WO2025173543A1 - Container structure - Google Patents

Abstract

This container structure is configured such that, when mounted on an array plate having an upper surface on which a spot array including a biological substance is formed, a container is formed that has the array plate as the bottom plate thereof and that is capable of storing liquid. The container structure includes: an embankment portion that forms a side wall of the container when mounted on the array plate; a facing portion that forms a top plate of the container facing the array plate; and an access portion that forms a path for supplying or draining liquid, outside a region in which the spot array is formed.

Description

container structure

The present invention relates to a container structure used to supply and hold liquids such as liquid samples and chemical solutions to an array plate in a sample analyzer.

Array plates such as protein arrays, peptide arrays, and DNA arrays are known, in which numerous substances such as proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids are fixed in the form of spots on a substrate. By using an array plate to analyze a sample, it is possible to simultaneously observe the interactions between the numerous substances fixed on the array plate and substances in the sample. This allows for comprehensive analysis of the interactions between numerous substances and liquid samples of biological origin, such as blood, cell extracts, saliva, and interstitial fluid.

Furthermore, a known method of analyzing samples using an array plate involves selectively fluorescently labeling spots where interactions of interest have occurred to obtain optical information. A known device for observing fluorescently labeled samples is the confocal laser microscope. A confocal laser microscope has an illumination optical system, a fluorescence detection optical system, and a two-dimensional scanning system. The fluorescence detection optical system has the function of detecting the amount of fluorescent light from spots labeled with fluorescent probes. The two-dimensional scanning system has the function of acquiring a fluorescent image of the spot area on the array plate by two-dimensionally scanning the array plate or the optical system.

Patent Document 1 describes a reaction process in which a frame is fixed to an array plate to allow liquid to be stored, and a pipette tip moves over the framed array plate to sequentially supply and drain multiple chemical liquids to cause a reaction. The sample evaluation device then performs optical scanning measurement while maintaining the liquid retention state after the reaction process is complete, and acquires a fluorescent image of the spot area.

Patent Document 2 describes a chamber slide in which the bottom plate and the bank that makes up the side are bonded together to prevent leakage of chemical solutions outside the holding section. In this chamber slide, the cover is secured to the bank with a snap mechanism, allowing the holding section to be kept moist and warm. All of the components that make up this covered chamber slide are made from materials that allow optical measurements from the outside, so it can also be used directly for fluorescence observation.

JP 2023-12426 A US Patent Application Publication No. 2013/017143

In the device configuration of Patent Document 1, when supplying liquid to an array plate, there was a risk that the force of the liquid being ejected from the pipette tip would cause the liquid to splash out of the container. Furthermore, some liquids contain surfactants, which can easily cause bubbles to form at the tip of the pipette tip, and when these bubbles burst, the liquid could splash out of the container. Furthermore, when supplying or draining liquid to or from an array plate, there was a risk that liquid adhering to the outer surface of the pipette tip would drip as the pipette tip moved above the array plate and become mixed into the container. In this case, there was a risk that the amount of liquid supplied would vary, or that unwanted drained liquid would re-enter the container. Furthermore, in a configuration where multiple array plates were lined up, there was a risk that the above-mentioned splashing or dripping could become mixed into the other array plates.

The present invention provides a container structure that is attached to an array plate having an upper surface on which a spot array containing a biological substance is formed, and is configured to form a container that can store a liquid using the array plate as a bottom plate,
a bank portion that forms a side wall of the container when attached to the array plate;
an opposing portion forming a top plate of the container facing the array plate;
an access portion that forms a path for supplying or draining liquid outside an array area where the spot array is formed;
The present invention provides a container structure having the above structure, thereby solving the above-mentioned problems.

The container structure according to the present invention has a bank portion that forms the side wall of the container and an opposing portion that forms the top plate of the container, which makes it possible to reduce the splashing of liquid outside the container when supplying liquid. Furthermore, by having an access portion outside the area where the spot array is formed, it is possible to prevent unwanted liquid from getting into areas other than the access portion within the array plate when supplying or draining liquid.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the appearance of a container constituted by a first embodiment of a container structure of the present invention and an array plate. FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the container shown in FIG. 1A. FIG. 2A is a top plan view of the container shown in FIG. 1A. FIG. 2B is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a cross section of a container structure constituting the container shown in FIG. 2A, taken along line 2B-2B in FIG. 2A. 2C is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a cross section of a container structure constituting the container shown in FIG. 2A, taken along line 2C-2C in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2D is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a cross section of a container structure constituting the container shown in FIG. 2A, taken horizontally along line 2D-2D in FIG. 2B. Figure 3A is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the state in which, when a drug solution is supplied to the container shown in Figures 1A, 1B, and 2A to 2D, the pipette tip 6 is above the container and begins to descend toward the opening of the access portion 4a provided in the opposing portion 4 by a Z drive mechanism not shown. 3B is a vertical cross-sectional view following FIG. 3A, showing the state in which the pipette tip 6 passes through the opening of the access portion 4a and further descends until the tip reaches a position within the space surrounded by the bank portion 3. FIG. 3C is a vertical cross-sectional view following FIG. 3B, showing the state in which the automatic dispenser (not shown) starts discharging the chemical solution 7 and supplying the liquid when the pipette tip 6 has finished descending. 3D is a vertical cross-sectional view following FIG. 3C, showing the state in which the supply of the chemical solution is completed, the pipette tip 6 starts to rise, and the chemical solution 7 flows over the upper surface of the array plate 2 and reaches the upper surface of the array region 2a. FIG. 3E is a vertical cross-sectional view following FIG. 3D, showing the state in which the tip of the pipette tip 6 moves upward beyond the opening of the access portion 4a and the operation is completed. FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing the appearance of a container constituted by a second embodiment of the container structure of the present invention and an array plate. Figure 4B shows the interior of the container shown in Figure 4A, in a vertical cross section corresponding to the cross section shown in Figure 2B. FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing the appearance of a container constituted by a third embodiment of the container structure of the present invention and an array plate. FIG. 5B is an exploded perspective view showing the interior of the container shown in FIG. 5A. 6A shows the inside of a container comprising a fourth embodiment of the container structure of the present invention and an array plate, and is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a cross section corresponding to the cross section shown in FIG. Figure 6B shows the interior of the container shown in Figure 6A from another direction, and is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a cross-section corresponding to the cross-section shown in Figure 2C. 7 shows a fifth embodiment of the container structure of the present invention, which is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a cross section corresponding to the cross section shown in FIG. 8 shows a sixth embodiment of the container structure of the present invention, which is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a cross section corresponding to the cross section shown in FIG. FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the housing (enclosure) of a sample analyzer using a container composed of a container structure and an array plate of the present invention, as viewed from the front of the device. FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the housing (enclosure) of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. 9A, viewed from above the device. FIG. 9C is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the housing (enclosure) of the sample analyzer shown in FIG. 9A as viewed from the side of the device.

[First embodiment]
A first embodiment of a container structure of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A to 2D, and 3A to 3E. FIG. 1A is a perspective view schematically illustrating the appearance of a container 1 formed by engaging a container structure 5 of this embodiment with an array plate 2. FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view showing individual components constituting the container 1 of FIG. 1A. The container 1 has a configuration in which a container structure 5 consisting of a bank portion 3 and an opposing portion 4 is engaged with an array plate 2. The array plate 2 is a rectangular, flat glass slide, and its upper surface has an array area 2a in which multiple spots, each with a biological substance fixed thereto, are arranged. The bank portion 3 forming the side plate of the container structure 5 is formed of a resin material so as to surround a space in the shape of a rectangular frame. A groove-like recess 3a is formed near the lower end of the inner surface of each of the three walls of the bank portion 3 and along the lower end of the bank portion. The side edges of the array plate 2 are slidably engaged into this recess, thereby fixing the container structure 5 to the array plate 2, thereby forming the container 1. A chemical solution can be stored in the space within the container surrounded by the bank portion 3 and reacted with each spot arranged in the array region 2a on the upper surface of the array plate 2. Therefore, the dimensions of the recess 3a formed in the bank portion 3 are determined so that the side end or side edge of the array plate 2 fits tightly against the recess 3a and the chemical solution does not leak from the bottom of the container 1. An opposing portion 4 that forms the top plate of the container structure 5 is provided on the upper end surface of the bank portion 3. The opposing portion 4 is a rectangular flat plate with the same frame shape as the bank portion 3, and a hole that forms an access portion 4a necessary for supplying and draining the liquid penetrates through part of it in the thickness direction.

Figures 2A to 2D show the configuration of the container 1 in more detail. Figure 2A is a plan view of the container 1 formed by engaging the array plate 2 with the container structure 5, as viewed from above. Figure 2B is a vertical cross-sectional view of the container structure 5 constituting the container 1, cut vertically along line 2B-2B in Figure 2A (but not the array plate 2), as viewed from the side of the container (longitudinal side, below in Figure 2A). Figure 2C is a vertical cross-sectional view of the container structure 5 constituting the container 1, cut vertically along line 2C-2C in Figure 2A (but not the array plate 2), as viewed from the front of the container (front, left in Figure 2A). Figure 2D is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the container structure 5 constituting the container 1, cut horizontally along line 2D-2D in Figure 2B, as viewed from above the container structure.

As shown in Figures 2B and 2C, the underside of the opposing portion 4 has a convex shape with a recessed outer periphery, and the outer periphery makes contact with the upper end surface of the bank portion 3. At the same time, the stepped fixing portion 4b, which is a vertical surface formed between the outer periphery and its inner region, makes contact with the upper edge of the inner surface of the bank portion 3 over the entire periphery, thereby fixing the bank portion 3 to the opposing portion 4. This prevents the bank portion 3 and the opposing portion 4 from shifting when the container 1 is moved.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2A, the opposing portion 4 is provided with an access portion 4a consisting of an oval-shaped through-hole. This is an opening for inserting and removing a pipette tip when supplying and discharging the medicinal liquid into the container.

In Figure 2D, the shape 4a' of the access portion 4a projected onto the upper surface of the array plate 2 is indicated by a dotted line. The array area 2a, in which multiple spots 2b are two-dimensionally arranged on the upper surface of the array plate 2, is positioned at a position offset in the longitudinal direction of the array plate 2 from the center of the area surrounded by the inner surface of the bank portion 3 when the array plate 2 and the container structure 5 are engaged. Furthermore, the opening of the access portion 4a is provided in the opposing portion 4 so that the position of its projected shape 4a' is outside the array area 2a.

3A to 3E show a series of operations when supplying a chemical solution to a container. Note that the term "chemical solution" does not necessarily refer to a liquid reagent, but may also refer to a liquid specimen, etc. In other words, for convenience, all liquids injected into the array area when performing sample analysis using an array plate will be referred to as "chemical solution." In FIG. 3A, the pipette tip 6 used to supply the chemical solution is located above the container 1, and the pipette tip 6 begins to descend toward the opening of the access portion 4a provided in the facing portion 4 by a Z-drive mechanism (not shown). In FIG. 3B, the pipette tip 6 passes through the opening of the access portion 4a and continues to descend until its tip reaches a position within the space surrounded by the bank portion 3. In FIG. 3C, once the descent is complete, an automatic dispenser (not shown) ejects chemical solution 7 from the pipette tip 6 to begin supplying the solution. In FIG. 3D, the supply of the chemical solution is completed, the pipette tip begins to rise, and the chemical solution 7 flows over the top surface of the array plate 2 to reach the top surface of the array area 2a. In Figure 3E, the tip of the pipette tip 6 moves above the opening of the access portion 4a, completing the operation.

The above-described configuration is expected to have the following effects.
By using a container structure in which an opening of access part 4a is provided in facing part 4 facing the spot array, the tip of the pipette tip is inserted into the space surrounded by bank part 3 via access part 4a, and liquid supply is performed in this state. This makes it possible to prevent liquid splashing from the tip of the pipette tip and liquid splashing caused by the liquid hitting array plate 2 and bouncing off the surface of the array plate immediately after liquid supply begins from scattering outside the container.

This configuration can also be expected to be effective when draining chemical liquid from a container. The operation of draining chemical liquid from a container is performed in the reverse order of the operations shown in Figures 3A to 3E, except that the tip of the pipette tip is lowered from when dispensing chemical liquid, and then immersed in the chemical liquid and aspirated. At this time, chemical liquid also adheres to the outer surface of the pipette tip. If a large amount of chemical liquid adheres to the outer surface, dripping (dripping) may occur when the pipette tip is moved out of the container, and the liquid may fall back into the container; however, providing the opposing portion 4 can prevent this.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2D, the access part 4a is positioned outside the array area in the longitudinal direction of the array plate 2 so that the position 4a' of the projected shape of the access part 4a onto the array plate surface does not overlap with the array area. This separates the array area from the position where the chemical solution is ejected from the pipette tip during liquid supply, and reduces the flow rate when it reaches the array area 2a, preventing damage to the spots.

It is also preferable to separate the access part from the array area along the direction of shaking used in the reaction process (the longitudinal direction of the array plate). This can mitigate unevenness (such as differences in specific gravity) caused by multiple components in the chemical solution when it is supplied from the access part, thereby reducing reaction unevenness within the array area.

In Figures 1A, 1B, 2A-2D, and 3A-3E, access portion 4a is shown as an oval opening, but the shape, size, and position of the opening are not limited to this. Having the minimum size possible to supply and drain liquid, in accordance with the shape, size, and position of the tip, is effective in preventing the chemical solution from splashing outside the container. Furthermore, the planar shape of the frame formed by bank portion 3 may be a shape other than the rectangular shape shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 2A-2D, and 3A-3E. Furthermore, the shape of the outer surface and the shape of the inner surface of bank portion 3 may be different. Because some types of chemical solutions are expensive, the shape may be designed to match the supply and drainage patterns, which allows for a reduction in the amount of chemical solution used.

Second Embodiment
4A and 4B show a container using a container structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the container, and Fig. 4B is a vertical cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 2B in the first embodiment. Note that members (parts) having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The container 1 is composed of an array plate 2 and a container structure 5 consisting of a bank portion 8 and an opposing portion 9. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the location of the access portion. In this embodiment, the bank portion 8 is provided with an access portion 8a that forms a path for supplying and discharging the chemical solution into the container. The access portion 8a has a circular hole penetrating obliquely downward from the outer surface of the bank portion 8 toward the internal space. The lower surface of the opposing portion 9 abuts against the upper end surface of the bank portion 8. The opposing portion 9 is a rectangular flat plate, and as in the first embodiment, the lower surface has a convex shape with a recessed outer periphery. The outer periphery contacts the upper end surface of the bank portion 8, and the stepped fixing portion 9a contacts the upper edge of the inner surface of the bank portion 8 along the entire periphery, thereby being fixed.
With the above-described configuration, the container structure of the present invention can be used even when the shape of the pipette tip used for supplying and discharging liquid, the direction of movement of the pipette tip, etc. are different.

[Third embodiment]
5A and 5B show a container using a container structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the container, and FIG. 5B is an exploded perspective view showing the individual members that make up the container.

The vessel 1 is composed of an array plate 2 and a vessel structure 5 consisting of a bank portion 10 and an opposing portion 11 .
This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the way in which the opposing portions are fixed.

The vessel 1 is configured such that a vessel structure 5 consisting of a bank portion 10 and an opposing portion 11 is engaged with and fixed to an array plate 2 .
The facing portion 11 is a rectangular flat plate of uniform thickness, with an opening that serves as the access portion 11a. A handle portion 11b extends outward from the rectangular periphery of the facing portion on part of the periphery. The upper end surface of the bank portion 10 is formed with a facing portion contact surface 10a that contacts the outer peripheral edge of the lower surface of the facing portion 11, and peripheral steps 10b and 10c that contact the side end surfaces of the facing portion 11 to secure the facing portion 11 in the X and Y directions. The protrusion 10d is a portion of the peripheral step 10b that protrudes inward and restrains the facing portion 11 in the Z direction. Furthermore, the peripheral step 10c is lower than the peripheral step 10b, facilitating the attachment and detachment of the facing portion 11. The handle portion 11b makes it easy to lift the facing portion 11 when removing it from the bank portion 10.
With this configuration, the facing portion 11 can be reliably fixed in the Z direction in addition to the X and Y directions.

[Fourth embodiment]
6A and 6B show a container using a container structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
6A is a vertical cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2B in the first embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a vertical cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2C in the first embodiment.
This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the way in which the facing portion is fixed to the bank portion. That is, the container 1 of this embodiment comprises an array plate 2 and a container structure 12 in which the bank portion and the facing portion are integrated.

A groove-shaped recess 12b is provided along the lower edge of the side wall near the lower end of the inner surface on three sides of the side wall (the part corresponding to the bank portion) of the container structure 12. These recesses engage to sandwich the edges of the array plate 2 on three sides to form the container 1, maintaining airtightness to prevent the chemical solution supplied to the container from leaking to the outside. An elliptical hole penetrates the ceiling part (the part corresponding to the opposing part) of the container structure 12, and this forms an access part 12a that allows a pipette tip to be inserted into the space of the container when injecting or draining the chemical solution stored in the container. The configuration of this embodiment makes it possible to reduce the number of parts compared to the first embodiment.

Fifth Embodiment
FIG. 7 shows a container using a container structure according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the structure of the access portion differs from that of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the container structure corresponding to FIG. 2A in the first embodiment. The access portion 13a is formed by an elliptical opening (hole) 14 penetrating the facing portion 13 and an opening lid (flap) 15 provided below the hole. The flap 15 is attached to a rotating support portion 16 so as to be freely rotatable downward. When a pipette tip (not shown) descends and the tip of the pipette tip presses against the flap 15, the flap opens downward, allowing the pipette tip to further descend. When the pipette tip subsequently ascends and leaves the hole, the flap closes again and returns to the position shown in the figure. The rotating support portion 16 is supported by an elastic support portion 17 made of an elastic material such as rubber. The elastic support portion 17 is also provided around the hole 14 in areas other than the position where the rotating support portion 16 is provided, and elastically abuts against the entire outer periphery of the flap.

In this embodiment, a flap 15 is installed in the hole 14 of the access part 13a to make the inside of the container a closed space, which prevents the liquid on the outer surface of the pipette tip from dripping when draining and re-entering the container. It also makes it possible to prevent the intrusion of droplets of liquid from outside.
In addition, by elastically supporting the outer periphery of the flap 15 and the rotation support part 16, the internal pressure of the container, which occurs when adjusting the temperature of the underside of the array plate 2 in the reaction process, can be displaced upward by the elastic support part 17, increasing the internal volume and preventing the pressure increase. In other words, this functions as a pressure adjustment part.

Sixth Embodiment
A container using a container structure according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 8. In this embodiment, the structure of the access portion as a pressure adjusting portion is partially different from that of the fifth embodiment. Fig. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the container.
The pressure adjusting section has a flap 18 attached to a rotation support section 16 so as to be freely rotatable downward, but the rotation support section 16 itself is fixed to the opposing section 13. A part of the flap 18 (the central section in the drawing) is made of a flexible diaphragm 19 made of elastic rubber.

With this configuration, as with the fifth embodiment, a flap is installed in the access section to create a closed space inside the container, preventing the liquid on the outer surface of the tip that drips when draining from reentering the container. It also prevents droplets of liquid from flying in from the outside from getting mixed in. Furthermore, by configuring part of the flap from a flexible diaphragm, the elastic structure of the diaphragm can prevent an increase in the internal pressure of the container.

[Example of use of container structure]
An example of using the container structure of the present invention in an apparatus for performing sample analysis, which includes a reaction process in which a chemical solution is supplied to and discharged from biological material on an array plate, and a measurement process in which optical measurements are performed on the biological material after the reaction process, is described using Figures 9A to 9C.

Figures 9A to 9C are schematic diagrams showing the internal structure of a sample analyzer that uses the container structure of the present invention. Figure 9A is a front view, Figure 9B is a top view of the 9B-9B cross section of Figure 9A, viewed from above, and Figure 9C is a right side view of the 9C-9C cross section of Figure 9A. The sample analyzer 101 performs sample analysis on multiple array plates 102, including a reaction process and a measurement process. The array plates 102 installed in the sample analyzer 101 are fitted with container structures 103 for storing chemical solutions, forming containers 104. The sample analyzer 101 has multiple mounting sections 105, on which the containers 104 are placed, at different positions in a direction intersecting the vertical direction so that multiple array plates can be processed in parallel. Each mounting section 105 is maintained approximately horizontal in the Y-axis direction and is equipped with a mechanism for reciprocating movement in the Y-axis direction. A temperature control block 106 is provided above the mounting section 105 and is in thermal contact with the underside of the array plate 102. This allows multiple array plates 102 to be heated or maintained at a desired temperature by each individual temperature control block 106. The chemical solution stored on the upper surface of the array plate 102 is agitated by the reciprocating movement and the temperature is controlled via the array plate 102, promoting the reaction between the multiple spots on the array plate and the stored chemical solution. At the same time, reaction uniformity among the multiple spots within each array plate can be maintained. The multiple mounting sections 105 are arranged in a row on a table 108 that can be moved in the X direction by an actuator 107. Figures 9A and 9B show the sample analyzer 101 having five mounting sections 105, with containers 104 placed on each of the four mounting sections on the left.

During the reaction process, the drainage area 120, where the chemical solution is discharged from the container 104, and the liquid supply area 121, where the chemical solution is supplied, are located at predetermined positions within the device. When draining the chemical solution, the actuator 107 is driven to move the table 108 so that the container storing the chemical solution to be drained is positioned in the drainage area 120. When supplying the chemical solution, the actuator 107 is driven to move the table 108 so that the container 104 to be supplied is positioned in the liquid supply area 121. After the reaction process, the container 104 is moved to the delivery area 122 within the device by driving the actuator 107, while still holding the chemical solution injected during the final reaction process. The container 104 is then delivered to the installed transport hand 110 by the transport actuator 109, which is movable at least in the Y direction. The delivered container 104 is then transported in the Y direction to the measurement area 123 while still placed on the transport hand 110. After the transport, the measurement process is carried out in the measurement area 123, with the liquid still held in the container 104. At this time, the transport hand 110 continues to hold the container 104 even within the measurement area 123.

The measurement system 111 is a confocal laser microscope and has an illumination optical system, a fluorescence detection optical system, and a scanning system 116 (not shown). The illumination optical system has the function of focusing and irradiating laser light onto an observation spot on the array plate 102. The fluorescence detection optical system has the function of detecting the amount of fluorescent light from spots labeled with fluorescent probes. The scanning system 116 is positioned below the container 104 and performs reciprocal scanning in the X direction. By combining the Y direction scanning by the transport hand 110 and the X direction reciprocal scanning by the measurement system, a two-dimensional fluorescent image of multiple spot areas on the array plate 102 can be obtained.

When supplying or discharging reagents, disposable pipette tips 112 are attached to the tip of the automatic dispenser 117 using a tip rack 113. The automatic dispenser 117, which serves as a liquid handling means for supplying and discharging liquids, is moved in the XY and Z directions by an XY biaxial actuator 118 and a Z-axis actuator 119, respectively. The chemical tube rack 114 contains multiple tubes containing different types of chemical solutions 114a, 114b, and 114c, each configured to function as an individual liquid storage unit. The automatic dispenser 117 then aspirates the required chemical solution from the designated tube in accordance with the reaction process and moves it to the liquid supply area 121. The container 104 to be supplied with the chemical solution is then moved to the liquid supply area 121 by the actuator 107, after which the chemical solution is supplied onto the array plate inside the container 104. After the liquid supply operation, unnecessary tips 112 are moved from the automatic dispenser 117 to a waste tip rack 115 and removed from the automatic dispenser 117.

Furthermore, when the chemical liquid contained in the container 104 is to be drained, the container 104 is moved to the drainage area 120 by the actuator 107. The automatic dispenser 117 is also moved by , and after the chip 112 is attached, the chemical liquid on the array plate 102 is aspirated and drained in the drainage area 120. After the unnecessary chemical liquid in the chip is discharged into a drainage container (not shown), the unnecessary chip 112 is detached from the automatic dispenser 117 in a waste tip rack 115. Note that in this example, one automatic dispenser is used for both liquid supply and drainage operations, but separate liquid handling means may be used for liquid supply and drainage.

In this example, the positions of the drainage area 120, the liquid supply area 121, and the delivery area 122 are different, but this is not limited to this. For example, since there is a time difference between the liquid supply area 121 used in the reaction process and the delivery area 122 used in the measurement process, it is possible to place these two areas in the same position. The drainage area 120 and the liquid supply area 121 can also be placed in the same position. This shortens the stroke of the actuator 107 and reduces the amount of space required for the device. In this example, the actuator 107 is used to move the mounting unit 105 on which the container 104 is placed, and an XY biaxial actuator 118 and a Z-axis actuator 119 are used to move the automatic dispenser 117, which is the liquid manipulation means. However, it goes without saying that the moving means for moving at least one of the liquid manipulation means and the mounting unit relative to the other is not limited to this configuration and can be any appropriate configuration that achieves the relevant function.

When supplying and draining liquid with multiple containers placed adjacent to each other, as in the device of this example, by configuring the containers by attaching the container structure of the present invention to an array plate, it is possible to prevent liquid that splashes out of the container during liquid supply from entering other containers. It is also possible to prevent liquid that is accidentally dropped while a pipette tip holding the liquid is being moved from entering a container. In addition, the flow rate of the liquid can be reduced when it reaches the array area, preventing damage to the spots.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following claims are appended to clarify the scope of the present invention.

This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-021895, filed February 16, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Container 2 Array plate 2 a Array region 2 b Spot 3 Bank portion 3 a Recess 4 Opposing portion 4 a Access portion 4 b Step fixing portion 5 Container structure 6 Pipette tip 7 Chemical solution 8 Bank portion 8 a Access portion 9 Opposing portion 9 a Step fixing portion 10 Bank portion 10 a Opposing portion contact surface 10 b Peripheral step 1
10c Outer periphery step 2
10d Protrusion 11 Opposing portion 11a Access portion 11b Handle portion 12 Container structure 13 Opposing portion 13a Access portion 14 Opening 15 Flap 16 Rotation mechanism 17 Elastic support portion 18 Flap 19 Diaphragm 101 Sample analyzer 102 Array plate 103 Container structure 104 Container 105 Placement portion 106 Temperature control block 107 Actuator 108 Table 109 Transport actuator 110 Transport hand 111 Measurement unit 112 Pipette tip 113 Tip rack 114 Chemical liquid tube rack 115 Disposal tip rack 116 Scanning system 117 Automatic dispenser 118 XY two-axis actuator 119 Z-axis actuator 120 Drainage area 121 Liquid supply area 122 Delivery area 123 Measurement area

Claims (14)

an array plate having an upper surface on which a spot array containing a biological material is formed;
A container structure configured to form a container capable of storing liquid with the array plate as a bottom plate,
a bank portion that forms a side wall of the container when attached to the array plate;
an opposing portion forming a top plate of the container facing the array plate;
an access portion that forms a path for supplying or draining liquid outside the area where the spot array is formed;
A container structure having: The container structure described in claim 1, wherein the outer peripheral edge of the opposing portion is fixed in contact with the upper end surface of the bank portion. The container structure described in claim 2, wherein the opposing portion is fixed by contacting the bank portion along its entire outer periphery. The container structure described in claim 1, wherein the opposing portion is integrated with the bank portion. The container structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the access portion is provided in a part of the opposing portion or a part of the bank portion. The container structure described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the position of the projection shape of the access portion onto the array plate does not overlap with the spot array. The container structure described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the access portion is configured to be able to adjust the pressure inside the container. The container structure described in claim 7, wherein the access portion includes an opening and an opening lid that closes the opening, and the opening lid is at least one of: configured to include a flexible diaphragm; and being elastically supported. The container structure described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the access portion is located outside the area in which the spot array is formed in the longitudinal direction of the container. A container constructed from the container structure described in any one of claims 1 to 9 and the array plate. a mounting portion on which the container according to claim 10 is mounted;
a liquid handling means for supplying or discharging liquid to or from the container placed on the placement section;
a moving means for moving at least one of the liquid handling means and the placement unit relative to the other;
A device having: The device described in claim 11, wherein when the container includes the container structure described in claim 9, the placement section is provided with a mechanism for shaking the container in the longitudinal direction. The device described in claim 11, comprising a plurality of the placement sections at different positions in a direction intersecting the vertical direction. The device described in claim 11, comprising a plurality of liquid storage units, and the liquid handling means configured to supply liquid from the plurality of liquid storage units to the container.