JP2017166950A - Stirring system, chip, and stirring method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a stirring system, a chip, and a stirring method that can stir fluid in a chip using a stirrer and that can suppress backflow and outflow of fluid during stirring. An inspection chip 2 includes a quantification unit 70 for holding fluid, a stirring unit 90 connected to the quantification unit, and a stirring bar 91A that is disposed in the stirring unit 90 and is movable between a first position and a second position. , 92A. The inspection apparatus rotates the inspection chip 2 to change the chip angle within a relative movement range between the first angle and the second angle. During the execution of the stirring control, when the tip angle is the first angle, the first position is arranged on the downstream side of the centrifugal force vector with respect to the second position. When the tip angle is the second angle, the second position is arranged downstream of the centrifugal force vector from the first position. When the tip angle is any angle within the relative movement range, at least a part of the stirring unit 90 is downstream of the centrifugal force vector with respect to the flow path 167 on the quantitative unit 70 side. [Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an agitation system, a chip, and an agitation method for performing a chemical, medical, or biological inspection of a test object.

  Conventionally, in a system for inspecting a specimen such as a biological substance or a chemical substance, various techniques for stirring the specimen in a chip have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus including a sample container having a magnetic stir bar inside and a drive magnet. This apparatus stirs the sample by moving the magnetic stir bar in the sample container by the reciprocating movement of the drive magnet. Further, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a method in which a stirrer is added to a solution containing a test substance to be accommodated in a concave portion of the carrier, and the carrier is revolved in a substantially horizontal direction. In this method, the direction of the centrifugal force acting on the stirrer changes periodically in the direction of 360 degrees according to the revolution of the carrier. The stirring bar is moved by this centrifugal force, and stirring in the solution is performed.

JP 2006-90894 A JP 2007-285828 A

  In the case of the device described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide a drive magnet in the device and control the reciprocating operation of the drive magnet by the drive means. For this reason, there is a problem that it is not preferable in terms of the size and cost of the apparatus. Furthermore, the region where the magnetic stir bar can be reciprocated is limited to the vicinity of the drive magnet. For this reason, there exists a problem that the position which can arrange | position a magnetic stirring bar is restrict | limited.

  In the case of the method described in Patent Document 2, the centrifugal force that periodically changes in the direction of 360 degrees acts on the stirrer and also on the solution. For this reason, for example, when a chip having a plurality of chambers is used and stirring is performed by the above method as one of a series of processes in which liquid is transferred between different chambers, the following problem occurs: May occur. That is, the solution may flow back to the previous chamber during stirring or may flow out to the next chamber before the stirring is completed.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a stirring system, a chip, and a stirring method that can stir the fluid in the chip using a stirrer and can suppress backflow and outflow of the fluid during stirring. It is.

  The stirring system according to the first aspect of the present invention is a stirring system including a chip that can contain a fluid and a stirring device that stirs the fluid in the chip, and the stirring device includes a first shaft. A first rotation mechanism that changes a direction vector indicating a relative direction of acceleration acting on the chip with respect to the chip by rotating the chip as a center, and a control unit that controls the first rotation mechanism. The chip is disposed in the agitation part, the first fluid holding part for holding the fluid, the agitation part connected to the first fluid holding part via the first flow path, and the first shaft. And a stirrer that is held so as to be movable between two different positions in a direction intersecting with the first position and the second position, and the control unit controls the first rotation mechanism to control the first rotation mechanism. To rotate the tip The agitation control is executed to change the tip angle, which is an angle of the direction vector with respect to a predetermined reference axis of the tip orthogonal to the first axis, within a relative movement range between the first angle and the second angle. During execution of the stirring control, when the tip angle is the first angle, the first position is on the downstream side of the direction vector with respect to the second position, and the tip angle is equal to the second angle. When the second position is on the downstream side of the direction vector with respect to the first position, and the tip angle is any angle within the relative movement range, at least a part of the stirring unit is It is characterized in that it is on the downstream side of the direction vector with respect to the end of the first flow path on the stirring unit side.

  The chip according to the second aspect of the present invention is a chip that can contain a fluid, and includes a first fluid holding part, a stirring part connected to the first fluid holding part via a first flow path, A direction vector indicating a relative direction of acceleration acting on the chip, the stirrer being disposed in the stirring unit and having a stirring bar movably held between two different positions, a first position and a second position By changing a tip angle, which is an angle with respect to a predetermined reference axis of the tip orthogonal to the first axis, in a relative movement range between the first angle and the second angle, the fluid of the stirring unit When the tip angle is the first angle, the first position is on the downstream side of the direction vector with respect to the second position, and the tip angle is the first angle. When the angle is two, the second position is the front When the tip angle is any angle within the relative movement range from the first position on the downstream side of the direction vector, at least a part of the agitation unit is the agitation of the first flow path. It is characterized in that it is on the downstream side of the direction vector with respect to the end portion on the part side.

  The stirring method according to the third aspect of the present invention includes a first fluid holding unit that holds fluid, a stirring unit that is connected to the first fluid holding unit via a first flow path, and two different ones in the stirring unit. A stirring method for stirring the fluid in a chip having a stirring bar that is movably held between a first position and a second position, and the fluid is held in the stirring section. In this state, the chip is rotated about the first axis, and the direction vector indicating the relative direction of the acceleration acting on the chip with respect to the chip is changed to change the predetermined direction of the chip orthogonal to the first axis. The tip angle, which is an angle of the direction vector with respect to the reference axis, is changed in a relative movement range between the first angle and the second angle, and the tip angle is changed during the stirring control. The first corner In this case, the first position is on the downstream side of the direction vector with respect to the second position, and when the tip angle is the second angle, the second position is more than the direction vector with respect to the first position. When the tip angle is any angle within the relative movement range, at least a part of the stirring unit is more than the end of the first channel on the stirring unit side. It is characterized by being downstream of the direction vector.

  In the first to third aspects, the stirring device executes stirring control for changing the tip angle within a relative movement range between the first angle and the second angle. Thereby, the stirring device changes the direction vector of the acceleration acting on the stirring bar of the stirring unit. When the tip angle is the first angle, the first position is arranged downstream of the direction vector from the second position. When the tip angle is the second angle, the second position is arranged downstream of the direction vector from the first position. For this reason, the stirring device can reciprocate the stirring bar between the first position and the second position by stirring control. Therefore, the stirring device can stir the fluid in the stirring portion of the chip with the stirring bar. Further, during the execution of the stirring control, at least a part of the stirring unit is always arranged on the downstream side of the direction vector with respect to the end of the first flow path on the stirring unit side. For this reason, the fluid accommodated in at least a part of the stirring unit is held in the stirring unit during the stirring control. Therefore, the stirring device can suppress the fluid from moving through the first flow path between the stirring unit and the first fluid holding unit during execution of the stirring control.

2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an inspection system 3. FIG. It is sectional drawing which looked at the AA line of FIG. 1 from the arrow direction. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper part of the inspection system 3 with the upper housing 4A removed, and a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the inspection system 3. It is a perspective view of the test | inspection chip 2. FIG. It is a front view of the test | inspection chip 2. FIG. It is a rear view of the test | inspection chip 2. FIG. 2 is a plan view of an inspection chip 2. FIG. 4 is a right side view of the inspection chip 2. FIG. It is sectional drawing which looked at the BB line of FIG. 8 from the arrow direction. It is sectional drawing which looked at CC line of FIG. 5 from the arrow direction. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the inside of a frame line W1 in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the inside of a frame line W1 in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the inside of a frame line W2 in FIG. 5. It is sectional drawing which looked at the DD line | wire of FIG. 5 from the arrow direction. It is a flowchart of a centrifugation process. It is a figure which shows a mode that the fluid moves the inside of the test | inspection chip. It is a figure which shows a mode that the fluid moves the inside of the test | inspection chip. It is a figure which shows a mode that the fluid moves the inside of the test | inspection chip. It is a figure which shows a mode that the fluid moves the inside of the test | inspection chip. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the inside of a frame line W2 in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the inside of a frame line W2 in FIG. 5. It is a figure which shows a mode that the fluid moves the inside of the test | inspection chip. It is a front view of the test | inspection chip 2 in a modification.

<Schematic structure of inspection system 3>
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The schematic structure of the inspection system 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. The inspection system 3 includes an inspection chip 2 (see FIG. 4 and the like) that can contain a fluid, and an inspection device 1 that performs inspection using the inspection chip 2. The inspection chip 2 is detachably attached to a holder 7 (see FIG. 2 and the like) of the inspection apparatus 1. The inspection apparatus 1 rotates the holder 7 and the inspection chip 2 around the vertical axis A1 that is separated from the holder 7 and the inspection chip 2. In this case, centrifugal force acts on the holder 7 and the inspection chip 2. Further, the inspection apparatus 1 rotates the holder 7 and the inspection chip 2 around the horizontal axis A2. That is, the horizontal axis A2 rotates about the vertical axis A1. In this case, the direction of the centrifugal force acting on the holder 7 and the inspection chip 2 is switched with respect to the inspection chip 2.

<Structure of inspection device 1>
The structure of the inspection apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the upper side, the lower side, the right side, the left side, the near side, and the back side in FIG. 2 are respectively referred to as the upper side, the lower side, the front side, the rear side, the left side, and the right side of the inspection apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, the direction of the vertical axis A1 is the vertical direction of the inspection apparatus 1, and the direction of the horizontal axis A2 is the direction of the speed when the holder 7 and the inspection chip 2 are rotated about the vertical axis A1. . FIG. 3 shows a state where the upper housing 4A (see FIG. 1) and the pair of side housings 4C of the inspection apparatus 1 are removed. In FIG. 3, an optical measurement unit 67 described later is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the inspection apparatus 1 includes a housing 4. The housing 4 has a box-like frame structure. The housing 4 includes an upper housing 4A, a lower housing 4B, and a pair of side housings 4C. The pair of side housings 4C are rectangular plate materials that are long in the vertical direction. The pair of side housings 4C are separated in the left-right direction. The lower housing 4B is a plate member spanned between the lower ends of each of the pair of side housings 4C, the lower side of the front end, and the lower side of the rear end. The upper housing 4A is a plate member spanned between the upper ends of the pair of side housings 4C, the upper side of the front end, and the upper side of the rear end. A hole 6A is formed in the upper housing 4A between the front portion and the upper portion. The upper housing 4A rotatably supports one end of a lid member 6B that is a rectangular plate material. The inspection apparatus 1 can cover the hole 6A with the lid member 6B. An operation unit 64 including a power switch and a plurality of operation switches is provided on the right side of the upper portion of the upper housing 4A.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inspection apparatus 1 includes a case 5, an upper plate 32, a turntable 33, an angle changing mechanism 34, a holder 7, and a control device 60 (see FIG. 3), a case 4 ( (See FIG. 1). The upper plate 32 is a rectangular plate material spanned between the front upper end and the rear upper end of the lower housing 4B. The turntable 33 is a disk provided rotatably on the upper plate 32. The inspection chip 2 (see FIG. 4 and the like) is supported by a holder 7 disposed above the turntable 33. The inspection chip 2 is attached to the holder 7 with the thickness direction extending in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. Details of the inspection chip 2 will be described later.

  The angle changing mechanism 34 is a drive mechanism provided on the turntable 33. The angle changing mechanism 34 rotates the inspection chip 2 by rotating the holder 7 around the horizontal axis A2. The case 5 is provided on the upper side of the upper plate 32 and covers the turntable 33, the angle changing mechanism 34, and the holder 7. An optical measurement unit 67 (see FIG. 3) that performs optical measurement on the inspection chip 2 is provided above the upper plate 32 and outside the case 5. The control device 60 is a controller that controls various processes of the inspection device 1. As shown in FIG. 2, a drive mechanism for rotating the turntable 33 around the vertical axis A1 is provided in the lower part of the upper plate 32 as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a spindle motor 35 that supplies a driving force for rotating the turntable 33, and a spindle 57 that extends upward from the inside of the lower casing 4B. Is installed. The main shaft motor 35 is a DC motor. The shaft 36 of the main shaft motor 35 protrudes upward and is connected to the main shaft 57. The main shaft 57 passes through the upper plate 32 and protrudes above the upper plate 32. The upper end portion of the main shaft 57 is connected to the center portion of the turntable 33. The main shaft 57 is rotatably supported by a support member 53 provided immediately below the upper plate 32 and a support member 54 provided below the support member 53. The inner ring of the ball bearing 54 </ b> A provided inside the support member 54 contacts the main shaft 57 and rotates according to the rotation of the main shaft 57. The support member 54 holds the outer ring of the ball bearing 54A at the front end. The rear end portion of the support member 54 is disposed on the right side of a stepping motor 51 described later. When the main shaft motor 35 rotates the shaft 36, the driving force is transmitted to the main shaft 57. At this time, the turntable 33 rotates around the main shaft 57 in conjunction with the rotation of the main shaft 57.

  The main shaft 57 is a cylindrical body having a hollow inside. The inner shaft 40 is a shaft that can move in the vertical direction inside the main shaft 57. As shown in FIG. 3, the inner shaft 40 has a quadrangular shape when viewed from above. An upper end portion of the inner shaft 40 extends through the main shaft 57 and above the turntable 33 and is connected to a pair of rack gears 45 described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the main shaft 57 is provided with a slit 57A extending in the vertical direction. A coupling portion (not shown) extending from the outside of the main shaft 57 to the inside through the slit 57A is provided on the inner ring of the ball bearing 54A. The inner end of the connecting portion is connected to the inner shaft 40.

  A stepping motor 51 for moving the inner shaft 40 up and down is fixed near the rear of the central portion of the housing 4. The shaft 58 of the stepping motor 51 protrudes rightward. A pinion gear (not shown) is fixed to the tip of the shaft 58. The pinion gear meshes with a rack gear (not shown) fixed to the support member 54. When the stepping motor 51 rotates the shaft 58, the support member 54 and the ball bearing 54A move up and down in conjunction with the rotation of the pinion gear. At this time, the connecting portion provided on the ball bearing 54A moves up and down along the slit 57A. The inner shaft 40 moves up and down in conjunction with the connecting portion.

  The detailed structure of the angle changing mechanism 34 will be described. The angle changing mechanism 34 includes a pair of rack gears 45. The pair of rack gears 45 are metal plate-like members. As shown in FIG. 3, the pair of rack gears 45 are fixed to the upper ends of the mutually facing surfaces of the inner shaft 40. One rack gear 45 extends from the inner shaft 40 in one direction as viewed from above, and the other rack gear 45 extends in the opposite direction to the one direction side. As shown in FIG. 2, a gear 451 is formed in the vertical direction at the end of the pair of rack gears 45 opposite to the inner shaft 40 side. The rack gear 45 moves up and down as the inner shaft 40 moves up and down.

  As shown in FIG. 3, support portions 47 are provided on the counterclockwise direction sides of the rack gears 45 as viewed from above. The support part 47 supports the holder 7 rotatably. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support portion 47 includes two cylindrical portions 471, an extending portion 472, and a support shaft 473. The two cylindrical portions 471 are arranged side by side along the rack gear 45 and extend in the vertical direction. The extending portion 472 extends from the upper end of the cylindrical portion 471 in a direction away from the inner shaft 40 along the rack gear 45, and the distal end fixes the support shaft 473. The support shaft 473 extends in the clockwise direction when viewed from above, and the tip thereof is disposed inside the gear portion 46 formed in the holder 7. The gear portion 46 meshes with the gear 451 of the rack gear 45. As the rack gear 45 moves up and down, the gear portion 46 rotates about the support shaft 473, whereby the holder 7 rotates. Therefore, the inspection chip 2 mounted on the holder 7 rotates around the support shaft 473.

  In the present embodiment, as the main shaft motor 35 rotationally drives the turntable 33, the holder 7 and the inspection chip 2 rotate around the inner shaft 40 which is a vertical axis, and the holder 7 and the inspection chip 2 are centrifuged. Force acts. The rotation around the vertical axis A1 of the holder 7 and the inspection chip 2 is referred to as revolution. On the other hand, as the stepping motor 51 moves the inner shaft 40 up and down, the holder 7 and the inspection chip 2 rotate around the support shaft 473 that is a horizontal axis, and the centrifugal force acting on the holder 7 and the inspection chip 2. The direction of changes relative. The rotation of the holder 7 and the inspection chip 2 around the horizontal axis A2 is referred to as “rotation”. The direction of rotation of the holder 7 and the inspection chip 2 when the inner shaft 40 is moved downward is referred to as “positive direction”. The direction of rotation of the holder 7 and the inspection chip 2 when the inner shaft 40 is moved upward is referred to as “negative direction”.

  When the support member 54 is raised to the uppermost end of the movable range, the rack gear 45 is also raised to the uppermost end of the movable range. The state of the holder 7 and the inspection chip 2 at this time is referred to as “steady state”. When the support member 54 is lowered to the lowermost end of the movable range, the rack gear 45 is also lowered to the lowermost end of the movable range. At this time, the holder 7 and the inspection chip 2 are rotated from the steady state by 90 degrees in the forward direction around the horizontal axis A2. That is, in this embodiment, the angle width in which the holder 7 and the inspection chip 2 can rotate is 0 degree to 90 degrees.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a hole 5 </ b> A is formed on the diagonally right rear side of the side surface of the case 5. A hole 5 </ b> B is formed on the left diagonal rear side of the side surface of the case 5. The optical measurement unit 67 that performs optical measurement on the inspection chip 2 is provided on the rear side of the inspection apparatus 1 and on the upper side of the upper plate 32. The optical measurement unit 67 includes an emission unit 671 that emits measurement beams 67A and 67B, and a detection unit 672 that detects the measurement beams 67A and 67B emitted from the emission unit 671. The injection part 671 is arranged on the right side of the hole 5A. The detection unit 672 is disposed on the left side of the hole 5B.

  Measurement light 67A, 67B is irradiated to the inspection chip 2 mounted on the holder 7 in a state where the holder 7 is held in a steady state and the holder 7 is disposed at the rear side position of the main shaft 57 in the revolving range. The Hereinafter, the position of one holder 7 in which the inspection chip 2 is held in a steady state and is arranged at the rear side position of the main shaft 57 in the revolution possible range is referred to as a measurement position. When the holder 7 is disposed at the measurement position, the measurement lights 67A and 67B connecting the emission unit 671 and the detection unit 672 intersect with the inspection chip 2 substantially perpendicularly. The measuring beams 67A and 67B extend in the horizontal direction from the right side to the left side. The measuring beams 67A and 67B are arranged in the front-rear direction. In the holder 7, a hole 7 </ b> A is formed at a position close to measurement units 94 and 95 of an inspection chip 2 (see FIG. 4) described later. The measurement lights 67A and 67B emitted from the emission part 671 pass through the measurement parts 94 and 95 of the inspection chip 2 mounted on the holder 7 at the measurement position, and further pass through the hole part 7A of the holder 7, It is detected by the detection unit 672. As described above, the optical measurement by the optical measurement unit 67 is performed.

<Electrical Configuration of Control Device 60>
The electrical configuration of the control device 60 will be described with reference to FIG. The control device 60 includes a CPU 61 that controls the main control of the inspection device 1, a RAM 62 that temporarily stores various data, and a flash memory 63 that stores control programs and parameters. An operation unit 64, a revolution controller 65, a rotation controller 66, and an optical measurement unit 67 are connected to the CPU 61. The revolution controller 65 controls the revolution of the holder 7 and the inspection chip 2 by transmitting a control signal for rotating the spindle motor 35 to the spindle motor 35. The rotation controller 66 controls the rotation of the holder 7 and the inspection chip 2 by transmitting a control signal for rotating the stepping motor 51 to the stepping motor 51. The optical measurement unit 67 performs optical measurement of the inspection chip 2. Specifically, the optical measurement unit 67 performs light emission of the emission unit 671 and light detection of the detection unit 672. The CPU 61 controls the revolution controller 65, the rotation controller 66, and the optical measurement unit 67.

<Structure of inspection chip 2>
With reference to FIGS. 4-14, the whole structure of the test | inspection chip 2 is demonstrated. In the following description, the upper side, the lower side, the left side, the right side, the near side, and the back side in FIG. 5 are the upper side, the lower side, the left side, the right side, the front side, and the rear side of the inspection chip 2, respectively. The inspection chip 2 has a square shape having an upper side portion 21, a right side portion 22, a left side portion 23, and a lower side portion 24 in a front view. As shown in FIG. 8, the test chip 2 mainly includes a transparent synthetic resin plate 20 having a predetermined thickness in the front-rear direction. The plate material 20 has elasticity.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the front surface 201 of the plate member 20 is sealed with a film 291 made of a transparent synthetic resin thin plate. A rear surface 202 opposite to the front surface 201 is sealed with a film 292 made of a transparent synthetic resin thin plate. The films 291 and 292 are attached to the plate member 20 with an adhesive applied to one surface. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a fluid flow path 25 is formed between the plate material 20 and the film 291 and between the plate material 20 and the film 292 so that the fluid injected into the test chip 2 can flow. Has been.

  The fluid flow path 25 includes a concave portion formed on the front surface 201 and the rear surface 202 of the plate member 20 and a penetrating portion that penetrates through the front surface 201 and the rear surface 202. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the fluid flow path 25 includes the injecting units 11, 12, 13, and 14 (see FIGS. 4 and 6), the quantifying units 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76 (FIG. 4). , See FIG. 5), waste liquid parts 81, 82, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86 (see FIG. 6), fixed-quantity holes 811, 821, 831, 841, 851, 861 (see FIGS. 4 to 6), mixing Holding units 16 and 17 (see FIGS. 4 and 5), stirring units 91 and 92 (see FIGS. 4 to 6), measurement units 94 and 95 (see FIGS. 4 and 5), and the like are included. Hereinafter, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the injection units 11 to 14 are collectively referred to as “injection unit 10”. The quantitative units 71 to 76 are collectively referred to as “quantitative unit 70”. The waste liquid portions 81 to 86 are collectively referred to as “waste liquid portion 80” (see FIG. 6). The quantitative holes 811, 821, 831, 841, 851, 861 are collectively referred to as “quantitative holes 801”. The mixing holding units 16 and 17 are collectively referred to as “mixing holding unit 15”. The stirring units 91 and 92 are collectively referred to as “stirring unit 90”. The measurement units 94 and 95 are collectively referred to as “measurement unit 93”.

<Injection unit 10>
As shown in FIG. 6, the injection portion 10 is provided above the center in the vertical direction on the rear surface 202 of the plate member 20. The injection parts 11, 12, 13, and 14 are arranged in order from the left side to the right side. The injection parts 11 to 14 have the same shape. The injection units 11 to 14 hold fluids (first fluid to fourth fluid) injected from the outside of the inspection chip 2. Below, the injection | pouring part 11 is demonstrated in detail and description of the injection | pouring parts 12-14 is simplified.

  The injection unit 11 includes an injection port 110, a flow path 111, a holding unit 112, a communication path 113, and a holding unit 114. As shown in FIG. 4, the injection port 110 is an opening formed in the upper side portion 21. The injection port 110 is a part for injecting fluid into a flow path 111 described later. As shown in FIG. 6, the flow path 111 allows the fluid injected into the injection port 110 to flow to the holding unit 112 described later. The upper end of the channel 111 communicates with the inlet 110. The lower end of the channel 111 communicates with the holding unit 112. The channel 111 extends from the upper end toward the lower right side.

  The holding unit 112 temporarily holds the fluid that flows in through the flow path 111. The holding part 112 extends in the vertical direction. The lower end of the holding part 112 is closed. The channel 111 communicates with the left side of the upper end of the holding unit 112. The left end of the communication path 113 communicates with the right side of the upper end of the holding part 112. The communication path 113 extends from the left end to the right side. The right end of the communication path 113 communicates with a holding portion 114 described later. The communication path 113 allows the fluid held in the holding unit 112 to flow to the holding unit 114.

  The holding part 114 temporarily holds the fluid flowing in through the communication path 113. The holding part 114 has a first part extending in the up-down direction and a second part extending leftward from the lower end of the first part. A first portion of the holding unit 114 is disposed on the right side of the holding unit 112. A second portion of the holding unit 114 is disposed below the holding unit 112. The communication path 113 communicates with the upper end of the first portion of the holding portion 114.

  The injection unit 12 includes an injection port 120, a flow channel 121, a holding unit 122, a communication path 123, and a holding unit 124. The injection unit 13 includes an injection port 130, a flow channel 131, a holding unit 132, a communication path 133, and a holding unit 134. The injection unit 14 includes an injection port 140, a flow channel 141, a holding unit 142, a communication path 143, and a holding unit 144. The injection ports 120, 130, and 140 correspond to the injection port 110 of the injection unit 11. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the injection ports 110, 120, 130, and 140 are arranged at equal intervals on the upper side portion 21. The flow paths 121, 131, and 141 correspond to the flow path 111 of the injection unit 11. The holding units 122, 132, and 142 correspond to the holding unit 112 of the injection unit 11. The communication paths 123, 133, and 143 correspond to the communication path 113 of the injection unit 11. The holding units 124, 134, and 144 correspond to the holding unit 114 of the injection unit 11. Hereinafter, fluids injected from the inlets 110, 120, 130, and 140 are referred to as “first fluid”, “second fluid”, “third fluid”, and “fourth fluid”, respectively.

<Quantitative part 70>
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the quantitative units 71, 72, and 73 are provided at approximately the center in the vertical direction on the front surface 201 of the plate member 20. The quantification units 71 to 73 are arranged in order from the left side to the right side. The quantification units 74, 75, and 76 are provided below the center of the front surface 201 in the vertical direction. The quantification units 74 to 76 are arranged in order from the left side to the right side. The quantification units 74 to 76 are opposed to the quantification units 71 to 73 in the vertical direction with a mixture holding unit 16 described later interposed therebetween. The quantification units 71, 72, 74, and 75 have the same shape. The quantification units 73 and 76 have the same shape. The quantification unit 70 quantifies the fluid injected from the injection unit 10. Below, the fixed_quantity | quantitative_assay parts 71 and 73 are demonstrated in detail, and description of the fixed_quantity | quantitative_assay parts 72 and 74-76 is simplified.

  As shown in FIGS. 4, 10, and 11, the quantitative unit 71 includes quantitative wall portions 711, 712, and 713. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the quantitative wall 711 is obtained by rotating a straight line located at a position separated from the quantitative axis A71 by a length r71 about a linear quantitative axis A71 extending in the front-rear direction. A rotating body, that is, a cylindrical body. The quantitative wall portion 712 closes the rear side of the quantitative wall portion 711. On the other hand, the front side of the fixed wall portion 711 is blocked by the film 291. That is, the portion of the film 291 that faces the quantitative wall portion 712 corresponds to the quantitative wall portion 713. The quantitative wall portions 711 and 712 are constituted by the plate material 20, and the quantitative wall portion 713 is constituted by the film 291. For this reason, the fixed-quantity wall part 712 and the fixed-quantity wall part 713 which mutually oppose are comprised by another material. The quantification unit 71 forms a closed space by the quantification wall portions 711 to 713. The distance between the quantitative wall portion 711 and the quantitative axis A71, that is, the radius of the quantitative wall portion 711 is always independent of the position in the front-rear direction in the portion of the quantitative axis A71 between the quantitative wall portions 712 and 713. Constant (r71).

  As shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 11, the lower end of the flow path 116 communicates with a portion on the upper left side of the quantitative wall portion 711. The channel 116 extends upward from the lower end. Hereinafter, the portion of the channel 116 that communicates with the quantification unit 71 is referred to as “communication port 116A” (see FIG. 11). The upper end of the flow path 116 communicates with the front end of the through hole 115. The through hole 115 extends from the front end to the rear side. The rear end of the through hole 115 communicates with the left end of the second portion (see FIG. 6) of the holding portion 114 of the injection portion 11. The through hole 115 and the flow path 116 allow the first fluid held in the holding unit 114 of the injection unit 11 to flow toward the quantification unit 71.

  The upper end of the flow path 161 communicates with a portion on the upper right side of the fixed wall portion 711. The channel 161 extends downward from the upper end. The channel 161 is disposed on the right side of the quantification unit 71. Hereinafter, the portion of the flow channel 161 that communicates with the quantification unit 71 is referred to as “communication port 161A” (see FIG. 11). The lower end of the channel 161 communicates with a mixing and holding unit 16 described later. The flow path 161 allows the first fluid quantified by the quantification unit 71 to flow toward the mixing and holding unit 16.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the quantitative unit 72 includes quantitative wall portions 721, 722, and 723. The quantification unit 74 has quantification wall portions 741, 742, and 743. The quantitative unit 75 includes quantitative wall portions 751, 752, and 753. The quantitative wall portions 721, 741, and 751 correspond to the quantitative wall portion 711 of the quantitative portion 71. The quantitative wall portions 722, 742, and 752 correspond to the quantitative wall portion 712 of the quantitative portion 71. The quantitative wall portions 723, 743, and 753 correspond to the quantitative wall portion 713 of the quantitative portion 71.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the channels 126 and 162 communicating with the quantification unit 72 correspond to the channels 116 and 161 communicating with the quantification unit 71, respectively. The upper end of the channel 126 communicates with the front end of the through hole 125. The rear end of the through hole 125 communicates with the left end of the second portion (see FIG. 6) of the holding portion 124 of the injection portion 12. The through hole 125 and the flow path 126 allow the second fluid held in the holding unit 124 of the injection unit 12 to flow toward the quantitative unit 72. The lower end of the channel 162 communicates with the mixing and holding unit 16. The flow channel 162 flows the second fluid quantified by the quantification unit 72 toward the mixing and holding unit 16.

  The channels 816 and 174 communicating with the quantification unit 74 correspond to the channels 116 and 161 communicating with the quantification unit 71, respectively. The upper end of the channel 816 communicates with the front end of the through hole 815. The rear end of the through hole 815 communicates with a later-described waste liquid portion 81 (see FIG. 6). The lower end of the channel 174 communicates with a mixing and holding unit 17 described later. The flow path 816 allows the first fluid held in the waste liquid portion 81 to flow toward the quantification portion 74. The flow path 174 flows the first fluid quantified by the quantification unit 74 toward the mixing and holding unit 17.

  Channels 826 and 175 communicating with the quantifying unit 75 correspond to channels 116 and 161 communicating with the quantifying unit 71, respectively. The upper end of the flow path 826 communicates with the front end of the through hole 825. The rear end of the through hole 825 communicates with a later-described waste liquid portion 82 (see FIG. 6). The lower end of the flow path 175 communicates with the mixing and holding unit 17. The channel 826 allows the second fluid held in the waste liquid part 82 to flow toward the quantification part 75. The flow path 175 causes the second fluid quantified by the quantification unit 75 to flow toward the mixing and holding unit 17.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the quantitative unit 73 includes quantitative wall portions 731, 732, and 733. The quantitative unit 73 is different from the quantitative units 71, 72, 74, 75 in that the radius of the quantitative wall portion 731 is smaller than r71 and the length of the quantitative wall portion 731 in the front-rear direction is the quantitative wall portions 711, 721. , 741 and 751 are smaller than the length in the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the lower end of the flow path 136 communicates with the portion on the upper left side of the quantitative unit 73. The flow path 136 extends upward from the lower end. The upper end of the flow path 136 communicates with the front end of the through hole 135. The through hole 135 extends from the front end to the rear side. The rear end of the through hole 135 communicates with the left end of the second portion (see FIG. 6) of the holding portion 134 of the injection portion 13. The through hole 135 and the flow path 136 allow the third fluid held in the holding unit 134 of the injection unit 13 to flow toward the quantification unit 73.

  The left end of the flow path 163 communicates with a portion on the upper right side of the fixed wall portion 731. The flow path 163 extends from the left end to the right side. The right end of the channel 161 communicates with the mixing and holding unit 16. The flow path 163 causes the third fluid quantified by the quantification unit 73 to flow toward the mixing and holding unit 16.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the quantitative unit 76 includes quantitative wall portions 761, 762, and 763. The quantitative wall portions 761, 762, and 763 correspond to the quantitative wall portions 731, 732, and 733 of the quantitative portion 73. As shown in FIG. 5, the channels 146 and 176 communicating with the quantification unit 76 correspond to the channels 136 and 163 communicating with the quantification unit 73, respectively. The upper end of the channel 146 communicates with the front end of the through hole 145. The rear end of the through hole 145 communicates with the lower end of the flow path 147 (see FIG. 6) that extends downward from the second portion of the holding portion 144 of the injection portion 14. As shown in FIG. 6, the flow path 147 allows the fourth fluid held in the holding part 144 of the injection part 14 to flow toward the flow path 146 through the through hole 145. As shown in FIG. 5, the flow path 146 causes the fourth fluid to flow toward the quantification unit 76. The right end of the channel 176 communicates with the mixing and holding unit 17. The channel 176 allows the fourth fluid quantified by the quantification unit 74 to flow toward the mixing and holding unit 17.

<Quantitative hole 801>
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 11, a quantitative hole 811 is formed at a position in the quantitative wall portion 712 that intersects the quantitative axis A <b> 71. The fixed amount hole 811 is formed by a circular edge centered on the fixed amount axis A71. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the quantitative hole 811 has a first edge 811 </ b> A and a second edge 811 </ b> B.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the first edge portion 811A is a cylindrical body that extends in the front-rear direction about the fixed amount axis A71. The radius of the first edge portion 811A is r81. The second edge 811B is connected to the front side of the first edge 811A. The second edge 811B is a conical body that extends in the front-rear direction around the fixed axis A71. The radius of the rear end of the second edge portion 811B is r81. The radius of the front end of the second edge 811B is r82. r82 is larger than r81 and smaller than r71. The radius of the second edge portion 811B gradually increases from the rear side toward the front side.

  The quantitative hole 811 communicates with the quantitative wall portion 712 of the quantitative portion 71 at the front end of the second edge portion 811B. The fixed amount hole 811 communicates with a later-described waste liquid portion 81 (see FIG. 6) at the rear end of the first edge portion 811A. The quantification unit 71 and the waste liquid unit 81 are connected through a quantification hole 811.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the quantitative holes 821, 831, 841, 851, 861 communicate with the quantitative units 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, respectively. The rear ends of the fixed amount holes 821, 831, 841, 851, and 861 communicate with waste liquid portions 82, 83, 84, 85, and 86, which will be described later, respectively. The quantitative unit 72 and the waste liquid unit 82 are connected by a quantitative hole 821. The quantification unit 73 and the waste liquid unit 83 are connected by a quantification hole 831. The fixed amount portion 74 and the waste liquid portion 84 are connected by a fixed amount hole 841. The quantitative unit 75 and the waste liquid unit 85 are connected by a quantitative hole 851. The quantitative unit 76 and the waste liquid unit 86 are connected by a quantitative hole 861. Hereinafter, the quantitative holes 811, 821, 831, 841, 851, 861 are collectively referred to as “quantitative holes 801”.

<Relationship between the quantitative unit 70 and the quantitative hole 801>
As shown in FIG. 5, two directions (hereinafter referred to as “first direction D1” and “second direction D2”) that are orthogonal to the horizontal axis A2 of the test chip 2 and extend from the horizontal axis A2 are defined. The first direction D1 is inclined to the right with respect to the downward direction. The second direction D2 is inclined to the left with respect to the downward direction. Further, it is an arbitrary direction orthogonal to the horizontal axis A2 and extending from the horizontal axis A2, and is a direction that divides an acute angle sandwiched between the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, that is, the first direction D1 and the second direction. An arbitrary direction between the directions D2 is referred to as an “arbitrary direction”.

  The arbitrary direction indicates a direction described below. When the angle changing mechanism 34 (see FIG. 2 and the like) is controlled so that the inspection chip 2 is in a steady state, the facing direction of the upper side 21 and the lower side 24 of the inspection chip 2 mounted on the holder 7 is ideal. In fact, it faces up and down. However, the orientation of the inspection chip 2 may vary due to an apparatus error of the inspection apparatus 1. The arbitrary direction indicates any direction in a range that can be taken when the downward direction with respect to the inspection chip 2 in a steady state varies in the direction of the inspection chip 2.

  As shown in FIG. 12, a virtual plane orthogonal to the first direction D1 and in contact with the downstream side of the first direction D1 in the first edge portion 811A of the quantitative hole 811 is referred to as “first virtual plane P1”. It is defined as A virtual plane orthogonal to the second direction D2 and in contact with the downstream side of the second direction D2 in the first edge 811A of the fixed hole 811 is defined as a “second virtual plane P2”. In this case, the communication port 116A through which the flow path 116 communicates with the quantitative unit 71 is arranged on the upstream side (upper side) in the first direction D1 with respect to the first virtual plane P1. The communication port 116A is disposed on the upstream side (upper side) in the second direction D2 with respect to the second virtual plane P2. In addition, the communication port 161A through which the flow channel 161 communicates with the quantification unit 71 is disposed on the upstream side in the first direction D1 with respect to the first virtual plane P1. The communication port 161A is disposed on the upstream side in the second direction D2 with respect to the second virtual plane P2.

  Further, a virtual plane orthogonal to the arbitrary direction and in contact with the downstream side of the arbitrary direction in the second edge 811B of the fixed hole 811 is defined as an “arbitrary virtual plane”. The volume of the closed space surrounded by the arbitrary virtual plane and the quantitative wall portions 711, 712, and 713 of the quantitative unit 71 is defined as “first quantitative volume V1”. In this case, the first fixed volume V1 is always the same even when the arbitrary virtual plane changes between the first virtual plane P1 and the second virtual plane P2.

  In addition, although detailed description is abbreviate | omitted, also about the fixed_quantity | quantitative_assay parts 72-76, arbitrary virtual planes are defined by the same method as the above. In addition, the volume of the closed space surrounded by the respective quantitative wall portions of the quantitative units 72, 74, and 75 and the arbitrary virtual plane is substantially the same as the first quantitative volume V1. On the other hand, the volume of the closed space surrounded by the respective quantitative wall portions of the quantitative units 73 and 76 and the arbitrary virtual plane is the second quantitative volume V2 that is smaller than the first quantitative volume V1.

<Waste liquid part 80>
As shown in FIG. 6, the waste liquid portions 81, 82, and 83 are provided at substantially the center in the vertical direction on the rear surface 202 of the plate member 20. The waste liquid parts 84, 85, 86 are disposed below the substantially vertical center of the rear surface 202 of the plate member 20. The waste liquid parts 81 to 83 are arranged in order from the left side to the right side. The waste liquid parts 81, 82, and 83 are disposed below the holding part 114 of the injection part 11, the holding part 124 of the injection part 12, and the holding part 134 of the injection part 13, respectively. In addition, a part of each of the waste liquid parts 81, 82, 83 is arranged on the rear side of the quantifying parts 71, 72, 73. The waste liquid parts 84 to 86 are arranged in order from the left side to the right side. The waste liquid parts 84, 85, and 86 are disposed below the waste liquid parts 81, 82, and 83, respectively. In addition, a part of each of the waste liquid parts 84, 85, 86 is arranged on the rear side of the fixed quantity parts 74, 75, 76.

  The waste liquid portion 80 is closed at the upper end, the lower end, the left end, the right end, and the front end by the plate material 20 and at the rear end by the film 292. The waste liquid part 80 forms a box-shaped closed space. The fixed amount hole 801 communicates with the front surface of the waste liquid part 80. The waste liquid part 80 flows the fluid flowing in from the fixed amount hole 801 to the vicinity of the right end or the lower end, and holds it near the right end or the lower end. Hereinafter, in the waste liquid part 80, the vicinity of the right end and the lower end where the fluid is held is referred to as “waste liquid holding part”. A portion of the waste liquid portion 80 that flows the fluid flowing in from the quantitative hole 801 toward the waste liquid holding portion, in other words, a portion excluding the waste liquid holding portion is referred to as a “waste liquid flow path”.

  A portion of the waste liquid portion 81 that communicates with the quantitative hole 811 is included in the waste liquid flow path 81A. The waste liquid unit 81 is connected to the quantification unit 71 in the waste liquid channel 81A. The waste liquid channel 81A is formed so as to surround the fixed amount hole 811 from the periphery. For this reason, the waste liquid flow path 81A includes at least a portion provided on the downstream side in an arbitrary direction between the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 with respect to the fixed-quantity hole 811. Accordingly, when a force is applied in an arbitrary direction to the first fluid that flows into the waste liquid portion 81 from the quantitative portion 71 via the quantitative hole 811, the first fluid flows along the waste liquid flow path 81A. The first fluid flowing through the waste liquid flow path 81A is held in the waste liquid holding part 81B. Here, a portion of the waste liquid portion 81 that communicates with the through hole 815 is included in the waste liquid holding portion 81B. That is, the waste liquid unit 81 is connected to the quantitative unit 74 in the waste liquid holding unit 81B. Therefore, the first fluid held in the waste liquid holding unit 81B flows toward the fixed amount unit 74 through the through hole 815.

  The waste liquid channel 82A and the waste liquid holding unit 82B of the waste liquid unit 82 correspond to the waste liquid channel 81A and the waste liquid holding unit 81B of the waste liquid unit 81. In the waste liquid part 82, the second fluid that has flowed in from the quantitative part 72 via the quantitative hole 821 flows along the waste liquid flow path 82A and is held in the waste liquid holding part 82B. The second fluid held in the waste liquid holding unit 82B flows toward the fixed amount unit 75 through the through hole 825.

  The waste liquid channel 83A and the waste liquid holding unit 83B of the waste liquid unit 83 correspond to the waste liquid channel 81A and the waste liquid holding unit 81B of the waste liquid unit 81. In the waste liquid part 83, the third fluid that has flowed in from the quantitative part 73 through the quantitative hole 831 flows through the waste liquid flow path 83A and is held in the waste liquid holding part 83B. In the waste liquid part 83, no through hole is provided in the waste liquid holding part 83B. For this reason, the third fluid held in the waste liquid holding part 83 </ b> B does not flow out of the waste liquid part 83.

  The waste liquid channel 84A and the waste liquid holding unit 84B of the waste liquid unit 84 correspond to the waste liquid channel 81A and the waste liquid holding unit 81B of the waste liquid unit 81. In the waste liquid part 84, the first fluid that has flowed in from the quantitative part 74 via the quantitative hole 841 flows along the waste liquid flow path 84A and is held in the waste liquid holding part 84B. In the waste liquid part 84, no through hole is provided in the waste liquid holding part 84B. For this reason, the first fluid held in the waste liquid holding part 84B does not flow out of the waste liquid part 84.

  The waste liquid channel 85A and the waste liquid holding unit 85B of the waste liquid unit 85 correspond to the waste liquid channel 81A and the waste liquid holding unit 81B of the waste liquid unit 81. In the waste liquid part 85, the second fluid that has flowed in from the quantitative part 75 via the quantitative hole 851 flows along the waste liquid flow path 85A and is held in the waste liquid holding part 85B. In the waste liquid part 85, no through hole is provided in the waste liquid holding part 85B. For this reason, the second fluid held in the waste liquid holding part 85B does not flow out of the waste liquid part 85.

  The waste liquid channel 86A and the waste liquid holding unit 86B of the waste liquid unit 86 correspond to the waste liquid channel 81A and the waste liquid holding unit 81B of the waste liquid unit 81. In the waste liquid part 86, the fourth fluid that has flowed in from the quantitative part 76 through the quantitative hole 861 flows along the waste liquid flow path 86A and is held in the waste liquid holding part 86B. In the waste liquid part 86, no through hole is provided in the waste liquid holding part 86B. For this reason, the 4th fluid hold | maintained at the waste liquid holding | maintenance part 86B does not flow out of the waste liquid part 86. FIG.

<Mixed holding part 15>
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the mixed holding portions 16 and 17 are provided on the front surface 201 of the plate member 20. The mixing holding unit 16 has a first portion 16A extending in the left-right direction and a second portion 16B extending upward from the right end of the first portion 16A. 16 A of 1st parts are arrange | positioned under the fixed_quantity | quantitative_assay parts 71-73 and above the fixed_quantity | quantitative_assay parts 74-76. The lower ends of the flow paths 161 and 162 communicate with the first portion 16A. The second portion 16 </ b> B is disposed on the right side of the fixed amount unit 73. The right end of the flow path 163 communicates with the second portion 16B. In the mixing and holding unit 16, the first fluid to the third fluid quantified by each of the quantification units 71 to 73 are mixed and held.

  The left end of the flow path 167 communicates with the upper end of the second portion 16B of the mixing and holding unit 16. The channel 167 extends from the left end to the right side. The right end of the channel 167 communicates with a stirring unit 91 described later. The flow path 167 causes the mixed fluid of the first fluid to the third fluid held in the mixing and holding unit 16 to flow toward the stirring unit 91.

  The mixing holding unit 17 includes a first portion 17A extending in the left-right direction and a second portion 17B extending upward from the right end of the first portion 17A. 17 A of 1st parts are arrange | positioned under the fixed_quantity | quantitative_assay parts 74-76. The lower ends of the flow paths 174 and 175 communicate with the first portion 17A. The second portion 17B is disposed on the right side of the quantification unit 76. The right end of the channel 176 communicates with the second portion 17B. In the mixing and holding unit 17, the first fluid, the second fluid, and the fourth fluid quantified by each of the quantifying units 74 to 76 are mixed and held.

  The lower end of the flow path 177 communicates with the upper end of the second portion 17B of the mixing and holding unit 17. The channel 177 extends upward from the lower end. The upper end of the flow path 177 communicates with a stirring unit 92 described later. The flow path 177 causes the mixed fluid of the first fluid, the second fluid, and the fourth fluid held in the mixing holding unit 17 to flow toward the stirring unit 92.

<Stirring unit 90>
As shown in FIG. 9, the stirring unit 90 forms a regular quadrangular prism space inside the plate member 20. The shapes of the stirring portions 91 and 92 are substantially the same. Below, the stirring part 91 is demonstrated in detail and description of the stirring part 92 is simplified.

  The stirring unit 91 is disposed in the approximate center in the vertical direction of the plate member 20 and in the vicinity of the right side portion 22. The right surface 913 of the stirring unit 91 is flat. The left surface 914 of the stirring unit 91 curves to the left in the vicinity of the center in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper end of the stirring unit 91 communicates with the right end of the flow path 167. Hereinafter, the portion of the stirring portion 91 that communicates with the flow path 167 is referred to as “communication port 167A”. The stirring unit 91 extends obliquely downward to the left from the upper end. The lower end of the stirring unit 91 communicates with the upper end of a channel 910 described later. Hereinafter, the portion of the stirring portion 91 that communicates with the flow path 910 is referred to as “communication port 910A”. The stirring unit 91 has an open end 911 on the front surface. The open end 911 is an annular end that is long in the vertical direction. The opening end 911 forms a substantially rectangular opening on the front surface 201. The opening is sealed with a film 291. That is, a part of the front surface of the stirring unit 91 is constituted by a portion of the film 291 that seals the opening.

  As shown in FIG. 13, of the two end portions 911A and 911B facing the opening end portion 911 in the left-right direction, the left end portion 911B curves to the left in the vicinity of the center 911C in the vertical direction. For this reason, the space | interval between edge part 911A, 911B becomes large slightly in the center vicinity 911C. Hereinafter, the distance between the end portion 911A and the central portion 911C of the end portion 911B, that is, the maximum distance between the end portions 911A and 911B is referred to as a distance L11.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the stirring unit 91 has an open end 912 on the rear side. The open end 912 is an annular end that is long in the vertical direction. The opening end 912 forms a substantially rectangular opening on the rear surface 202. This opening is sealed with a film 292. That is, a part of the rear surface of the stirring unit 91 is constituted by a portion of the film 292 that seals the opening. The two end portions 912A and 912B facing the opening end portion 912 in the left-right direction extend in parallel to each other. Hereinafter, the interval between the end portions 912A and 912B is referred to as a distance L12.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the opening formed by the opening end 911 is disposed on the left side of the opening formed by the opening end 912. The right surface 913 of the stirring portion 91 protrudes to the left at the front end portion, that is, the portion near the end portion 911A of the opening end portion 911. Hereinafter, this protrusion is referred to as “regulator 911R”. The left surface 914 of the stirring portion 91 protrudes to the right at the rear end portion, that is, the portion near the end portion 912B of the opening end portion 912. Hereinafter, this protrusion is referred to as “regulator 912R”.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 13, the stirring unit 91 houses a stirring bar 91 </ b> A in the space. The stirrer 91A is a metal sphere. The specific gravity of the stirrer 91A is larger than that of the first fluid to the fourth fluid. The diameter of the stirring bar 91A is larger than the distances L11 (see FIG. 13) and L12 (see FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 13, the stirrer 91 </ b> A is movably held between the first position 91 </ b> U near the upper end of the stirring unit 91 and the second position 91 </ b> L near the lower end along the extending direction of the stirring unit 91. Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the moving direction of the stirrer 91A, in other words, the direction of the line segment connecting the first position 91U and the second position 91L is defined as “line segment direction 91M”. In this case, the line segment direction 91M intersects the horizontal axis A2. A line segment passing through the horizontal axis A2 and orthogonal to the line segment direction 91M is defined as “line segment 90M”. Furthermore, the intersection of the line segment connecting the first position 91U and the second position 91L and the line segment 90M is defined as an “intersection 91P”. In this case, the first position 91U is disposed above the line segment direction 91M with respect to the intersection 91P. On the other hand, the second position 91L is disposed below the line segment direction 91M with respect to the intersection 91P. That is, in the line segment direction 91M, the first position 91U and the second position 91L are arranged in directions opposite to each other with respect to the intersection point 91P.

  The stirrer 91 </ b> A moves along the line segment direction 91 </ b> M in the stirring unit 91, thereby stirring the mixed fluid of the first fluid to the third fluid that has flowed from the mixing holding unit 16 through the flow path 167. The stirred mixed fluid flows to the measurement unit 94 described later via the flow path 910.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the restricting portions 911R and 912R restrict the movement of the stirring bar 91A in the front-rear direction. For this reason, the contact of the stirrer 91A with the film 291 that seals the opening formed by the opening end 911 is restricted by the restricting portion 911R. In addition, the contact of the stirrer 92A with the film 292 that seals the opening formed by the opening end 912 is restricted by the restricting portion 912R.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the stirring unit 92 is disposed on the left side of the stirring unit 91. The stirring units 91 and 92 are arranged in the left-right direction. The stirring unit 92 extends in parallel with the stirring unit 91. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 13, the angle formed between the extending direction of the stirring portions 91 and 92 and the vertical direction is expressed as θ1 degree.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the upper end of the stirring unit 92 communicates with the right end of the flow path 177. Hereinafter, the portion of the stirring portion 92 that communicates with the flow path 177 is referred to as “communication port 177A”. The lower end of the stirring unit 91 communicates with the upper end of a flow path 920 described later. Hereinafter, the portion of the stirring unit 92 that the flow path 920 communicates with is referred to as “communication port 920A”. Opening end portions 921 and 922 (see FIG. 6) of the stirring unit 92 correspond to the opening end portions 911 and 912 of the stirring unit 91. The two end portions 921A and 921B of the opening end portion 921, the central vicinity 921C, the two end portions 922A and 922B of the opening end portion 922 (see FIG. 6), the restriction portion 921R and the restriction portion 922R (see FIG. 14) are respectively , Corresponding to the two end portions 911A and 911B of the opening end portion 911, the central vicinity 911C, the two end portions 912A and 912B of the opening end portion 912 (see FIG. 6), the restriction portion 911R, and the restriction portion 912R (see FIG. 14). To do. The maximum distance between the end portions 921A and 921B is referred to as a distance L21. A distance between the end portions 922A and 922B is referred to as a distance L22 (see FIG. 6). The distances L11 and L21 are the same. The distances L12 and L22 (see FIG. 6) are the same.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 13, the stirring unit 92 houses a stirring bar 92 </ b> A in the space. The stirrer 92A has the same material and shape as the stirrer 91A. The stirrer 92A is movably held between a first position 92U near the upper end of the stirrer 92 and a second position 92L near the lower end along the direction in which the stirrer 92 extends.

  The moving direction of the stirrer 92A, in other words, the direction of the line segment connecting the first position 92U and the second position 92L is defined as “line segment direction 92M”. In this case, the line segment direction 92M intersects the horizontal axis A2. Further, the intersection of the line segment connecting the first position 92U and the second position 92L and the line segment 90M is defined as an “intersection point 92P”. In this case, the first position 92U is disposed above the line segment direction 92M with respect to the intersection 92P. On the other hand, the second position 92L is disposed below the line segment direction 92M with respect to the intersection 92P. That is, in the line segment direction 92M, the first position 92U and the second position 92L are arranged in directions opposite to each other with respect to the intersection point 91P.

  The stirrer 92A moves in the stirrer 92 along the line segment direction 92M, so that the mixed fluid of the first fluid, the second fluid, and the fourth fluid that has flowed from the mixing holding unit 17 through the flow path 177 is obtained. Stir. The stirred mixed fluid flows to the measurement unit 95 described later via the flow path 920.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the restricting portions 921R and 922R restrict the movement of the stirring bar 92A in the front-rear direction. For this reason, the contact of the stirrer 92A with the film 291 that seals the opening formed by the opening end portion 921 is restricted by the restricting portion 921R. In addition, the contact of the stirrer 92A with the film 292 that seals the opening formed by the opening end 922 is restricted by the restricting portion 922R.

<Measurement unit 93>
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the measurement unit 93 is disposed below the center in the vertical direction on the front surface 201 of the plate member 20 and in the vicinity of the right side portion 22. The measurement unit 93 has an upper end, a lower end, a right end, a left end, and a rear end closed by the plate material 20 and a rear end closed by the film 291. The measurement part 93 forms a rectangular parallelepiped closed space extending in the up-down direction.

  The measuring unit 94 is disposed below the stirring unit 91. The lower end of the flow path 910 communicates with the upper end of the measurement unit 94. The measurement unit 94 holds a mixed fluid of the first fluid to the third fluid that flows in through the flow path 910. The measurement unit 95 is disposed on the left side of the measurement unit 94 and below the stirring unit 92. The lower end of the flow path 920 communicates with the upper end of the measurement unit 95. The measuring unit 95 holds a mixed fluid of the first fluid, the second fluid, and the fourth fluid that flows in through the flow path 920.

  In a state where the inspection chip 2 is mounted on the holder 7, the measuring units 94 and 95 face the hole 7 </ b> A (see FIG. 2 and the like) of the holder 7. When the optical measurement by the optical measurement unit 67 (see FIG. 2 etc.) of the inspection apparatus 1 is executed, the measurement light 67A emitted from the emission unit 671 of the optical measurement unit 67 with respect to the mixed fluid flowing into the measurement unit 94. Is irradiated. At this time, the measurement light 67 </ b> A passes through the rear surface of the measurement unit 94 and the film 291. In addition, the measurement light 67 </ b> B emitted from the emission unit 671 of the optical measurement unit 67 is irradiated to the mixed fluid flowing into the measurement unit 95. At this time, the measurement light 67 </ b> B passes through the rear surface of the measurement unit 95 and the film 291. Here, the plate member 20 and the film 291 that constitute the rear surfaces of the measuring units 94 and 95 are all transparent synthetic resins. For this reason, the measurement part 93 does not prevent transmission of the measurement lights 67A and 67B.

<Example of inspection method>
An inspection method using the inspection apparatus 1 and the inspection chip 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 16 (a), the first fluid 41, the second fluid 42, and the third fluid are injected from the inlets 110, 120, 130, and 140 (see FIG. 4) of the injection portions 11, 12, 13, and 14, respectively. A fluid 43 and a fourth fluid 44 are injected, respectively. The first fluid 41, the second fluid 42, the third fluid 43, and the fourth fluid 44 pass through the flow paths 111, 121, 131, and 141 (see FIG. 6) toward the holding portions 112, 122, 132, and 142, respectively. It is held in the flow and holding unit 112, 122, 132, 142. The user attaches the inspection chip 2 to the holder 7. At this time, the holder 7 is in a steady state. For this reason, gravity G acts on the test chip 2 from the upper side portion 21 toward the lower side portion 24. The user inputs a process start command via the operation unit 64. The CPU 61 executes the centrifugation process shown in FIG. 15 based on the control program stored in the flash memory 63.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the CPU 61 reads motor drive information stored in advance in the flash memory 63, sets drive information of the spindle motor 35 in the revolution controller 65, and drives information of the stepping motor 51 in the rotation controller 66. (S1) The CPU 61 starts the revolution of the inspection chip 2 (S2). CPU61 raises the revolution speed which is the moving speed of the test | inspection chip 2 to revolve to a predetermined speed, and maintains it at a predetermined speed after that. At the same time, the CPU 61 rotates the holder 7 in the steady state by 90 degrees in the forward direction (S3). In response to the rotation of the holder 7, the inspection chip 2 rotates 90 degrees in the positive direction from the steady state. A centrifugal force C in a direction from the upper side 21 to the lower side 24 acts on the inspection chip 2. In this case, since the centrifugal force C larger than the gravity G acts on the inspection chip 2, as shown in FIG. 16B, the first fluid 41, the second fluid 42, the third fluid 43, the fourth fluid The state in which the fluid 44 is held by the holding units 112, 122, 132, 142 is maintained.

  Hereinafter, a straight line extending from the upper side portion 21 to the lower side portion 24 of the test chip 2 is referred to as “reference axis B” (see FIG. 16B and the like). The reference axis B is orthogonal to the horizontal axis A2. A vector indicating the direction of the centrifugal force C is referred to as a “centrifugal force vector”. The angle of the centrifugal force vector with respect to the reference axis B is referred to as “tip angle”. In the case of FIG. 16B in which the centrifugal force C in the direction from the upper side portion 21 toward the lower side portion 24 acts on the inspection chip 2, the tip angle is 0 degree.

  The CPU 61 rotates the holder 7 in the negative direction by 90 degrees and changes the chip angle from 0 degrees to 90 degrees (S4). As shown in FIG. 16C, in the process of changing the tip angle from 0 degree (FIG. 16B) to 90 degrees (FIG. 17A), the first fluid 41, the second fluid 42, the third fluid The fluid 43 and the fourth fluid 44 are supplied from the holding portions 112, 122, 132, and 142 (see FIG. 6) through the communication passages 113, 123, 133, and 143 (see FIG. 6). Flows into the first part. As shown in FIG. 17A, the first fluid 41, the second fluid 42, the third fluid 43, and the fourth fluid 44 are held by the holding portions 114, 124, 134, with the tip angle being 90 degrees. 144 is held in the first part.

  The CPU 61 rotates the holder 7 by 90 degrees in the forward direction and changes the tip angle from 90 degrees to 0 degrees (S5). In the process of changing the tip angle from 90 degrees (FIG. 17A) to 0 degree (FIG. 17C), as shown in FIG. 17B, the first fluid 41, the second fluid 42, the third fluid The fluid 43 and the fourth fluid 44 flow from the first portion to the second portion of the holding portions 114, 124, 134, and 144. Further, the first fluid 41 flows from the second portion of the holding unit 114 into the fixed amount unit 71 through the through hole 115 and the flow path 116 (see FIG. 5). The second fluid 42 flows from the second portion of the holding unit 124 into the fixed amount unit 72 through the through hole 125 and the flow path 126 (see FIG. 5). The third fluid 43 flows from the second part of the holding unit 134 into the fixed amount unit 73 through the through hole 135 and the flow path 136 (see FIG. 5). The fourth fluid 44 flows from the second portion of the holding unit 144 into the quantification unit 76 through the flow path 147 (see FIG. 6), the through hole 145, and the flow path 146 (see FIG. 5).

  In the above process, the centrifugal force vector coincides with an arbitrary direction between the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, and then the tip angle becomes 0 degree. The centrifugal force vector when the tip angle is 0 degree is directed in any direction between the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 (see FIG. 17C). That is, the inspection apparatus 1 causes the fluid to flow into the quantification units 71, 72, 73, and 76 by rotating the holder 7 so that the centrifugal force vector coincides with any direction.

  As shown in FIG. 17 (c), the volume of the closed space in the portion downstream of the centrifugal force vector from the arbitrary virtual plane (see FIG. 12) is given to the quantification unit 71 with the tip angle being 0 degrees. The first fluid 41 corresponding to the first fixed volume V1 remains. The downstream side of the centrifugal force vector from the arbitrary virtual plane corresponds to the opposite side of the vertical axis A1 side with respect to the arbitrary virtual plane. That is, in the quantification unit 71, in the state where the tip angle is 0 degree, the first quantification is performed in the portion of the quantification wall portions 711, 712, and 713 (see FIG. 12) on the side opposite to the vertical axis A1 with respect to the arbitrary virtual plane. The first fluid 41 having a volume of V1 is quantified. The first fluid 41 overflowing from the quantifying unit 71 flows toward the waste liquid unit 81 (see FIG. 6) through the quantifying hole 811.

  The first fluid 41 that has flowed into the waste liquid part 81 flows through the waste liquid flow path 81A (see FIG. 6) and is held in the waste liquid holding part 81B (see FIG. 6). The first fluid 41 held in the waste liquid holding unit 81B flows into the quantification unit 74 through the through hole 815 and the flow path 816 (see FIG. 5). Since the tip angle is 0 degree, the quantification unit 74 quantifies the first fluid 41 for the first quantification volume V1 as in the case of the quantification unit 71. That is, the first fluid 41 injected into the injection part 11 is quantified by the first fixed volume part V1 by the fixed parts 71 and 74, respectively. The first fluid 41 overflowing from the quantification unit 74 flows into the waste liquid unit 84 (see FIG. 6) through the quantification hole 841.

  Similarly, the quantification unit 72 quantifies the second fluid 42 for the first quantification volume V1 in a state where the tip angle is 0 degree. The second fluid 42 overflowing from the quantification part 72 flows toward the waste liquid part 82 (see FIG. 6) through the quantification hole 821. The second fluid 42 that has flowed into the waste liquid part 82 flows through the waste liquid flow path 82A and is held in the waste liquid holding part 82B. The second fluid 42 held in the waste liquid holding part 82B flows into the quantification part 75 through the through hole 825 and the flow path 826 (see FIG. 5). Since the tip angle is 0 degree, the quantification unit 75 quantifies the second fluid 42 for the first quantification volume V1. That is, the 2nd fluid 42 inject | poured into the injection | pouring part 12 is quantified by 1st fixed volume part V1 by each of the fixed_quantity | quantitative_assay parts 72 and 75. FIG. The second fluid 42 overflowing from the quantification unit 75 flows into the waste liquid unit 85 (see FIG. 6) through the quantification hole 851.

  On the other hand, in the quantification unit 73, the second quantification volume smaller than the first quantification volume V1 in the portion of the quantification wall portions 731, 732, 733 (see FIG. 5) on the side opposite to the vertical axis A1 with respect to the arbitrary virtual plane. The third fluid 43 of V2 (V1> V2) is quantified. The third fluid 43 overflowing from the quantification unit 73 flows through the quantification hole 831 to the waste liquid unit 83 (see FIG. 6). In the quantification unit 76, the fourth fluid 44 corresponding to the second quantification volume V2 is quantified as in the case of the quantification unit 73. The fourth fluid 44 overflowing from the quantification unit 76 flows into the waste liquid unit 86 (see FIG. 6) through the quantification hole 861.

  In the above-described process, the first fluid 41 that has flowed into the waste liquid portion 84 flows through the waste liquid flow path 84A and is held in the waste liquid holding portion 84B. The second fluid 42 that has flowed into the waste liquid part 85 flows through the waste liquid flow path 85A and is held in the waste liquid holding part 85B. The third fluid 43 that has flowed into the waste liquid part 83 flows through the waste liquid flow path 83A and is held in the waste liquid holding part 83B. The fourth fluid 44 that has flowed into the waste liquid part 86 flows through the waste liquid flow path 86A and is held by the waste liquid holding part 86B.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the CPU 61 rotates the holder 7 by 90 degrees in the negative direction and changes the chip angle from 0 degrees to 90 degrees (S6). In the process in which the tip angle changes from 0 degree (FIG. 17C) to 90 degrees (FIG. 18B), as shown in FIG. 18A, the first fluid 41 remaining in the quantification unit 71 is It flows to the mixing and holding unit 16 via the flow path 161 (see FIG. 5). The second fluid 42 remaining in the quantification unit 72 flows to the mixing and holding unit 16 via the flow path 162 (see FIG. 5). The third fluid 43 remaining in the quantification unit 73 flows to the mixing and holding unit 16 via the flow path 163 (see FIG. 5). The first fluid 41, the second fluid 42, and the third fluid 43 are mixed by the mixing and holding unit 16. The mixed fluid is held in the mixing holding unit 16. Hereinafter, the mixed fluid of the first fluid 41, the second fluid 42, and the third fluid 43 is referred to as “mixed fluid 40A”.

  Further, the first fluid 41 remaining in the quantification unit 74 flows to the mixing and holding unit 17 via the flow path 174 (see FIG. 5). The second fluid 42 remaining in the quantification unit 75 flows to the mixing and holding unit 17 via the flow path 175 (see FIG. 5). The fourth fluid 44 remaining in the quantification unit 76 flows to the mixing and holding unit 17 via the flow path 176 (see FIG. 5). The first fluid 41, the second fluid 42, and the fourth fluid 44 are mixed by the mixing holding unit 17. The mixed fluid is held in the mixing holding unit 17. The mixed fluid of the first fluid 41, the second fluid 42, and the fourth fluid 44 is referred to as “mixed fluid 40B”.

  Furthermore, the mixed fluid 40A held in the mixing and holding unit 16 flows to the stirring unit 91 via the flow path 167 (see FIG. 5), as shown in FIG. 18B. In a state where the tip angle is 90 degrees, the mixed fluid 40A is held in the vicinity of the right surface 913 (see FIG. 9) of the stirring unit 91. Further, the mixed fluid 40B held in the mixing and holding unit 17 flows into the stirring unit 92 via the flow path 177 (see FIG. 5). The mixed fluid 40B is held in the vicinity of the right surface 923 (see FIG. 9) of the stirring unit 92.

  In the above process, when the tip angle becomes 90 degrees, the centrifugal force vector indicates a direction except between the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. That is, the inspection apparatus 1 agitates the fluid quantified by the quantification unit 70 from the quantification unit 70 via the mixing and holding unit 15 by rotating the holder 7 so that the centrifugal force vector is directed in a direction other than an arbitrary direction. Flow toward part 90.

  As shown in FIG. 18B, in the state where the tip angle is 90 degrees, the first position 91U (see FIG. 13) of the stirring portion 91 is downstream of the centrifugal force vector than the second position 91L (see FIG. 13). Placed on the side. For this reason, the stirring bar 91A of the stirring unit 91 moves to the first position 91U by centrifugal force. Similarly, the first position 92U (see FIG. 13) of the stirring unit 92 is arranged on the downstream side of the centrifugal force vector from the second position 92L (see FIG. 13). For this reason, the stirring bar 92A of the stirring unit 92 moves to the first position 92U by centrifugal force.

  The CPU 61 rotates the holder 7 in the positive direction by θ2 degrees, and changes the chip angle from 90 degrees to (90−θ2) degrees (S7). Note that θ2 degrees is larger than θ1 degrees (see FIG. 13), which is an angle formed between the extending direction of the stirring portions 91 and 92 and the vertical direction (θ2> θ1). For this reason, as shown in FIG. 19A, the second position 91L (see FIG. 13) of the stirring portion 91 is more than the first position 91U (see FIG. 13) in the state where the tip angle is (90−θ2) degrees. Is also arranged downstream of the centrifugal force vector. For this reason, the stirrer 91A of the stirrer 91 moves from the first position 91U to the second position 91L by centrifugal force in the process of changing the tip angle from 90 degrees to (90-θ2) degrees. Similarly, the second position 92L (see FIG. 13) of the stirring unit 92 is arranged downstream of the centrifugal force vector from the first position 92U (see FIG. 13). For this reason, the stirrer 92A of the stirrer 92 moves from the first position 92U to the second position 92L by centrifugal force in the process of changing the tip angle from 90 degrees to (90-θ2) degrees.

  The CPU 61 rotates the holder 7 in the negative direction by θ2 degrees and changes the chip angle from (90−θ2) degrees to 90 degrees (S8). As shown in FIG. 19B, in the process of changing the tip angle from (90−θ2) degrees to 90 degrees, the stirrer 91A of the stirrer 91 is moved from the second position 91L to the first position 91U by centrifugal force. Moving. Similarly, the stirring bar 92A of the stirring unit 92 moves from the second position 92L to the first position 92U by centrifugal force.

  As described above, the stirrer 91A reciprocates between the first position 91U and the second position 91L in the stirring unit 91 in the process of S7 and S8. Thus, the mixed fluid 40A in the stirring unit 91 is stirred by the stirring bar 91A. The stirrer 92A reciprocates between the first position 92U and the second position 92L in the stirring unit 92. Thus, the mixed fluid 40B in the stirring unit 92 is stirred by the stirring bar 92A. Hereinafter, the range of the tip angle that changes in the process of S7 and S8 is referred to as a “relative movement range”.

  The CPU 61 determines whether the processes of S7 and S8 have been repeated a predetermined number of times (S9). CPU61 returns a process to S7, when it determines with the process of S7 and S8 not being repeated predetermined times (S9: NO). Thereby, the processes of S7 and S8 are repeated. The stirrers 91A and 92A repeat reciprocating movement. CPU61 advances a process to S10, when it determines with the process of S7 and S8 having been repeated predetermined times (S9: YES). As a result, the chip angle changes a predetermined number of times between 90 degrees and (90−θ) degrees. Hereinafter, the control in which the processes of S7 and S8 are repeated a predetermined number of times is referred to as “stirring control”.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the right surface 913 of the stirring unit 91, that is, the downstream portion of the centrifugal force vector in the stirring unit 91 is flat, and no unevenness is formed. The same applies to the right surface 923 of the stirring unit 92. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 19B, when the tip angle is 90 degrees, the distance between the right surface 913 and the horizontal axis A2 monotonously decreases from the first position 91U toward the second position 91L. Similarly, the distance between the right surface 923 and the horizontal axis A2 monotonously decreases from the first position 92U toward the second position 92L. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 19A, when the tip angle is (90−θ2) degrees, the distance between the right surface 913 and the horizontal axis A2 is monotonous from the first position 91U to the second position 91L. To increase. Similarly, the distance between the right surface 923 and the horizontal axis A2 monotonously increases from the first position 92U toward the second position 92L.

  As shown in FIG. 20, an arbitrary third virtual plane that is orthogonal to the centrifugal force vector and that passes through the communication port 167 </ b> A in which the flow path 167 communicates with the stirring unit 91 is defined. The third virtual plane P311 is orthogonal to the centrifugal force vector when the tip angle is 90 degrees among any third virtual plane. The third virtual plane P312 is orthogonal to the centrifugal force vector when the tip angle is (90−θ2) degrees among any third virtual plane. That is, when the tip angle changes within the relative movement range during the execution of the stirring control, the third virtual plane moves between the third virtual plane P311 and the third virtual plane P312. In this case, at least a part of the right surface 913 of the stirring unit 91 is always arranged on the downstream side of the centrifugal force vector with respect to the third virtual plane. That is, at least a part of the right surface 913 of the stirring unit 91 is always arranged on the downstream side of the centrifugal force vector from the communication port 167A.

  As shown in FIG. 21, an arbitrary fourth virtual plane that is orthogonal to the centrifugal force vector and that passes through the communication port 910 </ b> A in which the flow path 910 communicates with the stirring unit 91 is defined. The fourth virtual plane P313 is orthogonal to the centrifugal force vector when the tip angle is 90 degrees among any fourth virtual plane. The fourth virtual plane P314 is orthogonal to the centrifugal force vector when the tip angle is (90−θ2) degrees among any fourth virtual plane. That is, when the tip angle changes within the relative movement range during the execution of the stirring control, the fourth virtual plane moves from the fourth virtual plane P313 to the fourth virtual plane P314. In this case, at least a part of the right surface 913 of the stirring unit 91 is always arranged on the downstream side of the centrifugal force vector with respect to the fourth virtual plane. That is, at least a part of the right surface 913 of the stirring unit 91 is always arranged on the downstream side of the centrifugal force vector with respect to the communication port 910A.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the fifth virtual plane P321, P322 corresponding to the third virtual plane P311, P312 which is an arbitrary fifth virtual plane where the flow path 177 passes through the communication port 177A communicating with the stirring unit 92. Define When the tip angle changes within the relative movement range during the execution of the stirring control, the fifth virtual plane moves between the fifth virtual plane P321 and the fifth virtual plane P322. In this case, at least a part of the right surface 923 of the stirring unit 92 is always arranged downstream of the centrifugal force vector with respect to the fifth virtual plane. In other words, at least a part of the right surface 923 of the stirring unit 92 is always arranged on the downstream side of the centrifugal force vector from the communication port 177A.

  As shown in FIG. 21, sixth virtual planes P323 and P324 corresponding to the fourth virtual planes P313 and P314, which are arbitrary sixth virtual planes through which the flow path 920 passes through the communication port 920A communicating with the stirring unit 92. Define When the tip angle changes within the relative movement range during the execution of the stirring control, the sixth virtual plane moves between the sixth virtual plane P323 and the sixth virtual plane P324. In this case, at least a part of the right surface 923 of the stirring unit 92 is always arranged on the downstream side of the centrifugal force vector with respect to the sixth virtual plane. That is, at least a part of the right surface 923 of the stirring unit 92 is always disposed downstream of the communication port 920A with respect to the centrifugal force vector.

The volume of the mixed fluid 40A that moves to the stirring unit 91 is V1 (first fluid 41) + V1 (second fluid 42) + V2 (third fluid 43). Hereinafter, the volume of the mixed fluid 40A is referred to as “total volume Vsum”. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 20, the minimum value that can be taken by the volume of the portion downstream of the centrifugal force vector with respect to the third virtual plane in the stirring unit 91 is defined as “minimum volume V11”. In the case of the stirring unit 91, the volume of the downstream portion of the centrifugal force vector with respect to the third virtual plane P311 corresponds to the minimum volume V11. In the stirring unit 91, the total volume Vsum is always smaller than the minimum volume V11. That is, the following relationship is established.
Vsum (= V1 + V1 + V2) <V11

Similarly, the volume of the mixed fluid 40B that moves to the stirring unit 92 is V1 (first fluid 41) + V1 (second fluid 42) + V2 (fourth fluid 44). The total volume of the mixed fluid 40B is equal to the total volume Vsum of the mixed fluid 40A. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 20, the minimum value that can be taken by the volume of the portion downstream of the centrifugal force vector with respect to the fifth virtual plane in the stirring unit 92 is defined as “minimum volume V12”. In the case of the stirring unit 92, the volume of the downstream portion of the centrifugal force vector with respect to the fifth virtual plane P321 corresponds to the minimum volume V12. In the stirring unit 92, the total volume Vsum is always smaller than the minimum volume V12. That is, the following relationship is established.
Vsum (= V1 + V1 + V2) <V12

As illustrated in FIG. 21, the minimum value that can be taken by the volume of the portion downstream of the centrifugal force vector with respect to the fourth virtual plane in the stirring unit 91 is defined as “minimum volume V13”. In the case of the stirring unit 91, the volume of the downstream portion of the centrifugal force vector with respect to the fourth virtual plane P314 corresponds to the minimum volume V13. In the stirring portion 91, the total volume Vsum is always smaller than the minimum volume V13. That is, the following relationship is established.
Vsum (= V1 + V1 + V2) <V13

Similarly, the minimum value that can be taken by the volume of the portion of the stirring unit 92 on the downstream side of the centrifugal force vector with respect to the sixth virtual plane is defined as “minimum volume V14”. In the case of the stirring unit 92, the volume of the downstream portion of the centrifugal force vector with respect to the sixth virtual plane P324 corresponds to the minimum volume V14. In the stirring unit 92, the total volume Vsum is always smaller than the minimum volume V14. That is, the following relationship is established.
Vsum (= V1 + V1 + V2) <V14

  As shown in FIG. 15, after the stirring control is completed, the CPU 61 rotates the holder 7 in the forward direction by 90 degrees and changes the tip angle from 90 degrees to 0 degrees (S10). In the process of changing the tip angle from 90 degrees to 0 degree, the tip angle changes to the outside of the relative movement range (90 degrees to (90−θ2) degrees) during the execution of the stirring control. As illustrated in FIG. 22A, the mixed fluid 40 </ b> A stirred by the stirring unit 91 flows to the measurement unit 94 through the flow path 910. The mixed fluid 40 </ b> B stirred by the stirring unit 92 flows to the measurement unit 95 via the flow path 920. In the state where the tip angle is 0 degree, as shown in FIG. 22B, the mixed fluid 40 </ b> A is held near the lower side portion 24 of the measurement unit 94. The mixed fluid 40 </ b> B is held in the vicinity of the lower side 24 of the measurement unit 95.

  The CPU 61 stops the revolution of the inspection chip 2 and simultaneously rotates the chip angle by 90 degrees in the negative direction to return the holder 7 to the steady state (S11). At this time, gravity G acts on the inspection chip 2 from the upper side portion 21 toward the lower side portion 24. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 22C, the state where the mixed fluid 40A is held in the measurement unit 94 and the mixed fluid 40B is held in the measurement unit 95 is maintained.

  The CPU 61 revolves the holder 7 and moves it to the measurement position (S12). The CPU 61 causes the emission unit 671 to emit light. The measurement light 67A emitted from the emission part 671 passes through the measurement part 94 of the inspection chip 2. The measurement light 67B emitted from the emission unit 671 passes through the measurement unit 95 of the inspection chip 2. The CPU 61 optically measures the mixed fluids 40A and 40B based on the amount of change in the measurement lights 67A and 67B received by the detection unit 672, and acquires measurement data. The CPU 61 calculates the measurement result of the mixed fluid based on the acquired measurement data (S13). The CPU 61 ends the centrifugation process.

<Main functions and effects of this embodiment>
As described above, the inspection apparatus 1 executes the agitation control in which the tip angle is repeatedly changed within the relative movement range between 90 degrees and (90−θ2) degrees (S7, S8). Accordingly, the inspection apparatus 1 changes the centrifugal force vector for the stirrer 91A in the stirrer 91 and the stirrer 92A in the stirrer 92. When the tip angle is 90 degrees (S8), the first position 91U is arranged on the downstream side of the centrifugal force vector with respect to the second position 91L, and the first position 92U is on the downstream side of the centrifugal force vector with respect to the second position 92L. It arrange | positions (FIG.19 (b)). For this reason, the stirring bar 91A moves to the first position 91U, and the stirring bar 92A moves to the first position 92U. On the other hand, when the tip angle is (90−θ2) degrees (S7), the second position 91L is arranged on the downstream side of the centrifugal force vector with respect to the first position 91U, and the second position 92L is centrifuged with respect to the first position 92U. It arrange | positions in the downstream of a force vector (FIG. 19 (a)). For this reason, the stirring bar 91A moves to the second position 91L, and the stirring bar 92A moves to the second position 92L. As described above, the inspection device 1 performs the stirring control so that the stirrer 91A is repeatedly reciprocated between the first position 91U and the second position 91L, and the stirrer 92A is moved to the first position 92U. The reciprocating operation can be repeatedly performed between the second position 92L and the second position 92L. Accordingly, the inspection device 1 can agitate the mixed fluids 40A and 40B in the agitation unit 90 of the inspection chip 2 with the agitators 91A and 92A.

  During execution of the agitation control, at least a part of the right surface 913 of the agitation unit 91 is always arranged on the downstream side of the centrifugal force vector with respect to the communication port 167A where the flow path 167 communicates with the agitation unit 91. In addition, at least a part of the right surface 923 of the stirring unit 92 is always disposed downstream of the communication force vector 177A where the flow path 177 communicates with the stirring unit 92. For this reason, the mixed fluids 40A and 40B accommodated in at least a part of the stirring units 91 and 92 are held in the stirring units 91 and 92 while the stirring control is being executed. Therefore, the inspection apparatus 1 can suppress the backflow of the mixed fluid 40 </ b> A from the stirring unit 91 to the fixed amount units 71 to 73 through the mixing and holding unit 16 during the execution of the stirring control. In addition, the inspection apparatus 1 can suppress the mixed fluid 40 </ b> B from flowing backward from the stirring unit 92 to the quantification units 74 to 76 via the mixing and holding unit 17.

  The inspection apparatus 1 applies centrifugal force to the inspection chip 2 by revolving the holder 7 around the vertical axis A1. The inspection device 1 causes the stirring bar 91A to reciprocate between the first position 91U and the second position 91L of the stirring unit 91 by the centrifugal force acting on the testing chip 2, and the stirring bar 92A is moved to the stirring unit. The reciprocating operation is performed between the first position 92U and the second position 92L. For this reason, the inspection apparatus 1 can change the fluid stirring conditions by controlling the strength of the centrifugal force. For example, the inspection apparatus 1 can change the speed at the time of the reciprocating movement of the stirrers 91A and 92A by freely controlling the revolution speed during execution of the stirring control. In this case, the inspection apparatus 1 can adjust the degree of stirring of the mixed fluids 40A and 40B by the stirring bars 91A and 92A.

  The inspection device 1 causes the fluid quantified by the quantification units 71 to 73 to flow into the agitation unit 91 via the mixing and holding unit 16 in the process of changing the tip angle from 0 degrees to 90 degrees (S6). Further, the fluid quantified by the quantification units 74 to 76 is caused to flow into the agitation unit 92 via the mixing and holding unit 17 (FIGS. 18A and 18B). Further, in the process of changing the tip angle from 90 degrees to 0 degrees (S10), the inspection apparatus 1 causes the mixed fluid 40A of the stirring unit 91 to flow toward the measuring unit 94 and the mixed fluid 40B of the stirring unit 92 to be measured. It flows toward 95 (FIGS. 22A and 22B).

  Here, a vector in the direction opposite to the centrifugal force vector in the case where the tip angle is 90 degrees in order to allow the mixed fluids 40A and 40B to flow into the stirring portions 91 and 92 (FIG. 18B) is defined as an opposite vector. To do. In this case, the opposite vector is outside the relative movement range that is the movement range of the centrifugal force vector during execution of the stirring control. That is, when the tip angle changes within the relative movement range during execution of the agitation control, the force that flows backward toward the mixing and holding unit 16 does not act on the mixed fluid 40A in the agitation unit 91. Similarly, a force in a direction to flow backward toward the mixing and holding unit 17 does not act on the mixed fluid 40B in the stirring unit 92. For this reason, the inspection apparatus 1 can suppress the mixed fluids 40 </ b> A and 40 </ b> B from flowing backward from the stirring unit 90 to the fixed amount unit 70 through the mixing and holding unit 15 during the execution of the stirring control.

  Further, the centrifugal force vector in the case where the tip angle is set to 0 degree when the mixed fluids 40A and 40B are caused to flow out from the stirring portions 91 and 92 (FIG. 22B) is out of the relative movement range. That is, when the tip angle changes within the relative movement range during the execution of the stirring control, the force in the direction of flowing out to the measuring unit 94 does not act on the mixed fluid 40A in the stirring unit 91. Similarly, the force that flows out to the measurement unit 95 does not act on the mixed fluid 40B in the stirring unit 92. For this reason, it can suppress that mixed fluid 40A, 40B flows into the measurement part 93 from the stirring part 90 during execution of stirring control.

  The inspection device 1 revolves the holder 7 to rotate the inspection chip 2 during execution of the stirring control. The resultant force of the centrifugal force C generated by this and the gravity G is larger than the gravity G. That is, the inspection apparatus 1 causes the stirring units 91 and 92 of the inspection chip 2 to generate acceleration larger than the acceleration of gravity G. In this case, a centrifugal force C larger than the gravity G acts on the stirring bars 91A and 92A. Therefore, the inspection apparatus 1 includes the difference in distance between the first position 91U and the second position 91L in the stirring unit 91 from the vertical axis A1, and the vertical axis between the first position 92U and the second position 92L in the stirring unit 92. Even if the difference in distance from A1 is reduced, the stirring bars 91A and 92A can be reciprocated with a strong force by the centrifugal force C. Therefore, the inspection apparatus 1 can reciprocate the stirrers 91A and 92A with a strong force at high speed even when the relative movement range during execution of the stirring control is reduced.

  The inspection device 1 repeatedly executes the processes of S7 and S8 a predetermined number of times during the execution of the stirring control. As a result, the chip angle changes a predetermined number of times between 90 degrees and (90−θ) degrees. In this case, the inspection apparatus 1 can reciprocate the stirring bars 91A and 92A a predetermined number of times. For this reason, the test | inspection apparatus 1 can stir the mixed fluid in the stirring parts 91 and 92 satisfactorily.

  The inspection apparatus 1 causes the emission unit 671 of the optical measurement unit 67 to emit light, transmit the measurement light 67A to the measurement unit 94, and transmit the measurement light 67B to the measurement unit 95. The inspection apparatus 1 can optically measure the mixed fluids 40A and 40B based on the amount of change in the measurement light 67A and 67B received by the detection unit 672 of the optical measurement unit 67. Accordingly, when the optical characteristics change due to a chemical reaction generated in the mixed fluids 40A and 40B stirred in the stirring units 91 and 92 of the test chip 2, the inspection apparatus 1 detects the change, thereby determining the degree of the chemical reaction. Can be estimated.

  When the tip angle is 90 degrees, the distance between the right surface 913 of the stirring unit 91 and the horizontal axis A2 and the distance between the right surface 923 of the stirring unit 92 and the horizontal axis A2 are both the first position 91U. , 92U monotonously decreases toward the second positions 91L and 92L (FIG. 19B). On the other hand, when the tip angle is (90−θ2) degrees, the distance between the right surface 913 of the stirring unit 91 and the horizontal axis A2 and the distance between the right surface 923 of the stirring unit 92 and the horizontal axis A2 are It monotonously increases from the first position 91U, 92U toward the second position 91L, 92L (FIG. 19A). In this case, the movement when the stirring bar 91A moves along the right surface 913 of the stirring unit 91 is always monotonous. Similarly, the movement when the stirring bar 92A moves along the right surface 923 of the stirring unit 92 is always monotonous. For this reason, the inspection chip 2 moves the stirring bar 91A between the first position 91U and the second position 91L and moves the stirring bar 92A between the first position 92U and the second position 92L. Inhibition by the unevenness of the right surfaces 913 and 923 can be suppressed. Accordingly, the inspection chip 2 can smoothly reciprocate the stirring bars 91A and 92A in the stirring portions 91 and 92.

  In the inspection chip 2, the stirring bars 91A and 92A are both made of metal. In this case, the specific gravity of the stirrers 91A and 92A can be made larger than that of the fluid normally used. Here, the greater the difference in specific gravity between the stirrers 91A and 92A with respect to the fluid, the greater the acceleration acting on the stirrers 91A and 92A relative to the acceleration acting on the fluid. For this reason, the test | inspection chip 2 can reciprocate the stirring bars 91A and 92A with more powerful force by making the stirring bars 91A and 92A metal. Moreover, the test | inspection chip 2 can implement | achieve the cheap and strong stirring elements 91A and 92A.

  In the inspection chip 2, the stirrers 91A and 92A are spheres. In this case, since the reciprocating stirrers 91A and 92A can roll and move, the frictional force received from the stirrers 91 and 92 can be reduced. Therefore, the inspection tip 2 can reciprocate the stirrers 91A and 92B at a high speed with a strong force even when the relative movement range of the tip angle is small.

  Of the films 291 and 292 of the inspection chip 2, an adhesive is applied to the surface on the side close to the plate material 20. Further, the restriction portions 911R and 912R of the inspection chip 2 restrict the movement of the stirring bar 91A in the front-rear direction. For this reason, the contact of the stirrer 91A with respect to the films 291 and 292 is restricted by the restriction portions 911R and 912R. Further, the restriction portions 921R and 922R of the inspection chip 2 restrict the movement of the stirrer 92A in the front-rear direction. For this reason, the contact of the stirrer 92A with respect to the films 291 and 292 is restricted by the restriction portions 921R and 922R. For this reason, the test | inspection chip 2 can suppress by the control part 911R, 912R, 921R, and 922R that the stirring elements 91A and 92A adsorb | suck to an adhesive and the reciprocating operation of the stirring elements 91A and 92A is inhibited.

  The inspection chip 2 mixes the fluid quantified by each of the quantification units 71 to 73 in the mixing and holding unit 16, and flows the fluid toward the agitation unit 91 through the flow path 167. The inspection chip 2 mixes the fluid quantified by each of the quantification units 74 to 76 in the mixing and holding unit 17 and flows the fluid toward the agitation unit 92 via the flow path 177. For this reason, the test chip 2 can quantitate a plurality of fluids (for example, a reagent and a specimen) in the quantification unit 70, mix them in the mixing and holding unit 15, and agitate them in the agitation unit 90. For this reason, the test | inspection chip 2 can agitate the fixed some fluid and can generate a chemical reaction. For this reason, the test chip 2 can satisfactorily agitate the plurality of fluids in a short time even when used for the purpose of measuring the degree of chemical reaction of the plurality of fluids.

  The plate member 20 and the film 291 that constitute the rear surfaces of the measuring portions 94 and 95 of the inspection chip 2 are all transparent synthetic resins. Therefore, the inspection apparatus 1 can accurately perform the optical measurement of the mixed fluid held in the measurement units 94 and 95 by irradiating the measurement beams 67A and 67B to the measurement units 94 and 95 from the outside.

  The extending directions of the stirring portions 91 and 92 of the inspection chip 2 are arranged in parallel to each other. In this case, compared with the case where there is one stirring unit 90, the amount of the mixed fluid that can be held in the stirring unit 90 and the types of mixed fluids that can be stirred simultaneously can be increased. Further, by arranging the stirring portions 91 and 92 in parallel, the space occupied by the stirring portions 91 and 92 in the inspection chip 2 can be reduced.

  The first position 91U of the stirring unit 91 is disposed above the horizontal axis A2 in the line segment direction 91M connecting the first position 91U and the second position 91L, and the second position 91L is disposed downstream ( (See FIG. 13). The first position 92U of the agitator 92 is disposed above the horizontal axis A2 in the line segment direction 92M connecting the first position 92U and the second position 92L, and the second position 92L is disposed downstream ( (See FIG. 13). In this case, when the inspection device 1 rotates the inspection chip 2 around the horizontal axis A2, the degree of separation between the first position 91U and the second position 91L in the direction of the centrifugal force vector can be further increased. . Therefore, since the test chip 2 can apply a larger acceleration to the stirrers 91A and 92A, the mixed fluid in the stirrers 91 and 92 can be satisfactorily stirred by the stirrers 91A and 92A.

  The stirring unit 91 has an open end 911 on the front surface. For this reason, by elastically deforming the two opposite end portions 911A and 911B of the opening end portion 911 so as to spread, the stirrer 91A is interposed through the portion near the center 911C of the opening formed by the opening end portion 911. Can be introduced into the stirring portion 91. The stirring unit 92 has an open end 921 on the front surface. For this reason, the stirrer 92A is passed through the portion near the center 921C of the opening formed by the opening end 921 by elastically deforming so that the two opposite ends 921A and 921B of the opening end 921 spread. Can be introduced into the stirring section 92.

  The distance L11 between the two end portions 911A and 911B facing the opening end portion 911 and the distance L21 between the two end portions 921A and 921B facing the opening end portion 921 are both the stirrer 91A, It is smaller than the diameter of 92A. Further, the interval between the two end portions 911A and 911B excluding the central vicinity 911C is further smaller, and the interval between the two end portions 921A and 921B excluding the central vicinity 921C is further smaller. For this reason, the test | inspection chip 2 can suppress that the stirring elements 91A and 92A remove | deviate from the stirring part 90, when the stirring elements 91A and 92A move in the stirring part 90. FIG.

  In the stirring unit 91, the total volume Vsum is always smaller than the minimum volumes V11 and V13 (see FIGS. 20 and 21). In the stirring unit 92, the total volume Vsum is always smaller than the minimum volumes V12 and V14 (see FIGS. 20 and 21). In this case, the mixed fluid does not overflow from the stirring unit 90 when the mixed fluid flows into the stirring unit 90 from the quantitative unit 70 via the mixing and holding unit 15. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the mixed fluids 40 </ b> A and 40 </ b> B from flowing out from the stirring unit 90 to the quantifying unit 70 side through the mixing and holding unit 15 during execution of the stirring control by the inspection apparatus 1. Further, the inspection apparatus 1 can suppress the mixed fluids 40A and 40B from flowing out from the stirring unit 91 to the measurement unit 93 via the flow paths 910 and 920 during execution of the stirring control.

<Modification>
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. Needless to say, the numbers of the injection unit 10, the determination unit 70, the stirring unit 90, and the measurement unit 93 in the test chip 2 are not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the test chip 2 may have one injection unit 10, one quantification unit 70, one stirring unit 90, and one measurement unit 93. Moreover, the test | inspection chip 2 may be used for the use of fixed_quantity | quantitative_assay of fluid, mixing, and stirring. In this case, the inspection chip 2 may not include the measurement unit 93. Furthermore, the test | inspection chip 2 may be used only for the use which stirs a fluid. In this case, the inspection chip 2 may include only the agitation unit 90, a flow channel for allowing fluid to flow into the agitation unit 90, and a flow channel for allowing fluid to flow out of the agitation unit 90. For this reason, the test | inspection chip 2 does not need to be provided with the fixed_quantity | quantitative_assay part 70 and the measurement part 93. FIG.

  The inspection device 1 causes the fluid to move in the inspection chip 2 by applying a centrifugal force C larger than the gravity G to the inspection chip 2, and reciprocates the stirring bars 91 </ b> A and 92 </ b> A. On the other hand, the inspection apparatus 1 may control the revolution speed so that the centrifugal force C is approximately equal to the gravity G. Then, the inspection apparatus 1 may move the fluid within the inspection chip 2 and reciprocate the stirring bars 91A and 92A based on the resultant force of the centrifugal force C and the gravity G. Further, the inspection apparatus 1 may move the fluid within the inspection chip 2 only by gravity acting on the inspection chip 2. Further, the inspection device 1 may reciprocate the stirring bars 91A and 92A in the stirring portions 91 and 92 only by gravity acting on the inspection chip 2. In this case, the inspection apparatus 1 need only include the angle changing mechanism 34, and may not include a mechanism (such as the spindle motor 35) that revolves the inspection chip 2 around the vertical axis A1.

  The right surface 913 of the stirring unit 91 and the right surface 923 of the stirring unit 92 may not be flat. For example, convex portions may be provided on the right surfaces 913 and 923. In this case, the moving direction of the stirring bars 91A and 92A can be changed by moving the stirring bars 91A and 92A along the convex portions provided on the right surfaces 913 and 923. In this case, the stirrers 91A and 92A can stir the mixed fluids 40A and 40B in the stirring unit 90 even better.

  The stirrers 91A and 92B are not limited to metal, and may be other materials larger than the specific gravity of the fluid. Further, the shapes of the stirrers 91A and 92B are not limited to a spherical shape, and may be other shapes that can roll and move in the stirring unit 90. For example, the stirring bars 91A and 92A may be cylindrical. In this case, as in the case where the stirrers 91A and 92A are spherical, the frictional force that the reciprocating stirrers 91A and 92A receive from the stirrers 91 and 92 can be reduced. Therefore, the inspection tip 2 can reciprocate the stirrers 91A and 92A at a high speed with a strong force even when the relative movement range of the tip angle is small. When the stir bars 91A and 92A are cylindrical, the central axis is preferably arranged in parallel with the horizontal axis A2.

  The movement of the stirrer 91A in the front-rear direction was restricted by the restriction portions 911R and 912R. The movement of the stirrer 92A in the front-rear direction was restricted by the restriction portions 921R and 922R. On the other hand, separate members that restrict the movement of the stirring bars 91A and 92A in the front-rear direction may be provided in the stirring portions 91 and 92. For example, the restricting portion may be provided on the end portion 911B side of the opening end portion 911, the end portion 912A side of the opening end portion 921, the end portion 921B side of the opening end portion 921, and the end portion 922A side of the opening end portion 922. . Further, for example, the gap between the end portions 911A and 911B of the opening end portion 911 of the stirring portion 91 may have a shape that gradually decreases toward the outside. The interval between the end portions 912A and 912B of the opening end portion 912 may have a shape that gradually decreases toward the outside.

  The inspection apparatus 1 may perform optical measurement by irradiating the stirring unit 90 with measurement light after the mixed fluid is stirred by the stirring unit 90 of the inspection chip 2. In this case, the measuring unit 93 may not be provided in the inspection chip 2.

  In the above, the determination units 71 to 73 flowed to the mixing and holding unit 16 via the flow paths 161 to 163. The fluid quantified in each of the quantification units 71 to 73 was mixed in the mixing and holding unit 16 and flowed into the agitation unit 91 through the flow path 167. Similarly, the quantification units 74 to 76 flowed to the mixing and holding unit 17 via the flow paths 174 to 176. The fluid quantified in each of the quantification units 74 to 76 was mixed in the mixing and holding unit 17 and flowed into the stirring unit 92 through the flow path 177. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 23, the flow paths 161 to 163 may directly communicate with the stirring unit 91. That is, the fluid quantified in each of the quantification units 71 to 73 may be mixed in the stirring unit 91 and stirred at the same time. The flow paths 174 to 176 may directly communicate with the stirring unit 92. That is, the fluid quantified by each of the quantification units 74 to 76 may be mixed in the stirring unit 92 and stirred at the same time. In these cases, since the mixed holding unit 15 in the inspection chip 2 is not necessary, the inspection chip 2 can be reduced in size. In addition, the time from mixing the quantified fluid to stirring can be shortened.

  In the inspection chip 2, the extending directions of the stirring portions 91 and 92 may cross each other. In this case, for example, when the tip angle is 90 degrees (S8), the first position 91U is arranged on the downstream side of the centrifugal force vector from the second position 91L, and the second position 92L is centrifugal force from the first position 92U. It may be arranged downstream of the vector. In this case, the stirrer 91A moves to the first position 91U, and the stirrer 92A moves to the second position 92L. On the other hand, when the tip angle is (90−θ2) degrees (S7), the second position 91L is arranged on the downstream side of the centrifugal force vector with respect to the first position 91U, and the first position 92U is centrifuged with respect to the second position 92L. It may be arranged downstream of the force vector. In this case, the stirrer 91A moves to the second position 91L, and the stirrer 92A moves to the first position 92U. In the above case, the angle formed by the extending directions of the stirring portions 91 and 92 may be (2 × θ2) degrees.

  The opening formed by the opening end 911 of the stirring unit 91 and the opening formed by the opening end 921 of the stirring unit 92 may be closed by a lid member after the introduction of the stirring bars 91A and 92A.

  By holding the mixed fluid in the measuring unit 93, the mixed fluid may be separated for each component. In this case, after the test chip 2 generates a chemical reaction in the mixed fluid by stirring by the stirring unit 90, the measurement fluid 93 can separate the mixed fluid for each component. Therefore, the inspection apparatus 1 can perform optical measurement for each component by transmitting measurement light for each separated component. In the above, a separation unit for separating the mixed fluid for each component may be provided on the downstream side of the stirring unit 90 and the upstream side of the measurement unit 93. The mixed fluid stirred in the stirring unit 90 may be separated for each component by the separation unit.

  In the stirring unit 91, the total volume Vsum and the minimum volumes V11 and V13 may be substantially the same. Similarly, in the stirring unit 92, the total volume Vsum and the minimum volumes V12, V14 may be substantially the same. Furthermore, the total volume Vsum may be slightly larger than the minimum volumes V11 and V13. In this case, the mixed fluid slightly overflows from the stirring unit 90 when the mixed fluid flows into the stirring unit 90 from the fixed amount unit 70 via the mixing and holding unit 15. However, there is no problem as long as the mixed fluid overflows in a range where it does not flow back to the quantifying unit 70. Similarly, the total volume Vsum may be slightly larger than the minimum volumes V12 and V14. In this case, the mixed fluids 40A and 40B slightly flow out from the stirring unit 91 toward the measuring unit 93 during the execution of the stirring control. However, there is no problem as long as it does not affect the optical measurement.

<Others>
The inspection system 3 is an example of the “stirring system” of the present invention. The inspection device 1 is an example of the “stirring device” of the present invention. The horizontal axis A2 is an example of the “first axis” in the present invention. The angle changing mechanism 34 is an example of the “first rotating mechanism” in the present invention. The quantitative unit 70 is an example of the “first fluid holding unit” in the present invention. The mixing holding unit 15 and the channels 167 and 177 are examples of the “first channel” in the present invention. 90 degrees is an example of the “first angle” and “third angle” in the present invention. (90−θ2) degrees is an example of the “second angle” in the present invention. The vertical axis A1 is an example of the “second axis” in the present invention. The spindle motor 35 is an example of the “second rotating mechanism” in the present invention. The flow paths 910 and 920 are examples of the “second flow path” in the present invention. The measurement units 94 and 95 are examples of the “second fluid holding unit” in the present invention. 0 degree is an example of the “fourth angle” in the present invention. The minimum volumes V11 and V13 are examples of the “first volume” in the present invention. The minimum volumes V12 and V14 are examples of the “second volume” in the present invention.

1: Inspection device 2: Inspection chip 3: Inspection systems 15, 16, 17: Mixing and holding unit 25: Fluid flow path 34: Angle changing mechanism 35: Spindle motors 40A, 40B: Mixed fluid 61: CPU
67: Optical measuring unit 90: Stirrer 91A, 92A: Stirrer 93: Measuring unit 910: Channel 920: Channel A1: Vertical axis A2: Horizontal axis B: Reference axis C: Centrifugal force

Claims (25)

A chip that can contain a fluid, and a stirring system including a stirring device that stirs the fluid in the chip,
The stirring device
A first rotation mechanism that changes a direction vector indicating a relative direction of acceleration acting on the chip with respect to the chip by rotating the chip about a first axis;
A control unit for controlling the first rotation mechanism,
The chip is
A first fluid holding part for holding the fluid;
A stirring unit connected to the first fluid holding unit via a first flow path;
A stirrer disposed within the stirring unit and held movably between a first position and a second position which are two different positions in a direction intersecting the first axis;
The controller is
By controlling the first rotation mechanism to rotate the chip, a chip angle, which is an angle of the direction vector with respect to a predetermined reference axis of the chip orthogonal to the first axis, is set to a first angle and a second angle. Execute agitation control that changes in the relative movement range between
During execution of the stirring control,
When the tip angle is the first angle, the first position is more on the downstream side of the direction vector than the second position;
When the tip angle is the second angle, the second position is downstream of the direction vector with respect to the first position;
When the tip angle is any angle within the relative movement range, at least a part of the stirring unit is located downstream of the direction vector with respect to the end of the first channel on the stirring unit side. An agitation system characterized by being. The stirring device further includes a second rotation mechanism that causes the chip to act on the chip as the acceleration by rotating the chip around a second axis different from the first axis,
The control unit controls the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism,
The agitation system according to claim 1, wherein the first axis rotates together with the tip about the second axis. The chip further comprises:
Having a second fluid holding part connected to the stirring part via a second flow path;
The controller is
By controlling the first rotation mechanism to rotate the tip and setting the tip angle to a third angle within the relative movement range, the first fluid holding part and the first flow path are used to Move the fluid to the stirring section,
The angle with respect to the reference axis of the opposite vector that faces the opposite direction to the direction vector when the tip angle is the third angle is outside the relative movement range,
The tip is rotated by controlling the first rotation mechanism, and the tip angle is set to a fourth angle that is an angle outside the relative movement range. Moving the fluid to the second fluid holding portion;
2. The execution of the stirring control, wherein at least a part of the stirring unit is located on the downstream side of the direction vector with respect to the end of the second channel on the stirring unit side. 2. The stirring system according to 2. The controller is
During execution of the agitation control, the second rotation mechanism is controlled to rotate the tip, thereby generating the acceleration greater than the gravitational acceleration in the agitation unit, and setting the tip angle to the relative movement range. The agitation system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The controller is
5. The stirring system according to claim 1, wherein the tip angle is alternately changed a plurality of times between the first angle and the second angle during execution of the stirring control. The stirring device
The stirring system according to claim 3, further comprising an optical measurement unit that performs optical measurement on the fluid that has moved to the second fluid holding unit. Among the wall surfaces of the stirring unit, the distance between the wall surface on the downstream side of the direction vector and the second axis is:
When the tip angle is the first angle, the tip angle decreases monotonously from the first position toward the second position;
The stirring system according to claim 2, wherein when the tip angle is the second angle, the tip angle monotonously increases from the first position toward the second position. A chip capable of containing a fluid,
A first fluid holding part;
A stirring unit connected to the first fluid holding unit via a first flow path;
A stirring bar disposed in the stirring unit and held movably between a first position and a second position, which are two different positions;
A chip angle, which is an angle of a direction vector indicating a relative direction of acceleration acting on the chip with respect to a predetermined reference axis of the chip orthogonal to the first axis, is a relative value between the first angle and the second angle. In the case of being used in a stirring device that stirs the fluid of the stirrer by changing in the moving range,
When the tip angle is the first angle, the first position is more on the downstream side of the direction vector than the second position;
When the tip angle is the second angle, the second position is downstream of the direction vector with respect to the first position;
When the tip angle is any angle within the relative movement range, at least a part of the stirring unit is located downstream of the direction vector with respect to the end of the first channel on the stirring unit side. A chip characterized by being.   The chip according to claim 8, wherein the stirring bar is made of metal.   The chip according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the stirring bar has a spherical shape.   The tip according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the stirring bar has a cylindrical shape. The stirring device changes the tip angle in the relative movement range by rotating the tip about the first axis,
At least a part of the wall surface constituting the stirring unit has adhesiveness,
The stirring unit is
The chip according to any one of claims 8 to 11, further comprising a restricting portion that restricts the stirring bar from contacting at least a part of the wall surface having adhesiveness. A plurality of the first fluid holding portions;
13. The chip according to claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of first fluid holding units is connected to the stirring unit via the first flow path. A plurality of the first flow paths;
The chip according to claim 8, wherein the first fluid holding unit is connected to the stirring unit via the plurality of first flow paths. Having a second fluid holding part connected to the stirring part via a second flow path;
The chip according to claim 8, wherein at least a part of the wall portion of the second fluid holding portion is transparent. The stirring unit is
A first stirring unit and a second stirring unit extending in a direction intersecting the direction vector;
The chip according to any one of claims 8 to 15, wherein the first stirring unit and the second stirring unit are arranged in parallel to each other and in a direction indicated by the direction vector. The stirring device changes the tip angle in the relative movement range by rotating the tip about the first axis,
The first position is disposed on one side of the first axis in a line segment direction in which a line segment connecting the first position and the second position extends,
The chip according to any one of claims 8 to 16, wherein the second position is arranged on the other side of the first axis in the line segment direction. The stirring unit is
11. An annular end portion including at least two end portions facing each other with a distance smaller than the diameter of the stirring bar, and having an elastic open end portion forming an opening. 11. The chip according to 11.   The chip according to claim 15, wherein the second fluid holding unit includes a separation unit that separates the stirred fluid. A first fluid holding part for holding fluid, a stirring part connected to the first fluid holding part via a first flow path, and a first position and a second position which are two different positions in the stirring part; A stirring method for stirring the fluid in a chip having a stirring bar movably held between,
In a state where the fluid is held in the stirring unit, the tip is rotated around a first axis, and a direction vector indicating a relative direction of the acceleration acting on the tip with respect to the tip is changed. Agitation control is performed to change a tip angle, which is an angle of the direction vector with respect to a predetermined reference axis of the tip orthogonal to the first axis, in a relative movement range between the first angle and the second angle;
During execution of the stirring control,
When the tip angle is the first angle, the first position is more on the downstream side of the direction vector than the second position;
When the tip angle is the second angle, the second position is downstream of the direction vector with respect to the first position;
When the tip angle is any angle within the relative movement range, at least a part of the stirring unit is located downstream of the direction vector with respect to the end of the first channel on the stirring unit side. A stirring method characterized by being. Rotating the chip around a second axis different from the first axis, causing centrifugal force to act on the chip as the acceleration,
21. The stirring method according to claim 20, wherein the first axis rotates together with the tip about the second axis. The chip further includes a second fluid holding unit connected to the stirring unit via a second flow path,
The tip is rotated while the fluid is held in the first fluid holding portion, and the tip angle is set to a third angle within the relative movement range, whereby the first fluid holding portion takes the first Moving the fluid to the agitator through a flow path;
The angle with respect to the reference axis of the opposite vector that faces the opposite direction to the direction vector when the tip angle is the third angle is outside the relative movement range,
The tip is rotated while the fluid is held in the agitation unit, and the tip angle is set to a fourth angle that is an angle outside the relative movement range. Moving the fluid to the second fluid holding part via
The execution of the agitation control, wherein at least a part of the agitation unit is located on the downstream side of the direction vector with respect to the end of the second channel on the agitation unit side. The described stirring method.   The stirring method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the specific gravity of the stirring bar is larger than the specific gravity of the fluid. The first fluid holding unit holds a plurality of the fluids,
The plurality of fluids move from the first fluid holding unit to the stirring unit in response to rotating the tip about the first axis, and are held in the stirring unit in a state where the plurality of fluids are mixed. And
Of the internal space of the stirring unit, a virtual plane orthogonal to the direction vector and a portion on the downstream side of the direction vector from the first virtual plane passing through the end of the first flow path on the stirring unit side The total volume that is the total volume of the plurality of fluids that move to the stirring unit is smaller than the first volume that is the minimum value that can be taken during execution of the stirring control. Item 24. The stirring method according to any one of Items 20 to 23. The first fluid holding unit holds a plurality of the fluids,
The plurality of fluids move from the first fluid holding unit to the stirring unit in response to rotating the tip about the first axis, and are held in the stirring unit in a state where the plurality of fluids are mixed. And
Of the internal space of the stirring section, a virtual plane orthogonal to the direction vector and a portion on the downstream side of the direction vector from the second virtual plane passing through the end of the second flow path on the stirring section side The total volume that is the total volume of the plurality of fluids that move to the stirring section is smaller than the second volume that is the minimum value that can be taken during execution of the stirring control. Item 22. The stirring method according to Item 22.

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