JP2017187332A - Sampling tip and dispensing device equipped therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sampling tip with which it is possible to dispense a prescribed amount of liquid in a short time with high reliability, even for the case of simultaneous dispensing from a single tip into a plurality of dispensing objects, and a dispensing device equipped with the same.SOLUTION: A sampling tip 12 is removably mounted in a dispensing device and dispenses a liquid specimen into a microplate placed in position. The sampling tip 12 includes a plurality of specimen dispensing ports 20a-d arranged with a space that suits the lattice interval of holes of the microplate. The sampling tip 12 also includes the same number of specimen storing units 22a-d as the specimen dispensing ports 20a-d, each communicating with the specimen dispensing ports 20a-d, extending to a tip base end side so as to form space independent of each other, and opening on the tip base end side to form a connection ports 24a-d where suction and discharge pressures are receivable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a sampling chip that dispenses a liquid sample onto a mounted microplate, and a dispensing apparatus including the sampling chip.

  2. Description of the Related Art Dispensing devices for analyzing test liquids obtained from a subject (fluid diluted with stool, blood, urine, etc.) are known.

  This dispensing device often uses a microplate with a large number of injection holes, dispenses the same test solution into the numerous holes, and frequently examines the reaction results with the reagent for each hole. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP2015-111150

  By the way, when dispensing to a plate with a large number of holes, it is often dispensed at once with a multi-channel (96ch or 384ch etc.) head. In this case, the suction source containing the liquid to be dispensed ( An area that can be accessed by a multichannel (96ch or 384ch) head is required.

  Therefore, when the suction source (liquid tank) is a test tube, the range in which the head can access the opening of the test tube is limited. It took a long time.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a sampling chip capable of dispensing a specified amount of liquid with high reliability and in a short time even when simultaneously dispensing from a single chip to a plurality of dispensing objects, It is an object to provide a dispensing device provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, a sampling chip according to the present invention is a sampling chip that is detachably attached to a dispensing apparatus and dispenses a liquid sample to a placed microplate, A plurality of sample dispensing ports arranged at intervals corresponding to the lattice spacing of the holes, and communicated with each sample dispensing port, extending to the tip proximal end side so as to form a space independent from each other. It is characterized by comprising the same number of sample accommodating portions as the sample dispensing ports, which are open on the side and form connection ports capable of receiving suction pressure and discharge pressure.

  In addition, a dispensing device according to the present invention includes a sampling chip according to claim 1 and a chip mounting portion that is detachably mounted and movable in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction perpendicular to each other in a horizontal plane. And a pressure supply means for supplying suction pressure / discharge pressure to the sampling chip, and the pressure supply means is connected to each connection port of the sampling chip, and has the same number of connection pipes as the sample storage portions. And the same number of pressure supply units as the connection pipes connected to the connection pipes.

  According to the present invention, a sampling chip capable of dispensing a specified amount of liquid with high reliability and in a short time even when simultaneously dispensing from a single chip to a plurality of dispensing objects, and The dispenser provided can be realized.

It is a perspective view explaining the composition concept of the dispensing device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the sampling chip | tip of the dispensing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the sampling chip | tip of the dispensing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a top view, (b) is side sectional drawing of arrow GG of (a). It is a perspective view explaining taking out a sampling chip from a rack in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view explaining supplying discharge pressure to a dispensing head from a pressure supply mechanism with a dispensing device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of the pressure supply mechanism which comprises the dispensing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the pressure supply mechanism which comprises the dispensing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment shown below is an example for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the embodiment of the present invention specifies the material, shape, structure, arrangement, etc. of the component parts as follows. Not what you want. The embodiments of the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, a dispensing device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “this embodiment”) is detachably mounted with a sampling chip 12 according to this embodiment and the sampling chip 12. A chip mounting portion 14 that can be held and moved in the vertical and horizontal directions orthogonal to each other in a horizontal plane, and a pressure supply mechanism 16 that supplies the sampling chip 12 with suction pressure and discharge pressure by air are provided.

  The sampling chip 12 is detachably mounted on the chip mounting portion 14 and dispenses a liquid sample onto a placed microplate M (a plate having a large number of holes on the surface side where reagents are placed in the bottom). It is configured as follows. The sampling chip 12 includes a plurality of sample dispensing ports 20 arranged at intervals corresponding to the lattice interval of the holes H of the microplate M.

  In addition, the sampling chip 12 includes the same number of sample storage portions 22 as the sample dispensing ports 20 that communicate with each sample dispensing port 20 and extend toward the tip base end side so as to form an independent space. Each sample storage unit 22 is formed with a connection port 24 that is open on the tip base end side and can receive suction pressure and discharge pressure by air.

  In the sampling chip 12 of this embodiment, the number of the sample dispensing ports 20, the connection ports 24, the sample storage units 22, and the pressure supply mechanisms 16 are all four. Hereinafter, these will be described as sample dispensing ports 20a to 20d, connection ports 24a to 24d, sample storage units 22a to 22d, and pressure supply mechanisms 16a to 16d as appropriate. Here, the four sample dispensing ports 20 a to 20 d, the connection ports 24 a to 24 d, and the sample storage portions 22 a to 22 d are arranged in the same shape around the central axis of the sampling chip 12.

  There are two sample dispensing ports 20a to 20d in two directions orthogonal to each other (when mounted on the dispensing apparatus 10, in the horizontal direction (X direction in FIG. 1) and the vertical direction (Y direction in FIG. 1)). They are arranged and arranged at positions corresponding to rectangular corners when viewed from the tip end side of the chip. The connection ports 24a to 24d and the sample storage portions 22a to 22d are also located in the same manner.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the sample storage portion 22a is formed in the front end side storage portion 22a1 on the tip end side barrel portion 12p and the tip base end side barrel portion 12q, and communicates with the front end side storage portion 22a1. It is comprised by the base end side accommodating part 22a2 with a large cross-sectional dimension compared with the front end side accommodating part 22a1. The same applies to the sample storage portions 22b to 22d.

  A positioning portion 28 that protrudes in a ring shape is provided at the proximal end portion of the body portion 12q on the tip proximal end side. The positioning portion 28 has a rib-like protrusion 26 on the outer peripheral side for positioning the angular direction position with respect to the chip mounting portion 14 when the sampling chip 12 is held by the chip mounting portion 14.

  The pressure supply mechanisms 16a to 16d are respectively connected to the connection pipes 30a to d and the connection pipes 30a to d which are in communication with the connection ports 24a to 24d via the chip mounting part 14 and to the connection ports 30a to d, respectively. The same number of pressure supply units 32a to 32d as the connection pipe 30 are provided. In addition, it is also possible to make the structure of the chip mounting portion 14 such that the connection ports 24a to 24d and the connection pipes 30a to 30d directly communicate with each other without using the chip mounting portion 14.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each of the pressure supply units 32 a to 32 d includes a cylinder 34 and a piston 36 that can reciprocate within the cylinder 34, and in a direction to pull out the piston 36 from the cylinder 34. A suction pressure (negative pressure) is supplied to the sample storage portions 22a to 22d by moving, and a discharge force (positive pressure) is supplied to the sample storage portions 22a to 22d by moving the piston 36 in the direction of pushing the piston 36 from the cylinder 34. At the same time, it is configured to supply a constant volume of air.

  Furthermore, the dispensing apparatus 10 includes a chip rack 40 in which a plurality of sampling chips 12 are arranged, a plurality of sample solution storage members 42 that store liquid samples sucked up by the sampling chips 12, and a plurality of sample solution storages. And a sample solution storage member rack 44 in which the members 42 are arranged.

(Function, effect)
Hereinafter, the operation and effect of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, first, the sampling chip 12 is held by the chip mounting portion 14.

  Then, the sampling chip 12 is moved to above the sample solution storage member 42 and further lowered to position at least the sample dispensing ports 20a to 20d in the liquid sample in the sample solution storage member 42. And each sample supply part 22a-d is made to air-suck with each pressure supply part 32a-d, and a sample is attracted | sucked in each sample storage part 22a-d.

  When the amount of sample suction reaches a specified amount, air suction by the pressure supply mechanisms 16a to 16d is stopped, and the sampling chip 12 is moved upward and removed from the sample solution storage member 42.

  Then, the sampling chip 12 is moved to the microplate M previously placed on the dispensing device 10. Here, the four sample dispensing ports 20a to 20d of the sampling chip 12 are arranged at intervals corresponding to the horizontal lattice interval and the vertical lattice interval of the holes H of the microplate M, respectively. The tip end portion (tip end portion of the sampling tip 12) can be moved to a position where each of the sample dispensing ports 20a to 20d can be dispensed into the four holes H to be dispensed.

  The piston 36 is pushed into the cylinder 34 at a set length and a set speed by the pressure supply units 32a to 32d, thereby supplying a constant volume of air into the sample storage units 22a to 22d. As a result, the sample sucked into the sample storage portions 22a to 22d can be pressurized with air, and this sample is discharged from the sample dispensing ports 20a to 20d, whereby a specified amount of sample is placed in each hole (four holes) H. Is dispensed.

  After the dispensing into the four holes H is completed, the tip end of the tip is moved so that the four sample dispensing ports 20a to 20d can be dispensed into the next four holes H, respectively. Similarly, a predetermined amount of sample is dispensed into each hole (four holes) H by supplying air into each sample storage part 22a-d by each pressure supply part 32a-d.

  When repeating such dispensing, if there is a shortage of samples in the sample storage portions 22a to 22d of the sampling chip 12, the sampling chip 12 is moved to the sample solution storage member 42 and replenished by sucking the sample. .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the sample dispensing ports 20a to 20d, the connection ports 24a to 24d, and the sample storage units 22a to 22d are arranged in the same shape around the central axis of the sampling chip 12. And each sample dispensing opening 20a-d, each sample accommodating part 22a-d, and each pressure supply mechanism 16a-d are connected mutually independently.

  More specifically, the sample mounting port 20a communicates with the sample storage unit 22a, the sample storage unit 22a forms a connection port 24a, and the chip mounting unit communicates with the connection port 24a via the chip mounting unit 14. The connection pipe 30a is connected to the connection pipe 30a, and the suction pressure / discharge pressure from the pressure supply section 32a is transmitted to the connection pipe 30a. The sample dispensing port 20b communicates with the sample accommodating portion 22b, the sample accommodating portion 22b forms a connection port 24b, and is connected to the chip mounting portion 14 via the chip mounting portion 14 so as to communicate with the connection port 24b. A pipe 30b is connected, and suction pressure / discharge pressure from the pressure supply unit 32b is transmitted to the connection pipe 30b. Further, the sample dispensing port 20c communicates with the sample accommodating portion 22c, the sample accommodating portion 22c forms a connection port 24c, and is connected to the chip mounting portion 14 via the chip mounting portion 14 so as to communicate with the connection port 24c. A pipe 30c is connected, and a suction pressure / discharge pressure from the pressure supply unit 32c is transmitted to the connection pipe 30c. Then, the sample dispensing port 20d communicates with the sample storage unit 22, the sample storage unit 22d forms a connection port 24d, and is connected to the chip mounting unit 14 via the chip mounting unit 14 so as to communicate with the connection port 24d. A pipe 30d is connected, and suction pressure / discharge pressure from the pressure supply part 32d is transmitted to the connection pipe 30d.

  Therefore, the discharge pressure applied to the sample dispensing port 20a is only the discharge pressure generated by the pressure applied from the pressure supply mechanism 16a to the sample storage portion 22a, and is affected by the discharge pressure from the pressure supply mechanisms 16b to 16d. Absent. Moreover, the discharge pressure from the pressure supply mechanism 16a is applied only to the sample storage unit 22a, and is not applied to the sample storage units 22b to 22d. In addition, the air supplied from the pressure supply mechanism 16a is supplied only to the sample storage unit 22a and is not supplied to the sample storage units 22b to 22d.

  Therefore, by accurately setting the pressure applied by the pressure supply mechanism 16a to the sample storage unit 22a, the discharge pressure applied to the sample in the sample storage unit 22a can be set to an accurate value intended. For the same reason, by accurately setting the pressures applied by the pressure supply mechanisms 16b to 16d, the discharge pressures applied to the samples in the sample storage units 22b to 22d can be set to the intended accurate values. Therefore, the discharge amount (dispensing amount) of the sample from each sample dispensing port 20a-d is made the same by applying the same pressure and time to each sample accommodating part 22a-d from each pressure supply mechanism 16a-d. The same prescribed amount intended with high reliability can be obtained, and dispensing can be efficiently performed in a short time.

  Therefore, each sample is provided as in the case where one pressure supply mechanism is provided and the pressure applied from the pressure supply mechanism is distributed and applied to a plurality of (for example, four) sample dispensing ports within one sampling chip. There is no concern that the discharge pressure varies at the dispensing port, and there is no concern that the discharge amount will vary, and one sample dispensing port will be clogged and the dispensing volume from the other sample dispensing port will be increased accordingly. There is no such a concern.

  In the sampling chip 12 of the present embodiment, two sample dispensing ports 20a to 20d are arranged in two directions orthogonal to each other, and are arranged at positions corresponding to rectangular corners when viewed from the tip end side. ing. Therefore, the microplate M having the holes H aligned vertically and horizontally can be sequentially dispensed every four holes. Therefore, compared with a sampling chip having a single sample dispensing port, a connection port, and a sample container, the time required for dispensing can be greatly reduced without increasing the thickness of the chip. Played.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the air of the constant volume intended by presetting the length which pushes piston 36 in each cylinder 34 is sent to sample accommodating part 22a-d, respectively. In order to make the discharge amount (dispensing amount) of the sample from the sample dispensing ports 20a to 20d with the simple structure of the pressure supply mechanisms 16a to 16d the same specified amount intended with higher reliability, There is a big effect.

  In addition, the sample storage unit 22 has a cross-sectional dimension larger than that of the front end side storage unit 22a1 formed in the body 12p on the tip end side of the chip and the front end side storage unit 22a1 formed in the body 12q of the base end side of the chip. And a proximal-side accommodation portion 22a2. Therefore, it is possible to sufficiently increase the volume of the sample storage unit 22 while suppressing an increase in the size of the tip end side of the chip, and the sample in the sample storage unit 22 is insufficient to re-suction the sample in the sample solution storage member 42. Can be greatly reduced.

  In addition, the dispensing apparatus 10 includes a chip rack 40 in which a plurality of sampling chips 12 are arranged, a plurality of sample solution storage members 42 that store liquid samples sucked up by the respective sampling chips 12, and the plurality of sample solution storage members 42. And a sample solution storage member rack 44 in which the sample solution storage members 42 are arranged. Therefore, the samples of each sampling chip can be sequentially and efficiently dispensed using a plurality of microplates M.

  Specifically, after dispensing into the hole of the microplate M is completed, the microplate M is collected and replaced with an unused microplate, and the sampling chip 12 and the sample sucked into the sampling chip 12 are accommodated. The sample solution storage member 42 is discarded. And with respect to the microplate which performs the next dispensing, the sample accommodated in the following sample solution accommodation member is dispensed using an unused sampling chip. By sequentially performing this operation, the sample of each sampling chip can be dispensed efficiently in a short time.

  FIG. 1 shows an example in which two microplates M are arranged. In this case, one microchip M may be dispensed with one sampling chip 12 or one sampling chip. 12 may be dispensed into one microplate M and then dispensed into another microplate M with the next sampling chip.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Dispensing apparatus 12 Sampling tip 12p Body | tip part 12q of a chip | tip tip side Body part 14 of a chip | tip base end side Chip | tip mounting parts 16a-d (16) Pressure supply mechanism (pressure supply means)
20a to d (20) Sample dispensing ports 22a to d (22) Sample storage portion 22a1 Front end side storage portion 22a2 Base end side storage portions 24a to d (24) Connection ports 30a to d (30) Connection pipes 32a to d ( 32) Pressure supply part 34 Cylinder 36 Piston 40 Chip rack 42 Sample solution storage member 44 Sample solution storage member rack H Hole M Microplate

Claims (6)

A sampling chip that is detachably attached to a dispensing device and dispenses a liquid sample to a placed microplate,
A plurality of sample dispensing ports arranged at intervals corresponding to the lattice spacing of the holes of the microplate;
Each sample dispensing port communicates with each other, extends to the base end side of the chip so as to form an independent space, and forms a connection port that can be opened at the base end side of the chip to receive suction pressure / discharge pressure. , The same number of sample containers as the sample dispensing port,
A sampling chip comprising: The number of the sample dispensing port, the connection port, and the sample container are all four,
2. The sampling tip according to claim 1, wherein the sample dispensing ports are arranged so as to be arranged in two directions orthogonal to each other, and are located at rectangular corners when viewed from the tip end side. . The sample storage part is a tip side storage part formed in a body part on the tip side of the chip,
The base end side accommodation part formed in the trunk | drum by the side of a chip | tip base end, is connected to the said front end side accommodating part, and is large in cross-sectional dimension compared with the said front end side accommodation part. The sampling chip described. A sampling chip according to claim 1;
A chip mounting part that is detachably mounted on the sampling chip and is movable in the vertical and horizontal directions perpendicular to each other in a horizontal plane; and
Pressure supply means for supplying suction pressure / discharge pressure to the sampling chip;
With
The pressure supply means includes
The same number of connection pipes as the sample storage unit communicate with each connection port of the sampling chip, and
The same number of pressure supply units as the connection pipes connected to the connection pipes;
A dispensing device comprising:   The dispensing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the pressure supply unit includes a cylinder and a piston capable of reciprocating in the cylinder. A chip rack in which a plurality of the sampling chips are arranged;
A plurality of sample solution containing members containing liquid samples sucked up by each sampling chip;
A sample solution storage member rack in which the plurality of sample solution storage members are arranged;
The dispensing device according to claim 4, wherein the dispensing device is provided.

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