Patent ID: 8980180
Filing Date: 2015-03-17
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A gel particle measurement device for measuring particles produced from a target substance in a sample through a gelation reaction, the gel particle measurement device comprising: sample cuvette comprising an incident portion through which light enters, and accommodating a sample containing a target substance to be measured and a solution containing a reagent that causes gelation of the target substance; a stirring device configured to stir a mixed solution comprising the sample and the solution containing the reagent in the sample cuvette so as to inhibit gelation of the entire mixed solution; an incident light source provided outside the incident portion of the sample cuvette, for irradiating the mixed solution comprising the sample and the solution containing the reagent in the sample cuvette with coherent light; a backscattered light detecting device provided outside the incident portion of the sample cuvette on the same side on which the incident light source is provided, and includes a light receiving part surrounding incident light which enters the sample cuvette front the incident light source, the backscattered light detecting device configured to detect a backscattered light component, which returns toward the incident light source, in a light scattered in the mixed solution comprising the sample and the solution containing the reagent in the sample cuvette; a scattered light fluctuation device configured to measure a fluctuation component of scattered light based on a detection output from the backscattered light detecting device; a stray light removing device provided on the opposite side on which the incident light source and the backscattered light detecting device are provided in the sample cuvette or around the sample cuvette, the stray light removing device configured to remove a stray light component, which is generated by transmission or scattering, except the backscattered light component, which returns toward the incident light source in the mixed solution, in irradiation light from the incident light source, and a gel particle production device configured to determine, based on a result of measurement by the scattered light fluctuation device, a production state of gel particles, which includes at least a starting point of production of the gel particles in the mixed solution, which leads to timing of phase transition of the mixed solution from a sol phase to a gel phase.