Nucleic acid analysis device

1 . A nucleic acid analysis device comprising:

a first sample container and a second sample container each containing a nucleic acid sample;

imaging means for observing the nucleic acid sample;

an optical base on which the imaging means is disposed; and

a stage mechanism for moving the first sample container and the second sample container,

wherein the stage mechanism comprises first translation means, second translation means, and at least one rotation means, the first translation means being installed on an upper surface of the rotation means and

the second translation means being installed on a lower surface of the rotation means,

wherein, in an observation state in which one of the first sample container and the second sample container is observed by the imaging means, a translation direction of the first translation means and a translation direction of the second translation means are orthogonal to each other,

wherein the rotation means is configured to rotate such that, in a replacement state for replacing the first sample container and the second sample container, the translation direction of the first translation means and the translation direction of the second translation means are aligned so that the first translation means and the second translation means move the first sample container and the second sample container in the aligned direction,

wherein, in the replacement state, the first sample container and the second sample container are completely exposed from the optical base, and

wherein the rotation means comprises a rotating table, and wherein the rotation means is configured to rotate the rotating table by at least 180 degrees to switch positions of the first sample container and the second sample container.

2 . The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the first translation means comprises a base portion and a translation table,

the rotation means comprises a rotating table, and

the rotating table serves as the base portion of the first translation means.

3 . The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the rotation means comprises a base portion and a rotating table,

the second translation means comprises a translation table, and

the translation table of the second translation means serves as the base portion of the rotation means.

4 . The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 1 , wherein the first sample container and the second sample container are mounted on the first translation means.

5 . The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 4 , wherein imaging is performed in the first sample container and extension and fluorescent labeling reactions are performed in the second sample container.

6 . The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 5 , wherein, while the extension and fluorescent labeling reactions are performed in the second sample container, the second sample container is exposed from the optical base.

7 . The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 5 , further comprising:

a reagent dispensing nozzle; and

an arm portion moving the reagent dispensing nozzle to a desired position.

8 . The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 7 , further comprising a reagent storage portion storing a reagent required for analysis.

9 . The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 1 , wherein each of the first sample container and the second sample container has a reagent flow path.

10 . The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 1 , wherein the rotation means comprises a rotating table, and wherein the rotation means is configured to rotate the rotating table by about 90 degrees to transition between the observation state and the replacement state.

11 . The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 1 , wherein the rotation means comprises a rotating slider supporting a rotating table, and wherein the rotating slider comprises a cross roller bearing.

12 . The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 1 , wherein the first translation means comprises a first linear motion mechanism including a ball screw, and wherein the second translation means comprises a second linear motion mechanism including a ball screw.

13 . A nucleic acid analysis device comprising:

a first sample container and a second sample container each containing a nucleic acid sample;

a camera that captures an image of the nucleic acid sample;

an optical base on which the camera is disposed; and

a stage that moves the first sample container and the second sample container,

wherein the stage comprises a first translation mechanism, a second translation mechanism, and a rotation mechanism, the first translation mechanism being installed on an upper surface of the rotation mechanism and the second translation mechanism being installed on a lower surface of the rotation mechanism,

wherein, in an observation state in which one of the first sample container and the second sample container is imaged by the camera, a translation direction of the first translation mechanism and a translation direction of the second translation mechanism are orthogonal to each other,

wherein the rotation mechanism is configured to rotate such that, in a replacement state for replacing the first sample container and the second sample container, the translation direction of the first translation mechanism and the translation direction of the second translation mechanism are aligned so that the first translation mechanism and the second translation mechanism move the first sample container and the second sample container in the aligned direction,

wherein, in the replacement state, the first sample container and the second sample container are completely exposed from the optical base, and

wherein the rotation means comprises a rotating table, and wherein the rotation means is configured to rotate the rotating table by at least 180 degrees to switch positions of the first sample container and the second sample container.

14 . The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 13 , wherein

the first translation mechanism includes a base portion and a translation table displaced relative to the base portion,

the rotation mechanism includes a rotating table rotationally displaced around a rotation center, and

the rotating table serves as the base portion of the first translation mechanism.

15 . The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 13 , wherein

the second translation mechanism includes a translation table displaced relative to a stage base,

the rotation mechanism includes a base portion and a rotating table displaced in a rotational direction relative to the base portion, and

the translation table of the second translation mechanism serves as the base portion of the rotation mechanism.

16 . The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 13 , wherein the first sample container and the second sample container are mounted on a translation table of the first translation mechanism.

17 . The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 16 , wherein, during the replacement state, the first sample container and the second sample container are completely exposed from the optical base.

18 . The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 16 , wherein the camera captures images of the first sample container and extension and fluorescent labeling reactions are performed on the second sample container.

19 . The nucleic acid analysis device according to claim 18 , further comprising:

a reagent dispensing nozzle; and

an arm portion moving the reagent dispensing nozzle to a desired position.