Abstract: In an assay apparatus for performing an assay related to a specimen received from the outside thereof based on a reaction between the specimen and a reagent by using a reaction container that holds the reagent, the apparatus includes a detection means that detects a state in which an assay has ended before completion, and a mark providing means that provides a predetermined mark for the reaction container when the state in which the assay has ended before completion is detected by the detection means.

Abstract: A method is provided which is capable of efficiently taking most of a precious sample into an extraction vessel without wasting when the sample is extracted from a collection section of a sampling rod. The method includes the steps of collecting a sample using a sampling rod formed of a rod body and a collection section attached to the rod body, inserting the sampling rod into the extraction vessel, placing the rod body in a gap formed in a grappling hook section which is disposed in an insertion path of the sampling rod, the gap having a width smaller than a diameter of the collection section and being capable of receiving the rod body, withdrawing the rod body with the rod body being placed in the gap and detaching the collection section from the rod body by hooking the collection section to the grappling hook section.

Abstract: A chromatographic measurement apparatus for measuring a color development state of an insoluble carrier with a sample solution and a label solution developed thereon to test a test article, the insoluble carrier including a test detection area where a material that binds specifically to a test article is immobilized and a control detection area used for determining an end of measurement. The chromatographic measurement apparatus includes: a determining unit for carrying out determination of validity and determination of necessity of amplification of a test result of the test article; and an amplifying unit for amplifying the color development state according to the result of the determination of necessity of amplification by the determining unit. The amplification is carried out only when it is determined that amplification is necessary.

Abstract: A coloration state of a test region is read out as image density values by a readout device. A calculation is made to find a similarity degree between template information for the test region, which template information represents a state of coloration of the test region, and which has been stored previously in a pattern storing device, and the coloration state of the test region, which coloration state has been read out by the readout device. An analysis of an analyte is performed by a judgment device in accordance with the similarity degree, which has been calculated.

Abstract: A method is provided which is capable of efficiently taking most of a precious sample into an extraction vessel without wasting when the sample is extracted from a collection section of a sampling rod. The method includes the steps of collecting a sample using a sampling rod formed of a rod body and a collection section attached to the rod body, inserting the sampling rod into the extraction vessel, placing the rod body in a gap formed in a grappling hook section which is disposed in an insertion path of the sampling rod, the gap having a width smaller than a diameter of the collection section and being capable of receiving the rod body, withdrawing the rod body with the rod body being placed in the gap and detaching the collection section from the rod body by hooking the collection section to the grappling hook section.

Abstract: Testing of a test article based on a color development state of a test area is achieved in an easy manner. A sample is deposited on a spreading layer of a test piece, and the test piece is loaded in a loading port of a chromatographic analysis apparatus. After a preset time has elapsed, color development states of the test area and a control area in an observation window are read as an image. A preprocessing unit applies preprocessing to the image, and then, spatial frequency components of the image are calculated. Then, pattern information is generated based on the spatial frequency components, and the pattern information is displayed on an information output unit.

Abstract: A chromatographic measurement apparatus for measuring a color development state of an insoluble carrier with a sample solution and a label solution developed thereon to test a test article, the insoluble carrier including a test detection area where a material that binds specifically to a test article is immobilized and a control detection area used for determining an end of measurement. The chromatographic measurement apparatus includes: a determining unit for carrying out determination of validity and determination of necessity of amplification of a test result of the test article; and an amplifying unit for amplifying the color development state according to the result of the determination of necessity of amplification by the determining unit. The amplification is carried out only when it is determined that amplification is necessary.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a porous filter cartridge that hardly involves the contamination problem, provides an economic advantage, and is able to achieve efficient filtration and extraction without breaking. The object is accomplished by a porous filter cartridge including a bottomed cylindrical cap 5 with an outlet opening 29 at the bottom and a porous filter held inside the cap 5 on the bottom. At the bottom of the cap 5 a plurality of ribs 35, 37, and 39 are arranged radially about the outlet opening 29 in a standing condition to support the porous filter. At least some of the ribs are connected to each other at the center of the outlet opening 29 to span the outlet opening 29 to form a junction 43. The junction 43 has a top surface 41 convex to the porous filter side.

Abstract: A cartridge retaining mechanism equipped in a nucleic acid extracting apparatus for extracting a nucleic acid, the cartridge retaining mechanism comprising: a cartridge having a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and the bottom is shaped in a funnel shape; a nucleic acid-adsorbing solid carrier that traps a nucleic acid, and the nucleic acid-adsorbing solid carrier is disposed at the bottom of the cartridge; and a cartridge retaining member that retains the cartridge, wherein the cartridge retaining member comprises: a supporting part that supports the cartridge; and a pressure-proof retaining part that is attached to an open end of the cartridge, and wherein the pressure-proof retaining part has a nozzle receiving opening, onto which a pressure nozzle of the nucleic acid extracting apparatus is pressed, and wherein the cartridge is retained between the supporting part and the pressure-proof retaining part upon pressing the pressure nozzle onto the nozzle receiving opening.

Abstract: A cartridge retaining mechanism equipped in a nucleic acid extracting apparatus for extracting a nucleic acid, the cartridge retaining mechanism comprising: a cartridge having a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and the bottom is shaped in a funnel shape; a nucleic acid-adsorbing solid carrier that traps a nucleic acid, and the nucleic acid-adsorbing solid carrier is disposed at the bottom of the cartridge; and a cartridge retaining member that retains the cartridge, wherein the cartridge retaining member comprises: a supporting part that supports the cartridge; and a pressure-proof retaining part that is attached to an open end of the cartridge, and wherein the pressure-proof retaining part has a nozzle receiving opening, onto which a pressure nozzle of the nucleic acid extracting apparatus is pressed, and wherein the cartridge is retained between the supporting part and the pressure-proof retaining part upon pressing the pressure nozzle onto the nozzle receiving opening.

Abstract: A cartridge retaining mechanism equipped in a nucleic acid extracting apparatus for extracting a nucleic acid, the mechanism comprising: a cartridge that comprises: a cartridge main body that has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and the bottom is shaped in a funnel shape; a nucleic acid-adsorbing solid carrier that traps a nucleic acid, and the carrier is disposed at the bottom; and a cartridge cap that is detachably mounted on an open end of the cartridge main body, a supporting part that supports the cartridge; and a pressure-proof retaining part that pushes the cartridge cap, wherein a cylindrical rib with a diameter smaller than a diameter of the cartridge main body is formed on an upper plane of the cartridge cap so that the cylindrical rib protrudes from the upper plane; a nozzle-receiving opening to which a pressure nozzle is pressed is formed at the cylindrical rib; and an aperture through which the cylindrical rib is inserted is formed in the pressure-proof retaining part, and wherein when the pres

Abstract: The apparatus for extracting nucleic acid includes a cartridge holder 61 which holds nucleic acid extraction cartridges 11, a container holder 62 which holds waste liquid containers 12 and recovering containers 13 and a container holding table 63 which holds the cartridge holder 61 and the container holder 62, the container holding table 63 is attachable to and detachable from an apparatus main body 2 with the cartridge holder 61 holding the nucleic acid extraction cartridges and the container holder 62 holding the waste liquid containers and the recovering containers held by the container holding table 63.

Abstract: A paper holder is attachable to a recording paper storage chamber of a printer. The paper holder has a loading lid to cover a part of the recording paper storage chamber. And a press mechanism to press the rolled recording paper to a paper-supply roller is incorporated. The press mechanism consists of a first press plate and a second press plate. In receipt of a slight urge by a torsion coil spring, the first press plate presses the rolled recording paper to the paper-supply roller. On closing the loading lid of the recording paper storage chamber, the hold-down section of the loading lid presses the second press plate, which compresses a compression spring with the first press plate, to apply its counterforce to the first press plate.

Abstract: A roll holder device is for use with a recording paper roll including a tubular spool shaft and continuous recording paper wound about the tubular spool shaft in a roll form. In the roll holder device, first and second holder cores are inserted in respectively first and second ends of the tubular spool shaft. A holder frame supports the first and second holder cores in a rotatable manner. Anti-dropping levers prevent the tubular spool shaft from dropping from the first and second holder cores by pushing a shaft inner surface of the tubular spool shaft.

Abstract: A cartridge retaining mechanism equipped in a nucleic acid extracting apparatus for extracting a nucleic acid, the mechanism comprising: a cartridge that comprises: a cartridge main body that has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and the bottom is shaped in a funnel shape; a nucleic acid-adsorbing solid carrier that traps a nucleic acid, and the carrier is disposed at the bottom; and a cartridge cap that is detachably mounted on an open end of the cartridge main body, a supporting part that supports the cartridge; and a pressure-proof retaining part that pushes the cartridge cap, wherein a cylindrical rib with a diameter smaller than a diameter of the cartridge main body is formed on an upper plane of the cartridge cap so that the cylindrical rib protrudes from the upper plane; a nozzle-receiving opening to which a pressure nozzle is pressed is formed at the cylindrical rib; and an aperture through which the cylindrical rib is inserted is formed in the pressure-proof retaining part, and wherein when the pres

Abstract: The apparatus for extracting nucleic acid includes a cartridge holder 61 which holds nucleic acid extraction cartridges 11, a container holder 62 which holds waste liquid containers 12 and recovering containers 13 and a container holding table 63 which holds the cartridge holder 61 and the container holder 62, the container holding table 63 is attachable to and detachable from an apparatus main body 2 with the cartridge holder 61 holding the nucleic acid extraction cartridges and the container holder 62 holding the waste liquid containers and the recovering containers held by the container holding table 63.