Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid extraction container (2) which includes a nucleic acid extraction element (20) for extracting a target nucleic acid from a sample and supporting the extracted nucleic acid, and a container main body formed as a separate member from the nucleic acid extraction element and having a having a housing vessel (27) for storing the nucleic acid extraction element (20). The nucleic acid extraction element (20) includes, for example, a solid matrix (23) for supporting the target nucleic acid, and a holding member (20) for holding the solid matrix (23). Preferably, the solid matrix (23) is held as tilted with respect to a vertical axis of the holding member (20).

Abstract: A linearizing correction unit (104) carries out a linearizing correction process on the output of an image sensor (8) based upon linearizing correction data stored in a linearizing correction data holding unit (102), and a light-irregularity correction unit (108) carries out a light-irregularity correction process on the image sensor output that has been subjected to the linearizing correction process based upon light-irregularity correction data stored in a light-irregularity correction data holding unit (106). A refection factor calculation unit (110) calculates an integral value of the in-plane reflection factor of a test piece by using the output that has been subjected to the linearizing correction and light-irregularity correction with respect to pixel outputs of the image sensor (8) obtained when the test piece having in-plane density irregularities is measured.

Abstract: Above a measuring object (2), an LEDs (4) for use in light irradiation and a CMOS area sensor (8) with an image-forming lens (6) interpolated in between are installed. In order to detect the quantity of light from the LEDs (4), a photodetector (10) is further placed. A personal computer (28) carries out a linearizing process which, upon variation of the quantity of light, corrects the output of the area sensor (8) so as to make the output from the area sensor (8) proportional to the output of the photodetector (10), and a light-irregularity correction process which, when a flat plate having even in-plane density is measured as the measuring object (2), corrects the resulting output of each pixel in the area sensor (8) that has been corrected by the linearizing process to have in-plane evenness. It becomes possible to achieve a convenient two-dimensional reflection factor measuring method which does not need any mechanical driving system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sample analysis tool that can provide a sufficient amount of information accurately and allows an analyzer to read out the information without using any special mechanism. In a sample analysis tool 1 including a reagent layer 11 and an information recording layer 12 formed on a substrate 13, the information recording layer is composed of one region or divided into a plurality of regions, and each region is colored with a single color. Information is recorded using at least one of a combination of color intensities over the plurality of regions and an area of each region.

Abstract: A linearizing correction unit (104) carries out a linearizing correction process on the output of an image sensor (8) based upon linearizing correction data stored in a linearizing correction data holding unit (102), and a light-irregularity correction unit (108) carries out a light-irregularity correction process on the image sensor output that has been subjected to the linearizing correction process based upon light-irregularity correction data stored in a light-irregularity correction data holding unit (106). A refection factor calculation unit (110) calculates an integral value of the in-plane reflection factor of a test piece by using the output that has been subjected to the linearizing correction and light-irregularity correction with respect to pixel outputs of the image sensor (8) obtained when the test piece having in-plane density irregularities is measured.

Abstract: Above a measuring object (2), an LEDs (4) for use in light irradiation and a CMOS area sensor (8) with an image-forming lens (6) interpolated in between are installed. In order to detect the quantity of light from the LEDs (4), a photodetector (10) is further placed. A personal computer (28) carries out a linearizing process which, upon variation of the quantity of light, corrects the output of the area sensor (8) so as to make the output from the area sensor (8) proportional to the output of the photodetector (10), and a light-irregularity correction process which, when a flat plate having even in-plane density is measured as the measuring object (2), corrects the resulting output of each pixel in the area sensor (8) that has been corrected by the linearizing process to have in-plane evenness. It becomes possible to achieve a convenient two-dimensional reflection factor measuring method which does not need any mechanical driving system.

Abstract: A test piece analyzing apparatus is provided which includes a releasably fixed absorbent member, a horizontally reciprocative pinching mechanism for simultaneously transferring a plurality of test pieces in a transfer direction, and an optical analyzing assembly provided with a primary illuminator and a secondary illuminator. The second illuminator serves to illuminate the bottom surface of the test piece.

Abstract: A test piece analyzing apparatus is provided which includes a releasably fixed absorbent member, a horizontally reciprocative pinching mechanism for simultaneously transferring a plurality of test pieces in a transfer direction, and an optical analyzing assembly provided with a primary illuminator and a secondary illuminator. The second illuminator serves to illuminate the bottom surface of the test piece.

Abstract: A test piece analyzing apparatus is provided which includes a releasably fixed absorbent member, a horizontally reciprocative pinching mechanism for simultaneously transferring a plurality of test pieces in a transfer direction, and an optical analyzing assembly provided with a primary illuminator and a secondary illuminator. The second illuminator serves to illuminate the bottom surface of the test piece.