Patent Description:
The present invention relates to a liquid-sealed cartridge in which liquid is sealed, and a liquid sending method for sending liquid in the liquid-sealed cartridge.

<CIT> discloses a microstructure in which a first hollow chamber <NUM> and a second hollow chamber <NUM> that are separated from each other by a blocking element <NUM>, a covering element <NUM> for covering the first hollow chamber <NUM>, a take-out chamber <NUM>, and a channel <NUM> for connecting between the second hollow chamber <NUM> and the take-out chamber <NUM>, are formed, as shown in <FIG>. The first hollow chamber <NUM> is filled with liquid.

In a case where a force is applied to the covering element <NUM>, a first end portion <NUM> of the blocking element <NUM> is broken. A second end portion <NUM> of the blocking element <NUM> forms a pivotable hinge section. By the first end portion <NUM> of the blocking element <NUM> being broken, the liquid in the first hollow chamber <NUM> flows into the second hollow chamber <NUM>. The liquid is transported by a capillary force to the channel <NUM> and the take-out chamber <NUM>.

In the microstructure disclosed in <CIT>, the blocking element <NUM> is pressed in the second hollow chamber <NUM> having a micro space, whereby the first end portion <NUM> of the blocking element <NUM> is broken to unseal the blocking element <NUM>. In order to assuredly break the first end portion <NUM> of the blocking element <NUM>, since the blocking element <NUM> is flexible, an indentation depth of a pressing member for pressing the blocking element <NUM> needs to be sufficiently great. However, the height of the second hollow chamber <NUM> having the micro space is low, so that the blocking element <NUM> is moved downward to an inner bottom surface of the second hollow chamber <NUM> and may come into contact with the inner bottom surface of the second hollow chamber <NUM> (see a broken line portion in <FIG>).

In a case where the above-described blocking element <NUM> is moved downward to the inner bottom surface of the second hollow chamber <NUM> and the first end portion of the blocking element <NUM> comes into contact with the inner bottom surface of the second hollow chamber <NUM> (see the broken line portion in <FIG>), even if a pressing force is applied, the blocking element <NUM> cannot be pushed any more. Therefore, a load on a device for applying the pressing force may increase or the inner bottom surface of the second hollow chamber <NUM> may be damaged.

Further, <CIT> is concerned with a liquid-sealed cartridge and liquid transferring method.

The present invention is directed to reduction of a load on a pressing device and inhibition of damage to an inner bottom surface of a liquid-sealed cartridge.

In order to attain the aforementioned object, a liquid-sealed cartridge (<NUM>) according to the present invention includes: a liquid storage portion (<NUM>) configured to store liquid (<NUM>); a flow path (<NUM>) in which the liquid (<NUM>) stored in the liquid storage portion (<NUM>) flows; and a liquid sealing portion (<NUM>) configured to seal the liquid (<NUM>) in the liquid storage portion (<NUM>). The liquid sealing portion (<NUM>) has an outer circumferential portion (<NUM>) and a center-side low strength portion (<NUM>-<NUM>) disposed closer to a center than the outer circumferential portion (<NUM>), and the center-side low strength portion (<NUM>-<NUM>) is broken when pressed, to allow the liquid (<NUM>) in the liquid storage portion (<NUM>) to flow in the flow path (<NUM>),by applying an external force to the liquid (<NUM>) in the liquid storage portion (<NUM>) for which the center-side low strength portion (<NUM>-<NUM>) has been broken, characterized in that: the center-side low strength portion (<NUM>-<NUM>) is disposed at a center portion (<NUM>) of the liquid sealing portion (<NUM>), as shown in <FIG>.

In the description herein, the "low strength portion" represents a portion having a mechanical strength lower than that of a portion excluding the low strength portion in the liquid sealing portion. Particularly, "a mechanical strength is low" represents a property that breakage easily occurs by a pressing force.

In the liquid-sealed cartridge (<NUM>) according to the present invention, as described above, the liquid sealing portion (<NUM>) is broken so as to be parted into both side portions by the center-side low strength portion (<NUM>-<NUM>) of the liquid sealing portion (<NUM>) serving as a boundary when the liquid sealing portion (<NUM>) is pressed. Therefore, both end portions of the liquid sealing portion (<NUM>) serve as pivoting centers, respectively, and the radius (R) of each pivoting portion can thus be reduced. Thus, since the radius (R) of the pivoting portion can be reduced, pressing of the liquid sealing portion (<NUM>) can be ended before the liquid sealing portion (<NUM>) comes into contact with an inner bottom surface (<NUM>) of the liquid-sealed cartridge (<NUM>) or increase of a pressing force can be inhibited as compared with conventional art even in a case where the liquid sealing portion (<NUM>) comes into contact with the inner bottom surface (<NUM>). Consequently, a load on a pressing device can be reduced and damage to the inner bottom surface (<NUM>) of the liquid-sealed cartridge (<NUM>) can be inhibited.

A liquid sending method according to the present invention is directed to a liquid sending method for a liquid-sealed cartridge (<NUM>) including a liquid storage portion (<NUM>) for storing liquid (<NUM>), and a liquid sealing portion (<NUM>) for sealing the liquid storage portion (<NUM>), and the liquid sending method includes: pressing a center-side low strength portion (<NUM>-<NUM>) including a center portion (<NUM>) of the liquid sealing portion (<NUM>) and breaking the liquid sealing portion (<NUM>) at the center-side low strength portion (<NUM>-<NUM>) serving as a boundary; and causing the liquid (<NUM>) to flow from the liquid storage portion (<NUM>) for which the center-side low strength portion (<NUM>-<NUM>) has been broken by applying an external force, as shown in <FIG>.

In the liquid sending method according to the present invention, similarly to the above-described invention, the liquid sealing portion (<NUM>) can be broken, when pressed, so as to be parted into both side portions by the center-side low strength portion (<NUM>-<NUM>) of the liquid sealing portion (<NUM>) serving as a boundary. As a result, the radius (R) of the pivoting portion of the liquid sealing portion (<NUM>) in pressing can be reduced. Thus, since the radius (R) of the pivoting portion can be reduced, pressing of the liquid sealing portion (<NUM>) can be ended before the liquid sealing portion (<NUM>) comes into contact with an inner bottom surface (<NUM>) of the liquid-sealed cartridge (<NUM>) or increase of a pressing force can be inhibited as compared with conventional art even in a case where the liquid sealing portion (<NUM>) comes into contact with the inner bottom surface (<NUM>). Consequently, a load on a pressing device can be reduced, and damage to the inner bottom surface (<NUM>) of the liquid-sealed cartridge (<NUM>) can be inhibited.

According to the present invention, a load on a pressing device can be reduced, and damage to the inner bottom surface of the liquid-sealed cartridge can be inhibited.

A liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> of the present embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>.

The liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> is a container having a space in which a liquid <NUM> can be stored. The liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> can seal the liquid <NUM> stored thereinside. The liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> can release the sealing of the liquid <NUM> stored thereinside, through an operation from the outside of the cartridge. By releasing the sealing, the liquid <NUM> in the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> can be transferred to another portion in the cartridge or to the outside of the cartridge.

The outer shape of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> is not particularly limited. The liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> has, for example, a plate-like shape.

The liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> includes at least one liquid storage portion <NUM>, at least one flow path <NUM>, and at least one liquid sealing portion <NUM>.

The liquid storage portion <NUM> is configured to store the liquid <NUM>. That is, the liquid storage portion <NUM> is a space having a volume which allows a predetermined amount of the liquid <NUM> to be stored. The liquid storage portion <NUM> is defined by an inner upper surface, an inner bottom surface, and inner side surfaces. The liquid <NUM> is stored beforehand in the liquid storage portion <NUM>. The liquid storage portion <NUM> may be empty when the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> is manufactured, and a user of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> may fill the liquid storage portion <NUM> with the liquid <NUM>.

The flow path <NUM> is configured to allow the liquid <NUM> stored in the liquid storage portion <NUM> to flow. The flow path <NUM> is a hollow tubular element through which the liquid <NUM> can flow. The flow path <NUM> communicates with the liquid storage portion <NUM> in a state where at least the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> has been unsealed. Before the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> is unsealed, the flow path <NUM> is defined by the liquid sealing portion <NUM> so as not to communicate with the liquid storage portion <NUM>. The flow path <NUM> includes, for example, a first end connecting to the liquid storage portion <NUM> through the liquid sealing portion <NUM>, and a second end connecting to a space into which the liquid <NUM> is to be transferred or to the outside of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>.

The liquid sealing portion <NUM> is configured to seal the liquid <NUM> in the liquid storage portion <NUM>. The liquid sealing portion <NUM> prevents the liquid <NUM> from flowing from the liquid storage portion <NUM> into the flow path <NUM>. For example, the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is disposed so as to disconnect the liquid storage portion <NUM> and the flow path <NUM> from each other at a connecting portion between the liquid storage portion <NUM> and the flow path <NUM>. One liquid sealing portion <NUM> or a plurality of the liquid sealing portions <NUM> are disposed for one liquid storage portion <NUM>.

The liquid sealing portion <NUM> is configured to be irreversibly unsealed. Specifically, the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is pressed and a part of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is broken by the pressing force. The liquid sealing portion <NUM> is unsealed by breaking the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. For example, the liquid <NUM> can flow through a portion at which the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is broken. In the description herein, a state where a part of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is broken to allow the liquid <NUM> in the liquid storage portion <NUM> to flow is referred to as "unsealed".

The liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> has a body portion <NUM> in which the liquid storage portion <NUM>, the flow path <NUM>, and the liquid sealing portion <NUM> are formed. The body portion <NUM> is formed of, for example, a resin material. For example, COP (cycloolefin polymer) can be used as the resin material. The liquid storage portion <NUM> and the flow path <NUM> are formed as recesses, grooves, or the like formed in the body portion <NUM>. The liquid storage portion <NUM> and the flow path <NUM> can be structured as internal spaces of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> by covering the recesses, grooves, or the like formed in the body portion <NUM> with a base film <NUM>. The base film <NUM> is formed of, for example, a resin material. For example, COP (cycloolefin polymer) can be used as the resin material. The base film <NUM> forms an inner bottom surface <NUM> of the liquid storage portion <NUM>. The liquid sealing portion <NUM> has an outer circumferential portion <NUM> supported by the body portion <NUM>.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> further includes a cover portion <NUM> opposing the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. The cover portion <NUM> is disposed so as to cover the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. The cover portion <NUM> prevents the liquid <NUM> from flowing to the outside of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> when the liquid sealing portion <NUM> has been unsealed. When the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is unsealed, an external force is applied from the outside of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> through the cover portion <NUM> to the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. Therefore, the cover portion <NUM> is configured to be deformable by the external force such that a pressing member <NUM> can press the liquid sealing portion <NUM> through the cover portion <NUM>. The cover portion <NUM> is, for example, a film-like member, and is formed of an elastically deformable material such as elastomer or rubber. The cover portion <NUM> is, for example, a film formed of polyurethane elastomer. In a case where the body portion <NUM> is elastically deformable, the liquid sealing portion <NUM> can be pressed from the outside of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> through the body portion <NUM>. Therefore, the cover portion <NUM> need not be separately provided.

In order to unseal the liquid sealing portion <NUM>, a pressing force is applied to the liquid sealing portion <NUM> from the outside of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> by the pressing member <NUM>. At this time, the pressing member <NUM> firstly presses the cover portion <NUM> toward the liquid sealing portion <NUM> to elastically deform the cover portion <NUM>. The pressing member <NUM> comes into contact with the liquid sealing portion <NUM> through the cover portion <NUM>. The pressing member <NUM> is moved so as to push the liquid sealing portion <NUM> and breaks the liquid sealing portion <NUM>, thereby unsealing the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. The pressing member <NUM> has, for example, a bar-like shape, and is moved by a pressing device. The pressing device has a driving source such as a motor, a voice coil, a spring, or an accumulator for moving the pressing member <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the liquid sealing portion <NUM> includes the outer circumferential portion <NUM> and a center-side low strength portion <NUM> disposed closer to the center than the outer circumferential portion <NUM>. When the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is pressed, the center-side low strength portion <NUM> is broken to allow the liquid <NUM> in the liquid storage portion <NUM> to flow into the flow path <NUM>.

Specifically, the liquid sealing portion <NUM> includes the center-side low strength portion <NUM> and a base body portion <NUM> that is a portion other than the low strength portion. The center-side low strength portion <NUM> has a mechanical strength that is lower than that of the base body portion <NUM>. That is, the center-side low strength portion <NUM> is broken more easily than the base body portion <NUM> in a case where a pressing force is applied to the liquid sealing portion <NUM> for unsealing. An external force required for breaking the center-side low strength portion <NUM> is lower than an external force required for breaking the base body portion <NUM>.

The center-side low strength portion <NUM> has a thickness less than the base body portion <NUM>, as shown in, for example, <FIG>. In addition thereto, for example, the center-side low strength portion <NUM> is formed of a material having a mechanical strength lower than a material forming the base body portion <NUM>. For example, the center-side low strength portion <NUM> is configured to have a density less than the base body portion <NUM> by, for example, a hollow inside being formed in the center-side low strength portion <NUM>.

The center-side low strength portion <NUM> is disposed closer to the center than the outer circumferential portion <NUM> of the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. The base body portion <NUM> is disposed on both sides of the center-side low strength portion <NUM>. That is, the base body portion <NUM> is disposed between the center-side low strength portion <NUM> and the outer circumferential portion <NUM>. Therefore, by pressing the liquid sealing portion <NUM> through the cover portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, the center-side low strength portion <NUM> is broken as shown in <FIG>. By the center-side low strength portion <NUM> being broken, the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is parted by the center-side low strength portion <NUM> on the center side serving as a boundary. That is, the center-side end portions of the base body portion <NUM> on both sides of the center-side low strength portion <NUM> are separated from each other. The base body portions <NUM> on both sides of the center-side low strength portion <NUM> are pushed and spread so as to separate from each other like a double-door by the pressing force.

As shown in <FIG>, after the pressing force has been applied, a through hole TH that allows the liquid storage portion <NUM> to communicate with the outside of the liquid storage portion <NUM> is formed in the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. By forming the through hole TH, the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is unsealed. Thus, the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is configured to allow the liquid <NUM> in the liquid storage portion <NUM> to flow into the flow path <NUM> by breaking the center-side low strength portion <NUM>.

The base body portion <NUM> on both sides of the center-side low strength portion <NUM> is pushed and spread by the pressing member <NUM> at the center-side low strength portion <NUM> serving as the boundary. The base body portion <NUM> on each of both the sides pivots around the outer circumferential portion <NUM> of the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. Therefore, a pivoting radius R of the base body portion <NUM> is about half the entire width W of the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. Therefore, the indentation depth, of the pressing member <NUM>, required for unsealing the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is less than that for a case where the entirety of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> having the entire width W pivots around one of the end portions of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> (that is, a case where the pivoting radius is the entire width W, see <FIG>).

In the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> of the present embodiment, as described above, by pressing the liquid sealing portion <NUM>, the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is broken so as to be parted into both side portions at the center-side low strength portion <NUM> serving as the boundary. Therefore, both end portions of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> each serve as a pivoting center to reduce the radius R of the pivoting portion. Thus, since the radius R of the pivoting portion can be reduced, pressing of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> can be ended before the liquid sealing portion <NUM> comes into contact with the inner bottom surface <NUM> of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>, or increase of pressing force can be inhibited as compared with conventional art even if the liquid sealing portion <NUM> comes into contact with the inner bottom surface. Consequently, a load on a pressing device can be reduced, and damage to the inner bottom surface of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> can be inhibited.

Furthermore, in a structure in which the cover portion <NUM> opposing the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is disposed, the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is pressed through the cover portion <NUM> while the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is covered with the cover portion <NUM>, thereby unsealing the liquid sealing portion <NUM> without causing leakage of liquid. In this case, increase of an indentation depth for pressing may cause damage to the cover portion <NUM>. However, in the present embodiment, the indentation depth for pressing can be reduced, so that damage to not only the inner bottom surface <NUM> but also the cover portion <NUM> can be inhibited.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the liquid sealing portion <NUM> includes one side portion 32a adjacent to one side of the center-side low strength portion <NUM> and the other side portion 32b adjacent to the other side of the center-side low strength portion <NUM> as viewed in the pressing direction. The one side portion 32a and the other side portion 32b are each a part of the base body portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the one side portion 32a and the other side portion 32b are each configured to continuously extend from the outer circumferential portion <NUM> to the center-side low strength portion <NUM> in the liquid sealing portion <NUM> and to be deformed in the pressing direction when pressed. Each of the one side portion 32a and the other side portion 32b is not fully broken at the outer circumferential portion <NUM> and is plastically deformed so as to pivot around the outer circumferential portion <NUM>.

Thus, even when the center-side low strength portion <NUM> has been broken, each of one side portion 32a and the other side portion 32b is maintained so as to connect to the outer circumferential portion <NUM> of the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. If the broken portion is separated from the liquid sealing portion <NUM>, the separated portion falls onto the liquid storage portion <NUM> or the flow path <NUM>, and liquid sending may be hindered depending on a position onto which the separated portion has fallen. Meanwhile, the one side portion 32a and the other side portion 32b can be inhibited from separating from the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. In the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> of the present embodiment, as long as the one side portion 32a and the other side portion 32b are not fully separated, the one side portion 32a and the other side portion 32b may be partially broken.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the center-side low strength portion <NUM> is pressed and thus broken, and is held by at least one of the one side portion 32a and the other side portion 32b. Thus, not only the one side portion 32a and the other side portion 32b but also the center-side low strength portion <NUM> can be prevented from being separated from the liquid sealing portion <NUM> due to the breakage.

Next, a liquid sending method of the present embodiment will be described. The liquid sending method of the present embodiment is a liquid sending method for the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> that includes the liquid storage portion <NUM> for storing the liquid <NUM>, and the liquid sealing portion <NUM> for sealing the liquid storage portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the liquid sending method of the present embodiment includes at least steps of S1 and S2 as described below. (S1) The center-side low strength portion <NUM> of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is pressed to break the liquid sealing portion <NUM> at the center-side low strength portion <NUM> serving as a boundary. (S2) The liquid <NUM> is caused to flow from the liquid storage portion <NUM> for which the center-side low strength portion <NUM> has been broken.

In step S1, the pressing member <NUM> is moved to press the center-side low strength portion <NUM> of the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. By pressing the center-side low strength portion <NUM>, the center-side low strength portion <NUM> is broken. The liquid sealing portion <NUM> is parted and broken at the center-side low strength portion <NUM> serving as the boundary. Therefore, the base body portions <NUM> on both sides of the center-side low strength portion <NUM> separate from each other to form the through hole TH at the broken portion. The base body portions <NUM> on both sides of the center-side low strength portion <NUM> are pushed and spread so as to separate from each other like a double-door by the pressing force. Step S1 has been described above in detail for the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> with reference to <FIG>.

In step S2, an external force is applied to the liquid <NUM> in the liquid storage portion <NUM> to allow the liquid <NUM> to flow from the liquid storage portion <NUM> for which the center-side low strength portion <NUM> has been broken. The external force to be applied to the liquid <NUM> is not particularly limited. The external force to be applied to the liquid <NUM> may be, for example, gravity, pressure, centrifugal force, or the like. Gravity allows the liquid <NUM> to flow from the liquid storage portion <NUM> to a position lower in height than the liquid storage portion <NUM> in the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> or flow from the liquid storage portion <NUM> to the outside of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>. For example, by applying air pressure or water pressure to the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> from an external pressure source, the liquid <NUM> can flow from the liquid storage portion <NUM> to any position.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the liquid storage portion <NUM> is disposed closer to the center of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> than the flow path <NUM>. In step S2 of causing the liquid <NUM> to flow, the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> is rotated so as to allow the liquid <NUM> in the liquid storage portion <NUM> to flow into the flow path <NUM> through the center-side low strength portion <NUM> having been pressed (see <FIG>).

That is, after the unsealing in step S1, the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> is rotated around a center shaft <NUM>, to apply a centrifugal force to the liquid <NUM> in the liquid storage portion <NUM>. Thus, the liquid <NUM> moves from the liquid storage portion <NUM> toward the flow path <NUM> on the outer circumferential side.

In the liquid sending method of the present embodiment, as described above, the liquid sealing portion <NUM> can be pressed and thus broken so as to be parted into both side portions by the center-side low strength portion <NUM> of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> serving as a boundary. As a result, the radius of the pivoting portion of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> in the pressing can be reduced. Thus, since the radius of the pivoting portion can be reduced, pressing of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> can be ended before the liquid sealing portion <NUM> comes into contact with the inner bottom surface <NUM> of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> or increase of a pressing force can be inhibited as compared with conventional art even if the liquid sealing portion <NUM> comes into contact with the inner bottom surface <NUM>. Consequently, a load on a pressing device can be reduced, and damage to the inner bottom surface <NUM> of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> can be inhibited.

Furthermore, in the configuration shown in <FIG> in which liquid is sent by rotation, the liquid <NUM> can be sent merely by rotating the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> includes the disk-shaped body portion <NUM> in which the liquid storage portion <NUM>, the flow path <NUM>, and the liquid sealing portion <NUM> are formed. The liquid storage portion <NUM> is disposed closer to the center of the body portion <NUM> than the flow path <NUM>. The liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> is configured to allow the liquid <NUM> in the liquid storage portion <NUM> to flow into the flow path <NUM> by rotating the body portion <NUM>. Thus, the liquid <NUM> can be sent merely by rotating the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>.

In the liquid storage portion <NUM>, a liquid sealing portion 30A on the radially outer side and a liquid sealing portion 30B on the radially inner side are disposed. The liquid sealing portion 30B on the radially inner side connects with an air hole <NUM>. The liquid sealing portion 30A on the radially outer side connects with the flow path <NUM>. When, by unsealing the liquid sealing portions 30A and 30B, the liquid <NUM> in the liquid storage portion <NUM> flows into the flow path <NUM> during liquid sending, air flows into the liquid storage portion <NUM> through the air hole <NUM>. As a result, negative pressure is generated inside the liquid storage portion <NUM> and prevention of movement of the liquid <NUM> can be avoided.

Furthermore, the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is integrated with the liquid storage portion <NUM>. Thus, as compared with a case where the liquid sealing portion <NUM> and the liquid storage portion <NUM> are provided as separate components, the number of components of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> can be reduced. Furthermore, no gap is formed between components, so that the liquid <NUM> can be assuredly sealed.

Next, an example of a configuration of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

Firstly, examples of the shape and the disposition of the low strength portion in a planar view of the surface of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> will be described. In <FIG> and <FIG>, for convenience sake, the low strength portion is hatched, and the base body portion <NUM>, and the one side portion 32a and the other side portion 32b each of which is a part of the base body portion <NUM> are not hatched.

In the examples shown in <FIG>, the center-side low strength portion <NUM> is disposed at a center portion <NUM> of the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. Thus, the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is broken so as to separate into two portions on both sides at the center portion <NUM> serving as the boundary. Therefore, the radiuses of the pivoting portions that pivot around both end portions of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> can be made uniform and minimized. The center portion <NUM> may not necessarily be disposed at the center of the liquid sealing portion <NUM>, and the position of the center portion <NUM> is not particularly limited as long as the center portion <NUM> is disposed closer to the center than the outer circumferential portion <NUM>.

The base body portion <NUM> is formed around the center-side low strength portion <NUM>. The center-side low strength portion <NUM> is preferably shaped so as to have directivity in a specific direction instead of being shaped into an isotropic shape such as a perfect circle such that the center-side low strength portion <NUM> can be broken to form the one side portion 32a and the other side portion 32b on both sides by the center-side low strength portion <NUM> serving as the boundary.

In the examples shown in <FIG>, the center-side low strength portion <NUM> has at least one of a liner, a rectangular, a cross-like, and an ellipsoidal planar shape as viewed in the pressing direction. Thus, the center-side low strength portion <NUM> is broken so as to be torn in a predetermined direction, thereby easily controlling the breaking direction of the center-side low strength portion <NUM>. As a result, the center-side low strength portion <NUM> can be inhibited from being broken in an unintended direction during unsealing, and variation in the shape of the through hole TH formed by the breakage can be reduced.

In <FIG>, the center-side low strength portion <NUM> has a linear or rectangular shape. A pressed region PA is pressed by the pressing member <NUM>. The pressed region PA is a region on which a pressing force from the pressing member <NUM> directly acts, and which comes into contact with the pressing member <NUM> through the cover portion <NUM> when pressed. At least a part of the center-side low strength portion <NUM> is in the pressed region PA. The through hole TH is formed so as to separate the one side portion 32a and the other side portion 32b from each other by the pressing force at the center-side low strength portion <NUM> serving as the boundary.

In <FIG>, the center-side low strength portion <NUM> is cross-shaped. When the pressed region PA is pressed, the cross-shaped center-side low strength portion <NUM> is broken so as to be torn in the length direction or the lateral direction in <FIG>. Alternatively, the center-side low strength portion <NUM> is broken so as to be torn in a cross-like shape. In a case where the center-side low strength portion <NUM> is broken so as to be torn in a cross-like shape, the through hole TH is formed so as to separate the base body portion <NUM> at the four corners of the cross-shape into four separate segments.

In <FIG>, the center-side low strength portion <NUM> has an ellipsoidal shape. In this case, as in <FIG>, the through hole TH is formed so as to separate the one side portion 32a and the other side portion 32b from each other at the center-side low strength portion <NUM> serving as the boundary.

In <FIG>, the center-side low strength portion <NUM> is in the pressed region PA. Meanwhile, in <FIG>, the center-side low strength portion <NUM> is formed so as to extend to a portion outside the pressed region PA from the center portion <NUM> of the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. The center-side low strength portion <NUM> extends to a portion near the outer circumferential portion <NUM>. Thus, the through hole TH can be increased, so that an amount of the liquid <NUM> that remains due to the unsealed liquid sealing portion <NUM> becoming an obstacle can be reduced when the liquid <NUM> is transferred. Furthermore, the greater the center-side low strength portion <NUM> is, the lower a pressing force for unsealing is. Therefore, a load on a pressing device can be effectively reduced.

In <FIG>, the center-side low strength portion <NUM> extends in a first direction A1 at the center portion <NUM> of the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. The first direction A1 is along a direction in which the liquid <NUM> is sent through the liquid sealing portion <NUM>.

Thus, the center-side low strength portion <NUM> is broken along the liquid sending direction. Therefore, the through hole TH can be formed so as to extend to a position near an end portion EP of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> in the liquid sending direction. Therefore, in a case where liquid is accumulated by a wall formed by the liquid sealing portion <NUM> having been unsealed, an amount of the accumulated liquid can be reduced by the through hole TH that is formed so as to extend to a position near the end portion EP. That is, an amount of the liquid <NUM> that remains due to the liquid sealing portion <NUM> can be preferably reduced when the liquid is sent.

As shown in <FIG>, a first direction A2 of the center-side low strength portion <NUM> may be different from the liquid sending direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the center of the center-side low strength portion <NUM> may be formed on the outer circumferential portion <NUM> side in the liquid sealing portion <NUM> so as to deviate from the center portion <NUM> of the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. In <FIG>, the center-side low strength portion <NUM> is eccentrically formed on the end portion EP side in the liquid sending direction in the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. In this case, as in <FIG>, an amount of the liquid <NUM> that remains when the liquid is sent can be preferably reduced.

As shown in <FIG>, the liquid sealing portion <NUM> may include a center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM>, and outer-circumferential-side low strength portions <NUM>-<NUM> which are formed in the outer circumferential portion <NUM> and are different from the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM>. In <FIG>, the liquid sealing portion <NUM> includes the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> and the outer-circumferential-side low strength portions <NUM>-<NUM>.

When the liquid sealing portion <NUM> has been pressed, the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> and the outer-circumferential-side low strength portions <NUM>-<NUM> are broken. Since a width of the base body portion <NUM> between the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> and each outer-circumferential-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> is narrow, the base body portion <NUM> is easily broken. Thus, the through hole TH of the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> and the through hole TH of each outer-circumferential-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> connect to each other during unsealing, to form a large through hole TH that extends from the center portion <NUM> to the outer circumferential portion <NUM> in the liquid sealing portion <NUM> along the liquid sending direction. Therefore, an amount of the liquid <NUM> that remains due to the liquid sealing portion <NUM> having been unsealed, can be reduced.

Before the breakage, the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> and each outer-circumferential-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> are separate from each other and the base body portion <NUM> is disposed therebetween. Therefore, a mechanical strength can be assured in a case where the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> and the outer-circumferential-side low strength portions <NUM>-<NUM> are not directly pressed. Therefore, unintended unsealing due to, for example, an impact from the outside can be inhibited.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> and the outer-circumferential-side low strength portions <NUM>-<NUM> are formed so as to be aligned along the liquid sending direction. In this case, the through hole TH of the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> and the through hole TH of each outer-circumferential-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> connect to each other during unsealing, to form a large through hole TH that extends from the center portion <NUM> to the outer circumferential portion <NUM> in the liquid sealing portion <NUM> along the liquid sending direction. Therefore, an amount of the liquid <NUM> that remains due to the liquid sealing portion <NUM> having been unsealed can be reduced.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the center-side low strength portion <NUM> continuously extends from the center portion <NUM> to the outer circumferential portion <NUM> in the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. That is, one center-side low strength portion <NUM> integrally includes a first portion 31A disposed at the center portion <NUM> and second portions 31B disposed along the outer circumferential portion <NUM> of the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. Also in this case, a large through hole TH is formed to reduce an amount of the remaining liquid <NUM>. Furthermore, the center-side low strength portion <NUM> continuously extends from one end of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> to the other end thereof. Therefore, unsealing can be easily performed with a low pressing force.

The low strength portion may include a portion having a relatively high strength and a portion having a relatively low strength. In the example shown in <FIG>, the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> has a strength lower than that of each outer-circumferential-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, the thickness of the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> is less than the thickness of the outer-circumferential-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM>. In <FIG>, different strengths are represented by different hatchings. The center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> and the outer-circumferential-side low strength portions <NUM>-<NUM> each have a strength lower than that of the base body portion <NUM>.

By providing such a distribution in strength, the order of the breakage can be controlled. As a result, for example, even in a case where a position at which the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> is pressed deviates due to, for example, a mechanical error or a dimension error of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>, the shape of the through hole TH to be formed can be inhibited from varying.

<FIG> illustrate one of specific configuration examples of the liquid sealing portion <NUM>.

In the first specific configuration example shown in <FIG>, the liquid sealing portion <NUM> has a circular planar shape. The center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> is formed to be cross-shaped in the center portion <NUM> of the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. The outer-circumferential-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> is formed in the outer circumferential portion <NUM> of the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. The outer-circumferential-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> is formed in an annular shape so as to surround the center portion <NUM>. The base body portion <NUM> is formed inside the outer-circumferential-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> so as to surround the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM>. That is, a portion between the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> and the outer-circumferential-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> is the base body portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the liquid sealing portion <NUM> forms a part of the bottom surface of the flow path <NUM>. The upper face opening of the flow path <NUM> is covered by the cover portion <NUM> disposed on one surface <NUM> of the body portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the liquid sealing portion <NUM> has a pressure-receiving face 35a to be pressed through the cover portion <NUM> (see <FIG>). The pressure-receiving face 35a is a surface on the cover portion <NUM> side of the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. The liquid sealing portion <NUM> includes a projection 35c to be pressed by the pressing member <NUM>. The projection 35c projects toward the cover portion <NUM>. The projection 35c is formed at the center portion <NUM> of the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. In the pressure-receiving face 35a, a portion in which the projection 35c is formed is the pressed region PA of the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. Since the projection 35c projects toward the cover portion <NUM>, the pressing member <NUM> can press the liquid sealing portion <NUM> through the cover portion <NUM> with a reduced indentation depth.

As shown in <FIG>, the liquid sealing portion <NUM> forms a part of the upper face of the liquid storage portion <NUM>. A bottom surface opening of the liquid storage portion <NUM> is covered by the base film <NUM> disposed on the other surface <NUM> of the body portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a non-penetrating recess <NUM> is formed in a back surface 35b on the side opposite to the pressure-receiving face 35a of the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, in the liquid sealing portion <NUM>, the thickness of a portion in which the recess <NUM> is formed is reduced. The center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> disposed at the center portion <NUM> of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is formed by the recess <NUM>.

Thus, the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> is formed by the recess <NUM> formed on the back side of the pressure-receiving face 35a. In a case where the recess <NUM> is disposed on the pressure-receiving face 35a side (see <FIG>), when the center-side low strength portion <NUM> is broken and the base body portion <NUM> pivots, corner portions 36a (see <FIG>) of the recess <NUM> formed in the pressure-receiving face 35a may come into contact with each other to prevent the pivoting. Meanwhile, in a case where the recess <NUM> is disposed on the back side of the pressure-receiving face 35a as shown in <FIG>, the base body portion <NUM> pivots so as to separate the corner portions 36a from each other, thereby preventing contact between the corner portions 36a.

As shown in <FIG>, the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> has a thickness t1. In the region in which the projection 35c is formed so as to project, a region in which the recess <NUM> is not formed is the base body portion <NUM>. The base body portion <NUM> has a thickness t2. The thickness t1 of the center-side low strength portion <NUM> is less than the thickness t2 of the base body portion <NUM>.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the liquid sealing portion <NUM> has the outer-circumferential-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> in the outer circumferential portion <NUM>. The outer-circumferential-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> connects between the outer circumferential portion <NUM> and the projection 35c. The outer-circumferential-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> has a thickness t3. The thickness t3 is less than the thickness t2 of the base body portion <NUM>.

Thus, the low strength portion (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>) has a thickness less than that of the adjacent region. Thus, merely by reducing the thickness of the liquid sealing portion <NUM>, the low strength portion can be easily formed.

<FIG> illustrate a second specific configuration example of the liquid sealing portion <NUM>.

In the second specific configuration example shown in <FIG>, the liquid sealing portion <NUM> has a circular planar shape. The center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> has a linear shape that extends in the X-direction. A pair of the outer-circumferential-side low strength portions <NUM>-<NUM> are formed in the outer circumferential portion <NUM>. Each of the paired outer-circumferential-side low strength portions <NUM>-<NUM> extends to both sides in the circumferential direction from a point of intersection of the extension of the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> and the outer circumferential portion <NUM>. The center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> and the pair of the outer-circumferential-side low strength portions <NUM>-<NUM> are closest to each other in the X-direction. The base body portion <NUM> continuously extends from the outer circumferential portion <NUM> of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> to the position of the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> in the Y-direction orthogonal to the X-direction.

When the pressed region PA has been pressed, the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> disposed in the pressed region PA is firstly broken, and the pair of the outer-circumferential-side low strength portions <NUM>-<NUM> are subsequently broken. During this process, a portion BA between the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> and each of the paired outer-circumferential-side low strength portions <NUM>-<NUM> in the X-direction is broken, and a broken portion of the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> and a broken portion of each of the paired outer-circumferential-side low strength portions <NUM>-<NUM> connect to each other. As a result, after the unsealing, the two portions, of the base body portion <NUM>, which are the one side portion 32a and the other side portion 32b are pushed and spread in the Y-direction.

In the second specific configuration example, the structure on the pressure-receiving face 35a side of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> shown in <FIG> is the same as the structure of the first specific configuration example shown in <FIG>.

In the example shown in <FIG>, a linear recess <NUM> is formed in the back surface 35b of the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. The center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> disposed at the center portion <NUM> of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is formed by the recess <NUM>.

A pair of recesses <NUM> are further formed along the outer circumferential portion <NUM> of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> in the back surface 35b of the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. The pair of recesses <NUM> each extend so as to form an arc shape. The pair of the outer-circumferential-side low strength portions <NUM>-<NUM> are formed by the pair of recesses <NUM> in the outer circumferential portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> has a thickness t5. The base body portion <NUM> adjacent to the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> has a thickness t6. The thickness t5 of the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> is less than the thickness t6 of the base body portion <NUM>.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the outer-circumferential-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> has a thickness t7. The base body portion <NUM> adjacent to the outer-circumferential-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> in the X-direction has a thickness t8. The thickness t7 is less than the thickness t8. The thickness t8 is less than the thickness t6, and the base body portion <NUM> has flexibility to some degree and acts as hinge during unsealing in a state where the base body portion is joined to the body portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is disposed on the upper surface of the liquid storage portion <NUM>, and a length R from the outer circumferential portion <NUM> to the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> in the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is less than a depth H from the liquid sealing portion <NUM> to the inner bottom surface <NUM> of the liquid storage portion <NUM>.

Thus, even when a range of the length R maximally pivots around the outer circumferential portion <NUM>, the portion in the range does not come into contact with the inner bottom surface <NUM> of the liquid storage portion <NUM>. Therefore, damage to the inner bottom surface <NUM> of the liquid storage portion <NUM> can be more assuredly inhibited.

In the first and the second specific configuration examples, the center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> is formed by the recess <NUM> disposed in the back surface 35b of the liquid sealing portion <NUM>. The center-side low strength portion <NUM>-<NUM> is not limited thereto. In <FIG>, the center-side low strength portion <NUM> is formed by the recess <NUM> disposed in the pressure-receiving face 35a on the cover portion <NUM> side of the liquid sealing portion <NUM>.

As described above, in a case where the width of the recess <NUM> is narrow, when the one side portion 32a and the other side portion 32b pivot, the corner portions 36a of the recess <NUM> formed in the pressure-receiving face 35a may come into contact with each other to prevent the pivoting. Therefore, as in <FIG>, the corner portion 36a is preferably chamfered or the width of the recess <NUM> is preferably sufficiently increased.

In the examples shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, the liquid sealing portion <NUM> has a plate-like shape parallel to the one surface <NUM> and the other surface <NUM> of the body portion <NUM>. Meanwhile, <FIG> shows an example where the outer circumferential portion <NUM> of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is tilted.

In <FIG>, the outer circumferential portion <NUM> of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is tilted toward the inner bottom surface <NUM> of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>. Thus, the outer circumferential portion <NUM> of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is tilted beforehand toward the depth side in the pressing direction. Therefore, unsealing can be easily performed with a small stroke.

In <FIG>, the pressure-receiving face 35a on the cover portion <NUM> side of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is tilted toward the inner bottom surface <NUM> of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>. The pressure-receiving face 35a of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> is tilted from the outer circumferential portion <NUM> side so as to approach the inner bottom surface <NUM> at the center portion <NUM> side. In <FIG>, the pressure-receiving face 35a is a tilted flat surface. However, the pressure-receiving face 35a may be curved. Thus, a load can be concentrated on the center-side low strength portion <NUM> in the center portion <NUM> of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> during pressing. Furthermore, even in a case where a pressing position of the pressing member <NUM> as indicated by an arrow slightly deviates from the center portion <NUM> of the liquid sealing portion <NUM> due to an error or the like, the tilted pressure-receiving face 35a functions as a guide and, thus, a pressing force assuredly acts on the center-side low strength portion <NUM>.

Next, a specific configuration example of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> will be described.

The liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> shown in <FIG> is disposed in a detection device <NUM> (see <FIG>) for detecting light generated from a measurement sample that contains a test substance, and the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> is used for detecting light generated from the measurement sample.

A test substance is, for example, a substance contained in a specimen collected from a human subject. The specimen is, for example, blood (whole blood, serum, or plasma), urine, tissue fluid, or another liquid sample, or a sample obtained through a predetermined pretreatment of a collected liquid sample. The specimen contains liquid as a main component, and can contain a solid component such as a cell. The test substance can be, for example, protein such as an antigen or antibody, peptide, a cell and an intracellular substance, or nucleic acid such as DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid).

The measurement sample contains the test substance and a substance that generates light. The test substance itself may be a substance that generates light. The measurement sample may be a mixture of the test substance and a reagent. For example, the reagent causes luminescence according to an amount of the test substance. The luminescence is, for example, chemiluminescence or fluorescence. The reagent contains, for example, a labelling substance that specifically binds to a substance to be detected. The labelling substance may be a chemiluminescent substance or a fluorescent substance. For example, the labelling substance contains an enzyme, and the reagent contains a luminescent substrate that reacts with the enzyme. By detecting light generated from the measurement sample, for example, presence or absence of a test substance according to a measurement item, an amount or a concentration of the test substance, or the size or the shape of a particulate test substance can be measured. A kind of reagent to be mixed in the measurement sample varies depending on a measurement item. The liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> may be varied among a plurality of kinds of the liquid-sealed cartridges <NUM> according to each measurement item. A plurality of different measurement items may be measured by the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>.

The liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> is implemented as a specimen processing cartridge in which a process for detecting a test substance in a specimen can be performed by utilizing an antigen-antibody reaction. The liquid <NUM> as a reagent used for preparing a measurement sample is stored in the liquid storage portion <NUM>, and sealed by the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> has a flat-plate-like shape. The liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> rotates around a rotation shaft <NUM>. Specifically, the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> is a disk-shaped cartridge that includes the body portion <NUM> that is disk-shaped.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the body portion <NUM> has such a thickness as to allow a heater <NUM> described below to easily adjust a temperature of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>. For example, the thickness of the body portion <NUM> is several mm. Specifically, the thickness is about <NUM>. The diameter of the body portion <NUM> ranges from several cm to about a dozen cm, and is, for example, about <NUM>.

The liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes a processing region <NUM> in which a specimen is processed in the cartridge. In the example shown in <FIG>, the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> has one processing region <NUM>. In the example shown in <FIG>, the processing region <NUM> is formed to be spread in a sector shape in a range of about <NUM>° from the center of the body portion <NUM>.

The liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> has a flat-plate-like shape that rotates around the rotation shaft <NUM>. The liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> has a hole <NUM> that penetrates through the body portion <NUM> at the center of the body portion <NUM>. The liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> is disposed in the detection device <NUM> (see <FIG>) such that the center of the hole <NUM> coincides with the center of the rotation shaft <NUM>.

The processing region <NUM> includes an introduction inlet <NUM>, a separator <NUM>, a collection part <NUM>, six chambers <NUM> to <NUM>, flow paths <NUM> to <NUM>, and seven liquid storage portions <NUM>. Each of the seven liquid storage portions <NUM> has the liquid sealing portions 30A and 30B. A specimen is injected into the introduction inlet <NUM>. The specimen is a whole blood specimen collected from a subject.

The separator <NUM>, the collection part <NUM>, and the chambers <NUM> to <NUM> are spaces in which liquid can be stored. The separator <NUM>, the collection part <NUM>, and the chambers <NUM> to <NUM> are each defined by a wall portion <NUM>. The separator <NUM>, the collection part <NUM>, and the chambers <NUM> to <NUM> are aligned in the circumferential direction near the outer circumferential end portion of the body portion <NUM>.

The separator <NUM> is connected to the introduction inlet <NUM> through the flow path <NUM>. The specimen injected from the introduction inlet <NUM> is transferred through the flow path <NUM> to the separator <NUM> by a centrifugal force generated by rotation of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>.

The collection part <NUM> is disposed radially outward of the separator <NUM>, and is connected to the separator <NUM> through the flow path <NUM>. The specimen that flows through the flow path <NUM> into the separator <NUM> is sequentially accumulated from the radially outer side by the centrifugal force. When the specimen accumulated in the separator <NUM> has reached the flow path <NUM>, the excess amount of the specimen which cannot be accumulated any more is moved into the collection part <NUM> by the action of the centrifugal force. Thus, a certain amount of the specimen is quantitatively stored in the separator <NUM>.

The specimen in the separator <NUM> is centrifuged into plasma as a liquid component, and blood cells and other non-liquid components as solid components, by the centrifugal force generated by rotation of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>. The plasma separated by the separator <NUM> is moved into the flow path <NUM> by capillary phenomenon. The flow path <NUM> has the inner diameter reduced at a connecting portion immediately preceding the chamber <NUM>. The flow path <NUM> that includes a portion immediately preceding the chamber <NUM> is filled with the plasma.

The flow path <NUM> is connected to the chamber <NUM>. In a case where a centrifugal force is applied by rotation of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> in a state where the flow path <NUM> is filled with the plasma, the plasma in the flow path <NUM> is transferred to the chamber <NUM>. A predetermined amount of plasma to be transferred to the chamber <NUM> is quantitatively determined according to the volume of the flow path <NUM>.

In the configuration example shown in <FIG>, the chambers <NUM> to <NUM> are aligned in the circumferential direction so as to be adjacent to each other, and are connected to each other through the flow path <NUM> that extends in the circumferential direction. As described below, the test substance is sequentially transferred through the flow path <NUM> into the chambers <NUM> to <NUM> in order, respectively, from one side (chambers <NUM> side) toward the other side (chamber <NUM> side). Furthermore, reagents stored in the liquid storage portions <NUM> corresponding to the chambers <NUM> to <NUM> are separately transferred through the flow paths <NUM> into the chambers <NUM> to <NUM>.

Liquid containing the test substance is transferred to the chamber <NUM> through the flow path <NUM>. Magnetic particles MP are enclosed in the chamber <NUM>. In the chamber <NUM>, the test substance contained in the specimen and the magnetic particles MP form a complex. Therefore, the test substance bound to the magnetic particles MP is transferred to other chambers following the chamber <NUM> through the flow path <NUM> by combination of the rotation of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> and the action of the magnetic force.

The flow path <NUM> includes six radial regions 134a that extend in the radial direction, and a circumferential region 134b that is arc-shaped and extends in the circumferential direction. The circumferential region 134b connects with the six radial regions 134a. Each of the six radial regions 134a connects to a corresponding one of the six chambers <NUM> to <NUM>.

Each of the seven liquid storage portions <NUM> connects to the flow path <NUM> through a corresponding one of the flow paths <NUM> that extend in the radial direction. The five liquid storage portions <NUM> are provided for the chambers <NUM> to <NUM> in a one-to-one correspondence. The chamber <NUM> has two liquid storage portions <NUM>. Each of the seven liquid storage portions <NUM> is aligned with a corresponding one of the chambers <NUM> to <NUM> in the radial direction. The seven liquid storage portions <NUM> in total are disposed on the inner circumferential side of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>, and the chambers <NUM> to <NUM> are disposed on the outer circumferential side of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>.

The liquid storage portion <NUM> stores a reagent that is the liquid <NUM>. The liquid storage portion <NUM> includes two liquid sealing portions, which are the liquid sealing portions 30A and 30B, in both the end portions in the radial direction. When the liquid sealing portions 30A and 30B are unsealed, the reagent in the liquid storage portion <NUM> can flow into the flow path <NUM>. When the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> is rotated, the reagent moves into a corresponding one of the chambers <NUM> to <NUM> by the centrifugal force.

A reagent with which one time measurement can be made is stored beforehand in each of the liquid storage portions <NUM>. That is, the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> includes the liquid storage portions <NUM> each storing the reagent with which the test substance can be measured one time.

In the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>, the test substance is carried by the magnetic particles MP in the chamber <NUM>, and the test substance and the reagent are thereafter mixed in each of the chambers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The processing in the chambers <NUM> to <NUM> is determined according to an assay for detecting the test substance. For example, in the processing with the reagent, the test substance and the labelling substance are bound to each other. Ultimately, the magnetic particles MP that carry the test substance and the labelling substance are moved into the chamber <NUM>. In the chamber <NUM>, preparation of the measurement sample that causes luminescence is completed. A light detector <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the detection device <NUM> detects light generated from the measurement sample.

In the example shown in <FIG>, one processing region <NUM> is formed in the body portion <NUM>. However, the configuration is not limited thereto. Two or more processing regions <NUM> may be formed. For example, three processing regions <NUM> may be formed so as to divide the body portion <NUM> into three equal parts at <NUM>° intervals.

The number of each of the chambers and the flow paths and the shapes thereof are not limited to those shown in <FIG>. The configuration of each portion of the processing region <NUM> is determined according to the contents of the specimen processing assay executed in the processing region <NUM>.

The configurations of the liquid storage portion <NUM> and the liquid sealing portion <NUM> will be described in detail. In the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the liquid storage portion <NUM> is disposed on the center side of the body portion <NUM>. The liquid storage portion <NUM> linearly extends in the radial direction. The liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B are disposed on the outer-side end portion and the inner-side end portion, respectively, of the liquid storage portion <NUM> in the radial direction.

The radially inner-side end portion of the liquid storage portion <NUM> is connected to an air hole <NUM> through the liquid sealing portion 30B. The air hole <NUM> is opened to the outside of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>. The radially outer-side end portion of the liquid storage portion <NUM> is connected to the flow path <NUM> through the liquid sealing portion 30A.

The flow path <NUM> extends in the radial direction. In the flow path <NUM>, the inner-side end portion in the radial direction is connected to one of the liquid storage portions <NUM> through the liquid sealing portion 30A, and the outer-side end portion in the radial direction is connected to one of the chambers <NUM> to <NUM>. Thus, one liquid storage portion <NUM>, one flow path <NUM>, and one chamber are aligned in order, respectively, from the inner circumferential side along the radial direction of the body portion <NUM>.

When the two liquid sealing portions, which are the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B, provided in one liquid storage portion <NUM> are unsealed, the inner-side end portion of the liquid storage portion <NUM> communicates with the outside of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>, and the outer-side end portion of the liquid storage portion <NUM> communicates with a corresponding chamber through the flow path <NUM>.

The liquid <NUM> in the liquid storage portion <NUM> flows into the flow path <NUM> through the liquid sealing portion 30A by the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>, and flows into the chamber through the flow path <NUM>. When the liquid <NUM> in the liquid storage portion <NUM> flows out, air outside the cartridge flows through the air hole <NUM> and the liquid sealing portion 30B.

The liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B may have any of the various configurations described above as the examples. For example, the configuration shown as the example in <FIG> is adopted for the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B.

Next, a specific configuration example of the detection device <NUM> that performs a detection method according to the present embodiment will be described.

The detection device <NUM> performs measurement by using the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> (see <FIG>) that is disk-shaped. In the example shown in <FIG>, the detection device <NUM> is an immunoassay device that uses the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> to detect a test substance in a specimen by utilizing an antigen-antibody reaction, and that measures the test substance based on the detection result.

In the configuration example shown in <FIG>, the detection device <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> capable of housing the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> is formed by, for example, a box-shaped member having a predetermined volume of internal space, or combination of a frame and an external plate. The housing <NUM> has a small box-like shape and can be placed on a table or the like.

The housing <NUM> includes a base portion <NUM> and a lid portion <NUM>. A placement portion <NUM> on which the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> is placed is disposed on the upper face portion of the base portion <NUM>. The lid portion <NUM> pivots relative to the base portion <NUM> in the up-down direction and can be opened and closed between a position at which the placement portion <NUM> is opened as shown in <FIG> and a position at which the placement portion <NUM> is covered as shown in <FIG>.

As a cartridge placing method, not only a method in which the lid portion <NUM> is opened and the cartridge is placed on the placement portion <NUM>, but also a slot loading method in which the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> is inserted from an insertion opening formed in the housing <NUM>, or a tray loading method in which the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> is placed on a tray that is moved between the outside and the inside of the housing <NUM>, may be used.

As shown in <FIG>, the detection device <NUM> includes a rotation mechanism <NUM>, a measurement unit <NUM>, an imaging unit <NUM>, and an illumination unit <NUM>. The detection device <NUM> also includes a magnet driving unit <NUM>, a pressing portion <NUM>, a heater <NUM>, a temperature sensor <NUM>, and a clamper <NUM>. These components are housed in the housing <NUM>.

A support member <NUM> for supporting the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> from the lower side is disposed in the placement portion <NUM>. The support member <NUM> is implemented by, for example, a turntable. The support member <NUM> is disposed at the upper end portion of the rotation shaft <NUM> of the rotation mechanism <NUM>. The support member <NUM> is configured to support the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> at a predetermined relative rotation angle.

The clamper <NUM> supports the center portion of the upper face of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> placed on the support member <NUM> such that the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> is rotatable in a state where the lid portion <NUM> is closed.

The rotation mechanism <NUM> includes the rotation shaft <NUM>, and a driving unit <NUM> such as an electric motor. The rotation mechanism <NUM> drives the driving unit <NUM> to rotate the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> placed on the support member <NUM> around the rotation shaft <NUM>. The rotation mechanism <NUM> includes an encoder <NUM> for detecting a rotation angle of the driving unit <NUM>, and an origin sensor <NUM> for detecting an origin position of the rotation angle. The driving unit <NUM> is driven with respect to the position detected by the origin sensor <NUM> based on the angle detected by the encoder <NUM>, whereby the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> can be moved to any rotational position.

The rotation mechanism <NUM> holds the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> through the rotation shaft <NUM>. The rotation shaft <NUM> is oriented in the vertical direction in a state where, for example, the rotation shaft <NUM> is mounted to the detection device <NUM>. The liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> is supported in an orientation along the horizontal direction by the rotation mechanism <NUM>.

The driving unit <NUM> rotates the rotation shaft <NUM> around the axis, whereby the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> rotates around the rotation shaft <NUM>. As a result, the components such as the chambers <NUM> to <NUM> and the liquid storage portions <NUM> of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> are each moved in the circumferential direction around the rotation shaft <NUM> on a circumferential trajectory with a rotation radius corresponding to a distance in the radial direction from a position where each component is disposed to the rotation shaft <NUM>.

The magnet driving unit <NUM> includes a magnet <NUM>, and has a function of moving the magnetic particles MP in the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> in the radial direction. The magnet driving unit <NUM> is disposed below the placement portion <NUM>, and is configured to move the magnet <NUM> in the radial direction. The magnet driving unit <NUM> is configured to move the magnet <NUM> close to or away from the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>. By moving the magnet <NUM> close to the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>, the magnetic particles MP in the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> are magnetically collected. By moving the magnet <NUM> away from the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>, magnetic collection of the magnetic particles MP is released.

The pressing portion <NUM> includes the pressing member <NUM> and a pressing driving unit <NUM> for moving the pressing member <NUM> in the up-down direction. The pressing member <NUM> is a bar-like pin-member that extends in the up-down direction, and has an outer diameter corresponding to the pressed region PA of the liquid sealing portion 30A or the liquid sealing portion 30B. The pressing driving unit <NUM> is configured by combination of a driving source such as an electric motor and a cam mechanism for transforming rotation by the driving source to upward-downward movement. The number of the pressing portions <NUM> is two such that the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B disposed at two positions in one liquid storage portion can be unsealed. As shown in <FIG>, distances to the two pressing portions <NUM> from the rotation shaft <NUM> are substantially equal to distances to the two liquid sealing portions 30A, 30B, respectively, disposed in the liquid storage portion <NUM> from the rotation shaft <NUM>, in a planar view.

The pressing portion <NUM> moves the pressing member <NUM> downward toward the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>, from above the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> disposed in the placement portion <NUM>, and brings the pressing member <NUM> into contact with the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>. The pressing portion <NUM> causes the pressing member <NUM> to press the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B through the cover portion <NUM>. The pressing portion <NUM> presses and thus unseals the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B in the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>. After the unsealing, the pressing portion <NUM> moves the pressing member <NUM> upward away from the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> to a retracting position at which the pressing member <NUM> is not in contact with the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>.

The heaters <NUM> are disposed vertically below the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> disposed on the placement portion <NUM> and vertically above the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> disposed thereon, respectively. The heaters <NUM> heat a sample stored in the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> to a predetermined reaction temperature, to promote reaction between the specimen and the reagent. The temperature sensor <NUM> detects a temperature of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> by infrared rays.

The measurement unit <NUM> includes the light detector <NUM> at a position that opposes, through an opening formed in the base portion <NUM>, the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> disposed on the placement portion <NUM>. The light detector <NUM> detects light generated from the measurement sample having been moved to a detection position <NUM> (see <FIG>). The light detector <NUM> outputs a pulse waveform according to reception of a photon. The measurement unit <NUM> has a circuit mounted therein, counts the photons at regular intervals based on an output signal from the light detector <NUM>, and outputs a count value.

The light detector <NUM> is disposed vertically below the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> disposed on the placement portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the rotation mechanism <NUM> rotates the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> around the rotation shaft <NUM>, to dispose the chamber <NUM> at the detection position <NUM> vertically above the light detector <NUM>. Thus, the measurement unit <NUM> detects light generated from the chamber <NUM> by means of the light detector <NUM>.

The imaging unit <NUM> is disposed so as to oppose the upper face of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> disposed on the support member <NUM>, and is configured to take an image of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>. Whether or not the process has been properly performed in the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> can be confirmed based on the obtained image. The imaging unit <NUM> includes, for example, a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor. The illumination unit <NUM> is implemented by, for example, a light emitting diode, and generates illumination light when an image is taken.

The imaging unit <NUM> directly opposes the upper face of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> through a hole formed in the lid portion <NUM>. The illumination unit <NUM> directly opposes the upper face of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> through a hole formed in the lid portion <NUM>. An imaging range <NUM> (see <FIG>) for the imaging unit <NUM> is set such that a part or the entirety of the chambers <NUM> to <NUM>, the flow paths <NUM> to <NUM>, and the like passes through the imaging range <NUM> when the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> disposed on the placement portion <NUM> is rotated. The imaging unit <NUM> uses the illumination light to obtain images of liquid and the magnetic particles MP in the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>.

Furthermore, as shown in <FIG>, the imaging unit <NUM> takes an image of an identifier <NUM> provided on the upper face of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>. The identifier <NUM> is an information storage medium such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code which can be read from an image. The rotation mechanism <NUM> rotates the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> to position the identifier <NUM> in the imaging range <NUM>. Information for specifying a measurement item, information on a reagent, information for identifying the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>, and the like are stored in the identifier.

In addition, the detection device <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes, for example, an operation unit <NUM> for receiving an operation of a user when the lid portion <NUM> is opened, a sensing unit <NUM> for detecting opening and closing of the lid portion <NUM>, and a locking mechanism <NUM> for locking the lid portion <NUM> by engaging with the lid portion <NUM> in a closed state.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a relationship between each of the components of the detection device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and a controller <NUM> for controlling the components by control signals.

The detection device <NUM> includes the controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> includes, for example, a processor and a memory. The processor is implemented by, for example, a CPU and an MPU. The memory is implemented by, for example, a ROM and a RAM. The controller <NUM> receives a signal from each component of the detection device <NUM> and controls each component of the detection device <NUM>.

The detection device <NUM> includes a storage unit <NUM>. Measurement result data is stored in the storage unit <NUM>. The storage unit <NUM> is implemented by, for example, a flash memory or a hard disk.

The detection device <NUM> includes a communication unit <NUM>. The communication unit <NUM> can transmit information to an external device and receive information from an external device. The communication unit <NUM> includes, for example, a communication module and an interface for connection to the outside. The communication unit <NUM> can perform wired or wireless communication with a terminal capable of communicating with the detection device <NUM>, and with a server via a network. The communication allows transmission of log including measurement result data, and allows obtaining of data, such as a calibration curve, associated with a measurement process. Examples of the terminal include a tablet terminal, a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone, and an information terminal such as a PC (personal computer). The controller <NUM> can receive an operation input from a user through a user-interface displayed on the terminal.

Next, an operation performed by the detection device <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. The configuration of the detection device <NUM> will be described below with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. The configuration of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> will be described below with reference to <FIG>.

Firstly, a user injects a blood specimen collected from a subject from the introduction inlet <NUM> of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> in a preparation operation. The user injects a specimen to be measured into the introduction inlet <NUM>. An example where hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is measured as the measurement item of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> will be described. The test substance in the blood specimen contains an antigen. The antigen is the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The measurement item may be prostate-specific antigen (PSA), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid hormone (FT4), or the like.

In the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>, R1 reagent is stored in the liquid storage portion <NUM> disposed in the radial direction of the chamber <NUM>. R2 reagent containing the magnetic particles MP is stored in the chamber <NUM>. R3 reagent is stored in the liquid storage portion <NUM> disposed in the radial direction of the chamber <NUM>. Washing liquid is stored in each of the liquid storage portions <NUM> disposed in the radial direction of the chambers <NUM> to <NUM>. R4 reagent is stored in the liquid storage portion <NUM> disposed in the radial direction of the chamber <NUM>. R5 reagent is stored in another liquid storage portion <NUM> disposed in the radial direction of the chamber <NUM>.

In step S11 in <FIG>, the controller <NUM> performs an initial operation for starting the measurement.

Specifically, the controller <NUM> performs control to detect that the lid portion <NUM> is closed based on a signal from the sensing unit <NUM>. The controller <NUM> performs control to read the identifier <NUM>. The imaging unit <NUM> takes an image of the identifier <NUM>, whereby the controller <NUM> obtains various information used for the measurement. Furthermore, the controller <NUM> obtains rotational positions of the chambers <NUM> to <NUM> and the seven pairs of the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B disposed in the seven liquid storage portions <NUM> based on the origin position detected by the origin sensor <NUM> and the position at which the identifier <NUM> is read.

The controller <NUM> causes the detection device <NUM> to start an operation for processing a specimen in step S12 and subsequent steps. In each step, the controller <NUM> causes the rotation mechanism <NUM> to position a portion in which the specimen has been processed, in the imaging range <NUM> for the imaging unit <NUM>, and causes the imaging unit <NUM> to take an image. The controller <NUM> determines through monitoring whether or not the specimen has been properly processed based on the image taken by the imaging unit <NUM>. In a case where the specimen has not been properly processed, the controller <NUM> performs a predetermined error process. In the description herein, the detailed description thereof is omitted.

In step S12, the controller <NUM> performs control to separate the specimen into a liquid component and a solid component. The controller <NUM> causes the rotation mechanism <NUM> to rotate the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> at a high speed, to move the specimen from the flow path <NUM> to the separator <NUM> by the centrifugal force. At this time, an excess amount of specimen exceeding a predetermined amount is moved to the collection part <NUM>. In the separator <NUM>, the specimen is separated into a liquid component that is plasma, and a solid component such as blood cells by the centrifugal force. The separated plasma is moved into the flow path <NUM>, and the flow path <NUM> is filled with the plasma.

In step S13, the controller <NUM> performs control to transfer the plasma and the reagents into the chambers. That is, the controller <NUM> performs control for steps S31 to S33 in <FIG> to cause the pressing portion <NUM> to sequentially unseal the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B of each of the six liquid storage portions <NUM>, rotate the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>, and transfer the liquids <NUM> stored in the six liquid storage portions <NUM> disposed in the radial direction of the chambers <NUM> to <NUM>, through the flow paths <NUM>, to the chambers <NUM> to <NUM>, respectively. The plasma in the flow path <NUM> is transferred to the chamber <NUM> by the rotation of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>. The liquids <NUM> transferred from the six liquid storage portions <NUM> are the R1 reagent, the R2 reagent, the R3 reagent, the washing liquid, and the R4 reagent. Steps S31 to S33 will be described below in detail.

Thus, the R1 reagent and the plasma are transferred to the chamber <NUM>, and the plasma, the R1 reagent, and the R2 reagent are mixed in the chamber <NUM>. The R3 reagent is transferred to the chamber <NUM>. The washing liquid is transferred to each of the chambers <NUM> to <NUM>. The R4 reagent is transferred to the chamber <NUM>.

When the reagents have been transferred in step S13, the controller <NUM> further performs control for a stirring process. Specifically, the controller <NUM> drives the rotation mechanism <NUM> such that switching between two different rotation speeds is performed at predetermined time intervals while the rotation in a predetermined direction is performed. Thus, liquid in each of the chambers <NUM> to <NUM> is stirred. The stirring process is also performed similarly at the end of each of steps S14 to S19 as well as in step S13.

The R1 reagent includes a capture substance to be bound to the test substance. The capture substance includes, for example, an antibody to be bound to the test substance. The antibody is, for example, a biotin-bound HBs monoclonal antibody. The R2 reagent includes the magnetic particles MP. The magnetic particles MP are, for example, streptavidin-bound magnetic particles the surfaces of which are coated with avidin. In step S13, the plasma, the R1 reagent, and the R2 reagent are mixed and stirred, whereby the test substance and the R1 reagent bind to each other through an antigen-antibody reaction. By reaction between the antigen-antibody reaction product and the magnetic particles MP, the test substance bound to the capture substance in the R1 reagent binds to the magnetic particles MP through the capture substance. As a result, a complex in which the test substance and the magnetic particles MP bind to each other, is generated.

Next, in step S14, the controller <NUM> performs control to transfer the complex in the chamber <NUM> from the chamber <NUM> to the chamber <NUM>.

When the complex is transferred, the controller <NUM> drives the magnet driving unit <NUM> to move the magnet <NUM> close to the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> and collect the complex that is spread in the chamber <NUM>. The controller <NUM> performs control to move the complex along the flow path <NUM> by combination of movement of the magnet <NUM> in the radial direction through the driving of the magnet driving unit <NUM> and movement of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> in the circumferential direction by the rotation mechanism <NUM>. That is, the controller <NUM> performs control to move the complex to the chamber <NUM> from the chamber <NUM> by moving the complex through a route PT1 shown in <FIG> in the radially inward direction, moving the complex through a route PT2 in the circumferential direction, and moving the complex through a route PT3 in the radially outward direction in order, respectively. The controller <NUM> performs control to perform a stirring process after the complex has been moved. The complex is moved to each of the chambers <NUM> to <NUM> in the same manner, and the detailed description is omitted.

By transferring the complex to the chamber <NUM>, the complex generated in the chamber <NUM> and the R3 reagent are mixed in the chamber <NUM>. The R3 reagent includes a labelling substance. The labelling substance includes a capture substance that specifically binds to the test substance, and a label. For example, the labelling substance is a labelling antibody in which an antibody is used as the capture substance. In step S14, the complex generated in the chamber <NUM> and the R3 reagent are mixed and stirred, whereby the complex generated in the chamber <NUM> and the labelling antibody included in the R3 reagent react with each other. As a result, a complex in which the test substance, the capture antibody, the magnetic particles MP, and the labelling antibody are bound is generated in the chamber <NUM>.

In step S15, the controller <NUM> performs control to transfer the complex in the chamber <NUM> from the chamber <NUM> to the chamber <NUM>. Thus, the complex generated in the chamber <NUM> and the washing liquid are mixed in the chamber <NUM>. The stirring process is performed in step S15, and the complex and unreacted substances are separated in the chamber <NUM>. That is, the unreacted substances are removed by the washing in the chamber <NUM>.

In step S16, the controller <NUM> performs control to transfer the complex in the chamber <NUM> from the chamber <NUM> to the chamber <NUM>. Thus, the complex generated in the chamber <NUM> and the washing liquid are mixed in the chamber <NUM>. Also in chamber <NUM>, the unreacted substances are removed by the washing.

In step S17, the controller <NUM> performs control to transfer the complex in the chamber <NUM> from the chamber <NUM> to the chamber <NUM>. Thus, the complex generated in the chamber <NUM> and the washing liquid are mixed in the chamber <NUM>. Also in the chamber <NUM>, the unreacted substances are removed by the washing.

In step S18, the controller <NUM> performs control to transfer the complex in the chamber <NUM> from the chamber <NUM> to the chamber <NUM>. Thus, the complex generated in the chamber <NUM> and the R4 reagent are mixed in the chamber <NUM>. The R4 reagent is a reagent for dispersing the complex generated in the chamber <NUM>. The R4 reagent is, for example, a buffer solution. The stirring process is performed in step S18, whereby the complex generated in the chamber <NUM> is dispersed in the R4 reagent in the chamber <NUM>.

In step S19, the controller <NUM> performs control to transfer the R5 reagent to the chamber <NUM>. Specifically, the controller <NUM> performs control for steps S31 to S33 in <FIG> to unseal the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B of the liquid storage portion <NUM>, and transfer the R5 reagent stored in the liquid storage portion <NUM> to the chamber <NUM> by the rotation of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>. Thus, the R5 reagent is further mixed in the mixture generated in step S18 in the chamber <NUM>.

The R5 reagent includes a luminescent substrate that generates light by reaction with the labelling antibody bound to the complex. In step S19, the mixture generated in step S18 and the R5 reagent having been additionally transferred are mixed and stirred, thereby preparing the measurement sample. The measurement sample causes chemiluminescence by reaction between the labelling substance bound to the complex and the luminescent substrate.

In step S20, the controller <NUM> causes the rotation mechanism <NUM> to position the chamber <NUM> at the detection position <NUM> vertically above the light detector <NUM>. The light detector <NUM> detects light emitted from the chamber <NUM>.

In step S21, the controller <NUM> performs measurement process for immunity based on the light detected by the light detector <NUM>. The measurement unit <NUM> counts photons and output the count value. The controller <NUM> determines whether or not the test substance is present and measures an amount of the test substance and the like based on the count value outputted by the measurement unit <NUM>, and the calibration curve to generate a measurement result.

When the measurement result has been obtained, the controller <NUM> causes the storage unit <NUM> to store the measurement result data in step S22. Furthermore, the controller <NUM> causes the communication unit <NUM> to transmit the measurement result data to the terminal or the server.

Thus, the measurement operation by the detection device <NUM> is completed.

Next, a liquid sending process performed by the detection device <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. The liquid sending process shown in <FIG> is performed in steps S13 and S19 in <FIG>. The liquid sending process shown in <FIG> is performed by the liquid sending method of the present embodiment.

The liquid sending method of the present embodiment includes step S31 prior to step S32 of pressing the center-side low strength portion <NUM>. In step S31, at least one of the body portion <NUM> in which the liquid storage portion <NUM>, and the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B are formed, and the pressing member <NUM> for pressing the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B is moved to align the pressing position with the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B.

Thus, the center-side low strength portion <NUM> in each of the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B can be more assuredly pressed. By applying the pressing force directly to the center-side low strength portion <NUM>, the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B can be unsealed by a reduced load (pressing force).

Specifically, in step S31 for pressing position alignment, the body portion <NUM> is moved to align the pressing position of the pressing member <NUM> with the center-side low strength portion <NUM>. That is, the controller <NUM> drives the rotation mechanism <NUM> to rotate the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> and position the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B aligned in the radial direction vertically below the two pressing members <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

Thus, the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> is moved relative to the pressing member <NUM>, whereby a pressing device can be fixed. Load applied for pressing can be easily addressed as compared with a structure in which the pressing device is moved.

Next, in step S32, the controller <NUM> performs control to move the two pressing portions <NUM> downward and press the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B. The liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B are unsealed by the pressing. As shown in <FIG>, while the cover portion <NUM> is elastically deformed, the pressing member <NUM> comes into contact with the pressure-receiving face 35a of each of the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B through the cover portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in step S32 of pressing the center-side low strength portion <NUM>, a portion near the center portion <NUM> of each of the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B is pressed by the pressing member <NUM> having a pin-like shape through the cover portion <NUM> opposing the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B.

Thus, the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B are pressed through the cover portion <NUM> while being covered by the cover portion <NUM>, whereby the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B can be unsealed without causing leakage of liquid. In this case, the cover portion <NUM> may be damaged by increasing the indentation depth for pressing. However, in the present embodiment, the indentation depth for pressing can be reduced, so that not only the inner bottom surface <NUM> but also the cover portion <NUM> can be inhibited from being damaged.

In step S32, in a case where the controller <NUM> further drives the pressing portion <NUM> to cause the pressing member <NUM> to apply the pressing force to the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B, the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B are each broken at the center-side low strength portion <NUM> serving as the boundary as shown in <FIG>. In step S32 of pressing the center-side low strength portion <NUM>, the one side portion 32a on one side of the center-side low strength portion <NUM> and the other side portion 32b on the other side thereof are deformed in the pressing direction. The one side portion 32a and the other side portion 32b pivot so as to separate from each other, so that the through hole TH is spread by pushing.

Thus, while the center-side low strength portion <NUM> is broken to form the through hole TH, the one side portion 32a and the other side portion 32b can be deformed to spread the through hole TH by pushing. The one side portion 32a and the other side portion 32b are merely deformed and do not separate from each of the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B. Therefore, the one side portion 32a or the other side portion 32b can be inhibited from falling into the liquid storage portion <NUM> and hindering liquid sending.

The controller <NUM> performs control to move the pressing member <NUM> upward to the upper limit position above the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> after the pressing member <NUM> has been moved to the lower limit position. The lower limit position of the pressing member <NUM> is a position between each of the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B, and the inner bottom surface <NUM> of the liquid storage portion <NUM>.

Thus, in step S32 of pressing the center-side low strength portion <NUM>, the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B are pressed through the cover portion <NUM> from above the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B to the position between each of the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B, and the inner bottom surface <NUM> of the liquid storage portion <NUM>. Thus, the pressing member <NUM> can stop the pressing before coming into contact with the inner bottom surface <NUM> of the liquid storage portion <NUM>, whereby damage to the inner bottom surface <NUM> can be more assuredly inhibited.

As described above, as shown in <FIG>, the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B are unsealed. That is, the liquid storage portion <NUM> communicates with the air hole <NUM> and the flow path <NUM>.

In step S13 shown in <FIG>, the controller <NUM> repeats such an unsealing operation, and unseals the six liquid sealing portions 30A and the six liquid sealing portions 30B disposed in the radial direction of the chambers <NUM> to <NUM>. In step S19 shown in <FIG>, the controller <NUM> performs control to unseal the liquid sealing portion 30A and the liquid sealing portion 30B of the liquid storage portion <NUM> in which the R5 reagent is stored.

Next, in step S33, the controller <NUM> causes the rotation mechanism <NUM> to rotate the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM> such that the liquid <NUM> in the liquid storage portion <NUM> flows into the flow path <NUM> through the center-side low strength portion <NUM> having been pressed. As shown in <FIG>, the liquid <NUM> stored in the liquid storage portion <NUM> flows into the flow path <NUM> by the rotation of the liquid-sealed cartridge <NUM>. As a result, the reagent in the liquid storage portion <NUM> is moved into a corresponding one of the chambers through the flow path <NUM>.

The liquid sending process is performed as described above.

In the present embodiment, chemiluminescence represents light generated by using energy caused by a chemical reaction, and, for example, represents light emitted when molecules excited into an excited state by a chemical reaction, are returned from the excited state to a ground state. For example, the chemiluminescence can be generated by a reaction between an enzyme and a substrate, can be generated by applying electrochemical stimuli to a labelling substance, can be generated by an LOCI (luminescent oxygen channeling immunoassay), or can be generated according to bioluminescence. In the present embodiment, the chemiluminescence may be of any type. A complex may be formed by binding a test substance and a substance which is excited to generate fluorescence when light having a predetermined wavelength is applied. In this case, a light source for applying light to the chamber <NUM> is disposed. The light detector detects fluorescence generated when a substance bound to the complex is excited by the light from the light source.

The magnetic particles MP may be any particles that contain a magnetic material as a base and are used for standard immunoassay. For example, magnetic particles containing, as the base, Fe<NUM>O<NUM> and/or Fe<NUM>O<NUM>, cobalt, nickel, ferrite, magnetite, or the like, can be used. The magnetic particles may be coated with a binding substance for binding to a test substance, or may bind to a test substance by means of a capture substance for binding the magnetic particles and the test substance to each other. The capture substance is an antigen, an antibody, or the like that binds the magnetic particles and the test substance mutually to each other.

The capture substance is not particularly limited as long as the capture substance specifically binds to a test substance. For example, the capture substance binds to a test substance by an antigen-antibody reaction. More specifically, the capture substance is an antibody. When the test substance is an antibody, the capture substance may be an antigen of the antibody. When the test substance is a nucleic acid, the capture substance may be a nucleic acid that is complementary to the test substance. Examples of the label contained in the labelling substance include an enzyme and a fluorescent substance. Examples of the enzyme include alkaline phosphatase (ALP), peroxidase, glucose oxidase, tyrosinase, and acid phosphatase. When chemiluminescence is electrochemiluminescence, the label is not particularly limited as long as the label is a substance that emits light by electrochemical stimuli. Examples of the label include a ruthenium complex. Examples of the fluorescent substance include fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), green fluorescent protein (GFP), and luciferin.

Furthermore, when the label is an enzyme, a luminescent substrate for the enzyme may be selected from known luminescent substrates as appropriate according to the enzyme to be used. For example, in a case where alkaline phosphatase is used as the enzyme, examples of the luminescent substrate include: chemiluminescent substrates such as CDP-Star (registered trademark), (disodium <NUM>-chloro-<NUM>-(methoxyspiro[<NUM>,<NUM>-dioxetane-<NUM>,<NUM>'-(<NUM>'-chloro)tricyclo[<NUM>. <NUM>,<NUM>]decan]-<NUM>-yl)phenylphosphate), and CSPD (registered-trademark) (disodium <NUM>-(<NUM>-methoxyspiro[<NUM>,<NUM>-dioxetane-<NUM>,<NUM>-(<NUM>'-chloro)tricyclo[<NUM>. <NUM>,<NUM>]decan]-<NUM>-yl)phenylphosphate); luminescent substrates such as p-nitrophenyl phosphate, <NUM>-bromo-<NUM>-chloro-<NUM>-indolyl phosphate (BCIP), <NUM>-nitro blue tetrazolium chloride (NBT), and iodonitrotetrazolium (INT); fluorescent substrates such as <NUM>-methylumbelliferyl phosphate (4MUP); and chromogenic substrates such as <NUM>-bromo-<NUM>-chloro-<NUM>-indolyl phosphate (BCIP), disodium <NUM>-bromo-<NUM>-chloro-indolyl phosphate, and p-nitrophenyl phosphate; and the like.

Claim 1:
A liquid-sealed cartridge (<NUM>) comprising:
a liquid storage portion (<NUM>) configured to store liquid;
a flow path (<NUM>) in which the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion (<NUM>) flows; and
a liquid sealing portion (<NUM>) configured to seal the liquid in the liquid storage portion (<NUM>), wherein
the liquid sealing portion (<NUM>) has an outer circumferential portion (<NUM>) and a center-side low strength portion (<NUM>-<NUM>) disposed closer to a center than the outer circumferential portion (<NUM>), and the center-side low strength portion (<NUM>-<NUM>) is broken when pressed, to allow the liquid in the liquid storage portion (<NUM>) to flow in the flow path (<NUM>) by applying an external force to the liquid (<NUM>) in the liquid storage portion (<NUM>) for which the center-side low strength portion (<NUM>-<NUM>) has been broken, the liquid sealing portion (<NUM>) being integrated with the liquid storage portion (<NUM>), characterized in that: the center-side low strength portion (<NUM>-<NUM>) is disposed at a center portion (<NUM>) of the liquid sealing portion (<NUM>).