JP2006126009A - Dispensing device, measuring device using it, and gas leakage inspection method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dispensing device capable of inspecting gas leakage without damaging the head of a tip, a measuring device using it, and a gas leakage inspection method. <P>SOLUTION: The dispensing device comprises the tip 11 for taking a sample 10 and spot-depositing it to a reagent 13, a nozzle 1 for sucking and delivering the sample 10, and a pressure detection section 7 for detecting pressure in the nozzle 1. The tip 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape having one tapered end, and the nozzle 1 is joined to the other end of the tip 11. The dispensing device is provided with an inspecting member 16 for inspecting gas leakage from the joint part between the tip 11 and the nozzle 1, and the inspecting member 16 is provided with a stop hole 16a. By inserting the tip 11 into the stop hole 16a, a space 16d enabling the coming or outgoing of gas only via the inside of the tip 11 is formed inside the stop hole 16a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a dispensing device that dispenses a sample to be measured for each reagent, a measuring device using the same, and a gas leakage from a joint between a nozzle and a chip constituting the dispensing device. The present invention relates to a gas leak inspection method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, measuring devices that measure a plurality of items include an automatic dispensing device in order to spot a small amount of liquid sample on each reagent prepared for each measurement item (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). .) FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional automatic dispensing apparatus.

  First, the configuration of a conventional automatic dispensing device will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the automatic dispensing device includes a nozzle 21, a loader 23, a pump 24, a control device 25, and a tip 31. In FIG. 2, the chip 31 and the sample container 32 are shown in cross section.

  The tip 31 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a tapered tip, and both ends are open. The chip 31 is used for collecting the sample 30 from the sample container 32 and spotting the collected sample 30 on each reagent 33. The tip 31 is coated with a water repellent or the like so that the sample 30 does not remain on the tip 31 when spotted.

  Further, a nozzle 21 having an O-ring 22 fitted at the tip is inserted into the opening on the proximal end side of the tip 31. When the nozzle 21 is inserted, the O-ring 22 is elastically deformed in the radial direction, and comes into close contact with the inner wall of the tip 31 and the surface of the nozzle 21. For this reason, the chip 31 and the nozzle 21 are joined.

  Further, the proximal end of the nozzle 21 is connected to the pump 24 via a tube 34. The pump 24 is a syringe pump capable of suction operation and discharge operation. Although not shown, the pump 24 includes a syringe and a piston that slides in the syringe. Therefore, if the piston of the pump 24 is operated in the suction direction, suction is performed from the nozzle 21, and the sample 30 in the sample container 32 can be collected in the chip 31. On the other hand, if the piston of the pump 24 is operated in the discharge direction, air is discharged from the nozzle 21 and the sample 30 collected in the chip 31 can be discharged to the outside.

  In FIG. 2, 28 is a spring. The spring 28 reduces the impact when the nozzle 21 is inserted into the opening of the chip 31. Reference numeral 29 denotes a stopper for the spring 28. The chip 31 is disposable, and is discarded after the sample 30 is spotted on each reagent 33.

  The loader 23 includes a loader body 23a that moves in the horizontal direction along the rail 23c, and a holder 23b that moves in the vertical direction on the loader body 23a. The nozzle 21 is attached to the holder 23 b of the loader 23. For this reason, the nozzle 21 can be moved in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction by the loader 23.

  The control device 25 includes a control unit 26 and a pressure detection unit 27. The control unit 26 controls suction and discharge by the pump 24. The control unit 26 also performs position control of the loader 23 based on position information output from the loader 23. The pressure detection unit 27 is a pressure sensor and is connected to the nozzle 21 via the tube 35. The pressure detector 27 detects the discharge pressure and suction pressure values of the nozzle 21. Further, the pressure detection unit 27 outputs information (pressure information) specifying the detected pressure value to the control unit 26. The pressure information output from the pressure detection unit 27 is used for a gas leak test described later.

  Here, the dispensing operation by the automatic dispensing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 will be described. First, the control unit 26 causes the loader 23 to move the nozzle 21 to a new chip 31 arranged in a chip rack (not shown), and inserts the tip of the nozzle 21 into the opening of the chip 31. At this time, the nozzle 21 and the tip 31 are joined by the elastic force of the O-ring 22.

  Next, the control unit 26 causes the loader 23 to move the nozzle 21 to the sample container 32 and immerse the tip of the chip 31 in the sample 30 in the sample container 32. Next, the control unit 26 operates the piston of the pump 24 in the suction direction, and collects the sample 30 in the chip 31. Thereafter, the control unit 26 moves the nozzle 21 to the reagent 33, operates the pump 24 in the discharge direction, and deposits the sample 30 on the reagent 33. This operation is performed for the number of reagents 33 prepared.

  By the way, in the automatic dispensing apparatus shown in FIG. In this case, in particular, air leakage occurs between the nozzle 21 and the tip 31 at the time of suction, and the amount of sample 30 to be collected becomes inaccurate. For this reason, the amount of spotting is also inaccurate, and as a result, the measurement result of the measuring apparatus is also inaccurate.

  Therefore, conventionally, in an automatic dispensing device, an inspection for gas leakage at a joint portion between a nozzle and a tip is regularly performed (for example, see Patent Document 1). FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a conventional gas leakage inspection method. As shown in FIG. 3, first, the tip 31 is attached to the nozzle 21, and the tip of the tip 31 is pressed against the smooth surface of the member 36 to close the opening at the tip. The member 36 is made of, for example, a rubber material.

Next, the pump 24 is operated in the suction direction in this state. Further, the pressure is measured by the pressure detection unit 27, and the control unit 26 determines whether or not the measured pressure value has reached a predetermined reference value. If the predetermined reference value is not reached, the control unit 26 determines that an air leak has occurred, and displays that there is an abnormality on the display panel (not shown) of the measurement device.
JP 2001-305146 A (page 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7) JP 2001-324509 A

  However, when the tip of the chip 31 is pressed against the member 36 as shown in FIG. 3, the tip of the chip 31 may be damaged, and the coating applied to the tip of the chip 31 may be peeled off. In this case, at the time of spotting on the reagent 33, a part of the sample 30 remains on the chip 31, and the amount of the sample 30 to be spotted on the reagent 33 becomes insufficient. This becomes a problem particularly when the amount of the sample 30 is very small.

  The objective of this invention is providing the dispensing apparatus which can test | inspect a gas leak, without damaging the front-end | tip of a chip | tip, the measuring apparatus using the same, and a gas leak test | inspection method.

  In order to achieve the above object, a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention includes a cylindrical tip for collecting a sample and spotting a sample on a reagent, aspiration of the sample into the tip, and out of the tip. A dispensing device having a nozzle for discharging the sample and a pressure detecting unit for detecting a pressure in the nozzle, the nozzle being joined to the other end of the tip, An inspection member for inspecting gas leakage from a joint portion with the nozzle is provided, the inspection member includes a blind hole for inserting the chip, and the stop when the chip is inserted into the blind hole. A space in which gas can enter and exit only through the inside of the chip is formed inside the hole.

  In order to achieve the above object, a measuring apparatus according to the present invention includes the dispensing apparatus according to the present invention.

  Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, the gas leakage inspection method according to the present invention includes a cylindrical tip for collecting a sample and spotting a sample on a reagent, aspiration of the sample into the tip, and the A gas using a dispensing device that includes a nozzle for discharging the sample to the outside of the chip and a pressure detection unit that detects a pressure in the nozzle, and the nozzle is joined to the other end of the chip. A method for inspecting leakage, comprising: (a) inserting the chip into a blind hole, and forming a space in the blind hole where gas can enter and exit only through the interior of the chip; and (B) in a state where the space is formed, sucking or discharging from the nozzle and detecting the pressure in the nozzle by the pressure detection unit; and (c) the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit. Value and preset Comparing the the reference value, the value of pressure obtained by the detection is characterized by having a step of determining whether or larger than the reference value.

  As described above, in the dispensing device and the gas leakage inspection method according to the present invention, by inserting the tip into the blind hole, the space that allows gas to enter and exit only through the interior of the tip into the blind hole. Is formed. This state is the same as the state in which the opening at the tip of the chip is directly closed. For this reason, according to the dispensing device and the gas leakage inspection method of the present invention, it is not necessary to directly close the tip of the tip with another member. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to inspect the gas leakage from the joint portion between the nozzle and the chip without damaging the tip of the chip.

  The dispensing device according to the present invention further includes a pump capable of performing a suction operation and a discharge operation, and an inspection unit, wherein the pump is connected to the nozzle through a tube, and the inspection unit is By comparing the pressure value detected by the pressure detection unit with a preset reference value when the pump is sucked or discharged while the chip is inserted into the blind hole, the chip It is preferable that the gas leakage from the joint portion between the nozzle and the nozzle is inspected. If it is set as such an aspect, the test | inspection of a gas leak can be performed automatically.

  Further, in the analyzer and the gas leakage inspection method according to the present invention, the tip is formed in a cylindrical shape with one end tapered, and the blind hole has a diameter of the opening that is outside the maximum of the tip. It is preferably smaller than the diameter, larger than the minimum outer diameter, and formed so that the bottom surface of the blind hole does not contact one end of the chip when the chip is inserted into the blind hole. In this case, if the chip is inserted into the blind hole, the opening of the blind hole is in contact with the chip over the entire circumference to form the space. In addition, at this time, one end of the chip cannot contact the bottom surface of the blind hole, and thus is not damaged.

  In the analyzer and the gas leakage inspection method according to the present invention, an O-ring formed of an elastic material is fitted into the nozzle, and a portion of the nozzle fitted with the O-ring is inserted into the chip. This is effective when the O-ring is elastically deformed in the radial direction of the O-ring by the pressure contact between the tip and the nozzle, thereby joining the nozzle and the other end of the tip. In this case, gas leakage is likely to occur due to a change with time of the O-ring.

  Hereinafter, a dispensing device and a gas leakage inspection method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Initially, the structure of the dispensing apparatus in this Embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a chip 11, a sample container 12, and an inspection member 16, which will be described later, are shown in cross section.

  The dispensing device in the present embodiment is built in a measuring device (not shown) that measures a plurality of items. As shown in FIG. 1, the dispensing apparatus includes a tip 11, a nozzle 1, and a pressure detection unit 7 that detects a pressure value in the nozzle 1. In addition, the dispensing device includes an inspection member 16 for inspecting gas leakage from the joint portion between the tip 11 and the nozzle 1. The configuration and function of the inspection member 16 will be described later. In addition, 12 is a sample container and 13 is a reagent prepared for each measurement item. The reagent 13 is obtained by impregnating a water-absorbing member with a chemical solution.

  The nozzle 1 is used to suck the sample 10 into the chip 11 and discharge the sample 10 outside the chip. In the first embodiment, the dispensing device includes a pump 4 capable of both a suction operation and a discharge operation, and the proximal end of the nozzle 1 is connected to the pump 4 via a tube 14. The pump 4 is a syringe pump, and includes a syringe and a piston that slides in the syringe, although not shown. The operation of the pump 4 is controlled by a control device 5 described later.

  The chip 11 is used for collecting the sample 10 from the sample container 12 and spotting the sample 10 collected on each reagent 13. As shown in FIG. 1, the chip | tip 11 is formed in the cylinder shape, and both ends are opening. In the present embodiment, the cross section perpendicular to the major axis direction of the chip 11 is circular. The tip 11 is coated with a water repellent or the like so that the sample 10 does not remain on the tip 11 when spotted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the nozzle 1 is joined to the other end (rear end) of the chip 11. In the present embodiment, the nozzle 1 is fitted with an O-ring 2 made of an elastic material, and the portion of the nozzle 1 where the O-ring 2 is fitted is inserted into the chip 11. For this reason, the O-ring 2 is elastically deformed in the radial direction by the tip 11 and the nozzle 1 and is in close contact with the inner wall of the tip 11 and the surface of the nozzle 1. As a result, the nozzle 1 and the other end of the chip 11 are joined. In addition, as an elastic material which comprises the O-ring 2, a rubber material and a resin material are mentioned.

  As described above, also in the first embodiment, the gap between the tip 11 and the nozzle 1 is sealed by the O-ring 2 as in the conventional dispensing device shown in FIG. Therefore, if the pump 4 performs a suction operation, suction is performed from the nozzle 1 and the sample 10 in the sample container 12 is collected in the chip 11. On the other hand, if the pump 4 performs a discharge operation, air is discharged from the nozzle 1 and the sample 10 collected in the chip 11 is discharged to the outside.

  Also in the dispensing device according to the present embodiment, when the O-ring 2 fitted at the tip of the nozzle 1 is deteriorated due to a change over time or the like, air leakage occurs between the nozzle 1 and the tip 11. Therefore, also in the dispensing device in the present embodiment, it is necessary to inspect for gas leakage.

  As described above, the dispensing device in the present embodiment uses the inspection member 16 to inspect gas leakage. As shown in FIG. 1, the inspection member 16 includes a blind hole 16 a for inserting the chip 11. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, by inserting the chip 11 into the blind hole 16a, a space (hereinafter referred to as "leakage") that allows gas to enter and exit only through the chip 11 inside the blind hole 16a. 16d "is formed.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the chip 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape with one end (tip) tapered. Moreover, the shape of the opening 16b of the blind hole 16a is circular. Further, the blind hole 16a is formed such that the diameter d of the opening 16b is smaller than the maximum outer diameter Dmax of the chip 11 and larger than the minimum outer diameter Dmin. Therefore, when the chip 11 is inserted into the blind hole 16a, the chip 11 comes into contact with the opening 16b of the blind hole 16a at a portion whose outer diameter matches the diameter d of the opening 16b.

  The “tapered cylindrical shape” includes all shapes formed by combining a cylindrical body having a large outer diameter and a cylindrical body having a smaller outer diameter, and further a conical shape. Moreover, the shape of the opening 16b of the blind hole 16a and the shape of the cross section perpendicular to the major axis direction of the chip 11 are circular, but are not limited thereto. The shape of the opening 16b of the blind hole 16a and the shape of the cross section perpendicular to the major axis direction of the chip 11 may be, for example, a polygonal shape such as a quadrangular shape, a pentagonal shape, or a hexagonal shape. However, when the shape of the opening 16b of the blind hole 16a and the shape of the cross section perpendicular to the major axis direction of the chip 11 are not circular, the “diameter of the opening of the blind hole” means the diameter of the circumscribed circle of the opening of the blind hole. Say. In such a case, “the outer diameter of the chip” refers to the diameter of a circumscribed circle having a cross section perpendicular to the major axis direction of the chip.

  Further, the blind hole 16 a is formed so that the bottom surface 16 c of the blind hole 16 a does not contact one end of the chip 11 when the chip 11 is inserted into the blind hole 16 a. As shown in FIG. 1, the depth H of the blind hole 16 a is set to be greater than the insertion length h of the chip 11. The “insertion length h” in the present embodiment refers to the opening surface of the blind hole 16a when the chip 11 is inserted into the blind hole 16a until the chip 11 comes into contact with the opening 16b of the blind hole 16a. This is the length of the tip 11 up to the tip of the tip as a reference.

  Therefore, if the chip 11 is inserted into the blind hole 16a of the inspection member 16, the tip 11 contacts the opening 16b of the blind hole 16a over the entire circumference without contacting the bottom surface 16c of the blind hole 16a. As a result, the above-described leakage inspection space 16d is formed in the blind hole 16a.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the tip (one end) of the chip 11 is not in contact with other members, and is the same as the state in which the opening at the tip of the chip 11 is directly closed (the state shown in FIG. 3). State. For this reason, according to the dispensing apparatus in the present embodiment, the joint portion between the nozzle 1 and the chip 11 (in this embodiment, the O-ring 2, the nozzle 1, and the chip 11 is obtained without damaging the tip of the chip 11. Can be inspected for gas leakage from the contact surface. The procedure for the gas leak inspection will be described later.

  The outer shape of the inspection member 16 is not particularly limited. Moreover, the chip | tip 11 should just be a cylindrical shape, The outer shape and cross-sectional shape are not limited. For example, the tip 11 can be formed in a shape in which a ring-shaped protrusion is provided on a cylinder. In this case, the leakage inspection space 16d can be formed by bringing the ring-shaped protrusions of the chip 11 into contact with the inner surface of the blind hole 16a over the entire circumference.

  In FIG. 1, 8 is a spring. The spring 8 is provided to alleviate an impact when the nozzle 1 is inserted into the opening of the chip 11 or the blind hole 16a. Reference numeral 9 denotes a stopper of the spring 8.

  In addition, the dispensing device in the present embodiment is an automatic dispensing device that automatically deposits the sample 10 on each reagent 13. For this purpose, a loader 3 for moving and positioning the nozzle 1 and a control device 5 are further provided. In the present embodiment, the pressure detection unit 7 described above is provided in the control device 5.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the loader 3 includes a loader body 3a that moves in the horizontal direction along the rail 3c, and a holder 3b that moves in the vertical direction on the loader body 3a. The nozzle 1 is attached to the holder 3 b of the loader 3. For this reason, the nozzle 1 can be moved in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction by the loader 3.

  The control device 5 includes a control unit 6 and a pressure detection unit 7. The controller 6 controls suction and discharge by the pump 4. The control unit 6 also performs position control of the loader 3 based on position information output from the loader 3. The pressure detection unit 7 is a pressure sensor and is connected to the nozzle 1 via a tube 15. The pressure detector 7 detects the discharge pressure and suction pressure values of the nozzle 1. Further, the pressure detection unit 7 outputs information (pressure information) for specifying the detected pressure value to the control unit 6. The pressure information from the pressure detection unit 7 is used for a gas leak test described later.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, the control part 6 is functioning also as a test | inspection means which test | inspects a gas leak. Specifically, the control unit 6 first inserts the chip 1 into the blind hole 16a by the loader 3 and causes the pump 4 to perform a suction operation or a discharge operation. Then, the control unit 6 compares the pressure value detected by the pressure detection unit 7 with a preset reference value, and whether the pressure value is greater than or equal to the preset reference value (or greater than the reference value). ) Judgment is made.

  For example, when the detected pressure value does not reach the reference value in a state where the pump 4 is performing the discharge operation, the control unit 6 causes air leakage from the joint portion between the tip 11 and the nozzle 1. It is determined that On the other hand, when the detected pressure value is not less than the reference value or exceeds the reference value in the state in which the pump 4 is performing the suction operation, the control unit 6 causes the air from the joint portion between the tip 11 and the nozzle 1 to air. Determine that there is a leak.

  Here, the gas leak inspection method in the present embodiment will be described. In addition, the gas leak test | inspection method in this Embodiment is performed using the dispensing apparatus in this Embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, the gas leak inspection method in the present embodiment will be described by explaining the operation of the dispensing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with reference to FIG.

  First, the control unit 6 causes the loader 3 to move the nozzle 1 to the chip 11 disposed in the chip rack (not shown), and inserts the tip of the nozzle 1 into the opening of the chip 11. At this time, the nozzle 1 and the tip 11 are joined by the elastic force of the O-ring 2.

  Next, the control unit 6 causes the loader 3 to move the nozzle 1 to which the chip 11 is attached to a position directly above the inspection member 16, and aligns the center axis of the chip 11 and the nozzle 1 with the center of the blind hole 16a. Thereafter, the control unit 6 moves the holder 3b of the loader 3 toward the inspection member 16 (downward) to bring the chip 11 into contact with the opening 16b of the blind hole 16a.

  At this time, since the cross-sectional shape of the chip 11 and the opening shape of the blind hole 16a are both circular, the outer surface of the chip 11 contacts the entire periphery of the opening 16b without pressing the chip 11 toward the inspection member 16. . However, in the present embodiment, the control unit 6 can also press the chip 11 toward the inspection member 16 by the holder 3b in order to improve the sealing property between the chip 11 and the opening 16b. In this case, the depth H of the blind hole 16a is set in consideration of the degree of deformation of the inspection member 16 due to this pressing so that one end of the chip 11 does not contact the bottom surface 16c even after deformation. . At this time, in the present embodiment, the tip 11 and the inspection member 16 are prevented from being damaged by the spring 8 attached to the nozzle 1.

  Next, the control unit 6 causes the loader 3 to insert the chip 11 into the blind hole 16a and causes the pump 4 to perform a suction operation or a discharge operation. Furthermore, the control unit 6 compares the detected pressure value with a preset reference value based on the pressure information from the pressure detection unit 7. As a result of the comparison, for example, when the pressure value detected during the discharge operation of the pump 4 does not reach the reference value, the control unit 6 determines that air leakage has occurred, and displays the display panel ( (Not shown) indicates that there is an abnormality.

  The determination of the occurrence of air leakage by the control unit 6 may be performed only in a state where the pump 4 is operated for suction, or may be performed only in a state where the discharge operation is performed. Further, the control unit 6 can perform both determination in a state where the pump 4 is operated for suction and determination in a state where the pump 4 is operated for discharge.

  Thereafter, the control unit 6 pulls out the chip 11 from the inspection member 16 and moves the nozzle 1 to the sample container 12 by the loader 3 to collect the sample 10 in the chip 11 as in the example described in the background art. Further, the control unit 6 moves the nozzle 1 to the reagent 13 to spot the sample 10 on the reagent 13. Note that the gas leakage inspection using the inspection member 16 may be performed every time the sample 10 is collected, or periodically performed at intervals set based on the operating time, the number of used chips 11, and the like. Also good.

  The dispensing device in the present invention can be used without particular limitation as long as it is a measuring device that performs measurement by spotting a sample to be measured on one or a plurality of reagents. Moreover, all the measuring apparatuses provided with the dispensing apparatus in this invention become a measuring apparatus in this invention. Examples of the measuring device include a blood component measuring device, a urine component measuring device, and an immune reaction measuring device.

  As described above, according to the dispensing device, the measuring device, and the gas leakage inspection method in the invention, it is possible to inspect the gas leakage from the joint portion between the nozzle and the chip while suppressing damage to the tip of the chip. .

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the dispensing apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the conventional automatic dispensing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the conventional gas leak test | inspection method.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Nozzle 2 O ring 3 Loader 3a Loader main body 3b Holder 3c Rail 4 Pump 5 Control device 6 Control part 7 Pressure detection part 8 Spring 9 Stopper 10 Sample 11 Tip 12 Sample container 13 Reagent 14, 15 Tube 16 Inspection member 16a Blind hole 16b Opening of blind hole 16c Bottom surface of blind hole 16d Leakage inspection space

Claims (7)

A cylindrical chip for collecting a sample and spotting a sample on a reagent, a nozzle for sucking the sample into the chip and discharging the sample out of the chip, and in the nozzle A pressure detecting unit for detecting the pressure of the nozzle, wherein the nozzle is joined to the other end of the tip,
An inspection member for inspecting gas leakage from a joint portion between the chip and the nozzle, the inspection member includes a blind hole for inserting the chip;
2. A dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the tip is inserted into the blind hole, a space is formed in the blind hole that allows gas to enter and exit only through the interior of the tip. The tip is formed in a cylindrical shape whose one end is tapered,
The diameter of the blind hole is smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the chip and larger than the minimum outer diameter, and when the chip is inserted into the blind hole, the bottom surface of the blind hole is the tip of the chip. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing device is formed so as not to contact one end. A pump capable of performing a suction operation and a discharge operation, and an inspection means;
The pump is connected to the nozzle via a tube;
The inspection means compares a pressure value detected by the pressure detection unit with a preset reference value when the pump performs a suction operation or a discharge operation in a state where the chip is inserted into the blind hole. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein gas leakage from a joint portion between the tip and the nozzle is inspected by performing the inspection. An O-ring made of an elastic material is fitted in the nozzle,
The portion where the O-ring of the nozzle is fitted is inserted into the tip,
4. The nozzle and the other end of the tip are joined by the O-ring being elastically deformed in the radial direction of the O-ring by pressure contact between the tip and the nozzle. 5. Dispensing device.   A measuring apparatus comprising the dispensing apparatus according to claim 1. A cylindrical chip for collecting a sample and spotting a sample on a reagent, a nozzle for sucking the sample into the chip and discharging the sample out of the chip, and in the nozzle A gas detection method using a dispensing device in which the nozzle is joined to the other end of the tip.
(A) inserting the chip into the blind hole, and forming a space in the blind hole where gas can enter and exit only through the interior of the chip;
(B) in a state where the space is formed, performing suction or discharge from the nozzle, and performing pressure detection in the nozzle by the pressure detection unit;
(C) comparing the pressure value detected by the pressure detection unit with a preset reference value, and determining whether the detected pressure value is greater than the reference value. Gas leakage inspection method. The tip is formed in a cylindrical shape whose one end is tapered,
The diameter of the blind hole is smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the chip and larger than the minimum outer diameter, and when the chip is inserted into the blind hole, the bottom surface of the blind hole is the tip of the chip. It is formed so as not to contact one end,
The gas leakage inspection method according to claim 6, wherein in the step (a), the space is formed by bringing the opening into contact with the chip over the entire circumference.

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