Analysis device

Abstract

Provided is an analysis device that analyzes a specimen sample by using a plate-shaped analysis chip which has the specimen sample spotted thereon and which is removably loaded into the analysis device. The analysis device comprises: a conveyance table on which the analysis chip is conveyed; and a conveyance mechanism that pushes the analysis chip, which is located at a standby position on the conveyance table, from the rear end of the analysis chip to convey the same to a predetermined target position while sliding the analysis chip along the conveyance table. The conveyance mechanism comprises: a plate-like pushing member that uses the front end thereof to push the rear end of the analysis chip toward the target position; and a cover member that can cover an upper surface on the rear end side of the analysis chip, in a state of protruding more forward in the conveyance direction than the front end of the pushing member, while the front end of the pushing member is pushing the rear end of the analysis chip.

Description

Analyzer

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an analytical device.

[0002] Analytical devices are known that analyze specimen samples using analytical chips onto which the specimen samples are deposited. The analysis of the specimen samples involves measuring the concentration of test substances contained in the specimen samples by measuring the reaction state between the specimen samples and reagents. The specimen samples include, for example, blood and urine. One example of an analytical chip is a dry analytical chip equipped with a reagent layer containing a reagent. The analytical chip is also sometimes called a measuring element or a chemical analysis slide.

[0003] The analytical device is equipped with a spotting mechanism for spotting specimen samples onto analytical chips, and an incubator for warming a plurality of analytical chips to ensure suitable measurement conditions.

[0004] The analyzer disclosed in JP 2-184761 A has a spotting position outside an incubator where a specimen sample is spotted onto an analytical chip, and a slide cartridge containing multiple analytical chips is disposed near the spotting position. This analyzer is equipped with a slide supply mechanism that ejects slides (corresponding to analytical chips) one by one from the slide cartridge, and a slide insertion / ejection means that transports the slides ejected from the slide supply mechanism to the spotting position and inserts them into each cell of the incubator.

[0005] In the analyzer disclosed in JP 2-184761 A, the slide supply mechanism includes a plate-like member (corresponding to a pressing member). The plate-like member is inserted through a discharge means entry slit provided in the cartridge, and the plate-like member presses the rear end of the slit, thereby pushing the slide out of the slide discharge slit. In JP 2-184761 A, the plate-like member that pushes the slide pushes the slide while contacting only one point on the rear end of the slide, which makes the slide prone to becoming unstable during transport. For example, the slide may tilt relative to the direction of travel or lift off the transport platform. When the slide's position becomes unstable during transport, problems with the slide, such as transport failure, are likely to occur.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an analytical device equipped with a transport mechanism that suppresses the occurrence of problems when transporting analytical chips.

[0007] The analytical device of the present disclosure is an analytical device that is removably loaded with a flat analytical chip onto which a specimen sample is deposited, and that analyzes the specimen sample using the analytical chip, and includes: a transport table on which the analytical chip is transported; and a transport mechanism that transports the analytical chip, which is located in a waiting position on the transport table, to a predetermined target position by pressing the analytical chip from its rear end, causing it to slide along the transport table.The transport mechanism includes a plate-shaped pressing member that presses the rear end of the analytical chip with its tip, thereby pressing the analytical chip toward the target position, and a cover member that is capable of covering the upper surface of the rear end side of the analytical chip, while protruding forward in the transport direction beyond the tip of the pressing member, while the tip of the pressing member presses the rear end of the analytical chip.

[0008] The analytical device of the present disclosure may be provided with a guide portion on at least one of the transport table and the cover member for positioning the analytical chip in the width direction.

[0009] The analytical device of the present disclosure may include a loading section provided with a cell in which the analytical chip is housed for measurement, and the target position may be the position in the loading section where the cell is provided.

[0010] The loading section may be an incubator that warms the analysis chip housed in the cell to a preset temperature.

[0011] In the analytical device of the present disclosure, it is preferable that the cover member is arranged so as to be slidable over the pressing member along the transport direction, and further that the analytical chip is provided with an abutment member that abuts against the cover member at a predetermined position before reaching the target position, and that restricts the progress of the cover member toward the target position, thereby retracting the cover member from a protruding position where it protrudes further forward in the transport direction than the tip of the pressing member.

[0012] In the analytical device of the present disclosure, it is preferable that a biasing member be provided that biases the cover member toward the protruding position, and that the cover member, upon contact with the abutting member, retracts relative to the pressing member against the biasing force of the biasing member, and returns to the protruding position when separated from the abutting member.

[0013] The analytical device of the present disclosure may include a loading section in which a cell is provided in which an analytical chip is housed for measurement, the target position is the position in the loading section where the cell is provided, and the insertion path into the cell may be provided with an opening frame having a slit formed therein through which the analytical chip passes, and the abutment member may be the opening frame.

[0014] The analytical device of the present disclosure may include a spotting mechanism that spots a specimen sample on an analytical chip, and the target position may be a spotting position where the specimen sample is spotted.

[0015] The analytical chip may have a spotting portion on its main surface, and in the analytical device, the cover member may cover the upper surface of the analytical chip while leaving the spotting portion of the analytical chip exposed.

[0016] In the analytical device of the present disclosure, the transport table may have an opening at the waiting position, and may have a cartridge installation section in which a cartridge containing multiple stacked analytical chips is removably installed, the cartridge installation section holding the cartridge at the bottom of the waiting position on the transport table, and the cartridge may have a push-up mechanism that pushes up the top analytical chip of the multiple analytical chips contained in the cartridge through the opening to a height where its underside is aligned with the transport surface of the transport table.

[0017] According to the technique of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an analyzer equipped with a transport mechanism that suppresses the occurrence of problems when transporting an analytical chip.

[0018] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an analytical device of one embodiment; FIG. 2 is a plan view of the main parts of the analytical device; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the transport path portion of the analytical chip in the analytical device; FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing an example of the structure of the analytical chip; FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the transport state of the analytical chip; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the main parts of the transport mechanism as seen from the cover member side; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the main parts of the transport mechanism as seen from the pressing member side; FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the state in which the analytical chip is held in the transport mechanism; FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the analytical chip just before being loaded into a cell (a), and the state in which it has been loaded (b); FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the sliding state between the pressing member and the cover member; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the transport of the analytical chip in the analytical device; FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the transport of the analytical chip in the analytical device; FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration in which the analytical chip is placed in a standby position on the transport table using a cartridge that accommodates the analytical chip; and FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the state during transport of the analytical chip.

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an analysis device 100 according to one embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a plan view of the main parts of the analysis device 100 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the transport path of the analysis chip 12 of the analysis device 100.

[0021] The analytical device 100 is an analytical device that analyzes a specimen sample. The analytical device 100 uses, for example, a dry analytical chip 12 to measure the concentration of a test substance contained in the specimen sample. The analytical chip 12 is also called a slide when it is in the form of a flat plate. The analytical device 100 is an example of an "analytical device" according to the technology of the present disclosure.

[0022] Specifically, the analyzer 100 of this example uses blood as a specimen sample and optically measures the concentration of a test substance contained in the blood, more specifically, by colorimetric measurement.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the analyzer 100 includes a transport table 10, a transport mechanism 20, a sample application mechanism 50, an incubator 60, and an optical measurement unit .

[0024] First, the analytical chip 12 to be used for analysis will be briefly described, followed by a description of the configuration of the analytical device 100.

[0025] 4 is an external perspective view showing an example of the structure of the analytical chip 12. The analytical chip 12 used in the present analytical device 100 is an object to be transported by the transport mechanism 20 from the transport table 10 to the incubator 60.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4, the analytical chip 12 has a reaction area 13 to which a reagent is fixed. The reagent reacts with the substance to be tested to produce a substance that develops a specific color. The substance that develops color as a result of this reaction will be referred to as a reaction substance hereinafter. For example, a solid-phase dry reagent that is in a dry state at least at the time of shipment is used as the reagent. A specimen sample is applied to the reaction area 13 of the analytical chip 12.

[0027] The analytical chip 12 has a carrier 16 onto which a specimen sample is deposited, and the carrier 16 is housed in a case 17. The case 17 is composed of a first case 17A and a second case 17B, and the carrier 16 is housed so as to be sandwiched between the first case 17A and the second case 17B. An opening 17C that functions as a drip port for depositing the specimen sample onto the reaction area 13 is formed in the first case 17A. An opening 17D that is used to irradiate the reaction area 13 with light is formed in the second case 17B. The carrier 16 is exposed to the opening 17C of the first case 17A, which constitutes the front surface of the analytical chip 12. The carrier 16 is also exposed to the opening 17D of the second case 17B, which constitutes the back surface of the analytical chip 12. The areas exposed to the openings 17C and 17D constitute the reaction area 13 to which the reagent is immobilized.

[0028] A specimen is dropped onto the reaction region 13 of the analytical chip 12 having the above-described configuration, and the analytical chip 12 onto which the specimen has been dropped is transported into the incubator 60, where the specimen is analyzed.

[0029] The transport table 10 is a table for transporting the analytical chip 12 toward the incubator 60. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the analytical chip 12 is placed on the transport table 10 before being set in the incubator 60. The analytical chip 12 is transported by sliding on the transport table 10. On the transport table 10, there are provided a waiting position P1 where the analytical chip 12 waits, and a dropping position P2 where a sample is dropped onto the analytical chip 12.

[0030] The transport mechanism 20 transports the analytical chip 12 located at the standby position P1 on the transport table 10 to the deposition position P2, and then to the cell S (see FIG. 3) in the incubator 60. The transport mechanism 20 pushes the analytical chip 12 from the rear end 12b to slide it on the transport table 10. The deposition position P2 and the cell S are each an example of a "predetermined target position" in the technology of the present disclosure. Details of the transport mechanism 20 will be described later.

[0031] The specimen deposition mechanism 50 deposits a specimen sample such as plasma, whole blood, serum, or urine onto the analytical chip 12 transported to the deposition position P2. The specimen deposition mechanism 50 includes a nozzle 52, an aspirating and discharging mechanism (not shown), and a moving mechanism for moving the nozzle 52. The specimen deposition mechanism 50 aspirates the specimen sample from a specimen storage section (not shown), and deposits the specimen onto the analytical chip 12 positioned at the deposition position P2.

[0032] The incubator 60 is capable of holding multiple analytical chips 12 therein. The incubator 60 has an internal heater and has the function of heating the analytical chips 12 in the incubator 60 to a preset target temperature and maintaining the analytical chips 12 at the target temperature. More specifically, the incubator 60 maintains the atmosphere surrounding the area on the analytical chip 12 where the specimen sample is deposited at the target temperature. The target temperature is, for example, 37°C.

[0033] The incubator 60 includes an upper cover 61 and a lower cover 62. The space formed by the upper cover 61 and the lower cover 62 accommodates various components constituting the incubator 60 and analytical chips 12. A rotating cylinder 66 is provided below the lower cover 62. A bearing 67 is disposed on the lower periphery of the rotating cylinder 66, and the rotating cylinder 66 is rotatably supported by the bearing 67. Rotational force is transmitted to components provided inside the incubator 60 via the rotating cylinder 66. The cross-sectional shape of the rotating cylinder 66 is a roughly inverted triangle whose inner diameter narrows downward. The rotating cylinder 66 has an opening at the bottom, which is the apex of the inverted triangle. This opening functions as a disposal hole 68 for disposing of used analytical chips 12. The used analytical chips 12, loaded in the cell S, are moved toward the center of the rotating table 63 and dropped down the inclined surface of the rotating cylinder 66. The used analytical chip 12 that has fallen into the rotating cylinder 66 slides down the inclined surface and is discarded through the disposal hole 68 .

[0034] The incubator 60 has a rotating body 65 including a turntable 63 and a chip pressing member 64 in a space formed between an upper cover 61 and a lower cover 62. As shown in FIG. 2, the turntable 63 has cells S, which are multiple regions partitioned along the circumferential direction, and each cell S can accommodate an analytical chip 12. As shown in FIG. 3, the chip pressing member 64 has multiple protrusions 64A at positions facing each cell S. The protrusions 64A are biased downward by a biasing member (not shown). A slit-shaped space is formed between the protrusions 64A and the cell S, into which the analytical chip 12 is loaded. The protrusions 64A press the analytical chip 12 loaded in the cell S from above. This prevents the analytical chip 12 from moving within the cell S (e.g., when centrifugal force is generated on the analytical chip 12 as the turntable 63 rotates, the centrifugal force prevents the analytical chip 12 from shifting radially outward).

[0035] The analytical chip 12 is inserted through an opening 69 A provided in the outer wall 69 of the incubator 60 , inserted into the interior of the incubator 60 , and further loaded between the chip pressing member 64 and the cell S on the rotary table 63 .

[0036] 2, in this example, a plurality of (here, 13) cells S are arranged along the circumference of a turntable 63 of an incubator 60. As the turntable 63 rotates, the analytical chips 12 placed on the plurality of cells S are transported sequentially to the measurement position.

[0037] A photometric opening window 63A is formed in the center of the bottom surface of each cell S on the turntable 63, and the reflected optical density of the analytical chip 12 is measured through this opening window 63A by the optical measurement unit 70. A black density plate 56 and a white density plate 58 are provided on a portion of the circumference on which the multiple cells S are provided. Opening windows (not shown) are also formed below the black density plate 56 and the white density plate 58.

[0038] The optical measurement unit 70 is a unit that performs colorimetric measurement, which is measurement of the optical density using colorimetry, on the analytical chip 12. The optical measurement unit 70 is provided below the lower cover 62 on the outer periphery of the incubator 60 (see FIG. 1).

[0039] The optical measurement unit 70 irradiates the analytical chip 12 with measurement light and receives reflected light from the analytical chip 12, thereby measuring the optical density in the analytical chip 12 according to the reaction state between the specimen and the reagent. The black density plate 56 and the white density plate 58 are density plates for obtaining reference optical densities that are used when measuring the optical density of the analytical chip 12. The optical measurement unit 70 has multiple light sources that emit measurement light of multiple different wavelengths, and each wavelength is used according to the type of analytical chip 12, i.e., the measurement item. The black reference optical density and the white reference optical density are measured for each wavelength of measurement light.

[0040] The analysis device 100 includes a control unit (not shown) that controls the overall operation of the device. The control unit is implemented by a computer including a processor configured with a central processing unit (CPU), non-volatile memory (NVM), random access memory (RAM), etc.

[0041] The transport mechanism 20 will be described in detail below. The transport mechanism 20 transports the slide-shaped analytical chip 12 described with reference to Fig. 4. Specifically, the transport mechanism 20 presses the rear end 12b of the analytical chip 12 located at standby position P1 on the transport table 10, thereby sliding the analytical chip 12 along the transport table 10 to spotting position P2, or transports the analytical chip 12 from spotting position P2 to cell S in the incubator 60.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3 , the transport mechanism 20 includes a pressing member 22, a cover member 26, and a drive unit 30. The pressing member 22 is a plate-shaped member that presses the rear end 12b of the analytical chip 12 toward the deposition position P2 or the cell S by pressing the rear end 12b of the analytical chip 12 with its tip 22a. The cover member 26 covers the upper surface 12c of the analytical chip 12 on the rear end 12b side while the tip 22a of the pressing member 22 presses the rear end 12b of the analytical chip 12, protruding forward in the transport direction beyond the tip 22a of the pressing member 22. The drive unit 30 moves the pressing member 22 in the transport direction (the direction of the double arrow in FIG. 3 ). Note that, hereinafter, the direction toward the cell S in the incubator 60 is referred to as the forward transport direction.

[0043] The pressing member 22 has an end opposite to the tip 22a that presses the rear end 12b of the analytical chip 12, which is fixed to a pressing member support part 24. This pressing member support part 24 is connected to a drive part 30, and is moved in the transport direction by the drive part 30, whereby the pressing member 22 is moved on the transport table 10 in the transport direction.

[0044] The drive unit 30 is, for example, a linear actuator. Known linear actuator configurations can be applied. The drive unit 30 includes, for example, a motor, pulleys provided at both ends in the conveying direction, and a timing belt wound around the pulleys. The timing belt is directly or indirectly fixed to the pressing member support unit 24, and moves the pressing member 22 in the conveying direction by rotation of the motor. Depending on the direction of rotation of the motor, the drive unit 30 can move the pressing member 22 forward toward the incubator 60 or backward away from the incubator 60.

[0045] 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the pressing member 22 has been advanced toward the incubator 60 by the drive unit 30 on the transport path shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the pressing member 22 and the cover member 26 move together on the transport table 10 to transport the analytical chip 12.

[0046] The relationship between the pressing member 22 and the cover member 26 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 6 to 10. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the main parts of the transport mechanism 20 in which the pressing member 22 and the cover member 26 are stacked, viewed from the cover member 26 side, and Figure 7 is a perspective view viewed from the pressing member 22 side. Figure 8 shows the state in which the analytical chip 12 is held by the transport mechanism 20 when being transported. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the analytical chip 12 immediately before being loaded into the cell S (a) and after being loaded (b). Figure 10 is a perspective view illustrating the sliding state between the pressing member 22 and the cover member 26.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 3 , the cover member 26 is slidably disposed over the pressing member 22 in the transport direction. As shown in FIG. 7 , both widthwise ends of the cover member 26 are provided with engagement portions 27 that engage with both widthwise sides of the pressing member 22. The pressing member 22 moves in the transport direction on the transport table 10 with both widthwise ends engaged with the engagement portions 27 of the cover member 26. In this example, the distance between the two engagement portions 27 is approximately equal to the width of the analytical chip 12, and as shown in FIG. 8 , the analytical chip 12 is transported while being positioned between one engagement portion 27 and the other engagement portion 27. That is, the engagement portion 27 also functions as a guide portion that positions the analytical chip 12 in the width direction. The engagement portion 27 is an example of a "guide portion" in the technology of the present disclosure.

[0048] A notch 26b is provided at the tip 26a of the cover member 26 to expose the reaction region 13, which is the spotting portion of the analytical chip 12, when the cover member 26 covers the upper surface 12c of the analytical chip 12.

[0049] Furthermore, the cover member 26 has an end opposite to the tip portion 26A that covers the upper surface 12c on the rear end 12b side of the analytical chip 12, which is fixed to the cover member support portion 28. The cover member support portion 28 has a storage portion 28a that stores the pressing member support portion 24 (see FIGS. 3 and 7). The pressing member support portion 24 is substantially rectangular parallelepiped in shape and has a cylindrical portion 24b that protrudes in the conveying direction from one surface 24a perpendicular to the conveying direction. The storage portion 28a of the cover member support portion 28 has a surface 28b that faces the one surface 24a of the pressing member support portion 24 when the pressing member support portion 24 is stored therein, and the surface 28b has a cylindrical portion 28c that receives the cylindrical portion 24b provided on the one surface 24a of the pressing member support portion 24. The pressing member support portion 24 is movable within the accommodation portion 28a from a state in which the columnar portion 24b is not inserted into the cylindrical portion 28c to a state in which the columnar portion 24b is inserted into the cylindrical portion 28c (see FIG. 10). A restricting portion 28d is provided at the end of the cover member support portion 28 in the conveying direction to restrict the pressing member support portion 24 from moving outward from the accommodation portion 28a.

[0050] A cylindrical coil spring 29 is disposed between the columnar portion 24b and the cylindrical portion 28c. One end of the coil spring 29 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 28c, and the columnar portion 24b is inserted from the other end of the coil spring 29. When no external force is applied, the biasing force of the coil spring 29 keeps the surface 28b of the cover member support portion 28 separated from the surface 24a of the pressing member support portion 24 by a fixed distance. As a result, the tip portion 26A of the cover member 26 can cover the upper surface 12c of the rear end 12b of the analysis chip 12 while protruding to a protruding position further forward in the transport direction than the tip 22a of the pressing member 22. The coil spring 29 is an example of a "biasing member" in the technology of the present disclosure.

[0051] When the pressing member support portion 24 is moved in the conveying direction by the drive portion 30, the pressing member support portion 24 and the cover member support portion 28 move while maintaining a constant distance due to the biasing force of the coil spring 29, and therefore the cover member support portion 28 moves along with the movement of the pressing member support portion 24. That is, the pressing member 22 and the cover member 26 move integrally in a state in which the tip portion 26A of the cover member 26 protrudes to a protruding position further forward in the conveying direction than the tip portion 22a of the pressing member 22 due to the biasing force of the coil spring 29 (see FIGS. 3 and 5).

[0052] 9(a) is an enlarged view of the periphery of the cell S immediately before the analytical chip 12 is transported in the transport direction toward the incubator 60 and inserted into the cell S, as shown in FIG. 5 . As shown in FIG. 9(a), with the tip 26a of the cover member 26 abutting against the outer peripheral wall 65A of the rotating body 65, the tip 12a of the analytical chip 12 is inserted into the slit 65S in the outer peripheral wall 65A of the rotating body 65. The forward movement of the cover member 26 is restricted by the outer peripheral wall 65A and stops here. After this, as shown in FIG. 9(b), only the pressing member 22 continues to move forward, transporting the analytical chip 12 into the cell S. The incubator 60 is an example of a "loading unit" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The outer peripheral wall 65A of the rotating body 65 is an example of an abutting member that abuts against the cover member 26 at a predetermined position before the analytical chip 12 reaches the target position, the cell S. The outer peripheral wall 65A restricts the progress of the cover member 26 to the target position, thereby retracting the cover member 26 from a protruding position where the cover member 26 protrudes forward in the transport direction beyond the tip 22a of the pressing member 22. The outer peripheral wall 65A is also an example of an opening frame in which a slit 65S is formed, which is provided on the insertion path of the analytical chip 12 into the cell S and through which the analytical chip 12 passes.

[0053] 10(a) shows a state in which the tip 26a of the cover member 26 abuts against the outer peripheral wall 65A of the rotating body 65. When the pressing member 22 is further moved forward from this state, the pressing member support portion 24 is moved relative to the cover member 26 against the biasing force of the coil spring 29, as shown in FIG. 10(b). As the pressing member support portion 24 is moved forward in the transport direction by the drive unit 30, the coil spring 29 is compressed between the cylindrical portion 28c and one surface 24a of the pressing member support portion 24. As a result, the forward movement of the cover member 26 is restricted, and only the pressing member 22 slides forward relative to the cover member 26. When the pressing member 22 presses, the analytical chip 12 is inserted into the rotating body 65 through a slit 65S provided on the outer peripheral side of the turntable 63 and the chip pressing member 64. The tip 22a of the pressing member 22 presses the analytical chip 12 until it passes through the slit 65S and the analytical chip 12 is loaded into the cell S.

[0054] After the analytical chip 12 is loaded into the cell S, the pressing member 22 is retracted rearward in the transport direction, whereby the compression of the coil spring 29 is gradually released and the coil spring 29 returns to its reference length. The retraction movement of the pressing member 22 sliding relative to the cover member 26 is limited by the restricting portion 28d of the cover member support portion 28, and when the restricting portion 28d of the cover member support portion 28 comes into contact with the rear end of the pressing member support portion 24, the cover member 26 and the pressing member 22 retract together.

[0055] When the movement of the cover member 26 is restricted by contact with the abutment member (in this example, the outer peripheral wall 65A of the rotating body 65) due to the coil spring 29, which is a biasing member, the cover member 26 retreats relative to the pressing member 22 against the biasing force of the coil spring 29, and when the restriction on movement is released by the cover member 26 separating from the abutment member, the tip 26a of the cover member 26 returns to the protruding position protruding from the tip 22a of the pressing member 22.

[0056] When the analytical chip 12 is transported to the cell S of the incubator 60 , the analytical chip 12 is loaded into the cell S by passing through an opening 69 A provided in the outer peripheral wall 69 of the incubator 60 .

[0057] The analysis process of the specimen sample in the analyzer 100 according to this embodiment will be briefly described below. In the analyzer 100, the analytical chip 12 placed in the standby position P1 (S1) in FIG. 11 is first transported to the deposition position P2 (S2) in the same figure. As previously mentioned, during transport, the analytical chip 12 is transported to the deposition position P2 by the transport mechanism 20 with the rear end 12b of the analytical chip 12 pressed by the tip 22a of the pressing member 22 and the upper surface 12c of the rear end 12b of the analytical chip 12 covered by the tip 26A of the cover member 26. At the deposition position P2, the specimen sample is deposited by the specimen deposition mechanism 50. As shown in FIG. 11, a notch 26b is formed in the tip 26a of the cover member 26, and the reaction area 13 of the analytical chip 12 is exposed through this notch 26b. As a result, the specimen sample is spotted onto the reaction region 13 in the same state as when the analytical chip 12 is transported while being biased against the transport stage 10 by the cover member 26 .

[0058] The analytical chip 12 onto which the specimen sample has been deposited is further transported to the incubator 60, as shown in (S3) of Fig. 12. After the tip 26a of the cover member 26 abuts against the outer peripheral wall 65A of the rotor 65 of the incubator 60 (see Fig. 9), the cover member 26 retreats from the protruding position, as shown in (S4) of Fig. 12, and only the pressing member 22 advances, thereby completing the transport of the analytical chip 12 to the cell S. After the analytical chip 12 has been loaded into the cell S, the pressing member 22 and the cover member 26 retreat backward in the transport direction.

[0059] The analytical chip 12 is heated to a target temperature (e.g., 37°C) inside the incubator 60, transported to the measurement position, and colorimetric measurement is performed by the optical measurement unit 70. After colorimetric measurement has been performed, the analytical chip 12 is transported to a position inside the incubator 60 where it can be transported to a disposal position, and is transported to the disposal position by a disposal transport mechanism (not shown). In this way, the analysis process of the specimen sample is completed.

[0060] As described above, the analytical device 100 according to this embodiment includes a transport mechanism 20 including a plate-shaped pressing member 22 that presses the analytical chip 12 toward a target position by pressing the rear end 12b of the analytical chip 12 with its tip 22a, and a cover member 26 that can cover the upper surface 12c of the analytical chip 12 on the rear end 12b side while the tip 22a of the pressing member 22 presses the rear end 12b of the analytical chip 12. This configuration allows the analytical chip 12 to be transported with the rear end 12b and upper surface 12c of the analytical chip 12 in contact with the pressing member 22 and the cover member 26, respectively. Therefore, compared to when the rear end 12b is pressed at one point, the analytical chip 12 can be transported with its posture stabilized, reducing the occurrence of problems during transport.

[0061] In the analytical device 100 of this embodiment, as described above, the rear end 12b and the upper surface 12c are transported in a state of contact with the pressing member 22 and the cover member 26, respectively, so that when the analytical chip 12 is transported to the target position, i.e., the deposition position P2, it can be easily positioned at the deposition position P2.

[0062] In this embodiment, the cover member 26 has a guide portion (here, the engagement portion 27) that positions the analytical chip 12 in the width direction, so that the analytical chip 12 can be prevented from tilting in position relative to the direction of travel.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the cover member 26 is provided with the engaging portions 27 at both ends thereof, which function as guide portions, but the guide portions for positioning the analytical chip 12 in the width direction may be provided on the transport table 10. For example, the transport table 10 may be provided with a ridge portion extending in the transport direction as a guide portion.

[0064] In this embodiment, a notch is provided at the tip of the cover member 26 covering the upper surface 12c of the analytical chip 12 to expose the reaction area 13, which is the spotting area of ​​the analytical chip 12, and the cover member 26 covers the upper surface 12c of the analytical chip 12 while exposing the reaction area 13 of the analytical chip 12. With this configuration, the sample can be spotted while the pressing member 22 is in contact with the cover member 26, particularly while the analytical chip 12 is held at the spotting position P2 with the cover member 26 biasing the analytical chip 12 against the transport table 10. There is no need to provide an additional mechanism in the analytical device 100 to restrict movement of the analytical chip 12 at the spotting position P2, which simplifies the configuration of the analytical device 100.

[0065] In this embodiment, the cover member 26 is arranged to be slidable along the transport direction relative to the pressing member 22. The transport mechanism 20 has a biasing member (here, a coil spring 29) that biases the cover member 26 toward the protruding position. When the cover member 26 abuts against a contact member (here, the outer peripheral wall 65A of the rotating body 65), the progress of the cover member 26 toward the target position is restricted, and the cover member 26 is retracted from the protruding position where it protrudes forward in the transport direction beyond the tip 22a of the pressing member 22. As a result, while the cover member 26 is stopped in abutment against the outer peripheral wall 65A, the tip 22a of the pressing member 22 can continue to press the rear end 12b of the analytical chip 12 against the slit 65S provided in the outer peripheral wall 65A, allowing the analytical chip 12 to pass through the slit 65S and be reliably transported to the target position, i.e., the cell S.

[0066] In the above embodiment, a mode has been described in which the analytical chip 12 is placed at standby position P1 on the transport table 10 and then transported to the spotting position P2 and the cell S. Any method may be used to place the analytical chip 12 at standby position P1. For example, a cartridge in which multiple analytical chips are stacked may be installed adjacent to standby position P1 on the transport table 10, and analytical chips may be transported one by one from the cartridge onto the transport table 10 using a transport bar or the like to be placed at standby position P1.

[0067] 13, an opening 11 may be provided in the standby position P1 of the transport stage 10, and the analytical chip 12 may be supported in the opening 11 at a height where the lower surface 12d of the analytical chip 12 coincides with the transport surface 10a of the transport stage 10. In the example of FIG. 13, the analyzer 100 includes a cartridge setting unit 120 in which a cartridge 110, which houses a plurality of analytical chips 12 stacked together, is detachably installed. The cartridge setting unit 120 holds the cartridge 110 below the standby position P1 of the transport stage 10. The cartridge 110 includes a push-up mechanism 112 that pushes up the uppermost analytical chip 12A of the plurality of analytical chips 12 housed in the cartridge 110 through the opening 11 until the lower surface 12d coincides with the transport surface 10a of the transport stage 10.

[0068] The push-up mechanism 112 includes a compression coil spring 113 and a support base 114. The compression coil spring 113 is provided at the bottom of the analytical chip storage space. In the analytical chip storage space, a plurality of stacked analytical chips 12 are placed on the support base 114. The compression coil spring 113 is disposed on the underside of the support base 114, and the support base 114 is biased upward by the compression coil spring 113. The cartridge 110 has an open top, and in this example, while the analytical chips 12 are being transported from the standby position P1 toward the incubator 60, a pressing member 22 serves as the top plate of the cartridge 110 (see FIG. 14 ). As shown in FIG. 14 , the pressing member 22 presses down on the stacked analytical chips 12 from the top analytical chip 12A side, preventing the analytical chip 12A from popping out of the cartridge 110. Then, after transporting the analytical chip 12 to the incubator 60, as shown in FIG. 13 , when the pressing member 22 and the cover member 26 are retracted until the step between the pressing member 22 and the cover member 26 protruding from the tip 22a of the pressing member 22 is positioned at standby position P1, the pressing member 22 is positioned outside standby position P1, creating a gap between the cover member 26 and the analytical chip 12A. The uppermost analytical chip 12A is pushed up into this gap, and the underside 12d of the analytical chip 12A becomes flush with the transport surface 10a of the transport platform 10. This causes the analytical chip 12A to fit into the step between the pressing member 22 and the cover member 26, making it ready for transport. In this way, when the analytical chip 12A to be transported is held at standby position P1 by the cover member 26 and the pressing member 22, the cover member 26 serves as the top plate of the cartridge 110. The transport method is the same as in the previously described embodiment.

[0069] If the analyzer 100 is provided with a cartridge setting section 120 for detachably setting such a cartridge 110, then by loading the cartridge 110, it is possible to automatically send out a plurality of analytical chips 12 sequentially to the standby position P1, and there is no need to provide an additional transport means for placing the analytical chips 12 at the standby position P1. This allows the analyzer 100 to be made smaller and less expensive.

[0070] The following additional notes are further disclosed regarding the above embodiment.

[0071] <Supplementary Note 1> An analytical device that is removably loaded with a flat analytical chip onto which a specimen sample is deposited, and that analyzes the specimen sample using the analytical chip, comprising: a transport table for transporting the analytical chip; and a transport mechanism that transports the analytical chip, which is located in a standby position on the transport table, to a predetermined target position by pressing from its rear end, causing it to slide along the transport table, wherein the transport mechanism comprises a plate-shaped pressing member that presses the rear end of the analytical chip with its front end to press the analytical chip toward the target position, and a cover member that is capable of covering the upper surface of the rear end side of the analytical chip, in a state where it protrudes forward in the transport direction beyond the front end of the pressing member while the front end of the pressing member presses the rear end of the analytical chip. <Supplementary Note 2> The analytical device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein at least one of the transport table and the cover member is provided with a guide portion that positions the analytical chip in the width direction. <Supplementary Note 3> The analytical device according to Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 2, comprising a loading section in which a cell in which an analytical chip is accommodated for measurement is provided, and the target position is a position where the cell is provided in the loading section. <Supplementary Note 4> The analytical device according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the loading section is an incubator that warms the analytical chip accommodated in the cell to a preset temperature. <Supplementary Note 5> The analytical device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein the cover member is arranged to slidably overlap the pressing member along the transport direction, and further comprises an abutting member that abuts against the cover member at a preset position before the analytical chip reaches the target position, and that restricts the progress of the cover member to the target position, thereby retracting the cover member from a protruding position where it protrudes forward in the transport direction beyond the tip of the pressing member. <Supplementary Note 6> The analytical device according to Supplementary Note 5, which has a biasing member that biases the cover member toward the protruding position, wherein the cover member retracts relatively to the pressing member against the biasing force of the biasing member upon abutment with the abutment member, and returns to the protruding position when separated from the abutment member. <Supplementary Note 7> The analytical device according to Supplementary Note 5 or Supplementary Note 6 ...<Supplementary Note 8> The analytical device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7, comprising a spotting mechanism that spots a specimen sample on an analytical chip, and the target position is a spotting position where the specimen sample is spotted. <Supplementary Note 9> The analytical device according to Supplementary Note 8, wherein the analytical chip has a spotting section on its main surface, and the cover member covers the upper surface while leaving the spotting section of the analytical chip exposed. <Supplementary Note 10> The analytical device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 9, wherein the transport platform has an opening at a standby position, and comprises a cartridge setting section on which a cartridge that houses a plurality of stacked analytical chips is detachably set, the cartridge setting section holding the cartridge below the standby position on the transport platform, and the cartridge has a push-up mechanism that pushes up the uppermost analytical chip of the plurality of analytical chips housed in the cartridge through the opening to a height where its underside is flush with the transport surface of the transport platform.

[0072] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-140486, filed on August 30, 2023, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. All documents, patent applications, and technical standards described herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. An analytical device on which a flat analytical chip onto which a specimen sample is applied is removably loaded, and which analyzes the specimen sample using the analytical chip, comprising: a transport table on which the analytical chip is transported; and a transport mechanism which transports the analytical chip, which is located in a waiting position on the transport table, to a predetermined target position by pressing the rear end of the analytical chip, sliding it along the transport table, wherein the transport mechanism comprises a plate-shaped pressing member which presses the rear end of the analytical chip with its tip, thereby pressing the analytical chip toward the target position, and a cover member which is capable of covering an upper surface of the rear end side of the analytical chip, in a state where it protrudes forward in the transport direction beyond the tip of the pressing member while the tip of the pressing member is pressing the rear end of the analytical chip.

2. The analytical device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said transport platform and said cover member is provided with a guide portion for positioning said analytical chip in the width direction.

3. The analytical device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a loading section in which a cell in which the analytical chip is housed for measurement is provided, and the target position is the position in the loading section where the cell is provided.

4. The analytical device according to claim 3, wherein the loading section is an incubator that warms the analytical chip contained in the cell to a preset temperature.

5. The analytical device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover member is arranged slidably over the pressing member along the transport direction, and further comprises an abutment member that abuts against the cover member at a preset position before the analytical chip reaches the target position, and restricts the progress of the cover member to the target position, thereby retracting the cover member from a protruding position where it protrudes forward in the transport direction beyond the tip of the pressing member.

6. The analytical device according to claim 5, further comprising a biasing member that biases the cover member toward the protruding position, wherein the cover member moves backward relatively to the pressing member against the biasing force of the biasing member upon contact with the abutment member, and returns to the protruding position when separated from the abutment member.

7. The analytical device described in claim 5, further comprising a loading section in which a cell in which the analytical chip is contained for measurement is provided, the target position is the position in the loading section where the cell is provided, an opening frame having a slit through which the analytical chip passes is provided on the insertion path into the cell, and the abutment member is the opening frame.

8. The analytical device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a spotting mechanism for spotting the specimen sample onto the analytical chip, and the target position is a spotting position at which the specimen sample is spotted.

9. The analytical device according to claim 8, wherein the analytical chip has a spotting portion on a main surface thereof, and the cover member covers the upper surface while leaving the spotting portion of the analytical chip exposed.

10. The analytical device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the transport table has an opening at the waiting position, and a cartridge installation section in which a cartridge containing a plurality of stacked analytical chips is removably installed, the cartridge installation section holding the cartridge at a lower part of the waiting position on the transport table, and the cartridge has a push-up mechanism that pushes up the topmost analytical chip of the plurality of analytical chips contained in the cartridge through the opening to a height where its lower surface coincides with the transport surface of the transport table.

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