JP6247953B2 - Sample processing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sample transport system for transporting a sample such as blood or urine by a belt conveyor.

  As a sample processing system for automatically analyzing biological samples such as blood and urine, a sample pretreatment system for performing centrifugation, dispensing, labeling, etc. on samples such as blood and urine collected for testing, There is an automatic analysis system for analyzing a sample processed by a sample pretreatment system. Since there are many types of these processes and analyses, there is a sample processing system in which each process is a separate process (analysis) unit and connected via a sample transport line that transports samples between these process (analysis) units. Used.

  In such a specimen processing system, when carrying a test tube containing a specimen, one or multiple test tubes are carried in a holder or rack. When conveying one test tube with a holder, a belt conveyor drive is often used as a general method. However, there are many mechanisms around the belt conveyor mechanism, and the sampling mechanism, agitation mechanism, analysis mechanism, etc. that perform some processing on the transported test tubes are compared with the test tubes on the belt conveyor mechanism. It is also possible that the location is not directly accessible.

Patent Document 1 discloses a boundary gate that can move a holder between a main transfer conveyor and an auxiliary conveyor that processes a test tube in a clinical test apparatus conveyor system that conveys test tube containers one by one. A clinical test apparatus conveyor system is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-242039

  In the clinical test apparatus conveyor system of Patent Document 1, a boundary gate device that moves a holder between a main transfer conveyor and an auxiliary conveyor that runs in parallel by rotating a star wheel device that holds the holder in a recess is provided. Have been described. However, when the test tube is held and transported in a tilted state by the holder, the interface gate device described in Patent Document 1 cannot keep the state of the test tube constant. Therefore, sampling, stirring, and analysis cannot be performed in a constant state.

  On the other hand, simply attaching a holder for fixing the test tube to the interface gate device requires a mechanism for transporting the holder to the sampling position and a mechanism for fixing the position of the test tube in the holder at the sampling position. Therefore, a plurality of motors and solenoids must be used for each mechanism, and the structure becomes complicated.

An object of the present invention is to provide a sample processing system that realizes a mechanism capable of transporting a holder to a position other than a belt conveyor mechanism by a simple mechanism and correcting the angle and position of a test tube at the position with a simple configuration. It is to provide.

The configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows. That is, a belt conveyor mechanism that transports a holder holding a single tubular container, and a processing mechanism that has a function of processing the container or the liquid in the container and has an access position at a position other than the belt conveyor mechanism. A holder transport mechanism for transporting the holder received at the holder carry-in position between the belt conveyor mechanism and the access position; and a container fixing mechanism for fixing the position and angle of the container held by the holder at the access position; The holder transport mechanism is rotated so as to pass through the holder carry-in position and the access position, and the container fixing mechanism has a single motor for fixing the container at the access position in synchronization with the drive. It is characterized by that.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while a holder can be conveyed to positions other than a belt conveyor mechanism, the mechanism which can correct | amend the angle and position of a test tube in the said position is realizable by simple structure.

1 is an overall view showing an example of a sample processing system in the present invention. It is a whole view which shows an example of the connection part of the sample conveyance line and automatic analyzer in this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the sampling position holding mechanism of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the holder conveyance plate of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation | movement flow of the holder conveyance plate of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the test tube holding arm of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an example of an overall view of a sample processing system according to the present invention.

  The sample processing system performs a sample pretreatment system for performing pretreatment necessary for analysis on blood samples and serum samples to be analyzed, and a sample after the pretreatment is completed. It consists of an automatic analysis system.

  For example, as the sample pretreatment system, the sample pretreatment device 10 in which a plurality of pretreatment modules for executing various pretreatments on the sample are arranged, and an operator inputs and confirms information necessary for the sample processing. The sample processing system operation unit 40 for this purpose includes a computer or the like. The sample processing system operation unit 40 is disposed in the vicinity of the sample pretreatment device 10 and controls operations of the sample pretreatment device 10, the sample transport line 20, and the sample posttreatment device 30. As an example, the sample pretreatment device 10 includes a loading module for loading a sample into the sample pretreatment device 10, a centrifuge module for performing a centrifugation process on the sample, and a cap attached to the opening of the sample container. Opening module for plugging, online dispensing module for subdividing the sample in the sample container into the desired number of child sample containers, barcode attaching module for attaching a barcode label to the child sample container, closure for attaching a cap to the opening of the container Sample pre-processing consists of a module, a sample classification module that classifies sample containers according to analysis purpose and transport destination, etc., but is not limited to this configuration, it is arranged in any combination of known sample pre-treatment devices Is possible.

  The automatic analysis system includes an automatic analyzer 50 for performing various types of analysis such as biochemical analysis, immunological analysis, and coagulation analysis on a sample that has been preprocessed and is transported via the sample transport line 20. A computer or the like is provided as the operation unit 60 for the automatic analysis system for inputting and confirming information necessary for analysis. The automatic analysis system operation unit 60 is provided in the vicinity of the automatic analysis device 50 and controls the operation of the automatic analysis device 50. In the present invention, the sample transport line 20 for transporting the holder 006 carrying the sample to the automatic analysis system has a structure for drawing the holder 006 to the inside of the automatic analyzer 50 and transporting it, instead of a sampling position holding mechanism. 004 (details will be described later).

  The sample post-processing apparatus 30 has a storage module for storing a sample that has been analyzed. The sample pretreatment device 10, the automatic analysis device 50, and the sample post-treatment device 30 are connected by the sample conveyance line 20, and are automatically conveyed to an appropriate device according to the analysis situation.

  In this embodiment, a sample processing system is described in which one automatic analysis system is connected to the sample pretreatment system. However, the present invention is not limited to this mode, and two or more automatic analysis systems are connected. You may comprise as follows.

  FIG. 2 is a view showing a connecting portion between the sample transport line 20 and the automatic analysis system 50 in the sample processing system of the present invention.

  The transport line unit 001 is a unit that constitutes a part of the sample transport line 20, and includes a belt conveyor mechanism 003 that transports a holder 006 on which a sample container is mounted, and a sampling position holding mechanism 004. The belt conveyor mechanism 003 of the transfer line unit 001 can be connected to the belt conveyor mechanism of another adjacent transfer line unit, and the test tube 005 can be transferred between the units.

  An automatic analyzer 50 equipped with a dispensing mechanism 007 is adjacent to the transport line unit 001. A part of the test tube 005 transported on the belt conveyor mechanism 003 is dispensed, and reagent dispensing processing and stirring are performed. Execute processing such as processing and perform analysis. The dispensing mechanism 007 is attached to an arm that rotationally drives a dispensing nozzle for aspirating and discharging a sample, and moves the dispensing nozzle above a predetermined sampling position 104b to move the dispensing nozzle toward the sample container. , And after performing the suction process, the dispensing nozzle is raised, and the arm is rotated to move the dispensing nozzle to a discharge position such as a reaction container and then discharge.

  The length of the arm of the dispensing mechanism 007 and the arrangement of the belt conveyor mechanism 003 are fixedly designed by the respective devices. Therefore, depending on the combination of the transport line unit 001 and the automatic analyzer 50, the dispensing mechanism 007 In some cases, the nozzle movement trajectory does not intersect with the conveyance trajectory of the belt conveyor mechanism 003, so that the sample dispensing process cannot be executed. Even in such a case, in order to enable dispensing by the dispensing mechanism 007, the conveying line unit 001 conveys the holder 006 carrying the test tube 005 conveyed by the belt conveyor mechanism 003 to the sampling position 104b. At the same time, a sampling position holding mechanism 004 that holds the test tube 005 in a vertical posture is provided. Thereby, even when the access position of the dispensing mechanism 007 is away from the transport line unit 001, sampling is possible.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the sampling position holding mechanism 004 of the present invention from above.

  The sampling position holding mechanism 004 in this embodiment includes a holder conveyance mechanism and a test tube holding mechanism that can rotate coaxially, and includes a holder conveyance plate 105, a test tube holding arm 106, a motor 108, and an elliptical cam 109. .

  The holder transport plate 105 has a concave portion 110 for receiving a single transport holder 006 on which a test tube 005 containing a sample carried by the belt conveyor mechanism 003 is placed at a part of its outer edge. The concave portion 110 holds the holder 006 by contacting the outer periphery of the holder 006. With the holder 006 held in the recess 110, the motor 108 rotates the holder transport plate 105, thereby moving the holder 006 to the sampling position 104b by the dispensing mechanism 007 of the automatic analyzer 50. As the holder transport plate 105 rotates, the test tube holding arm 106 held on the same axis 107 as the holder transport plate 105 rotates in the same manner, and holds the test tube 005 placed on the holder 006 at the sampling position 104b. Thereby, even if the test tube 005 is held in the tilted state in the holder 006, the position and the angular height of the test tube 005 can be held constant at the sampling position 104b.

  Further, after the dispensing process at the sampling position 104b is completed, the holder transport plate 105 is further rotated to release the holding of the test tube 005 by the test tube holding arm 106, and at the same time, the holder 006 is returned to the belt conveyor mechanism 003. be able to.

  By providing such a holder transport mechanism, the holder 006 transported by the belt conveyor mechanism 003 is transported to the sampling position 104b located outside the belt conveyor mechanism 003, and the test tube 005 is gripped at the sampling position 104b. And can be held fixedly. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a sampling accuracy failure due to the inclination of the test tube 005 at the sampling position 104b. Further, since the holder transport mechanism and the test tube holding mechanism are driven by the same motor 108, it is possible to prevent an increase in apparatus cost due to an increase in the number of parts.

  Further, by controlling the rotation angle of the holder transport plate 105, the holder 006 can be stopped at an arbitrary position, and the holding position of the test tube 005 can be adjusted in accordance with the position.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of the holder conveyance mechanism of the sampling position holding mechanism 004.

  In addition to the holder transport plate 105 and the motor 108 that rotates the holder transport plate 105, the holder transport mechanism includes detection plates 202a and 202b that are attached to the holder transport plate 105 at a predetermined angle, and a sensor that detects the presence or absence of the detection plate. 201a, 201b, 201c and a holder presence / absence sensor 203 that detects that the holder 006 is held on the holder transport plate 105 may be provided.

  When the motor 108 rotates with the holder 006 accommodated in the recess 110, the holder 006 accommodated in the recess 110 and the recess 110 is positioned at each of the holder loading position 104a, the sampling position 104b, and the holder unloading position 104c. be able to.

  In order to detect that the concave portion 110 is positioned at each position, sensors 201a, 201b, and 201c are fixed around the holder transport plate 105, and a sensor detection plate to be detected by these sensors. 202 a and the sensor sample plate 202 b are attached to a predetermined position of the holder transport plate 105. The sensor detection plates 202a and 202b are rotated in synchronization with the rotation of the holder transport plate 105, so that the sensor 201a, the sensor 201b, and the sensor 201c are positioned at the sensor detection plate 202a and the sensor detection plate 202b. It is comprised so that it can detect. As a result, the holder 006 held in the recess 110 of the holder transport plate 105 can be stopped at an arbitrary position.

  Although it is conceivable to use a general optical sensor as the sensor, other methods may be used as long as the presence or absence of the detection plate at a specific position can be detected. In this embodiment, two types of detection plate 202a and detection plate 202b are used. However, the rotation state of the holder transport plate 105 may be detected by one type of detection plate. Further, how each sensor detects the rotation state of the holder transport plate 105 will be described later.

  Furthermore, by providing the holder presence / absence sensor 203 that detects the presence / absence of the holder 006 in the recess 110, the holder transport plate 105 rotates in a state where the holder 006 cannot be received in the recess 110, so that the holder 006 A situation of being pinched between the holder transport plate 105 can be avoided. Even when the holder transport plate 105 returns from the holder carry-out position 104c to the holder carry-in position 104a, if the holder presence / absence sensor 203 confirms that there is no holder 006, an unintended holder 006 is moved to the holder carry-in position by the holder transport plate 105. There is no return to 104a.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation flow of the holder transport plate 105.

  First, the holder 006 transported by the belt conveyor mechanism 003 is received by the concave portion 110 of the holder transport plate 105 (FIG. 5A). By providing the holder presence / absence sensor 203, it can be confirmed that the holder 006 is held in the concave portion 110 of the holder transport plate 105.

  In this state, the holder conveyance plate 105 is rotated by the motor 108, and the holder 006 is conveyed to the sampling position 104b (FIG. 5B). By transporting the holder 006 using the rotation of the holder transport plate 105, the holder 006 can be moved in a direction other than the transport direction of the belt conveyor mechanism 003 (for example, the direction perpendicular to the transport direction by the belt conveyor mechanism 003). It is. In addition, it can confirm that the recessed part 110 is located in the sampling position 104b because the sensor 201b has detected presence of the sensor detection board 202b.

  After the sampling of the specimen is completed, the motor 108 is driven again, the holder transport plate 105 is rotated, and the holder 006 is transported to the holder unloading position 104c (FIG. 5C). As a result, the holder 006 is returned to the belt conveyor mechanism 003 again. In addition, it can confirm that the recessed part 110 is located in the holder carrying-out position 104c because the sensor 201c has detected presence of the sensor detection board 202b.

  When the concave portion 110 is positioned at the holder unloading position 104c, the holder 006 is unloaded from the holder conveying plate 105 by driving the belt conveyor mechanism 003 (FIG. 5D).

  After the holder 006 is unloaded from the recess 110, the holder transport plate 105 is rotated in the reverse direction by the motor 108, and the recess 110 is again positioned at the holder loading position 104a (FIG. 5E). In addition, it can confirm that the recessed part 110 is located in the holder carrying-in position 104a because the sensor 201a has detected presence of the sensor detection board 202a.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the test tube holding mechanism of the sampling position holding mechanism 004.

  The test tube holding mechanism includes a test tube holding arm 106, an opening / closing holding spring 401, a fixed elliptical cam 109, and bearings 403a and 403b. The test tube holding arm 106, the open / close holding spring 401, and the bearings 403a and 403b can be rotated integrally with the rotation of the holder transport plate 105. 6A shows a state of the test tube holding arm 106 when the concave portion 110 of the holder transport plate 105 is positioned at the holder carry-in position 104a (or the holder carry-out position 104c). FIG. The state of the test tube holding arm 106 when the concave portion 110 of the transport plate 105 is positioned at the sampling position 104b is shown. When the two bearings 403a and 403b connected to the test tube holding arm 106 move along the circumference of the fixed elliptical cam 109, the open / close holding spring 401 expands and contracts, and the test tube holding arm 106 is expanded. It is a structure that opens and closes.

  For example, in the state of FIG. 6A, since the two bearings 403a and 403b are in contact with the long axis position of the elliptical cam 109, the test tube holding arm 106 is in the most open state, and the holder is conveyed. Processing such as receiving 006 in the recess 110 or releasing the holder 006 held in the recess 110 to the belt conveyor mechanism 003 is possible.

  Thereafter, when the motor 108 is rotated 90 degrees so that the concave portion 110 of the holder transport plate 105 is positioned at the sampling position 104b, the test tube holding arm 106 is also rotated 90 degrees in synchronization with the drive of the holder transport plate 105 (FIG. 6 ( b)). In this state, since the two bearings 403a and 403b are in contact with the short axis position of the elliptical cam 109, the test tube holding arm 106 is closed, and the test tube 005 is sandwiched and fixed at the sampling position 104b. It becomes possible. In addition, since the test tube 005 can be clamped at the sampling position 104b, even if the test tube 005 is mounted on the holder 006 in an inclined state, it can be held vertically at the sampling position 104b and reliably dispensed. Processing can be executed.

  It is also conceivable that test tubes 005 having different diameters are conveyed together. The test tube 005 generally used is a case where φ13 mm and φ16 mm test tubes 005 are mixed. When the positions of the test tube holding arm 106, the bearings 403a and 403b, and the elliptical cam 109 are adjusted in accordance with the φ13 mm test tube 005, when the φ16 mm test tube 005 is gripped, the bearings 403a and 403b and the elliptical cam 109 Gaps 404a and 404b may occur between the two. By attaching the test tube holding arm position holding mechanism 405 to the test tube holding arm 106, it is possible to hold the test tube holding arm 106 so that the test tube 005 is positioned at the center of the sampling position 104b. .

  The test tube holding arm position holding mechanism 405 includes a belt 406, pulleys 407a and 407b, fixing parts 408a and 408b, and arm plates 409a and 409b. The arm plates 409a and 409b and the belt 406 are fixed by the fixing parts 408a and 408b. When the distance between the fixing part 408a and the pulley 407a is close, the fixing part 408b and the pulley 407b are automatically close by the same distance, and fixed on the contrary. When the distance between the component 408a and the pulley 407a is increased, the fixed component 408b and the pulley 407b are automatically increased by the same distance. By fixing the arm plates 409 a and 409 b and the test tube holding arm 106 by the test tube holding arm position holding mechanism 405, the left and right test tube holding arms 106 are symmetrical with respect to the axis 107 at the center of the elliptical cam 109. Can be translated in parallel. As a result, the bearings 403a and 403b generated when gripping the φ16mm test tube 005 and the gaps 404a and 404b of the elliptical cam 109 have the same distance, and the test tube 005 is positioned at the center of the sampling position 104b. The position of the holding arm 106 can be held.

  Further, the test tube holding arm 106 keeps the test tube 005 containing the sample in a vertical position, but depending on the processing of the arm, the test tube 005 can be tilted and held.

Further, in the present embodiment, the holder transport plate 105 that transports the holder 006 to the sampling position 104b has been described. However, if the process is to be performed on the sample container or the sample, the position other than the sampling is accessed. It can also be applied to. For example, a stirring position for stirring the specimen, a barcode reading position for reading a barcode attached to the specimen container, a sample check position for sensing the state of the specimen in the specimen container, and an opening for attaching / detaching a cap to the opening of the specimen container The holder transport plate 105 may be applied when the holder 006 is moved toward the closing position, the take-out position for taking out the specimen container from the holder 006, or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Sample pretreatment apparatus 20 Sample conveyance line 30 Sample post-processing apparatus 40 Sample processing system operation part 50 Automatic analyzer 60 Automatic analysis system operation part 001 Conveyance line unit 003 Belt conveyor mechanism 004 Sampling position holding mechanism 005 Test tube 006 Holder 007 Dispensing mechanism 104a Holder carry-in position 104b Sampling position 104c Holder carry-out position 105 Holder transport plate 106 Test tube holding arm 107 Shaft 108 Motor 109 Elliptical cam 110 Recesses 201a to c Sensors 202a and 202b Sensor detection plate 203 Holder presence / absence sensor 401 Open / close Holding springs 403a and 403b Bearings 404a and 404b Clearance 405 Test tube holding arm position holding mechanism 406 Belts 407a and 407b Pulleys 408a and 409b Fixing parts 409a , 409b Arm plate

Claims (8)

A belt conveyor mechanism for conveying a holder holding a single tubular container;
A processing mechanism having a function of processing the container or the liquid in the container and having an access position at a position other than on the belt conveyor mechanism;
A holder transport mechanism for transporting the holder received at the holder carry-in position between the belt conveyor mechanism and the access position;
A container fixing mechanism for fixing the position and angle of the container held by the holder at the access position;
A single motor that rotates the holder transport mechanism so as to pass through the holder carry-in position and the access position, and the container fixing mechanism fixes the container at the access position in synchronization with the operation of the holder transport mechanism; A specimen processing system comprising:
The specimen processing system according to claim 1,
The sample processing system, wherein the holder transport mechanism further transports the holder to a holder carry-out position where the container that has been processed by the processing mechanism is returned to the belt conveyor mechanism.
The specimen processing system according to claim 2, wherein
The holder transport mechanism includes a plate having a recess for receiving a holder at a peripheral edge, and a rotation shaft for rotating the plate by the motor,
The sample processing system according to claim 1, wherein the plate rotates about the rotation axis so that the recess can pass through the holder loading position, the access position, and the holder unloading position.
The specimen processing system according to claim 3, wherein
The container fixing mechanism includes an arm for sandwiching the container from at least two directions;
A fixed oval cam;
A bearing connected to the arm and movable in contact with the outer periphery of the elliptical cam;
The sample processing system, wherein the arm and the bearing rotate in synchronization with rotation of the holder transport mechanism.
The specimen processing system according to claim 4, wherein
The sample processing system, wherein the plate and the arm have the same rotation axis.
The specimen processing system according to claim 3, wherein
A sample processing system comprising a sensor for detecting a rotational position of the plate.
The specimen processing system according to claim 1,
A sample processing system comprising a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a holder at the holder loading position.
The specimen processing system according to claim 4,
When holding test tubes with different diameters, even if there is a gap between the elliptical cam and the two bearings, the test tube holding arm position holding mechanism is attached to the test tube holding arm, so that the test tube is placed in the sampling position. A sample processing system comprising means capable of being fixed to the center of the sample.