Analyzer, analyzer pack, cartridge provided with the packs, method of producing the pack, analyzing device, and mechanism for taking out object

• US 20050221470A1
• Filed: 05/19/2003
• Published: 10/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc
• Original Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc
• Inventors: Matsumoto, Daisuke, Komuro, Hidefumi, Oshiman, Eisaku
• Granted Patent: US 7,854,890 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/287.100
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0645 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0825 Test strips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/52 Supports specially adapted for flat sample carriers, e.g. for plates, slides, chips
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00089 Magazines
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00277 Special precautions to avoid contamination (e.g. enclosures, glove- boxes, sealed sample carriers, disposal of contaminated material)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00306 Housings, cabinets, control panels (details)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48757 Test elements dispensed from a stack
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48771 Coding of information, e.g. calibration data, lot number
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to an analytical tool pack (1) including an analytical tool (13) accommodated in one or between a plurality of sealing sheets (12a, 12b). The analytical tool pack (1) includes a stopper portion (146) for holding the analytical tool (13) with the analytical tool (13) caused to project from the sealing sheets (12a, 12b). Preferably, the analytical tool pack (1) further comprises a base film (14) bonded to the sealing sheets (12a, 12b). For example, the stopper portion (146) comprises the bonded portion of the sealing sheets (12a, 12b) and the base film (14). The present invention further relates to an analyzer which uses the analytical tool pack (1). The analyzer comprises an opening mechanism for making a cut (15) in the analytical tool pack (1), and a pushing mechanism for moving the analytical tool (13) relative to the sealing sheets (12a, 12b) to cause the analytical tool (13) to project through the cut (15).

Claims

1. An analytical tool pack comprising an analytical tool accommodated in a wrapping member made of a sealing sheet,

wherein the analytical tool pack further comprises a stopper portion for holding the analytical tool in a manner such that the analytical tool projects from the wrapping member.

2. The analytical tool pack according to claim 1, wherein the wrapping member further comprises a base film bonded to the sealing sheet.

3. The analytical tool pack according to claim 2, wherein the stopper portion comprises a bonded portion of the sealing sheet and the base film.

4. The analytical tool pack according to claim 1, wherein the analytical tool includes an engagement portion engaging with the stopper portion.

5. The analytical tool pack according to claim 1, wherein the sealing sheet retains desiccant.

6. The analytical tool pack according to claim 2, wherein the base film retains desiccant.

7. The analytical tool pack according to claim 2, wherein the analytical tool is caused to project through a cut formed in the sealing sheet by a cutter;

and

wherein the base film includes a through-hole for allowing insertion of the cutter.

8. The analytical tool pack according to claim 1, wherein the analytical tool includes an end which is caused to project through a cut formed in the sealing sheet by a cutter;

and

wherein the end is entirely rounded.

9. The analytical tool pack according to claim 2, wherein the analytical tool is moved relative to the wrapping member by a pushing member;

and

wherein the base film includes a through-hole for allowing movement of the pushing member.

10. The analytical tool pack according to claim 1, wherein the analytical tool is moved relative to the wrapping member by a pushing member;

and

wherein the analytical tool further includes an engagement portion for engaging the pushing member.

11. The analytical tool pack according to claim 1, wherein the analytical tool includes a substrate, a plurality of electrodes formed on the substrate, and a plurality of holes each for partially exposing a respective one of the electrodes selectively.

12. The analytical tool pack according to claim 1, further comprising an information providing portion for outputting information relating to the analytical tool.

13. The analytical tool pack according to claim 12, wherein the information providing portion is capable of outputting information by combination of conduction/non-conduction between a plurality of pairs of conductors, or by correlation with a resistance between conductors, or by correlation with locations where a projection and a recess are formed.

14. The analytical tool pack according to claim 1, wherein the analytical tool pack in use is loaded in an accommodation portion of an analyzer, and where in a pack orientation checker is provided for preventing improper loading of the analytical tool into the accommodation portion.

15. The analytical tool pack according to claim 1, wherein the analytical tool caused to project from the wrapping member is restorable into the wrapping member.

16. An analytical tool pack comprising an analytical tool accommodated in a wrapping member,

wherein the analytical tool pack further comprises an information providing portion for outputting information relating to the analytical tool.

17. The analytical tool pack according to claim 16, wherein the information providing portion is capable of outputting information by combination of conduction/non-conduction between a plurality of pairs of conductors, or by correlation with a resistance between conductors, or by correlation with locations where a projection and a recess are formed.

18. The analytical tool pack according to claim 16, wherein the information providing portion is provided at an obverse surface of the wrapping member.

19. An analytical tool accommodated in a wrapping member for providing an analytical tool pack and caused to project from the wrapping member in use, the analytical tool pack including a stopper portion for holding the analytical tool,

wherein the analytical tool includes an engagement portion for engaging with the stopper portion.

20. An analytical tool accommodated in a wrapping member for providing an analytical tool pack and caused to project from the wrapping member in use, the analytical tool pack being made so that the analytical tool is moved by a pushing member relative to the wrapping member,

wherein the analytical tool includes an engagement portion with which the pushing member is engaged.

21. An analytical tool accommodated in a wrapping member for providing an analytical tool pack and including an end which is caused to project from the wrapping member in use of the analytical tool,

wherein the end is entirely rounded.

22. A cartridge including a container accommodating a plurality of analytical tool packs, each of the analytical tool packs including a wrapping member in which an analytical tool is accommodated,

wherein the container is formed with a through-hole communicating with an inside of the container and utilized for pushing out the analytical tool pack accommodated in the container.

23. The cartridge according to claim 22, wherein the plurality of analytical tool packs are bundled and retained in the container.

24. A method of making an analytical tool pack comprising the steps of placing an analytical tool on a punch film or a sealing film, and bonding the sealing film to the punch film,

wherein the analytical tool is kept at an appropriate position relative to the punch film at least for a time period from when the placing step is completed and till when the bonding step is started.

25. The method of making the analytical tool pack according to claim 24, wherein the position keeping is performed by using a suction unit.

26. A method of making an analytical tool pack comprising fixing an analytical tool to a sealing film or a punch film,

wherein the fixing step is performed simultaneously with respect to a plurality of analytical tools by using a plurality of pressing heads;

and

wherein the pressing heads are capable of setting respective heights individually.

27. An analyzer for analyzing a sample by using an analytical tool pack including a wrapping member and an analytical tool accommodated in the wrapping member, the analysis being performed with the analytical tool caused to project from the wrapping member;

wherein the analyzer comprises an opening mechanism for making a cut in the wrapping member, and a pushing mechanism for moving the analytical tool relative to the wrapping member to cause the analytical tool to project through the cut.

28. The analyzer according to claim 27, wherein, with the analytical tool caused to project from the wrapping member, the analyzer obtains output relating to analysis results from the analytical tool.

29. The analyzer according to claim 27, wherein the pushing mechanism comprises a first and a second members which are movable relative to each other in a first direction, and a pushing member which is movable in a second direction crossing the first direction in accordance with the relative movement between the first and the second members, the pushing member serving to move the analytical tool relative to the wrapping member.

30. The analyzer according to claim 29, wherein the pushing member is pivotally fixed to the first member while being connected to the second member for relative movement to the second member, and

wherein the second member is provided with a guide for moving a portion connected to the pushing member in the second direction.

31. The analyzer according to claim 29, wherein the pushing member comprises a blade.

32. The analyzer according to claim 29, wherein the pushing mechanism further comprises a holder for moving the wrapping member together with the first member or the second member.

33. The analyzer according to claim 32, wherein the pushing mechanism further comprises a releaser for releasing the holding of the analytical tool by the holder.

34. The analyzer according to claim 33, wherein the releaser increases a distance between the first member and the second member in the second direction when a particular positional relationship is established between the first member and the second member.

35. The analyzer according to claim 27, further comprising a restorer for restoring the analytical tool projected from the wrapping member into the wrapping member for accommodation again.

36. The analyzer according to claim 29, further comprising a restorer for restoring the analytical tool projected from the wrapping member into the wrapping member for reaccommodation,

wherein the restorer is provided by the pushing member.

37. The analyzer according to claim 36, wherein the second member performs reciprocating movement between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position relative to the first member twice in a single sample analysis operation,

wherein the pushing member engages with and moves the analytical tool to cause the analytical tool to project from the wrapping member when the second member moves from the first position toward the second position in the first reciprocating movement, and

wherein the pushing member engages with and moves the analytical tool to restore the analytical tool into the wrapping member when the second member moves from the second position toward the first position in the second reciprocating movement.

38. The analyzer according to claim 37, wherein the second member is provided with a cam groove for controlling operation of the pushing member, and

wherein the cam groove has a configuration causing the pushing member to operate differently during the first reciprocating movement and during the second reciprocating movement.

39. The analyzer according to claim 29, wherein the wrapping member comprises a sealing sheet, and a base film formed with a through-hole and bonded to the sealing sheet, and

wherein the opening mechanism includes a cutter for making a cut in the wrapping member, and

wherein the cutter and the pushing member move through the through-hole.

40. The analyzer according to claim 27, wherein the opening mechanism includes an operation button, and a cutter which moves together with the operation button.

41. The analyzer according to claim 27, further comprising an accommodation portion into which the analytical tool pack is to be loaded,

wherein the accommodation portion includes a pack orientation checker for preventing improper loading of the analytical tool pack into the accommodation portion.

42. The analyzer according to claim 27, wherein the analyzer comprises a device body including an accommodation portion for accommodating a plurality of analytical tool packs, and a lid connected to the device body;

wherein the analytical tool packs are accommodated while being pressed against each other by a pressing member; and

wherein the lid is connected to the pressing member to release the pressing of the analytical tool packs in opening the accommodation portion.

43. An object taking-out mechanism for taking out an object from a pack in which the object is accommodated in a wrapping member;

the mechanism comprising an opening mechanism for making a cut in the wrapping member, and a pushing mechanism for pushing out the object through the cut.