Abstract: An apparatus includes a system for guiding chemiluminescence and a system for preventing a variation in dark currents. The apparatus includes a first light shielding BOX having a sample container holder and a shutter unit therein, the shutter unit including a top plate which is partly formed by a movement of a plate member, and a second light shielding BOX having a photodetector therein. While a measurement is not implemented, the shutter unit is closed to block entrance of stray light to the photodetector, and while a measurement is implemented, the plate member is moved to open the shutter unit, and the tip of the photodetector is inserted into a through hole formed in the top plate, so that the distance between the bottom of the sample container and a sensitive area of the photodetector is reduced to several millimeters or less.

Abstract: The sample container has a two-layer membrane filter comprising a first layer as an upper layer serving as a hydrophilic membrane filter and a hydrophobic membrane filter as an underlying second layer capable of filtering an aqueous solution without the use of a wetting agent and by means of a formed negative pressure. Using this sample container, a large amount of an aqueous sample solution is filtered by means of a negative pressure formed by a suction portion to capture microbes in the aqueous sample solution by the hydrophilic membrane filter. Then, the negative pressure is restored to normal pressure, and a microbial dissolution solution is then added to the membrane filter to retain the microbial dissolution solution for a given time on the hydrophobic membrane filter. Then, the microbial dissolution solution is dispensed to a reaction container containing a luminescent reagent, and luminescence is detected to detect the microbes.

Abstract: In order to make a process of capturing and testing air-borne microorganisms more convenient and quick, a capturing device which comprises the capturing carrier comprising a polymer which is in a gel phase at the time of capturing the microorganisms but undergoes a phase transition under heating to a sol phase at the temperature at or less than 40° C. (especially in the temperature range between 15° C. and 37° C.), and a vessel to contain the capturing carrier is used. Further, by comprising a test reagent in the polymer, the test reagent can be eluted upon said phase transition from a gel phase to a sol phase. By heating the capturing carrier, a phase transition to a sol phase can occur at or less than 40° C. As such, since recovery of microorganisms and addition of a test reagent to the microorganisms can be carried out simultaneously, the process can be simplified and the process time can be shortened.

Abstract: The sample container has a two-layer membrane filter comprising a first layer as an upper layer serving as a hydrophilic membrane filter and a hydrophobic membrane filter as an underlying second layer capable of filtering an aqueous solution without the use of a wetting agent and by means of a formed negative pressure. Using this sample container, a large amount of an aqueous sample solution is filtered by means of a negative pressure formed by a suction portion to capture microbes in the aqueous sample solution by the hydrophilic membrane filter. Then, the negative pressure is restored to normal pressure, and a microbial dissolution solution is then added to the membrane filter to retain the microbial dissolution solution for a given time on the hydrophobic membrane filter. Then, the microbial dissolution solution is dispensed to a reaction container containing a luminescent reagent, and luminescence is detected to detect the microbes.

Abstract: The sample container has a two-layer membrane filter comprising a first layer as an upper layer serving as a hydrophilic membrane filter and a hydrophobic membrane filter as an underlying second layer capable of filtering an aqueous solution without the use of a wetting agent and by means of a formed negative pressure. Using this sample container, a large amount of an aqueous sample solution is filtered by means of a negative pressure formed by a suction portion to capture microbes in the aqueous sample solution by the hydrophilic membrane filter. Then, the negative pressure is restored to normal pressure, and a microbial dissolution solution is then added to the membrane filter to retain the microbial dissolution solution for a given time on the hydrophobic membrane filter. Then, the microbial dissolution solution is dispensed to a reaction container containing a luminescent reagent, and luminescence is detected to detect the microbes.

Abstract: A reagent splitting/dispensing method based on a reagent dispensing nozzle controls a split or dispensation amount of reagent, includes a waiting process of disposing a first air layer between an interface of the operation fluid and a nozzle tip end in the reagent dispensing nozzle; a first moving process of moving the reagent dispensing nozzle to a position above the reagent to be split; a second moving process of depositing the nozzle tip end in the reagent; an air layer adjusting process of increasing the occupation amount of the operation fluid in the reagent dispensing nozzle and decreasing the occupation amount of the first air layer, between the first moving process and the second moving process; and a reagent splitting process of decreasing the occupation amount of the operation fluid in the reagent dispensing nozzle and filling the reagent into the reagent dispensing nozzle from the nozzle tip end.

Abstract: Provided is a device for capturing object, wherein a carrier which captures substances to be detected and is made to be dividable into plural portions, is placed with the plural dividable portions arranged in sections. The carrier includes a count analysis carrier and an identification analysis carrier respectively arranged in sections in a first dish half and a second dish half which are obtained by dividing a capturing dish.

Abstract: The present invention enables liquid suction with a nozzle tip end in contact with a bottom surface of a container without causing damage to the nozzle and/or the bottom surface of the container. Plural rails 112 are disposed on an arm 101 movable three-dimensionally so as to extend upward from the arm 101, and a pipe 102 is fixed to a pipe fixing member 103 movable along the rails. A tip end of the pipe functions as a nozzle. Plural resilient members 114 are disposed on the arm so as to correct the inclination of the pipe fixing member. When the arm is moved downward and the tip end of the pipe comes in contact with the bottom of the container 106, the pipe and the pipe fixing portion move upward along the rails, so that the tip end of the pipe can be brought into contact with the bottom surface of the container while avoiding damages in the pipe and bottom of the container and suck liquid in the container in this state.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a reagent splitting/dispensing device and method that can prevent contamination of an operation fluid when a reagent dispensing nozzle is in a waiting state and prevent falling of a droplet. The reagent splitting/dispensing method includes disposing and adjusting an air layer between an interface of an operation fluid and a reagent aspirated and subsequently dispensed from a nozzle tip end in an reagent dispensing nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a system for guiding chemiluminescence and a system for preventing a variation in dark currents. The apparatus includes a first light shielding BOX having a sample container holder and a shutter unit therein, the shutter unit including a top plate which is partly formed by a movement of a plate member, and a second light shielding BOX having a photodetector therein. While a measurement is not implemented, the shutter unit is closed to block entrance of stray light to the photodetector, and while a measurement is implemented, the plate member is moved to open the shutter unit, and the tip of the photodetector is inserted into a through hole formed in the top plate, so that the distance between the bottom of the sample container and a sensitive area of the photodetector is reduced to several millimeters or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a luminescence measuring apparatus for detecting, at high sensitivity and high accuracy, chemoluminescence and bioluminescence of a substance contained in a sample. Specifically, the present invention provides an apparatus for measuring an amount of luminescence in a sample, comprising: a container for the sample; a photodetector for detecting luminescence from the container; and at least one optical filter inserted between the photodetector and the container, and/or a pH modifier added to the container, wherein the photodetector performs measurement of light emitted from the container at all wavelength regions and spectrometry at a specific wavelength range, and/or measurement of light, the intensity of which is changed by the pH modifier. The present invention also relates to a microbe counting apparatus based on luminescence detection of ATP in a viable microbial cell.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a system for guiding chemiluminescence and a system for preventing a variation in dark currents. The apparatus includes a first light shielding BOX having a sample container holder and a shutter unit therein, the shutter unit including a top plate which is partly formed by a movement of a plate member, and a second light shielding BOX having a photodetector therein. While a measurement is not implemented, the shutter unit is closed to block entrance of stray light to the photodetector, and while a measurement is implemented, the plate member is moved to open the shutter unit, and the tip of the photodetector is inserted into a through hole formed in the top plate, so that the distance between the bottom of the sample container and a sensitive area of the photodetector is reduced to several millimeters or less.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a system for guiding chemiluminescence and a system for preventing a variation in dark currents. The apparatus includes a first light shielding BOX having a sample container holder and a shutter unit therein, the shutter unit including a top plate which is partly formed by a movement of a plate member, and a second light shielding BOX having a photodetector therein. While a measurement is not implemented, the shutter unit is closed to block entrance of stray light to the photodetector, and while a measurement is implemented, the plate member is moved to open the shutter unit, and the tip of the photodetector is inserted into a through hole formed in the top plate, so that the distance between the bottom of the sample container and a sensitive area of the photodetector is reduced to several millimeters or less.

Abstract: A disposable microbe-collecting carrier cartridge and a carrier treating apparatus which efficiently convert microbes collected on a carrier into a solution and prevent variations in the amount of retrieval of microbes upon concentration on a filter are provided. A cartridge formed of an upper lid having a plurality of through holes, a container in an inverted-cone shape having both of a liquid storage sink unit having a filter at the bottom and an air suction path, and a support base for setting up a thermoplastic carrier, such as gelatin, and a carrier treating apparatus formed of a dispensing nozzle for liquid supply, a liquid supply mechanism, a liquid heating mechanism, and a suction pump for filtration are prepared. Warm water is supplied onto the filter set up on a bottom surface of the inverted-cone-shaped container and is stored in the liquid storage sink, thereby causing the carrier to make contact with the warm water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reagent splitting/dispensing method that can prevent contamination of an operation fluid when a reagent dispensing nozzle is in a waiting state and prevent falling of a droplet.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a system for guiding chemiluminescence and a system for preventing a variation in dark currents. The apparatus includes a first light shielding BOX having a sample container holder and a shutter unit therein, the shutter unit including a top plate which is partly formed by a movement of a plate member, and a second light shielding BOX having a photodetector therein. While a measurement is not implemented, the shutter unit is closed to block entrance of stray light to the photodetector, and while a measurement is implemented, the plate member is moved to open the shutter unit, and the tip of the photodetector is inserted into a through hole formed in the top plate, so that the distance between the bottom of the sample container and a sensitive area of the photodetector is reduced to several millimeters or less.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a system for guiding chemiluminescence and a system for preventing a variation in dark currents. The apparatus includes a first light shielding BOX having a sample container holder and a shutter unit therein, the shutter unit including a top plate which is partly formed by a movement of a plate member and a second light shielding BOX having a photodetector therein. While a measurement is not implemented, the shutter unit is closed to block entrance of stray light to the photodetector, and while a measurement is implemented, the plate member is moved to open the shutter unit, and the tip of the photodetector is inserted into a through hole formed in the top plate, so that the distance between the bottom of the sample container and a sensitive area of the photodetector is reduced to several millimeters or less.

Abstract: The sample container has a two-layer membrane filter comprising a first layer as an upper layer serving as a hydrophilic membrane filter and a hydrophobic membrane filter as an underlying second layer capable of filtering an aqueous solution without the use of a wetting agent and by means of a formed negative pressure. Using this sample container, a large amount of an aqueous sample solution is filtered by means of a negative pressure formed by a suction portion to capture microbes in the aqueous sample solution by the hydrophilic membrane filter. Then, the negative pressure is restored to normal pressure, and a microbial dissolution solution is then added to the membrane filter to retain the microbial dissolution solution for a given time on the hydrophobic membrane filter. Then, the microbial dissolution solution is dispensed to a reaction container containing a luminescent reagent, and luminescence is detected to detect the microbes.

Abstract: In order to make a process of capturing and testing air-borne microorganisms more convenient and quick, a capturing device which comprises the capturing carrier comprising a polymer which is in a gel phase at the time of capturing the microorganisms but undergoes a phase transition under heating to a sol phase at the temperature at or less than 40° C. (especially in the temperature range between 15° C. and 37° C.), and a vessel to contain the capturing carrier is used. Further, by comprising a test reagent in the polymer, the test reagent can be eluted upon said phase transition from a gel phase to a sol phase. By heating the capturing carrier, a phase transition to a sol phase can occur at or less than 40° C. As such, since recovery of microorganisms and addition of a test reagent to the microorganisms can be carried out simultaneously, the process can be simplified and the process time can be shortened.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a system for guiding chemiluminescence and a system for preventing a variation in dark currents. The apparatus includes a first light shielding BOX having a sample container holder and a shutter unit therein, the shutter unit including a top plate which is partly formed by a movement of a plate member and a second light shielding BOX having a photodetector therein. While a measurement is not implemented, the shutter unit is closed to block entrance of stray light to the photodetector, and while a measurement is implemented, the plate member is moved to open the shutter unit and the tip of the photodetector is inserted into a through hole formed in the top plate, so that the distance between the bottom of the sample container and a sensitive area of the photodetector is reduced to several millimeters or less.