Measuring device, measuring apparatus and method of measuring

Abstract

The measuring device of the invention includes: a first container and a second container for holding a sample; and an optical measurement part for carrying out an optical measurement. The first container has a first sample supply inlet for supplying a sample containing an analyte to the first container and at least one electrode. The second container has a second sample supply inlet for supplying the sample to the second container and a reagent holding part for holding a reagent for the optical measurement.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method for measuring first and second analytes contained in a sample by using a measuring device, the method comprising steps of:
 (a) preparing the measuring device comprising:
 a first container including a first sample supply inlet and at least one electrode for an electric measurement; 
 a second container including a second supply inlet and a reagent holding part for holding a reagent for an optical measurement; and 
 a valve capable of preventing the sample from flowing from the second container into the first container through the second sample supply inlet; wherein 
 the first container and the second container communicate with each other through the second sample supply inlet; 
   (b) immersing the first sample supply inlet in the sample after the step (a);   (c) sucking the sample to supply the sample to the first container through the first sample supply inlet immersed in the sample in the step (b); wherein   in the step (c), the sample is not supplied to the second container;   in the step (c), the valve is opened;   (d) measuring an electric signal from the at least one electrode after the step (c);   (e) detecting or quantifying the second analyte based on the electric signal measured in the step (d);   (f) sucking the sample supplied to the first container in the step (c) to supply the sample to the second container through the second sample supply inlet so as to dissolve the reagent for the optical measurement in the sample supplied to the second container, while the valve is opened; wherein   the step (f) is conducted after the step (e);   (g) irradiating the sample supplied to the second container in the step (f) with light;   (h) receiving light which has originated from the irradiation of the light conducted in the step (g) and exited from the second container; and   (i) detecting or quantifying the first analyte based on the light received in the step (h).   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein
 the at least one electrode comprises a pair of electrodes.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein
 an enzyme is carried on the electrode.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein
 the reagent includes an enzyme or an antibody.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein
 the reagent and the at least one electrode are disposed such that the distance X from the second sample supply inlet to the reagent and the distance Y from the first sample supply inlet to the at least one electrode satisfy the relation: X<Y.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein
 the valve is closed in the step (c).   
     
     
         21 . A measuring device comprising:
 a first container including a first sample supply inlet and at least one electrode for an electric measurement;   a second container including a second supply inlet and a reagent holding part for holding a reagent for an optical measurement; and   a valve capable of preventing the sample from flowing from the second container into the first container through the second sample supply inlet; wherein   the first container and the second container communicate with each other through the second sample supply inlet.   
     
     
         22 . The measuring device according to  claim 21 , wherein
 the at least one electrode comprises a pair of electrodes.   
     
     
         23 . The measuring device according to  claim 21 , wherein
 an enzyme is carried on the electrode.   
     
     
         24 . The measuring device according to  claim 21 , wherein
 the reagent includes an enzyme or an antibody.   
     
     
         25 . The measuring device according to  claim 21 , wherein
 the reagent and the at least one electrode are disposed such that the distance X from the second sample supply inlet to the reagent and the distance Y from the first sample supply inlet to the at least one electrode satisfy the relation: X<Y.