U.S. patent application number 12/811400 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-11 for flow rate measurement apparatus, antigen concentration measurement apparatus, flow cell, flow rate measurement method, and antigen concentration measuring method.
Invention is credited to Tsuneyuki Haga, Tsuyoshi Hayashi, Tsutomu Horiuchi, Yuzuru Iwasaki, Toru Miura, Michiko Seyama, Jun-ichi Takahashi.
Application Number | 20100285612 12/811400 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40885371 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100285612 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Iwasaki; Yuzuru ; et
al. |
November 11, 2010 |
FLOW RATE MEASUREMENT APPARATUS, ANTIGEN CONCENTRATION MEASUREMENT
APPARATUS, FLOW CELL, FLOW RATE MEASUREMENT METHOD, AND ANTIGEN
CONCENTRATION MEASURING METHOD
Abstract
A flow rate measurement apparatus includes a light oscillator; a
thin metallic film which causes surface plasmon resonance by light
output from the light oscillator; a focusing unit which fixes the
thin metallic film and converts the output light of the light
oscillator into incident light having a plurality of incident
angles to focus the incident light at a location of a focal line in
a straight line shape on the thin metallic film; a measurement part
having antibody fixed areas to which an antibody is fixed and
reference areas to which an antibody is not fixed, the antibody
fixed areas and the reference areas being alternately arranged at a
location along the focal line location on the thin metallic film; a
light receiver which receives reflected light, at the focal line
location, of the output light by surface plasmon resonance
occurring at the focal line location, at each of the plurality of
incident light angles; an SPR angle calculator which obtains a
temporal change of an SPR angle in each of the antibody fixed areas
and the reference areas in the measurement part; and a flow rate
operation unit which calculates the flow rate of the sample flowing
in the flow cell based on the temporal change of the SPR angle
obtained by the SPR angle calculator.
Inventors: |
Iwasaki; Yuzuru; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Horiuchi; Tsutomu; (Tokyo, JP) ; Seyama;
Michiko; (Tokyo, JP) ; Miura; Toru; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Haga; Tsuneyuki; (Tokyo, JP) ;
Takahashi; Jun-ichi; (Tokyo, JP) ; Hayashi;
Tsuyoshi; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 828
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48303
US
|
Family ID: |
40885371 |
Appl. No.: |
12/811400 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
January 15, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2009/050433 |
371 Date: |
July 1, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
436/518 ;
422/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01F 1/704 20130101;
G01P 5/18 20130101; G01N 21/75 20130101; G01F 1/8468 20130101; G01N
21/553 20130101; G01F 1/712 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
436/518 ;
422/69 |
International
Class: |
G01N 33/543 20060101
G01N033/543; G01N 30/96 20060101 G01N030/96 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 16, 2008 |
JP |
2008-006651 |
Jul 17, 2008 |
JP |
2008-186043 |
Claims
1. A flow rate measurement apparatus which measures a flow rate of
a sample flowing in a long flow cell, different antibodies being
arranged in a sample flow direction in the flow cell, the apparatus
comprising: a light oscillator; a thin metallic film which causes
surface plasmon resonance by light output from the light
oscillator; a focusing unit which fixes the thin metallic film and
converts the output light of the light oscillator into incident
light having a plurality of incident angles to focus the incident
light at a location of a focal line in a straight line shape on the
thin metallic film; a measurement part having antibody fixed areas
to which an antibody is fixed and reference areas to which an
antibody is not fixed, the antibody fixed areas and the reference
areas being alternately arranged at a location along the focal line
location on the thin metallic film; a light receiver which receives
reflected light, at the focal line location, of the output light by
surface plasmon resonance occurring at the focal line location, at
each of the plurality of incident light angles; an SPR angle
calculator which obtains a temporal change of an SPR angle in each
of the antibody fixed areas and the reference areas in the
measurement part; and a flow rate operation unit which calculates
the flow rate of the sample flowing in the flow cell based on the
temporal change of the SPR angle obtained by the SPR angle
calculator.
2. The flow rate measurement apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the flow rate operation unit comprises: a waveform shifter
which shifts one of adsorption curves indicating the temporal
change of the SPR angles at two points in either the antibody fixed
area or the reference area with respect to the other in a time
direction; a time difference detector which measures a shift time
at which a difference between the SPR angles at the two points is
smallest; and a flow rate calculator which calculates the flow rate
of the sample in the flow cell by dividing a location between the
two points by the shift time.
3. The flow rate measurement apparatus according to claim 2,
further comprising a waveform differentiation operation unit which
performs time differentiation on the adsorption curves for the two
each points to obtain differential curves, wherein the waveform
shifter shifts one of the differential curves for the two each
points with respect to the other in a time direction, and the time
difference detector measures a shift time at which a difference
between the SPR angles in the differential curves for the two each
points is smallest.
4. The flow rate measurement apparatus according to claim 2,
further comprising a waveform differentiation operation unit which
performs time differentiation on differential data of the SPR
angles, wherein the waveform shifter shifts one of the adsorption
curves for the two each points with respect to each other in a time
direction, and each time the waveform shifter shifts the adsorption
curve, the waveform differentiation operation unit performs the
time differentiation on differential data of the adsorption curves
for the two each points, and the time difference detector measures
a shift time at which the time-differentiated differential data of
SPR angles in the adsorption curves for the two each points is
smallest.
5. The flow rate measurement apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the flow rate operation unit calculates the flow rate of
the sample flowing in the flow cell using Hough conversion.
6. The flow rate measurement apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the antibody, and a sample detection substance having a
refractive index varying by reacting with a substance other than a
substance expected to react with the antibody among substances
contained in the sample are fixed on the thin metallic film, and
the apparatus further comprises: a reaction-result derivation unit
which obtains a resonant angle that is an incident angle at which
reflectivity is smallest based on a correlation between the
incident angle of the incident light and reflectivity of the
reflected light in the antibody, and obtains a reaction amount
between the antibody and the sample detection substance from the
resonant angle; a refractive-index derivation unit which obtains a
resonant angle based on a correlation between the incident angle
and reflectivity in the sample detection substance, and obtains
refractive indices of the sample detection substance and the
substance contained in the reacting sample from the resonant angle;
and a reaction-result correction unit which obtains an amount of
error for the flow rate of the sample from a rate of change of the
refractive index obtained by the refractive-index derivation unit
and obtains a correction amount for the reaction amount obtained by
the reaction-result derivation unit from an amount of error of the
flow rate to correct the reaction amount based on the correction
amount.
7. The flow rate measurement apparatus according to claim 6,
further comprising: a measurement-initiation-signal output unit
which outputs a measurement initiation signal when the resonant
angle is obtained from the correlation between then incident angle
and the reflectivity obtained by the image processor and the sample
beginning to flow on the flow cell is detected from a change of the
resonant angle; and an image acquisition period controller which
iteratively outputs an image acquisition timing signal to instruct
the light receiver to acquire an image, making the period of the
image acquisition timing signal shorter than the normal period
between an output time of the measurement initiation signal and a
predetermined time, and returning the period of the image
acquisition timing signal to the normal period after the
predetermined time lapses.
8. The flow rate measurement apparatus according to claim 6 or 7,
further comprising a storage unit in which the ideal value of the
rate of change of the refractive index, a relationship between the
amount of error of the rate of change and the amount of error for
the flow rate of the sample, and a relationship between the amount
of error of the flow rate and the correction amount are registered
in advance, wherein the reaction-result correction unit obtains an
amount of error between the rate of change of the refractive index
obtained by the refractive-index derivation unit and the ideal
value of the rate of change registered in the storage unit,
acquires the amount of error of the flow rate corresponding to the
amount of error of the rate of change from the storage unit, and
acquires the correction amount corresponding to the amount of error
of the flow rate from the storage unit.
9. An antigen concentration measurement apparatus which measures a
concentration of an antigen contained in a sample, different
antibodies being arranged in a sample flow direction in a long flow
cell, the apparatus comprising: a light oscillator; a thin metallic
film which causes surface plasmon resonance by light output from
the light oscillator, the antibody and a sample detection substance
having a refractive index varying by reacting with a substance
other than antigen expected to react with the antibody among
substances contained in the sample being fixed on the thin metallic
film; a focusing unit which fixes the thin metallic film and
converts the output light of the light oscillator into incident
light having a plurality of incident angles to focus the incident
light at a location of a focal line in a straight line shape on the
thin metallic film; a measurement part having antibody fixed areas
to which an antibody is fixed and reference areas to which an
antibody is not fixed, the antibody fixed areas and the reference
areas being alternately arranged at a location along the focal line
location on the thin metallic film; a light receiver which receives
reflected light, at the focal line location, of the output light by
surface plasmon resonance occurring at the focal line location, at
each of the plurality of incident light angles; an SPR angle
calculator which obtains a temporal change of an SPR angle in each
of the antibody fixed areas and the reference areas in the
measurement part; a flow rate operation unit which calculates a
flow rate of the sample flowing in the flow cell based on the
temporal change of the SPR angle obtained by the SPR angle
calculator; a reaction-result derivation unit which obtains a
resonant angle that is an incident angle at which reflectivity is
smallest based on a correlation between the incident angle of the
incident light and reflectivity of the reflected light in the
antibody, and obtains a reaction amount between the antibody and
the sample detection substance from the resonant angle; a
refractive-index derivation unit which obtains a resonant angle
based on a correlation between the incident angle and reflectivity
in the sample detection substance, and obtains refractive indices
of the sample detection substance and the substance contained in
the reacting sample from the resonant angle; a reaction-result
correction unit which obtains an amount of error for the flow rate
of the sample from a rate of change of the refractive index
obtained by the refractive-index derivation unit and obtains a
correction amount for the reaction amount obtained by the
reaction-result derivation unit from an amount of error of the flow
rate to correct the reaction amount based on the correction amount;
and an antigen concentration calculation unit which calculates a
concentration of the antigen contained in the sample based on the
correction result from the reaction result correction unit.
10. A flow cell for surface plasmon resonance measurement having a
thin metallic film on which an antibody is fixed in a portion
thereof, wherein the antibody and a sample detection substance
having a refractive index varying by reacting with a substance
other than antigen expected to react with the antibody among
substances contained in the sample flowing in the flow cell are
fixed on the thin metallic film.
11. A flow rate measurement method of measuring a flow rate of a
sample flowing in a long flow cell using a flow rate measurement
apparatus comprising: a light oscillator, a thin metallic film
which causes surface plasmon resonance by light output from the
light oscillator; a focusing unit which fixes the thin metallic
film and converts the output light of the light oscillator into
incident light having a plurality of incident angles to focus the
incident light at a location of a focal line in a straight line
shape on the thin metallic film; a measurement part having antibody
fixed areas to which an antibody is fixed and reference areas to
which an antibody is not fixed, the antibody fixed areas and the
reference areas being alternately arranged in the flow cell and the
flow cell being formed at a location along the focal line location
on the thin metallic film; and a light receiver which receives
reflected light, at the focal line location, of the output light by
surface plasmon resonance occurring at the focal line location, at
each of the plurality of incident light angles, the method
comprising: an SPR angle calculation process of obtaining a
temporal change of an SPR angle in each of the antibody fixed areas
and the reference areas in the measurement part; and a flow rate
operation process of calculating the flow rate of the sample
flowing in the flow cell based on the temporal change of the SPR
angle obtained by the SPR angle calculator.
12. A flow rate measurement method of measuring a flow rate of a
sample flowing in a long flow cell using a flow rate measurement
apparatus comprising: a light oscillator; a thin metallic film
which causes surface plasmon resonance by light output from the
light oscillator, the antibody and a sample detection substance
having a refractive index varying by reacting with a substance
other than an antigen expected to react with the antibody among
substances contained in the sample being fixed on the thin metallic
film; a focusing unit which fixes the thin metallic film and
converts the output light of the light oscillator into incident
light having a plurality of incident angles to focus the incident
light at a location of a focal line in a straight line shape on the
thin metallic film; a measurement part having antibody fixed areas
to which an antibody is fixed and reference areas to which an
antibody is not fixed, the antibody fixed areas and the reference
areas being alternately arranged in the flow cell and the flow cell
being formed at a location along the focal line location on the
thin metallic film; and a light receiver which receives reflected
light, at the focal line location, of the output light by surface
plasmon resonance occurring at the focal line location, at each of
the plurality of incident light angles, an antigen concentration
measurement method comprising: an SPR angle calculation process of
obtaining a temporal change of an SPR angle in each of the antibody
fixed areas and the reference areas in the measurement part; a flow
rate operation process of calculating a flow rate of the sample
flowing in the flow cell based on the temporal change of the SPR
angle obtained in the SPR angle calculation process; a
reaction-result derivation process of obtaining a resonant angle
that is an incident angle at which reflectivity is smallest based
on a correlation between the incident angle of the incident light
and reflectivity of the reflected light in the antibody, and
obtaining a reaction amount between the antibody and the sample
detection substance from the resonant angle; a refractive-index
derivation process of obtaining a resonant angle based on a
correlation between the incident angle and reflectivity in the
sample detection substance, and obtaining refractive indices of the
sample detection substance and the substance contained in the
reacting sample from the resonant angle; a reaction-result
correction process of obtaining an amount of error for the flow
rate of the sample from a rate of change of the refractive index
obtained in the refractive-index derivation process and obtaining a
correction amount for the reaction amount obtained in the
reaction-result derivation process from an amount of error of the
flow rate to correct the reaction amount based on the correction
amount; and an antigen concentration calculation process of
calculating a concentration of the antigen contained in the sample
based on the correction result in the reaction result correction
process.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a flow rate measurement
apparatus, an antigen concentration measurement apparatus, a flow
cell, a flow rate measurement method, and an antigen concentration
measurement method.
[0002] The present application claims priority on Japanese Patent
Applications No. 2008-006651 filed on Jan. 16, 2008 and No.
2008-186043 filed on Jul. 17, 2008, the entire contents of which
are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] A method used to detect an antigen concentration includes
forming an antibody fixed film having an antibody attached to a
thin metallic film exposed to a flow path portion of a flow cell,
flowing liquid containing an antigen in the flow cell, detecting
the antigen attached to the antibody, i.e., a change of a
refractive index of the antibody fixed film due to an
antigen-antibody complex using a surface plasmon resonance sensor,
and detecting a concentration of the antigen from a rate of change
of the refractive index (see, for example, Non-Patent Document
1).
[0004] Accordingly, since the rate of change of the refractive
index increases with the antigen concentration, the antigen
concentration is measured from the rate of change.
[0005] A surface plasmon resonance (hereinafter, referred to as
SPR) measurement apparatus has recently been studied as a bio
sensor using light (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In
the antigen concentration measurement apparatus, a device in which
a measured substance, such as an antibody, is fixed on a thin
metallic film, such as gold or silver, is used as a measurement
flow cell. Light is emitted from a surface opposing the antibody of
the flow cell, and an incident angle at which a resonance between
an evanescence wave and a surface plasmon wave occurs is
measured.
[0006] FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration
of a conventional antigen concentration measurement apparatus. The
antigen concentration measurement apparatus has a prism 1001, a
light source 1002, a polarizer 1003, a focusing lens 1004, and a
CCD camera 1005.
[0007] When light radiated from the light source 1002 for
monochromatic light passes through the polarizer 1003, only
P-polarized light passes. This P-polarized light is focused by the
focusing lens 1004 and emitted to the hemispherical prism 1001. A
flow cell 1000 is disposed on an upper surface of the prism 1001,
and the P-polarized light is emitted from a surface opposing the
surface to which a measured substance, such as an antibody, is
fixed. Thus, the P-polarized light is emitted to the flow cell 1000
at an incident angle .theta. via the prism 1001, such that a change
of intensity of reflected light from the flow cell 1000 is detected
by the CCD camera 1005.
[0008] The light radiated from the light source 1002 is converted
into an evanescent wave at an interface between the prism 1001 and
the thin metallic film of the flow cell 1000. Meanwhile, a surface
plasmon wave is generated on a surface of the thin metallic film.
At an incident angle .theta. at which a wave number of the
evanescent wave is coincident with that of the surface plasmon
wave, the evanescent wave is used to excite the surface plasmon
wave and a light amount measured from the reflected light is
reduced.
[0009] In this case, if the intensity of the reflected light is
measured by the CCD camera 1005, degradation of the reflectivity is
observed at an incident angle at which the resonance between the
evanescence wave and the surface plasmon wave occurs, as shown in
FIG. 19. On an incident angle-reflectivity curve indicating a
relationship between the incident angle and the reflectivity, this
is shown as a valley with low reflectivity around the incident
angle at which the resonance between the evanescence wave and the
surface plasmon wave occurs.
[0010] Since the angle at which the resonance between the
evanescence wave and the surface plasmon wave occurs depends on a
refractive index of the measured substance contiguous to the thin
metallic film of the flow cell 1000, when the measured substance
such as an antibody is fixed on the thin metallic film, the
refractive index of the antibody is changed due to coupling with
the antigen, and the angle at which the valley is shown undergoes a
slight change, which can be measured to determine an amount of the
measured substance.
[0011] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application, First
Publication No. 2001-194298
[0012] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 3356213
[0013] Non-Patent Document 1: Milan Mrksich, George B. Sigal, and
George M. Whitesides, "Surface Plasmon Resonance Permits in Situ
Measurement of Protein Adsorption on Self-Assembled Monolayers of
Alkanethiolates on Gold," American Chemical Society, Langmuir,
1995, 11, 4383-4385
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Problem to be Solved by the Invention
[0014] However, in a conventional measurement such as in Non-Patent
Document 1, when different antibodies are fixed in a flow direction
of a flow cell and timings at which a sample flowing in the flow
cell reaches the each antibodies are unknown, accurate antigen
concentration measurement cannot be performed due to the antigen
concentration measurement being detected by a rate of change of the
SPR angle.
[0015] Further, when a CCD camera is used to detect intensity of
reflected light from incident light in order to detect the rate of
change of the SPR angle, noise overlaps according to a frame rate
of the CCD camera, which may make it difficult to identify a
beginning of a change of an antigen-antibody reaction (a change
point of the SPR angle).
[0016] Accordingly, it is necessary to accurately measure the flow
rate of the sample in order to accurately recognize timings at
which the sample reaches each antibodies. However, since a portion
measured at the SPR angle is a portion adjacent to a flow path wall
within 1 .mu.m or less from the metal film and a flow rate
distribution in the flow path is changed with the viscosity of the
sample, and so on, it is impossible to determine an effective flow
rate affecting the SPR angle measurement using only a liquid
transfer mechanism, such as a pump, and it is necessary to measure
the flow rate in the flow path for each SPR angle measurement.
[0017] The present invention has been achieved in view of the above
circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to
provide a flow rate measurement apparatus, an antigen concentration
measurement apparatus, a flow cell, a flow rate measurement method,
and an antigen concentration measurement method that are capable of
accurately measuring the flow rate of the sample in the flow cell
and detecting an antibody area that a sample reaches in an area to
which a plurality of serially arranged antibodies are fixed.
Means for Solving the Problem
[0018] (1) A flow rate measurement apparatus of the present
invention which measures a flow rate of a sample flowing in a long
flow cell, different antibodies being arranged in a sample flow
direction in the flow cell, includes: a light oscillator; a thin
metallic film which causes surface plasmon resonance by light
output from the light oscillator; a focusing unit which fixes the
thin metallic film and converts the output light of the light
oscillator into incident light having a plurality of incident
angles to focus the incident light at a location of a focal line in
a straight line shape on the thin metallic film; a measurement part
having antibody fixed areas to which an antibody is fixed and
reference areas to which an antibody is not fixed, the antibody
fixed areas and the reference areas being alternately arranged at a
location along the focal line location on the thin metallic film; a
light receiver which receives reflected light, at the focal line
location, of the output light by surface plasmon resonance
occurring at the focal line location, at each of the plurality of
incident light angles; an SPR angle calculator which obtains a
temporal change of an SPR angle in each of the antibody fixed areas
and the reference areas in the measurement part; and a flow rate
operation unit which calculates the flow rate of the sample flowing
in the flow cell based on the temporal change of the SPR angle
obtained by the SPR angle calculator.
[0019] (2) Preferably, the flow rate operation unit of the flow
rate measurement apparatus of the present invention includes a
waveform shifter which shifts one of curves (referred to as
adsorption curves) indicating the temporal change of the SPR angles
at two points in either the antibody fixed area or the reference
area with respect to the other in a time direction; a time
difference detector which measures a shift time at which a
difference between the SPR angles at the two points is smallest;
and a flow rate calculator which calculates the flow rate of the
sample in the flow cell by dividing a location between the two
points by the shift time.
[0020] (3) The flow rate measurement apparatus of the present
invention may further include a waveform differentiation operation
unit which performs time differentiation on the adsorption curves
for the two each points to obtain differential curves, wherein the
waveform shifter may shift one of the differential curves for the
two each points with respect to the other in a time direction, and
the time difference detector may measure a shift time at which a
difference between the SPR angles in the differential curves for
the two each points is smallest.
[0021] (4) The flow rate measurement apparatus of the present
invention may further include a waveform differentiation operation
unit which performs time differentiation on differential data of
the SPR angles, wherein the waveform shifter may shift one of the
adsorption curves for the two each points with respect to each
other in a time direction. Each time the waveform shifter shifts
the adsorption curve, the waveform differentiation operation unit
may perform the time differentiation on differential data of the
adsorption curves for the two each points, and the time difference
detector may measure a shift time at which the time-differentiated
differential data of SPR angles in the adsorption curves for the
two each points is smallest.
[0022] (5) The flow rate operation unit of the flow rate
measurement apparatus of the present invention may calculate the
flow rate of the sample flowing in the flow cell using Hough
conversion.
[0023] (6) The antibody, and a sample detection substance having a
refractive index varying by reacting with a substance other than a
substance expected to react with the antibody among substances
contained in the sample may be fixed on the thin metallic film. The
flow rate measurement apparatus of the present invention may
further include a reaction-result derivation unit which obtains a
resonant angle that is an incident angle at which reflectivity is
smallest based on a correlation between the incident angle of the
incident light and reflectivity of the reflected light in the
antibody, and obtains a reaction amount between the antibody and
the sample detection substance from the resonant angle; a
refractive-index derivation unit which obtains a resonant angle
based on a correlation between the incident angle and reflectivity
in the sample detection substance, and obtains refractive indices
of the sample detection substance and the substance contained in
the reacting sample from the resonant angle; and a reaction-result
correction unit which obtains an amount of error for the flow rate
of the sample from a rate of change of the refractive index
obtained by the refractive-index derivation unit and obtains a
correction amount for the reaction amount obtained by the
reaction-result derivation unit from an amount of error of the flow
rate to correct the reaction amount based on the correction
amount.
[0024] (7) The flow rate measurement apparatus of the present
invention may further include a measurement-initiation-signal
output unit which outputs a measurement initiation signal when the
resonant angle is obtained from the correlation between then
incident angle and the reflectivity obtained by the image processor
and the sample beginning to flow on the flow cell is detected from
a change of the resonant angle; and an image acquisition period
controller which iteratively outputs an image acquisition timing
signal to instruct the light receiver to acquire an image, making
the period of the image acquisition timing signal shorter than the
normal period between an output time of the measurement initiation
signal and a predetermined time, and returning the period of the
image acquisition timing signal to the normal period after the
predetermined time lapses.
[0025] (8) The flow rate measurement apparatus of the present
invention may further include a storage unit in which the ideal
value of the rate of change of the refractive index, a relationship
between the amount of error of the rate of change and the amount of
error for the flow rate of the sample, and a relationship between
the amount of error of the flow rate and the correction amount are
registered in advance, wherein the reaction-result correction unit
obtains an amount of error between the rate of change of the
refractive index obtained by the refractive-index derivation unit
and the ideal value of the rate of change registered in the storage
unit, acquires the amount of error of the flow rate corresponding
to the amount of error of the rate of change from the storage unit,
and acquires the correction amount corresponding to the amount of
error of the flow rate from the storage unit.
[0026] (9) An antigen concentration measurement apparatus of the
present invention which measures a concentration of antigen
contained in a sample, different antibodies being arranged in a
sample flow direction in a long flow cell, includes: a light
oscillator; a thin metallic film which causes surface plasmon
resonance by light output from the light oscillator, the antibody
and a sample detection substance having a refractive index varying
by reacting with a substance other than antigen expected to react
with the antibody among substances contained in the sample being
fixed on the thin metallic film; a focusing unit which fixes the
thin metallic film and converts the output light of the light
oscillator into incident light having a plurality of incident
angles to focus the incident light at a location of a focal line in
a straight line shape on the thin metallic film; a measurement part
having antibody fixed areas to which an antibody is fixed and
reference areas to which an antibody is not fixed, the antibody
fixed areas and the reference areas being alternately arranged at a
location along the focal line location on the thin metallic film; a
light receiver which receives reflected light, at the focal line
location, of the output light by surface plasmon resonance
occurring at the focal line location, at each of the plurality of
incident light angles; an SPR angle calculator which obtains a
temporal change of an SPR angle in each of the antibody fixed areas
and the reference areas in the measurement part; a flow rate
operation unit which calculates a flow rate of the sample flowing
in the flow cell based on the temporal change of the SPR angle
obtained by the SPR angle calculator; a reaction-result derivation
unit which obtains a resonant angle that is an incident angle at
which reflectivity is smallest based on a correlation between the
incident angle of the incident light and reflectivity of the
reflected light in the antibody, and obtains a reaction amount
between the antibody and the sample detection substance from the
resonant angle; a refractive-index derivation unit which obtains a
resonant angle based on a correlation between the incident angle
and reflectivity in the sample detection substance, and obtains
refractive indices of the sample detection substance and the
substance contained in the reacting sample from the resonant angle;
a reaction-result correction unit which obtains an amount of error
for the flow rate of the sample from a rate of change of the
refractive index obtained by the refractive-index derivation unit
and obtains a correction amount for the reaction amount obtained by
the reaction-result derivation unit from an amount of error of the
flow rate to correct the reaction amount based on the correction
amount; and an antigen concentration calculation unit which
calculates a concentration of the antigen contained in the sample
based on the correction result from the reaction result correction
unit.
[0027] (10) The flow cell of the present invention for surface
plasmon resonance measurement has a thin metallic film on which an
antibody is fixed in a portion thereof. The antibody and a sample
detection substance having a refractive index varying by reacting
with a substance other than an antigen expected to react with the
antibody among substances contained in the sample flowing in the
flow cell are fixed on the thin metallic film.
[0028] (11) In the flow rate measurement method of the present
invention, a flow rate of a sample flowing in a long flow cell is
measured using a flow rate measurement apparatus comprising: a
light oscillator, a thin metallic film which causes surface plasmon
resonance by light output from the light oscillator; a focusing
unit which fixes the thin metallic film and converts the output
light of the light oscillator into incident light having a
plurality of incident angles to focus the incident light at a
location of a focal line in a straight line shape on the thin
metallic film; a measurement part having antibody fixed areas to
which an antibody is fixed and reference areas to which an antibody
is not fixed, the antibody fixed areas and the reference areas
being alternately arranged in the flow cell and the flow cell being
formed at a location along the focal line location on the thin
metallic film; and a light receiver which receives reflected light,
at the focal line location, of the output light by surface plasmon
resonance occurring at the focal line location, at each of the
plurality of incident light angles. The method includes: an SPR
angle calculation process of obtaining a temporal change of an SPR
angle in each of the antibody fixed areas and the reference areas
in the measurement part; and a flow rate operation process of
calculating the flow rate of the sample flowing in the flow cell
based on the temporal change of the SPR angle obtained by the SPR
angle calculator.
[0029] (12) The antigen concentration measurement method of the
present invention is a flow rate measurement method of measuring a
flow rate of a sample flowing in a long flow cell using a flow rate
measurement apparatus comprising: a light oscillator; a thin
metallic film which causes surface plasmon resonance by light
output from the light oscillator, the antibody and a sample
detection substance having a refractive index varying by reacting
with a substance other than antigen expected to react with the
antibody among substances contained in the sample being fixed on
the thin metallic film; a focusing unit which fixes the thin
metallic film and converts the output light of the light oscillator
into incident light having a plurality of incident angles to focus
the incident light at a location of a focal line in a straight line
shape on the thin metallic film; a measurement part having antibody
fixed areas to which an antibody is fixed and reference areas to
which an antibody is not fixed, the antibody fixed areas and the
reference areas being alternately arranged in the flow cell and the
flow cell being formed at a location along the focal line location
on the thin metallic film; and a light receiver which receives
reflected light, at the focal line location, of the output light by
surface plasmon resonance occurring at the focal line location, at
each of the plurality of incident light angles. The method
includes: an SPR angle calculation process of obtaining a temporal
change of an SPR angle in each of the antibody fixed areas and the
reference areas in the measurement part; a flow rate operation
process of calculating a flow rate of the sample flowing in the
flow cell based on the temporal change of the SPR angle obtained in
the SPR angle calculation process; a reaction-result derivation
process of obtaining a resonant angle that is an incident angle at
which reflectivity is smallest based on a correlation between the
incident angle of the incident light and reflectivity of the
reflected light in the antibody, and obtaining a reaction amount
between the antibody and the sample detection substance from the
resonant angle; a refractive-index derivation process of obtaining
a resonant angle based on a correlation between the incident angle
and reflectivity in the sample detection substance, and obtaining
refractive indices of the sample detection substance and the
substance contained in the reacting sample from the resonant angle;
a reaction-result correction process of obtaining an amount of
error for the flow rate of the sample from a rate of change of the
refractive index obtained in the refractive-index derivation
process and obtaining a correction amount for the reaction amount
obtained in the reaction-result derivation process from an amount
of error of the flow rate to correct the reaction amount based on
the correction amount; and an antigen concentration calculation
process of calculating a concentration of the antigen contained in
the sample based on the correction result in the reaction result
correction process.
EFFECT OF THE INVENTION
[0030] In the flow rate measurement apparatus, the antigen
concentration measurement apparatus, the flow cell, the flow rate
measurement method, and the antigen concentration measurement
method of the present invention, the flow rate of the sample in the
flow cell can be accurately measured, and an antibody area that the
sample reaches can be detected in the area to which a plurality of
serially arranged antibodies are fixed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a
configuration of an optical measurement part which measures an SPR
angle in an antigen concentration detection apparatus 300a
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a
flow cell in which antibody fixed areas 201 and reference areas 202
are alternately disposed in parallel with a focal line 107 along
the focal line 107 in an antibody fixed film of FIG. 1.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a
distribution of reflected light from a thin metallic film 105 input
to two-dimensionally disposed light receiving elements of a CCD 111
in FIG. 1.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration which
detects a flow rate of a sample in a flow cell in an antigen
concentration detecting apparatus 300a of the present
embodiment.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a
storage area in a data storage unit 12 for the gradient of the
reflection intensity of light received by a light receiving
element, at an address corresponding to a location in a Y1
direction and a location in an X1 direction of each light receiving
element in a CCD 111.
[0036] FIG. 6 is a graph showing a temporal change of an SPR angle
in an antibody fixed area 201 and a reference area 202.
[0037] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of
a process of calculating a flow rate of a sample in the present
embodiment.
[0038] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of
a process of calculating a flow rate of a sample in a second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an
antigen concentration measurement apparatus according to a third
embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 10A is a plan view showing a general structure of a
sample cell.
[0041] FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view showing the general
structure of the sample cell.
[0042] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a
configuration of a data processing device of an antigen
concentration measurement apparatus according to the present
embodiment.
[0043] FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a structure of a sample cell
used in the present embodiment.
[0044] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an image photographed
by a CCD camera in the present embodiment.
[0045] FIG. 14 shows a change of an incident angle-reflectivity
curve obtained by measurement of a sample cell after a liquid
sample is introduced in the present embodiment.
[0046] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a temporal change of a
refractive index obtained by a refractive-index derivation unit 68
in the present embodiment.
[0047] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
controller 113b of a data processing device of an antigen
concentration detecting apparatus according to a fourth embodiment
of the present invention.
[0048] FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a method of obtaining a
flow rate in the present embodiment.
[0049] FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration
of a conventional antigen concentration measurement apparatus.
[0050] FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining an example of an
incident angle-reflectivity curve obtained by measurement of a
sample cell in a conventional antigen concentration measurement
apparatus.
REFERENCE SYMBOLS
[0051] 1 . . . prism, 2 . . . light source, 3 . . . polarizer, 4 .
. . focusing lens, 5 . . . CCD camera, 6 . . . data processing
device, 7 . . . database, 8 . . . pump, 9 . . . flow path, 10 . . .
sample cell, 11 . . . data input unit, 12 . . . data storage unit,
13 . . . SPR angle calculator, 14 . . . interpolation operation
unit, 15 . . . waveform shifter, 16 . . . waveform differentiation
operation unit, 17 . . . waveform subtractor, 18 . . .
standard-deviation operation unit, 19 . . . time difference
detector, 20 . . . flow rate calculator, 21a and 21b . . . flow
rate operation unit, 22 . . . antigen concentration calculator, 23
. . . waveform differentiation and square unit, 24 . . . straight
line detector, 25 . . . flow rate detector, 60 . . . controller, 61
. . . storage unit, 62 . . . input unit, 63 . . . display unit, 64
. . . image acquisition period controller, 65 . . . image
processor, 66 . . . measurement-initiation-signal output unit, 67 .
. . reaction-result derivation unit, 68 . . . refractive-index
derivation unit, 69 . . . reaction-result correction unit, 100 . .
. LED, 101, 108, and 110 . . . lens, 102 and 109 . . . polarizer,
103 . . . cylindrical lens, 104 . . . prism, 105 . . . thin
metallic film, 106 . . . antibody fixed film, 107 . . . focal line,
111 . . . CCD (charge coupled device), 112 . . . data processing
device, 113a and 113b . . . controller, 300a and 300b . . . antigen
concentration detecting apparatus
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0052] Hereinafter, an antigen concentration measurement apparatus
according to each embodiments of the present invention will be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, a
first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
First Embodiment
[0053] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a
configuration of an optical measurement part of an antigen
concentration measurement apparatus 300a according to a first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0054] In a configuration of the antigen concentration measurement
apparatus 300a (referred to also as a flow rate measurement
apparatus), light from a light emitting diode (LED) 100 serving as
a light source (referred to also as a light oscillator) is emitted
as a light beam to a lens 101, and only P-polarized light from a
polarizer 102 is focused by a cylindrical lens 103 and emitted to a
prism 104 having a high refractive index. The light source may be a
semiconductor laser or the like, as well as the LED 100.
[0055] The prism 104 is formed so that a focal line 107 of the
light focused by the cylindrical lens 103 reaches a surface
opposing a surface to which the light is emitted in parallel with
an axial direction of a cylinder.
[0056] An antibody corresponding to an antigen of which the
concentration is to be measured is fixed on a thin metallic film
105 (e.g., a thin golden film) for surface plasmon resonance,
thereby forming an antibody fixed film 106 on the opposite surface.
This thin metallic film 105 is formed (fixed) on the prism 104,
which is an optically transparent medium.
[0057] Light emitted to the prism 104 is reflected by liquid
flowing in the thin metallic film 105, the antibody fixed film 106,
and the flow path, at a location of the focal line 107. The
reflected light is collimated by a lens 108 and only P-polarized
light is emitted to a lens 110 due to a polarizer 109. The lens 110
radiates the incident light to a surface of a CCD 111 (CCD) serving
as a light receiving element. These constitute a focusing unit, on
the thin metallic film 105, for converting the light output from
the LED 100 into the incident light having a plurality of incident
angles and focusing the incident light at the location of the
straight focal line 107. Pixel data photographed by the CCD 111 is
output to the data processing device 112. The data processing
device 112 has a controller 113a.
[0058] In the thin metallic film 105, a sample area 200 consisting
of antibody fixed areas 201 to which the antibody is fixed and
reference areas 202 to which the antibody is not fixed is disposed
as a measurement area (referred to also as a measurement part) on
the focal line 107, with the antibody fixed areas 201 and the
reference areas 202 arranged alternately at previously set periods
with respect to a direction of the focal line 107 (i.e., a Y1
direction), as shown in FIG. 2. Although not shown, a flow path of
a flow cell (referred to also as a micro flow cell or sample cell)
is formed to cover an arrangement of the antibody fixed areas 201
and the reference areas 202 in a direction parallel to the focal
line 107 (i.e., an arrangement direction in which the antibody
fixed areas 201 and the reference areas 202 are alternately
disposed) and to allow a sample to sequentially reach the antibody
fixed areas 201 and the reference areas 202.
[0059] Accordingly, on the CCD 111 surface, reflected light from
the surface of the focal line 107 is input to light receiving
elements arranged in a lattice shape in units of pixels, which
correspond to locations in the Y1 direction on the surface of the
focal line 107, as shown in FIG. 3 that shows an upper surface of
the CCD 111.
[0060] Further, the light reflected from the focal line 107,
corresponding to the incident angle, is input in an X1 direction.
Accordingly, intensities of the reflected lights, at the each
incident angles at each focal line locations, of the light
irradiated to the focal line 107 in parallel with the sample area
200 can be detected together.
[0061] In the above-described configuration, when an antigen reacts
with the antibody fixed to each antibody fixed area 201 and is
coupled to the antibody, a refractive index of the antibody fixed
film 106 is changed and reflectivity at an incident angle
corresponding to the refractive index is changed. Thus, it is
possible to measure the change of the refractive index of the
antibody fixed film 106 by monitoring the incident angle (SPR
angle) at which the reflectivity decreases according to time as the
refractive index increases when the antigen is attached to the
antibody.
[0062] That is, the incident angle causing surface plasmon
resonance is shifted as the antigen is adsorbed to the antibody.
However, since the incident angle is shifted even by simple
adsorption in addition to the antigen-antibody reaction, it is
necessary to detect the SPR shift caused by only the
antigen-antibody reaction for high precision for measurement of the
antigen concentration by subtracting the shift of the SPR angle of
the reference area 202 to which the antibody is not fixed, as the
reference value, from the SPR shift of the antibody fixed area 201
to which the antibody is fixed.
[0063] Next, the SPR angle will be described.
[0064] The light emitted from the LED 100 to the prism 104 causes
an evanescent wave to be generated at an interface between the
prism 104 and the thin metallic film 105. A wave number k.sub.ev of
the evanescent wave is defined by Equation (1):
k.sub.ev=k.sub.pn.sub.p sin .theta. (1)
[0065] where k.sub.p denotes a wave number of the incident light,
n.sub.p denotes a refractive index of the prism 104, and .theta.
denotes the incident angle.
[0066] Meanwhile, a surface plasmon wave is generated on a surface
of the thin metallic film 105. A wave number k.sub.sp of the
surface plasmon wave is defined by Equation (2):
k.sub.sp=(c/.omega.){.epsilon.n2/(.epsilon.+n2)}1/2 (2)
[0067] where c denotes light velocity, .omega. denotes an angular
frequency, .epsilon. denotes permittivity of the thin metallic film
105, and n denotes a refractive index of the measured object.
[0068] At an incident angle .theta. at which the wave number
k.sub.ey of the evanescent wave matches the wave number k.sub.sp of
the surface plasmon wave, energy of the evanescent wave is used to
excite the surface plasmon and intensity of the reflected light is
reduced. Accordingly, an incident angle-reflection intensity curve
having a minimum value at a predetermined angle .theta.0 (SPR
angle) is obtained by changing the incident angle .theta.. That is,
the reflected light including absorption due to a surface plasmon
resonance phenomenon is reflected from the interface between the
thin metallic film 105 and the prism 104.
[0069] This SPR phenomenon depends on a refractive index n of an
antigen-antibody complex of a sample of the measured object
contiguous to the thin metallic film 105. Accordingly, a refractive
index change, and so on due to a concentration change of the
antigen contained in the sample can be measured from an angle
.theta.0 corresponding to the minimum value.
[0070] Next, a controller which calculates a flow rate in the
antigen concentration measurement apparatus 300a according to the
present embodiment will be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example
of a configuration of a controller 113a which performs flow rate
calculation according to the present embodiment.
[0071] In FIG. 4, the controller 113a has a data input unit 11, a
data storage unit 12, an SPR angle calculator 13, an interpolation
operation unit 14, a waveform shifter 15, a waveform
differentiation operation unit 16, a waveform subtractor 17, a
standard-deviation operation unit 18, a time difference detector
19, and a flow rate calculator 20.
[0072] Pixel data of each light receiving element, i.e., pixel data
indicating reflection intensity of the light receiving element
corresponding to each location in the arrangement direction of the
antibody fixed areas 201 and an incident angle in a previously set
incident angle range in each location is input, as arrangement
frame image data, from a CCD 111 of the SPR sensor in FIG. 1.
[0073] The data input unit 11 converts a voltage value that is the
pixel data of each light receiving element input from the CCD 111
into a corresponding gradient, and stores gradient data indicating
reflection intensity of light received by the light receiving
element corresponding to each address as arrangement frame image
data organized as shown in FIG. 5 to correspond to an address set
by an address Ay corresponding to a location of each light
receiving element in the Y1 direction (an arrangement of the
antibody fixed areas 201 and the reference areas 202) and an
address Ax corresponding to a location in the X1 direction (a
location corresponding to the incident angle), in the data storage
unit 12 every sampling time.
[0074] Here, where the reflection intensity is high, the gradient
is high and where the reflection intensity is low, the gradient is
low. For example, the data input unit 11 standardizes maximum
reflection intensity obtained through experiment, as a maximum
gradient, and converts the input voltage value into a gradient.
[0075] The SPR angle calculator 13 obtains SPR angles at each
previously set location of the antibody fixed area 201, for
example, in the antibody fixed area 201 of FIG. 2 (e.g., the
antibody fixed area 201A of FIG. 2) and the reference area 202
(e.g., the reference area 202B), in a sampling time unit, from the
data stored in the data storage unit 12, and stores the SPR angles
to correspond to the sampling time, as SPR measurement data DA and
SPR measurement data DB, in the data storage unit 12.
[0076] Further, the controller displays the SPR measurement data A
and B as adsorption curves LA and LB on the display unit, as shown
in FIG. 6.
[0077] The waveform differentiation operation unit 16 performs
numerical differentiation by time (hereinafter, time
differentiation) on the adsorption curve LA and the adsorption
curve LB to produce a differential curve DA and a differential
curve DB.
[0078] The interpolation operation unit 14 performs interpolation,
e.g., linear interpolation on the differential curve DB in units of
time D1. Here, when the sampling period is Ts and the interpolation
is performed with a resolution of 1/n, the time D1 is determined
by:
D1=Ts/n
[0079] The waveform shifter 15 shifts the differential curve DB by
a previously set time D2 and then shifts a 2.times.D2 time range by
the time D1. For example, in the present embodiment, the set time
D2 is -(1/2)Ts, by which the differential curve DB is shifted in
parallel.
[0080] Further, the waveform shifter 15 adds a time D1 to the set
time D2 to obtain a new set time D2 and iteratively shifts the
differential curve DB in a positive direction from an original
location while increasing the set time D2 by the time D1 until the
set time D2 becomes (1/2)Ts, i.e., until a range of the shift time
becomes Ts.
[0081] At each time, the waveform subtractor 17 subtracts the SPR
angle of the differential curve DB from the SPR angle of the
differential curve DA each corresponding time, to obtain SPR
differential data of each time, for each value of the set time
D2.
[0082] The standard-deviation operation unit 18 obtains a standard
deviation of the SPR differential data of each time within the
measurement range (Ts) of the adsorption curve LA, for each value
of the set time D2.
[0083] The time difference detector 19 detects a value of the set
time D2 having the smallest standard deviation of the SPR
differential data of each time. This set time D2 is a time
difference between times when the sample reaches the antibody fixed
area 201 and the reference area 202.
[0084] The flow rate calculator 20 obtains a flow rate by dividing
a distance between the antibody fixed area 201 and the reference
area 202 by the time difference.
[0085] Further, the waveform shifter 15, the time difference
detector 19, and the flow rate calculator 20 are also collectively
termed as a flow rate operation unit 21a. The flow rate operation
unit 21a calculates the flow rate of the sample flowing in the flow
cell based on the temporal change of the SPR angle obtained by the
SPR angle calculator 13, as described above.
[0086] Timings at which the sample reaches the antibody fixed areas
201 and the reference area 202s disposed in series in parallel with
a flow direction of the sample in the flow cell can be detected
from the flow rate of the sample flowing in the flow cell. The
antigen concentration measurement part 22 calculates the antigen
concentration from the rate of change of the SPR angle. That is,
the antigen concentration measurement part 22 estimates an antigen
concentration from a temporal change of an SPR angle in each
antibody fixed area 201 by performing a comparison with the result
of the temporal change of the SPR angle in a sample having
predetermined antigen concentration.
[0087] The above-described method of detecting the flow rate of the
sample in the present embodiment can measure a flow rate in a local
area (an interfacial area between the thin metallic film surface
and the sample) in which a distance from the thin metallic film
surface detected by the SPR angle measurement is 400 nm or less,
which is an effective flow rate affecting the SPR angle
measurement, unlike the case where a volume flow rate is set in a
pump or the like. Even when there is a flow rate distribution in
the flow path, an adjacent combination is selected from the
antibody fixed areas 201 and the reference areas 202 of FIG. 2 and
a plurality of antibody fixed areas and reference areas are
provided, such that the flow rate of the sample around the antibody
fixed area 201 and the reference area 202 in each set can be
measured.
[0088] Since an adsorption component (having no relation with the
antigen-antibody reaction) and a random noise component are
included in the adsorption curves LA and LB, and a change of the
SPR angle due to the adsorption component is a slow component
(drift component), weight effect from drift and noise component can
be reduced by a differentiation operation, therefore flow rate
estimation precision can be improved.
[0089] Further, although in the present embodiment, the
differential curve DA is fixed and the differential curve DB is
shifted in parallel, conversely, the differential curve DB may be
fixed and the differential curve DA may be shifted to obtain the
flow rate similarly.
[0090] Meanwhile, the inventor has obtained a flow rate using an
SPR angle measurement method in another document (Yuzuru Iwasakil,
2, 7, Tatsuya Tobita3, Kazuyoshi Kurihara4, Tsutomu Horiuchi I,
Koji Suzuki and Osamu Niwa, "MEASUREMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY",
Meas. Sci. Technol. 17, 2006, p3184-3188). However, a change of an
SPR angle in an area at a different location is not used, and
measurement is not performed with a higher precision than that of
the present embodiment.
[0091] Next, an operation of the antigen concentration measurement
apparatus 300a according to the present embodiment will be
described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 7.
[0092] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of
a flow rate estimation process in the antigen concentration
measurement apparatus 300a of FIG. 4.
[0093] In the following description, adsorption curves LA and LB
showing a temporal change of an SPR angle in the antibody fixed
area 201 and the reference area 202 are calculated, by the SPR
angle calculator 13, from gradient data input by the data input
unit 11.
[0094] The waveform differentiation operation unit 16 performs time
differentiation on the each adsorption curves LA and LB to produce
differential curves DA and DB (step S1).
[0095] Also, the interpolation operation unit 14 performs linear
interpolation on data of the SPR angle in the differential curve DB
in units of time D1 between the sampling periods (step S2).
[0096] The waveform shifter 15 sets the set time D2 as -1/2 of a
measurement time Ts, i.e., -(1/2)Ts (step S3), and shifts, in
parallel, the differential curve DB by the set time D2 in a time
direction (step S4).
[0097] When the differential curve DB is shifted, the waveform
subtractor 17 subtracts an SPR angle at a corresponding time in the
differential curve DB from an SPR angle at each time in the
differential curve DA to calculate differential data of each time
(step S5).
[0098] Also, the standard-deviation operation unit 18 obtains the
standard deviation of the differential data of each time, and
stores the standard deviation together with set-time identification
information for identifying the set time D2 at this time, in the
data storage unit 12 (step S6).
[0099] Next, the waveform shifter 15 determines whether the set
time D2 is (1/2)Ts or not, i.e., whether the range in which the
differential curve DB is shifted back and forth from an original
location is Ts or not (step S7). When the set time D2 is less than
(1/2)Ts, the process proceeds to step S8, and when the set time D2
is (1/2)Ts or greater, the process proceeds to step S11.
[0100] When the set time D2 is less than (1/2)Ts, the waveform
shifter 15 returns the differential curve DB to a location before
shifting the differential curve DB in parallel (step S8) and adds a
time D1 to the adsorption-curve set time D2 to obtain a new set
time D2 (step S9). The process proceeds to step S4.
[0101] Meanwhile, in step S7, when the set time D2 is (1/2)Ts or
greater, the time difference detector 19 sequentially reads a
standard deviation every set time D2 corresponding to the set-time
identification information from the data storage unit 12 and
performs a comparison in a reading order to detect the smallest
standard deviation, extract the set-time identification information
corresponding to the standard deviation, and output the set time D2
corresponding to the set-time identification information as a time
difference between times when the sample reaches the antibody fixed
area 201 and the reference area 202 (step S11).
[0102] Next, the flow rate calculator 20 divides the distance
between locations of two points in the antibody fixed area 201
(e.g., the antibody fixed area 201a of FIG. 2) and the reference
area 202 (e.g., the reference area 202B) by the set time D2
corresponding to the smallest standard deviation, and calculates
the flow rate of the sample in the flow cell (step S12).
[0103] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the
flow rate of the sample (liquid or fluid) flowing in the flow cell
can be accurately measured, a timing at which the sample reaches
the antibody fixed area or the reference area can be detected, an
initiation time of the antigen-antibody reaction in the each
antibody fixed areas can be corrected with high precision, a
reaction rate of the antigen-antibody reaction can be accurately
measured, and the antigen concentration can be measured with high
precision.
[0104] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since the
timing at which the sample reaches each of the antibody fixed area
201 and the reference area 202 can be accurately detected as
described above, common mode noise can be eliminated in the
measurement of a difference with the reference area 202, and
antigen concentration measurement can be performed with high
precision.
Second Embodiment
[0105] Next, an antigen concentration measurement apparatus
according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be
described. Since a configuration of the second embodiment is the
same as that of the first embodiment in FIG. 4, a description of
the configuration in the second embodiment will be omitted.
Hereinafter, operations different from those in the first
embodiment will be described.
[0106] Pixel data for each light receiving element, i.e., pixel
data indicating reflection intensity of the light receiving element
corresponding to each location in an arrangement direction of the
antibody fixed areas and an incident angle in a previously set
incident angle range at each location, is input as arrangement
frame image data from the CCD 111 of the SPR sensor in FIG. 1.
[0107] The interpolation operation unit 14 performs interpolation,
e.g., linear interpolation on the adsorption curve LB in units of
time D1. Here, when a sampling period is Ts and the interpolation
is performed with a resolution of 1/n, the time D1 is obtained
by:
D1=Ts/n.
[0108] The waveform shifter 15 shifts the adsorption curve LB by a
previously set time D2 and then shifts a time range of 2.times.D2
by the time D1. For example, in the present embodiment, the set
time D2 is -(1/2)Ts and the adsorption curve LB is shifted in
parallel by the set time D2, as in the first embodiment.
[0109] Further, the waveform shifter 15 adds the time D1 to the set
time D2 to obtain a new set time D2, and iteratively shifts the
adsorption curve LB in a positive direction from an original
location while increasing the set time D2 by the time D1 until the
set time D2 is (1/2)Ts, i.e., the range of the shift time is
Ts.
[0110] At each time, the waveform subtractor 17 subtracts an SPR
angle of the adsorption curve LB from the SPR angle of the
adsorption curve LA each corresponding time to obtain SPR
differential data of each time, for each value of the set time
D2.
[0111] The waveform differentiation operation unit 16 performs time
differentiation on the difference between the adsorption curve LA
and the adsorption curve LB each time to produce differentiated
differential data.
[0112] The standard-deviation operation unit 18 obtains a standard
deviation of the differentiated differential data each time in the
measurement range (Ts) of the adsorption curve LA, in units of set
time D2, from the result of the time differentiation.
[0113] The time difference detector 19 detects a value of the set
time D2 having the smallest standard deviation of the
differentiated differential data of each time, and the set time D2
is a time difference between times when the sample reaches the
antibody fixed area 201 and the reference area 202.
[0114] The flow rate calculator 20 obtains a flow rate by dividing
a distance between the antibody fixed area 201 and the reference
area 202 by the time difference.
[0115] Antigen concentration measurement is performed as in the
first embodiment described above.
[0116] Further, although in the present embodiment, the adsorption
curve LA is fixed and the adsorption curve LB is shifted in
parallel, conversely, the adsorption curve LB may be fixed and the
adsorption curve LA may be shifted to obtain the flow rate
similarly.
[0117] Next, an operation of the antigen concentration measurement
apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described
with reference to FIGS. 4 and 8.
[0118] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of
a flow rate estimation process in the antigen concentration
measurement apparatus of FIG. 4.
[0119] In the following description, the adsorption curves LA and
LB indicating the temporal change of the SPR angle in the antibody
fixed area 201 and the reference area 202 are already calculated,
by the SPR angle calculator 13, from gradient data input by the
data input unit 11.
[0120] The interpolation operation unit 14 performs linear
interpolation on the data of the SPR angle in the differential
curve DB in units of time D1 between sampling periods (step
S21).
[0121] Next, the waveform shifter 15 sets the set time D2 as -1/2
of a measurement time Ts, i.e., -(1/2)Ts, (step S22) and shifts the
adsorption curve LB in parallel by the set time D2 in a time
direction (step S23).
[0122] When the adsorption curve LB is shifted, the waveform
subtractor 17 subtracts an SPR angle at a corresponding time in the
adsorption curve LB from an SPR angle at each time in the
adsorption curve LA to calculate the differential data of each
time, and then performs time differentiation on the differential
data to generate differentiated differential data (step S24).
[0123] After time differentiation is performed on the differential
data, the standard-deviation operation unit 18 obtains the standard
deviation of the differentiated differential data of each time, and
stores the standard deviation together with set-time identification
information for identifying the set time D2 at this time in the
data storage unit 12 (step S25).
[0124] Next, the waveform shifter 15 determines whether the set
time D2 is (1/2)Ts or not, i.e., whether a range in which the
differential curve DB is shifted back and forth from an original
location is Ts or not (step S26). When the set time D2 is less than
(1/2)Ts, the process proceeds to step S27, and when the set time D2
is (1/2)Ts or greater, the process proceeds to step S29.
[0125] When the set time D2 is less than (1/2)Ts, the waveform
shifter 15 returns the adsorption curve LB to a position before
shifting the adsorption curve LB in parallel (step S27), and adds a
time D1 to the set time D2 to obtain a new set time D2 (step S28).
The process returns to step S23.
[0126] Meanwhile, in step S26, when the set time D2 is (1/2)Ts or
greater, the time difference detector 19 sequentially reads the
standard deviation at each set time D2 corresponding to the
set-time identification information from the data storage unit 12
and performs a comparison in a reading order to detect the smallest
standard deviation, extract set-time identification information
corresponding to the standard deviation, and output the set time D2
corresponding to the set-time identification information as a time
difference between times when the sample reaches the antibody fixed
area 201 and the reference area 202 (step S29).
[0127] Next, the flow rate calculator 20 divides a distance between
locations of two points in the antibody fixed area 201 (e.g., the
antibody fixed area 201A of FIG. 2) and the reference area 202
(e.g., the reference area 202B) by the set time D2 corresponding to
the smallest standard deviation, and calculates the flow rate of
the sample in the flow cell (step S30).
[0128] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the
flow rate of the sample (liquid or fluid) flowing in the flow cell
can be accurately measured, the timing at which the sample reaches
the antibody fixed area or the reference area can be detected, an
initiation time of an antigen-antibody reaction in each antibody
fixed area can be corrected with high precision, the reaction rate
of the antigen-antibody reaction can be accurately measured, and
the antigen concentration can be measured with high precision, as
in the first embodiment.
[0129] According to the present embodiment, since the timing at
which the sample reaches each of the antibody fixed area 201 and
the reference area 202 can be accurately detected as described
above, common mode noise can be eliminated in the measurement of
the difference with the reference area 202, and antigen
concentration measurement can be performed with high precision.
Third Embodiment
[0130] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be
described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an
antigen concentration measurement apparatus 300b according to the
third embodiment of the present invention.
[0131] The antigen concentration measurement apparatus 300b
(referred to also as a flow rate measurement apparatus or an SPR
measurement apparatus) of the present embodiment has a prism 1, a
light source 2, a polarizer 3, a focusing lens 4, a CCD camera 5, a
data processing device 6, a database 7 (referred to also as a
storage unit), a pump 8 which transfers a liquid sample to a flow
cell 10, and a flow path 9 through which the liquid sample
flows.
[0132] The prism 1, the light source 2, the polarizer 3, the
focusing lens 4, the CCD camera 5, and the data processing device 6
in the antigen concentration measurement apparatus 300b of the
present embodiment (FIG. 9) correspond to the prism 104, the LED
100, the polarizer 102, the cylindrical lens 103, the CCD 111, and
the data processing device 112 in the antigen concentration
measurement apparatus 300a of the first embodiment (FIG. 1),
respectively.
[0133] FIG. 10A is a plan view showing a general structure of the
flow cell 10, and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along a
line I-I of the flow cell 10 in FIG. 10A. In FIGS. 10A and 10B, 70
denotes a plate-shaped transparent body formed of a material having
the same refractive index as the prism 1, 71 denotes a thin
metallic film formed of gold or silver to a thickness of about 40
to 60 nm on the transparent body 70 by sputtering, deposition, and
so on, and 72 denotes a measured substance, such as an antibody,
fixed on the thin metallic film 71.
[0134] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a
configuration of a data processing device 6. The data processing
device 6 has a controller 60 which controls the entire apparatus, a
storage unit 61 which stores a program, and so on of the controller
60, an input unit 62 which enables a user of the antigen
concentration measurement apparatus 300b to instruct the apparatus,
and a display unit 63 which displays information to the user.
[0135] The controller 60 has an image acquisition period controller
64, an image processor 65, a measurement-initiation-signal output
unit 66, a reaction-result derivation unit 67, a refractive-index
derivation unit 68, and a reaction-result correction unit 69.
[0136] Next, an operation of the antigen concentration measurement
apparatus 300b of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 12
is a plan view showing a structure of the flow cell 10 used in the
present embodiment.
[0137] In the present embodiment, the flow cell 10 having a thin
metallic film 71 formed on a transparent body 70, a measured
substance 72 fixed at a measured-substance arrangement place on the
thin metallic film 71, and a liquid-sample detection substance 73
(referred to also as a sample detection substance) fixed at a
detection substance arrangement place on the thin metallic film 71
is used. The flow cell 10 is disposed on the prism 1 so that the
transparent body 70 is contiguous to the prism 1, with the measured
substance 72 and the liquid-sample detection substance 73 directed
upward.
[0138] The liquid-sample detection substance 73 is a substance
having a refractive index varying by reacting with a substance
other than a substance expected to react with the measured
substance 72 among substances contained in the liquid sample. The
substance reacting with the liquid-sample detection substance 73 is
preferably a high concentration substance in the liquid sample,
such as casein when the liquid sample is milk. Examples of the
liquid-sample detection substance 73 include anti-casein and
anti-BSA when the liquid sample is milk, anti-cow IgG when the milk
is colostrum, and an antibody for protein necessarily existing at a
high concentration in the milk. Also, other examples of the
liquid-sample detection substance 73 include anti-albumin when the
liquid sample is blood, and an antibody for protein necessarily
existing at a high concentration in the blood.
[0139] As in the conventional art, when light from a light source 2
for monochromatic light passes through the polarizer 3, only
P-polarized light passes. This P-polarized light is focused by the
focusing lens 4, emitted to the prism 1, and emitted to the flow
cell 10 from the side of the transparent body 70 opposing the side
thereof to which the measured substance 72 is fixed.
[0140] Meanwhile, when a liquid sample such as milk is flowed, the
pump 8 transfers the liquid sample. Accordingly, the liquid sample
flows through the flow path 9 and passes on the flow cell 10.
[0141] The image acquisition period controller 64 of the data
processing device 6 iteratively outputs an image acquisition timing
signal instructing the CCD camera 5 to acquire an image.
[0142] When the image acquisition timing signal is output from the
data processing device 6, the CCD camera 5 detects reflected light
from the flow cell 10 and outputs grayscale image data.
[0143] The image processor 65 of the data processing device 6
receives the grayscale image data output from the CCD camera 5 and
processes the grayscale image data to obtain the data of the
incident angle-reflectivity curve as shown in FIG. 19 for each
measurement substance 72 and each liquid-sample detection substance
73 of the flow cell 10.
[0144] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an image photographed
by the CCD camera 5 after the liquid sample is introduced.
Grayscale corresponding to reflectivity of the light at each
location of the flow cell 10 is shown in the image photographed by
the CCD camera 5. In FIG. 13, 201 denotes a bright area (with high
reflectivity) corresponding to the thin metallic film 71, 202
denotes a dark area (with low reflectivity) indicating a
reflectivity valley caused by the measured substance 72, and 203
denotes a dark area indicating a reflectivity valley caused by the
liquid-sample detection substance 73. Deviation of a coordinate of
the image area 203 in a PX direction is due to a change in the
refractive index due to a reaction between the liquid sample and
the liquid-sample detection substance 73 and a slight change in an
incident angle at which resonance between the evanescent wave and
the surface plasmon wave occurs.
[0145] Since the PX direction of FIG. 13 corresponds to the X2
direction of FIG. 9 and indicates an incident angle .theta. of the
light, the image processor 65 can convert the coordinate of the
grayscale image data in the PX direction into the incident angle
.theta.. Here, an angle of light to the surface of the thin
metallic film 71, which is not perpendicular to the thin metallic
film 71, is the incident angle .theta.. Further, since brightness
of the grayscale image in FIG. 13 is changed with the reflectivity
of the flow cell 10, the image processor 65 can convert a luminance
value for each pixel of the grayscale image data into light
reflectivity. In the grayscale image photographed by the CCD camera
5, locations of the measured-substance arrangement place and the
detection substance arrangement place of the flow cell 10 are
known.
[0146] Accordingly, the image processor 65 can obtain the data of
the incident angle-reflectivity curve for each measured substance
72 by deriving the incident angle-reflectivity curve on the PY
coordinate corresponding to the measured-substance arrangement
place for each measured-substance arrangement place. Similarly, the
image processor 65 can obtain the data for each liquid-sample
detection substance 73 by deriving the incident angle-reflectivity
curve on the PY coordinate corresponding to the detection substance
arrangement place, for each detection substance arrangement place.
The image processor 65 performs this process each time the
grayscale image data is output from the CCD camera 5. The PY
direction of FIG. 13 corresponds to the Y2 direction perpendicular
to a paper surface in FIG. 9.
[0147] The measurement in the flow cell 10 by the image acquisition
period controller 64, the CCD camera 5, and the image processor 65
is already initiated before the liquid sample is introduced.
[0148] Here, the measurement-initiation-signal output unit 66 of
the data processing device 6 obtains an incident angle at which the
reflectivity is smallest (hereinafter, referred to as resonant
angle .theta.sp) from the data of the incident angle-reflectivity
curve for the measured substance 72 or the data of the incident
angle-reflectivity curve for the liquid-sample detection substance
73 measured by the image processor 65. Also, the
measurement-initiation-signal output unit 66 outputs a measurement
initiation signal when the resonant angle .theta.sp reaches a value
at which the liquid sample may begin to flow on the flow cell
10.
[0149] When the measurement initiation signal is output, the image
acquisition period controller 64 makes the period of the image
acquisition timing signal, i.e., an image acquisition period,
shorter than the normal period between an output time of the
measurement initiation signal and a predetermined time, and returns
the image acquisition period to the normal period after the
predetermined time lapses. A reason for changing the image
acquisition period will be described below.
[0150] Next, when the measurement initiation signal is output, the
reaction-result derivation unit 67 of the data processing device 6
obtains the resonant angle .theta.sp from the data of the incident
angle-reflectivity curve for the measured substance 72 measured by
the image processor 65. The resonant angle .theta.sp depends on the
refractive index of the measured substance 72 and the refractive
index of a substance in the liquid sample that has reacted with the
substance 72. When the measured substance 72 (antibody) reacts with
the substance in the liquid sample (antigen), the incident
angle-reflectivity curve is changed from a property CA to a
property CB in FIG. 14 and the resonant angle is changed from
.theta.spA to .theta.spB.
[0151] A relationship between the change of the resonant angle Asp
and a reaction amount between the measured substance 72 and the
substance in the liquid sample is registered in the database 7 in
advance.
[0152] The reaction-result derivation unit 67 can obtain the
reaction amount between the measured substance 72 and the substance
in the liquid sample from the change of the resonant angle Asp by
referring to the database 7. The reaction-result derivation unit 67
performs this process each time the data of the incident
angle-reflectivity curve is output from the image processor 65
after the measurement initiation signal is output.
[0153] Meanwhile, when the measurement initiation signal is output,
the refractive-index derivation unit 68 of the data processing
device 6 obtains the resonant angle .theta.sp' from the data of the
incident angle-reflectivity curve for the liquid-sample detection
substance 73 measured by the image processor 65. The resonant angle
.theta.sp' depends on the refractive index of the liquid-sample
detection substance 73 and the refractive index of the substance in
the liquid sample that has reacted with the liquid-sample detection
substance 73.
[0154] A relationship between the resonant angle .theta.sp' and the
refractive index is registered in the database 7 in advance.
[0155] The refractive-index derivation unit 68 can obtain the
refractive indices of the liquid-sample detection substance 73 and
the reacting substance in the liquid sample from the resonant angle
.theta.sp' by referring to the database 7.
[0156] The refractive-index derivation unit 68 performs this
process each time the data of the incident angle-reflectivity curve
is output from the image processor 65 after the measurement
initiation signal is output.
[0157] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a temporal change of the
refractive index obtained by the refractive-index derivation unit
68. In FIG. 15, R indicated by a solid line denotes an actual
refractive index obtained by the refractive-index derivation unit
68, Rref indicated by a dotted line denotes an ideal refractive
index when the flow rate of the liquid sample is constant, and ST
indicated by a circle mark denotes image acquisition timing.
[0158] The substance expected to react with the liquid-sample
detection substance 73 is a substance existing at a high
concentration in the liquid sample. Accordingly, reaction between
the substance and the liquid-sample detection substance 73 suddenly
occurs after the liquid sample is introduced, and the refractive
index R obtained at each image acquisition time by the
refractive-index derivation unit 68 is suddenly increased and then
saturated as shown in FIG. 15. However, this refractive index R
deviates from the ideal refractive index Rref due to variation in
the flow rate of the liquid sample.
[0159] Here, when the image acquisition period is .DELTA.T and the
change amount of the refractive index R in the period .DELTA.T is
.DELTA.R, the rate of change of the refractive index R,
V=.DELTA.R/.DELTA.T, is in proportion to the flow rate of the
liquid sample.
[0160] Accordingly, an amount of error of the rate of change V can
be obtained by comparing a known rate of change Vref of the
refractive index when the flow rate of the liquid sample has an
ideal value with the rate of change V of an actual refractive index
R, and an amount of error between the actual flow rate and the
ideal flow rate of the liquid sample can be obtained from the
amount of error of the rate of change V. Since the result of the
reaction between the measured substance 72 and the substance in the
liquid sample depends on the flow rate (flow quantity) of the
liquid sample, when the amount of error of the flow rate can be
obtained, it is possible to know how much the reaction result is to
be corrected.
[0161] The ideal value Vref of the rate of change of the refractive
index R is registered in the database 7 in advance, every elapsed
time t from the measurement initiation time t0. The amount of error
between the rate of change V and the ideal value Vref and the
amount of error of the flow rate are also registered to correspond
to each other in the database 7 in advance. The amount of error of
the flow rate and a correction amount of the reaction amount are
also registered to correspond to each other in the database 7 in
advance.
[0162] The reaction-result correction unit 69 calculates a change
amount .DELTA.R from a current refractive index R and a refractive
index R before one period at a time t after the time t0 at which
the measurement initiation signal is output, to calculate the rate
of change of the refractive index R, V=.DELTA.R/.DELTA.T, and
acquires the ideal value Vref of the rate of change at the current
time t by referring to the database 7 to calculate the amount of
error of the rate of change V. Also, the reaction-result correction
unit 69 acquires an amount of error of the flow rate corresponding
to the amount of error of the rate of change V from the database 7,
and acquires the correction amount corresponding to the amount of
error of the flow rate from the database 7 to correct the reaction
amount obtained by the reaction-result derivation unit 67 according
to the correction amount. The reaction-result correction unit 69
performs this process each time data of the refractive index R is
output from the refractive-index derivation unit 68 after the
measurement initiation signal is output.
[0163] By doing so, in the present embodiment, it is possible to
correct the reaction result of the measured substance 72 even when
the flow rate of the liquid sample is changed.
[0164] As apparent from the above description, the CCD camera 5,
the image processor 65, the reaction-result derivation unit 67, the
refractive-index derivation unit 68 and the reaction-result
correction unit 69 operate at each image acquisition period. Since
the refractive index obtained by the refractive-index derivation
unit 68 is suddenly increased and saturated as shown in FIG. 15, it
is preferable to increase the correction precision by making the
measurement period shorter in an elevation period. This is the
reason that the image acquisition period controller 64 changes the
image acquisition period. That is, the image acquisition period
controller 64 makes the period of the image acquisition timing
signal shorter than the normal period between the time t0 at which
the measurement initiation signal is output and a predetermined
time th, and returns the period of the image acquisition timing
signal to the normal period after the time th lapses.
[0165] The antigen concentration measurement apparatus according to
a conventional technique transfers a liquid sample such as milk to
a pump and flows the liquid sample on a sample cell to detect a
reaction between, for example, bacteria contained in the milk and
an antibody fixed to a sample cell. However, in the antigen
concentration measurement apparatus according to a conventional
technique, when a flow rate of the liquid sample is changed, it is
impossible to correct the result of the reaction. For example, in
the case of a simple apparatus incapable of adjusting the flow rate
of the liquid sample with high precision or when the flow rate is
smaller than a value expected in a liquid transfer mechanism due to
a viscosity difference in the liquid sample, a reaction amount
between the antigen and the antibody decreases, and when the flow
rate is greater than the ideal value, the reaction amount between
the antigen and the antibody increases. Thus, when the flow rate of
the liquid sample is changed, correct measurement cannot be
performed.
[0166] However, according to the present embodiment, the flow cell
10 in which the liquid-sample detection substance 73 having a
refractive index varying by reacting with a substance other than a
substance expected to react with the measured substance among
substances contained in the liquid sample is fixed to the thin
metallic film is irradiated with light at a state in which the
liquid sample flows, to obtain the resonant angle, which is an
incident angle at which the reflectivity of light is smallest, from
the incident angle-reflectivity curve for the liquid-sample
detection substance 73 obtained from the image photographed by the
CCD camera 5, obtain the refractive indices of the liquid-sample
detection substance 73 and the reacting substance in the liquid
sample from the resonant angle, obtain the amount of error of the
flow rate of the liquid sample from the rate of change of the
refractive index, and obtain the correction amount for the reaction
amount from the amount of error of the flow rate, such that the
reaction amount obtained by the reaction-result derivation unit 67
can be corrected. As a result, according to the present embodiment,
it is possible to correct the measurement result according to the
change of the flow rate of the liquid sample.
[0167] In the present embodiment, when the resonant angle is
obtained from the incident angle-reflectivity curve obtained by the
image processor 65 and the liquid sample beginning to flow on the
flow cell 10 is detected from the change of the resonant angle, the
measurement initiation signal is output and the period of the image
acquisition timing signal is made shorter than the normal period
between an output time of the measurement initiation signal and a
predetermined time, thereby achieving high correction precision for
the measurement result.
Fourth Embodiment
[0168] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be
described. A description of the same portions of the present
invention as in the first embodiment will be omitted. The fourth
embodiment differs from the first embodiment in a method of
obtaining the flow rate of the sample flowing in the flow cell.
Accordingly, the differences will now be described.
[0169] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
controller 113b of a data processing device in an antigen
concentration detecting apparatus according to a fourth embodiment
of the present invention.
[0170] The controller 113b has a data input unit 11, a data storage
unit 12, an SPR angle calculator 13, an interpolation operation
unit 14, a waveform differentiation operation unit 16, a waveform
subtractor 17, a standard-deviation operation unit 18, a waveform
differentiation and square unit 23, a straight line detector 24,
and a flow rate detector 25.
[0171] The fourth embodiment of the present invention differs from
the first embodiment in which the controller 113a has the waveform
shifter 15, the time difference detector 19, and the flow rate
calculator 20, in that the controller 113b has the waveform
differentiation and square unit 23, the straight line detector 24,
and the flow rate detector 25.
[0172] Further, the waveform differentiation and square unit 23,
the straight line detector 24, and the flow rate detector 25 are
collectively termed as a flow rate operation unit 21b.
[0173] First, the antigen concentration detecting apparatus of the
present embodiment flows a sample having a low refractive index
through a flow path of a flow cell in a Y1 direction (see FIGS. 1
and 2). Here, the refractive index of this sample is N1.
[0174] Next, the antigen concentration detecting apparatus of the
present embodiment flows a sample having a high refractive index
through the flow path of the flow cell in the Y1 direction. Here,
the refractive index of this sample is N2. There is a relationship
of N2>N1 between the refractive index N1 and the refractive
index N2.
[0175] Next, the antigen concentration detecting apparatus of the
present embodiment flows the sample having a low refractive index
through the flow path of the flow cell in the Y1 direction. This
sample refractive index is N1.
[0176] When this process is performed, a temporal change of the
refractive index at a plurality of points in the Y1 direction of
the flow cell is measured such that an arrangement indicating a
refractive index at each time and at each point can be obtained. A
graph as shown in FIG. 17(a) is obtained by indicating the
arrangement using a contour line.
[0177] In FIG. 17(a), a horizontal axis denotes a time and a
vertical axis denotes a distance from a predetermined point of the
flow path of the flow cell.
[0178] In FIG. 17(a), three straight lines having a positive slope
are plotted around a time t11. In FIG. 17(b), three straight lines
having a positive slope are also plotted around a time t12. Points
connected by the each straight lines mean that the SPR angles are
the same.
[0179] Where a flow rate of a sample flowing in the flow cell is
very high, slopes of the three straight lines around the time t11
and the three straight lines around the time t12 become closer to a
slope of the vertical axis (Y1 axis) in FIG. 17(a). That is, the
slope of each straight line approaches infinity.
[0180] Where the flow rate of the sample flowing in the flow cell
is low, the slopes of the three straight lines around the time t11
and the three straight lines around the time t12 are closer to a
slope of the horizontal axis (time axis) in FIG. 17(a). That is,
the slope of each straight line approaches 0.
[0181] When the graph in FIG. 17(a) is observed from a
predetermined point (at which Y1=YA) of the flow cell, a graph as
shown in FIG. 17(b) is obtained. In FIG. 17(b), a horizontal axis
denotes a time and a vertical axis denotes an SPR angle.
[0182] The straight line detector 24 of the controller 113b of FIG.
16 detects a straight line portion from an image of FIG. 17(a). The
straight line detector 24 of the present embodiment detects the
straight line portion from the image of FIG. 17(a) using Hough
conversion, which is a known image processing algorithm.
Alternatively, the straight line detector 24 may detect the
straight line portion from the image using a known image process
algorithm other than the Hough conversion.
[0183] The waveform differentiation and square unit 23
differentiates the arrangement data of FIG. 17(a) in a time
direction so that the straight line detector 24 using the Hough
conversion is suitable for detecting a portion in which the flow
rate is changed. Thereafter, the waveform differentiation and
square unit 23 performs a square process.
[0184] The flow rate detector 25 obtains the slope of the straight
line from the operation result of the straight line detector 24 to
calculate the flow rate of the sample flowing in the flow cell.
[0185] In the first embodiment, it is necessary to determine two
points of the antibody fixed area 201 or the reference area 202 in
advance, and it is possible to obtain the flow rate in a specific
section of the flow cell. In the fourth embodiment, since the flow
rate can be obtained from the slope of the straight line, a
temporal change of the flow rate can be obtained depending on a
location in the flow cell. Accordingly, high processing precision
in the antigen concentration detecting apparatus can be
achieved.
[0186] Further, although the case in which Hough conversion is used
to obtain the flow rate has been described in the fourth
embodiment, this method may be applied to the second or third
embodiment.
[0187] A program for realizing functions of the each parts (FIGS.
4, 11 and 16) of the data processing device in the antigen
concentration measurement apparatus according to the first to
fourth embodiments may be recorded in a computer-readable recording
medium and read by a computer system to perform the process of
detecting the flow rate of the sample. Further, the "computer
system" herein includes an operating system (OS) and hardware such
as peripheral devices. The "computer system" also includes a WWW
system having a homepage providing environment (or a display
environment). The "computer-readable recording medium" includes a
storage device such as a flexible disk, a magnetic optical disk, a
ROM, a portable medium such as CD-ROM, and a hard disk included in
a computer system. Also, the "computer-readable recording medium"
includes a medium that stores a program for a predetermined time,
like a volatile memory (RAM) in a computer system consisting of a
server and a client when a program is transmitted via a network
such as the Internet or a communication line such as telephone
line.
[0188] Further, the program may be transmitted from a computer
system in which the program is stored in a storage device, and so
on to other computer systems via a transmission medium or by a
transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the
"transmission medium" for transmitting the program refers to a
medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a
network (communication network) such as the Internet or a
communication line such as a telephone line. Also, the program may
be a program for realizing a portion of the above-described
function. Alternatively, the program may be a program capable of
realizing the above-described function through a combination with a
program previously stored in a computer system, i.e., a
differential file (differential program).
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0189] The present invention is applicable to a flow rate
measurement apparatus, an antigen concentration measurement
apparatus, a flow cell, a flow rate measurement method, an antigen
concentration measurement method, and so on capable of accurately
measuring the flow rate of the sample in the flow cell and
detecting an antibody area that the sample reaches in the area to
which a plurality of serially arranged antibodies are fixed.
* * * * *