Abstract:
When taking in outside air with a fan to control the temperature inside a covered portion where a specimen is installed, the internal temperature may change depending on an environment temperature to cause a difference in temperature control. The wind generated by the fan may blow against a reaction container depending on its loading position and it may influence the temperature control over individual specimens and lead to problems with temperature accuracy, temperature rise speed, and temperature drop speed A reaction container avoiding these problems has a covered portion which performs temperature control on the reaction container and in which a cover and a fin cover have a heat insulating structure. A heat source is provided for controlling an internal temperature of an internal covered space. The internal temperature is kept constant and the influence of the environment temperature over the temperature control of the reaction container is minimized.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus which targets a specimen of biological origin, and a nucleic acid test apparatus using the same. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    The nucleic acid amplification technologies include one using the polymerase chain reaction (Polymerase Chain Reaction; hereinafter referred to as PCR) method. As a known technology related to nucleic acid amplification using such a PCR method, a temperature control apparatus which controls the temperature of a reaction solution obtained by mixing a specimen and a reagent is known. 
         [0003]    In the nucleic acid amplification technology based on the PCR method, a reagent and a protocol (conditions on the application of temperature and time) to be used are different depending on the target test item. A batch process method which processes a plurality of reaction solutions under the same test item in one temperature control mechanism at the same time is general until now. However, in recent years, a method which can consecutively process a plurality of different test items in a plurality of temperature control mechanisms has been proposed (see PTL 1). 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0004]    PTL 1: JP 2011-234639 A 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0005]    In the PCR method, accurate control of temperature is important. Also in a case of a configuration of processing a plurality of types of specimens under different test items in parallel, it is necessary to perform temperature control on each specimen at uniform temperature accuracy. It needs to be similar temperature accuracy even if the temperature of an environment where the apparatus is installed is different in a certain area. 
         [0006]    However, the known technology described in the above PTL 1 is a method for controlling the temperature in a cover 2 covering a portion where a specimen is installed (hereinafter referred to as the internal temperature) by taking in outside air with a fan  9  and the like. Accordingly, the internal temperature changes depending on the environment temperature of a place where the apparatus is installed, which may cause a difference in temperature control between the installed environments. Moreover, the wind generated by the fan  9  may blow against a reaction container  13  in the apparatus depending on its loading position. Accordingly, the degree of the influence of outside air may be different depending on the reaction container  13 . Consequently, it may influence temperature control over each specimen and lead to the possibility that temperature performance such as temperature accuracy, a temperature rise speed, and a temperature drop speed cannot be maintained, and the possibility that variations occur in specimens. 
         [0007]    The present invention has been made considering the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus which can maintain stable temperature performance for each of a plurality of reaction containers  13  containing a reaction solution even if an environment temperature of a place where the apparatus is installed is different in a certain area, and minimize variations in temperature, and a nucleic acid test apparatus using the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0008]    The present invention adopts the configurations described in the Claims. For example, with a configuration where a reaction container  13  containing a reaction solution, and a portion which directly or indirectly performs temperature control on the reaction container  13  are covered with a cover  2  and a fin cover  8 , which have a heat insulating structure, and further a heat source for controlling the internal temperature of an internal space covered with the cover  2  is included, the internal temperature is kept constant, and the influence of the environment temperature on the temperature control over the reaction container  13  is minimized. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0009]    A nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus and a nucleic acid test apparatus using the same of the present invention have an advantage that temperature can be controlled maintaining constant temperature accuracy even if an environment temperature changes in a certain area since the temperature control over a reaction container has a little influence of the environment temperature by maintaining the internal temperature constant. Moreover, in a case of a system to be influenced by a change in temperature, a control expression where the influence of external disturbance due to the environment temperature is inserted as a parameter is required to be created for temperature control software. However, according to the present invention, there is an advantage which can handle a change in temperature without the parameter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a method for carrying out a nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus. (First Embodiment) 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a bird&#39;s-eye view of the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus. (First Embodiment) 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a partial enlarged view of portions a and b of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modification of the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus. (Second Embodiment) 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a nucleic acid test apparatus equipped with the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus. (Third Embodiment) 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modification of the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus. (Fourth Embodiment) 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modification of the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus. (Fifth Embodiment) 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modification of the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus. (Sixth Embodiment) 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    Modes for carrying out the invention are described hereinafter using the drawings. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0019]    A first embodiment is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3 .  FIG. 1  is a side cross-sectional view of a nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus  1 .  FIG. 2  is a bird&#39;s-eye view of the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus  1 .  FIG. 3  is a partial enlarged view of portions a and b of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0020]    In  FIG. 1 , the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus  1  includes abase  5  serving as a foundation, a holder  19  provided with a plurality of temperature control blocks  38  having a configuration which holds a reaction container  13 , a fluorescence detector  6  which detects fluorescence of a reaction solution contained in the reaction container  13 , and a cover  2  which covers the holder  19  and the fluorescence detector  6 . 
         [0021]    The holder  19  includes a disc-shaped holder base  14  disposed with a central shaft facing upward, and the plurality of temperature control blocks  38  arranged along an inner side of the outer periphery, around the central shaft of the holder base  14 . The holder base  14  is provided in such a manner as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction about a rotation shaft provided at the center, and is driven and rotated by a stepping motor  4  being a rotary drive apparatus. 
         [0022]    The holder base  14  is formed using a member superior in heat insulating properties such as plastics, and is configured such that the temperatures of the plurality of temperature control blocks  38  hardly interfere with each other. It may be configured such that a heat insulating layer made of a heat insulator such as polyurethane foam is formed between the holder base  14  and the temperature control blocks  38  to further reduce the temperature interference. 
         [0023]    The temperature control block  38  includes a basal portion serving as a base of the temperature control block  38 , a hole-shaped loading position provided penetrating the basal portion in the up-and-down direction (the up-and-down direction in  FIG. 5 ), a Peltier device  15  as a temperature adjustment device provided in the lower part of the basal portion, and a radiating fin  10 , and a temperature sensor  17  which detects temperature near the loading position provided in the basal portion and accordingly detects the temperature of the reaction solution in the reaction container  13 . For example, a thermistor, thermocouple, or resistance thermometer is used as the temperature sensor  17 . 
         [0024]    The basal portion is formed of a thermal conductor such as copper, aluminum, or various alloys. The basal portion is heated or cooled by the Peltier device  15  to adjust the temperature of the reaction container  13  held in the loading position of the basal portion. Moreover, the radiating fin  10  is provided on the other side of the Peltier device  15  from the basal portion to increase the heat dissipation efficiency of the Peltier device  15 . The reaction container  13  is inserted in the loading position of the basal portion from above to hold the reaction container  13  with a bottom portion of the reaction container  13  exposed from the temperature control block  38 . 
         [0025]    In  FIG. 2 , one or more (for example, four in the embodiment) fluorescence detectors  6  are arranged along the outer periphery of the holder  19  at regular intervals. Moreover, the fluorescence detector  6  is placed below the reaction container  13  (below a traffic line of the reaction container  13 ) to detect fluorescence when the reaction container  13  passes above it with the rotation of the holder  19 . If there is a plurality of the fluorescence detectors  6 , they detect or measure the reaction solution in the reaction container  13  independently of each other. 
         [0026]    The fluorescence detector  6  includes an excitation light source for applying excitation light to the bottom portion (the exposed portion) of the reaction container  13  heled in the loading position of the temperature control block  38 , and a detection device for detecting fluorescence from the reaction solution. A base sequence targeted for amplification in the reaction solution contained in the reaction container  13  is fluorescence-labeled with a reagent. The fluorescence detector  6  detects fluorescence from the reaction solution caused by the excitation light applied by the excitation light source to the reaction container  13  to quantify the base sequence targeted for amplification in the reaction solution over time. The obtained detection result is transmitted to a control device  37 . For example, a light-emitting diode (LED), semiconductor laser, xenon lamp, or halogen lamp is used as the excitation light source. Moreover, a photodiode, photomultiplier, CCD, or the like is used as the detection device. 
         [0027]    The purpose of the cover  2  is a light shielding effect to suppress the incidence of external light upon the fluorescence detector  6  of the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus  1  by covering the holder  19  and the fluorescence detector  6  together with the base  5 . The cover  2  is provided with an openable gate  7 . When the gate  7  is opened, a gripper loads/unloads the reaction container  13  into/from the loading position. 
         [0028]    Moreover, the cover  2  has another purpose of suppressing the influence of a change in outside temperature outside the cover on the inside of the cover and keeping the ambient temperature inside the cover constant. Accordingly, the cover  2  is made of a heat insulating material. Alternatively, the cover  2  may be configured to be affixed a heat insulator inside the cover. A heater is installed inside the cover  2  to suppress a change in ambient temperature inside the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus  1  covered with the cover  2 . The heat source is not limited to a heater, but it may be a Peltier device or system which circulates circulating water such as hot water or cold water. Consequently, the ambient temperature inside the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus  1  can be kept constant, and the temperatures of the holder base  14  and the temperature control block  38  can be consecutively changed. 
         [0029]    The holder base  14  includes the fin  10 , the fan  9 , and a Peltier device  16  for secondary cooling to increase heat dissipation efficiency. The fan  9  takes in outside air from the outside of the cover  2  to blow the air to the fin  10 . Accordingly, the heat dissipation efficiency of the fin  10  is increased. When the wind past the fin  10  is let into the cover, it influences the ambient temperature inside the cover  2  since the outside air and the amount of heat absorbed by the fin  10  change so that the temperature cannot be controlled. Accordingly, the wind needs to be released to the outside of the cover. Hence, the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus  1  includes a fin cover  8 . The fin cover  8  may have a structure including a heat insulator. 
         [0030]    The fin cover  8  is attached to the holder base  14 . Accordingly, a gap is not caused between the fin cover  8  and the holder base  14 . Air does not flow into the inside. Consequently, it is possible to prevent both the direct application of the exhaust heat of the fan  9  to the reaction container  13 , and a change in internal temperature. As long as it is a structure which can prevent the flowing in of air from a gap between the holder base  14  and the fin cover, the attachment to the holder base  14  is not required. For example, a member which blocks the gap maybe further provided, or a duct which guides a wind coming out of the gap to release it to the outside may be provided. 
         [0031]    It may be a configuration where instead of the Peltier device  16  for secondary cooling, a heat pipe is mounted in for example, the holder base  14  or the rotation shaft to actively transfer heat from the holder base  14 , the rotation shaft or the like to other members. In addition, it is also possible to install a duct and a water-cooling mechanism as appropriate in order to further increase the heat dissipation efficiency. Moreover,  FIG. 1  illustrates the mode where the fluorescence detectors  6  are arranged inside the cover  2 . However, it may be a system where the fluorescence detectors  6  are installed outside the cover. Their installation place is not limited. 
         [0032]    The control device  37  is for controlling the operation of the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus  1 , performs nucleic acid amplification processes based on protocols set by an input device  35  using various types of software prestored in a storage unit (not illustrated), and stores analysis results such as fluorescence detection results, the moving state of the nucleic acid test apparatus, and the like in the storage unit and displays them on a display device  36 . 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0033]      FIG. 4  illustrates a second embodiment. It is a nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus obtained by modifying the configuration of the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus  1  described in the first embodiment. Portions common to the first embodiment are omitted here, and only differences are described in detail. 
         [0034]    The fan  9  for increasing heat dissipation efficiency takes in air inside the cover to release it to the outside of the cover. Upon the release, the air to be released passes the fin to increase the heat dissipation efficiency of the fin  10 . In the release by the intake, the air around the reaction container  13  also flows and is sucked out. However, the air inside the cover is controlled by a side heater and a bottom heater at a constant temperature. Accordingly, the influence of a change in temperature on the reaction container is minimized. 
         [0035]    In the embodiment, it is possible to control the temperature inside the cover constant without using the fin cover  8 . 
       Third Embodiment 
       [0036]      FIG. 5  illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment is an extended mode as the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus described in the first embodiment, or an automatic analysis apparatus which fully automates preprocessing for measurement with the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus described in the first embodiment. In  FIG. 5 , the nucleic acid test apparatus includes a plurality of sample containers  28  which contains a specimen including a nucleic acid targeted for the amplification process, a sample container  28  rack  32  which stores the plurality of sample containers  28 , a plurality of reagent containers  25  which contains various reagents to be added to a specimen, a reagent container  25  rack  27  which stores the plurality of reagent containers  25 , the reaction containers  13  for mixing a specimen and a reagent, a reaction container rack  2424  which stores a plurality of unused reaction containers  13 , a reaction solution adjustment position  26  for loading an unused reaction container  13  and dispensing a specimen and a reagent respectively from the sample container  28  and the reagent container  25  into the reaction container  13 , a closing unit  30  which seals, with a lid member, the reaction container  13  containing the reaction solution being a mixed solution of the specimen and the reagent, and an agitation unit  31  which agitates the reaction solution contained in the sealed reaction container  13 . 
         [0037]    Moreover, the nucleic acid test apparatus includes a robot arm apparatus which can move a robot arm X axis  20  extending in an X direction (the left-and-right direction of  FIG. 5 ) and a robot arm Y axis  21  extending in a Y direction (the up-and-down direction of  FIG. 5 ), a gripper unit  33  provided to the robot arm, and a dispensing unit  34  similarly provided to the robot arm. The gripper unit  33  is a mechanism which holds the reaction container  13  and transfers it to each unit in the nucleic acid test apparatus. The dispensing unit  34  is a mechanism which aspirates the specimen of the sample container  28  and the reagent of the reagent container  25 , and dispenses them into the reaction container  13  loaded in the reaction solution adjustment position  26 . The dispensing unit  34  performs a dispensing operation with a nozzle tip  22  attached to a portion which contacts the specimen and the reagent. At this point in time, the nozzle tip  22  is disposed of after one use. Accordingly, the nucleic acid test apparatus includes a nozzle tip  22  rack  23  which stores a plurality of unused nozzle tips  22 , and a waste box  29  for discarding a used nozzle tip  22  and a used (tested) reaction container  13 . 
         [0038]    Furthermore, included are the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus  1  which performs the nucleic acid amplification process on the reaction solution contained in the reaction container  13 , and the control device  37  which includes the input device  35  such as a keyboard and a mouse and the display device  36  such as a liquid crystal monitor, and controls the entire operation of the nucleic acid test apparatus including the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus  1 . 
         [0039]    Each sample container  28  is managed with identification information such as a barcode according to the contained specimen, and is managed with location information such as coordinates assigned to each location in the sample container  28  rack  32 . Similarly, each reagent container  25  is managed with identification information such as a barcode according to the contained reagent, and is managed with location information such as coordinates assigned to each location in the reagent container  25  rack  27 . The identification information and the location information is registered in advance in the control device  37  and managed. Moreover, each reaction container  13  is also similarly managed with the identification information and the location information. 
         [0040]    Moreover, the nucleic acid test apparatus includes one or two or more nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatuses  1  described in the first embodiment or the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatuses  1   b  described in the second embodiment. The details of the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus  1  and the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus  1   b  have already been describe in the embodiments. Therefore, they are omitted here. 
         [0041]    The control device  37  is for controlling the entire operation of the nucleic acid test apparatus, performs the nucleic acid amplification process based on a protocol set by the input device  35  using various types of software prestored in the storage unit (not illustrated), and stores analysis results such as fluorescence detection results, the moving state of the nucleic acid test apparatus, and the like in the storage unit and displays them on the display device  36 . 
         [0042]    Operations in the embodiment configured as described above are described. 
         [0043]    Firstly, as preparation for the nucleic acid amplification process, the sample containers  28  containing a specimen including a nucleic acid targeted for the amplification process are stored in the sample container  28  rack  32  of the nucleic acid test apparatus. The reagent containers  25  containing various reagents to be added to each specimen, which are specified in advance by the protocol, are stored in the reagent container  25  rack  27 . Moreover, the unused reaction containers  13  are stored in the reaction container rack  2424 , and the unused nozzle tips  22  in the nozzle tip  22  rack  23 . In this state, the nucleic acid amplification process is started by the operation of the control device  37 . 
         [0044]    When the start of the nucleic acid amplification process is instructed, the unused reaction containers  13  of the number required are transferred first by the gripper unit  33  to the reaction solution adjustment position  26 . Then, the unused nozzle tip  22  is attached to the dispensing unit  34 . A specimen is dispensed from a predetermined sample container  28  into the reaction container  13 . The used nozzle tip  22  is subsequently discarded into the waste box  29  to prevent contamination. Next, a reagent is also dispensed into the predetermined reaction container  13  in a similar procedure to be mixed with the specimen. Accordingly, a reaction solution is produced. 
         [0045]    When dispensing for the required number is finished, the reaction container  13  containing the reaction solution is transferred by the gripper unit  33  to the closing unit  30  to be sealed with the lid member. Further, the reaction container  13  is transferred to the agitation unit  31  to perform the agitation process thereon. The reaction container  13 , on which the agitation process has been performed, is transferred by the gripper unit  33  and inserted and held in a loading position at a predetermined position of the holder  19  through the gate  7  of the cover  2  of the agitation/amplification apparatus. At this point in time, the holder  19  is driven and rotated, and controlled to locate the predetermined loading position at the position of the gate  7 . If there is a plurality of the reaction containers  13  targeted for the process, they are each sealed with the lid member, and the agitation process is performed on each of them. The reaction containers  13  are sequentially transferred to their predetermined loading positions. 
         [0046]    Here, the Peltier device  15  being the temperature adjustment device is controlled based on a protocol corresponding to the specimen contained in the reaction container  13  held by the holder  19 . The temperature of the reaction container  13  is cyclically controlled in stages to perform the nucleic acid amplification process. In this manner, in the PCR method being a type of the nucleic acid amplification methods, the temperature of a reaction solution of a mixture of a specimen and a reagent is cyclically changed in stages based on a protocol corresponding to each specimen. Accordingly, a desired base sequence is selectively amplified. Also in a case of processing a plurality of the reaction containers  13  in parallel, if each reaction container  13  is held in the loading position, the nucleic acid amplification process is sequentially started. The temperature is cyclically changed in stages based on a protocol corresponding to each specimen. During the nucleic acid amplification process, the holder  19  is driven to be rotated. The fluorescence detector  6  detects fluorescence. The fluorescence detector  6  detects fluorescence from the reaction solution. Accordingly, the base sequence targeted for amplification in the reaction solution is quantified over time. The detection results are sequentially transmitted to the control device  37 . 
         [0047]    When the predetermined nucleic acid amplification process ends, the reaction container  13  is transferred by the gripper unit  33  to the waste box  29  through the gate  7  to be discarded. 
         [0048]    The effects of the embodiment configured as described above are described. 
         [0049]    The nucleic acid detection apparatus of the embodiment minimizes the influence of the temperature of an environment where the apparatus is installed, on a reaction container while fully automating a series of operations from preprocessing to nucleic acid amplification and detection, and accordingly, has a structure than can consecutively and simultaneously analyze a plurality of different test items, and can minimize variations in temperature accuracy in the nucleic acid amplification/detection unit  1  or the nucleic acid amplification/detection unit  1   b . Moreover, it becomes possible to control temperature accurately with a simpler control expression since there is no need to include an external disturbance factor of the influence of the environment temperature in temperature control software. 
         [0050]    Moreover, as structural effects, each temperature control block  38  is detachable from the holder base  14 . If any of the plurality of temperature control blocks  38  fails, the failed temperature control block  38  can be easily examined or replaced. Moreover, the reaction containers  13  of different shapes can be simultaneously loaded in the holder base  14  by changing the shape of the loading position  12  provided to the basal portion of the temperature control block  38 . Moreover, the basal portion  11 , the temperature adjustment device  14 , and the temperature sensor  17  are optimized to support a specific analysis item, and an arbitrary temperature control block  38  can be then mounted on the holder base  14 . Consequently, the same holder  19  can deal with various analysis items in a state where the state of the apparatus is optimized for a specified temperature. 
         [0051]    The rotation speed (relative rotation speed) of the holder  19  base  1454  with respect to the fluorescence detector  66  is controlled to enable the control of the relative speed between the reaction container  13105  and the fluorescence detector  66  upon measurement of fluorescence. The relative speed may be a constant speed. Moreover, fluorescence may be detected by a temporary halt at a position where the reaction container  13105  faces the fluorescence detector  66 . 
       Fourth Embodiment 
       [0052]      FIG. 6  illustrates a fourth embodiment. It is a nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus obtained by modifying the configuration of the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus  1  described in the first embodiment. Portions common to the first embodiment are omitted here, and only differences are described in detail. 
         [0053]    It is a mode where the angle of the attachment of the fin cover  8  is changed to increase the intake/discharge efficiency of the fan  9 . For the sake of size reduction of the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus  1  and space on the holder base, the fin cover  8  and the fan  9  may have a close positional relationship. As the distance is reduced, the air taken in may not be able to be discharged. Hence, the angle of the attachment of the fin cover  8  is provided in a direction where an upper end of the fin cover  8  is away from the fan  9  to prevent the inhibition of the flow of air. 
       Fifth Embodiment 
       [0054]      FIG. 7  illustrates a fifth embodiment. It is a nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus obtained by modifying the configuration of the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus  1  described in the first embodiment. Portions common to the first embodiment are omitted here, and only differences are described in detail. 
         [0055]    The fifth embodiment is a mode where the heat source installed inside in the first embodiment is provided outside the cover  2 . In this case, the air controlled by an external heater  39  at an arbitrary temperature is blown to control the internal temperature at an arbitrary temperature. The external heater  39  is not limited to a heater, but may be a Peltier device or system which circulates circulating water such as hot water or cold water. Moreover, the transfer of heat such as air blowing from the external heater  39  to the inside is performed from one place or a plurality of places. The number of heat transfer places and the like are not limited. 
         [0056]    There may be, or may not be, the heat sources such as the side heater  11  and the bottom heater  12  installed inside installed inside in the first embodiment. 
       Sixth Embodiment 
       [0057]      FIG. 8  illustrates a sixth embodiment. It is a nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus obtained by modifying the configuration of the nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus  1  described in the first embodiment. Portions common to the first embodiment are omitted here, and only differences are described in detail. 
         [0058]    The sixth embodiment is a mode where the cover  2  is upsized and installed in such a manner as to cover the whole nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus  1 . In this mode, the internal temperature is kept constant. Accordingly, the temperature taken in by the fan  9  is stabilized. The Peltier device for secondary cooling can be cooled more efficiently and more stably. In addition, the ambient temperature around the reaction container  13  is also stable. Therefore, the temperature control over the reaction container can be stably performed. 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           1 ,  1   b  nucleic acid amplification/detection apparatus 
           2  cover 
           3  container loading position 
           4  stepping motor 
           5  base 
           6  fluorescence detector 
           7  gate 
           8  fin cover 
           9  fan 
           10  fin 
           11  side heater 
           12  bottom heater 
           13  reaction container 
           14  holder base 
           15  Peltier device 
           16  Peltier device for secondary cooling 
           17  temperature sensor 
           18  air blowing direction 
           19  holder 
           20  robot arm X axis 
           21  robot arm Y axis 
           22  nozzle tip 
           23  nozzle tip rack 
           24  reaction container rack 
           25  reagent container 
           26  reaction solution adjustment position 
           27  reagent container rack 
           28  sample container 
           29  waste box 
           30  closing unit 
           31  agitation unit 
           32  sample container rack 
           33  gripper unit 
           34  dispensing unit 
           35  input device 
           36  display device 
           37  control device 
           38  temperature control block 
           39  external heater