Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a reaction device for reacting samples, such as cell culture. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Chemical reaction devices through the use of a microwave have conventionally been used in the field of chemical reactions, biochemical reactions, etc., when a trace amount of chemical synthesis, decomposition reactions, DNA analyses, etc., are carried out by using samples having been collected from human bodies etc. (i.e., collection targets), (for example, Patent Document 1: Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-154138). 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Although chemical reaction devices using microwaves have conventionally been used, conventional chemical reaction devices can react only one sample, so the devices are significantly inefficient when a plurality of samples are desired to be reacted since the samples have to be reacted one by one. 
         [0004]    In addition, to react a plurality of samples simultaneously, a microwave to be irradiated to each of the samples needs to be adjusted to react the samples substantially uniformly. Therefore, there is also a problem of involving technical difficulties in reacting a plurality of samples simultaneously. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, in view of the foregoing circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a reaction device capable of reacting a plurality of samples substantially uniformly when reacting the samples simultaneously. 
         [0006]    The foregoing object of the present invention will be achieved by the following means. It is noted that numerals and alphabetic letters in parentheses are reference codes of embodiments described later but the present invention should not be limited to them. 
         [0007]    A reaction device according to the invention includes a microwave oscillation means (a microwave oscillating section  30   a ) to oscillate a microwave, holding containers ( 24 ,  52 ) correspondingly holding a plurality of samples having been collected from human bodies etc. (i.e., collection targets), a microwave irradiation container ( 20 ) in which each of the holding containers ( 24 ,  52 ) can be individually placed, a temperature sensor ( 23 ) for detecting the temperature of the sample held in the holding container ( 24 ,  52 ) or the temperature within the microwave irradiation container ( 20 ), and a microwave control means (a microwave control section  31   a ) to vary the microwave oscillated by the microwave oscillation means (the microwave oscillating section  30   a ) on the basis of the temperature having been detected by the temperature sensor ( 23 ). The reaction device is characterized in that the microwave irradiation container ( 20 ) has a microwave introduction port ( 22 ) which introduces the microwave having been oscillated by the microwave oscillation means (the microwave oscillating section  30   a ) into the microwave irradiation container ( 20 ), and microwave irradiation means (ring patterns  21   f , rectangular patch antennas  51   e ) to correspondingly irradiate the holding containers ( 24 ,  52 ) with the microwave having been introduced from the microwave introduction port ( 22 ). 
         [0008]    A reaction device according to the invention includes a microwave oscillation means (a microwave oscillating section  30   a ) to oscillate a microwave, holding containers ( 125 ) correspondingly holding a plurality of samples having been collected from human bodies etc. (i.e., collection targets), a microwave irradiation container ( 120 ,  210 ) in which each of the holding containers ( 125 ) can be individually placed, a temperature sensor ( 126 ) for detecting the temperature of the sample held in the holding container ( 125 ) or the temperature within the microwave irradiation container ( 120 ,  210 ), and a microwave control means (a microwave control section  31   a ) to vary the microwave oscillated by the microwave oscillation means (the microwave oscillating section  30   a ) on the basis of the temperature having been detected by the temperature sensor ( 126 ). The reaction device is characterized in that the microwave irradiation container ( 120 ,  210 ) has a microwave introduction port ( 122 ,  212 ) which introduces the microwave having been oscillated by the microwave oscillation means (the microwave oscillating section  30   a ) into the microwave irradiation container ( 120 ,  210 ) and a microwave irradiation means (a coaxial central conductor  123 ,  213 ) to irradiate the holding containers ( 125 ) with the microwave having been introduced from the microwave introduction port ( 122 ,  212 ), and the holding containers ( 125 ) are placed in such a manner so as to surround the periphery of the microwave irradiation means (the coaxial central conductor  123 ,  213 ). 
         [0009]    The invention is characterized by, in the reaction device, an electric power monitoring means (an electric power monitoring section  30   c ) to receive a reflected wave of the microwave from the microwave introduction port ( 22 ,  122 ,  212 ) and to determine whether the received reflected wave exceeds a predetermined value, wherein on an occasion when the electric power monitoring means (the electric power monitoring section  30   c ) determines that the received reflected wave exceeds the predetermined value, the microwave control means (the microwave control section  31   a ) stops the microwave oscillated by the microwave oscillation means (the microwave oscillating section  30   a ). 
         [0010]    The invention is characterized in that, in the reaction device, the microwave irradiation container ( 20 ,  120 ,  210 ) is placed within a constant temperature bath ( 4 ). 
         [0011]    Further, a reaction device according to the invention includes holding containers ( 52 ) correspondingly holding a plurality of samples having been collected from human bodies etc. (i.e., collection targets), a microwave irradiation container ( 20 ) in which each of the holding containers ( 52 ) can be individually placed, and a microwave oscillation means (a microwave oscillating section  300   a ) to oscillate a predetermined microwave at every predetermined time interval. The reaction device is characterized in that the microwave irradiation container ( 20 ) has a microwave introduction port ( 22 ) which introduces the microwave having been oscillated by the microwave oscillation means (the microwave oscillating section  300   a ) into the microwave irradiation container ( 20 ), and microwave irradiation means (rectangular patch antennas  51   e ) to correspondingly irradiate the holding containers ( 52 ) with the microwave having been introduced from the microwave introduction port ( 22 ). 
         [0012]    Next, effects of the present invention will be described attaching reference numerals to the drawings. First, in the reaction device according to the invention, the holding containers ( 24 ,  52 ) correspondingly holding a plurality of samples are individually placed in the microwave irradiation container ( 20 ), and the temperature of the sample held in the holding container ( 24 ,  52 ) or the temperature within the microwave irradiation container ( 20 ) is detected by the temperature sensor ( 23 ). The detected temperature is output to the microwave control means (the microwave control section  31   a ), and this microwave control means (the microwave control section  31   a ) varies the microwave oscillated by the microwave oscillation means (the microwave oscillating section  30   a ) on the basis of the above temperature. The varied microwave is output, via the microwave oscillation means (the microwave oscillating section  30   a ), to the microwave introduction port ( 22 ) which introduces the microwave into the microwave irradiation container ( 20 ). In addition, the microwave introduced from the microwave introduction port ( 22 ) is irradiated to each of the holding containers ( 24 ,  52 ) by the corresponding microwave irradiation means (the ring patterns  21   f , the rectangular patch antennas  51   e ). As a result, a substantially uniform microwave can be irradiated to the plurality of samples, so that reactions of these samples can be kept substantially uniform. 
         [0013]    On the other hand, in the reaction device according to the invention, the holding containers ( 125 ) correspondingly holding a plurality of samples are individually placed in the microwave irradiation container ( 120 ,  210 ), and the temperature of the sample held in the holding container ( 125 ) or the temperature within the microwave irradiation container ( 120 ,  210 ) is detected by the temperature sensor ( 126 ). The detected temperature is output to the microwave control means (the microwave control section  31   a ), and this microwave control means (the microwave control section  31   a ) varies the microwave oscillated by the microwave oscillation means (the microwave oscillating section  30   a ) on the basis of the above temperature. The varied microwave is output, via the microwave oscillation means (the microwave oscillating section  30   a ), to the microwave introduction port ( 122 ,  212 ) which introduces the microwave into the microwave irradiation container ( 120 ,  210 ). In addition, the microwave introduced from the microwave introduction port ( 122 ,  212 ) is irradiated to those holding containers ( 125 ) by the microwave irradiation means (the coaxial central conductor  123 ,  213 ). Since these holding containers ( 125 ) are placed in such a manner so as to surround the periphery of the microwave irradiation means (the coaxial central conductor  123 ,  213 ), a substantially uniform microwave can be irradiated to the plurality of samples. As a result, reactions of these samples can be kept substantially uniform. 
         [0014]    Further, according to the invention, the electric power monitoring means (the electric power monitoring section  30   c ) receives a reflected wave of the microwave from the microwave introduction port ( 22 ,  122 ,  212 ) and determines whether the received reflected wave exceeds a predetermined value. On the occasion when the electric power monitoring means (the electric power monitoring section  30   c ) determines that the received reflected wave exceeds the predetermined value, the microwave control means (the microwave control section  31   a ) stops the microwave oscillated by the microwave oscillation means (the microwave oscillating section  30   a ). As a result, the control over the microwave oscillation means so as not to oscillate an anomalous microwave can be done, and thus, breakage of the microwave oscillation means can be reduced. 
         [0015]    Further, according to the invention, reactions of the samples having been collected from human bodies etc. (i.e., collection targets) and held within the holding containers ( 24 ,  52 ,  125 ) can be made more favorable by placing the microwave irradiation container ( 20 ,  120 ,  210 ) within the constant temperature bath ( 4 ). 
         [0016]    On the other hand, in the reaction device according to the invention, the holding containers ( 52 ) correspondingly holding a plurality of samples are individually placed in the microwave irradiation container ( 20 ), and a predetermined microwave is introduced into the microwave irradiation container ( 20 ) via the microwave oscillation means (the microwave oscillating section  300   a ) at every predetermined time interval. The microwave introduced from the microwave introduction port ( 22 ) is irradiated to each of the holding containers ( 52 ) by the corresponding microwave irradiation means (the rectangular patch antennas  51   e ). As a result, a substantially uniform microwave can be irradiated to the plurality of samples, so that reactions of these samples can be kept substantially uniform. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a plan view of a reaction device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which an applicator according to the reaction device is illustrated in a cross-sectional view. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the applicator according to the same embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a microwave oscillation control unit according to the same embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a diagram showing a plan view of a reaction device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in which an applicator according to the reaction device is shown in a cross-sectional view. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the applicator according to the same embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a diagram showing a front view of a reaction device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, in which an applicator according to the reaction device is shown in a longitudinal sectional view. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7A  is a plan view of a cover body of the applicator according to the same embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7B  is a sectional view taken along line X-X of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a diagram showing a front view of a reaction device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which an applicator according to the reaction device is shown in a longitudinal sectional view. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9A  is a plan view of a cover body of the applicator according to the same embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9B  is a sectional view taken along line Y-Y of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a diagram showing a plan view of a reaction device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, in which an applicator according to the reaction device is shown in a cross-sectional view. 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a front view of the applicator according to the same embodiment. 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a block diagram of a microwave oscillation control unit according to the same embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    Hereinafter, the first embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 3 . 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a reaction device according to the present embodiment is constituted of an applicator  1 , a microwave oscillation control unit  3  supplying the applicator  1  with a microwave, and a constant temperature bath  4  capable of keeping its internal temperature constant. The applicator  1  is constituted of a cover body  10  formed of aluminum etc., and a rectangular parallelepiped microwave irradiation container  20  formed such that the top is opened and the interior is hollow, and also the peripheral edge is slightly thick-walled, as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . The thus constituted applicator  1  is placed within the constant temperature bath  4 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the cover body  10  is constituted of a cover main body  11  being U-shaped when viewed from the front and a grip portion  12  fixed on a top portion of the cover main body  11  by welding etc. More specifically, the cover main body  11  is formed so as to close the top of the microwave irradiation container  20  and to surround a peripheral frame of the microwave irradiation container  20 , as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . The grip portion  12  allows the cover main body  11  to be moved so as to be separated from the microwave irradiation container  20 . As a result, the top of the microwave irradiation container  20  can be opened and closed freely. In the present embodiment, an example of the cover body  10  and the microwave irradiation container  20  being separable is given. However, the cover body  10  and the microwave irradiation container  20  may be formed integrally by using a hinge etc. 
         [0034]    Meanwhile, the microwave irradiation container  20  is formed of aluminum etc., and as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a rectangular printed circuit board  21  is fixed in the interior thereof by screws etc. (not shown). The microwave irradiation container  20  is provided with a microwave introduction port  22  composed of a SMA coaxial connector fixed at a substantially central portion of a lateral surface by screws  22   a , and also provided with a contact type temperature sensor  23  fixed at an end portion of the lateral surface by screws  23   a . From this microwave introduction port  22 , the microwave having been output from the microwave oscillation control unit  3  is supplied into the microwave irradiation container  20 . In the present embodiment, a SMA coaxial connector is given as an example of the microwave introduction port  22 . However, an N coaxial connector may be used, as a matter of course. 
         [0035]    A microwave introduction passage  21   a  formed so as to be conducted with the microwave introduction port  22  is patterned on the printed circuit board  21 . The patterned microwave introduction passage  21   a  is divided into two by a distributor  21   b , and the two-way microwave introduction passage  21   a  is further divided into four by distributors  21   c  and  21   d . The distributors  21   b ,  21   c , and  21   d  are patterned on the printed circuit board  21 , and use of such distributors can reduce reflected waves of microwaves. 
         [0036]    The microwave introduction passage  21   a  divided into four as described above is connected to corresponding ring patterns  21   f  via corresponding matching boxes  21   e  for performing impedance matching. These matching boxes  21   e  and ring patterns  21   f  are also patterned on the printed circuit board  21 . 
         [0037]    Meanwhile, holding containers  24  composed of Petri dishes holding samples having been collected from human bodies etc. (i.e., collection targets), are placed on the corresponding ring patterns  21   f . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the outer diameter of the ring patterns  21   f  is formed slightly larger than that of the holding containers  24 . A microwave can be irradiated to the holding containers  24  effectively by forming the outer diameter of the ring patterns  21   f  slightly larger than that of the holding containers  24  as just described. That is, if the outer diameter of the ring pattern  21   f  is made somewhere around the center of the holding container  24 , a circumferential region thereof is not irradiated. If the ring pattern  21   f  is formed to surround the outer diameter of the holding container  24 , a contact region between the ring pattern  21   f  and the holding container  24  itself disappears. Therefore, this leads to significantly inefficient irradiation. Further, in order to position and fix the holding container  24  on the ring pattern  21   f , as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , cylindrical holding members  25  are arranged, on the printed circuit board  21 , at necessary places (three places in the drawings) of the circumferential frame of the ring pattern  21   f.    
         [0038]    Further, the temperature sensor  23  is attached with a sheathed thermocouple wire  23   b  in the interior of the microwave irradiation container  20  as shown in  FIG. 1 . A distal end of the sheathed thermocouple wire  23   b  is introduced into one holding container  24 , and the temperature of a sample held within that holding container  24  is detected. The detected temperature is output to the microwave oscillation control unit  3  by the temperature sensor  23  via the sheathed thermocouple wire  23   b  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The reason why the distal end of the sheathed thermocouple wire  23   b  is introduced into one holding container  24  is that a microwave under the same conditions is irradiated to the holding container  24  and the other holding containers  24  (three containers in the drawing) as described above, so that as long as the distal end of the sheathed thermocouple wire  23   b  is introduced into one holding container  24 , the temperatures of the samples held within the corresponding holding containers  24  can all be managed. 
         [0039]    Meanwhile, the microwave oscillation control unit  3  is constituted of a microwave generating section  30  and a control display section  31 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The microwave generating section  30  is constituted of a microwave oscillating section  30   a , a microwave amplifying section  30   b , and an electric power monitoring section  30   c . The microwave oscillating section  30   a  is capable of oscillating a microwave and stopping the oscillation based on commands from the control display section  31 . Meanwhile, the microwave oscillated by the microwave oscillating section  30   a  as just described is amplified by the microwave amplifying section  30   b  and output to the electric power monitoring section  30   c . The electric power monitoring section  30   c  having received the output outputs the amplified microwave to the microwave introduction port  22 , and also receives a reflected wave having been output from the microwave introduction port  22 . On the occasion when the received reflected wave exceeds a predetermined value, the electric power monitoring section  30   c  outputs a command to stop the oscillation of the microwave to the control display section  31 . As a result, the control over the microwave oscillating section  30   a  and the microwave amplifying section  30   b  so as not to oscillate an anomalous microwave can be done, and thus, breakage of the microwave oscillating section  30   a  and the microwave amplifying section  30   b  can be reduced. 
         [0040]    The control display section  31  is constituted of a microwave control section  31   a  and a display section  31   b . The microwave control section  31   a  receives the temperature of the sample held within the holding container  24  having been detected by the temperature sensor  23 , and varies the microwave substantially continuously in order to keep the sample temperature constant, and outputs a command, to the microwave oscillating section  30   a , to oscillate a microwave continuing in point of time (a microwave being non-intermittent in point of time (a microwave in which a time when the output becomes 0 does not continue)). By this, the microwave oscillating section  30   a  oscillates a microwave based on the command. 
         [0041]    In addition, on the occasion when the microwave control section  31   a  receives a command to stop the oscillation of the microwave having been output from the electric power monitoring section  30   c , the microwave control section  31   a  outputs a command to stop the oscillation of the microwave to the microwave oscillating section  30   a . With this, the microwave oscillating section  30   a  stops the oscillation of the microwave. Further, the display section  31   b  is composed of a liquid crystal etc., and can display the temperature having been detected by the temperature sensor  23  or can display a stop signal of the microwave, via the microwave control section  31   a.    
         [0042]    The microwave introduced into the applicator  1  is controlled by the microwave oscillation control unit  3  as described above. Therefore, by placing the applicator  1  inside the constant temperature bath  4  capable of keeping its internal temperature constant, reactions of the samples having been collected from human bodies etc. (i.e., collection targets), and held within the holding containers  24  can be made more favorable. That is, on the occasion when the temperature within the constant temperature bath  4  is set at 37 degrees C. for example, the temperature of the samples held within the holding containers  24  does not become a constant temperature due to the relationship with the irradiation of the microwave, and changes to temperatures around 37 degrees C. Therefore, the microwave control section  31   a  varies the microwave substantially continuously so as to keep the temperature having been detected by the temperature sensor  23  constant, and continues to output the command to oscillate a microwave continuous in point of time to the microwave oscillating section  30   a . As a result, the microwave oscillating section  30   a  continues to oscillate a microwave based on the command, and the microwave introduced into the applicator  1  through the use of the microwave oscillation control unit  3  is irradiated to the holding containers  24  without a pause. Consequently, reactions of the samples held within the holding containers  24  can be made more favorable. 
         [0043]    According to the present embodiment, the holding containers  24  correspondingly holding a plurality of samples are placed on the microwave irradiation container  20 , and the temperature of the sample held within the holding container  24  is detected by the temperature sensor  23 . The detected temperature is output to the microwave control section  31   a , and this microwave control section  31   a  varies the microwave oscillated by the microwave oscillating section  30   a  on the basis of the above temperature. The varied microwave is output, via the microwave oscillating section  30   a , to the microwave introduction port  22  which introduces the microwave into the microwave irradiation container  20 . In addition, the microwave introduced from the microwave introduction port  22  is then irradiated to the holding containers  24  correspondingly by the ring patterns  21   f . As a result, a substantially uniform microwave is irradiated to the plurality of samples, whereupon reactions of these samples can be kept substantially uniform. 
         [0044]    Further, it is preferable to use Petri dishes as the holding containers in the present embodiment. An example of use of the samples held within the holding containers includes cell culture. 
         [0045]    Next, the second embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 . The same configurations as those of the first embodiment will be given the same numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , a reaction device according to the present embodiment is constituted of an applicator  50 , a microwave oscillation control unit  3  supplying the applicator  50  with a microwave, and a constant temperature bath  4  capable of keeping its internal temperature constant. As shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the applicator  50  is constituted of a cover body  10  and a microwave irradiation container  20 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the thus constituted applicator  50  is placed within the constant temperature bath  4 . As shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , a rectangular printed circuit board  51  is fixed in the interior of the microwave irradiation container  20  by screws etc. (not shown). The microwave irradiation container  20  is provided with a microwave introduction port  22  composed of a SMA coaxial connector fixed at a substantially central portion of a lateral surface by screws  22   a , and also provided with a contact type temperature sensor  23  fixed at an end portion of the lateral surface by screws  23   a . From this microwave introduction port  22 , the microwave having been output from the microwave oscillation control unit  3  is supplied into the microwave irradiation container  20 . 
         [0047]    A microwave introduction passage  51   a  formed so as to be conducted with the microwave introduction port  22  is patterned on the printed circuit board  51 . The patterned microwave introduction passage  51   a  is divided into two by a distributor  51   b , and the two-way microwave introduction passage  51   a  is further divided into four by distributors  51   c  and  51   d . The distributors  51   b ,  51   c , and  51   d  are patterned on the printed circuit board  51 , and use of such distributors can reduce reflected waves of microwaves. 
         [0048]    The microwave introduction passage  51   a  divided into four as described above is connected to corresponding rectangular patch antennas  51   e . Further, these rectangular patch antennas  51   e  are also patterned on the printed circuit board  51 . 
         [0049]    Meanwhile, holding containers  52  composed of preparations holding samples having been collected from human bodies etc. (i.e., collection targets), of a diameter slightly smaller than the width of the patch antennas  51   e  are correspondingly arranged on the rectangular patch antennas  51   e . Accordingly, the microwave is irradiated to each of the holding containers  52  by the corresponding patch antennas  51   e . Further, in order to position and fix the holding container  52  on the rectangular patch antenna  51   e , as shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , a pair of substantially rectangular parallelepiped holding members  53  are arranged, on the printed circuit board  51 , at both lateral sides of each rectangular patch antenna  51   e . On these holding members  53 , the holding container  52  is placed. Each holding member  53  is fixed on the printed circuit board  51  by screws  53   a  as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0050]    On the other hand, the temperature sensor  23  is different from the first embodiment, and detects the temperature within the microwave irradiation container  20  and outputs the detected temperature to the microwave oscillation control unit  3  as shown in  FIG. 4 . This is because an amount of sample that the holding container  52  composed of a preparation can hold is very small and a very large difference between the temperature within the microwave irradiation container  20  and the temperature of the sample held by the holding container  52  does not occur. 
         [0051]    According to the present embodiment, however, the holding containers  52  correspondingly holding a plurality of samples are individually placed on the microwave irradiation container  20 , and the temperature within the microwave irradiation container  20  is detected by the temperature sensor  23 . The detected temperature is output to the microwave control section  31   a , and this microwave control section  31   a  varies the microwave oscillated by the microwave oscillating section  30   a  on the basis of the above temperature. The varied microwave is output, via the microwave oscillating section  30   a , to the microwave introduction port  22  which introduces the microwave into the microwave irradiation container  20 . In addition, the microwave introduced from the microwave introduction port  22  is then irradiated to each of the holding containers  52  by the corresponding rectangular patch antennas  51   e . As a result, a substantially uniform microwave is irradiated to the plurality of samples, whereupon reactions of these samples can be kept substantially uniform. 
         [0052]    In the present embodiment, it is preferable to use preparations as the holding containers. An example of use of the samples held within the holding containers includes a fluorescent antibody technique. 
         [0053]    Subsequently, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7A-7B . The same configurations as those of the first embodiment will be given the same numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , a reaction device according to the present embodiment is constituted of an applicator  100 , a microwave oscillation control unit  3  supplying the applicator  100  with a microwave, and a constant temperature bath  4  capable of keeping its internal temperature constant. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the applicator  100  is constituted of a cover body  110  formed of aluminum etc., and a substantially cylindrical microwave irradiation container  120  whose top and bottom are opened. The thus constituted applicator  100  is placed within the constant temperature bath  4 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0055]    The cover body  110  is formed substantially in the shape of a circle in a plan view as shown in  FIG. 7A , and formed in a thick plate shape as shown in  FIG. 6 . The diameter of the cover body  110  is formed so as to close the top of the microwave irradiation container  120  as shown in  FIG. 6 , and the cover body  110  is configured to be freely separable from the microwave irradiation container  120 . 
         [0056]    Further, as shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7A , the cover body  110  has one end portion formed with a substantially oval long hole  111  for introducing a temperature sensor  126  composed of a thermocouple which will be described later into the microwave irradiation container  120 . At necessary places (four places in the drawings (see  FIG. 7A ), steam vents  112  for discharging steam generated within the microwave irradiation container  120  to the outside are provided. In the present embodiment, an example of the cover body  110  and the microwave irradiation container  120  being separable is given. However, the cover body  110  and the microwave irradiation container  120  may be formed integrally by using a hinge etc. 
         [0057]    Meanwhile, the microwave irradiation container  120  is formed of aluminum etc., and as shown in  FIG. 6 , formed in a substantially cylindrical shape whose top and bottom are opened, and at the bottom, a doughnut-shaped mounting base  121  is projectingly integrally provided. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the mounting base  121  has an undersurface provided with a microwave introduction port  122  composed of an N coaxial connector fixed on the undersurface of the mounting base  121  by screws  122   a . A coaxial central conductor  123  irradiated with the microwave having been output from the microwave oscillation control unit  3  is attached at one end side of the microwave introduction port  122  (the upper surface side of the mounting base  121 ). 
         [0058]    Further, a holding container storage base  124  formed of Teflon (registered mark) etc., having high microwave permeability is arranged within the microwave irradiation container  120  and at the upper surface side of the mounting base  121  in such a manner so as to surround the circumference of the coaxial central conductor  123 . As shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7B , substantially semi-oval storage holes  124   a  capable of storing holding containers  125  composed of test tubes whose tops are closed by caps  125   a  and holding samples having been collected from human bodies etc. (i.e., collection targets), are provided in the holding container storage base  124  at predetermined intervals in such a manner so as to surround the circumference of the coaxial central conductor  123 . 
         [0059]    As described above, the holding containers  125  holding samples having been collected from human bodies etc. (i.e., collection targets), are stored in corresponding storage holes  124   a  provided in the holding container storage base  124 . The thus stored holding containers  125  are stored in such a manner so as to surround the coaxial central conductor  123 . Therefore, the microwave irradiated from the coaxial central conductor  123  is irradiated substantially uniformly to the holding containers  125 . Further, the holding container storage base  124  is freely separable from inside the microwave irradiation container  120 , and the holding containers  125  are also stored so as to be separable from the holding container storage base  124 . 
         [0060]    Further, a temperature sensor  126  composed of a thermocouple introduced from the long hole  111  of the cover body  110  is introduced into one of the holding containers  125  and detects the temperature of the sample held within the holding container  125 . The temperature sensor  126  then outputs the detected temperature to the microwave oscillation control unit  3  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The reason why the temperature sensor  126  is introduced into one holding container  125  is that a microwave under the same conditions is irradiated to the holding container  125  and the other holding containers  125  (four containers in the drawings) as described earlier, so that as long as the temperature sensor  126  is introduced into one holding container  125 , the temperatures of the samples correspondingly held within the holding containers  125  can all be managed. In the present embodiment, the temperature of the sample held in the holding container  125  is detected by using the temperature sensor  126 , but the temperature within the microwave irradiation container  120  may be detected. However, it is preferable, in order to improve accuracy, to detect the temperature of the sample held in the holding container  125 . 
         [0061]    According to the present embodiment, however, the holding containers  125  correspondingly holding a plurality of samples are individually placed in the microwave irradiation container  120 , and the temperature of the sample held within the holding container  125  is detected by the temperature sensor  126 . The detected temperature is output to the microwave control section  31   a , and this microwave control section  31   a  varies the microwave oscillated by the microwave oscillating section  30   a  on the basis of the above temperature. The varied microwave is output, via the microwave oscillating section  30   a , to the microwave introduction port  122  which introduces the microwave into the microwave irradiation container  120 . The microwave introduced from the microwave introduction port  122  is then irradiated to the holding containers  125  by the coaxial central conductor  123 . Since these holding containers  125  are placed in such a manner so as to surround the circumference of the coaxial central conductor  123 , a substantially uniform microwave can be irradiated to the plurality of samples, whereupon reactions of these samples can be kept substantially uniform. 
         [0062]    Further, it is preferable to use test tubes as the holding containers in the present embodiment. However, preparations etc., may be used. On that occasion, each storage hole  124   a  provided in the holding container storage base  124  has only to be provided in a hole shape adapted to the shape of the preparation etc. Further, an example of use of the samples held within the holding containers includes inorganic and organic reactions, cell culture. 
         [0063]    Next, the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9A-9B . The same configurations as those of the first and third embodiments will be given the same numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. 
         [0064]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , a reaction device according to the present embodiment is constituted of an applicator  200 , a microwave oscillation control unit  3  supplying the applicator  200  with a microwave, and a constant temperature bath  4  capable of keeping its internal temperature constant. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the applicator  200  is constituted of a cover body  110  formed of aluminum etc., and a substantially cylindrical microwave irradiation container  210  whose top and bottom are opened. The thus constituted applicator  200  is placed within the constant temperature bath  4 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0065]    The microwave irradiation container  210  is formed of aluminum etc., having high thermal conductivity, and as shown in  FIG. 8 , formed in a substantially cylindrical shape whose top and bottom are opened. From the middle toward the top thereof, a holding container storage base  211  is projectingly integrally provided. As shown in  FIG. 9B , the thus provided holding container storage base  211  has an inner circumferential edge formed with circular arcs at predetermined intervals such that holding containers  125  (see  FIG. 8 ) composed of test tubes whose tops are closed by caps  125   a  and holding samples having been collected from human bodies etc. (i.e., collection targets), can be stored on the circumference. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the holding container storage base  211  has an undersurface provided with a microwave introduction port  212  composed of an N coaxial connector fixed on the undersurface of the holding container storage base  211  by screws  212   a  and bent at a right angle. At one end side of the microwave introduction port  212  (the upper side of the microwave irradiation container  210 ), a coaxial central conductor  213  irradiated with the microwave having been output from the microwave oscillation control unit  3  is attached. As a result, the holding containers  125  are stored in such a manner so as to surround the circumference of the coaxial central conductor  213 . Further, an insertion hole  214  for inserting the microwave introduction port  212  into the microwave irradiation container  210  is provided at a lower portion of the microwave irradiation container  210 . The holding containers  125  are stored so as to be freely separable from the holding container storage base  211 . 
         [0066]    According to the present embodiment, however, the holding containers  125  correspondingly holding a plurality of samples are individually placed in the microwave irradiation container  210 , and the temperature of the sample held within the holding container  125  is detected by the temperature sensor  126 . The detected temperature is output to the microwave control section  31   a , and this microwave control section  31   a  varies the microwave oscillated by the microwave oscillating section  30   a  on the basis of the above temperature. The varied microwave is output, via the microwave oscillating section  30   a , to the microwave introduction port  212  which introduces the microwave into the microwave irradiation container  120 . The microwave introduced from the microwave introduction port  212  is then irradiated to the holding containers  125  by the coaxial central conductor  213 . Since these holding containers  125  are placed in such a manner so as to surround the circumference of the coaxial central conductor  213 , a substantially uniform microwave can be irradiated to the plurality of samples, whereupon reactions of these samples can be kept substantially uniform. 
         [0067]    Further, it is preferable to use test tubes as the holding containers in the present embodiment. However, differing from the third embodiment, Teflon (registered mark) is not used in the present embodiment, because aluminum etc., having high thermal conductivity is used to efficiently cool down the holding containers. Accordingly, an example of use of the samples held within the holding containers is preferably for cell cryopreservation. 
         [0068]    Next, the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 10 to 12 . The same configurations as those of the first and second embodiments will be given the same numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. 
         [0069]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , a reaction device according to the present embodiment is constituted of an applicator  500 , a microwave oscillation control unit  300  supplying the applicator  500  with a microwave, and a constant temperature bath  4  capable of keeping its internal temperature constant. As shown in  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , the applicator  500  is constituted of a cover body  10  and a microwave irradiation container  20 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the thus constituted applicator  500  is placed within the constant temperature bath  4 . As shown in  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , a rectangular printed circuit board  51  is fixed in the interior of the microwave irradiation container  20  by screws etc. (not shown). The microwave irradiation container  20  is provided with a microwave introduction port  22  composed of a SMA coaxial connector fixed at a substantially central portion of a lateral surface by screws  22   a , and also provided with a contact type temperature sensor  230  fixed at an end portion of the lateral surface by screws  230   a . From this microwave introduction port  22 , the microwave having been output from the microwave oscillation control unit  300  is supplied into the microwave irradiation container  20 . The temperature sensor  230  is different from the first and second embodiments, and merely detects the temperature within the microwave irradiation container  20  and has nothing to do with the microwave oscillation control unit  300 . 
         [0070]    Meanwhile, the microwave oscillation control unit  300  is constituted of a microwave oscillating section  300   a  and a microwave amplifying section  300   b  as shown in  FIG. 12 . The microwave oscillating section  300   a  oscillates a predetermined microwave at every predetermined time interval. The microwave oscillated by the microwave oscillating section  300   a  as just described is amplified by the microwave amplifying section  300   b  and output to the microwave introduction port  22 . As a result, the predetermined microwave is supplied into the microwave irradiation container  20  at every predetermined time interval. 
         [0071]    According to the present embodiment, however, the holding containers  52  correspondingly holding a plurality of samples are individually placed on the microwave irradiation container  20 , and the predetermined microwave is introduced into the microwave irradiation container  20  at every predetermined time interval via the microwave oscillating section  300   a . The microwave introduced from the microwave introduction port  22  is then irradiated to each of the holding containers  52  by the corresponding rectangular patch antennas  51   e . As a result, a substantially uniform microwave is irradiated to the plurality of samples, whereupon reactions of these samples can be kept substantially uniform. 
         [0072]    Further, it is preferable to use preparations as the holding containers in the present embodiment. An example of use of the samples held within the holding containers includes a fluorescent antibody technique.

Technology Category: 5