned closer to the open end as it approaches the second opening, which makes it easier to guide air in the second internal space to the second opening during centrifugation operations, thereby effectively moving the air from the second internal space to the first internal space.

[0284] According to the separation insert described in Appendix 5, the outer facilitating means is configured so that it can come into contact with the inner wall of the container when stored. Therefore, for example, when the length from the open end to the bottom end of the outer facilitating means is relatively long, it becomes easier to effectively move air from the second internal space to the first internal space during the centrifugation operation, thereby further preventing air from remaining in the second internal space after the centrifugation operation.

[0285] According to the separation insert described in Appendix 6, the protruding length of the inner promoting means is increased as it moves away from the second opening and as it approaches the partition means, which makes it easier to effectively move air from the second internal space to the first internal space during the centrifugation operation, thereby further preventing air from remaining in the second internal space after the centrifugation operation.

[0286] According to the separation insert described in Appendix 7, the suppression means is provided near the first opening and is for suppressing the second separated component from flowing from the second internal space to the first internal space after the centrifugation operation. Therefore, the second separated component can be suppressed from flowing from the second internal space to the first internal space after the centrifugation operation, and the first separated component can be accurately separated.

[0287] According to the separation insert described in Appendix 8, an approximately cylindrical support means is provided so as to protrude from the partition means toward the bottom end side, and an approximately cylindrical suppression means is provided so as to protrude from the partition means toward the bottom end side within the support means.Therefore, compared to when the suppression means is provided so as to protrude from the partition means toward the open end side, it is possible to suppress the suppression means from interfering with the separation of the first separated component and the second separated component during centrifugation operations (for example, the second separated component accumulating near the suppression means during centrifugation operations), and the separation can be carried out efficiently.

[0288] According to the separation insert described in Appendix 9, the inner diameter of the suppression means is approximately the same as the diameter of the first opening, the protruding length of the suppression means is shorter than the protruding length of the support means, and is a length that can prevent the suppression means from contacting the second separated component after the centrifugation operation.Therefore, after the centrifugation operation, the second separated component can be effectively prevented from flowing from the second internal space to the first internal space, making it possible to accurately separate the first separated component.

[0289] According to the separation insert described in Appendix 10, the first opening is provided on the outer edge of the partition means, the approximately cylindrical support means is provided so as to protrude from the partition means toward the bottom end side, and the suppression means is provided so as to protrude from the first opening side of the support means toward the inside and / or bottom end side of the separation insert.Therefore, when the container is tilted so that the first opening is positioned above the partition means during the separation component collection operation, the suppression means can prevent the liquid to be separated in the second internal space from flowing into the first internal space through the first opening, making it possible to perform the collection operation more efficiently.

[0290] According to the separation insert described in Appendix 11, the angle of the inner surface of the separation insert in the suppression means relative to the outer surface of the part of the support means on the first opening side is set to be equal to or greater than the angle at which the container is tilted during the separation operation of the first separated component.Therefore, compared to when the angle is lower than the angle at which the container is tilted, the liquid to be separated in the second internal space can be prevented from flowing into the first internal space through the first opening during the separation operation of the first separated component, allowing the suppression means to function effectively.

[0291] According to the separation insert described in Appendix 12, the partition means includes a promoting means provided on the second internal space side and a component migration promoting means provided on the first internal space side, and the component migration promoting means facilitates the movement of the second separated component from the first internal space to the second internal space during centrifugation, thereby preventing the second separated component from remaining in the first internal space after centrifugation. In addition, the configuration of the support means can be simplified, improving the manufacturability of the support means.

[0292] According to the separation insert described in Appendix 13, the partitioning means, supporting means, promoting means, and / or suppressing means are made of transparent materials, so that the separation status of the sample can be grasped during the centrifugation operation, thereby improving the usability of the separation insert.

[0293] According to the separation device described in Appendix 15, since it is equipped with a suppression means provided in either the separation insert or the container, it is possible to suppress the second separated component from flowing from the second internal space to the first internal space after the centrifugation operation, and it is possible to accurately perform the fractionation operation of the first separated component. [Explanation of symbols]

[0294] 1 Separation device 10 containers 11 Container body 11a Open end 11b Bottom end 11c Side wall part 11d Bottom part 12 aperture 13 Lid 20 Separation Insert 30 Partition 31 Inflection Point 40 Support part 50 First Opening 60 Second Opening 61 Partition side second opening 62 Support side second opening 70 Promotion Department 71 Lateral promotion part 71a Bottom end 72 Medial promotion part 72a Slope section 72b Sloped section 80 Suppression part 81 1st suppression part 82 Second suppressor 90 Another container 100 Separation equipment 110 Separation Insert 120 Third Opening 121 Partition side third opening 122 Support side third opening 130 Component migration promotion section 140 Inner diameter adjustment part IS interior space IS1 1st interior space IS2 2nd internal space LS Separation target liquid LS1 Density Gradient Solution LS2 Samples and diluents S1 1st separated component S2 Second separated component

Claims

1. A separation insert to be accommodated in a container, the separation insert separating components of the sample into a first separated component and a second separated component that is a component other than the first separated component when a centrifugation operation is performed on the container containing a liquid to be separated that includes a sample, The container comprises: an opening end portion where an opening is provided; a bottom end provided opposite the open end, The separation insert comprises: a partitioning means for dividing the internal space of the container into a first internal space, which is a space on the open end side, in which the first separated component is accommodated after the centrifugal separation operation, and a second internal space, which is a space on the bottom end side, in which the second separated component is accommodated after the centrifugal separation operation; a support means for supporting the partition means relative to the container; a first opening provided in the partition means, which allows the liquid to be separated to flow from either the first internal space or the second internal space to the other through the first opening during the centrifugal separation operation; a second opening provided in the partition means, the second opening allowing air located in the second internal space to move from the second internal space to the first internal space through the second opening during the centrifugal separation operation; and a promoting means for promoting the movement of the air from the second internal space to the first internal space through the second opening during the centrifugation operation, The promoting means outer facilitating means provided on the partition means and the support means, the outer facilitating means being provided so as to protrude towards the outside of the separation insert, and / or an inner facilitating means provided from the lower surface of the partition means to the lower end of the support means, the inner facilitating means being provided so as to protrude toward the inside of the separation insert; The side surface of the outer accelerating means is formed into a generally inverted triangular shape having an inclined portion that slopes from the lowest end of the outer accelerating means to the second opening, thereby facilitating the movement of the air from the second internal space to the first internal space while being guided along the inclined portion of the outer accelerating means to the second opening during the centrifugation operation; and / or The side surface of the inner accelerating means is formed in a generally inverted triangular shape having a first inclined portion inclined from the lower end of the inner accelerating means to the second opening and a second inclined portion inclined from the center of the upper edge of the inner accelerating means to the second opening, thereby facilitating the movement of the air from the second internal space to the first internal space while being guided along the first inclined portion of the inner accelerating means to the second opening during the centrifugation operation, and facilitating the movement of the air from the second internal space to the first internal space while being guided along the second inclined portion of the inner accelerating means to the second opening. Separation insert.

2. A plurality of the second openings are provided at intervals from each other on the outer edge of the partition means, By disposing the outer accelerating means and / or the inner accelerating means between adjacent second openings among the plurality of second openings, it is possible to promote the movement of the air from the second internal space to the first internal space while being guided along the inclined portion of the outer accelerating means to either one of the adjacent second openings during the centrifugal separation operation, and / or to promote the movement of the air from the second internal space to the first internal space while being guided along the first inclined portion of the inner accelerating means to either one of the adjacent second openings during the centrifugal separation operation, and to promote the movement of the air from the second internal space to the first internal space while being guided along the second inclined portion of the inner accelerating means to either one of the adjacent second openings. The separator insert of claim 1 .

3. By configuring the outer promotion means so that, when the separation insert is housed in the container, the outer promotion means can come into contact with the inner wall of the container, it is possible to promote the movement of the air from the second internal space to the first internal space while being guided along the inclined portion of the outer promotion means and the inner wall of the container to the second opening during the centrifugation operation. A separating insert according to claim 1 or 2.

4. By increasing the protruding length of the inner promotion means as it moves away from the second opening and as it approaches the partition means, during the centrifugation operation, it is possible to promote the movement of the air from the second internal space to the first internal space while being guided to the second opening along the first inclined portion of the inner promotion means, and it is also possible to promote the movement of the air from the second internal space to the first internal space while being guided to the second opening along the second inclined portion of the inner promotion means. The separator insert of claim 3 .

5. A suppression means provided near the first opening, the suppression means being for suppressing the second separated component from flowing from the second internal space to the first internal space after the centrifugation operation; The support means is substantially cylindrical and protrudes from the partition means toward the bottom end portion, The substantially cylindrical suppression means is disposed within the support means so as to protrude from the partition means toward the bottom end side. A separating insert according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The inner diameter of the suppression means is approximately the same as the diameter of the first opening, The protruding length of the suppression means is shorter than the protruding length of the support means and is set to a length that can suppress contact between the suppression means and the second separated component after the centrifugation operation. The separator insert according to claim 5 .

7. The partitioning means, the supporting means, the promoting means, and / or the suppressing means are made of a transparent material. The separator insert according to claim 5 .

8. A separation insert to be accommodated in a container, wherein when a centrifugation operation is performed on the container containing a liquid to be separated that includes a sample, the components of the sample are separated via the separation insert into a first separated component and a second separated component that is a component other than the first separated component, The container comprises: an opening end portion where an opening is provided; a bottom end provided opposite the open end, The separation insert comprises: a partitioning means for dividing the internal space of the container into a first internal space, which is a space on the open end side, in which the first separated component is accommodated after the centrifugal separation operation, and a second internal space, which is a space on the bottom end side, in which the second separated component is accommodated after the centrifugal separation operation; a support means for supporting the partition means relative to the container; a first opening provided in the partition means, which allows the liquid to be separated to flow from either the first internal space or the second internal space to the other through the first opening during the centrifugal separation operation; a second opening provided in the partition means, the second opening allowing air located in the second internal space to move from the second internal space to the first internal space through the second opening during the centrifugal separation operation; a promoting means provided in the partitioning means for promoting the movement of the air from the second internal space to the first internal space through the second opening during the centrifugal separation operation, By configuring the promotion means so that the promotion means is inclined upward toward the second opening, it is possible to promote the movement of the air from the second internal space to the first internal space while being guided along the lower surface of the promotion means to the second opening during the centrifugal separation operation. Separation insert.

9. A suppression means provided near the first opening, the suppression means being for suppressing the second separated component from flowing from the second internal space to the first internal space after the centrifugation operation; The first opening is provided at an outer edge of the partition means, The support means is substantially cylindrical and protrudes from the partition means toward the bottom end portion, The suppression means is provided so as to protrude from a portion of the support means on the side of the first opening toward the inside of the separation insert and / or the bottom end side. The separator insert according to claim 8.

10. The angle of the inner surface of the separation insert in the suppression means relative to the outer surface of the portion of the support means on the first opening side is set to be equal to or greater than the angle at which the container is tilted during the fractionation operation of the first separated component. The separator insert according to claim 9.

11. The partition means is The promoting means is provided on the second internal space side; a component migration promoting means provided on the first internal space side, for promoting migration of the second separated component from the first internal space to the second internal space through the first opening during the centrifugation operation, By configuring the component transfer promotion means so that the component transfer promotion means is inclined downward as it approaches the first opening, it is possible to promote the movement of the second separated component from the first internal space to the second internal space while being guided along the upper surface of the component transfer promotion means to the first opening during the centrifugation operation. The separator insert according to claim 9.

12. The partitioning means, the supporting means, the promoting means, and / or the suppressing means are made of a transparent material. The separator insert according to claim 9.

13. A container having an open end at which an opening is provided and a bottom end provided opposite the open end; A separating insert according to claim 1 or 8; A separation device comprising:

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