Detection and measurement devices

Abstract

A detection device comprising a holding block (33) that has a curved shape and is for holding a transparent cylinder, an accommodation hole (34) that is formed in the holding block (33) and that the cylinder is inserted into so as to be accommodated in, a light sensor (52) comprising a light projection unit (71) for emitting detection light for detecting whether the cylinder is accommodated in the accommodation hole (34) and a light reception unit (72) for receiving the detection light, and a light path (50) that is for the detection light, has a tunnel structure covered by wall surfaces (65, 70), extends linearly within the holding block (33) in a direction intersecting with the accommodation hole (34), and is formed in a position removed from the radial direction center of the accommodation hole (34), wherein the light reflectances of the wall surface (70) of the accommodation hole (34) and the wall surface (65) of the light path (50) are within 30%.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology of the present disclosure relates to a detection device and a measurement device. [Background technology]

[0002] Various detection devices have been proposed for detecting curved, transparent, cylindrical objects such as cylindrical test tubes. For example, Utility Model Registration No. 3172595 describes a detection device that uses a transmission-type optical sensor that is composed of a light-emitting unit that emits detection light and a light-receiving unit that is positioned opposite the light-emitting unit and receives the detection light.

[0003] In Utility Model Registration No. 3172595, the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit are positioned off-center in the radial direction of a cylindrical body. If there is no cylindrical body between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit, most of the detection light reaches the light-receiving unit. If there is a cylindrical body between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit, the detection light is reflected and refracted by the cylindrical body, changing its direction of travel, and almost none of the detection light reaches the light-receiving unit. Therefore, if a detection signal of a set level is output from the light-receiving unit, it can be determined that there is no cylindrical body between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit. If there is no detection signal of the set level from the light-receiving unit, it can be determined that there is a cylindrical body between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Utility Model Registration No. 3172595, no measures are taken to deal with external light and / or stray light of the detection light. As a result, due to the influence of external light and / or stray light of the detection light, it becomes difficult to distinguish between the level of the detection signal output from the light-receiving unit when there is no cylindrical object between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit and the level of the detection signal output from the light-receiving unit when there is a cylindrical object between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit, which could lead to erroneous determination.

[0005] One embodiment of the technique of the present disclosure provides a detection device and a measurement device that can reduce the risk of erroneous determination. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The detection device disclosed herein comprises a holding block for holding a curved, transparent cylindrical body; a storage hole formed in the holding block into which the cylindrical body is inserted and stored; an optical sensor consisting of a light-emitting unit that emits detection light to detect whether the cylindrical body is stored in the storage hole and a light-receiving unit that receives the detection light; and an optical path for the detection light having a tunnel structure covered with walls, which extends linearly within the holding block in a direction intersecting the storage hole and is formed at a position off the radial center of the storage hole, and the wall surfaces of the storage hole and the optical path have an optical reflectivity of 30% or less.

[0007] The optical sensor is a reflective optical sensor in which a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section are integrated and arranged at one end of an optical path, and it is preferable that a reflective member is arranged at the other end of the optical path to reflect the detection light emitted from the light-emitting section toward the light-receiving section.

[0008] The reflective member preferably has retroreflective properties.

[0009] The holding block is made of aluminum, and the wall surfaces of the accommodation hole and the wall surfaces of the optical path are preferably treated with a matte black anodized aluminum coating.

[0010] It is preferable that the device is provided with a processor and a memory connected to or built into the processor, and that the processor determines that the cylindrical body is not contained in the accommodating hole when a detection signal of the set level is output from the light receiving unit, and determines that the cylindrical body is contained in the accommodating hole when a detection signal of the set level is not output from the light receiving unit.

[0011] The measuring device of the present disclosure is equipped with any of the above-mentioned detection devices, and the cylindrical body is a cylindrical test tube in which a sample solution prepared by mixing a sample with a lysate reagent is stored, and the measuring device measures the presence and / or amount of a specific substance in the sample.

[0012] The holding block is preferably equipped with a heater for heating the sample solution in the test tube to a set temperature. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the technology of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a detection device and a measurement device that can reduce the risk of erroneous determination. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the measurement device. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the measuring unit main body. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the measuring unit main body. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the progression of light in the case of a reflective member that does not have retroreflective properties. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the progression of light in the case of a reflective member having retroreflective properties. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 shows a detection device. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the receiving hole and the detection light path. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a receiving hole in which no test tube is received and a detection light path. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the receiving hole in which the test tube is received and the detection light path. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing detection signals and determination results when a test tube is not contained in a containing well. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing detection signals and determination results when a test tube is accommodated in an accommodation hole. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a case where a test tube is not contained in a containing well in another example of a configuration for determining whether or not a test tube is contained in a containing well. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a case where a test tube is contained in a containing well in another example of a configuration for determining whether or not a test tube is contained in a containing well. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1 as an example, a measuring device 10 of the present disclosure is a device for measuring the amount of endotoxin that may cause an immune response such as fever, and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 11. A power switch 12 for turning the power of the measuring device 10 on and off is provided at the lower front of the housing 11, and an operation panel 13 for issuing various operational instructions is provided at the upper front. Two measuring units 14 for measuring the amount of endotoxin are arranged side by side in the left-right direction on the top surface of the housing 11. Furthermore, a computer 15 for overall control of the operation of each unit of the measuring device 10 is built into the housing 11. Note that endotoxin is an example of a "specific substance" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

[0016] A lid 16 is removably attached to the measurement unit 14. The lid 16 covers the top of the measurement unit 14 when the measurement unit 14 is not in use, and is removed from the top of the measurement unit 14 when the measurement unit 14 is in use.

[0017] Test tubes 17 are set in the measurement unit 14. Ten test tubes 17 can be set in one measurement unit 14. This allows the measurement device 10 to measure the amount of endotoxin in a total of 20 test tubes 17 at once. The test tubes 17 have a cylindrical shape and are made of a transparent material such as glass or transparent plastic. The test tubes 17 are an example of a "cylindrical body" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

[0018] Test tube 17 stores a specimen solution SS obtained by mixing a specimen with a lysate reagent. The specimen is a pharmaceutical product that is required to be endotoxin-free, such as an infusion or injection administered to a patient in a medical setting. The lysate reagent is a reagent for measuring endotoxins prepared from, for example, a hemocyte extract (LAL; Limulus Amebocyte Lysate) of the American horseshoe crab (Limulus Polyphemus). The lysate reagent is also called a Limulus reagent or an LAL reagent due to its composition. The specimen may also be blood collected from a patient.

[0019] If the sample contains endotoxin, the sample will gel and become turbid due to the action of the lysate reagent. Measurement unit 14 measures the amount of endotoxin in the sample by measuring the change in turbidity of the sample over time.

[0020] 2, the computer 15 is composed of a storage 20, a memory 21, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 22, and a bus line 23 that interconnects these components. The power switch 12, the operation panel 13, and the measurement unit 14 are also connected to the bus line 23.

[0021] The storage 20 stores an operating program 25. The operating program 25 starts in conjunction with turning on the power switch 12 and ends in conjunction with turning off the power switch 12. The storage 20 also stores a set level TH.

[0022] The memory 21 is a work memory for the CPU 22 to execute processing. The CPU 22 loads an operating program 25 stored in the storage 20 into the memory 21 and executes processing in accordance with the operating program 25. In this way, the CPU 22 comprehensively controls the operation of the computer 15 and, ultimately, each part of the measuring device 10. The CPU 22 is an example of a "processor" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The memory 21 may be built into the CPU 22.

[0023] As an example, as shown in Figure 3, the measurement unit 14 is composed of a cover 30 and a measurement unit main body 31. The cover 30 is the part of the measurement unit 14 that is exposed on the top surface of the housing 11 when the lid 16 is removed, and covers the upper part of the measurement unit main body 31. An insertion hole 32 is formed in the cover 30. The insertion hole 32 is a hole for inserting a test tube 17 into a storage hole 34 formed in a holding block 33 of the measurement unit main body 31. The insertion hole 32 and the storage hole 34 are arranged at equal intervals and in the same position along the longitudinal direction of the cover 30 and the holding block 33.

[0024] The cover 30 is also formed with a status indicator hole 35. The status indicator hole 35 is located next to the insertion hole 32. The tip of a light guide 36 is visible through the status indicator hole 35. The proximal end of the light guide 36 is connected to a status indicator LED (Light Emitting Diode) 37. The status indicator LED 37 emits light that indicates the measurement status of the endotoxin amount in each storage hole 34. The measurement status may be, for example, endotoxin amount measurement in progress, measurement completed, measurement preparation complete, or measurement error. The light that indicates the measurement status may be, for example, a green light when endotoxin amount measurement is in progress, a flashing green light when measurement is completed, a blue light when measurement preparation complete, or a red light when a measurement error occurs. The light guide 36 takes in the light that indicates the measurement status from the proximal end connected to the status indicator LED 37 and guides it to the tip that is visible through the status indicator hole 35. The arrow indicated by the symbol ID indicates the insertion direction of the test tube 17 into the storage hole 34.

[0025] As an example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the measurement unit main body 31 includes a holding block 33, a light guide 36, a circuit board 40, an insulating plate 41, a plunger 42, a plunger holder 43, a reflecting member 44, and a rubber heater 45.

[0026] The holding block 33 is an L-shaped metal block. The holding block 33 is made of aluminum, for example (see FIG. 3). As described above, the holding block 33 has the accommodation hole 34 formed therein. The accommodation hole 34 extends linearly in the vertical direction. The test tube 17 is inserted into the accommodation hole 34 and accommodated therein, thereby allowing the holding block 33 to hold the test tube 17.

[0027] Furthermore, the holding block 33 is formed with the same number of detection optical paths 50 as the number of storage holes 34. The detection optical paths 50 extend linearly in the left-right direction perpendicular to the up-down direction in which the storage holes 34 are formed. The detection optical paths 50 penetrate from one side surface of the holding block 33 to the opposite side surface. The detection optical paths 50 are connected to the storage holes 34 at their centers (see FIG. 9, etc.). The detection optical paths 50 are optical paths of detection light DL (see FIG. 6, etc.) for detecting whether or not a test tube 17 is stored in a storage hole 34. In other words, the detection optical paths 50 are an example of an "optical path" according to the technology of the present disclosure. Note that "orthogonal" refers not only to perfect "orthogonal" but also to an error (e.g., an error of about 1% to 10%) that is generally acceptable in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs and does not contradict the spirit of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0028] A measurement optical path 51 is formed below the detection optical path 50. Like the detection optical path 50, the measurement optical path 51 also extends linearly in the left-right direction and penetrates from one side of the holding block 33 to the opposite side. The measurement optical path 51 is also connected to the accommodation hole 34 at its center. The measurement optical path 51 is an optical path for measurement light (not shown) for measuring the turbidity of the sample. A transmission-type optical sensor (not shown) is disposed in the measurement optical path 51. More specifically, a light-emitting portion of the transmission-type optical sensor that irradiates the measurement light onto the sample solution SS in the test tube 17 is disposed at one end of the measurement optical path 51, and a light-receiving portion of the transmission-type optical sensor that receives the measurement light is disposed at the other end of the measurement optical path 51.

[0029] The circuit board 40 is attached to the upper side of the holding block 33 with an insulating plate 41 sandwiched therebetween. The aforementioned status display LED 37 is mounted on the circuit board 40. A reflective optical sensor 52 is mounted on the surface of the circuit board 40 opposite the surface on which the status display LED 37 is mounted, which surface faces the side of the holding block 33. The reflective optical sensor 52 is disposed in a position facing one end of the detection light path 50 when the circuit board 40 is attached to the holding block 33.

[0030] The insulating plate 41 ensures insulation between the holding block 33 and the circuit board 40. A sensor placement hole 53 is formed in the insulating plate 41 at a position facing one end of the detection light path 50 and the reflective optical sensor 52. The reflective optical sensor 52 is placed so as to protrude from this sensor placement hole 53 to one end of the detection light path 50.

[0031] The plungers 42 are provided in the same number as the receiving holes 34. Each plunger 42 is composed of a pin 54 and a spring 55. One end of the pin 54 has a large diameter and is inserted into an insertion hole 56 formed in the holding block 33, protruding from a wall surface 70 of the receiving hole 34 (see Figure 9, etc.). The other end of the pin 54 is inserted into an insertion hole 57 formed in the plunger retainer 43. One end of the spring 55 abuts against one end of the plunger 42. The other end of the spring 55 abuts against a recess 58 in the insertion hole 57. The spring 55 applies a biasing force to the pin 54, pressing the test tube 17 received in the receiving hole 34 against one side of the receiving hole 34 (the side where the circuit board 40, etc. are arranged). The action of the plunger 42 and the plunger retainer 43 determines the position of the test tube 17 within the receiving hole 34.

[0032] The reflecting member 44 is sandwiched between the holding block 33 and the plunger presser 43. The reflecting member 44 is disposed in a position that covers the other end of the detection light path 50. The reflecting member 44 has retroreflective properties (see FIG. 10). The reflecting member 44 is, for example, a retroreflective sheet or retroreflective tape manufactured by 3M Japan Ltd.

[0033] 6, in the case of a reflective member that does not have retroreflective properties, such as a plane mirror 59, the detection light DL from the reflective optical sensor 52 is specularly reflected from the surface of the plane mirror 59. More specifically, the detection light DL that is incident on the surface of the plane mirror 59 at an incident angle θ1 is reflected only in the direction of a reflection angle θ2 that is symmetrical to the incident angle θ1 across the normal to the surface. In contrast, in the case of a reflective member 44 that has retroreflective properties, as shown in FIG. 7, almost all of the detection light DL (for example, 90% to 99%) is reflected in the direction of the reflective optical sensor 52.

[0034] The rubber heater 45 is attached to the lower surface of the holding block 33. Under the control of the CPU 22, the rubber heater 45 heats the holding block 33 to a set temperature suitable for measuring the amount of endotoxin, for example, 37°C.

[0035] As an example, as shown in FIG. 8, the computer 15, the holding block 33, the receiving hole 34, the reflecting member 44, the detection optical path 50, and the reflective optical sensor 52 constitute a detection device 60 of the present disclosure.

[0036] 9, the detection light path 50 has a tunnel structure covered with a wall surface 65. The detection light path 50 is formed at a position off the center C in the radial direction of the receiving hole 34 (see also FIG. 10). The position off the center C is a position where the center C does not exist within the detection light path 50, in other words, a position completely offset from the center C.

[0037] 10, the wall surface 65 of the detection light path 50 and the wall surface 70 of the accommodation hole 34 are treated with a matte black alumite coating, so that the wall surfaces 65 and 70 are black and have a light reflectance of 30% or less.

[0038] The reflective optical sensor 52 is an optical sensor in which a light-emitting unit 71 and a light-receiving unit 72 are integrated. The light-emitting unit 71 emits detection light DL at regular intervals, for example, every four seconds. The detection light DL is, for example, infrared light. As shown in FIG. 10 , when a test tube 17 is not contained in the holding cavity 34, the detection light DL travels along the detection optical path 50 to the reflecting member 44 at the other end, where it is reflected by the reflecting member 44 and returns as reflected light RL. The light-receiving unit 72 receives this reflected light RL. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11 , when a test tube 17 is contained in the holding cavity 34, the detection light DL is reflected and refracted by the test tube 17, changing its direction of travel and is almost entirely absorbed by the wall surface 65 of the detection optical path 50 and the wall surface 70 of the holding cavity 34. As a result, the light-receiving unit 72 receives almost no reflected light RL.

[0039] 12, when the test tube 17 is not contained in the storage cavity 34, the detection signal output from the light receiving unit 72 greatly exceeds the set level TH, as shown in graph G1. In this case, the CPU 22 determines that the test tube 17 is not contained in the storage cavity 34, and outputs a determination result 80A indicating that the test tube 17 is not contained in the storage cavity 34.

[0040] 13, when the test tube 17 is contained in the holding cavity 34, the detection signal output from the light receiving unit 72 falls significantly below the set level TH, as shown in graph G2. In this case, the CPU 22 determines that the test tube 17 is contained in the holding cavity 34, and outputs a determination result 80B indicating that the test tube 17 is contained in the holding cavity 34.

[0041] When the CPU 22 outputs a determination result 80B indicating that the test tube 17 is inserted into and accommodated in the accommodation cavity 34 that is ready for measurement, and the test tube 17 is accommodated in the accommodation cavity 34, the CPU 22 activates the transmission-type optical sensor to start measuring the amount of endotoxin. At the same time, the CPU 22 causes the status display LED 37 to emit a green light, indicating that the amount of endotoxin is being measured.

[0042] Furthermore, when the CPU 22 outputs a determination result 80A indicating that the test tube 17 is mistakenly removed from the storage well 34 during measurement of the amount of endotoxin and that the test tube 17 is not stored in the storage well 34, the CPU 22 stops the operation of the transmission-type optical sensor. At the same time, the CPU 22 causes the status display LED 37 to emit a red light indicating a measurement error.

[0043] Furthermore, when the CPU 22 outputs a judgment result 80A indicating that the test tube 17 is removed from the storage hole 34 after the measurement of the amount of endotoxin is completed and the test tube 17 is no longer stored in the storage hole 34, the CPU 22 causes the status display LED 37 to emit blue light indicating that preparation for measurement is complete.

[0044] As described above, the detection device 60 includes the holding block 33, the storage hole 34, the reflective optical sensor 52, and the detection optical path 50. The holding block 33 holds a cylindrical test tube 17. The storage hole 34 is formed in the holding block 33, and the test tube 17 is inserted and stored in the storage hole 34. The reflective optical sensor 52 is composed of a light-emitting unit 71 and a light-receiving unit 72. The light-emitting unit 71 emits detection light DL to detect whether or not a test tube 17 is stored in the storage hole 34. The light-receiving unit 72 receives reflected light RL of the detection light DL. The detection optical path 50 is a tunnel-shaped optical path for the detection light DL covered by the wall surface 65. The detection optical path 50 extends linearly within the holding block 33 in a direction perpendicular to the storage hole 34, and is formed at a position off the radial center C of the storage hole 34. The wall surface 65 of the detection light path 50 and the wall surface 70 of the receiving hole 34 have a light reflectance of 30% or less.

[0045] Because the light reflectance of the wall surface 65 of the detection light path 50 and the wall surface 70 of the storage cavity 34 is within 30%, the wall surfaces 65 and 70 absorb most of the external light and / or stray light of the detection light DL. This makes it less susceptible to the effects of external light and / or stray light of the detection light DL, and makes it extremely easy to distinguish between the level of the detection signal output from the light receiving unit 72 when the test tube 17 is not contained in the storage cavity 34 and the level of the detection signal output from the light receiving unit 72 when the test tube 17 is contained in the storage cavity 34. This reduces the risk of erroneous determination.

[0046] The optical sensor is a reflective optical sensor 52 in which a light-projecting unit 71 and a light-receiving unit 72 are integrated and disposed at one end of the detection optical path 50. A reflective member 44 is disposed at the other end of the detection optical path 50, which reflects the detection light DL emitted from the light-projecting unit 71 toward the light-receiving unit 72. Therefore, unlike a transmissive optical sensor, there is no need to adjust the positions of the light-projecting unit 71 and the light-receiving unit 72. Therefore, the reflective optical sensor 52 has a higher degree of freedom in placement than a transmissive optical sensor. Furthermore, there is no need to adjust the light emission power of the detection light DL from the light-projecting unit 71 according to the distance, as there is with a transmissive optical sensor. Therefore, high determination accuracy can be achieved with a relatively rough placement of the reflective optical sensor 52 simply at one end of the detection optical path 50.

[0047] The reflective member 44 has retroreflective properties. This allows the light-receiving unit 72 to receive most of the detection light DL as reflected light RL, further increasing the level of the detection signal output from the light-receiving unit 72 when the test tube 17 is not contained in the holding cavity 34. As a result, it becomes easier to distinguish between the level of the detection signal output from the light-receiving unit 72 when the test tube 17 is not contained in the holding cavity 34 and the level of the detection signal output from the light-receiving unit 72 when the test tube 17 is contained in the holding cavity 34, further reducing the risk of erroneous determination.

[0048] The holding block 33 is made of aluminum. The wall surface 65 of the detection light path 50 and the wall surface 70 of the accommodation hole 34 are treated with a matte black anodized aluminum coating. Because matte black anodized aluminum coating is a commonly used treatment, the wall surfaces 65 and 70 can be easily colored black.

[0049] When the light receiving unit 72 outputs a detection signal of the set level TH, the CPU 22 determines that the test tube 17 is not contained in the containing hole 34. On the other hand, when the light receiving unit 72 does not output a detection signal of the set level TH, the CPU 22 determines that the test tube 17 is contained in the containing hole 34.

[0050] 14 and 15 are examples of configurations for determining whether a test tube 17 is accommodated in the accommodating cavity 34. That is, the detection light path 50 is formed so that its central axis passes through the radial center C of the accommodating cavity 34. Contrary to the technology disclosed herein, if the light receiving unit 72 does not output a detection signal of the set level TH as shown in FIG. 14, it is determined that the test tube 17 is not accommodated in the accommodating cavity 34. On the other hand, if the light receiving unit 72 outputs a detection signal of the set level TH as shown in FIG. 15, it is determined that the test tube 17 is accommodated in the accommodating cavity 34.

[0051] In this embodiment, when the test tube 17 is not accommodated in the accommodating cavity 34, the detection signal output from the light-receiving unit 72 is significantly below the set level TH, as shown by graph G3 in FIG. 14. On the other hand, when the test tube 17 is accommodated in the accommodating cavity 34, the detection signal output from the light-receiving unit 72 exceeds the set level TH, as shown by graph G4 in FIG. 15, but does not significantly exceed the set level TH, as shown by graph G1 in FIG. 12. This is likely due to the cylindrical shape of the test tube 17, which causes the detection light DL to be reflected in all directions from the surface of the test tube 17, reducing the amount of reflected light RL returning to the light-receiving unit 72. Another possible reason for this is that the transparent test tube 17 transmits the detection light DL through the test tube 17, reducing the amount of reflected light RL returning to the light-receiving unit 72. Therefore, in some cases, even when the test tube 17 is accommodated in the accommodating cavity 34, the detection signal may be below the set level TH, leading to the CPU 22 erroneously determining that the test tube 17 is not accommodated in the accommodating cavity 34.

[0052] However, in the technology of the present disclosure, as described above, the detection light path 50 is formed at a position that is off the radial center C of the accommodating hole 34. If the light receiving unit 72 outputs a detection signal of the set level TH, it is determined that the test tube 17 is not contained in the accommodating hole 34, and if the light receiving unit 72 does not output a detection signal of the set level TH, it is determined that the test tube 17 is contained in the accommodating hole 34. This makes it possible to reduce the risk of erroneous determination compared to the aspects shown in Figures 14 and 15.

[0053] The measuring device 10 is equipped with a detecting device 60, and the cylindrical body is a cylindrical test tube 17 that stores a sample solution SS prepared by mixing a sample with a lysate reagent. The measuring device 10 measures the amount of endotoxin in the sample. The measuring device 10 starts measuring the amount of endotoxin or detects a measurement error by determining whether the test tube 17 is accommodated in the accommodation cavity 34. This further reduces the risk of erroneous determination. Specifically, the probability of occurrence of problems such as a delay in measuring the amount of endotoxin due to an erroneous determination even though the test tube 17 is accommodated in the accommodation cavity 34, or an erroneous determination that a measurement error is not detected even though the test tube 17 has been removed from the accommodation cavity 34, can be significantly reduced.

[0054] A rubber heater 45 is attached to the holding block 33 to heat the sample solution SS in the test tube 17 to a set temperature. This makes it possible to measure the amount of endotoxin at the set temperature.

[0055] The optical sensor is not limited to the reflective optical sensor 52, but may be a transmissive optical sensor. The detection optical path 50 need only extend linearly within the holding block 33 in a direction intersecting with the accommodation hole 34, and does not have to extend in the perpendicular direction as shown in the example. Furthermore, the reflective member 44 may not have retroreflective properties.

[0056] The holding block 33 does not have to be made of aluminum and may be made of copper, for example. Furthermore, the treatment for blackening the wall surface 65 of the detection light path 50 and the wall surface 70 of the accommodating hole 34 does not have to be a matte black anodized aluminum treatment, and may be a matte black plating treatment, for example. Furthermore, the wall surface 65 of the detection light path 50 and the wall surface 70 of the accommodating hole 34 need only have a light reflectance of 30% or less, and are not limited to black. For example, they may be a dark navy blue color.

[0057] If the light reflectance of the wall surface 65 of the detection light path 50 and the wall surface 70 of the accommodating hole 34 is within 30%, the influence of external light and / or stray light of the detection light DL can be sufficiently eliminated. However, to more reliably eliminate the influence of external light and / or stray light of the detection light DL, it is more preferable that the light reflectance of the wall surface 65 of the detection light path 50 and the wall surface 70 of the accommodating hole 34 be within 10%.

[0058] The specific substance is not limited to endotoxin, as exemplified above. Instead of endotoxin, β-glucan, which has been reported to enhance the action of endotoxin, may also be used. Furthermore, instead of or in addition to measuring the amount of a specific substance such as endotoxin in a sample, the presence or absence of the specific substance in the sample may be measured. Furthermore, a method may be used in which a lysate reagent containing a chromogenic substrate is used to measure the amount of the specific substance in the sample based on the absorbance of visible light.

[0059] Test tube 17 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be an elliptical cylindrical shape. Furthermore, the cylindrical object is not limited to test tube 17, and may be, for example, a petri dish for cell culture, a flask for chemical experiments, a drinking cup, etc. Therefore, the device in which detection device 60 is mounted is not limited to the exemplary measurement device 10. For example, if the cylindrical object is a petri dish for cell culture, detection device 60 may be mounted in an incubator into which the petri dish is placed.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the hardware structure of the processing unit that executes various processes can be made of the following various processors. The various processors include a CPU 22, which is a general-purpose processor that executes software (operation program 25) and functions as various processing units, as well as a programmable logic device (PLD), which is a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and / or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). This includes dedicated electrical circuits such as processors with circuit configurations designed specifically to perform specific processing, such as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit.

[0061] A single processing unit may be configured with one of these various processors, or may be configured with a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (e.g., a combination of multiple FPGAs and / or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). Also, multiple processing units may be configured with a single processor.

[0062] As an example of configuring multiple processing units in one processor, first, there is a form in which one processor is configured by combining one or more CPUs and software, as represented by computers such as client and server, and this processor functions as multiple processing units. Second, there is a form in which one processor is configured by combining one or more CPUs and software, as represented by computers such as system on chip (SoC), etc. As shown in the figure, one form of implementation uses a processor that realizes the functions of the entire system including multiple processing units on a single IC (Integrated Circuit) chip. In this way, the various processing units are configured as a hardware structure using one or more of the various processors described above.

[0063] Furthermore, more specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors can be an electric circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0064] The technology of the present disclosure can be appropriately combined with the various embodiments and / or various modified examples described above. Furthermore, it is not limited to the above embodiments, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the technology of the present disclosure extends not only to programs but also to storage media that non-temporarily store programs.

[0065] The above-described description and illustrations are a detailed explanation of the parts related to the technology of the present disclosure and are merely an example of the technology of the present disclosure. For example, the above description of the configuration, functions, actions, and effects is an explanation of an example of the configuration, functions, actions, and effects of the parts related to the technology of the present disclosure. Therefore, it goes without saying that unnecessary parts may be deleted, new elements may be added, or replacements may be made to the above-described description and illustrations within the scope of the gist of the technology of the present disclosure. Furthermore, to avoid confusion and facilitate understanding of the parts related to the technology of the present disclosure, the above-described description and illustrations omit explanations of common technical knowledge that do not require particular explanation to enable the implementation of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0066] In this specification, "A and / or B" is synonymous with "at least one of A and B." In other words, "A and / or B" means that it may be only A, only B, or a combination of A and B. Furthermore, in this specification, the same concept as "A and / or B" is also applied when three or more things are expressed connected by "and / or."

[0067] All publications, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent application, or technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. a holding block for holding a transparent cylindrical body having a curved surface; an accommodation hole formed in the holding block, into which the cylindrical body is inserted and accommodated; an optical sensor including a light projecting unit that emits detection light for detecting whether the cylindrical body is housed in the housing hole, and a light receiving unit that receives the detection light; an optical path for the detection light having a tunnel structure covered with a wall surface, the optical path extending linearly within the holding block in a direction intersecting with the accommodation hole and formed at a position off-center in the radial direction of the accommodation hole; Equipped with The wall surfaces of the receiving hole and the wall surfaces of the optical path have a light reflectance of 30% or less. Detection device.

2. the optical sensor is a reflective optical sensor in which the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit are integrated and disposed at one end of the optical path, 2. The detection device according to claim 1, further comprising a reflecting member disposed at the other end of the optical path, the reflecting member reflecting the detection light emitted from the light projecting portion toward the light receiving portion.

3. 3. The detection device according to claim 2, wherein the reflective member has retroreflective properties.

4. the retaining block is made of aluminum; 2. The detection device according to claim 1, wherein the wall surfaces of the accommodation hole and the wall surfaces of the optical path are treated with a matte black alumite coating.

5. a processor; a memory connected to or embedded in the processor; The processor: When a detection signal of a set level is output from the light receiving unit, it is determined that the cylindrical body is not accommodated in the accommodation hole, 2. The detection device according to claim 1, wherein when the light receiving section does not output a detection signal of a set level, it is determined that the cylindrical body is housed in the housing hole.

6. The detection device according to claim 1 is mounted, the cylindrical body is a cylindrical test tube in which a specimen solution obtained by mixing a specimen with a lysate reagent is stored; measuring the presence and / or amount of a specific substance in the sample; Measuring device.

7. 7. The measuring device according to claim 6, wherein the holding block is provided with a heater for heating the sample solution in the test tube to a set temperature.

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