JP2019074434A - Specimen diagnosing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sample diagnostic device capable of appropriately wetting the surface of a propagation path of a SAW sensor with a sample even when a membrane is arranged above the SAW element. SOLUTION: A SAW element 3 having a propagation path 33 with which a sample K comes into contact, a sealing member 4 arranged so as to surround the periphery of the propagation path 33, and a porous material arranged on the sealing member 4. The membrane 5 is provided with. The height of the sealing member 4 is set so that a space S having a predetermined height is formed between the propagation path 33 and the membrane 5, and when the sample K is dropped on the membrane 5, the gas G in the space S is dropped. The transmittance of the membrane 5 is set so that the sample K is discharged from the membrane 5 to the outside and the sample K permeates into the space S and comes into contact with the propagation path 33. [Selection diagram] Fig. 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a sample diagnostic apparatus using surface acoustic waves (SAW), and more particularly to a sample diagnostic apparatus in which a sample is dropped in a propagation path (reaction field).

  For example, a diagnostic device (SAW biosensor) for diagnosing an allergy or the like by dropping a liquid (blood or the like) sample onto a SAW element is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1), and such SAW When the antigen (or antibody) concentration in a liquid such as blood is measured by a biosensor, a sample is dropped with the propagation path of the SAW element as a reaction field. At this time, in order to prevent the sample from flowing out of the propagation path and coming into contact with the comb electrode etc., there is known a technique of covering the periphery of the propagation path with a sealing member made of resin (e.g. reference.).

JP, 2009-271057, A JP, 2015-65668, A

  By the way, when dropping a sample into the propagation path, the propagation path needs to be wetted evenly and instantly by the sample. This is because when the sample slowly wets the surface of the propagation path, detection of reaction initiation and calculation of the reaction amount become complicated, and if there is a region that is not wet with the sample, the sensor according to the region area This is because the performance is reduced.

  On the other hand, it is conceivable to arrange the membrane with a slight gap just above the propagation path in order to improve the wettability of the sample to the propagation path or to arrange the secondary antibody. This membrane is in the form of a sheet made of a porous material (for example, a fiber material), and is in close contact with a sealing member disposed so as to surround the propagation path in order to ensure mechanical stability and the like. It is conceivable that the In addition, in order to prevent the membrane from coming into contact with the propagation path, it is necessary to secure a predetermined gap between the propagation path and the membrane, and the height of the sealing member is secured to secure such a gap. Is set.

  Therefore, there is a space between the propagation path and the membrane, and the analyte dropped onto the membrane reaches (fills) the propagation path via this space. That is, air filled in the space before dropping is replaced with the sample after dropping the sample, and the sample fills the space. It is desirable that the air and the sample be replaced smoothly, but the space is relatively airtight by the membrane, and the membrane is filled with the sample, which may increase the sealing performance and inhibit the replacement. There is. As a result, it is difficult to properly wet the surface of the propagation path with the sample.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sample diagnosis apparatus capable of properly wetting the surface of the propagation path of the SAW sensor with a sample even when the membrane is disposed above the SAW element.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 comprises a SAW element having a propagation path in contact with an analyte, a sealing member arranged to surround the circumference of the propagation path, and the sealing member And a sheet-like membrane disposed on the upper side and made of a porous material, and the height of the sealing member is set such that a space of a predetermined height is formed between the propagation path and the membrane. When the specimen is set, the gas in the space is discharged from the membrane to the outside when the specimen is dropped on the membrane, and the permeability of the membrane is such that the specimen permeates the space and contacts the propagation path. It is set, It is a sample diagnostic device characterized by the above-mentioned.

  The invention according to claim 2 is a SAW element having a propagation path in contact with an analyte, a sealing member disposed so as to surround the circumference of the propagation path, and a porous member disposed on the sealing member A height of the sealing member is set such that a space of a predetermined height is formed between the propagation path and the membrane; An exhaust unit that exhausts the gas in the space to the outside is formed in the unit.

  The invention according to claim 3 is a SAW element having a propagation path in contact with an analyte, a sealing member disposed to surround the circumference of the propagation path, and a porous member disposed on the sealing member. A sheet-like membrane made of a material, and the height of the sealing member is set such that a space of a predetermined height is formed between the propagation path and the membrane; and the sealing member An exhaust unit for exhausting the gas in the space to the outside is formed in a part of the sample diagnosis device.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the sample is dropped on the membrane, the gas in the space between the propagation path of the SAW sensor and the membrane is discharged from the membrane to the outside, so the space is kept airtight. It does not. Therefore, the sample can easily penetrate into the space, and the surface of the propagation path can be properly (instantly evenly) wetted by the sample. In addition, the configuration is simple because it is sufficient to dispose a membrane having a transmissivity in which the gas in the space is discharged from the membrane to the outside and the sample penetrates the space.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the exhaust portion for exhausting the gas in the space between the propagation path of the SAW sensor and the membrane to the outside is formed in a part of the membrane, the inside of the space is airtight. do not become. Therefore, the sample can easily penetrate into the space, and the surface of the propagation path can be properly (instantly evenly) wetted by the sample. In addition, the structure is simple because it is sufficient to form the exhaust part on a part of the membrane.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the exhaust portion for exhausting the gas in the space between the propagation path of the SAW sensor and the membrane to the outside is formed in a part of the sealing member. It will not be airtight. Therefore, the sample can easily penetrate into the space, and the surface of the propagation path can be properly (instantly evenly) wetted by the sample. In addition, the configuration is simple because it is sufficient to form the exhaust part on a part of the sealing member.

It is sectional drawing which shows the laminated structure of the sample diagnostic apparatus based on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state after a test substance is dripped at the test | inspection diagnostic apparatus of FIG. It is a top view which shows the whole sample diagnostic apparatus of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the laminated structure of the specimen diagnostic apparatus provided with the dense membrane. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state after a sample is dropped on the sample diagnosis apparatus of FIG. 4; It is sectional drawing which shows the laminated structure of the sample diagnostic apparatus based on Embodiment 2 of this invention. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state after a sample is dropped on the sample diagnosis apparatus of FIG. 6; It is sectional drawing which shows the laminated structure of the sample diagnostic apparatus based on Embodiment 3 of this invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state after a sample is dropped on the sample diagnosis apparatus of FIG. 8;

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiments.

Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view (a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 3) showing the laminated structure of the sample diagnostic device 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 shows the sample diagnostic device 1 after the sample K is dropped. It is sectional drawing which shows the state of. The sample diagnosis apparatus 1 is an apparatus for diagnosing the antigen (or antibody) concentration or the like of a liquid (blood or the like) sample K using surface acoustic waves, and as shown in FIG. And a cassette 22 made of plastic and detachably mounted on the device body 21 and onto which the sample K is dropped. The present invention relates to the dropping unit 23 of the cassette 22 to which the sample K is dropped, and the dropping unit 23 will be described below.

  The sample diagnosis apparatus 1, that is, the dropping unit 23 mainly includes the SAW element 3, the sealing member 4, and the membrane 5.

  The SAW element 3 is a surface acoustic wave element having a propagation path (reaction field) 33 with which the sample K contacts, and includes a piezoelectric substrate 32 and a metal electrode pattern. That is, the piezoelectric substrate 32 is placed on the surface of a PC board (Printed Circuit board, printed substrate) 31, and a metal electrode pattern including propagation paths 33 and comb electrodes (IDTs) on the surface of the piezoelectric substrate 32. Is provided.

  The sealing member 4 is a member disposed so as to surround the propagation path 33, and is made of black resin. That is, the sealing member 4 is disposed in a ring shape so as to cover the outer peripheral edge of the piezoelectric substrate 32 and at the boundary between the PC plate 31 and the piezoelectric substrate 32 to hold the specimen K in the space S described later. is there.

  The membrane 5 is a sheet-like member disposed on the sealing member 4 and made of a porous material. That is, it is a sheet-like member made of a material having many holes, for wetting the propagation path 33 which is the surface of the SAW element 3 with the sample K, and disposed so as to straddle the annular sealing member 4 There is.

  The height of the sealing member 4 is set such that a space S having a predetermined height is formed between the membrane 5 and the propagation path 33. That is, the height of the space S formed between the membrane 5 and the propagation path 33, that is, the distance between the lower surface of the membrane 5 and the surface of the propagation path 33 is a predetermined height. The height is set. Here, the predetermined height is the height at which the sample K dropped onto the membrane 5 penetrates into the membrane 5 and contacts the propagation path 33 properly by surface tension (the propagation path 33 gets wet with the sample K). Further, the reason for providing a gap between the propagation path 33 and the membrane 5 is to prevent the membrane 5 from coming into contact with the propagation path 33 and causing trouble in the function of the SAW element 3.

  Further, when the sample K is dropped on the membrane 5, the gas (air) G in the space S is discharged to the outside through the membrane 5, and the sample K penetrates into the space S and propagates. It is set to touch the road 33. That is, the mesh 5 of the membrane 5 is coarse and porous, and the sample K dropped onto the membrane 5 passes through a part of the pores and exudes to the space S side to wet the propagation path 33 and exudes to the space S side The permeability of the membrane 5 is set high so that the gas G in the space S pressed by the sample K is discharged to the outside from a part of the holes. In other words, when the sample K is dropped onto the membrane 5, all the holes facing the space S of the membrane 5 are not simultaneously filled with the sample K, and the gas G is discharged to the outside from some of the holes. , The transmittance is set. Specifically, in this embodiment, such a transmittance is obtained by forming the membrane 5 with a cotton non-woven fabric. Here, the permeability is an index indicating how easily the fluid passes through, and can also be called porosity.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the case of the sample diagnosis apparatus 100 in which the membrane 105 is made of glass fiber, the mesh of the membrane 105 becomes dense and the transmittance of the membrane 105 becomes low. Therefore, the space S is relatively airtight by the membrane 105, and the sealing property is enhanced by the fact that the membrane 105 is filled with the sample K, and the gas G in the space S becomes difficult to be discharged from the membrane 105. As a result, the sample K hardly penetrates to the surface side of the propagation path 133 and does not contact properly (in an instant). Here, in FIGS. 4 and 5, reference numeral 103 denotes a SAW element, reference numeral 131 denotes a PC plate, reference numeral 132 denotes a piezoelectric substrate, and reference numeral 104 denotes a sealing member.

  According to the sample diagnosis apparatus 1 having such a configuration, when the sample K is dropped on the membrane 5, the gas G in the space S between the propagation path 33 of the SAW sensor 3 and the membrane 5 is through the membrane 5. Since the space S is discharged to the outside, the space S does not become airtight. For this reason, the sample K easily penetrates into the space S, and the surface of the propagation path 33 can be properly (instantly evenly) wetted by the sample K. In addition, since the gas G in the space S may be discharged from the membrane 5 to the outside, and only the membrane 5 having a transmittance to allow the sample K to penetrate into the space S may be disposed, the configuration is simple.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the laminated structure of the sample diagnosis apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state after the sample K is dropped on the sample diagnosis apparatus 1. In this embodiment, the configuration is different from that of the first embodiment in that an exhaust unit 51 for discharging the gas G in the space S to the outside is formed in a part of the membrane 5, and is equivalent to the first embodiment. About the structure of, the description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

  That is, a part of the outer edge of the membrane 5 is cut out, and the exhaust portion 51 is formed such that the cut reaches the space S. That is, the exhaust part 51 which does not contact the sealing member 4 is formed. Thus, the gas G in the space S can be discharged to the outside through the exhaust unit 51. The size of the exhaust unit 51 is sufficient to discharge the gas G in the space S to the outside, and the position of the exhaust unit 51 does not affect the function or operability of the sample diagnostic apparatus 1 Any position is acceptable. Here, the membrane 5 may be made of a material having a dense eye and a low permeability (porosity), or a porosity that assists the exhaust by the exhaust unit 51. If the surface of the propagation path 33 is easily wetted due to the relationship between the porosity and the surface tension of the dropped sample, the porosity may be set to satisfy this condition.

  According to such an embodiment, the exhaust unit 51 for exhausting the gas G in the space S between the propagation path 33 of the SAW sensor 3 and the membrane 5 is formed in a part of the membrane 5. , The space S does not become airtight. For this reason, the sample K easily penetrates into the space S, and the surface of the propagation path 33 can be properly (instantly evenly) wetted by the sample K. In addition, since the exhaust part 51 may be formed on a part of the membrane 5, the configuration is simple.

Third Embodiment
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a laminated structure of the sample diagnostic device 1 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state after the sample K is dropped on the sample diagnostic device 1. The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the exhaust unit 41 for exhausting the gas G in the space S to the outside is formed in a part of the sealing member 4 in the first embodiment. The same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in FIG.

  That is, a part of the sealing member 4 is cut out, and the exhaust part 41 is formed such that the cut reaches the space S from the outer peripheral surface side (through the space S from the outer peripheral surface) . That is, the exhaust part 41 not in contact with the membrane 5 is formed. Thereby, the gas G in the space S can be exhausted to the outside through the exhaust part 41. The size of the exhaust unit 41 is sufficient to discharge the gas G in the space S to the outside, and the position of the exhaust unit 41 does not affect the function or operability of the sample diagnostic apparatus 1 Any position is acceptable. Here, the membrane 5 may be made of a material having a dense eye and a low transmittance.

  According to such an embodiment, the exhaust portion 41 for exhausting the gas G in the space S between the propagation path 33 of the SAW sensor 3 and the membrane 5 is formed in a part of the sealing member 4. Therefore, the space S does not become airtight. For this reason, the sample K easily penetrates into the space S, and the surface of the propagation path 33 can be properly (instantly evenly) wetted by the sample K. And since it is sufficient to form the exhaust part 41 in a part of sealing member 4, a structure is simple.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the specific configuration is not limited to the above embodiment, and even if there is a change in design or the like within the scope of the present invention, Included in the invention. For example, although the gas G is discharged to the outside by roughening the entire membrane 5 in the above-described first embodiment, an air vent hole for discharging the gas G is formed on the membrane 5 with fine eyes. It is also good. Also, it may be applied to the membrane 5 impregnated with the secondary antibody.

1 Sample Diagnostic Device 3 SAW Element 32 Piezoelectric Substrate 33 Propagation Path (Reaction Field)
4 sealing member 41 exhaust part 5 membrane 51 exhaust part K sample S space G gas

Claims (3)

A SAW element having a propagation path in contact with a sample,
A sealing member disposed to surround the periphery of the propagation path;
A sheet-like membrane formed of a porous material, disposed on the sealing member;
Equipped with
The height of the sealing member is set such that a space of a predetermined height is formed between the propagation path and the membrane,
When a sample is dropped on the membrane, the gas in the space is discharged from the membrane to the outside, and the permeability of the membrane is set so that the sample penetrates the space and contacts the propagation path. Yes,
A sample diagnostic apparatus characterized by A SAW element having a propagation path in contact with a sample,
A sealing member disposed to surround the periphery of the propagation path;
A sheet-like membrane formed of a porous material, disposed on the sealing member;
Equipped with
The height of the sealing member is set such that a space of a predetermined height is formed between the propagation path and the membrane,
An exhaust unit for exhausting the gas in the space to the outside is formed in a part of the membrane.
A sample diagnostic apparatus characterized by A SAW element having a propagation path in contact with a sample,
A sealing member disposed to surround the periphery of the propagation path;
A sheet-like membrane formed of a porous material, disposed on the sealing member;
Equipped with
The height of the sealing member is set such that a space of a predetermined height is formed between the propagation path and the membrane,
An exhaust unit for exhausting the gas in the space to the outside is formed in a part of the sealing member.
A sample diagnostic apparatus characterized by

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