Absorbance Measuring Device and Method Thereof

Abstract

A highly-reliable absorbance measuring device that enables highly-accurate measurement of absorbance, and a method thereof are provided.

A liquid containing unit that can contain a chemical substance solution to be measured, a nozzle that communicates with a suction/discharge mechanism that sucks/discharges gas, a flow tube that includes a mouth part, which can be inserted into the liquid containing unit, at a lower end and that is detachably attached to the nozzle at an upper end, an emitting end that can emit measurement light, a light receiving end that can receive the light emitted from the emitting end, and a control unit are included. The control unit is configured to suck a prescribed amount of the chemical substance solution into the flow tube, and to lead absorbance on the basis of intensity of transmitted light acquired by emission of measurement light in a vertical direction into the flow tube.

Claims

1. An absorbance measuring device comprising: one or more liquid containing units that can contain a chemical substance solution to be measured; one or more nozzles that communicate with a suction/discharge mechanism that sucks/discharges gas; one or more flow tubes each of which has at a lower end, a mouth part that can be inserted into each of the liquid containing units, and at an upper end, an opening part for attachment that is detachably attached to the nozzles; one or more emitting ends each of which is an end part of an optical fiber that can be optically connected to a light source and which can emit measurement light; one or more light receiving ends each of which is an end part of an optical fiber that can be optically connected to a photoelectric conversion unit and which can receive the light emitted from the emitting ends; and a control unit that at least controls the suction/discharge mechanism and leads absorbance of the chemical substance solution, wherein one of the emitting end and the light receiving end is provided in the nozzles or the suction/discharge mechanism, and the other of the emitting end and the light receiving end is provided outside the flow tubes in such a manner that the mouth parts of the flow tubes can be placed on an upper side thereof, and that both of the emitting end and the light receiving end can be placed on a common vertical axis passing through both of the mouth part and the opening part for attachment of the flow tubes attached to the nozzles; wherein the control unit controls in such a manner that a prescribed amount of the chemical substance solution is sucked into the flow tubes attached to the nozzles, the mouth part of the flow tubes is placed on the upper side of the other of the emitting end and the light receiving end in such a manner that both of the emitting end and the light receiving end are placed on the common vertical axis, and the absorbance is led on the basis of intensity of transmitted light of the chemical substance solution which light is the measurement light emitted from the emitting ends in a vertical direction through the flow tubes and received at the light receiving ends, and wherein the optical fiber, an end part of which is the one of the emitting end and the light receiving end, is provided in such a manner as to pass through the nozzles or the suction/discharge mechanism.

2. The absorbance measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid containing units, and the other of the emitting end and the light receiving end are provided in a stage, a nozzle moving mechanism that can relatively move the nozzles with respect to the stage is further included, and the control unit leads the absorbance of the chemical substance solution by at least controlling the nozzle moving mechanism and the suction/discharge mechanism.

3. The absorbance measuring device according to claim 2, further comprising an emission switching unit that switches optical connection between the one or more emitting ends and one or more light sources, or a light-reception switching unit that switches optical connection between the one or more light receiving ends and one or more photoelectric conversion units.

4. The absorbance measuring device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the liquid containing units and a reaction container is a photometric container including a bottom part in which a translucent region that is translucent to the measurement light is formed on the upper side of the other of the emitting end and the light receiving end.

5. The absorbance measuring device according to claim 4, wherein the flow tubes are formed in such a manner as to be shielded from outside light, the photometric container includes a tubular recessed part from an upper side of which a lower end part of each of the flow tubes can be inserted or loosely inserted and which is formed in the bottom part of the photometric container, the translucent region is formed in a narrow bottom part of the recessed part, and a narrow sidewall part of the recessed part is formed in such a manner as to be shielded from the outside light.

6. The absorbance measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control in such a manner that the chemical substance solution is sucked to an upper side of a position that is above each of the mouth parts of the flow tubes for a certain distance.

7. The absorbance measuring device according to claim 1, wherein two or more kinds of chemical substance solutions are respectively contained in the two or more liquid containing units, one kind of chemical substance solution in a plurality of kinds of the chemical substance solutions is an internal standard solution of known concentration, one kind of measurement light in a plurality of kinds of the measurement light is standard measurement light that can be absorbed by the internal standard, and the control unit controls in such a manner that a prescribed amount of each of the chemical substance solutions and a prescribed amount of the internal standard solution are mixed and sucked in the flow tubes, each kind of the measurement light and the standard measurement light are emitted from the emitting ends into the flow tubes, and absorbance of each of the chemical substance solutions is led on the basis of intensity of each kind of transmitted light with respect to the measurement light and intensity of transmitted light with respect to the standard measurement light which pieces of transmitted light are received at the light receiving ends.

8. The absorbance measuring device according to claim 1, wherein two or more kinds of chemical substance solutions are respectively contained in the two or more liquid containing units, one kind of chemical substance solution in a plurality of kinds of the chemical substance solutions is a diluent, and the control unit controls in such a manner that a prescribed amount of each of the chemical substance solutions and a predetermined amount of the diluent are mixed and sucked in the flow tubes, each kind of the measurement light is emitted from the emitting ends into the flow tubes, and absorbance of the chemical substance solutions is led on the basis of intensity of each kind of transmitted light with respect to the measurement light which transmitted light is received at the light receiving ends.

9. An absorbance measuring method comprising: a sucking step of sucking, by using a suction/discharge mechanism, a prescribed amount of a chemical substance solution from one or more liquid containing units, which contain a chemical substance solution to be measured, into one or more flow tubes, in each of which an opening part for attachment that is detachably attached to one or more nozzles is provided at an upper end and each of which includes at a lower end a mouth part that can be inserted into the liquid containing unit, through the nozzles that communicate with the suction/discharge mechanism; a step of providing one or more emitting ends each of which is an end part of an optical fiber that can be optically connected to a light source and which can emit measurement light and one or more light receiving ends each of which is an end part of an optical fiber that can be optically connected to a photoelectric conversion unit and which can receive the light emitted from the emitting ends, wherein one of the emitting end and the light receiving end is provided in the nozzles or the suction/discharge mechanism, and providing the other of the emitting end and the light receiving end outside the flow tubes, in such a manner that the mouth parts of the flow tubes can be placed on an upper side thereof, and both of the emitting end and the light receiving end can be placed on a common vertical axis passing through both of the mouth part and the opening part for attachment of the flow tubes attached to the nozzles, a measurement light emitting step of placing the mouth parts of the flow tubes attached to the nozzles on the upper side of the other of the emitting end and the light receiving end in such a manner that both of the emitting end and the light receiving end are placed on the common vertical axis, and emitting the measurement light from the emitting ends in a vertical direction through the flow tubes; and an absorbance analyzing step of leading absorbance of the chemical substance solution on the basis of intensity of transmitted light received at the light receiving ends, wherein the optical fiber an end part of which is the one of the emitting end and the light receiving end is provided in such a manner as to pass through the nozzles or the suction/discharge mechanism.

10. The absorbance measuring method according to claim 9, wherein the liquid containing units, and the other of the emitting end and the light receiving end is provided in a stage, and a nozzle moving mechanism that can relatively move the nozzles with respect to the stage is included, and, in the measurement light emitting step, the mouth parts of the one or more flow tubes are placed on the upper side of the other of the emitting end and the light receiving end by the nozzle moving mechanism and emission is performed in the vertical direction through the flow tubes.

11. The absorbance measuring method according to claim 9, wherein the measurement light emitting step includes an optical connection switching step of switching optical connection between the one or more emitting ends and one or more light sources or between the one or more light receiving ends and one or more photoelectric conversion units.

12. The absorbance measuring method according to claim 9, wherein, in the sucking step, at least one of the liquid containing units and a reaction container is a photometric container that includes a bottom part which is formed on the upper side of the other of the emitting end and the light receiving end and in which a translucent region with translucency is formed, and suction into the flow tubes is performed by the suction/discharge mechanism with only a part of a chemical substance solution contained in the photometric container being left, and, in the measurement light emitting step, the mouth parts of the flow tubes are placed on the upper side of the other of the emitting end and the light receiving end by abutment of the mouth parts of the flow tubes to the translucent region in the bottom part, and the measurement light is emitted from the emitting ends in the vertical direction through the flow tubes.

13. The absorbance measuring method according to claim 9, wherein the flow tubes are provided in such a manner as to block outside light, the photometric container includes a tubular recessed part from an upper side of which a lower end part of each of the flow tubes can be inserted or loosely inserted and which is formed around a center of the photometric container, the translucent region is provided in a narrow bottom part of the recessed part, and a narrow sidewall part of the recessed part is formed in such a manner as to be shielded from the outside light, and, in the measurement light emitting step, the flow tubes are moved to an upper side of the photometric container, and the measurement light is emitted from the emitting ends in the vertical direction through the flow tubes in a state in which the lower end part of each of the flow tubes is inserted or loosely inserted into the recessed part and the mouth part thereof is abutted to the narrow bottom part.

14. The absorbance measuring method according to claim 9, wherein, in the sucking step, the chemical substance solution is sucked to an upper side of a position that is above the mouth parts of the flow tubes for a certain distance.

15. The absorbance measuring method according to claim 9, wherein the chemical substance solution in the sucking step is a plurality of kinds of chemical substance solutions, one kind of chemical substance solution in the chemical substance solutions is an internal standard solution of known concentration, and a prescribed amount of each of the chemical substance solutions and a prescribed amount of the internal standard are mixed and sucked into the flow tubes, there are a plurality of kinds of the measurement light in the measurement light emitting step, one kind of measurement light among these is standard measurement light that can be absorbed by the internal standard, and each kind of the measurement light and the standard measurement light are emitted into the flow tubes, the light receiving step is performed by reception of transmitted light with respect to each kind of the measurement light and transmitted light with respect to the standard measurement light at the light receiving ends, and, in the analyzing step, absorbance of each of the chemical substance solutions is led on the basis of intensity of the transmitted light of each kind of the measurement light and intensity of the transmitted light of the standard measurement light.

16. The absorbance measuring method according to claim 15, wherein one kind of chemical substance solution in the plurality of kinds of chemical substance solutions in the sucking step is a diluent, and a prescribed amount of each of the chemical substance solutions and a predetermined amount of the diluent are mixed and sucked into the flow tubes.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0090] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an absorbance measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an absorbance measuring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view conceptually illustrating a main part of FIG. 2 and a partially-enlarged perspective view in which a part of FIG. 2 is extracted and illustrated in an enlarged manner.

[0093] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of different processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating a measurement result according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] FIG. 7 is a perspective view in which a main part of FIG. 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is extracted and illustrated.

[0097] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a rear side of FIG. 7.

[0098] FIG. 9 is a perspective view in which a part of FIG. 8 is extracted and illustrated.

[0099] FIG. 10 is a partial cross section description view conceptually illustrating a main part of FIG. 9.

[0100] FIG. 11 is a cross section conceptual view illustrating a part of FIG. 9 in an enlarged manner.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0101] An absorbance measuring device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is described on the basis of FIG. 1.

[0102] The absorbance measuring device 10 includes a stage 3 in which containing unit groups 3.sub.1 to 3.sub.n in each of which one or more containing units that contain one or more kinds of chemical substance solutions, and a reaction container are arrayed in such a manner as to be extended in a Y-axis direction (column direction) are arrayed in an X-axis direction (row direction), and a nozzle head 5 including a suction/discharge mechanism 41 that sucks/discharges gas, a plurality of nozzles 4.sub.1 to 4.sub.n that communicates with the suction/discharge mechanism 41 and that is arrayed in the X-axis direction at intervals corresponding to the array of the containing unit groups, and one or more flow tubes 2.sub.1 to 2.sub.n each of which includes at a lower end a mouth part 2a, which can suck/discharge liquid and which can be simultaneously inserted into each of the containing units or the reaction container in each of the containing unit groups, and includes at an upper end an opening part for attachment 2b detachably attached to the nozzles 4.sub.1 to 4.sub.n.

[0103] The absorbance measuring device 10 includes a nozzle moving mechanism (51, 42) that can relatively move the nozzles 4.sub.1 to 4.sub.n with respect to the stage 3, one or more emitting ends 6.sub.1 to 6.sub.n that can emit one or more kinds of measurement light to at least one of the flow tubes 2.sub.1 to 2.sub.n in such a manner as to pass through the flow tubes 2.sub.1 to 2.sub.n, a light source 62 that is optically connected to the emitting ends, one or more light receiving ends 7.sub.1 to 7.sub.n that can receive the light from the emitting ends 6.sub.1 to 6.sub.n, and a photoelectric conversion unit 72 that is optically connected to the light receiving ends 7.sub.1 to 7.sub.n and that converts intensity of received light into an electric signal.

[0104] One of a group of the emitting ends 6.sub.1 to 6.sub.n and a group of the light receiving ends 7.sub.1 to 7.sub.n is provided on a common vertical axis passing through both of the mouth part 2a and the opening part for attachment 2b of each of the flow tubes 2.sub.1 to 2.sub.n attached to the nozzles and is provided in the nozzles or the suction/discharge mechanism on an upper side thereof, respectively. The other of the group of the emitting ends 6.sub.1 to 6.sub.n and the group of the light receiving ends 7.sub.1 to 7.sub.n is provided in the stage 3 in such a manner that the mouth parts 2a of the flow tubes 2.sub.1 to 2.sub.n can be placed on an upper side thereof, respectively.

[0105] The absorbance measuring device 10 includes a CPU+memory+program 9 that performs information processing as a control unit that controls the nozzle moving mechanism (51, 42), the suction/discharge mechanism 41, the light source 62, and the like and that calculates one or more kinds of chemical substance concentration, and an operation panel 94 on which operation such as an instruction by a user with respect to the CPU+memory+program 9 is performed.

[0106] The CPU+memory+program 9 performs control of sucking a prescribed amount of each of the chemical substance solutions independently or in a mixed manner into the flow tubes 2.sub.1 to 2.sub.n, placing the mouth parts 2a on the common vertical axis and on an upper side of the other of the group of the emitting ends 6.sub.1 to 6.sub.n and the group of the light receiving ends 7.sub.1 to 7.sub.n, and calculating the absorbance on the basis of intensity of transmitted light acquired by emission of the measurement light into the flow tubes.

[0107] As described above, one of a column of the emitting ends 6.sub.1 to 6.sub.n that can emit the measurement light through the flow tubes and a column of the light receiving ends 7.sub.1 to 7.sub.n that can receive the light from the emitting ends is provided in a part 44 on the common vertical axis in the suction/discharge mechanism 41 or the nozzles 4.sub.1 to 4.sub.n in the nozzle head 5 (such as leading end of nozzle 4.sub.1 to 4.sub.n or leading end of plunger of cylinder), and the other is provided in the stage 3 in a manner of being arrayed in the X-axis direction. In light measurement, control is performed in such a manner that pairs of the light receiving ends 7.sub.1 to 7.sub.n and the emitting ends 6.sub.1 to 6.sub.n (pair of same subscript number) are placed on the common vertical axis through the flow tubes 2.sub.1 to 2.sub.n attached to the nozzles 4.sub.1 to 4.sub.n. Each of the light receiving ends 7.sub.1 to 7.sub.n or the emitting ends 6.sub.1 to 6.sub.n provided in the part 44 on the common vertical axis in the nozzles 4.sub.1 to 4.sub.n or the suction/discharge mechanism 41 is optically connected to the photoelectric conversion unit 72 or the light source 62 by a flexible light guiding path 71 (61). Here, the light source 62, the emitting ends 6.sub.1 to 6.sub.n, and the light guiding path 61 correspond to an emission unit 6, and the photoelectric conversion unit 72 and the light receiving ends 7.sub.1 to 7.sub.n correspond to a light receiving unit 7.

[0108] In the nozzle head 5, a nozzle moving unit 42 that moves the nozzles 4.sub.1 to 4.sub.n simultaneously in a Z-axis direction, a magnetic force mechanism 43 that can apply magnetic force to the inside of the flow tubes 2.sub.1 to 2.sub.n attached to the nozzles 4.sub.1 to 4.sub.n, and a detachment mechanism 45 that can simultaneously detach the flow tubes 2.sub.1 to 2.sub.n from the nozzles 4.sub.1 to 4.sub.n are further provided. Here, a combination of the nozzle moving unit 42 that can move the nozzles 4.sub.1 to 4.sub.n in the Z-axis direction and the nozzle head moving mechanism 51 that can move the nozzle head 5 in the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction corresponds to the nozzle moving mechanism (51, 42).

[0109] A CPU+program+memory 9 includes an extraction/reaction control unit 91 that gives an instruction of extraction or reaction to the nozzle moving mechanism (51, 42), the suction/discharge mechanism 41, and the magnetic force mechanism 43, an absorption measurement control unit 92 that performs control of absorption measurement with respect to the nozzle moving mechanism (51, 42), the suction/discharge mechanism 41, the nozzle moving unit 42, the light source 62, and the photoelectric conversion unit 72, and an absorbance analysis unit 93 that leads absorbance of a chemical substance solution to be measured on the basis of intensity of transmitted light which intensity is acquired from the photoelectric conversion unit 72.

[0110] The containing unit groups 3.sub.1 to 3.sub.n in the stage 3 respectively include one or more liquid containing units 34.sub.1 to 34.sub.n containing one or more kinds of chemical substance solutions, dispensing flow tube containing units 32.sub.1 to 32.sub.n in each of which a dispensing flow tube used as a dispensing chip is contained with an opening part for attachment being on an upper side in such a manner that attachment to the nozzles become possible, photometric flow tube containing units 33.sub.1 to 33.sub.n in each of which a photometric flow tube that performs measurement of light absorption is contained with an opening part for attachment being on an upper side in such a manner that attachment to the nozzles becomes possible, and reaction containers 31.sub.1 to 31.sub.n in which temperature control is possible.

[0111] Next, on the basis of FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, an absorbance measuring device 11 that is a more-detailed absorbance measuring device 10 that is according to the first embodiment of the present invention and that is described on the basis of FIG. 1 will be described.

[0112] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the absorbance measuring device 11 is embedded in a chassis having a function of a dark box that can block intrusion of light from the outside when necessary, and a touch-type tablet (not illustrated) corresponding to the operation panel 94 is provided outside the chassis.

[0113] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the stage 30 formed of a plate includes microplates 310, 341, and 342 in which a plurality of 8 columns12 rows (column direction is in Y-axis direction and row direction is in X-axis direction, same shall be applied hereinafter) of wells that can contain liquid is provided, four reagent tanks 340, a dispensing flow tube containing unit group 320 in which flow tube containing units that contain 8 columns12 rows of dispensing flow tubes with mouth parts thereof being on a lower side and opening parts for attachment thereof being on an upper side are provided, a disposal vent 371 which has a length, with which flow tubes 20.sub.1 to 20.sub.n, and 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.n attached to the plurality of (eight in this example) nozzles 40.sub.1 to 40.sub.n (n=8 in this example) can be simultaneously inserted thereto, and through which the flow tubes detached from the nozzles 40.sub.1 to 40.sub.n or liquid sucked by the flow tubes can be disposed to a disposal box 370 (described later), a photometric flow tube containing unit group 330 that contains 2 columns4 rows of photometric flow tubes with mouth parts thereof on a lower side and opening parts for attachment thereof on an upper side, and a light receiving end 70.sub.6 (light receiving unit 70). Each well in the microplate 310 is a reaction container in which temperature control can be performed, a chemical substance solution to be a measurement object of concentration is contained in the microplate 341, and the microplate 342 is a well for mixing solutions. These microplates 310, 341, and 342, photometric flow tube containing unit 330, and the like are provided in a manner of being loadable to and removable from the absorbance measuring device 11. In the drawing, a sign 370 is a disposal box that can store liquid or a flow tube disposed to the disposal vent 371 and that is provided in a manner of being loadable to and removable from the absorbance measuring device 11.

[0114] Moreover, the absorbance measuring device 11 includes a nozzle head 50 in which a plurality of (eight in this example) nozzles 40.sub.1 to 40.sub.n is arrayed in the X-axis direction, and a nozzle head moving mechanism 510 that can relatively move the nozzle head 50 in the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction with respect to the stage 30. The nozzle head 50 includes a suction/discharge mechanism 410 that sucks/discharges gas, the eight nozzles 40.sub.1 to 40.sub.n that communicate with the suction/discharge mechanism 410, sixteen flow tubes 20.sub.1 to 20.sub.n, and 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.n including, at lower ends, mouth parts 20a and 21a that can suck/discharge liquid and that can be inserted into the containing units and including, at upper ends, opening parts for attachment 20b and 21b which parts can be detachably attached to the nozzles 40.sub.1 to 40.sub.n, a nozzle moving unit 420 that can move the nozzles 40.sub.1 to 40.sub.n simultaneously in the Z-axis direction with respect to the stage 30, a magnetic force mechanism 430 which can simultaneously apply or remove magnetic force to or from the inside of the flow tubes 20.sub.1 to 20.sub.n attached to the nozzles 40.sub.1 to 40.sub.n and in which a magnet is provided in a manner of being retractable with respect to the flow tubes 20.sub.1 to 20.sub.n, a detachment mechanism 450 that can detach the flow tubes 20.sub.1 to 20.sub.n, and 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.n attached to the nozzles 40.sub.1 to 40.sub.n from the nozzles, and the light source 62. A combination of the nozzle head moving mechanism 510 and the nozzle moving unit 420 corresponds to the nozzle moving mechanism.

[0115] The nozzle head moving mechanism 510 includes a Y-axis moving mechanism 51y including a rail 512 laid in the Y-axis direction on the stage 30, a timing belt 513 bridged to a rotor 514 in the Y-axis direction, and a nozzle head supporting Y-axis moving body 515 that can be moved in the Y-axis direction by the timing belt 513, and an X-axis moving mechanism 51x provided in such a manner as to be able to move the nozzle head 50 in the X-axis direction to the nozzle head supporting Y-axis moving body 515. In the drawing, a sign 511 is a motor that drives a timing belt as the X-axis moving mechanism 51x. Note that an information processing device corresponding to the CPU+memory+program 9 is also embedded in a downside of the stage 30.

[0116] In FIG. 3, the nozzle head 50 is illustrated in more detail. The nozzle head 50 includes a nozzle moving unit 420 that can move the plurality of nozzles 40.sub.1 to 40.sub.n (n=8 in this example) in the Z-axis direction. The nozzle moving unit 420 includes a motor 421, a rotor 422 rotationally driven by the motor 421, a timing belt 424 bridged between the rotor 422 and a rotor 423, and a ball screw 425 that is laid in the Z-axis direction and is rotationally driven by the rotor 423. By a rotation of the ball screw 425, a Z-axis moving body 42z including a nozzle supporting substrate 40 that supports the nozzles coupled to a nut part screwed to the ball screw 425 is moved upward/downward.

[0117] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the Z-axis moving body 42z of the nozzle head 50 further includes a suction/discharge mechanism 410, and the suction/discharge mechanism 410 includes a motor 412, a ball screw 413 rotationally driven by the motor 412, a plunger driving plate 415 coupled to a nut part screwed to the ball screw 413, and a plurality of (eight in this example) plungers 411 that is coupled to the plunger driving plate 415 and that is provided in a manner of being slidable in a plurality of (eight in this example) cylinders 416. An optical fiber 610 as a flexible light guiding path is provided in a piercing manner in a plunger 411 that slides in one cylinder 416 that communicates with at least one nozzle such as a nozzle 40.sub.6 in the eight nozzles. A leading end of the optical fiber 610 is provided to an emitting end 60.sub.6 at a leading end part 414 of the plunger 411 and a rear end thereof reaches a light source 620. Here, the emitting end 60.sub.6, the optical fiber 610, and the light source 620 correspond to an emission unit 60.

[0118] As illustrated in FIG. 3(a), a lower end part of the cylinder 416 communicates with the nozzle 40.sub.6, and a photometric flow tube 21.sub.6 is detachably attached to the nozzle 40.sub.6. The photometric flow tube 21.sub.6 or a dispensing flow tube 20.sub.6 includes a mouth part 20a that is provided at a lower end and that can suck/discharge liquid, an opening part for attachment 20b, 21b that can be attached to the nozzle 40.sub.6, a narrow tube part 21c (20c) including the mouth part at a lower end, and a wide tube part 21d (20d) that is formed to be wider than the narrow tube part and that includes the opening part for attachment 20b, 21b at an upper end. A sign 21e (20e) is a protrusion that is protruded from the wide tube part 21d (20d) in an outer direction and that is provided in a manner of being detachable from the nozzle by a flow tube detachment plate 450 (described later). In a case of the photometric flow tube 21.sub.6, the narrow tube part and the wide tube part are preferably painted with a black paint or formed of a black substance. In a case of the dispensing flow tubes 20.sub.1 to 20.sub.n (n=8 in this example), being transparent or translucent is preferable.

[0119] As illustrated in FIG. 3(b), a through hole having a size with which the eight nozzles 40.sub.1 to 40.sub.n provided in such a manner as to be protruded to a lower end of the cylinder supported by the nozzle supporting substrate 40 can pierce through and a size in which the flow tubes 20.sub.1 to 20.sub.n, and 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.n (n=8 in this example) attached to the nozzles 40.sub.1 to 40.sub.n cannot piece through is formed in the flow tube detachment plate 450 of a bottom plate. A cylinder containing box 417 that is supported by the plunger driving plate 415 and that is provided in such a manner as to be able to move the flow tube detachment plate 450 in a lower direction by pushing a detaching stick by downward movement of the plunger driving plate 415 for a predetermined distance or more are included. A lower end of the detaching stick is attached to the flow tube detachment plate 450. The flow tube detachment plate 450 is supported in a state of being elastically biased to an upper side at all times. An upper end of the detaching stick is at a position separated from the plunger driving plate 415 for the predetermined distance.

[0120] As illustrated in FIG. 3(b), a light receiving unit 70 is provided in the stage 30. The light receiving unit 70 includes a hole 74 provided in a stage substrate 73, a lens of a light receiving end 70.sub.6 provided on a downside of the hole 74, and a photoelectric conversion unit 720 that includes an ADP as a light receiving element provided on a lower side of the lens, a CCD image sensor, a photomultiplier tube (PMT), and the like. Note that as described above, the light source 620 is provided in the nozzle head 50, and the light source 620 is optically connected, via the optical fiber 610, to the emitting end 60.sub.6 at the leading end part 414 of the plunger 411 that slides in the cylinder 416. For example, a deuterium lamp is used as the light source 620.

[0121] Next, an operation of the absorbance measuring device 11 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0122] In step S1, for example, 0.022 M of a chemical substance solution A to be measured (such as dNTP mixture, Takara Bio Inc., Code: 4030, Lot: BH7301B) is previously contained in one well (for example, in sixth column in first row) of the microplate 341 provided on the stage 30 of the absorbance measuring device 11, and a reference solution C (such as TE, 10 mM Tris-HCl, 1 mM EDTA, pH 8.0) as a blank sample for reference measurement in which light is not absorbed is contained in one reagent tank (such as first tank in four tank) among the reagent tanks 340. Also, it is assumed that a dispensing flow tube 20.sub.6 is contained in one flow tube containing unit in the sixth column in the first row of the dispensing flow tube containing unit group 320 and that a dispensing flow tube 20.sub.6 is also contained in one flow tube containing unit in the sixth column in the second row. Note that a description of processing using a dispensing flow tube is omitted.

[0123] In step S2, the nozzle head 50 is moved to an upper side of the second column in the first row of the photometric flow tube containing unit group 330 by the nozzle head moving mechanisms 51x and 51y and the nozzle 40.sub.6 is moved downward by the nozzle moving unit 420, whereby a photometric flow tube 21.sub.6 (for example, formed by molding of olefin-based resin such as polypropylene or polyethylene to which resin pigment such as carbon black is kneaded) is attached to the nozzle 40.sub.6. After the attached flow tube 21.sub.6 is lifted by the nozzle moving unit 420, the photometric flow tube 21.sub.6 is placed above the first reagent tank in the four reagent tanks 340 by the nozzle head moving mechanisms 51x and 51y and is moved downward by the nozzle moving unit 420, around 10 mm (around 7.6 L) of a prescribed amount of the reference solution C is sucked from a leading end of the photometric flow tube by the suction/discharge mechanism 410, and a liquid lower end surface of the chemical substance solution A is placed in a predetermined distance such as 5 mm above the mouth part. Then, by the nozzle head moving mechanism 51x and 51y, the photometric flow tube 21.sub.6 of the nozzle head 50 is lifted again and is placed on an upper side of the lens provided at the light receiving end 70.sub.6 of the light receiving unit 70 of the stage 30 in such a manner that the emitting end 60.sub.6 provided at a lower end of the plunger 411 that slides in the cylinder 416 coupled to the nozzle 40.sub.6 and the lens provided at the light receiving end 70.sub.6 is on a common vertical axis connecting an mouth part 21a and an opening part for attachment 21b of the photometric flow tube 21.sub.6 and that the lens provided at the light receiving end 70.sub.6 is in a predetermined distance (such as 10 mm) below the mouth part 21a.

[0124] In step S3, measurement light, for example, in a range of wavelengths 200 to 850 nm is emitted from the emitting end 60.sub.6 to the solution C in the photometric flow tube 21.sub.6, and intensity of transmitted light of the solution C which light is received through the lens provided at the light receiving end 70.sub.6 is converted into intensity data I.sub.0 as an electric signal by the photoelectric conversion unit 720, subtracted from a measurement value of a sample, and used as reference data to calculate absorbance of the sample. The photometric flow tube is disposed from the disposal vent 371 into the disposal box 370 by the detachment member 450.

[0125] In step S4, the nozzle head 50 is moved to an upper side of the second column in the second row of the photometric flow tube containing unit group 330 by the nozzle head moving mechanisms 51x and 51y and the nozzle 40.sub.6 is moved downward by the nozzle moving unit 420, whereby a new photometric flow tube 21.sub.6 formed of the black substance is attached to the nozzle 40.sub.6. After the attached flow tube 21.sub.6 is lifted by the nozzle moving unit 420, the photometric flow tube 21.sub.6 is placed above the well in the sixth column in the first row of the microplate 341 by the nozzle head moving mechanisms 51x and 51y and is moved downward by the nozzle moving unit 420, a prescribed amount of the chemical substance solution A is sucked by the suction/discharge mechanism 410, and a liquid lower end surface of the chemical substance solution A is placed in a predetermined distance such as 5 mm above the mouth part. Then, by the nozzle head moving mechanisms 51x and 51y, the photometric flow tube 21.sub.6 of the nozzle head 50 is lifted again and is placed on an upper side of the lens provided at the light receiving end 70.sub.6 of the light receiving unit 70 of the stage 30 in such a manner that the emitting end 60.sub.6 provided at the lower end of the plunger 411 that slides in the cylinder 416 coupled to the nozzle 40.sub.6 and the lens provided at the light receiving end 70.sub.6 are on a common vertical axis connecting a mouth part 20a and an opening part for attachment 20b of the photometric flow tube 21.sub.6 and that the lens provided at the light receiving end 70.sub.6 is in a predetermined distance (such as 10 mm) below the mouth part 20a. Measurement light at a wavelength in a range of 200 to 850 nm is serially emitted from the emitting end 60.sub.6 to the solution A in the photometric flow tube 21.sub.6, and intensity of transmitted light of the solution A which light is received through the lens provided at the light receiving end 70.sub.6 is converted into intensity data I as an electric signal by the photoelectric conversion unit 720.

[0126] In step S5, the absorbance analysis unit 93 of the CPU+program+memory 9 as the control unit acquires absorbance of the chemical substance solution A on the basis of the intensity data I.sub.0 and the intensity data I. Here, a wavelength and absorbance in the range of 200 to 850 nm are calculated, and an average value of absorbance in 350 to 700 nm is calculated for each piece of data and subtracted from the absorbance in 200 to 850 nm for correction of a baseline. A calculated average value (AVG=0.924), standard deviation (SD=0.01), and coefficient of variation (CV=1.56%) of absorbance A.sub.260 at a wavelength of 260 nm are illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0127] Here, as described above, absorbance at a wavelength of the chemical substance solution A is acquired by A.sub.=log.sub.10(I/I.sub.0) from previously calculated incident intensity I.sub.0. Then, when concentration of the chemical substance solution A is c, by using a known attenuation coefficient (molar attenuation coefficient, =0.002 mg/mL) of the chemical substance solution A (dNTP), it is possible to calculate the concentration c by the relational expression A.sub.=cL from an optical length L=10 mm.

[0128] Then, from the absorbance A.sub.260=0.924 at the wavelength A=260 nm at a peak of the absorbance curve line, the concentration c is 45 to 46 mg/L. Also, a purification degree of purified DNA can be evaluated by A.sub.260/A.sub.230 and A.sub.260/A.sub.280. When a value of the former is 1.4 or larger and a value of the latter is 1.8 or larger, there is no problem in the purification degree.

[0129] Subsequently, a case of measuring absorbance by using an internal standard of the absorbance measuring device 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described on the basis of FIG. 4.

[0130] In step S11, for example, 0.022 M of a chemical substance solution A to be measured (such as dNTP mixture, Takara Bio Inc., Code: 4030, Lot: BH7301B) is previously contained in one well (for example, in sixth column in second row) of the microplate 341 provided on the stage 30 of the absorbance measuring device 11, and a prescribed amount of a solution B (such as bromophenol blue (BPB, blue pigment)) as an internal standard is contained, for example, in a second reagent tank in the four reagent tanks 340. Also, it is assumed that a dispensing flow tube 20.sub.6 is contained in one flow tube containing unit in the sixth column in the third row of the dispensing flow tube containing unit group 320 and that to dispensing flow tube 20.sub.6 is also contained in one flow tube containing unit in the sixth column in the fourth row.

[0131] In step S12, the nozzle head 50 is moved to an upper side of the sixth column in the third row of the dispensing flow tube containing unit group 320 by the nozzle head moving mechanisms 51x and 51y and the nozzles 40.sub.1 to 40.sub.n is moved downward by the nozzle moving unit 420, whereby the flow tube 20.sub.1 is attached to the one nozzle 40.sub.1. After being lifted by the nozzle moving unit 420, the attached flow tube 20.sub.1 is moved to the sixth column in the second row of the microplate 341 by the nozzle head moving mechanisms 51x and 51y. After the flow tube is moved downward into the liquid containing unit, a prescribed amount is sucked into the flow tube 20.sub.1 by the suction/discharge mechanism 410.

[0132] The sucked solution A is discharged into a well in the sixth column in the first row of the microplate 342. The flow tube 20.sub.1 is disposed from the disposal vent 371 into the disposal box 370 by the detachment member 450.

[0133] In step S13, the nozzle head 50 is moved again to an upper side of the sixth column in the fourth row of the dispensing flow tube containing unit group 320 by the nozzle head moving mechanisms 51x and 51y and the nozzles 40.sub.1 to 40.sub.n are moved downward by the nozzle moving unit 420, whereby a new flow tube 20.sub.6 is attached to one of the nozzles 40.sub.1 to 40.sub.n. After being lifted by the nozzle moving unit 420, the attached flow tube 20.sub.6 is moved to an upper side of the second one of the reagent tanks 340 by the nozzle head moving mechanisms 51x and 51y and the flow tube 20.sub.6 is moved downward by the nozzle moving unit 420, whereby a prescribed amount of the solution B as an internal standard solution is sucked by the suction/discharge mechanism 410. The sucked solution B is discharged into the well in the sixth column in the first row of the microplate 342 and the solution A and the solution B are mixed. Agitation is performed by repetition of suction and discharge. The flow tube is disposed from the disposal vent 371 into the disposal box by the detachment member 450.

[0134] In step S14, the nozzle head 50 is moved to an upper side of the second column in the third row of the photometric flow tube containing unit group 330 by the nozzle head moving mechanisms 51x and 51y and the nozzle 40.sub.6 is moved downward by the nozzle moving unit 420, whereby a photometric flow tube 21.sub.6 (for example, formed by molding of olefin-based resin such as polypropylene or polyethylene to which resin pigment such as carbon black is kneaded) is attached to the nozzle 40.sub.6. After the attached flow tube 21.sub.6 is lifted by the nozzle moving unit 420, the photometric flow tube 21.sub.6 is placed above the well in the sixth column in the first row of the microplate 342 by the nozzle head moving mechanisms 51x and 51y and moved downward by the nozzle moving unit 420, a prescribed amount a solution AB is sucked by the suction/discharge mechanism 410, and a liquid lower end surface of the chemical substance solution A is placed in a predetermined distance such as 5 mm above the mouth part. Then, by the nozzle head moving mechanisms 51x and 51y, the photometric flow tube 21.sub.6 of the nozzle head 50 is lifted again and is placed on an upper side of the lens provided at the light receiving end 70.sub.6 of the light receiving unit 70 on the stage 30 in such a manner that the emitting end 60.sub.6 provided at the lower end of the plunger 411 that slides in the cylinder 416 coupled to the nozzle 40.sub.6 and the lens provided at the light receiving end 70.sub.6 are on a common vertical axis connecting a mouth part 20a and an opening part for attachment 20b of the photometric flow tube 21.sub.6 and that the lens provided at the light receiving end 70.sub.6 is in a predetermined distance (such as 10 mm) below the mouth part 20a.

[0135] In step S15, measurement light having an optimal wavelength in which light is absorbed by the solution A is emitted from the emitting end 60.sub.6 to the solution AB in the photometric flow tube 21.sub.6, and intensity of transmitted light of the solution AB which light is received through the lens provided at the light receiving end 70.sub.6 is converted into intensity data I as an electric signal by the photoelectric conversion unit 720 of the light receiving unit 70. Standard measurement light having an optimal wavelength which is different from the wavelength and in which light is absorbed by the solution B as the internal standard (such as wavelength around 260 nm in which light absorption is low) is simultaneously or serially emitted from the emitting end 60.sub.6 to the solution AB in the photometric flow tube 21.sub.6, and intensity of transmitted light of the solution AB which light is received through the lens provided at the light receiving end 70.sub.6 is converted into intensity data J as an electric signal by the photoelectric conversion unit 720.

[0136] In step S16, the absorbance analysis unit 93 of the CPU+program+memory 9 as the control unit acquires concentration of the chemical substance solution A on the basis of the intensity data I and the intensity data J. That is, as described above, absorbance of the solution A is acquired by A.sub.1=log.sub.10(I/I.sub.0) from previously calculated incident intensity I.sub.0, and absorbance of the solution B is acquired by A.sub.0=log.sub.10(J/J.sub.0) from previously calculated incident intensity J.sub.0. Then, when concentration of the solution A is c.sub.1 and a known attenuation coefficient .sub.1 of the solution A is used, and when the solution B has known concentration c.sub.0 and a known attenuation coefficient .sub.0 of the solution B is used, the following relational expression is acquired. Note that an optical length L of the solution AB is common in the flow channel.

[0137] That is, c.sub.1=(A.sub.1.sub.0c.sub.0)/(A.sub.0.sub.1) is acquired from A.sub.1=.sub.1c.sub.1L and A.sub.0=.sub.0c.sub.0L. Since the expression does not depend on the optical length L, it becomes possible to remove an influence of a slight fluctuation of the optical length L and to acquire a highly reliable result.

[0138] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of steps (S11 to S16) in a case where a plurality of kinds of chemical substance solutions (A to X) as concentration measurement objects in the microplate 341 or the reagent tanks 340 is measured.

[0139] Next, a nozzle head 15, and cartridge containers 13.sub.1 to 13.sub.8 as a containing unit group provided in a stage 13 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described on the basis of FIG. 7 to FIG. 11.

[0140] FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are views illustrating the nozzle head 15 provided instead of the nozzle head 50, and the cartridge containers 13.sub.1 to 13.sub.8 respectively including, as the containing unit group, at least a plurality of liquid containing units and reaction containers in the absorbance measuring device 11 illustrated in FIG. 2. The cartridge containers 13.sub.1 to 13.sub.8 are provided instead of the reagent tanks 340 and the microplates 341 and 342 in the stage 30 illustrated in FIG. 2. It is assumed that eight other cartridge containers (not illustrated) as a flow tube containing unit group to contain a flow tube are further arrayed, in the stage 13, in an X-axis direction at intervals of rows of the cartridge containers 13.sub.1 to 13.sub.8 instead of the (dispensing and photometric) flow tube containing unit groups 320 and 330. Note that what is illustrated in FIG. 2 and has been described in association therewith is used, for example, as a nozzle moving mechanism and the like except for what will be newly described in the following such as a suction/discharge mechanism or the like provided in the nozzle head 15, and a light receiving end or the like provided in the stage.

[0141] As illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the nozzle head 15 according to the present embodiment includes a suction/discharge mechanism 141. In the suction/discharge mechanism 141, suction/discharge units 141.sub.1 to 141.sub.8 including a plurality of (eight in this example) cylinders are provided and arrayed in an X-axis direction, and nozzles 14.sub.1 to 14.sub.8 that communicates with the cylinders are provided at a lower end thereof in a manner of being protruded to a lower side. Also, the nozzle head 15 includes eight photometric flow tubes 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.8 including, at lower ends, mouth parts 21a that can suck/discharge liquid and that can be inserted into the containing units and including, at upper ends, opening parts for attachment 21b detachably attached to the nozzles 14.sub.1 to 14.sub.8. Also, as described above, the stage 13 includes the cartridge containers 13.sub.1 to 13.sub.8 as a containing unit group in eight columns.

[0142] Each of the suction/discharge units 141.sub.1 to 141.sub.8 of the suction/discharge mechanism 141 includes a cylinder inside, and a plunger provided in a manner of being slidable in an inner side thereof (see, for example, FIG. 3). The plurality of (eight in this example) nozzles 14.sub.1 to 14.sub.8 is respectively provided at lower ends of the cylinders. Optical fibers 161 are respectively provided through the inside of the nozzles 14.sub.1 to 14.sub.8. Leading ends of the optical fibers 161 are respectively provided at emitting ends 16.sub.1 to 16.sub.8 and on common vertical axes of the flow tubes 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.8 at lower ends of the nozzles 14.sub.1 to 14.sub.8. Rear ends of the optical fibers 161 are provided as first connection ends 161a and are arrayed at equal intervals along a first straight line on a connection surface of connection end array plates 18.sub.1 to 18.sub.8.

[0143] As illustrated in FIG. 9, ten liquid containing units 134, reaction containers 131 and 133 in which a temperature can be controlled, and a photometric container 8 are arrayed in one column in a Y-axis direction in each of the cartridge containers 13.sub.1 to 13.sub.8 in the stage 13. Light receiving ends 17.sub.1 to 17.sub.8 each of which includes a leading end of an optical fiber 171 are provided on a lower side of the photometric container 8 and on a downside of the stage 13. Rear ends of the optical fibers 171 are optically connected to spectroscopes 172.sub.1 to 172.sub.8 and the leading ends thereof are optically connected to the spectroscopes 172.sub.1 to 172.sub.8. The rear ends are provided as second connection ends 171a and are arrayed at equal intervals along a second straight line on the connection surface of the connection end array plates 18.sub.1 to 18.sub.8. The second straight line is extended in parallel with the first straight line at a predetermined interval.

[0144] In each of the connection end array plates 18.sub.1 to 18.sub.8, a measurement end moving device 181 slidable in the X-axis direction is included, and a first measurement end and a second measurement end that are respectively moved along the first straight line and the second straight line and that can be serially and respectively connected to the first connection end 161a and the second connection end 171a are respectively provided along the first straight line and the second straight line at the predetermined interval. The first measurement end is optically connected to a light source 620 via a light guiding path such as an optical fiber, and the second measurement end is optically connected to a photoelectric conversion unit 720 via a light guiding path such as an optical fiber. The connection end array plates 18.sub.1 to 18.sub.8 and the measurement end moving device 181 correspond to a switching unit 18 including the emission switching unit and the light-reception switching unit that respectively switch connection between a plurality of (eight in this example) emitting ends and one light source and connection between a plurality of (eight in this example) light receiving ends and one photoelectric conversion unit 720.

[0145] Note that the spectroscopes 172.sub.1 to 172.sub.8 are devices to extract transmitted light at a designated wavelength from transmitted light of the chemical substance solution, which light is received at the light receiving ends 17.sub.1 to 17.sub.8, by using dispersion by a diffraction grating or a prism, and are set, for example, to a wavelength of designated measurement light. Accordingly, even when measurement light is white light, it is possible to guide transmitted light at a predetermined wavelength or in a predetermined wavelength region to a light receiving unit, to measure intensity thereof, and to measure absorbance at the predetermined wavelength or in the predetermined wavelength region.

[0146] FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are views illustrating an outline of an optical system and a usage state of the photometric container 8 according to the second embodiment.

[0147] The photometric container 8 is provided in the stage 13 as one of liquid containing units of each of the cartridge containers 13.sub.1 to 13.sub.8, includes a bottom part 8c which is close to an upper side of the light receiving ends 17.sub.1 to 17.sub.n and in which a translucent region having translucency with respect to the measurement light is formed, and includes a tubular recessed part 81 to which a lower end part of each of light-blocking photometric flow tubes 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.8, which are the flow tubes to which a black pigment is kneaded, can be inserted or loosely inserted from an upper side and which is formed at a center of the bottom part 8c. The translucent region is formed in a narrow bottom part 8a of the recessed part 81. A narrow sidewall part 8b of the recessed part 81 is formed to have a light blocking effect with respect to outside light with a black pigment being kneaded in molding. A sign 8d indicates a sidewall part, 8e indicates a substrate of each of the cartridge containers 13.sub.1 to 13.sub.8, and a sign 82 indicates a tubular liquid containing unit (well) which is formed in each of the cartridge containers 13.sub.1 to 13.sub.8 and at a center of which the recessed part 81 is formed.

[0148] As illustrated in FIG. 10 or FIG. 11, the recessed part 81 is provided in such a manner as to be loosely inserted into a hole provided in a plate of the stage 13. Also, a state in which a lower end part of a narrow tube part 21c of a photometric flow tube 21.sub.1 as the flow tube is inserted into the recessed part 81 and a mouth part 21a is abutted to the narrow bottom part 8a in the photometric container 8 is illustrated. A state in which the narrow bottom part 8a is close to or appressed to a light receiving end surface of each of the light receiving ends 171 to 178, a solution 4 that is to be measured and is sucked into the photometric flow tube 21.sub.1 is contained without an air layer being formed from an upper end surface of liquid to the light receiving end surface, and an optical length L is formed is illustrated.

[0149] Next, a case where the photometric container 8 illustrated in FIG. 10 or FIG. 11 is provided on an upper side of each of the light receiving ends 17.sub.1 to 17.sub.8 in the stage 13 and used will be described.

[0150] In step S1, for example, 0.022 M of a chemical substance solution A to be measured (such as dNTP mixture, Takara Bio Inc., Code: 4030, Lot: BH7301B) is previously contained in one well (for example, in first row) of each of the cartridge containers 13.sub.1 to 13.sub.8 provided on the stage 13 of the absorbance measuring device 11, and a reference solution C (such as TE, 10 mM Tris-HCl, 1 mM EDTA, pH 8.0) as a blank sample for reference measurement in which light is not absorbed is contained in a different well (for example, in second row). Also, it is assumed that dispensing flow tubes 20.sub.1 to 20.sub.8 are contained in flow tube containing units in the first and second rows of the different cartridge container of a flow tube containing unit group (not illustrated) and that photometric flow tubes 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.8 are contained in flow tube containing units in the third and fourth rows. Note that a description of processing of using a dispensing flow tube before using a photometric flow tube is omitted.

[0151] In step S2, the nozzle head 15 is moved to an upper side of the third row of each of the different cartridge containers (flow tube containing unit) by the nozzle head moving mechanisms 51x and 51y and the nozzles 14.sub.1 to 14.sub.8 are moved downward by the nozzle moving unit 420, whereby the photometric flow tubes 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.8 formed of a black substance (for example, formed by molding of olefin-based resin such as polypropylene or polyethylene to which resin pigment such as carbon black is kneaded) are attached to the nozzles 14.sub.1 to 14.sub.8. After the attached flow tubes 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.8 are lifted by the nozzle moving unit 420, the photometric flow tubes 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.8 are placed above the wells in the second row of the cartridge containers 13.sub.1 to 13.sub.8 by the nozzle head moving mechanisms 51x and 51y and are moved downward by the nozzle moving unit 420, and around 10 mm (around 7.6 L) of a prescribed amount of the reference solution C is sucked from a leading end of each of the photometric flow tubes by the suction/discharge mechanism 141. After being lifted again, the photometric flow tubes 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.8 of the nozzle head 15 are placed by the nozzle head moving mechanisms 51x and 51y on an upper side of the photometric container 8 provided on an upper side of the light receiving ends 17.sub.1 to 17.sub.8 of the light receiving unit 70 in the stage 13 in such a manner that the recessed part 81 of each of the photometric containers 8 is on a common vertical axis connecting a mouth part 21a and an opening part for attachment 21b of each of the photometric flow tubes 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.8 and that the light receiving ends 17.sub.1 to 17.sub.8 are on a lower side of the mouth parts 21a. Next, the photometric flow tubes are simultaneously moved downward by the nozzle moving unit 420, whereby each of the leading end parts of the photometric flow tubes is inserted into the recessed part 81 and a mouth part 21a is abutted to the narrow bottom part 8a.

[0152] In step S3, measurement light, for example, in a range of wavelengths 200 to 850 nm is emitted from the emitting ends 16.sub.1 to 16.sub.8 to the solution C in the photometric flow tubes 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.8, and intensity of transmitted light of the solution C which light is received through a lens provided at each of the light receiving ends is converted into intensity data I.sub.0 as an electric signal by the photoelectric conversion unit 720, subtracted from a measurement value of a sample, and used as reference data to calculate absorbance of the sample. The photometric flow tube is disposed from the disposal vent 371 into the disposal box 370 by the detachment member 450.

[0153] Here, by operation of the suction/discharge mechanism 141, the mouth parts 21a of the photometric flow tubes 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.8 are abutted to the narrow bottom parts 8a in such a manner that an air layer is not included in an upper side of the mouth parts 21a in the photometric flow tubes 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.8.

[0154] In step S4, the nozzle head 15 is moved to an upper side of the fourth row of the flow tube containing units by the nozzle head moving mechanisms 51x and 51y and the nozzles 14.sub.1 to 14.sub.8 are moved downward by the nozzle moving unit 420, whereby new photometric flow tubes 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.8 (for example, formed by molding of olefin-based resin such as polypropylene or polyethylene to which resin pigment such as carbon black is kneaded) are attached to the nozzles 14.sub.1 to 14.sub.8. After the attached flow tubes 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.8 are lifted by the nozzle moving unit 420, the photometric flow tubes 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.8 are placed above the wells in the first row of the cartridge containers 13.sub.1 to 13.sub.8 by the nozzle head moving mechanisms 51x and 51y and are moved downward by the nozzle moving unit 420, and a prescribed amount of the chemical substance solution A is sucked by the suction/discharge mechanism 410. After being lifted again, the photometric flow tubes 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.8 of the nozzle head 15 are placed by the nozzle head moving mechanisms 51x and 51y on an upper side of cleaned photometric containers 8 provided on an upper side of the light receiving ends 17.sub.1 to 17.sub.8 in the stage 13 in such a manner that the recessed part 81 of each of the photometric containers 8 is on a common vertical axis connecting a mouth part 21a and an opening part for attachment 21b of each of the photometric flow tubes 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.6 and that the light receiving ends 17.sub.1 to 17.sub.8 are on a lower side of the mouth parts 21a. Then, the photometric flow tubes 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.8 are simultaneously moved downward by the nozzle moving unit 420, whereby leading end parts 21a of the photometric flow tubes 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.8 are loosely inserted into the recessed parts 81 and the mouth parts 21a are abutted to the narrow bottom parts 8a.

[0155] Here, by operation of the suction/discharge mechanism 141, the mouth parts 21a of the photometric flow tubes 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.8 are abutted to the narrow bottom parts 8a with a part of the solution being contained in the recessed parts in such a manner that an air layer is not included in an upper side of the mouth parts 21a in the photometric flow tubes 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.8. The narrow bottom parts 8a are close to or appressed to light receiving end surfaces of the light receiving ends 17.sub.1 to 17.sub.8. Thus, according to the present embodiment, positioning is securely performed by loose insertion or insertion of each of the photometric flow tubes 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.8 into the recessed part 81, and movement of a solution through the mouth part 21a is prevented by removal of an air layer from an upper end surface of liquid to a light receiving end surface, whereby it becomes possible to acquire a stable optical length L.

[0156] Measurement light at a wavelength in a range of 200 to 850 nm is serially emitted from the emitting ends 16.sub.1 to 16.sub.8 to a solution A in the photometric flow tube 21.sub.6, and intensity data I as an electric signal is acquired by the photoelectric conversion unit 720 from intensity of transmitted light of the solution A which light is received through light receiving ends 17.sub.1 to 17.sub.8.

[0157] In step S5, the absorbance analysis unit 93 of the CPU+program+memory 9 as the control unit acquires absorbance of the chemical substance solution A on the basis of the intensity data I.sub.0 and the intensity data I.

[0158] Here, as described above, absorbance at a wavelength of the chemical substance solution A is acquired by A.sub.=log.sub.10(I/I.sub.0) from previously calculated incident intensity I.sub.0. Then, when concentration of the chemical substance solution A is c, by using a known attenuation coefficient (molar attenuation coefficient, =0.002 mg/mL) of the chemical substance solution A (dNTP), it is possible to calculate the concentration c by the relational expression A.sub.=cL from an optical length L=10 mm.

[0159] In the present embodiment, since an emitting end is provided at a lower end of each of the nozzles or a lower end of a plunger, it is possible to securely guide emitted measurement light into a flow tube and to perform emission highly efficiently. Specifically, since a material opaque with respect to measurement light is used for a flow tube, it becomes possible to prevent leakage of the measurement light to the outside and to calculate highly accurate absorbance. It becomes possible to emit measurement light. Also, in a case where the photometric container is used, it is possible to securely place the emitting end and the light receiving end on the common vertical axis, to prevent movement of liquid through a mouth part, to remove an air layer, to accurately determine an optical length, and to acquire highly accurate absorbance. Also, even in a case where the photometric container is not used, by providing a void from a mouth part in a narrow tube of a flow tube, it is possible to prevent movement of a solution from the mouth part, to determine an optical length, and to acquire highly accurate absorbance.

[0160] Each of the embodiments described above is described in detail to make it easier to understand the present invention more deeply and is not to limit a different embodiment. Thus, it is possible to make modification within the spirit and the scope of the invention.

[0161] For example, only a case where concentration is measured with only one kind of chemical substance solution A as an object of concentration measurement has been described. However, it is possible to measure concentration of each of a plurality of kinds of chemical substances by mixing a plurality of kinds of chemical substance solutions B, . . . , and X and by emitting a plurality of kinds of measurement light optimal to each of the chemical substance solutions B, . . . , and X.

[0162] Also, when a diluent is used instead of an internal standard, it becomes possible to measure absorbance of a diluted chemical substance solution.

[0163] In the above description, a case where a light source and an emitting end are provided in a nozzle head, and a photoelectric conversion unit and a light receiving end are provided in a stage has been described in detail. However, this case is not a limitation, and it is also possible to provide a light source and an emitting end in a stage and to provide a photoelectric conversion unit and a light receiving end in a nozzle head. Also, only a case of using one flow tube has been described. However, this case is not a limitation and processing and measurement may be performed in parallel by utilization of a plurality of pairs of flow tubes.

[0164] Also, absorbance is measured with a spectroscope being used on a side of a light receiving unit in the above description. However, it is also possible to perform measurement by using a filter. In a case where a multichannel spectroscope or the like that includes a photoelectric conversion unit inside is used as a spectroscope, the light-reception switching unit is not necessary. Also, a spectroscope or a filter may be used on a side of an emission unit.

[0165] Also, a nucleic acid is a chemical substance to be measured in the above description. However, this case is not a limitation, and a different high-molecular substance such as an amino acid, protein, a sugar chain, or fat, a solid such as a magnetic body, or a chemical substance solution in various fluid volumes which solution includes various chemical substances and which solution is, for example, foam, gas, or liquid may be used.

[0166] Moreover, in the above description, only a case where concentration of a chemical substance is calculated on the basis of absorbance has been described. However, this case is not a limitation and, for example, the above-described enzymatic activity, reaction rate, and the like can be calculated.

[0167] Moreover, a shape, a structure, and a function of each of the configuration elements described above are not limited to an example described in an embodiment. For example, in the above description, a case where a timing belt is used as a nozzle head moving mechanism and a ball screw is used as a nozzle moving unit has been described. However, a timing belt and a ball screw can be arbitrarily replaced and a similar configuration can be acquired even when a different mechanism is used.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0168] The present invention relates to an absorbance measuring device and a method thereof. The present invention relates to various fields that are fields requiring handling of a biopolymer or biological low-molecular compound such as a gene, an immune system, an amino acid, protein, or sugar and are, for example, an industrial field, an agricultural field such as food, agroprocessing, or fish processing, a pharmaceutical field, a medical field such as sanitation, security of health, immunity, illness, or heredity, and a science field such as chemistry or biology. The present invention is specifically effective in a case where a series of processing using many reagents or substances is successively executed in predetermined order.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0169] 10, 11 absorbance measuring device [0170] 2.sub.1 to 2.sub.n flow tube [0171] 20.sub.1 to 20.sub.n dispensing flow tube [0172] 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.n photometric flow tube [0173] 3, 13, 30 stage [0174] 3.sub.1 to 3.sub.n, (13.sub.1 to 13.sub.n) containing unit group (cartridge container) [0175] 31.sub.1 to 31.sub.n, 310, 131, 133 reaction container [0176] 32.sub.1 to 32.sub.n, 320 dispensing flow tube containing unit [0177] 33.sub.1 to 33.sub.n, 330 photometric flow tube containing unit [0178] 34.sub.1 to 34.sub.n, (341, 342) liquid containing unit group (microplate) [0179] 4.sub.1 to 4.sub.n, 40.sub.1 to 40.sub.n, 14.sub.1 to 14.sub.n nozzle [0180] 41, 410, 141 suction/discharge mechanism [0181] 5, 15, 50 nozzle head nozzle head moving mechanism [0182] 6, 60 emission unit [0183] 6.sub.1 to 6.sub.n, 60.sub.6, 16.sub.1 to 16.sub.n emitting end [0184] 61, 71, 710, 161, 171, 173 light guiding path [0185] 62, 620 light source [0186] 7, 70 light receiving unit [0187] 7.sub.1 to 7.sub.n, 70.sub.6, 17.sub.1 to 17.sub.n light receiving end [0188] 72, 720 photoelectric conversion unit [0189] photometric container [0190] CPU+memory+program [0191] switching unit [0192] absorbance analysis unit