Abstract:
An apparatus for chemiluminescence and/or fluorescence measuring, comprising a photomultiplier device ( 50 ) receiving and measuring a photo-emission of a reaction cup ( 12 ), comprising:
   a reading unit module ( 1 ) comprising said photomultiplier device ( 50 ), configured to read said chemiluminescence and/or fluorescence emitted by said reaction cup ( 12 );   a sliding cartridge module ( 2 ) to contain said reaction cup ( 12 ), also configured to slide in a first sliding direction;   a first sliding arrangement to let said sliding cartridge module ( 2 ) slide according to said first sliding direction and to stop said sliding cartridge module ( 2 ) to locate said reaction cup ( 12 ) in turn at a reaction cup placing position, a reading and injector position, a liquid extraction position and a reaction cup releasing position;   an injector module ( 3 ) to slide in a second sliding direction substantially perpendicular to said first sliding direction;   a second sliding arrangement to let said injector module ( 3 ) slide according to said second sliding direction, to inject reaction agents into said reagent cup when said sliding cartridge module ( 2 ) is in said reading and injector position, and to extract liquid from said reagent cup when said sliding cartridge module ( 2 ) is in said liquid extraction position;   a shifting fork module ( 4 ) to hold said reaction cup ( 12 ) in said sliding cartridge module ( 2 ) or let drop said reaction cup ( 12 ) from said sliding cartridge module ( 2 ) when in said reaction cup releasing position;   a shield module ( 57 ) to envelope said apparatus completely, and comprising a first hole ( 52 ) to let said reaction cup ( 12 ) enter said sliding cartridge module ( 2 ) when in said reaction cup placing position, and a second hole ( 53 ) to let said reaction cup ( 12 ) drop when said sliding cartridge module ( 2 ) is in said reaction cup releasing position;   a light block module ( 5 ) to close said first and second hole ( 52, 53 ) when said sliding cartridge module ( 2 ) is neither in said reaction cup placing position nor in said reaction cup releasing position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for chemiluminescence and/or fluorescence measuring. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0002]    At present, fluorescence or chemiluminescence measuring instruments generally use reading modules. The fluorescent measuring device measures fluorescence from a reaction cup containing injection liquid; the device needs to place a reaction cup containing inject liquid, read indication and drop reaction cup; placing reaction cup and dropping reaction cup are not completed in the same mechanism, but an extra reaction cup dropping arm is needed, and that makes the structure complicated and more time and cost consuming. Injection and reading cannot be completed synchronously, a delay for reading is needed after injection. There is no ideal control on distance between the reading device (normally a photomultiplier) and the reaction cup, and thus reading quality is lowered. 
         [0003]    Therefore there is a need to ensure the correct operation of the device by increasing efficiency and ensuring easiness of use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Therefore it is the main object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for chemiluminescence and/or fluorescence measuring, which overcomes the above problems/drawbacks. 
         [0005]    In the framework of the present description, the method and apparatus of the invention is applicable to either fluorescence or chemiluminescence measuring or both, therefore reference to fluorescence and/or chemiluminescence is to be understood as involving equivalent basic considerations. 
         [0006]    The primary aim of the present invention is to provide a new type of fluorescence and/or chemiluminescence measuring device and method, able to achieve a series of actions synchronously including placing reaction cup, injection, extraction, reading, releasing reaction cup and light block, and no extra arm for getting and releasing reaction cup is needed. A sliding cartridge drives the reaction cup to perform movement to achieve the actions above in turn. Moreover, it maximally ensures a consistence of distance and relative height between each reaction cup and the reading device (photomultiplier), so as the operation speed is faster and easier. 
         [0007]    An object of the present invention is an apparatus configured for chemiluminescence and/or fluorescence measuring, comprising a photomultiplier device receiving and measuring a photo-emission of a reaction cup, characterized in that it comprises, according to claim  1 : 
         [0008]    a reading unit module comprising said photomultiplier device, configured to read said chemiluminescence and/or fluorescence emitted by said reaction cup; 
         [0009]    a sliding cartridge module, configured to contain said reaction cup, also configured to slide in a first sliding direction; 
         [0010]    a first sliding arrangement configured to let said sliding cartridge module slide according to said first sliding direction and to stop said sliding cartridge module to locate said reaction cup in turn at a reaction cup placing position, a reading and injector position, a liquid extraction position and a reaction cup releasing position; 
         [0011]    an injector module, configured to slide in a second sliding direction substantially perpendicular to said first sliding direction; 
         [0012]    a second sliding arrangement configured to let said injector module slide according to said second sliding direction, to inject reaction agents into said reagent cup when said sliding cartridge module is in said reading and injector position, and to extract liquid from said reagent cup when said sliding cartridge module is in said liquid extraction position; 
         [0013]    a shifting fork module, configured to hold said reaction cup in said sliding cartridge module or let said reaction cup drop from said sliding cartridge module when in said reaction cup releasing position; 
         [0014]    a shield module configured to envelope said apparatus completely, and comprising a first hole to let said reaction cup enter said sliding cartridge module when in said reaction cup placing position, and a second hole to let said reaction cup drop when said sliding cartridge module is in said reaction cup releasing position; 
         [0015]    a light block module, configured to close said first and second hole when said sliding cartridge module is neither in said reaction cup placing position nor in said reaction cup releasing position. 
         [0016]    Another object of the present invention is a method for chemiluminescence and/or fluorescence measuring using said apparatus. 
         [0017]    It is a particular object of the present invention an apparatus and method for chemiluminescence and/or fluorescence measuring, as described in the attached claims, which are considered an integral part of the present description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The invention will become fully clear from the following detailed description, given by way of a mere exemplifying and non-limiting example, also with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a first embodiment example of internal structure of the device of this invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  shows installation of the photomultiplier of the first embodiment example; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  shows structure of the linear sliding cartridge mechanism of the first embodiment example; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a right view of the linear sliding cartridge mechanism of the first embodiment example; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  shows the structure of the injector of the first embodiment example; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a first illustration of the shifting fork mechanism of the first embodiment example; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a second illustration of the shifting fork mechanism of the first embodiment example; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is an illustration when the shifting fork supports the reaction cup of the first embodiment example; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is an illustration of the shifting fork to drop reaction cup of the first embodiment example; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  shows structure of the light block mechanism of the first embodiment example; 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is an appearance illustration of the overall module in the equipment of the first embodiment example; 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  shows a second embodiment example of internal structure of the device of this invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  shows installation of the photomultiplier of the second embodiment example; 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  shows a section of right view of the linear sliding cartridge mechanism of the second embodiment example; 
           [0033]      FIG. 15  is a right view of the linear sliding cartridge mechanism of the second embodiment example; 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  shows the structure of the injector of the second embodiment example; 
           [0035]      FIG. 17 ′ is a first illustration of the shifting fork mechanism of the second embodiment example; 
           [0036]      FIG. 17 ″ is a second illustration of the shifting fork mechanism of the second embodiment example; 
           [0037]      FIG. 18 ′ is an illustration when the shifting fork supports the reaction cup of the second embodiment example; 
           [0038]      FIG. 18 ″ is an illustration of the shifting fork to drop reaction cup of the second embodiment example; 
           [0039]      FIGS. 19 ′,  19 ″ show the structure of the light block mechanism of the cup release hole of the second embodiment example; 
           [0040]      FIGS. 20 ′,  20 ″ show the structure of the linear sliding cartridge of the second embodiment example in the reading position and respective section. 
       
    
    
       [0041]    The same reference numerals and letters in the figures designate the same or functionally equivalent parts. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0042]    With reference to the  FIGS. 1-11 , a fluorescence and/or chemiluminescence measuring device of the invention, according to a first non-limiting embodiment example, basically comprises the following modules: reading unit module  1 , sliding cartridge module  2  with corresponding sliding arrangement, injector module  3  with corresponding sliding arrangement, shifting fork module  4 , light block module  5 , frame and shield  57 . 
         [0043]    The reading unit module  1 , sliding cartridge module  2  with corresponding sliding arrangement, injector module  3  with corresponding sliding arrangement, shifting fork module  4 , light block module  5  and frame are all placed in the shield  57 . 
         [0044]    The frame comprises fixation vertical plate  6  and supporting base  7  used for installing the fixation vertical plate. 
         [0045]    Embodiment particulars are illustrated in the following. 
         [0046]    The sliding cartridge module  2  is driven by a timing belt  15  and a step motor  13  to move leftward and rightward to locate the reaction cup  12  in turn at reaction cup placing position, reading and injector position, liquid extraction position and reaction cup releasing position by movements through a linear slider  8  and a sliding cartridge  2 . 
         [0047]    When the sliding cartridge module  2  is at the reaction cup placing position (right side position in  FIG. 1 ), the reaction cup  12  is placed into sliding cartridge unit  10  of the sliding cartridge  2 . 
         [0048]    The injector module  3  injects liquid into the reaction cup  12  in the sliding cartridge module  2  at the position of the reading and injector position (rightmost position, in correspondence of the injection head  26 ). Then the liquid is extracted from the reaction cup in the sliding cartridge module  2  at the liquid extraction position (intermediate position, in correspondence of the extraction needle  28 ). 
         [0049]    Photomultiplier  50  is a component of a known type able to measure and count the photon emission by the reaction cup. 
         [0050]    Photomultiplier  50  of the reading unit  1  is fixed on the fixation vertical plate  6  of the frame. Through light hole  51  in the fixation vertical plate, it receives optical signal emitted from the reaction cup at the reading and injector position. 
         [0051]    The shifting fork module  4  is used to support the reaction cup by clamping tightly a first rotary paddle  32  and a second rotary paddle  33  connected to ring fork  31 . When the linear sliding cartridge moves to the position of reaction cup releasing ( FIG. 9 , right side position,  FIGS. 1, 9 ), the ring fork  31  rotates to drive the rotary paddle  47  to move, as the paddle engages in a recess  30 ″ of the sliding notched plate  30 . When aperture between them gets larger, the reaction cup will automatically drop down, preferably in the cup releasing tube  44 . 
         [0052]    The light block module  5  (details with reference to  FIG. 10 ) controls rotation position of the light barrier of the reaction cup releasing hole and reaction cup placing hole due to driving of a motor: it will respectively block the reaction cup placing hole and the reaction cup dripping hole. 
         [0053]    Two light barriers are fixed on motor axis. Motor axis drives the block sheets rotate, open or close the only two openings (placing reaction cup and drop reaction cup) of the whole device to make the device form a closed space. 
         [0054]    The light barriers are used for preventing outside light from coming into the device, and thus make the device form a dark room, thanks primarily to the shield  57  which envelops the apparatus completely. That maximally lowers background noise of the outside to reading. 
         [0055]    The whole reading module of the device is wrapped by light-proof overall shield  57 , with only reaction cup placing hole  52  and reaction cup releasing hole  53  for placing the reaction cup to be measured from the upside, or releasing the reaction cup measured from the downside ( FIG. 11 ); the light block mechanism  5  is used for blocking the reaction cup placing hole and reaction cup releasing hole to prevent outside light from coming into the module during reading measuring period. 
         [0056]    With particular reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the linear sliding cartridge module  2  comprises a linear slider  8 , fixation base  9 , sliding cartridge  10 , reflector  11 , a step motor  13 , timing belt pulley  14 , timing belt  15 , tensioning pulley  16 , horizontal home inducer  17 , a home sensor  18  and photomultiplier light barrier  19 . The reaction cup  12  is placed inside the sliding cartridge  10 . 
         [0057]    The sliding cartridge  10  slides on the linear slider  8  with the fixation seat  9 , and is installed on front side of the fixation vertical plate  6 . The front side of the sliding cartridge  10  is equipped with an emission reflector  11 , the reaction cup  12  is placed inside the sliding cartridge  10 , and a reaction cup dripping duct  44  is equipped at lower part of the sliding cartridge, to let the reaction cup drop down. 
         [0058]    The timing belt pulley  14  and the tensioning pulley  16  are both fixed on the fixation vertical plate  6  and are installed in a substantial horizontal direction on lower part of the linear slider  8 ; the step motor  13  is fixed on the back of the fixation vertical plate  6  to drive the timing belt pulley  14  after passing through the fixation vertical plate  6 ; the timing belt  15  rolls around the timing belt pulley  14  and the tensioning pulley  16  for tension adjustment of the timing belt. 
         [0059]    The timing belt  15  connects with the fixation seat  9 . The sliding cartridge  10  is put on the timing belt  15  with the fixation seat  9  and performs linear reciprocating motion along with and moved by the timing belt  15 . 
         [0060]    When the horizontal home sensor  17  installed on the fixation set contacts with the home sensor  18  that is installed on the fixation vertical plate  6  and horizontally in parallel with the linear sliding rail, the home signal is triggered and reaction cup dropping home position of the sliding cartridge  10  is confirmed. 
         [0061]    When the driving linear sliding cartridge moves to the rightmost side, the horizontal home sensor  17  fixed on the fixation seat of the linear sliding cartridge contacts with the home sensor  18  fixed on the fixation vertical plate  6  and at horizontal level of the linear sliding rail, the home signal is triggered, and thus home position of the linear sliding cartridge is found; the motor  13  controls movement position of the linear sliding cartridge  10 . 
         [0062]    The linear slider  8  ensures consistence of the distance between the sliding cartridge module  2  and the fixation vertical plate  6  during movement. Because the photomultiplier (PMT)  50  is fixed on the fixation vertical plate, thus consistent distance between the reaction cup and the PMT in the sliding cartridge is ensured, and therefore reading consistence is maximally enhanced. 
         [0063]    With particular reference to  FIG. 5 , the injector module  3  comprises a step motor  20 , a motor stand  21 , a feed screw nut  22 , a linear slider  23 , vertical home inducer  24 , a home sensor  25 , injection head  26 , fixation footlock  27 , extraction needle  28  and protective flexible bellow  29 . 
         [0064]    The step motor  20  is vertically installed on front side of the fixation vertical plate  6  with the motor stand  21 , the thread spindle of the step motor  20  is inserted into the feed screw nut  22  fixed on the fixation horizontal footlock  27  connecting to the screw rod; the injection head  26 , extraction needle  28  and vertical home inducer  24  are all installed on the fixation horizontal footlock  27 , and the step motor  20  drives the fixation horizontal footlock  27  to move upward and downward; the home sensor  25  is installed on the fixation vertical plate  6  over the non-fixation end of the vertical home inducer  24 . 
         [0065]    When the vertical home inducer  24  goes upward to contact the home sensor  25 , it triggers home signal. This position is the home position fixation horizontal footlock  27  for moving upward and downward. 
         [0066]    When the fixation horizontal footlock  27  goes down, at the same time the linear sliding cartridge group  2  reaches the reading and injector position just behind the injection head  26 . The injection head  26  comprises, in known per se technique, a number of injectors which penetrate the reading cup  12  from the top of the cup, protected by the protective flexible bellow  29  which adheres the upper side of the sliding cartridge  10 , injecting a number of reagents in the cup: this way a light emission is generated from the cup, reflected by the reflector  11 , reaching the Photomultiplier  50 , through the hole  51 , to allow to measure and count the photon emission by the reaction cup, in a known way. 
         [0067]    After the reading step, the fixation horizontal footlock  27  goes up again to the home position, and the linear sliding cartridge group is shifted to the liquid extraction position, just behind the extraction needle  28 . Then the fixation horizontal footlock  27  goes down again, the extraction needle  28  penetrates the reaction cup  12 , to perform the liquid extraction from the cup. Then the fixation horizontal footlock  27  goes up again to the home position, and the linear sliding cartridge group  2  is shifted to the reaction cup releasing position. 
         [0068]    The linear slider ensures consistency of the distance between the injection head and the fixation vertical plate during moving, and horizontal moving of the linear sliding cartridge mechanism mentioned above. Thus, consistency of relative position between the injection head and the reaction cup linear sliding cartridge is ensured; consistency of reaction cup liquid injection during injection is thus maximally enhanced, and thus counting consistency is guaranteed. 
         [0069]    Therefore the shifting movements of the sliding cartridge module  2  and the injector module  3  are substantially reciprocally perpendicular. 
         [0070]    With particular reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the shifting fork module  4  comprises a ring fork  31  and a sliding notched plate  30 . The fork is installed at the top of the sliding cartridge  10 , and the notched plate  30  is fixed on front side of the fixation vertical plate  6  and is parallel with the top of the sliding cartridge  10 . 
         [0071]    The shifting fork  4  comprises, further to said ring fork  31 , two rotary paddles  32 ,  33 , two rotary pins  36  and  35 . 
         [0072]    The ring fork  31  is composed of a ring-shaped part and a paddle  47 , a radial stretched from the ring-shaped part. Moreover, at radial position of the ring-shaped part, linear grooves  34  are equipped symmetrically. 
         [0073]    The ring fork sliding notched plate  30  is provided with raised edge  30 ′ for blocking the paddle, and the raised edge  30 ′ is located at the reaction cup releasing position on the linear slider  8 . 
         [0074]    The rotary paddles  32  and  33  are located right under the ring fork  31 . The rotary pins  36  and  35  are installed on upper part of the sliding cartridge  10 . One end of the rotary paddle  32  moves around the rotary pin  36  and one end of the rotary paddle  33  moves around the rotary pin  35 . 
         [0075]    Extruding free end of the rotary paddle  32  moves along line groove  34  of the ring shifting fork  31  and extruding free end of the rotary paddle  33  moves along another line groove  34  of the ring shifting fork  31 . 
         [0076]    When the ring fork  31  performs linear motion with the sliding cartridge  10 , rotation is caused after the shifting fork contacting with the notch  30 ″ in the sliding notched plate  30  to drive the rotary paddles  32  and  33  to move and to adjust size of inner bore  54  formed by the shifting fork. 
         [0077]    Preferably at upper part the ring shifting fork  31  is equipped with sinker to prevent the ring shifting fork from popping. Near the fixation vertical plate on the top of the sliding cartridge  10 , it is equipped with shifting fork limit slot. The shifting fork moves within the shifting fork limit slot. 
         [0078]    With particular reference to  FIG. 8 , moving leftward and rightward of the sliding cartridge  10  drives the ring shifting fork  31  to slide on the sliding notched plate. When locating not at the notched position, the rotary paddle  32  forms a smaller inner bore  55  with the rotary paddle  33 , and thus reaction cup edge is supported. 
         [0079]    With particular reference to  FIG. 9 , when the linear sliding cartridge  10  moves to the far right side, it brings the ring shift fork  31  to slide to the notch  30 ″ of the sliding notched plate  30 . The paddle  47  engages in the notch  30 ″ and with raised edge  30 ′ and makes it move counterclockwise. The rotary paddle  32  forms a larger inner bore  56  with the rotary paddle  33 , thus the reaction cup can&#39;t be held, and drops freely. 
         [0080]    As it appears from  FIG. 4 , the reaction cup has preferably a substantially cylindrical shape, and has a collar in the upmost position, having a larger diameter than that of the cup. The collar engages with the holding system described above, allowing supporting the cup when the inner bore is smaller, and releasing the cup when the inner bore becomes lager. 
         [0081]    With particular reference to  FIG. 10 , the light block module  5  comprises reaction cup placing hole light barrier  37 , a rotary support  38 , a rotary support  45 , rotary axis  39 , reaction cup releasing hole light barrier  40 , rotation sensor  46 , home sensor  41 , motor stand  42  and brushless motor  43 . The rotary axis is set vertically. 
         [0082]    The rotary supports  38  and  45  and motor stand  42  are fixed on the fixation vertical plate  6 . The rotary axis  39  connects with rotary axis of the brushless motor  43  for transmission. The reaction cup placing hole light barrier  37  and the reaction cup releasing hole light barrier  40  are fixed on the rotary axis, and the rotary sensor  46  is fixed on the rotary axis  39 ; the home sensor  41  is fixed on the fixation vertical plate; the rotary axis rotates to drive the rotary inducer  46  to rotate. 
         [0083]    When the rotary inducer contacts the trigger home sensor  41  to send out home signal, rotary moving home is decided. Rotation position of the light block is controlled by emitting signal impulse, and light block is synchronously performed for both the reaction cup placing hole and reaction cup releasing hole. 
         [0084]    The sliding of the cartridge module  2  and injector module  3  described above is preferably linear and reciprocally perpendicular (horizontal and vertical), notwithstanding the fact that other types of sliding are possible even not linear. 
         [0085]    With reference to the  FIGS. 12-21 , a second non-limiting embodiment example of the fluorescence and/or chemiluminescence measuring device of the invention is shown, basically comprising all the modules of the first embodiment. In the  FIGS. 12-21  all the elements marked with the same reference numbers as in the figures of the first embodiment, are the same elements of the first embodiment. In the following a description is given of the elements having a new reference number and replacing in part corresponding elements of the first embodiment, or having a different position. 
         [0086]      FIGS. 12, 16  show that the step motor  20  is placed above the linear slider  23 , instead of below (as in  FIGS. 1, 5  of the first embodiment), with the same way of working. 
         [0087]    As described above for the first embodiment ( FIG. 4 ), here it appears from  FIG. 15  that the reaction cup has preferably a substantially cylindrical shape, and has a collar in the upmost position, having a larger diameter than that of the cup. The collar engages with the holding system described above, allowing supporting the cup when the inner bore is smaller, and releasing the cup when the inner bore becomes lager. 
         [0088]    The light block unit  5  in the second embodiment is implemented by slider devices one as a light barrier for closing the placing reaction cup hole  52  (an example in  FIG. 19 ′), the other (an example in  FIG. 19 ″) for closing the drop reaction cup hole (tube  44 ). 
         [0089]    In the example of  FIG. 19 ′, the slider  73  has a raised edge  77  and a return spring  72  fixed also on the support  78 ,  79  of the slide. The slider normally closes the hole  52  (for example it is fixed to the shield overturned under the hole  52 ), and is shifted aside by the cartridge module  2  when reaching the position of placing reaction cup hole  52 , opening the hole. 
         [0090]    Equivalent considerations apply for the slider  61  of  FIG. 19 ″, spring  63 , raised edge  62 , fixed also on the support  64 ,  65  of the slide. The slider  61  normally closes the hole at the top of the tube  44  where it is fixed, and is shifted aside by the cartridge module  2  when reaching the position of drop reaction cup hole  44 , opening the hole. 
         [0091]    A fixed supporting structure  48  ( FIGS. 13, 14, 17, 18 ) is placed between the ring fork sliding notched plate  30  and the sliding cartridge module  2 . The photomultiplier  50  is fixed on the supporting structure  48  at the position of the hole  51  which is now present on the supporting structure  48 , and the vertical plate  6  has a hole in correspondence with the photomultiplier  50  passing through the vertical plate  6 . 
         [0092]      FIGS. 20 ′,  20 ″ show the linear sliding cartridge module  2  of the second embodiment example in the reading position and respective section. The injection head  26  is down on the reading cup  12 , with injectors inside the top of the cup, generating the light emission which passes through the hole  51 , also reflected by reflector  11 , reaching the photomultiplier  50 . 
         [0093]    In the following a description of the method according to the invention is given. 
         [0094]    The measuring method applies the new type of fluorescence and/or chemiluminescence measuring device, preferably of the first and second embodiment described above, taking use of the reading unit  1  formed by the photomultiplier fixed on the frame, the linear sliding cartridge  2  is driven by a step motor through the timing belt to repeatedly move leftward and rightward horizontally. In each cycle, it passes in turn through the reaction cup placing position, reading and injection position, extraction position and the reaction cup releasing position. 
         [0095]    Measuring steps are as below:
       (1) Circulation begins: the linear sliding cartridge module  2  moves to the reaction cup placing position, the shifting fork module  4  is always in a shut state. External equipment or operator places a reaction cup into the linear sliding cartridge module  2  through the hole  52 , the reaction cup is supported by the shifting fork module  4  and held at upper part of the cartridge. The light block  5  is then closed, and the whole mechanism forms a dark room.   (2) The linear sliding cartridge module  2  equipped with reaction cup moves to the reading and injection position. The injector  3  is driven by screw rod to move downward to the position of the reaction cup. The injector  3  starts injection into the reaction cup. Meanwhile, the photomultiplier is activated, and reads optical signals generated during injection. At completion of reading, the injector  3  is driven by the screw rod to move upwards back to the initial position.   (3) The linear sliding cartridge module  2  equipped with reaction cup moves to the extraction position. The injector module  3  is driven by screw rod to move downward to the position of the reaction cup to extract liquid from the reaction cup, by the extraction needle  28 . At completion of extraction, the injector module  3  is driven by the screw rod to move upwards back to the initial position.   (4) The sliding cartridge module  2  equipped with reaction cup moves to the reaction cup releasing position. At this time, the shifting fork module  4  is triggered, and the fork is stopped by the cam edge. Driven by the linear groove, the free end of the two rotary paddles move outwards; the inner bore  54  formed by the two rotary paddles is enlarged, the reaction cup freely drops into the reaction cup releasing tube  44  for taking back the reaction cup, and thus a fluorescent measuring is completed.   By means of the present invention, a number of advantages are achieved.       
 
         [0101]    The device of the invention securely ensures fixed distance between the photomultiplier, and the linear guide rail structure of the sliding cartridge, and relative height of the photomultiplier and the reaction cup; and consistence of reading is well guaranteed. Moreover, the whole mechanism is enclosed in a dark shield, which maximally lowers background noise of the reading from the outside. 
         [0102]    The whole device features simple structure, skillful design and easy control, allowing to get the outstanding features of the invention: 
         [0103]    By fixation of the photomultiplier, and by taking use of linear guide rail structure of the linear sliding cartridge, the distance and relative height between the PMT and reaction cup are securely ensured; thus, consistence of reading is well guaranteed. 
         [0104]    By skillfully taking use of movement of the ring fork in the shifting fork mechanism, the rotary paddles are driven to open and close for achieving reaction cup releasing and reaction cup placing. That greatly improves measuring speed and lowers work intensity of the operator; 
         [0105]    Meanwhile, the mechanism is entirely enclosed in a dark shield, and that maximally lowers the background noise from the outside to the reading. With this method to measure fluorescence, the result of fluorescent measuring is accurate and measuring speed is improved for a certain level. 
         [0106]    Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings which disclose preferred embodiments thereof. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by this invention. 
         [0107]    The elements and characteristics described in the various forms of preferred embodiments can be mutually combined without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0108]    Further implementation details will not be described, as the man skilled in the art is able to carry out the invention starting from the teaching of the above description.