Agitating device and dispensing device

Abstract

This agitating device comprises: a placement part on which can be placed a well plate in which a specimen is accommodated; a first shaft body extending along a first axis; a second shaft body extending along a second axis different from the first axis; a first transmission part for transmitting a force rotating around the first axis of the first shaft body as a force for vibrating the well plate placed on the placement part; and a second transmission part for transmitting a force rotating around a fourth axis of the second shaft body as a force for vibrating the well plate placed on the placement part.

Description

Mixing and dispensing devices

[0001] The present invention relates to a stirring device and a dispensing device.

[0002] The dispensing process includes a stirring step in which the sample is stirred. In the stirring step, for example, the sample and the dispensed liquid are mixed in the wells of a well plate. Sample stirring can be performed by, for example, stirring by vibration or stirring by pipetting. Pipetting may also be performed while stirring by vibration. There are stirring devices capable of performing vibration-based stirring on the sample in the wells of a well plate. In a typical stirring device, a single shaft is connected to a mounting section on which the well plate is placed and a motor. The shaft has a coaxial portion extending coaxially with the motor's rotation shaft and an eccentric shaft portion eccentric from the motor's rotation shaft. As a result, when the shaft rotates, the mounting section vibrates in accordance with the rotation of the shaft, thereby stirring the sample in the well of the well plate placed on the mounting section.

[0003] Inheco Teleshake: Compact shaker for 96 plates, available online (URL: https: / / www.inheco.com / teleshake.html)

[0004] In the above-mentioned stirring device, when the mounting portion vibrates due to rotation of the shaft, the amplitude of the vibration varies depending on the position on the mounting portion. Therefore, when samples are contained in multiple wells in a well plate, the force applied to the samples by stirring varies depending on the position of the well. On the other hand, Non-Patent Document 1 describes a stirring device that vibrates the mounting portion using direct electromagnetic force. The stirrer described in Non-Patent Document 1 is capable of vibrating the mounting portion with various precise movements, enabling uniform stirring of the sample. The stirrer described in Non-Patent Document 1 precisely vibrates the mounting portion using direct electromagnetic force, making the device itself expensive. Furthermore, if the sample contains magnetic beads, the mounting portion vibrates due to direct electromagnetic force, which affects the magnetic beads, making it difficult to properly stir the sample.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a stirring device that has a simple and inexpensive configuration and is capable of stirring a sample more appropriately.

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a stirring device comprising: a mounting section on which a well plate containing a sample can be mounted; a first shaft extending along a first axis; a second shaft extending along a fourth axis different from the first axis; a first transmission section that transmits the rotational force of the first shaft around the first axis as a force that vibrates the well plate mounted on the mounting section; and a second transmission section that transmits the rotational force of the second shaft around the fourth axis as a force that vibrates the well plate mounted on the mounting section.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a dispensing device equipped with the above-mentioned stirring device.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to more appropriately mix a sample with a simple and inexpensive configuration.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a dispensing device according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connection relationship between a connecting member and a first plate. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion EP in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a stirring device according to a first modified example. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a stirring device according to a second modified example. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a stirring device according to a third modified example.

[0010] Hereinafter, a stirring device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0011] (1) Stirring Device Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a dispensing device according to one embodiment. To clarify the positional relationships, Fig. 1 includes arrows indicating the mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions. The X and Y directions are orthogonal to each other in a horizontal plane, and the Z direction corresponds to the vertical direction. In the following description, arrow U represents the upward direction, and arrow D represents the downward direction.

[0012] The stirring device 100 of this embodiment is used in a dispensing device 500 that automatically performs a series of dispensing operations to simultaneously stir specimens X contained in multiple wells WL in a well plate WP. The stirring device 100 includes a rotation drive unit 110, a support member 120, a first plate 130, connection members 141 to 144, and a second plate 150. The rotation drive unit 110 is, for example, an electric motor. A support member 120 is connected to the rotation drive unit 110. The support member 120 extends in the Z direction. The support member 120 is rotated by the rotation drive unit 110 about a first axis AX1 extending in the Z direction.

[0013] A first plate 130 is connected to the top of the support member 120. The first plate 130 is a plate-like member having an upper surface 130a. The connection relationship between the support member 120 and the first plate 130 will be described later, but when the support member 120 rotates, the first plate 130 moves (circularly moves) in a manner that describes a circle with a very small radius centered on the first axis AX1 on the XY plane.

[0014] Connecting members 141-144 are fixed to the upper surface 130a of the first plate 130. The connecting members 141-144 are rod-shaped members extending in the Z direction and are formed of an elastic member such as rubber. A second plate 150 is fixed to the upper portions of the connecting members 141-144. The second plate 150 is a plate-shaped member having an upper surface 150a. This connects the first plate 130 and the second plate 150 via the connecting members 141-144. Therefore, the circular motion of the first plate 130 causes the second plate 150 to vibrate. Fixing frames 151-154 are arranged on the upper surface 150a. A well plate WP is fixed within the fixing frames 151-154 on the upper surface 150a. The well plate WP according to this embodiment has 96 wells WL. Each of the wells WL of the well plate WP contains a liquid specimen X. The specimen X contains magnetic beads that can be used to separate biological materials by immunoprecipitation or the like.

[0015] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the stirring device 100 for explaining the connection relationship between the support member 120 and the first plate 130. As shown in FIG. 2, the support member 120 includes a shaft body 121 and a shaft body 122. The shaft body 121 is a rod-shaped member extending in the Z direction with the first axis AX1 as its axis center. The shaft body 122 is connected to the upper end of the shaft body 121. The shaft body 122 is a rod-shaped member extending in the Z direction with the eccentric axis AXa, which is different from the first axis AX1, as its axis center. In other words, the shaft body 122 and the shaft body 121 are eccentric.

[0016] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of portion EP in FIG. 2 . FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 3 . The first support portion B1 includes two bearings, BG11 and BG12, arranged along the shaft body 122. The bearing BG11 includes an inner ring OR1, an outer ring OR2, and rolling elements BL. The inner ring OR1 and the outer ring OR2 are annular members centered on the eccentric axis AXa. The shaft body 122 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring OR1. A first plate 130 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring OR2 (see FIG. 2 ). A rolling element BL is arranged between the inner ring OR1 and the outer ring OR2. In the example shown in FIG. 4 , seven rolling elements BL are arranged, but the number of rolling elements BL is not limited to this. Here, the first axis AX1 and the eccentric axis AXa are separated by a distance r1. The dotted line Tr1 in FIG. 4 is a circle having a small radius r1 and centered on the first axis AX1.

[0017] When the shaft body 121 is rotationally driven about the first axis AX1 by the rotation drive unit 110, the shaft body 122, which is eccentric with respect to the shaft body 121, moves circularly around the first axis AX1, drawing a circle of radius r1 (revolves around the first axis AX1). Due to the circular motion of the shaft body 122, the inner ring OR1 fixed to the shaft body 122 also moves circularly together with the shaft body 122. Due to the circular motion of the shaft body 122 around the first axis AX1, the eccentric axis AXa, which is the center of BG1 (the center of the shaft body 122), moves along the dotted line Tr1 shown in FIG. 4 . In other words, the entire BG1 moves (circularly) drawing a circle of radius r1. As a result, the first plate 130 fixed to the outer ring OR2 also moves (circularly) together with the outer ring OR2, drawing a circle of radius r1. Here, the first plate 130 is connected to the second plate 150 via connecting members 141-144, and the first plate 130 is supported by two shafts 121 and 122. Therefore, even when the inner ring OR1 and the rolling element BL rotate around the eccentric axis AXa, the outer ring OR2 does not rotate around the eccentric axis AXa but instead performs circular motion around the first axis AX1. The circular motion of the first plate 130 is then transmitted to the second plate 150 via the connecting members 141-144. As a result, the rotational force of the shaft 121 is transmitted as a force that vibrates the second plate 150 via the shaft 122, the first support portion B1, the first plate 130, and the connecting members 141-144. The bearing BG12 in FIG. 3 has a configuration similar to that of the bearing BG11.

[0018] Returning to FIG. 2 , the stirring device 100 further includes a support member 160 and a second support portion B2. The support member 160 includes a shaft body 161 and a shaft body 162. The shaft body 161 is a rod-shaped member extending in the Z direction around the second axis AX2. The shaft body 162 is connected to the upper end of the shaft body 161. The shaft body 162 is a rod-shaped member extending in the Z direction around the eccentric axis AXb. In other words, the shaft body 162 and the shaft body 161 are eccentric. The second support portion B2 is fixed to the first plate 130 at a position different from the position at which the first support portion B1 is fixed. The second support portion B2 supports the shaft body 162. The structure and operation of the support member 160 and the second support portion B2 are similar to the structure and operation of the support member 120 and the first support portion B1. As a result, the rotational force of the shaft body 161 is transmitted as a force that vibrates the second plate 150 via the shaft body 162, the second support portion B2, the first plate 130, and the connecting members 141 to 144.

[0019] In the present embodiment, the stirring device 100 further includes a rotational force transmission unit 170. The rotational force transmission unit 170 includes rotating members 171 and 172 and a transmission member 173. The rotating member 171 is fixed to the shaft body 121, and the rotating member 172 is fixed to the shaft body 161. In the present embodiment, the rotating members 171 and 172 are pulleys, and the transmission member 173 is a belt wound around the pulleys. The rotational force of the rotational drive unit 110 is transmitted to the shaft body 161 via the shaft body 121 and the transmission member 173. As a result, the two support members 120 and 160 can be rotationally driven by the single rotational drive unit 110, causing the second plate 150 to vibrate. This structure makes it possible to match the rotational speed of shaft body 121 with the rotational speed of shaft body 161, thereby making it possible to synchronize the vibrations imparted by support member 120 to second plate 150 with the vibrations imparted by support member 160 to second plate 150.

[0020] (2) Effects of the Embodiment According to the above-described stirring device 100, the support member 120 and the support member 160 can cause the first plate 130 to circularly move at two locations, thereby enabling the vibrations imparted to the second plate 150 by the support member 120 and the vibrations imparted to the second plate 150 by the support member 160 to be synchronized. This reduces the variation in amplitude across the horizontal plane of the second plate 150. Therefore, it is possible to stir multiple specimens X in the well plate WP with a more uniform force regardless of their position on the second plate 150. Furthermore, because the specimens in the well plate WP are not vibrated by direct electromagnetic force, the influence of electromagnetic force on the magnetic beads contained in the specimens X is suppressed, while the complexity of the device is reduced. As a result, it is possible to more appropriately stir specimens X contained in each well of the well plate WP with a simple and inexpensive configuration.

[0021] Furthermore, the support members 120 and 160 are rotated by driving a single drive source (rotation drive unit 110). Furthermore, the rotational force transmission unit 170 can match the rotational speed of the first shaft body with the rotational speed of the second shaft body. This allows the vibrations imparted to the well plate WP by the shaft body 121 to be synchronized with the vibrations imparted to the well plate WP by the shaft body 161, thereby more reliably stirring the specimen X contained in each well WL uniformly. Therefore, it is possible to more appropriately stir the specimen X contained in each well WL with a less expensive configuration.

[0022] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2 , the rotational drive unit 110 is disposed opposite the second plate 150 across the rotational force transmission unit 170. This increases the distance between the rotational drive unit 110 and the well plate WP placed on the second plate 150. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 , the rotational drive unit 110 is disposed opposite the second plate 150 across the rotational force transmission unit 170 and the first plate 130. This further effectively reduces the magnetic influence exerted by the drive unit on the samples in the well plate WP. This allows for more appropriate sample agitation. Furthermore, the planar first plate 130 is disposed between the rotational drive unit 110 and the second plate 150, making it easier to block the influence of the electromagnetic force generated by the rotational drive unit 110.

[0023] Furthermore, because the shafts 122 and 162 are stably supported by the first support portion B1 and the second support portion B2, the first plate 130 performs appropriate circular motion in the horizontal direction. In this case, vertical vibration of the second plate 150 is suppressed, so that when a dispensing tip is placed in the well WL by the dispensing device 500, contact between the inner surface of the well WL and the dispensing tip is suppressed. As a result, it is possible to simultaneously and stably agitate the sample X by vibrating the second plate 150 and by pipetting the sample X in the well plate WP.

[0024] Furthermore, since the stirring device 100 can uniformly stir the sample X, it is possible to reduce the need for an operator to check the stirring status of the sample X in the dispensing device 500. This can contribute to realizing full automation of the dispensing device 500.

[0025] (3) Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the support member 160 is rotated integrally with the support member 120 by using the rotational force transmission unit 170, but the present invention is not limited to this. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a stirring device 100A according to a first modified example. The stirring device 100A differs from the stirring device 100 of FIG. 2 in the following respects. As shown in FIG. 5, the stirring device 100A does not include the rotational force transmission unit 170, and further includes a rotational drive unit 110A that is different from the rotational drive unit 110. In this embodiment, the shaft 161 of the support member 160 is connected to the rotational drive unit 110A. The rotational drive unit 110A is, for example, an electric motor. According to this configuration, by matching the rotational speed at which the rotary drive unit 110A rotates the shaft body 161 with the rotational speed at which the rotary drive unit 110 rotates the shaft body 121, it becomes possible to synchronize the vibrations that the support member 120 imparts to the second plate 150 with the vibrations that the support member 160 imparts to the second plate 150.

[0026] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example is described in which the first plate 130 is caused to move circularly by applying a driving force at two locations, the support member 120 and the support member 160. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The agitator of the present invention may also cause the first plate 130 to move circularly by applying a driving force at three or more locations. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of agitator 100B according to a second modified example. The agitator 100B differs from the agitator 100A in the following respects. The agitator 100B further includes a third support member B3, a support member 180, and a rotational drive unit 110B. The third support member B3 has the same configuration as the first support member B1 and the second support member B2, and the support member 180 has the same configuration as the support member 120 and the support member 160. By increasing the number of support members, connecting members, and rotational drive units, the number of locations to which a driving force is applied to the first plate 130 can be increased. In this case, by synchronizing the vibrations imparted to the well plate WP by the shafts 121, 161 with the vibrations imparted to the well plate WP by the shaft 181 of the support member 180, it becomes possible to stir the specimen X in the well plate WP with an even more uniform force regardless of its position on the second plate 150.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a stirring device 100C according to a third modified example. In the example of FIG. 6, the number of rotational drive units is increased to correspond to the increase in the number of locations where driving force is applied to the first plate 130. However, instead of increasing the number of rotational drive units, the number of rotational force transmission units may be increased. As shown in FIG. 7, the stirring device 100C includes a rotational force transmission unit 190 instead of the rotational drive unit 110B. The rotational force transmission unit 190 includes a rotating member 191, a rotating member 192, and a transmission member 193. However, the configuration and operation of the rotational force transmission unit 190 are similar to those of the rotational force transmission unit 170, and therefore will not be described here. In this case, it is possible to increase the number of locations where driving force is applied to the first plate 130 using a single drive source.

[0028] (4) Correspondence between each component of the claims and each part of the embodiment The following describes an example of the correspondence between each component of the claims and each part of the embodiment. In the above embodiment, the second plate 150 is an example of a mounting portion, the support member 120 is an example of a first shaft, and the support member 160 is an example of a second shaft. The shaft 122 is an example of a first eccentric shaft, and the shaft 162 is an example of a second eccentric shaft. The first support portion B1, the first plate 130, and the connecting members 141 to 144 are an example of a first transmission member, and the second support portion B2, the first plate 130, and the connecting members 141 to 144 are an example of a second transmission member. The eccentric shaft AXa is an example of a third shaft, and the eccentric shaft AXb is an example of a fourth shaft.

[0029] (5) Aspects It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described above are specific examples of the following aspects.

[0030] (Item 1) An agitation device according to one embodiment comprises: a mounting section on which a well plate containing a sample can be placed; a first shaft extending along a first axis and connected to the mounting section; a second shaft extending along a second axis different from the first axis and connected to the mounting section; a first transmission section that transmits the rotational force of the first shaft about the first axis as a force that vibrates the well plate placed on the mounting section; and a second transmission section that transmits the rotational force of the second shaft about the second axis as a force that vibrates the well plate placed on the mounting section.

[0031] According to the stirring device described in paragraph 1, the first shaft and the second shaft can vibrate the well plate at two locations. In this case, by synchronizing the vibration caused by the rotation of the first shaft and the vibration caused by the rotation of the second shaft, variations in the amplitude of vibration at any position on the mounting section can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to stir the samples in the well plate with a more uniform force regardless of their position on the mounting section. Furthermore, because the well plate is not vibrated by a direct electromagnetic force, the effects of the electromagnetic force on the samples are suppressed while the complexity of the device is reduced. As a result, it is possible to more appropriately stir the samples in the wells of the well plate with a simple and inexpensive configuration.

[0032] (Clause 2) The stirring device described in clause 1 may further include a drive unit that rotates the first shaft around the first axis, and a rotational force transmission unit that transmits the rotational force of the first shaft rotated by the drive unit to the second shaft.

[0033] According to the stirring device described in paragraph 2, the first shaft and the second shaft are rotated by driving a single drive unit. Furthermore, the rotational force transmission unit can match the rotation speed of the first shaft with the rotation speed of the second shaft, thereby synchronizing the vibrations caused by the rotation of the first shaft with the vibrations caused by the rotation of the second shaft. This makes it possible to rotate the first shaft and the second shaft by driving a single drive unit. Therefore, it is possible to properly stir samples in wells on a well plate with a more inexpensive configuration.

[0034] (Term 3) In the agitation device described in term 2, the drive unit may be disposed so as to face the placement unit across the rotational force transmission unit.

[0035] According to the stirring device described in paragraph 3, since the transmission unit is located between the drive unit and the well plate placed on the mounting unit, the distance between the drive unit and the well plate placed on the mounting unit is increased. In this case, the magnetic influence on the sample from the drive unit can be further reduced. Therefore, the sample can be stirred more appropriately.

[0036] (4) In the stirring device described in 3, the first transmission part includes a first plate and a connecting member fixed on the first plate, the mounting part includes a second plate fixed on the connecting member, and the well plate may be mounted on the second plate.

[0037] According to the stirring device of the fourth aspect, the connecting member and the first plate are disposed between the drive unit and the second plate, further increasing the distance between the drive unit and the well plate placed on the second plate. Furthermore, the second plate can block the magnetic influence from the drive unit. As a result, the magnetic influence on the sample from the drive unit can be further reduced.

[0038] (Item 5) In the stirring device described in item 4, the second transmission part may include the first plate and the connecting member.

[0039] According to the stirring device described in paragraph 5, the force rotating around the first axis and the force rotating around the second axis are transmitted as a force vibrating the second plate via the first plate and the connecting member, making it possible to stir the specimen in the well plate with a uniform force using a simpler configuration.

[0040] (Item 6) In the stirring device described in Item 4, the first shaft includes a first eccentric shaft extending along a third axis different from the first axis, the first transmission part includes a first support part that supports the first eccentric shaft, the second shaft includes a second eccentric shaft extending along a fourth axis different from the second axis, the second transmission part includes a second support part that supports the second eccentric shaft, and the first support part and the second support part may be fixed to the first plate.

[0041] According to the stirring device described in paragraph 6, the first eccentric shaft extends along a third axis different from the first axis, and the second eccentric shaft extends along a fourth axis different from the second axis. As a result, in a plan view, the first eccentric shaft revolves around the first axis, and the second eccentric shaft revolves around the second axis. Furthermore, because the first support portion and the second support portion are fixed to the first plate, the first plate can be vibrated by the revolution of the first eccentric shaft and the revolution of the second eccentric shaft.

[0042] (Item 7) In the stirring device described in Item 2, the rotational force transmission unit may include a belt.

[0043] According to the stirring device described in the seventh aspect, it is possible to transmit the rotation of the first shaft to the second shaft with a simpler configuration.

[0044] (Item 8) In the stirring device described in item 6, the first support portion may include a bearing.

[0045] According to the stirring device described in paragraph 8, the first eccentric shaft is supported by a bearing, so that vertical vibration of the first plate is suppressed. As a result, vertical vibration of the second plate is suppressed when the second plate is vibrated, so that stirring of the sample in the well plate by vibration of the second plate and stirring of the sample by pipetting can be performed simultaneously.

[0046] (Item 9) In the stirring device described in Item 6, the second support portion may include a bearing.

[0047] According to the stirring device described in paragraph 9, the second eccentric shaft is supported by a bearing, so that vertical vibration of the first plate is suppressed. As a result, vertical vibration of the second plate is suppressed when the second plate is vibrated, so that stirring of the sample in the well plate by vibration of the second plate and stirring of the sample by pipetting can be performed simultaneously.

[0048] (Item 10) A dispensing device equipped with the stirring device described in any one of items 1 to 9.

[0049] The dispensing device described in paragraph 10 enables the sample to be uniformly stirred, thereby reducing the need for an operator to check the stirring status of the sample, thereby contributing to the realization of automation of dispensing devices.

Claims

1. A stirring device comprising: a mounting section on which a well plate containing a sample can be placed; a first shaft extending along a first axis; a second shaft extending along a second axis different from the first axis; a first transmission section that transmits the rotational force of the first shaft about the first axis as a force that vibrates the well plate placed on the mounting section; and a second transmission section that transmits the rotational force of the second shaft about the second axis as a force that vibrates the well plate placed on the mounting section.

2. A stirring device as described in claim 1, further comprising: a drive unit that rotates the first shaft around the first axis; and a rotational force transmission unit that transmits the rotational force of the first shaft rotated by the drive unit to the second shaft.

3. The stirring device according to claim 2, wherein the drive unit is disposed so as to face the placement unit across the rotational force transmission unit.

4. The stirring device described in claim 3, wherein the first transmission part includes a first plate and a connecting member fixed on the first plate, the mounting part includes a second plate fixed on the connecting member, and the well plate is mounted on the second plate.

5. The stirring device according to claim 4, wherein the second transmission part includes the first plate and the connecting member.

6. A stirring device as described in claim 4, wherein the first shaft includes a first eccentric shaft extending along a third axis different from the first axis, the first transmission unit includes a first support unit that supports the first eccentric shaft, the second shaft includes a second eccentric shaft extending along a fourth axis different from the second axis, the second transmission unit includes a second support unit that supports the second eccentric shaft, and the first support unit and the second support unit are fixed to the first plate.

7. The stirring device according to claim 2, wherein the rotational force transmission unit includes a belt.

8. The stirring device of claim 6, wherein the first support includes a bearing.

9. The stirring device of claim 6, wherein the second support includes a bearing.

10. A dispensing device equipped with the stirring device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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