Patent Description:
In recent years, with the completion of the human genome project and the advent of the postgenomic era, it becomes difficult to rapidly treat large amounts of micro-data pouring out of existing laboratory assay systems.

Accordingly, implementation of a micro-comprehensive assay system or lab-on-a-chip to perform rapid assay on rapidly increasing micro-data can be effectively achieved through combination with suitable bioassay methods.

Methods for assay of biomolecules include immunoassays, DNA hybridization, receptor-based assay, and the like. A detection method for assay of the biomolecules is broadly used not only in laboratory assay, but also in medical diagnosis or development of new medicines.

Among these methods, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is an experimental method that confirms an antigen-antibody reaction through an enzyme bound to an antibody, and is mainly used to perform qualitative and quantitative assay of the antibody or antigen. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is a simple and accurate test method and can analyze many samples at once.

However, there are problems in that, in order to perform a process of attaching samples, antibodies and antigens to a tip, a cleaning process, and a sensing process in wells each containing a corresponding solution, it is necessary to provide individual wells for the corresponding purposes and to dip a tip in the wells and the time for experiment is increased due to a process of moving the tip to the wells having different roles.

Moreover, since a well having completed reaction must be moved to a separate assay system, there are problems of a complicated experiment process and deformation of an assay target specimen in the course of moving the well.

<CIT> relates an autoanalyzer, equipped with a cartridge selection means <NUM> having a cartridge receiving part <NUM> to which a plurality of the inspection cartridges <NUM>, can be set and selecting the cartridge receiving part <NUM> to successively transfer the same to the inspection initial position ST1 in a set stage ST, a cartridge feed means <NUM> for linearly feeding the inspection cartridges <NUM> before inspection, which is transferred to and selected at the inspection initial position ST1, in an inspection stage KT by the cartridge selection means <NUM> and linearly feed out the inspection cartridges <NUM> before inspection to the set stage ST, a specimen reagent dispensing means <NUM> for dispensing the specimen and reagent of the inspection cartridge <NUM> in a reaction cell with respect to the inspection cartridge <NUM> in the inspection stage KT fed in by the cartridge feed means <NUM> and a measuring means <NUM> for measuring the reaction of the specimen and reagent in the reaction cell 11c dispensed by the specimen and reagent dispensing means <NUM>. <CIT> relates to a photometric apparatus and an automatic analyzer in which liquid samples contained in vessels are measured with light of different wavelengths while the vessels are transferred are provided.

<CIT> relates to an analyzer having a reaction disk for holding a plurality of reaction containers and a fluorophotometer for measuring fluorescence stemming from solutions in the containers.

<CIT> relates to an ELISA-based, liquid-phase immunoassay apparatus optimized for detecting particular ingredients contained in a biological sample, etc., and a method therefor.

<CIT> relates to a device for carrying out heterogeneous immunoassays by means of magnetic particles in cuvettes lined up next to one another, wherein each cuvette has a filling opening and at least one lateral measurement window which is transparent to the measurement radiation.

<CIT> relates to a method and/or a device for carrying out chemical, biochemical and/or immunochemical analyses of liquid samples, which are present in a sample store of an automatic analyzer, with the aid of liquid reagents which are present in at least one reagent store of the analyzer.

Embodiments of the present invention are conceived to solve such problems in the art and it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic immunoassay system capable of performing photo-oxidation fluorescence amplification assay with greater convenience through automatic movement of a tip to a plurality of wells containing solutions performing different roles, respectively.

It will be understood that objects of the present invention are not limited to the above. The above and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description of the following embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The above objects are achieved by the features defined in independent claim <NUM>. Further preferred features are specified in the dependent claims.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an automatic immunoassay system includes: a case provided with a holding plate therein; a cartridge unit disposed inside the case to be coupled to the holding plate and formed with a plurality of wells; a light source unit disposed at one side of the cartridge unit to emit light to the wells; a sensing unit disposed at the other side of the cartridge unit to detect a fluorescence signal generated by light delivered to the wells; a cartridge conveyance unit coupled to the cartridge unit and the holding plate and moving the cartridge unit on the holding plate in a horizontal direction; a tip disposed above the cartridge unit to be sequentially dipped in the plurality of wells; and a tip conveyance unit coupled to an upper surface of the holding plate and moving the tip in an upward/downward direction. The system further comprises: a shutter unit (<NUM>) disposed between the light source unit (<NUM>) and the wells to block light emitted from the light source unit (<NUM>) to the wells or allow the light emitted from the light source unit (<NUM>) to reach the wells, wherein the shutter unit (<NUM>) comprises: a shutter body (<NUM>) disposed between the light source unit (<NUM>) and the wells to block light emitted from the light source unit (<NUM>) from being delivered to the wells; and a shutter pushing portion (<NUM>) coupled to an upper portion of the holding plate (<NUM>) to move the shutter body (<NUM>).

The cartridge unit may include: a well cartridge provided with the plurality of wells; and a cartridge loading mechanism coupled to a lower portion of the well cartridge to couple the well cartridge to the holding plate.

The cartridge conveyance unit may include: a cartridge mount coupling the cartridge unit to the holding plate; and a cartridge conveyer conveying the cartridge mount in a horizontal direction with reference to the holding plate.

The tip conveyance unit may include: a tip holder holding the tip; and a tip conveyer conveying the tip holder in the upward/downward direction.

The automatic immunoassay system according to the present invention provides the following effects.

First, the automatic immunoassay system enables photo-oxidation fluorescence amplification assay with greater convenience through automatic movement of a tip to a plurality of wells containing solutions performing different roles.

Second, in the automatic immunoassay system, the plurality of wells containing solutions performing different roles is disposed in a single cartridge, and the light source unit is integrally formed with the sensing unit, thereby enabling photo-oxidation fluorescence amplification assay with greater convenience.

Thirdly, the automatic immunoassay system includes a shutter unit disposed between the light source unit and the wells to block light emitted from the light source unit to the wells or to allow the light emitted from the light source unit to reach the wells, thereby enabling more accurate assay through irradiation of the well with the light emitted from the light source unit after completion of warm-up of the light source unit so as to allow irradiation of a sample with uniform light when there is a need for warm-up of the light source unit.

It will be understood that advantageous effects of the present invention are not limited to the above and include any advantageous effects conceivable from the features disclosed in the detailed description of the invention or the appended claims.

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the following embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and may be embodied in different ways, and that the embodiments are given to provide complete disclosure of the invention and to provide thorough understanding of the invention to those skilled in the art. The scope of the invention is limited only by the accompanying claims. Like components will be denoted by like reference numerals throughout the specification.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" to or "on" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" to or "directly on" another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other expressions for describing a relationship between components should be interpreted in the same way as above.

Unless otherwise defined herein, all terms including technical or scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs.

<FIG> and <FIG> are schematic views of an automatic immunoassay system according to the present invention.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the automatic immunoassay system according to the present invention includes a case <NUM>, a cartridge unit <NUM>, a light source unit <NUM>, a sensing unit <NUM>, a cartridge conveyance unit <NUM>, a tip <NUM>, a tip conveyance unit <NUM>, and a shutter unit <NUM>.

In the case <NUM>, the cartridge unit <NUM>, the light source unit <NUM>, the sensing unit <NUM>, the cartridge conveyance unit <NUM>, the tip <NUM>, the tip conveyance unit <NUM>, and the shutter unit <NUM> are disposed to allow the automatic immunoassay system according to the present invention to be conveniently carried out by a user.

The case <NUM> may be formed at an upper portion thereof with a gripper and is provided therein with a holding plate <NUM> to which the cartridge unit <NUM>, the light source unit <NUM>, the sensing unit <NUM>, the cartridge conveyance unit <NUM>, the tip <NUM>, the tip conveyance unit <NUM>, and the shutter unit <NUM> are coupled.

The holding plate <NUM> may be disposed parallel to the ground and be separated a constant distance from a lower surface of the case <NUM>.

The cartridge unit <NUM> is disposed inside the case <NUM> and is coupled to the holding plate <NUM>. The cartridge unit <NUM> is formed with a plurality of wells, which contain a coating solution, an antibody-antigen reaction solution, a cleaning solution, and an enzyme-matrix reaction solution to perform photo-oxidation fluorescence amplification assay.

The light source unit <NUM> is disposed at one side of the cartridge unit <NUM> to emit light to the wells.

The sensing unit <NUM> is disposed at the other side of the cartridge unit <NUM> to face the light source unit <NUM> and senses a fluorescence signal generated by light delivered to the wells.

The cartridge conveyance unit <NUM> is coupled to the cartridge unit <NUM> and the holding plate <NUM> to convey the cartridge unit <NUM> on the holding plate <NUM> in a horizontal direction.

The tip <NUM> is disposed above the cartridge unit <NUM> to be sequentially dipped in the plurality of wells.

The tip conveyance unit <NUM> is coupled to an upper surface of the holding plate <NUM> to convey the tip <NUM> in an upward/downward direction.

The shutter unit <NUM> is disposed and moved between the light source unit <NUM> and the wells to block light emitted from the light source unit <NUM> to the wells or to allow the light emitted from the light source unit <NUM> to reach the wells.

Details of the cartridge unit <NUM>, the light source unit <NUM>, the sensing unit <NUM>, the cartridge conveyance unit <NUM>, the tip <NUM>, the tip conveyance unit <NUM>, and the shutter unit <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the cartridge unit <NUM> of the automatic immunoassay system according to the present invention will be described hereinafter.

<FIG> is a view of the cartridge unit <NUM>, the light source unit <NUM> and the sensing unit <NUM> in the automatic immunoassay system according to the present invention. Referring to <FIG>, the cartridge unit <NUM> includes a well cartridge <NUM> and a cartridge loading mechanism <NUM>.

The well cartridge <NUM> is provided with the plurality of wells in which the tip <NUM> is sequentially dipped.

The cartridge loading mechanism <NUM> is coupled to a lower portion of the well cartridge <NUM> to couple the well cartridge <NUM> to the cartridge conveyance unit <NUM>.

The light source unit <NUM> is disposed at one side of a seventh well <NUM> and an eighth well <NUM> in the well cartridge <NUM> to emit light to the wells.

The light source unit <NUM> includes a first light source <NUM>, a second light source <NUM>, and a light source unit mounting block <NUM>.

The first light source <NUM> is disposed at one side of the seventh well <NUM> to emit light to the seventh well <NUM> and the second light source <NUM> is disposed at one side of the eighth well <NUM> to emit light to the eighth well <NUM>.

The light source unit mounting block <NUM> is disposed at one side of the cartridge loading mechanism <NUM> and the light source unit <NUM> is mounted on the light source unit mounting block <NUM>.

The sensing unit <NUM> is disposed at the other side of the seventh well <NUM> and the eighth well <NUM> of the well cartridge <NUM> to detect a fluorescence signal generated by light delivered to the wells.

The sensing unit <NUM> includes a first sensor <NUM>, a second sensor <NUM>, and a sensing unit mounting block <NUM>.

The first sensor <NUM> is disposed at the other side of the seventh well <NUM> to detect a fluorescence signal generated by light delivered to the seventh well <NUM>, and the second sensor <NUM> is disposed at the other side of the eighth well <NUM> to detect a fluorescence signal generated by light delivered to the eighth well <NUM>.

In addition, the automatic immunoassay system according to the present invention may include an assay unit (not shown), which analyzes the fluorescence signals detected by the sensing unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view of the well cartridge <NUM> in the automatic immunoassay system according to the present invention. Referring to <FIG>, the well cartridge <NUM> includes a tip storage well <NUM>, first to eighth wells <NUM> to <NUM>, a well holder 2100a, and a well protecting portion 2100b.

The tip storage well <NUM> and the first to fourth wells <NUM> to <NUM> are formed in a tube shape such that the tip <NUM> can be inserted thereinto, and are integrally formed with one another to be coupled to one another.

The tip storage well <NUM> defines a standby space for the tip <NUM> before conveyance of the tip and receives the tip <NUM> therein.

The first to fourth wells <NUM> to <NUM> receive the coating solution and the antibody-antigen reaction solution such that the tip <NUM> is sequentially received in the first to fourth wells <NUM> to <NUM> to form an antibody-antigen complex on the tip <NUM>.

The fifth well <NUM> and the sixth well <NUM> receive the cleaning solution such that the tip formed with the antibody-antigen complex is subjected to cleaning in two stages to remove an antibody not forming the antibody-antigen complex, after the tip <NUM> is sequentially received in the first to fourth wells <NUM> to <NUM>.

The seventh well <NUM> and the eighth well <NUM> receive the enzyme-matrix reaction solution such that the amount of an antigen coupled to an antibody can be measured through enzyme-matrix reaction of the tip <NUM> therewith in these wells.

Here, the seventh well <NUM> is a test target well and the eighth well <NUM> is a reference well for comparison with the seventh well <NUM>.

The tip storage well <NUM> and the first to eighth wells <NUM> to <NUM> are sequentially disposed such that the tip <NUM> can conveniently perform antibody-antigen immunoassay and can check fluorescence reaction while moving in the horizontal direction.

The well holder 2100a is coupled to an outer periphery of an upper surface of each of the tip storage well <NUM> and the first to eighth wells <NUM> to <NUM> such that the tip storage well <NUM> is integrated with the first to eighth wells <NUM> to <NUM>.

The well protecting portion 2100b protrudes from a lower portion of the well holder 2100a, particularly from lower regions of the well holder 2100a corresponding to the tip storage well <NUM> and the first to eighth wells <NUM> to <NUM>, to protect the tip storage well <NUM> and the first to eighth wells <NUM> to <NUM> from external light and the like.

<FIG> is a view of the cartridge loading mechanism <NUM> in the automatic immunoassay system according to the present invention. Referring to <FIG>, the cartridge loading mechanism <NUM> includes a well support <NUM> and a well cover <NUM>.

The well support <NUM> is coupled at a lower portion thereof to the cartridge conveyance unit <NUM> and is formed at an upper portion thereof with a plurality of well insertion holes <NUM>, into which lower portions of the first to eighth wells <NUM> to <NUM> are inserted.

The well insertion holes <NUM> are formed in a shape surrounding the lower portions of the first to eighth wells <NUM> to <NUM>, respectively, such that the well support <NUM> supports and secures the first to eighth wells <NUM> to <NUM> when the first to eighth wells <NUM> to <NUM> are inserted into the well insertion holes <NUM>.

The well cover <NUM> protrudes from an upper surface of the well support <NUM> to surround the seventh well <NUM> and the eighth well <NUM> in the well support <NUM>.

Here, the well cover <NUM> is formed at one side thereof with a first cover hole <NUM> and a second cover hole <NUM> such that one side of each of the seventh well <NUM> and the eighth well <NUM> is open through the corresponding cover hole.

The well cover <NUM> is formed at the other side thereof with a third cover hole <NUM> and a fourth cover hole <NUM> such that the other side of each of the seventh well <NUM> and the eighth well <NUM> is open through the corresponding cover hole.

<FIG> is a view of the light source unit mounting block <NUM> in the automatic immunoassay system according to the present invention. Referring to <FIG>, the light source unit mounting block <NUM> is coupled to one side of the well cover <NUM>.

The light source unit mounting block <NUM> is formed with a first light source coupling hole <NUM> and a second light source coupling hole <NUM> in regions thereof corresponding to the first cover hole <NUM> and the second cover hole <NUM>.

The first light source <NUM> is inserted into and coupled to the first light source coupling hole <NUM> and the second light source <NUM> is inserted into and coupled to the second light source coupling hole <NUM> such that the light source unit <NUM> can emit light towards the seventh well <NUM> and the eighth well <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view of the sensing unit mounting block <NUM> in the automatic immunoassay system according to the present invention. Referring to <FIG>, the sensing unit mounting block <NUM> is coupled to the other side of the well cover <NUM>. Specifically, the sensing unit mounting block <NUM> includes a sensing unit-insertion block <NUM> and a sensing printed circuit board <NUM>.

The sensing unit-insertion block <NUM> is coupled to the other side of the well cover <NUM> and is formed with a first sensor coupling hole <NUM> and a second sensor coupling hole <NUM> in regions thereof corresponding to the third cover hole <NUM> and the fourth cover hole <NUM>.

The first sensor <NUM> is inserted into and coupled to the first sensor coupling hole <NUM> and the second sensor <NUM> is inserted into and coupled to the second sensor coupling hole <NUM> such that the sensing unit <NUM> can detect a fluorescence signal generated by light delivered to the seventh well <NUM> and the eighth well <NUM>.

The sensing printed circuit board <NUM> is coupled to the sensing unit-insertion block <NUM> to be connected to the first sensor <NUM> and the second sensor <NUM> such that the fluorescence signal detected by the sensing unit <NUM> can be sent to and analyzed by the assay unit.

<FIG> is a view of the cartridge conveyance unit <NUM> in the automatic immunoassay system according to the present invention. Referring to <FIG>, the cartridge conveyance unit <NUM> includes a cartridge mount <NUM> and a cartridge conveyer <NUM>.

The cartridge conveyance unit <NUM> couples the cartridge unit <NUM> to the holding plate <NUM> such that the cartridge unit <NUM> can be conveyed thereon.

The cartridge conveyer <NUM> conveys the cartridge mount <NUM> in the horizontal direction with reference to the holding plate <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view of the cartridge mount <NUM> in the automatic immunoassay system according to the present invention. Referring to <FIG>, the cartridge mount <NUM> includes a first guide bar holding frame <NUM>, a second guide bar holding frame <NUM>, a conveyance guide bar <NUM>, a conveyance frame <NUM>, and a cartridge mounting plate <NUM>.

The first guide bar holding frame <NUM> and the second guide bar holding frame <NUM> are coupled to opposite ends of the holding plate <NUM> with reference to a longitudinal direction of the holding plate <NUM>, that is, in a direction in which the cartridge unit <NUM> is conveyed, respectively.

The conveyance guide bar <NUM> is coupled at opposite ends thereof to the first guide bar holding frame <NUM> and the second guide bar holding frame <NUM>, respectively. Although the conveyance guide bar <NUM> may be composed of a single guide bar, the conveyance guide bar is preferably composed of two or more guide bars disposed at both sides of the cartridge unit <NUM>.

The conveyance frame <NUM> is formed with a guide bar passing hole <NUM>, through which the conveyance guide bar <NUM> passes. Accordingly, as the conveyance guide bar <NUM> is inserted into the guide bar passing hole <NUM>, the conveyance frame <NUM> is coupled to the conveyance guide bar <NUM> to be moved in the horizontal direction with reference to the conveyance guide bar <NUM>.

The cartridge mounting plate <NUM> is coupled to an upper portion of the conveyance frame <NUM>. Accordingly, as the conveyance frame <NUM> is conveyed in the horizontal direction with reference to the conveyance guide bar <NUM>, the cartridge mounting plate <NUM> is also conveyed together with the conveyance frame <NUM> in the same direction.

In addition, the cartridge unit <NUM>, the light source unit <NUM> and the sensing unit <NUM> are coupled to an upper surface of the cartridge mounting plate <NUM>. Accordingly, as the cartridge mounting plate <NUM> is conveyed in the horizontal direction, the cartridge unit <NUM>, the light source unit <NUM> and the sensing unit <NUM> are also conveyed in the same direction at the same speed as the cartridge mounting plate <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view of the cartridge conveyer <NUM> in the automatic immunoassay system according to the present invention. Referring to <FIG>, the cartridge conveyer is coupled to the cartridge mount <NUM> to convey the cartridge mount <NUM> in the horizontal direction. Specifically, the cartridge conveyer <NUM> includes a stepper motor <NUM>, a rotary block, a timing belt <NUM>, and a conveyance block <NUM>.

The stepper motor <NUM> serves to provide drive power for driving the rotary block described below. Referring to <FIG>, the stepper motor <NUM> is disposed under the holding plate <NUM>, thereby enabling a compact design of the automatic immunoassay system according to the present invention.

The rotary block includes a first rotary block <NUM> and a second rotary block <NUM>. The first rotary block <NUM> and the second rotary block <NUM> are coupled to the upper surface of the holding plate <NUM>, in which the first rotary block <NUM> is separated from a side surface of the first guide bar holding frame <NUM> and the second rotary block <NUM> is separated from a side surface of the second guide bar holding frame <NUM>.

Preferably, each of the first rotary block <NUM> and the second rotary block <NUM> has a cylindrical shape and is formed in a perpendicular direction with respect to the upper surface of the holding plate <NUM>.

The stepper motor <NUM> is coupled to the first rotary block <NUM> to rotate the first rotary block <NUM> in the clockwise direction or in the counterclockwise direction.

The timing belt <NUM> is coupled to outer surfaces of the first rotary block <NUM> and the second rotary block <NUM> to cooperate therewith. Accordingly, when the stepper motor <NUM> is driven, the first rotary block <NUM> is rotated to allow the timing belt <NUM> engaging with the first rotary block <NUM> to be rotated together therewith, and the second rotary block <NUM> is also rotated by rotation of the timing belt <NUM>.

That is, the second rotary block <NUM> assists in rotation of the timing belt <NUM> while maintaining tension of the timing belt <NUM>.

The outer surfaces of the first rotary block <NUM> and the second rotary block <NUM> are formed with the same shape of roughness as an inner surface of the timing belt <NUM>, which engages with the outer surfaces of the first rotary block <NUM> and the second rotary block <NUM> to allow more efficient transfer of rotating force.

The conveyance block <NUM> is coupled to the timing belt to be conveyed on the timing belt <NUM> by rotation of the timing belt <NUM>. In addition, as the conveyance block <NUM> is conveyed in the same direction as the timing belt <NUM> upon rotation of the timing belt <NUM> secured to the conveyance frame <NUM>, the conveyance frame <NUM> is rotated together with the timing belt <NUM>, thereby allowing conveyance of the cartridge unit <NUM> in the horizontal direction.

<FIG> is a view of the tip conveyance unit <NUM> in the automatic immunoassay system according to the present invention. Referring to <FIG>, the tip conveyance unit <NUM> includes a tip holder <NUM>, a tip conveyance unit <NUM>, and a tip vibrator <NUM>.

The tip holder <NUM> is coupled to an upper surface of the holding plate <NUM> and to the tip <NUM>.

As the tip holder <NUM> is conveyed in the upward/downward direction, the tip conveyance unit <NUM> conveys the tip <NUM> to be dipped in the plurality of wells.

The tip vibrator <NUM> is coupled to the tip holder <NUM> to allow more efficient culturing, cleaning and reaction by vibrating the tip when the tip <NUM> is dipped in the well.

<FIG> is a view of the shutter unit <NUM> in the automatic immunoassay system according to the present invention. Referring to <FIG>, the shutter unit <NUM> includes a shutter pushing portion <NUM> and a shutter body <NUM>.

The shutter pushing portion <NUM> is coupled to an upper surface of the holding plate <NUM> to move the shutter body <NUM>. Specifically, the shutter pushing portion <NUM> includes a push lever base <NUM> and a push lever <NUM>.

The push lever base <NUM> is coupled to the upper surface the holding plate <NUM> so as to face the eighth well <NUM>.

The push lever <NUM> is coupled to one end of the push lever base <NUM> and extends towards the shutter body <NUM>. When the cartridge conveyance unit <NUM> conveys the cartridge unit <NUM> from the first well <NUM> towards the eighth well <NUM>, the push lever <NUM> pushes the shutter body <NUM> to move the shutter body <NUM> towards the eighth well <NUM>.

The shutter body <NUM> is disposed between the light source unit <NUM> and the well to block light emitted from the light source unit <NUM> towards the wells or to allow the light emitted from the light source unit <NUM> to reach the wells depending upon locations of the wells.

Specifically, the shutter body <NUM> includes a base block <NUM>, a shutter link <NUM>, a shutter jig <NUM>, and a shutter plate <NUM>.

The base block <NUM> is coupled to an upper portion of the cartridge mounting plate <NUM> to be disposed near the eighth well <NUM>.

The shutter link <NUM> is rotatably coupled at one end thereof to the base block and the shutter jig <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the other end of the shutter link <NUM>.

That is, as the cartridge conveyance unit <NUM> conveys the cartridge conveyance unit <NUM> in a direction from the first well <NUM> to the eighth well <NUM>, the push lever <NUM> pushes the shutter jig <NUM> towards the eighth well <NUM>. As a result, the shutter link <NUM> is rotated to move the shutter jig <NUM> in a direction from the eighth well <NUM> to the first well <NUM>.

The shutter plate <NUM> is rotatably coupled to one end of the shutter jig <NUM> to be disposed between the light source unit <NUM> and the well and is formed with light emission holes <NUM>.

In an Off state in which the push lever <NUM> does not push the shutter jig <NUM>, the shutter plate <NUM> blocks light emitted from the light source unit <NUM> from being delivered to the seventh well <NUM> and the eighth well <NUM>.

Then, after the tip <NUM> is sequentially dipped in the first to eighth wells <NUM> to <NUM> to complete reaction, the light source unit <NUM> emits light to the seventh well <NUM> and the eighth well <NUM>. In this course, in an On state in which the push lever <NUM> pushes the shutter jig <NUM> to move the shutter plate <NUM>, the light emission holes <NUM> formed through the shutter plate <NUM> are disposed between the light source unit <NUM> and the seventh and eighth wells <NUM>, <NUM> such that light emitted from the light source unit <NUM> can be delivered to the seventh well <NUM> and the eighth well <NUM>.

Here, when the push lever <NUM> pushes the shutter jig <NUM> to move the shutter plate <NUM>, the shutter plate <NUM> is moved while being kept parallel to the cartridge mounting plate <NUM> such that the light emission holes <NUM> of the shutter plate <NUM> are arranged between the seventh well <NUM> and the eighth well <NUM>.

To this end, the light source unit mounting block <NUM> is formed with a shutter plate moving groove <NUM> on a surface thereof facing the shutter plate <NUM> such that the shutter plate <NUM> can be inserted into the light source unit mounting block <NUM> therethrough and can be moved while being kept parallel to the cartridge mounting plate <NUM>.

As a result, with the shutter unit <NUM> adapted to block the light emitted from the light source unit <NUM> from being delivered to the seventh well <NUM> and the eighth well <NUM> or to allow the light emitted from the light source unit <NUM> to be delivered thereto, the automatic immunoassay system can perform more accurate assay of a sample by allowing the light emitted from the light source unit <NUM> to be delivered to the wells after completion of warm-up of the light source unit <NUM> such that the sample can be evenly irradiated with the light, when there is a need for warm-up of the light source unit <NUM>.

Although some embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that these embodiments are provided for illustration only and are not to be construed in any way as limiting the present invention.

Claim 1:
An automatic immunoassay system comprising:
a case (<NUM>) provided with a holding plate (<NUM>) therein;
a cartridge unit (<NUM>) disposed inside the case (<NUM>), being coupled to the holding plate (<NUM>) and formed with a plurality of wells;
a light source unit (<NUM>) disposed at one side of the cartridge unit (<NUM>) to emit light to the wells;
a sensing unit (<NUM>) disposed at the other side of the cartridge unit (<NUM>) to detect a fluorescence signal generated by light delivered to the wells;
a cartridge conveyance unit (<NUM>) coupled to the cartridge unit (<NUM>) and the holding plate (<NUM>) and moving the cartridge unit (<NUM>) on the holding plate (<NUM>) in a horizontal direction;
a tip (<NUM>) disposed above the cartridge unit (<NUM>) to be sequentially dipped in the plurality of wells; and
a tip conveyance unit (<NUM>) coupled to an upper surface of the holding plate (<NUM>) and moving the tip (<NUM>) in an upward/downward direction,
characterized in that the system further comprises:
a shutter unit (<NUM>) disposed between the light source unit (<NUM>) and the wells to block light emitted from the light source unit (<NUM>) to the wells or allow the light emitted from the light source unit (<NUM>) to reach the wells,
wherein the shutter unit (<NUM>) comprises:
a shutter body (<NUM>) disposed between the light source unit (<NUM>) and the wells to block light emitted from the light source unit (<NUM>) from being delivered to the wells; and
a shutter pushing portion (<NUM>) coupled to an upper portion of the holding plate (<NUM>) to move the shutter body (<NUM>).