JP2014071084A - Fluorescence photometer and fluorescence measurement kit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fluorometer capable of performing highly accurate fluorescence measurement by optimally using a reagent and a test solution, and to provide a fluorometer suitable for carrying.
A sample is put in a sample container 91 in which a test solution 92 is stored in advance, and the sample container 91 is inserted from an insertion hole 40 and mounted on the container mounting portion 4. Excitation light from the light source 1 is applied to the liquid phase object in the cell unit 912, and the generated fluorescence is detected by the detector 3. A liquid information code portion 93 made of a barcode is provided on the flat surface portion 913 of the sample container 91, and when the sample container 91 moves in the casing 5 for mounting, the liquid information code portion 93 is moved by the code reader 7. Read. The liquid information code unit 93 encodes test liquid specifying information and the like, and the measurement is optimized according to the reading result of the code reader 7.
[Selection] Figure 6

Description

  The invention of the present application relates to a technique for identifying or quantifying a sample by measuring fluorescence intensity, and particularly relates to a technique for measuring fluorescence using a test solution.

As one field of light measurement, a fluorescence measurement technique for measuring fluorescence emitted from a substance is known. Material analysis by fluorescence measurement (fluorescence analysis method) is characterized by high sensitivity and high selectivity compared to absorptiometry and the like, and is effective when performing identification or quantification of a sample.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a continuous fluorescence analysis method in which fluorescence measurement is sequentially performed on an object in a liquid phase state. Patent Document 2 discloses a semiconductor fluorometer using a photodiode as a detector. This fluorometer uses a solid light source such as a light emitting diode or a laser diode as an excitation light source, and monitors a sample in an industrial water system or the like by fluorescence measurement.
Patent Document 3 discloses a technique in which fluorescence measurement is applied to immunoassay. Here, a technique is disclosed in which an antibody is labeled with a fluorescent dye, and the concentration of the antigen is measured in a liquid phase state or the antigen is visualized by using a change in fluorescence intensity due to elimination of quenching as an index.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-19892 Special Table 2002-514308 International Publication WO2011 / 061944 Special Table 2000-510592

  In such fluorescence measurement, it is necessary to use a reagent or a test solution used for the measurement according to a target substance to be identified or quantified. For example, a dedicated fluorescent dye has been developed and marketed depending on the target substance to be fluorescently labeled. In the case of measurement using an antigen-antibody reaction, naturally, an antibody is selected according to the antigen, and a test solution containing the antibody is used. Therefore, care must be taken in measurement so that reagents and test solutions are not mistaken.

Reagents and test solutions are chemically synthesized, and often have a certain time limit (expiration date) to stably function. In particular, fluorescent dyes and the like are often proteins, and their expiration dates are often short. Therefore, it is necessary to be careful not to use a product whose expiration date has passed.
Furthermore, it is inevitable that the characteristics of each reagent lot vary with respect to reagents and test solutions. In order to measure fluorescence with high accuracy, it may be necessary to devise a method for compensating for such specific variations among production lots. In the present specification, a reagent means a chemical substance used for fluorescence measurement, and a test solution means a liquid phase material used for fluorescence measurement.

  On the other hand, a conventionally known general fluorometer is a stationary measuring instrument, and is installed in a laboratory or a measurement room. A material (sample) that is considered to contain a target substance such as identification or quantification is collected outside and brought into a laboratory or measurement room to perform fluorescence measurement.

  In recent years, such fluorescence measurement techniques have been studied for application in various fields such as research and development of new drugs and new materials, process monitoring in plants, and environmental evaluation. As the application field of fluorescence measurement expands in this way, fluorescence measurement is not performed in a special room such as a laboratory or measurement room, but is performed in various other places or at the site where a sample is collected. It is expected that there will be a need to measure and obtain results quickly. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique for performing quantification of methamphetamine by fluorescence measurement using an immune reaction. In this technique, a sample (substance suspected of methamphetamine) is introduced into an anti-methamphetamine antibody solution, and the change in fluorescence intensity before and after the injection is measured to measure the methamphetamine concentration of the sample.

  Methamphetamine is a typical stimulant and is a so-called prohibited drug. Therefore, the detection of methamphetamine is performed, for example, by baggage inspection at airport customs or drug enforcement by the police. Although the activities of so-called drug dogs are widely known for banned drug control at customs, there is a limit to inspecting a large amount of baggage without fail, and even if a substance suspected to be a banned drug is found, To detect and take legal action automatically, the discovered material must be scientifically analyzed and identified. For this purpose, it is necessary to temporarily hold the baggage and take measures such as sending the discovered substance to the inspection organization, and the customs clearance is temporarily put on hold.

If a discovered substance can be identified quickly at the site where prohibited drugs are controlled, there is no need to temporarily hold customs clearance and leave travelers for a long time. However, no testing equipment has been developed so far that can be used to identify prohibited drugs at the enforcement site.
In principle, methamphetamine can be detected by measuring fluorescence intensity by using an immune reaction as disclosed in Patent Document 1. However, a portable fluorometer is required to be able to carry out prohibited drug control in the field. To date, no portable fluorometer has been developed that can be used for this purpose.

Slightly in the known literature, in Patent Document 2 that discloses a fluorometer, “a power source (for example, a battery) is provided in the fluorometer so that the fluorometer can be carried”. There is a description, and it is suggested about the portable type. However, in Patent Document 2, the description of the portable type is only this part, and Patent Document 2 does not give any specific teaching regarding the structure and function of a practical portable fluorometer.
Patent Document 4 discloses a portable photometer. However, this photometer does not measure fluorescence by irradiating excitation light, but is a photometer that mixes a sample with “reactant or other agent” and measures chemiluminescence from the mixture. In such a photometer that does not use excitation light, the light from the sample is likely to be very weak and susceptible to external light noise (for this reason, Patent Document 4 discloses a special light blocking structure). .

  Thus, no practical portable fluorometer has been developed, and no practical teaching has been given for practical portable fluorometers, even within the scope of known literature. Absent. For this reason, it has not been clarified at all what kind of problems exist when making the fluorometer portable and practical. In this situation, if a practical portable fluorometer can be developed, the technology of fluorescence measurement can be widely applied in various fields such as plant monitoring and environmental evaluation, as well as the control of the above prohibited drugs. It is guessed.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve such problems of fluorescence measurement, and provides a fluorometer capable of performing highly accurate fluorescence measurement by optimally using reagents and test solutions, and is portable. It is meaningful to provide a fluorometer suitable for the above.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application is a fluorescence which measures the intensity of fluorescence from a fluorescent substance in a liquid phase object using a sample container in which a test solution is previously stored. A photometer,
A container mounting part for mounting a sample container;
A light source that emits excitation light capable of exciting a fluorescent substance in a liquid phase object in a sample container to emit fluorescence;
A detector for detecting the fluorescence emitted by the fluorescent material;
An optical system that guides excitation light from a light source to a liquid phase object in a sample container and guides fluorescence from the liquid phase object to a detector;
The sample container is provided with a liquid information code part that encodes the information of the stored test liquid,
The container mounting part has a structure in which the sample container is mounted by moving in a specific direction,
A code reader is provided for optically reading the liquid information code portion of the sample container when the sample container moves for mounting;
The code reader includes a light emitter that emits light to the liquid information code portion and a light receiver that receives light from the liquid information code portion. The light emitter emits light when the sample container moves for mounting. The light is irradiated so that the area is scanned in the liquid information code part, and the code reader reads the light from each part of the liquid information code part irradiated with the light sequentially. It has the structure of.
In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 2 is the configuration of claim 1, wherein the liquid information code portion is a barcode, and the container mounting portion is a length of each bar of the barcode. It has a structure in which mounting is performed by moving the sample container in a direction perpendicular to the direction.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 3 is the configuration according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container mounting portion can correctly irradiate the liquid phase object in the sample container with excitation light, And mounting the sample container at a mounting position where the fluorescence from the fluorescent substance in the liquid phase object can be correctly detected by the detector,
The code reader has a configuration capable of detecting that the sample container is located at the mounting position.
In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 4 is the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an arithmetic processing unit that performs identification or quantification of a sample using a detection result in the detector is provided. Provided,
The information encoded in the liquid information code part includes information on the content of the test liquid,
The arithmetic processing unit has a configuration in which the sample is identified or quantified by performing different arithmetic processing according to the information related to the content of the test solution read by the code reader.
In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 5 is provided with a notification unit for notifying the user of information in the configuration of any one of claims 1 to 4.
The information encoded in the liquid information code part includes information on the expiration date of the test liquid,
When the code reader reads the liquid information code part, an arithmetic processing part is provided for determining whether the expiration date of the test liquid has passed,
The notification unit is configured to notify the user when the arithmetic processing unit determines that the expiration date has passed.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 6 is the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an arithmetic processing unit that performs identification or quantification of a sample by using a detection result in the detector. Provided,
The information encoded in the liquid information code part includes information on the production lot of the test liquid,
The arithmetic processing unit has a configuration in which the sample is identified or quantified by performing different arithmetic processing according to the information related to the production lot of the test solution read by the code reader.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 7 is the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sample container is attached to the optical system when the sample container is attached to the container attachment portion. It has the structure that the alignment part which makes it correctly face is provided.
In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 8 is the configuration according to claim 7, wherein the sample container has a singular part in a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the direction of movement, and the container The mounting part has a cross-sectional shape having a conforming part that is a part conforming to the shape of the singular part, and the positioning part is the conforming part, and the sample container is aligned with the conforming part. When is attached, the sample container is configured to be correctly oriented with respect to the optical system.
In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 9 is the configuration according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the alignment unit is configured such that when the sample container moves for mounting, the sample container The configuration is such that it is in the correct orientation with respect to the code reader.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 10 is a fluorescence measurement kit comprising a sample container that is used by being mounted on the container mounting part of the fluorometer according to any one of claims 1 to 9. In this case, the sample container has a test solution stored in advance, and the sample container has a configuration in which a liquid information code portion that encodes information on the stored test solution is provided.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 11 is a fluorescence measurement kit including a sample container that is used by being mounted on the container mounting part of the fluorometer according to claim 2, The container contains a test liquid in advance, and the sample container is provided with a liquid information code part that encodes information on the stored test liquid.
The sample container is long,
The liquid information code portion is a barcode provided on the side surface of the sample container, and has a configuration in which the length direction of each bar of the barcode coincides with the width direction of the sample container.
In order to solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 12 is a fluorescence measurement kit including a sample container that is used by being mounted on the container mounting part of the fluorometer according to claim 3, A test liquid is stored in the container in advance, and the sample container is provided with a mounting detection identification unit that can be read by the code reader when the sample container is located at the mounting position. It has a configuration.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 13 is a fluorescence measurement kit comprising a sample container that is used by being attached to the container mounting part of the fluorometer according to any one of claims 7 to 9. The sample container contains the test solution in advance, the sample container has a singular part in a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the direction of movement, and the singular part is a conforming part of the container mounting part. Has a configuration that fits.

As described below, according to the invention described in claim 1 or 10 of the present application, the code information is read by the code reader, so that the test solution information can be acquired and used for fluorescence measurement. For this reason, it is possible to carry out measurement without error and with high accuracy.
According to the invention described in claim 2 or 11, in addition to the above effect, the liquid information code portion is a bar code, so that it is suitable as a reading structure in a portable fluorometer.
According to the invention described in claim 3 or 12, in addition to the above effect, since the measurement operation can be performed after detecting that the sample container is mounted at the correct position, the measurement is performed without the sample container. And mistakes in which an erroneous measurement result is obtained by performing measurement in a state where the sample container is arranged at an inappropriate position can be prevented. At this time, since the code reader is also used for detecting the sample container, the structure is prevented from becoming complicated.
According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the above effect, the sample is identified or quantified by performing different arithmetic processing according to the information on the contents of the test solution. It becomes possible to perform identification or quantification with a meter, and it becomes a highly versatile fluorometer.
According to the invention described in claim 5, in addition to the above effect, when the expiration date has passed, the user is notified of the fact that the expiration date has passed. Disappears.
Further, according to the invention described in claim 6, in addition to the above effect, the sample is identified or quantified by performing different arithmetic processing depending on the production lot of the test solution. To get the best results.
According to the seventh aspect of the invention, in addition to the above effect, since the alignment unit is provided so that the sample container is correctly oriented with respect to the optical system, the measurement accuracy due to the incorrect orientation with respect to the optical system. Is prevented.
Further, according to the invention described in claim 8, since the alignment is automatically performed during the mounting operation of the sample container, the effect of the above-mentioned claim 7 becomes more complete.
According to the ninth aspect of the invention, in addition to the above-described effects, the orientation of the sample container with respect to the code reader is optimized by the alignment operation. The structure is also simplified.
In addition, according to the invention described in claim 13, a fluorescence measurement kit that provides the effect 7, 8 or 9 is provided.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a fluorometer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic front sectional view of the fluorometer shown in FIG. 1. It is the schematic of the fluorescence measurement kit used for the fluorometer of 1st embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a sample container included in the fluorescence measurement kit of FIG. 3. It is a block diagram of the fluorometer of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration and an operation principle of the code reader shown in FIG. 2. It is the figure shown about the detail of the liquid information code | cord | chord part in the fluorometer of 1st embodiment. It is the schematic shown about the example of the table. It is the flowchart which showed the outline of the main program. It is the schematic shown about the principal part of the fluorometer and fluorescence measurement kit of 2nd embodiment of this invention.

Next, modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a fluorometer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic front sectional view of the fluorometer shown in FIG.
As described above, the fluorometer of the present embodiment is a portable type in consideration of fluorescence measurement at various places. As shown in FIG. 1, the fluorometer of the present embodiment is a flat, substantially rectangular parallelepiped box-like thing as a whole. Since it is portable, its size is about the size of a person's palm or slightly larger.
As shown in FIG. 2, the fluorometer includes a light source 1, an optical system 2, a detector 3, a container mounting portion 4, and the like. The light source 1, the optical system 2, the detector 3, etc. are housed in a flat, substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing 5 as shown in FIG.

  The fluorometer of this embodiment is configured to measure fluorescence by putting a sample in a dedicated container. Hereinafter, this container is referred to as a sample container. The sample container contains a test solution in advance, and is provided to the measurer as a fluorescence measurement kit. In the present specification, the “object” means an object to be subjected to fluorescence measurement. Usually, the sample in which the sample is dissolved in the test solution is the liquid phase object. However, as will be described later, the fluorescence of the test solution may be measured without introducing the sample. = Liquid phase object. In this specification, “fluorescence” is a broader concept and includes phosphorescence.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a fluorescence measurement kit used in the fluorometer of the first embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a sample container included in the fluorescence measurement kit of FIG.
In the fluorescence measurement kit, a sample container 91 is enclosed in an individual bag 90 so as not to be soiled or mixed with foreign substances. The sample container 91 is a vertically long and narrow container as shown in FIG. The inside of the individual bag 90 may be degassed under reduced pressure or filled with nitrogen to prevent deterioration of the kit.

The sample container 91 includes a main body portion 911 and a cell portion 912 provided on the lower side of the main body portion 911. The main body portion 911 has a unique portion in a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the length direction. More specifically, the main body 911 is substantially cylindrical and has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape, but has a flat surface portion (hereinafter referred to as a flat surface portion) 913 on a part of the side surface. The flat surface portion 913 is a unique portion in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4, an opening 910 for inserting a sample is formed at the upper end of the sample container 91. An opening / closing lid 95 is provided in the opening 910. The cell portion 912 contains a test liquid 92 in advance. In the fluorescence measurement, the sample is put into the cell unit 912 and mixed with the test solution 92. The cell part 912 has a slightly smaller cross-sectional size than the main body part 911. The shape of the internal space of the cell portion 912 is a rectangular parallelepiped shape in this embodiment.

Such a sample container 91 (particularly the cell portion 912) is formed of a material that sufficiently transmits excitation light and fluorescence. Specifically, a glass container such as borosilicate glass, quartz, or sapphire, or a resin such as PMMA (acrylic resin), polystyrene, or COC (cyclic olefin copolymer) is used as the sample container 91. Note that when a lot of fluorescence is emitted from the sample container 91 itself when the excitation light is irradiated, it is difficult to distinguish the fluorescence from the liquid phase object. Those with less (fluorescence emitted by themselves) are selected.
In addition, from the viewpoint of preventing measurement accuracy from being deteriorated due to contamination, the sample container 91 is preferably disposable (used for one-time measurement). From this viewpoint, the material of the sample container 91 is preferably a resin such as PMMA in terms of cost.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a part of the upper surface of the casing 5 is an opening / closing lid 51. When the opening / closing lid 51 is opened, the insertion hole 40 is exposed as shown in FIG. The insertion hole 40 is an upper end opening of the container mounting portion 4. The container mounting portion 4 is disposed in the casing 5 so as to extend downward from the opening / closing portion of the opening / closing lid 51.
As shown in FIG. 1, the insertion hole 40 is adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the main body portion 911 of the sample container 91, and includes an arc-shaped portion and a linear portion (hereinafter, linear portion) 401. It is made up.
When the sample container 91 is attached to the fluorometer, the opening / closing lid 51 is opened and the sample container 91 is inserted into the insertion hole 40 as shown in FIG. At this time, the flat surface portion 913 of the main body portion 911 is brought into a state where it is aligned with the linear portion 401 of the insertion hole 40. In this state, the sample container 91 is pushed down as it is and mounted on the container mounting portion 4. Thereafter, the opening / closing lid 51 is closed.

  The light source 1 emits light (excitation light) that can excite a fluorescent substance in a liquid phase object to emit fluorescence. In the present embodiment, an LED lamp is used as the light source 1. Any lamp can be used as long as it emits light including excitation light. However, in this embodiment, an LED lamp is used in consideration of cost advantage and power saving. For example, LEDs emitting green light having a wavelength of 525 nm are commercially available from various companies, and those having a lens and an output of about 2 mW can be suitably employed.

  The optical system 2 guides excitation light from the light source 1 into the cell portion 912 of the sample container 91 and guides fluorescence from the liquid phase object in the cell portion 912 to the detector 3. In the present embodiment, the optical system 2 includes a condenser lens 21 that collects light from the light source 1, a dichroic mirror 22 for bending the optical path and selecting light, a filter 23 disposed on the optical path, 24 etc.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the dichroic mirror 22 is disposed at a position substantially the same height as the cell portion 912 of the sample container 91 mounted on the container mounting portion 4. The dichroic mirror 22 is disposed at an oblique angle of 45 °, and the light source 1 is disposed above the dichroic mirror 22. The light source 1 is configured to emit light downward. The dichroic mirror 22 reflects light having a wavelength of excitation light and transmits light having a wavelength of fluorescence to be measured.

  Further, the detector 3 is disposed at a position opposite to the container mounting portion 4 with the dichroic mirror 22 in between. The cell portion 912, the dichroic mirror 22, and the detector 3 of the sample container 91 mounted on the container mounting portion 4 are located at the same height and are arranged on a horizontal optical axis (detection optical axis). Has been. On the other hand, the optical axis (excitation optical axis) extending downward from the light source 1 is bent vertically by the dichroic mirror 22 and reaches the cell portion 912. The container mounting portion 4 has an opening so as not to block excitation light and fluorescence.

As the filter, an excitation light filter 23 and a fluorescence filter 24 are arranged. The excitation light filter 23 selectively transmits light having a wavelength serving as excitation light, and is disposed on the optical path between the light source 1 and the dichroic mirror 22. For example, as described above, when 525 nm green light is used as excitation light, the light that transmits light in the wavelength range of about 510 to 545 nm and reflects light in other wavelength ranges is used as the excitation light filter 23. Is done.
The fluorescence filter 24 selectively transmits light having a fluorescence wavelength to be measured, and is disposed between the dichroic mirror 22 and the detector 3. For example, when the wavelength of fluorescence is 550 to 630 nm, a filter that transmits light in the wavelength range of about 570 to 610 nm and reflects light in other wavelength ranges is used as the filter 24 for fluorescence.

  Since the filters 23 and 24 are used for excitation light and fluorescence as described above, a half mirror having no wavelength selectivity may be used instead of the dichroic mirror 22. However, in the case of a half mirror, the amount of light is halved, so the dichroic mirror 22 is more advantageous. When the transmission wavelength positions of the excitation light filter 23 and the fluorescence filter 24 are the above-described examples, the dichroic mirror 22 transmits light in a wavelength region of, for example, 570 nm or more and reflects light in a wavelength region of 545 nm or less. Those having characteristics (in the case of 45 ° incidence) can be used.

The condensing lens 21 is used to irradiate the liquid phase object in the cell unit 912 with a thin beam of light from the light source 1. The LED lamp as the light source 1 is preferably used with a small beam divergence angle. However, it is still wide enough to irradiate the small cell portion 912. I have to. The numerical aperture NA of the condenser lens 21 does not need to be so large, and may be about 0.5.
The condensing position by the condensing lens 21 (the position where the beam becomes the thinnest) is the center of the cell portion 912. The beam diameter is about 0.5 to 1.5 mm at the narrowest position. The condensing lens 21 is also disposed for the purpose of collecting the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent material in the liquid phase object and causing it to enter the detector 3.

The detector 3 is appropriately selected from those using photodiodes or phototubes. In this embodiment, the one using a silicon photodiode is employed.
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the display part 52 which displays the operation state and measurement result of a photometer, and some operation buttons 531-536 are provided in the front surface of the casing 5. As shown in FIG. As the display unit 52, a liquid crystal display can be employed, and a touch panel can be employed. In addition, a power switch (not shown) is provided on the side surface of the casing 5.

Next, the signal processing system of the fluorometer of the embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the fluorometer of the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, a control box 60 is provided in the casing 5. In the control box 60, there is provided a control unit 6 that controls each part and performs signal processing. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 6 includes a processor 61 as an arithmetic processing unit, a memory 62 for storing data and programs, and the like.
The detector 3 is a photoelectric conversion unit (silicon photodiode in this example) 31 that receives fluorescence, an amplifier 32 that amplifies the output signal of the photoelectric conversion unit 31, and a fluorescence intensity signal that is output based on the amplified signal. Output circuit 33. The output circuit 33 includes a calibration circuit for displaying the light intensity (fluorescence intensity) as an absolute value as necessary.

In addition to the output from the detector 3, operation signals from the operation buttons 531 to 536 and signals from the power switch are input to the control unit 6. Further, a display unit 52 is connected to the control unit 6 via an interface (not shown).
As shown in FIG. 2, a battery case 8 is provided in the casing 5. The battery case 8 is equipped with a battery for supplying necessary voltages to the light source 1, the detector 3, the control unit 6, and the like.

Such a fluorometer of this embodiment acquires information on the test liquid 92 previously stored in the sample container 91, and optimizes the measurement using this information. Hereinafter, this point will be described in detail.
First, as shown in FIG. 4, the sample container 91 included in the fluorescence measurement kit is provided with a liquid information code portion 93 that encodes information on the stored test liquid 92. In the present embodiment, the liquid information code portion 93 is a barcode as shown in FIG. The liquid information code portion 93 is provided on the side surface of the sample container 91. More specifically, the liquid information code portion 93 is provided on the flat surface portion 913 among the side surfaces. For example, the liquid information code part 93 can be obtained by printing a barcode on a sticker and pasting it on the flat surface part 913. In addition, the liquid information code portion 93 can be formed by laser marking on the flat surface portion 913.

On the other hand, the fluorimeter includes a code reader 7 that reads such a liquid information code section 93. Since the liquid information code part 93 is a bar code, the code reader 7 is a bar code reader. As shown in FIG. 2, the code reader 7 is attached to the container mounting portion 4.
The container mounting part 4 has a reading opening 41 at a midway height. A reader mounting portion 42 is formed so as to protrude obliquely upward from the edge of the reading opening 41. The reader attachment part 42 is a short cylindrical part. The code reader 7 is fitted and held in the reader attachment portion 42, and can be irradiated with light or received through the reading opening 41.

As shown in FIG. 2, the reading opening 41 and the reader mounting portion 42 are formed on the side surface on the center side of the container mounting portion 4. “Center side” means the center side of the fluorometer. Therefore, the code reader 7 also reads from the center side.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the code reader 7 shown in FIG. 2 and its operating principle. (1) in FIG. 6 shows a state in which the code reader 7 is reading the liquid information code portion 93, and (2) shows a state in which the code reader 7 operates as a sensor for detecting the mounting of the sample container 91. As shown in FIG. 6, the code reader 7 includes a light emitter 71 that emits light to the liquid information code portion 93, a light receiver 72 that receives light from the liquid information code portion 93, and an output signal from the light receiver 72. And a binarizing element 73 for obtaining a digital signal.

  As described above, the sample container 91 is inserted from the insertion hole 40 of the casing 5. At this time, since the linear portion 401 of the insertion hole 40 is aligned with the flat surface portion 913, the flat surface portion 913 faces the center side during insertion. When the sample container 91 is pushed down in this state, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the liquid information code portion 93 passes through the front of the reading opening 41, and at that time, the liquid information code portion is read by the code reader 7. 93 is read.

  More specifically, in the present embodiment, the position of the code reader 7 is fixed, and the liquid information code section 93 moves relative to this position. The light emitter 71 irradiates a certain area with light, and the liquid information code part 93 passes through this light irradiation area. Therefore, the liquid information code | cord | chord part 93 reaches a light irradiation area | region, and light irradiation is performed for the lower end part, and an upper part is light-irradiated sequentially with a movement. Then, when the movement is completed (when the attachment is completed), the light irradiation up to the upper end is completed. That is, the light irradiation region is relatively scanned (scanned) by the movement of the sample container 91.

As shown in FIG. 6A, during scanning, light from the liquid information code portion 93 irradiated with light enters the light receiver 72, and the binarization element 73 processes the output. The light that enters the light receiver 72 reflects the brightness of the barcode, and the binarization element 73 outputs a digital signal accordingly. As shown in FIG. 2, the code reader 7 of this embodiment irradiates light from an oblique direction, but light is diffused or scattered on the surface of the liquid information code portion 93 and the light is captured by the light receiver 72. It will be. In many cases, it is recommended that the light receiving device 72 does not receive strong reflected light from the light emitting device 71. In this embodiment, the code reader 7 is attached obliquely in consideration of this.
As such a code reader 7, for example, RPU813T manufactured by Okaya Electric Industry Co., Ltd. can be used. Moreover, what used the laser oscillator for the light-emitting device 71 may be used, for example, H0A6480 etc. of Honeywell company can be used.

  In the present embodiment, the code reader 7 also serves as a container sensor that detects completion of the mounting of the sample container 91. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the liquid information code portion 93 has a white relatively large rectangular portion (hereinafter referred to as a rectangular portion) 94 following the portion where the inspection liquid information is converted into a barcode. The rectangular portion 92 is provided as a portion that is read by the code reader 7 in order to detect the completion of the mounting of the sample container 91 (hereinafter, a mounting detection identifying portion). That is, the rectangular portion 94 is a portion having a high reflectance, and when the sample container 91 is correctly positioned at the mounting position, the code reader 7 emits light and receives the return light as shown in FIG. Is in position.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 6 includes an attachment confirmation unit 63 that holds information indicating that the attachment state of the sample container 91 is confirmed. A signal output when the code reader 7 reads the rectangular portion 94 is sent to the attachment confirmation portion 63. When the information is stored in software, the mounting confirmation unit 63 is a specific storage area of the memory, but may be stored in hardware, for example, a holding circuit, a photocoupler, or the like. May hold that the mounting confirmation is on.

Next, details of the information on the test liquid coded in the liquid information code section 93 and optimization of measurement using the information will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing details of the liquid information code portion 93 in the fluorometer of the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 shows an example of information of the liquid information code section 93. More specifically, an example of a format when stored in the liquid information code section 93 is shown. The format is a rule for encoding information in the liquid information code unit 93. In the present embodiment, the liquid information code section 93 is a bar code, and in the bar code, numeric information of about 8 to 13 digits is coded. For example, a 10-digit number is set as the test liquid information. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, the first digit is set as the test solution specifying information, the next six digits are set as the expiration date information, and the next three digits are set as the lot information.

  The test liquid specifying information is information specifying what test liquid is stored. Assuming that one digit is given as the test liquid specifying information as described above, the test liquid specifying information is specified by the numbers 0 to 9, so that ten different test liquids can be specified. In the fluorometer of this embodiment, for example, about four different samples can be identified or quantified, and a dedicated test solution is used for each. Each test liquid is given a test liquid ID (test liquid specifying information) of 0 to 3. When the code reader 7 reads the liquid information code section 93, it can be known which of the four test liquids are stored according to what the first number is. Further, if two digits are given as the test liquid specifying information, each number from 00 to 99 becomes the test liquid ID, so that a maximum of 100 different test liquids can be specified.

Regarding the expiration date information, the first two digits are abbreviations of the year (13 in 2013), the next two digits are the month, and the next two digits are the day. If it is 130420, it means that April 20, 2013 is the expiration date.
There are several different formats for lot information. As a simple example, a lot number may be used as lot information. As another example, it is conceivable to use compensation data for compensating variation in characteristics for each lot as lot information.

Next, measurement using the reading result of the liquid information code unit 93 will be described.
As described above, the fluorometer of the present embodiment is a measuring instrument that performs identification or quantification of a sample, and a test solution to be used differs depending on what is identified or quantified as a sample. For example, when performing identification, a test solution that reacts only with a target substance is generally used. The intensity of fluorescence changes before and after the reaction, and the sample is identified based on the presence or absence of the change.

When a target substance in a sample is quantified by fluorescence measurement, a test solution that can fluorescently label the sample is often used. Using a reagent that can fluorescently label only the target substance in the sample, dissolve the sample in a test solution that contains the reagent at a known concentration, label the target substance with fluorescence, and then adjust the luminous intensity (fluorescence emission intensity) of the sample. taking measurement. Then, the amount of the target substance is determined by comparing the measurement result with the relationship between the luminous intensity and the amount of the target substance (hereinafter referred to as calibration data) examined in advance.
In some cases, both quantitative and identification of the target substance can be performed by photometric measurement. For example, if the degree of change in fluorescence intensity before and after the reaction with the test solution depends on the amount of the target substance, and such a reaction occurs only for the target substance, quantification and identification can be performed. An example of this is fluorescence measurement using the antibody-antigen reaction described above.

Whether identification or quantification, reference data is needed to obtain results. The reference data is a threshold for the amount of change in fluorescence intensity if it is identification, and is calibration data if it is quantitative. In the present embodiment, such reference data is stored in advance in the memory 62 in the control unit 6.
On the other hand, there are cases where a single fluorometer can be used to identify or quantify only one specific type of target substance. However, since it is not very versatile, identification or quantification is required for at least several types of target substances. It is common to be able to do this. In this case, the reference data for each target substance is stored in the memory 62 and selected and used.

  In order to perform measurement using such reference data and the result of reading by the code reader 7, several programs are installed in the memory 62 and can be executed by the processor 61. One of the programs is a main program, and the other program is a subprogram that is called from the main program and executed. One of the subprograms is a measurement program.

In order to optimize the measurement according to the test liquid information, it is necessary to specify what is the target substance according to the test liquid specifying information and to select a measurement program and reference data accordingly. Therefore, the memory 62 stores a table (correspondence table) for selecting a measurement program and reference data. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of this table.
As shown in FIG. 8, the table associates each detection solution ID with the name of the target substance, the name of the measurement program to be used, reference data, and the like, and can be said to be a database. Such a table is created in advance and stored in the memory 62 when the fluorometer is shipped. If the reference data is a group of information, it may be recorded in a file and the file name may be registered in the table.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an outline of the main program. The main program starts automatically when the power switch of the photometer is turned on. The main program first confirms the mounting of the sample container 91. Normally, since the sample container 91 is not attached, the output signal of the attachment confirmation unit 63 is OFF, and a signal indicating that no container is present is input to the control unit 6. After confirming the signal indicating no container, the main program displays an initial screen that prompts the user to attach the sample container 91 on the display unit 52. This is a screen displaying a message such as “Please attach the sample container”.

  As an exception, a signal indicating that there is a container may be sent from the code reader 7. This is a case where the sample container 91 is already mounted and the code reader 7 is reading the rectangular portion 94. Whether the sample container 91 used in the previous measurement remains attached or whether the power switch is turned on after the sample container 91 is attached. In any case, since the test solution information necessary for the measurement is not acquired, the main program displays a screen for remounting the sample container 91. The screen is such as “The sample container is still attached. Please reattach the sample container.”

  When the sample container 91 is inserted from the insertion hole 40 and is correctly attached to the container attachment part 4, the liquid information code part 93 is read by the code reader 7 using the movement at that time as described above, and the inspection liquid information Is sent to the control unit 6. The control unit 6 stores the test solution information in a predetermined area of the memory 62. Further, the code reader 7 reads the rectangular portion 94, and the signal is sent to the attachment confirmation unit 63, and the information is held in the attachment confirmation unit 63.

The main program refers to the memory 62 and confirms whether test solution information has been acquired. If not acquired, the display state of the above-described screen (screen for prompting mounting of the sample container) is maintained. In addition, referring to the mounting confirmation unit 63, it is checked whether the container mounting is confirmed. If it is not confirmed, the display state of the screen is similarly maintained.
When the test liquid information can be acquired and the mounting of the sample container 91 is confirmed, the main program processes the test liquid information and acquires the test liquid specifying information, the expiration date information, and the lot information, respectively.

  Next, the main program calls the table shown in FIG. 8 from the memory 62, and acquires the target substance name for the detection liquid according to the detection liquid ID. The target substance name is displayed on the display unit 52 for confirmation. For example, a display such as “Check that the sample container is installed. The target substance is XX” is displayed.

  Next, the main program calls the system time (the real-time clock held by the processor as internal information), compares it with the expiration date information, and determines whether the expiration date has passed. If the expiration date has passed, an error message to that effect is displayed on the display unit 52. There are two operations when the expiration date has passed. One is an operation of allowing measurement while displaying on the display unit 52 an error message indicating that the measurement accuracy may be lowered because the expiration date has passed. The other is an operation of displaying that the expiration date has passed on the display unit 52 and stopping the measurement (no result is output). The main program shown in FIG. 9 performs the former operation. Specifically, although not shown in FIG. 9, when a message indicating that the expiration date has passed is displayed, a screen asking whether to continue the measurement is displayed, and either the continue button or the cancel button is displayed. To be pressed. If the continue button is pressed on this screen, the main program proceeds to the next step. If the cancel button is pressed, the main program is terminated without performing measurement.

  After checking the expiration date, the main program refers to the table according to the test liquid ID, acquires reference data for the test liquid, acquires the name of the measurement program for the test liquid, and executes the measurement program To do. At this time, the main program uses lot information as necessary. For example, if the lot information is information indicating variation in characteristics of each lot of the test solution, the reference data is corrected according to the lot information, and identification and quantification are performed based on the corrected reference data. The execution result (measurement result) of the measurement program is displayed on the display unit 52.

  When measuring the change in fluorescence intensity before and after the reaction, the measurement program first displays a message such as “Please press the measurement button without loading the sample”. When the light source 1 is operated by pressing the measurement button and the detector 3 captures the fluorescence and outputs the fluorescence intensity, the measurement program stores the value in a memory variable. When this is completed, the measurement program displays a message such as “Put the sample and shake it lightly, then attach it again and press the measurement button”. Similarly, when the fluorescence intensity is output from the detector 3 by pressing the measurement button, the measurement program stores the value in another memory variable. Then, the ratio between the two is taken and the value is compared with the reference data (threshold value). According to the comparison result, it is determined whether or not the target substance is contained in the sample, and the result is displayed on the display unit 52 as a measurement result.

A method for using the fluorometer of the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described by taking a more specific example. As a more specific example, it is assumed that the fluorometer of this embodiment is used for the control of prohibited drugs as described above. This is a measurement that uses an antigen-antibody reaction to examine whether a sample contains a prohibited drug by a change in fluorescence intensity.
For example, it is assumed that the fluorometer is capable of detecting four prohibited drugs, cocaine, heroin, stimulant and cannabis. Therefore, it is planned that any one of cocaine, heroin, stimulant, and cannabis is used as the test solution. On the other hand, when identifying the target substance by eliminating quenching, the threshold value of the fluorescence intensity enhancement rate by eliminating quenching is the reference data, and the threshold values for each of the four prohibited drugs are stored in the memory 62 as reference data. Yes.

  For example, suppose that white powder, which seems to be a prohibited drug, is attached to a package during customs inspection. The clerk decides that an inspection is necessary and temporarily collects the baggage before collecting the powder. First, a fluorescence measurement kit for cocaine is used and fluorescence measurement is performed without introducing a sample, and then a part of the powder is introduced into the sample container 91 to perform fluorescence measurement again. As a result of the measurement, when it is determined that the fluorescence enhancement rate falls below the threshold value and the powder is not cocaine, it is displayed on the display unit 52. Next, using the fluorescence measurement kit for heroin, measurement is performed in the same manner. I do. And when the result that it is not heroin is displayed similarly, the fluorescence measurement kit for stimulants is used next and it measures similarly. If the result is that it is not a stimulant, then further measurement is performed using a cannabis fluorescence measurement kit. In this way, it is possible to identify whether or not a sample is a specific prohibited drug by sequentially using dedicated fluorescence measurement kits.

  Besides the control of prohibited drugs at customs, the fluorometer of this embodiment can be used. For example, when a prohibited drug is detected at a crime investigation site, a chemical substance left at the crime scene is identified and used as evidence. In addition to these, the fluorometer of the present embodiment can also be used in a doping test performed in, for example, a sports competition. In this case, a small amount of urine from the subject may be collected and used as a sample.

As a more specific example in terms of materials, for example, for methamphetamine known as a typical stimulant, a technique for producing a monoclonal antibody as an anti-methamphetamine antibody by culturing a cell line obtained by immunizing an animal Are disclosed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 1-96198, 5-7497, 6-261784, etc.). Further, as fluorescent dyes for methamphetamine, those composed of a pentamethine cyanine derivative (JP-A-6-66725) and those composed of a merocyanine derivative (JP-A-8-92211) are known.
Therefore, as a test solution for methamphetamine, an appropriately selected anti-methamphetamine antibody is labeled by binding an appropriately selected fluorescent labeling dye and dissolved in a PBS solution (phosphate buffer solution). Can be used.

  According to the fluorometer and the fluorescence measurement kit of the present embodiment, the liquid information code section 93 is provided in the sample container 91, and the code reader 7 reads the liquid information code 93. It can be used for measurement. Therefore, it is possible not to use the wrong test solution, not to use the test solution whose expiration date has passed, and to perform optimum measurement according to the production lot. For this reason, it is possible to carry out a measurement with no error stably and accurately.

  As for the expiration date, in the above description, it is determined whether the expiration date is exceeded using the system time (current time). However, what is acquired from the liquid information code unit 63 is the date of manufacture and the usage period. In addition, there may be a configuration in which the expiration date is determined from the information. That is, the elapsed period may be calculated by subtracting the date of manufacture from the system time, and the acquired usage period may be compared with the calculated elapsed period to determine whether the expiration date has passed.

  The code reader 7 with the built-in fluorometer is optimized in consideration of the portable type. An information code such as a bar code can be read by connecting a dedicated code reader to the measuring instrument. In this case, a dedicated code reader can be used. Such a configuration is possible in the case of a large-sized stationary measuring instrument arranged in a laboratory, but is not practical as a portable type. Both the fluorometer and the code reader must always be carried and must be connected for each measurement, which is very complicated. Since the fluorometer of the present embodiment has a built-in code reader, it is free from such trouble.

  Moreover, the point that the code reader 7 reads using the movement of the sample container 91 for mounting simplifies the structure for reading, and is very suitable as a portable fluorescence altimeter. It has become a thing. For example, a dedicated barcode reader that reads barcodes irradiates the barcodes with light and reads the light and darkness of each bar almost simultaneously. Even if such a barcode reader is incorporated in the photometer, it is possible to obtain information on the test solution, but there is a drawback that the structure is large and complicated. On the other hand, since the photometer of the embodiment uses the movement of the sample container 91 for mounting for scanning, the structure of the code reader 7 becomes extremely simple. For this reason, it becomes very suitable as a portable fluorometer.

Moreover, the point that the liquid information code part 93 is a bar code has another significance. In the case of the fluorometer as in the embodiment, the sample container is preferably long. This is because a portion (cell portion 912 in this embodiment) for accommodating a sample is provided at the end of a long container, and this is arranged at a deep position in the casing 5 to minimize the influence of external light. It is. If the part containing the sample is placed near the casing 5 and irradiated with excitation light, external light will be mixed into the detector or external light (its intensity will vary depending on the environment) is excited. I get lost in the light. Therefore, it is desirable to use a long sample container and set the deep position of the casing as the sample arrangement position.
If the sample container is long, the location where the liquid information code part is formed must be narrow, so QR code (registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED) Two-dimensional codes are not suitable. This is because it becomes very small and difficult to read. Therefore, using a one-dimensional bar code so that each bar is oriented in the width direction of the sample container is optimal for a portable fluorometer.

  Further, the fluorometer of the present embodiment can detect that the sample container 91 is mounted at the correct position, and the measurement operation is performed after detecting the mounting at the correct position. Mistakes that cause measurement in a state where there is no error, and mistakes that result in incorrect measurement results by performing measurement in a state where the sample container 91 is placed at an inappropriate position are prevented. At this time, since the code reader 7 is also used for detecting the sample container 91, the structure is prevented from being complicated, and in this respect as well, it is suitable as a portable fluorometer.

The liquid information code portion 93 provided on the flat surface portion 913 has the significance of facilitating the forming operation of the liquid information code portion 93 such as sticking a seal and further stabilizing the reading by the code reader 7. . If the liquid information code portion 93 is formed on a curved surface, reading by the code reader 7 tends to become unstable, but this embodiment does not have such a problem.
Also. Although the white rectangular portion 94 is provided as the attachment detection identifying portion, it is needless to say that it may be a black portion. Providing a white or black part as the identification part for attachment detection is a simple configuration when the code reader 7 is also used. However, a special pattern is provided for container attachment detection, and this pattern is read by the image sensor. It is also possible to detect container mounting.

In the configuration of the present embodiment, the flat surface portion 913 of the sample container 91 and the linear portion 401 of the opening 40 of the container mounting portion 4 are in a predetermined posture with respect to the optical system 2 of the fluorometer. It functions as an alignment unit.
In order to perform highly accurate fluorescence measurement, the sample container 91 needs to be arranged in a predetermined posture with respect to the optical system 2. In particular, in this embodiment, the cell part 912 into which the sample is introduced has a square cross section, and the wall surface of the cell part 912 needs to be perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system 2. If it is not vertical, the excitation light and the generated fluorescence are reflected on the wall surface in a large amount, which may lead to a reduction in efficiency and accuracy.

  In the present embodiment, when the sample container 91 is inserted with the flat surface portion 913 of the sample container 91 aligned with the linear portion 401 of the opening 40 of the container mounting portion 4, the wall surface of the cell portion 912 becomes the optical axis of the optical system 2. It will be correctly vertical. For this reason, there is no problem that the reflected light increases and the efficiency and accuracy decrease. Since the sample container 91 cannot be inserted unless the flat surface portion is aligned with the linear portion 401, the alignment is automatically performed, and the problem is completely prevented.

Further, as can be seen from the above description, the conforming structure of the flat surface portion 913 of the sample container 91 and the linear portion 401 of the opening 40 is such that the sample container 91 moves relative to the code reader 7 when the sample container 91 moves for mounting. There is also a significance of facing the right direction. The correct orientation is an orientation in which the liquid information code portion 93 is correctly read by the code reader 7. That is, the reading error of the code reader 7 is prevented by a simple structure.
In addition, as a position alignment part, the simple thing which only provides a mark other than the structure which provides and adapts a part with a peculiar shape to both may be sufficient as mentioned above. For example, marks may be provided on the upper surface of the sample container 91 and the edge of the opening 40 of the container mounting portion, and the correct position may be obtained by mounting the marks together.

  In the present embodiment, the display unit 52 functions as a notification unit that informs the measurer of the target substance and informs the measurer that the expiration date has passed. As the notification unit, in addition to the case of visual notification like the display unit 52, a means for notifying by voice (message sound) may be employed. As a visual measure, an error lamp may be used for notification.

Next, the fluorometer of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the main parts of the fluorometer and the fluorescence measurement kit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
In the above embodiment, the liquid information code unit 93 is a bar code (one-dimensional code), but a two-dimensional code can also be implemented. The second embodiment is an example of this.
More specifically, the liquid information code portion 93 of the second embodiment is a grid-like code portion divided into three vertically and horizontally, and one square portion is “0”. A portion (hereinafter referred to as a dot) 95 carrying digital information of “1”.

  In the second embodiment, the code reader 7 includes three light emitters 71 and three light receivers 72a to 72c in accordance with the number of dots 95 in the horizontal direction. The three light emitters 71 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction, and are provided so as to irradiate each dot 95 with light when the three dots 95 in a certain row reach a predetermined position. Each of the light receivers 72a to 72c is provided so that light from each dot 95 in one row irradiated with light enters. That is, the leftmost light receiver 72a monitors the brightness of the leftmost dot 95a, the middle light receiver 72b monitors the lightness and darkness of the middle dot 95b, and the rightmost light receiver 72c is the rightmost light receiver 72c. The brightness of the dot 95c is monitored. As the sample container 91 moves, the light irradiation region and the monitor region are sequentially shifted to the next row, and reading is completed when light irradiation and light reception (brightness / darkness monitoring) are performed for each dot 95 in the last row. It is.

  When the binarization element 73 converts the output of each light receiver 71 into a digital signal, nine “0” and “1” signals (9-bit signals) are obtained as shown in FIG. If the format of the 9-bit information is determined in advance and the test solution information is coded, the test solution information can be acquired by decoding. The light emitter 71 may be configured by arranging LED lamps, and the light receivers 72a to 73c may be a package of a plurality of light receiving elements (for example, S8665 series manufactured by Hamamatsu Photonics). it can.

  In this embodiment, a simple two-dimensional code composed of nine dots 95 is used as the liquid information code 93 in order to avoid complication of the structure. However, a more complicated two-dimensional code such as a QR code is used as the liquid information code section. It can also be. Also in this case, if the scanning of light irradiation and light reception is performed by using the movement of the sample container 91 for mounting, the structure of the code reader does not become large and is suitable as a portable fluorometer. It becomes. For example, an elongated light irradiation region slightly longer than the width of the QR code is set, and the sample container 91 moves (scans) in the vertical direction as the sample container 91 moves.

In addition, since the fluorometer of each embodiment is a portable type, not only measurement in a limited place such as a laboratory or a measurement room, but also fluorescence measurement is performed in various other places, or a sample is collected. Fluorescence measurement can be performed at the site and results can be obtained quickly.
In addition to the use of prohibited drugs and criminal investigations described above, the fluorometers of each embodiment are used for process monitoring in various plants, environmental investigations such as water quality tests, research and development of new drugs, clinical diagnosis of various diseases, and It can be used for the purpose of inspection of various foods and chemicals. Even in such surveys, research and development, various inspections, etc., there are many cases in which fluorescence should be measured and quickly identified and quantified at the site where the sample is collected, and the fluorometer of the embodiment is extremely useful. high.

  Moreover, in the fluorometer of each embodiment, the optical system 2 is made to enter the cell part 912 in the state which condensed the excitation light, However, The optical system 2 which makes it enter as parallel light may be employ | adopted. Further, when the spread of the excitation light from the light source 1 is small, it may be incident on the cell portion 912 as it is. In addition, a laser oscillator may be used as the light source 1, and ultraviolet light may be used as excitation light.

In each of the above embodiments, the liquid information code portion 93 is formed in a black and white pattern. However, the liquid information code portion is formed by patterning a highly reflective portion with metal, plating, or the like. It can happen.
In addition, the table and each measurement program stored in the memory 62 may be periodically updated. For example, information on a table may be updated or a measurement program may be added and installed for a target substance that has been developed with a test solution and can be newly identified or quantified.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Light source 2 Optical system 3 Detector 4 Container mounting part 40 Insertion hole 41 Linear part 5 Casing 52 Display part 6 Control part 7 Code reader 71 Light emitter 72 Light receiver 91 Sample container 912 Cell part 913 Flat surface part 92 Test liquid 93 Liquid Information code part

Claims (13)

A fluorometer that measures the intensity of fluorescence from a fluorescent substance in a liquid phase object using a sample container in which a test solution is previously stored;
A container mounting part for mounting a sample container;
A light source that emits excitation light capable of exciting a fluorescent substance in a liquid phase object in a sample container to emit fluorescence;
A detector for detecting the fluorescence emitted by the fluorescent material;
An optical system that guides excitation light from a light source to a liquid phase object in a sample container and guides fluorescence from the liquid phase object to a detector;
The sample container is provided with a liquid information code part that encodes the information of the stored test liquid,
The container mounting part has a structure in which the sample container is mounted by moving in a specific direction,
A code reader is provided for optically reading the liquid information code portion of the sample container when the sample container moves for mounting;
The code reader includes a light emitter that emits light to the liquid information code portion and a light receiver that receives light from the liquid information code portion. The light emitter emits light when the sample container moves for mounting. The light is irradiated so that the area is scanned in the liquid information code part, and the code reader reads the light from each part of the liquid information code part irradiated with the light sequentially. A fluorometer characterized by that.   The liquid information code part is a bar code, and the container mounting part has a structure in which mounting is performed by moving the sample container in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of each bar of the bar code. The fluorometer according to claim 1. The container mounting unit is configured to mount the sample at a mounting position where the liquid phase object in the sample container can be correctly irradiated with excitation light and the fluorescence from the fluorescent substance in the liquid phase object can be correctly detected by a detector. To attach the container,
The fluorometer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the code reader is capable of detecting that the sample container is located at a mounting position. An arithmetic processing unit for performing identification or quantification of a sample using a detection result in the detector is provided,
The information encoded in the liquid information code part includes information on the content of the test liquid,
The calculation processing unit performs identification or quantification of a sample by performing different calculation processing according to information on the content of the test solution read by the code reader. The fluorometer described. There is a notification section to notify users of information,
The information encoded in the liquid information code part includes information on the expiration date of the test liquid,
When the code reader reads the liquid information code part, an arithmetic processing part is provided for determining whether the expiration date of the test liquid has passed,
5. The fluorometer according to claim 1, wherein when the arithmetic processing unit determines that the expiration date has passed, the notification unit notifies the user of the fact. An arithmetic processing unit for performing identification or quantification of a sample using a detection result in the detector is provided,
The information encoded in the liquid information code part includes information on the production lot of the test liquid,
The calculation processing unit performs identification or quantification of a sample by performing different calculation processing according to information on a production lot of the test solution read by the code reader. The fluorometer described in 1.   The position adjustment part which makes the said sample container correctly face with respect to the said optical system when the said sample container is mounted in the said container mounting part is provided. Fluorometer.   The sample container has a singular part in a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the direction of movement, and the container mounting part has a cross-sectional shape having a conforming part that is a part suitable for the shape of the singular part. The alignment portion is the matching portion, and when the sample container is mounted while aligning the singular portion with the matching portion, the sample container is correctly oriented with respect to the optical system. The fluorometer according to claim 7.   9. The alignment unit according to claim 7 or 8, wherein when the sample container moves for mounting, the sample container has a correct orientation with respect to the code reader. Fluorometer.   A fluorescence measurement kit comprising a sample container that is used by being attached to the container mounting part of the fluorometer according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a test solution is stored in advance in the sample container, A fluorescence measurement kit, characterized in that the container is provided with a liquid information code portion that encodes information of a test liquid contained therein. A fluorescence measurement kit comprising a sample container that is used by being mounted on a container mounting portion of the fluorometer according to claim 2, wherein a test solution is stored in advance in the sample container, and the sample container stores A liquid information code part that encodes the information of the test liquid being processed is provided,
The sample container is long,
The liquid information code part is a barcode provided on the side surface of the sample container, and the length direction of each bar of the barcode coincides with the width direction of the sample container.   A fluorescence measurement kit comprising a sample container that is used by being mounted on a container mounting part of a fluorometer according to claim 3, wherein the sample container contains a test solution in advance, A fluorescence measuring kit, comprising: an identification part for attachment detection that can be read by the code reader when a sample container is located at the attachment position.   A fluorescence measurement kit comprising a sample container that is used by being attached to the container mounting part of the fluorometer according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein a test solution is stored in advance in the sample container, The fluorescence measuring kit, wherein the container has a singular part in a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the direction of movement, and the singular part has a shape in which the conforming part of the container mounting part fits.

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