Gel particle measurement device

Abstract

To measure a starting point of production of gel particles with high sensitivity in measurement of a target substance in a sample through a gelation reaction while minimizing light attenuation in a solvent in which a phenomenon occurs, provided is a gel particle measurement device including: a sample cuvet () accommodating a sample (S) and a solution containing a reagent (R); stirring means () for stirring a mixed solution (W); an incident light source () for irradiating the mixed solution (W) with coherent light (Bm); backscattered light detecting means () provided outside the sample cuvet () on the same side on which the incident light source () is provided, the backscattered light detecting means () detecting a backscattered light component, which returns toward the incident light source, in the light scattered in the mixed solution (W) in the sample cuvet (); scattered light fluctuation measuring means () for measuring a fluctuation component of backscattered light based on a detection output from the backscattered light detecting means (); and gel particle production determining means () for determining, based on a result of measurement by the scattered light fluctuation measuring means (), a production state of gel particles, which includes at least a starting point of production of the gel particles, which leads to timing of phase transition of the mixed solution (W) from a sol phase to a gel phase.