Abstract: Provided is a temperature control system applied to an apparatus for analyzing a sample using a pipette nozzle and a reaction container, including a pipette tip temperature controller that heats a pipette tip which is fitted on the pipette nozzle and aspirates or discharges liquid and a reaction container temperature controller that heats the reaction container. The pipette tip temperature controller heats, in a concentrated manner, at least a distal end portion of the pipette tip of the pipette nozzle located at a predetermined heating position with hot air emitted from a heat source and is configured such that a distal end is capable of arriving at the reaction container by lowering the pipette nozzle from the heating position.

Abstract: Provided is a temperature control system applied to an apparatus for analyzing a sample using a pipette nozzle and a reaction container, including a pipette tip temperature controller that heats a pipette tip which is fitted on the pipette nozzle and aspirates or discharges liquid and a reaction container temperature controller that heats the reaction container. The pipette tip temperature controller heats, in a concentrated manner, at least a distal end portion of the pipette tip of the pipette nozzle located at a predetermined heating position with hot air emitted from a heat source and is configured such that a distal end is capable of arriving at the reaction container by lowering the pipette nozzle from the heating position.

Abstract: Provided is a temperature control system applied to an apparatus for analyzing a sample using a pipette nozzle and a reaction container, including a pipette tip temperature controller that heats a pipette tip which is fitted on the pipette nozzle and aspirates or discharges liquid and a reaction container temperature controller that heats the reaction container. The pipette tip temperature controller heats, in a concentrated manner, at least a distal end portion of the pipette tip of the pipette nozzle located at a predetermined heating position with hot air emitted from a heat source and is configured such that a distal end is capable of arriving at the reaction container by lowering the pipette nozzle from the heating position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reaction method that includes a reaction process using a pipette tip to allow substances to cause a reaction, the method including: providing a heater for heating the pipette tip in accordance with a preset temperature; attaching the pipette tip to a pipette nozzle and heating the pipette tip by a first preset temperature; when a period of heating by the first preset temperature exceeds a preset period, switching an output of the heater from the first preset temperature to a lower second preset temperature; detecting a distal end position of the pipette tip at or after the switching; and executing the reaction process while controlling the distal end position of the pipette tip with reference to the detected distal end position, in which the temperature of the pipette tip is kept by the second preset temperature at least until operation of the pipette tip.

Abstract: A pipette tip leading end detection device for detecting that a leading end of a pipette tip is close to a reference surface set to a reaction vessel includes a pipette nozzle, pump, nozzle driver, pressure sensor that detects a pressure generated between the pipette tip and pump, and hardware processor. The hardware processor obtains a determination value using an AD conversion value obtained from the pressure while the pipette nozzle is being lowered, and detects that the leading end of the pipette tip is close to the reference surface on the basis that the determination value is a threshold value or more. The determination value is a calculation value indicating a pressure change speed calculated from AD conversion values within a past certain time and the threshold value is a value larger than maximum noise.

Abstract: A detection chip comprises a flow path and a liquid injection unit connected to one end of the flow path, and by means of a pipette chip inserted into the liquid injection unit of the detection chip, the liquid in the liquid injection unit is aspirated to remove the liquid in the flow path. Subsequently, the pipette chip is made to carry out a reciprocating motion two or more times along the axial direction of the pipette chip, and at least one of those times, the fluid in the liquid injection unit is aspirated by the pipette chip. Subsequently, a liquid is injected from the pipette chip into the liquid injection unit, and the liquid is introduced into the flow path.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing liquid from the interior of a flow channel tip, which enables both to reduce the amount of liquid remaining and prevent the time spent removing the liquid from being longer than necessary. The method comprises: suctioning a liquid within a flow channel, the liquid being suctioned into the interior of a liquid suction implement inserted into a first through-hole of a flow channel tip; and removing the liquid within the flow channel. This method comprises: a first suction step for suctioning some of the liquid within the flow channel at a first suction speed; and a second suction step for suctioning the liquid remaining within the flow channel at a second suction speed that is less than the first suction speed, the second suction step being performed in continuation from the first suction step.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reaction method that includes a reaction process using a pipette tip to allow substances to cause a reaction, the method including: providing a heater for heating the pipette tip in accordance with a preset temperature; attaching the pipette tip to a pipette nozzle and heating the pipette tip by a first preset temperature; when a period of heating by the first preset temperature exceeds a preset period, switching an output of the heater from the first preset temperature to a lower second preset temperature; detecting a distal end position of the pipette tip at or after the switching; and executing the reaction process while controlling the distal end position of the pipette tip with reference to the detected distal end position, in which the temperature of the pipette tip is kept by the second preset temperature at least until operation of the pipette tip.

Abstract: To provide a sample detecting system capable of suppressing a temperature gradient and temperature unevenness in a sensor chip and controlling the temperature of a reaction portion with higher accuracy regardless of the temperature of an environment in which a sample detecting apparatus is disposed. A sample detecting system includes a contact type temperature control unit disposed in contact with a sensor chip and a non-contact type temperature control unit disposed in non-contact with the sensor chip. The contact type temperature control unit includes a first temperature controller and a first temperature sensor that measures a temperature between the first temperature controller and the sensor chip, and performs feedback control of the first temperature controller on the basis of an output value of the first temperature sensor and a predetermined first temperature controller target temperature.

Abstract: An antigen detection method using sandwich immunoassay includes a first reaction step of preparing a sensor chip, which includes a fine flow channel in which a reaction zone having an antigen-capturing antibody immobilized thereon is arranged, a liquid discharge/suction section and a liquid-mixing section, and subsequently feeding thereto a sample liquid so as to allow the antigen-capturing antibody to capture a target; and a second reaction step of allowing a labeling liquid containing a labeling antibody to flow into the fine flow channel so as to label the target. In the antigen detection method, the labeling liquid does not reach the liquid-mixing section. According to the antigen detection method, the accuracy and the repeatability of the target measurement can be improved.

Abstract: A pipette tip leading end detection device for detecting that a leading end of a pipette tip is close to a reference surface set to a reaction vessel includes a pipette nozzle, pump, nozzle driver, pressure sensor that detects a pressure generated between the pipette tip and pump, and hardware processor. The hardware processor obtains a determination value using an AD conversion value obtained from the pressure while the pipette nozzle is being lowered, and detects that the leading end of the pipette tip is close to the reference surface on the basis that the determination value is a threshold value or more. The determination value is a calculation value indicating a pressure change speed calculated from AD conversion values within a past certain time and the threshold value is a value larger than maximum noise.

Abstract: Provided is a temperature control system applied to an apparatus for analyzing a sample using a pipette nozzle and a reaction container, including a pipette tip temperature controller that heats a pipette tip which is fitted on the pipette nozzle and aspirates or discharges liquid and a reaction container temperature controller that heats the reaction container. The pipette tip temperature controller heats, in a concentrated manner, at least a distal end portion of the pipette tip of the pipette nozzle located at a predetermined heating position with hot air emitted from a heat source and is configured such that a distal end is capable of arriving at the reaction container by lowering the pipette nozzle from the heating position.

Abstract: A liquid contact step including injection of liquid into a flow path using a pipette chip and suction of liquid from the flow channel is performed multiple times, and a predetermined reaction is thereby performed inside the flow channel. In at least one liquid contact step, a first suction is performed in which liquid is suctioned in a state in which the pipette chip and the bottom of a liquid injection section are in contact or in close to each other. Meanwhile, in at least one liquid contact step, a second suction is performed in which the liquid is suctioned in a state in which the pipette chip and the bottom of the liquid injection section are more separated than in the first suction.

Abstract: A detection chip comprises a flow path and a liquid injection unit connected to one end of the flow path, and by means of a pipette chip inserted into the liquid injection unit of the detection chip, the liquid in the liquid injection unit is aspirated to remove the liquid in the flow path. Subsequently, the pipette chip is made to carry out a reciprocating motion two or more times along the axial direction of the pipette chip, and at least one of those times, the fluid in the liquid injection unit is aspirated by the pipette chip. Subsequently, a liquid is injected from the pipette chip into the liquid injection unit, and the liquid is introduced into the flow path.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing liquid from the interior of a flow channel tip, which enables both to reduce the amount of liquid remaining and prevent the time spent removing the liquid from being longer than necessary. The method comprises: suctioning a liquid within a flow channel, the liquid being suctioned into the interior of a liquid suction implement inserted into a first through-hole of a flow channel tip; and removing the liquid within the flow channel This method comprises: a first suction step for suctioning some of the liquid within the flow channel at a first suction speed; and a second suction step for suctioning the liquid remaining within the flow channel at a second suction speed that is less than the first suction speed, the second suction step being performed in continuation from the first suction step.

Abstract: In a detection method, a first pressure within a pipette tip is measured when air is sucked into or expelled from the leading end of the pipette tip in a state where the leading end of the pipette tip and a reference part of a solid are separated. A second pressure within the pipette tip is measured when air is sucked into or expelled from the leading end of the pipette tip in a state where the leading end of the pipette tip and the reference part of the solid are closer than in the first step. After the first step and second step, the position of the leading end of the pipette tip in relation to the reference part is detected on the basis of the difference between the first pressure measured in the first step and the second pressure measured in the second step.

Abstract: An antigen detection method using sandwich immunoassay includes a first reaction step of preparing a sensor chip, which includes a fine flow channel in which a reaction zone having an antigen-capturing antibody immobilized thereon is arranged, a liquid discharge/suction section and a liquid-mixing section, and subsequently feeding thereto a sample liquid so as to allow the antigen-capturing antibody to capture a target; and a second reaction step of allowing a labeling liquid containing a labeling antibody to flow into the fine flow channel so as to label the target. In the antigen detection method, the labeling liquid does not reach the liquid-mixing section. According to the antigen detection method, the accuracy and the repeatability of the target measurement can be improved.