Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of detecting a polymorphism site. According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising (1) reacting a test sample containing a polymorphism site with at least one type of probe which is capable of binding to the polymorphism site of the test sample with a high affinity and labeled with a marker substance, and (2) optically measuring and analyzing a positional change of the marker substance at a plurality of time points in the course of the reaction, thereby detecting the polymorphism site.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a probe array for detection comprising at least one stereo-substrate and plural kinds of probes immobilized on the surface of the stereo-substrate, wherein the probes are respectively and specifically bonded with target materials which differ every kind.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of detecting a polymorphism site. According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising (1) reacting a test sample containing a polymorphism site with at least one type of probe which is capable of binding to the polymorphism site of the test sample with a high affinity and labeled with a marker substance, and (2) optically measuring and analyzing a positional change of the marker substance at a plurality of time points in the course of the reaction, thereby detecting the polymorphism site.

Abstract: A reaction kit is provided with a reaction zone of suitable cross-sectional area to aspirate a sample by capillarity and a transparent plate with a flat surface in at least part of the reaction zone, and a supporting base to incline the reaction zone at a specified angle. The reaction zone is normally a space formed by two opposite transparent plates and spacers inserted between these two transparent plates. A supporting base may be molded separately, the transparent plates and spacers being set on the base at the time of measurement, or alternatively the base may be molded integrally with at least one of the plates defining the reaction zone. Further, substances with specificity such as antigens or antibodies may be coated on a surface in the reaction zone.

Abstract: A reaction apparatus with sample inlet channel of suitable cross-sectional area for aspirating a sample into the interior of the apparatus by capillarity, a recess provided on the inner wall of the sample inlet channel, and a transparent plate with a flat surface arranged opposite the recess. The recess has sloping walls, and may for example, have a conical or hemispherical form. The recess may moreover be a V-shaped or U-shaped groove. Further, the inner wall of the recess may be coated with antibodies or antigens.

Abstract: A device and a method for fusing biological cells. The device is formed by a chamber having a tube for containing a cell suspension and a cover for sealing the tube. The chamber is provided with a lower electrode having a smooth and flat surface for contacting the cells precipitating in the cell suspension, and an upper electrode opposite to the lower electrode. The lower electrode forms the inner bottom surface of the tube. The upper electrode is inserted in the cover to enter the tube. The chamber is centrifuged to form the layers of cells on the lower electrode at the bottom of the tube. Then, a predetermined ac voltage is applied across the upper and lower electrodes to fuse the cells efficiently. Such a device and method are useful for the production of monoclonal antibodies or giant cells.

Abstract: An immunoassay device and a method of performing immunoassay using this immunoassay device are disclosed. The immunoassay device includes a plate substrate having a flat surface, a plurality of adjacent projections projecting on the flat surface of the plate substrate, and a plurality of immunoreaction regions formed by applying and fixing immunoassay reagents to and in flat regions defined by the adjacent projections. The immunoreaction regions are spaced apart from each other and have surface levels equal to or higher than a surface level of the plate substrate. The immunoassay device is used to simultaneously perform various types of immunoassay and requires a simple washing for immunoassay. Specimens do not flow out from the plate or mix with each other, and safe, accurate immunoassay can be performed.

Abstract: In a method of photoelectrically judging a particle agglutination pattern formed on a conical bottom surface of a reaction vessel by particles descending upon the bottom surface, at least two judging steps utilizing a total particle amount, a thickness ratio, an inclination and so on are applied to the particle agglutination pattern to judge finally the pattern as one of an integral pattern (-), an intermediate pattern (?) and a uniform deposition pattern (+). In this manner, since all the inaccurate patterns are judged finally as the intermediate pattern (?) and are re-examined, it is possible to always perform an accurate judgment for the particle agglutination pattern.

Abstract: A reaction vessel having a ring-shaped flat bottom portion and a conically inclined bottom portion is used to detect a particle agglutination reaction. Image of particle patterns formed on the flat bottom portion, middle and lowermost portion of the inclined bottom portion are separately detected by first, second and third light receiving elements to produce first, second and third signals. When the first signal is within a predetermined standard range, the particle agglutination reaction is judged by comparing a difference between the second and third signals with a predetermined upper and lower standard values. Contrary to this, when the first signal is beyond the predetermined range, the judgement for the agglutination reaction is not effected.

Abstract: A partial injection apparatus is adapted to partially inject a required amount of a sample and to control an amount of a diluent to be added therein by partially injecting while detecting concentration of a test fluid which contains the required amount of the sample and the diluent added in the sample so that a desired concentration of the test fluid can be obtained.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting a boundary surface between a blood plasma and a blood corpuscle suspension obtained after centrifuging are disclosed. An impedance across a pair of electrodes is measured by applying an A.C. voltage across the electrodes at such a frequency that impedances of the blood plasma and the blood corpuscle suspension are made greatly different from each other. When the impedance changes abruptly, it is determined that the electrodes have passed through the boundary surface.

Abstract: A plate for use in an immunological analysis on the basis of agglutination reaction of particles, has formed therein a number of reaction vessels each having a conical bottom surface. The plate is formed by molding of chemically resistive acrylic resins. Each vessel has an inclined bottom surface and a plurality of concentric protrusions or depressions are formed in the bottom surface to allow formation of a stable basic layer of settled particles, which basic layer can assure the formation of clear and precise particle patterns on the bottom surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting photoelectrically a particle agglutination pattern formed on a conical bottom surface of a reaction vessel is disclosed. A lamp and a diffusion plate are arranged above the reaction vessel to illuminate the particle pattern and an objective lens and a light detector are arranged underneath the reaction vessel to form an image of the particle pattern on the light detector. In order to prevent a relatively sharp image of the diffusion plate from being formed on the light detector, an optical correction plate having a conical projection formed in its lower surface is arranged immediately below the reaction vessel. The optical correction plate may be secured to a lower surface of the reaction vessel or may be integrally formed with the reaction vessel on its lower surface.

Abstract: A system for discriminating a precipitation pattern of particles comprises a transparent reaction container which has an inverted conical bottom surface. The precipitation pattern of particles of agglutination, non-agglutination and intermediate state between the agglutination and the non-agglutination are formed based on the immunologic agglutination on the bottom surface of the reaction container. The image of the precipitation pattern is projected through a lens to the electric converting element. A first photodetector is disposed at the center of the image projected on the surface of the photoelectric transducer element, four second photodetectors are disposed around the center of the image, and further five third photodetectors are disposed around the second photodetectors. A first detection signal which correspond to the difference of the outputs from the first detector and the one of third detectors is generated from a first subtracting unit.

Abstract: An agglutination analyzing vessel which is provided on at least one portion of a base surface thereof with an inclined surface which is provided on at least one portion thereof with a plurality of engravings regularly arranged and forming a stable state of settling down particles on the inclined base surface.