Patent Description:
In the field of biomedical testing, in order to detect different components in a specimen, such as plasma and blood cells in whole blood, it is usually necessary to perform tests on a plasma detection cassette and a blood cell detection cassette respectively. How to detect different components in the specimen by a single cassette is a research direction of the field. <CIT> relates to a sample acquiring device for spectrophotometric measurement of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and glucose (FPG). <CIT> relates to a detection cartridge including a detection tank, a sample tank, N containers, and first temporary tanks.

The following disclosure serves a better understanding of the present invention. The invention is directed to a detection cassette, which is adapted to detect two components in a specimen (or referred to as a sample).

The invention provides a detection cassette adapted to detect a sample, the sample includes a first component and a second component. The detection cassette includes a sample injection hole, a first separation tank, a second separation tank, and a first detection tank and a second detection tank. The first separation tank is communicated with the sample injection hole, where a part of the sample is adapted to enter the first separation tank from the sample injection hole, and the part of the sample is separated into the first component and the second component in the first separation tank. The second separation tank is communicated with the sample injection hole, where another part of the sample is adapted to enter the second separation tank from the sample injection hole, and the another part of the sample is separated into the first component and the second component in the second separation tank. The first detection tank is communicated with the first separation tank, and the first component separated in the first separation tank flows to the first detection tank for detection. The second detection tank is communicated with the second separation tank, and the second component separated in the second separation tank flows to the second detection tank for detection. The detection cassette further comprises a first connection flow channel, connected between the first separation tank and the second separation tank.

In an embodiment of the invention, a density of the first component is less than a density of the second component, the first separation tank includes a first bottom portion and a first top portion, and the first component separated in the first separation tank is adapted to be located at the first top portion, and the second component separated in the first separation tank is adapted to be located at the first bottom portion. The second separation tank includes a second bottom portion and a second top portion, the first component separated in the second separation tank is adapted to be located at the second top portion, and the second component separated in the second separation tank is adapted to be located at the second bottom portion.

In an embodiment of the invention, the detection cassette further includes a first fluid tank and a first mixing tank. The first fluid tank is adapted to contain a first fluid. The first mixing tank is connected to the first top portion, and the first fluid tank is connected to the first top portion or the first mixing tank. The first mixing tank is located in a first direction of the first top portion and the first fluid tank, and the first component located at the first top portion and the first fluid located in the first fluid tank are adapted to be mixed in the first mixing tank.

In an embodiment of the invention, the detection cassette further includes a first quantitative tank and a first bending section. The first quantitative tank is connected to the first mixing tank. The first bending section includes a first section and a second section that are connected in a bending manner, where the first section is connected to the first quantitative tank, the second section is connected to the first detection tank, the first quantitative tank is located in a second direction of the first mixing tank and the first section, and the second direction is opposite to the first direction.

In an embodiment of the invention, the detection cassette further includes a quantitative flow channel and an overflow tank. The quantitative flow channel is connected between the sample injection hole and the first separation tank. The overflow tank is communicated with the second separation tank.

In an embodiment of the invention, the detection cassette further includes a first temporary storage tank, a second temporary storage tank and a second connection flow channel. The first temporary storage tank is communicated between the first separation tank and the first connection flow channel. The first temporary storage tank is located in a first direction of the second separation tank and in a second direction of the first separation tank, and the second direction is opposite to the first direction. The second temporary storage tank is communicated with the overflow tank. The second connection flow channel is communicated with the first temporary storage tank and the second temporary storage tank. The second connection flow channel and the second temporary storage tank are located in the second direction of the first temporary storage tank.

In an embodiment of the invention, there is a first necked section between the first bottom portion and the first top portion, and there is a second necked section between the second bottom portion and the second top portion.

In an embodiment of the invention, the detection cassette further includes a third temporary storage tank connected to the second top portion, the third temporary storage tank is located in a first direction of the second top portion, and the first component located at the second top portion is adapted to flow into the third temporary storage tank.

In an embodiment of the invention, the detection cassette further includes a second fluid tank and a second mixing tank. The second fluid tank is adapted to contain a second fluid and is communicated with the second bottom portion. The second mixing tank is communicated with the second bottom portion. The second bottom portion is located in a second direction of the second fluid tank, the second direction is opposite to the first direction, the second mixing tank is located in the second direction of the second bottom portion, and the second fluid in the second fluid tank is adapted to flow to the second bottom portion, so as to flow to the second mixing tank together with the second component located at the second bottom portion.

In an embodiment of the invention, the detection cassette further includes a third fluid tank and a third mixing tank. The third fluid tank is adapted to contain a third fluid. The third mixing tank is communicated with the second mixing tank and the third fluid tank, the third mixing tank is located in a third direction of the third fluid tank and the second mixing tank, and the third direction is orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, and the third fluid in the third fluid tank and the second component and the second fluid in the second mixing tank are adapted to flow to the third mixing tank.

In an embodiment of the invention, the detection cassette further includes a second quantitative tank and a second bending section. The second quantitative tank is communicated with the third mixing tank. The second bending section includes a third section and a fourth section connected in a bending manner, where the third section is connected to the second quantitative tank, the fourth section is connected to the second detection tank, the second quantitative tank is located in a fourth direction of the third mixing tank and the third section, and the fourth direction is opposite to the third direction.

The invention further provides a detection system, including: a centrifugal platform having a carrier turntable driven by a driving module; and a detection cassette placed on the carrier turntable.

In an embodiment of the invention, the centrifugal platform further includes a sub turntable arranged on the carrier turntable and driven by another driving module, and the detection cassette is placed on the sub turntable.

Based on the above description, in the detection cassette of the invention, a part of the sample is adapted to enter the first separation tank from the sample injection hole of the detection cassette, and separated into the first component and the second component in the first separation tank. Another part of the sample is adapted to enter the second separation tank from the sample injection hole, and separated into the first component and the second component in the second separation tank. The first detection tank is communicated with the first separation tank, and the first component separated in the first separation tank flows to the first detection tank for detection. The second detection tank is communicated with the second separation tank, and the second component separated in the second separation tank flows to the second detection tank for detection. Therefore, the invention allows detections of the first component and the second component of one sample be conducted on one detection cassette, which effectively reduces detection cost and time, and increases utilization of the sample.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a detection cassette according to an embodiment of the invention. <FIG> is an exploded schematic view of the detection cassette of <FIG>. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of <FIG> from another viewing angle.

Referring to <FIG>, the detection cassette <NUM> of the embodiment is adapted to test a sample <NUM> (<FIG>). The detection cassette <NUM> includes a main body <NUM> and an upper cover <NUM>. The upper cover <NUM> is aligned and assembled with the main body <NUM> through assembling holes <NUM>. The main body <NUM> is provided with a plurality of tanks and flow channels. The upper cover <NUM> may optionally be a transparent plate, so as to clearly see the flow of the sample <NUM> in the main body <NUM>.

In the embodiment, the sample <NUM> may flow into a place between the main body <NUM> and the upper cover <NUM> from a sample injection hole <NUM>, and flow in the main body <NUM>. In addition, a liquid used to mix with the sample <NUM> is stored within liquid cartridges <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (<FIG>).

As shown in <FIG>, the main body <NUM> includes liquid cartridge insertion ports <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and the liquid cartridges <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be respectively placed in the liquid cartridge insertion ports <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the liquid cartridges <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> respectively include membranes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The main body <NUM> further includes three corresponding spikes (not shown) located deep within the liquid cartridge insertion ports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

When the liquid cartridges <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are placed in the liquid cartridge insertion ports <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, the three spikes will be next to the membranes <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, but are not yet contacted to the membranes <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. When it is necessary to make the liquid in the liquid cartridges <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to flow into the main body <NUM>, the liquid cartridges <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be pushed inward by an external push rod (not shown) to deeper parts of the liquid cartridge insertion ports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, so that the membranes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are punctured by the spikes, and the fluids stored in the liquid cartridges <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> flow out. As shown in <FIG>, the fluids stored in the liquid cartridges <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> respectively flow into three corresponding tanks of the main body <NUM> through a first through hole <NUM>, a second through hole <NUM> and a third through hole <NUM>.

The detection cassette <NUM> of the embodiment may be placed on a centrifugal platform (not shown) which includes, for example, a carrier turntable independently driven by a driving module and a sub turntable arranged on the carrier turntable and independently driven by another driving module. The carrier turntable is configured to provide a centrifugal force, and the sub turntable is used to adjust an angle of the detection cassette <NUM> relative to the carrier turntable, so that the sample <NUM> in the detection cassette <NUM> flows under the influence of the centrifugal force for the detection to be conducted.

A detailed structure and a rotation direction of the detection cassette <NUM> and a flow process of the sample <NUM> in the detection cassette <NUM> will be described in detail below. <FIG> are schematic diagrams of a flow process of the sample in the detection cassette of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the detection cassette <NUM> includes a sample injection hole <NUM> and a quantitative flow channel <NUM>. The sample <NUM> may be injected from the sample injection hole <NUM>, the quantitative flow channel <NUM> is communicated with the sample injection hole <NUM>, and the sample <NUM> may be quantified in the quantitative flow channel <NUM>. In an embodiment, the quantitative flow channel <NUM> may only serve as a channel through which the sample <NUM> flows. As shown in <FIG>, along with the continuous injection of the sample <NUM>, the sample <NUM> may move along the quantitative flow channel <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the detection cassette <NUM> includes a first separation tank <NUM>, a first temporary storage tank <NUM>, a first connection flow channel <NUM>, and a second separation tank <NUM>. The first separation tank <NUM> is communicated with the quantitative flow channel <NUM>, and the second separation tank <NUM> is communicated with the first separation tank <NUM>.

To be specific, the quantitative flow channel <NUM> is connected between the sample injection hole <NUM> and the first separation tank <NUM>. The first separation tank <NUM> is connected to the first temporary storage tank <NUM>, the first temporary storage tank <NUM> is connected to the first connection flow channel <NUM>, and the first connection flow channel <NUM> is connected to the second separation tank <NUM>. Namely, the first temporary storage tank <NUM> and the first connection flow channel <NUM> are located between the first separation tank <NUM> and the second separation tank <NUM>, and the first temporary storage tank <NUM> communicates between the first separation tank <NUM> and the first connection flow channel <NUM>.

At such phase, a centrifugal direction C is a downward direction in <FIG>. Therefore, as shown in <FIG>, the sample <NUM> flows downward from the quantitative flow channel <NUM> to the first separation tank <NUM>, a part of the sample <NUM> may stay in the first separation tank <NUM>, and another part of the sample <NUM> may overflow from the first separation tank <NUM> to the second separation tank <NUM> through the first temporary storage tank <NUM> and the first connection flow channel <NUM>.

In addition, in the embodiment, the sample <NUM> includes a first component <NUM> and a second component <NUM>, and a density of the first component <NUM> is smaller than that of the second component <NUM>. For example, the sample <NUM> may be whole blood, the first component <NUM> may be plasma, and the second component <NUM> may be blood cells.

Since the centrifugal direction C is a downward direction in <FIG>, the sample <NUM> in the first separation tank <NUM> is separated into the first component <NUM> and the second component <NUM> and the sample <NUM> in the second separation tank <NUM> is separated into the first component <NUM> and the second component <NUM>, under the influence of the centrifugal force.

To be specific, the first separation tank <NUM> includes a first bottom portion <NUM> and a first top portion <NUM>. The first component <NUM> separated in the first separation tank <NUM> is adapted to be located at the first top portion <NUM>, and the second component <NUM> separated in the first separation tank <NUM> is adapted to be located at the first bottom portion <NUM>. A first necked section <NUM> may be optionally provided between the first bottom portion <NUM> and the first top portion <NUM>. A width of the first necked section <NUM> is smaller than that of the first bottom portion <NUM> and the first top portion <NUM>, so that the first bottom portion <NUM> and the first top portion <NUM> form two tanks. In other embodiments which no necked section <NUM> is provided between the first bottom portion <NUM> and the first top portion <NUM>, the first bottom portion <NUM> and the first top portion <NUM> commonly form a single tank. The width of the first bottom portion <NUM> may be substantially the same as the width of the first top portion <NUM>, or slightly smaller than the width of the first top portion <NUM>.

Similarly, the second separation tank <NUM> includes a second bottom portion <NUM> and a second top portion <NUM>. A second necked section <NUM> may be optionally provided between the second bottom portion <NUM> and the second top portion <NUM>. The first component <NUM> separated in the second separation tank <NUM> is adapted to be located at the second top portion <NUM>, and the second component <NUM> separated in the second separation tank <NUM> is adapted to be located at the second bottom portion <NUM>. Similarly, in other embodiments, no second necked section <NUM> is provided between the second bottom portion <NUM> and the second top portion <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in the embodiment, the detection cassette <NUM> further includes a first fluid tank <NUM>. The first fluid tank <NUM> is adapted to contain a first fluid <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the liquid cartridge <NUM> (<FIG>) located in the liquid cartridge insertion port <NUM> (<FIG>) may be pushed inward by an external push rod that is not shown, and the membrane <NUM> (<FIG>) of the liquid cartridge <NUM> is punctured by the spike in the main body <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the first fluid <NUM> stored in the liquid cartridge <NUM> is moved in the centrifugal direction C by the centrifugal force to flow into the first fluid tank <NUM>. In the embodiment, the first fluid <NUM> may be a diluent, but the type of the first fluid <NUM> is not limited thereto.

Moreover, referring to <FIG>, the detection cassette <NUM> further includes a first mixing tank <NUM>. The first mixing tank <NUM> is connected to the first top portion <NUM>, and the first fluid tank <NUM> is connected to the first top portion <NUM> or the first mixing tank <NUM>.

When the detection cassette <NUM> is rotated as shown in <FIG>, the centrifugal direction C is in a first direction D1. The first mixing tank <NUM> is located in the first direction D1 of the first top portion <NUM> and the first fluid tank <NUM>, i.e. at a lower position of <FIG>. Namely, when the centrifugal direction C is in the first direction D1, the first mixing tank <NUM> is further away from a rotation center (not shown) than the first top portion <NUM> and the first fluid tank <NUM>. Therefore, the first component <NUM> located at the first top portion <NUM> and the first fluid <NUM> located in the first fluid tank <NUM> flow into the first mixing tank <NUM>, and are mixed in the first mixing tank <NUM> to form a first mixed solution <NUM>.

On the other hand, the detection cassette <NUM> further includes a third temporary storage tank <NUM> communicated with the second top portion <NUM>. The third temporary storage tank <NUM> is located in the first direction D1 of the second top portion <NUM>, so that the first component <NUM> located at the second top portion <NUM> flows into the third temporary storage tank <NUM> and is separated from the second component <NUM> remained at the second bottom portion <NUM>.

It should be noted that, generally, about <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the whole blood is plasma, and about <NUM>% to <NUM>% is blood cells. Since the second component <NUM> (blood cells) is to be tested after it is separated from the sample <NUM> in the second separation tank <NUM>, in the embodiment, a volume of the second bottom portion <NUM> may be optionally smaller than a volume of the second top portion <NUM>. Preferably, the volume of the second bottom portion <NUM> is less than <NUM>% of the second separation tank <NUM>, which may be, for example, <NUM>%. Such design may ensure that the second bottom portion <NUM> contains only the second component <NUM>. In this way, when the detection cassette <NUM> is rotated from the position shown in <FIG> to the position shown in <FIG>, the part of the sample <NUM> at the second top portion <NUM> flows to the third temporary storage tank <NUM>, and only the part of the sample <NUM> at the second bottom portion <NUM> is remained in the second separation tank <NUM>, so as to prevent the first component <NUM> from remaining in the second separation tank <NUM> to interfere subsequent detection results of the second component <NUM>.

In addition, since the third temporary storage tank <NUM> is communicated with the overflow tank <NUM>, when the detection cassette <NUM> is rotated as shown in <FIG>, the overflow tank <NUM> is located in the centrifugal direction C of the third temporary storage tank <NUM>, which is at a lower position of <FIG>, so that the first component <NUM> in the third temporary storage tank <NUM> may flow to the overflow tank <NUM> under the centrifugal force. At this time, in addition to collection of the excess fluid, an optical detection may be conducted at the overflow tank <NUM> to detect optical background parameters of the overflowing fluid (the first component <NUM>) before reacting with a reagent.

The detection cassette <NUM> further includes a second fluid tank <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the liquid cartridge <NUM> (<FIG>) located in the liquid cartridge insertion port <NUM> (<FIG>) may be pushed inward by the external push rod, and the membrane <NUM> (<FIG>) of the liquid cartridge <NUM> is punctured by the spike in the main body <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the second fluid <NUM> stored in the liquid cartridge <NUM> is moved in the centrifugal direction C by the centrifugal force to flow into the second fluid tank <NUM>. The second fluid <NUM> may be a reagent solution for blood cells, but the type of the second fluid <NUM> is not limited thereto.

Then, referring to <FIG>, the detection cassette <NUM> further includes a first quantitative tank <NUM>, a first bending section <NUM> and first detection tanks <NUM>, <NUM>. In the embodiment, the number of the first quantitative tank <NUM>, the first bending section <NUM>, the first detection tank <NUM>, and the first detection tank <NUM> are each plural. Certainly, the detection cassette <NUM> may alternatively have only a single first quantitative tank <NUM>, a single first bending section <NUM>, a single first detection tank <NUM> and a single first detection tank <NUM>. The number of these elements is not limited thereto.

The first quantitative tank <NUM> is connected to the first mixing tank <NUM>. The first bending section <NUM> includes a first section <NUM> and a second section <NUM> connected in a bending manner. The first section <NUM> is connected to the first quantitative tank <NUM>, and the second section <NUM> is connected to the first detection tanks <NUM> and <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, when the centrifugal direction C of the detection cassette <NUM> is in a second direction D2, the first quantitative tank <NUM> is in the second direction D2 of the first mixing tank <NUM>, i.e., at a lower position of <FIG>. The second direction D2 is the opposite direction to the first direction D1. Therefore, the first mixed solution <NUM> located in the first mixing tank <NUM> flows into the first quantitative tank <NUM>.

In addition, in the embodiment, the first quantitative tank <NUM> is located in the second direction D2 of the first segment <NUM>. Therefore, the first mixed solution <NUM> does not flow to the first section <NUM> at this phase, but flows to other first quantitative tanks <NUM> connected in the centrifugal direction C (lower position of <FIG>) in sequence, so that a plurality of quantified first mixed solution <NUM> may be obtained for subsequent tests.

On the other hand, the detection cassette <NUM> further includes a second temporary storage tank <NUM> and a second connection flow channel <NUM>. The second connection flow channel <NUM> is connected to the first temporary storage tank <NUM> and the second temporary storage tank <NUM>, and the second temporary storage tank <NUM> is connected to the overflow tank <NUM>. In the embodiment, the second connection flow channel <NUM> is located on the upper cover <NUM>, and such design may save a space on the main body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the centrifugal direction C of the detection cassette <NUM> is in the second direction D2. The first temporary storage tank <NUM> is located in the second direction D2 of the first separation tank <NUM>, and the second connection flow channel <NUM> and the second temporary storage tank <NUM> are located in the second direction D2 (a lower position of <FIG>) of the first temporary storage tank <NUM>. Namely, the first temporary storage tank <NUM> is farther from the rotation center (not shown) than the first separation tank <NUM>, and the second connection flow channel <NUM> and the second temporary storage tank <NUM> are farther from the rotation center than the first temporary storage tank <NUM>. Therefore, the second component <NUM> from the first bottom portion <NUM> of the first separation tank <NUM> may flow to the second temporary storage tank <NUM> along the second connection flow channel <NUM>, and then flow to the overflow tank <NUM>. At this time, the overflow tank <NUM> may be used to collect excess fluid. In this way, the first separation tank <NUM> and the second separation tank <NUM> may share the overflow tank <NUM>, thereby saving space on the detection cassette.

Moreover, in the embodiment, the detection cassette <NUM> further includes a second mixing tank <NUM>. The second fluid tank <NUM> is communicated with the second bottom portion <NUM>, and the second mixing tank <NUM> is communicated with the second bottom portion <NUM>. In <FIG>, the second bottom portion <NUM> is located in the second direction D2 (a lower position in <FIG>) of the second fluid tank <NUM>, and the second mixing tank <NUM> is located in the second direction D2 (a lower position in <FIG>) of the second bottom portion <NUM>. Therefore, the second fluid <NUM> in the second fluid tank <NUM> is adapted to flow to the second bottom portion <NUM>, so as to flow to the second mixing tank <NUM> together with the second component <NUM> located at the second bottom portion <NUM> to form a second mixed solution <NUM>.

Then, referring to <FIG>, in the embodiment, the first detection tanks <NUM> and <NUM> may be filled with a reagent or medicament, preferably a dry reagent or medicament. The detection cassette <NUM> is rotated so that the first bending section <NUM> is located in the centrifugal direction C of the first quantitative tank <NUM> (a lower position of <FIG>). Therefore, the first mixed solution <NUM> located in the first quantitative tank <NUM> flows from the first bending section <NUM> to the first detection tank <NUM>. The first mixed solution <NUM> may be mixed with the reagent or medicament in the first detection tank <NUM>.

On the other hand, in the embodiment, the detection cassette <NUM> further includes a third fluid tank <NUM>. The third fluid tank <NUM> is adapted to contain a third fluid <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the liquid cartridge <NUM> (<FIG>) located in the liquid cartridge insertion port <NUM> (<FIG>) may be pushed inward by the external push rod, and the membrane <NUM> (<FIG>) of the liquid cartridge <NUM> is punctured by the spike in the main body <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the third fluid <NUM> stored in the liquid cartridge <NUM> is moved in the centrifugal direction C by the centrifugal force and flows into the third fluid tank <NUM>. The third fluid <NUM> may be another reagent liquid for blood cells, but the type of the third fluid <NUM> is not limited thereto.

Referring to <FIG>, the detection cassette <NUM> is rotated. When the centrifugal direction C of the detection cassette <NUM> is in a third direction D3 which is substantially orthogonal to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, the first mixed solution <NUM> located in the first detection tank <NUM> flows to the other first detection tank <NUM> to fully mix the first mixed solution <NUM> with the reagent or medicament in the first detection tanks <NUM> and <NUM>.

On the other hand, the detection cassette <NUM> further includes a third mixing tank <NUM>. The third mixing tank <NUM> is communicated with the second mixing tank <NUM> and the third fluid tank <NUM>. The third mixing tank <NUM> is located in the third direction D3 of the third fluid tank <NUM> and the second mixing tank <NUM>. Therefore, the third fluid <NUM> located in the third fluid tank <NUM> and the second component <NUM> and the second fluid <NUM> located in the second mixing tank <NUM> flow to the third mixing tank <NUM> to form a third mixed solution <NUM>.

Then, referring to <FIG>, the detection cassette <NUM> is rotated. When the centrifugal direction C of the detection cassette <NUM> is in a fourth direction D4, the first mixed solution <NUM> located in the first detection tank <NUM> flows back to the first detection tank <NUM>, so that the first mixed solution <NUM> can be mixed with the reagent or medicament between the two first detection tanks <NUM> and <NUM>.

On the other hand, in the embodiment, the detection cassette <NUM> further includes one or a plurality of second quantitative tanks <NUM>, second bending sections <NUM>, second detection tanks <NUM>, and second detection tanks <NUM>. The second quantitative tank <NUM> is communicated with the third mixing tank <NUM>. The second bending section <NUM> includes a third section <NUM> and a fourth section <NUM> connected in a bending manner. The third section <NUM> is connected to the second quantitative tank <NUM>, and the fourth section <NUM> is connected to the second detection tanks <NUM> and <NUM>.

When the centrifugal direction C of the detection cassette <NUM> is in the fourth direction D4, the second quantitative tank <NUM> is located in the fourth direction D4 of the third mixing tank <NUM> and the third section <NUM>. The fourth direction D4 is opposite to the third direction D3. Therefore, the third mixed solution <NUM> located in the third mixing tank <NUM> flows to the second quantitative tank <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the detection cassette <NUM> is rotated, and the first mixed solution <NUM> is mixed with the reagent or medicament in the first detection tanks <NUM> and <NUM>. On the other hand, the third mixed solution <NUM> located in the second quantitative tank <NUM> flows from the second bending section <NUM> to the second detection tank <NUM>. Similarly, the second detection tank <NUM> may be filled with a medicament or reagent, preferably a dry medicament or reagent, used for detecting the second component <NUM>, but the invention is not limited thereto.

Then, referring to <FIG>, the detection cassette <NUM> is rotated, and the first mixed solution <NUM> located in the first detection tank <NUM> flows to the first detection tank <NUM> to be mixed with the reagent or medicament of the first component <NUM> again. At the same time, the third mixed solution <NUM> located in the second detection tank <NUM> flows to the second detection tank <NUM> to be mixed with the reagent or medicament of the second component <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, in the embodiment, the upper cover <NUM> further includes gas escape holes <NUM> and <NUM>. The gas escape holes <NUM> are communicated with the first detection tanks <NUM> and <NUM>, and a gas in the first detection tanks <NUM> and <NUM> (<FIG>) may be discharged from the gas escape holes <NUM>. The gas escape holes <NUM> are communicated with the second detection tanks <NUM> and <NUM>, and the gas in the second detection tanks <NUM> and <NUM> (<FIG>) may be discharged from the gas escape holes <NUM>. As a result, the first mixed solution <NUM> in the first detection tanks <NUM> and <NUM> and the third mixed solution <NUM> in the second detection tanks <NUM> and <NUM> can flow smoothly.

The steps shown in <FIG> and <FIG> can be repeated several times to ensure that the first mixed solution <NUM> and the reagent or medicament are completely mixed. Once mixing of the third mixed solution <NUM> and the reagent or medicament is completed, detection of the first component <NUM> may be performed in the first detection tanks <NUM> and <NUM>, and detection of the second component <NUM> may be performed in the second detection tanks <NUM> and <NUM>. The detection is, for example, optical detection or other detections. For example, an external optical device (not shown) may be used to detect the mixtures in the first detection tanks <NUM>, <NUM> and the second detection tanks <NUM>, <NUM> through the transparent upper cover <NUM>. Alternatively, the transparent upper cover <NUM> may be removed and then the quantified mixtures may be taken out from the detection cassette to perform other detections.

As describe above, after the sample <NUM> is injected into the detection cassette <NUM> of the embodiment, the sample <NUM> can be separated into the first component <NUM> and the second component <NUM> by centrifugal force by rotating the detection cassette <NUM> to different directions. After the first component <NUM> and the second component <NUM> are mixed with the corresponding fluids, the mixtures flow to the first detection tanks <NUM>, <NUM> and the second detection tanks <NUM>, <NUM>. Detections of the first component <NUM> and the second component <NUM> can be respectively performed in the first detection tanks <NUM>, <NUM> and the second detection tanks <NUM>, <NUM>. Therefore, the first component <NUM> and the second component <NUM> may be detected in one single detection cassette <NUM>, which greatly shortens the required detection time, sample amount, and amount of the detection cassettes.

Claim 1:
A detection cassette (<NUM>), adapted to detect a sample (<NUM>), wherein the sample (<NUM>) comprises a first component (<NUM>) and a second component (<NUM>), the detection cassette (<NUM>) comprising:
a sample injection hole (<NUM>);
a first separation tank (<NUM>), communicated with the sample injection hole (<NUM>), wherein a part of the sample (<NUM>) is adapted to enter the first separation tank (<NUM>) from the sample injection hole (<NUM>), and the part of the sample (<NUM>) is separated into the first component (<NUM>) and the second component (<NUM>) in the first separation tank (<NUM>);
a second separation tank (<NUM>), communicated with the sample injection hole (<NUM>), wherein another part of the sample (<NUM>) is adapted to enter the second separation tank (<NUM>) from the sample injection hole (<NUM>), and the another part of the sample (<NUM>) is separated into the first component (<NUM>) and the second component (<NUM>) in the second separation tank (<NUM>);
a first detection tank (<NUM>, <NUM>), communicated with the first separation tank (<NUM>), wherein the first component (<NUM>) separated in the first separation tank (<NUM>) flows to the first detection tank (<NUM>, <NUM>) for detection; and
a second detection tank (<NUM>, <NUM>), communicated with the second separation tank (<NUM>), characterized in that the second component (<NUM>) separated in the second separation tank (<NUM>) flows to the second detection tank (<NUM>, <NUM>) for detection; and the detection cassette (<NUM>) further comprises:
a first connection flow channel (<NUM>), connected between the first separation tank (<NUM>) and the second separation tank (<NUM>).