JP3987210B2 - Stirrer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a stirring device, and more particularly, to a device that stirs a liquid by driving a stirrer housed in a container together with the liquid by a magnetic action.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a general sample analysis system, a plurality of samples such as blood and urine are accommodated in a sample container, while a plurality of reagents are each accommodated in a reagent container. Then, the sample and the reagent are injected into the processing container by a dispensing means using a nozzle or the like, and the result of the reagent processing is analyzed by the analysis mechanism.
[0003]
In a conventional apparatus, a circular container is generally used as a reagent container. For example, when a plurality of reagent containers are placed along a circumferential direction on a circular pedestal, the horizontal cross section of each reagent container is triangular or A rectangular one is used. In the conventional sample analysis system, no special mechanism for stirring the reagent in the reagent container is provided. However, if the reagent has a concentration gradient or a temperature gradient, the sample analysis accuracy may be lowered.
[0004]
By the way, as a conventional stirring device, a device using a stirring bar attracted and held by a magnetic force is well known. In the apparatus, a stirrer is housed in a container together with a liquid, and the stirrer in the container is driven to rotate by a magnetic mechanism incorporated in a pedestal on which the container is placed, for example. Such a system is also effective when the horizontal cross section of the container is circular or when the horizontal cross section of the container is large.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described sample analysis system, a non-circular container is often used as a reagent container, and the above stirring method cannot be applied to such a sample analysis system as it is. Further, in a system in which a large number of reagent containers (for example, 20 reagent containers) are held as in the sample analysis system described above, if the above stirring method is applied to each reagent container, the system cost increases. .
[0006]
On the other hand, it is possible to stir the reagent by periodically vibrating the reagent container itself without using a stirrer, but in this case, the mechanism becomes complicated and effective stirring can be performed. There is no possibility. Although Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-28784 discloses a related technique, it does not achieve the following object of the present invention.
[0007]
The above problems are pointed out not only in the reagent container but also when stirring other liquids.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to effectively agitate the liquid in the container without complicating the apparatus.
[0009]
Another object of the present invention is to stir the liquid in the container while effectively utilizing the existing container moving mechanism.
[0010]
Another object of the present invention is to stir the liquid inside a container having a noncircular horizontal cross section.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, the present invention includes a moving mechanism for moving a container containing a stirrer together with a liquid, and a magnetic mechanism installed in a predetermined pattern along the container moving direction, the magnetic mechanism comprising: A first magnetic element array that moves the stirrer horizontally in a plane perpendicular to the container moving direction, and a second magnetic element array that moves the stirrer vertically in a plane orthogonal to the container moving direction. A second magnetic element row connected to one end of the first magnetic element row, and the movement of the vessel with the movement of the vessel by the action of the magnetic mechanism. It is characterized in that it is given a motor force in a different direction.
[0012]
According to the above configuration, when the container is moved by the moving mechanism, a moving force is given to the stirrer in the container by the action of the magnetic mechanism, that is, the stirrer moves in the container to move the liquid. Agitation is performed. Therefore, there is an advantage that the stirrer in each container can be driven by using the mechanism for moving the container, especially when the moving mechanism is provided as a function for positioning the container for dispensing or the like. It can be utilized as a part of the stirring means by diverting the moving mechanism for use in For this reason, cost reduction can be achieved and the complexity of the apparatus can be avoided. Further, according to this configuration, the stirrer can be driven along two directions of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, so that efficient stirring can be performed. In particular, if there is a concentration difference or temperature gradient in the top and bottom of the container, the non-uniformity can be corrected.
[0013]
The moving mechanism described above is, for example, a linear movement or a turning movement of the container relative to the magnetic mechanism. The magnetic mechanism is constituted by, for example, a permanent magnet or an electromagnetic magnet, and the stirrer is attracted or repelled by the magnetic action.
[0014]
Preferably, the magnetic mechanism reciprocates the stirrer in a direction orthogonal to the container moving direction as the container moves. According to this structure, even when the cross section of the container is not circular, the stirring can be performed by reciprocating the stirring bar.
[0015]
Preferably, the magnetic mechanism is composed of a magnetic element array composed of a plurality of magnetic elements, and the magnetic element array is arranged with a pattern that continuously changes in a direction orthogonal to the container moving direction. Although the magnetic mechanism can be configured as a continuous magnetic body, if the magnetic mechanism is configured as a row of a plurality of magnetic elements, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0016]
Preferably, the magnetic element array is arranged with a pattern that continuously changes from the vicinity of one end of the container to the vicinity of the other end in a direction orthogonal to the container moving direction, and the stirrer is moved along with the movement of the container. Then, the container moves from the vicinity of one end to the vicinity of the other end. According to this configuration, the pattern amplitude of the magnetic element array is set in accordance with the size in the container and the size of the stirring bar, and there is an advantage that the motion amplitude of the stirring bar can be increased.
[0018]
Preferably, the magnetic mechanism positions the stirrer at a position deviated from a position directly below the suction hole of the container in a state where the container is positioned at the liquid suction position by the moving mechanism. According to this configuration, for example, when the nozzle is inserted from the suction hole to suck the liquid inside the container, the problem of the nozzle tip colliding with the stirring bar can be avoided. That is, the lowering of the nozzle tip to the bottom of the container can always be ensured.
[0019]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a circular pedestal on which a plurality of containers containing a stirrer together with a liquid are placed along the circumferential direction, a rotating mechanism for rotating the pedestal, and a plurality of fixed sequence to at least one of the lower and side of the container, with the rotation of the pedestal, seen including a magnetic mechanism for giving a motion force in the direction different rotational directions stirrer in the container, the magnetic The mechanism includes a first magnetic element array that moves the stirrer in a horizontal direction in a plane perpendicular to the rotation direction, and a second magnetic element array that moves the stirrer in a vertical direction in a plane orthogonal to the rotation direction. , And one end of the second magnetic element row is connected to one end of the first magnetic element row .
[0020]
According to the said structure, a some container is mounted on a circular base, and a container is selected and positioned by rotating a base with a rotation mechanism. In the rotation, the stirrer of the container is driven by the action of the magnetic mechanism, and the liquid in the container flows by the movement. In particular, since the stirrer moves in a direction different from the rotation direction, the liquid in the container can be actively stirred. Moreover, according to the said structure, the horizontal movement and vertical movement of a stirring element can be continuously performed with rotation of a base, and stirring efficiency can be improved.
[0021]
Preferably, the pedestal and a cylindrical accommodating portion for accommodating a plurality of containers placed on the pedestal, and the magnetic mechanism is composed of a magnetic element array composed of a plurality of magnetic elements, and the first magnetic element array is the The second magnetic element row is provided on the side surface of the housing part on the bottom surface of the housing part , and has a pattern that continuously changes in a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction. According to the said structure, there exists an advantage which can hold | maintain a magnetic mechanism using the inner wall of an accommodating part.
[0023]
Preferably, the magnetic mechanism has a pattern in which the stirrer is reciprocated at least once in the horizontal direction and at least one reciprocation in the vertical direction per rotation of the pedestal.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0025]
FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a stirring device according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a sectional view thereof.
[0026]
In FIG. 1, the agitation device 10 is roughly divided into an accommodating portion 12 having a hollow inside, a circular pedestal 14 disposed below the accommodating portion 12, a driving portion 18 for rotating the pedestal 14, and a pedestal. 14 and a plurality of reagent containers 16 placed on 14. The accommodating part 12 is comprised with the member etc. which have heat insulation, etc., in order to carry out constant temperature control of the temperature of the reagent accommodated in the inside. The accommodating portion 12 includes a circular bottom plate 20, a cylindrical side plate 22, and a top plate 24 that opens and closes with respect to the upper opening. A small opening 30 is formed in the top plate 24. The opening 30 is provided with a lid 34 as necessary.
[0027]
On the circular pedestal 14, a plurality of reagent containers 16 are placed radially along the diameter direction. Each reagent container 16 has a triangular horizontal cross section in this embodiment. Different reagents are injected into each reagent container 16, and a stirrer 17 for stirring is accommodated in each reagent container 16 one by one. The stirrer 17 is a member having a chemically and physically stable film applied to, for example, an iron piece, and moves in the reagent container 16 by a magnetic action to stir the reagent inside. . Various kinds of stirrers such as a spherical shape, a cylindrical shape, and a star shape can be used as the stirrer 17 according to the shape of the reagent container 16 and the viscosity of the reagent. is there. The stirrer 17 includes a member such as iron that is subjected to a magnetic action, but may of course be one that exerts a magnetic action.
[0028]
As will be described later in detail, the inner wall 22 </ b> A of the side plate 22 and the inner wall 20 </ b> A of the bottom plate 20 are each provided with a magnetic element array including a plurality of magnetic elements 40. These magnetic element arrays give a driving force to the stirrer 17 by a magnetic action as the pedestal 14 rotates.
[0029]
An opening 16A is formed in the upper portion of the reagent container 16 at a position displaced outward from the center thereof. When any reagent is aspirated by the nozzle 32, the reagent container 16 containing the reagent is positioned immediately below the opening 30, and specifically, the opening 16A of the reagent container 16 is connected to the opening 30 in the vertical direction. The reagent container 16 is positioned. FIG. 1 shows this state. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the reagent container 16 that is a suction target is configured such that the stirrer 17 is held at a position displaced from the position immediately below the opening 16 </ b> A by the action of the magnetic element 40. That is, by shifting the stirrer 17 laterally from directly below the nozzle 32, it is possible to avoid the problem that the tip of the nozzle 32 collides with the stirrer 17 when the nozzle 32 is pulled down from above.
[0030]
FIG. 2 shows a state in which the top plate 24 of the stirring device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is removed. As described above, a plurality of reagent containers 16 are arranged radially on the base 14.
[0031]
FIG. 3 shows a specific example of the magnetic element arrays provided on the bottom plate 20 and the side plate 22. In this embodiment, the bottom plate 20 is provided with a horizontal magnetic element row 100, and the side plate 22 is provided with a vertical magnetic element row 102. Specifically, the horizontal magnetic element array 100 includes a first magnetic element array 104 and a second magnetic element array 106, and the perpendicular magnetic element array 102 includes a third magnetic element array 108, a fourth magnetic element array 110, and the like. Consists of. Each magnetic element row is composed of a plurality of magnetic elements 40, and each magnetic element 40 is constituted by a permanent magnet made of, for example, a ferromagnetic material.
[0032]
The first magnetic element array 104 has a pattern in which the magnetic elements 40 are arranged from the outside to the inside of the bottom plate 20, and the second magnetic element array 106 is connected to one end of the first magnetic element array, and from the inside of the bottom plate 20. It has a pattern in which the magnetic elements 40 are arranged on the outside. Further, the third magnetic element row 108 is connected to the other end of the first magnetic element row 104 and has a pattern in which the magnetic elements 40 are arranged from the lower end to the upper end of the side plate 22, and the fourth magnetic element row 110 has the third magnetic element row 110. The magnetic element array 108 has a pattern in which the magnetic elements 40 are arranged from the upper side to the lower side of the side plate 22, which are connected to the other end of the magnetic element row 108. The other end of the fourth magnetic element row 110 is connected to the other end of the second magnetic element row 106.
[0033]
Therefore, when the pedestal 14 shown in FIG. 1 is rotated, the stirrer 17 included in each reagent container 16 moves inside the reagent container 16 according to the pattern of each magnetic element row while being adsorbed by each magnetic element 40. become. Specifically, for example, when the pedestal 14 rotates counterclockwise, the stirrer 17 moves from the vicinity of the outer end of the reagent container 16 to the vicinity of the inner end on the first magnetic element array 104, and the second magnetic element array In 106, the stirring bar 17 moves from the vicinity of the inner end to the vicinity of the outer end. Subsequently, in the fourth magnetic element array 110, the stirrer 17 moves from the lower end to the upper part, and in the third magnetic element array 108, the stirrer 17 moves from the upper part to the lower end. A series of such movements are repeated as the pedestal 14 rotates. Such a situation is shown in FIG. 4, where reference numeral 200 indicates the horizontal reciprocation of the stirrer 17, and reference numeral 202 indicates the vertical reciprocation of the stirrer 17. Yes. In general, the upward movement of the stirring bar 17 is regulated by the amount of liquid.
[0034]
Therefore, according to the above-described configuration, for example, as described with reference to FIG. 1, when a specific reagent is selected and the reagent container 16 containing the reagent is positioned immediately below the opening 30, the base 14 rotates at that time. Accordingly, the stirrer 17 moves in the reagent container 16 by the action of each magnetic element array. This has the advantage that the concentration can be made uniform and the temperature gradient can be eliminated.
[0035]
Of course, if the rotation angle is small when positioning the specific reagent container 16, the pedestal 14 may be rotated one or more times as necessary, and then the specific reagent container 16 may be positioned directly below the opening 30. Good. Further, in a standby state in which the reagent is not aspirated by the nozzle 32, the pedestal 14 may always be rotated in a certain direction, and the stirrer 17 may be moved in each reagent container 16.
[0036]
In the present embodiment, since the vertical magnetic element array 102 is provided in addition to the horizontal magnetic element array 100, the stirrer 17 can be reciprocated not only in the horizontal direction but also in the vertical direction, further enhancing the agitating action. It is possible. However, for example, only a horizontal magnetic element array may be provided. Alternatively, the stirrer 17 may be reciprocated in an oblique direction by simultaneously operating the horizontal magnetic element array and the vertical magnetic element array.
[0037]
In the above embodiment, the stirrer 17 can be rolled in accordance with its motion by giving the stirrer 17 magnetic polarity and appropriately setting the magnetic pole pattern in each magnetic element array. is there.
[0038]
FIG. 5 shows a conceptual diagram of a sample analysis system in which the stirring device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is incorporated as a reagent holding device. This system includes a stirring device 10, an analysis device 50, a sample holding device 62, and a dispensing device 60. The analysis device 50 includes an analysis container 52, a light emitter 54, and a light receiver 56. The sample holding device 62 includes a plurality of racks 64 that hold a plurality of sample containers 66, and the samples stored in the sample containers 66 are dispensed into the analysis containers 52 by the dispensing device 60. In addition, the dispensing device 60 sucks the reagent from one of the reagent containers held by the stirring device 10 and injects the reagent into the analysis container 52. After the sample and the reagent are mixed, the sample is optically analyzed using the light emitter 54 and the light receiver 56.
[0039]
FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the stirring device. In this embodiment, reagent containers 74 having a rectangular horizontal cross section are arranged on the pedestal 70 in an aligned manner. Different reagents are injected into each reagent container, and one of the reagent containers 74 is positioned at the suction position 304 as necessary. A plate 72 is provided below the pedestal 70, and the plate 72 is provided with a magnetic element array 300 similar to that of the above-described embodiment. The magnetic element array 300 is provided so as to continuously change in the width direction of the plate 72 along the longitudinal direction of the plate 72. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the magnetic elements 76 are arranged in a pattern like a sine wave. Has been. Therefore, when the base 70 is moved, the stirrer (not shown) accommodated in each reagent container 74 is moved in the longitudinal direction of the reagent container 74 by the action of the magnetic element array 300. As a result, the reagent in the reagent container 74 is stirred as in the above-described embodiment.
[0040]
Also in this embodiment, in the reagent container 74 positioned at the suction position 304, the magnetic element 76 is provided at a position deviated from directly below the position where the nozzle is inserted from above (see reference numeral 304). . As a result, the problem that the stirrer is displaced from the suction position 304 and the tip of the nozzle collides with the stirrer can be avoided.
[0041]
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 described above, the stirrer 17 is driven by one reciprocation in each of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction for each rotation of the pedestal 14. The magnetic element array may be arranged so as to be driven back and forth.
[0042]
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the stirrer 17 is moved in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction in a plane orthogonal to the direction of movement of the reagent container 16, but the direction of movement can be set freely. That is, it is only necessary to arrange the magnetic elements 40 along the movement path of the stirrer 17.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the liquid in the container can be effectively stirred without complicating the apparatus. Further, according to the present invention, the liquid in the container can be stirred while effectively using the existing container moving mechanism. Further, according to the present invention, the liquid in the container having a non-circular horizontal cross section can be stirred.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a preferred embodiment of a stirring device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the stirring device.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an arrangement pattern of a horizontal magnetic element row and a vertical magnetic element row.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a reagent container.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a sample analysis system provided with a stirring device.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a stirring device according to another embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Stirring device (reagent holding | maintenance apparatus), 12 accommodating part, 14 base, 16 reagent container, 17 stirrer, 18 drive part, 32 nozzle, 40 magnetic element, 100 horizontal magnetic element row | line | column, 102 perpendicular magnetic element row | line | column.

Claims (9)

A moving mechanism for moving the container containing the stirrer together with the liquid;
A magnetic mechanism installed with a predetermined pattern along the container moving direction;
Including
The magnetic mechanism is
A first magnetic element array for moving the stirrer in a horizontal direction in a plane perpendicular to the container moving direction;
A second magnetic element array that moves the stirrer in a vertical direction in a plane perpendicular to the container moving direction, one end of which is connected to one end of the first magnetic element array;
Including
According to the action of the magnetic mechanism, as the container moves, a stirring force is given to the stirrer in a direction different from the container moving direction. The apparatus of claim 1.
The magnetic mechanism causes the stirrer to reciprocate in a direction orthogonal to the container moving direction as the container moves. The apparatus of claim 1.
The magnetic mechanism is composed of a magnetic element array composed of a plurality of magnetic elements,
The stirrer characterized in that the magnetic element rows are arranged in a pattern that continuously changes in a direction orthogonal to the container moving direction. The apparatus of claim 3.
The magnetic element array is arranged with a pattern that continuously changes from the vicinity of one end of the container to the vicinity of the other end in the direction orthogonal to the container moving direction,
The stirrer moves from the vicinity of one end of the container to the vicinity of the other end as the container moves. The apparatus of claim 1.
The magnetic mechanism positions the stirrer at a position deviating from a position directly below the suction hole of the container in a state where the container is positioned at the liquid suction position by the moving mechanism. The apparatus of claim 1.
The stirring device according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal cross section of the container is non-circular. A circular pedestal on which a plurality of containers containing a stirrer together with liquid are placed along the circumferential direction;
A rotation mechanism for rotating the pedestal;
A magnetic mechanism that is fixedly arranged below and to the sides of the plurality of containers, and that imparts a moving force to a stirrer in the container in a direction different from the rotational direction as the pedestal rotates;
Only including,
The magnetic mechanism is
A first magnetic element array that moves the stirrer in a horizontal direction in a plane perpendicular to the rotation direction;
A second magnetic element array for moving the stirrer in a vertical direction in a plane perpendicular to the rotation direction;
Including
An agitation apparatus, wherein one end of the second magnetic element array is connected to one end of the first magnetic element array. The apparatus of claim 7 .
Including a cylindrical accommodating portion for accommodating the pedestal and a plurality of containers placed thereon ;
The magnetic mechanism is composed of a magnetic element array composed of a plurality of magnetic elements,
The first magnetic element row is provided on the bottom surface of the housing portion, and the second magnetic element row is provided on the side surface of the housing portion, and has a pattern that continuously changes in a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction. A stirrer characterized by. The apparatus of claim 7 .
The magnetic mechanism has a pattern in which the stirrer is reciprocated at least once in the horizontal direction and at least one reciprocation in the vertical direction per rotation of the pedestal.

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