Patent Description:
As a method for detecting an analyte in a specimen, immunoblotting using an antigen-antibody reaction and Southern blotting for gene detection are used as useful test methods for multiple diagnoses. Examples of this test include allergy immunoblot tests, autoimmune immunoblot tests, and human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping tests.

In a multi-blot test, several to tens of capture substances are immobilized on one strip, specimens are reacted, and testing is performed using detection substances. Such a strip is disclosed in documents such as <CIT> and <CIT>. In addition, <CIT> discloses a system capable of automatically performing from pre-processing to analysis of a plurality of strips by fixing the strips to a device.

Here, since it is difficult for constituents such as conjugates, substrates, and the like including strips used in a multi-blot test of a related art to always show the same reactivity for each lot, it is preferable to calibrate for each lot for accuracy of the test. In the related art, there is a disadvantage in that it is not easy to respond to an occurrence of deviation for each lot because access to lot information, including correction for each lot, is not made.

In addition, when a user tests by installing two or more types of test strips, it is not only inconvenient because they have to check with the naked eyes, but also there is a possibility of accidentally installing another strip, and since an expiration date of a product should also be checked with the naked eyes, errors due to mistakes may occur.

Document <CIT> shows a multi-blot test automation system according to the preamble of claim <NUM>. Further multi-blot test automation systems are known from <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

An embodiment of the present invention has been devised to solve the aforementioned problems, and an object of the present invention is directed to providing a multi-blot test automation system enabling a test device to recognize unique information such as a lot number, correction value, and expiration date and matching the unique information to a test strip to perform correction for each lot.

This object is solved by the subject matter of claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

In one general aspect, a multi-blot test automation system includes: a multi-block test device including a mounting module providing a plurality of strip mounting portions and an analysis module disposed above the mounting module and driven in a horizontal direction; and at least one strip mounted in the strip mounting portion of the multi-blot test device, wherein the strip includes a passage having a predetermined length and allowing a reactive solution to flow therein, one or more blot strips are disposed on a bottom surface of the passage, and a code in which lot information of the blot strip is embedded is formed on one side of the passage in a longitudinal direction.

In the multi-blot test device, a photographing unit including an image sensor is provided in the analysis module, and the analysis module is configured to perform information sensing and blot strip testing on each of a plurality of strips mounted in the mounting module.

The multi-blot test device may include a photographing unit including an image sensor, and the analysis module may perform information sensing on the strip before the blot strip testing on each of the plurality of strips mounted in the mounting module.

The strip may have an extension formed on one side of the passage, and the code may be formed in the form of a barcode or QR code on an upper surface of the extension.

The multi-blot test automation system further includes a lot information chip providing production environment information for each lot to the multi-blot test device.

The lot information chip has a body formed so as to be mountable on the strip mounting portion of the multi-blot test device, a code in which production environment information for each lot is embedded is formed on an upper surface of the body, and the analysis module of the multi-blot test device is configured to receive the production environment information for each lot from the code of the lot information chip, receive a lot number from the code of the strip, and match the production environment information of the strip.

In another general aspect, a multi-blot test method using the multi-blot test automation system of the present invention described above includes: A) updating production environment information for each lot in the multi-blot test device using the lot information chip; B) mounting a plurality of strips on a mounting module of the multi-blot test device; C) recognizing lot information formed for each strip of the plurality of strips; D) performing a blot test on the plurality of strips; and E) correcting result data for each of the plurality of strips according to individual lot information.

The lot information chip may have a body so as to be mountable on the strip mounting portion of the multi-blot test device, and a code in which production environment information for each lot is embedded may be formed on an upper surface of the body, and the step A may include A-<NUM>) mounting the lot information chip in a mounting module of the multi-blot test device; A-<NUM>) scanning a code of the lot information chip by an analysis module of the multi-blot test device; and A-<NUM>) storing the information received from the lot information chip by the multi-blot test device, and separating the lot information chip from the mounting module.

In the multi-blot test automation system and the multi-blot test method using the same according to the configuration of the present invention as described above, since the multi-blot test device scans a code formed in each strip to correct result data, more accurate results may be provided.

Also, in the present invention, since a strip and a code of a lot information chip are scanned using an analysis module formed in the existing device, correction may be performed for each lot, without separate equipment. Thus, according to the present invention, since the existing system is utilized, a user may more conveniently use the system and a highly efficient blot test may be performed at lower costs.

Hereinafter, a multi-blot test automation system and a multi-blot test method using the same according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention to be introduced below are provided by way of example so that the idea of the present invention may be sufficiently transferred to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is not restricted to the following description and accompanying drawings and may be embodied in another form. In addition, throughout the specification, like reference numerals denote like components.

Here, unless indicated otherwise, the terms used in the specification including technical and scientific terms have the same meaning as those that are usually understood by those who skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, and detailed description of the known functions and constitutions that may obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted.

<FIG> relate to an embodiment of a multi-blot test automation system according to the present invention, in which <FIG> is a perspective view of a multi-blot test device, <FIG> is a graph showing deviations according to lot, <FIG> is a perspective view of a strip, and <FIG> is a perspective view of a lot information chip.

First, referring to <FIG>, a multi-blot test device <NUM> of the present invention may include a mounting module <NUM> in which a plurality of strip mounting portions <NUM> are provided and an analysis module <NUM> disposed above the mounting module <NUM> and driven in a horizontal direction. Here, the analysis module <NUM> may be configured to reciprocate left and right along a guide rail <NUM>, and the analysis module <NUM> may include imaging equipment such as an image sensor to capture an image of a strip mounted in the strip mounting portion <NUM>. In addition, a plurality of imaging equipment of the analysis module <NUM> may be provided, or a separate illuminator may be attached together, leading to various effects such as capturing a bright image of a blot strip of a strip or suppressing reflection image distortion.

In addition, the multi-blot test device <NUM> may further include a reagent dispensing module <NUM>. The reagent dispensing module <NUM> may dispense a reagent on a plurality of strips mounted on the strip mounting portion <NUM>. In addition, the multi-blot test device <NUM> may further include a device configuration for applying a specimen into each strip or washing the specimen.

Also, referring to <FIG>, the strips inserted into the multi-blot test device <NUM> as described above may be identified by lot numbers according to a production environment, and strips, for which the production environment is the same but are different regarding conditions at the time of manufacturing, etc. may be managed with different lot numbers. Also, even if each lot contains a substance of the same concentration, a difference may occur in a response shown in each lot. In general, the multi-blot test device <NUM> is provided to quantitatively analyze a concentration through a response after a test. As described above, when the lot numbers are different, there may be a significant difference in an actual concentration even if the response is the same. In addition, a method of reducing deviations between lots through a lot system may also have a problem in that it is difficult to derive an accurate result if the deviation that has already occurred is not corrected.

Accordingly, in the present invention, as shown in <FIG>, the multi-blot test prepared to fix at least one or more capture substances to one strip <NUM> is provided to correct deviations of constituents such as conjugates, substrates, etc. including the strip <NUM> by lot numbers. Here, data may be pre-input to the multi-blot test device <NUM> to correct the deviation according to the lot number, and a code <NUM> matching the lot number may be formed in the strip <NUM> of the present invention. Of course, according to the present invention, a code for directly providing production environment information or product information of the corresponding strip may be provided on the strip <NUM>.

A structure of the strip <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention is as follows. The strip <NUM> may include a housing <NUM>, and a passage <NUM> through which a reaction solution may flow may be formed in the housing <NUM> and have a predetermined length, and one or more blot strips <NUM> may be arranged in a lower surface of the passage <NUM>. In addition, an extension <NUM> extending in the longitudinal direction of the passage <NUM> may be formed on one side of the housing <NUM>, and at least one code <NUM> may be disposed on an upper surface of the extension <NUM>. Here, the code <NUM> may be configured as a barcode or QR code and may be formed to transmit lot information of a corresponding strip to the multi-blot test device <NUM>. In addition, when receiving the lot information of the corresponding strip, the multi-blot test device <NUM> may reflect it on final data using stored correction values for each lot. In addition, when there is no lot information of the corresponding strip in the storage space of the multi-blot test device <NUM>, corresponding information may be output to an operator to receive additional information or to warn that the lot is an unauthorized lot. In addition, when it is provided to limit the lot number to be used in a test of a corresponding round, the multi-blot test device <NUM> may be configured to determine whether the code <NUM> of the strip <NUM> is a valid lot. Accordingly, even if the operator erroneously mounts another strip, the system may automatically determine and output that a wrong strip is mounted.

Furthermore, the code <NUM> of the strip <NUM> may further include validity period information, and validity period information of the corresponding strip scanned by the multi-blot test device <NUM> may be compared with the current date and it may be determined whether the corresponding strip can be used. Accordingly, the present invention may provide a more reliable test by reducing the occurrence of mistakes due to an error of the operator. In addition, a plurality of codes <NUM> of the strip <NUM> may be provided so that information such as a lot number, a result correction value, and a validity period may be arranged in each code <NUM>.

Next, referring to <FIG>, the present invention may further include a lot information chip <NUM> that provides production environment information for each lot to the multi-blot test device <NUM>. At this time, the lot information chip <NUM> may be configured as a storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be configured to include a plurality of codes <NUM> containing data. In an embodiment of the present invention, the lot information chip <NUM> including the plurality of codes <NUM> will be described in detail.

The lot information chip <NUM> may contain detailed information on deviations generated for each lot number. Accordingly, the code of the strip <NUM> may be provided to store only the lot number, and in the present invention, the detailed information for each lot number may be preferentially received from the lot information chip <NUM> and a lot number may be received from the strip <NUM>, which may then be matched.

In addition, the lot information chip <NUM> may be provided to recognize information through the analysis module <NUM> of the multi-blot test device <NUM>, and in a state in which the lot information chip <NUM> is mounted in the mounting module <NUM>, the image sensor of the analysis module <NUM> may scan the code <NUM> formed on the lot information chip <NUM> to receive information. Here, the lot information chip <NUM> may include a body <NUM> detachable from the strip mounting portion <NUM> of the mounting module <NUM> and a plurality of codes <NUM> formed on an upper surface of the body <NUM>. Here, the code <NUM> may also be formed of a barcode or a QR code. In this case, in the present invention, since a space is relatively narrow in the code <NUM> of each strip <NUM>, detailed information for each lot may be provided in the lot information chip <NUM> which is formed to provide a classification data of a wide range such as a lot number or the like and in which a blot strip or a passage is not formed, thereby enabling a more efficient data input. According to this embodiment, in the present invention, the number of codes <NUM> provided in the lot information chip <NUM> may be greater than the number of codes <NUM> provided in the strip <NUM>.

<FIG> relate to an embodiment of a multi-blot test method according to the present invention, and <FIG> are flowcharts of the multi-blot test method, respectively.

First, referring to <FIG>, the multi-blot test method of the present invention may include step A of updating production environment information for each lot in the multi-blot test device <NUM> using the lot information chip <NUM>, step B of mounting a plurality of strips <NUM> in the mounting module <NUM> of the multi-blot test device <NUM>, step C of recognizing lot information formed for each of the plurality of strips <NUM>, step D of performing a blot test on the plurality of strips <NUM>, and step E of correcting result data according to individual lot information for each of the plurality of strips <NUM>.

Next, referring to <FIG>, and as described above, the lot information chip <NUM> may be mounted on the strip mounting portion <NUM> of the multi-blot test device <NUM>, but when information is input with the code <NUM>, step A may include step A-<NUM> of mounting the lot information chip <NUM> in the mounting module <NUM> of the multi-blot test device <NUM>, step A-<NUM> of scanning of the code <NUM> of the lot information chip <NUM> by the analysis module <NUM> of the multi-blot test device <NUM>, and step A-<NUM> of storing information received from the lot information chip by the multi-blot test device <NUM> and separating the lot information chip <NUM> from the mounting module <NUM>. Here, the lot information chip <NUM> may provide information on color development curves for various concentrations containing color development results of the blot strip <NUM> of the strip <NUM>. Accordingly, in step E, regarding a blot rest result for one strip performed in step D based on the information provided from the lot information chip <NUM> in step A, result values may be corrected according to lot information of the one strip scanned in step C and provided.

Also, step D will be additionally described as follows with reference to <FIG>. An embodiment of step D of performing a block test on the plurality of strips <NUM> may include specimen recognition, specimen dispensing, reagent mixing, sample dispensing, antibody/enzyme/surface reaction test, drying, and measurement and analysis. A detailed process may vary depending on types of allergy immunoblot test, autoimmune blot test, and human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping test, and in the case of the multi-blot test, in a state in which a plurality of capture substances are fixed to one strip, a specimen is reacted and tested using a detection material. Through this test step and test, the present invention may provide more accurate final results by recalculating preferentially analyzed result data according to a correction value for each lot of each strip.

Claim 1:
A multi-blot test automation system comprising:
a multi-blot test device (<NUM>) including a mounting module (<NUM>) providing a plurality of strip mounting portions (<NUM>) and an analysis module (<NUM>) disposed above the mounting module (<NUM>) and driven in a horizontal direction; and
at least one strip (<NUM>) mounted in the strip mounting portion (<NUM>) of the multi-blot test device (<NUM>),
wherein the strip includes a passage (<NUM>) having a predetermined length and allowing a reactive solution to flow therein, one or more blot strips (<NUM>) are disposed on a lower surface of the passage (<NUM>), and
a code (<NUM>) in which a lot information of the blot strip (<NUM>) is embedded is formed on one side of the passage (<NUM>) in a longitudinal direction,
a photographing unit including an image sensor provided in the analysis module (<NUM>), so that
the analysis module (<NUM>) is configured to perform information sensing and blot strip testing on each of a plurality of strips (<NUM>) mounted in the mounting module (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the multi-blot test automation system further comprises a lot information chip (<NUM>), wherein the lot information chip (<NUM>) has a body (<NUM>) formed so as to be mountable on the strip mounting portion (<NUM>) of the multi-blot test device (<NUM>), and a code (<NUM>) in which production environment information for each lot is embedded is formed on an upper surface of the body (<NUM>),
wherein the analysis module is configured to receive the production environment information for each lot from the code (<NUM>) of the lot information chip (<NUM>), is configured to receive a lot number from the code (<NUM>) of the strip (<NUM>), and is configured to match the production environment information of the strip (<NUM>).