Abstract: A method for producing biochemical analysis data includes the steps of collecting light selectively released from a plurality of light releasable regions two-dimensionally formed to be spaced apart from each other in a sample placed on a sample stage by a plurality of light guide member each of which is disposed to face one of the plurality of light releasable regions, leading the thus collected light to a light detector and photoelectrically detecting the light by the light detector. According to this method, it is possible to produce biochemical analysis data having high quantitative characteristics by photoelectrically detecting light emitted from a plurality of light releasable regions even in the case where the plurality of light releasable regions labeled with a labeling substance are formed in a sample at a high density.

Abstract: A biochemical analysis unit includes a substrate made of a material capable of attenuating radiation energy and/or light energy and formed with a plurality of holes, and a plurality of absorptive regions formed by forming an absorptive region in every hole. According to the thus constituted biochemical analysis unit, even in the case where the absorptive regions are formed at a high density, when a stimulable phosphor layer formed on a stimulable phosphor sheet is exposed to a radioactive labeling substance contained in the plurality of absorptive regions, electron beams (? rays) released from the radioactive labeling substance contained in the individual absorptive regions are reliably prevented from being scattered in the substrate and advancing to regions of the stimulable phosphor layer that should be exposed to electron beams released from absorptive regions formed in neighboring holes.

Abstract: A method for conducting a receptor-ligand association reaction includes the steps of dipping a biochemical analysis unit including a substrate formed with a plurality of absorptive regions which contain receptors or ligands and are formed to be spaced apart from each other in a reaction solution containing a ligand or receptor labeled with a labeling substance, simultaneously inserting a plurality of electrodes into all of the plurality of absorptive regions containing the receptors or ligands and sequentially applying a positive voltage to one of the electrodes at a time while other electrodes are grounded, thereby conducting a receptor-ligand association reaction. According to the this method, it is possible to efficiently react a ligand or receptor with receptors or ligands fixed in the plurality of absorptive regions of the biochemical analysis unit and produce biochemical analysis data having an excellent quantitative characteristic with good repeatability.

Abstract: A biochemical analysis data producing method includes the steps of selectively storing one of radiation energy and light energy in a plurality of stimulable phosphor layer regions two-dimensionally formed in a support of a stimulable phosphor sheet and spaced apart from each other, moving the stimulable phosphor sheet and a stimulating ray relative to each other in a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction, sequentially irradiating the plurality of stimulable phosphor layer regions so that energy of the stimulating ray projected onto the plurality of stimulable phosphor layer regions per unit area is higher than that projected on regions other than the plurality of stimulable phosphor layer regions, thereby exciting stimulable phosphor contained in the plurality of stimulable phosphor layer regions, and photoelectrically detecting stimulated emission released from the stimulable phosphor layer to produce biochemical analysis data.

Abstract: A toxicity testing apparatus for testing toxicity of a sample with respect to a cell stack culture comprises an incubator for incubating at least one cell stack culture, a culture medium exchanger for exchanging a culture medium for the cell stack culture, a sample dispenser for adding the sample to the cell stack culture, and a detector for detecting an effect of the sample with respect to the cell stack culture.

Abstract: A flow cell device is incorporated in the sensor unit for surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay. A box shaped flow cell body has a lower surface, and is disposed in contact of the lower surface with a sensing surface for detecting reaction of sample. Two flow channels are formed in the flow cell body, for flow of the sample. Each of the flow channels include a fluid passageway, formed in the lower surface, for flow of the sample in contact with the sensing surface. Two end cavities are formed in an upper surface of the flow cell body and open therein, to extend from ends of the fluid passageway. The flow channels are arranged adjacent to one another, disposed to extend in a direction of the flow. Fluid passageways of the flow channels are overlapped partially on one another in a flow cell longitudinal direction of the flow cell body.

Abstract: A biochemical analysis data producing method includes the steps of selectively storing one of radiation energy and light energy in a plurality of stimulable phosphor layer regions two-dimensionally formed in a support of a stimulable phosphor sheet and spaced apart from each other, moving the stimulable phosphor sheet and a stimulating ray relative to each other in a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction, sequentially irradiating the plurality of stimulable phosphor layer regions so that energy of the stimulating ray projected onto the plurality of stimulable phosphor layer regions per unit area is higher than that projected on regions other than the plurality of stimulable phosphor layer regions, thereby exciting stimulable phosphor contained in the plurality of stimulable phosphor layer regions, and photoelectrically detecting stimulated emission released from the stimulable phosphor layer to produce biochemical analysis data.

Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay apparatus has a sample recovery device for recovering a bindable sample, which is obtained from a sample by causing a sample fluid of the sample to contact an immobilization film provided with a ligand immobilized thereon, and by binding the sample with the ligand. A recovery stage is loaded with a sensor unit for assay in a removable manner. The sensor unit includes a prism overlaid with the immobilization film, and a flow cell, secured to the prism, and having a flow channel for introducing the sample fluid to the immobilization film. A dispensing head has a pipette assembly for fluid dispensation and aspiration, for accessing the recovery stage, a delivery reservoir for storing the sample fluid, and a collection reservoir for recovering the bindable sample removed from the flow channel.

Abstract: A sensor unit of a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay system includes a transparent dielectric medium. A thin film has a first surface and a sensing surface. The first surface is connected with the dielectric medium to constitute an interface. The sensing surface is back to the first surface, for detecting (bio)chemical reaction. A flow cell block has a flow channel for flowing of the sample to the sensing surface. Attenuated total reflection of illuminating light is checked at the interface, to analyze interaction between ligand and analyte as samples. The flow channel includes a first inner surface, disposed opposite to the sensing surface to extend along, for passing the sample to flow between. The first inner surface has a height, defined with reference to the sensing surface, and in a range of 200-500 microns.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sensor utilizing attenuated total reflection. The sensor is constructed of a measuring chip, an optical system, and a measuring section. The measuring chip is equipped with a dielectric block, a thin film layer formed on the dielectric block, and a liquid-sample holding portion for holding a liquid sample. The optical system is used to make a light beam enter the dielectric block at various angles of incidence so that a total internal reflection condition is satisfied at an interface between the dielectric block and the thin film layer. The measuring section measures the state of attenuated total reflection, based on the intensity of the light beam totally reflected at the interface. The liquid-sample holding portion has an opening at its top surface. The sensor further has a lid supply mechanism for placing a lid on the opening to prevent evaporation of the liquid sample.

Abstract: Bonding data regarding a great number of combinations of ligands and analytes are obtained within a short amount of time. Management of the bonding data and the corresponding analyte is automatically performed. A ligand solution is supplied to a thin film layer of a measurement unit, prior to measurement by a measuring apparatus that utilizes attenuated total reflection. The measuring unit is held within a mounting space of a ligand immobilizing device, while a ligand in the ligand solution is being immobilized on the measuring unit. A specified analyte solution is removed from an analyte storage section of an analyte library, and supplied to the measuring apparatus prior to measurement. Following measurement, analyte data regarding the specified analyte solution, and bonding data obtained by a bonding data obtaining section are correlated with each other, recorded, and displayed.

Abstract: Evaluation of an amount of immobilized sample in a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) immunoassay is provided. To immobilize the sample, a sensor unit has a sensing surface. The sensor unit includes a transparent dielectric medium, and a metal film having the sensing surface. The metal film is connected with the dielectric medium for constituting a metal/dielectric interface. The sensing surface is adapted to sensing reaction of the sample. Then illuminating light reflected by the metal/dielectric interface is received with a photo detector such as a CCD upon applying the illuminating light to the metal/dielectric interface, to detect attenuation of the illuminating light and output a detection signal thereof. The evaluated amount of the sample immobilized on the sensing surface is evaluated according to the detection signal. Before immobilization, the sensor unit is tested for the photo detector to output an initial detection signal, which is considered for the evaluation.

Abstract: An assay apparatus is loaded with a sensor unit as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor, which includes a transparent dielectric medium and thin film. A first surface of the thin film is a thin film/dielectric interface. Its sensing surface causes reaction of sample fluid. An optical assay unit assays reaction of the sample fluid by detecting illuminating light reflected by the interface. Measured data from the optical assay unit is compared with a reference parameter, to evaluate suitability of the measured data for analysis. If lack of the suitability is estimated in the evaluation, a succeeding density of the sample fluid to be used in a succeeding evaluating assay is determined according to the measured data with the estimated lack of the suitability. The sample fluid is prepared at the succeeding density by mixing with diluent fluid, and then is used for the succeeding evaluating assay.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for measuring the dissociation rate coefficient (Kd) by surface plasmon resonance analysis without measuring the theoretical maximum amount of binding (Rmax). The present invention provides a method for measuring the dissociation rate coefficient (Kd) of the reaction between an analyte molecule immobilized on a metal surface and a molecule that interacts with the analyte molecule by assaying changes in surface plasmon resonance signals using a surface plasmon resonance measurement device, wherein the signal and the slope of the dissociation curve of the surface plasmon resonance signal curves, or the signal ratio are used to calculate the dissociation rate coefficient (Kd).